Database Users

New Android Owner Looking for Interesting Apps

Let me start by introducing myself. I'm the new owner of a Droid 2 Global (but I'm posting in Plain Droid 2 General, because the distinction has no relevance for my questions).
I previously owned an HTC Titan (which I left stock, which is unusual for me). Before that I had an HTC Apache, which I customized heavily, back in the day when XDA only covered HTC WinMo phones. I was even customizing ROMs, although not at a particularly advanced level. I mostly followed other forums, but many of the important utilities used originated here.
But enough of the old history. I now have the D2G. Relative to the tiny low resolution screen of my WinMo phones, this was a real upgrade .
So the first thing I did was root the phone, and installed Fission. I've also installed various apps I've seen recommended, and am wanting to hear any suggestions people have for other apps.
I'm no interested in most of the things that top many "must-have apps" lists, like social networking apps, and I'm especially interested in knowing about interesting obscure apps, but I could still have missed some interesting mainstream apps.
I'm including an annotated list of my currently installed (non-rom) apps.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Current Apps:
Adobe Flash Player 10.1 (com.adoble.flashplayer)
Adobe Reader (com.adobe.reader)
AudioManager (com.smartandroid.audiowidget) I'm not particularly happy about this app's widgets being refreshed by polling, rather than by somehow subscribing to the volume change events. Is there a similar root-only app hat works like that?
Barcode Scanner (com.google.zxing.client.android)
Compass (com.apksoftware.compass)
Dolphin Browser HD (mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser)
Droid 2 Bootstrapper (com.koushikdutta.droid2.bootstrap)
Earth (com.google.earth)
eSpeak TTS (com.marvin.espeak)
Fission Rom Manager Lite (br.romdownloader)
GMail (com.google.android.gm) Fission omits this since it is on the market
Goggles (com.google.android.apps.unveil) Interesting, albeit not practical
Google Sky Map (com.googl.android.stardroid) A bit more practical
Google Translate (com.google.android.apps.translate)
GPS Test (com.chartcross.gpstest)
Maps (com.google.android.apps.maps) Fission omits this since it is on the market
Root Explorer (com.speedsoftware.rootexplorer)
Shopper (com.google.android.apps.shopper)
Street View (com.google.android.street) Fission omits this since it is on the market
Superuser (com.noshufou.android.su) Downloaded latest version from market, so I am notified of updates
Terminal Emulator (jackpal.androidterm)
Titanium Backup (com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup)
Titanium Backup Pro (com.keramidas.TitaniumBackupPro)
Voice Search (com.google.android.voicesearch) Fission omits this since it is on the market
YouTube (com.google.android.youtube) Fission omits this since it is on the market
Update: Apps I've tried based on suggestions and think that I will stick with (unless I see something better) will be added to the above list, in bold.

Handcent sms. Best text messaging app out there and its free. Launcherpro is also awesome.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

i would get a cpu control app like setcpu, or if you want to overclock go with droid overclock by jrummy, i personally cant use an android phone without fancy widget. i also noticed that there wasnt an xda app in there

orkillakilla said:
Handcent sms. Best text messaging app out there and its free. Launcherpro is also awesome.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, I'd go ADW launcher though

theimpaler747 said:
Agreed, I'd go ADW launcher though
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Click to collapse
theres a new version called adw ex and it costs$2.50 but it is SO worth it. so much more customization. i also second handcent sms.

botnryan said:
theres a new version called adw ex and it costs$2.50 but it is SO worth it. so much more customization. i also second handcent sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have it, and love it as well

Here's some worth checking out:
Google Voice: Google Voice will transcribe your voicemails to text, store them on the web, make them searchable, and allow you to archive them forever. Single most amazing thing to happen to phones since they got data connections. Ignore the rest of this list and get google voice. It's worth the few minutes of setup time.
qik: You can stream video live to the web. I haven't really found a great use for it, but how cool is that?
Dropbox: If you don't use Dropbox on your PC, that's a whole other story I need to tell you about, but there's an app for your android. It syncs your data to the cloud and keeps all your computers in sync with the newest versions.
Google Sky Map: Do you see a constellation? Hold your phone at arms length in front of the stars in question and google sky map will tell you their names, the name of the constellation, and other cool stuff. It's one of those you have to see it to believe it.
Jorte is a much better calendar than the default one. You can put much more useful widgets on the desktop and see the names of your events when you're in monthly or weekly views.
ADW is an awesome launcher (I use it), but Launcher Pro is probably cool too.
Get your bank's mobile banking app. Super useful.
Verizon has an app that shows you your minutes used, txts sent, and data downloaded.
Cool games:
Rocket Bunnies
Mechanics Touch
Robo Defense
Repilica Island
Air Control
Buka
Radiant
Totemo

