PhoneDog.com - The latest about Productivity

ARTICLE: Cellscope turns phone into microscope

7/23/2009 11:05:00 AM

Neat things happen when educators use phones in innovative ways. (And bad things happen when they don't. See my rant on the topic here.)

At least institutions of higher learning get the picture. Case in point: Professor David Fletcher, of University of California at Berkeley, issued an interesting directive for his students that is equal parts cool hack and educational experiment.

He instructed them to build a microscope using a cell phone. Lo and behold, after some tinkering with electronics and lenses, they had a functional and useful gadget on their hands, which they dubbed the Cellscope.

They're hoping the device will be a weapon in the arsenal for poor geographic areas battling malaria, sickle-cell anemia, and tuberculosis. These locations tend to have issues with equipment supplies, since diagnosis requires numerous expensive microscopes. The team hopes that the Cellscope will offer a less-expensive alternative that could help save lives.

[Scientific American via Neatorama]

ARTICLE: DIY: Make your own cheap iPhone tripod mount

7/1/2009 12:20:00 PM

Man, I love DIY stuff. This one's no exception.

Given the fact that new 3G S owners have proven — in large numbers — to be vid-crazy, the following YouTube clip will be really handy for someone out there who's trying to figure out how to mount their iPhones for shake-proof captures.

Obviously, this isn't intended to be a permanent case for the device (how would you stick this in your pocket??). But as a camera accessory, as opposed to a phone accessory, this works nicely. The only beef I have with it is that the hardware isn't retractable. That would've made this a near perfect solution for would-be iPhone photogs or videographers. Even so, it's still pretty sweet.

If you've got an engineering brain that just can't help but tinker with accessories or hardware, please share them by emailing info@phonedog.com, attn: AL. Creativity fused with practicality is just an awesome thing, and we'd love to give you a little spotlight on your projects.

And now, here's the vid.

ARTICLE: Android app review - Better Keyboard

5/26/2009 3:00:00 PM

It may not be an issue for those who have installed Haykuro's release of HTC's lovely Android keyboard (1st image below - see comments for instructions). But folks who enjoy further customization can download an app for their Cupcake phone called Better Keyboard from the Android Market for $1.99. The listing currently says the offer will only last as week, but doesn't say what the price will jump to when the sale is over.

Better Android is the brand that serves up Open Home and some customized versions of Cupcake-compatible widgets. With a few of their products, you can put together a coordinated theme that integrates with virtually every nook and cranny of your operating environment. Each of their programs deserves a separate review, and this one is about Better Keyboard. But take a moment to look around their homepage for an idea of what else the company offers. Near the top you'll find screenshots of the four Better Keyboard themes currently available, as well as a sample meant to assist you creating your own.

The first image I'll start with is the HTC IME that Haykuro released - simply because I find it the most elegant and functional. It gives you direct access to the input settings, and a button to hide the keyboard.

Now for the Better Keyboard themes. These are a sample what you'll find independently available in the Market at the time of this writing, but some Open Home themes come with their own keyboard theme as well.

This last one really only works with a very simple wallpaper and no icons. You can see an example of it under ideal circumstances at the Better Android website. Here, I show how it can be a bit problematic for some users.

The settings for Better Keyboard can be found in Settings -> Locale & text -> Better Keyboard. Audio and haptic feedback, auto complete, gestures, and auto-capitalization are among the options.

While I definitely think this application deserves a thumbs up, nothing currently beats HTC's keyboard, in my opinion. However, Better Keyboard offers a much simpler installation for those who don't want to spend a lot of time learning about Android hacks.

ARTICLE: Android tethering app

4/2/2009 8:40:00 AM

For those who haven't been following Android Market news, it was widely reported over the last week that Google was pulling an app from the marketplace that allowed users to connect their computers and other Internet devices to a G1 for surfing on their cell carrier's bandwidth. Of course the first question that popped up was, "Who's bandwidth?" You paid for unlimited data, right? Well, you were still violating T-Mobile's terms of service, and Google felt obliged to remove the offending app from the Market.

I am happy to report, however, that Google has allowed the program to return for users outside of the States. Still (and this is the question everyone seems to be asking), is it Google's place to enforce T-Mobile's TOS here in the States? And more importantly, should we lay down and let a multinational corporation dominate and suppress community-driven technology?

Well, I don't think so. So here's a post with the app, which requires a root access. There's a link in there for another root-required app called aNetshare. PdaNet is a non-root solution.

I should say that I don't officially recommend modding your phone. You could end up with a pretty strange-looking paper-weight. Having said that, please resume learning, exploring, and creating the software that drives the industry. Have fun!

