New – Rock That Mobile Sales Alerts Newsletter

Posted by Dana Rock on Aug 2, 2012 in Android Apps, Android Tablet, Apps Lists, Chaser, HTC Evo V 4G, HTC Wildfire S, Iphone, LG Optimus Elite, LG Optimus Slider, LG Optimus V, LG Rumor Touch, Motorola Triumph, News, Special Deals, Virgin Mobile | 0 comments

Tax Apps For Android – ‘Tis The Season

Posted by Dana Rock on Jan 13, 2012 in Android Apps, Apps Lists, LG Optimus V, Motorola Triumph, Productivity | 0 comments

Yes, its true, tax time is here — again.

My first W-2 showed up in the mailbox just yesterday. As a result, I thought I would look at the Android Market, and see what kind of “Tax Time” apps existed.

To my surprise, it turns out, there are only a handful of tax related apps in the Android Market – far fewer than I would have expected.

Most years, I use a free or inexpensive online service like TurboTax or H&R Block to file my personal tax return.

This year, I plan to file online with TurboTax and am pleased to see that they have two Android apps. What can’t you use your phone for? Geezzzz.

Make this tax season a little more interesting and easier with some Android apps designed just for the United States taxpayer.

TurboTax Android Apps – Get ‘Em

TaxSnap - cool concept where it only takes a camera snap to get your taxes underway with W-2 info recognition.

TaxCaster - want to know if you are gonna owe the big bucks this year or if you can expect a fat refund in the mail? TaxCaster is your app! This is a great app for hypothetical situations to see how changing one factor may change how much tax you pay or how large a refund you receive.

Other Tax Day Winners

TaxAct – helps you organize your tax documents and allows you to track returns. It is also integrated with the TaxAct product lines.

BNA Quick Tax Reference – More information than I know what to do with regarding taxes. If you want a free reference guide in the palm of your hand – this is the ticket.

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Posted by Dana Rock on Nov 18, 2011 in Android Apps, Apps Lists, Awesome Articles, HTC Wildfire S, LG Optimus Slider, LG Optimus V, Newbie Zone, News, Phone Docs, Reviews, Special Deals, Virgin Mobile | 0 comments

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Top 15 Android Market Alternative Appstores For Your LG Optimus V and the Motorola Triumph

Posted by Dana Rock on Sep 27, 2011 in Android Apps, Apps Lists, LG Optimus V, Motorola Triumph, Newbie Zone, Reviews | 1 comment

If you own an Android, any Android, you almost certaintly know about the Android Market and the Amazon Appstore. Both of these are now market standards.

What you may not know is that there are A LOT of other alternative appstores lurking around the internet that may be worth checking out — who knows what the future may hold for them and whether they will soon hit the street in a viral frenzy as a contender. We’ve seen this recently with GetJar and their new free premium apps program in GetJar Gold.

So, let’s get right in to it and look at the top 15 Android Market alternatives. In order to qualify as an appstore, the store must allow you to buy directly from them and not just be a service for app discovery like AppBrain, Chomp, or AppAware. App Discovery is a whole other post I will publish someday.

1. Amazon Appstore

Amazon Appstore

If you do not already have the Amazon Appstore downloaded and installed on your Android, you are crazy (or just did not know about it ). I have collected hundreds of dollars in paid apps with their “Get a great paid app for free every day” program.

The great thing is that you do not even have to install the apps to “collect” them. All you need to do is have or set up an Amazon account and just push the “get it” button once a day. Chu — ching! Free money!

2. Opera Mobile App Store

Opera Mobile App Store

Oepra Mobile App Store does not have an Android app and it does not even have a desktop friendly version. It is made for phones to browse in a web browser.

The Opera Mobile App Store does not only deal with Android, but it launched this last year mostly to support Java apps in feature phones.

3. GetJar

GetJar

GetJar has always been a pretty big app market for Java phones, but it has just recently made some significant inroads with Android apps.

“Stealing” some tactics from Amazon, they recently implemented the GetJar Gold program that set up special deals with some choice app developers to offer their premium paid apps for free exclusively on GetJar.

The GetJar Gold apps list grows on a weekly basis rather than a daily basis like the Amazon Appstore. It is worth checking out.

GetJar requires the use of a download helper in the form of an Android app you will have to install. You get the app directly from GetJar and not from the Android Marketplace.

