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Got a Vibrant yesterday to "try out" the android world for the first time. Must say I'm impressed by the phones performance out of the box even with all the bloatware and crap on it. I've been a windows mobile guy for quite some time now, so the people that know both platforms well, know they are two completely different monsters. My two options were the hd2 (since i know the WM world pretty well) or learn a whole new platform with the vibrant.
I like it so far, but also miss some of the things from WM (or rather miss knowing my phone well). I guess i just have to start from zero and get acquainted with it first.
Any suggestions on getting the bare down scoop of the platform and such as far as learning it from the ground up? The sticky explains how to do these things, but I need something more basic...I just wanna become proficient in the android world as I am in the WM world starting from zero.
Its hard to say where to start, the best thing about android is the customization. Playing with phone is the only way you are gonna learn, I have been an android owner since day one and am still learning new things everyday. If there is something I don't know I simply come here since this is the best android community on the web. Hope you enjoy IMO the best android phone on the market.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Yeah, really not that much to help with...everything seems pretty intuitive to me. When in doubt, long press or press menu.
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
That's where I started off, you're most likely going to want to root it. Search the forums around. There's some great stickies to follow by and just go with that.
Can't wait for CM? Learn to make your own APP to have fun with ;p
phragg said:
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
That's where I started off, you're most likely going to want to root it. Search the forums around. There's some great stickies to follow by and just go with that.
Can't wait for CM? Learn to make your own APP to have fun with ;p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, kindle isn't that bad considering you can get a ton of free books for it.
Sent from my Galaxy S using the XDA App
phragg said:
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
That's where I started off, you're most likely going to want to root it. Search the forums around. There's some great stickies to follow by and just go with that.
Can't wait for CM? Learn to make your own APP to have fun with ;p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you could always copy Avatar onto a larger card and then go wild! That's what I did, it will play lots of 720p mkv's that you might have laying around no problem!
Long press and menu are your friends. Other than that look here on xda and use the search function. The stickies typically have the most current info.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
phragg said:
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
That's where I started off, you're most likely going to want to root it. Search the forums around. There's some great stickies to follow by and just go with that.
Can't wait for CM? Learn to make your own APP to have fun with ;p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is CM?
I am a programmer by profession. Maybe I could look into the world of android programming too while im at it
phragg said:
My first questions were always like:
Sweet I have Avatar on here, what else Can I put on?
Oh damn, there's only a 2GB Card, and if I remove it, I lose Avatar.
WTF is amazon kindle for? I don't need this? How can I remove Bloats?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have those questions. I mean the first thing i did was move avatar to my 16gb msdhc into it and go wild with my music, photo, and videos...which I'm amazed how good of sound/video quality i get on this.
I thought more of like where do how do I view flash websites, how do i stream live .pls live music streams, or smaller things like hiding apps from the notification area at the top left when they are running, or resizing certain widgets, removing some of the applications that came with the phone from t mobile, mapping buttons to do different things based on holding them down or tapping a certain amount of times, things like that that aren't explained in the user manual. Or even like right now, I'm trying to make a call and it says: "Call not sent"...well? whyyyyyyyyy? so many questions!
I don't know, I guess all this is just part of the familiarization process and will sooner or later find them out whether by experience or hunting down resources why certain behaviors and actions happen.
speoples20 said:
Long press and menu are your friends. Other than that look here on xda and use the search function. The stickies typically have the most current info.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is long press?
^ you should read the sticky. A lot of the things you mentioned, are addressed in the sticky.
Also, flash is only on Android 2.2, which we do not have yet.
achild said:
Got a Vibrant yesterday to "try out" the android world for the first time. Must say I'm impressed by the phones performance out of the box even with all the bloatware and crap on it. I've been a windows mobile guy for quite some time now, so the people that know both platforms well, know they are two completely different monsters. My two options were the hd2 (since i know the WM world pretty well) or learn a whole new platform with the vibrant.
I like it so far, but also miss some of the things from WM (or rather miss knowing my phone well). I guess i just have to start from zero and get acquainted with it first.
Any suggestions on getting the bare down scoop of the platform and such as far as learning it from the ground up? The sticky explains how to do these things, but I need something more basic...I just wanna become proficient in the android world as I am in the WM world starting from zero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congrats on your new phone. Let us know how your GPS works, since that seems to be a hot issue. you can test using google maps, google navigation and GPS Test downloadable from the Android Market.
