An Actual USABLE Car Dock app, IG 88 Car Home! #IG_88 #Car_Home #Car_Dock #Review #Motorola #Droid
Posted by sherri @ 9:22 pm in Accessories Android Reviews.
Ever go into a store without really needing anything? Wander the aisles for a while and something catches your eye? Figure "what the heck...it's returnable"? Even better, the item is on sale? I have done this in "brick and mortar" stores more time than I can count. Returns end up being a pain because you need a receipt, have to drive to the store, waste gas, time, etc...Yesterday, I did this in the Android Market. Not only did something catch my eye, it was FREE, and ends up being an app that has me thinking: "How did I live WITHOUT this???"
The app that currently has me in awe is simply called "IG 88 Car Home". This app is a replacement for the current "Car Home" screen that pops up when your phone is put into the car dock. This app allows you to put 6 apps (of your choosing) onto the screen. LARGE, EASY TO TAP buttons! While the native "Car Home" app looks nice, I personally find the buttons that are pre-installed useless. The "Voice Search" button requires you read the screen and "tap" to confirm choices, if and when it understands your choice at all. This is not only illegal here, but dangerous as well. "Navigation" and "View Map" buttons are fine. "Contacts" and "Search" both require multiple taps to confirm, and in the 6 months I am using the Droid, both are completely unusable while driving. On the original "Car Home" screen, there is a "Home" icon, which takes you to you default home screen. This is what I have been using when docked, because the app I always want to see on my screen is "Choice Dialer", which I have written about before, and makes the phone respond to voice prompts. The problem here, as the screen shot shows, is that these buttons are small!
Along comes "Car Home", by IG 88 Apps. Problem solved. This allows up to 5 screens, which can be navigated through by swiping sideways, or by tapping the "dots" on the bottom or side of the screen. I have only used one so far, as the 6 apps I have put there are the ones that I use most while driving. 6 easy to tap, easy to see, easy to load apps! Additionally, you can change the icons for these app to any .png or .jpg file you want. I haven't had a chance to do this yet. After a minute on the screen, the phone goes into "screen saver" mode, which you can load with any widget available. I use a digital clock for mine. You can see from the "Settings" screenshot that this feature can be disabled if you would like. A simple "tap" on the screen of the phone wakes it back up, bringing you back to the "Car Home" screen. Adding/deleting and moving apps and shortcuts is as simple as "long tap".
The app can be found free on the market. Get it here.
Droid 2.1 Upgrade *Review* #Droid #Upgrade #2.1 #Review
Posted by sherri @ 8:53 pm in Android Motorola Droid Nexus One Reviews.
As most of you know, the OS on the Motorola Droid was "upgraded" OTA within the last 2 weeks from 2.01 to 2.1. By now, everyone should have been notified that the over the air update was available. My notice came a week ago. I have not (nor will I) "root" the phone, and I wasn't brave enough to attempt to do this manually, although it had been available a few days before I got the "official" notice. I did the OTA last Sunday morning, and have been running 2.1 since.
That out of the way, I would like to know WHY this is considered an upgrade. It was supposed to increase the screens from 3 to 5, like on the Nexus. It was supposed to have a 3D app drawer. It was supposed to be stable. It was supposed to increase battery life. It was supposed to have "Live Wallpapers", which according to the media, was made to sound like it was the best thing to happen to man since the invention of toilet paper.
Well, 1 for 5 isn't too bad....It does have Live Wallpapers! Ever hear the saying: "If you can't Bedazzle them them with brilliance, Baffle them with bullsh*t"??? Seriously, while the Live Wallpaper are a "nifty little feature", it is simply bells and whistles. Do not get me wrong. This "looks" great. The live wallpapers available on the market are free (most of them), but again, not really needed. If you have not "rooted" the phone, all apps are stored on the main memory, and the wallpapers take up space. The also drain the battery, so in effect, they defeat one of the reasons for the "upgrade" in the first place!
The phone still has only 3 homescreens. I use Panda2 Homescreen replacement, and have 11! I can also use any .png file as an icon, and there are many icon packs available. As for the 3D app drawer, it was available using a launcher application on 2.01. Worked quite well. 2.1 "upgrade" left out this eye candy, and causes an endless loop of FC if you try to use the previously installed launcher app. The good news (if you really want this app drawer) is that an application is already on the market for it. Bad news? It's going to cost you. As great an app as it is, and taking nothing from the developer, I don't find this "necessary", so I will be skipping it.
