HootSuite For Android [Review]

Untitled

There are a list of twitter apps for android each having their own pros and cons. Yesterday Hootsuite released HootSuite for Android and welcomed the robots.

Despite worldwide adoration, the HootSuite iPhone App seemed a bit lonely. So the thoughtful developers went back to the factory to build more robots including HootSuite for Android. In fact, they had so much fun, they made Lite (free) robots too.

HootSuite is a professional Twitter client that lets users manage their entire twitter experience from an easy – to – use interface. Business users are mostly fond of it as you could schedule tweets and look at data from the ow.ly links. There are two versions of the HootSuite for Android application, the free (lite) and the full version. Both the free and full versions feature multiple accounts with the lite being limited to only three accounts. Plus there is on-board click-through statistics tracking to see what’s working in (almost) real-time available in the full featured version only. The good thing about HootSuite is that it syncs your web profile to the phone :) .

Streams:

You have the option after you login to view whichever stream you want. Home Feed, Mentions, Direct Message (inbox) and Sent, it all depends on the settings of your web application. It’s a real simple way of getting access  to your streams to view tweets. The overall layout of  HootSuite is clean, similar to Seesmic’s layout. I could see that they really had fun creating this application. With the flick of your finger (right or left) you could go through all of your streams with ease.

Profiles:

Having the ability to view a follower’s profile is very convenient. The layout makes each section accessible with a tab to view. The tabs are as follows the Profile, Timeline, Mentions, Following stats, Follower Stats, Favorites and List. You have full access to a person’s profile all within this application.

Scheduling Tweets:

hootsuite15 hootsuit14

Scheduling tweets is an easy way to tweet while you away from your computer. HootSuite utilizes the same methods from it’s online web app, schedule for later. I’ve used it and it works as said, no glitches and no late tweets. If you see a tweet and you don’t have the time to retweet it save it for later :) .

Posting a Tweet and Retweeting:

hootsuite6 hootsuite7

It’s easy as 1-2-3 and send. Tweeting using the HootSuite App is very easy. Unlike seesmic you could see a calendar icon which allows you to schedule your tweets, it also has a camera icon and a link shortener icon both of these are on the seesmic app. You can edit your Retweet and see how many characters you have remaining.

Unmasking a Shortened Link:

hootsuite

I noticed that all links are unmasked to give you the full link  an excellent feature of HootSuite for Android. I will know if the link is broken or if it is spam. Thumbs up on that feature HootSuite!!

This is a roundup on the HootSuite for Android application.

Pros:

  • Clean Layout and UI
  • Very User Friendly
  • A lot of Options
  • Schedule for later
  • Unmasking links
  • Updates fast
  • Syncs web profile to phone app

Cons:

  • There are no cons at this moment well in my humble opinion if you do find a con please comment to let me know.

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion and in no way did I receive compensation for this application review.

Bookmark and Share
Posted by Vandy P under Phones, Reviews on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 17:42 3 Comments

How I Use My Android Phone (Pt.1)

A few months ago I posted about some cool apps for your windows phone, today I will be doing the same for Android. Its been about 2 months since I’ve had my Moto Droid and I have to say I am still in love with it. Upon the request of a friend I will share with you a few of the apps I consider to be a must have. Android is gaining users and I welcome my friend and Designer Jerlyn…she just moved over to the dark side ;) .

While the Android Market is  not as big as the Apple App Store, there are still applications to choose from. Some of them very useful while others less could be said of them. Here is part one on how I use my Android phone.

