Database Users

[Q] Please recommend apps - Milestone 2

First of all.. the moderators can move this to another section if this isn't the correct place to be posting this...
I have been waiting for the Milestone 2 section to pop up to ask this... but I guess that might take a little longer...
I'm using the stock ROM from Motorola Froyo 2.2.. My phone is rooted though... Not a big fan of BLUR for obvious reasons.. (Angdroid .. we are waiting for ur custom ROM eagerly to get rid of BLUR.. kudos to u bro to help us out)
So I want some recommendations on the apps that I should use for the list below. I'm using some apps but since the android world in full of awesome apps.. I just wanted to make sure that I'm using the best of the best..
I would really appreciate if someone can give a reason as to why I should NOT use a particular app..
Task Killer - _________ (using Avanced task killer)
Alarm & Timer - ________ (using stock) (hopefully nothing fancy is necessary here)
File Manager - _________(ASTRO)
Calendar - ___________ (using stock)
Dictionary - __________ (required. Preferably offline)
Camera - ___________ (using stock)
Camcorder - __________ (using stock)
Contacts - __________ (using stock)
Dialler - ___________ (using stock)
Office app - _________ (got Quickoffice as stock)
Browser - ___________ (Dolphin HD and Opera Mini)
Social Networking - _________ (I only use Facebook and I have got the official App)
Picture Gallery - ________ (Got QuickPic.. looking for something a little more fancy here)
Music Player - ___________ (got stock n WinAmp)
Text Messaging - __________ (Stock)
Exchange - ____________ (heard a lot about Exchange by Touchdown)
Launcher - ______________ (using Launcher Pro)
Other than that I have Google Goggles, Google Sky Maps, Google Maps, SetCPU, XDA app n Youtube..
One more thing, I would really appreciate if someone can suggest apps (especially launcher) which can give me better battery life..
Would also appreciate any interesting app that I'm missing..
Thanks in advance for your suggestions..

You don't need a task killer. FroYo is designed to handle running apps optimally and a task killer just gets in the way of doing that.

okay... thanks for tht....
Any other suggestions??

Well I keep advanced task killer froyo in case an app starts acting up and I need to kill it. I never kill everything though.
A great music player is miui music. Very good ui, downloads lyrics and album artwork free.
Miren web browser from the miui rom is also great.
Widgetlocker is nice. Widgets on your lockscreen and its only $1.
Launcherpro is a great home replacement to get ride of the blur launcher. Its super smooth and snappy. Paid version has some nice widgets.
Hope you find this helpful.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

Thanks.. I'll try out miui music and miren browser.. Not to keen on keeping widgets on lock screen, so would keep away from Widgetlocker..
Have tried both Launcher Pro and ADWlauncher... Launcher Pro is super snappy... but ADWlauncher is catching up fast... Plus it has got loads of themes.. I cant decide between the two at the moment.. I guess battery consideration will dictate terms there....
More suggestions are welcome...

Root Explorer is a good file manager because it gives you access to your /system folder so you can eliminate those annoying camera shutter sounds. It costs $10.

silverfang77 said:
Root Explorer is a good file manager because it gives you access to your /system folder so you can eliminate those annoying camera shutter sounds. It costs $10.
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Click to collapse
Android mate is a free alternative to root explorer. It gives you root access to your /system folder. It might not have as many features as root explorer, but that's the price you pay for not paying lol
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

Ad free to stop ads (Duh).
Adobe Reader (Just in case).
Angry Birds (For a little fun)
Default Browser
CNET news
Compass
Droid Overclock
Droid Light
Google Earth
Facebook
Fancy Widget (HTC Clock type widget)
Fissiom Rom Manager
Google Goggles (Take pictures of things and automagically googles them)
Iheartradio
NFL mobile
XDA app of course
Just a few apps I use on my phone.

