Related
I have just moved over to Android after using WM for over 4 years and I am starting to have buyers remorse because Android 2.2 cant do some basic things natively and even with an app.
I hate the following things about my phone and its OS:
1) No file explorer
2) No Microsoft office bundled which means I cant view or create office documents. Most of the office apps I can see in the market say they will allow you view and edit documents but cant find one that will let you create a new document (Quickoffice is a complete waste of my time)
3) No Notes
4) The position of the microUSB slot (its a pain for me because my phone is my SatNav)
5) Cant set up Yahoomail in Mail and even after downloading the Yahoo Mail app, I cant view picture attachments.
6) When playing some videos, voice and video are well out of sync.
7) Volume is too low (Sound quality seems ok though)
1- there are lots of file explorer apps in the market.
2 - you can open gdocs in the browser and create docs
3 - search for colornotes in market. The are apps which does sync in the web too
4 - better than some proprietary plugs and cables used by some devices.
5 - try to config it in the native htc mail app, not the yahoo app.
6 - yes... sound is not loud as we want, it's like the palm treo 650
lombardo8 said:
I have just moved over to Android after using WM for over 4 years and I am starting to have buyers remorse because Android 2.2 cant do some basic things natively and even with an app.
I hate the following things about my phone and its OS:
1) No file explorer
2) No Microsoft office bundled which means I cant view or create office documents. Most of the office apps I can see in the market say they will allow you view and edit documents but cant find one that will let you create a new document (Quickoffice is a complete waste of my time)
3) No Notes
3) The position of the microUSB slot (its a pain for me because my phone is my SatNav)
4) Cant set up Yahoomail in Mail and even after downloading the Yahoo Mail app, I cant view picture attachments.
5) When playing some videos, voice and video are well out of sync.
6) Volume is too low (Sound quality seems ok though)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Tons of free ones in the market some (astro, IO, Linda etc)
2) Try thinkfree, worked well for me on my vibrant http://product.thinkfree.com/mobile/android
3) Again, tons of option in the market. I currently use colornote which is great.
4) I agree with this. wish the micro usb slot was at the bottom of the device.
5) sorry cant help you here. I use gmail. did you try downloading K9? (mail app in the market - never used it but heard good things about it)
6) Download mvideoplayer - i've been using it for a week and its great
7) Tell people around you to shut up (just playing). yeah the speaker is cheese on the G2, but I hardly use it anyway so its a small sacrifice for me.
http://iphone-developers.com
JK
But most of those you mentioned there is eithe a fix or app available
try setting it up as imap account
imap.mail.yahoo.com 143
smtp.mail.yahoo.com 25
got it to work with a lot of sprint phones
EDITt:
My mistake on port #
double checked settings on my phone and it worked
Thanx guys for all the constructive replies. I was just letting off some steam. Its hard to adapt to change sometimes. Like I said I have been using WM for over 4 years and it can get difficult if something has worked in a certain way all this while and all of a sudden it changes. I am going to try some of ur suggestions and i,ll report back on how I get on.
i feel your pain. I started with a mda ended with a tp2 then went to my g2
Hello everyone
I too had similar issues with Android but with time (1month) I got used to it, almost.
Not too sure what you mean by '3'? I use my DesireZ as satnav all the time (just love Sygic's Aura!!!) And I use Brodit's active carholder (charger only version) and it does the job brilliantly.
I saw a thread about it a few weeks back so just do a search
My only REAL disappointment with android OS is complete lack of Bluetooth activated dialling and lack of contacts voicetags making it literary illegal to use this OS while driving.
Ps. Before all of you jump at me for slagging the android , I know I can answer calls with bt button press, but initiating a call without touching the fone is impossible (Google voice is rubbish, even for American native speakers, let alone other nationalities)
Rant over
sent from htc desire Z
lombardo8 said:
Thanx guys for all the constructive replies. I was just letting off some steam. Its hard to adapt to change sometimes. Like I said I have been using WM for over 4 years and it can get difficult if something has worked in a certain way all this while and all of a sudden it changes. I am going to try some of ur suggestions and i,ll report back on how I get on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only painful thing about change is resistance to it.
Jump in and really see the what a great phone you have, Ive had WM and to be honest I will never go back.
Just my personal opinion of course ,but I came to Android from WinMo and I wouldn't go back if you paid me. The only good thing that WinMo had going for it was great Office integration. Android blows it out of the water in all other respects.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
steviewevie said:
Just my personal opinion of course ,but I came to Android from WinMo and I wouldn't go back if you paid me. The only good thing that WinMo had going for it was great Office integration. Android blows it out of the water in all other respects.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i totally agree with you. that sucks for any phone that isnt htc
joemm said:
The only painful thing about change is resistance to it.
Jump in and really see the what a great phone you have, Ive had WM and to be honest I will never go back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
steviewevie said:
Just my personal opinion of course ,but I came to Android from WinMo and I wouldn't go back if you paid me. The only good thing that WinMo had going for it was great Office integration. Android blows it out of the water in all other respects.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
WM made its job but it's definitely the past, Android is the future
I almost have some kind of disgust when I think of the "finger-friendly" design of WM, the lags and the RAM issues
I love the Google (Gmail, calendar, tasks, contacts) synchronization so much! I couldn't live without anymore!
Mod Edit: I WILL NOT tolerate rude comments towards other members in this fora, even if you are "JK" ~TheRomMistress
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Ha, having also come from the WinMo world (G2 is my first Android), I actually felt the complete opposite of you---WM is much less friendly/functional out of the box than Android (especially if on a stock WM ROM).
If not for manufacturers like HTC developing UI's like TouchFlo/Manilla, you pretty much had to use a stylus for many operations (or the hardware buttons, which I do miss some days). There was no marketplace until recently, so installing apps required a bit of research/work and relied heavily on forums such as XDA. In fact, in my experience, I always had to tweak the phone considerably to get it working decently (there were always countless registry tweaks to make if they weren't cooked into the ROM already, files to edit to increase the volume if your phone needed it, programs to install and tweak in order to get push email working, all of the pains of ActiveSync, especially if you weren't running an Exchange Server, etc.). That being said, WM had been around for a long time and a lot of the software and tweaks out there were already fairly mature, so it wasn't bad (for example, I always had problems playing videos on WM without the use of a third-party solution like CorePlayer, which until it matured, had it's fair share of stuttering and sync issues as well).
While there are definitely some growing pains involved, I'm a convert now. Plus, if you still want to have some control/tweakability, it allows you to still do that without much effort (as opposed to say Win7 or IOS).
8) Cant BT contacts from my phone to my car's phonebook (heard you need to download an app called Bluetooth File Transfer)
9) Random loss of installed apps and downloaded videos (nothing a good ol' WM style restart wont solve)
wolek76 said:
Hello everyone
My only REAL disappointment with android OS is complete lack of Bluetooth activated dialling and lack of contacts voicetags making it literary illegal to use this OS while driving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using a paid app, Choice Dialer Plus, from the market. It lets you voice dial the phone, control the stock music app, set facebook status, etc.
burtcom said:
I'm using a paid app, Choice Dialer Plus, from the market. It lets you voice dial the phone, control the stock music app, set facebook status, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, apparently it works (I did read some comments) but it still requires touching the screen to activate it, doesn't it?
Also, uses voice recognition which will only work for English names, right?
Now how would one pronounce my login here.... 'wolek' so that the machine would recognize it??? Not to mention some other non-English names within my phonebook
Sorry for being picky
Regards
sent from htc desire Z
wolek76 said:
Hello everyone
My only REAL disappointment with android OS is complete lack of Bluetooth activated dialling and lack of contacts voicetags making it literary illegal to use this OS while driving.
Ps. Before all of you jump at me for slagging the android , I know I can answer calls with bt button press, but initiating a call without touching the fone is impossible (Google voice is rubbish, even for American native speakers, let alone other nationalities)
Rant over
sent from htc desire Z
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I make voice dialed calls all the time without touching the phone. I'm using a Motorola H17...not sure if that makes a difference.
2 thoughts here:
Yes, the usb location sucks. it's the worst possible spot, it's in the way no matter how you hold the phone. It really should have been on the bottom.
I didn't know windows mobile phones from 4 years ago could play HD movies?
My G2 has no problem chewing through an unconverted 720p divx using rockplayer in software mode. Now I don't have to spend 3 hours converting a 2 hour movie.
I'd agree about the USB port location. The one major plus that the iPhone has is that it uses a standardised docking socket, so there are hundreds of docks, cradles, adaptors, interfaces, etc around for it. Try and find even one for Android phones.
It would have been such a good idea to come up with a standard spec hardware port for all Android devices (not limited to just that, but so that every phone has the same basic interface, power connector and audio options). Then we could have lots of lovely accessories.
Handsfree Bluetooth dialling works just fine in my car by the way, but it is the car stereo that does the voice recognition bit.
Oh, and I did like the Notes program in stock WinMo - the ability to seamlessly draw or write (with optional pen-to-text recognition) with the stylus, or type if you prefer, was great.
Andre
This guide will basically answer the following questions:
What to do for the tab case?
How to screen protect?
Best Email app
Best Office Application for tabs
How to make Whatsapp work on honeycomb tablets?
What is the best video format for galaxy tab?
Is your screen coming out. Are you alone?
How to download YOUTUBE VIDEOS HIGH QUALITY
Which is the best weather application for 10.1 inch tabs
What is the best wallpaper size?
Which is the replacement of the task calendar for honeycomb
OK so after the news that Vodafone ditched 10.1v for 10.1, most users are left on their own. Some are stil getting 10.1v from vodafone in some areas and others having it may have some issues. So I decided to compile some facts about the tablet. Screen shots are in here and in second thread.
Some of the tips below have been borrowed from some other threads for recompilation purposes and the credit goes to these people. Some of the other tips come from me and I would be glad to update them as I get to explore it more.
So lets start...
Hardware
The hardware of Galaxy tab 10.1 is well..heavy...but the plus side is that it is so very handy to grip. The curves at the back side make it so easy for the hand to hold them. I let couple of my friends hold it and they stated the heaviness does not feel due to the grip. Its so easy to hold this baby for longer times and thats a big plus. The downside in the hardware is that the screen is a little coming out from the top right corner. If you press the screen from the other three corners it wont go in. But the top right corner it is flimsy and loose. Press it and the screen visibly goes in. Seems like samsung forgot to glue it. LOL
SIM SLOT
One weird thing i noticed about the 10.1v was the PUSH needed to insert the sim inside the tablet. Initially i thought this was a fault but trust me , its not. Read a couple of threads on it and realized people were having problems. The solution is simple, once u insert the sim in get some thin key or your credit /atm card and just puch the sim in as much as you can. and VOILA it stays there.
