Jan 8, 2013

The keyboard on Android device is one of the most used apps. Pretty much everything revolves around some sort of keyboard related input. Because of this, having a really nice keyboard is super important. IKnowU is an Android keyboard meant to help increase typing speed and efficiency.

As anyone who has used a mobile phone with autocorrect can attest to, the the accuracy of the autocorrect isn’t always the best. IKnowU does a really good job at predicting the intended words vs. feeling like it’s just making something up. IKnowU has a couple of ways to help with getting the desire word or phrases faster.

There is the normal prediction bar showing the potential words based on letters already typed in. Most phones and replacement keyboards have something like this. To type quickly, enter a few letters and look at the prediction bar to see if the word is there. If the wprd is in the prediction bar, tap on the word and move on. What is a little different with IKnowU is, if the word in the prediction bar has “…” after it, pressing and holding on that word will bring up a new set of predictions with words that might commonly be next in the sentence.

The grouping feature is pretty cool too. Typing in a few letters then holding the spacebar pulls up word options. By simply sliding a finger from word to word, a partial sentence can be created.

Syncing the personal dictionary across multiple devices is possible using their cloud sync service. This requires an account, but it still super nice feature not many keyboards offer.

In the settings, there is are a few options for different keyboards for tablets. When the tablet is in landscape mode, there is a split keyboard with the numerical characters to the left side of the screen and the letters on the right, there’s also what’s called a thumb keyboard. The thumb keyboard is nice because it splits the alphabetical characters down the middle and places the numerical characters in the center.

IKnowU is one of the most feature-packed keyboards on the market and well worth a try.

Jan 2, 2013

Probably one of the most organic uses of a smartphone is using it as a personal, portable weather keeper. Android, as a platform, is blessed with many, many weather-related apps; Android users are a tad spoiled, and to be noticed, it takes some moxie.

Weather Live from, Apalon, might just have the gumption to pull it off.

My first impression was the clean-looking interface, and how it looked placed against the background animation. The stark white worked well to project the information, and the two blocks of data complemented each other nicely. On hand, I had access to my local weather, with visual and text representations of the conditions in the top half. There were notations for precipitation, pressure, visibility and humidity and wind direction, as well as high/low, average temperature and a current “feels like” reading along with the date and time. The bottom half showed me the current days weather in three-hour intervals, and a 4-day high/low temperature and generalized weather conditions.

The settings had display and layout options. Using them, I could change units, play with look of widgets and even toggle “Nightstand Mode” from there. There was a reasonable degree of customization, but I felt it could use some more.

As noted, the app comes with widgets, and offers them in three different sizes. Each retains the clean, functional look off the app itself.

I would have liked added functionality in the widgets, like transparencies and the ability to open other apps from within Weather Live. As noted earlier, this specific niche is clogged up, so added on functionality would be very welcome for folks looking to be wowed. I also would like to see even more widgets, and maybe some themes.

All in all, I thought that Weather Live was a gorgeous software application with plenty of upside. As-is, it does provide great functionality, and I am eager to see if the developer is looking to add even more stuff.

Dec 28, 2012

There was a time, not all that long ago, when cameras on phones were not too hot. The hardware was rudimentary, and the accompanying software bordered on the silly. Pictures were not that great.

Since then, it has gotten better… much better. So much so, that for many people, their smartphone cameras are the cameras for everyday use.

Snapseed (from Nik Software) is an app that looks to perfect the picture-taking experience. It is a photo-editing title that incorporates a lot of the features people have come to expect with apps of this type. Being chock-full of fan favorite filters definitely makes it an interesting offering.

I found the app to have a clean, simple interface which belied its bubbly functionality. It opened up with a quick diagram fitted with a test picture and an accompanying tutorial, which was simple but effective; it let me understand the basics of photo manipulation and enhancement. There was an automatic tab, as well as tuners for color, cropping, and more interestingly labeled filters like grunge, vintage and the interestingly titled “Drama” option. “Selective Adjust” allowed me to manipulate specific areas of my image on the fly.

Additionally, there were borders that could be added to give my images a somewhat formal finish.

I found the program intuitive enough to go in and play with right after the install; I especially liked the multitude of import options. The import tool pulled photos from Dropbox, my file manager of choice, or my device Gallery. For Google+ users, the one-touch share button will be welcome; I was also able to share to other apps on my device by using the built-in share option.

