Bluetooth GPS Keyboard Hotmail ISSUES - myTouch 3G, Magic General

Bluetooth GPS Keyboard Hotmail ISSUES - myTouch 3G, Magic General

I just bought a Magic, and I dont know if I should start a new thread, but in some way I wanted to sum up my experiences,
Android is great! Stable and fast. But its not finished.
1. Google maps is very poor, just for maps not for directions (I want a gps soft with saved maps. 3g is not fast enough for me and AndNav is not working good enough.) (I wish Tom tom were available for Android)
2. Keyboard, not really fast, have to type very slow or wont recognize letters.
3. Bluetooth, miss file sharing, A2DP is OK.
4. Hotmail, Cant sync with Hotmail account using Microsoft config nor Autoconfig.
5. Gmail is not really push email. (I miss WLive)
6. HTC sync doesnt work ("with Google" phone)
7. Wheres MMS?
8. Can I see SMS as Classical View?
May I have any suggestion?
I think we just have to make the apps we need. Or wait...
Got to say Android is great, it is all about apps, hardware is perfect. and we just install those apps we need, that make the OS quite better.

Related

HTC Hero (Android few questions)

Hi Guys,
Its my first step in Android world. I have been using Windows Mobile since last 5 years (Currently HTC tytn II). I am very impressed with HTC Hero promos and customization. But before I move to Android world and buy this phone, it would be very helpful if any of you can provide answers to my following queries. Apologies, as it may be very basic questions for you but these functionalities very necessary for me as I use almost every day in my Windows phone.
Question for Android (HTC Hero)-
1. Can I sync Outlook address and calendar Android (HTC Hero)?
2. Can I open/edit word, excel and power point presentations? (If yes then does it come by default with phone like I got it with my HTC tytnII)
3. I need navigation software. (I saw one is available here http://www.alk.eu.com/. is there any other for Android like i use TomTom in my phone).
4. Any email client where i can configure Pop3, Imap or company microsoft exchange server.
5. Voice chat messengers (like i use fring(www.fring.com) for my windows phone)
Thanks in advance.
Jit

Hello there
Welcome to Android world. I don't know so much about android till now. But if you search the forum you can get all your question answered. I'm trying to help you from my little knowledge.
1. You can sync your contacts and their information from outlook.
2. HTC Hero has Quickoffice. So, I think you should be able to open/edit word, excell or powerpoint docs.
3. You can use AndNav2 for your navigation. The software is free in the Market.
4. Yes, you can configure your e-mail clients.
5. I haven't got any voice messaging service till now for android.
Hope these helps. If you have any other questions first try to search the forum .
Thanks.

there are tons of free IM apps out there.
1) Meebo (the best one)
2) eBuddy
3) IM+ (not free)
4) HelloYm, HelloAim, HelloMSN
5) IM app (built in android)

pda_crazy, as you have a HTC Tytn II, have a look at this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=396782 and try Android for yourself. The latest build for Kaiser/Tytn II is from the Google Ion (HTC Magic) rather than the Hero, so the Sense UI is not present. Also, wi-fi, camera and bluetooth are not working, but GPS, Android Market and Google sync are. It may require some tweaking to get the best experience on the Tytn II as different versions of the phone seem to have particular issues with calls and/or data but I am running it on my UK Kaiser (MDA Vario III) at the moment and have calls, sms, sync, Android Market and GPS working fine. Battery life is a bit of an issue, but if you can get it working it will give you a chance to download and try out a variety of Android applications before paying for an Android phone.

not so simple
I have a hero. The quick office can only open word docs, have trouble with excel . It will not edit. You can sync outlook contacts and calendar . I could make a gmail account on it but not yahoo so far. Still looking for a good explorer software in which I can keep stuff where I want. Any suggestions ?

kamirza said:
I have a hero. The quick office can only open word docs, have trouble with excel . It will not edit. You can sync outlook contacts and calendar . I could make a gmail account on it but not yahoo so far. Still looking for a good explorer software in which I can keep stuff where I want. Any suggestions ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DocumentsToGo is pretty much the only app for editing doc and xls on android. If you want a file explorer both 'Astro' and 'Linda File Manager' are good.

HTC sync VS active sync
himu007 said:
Hello there
1. You can sync your contacts and their information from outlook.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there!
As I'm currently a Windows mobile user about to take the step over to Hero I just want to make sure that I can use my Hero at work as well.
Today I sync my work contacts and work calendar with outlook using active sync.
When syncing I don't have to enter any information at all, the sync sets up automatically. Does HTC sync work in the same way!?
Do you have to set up the HTC sync by entering server names and stuff like that, or is it just like active sync that everything is automatical!?
All answers are apreciated!
// Ohamn

I am so lazy, i ask here, so i did not start new thread.
Few days still and i get Dream again.
The ROM in it si some Hero thing. Isn´t that mean Dream is rooted and HardSpl in it? I can go and put Cyanogens ROM in it? If i understand it right, you can´t put any other ROM in unless you first put HSpl and root?
Sorry my bad english, hope someone catch what i mean...
Edit: Root and HardSpl ok, so now Cyan and works great...

Converted from WinMo - Please help me stay...