So anyone using 10.1v and had to replace the sim for some reason dont think you got stuck cuz the sim really needs a big push to settle in.
The Casing
I did not get a casing for the galaxy tab. and as i found most people does not. The solution is to get an acer iconia flip cover. It suits completely on the galaxt tab and gives three different options for tilting the screen which are really useful for video, reading and other work. The only thing required for acer iconia cover is to reveal the headphone socket of the tab and thats easy. There is a slot in iconia cover almost at the same place. Just use your scissors and continue to cut it along the already made slit vertically. Once the handsfree socket is visible stop cutting. Now you can either remove the loose portion by either cutting it horizontally or letting ti stay there. I preferred letting it stay there cuz that gave the original look and stil made it easy for me to fit the handsfree when needed.
Fortunately, the galaxy tab 10.1v adopts to screen rotations so that gives u the option to put the charger slot either at the top or the bottom of the sliding case. I prefer it at the bottom for two reasons. First it avoids any dust going in and second it makes me charge the tab taking it out of the cover which i have heard is actually good to avoid heating issues.
SCREEN PROTECTOR
As was with the cover, the tab i had did not come with a screen protector. The solution again is simple. Get an apple ipad screen protector. Place it on the screen and align from one side vertically and horizontally. The other side will have the Apple ipad central button gap. Let this side flow out and cut horizontally to separate the ipad's round button from the screen protector. Thats it. Apply. Be careful not to cover the camera with the screen protector. Now use the screen protector in all its glory to avoid screen issues.
Apple screen protectors are reusable and washable. But be careful not to wash off the tablet when you wash them.
SETTING UP
Ok enough of the hardware info. Now for the software. Insert the sim. Once you switch on the tab, its a WOW. Honeycomb first look is really nice and the screen is really HD.
We all have to go through the honeycomb setup wizard which is a breeze actually and i will not dwelve into it since this guide will take on the useful issues only and not old ones.
However as a tip, once you go through the wizard.....RESTART....yes i know you are anxious but trust me RESTART.
Once you restart, the first thing that I usually do is to set up a lock screen password. Just hit settings in apps menu and hit
"Location and Security" and in there "Configure lock screen ". Setup your favorite way to unlock the screen and chill. Now you can show your tablet to tons of people without feeling a problem they will enter your tablet.
In the same "Locations and Security" tab you will notice "Owner Info". Hit it and you can enter your personalized message to appear on the lock screen. Kinda nice tip to setup your tab look good.
You may also notice an option "encrypt tablet" . I would not hit on it since i feel that it slows down the tab. Choice is yours if you are living at a place where you need to protect your data and theft is common the best choice is to encrypt.
First Things THE MAIN SCREEN
The first thing you would notice is that there are five screens for honey comb. The choice is yours how to arrange them but I would share the useful way to do it without losing on the beauty of the wallpaper in the tab.
The most useful application shortcuts I feel to place on the main screen are 6
Calculator
Calendar
Officer Application (which one comes later)
Email (or K9)
Settings
Browser
Thats not all. There is some more useful things you may wanna put on the main screen. Like weather. But for that you need two things. First I assume your 3g internet settings are auto detected by the tablet but if they are not set it up and SECOND goto market to download ASTRO file manager free. Once downloaded goto settings, applications and click on unknown sources.
WEATHER
Dont waste your time on other weather applications. Just move onto one of the threads in this forum where you have the SIGNED WEATHER application from asus transformer. Download the signed version and click on downloaded app from astro from above and bang you got the best weather info that suits the 10.1 inch screen and looks pretty nice. Installation can be done without root and by simple clicking. No need to change permissions or manual copying since I did not and mine works fine.
NOTES
Next comes the Notes. I spent months searching for the right application. I wanted a widget with transprent background that can hold my meetings and notes and reminders of different things. I did not like the stock calendar widget due to limitations of reminders in it for some task due but not done on due date.
Download "Simple Notepad" application from android market and if you can configure it correctly, you can get something like in my screen shot.
Notice the transparency, the sleekness and usefulness of this widget. I use the widget 3 x 2. You can use one of your own choice.
WALLPAPER
No matter what I did, EXACT resolution match to fit in full screen wallpaper without zooming was not achievable. The closest to optimum resolution was 1920 * 1408 strange but yeah this one works. Problem is you cant find images that resolution in abundance and resizing will destroy the image aspect ratio. If some one wants to try this, he can.
I, however went for a really useful free application from android market. "Multi picture Live Wallpaper". This has excellent abilities especially having different wallpapers for each screen full size without zoom. the best part is the cross fade option that smoothly transitions the wallpapers into one another and you can have different wallpapers for your different screens depending on your mood.
The wallpapers in the tablet are okay and not mouth watering so not go ahead and download 1900*1200 or 1280*800 and they will suit correctly without zoom using the app above.
EMAIL APP
Stil k9 is the best. Simple because the email client stil does not have "select all" option for mailbox. This is really ahndyt o delete bulk emails from trashcan.
Also you have no option to download a preview message and hence once you click on a message the entire is downloaded with attachement in one go.
In K9, you can either download the attachment or leave it. So those people on high cost 3g connections, dont use this email client.
Download k9 and associated with it is the the "Message Center" application from market to identify unread emails in the k9 mail box. So on your main screen you have the unread count which is very handy.
QUICK OFFICE HD
DOnt waste your time here and all the HD fancy things with it. When you receive an email with attachment in excel word or powerpoint you cant view it in there, and surely cannot download. This is because of a known issue that Quick Office is not a PLUGIN for default email client of honeycomb. So the attachments are pretty uselss to download since you got no option to view them.
For those who want to use quickoffice stil, they need to download a kind of work around. Download and install "Download all files" or similar download software for android and instal. Now when you open your emails with attachments you will notice the "VIEW" and "SAVE" button next to the attachement and now you can open it.
For those who dont want this, like me, just instal "ThinkFree Office". Its by far the best and supports freezing windows and panes in which format i usually receive my attachments. Please purchase the full application if rquired it really is far ahead than quickoffice in my opinion. Plus it has the native ability to open email attachments.
WHATSAPP
Ok so you need Whatsapp. After tons and tons of searching and finding nothing, I finally managed to install Whatsapp and solve the contacts not appearing issue.
I will here like to notify that I emailed the whatsapp people and they stated that whastapp is not for tablets. Strange, cuz it works on internet and tabs are all about internet messaging. So heres a guide to instal Whats app.
EXISTING ANDROID WHATSAPP USERS
Existing ANDROID whatsapp users trying to switch to galaxy tab 10.1v there is good news.l You can do that in easy steps. But if you have already tried whatsapp on tablet without any success then you need to first remove the account from accounts and sync under settings and then uninstal the application in your tablet first before the points below.
Make sure you have the latest whatsapp version in you old android phone and the contacts you want to transfer or talk to in 10.1v whastapp ar ein the original whatsapp application you are using on the android phone. Please also make sure you have some messaging going under these contacts.
Goto settings of whatsapp in your original android phone and check the last back up that was made. This is i think under the option "MORE" This date should be fresh. If not you gotto wait for the autobackup. Else backup if there is an option in your version.
Now take out the SIM and put in 10.1v tablet
download whatsapp from the whatsapp web site. Dont bother going to market...its not there.
Once downloaded instal.
When it comes to verification of your account, it will give a failure to send sms or somethign like that. Dont panic. Just click on retry.
Now you will see a roughly 10 minute time clock. Make sure your 3g or wifi is on. Let the 10 minutes pass.
Bang you will see a SMS received from whatsapp and it will shwo int he SERVICE INFO icon at the bottom bar of your tablet
Whatsapp will recognize it automatically and move forward. It will now auto backup your account under this number.
It will ask to restore backup and you do restore. and thats it. All your contacts and conversations are there. and you can WHATSAPP.
NEW WHATSAPP USERS
Well you guys need an android phone. and you gotto register whatsapp in there. Add your contacts and make some messages. Then follow the above procedures.
MESSAGING
Incoming sms messages work from anyone and they are clubbed in service info application.
YOU TUBE
Download tube mate not from the market but from the web. and that will help you download nice high definition movies. Dont bother downloading above 720p.
VIDEO PLAYBACK SIZE AND RESOLUTION
I tried everything. 1280 * 800 and the 720p one too. I could not get a fullscreen playback from tablet. So i reverted to SOUL MOVIE....a nice small free player to play in full screen with multiple options. Very nice give it a try.
I tried downloading 1080p youtube videos, they either stutter or somewhere in the end it says "Cannot play this video. Contact your Phone Maker". There are many thread son limitations of 1080p playback on tegra and i wont go into it. Hope this gets resolved in 3.1.
So the best way is to use third party encoders like 4videosoft to convert your downloaded youtube or movies to 1080p videos and then use a bitrate not more than 5000. Anything above that and you are inviting trouble. However, hionestly 720p is equally good too.
GOOGLE TALK
Works nicely with video. WOW thumbs up.
This needs to be updated pretty frequently, but to start with, one must have
ASTRO
DROPBOX
UNRAR
SOUL MOVIE PLAYER
WHATSAPP
Moon+reader for ebooks...well did i miss on ebooks here.
Now some Pics
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I will keep updating this thread. If anyone has something to share /add, please share and will be added to first post.
One last thing
DOLPHIN BROWSER HD is stil number 1. SImply because it alllows to spoof your user id. Which means you can goto flash web sites without identifying yourself as on Android.
Cheers
Hi Yahya. I see from your pictures that you too are from Lahore.
In case I didn't make it that obvious - so am I. Where did you get your 10.1v from and do you recommend any place in Lahore where I could get a tab?
Thanks,
Mobeen.
From south africa. sim free.
Wonderful list, thanks alot!
But my whatsapp is not showing any contacts, copied the backup and used the sim from my Galaxy S2.
yahya.hamid said:
One last thing
DOLPHIN BROWSER HD is stil number 1. SImply because it alllows to spoof your user id. Which means you can goto flash web sites without identifying yourself as on Android.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera Mobile beats Dolphin HD in a million.
Nice post. Thx
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using xda premium
Hi there!
I cannot install whatsapp on my galaxy tab 10.1 wifi only P7510.
After pressing on agree it says not compatible. What shall I do?
Hi,
I managed to get Whatsapp installed but it can't seem to find my contacts on my Galaxy Tab 3G.
I basically got the apk over to my tablet and installed.
Was I supposed to do something else?
--==ADB Message Notification Center==--
Formerly ADB SMS Notify
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ADB SMS Notify has been completely revamped to run much better now.
*April 10, 2014*
--Download:
View attachment 2688806
--Changelog:
- Support for custom user created profiles for easily supporting new applications
- Support for custom icons per notification type
- Custom notification messages (Make it your own!)
