I’ve never been a big phone communicator. In fact, I got my first cell phone only a few short years ago after my car broke down in the worst possible place, on two separate occasions. My wife upgraded her phone and I inherited a gray little flip with a keypad and tiny display. It wasn’t much. It was technically capable of things like Internet, Email and more, but actually using it for those high-powered purposes would ultimately result in me committing some sort of crazy-person crime followed by a desperate police stand off and ensuing surrender and/or suicide. Nobody wants that.
To make matters worse, I’ve had a healthy fear of mobile phone technology ever since the iPhone shattered all of my traditional beliefs related to what cell phones can do. I mean, they’re not just phones anymore. They’re email, web browser, radio, photo album, camera, video recorder, television… It can be very overwhelming, even for a technology enthusiast like myself.
In September, I finally found the courage to face this brave new mobile world and bought an Android Motorola i1. I went through boost mobile because they’ve got excellent rates for unlimited everything including talk and data. Sure, some of my friends complain because they can’t always hear me. Sorry but I’m not going to take out a 2nd mortgage on my house to afford Verizon or ATT so that you can hear every word I say. I’m not big on phone talk. Send me an email or a text and we can talk!
I’ve had a few months to play around with my new toy. I’ve managed to get my wife to upgrade to the Android i1, and have a healthy list of things I like to use my phone for the most. Here is my list of the best Android Apps for Newbies like me.
Google Maps
I’ve often heard that GPS is great for making sure you don’t get lost, and I quickly discovered how much less stressful it can be to find a new location if you’ve got your Google Maps Navigation app. All you need to do is enter the destination. Don’t worry about your location, that will be triangulated by a few little satellites so you don’t need to know the address of the bank parking lot you’ve turned into because you’re completely and utterly lost.
Facebook for Android
I don’t check Facebook very often. I don’t know why. I spend all day in front of my computer working, and then spend half of my evenings doing the exact same thing. Facebook is only a click away, but I can never quite get around to it. With Facebook for Android, I check Facebook regularly while waiting in line. Yes, I’m finding out about my Mother’s exciting weekend plans while buying groceries. I learn that an old friend from high school had a baby while waiting for prescriptions at the drive-thru pharmacy. I rattle off some semi-inappropriate comments while sitting at a dead stop in traffic. It’s important to note here that I don’t use my phone when my car is moving! The point here is that with Facebook for Android I’m able to keep up a bit more with friends and family without losing productivity in terms of working in front of my computer. My phone has become my social media device and since I can take my phone out, I’m really just making more efficient the time I spend waiting in line.
Calorie Counter Android Apps
I used to use the calorie counter at The Daily Plate but once they merged with Livestrong.com, it sort of got lost in the mix and I didn’t keep up with it. I’m not the kind of guy to go on a diet or anything but I’ve put on a few pounds over the past year and need to get back in fighting shape. I’m not cutting out carbs, fats, or even sweets, because all I need to do is keep track of my calories. See, knowing how many calories are in the things I eat helps me keep an idea of how much I’ve eaten throughout the day. I specifically use MyFitnessPal as a calorie counting web app. You can search existing foods, create new foods, scan barcoded items for nutrition info, or enter quick calories. The app can also keep track of your exercise, how much water you drink and is a great way to meet any weight loss goals you may have. I can’t live without something like this, because it keeps me pointed in the right direction and helps me not to over eat. It’s not my fault I love the way good food tastes!
Pandora for Android
With the Pandora App for Android, I can listen on the go to all the music I love. This app really only works well if you have an unlimited data plan and an open wireless connection since it requires large amounts of data to be transferred, so it doesn’t work that great if you’re not in range of an open wireless connection. I can see an app like this all but replacing my car stereo if data transfer speeds can be improved without requiring a wireless connection, but we’re not there yet.
ScanLife Barcode Scanning App
I don’t use my barcode scanning app too often but I like to have it available, just in case. The simple fact that you can encode vCard data into a QR Code so that your contact information is automatically entered into the scanning phone is reason enough to keep this app around. It takes a lot longer to enter my name, phone, email, address, etc. than it takes to scan a barcode that contains all the information. Scan, then click add to contacts. Call it a time saver.
Seesmic Twitter for Android
Admittedly, I’m a Tweetdeck user on my laptops. I came up on Twitter using the deck and never was a fan of Seesmic. But, the Tweetdeck app for Android doesn’t want to work with my i1. That said, Seesmic has a great app that allows me to do all the things I want on Twitter. I’m not that guy who wants to tell you every little thing about my life, where I’m going and why, but I definitely like to have access to the Twitterverse if something great happens in the real world, or if I can get a good picture of something. There’s nothing better than capturing some crazy shit and Tweeting about it. Okay, there are some things better but not as far as Twitter goes.
Foursquare
I’m not a huge fan of Foursquare but it shouldn’t be ignored. I don’t think you should use Foursquare to check into the grocery store, or your work, or the bathroom. Foursquare is a social application meant to bring users together in common knowledge about the establishment, i.e. is it worth going to? What should I look out for?
I think Foursquare is great for checking into bars, clubs, restaurants, things like that. I used it when we went to Seasons 52 for our holiday work dinner and took up a user on the suggestion to try the venison chops. Later that night, we met up with some friends at The Dubliner, where fellow foursquarers (?) suggested some really excellent and unique beers.
Most recently, however, I picked up Chili’s take out. I checked in and was offered free chips and salsa if I show my checkin to the cashier. How cool! I showed it to the cashier. Sadly, she told me that I don’t get free chips and salsa because I already got the Queso appetizer which has chips and salsa in it. So that’s it? Yeah, that’s it. No discount, not even extra chips and salsa. Way to honor your special, Chili’s!
There are a number of different apps on my phone that I haven’t mentioned, but they’re just as useful in my day-to-day life. Here are a few quick recommendations:
- Wifi Catcher: Get a good app that will seek out open wireless connections and notify you so that you can use the much faster wireless as opposed to regular cell connection.
- Games, Games, Games: There are about a million weird little games out there but I find it’s best to stick with what works. Pong, Pac Man, Chess, these are my favorites. Tetris is fun too.
Wish List Android Apps
Despite the fact that my Android i1 meets many of my needs and saves me so much more time that I never knew I was wasting, there are some things I would like to see on the app horizon. Maybe they’re already around and I just don’t know it, or maybe they don’t exist yet.
- Bejeweled or Zuma For Facebook: They have so many games available to play for Android, but nothing yet for Bejeweled or Zuma on Facebook. iPhone has it. Why not Android? I have needs, and they must be met. Sometimes I need to play Bejeweled against my Facebook friends when I’m waiting for my notoriously late pediatrician.
Okay, I am sure my wish list extends beyond being able to play Facebook games from my phone. Frankly, that’s all that is coming to mind right now. What are some apps you’d like to see in 2011?