SamsungGalaxySVibrant said:
Congrats on your new phone. Let us know how your GPS works, since that seems to be a hot issue. you can test using google maps, google navigation and GPS Test downloadable from the Android Market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha that seems to be a problem with any gps enabled phone nowadays. Happened with the fuze and after months and months of tweaking and tweaking we got a hang of it. I tried the GPS yesterday on my way home from work yesterday and did not get a lock, i went ahead and downloaded gps test today to see if that will unlock it before using the gps software. We shall see! Thanks for the heads up tho!
edit: I guess gps test on android works differently than on WM. On WM it scans through your COM ports and gets a fix for you to then use your gps navigation software.
achild said:
what is CM?
I am a programmer by profession. Maybe I could look into the world of android programming too while im at it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please do!
we could always use more programmers.
achild said:
what is long press?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of tapping on something you hold your finger down for a few seconds. A menu will pop up giving you options like copy and paste.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
If your phone won't play a video format, try RockPlayer
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I would recommend the market as the first place to go. Just start searching and downloading apps and play with your phone. You'll get accustomed to it very quickly!
Droidicus said:
I would recommend the market as the first place to go. Just start searching and downloading apps and pay with your phone. You'll get accustomed to it very quickly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah thats what ive been doing. Thats another thing that amazes me about android, soooo many apps, and they are all centralized into one easy, convenient location. In wm you would find a few in the marketplace, and the rest u had to hunt down either on the forum or the web. This is slowly growing on me
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Coming from WM myself, (and just recently and very reticently turned over my beloved Wizard to my mom) the fun and unfun I have with Android:
Apps are so dratted cheap. Have at it.
Cloud connectivity. I use Picasa all the time now. It took me a while to get used to Google contacts, especially first name alphabetization, but I like it now.
You might want to look at subscribing to CompanionLink. It reliably syncs everything Outlook with your Google account (thus your phone).
Almost nothing was built into Android 1.0. Not much was added through 1.5. Some stuff has been added since, like Facebook sync, but custom ROMs don't add stuff. There's an app for everything. There has to be.
The app drawer is a hassle. I use FolderOrganizer (and ADW Launcher) to quell my addiction to organization beyond alphabetical.
It's fun to watch a few things catch up with WinMo and hear all the Android users brag about how great it is. Like app-specific auto-rotation. There's an app for it out now, but it actually costs something you'll think about, and it eats a hunk of RAM. They're just getting into animated GIFs. Lists and their apps aren't anywhere near ListPro, but they almost all have some way to sync to the cloud.
Office documents created on a PC don't always work with the Office apps that are out there. Don't bother with DocumentsToGo, but Sheadspreet is good (you have to convert first) and I'm trying OfficeSuite, and it seems the best. 30-day trial, $15. It's still not WinMo, though.
For those things you don't sync with the cloud, you can't just throw stuff in your My Documents Folder and rely on that backup. DropBox is a good app/service, and GoogleDocs is your friend. Most apps back up thier specific data to your SD, but on this phone, it's on the internal SD. You have to manually handle your backups, or do Nandroid backups (another worthwhile Google).
You have to install an app to install apps not from Market. Instead of exes their apks.
There's no Total Commander. I like Root Explorer. Astro is feature-filled. There are a million file explorers, and every one of them will have its advocates.
Flashing ROMs is tons easier, but you have to root first.
The Android world moves a lot faster. If you're off the forums for a week you'll feel like you've been in a coma for months. On the flip side, if you're waiting for something to get developed, waiting a few days feel like eternity.
Android devs work harder for a lot less, or no money; it's truly inspiring.
Before you go buying the first app that does what you want, check Market for more that do the same thing. I've found that there's a free alternative to almost everything. The paid versions/apps are more luxurious in one way or another, usually, but a little research can save you a bunch of regret.
Widgets suck RAM. Before you know it you've got 25 and you're wondering why your Home screen is lagging. Phones are finite. Even these.
CM is CyanogenMod. Google it, it's worth it. They started on XDA and it got out of control, so they have their own site now, although the threads still hanging on XDA re CM are a much more interesting read. It seems to be the most popular set of ROMS for a variety of devices. I follow and flash them (the ROMs, that is. I dont want the devs to hate me).
Double entendres are rampant. It's Google.
