How do you use your Android device for CAP?

[HGjunkie]

There's an iOS thread going, so I thought I would start up an Android thread.

Apps I have that are usefull for CAP:

-Astro file manager: Allows you to access documents stored on your phone, particularly helpful for PDFs (Regs/manuals).
-Radar Now: Free weather radar application


What do you use?

[Eclipse]

Vibrant with AOSP 2.2 Froyo Rom

- Gmail keeps me in touch with CAP, my business, and personal contacts seamlessly

- Google Docs - shareable office documents

- Google Maps - real time navigation, directions, satellite photos, waypoint marking

- Latitude - real time shared position tracking

- PDAnet* - tether phone to notebook for internet access (new rom also turns device into a hot spot)

- Docs To Go* - read and create Word/Excel/Powerpoint, as well as edit Google Docs.

- Dropbox - easily share files across my machine, phone, and other people

- Weatherbug Elite* - robust weather information, moving radar, access to weather cams

- Mileage Tracker* - keep track of my deductible mileage

- Cashbook* - track deductible expenses as well as receipt images

- Camera - take photos & HD video for customer, mission base, PA

- Google Translate - translate text and voice in real-time between languages should the need arise

- Goggles - info about whatever I am looking at by simple point the camera at the place / object

- Truphone* / Skype - place and receive voice calls via internet when cel service is down. (T-Mobile wifi calling does similar)
Also use Skype for mission planning conference calls, and to bridge people with low minute counts into regular teleconferences.

Apps marked with "*" are paid versions all others are free services or apps.

[jimmydeanno]

Skype - place and receive voice calls via internet when cel service is down.

I'm patiently awaiting the 4G phones to release on Verizon so I can get a Droid Bionic or something similar.  Skype video calls through the cell towers, streaming Netflix, Hulu, 1080p HD streaming video, etc.  It's gonna be awesome...

[Spaceman3750]

Skype - place and receive voice calls via internet when cel service is down.

I'm patiently awaiting the 4G phones to release on Verizon so I can get a Droid Bionic or something similar.  Skype video calls through the cell towers, streaming Netflix, Hulu, 1080p HD streaming video, etc.  It's gonna be awesome...

If you're lucky enough to be in an area with 4G coverage.

[IceNine]

Mostly the same as Eclipse.

I also use Remember the Milk for shared tasks lists specifically for the encampment.  With the availability of email to rtm I'm using it more for daily business as well.

[Angus]

Skype - place and receive voice calls via internet when cel service is down.

I'm patiently awaiting the 4G phones to release on Verizon so I can get a Droid Bionic or something similar.  Skype video calls through the cell towers, streaming Netflix, Hulu, 1080p HD streaming video, etc.  It's gonna be awesome...

Last time I checked Netflix does not stream to Android based phones.  It's just the iOS they do that with.  If you want that do what I'm doing wait till later this year, when iPhone 5 comes out.  It should be available for both AT&T and Verizon and by then 4G should be on it. 

[Eclipse]

Mostly the same as Eclipse.

I also use Remember the Milk for shared tasks lists specifically for the encampment.  With the availability of email to rtm I'm using it more for daily business as well.

Holey oversight!  How did I forget RTM?

The only way to manage ToDo's!

[jimmydeanno]

Last time I checked Netflix does not stream to Android based phones

Yet.

http://mashable.com/2010/08/07/netflix-android-app/

As of right now, the LG Revolution is/will come with the app pre-installed.  It's coming, we just need the phones to release - and the 4G area to expand.  Verizon is planning on 140 markets to have 4G coverage by the end of the year, which is almost the size of AT&Ts 3G coverage right now 

I suspect that in a few years, the 4G LTE network from Verizon will be in every market it currently serves, just like their 3G is...

[ElectricPenguin]

There's an iOS thread going, so I thought I would start up an Android thread.

Apps I have that are usefull for CAP:

-Astro file manager: Allows you to access documents stored on your phone, particularly helpful for PDFs (Regs/manuals).
-Radar Now: Free weather radar application


What do you use?

YES YES YESSSS!!!! For IOS theres a rank app that lets you keep track of all the awards you have, i would love something that has to do with cap for my Samsung Epic. Though Epics drain battey too fast to be used for ES.

**Oh wait... I didnt read everything you said, so what i said was pointless, but thanks for the app suggestions. I will take a looksy**

[ElectricPenguin]

Skype - place and receive voice calls via internet when cel service is down.

I'm patiently awaiting the 4G phones to release on Verizon so I can get a Droid Bionic or something similar.  Skype video calls through the cell towers, streaming Netflix, Hulu, 1080p HD streaming video, etc.  It's gonna be awesome...

Any 4g phones drain the battery, even when not useing 4g. I learned the hard way. If you se for ES, you MUST get an extended battery pack.

