Features smartphone makers brag with, and their Android alternatives
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And you know what, just because a company is launching a product with exclusive features, that doesn't mean that alternative apps haven't been already made. In fact, that is what we have collected today: a handful of Android apps that emulate the functionality of features that companies like to brag with. Go ahead and check them out in the slideshow below, and as always, drop us a line in the comments in case you know any apps that should have been on our list.
Touted smartphone features and their alternatives Fullscreen
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52 Comments
1. cepcamba posted on 26 Oct 2012, 09:43 13 1
Fast Burst apps were like born in Gingerbread-era
*though low-res, it's good enough for Jump Shots :p.
2. Nathan_ingx posted on 26 Oct 2012, 09:50 9 3
"Flip to mute" feature came long back with Symbian 60v5.
3. pikapowerize (banned) posted on 26 Oct 2012, 09:59 1 6
wikitude was very good in BlackBerry!
4. frydaexiii posted on 26 Oct 2012, 10:11 17 3
Notice how the iPhone doesn't even have any software innovations to tout as their own?
Both Android and WP manufacturers have come up with their own things to make their individual platform unique...
14. mrcook posted on 26 Oct 2012, 11:04 2 18
and yet Samsung got sued BIG time for stealing BOOYA :D
17. frydaexiii posted on 26 Oct 2012, 11:17 13 1
Yeah, and Tim Cook also called the Surface/Windows 8 a mess and that 7.9 inch isn't counted as a 7 inch tablet...
Clearly logic isn't working right in Apple town...
46. rusticguy posted on 26 Oct 2012, 23:41 1 0
And Apple went on knees in front of Samsung in UK ... Troll is winning only backhome in courts.
49. jroc74 posted on 27 Oct 2012, 01:10 0 0
Well......one thing Samsung got accused of stealing just got invalidated by the USPTO....
that bounce back feature .....you know that feature that made me choose a Galaxy S over the iPhone... :/
Expect that 1 billion settlement to get smaller....
6. FranksGT posted on 26 Oct 2012, 10:16 0 0
Thats because its a Iphone bro.
And I love the BurstShot, good for Jump shots or catching someone FAIL.
11. squallz506 posted on 26 Oct 2012, 10:44 5 0
Aren't open source platforms great? I love it.
12. The_Innovation posted on 26 Oct 2012, 10:49 0 0
I don't see this pop up play feature on my Galaxy Nexus.
18. bloodline posted on 26 Oct 2012, 11:26 1 0
you can download the app "super video" does the same thing and more
40. The_Innovation posted on 26 Oct 2012, 14:34 0 0
Is that one the best? Because I got Popcorn Player.
33. EclipseGSX posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:43 0 0
It features iLost, it shows where you are in another dimension even though Google Maps worked perfectly before.
20. blade19 posted on 26 Oct 2012, 11:31 0 0
Smartactions can do reminders based on location as well. Use it on my Razr Maxx. But, these other apps look interesting as well. I think I may give them a spin. Thanks PA!
24. gallitoking posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:01 0 5
so what so called innovations did the SGSIII brought to the table?...
26. frydaexiii posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:13 3 0
Oh yeah, Lift phone to call and Palm Swipe screen capture, as well as the first phone to have a 8MP zero shutter lag camera (Officially of cause, excluding custom ROMs for other phones with 8MP cams)
27. gallitoking posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:16 0 3
you lost on me on Smart play and Popup Play... on the camera lag let me use it before I believe it..( it would be nice if itis true)
29. frydaexiii posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:31 4 0
Oh yeah? How so? I haven't seen it being used on any phone before the S3. As for Zero shutter lag, do you think Samsung would blatantly lie like Apple does? Or would the hundreds of reviews be lying about it too?
31. rizevnarastek posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:36 0 0
Zero shutter lag -> HTC One X
37. gallitoking posted on 26 Oct 2012, 14:05 0 3
all companies lie to sell their products don't be naive to think Samsung is any different..
34. Berzerk000 posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:49 2 4
... You're joking, right? The first 2 you listed are in the article and can be easily replaced. S Beam is just Android Beam. And didn't the One X advertise as having zero shutter lag? I could be wrong
38. frydaexiii posted on 26 Oct 2012, 14:11 3 0
God do you even read? He asked what innovations did the SGS3 bring. All the alternate apps that can replicate these functions only came out after the SGS3. S Beam is a combination of Android Beam and WiFi Direct, you can't transfer music and big files with Android Beam.
39. dsmboost posted on 26 Oct 2012, 14:32 3 0
S beam is not android beam (although it utilizes android beam). You cannot send videos and pictures using android beam by itself.
35. Berzerk000 posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:50 0 4
Nothing really. It just has great specs and a pretty UI.
47. rusticguy posted on 26 Oct 2012, 23:46 0 0
It sent shudders down Apple's Marketing and Technical Team which resulted in a bothced up maps, botched up camera and list goes on ....
50. jroc74 posted on 27 Oct 2012, 01:13 0 0
If the GS3 still does tilt to swipe n zoom.....you can add that innovation.
Apple isnt the only company that innovates.
28. Izzy_V posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:19 1 0
Might want to be careful with the apple bashing guys. I struck a major nerve of the iphonearena staff yesterday and they weren't too happy. :)
That being said, the pool of features between WP and Android are interesting and that's why I like them. They allow variety instead of restricting users to something that's not worth buying or using. That's also why they've taken over. Hint hint for the technologically challenged.
36. Twisted247 posted on 26 Oct 2012, 13:56 0 0
Great article PA, I have been wondering about some good apps like this list. Maybe post another down the road as another.
44. someones4 posted on 26 Oct 2012, 18:47 0 0
i know the existence of these alternatives but i never knew the smart stay, smartactions or the pop-up play app existed.
48. loken posted on 27 Oct 2012, 00:41 0 0
bravia engine and xloud..? walkman , sleep to snap??
51. tumchaaditya posted on 28 Oct 2012, 23:49 0 0
You forgot Microsoft on{x} for the first one..
52. NokiaFTW posted on 15 Nov 2012, 11:02 0 0
I don't see any innovative feature with the iPhone !?! & Apple call it the most innovative product ?!? *Ppphhh*
Motorola Smartactions is an app made for experienced Adnroid users who wish to have better control over their smartphone. It can be set to do things when an event is triggered or at a specific time - switch your phone to silent, turn off Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth, and so on. However, you can do the same things with apps like Llama, AutomateIt, or Locale. Moreover, these three apps are capable of using your location as a trigger, so settings can be tweaked automatically depending on where you are.