40,000 miles
378miles @ 30.2MPG
Posts
The current steed
5 years ago
Friday, 23 July 2010
Thursday, 22 July 2010
added Buzz posts list to menu items
added a rolling RSS feed for my Buzz posts to the right hand menu --->
easier sometimes to link to things I like in Reader using Buzz rather than Blogger.
(note that all my blog posts automatically get posted to Buzz, as well as public photo uploads to my web albums)
easier sometimes to link to things I like in Reader using Buzz rather than Blogger.
(note that all my blog posts automatically get posted to Buzz, as well as public photo uploads to my web albums)
Launcher Pro Beta
Launcher replacement , the bit that fires when you hit the home soft key etc.
Currently on eclair waiting for vodafone to agree to epf30 froyo ota update. (edit : as of 21st July 2010 I am on Froyo)
Stock eclair comes with just one dock icon that launches the app display, or recycle bin when dragging and dropping widgets to delete.
Stock eclair comes with just one dock icon that launches the app display, or recycle bin when dragging and dropping widgets to delete.
Lp allows full customization of this without root access.
Kinda like froyo but with far more options, only three on froyo dock but lp allows up to three scrollable sets!
Each icon can be set to be link to anything using lp grey icons or default. Can even set blanks. Love you can remove text from desktop icons.
Although this means you probably won't have anywhere near the same number as most will have been moved to the lower dock.
HOME screen number defaults can be changed as well as styles and speed.
HOME screen number defaults can be changed as well as styles and speed.
number of icons per row/column is also editable so you can squeeze more in
Slick beyond belief getting my phone just the way I want it. As well as running faster for things like opening apps list.
Still in beta but I haven't had a single force close yet.
Slick beyond belief getting my phone just the way I want it. As well as running faster for things like opening apps list.
Still in beta but I haven't had a single force close yet.
Home button can be configured too
It really is a must have with no downsides I have yet to discover, along with swype these are the biggest change to my android experience yet.
Unread counts for email sms and missed calls is very useful too
just download and the first time you hit 'home' it will ask which default launcher you wish to use, select 'use this as default tickbox' then LauncherPro. (you can remove this in Manage application defaults area under settings)
Pros
free (but theres now a paid version to support the developer)
customisable , so you can have android just the way you like it, cuts down on needing lots of desktop icons
reliable (no FC as yet)
no root needed
Cons
none found yet
Summary
love it , tried a few other launchers but this gives me what I what.
some more links
other launcher replacements
ADWLauncher
Home++
Swype : Keyboard replacement for Android
an android app (well keyboard replacement strictly speaking) pointed out to me by a recent Buzz post by Giles.
http://www.swypeinc.com/
"Swype provides a faster and easier way to input text on any screen. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard"
Im running Swype beta version on google nexus one eclair ( as of 21st july 2010 now running Froyo ;-) )
First there was simple text input for sending sms/email etc, then we had the now ubiqitous t9 predictive text. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T9_(predictive_text), which my wife still doesnt use !
Now there are some new players to the game, one of which is Swype
Basically you drag your finger around the keyboard to draw a line between the letter s of a word.
Sounds odd but quickly becomes second nature. Really accurate, it rarely gets words wrong first time, or provides a suggestions pop up.
Spaces are automatically added.
Double letters you just squiggle over the letter twice. Since installing I have used nothing else for sms and emails.
Its such a simple idea but just works, and saves a lot of time when creating lengthy messages.
Ordinary text input is still available if needed but you dont lol.
In fact I wrote this review initially while offline on holiday in Spain a week ago.
I even had a moment of panic this week, when my Nexus One upgraded to Froyo and left my Swype install not working!
Frantically downloaded the new installer but for a few minutes I was back to the 'old days' lol
Plus
---------
Free
Brilliant
Works flawlessly
Minus
---------
Still in beta (if you havent subscribed youre already too late) but released soon I hope.
Needs decent screen size for finger swyping.
You need to be aware of qwerty layout for long words
no easy smiley support
Summary
For me 5 out of 5 , must have application for android users.
I would struggle to do without it now, and theres not many apps you can say that about.
Others
Swift key Android T9
http://www.swiftkey.net/index.html
http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.touchtype.swiftkey.trial
Dragon voice iphone (Iphone but will be ported to Android no doubt , speech to text engine)
http://www.dragonmobileapps.com/
keyboard reviews (lists a few alternatives which includes Swype)
http://www.androidcentral.com/android-centrals-keyboard-roundup
http://www.swypeinc.com/
"Swype provides a faster and easier way to input text on any screen. With one continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard"
Im running Swype beta version on google nexus one eclair ( as of 21st july 2010 now running Froyo ;-) )
First there was simple text input for sending sms/email etc, then we had the now ubiqitous t9 predictive text. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T9_(predictive_text), which my wife still doesnt use !
Now there are some new players to the game, one of which is Swype
Basically you drag your finger around the keyboard to draw a line between the letter s of a word.
Sounds odd but quickly becomes second nature. Really accurate, it rarely gets words wrong first time, or provides a suggestions pop up.