Feedback on the suggestions: (Updated)
Its really not clear what Handcent SMS gets me over the default provider, especially since I don't use SMS very much. Also if I do decide to go Google Voice in the future, said app becomes somewhat moot, since AIUI only the GV app works well with GV's SMS.
ADW Launcher EX looks interesting. I do have some reservations though. I remember that early on all replacement launchers had issues that varied from effectively locking you out of the phone by breaking (with the breakage surviving restarts), through to eating up battery like crazy. Have those all been pretty well resolved?
The XDA-Developers app has ads, and more importantly does not seem to let me refer back to older posts while composing.
I'm not sure what to make of Dolphin HD. It has ads unless you buy a license, but those ads are hidden away in places like the bookmarks management screen (while the bookmarks sidebar is what you use most of the time). It does support downloading any file even if no app for the format is installed. On the other hand functionality like a password manager is only available in an add-on (and the password manager one is a paid add-on).

I've used both adw and launcher pro, I loved adw but I just didn't find it as stable or as smooth as launcher pro, so I stayed with launcher pro, just a little input for your consideration
Sent from my WICKED FAST Droid 2 Global with fission using XDA app

I'm sure there is someone who will disagree, but I really like Dolphin HD browser. It may be a hair slower than some other browsers, but I really like the bookmarks bar on the left side.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

Some other apps I've found are the miui music app (best music player app I've found) and also the miren browser from the miui rom. Worth checking out and they are free.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

I just downloaded that miren browser, I haven't heard of it. I'm going to have to test it for a while.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

AdFree if you don't like the ads. Cachemate, drocap2. Just some suggestions
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

Tried the miren browser. I still prefer dolphin though.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

chompSMS over Handcent for me. Main reason for these is the popup notifications. Saves me from turning on screen, unlocking, dragging down status bar, tapping message, and then being able to read it. Auto lights up screen (20 sec configurable for me) and opens a pop-up window, you can instant-reply there too. Oh and the quick-compose, I map that through the LauncherPro activities feature to search button + P to instantly start composing an SMS.
andChat if you ever need irc
tTorrent Lite looks nice haven't used it just have it installed
K-9 Mail much better than gmail (gmail hogs precious vertical viewing area when in landscape mode)
GTask, enable tasks in google labs on your gmail (if this is still a labs feature and not official now).
MusicJunk: I won't spoil this one for you.
I'd say that's it.

I actually like go sms, its very customizable and has the pop ups like chomp, although I disable them from time to time. And I also found hancent a little buggy, sometimes it wouldn't send my messages, go sms sends them very fast, almost as soon as I hit send.
Sent from my WICKED FAST Droid 2 Global with fission using XDA app

rusty815 said:
I actually like go sms, its very customizable and has the pop ups like chomp, although I disable them from time to time. And I also found hancent a little buggy, sometimes it wouldn't send my messages, go sms sends them very fast, almost as soon as I hit send.
Sent from my WICKED FAST Droid 2 Global with fission using XDA app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO, Go SMS, like most apps, uses too much vertical space. Who needs half an inch for a message ? I wish more would do it like k-9 mail and just make it like 1/4th inch high at the max.

I don't use very many social networking apps and mainly use my phone for media purposes aside from some of the more popular news type apps like Tapatalk, Pulse news reader and stuff here are a few you may be interested in:
Media Apps:
BeyondPod - If you like podcasts this app is amazing. Doggcatcher is pretty good also, but I simply prefer the more minimalist style of BeyondPod.
iSyncr - if you want to sync music from itunes to your phone
PlayerPro - imo this is the best music player for android hands down. its very customizable and has a ton of options and features. If you are interested in trying it check out the Sens skin for it.
RockPlayer - plays literally any video format. Eventually I hope to move to vPlayer, but that isn't all that stable on the Droid 2/X phones atm.
XiiaLive - a shoutcast streaming player with a pretty good interface. I think Winamp may also stream as well.
System/Widget Apps:
LauncherPro - other people have mentioned it. To clarify I have never had a reboot lock problem or any battery drain from it and I have been using it since I got my droid 2 back in the summer (4-5+ months), so I can confidently say it is more than stable and very fast.
Volume Toggle (Free or Pro) - I have been using free for months. Its similar to AudioManager except superior in every way. I am fairly sure it works with system change events in the latest versions of it. If nothing else give it a shot. It has a nice widget you can tap to change profiles and can auto-profile things like the headset. The ads in the free version are so minimal you wouldn't notice them as they only exist down in the profile creation screens so you wouldn't see them 9/10 days.
SimiClock - A great homescreen widget with date/time/weather and a super minimalistic look.
Launch-X (Free or pro) - A pretty neat launcher widget with a decent amount of customization.
Other Interesting Apps:
TippyTipper - easy tip calculator
Urbanspoon - find good places to eat fast!
psx4droid- Play playstation games on your phone
An app you will probably never hear of:
SimplyNoise - A White noise generator. It really helps me when studying and/or programming. Its basically a version of the website http://www.simplynoise.com/ stuffed into a concise little app. Its kinda weird, but I really like it!