Once you get your apps organized, you'll be surprised at how smoothly your phone useage goes. Frankly, it's just more fun, and much cheaper, to play with.
SamsungGalaxySVibrant said:
Congrats on your new phone. Let us know how your GPS works, since that seems to be a hot issue. you can test using google maps, google navigation and GPS Test downloadable from the Android Market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tested it. Google maps got no lock. However, gps test gave me 3 satellites, when I held it in front, under the windshiels it jumped to five satellites, but it wasn't enough for google maps to lock or get my location.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Just got my vibrant today and it auto locks almost immediately. Does anyone have a fix for this? Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
It's under settings->sound and display... 1 minute works great and under the appliactions->Development you can also set it so that it doesn't turn off while plugged into USB (charging). That was a god send when I rooted and put the deodexed ROM on.
Regards,
B
Thanks for the quick reply. Do u know if there is a easy way to keep it from [email protected] all? I would prefer to just lock myself...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Get NoLock from the market.
Yes, nolock. An essential item. I pity all the regular people that don't go on forums with these phones, Samsung and Android are really going to alienate a lot of them. I suppose regular people go for the iphone though so maybe I don't have a point after all.
There is an awesome app called LockDelay that allows you to screen-off your phone after whatever time you specify, and then it will automatically lock it after yet another time you specify.
I HIGHLY recommend it, it really allows you to secure your phone and save your battery by turning that screen off.
bwolmarans said:
I pity all the regular people that don't go on forums with these phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just sold a Vibrant in my T-Mobile store today. My rep was showing the customer hers and the customer asked her opinion, he also noticed I had one (I'm the store manager) so I walked over and struck up some conversation to close the deal. As I scrolled through the screen he noticed the XDA app icon and inquired about it. I gave him a few pointers and explained he should joined because there's a wealth of knowledge to be found on these forums. I've found having that little app installed on my phone, as well as our Android live demos is a nice way to introduce customers and new Android owners to XDA.
stock phone is very good. but after customizing, it becomes a whole different android experience.
Thanks for all the tips... I installed no lock, and set the screen to a min an its doing the trick.
Side note, its amazing that I could make the jump from blackberry an transition to the vibrant, can u think of 2 more different phones.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App Thanks for the help this forum is a great resource.
ThinPhone vs iPhone 4...?
-bZj
ledbetter.james said:
Thanks for all the tips... I installed no lock, and set the screen to a min an its doing the trick.
Side note, its amazing that I could make the jump from blackberry an transition to the vibrant, can u think of 2 more different phones.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App Thanks for the help this forum is a great resource.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are two very different phones, but as someone works in the industry, my opinion is that RIM hasn't helped themselves by keeping the Berry in the "stone age." Don't get me wrong. I understand they still have a strong following and a huge success in the business market, but Android is catching up and can be used just as well if you have the right phone. Glad you made the jump and the transition is going well.
I am on the fence about getting Tasker. I wanted to automate Wifi and notification sounds turning off/on and was going to get Tasker, but I found an app called Timeriffic and it does a good job. But I still like the level of customization afforded by Tasker.
MY question is this - if anyone has been using it on their G2 for a while, have you noticed any performance degradation? Also, noob question - what happens when you get an update or something? Do you have to pay again?
1. I've been using it for 2 weeks and I haven't noticed a drop a performance but I huge jump in efficiency
2. If there is an update you will not have to pay for the application again and all the profiles you have created will still be there.
Its definetly one of my favorite apps, I use it all the time. Once you buy it from the market updates are free, and it does not slow down your phone.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Thanks, guys. I think I'll go ahead and get it.
ashwinmudigonda said:
Thanks, guys. I think I'll go ahead and get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using it since the first week it came out. I have no problems with it. Definitely one of my top-5 apps.
I've been using Tasker for two weeks now. I really like it and have noticed very little performance drop, if any. Buy it directly from their website and it's a few dollars cheaper than the Android Market. The program will check for updates itself every so often.
Make sure to read the Wiki; there are some good profiles on there.
Like the one that texts you back with a Google Maps link to where your phone is located. Was able to get rid of those crappy lost phone programs.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
I know people might not answer this, but what the hell, you never know.
I'm a programmer; good old fashioned programmer. That's what I do. I've coded in Assembler, PASCAL, RPG II/III, COBOL, C/C++, SQR (a DB language), Easytreive (mainframe), CICS (more mainframe), JCL (mainframe "language"), JAVA and now Android.