4. Soc.io

Soc.io

Soc.io used to be the AndAppStore, and they are trying to present the image of a one stop shop. They sell Apps, Games, and Books for Android devices.

5. OnlyAndorid Superstore [Mobihand affiliates]

http://store.andgeeks.com/ or  http://store.androidguys.com/

Mobihand offers Android sites that receive a lot of traffic to be affiliates. These sites sell Mobihand’s apps on their domain and receive a cut. The two links above are just two examples of many many “stores” out there powered by Mobihand.

6. Handango

Handango

Handango — a trade name of PocketGear — is another app market that caters to a variety of operating systems in addition to Android including Blackberry, Windows Phone, Symbian, and Palm.

There is a large selection of apps and games, and Handango runs sales and coupons here and there.

7. InsydeMarket

InsydeMarket

This is a very small market – featuring less than 300 apps, but it has been around for a while. Its worth playing around with just to say you’ve done it.

8. Appoke

Appoke

I really like Appoke – it is a social experience. It is social like AppBrain is social with the basic profile, friend following, and easy voting.

Appoke has an Android app for their market of close to 4,000 apps.

9. SlideME

SlideME

One of the larger Android alternative markets with more than 6,000 apps and games. It has a dedicated Android app for access to their market.

10. YAAM Market

YAAM Market -aka “Yet Another Android Market”

Its small, but it is for sure “another Android Market”.

11. AndAppOnline

AndAppOnline

Desktop access focused with no more than 500 apps. You download the APKs in the browser whether on your desktop or on your phone. No account or special app is required for the AndAppOnline.

12. ESDN

ESDN – Desktop or ESDN – Mobile

Growing app store with just under 700 apps at the time of this posting for Android. ESDN offers paid and free apps with PayPal purchase options.

ESDN appears to be actively recruiting developers to list their app by offering free registrations and listing. May be one to watch.

13. Aproov

Aproov

Easy to use web app interface – totally worth a look. I’m not convinced there is a lot of growth potential, but who knows.

14. Mobango

Mobango

Under 900 apps and 500 games for Android. You can also browse graphics, videos, and set up a social profile in their “community”. The main focus of Mobango is user interaction and much of the content is shared by the community.

With MOBANGO, you have immediate access to thousands of personal files provided by MOBANGO users, across the World. You can publish, convert, and share Personal Content of all types for your cell phone – Videos, Photos, Ringtones, Applications, Games.

15. Handster

Handster

Looks pretty legit. There are sales on apps and special prices if you buy from your phone as opposed to on the desktop.

They have a “lowest price guarantee” and “100% money back guarantee”. The refund period is a whopping 30 days from the time of purchase. The price match feature is equally as “woah” with a 30 day window to find a lower price on any app store in English. If you find a lower price, they will refund 110% of your purchase.

I wonder how long Handster can maintain these guarantee/price match periods if they ever go mainstream….

There you Have It!

Well, that list should keep you busy for a while . Enjoy!

Please leave comments on your thoughts about any of these markets and any other markets you love that I missed.

Rock That!

[originally published on Rock That LG Optimus V & Rock That Moto T]

Free Gears of War 3 Apps For Your Android

Posted by Dana Rock on Sep 19, 2011 in Android Apps, Apps Lists, Games, LG Optimus V, Motorola Triumph, Reference, Ringtones & Wallpapers | 0 comments

Gears of War 3 drops in only a matter of hours – Let’s see how your phone can help you kick ass in your favorite video game. All of these apps were free at the time of this posting.

Continue reading “Free Gears of War 3 Apps For Your Android” »

Top 25 First Apps for Your New Motorola Triumph from Virgin Mobile

Posted by Dana Rock on Aug 18, 2011 in Android Apps, Apps Lists, Browser, Camera, Homes & Launchers, Motorola Triumph, Music, Newbie Zone, Office, Reviews, Ringtones & Wallpapers, Security, Social, Tools, Video | 5 comments

New Android Phone, Eh?

The Motorola Triumph is fresh out of the package, battery charged, and linked to your Google Account. You have right around one GB of free space to fill with apps — That is a lot of space if you are coming from another Virgin Mobile Android phone. In fact, it is about six times more space than the Samusng Intercept or the LG Optimus V.

Continue reading “Top 25 First Apps for Your New Motorola Triumph from Virgin Mobile” »