Ok, I already know all the benefits of Android over WinMo. I'm not here to start a flame war. I just want to get at least some of the functionality I had with my Touch Pro 2. I'm really struggling here....
I'll list the problems I'm trying to surmount, in order of most important to least:
1) In-Call Recording: It worked perfect on my TP2 (legal in Colorado). I just hit Menu > Record. Every app I've tried on the Market sucks. If it even records at all (without a Force Close), I have to have it on speakerphone. With the TP2, it didn't matter if I was holding the phone, using Bluetooth, or had it on speaker. It just recorded... and very clearly. I saw one developer mention this is a hardware/software limitation. Will this ever be overcome?
2) Lack of sync options (primarily, text messages): Windows ActiveSync with Exchange was PERFECT. I could sync not just mail, contact, and calendar... but I could also sync Tasks (which is how I get most of my work done) and text messages (which was great for archival). A benefit of synching text messages was that I could send/receive/reply to texts from Outlook or Outlook webmail. Plus, if I had to flash my phone, all my texts were back after I set up my mail account. Will Android ever get to this level?
3) Mail folders: All I see is a giant, alphabetical list of email folders at the top of my Inbox. If I want to get to my "Mustang Stuff" folder (where all my Mustang-related thread notifications go), I've gotta spin the begeezus out of that list until I get to it. I don't want every folder in that list. There are archival folders (that start with the date in number format) that of course show up first. Not to mention, I have so many folders, that getting to the end (where Sent, Deleted, and Drafts) are, is a real PITA.
4) Bluetooth Functionality = Fail: I can't voice dial from my earpiece. I need this or I'll be running people off the road. This is something so fundamental, I can't believe Android was rolled out w/o it working. I've heard Froyo will fix this. Is that true? Will I be able to touch the button on my earpiece and "call, friend" without having to pick up my phone?
5) Answering calls on headset while BT earpiece is on: Again, something so fundamental.... With a Windows phone, if my earpiece is in my pocket and I answer the call with the phone itself, I can talk through the phone. Windows was able to tell if I answered the phone with the handset. If I wanted to switch to BT, I simply put it in my ear and hit the button. With the Android phone, I have to answer the call, then press the "headset" button. Not a huge deal, but definitely annoying.
That's about it for now. There are others, but they're pretty minor. These are the big ones.
Can anyone help/provide advice?

Sadly its all down to drivers. I don't even know if the sgs has hardware to record voice as early HTC phones didn't have like my Titan. Also you must understand android is not as mature as winmo (8 years for phone edition), like all new software it will have teething problems. Hell winmo 6.1 had heaps more problems then Droid 2. 1. We just need to be patient. Also what do you expect with syncin as ms controlled the OS and your apps. Shame we don't have that with but goggle isn't a OS company. There's always 3rd party apps to help you sync exchange. Ask around. I miss task and notes from Outlook but I've converted over to springboard, give it go as desktop ver is coming out soon. Evernote is good also with great desktop but sucky Droid app.
'Backup to gmail' is a good paid app that backs up sms/mms and call logs. Also does kies not do Outlook sync? I don't use kies or outlook anymore so I don't know as I've converted to using cloud based apps which ms is already trying to do with winmo 7
Sent from my Apple Newton 2100

coming from HTC WM phone i'm extremely happy about the move.
1 - just keep checking out difference call recording software from Market, personally i've not found any good one yet.
2 - to "sync" or backup SMS messages, i use the titan backup, which you can backup to your Gmail account
3 - no problem here as i use gmail
4 - working great for me for Audio and Stereo and Remote features
5 - same as 4 works perfectly out of the box
Car Deck is a Clarion CZ509 (sub, amps, & speakers... off topic ), stereo ear piece is Jabra BT8010 and/or Moto HT820

@ickyboo
Of course, I have to agree with a lot you've said. WinMo has been around forever. 6.1 was kind of a fail, but so was 1.5-1.6 on Android. 2.x leaves us in a much better state.
When I compare WinMo 6.5 and Android 2.1, I feel WinMo is still the better OS. I'll have to see what 2.2 brings to the table, though. All that voice activation should be good.
As for the drivers, I hope this is overcome... just like it was in Windows. There are still many phones that can't do it. All of my latest phones have been HTC phones, and all could do it without issue.
@AllGamer
Are you running Android 2.2? There is a rumor that answering from a headset with a BT device on will now act "smart".

no 2.2 yet,
still on stock firmware JH2
i9000M

3) voice dial via Bluetooth is in Froyo as is http://www.google.com/mobile/voice-actions/

I just found another ridiculousness that needs resolution.
I cannot download a .rar or a .zip file using the Android browser. Seriously... wtf?
My son was playing a game on his DSi Acekard that needed updated software (a legitimate backup, of course). So I head over to GBATemp.net to get the latest software. It was in rar forum, so I figured "No problem, I'll just hit the market after".
When I go to download, it says something to the effect of "this type of download is not supported".
So using an RDP program, I log onto my home PC, download the rar and convert it to .zip (thinking the problem was with the rar file itself). In addition, I put it on my own web server.
When I go to download, same message.
On my Windows phone I could download/extract Rar/Zip files all day long. How can something so fundamental be blocked by Android?

