This application is very similar to Samsung 'Swype', where instead of tapping the screen to select each key, you just drag your finger over the screen, passing over the keys you want to select, and it outputs the right words in about half the time.
It makes entering text much quicker.
$6 - well worth it, a physical keyboard costs >$20.
These are both instant messaging programs that are available on both iPhone and Android platforms.
PingChat is not the best one, I'm sure. It's a bit annoying that everyone you chat with is represented in the same colour, but it's still decent and free.
HeyTell is like a simpler voice message service. You just hold down the big orange button while you're speaking and release when you're finished. Your HeyTell friend will get a notification and hear you voice message in high quality.
If you add one to your iPhone or Android, add me.
So you never actually have to finish what you're typing, just select the predicted word by hitting the spacebar.
It also generates statistics of how many keystrokes it saves you.
Mine is telling me that it has saved me 34% of my keystrokes.
It has a very long trial period, and you can decide if it is worth paying $4 for.
This has two uses.
One is to find your phone when it is lost or stolen.
The other is to make someone else's phone turn itself up to maximum volume and then start going mental when they are in a meeting or at the library.
Where's my Droid has helped me find my phone so many times. You choose a trigger phrase, e.g. "Where's my droid?" and send it to your phone via sms.
Your Android will, depending on your settings, turn itself up to maximum volume and play an alarm signal, return sms with gps co-ordinates and start vibrating.
If you can't find it then, it is truly lost.
The second use I alluded to is to convince your friend to install this and then ask them for the trigger word...
If someone asks you for your trigger word - you have been warned.
Android running slowly?
Lag time?
Glitches?
Force closes?
Slow?
The first thing to do is to do a simple Google search on the problem.
I promise you: you are not the first person to encounter this problem.
Actually, the first thing to do is turn it off and then on again.
Then try taking the battery out and putting it back in.
Then try reformatting the memory. (i.e. restore factory settings, this will delete all your personal information)
Here are some common complaints and how to fix them:
Glitches/slow:
Task Killers are great tools, but overused. A Task Killer can sit on your phone and slap down anything that tries to run in the background. Unfortunately, a lot of applications need to run in the background, in order to do the cool things you downloaded them for.
Even worse, every time you kill a system process, it needs to be rerun, which consume precious battery and speed.
A task killer should never be set to auto-kill but can be useful to close down manually any processes that start freaking out.
Battery Performance:
A handset with Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, Wi-Fi and screen on will run itself down in a few hours.
The worst of these, by an huge margin, is the screen.
You can get applications like Toggle Settings Lite that will turn down any of these features based on particular system states (e.g. turn Wi-Fi back on when you arrive home or turn screen to 'dim' after 8pm) but the screen use will still kill your battery in a very short time.
The simplest solution is to carry a data/recharge cable with you ($1 ebay) but you can also find many battery utilities on the web that will help you.
Some handsets, like the HTC Desire HD, have poorly calibrated batteries, and there are official fixes for this. Check out the manufacturer's website.
Lag:
To get more out of my Samsung Galaxy I gained root access (WARNING: WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY AND POSSIBLY BREAK YOUR PHONE) and installed a new 'Rom' or 'Mod' on it. This just means instead of running the operating system that Samsung installed on it at the factory, I found a modified one on the web that I liked and installed that.
These are usually based on the manufacturer's designs, but are tweaked to remove branding, to increase streamlining, and to run faster.
Sounds hard, but if your handset is laggy it is worth considering.
If the mod you install is still glitchy - no problem: Just install another.
You can use RomManager to easily install and backup different mods.
You need this application so that your phone doesn't get sick:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-10928070
AVG is free and has full features. Just leave it going in the background and hopefully you'll never hear from it again.
Ever lost or broken a phone and lost some important photos?
Do you shop?
Does your partner shop?
Do you both use Android or iPhone or Symbian?
The simplest ideas are the best.
This is a very simple idea. It's just a shopping list on your handset, but any changes you make are also reflected on the list on your partner's handset in real time.
Brilliant.
This is a pretty basic application, but it makes sense to load this one first because it will make finding and loading other apps easier.
It’s basically a better version of the Android market. The ratings are more informative, and you can better manage and locate apps.
One of the best features is you can share application lists and reviews.
So please, follow this link and have a look at the applications I recommend.
