Android phone apps

[Ant]

there's some variation even with the same server. so ~300kbps down sounds about right, which is fine for email and bookface, ok for browsing....you could run into problems with youtube and streaming music

Don't do videos or music so that's fine. Just some basic browsing, GPS stuff & google maps and an occasional phone call.

Should I keep the speedtest app or can I delete it?

While we're at it any advantage to using a different browser like Dolphin or firefox for android?

 

[gnahc79]

uninstall the speedtest app if you like, it does not take up that much space though.

for browsing, if you're doing basic stuff the stock browser is fine. Try Dolphin or Firefox if you start running into the browser crashing a bunch or super slow performance for websites with videos and animations. I use the stock browser.

 

[ZEDU657]

Speaking of battery life. A big plus over crapple is that you can carry a spare battery. Get one from Amazon for 10-15 bucks

Depends on the phone. I swapped my OG EVO's stock battery for a larger 2600 mAh battery and got a day's worth heavy use before having to recharge. However, my new EVO 4G LTE's battery is NOT removable, so I'm stuck with the 2000 mAh battery that it came with. So far in the five days I've had it I have been able to make it all day without having to plug in the charger, but last night I was really pushing it...

 

[SpiderNinja]

Here's a couple that have gone unmentioned, moto-related!

Rainy Days: BEST app for predictive rain display. Live doppler, refreshed every 10 minutes, and very zoomable, making it easy to pick a dry route over a wet one. Very small, fast app.

Drag Racing: Motorcycle Edition: Free game, allows for engine upgrades and gearing changes. 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, start on small bikes, build up to big bores. Great time eraser.

 

[Spiral]

Depends on the phone. I swapped my OG EVO's stock battery for a larger 2600 mAh battery and got a day's worth heavy use before having to recharge. However, my new EVO 4G LTE's battery is NOT removable, so I'm stuck with the 2000 mAh battery that it came with. So far in the five days I've had it I have been able to make it all day without having to plug in the charger, but last night I was really pushing it...

There at times I just can't seem to find an outlet but I can always buy batteries. So I would be getting this (or at least try making one myself.)
It works as long you have the corresponding USB cable for your phone.

MintyBoost <----- If you wanna try making one yourself. Details in that link.

 

[Buloong]

Ride Logger. Not free but worth the few bucks.
I have the same phone with Virgin Mobile. Rooted and flashed CM7 Gingerbread ROM. Much better than stock 2.2 Froyo.

 

[ZEDU657]

There at times I just can't seem to find an outlet but I can always buy batteries. So I would be getting this (or at least try making one myself.)
It works as long you have the corresponding USB cable for your phone.

MintyBoost <----- If you wanna try making one yourself. Details in that link.

I should probably look into something like that. Thanks for the idea.

 

[roxy]

CM9! ICS on the Evo! Woot!

Still in Beta for the Shift

EDIT: I'm gonna flash it and give it a try

 

[Ant]

uninstall the speedtest app if you like, it does not take up that much space though.

for browsing, if you're doing basic stuff the stock browser is fine. Try Dolphin or Firefox if you start running into the browser crashing a bunch or super slow performance for websites with videos and animations. I use the stock browser.

Downloaded Dolphin just to experiment and yuck! Took a lot longer than the stock browser to do what I wanted so I deleted it.

 

[mikev]

Try Skyfire. That's been my favorite Android browser for a long time, until I updated my phone to ICS and use that now.

You could also try Chrome.

 

[Abacinator]

I think Chrome browser is only available on ICS

 

[Ant]

I think Chrome browser is only available on ICS

What is ICS?

 

[gnahc79]

What is ICS?

Latest and greatest Android operating system version name.
2.2.x = froyo
2.3.x = gingerbread (GB)
3.0.x = honeycomb, only for tablets
4.0.x = ice cream sandwich (ICS)
5.x.x = jelly bean, not released yet

I remember reading an interview with Google's founders Sergey or Larry, where he when the naming convention for Android was mentioned.

 

[mototireguy]

Got 246, 370 and 312 on three other tests. Depends on the server being used??

Sounds like slow GPRS/EDGE data speeds. Ok for email and small stuff.

According to the Virgin Mobile page your phone appears to be 3G capable, but not all areas have 3G service. When you travel try to run the SpeedTest app again in different locales. You should see 500kbps or 1mbps speeds when in a 3G coverage area. There should also be an antenna icon at the top of the screen showing signal strength and a data connectivity symbol for G (GPRS), E (Edge) or 3G.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/17/2g-3g-4g-and-everything-in-between-an-engadget-wireless-prim/

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

I "don't know" about this ... "he should be getting higher speeds".
a) if he lives in the boonies, maybe the speeds are what they provide there.

b) .. I just checked my own phone. I used to get 2G / 1G, today I'm getting 0.4G both ways!!! WTF is up with AT&T??!?!? maybe I am getting side-listed., weird.

 

[jt2]

congestion at cell site, perhaps?

 

[Ant]

Experimented with Dolphin and hated it, too slow. Then downloaded Skyfire which works great The rainy days app recommended is pretty cool too.

 

[weasel]

I should probably look into something like that. Thanks for the idea.

20 bucks and you put it together. Think I'll order one today

I have a solar charger and a USB stick charger but you can never have too many

 

[ZEDU657]

Kool!

 

[mototireguy]

Experimented with Dolphin and hated it, too slow. Then downloaded Skyfire which works great The rainy days app recommended is pretty cool too.

+1

Good to see you experimenting with different apps and seeing what does/doesn't work.

So far so good, any commentary on the pros/cons of Android life?