AndroidGuys

Now that there are 46 known winners from the first round of the Android Developers Challenge, we have a definite idea as to what potential exists for the platform. We can’t imagine what some of these will look like or how they’ll operate with more time and money given to the cause. AndroidGuys is here to provide you readers with a little bit more detail than just names and developers. We’re going to do our best to give you a few extra tidbits so you get a better feel for what’s in store.

Application Name: PedNav
Developer: RouteMe2 Technologies Inc.
Website: http://www.routeme2.com/products/pednav/
What they say: PedNav™ is an application that helps you plan your activities efficiently when moving around and interacting with an urban environment. Like a good personal assistant, PedNav first inquires about your general plans for the day. PedNav creates a personalized “itinerary”: a time-orderly list of events for the day, specifying when to go where, and how to get there.
What we say: This is the personal assistant that we all want but couldn’t afford. Seriously, how convenient will it be to have your handset plan things out for you ahead of time and remind you of things? First thing that comes to mind is splitting holiday time with multiple families. The busy weekends will not seem so hectic anymore!

Application Name: Pocket Journey
Developer: Anthony Stevens and Rosie Pongracz
Website: http://http//www.pocketjourney.com/
What they say: Pocket Journey is a mobile application that connects your location to the voices of a global community of artists, historians, architects, musician, comedians, and others so you can quickly know everything about anywhere. It is targeted to anyone and all age groups wanting to explore our world in more detail from tourists exploring new locations as well as anyone interested in learning more about their own local areas. While our alpha release focuses on a few major cities, Pocket Journey will soon capture information from any location on the planet.
What we say: What looks like a “Digg” type program built on top of Google Maps, this app seems like a great way to find points of interest with social interaction and feedback. Rating locations is only part of the process. Find out more information on the places you’re currently visiting and/or planning to.

Application Name: Rayfarla
Developer: Stephen Oldmeadow
Website: http://smoco.wordpress.com/
What they say: Rayfarla turns your phone into a musical instrument as well as providing a variety of mini games that are music related.
What we say: We have to wonder if this program will use the accelerometer at all. Will the phone make different noises based off of movement? What kind of mini-games are we looking at? We’d love to see that old ‘Simon’ game from the 70’s and 80’s enhanced with movement based sounds!

Application Name: SocialMonster
Developer: Ben Siu-Lung Hui and Tommy Ng
Website: http://www.socialmonster.com/
What they say: Yes! You have finally found the club you have been looking for! Social Monster provides you with many opportunities throughout every month to meet other individuals with similar interests and have a great time in the process. Our members are fun, laid back and want to meet new people, just like you.
What we say: We couldn’t find anything specific on the application itself but we think we know what this is - a tool for finding events in your area. Be it night clubs, sporting events, dining, and more. Probably a pay-per month service or some subscription based pricing.

Application Name: SplashPlay
Developer:
Website: http://www.splashplay.co.uk/
What they say: SplashPlay offers the next generation in musical tuition and learning to play the guitar just got a whole lot easier. Simply attach the pod and light panel to your guitar and start strumming to your favourite songs in minutes. Songs are sent to the pod from a mobile phone or computer using a USB or Bluetooth connection, giving total portability. Other features include a guitar tuner, guitar metronome and a hands free, Bluetooth foot pedal. The product will provide an easy, portable and fun method of learning music.
What we say: Having a tuner, metronome, and more in a handset will be very handy for the wanna-be’s as well as the real musician who’s tired of carrying around extra equipment. This ought to make legitimate guitar heroes out of a lot of us.

Application Name: Sustain
Developer: Niraj Swami
Website:

What they say: Sustain helps maintain your social network by listening for stories and updates relevant to your contacts (smart stories), which you can share so as to initiate communication or connect with your contacts – in a very natural way. It’s an intelligent way of managing a messaging system for auto replies and reminder alerts that respond to call behavior. It also connects you with contacts in the vicinity of your physical location.

What we say: We’re intrigued by the idea of this one. How it will connect us with contacts within our vicinity is one of the questions we have. We’re also curious to see what it does for auto-replies. Could it be for calls, messages, both? We’ll find out soon enough. Niraj indicated to us that a video demo and website are coming soon.

We’d love to see more on the following programs: Phonebook 2.0, PicSay, Piggyback, Safety Net, and Synchrospot.

If one of these programs are yours, we want to hear from you! Email us at androidguys @ gmail.com and let us know more about your entry! Check back often as we’ll be updating with the next few.