Sunday, March 18, 2012

Top 10 Must Have Android Apps

Since getting my new phone in December I have had lots of time to experience the Android Market. This is my quick list of apps to get. Lets just call it the best of the best.

1. swiftkey: I love so much about this keyboard replacement. My most favorite feature though is the layout. the keys are setup with press and hold functions to select frequent characters. Not only that, but the number keys are vertical instead of horizontal. Of course, the headline feature of this app is the killer auto correction and text prediction.

2. Grooveshark: As far as music apps go, everyone is talking about Spotify. Me being an unintentional hipster though, I prefer Grooveshark. This app has so many great features, but the best is its ability to stream uninterrupted while driving through low coverage areas. It is my favorite...period.

3. Go launcher EX: This launcher replacement is the best in my opinion. The amount of launcher themes is incredible. Not only that, but it works smoothly and without crashes. If you don't like your stock launcher, this is the best choice.

4.ZPlayer: Switching from a Zune hd to an android phone wasn't too bad, except for the podcast support. Android doesn't come with standard podcast aggregation, and the Google app is a load of bollocks. Therefore, I looked in familiar ground. ZPlayer is a Zune interface emulator, and it does a great job. Its features are excellent, but its podcast support is without par.

5. evernote: I have found so many uses for this cross platform note management system. From writing a script, to saving information on my goats, it is indispensable.

6. Cloudprint: This app ties into Google cloud print service. All you need is chrome running on your computer, and it seamlessly integrates with your printers.

7. Google+: Although this social network hasn't seen the success of its contemporaries, its integration with your phone is unparalleled. it is what would happen if Facebook, twitter and Tinychat had a lovechild.

8. Play Books: Google's recently re-branded book source is a pleasant and trouble free reading system, 'nuff said.

9. Facebook/Foursquare/twitter: I know they are more than one app, but I don't feel they deserve seperate placement.

10. Lookout Mobile Security: This is both a must have, and a bit of an annoyance. The portion that I use is the phone finder features. If I think I left my phone somewhere, all I need to do is go to the lookout website, and check on its location, if I am near it I just hit the scream button on my account and it sounds an alarm to help me find it, even if it is on silent. The part I don't like is the security "feature". It gives me an automated "everything is okay" notification whenever I install an app. I don't know how much this does, if anything.

* Honorable mention: If you have sprint, I definatly recommend Google Voice.


Monday, March 5, 2012

The moment you realize Google deleted all the pictures from your posts. I will try to recover most of them, but some are lost forever. I already fixed the background and header. Therefore, the rest will be fixed in the next couple of days.

In other news, I am going to get REALLY familiar with Photobucket.

State of the Blog Adress

Well, we are well into 2012, and I have been very much absent. This will change. In the coming months I will be improving the content of this blog. There will be video reviews, text reviews, and a continuation of the stream of my opinions.  What won't be here? Well, the answer is food posts, I don't see a reason a tech centered blog should have them.

So, basically I have grandiose plans, I hope they come to fruition.