swift key
its a keyboard with the capability of predicting the next word you're going to write and it works very well with the physical keyboard (the whole purpose of owning a droid 2 lol) it is a paid app but it is so worth it

Viral Bing via vzw ?

Having a problem last two days with vzw home page overriding browser/google settings and then forcing searches through Bing. Search starts in google to about 50% then loads the vzw page breifly before ending in Bing. I am on a debinged device and it wasnt a problem for the week before on the same rom.
Is it possible a market app swapped something and where might I look to find it ? No matter what I reset in the browser seetings or clear, the behavior returns.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

A search on debinged browser will help you find answers. If you are rooted you will have more options. But there are things you can do to minimize the influence if bing searches without being root.
One solution that I used was to replace browser.apk with the one from the Samsung Mesmerize which is the Canadian version of the Fascinate which doesn't use Bing
There is another file that will give you google search on a short press of the search key. But not google voice search with a long press. To get Google Voice Search you can install Vlingo (a nice voice recognition application with lots of features)
Another option is to use a different browser like Dolphin (I like Dolphin Mini) and set your home page to Google.
For a google search widget you can install LauncherPro.
Lots of ways to go. Searching will help you find details.

Thanks for the reply, but maybe I wasnt clear. I am fully rooted, running an eb01DB_DXC.tar with eb01 lockscreen mods, some swapped touchwiz and buddies .apks and other minor mods. Google voice search is disabled and everything is set properly settings wise.
The search function worked properly for a week, but something has changed to create this new behavior. I already tried Skyfire as well.
I understand the need to search and I do quite a bit. I just cant find a reason why behavior would change when there is no apparent reason to based on the device config.

[REQ]Google nowless 4.4 launcher

I really enjoy Google now. I use it all the time. I've been using it since it came out. I also like the left side of my home screen more then the right. I don't need three different ways to get to Google now from the home screen and I definetly dont want to turn off google now. I also don't want to use nova or apex launcher because I've used them for years. Does anybody know where I can find the KitKat launcher without Google now embedded?

afm1118 said:
I really enjoy Google now. I use it all the time. I've been using it since it came out. I also like the left side of my home screen more then the right. I don't need three different ways to get to Google now from the home screen and I definetly dont want to turn off google now. I also don't want to use nova or apex launcher because I've used them for years. Does anybody know where I can find the KitKat launcher without Google now embedded?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash CyanogenMod 11. In cyanogenmod, use "Launcher 3" as your default

Kwongger said:
Flash CyanogenMod 11. In cyanogenmod, use "Launcher 3" as your default
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to stay somewhat stock for as long as possible. If I start flashing now who knows what I could end up running. If I pull launcher three and run it on stock will it work? Would I need to be deodexed?

There's two or three kitkat launcher clones around, check the xda apps section or google play. Can't recommend one as I'm happy enough with stock, but they seem to be near exact copies.

I'm not sure if this works on the nexus 5 since I only got one three days ago, but on my gnex I flashed a KitKat ROM and then flashed bank's core gapps, not the "standard" ones and the launcher wasn't the Google now one. I did it on accident, but it may work for you. Just flash a stock ROM and banks core gapps and it may work.
Nick

I use this and love it you can turn off the Google now feature
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nick.kitkatlauncher2
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Or even better Epic Launcher : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epic.launcher

Official KitKat Bloatware Removal Thread

Hi All,
Now that most people have installed the OTA KitKat and knowing that this will be the last update Motorola makes for our phones, I thought it would be a good idea to make a collection of all the system bloatware that came with the OTA that is able to be removed safely without affecting the performance or running of the phone (either frozen or deleted for those of us lucky enough to be unlocked and already rooted). Lord knows I have been waiting a long long time to delete these apps and not just have them frozen! I'll keep a running list in the second post, hopefully in alphabetical order, as people post up any that I have forgotten about or didn't think of.
Again, this is just a list of everything that is safe to remove if people don't use the apps / functions, not necessarily things that have to be removed.
...there's nothing like freeing up memory and RAM 8)
EDIT: The hard ones to pick out are gonna be all the "com.***" ones since they're not quite as self-explanatory...

