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Android Apps Alert 14: Better get yourself a Droid or Nexus One edition

There’s a large contingent of people who refuse to part with their beloved G1’s. Whether its because they’re holding out for a particular phone or don’t want to change carriers, these folks are content to stick with a first generation device. However, it may be time to rethink your upgrade plans.

An increasing number of apps require a device running Android 2.0 or higher. The G1 and other first gen devices simply can’t handle the space or processing power required for certain apps, leaving older phones out in the cold. In this installment of Android Apps Alert, we highlight 4 new apps that require a Droid or Nexus One. There’s also an app that was previously available only to 2.0 devices and two apps that play nice with everyone.

Urbanspoon (2.0+ only)

Here’s another casualty of the Popular on iPhone but not available on Android list. Urbanspoon is a restaurant recommendation app that helps finicky eaters decide where to dine. This isn’t your average turn on GPS and find a Chinese restaurant app, however. Urbanspoon randomizes restaurants based on location, cuisine style (Latin, Korean, Kosher, Bar, etc.), and price levels. Users make a selection for each category, press the shake button, and then gets a random selection. Ratings, reviews, and contact information help finalize the decision process.

Homerun Battle 3D (2.0+ – $4.99 Full, Free Lite)

Officially, Homerun Battle 3D works on pre-2.0 devices with some issues, but it’s probably useless if you don’t own a Nexus One or Droid. The app is 22 MB and taxes the phone, making your dusty old G1 a problem. However, if you do own one of the latest Android devices, this is an addictive game. Very addictive. The object of Homerun Battle is to time your hits and blast as many shots as you can over the bleachers. Players can compete against friends, including cross-platform against iPhone users, in a battle to see who can hit the most homers. The graphics are great, the premise is simple, and you can waste quite a bit of time with this game. There’s a Lite version and a paid version with upgrades.

Swype (Beta for HVGA devices)

Typing is for losers. Swype is an app that enters text on an Android phone based on user gestures. As a finger moves from letter to letter, the app is able to predict what word the author intended to enter. Text prediction is very good (better than ShapeWriter) and very responsive. Read our tutorial on how to install the beta app on HVGA devices here.

#swype really is the absolute business when it comes to entering text on #android #androidapps
Recommended by: @Smith922

Twicca

The Android Twitter carousel welcomes Twicca, the latest app to have people proclaim it as the biggest threat to Twidroid. The standard features are present, as are the ability to manage favorites, lists, search, and a number of settings. I love the interface, which provides lots of space for the timeline and a distraction-free reading method. I highly recommend testing it out.

Seesmic, Twitdroid, Swift fans – haven’t y’all tried Twicca yet? A better app to me, love the UI and really fast #androidapps @twicca_en
Recommended by @Troyengel

iCommando (2.0+ only, €1.49)

Here’s another game only available to Droids/Nexii, and it could shoot to the top (sorry, couldn’t resist the obvious pun). Android has a decent first-person shooter in iCommando. Gamers take the role of sniper Maj. John McKenzie and perform target-and-fire kills over and over again. The simple set-up has the potential to be repetitive, but iCommando looks great and plays greater for a mobile game.

NOTE: iCommando is currently missing from the Market. I’ll update this post with a QR code when/if the app is back up.
*This video courtesy of AndroidAndMe

Wordpress

Anyone who owns a Wordpress-based blog will enjoy this official app, built on wpTogo. Wordpress for Android allows Wordpress.com or self-hosted Wordpress blog authors to create and administer content for their blogs directly from an Android device. Users can create or edit posts, approve/unapprove/spam/reply to comments, attach files, and manage multiple blogs.

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Android Apps Alert 8: a closer look at a few ADC2 apps [Dec. 6]

Looking for the best Android apps? Good luck finding them on your own. But if you do stumble across apps people will love, let the world know. Androinica.com encourages users to tweet great apps with the #androidapps tag on Twitter, and we plan to incorporate that into our weekly notifications of new, updated, or recommended apps. Get to downloading and keep telling us about those exciting #androidapps.

In the eighth edition of Android Apps Alert, we’re focused on the Android Developer’s Challenge 2. All of the apps featured this week are ADC2 winners or runners-up in Google’s recent app contest. While I couldn’t find or profile every app, we can look at a file sharer, an app for phone protection/location, a photo effects studio, multiplayer guessing game, and a multiplayer photo game. The video previews of these apps are below, along with text explanations and QR codes for those who want to focus on words.

Hoccer

Sharing data wirelessly with other phones just got a bit easier thanks to Hoccer, an Android app that allows ad-hoc sharing. We’ve seen a similar function in Bump, but Hoccer has more sharing options like bookmarks and text as well as photos and contacts. The app even supports sharing functions from note-taking apps like AK Notepad. Hoccer is a polished, quick, and fun way to share data. It is also available for iPhone users and there is a web client to use if someone has neither operating system.