Flapjack said:
1) In-Call Recording: It worked perfect on my TP2 (legal in Colorado). I just hit Menu > Record. Every app I've tried on the Market sucks. If it even records at all (without a Force Close), I have to have it on speakerphone. With the TP2, it didn't matter if I was holding the phone, using Bluetooth, or had it on speaker. It just recorded... and very clearly. I saw one developer mention this is a hardware/software limitation. Will this ever be overcome?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a hardware level restriction, Android requires that the call steam be un-interceptable at a software level. It simply cannot be recorded like you want. The best apps can do is set the mic to record one side of the conversation (using speakerphone loopback) and actively record what you say at the same time. It's defiantely not ideal.
You might want to look into using something like Google Voice, that lets you record all your calls sever-side.
EDIT: Some phones allow this, in which case try using this... http://www.cyrket.com/p/android/com.killermobile.totalrecall.trial/
Flapjack said:
2) Lack of sync options (primarily, text messages): Windows ActiveSync with Exchange was PERFECT. I could sync not just mail, contact, and calendar... but I could also sync Tasks (which is how I get most of my work done) and text messages (which was great for archival). A benefit of synching text messages was that I could send/receive/reply to texts from Outlook or Outlook webmail. Plus, if I had to flash my phone, all my texts were back after I set up my mail account. Will Android ever get to this level?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install an app called SMS Backup+, it automatically syncs your SMS with Gmail as proper threads, and you can both read and reply to them in GMail, aswell as import them into another android phone. ( The sync is only active in one direction however, you need to manually 'restore' from GMail if you use another phone. )
As for tasks, you should give Astrid a try, it has full RTM (Remember The Milk) sync support and can manage your tasks very well.
Flapjack said:
3) Mail folders: All I see is a giant, alphabetical list of email folders at the top of my Inbox. If I want to get to my "Mustang Stuff" folder (where all my Mustang-related thread notifications go), I've gotta spin the begeezus out of that list until I get to it. I don't want every folder in that list. There are archival folders (that start with the date in number format) that of course show up first. Not to mention, I have so many folders, that getting to the end (where Sent, Deleted, and Drafts) are, is a real PITA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously you aren't using GMail. I can't vouch for the crappy (others) e-mail client that comes with this phone.
Flapjack said:
4) Bluetooth Functionality = Fail: I can't voice dial from my earpiece. I need this or I'll be running people off the road. This is something so fundamental, I can't believe Android was rolled out w/o it working. I've heard Froyo will fix this. Is that true? Will I be able to touch the button on my earpiece and "call, friend" without having to pick up my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression that this worked already, but I guess not. You could setup shortcuts to otherwise bring up voice dial by pressing a shortcut, then it would work... :\
Flapjack said:
5) Answering calls on headset while BT earpiece is on: Again, something so fundamental.... With a Windows phone, if my earpiece is in my pocket and I answer the call with the phone itself, I can talk through the phone. Windows was able to tell if I answered the phone with the handset. If I wanted to switch to BT, I simply put it in my ear and hit the button. With the Android phone, I have to answer the call, then press the "headset" button. Not a huge deal, but definitely annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying that if your bluetooth headset is paired and you want to answer the call using the phone itself and not the headset, you have to click a button to disengage the headset? Again bluetooth is not very well integrated, it's a shame but at least it's not impossible to do what you want. :\
Flapjack said:
I cannot download a .rar or a .zip file using the Android browser. Seriously... wtf?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem here is the stock browser doesn't want to download files that aren't compatible with the android system, the easy fix is to install any file manager in the market that can handle ZIP or RAR. You won't need to open them (of course you can though) when you download them but it will certainly download the file for you.
Alternatively you could choose another browser that doesn't care about compatibility in downloaded file types.
There might be an option for this but I'm not aware of it.

Flapjack said:
2) Lack of sync options (primarily, text messages): Windows ActiveSync with Exchange was PERFECT. I could sync not just mail, contact, and calendar... but I could also sync Tasks (which is how I get most of my work done) and text messages (which was great for archival). A benefit of synching text messages was that I could send/receive/reply to texts from Outlook or Outlook webmail. Plus, if I had to flash my phone, all my texts were back after I set up my mail account. Will Android ever get to this level?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an app in the market called GTasks. It syncs two-way with Google tasks (which you can find in Gmail, Google calendar, and which you can also access on your phone by going to gmail.com/tasks. The app is ad-supported, but you can also buy a key to remove the ads. It also comes with a very simple widget.

A lot of your comments seem to be related to Androids handling of Outlook integration.
You have to realize, Android is not made by Microsoft. Third party outlook integrations will never be as good as theirs. Android is geared to sync with google apps and the cloud.
That said, I have heard the best exchange client for Android is TouchDown http://www.nitrodesk.com/dk_touchdownFeatures.aspx It's not free though.
As for all your bluetooth questions... I am not having any problems with Bluetooth at all. Maybe it is your headset?
I came from Windows mobile and I too find a few things in Android annoying, but trying to go back is not even an option. Downsides of WinMo are far fewer than downsides of Android.

I'd rather just get an HD2 and be done with it. You are too much dependent on Windows Mobile and that's not a bad thing since it's pretty much worked for you well. I'm just saying, if it's become too much of a hassle to stay on Android, why bother?
Or you can have a WinMo device AND an Android!