Via ars technica and Droid Developer

VIDEO: Android app review - Sweeter Home

4/1/2009 6:25:00 PM

I knew this would happen. I recorded a video while a new version was being released. Development is moving so quick on this project that any review will be outdated the minute it gets posted. That's O.K., though. You can watch my vid for the overview and check the links for the latest features.

Springboards, which I mentioned in my video, but didn't understand, can be seen in their full glory here.

LemoNZ's Matricks video demonstration can be found here.

Also, be sure to look at Puny Weakling's themes page, and the Sweeter Home homepage.

ARTICLE: Initial Impressions: BlackBerry App World

4/1/2009 4:25:00 PM

For BlackBerry users across North America, the day has finally come where RIM has joined the ranks of Android (Android Market) and Apple (App Store) with the launch of the BlackBerry App World. Referred to as "an exciting new sales channel" by co-CEO Mike Lazaridis, the marketplace will initially have 1,000 free and paid applications starting at $2.99.

I've been tinkering with App World since the launch 12:01 AM, and I'm quite impressed. It's clean, organized, and easy to use.

This is the main page that you will see when App World starts up (once you accept the Terms & Conditions). As its name suggests, the 'Featured Items' section offers those applications that are found to be useful to BlackBerry users. Below the featured programs, you'll see four buttons - from left to right: 'Categories,' 'Top Downloads,' 'Search,' and 'My World.'

As you would imagine, the 'Categories' section breaks the applications down by type, making it much easier to find the programs that interest you the most. Fairly self-explanatory here.

The 'Top Downloads' section lists the 25 programs that are most popular at the time. Though I've only used the store for one day, I have found that most of the applications in the list are (not surprisingly) free.

Again, self-explanatory. The 'Search' tab allows you to type in what you're looking for, and delivers a list based on what it thinks to be the most relevant results.

'My World' lists the applications that you have downloaded from the store.

All things considered, App World represents a great start for Research In Motion, but they certainly have a long way to go if they want to be a serious contender in the application store market. As much as I hate to reference Apple at every turn, the company has 24,000 more applications in its App Store. Furthermore, RIM is only accepting payment via Paypal at the moment, and though it has promised additional methods of payment soon, it needs to move quickly to make the experience as smooth as possible. I can't wait to see the impact of the store once these small hindrances are ironed out.

ARTICLE: Does iPhone really need fingerprint scanner security?

3/31/2009 2:35:00 PM

Digging into another Apple patent filing, Apple Insider discovered a reference to some really crazy biometric security stuff for the iPhone. The patent — which was filed back in September and only recently published — covers fingerprint authentication via a sensor lodged beneath the touchscreen, retinal identification (using the camera), voice recognition security and DNA sampling for access via genetic code matching.

Reading this, I was suddenly reminded of those hokey iPhone apps with fake fingerprint scanners that display messages like "Hotness Detected" or some other dumb thing. The idea is similar, except that these security features would actually work.

I used to look at those apps wistfully and think, "It would be neat if they really worked for authentication." But now? Meh. I'd rather have Flash on my phone, along with better battery life and real background processes.

So maybe the real news is not that Apple's considering hot, future-forward security; It's that the company still has some important, basic features to address, ones that the phone needs to remain competitive. Don't get me wrong — iPhone 3.0 is a huge step in the right direction, but many of the neat new features in there actually should've been available out of the box a long time ago. And there's still work to do, not for future phones, but for the current handsets we're all using now. Where's the patent addressing that?

I am still an Apple fan, of the diehard variety. But I'm also just as much a critic, thus fueling my love/hate relationship with this brand. And this news sure doesn't help. With so many new handsets on the horizon that are looking shiny and new, it's getting hard to stay loyal.

For now, I'll let AppleInsider ponder the 12th generation iPhone, and leave Engadget to investigate minor points, like why the patent filings include sketches of jailbroken apps (below). (What's that all about?). As for me, June is the furthest I'm looking into the iPhone future, when the hotly anticipated new handset will likely debut.

ARTICLE: aHome, revisited (already)

3/26/2009 8:15:00 AM

I have to drop a quick update here to my lukewarm post on aHome. Three days after I reviewed it, mAPPn released version 1.4.0 of the program, and almost all of my complaints have were addressed.

First and foremost. aHome now has the Cupcake QWERTY, widely available in both portrait and landscape modes - it won't assist you in other apps, but works for all OS and at least some widget text fields. For instance, I can tweet using quicktweet without sliding my screen open. There isn't any haptic or audio feedback, but it's a tantalizing taste of things to come for Android fans. The keyboard now changes your view to typed text is never blocked, but try hitting menu with the soft kb on screen - your options pop up behind the keyboard. Minor bug.