As for battery life, one of the "dumber" things I have seen is that prior to this "upgrade", you were able to receive flashing LED notifications, whether your screen was on or off. If I had the phone in the Multi-Media Dock, I could leave the screen on "dim" (to see the clock!), and if I received an e-mail/text/mms or phone call, the flashing light would let me know. This was especially convenient in the car dock, where the screen was on, but I had the radio playing and didn't "hear" notifications come in. The flashing light alerted me. Now, in a flash of "brilliance", this feature is gone. The only time the LED will flash is if your screen is OFF. Are we really saving that much battery life by disabling this feature? Really?
As for stability of the phone, I have seen it restart randomly twice. I wanted to make sure it was the "upgrade" and not any new application, so I uninstalled the Panda2 Homescreen replacement app. It was the only one that I had installed since the upgrade, since it is able to work with the Live Wallpapers, while Panda (the original) Homescreen replacement app does not. Phone did the reboot after the app was removed as well, so as far as I am concerned, it isn't exactly "stable"!
Am I the only one who feels that this phone (with all its bells and whistles) should at least do the basic functions that my daughter's LGEnV2 does? My Motorola Q (WinMo 5!) did? The Chocolate? Almost every other smart and "dumb" phone produced in the last 10 years??? How about BLUETOOTH INITIATED DIALING???
Come on, Android...if you want to bedazzle us, give us some brilliance, please. Keep the rest.
I would love to hear other people's opinions on this.
~sherri
iLuv App Clock *UPDATED* #iPhone #iLuv #Apps @iLuv_World
Posted by ParaCAD @ 6:59 pm in Accessories Apps Misc. Reviews Updated iPhone iPod Touch iTunes.
I just recently downloaded this application, iLuv App Clock(<--iTunes Link). I really LUV it (pun intended). I use it throughout the week to make sure i'm not late to my day job. Unfortunately I still have to work 8-5, what are you gonna do?
Well lets get to the update. This app has been updated with a few new and well chosen features. One such as being able to set your alarm to your own music. I was glad to see this, as i've plenty of songs that make it much easier to wake up to and start my day.
One thing that we all LUV is free, which this app is....So go update if you have it and if not download it.
P.S. - Go check out this accessory as well, the iMM190. It would be a great addition i would think. But i've yet to order mine, but i really want one!
Hey iLuv Creative Technology go ahead and send me an iMM190. I'll watch the mail! 
*Review* iLoader – Multi Image Upload #Facebook #iPhone #iLoader #KyTek
Posted by ParaCAD @ 10:16 am in Apps Reviews iPhone iPod Touch iTunes.
Yesterday rudeboy of TSP gave us an overview of features and functions of iLoader from KyTek Solutions which you can read HERE.
Since I've gotten my copy installed I've been playing with it a bit last night and today. So figured I'd do a review of my thought on the app:
The first screen you see (after you set up your Facebook log in) will be the photo upload screen. Here you can select photos from your camera roll on your iPhone that you want to upload to Facebook. In the screenshot you'll see that I've chosen a couple images to upload, you even as on Facebook, have the option to add tags and captions, which is great!
Next I'll hit the "upload" button to start the process. This will bring you to your actual Facebook photo albums. At this point you choose which album you'd like to add the images to or even create a new album and set its permissions for Facebook. I'm really impressed by the available options in this app. The fact that you can do so much makes it much easier to upload photos to Facebook while mobile. It even will give you the option to view the images you just uploaded with-in the Facebook app.
Going to the Settings tab, you will not find a ton of setting. You will find a few that are a must in any app. Such as being able to turn the "sound alerts" on/off, an iLoader YouTube video tutorial, which i thought was nice and will play right in the iPhone YouTube app, and a FAQ/Support link that will take you to the KyTek Solutions website for help. There's also an option to "Tell a Friend", which I recommend.
So i can say, as much as I am a user of the Facebook app, and how I've always had issue with photo uploading, this new iLoader app has cured my problem. From my experience iLoader works awesome with uploading photos to Facebook!
