New Smartphone (Android)

[BBQ101]

Hey All,

I finally bit the bullet and ditched my ancient 6 year old flip phone for a new LG Optimus V that runs Android 2.2.

This thing is really cool so far. I have loaded a couple things so I can check my gmail and yahoo accounts, and I have also loaded Pandora so I can listen to tunes whilst I whittle the day away here at work.

Does anyone have any recommendations for neat apps I should check out? Any must have apps for this thing?

BBQ

 

[Aikmaniac]

Nice purchase!

I just took the plunge on a HTC Inspire 4G (I have AT&T). It is my first smartphone. I've had it for almost a week. Love it.

The first app I was told to download was the Advanced Task Killer. It will "kill" any apps you're not using that are running in the background.

Also was told about the antivirus app from AVG. It will scan all downloads.

As I said, I'm learning as well! Good luck.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Enjoy it! I just got the iPhone a few days ago, my first smartphone and I use it an insane amount. Subscribed to NetFlix 1 month free trail and have been watching movies/tv shows on the go, defiently worth subbing up for $7.99 a month on NetFlix if androids have that app aswell.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Hey All,

I finally bit the bullet and ditched my ancient 6 year old flip phone for a new LG Optimus V that runs Android 2.2.

This thing is really cool so far. I have loaded a couple things so I can check my gmail and yahoo accounts, and I have also loaded Pandora so I can listen to tunes whilst I whittle the day away here at work.

Does anyone have any recommendations for neat apps I should check out? Any must have apps for this thing?

BBQ

For games, grab Angry Birds and Robo Defense.

File manager, I like Astro

Enable Google Voice for your voicemail if you can. You will get emails telling you you have a voicemail and it also tries to transcribe your voicemail. (sometimes good sometimes not so much) It's cool to be able to read your voice mail rather than have to call and listen to it. Though it also downloads your voicemails in mp3 format.

If you like Chess, grab Chess for Android (by Aart Bik)

I think xScope is easily the best browser for Android, though they've changed it and it's a bit heavy now. It's still the best though. Grab the free one first to try it out. (I only use the free version)

 

[Vtwin]

Nice purchase!

I just took the plunge on a HTC Inspire 4G (I have AT&T). It is my first smartphone. I've had it for almost a week. Love it.

The first app I was told to download was the Advanced Task Killer. It will "kill" any apps you're not using that are running in the background.

Also was told about the antivirus app from AVG. It will scan all downloads.

As I said, I'm learning as well! Good luck.

2.2 has a task killer built in. Some say that ATK is not necessary and is a battery/resource waster. I had it when on 2.1 but now that I am running 2.2 I did not reinstall it. I use the built in task manager and my battery life is improved. Don't know if that is a result of the updated OS or the removal of ATK though.

I do have the AVG antivirus.

I have a couple MP3 downloader apps that are great.

Sports Radio for Droid.

Tune in Radio.

 

[Kangaroo]

Hey All,

I finally bit the bullet and ditched my ancient 6 year old flip phone for a new LG Optimus V that runs Android 2.2.

This thing is really cool so far. I have loaded a couple things so I can check my gmail and yahoo accounts, and I have also loaded Pandora so I can listen to tunes whilst I whittle the day away here at work.

Does anyone have any recommendations for neat apps I should check out? Any must have apps for this thing?

BBQ

Angry Birds
If use like Kroger cards etc type reward cards Key Ring they scan your phone to get your card

 

[YosemiteSam]

2.2 has a task killer built in. Some say that ATK is not necessary and is a battery/resource waster. I had it when on 2.1 but now that I am running 2.2 I did not reinstall it. I use the built in task manager and my battery life is improved. Don't know if that is a result of the updated OS or the removal of ATK though.

I do have the AVG antivirus.

I have a couple MP3 downloader apps that are great.

Sports Radio for Droid.

Tune in Radio.

I agree. I stopped using the task killer too.

Oh, I also got Gingerbread (Android 2.3) about a week ago on my Nexus One. The color scheme is darker and they changed some buttons to be green.

 

[TheCount]

There's anti-virus for your phone?!

 

[Aikmaniac]

2.2 has a task killer built in. Some say that ATK is not necessary and is a battery/resource waster. I had it when on 2.1 but now that I am running 2.2 I did not reinstall it. I use the built in task manager and my battery life is improved. Don't know if that is a result of the updated OS or the removal of ATK though.

I do have the AVG antivirus.

I have a couple MP3 downloader apps that are great.

Sports Radio for Droid.

Tune in Radio.

I just ran a search and did not find the built-in task killer. Does it automatically run in the background? Forgive my ignorance as I'm still figuring this baby out.

 

[Vtwin]

I just ran a search and did not find the built-in task killer. Does it automatically run in the background? Forgive my ignorance as I'm still figuring this baby out.

It's in the APPS and is called "Task Manager" on my phone.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

There's anti-virus for your phone?!

it's more a computer then a phone.

 

[reddyuta]

Launcherpro plus is my fav APP,even the free one is brilliant.

 

[KJJ]

it's more a computer then a phone.

That's pretty much what smartphones have become hand held computers they're coming with processors.

I'm looking into the Droid Bionic that's suppose to be available this summer it sounds interesting.

 

[BBQ101]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I will check these out when I get time.

BBQ

 

[Aikmaniac]

It's in the APPS and is called "Task Manager" on my phone.

Hmm...didn't see it. Which phone do you have?

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Just a tip from my experience.


If you use a SmartPhone mainly as a phone - the battery will last pretty long. Of course it depends on which one you have.

I have a droid X.
If I use it just for calls and text and email. It lasts all day and then some.

If I use it to tether/hotspot.
Drains fast.

If you run facebook, skype or any other apps.
Drains fast.

If you play games
Drains fast.


This next step will be different for every phone.
Basically go into settings and go to applications and stop their running.

For my Droid X:

The task killer app is not necessary.
Go into the phones' "Applications" > "Manage Applications" and just "turn off" or "force stop" an application that you dont want running.

ie. Amazon Mp3. or media storage etc...


Hope this helps...

 

[ajk23az]

Dont put any kind of task killer on your phone, it will slow it down considerably. Android already does an excellent job of relegating apps.

Here are some awesome apps to download on android;

Doodle Jump (game)
HeyTell (voice text messaging, cross platform)
Words With Friends (scrabble, cross platform)
DoubleTwist (much better music player than the stock version)
AppBrain (can search other peoples apps, if they voluntarily share them)
Groupon
Beautiful Widgets
Cache Cleaner NG
LauncherPro
My Tracks

 

[Arch Stanton]

App2SD Free will help save phone memory and clear your cache.

vplayer for videos.

andless to play flac files.

 

[Vtwin]

Hmm...didn't see it. Which phone do you have?

Samsung Captivate on AT&T

Are you running 2.2 Froyo?

 

[YosemiteSam]

App2SD Free will help save phone memory and clear your cache.

You can move apps to an SD card without needing an app to do it for you.

Moving apps to an SD card freaking owns. It makes your phone's storage almost a bottomless pit. :laugh2: