Android Noob - Necessary App/s?

[bob4432]

just got my first 'real' pair of smartphones and was wondering what are the needed android utility apps? basically utility apps for backup, etc. would prefer free. do not want to fill the phone up w/ apps, but being so far out of the loop w/ these phones, pleased educate.

have no desire to use twitter/facebook.

not worried about data usage as i connect to my local lan at home and have the 2GB plan.

also, is it possible to get the gps data over usb or even bt to use for navigation for software on my laptop when there is no signal? kind of use the phone as a gps mouse?

phone is an htc aria and i have no desire to root (don't think i can as it came from att w/ 2.2.2).

thanks in advance,
bob

 

[zerocool84]

What are you looking to back up on the phone? What kinds of things are you looking to do with the phone?

 

[bob4432]

basically a full backup would be nice - sms/mms/apps/setup/contacts/calender etc. phone will be used as pda+phone+navigation+some internet and possibly gps for the laptop if that is possible when no phone signal.

 

[Anubis]

you need root for backups

GoSMS or Handcent
google maps
default contacts is fine
the busniess calendar app that was free on the amazon store a month ago is pretty nice

 

[bucwylde23]

A few things:
To back up my SMS/MMS i've recently been using SMS Backup+. It backs up all text messages to your Gmail account and tags them with a "SMS" label.

There's no need to backup contacts so long as you sync them with your Gmail account properly.

I second the recommendation for business Calendar app. I got it for free on amazon as well and I love it.

 

[Dulanic]

MyBackup is the best backup tool IMO. MyBackup Root will do more if you have root access.

 

[bob4432]

i was told that if the phone came w/ 2.2.2, it was not able to be 'rooted' atm.

 

[Tristicus]

Can we just have a sticky with "Android Apps/iOS Apps/Blah Apps Everyone Needs"?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

you need root for backups

GoSMS or Handcent
google maps
default contacts is fine
the busniess calendar app that was free on the amazon store a month ago is pretty nice

Imo handcent is like spyware. It runs so slow. Maybe its still a little more powerful than gosms, but gosms already does everything that I need. I would pick gosms any day.

BTW. Isn't titanium backup THE backup software to use? Way better than mybackup

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

 

[QueBert]

A few things:
To back up my SMS/MMS i've recently been using SMS Backup+. It backs up all text messages to your Gmail account and tags them with a "SMS" label.

There's no need to backup contacts so long as you sync them with your Gmail account properly.

I second the recommendation for business Calendar app. I got it for free on amazon as well and I love it.

THANK YOU for this! I bought Titanium backup pro mistakenlying thinking it would back up sms's and stuff (hence the backup apps AND data option) I backed up my Handcent and when I restore my backup when I flashed a new rom I was sad to see all the texts I hadn't read were gone forever.

 

[bob4432]

for me as i have been testing different apps today, handcent did slow the phone down noticeably. i like go sms but i need to figure out how to make the default texting app, or do i/can i just remove the one that is already on the phone?

also, what is up w/ the led only blinking for 5mins after i miss a call or txt, or anything in fact? i have to use ledmeknow to get the led to alert after 5mins. the 5mins issue occured w/ handcent and go sms even though i set up the app to blink the led....seems kind of strange to have to run an app to make the led blink until i check what was received...

 

[JohnPaul]

i was told that if the phone came w/ 2.2.2, it was not able to be 'rooted' atm.

I bought my Evo 4G with 2.2 on it and rooted it, so I think you are wrong about that or have been misinformed.

 

[Freshgeardude]

i was told that if the phone came w/ 2.2.2, it was not able to be 'rooted' atm.

http://unrevoked.com/recovery/


this should root your device and from experience is very simple to use

 

[njswift10141980]

Not to derail the thread but I tried go sms pro and while it feels smooth and has nice options the times for incoming texts were off (ie: it would say I received it at 9 am when it's really 1 pm), and I've tried all of their tips to correct it but nothing changes. Is there any to correct this for my droid x

 

[Anubis]

Imo handcent is like spyware. It runs so slow. Maybe its still a little more powerful than gosms, but gosms already does everything that I need. I would pick gosms any day.

BTW. Isn't titanium backup THE backup software to use? Way better than mybackup

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

i wouldent call it spyware but it does do a lot more then many may need. i used it for a long time and never had an issue. I use GoSMS now because its simpler