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Smart phone and apps

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  • 13-03-2013 9:17pm
    #1
    annieoburns
    Registered Users Posts: 505 ✭✭✭


    Could people suggest what apps are useful to have? I am struggling to use my first smart phone. I wonder how many of its features I will actually use?

    For the moment I am keeping a separate mobile phone for calls.

    So far I have apps for:

    Weather
    News, Irish breaking news and Skynews
    Newspapers
    Maps and GPS route planning
    Email

    I know there is huge variety but really with a tiny screen and a decent laptop at home, I wonder what features will be useful when away from home?


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    #2
    BBDBB
    Registered Users Posts: 26,899 ✭✭✭✭BBDBB


    a few games or puzzles to keep you occupied


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    #3
    0lddog
    Registered Users Posts: 3,292 ✭✭✭0lddog


    With an unlocked rooted Android ( ZTE Blade ) I use

    Tethering

    TuneIn

    WiFi analyzer

    ( oh & camera & music )

    Olddog


    ( am mightly taken with language translation apps but not inclined to rely on network access when I need to use same :) )


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    #4
    OldGoat
    Registered Users Posts: 12,633 ✭✭✭✭OldGoat


    I have a load of photography tools - exposure meters, appature calculators.
    I have a load of guitar tools - tuner, chord finders etc..
    I have a couple of measuring tools and a spirit level.
    I have a game for when I'm sitting in the car waiting to pick up the kids from whatever thing they are attending.
    A radio that gets lots of use.
    My favourite app is Google Sky for those clear nights when you can actually see the stars.

    Oh and that WhipCrack sound that I saw once on The Big Bang Theory. That never grows old. :cool:

    I'm older than Minecraft goats.



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    #5
    nompere
    Registered Users Posts: 1,676 ✭✭✭nompere


    I use the DART on a regular basis, and the "Next Train Ireland " app is very useful. It's free, as well!


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    #6
    annieoburns
    Registered Users Posts: 505 ✭✭✭annieoburns


    Thanks for suggestions! keep them coming! Yes camera is very handy and video and so easy to post directly on via email. Voice recorder is good too. I was half thinking of buying a digital voice recorder but there it is on the smartphone.

    Weather apps are great but seem stuck on fahrenheit? and not such an auld one as now I relate more to celcious (spelling)

    I need to find out about 'tethering'.... just one of those words that mean nothing to me yet.

    I am away from Ireland at the moment so great to get the clear radio sound on small device.


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    #7
    BBDBB
    Registered Users Posts: 26,899 ✭✭✭✭BBDBB


    sudoku


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    #8
    foxinsox
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,080 ✭✭✭foxinsox


    Most weather apps you can change to Celsius.. look in settings when in app.


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    #9
    Jellybaby1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    I'm bemused by this thread. My mobile phone is quite a dinosaur. I remember when I couldn't work out how to use it. I refuse to spend any more cash on gadgets. They steal my time and drain me of energy.


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    #10
    jos28
    Registered Users Posts: 7,189 ✭✭✭jos28


    Shazam for song recognition - It's brilliant when you are listening to the radio/tv and your old brain cells can't recall who sang that song....you know when you know that song.....who is it...damn it's on the tip of my tongue......
    Point shazam at it and instant results !


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    #11
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Postcasts for specialist subjects or just news shows. FM reception can be patchy for some stations.


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    #12
    sipstrassi
    Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭sipstrassi


    IMDB - never be stuck for the name of an actor or film again.

    What's App - need friends/family using it as well because you can message each other. Exactly the same as texting but costs nothing (you can use your wireless at home and when out and about it comes out of your data allowance).

    If you are a Sky customer there are two apps - one is Sky+ and when in your home, you can connect to your sky box and use it as a remote from any room (planner, pause, rewind the lot). Depending on the type of Smartphone, Skygo may be available and it allows you to watch your sky channels (depending on your sky package) when out and about or even at home. Be careful out and about with this one though unless you are on unlimited data.
    I've spent a lot of time in hospital with my Dad the last few months and this was great - but on the iPad not the phone.

    Those are the free ones I use most days...


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    #13
    Mollywolly
    Registered Users Posts: 566 ✭✭✭Mollywolly


    Jellybaby1 wrote: »
    I'm bemused by this thread. My mobile phone is quite a dinosaur. I remember when I couldn't work out how to use it. I refuse to spend any more cash on gadgets. They steal my time and drain me of energy.

    Can I join the dinosaur club too? My mobile is perfectly adequate for doing what it should - making calls/sending texts. I cannot for the life of me justify spending hundreds on a "phone" that is hardly ever used as one :)


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    #14
    annieoburns
    Registered Users Posts: 505 ✭✭✭annieoburns


    Thanks for all feedback. I only got phone recently as travel a lot and see its use for when away from home. So much free wifi about nowadays = it is no expense to use its features. No need to pay for apps = so many free ones. My basic smart phone did not cost 'hundreds' = actually 109 and could have had it for less with various other deals.

    On my last trip I found it useful to keep up with emails, weather, listen to Irish radio stations, read newspapers, maps and info on local pubs, restaurants etc, great fun as a camera and video with sound, even as a simple voice recorder (no need for the fancy dictaphone I was thinking of) to tape my 93 year old mother's reminiscences. Oh and it worked as a phone once I worked out how to answer a call ! I think it can be used as a book reader kindlestyle as well.

