ConnectBot - A Unix Guy's best friend!

ConnectBot is a required install for any Droid (really Android) user who frequently must log into Unix systems via SSH. It can telnet, but would you really want to do that? Also, it can open a local shell on the Android device itself. It has all the features of a modern SSH client and integrates well with the Droid. There are a few things to keep in mind to make your experience more pleasant, however:

1. The Droid's high resolution screen will make fonts eye-wateringly tiny when you first log into a system. A forthcoming release will make the initial font size resolution dependent. But for now, all you have to do is use the Volume Up and Down keys to change the size of the displayed fonts.
2. There are some keyboard shortcuts that apply to every phone. My personal favorite is using the right-hand side "shift" key for tab-completion. These are also described in the "Help" tab from the Menu.
   
3. There are some Droid-specific keyboard shortcuts that you must know. The pipe character, for example, is typed by hitting SHIFT, then ALT , and then finally the comma (",") key. Also, the "ctrl" key is the D-pad's "center" button. These, unfortunately, are not available from the "Help" tab. I get around this by having the relevant page bookmarked in the browser.
   

My only caveat is that long usage of a ConnectBot session will quickly drain your battery. I think this is a worthwhile trade-off as it keeps the display and the data connection open continuously, in order to not interrupt your work (this behavior can be modified in the settings, however). For someone who requires access to an SSH shell literally all the time (like yours truly), this Android App almost by itself makes the Droid purchase worthwhile.

I am l33t h4x0r!....ok, not really

My phone is a critical business tool... which is why I broke down and installed the SholesMod rom. It was really easy and it brings quite a few new features, the ones I particularly like:

1. Pinch to zoom in the browser. I honestly thought this wasn't a big deal, but you don't know what you're missing until you've got it.
2. Wireless tethering. BOO YAA! I won't use it much, but as I use friggin' Clear WiMax (which goes down all the goddamn time!) it's nice to have backup Internet access for work emergencies.
3. SetCPU - Technically not part of SholesMod, but OMFG you can overclock your phone! BOO YAA!!!! I actually didn't overclock too high, but you can also underclock the phone when it's locked, thus saving the precious, precious juice.
4. A Super Hip New image Gallery app that integrates with Picasa Web.
5. Speech to Text - I know that speaking into a phone so you can text message someone sounds particularly quixotic, but honestly folks if I want to talk to you, I'd call :-)

Nota Bene - apparently there was some "drama" between the developers and the web-guy at sholes.info, so the project is now DroidMod. I have not upgraded to their first release, but I will report back soon.

Engadget Review of the HTC/Google Nexus One

I really dig the Philip K. Dick reference. Also, I seriously hope this phone doesn't go bonkers and start killing people. I find myself not having Nexus One envy, as much as I am experiencing Android 2.1 envy. One of my rationalizations for getting a Droid was that because it was a plain-vanilla Android device, it would get updates faster. We'll see if this theory holds true.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/02/exclusive-google-nexus-one-hands-on-video-and-first-impressio/

The first app I've ever paid for - Portland Transit

I am fortunate to not have to drive to work. One of the benefits to living in beautiful Portland Oregon is our outstanding public transportation system. When I was considering buying an Android phone, one of the Killer Ideas I had in the back of my mind was an app that would integrate geospatial awareness (GPS) with Trimet's excellent scheduling information. When I finally got my Droid, I was pleasantly surprised that there were already apps implementing these ideas. My favorite quickly became Killer Robots LLC's "Portland Transit Lite". I found myself using this free reduced-feature version every day. I'm not wealthy, but I feel a distinct need to reward excellence. I consider the $1.99 price very reasonable. The Android system's integration with Google Checkout made payment incredibly easy (perhaps too easy!)

Perhaps not surprisingly, there are a several features that make the paid version even cooler than the lite version. My favorites - There is a "radar" feature that helps you find Trimet stops from where you are. Additionally, the incoming time information for each stop updates automatically, where on the lite version you must refresh it manually. All-in-all, a very worthwhile addition to my Droid.

Portland Transit's page at Androlib.com
Killer Robots LLC

Couldn't wait for the OTA 2.0.1 update...

I followed the instructions from two sites to update my Droid to 2.0.1 -
http://android-devs.org
http://www.intomobile.com
I discovered two things. The links to the update .zip file are not the same, which if you are paranoid (i.e. remotely security conscious) raises concerns of possibly compromised packages. The two md5sums matched (not that that really means anything) and were reported as

3af35446905040a3123ec09195299596

Also, when you have to press Volume Up and Camera at the same time, don't freak out about doing it wrong, you can just keep trying until you get it right. You don't need to hold them down, either. Once you get it right, you will see the recovery menu.

Haven't had much of a chance to play with 2.0.1 yet. At first blush, the unlock screen has changed and the built-in Power Control and Music widgets all have a darker more Droid-like theme.

Luke Wilson == AT&T's attack dog!?

I mentioned this in my earlier review, but a limitation of Verizon's 3G network is that you cannot make a call and use a data connection simultaneously. NB - If you are connected to a WiFi hot spot, you can talk and use data without any problems.

The *.ogg files

I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise, being an embedded Linux device, that my Droid plays all my ogg vorbis audio files just fine!