Link to Free Version: iTunes
Link to Paid Version, $1.99: iTunes
Choice Dialer – Hands Free Dialing for Android #ChoiceDialer #Handsfree #Android #Review
Posted by sherri @ 9:49 pm in Android Motorola Droid Reviews.As most people with Android phones know, one of the biggest complaints is the total lack of ability to do Hands Free Dialing. While the phones do have Voice Search and Voice Dialer, neither of them are quite accurate, and both of them require you to look at the phone and "tap" for a confirmation. Not once in the time I have been using the Android OS has the phone "implemented" the command I wanted. "Call home" should have the phone actually dial "home", no need for anything else to be done. This can now be done by using an application called CHOICE DIALER by Resounding.
Choice Dialer not only allows you to implement a call by voice, but to open apps, enable/disable Bluetooth, shuffle music, play music, schedule appointments and so much more. The accuracy of commands has been amazing for me, as I have been testing this app for the past two weeks. You can set your own "threshold", dependent on if you want to visually and manually check for commands. I have my threshold set relatively low, and Choice Dialer has always been completely accurate.
The oral feedback is one most of us are used to hearing over Bluetooth. The prompt "Call John Doe" is met with "Call John Doe at which number". Reply "at home", and the call is made. I leave my phone in the Motorola Dock in the car. A simple "tap" on the Choice Dialer icon and command "Enable Bluetooth" connects to my headset. (Tapping the headset to initiate a call will not do anything, but that is a failing of Android...) Another "tap" on the Choice Dialer icon, and the phone "listens" for its commands. Once a call in connected, it transfers through the headset. If you have a number you dial that requires a passcode, or extensions, if they are programmed into your contact list correctly, they will be dialed through Choice Dialer correctly. Verizon uses *86 as it's voicemail number, and then requires a password, followed by the # sign in order to retrieve your voicemail. This can be dangerous while driving, especially on a touch screenpad. I have edited the voicemail number in my phone, so it looks like: *86,,xxxx#. The "," act as pauses, and the "x" represent the digits Verizon requires for the password. On Choice Dialer, "call voicemail" initiates the call, pauses and inputs the password. You are connected to you voicemail with one tap, and one verbal command. Brilliant!
A fun feature of Choice Dialer is the "Play Music By..." command. If you are going to use this, you need to also download a program from the market called Choice DJ by Resounding as well. This enables you to tap the Choice Dialer icon, say "Play song .....", "Play ...... playlist", "Play music by ...." and the music plays! If the phone is connected in the car through the stereo, music plays through car speakers.
There are two versions of the Choice Dialer app, "Choice Dialer" and "Choice Dialer Free". The Choice Dialer has many additional features, and I feel it is well worth the $3.00 charge. Choice DJ is free. Choice Dialer actually makes using my mobile phone while MOBILE possible! Thank you, Tone, for this amazing application!
Choice Dialer Free on AndroLib
Review & Giveaway: Sena Cases-Kutu & Ultraslim by @mitchbrevard
Posted by Guest Author @ 4:23 pm in Accessories Android Apple Motorola Droid Reviews iPhone.Today we are featuring two cases from Sena cases. We have the Kutu for the iPhone and the Ultramslim for the Motorola Droid.
Sena Cases:
Kutu for iPhone: $44.95
Ultraslim for Droid: $29.99
Contest Rules:
Must be resident of the United States
Follow TotalSmartPhone on Twitter and/or fan TotalSmartPhone on Facebook
Leave a comment on the Youtube video by following this link. Indicate which case you would like.
Contest will run until Feb 28th. Winner will be announced Mar 1st. Two winners will be picked. Thanks and have a great day.
---Mitch
Tippy – Tip Calculator for iPhone / iPod Review [Productivity] #Tippy #iPhone #iPod #Review
Posted by rudeboy @ 3:37 pm in Reviews iPhone iPod Touch.From iTunes:
Tippy is a spin on the ubiquitous tip calculator. No rolly-wheels here. Just a simple number pad and a next (arrow) button. That's it.
Just type your amount and Tippy instantly calculates the total and the tip amount. Feeling generous? You can tap on the tip percent area or just tap the next button once, then type your percentage. You can even split checks with Tippy. Oh yea, Tippy remembers your last tip amount and supports international currencies. How awesome is that?!
