James Fridley http://jamesfridley.com Analytical Researcher | Early Adopter | Global Citizen | Asia/Japan Specialist | Social Integrator Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:46:51 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Samba Filesharing http://jamesfridley.com/2011/samba-filesharing/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/samba-filesharing/#comments Fri, 27 May 2011 02:40:48 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=1397 Samba FilesharingThere are occasions when you might have left your cable at home and you want to copy files to or from your android phone… At such times you’ll be glad to have access to the Samba Filesharing app. While it is yet another app that will require a rooted phone, it is well worth the functionality provided.

App Features

  • Access your Android device over wifi as a Windows shared folder.
  • Samba filesharing server for Android.
  • Your Android device becomes visible to other Windows (& SMB compatible) computers on your network.
  • The ‘external’ storage in your Android device is accessible as a network shared folder.
  • Copy files and folders to and from your Android device using drag and drop.
  • Customizable username, password, Windows workgroup name, and device network (NETBIOS) name.

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/samba-filesharing/feed/ 0 Unified Remote Full http://jamesfridley.com/2011/unified-remote-full/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/unified-remote-full/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 03:11:37 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=1390 Microsoft Trackball ExplorerIn a desperate search to replace my (now very well aged) Microsoft Trackball Explorer, I started looking for a replacement, quickly finding a wireless trackball mouse that was not sold at any store near me. After getting the back of my head slapped (virtually) by @franksting ….

trackballs? How 90s. Get a trackpad, join the 21st century

… I looked up trackpads, and the various available options. Seconds later the realisation that my Nexus One was destined to be my new remote control finally hit me.

In the past 30min I have downloaded and tried 7 different apps that claim to be the best wifi/bluetooth virtual remote/mouse/trackpad…. Amazingly enough… they could not all be true. While there are undoubtedly apps I have not tried yet, the pick of the (tested) crop I have found is “Unified Remote Full“.

Unified RemoteThe main reason I chose this app above the others was the long list of specifically supported programs (like VLC, Chrome, iTunes, etc) that it had already mapped remotes for. I also love their implementation of the trackpad which actually works (which after my testing period of other apps seemed to be a rarity…).

App Features

  • WiFi (TCP/UDP)
  • Bluetooth
  • Easy server and app setup
  • Comprehensive server manager
  • Automatic server detection
  • Clear connection troubleshooting
  • Custom/Android keyboard support
  • Single/Multi touch mouse
  • Hardware volume control
  • Quick Switch using swipe gestures
  • Quickly change servers
  • Auto-pause media for phone calls
  • Homescreen shortcuts to remotes
  • Wake On Lan
  • Server password protection
  • 256-bit AES encryption

REMOTES IN FREE AND FULL VERSION

  • Basic Input
  • File Manager
  • Keyboard
  • Media
  • Power
  • Slide Show
  • Spotify
  • Start
  • Task Manager
  • Windows Media Center
  • Windows Media Player
  • VLC (Keyboard)
  • YouTube

REMOTES IN FULL VERSION ONLY

  • Boxee (Keyboard)
  • Boxee (Web)
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • foobar2000
  • Internet Explorer
  • iTunes
  • J River Media Center
  • Media Portal
  • MediaMonkey
  • MPC HC
  • Opera
  • Picasa
  • PowerPoint Advanced
  • PowerPoint Basic
  • Winamp
  • Windows Photo Viewer
  • VLC (Web)
  • XBMC (Keyboard)
  • XBMC (Web)
  • XBMC Media

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/unified-remote-full/feed/ 0 White Noise http://jamesfridley.com/2011/white-noise/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/white-noise/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 05:29:47 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=1020 White NoiseI sometimes have trouble turning my brain off. In those instances this app has been a lifesaver. It has 40 ambient sounds to help you relax or sleep.

App Features

  • Audio background service
  • Sound shutoff timer
  • Multiple alarms
  • Sound controls
  • High quality looping sounds like ocean waves, rain storms, running stream, etc.

Install directly from Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/white-noise/feed/ 0 SketchBook Mobile http://jamesfridley.com/2011/sketchbook-mobile/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/sketchbook-mobile/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 05:24:02 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=1017 SketchBook MobileHaving the ability to sketch on a mobile platform such as Android is great. While there are a heap of apps out there that will enable you to do it, this app makes the process professional. It has a full set of sketching tools and the deeper options within the app make it worthwhile (no, it is not free).

