Non-game Android Apps Recommendations Catch-All

Secret Asian Man wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:
Secret Asian Man wrote:

I just upgraded to 4.3 on my N4. Unfortunately this means I have to use hangouts vs talk. Which means I can't tell if someone is active or away anymore.

Anybody have a good IM client to replace hangouts?

I've seen talk on XDA about uninstalling Hangouts and reinstalling the Voice apk.

My phone isn't rooted, I'm not sure I could do that. I'll poke around XDA more but I haven't seen a good thread for it.

You don't have to have root to install an apk. You just have to allow installing from other sources in settings.

MannishBoy wrote:
Secret Asian Man wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:
Secret Asian Man wrote:

I just upgraded to 4.3 on my N4. Unfortunately this means I have to use hangouts vs talk. Which means I can't tell if someone is active or away anymore.

Anybody have a good IM client to replace hangouts?

I've seen talk on XDA about uninstalling Hangouts and reinstalling the Voice apk.

My phone isn't rooted, I'm not sure I could do that. I'll poke around XDA more but I haven't seen a good thread for it.

You don't have to have root to install an apk. You just have to allow installing from other sources in settings.

I did that. I get an error message. Searching through forums says I have to move to my system/app folder. I believe that requires root for write permission.

So anybody rooted their 4.3? Any issues? I've never rooted a device before.

Amazon's free app today is SQL Tool Pro Database Editor

Seems like a nice piece of software from the reviews.

Ballotechnic wrote:

So, folks thought on anti virus and theft recovery apps? Necessary or just a drain on resources. Recommendations?

Android Device Manager was announced today, available later this month.

Locate and ring your misplaced device
If you ended up dropping your phone between those couch cushions, Android Device Manager lets you quickly ring your phone at maximum volume so you can find it, even it's been silenced. And in the event that your phone or tablet is out of earshot (say, at that restaurant you left it at last night), you can locate it on a map in real time.

Protecting your personal information and data
While losing your phone can be stressful, Android Device Manager can help you keep your data from ending up in the wrong hands. If your phone can’t be recovered, or has been stolen, you can quickly and securely erase all of the data on your device.

Availability and getting started
This service will be available later this month on devices running Android 2.2 or above; to use it, you also will need to be signed into your Google Account. There will also be an Android app to allow you to easily find and manage your devices. Stay tuned!

ilduce620 wrote:
Ballotechnic wrote:

So, folks thought on anti virus and theft recovery apps? Necessary or just a drain on resources. Recommendations?

Android Device Manager was announced today, available later this month.

Locate and ring your misplaced device
If you ended up dropping your phone between those couch cushions, Android Device Manager lets you quickly ring your phone at maximum volume so you can find it, even it's been silenced. And in the event that your phone or tablet is out of earshot (say, at that restaurant you left it at last night), you can locate it on a map in real time.

Protecting your personal information and data
While losing your phone can be stressful, Android Device Manager can help you keep your data from ending up in the wrong hands. If your phone can’t be recovered, or has been stolen, you can quickly and securely erase all of the data on your device.

Availability and getting started
This service will be available later this month on devices running Android 2.2 or above; to use it, you also will need to be signed into your Google Account. There will also be an Android app to allow you to easily find and manage your devices. Stay tuned!

About time Google had it's own stuff in this area.

Can anyone suggest a good Youtube downloader?

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Can anyone suggest a good Youtube downloader?

Be very careful of those. Some give nice malware.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Can anyone suggest a good Youtube downloader?

I use FREEdi, I grabbed it from Amazon long ago. My only gripe is that it seems like it drops downloads if you're connection gets too flaky.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Can anyone suggest a good Youtube downloader?

http://rg3.github.io/youtube-dl/

If you don't mind running a python-based command-line program.

I'm pretty surprised nobody has written a simple local javascript page that takes a URL input and makes a list of download links. The source code for grabbing a youtube video doesn't look all that complicated.

EDIT: Annnnd this is the android apps thread. Now I feel dumb. Wait... is there a python interpreter for Android?

Second for FREEdi.

Lately I've been forsaking my beloved audiobook player, my Sansa Clip+, to sometimes play non-DRMed books on my phone. Mainly because the Clip+ doesn't do high speed playback tonal adjustments like I can get on my phone, and sometimes I'm just not in the mood for Alvin the Chipmunk to read me books. Plus, apps let me run at higher speeds than the fast speed on the Clip+.