The unspoken comparison will be to Instagram; this app does not have the integrated social network that the Big Guy on the Block does, but in the enhancement department, I thought Snapseed more than held its own. The share functionality and cross-platform nature of the app definitely makes it a great creator of nostalgia though.

Dec 18, 2012

There’s no doubt about it, going out to eat is usually easier than cooking. The actual act of cooking isn’t always the problem, a lot of times it’s deciding what to make. That’s where Recipe Search comes in. The main screen of Recipe Search is very pictorial. I liked this because sometimes just the appearance of a new meal can make or break it.

To find a recipe there are several different ways to search. The main screen would be like the trending recipes. This is where a lot of the pictures are. Another way to search is by category. Some examples of categories are: Main dishes, snacks and appetizers, holiday recipes, side dishes and even recipes for special diets. Some other ways to search are by ingredients. So this means if there is some chicken in their freezer, it’s easy enough to sort all of the recipes for just chicken. This helps narrow it down and not created urge to run to the grocery store.

Some of the special diet recipes consist of vegetarian, gluten-free, diabetic and even baby food recipes. I thought some of these categories of recipes where pretty cool because not many apps have been divided up like that.

On the recipe page, there are several different tweaks. One of the options is to convert the measurements. Everything is initially in the Imperial measurement system but if preferred, the Convert Measures button change everything to metric. If desired, an account can be created. An account opens up the option to use the meal planner. In recipe view there’s an option to add it to the meal plan. Also in recipe view, there’s a shopping list. When the shopping list button is clicked, a pop-up window with all of the ingredients shows up. Next he to the ingredients there’s a check box. To use the shopping list an account is required. However, the ingredients for the recipe can be shared via email or text message. This might be an easy way to get around signing up for an account.

While many recipe apps are just apps, Recipe Search is attached to a the allthecooks.com community. Having account will allow access to the forums and other fun and useful information for foodies.

Dec 13, 2012

Even before Google had its name appropriated as a verb, MapQuest accomplished the same thing. MapQuest opened up the door to so many road adventures, and I still have stacks of printouts. In the days of preceding standalone GPS units and mobile software, TripTiks and printouts were what the cool kids did.

With decades of cartographic experience under the belt, MapQuest is almost made to make mapping products, and MapQuest for Android looks to explore that premise.

The user interface was clean, and looked functional without being cramped. The opening map showed my location with GPS on. Graphically, the mapping portion retained a business-like feel that i would have expected from MapQuest, with pinch-to-zoom working admirably. The navigation looked crisp, with focus seemingly given more to touch functionality than loud looks. The program switched to landscape effortlessly. Clean arrows and distance icons accompanied the mapped route.

Off the bat, there were fixed buttons to search for staples like food, accommodations, gas, hospitals and miscellaneous entertainment on the concealable and sliding bottom dock. I found this to be pretty convenient; especially since looking stuff up through the dock while navigation was quite easy. The search functionality did work well, and when available, I could access business location and “go” to the location. The Action tab was also a nice idea; it gave me access to a menu that allowed me to list written directions or edit the route on the fly. The voice used was faintly human, and it did an adequate job of communicating street names concisely. I especially liked the map touching functionality, whereby I was able to touch a point on the map and generate a route to it. I also found that the app re-routed pretty well as well.

Option-wise, the developer adds in toggles for satellite and nighttime views, giving the app a bit more versatility in different situations. It also boasts the ability to show real-time traffic, traffic cams and store map tiles locally.

I would have liked a more vibrant day view, and more options off the initial data entry or search. Giving multiple choices of navigation can be a positive, especially in places the driver is familiar with.

All in all, MapQuest is a great online option… good enough to pay for, in my opinion. The price makes it that more appealing, and it does compare favorably with the Android platform heavyweights.

Dec 11, 2012

Frankly, navigation applications are not entirely scarce on Android, as there are quite a lot of options for people interested in convergence. What is a little less common, and invariably much coveted are offline solutions.

This is where industry heavyweight TomTom looks to fill in the blanks. TomTom USA for Android is a solution that works online as well as offline with downloadable maps. Thus, the user is not held to ransom by finicky data connections.

As expected, the download was fairly large, and the app warned me of such.

TomTom comes with a packed feature set. Aside from the expected voice directions, it also had multi-point travel functionality, and the ability to work when my device was in portrait or landscape. For basic navigation, I was presented with a few travel options: I could choose a bike option, walking, an “eco” route (one that cut down on stop and go), or I could choose to drive with the shortest or quickest route.