- Work in progress GUI for managing ADBMNC
- Support for MMS confirmed (the now outdated ADB SMS Notify also supports MMS as well)
- Combines Radio and Logcat and only uses what is needed to keep memory resource low
- Fun info: This tool also happens to work just fine in Linux running under WINE. Your mileage may vary though. A python version is in the works however.
This tool is also very helpful for developers as you can easily and quickly configure what you want to watch in the logcat with just two lines in the settings file and you'll instantly get a desktop notification.The settings file looks like this:
View attachment 2688805
--Configuration HOW-TO:
This configuration file allows you to easily add support for more applications or, if you're a developer, watch for a specific event. The idea is if you want to add support for your favorite application such as WhatsApp, Facebook, or whatever, you can share your configuration with others and expand the functionality of this app.
-Icons:
Here's an icon set to use to start you off: View attachment Icons.zip
1) The left side is the actual icon name you will use. This must be in the same directory as the executable. ADBMNC supports icos and pngs. Feel free to test for other formats if you like.
2) The right side is the match. In the example above, "< SMS_ACKNOWLEDGE" is the event that is shown in the log when a new SMS or MMS message is being received.
The Icon section is optional. The default will be "Notify.ico" if no icon is set.
-Radio:
The left side is the message to display.
The right is the string to match to trigger the notification.
Everything in the Radio section will only match in the logcat output of "adb radio"
-Logcat
The same as Radio except only matches output in adb logcat -v.
--To Do:
- Add support for regex matching to allow even more robust notifications
- Complete Windows GUI
- More customizable options such as fonts and color
- user configurable events (to launch a custom application on the desktop side or launch an intent on the android side)
- Finish work on python version to support Linux and Mac OS X (visit my github to see the progress)
- Auto updater to keep in sync with the latest updates
- Support for ADB over wireless
- Handle multiple devices gracefully
[Features that will require root are listed below and will be optional and opt-in only]
- Read text messages and display the message content and recipient instead of "New SMS Message"
- Reply to text message via desktop
- Compose new messages via desktop
What is this? (see below)
*Legacy Version and Information Below*
Hello all! I've been following XDA silently (as in never posted anything) and finally decided to contribute something small and hopefully embark on a journey of becoming part of the community. I wasn't able to post this topic under the development section as I did not have enough posts so forgive me if this is the incorrect place. (*This thread was originally in General Discussion)
Let's move on and get to the point! When I'm at work I tend to leave my phone on silent, therefore, I constantly find myself checking to see if I have a new message. I decided to create this small and simple program that notifies me on the desktop instead. This can be easily customizable as well as adapted to any other useful applications such as launching a program or the likes whenever you receive an SMS message. (I haven't tested with MMS).
This takes advantage of the adb radio log. So, every time you get a new SMS message, a box slides out to notify you. Simple. I should note that the desktop notification is MUCH faster than your phone.
I tested it with a Samsung Galaxy Note (quincyatt) running on Jellybean CM 10.1 but it should theoretically work with any phone.
Great! How do I use it?
Step 1) Enable USB Debugging
Step 2) Extract zip and run program. Done! No root or permissions are required.
Note: The program is designed to restart itself in the event you unplug your phone so feel free to unplug your phone as many times as you like. If people find this useful, I plan to add wireless support via ADB over wifi so you no longer have to keep it plugged in to receive notifications.
I have attached the source code for those who are wary of running an executable as I have no reputation here yet at the time of this writing. Compile it using AutoIt and you should be good to go. I hope this helps anyone out there!
--Latest Version of ADB SMS Notify:
V3:
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View attachment 2281277
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--Archive:
V2:
View attachment 2217613
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--Change Log
*LATEST UPDATE March 1, 2014*
- Uploaded project to github
- Working on implementing configuration so users can share configuration files to support more apps
*September 24, 2013*
- Reduced CPU and memory usage from around 50% CPU and 3MB of RAM down to 2% or less of CPU and 756KB of RAM
- Slight cosmetic changes to Tooltip (Hover over the icon in the task bar to see)
*September 3, 2013*
As requested by Ph0enix_216, I have added TextPlus support. Currently, I have kept them separate as to not waste resources checking something you're not interested in. If you want to have a combination of both then let me know.
*Thank you justmpm for taking notice and moving this thread to the correct place!
No comments? Opinions?
---
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717
Perfect app... Will try it
Inviato dal mio GT-P7320 con Tapatalk 2
I hope it helps!
I have updated it to V2.
Changelog
- Minor touchups
- Prevent duplicate instances from running
This seems interesting. Would it work on a tablet running an app such as TextPlus?
>>Sent from my homebuilt TARDIS running Android 4.3... Or maybe it's a rooted Kindle Fire HD running ChameleonOS<<
Very cool app. Maybe more people would see it under the android apps section.
Ph0enix_216 said:
This seems interesting. Would it work on a tablet running an app such as TextPlus?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you like the idea! To answer your question, it currently cannot as it only reads from the radio log (I.E. cellular log). It may be possible however if TextPlus provides enough details in the log cat output. I'll investigate and see if it's possible.
hexanite said:
Very cool app. Maybe more people would see it under the android apps section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! Perhaps this topic will be moved to the appropriate place by a mod in the future.
---
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717
I have updated the first post to support TextPlus users. Enjoy!
Edit: The icon could use a makeover. If anyone is interested in designing/contributing an icon for the notification please feel free to do so.
DJKMan said:
I have updated the first post to support TextPlus users. Enjoy!
Edit: The icon could use a makeover. If anyone is interested in designing/contributing an icon for the notification please feel free to do so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Thank you. Definitely gonna use it with TextPlus. Maybe I'll take a shot at creating an icon (Any excuse to play with GIMP ).
>>Sent from my homebuilt TARDIS running Android 4.3... Or maybe it's a rooted Kindle Fire HD running ChameleonOS<<
Sounds good!
I should note that the notification for TextPlus will work assuming you have the pop up quick reply enabled. If this is an issue, please let me know.
---
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717
Based on the first post does the phone need to be connected to the PC? Also do you have plans to offer the ability to reply to the text from the PC desktop?
Yes, the phone needs to be connected. As stated in the post, I plan to add wireless support so you only need to be on the same network. But for now, I will keep it simple until it gains some attention.
Regarding replying from the desktop, the application cannot read, write, or send sms messages - hence no permission or root is required. It merely keeps track of the log output and increments a counter.
I originally had no plans to implement such an option but I've read around and found that it is possible to send and read sms messages via adb but it will require root. I'll continue investigating this option and update the first post soon. It will be an optional feature, however.
---
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717
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Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717
So I bought a new laptop running Windows 8. I added this to my various apps, and connected my Kindle Fire to ADB over Wi-Fi. It works like a charm!
However, I noticed that it was hogging a lot of CPU (about 60ish%!). Is this because I am connected over Wi-Fi, or does it just not play nice with Windows 8?
Oh, and I whipped up a quick icon. Let me know if you like it, hate it, gives you nightmares, etc. I've got a couple of others I'm working on as well.
Cheers!
My apologies for not updating this project in so long. I am desperately trying to keep up with my school work, job, volunteer work, and business projects.
I updated the first post. Change log has been updated as well. It has been optimized! Hopefully, this will resolve the CPU hog issues. Let me know if it doesn't.
Ph0enix: I like the idea of the icon, particularly the green android! Not so sure about the red icon as that is typically associated with error messages. Perhaps a different color such as a shade of blue (much like the icon of this thread) to denote an information instead?
Poll: For those of you who are still waiting for a Quick Reply from Desktop sort of feature, I am still working on it. It is actually very possible. I just need to extensively test it to be sure it is safe to use before I release it. Would you all prefer if it was designed such that:
A) The message body text would appear in the notification box and, upon clicking on it, will show a quick reply box to reply to it? The notifications will be on a timer (perhaps adjustable) just as it is now so it will disappear automatically after it goes away meaning you'll have to respond through your phone instead. (Relatively easy to implement)
B) A full blown GUI that keeps track of the conversations (This will take much more time to develop)
You know what Ph0enix? I actually like the icon as it is. It's more attention grabbing as opposed to the all white default. Kudos!
DJKMan said:
You know what Ph0enix? I actually like the icon as it is. It's more attention grabbing as opposed to the all white default. Kudos!
View attachment 2344252
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any news on this? I can totally understand trying to manage time (I work 50 hours a week and have class myself). This app has a lot of potential. I'll test anything you've got, if of course, you're still working on it.
And I'm glad you like the icon . I thought I said so before, but I guess not (sorry)
>>>Sent from my homebuilt TARDIS running Android 4.3... or maybe it's a rooted Kindle Fire HD running CM10.2<<<
nice app...
Nice. Gonna Check it out.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Ph0enix_216 said:
Any news on this? I can totally understand trying to manage time (I work 50 hours a week and have class myself). This app has a lot of potential. I'll test anything you've got, if of course, you're still working on it.
And I'm glad you like the icon . I thought I said so before, but I guess not (sorry)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am very happy to hear you have interest in this project as much as I do!
So far, my findings involve using root over adb and directly querying the sms database only for retrieving messages. I am not quite sure how well this will behave while the phone is in use in terms of stability as it accesses an sqlite database.
I have also found two ways to send an sms. One method involves a temporary sms screen appearing while sending the text message (but does not require root). The alternative involves installing an app that acts as an intent service to be able to silently send sms messages in the background (when you send a message through the PC desktop..root also not required for sending).
Nothing strikes me as bulletproof safe to use but I may eventually upload an experimental version surrounded with red warnings for those who are willing to test it.
DJKMan said:
I am very happy to hear you have interest in this project as much as I do!
So far, my findings involve using root over adb and directly querying the sms database only for retrieving messages. I am not quite sure how well this will behave while the phone is in use in terms of stability as it accesses an sqlite database.
I have also found two ways to send an sms. One method involves a temporary sms screen appearing while sending the text message (but does not require root). The alternative involves installing an app that acts as an intent service to be able to silently send sms messages in the background (when you send a message through the PC desktop..root also not required for sending).
Nothing strikes me as bulletproof safe to use but I may eventually upload an experimental version surrounded with red warnings for those who are willing to test it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll still beta test.
>>>Sent from my homebuilt TARDIS running Android 4.4... or maybe it's a rooted Kindle Fire HD running CyanogenMod 11<<<
Hi all:
I'd like to open this thread to give an idea for those who want to know about Windows Phone 8 and how this OS looks from the other side.
I notice that if some one asked abut Windows Phone 8 mostly members here will mention the Advantages of the OS and will show the light side only !
For me I like to show the other Side of the OS name it as you wish.... disadvantages, restrictions or Windows Phone 8 philosophy.
