“Fun Apps for Your Droid”

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Droid and iPhones are so much fun because there are thousands of apps to download that can turn your phone into everything from a personal trainer to a fax machine. It's just downright cool. Even though I've been experiencing issues with my phone since the Froyo software update, I still love my Motorola Droid and wouldn't think about giving it up. Well, maybe for a Droid 2 <grin>

So how do you know which apps to download? Here's a list of my personal favorites. let me know what you think. I use, or have you used most of these on a daily basis. So many apps, but never enough space.

If you think of any I missed please post them in the comments section.

Files Anywhere

Directly upload, download and send files from your Android Phone.  Share, manage, email and fax remote files.

http://filesanywhere.com/android/index.html

Bump

Share contacts info, pictures, calendar events, and more just by tapping two phones together. Works with Iphone and Android phones.

http://bu.mp/

Trapster

It’s easy to avoid a speed trap when you know where they are.

http://www.trapster.com/android.php


Where's My Droid

Lost your phone? Send a text message of "wheres my Droid" from any phone to yours and it will start ringing even if it's on vibrate. Cool.

http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-alienmanfc6-wheresmyandroid-jmwp.aspx


WordPress

Post to your blog, edit comments and more.

http://android.wordpress.org/


B&B Gallery

A better photo and video organizer then the default one on the phone.
http://gallery.breadandbuttertool.com/


HandCent Messaging

A Better Text messaging program. The factory installed one leaves a lot to be desired.

http://www.handcent.com/


My Lookout

Protects your phone from viruses and also will locate it for you if lost. Back up your data too. All free.

https://www.mylookout.com/


WeatherBug

Know what the weather forecast is in a jiffy and keep your eye on any approaching storms.

http://weather.weatherbug.com/mobile/android.html

Twitter for Android
I love Tweeting from my phone.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/06/twitter-for-android-the-best-apps-reviewed/

Gmail for Android

Access your gmail account.

http://www.google.com/mobile/android/mail/


Alarming Alarm Clock

If you lead a busy life you need an alarm clock. This app gives extra customization to the built in program.

http://android.hlidskialf.com/apps/alarming

Facebook

Read and Post Facebook Updates on the go. Be notified immediately of new comments.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/facebook-for-android/com.facebook.katana

SatSports Log

Monitors walking or Running Distance, hiking and bicycling too.

http://www.satsportsgps.com/sportslog/htcandroid.html


Blogger  Droid

Post Pix to Blogger and more.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/and.blogger


Photoshop Express

Photos underexposed. All is not loss, edit them with Photoshop.

http://mobile.photoshop.com/android/


Navigation

Why buy a GPS when it comes built into your phone.

http://www.google.com/mobile/navigation/index.html#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=gh0smm&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=android%20navigation&dc=gh0smm


Custom Car

Allows you to put all of your driving apps in one convenient location- Now with three home screens with six customizable shortcuts

http://www.appbrain.com/app/custom-car-home/com.bigfwoosh.customcarhome

Printer Share

Think you can't print from your phone? Think Again. With this app printing out pix is a breeze.

http://www.printeranywhere.com/

Kindle

Read more then 700,000 books from  your phone. Free, no Kindle required.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=165849822&tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=5712036437&ref=pd_sl_39sm5vewxg_b

Pandora

Listen to Internet Radio and customize your own channels.

http://www.pandora.com/android



Daily Horoscope

Call me superstitious but I still get a kick out of reading what the stars have in store for me.

http://droidfreeapps.com/2010/01/android-horoscope-apps/


PDA Net

Tether your computer to your phone's Internet connection. Allows your phone to be used as a modem. Nice.

http://www.junefabrics.com/android/


ChompSMS
A replacement app for the built in messaging app.Loaded with extras like chat-style bubbles, contact pictures, quick reply, signatures and more.

http://www.chompsms.com/


Juice Defender
All of these apps put a lot of strain on your battery. Last longer with Juice Defender. It’s like Viagra, but for your phone <LOL>

http://latedroid.com/juicedefender/


RingDroid
Gives you the ability to take music files and turn them into ring tones.

http://code.google.com/p/ringdroid/

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"The Motorola Droid Saga Continues: Part 2"

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So, I finally did it. I broke down and called Verizon yesterday about all of the problems I've been experiencing with my Motorola Droid since the Froyo 2.2 update. Before the update I LOVED my phone. I actually had fantasies of leaving my boyfriend for it, but then the update hit. The update that was suppose to make my life wonderful and bring a little Flash into my life.

Just for clarification purposes Motorola makes three different models of the Droid, the Original Droid, the Droid X and Droid 2. The Droid 2, which might be the way I end up going to solve my problems, comes with Froyo factory installed with a faster processor and an improved keyboard. Obviously, my thinking is it would be free from the update nightmare I'm currently experiencing with my original Droid.

Ever since Froyo it's as if my phone is possessed. It drops calls like crazy, the battery drains faster then a Greyhound racing at the track, and that's with hardly using it. Apps are locking up, and erroring out, and continually run in the background since the App Killer I was using also stopped working along with the 2.2 update. They say it's no longer needed that the new software manages apps just fine. Well, if that's true, why does it always say that apps are running in the background and even when I do a force close, they come right back? Go figure. Can you say annoying.

Anyway, I digress. Being not the complaining type (I listen to enough of that myself) rather choosing to solve my own problems, if possible, I finally made the call. Doing it only after spending hours online doing research, only to find hundreds of other people posting about the same crazy problems on various boards and forums. Apparently I wasn't alone in my new found misery. There were enough people saying the exact same things I was. This at least it verified my sanity. Well, maybe that's a stretch. There were others who had also fallen out of love with their Droid shortly after the Froyo update. Coincidence? I think not!

