Mobile File Managers

I’ve been looking for an Android equivalent for the Air Sharing Pro application that I used on my iPod Touch. Air Sharing Pro turns the iPod/iPhone/iPad into an instant web server for exchanging (up/down-loading) files. The highly customizable security features and multi-user simultaneous access made it an instant purchase ($7) for me.

Here are some similar, but less than equivalent solutions for the Android platform:

1. Dropbox - Dropbox is software that syncs your files online and across your computers. Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they'll be instantly available on any of your other computers that you've installed Dropbox on.
   PROS: Awesome sync tool to manage a folder between multiple computers (ex: home/work, home/friends).
   CONS: There is app for Android; however it doesn’t actually sync the data to the handheld, just provides easy access.
2. Awesome Drop - An easy way to put files on your phone by dragging and dropping them into a web browser on your computer.
   PROS: No account necessary, super simple, easy, intuitive interface. Works over 3G as well as Wi-Fi.
   CONS: One way transfer only adds files to handheld.
3. WiFi File Explorer - Browse, download, upload, delete, copy, stream and generally manage files that are on your phone, using a web browser via a WiFi connection.
   PROS: Similar functions as Air Sharing Pro.
   CONS: No adjustable security.

My plan is to keep all three on my device.  While they have overlapping utility, each has unique functions that merit their place on my Android handheld.

Emerging use of QR Codes

I’ve been fascinated by the emerging possible of the uses of QR Codes (2D Barcodes) with mobile phones. What are QR Codes?  I found a nice explanation on 3GVision’s site:

Mobile barcodes, storing addresses and URLs, are a new and innovative way to access the mobile internet where users can use the camera on their mobile phone to scan barcodes that may appear in magazines, newspapers, billboards, LCD/plasma screens, packaging, business card and even t-shirts. A user having a mobile camera phone equipped with the correct reader software can scan the image of the 2D barcode causing the phone browser to launch and direct to the programmed URL. Codes can be used to provide fast-track access to mobile websites, special discount offers, send an SMS, and receive a ring-tone, save contact details on mobile address book. [ more ]

Recently the BSA Adventure Base 100 announced a ScoutQuest a scavenger hunt covering the Washington, D.C. area utilizing QR Codes for checkpoints and clues.

There are a variety of ways to create your own QR Codes:

• Google: If you are interested specifically in embedding a URL in a QR Code for websites, Google Charts API can be leveraged.  Check out 2x Tips: A Brilliantly Easy Way To Generate QR Codes…
• 3GVision: 3GVision's i-nigma is the industry's most comprehensive end-to-end 1D/2D mobile barcode solution enabling mobile phone users to fast track to the mobile internet while increasing ROI for media and marketing companies. Create Barcodes
• ZXing: Pronounced "zebra crossing", is an open-source project focused on using the built-in camera on mobile phones to photograph and decode barcodes on the device, without communicating with a server. QR Code Generator

I am personally most dazzled by Zxing’s generator, that allows you to embed calendar events, contact info, email addresses, geo location, SMS messages, text, URL, and even Wi-Fi networks (SSID, security type and keys). 

Android Application Inventory

It's been 30 days with this Sprint HTC Evo running Android OS and I have been nothing but pleased with the application availability. I've not only replaced every application I used on the BlackBerry platform, but even found several new ones for Android that I can't live without. All of the applications were downloaded/purchased through the Android Market.

Productivity

• Audible
  
• Evernote
• 3banana Notes [Snaptic]
  
• Dictionary [dictionary.com]
  
• Bible [lifechurch.tv]
• Secrets for Android
• Barcode Scanner [Zxing]
• Google Goggles
• Pandora
• Grocery IQ
• Knot Guide [Winkpass]
• Google Voice
• Google Talk [native]
• WeatherBug Elite
• Amazon MP3 Store
• Quickoffice
• Shazam
• Wells Fargo
• eBay
• Amazon
  

Games

• Diner Dash
• Frogly: Swamp Prince
• Space Physics
• Blow Up
• Word Drop
• BoggleDroid
• Math Workout
• Amtalee Lite
• Painting Findings
• Find Differences
  