    So fellow 'aulwans', take another look! I think it is the coming thing and old style mobile phones will take their place in museums along with the first generation bricks.

    I still do not like the keyboard touchscreen entry but apparently it improves with use as device becomes accustomed to your touch... and skin touch is what it responds to not nails. A shorter battery life is another disadvantage.

    I actually found a lot of interesting free apps just by googling for list of same. Now I need to nab a child to show me how to install them!:)


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    #15
    Jellybaby1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    Annio, I can see how useful that yoke is all right, and mebbe if I still had an income I might have succumbed and bought one but right now paying the bills, and food (and chocolate of course) comes first! :D

    Some of those apps sound interesting, but if I was on a trip I definitely would NOT be listening to Irish radio. God no!

    I thoroughly commend you for taping your mother's reminiscences - that gets a big thumbs up from me! We have a video of an aged aunt who led a fascinating life, including during the war years, and it is quite a treasure. Its got to be transferred to DVD too, before himself forgets how to do that.


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    #16
    annieoburns
    Registered Users Posts: 505 ✭✭✭annieoburns


    Yes Jellybaby, it is the sound of a person's voice that is so evocative and does not change with age. I do not have any of my father who only died two years ago and that I regret. A bit like a smell that brings one back instantly down the years. Now I have to learn how to store, save and transfer these audio files.... grab a passing child? Unfortunately my home grown ones have long fled :(

    I am in England a lot and like to catch the headlines, weather and what is says in papers to keep in touch. I have given up trying to read old newspapers when I get bakc. Previously it was bit of a hit and miss affair waving a tranny about to improve the reception of RTE on longwave I think? Now I can go one step further and have podcasts waiting for me to listen to them. Also perfect BBC world service, Radio 3 etc etc. My smart phone can get TV programms too but the wifi speed where I was was not up to it.

    Bus and train times another one to add as an app?


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    #17
    Beruthiel
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    Solitaire is handy.

    I use Zedge for ringtones.


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    #18
    Jellybaby1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    Don't look at me, I'm blushing shamefacedly. A friend was selling his smartphone at a very good price, and I bought it and passed my dinosaur onto another member of the family who didn't own one. So I'm here now thinking deeply about dem 'apps' thingies. I want one. Desperately. Sigh! Another trinket to destroy my will. But I am looking for a particular one (see, I'm getting into it now! :)) Anyone ever hear about barcode scanning apps?


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    #19
    Chucken
    Registered Users Posts: 9,459 ✭✭✭Chucken


    Oh you trator :eek:

    I refuse to give in to the smart phone. I'm not really into my dinosaur one. Most of the time I don't know where it is :D


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    #20
    Jellybaby1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    Dig your hells in all your want Chuckie, they get you in the end! Still, anyone at all out there know anything about a barcode scanning appity thing please?


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    #21
    Drexel
    Registered Users Posts: 3,500 ✭✭✭Drexel


    I've loads of apps on my phone but prob only use 3 or 4 regularly. Most people are prob the same. Get the app for what ever bank you are with. They are great


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    #22
    martinn123
    Registered Users Posts: 2,300 ✭✭✭martinn123


    Jellybaby1 wrote: »
    Dig your hells in all your want Chuckie, they get you in the end! Still, anyone at all out there know anything about a barcode scanning appity thing please?

    Go to your ITunes store, you should have it on your phone.

    There is an App called '' Barcode Scanner'' that may be the one you want, it costs 99c

    Another one is called RedLazer, or one called ShopSavvy


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    #23
    Rucking_Fetard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Rucking_Fetard


    jos28 wrote: »
    Shazam for song recognition - It's brilliant when you are listening to the radio/tv and your old brain cells can't recall who sang that song....you know when you know that song.....who is it...damn it's on the tip of my tongue......
    Point shazam at it and instant results !
    Google search will do this if you press the microphone button to the right of the search box. Saves having another app eating precious battery.

    Flashlight (Morse Code and all sorts builtin to this one)
    Unit Converter
    OsmAnd (Maps App that doesn't need a Data Connection, it's not bullet proof but it's getting their)

    sipstrassi wrote: »
    What's App - need friends/family using it as well because you can message each other. Exactly the same as texting but costs nothing (you can use your wireless at home and when out and about it comes out of your data allowance).
    Surespot (Open Source and Encrypted) Wiki

    Whatsapp without the spyware.


    Quickpic (Great little Photo Viewer, can put a password on your pics folder aswell)

    TextSecure (TextSecure is a messaging app that allows you to take back your privacy while easily communicating with friends.Using TextSecure, you can communicate instantly while avoiding SMS fees, create groups so that you can chat in real time with all your friends at once, and share media or attachments all with complete privacy. The server never has access to any of your communication and never stores any of your data.)


    Last two are handy if you are giving your phone to someone to look at a Cat Vid or something (and they then try and nose in your txts/pics) and everything is locked down.


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    #24
    Rucking_Fetard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Rucking_Fetard


    OldGoat wrote: »
    My favourite app is Google Sky for those clear nights when you can actually see the stars.

    4 Top Android Astronomy Apps For Enjoying The Sky At Night



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