Ok, I'm back. Overall, I love the phone. I've had some nasty episodes with )(*#$Y% Google's shoving of contacts down my throat. Apparently, anyone I've ever sent an email in Gmail to becomes a contact, whether I like it or not. On top of that, all those contacts got sync'd to my Vibrant when I first logged into the Market (which requires a Gmail account). Nowhere did it ask if I also wanted to sync my Google contacts, calendar, etc.... Well, the point is that I had almost Google 1000 contacts that I had to delete. I only want my Exchange contacts showing up. Freaking duplicate city. This was after I went into the synchronization settings and removed all synching of google mail, contacts, and calendars.
So, for the most part, everything has been fine. I even convinced my fiancee to give up her iPhone today (which is running like crap since an iOS 4 update) and get a Vibrant as well.
So I'm setting it all up and went in right away and set up Exchange email, only to find that I could not even open the built in "Calendar" App without adding a Gmail account? WTF? This phone is marketed as having Exchange Mail, Contacts and Calendar support.
Giving in, I add her Gmail account, which she NEVER USES, which of course automatically tries to take over her email to remove the Google synchronization. I get all that cleaned up and the only thing left is trying to make appointments work.
Setting up a new appointment, the phone always defaults to "My Calendar", which exists nowhere but the phone. I've been told that once I select my Exchange account, it should remember that. It doesn't. Occasionally, I'll forget to select my home mail and the appointment will stay on the phone. Another gripe... I don't think it can be fixed.
Finally, calendar invites allow you to select participants, but the invites never go out. I have to wait until the appointment syncs with my Exchange account, then go into Outlook on my PC, open the appointment, click on "Invitees", then click on "Send Update" (which returns an error that nothing has been changed). Once I've done that, the other invitees get the calendar invite. WHY?
Sorry for the long rant. I just don't see how this OS can ever be marketed as a corporate solution. I won't be going back to WinMo simply because the hardware in the Vibrant is fantastic. It does MOST of what I want... it just has some serious shortcomings. I'm hedging my bets on Froyo now. Does anyone have a good link that details the differences for Exchange on 2.2? I mean, really... Apple bit the bullet and paid the licensing to put true Microsoft Exchange Activesync on their iPhones. Can't Google do that too?

PC App that I love and works with outlook is Google Calander Sync give you the option of 2 way sync and one way sync. Works for me

Well for me the Samsung bloatware handles Exchange Accounts very well.
I'm syncing (by WiFi or 3G) 3 Exchange Accounts and just one of them with Contacts and Calendar.

Woolios said:
PC App that I love and works with outlook is Google Calander Sync give you the option of 2 way sync and one way sync. Works for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you use that on your PC to sync Outlook to Google Calendar? Then Google Calendar syncs to the phone?
But then you'd have to have it running on one PC that is always on, correct? I don't leave my PCs running 24/7 (nor am I going to), so this will be an issue.
If there was a program I could install on my Exchange server... that'd be a different story, as it does run 24/7 (obviously).

gmc said:
Well for me the Samsung bloatware handles Exchange Accounts very well.
I'm syncing (by WiFi or 3G) 3 Exchange Accounts and just one of them with Contacts and Calendar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have agree with that
i'm using the samsung hub, and it's amazing how it can handle all my 5+ different other accounts just using 1 simple app
and the most amazing thing is, it actually works!
back in the windows days, i had to dance up and down, and jug left and right just to be able to find 3 or more Apps to accomplish the same thing

AllGamer said:
i have agree with that
i'm using the samsung hub, and it's amazing how it can handle all my 5+ different other accounts just using 1 simple app
and the most amazing thing is, it actually works!
back in the windows days, i had to dance up and down, and jug left and right just to be able to find 3 or more Apps to accomplish the same thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree, too. Funny that WinMo only allowed one Exchange account. The rest you had to use IMAP or POP. Pretty lame.
I'm also seriously considering trying RoadSync or TouchDown. Not sure how well they'll integrate, though. I tried an early version of RoadSync on the MyTouch and it was a PITA.
**EDIT**
Trying TouchDown now...

Well, Touchdown is pretty nice... most of the time. Since last night, I've had to force close it about 5 times. It locks up the entire phone... I can't even turn the screen on/off. Eventually, the screen will come on and a "Force Close/Wait" option will be up.
Damn...

AllGamer said:
i have agree with that
i'm using the samsung hub, and it's amazing how it can handle all my 5+ different other accounts just using 1 simple app
and the most amazing thing is, it actually works!
back in the windows days, i had to dance up and down, and jug left and right just to be able to find 3 or more Apps to accomplish the same thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find the native Android outlook support to work way better than Samsung hub. Same with the native facebook sync.
I wish I could just delete Samsung hub. I don't know why companies feel they have to re-invent the wheel when Android already does this stuff.

brunes said:
I find the native Android outlook support to work way better than Samsung hub. Same with the native facebook sync.
I wish I could just delete Samsung hub. I don't know why companies feel they have to re-invent the wheel when Android already does this stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can, using Titanium Backup, to uninstall Samsung Hub

any MacOSX + Desire HD user?

I was wondering if the general support of DHD under MacOSX, and the practically of it.
Say like I want to sync my iTune songs, iCal event and, Address book with my HTC, will that be a lot of hazzle?
Also, by any chance there are users made their transition from iphone to android? I want to know hows the Contacts management with android compare to the iphone OS?
I am the kind of user that does a lot of texting, emails, has overly crowded schedule on my calendar and take pictures frequently. I was hoping any similar user can share with experience using the DHD, as I am still in deciding if I should get one.
Thanks

just use "Missing Sync for Android"

mymagicmyhero said:
just use "Missing Sync for Android"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked it out before, it seems it has a really poor rating. It is that bad?

Nope I'm very happy with this program. It can make transferring contacts very easy. The contacts are transferring with the picture and all the info. You can also sync calendars and many more things.
Its easy to operate with.

Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?

franklin20uk said:
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately yes, they are.

Instead of missing sync I suggest Doubletwist for OS X. It's like iTunes for Android. It even syncs itunes playlists.

Just export your contacts to vCard, then import them in google contacts! about iCal just configure to use google calendar, for iTunes Double Twist
Cheers mate

gunnyman said:
Instead of missing sync I suggest Doubletwist for OS X. It's like iTunes for Android. It even syncs itunes playlists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
I own a DHD and an iMac, I use DoubleTwist to sync music.
My address book and iCal are synced with Google Contacts/Calendar and the DHD is synced with my google account.
All the Rooting tools sadly are only for Windows but you can simply use some adb commands for the rooting process.

Amit.W said:
+1.
I own a DHD and an iMac, I use DoubleTwist to sync music.
My address book and iCal are synced with Google Contacts/Calendar and the DHD is synced with my google account.
All the Rooting tools sadly are only for Windows but you can simply use some adb commands for the rooting process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the Google Contacts and Calender synced over the air (wifi/3d) with your android?
I wonder if it is possible to sync my hotmail contacts to the google contacts as well?

Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!

franklin20uk said:
Many thanks for your reply.
I do have another question while on the subject, I assume most of the developer tools here, like S-OFF, radio tool, CWM, CustomROM, etc, are all made for windows platform?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but a lot of developers , Cyanogen for one, actually use non windows OSes. So there are manual methods of doing S-OFF and root quite easily, also there are cross platform tools such as QtADB which allow you to manage ADB if your not comfortable with CLI

Well for me I had problems with double twist regarding the meta tags. Do all the editing with another program manually.
For copying mp3 files and photos I use my partition, but for roms and basically all other stuff I use my win 7 boot camp partition.
So I can use all the windows exe files and also don't have to eject the drive after copying some new stuff on my sd card
Swyped from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Thanks a lot! I am starting to consider to wait for the alleged Desire HD2. Is it going to be launched this year indeed? If they launch it that fast this must mean they would be going for fast fixes ver the first version.

faggi said:
Calendar and Contact : Synchronisation Mac <-> Google <-> DHD. I have before MobileMe. I imported all in Google and activated the synchronisation without any problem.
Itunes, photos, videos, podcast : Salling Media Sync sold on the Mac Store, this sinchronisation is done via USB (faster synchronisation). I have no problem with DHD and the song bought on Itunes. A lot of format are included by HTC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a question regarding syncing iCal to Google Calender. It seems then after I added Google Calender to my iCal, all the future events that I add under "Google Calender" will be synced both ways.
However, all my old events previously added in my Home calender still stays offline. Is there a way to solve this? I can't even more my home calenders to Google Cal.
Please help

franklin20uk said:
I have a question regarding syncing iCal to Google Calender. It seems then after I added Google Calender to my iCal, all the future events that I add under "Google Calender" will be synced both ways.
However, all my old events previously added in my Home calender still stays offline. Is there a way to solve this? I can't even more my home calenders to Google Cal.
Please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before the synchronisation of ICal with google, I imported all my events im Google (do an export of the events on your desktop and after go to google to import it, by this way, you will have a backup of your events). And after that I have done the synchronisation with ICal. When all Events are in ICal, I deleted the old calendar to delete the double events.

Amator72 said:
Yes, very interesting thread. I am using iPhone 4 now and am considering changing to DHD. I have couple of questions too (especially to those who converted from iP to DHD):
1. Is the phone app and signal better than in iP?
2. Is battery life the same (basically one day) as in iP?
3. From the reviews on UTube I am sensing that navigation/maps are inferior versus the Google Maps for iP. Is it true?
4. Is the system search instant as in iP? How about writing sms or email - when you start typing in the address line, are names appearing instantly?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Not noticed a difference between the two
2. Owning both, DHD is definitely worse but you can make it a lot better with a heck of a lot of tweaking so if that float your boat then it could be the same again.
3. No way, DHD wins in this area.
4. Yes, both in address line but also in the universal search like with Spotlight
Calendar as faggi highlighted, do an export from iCal first and then import in Google Calendars and then you can subscribe to it in iCal and it will sync with cloud and phone. However please be aware that if you have multiple calendars it looks rather clumsy in iCal when using Google compared to MobileMe
Contacts synching via Google contacts work well. However for some stupid reason, which as far as I have been able to found out has existed for years now, Google has a habit of compressing photos that you assign to contacts. A real bad thumbs down that is. Then also if you have people with double barreled names, pre/post fix titles Google gets its knickers in a twist also. It tries to be too clever in how it tries to understand where the space is and which part of the name goes well. This was perfect in MobileMe and Google is just messing it up, I've had to change my own name to get it to work.
Music/Video/Photos - Doubletwist is your friend, it works well together with iTunes. Just be aware, yet again Google has half heartedly implemented a standard and for whatever daft reason it doesn't recognise compilation albums using the correct MP3 metadata tags so those albums are really mixed up on the device.
Just don't expect the level of integration like on iOS/OSX/iTunes where if you were watching a movie on say your AppleTV and paused it and then continue on your phone it would be exactly there where you left. Android is rather dumb that way.
But otherwise it is an ok phone.
For the radio flash etc had to open Windows but my Windows 7 image in VMWare did it all perfectly fine. For the rest once you install the sdk in OSX you can do anything via the tools in there.