I hope Microsoft will read what we will write in this thread as we will explain our point of view and our vision about Windows Phone 8.
So they can explain to us if we misunderstand this OS and the way it should work, so we can understand each other to take a better decisions about adopting Windows Phone 8 or leaving it to other OS.
Please notice that I like general idea about this OS and how it is looks, but it is important for me to know in which direction Windows Phone 8 is heading, is it going in my direction and what I think it will be or in the opposite direction .
Note: this thread is about restrictions, Windows Phone 8 defenders can open other thread about Windows Phone 8 advantages, and I will be pleased to mention many of WP8 advantages.
How I feel about Windows Phone 8 in General.
Security & Security again Security I feel like people behind Windows Phone 8 watching their phones screens all the night waiting for some malware or trojan to attack, but in fact all the malware and trojans are busy in other places and no one of it will attack Windows Phone 8, because still they don't even know what is Windows Phone 8 !
They made Windows Phone 8 full of restrictions ..................... and I feel it is just a keypad old Nokia Phone with touch screen and camera.
Microsoft you didn't go so far away from Nokia 3310 , do you remember it ?
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well done after all this years you just added a Lumia + touch screen + a camera.
Microsoft just removed the keypad and snack game (I'm sure guys in Nokia wasn't satisfied abut that but Mr.Stephen Elop was pushing them)
I downloaded one ringtone for my Lumia 920............ I was forced to connect my Lumia 920 to my Laptop to put the MP3 file inside the Lumia 920 ringtone folder so the Lumia 920 can feel what happened to it after this surgery ..........I was forced to do this surgery because Windows Phone 8 doesn't have a file manager, this word file manager in Microsoft is equal to terrorism, security ,,,,,,,,security ................security...........restrictions .....not allowed this is really disappointed.
Dude, if you want anybody either here or at Microsoft to take you seriously, write clearly and cut the hyperbole. All I got out of that was "there's no file manager on the phone, so I had to copy an MP3 to the Ringtones folder manually; Microsoft, why must you restrict me so!?!"
... and I say this as one of the people leading the WP8 hacking effort, most of which is aimed at removing those sorts of restrictions. If I were a Microsoft architect reading that and deciding whether to even bother filing the feedback, I'd probably discard it as "just another incoherent Microsoft-hater who doesn't even have a real problem, just a complaint about the workflow for an infrequent user experience". If that's not the bin you want your words tossed in, you need to sound like somebody to be taken seriously.
Talk about how their mis-steps will hurt their bottom line. Talk about competitive advantages and disadvantages. Talk about company loyalty - not in a "frothing at the mouth" or "bitter and snide comments" manner, but in terms of what gains (or loses) it in large groups - and point out ways that they are can help improve it. Don't tell them what to do - Microsoft has a *terrible* case of Not Invented Here when it comes to outside suggestions - but justify to them what they *should* do, in the same way you would, for example, try to justify to your boss that you deserve a raise, or something like that. If you can convince people there to want to make things better, you've already won; one person on the inside probably has more influence than a thousand voices out here. Be persuasive, not argumentative; diplomatic, not intimidating; charismatic, not petulant; thoughtful, not dogmatic. Being passionate is fine, even great, but you must channel it into mature and meaningful discussion, not outbursts.
Another point: think about the restrictions from their side. They didn't put them there to piss you off. Nobody trying to break into a market intentionally cripples their product to make it *less* popular. They have reasons. Those reasons may not be for your benefit, of course - Microsoft's real customers are OEMs and mobile operators, not users, and sometimes the desires of those customers override the desires of *their* customers, the users. Think about things like test and support costs, the dangers of bad press and reputations for malware and the like, and other problems they may have foreseen. Consider what it might cost them to do what you want, and make your case in terms of it being more valuable for them to do that than just in terms of what you want personally.
And seriously, can the hyperbole. I can't take anybody who claims that a device which didn't even have a decent approximation of a real web browser is basically the same, aside from some hardware features, as a WP8 device. That kind of talk will just get you dismissed out of hand.
Dear GoodDayToDie:
I respect you point of view but I can't go one with Microsoft the easy mom son way ..... some one should rise his hand against them and show a real image about Windows Phone 8.
because of what I said they banned my user name in Wpcentral forum ........... they don't want to see any opinion against them .......they are group of old dictator minds who they don't accept any opinion against them ............the republic of MicrosoftStan .
It is my right..........People who invested their money $$$$ in Windows Phone 7 handsets found their selves abounded without any more development for their Phones............. they make one mistake in believed in Microsoft and trusted this company and Microsoft replied back the way you know for Windows Phone 7 and this is the same reason why developers kept away from Windows Phone in general.
I now have the right to know how this OS will carry on and in which direction it is going.
Let Microsoft clear things out...........................in GDR3 they make a good progress ............... so we want the good work to keep on faster.
here I mentioned one restriction and there is alot more we will come through it.
Microsoft should come closer to people and they should start with removing the banned from my account in Wpcentral for example.
We need assurances from Microsoft that the OS will have most requested options and Windows Phone 8 users will not be abounded soon like Windows Phone 7.
So we want to know if Microsoft is a friend or enemy
one-option said:
Dear GoodDayToDie:
I respect you point of view but I can't go one with Microsoft the easy mom son way ..... some one should rise his hand against them and show a real image about Windows Phone 8.
because of what I said they banned my user name in Wpcentral forum ........... they don't want to see any opinion against them .......they are group of old dictator minds who they don't accept any opinion against them ............the republic of MicrosoftStan .
It is my right..........People who invested their money $$$$ in Windows Phone 7 handsets found their selves abounded without any more development for their Phones............. they make one mistake in believed in Microsoft and trusted this company and Microsoft replied back the way you know for Windows Phone 7 and this is the same reason why developers kept away from Windows Phone in general.
I now have the right to know how this OS will carry on and in which direction it is going.
Let Microsoft clear things out...........................in GDR3 they make a good progress ............... so we want the good work to keep on faster.
here I mentioned one restriction and there is alot more we will come through it.
Microsoft should come closer to people and they should start with removing the banned from my account in Wpcentral for example.
We need assurances from Microsoft that the OS will have most requested options and Windows Phone 8 users will not be abounded soon like Windows Phone 7.
So we want to know if Microsoft is a friend or enemy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is kinda funny how everybody argues with the "omg WP7 abandoned" card, when it isn't entirely true. Wp7 still has 1 full year of support left, and any bugs will be fixed if discovered. Did you know that all Wp7 got 2 updates (after 7.8) which fixed gmail sync?
Plus, you keep saying the WP7 "abandon" is something that only happens with Windows Phone, yet you keep forgetting that most android devices don't get a 18 month support life cycle at all, let alone 18 months renewed with each update (wp8 now has 36 months! of support for each new version iteration). Unless you pay a lot of money on hardware which is really waisted (cough, galaxy phones, cough) or on overpiced phones (cough iphone), you won't get technical support at all in most cases.
I understand you just want to bash on WP because you got banned from WPCentral, but you will be ignored here anyway. Plus, Microsoft employees can't see this forum due to its hacking nature.
mcosmin222 said:
It is kinda funny how everybody argues with the "omg WP7 abandoned" card, when it isn't entirely true. Wp7 still has 1 full year of support left, and any bugs will be fixed if discovered. Did you know that all Wp7 got 2 updates (after 7.8) which fixed gmail sync?
Plus, you keep saying the WP7 "abandon" is something that only happens with Windows Phone, yet you keep forgetting that most android devices don't get a 18 month support life cycle at all, let alone 18 months renewed with each update (wp8 now has 36 months! of support for each new version iteration). Unless you pay a lot of money on hardware which is really waisted (cough, galaxy phones, cough) or on overpiced phones (cough iphone), you won't get technical support at all in most cases.
I understand you just want to bash on WP because you got banned from WPCentral, but you will be ignored here anyway. Plus, Microsoft employees can't see this forum due to its hacking nature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good for you............ come on keep the good work on keep defending Microsoft
First of all I'm honest with my self as with others ................... if I said something so I mean it.
I want to show any one buying Windows Phone 8 a true image of what he will be facing in that OS...... I don't want people to make my mistake and buy a product don't meet their needs.
How could you even compare Android support with Microsoft ???!!!
for Android there is alot of alternatives available on software side and Android full of options so even if the 18 months of official support ended the users will not be worried that some essentials stuff will not be available in his phone like Windows Phone................. man still we are waiting GDR3 to get Auto rotation off
the Android updates bring additional new stuff compare to the essential basic options Windows Phone 8 updates brings to the OS where older Abounded OS like Symbian long back was having this options.
I DO NOT CARE about Microsoft employees and I'm sure that they are following & reading xda forums , how did I knew that ???
People like you here in the big forums always ready to cover Microsoft back, and If I will be ignored here that will not be because people don't care about what I say no..............but out of Wpcentral forums there is small interest about Windows Phone in general.
and people who want to see the truth of Windows Phone can follow this thread................ back their in Wpcentral they erased every word I wrote about Windows Phone 8 so that show that Microsoft really watching what I write close and they are interest about what I'm saying so wait me in facebook also, the world should know the clear truth about Windows Phone.
I will say no lies about Windows Phone 8, I will just show the truth a real image for Windows Phone 8, I'm writing to those who want to get Windows Phone 8 , and they will decide buying Windows Phone 8 or go with other OS.
Here are some retractions to those who intend to buy a new Windows Phone 8 device.
1- No File Manager in Windows Phone 8
The file manager is an important tool to get control over your device, Well here is the idea
Windows Phone 8 is more like application dependent platform, it is organized in strict way so if you want to watch video you will have to check in (Music + Video section/Hub) where you will find your videos and Music.
Same thing is true for images you have to watch your images in photo section/Hub....for other kind of Documents like word or excel you will have to check in Microsoft Office..... there is no ability to check this files inside the folders from the phone........... in general you can't see the folders unless you connect your phone to a computer......... every thing should be kept in its place images in Photo folder, ringtones should be in ringtone folder and so on.
So If you want to create another folders for special images other than photo folder Windows Phone 8 will not be able to see them !!!!
This is not smart at all
So what about non supported files or files there is no application to open them ?
There is no way to open such files in your phone or view them weather this file was image, video or what ever else.
In general people long time back requested Microsoft for file manager, but Microsoft simply not responding and ignoring that requests.
2- Control ringtone and media volume separately
This is another big problem.......... for example at night if you turned the phone ringer silent and you want to listen to some music you will not be able to do so in Windows Phone 8 smart phone .........cause if you turn phone ringer silent ....every thing will turned silent music , video ....every thing......Good thinking Microsoft.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3- Web Browser: Windows Phone 8 use Internet explorer 10 as default web browser and in general there is very few web browsers available in the market.
back to internet explorer there is only refresh button available in the browser no stop or going forward or back....... it is really bad experience to browse the web with Internet explorer.