Overall, I'm seeing a major performance boost. And my app menu is black and beautiful. aHome has also taken a huge leap forward in theme support, allowing users to download themes from within the program and save them to an SD card. I downloaded the entire 10 MB "March Collection" last night. That's a great touch - bundling a bunch of skins for mass download.

I still don't like that I have to receive my upgrades via email, as that's supposed to be a solution for customers outside of the US. I'm not sure what's going on with that, and apparently, neither is mAPPn. Still, the priced Market is new, and there are bound to be a few copy protection issues. I still say aHome is the best Android home replacement. Open Home fans would likely debate my reasoning passionately.

ARTICLE: Face detection for Android (and iPhone)

3/25/2009 2:45:00 PM

It may not be available for a little while, but don't be jealous, Android fans, when your iPhone buddy starts bragging about the inevitable face detection app headed to their phones in the next few months. Face.com just launched a face detection app for Facebook, and it's bound to be as troublesome and embarrassing as photo-tagging. We doird fans may come a little late to the game, but Android developers are hard at work to make your online stalking a simpler task. Just thought I should let you know.

ARTICLE: Android app review: aHome

3/21/2009 3:05:00 PM

I've tried various versions/incarnations of all of the Android home replacements I'm aware of: dxTop, Open Home, and aHome. I settled on aHome lite as my favorite because it was exactly that - lite. There were a couple of handsome, practical widgets, and the battery monitor and weather widget sat on my primary panel. dxTop's dual tabs for the app library and running programs made more sense than a dedicated widget button, but aHome had a dock and allowed me an entire extra row for icons. I was happy.

Then I had to upgrade aHome, and found my carefully-organized and categorized icons had been erased. Not. cool. I never saw the full, priced version of aHome in the Market, so I decided to search online. I purchased the full version via Paypal at the dev's website, and got an .apk in my email. So does this mean I can't upgrade via the Market and Android's useful built-in version-checking? So far, the answer is yes. This should be remedied. The upside to this arrangement is that I was drawn to their message board that is quickly becoming a community.

I had rebuilt my four homescreens for aHome Lite before buying, and was sad to find they didn't transfer over to the full version. So, I set about getting things back in order again. The first thing I noticed is that the weather widget (which is now cached and doesn't need to reload when you swipe back to it's panel) looked much worse than it did before. the aHome Lite version had a classy, subdued hue. And while you can now change the weather background, your choices are limited to blinding bright colors that don't go well with any aHome theme. Yikes. Back to Moxier world. The Battery Monitor widget still looks good though.

The second problem is that my apps menu seems to take longer to load. It's jittery - even after a fresh boot with no background apps. Is that because of the new background? Black looks better anyway, I think. I'm complaining because I'm a fan of the product, and I think the devs made a few mistakes here. Still, the new version adds faster homescreen loading, naming and setting a panel indicator symbol, and prompt for Google voice. Auto-rotate for accelerometer output is fully functional in this version as well, which takes care of Open Home's primary advantage (I'll get to the Open Home Cupcake stuff in my review of that program).

Strengths: Useful widgets; makes more sense than default Android home; I can now export and import all of my aHome settings, which is something the Android team should consider; auto-rotate without sliding the screen; I might actually start using drawers for review apps, instead of *another* panel.

Weaknesses: Blechy widget themes and background/load time for the app library.

Verdict: If aHome is your favorite home replacement, the full version is worth the $4.99. You need to keep an eye on mAPPn as well. They've got some cool stuff coming out for iPhone too.

ARTICLE: Android app review: GMote

3/18/2009 10:35:00 AM

GMote has been a tough nut for me to crack. Not so much in terms of using the app, but in terms of filming and editing a review. The program is robust and full of useful features. I wanted to explore them all - and in three different operating systems. One of the things that attracted me to GMote was the fact that it works with Linux, Mac, and Windows. This sort of compatibility is more common nowadays, but it still gets my attention. And it is the main reason this is a written review rather than a video.

Picture me fumbling my way through demonstrating the functionality (or lack thereof) of twenty features under three OS's on a single monitor while juggling two cameras and some video capturing software. Yes, a written review is the way to go. However, a quick and dirty demo is available for those who want a taste. I made it the same day I installed GMote, and I had done little to no twiddling at that point. So, with the disclaimer that it only demonstrates what someone with little knowledge experienced having spent little time on figuring anything out, and that it was created after finding out I had lost a lot of footage, here is a video. (When I said cursory, I should have said cursed.)

