App developers raising the bar

Developers that use the latest API's and Google Services abilities are often the most respected by their users. Valet an app that we featured in an earlier post is perfect example of this. They incorporated the Google services for location and activity into their app and people went wild it was featured everywhere! Uber is leveraging the Google Wallet payment system. Now they are allowing users sharing a car to split the fair which when you think about it is a very modern no brainer. Uber doesn't care as long as they get paid. They are far more likely to be used when everyone can split the fair. Google Wallet takes care of the complicated stuff charging separate accounts and sending the money to Uber. The most recent example would be Timely. Which is not only a beautiful clock app but also incorporates alarm sync with your Google account. As long as you are signed into your account, you can see every alarm as well as dictate which alarm is on or off for any of your devices. Google has also been raising the bar, recently they release this list of apps that they felt were the best design though not all are adhering to the Android guidelines they are beautiful apps.

Links below.

Uber

Timely Alarm Clock

Valet

"This should brighten everyone's day"

It's that time of the year again for all the Apple enthusiasts, fan boys, or whatever you want to call us. Apple has announced their September keynote. With that announcement, the rumor mill now floods with high hopes of things to be. But like a rumor is, it is all hope. Every person has different ideas of what may come with this keynote, one thing for certain . . .a new iPhone and iOS 7. But what else might we see? Well that is where the fun begins. Throughout this post, I will go over what I believe might happen on September 10th. Now like I said before, it is a hope. So I may or may not be right. It is just fun to see everyones speculations. So lets begin . . .

Well lets begin with the one rumor that is sure to be true, iOS 7. First introduced back at WWDC '13, iOS 7 is a new edition to the iOS family. Bringing a radically new design that I believe is absolutely breathtaking. Bringing new features such as AirDrop and Control Center. It is sure to be another win for all the Apple lovers out there. Though it will take some time to get use to, it will be worth it. Now when it will be released is still fuzzy. Some say we may see it the day of while other say that Friday (Sept. 13) or even the following Tuesday (Sept. 17). I would love to see it the day of but I wouldn't get my hopes up. I am with the few who say the 17th. Gives time for developers to test iOS 7 and get their apps submitted. Also like before, I see no reason why iOS 7 won't be free.

Next let's talk about another rumor that is certain to be, iPhone 5S. Like the previous two fall announcements, Apple has released a new iPhone. I don't see why this keynote will be any different. It is just a matter of what will this new iPhone have. Like any "S" iPhone, I don't see an external change but rather internal. My guess, like others, would say the new A7 chip, improved camera, and maybe storage upgrade (128 gig). One more that has been going strong is a finger scanner. Now I like that idea and hope that we do indeed see that. Also I would agree that we will see the scanner in the home button. To me it makes sense, but we will just have to wait and see. As for availability, I would say the 20th. Seems reasonable, especially if Apple releases iOS 7 on the 17th.

The next rumor that is very like to happen is the iPhone 5C. There has been a lot of photo leaks of the phone, which leads me to believe it would be possible. Or someone was bored and constructed the photos on Photoshop. But I believe it is more than likely going to happen. Apple seems to be interested in making a low cost iPhone to appeal to a bigger market. Now on to the phone itself. It is rumored to be made out of plastic that will take on multiple colors. Seems reasonable for a low cost phone and attracting consumers who like color options. Internally, we might see specs close to the iPhone 5 or maybe 4S. I don't see it having the power that the 5S will have. If I had to guess on price, I would say on contract, between $0-$100 depending on size (if they make multiple sizes). Availability, I see maybe same day as 5S or maybe even a week after.

What else might we see. I am kind of torn between seeing a new iPad and iPad mini and not. I feel there will be a lot going on that adding iPad to the list might not happen. However, this is an iOS orientated keynote so there is a good chance. This rumor seems to have people torn between the two like I am. But if we do, I think we will see a redesigned iPad taking on the form factor of the mini. While improving upon specs such as processor, battery, camera, etc. The iPad mini on the other hand is rumored to just improve it's internal components. Some say we may see a retina mini and it could happen. I think maybe next year is when we will see that.

