Comments on: Android apps: What would you want?

A post asking readers what applications they would want from the Android Market for phones.

[MobileRoar]

Android Market is going to be SICK and I'm so happy it will be as open as we hoped for both developers and consumers alike.

As for your question, here is a great start where 64 people chimed in (so far) as to EXACTLY what they'd like to see on Android: http://phandroid.com/2007/11/05/vote-what-apps-do-you-want-for-android/

Also an awesome community underway at http://AndroidForums.com

Personally, I'd like to see niche applications like GolfPlay, CookingCapsules and these other "new" concepts that wouldn't have even been possible without Android. A lot of people just want "ported" software from a computer to their phone... but Android is a lot more than that. AndroidScan is another great example.

The stuff that I want are things I can't "request" because they're so unique that I haven't dreamed them up yet!

[colamix]

What do I want? Simple, no limitations based on carrier greed. That means when a VoIP or thethering app comes along, don't block it. It seems the Communist Party took over the Apple App Store, don't go down that path with Android.

[lacfnc06]

an app where you can set a location and everytime you are at that location your phone automatically changes ring volume (ex. in a movie theatre phone turns to silent)

-codyb

[KeeganHill]

They actually have that as one of the Android's flagship apps.

[tudza]

A good calculator app.

The default calculator for Windows Mobile is useless for anything except very basic math functions, so I installed an emulator for the HP15C. I notice this is available for the iPhone.


The suggestion of automatically setting phone volume and ringer settings by GPS is a pretty good one.

[1080p54]

SkypeIn and SkypeOut

[DJTachyon]

Actually if you look at the Android SDK, it has built in support for AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, QQ, GTalk, etc. You can add this information straight to your contacts: http://www.djtachyon.com/images/android/Android_SDK-09.jpg

Here are more screenshots of the 0.9 SDK: http://www.djtachyon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=1

[MagnoliaSouth]

You know, if I could just have a seriously awesome contacts manager I'd be a happy camper. I know that a lot of phones like to boast of such a feature, but most are seriously lacking. Too many phones have an all or none mentality and those that aren't still lack flexibility in other areas. It would be really cool if I could back up my contacts to something like a flash drive, assign a speed dial to more than one number in a contact (some will allow this, but not all), create shortcuts for certain contacts (there are a few people I send text messages to often, it would be very cool if I could hit *23 - for example - and automatically have a text message addressed to a specific someone) and not be limited to the amount of phone numbers someone has. Today people have a fax number, a cell number, a work number, a home number and even a Grand Central number, not to mention all other kinds of numbers! It's sad, but many cell phones still think you can only have a couple of numbers and you can only categorize your numbers into three groups: work, personal, other.

Then what about extensions? My son's school has an extension for everything. Rather than sit and try and wait for someone to answer the phone at the front desk, when they never do, I'd much rather have his teachers numbers keyed in with their extensions but nooooo! My phone keeps telling me that the number is already in use!!! UGH!

If I could tag my contacts that would even be better. I don't often need a dog groomer and when I need to make an appointment, I can't find the stupid number because I can't remember what the name of the place is. If I could tag it pets or dogs, then I'm in business.

Sorry to go off on such a rant, I just can hardly believe that contacts haven't improved all that much. Admittedly though, I don't have an iphone so I can't compare to that. Still, I don't like being dictated to by a phone maker. I simply REFUSE to use ATT or Cingular (there is nothing they can do to make me forgive them for such bad service) so I'm likely never going to get an iphone.

I very much am interested in Android though. It definitely sounds promising.

[gheaton2]

Hey MagnoliaSouth.

That is something I have been looking for FOREVER!!! That is the #1 thing I need in a phone, and I have never really found one with that. I have only found that Windows Mobile is the closest. The iphone is a cool phone I guess, but not even close in that department.


If you find anything, or have any comments or suggestions, I would love to keep in touch over this issue.

Thanks.

[e-mail]

[jes834]

windows mobile phones have a category ability it comes with 2 defaults work and personnel but u can add more.thats on the touch screen phones anyway.

[teamster02]

How about apps being able to run in the background, or at least a limited number of them anyway?

[adog317]

i want mobile firefox, something that could beat safari on the iphone.

[blackturbofly]

a work app i would love to see is one that i could enter the clients info i needed to into the phone, take my required pics on the phone, each clients info and pics being saved into a convenient folder, and all the info and the pics with a geotag of where the pics were taken would be sent straight to my computer at the office by pressing a send button.

[allyndreth]

Regarding applications for Android - definitely OmniFocus - it is one of the primary reasons I want an iphone.

Allyndreth

[BenFlavoredCandy]

The ability to track a driving (or walking/biking) route using GPS and save/send it. Useful for complicated travel routes or workout tracking.

GPS ringer settings, great idea!

[aayushj]

i want inter connectivity between apps...If i add an appointment with someone in the calendar, I want the person to be automatically linked with his number and if possible, his google calendar.

If I add a person's b'day in my Address book, I want it to show up on my calendar automatically. If a number comes as a SMS, I want the phone to recognize it as a phone number and make it dialable and/or give me the option to add it to my address book.

In apps, some of the current winners of Google apps challenge look very promising

[plaguester]

I want my contacts/calendar to sync with my online mail/calendar. Calendars already have format that allow for this (ICAL), but I don't know of any standard that would allow you to sync your contacts with gmail, yahoo mail, or the mail app of your choice.

I also want a good financial app that will sync online and help me keep track of expenditures throughout the day. I'm actually already working on this, and will enter it in the next developer challenge.

As for settings being affected by GPS or the current time, see the app called "Locale" (http://code.google.com/android/adc_gallery/), which won one of the $275,000 awards in the first Android Developer Challenge.

[u_ser_name]

1. turn-by-turn directions (TomTom, Garmin... r u there???)
2. ability to sync calendars, contacts, email, etc. with all major players: Outlook, iPhone, etc.
3. glitch-free operation!!!

[bobbrew]

Android Wish List

Voice Dialing-numbers and names.
Text to Voice
Wireless Display Projector support.
Internet Radio that works simply
Voice to Text for emails, Docs and spreadsheets with auto complete.
Phone numbers tied to GPS Locations
Voice Input and output to/from GPS,
Optimized for Evernote handwriting and voice recognition.
Candy Bar size.
Ability to adhere to my shoulder under my shirt just below my ear - just like my HTC SDA
Wii Fit onboard with flexible weight pad.
TV remote capability.
Call Record to "The Cloud"
Camera to Picasa
Shopping capability to Costco or other member shopper programs.

[bjvjmv]

gps application that can compete with and replace my garmin

[bjvjmv]

tv and movie video rentals

[ut00ba]

My question is: will this be available on the phone I already have (LG Viewty) or will I have to buy a new 'Android enabled' phone?

I would LOVE this kind of thing on my Viewty...

[AppleSuxLeo]

Android looks promising , but I`m holding out for the ANADROL OS which is at least twice as powerful.