So i got a Smart Phone...Now what do i with it?

[Xellos-_^]

i finally broke down got a smart phone (Samsung Galaxy S3). So besides letting the government track me 24hrs a day what else can i use it for?

Any advice on what security apps i should get?

[Random32]

You can use it for anything you want it to. Ummmm.

The Internet. Watch movies. Listen to music. Shove it in poor people's face to show how much richer than them you are. idk.

You don't really need a security app unless you lack common sense or like taking risks with downloading shady apps from shady sources.

I personally am an iTard using an iPhone, but these articles will probably point you in the right direction about security.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/...curity-basics/
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/...security-apps/

[Urzu 7]

What security issues are there with smartphones?

[RRW]

smash it to pieces

anyway, i dunno. what is you reason to buy Smart Phone anyway?

[King Lycan]

First get VLC for android to watch anime on the go

[-KarumA-]

Originally Posted by Urzu 7

What security issues are there with smartphones?

Apparently there are viruses aimed for smartphones. I don't own one though.
You can access wifi networks and lurk on the internet and drop down your attentionspan and become like the drones who feel like playing/twittering/whatsapping whenever they sit down somewhere and become a terrible bore to people around you for always checking your phone.

[RRW]

chance you find a virus on smart phone is same chance you find virus on mac

which very small unless if you are really stupid and not cautious

[SeijiSensei]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/25223...e_malware.html

[spikexp]

Blend it? ...

[Flying Dagger]

Write down the IMEI #.

Before installing anything, if you are not too concerned about software warranty and security, I would root the phone (rooting might get rid of existing data).

Not sure if S3 has jellybean yet, my nexus got it in july iirc.

Familiar yourself with the various settings on the phone, such as setting a data usage limit (if you have one), various volume controls and power settings, etc.... if you have a limited data plan make sure everything is up.

Load up your music collection and such, I use Poweramp for music (because it comes with a widget and lock screen control). I use MX player for movies.

Whatsapp is a popular IM software. They recently fixed skype for android so it does not quit itself.
If you like manga, consider getting Mango.
You might want to download the local area over Google Map for offline use.
Download various tools such as QR Droid for scanning QR/bar codes, a flash light tool, maybe a stopwatch/timer tool, voice recorder, etc. I also have a First Aid app from Red Cross for if someone gets a heart attack in front of me and I need to figure out what to do.
A file explorer such as ES File Explorer is helpful.
If you do not like Ads, get AdFree.
Subscribe to news feed.
Have a good home screen, add a calender widget. Find a good clock widge that tells the weather and temperature.
If you like to read, Aldiko is a good ebook reader.
Simple word processor for reading word and excel documents come in very handy.
You might want to get Chrome and let it sync your desktop and mobile pages.
Adobe reader for pdf - I think adobe is discontinuing Flash support for android and now you have to manually install flash via an older apk.
I use GTask for a checklist widget. I use it to drop notes for shopping, etc.

If you rooted your phone and isn't exactly financially sound, get the Lucky Patcher (you have to download the apk for it and install it manually). Install some games onto your phone.

[TheFluff]

Things I actually use mine for:
- GPS/map (by far the most "actually useful for real" feature)
- reading/listening to news, reading in general
- facebook/twitter
- taking dumb party photos
- various IM's (skype, IRC)
- flashlight, alarms, timers, music, etc
- actually calling people and sending texts

If you don't have a daily commute or some similar period where you sit still for a while without access to a computer, chances are you're not going to use it much. The only real advantages it has over your ordinary computer is that it fits in your pocket and that it has a GPS receiver and a camera. In every other way it's just an underpowered toy computer. Use it as you'd use your computer in places where you don't have your computer.

[Fahd]

Aside from what the other guys have mentioned, if you happen to have a car then google maps turn-by-turn navigation is neat. You can also put a widget (called Traffic) on your home-screen that will give you an estimate of how long it will take to drive to a pre-selected place based on the current traffic levels.

[synaesthetic]

I have a Galaxy Nexus running CyanogenMod 10 nightly builds.

What I use my smartphone for:

Maps/navigation/GPS, checking the bus or BART schedule
Remote desktop access to my PC at home (Splashtop Remote Desktop, android-vnc-viewer)
USB tethering to laptop when working in an area with no internet access or wifi available
Google Cloud Printing (via Google Docs/Drive)
Graphing functions with Arity graphing calculator for class
Emails and such for work and school
Playing with custom ROMs and kernels
Listening to music
Playing SNES and GBA emulators while waiting for the bus
Watching anime in class

That's pretty much it. :3

[Vexx]

Don't forget the ever useful Tricorder app for Android.... guy named Moonblink wrote it. You'll have to scrounge for it though. CBS (in all its stupidity) issued a DMCA to Google Play forcing off their market.

It still seems to be lurking here: http://www.freewarelovers.com/android/app/tricorder

But basically - what Fluff said, ditto line for line. I don't see how anyone uses these things for their "primary computing device" but as a utility belt tricorder they're pretty useful.

[NoemiChan]

Personally, I'll add more games and more dictionaries so its becomes an Intelligent Phone

[Wandering_Youth]

I don't own a smartphone but I recently bought the Google Nexus 7 and I'm having a blasting digging around in the App stores.

I highly recommend the following apps:

Battery Savers/Memory Optimizer - Help increase your battery life by auto closing non vital stuff running the background and maintain your smartphone speeds.

Flashlight - Some flashlight apps can turn on your smartphones LED flash to use as a flashlight or just turn your screen to max brightness to be use as a tempoary flashlight.

Scientific calculators - Self explainatory

Translators and Dictionaries - We live in a varied world now with a mix of a bunch of cultures and not everyone can master every single language in the world unless you got apps to do that for you! Some translators can translate words on pictures that you have taken with your smartphone or translate by voice only. A dictionary is also always handy to have in hand.

Edit:

If you haven't already then I would suggest you invest in a protective case and screen protector for your new smartphone. I've seen far too many ppl dropping their smartphones and have the screen cracked ans shattered.

[blaze0041]

Might I suggest a phone tracking application for your phone? They can be very handy in the case you lose your phone or your phone gets stolen.
I hear that avast! Mobile Security is a good choice.

[sa547]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

i finally broke down got a smart phone (Samsung Galaxy S3). So besides letting the government track me 24hrs a day what else can i use it for?

Tried out that phone at a demo, and what I say is... You can do a lot with that yo-yo, it really packs a great punch. Given the huge pricetag (by my country's standards) on this baby, you'll have to buy protective covering and gear, and of course keep an eye on it and don't even leave it on the cafe table when you're outside -- there are phone thieves lurking around.

[Xellos-_^]

what is a good call blocking app (don't care if i have to pay for it).

[Merilyn Mensola]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

what is a good call blocking app (don't care if i have to pay for it).

Call blocker is good for me.