Other rumors that I don't see happening but have been floating around is an announcement for OS X Mavericks. More or less another demonstration and possible release date. There is also talk about iWork for iCloud to make a presence. Though it could happen I would see that with an OS X type of keynote. Which I believe we might see one in October. Last but not least, there has been talk that supplies have been dwindling on AirPort Express and iMacs, so maybe a refresh but again I seen an October event for OS X related hardware and software. Likewise with the new Mac Pro, refreshed retina Macbook Pro, iWork, etc.

That pretty much concludes my predictions for next week. Now like I have said, these are my predictions and not set in stone. I like to think that we still don't have the full picture and Apple, like they always seem to do, will surprise us. Either way I am looking forward to this event, even if we only see new iPhones and iOS 7. It will still be something to watch. Which my greatest hope is that Apple will stream the event like they did for WWDC. Nevertheless it will be an interesting keynote. Stay turned, for I will write about the new goodies Apple releases and my opinions of them.

It's a bird, It's a plane, It's Kit Kat 4.4 Android!

Breaking news, the next version of Android will not be Keylime Pie 5.0. It will in fact Kit Kat 4.4.
In partnership with Nestlé  there will be a special edition Android KitKat bar with a chance at winning either a Nexus 7 or Google Play credits.

Google's Sundar Pichai head of Android and Chrome has confirmed this.

My Android Setup and Favorite Apps

The wonderful thing about Android is how much you can customize it to be anything you want. Here is a look at my setup on my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Launcher:
Your launcher defines your experience on your phone. This changes the look, feel, and how you interact with the system entirely. Currently I am using Action Launcher Pro which was pointed out in a video done by MKBHD. You can see that video here. What I like about this launcher is two things, it is clean looking and it is fast. I used to use the Jelly Bean Holo launcher and had 4 home screens. With action launcher I only have 1 home screen. One of the coolest features of action launcher is if an app has a widget when you put the app shortcut on your screen it has a menu button you slide over and the widget pops up. This is great on apps like gmail, google drive, music apps, or social apps. You don't even necessarily have to open the app to do what you want to do. You can find Action Launcher Pro here.

Most used apps: (favorite apps)

I live on Google's services so I use Google Drive for almost everything when it comes to documents and files. Google drive also now boasts a scan and upload ability with is decent for simple things. For better scanning with your phone see CamScan nerbelow. I also use Google Keep for quick notes and such which is tied into Drive.

Play Music
Google Calendar
You get the idea.


I use an app called Valet, it is a parking app which geotags my location and then puts that on a Google Map that is embedded in the app. It will also launch Google Navigator to help me back to my car if needed. It is using Google's latest location API's which means it has a decent understanding of if you are in the car or walking. In combination with bluetooth, they see when you got out of the car and bluetooth disconnected and then go back to the last time the phone said you were moving in the car and geotag that location. This feature is not perfect but shows promise for what the future can bring. Also it means the developers are on top of their app. You can learn more about Valet and get it here.

Alarms:
I use Alarm Clock Xtreme Free, this is the only app that I have found actually can wake me up. I have always been a deep sleeper and this app nicely accommodates me. You can set it to disarm the alarm only after answering one or multiple math problems that you can set to be easy or hard. Meaning you have to have some thought process to turn it off. Also it is the best alarm app I have found in enabling you to use music as the alarm from any location from your SD card to DropBox or Play Music. You can download the app here.

Featured:

These are apps I use that I feel don't get enough praise.

Camera and Gallery JB+

SuperBeam
Todo.txt

Arcus Weather
A very clean weather app that gives hourly forecasts.

AnTek Quick Settings Pro
Essentially stock android quick settings

AutomateIt Pro
you can make your own scripts to automate your phone, mine locks rotation at night, unlocks in morning, and sets my screen brightness for the same reasons.

Calculators
I use CyanoGen which is a stock android look that I love, and Holo which has history that you can use to do further calculations which is great for bills and the like.

Camera and Camera JB+
I have two cameras that I love on my phone, Camera which is the leaked version of stock android 4.3's camera. I must stress that this is not officially Google and may change also it is a side load do so for a known good source and at your own risk. I got my apk here and can pledge for it's validity. If you are not into side loading I highly recommend Camera JB+ which is in the Play store, this developer make it based off of stock jelly bean 4.2's camera the only difference is that photosphere is not open source so he/she could not include this in the app. This camera was my default for several months until the leaked one came out.