Currently unemployed due to crappy market and my location. I've coded a couple of apps and they are on the market selling, albeit slowly.
My problem is, I'm NOT creative LOL IMO, I can code the pants off anything, but I'm just not good at coming up with ideas. I think it's that "left brain, right brain" thing!
Anyone care to throw out some app ideas? Seems like I think of stuff, but it's "been there, done that" on the market. I have my own hosted site and ability to store 10 gigs of database data if that helps.
I'm not interested in doing games or themes or wallpapers (remember, NOT creative!) LOL
I'm new at coding and I have ideas coming out of my ears, so to speak, but I don't have the means (knowledge) to make them a reality. How familiar are you with the android sdk and APIs? I'm kinda new at this, having only released one app into the market. I would like the help of an experienced coder. Check out my website www.fufurinnovations.blogspot.com to see what I'm working on. Thanks in advance
I am looking for an app like Mail Tones for Blackberry that alerts you with a different tones for selected email contacts. By default the notification tone for all incoming emails is just one for all. I tried Mail Alerts but it is very unreliable. Maybe you like this idea? This is a very helpful app in BB since it lets you know when an important email comes up without looking at the screen. Weird that there is only one app in the Market and it just doesn't work.
And what about another app like a camera add-on that lets you level all your pictures using the inclinometer and allows you to take pictures having always the horizon line leveled.
hgrimberg said:
And what about another app like a camera add-on that lets you level all your pictures using the inclinometer and allows you to take pictures having always the horizon line leveled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love this simple but effective idea!
posted direct from the legend that is the x10i... the fastest processor, the slowest response...
I need, and many android users will agree, that sms messages do not need to be kept forever. I want an app, an addon, an alteration whatever that deletes old messages up to a set time period... 7 days, 14 days, 31 days etc.
If I had a text from o2 highlighting the fab new offers I ignore it and 30 days later its automatically deleted!
posted direct from the legend that is the x10i... the fastest processor, the slowest response...
I'd love an app that emulates the standard iPod USB protocols well enough to control my Android music player from my car stereo.
Theres a lot of people in a thread in this forum wanting a gtalk widget for android....and willing to pay for it.
Enhanced camera
KelvinMead said:
Love this simple but effective idea!
posted direct from the legend that is the x10i... the fastest processor, the slowest response...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually thought that the app called Theodolite was going to do this but it was actually a triangulation app. In any case, it comes with an inclinometer that allows you to measure the angle of the camera in x and y. It has a measurement of angles kind of like the vision from Terminator, very cool, but then if you take the picture, those measuring things stay in the picture and the picture itself comes out at a lower resolution so it is not really a photography app, its a measurement app. It could be cool to have a bip once you get the camera/phone leveled with the horizon line.
Cameras nowadays don't come with this feature? You can then sell them the program...
you can help me out with my music app im only decent at concepts
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10692674
How about an app that is able to identify if someone in the area is running android and to be able to strike up a gtalk convo via invite. idk if that'd be possible.
WOW! Thanks to all the repliers (is that a word? LOL). Oh my, there's an idea right there for my database space...a dictionary or thesarus!
Some very, very good ideas out there and I DO appreciate them very much. I can definitely see 2 or 3 apps that I can start working on.
Keep the ideas coming and I'll get my fingers going on development of some of the replies up to this point.
Thanks again!
Figure out bluetooth hid in sense roms or video out for aosp roms.
Hello,
An application that encrypt/decrypt phone conversations in real time between two android phones could be nice...
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
One app i really think is missing is a good working RSS-reader which makes it possible not to juggle between the RSS-reader and a browser.
An example would be a super simple reader like Google Reader that can open up the posts in background inside the reader, having the same possibilities as a browser.
I am tired of HTC sync not working right with custom roms. I need something (app or software) that will sync my pc Outlook contacts and calendar with android phone. There is a need for business people that want to use their android phone for business! IMHO
Sent from my Eris using XDA App
I don´t know if exist an app that can do what I want...so...here it is the idea:
It´s an app that can change the apps icons in the drawer...like the one we use to change icons in desktop....but....for the drawer...
Or maybe a widget for app launcher...I know there ir a lot of it....but make one like the objetdock for windows...if you know what I mean...