List of bloat:
- Amazon
- Amazon App Suite
- Amazon Kindle
- Amazon mp3
- Android Keyboard (AOSP)
- Android Live Wallpapers
- Audible
- Black Hole
- Bubbles
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Circles
- Cloud
- Cloud Print - thanks @jldr
- Droid Zap
- Email
- Face Unlock
- Google Play Books
- Google Play Games
- Google Play Movies & TV
- Google Play Newstand
- Google Search - thanks @Sefirosu
- Hangouts
- Help - thanks @scobywhru
- Homescreen Tips
- HP Print Service Plugin - thanks @jldr
- IMDb
- Live Wallpaper Picker
- Magic Smoke Wallpapers
- Maps - thanks @Sefirosu
- MC3
- Messaging
- Movie Studio
- Music Visualization Wallpapers
- NFL Mobile - thanks @jldr
- Phase Beam
- Quickoffice
- RealRacing2
- Setup 4.4.2-10 - thanks @scobywhru
- Setup Wizard 4.4.2-10 - thanks @scobywhru
- Setup Wizard 1.0 - thanks @scobywhru
- Setup Wizard 1.3 - thanks @scobywhru
- Slacker Radio
- SmartActions
- SmartActions Android Framework
- SmartActions Proprietary Framework
- Talkback
- Translate
- Verizon Tones
- VZ Navigator
- Weather
- YouTube
- Zappos

Calculator, Youtube, Live Wallpaper?

jldr said:
Calculator, Youtube, Live Wallpaper?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said, they are removable but some people will want to keep them. Personally I keep the YouTube, but use a scientific calculator app and don't use live wallpaper.

Ah I see, I didn't think those were removable. I thought they were system apps.

You're right, they are system apps, but can be frozen and for those of us lucky enough to be unlocked and rooted on KK they can be deleted (using TiBu or some other method). Everything listed above is considered a "system app". But, the list is not comprehensive.
That's why I was looking for input for some of the more not-as-obviously-named removable apps. I know there was a list floating around somewhere, I had a bunch of stuff frozen from that list whilst on JB. But now that our phones are not going to be updated any further (and if there is a surprise update that comes to us, we can put the phones back to "stock" using SamuriHL's RSD Lite scripts), I'd like to delete them permanently.

Just an update - I was able to safely remove the all-important NFL Mobile app without hardbricking

Guys, I'm sorry to crash this thread, I'm locked and on 9.18.64. Since your all rooted and unlocked, I was wondering if anyone of you would be willing to give SamuriHl a freshly installed and rooted system dump using the safestrap method he outlines in the KitKat root tracking thread? I'd like to be a guinea pig for this one chance root experiment. That's the only missing piece ATM.

jldr said:
Just an update - I was able to safely remove the all-important NFL Mobile app without hardbricking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, yes. How could I miss that one. Added, thanks!

Would love to help @MarcusWhite but I do not have SS installed. I also am a pretty big noob about these things, I can'do much past rooting/unlocking/custom ROMs.
Also I found another bloatware - HP Printer Service or whatever it's called.

jldr said:
Also I found another bloatware - HP Printer Service or whatever it's called.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good call, I forgot all the wifi printer apps!
Updated the list with some others that I found as well (Email, Hangouts, Messaging, Music Visualization Wallpapers, etc.) All can be safely removed, but make sure you have another method for emailing or texting, lol

Freeze bloatware
K, I was able to freeze the bloatware using my unrooted 4.4.2.
I went into each apps settings (long press the icon, app info). Then I cleared the "Show notifications" check, Force stop, then Disable. After that the offending apps weren't showing up under the app screen.
If you go to Play store, you'll find them listed as "Disabled".
Hope this helps some, and keep up the good fight for Root access with this update.

onecoolfirefighter said:
K, I was able to freeze the bloatware using my unrooted 4.4.2.
I went into each apps settings (long press the icon, app info). Then I cleared the "Show notifications" check, Force stop, then Disable. After that the offending apps weren't showing up under the app screen.
If you go to Play store, you'll find them listed as "Disabled".
Hope this helps some, and keep up the good fight for Root access with this update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sigh... Please don't spam this thread with posts about root on stock KK. If you don't have it by now, get used to not having it on this phone EVER.

