Droid Cell Phone

Have you heard of IFood Assistant or are new to the application? You will be happy to know that this application is now available on the Google Android phone.

The application is brought to you by Kraft Inc and offers many of the recipes which can be found on the Kraft Foods website.

In truth this app is a widget and activated by long pressing the home screen.

If you are into gastronomy the IFood assistant brings a lot to the table, no pun intended. The application is formatted similarly to most of the other phone applications; it is pleasing on the eyes and easy to navigate for users. Like I said before the application offers a wide variety of recipes from the KraftFoods website. Once the user clicks on the application in the apps window the user is presented with five options to choose from:

Recipe of the Day - This is where everyday a recipe is showcased. This is good because there are so many recipes on the KraftFoods website, it can be easy to overlook a good one.

Browse Recipes - This option allows the user to search the recipes.

Dinner Tonight - This options allows the user to pick a recipe for preparation.

Simple Shortcuts - This option shares tips that the user can use when preparing the meal.

Snacks & Treats - This is pretty self-explanatory. This option allows the user to browse through snacks and dessert recipes.
The last option, Cooking Videos, is the most helpful one because the user can watch videos of the meals being prepared by professional chefs. This can help if the user wants to actually make the recipe while referring to the video for assistance.

Another feature that the user can choose is to look at the recipe ingredients. If the user does not have all of the recipe ingredients the user can find a store near them using only the application to buy the ingredients. In the application there is a store locater and information on what stores have what is needed and where it is located within the store.
The application also has nutritional information on all of the recipes such as calories, fat, sugar, serving size, etc. In addition the user can see how long it takes to make each recipe.

The application basically functions like an electronic recipe book in that it allows the user to search for recipes using the KraftFoods recipe database. The user can edit their list of recipes and add new ones. The application also allows ways for users to find the ingredients that they need to make the recipe. All recipes on the IFood application have appealing pictures of the finished product. There are also reviews of the recipes as well so the user can know how others liked the recipes.

The Android Bar Code Scanner App is an application programming interface (api) that allows cell phone owners with the Android mobile operating system to scan an item's bar code to get more information on the item. Since bar codes are used in stores everywhere to quickly inventory and process the purchase of the item, this simplifies the search for information on it.

How does the Android Bar Code Scanner App work?

The Android Bar Code Scanner App is simple to install. Most of the work is done by the already installed Android Bar Code Scanner Application programming interface. All the cell phone owner has to do is go to Android.com, Google's dedicated website for the Android mobile operating system and Google's new Nexus One smart phone. Just go into the Android market, select a bar code scanner application and download it. Once it is installed, the cell phone's camera lens becomes the scanner. Just scan the bar code of the item and the Google Product Search for Android will gather the requested information in a few seconds. It will work with 1 dimension and 2 dimension bar codes.

How will the Android Bar Code Scanner App help users?

The Android Bar Code Scanner App will be a great personal assistant for its users. The major limit on its uses and benefits will be the imagination of the user. Over time, as the user becomes more familiar with the app, more and more uses will be discovered. Some of the users with computer programming skills will develop new programs for the Android Bar Code Scanner App that will expand the utility of the application.

The most popular use of the Android Bar Code Scanner App is comparison shopping. With the bar code scanner's ability to access the Google Product Search function, product information is readily accessible. Google Product Search will not only retrieve information on the product, it can even find the same product in nearby stores without leaving the store where the scan was done. It can also search for the product at online venders such as Amazon.com, Half.com and Ebay. For books, it can search local libraries for the book's availability as well. Not only can the Google Product Search provide the specifications and uses for the product, it will also suggest similar products that compete with the original product. Their locations and prices will be provided on a comparison basis.

If the cell phone owner finds an item of interest online, either at a home, work or public computer, the item can still be scanned and the same information retrieved from the bar code on the item's image on the monitor.

The Google Sky Maps Android app is a true marvel of modern technology and simple usage. With this app a mobile device owner can discover the wonder and beauty of the night sky simply by positioning themselves and pointing their mobile phone toward space.

By utilizing the Android phone’s location and orientation sensors you can be shown a star map for the local area. Every star, planet, and constellation within the phone’s point of view that is currently known to man and able to be seen by modern technology will appear in a brilliantly detailed map on the phone’s display.

The mobile device owner can take the time to explore the local area of their galaxy by looking up and learning the names and locations of objects on a cosmic scale. With this android app astronomy can become a simple hobby based on charted and known space. Anywhere in the world with a view of the night sky will allow the owner of this app to find and discover the stars and other heavenly bodies beyond their view.

