My Favorite Android Apps - March, 2011

    As promised, here are some of my favorite Android apps.  Anywhere you see a semi-colon, below, is where I typed comments after the app.

    I generated the app list with aTrackDog (listed below) and emailed it to myself from my phone.

    Download FULL VERSIONS of most Android apps from http://download.pandaapp.com/?app=soft&controller=android , and then simply install them using ASTRO.  Pandaapp is a great resource for finding applications not available in the Android Market.  As always, support the software developers by buying what you find useful.  Apps are not really expensive, and if they are worth something to you, support the team that created them.

    For your first app, download LookOut, the best anti-virus app for the droid!

- Dan Reams, March 2011

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aTrackDog,3.17,com.a0soft.gphone.aTrackDog; Use this to keep all apps updated.  Note it also generated this list (which I then edited).  Now being on my second Android phone, I cannot emphasize how handy having an app list available to reference, to more quickly get my new phone full of my favorite apps.

AIM,1.10.4.1,com.aol.mobile.aim; AOL Instant Messenger

ASTRO,2.5.2,com.metago.astro; The best file manager, in my opinion.

Adobe Flash Player 10.1,10.1.106.16,com.adobe.flashplayer

Advanced SD Card Manager,1.0,com.arron.sdCardManager

Advanced Task Killer Froyo,1.0.6 beta,com.rechild.advancedtaskkillerfroyo; Gotta get this one.  Kill those pesky apps that won't seem to shut down.

Air Control Lite,2.03,dk.logisoft.aircontrol; My favorite Droid game of all time.

Air Horn,1.55,com.foncannoninc.airhorn

Angry Birds,1.5.1.1,com.rovio.angrybirds; Of COURSE.

AppWall,1.1,com.appdream.appwallfree; A cool way to see and get to all your apps with just one click.

Apps Organizer,1.5.15,com.google.code.appsorganizer; I keep loving this.  Lets one create icon groups and saves tons of desktop space.

Audalyzer,1.14,org.hermit.audalyzer

Best Buy,2.9.1,com.bestbuy.android; Sure, it's commercial, but its QR code reader directly ties into Best Buy's product information database.  It hooked me enough that I actually use it, in Best Buy, to pull up additional product information.  Sure, I still use a standard barcode reader to find the best PRICE, but for product information this is handy.

Better Cut,2.0,com.betterandroid.bettercut; Easier shortcut creation

Books,1.1.4,com.google.android.apps.books

Bump,1.3.2,com.bumptech.bumpga; bump your contacts with others.

Cartman,1.0.1,com.mandroid.cartman; The legendary Mr. Eric Cartman.

Compass,2.0,com.apksoftware.compass

CraigsNotifica,2.90,com.mufumbo.craigslist.notification.android

Data counter widget,1.1.10,com.roysolberg.android.datacounter; Counts data throughput on your phone.  Even though I have an unlimited data plan, this is interesting.  For those
charged by the byte, this is a great tool.
DoggCatcher,1.1.1034,com.snoggdoggler.android.applications.doggcatcher.v1_0; I subscribe to podcasts and listen to them via this tool.  It remembers one's position in an audio
file between sessions.  I suggest downloading audio files only via WiFi, at home, and then taking them on the road.  Downloads go much faster that way.
EasySleep Sound Machine,1.3.1,com.siano.SoundMachine; We use this whenever we sleep over somewhere.

FaceIT,1.9,com.icubicles.cekup.FaceIt/ Funny novelty.  Hold it up to your mouth and speak like a vampire, etc.

Foursquare,2011-02-14,com.joelapenna.foursquared; My #1 check-in app.

Glympse,1.26,com.glympse.android.glympse; One of my favorite apps of all time.  It lets you send a tracker, to friends, with an optional time expirations, so they can track you in
real time on a Google Map.  C'mon...totally cool.

Google Reader,0.8.0,com.google.android.apps.reader

Maverick,1.1.1,com.codesector.maverick.pro; GPS fun.  I admit I have only recently started playing with this one, but it states it supports offline maps.  I have had issues, with Google Navigation, where I lose network connectivity...and then am flying blind.  Offline maps would solve that and truly let me retire my stand-alone GPS.  I will update this list after I test further (2011-03-24).

MySpeed,1.1.0 beta,org.l6n.myspeed; GPS Fun

NFL Mobile,3.5,com.mobitv.client.nfl2010

Pandora,1.5.4,com.pandora.android; I have numerous music stations set up.  Like one ad an hour or something.  Wonderful.

Paper Toss,1.0.9,com.bfs.papertoss; 2nd favorite droid game

PayPal,2.5.0,com.paypal.android.p2pmobile

PinPoint,2.1.4,com.pinpoint; GPS Fun

RedEye Scanner,1.3,com.funpack.wallpaper

RedLaser,1.0.2,com.ebay.redlaser

Restaurant Story,1.0.3,com.teamlava.restaurantstory

Roboform Bookmarklet Installer,1.1,roboformBookmarkletInstaller.android.com

SMS Backup,1.1.1,tv.studer.smssync; Automatically backs up all one's text messages to one's Google account and optionally in a 'Read' status (which I utilize).  Brilliant.