O.K., so what is GMote? It consists of two applications - a server app that runs on your computer, and a client that runs on your Android device. The client hooks up with the server on your local Wi-Fi network or over the Internet. Once it's connected, the following features are available:

Browsing of files
Playing music on your computer or streaming it to your phone via a local network or over the Internet
controlling of music; play/pause, FFW/RW, skip tracks, stop, browse library
Viewing album artwork on the phone
Launching and remote control of DVD movies; play/pause, FFW/RW, skip chapter, stop
Use of your phone's touchscreen as a mouse touchpad
Launching of websites (beta)

Now this is a nice list of features and would make a great full video review right? Well, I'm not making one any time soon, so I've decided a chart is the best way to communicate my results. This is not intended to be indicative of what the average user will achieve - it's just what I've experienced.

[blank] = no
X = yes
P = partial

	Ubuntu 8.04	Mac OSX 10.5.6	Windows XP, SP2
Browse Files	X	X	X
Launch Song (local)	X	X	X
Music Control (local)	X	P
Album Artwork		X
Launch DVD		X	X
DVD Control		X
Touchpad	X	X	X
Web (beta)	X	X	X
LAN Streaming	X	X	X
Internet Streaming	X	X	X

Note that touchpad functionality gives you the ability to do all of the things I wasn't able to achieve in the table above, except display album artwork on the phone. That's just not the way GMote is intended to work.

Music Control (local) refers to the ability to pause, skip, and seek through tracks playing on the computer. I was able to control music under all three systems when streaming to the phone. So in terms of controlling music that was playing on the computer, Ubuntu gave me total control, Mac gave me quirky and unreliable control, while Windows only allowed me to switch tracks by launching another - I could not stop the music.

What's strange about running GMote on Windows and Linux is that no music player launches. VLC is prerequisite, and is what broadcasts your tunes, but you will not see an interface. I'd like to see iTunes launch in Windows (giving me artwork) and maybe Amarok launch in Linux - but that presents a debate in itself. I'm happy to see Linux support at all. iTunes does launch on Mac.

OS Notes

Mac

As you can see, Mac was best supported overall. However, it was Apple that caused me the most aggravation during the tests, because files crippled with DRM cannot be streamed to non-Apple devices. There are ways of fixing this. (I thought I had taken care of all of my tracks, but apparently not.) And yes, I endorse stripping tracks of their DRM, wholeheartedly - and by the batch, of course. I can vouch for QTFairUse.

Linux (beta)

The first thing you should know about the Linux daemon is that if you run into problems, you'll need to start it with desktop effects disabled. This is due to a Java runtime problem. Secondly, you can't start it with a launcher (even with an absolute path). You need to use the terminal. CD into your GMote directory (probably ~/GMote/) and type "./GmoteServer.sh". Once it's running, go ahead and restart your effects, and everything should work fine. But make any daemon setting changes first - like password.

Since my Ubuntu desktop is my local server for *everything,* it's always running. So this isn't a hassle for me. But if you reboot everyday and want GMote to launch from a startup script, think again. I worked on this for days, and the dev's suggestion, as specified above, is the only thing that worked for me.

Windows

I'm not a big fan of Windows anyway, but I have to say that I probably wouldn't use GMote if it were my default OS. Once a track is playing, that's it. You can either start another, or sit this one through. I didn't spend much time troubleshooting, because I didn't really care if it worked. I boot into Windows a few times a year - usually for Acrobat Pro or for a review like this. Your mileage may (most likely will) vary.

Complaints

My number one complaint about GMote is that there is no way to save the IP and ports entered manually for streaming and control over the Internet. I have a dynamic IP, and even though it usually remains unchanged for weeks at a time, I don't like having to remember it and type it into my phone every time I reconnect to my server. I think a simple profile system is in order here.
I'd like to see separate buttons for FFW/RW, and skip. As-is, tapping a button increases the speed, while a long press skips tracks. That's the exact opposite of how I would have designed the software. It's rare that I want to fast forward, but I skip tracks all day.
The daemon on the server end forgets the password after a reboot. This was the case on all three operating systems.

Despite these problems, and what's indicated as missing in the table, I still think this is one of the strongest apps available in the Android Market. Huge potential here. Thanks to YanivC for encouraging me to check it out, and thanks to Marc for all the tech support.

Tech Notes

Keep in mind that in order to stream over the Internet, you must enable port forwarding on your router so that your TCP port (8889 by default, for streaming) and UDP port (9901 by default, for mouse control) are forwarded to the local IP address of the computer you are trying to connect to; i.e., 192.168.1.100. You cannot set up multiple computers for Internet streaming on the same local network without running into major problems.