In conclusion this Android app is the perfect addition to any mobile phone. It can turn a normal run-of-the-mill night into a night of beauty and celestial discovery. There is much to be discovered out in the wider universe and this app allows the owner of a cell phone it is installed upon to be part of the wonders of that discovery.

It is said that leaning starts at home. This Android app is a pertinent reminder of the truth of that statement.

Alice

Alice is an Android app that centers its purpose on locating local events of interest for the social oriented individual. With this app a mobile device owner can find any gig such as concerts and the various music stars of interest that will be performing in a nearby venue.

The app can be configured readily to create a detailed watch list for anything of specific interest or the Alice android app can be set to automatically create one based on the music artists listed on your mobile device. If the mobile device owner has a LastFM account that automatic watch list can also be created utilizing that data as well.

Of further interest is the fact the owner of the Alice app can search or browse for events and artists in the manner of a regular gig guide. They can view maps of the area to locate the venue, buy tickets, send or receive email about events and look for artists in a similar genre among other things.

The Alice Android app is connected to both LastFM and BandsInTown. This provides excellent event coverage and allows up to the minute changes in venue and scenario.

This Android app is for any individual that loves going to concerts or at the very least enjoys being the hub of the social scene when it comes to doling out information regarding upcoming events. A mobile device owner that enjoy music and concerts can’t go wrong with purchasing this little gig guide gem.

Trip Journal

We used this app on a recent trip to New Hampshire skiing. Worked great for easly logging the trip. There are two versions. A free one and paid. The free version is a bit limited, but works fine.

I tend to put non work related apps in the Best Droid Apps category. I'm sure some may find other apps more useful for work and business travel.

Trip Journal is an app dedicated to logging your vacation and the experiences you had on them. You can store them and share them with your friends to allow them the full blow-by-blow coverage of everything you did while away.

With Trip journal, an android app, you can track you travel route, take your photos and notes to attach them to specific trip files, and record your individual waypoints along the way. You can further visualize this previously recorded information and even follow yourself from your specific position en-route via real time on Google Maps.

Trip Journal allows the mobile device owner to send real time updates from the places they are visiting. These journal entries can be sent via well designed KMZ files that can also be viewed via Google Earth. Further you can export vacation or other trip photos to an album you create on Picasa Web.

The features of this Android app are as follows:

* Track your travel route

* Record way points

* Take your photos, notes, and statistics then attach them to a trip file

* Uses Google Maps to follow your progress and allows for the exporting of KMZ files to Picasa, Flickr, and even Facebook.

This travel app is the perfect thing for long trips, or simply keeping information about your vacations. A picture of that nice guy or girl someone met on their road trip can easily be combined with a short information screen, with such information as name, number, and anything else of interest.

Please lets us know what you think of this Droid Application or any other Android App you use while traveling!

As part of Googles Local Search Project "Near Me Now" has been launched.

Need that cup of coffee or 5 star restaurant in a unfamiliar city? Near Me Now has you covered. Simply enable privacy and location options on your mobile phone and let this function do the work.

"Near me now" was designed to address two user problems. First, to make it fast and easy to find out more about a place in your immediate vicinity, whether you're standing right in front of a business or if it's just a short walk away. For example, you may want to know what other customers think about a restaurant before you go inside or what they have been raving about on the menu before you order. By selecting the "Explore right here" option, you can find out more about a place "right here" with just a few clicks.

"Near me now" is currently available in the US for iPhone (OS 3.x) or Android-powered devices with version 2.0.1 or later. You must first enable location in order for "Near me now" to appear, and "Explore right here" works only if the phone provides location accuracy within approximately a city block.
Full Story

Did you get lucky and get a Android Based Phone for the Holidays? For those who did congratulations and welcome to the future.

When you first open your phone and turn it on for the first time it can be a little overwhelming. The Android based phones have so many capabilities that it will take time to take full advantage of everything available.

Before going crazy and downloading every app you find there are a couple things to do. First see what version of Android you are running. The first batches shipped with early versions. Eris are shipped with 1.6 and Droids are shipped with 2.0.0. Both these phones have updates available. Once the phone is turned on navigate to settings>about phone. At the bottom you look for "Firmwire". If you don't see the latest version you need to update. Check Android 2.0.1 Eclair Update Post.

Next task that is important is to conserve battery life. We have had the Droid A855 running multiple apps while browsing and listening to music all at the same time. Though the device does perform for hours like that we don't suggest it being done constantly. Remember batteries can only perform so much and have a life span.

Take steps to conserve battery life by turning down the brightness to start with. Next grab a task killer from the Android Market. Also if you are not using the GPS and are in WiFi range shut off the GPS Location and connect via WiFi.

Once you have your phone ready start thinking about what you need to do and search the Android Market place from your Droid. PC and Mac users get a limited view of the app store. You will be surprised what you will find. You will find a app for just about anything.

We have a couple posts that will help with getting started. Here's 10 Free Droid Apps and a list of Twitter Android Apps to get you going.

Not only do you have one of the most powerful smartphones ever built you belong to a community. We highly recommend visiting the Android Developers site. You will find the news feed in the footer of our site. Also try grabbing the RSS Feed for updates from us.

We recommend that you only purchase accessories for The Droid from Verizon Wireless. This device is new and only a few OEM products are available for now. We have heard some bad things about none OEM accessories. Example would be Docking Stations. Some reportedly don't charge the phone. Be safe and buy direct from Verizon or Motorola.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

Once you have your Droid coming to grips of what to do with it takes a little time. Its a lot to digest at first. Though there are thousands of app and things you can do with the Droid we all need to start somewhere.

Here's 10 free apps we have used and can recommend to get started.

We are big users of twitter around here. Twidroid is a full-featured twitter client application built on the android platform with features like native photo posting, location support, auto-completion, a fully integrated notification system and the latest news from twitter buzz.

Twidroid is just one twitter app though. We found over 20 twitter applications and will try to review as many as possible real soon. Twifroid is the favorite so far.

A good weather app is a must. The authority of the weather in the USA id the Weather Channel. They are known for having alerts for places like Hurricane Alley. Users can sign up for weather alert sent via email, SMS or subscribe to a rss feed.

Whether you're planning your week, your day, or the next hour, The Weather Channel delivers the tools you need to be prepared. From customizable weather maps to video forecasts and severe weather alerts, The Weather Channel has you covered.

Don't  pay for ring tones when you can create your own for free! Ringdroid lets you edit any MP3 on your phone or record a new sound and turn it into a ring tone, alarm, or notification. The only graphical waveform editor you'll find on a phone!  Works great.

My Tracks Record GPS routs. Monitor your performance. My Tracks enables you to record GPS tracks and view live statistics while hiking, biking, running or participating in other outdoor activities. Once recorded, you can share your tracks with friends, upload them to Google Spreadsheets, and visualize them on Google My Maps.This app is great for walking anywhere. Its not just for hiking in the woods.

Hungry ? BooRah offers comprehensive ratings and summaries for local restaurants. Search for restaurants in over 10,000 cities across US. The unique "Boo" and "Rah" rating system analyzes nearly 2,500,000 reviews from various review sources to tell you what's good and bad about a restaurant.

I use this for several hours and love it. CardioTrainer is your training partner for running, cycling, hiking, and other cardio fitness activities. * Real-time pedometer-guided GPS * Records path, climb, pace, calories & uploads to website * Trainer voice output * Race against your previous tracks(premium) * Autopause * Music integration. It is still in beta, but works great.

Do you have a Wordpress blog? With wpToGo, you can blog while mobile! Features include creating and editing existing posts using text, images, tags and categories to multiple WordPress accounts, as well as viewing comments and post previews - all while on the go.

Addicted to CraigsList. Looking for a place to live? Want to find that rare vinyl to spin this weekend? Maybe a new car? Search craigSlist easily with this app. Save your favorite searches and set them as alerts. Save listings and email them to your friend.

Keep Track of your teams. SportsTap is the ultimate mobile sports portal. Access all the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA Football & Basketball, NASCAR, Golf, Tennis, Soccer and Futbol scores and stats from anywhere, or follow local teams wherever you are on LocalTap. NEW with 2.0, by popular demand: Favorite Team Notifications and a home screen Widget!

We all need music right. Use DroidLive to stream music and online radio. Supports m3u, pls, mp3, mp4, mp4a and mpeg audio formats. Search, organize, tag, and save your favorite streams for easy access any time you want to rock out. Official partner of SHOUTcast.

All these apps and 1000's more can be found in Android Apps Market on your Droid and Android OS based phones. You can see a partial list at android.com