Android Fans, Lend Me Your Ears

[CJREX]

So today I upgraded my iPhone 3GS to a Samsung Galaxy SII.

It is downright impossible to find an unbiased review of an Android phone vs iPhone so I took the plunge myself.

After 2 years of an iPhone, I wanted to try Android for myself to see which is my personal favorite.

I have 30 days to decide whether to keep the Galaxy or exchange it for an iPhone 4S. First impression is that I LOVE the display.

That being said, what are some Must Have free apps for Android?

What do I need to install to make this a keeper?

[Ed Blown Vert]

Good choice switching to Android.

Now you can use our App.

[REVNORR82]

Goggles kinda cool and if you have a gmail account and google plus its pretty damn cool with everything syncing up.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[jrbonds]

Depends on your interests and likes. I love my android evo. I have weather and FB and ls1.com, the speedo app is your mph and it works thru gps, my 65 doesn't have a speedo, so it comes in handy. Got rid of my garmin from my car cause my phones works just as well.

Word of advice...read the reviews on an app, they are usually spot on.

Love instant access to my gmail also.

[Spikito]

speedo app?

[REVNORR82]

Gps speedo app good stuff

[35th-ANV-SS]

Thinking about upgrading to a Bionic myself this weekend. I've never owned anything for personal use other than a slide out old school phone. Kind of excited to see what all is available.

[jrbonds]

speedo app?

yep.

[SiggyZ]

No banana hammock apps for me thank you.

[Ed Blown Vert]

Depends on your interests and likes. I love my android evo. I have weather and FB and ls1.com, the speedo app is your mph and it works thru gps, my 65 doesn't have a speedo, so it comes in handy. Got rid of my garmin from my car cause my phones works just as well.

Word of advice...read the reviews on an app, they are usually spot on.

Love instant access to my gmail also.

I forgot about the free Google Navigation

[CJREX]

OK I know people complain about iTunes but this Samsung KIES software sucks for creating and managing playlists.

I installed doubletwist which works OK since it simply pulls in existing iTunes playlists, but I was looking for something native.

What's a good Android playlist creator/editor?

[Spikito]

no idea, i dont use my phone for music...if i do, i use the pandora app

[tatertot91]

Download zedge for ring tones and text notification sounds

[Spikito]

yeah, zedge is awesome, theres also lightflow that lets you change your notifcation LED colors, if you have one

[allbaugh_04]

I agree. Zedge is awesome.

The apps I use are google maps, IMDB, Pandora, Jefit (fitness).

I don't use much else, but I check the marketplace for new free aps that people like.

I have the Epic, so the screen is amazing.

[KMdef9]

I did the same thing as you did, I was/am disappointed with the release of 4s and not a 5. The Galaxy S II is the best phone made for at&t right now.

Cons: (so far)
-the battery isn't impressive versus my iPhone
-have to remember to shut programs off all the time to promote battery life, somehow wifi being on burns more power even when not in use.
-won't charge properly if running alot of apps, ie trying ti listen to internet radio for a Monday night football game.
-takes 3+ hours to charge, from dead.
-have to make sure you kill the battery to get a good charge
-I'm not a fan of how big it is, but that's me
-making a phone call involes more steps
-less apps

Pros: (so far)
-faster than my 3 year old 3GS
-now have a flashlight, lol
-screen is the clearest I've ever seen
-lots of quicker ways to access things, if you need that
-more useful apps
-can be rooted to make it a hotspot
-alot of customization, once again, if you need it
-widgets are useful
-wireless data transfer, never have to hook up to a computer physically
-thought it was cost me alot for new car charger and what not, but for $10 shipped from amazon, I got a car charger, 120v charger and an additional cord for the computer hook up

[CJREX]

I've also noticed the battery life isn't too good.

Also, installed an anti-virus app (!)

And overall, the Android OS does not seem as stable as IOS. I've noticed the screen flickering and seeming to almost reboot when installing certain applications. Talking with a friend this morning who just switched from android to a 4S said that his android phone would sometimes just randomly reboot. That hasn't happened to me, but if it does this thing is going back regardless of how nice the screen is.

I've only installed around 10 apps so far.

I really like the MX Video player. I can drag any video format to the phone and it just plays.

[Ed Blown Vert]

I have gotten about 3 reboots since I've own the phone. But that will never make me switch to a iPhone.
I like to use Flash. Which you can't do on a iPhone. You can't change the SD card. You can't change the battery.

I hate iTunes, I understand you cannot play any music unless you download it using iTunes. Is that true?

Try Google Voice, Google Sky Maps. One of my Favorite Apps is called IP Cam viewer. Let's me watch all my video camera's live in my house.

[CJREX]

While it is true you must use iTunes to put the music on your device, the music itself can come from anywhere. It just has to be imported into iTunes.

I have installed Google Voice since I.use.it lots on the computer.

[Ed Blown Vert]

So you have to connect the phone to a MAC?

I like to use SoundHound to identify the song playing. Then use MP3download to get the song. All on the phone.