Thanks Mike for the list..
I do have Ad Free, Angry Birds, Facebook, Google Goggles n XDA apps..
Will give compass a try (donno how useful it is for me though).. CNET news and Google earth also seem to be good options...
About Droid overclock.. I did try Milestone overclock n was able to overclock my phone to 1300 MHz.. but my battery doesnt seem to last long (even without overclocking it hardly lasts a day).. Do u guys have a similar issue without battery?? If yes, can you suggest some ways to conserve it??
@orkillakilla: I have ASTRO.. Is Android mate a better option??

sahilarora911 said:
Thanks Mike for the list..
I do have Ad Free, Angry Birds, Facebook, Google Goggles n XDA apps..
Will give compass a try (donno how useful it is for me though).. CNET news and Google earth also seem to be good options...
About Droid overclock.. I did try Milestone overclock n was able to overclock my phone to 1300 MHz.. but my battery doesnt seem to last long (even without overclocking it hardly lasts a day).. Do u guys have a similar issue without battery?? If yes, can you suggest some ways to conserve it??
@orkillakilla: I have ASTRO.. Is Android mate a better option??
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Click to collapse
Im guessing since you have the Milestone 2 you prolly don't have it ROMed which I dont think you can at this point and time. There in lies your problem, the MotoBlur absolutely HATES batterys. Before I ROMed my phone I could barely last a day with mild useage, I can now last at least a day and a half. With overclocked =P.
To conserve use WiFi whenever possible. Put the screen brightness as low as you can tolerate it. If you don't mind disconnect your facebook account from your phone (That is constantly pulling data which is a main cause of battery drain).
Also, If you just got the phone I'm sure you are using it a ton which may drop off as time goes on (Once you get used to having this amazing mini computer in your pocket lol) which will drop the battery usage that display uses.

I also use "Data counter widget" because the native data counter bonkers :-(
There are Engadget, xda and Facebook apps in the store.
For internet tethering I use PdaNet - great app!
PowerAMP is my favorite music player. Haven't played much with it though.
QuickDic as dictionary.
QuickPic is okay, I use native Gallery.
Shakespeare App is great. All his books for free!
Widgetsoid to create my own widgets. Like it alot.
As for games I'm currently looking for a strong mills game. I have downloaded all mills game from the store but they all suck. Way too easy. The same for "Stratego" clone Legions...nice, but way too easy...
iPhone has a better choice for apps...really sucks

miketoasty said:
Also, If you just got the phone I'm sure you are using it a ton which may drop off as time goes on (Once you get used to having this amazing mini computer in your pocket lol) which will drop the battery usage that display uses.
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Click to collapse
That is surely true..
But I dont think we Milestone 2 users are gonna see a custom ROM anytime soon... though m keeping my fingers crossed...
@oTToToTenTanz: Data counter is a good suggestion.. m nt too keen on games (except for angry birds) as I use my PSP for that...

Any app for managing applications?

I asked in the Must Have Apps thread but never got an answer. Figured a thread would get more attention.
Is there any app for managing applications? Like their notification and sync settings.
Like disabling getting a notification every time I take a screen shot, or preventing a certain app from syncing unless I'm on WiFi.
I don't have root. I figured Juice Defender could help with the sync settings. But what about notifications?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

You're in luck, this popped up a little while ago: http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...ively-banish-apps-from-your-notification-bar/
Should help with the notifications, or if you want better control as to what runs in the background, give this a try: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oasisfeng.greenify
And, of course, if you also want to get rid of ads AdAway is a must, but it got taken down from the Playstore, so you have to Google it.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

ROM Toolbox Pro is the must have app. It does what 20 other standalone apps do, including managing app notifications, startup triggers, etc. Comes in real handy when you don't want programs starting up on boot or sending usage info.

Greenify , a nice way to keep rooted device running smooth and lag free

Anyone here using greenify?

And if so: is it working for you? And what apps are greenified on your nexus?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Yes.
Yes.
Maps is a big one. It likes to run in the background and eat up battery.

im using, its working, and most my apps are greenified, besides a few root apps. i dont use notifications for any app besides gtalk and gmail, so i greenify all that i can. i also use an app called autostarts, which works well in conjunction with greenify

ya
I still don't know it's purpose.
Yolo
I can't get facebook message notifications even though I ungreenified them

I used to use it. Among the apps I Greenified were:
1. Facebook
2. Maps
3. ESPN Scorecenter
Although I found that WhatsApp and Viber woke my device quite often, I use them all the time so it didn't make sense to include them in the list.
In terms of effect, it did reduce battery consumption some. But then I figured I'd just be a responsible user and sparingly install apps and turn off notifications altogether if I didn't really need them (or use bookmarks to mobile web versions instead). If you really need all your apps, then Greenify is a safe choice.