SMS Replier,SMSReplier 1.61a,com.jeff.wayne.dev; Auto-reply to text messages.

Scanner Radio,2.3,com.scannerradio; Scanner channels from all over the country.

Scroll Text,1.7,co.uk.almien.scrolltext; Scroll a message in various sizes.  I've used it to keep people away from my desk while on phone conferences.

Shazam,2.5.1-BB70131,com.shazam.android; A classic.  Hold it up to a playing song and it'll tell you the name and artist.

ShopSavvy,4.0.5,com.biggu.shopsavvy

Shopper,1.31,com.google.android.apps.shopper

TalkaDroid,2.1,com.dominickjohn.talkadroid; Simple text-to-speech app.

Tank Hero,1.11,com.clapfootgames.tankhero

The Weather Channel,2.3.23,com.weather.Weather

The Sims 3,1.0.9,com.ea.sdk; Get this via Panda.

The Eye,1.17.11,com.venturecase.theeye

Ticker,1.2.3,com.misc.ticker

Timed Profiles,1.0.0,ayman.utils.timedprofiles; This is cool.  Set up schedules for your profiles to change.  For example, time it so your phone automatically switches to vibrate-
only when you walk into work, and for sounds to come back on when you leave for the day.
Titanium Backup,3.5.0 :: Added Dropbox support (donate), Added Japanese/Spanish/Greek/Norwegian/Polish, Fixed sync of custom labels to SD, Fixed live wallpaper reset on backup,
Minor GUI fixes ::,com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup; Back up all your apps.
Toss It,1.8.2 Tabs Support,com.boolbalabs.tossit.preview

Twitter,2.0.0,com.twitter.android

TwitVid,1.1.0,com.sisow.youswap.twitvid

Ultra Keyboard,5.4.1,com.binarybulge.android.apps.keyboard.full; My personal favorite keyboard replacement.  My fingers are more accurate with this one.

UnZip,1.0.0,com.freeandroidsoft.UnZip

Ustream Broadcaster,1.0.2,tv.ustream.usclient

Walgreens,2.0.3,com.usablenet.mobile.walgreen

Where Am I?,1.0.3,com.whereami

White Noise Lite,3.5.3,com.tmsoft.whitenoise.lite

Wifi Analyzer,2.5.5,com.farproc.wifi.analyzer

Wireless Tether,2.0.6,android.tether; Gotta be routed for this.  Don't download it unless you are.

Yelp,2.6.2,com.yelp.android; A decent locator of things to do based on GPS location.

YouTube,2.1.6,com.google.android.youtube

Zedge,2.1,net.zedge.android; My favorite app for getting free ringtones and themes.

The Legacy of Posting

As I consider each posting, each quip, on any site, I think to myself, that when
I am gone, my kids will have an unprecedented chance to peruse my words, as they
move through their adulthood. In the old days kids would only get such chances
if their parents were prolific writers in the physical realm. I then think to
myself, will they get a kick out of it? Will my words describe who I am? Will I
seem whiny? What I type will certainly illuminate.

Every posting might as well be a tattoo, and I must think as such, before
committing the needle.

I am who I am, but I hope I do not disappoint or embarrass.

Something to think about for anyone wishing to define their own legacy.

Enable Secure Facebook Browsing

Facebook recently enabled secure browsing, via https, but the feature has gone relatively unpublicized in this country.  Note that, if you do not turn this on, your account can be hacked relatively easily, via packet sniffers, especially when using non-secure connections (such as public libraries, coffee shops, restaurants).

Switching to secure browsing is easy and is a one-time thing.

1) Hunt down all your bookmarks, in your browser, and change Facebook to be https://www.facebook.com/ .

;; To change a bookmark, in most browsers, simply hover over it, right-click, and go to 'Properties'.

2) When logged into Facebook, go to Account|Account Settings|Account Aecurity.  Enable 'Browse Facebook on a secure connection (https) whenever possible' and 'When a new computer or mobile device logs into this account' (Send me an email).

3) To be safe, change your Facebook password after performing the above steps.  Sure, you might have to change your phone's entry, your various PC's entries, your applicable home media servers' entries...but it's worth it.

- Dan Reams, February, 2011

Update: Check out http://www.simplehelp.net/2011/02/12/how-to-fix-the-secure-https-connection-flaw-in-facebook-after-visiting-an-unsecure-http-page/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+simplehelp+%28Simplehelp%29 for a note about how this setting can be reversed, if one visits a non-secure site, and how one then later has to re-enable this option. -d.r., 2011-02-13

PS3 Media Server - A Fantastic Free App to Serve your Media Files to your PS3

I was looking for a means by which to share my network PC's media files with my PC, and I found PS3 Media Server, a great little free app for multiple operating systems.  It will serve video, photos, and audio (even serve your iTunes library).

