Android App/Game Recommendations Thread

[SkyLander]

BTW the Nexus S is awesome if anyone is looking for a good smartphone. It was only released in Canada two weeks ago so people have been going gaga over my phone when they see me pull it out. It's nice to feel like you own the new hotness, even if for a little while.

Bask in the true google phone. Frequent updates, you don't have any carrier bullshit, nothing preloaded. Totally, easily unlockable bootloader and access to some of the bets ROMs. MIUI is a good rom as well as cyanogen, it's so painless to get that going and switch roms since everything is backed up to google. Only reason I am holding onto my Nexus One for probably another year. Then my wife and I will probably jump to the latest true google phone.

[JayDee]

Holy shit Swype just changed my life.

[Jag]

Holy shit Swype just changed my life.

I can Swype with a single finger. It's just that good.

[GuidoTKP]

Hit the Amazon App Store today. Pick up the ordinarily $5 Business Calendar App for free. It is worth owning.

[EngineNo9]

The Amazon App Store had Majesty as their free app for today.  I think CK needs to get an Android phone so that he can update a thread about the free app of the day. 

I agree that Swype is pretty damn awesome.  I would also say that sending an email or text message dictated entirely by voice is pretty fricking cool too.

I just got my Nexus S a couple months ago, so I'm glad to see there are a few other Android users around.

[JayDee]

The Amazon App Store had Majesty as their free app for today.  I think CK needs to get an Android phone so that he can update a thread about the free app of the day. 

I agree that Swype is pretty damn awesome.  I would also say that sending an email or text message dictated entirely by voice is pretty fricking cool too.

I just got my Nexus S a couple months ago, so I'm glad to see there are a few other Android users around.

Whoo, a fellow Nexus S owner! *bumps phones*

[disarm]

Netflix Officially Available on Android!

the catch is that it only works with certain phones right now (and the list is very small), but they're working on increasing that list.  i just downloaded the app for my Evo4G and it works great.  they've included access to your Instant Queue, resuming of videos you started watching on other devices, and the ability to search their streaming library and add titles to your queue.  the only thing missing right now is the ability to add non-streaming titles to your DVD queue, but i can understand why that feature isn't a priority. 

as for the streaming itself, i brought up a movie from my queue and had it streaming over wifi in a matter of seconds...video quality is pretty impressive, and audio is crystal clear.  i've also done streaming over 3G, and while there is a expected decrease in quality (which is still pretty good), it still starts streaming quickly and didn't have any hiccups during my test.  overall, it looks like they've done a great job. 

[EngineNo9]

Yay, the Nexus S is on that short list!  I couldn't find it from my phone marketplace, but the website link worked.  The quality is much much better than what I saw when testing PlayOn Mobile.  I haven't watched video that poor since the bands got broad.

[ravenvii]

Netflix Officially Available on Android!

the catch is that it only works with certain phones right now (and the list is very small), but they're working on increasing that list.  i just downloaded the app for my Evo4G and it works great.  they've included access to your Instant Queue, resuming of videos you started watching on other devices, and the ability to search their streaming library and add titles to your queue.  the only thing missing right now is the ability to add non-streaming titles to your DVD queue, but i can understand why that feature isn't a priority. 

as for the streaming itself, i brought up a movie from my queue and had it streaming over wifi in a matter of seconds...video quality is pretty impressive, and audio is crystal clear.  i've also done streaming over 3G, and while there is a expected decrease in quality (which is still pretty good), it still starts streaming quickly and didn't have any hiccups during my test.  overall, it looks like they've done a great job. 

I'm wondering - does the app support subtitles?

[EngineNo9]

I'm wondering - does the app support subtitles?

It does seem to for movies that "natively" have subtitles, but I'm not sure how to do it for "normal" movies.  For instance, I tried playing a Swedish movie and it automatically had subtitles up, but trying to play US/English movies and TV shows and saw no options for turning them on.

[ravenvii]

I'm wondering - does the app support subtitles?

It does seem to for movies that "natively" have subtitles, but I'm not sure how to do it for "normal" movies.  For instance, I tried playing a Swedish movie and it automatically had subtitles up, but trying to play US/English movies and TV shows and saw no options for turning them on.

"native" subtitles are burned into the video, so they will show up no matter what.

Check the settings, etc? Try a movie that does have subtitles (a random one out of my head is Groundhog Day - awesome movie, and it has subtitles).

EDIT: Speak of the devil - I suddenly no longer care. An update to the Netflix app on the iPhone/iPod touch/iPad today brought support for subtitles. YES!!!

[EngineNo9]

As far as I can tell there is no way to pull up any sort of settings, either in the movie or globally for the app.  The menu key is disabled both in the app and while in a movie.  The only thing you can do in the movie is touch the screen to hit Pause/Play or scrub to a time of the movie, exit out with back or go Home.  I even turned down the media volume on my phone until it was off thinking it might auto-detect that, but no go.

EDIT:

EDIT: Speak of the devil - I suddenly no longer care. An update to the Netflix app on the iPhone/iPod touch/iPad today brought support for subtitles. YES!!!

Bah! 

[Thin_J]

Awww, no Thunderbolt support

[JayDee]

For anyone looking for a great Android game, Game Dev Story is absolutely fantastic. I've put five hours into it already. Best game I've found for the platform so far (besides angry birds, of course ).

[EngineNo9]

I totally agree with Game Dev Story.  It is a very well crafted game, with a goal always shortly in front of you and something new to do so you always say "just a few more minutes".

I was skeptical at first but after enough goading by friends I bought it and the first night I got that I stayed up until 3am playing, which I haven't done for a game in ages.  Then I continued to play it the next day and the next... 

