Smartphone Apps

[bvibert]

As a new Android user I've been having fun exploring the possibilities with the phone. I've downloaded a few apps, Pandora being the most used so far.

I'm curious what other smartphone users are using for apps?

I apologize if this has been covered before, I didn't see a thread...

 

[dmc]

Shazam, MLB, Tweetdeck, Facebook off the top of my head..

 

[bvibert]

Shazam looks pretty cool, I'll have to check that one out.

 

[dmc]

Shazam looks pretty cool, I'll have to check that one out.

there's a couple other ones floating around too..

We play Name That Tune at the bar with Shazam..

 

[HD333]

I use these on my Droid:

Runkeeper
Pandora
Slacker (pandora competitor)
Sportstap
Open Table
NY Times
craigsphone
GPS Status
The Weather Channel
Advanced Task Killer (saves battery)

And a whole bunch of kids apps, puzzles, Math, Finger Painting, etc.. to keep the kids busy in the car.

 

[dmc]

Weather apps are great!
I use TWC, AccuWeather and WeatherBug.
Plus I have a few RADAR maps bookmarked to see in a browser..

 

[Glenn]

Ones that haven't been mentioned:
CardStar
Poynt
Viigo
Google Maps (probably preloaded on a Driod...and most other Google apps as well)
Our Groceries

 

[o3jeff]

If you can put briefly what they do that would be appreciated for us lazy people!

 

[Grassi21]

+1 on Poynt and Google Maps.

Google maps is well.... Google maps. Poynt locates gas, restaurants, businesses, people etc based on your geographic location (GPS or nearest cell tower). They have a cheapest gas feature in there as well.

 

[HD333]

I use these on my Droid:

Runkeeper - GPS tracks work out, different modes, MTB, hiking, running, etc. Show route on a map when done
Pandora - Tunes
Slacker (pandora competitor) - Tunes
Sportstap - Sports Scores
Open Table - Site to make dinner rezzes
NY Times - Liberal rag :-D
craigsphone - craigslist mobile, buy cheap stuff like mountian bikes and skis
GPS Status - Shows GPS status and where you are
The Weather Channel - Weather
Advanced Task Killer -saves battery

And a whole bunch of kids apps, puzzles, Math, Finger Painting, etc.. to keep the kids busy in the car.

See above for descriptions. Fart Droid was also fun for the first week, I'll let you figure out what that is.....

 

[severine]

That's the one downside to the Palm Pre Plus so far... not so many apps. I had some great ones on my iPod that there are no equivalent for the PPP. I found a couple apps like the one Grassi mentioned but the info is horribly outdated...like restaurants that closed many years ago and restaurants that came after them in the same location (and also closed) are listed in town. Makes me wonder how accurate the rest of it is. Where seems to be the better of the two that I downloaded (Citysearch being the other) and Where has the gas prices (I haven't checked accuracy on that yet). I did get a nice Drinking Trivia app for the next time I'm out with people. :beer:

 

[BackLoafRiver]

Congrats on the purchase of an android. Here is a list of what I use.

Runkeeper
Pandora
Sirius/ XM
Facebook
Mytracks - A Runkeeper alternative. I use it infrequently since getting Runkeeper but good to have
Google maps
Craigs notification - a pretty cool craigslist app that you can specify what to have it update you on. It has been great so far since I am looking for a new apartment and a Thule box
Factoid - a pretty fun app with random facts.
Mototorch LED - Turns the camera LED into a flashlight with some options. Very helpful
Movies - Partners with rotten tomatoes to give reviews, previews and showtimes. AWESOME app.
Picsay - a fun photo editor. You can make some funny stuff with that.
Google Voice
Advanced Task Killer (saves battery)

I have a few more. So many great things coming out too. I can't wait to try slingbox for android. It looks killer!

 

[bvibert]

How does the Sirius XM app work? There's a monthly fee for that, correct? I've thinking of dropping my regular Sirius subscription. I was thinking of getting it through the phone instead, but Pandora has been kicking ass so far.