I have removed and disabled the google search app without any negative issues to the rom.
I don't use it as I find myself using my personal browser more than the useless google app. Plus no google now push. However, it does remove the search bar, but doesn't break the roms ability to search from an up swipe from the dock using a browser with search functions, or another search app.
You can also freeze google maps along with its companion app without issue.
You should also consider putting a list of apps not to mess with this time around. This is because a few system apps have become more vital in the rom.
For instance, Google Play Services was able to be disabled and removed without reinstalling automatically in Jelly Bean, but it can no longer be frozen or deleted as it will seriously mess up the google play store with it's recent update in kitkat.

Sefirosu said:
I have removed and disabled the google search app without any negative issues to the rom.
I don't use it as I find myself using my personal browser more than the useless google app. Plus no google now push. However, it does remove the search bar, but doesn't break the roms ability to search from an up swipe from the dock using a browser with search functions, or another search app.
You can also freeze google maps along with its companion app without issue.
You should also consider putting a list of apps not to mess with this time around. This is because a few system apps have become more vital in the rom.
For instance, Google Play Services was able to be disabled and removed without reinstalling automatically in Jelly Bean, but it can no longer be frozen or deleted as it will seriously mess up the google play store with it's recent update in kitkat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! They've been added to the list.
The "do not touch" app list sounds like a good idea, but I was thinking of just leaving it as whatever isn't listed in post #2 shouldn't be touched

LifeAsADroid said:
Sigh... Please don't spam this thread with posts about root on stock KK. If you don't have it by now, get used to not having it on this phone EVER.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha. How do you like your crow prepared? Despite the fact that root and unlock is now available again for a short time, anyway, I think he was showing how there is some freeze ability without root with this update.
With that said, I can't find acoustic warning in tibu, is it now called something else? I can't stand the auto volume drop when I hook to my truck radio.
Update: nvm. Its no longer standalone. Its in android os. You have to use xposed to disable it.

Something I killed in this list removed my speech to text capability. The microphone icon is gone from the keyboard when texting. Any idea what did it?
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

If I had to guess, I'd say it was removing Google search that did the trick. That's when mine disappeared anyway. I rarely use the option so it didn't bother me too much. If you haven't uninstalled Google search, then you should just be able to verify Google voice typing is enabled. If that doesn't do it, you might also have to long press the button to the left of the space bar and assign the mic to that key.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using XDA Free mobile app

I think you can add
Help
Home Screen Tips
You can add the following as well since they aren't needed once you setup the device.
Setup 4.4.2-10
Setup Wizard 4.4.2-10
Setup Wizard 1.3
Setup Wizard 1.0

OK, I'll bite. It seems I'm only able to freeze bloatware. I try uninstalling w/ TBU, but they're all still there. Since I don't see any reason to have to restore them for an OTA, I'd just like to get rid of them.

Did i miss an update? (Leeco Le S3 X626)

So i've been reading for a bit and apparently there was an update that added an app drawer to Leeco phones (someone correct me if i'm wrong) but i can't find the system update option on my phone at all and i've looked everywhere.
Any help would be appreciated, thank you.
EDIT: Did some additional searching and it seems i have a shop rom (i have google apps and no system update option and zero chinese bloatware).
So for anyone that comes across this thread, you can't update unless you go through update.zip.

That's bad. I just got this phone and I was suprised that I don't have the bloatware launcher, but Google Now. Also I can't find any system updater in options. Seems like I have the same thing, which is both a plus and minus. And do you have a problem with custom launchers? Google Now is a poop and when I installed Lawnchair, I couldn't remove the last app I opened from the multitasking. Specifically it appeared in one "window" with the launcher so I couldn't "kick it out". I got back to Google Now, but I hate it. Do you have the same problem?
(Lol, such a long post)

Haven't actually tried a different launcher, i hear Nova is good though, it might be worth it to try.

TramSK said:
That's bad. I just got this phone and I was suprised that I don't have the bloatware launcher, but Google Now. Also I can't find any system updater in options. Seems like I have the same thing, which is both a plus and minus. And do you have a problem with custom launchers? Google Now is a poop and when I installed Lawnchair, I couldn't remove the last app I opened from the multitasking. Specifically it appeared in one "window" with the launcher so I couldn't "kick it out". I got back to Google Now, but I hate it. Do you have the same problem?
(Lol, such a long post)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for such a late reply. Finally moved to a custom launcher (Microsoft Launcher) and it has the same issue with the last app staying open. So i make sure to always keep the dialer/contacts app open as it seems like the least performance/battery heavy app to keep running. Annoying, but way way better than the launcher the phone came with that didn't even have an app drawer.