10 Apps to Save You Money

I didn't write it, but I thought it's a useful roundup of apps for Android that are useful, some of which I even personally use.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/10-android-apps-to-help-save-you-time-money.html

AAQR: Samsung Freesync

Image via WikipediaSamsung Freesync seem to be an official utility designed by TouchSoft of Korea, but it feels like an un-official hack.

The app is supposed to be a BT manager for Samsung headsets. I have a SBH600 (BT stereo headphone and headset), and a WEP475, so I want to give it a try.

The app does not recognize an existing connection to my BT headset. It insist I disconnect the BT headset, then reconnect it from within the app.

Once connected, it shows ability to announce caller (doesn't appear unless you reboot phone), read incoming Gmail, read incoming SMS, and read Alarm Event. Lack of volume setting makes the announcement a bit too loud, unfortunately. And it can only read the first 30 words.

The "BT headset" tab is supposed to control special settings for the headset, but ALL of the choices are disabled. There is no list of supported headsets, so it is impossible to know whether my headset are supported or not. I mean, they are Samsung Bluetooth headsets, right? There seem to be something about "erase data in headset", so it's possible this is for more advanced BT headsets, but which ones?

The third tab, "voice commands", again has absolutely nothing.

The help tab just shows some static slides that doesn't give any specific information.

All in all, Samsung Freesync is an undocumented mess that is mostly useless. At least it is free, but the download at several MB is quite oversized for what it does.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/freesync/com.touchsoft.smartheadset

AAQR: DateTad

DateTad is a very simple utility: it puts an icon in the notification bar that displays the date and the weekday. For example, on 9-FEB-2011, it'll say 9 THU (Thursday).

And that's all it does. This solves one of the "problems" with Android, if you consider it a problem. You only see the time in the notification bar. If you want the date, you have to drag down the notification bar. This "solves" that problem.

You can choose from 3 different themes. As I use a black bar (on Cyanogen Mod) the black version fits pretty well. Worth a try.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/datetad/com.rokuta96.DateTadFree

AAQR: Clayframes Lite

Image via WikipediaClayframes Lite makes your smartphone a stop motion (well, Claymation TM) tool. The lite version only gives you 50 frames and 2 clips, but it's enough to get a taste of what you can do with just your smartphone.

If you have a tripod or something like Gorilla-Pod that holds the phone steady you'll make some very professional looking results. If you have an interest in this area, give it a try.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/clayframes-lite/jal.clickstudiofree.mainpack

AAQR: Simple Calendar

A Calendar widget designed to match style with SiMi Clock Widget, it displays date, weekday, and weather.

If you like SiMi clock, this is a pretty good match.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/simple-calendar-widget/com.anod.calendar

Valentine's Day Roundup for Android

We got wallpapers, live wallpapers, apps, games, themes, quotes, gift ideas, and more! All to get your Valentine's Day off even better!

http://hubpages.com/hub/Free-Valentines-Day-Stuff-for-Android-Phones-and-Other-Devices

7 Strangest Android Devices Ever

Did you know that there is an Android-powered home cordless phone?

How about an Android-powered microwave oven?

Find out more here:

http://hubpages.com/hub/7-Weirdest-Android-Devices-Ever

AAQR: Text Icon Creator for ADW Launcher

Text Icon Creator for ADW Launcher is a simple way to create custom icons for ADW launcher.

You can pick any background (round, square, etc.) then add text on top (one or two lines) to make an icon.

And really, that's it. You can use it to replace any of the existing icons, similar to Desktop Visualizer. This will make your desktop look far more consistent.

Worth a try if you use ADWLauncher quite a bit.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/texticoncreater-for-adw/com.taketoma818.android.adw.textIconCreater