Any advice for an Android noob?

[garnerb350]

I upgraded my old cell-phone for a LG Vortex... suppose to be an entry level smartphone w/Android whatever...

Should have it delivered today hopefully...

Does anybody have this phone? any advice? Pros, cons... Hacking? etc...

[ark_ader]

You should have waited for the Samsung Galaxy SII.

Your Vortex has a 600mhz cpu...so good luck playing anything arcade related at full speed.

If you have the chance, replace it for a faster phone like the Galaxy S or equivalent.

I play lots of emus on that.

[garnerb350]

Ehhh....emu on phones dont bug me much...

Im noob to smartphones... I figured I would get on the bandwagon and get one (to keep up with tech)... My four year old can operate my wife's crackberry (which BLOWS my mind)  + plus i can keep tabs with the forum while away from pc...

I saw where the vortex has Bing for default search (which I hate) and i've read where it can not be removed unless the phone is "rooted" ( i guess that slang for hacked  )

[stu33]

Rooting is really easy.  On my droid x it was just a matter of installing the application, running it, and rebooting.  Totally worth it.  Allows me to wirelessly tether for free, and adds access to tons of apps that you wouldn't normally be able to use.

[Dartful Dodger]

Add the Power Control widget and turn on it off everything off.

When I first got my Droid I’d have to recharge it twice a day. With everything off I charge it every other day, if I don’t use it to browse the internetz I can go a couple days without a recharge.

I'll turn the GPS on when I need to use the map and sometimes I adjust the brightness if it's really bright outside, but the Droid's lowest is good enough. The other settings I just leave off.

Use this app:"Advanced Task Killer" to quit Amazon MP3 and any other non essential apps.

There’s a webpage that has a list of “safe” apps I think it’s lifehacker.com, but I can’t find the direct link to the list. I have it bookmarked at home.

[AtomSmasher]

Add the Power Control widget and turn on it off everything off.

When I first got my Droid I’d have to recharge it twice a day. With everything off I charge it every other day, if I don’t use it to browse the internetz I can go a couple days without a recharge.

I'll turn the GPS on when I need to use the map and sometimes I adjust the brightness if it's really bright outside, but the Droid's lowest is good enough. The other settings I just leave off.

Agreed.

Use this app:"Advanced Task Killer" to quit Amazon MP3 and any other non essential apps.

There’s a webpage that has a list of “safe” apps I think it’s lifehacker.com, but I can’t find the direct link to the list. I have it bookmarked at home.

Or just go to the applications sections within the settings and turn stuff off there.  There's no need to download a separate app to do that unless you have an old version of the OS.

[AtomSmasher]

I upgraded to my first smartphone (Droid 2) at Christmas, here's a couple of free apps that I've come to love.

Google Voice - A must have.  Turns voicemail into emails, making them easier to manage and you can get an idea of the message without listening to it.  Plus it allows seemless, free calling over wifi.  I have no bars on my phone where I work, but I can still make and recieve calls using this app.  (Uses a seperate phone number for incoming calls).

Google Navigation - An excellent turn by turn GPS navigation program

Andoku - a simple, free version of Sudoku.  My favorite boredom killer.

Documents to Go - Allows you to view and edit Microsoft office files (word, excel, etc.)

Nesoid Lite - Free nintendo emulator

[stu33]

Nesoid lite with the wii remote app is alot of fun.  I use it on my Archos Tablet.  Keeps my kids quiet on long car rides better than anything else.

I like 'cVolume next'.  And pandora.  I also use Advanced Task Killer from time to time.  I tend to turn things on quite a bit, so I have to make sure I have the apps shutdown in a hurry and easily. 

If I have my car charger plugged in, and have wireless tethering, bluetooth, and GPS all turned on, it actually doesn't charge the battery at all.