[JayDee]

There is always another carrot to reach for. I was getting bored but then the option to create sequels opened up. But I needed a Hall of Fame game first. So I kept playing. Then the option to make my own console was introduced. But I don't have a Hardware Engineer. And I'm still trying to win the elusive "game of the year" award. I've been runner-up twice. Currently in Year 14 so I have 11 years to reach that goal still.

[TheEgoWhip]

Great thread guys, lots of good apps.  Any new games worth a mention?  I notice most of this thread is fairly old.  Working with a Samsung Charge and whatever latest version of Android its up to now.  Thanks.

[Eco-Logic]

Gamewise I've been playing Can Knockdown when I need something in short bursts, and I recently started playing the SF RPG called Cyberlords.  I dig it a lot so far.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.hg.cyberlords&feature=top-paid

I have heard great things about Jet Car Stunts:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.trueaxis.jetcarstunts&feature=top-paid

Finally, I have also been playing and can highly recommend Air Attack HD
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ArtInGames.AirAttackHD

[lildrgn]

I am hooked on Home Run Battle 3D. Lots of fun.

[WalkingFumble]

Words With Friends

http://www.wordswithfriends.com/

It's a scrabble type game that you can play against friends or randoms.  If you are looking for someone to play against, search for me, WalkingFumble.

[Hrothgar]

So I'm almost ready to join the fold.  The Motorola Photon is released today.  I opted to get mine shipped from Amazon to save a few bucks.  I should have it by Wednesday.  I've been browsing the thread and jotting down some apps to get started.  I'm sure I missed some in my skimming.  I thought I'd ask about a few things.

Are podcasts managed natively or through an app.  Is Google listen any good?  I've got some free and a few subscription podcasts I'd like to update over the air when I'm not on wifi.

I need a good jogging/biking app that uses GPS to do speed, distance, and maps the route.  I had a decent one on my pre.  I'm sure there's a better one on android.

I could also use a budgeting program to keep track of my spending by category.  Again I have something on the pre, any recommendations?

Apparently the tegra 2 has some exclusive games.  Are any of them good/must haves?

Thanks for the help.

[Tokek]

Apparently the tegra 2 has some exclusive games.  Are any of them good/must haves?

Galaxy on Fire 2 THD is nice for Tegra2, it's free up to a certain point then you have to pay $15 to unlock the rest of the game.

[Thin_J]

Are podcasts managed natively or through an app.  Is Google listen any good?  I've got some free and a few subscription podcasts I'd like to update over the air when I'm not on wifi.

Google Listen is kind of ok, but if you think you might ever need a feature like pause/resume on in progress downloads or other things like it... well they're not there. Listen works, but it's incredibly basic. It's also no longer in development or supported by Google as far as I know.

I ended up just paying a few bucks for Doggcatcher and have been completely happy ever since.

[Hrothgar]

I'm still messing around and figuring things out.  I did find the nvidia tegra zone app.  I was pleased to see there that Zen Pinball will be coming soon.  Since I love Pinball FX2 and Zen Pinball on consoles, that will be great.

[Moliere]

Anyone use an app called Lookout? It seems like a good tool to scan for malware along with other features like data backup and finding a lost phone.

[Hrothgar]

I was reading this article.  They recommend Lookout or AVG.

[Xmann]

I might have found the best food app out there for those looking for a program to help with dieting and tracking meals and exercise. The app is called Calorie Count.

Not only does it have an extensive list of most of your common brand foods you buy daily. It also includes quite a few popular restaurants with calorie breakdowns.

But what I find amazing is you can just barcode scan any food you eat and it adds it to your list, with complete nutrition info.

This is a must have app.

[EngineNo9]

I might have found the best food app out there for those looking for a program to help with dieting and tracking meals and exercise. The app is called Calorie Count.

Not only does it have an extensive list of most of your common brand foods you buy daily. It also includes quite a few popular restaurants with calorie breakdowns.

But what I find amazing is you can just barcode scan any food you eat and it adds it to your list, with complete nutrition info.

This is a must have app.

I have a similar app called MyNetDiary Calorie Counter Pro, which has the added benefit of allowing users to upload their own barcode scanned information, so that even things like regional or store brand foods are in there or you can enter them yourself.  It also tracks weight and exercise, and you can set a target weight for a date to get a daily calorie budget and see a graph of your progress over time.

[Xmann]

That looks like the exact same thing as Calorie Counter but the Pro version. Might be worth it to get the user added items.

[EngineNo9]

That looks like the exact same thing as Calorie Counter but the Pro version. Might be worth it to get the user added items.

Yeah, wasn't sure which program you were talking about, as there are a ton of things named variations of "Calorie Count" (over 300 apps from a quick search on the marketplace).  The one I'm using ties in to this site, for what it is worth.  I think the Pro version was $3 or $4 and very worth it in my opinion, though I'm sure there are several that have similar features.

[Xmann]

Nope its not the same product.    I'm gonna give Calorie Counter a week or so and see how i like it since it's free.   It has the same exercise data and charts that i see MyNetDiary has.   The food database is what interests me the most.    So far the Calorie Counter is a snap.    I've scanned all my food that has a barcode in seconds.   The other things like meats and fruits was quick as well.

[CeeKay]

arise!

planning for the future- what is the best way to sync iTunes with an Android phone nowadays (or even a replacement)?  I've heard about DoubleTwist and isyncr, any preferences for either one, or is there something better?

[Eco-Logic]

I prefer WinAmp over doubletwist.  Both work well though.

[Crusis]

arise!

planning for the future- what is the best way to sync iTunes with an Android phone nowadays (or even a replacement)?  I've heard about DoubleTwist and isyncr, any preferences for either one, or is there something better?

isyncr works surprisingly well. I've used it to move a couple of hundred tracks from itunes to my Galaxy s3 on both USB and wirelessly. It was very much worth a couple of bucks.