Starting out on android soon!

[soul-seer]

Hey Ive been wanting a new phone since the first time my BB Storm 2 crapped out on me and now that the Desire is coming to Telus now is my chance to leap over and start anew with an Android phone.

Ive had to send in my S2 6 times in the 5 months I've had it and I am fed up with RIM. I called up telus and was able to get a phone of my choice free and clear within the next 3 months. The choice is obvious.

Now since this will be my first android phone I was just wondering if it would be possible to compile a list of MUST HAVE apps to download the second I have it in my hands.

More specifically apps for:
-Voice turn by turn navigation
-data usage monitor
-games
-speak to text
-tethering
-wireless file transfer to & from computer
-something like BBM?
-Themes
-moving wallpapers
-Anything to make it better faster stronger

Also what is the best case to get and are there any other accessories i should be looking at as well.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Yenzehn]

-Voice turn by turn navigation

Google maps now comes with this in some countries, Canada as well as far as I knnow: Google Maps Navigation comes to Canada and mainland Europe, remains free as a bird -- Engadget

-Data usage monitor

NetCounter - Cyrket

and

3G Watchdog - Cyrket

Are good apps for this.

-Games

Don't play many, but take a look at droidgamers: Droid Gamers - Android Games and Gaming

-speak to text

Text-To-Speech Extended - Cyrket

-tethering

The Desire has this functionality with Sense + HTC Sync supplied with the phone, if you use a mac you may need this: PdaNet -- USB Tether/Bluetooth DUN for Android

-wireless file transfer to & from computer

Not really optimal, but this adds the ability, the interface is HTML-like though: WiFi File Explorer - Cyrket

-something like BBM?

That's a messenger program, correct?

eBuddy Messenger - Cyrket supports a bunch of chat networks.

-Themes

There are many home alternatives, to give you an idea:

5 Free Home Replacement Apps For Your Android Phone – Make Tech Easier

-moving wallpapers

These can be found at the market by searching for live wallpaper, way too many to list.


Other than this, I suggest getting a File browser (I can recommend ASTRO), comes with a bunch of system tools as well:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.metago.astro/

Another system info app that is useful is.. Android system info:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.electricsheep.asi/

A bar-scanner for all the funky barcodes:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.google.zxing.client.android/

Easyswitch or some other on-screen controls so you wont have to dig through menus to turn on/off wifi and so on:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/de.SmartDyne.Trial.EasySwitch/

Beautifulwidgets has a pretty complete collection:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.levelup.beautifulwidgets/

Otherwise, just search "toggle" for free alternatives on the market.

Also, there is a bunch of music players that most people consider to be superior to the built in ones, I like tunewiki for the shoutcast support and compact on-screen widget:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.tunewiki.lyricplayer.android/

For SMS, Handcent have some nice features and customization not offered by the stock app:
http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.handcent.nextsms/

What a bloody mess ^^

 

[SUroot]

-games
Genesoid (megadrive emulator) Snesoid etc. Download ROMS from the net onto your SD card and open with these apps, you can have every megadrive, snes game etc. Hopefully PS1 emulator coming soon too.

-wireless file transfer to & from computer
Estrong file explorer or Astro with the SMB module installed, can browse your home network. Also, dropbox

As above.

 

[tiring_day]

I am going to find this thread very useful on Wednesday night, thanks for all the app advice.

steve

 

[soul-seer]

whats goin on wednesday night? And thank you very much for the info! I plan on giving my Desire a pretty good workout the day i get it.

 

[tiring_day]

That's the day my Desire arrives so will be sitting all night playing and installing all of the above.

steve