[garnerb350]

Good to know ( and knowing is half the battle)...
Vortex was just delivered and its in the kitchen charging up...Havent activated yet...Im trying to take mess from my old phone ( sound bytes) and store them on laptop to transfer later...

if you guys think of anything else...throw em my way... Thanks!

 

[Dartful Dodger]

Or just go to the applications sections within the settings and turn stuff off there.  There's no need to download a separate app to do that unless you have an old version of the OS.

Yeah, but that's a few clicks deep followed by closing each app one at a time.  And I don't see the point in going through that effort to close out of the Browser or Email since I'll be re-launching them again within an hour.

Now I close all the unnecessary apps with two clicks before putting away my Droid.

[Hoopz]

I bought my wife the original Droid about 15 months ago and she loves it.  I switched from the Blackberry Tour to the HTC Incredible last May.  I'll never own another BB again.  This is my second HTC phone with the first being a Windows mobile a few years ago. 

Rooting your phone should be simple.  To get mine ready, I had to follow about 5 steps (download the Android SDK, turn on debugging, plug in cord, etc) and then I hit a button on the PC.  Boom -> rooted.  Compared to a softmod on an original Xbox or Wii, it's the easiest thing to do.  If you can re-assign a button in Mame, you can more easily root your phone.   

Once rooted, you can easily get rid of all the junk on your phone.  I wouldn't use Bing ever so you can change that.  I got rid of Facebook, some stupid Twitter client, and a bunch of other bloat.  I have tried out a few other custom ROMS but, to be honest, I absolutely love HTC's interface that I haven't found anything better. 

I agree about turning on/off the GPS when in use or not.  The same with Bluetooth and Wi-fi. 

Rooting does give access to Wireless Tether which is simply incredible and free.  Adfree is another great app for a rooted phone.  Hell, I didnt know Angry Birds had ads until I saw my wife playing and asked WTF is that.  I had never seen the ads on my phone. 

Google Voice is great as was said.  I ported my number from Sprint to Google which has some incredible benefits.

Docs pics is a good Google docs app as is Gdocs.  I use both (one for personal and one for work which is a Google Apps account).  Barcode scanner is good as is Google Shopper to compare prices, read reviews, etc.  I've played with Google books but have found it's too small to easily read anything on there for a long period such as a book would be.

For games, I play Cribbage Pro, Droid Mini Golf, Unblock me Free, and a few more popular games. 

If you aren't a regular user of Gmail, I'd suggest getting familiar with it and integrating your calendar, contacts and everything into Google's apps and your phone.  It's really a multi-function device or portable PC than just a phone. 

Google being open source with their OS makes it a much more pleasant experience than what I have found with iOS.

I am, unashamedly, a Google fanboy. 

[AtomSmasher]

Or just go to the applications sections within the settings and turn stuff off there.  There's no need to download a separate app to do that unless you have an old version of the OS.

Yeah, but that's a few clicks deep followed by closing each app one at a time.  And I don't see the point in going through that effort to close out of the Browser or Email since I'll be re-launching them again within an hour.

Now I close all the unnecessary apps with two clicks before putting away my Droid.

Theres no reason to close apps that you use, such as browser or email.  When an app is minimized, it doesn't use up any battery because it doesn't use any cpu.  It only takes up a part of the memory, which requires the same amount of power whether it's full or empty.  All you're effectively doing is making it take longer to open up the apps you regularly use.  The latest version of the Android OS is quite good at managing when to close apps, the only thing you need to manually close are things that startup with the OS, such as Amazon downloader.

If you search for websites on which apps to use on the Android, pretty much all of the advice given in the past year say that programs like Advanced Task Killer are no longer necessary.  It's the sites that were written for previous versions of the OS that say it's required.  Of course it doesn't hurt anything to use it, it's just no longer all that beneficial.

[Hoopz]

Or just go to the applications sections within the settings and turn stuff off there.  There's no need to download a separate app to do that unless you have an old version of the OS.