Some of these I will write about, but it’s better if you just have a look through and get the ones that seem best to you.
Once you’ve installed AppBrain and Fast Web Install you can browse applications on the web and push them wirelessly to your handset.
You can also maintain a timeline of applications, so if you want to remember that application that you really used to love and regret uninstalling you can find it on the AppBrain store. And if you ever have a problem with your handset – just log into AppBrain using your Google account and you will find your list of applications again. (However you have lost all your application data; stay tuned for a root access application review that will help guard against this)
Greengrocer: Hello, how can I help you?
You: I would like an apple please.
Greengrocer: Certainly, these apples here are on special, they will give you a dizzying high and they are only $3.99 a kilo.
You: Thanks, but I don’t really want to pay for them.
Greengrocer: Come again?
You: I don’t think I should have to pay.
Greengrocer: Why not?
You: Because there are heaps of apple trees where I can get apples for free. So can I have one of yours for free please?
Greengrocer: Get out of my shop.
You: Ok.
It’s true, there are heaps of free applications on the market, (and often they are better than the pay ones) but if your only objection is, “I don’t want to pay for it”, then think of the analogy above.
The best spent money in the Application Market is on iSyncr and iSyncr Wifi add on.
For about $5 total you get a tidy and simple program that talks to your computer via your wifi connection and can synchronise your iTunes playlists onto your device.
That's right.
You don't have to connect your handset to your computer ever again.
It takes ages, but the sheer convenience of being able to simply open the program, and then in three clicks your music begins transferring to your handset.
How many times have I heard, "But I use iTunes! I need an iPhone"?
I use iTunes too. That's why I need Android - so I don't have to use wires to synchronise.
An iPhone costs about $800. All up, for your Android you will probably pay between $200 and $900. So don't be tight - $5 is worth it.
Do you use Android?
Do you use Chrome?
Do you send text messages?
If so, read on.
You can download Mighty Text for free from the Application Store. Once installed on your handset you go to Mighty Text on the Chrome Store:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dkfhfaphfkopdgpbfkebjfcblcafcmpi?hc=search&hcp=main
...and install it on your copy of Chrome.
You can now send text messages from Chrome.
Messages will be sent from your phone and your usual number. All this does is use your data connection to tell your phone what you are trying to do.
So you still have to pay for the text!
I don't know about you, but I type about 20 times faster on a keyboard compared to a handset. Add the time it takes to get it out of your pocket, unlock it and open the SMS... this is going to be faster (and cooler).
Some of your handset manufacturers may already provide this functionality, but the advantage to Mighty Text is that you can access it through Chrome instead of having to go to the Motorolla or HTC website.
This week a few people have asked me about Android and how to find the best apps.
I’ve decided to mini-blog some random bits and pieces that will be helpful if you are using Android for the first time. (If you are a super-user please don’t read any further – this is not for you)
If you have just bought an Android phone and have a sneaking suspicion that Android may be awesome: Read on.
The Beginning: To Root?
The very basics we don’t need to cover here. (turn it on and register Google etc.) But the first real decision you need to make is, “Do I root it?”
“Rooting” your phone is simply breaking down the security that keeps some features of the phone from your control. The makers of your handset don’t want you to mess with things that could hurt your phone (e.g. processer speed, which if overclocked [sped up] can end up cooking your handset).
But if you are reasonably confident, you should root your phone because there are heaps of fun and helpful things that I will be writing about that you can do only on a rooted handset. (Sneaky sample: complete backup of your phone, unrestricted customisation, remove annoying and pointless vendor applications)
This makes you slightly more susceptible to threats to your privacy, but only if you are silly and don't put any anti-virus on it.
The first rule is: Always check the rating and comments of any software you download before you install it. This is just common sense.
The reason I suggest doing this step first is that rooting may require you to wipe all data on your handset – this makes more sense if there is no data on the handset yet.
************DISCLAIMER************
This will void your warranty.
Neither I nor my employer nor anyone I know or know of would recommend doing this.
You can blow up your phone.
************END DISCLAIMER************
1) Think long and hard about whether this is the right thing for you. (Give me a call even)
2) Type “Root [My handset type]” in Google.
3) Hit enter.
4) Follow instructions you find.
5) If instructions don’t work, ask a nerd for help.
Good luck.
