I wanted to start an Android thread because for many of us it’s a new phone OS (former blackberry or iPhone people) and we have lots to learn. Conversely there are a few other guys who have had Android phones for a couple of years and have some good tips for us.
So, share your favourite apps, tips, etc.
Long time (3y) Android user here. I’m not sure how basic or advanced to go so I’ll just throw out some random and unstructured thoughts, based on my use of stock Android on a Nexus S.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ Whatever phone you have, they have a forum for it. There are lots of Android forums out there but I’ve found XDA to be the best and most informative whether you’re a n00b or a geek, especially for rooting and custom ROM’s.
A long press of the home key brings up a task switcher.
The stock Android keyboard in ICS has annoying voice symbol where the comma used to be. Go into settings > language & input > android keyboard > voice input key > off.
Tapatalk is a must for forum banter.
If you do root your phone, do use ROM Manager. It makes your life easier for installing clockworkmod recovery and booting into recovery.
I guess I had better get it started.
The stock browser on the Android OS is decent, but I wanted something with more friendly tabs that you can always see, and can close/switch easily. I did a little searching and found Dolphin Broswer, which is excellent. Since then I have tried Firefox for Android, and Google Chrome. Firefox is also excellent.
http://mobiputing.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/dolphin-browser-mini.jpg
I like how on firefox when you start typing something in the address line up top, it also pops up exactly what you’re typing in the main screen below, in google, wikipedia, amazon…and you just have to click one of those to search for your text on whichever of those sites you want…or you can just click enter if it was an URL you were typing in.
Another app I really like is SCREEN FILTER. THis is an app that allows you to darken your screen brightness far darker than the normal settings. This is great if you’re reading your phone in bed or something where it’s dark and you really barely need any brightness at all.
http://www.androidfreeware.net/img2/screen_filter_android_3.gif
good idea for a thread. I’ve had android phones for about 2.5 yrs now, but I consider myself a noob really.
I gave dolphin mini a shot per Saki’s recommendation in another thread and its great.
I’ll have to give the scree filter a shot as well, I like the idea of it.
I use the dolphin min hd browser, it is lightning fast when combined with LTE, also love dropbox for accessing PC files on the fly
I hate the Android system So I root my phones.
Gives you free wifi on your phone you can delete lame forced apps from the manufacture and then you can clock speed your processor.
Cool Apps.
IMHO MUST HAVE.
Any task manager program. This is a must. One of the things I HATE about Android is there constant auto activate of there programs. They will run in the background even if you don’t want them to.
I have the battery Dr saver. You can dim screen close tasks and reset the phone. You can also cancel auto generate programs.
Switcher is a good free radio that gives you news radio weather sports
The rooted way you can get.
Rom manager
Free Wifi
Set CPU
Titanium back up
If you get twisted ROM you can get number crack track. This is where if you have someones cell phone number you can ping there phone and see where there at.
Stock stuff that is good, it the voice search. Works real well.
Also you can link with other members this is kinda like the Black message on your BB
so about rooting, anyone have any advice on the process for a motorola droid 4? Guides, OS’s, things to be careful of?
I really want to strip out all of the bloatware VZ preinstalled.
Bloat ware ftl
To root it, try XDa developers and the all things root thread
quick tip first
If you want to install (apk’s) Apps that ARENT from the google store you may need to set your phone for unknown sources.
Settings > Security > and check the box to allow Unknown sources.
Make sure you know what your downloading and ALWAYS use an antivirus.
Titanium Backup is a MUST!!!
You have to root it to get it loaded though. Once its on you can permanantly remove all bloatware!
With the free version you can clear bloatware, backup apps, contacts ect…
With the paid version you can even block or prevent (OTA) Over the air updates.
For rooted folks, taking updates CAN unroot you.
For security i use Avast. If i loose my phone i can track where it is via GPS. I can lock the phone so it works ONLY with my simcard, so if i loose it and someopne tries to load thir simcard in it, phone will not work.
Browser i really like Chrome. Unfortunatly only people with 4.0+ can use it for now.
^^^ What’s the root process like? Any dangerous side effects?
If you root your phone do you have to use some random guy’s ROM, or is there an approved ROM you can use, just minus the bloatware?
I look at it like TD1 with the Audis…it’s a bit of a potential warranty killer if something goes wrong.
^my concern as well
Rooting usually consists of unlocking your bootloader, installing recovery like clockwork or twrp. Then flashing whatever packages are needed. There are usually stock but rooted Roma out there. Unlocking your bootloader might void your warranty. Other than that there aren’t too many other side effects.
Check the “Android Development” section for your phone on xda and it’ll usually have detailed instructions for your phone.
As for apps, one of my favourites is torque. Really handy with a Bluetooth obd2 adapter.