Verdict: Super-duper huge thumbs and big toes up for this killer FREE app.

VIDEO: Android app review - dxTop

3/6/2009 11:00:00 AM

Buying from the priced Android Market is just too easy, and I've had a hard time holding back. $3.99 is a bit steep for the average app, but as you'll see, dxTop is unique. It provides enough new functionality to satisfy geeky urges, and has great potential for future features. Not only can you now have four homescreen panels on your Android device, a new world of widgets is beginning to open up.

ARTICLE: App World: BlackBerry launches application storefront as 'App World'

3/4/2009 2:10:00 PM

Just in from BlackBerry PR ... But don't go there until 10pm Eastern Time tonight:

RIM has officially named the storefront BlackBerry App World.

The site for developers will be updated tonight and should be live again by 10pm (Eastern Time).

At the same time, they will launch a sign up page for users who want to be alerted when BlackBerry App World goes live. They should go register at www.blackberry.com/appworld.

To repeat if you go there now there's not much to see. But it all should be revealed (or back online, anyway) at 10 pm Eastern this evening.

ARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Other (very cool) timers (5/5)

2/28/2009 7:45:00 PM

Sometimes a timer is just a timer. After all, how many bells and whistles can you put on something so straightforward, right? Well, actually, we've covered multi-timers, verbal countdown apps, timers that work when the phone's asleep, and now — really cool dedicated-use timers.

I checked out these four, but they didn't multi-task too well. But they did succeed in doing what they were meant to do extremely well. So, they make the list of honorable mentions for their creativity and for giving me something I didn't realize I wanted or needed — but totally do.

eggXactly (0.99)
Super cute visuals that promises the perfect boiled egg. Science nerds may dig this, since it's based on physical experiments and studies. Users input variables, like the egg's temperature, the altitude (manually or automatically via GPS), and the size (by swiping to enlarge/reduce the image on the screen to match your egg). Plus, the clucking chicken alarm is just pure fun. And you can shut off or reset the timer by shaking the phone.

Gourmet Egg Timer (1.99)
Features a photo-realistic egg in water that moves with the phone's accelerometer. Comes with size chart, simple room vs. fridge temperature input, altitude gauge that's manual or automatic (via GPS), and the ability to time multiple eggs. It also continuously tracks elapsed time, so you can switch to another app and come back mid-timing, and forces the phone to stay awake, so you don't miss the alarm.

Tea Time! (0.99)
I admit, I like tea, but I'm no connoisseur. I have no idea how long to steep a cup before it goes bitter or what the time differential is for loose leaf vs. bags. No prob. Tea Time! figures it out automatically. I just put in what I'm having, and it sets the timer for me. The only downside I can see is that the selection is a little limited, to just Black, Green, White, Oolong, and Herbal. Hopefully, future updates will include more varietals, but for now — fortunately — I'm an avid Green tea drinker with an easy (and adorable) way to sustain her habit.

Game Timer (0.99)
Love the wooden theme of this app. Not to be confused with Game Timer App, this one features dual interfaces pointed in opposite positions, which is perfect for Chess, Checkers, Go and other games. You can configure the individual start times for handicapping a player, track number of moves per game, play sounds during use, track overtime per player and force the phone to stay awake during use.

So that's it, my top timer apps so far. Wow, I had no idea there was so much to say about timers. Of all the ones I tested, my favorite is probably the Talking Timer, followed by Chef Timer. Both work well even when the phone's asleep, which means I can put it in my pocket and it will vibrate to tell me when time's up without worry. But since I loaded Talking Timer, with its verbal countdown, I have not even slipped once while running into the kitchen — which is huge for a klutz like me. It warns me when there's 20 seconds left, at which point I just saunter over to my stove to finish cooking, cool as a cucumber.

ARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Timers — Game Timer App (4/5)

2/28/2009 7:40:00 PM

Game Timer App (not to be confused with the similarly dubbed Game Timer) is exactly what the name says: a simple timer intended for use in board games and other activities. But I tend to use it whenever and wherever I need a fast, no-fuss single timer.

Game Timer App (free)
It has a clean, simple interface, keeps the phone awake while in use and offers increments of minutes and seconds. For a free app, I also appreciate the fact that it has no ads.

What you should know:
The maximum amount of time you can set is 59 minutes, 59 seconds and the alarm only dings once. The app also defaults to 1 minute whenever you open the app. Though this tracks time when the phone's sleeping, it does not have the continuity to account for lost time when you switch to another app or take a call. When you come back, the timer will be off and set to the default 1 minute again. (Be warned: If the phone rings and you're timing something important, you'll want to decline the call.)

