A month ago, I wrote a
post in the forums where I summarized my daily G1 routine, pointing out the apps I found most useful. Since then, programs have been updated and new ones have been released. So, I've changed apps for some functions, and added several more.
My favorite personal task manager,
Remember the Milk, now has a dedicated Android
viewer. As the name suggests, RTM Viewer for Android is currently limited to
read-only access. And it also downloads completed items. But it's
nimble and handy, and keeps me hooked up with my task list at home. I'm running an early version, and figure
quick improvements are likely. TooDo, which included RTM functionality
in its robust repertoire, has been uninstalled from my phone. TooDo is
a great app, but terribly bloated. I didn't use any of the Toodledo-related stuff,
so the thing was a waste of my resources. It's now missing from the
Market.
Milksync is available for RTM pro users ($25 a year), and runs on Winmo, iPhone, iPod touch and BlackBerry devices. The RTM
website
offers iCal and Atom feed features. Check it out. For the Linux
users in the house, Avant Window Navigator has a killer RTM applet. I
can't say enough good things about Remember the Milk. It's light, it's
easy, and it's quick. It is the perfect to do list.
PhonePlus Callback runs in the background and gives you new
options for dealing with an incoming call. It provides one-press action.
Callback will send a customized message to the caller letting them
know that you're busy and will get back to them. It uses email if you
have the person's address on file, and SMS for cell numbers in your
contacts. Then, after a time period that you've designated in your
settings, the app reminds you to call the person back.
After
enabling more advanced functions, a call will trigger several
options and you can decide, on the fly, how to handle each one
individually; to respond via email or SMS, etc.. In manual mode, the Callback button
turns green for a mobile number in your phonebook, red for a contact's landline, and yellow for unknown numbers. It gets confused if I
answer a call by hitting the button on my bluetooth device, and it is a bit buggy at times. But
overall, I'm liking it. It has potential.
Calling Card rocks. This one sees that I'm dialing an international number and diverts my call to my calling card. It remembers my PIN and knows how long to pause. It won't work with cards that have prompts beyond PIN and phone number though. One of my cards requires me to select English at the first prompt, so I can't use the program with that card. But I can use it with others, and it is a relief.
SnapPhoto uses the G1's accelerometer to recognize that brief moment without movement when the shutter should be open. Just tap SnapPhoto instead of your camera icon when you want to take a shot. This one is indispensable. It resolves a good chunk of my G1 camera complaints. Now watch this smooth transition...
Picasa Uploader is an official Google app that does one simple and useful thing; it adds a Picasa entry to the share menu of your photo viewer. Tapping it sends your photos to your public or private album. I expect this one to be included in the next major Android update. (Along with stereo bluetooth!)
Astro,
formerly Bender, is a file and application manager. It features
copy/paste functionality, and is nice for installing non-Market apps and deleting old media.
Here's the twist; two taps after entering the Application Manager,
every single program I've installed on my phone is backed up to my SD card. Pair that with one called
MyBackup, and
you've got a pretty solid safety net. I don't think all of the GMail
and other Google/G1 settings can be easily backed up at this point, so
that's on my wish list. A complete restore image would be ideal.
aTrackDog brings the simple updating of most desktop Linux distributions to
Android by checking for application updates and making upgrades
simpler; regardless of whether you're using a market app or something
more obscure. The program checks a central database for the latest
available releases, tells you which version you have, which version is
a available, and gives you the option to update. There's no 'one-touch
to update all' option like I have in Ubuntu, but it's progress.
SpoofApp
allows you to call someone and front any number you choose in their
caller ID. Not only that, but it masks your voice. It gets better; the
app records your calls to the SpoofCard server, and the sound files are
playable from within this well-organized software. You get five free minutes for
downloading the program, and can purchase minute bundles
starting at $10 for an hour. They accept Paypal. Look out, Jerky Boys.
That's it for now. I'm sure I'll have more to say later. I haven't checked out a new game in about six weeks, and there are tons of them. Take care.
John Walton - Cell phone editor
John Walton is a student and writer who spends most of his free time fingerpicking an acoustic guitar and authoring biographical snippets in the third-person. He lives with his wife and their cat,...
Check out this one, and choose a category on the left. There's an Amarok remote in there. Cool.
Seriously; find a source you trust and be careful.