1. If you long-press (press and hold) the search icon directly beneath the large screen, the voice search widget will be launched. A short press will bring up the Quick Search Box and on-screen keyboard. Voice search is important because the speech-to-text features are fantastic on the Droid. Why bother keying in a search term on Google when you can just talk to your phone.

2. Long-press of the home icon will bring up the 6 most recent applications that you’ve used. Short press will take you to the home screen.

3. On any empty area of one of the three desktops, long press to get access to the “Add to Home screen” window where you can add shortcuts, folders, and widgets designed for quick access.

4. Along with tip 3, if you long press the desktop, select “Widgets”, then “Power Control”, you can put a manual power control applet right on the desktop. This will allow you to turn off the hardware functions of WiFi radio, Bluetooth, GPS, synchronization, and choose 3 levels of screen brightness.

5. One more desktop widget that you can get some mileage from: Open the applications panel, locate “Voice Dialer”, long-press and drag to your desktop. The voice dialer is exactly what it says. It will dial people in your contacts as well as dial a number directly by speaking “Dial 800 555 1212″. Try it! Voice dialing has gotten little attention in Droid-centric press, but this is a huge jump from the days of needing to “train” your phone to recognize your voice and dial someone in your phonebook. The speech-to-text features of Android are remarkably accurate.

6. App recommendations

• Shazam – Song recognition. Offers link to purchase from Amazon MP3 as well as saves the song for quick recall if you want to use your own paid music service. (I used this app on a dozen songs ranging from hip-hop to funky elevator music and it nailed the artist and song every time.)
• Google Voice – Integrates seamlessly with the Droid and call quality is fantastic. Google Voice account required.
• Key Ring – Take those irritating price-saver fobs off your key chain and put them in your phone. When you go to the store, whip out your phone. Doesn’t work with flatbed scanners at check-out though the clerk can input your number via the keyboard.