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Why You Need an Android Phone RIGHT NOW, and the TOP APPS I Use!Feb 21 '11 (Updated Mar 29 '11) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line The Android operating system is versatile and easy on your wallet. Find out why in my article.
Introduction I will be short and to the point. I own a Samsung Epic 4G. It says "Galaxy S" on the back, so it is basically the phone version of the Samsung Galaxy Tablet--the (front) button controls are identical, and,formwise, it's a scaled-down version. It is smaller than the Sprint Evo 4g, has a faster processor, BRILLIANTLY COLORFUL screen, lacks the HDMI video output, but has a nifty slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The Android Operating System Overview Android phones utilize the Google "Android" operating system, which is open source. That means virtually anyone can develop software for it, and one can even "root" the devices and totally reprogram them, from the ground-up, getting rid of memory-hogging programs and adding only EXACTLY what you need. Instructions for this can be easily found. Personally, I chose not to do this because one does run the risk of "bricking" your phone, and it will probably void any warranty. If one desires ultimate freedom, though (and cares less about the expense), it is there for the taking. In addition, there are THOUSANDS of Android applications, many of them totally free. I have only paid for one program--after a 30-day free trial. Apple controls every aspect of the Iphone (as with all of its hardware and software). There is little or nothing you can do with an Iphone that doesn't require Apple's approval, and you will-as far as I know-have to pay for it. This stifles creativity and discourages free development. Synchronization The Android operating system integrates with a Google account, which you set up when first appropriating the device. Existing Google contacts and Google Calendar items will be automatically and continuously synchronized. As soon as you add a contact to your phone or online Google account, it will be updated in the other location. This is especially useful since I have my Google Calendar linked to other peoples' and organizations' Google Calendars, and I am always up-to-date on any last-minute changes. To my knowledge, this is not a currently available feature with the Iphones. And since Google is constantly expanding its products and services, continuously enhanced support of its blockbuster Android platform is a certain hedge against obsolesence. Don't believe me? The first time you log into Youtube/Google from your CAR and play your favorite MUSIC VIDEOS through your stereo, your mobile experience will have been FOREVER TRANSFORMED (of course, don't do this while you're driving, though)! Why the Epic 4G ROCKS!!! My particular model-the Epic 4G Galaxy S-is heralded as the most powerful of this series. The screen is large and brilliantly colorful. It has a front and rear-facing 5MP camera, with 720P video. It also has unlimited access to Sprint's WIMAX 4G network. Personally, I downgraded from Verizon's FIOS ultrafast fiber optic Internet service to a Charter 1Mbps service. The first time I downloaded a large file-in about 3 seconds-I did not miss FIOS AT ALL (especially with the LARGE MONTHLY SAVINGS I now enjoy!). On top of this, I can (and have) tethered my phone to my desktop for broadband. I can tether up to 5 devices, which brings up my next subject... I use several applications on a regular, daily basis; following are the most useful. PDANet Without a doubt, this is the most useful application. It is the fastest method of tethering your Android to a computer, short of "rooting" your device. Your computer effectively uses your phone as a modem to fully browse the Internet, at broadband speeds. It utilizes the USB data cable which came with my Epic 4G, though it also works (and I verified it) wirelessly over bluetooth, if your computer supports it. You enjoy 3G or 4G speeds. It is available as a fully-functional 30-day trial. I obtained the paid program for about $15, while it is regularly about $22. You have to pause your browsing session when making or receiving a call, however, but you can also send and receive texts through your computer. EDIT: if you are in 4G mode, you CAN make a call and browse simultaneously. I've been working seamlessly (and wirelessly!) over bluetooth (which feels just as fast as the USB cable)-browsing the web and dialing-with 4G and chatting away on the "telly" with absolutely NO "buyer's remorse" for the past few hours. Maps This Google application will use the GPS to locate your position, and then find directions. In addition, it will overlay your map with REAL TIME traffic, at no additional cost. It integrates with the Sprint Navigation service, which switches to a cool 3D design, and can also display traffic; you can switch back-and-forth between the flat "Maps" program and the 3D service. Perhaps most useful is the "My Location" button in Maps--it does as it's namesake, and finds your location straightaway on the 2D map. Contrast this with most GPS companies' "traffic service," which charge you monthly to give you a 15-minute delayed traffic report. Google (from any computer, incidentally) tracks users' cell phones to deliver this real-time data. You can also view satellite, terrain, and "Buzz" (not used or reviewed) and "Latitude" (ditto). Click "navigate" and it turns into a full-fledged GPS navigation device. On a recent foray, I wasn't sure where a particular buffet was located. I used the "search" field on the home screen of my device, saying only "buffet" through the speech recognition. It instantly showed me the buffet I was looking for, as well as my continuously-updated position, just as I was approaching the exit, on the (Google) map screen it transitioned to. Alarm Clock Plus I use this free application every day. You can apparently set as many customized alarms as you want, and you can set it to play an audio/music file, or launch a particular application. Personally, I use it to play an audio file that I recorded in my own voice. I am hard to wake up, but something as annoying as my own voice gets me RIGHT UP! My wife appreciates it, too, as I used to use 5 or 6 very loud alarms (most playing the radio). It also has a built-in picture slideshow, and an hourly "grandfather clock" chime, with options for it to speak the weather and/or time, or various ringtones including "Big