Technology

Top 13 Android Apps So Far

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After almost a month with my new HTC Evo mobile device, I have had opportunities to discover useful applications that I wanted to share. A lot of these utilities are cross-platform (Android, iPhone, desktop) and the rest are Android specific.

  • Chomp SMS: Got text? Go with this visual texting utility.
  • QuickOffice ($10): mobile office productivity that is compatible with MS Office, pdf reader and syncs with cloud storage like GDocs, Dropbox & Box.net.
  • Vignette ($3): a camera application with 62 built-in camera and film effects and 20 frame styles.
  • ebuddy: MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, Google Talk and Facebook chat!
  • Geocaching ($10): go treasure hunting
  • Kindle: the best reading experience available on your Android phone. No Kindle required.
  • Lookout: Protect your investment from viruses, hackers and theft
  • Winamp: This classic media player still whips the llama’s ass
  • Tweetdeck: Twitter/Facebook/Buzz, LinkedIn, Myspace & Foursquare client = awesome
  • Square: Accept debit/credit card payments on the go with this free app & attachment
  • Reqall: Best. To. Do. List. Ever.
  • Evernote: Web clips, photos, voice, reminders…anything you need to remind yourself or save.
  • AngryBirds: A bunch of punk pigs take the bird’s eggs. Payback time.

All of these apps are located in the Android market and waiting on you! What did I leave out?

EVO-lved

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So I changed my mobile phone and carrier last week. After ten years I switched from Cingular/AT&T to the Sprint network. ATT’s mediocre performance in the 4th largest city in America offered expensive rate plans and a lot of dropped calls. For $50 a month, I received 450 minutes of talk time with AT&T on their sometimes 3G network. Add another $5 and I got to send text messages too! AT&T is a big stinking pile of fail. With Sprint, I am enjoying 4G speeds in Houston/Katy and 3G in some surrounding areas. For $55 a month I have unlimited EVERYTHING. Voice, internet data, messaging are all included.

I lusted after the Apple iPhone for years. I watched as people went crazy over them and I not so secretly envied them. This eased up after acquiring an iPod Touch which has everything an iPhone does except the phone…and a camera…and no wireless mobility but anyway I digress.

After much consideration of networks, my experience and phone capabilities, I decided to purchase the HTC Evo with the open source Android operating system. This phone, partnered with Sprint’s services makes it unbeatable (until the next big thing).

The one thing currently lacking is the amount of applications available in the Android Market compared to Apple’s iTunes store. However, this is changing since developers realize the full money making potential with Android.

After a week of putting the Evo through it’s paces, I can honestly say I made the best decision with out regrets.

Teach Your Children Well

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With the latest update and release of the open source operating system Edubuntu, little Daphne now has a computer of her very own. Edubuntu is built on the Linux Ubuntu system and is designed for educational functions. Used by students (pre-k through 12) and teachers alike, it really is the best open source educational suite out there.

Included are educational games that will help Daphne learn how to work a mouse, how to type, solve problems and even entertain. She’ll have limited access to the internet and a few more online games.

The kid cannot wait to get home from preschool and try it out in full!

The laptop was formerly WonderWife’s brand new machine but was pushed off the table accidentally by the little one. The computer is functional except for the huge crack/no display in the screen. However, we can still see what’s going on by adding an external monitor. The laptop lid will be closed and the monitor rest on top. A wired keyboard and mouse will be attached so they won’t go missing.