Yet another website for you to use up your time instead of doing something productive: The Oatmeal (http://theoatmeal.com/). It’s a mix of comics and quizzes that find pretty funny. I think the most amazing part of the site is it’s just one guy who writes, draws and codes the entire thing. It’s not filled with annoying advertisements. He just puts a non-obtrusive link at the end of all his different comics if you would like to donate to him through paypal.
As a web developer, sometimes I have designs that I come up with that need an image to spice things up a bit. For others who do not share my profession, maybe you want to liven up your home or office with some new photos. Rather than spend anywhere to spend from $1 to $24 on iStock for a picture, you have a few options. And no, you can not just rip off photos you find in Google Images.
The first is stock.xchng (http://www.sxc.hu) I’ve been using this site for a number of years and usually I’m able to find something that works with the theme I’m going for.
Flickr is also another good site. You have to check creative licenses and it’s probably best to source the photo if you’re using this site for online purposes.
If you are not going to heed my warning and source from a picture you find a google images, please at least download the image and do not link to it directly from the original source. For one thing, that person is going to take a bandwidth hit for your traffic. Should that person can find out that you are sourcing their image, he or she can then change it without you knowing to something inappropriate just to get back at you for doing that.
While it’s not completely open to the public yet, I recommend you request an invite to Google Voice. What is Google Voice? Google Voice basically allows you to add services to your mobile phone. It depends on which of the two options you choose as far as what services you get.
The first option is to you use your existing phone number. With this option, you get the ability to transcribe your voicemails and have them email and/or texted to you. You can also forward, embed and download messages too. You can also vary what voicemail message plays based on the person who is calling you.
The second option offers the same options as the first but much much more. With this option, you obtain a new Google phone number. (Don’t worry, your existing phone number will still work as normal) However, when your friends and family call this new phone number, you can have it ring multiple phones at one time like your cell phone, home land line (although how many people have one of these anymore?), and work. You can also block and record calls, along with conference calling.
Here is a video for some better explanation:
Be careful though when you first sign up. I didn’t read the instructions correctly and used my existing phone number. I wished I had chosen the second option instead and there currently isn’t a way to go back and get a Google number now. Hopefully, Google updates that soon.
UPDATE: Apparently, now if you are using a non-Google number, you can get a Google number now. Go to your Settings and in the Phone tab, hit the “Get a Google Number” link.
Also, the voicemail transcribe isn’t exactly perfect but it does a decent job and I can this being a very handy feature especially in a situation where you are in a crowded/noisy bar or restaurant and can’t hear your voicemail but now you can see the text that your friend who is meeting you is running late.
It’s been almost 2 months since I got my Droid and I know I already wrote a post about Google Goggles, but I thought I would share some of the other apps that I have so far given my thumbs up to (in no particular order):
FXCamera
This trust app lets you choose a variety of styles for your mobile photos including toy camera, fisheye, warhol, and my favorite, polaroid.
TV.com
This app lets you watch free episodes and clips from multiple channels including showtime and CBS.
FlickrDroid
This app lets you search images from flickr to easily save and use for your desktop image on your phone.
I should probably add that these 3 I mentioned are all FREE. I also recently downloaded Gmote (allows the ability to use your phone as a remote control for your computer) but have yet to try it out. I will update you as soon as I do.
Does anyone else have any other suggestions for android apps?
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