Cheers! and thank...
i have many great ideas, but im not a programmer...my only problem with you is that you seem to want people to GIVE you their ideas...like recently, i had someone develop a clock widget for me in which i provided the graphics...we are splitting the profits 50-50...so maybe if you could make an agreement like that or a 60(you)-40(me) agreement then i might be able to help you out...and you could help me
schwartzman93 said:
i have many great ideas, but im not a programmer...my only problem with you is that you seem to want people to GIVE you their ideas...like recently, i had someone develop a clock widget for me in which i provided the graphics...we are splitting the profits 50-50...so maybe if you could make an agreement like that or a 60(you)-40(me) agreement then i might be able to help you out...and you could help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I guess I should have mentioned that ...my bad.
Of course I would be willing to split profits on a joint-effort project. And, I'm terrible with graphics design and the like. And sometimes, the user interface can make or break the applications (people like "Wow, cool" or flashy app interfaces).
I'm more of a "meat and potatoes" guy; input your data, get info back LOL
So yes, I'm willing to pursue a multi-person project as I think it's beneficial to both parties, not only monetarily, but the possibility of learning from each other.
Thanks,
Roots
Im sorry, i didnt mean to come off rude, lol...and im good with photoshop and UI ideas...i have no degree in anything just to let you know, im a self taught 17 year old, who like i said has no programming skills just ideas...i will get back to you though...im currently working on trying to update this other app i have
Hello guys! Some of you may have participated in the beta of Killswitch, our app for tablets and phones with cases that turns off the screen whenever the case is shut.
We need some feedback from people running roms on thier Galaxy Tabs. Could those of you that participated please leave some comments and thoughts on improving the app's functionality?
We have just released a major update that should solve some sensitivity issues and wonder if this has affected users, and its very hard to get constructive feedback from the market.
Works much better for me - seems to have fewer false turnoffs
[RUS] Последняя версия работает значительно лучше — гораздо меньше ложных срабатываний [/RUS]
We are trying to improve this... could you please try setting a higher Activation Delay value so that we can test what kind of effect this has?
Its possible this very rough filtering will be very useful in certain conditions!
Did it help?
well? its so annoying when people on a forum like this one don't provide technical feedback...
I bought the application but every time the display decrease brigtness (for battery reason), kilswitch ask to go on standby.
Please solve it.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
Hi, could you be more specific? Please send a logcat!
Tick "debug mode" then run aLogcat from the market, reproduce the error and send me the text from aLogcat.
Ill be looking into some major changes to killswitch next week, so nows a good time to give tech feedback and suggestions!
Guys, im almost done with the extra functions, so now would bve a good time to send those logcats you were telling me about!
I will volunteer to help as soon as I get my cover LOL (got one on the way from ebay). cheers looks very nice can't wait to try it out.
Looks interesting but I see you don't have a trial version on the Market and with Google's policy of only 15 minutes return I am reluctant to spend over £2 on something I can't test properly.
We now have a trial version, with almost all features included!
norm2002 said:
Looks interesting but I see you don't have a trial version on the Market and with Google's policy of only 15 minutes return I am reluctant to spend over £2 on something I can't test properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here, would love to test, but not gonna pay to test for you. would buy later if it was something I liked. i do like the idea, . . . . .
Guys, there is a demo version on the market you know - im not asking anyone to pay!
https://market.android.com/details?id=fahrbot.apps.killswitchlite
ftgg99 said:
Guys, there is a demo version on the market you know - im not asking anyone to pay!
https://market.android.com/details?id=fahrbot.apps.killswitchlite
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Webpage not available
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Try https://market.android.com/details?id=fahrbot.apps.killswitchlite&feature=more_from_developer
The market is quirky...
Also https://market.android.com/details?...locker.beta&feature=more_from_developer&hl=en
And search for fahrbot.apps.killswitchlite
I tried this. Doesn't seem to work on my tab. I closed the cover on my case and nothing happened. Also can't seem to uninstall which I find annoying.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
cbb77 said:
I tried this. Doesn't seem to work on my tab. I closed the cover on my case and nothing happened. Also can't seem to uninstall which I find annoying.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Also startup randomly.
The trial version limits the minimum shutdown time to 23 seconds, which is why it didnt seem to do anything.
In order to uninstall you have to uncheck admin permissions, as it says in the OP, the help file and the relevant setting item.
It starts randomly when sensitivity is too high and when your Activation delay is very low. Read the help.