Andrew Lark

Android Apps I’m Enjoying

I’ve been using my Dell Streak for about two months now. I’ve found that the screen size, camera and Android itself have meant my iPhone hasn’t really left home.

Here are the apps I’m getting the most out of.

The links below are just for interest sake. All the apps are in the Android Marketplace.

1. Evernote. This is a must get and use. I’m using the plug-ins in my browser to save content to read while on the go. And I’m emailing .pdfs to read as well. It’s been brilliant for note taking. Couldn’t live without this one.
2. Seesmic: I’m a social media hound and this is by far the best way to get at all my social feeds and needs. Like Evernote, I really like that I’m using the same App on multiple platforms.
3. TripIit. So, one of the downsides to living on planes is living on planes. It’s not so much the auto-updating of flight information in TripIt that I like – its just not timely enough yet. What it is is having all my itineraries in one place on any device. I’d be lost without it.
4. SlideIT: Just brilliant. WHile the keyboard is great on 2.1. SlideIT just makes everything so much easier. Worth every cent.
5. Kindle: Perfect for reading all those books that I buy and never get to reading. I hope Zinio gets an Android reader out soon. I’m reading The Passage by Justin Cronin right now – can’t put it down…
6. DropBox is a great way to access fat files on the move.

There are a few apps from Google, or related to Google that are worth grabbing.

1. Gtasks: I’m a task lists addict – the simplicity of Google Tasks is great and so having them all on my Streak, synched and up to date is brilliant.
2. Google Gesture and Google Talk are must haves from the App store. And while you are there, get Picasa rocking for all your photos. Google Sky is fun with the kids.

Two fun apps I have been playing with are Pic

I asked Michael Dell a few of his faves. He pointed to Seesmic and Kindle, along with two I hadn’t looked at – DoubleTwist and Rdio. Taking a look at those now. BTW – the speakers on the Streak are fantastic. So much better than any other player or mobile device I’ve used,

So, loving my Streak. Am iPhone free. And am really surprised that my Blackberry is also taking a backseat to Touchdown.

They are pretty good at this stuff

How Arrington does it…

Worth a read… definitely don’t advocate the working till you pass out mode… must remember to send him a copy of TWWWIS.

Spin Baby Spin

One of the brilliant things about new media is it’s ability to respond to PR spin not on the Editorial page but in the stream of news.

For a new world company. Facebook’s PR is decidedly old world. From the debacle at D through their latest obtuse response.

Great PR is all about great counsel and talent. Here, they followed the same playbook at Google and are landing roughly in the same spot. The good news flows from the normal sources of puff and fluff. But as soon as the content turns hard, the PR machine falters.

You gotta love how Michael exposes this.

All you need to know about the new twitter

Great roundup from Techcrunch… worth a read. The new twitter will be coming your way soon - it’s in the process of a gradual roll-out right now that will likely last over the next couple of weeks. On a side note, it occurred to me today that Techcrunch is pretty much my source of news for all things tech.

The Not So Secret Tech Investment Guide

TechCrunch has made Conway’s secret investment guide – or at least a slide from it – not so secret. Love the idea of the Urban Entrepreneur. Bet someone will have a book out titled that sometime soon. And there are plenty of great cloud apps for the market.

Twitter by the numbers

Presentation of the week:

Twitter by the Numbers

View more presentations from Raffi Krikorian.

Five things to know about Google Instant Search

1. You can turn it off :-)
2. Only works for signed-in users (in case you were wondering why it wasn’t working)
3. Lower search box is gone
4. Not all search operators deliver results
5. The stuff you never used isn’t there anymore (so, don’t worry about it)

So, What’s A Tablet Anyway?

About 20 or so years ago (i’m slightly in denial of the timeframe) I got to work on launching an amazing piece of new technology – the GridPad. Arguably the first Tablet ever. Today, you’d think the category exclusively referred to the iPad. That’s simply narrowing the definition.

I have three devices kicking around my home that all fit the bill. First, a PC tablet running Win 7. It’s great for Office work. I have an iPad which I mainly use for viewing movies and TV shows, reading the off book, and pouring through magazines on planes. Then I have a Dell Streak which I carry everywhere for email, video, games and all kinds of other stuff. My iPhone also follows in tow but I’m liking the screen less and less after a month or so on the Streak. About all that keeps me on it is getting my ass kicked on WordswithFriends and trying to defeat the pigs in Angry Birds.

The idea of living widgets vs. apps, and the speed and versatility of Android, would make Android an ideal Tablet platform. Here is hoping we get there soon. For me though, buying an Android tablet will hinge on the quality of the content. Better games, richer media and amazing content.

Make the message simple…

I’d love to know how many words most companies feel compelled to use when delivering a message or story? Mostly its an extraordinary number. So, could you write a timeless best-seller in 50 words or less? This is a great example of how few words are required to deliver a great message and story.