Cool apps on the Desire

The HTC Desire comes with loads of applications to get you up and running. Apart from the weather applications, the new and super cool apps available for HTC Desire can really make other smartphone owners green with envy !  C’mon I’m sure you’ve had iPhone users shove their handphones to your face asking you to check out the latest and coolest applications they’ve downloaded off Appstore, now it’s time for payback !!! Here are some exclusive applications to show off your Desire with that are not available on any other smartphone or at least not that I’m aware of

1. Google Sky Map

This one gets the girls. and turns iPhone friends green with envy. Imagine you’re lying down at some remote beach with a group of friends or that special someone under a sky full of stars and you tell them you can name each and every stars in the sky. Next you whip it out, the Desire of course and launch Google Sky Map and voila you have the universe literally at the palm of your hands. Sky Map uses the phone’s GPS, accelerometer, and compass to show the sky. Sky Map is able to show naked-eye stars, planets, sun and moon, constellation lines, horizon, cardinal points, and Messier Objects. Take that iPhone !!

Google Sky Map	Follow the arrow
You found it !	Hubble Gallery showcase

2. Google Goggles

Google once again brings the next evolution in searching –  this time to the Android devices. Goggles basically allows you to capture an image with the phone’s camera and a search query is sent to the Google search engine. The most obvious things that comes to mind to test it on was books and CD’s. Goggles had no problems detecting those. I even tried snapping the Maxis logo and surprisingly it manage to recognise the words from the photo. I’m impressed !! Goggles is also able to identify famous landmarks though I have not had the chance to do exactly that yet. Maybe this warrants a trip to KLCC, our most prominent landmark in KL Overall an interesting app to showcase the power of Google search.

The type of things that can be recognised

Tried an audio cd	No problems
Maxis logo	Character recognition works

3. Places Directory

I wasn’t really sure if this application would work here locally but I decided to try it out anyway and boy was I glad I did. Places directory basically detects your current location and allows you to look for places in the nearby vicinity, kinda like a directory It shows a thumbnail of the places, if available, in it’s listing. Clicking on the item you want reveals more details about the place and you can even share your reviews of the spot via the application. There’s a map which shows the exact location of the place and also pictures courtesy of Panoramio. Kind of  the basic stuff you would expect from a directory right? But Google went one step further and integrated Google Maps with the Place directory !! In the details, press the Menu button and you’ll be prompted with an option to get Route info to the location and voila just like that you have discovered a new place with directions on how to get there. Now if only there’s Google Navigation integrated into it, am I asking too much here ??

Places Directory	Nearby attractions
Details of the place	Location on Google Maps
Images of the place	Allows you to share, add to contacts and get Route information
Directions to the place	Detailed directions

4. Google Translate

I’m pretty sure most people have used Google’s translation service at one point or another and guess what ? It’s available on the Android. Yup now you have a translator on your Desire. If you think that’s all the application can do, you’re wrong. It has text to speech as well !! Yes it can speak your translated text, though the robotic voice has rooms for improvement but at least it’s a start. Plus you also get to translate your SMS to other languages. Now how cool is that

Translate your SMS

Not 100% accurate though

Text to voice

5.  Metal Detector

I kid you not !! The Desire can now act as a metal detector and it actually works !!! Magic ?? It utilises the built in compass which detects changes in the magnetic field hence why it only works on metal and not stuff like silver. It also works detecting other phones. Can you feel the disturbance in the force ?? LOL Amazing what phones can do nowadays

Show me some metal	It's close by
Bingo	The settings

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