mlag said:
I used to use it. Among the apps I Greenified were:
1. Facebook
2. Maps
3. ESPN Scorecenter
Although I found that WhatsApp and Viber woke my device quite often, I use them all the time so it didn't make sense to include them in the list.
In terms of effect, it did reduce battery consumption some. But then I figured I'd just be a responsible user and sparingly install apps and turn off notifications altogether if I didn't really need them (or use bookmarks to mobile web versions instead). If you really need all your apps, then Greenify is a safe choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The concept of turning off notifications altogether is good only of the app is properly written for it. For example Facebook.... Even if you turn off all notifications whatsoever it still creates wakeups.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

deeren said:
The concept of turning off notifications altogether is good only of the app is properly written for it. For example Facebook.... Even if you turn off all notifications whatsoever it still creates wakeups.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Which is why I now use m.facebook.com instead. The Facebook app is a really terrible battery drainer.

I see maps waking up the phone quite often. But will Google now still work if you greenify maps?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Huawei P8 automatically kills apps

Hi
my P8 automatically kills apps that are running for longer than one hour. For example if I use Google Maps Navigation, or Runkeeper to track my runs.
In settings i have 'Performance' selected in the Power Savings Menu, I added Google Maps, Runkeeper, etc. to the protected apps and i don't have any third party app for battery saving, task killing or something like that. I also locked the app in the app switcher by swiping down on it, so that the lock icon appears.
Nevertheless after running for just over an hour this morning, Runkeeper was killed anyway.
Does anybody have the same problem and knows a solution?
Thanks
anarki

ltc.anarki said:
Hi
my P8 automatically kills apps that are running for longer than one hour. For example if I use Google Maps Navigation, or Runkeeper to track my runs.
In settings i have 'Performance' selected in the Power Savings Menu, I added Google Maps, Runkeeper, etc. to the protected apps and i don't have any third party app for battery saving, task killing or something like that. I also locked the app in the app switcher by swiping down on it, so that the lock icon appears.
Nevertheless after running for just over an hour this morning, Runkeeper was killed anyway.
Does anybody have the same problem and knows a solution?
Thanks
anarki
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, try Settings>serach: optimalization (ignore app optimalisation or something like that) and select what apps you dont want to be killed, maybe it helps

ltc.anarki said:
Does anybody have the same problem and knows a solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no solution. every phone with EMUI works like that. It's intentional to save battery (that's what they say). I heard they fixed it in EMUI 5 (which is closer to stock Android) but P8 is not going to get it. If you really need those apps you have no choice - change your phone.

majaczos said:
There is no solution. every phone with EMUI works like that. It's intentional to save battery (that's what they say). I heard they fixed it in EMUI 5 (which is closer to stock Android) but P8 is not going to get it. If you really need those apps you have no choice - change your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no true, if you need some app to work in deep sleep, you just have to allow it in manager and disable its optimalization, then it wont be killed

there is an option in settings..called protected apps on or off

^^ and:
00471 said:
no true, if you need some app to work in deep sleep, you just have to allow it in manager and disable its optimalization, then it wont be killed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will be killed but after a slightly longer period of time. No app will last more than 3 hours in the memory. That's how EMUI works.

majaczos said:
^^ and:
It will be killed but after a slightly longer period of time. No app will last more than 3 hours in the memory. That's how EMUI works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what version of rom are you using? i have Gratitude V5, gmail works during all night, no problem what so ever, messenger works too even if i selected it to be killed and optimized by system, only thing you have to do is to convert it to system app

Stock B382. It's better than on B200 - before it was killing all apps instantly when the screen was off.

majaczos said:
^^ and:
It will be killed but after a slightly longer period of time. No app will last more than 3 hours in the memory. That's how EMUI works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not true, I have a number of apps that run in the background and don't get killed. Tasker, Light Flow, Doggcatcher, Gmail, K9mail...
I'm on latest Gratitude and was in the Fromfuture ROMs before.

