Communication Apps Common to iOS and Android

This project was born on the need to use PCs, a Mac, iPad, Android Tablet and Smartphone at different times and locations. The idea behind this tutorial is to be able to use the same Apps, or very similar, in these different devices and ecosystems. I found that many (if not most) software developers develop Apps for an ecosystem and port them to the others. At the time of this writing iOS and Android dominate the mobile market, so this work is limited to these two ecosystems.

There is no absolute best set of Apps, but rather Apps that individuals feel are better for them. Even the categories of Apps may vary depending upon the author preferences and uses. These are my Communication Apps Common to iOS and Android

• Mail: all devices come with a mail program installed that allow multiple accounts setup, support Web mail(GMail, Yahoo, etc), Exchange, POP and IMAP connections. You can see a video to setup mail in the iPAD. The Android manufacturers customize the mail interface, but all have the same functions. Here is a video of example to setup mail in Android. UB information to setup IMAP and POP conections are in this OTS page, or this other OTS page.
• Text message: Again all devices come with a texting App that became so pervasive that Maryland Law prihibits not only texting, but also reading text messages and e-mail when driving. The only difference among providers (AT&T, Verizon, etc) is how images are attached to messages. See this posting for information.
• Phone: once more comes with all phone devices, but not with iPad and Tablets. AT&T 3G smartphones, iPhone, and 4G LTE Verizon smartphones allow simultaneous voice and data use. An old application in phones like speeddial became hard to find in the new phones. I like the QuickDial for Android. I don't have a final recommendation for iPhone, but TapDial is one of the possible alternatives.
• Social media tools: Twitter and YouTube come with most devices. Facebook (including iPad), and WordPress blog are available for both iOS and Android.
• VOIP voice and video: The original iPad had no camera, the iPhone 4 has one camera, and iPhone 4S and iPad 2 have two cameras. Android phones and tablets all have one, and most two cameras. Skype can be installed on all of these devices, but it will behave differently depending on the camera availability. All can do a voice call in Wifi or 3G/4G. This is particularly important for Verizon customers that use CDMA while most of the carriers outside the US use GSM. Skype over Wifi can be used when Verizon 3G is not available, but Internet connection and Wifi are, both in rural areas and abroad (most hotels). Verizon 4G LTE phones/tablets can do voice and video, so can the iPhone 4S and iPad 2.
• Webcast streaming:You can use Ustream to create live broadcasts (webcasts) using both an Android or iOS device that has a camera. You download the App, sign up for an account. You will select an username and password and once you sign in and start the webcast it will show on line. You can save your webcast, too.

This page is maintained by Al Bento who can be reached at abento@ubalt.edu. This page was last updated on January 15,2012. Although we will attempt to keep this information accurate, we can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.