Impressions:
There's a lot that this timer doesn't do, but it was never intended to do everything. It's just a clean, simple app that keeps a basic countdown — no more, no less. So for that, and the $0 price tag and ease of use, it's a winner for me when I need a simple timer for anything, except for maybe boiling an egg.

ARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Timers — Talking Timer (3/5)

2/28/2009 1:05:00 PM

Yup, it does precisely what the name implies. I just had no idea it would do it so well.

Talking Timer (0.99)
Originally intended as a fitness tool, it counts both up and down, and even features milliseconds, so I can use it for meal prep, yoga workouts, or anything else I need to time.

Mostly, I use it as a kitchen utility, and it works great for that. Instead of a sudden blaring alarm, Talking Timer has spoken reminders to warn before the time's up on my meatloaf. It can be set to announce every hour, minute, or over the course of the last 10 60 seconds. It also features a vibration mode, which can be used with or without the voice, and timing continuity (so you can close it and come back without missing the time).

What you should know:
It would be nice to have different voices to choose from, but aside from that, I hardly have any complaints about it. A user once vented that the time got out of sync, but since then, Talking Timer's latest update matched the app to the phone's internal clock, making it as accurate as your iPhone. It's reliable and works when the phone's asleep, which is a big plus.

Impressions:
I've experienced nothing but smooth sailing so far. In fact, this app is even finding its way into other parts of my life. It's particularly handy when my husband and I compete for who can get dressed and ready to go out first. (Loser buys dinner.)

The bottom line is, if you're the type who needs advance warning before time is up, get this app. If, however, you rarely cook, don't exercise or engage in goofy activities with your significant other, and all you want is a simple, bare bones timer, you may want to consider the Game Timer App instead.

ARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Timers — Chef Timer (2/5)

2/28/2009 1:00:00 PM

One timer really is not like the next, particularly when it comes to iPhone apps. Chef Timer may seem like 5 in 1 Timer on the surface, since it has multiple timers, but it packs an awesome feature that tips the scales in its favor.

Chef Timer (0.99)
Playing with this timer is fun. The stainless steel theme is cool, and the gear-like adjustment noises make it feel like a game. (But if you grow tired of them or find them irritating, you can turn the sounds off.)

Chef Timer has four timers, one per stove burner, and a display with large numbers and editable labels. You can set it by "turning" the knobs in 15 second increments and change the time while it's running. The clock tracks continuously, so if you leave the app and come back, it accounts for this. There are also 9 different alarms to choose from, as well as a vibration mode.

But the best thing is that you can put the phone to sleep (by hitting the button on top of the phone) and the alarm will still work. This means you can stick it in your pocket without fear of bumping the screen or interfering with the settings.

What you should know:
Sadly, there's no dedicated fifth oven timer like 5 in 1 Timer has, which would've been nice. Also, the "knob" can be a little tricky to use. It requires a lot of circular winding to allot an hour or more, and you have to stop rather precisely to schedule the right amount of time. In addition, I found all 9 alarms to be kind of annoying. This, however, actually works for me since there's little chance I can ignore them.

Impressions:
This is one of the top timer apps I tested. The fact that the alarm works when the phone's sleeping is awesome. Some of the other apps do this as well, but none did so as consistently or reliably.

I thought I was done at this point. I had found a great app that let me time things the way I needed to — or so I thought. Then I met Talking Timer.

ARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Timers — 5 in 1 Timer (1/5)

2/27/2009 9:15:00 AM

The 5 in 1 Kitchen Timer is an elegantly designed app that tracks multiple items and is super simple to set up. I've been using this timer the longest, so it was natural to start here. (Caution: The clickable links in the headers will take you to the App Store. Don't click on them unless you want iTunes to launch.)

5 in 1 Kitchen Timer (0.99)
This is common-sense design that lets users visually match their kitchen setup with its five timers, which includes four "burners" and one "oven."

If you don't like the colors, you can change them in the settings. The timers themselves are really easy to operate — just tap +5 or +1 buttons to add minutes. It features dings and vibration alarms, an automatic force-awake function (to keep the phone on during use) and a continuity feature, so you can open another app and go back in. The app factors in the elapsed time and puts you back on track.

What you should know:
You can't apply labels or adjust time increments while a timer is running. Also, the alarm only dings three times, not endlessly, so if you somehow miss them, it doesn't keep sounding off. On the up side, the alerts are loud enough to hear if you're anywhere near your phone (and you don't have Linkin Park turned up or something).

