Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Android phone

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Android phone

Recently, I bought the Motorola Milestone, which runs on Google Android operating system. It is the first time that I am using a smart phone. I find the applications to be top class, and available for free.

I am able to access Google Mail and Calendar from the smart phone. It also uses the Contacts in the server. I find this to be very useful as I do not need to maintain the Contacts or Appointments separately in my smart phone.

I also like the Google Maps, which gets my current location using GPS. Now, I check the Map to find ou the best route to take to my destination. There is a choice of travelling by car, public transport or walking. A few days ago, I had to visit a place that I am not familiar with. After parking the car, I used the Google Map to check my current location and the direction to walk to my destination. It was very useful.

Please share your views on the applications that you use regularly on your smart phone.

Tan Kin Lian

11 comments:

hongjun said...: SG Bus Timing
- Provides bus arrival timing at bus stops in Singapore. Does not work for SMRT buses.

Post it desk
- A very simple post it widget!

Adobe Reader
- A better pdf reader

NewsRob - FREE Version
- NewsRob is a RSS/Atom newsreader that auto syncs with Google Reader.

ShowNearby
- shows the nearest places of interests (ATM, banks, petrol station, etc) near you!

MSN Talk
- For MSN

ASTRO File Manager
- File manager if you wish to organise files and folders

XE Currency
- Exchange rates

Unit Converter
- As name suggests, Unit Converter

Google Translate
- Translator

ColorDict Dictionary Universal
- Dictionary (You can then download ColorDict for Chinese, Eng, thesaurus as dicts for this single application)

Sogou Input
- Chinese character input

And many more ! Lazy to type.; July 14, 2010 12:25 AM
chnrxn said...: Welcome to the club! You will have more delightful experiences with your powerful Android phone.

The performance of the OS itself beats Windows Mobile hands down, which is slow, suffers from memory leaks and hangs on me at the most embarrassing times.

I now sync all my email with the phone. I don't even need to login to Yahoo or Gmail much anymore.

My favourite application is the Android Internet browser. The mobile view feature and extremely smooth scrolling makes reading websites extremely pleasurable, especially the mobile-optimized ones.

Mobile Internet banking with OCBC and Citibank has been life-changing for me, really. I can easily check my balances, make transfers and pay bills on the spot.

Other apps I use regularly include Google Maps, digital compass, SBS Next Bus, and notepad.

I just discovered SmartRunner which traces your running/walking path on a map, showing you how far/fast you actually went. I hope to be using more of it in the future.; July 14, 2010 12:39 AM
hongjun said...: And not forgetting app "Advanced Killer".; July 14, 2010 7:18 AM
footix24 said...: Google's Android operating system is the way to go!

I use dgAway to send quick SMS replies when I'm in a meeting/train/bus and unable to answer a phone call.

Try playing around with Layer - I believe you will like the information it provides.

I use Google My Tracks if I need to record my journey for some reasons.

Screebl is an excellent software that controls your phone's sleep state accordingly to the tilt of your phone (i.e. how you hold your phone)

Lastly, I'm using AK Notepad to taking notes and references.

Have you been using Google Latitude?; July 14, 2010 7:30 AM
Anonymous said...: Sorry, plse explain that is meant by 'available for free'.

Can a basic mobile phone service plan allow me to enjoy all these wonderful things?

Do I need to pay another $20 for an additional "data plan" to receive and send Google mail, etc??; July 14, 2010 9:53 AM
ST said...: To add to the above, I found the following useful.

1.Cabbie - You can sent a text to book a cabbie. Tried it. Easy to use and works.

2. Gesture Search - One of my favourite. Search for stuff on Android easily.

3. SayMy Name - You can set it to read the name of who call you or give you sms. Good if you are driving or lying on the bed. You can even make it read out your SMS messages.

4.LED Light - If you uses Froyo that is Android 2.2, you can use this as a flash light. No need to carry a torch light anymore.

5. If you can , get the input method "sywpe" . This is for Samsung Android. But I managed to get it on my N1. But it cannot be found at Market. I got it via friends and instal via SD card. Having fun with it..:); July 14, 2010 10:50 AM
Jason Teh said...: Hi Mr Tan,

Seems like you are a newbie for smart phones, the features you mentioned has nothing great to shout about.

You can get the features you mentioned and more from any cheaper Nokia smartphone. Nokia Messaging for push emails, Ovi Contacts and calendar runs better, Ovi Maps which has free voice navigation. And most importantly Nokia phones are much reliable.

Don't even ask which Nokia smartphones, because there are a wide range of them.

The key word at the end of the day is 'CHEAPER'; July 14, 2010 11:20 AM
Anonymous said...: What about iPhone?; July 14, 2010 11:24 AM
Tan Kin Lian said...: Reply to 11;20 am

My purpose is to communicate to the general public, the simple amd useful matters that they are not aware of. These simple things can make a lot of improvement to the daily lives. I know of many people who have still not moved to smart phones. My own migration was very recent anyway.

I leave it to the technies to do their own thing. I do not intend to reach the level of the techies.; July 14, 2010 11:30 AM
Anonymous said...: Google goggles! Simply amazing; July 14, 2010 2:12 PM
A Singaporean said...: Reply to 9:53 am:

Yes, you need a data plan. All applications operate by sending and receiving data through the GPRS network, which is something added on top of the existing GSM that handles voice and SMS.

Without it, using an iPhone, Android, etc. will cost you a huge bomb if you use any application. Possibly in the range of thousands of dollars or even more.; July 14, 2010 10:59 PM