Useful Smartphone (Android) Apps?

Van Living Forum

Help Support Van Living Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

PastTense

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 7, 2013
Messages
354
Reaction score
0
Any suggestions on Android apps you find particularly useful in van dwelling--things like weather, map location/directions, finding auto parts stores...
 
If you use Chrome, "Chrome to Phone" is an invaluable service to get stuff on your phone from your computer.

With that, Google Drive is a good way to share content between all your device, or be able to access your data from anywhere (queue rant about privacy, blah blah blah.)

MightyText which allows you to use texting on your computer instead of your phone (when you're using it).

WeatherChannel app gives a decent preview of what the weather might be (even in the notification area, so you can just look at it). Note, like any major weather corporation, the data is usually off. This one is at least close to accurate.

Circle of 6 is a good app for those who are either paranoid or think they may be in danger, as it is a good way to stay safe. With a push of a button, it will notify up to 6 people that you need help immediately.

FoxFi mobile tethering to allow you to tether without your ISP noticing that you're tethering.

WebMD for Android or iPhone: So you can find out that you have cancer from any symptom, on the go!

Spotify for Music, especially if you have T-mobile.

Google Translate is pretty invaluable when travelling abroad.

Technomadia's apps are pretty cool when travelling around (paid):
http://www.technomadia.com/2010/12/introducing-coverage-for-iphone-ipad/
http://www.technomadia.com/2014/04/introducing-us-public-lands-for-iphone-ipad/



Now if you want Chrome apps and extensions... I got a handful of them too. 8)
 
On my Galaxy SIII, I use these:

The Weather Channel - I mostly find the weather maps useful, as the prognostication varies greatly from the standard PC/Online version of the same site.

VZ Navigator - helps to locate places I need to go.

Call Control - a good way to block unwanted callers. You basically add the offender to your 'ignore list'.

Calendar - already a part of the desktop, I use it to keep track of medical appointments, mine and my elderly Mothers - I drive her to most of hers. She can drive short distances, but no across town and in heavy traffic.

Gmail - my secondary e-mail service. I find I am using this more and more. I may eventually switch from my PC-based primary e-mail to this. As I become more 'mobile', I may well discontinue my home phone ISP service - but right now I don't want to lose my Netflix....

Yahoo mail - my choice for those times when I might expect some SPAM resulting from contacting certain sites - I can quickly kill a Yahoo ID and create a new one. Keeps my primary/secondary e-mails clean.

Capital One - easy to keep tabs on my CC account. Got into credit trouble some years back, as the paper notices are always weeks out of date by the time they are received. This way, I can be positively anal about keeping a tight rein on my account! And I can spot questionable/illegal activity much more quickly!
 
I'll put in a good vote for AllStays.

For off line navigation, GPS Essentials, Maps.Me and GPS CoPilot. But GPS CoPilot by far if you need turn by turn directions.

For web browsing, Firefox because it can be setup to browse the web as a non mobile, websites don't know your on a mobile device.

For documents WPS Office because it can open password protected Word and Excel documents. But it's free and that makes you wonder why....
 
Using Google search and Google (GPS) Navigation are the 2 functions I use the most to find places and drive there. The latest version of Google Maps now has lane assistance...very nice! The interface is different but works better now. The female voice is also more muted so is less annoying.

Foxfi is by far one of the most useful apps that I use regularly. I wirelessly tether my Android tablets to Foxfi from my smartphone to watch Netflix movies, etc. It helps to have unlimited data plan! Otherwise, you could easily blow through your monthly data allotment by using Foxfi.

Weather apps are certainly useful. I have at least several different weather apps loaded because I've noticed that some weather apps are more accurate than others. I like weather apps that show temps on an hourly basis because I want to know how warm a location will be around 2 to 3pm when the sun is at its warmest. If I see a temp reading of say 90F at 3pm for a given location, I will avoid it!! The van interior will usually be at least 10 to 15 degrees warmer inside which means over 100F if 90 degrees outside. Finding shade and opening windows become critical. I cannot stay inside a van when interior temp readings go over 80F.

Wells Fargo app for online banking is extremely useful for checking balances and making inter account transfers. By the way, NEVER do online banking using public wifi due to potential security risks. Simply not worth it. Always use your cellular data connection instead.

My24 app (24 Hour Fitness gym) for finding a local gym. After all, it's important to take showers regularly! Plus working out too. The My24 app shows me what amenities the gym has, such as a jacuzzi, steamroom, sauna, plus pictures too.

Netflix app. Why? Cuz what else is there to do when you're bored with free time on a quiet evening?? I like to watch Netflix movies with my GF while in bed in the evenings. Sometimes I will also rent RedBox movies for $1.20 a day if I want better title selections.

Pandora app has great free music. Some of my favorite stations are "Sharing The Night Together Radio" for its slow rock and love songs. Plus "The Commodores Radio", "Today's Hits Radio", "The Beatles Radio", "Love Songs Radio", and more. Yes, I have to put up with the occasional advertisements since it's free radio music, but I find that a necessary annoyance, especially for the price of free.

I also get all my news from various news apps such as: Fox News, USA Today, World Newspaper, BBC News, Engadget, CNET, and a bunch more. I haven't read a "real" paper newspaper in many years. I can't stand having ink rub off on my fingers, haha!
 
News, yes! I regularly hit the FOX News site, and occasionally even CNN for the opposition's take on things.
Of course, I check in on several of my regular forum sites too.

And Wiki and Google/Google Images are necessities these days.
 

Latest posts

Top