Are 95% of apps just dumb

[Pepee63]

Hi everyone. I'm hoping to get the new samsung galaxy note when it is released and was doing some research into some apps that i might want to get. First thing i realized, is that almost every app out there is totaly useless for me. Infact , i have only come across 2 apps that would be useful. One that tells you what song is playing and another that tracks your phone. Apart from that, i can't find any that would remotely interest me. Am i alone in thinking this or have i missed alot that would be good. Seems to me that the Samsung has almost everything i would need already on it. Any suggestions would be good. Ps. no e reeders or taxi things are any use to me.

 

[IOWA]

Hi everyone. I'm hoping to get the new samsung galaxy note when it is released and was doing some research into some apps that i might want to get. First thing i realized, is that almost every app out there is totaly useless for me. Infact , i have only come across 2 apps that would be useful. One that tells you what song is playing and another that tracks your phone. Apart from that, i can't find any that would remotely interest me. Am i alone in thinking this or have i missed alot that would be good. Seems to me that the Samsung has almost everything i would need already on it. Any suggestions would be good. Ps. no e reeders or taxi things are any use to me.

Well for the most part, it all depends on your interests. I have quite a few apps I find EXTREMELY handy. Mostly tools.

Parcels

Mangler (Ventrilo Client)

Cheetah Sync

Samba

KeePassDroid

Wifi Anaylzer

SugarSync

Rom Manager

Root Explorer

SoundHound

Square - Credit card processing

 

[lunatic59]

While navigating the market can be daunting at times, there's an awful lot of useful stuff. Of course what is useful (or fun) to one person is 'dumb' to another, but we don't pass judgement on people's choices here. These are the apps I find useful, if you're interested.

Maybe if you would list things you'd like to do with your phone that you'd find uesful, we can suggest apps that may satisfy your requirements.

 

[Deleted User]

Define dumb. An app is meant to add functionality to your phone, but if it's functionality you don't want or don't need then don't get the app. My phone acts as my alarm clock, flash drive, calendar, authenticator for WoW, camera, checkbook, quick search tool, mobile internet connection, mp3 player, and has a few games for a quick diversion when your on the bus or what have you. I find it incredibly useful, but thats just me.

 

[chanchan05]

1. A lot of apps are very useful

2. You just probably dont know the things you can do on your phone yet.

As previously stated, there are simply a lot of stuff that makes things easier, or simply works better using an app rather than the default stuff on the phones. On my phone I dont think anyone using will see default samsung interface other than inside the settings menu, the notification bar, and the task switcher. Apps I foud useful (I'd leave out theme/customization/social/games apps here):

- Sugarsync/DropBox - basically a cloud storage for my important files and files shared with my classmates. Our class uses DropBox on our computers to share our lecture transcriptions and other school related files. So basically I can access all the files from my phone/tablet. Sugarsync also allows me to send and get files to/from my computer wherever I am, even if the computer is turned off. Its quite similar to DropBox really.

- AndroMoney - helps me keep track of my daily expenses. Makes it easier to save IMO if I see where I am spending my money.

- SpringPad/Evernote - basically a notebook system that syncs to the corresponding SpringPad/Evernote PC programs.

- Astrid - A task manager that syncs to Outlook tasks(via third party), and Gtasks, not to mention the feature of task assigning and sharing to any email/facebook contact you have via Astrid.com

- GO SMS/Handcent - better than default SMS client. SMS client has limitations on the number of messages it can send per hour, and its difficult if I have 96 classmates and there are announcements I need to pass.

- Repligo - PDF annotation. Since the lecture transcriptions/notes are usually in PDF format, and I like to write stuff as I review, I need something I can edit PDFs with, like highlighting, writing notes, etc. The inbuilt one on Galaxy Series are just readers

- Merriam-Webster Dictionary - I'd trust Webster more than other dictionary apps. (I wonder if there is an Oxford Dictionary app, now that I think about it. I'll look for one)

- Online Currency converter - connected to an online database of currency exchange (EU I think), so its always updated.