Disable Battery Optimization

So it looks like there are many people having issues with the battery optimization feature, which lets me guess oneplus is already aware of the problem. My question is if there is a way to disable the optimization completely for now until oneplus has sorted things out.
Since the last update it is so aggressive, it kills youtube's connection to my chromecast every few minutes, rendering all control features unuseable as I always have to reconnect before I can do anything. This also makes my wearOS watch unuseable as it also depends on the phone keeping the connections alive.

You can turn off Optimization for YouTube and WearOS
Settings > Apps & Notifications > Special app access
You can turn off optimization for any app, and see the advanced in the 3 dot menu. I had the same problem with my watch, turned off the watch app and helper, now works great. I also turned off messenger, no problems now.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I also would like to know if this is possible in an easy way. I don't want to disable it for 256 apps independently.

Aircraft800 said:
You can turn off Optimization for YouTube and WearOS
Settings > Apps & Notifications > Special app access
You can turn off optimization for any app, and see the advanced in the 3 dot menu. I had the same problem with my watch, turned off the watch app and helper, now works great. I also turned off messenger, no problems now.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
That setting was the first thing I checked and already disabled optimization for the wearOS and cast apps which work fine now. Unfortunately it won't let me disable it for the youtube app as it handles that one as a system app. As long as youtube is not allowed in the background wearOS has nothing to communicate with so I still can't control it.
That's why my next thought was if I can't disable it for system apps maybe there is a way to completely disable it until oneplus has the problem solved. I know that solution would suck but at the moment I am forced to use another phone to use youtube properly which sucks even more imo.

boelze said:
Thanks for the reply!
That setting was the first thing I checked and already disabled optimization for the wearOS and cast apps which work fine now. Unfortunately it won't let me disable it for the youtube app as it handles that one as a system app. As long as youtube is not allowed in the background wearOS has nothing to communicate with so I still can't control it.
That's why my next thought was if I can't disable it for system apps maybe there is a way to completely disable it until oneplus has the problem solved. I know that solution would suck but at the moment I am forced to use another phone to use youtube properly which sucks even more imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if the system mover app works on Pie and YouTube? I didn't realize YouTube was a system app since it's from the play store.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.j4velin.systemappmover

Aircraft800 said:
I wonder if the system mover app works on Pie and YouTube? I didn't realize YouTube was a system app since it's from the play store.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.j4velin.systemappmover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to try this but I am unrooted. Youtube should be on the list but it is not, I am guessing that is because it comes preinstalled, the playstore app isn't there as well for example.

I know this is an old thread, but the more I use my new phone, the more I believe this to be the issue with my Gmail app constantly putting my Exchange accounts back to 30 minute fetch. And, I cannot disable battery optimization on Gmail because it's a system app (and I do not want to root). For now, every other day, I have to tell the device that it really is OK for Gmail to remain constantly connected to my Exchange account, that I actually prefer it to be. I've made it to 54 hours with my normal use (OVER 7 HRS S.O.T), not trying to stretch it at all, no battery saving features on whatsoever. So it's safe to say I can afford for Gmail to stay connected with Exchange. The optimization is a bit too aggressive for not allowing system apps to be excluded.
I've also had issues with Google Assistant not reminding me about reminders that are clearly in the list of her reminders, and I think this to be the culprit as well, and again, can't disable it because it's not on the list.

cannothas said:
I know this is an old thread, but the more I use my new phone, the more I believe this to be the issue with my Gmail app constantly putting my Exchange accounts back to 30 minute fetch. And, I cannot disable battery optimization on Gmail because it's a system app (and I do not want to root). For now, every other day, I have to tell the device that it really is OK for Gmail to remain constantly connected to my Exchange account, that I actually prefer it to be. I've made it to 54 hours with my normal use (OVER 7 HRS S.O.T), not trying to stretch it at all, no battery saving features on whatsoever. So it's safe to say I can afford for Gmail to stay connected with Exchange. The optimization is a bit too aggressive for not allowing system apps to be excluded.
I've also had issues with Google Assistant not reminding me about reminders that are clearly in the list of her reminders, and I think this to be the culprit as well, and again, can't disable it because it's not on the list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having exactly same problems with gmail and chrome (html5 push notifications). I am rooted. So I am considering to mark those apps as non system apps, but still not sure if this won't brake future updates or something.