Note to Avoid a Rookie Mistake:

You will see the media server, via your PS3's XMB (Cross Media Bar) menu, in the Videos, Photos, and Audio sections.  MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN THE PROPER MENU WHEN YOU GO BROWSING THROUGH THE FOLDERS.  If not, you will see a "There are no titles" message, and you'll likely think that the server is malfunctioning, when in actuality, you are probably in the Photos section, of your PS3, looking for movie files.  Reason I know this?  I wasted 10 minutes repeatedly restarting my media server software before I figured it out.

As is usual for media servers, make sure your PC is basically doing nothing other than serving up media while you are running the server software.  Most often, this means:

; Restrict your PC from kicking off a virus scan or automatic download during the streaming, as it will likely impact your streaming performance.

; Close all open apps other than the media server.

; Make sure your automatic processes, that you have running in your system tray, are closed, such as any RSS feed downloaders, weather apps, etc.

; Exempt your shared media folders from being virus-scanned, as that often slows down the streaming.


Download the PS3 Media Server version, for your OS (Windows, LINUX, Mac) here: http://ps3mediaserver.blogspot.com/

Support:  Read the support forums here: http://ps3mediaserver.org/forum/index.php

Search Black Friday Ads

See the ads here and don't forget to search for specific items in the upper right search field:

http://bfads.net/Online-Black-Friday-Sales

Quick link to the online deals happening now:

http://bfads.net/Online-Deals

Emailing Text Messages to Cell Phones - The Email Domains

If one is sitting at one's computer, it is often convenient to send a text message, from that device, versus tapping it into your phone. Simply add such email addresses, as additional email addresses for your contacts, and let the messaging begin!

To send a text message to any phone, use the phone_number@email_domain syntax, where phone_number is the 10-digit phone number. Below are the major carriers' addresses.


AT&T MMS: phonenumber@MMS.att.net
AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net
Alltel: phonenumber@message.alltel.com
Cingular: phonenumber@cingularme.com
Metro PCS: phonenumber@MyMetroPcs.com
Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com
Powertel: phonenumber@ptel.net
Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
SunCom: phonenumber@tms.suncom.com
T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
US Cellular: phonenumber@email.uscc.net
Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com

As noted at http://www.cheapcellphones.com/onlinemessaging.htm, you can also send text messages via AOL Instant Messenger (AIM):

Send Text Messages for Free via Instant Messenger:
You can send text messages to many cell phones via AOL Instant Messenger.
To send a text message via AIM, simply message the telephone number. Include a plus sign and the country code. For example, to text message your friend at (303)555-1212, send an IM to +13035551212.

Many more codes can be found here: http://www.cheapcellphones.com/onlinemessaging.htm

Advice to my niece on a successful marriage in celebration of her engagement

Very cool, Melissa! Congratulations to him, and best wishes to you! As you
proceed down this path, remember the Dan Reams rules for successful marriage:

1) Always close the bathroom door. The excitement never ends.

2) He shall not be held responsible for anything you tell him during sporting
events or PS3 games. He may produce audible indicators that he is acknowledging
what you say, but believe me, they are simply autonomic survival responses and
have not been produced by his conscious mind.

3) Agree that you each can have a night out, away from each other, once a week.
You may not elect to take it. In fact, you may go weeks or months without doing
so, but you need to agree that it is fine, and you need to take it, now and
then, to remind the other it is ok. You will thus remember yourselves, as being
separate entities, and bring more to the relationship when you are together.

4) You shall not be held responsible for multiple pairs of unopened shoes or
clothes in your trunk; these shall not cause him heart attacks, and he must be
made aware that you purchased them to "think about them" or "see them in the
light of day" and that you intend to return "95-98% of them". He shall dismiss
the logic that you could have made such decisions in the store and saved
yourself the return trip. Further, when you do return them, and bring home OTHER
items, he shall try not to think about "net spending" when you say "This new
thing cost me nothing, because I used the exchange to pay for it."

5) Babies are like puppies. No, not with regard to how they are maintained, but
rather, how they act as chick magnets for dads out with them while their wives
are out having their "me" nights. This will often be his only chance to flirt
with other women and maintain his self identity as an attractive mate. Allow him
this indulgence and your babies will become brilliant social animals, able to be
around other "mommies" or "mommy-like" people with ease. This will prepare them
for playgroups in their toddler years.

6) Babies are generally useless beings. Yes, they're cute, but they serve no
function that a warm water bottle or {again with the } puppy could not better
and more efficiently provide. However, they are incubators for the personaes and
intellects that shall become CHILDREN, entities far more interesting. So,
grudgingly, as you care for them, make sure to follow my 2004 rules
(http://waukeshawestside.blogspot.com/2004/12/knowledgebase-item-baby-is-driving-you.html),
love the heck out of them, and put up with all the nonsense through the process
of them developing cognizance. You will be irritated with them because they make
no sense, whatsoever. Their ability to produce ejecta, in the form of white or
green stains, that never come out, can be off-set by one of those bags of spare
clothing in your trunk. Be creative.