There were several other customization options as well; I found plenty of built-in themes for both daytime and nighttime navigation. I could also change the type of voice. A lot of care seemed to be ascribed to making the user experience as nice as possible. For every generated route, I was able to look at the map and written directions, as well as a demo of the route. I could also get an alternate route, avoid portions of the upcoming route and even create an off-route waypoint. This waypoint could be an address, a recent destination or a point of interest. I also was a fan of the lane guidance and the way the app automatically re-routed me when it determined I went off grid. It worked quite well without signal.

One important piece for me was the fact that TomTom worked well in the background, even with music playing. It worked with my contacts, and the app also offered free lifetime updates, which is a biggie. Updated traffic was an extra in-app purchase. Now, considering the cost of the app, some folks may balk at the extra cost associated with getting traffic warnings. I was not able to to get TomTom to pop up as an option when invoking navigation from a Google search, and I was not able to figure out how to use or generate coordinates, which is something that I actually use often. This is something that is good to have in a pinch, and I would have expected this in this app.

Still, for folks looking for an offline option that is backed by good reputation, TomTom might fill the void.

Nov 19, 2012

Man, why must all the creative types use Apple products?

That’s the only explanation for as to why I am constantly unable to find a good simple text editor for Android. All the geeks that don’t care about style are on here. All the developers who want to make stylish text editors that are basic but feature just enough advanced features to stay out of my way when I don’t need them make them for iOS and Mac.

I hoped Write would be the answer for typing up work on my Nexus 7: it’s Dropbox-enabled, has a nice look to it, and doesn’t have too many extra features that I frankly don’t need. And for what it’s worth, it’s a perfectly fine app. There’s plenty of people that will use it and love it for what they need it for.

Me, I’m picky, and what gets me annoyed about Write keeps me from loving it the way I do Byword on iOS and Mac.

The problem with Write on the 7“ tablet size is that the app is not really designed for that higher DPI as compared to a tablet at the same resolution. Elements are just too big to be look good – it looks very squished. Thankfully displayed text while editing can be made smaller. That makes it just look a lot better, and display more text on screen at once. Still, this app is much better on a 10” tablet instead.

The other issue with Write comes in with the fact that typing in landcape on Android 4.x kinda stinks because of that action bar on the bottom. I think I’m hitting the space bar, and boom, I am at the home screen, or have pulled up multitasking. It’s just challenging. Typing on a touchscreen is still somewhat inefficient, but at least iOS makes it as easy as possible. This is an app best used with a Bluetooth keyboard.

Finally, the app does have Dropbox synchronization, but it only syncs to one folder on Dropbox (/Apps/Write) so syncing up with other text files requires moving then to that folder. This automatic synchronization doesn’t appear to be long for the app either, as the Dropbox setup page in the app mentions that the functionality is “superfluous” and may be removed, as files can just be exported via Dropbox’s Android sharing. Yet, this comes with the drawback of not syncing automatically. I like my writing apps to work where I can type an article or note up from wherever, and then edit it from wherever. Not having automatic syncing would just be more difficult, as I would have to worry about actually sendong the file when finished. Trust me, I would forget.

Now, I will say that if I just have my Nexus 7 with me, this will be my go-to app. But because there’s not a great writing app, because Wrote falls short, I won’t find myself in that situation. Sigh.

Nov 13, 2012

In my quest for convergence, I have tried many a utility on my smartphone. As I often say, if I can do it well on my phone, then that’s where I want it done.

CalcPro: welcome to the party.

CalcPro is a tidy piece of software from carlosg that promised to make me do away with ancient artifacts like standalone scientific calculators.

The opening user interface is deceptively simple; at first blush, I thought it was simply a calculator clone that was maybe a bit too ambitiously named by its developer. Underneath the unassuming hood, though, was an app that truly packs a mathematical punch. Yowza!

Simple monochromes welcomed me in. With a simple number pad, I initially wondered how I was to solve more complex equations. A simple swipe in either direction answered that query. To the left were more functions: square, trigonometrical functions and more. There was a list of pre-populated constants with one-touch entries for Plank’s constant, Euler-Mascheroni’s Number, and, of course, the never ending pi.