Yeah, but that's a few clicks deep followed by closing each app one at a time.  And I don't see the point in going through that effort to close out of the Browser or Email since I'll be re-launching them again within an hour.

Now I close all the unnecessary apps with two clicks before putting away my Droid.

Theres no reason to close apps that you use, such as browser or email.  When an app is minimized, it doesn't use up any battery because it doesn't use any cpu.  It only takes up a part of the memory, which requires the same amount of power whether it's full or empty.  All you're effectively doing is making it take longer to open up the apps you regularly use.  The latest version of the Android OS is quite good at managing when to close apps, the only thing you need to manually close are things that startup with the OS, such as Amazon downloader.

If you search for websites on which apps to use on the Android, pretty much all of the advice given in the past year say that programs like Advanced Task Killer are no longer necessary.  It's the sites that were written for previous versions of the OS that say it's required.  Of course it doesn't hurt anything to use it, it's just no longer all that beneficial.

Does that work for all apps or not?  If the app isn't coded properly, can it still run in the background and use the battery?  It seems like the video program I use runs even when I'm not watching it after I "close" the program.

[AtomSmasher]

Does that work for all apps or not?  If the app isn't coded properly, can it still run in the background and use the battery?  It seems like the video program I use runs even when I'm not watching it after I "close" the program.

Ya, I suppose it's possible for some apps to do things in the background, such as an email program searching for new email, although all of the ones I've seen have options to disable features that run in the background.  I suppose if it is poorly programed, then it may do something regardless, although I personally have not seen an app like that.  Of course, I generally only use the same dozen or so apps, so it could be there are many poorly programmed apps.

My information mainly comes from the research I've done over the past few months on which apps I should be using.  I initially did use Advanced Task Killer, but then came across several recent articles explaining how it was no longer necessary, so I stopped using it and didn't see any noticeable change to the battery life.

[SavannahLion]

IMHO. I see little benefit in owning an iPhone unless there's a must have app on the iOS that isn't on the Android. My fiance has an iOS device and her only beef is the EVO is a wee bit smaller and I have to create a custom profile in handbrake. She doesn't even use the Apple unless the EVO is low on battery.

I've always wanted to root my phone but I'be been puzzled about whether Sprint would know. I can't see why they care but there dire warnings about fines or whatever.

Had no idea rooting got you tethering. That's awesome. Lifehacker huh?

[ark_ader]

Add the Power Control widget and turn on it off everything off.

When I first got my Droid I’d have to recharge it twice a day. With everything off I charge it every other day, if I don’t use it to browse the internetz I can go a couple days without a recharge.

I'll turn the GPS on when I need to use the map and sometimes I adjust the brightness if it's really bright outside, but the Droid's lowest is good enough. The other settings I just leave off.

Use this app:"Advanced Task Killer" to quit Amazon MP3 and any other non essential apps.

There’s a webpage that has a list of “safe” apps I think it’s lifehacker.com, but I can’t find the direct link to the list. I have it bookmarked at home.

I had battery problems when I installed Advanced Task Killer.  It would just suck the battery dry.  I removed it and turned off back ground data in Froyo, and its got excellent battery life.

Just got the N64 emulator.  If you like playing games on your phone like PSX4DROID, then I would spring for a Zeemote.  It really works like a dream. Just make sure you get Bluez IME to make it work.  Its free.

Tiger Arcade, Gun Bros, Game Dev Story (my fav), Air Control and Spades! are great game apps for the Android 2.2 with 1ghz CPU.

[leapinlew]

Add the Power Control widget and turn on it off everything off.

When I first got my Droid I’d have to recharge it twice a day. With everything off I charge it every other day, if I don’t use it to browse the internetz I can go a couple days without a recharge.

I'll turn the GPS on when I need to use the map and sometimes I adjust the brightness if it's really bright outside, but the Droid's lowest is good enough. The other settings I just leave off.

