Ask NerdGirl: Android Calendar Time Zone Issue, Best Android Apps for Walking, How to Download Android Apps with Barcode Scanner, and Android Outlook Sync

by Antonio Wells Mar 1, 2011 9:45 AM – 4 Comments

Now that my morning funnies are out the way lets get to answering your Android questions! Hear me rant before answering how to fix Google Calendar issue of incorrect time zones when traveling, and what are the best walking Android apps? How to download Android apps with barcode scanners, and another inquiry about syncing Android with Outlook calendar as does Blackberry?

Aloha nerdgirl,

My wife and I each have a droid x.
We live in hawaii, and set up appointments for business in california. Everything usually works perfect with the gmail calendar, except when we go to california. All of our appointments switch either 2 hours or 3 hours because of daylight savings time, depending on where we are in the year. We then have to keep the phone on hawaii time to keep our appointments in california at the correct time. I assume there is an easy fix for this, but we cannot seem to figure it out. Help us nerd girl!

Mahalo nui loa.

Jeff

Aloha Jeff… and now my rant! This is a super stupid problem for Android associated with the limitation of Google Calendar. It’s been a known complained about bug affecting Android users since the phone’s calendar syncs with Google Calendar. This is not the solution but workaround unfortunately. Before you get to your destination time zone go to Settings » Date & time » uncheck “Automatic”(if already in destination time zone, still uncheck “Automatic” but manually change the time to your origin time zone). When you get to your destination time zone this will display your origin time zone thus keep your calendar intact. Just set your watch accordingly and ignore the phone’s time.

Dear, Google, if you’re listening (which I hear they always are) please fix this simple issue. I guess it wont get resolved until some C-level executive at a large partner firm depends on Android/Google Calendar and miss a multi-zillion dollar meeting and either try to sue or air bad press about how Android is NOT enterprise ready yet. And while you’re at it, please fix the SSL error issue when you visit the web-based Android Market!

Hello – I’ve just bought a NEXUS Ss. I am a complete beginner. My friend has an Apple and is a keen walker. When he goes for a walk, he has an app on his I phone which will tell him where and how far he has walked…do you know whether I can do this with my nexus S – android? Thanks
Lee

Hi Lee there are a bunch of cool apps on Android for walking with tracking capabilities:

CardioTrainer Free, $9.99
SportyPal Free
Endomondo Sports Tracker Free, $4.06
RunKeeper Free
runtastic Free
runstar Free

Okay, call me stupid,. But….how do I download from a 3D barcode?
Kristine

No Prob Kristine, first download any barcode scanning app such as Barcode Scanner or Google Goggles. Using your Android device point the scanner at the bar code and presto it will read it and ask you to link to the Android Market to download the app. Or check out the vid below:

Watch on Mobile

Seeking App that allows Droid X to function using Outlook as Blackberry does.

If an exchange server is required is there a way that I can buy into such for single Droid X
Kenneth

Kenneth please see the instruction here: How to Sync your Outlook Calendar, Google Calendar and Android Phone Calendar. It instructs of a workaround that allows two way syncing of Android phone to Google Calendar to desktop Outlook. An Exchange server for personal use is not necessary, however, there are services that carter to this such as SherWeb, GoDaddy and even Microsoft has it.

Keep sending those questions to nerdgirl@androidtapp.com!

Tags: Android Advice, Android Calendar Time Zone Issue, Android Outlook Sync, Android Questions, Ask NerdGirl, Best Android Apps for Walking, Help with Android, How to Download Android Apps with Barcode Scanner

Categorised in: Android Advice, Ask NerdGirl

4 Comments

By Elaine Willis on March 1, 2011 at 2:09 pm:

The Google timezone issue is supposed to be corrected. Here are the instructions from Google. I have not had to use it myself, so I cannot vouch for its accuracy.

Create an event in a single time zone

1. Create a new event and open the event page by clicking the Create event button (or by clicking within the calendar grid and choosing Edit event details)
2. Click the Time zone link to the right of the date and time fields
3. Make sure the one time zone option is selected
4. Choose the country in the first drop-down
5. Select the time zone in the second drop -down
6. Click Done
7. You’ll see the date and time fields and newly-specified time zone highlighted in yellow

Reply
By CompanionLink on March 2, 2011 at 11:04 am:

Great advice, as usual! In reference to Lee’s question, I’m personally a fan of RunKeeper – it’s a fantastic app for tracking runs/walks.

I’d also like to expand on your answer to Kenneth’s question, if you don’t mind. For syncing calendars, the workaround you linked to is a good option, but if you’re looking to sync more than just calendars, you’ll need something else.

http://syncdroid.net/ has a nice chart listing the apps/services that will sync with Outlook. If you’re looking to sync contact, calendars, tasks, notes, and categories, I’d recommend checking out our solution: CompanionLink for Outlook ($39.95, 14-day free trial) and DejaOffice for Android (Free). Since it’s free to try, head over to http://www.companionlink.com/android/outlook/ and give it a test run and see if it fits your needs. If you have any questions on how to set it up or how it works, just ask!

- David Z
CompanionLink Software

Reply
By billi. on September 29, 2011 at 6:42 am:

hello nerdgirl, i,m new to android tablets. how do i bring up ebooks i downloaded. to read them. thanks billi.

Reply
- By Antonio Wells on September 29, 2011 at 8:32 am:
  
  You can download Google Books, Kindle, Nook or Aldiko. You can download either application, once installed, browse/search for books to download and read. Hope that helps!
  
  Reply