btw, is there a way to unlock the phone using a Mac, or I have to do it thru windows?
thanks

Cannot reproduce WM functionality

Dear experienced androiders.
I am new to the platform after 4 years on WM and Nokia S60 before that. It may be my naivity, but so far, although I am loving the hardware and big screen browsing on the DHD, I am struggling to reproduce some of the functionality I have used for the past 6 years on WM and S60.
1) Video calling over 3G network (i.e. not fring or similar apps that use data). The cost of video calls is really cheap where I live, and for my elderly mother it is the ideal way to regularly show her the grandchildren. I am gobsmacked that this is not part of Android when it was part of my S60 phone I got 6 years ago, and both WM handsets that followed.
2) Ring once. Rather than constantly switching between meeting and normal modes, I prefer to set my phone to ring once. If in a meeting and I chose to ignore, it is not very irritating to others as it stops after a single ring, while I still hear it at all times if I want to answer. Now again, I imagined this was a stock feature of all OS's, but cannot find on Android.
3) GPS. One of the main reasons I was keen on the DHD was I read a press release about them teaming up with TomTom and Route 66 and that all maps would be free and could be downloaded to the handset and turn-by-turn instructions were available. I am dismayed that the turn-by-turn is a premium service that requires extra cash, but even in the interim while using the 30-day trial, it comes nowhere close to the TomTom software I had on my last three phones. I cannot easily see why the GPS is not locking by looking at the satellites etc, crucial information is missing from the display, all in all just an inferior product.
4) Multitasking. I hate not being able to flip to another application and back again without the application randomly deciding that I am relaunching it. Part of the problem is not having hardware buttons - I used t have an task mananager hooked to one of my hardware keys on WM, and if I wanted to flip back to my home screen to check something, and then back to the app, it was a simple press of the hardware key. I have read that one should not use taskkillers on Android, but find the built in functionality not very intuitive, including the holding down the home button.
5) Cannot get autosync to sync with gmail but not contacts and calendar. I have problems when my calendar entries from my corporate mail are synced to google and all attendees get reinvited, and do not want to sync contacts, as gmail harvests all sorts of contacts I don't want on my phone. But as soon as I allow gmail to autosync the mail, then the other two also sync.
6) Data autodisconnect. I had my WM set up in such a way that as soon as the data connection was idle, the 3G or Edge connection was dropped. I then set up all applications to sync infrequently or only use data when triggered manually, and was able to ensure excellent battery life. I have found toggles to stop data altogether, or juice defender to allow connections at particular times, but cannot find a way to reproduce the autodisconnect functionality. As soon as I enable data connections the phone connects, even if I have set everything not to sync in the background.
I hope that there are ways of accomplishing all of these things. I know one should not pass judgement until one has spent a decent amount of time with a new phone or OS, but I wonder for now if I am alone in mourning the passing of WM6.x?
Thanks for any advice any of you can offer to get my DHD set up to at minimum reproduce previous functionality.

Hi and welcome to Android.
1) Video calling over 3G network (i.e. not fring or similar apps that use data). The cost of video calls is really cheap where I live, and for my elderly mother it is the ideal way to regularly show her the grandchildren. I am gobsmacked that this is not part of Android when it was part of my S60 phone I got 6 years ago, and both WM handsets that followed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The DHD doesn't have a front facing camera so does not support video calling over 3G/H. Some workaround may be possible with custom ROM's using the rear camera.
2) Ring once. Rather than constantly switching between meeting and normal modes, I prefer to set my phone to ring once. If in a meeting and I chose to ignore, it is not very irritating to others as it stops after a single ring, while I still hear it at all times if I want to answer. Now again, I imagined this was a stock feature of all OS's, but cannot find on Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand this one, having to switch profiles for meetings then switching back becomes a bit of a ball ache. I use an app called Tasker, this allows me to set a profile that reads my calendar and switches to silent when I am in a meeting, it then switches back when the meeting is over. Obviously this requires that all meetings are in my calendar and have start & finish times. I also set it to put my DHD into silent mode if my handset is facing down for 1 minute. As for the ring once only, there may be an app available in the Market.
3) GPS. One of the main reasons I was keen on the DHD was I read a press release about them teaming up with TomTom and Route 66 and that all maps would be free and could be downloaded to the handset and turn-by-turn instructions were available. I am dismayed that the turn-by-turn is a premium service that requires extra cash, but even in the interim while using the 30-day trial, it comes nowhere close to the TomTom software I had on my last three phones. I cannot easily see why the GPS is not locking by looking at the satellites etc, crucial information is missing from the display, all in all just an inferior product.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since my first Android handset (HTC Hero) I purchased CoPilot for around £30 off the Market and it works flawlessly, and as its tied to your Google Account whenever you upgrade you can download it again free of charge and it works again. No need to purchase another copy. Other than that Google Navigation provides turn by turn directions, and that's free.
4) Multitasking. I hate not being able to flip to another application and back again without the application randomly deciding that I am relaunching it. Part of the problem is not having hardware buttons - I used t have an task mananager hooked to one of my hardware keys on WM, and if I wanted to flip back to my home screen to check something, and then back to the app, it was a simple press of the hardware key. I have read that one should not use taskkillers on Android, but find the built in functionality not very intuitive, including the holding down the home button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What apps are you using that this occurs? I often switch between XDA, Browser, Gmail, Messaging, Calendar, Market and it picks up where I left off. This is by holding the Home key and selecting the relevant app. You are correct about the task killers, you really don't need to use them.
5) Cannot get autosync to sync with gmail but not contacts and calendar. I have problems when my calendar entries from my corporate mail are synced to google and all attendees get reinvited, and do not want to sync contacts, as gmail harvests all sorts of contacts I don't want on my phone. But as soon as I allow gmail to autosync the mail, then the other two also sync.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure exactly what you mean in the first sentence. If you wish to sync only Gmail then you need to only allow Gmail. Settings > Accounts & Sync > Tap your Google Account > Deselect everything you don't want.
6) Data autodisconnect. I had my WM set up in such a way that as soon as the data connection was idle, the 3G or Edge connection was dropped. I then set up all applications to sync infrequently or only use data when triggered manually, and was able to ensure excellent battery life. I have found toggles to stop data altogether, or juice defender to allow connections at particular times, but cannot find a way to reproduce the autodisconnect functionality. As soon as I enable data connections the phone connects, even if I have set everything not to sync in the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again not sure what you mean as you set everything to sync when triggered manually on WM, and when you enable data on Android everything connects and sync's. Isn't that manually triggered? Juice defender has a paid addon Ultimate Juice, this allows you to further refine the criteria at which data is disconnected and enabled. Otherwise I am sure you can create a profile with the Tasker app, it's very versatile and can do practically anything.
Hope this answers a few of your questions.