To the right was a set of Tools, which included an Equation Solver, a mini tool for different types of interpolations, a unit converter and a beta equation plotter. Even more impressively, it had a built in Wolfram|Alpha answer engine functionality, allowing me to type in search terms directly into the WA site. The unit converter had a nifty currency exchange tool that not only converted six major currencies, but which also had the exchange rates that could be updated from within the app.

I was able to customize decimal places, angle units, and what type of coordinate system to use with specific numbers. The program was able to handle most of the equations I tossed at it, and the memory program was topnotch. I was able to input previous solutions into current equations, and things like variables were able to be recalled as well. The handy erase tool cleared up previous entries quite well.

All in all, I thought the settings could have been a bit more refined, but even that small complaint pales in the light of its overall functionality. The built-in Help tool also had value.

CalcPro proves that well-designed products can — and do — come in simple packages.

Nov 2, 2012

The web is full of some really unsavory things. Items not meant for children or even the “normal” person. (Said with a shudder.) When there are younger more impressionable people in the picture, making sure some parts of the internet are filtered is essential. SmyleSafe help do just that.

SmyleSafe is a parental control for Android phones (other mobile operating systems also supported). SmyleSafe is a web browser for the kids, gives parents a lot of insight into what the kids are seeing and able to see. First off, SmyleSafe lets the parents see everything the kids are looking at by using the Online Dashboard.

The dashboard will show all of the browser activity. Part of what the parent or administrator will see is the URL, the date and time the site was visited and more. If the site is blocked and it is ok for the child to visit, the URL can be Whitelisted. If the site is not ok but the child can see it, the parent can revoke access via the online dashboard.

A neat feature is the Age-based Filtering. This will let the parent choose the appropriateness of the websites with one setting. Some of the age ranges span several years, so it might be worth it to keep an eye on the URLs visited for a while to make sure the kids are not trying to sneak past boundaries.

Location Tracking and GeoFencing can be another useful feature. Kids are really busy these days with after school activities and friends. And remembering back to my younger days, I know I didn’t always pay attention to the areas my parents told me I could go. With the GeoFencing, if the device leaves the area designated the parent is emailed letting them know the child is on the move.

Because the newer phones are made what they are by the apps downloaded to them, the kids can request apps and sites from the administrator. Also, the Applications Blocking system will not let the kids run apps not appropriate for their age. The parent can also block the Google Play Store all together.

More can be learned at their site – SmyleSafe or the Google Play Store.

Oct 25, 2012

Scout is the newest, award-winning Android voice-directed navigation app from TeleNav Inc. Don’t call it a comeback…

Full disclosure: I am a fanatical advocate of device convergence. I want one device that does a lot of things very well. I want functionality in the palm of my hand. Since my phone is with me most of the time, it makes sense that it serves as the hub. Much has been made about the hastened obsolescence of secondary devices by smartphones, and Scout does make a strong case for the retirement of standalone GPS devices.

Scout seemingly shares the same engine with its older brother TeleNav GPS Navigator, but where the original is nice to look at, Scout goes for statuesque. The UI is sharp, with colors contrasting well, and it looked bright and inviting.

There is a clear effort to make the application more social. Billed as a way to discover places and get there, I thought Scout mostly succeeded in living up to its lofty self-imposed premise. I noticed that the app pulled in information about local weather on the Dashboard. The Places tab gave me GPS-generated locations categorized by type (like Lodging, Food, ATM and even wi-fi spots).

And, of course, there was the Drive functionality, which was really nice. I was able to set up my Home and Work addresses for easy retrieval later. Entering an address got the software going, and it quickly got me three color-coded optional routes, with estimated times and distance superimposed on a map which, allowed me to visually compare the routes.

The navigation “voice” sounded human. Fortunately, the dialogue wasn’t overdone, as can happen with some apps. The reminders were concise and timely, and the audio guidance could be set to directions, traffic, both or neither. The languages could be toggled between English and Spanish, and I had the options of picking metric units or imperial units. The voice input worked well for me, and I was able to switch back and forth between 3D and 2D. I also appreciated how, when set to auto, the device automatically gives a bright contrasting night-time mode at evening time.

As an additional feature, Scout syncs with TeleNav online, allowing me to trip plan from a desktop and backup addresses. The TeleNav website even has interactive mapping software, so it is the perfect cloud solution. The optional upgrades (speed limit, lane assist, red light camera and more) are available via in-app purchase.

Feature packed as it is, one gripe I had was a comparison I inadvertently made to an earlier iteration of Telenav Navigator: more voice choices would be nice. Also, any offline functionality, even partial, would be very welcome. Multiple transit (biking, walking, etc) modes could also be valuable.