I want to get a mount to mount the phone to the dash (or windshield) so I can use it with Google maps like a GPS, since I don't already have a GPS in my car. I tried using it when I first got it, but I couldn't get it to get good enough satellite reception without holding it up near the windshield. Which obviously made it more difficult to drive.

 

[Grassi21]

How does the Sirius XM app work? There's a monthly fee for that, correct? I've thinking of dropping my regular Sirius subscription. I was thinking of getting it through the phone instead, but Pandora has been kicking ass so far.

I want to get a mount to mount the phone to the dash (or windshield) so I can use it with Google maps like a GPS, since I don't already have a GPS in my car. I tried using it when I first got it, but I couldn't get it to get good enough satellite reception without holding it up near the windshield. Which obviously made it more difficult to drive.

i am pretty sure there is a charge xm/serius app. and pandora does kick ass!

 

[severine]

I <3 Pandora! I forget who on AZ told me about it (may have been Paul or herginicoop) but definitely a fave. Don't like Slacker as much.

 

[bvibert]

i am pretty sure there is a charge xm/serius app. and pandora does kick ass!

Granted I've only been using it for a couple of days, but so far I like the music that Pandora picks out better than Sirius. I've had it running (through the phone) all day today at work.

 

[Grassi21]

Granted I've only been using it for a couple of days, but so far I like the music that Pandora picks out better than Sirius. I've had it running (through the phone) all day today at work.

They do grab a good mix of music. I started listening to Slightly Stupid after it popped up on my Sublime station. Great stuff. I play a Bob Marley station a lot around my son. He now requests to listen to Bob Marley by name and anytime he hears a reggae sound in any song he asks if its Bob. That kid is cool as a fan.

 

[Glenn]

Edit with descriptions

Ones that haven't been mentioned:
CardStar: Store all your discount cards and barcodes. Lightens the ol wallet.
Poynt: Mentioned above. Think of it as yelp, but way more useful.
Viigo: RSS reader. This may be BlackBerry only now since RIM bought them. A good solid RSS reader with podcasts as well. I like it. It's a bit heavy, so it may not work so well on pre 5.0 OS BB's
Google Maps (probably preloaded on a Driod...and most other Google apps as well)
Our Groceries: A very simple app that lets my wife and I share a common shopping list. As we think of stuff, put it on the list. It updates on both phones. Whoever is at the store, has the current list. As you shop, allows you to cross items off the list...and you can see what's crossed off.

Slacker: I think it has a better interface, but losing "next artist" in the free version is a bummer.

Pandora: It's a bit more work for custom stations, but you can really zero in on what you like. I think it sometimes plays some deeper cuts. No audio ads ether. Well, not that I've heard as of late.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

How does the Sirius XM app work? There's a monthly fee for that, correct? I've thinking of dropping my regular Sirius subscription. I was thinking of getting it through the phone instead, but Pandora has been kicking ass so far.

I want to get a mount to mount the phone to the dash (or windshield) so I can use it with Google maps like a GPS, since I don't already have a GPS in my car. I tried using it when I first got it, but I couldn't get it to get good enough satellite reception without holding it up near the windshield. Which obviously made it more difficult to drive.

Yeah, there is a $3 a month fee on top of your regular sirius subscription. It's kind of a nab since Pandora is mostly superior. I use it to catch my favorite talk shows on 108 and for some Octane. I need to find a decent artist to put into my Pandora rotation.

As for a mount, I highly recommend it! The car dock for the droid makes a huge difference and really allows you to utilize the Google Maps Navigation. Do they make one for the Ally?

 

[bvibert]

As for a mount, I highly recommend it! The car dock for the droid makes a huge difference and really allows you to utilize the Google Maps Navigation. Do they make one for the Ally?

I think they do. Trying to figure out what would work best, on the windshield would put it too far away to use it I think. I may have to make something up to mount it to the top of the dash somehow. I'm also working on hacking my car stereo to use the unused CD changer input as an aux input, so that I can play music from the phone right through the cars speakers.