Image taken from http://www.ryebrye.com/blog/
OK, I’m not an expert. I’m just a guy who’s been using the T-Mobile G1 (the Google Phone) for 6 months, and it’s great!
There are so many people out there extolling the virtues of the iPhone – especially the new 3GS (I had my opinions on the subject way back before it even came out!), but I think it’s time that someone stepped forward and explained that the iPhone doesn’t have the sole monopoly on Applications.
Actually, that reminds me, I haven’t heard from the ASA regarding the final results of my complaint against Apple about the use of “There’s an app for that… Only on the iPhone” adverts. I wonder how long it usually takes for a follow-up?
Anyway, this isn’t meant to be another iPhone thread because, well, quite simply – I want to give my suggestions for the Android Apps that have improved my Android life so let’s start with:
Twidroid – probably the best twitter client on the Android market at the moment, it brings most of the functionality of the website (except for viewing your followers/following list). It also has built in URL shortening and the facility to post images to twitpic or it’s own in-house site Phodroid, and it does it all smoothly!
3Banana – A versatile notes App that syncs directly with the 3banana.com website, allowing you to check and update your notes from anywhere with an internet connection, and if you don’t have a connection then just add the note and it’ll sync as soon as you do! The ability to add images, links, HTML and embedded items (like YouTube etc…) as well as the automatic telephone number recognition and easy tagging using hashtags make this a fantastically useful tool. There’s also a comments section and the facility to share your 3Banana notes with anyone through a direct URL or QR Code. But don’t be worried, your notes are private unless you choose to share them. I use it primarily to jot down blog ideas, keep shopping lists and generally just dump my thoughts there to be sorted at a later date.
DocumentsToGo – This is the best Word and Excel App that I’ve found on the Android Market, and the only one to support all of the most popular Microsoft Office formats up to Office 2007. The integration is fantastic and it’s so easy to share documents via GMail that you really need this if you’re ever going to need to write full docs or spreadsheets. You can also access password protected files too.
AniWidget – This is a fantastic desktop widget that comes in two flavours; a 2×2 and a 4×2 size and includes an analogue clock, digital clock, notepad, to do list, calendar and agenda syncing, rss feed reader and a weather widget. Along with the obligatory flashlight, mute function, wireless and airplane mode toggle this is a versatile and desperately needed widget for everyone!
TuneWiki – OK, forget the built in media player, not only can TuneWiki do everything it can, it’ll also automagically connect to its website and search for the Lyrics for you, and put them up on your screen karaoke-stylee. Tie in the YouTube functionality, last.fm support and Shoutcast radio functions and you’ll never need another music app. The free version does have ads, but it’s a small price to pay for the full app once you’ve tested it, I can almost guarantee that you’ll love it! Oh, and did I mention, if ever you’re stuck for ideas (and with all of that how could you be!?!) they’ve also got a built-in maps feature (that can also be viewed on the website) which shows what people nearby are listening to!
beebPlayer – An unofficial but fantastic iPlayer app, you can watch your favourite BBC programmes through your Android Phone anywhere. There are a few bugs every so often (the BBC don’t officially support T-Mobile for example so if you’re on the T-Mob G1 then 3G may cause problems) although I’ve never really had a problem with Wi-Fi access.
aHome – This is where Android really comes into it’s own, the open source nature of the platform means that anyone can rewrite the code for central parts of the OS, such as the desktop. When I got my G1 there wasn’t much that you needed desktop space for so three screens was plenty. But there were a few desktop replacement apps on the Market, aHome, dxTop, Sweeter Home and Open Home, all of which provided widgets before cupcake and also released more screens. I’ve tried each of them but every time I moved I found myself coming back to the easy to use and well written aHome, so I bought it!
So, yes the Android Market has a spirit level, a tip calculator, a taxi application and all the other gumpf that Apple thought they needed to promote on those stupid ads, but there are lots of other apps out there that will genuinely improve your use of your phone. And with the way the Android Dev team have been throwing out updates and the way the OHA have been announcing new hardware the only way is up for Android!
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