When I put the phone to sleep (to shut off the screen and put it in my pocket), the alarm is kind of hit-or-miss. I got it to work occasionally this way, but definitely not consistently.

Impressions:
Not bad. I love being able to keep track 5 things at once (which could be applied to multiple activities, not just cooking). It's very easy to use, and I even like the little icon on the main screen. The fact that it doesn't sound off when the phone's asleep, however, is sort of a dealbreaker for me. I'd like the ability to put it in my pocket without accidentally changing the settings.

That's where Chef Timer comes in.

ARTICLE: iPhone Apps: For whom the timer ticks… (intro)

2/27/2009 9:10:00 AM

I'm such a klutz. A few nights ago, after putting a roast in the oven and retreating to the computer to finish some stuff, I jumped when I realized I'd forgotten about the food. Well, not jumped — more like fell. Zooming back to the oven, I wound up having the mother of all slip-and-falls on my kitchen floor, a Wile E. Coyote style fumble complete with scrambling legs, mid-air suspension and thudding back flop.

The roast wound up dry and overdone, but I didn't even notice because I was distracted by having to eat standing up and holding an ice pack on my butt. As I said, I'm clumsy, and I have a tendency to lose myself in my activities — games, phones, writing, social networking, reading kooky Diggs, etc... This is why having a timer to remind me of things has become essential.

After my colossal fall, I turned to my trusty cell. I'd tried using the microwave, as well as my built-in oven timer, but they don't work if you're not in earshot. Plus, I love any excuse to use my iPhone, so why not let it give me a helping hand?

In all honesty, the phone itself has a decent alarm clock that even lets you set your own music and a seemingly endless array of alarms. And I do use it often — but mostly for waking up in the morning. I need something much faster and easier to configure on the fly when I want to time an activity like cooking, gameplay or laps around the jogging track (not that I need that one, but it's nice to know it's there).

Turns out, I wasn't the only one with this idea, because there are several entries in the App Store for timers. I took a closer look at four, plus a few extras, and tested them to see which had the best features and ease of use.

One thing you should know before you attempt to use any of the timer apps: These, like all third-party applications, won't work in the background. But in some cases, the developers have figured out a decent workaround. Where noted, the programs have a continuity feature that tracks the time elapsed when you switch to another app and back. This only works mid-session, though. If you take a phone call or open a separate program when a timer is done, the alarm won't go off until you return to the app. Just remember that before you set it and forget it.

So with that in mind, let's get to the first item, the 5 in 1 Timer. Ready. Set. Go!

ARTICLE: iPhone app: iPhoneModem2 turns your phone into a wireless modem (for jailbreakers only)

2/23/2009 10:20:00 AM

We know that jailbreaking an iPhone can open up a bold new world (and potentially a can of worms — see below).

Still, it seems like iPhone's hardware limitations are nowhere near as great as the software limitations imposed by Apple. So while we dutiful, rule-abiding customers ponder the fairness of it all, the bad boys among us have already rushed to the fore of the rebellion, jailbroken their phones and shaken hands with Cydia, the unofficial App Store for non sanctioned apps.

Is it a deal with the devil? Who knows, but one thing's for sure — These rebels have been enjoying video capture, call recording, motion graphic wallpapers and more, while the rest of us are relegated to counting the growing number of fart apps in the official App Store.

I've tried (REALLY, REALLY tried) to follow the rules and not give in to temptation for the sake of the PhoneDog readers (so I can install and review App Store apps without hiccups), but this last tidbit may be the last straw that breaks the camel's back:

PCWorld just released a step by step "tutorial" on how to use a jailbroken iPhone as a wireless laptop modem! (Oh, how unfair...)

Here's the gist:
If you have a solid 3G signal, but no Wifi access, you can grab Addition's iPhoneModem 2 (free trial, $9.99 to buy) via Cydia to get your laptop connected to the Interweb.

Here's how:
Wait! READ THIS FIRST:
Before you proceed, just know that jailbreaking your iPhone voids your warranty. (But, I have to admit, it's also fairly simple to restore the phone to factory settings with iTunes.) In any case, what you do from here is at your own risk.

ONE LAST NOTE: You might be asking yourself if this app is worth the hassle. Well, maybe, maybe not. 3G is awesome on a phone, but not so much for laptops. And though it may work with most browsers, it doesn't work with all of them.

Okay, now here are the goods:
1) On a jailbroken phone, use Cydia to find and install iPhoneModem 2 by Addition. You'll also need to install the helper app on the computer.

