Must have apps on a new droid?
- Thread starter greg24fan
- Start date
stuhasdroid
Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2009
- Messages
- 80
- Reaction score
- 0
No need for a task killer
There is no need for a task killer. You can actually interfere with proper functioning of the processes running.
Search the forum and you'll find lots of debate on this but it really is the case. Just leave that to the o/s.
A obvious must have app is Screebl.
Peace,
There is no need for a task killer. You can actually interfere with proper functioning of the processes running.
Search the forum and you'll find lots of debate on this but it really is the case. Just leave that to the o/s.
A obvious must have app is Screebl.
Peace,
ShowTime
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2010
- Messages
- 529
- Reaction score
- 0
The OS has a built in task killer of sorts that works just fine for me.
(menu>settings>applications>running services... can kill off running apps from there) and yes it is a rather highly debated topic as to whether it's needed.
The rest depends on what you will be using the phone for most. Whether you wants sports, weather, entertainment, phone customization.. there are great apps for everything. First ones I got were DroidLight (allows you to use the bright led for the camera as a flashlight; simple but I use it about everyday), Pandora and WikiMobile.
(menu>settings>applications>running services... can kill off running apps from there) and yes it is a rather highly debated topic as to whether it's needed.
The rest depends on what you will be using the phone for most. Whether you wants sports, weather, entertainment, phone customization.. there are great apps for everything. First ones I got were DroidLight (allows you to use the bright led for the camera as a flashlight; simple but I use it about everyday), Pandora and WikiMobile.
- Thread Starter
- #4
Thanks for the replies. I know what Pandora is, but what does screebl do?
As far as apps go, I'd like something for directions, weather including local radar, sports scores, social networking updates, photo editing and management maybe.
My initial reason for this post, though, was the app killer I read about online in a PC Magazine review. It talks about apps that don't stop and hog resources as well as the battery and the need for a good killer to be able to stop them. And I wondered what else might be a must have before cluttering the phone with stuff that may end up bogging it down to uselessness.
As far as apps go, I'd like something for directions, weather including local radar, sports scores, social networking updates, photo editing and management maybe.
My initial reason for this post, though, was the app killer I read about online in a PC Magazine review. It talks about apps that don't stop and hog resources as well as the battery and the need for a good killer to be able to stop them. And I wondered what else might be a must have before cluttering the phone with stuff that may end up bogging it down to uselessness.
Cold Irons
New Member
I saw the flashlight type of apps - wondered if they would/will do any damage to the camera led flash. Any word on using this long term & whether it could cause the led to burn out early, etc.?
Other apps I've found useful:
Astro (file manager/exporer)
AK Notepad
Handcent SMS (replaces the stock messaging app)
Where (local info, including movies)
Movies (local movie times/etc)
Fun Stuff:
Google Sky Map (for those of us that like stargazing)
GPS Status - a very cool GPS app - satellite status, position, LAT/LONG, level, etc
Sudoku Free
And, of course, a Light Sabre app so you can pretend you're in Star Wars
Most of this depends on what you want...hard to pick for someone else.
Other apps I've found useful:
Astro (file manager/exporer)
AK Notepad
Handcent SMS (replaces the stock messaging app)
Where (local info, including movies)
Movies (local movie times/etc)
Fun Stuff:
Google Sky Map (for those of us that like stargazing)
GPS Status - a very cool GPS app - satellite status, position, LAT/LONG, level, etc
Sudoku Free
And, of course, a Light Sabre app so you can pretend you're in Star Wars
Most of this depends on what you want...hard to pick for someone else.
vtrider159
Member
I have owned the phone for about a month now and do not use a task killer. As far as utility and system orientated apps, these helped me out with tasks, looks and saving battery power.
I strongly recomend using Astro File Manager and Power Manager app which allows for different battery usage levels. I found it makes the battery last alot longer.
Spare Parts can be used to keep record of battery temps and use.
I also think the Missed Call app helps out alot with my custom settings with a bright LED and Vibrate option when I need it.
I also am a fan of the X Scope Browser, the full version is very slick although I also use Dolphin because of no limits on bookmarks.