Astro File Manager

Once you mount your phone to your computer and gain access to the SD card you could drag files onto the card, so you could take them with you. However, there is no native way of accessing that card via your phone. That is where Astro File Manager comes in. It is a simple application that gives you access to your SD to view the files that you transferred over from your computer. device5

WaveSecure

Wave Secure is an application that could be used to backup SMS, contacts and call logs. It is an alternative to MobileMe for the iPhone that could be used to lock down your phone if stolen, and also wipe data. Its an  easy and simple way for me to backup my info.

device19 device20 device31 device32

Dolphin Browser:

When I got my Droid about a week later they confirmed that it was a multi-touch device also. Sometimes I hated to double tap just to zoom so I got the Dolphin browser app. It is fast, very responsive and it renders web pages with ease, though you know it could make do with some improvements. Its no Safari Mobile browser but its still something :) .

device17

PdaNet:

In order to tether on an Android phone one has the option to root their phone (Only people willing to brick their phones should attepmt) or to purchase PdaNet for $29.00. I can attest that it works…well maybe not for the Sprint customers. Remember however even though your plan says unlimited please be careful what you use your tethering abilities to do.

**Update**

PdaNet is working on the Sprint Network

device18

Flixster:

Everytime I think of a movie and what time should I go I always use the app flixster. It is a simple way of finding out which movies are out, which movies are blockbusters, which movies are coming out the current week.

device9 device39

Wordpress For Android:

Since its release I have to say that this application is essential for on the go blogging. It is very easy to use and creating a post and reviewing comments. It is a must have if you are a wordpress blogger.

device11 device12 device13

Shazam:

Shazam is a funny name for an app I must say, but it’s an app that works. No longer do you have to rely on Verizon’s V-Cast app just to be able to identify that song. Its a plus especially if I hear something I like I could get it right away and use it with my Spotify app.

device21 device33 device34 device35

Spotify:

The release of this application has not been announced and there are quite a few of us waiting for its release here in the US. Having an offline playlist and even the ability to search and play on the go is a plus. I love using it with shazam to discover new music on the go.

device36 device37 device3 device38

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion and in no way did I receive compensation for these application reviews.

Bookmark and Share
Posted by Vandy P under Phones, Reviews on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 10:25 2 Comments

Mobile Defense [Review]

mobiledefense3 As I mentioned in a previous post, I loved Apple’s implementation of MobileMe locate and find for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. To see companies create apps for the other phones that could compete with MobileMe locate and find is actually great. On my Samsung Omnia I used LookOut Beta which I will review later on for you. Which brings me to talk about Mobile Defense.

Mobile Defense is an application now in its beta form for Android Phones. I’ve seen where people refer to it as the Lojack for Android as that is what it does. I am really impressed by this application, praying that I do not have to actually use it one day, it could be a great app to have on your phone.

 

Locate and Find: 

mobiledefense

The locate and find feature states that it will take up to 4 minutes to find your location. However it depends solely on the GPS transmitting your location. A text message is also sent to your phone which enables Mobile Defense to connect to your phone and your GPS to activate. Surprisingly it gives you a very accurate location so you know exactly where it is.

Details:

mobiledefense2

Once you click on the details option the tracking details are shown. You could view the location info, the phone status and the location providers. It gives you a very detailed tracking information, which is impressive. You could email yourself the information or simple close the box.

Alert:

mobiledefense4  mobiledefense1

You do have the option to play a sound (which is LOUD) and send a message or require a pin to unlock and send a message. Both are very effective and should aid with finding your phone. Only one issue it could be deactivated when pressing the back button :( . Hopefully they will address this problem.

Lock and Unlock:

Speaks for itself, it unlocks and locks the phone remotely. So if you have the pattern lock it will unlock your phone. One other issue it removes the pattern lock.

Mobile Defense is a very comprehensive app that could help with the easy recovery of your phone. With room for errors I should say, it is indeed a great application, with only a few minor issues. So it is therefore a great app to keep handy. If you hold your phone as close to your body as I do I doubt you will need it, its however better to be safe than sorry.

