Categories
General Product Reviews

SugarSync

I’ve been wanting to talk about SugarSync for awhile now but haven’t really had a chance to write a detailed review of it.  In fact, I really don’t have the time right now, but I think this is something that everyone should have.

SugarSync allows you to do five main things:

  • Backup your files (documents, photos, music, etc.) offsite
  • Sync your files across multiple computers (desktop, laptop, office, netbook, etc)
  • Share your files with friends or colleagues
  • Access your files from any internet connection
  • Manage your files from your smartphone using apps available for the iPhone, Blackberry, Android & WinMo

Why should you backup your files offsite?  Let me tell you a story.

For about two years I backed up my files on an external drive.  Some of the files I stored on it were original files, meaning that no other copies existed.  Then one day I saw that the light on the HD was flashing.  The motor on the HD had gone bad.  The data on the drive was stuck.  Repair estimates were in the several hundred dollars.  Personally it wasn’t worth the money.

Not wanting to experience this again I looked at other options including multiple drives, multiple external drives, flash drives, and the old standard of CDs/DVDs.  While the prices were reasonable, what would happen if the house burned down or the computer and drives were stolen?  All the information would be gone, again.

So I looked at online, offsite options.  I came across SugarSync, a relatively new company, that not only offered offsite storage, but allowed me to access my files from any computer with an internet connection.  For me this was perfect.

And the best part of using SugarSync: All of my files are backed up automatically.  After setting up which folders you want backed up, when you save or change a file, it’s automatically backed up, instantly.

On last thing about SugarSync for now.  You can try SugarSync for free for 30 days, and you can backup your files for as little as $4.99 a month.  What do you have to lose, except your files? 😛

Categories
Game Reviews General HTC Droid Eris Product Reviews

Othello for the Android Eris

Okay, this might be a simple game but it’s still addicting.

A couple of days ago I downloaded Othello Reversi for my HTC Android Eris from the Android Marketplace.  A quick install and I was ready to play a childhood favorite.

When you start the game you’re taken to a control panel.  It’s a little simple looking but you really don’t need a fancy screen to choose which color you want to be right?  You also have the option to play against someone else, watch a demo or exit the game.

Once you select a color the game starts.  Along the bottom are the scores and whose turn it is.  You can also replay a move if you missed what just happened.

Game play is just like the board game.  I’ve only played a few games but they seem to last a little less than five minutes.

Overall, a good time killer that’s simple to play.  I give three and a half bananas.

Three and a half bananas

Categories
General HTC Droid Eris Product Reviews

Cool Android Game – Robo Defense

I just wanted to take a moment and talk about a game I downloaded for my HTC Droid Eris.  It’s called Robo Defense.

I found the free version of this game while scrolling through the Android Marketplace Games.  It had a high review rating so I thought heck, it’s free, why not give it a shot.  It quickly became a very addicting game.

The goal of the game is to prevent enemy robots, tanks and aircraft from getting into your base.  You build up a defense of cannons, road blocks, surface to air missiles to prohibit them from reaching your base’s main door.

Once you learn the basics of the game you’ll be able to start planning strategies to complicate their movements.

On the third or fourth try I was able to successfully beat the game.  However, just because you beat it once doesn’t mean you can’t play it again.  You can try different methods of blocking the enemy and watch them be annihilated.

Overall the game is simple yet fun to play.  And being free is a bonus.

I give it four bananas.

four bananas

Categories
General HTC Droid Eris Product Reviews

Review of the HTC Droid Eris

On Sunday, March 14, 2010 I decided to step outside my comfort zone and purchase a new phone.  This might not seem like a big deal to most of you, but I like to keep things simple.  It takes me a few moments to deal with change.  Changing my phone, especially to something like the one I bought, was a huge step.   I decided it was time to upgrade to a smartphone.

Why a smartphone?

There have been several times where I was out for a walk or waiting for an appointment and I either get an idea, had a question about something, or was just bored, and sending a text email to remind myself to look something up later wasn’t cutting it anymore.  I wanted to jot down the idea or find the answer to my question right then.

Also, I often hang out at my local Starbucks on my days off to read or brainstorm.  Having a laptop with me would be nice but not always convenient.  I also didn’t want to spend $600+ on something I would rarely use.  So I decided that a smartphone was the correct choice for me.

I tried to be as smart (no pun intended) as I could be with making this purchase.  I first went to the store and played touchy-feely with several of the phones.  I wanted to see how they worked, which type of keyboard was easier to use and how fast really was the internet browser.  If it was going to take a few minutes for a page to load, forget about it.

After visiting the store I did some research online.  I looked at many reviews and in the end decided to purchase the HTC Droid Eris.

HTC Droid ErisI have to start out by saying this phone is sexy.  I mean, just look at it.

As for functionality, I’m going to give a quick one week review.

Verizon’s 3G network rocks.  No complaints.  Granted, I haven’t tried any of the other carriers’ service, but when you click a link and a new page opens, what else do you need.

I currently have three email accounts connected to my phone, including my Gmail account.  A Gmail account is an absolute must to get the most use out of your phone.  If you don’t have a Gmail account, you can set one up when you make your purchase.

Having a Gmail account allows you to tie in your contacts and calendar to your phone.  (There are also some other features but I haven’t figured them all out just yet.)  When you update your contacts or calendar online at home, your phone is automatically updated.  And vice-versa , if you update them on your phone, they also get updated online, almost instantly.  Cool huh?

Just like other smartphones, the Droid Eris can have apps, or small programs/tools that you can add to your phone.  There are hundreds of apps available to download.  Most are free while some cost a buck or two.  I will talk about two apps today.  The Facebook and Twitroid apps, and both are free.

The Facebook app connects directly with your Facebook account.  It allows you to read and comment on your friends’ statuses, upload photos directly your albums, view and edit your profile and view your notifications.  I use this one several times a day and find it very easy to use.

The Twitroid App connects to your Twitter account and allows you to read and send tweets, read your direct messages and do searches for both people and comments.  It’s easy to use and takes up very little resources.  I highly recommend it.

One week later I’m very happy with my purchase.  No buyer’s remorse here.  If you’re looking for a powerful smartphone please consider the HTC Droid Eris.  As this is my first smartphone, I can’t compare it to others.  I will say that it’s been a little challenging learning all the features, but HTC has made the Droid Eris easy to go through and get set up.  The online manual is also very thorough.

Overall, after only a week of use, I’d give this phone 3 1/2 bananas.

Three and a half bananas

Thanks for reading my review!