Possible Alternative: Bump

FxCamera

Everyone thinks he is a professional photographer, so why not pretend a little more with this great cameras effects app? FxCamera is a camera replacement app that provides several shooting modes to alter each photo taken with an Android phone. I love this app because of the Toy Camera effect, but there are also settings for symmetry, Warhol, fisheye lens, Polaroid, and color settings like sepia, black and white, or negatives. Each shooting mode is configurable to fine-tune every photo to your desires. Though your phone’s camera may not be the greatest, FxCamera can liven up snapshots with a few choice effects.

What The Doodle

Pictionary is the scorn or lifeline of many dinner parties and couples gatherings. A digital version of the game can be played with What The Doodle, a multiplayer game that connects users in a guessing game played on Android phones. Players join private or public games and take turns illustrating a word, without words or numbers, that others must guess. A successful guess provides a point to both the illustrator and person who answers correctly. It’s always nice to see a classic become modernized in such a successful manner.

A World of Photo

Android phones have proliferated to users across the globe, and A World of Photo takes advantage of that fact with a photo-based interactive game. A World of Photo is a global social game that requires users to snap photos that are then shared with random users. Recipients then rate the photos for creativity and quality, which gives points to the sender. The game pairs players based on geographic location and “threads” that start and end with the individual user. Users are not allowed to share adult or inappropriate content.

WaveSecure

Losing your phone is one of the worst non-tragic feelings a person can experience. Never have that feeling again with WaveSecure, an Android app that can locate your stolen or lost phone. When a phone is misplaced or taken, log-on to the WaveSecure website and track, remotely lock, remotely wipe, or backup phone data, and then restore data once the device is recovered. WaveSecure can also be used as a backup for call logs or SMS messages, uploaded media, and manually locking a phone while it’s still in your possession.

Possible Alternative: Mobile Defense Click here to see a video of how easy it is to set-up and use WaveSecure

Other App News

Be sure to try out SpeedForge 3D, an ADC2 winner that we reviewed previously.
Note: The previous critiques about sluggishness have been addressed and the game is great.

Facebook app “Bloo” is once again a free application

Clear Channel’s iheartradio app is on the way to Android

Dolphin Browser supports multitouch browsing

When you’re in New York City, find the nearest subway with Wayfinder

Layar has been updated once again to support 3D objects in augmented reality

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Android Apps Alert 4: Games, GPS, and streamlined apps

Androinica.com encourages users to tweet great apps with the #androidapps tag on Twitter, and we plan to incorporate that into our periodic notifications of new, updated, or useful apps. Get to downloading and keep telling us about those exciting #androidapps.

App Alert posts have been on hiatus since the 50 Best Android Apps article, but now seems like a good time to get back into the swing of things. And to shake things up a bit, I’ve opted to make this installment a video edition. Here’s a breakdown of each app shown in each video.

Radiant [ 0:00 – 1:33 ]

(£1.50)

It amazes me when people say that they didn’t like games like Space Invaders and Asteroid. If you’re smart enough to not be one of those weirdoes, check out this game from Hexage based on shooting down attacking aliens and wayward asteroids. Classic gaming gets updated for the Android experience in a Lite and full version that costs £1.50

Astro [ 1:34 – 3:49]

The leading file manager on Android gets updated with a complete overhaul of the file explorer interface. There are now shortcuts to performing popular functions and the addition of a task manager.

Geo Alert [ 3:50 – 5:35]

Geo Alert is an alarm clock for GPS coordinates. Users plot a location on a map and when the GPS or cell l tower sensors pass that point, an alarm is triggered. This is great for anyone who rides public transit and wants a reminder for their stop.

INX Traffic [ 5:36 – 8:35]

Traffic notifications are becoming a handy mobile tool for motorists looking to avoid gridlock. Traffic! is an app that shows live traffic data, areas of congestion, accident reports, and a forecast on traffic conditions during your commute. Use this to avoid congestion.

Dolphin Browser [0:00 – 2:34]

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Unless of course the “it” is the Android browser. While the default browser is fine, it doesn’t hurt to use Dolphin. Get this browser alternative for visual tabs, gesture support, social media sharing, and synced bookmarks.

Address Book [2:35 – 5:11]

It’s no secret that I love this app. Address Book syncs your social networks and contacts, streamlining your Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Amazon, and YouTube contacts with your phone’s address book. Read our full review of the application.

