Android

Beyond file managing basics

Lost track of something on your phone? The free Astro File Manager presents a folder view of your phone, including program folders for third-party apps and the contents of your root system folder. A swipeable toolbar along the top helps you navigate through the directory, and contains buttons to start a search, edit an entry, bookmark a folder, and so on. In addition, Astro File Manager also kills tasks, sends files as attachments, and creates and stores backups of your apps. Astro's file manager also packs some powers to zip up files in addition to reading ZIP and TGZ … Read more

Gmote for Android

When is your Android phone more than a phone? When you turn it into a combination keyboard and mouse to control your computer. After installing a free Gmote server app for Windows, Mac, or Linux, Gmote creates an ad-hoc Wi-Fi connection with your computer--unfortunately, if you don't use Wi-Fi, you're stuck. The on-screen controls can stream music from your computer, launch movies from afar, navigate the Web, and control a presentation. It's not as powerful or sophisticated as some apps we've seen for iPhone, but it does the trick, and without charging a dime. Unless you … Read more

Shopper's helper

If you believe in comparison shopping, do yourself a favor and download ShopSavvy. The free, ad-supported app seeks out prices for goods either by typing the name or scanning the barcode with your camera. ShopSavvy then spools out online prices and local offerings at major brick and mortar stores. You can read other peoples' product reviews, and can save what you like to a wish list. Too bad you can't e-mail that list out to others. ShopSavvy's price alert feature is a nice touch, alerting you when a product's price meets your criteria.

As neat a concept … Read more

Mobile stargazing

Leave it to Google to siphon one of the more interesting offshoots of Google Earth into an Android app. Google Sky Map uses GPS and the Android accelerometer to project an augmented reality of the night sky. Fire up this free app, point it all around you, and Google Sky Map shows you the constellations, stars, and planets above. This being a Google app, you can also search for your astronomical quarry; the phone tell you which direction to point and turn to find it. While the practical application of Google Sky Map isn't immediately apparent, it's one … Read more

Computational dining

If you're too deep into your food coma to adequately calculate how much each party owes for the bill, tap open Tip Calculator. The free app, like others in its class, is simple, but rapidly breaks down the total each diner owes. Thankfully, this tip calculator requires that you only type in the number of people and the total bill; then select a preset tip percentage or add your own. Tip Calculator reads out the tip amount, the total bill, and how much each diner owes. Having the app remember your usual tip setting between sessions would improve it, … Read more

Find it fast

Where's free, ad-supported app aggregates widgets powered by various online services to supply localized information ranging from weather and news to a theater lookup, traffic reports, and gas prices near you. There's a search bar powered by Yellow Pages.com that supports text and voice, and the ability to flag businesses as favorites. Where also integrates a social aspect in the form of a localized Twitterstream and the Where "wall." Though we could do without these last two features, it's easy to ignore them and concentrate on quickly finding what you're seeking nearby.

Find food from your phone

Yelp's version of its business review site for Android phones is developing apace, but it's still behind the iPhone app in terms of what it can do. There's the usual search for restaurants and businesses nearby, which Yelp sniffs out using GPS or cell tower triangulation. Results records include ratings, reviews, and photos you can view from the phone. You can click or press a button to call the business. There's another button to map the location to a movable Google map, and this version thankfully includes our favorite new feature: a link to pop open … Read more

Photo fun

You don't have to have a 5-megapixel Droid to get good results with FxCamera. The fun, free app contains a set of filters that simulate photo treatment from a Polaroid or toy camera effect to a Warholesque snap. Our favorite? The SymmetriCam view, which drops a flipped copy next to the original image. Autofocus helps keep photos sharp, and a sharing feature helps spread the word. Of course, we'd like to see more filters, and we wish that FxCamera--like every other camera app of its kind--also rolled in some basic editing tools.

It's no slouch

As with Slacker Radio on other mobile platforms, the Android app lets you stream music from preprogrammed genres and stations, or from stations you set up yourself online. You'll be able to view album art and bios, block a song or vote it a favorite, and skip ahead--this is limited in the free version and limitless in the premium upgrade. If you like what you hear, you can share a link to that station on SlackerRadio.com via e-mail, SMS, or MMS.

Upgrading to the premium Radio Plus subscription service brings you song lyrics in addition to those unlimited … Read more

NPR News for Android is a solid initial offering

Fans of radio shows like "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" will be happy to learn that NPR Digital Media released its first application for Android devices. In addition to the above shows, NPR News offers many of the network's popular programs. You can download NPR News from the Android Market for free today.

I've already logged considerable time playing with NPR News over the last day or so and have found it to a welcome addition to my handset. The app has a very simple and intuitive interface that makes learning a breeze. … Read more