I've tried out Smart Audiobook, and it seems OK. It has a free trial, so it was a good start. Think it's $2 to buy. I like the playback speed adjustments, the short and long skips, the auto sleep functionality that sleeps the player if the phone hasn't moved in X period of time, the cover search from the net for book covers, etc. Seems pretty nice.

Was wondering about Listen Audiobook Player. It's $1, has no free trial, even though the dev offers a 7 day period to request a refund if you aren't happy. It seems to have all the same features I liked above from Smart, but the dev seems very involved in the review comments in a positive way, and seems very responsive to requests.

There are others like Akimbo as well, but I really like the reviews better on the first two.

Anybody have a favorite? I really wish I could find out if the newer Sansa Clip Zip had better high speed playback support, as I'm going to continue using a Sansa for a lot of my library .wma DRMed books anyway, and like the audiobook player to be a separate battery than my communication device Plus, the small size is better for working out or doing yard work vs my big phone.

Get 'em while they're hot!

Amazon's Appstore may be best known for its "Free app of the day" promotion, but today's sale jumps from one to 10 apps that won't cost you a penny. To celebrate one year of availability of the Appstore in Europe, Amazon is making 10 different popular apps free for the entire day, valued at over $35 normally:

Angry Birds (Ad-Free) - regularly $0.99
Drawing Pad - regularly $1.99
PAC-MAN HD (Kindle Tablet Ed.) - regularly $2.99
World of Goo - regularly $2.99
SwiftKey - regularly $3.99
CalenGoo - regularly $5.99
Sprinkle - regularly $1.99
Paper Camera - regularly $1.99
Jamie's 20 Minute Meals - regularly $7.69
Shazam Encore - regularly $4.99

Even though the sale is being kicked off because of a European milestone, the sale is available in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Japan. Head to the Amazon Appstore on your device or the source link below to grab your free apps.

Own like 8 of those 10 already from previous free app of the day things. But nice to pick up the couple I was missing.

Hello there, as a recent convert from iPhone to Android, I am having trouble finding a podcasting app suiting my tastes. I am using OneCast, which, while simple, requires way too much micromanagement. I want the following:

A simple "Update All" button, which would check and download new episodes automatically.
If the updating would delete all those podcasts I already listened to, even better.
Playlist which would show all the unplayed episodes and would play them one by one.

In OneCast I am checking all the new stuff manually and with ten podcasts it gets tedious (there is also a possibility that I am simply using it wrong, so feel free to point out my stupidity ). Any experience?

wanderingtaoist wrote:

Hello there, as a recent convert from iPhone to Android, I am having trouble finding a podcasting app suiting my tastes. I am using OneCast, which, while simple, requires way too much micromanagement. I want the following:

A simple "Update All" button, which would check and download new episodes automatically.
If the updating would delete all those podcasts I already listened to, even better.
Playlist which would show all the unplayed episodes and would play them one by one.

In OneCast I am checking all the new stuff manually and with ten podcasts it gets tedious (there is also a possibility that I am simply using it wrong, so feel free to point out my stupidity ). Any experience?

One of the most common questions in this thread. Read up thread (don't have to go far), and I think you'll find people recommending Pocket Casts, Doggcatcher, and Beyond Pod.

I know both Pocket Casts and Doggcatcher will automatically download all podcasts on a regular user set interval, depending on preferences for OTA vs Wifi and charging or non-charging. Never used Beyond Pod.

I own both Pocket Casts and Doggcatcher, and generally prefer Pocket Casts. Doggcatcher probably is more flexible with more options, but the interface is more obtuse.

MannishBoy wrote:
wanderingtaoist wrote:

Hello there, as a recent convert from iPhone to Android, I am having trouble finding a podcasting app suiting my tastes. I am using OneCast, which, while simple, requires way too much micromanagement. I want the following:

A simple "Update All" button, which would check and download new episodes automatically.
If the updating would delete all those podcasts I already listened to, even better.
Playlist which would show all the unplayed episodes and would play them one by one.

In OneCast I am checking all the new stuff manually and with ten podcasts it gets tedious (there is also a possibility that I am simply using it wrong, so feel free to point out my stupidity ). Any experience?

One of the most common questions in this thread. Read up thread (don't have to go far), and I think you'll find people recommending Pocket Casts, Doggcatcher, and Beyond Pod.

