It appears as though today’s article will be the last of the “Useful Android Apps” series. Last week we looked at “Words with Friends,” “Scrabble,” “Boggle with Friends,” “WGH Solid Gold,” “WSVA-Q101-96.1” and the DNR phone app.
Today I will mention one which Toby from Richmond recommended. It is one I have used for several years. It is a replacement keyboard app for Android and iPhone called, “SwiftKey” (dblclx.com/gp_sk). It allows you to basically drag your finger across the keyboard and automatically fill in the words you need. It makes it quicker for me to “type” on my phone than the keyboards that come with them. For me, it makes it a more pleasant phone experience, either Android or iPhone.
Next, from Patty in Staunton is Sky Map, (dblclx.com/gp_sky) one of my favorite apps for many years. It is a Google app and basically shows you the actual star layout at night. You can point your phone at the sky at night with the app running. It will show you many, many various nighttime sky “objects,” including stars, constellations, planets and more, all with their names. You can also click for other information. I was an astronomy fan in college and this would have been a big plus. But more than that it would have been fun! Did I mention this is another free application? 
The last one I will mention tonight comes from me. I have been using this great free app for quite a while. It has helped me a lot. “VDOT 511 Virginia Traffic” (dblclx.com/gp_vdot and on the web at 511virginia.org) It provides a lot of information for traveling in Virginia.
A quick, abbreviated list of what it has would start with Traffic Cams so you can get a live look at the many cameras, mostly on the Interstate system all over the state. How about adverse road conditions, public transportation information and more? And to keep you really up-to-date with traffic, the State DOT posts Twitter comments about accidents, traffic, road conditions, places to avoid and more. You do not have to have a Twitter account.
Keep in mind another important feature from the name of the site. Dial 511 on your cell phone and be connected to the DOT network. You can “talk” through the ever-present menu choices and find out where the major slowdowns may be and figure out a way to avoid them. Actually, this is a very good app and combination.
Some of you may be sad/glad but this will most likely be the last of this eight-week series on phone apps. Some from me and some submitted by my readers. Thanks, readers, for the help.
Do not forget I will be having a free series of training videos about many of the great free things a Google Account offers you. You must register at DoubleClicksLive.com. I will email you when it is ready to roll out sometime in October. We will start with the basics of how to set up a free Google account and look at a lot of what they offer you. Get excited!