App Organizer [5:12 – 7:15]

We’ve already reviewed this application but I wanted to throw this in as recommended app. Apps Organizer groups applications according to label, which can be a great help to people with a high number of apps. It creates home screen shortcuts and provides filtering options to make finding your apps easier.

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Sherpa hits Android Market, video review available

Sherpa is a marquee app on the T-Mobile myTouch3g, but it’s now available in the United States Android Market for other phones as well. T-Mobile G1 owners can also take a crack at Sherpa, which tracks and learns a user’s tendencies. The location-awareness app is equipped with an adaptive learning feature that uses likes and dislikes to give recommendations and reminders about places to visit. Previously seen as Geodelic, the app works to make points of interest apps more intuitive.

Sherpa is made further unique because locations and establishments are displayed on a carousel. Swipe left and right to see nearby attractions and stores that fit within the following categories: Arts & Culture, Banks, Bars & Nightclubs, Cafes & Coffee Shops, Dining, Establishments, Getting Around, Groceries & Essentials, In a Pinch, Kids & Pets, Looking good, Movies & Entertainment, On Vacation, Quick Bites, Recreation, and Shopping.

Here is a video demo of Sherpa running on a T-Mobile G1.

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Android Cupcake 1.5 video preview (#android)

After Google released a preview of the Android 1.5 SDK earlier this week, Android fans learned about some of the new features that they would get in the next version of Android. Enhanced web browsing, graphic changes, and several tweaks are among the many changes promised. I wasn’t content to simply read about the changes and didn’t want to install the HTC Magic build on my G1, so I decided to check out the SDK and figured I’d record a video showing how some of the updated Android features will function and appear in Cupcake.

- Tweaked zoom functions
The zoom function has been updated with interface changes Google previously mentioned. The “+ and -” zoom in/zoom out buttons are now thinner and longer instead of the previous overlay design. There is also a “1x” button to automatically return zoom to the default scale.

- New “Find on page” for web browsing
A very useful feature of web browsing will be available on Android thanks to the”Find on page” function. Users can search the text displayed in Browser and see every time a word or phrase is mentioned on a particular page. Use it to locate a specific phrase in text, find the place you left off, or cut directly to the chase of what got you on a page in the first place.

- New copy n paste in web
Yes! You can now copy and paste directly from a website. Android users will be able to select text and have it automatically added to the clipboard. The copied text can then be taken to another window, the search bar, or another application.

- Text prediction
I’ve had text prediction on almost every phone I’ve owned, so it surprised me that the G1 didn’t have this feature. The next Android version has text prediction, which seemed to not bother suggesting anything for small words while I played with the emulator.

- On-screen keyboard
You’ve all seen this plenty of times. I don’t think you really need any more explanation. The on-screen keyboard has a great layout and quick access to alternative characters, so we’ll have to see how well it works when dealing with fingers.

- A few noticeable UI changes
Google showed a couple of user interface changes and I noticed a few of them here. The Music app (not shown in video) has slightly different colors, Android buttons are more “graphical,” and you can add a music widget directly to the homescreen. The changes are small but noticeable; a step up from the previous look/design of Android. Note: The music widget looks just like the one seen in the HTC Magic port.

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SweeterHome theme video shows Watchmen, apps power

SweeterHome is getting stronger by the day. Yes, I literally mean by the day. The developer is constantly working to improve the home screen replacement app, fixing bugs and adding useful features that set it apart from similar apps. It is very much a work in progress, and that progress is moving along nicely.

SweeterHome has greatly improved since Androinica reviewed an earlier version last month. The addition of Springboards and better functions have made customization of the Android home reach much deeper levels. Below are screenshots and a video showcasing two SweeterHome themes that I have developed for my personal use – Watchmen and KawsOneder.

                    

KawsOneder

          

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VIDEOS: Android’s Home screen upgraded

The Android home screen has been heavily pimped in recent weeks. From the diamond-like dxTop to the robust OpenHome, a crop of new home screen replacements has given Google Android new themes, designs, and added widget support. Androinica has created brief video reviews to showcase demo versions of aHome, dxTop, and OpenHome — the newest ways to beef up the Android home screen.

aHome Lite

aHome has widget support for digital or analog clocks, weather, notes, and more. It skins everything but the notification bar and supports up to 10 windows on the home screen.
http://www.mappn.com/Forum/index.php?board=13.0

Open Home

Open Home supports seven windows in the home screen and ports some of the great themes created by members of XDA Developers. The app has added widget support, auto rotates, and supports BetterCut shortcuts.
http://betterandroid.wordpress.com

dxTop

dXTop offers the most unique configuration for Android. The four screens are less than its rivals but still powerful. The app supports widgets such as memory management and advanced search bars. Themes are currently being developed.
http://dxtop.wikidot.com

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