Use this app:"Advanced Task Killer" to quit Amazon MP3 and any other non essential apps.

There’s a webpage that has a list of “safe” apps I think it’s lifehacker.com, but I can’t find the direct link to the list. I have it bookmarked at home.

I had battery problems when I installed Advanced Task Killer.  It would just suck the battery dry.  I removed it and turned off back ground data in Froyo, and its got excellent battery life.

Just got the N64 emulator.  If you like playing games on your phone like PSX4DROID, then I would spring for a Zeemote.  It really works like a dream. Just make sure you get Bluez IME to make it work.  Its free.

Tiger Arcade, Gun Bros, Game Dev Story (my fav), Air Control and Spades! are great game apps for the Android 2.2 with 1ghz CPU.

I think playing emu's on the phone is like playing Ms. Pacman with an 8 way joystick. It sort of works, but between the wonky controls, small screen and small sound - it's just not worth it.

By far Apple has the best games on it. Heck, most apps are better on IOS. Lets hope Android can catch up - I'm not opposed to some higher quality better games and apps.

[ark_ader]

Add the Power Control widget and turn on it off everything off.

When I first got my Droid I’d have to recharge it twice a day. With everything off I charge it every other day, if I don’t use it to browse the internetz I can go a couple days without a recharge.

I'll turn the GPS on when I need to use the map and sometimes I adjust the brightness if it's really bright outside, but the Droid's lowest is good enough. The other settings I just leave off.

Use this app:"Advanced Task Killer" to quit Amazon MP3 and any other non essential apps.

There’s a webpage that has a list of “safe” apps I think it’s lifehacker.com, but I can’t find the direct link to the list. I have it bookmarked at home.

I had battery problems when I installed Advanced Task Killer.  It would just suck the battery dry.  I removed it and turned off back ground data in Froyo, and its got excellent battery life.

Just got the N64 emulator.  If you like playing games on your phone like PSX4DROID, then I would spring for a Zeemote.  It really works like a dream. Just make sure you get Bluez IME to make it work.  Its free.

Tiger Arcade, Gun Bros, Game Dev Story (my fav), Air Control and Spades! are great game apps for the Android 2.2 with 1ghz CPU.

I think playing emu's on the phone is like playing Ms. Pacman with an 8 way joystick. It sort of works, but between the wonky controls, small screen and small sound - it's just not worth it.

By far Apple has the best games on it. Heck, most apps are better on IOS. Lets hope Android can catch up - I'm not opposed to some higher quality better games and apps.

I agree with you 100% if you were playing Pacman on your phone using the given interface.

I have not yet tried it properly, but the Zeemote is PC compatible so I guess I can use it to play with MAME, but I disagree 100% with your comment as I play arcade games (not pacman) with the Zeemote on the Galaxy S.  I could  maybe use a Snes or Nes Pacman Emu, but my heart is stuck on Pacman CE for the Xbox..

The Zeemote is pretty good, especially as I can get it for £6 each.

I think you should try Zeemote out for yourself mate. 

Its like second nature playing with it now.

[ark_ader]

Uh don't play with the Zeemote with Mame.

It sucks, but it is the deal on your phone.

[DaveMMR]

I think playing emu's on the phone is like playing Ms. Pacman with an 8 way joystick. It sort of works, but between the wonky controls, small screen and small sound - it's just not worth it.

+1   Everyone tells me about the emulators on Android (and iOS) and they're just horrid and horrible to control.   It's more of a "cool, you can do it" type of thing than anything really useful.

As for Advanced Task Killer:  as others have pointed out, it may actually do more harm than good (you close applications and the phone goes ahead and re-opens them).   I ditched mine and noticed an improvement in battery life.

As for games: you may want to try Words With Friends (a Scrabble clone).  Although still incredibly buggy at this point, it's still fun to play 20 different games of Scrabble with friends.  It's apparently very popular so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding someone you know (you can play against iOS users).   