2) On the laptop, run the helper app and press "Connect." The default network, "iPhoneModem," has no password. (You can change that in the helper app's preferences if you want.)

3) Turn your iPhone's Wifi on and choose the "iPhoneModem" network. (If you created a password, put that in.) Then, hit the Modem iPhone app on your handset. That's it.

After PCWorld ran this item, commenters chimed in recommending the PDANet app as a Wifi router for adhoc wireless networks. Like iPhoneModem 2, PDANet is also free to try for jailbroken phones only. (Ugh, of course it is.) But this alternative, which costs $19.99 full price, boasts much higher speeds and also works when the phone's charging or plugged in via USB — which rocks, since 3G and Wifi are both energy hogs. PDANet also supposedly boasts an "insomnia" feature, so users can shut off the phone (when the app's active in the foreground) to spare the battery power without losing the active connection.

(I say "supposedly" because, as you know, I haven't jailbroken my phone and therefore cannot try this! Talk about pouring salt in the wound...)

Neither apps are available in the App Store, and won't be in the foreseeable future. :-(

VIDEO: Symbian S60 app review - Skyfire (beta)

2/19/2009 5:30:00 AM

The folks at Skyfire aren't playing around. I had an understanding of their objectives a couple of months ago, but I am impressed with the results they've produced - it turned out better than I had expected. The browser is not exclusive to Symbian devices. Visit skyfire.com with your phone to see if it's compatible.

ARTICLE: Android's personal task list apps

2/4/2009 8:10:00 AM

If you read this site regularly, you may have seen a post of mine referring to Astrid or Remember the Milk. I'm not going to rehash anything that's already been said - just follow the links if you're interested. But I thought it might be helpful to make a list of the available to-do lists, or personal task managers, and point out some of their strengths and weaknesses - as well as the changes they've seen since I last wrote about them.

Astrid is Google's official personal task manager for Android, and it shows. This app won me over with its rich features and navigable design a few weeks ago. It is the highest rated in the Market of all such apps, with 4.5 stars.

TooDo is a powerful organizer that has read/write synchronization with Remember the Milk and ToodleDo. My primary complaint with the program the last time I looked at it was unnecessary weight - I only wanted the RTM functionality. While there isn't an RTM-only functionality, significant changes have been made. The app now has a "lite mode" - where categories and context are disabled. It makes for a simple, light checklist. However, the "non-light" mode has become even more robust. With notification bar and color-coded LED integration, TooDo is looking better than ever. There's a bit of a learning curve, but if you are looking for an all-in-one solution, this is one is worth some of your time. TooDo has 3 stars in the market.

Tasks, by VNSN has 3 stars in the Market. The app's description points out its small size as a selling point (Tasks is free). It uses a two-level hierarchical system: lists and notes. You create a list, say "Homework," and you put notes within that list. It is simple, solid, and conforms to the user; rather than the other way around. I like this program.

Tag ToDo List by Teo stands out in the market. Not only can you tag your tasks as the name implies, you can record voice notes to your SD Card, draw graphical notes, and look at statistics. This is also a good one for people who love keyboard shortcuts. It comes with a task list for learning how to use the app, and has a polished, clean interface. Tag ToDo has 3 stars in the Market, but probably deserves more.

RTM ToDo Viewer has 2.5 stars in the Market, which would normally cause me to pass it by. But I am a supporter of Remember the Milk on all platforms and am happy to see someone is working on a dedicated Android client. It is currently read-only. The programmer, Marcel, started it for fun and learning. He did say he hopes to implement write functionality in the future. That would increase the ratings, for sure. RTM clients are available for your computer, and having them all sync up is great.

Doogle is another exception to my 3-stars-and-above-only rule, with 2.5. Here's why. Tasks include contact integration and hardware functions, like making a call at a certain time. It needs some time to mature, but I like the idea. I'll be looking for updates. Maybe we'll take a look back at this one later.

ToDo List Free is a demo with shoddy graphics and 3 stars. I wouldn't recommend this program. It is the only one on this list (that I know of) with a price. It is also the least deserving of your cash. Sorry, creators. I'm not sure what you're up to here.

VIDEO: iPhone App Review: iRealSMS

12/29/2008 2:00:00 PM

Got a jailbroken iPhone? Want landscape SMS capabilities? Got 15 bucks? Then check out iRealSMS! Noah checks out this SMS alternative for iPhone and iPhone 3G.

VIDEO: iPhone App Review: Firemail

12/27/2008 8:25:00 PM

Firemail adds landscape Email composition to iPhone 3G, iPhone, and iPod Touch. It's free but is it any good? Noah finds out.