My favorite part of using an Android phone is how it integrates with my Google account. I use a lot of Google’s products such as Gmail and Google Calendar. Any appointment on my calendar or any email in my inbox is always in sync between the phone and my account. The Blackberry Storm required a plug-in or order to sync the calendar with Google and would always duplicate or mess up the events on my calendar. I tell people that if they use Gmail and want a smart phone that they should get an Android phone. Android can pull email from other sources and will even sync with Microsoft Exchange server.
My Favorite Applications (Apps)
Here are some of the apps I use the most on my phone.
Astrid
Astrid (weloveastrid.com) is a task list manager that I have been using as my to do list. You can set up reminders, set priorities and even sync with RemembertheMilk.com if you have an account with them. Right now Astrid hosts my ever growing list of things to get done around the house.
Locale
Locale can change settings on your phone based on conditions you set up. You tell Locale that when it sees you are at the movies it can silence your ringer. I also use Locale to turn off alerts and leave on only the ringer at night so that new emails do not wake anyone up. Ringer volume is not the only setting it can change. I also have it turn the Wi-Fi on based at home and at work but have it off when I’m away from either location. Note that this app was free when I first got it as it was in beta. It is now $9.99.
Google Sky Map
Google Sky Maps uses the camera, GPS and compass in the phone to show you what constellation you are looking at. I do not use this app a lot. However, it is an app that I show off the most to people. The rare times I do use it are when I am trying to see what planet is shining brightly in the night sky.
Twidroid
Twidroid seems to be the most popular Android app for Twitter. I admit that I have not used any other ones but I find that Twidroid does everything I need for posting to and reading from Twitter. They have a paid pro version but I find the free version to be more than enough.
DroidLight
DroidLight was made by Motorola for use on the Droid. It does one thing: turns the LED camera flash on so you can use it as a flash light. The interface is simple, just turn tap the light bulb to turn the light on and off. I find this a lot better than the flashlight apps out there that just make your screen all white.