Spaces are automatically added.
Double letters you just squiggle over the letter twice. Since installing I have used nothing else for sms and emails.
Its such a simple idea but just works, and saves a lot of time when creating lengthy messages.
Ordinary text input is still available if needed but you dont lol.
In fact I wrote this review initially while offline on holiday in Spain a week ago.
I even had a moment of panic this week, when my Nexus One upgraded to Froyo and left my Swype install not working!
Frantically downloaded the new installer but for a few minutes I was back to the 'old days' lol
Plus
---------
Free
Brilliant
Works flawlessly
Minus
---------
Still in beta (if you havent subscribed youre already too late) but released soon I hope.
Needs decent screen size for finger swyping.
You need to be aware of qwerty layout for long words
no easy smiley support
Summary
For me 5 out of 5 , must have application for android users.
I would struggle to do without it now, and theres not many apps you can say that about.
Others
Swift key Android T9
http://www.swiftkey.net/index.html
http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.touchtype.swiftkey.trial
Dragon voice iphone (Iphone but will be ported to Android no doubt , speech to text engine)
http://www.dragonmobileapps.com/
keyboard reviews (lists a few alternatives which includes Swype)
http://www.androidcentral.com/android-centrals-keyboard-roundup
Friday, 9 July 2010
my current app list using AppBrain
easy peasy
Phone: Nexus One
78 total, 73 free (93%), 5 paid (6%), 77MB total size, $41.40 total price
View this app list on AppBrain
App Brain provide an application that can sync from web to phone , so you can manage all your apps online.
john_o's Apps on the phone
Phone: Nexus One
78 total, 73 free (93%), 5 paid (6%), 77MB total size, $41.40 total price
- LauncherPro Beta
- Battery Left Widget
- Android Agenda Widget
- Wifi Analyzer
- AppBrain App Market
- Shopper
- Yelp
- aDyno
- Connect 4
- Data counter widget
- SendContact
- Handcent SMS
- Barcode Scanner
- Advanced Task Killer
- OI File Manager
- OS Monitor
- Kindle for Android
- Adobe® Reader®
- Lookout Mobile Security FREE
- NetCounter
- aCar
- Movies
- IMDb Movies & TV
- Solitaire
- Dialer One
- FeedR News Reader
- fring - free video calls, IM
- Speedtest.net Speed Test
- Pkt Auctions eBay
- Funny Jokes
- Google Translate
- Google Goggles
- Shazam
- Google Earth
- CoPilot Live - UK + Ireland
- Google Maps
- Google Buzz widget
- Weather & Toggle Widget
- Battery Status - Donate
- Layar Reality Browser
- Google Sky Map
- Weather Widget Forecast Addon
- Weather
- UltraChron Stopwatch Lite
- Speaking Pad
- SMS Backup
- Silver glass clock
- Places Directory
- Old Man Herbert Soundboard
- My Tracks
- Moon Phase
- LOL Sites
- Listen
- KeePassDroid
- imeem Mobile
- handyCalc Calculator
- SSI gTasks ToDo
- GPS Tracker
- GPS Speedometer
- Glowing Pear
- Finance
- Currency Converter
- Compass
- Chess for Android
- Bubble
- Bonsai Blast
- Battery Time: FREE
- aTrackDog(SD) track backup app
- aTrackDog - track new version
- Astrid Task/Todo List
- AndroBlogger, a Blogger client
- AndFTP
- Aloqa - Always Be A Local
- Aldiko Book Reader
- ASTRO File Manager
- Facebook for Android
- Talkback
- Amazon MP3
View this app list on AppBrain
Friday, 2 July 2010
Thursday, 1 July 2010
GTI Edition 30 : 3rd service 40k miles and cambelt change
39800 miles (2.5 yrs old), the 3rd service on the car now completed.
all good, a cool 200 notes again , I mentioned the cold start cambelt sqeak which they couldnt hear.
they also wanted to replace a rusting bonnet catch.
So I took it back in yesterday so they could hear it from cold and do the warranty item
So I got it back today with a new cambelt/tensioners and waterpump.
VW recommend changing the water pump at the same time but wont pay for it!
So it cost me £50 for the pump, rest was done under warranty which is around £600 worth.
All done now and quite as a mouse :-)
Apparently the VW recommended period for the GTI is 4yrs or 120,000 miles !!!!
next up MOT end Sept
heres the 1.2 Polo I had as a courtesy car
all good, a cool 200 notes again , I mentioned the cold start cambelt sqeak which they couldnt hear.
they also wanted to replace a rusting bonnet catch.
So I took it back in yesterday so they could hear it from cold and do the warranty item
So I got it back today with a new cambelt/tensioners and waterpump.
VW recommend changing the water pump at the same time but wont pay for it!
So it cost me £50 for the pump, rest was done under warranty which is around £600 worth.
All done now and quite as a mouse :-)
Apparently the VW recommended period for the GTI is 4yrs or 120,000 miles !!!!
next up MOT end Sept
heres the 1.2 Polo I had as a courtesy car
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