Navigation

• Google Maps [native]
• Google Navigation [native]
• Google Latitude [native]
• Google Earth
• Google Sky Map
  
• Telenav [Sprint Navigation]
  
• RunKeeper
• GPS Tracker [instamapper.com]
  
• My Tracks [google]
• Layar
  
• c:geo [geocaching]
• Compass [Snaptic]
  

Social Media

• Facebook
• Twitter
• bitlyDroid

Utility

• EStrongs File Explorer
• Quick Boot [Sirius]
  
• Advanced Task Killer [ReChild]
  
• screenshot [GeekSofts]
• SwiftKey beta
• Swype beta
• Titanium Backup
  

Save $ with new AT&T Data Plans

After studying Paul Thorrott’s write-up about AT&T’s new tiered pricing plans for mobile data, I think I might be able to save some cash on my monthly AT&T bill. It looks like there are three options shown on AT&T’s press release:

• Keep your existing plan
• $15/month up to 200MB (exceed pay 200MB/$15)
• $25/month up to 2GB (exceed pay 1GB/$10)

What I haven’t found yet are details for BlackBerry specific data plans.  If this includes BlackBerry, then I am going from a $45/month to $15/month. Let it be, Let it be!

AT&T provides data trending for your account online so you can check which plan fits your usage best. 

Addendum: Boy Genius reports that BlackBerry data plans don’t qualify for the 200MB=$15/month plan, but possibly a reduced $40/month plan.

Tether for Blackberry

I am posting this blog note from from Hwy 52 between Cannon Falls and Minneapolis, MN, from the passenger seat of course. I have my laptop connected to my AT&T BlackBerry 8900 via Bluetooth and am using Tether to access the Internet through the BlackBerry data connection.

The setup was amazingly simple after a simple trial sign-up at tether.com. I downloaded and installed a simple client on my laptop, then downloaded (OTA) a client for the BlackBerry handheld. I initiated a Bluetooth pair between the handheld with the laptop, then started the Tether client on both devices. It automatically connected and I was browsing the web on the laptop in less than 30 seconds.


Tether offers a 7-day trial for free, then the product is $50. Contrary to my prior understanding (assumption) you do NOT need to have special provisioning on your BlackBerry line of service to make this work. I have already downloaded 12.5 MB of data through this connection, I wonder if AT&T can even recognize the difference in the data stream? My BlackBerry line of service clearly indicates unlimited data, I hope unlimited really means unlimited.

What BlackBerry Apps Do You Use?

I applied the beta OS 5.0.0.411 to my BlackBerry yesterday and have been very happy with the performance. It seems to be bit snappier to respond than the previous 5.0.0.190 that I had been running since August.

Before taking the plunge and performing a clean wipe of the device, I took inventory of all the applications that I would be reinstalling on a yellow sticky. I thought perhaps it might be worth sharing this list.

BlackBerry App World installs

• Facebook
• Flickr
• Pandora
• Tivo Scheduler
• Poynt
• YouVersion Bible
• Shazam
• Geocache Navigator
• BlackBerry Messenger
• Dictionary.com
• Evernote
• UberTwitter
• GPS Tracker

OTA installs

• BB Weather
  
• Google Talk
• Google Voice
  
• Google Mobile App
• Google Maps
• Gmail
  
• Bolt Browser
  
• Camera To Go
• Capture It
• Opera Browser

Last Updated 3/23/2010

Windows Live Writer

I’ve begun investigating Windows Live Writer now that I have installed Windows Live Essentials on my laptop.  I’m not sure I needed a “better” tool to aid in blog posting.  In fact, the whole concept of needing a Windows application in the Web 2.0 world seems absurd. Nonetheless, a team of programmers wrote an application… I need to know why. 

Maybe it would help those of you who have not seen this to see a screenshot of the interface:

 

I can only wonder what special code is going to be inserted in this blog post that is somehow not compatible with browsers other than IE.   Here goes… pressing publish now