More than that try to visit a web site with drop down list and select any thing , you will find the drop down list and you will be able to select what ever you want but that will make no different and the system will not respond to what you have selected...really disappointing .
4- Phone dailer: In general Phone book and Phone dailer one of the things I like about this OS it is really unique but it is missing some features like smart dailing & call duration in call History, long press on a contact name will offer two options delete the item from call history or block that name, no other options to send a message or MMS you have to dig inside to get this options.
5- Install XAP Files without SD Card: In Android for example you can install APK files in any Android phone (you can download any Application from any non google markets and install it offline without the need for internet connection by downloading APK files) but the equivalent of APK file in Windows Phone 8 is XAP file and it can be installed only in a handset with SD card support !!!!
Devices like Nokia Lumia 1020 or 920 is not able to install XAP files where in low end device like Nokia Lumia 520 you can do that !!!!
What a nice thing.
To be continue
The member in Wpcentral forums N_LaRUE writes about Windows Phone 8 and make clear statement about Windows Phone 8........ he really show a clear image about that OS.
********************************************
The phone (Windows Phone 8) was set up for the average consumer, which has been pointed out several times already. Average consumer is -> Music, photos, text, calls, social, email, web, games and apps. Most users will rarely use Office and less would even want a file manager. There's enough studies to back this trend.
Mobile Office is a review/general edit software, not a full-blown suite. It's not meant to replace Office on tablet or PC. The average size of most documents (Word/Excel) are typically well under 1MB.
The large quantity of memory is to compete with other platforms. The average consumer doesn't require large memory. Statistics have shown that most people have few apps and games on their mobile. Most memory is used for photos and music.
Keep in mind, we're talking about where MS has targeted it's product which is 'first world' consumer and this is the general statistics that they have used in thinking about their product. They have also copied some aspects from Apple and their primary concern is security and ecosystem.
The WP platform is not meant to be a replacement for a computer. It was not meant to replace Symbian or Android. In it's current state it is mostly a consumer device with some productive elements. This is the best way to think of WP.
***************************************
a link for the thread
Frankly speaking I misunderstand the Windows Phone 8 OS and according to what N_LaRUE said ....this OS is not what I'm looking for, but I will keep at least one of my two Windows Phone 8 devices with me as a back up phone in case I need it for sometime.
I will not mention any more restrictions, I think that the idea behind the OS Windows Phone 8 is clear .... the OS developed for that propose for specified needs for special kind of customers and I will name them as non advanced customers with minimum needs of control over the device to give a basic and easy experience for smartphone users.
1) File manager: not really needed on the user side, if applications integrate themselves properly.
2) separate volume for notifications/alaram/whatever: god no. Just no. That was soo broken in android. I remember the days when a collage wold snatch my phone and accidentaly press the play button on whatever music widget I had an the loud music would pump in the room. No, just no. I like it the way it is. If i set my volume to 0, it means i want the phone to be quiet!
3) browser? why would you need a different browser if the one present just works? I see you're coming from android, where the system just sucks and needs 3rd party apps to do even the most basic jobs. Sorry, ain't happening on WP.
4) install XAP: nope, no piracy. As i developer, I freeking love it.
Bleh... I'm just going to respond to both of you in one message. It already kind of feels like I'm feeding trolls.
First of all, Microsoft is well aware of this site and at least some of their employees do read it and link to it at work (I work in the Seattle tech industry, so of course I know some Microsofties). It's probably not the best place to try and get a personal response, or even widespread change of opinion, but it's not something that nobody ever visits. Part of the reason XDA has such strong anti-piracy rules is to avoid being flagged as a warez site and blocked.
Second, while some of your points are good, one-option, your writing (except in your last post, thankfully) is so unpleasant to read that I find myself disregarding what you have to say even when I agree with it. Professionalism is not the only key to being taken seriously, but it's an important one. Long chains of periods (full stops) and exclamation marks, inconsistent capitalization and punctuation, difficult-to-follow sentence structure, interjections and tangents (like "Good thinking Microsoft" and "should start with removing the banned from my account in Wpcentral for example"), and so on all make it really hard for anybody (Microsoft employee or XDA member) to take your writing seriously. If you aren't going to write in a way that other people will bother to read, why write at all?
Third, Microsoft doesn't control WPCentral. There are two pretty trivial ways to tell: first, look at the domain registration information (registered through GoDaddy for "Smartphone Experts" of "Axel Ltd. Co" out of Florida); second, read their articles (including the ones they post about interop-unlocks and free dev unlocks and so on) and realize that a lot of that is stuff that MS employees would never spread externally (not that you've shown any sign of understanding how businesspeople think, but trust me, that's not something they would do). Getting all pissy about your banned account there - almost certainly because you were making a general nuisance of yourself, much like you are here, regardless of the validity of your complaints - is completely off-topic for XDA anyhow.
Fourth, if you've concluded that WP8 is not for you, that's fine and dandy. If you love other smartphone OSes so much, why do you have WP devices anyhow? They certainly aren't the cheapest option (although some of them have a great price-to-hardware value). Just have fun with your other devices. The rest of us will have fun with ours.
Fifth, the file management thing is actually a good point. mcosmin222, contrary to what you say, there are serious limitations on how much you can integrate an app with the OS. For example, lets say my music is in Ogg Vorbis format. Re-encoding it would greatly reduce the quality (and Vorbis is a good codec anyhow) but if I just put those Ogg files on my phone via USB in the normal way, I won't be able to open them from an Ogg player app, or manage them (much less play them) through the built-in media software. I can't replace that media software either, which is another kind of restriction but another genuinely problematic one; apps aren't allowed to set themselves as the default handler for anything which the OS has a built-in handler for, and the built-in media app has capabilities no third-party app is allowed to have.
Sixth, the volume control on WP8 is very poorly designed. Leaving aside the fact that even dumbphones have long been perfectly capable of supporting different media and ringtone (and call, which WP8 *does* support, and alarms, which it doesn't really) volume levels, there are other issues like keeping the same value between headphones and "loud"speaker. As for the counterpoint about blaring music when you don't want to, that's a non-issue; nobody is *forcing* you to set the volumes differently, and if you choose to do so, it's presumably because you feel the benefits outweigh the problems. However, that's not really a "restriction". It's a poor design of the OS, but it's not something that you are prevented from doing (in the same sense that producing a usable file manager is prohibited, because of the prohibition on developers adding the required capabilities to their apps). In any case, it's a long-requested and well-known item, and quite popular on the Uservoice site (which already exists as a feedback mechanism to Microsoft).
Seventh, you can actually change what buttons are on the IE app bar in WP8 (it's in settings). You can of course install third-party apps that provide their own UI around a WebView as well, just like on iOS. In fact, this is mostly *not* a restriction problem, and there are several browser apps in the store (adding more isn't hard either). The place where restrictions on the users do become a problem is in *changing* the default browser. Currently, that's not possible without pretty extensive hacks. With that said, though calling the current browser one that "just works" is an ignorant and disingenuous thing to say. It may work for many people, but it certainly doesn't work for all people. For example, the inconvenience of needing to create browser shortcuts for Forward/Back/View Source, the limitation of 6 tabs, the restriction to only "desktop" or "mobile" user-agent string options, the inability to go full-screen, and more... those are all problems with the built-in browser app that a third-party one can fix, to say nothing of the many other problems that one can't (not practically, at least).
Eighth, to send a message to a contact from the dialer interface, it's really easy: tap the contact (name or phone number) to open the contact card, then tap "text" (or whatever you want to do). That's the same number of taps, and without the hold, that it would take to do what you (one-option) are suggesting.
Ninth, you are *both* wrong about XAPs.
mcosmin222, there is absolutely no reason that you shouldn't be able to install Store apps by opening a link to the XAP in the browser or an attached one in an email; it would work the same way as installation from SD card (requires a quic connection to the store in order to get license info). In fact, this *is* how you install "company apps"; the code to handle opening files with .XAP extension is already present. It just (for no discernible reason at all) only works for XAPs with company app signatures. Logically, it *should* process DRMed-and-store-signed apps the same way that installing from SD does, and unsigned apps by offering to install them directly (assuming your phone is developer-unlocked). It just doesn't work that way, for some reason. Note that there is absolutely no increase in piracy through this approach; it is *merely* a way to make legitimately installing apps less inconvenient for the user. That's it.
For one-option, as I've already mentioned, you can open XAPs in the browser or email; they just won't install that way if they are either store apps or development/homebrew apps. To install store apps, use the store on the phone, the store web site on a PC, or a SD card. To install homebrew/development apps, use the Application Deployment tool (xapdeploy.exe) that is part of the (free) WP8 SDK installation with a phone connected via USB. This is a bad user experience, undeniably; to have so many ways to install apps is good, to have them all mutually incompatible with each other is terrible. For example, why not let xapdeploy (or some other USB-based tool) install store-signed apps, anyhow? It would serve *exactly* the same use case as doing it via SD card, but would be more convenient for those people who have the dev tools installed and would be usable by people who don't have microSD slots.
Once again, though, this isn't really a "restriction" thing except for the limits on what sideloaded apps can do, and how many can be sideloaded. It's a poorly-designed user experience which causes frustration, confusion, and misconceptions about the product line, all of which are detrimental to gaining market share and positive marketplace reputation. That's more than bad enough, but don't confuse it with "restrictions". Those exist too, but you missed them entirely.
Hi,
The worst drawback is the calendar, doesn't anyone use it nowday's? As a working tool it's unusable. Thanks to Week View I can use WP 8 but even Week View is limited due to the lack edit function in the program. I know Microsoft "consider" this issue, consider!? Take a look of the calender in WP 6.5 that one had all the functions needed for Daily use.
Second worse is the dialer that doesn't look up phone numbers. Ok I use Another dialer for Calling and the built in when calling missed phone calls. Somehow we are back in the stoneage in some areas.
I choose WP 8 because of the strong Connection with Exchange which the other phone OS lacks.
Still WP 8 it's fast and works well in other areas but as mention earlier in the threads, it's not made as a working tool, it's made as a toy!
Just my 2 cent!
@GoodDayToDie:
I said the file manager is not really needed on the user side. I want the apps to have more powers when handling the user folders however. Trust me, I know the ogg vorbis problem better than anyone on this forum.
Hi.
I have done a small amount of cleaning. OP if you insist on having a thread about why you do not like WP8 (Presonally I have never tried it so I don't care one way or the other), then I expect you to do so in a civilized and respectful manner. This goes for everyone that feels the need to reply to this thread. There is nothing wrong with a discussion about personal preference or likes and dislikes as long as it is done with thoughtful and mature conversation.