- PhoneMarks - allows me to sync my desktop Chrome bookmarks to my phone

- Call Control - block calls and messages from certain people or numbers (like those salespeople. )

- Green Power - Battery saving app.

- Unified Remote - allows me to remotely control my PC. Useful when watching a movie and I'm on the sofa.

- PPT remote - useful when presenting at class, since I dont have to be near where the laptop is connected to the projector or to signal someone to next slide. I control it myself wirelessly. Not only that, but it has presenter view so I can see the notes I made for each slide on the phone too.

- WeatherBug - I'd think this is self explanatory

- Titanium/MyBackup Pro - again I'd guess its self explanatory. Who doesnt want backups?

- Noom - useful if you are trying to lose weight. you log what you eat and it shows you how much calories you taken up and how much is recommended to you based on your height and body type. It also is able to count how much calories you burn during exercise via a feature that is similar to sporttracker.

- Amazon Appstore- gives you one paid app for free, everyday. obviously someone would want this.

 

[UKCatFan]

To be honest, many apps can be replicated by just going to a website with the browser. Those apps just make it easier or enable functionality that a mobile site might not offer.

 

[dan330]

you dont have an android phone yet.. and are looking to find what might be useful.. its like putting the cart before the horse.

there are over 300k apps... ok.. a lot of them are silly or plan crap..
but even if only 1% are useful to you.. that is 3000 apps!

just get the phone.. and as a need arises.. do a quick search and you would find some app to help you out.

dont over think it! just do it.

 

[vikingjunior]

Pandora ( Perfect)

Key Ring (don't have to carry all those cards on my key ring)

Magnify ( great for reading small print ex. menu.)

Barcode scanner ( great when I'm in a store and just want see if I'm getting ripped off or not)

Google Docs ( all my docs in the cloud)

Score Mobile ( much better then sifting through ESPN)

Construction Calculator ( Makes work go much quicker and easier)

Brightest light ( a flashlight comes in handy more then you would think)

The list goes on but the apps really do make the device a handy tool.

 

[SupTot]

I can see where you are coming from but 'dumb' is harsh. I have few apps on my phone. I don't get an app for anything my phone already does but that's because I am happy with the way my phone functions. Once you get your phone you can decide what fits for you and what doesn't. It's a bit hard to know beforehand. =/

 

[A.Nonymous]

It all depends on what you want. Personally I find most games to be dumb as I don't game on my phone and rarely game on my tablet. I do dig the Angry Birds and Stair Dismount. Maybe I just love wanton cartoon destruction.

 

[Saltine713]

I'm a little bit into social media, so Hootsuite and Twitter are up my alley.

Gaming: Ehh when Im on the train or plane, sure. Angry birds or some other random game works.

Multimedia: I don't want movies on my phone really, I usually use my much larger capacity 120 GB iPod Classic even though it has a smaller screen. Music, only if I don't feel like brining my iPod.

Camera: Probably one of the biggest factors when I buy a phone. 8 MP, dual led flash, winner for me. I'm into photography, so it is nice having a decent quality camera on me all of the time.

Mobile browser: Don't really use it too often, the apps I have usually suffice.

4G: Since my Inspire is AT&T's first 4G phone, I went with it. And I do say that the 4G does make a huge difference, especially compared to an iPhone 4 in 3G.

Maps: Another major reason why I got a smartphone. I do travel a bit, and Google Maps always comes in handy.

Personalization: Many of my apps are personalization apps, like launchers, lockscreens, etc... I find that it makes my phone look nicer and also perform more to my liking.

Weather and News: Another biggy. I check the weather every day, sometimes more than once a day. News: I use Pulse News for the most part. It takes a little getting used to, but it does offer a good amount of features and I like it more than Google Reader.

Email: I use email a lot during the day, so that helps. Gmail and Yahoo! Mail.

Just a small insight to my Android Life.

 

[Snow_Fox]

Being totally honest... when you have in excess over 10,000 apps in the market.. your bound to have a lot of crap. Be it on osx, android, windows, or blackberry.