I know both Pocket Casts and Doggcatcher will automatically download all podcasts on a regular user set interval, depending on preferences for OTA vs Wifi and charging or non-charging. Never used Beyond Pod.

I own both Pocket Casts and Doggcatcher, and generally prefer Pocket Casts. Doggcatcher probably is more flexible with more options, but the interface is more obtuse.

Great, thanks, I did not want to sift through 30 pages' worth of comments and these sound like what I am looking for. Will check them out. Thanks.

wanderingtaoist wrote:

Great, thanks, I did not want to sift through 30 pages' worth of comments and these sound like what I am looking for. Will check them out. Thanks.

It's as recent as last page. It really is nearly every page in this thread

Pocket Casts here. Did not like Doggcatcher or the free app I tried.

Well, after a few hours with Pocket Casts I am a convert. Definitely what I was looking for (and more) - easy updates, automatic playlists, the works. Thanks for the tip!

wanderingtaoist wrote:

Well, after a few hours with Pocket Casts I am a convert. Definitely what I was looking for (and more) - easy updates, automatic playlists, the works. Thanks for the tip!

just adding my +1 to Pocket Casts. The interface is really good and the developers keep updating the app non-stop.

Anybody having an issue moving podcasts around in a playlist since the 4.3 update to Pocket Casts? I agree it wasn't the best before, but now, either podcasts don't drag where you want them, or you can't scroll because you are accidentally dragging the order of the playlist around.

Frustrated doesn't begin to describe me. Was trying to reorganize my playlist at a red light today and felt like throwing the whole thing out the window.

MannishBoy wrote:

Anybody having an issue moving podcasts around in a playlist since the 4.3 update to Pocket Casts? I agree it wasn't the best before, but now, either podcasts don't drag where you want them, or you can't scroll because you are accidentally dragging the order of the playlist around.

Frustrated doesn't begin to describe me. Was trying to reorganize my playlist at a red light today and felt like throwing the whole thing out the window.

Haven't noticed that. Sorry!

I did notice, however, that I can't see the very bottom podcast in a playlist if another one is currently open (as it's dialog at the bottom of the app, with the "Pause" button and podcast image, is covering it).

ilduce620 wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:

Anybody having an issue moving podcasts around in a playlist since the 4.3 update to Pocket Casts? I agree it wasn't the best before, but now, either podcasts don't drag where you want them, or you can't scroll because you are accidentally dragging the order of the playlist around.

Frustrated doesn't begin to describe me. Was trying to reorganize my playlist at a red light today and felt like throwing the whole thing out the window.

Haven't noticed that. Sorry!

I did notice, however, that I can't see the very bottom podcast in a playlist if another one is currently open (as it's dialog at the bottom of the app, with the "Pause" button and podcast image, is covering it).

It seems to be intermittant that it gets into the state where I can't scroll but instead select to drag anything I touch.

They also got rid of "swipe to clear," right? As in, I can't hold down and drag a podcast to get rid of it anymore: I have to hold down and then click the trash button.

....just when I'd gotten used to the feature...

The swipe to clear feature was always a bit wonky for me. Most of the time I either scrolled the list instead because I did not move my finger in the exact needed angle or I opened the episode information popup because I did not reach the edge at the time I removed my finger from the screen.
Press down to mark the first and then tab the next to delete is quite a nice change though.

OK, I might have to quit using Pocket Casts if this can't get fixed. I cannot right now reorder my play list at all at the moment. I drag stuff, but it ends up back where it started. Making me so mad. Is there something I'm missing here? I've tried highlighting and dragging, but that doesn't work, and I've tried dragging from the three bars on the left side of the list.

It looks like it's moving until I release.

EDIT: I think what happened is the update converted my long existing manual playlist to behave like a smart playlist. Smart playlists cannot be reordered.

Didn't they push out an update today addressing this?

Plastefuchs wrote:

Didn't they push out an update today addressing this?

Yes. They tweeted me back that it was coming after I complained to them

I agree that swipe to clear was poor. I was very happy to see that trash icon recently.

Huh, the Play Books app actually sounds reasonably listenable with the "Read Aloud" option for books, especially with the High-Quality Voice setting turned on. Never would have thought it.

It's not an actor, but I could see using that occasionally to get to the end of a chapter when I had to stop reading the text and head out or something.