Bookmark and Share
Posted by Vandy P under My life, Phones, Random Thoughts on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 08:03 2 Comments

How I use my Windows Mobile Phone Part 1

Many people own a Smartphone and not many own a Windows Mobile phone. For the few who do some are having a hard time getting things to work as they want them too. Some of the major complaints one might hear is the UI and programs are just not user friendly. Or they keep on getting issues such as battery power drainage or they just got a bad phone period. My very first Smartphone was a Treo 750 I used to love it until due to AT&T’s crappy network all of my calls were being dropped. So I then moved over to the HTC Kaiser which is an awesome phone. Touch screen, GPS, and could hold up to 32 GB of expanded memory, not that 32GB is available right now. Currently I now own a Samsung Omnia i910 and I have to say I am quite satisfied with it. It’s no iPhone but it does a lot for me and I consider it my computer away from home.

Today what I am going to show you is how I use my phone and some useful apps that you could find all over the web. Programs that will give you  the full experience of both your unlimited data plan and the  phone itself. There are not many apps out there  like the iPhone… and to get that kind of  experience I got the touch instead :P . Back to the Windows Mobile phone, even with less apps it is still a great phone and I have found quite a few programs that are very useful.

My Mobiler :

My Mobiler is an app that enables you to connect your WinMO phone to the computer. It gives one the ability to use their keyboard and mouse to send text messages and to write notes, best of all the screen shots. Go ahead give it a try link.image

Clear Temp:

Like every computer a phone has cache and some cookie savers that could somewhat slow down your phone after some heavy surfing if you know what I mean. From using apps that take up some memory, looking at links from your pocket twit app, to watching YouTube videos all of those activities create useless memory usage. That is where Clear Temp comes in handy. This little app basically removes all unnecessary things that are cluttering your system. Give Clear Temp a try.

image

Internet Sharing:

Do I dare mention the Internet Sharing application that comes in very handy when there is no free network around? Ok I guess I will mention it. The internet sharing app is a god-send not only does it give me the ability to share the internet via Bluetooth pan or USB I can assure you that its fast. That is why I love my mobile phone, tethering is a breeze I have been doing it for 3 years if you catch my drift ;) . Some phone companies actually leave this application installed while others like Verizon Wireless remove it. You do know of course that there is a hookup somewhere to get it back :Dimage

Gmail Application :

Many Windows Mobile phone come with the capability to install Java based apps. The Omnia however is another story and so I searched for an app which would allow me to install Gmail on my phone. Yeah I could use the Microsoft email app but I am used to my Gmail.

gmail

Searching online forums will help there is so much information out there. I am happy with it as I have an almost desktop like experience with my Gmail. Search for the pack GC Java Pack.

PMRecorder:

If you think that you are going to call me and blackmail me I have news for you, this call is being recorded for quality assurance and for saving my butt if you try anything mister. This app comes in very handy. No I do not use it all the time only for certain important calls where people put you under the bus because they get into trouble that is my life saver.

image

Microsoft My Phone:

If you are like me one who loves to flash their phone with a new cooked rom then this application is for you. In terms of being free, it has the capability to sync text, contacts, photos and other important information that you may have on your phone. I do not use it to sync my contacts instead I use Google Sync which syncs my calendar and contacts on Google Voice, my Google Calender and if I have another phone it will sync to that one as well. They are very handy keep them in mind. You will never have to worry about losing a contact again.

image

So these are some of the applications on my phone for now. More to come later as everyday I am finding something new. I hope you found the list helpful for some of the apps. Remember Google is your best friend whenever you have a problem, or you need a program. He is always there to make your day.

Bookmark and Share
Posted by Vandy P under My life, Phones, Random Thoughts on Sunday, July 5th, 2009 at 00:06 No Comments

A little Video

This is just a short video about the Samsung Omnia.Just a closer view of physical features of the phone.

Bookmark and Share
Posted by Vandy P under Phones, Videos on Monday, February 23rd, 2009 at 23:16 No Comments
Copyright © 2008 - Vandy Russ the Lucky Gadget Girl - Is proudly powered by Wordpress