You may have just purchased an Android phone after upgrading to it from your simple, call-centric phone. In addition to just being exposed to the Android platform, you may also be new to the whole app craze. If so, you have been missing out, as there are many apps that not only offer entertainment, but can also help improve both your own and your smartphone's productivity.

 

Android-based smartphones are popular for several reasons, but one of the main ones is that they offer plenty of flexibility. Google, unlike other companies and their platforms, believes in a more open approach to applications. This approach gives Android smartphone owners plenty of flexibility when it comes to customizing and tweaking their phones' features. 

Now that you know that you have a powerful little machine in the palm of your hands, it's time to get the most out of it. Best of all, doing so is not too difficult, thanks to some nifty apps available from the Android Market. This multi-part series will list several apps for your Android phone that can help unleash its potential to offer you the best user experience possible. This is really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of how you can play around with your smartphone, but it at least shows some examples that you can build upon in your future app downloads.

Get more convenient usage out of your smartphone with voice commands via Voice Actions for Android

It's 2010, which means technology is advancing at a steady pace. Much of the new technology includes features that make the user experience a more convenient and enjoyable one. Voice commands are a good example of this. By using voice commands, you have more control and can use your phone in a safer manner, especially when driving. 

Voice Actions for Android is a free download from the Android Market. To use it, you must have Android 2.2 running. While you may have had some experience with voice commands in the past, they may have been pretty one-dimensional. For instance, maybe you're used to using voice commands to search for a contact or call one. Such functionality is great, but Voice Actions goes much further. 

The app works in a very simple manner. You hold down your smartphone's search button and speak your command. The commands are numerous. You can call a contact or business, as well as send a text or email message. Have a special reminder you can't forget? Simply speak a command as a note to yourself.

In terms of navigation, you can ask for a location's map, navigate to a location, or get directions. For entertainment, you can even speak a command to listen to a particular artist, album, or song. By offering the ability to perform such actions without having to stare down at your phone, Voice Actions for Android gives you a safe and quick way to use your smartphone while on the go.

Stay tuned for part two of this series, where more potential-boosting Android apps will be discussed. 

DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware.

More Mobile Devices Articles
More By wubayou

blog comments powered by Disqus