Upon calling Verizon (great customer service people by the way) they first suggested I update my roaming service which the nice lady said should stop my dropped call problems. My hopes aren't too high that this will remedy my phone dropping every single person I speak with, but hey I'm game for anything at this point. Then she transferred me to their tech department for all of my other "demonic possession" problems.

Upon explaining my problems and all of the research I had done online about others having the same issues she put me on hold to check. When she came back she stated there were no known issues at this time, but I could do a factory warranty swap out of the phone if I wanted to since it was only 6 months old. I declined her kindoffer and told her I'd wait it out for the "fix" that I'm sure they would come up with soon. Others online have said doing a factory reset fixes all,but when I asked her she didn't have much to say. But since she wasn't acknowledging there was a "real problem" what could she say. She did say she would put in a ticket so they would investigate further. I thanked her for her time and said goodbye.

A friend of mine (yes, I have a few)  also has the same phone and we have been comparing notes. She's about ready to throw hers out the window. Rather then calling she stopped into a Verizon store to discuss her problems. Her experience was much different. The salesman told her that they know all about these issues and are working on a software fix.

Two different experiences on the exact same problems. Does that mean I was lied to on the phone?  Or is it possible that the corporate office is so far removed from the actual customers they really don't know there's a problem? Again, this is all my opinion and my theory. But how could two people get two completely different answers?

For now I'm going to sit tight and wait it out. I want to fall in love with my Droid again and get that warm fuzzy feeling when I put it in my pocket.Our relationship needs some repair work and I'm crossing my fingers that Verizon will be supplying a remedy soon. All relationships need work, so why should my love/hate with a Droid be any different? They say "opposites attract".

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“Falling Out of Love With My Droid- Trouble in Paradise”

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I love my Droid!! That is until recently. About a week ago Verizon updated everyone to the highly anticipated Froyo 2.2 software update. Having read much about the new enhancements that were included I eagerly powered off and on my phone to accept the upgrade. What a mistake that was.

Ever since this update my phone has taken on the personality of a possessed person. It randomly locksup, loses calls, my battery life has become so dismal I'm afraid to actually use it, apps no longer would close with the use of the "Task Kiler and running really slow, like a dog.

At first I thought it was me, but after talking to a few Droid friends who were having similar problems, I did a little research. What I found was highly discouraging. Apparently, there's a lot of people in the world having similar problems, who also want to rip their hair out over this latest and greatest update. Be afraid my friends, be very afraid <grin>

For Example: One of the first headlines I ran across.

"Motorola Droid owners reporting issues with Android 2.2 update"
http://www.examiner.com/gadgets-in-san-francisco/motorola-droid-owners-reporting-issues-with-android-2-2-update

As I browsed and read more the problem with task killer not working became readily apparent. I wasn't insane after all. Well, maybe I am....but that's talk for another day.

"Problems with Task Killer and Froyo 2.2 Update on Droid"
http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20013247-85.html

"Froyo update kills Android task killer apps"
http://www.worldtech24.com/phones/froyo-update-kills-android-task-killer-apps

When I first bought my Droid the Verizon rep put Task Killer on it for me stating you had to have it in order to kill all the running apps to save your battery life. Now, the killer has apparently been killed. Aggghhhhh!!

Moving onto the battery drainage problem it appears they're trying to blame this one on Facebook's app but I'm not sure I'm buying that this is the whole cause. I found information that said to make sure you update to the latest version in order to solve this problem.

"Android 2.2 Froyo Battery Drainage Apparently Caused By Facebook App"
http://erictric.com/2010/08/05/android-2-2-froyo-battery-drainage-apparently-caused-by-facebook-app/

So after spending a few hours growing increasingly disappointed over what I was reading. I did pick up a few tips and pointers that you might want to try if you're falling out of love with your Droid with the inclusion of Froyo in your relationship.

1) Delete Task Killer- According to the "experts" Froyo knows when to launch and kill apps on its own and will run much better with this app gone. Again, true or not just what I've been reading. I myself, uninstalled it.

2) Add the Android power management widget to your phone to help shut things down when not needed and preserve battery life. Just long press on your screen and pick add widget the look for "Power Management". Just make sure you have enough open space on your home screen before trying to place it there as it needs 3 rows across to fit.

3) Uninstall Facebook app....then redownload it. You can't really take it out completely but you can go to apps management and remove what you can then go and re-download the latest version.

4) Take out your battery, then put it back in. (not sure what this does)

5) Factory Reset: Last but not least if Froyo still isn't playing nice on your phone do a factory reset. I haven't been brave enough to do this one and am saving it as a last resort  but the research I've read seems to suggest this will fix all of your problems and things will go back to normal. Of course, you'll wipe out everything on your phone and will need to start over, but that's the cost of a buggy update. It's similar to formating your hard drive and gives you a clean slate. If anyone has done this, and life is better now, please let me know. I refuse to go there unless I absolutely
have to.

After reading through hundreds of comments on forums and discussion boards I picked up a few other random tips that may help.

Download Juice Defender- Helps preserve battery life
http://latedroid.com/juicedefender/

And to really see what's going on with your phone's battery type this into your handset.

*#*#4636#*#*

You'll be amazed at the phone info, battery info, and usage stats it reveals.
So there you have it. My own little private hell in a nutshell. No, I'm not taking back my phone, and I do still think that the Droid is the slickest phone ever. I'll just sit back in my corner and wait for Verizon to come up with an update to this update to kill all of these crazy bugs. I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Right?? Any suggestions?

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