This is the fastest tip calculator i've seen and very easy to use, design is simple, very well done. Just add a few variables and voila you know what to tip. It's free so don't delay, check it out today & let us know your thoughts.
Price: FREE.
Developers web site: return7.com for much more cool iPhone/iPod apps.
Product Review and Giveaway-Dots Gloves by @mitchbrevard #Review #Giveaway #DotsGloves
Posted by Guest Author @ 2:38 pm in Accessories Reviews.
Today's product review is the Dots gloves. Dots make some great gloves that allow you to keep your fingers warm while still using your touchscreen device.
Dots Gloves $15 $20 $25
Contest Rules:
Must be resident of the United States
Follow TotalSmartPhone on Twitter and/or fan TotalSmartPhone on Facebook
Leave a comment on the Youtube video by following this link.
Contest will run through Feb 21st. Winner announced the following week.
Two winners will be picked. If you have a preference in which pair you would like please indicate. Thanks.
---Mitch
Rummikub – Review [Games] #Rummikub #Game #Review @rudeboy
Posted by rudeboy @ 10:12 am in Reviews iPhone iPod Touch.One of the few games on my phone is Rummikub made by Games Factory Online, it's also the game i play the most. It's not the only Rummikub out there for the iPhone / iPod, but from what i have seen it's the one that best resembles the tile game, but more importantly it has the official game rules plus you can change the difficultly and set the time limit per turn.
Some other cool features of Rummikub are;
- 3 levels of difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced.
- Auto tile sorting color, number or sets.
- Single player against four opponents.
Rummikub auto saves your last game, so start a game when you have some time and continue later when you have more spare time, one of the things i personally constantly do.
One of the reasons i really dig the game is it reminds me of the motherland (the Netherlands), i used to play this game a lot with close friends and my family (mainly my mother), coincidentally this games was developed by a Dutch company as well (icing on the cake). Rummikub is not an easy game by any means but as you can see in the above screen shot you should be able to win from time to time, for the time being play the intermediate "level".
In my opinion this game is definitely worth the price of $4.99, i only have one feature i would like to see and that is the ability to play it against another person, either by connecting via WiFi or by passing the iPhone back and forth... other then that a BiG kudos to the developer(s) and thank you for the opportunity to review this great application.
Get it at the App Store today:
Check out the developers web site at GamesFactoryOnline.com.
Verizon Launches VZ Navigator 5.0 by @mitchbrevard #Verizon #VZNavigator
Posted by Guest Author @ 12:30 pm in News Reviews.
I personally have never used VZ Navigator but I know plenty people that have and those that I have talked to love it. It is great for phones that are not able to run Google Maps Navigation. The nice thing about VZ Navigator is the automatic POI (points of interest) and map updates. When you want to update your POIs or maps in your Garmin or TomTom you have to connect these devices to your computer and in most cases pay for these updates. With VZ Navigator these updates are included in your monthly subscription.
What to expect with 5.0 With the newest update you will experience a lot of cool updates.
...impressive enhancements to the existing service that take advantage of location-based technology, including an updated, easy-to-use interface, improved functionality finding points of interest, and the ability to run multiple VZ Navigator functions simultaneously within a navigation session. The service is now integrated with Facebook®, allowing users to keep up with their friends, family and social networks by updating their Facebook statuses directly through VZ Navigator, with the option to include and share their locations. Customers can also use Verizon Wireless’ Roadside Assistance service to send their locations to a dispatcher so assistance may reach them more quickly.
Also included is "Traffic Crowd Sourcing" and "Say It Mode". Traffic Crowd Sourcing is a voluntary opt-in feature that will provide feedback to the network about traffic conditions. This is then updated to the network and used to to provide quicker notifications and improved accuracy for all VZ Navigator users. Say It Mode is available for select BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices. It gives you the ability to speak your destination to your device. Coupling the existing services with the new service VZ Navigator is a powerful application.
VZ Navigator is availble at two price points. An unlimited monthly subscription for $9.99 and a one day use (24 hours) for $2.99. It was launched in January of 2006 and is powered by NAVTEQ and TeleCommunication Systems.
---Mitch