6) go for juicedefender.
I came from wm just two months ago, and I know your feeling but after a few weeks android to me is like wm 6.5+++ You can do the same things as on wm just a lot better, or different but better. Yes no Tom Tom, but google navigation is better in some ways and lacks in some, but it is free. (try driving on the real photo view.. Fantastic..)

Martinhdk said:
6) go for juicedefender.
I came from wm just two months ago, and I know your feeling but after a few weeks android to me is like wm 6.5+++ You can do the same things as on wm just a lot better, or different but better. Yes no Tom Tom, but google navigation is better in some ways and lacks in some, but it is free. (try driving on the real photo view.. Fantastic..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you use google navigation in real photo view?

The Jones said:
How do you use google navigation in real photo view?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download street for google maps on the market.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Thanks for the responses
1) Still useful with a rear camera for showing the grandchildren. Apparently galaxy S has this functionality and also gingerbread. Can anyone confirm if it is in the gingerbread roms for DHD on the other forum?
3) No google navigation where I live (South Africa). Co-Pilot tempting, but reviews suggest inferior routing compared to TomTom.
5) cannot find a way of deselecting for autosync, only of manually syncing each one (contacts, calendar, mail) separately
6) Thanks for tasker and juice defender suggestions, still getting to know them
What I should have included in the list is bluetooth activated voice dialing which seems not to work in stock DHD but apparently does in Leedroid, though I have not tried a cooked ROM yet.

Back to Android after iOS, need some help with S5

Hi y'all,
After my EVO died two weeks after contract expired, on top of the original Nexus tablet that slowed to a crawl due to bad memory chips, I swore off the Android devices and went with iOS.
Now, over a year later, I got a shiny new S5 from my employer, with company policy allowing "reasonable" personal use (no 1-900 calls or direct international calls to Timbuktu but otherwise we're allowed to use it for personal calls and data since they have unlimited plans anyway).
So, I plan on giving my iPhone to my son and getting back into Android. I was missing all the customization options, although iOS really grew on me to be honest.
I do have a couple of question, hope someone can help
1) I still own Nova Prime and I much prefer it over the Touchwiz. However, I am unable to find a calendar widget that would show Exchange tasks. I found that the only service that reliably syncs tasks, contacts, and calendar events between Outlook on my work desktop and my home desktop and all of my Android and iOS devices is Hotmail. With Outlook 2013 setting up sync with a Hotmail / Outlook.com calendar / tasks is finally possible and requires no installation of any additional software. So I can finally copy a work email into a task and have it synced to my phone and tablet. But, the only calendar widget on S5 that actually shows these tasks is Mini Today and it seems to only be available in Touch Wiz. I can't install Outlook on Android because it violates company policy (God knows why, since I can set up a EAS account anyway ?). The only other possible solution I can think of may be Pocket Informant but it's $10 and the Android client interface is ugly as hell.
So, do you know of any other screen widget that would show tasks synced from Hotmail account ? Obviously Samsung calendar app shows them even under Nova, but I need a widget that I could glance at without having to start the app.
2) Is there a way to activate voice commands / voice dialing from a Bluetooth headset without having to touch the home button ? It's probably something obvious but I, for the life of me, can't find it. Press and hold on headset button does nothing and double-press redials.
3) The phone came with Otter box case which may as well just have backpack straps attached, it's so ridiculously huge. Can you recommend me a slim case with a clip holster that is sturdy and looks well and most importantly does not allow the phone to easily fall off / get unhooked by accident ?
4) I never had a Samsung before and they seem to have tons of software preinstalled, is most of it bloatware or are some apps actually worth trying ? Any tips appreciated.
Thanks !

