Now I've stepped in it!

Boomyal

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Seems these days that keeping up with new technology takes more and more effort on my part but I've finally taken the fatal plunge; into the verge, so to speak.

I just got my first smart phone! It is a Motorola RazrM. I did get a 32 gb memory card for it, as well.

I'm sure that I will go nuts trying to figure out how and what to do with it.

Any suggestions for free apps that I should have. (and how to get them)
 
rivermouse

rivermouse

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
661
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

These things are great (as long as you dont be a suckar and sign a contract)I heard there were plenty of free apps you can download right into your phone...
 
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Bamaman1

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
1,895
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

I cannot help you. The only reason I have a cell phone is so I can call a neighbor to tow me if my boat breaks down out on the lake. I told everybody to not text me because I refuse to look at texts or return them.

If I had a smart phone, I'd be afraid my wife would put an app on there that would tell the lattitude and longitude of my location. And we fellows often go places that our wives just don't need to know about.
 
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Alan_Scott

Seaman
Joined
Nov 25, 2011
Messages
69
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

I know you asked for free apps but I thought the 1st 2 were worth paying for.


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maxmpz.audioplayer
This one is better than the stock android player but it's about $5 to register it

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque
This is simply awesome, it's a OBDII scanner for your phone. I picked up the blue tooth module off of ebay for about $20 and have used it on 6-8 different vehicles

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.terrylau.goldsilvermonitor
live market prices on gold and silver

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.usablenet.mobile.walgreen
Walgreens app, handy scan feature save time on prescription refills

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.codethought.android.convertdroid
conversion app: distance, weight, volume, temp etc. Probably does about 20 overall

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dropbox.android
automatically uploads pics/video from your phone to your home computer. I have mine setup so
it only transfers when the phone is connected via wifi

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wasserwaage
spirit level

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kohei.android.pcmrecorder
voice recorder. I use it when someone is giving me details directions over the phone, saves from having to write it all down
 
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PiratePast40

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
1,734
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

Apps are as useful as your actual use of them. I have my airline, bank, and hotel apps on mine but I travel quite a bit and use those. I've installed a QR reader app since our company catalogue and my business cards have a QR code on them. Many other manufacturers are starting to use those as well. E-books and mp3 player can be useful on long flights when you're done working on spreadsheets. There is so much available out there that you just need to experiment with what you think you'll actually use.Believe it or not, there are even flashlight and strobe apps.

Watch out for apps that run in the background and hog resources and power. You'll learn about that eventually. 4G, GPS, bluetooth, and wifi all suck power so make sure you shut those down when not needed.

Have a great time with all the gadgets !
 
MH Hawker

MH Hawker

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
5,516
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

I am like you bammaman I only carrier a cell because my wife insists So if the boat breaks down i can call for a tow or a ride. I packed a pager and a cell for work for 30 years and I can easily live with out them.
 
Boomyal

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

In the end, I don't have any objection to a useful app that has a one time charge. I would certainly consider one.

Thanks for the list AS!

Alan_Scott said:
I know you asked for free apps but I thought the 1st 2 were worth paying for.


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.maxmpz.audioplayer
This one is better than the stock android player but it's about $5 to register it

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque
This is simply awesome, it's a OBDII scanner for your phone. I picked up the blue tooth module off of ebay for about $20 and have used it on 6-8 different vehicles

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.terrylau.goldsilvermonitor
live market prices on gold and silver

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.usablenet.mobile.walgreen
Walgreens app, handy scan feature save time on prescription refills

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.codethought.android.convertdroid
conversion app: distance, weight, volume, temp etc. Probably does about 20 overall

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dropbox.android
automatically uploads pics/video from your phone to your home computer. I have mine setup so
it only transfers when the phone is connected via wifi

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wasserwaage
spirit level

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kohei.android.pcmrecorder
voice recorder. I use it when someone is giving me details directions over the phone, saves from having to write it all down
Click to expand...
 
Boomyal

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

Yeah MH, you're kind of like a good buddy of mine on FaceBook. He reported that he was still using his grandmother's old wall phone that he retrieved years ago from her home in Nebraska. I can sympathize with the simplicity but then I was one born with one foot in each world; the old and the new. It has become a constant tug of war.

Years ago I lamented that when I used to leave the office and get in the car, I had peace and quiet. Then came the first bag phone. Soon there was no peace while on the road but the convenience was undeniable.

MH Hawker said:
I am like you bammaman I only carrier a cell because my wife insists So if the boat breaks down i can call for a tow or a ride. I packed a pager and a cell for work for 30 years and I can easily live with out them.
Click to expand...
 
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BlkY2k

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 20, 2010
Messages
583
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

Welcome to the world of Droid. There are a ton of apps out there and you will have to play around in the market to find those that are right for you. A couple I use all the time are.
GasBuddy- This one allows you to find the cheapest gas in your area.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gbis.gbandroid

Unit convertor for all your conversion needs.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.wopnersoft.unitconverter

I really like this one, not only is it a bubble level when you tip the phone on its side it becomes a angle finder and reads in degrees.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plaincode.clinometer

Wheres my droid? Allows you to call from another phone and find your phone if you lose it. Also helpful if its stolen it will allow you to track your phone by google maps and gps or just shut it down so they cant use it.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alienmanfc6.wheresmyandroid

My car locator came in handy when we went to the nascar race at MIS last fall. Finds you car in acres of parking. I`ve also used it to make locations where the fish have been biting and came back to them. Makes it nice to find the boat launch if your coming in late at night too.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nomadrobot.mycarlocatorfree
There are alot of good ones out there and bad. Just gotta find the ones for you.
 
Boomyal

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

My phone came with a clear plastic applique to put over the screen. Is it worth doing? They didn't say much about it, it was just in the package.
 
Tail_Gunner

Tail_Gunner

Admiral
Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
6,237
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

detail-clip.jpeg


Definatley going to need these....:D
 
Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Messages
4,603
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

Navionics not free, but a no-brainer app for any Android or i-phone.


Free ones I use a lot:
I use the tire calculator (called Tire Wheel Guide) quite a bit for comparing tire sizes/widths/aspect ratios.
frequency generator
guitar tuner
local newspaper
kijiji

Voxer- makes your phone like a walkie talkie- easier than texting for my wife and I

TuneIn radio - seems to have a great selection of local and far away AM and FM stations- lots of comedy channels

Scanner Radio - over 3,600 fire and police scanners
 
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dlngr

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 15, 2007
Messages
547
Re: Now I've stepped in it!

I like the voice commands on my razr m. Just touch the microphone on the google search bar and say" go to iboats forum" and there it is. Don't like texting? Use voice to text. Lock the phone? You can use face recognition to unlock the phone. I just got mine a few weeks ago,and am just learning it's tricks. But I really like it so far. And I'm the last person I know to go for these new-fangled gadgets.
 
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