Oh, if you're with anyone but AT&T, you can install Amazon's App Store (you have to do it manually) and they offer a daily paid app for free - sometimes really good stuff (Angry Birds Rio, for example). 

[AtomSmasher]

Thought I'd give an update since I recently got an app which I really like so far.  It's called Juice Defender Pro ($1.50 on amazon app store) and it has greatly increased my battery life.  According to the apps calculations, it's increased the battery life by 70%, which seems to be pretty accurate by my estimations.  It's nice being able to go all weekend without having to worry about the battery on my phone anymore.

Also, Amazon has had quite a few great free apps in their daily paid app for free promotions.  They recently had Plants Vs Zombies on there which translates incredibly well to a phone and is easily the best game on the android IMO.

[wp34]

Another advantage of the Amazon App Store is that you can share app's between multiple phones as long as you share the same Amazon account. 

[Blanka]

My Motorola DynaTAC 8000X still works. I don't care about that lightweight rubbish they make today.

[Hoopz]

My Motorola DynaTAC 8000X still works. I don't care about that lightweight rubbish they make today.

If it's good enough for Gordon Gekko to use when he got out of jail, it's good enough for anybody. 

 

[wp34]

My Motorola DynaTAC 8000X still works. I don't care about that lightweight rubbish they make today.

If it's good enough for Gordon Gekko to use when he got out of jail, it's good enough for anybody. 

 

I suggested to my wife that it would be cool to hack a new cell phone into an old-style Gekko body.  You could hear crickets chirping.

[Hoopz]

Does she not know who Gekko is or was it the idea of hacking a newer phone that caused the issue?

Regardless, don't forget to post pics as you make progress on the new project.   

[wp34]

Does she not know who Gekko is or was it the idea of hacking a newer phone that caused the issue?

Regardless, don't forget to post pics as you make progress on the new project.   

I think it was the image of me walking around in public with Gekko's phone that gave her pause.   

[wp34]

Thought I'd give an update since I recently got an app which I really like so far.  It's called Juice Defender Pro ($1.50 on amazon app store) and it has greatly increased my battery life.  According to the apps calculations, it's increased the battery life by 70%, which seems to be pretty accurate by my estimations.  It's nice being able to go all weekend without having to worry about the battery on my phone anymore.

I decided to try this app.  I'm only getting about 30% improvement (by its estimation) but I'm still real happy with the purchase.  I'm using the "Aggressive" setting.  I still have to charge my Droid X every night but I can get completely through the day with no battery worries.   Thanks for the tip.

[JMB]

I'm almost due for an upgrade and just broke the screen on my Bold 9700. As a longtime Blackberry user I'm a little concerned about going from a real keyboard to a touchscreen keyboard. Is it tough to get used to? Miss the Blackberry keyboard at all? I've been very happy with the Bold and my only concern with getting another one is having a phone that is that far behind the tech curve by the end of my next contract.

[Hoopz]

There is a learning curve but you'll quickly pick it up.  I went from the Tour to the HTC Incredible and I'm still not as fast I was on the Tour.  However, the benefits that you get from going to either an Android phone or Iphone greatly outweigh the lack of a physical keyboard.  And some Android phones do have a BB style keyboard too.

The apps are infinitely better on these two platforms than anything Rim has available.  The video quality, speed of internet and everything else makes it so much better.  No offense intended, but you're already a year or more behind on the curve now.

I had forgotten how slow internet access is on Blackberrys.  That's reason enough to switch.

[AtomSmasher]

There are several versions of the Android which have a real keyboard.  I have a Droid 2 which has a slideout one.  I think a touchscreen keyboard would drive me nuts, so that was one of the main factors of why I chose the phone I have.

[Dartful Dodger]

I'm now using the talk to text function more than I use the keyboard. I usually have to go back and edit one or two words that were misheard, but all and all it's pretty good and it's easier than typing the whole thing out.