Android apps

[joiner1970]

Anyone know of any good Android apps for carpenters ? I'm thinking ones for taking notes and quick sketches when visiting customers.

NOT the apps the level things or apps that work out angles etc I've got those

 

[GhostFist]

I have a Samsung Note 2 and with the stylus it's perfect for sketches and hand written notes. The native app is good as well as papyrus. Moleskine also has a decent free hand note taking app. I think all of these are unique to the Note though...

 

[joiner1970]

I've used android phones about 3 years but picked up a tablet yesterday too. Thought the tablet would be good when visiting customers. Showed some photos of my work to a customer yesterday using the tablet.

 

[GhostFist]

I've recently retired my android tablet in favour of a Microsoft surface pro. It's heavier than a standard tablet but it's full Windows. So beyond the tablet convenience of a screen based interface, it also comes with an excellent stylus and the ability to run full render programmes be them art programs like art rage, PhotoShop, and the like to ketchup for 3d renders. Haven't looked at another tablet since

 

[PaulMarcel]

I'm interested in the Surface Pro, definitely. The Surface 2 Pro is out end of the month and may head up to the Microsoft Store to see it in person. Sounds like you like yours... any negatives? Click-on keyboard pretty nice? The connectivity for a tablet looks fantastic.

 

[GhostFist]

The biggest downside to the surface pro (1st gen) is the battery life isn't what you're used to on a tablet. There are some scaling issues as well with certain programs where certain icons will appear small. Windows 8 has a zoom function that works well but it's an extra step that can be annoying. The only program I use where this was a problem was with Draftsite. I reccomend checking out user forums for your choice programs to see if any issues have come up. The Pro 2 has some upgraded graphics internals that should address this. I have the click on "type keyboard" which for typing is amazing, the track pad isn't the greatest so an external mouse is recommended for serious work. The pro 2 is coming out with upgraded versions of the available keyboards that should improve these things as well as a keyboard that acts as an extended battery. My suggestion would be to wait for some user reviews of the device before diving in. As of now it's receiving positive feedback and I'm enjoying mine for sure.

 

[GhostFist]

Oh ya and I read my "Furniture and Cabinetmaking" on it, looks and works great! That magazine just keeps getting better IMO.

 

[NERemodeling]

its not carpenter based but check out "Evernote"  its a cloud based notebook where you can make lists, store pictures, notes, organize and file everything according to what works best for you and you can access it later on your home computer and keep typing.    im sure a few youtube videos can explain it better than me but its a really cool app also i think the same developer has an app called "Skitch"  not too familair with this one but i think its about skeches and doodles rather than notes?  again youtube will explain!!

John

 

[Richard D.]

Construction Master Pro. It's expensive but for carpentry it's great. Same as the $80 Construction Master Pro calculator so for $20 for the App it's a deal. The two advantages are it's always with you and you hold down a key and the instructions pop up. Really saved my behind on a crown molding project where the crown was too tall to use an auxiliary fence and had to be cut on the flat. The other thing I find most useful on the phone when it comes to carpentry are Youtube videos. Whenever you get stuck with a problem or even repairing a tool in the field there is sure to be a video about it.