android

Nexus One could be Android's catalyst

With all of the recent leaks and hands-on experiences littering the internet lately, I think it's safe to say that the Google Android Nexus One is all but a foregone conclusion. So rather than spending more time debating whether it will ever hit the market or how it will be sold, I'd like to talk about what it could do for Android when it does arrive. Will it be a game changer? Will it take out a certain phone from Cupertino?

By now it should be fairly obvious that no singular handset will be an iPhone killer. Taken … Read more

Open source became big business in 2009

Open source has long been an important development methodology. The biggest surprise of 2009, however, was just how quickly it took center stage as a business strategy in the larger software economy.

The reason? Google.

It's not as if open source as a business strategy is anything new. After all, the industry has been chattering about the business benefits of open source for nearly 10 years.

But not on Google scale. And not with the cachet and brand of Google blessing the idea. Despite the impressive sales and profits that Red Hat and other traditional open-source companies consistently deliver, … Read more

Android eHow app: Get and share advice on anything

So Christmas, as awesome as it has always been, is now over, and you're wondering what to do next. Well, I don't have an answer to that. However, if you already know what to do but just wonder how to best do it and you happen to own an Android-based phone, then I have something for you.

It's an app that can be used for basically anything, called eHow from Demand Media, the owner of the popular eHow Web site.

The app basically puts all the functions of the Web site and more in your palm. I … Read more

New Android phone? Start with these free apps

If you're staring down at your shiny new Android phone wondering which apps to try first, hit up our list before you download anything else. Great applications proliferate on Google's Android platform, and our Android Starter Kit is merely a sampling of the best free software plucked from the Android Market.

Our top picks mostly represent practical stuff, like a task manager, (way cooler) browser alternative, and phone tools. It isn't exhaustive by any means. In fact, we welcome you to chime in with your own essentials in the comments of this post. However, our roll call … Read more

Beyond file managing basics

Lost track of something on your phone? The free Astro File Manager presents a folder view of your phone, including program folders for third-party apps and the contents of your root system folder. A swipeable toolbar along the top helps you navigate through the directory, and contains buttons to start a search, edit an entry, bookmark a folder, and so on. In addition, Astro File Manager also kills tasks, sends files as attachments, and creates and stores backups of your apps. Astro's file manager also packs some powers to zip up files in addition to reading ZIP and TGZ … Read more

Gmote for Android

When is your Android phone more than a phone? When you turn it into a combination keyboard and mouse to control your computer. After installing a free Gmote server app for Windows, Mac, or Linux, Gmote creates an ad-hoc Wi-Fi connection with your computer--unfortunately, if you don't use Wi-Fi, you're stuck. The on-screen controls can stream music from your computer, launch movies from afar, navigate the Web, and control a presentation. It's not as powerful or sophisticated as some apps we've seen for iPhone, but it does the trick, and without charging a dime. Unless you … Read more

Shopper's helper

If you believe in comparison shopping, do yourself a favor and download ShopSavvy. The free, ad-supported app seeks out prices for goods either by typing the name or scanning the barcode with your camera. ShopSavvy then spools out online prices and local offerings at major brick and mortar stores. You can read other peoples' product reviews, and can save what you like to a wish list. Too bad you can't e-mail that list out to others. ShopSavvy's price alert feature is a nice touch, alerting you when a product's price meets your criteria.

As neat a concept … Read more

Mobile stargazing

Leave it to Google to siphon one of the more interesting offshoots of Google Earth into an Android app. Google Sky Map uses GPS and the Android accelerometer to project an augmented reality of the night sky. Fire up this free app, point it all around you, and Google Sky Map shows you the constellations, stars, and planets above. This being a Google app, you can also search for your astronomical quarry; the phone tell you which direction to point and turn to find it. While the practical application of Google Sky Map isn't immediately apparent, it's one … Read more

Computational dining

If you're too deep into your food coma to adequately calculate how much each party owes for the bill, tap open Tip Calculator. The free app, like others in its class, is simple, but rapidly breaks down the total each diner owes. Thankfully, this tip calculator requires that you only type in the number of people and the total bill; then select a preset tip percentage or add your own. Tip Calculator reads out the tip amount, the total bill, and how much each diner owes. Having the app remember your usual tip setting between sessions would improve it, … Read more