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Android Smart Phone with Dumb Owner, and 5 favorite apps

NinerBikes
Explorer
Explorer
My friend just bought his first smart phone... it's a Galaxy 5S from Verizon.

Currently, I am helping him sort out some issues with it. Google on a laptop along side the phone to remove bloatware, is rather nice. However, it seems that buying a locked down phone from ATT, Sprint, Verizon, or who ever, versus an unlocked, Open Source capable S5, may have been a bad move. The ability to unlock and have Super Administration powers to shut off and delete bloat ware is very, very nice on my Galaxy S4, the S5... however... they seemed to so far have shut that option out.

With all that said, I'd like to pick the brains of RV'ers that own Android Phones, and your 5 favorite Applications that you downloaded and use.

Start a separate Apple page, if you use an iPhone, please, don't pollute or thread cr*p here with Apple Store stuff, two diverse, separate products.

Stuff, I use a lot.

1. Google Maps, and Navigation.

2. Gas Buddy, set up for diesel fuel... I need to fill up pretty much every 350 -420 miles, usually on the road, in new places, while trailering.

3.Fuelly.com To log my fuel ups. and keep a complete log, on line.

4. Torque Pro App, with an Elm 327 Bluetooth OBDII port adapater to communicate, and to keep track of all vital car temps, and voltages with gauges, as well as have access to CEL scans if the idiot light comes on, and to go on Google, and pull up what the code means, signifies, and how to fix it, and clear the code permanently. I don't want dealerships charging me $140 for a scan of codes I can do myself. So I do the scan, write it down, save it, and clear it, and if it reappears, and the dealership gives me the BS that "We can't duplicate it." I have a log on file showing that it did indeed exist.

5. I always check in with Weather Underground a day or two before going on the road to know travel conditions. I can not emphasize this enough with towing a travel trailer. Cross winds I can do with out. Quit if they pick up and travel another day. Life is too short to get flipped by a sideways gust.
26 REPLIES 26

johnnyrv
Explorer
Explorer
Favorite apps . Kindle, GoodSam, RvParky, mapquest, gas guru, raindar, weather bug, passport america, google navivagation

NinerBikes
Explorer
Explorer
Anyone else?

wcjeep
Explorer
Explorer
FrankShore wrote:
You can go to settings>about device> tap on "build number" about 7 times to unlock developer tools and options.


Once in Developer Options, turn off all animations. If you don't use My Magazine, disable it. I prefer Folders on my Home Screen. I place all News apps in one folder. Google apps in another. Cleans everything up.

Be sure to play with HDR in the camera settings. The phone can also be converted to QI Wireless charging.

I've included a link that has a brief overview for wireless charging.

Youtube for Wireless Charging

NinerBikes
Explorer
Explorer
FrankShore wrote:
You can go to settings>about device> tap on "build number" about 7 times to unlock developer tools and options.


you pretty much have to buy a Developers Model on Galaxy S5 to have access to developers tools, me thinks. Galaxy S5 is pretty locked down by the major carriers, in the USA... ATT Sprint and Verizon.

Alfred622
Explorer
Explorer
In addition to those mentioned:

IP Cam Viewer Basic - the remote IP camera viewer that I use to keep an eye on the stick house while traveling.

Raindar - wonderful app - gives me a doppler radar map centered on my current location.
Alfred
2005 Sightseer with Workhorse, ReadyBrute Elite towing 2003 Honda CRV
Map below shows states where we actually camped.....

NinerBikes
Explorer
Explorer
bigred1cav wrote:
OK where do these apps come from and how do we get them on the phone?


Google Play Store.

Generally do a google search and if something shows up under "play store" while doing a search.

Playstore icon on your Android device.

bigred1cav
Explorer
Explorer
OK where do these apps come from and how do we get them on the phone?

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
Radar Express (NOAA) free
M-Ping (Reverse NOAA, you tell them what the weather is doing)
(in)Accu-weater

Calculator, and a few other "utility" apps like that

RV-Parky for finding overnights.

I have a lot of apps but a whole lot of them apply to one or another of my hobbies or special interests.. Just the other day I had to look up a chemical by its valance number... (NA-Sodium) and yes,,,, I have an app for that.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times

FrankShore
Explorer
Explorer
I have the BAFX OBDII Reader w/ the Torque App Pro and it works great!
2014 F-250
2014 Minnie Winnie 2351DKS (Traded In-Burnout-Use A Surge Protector!)
2015 Arctic Fox 22G (Great Trailer But Heavy - Traded In)
2018 Lance 1685 w/ Solar & 4 Seasons Package
1999 Beneteau 461 Oceanis Yacht
En Norski i en Fransk bรฅt - Dette mรฅ jeg se!

FrankShore
Explorer
Explorer
You can go to settings>about device> tap on "build number" about 7 times to unlock developer tools and options.
2014 F-250
2014 Minnie Winnie 2351DKS (Traded In-Burnout-Use A Surge Protector!)
2015 Arctic Fox 22G (Great Trailer But Heavy - Traded In)
2018 Lance 1685 w/ Solar & 4 Seasons Package
1999 Beneteau 461 Oceanis Yacht
En Norski i en Fransk bรฅt - Dette mรฅ jeg se!

Dick_B
Explorer
Explorer
Weather Channel and Firefox are the ones I use the most plus CBS Sports when one of my teams is doing well. I also use the Chime tone that makes a sound like a Westminster chime clock every hour from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two electric bikes (both Currie Tech Path+ models)

CodyClassB
Explorer II
Explorer II
I use an IP camera app from http://www.ipcamsoft.com to monitor the house. I am thinking about mounting the cameras in the rv but that would require internet connection.