Tom's Two Cents

I just saw Torrent Droid, the Android app that allows you to scan a barcode from your Android phone and initiate a bit torrent download on your computer at home. It’s not currently available anywhere, but that doesn’t stop it from being the coolest Android app ever. Of course, this should not be used for downloading proprietary stuff… just all the free stuff that has barcodes. Seriously, though, I see a totally new delivery vehicle for (even legitimate) digital products. Forget the bit torrent part for a sec. You scan a movie, an album, or a software package in a store, and the product makes it home before you do. What if it gave you a 25-50% discount over the lowest store price? I would probably do it just to bypass all the useless packaging. (This could be done with 2D barcodes on billboards as well.) Of course, some of you are probably thinking, ‘What’s wrong with a 100% discount?’ We won’t go there…

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My name is Tom and I am an Android app addict. I currently have over 150 apps installed on my G1 phone. So here are my top 20. I haven’t included any games in my list, since that is more a matter of personal preference. I also find that the more games I install on my G1, the less I end up using my own phone. My kids use it the rest of the time. So here are my top 20 apps in no particular order. Sorry I don’t have links. You’ll can search for them in the Android Market.

• Picasa (a great tool for uploading and viewing Picasa photos)
• JET CET PDF (the only PDF viewer currently available)
• iSkoot (Skype client. Check the fine print though — it does uses you cell phone’s minutes)
• GPS Tracker (post your current position to hidden or public URL — even has a Facebook plugin)
• fBook (Facebook app)
• Android File Manager (good app to have)
• Twidroid (currently the best twitter client for the G1)
• Orienteer (displays compass and GPS coordinates — a must for geocaching)
• Power Manager (shows battery life — must have)
• Yellowbook V2 (search for a business and it presents you with Google maps and phone numbers)
• Video Player (best video player, IMHO)
• ShopSavvy (barcode scanner app that allows you to compare prices and read reviews)
• Compare Everywhere (other barcode scanner app)
• DoggCatcher (Podcast app — still very beta, but very cool in that it allows you to update podcasts over wifi. So iPod Touch, why can’t you do this?)
• TunesRemote (controls your iTunes via your wifi network)
• textonphone (access 1000′s of free books — search and download books to your phone’s local library)
• Shazam (analyzes and (somehow) recognizes songs being played on radio, TV, anywhere you can get a 10 second sample)
• Ringdroid (make your own ringtone by clipping out a snippet from any MP3)
• Voxofon Call Router (VOIP client)
• Toggle Settings (a great app for dimming the screen and turning off the ringer, etc). Keeping the screen brightness down is a great way to save your battery.

If you have other favorite Android apps, I would like to hear about them.

Related Posts:

• Torrent Droid: The coolest Android app ever!