My 10, Most Used, Android Apps
I haven’t had my Android phone for that long (4 months and counting), and since buying my Android phone (Samsung Moment) I have been going app crazy. I download, and uninstall, a few of apps a day, but there are only ten that I use regularly. Here are my 10, most used, Android apps (they aren’t in any particular order). All these apps can be found in the Android Marketplace by searching for them:
Urbanspoon
I find myself using this app when I’m out with friends. If you can’t decide where to eat then Urbanspoon can help. Shake your phone and Urbanspoon will suggest restaurants near you. You can keep on shaking until you find a restaurant you’d like to try.
Price: FREE
Barcode Scanner
You can scan barcodes on CDs, books, and other products, then look up prices and reviews, or search for a word in a book and find where it occurs. You can also scan QR Codes containing URLs, contact info, calendar events, etc. I find myself using this all the time when I’m in Best Buy and/or Target.
Price: FREE
AppBrain
It’s finally possible to install Android apps from a web interface. One can browse the app market on AppBrain’s website, from any desktop computer. You can even use this app to install and uninstall apps with a sync. AppBrain’s interface is better than the office Android Marketplace, and I find myself using AppBrain to search for and download apps. Here are a few of the apps’ features:
- app recommendations
- share apps (eg twitter / facebook)
- hot apps
- use “Fast Web Installer” for one-click install from web
Price: FREE
Movies
Movies is my favorite movie app. You can get local showtimes, reviews, trailers, and even manage your Netflix queue.
Price: FREE
Twicca
I’m a Twitter maniac, so I need a Twitter app that does everything fast and easy. Twicca does just that. It’s still in beta but it works like a charm. The best thing of all is that it doesn’t have any ads! Here are some features:
-Notification
-Search
-Post with photos/video upload
-Geotag
-Recent hashtags
-View Conversation
Price: FREE
The Weather Channel
This is the first app I launch when I wake-up. This app grabs your location by using GPS and shows you weather in that area. You can also get weather alerts and much more. Give it a try.
Price: FREE
LauncherPro-Beta
Give your Android phone a little more style. LauncherPro gives your phone a super-smooth scrolling, animated screen previews (like Exposé or HTC Sense), up to 7 home screens, app drawer (2D and 3D!) with a fly-in effect and smooth scrolling, and scrollable shortcut dock. Since this app is in beta it does intend to crash (only happens to me a couple of times a week), but it isn’t a huge problem. The program just closes and starts right back-up.
Price: FREE
Wikimobile
You can now be a walking encyclopedia. With WikiMobile, you carry 2+ million Wikipedia article, including pictures. Uses just a fraction of the network data vs. the Android browser. Very good, and easy to use.
Price: FREE
MyBackUp
I backup my phone once a week, just in case, and this app is the easiest way to do it. You can backup to MyBackUp’s online secure servers or your SD card. You can backup your applications, contacts, call log, bookmarks, SMS\MMS, calendar, settings, home shortcuts, alarms, dictionary, music playlists, and much more.
Pirce: $4.99 (You can try it, for free, for 30-days).
Ride Hopper
Ride Hopper tells you the wait times for rides in over the 260+ theme parks around the United States. You can even help by submitting wait times while you at a theme park. I’m a huge Disney nut, so this app comes in handle when I take a trip to Disneyland.
Price: $.99
What are some of your most/favorite Android apps.?
My 10 Favorite Films of the Decade (2000-2009)
I cannot believe that the end of the decade is already upon us. It feels just like yesterday that I was hearing Princes’ “Let’s Party Like it’s 1999” on the radio 24 hours a day. Since the decade is coming to an end I thought I would share my 10 favorite films from this past decade (2000-2009). This list is not about “the best” films of the decade, but rather films that I, personally, love. These are films that I have seen more than once, and I will continue to view them multiple times. So without further ado here are my 10 favorite films of the decade:
The Fountain (2006)
This has to be one of the most under rated films of the decade. Most critics poo-pooed this film because they do not understand it, but that does not make it a less powerful, moving film. The Fountain is such a beautiful film and is a must see for any movie fan.
The Incredibles (2004)
This past decade Pixar has become a powerhouse in the film industry, and their superhero film, The Increadibles, is one of the best superhero films I have ever seen. The voice acting, score, animation, and story are amazing. It’s such a touching and deep story.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
One of the greatest marital arts films I have ever seen. Watching this film is like watching a work of art coming to life. I tend to watch this film at least once a year because I still get so emotional while watching it.
American Psycho (2000)
Bale is just an amazing actor. I do not care if he did blow-up on some dude walking through his set because he is a master at his craft. This film is a perfect picture of the commercial 80’s lifestyle. If Mad Men was set in the 80’s, then this would be it.
Half Nelson (2006)
One of the best coming of age stories that I have seen. This film made me a fan of Ryan Gosling and I will watch anything that he is in. This film also makes me not want to be a teacher, but I’m not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
There Will be Blood (2007)
Out of all the pictures that I have seen this decade nothing is more powerful than There Will be Blood. Not only is this film my favorite of the decade it is one of my favorite films of all time. The score, acting, setting, writing, etc. are superb. This is one film that will be looked at as a classic in the future.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Most films now-a-days are depressing, but Slumdog Millionaire is one of those rare films that aren’t. This is one of, if not the best, story about an underdog. Slumdog is a love story that men and women can enjoy together.
The Descent (2005)
Hands down, the best horror film to come out of this remake/remaining decade (I’m talking to you Rob “I destroyed the Halloween franchise” Zombie!). If you want to get the pants scared off of you then please see The Descent.
Children of Men (2006)
This is the best science fiction films I have seen this decade. The camera work, sound, and editing are amazing. The cinematography overshadows the acting but the acting is still well done.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
The best foreign film I have seen this decade. It is such a beautiful film about finding hope when you think there isn’t any left. This film makes me thankful for everything that I have and to never take anything for granted, because you never know when it will all be taken away from you.
What are some of your favorite films from this past decade?
My 10 Favorite Horror Films
Since Halloween is only one day away I thought I would post my 10 favorite horror films of all time, and some of these films still keep me up at night:
*note: Films are not in any particular order.
-Night of the Living Dead is one film that I still watch yearly because it still gives me goosebumps. Not only is NOTLD a great horror film, it is also just a great film.
- The best thing about this film is the score and the way it is shot. Just an awesome film and the score is something that will never forget.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Original)
-One of the greatest low budget films of all time. Has everything you want in a horror film: blood, chicks, guy in a wheelchair, and a chainsaw. What more do you need?
- It is because of this film that I still look in the ocean before jumping in
- Has one of the best one liners in film history (“Here’s Johnny!”) and has Jack Nicholas in his prime.
- Not my favorite Hitchcock film, which is Rear Window, but it is my second favorite of his films. Psycho has two movies in one, and if you have never seen it then you have something to watch this Halloween.
- Not much to say about this iconic film. Just a classic.
- Carpenter’s best film and is very underrated film.
Dawn of the Dead (Original)
- The remake is not that bad but the original is the better version. Just a fun film to throw on every once in awhile.
- This film is very similar to Night of the Living Dead, because The Descent is not only just a great horror but overall just a great film. Sometimes it is not about what you see, but rather, what you don’t.
