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Must-have Android apps

Discussion in 'Tilted Gear' started by Zweiblumen, Sep 9, 2011.

  1. Carbonic

    Carbonic Getting Tilted

    "Virus companies are playing on your fears to try to sell you bs protection software for Android, RIM and iOS. They are charlatans and scammers. IF you work for a company selling virus protection for android, rim or IOS you should be ashamed of yourself."

    "Android anti-virus apps are useless, here's what to do instead."

    Don't install apps from outside the Android (or Amazon) market, and even if it's on the market don't install an app that has been there for only 30 minutes and is called "H0t Azian Gurlz Pr0n!" and you'll be just fine without wasting money or resources on Android "anti-virus" software.

    Now, backup and remote disabling of the phone are useful tools, so apps like Lookout aren't ALL bad. Just remember, all those scary reports about Android malware? They're being published by the companies trying to sell you something. On the other hand, odds are pretty damn good you don't know a single person who has ever actually had their Android (or iOS) phone infected with malware. Certainly not unless they were going out of their way to download something that should have already been suspicious in the first place.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  2. aquafox

    aquafox Getting Tilted

    Location:
    Ibapah, UT
    agreeed. I had lookout for all of ten minutes... I'm not even sure if it was really scanning anything.
     
  3. Shadowex3

    Shadowex3 Very Tilted

    Also to throw out there if you want reliable news get the Al Jazeera application.
     
  4. MSD

    MSD Very Tilted

    Location:
    CT
    The live streaming is great. I first tried it back in December 2010 when even NPR wasn't doing anything live on the Egyptian Revolution. I wish I could get just an audio stream for when I'm driving so it wouldn't drop out so much in low coverage areas, though.
     
  5. MSD

    MSD Very Tilted

    Location:
    CT
    Update: Heavens-Above was not an official app affiliated with the Heavens-Above website and is now known as Sat Track. Still free, still lets me point at spots in the sky and tell people they're about to see a light show.
     
  6. FelixP

    FelixP New Member

    I know it has already been said, but Advanced AppKiller. It really saves my battery. As far as games go, Gun Bros. is great for killing time.
     
  7. cynthetiq

    cynthetiq Administrator Staff Member Donor

    Location:
    New York City
    Android Task Killers Explained: What They Do and Why You Shouldn't Use Them

    I found that it doesn't save my battery at all. I've followed the better protocols here and get much better battery life AND am not so worried about being a button monkey to something that's supposed to work properly. I learned this actually not from my droid, but from my iOS ipod touch connected to wifi and watching how apps operated and mis-operated.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  8. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect

    Location:
    At work..
    Is there a good app for saving a battery?
     
  9. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    The above-linked article mentions this app. It lets you know of "runaway" apps that chew into your CPU usage, which kills your battery. I might give it a try myself.

    Watchdog - Zomut

    The other good tip from that article is the widget to control your power: easily turning off your wi-fi, bluetooth, etc., when you're not using them is a good idea. The widget makes this convenient.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect

    Location:
    At work..
    Thanks ill check it out. I appreciate it :)
     
  11. Daval

    Daval Getting Tilted

    I'm gonna check out that watchdog too, thanks.
     
  12. Ozmanitis

    Ozmanitis Trust in your will and Hope will burn bright!

    Location:
    Texas USA
    I found a nice app for my Motorola Photon. called "Sense Analog Clock dark"

    Here's what I like about it. If you have a Photon you know that because of it's kernels, it's hard to find a battery app that gives a exact reading. This app does. along with the weather, and a full system reading..how much ram your using, how disk space is available, and how much disk space you have,
    you can also access two other apps of your choice from it. And it's a pretty nice looking clock with dates as well.

    I just downloaded it last night. I usually wait a week before I rate an app. So I can get a good feel of it. But so far, this thing gets a 5.
     
  13. EventHorizon

    EventHorizon assuredly the cause of the angry Economy..

    Location:
    FREEDOM!
    5 out of....?
     
  14. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Does anyone have any must-have tablet apps?
     
  15. redux

    redux Very Tilted

    Location:
    Foggy Bottom
    • Like Like x 1
  16. redux

    redux Very Tilted

    Location:
    Foggy Bottom
  17. MSD

    MSD Very Tilted

    Location:
    CT
    If you use Evernote, it's a good time to go change your password.
     
  18. redux

    redux Very Tilted

    Location:
    Foggy Bottom
    I got an yesterday but I'm not troubled by it. All my passwords are different.
     
  19. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    They made everyone do it immediately following the breach.
     
  20. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Imma put this here even though I have the iPhone version. I just tried out Mint.com's app: Mint.com Personal Finance - Android Apps on Google Play

    I tried out Mint.com itself several years ago, but I stopped using it because I couldn't get it to work with all my bank accounts. It might have had something to do with Canadian institutions working with a foreign company regarding their clients' data.

    A bit of history: Mint.com was bought out by Intuit (the financial software folks) in 2009, and Mint.com started syncing with banks in 2010. Since then, it has grown from 3 million to 10 million users.

    I'm not sure when the mobile app was developed, but I had never used it. In trying Mint again through the app this time, I'm pleased so far. It's simple, easy to set up, and works well. It will take a bit of work to get it to where I want, but it will help with budgeting and keeping an eye on income and debt.

    It's kind of like a video game. Now I just need to work on seeing more green than red.

    For those worried about security: Of course, abide by safe practices regarding mobile phones, passwords, and the like, but this recent article covers the app specifically in more detail: Mint.com helps you stay on track, but at what risk? - The Globe and Mail

    It's worth a try.
     
    • Like Like x 1