Cheers,
-DSB
diestarbucks said:
Hi.
I have done a small amount of cleaning. OP if you insist on having a thread about why you do not like WP8 (Presonally I have never tried it so I don't care one way or the other), then I expect you to do so in a civilized and respectful manner. This goes for everyone that feels the need to reply to this thread. There is nothing wrong with a discussion about personal preference or likes and dislikes as long as it is done with thoughtful and mature conversation.
Cheers,
-DSB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The matter is that I opened this thread to collect the WP8 restrictions, in fact it wasn't restrictions but this is the way the system works.
So I pointed out that and I mentioned that I will not talk about any more restrictions in Windows Phone 8 cause it is working that way.
but WP8 people insisted to attack me & I replied back.
I tried to provide clear image and experience about Windows Phone 8, but some people just don't like that.
one-option said:
The matter is that I opened this thread to collect the WP8 restrictions, in fact it wasn't restrictions but this is the way the system works.
So I pointed out that and I mentioned that I will not talk about any more restrictions in Windows Phone 8 cause it is working that way.
but WP8 people insisted to attack me & I replied back.
I tried to provide clear image and experience about Windows Phone 8, but some people just don't like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you, or anyone, feels they are being attacked, then the correct course of action is to report the post and let a mod come in and handle it. Replying back is just going to drag on the issue and in most all cases will make things worse.
Light side is often spoken of because the "dark" side is covered just about everywhere. The OS is the dark horse in this race, it has flaws just like the rest ...but there easily found in detail elsewhere.
Sent from my RM-878_nam_usa_100 using Tapatalk
one-option said:
Here are some retractions to those who intend to buy a new Windows Phone 8 device.
1- No File Manager in Windows Phone 8
The file manager is an important tool to get control over your device, Well here is the idea
Windows Phone 8 is more like application dependent platform, it is organized in strict way so if you want to watch video you will have to check in (Music + Video section/Hub) where you will find your videos and Music.
Same thing is true for images you have to watch your images in photo section/Hub....for other kind of Documents like word or excel you will have to check in Microsoft Office..... there is no ability to check this files inside the folders from the phone........... in general you can't see the folders unless you connect your phone to a computer......... every thing should be kept in its place images in Photo folder, ringtones should be in ringtone folder and so on.
So If you want to create another folders for special images other than photo folder Windows Phone 8 will not be able to see them !!!!
This is not smart at all
So what about non supported files or files there is no application to open them ?
There is no way to open such files in your phone or view them weather this file was image, video or what ever else.
In general people long time back requested Microsoft for file manager, but Microsoft simply not responding and ignoring that requests.
2- Control ringtone and media volume separately
This is another big problem.......... for example at night if you turned the phone ringer silent and you want to listen to some music you will not be able to do so in Windows Phone 8 smart phone .........cause if you turn phone ringer silent ....every thing will turned silent music , video ....every thing......Good thinking Microsoft.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3- Web Browser: Windows Phone 8 use Internet explorer 10 as default web browser and in general there is very few web browsers available in the market.
back to internet explorer there is only refresh button available in the browser no stop or going forward or back....... it is really bad experience to browse the web with Internet explorer.
More than that try to visit a web site with drop down list and select any thing , you will find the drop down list and you will be able to select what ever you want but that will make no different and the system will not respond to what you have selected...really disappointing .
4- Phone dailer: In general Phone book and Phone dailer one of the things I like about this OS it is really unique but it is missing some features like smart dailing & call duration in call History, long press on a contact name will offer two options delete the item from call history or block that name, no other options to send a message or MMS you have to dig inside to get this options.
5- Install XAP Files without SD Card: In Android for example you can install APK files in any Android phone (you can download any Application from any non google markets and install it offline without the need for internet connection by downloading APK files) but the equivalent of APK file in Windows Phone 8 is XAP file and it can be installed only in a handset with SD card support !!!!
Devices like Nokia Lumia 1020 or 920 is not able to install XAP files where in low end device like Nokia Lumia 520 you can do that !!!!
What a nice thing.
To be continue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing as you complain about the file manager and not being able to install XAPs directly but can do that on Android, why don't you try doing that on iOS? Should be easy right? Microsoft hates you after all. They don't want you to do anything on your Nokia 3310 with a touchscreen and a camera.
1- No File Manager in Windows Phone 8
The file manager is an important tool to get control over your device, Well here is the idea
Windows Phone 8 is more like application dependent platform, it is organized in strict way so if you want to watch video you will have to check in (Music + Video section/Hub) where you will find your videos and Music.
Same thing is true for images you have to watch your images in photo section/Hub....for other kind of Documents like word or excel you will have to check in Microsoft Office..... there is no ability to check this files inside the folders from the phone........... in general you can't see the folders unless you connect your phone to a computer......... every thing should be kept in its place images in Photo folder, ringtones should be in ringtone folder and so on.
So If you want to create another folders for special images other than photo folder Windows Phone 8 will not be able to see them !!!!
This is not smart at all
So what about non supported files or files there is no application to open them ?
There is no way to open such files in your phone or view them weather this file was image, video or what ever else.
In general people long time back requested Microsoft for file manager, but Microsoft simply not responding and ignoring that requests.
2- Control ringtone and media volume separately
This is another big problem.......... for example at night if you turned the phone ringer silent and you want to listen to some music you will not be able to do so in Windows Phone 8 smart phone .........cause if you turn phone ringer silent ....every thing will turned silent music , video ....every thing......Good thinking Microsoft.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!
3- Web Browser: Windows Phone 8 use Internet explorer 10 as default web browser and in general there is very few web browsers available in the market.
back to internet explorer there is only refresh button available in the browser no stop or going forward or back....... it is really bad experience to browse the web with Internet explorer.
More than that try to visit a web site with drop down list and select any thing , you will find the drop down list and you will be able to select what ever you want but that will make no different and the system will not respond to what you have selected...really disappointing .
4- Phone dailer: In general Phone book and Phone dailer one of the things I like about this OS it is really unique but it is missing some features like smart dailing & call duration in call History, long press on a contact name will offer two options delete the item from call history or block that name, no other options to send a message or MMS you have to dig inside to get this options.
5- Install XAP Files without SD Card: In Android for example you can install APK files in any Android phone (you can download any Application from any non google markets and install it offline without the need for internet connection by downloading APK files) but the equivalent of APK file in Windows Phone 8 is XAP file and it can be installed only in a handset with SD card support !!!!
Devices like Nokia Lumia 1020 or 920 is not able to install XAP files where in low end device like Nokia Lumia 520 you can do that !!!!
What a nice thing.
To be continue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i totally agree...
iOS have Jailbrake,Android have Root...what have WP ?
To end all discussion about the negative points of Windows Phone 8, I'm going to invalidate the issues some people (including me for some time) were having with the WP8 OS (WARNING SOME CRITICS ARE STILL IN EFFECT IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN INTEROP UNLOCKED ATIV S):
- No decent free YouTube App : Not anymore, the official YouTube app has been revived, download here
- No File Manager : Not anymore (interop unlocked phones only) : download here
- No MKV support : there are apps out there (mostly paid apps like YxPlayer WP8, Moliplayer Pro and Best Player) which do support MKV. You might argue that these apps are not free and so the critic is still in effect, but VLC for WP8 (see Kickstarter : news update 10, all the way down the article) is coming, so no your argument is invalid.
- Manufacturer exclusive apps : one word proxy
- no customization whatsoever 20 tile colors and one lockscreen picture : SamWP8 (interop unlocked phones only) of -W_O_L_F- allows custom tile colors and there are lockscreen apps which allow to display weather information on the lockscreen (free ones like Bing Weather and MoWeather HD (which I can't install in English, keeps on installing in Chinese) and also paid apps like Weather Flow, Amazing Weather HD and WeatherSense. You might argue that you can't have widgets on your lockscreen like in Android : Lockmix, your argument is invalid.
- No Task manager : Close button in multitask menu since GDR3
- No Live Tile clock because of refresh frequency limitations by Microsoft : Sideloading TimeMe works perfectly, updates each minute (store version updates each 40 minutes).
- Windows Phone 8 SDK only for Windows 8 : Not anymore, Tutorial: Install Windows Phone 8 SDK on Windows 7 the Easy Way by compu829
- Lack of official apps, mostly web links (eg YouTube) : Vine has been released, Instagram will probably follow (it's from the same company), Facebook beta is becoming pretty decent, Twitter has an official app, YouTube has been revived (see first point), Foursquare has an official app and there are pretty decent free third party apps out there for apps who don't have an official version yet (like 9gag, instagram and others, most great apps were made by Rudy Huyn)
There are some critics which I admit are bothering even me and I can't invalidate them at the moment, these are :
- Windows Marketplace isn't as great as the other marketplaces (like Apple Store and Google Play), but it's growing (Rome wasn't build in a day, you know ) : many paid apps which should be free because they are too insignificant to ask money for (eg a Wallpaper app) but there are still some great store deals and even paid apps become free for a day (to keep you updated with these deals, install these three apps)
- Update rollout takes too long time to complete in some places, despite the name GDR (General Distribution Release). I still didn't received the GDR2 update here in Belgium/Western Europe (except for Germany and the UK) through the Phone Updates on my Ativ S itself, I had to flash it manually.
- No competition on hardware specs, all is specified by Microsoft. I hope the introduction of quad-core CPU's (like the Snapdragon 800 in the Lumia 1520) will bring change on this aspect.
- Even small adjustments (like turning captive buttons off and changing the phones language and/or region) requires a reboot, where on other OS's they don't.
- Keyboard language suggestions pack downloads itself in the Phone Updates, won't start automatic, requires reboot + requires migration of settings/data (takes about 15 minutes). On other OS's this is a simple download.
- Nokia has too big of a market share to attract other manufacturers, Nokia is also a privileged manufacturer (definitely after the Microsoft-Nokia deal took place) making fair competition almost impossible.
- Windows Phone and Microsoft have a problem recognizing minorities, Spotlight in Flanders (Dutch speaking part of Belgium) is French, how dare they .
aSpirit81 said:
i totally agree...
iOS have Jailbrake,Android have Root...what have WP ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I respect everyone's opinions. I used to be an iphone user from 2g to 4. Went to android, now I have a lumia 1020.
I had jailbrake on my iphones because I wanted my phones to do more useless things. I gained root on my android devices and flashed the heck out of them to make them cleaner and faster( who wants to wait 0.3 of a second more time to open a browser)
Personally I don't miss anything about my previous devices. The only thing missing (in my opinion) is making folders and putting games in one, apps in other e.t.c. and the ability of someone sending me an app via mail or bluetooth, and manually installing it. Either way , I am very happy with my lumia 1020..... camera.