I also like the Digital Clock and use the 'ghost' setting. it to me is the slickest widget.
For screen images, I use Backrounds and have it on an hourly slideshow which looks good with favorited screens and the Digital Clock.
Mvideo player works well with some mp4's I have on the SD and MixZing Lite sorts my 12gb of music better than the oem player.
Off the top of my head, although I use it occasionally, the Wifi Scanner app works well detecting the strongest local signals when I'm not in 3G areas.
These are some apps which help me with browsing, file management and battery usage, hope this helps.
I strongly recomend using Astro File Manager and Power Manager app which allows for different battery usage levels. I found it makes the battery last alot longer.
Spare Parts can be used to keep record of battery temps and use.
I also think the Missed Call app helps out alot with my custom settings with a bright LED and Vibrate option when I need it.
I also am a fan of the X Scope Browser, the full version is very slick although I also use Dolphin because of no limits on bookmarks.
I also like the Digital Clock and use the 'ghost' setting. it to me is the slickest widget.
For screen images, I use Backrounds and have it on an hourly slideshow which looks good with favorited screens and the Digital Clock.
Mvideo player works well with some mp4's I have on the SD and MixZing Lite sorts my 12gb of music better than the oem player.
Off the top of my head, although I use it occasionally, the Wifi Scanner app works well detecting the strongest local signals when I'm not in 3G areas.
These are some apps which help me with browsing, file management and battery usage, hope this helps.
ShowTime
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2010
- Messages
- 529
- Reaction score
- 0
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/dr...-not-worry-about-apps-running-background.html
Like I said, it gets debated a lot. I personally don't have any outside app killer, I've only got 8 apps and 1 widget but, even with heavy use, I get an easy full day's use out of 1 full charge.
You don't need an app for directions as Droid comes with Google maps/navigation. Open Maps and you can either press the magnifying glass along the bottom (next to the Home button) and enter an address, business, etc OR long press that same button and wait for the voice search box to appear and say something like "find ___". It will give you options of, get directions, show on map, navigate to, etc.
And since I don't currently run a weather, sports, or photo editing app, I won't suggest any. Might wait for some one else to respond or do a search for each and you should be able to get some good reviews.
Like I said, it gets debated a lot. I personally don't have any outside app killer, I've only got 8 apps and 1 widget but, even with heavy use, I get an easy full day's use out of 1 full charge.
You don't need an app for directions as Droid comes with Google maps/navigation. Open Maps and you can either press the magnifying glass along the bottom (next to the Home button) and enter an address, business, etc OR long press that same button and wait for the voice search box to appear and say something like "find ___". It will give you options of, get directions, show on map, navigate to, etc.
And since I don't currently run a weather, sports, or photo editing app, I won't suggest any. Might wait for some one else to respond or do a search for each and you should be able to get some good reviews.
ShowTime
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2010
- Messages
- 529
- Reaction score
- 0
Been using mine nearly once a day for over a month with no adverse effects. That's one big draw of leds; the lifespan is sooo much longer than traditional bulbs. Plus, they don't get hot like regular ones either, meaning leaving it on for longer periods or turning it on and off don't do any significant damage.
vtrider159
Member
I have used the LED torch app more than once and it works well in dark rooms. It has a strobe and morse code lol.
- Thread Starter
- #10
Light bulbs and LED's have a lifespan. LED's is a lot longer - thousands of hours vs. hundreds of hours for an incandescent bulb. So, the longer you burn the bulb, the closer it is to failure, no matter what type of bulb it is. So, technically, the answer to your question is, YES, it will cause it to burn out early. But, practically, probably not before the phone itself burns out or something better comes along.
ptfd13
Member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2009
- Messages
- 177
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Columbus, Ohio
- Current Phone Model
- Galaxy Note 7
Don't worry about burning out the LED flash. LEDs have a 100,000 hour life span so you will have no worries of burning it out. Using a light app will not cause any damage to your DROID at all. I use MotoTorch about everyday and love it. It lets you strobe the LED, use as a flashlight, and also send Morse code messages.
To the OP I started using an app killer when I first got my phone but have since stopped using it for the most part. However, I have not noticed any difference whatsoever from using one to not so it is really up to you.