Ben." The only issue is-although it reminds me of the passage of time, it's sometimes EMBARRASINGLY LOUD, and I can't MUTE it!!! For instance, I had to get up and hurriedly walk out of church last Sunday, when it surprised me; luckily, I was near the back. My solution has been to turn the phone OFF when in an ultra-quiet environment, but that was arrived upon only after some "close calls." I only recently "remembered" that this chime is part of this program, and not a separate program, so at least I know how to defeat it now. This product is continuously updated with features. You might call it the "Ultimate Alarm Clock!!!" White Noizz This is actually part of Alarm Clock Plus, and can be added through the "options" menu. You can think of it as a "white noise generator on STEROIDS!!!" It is now playing a pleasing "metronome" pattern (called "clock") which helps to mask background noise and aid in concentration. It is actually very relaxing and therapeutic, and can be used in meditation, reciting incantations, prayers, etc. Some other effects are wind, wavey guitar, summer storm, suburban summer, forest, big fan, beach, and wind chimes. The effects are of a crystal-clear, extremely high quality. This is a beta release, but it is working GREAT right now. I will go out on a limb and say that it may be worth getting an Android phone just for these features! Alarm Clock This one works with or without the above one. I installed it first, so I just kind of let remain. It works much the same as the other, except this has an option that forces you to correctly enter the answer to an arithmetic question in order to snooze or dismiss an alarm; the question can be easy, medium, or hard. This doesn't really work for me, and is more likely to make me rise in a bad mood/stressed. This is true even though I'm normally pretty good at math. Curiously, it's easier for me to solve the ones on "difficult" than medium. Not challenging enough, I guess. Car Tunes This music player can search your audio files by your VOICE!!! It has a really cool interface, as well. It can also search by finger gestures. It beats my car's MP3 player by LEAPS and BOUNDS in trying to find a particular file. Goggles Google Goggles enables you to take a picture-of ANYTHING-which it then searches the web to find a match. You can even take a picture of a barcode and search a database and then do price comparisons, and even place an online order. Hi-Q MP3 Recorder My old Jornada Pocket PC had (OK, I still use it sometimes) a nifty voice recorder in its "Notes" program. Unfortunately, I never figured out how to convert the sound file into an MP3 or anything actually usable on a desktop or other device. This FREE program records up to TEN MINUTES in the universal MP3 format. I use this with Alarm Clock Plus to wake me up in the morning. The paid version lets you record even longer. Gmail It's Gmail on your phone. 'Nuff said! Music It plays audio files on your device. It's the default program for this. Around Me This simple program uses the GPS function to quickly locate the closest banks, bars, coffee shops, gas stations, hospitals, hotels, movie theaters, parking lots, pharmacies, pubs, restaurants (including fast-food), supermarkets, taxis, and (performing arts) theaters. It shows the address, distance, and phone and fax number(s). You can then be directed or shown the location utilizing the browser, Maps, Skyfire, or Sprint Navigation. Solo Lite This addictive program turns your Android into a guitar with 5 selectable chords and "Bm," "Em," "F#," and "Bm7." I don't know what they are, but they sound REALLY GOOD! Stopwatch & Timer This program has multiple timers which count up and down. Tricorder Any Star Trek fan will love this. It turns your Android phone into an apparent and VERY AUTHENTIC stage prop which would have "Scotty" DROOLING. It's the SOUND EFFECTS that really tug your "heart strings," though, and really makes for a pleasing sensory experience! It apparently has some functions-such as locating WiFi networks and measuring sound waves-but it is most useful as a jaw-dropping demo and a diversion. ThinkFree Office A Microsoft Office-compatible office suite. You can sync documents with online storage, and exchange them with other users. DropBox This program utilizes online storage to move pictures, music-any files-from your phone to the web, without removing the SD card. YouTube Do pretty much whatever you do on your desktop at this site right on your device--at up to 4G speeds. I haven't tried recording from the webcam straight to Youtube, but you might be able to. aCCleaner This nifty FREE program lets you free up memory that programs may still be using, even though you've closed them long ago, or even used Advanced Task Killer, above. You run the app, and it tells you how many megabytes of memory ("cache" for you techies) is being used by programs, and if you want to free up the memory. Even someone as geeky as me just clicks "OK," and lets the program work its magic. After a single use, my device became LIGHTNING QUICK again. It also shows a really pretty graphic display of how much each program is using in cache, data memory, and actual code (the written program itself). This can help you decide which version of "The Bible" you want to actually keep on the device (something I struggled with), or whenever you have several programs that do the same thing. This program is INVALUABLE, and is the Android equivalent of "CCleaner" for the PC (Google it). Summary Those are the programs I most utilize. In short, if I had to choose between leaving my uber-awesome Dell Studio 1558 laptop and this phone at home, I would do without the laptop. I will say that they function seamlessly together, and even match with their glossy black cases. My wife says this Android phone is one of the BEST purchases I've ever made, and I certainly appreciate the low cost of use, many useful, FREE applications, speed, and versatility! If You Enjoyed This, You Might Also Enjoy These Other Essays... The Relative Value of 2 Seconds-An Hypothetical SI Unit of Time! How to Whittle Down Your Monthly Bills and BUY Yourself Some TIME! 3 Simple Self-Defense Moves EVERY Woman Should Know! How to Find Computer & Electronics Deals How Do You Know You're In Love? Social Commentary on Obama's Historic Win The Credit Crunch You WON'T Be Expecting! On America's Subprime Mortgage Catastrophe How To Eat Well In VEGAS--DIRT CHEAP!  |
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