HI Guys: The good news! :victory:
Sony Confirms Android KitKat provided for Xperia SP in the Near Future! :victory:
Link this news to Sony's site:
http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/software/phones/xperia-sp/
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Click to collapse
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Thank you very much Sony! :fingers-crossed:
No need to create a whole new thread, when another is already created.
The info you posted is already here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47696383
Sent from my C5303 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
whitemamba said:
No need to create a whole new thread, when another is already created.
The info you posted is already here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47696383
Sent from my C5303 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True whitemamba, but the news was updated to Android Kitkat important enough to be a separate thread!
Amin.HVS said:
True whitemamba, but the news was updated to Android Kitkat important enough to be a separate thread!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
I mean, you saw the other thread, read it and then thought 'Hey, lets make another thread'. -_-
Robin>Hood said:
No.
I mean, you saw the other thread, read it and then thought 'Hey, lets make another thread'. -_-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, your Purpose do not understand!
You have seen me in the other thread?!
What's this?
Amin.HVS said:
Sorry, your Purpose do not understand!
You have seen me in the other thread?!
What's this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im glad you made this thread! I wouldnt have seen the other post. Thanks! Cant wait, JB 4.3 next month and then KK sooon! :laugh:
Pavilo-Olson said:
Im glad you made this thread! I wouldnt have seen the other post. Thanks! Cant wait, JB 4.3 next month and then KK sooon! :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome my good friend. :highfive:
I was very glad of this good news. Kit Kat Best Android version Subset 4.xx Android version of the collection. and it has very good facilities.
I hope this version for the Xperia SP will be provided as soon as possible.
Robin>Hood said:
No.
I mean, you saw the other thread, read it and then thought 'Hey, lets make another thread'. -_-
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pavilo-Olson said:
Im glad you made this thread! I would'nt have seen the other post. Thanks! Cant wait, JB 4.3 next month and then KK sooon! :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay Robin Hood
You Notice, As I said, it was!
Closer look at the features and capabilities of Android Kitkat
Google's newest version of its mobile operating system, Android 4.4 KitKat, doesn't deliver a huge list of transformative design and feature changes, like what we saw when Ice Cream Sandwich was introduced. Instead, KitKat's main purpose is to usher in a strategy from Google to get the latest Android version on all Android devices, both premium and low-end.
That's a big deal because every year, lower-end handsets come out running old versions of Android, fueling the argument that Android is fragmented and giving customers an inconsistent Android experience. With KitKat, Google shrank the operating system so that it can run on many more devices, thus helping close the gap between low-end and high-end devices.
This hands-on examines Android 4.4 as it runs on the Nexus 5, as that is the only device that currently has the operating system. Not all of the features mentioned will be available on other devices when they get the update. We'll continue to update this material as we spend time with the operating system on other devices when we can. For an in-depth review of the Nexus 5, read Lynn La's review on CNET.
The newest Android for all
Google's ultimate goal is to get KitKat on all Android devices from this point forward. Every year, we see new devices running the latest flavor of Android, but also some running versions that are, in some cases, years old. That makes cheaper devices seem less appealing even given their low prices, and leaves the budget-minded miffed that they can't get the latest features without a cost.
The problem is that budget devices often have smaller amounts of internal storage and RAM and can often only run an older version of Android. More powerful, and more expensive, phones pack faster processors and more RAM, allowing them to run the most updated version of the OS, previously Jelly Bean. Google fixed this issue in KitKat by shrinking the footprint of the operating system by 16 percent so that it can run on devices with only 512MB of RAM. That means that budget devices and phones aimed at emerging markets, which is exactly what Google is after, can run KitKat, instead of now-outdated Gingerbread (2.3) or Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0).
Google is giving manufacturers and carriers the opportunity to put KitKat on all devices in 2014. However, since there's no pressure or directive to only ship devices with version 4.4, it's up to them to follow through. It remains to be seen if carriers and OEMs will jump at the chance to only go with KitKat, and if the past is any indication, it's likely that we'll continue to see new phones shipping with Jelly Bean for a while.
Fresh, simple design
KitKat sports a minimalist design that still has remnants of the Holo look introduced in Ice Cream Sandwich. Many of the design changes I talk about in this section are ones I came across on the Nexus 5. We don't know yet if they will show up on other non-Nexus devices if and when they get Android 4.4. It's safe to say that if your phone has a custom skin, such as HTC Sense or Samsung TouchWiz, and gets upgraded to KitKat, you're not likely to see many design differences.
The app drawer and status bar are now transparent.
First, the home screens on KitKat look a bit different. Icons are now much larger and the text is condensed. The top status bar is translucent and blends with your wallpaper. Google says that other apps can take advantage of this as well. For instance, Twitter could have the blue background on the app's header extend into the status if it so desired.
There are no longer five home screens visible by default; instead there are only two. You can add more by grabbing an app or widget and moving it to the right or left of an existing screen. Just as you can do in TouchWiz and other skins, you can now rearrange entire home screens, instead of moving apps and widgets around individually. To do it, you just tap and hold the screen and then tap and hold the screen you want to move.
There's a new menu where you can change your wallpaper and add widgets that pops up when you press and hold the screen. There's also an option called settings in that menu, but it takes you to Google search settings, not your phone's settings menu, which is strange and unexpected. When you select wallpapers, a row of thumbnails of new wallpapers designed for KitKat appears. On the far left, there's an option to choose photos from your gallery. When you choose your own photo, it will show a full-screen preview of what it will look like as a wallpaper, instead of forcing you to crop the photo with a box, which is a welcome change. It reminds me a lot of how you set the backgrounds on an iOS device.
If you select widgets from that home screen menu, you'll get a grid of available widgets that you can add to your screens.
The app drawer also got a makeover. There is no longer a section for widgets and no icon for Google Play in the top-right corner; all you see is a grid of your phone's apps. It also has a translucent background that shows your home screen wallpaper.
What hasn't changed is the notifications menu, though Google did add a new location tile in the quick-settings panel. Lastly, the persistent Google search bar that popped up in Android 4.0 and stays at the top of your home screens is still there. You still can't remove it unless you use a launcher or install a new ROM.
Next up is the lock screen. Though it doesn't look much different from 4.2 and 4.3, there's a new music widget that lets you control audio playback from the lock screen without unlocking your phone. When you play music from the Google Music app, the lock screen will show the song's album art full-screen. Additionally, if you're playing a video on a Chromecast from your phone, the lock screen will show the video or movie's art and give you an option to pause or play the video.
With third-party music apps, there's no album art, but the app's icon, song title, and artist will show up on the lock screen, right above the playback controls. Apps like Spotify and Pandora and most podcast players have had lock screen controls for a while, but the new widget gives them a much cleaner look.
You can still add other widgets to the lock screen, for Gmail or other apps, just make sure you check the box in the security settings that says "Enable widgets."
Google introduced a new immersive experience for some apps in KitKat. The idea is that when you're watching a video, reading a book, or playing a game, the status bar and onscreen buttons will fade away so there aren't distractions. In the Google Books app, that means each page takes up the entire screen.
Google Now at your fingertips
With Google Now, Google is aiming to bring you all the information you could possibly need in one place. There are cards for your upcoming appointments with travel times to help you plan your journey, weather cards to tell you the forecast, and sports scores that help you stay on top of your favorite team. In KitKat, Google Now gets more robust.
First, I need to mention that Google built a special launcher for the Nexus 5 that makes Google Now even easier to access. If you unlock your phone, you can say, "OK Google" to activate voice search without needing to tap anywhere on the screen. Also, when you turn on Google Now, you can swipe all the way to the left to pull it up. Those two features are exclusive to KitKat on the Nexus 5, at least until future notice. That said, the Nexus 5 is not the only phone that allows you to use voice commands to launch Google Search. Motorola's Moto X, Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini all sport Touchless Controls, where you can say "OK Google" to start a search without needing to touch the phone at all.
Though the Nexus 5 gets the most Google Now features, KitKat will bring updated search features to other phones as well. First, when you run a search, Google will dive deeper into your phone and pull results from your installed apps. It works like this: Say you search for a restaurant on Google Now and already have the OpenTable app installed on your phone. You'll get the same Web results, but if you scroll to the bottom, there will be an option to launch the OpenTable app which will immediately show the reservation page for that restaurant. In the past, you'd have had to open the app yourself and search separately. Google says this will work with apps from OpenTable, Etsy, Flixster, Moviefone, and Newegg, with more to come soon. In my testing on the Nexus 5, it didn't work, and Google has yet to say when exactly you'll be able to do this.
Next, Google Now is getting a few new cards. One will show you updates from favorite Web sites and blogs, without overwhelming you with every post in the way an RSS reader would. Another will try to understand your recent searches and group together related queries, such as "Nexus 5" and "Android KitKat." Again, these cards did not pop up for me in my testing, but they are expected to roll out soon.
Lastly, Google gave us a vague promise of future cards that will provide context when you're near a certain event or attraction that is getting a lot of search hits. For example, say there's a parade in your city and there are a lot people searching for information on what's happening. Google would display a card about the event's time, location, and other important information when you're near the event.
Google, place my call
KitKat includes a brand-new dialer, which remembers who you call the most and keeps those people front and center. When you open the dialer, the dial pad is hidden away and you'll see a list of frequently called contacts.
One of the biggest changes is that you can now search for businesses from the dialer and call them with one tap. That means instead of opening Google Search or Google Maps and looking for a business, finding its number, and then placing the call, you can just start typing in the dialer, and select the correct result, and your phone will start dialing. You can get specific by typing "Starbucks" to find nearby locations, for example, or just type "coffee" for broader results.
Also, you can type the words of a vanity number -- such as 1-800-Flowers or 1-888-Wait-Wait -- into the search bar, and the dialer will translate it into a numerical phone number. It's a small touch that makes the actual phone part of your phone much more user-friendly.
Another major feature is Caller ID. When a business that's not in your contacts calls you, its name will show up on the screen, helping you figure out who's calling. This only works if the business has a listing in Google Maps (most do) and the number that's calling you is the same number in that listing. If someone calls from an extension, it won't work.
Hangouts meets texting
It's long been rumored that Google would fold the basic stock SMS text messaging into the IM, voice, and video calling app Hangouts. It finally did that with the release of Android 4.4.
If you already use Hangouts on your Android phone to IM with your friends, the experience hasn't changed much. You can still search for contacts by e-mail address or Google account name and send them IMs. What has changed is that, at least for the Nexus devices, there is no longer a separate dedicated SMS app. You now send and receive text messages and photos from the Hangouts app.
Hangouts separates your SMS conversations and Google Chat conversations into individual threads on the main screen, even if you're communicating with one contact. You can, however, switch between those two conversations when you're in the message thread by tapping the person's name at the top.