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/sketchbook-mobile/feed/ 0 Twicca (Twitter) http://jamesfridley.com/2011/twicca-twitter/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/twicca-twitter/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 05:16:37 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=1014 TwiccaIf you use Twitter on an Android, then you need to install Twicca. In my opinion it is the best twitter app available. One of the nicest things about this app are the add-ons that have been created to integrate even greater functionality.

Some of the add-ons I have installed

App Features

  • Notification
  • Auto pager
  • Search
  • Post with photo/video upload(yfrog)
  • Shorten URL
  • Geo tagging
  • Saved searches
  • Recent hashtags
  • Reply history
  • Lists
  • Retweet
  • Color label
  • Managing twitter profile
  • Trending topics
  • Local trends
  • Extending function by plug-in
  • Widget
  • Uploading profile icon
  • Report for spam
  • Block user
  • Image Preview
  • Geotagging with map preview
  • Tweet filtering(Mute)

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/twicca-twitter/feed/ 0 TripView Sydney http://jamesfridley.com/2011/tripview-sydney/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/tripview-sydney/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 03:51:50 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=1005 TripViewIf you live in Sydney, this is a MUST have app. Gives you access to updated time tables for the CityRail network. Works brilliantly!

App Features

  • Full timetable viewer
  • All timetable data is stored locally on your phone
  • Download timetable updates from within the app
  • Scrolling CityRail style display
  • Trackwork / service interruption information
  • Interactive maps (create your trip by clicking on your station/stop)

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/tripview-sydney/feed/ 0 Pew Pew http://jamesfridley.com/2011/pew-pew/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/pew-pew/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 03:38:51 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=999 Pew Pew 2Ever feel the need to destroy brightly colours geometrically shaped objects? This is the game for you. Heaps of fun to be had with this one, though I do look forward to trying it out on a tablet. Sometimes this game can be frustrating as the controls are in the corners of the screen and can block your view… Otherwise…. brilliant fun..

App Features

  • There are seven game modes, a campaign with 3 levels of difficulties so even the weakes… *AHEM* So even the strongest of you will have some challenge!

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/pew-pew/feed/ 0 Titanium Backup * root * http://jamesfridley.com/2011/titanium-backup-root/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/titanium-backup-root/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 03:01:26 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=987 Titanium BackupAs someone who regularly updates my ROM, I am repeatedly forced to restore all of the apps and data from a previous install. This app allows me to do that and more. One of the best features is being able to schedule backups so that it happens automatically. I also purchased the pro version of this app and as the name would suggest, it is only for devices that have been rooted.

App Features

  • Backup, restore, freeze (with Pro) your apps + data + Market links
  • Supports protected and system apps
  • Batch/scheduled backups
  • 0-click batch restores, Dropbox sync, conversion between user <=> system apps, Dalvik cleaner

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/titanium-backup-root/feed/ 0 Newsrob (Google Reader / RSS) http://jamesfridley.com/2011/newsrob-google-reader-rss/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/newsrob-google-reader-rss/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 02:42:34 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=983 NewsrobI read a tonne of articles via my Google Reader… I mean a massive amount… and when I am on the go I rely on Newsrob to give me access to my feeds. I think it does an awesome job of just that. Also has a Pro version…

App Features

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/newsrob-google-reader-rss/feed/ 0 Stellar Escape http://jamesfridley.com/2011/stellar_escape/ http://jamesfridley.com/2011/stellar_escape/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 02:35:37 +0000 James http://jamesfridley.com/?p=980 Stellar EscapeEvery device needs to have a game on it (or more likely a few games..) to help pass the time. This one is an awesome pick, not because it is free (as it is not free), but because provides challenging levels that can be finished in under 30secs (if you are awesome of course). More over it is just fun…

App Features

  • High resolution graphics
  • OpenFeint leaderboards and achievements
  • 15 challenging levels in 5 different environments
  • Endless mode with two difficulties
  • Install to SD card supported

Install directly from the Android Market

]]> http://jamesfridley.com/2011/stellar_escape/feed/ 0