[Eclipse]

(*ignore*)  Broke this post somehow responding below...

[Dad2-4]

I've been trying to procure an android for general labor in CAP but the Jawa want too much for them lately.
(Just couldn't resist  )

[Майор Хаткевич]

PDANet Hotspot, eh? Do I need to root the phone, or is that something new?

(Posted on my laptop, while on Metra, while connected via USB by way of PDANet. )

[JoeTomasone]

I used to be part of the "I demand swappable batteries" crowd too, but you know what?  I never carried a spare for my Treo because it was too much of a pain to keep both it and the one in the phone charged.   Don't forget, you have to put the spare battery IN the phone to charge it, thereby doubling your charge time required to keep both charged.   And since you have to plug the phone in to charge either battery, it's a moot point.   You might as well plug in an iOS device.

<rant>
You buy a phone/computer based on it being able to do the job YOU need it to do, not based on how it's kept running.  Not every solution that works for you works for someone else, and, correspondingly, not every solution that DOESN'T work for you WON'T work for someone else.
</rant>

[Eclipse]

Don't forget, you have to put the spare battery IN the phone to charge it, thereby doubling your charge time required to keep both charged.   And since you have to plug the phone in to charge either battery, it's a moot point.   You might as well plug in an iOS device.

Or you could actually read what I wrote...

2 batteries with a wall charger - $20 shipped from the good folk in Kow Loon!



I see at least one vendor is now offering 3 batts with the same charger for $11.99 shipped.

The wall charger also has a USB port on it so you can charge your phone with it while a battery is in the charger slot.  I did the same with my Treo - desktop charger base with a spare battery, though I don't recall battery life on the Treo being nearly as much of an issue on my 650.

You buy a phone/computer based on it being able to do the job YOU need it to do, not based on how it's kept running.

If it isn't running, it doesn't "do" anything.

If having a dead phone in your pocket "works" for you, so be it, but I have converted more than one iOS user around dinner time on a long work day when I swap out my battery and move on, while they are without a phone the rest of the night.

[Eclipse]

PDANet Hotspot, eh? Do I need to root the phone, or is that something new?

(Posted on my laptop, while on Metra, while connected via USB by way of PDANet.

Not sure on using PDAnet as a hotspot.  I don't use PDANet as much as I did now that I have a Clear hotspot,
but tethering is sure a life-saver when you need it.

[JoeTomasone]

Or you could actually read what I wrote...

2 batteries with a wall charger - $20 shipped from the good folk in Kow Loon!

Mea maxima culpa, sir. 

The wall charger also has a USB port on it so you can charge your phone with it while a battery is in the charger slot.  I did the same with my Treo - desktop charger base with a spare battery, though I don't recall battery life on the Treo being nearly as much of an issue on my 650.

Actually, the only Treo I did not have a problem with battery life with was the 300.   The 600/650/700p all had horrible battery life.

You buy a phone/computer based on it being able to do the job YOU need it to do, not based on how it's kept running.

If it isn't running, it doesn't "do" anything.

If having a dead phone in your pocket "works" for you, so be it, but I have converted more than one iOS user around dinner time on a long work day when I swap out my battery and move on, while they are without a phone the rest of the night.

Meh.  I have several recharging options, some of which well pre-dated my iPhone.   I use them as needed.  I won't get into it here so as not to stray too far off-topic.

[Spaceman3750]

I had a couple of Treo 600s and the battery life was always OK for my purposes. I really like the iPhone for multiple reasons, but Palm was doing things Apple is citing as revolutionary eons before Apple did them (touchscreen on a phone for one). PalmOS was rock-solid and had a sizable and open "app ecosystem".

[Eclipse]

Actually, the only Treo I did not have a problem with battery life with was the 300.   The 600/650/700p all had horrible battery life.

((*sniff*))  I miss you guys!

[jimmydeanno]

PDANet Hotspot, eh? Do I need to root the phone, or is that something new?

(Posted on my laptop, while on Metra, while connected via USB by way of PDANet.

Not sure on using PDAnet as a hotspot.  I don't use PDANet as much as I did now that I have a Clear hotspot,
but tethering is sure a life-saver when you need it.

For PDAnet, you don't have to root your phone.  It's free to use as much as you like.  However, it should be noted that after 30 days, the free version won't allow you to access https websites (no e-services, for example), but for $15.99 one time fee you're clear forever.

It won't work as a mobile hotspot for multiple computers.  One phone, one computer.  However, you can install the desktop software on multiple computers and switch between them with the same phone (i.e. your personal laptop, then switch to using the CAP laptop).

I just posted this in another thread, but this is what I get through my HTC Incredible (Verizon), using PDAnet.



Also note that you can store the desktop executable on your phone, so if you tether to a notebook, etc that doesn't currently have it, you can install it from your phone.  Handy, dandy.