While Hangouts is easy to use, it doesn't bring anything else to the...tablet that any other SMS client doesn't. I'll stick with a separate app on my Android phone, mostly because I've never been a fan of Hangouts for its original purpose and I can customize the look of my text-messaging app. If you'd rather use something else too, I recommend Textra.
Extra features
Even though emoji was available in earlier versions of Android, they officially come to Android in KitKat. Emoji are part of the stock Google keyboard now and can be used anywhere you input text. Luckily, if you send a message with emoji to a friend with an iOS or non-KitKat device, your friend will still be able to see the tiny pictures, as they can translate to other emoji protocols. I, for one, am a big fan of the new emoji, especially since that's one of the few features from iOS that I was hoping would someday turn up in Android.
You can now print photos from the Gallery app with Google Cloud Print. If you have a cloud-enabled printer, you need to register it with its cloud e-mail address. For non-cloud printers, you need to use a USB cable to connect it to your computer and register it on Google Cloud Print.
For my Wi-Fi-connected HP all-in-one, which doesn't have a cloud print option, that meant I had to connect it to my laptop and sign into Google Cloud Print in my Chrome browser's settings menu. Once that was set up, I could go to the Gallery app, choose a photo, select print from the menu, and find my correct printer.
You can now open files in Google's productivity suite, Quickoffice, from any cloud apps you have installed on your phone, such as Google Drive or Dropbox. You can easily save them back to the cloud when you're finished.
Android is making it easier to manage your launchers with a settings option called Home. There you can switch between the stock launcher and any that you have installed, such as Apex or Nova. This is a personal favorite feature of mine, since I like to use launchers and this makes it really easy to switch back and forth.
Other smaller changes introduced in KitKat include faster multitasking, improved touch-screen performance, low-power audio playback, and a lower-accuracy battery-saving location mode.
Here's a full list of the changes:
The revamped phone dialer app will evaluate which contacts you talk to most and automatically prioritize your phone book accordingly. Also, integration with more Google apps such as Maps will let you search for nearby places and businesses right in the phone dialer.
Caller ID gets a boost, as well. For incoming calls that don't match a phone number not in your contacts, Google apps will scan and display any matches from local businesses listed in Google Maps.
The immersive mode clears up clutter on your screen by automatically hiding everything except the one thing you're viewing (like a photo, map, or game). In other words, you'll be in full-screen mode without status and navigation bars. When you're ready to move on, you can bring back your status bar and navigation buttons by swiping the edge of the screen.
A new Hangouts app consolidates all of your text and multimedia messages, conversations, and video calls in one place.
You'll be able to print photos, documents, and Web pages from your phone or tablet. Any printer connected to Google Cloud Print will be compatible, along with HP ePrint printers and other printers with Google Play apps.
If you have an Android device with an IR blaster, you'll be able to use applications that make it function as a TV remote.
Capable devices will now support Chromecast.
When you reach the bottom of a menu, there's a faint white glow instead of the earlier, brighter blue glow.
Support for the Message Access Profile (MAP) will let drivers exchange messages between their Bluetooth-enabled cars and devices.
Closed captioning comes to most applications.
A new look for the e-mail app brings nested folders, contact photos, and revamped navigation.
NFC features now will work with more wireless carriers.
App developers can take advantage of new step detection and counting composite sensors.
Smaller details range from a uniform color for status bars to a new condensed font.
(Credit: CNET)
Thats was am awsom information about Kitkat.. Thanks for the share my brother
Rajeev said:
Thats was am awsom information about Kitkat.. Thanks for the share my brother
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You're welcome, My dear brother Rajeev, this overview of the Android Kitkat
But soon, very interesting information about the Android Kitkat will share the same topic!
9 Lesser-Known New Features In Android 4.4 KitKat!
9 Lesser-Known New Features In Android 4.4 KitKat
Shortly after Google revealed the latest version of its mobile OS a few days back, we wrote about some of the new features & improvements introduced in Android 4.4 KitKat. It’s been over a week since the release now, and many of us have had a chance to play around with the OS. With that, we have come across a few features that weren’t highlighted by Google, but can nevertheless prove to be quite useful to many users. Not all users are going to find a use for each one of these features, and not all of them are entirely new major additions to the OS; in fact a few of them are more along the lines of refinements to existing features, or handy components of newly added KitKat features that haven’t been specifically highlighted by Google or the press so far. So, let’s take a look at a few of the lesser-known features brought to Android in the 4.4 KitKat update.
Advanced File Picker With Full Storage Access
In KitKat, Google introduced an all new file picker with support for integration with Google Drive as well as third-party cloud storage services to make the process of picking a file easier and more universal. This feature has been talked about a lot by both Google and the media, but did you know that you can also use it to pick any file on your Internal storage and external SD card (on supported devices) directly?
To enable full storage access, go to the file picker’s settings from its menu, and enable the option labeled ‘Display advanced devices’. You can also set file sizes to be displayed from here. After enabling the former option, you should see an entry for your Internal storage (as well as your external SD card, if your device supports it) in the Open from navigation drawer. Tap it, and you’ll be able to select any file from your device’s file system.
You can also sort the files by name, last modified date and size, and choose between list and grid layout. One can’t help but think how nice it would have been if Google had also added basic file management options (opening, deleting, renaming, viewing properties etc.) to the feature and added its shortcut to the App drawer to make it a stock File Manager app – a feature that was considered a standard for mobile operating systems in the pre-iOS, Android & Windows Phone era.
Easily Switch Default Launcher & SMS Apps
If you’ve been reading up on the new features of KitKat so far, you probably know already that upon installing a third-party launcher, you’ll see a new ‘Home’ option in Settings that lets you choose the default one (demonstrated in the left screenshot below). You likely also know that the new Hangouts app in KitKat includes support for SMS messages, rendering the stock Messaging app redundant. Though that doesn’t mean stock Messaging has been completely excluded from the OS; it’s still there as a part of AOSP (though Google and device manufacturers/carriers may decided to not ship it on their devices), and there is also an easy way to choose your default SMS app among all stock and third-party options available. You can find this option under ‘Wireless & Networks’ in Settings.
The option allows you to choose your default SMS app between Hangouts, Messaging and any third-party options that you may have installed.
Advance Alarm Notifications With Option To Dismiss
This is an enhancement to an existing feature that shows attention to detail, and I am already in love with it. At times, we set an alarm but end up waking up before it has sounded, and either out of laziness or due to getting busy with something, we end up not stopping that alarm till it starts sounding. With KitKat, you will view expandable notifications for upcoming alarms one hour before their time, with a ‘Dismiss Now’ option that does just what it says, without requiring you to open the Clock app and go the Alarms section to disable the alarm manually.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s not a new major feature but a very useful addition to an existing one, and once you get used to it, you’ll find it hard to live without it.
Toggle Lockscreen Widgets
Google introduced Lockscreen widget support in Android Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, and the feature was immensely praised by users and critics alike. However, there were still many who didn’t really see a need to put widgets on their lockscreen. However, there was no way to disable the feature. That changes in KitKat, as you can now easily enable or disable lockscreen widgets in the Security section of Settings.
So, if you only use the lockscreen to keep your device secure and unlock it when needed, go ahead and disable the feature to make sure you never land on that ‘Add widget’ screen on your lockscreen.
View Text-To-Speech Support Status For Default Language
Text-to-Speech has long been a part of Android, but not all languages supported by the operating system itself were supported by this feature. KitKat adds a ‘Default language status’ section to the Text-to-speech subsection of Language & input settings that shows if your currently selected default system language is supported by the Text-to-speech system or not.
So, no more confusion on why you can’t hear any text-to-speech output for a language you’ve selected.
Mobile Plan Management
There’s a new option labeled ‘Mobile Plan under Wireless & networks settings that seems to be intended to help you manage your mobile plan right from your device, but it’ll only work if your carrier has a known provisioning website for the purpose in order to offer you any options to configure.
We couldn’t test this feature because our carrier doesn’t provide such a provisioning service.
Always Enabled Dial-Pad Autocomplete
Dial-pad autocomplete (also known as T9 dialing) is an extremely handy feature that lets users bring up contacts by typing the numbers representing the alphabetical characters of their names in the Dialer. This was probably the most requested feature in Android since Google decided to include it as an option in Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. In KitKat, the feature is no longer an option that you can toggle; it is instead always on. It’s really hard to think of a reason why anyone would want to have it disabled, so it only makes sense to have it always on, and removing the option to disable it.
In addition to the changes in KitKat that we have discussed above, there are also a few more new options hidden in the Developer options section of Settings that aren’t likely to be too useful for the everyday user, but can prove to be quite handy to developers. We said ‘hidden’ because since Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, Google has hidden the Developer options section by default. Though you can easily follow our instructions to reveal the hidden Android Developer options. Once revealed, you’ll notice several changes from the options available till 4.3, and we’ll be discussing a few notable ones from them below.
New ART Runtime (love This Feature )
Dalvik has been the default runtime environment of Android since its first public release. It has also been the primary bottleneck of the OS because it uses JIT (just-in-time) compilation, requiring apps to be compiled on the go before running them, which can be quite taxing on performance as well as battery life. ART (Android RunTime) is a replacement for Dalvik that uses AOT (ahead of time) compilation, meaning your apps are compiled to a ready-to-run state before you even launch them, making the process of launching and using them much faster and smoother. And since this would reduce their compilation frequency significantly, you can expect to start seeing better battery life.
While ART isn’t quite ready for prime time yet, an early version of the new runtime environment has been included in KitKat, though Dalvik is still selected as default. Developers who need to test their apps on ART, or users who want to try out the new runtime (at their own risk, since it’s not fully ready yet) can switch to it by tapping Select runtime under Developer options, as shown above.
Process Stats
One thing developers and power users are both interested in is seeing what’s going on under the hood in their devices. For this, KitKat now includes Process Stats – a section under Developer Options that shows you performance and usage stats of all your background, foreground and cached processes.
You can choose a custom duration for the stats, show or hide system processes and toggle the display of different stats types.
A few other new developer options include the ability to select and switch between different modes of HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) checking between always, for DRM content only, and never, a snoop log for Bluetooth HCI (Host Controller Interface), and more.
So, which one of these features do you like most? And have you found a lesser-known feature in KitKat that we’ve missed? Feel free to drop a line in the comments below!
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This is a great notice!!
and hope that there is not a trick marketin.
mpiero11 said:
This is a great notice!!
and hope that there is not a trick marketin.
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Yes, this is a good news for us.
Sony confirmed Upgrade Xperia SP to Android 4.4, and probably in early 2014, we will witness the presentation.
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OP Updated.
Cool cant wait:laugh: