Amazon Appstore for Android now open for business...and pleasure

I have learned from about two dozen angles that the Amazon app store is finally open. Hell, I didn't even know it was coming. But now the question is: should I care?

I've always had good experiences with Amazon.com, so there's no reason not to use them to purchase apps. On the other hand, I've never had any problem finding whatever it was I was looking for in the regular Android Market, so why should I even bother?

One pay app for free every day, that's why.

Today's free dowloand is the 99-cent version of Angry Birds Rio. If only I didn't find Angry Birds a total waste of time and space, I might jump on that.

But there's always tomorrow. So, okay, let's say I want to start to purchase Droid apps through Amazon, how do I get started?

First, go to Amazon.com's Android Appstore page and enter either your mobile number or your email address (make sure you use the one you check on your Android device if you use email). Then you will either receive a text message or an email with a link to download the app. Just follow the instructions.

When you enter your mobile or email on your computer, you will be able to view a video showing you how everything works, but it's pretty simple and smooth.

Then, once you download, you'll be able to log in and view all of the available apps on Amazon.

It's a very nice interface but I still don't see the real advantage to using Amazon over the Market. It looks like the apps are pretty much the same.

Oh yeah, you get a paid app for free every day. So, they now will have me at least checking in every day..and who knows maybe I'll buy something.

Nah.

[Note: The Amazon Android Appstore is not currently available on the ATT network.]

Visit my other sites and blogs:

http://www.jokingsmoker.blogspot.com/
http://www.interactivelunacy.com/
http://www.clickoncomedy.com/
http://www.cellphonerealitytv.com/
http://www.dirtyjokeshow.com/

Silly apps that are fun for a minute - Androidify and Fake Me Outta Here reviews

Sometimes you just have to download an app for the hell of it. Just for laughs. Then, you may discover that the silly app you downloaded could come in handy.

In the case of the Androidify app, that's really not the case. The app really does nothing more than allow you to create an android-like character which, according to your own estimation, looks like you. The video at the Androidify web site is way cooler than the reality of making your own Droidinoid (I made that word up), but I did it anyway and I rather like my Droid Guy persona. (Pictured at right exactly as created by Androidify, except I added the cigar.)

So, as I do with many apps, I downloaded it, played with it, then uninstalled. On to the next silly app.

Wanna get out of a boring meeting, get away from an annoying conversation or make people think that you're popular because of the calls you get? Then download the Android app Fake Me Out of Here Lite. Bascially it's an app that, when loaded, will allow you to schedule to make your phone ring in a specified amount of time after you shake it, and the new update even allows you to schedule two rings without shaking. You can set the number of shakes, the shake sensitivity, the time between shakes and then how long before that call comes in. You can even fill in who you want the call to appear to be coming from (Spielberg, Obama, etc.).

The full version has even more features. Check both apps out in the Android Market.

And please visit my other blogs and allegedly funny comedy sites:

http://www.jokingsmoker.blogspot.com/
http://www.interactivelunacy.com/
http://www.clickoncomedy.com/
http://www.cellphonerealitytv.com/
http://www.dirtyjokeshow.com/

Controlling your DVR with your Droid - Xfinity works...slowly

For me, an app has to be really cool or useful AND easy to understand and use. Free helps, too. The Xfinity app, which allows Comcast cable television customers to access their DVR from their Android device, view their TV listings and schedule DVR recordings on any of their DVR devices in their home, technically fits this mold.
 
The Xfinity app for Droid is available in the Market and will take up about 5 meg of space on your device. Once you follow all of the instructions to set up your account, you will be able to access your cable stations, OnDemand listings and schedule a recording on any of your TV sets which have a DVR attached. How well does it work? Very well. Is it quick and hassle free? Nope.
Scrolling through your available channels on the Xfinity app is nothing like searching on your cable box. If you start on Channel Two and want to record something on Channel 310, you need to scroll all the way down to it, all the while waiting for the little icons and programming info to load along the way. Very slow. Very annoying!
On the other hand, it does work as promoted. My daughter called me and asked if I could record a particular show. I wasn't at home, so I opened the Xfinity app and scheduled to record the show on the DVR in her room. What the hell? I didn't have a DVR in my room when I was her age. Oh yeah, there wasn't even cable television when I was her age.
I recommend downloading the app and setting it up if you have room on your phone for it. Odds are, while out galavanting on a Sunday evening, you will remember that you really wanted to see Gary Busey's antics on Celebrity Apprentice. And now, with the Xfinity Droid app, you can.
Please visit my other sites:
Vegas hit Dirty Joke Show: http://www.dirtyjokeshow.com/
Stand up comedy site: http://www.clickoncomedy.com/