Monday, September 3, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

[Discussion] How do you use your tablet to boost productivity?

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 12:20 PM PDT

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Various Android Tablets

I must admit, tablets have let me down in one particular area: productivity. Ever since they gained a significant mainstream user base, I have believed that with the right set of apps, the tablet would be the perfect gadget to help people get things done. I felt the phone was too distracting with its various communication channels, while the PC would be the place where the work is actually done. I expected the tablet to be a useful second-screen of sorts, acting as a monitor offering the right information to keep you focussed on the task at hand.

It hasn’t worked out so for me. While it came in handy a lot in college, particularly combining Evernote and their Web Clipper Chrome Extension, since graduation a couple of months ago I have used it exclusively for reading comics and the Game of Thrones books series. But maybe I’m just using it wrong, maybe I don’t have the right apps on it, and I’d really like to hear your thoughts on it.

Whatever you’re using that helps you boost your work rate, write it in the comments.

DeskSMS developer releases TabletSMS, allows you to send texts through your tablet

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 11:06 AM PDT

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If I had seen this a little while ago, TabletSMS might well have been my Uniquely Android pick for today. I could have always waited a while before posting about it next week, but considering the fan following that DeskSMS enjoys, I thought that would be unfair of me.

If you haven’t heard about DeskSMS, here’s a short intro: the app allows you to send and receive texts from GMail, Google Talk or the Chrome extension. I personally prefer AirDroid, but that’s because of the additional functionality it offers. Those who just want the texting capability, DeskSMS would work just fine.

One issue with DeskSMS (and AirDroid) was that, though theoretically it was possible to text via one’s tablet too, in the same manner as with a PC, the experience wasn’t ideal. That’s where TabletSMS steps in, with a nice, clean UI and an experience that actually makes you believe that the texting capability was in-built into your tablet. It’s a great utility for those who spend a significant amount of time on their larger devices, such as for reading. It works great, too, and is automatically in my list of apps I can’t live without.

[Google Play via Android Police]

Uniquely Android: Unified Remote

Posted: 02 Sep 2012 09:47 AM PDT

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Uniquely Android is a series we started last month to shine the spotlight on those apps that take advantage of the unique capabilities of the platform and provide an experience that you wouldn't find in most other phones. So far, we have featured Plug In Launcher, AirDroid, Shush, Llama, Swiftkey 3, SwipePad and Widgetsoid2.x.

Full disclosure: I haven’t actually used Unified Remote for a little over a year since I’ve been on a Mac since last April and the app is for PC users only. However, browsing through the previous posts in the series looking for suggestions, I found Siddharth Motwani’s tip for this little beauty of an app and I knew I just had to write about it.

So, what does Unified Remote do? Short version, it allows your phone or tablet to act as an input device for your PC, while also acting as a remote for various programs. But there’s a great deal of customizability possible especially with the pro version with which you also unlock additional features such as voice control and NFC.

I personally used the app a lot when I hooked up my laptop to the TV or while giving presentations at college. For those kind of use cases, this is certainly the app to get. I’ve embedded the developer’s video walkthrough below, and you can download the app via Google Play from here.

Weekend Poll: Do you think Android cameras will succeed?

Posted: 01 Sep 2012 07:14 PM PDT


Revolutionary concepts and ideas are the root of some of the best tools. We have seen “crazy” ideas raise to the top, but it comes with a prize – most of these experimental projects fail. You gotta break some eggs to make an omelette.

Andy Rubin mentioned he would like to see Android running on every screen at an interview in AsiaD last October, 2011. Until this day, that continues to be a dream, but a very possible one. Android currently lives in a plethora of devices; including TVs, refrigerators, tablets, smartphones, cars, airplanes, game consoles and cameras (the list goes on). The latter being today’s Weekend Poll topic.

To this day, I have yet to see someone owning a refrigerator with an Android screen, and I haven’t used tablets embedded in airplane seats yet. I definitely don’t own a car with an integrated tablet, but this is more common as people can simply purchase or make dashboard docks.

Clearly, many of these projects fail to take off. Either they are considered a gimmick or can be too expensive… or simply unnecessary. Regardless of the factors that make a smart device successful, there is always a high chance the company will turn a good idea into an uninviting product.

We are currently seeing the rise of a new market – Android cameras. These photo-centric devices benefit from all the superior specs (compared to smartphones) of a point-and-shoot camera, but with the operating system that makes our smartphones so enticing. Android cameras would bring the photo junkie’s experience to a whole other level, being able to edit, re-touch, filter or share any picture (or video) right after taking it.

My first impression was that Android cameras are simply a gimmick. They are expensive enough to entice me to save up a bit more and just get a DSLR or a high-end point-and-shoot. I recall saying “if I am going to pay that much, I would rather get a Lytro camera.”

I must say that, as a tech writer, one of my greatest pleasures is being able to learn from you. Our readers can many times bring clarity to the simple facts we may overlook while we deluge ourselves in tech news and gadgets. And after reading your comments, I realized there just might be a good market for this.

Many times people don’t want the complexity or features of a DSLR. And most phones’ cameras are not good enough to replace a good point-and-shoot (some are getting close). So what happens at that party? You go around taking pictures with your point-and-shoot only to upload them later on, when you have access to a computer. It simply takes much more time and effort.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera will come with 3G and 4G versions (as well as WiFi), meaning this will be a sharing machine. You can simply set up Google+ Instant Upload and your images will be shared with everyone as you take them. Or back them up to the cloud and pull them off whenever you prefer; even at that moment, with a smartphone.

We can always fire up the debate and go against these ideas, though. “I would rather have a phone with a good cameras,” “I have no rush to edit/share my pictures,” “It is not worth the price.” In fact, I would agree with you, my needs would not justify me spending this much in a point-and-shoot running Android. But that does not mean some of our fellow Android enthusiasts wouldn’t mind paying a few more bucks for a smart camera.

Companies seem to be betting on this idea. We hace cameras coming from Polaroid, Nikon and Samsung. Is it only a matter of time before others realize this is a good market to invest on? You tell us.


Posted by at 7:34 AM

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