CamCard
Scans business cards and makes a contact for them directly into your default contacts book, it is fairly accurate

CamScanner
This is without a doubt the best scanner app for your phone, it is both on Android and iOS (tell your iOS buddies). It does both single and batch scan which incredible accuracy in auto cropping (you can override when needed) also has multiple exposer modes for best results. With pro license you can export PDF without watermark. I use this on almost daily bases.

Chrome and Chrome Beta
I use Chrome Beta as my primary web browser both on phone and desktop, the syncing that you get makes your life so much easier.

Clock JB+
A clone if you will of the stock android clock for the rest of us, beautiful app. Another thanks to the developers that try so hard to give us the best apps.

Cloud Print
If you use Google Cloud Print this app from Google was released a few weeks ago and lets you print directly through the system no more emailing your printer from your phone.

CNN
I am a news junky and use CNN for national and international news.

Google Currents
Sense Google Reader is dead may it rest in peace I use Currents which to me is a nicer version of flipboard, I am not into huge pictures for news. Currents lets you view sites like a rss reader threaded. Check it out. Interface takes getting used to.

File Manager
So far the best file managing app I have found for Android, it handles apk files very well.

Fing
A nice simple network scanner.

Flashlight
One of the best ones I have found

FoxFi
Makes your phone a Wi-Fi hotspot, I use the pro license. Best of what it does, use hotspot apps at your own risk depending on your carrier. I highly recommend only using this app when you need internet and have no other choice.

Gallery and Gallery JB+
Directly related to the cameras at the top of the list.

Get Altitude
A nice little app that uses a Google Maps embed that tells you your current location in latitude and longitude and tells you your altitude.

GoodRx
If you are getting a prescription from your Doctor filled use this app. It will show you the price of the prescription at every pharmacy around your area and gives you free discount codes. It could save you anywhere from $4 to over $100 so check it out.

Google Keyboard
One of my installed keyboards. Google released their stock keyboard several weeks ago in the Play Store.

Google Now Wallpaper
This is just plain cool and a brilliant idea. This developer got the wallpapers that are used in Google Now and made this app that changes your wallpaper to match Google Now, the important and brilliant part is this is based on your time of day like Now is and is not a live wallpaper it just changes your wallpaper on it's own so your battery is fine.

GrooVe IP Lite
For Google Voice users this little gem of an app lets you make voip calls via Voice over wifi, the paid version allows carrier data. Basically a voice dialer one of the best I have seen and certainly the best one in usage.

Hangouts
Google Hangouts formerly GTalk, love the app and service.

Hotels.com
For those that are traveling one of my three apps for getting the best price you can for hotels.

HP ePrint
Similar to Google's Cloud Print but specifically for HP networked printers.

IMDB
Why not?

Kayak
For those that are traveling one of my three apps for getting the best price you can for hotels. Kayak also does flights simply fantastic.

Key Ring
Loyalty cards on your phone, yes the loyalty programs are probably a waste of time.

Lookout - no really
Checks every app for viruses, malware, adware, spyware. The Play store does a very good job of not letting these apps though as a matter of fact is is almost impossible to get a virus through the store, for those of use that want a little added protection or side load apps though it is free and not bad to have.

Local News
I like having the local news app on my phone to keep up with it.

Luper
A neat concept of a contact reminder app, if you need to contact your boss tomorrow for example you program the app like a calendar event and then tell it how do you want to call, email, sms? When the event is due it will pop up and in one tap you are contacting your boss. Not free but very very cool.

Maps - You knew that was coming

MegaDoppler
If you want a good weather radar app here you go, alternative is weatherbug but this one gives you alert options that are a mile long.

MightyText
Most people know MightyText as getting your sms on your computer which it does, what is new is that they have a Gmail plugin that not only lets you send sms through it but also gives you battery indication very useful and free. There is also a tablet version of MightyText.

MX Player
The VLC player of Android

Netflix and NetQ
Netflix users get NetQ the best queue managing app there is, free and paid version are available. Manages both DVD and instant queues.