Ummagumma said:
Hi y'all,
1) I still own Nova Prime and I much prefer it over the Touchwiz. However, I am unable to find a calendar widget that would show Exchange tasks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Event Flow calendar widget. it will sync to your exchange account and show events from outlook. I use outlook at work, and the gmail/google calendar on my personal phone (HTC One), and both calendars show up on my Event Flow agenda widget on the GS5. there are many calendar widgets on the play store though, so you may want to try a few.
2) Is there a way to activate voice commands / voice dialing from a Bluetooth headset without having to touch the home button ? It's probably something obvious but I, for the life of me, can't find it. Press and hold on headset button does nothing and double-press redials.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the google settings -- search and Now -- voice, you can enable the "Ok Google" trigger phrase to start voice recognition feature, and enable it to use your bluetooth mic for input. When you say "Ok Google", it will pull up the voice search app.
3) The phone came with Otter box case which may as well just have backpack straps attached, it's so ridiculously huge. Can you recommend me a slim case with a clip holster that is sturdy and looks well and most importantly does not allow the phone to easily fall off / get unhooked by accident ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've only been using the Diztronic slim rubber cases as of late. they are thin, fit great, and look great, but I don't think they have a clip model.
4) I never had a Samsung before and they seem to have tons of software preinstalled, is most of it bloatware or are some apps actually worth trying ? Any tips appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh, welcome to the world of samsung bloatware. tons of stuff you probably won't use from samsung and your carrier. here's a tip. go to system settings - applications, and swipe to the "all" screen. from there you can scroll through every app installed on your phone. when you get to one you don't want, tap it, and you'll see an information screen. Most apps that came on the phone have an option to disable them That will freeze the app from the system, but it it won't wipe it out of the phone's storage, so it can be enabled at a later date if you want. I've disabled nearly all the AT&T apps, and quite a few samsung and google apps I don't use.
down the road if you root your phone, you can remove all the system apps you want. but until then, disabling them is the best you can do. The only samsung apps I still have enabled are the TV remote app, music, video, and polaris office.

Thanks !
Unfortunately Event Flow does not show tasks.
I found a few widgets that show Google tasks, but so far only Samsung's Mini Today shows Exchange tasks from Outlook.com.
(..rant..) Given how many people use Outlook at work and at home, and given that Hotmail / Outlook.com is the only service that can sync Outlook emails, calendar, contacts and tasks to an Android or iOS device without having to jump through hoops or install any 3rd party apps on the desktop (a big ordeal and often outright forbidden in many organizations), it is very surprising just how few calendar applications are supporting it. I mean, to sync Outlook to Google Calendar and Tasks you need to buy expensive software and install it; to sync Outlook to Apple you need to install iCloud, which again many companies forbid or block via firewall; to sync Outlook 2013 to Outlook.com you really don't have to do anything but create an account. Yet this seems to be the least supported option, and many programs won't even read Outlook tasks after Android syncs them via EAS account ! WTF.

Hello!
Ummagumma said:
Hi y'all,
4) I never had a Samsung before and they seem to have tons of software preinstalled, is most of it bloatware or are some apps actually worth trying ? Any tips appreciated.
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only Samsung apps I use are the camera app, the audio & video players as well as the calendar application. I find that all others have bette free alternative on the market. I stop and disable all other stuff. To see what to stop
I usually use GSam battery monitor. Any application I do not use that drains on the battery, I simply disable it.
The reason for keeping the camera audio and video player is that they might use some samsung specific HW/feature (especially true for camera application) that are not fully standard and may not be available to "replacement application"
JM

Oh, if it is not too late...
You might like WatchON preinstalled application. It's universal remote control on your phone...
I use it to control TV, DVD and set top box.

Thanks !
To be honest, the more I use it, the more the darn phone frustrates me. Don't know if it's Samsung, or I forgot the feel of Android, or I just got too used to iOS. The list below can just be me, and I definitely don't want to get anyone offended. But...
1) Can't access flashlight without unlocking the phone. Something I used to do all the time.
2) Can't access calculator without unlocking the phone. Again, something I was very used to.
3) Can't use Google now without unlocking the phone. It listens but most of time I can't get a reply without unlocking.
4) Voice dialing without unlocking the phone is very spotty.
5) When I ask Google Now to tell me my meetings for tomorrow - something I used to do every day driving back home after work, about the only opportunity I have to sit back and relax and plan my day - it tells me that I have a meeting at 7:30, brings up the list of calendar items on screen, and shuts up. Siri would read them to me.
6) S-Voice stops listening after the first few words. Not always. But very often. I was trying to find some kind of a timeout setting but no luck. It just loses interest and runs with unfinished phone number. At least Google Now listens.
Basically using any voice commands without unlocking the phone is very iffy and unpredictable, especially when also trying to use a headphone. I sorely miss Siri.
6) There's no way to get my Outlook.com tasks show up in Widgets. Samsung Mini Today shows SOME of them - I never quite figure out why it would show some tasks due today and not the others. PI for Android is a terrible fugly monster with greatly reduced functionality when compared to PI IOS. Don't know why they couldn't design it to at least look the same. Outlook app could work but unfortunately we can't use it at work because of security concerns (it stores your credentials on Amazon servers so potentially someone could use them to log into company mail). I used to miss Android widgets when I had the iPhone but at least the ones that were available in the pulldown worked well and showed any info I needed and, again, could be configured to be accessible with phone locked.
7) The quality of video chat using Hangouts is worse than what I was getting on same cell or wifi network, calling the same numbers using Facetime. There's jerkiness and choppiness and every now and then the screen would just freeze for a second. Must be something related to Google servers.
The good - huge screen (compared to my old iPhone), customization, can use SD cards, and I am sure that I will eventually get used to it.
Sorry for the rant...

Database Users

welcome