First-time Android user!

[feathertail]

That's right ... my new HTC Aria is my first Android phone, and my first modern smartphone, period. My last phone was a Palm Centro, which was technically a "smartphone" but didn't have a data plan, and was basically a glorified Palm Pilot.

I bought the Aria even though I was on AT&T because I fell in love with it at the store. I love how simple and sleek it is, and I <3 how the textured back feels. Also I use Ubuntu on my PC, and iPhones don't have Tomdroid and can't sync with Banshee. (I'm tickled pink that Astrid can sync my to-dos with Getting Things GNOME! via Remember the Milk. ^.^ )

I've been having lots of fun going through the Android Market and trying out apps. I don't like the uninstallable AT&T things, but I'm thinking of putting Cyanogen on it so I can get rid of them and sideload apps.

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions for a first-time Android owner? :3

Comments

[anjelabug]

That is one seriously pretty phone! Congratulations!

What kind of app suggestions are you looking for? :)

[feathertail]

I dunno! Anything, I guess ... what apps (and games) can't you live without?

[anjelabug]

Abduction! World Attack - game - a very cute one in which you tilt the phone back and forth in order to get your character (you start as a cow, but can unlock other animals, such as sheep, penguins, hippos, kangaroos, and many more) to hop up platforms, rescuing his friends from alien abduction! Has a free version with fewer features, was more than worth the $2 or so. :)

Angry Birds (beta) - game - Just released for Android, and I couldn't be happier about it. :D I can't wait for the full version! Lite version is free, paid version isn't out yet.

List Master Pro - app - best list-making app I've found, suitable for to-do lists or grocery lists or gift lists or anything, really. Also has a free version!

I also like having a barcode scanner (Barcode Scanner, I think, is the name of it) for QR codes (the funny little square bar codes you might be seeing on things these days). Oh, and the Amazon app is totally awesome; being able to scan items (all items, not just books or CDs or whatever -- and you can either scan a bar code or take a picture, and Amazon will try to find it, though a bar code is much, much faster) and pull up Amazon reviews instantly is AWESOME. (It's how I picked out my new steam cleaner. :) )

[feathertail]

Oh hey, I didn't know the Amazon app had a barcode scanner. ^.^ I'd already downloaded it, but hadn't taken a look at it. Thanks!

I've been using Status Notes to take quick notes ...

[benjamindunbar]

The first thing you should download should be Advanced App Killer, and put the widget on one of your homescreens. It does what it says: force-quit everything; perfect for when the OS is feeling sluggish, and you'll be surprised by how many applications it closes when you press it!

Also, get Barcode Scanner so that you can scan QR codes from your monitor when you research apps online. (QR codes are the black-and-white grid style UPCs you'll see on many app and contact pages. They can even hold contact information, if you'd choose to do that.)

[feathertail]

Sadly, AT&T won't permit the Aria to sideload apps. >.>b At least not officially. HTC released a version of HTC Sync that allows you to sideload .apks through it, and they were asked to take it down but you can still find it through third parties.

... or does Barcode Scanner just give you information about things? Hm, that might be handy ...

Is there a way to configure the App Killer so that you don't lose your browser login cookies? At least, I think that's why I have to keep re-signing in to Dreamwidth.