Night Mode
Ever turn your brightness to 0 at night and realise it's still pretty bright for 2am? This app allows you to turn it down more from 100% all the way down, don't do 0% trust me on this one.

Notepad
When you want to write something in a simple text like editor this fits the build.

Out of Milk
Best grocery/shopping list app I know of, lets you share and sync lists with others. Also you can scan items in, insert prices, and get local deals. Paid and free versions available.

Package Buddy
For those that want a good package tracker this one is the best for Android and I have gone through to many to count before I found it. Also has a wonderful widget for quick info.

PaperKarma
Doubt you have heard of this one, ever go to the mailbox (yes snail mail) and wonder why you bothered because it is junk mail? Probably everyone over the age of 8 has done this. Well now you can do a little something about it this app once you give your info such as name and address all you have to do is take a picture of the junk I mean mail and they will send the company or business a letter on your behalf to take you off the mailing list. Completely free and only restriction is the mail must be in your name, they do not facilitate current resident or our neighbor mail yet but that might change in the future.

Percent Calculator Free
For those of us that are not so great at mental math. To the older generation we envy you.

PieControl
It's a ROM, it's a launcher, it's Pie Control. Pie Control is a mini launcher if you will the things you use the most on your phone slide out with a quick flick of your finger. Free and Paid versions available. I only have use for the Free one myself great app.

Pixlr Express
The best photo editing app I have used on Android, all the editing you could ever want to do on a phone Pixlr does with a wonderful interface.

Pocket
Formerly Read it Later Pocket is the best and fun way to save things to read later, any app that has a share menu in Android can save to Pocket.

Pocket Casts
Amazing podcast app not just for watching and listening but a great way to discover podcasts and also syncs across your devices for marking as watching and deleting.

Priceline
For those that are traveling one of my three apps for getting the best price you can for hotels.

QR Droid
My favorite QR reader.

ReadItToMePro
Paid version of ReadItToMe which reads you notifications.

Reduce Photo Size
For when you want to send a lot of photos through email and they are a bit big.

Register
For those that have a Square Reader just thought I would mention it.

Retouch Free
I fun app for both taking objects and/or people out of a photo.

Ringdroid
Edit songs to make your own ringtones

Sales Tax Calculator Free
I think the title says it all.

SCE Outages
I like to have my local energy companies app gives you information about outages on a google map.

Skitch
Made by Evernote a nice app for annotating pictures.

SleepTimer
If you listen to music or radio when going to bed this will shut it off based on timer.

Sliding Messaging Pro
A nice interface for SMS.

Smart Volume Control+
Make sound profiles based and switch them based on time, speed you are going (car or public trans) and location. Paid version featured here.

Speed Test
Great to test your internet speed.

SuperBeam
Super cool app that transfers files via wifi and/or wifi direct. Transfer huge files in just a minute! Also in the app support the developer with a donation if you find it useful, their country doesn't allow them to get paid in the play store.

SoundSearch
Google's version of Shazam, identifies music.

SwiftKey
One of my other keyboards I have installed. Paid version featured here.

Tasks
An Android client for Google Tasks, both free and paid versions available

Team Viewer
Basic vnc or computer remote access app, also the most popular one.

Todo.txt
Shout out to Gina Trapani! I am a recent convert to Todo.txt I have gone though todo apps including any.do but never found one that was "right" turns out I was thinking to hard. Todo.txt is a easy to use todo list app that leverages the simple and amazing powers of a .txt file and DropBox to sync that file to the cloud. Simple concept really but very powerful. As the apps description says take control!

Trello
An interesting way of project managing which in a way works like Google Docs in that everyone is involved and it is a visually easy way of breaking down jobs and status of them. Great for teams small and large.

TripIt
If you are flying this is a must have app, TripIt is an amazing service that keeps track of your flight and notifies you of changes and delays, Free service is fine for those that fly only occasionally you will get email notifications of events or check the app and get the status there. Don't check in without it!

Widget Locker
Like a launcher your lock screen defines your phone experience and Widget Locker is a great way to customize it with shortcuts and widgets.

Zite
My favorite app for news be it politics, technology, or business. Free and wonderful.