A few people (myself included) get smartphones because we like functionality.. we want to improve our organization, communication, and merge a few devices into one. I mean, I no longer need an mp3 player, phone, and organizer.. so the built in functionality is really powerful. (especially with calendar sharing, so my gf and I don't have to guess back and forth all day when the other person is free.)

Now, a lot of people have these devices as expensive toys honestly. So, the people who make apps are going to try to cater to everyone.. Even if it is immature.. if a "fart button" app is going to make some idiot laugh and maybe get them to click an add once or twice even if by accident.. someone is going to make it.

So, as smartphone usage increases.. amount of people who want immature/useless apps increases as well.

Now as I said from the beginning.. try to keep in mind that if there are 10,000 apps total.. and 95% are useless.. that is 9,500 apps that are useless.

That is still 500 apps which do add functionality to your phone.

Just because you don't need every single one of them. Now keep in mind that you don't really know what all your going to use until you have your phone.... However even if there is only 500 "useful apps" that is still more than you can realistically use/manage on a regular basis.

and there is a lot more than 10,000 apps out there.

This sadly applies to all phones.

 

[kevincott]

I say that no app is 'dumb.'

Any attempt at creativity promotes progress; even if an app or two aren't worth the memory they may inspire other apps that are well recieved.

Never discount what may inspire another.

 

[Pepee63]

I appolagize profusely [ need dictionary app ] about calling apps dumb. I would like to thank everyone for their comments and yes, you have opened my eyes to a few apps that would be extremely helpful. The only forseeable problem i will have is to troll through 40,000 apps to find the ones i might use. Thanks again and i shall never say apps are dumb again. Peter

 

[chanchan05]

You dont have to troll through 40,000 apps. Thats what the search field is for. Just type notepad, dictionary or whatever.

Or you can ask here if your looking for the name of an app that does a particular thing.

 

[Pepee63]

Only one problem, How do i know what i want till i see it. I know that's kinda dumb but i don't know what's out there that i might like. Some i do but that's only about 6

 

[chanchan05]

You want a dictionary: type dictionary. You want a new browser, type browser. You know what you want to do, you only need to find something that does what you want to do.

 

[!on]

"Are 95% of apps just dumb?"

Possibly, but then you wouldn't want 95% of all apps available on your phone anyway

I have a quest on to have only one app for things, but this may take some time while I evaluate browsers & media players. Do some people forget their phones aren't a bottomless pit of memory & really like to have an app for everything, including cheesy childish apps or things they're not even interested in!?

I hate to say it, but I think if we're collectors of said cheesy apps, then Apple iOS is probably better for that. Sure, Android is about choice, but imo it's about choosing well, making informed choices & keeping it simple, just the things we want on a phone.

 

[GoldenBulletXD]

Angry Birds?

 

[!on]

Angry Birds?

wut, that game where these birds capapult themselves & go "splat"?

Personally don't do gaming myself, but games are beneficial as in media & entertainment, challenging the brain etc etc etc... When I mentioned "cheesy apps" I was more thinking apps that don't really do anything but 'look' cool. I vaguely remember iOS having a 'big red button' app that did nothing except the satisfaction of pressing it. It got pulled after being laughed at in the media. Wasn't free either, IIRC!

 

[smartappers]

The android market is quite messy

 

[Bnice]

The android market is quite messy

I disagree. It's color coded for everyone to understand. Green for apps and games, blue for books, and red for movies. You can't get any easier than that. Plus you have the bold fonts right there label for you to see. The market labels everything on top for you to follow when you make a selection. Lets say you go to a flea market then you went to the super market, they are both busy and have a lot going on. The one thats label will get you around easier.

 

[IOWA]

Angry Birds?

Man... throw out my whole list cuz you got em all beat !

 

[Sak01]

You'll be doing yourself a big favour if you go through the Favourite App thread over in the Applications section of this forum. Also check out app reviews on the web and in Phandroid.

It saves having to trawl through the Market.

 

[Lombardi]

Get a bar fõn.