Some other apps I think are awesome is Policestream which lets you listen to live scanner feeds for police, fire, etc. Trapster, which uses your GPS as you drive and alerts you of speed traps and live police that other users have marked. Shopsavy, which is a barcode scanner that has a lot of awesome options. Also, PDAnet which allows you to tether your droid and computer together and use your droid's data to access the internet on your computer.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2010
- Messages
- 1,351
- Reaction score
- 22
- Location
- Lexington, SC
- Website
- android.snkbitten.com
I've had my Droid for a week now and just going off free apps these are the ones I am liking...
AndroidVNC (remote to your desktop running a VNC server service)
Barcode Scanner
ShopSavvy
Timeriffic (just started using this...like automatically silencing my ringer/notifications during work hours and church time, etc..)
PicSay (a Pinch and Zoom picture viewer)
Dolphin Browser (a Pinch and Zoom web browser)
The Weather Channel (and it's Large Widget on one of my home screens)
Handcent Sms (replacement for the stock sms messaging app)
I'm a guitarist and I like some of the guitar chord apps, giving me quick access to chords and variations.
AndroidVNC (remote to your desktop running a VNC server service)
Barcode Scanner
ShopSavvy
Timeriffic (just started using this...like automatically silencing my ringer/notifications during work hours and church time, etc..)
PicSay (a Pinch and Zoom picture viewer)
Dolphin Browser (a Pinch and Zoom web browser)
The Weather Channel (and it's Large Widget on one of my home screens)
Handcent Sms (replacement for the stock sms messaging app)
I'm a guitarist and I like some of the guitar chord apps, giving me quick access to chords and variations.
Absolutely not, you'll be done with this phone decades before those LED's burn out. I can promise you that.
If it does go out, it's a defective LED, not becasue you used it.
Barkleyfan
Member
Android is supposed to manage memory. It does so pretty well. But some apps aren't written as well as others. Having an app killer won't hurt, so long as you know what you are doing with it. For instance, if you have a Weatherbug widget on your screen, killing Weatherbug will cause problems.
MotoTorch is a handy app. Astro is handy as well. Various car finder apps are cool for parking in large parking areas. CardioTrainer is useful for logging workouts. If you're into hiking or mountainbiking, anything that will likely bring you away from cell coverage, Trimble Outdoors is an excellent offline map solution.Documents To Go will handle document viewing, and the paid version will allow you to alter most documents. GPS Status will let you know if you've got GPS lock. Helps to diagnose some GPS problems. aCar is a handy little app for tracking milage and scheduled service for your vehicles. Ringdroid is handy for making your own ringtones and alerts. Handscent is a nice improvement over stock messaging app. And there are several home replacements. I happen to prefer GDE.
That's a decent start. There's likely an app for just about anything you can imagine for a phone to do. You can even download an app to use your phone as a level. If a search doesn't turn up what you want in Market, try a google search. It's likely been discussed on one of the various message boards already. Soon you'll be rooted and running 1ghz+.
MotoTorch is a handy app. Astro is handy as well. Various car finder apps are cool for parking in large parking areas. CardioTrainer is useful for logging workouts. If you're into hiking or mountainbiking, anything that will likely bring you away from cell coverage, Trimble Outdoors is an excellent offline map solution.Documents To Go will handle document viewing, and the paid version will allow you to alter most documents. GPS Status will let you know if you've got GPS lock. Helps to diagnose some GPS problems. aCar is a handy little app for tracking milage and scheduled service for your vehicles. Ringdroid is handy for making your own ringtones and alerts. Handscent is a nice improvement over stock messaging app. And there are several home replacements. I happen to prefer GDE.
That's a decent start. There's likely an app for just about anything you can imagine for a phone to do. You can even download an app to use your phone as a level. If a search doesn't turn up what you want in Market, try a google search. It's likely been discussed on one of the various message boards already. Soon you'll be rooted and running 1ghz+.
Cold Irons
New Member
Thanks (...ditto to the other responders). Got a couple small LED flashlights that already seemed to have lasted forever...guess I'll download an app & try it out.
