Android Phones

[Billy Griffin]

Just upgraded to the Sprint HTC Hero. Tons of Android applications, and with this being an open-source development platform, I'm interested to see what weather-related applications may become available!

Besides the usual weather data, anyone know of other wx-related apps for the Android platform?

 

[Scott Hammel]

Yes I am intrigued to see what the Android developers can do. I am torn right now about giving up my Blackberry Storm to get the new Moto Droid coming out on Verizon Friday. I was for sure going to pick it up until I found out that Verizon's new 'flagship' phone won't support tethering! WTF is that? I know Android being an open development OS, there'll be tethering apps galore eventually but Verizon keeps pretty serious tabs on excessive data usage. Seeing as I stream video while chasing, I think they'd shut me down pretty quickly if I weren't playing by the rules! We'll see...

 

[D. Hayes]

Scott it will support tethering out of the box but only USB for now. You can bet that wireless tethering will be out soon with the app community making it happen.

 

[Kiel Ortega]

According to this article the Droid will not support tethering out of the box, but it will be added in 2010. Interesting article, as it looks like carriers are shutting down tethering services for smartphones and AT&T and Verizon look to be the last to continue to offer it.

 

[Andrew Revering]

I intend to buy the HTC Hero (Sprint) and develop a weather app for the Android and iPhone platforms at some point.

Regarding the Hero... can you tell me how that white light trackball works? Does it blink when you get a text message, or what functionality does it have regarding the light? I think thats a cute novelty.

 

[D. Hayes]

According to this article the Droid will not support tethering out of the box, but it will be added in 2010. Interesting article, as it looks like carriers are shutting down tethering services for smartphones and AT&T and Verizon look to be the last to continue to offer it.

The word on howard forums is the Verizon Access Manager software isn't updated yet for the Android 2.0 but you can use the PDAnet software from http://www.junefabrics.com/android/index.php which cost a one time $30.

 

[Scott Hammel]

The word on howard forums is the Verizon Access Manager software isn't updated yet for the Android 2.0 but you can use the PDAnet software from http://www.junefabrics.com/android/index.php which cost a one time $30.

Yeah I was looking into PDAnet but was told to be careful with my data usage while using it. Basically, Verizon doesn't get a penny if you tether through PDAnet because you are paying just the one time $30 fee, therefore if they see you using a lot (which I do during the chase season) they can shut you off for breaking the TOS. Verizon doesn't look fondly on people taking advantage of them or at least when you use their networks data and they don't receive a cut! Yikes! That's like messing with the mafia.

In regards to VZW Access Manager getting released in 2010, that's great to hear. I hope it comes before April though!

 

[Brett Adair]

There is an app out there that allows you to view the droid as a wireless network while using it to talk in 3G areas. We used it last Friday when chasing in West Alabama and it was pretty flawless.

 

[D. Hayes]

Well I'll be stopping by the local Verizon store tomorrow morning to see if they have any androids in stock. Going to give it a spin and see how it works. If I don't like it I'll go back to blackberry for the storm 2.

 

[Scott Hammel]

I want that Droid tomorrow so bad! But, I'm going to discipline myself and wait until VZW Access Manager comes out for it so I know for sure I'll have tethering in time for chase season. It hurts sitting on the sideline for this launch though

 

[Kiel Ortega]

Wow...looks like Verizon is going for your wallet if you get the Droid. This article states that if you get the Droid, you have to pay a $30/month data plan (on top of whatever voice plan you have)...but to tether it'll be the another $30/month. Ugggg...I was so hyped for this phone, but Verizon is making me sad.

 

[Scott Hammel]

Wow...looks like Verizon is going for your wallet if you get the Droid. This article states that if you get the Droid, you have to pay a $30/month data plan (on top of whatever voice plan you have)...but to tether it'll be the another $30/month. Ugggg...I was so hyped for this phone, but Verizon is making me sad.

Yeah, it's just the same as what ATT does for the iPhone where you have to buy a data plan with any smartphone. Fortunately at least Verizon will give you the option to tether. If you get the higher corporate data plan, then adding tethering is only an extra $15/month. The thing I like about it w/Verizon is you can turn it on or off on a monthly basis which I usually leave on from April-October. So far the reviews I'm reading on HoFo seem to indicate a successful launch for Verizon. I'll get mine soon enough...

 

[D. Hayes]

I got lucky then. I went ahead and made the jump to the Droid and the online order didn't force me to change from my Alltel plan. So technically I should still have unlimited data as before. I'm going go ahead with the PDAnet program and hope they don't pitch a fit.

 

[Scott Hammel]

I got lucky then. I went ahead and made the jump to the Droid and the online order didn't force me to change from my Alltel plan. So technically I should still have unlimited data as before. I'm going go ahead with the PDAnet program and hope they don't pitch a fit.

You'll have to let me know how you like the phone and how PDAnet is working. Particularly if the tether is by USB or if you can bluetooth it? Cool that you could roll your Alltel plan over!

 

[Ryanne Jobsian]

I have a T-Mobile G1. That phone is an essential part of chasing for me this year. It does quite a bit and there are a few weather apps in the Market for it. I have quite a few and some are better than others. It is kind of frustrating because some are better than others. Like even with 3G coverage some of the programs run a bit slow as far as radar goes. A lot of them use Google Map based radar/satellite/lightning overlay... I must say I HATE that radar. Probably because it is not too detailed AT ALL. However, it is long range which was helpful when my nearest radar site was down due to a lightning hit.

Anyway, here are the apps I have on my phone:

Aviation Weather from NOAA/NWS which offers Aviation text, radar, satellite etc. It is an experimental app but pretty decent if you need TAF/METAR (translated and raw) and PIREPs

AccuWeather Well, what can I say? It is AccuWeather. The only thing about it I like is the quick loading radar which is not so awesome because you cannot zoom, but it is not bad if you need something instantly.

iMap Weather This program is okay. It is not terrible but I find it can be difficult and slow to work with at times.

The Weather Channel I really like this app. It is somewhat similar to iMap but it offers more features and is more reliable with things like warnings. It has a widget to display current conditions on the desktop of the phone. You can set alerts for warnings and such.

Everyones tastes are different and I suggest just playing around with the different programs. Until we can get GR3 for Android, that is what we have to do.