With the industry giant (Google Maps) looming in the smartphone space, it takes a formidable offering to stay relevant. Fortunately for Android users, Scout casts a mean shadow of its own.

Oct 16, 2012

Participating in web forums is a fun diversion, and mobile technology makes forums even more accessible. Even with the best mobile browsers, though, the rendering can be, well, interesting on tablets and smartphones.

Tapatalk promises to streamline associated forums into a tight, streamlined package.

For the uninitiated, Tapatalk comes in two pieces: a forum plug-in, used by the forum administrator, and the application, which is procured by forum users. I found that forums that did have plugin installed did work quite well on my mobile device.

Most of my favorite forums were supported, which, for me, was the most important test of potential value. With the Tapatalk ID feature, I was able to create a settings-saving profile that followed me from device to device. Next, I was able to check through the long list of forums that work with Tapatalk. Upon finding the one that I wanted, it was as simple as entering in my forum credentials, and I was online. I was able to replicate the process with other forums as well.

The user interface is Tapatalk‘s true strength. The developers somehow figured out how to pack in a good degree of functionality into an attractive minimalist appearance that feels custom-made for mobile devices. Having access to 6 of my “regular” forums, all with a similar look and feel, was pretty nice. Tapatalk also allowed me to tweak the appearance; I could change the color and font, and there were themes to purchase as well. I found that I could create a signature, and could also adjust things from loading behavior to the number of posts that appeared per page.

Posting and viewing were close to fantastic. Each forum was split into three tabs each: Unread, All and Participated. I liked that the “Thank/Like” post functionality of some forums was reflected in the app, as well as support for BB Code. I was able to set notifications for PMs and was even able to make adjustments to my forum Profile from within the app. I could also share threads, mark favorites, subscribe to threads and more.

Now, I actually found that for several forums, I actually preferred using Tapatalk to using/viewing the forum on mobile browser or even on a full-fledged computer. It is just easier and more streamlined. When you toss in the support provided by the developer, it becomes an even better value.

I did find the subscribe feature to be a bit wonky, and it is probably selfish to wish most themes were not a premium feature, but I did find it easy to forgive the developers, as Tapatalk did manage to bring forums alive, and even make them more fun to use. That isn’t an easy task.

Oct 15, 2012

I sometimes feel as if I live life password to password. Blame it on the internet age; we all seem to be heavily connected. The web has become our centralized conduit. To keep our pathways safe, we have all learned to use passwords.

And the term “password” has long since stopped an effective gatekeeper. I have hundreds of web portals that I access. Some hourly, some every blue moon, but access is important enough to retain the passwords. So, I have to have access to these websites with secure, unique passwords, and I cannot afford to use one across the board. Even more crucially, I have to have access to these passwords on the go.

DataVault Password Manager looked to fill that void.

DataVault brings Ascendo Inc’s cross-platform password management chops to bear on Android. At the core of the system is the handheld component. The data entry was straightforward, with plenty of templates to guide. I found that customization was not an afterthought; even the icons set allowed for imports of images. And since security should be of essence, I appreciated the toggle-able security and log-in attempt controls. Too many guesses of the master password initiated destruction of the local database.

For me, it’s pointless to have a password repository without a reasonable backup alternatives. I thought the developers did a great job here, allowing data to be saved to SD card or backed up to the cloud via Dropbox. DataVault also does backup and restore operations from within the app, making it easy for me to have access to my data even if my device crashed. Additional features are the ability to login and even dial numbers from within the application. I also used the password generator, which allowed for the creation of passwords with uniquely customizable attributes.

On its own, as a handheld standalone app, DataVault feels mature and very functional. But when paired with the optional desktop software — available for Windows and Mac — even more functionality is unlocked. With syncing over local wi-fi and/or Webdav (which allows for sync with Box.net), I found DataVault to be close to the perfect solution. The ability to manipulate entries from my desktop, as well as having yet another backup option available if and when I needed it.

In addition, I liked that DataVault allowed for import of data from other programs. The files I moved over populated cleanly.

With more people going to the cloud for the semblance of universal access, I look to see more options for encrypted cloud syncing; Google Drive is a biggie (though, as noted, Webdav can be used with Box.net). Still DataVault, with all of its functionality and simplicity, is an extremely compelling program that can easily, almost sneakily become indispensable.