Database Users

My 2 cents on Gingerbread on the Atrix

I've just updated my Atrix to Gingerbread and all almost all my complaints about the Atrix are now gone! There are some things that do not please me though.
Here is a quick sum up of my experience so far:
Positive
- Lag between homescreens after you wake up the phone. Before Gingerbread I've tried ALL the major launchers and there was lag with ALL of them. With Gingerbread the lag is gone! Zeam Launcher is a beauty to use.
- The agenda/calendar app is close to perfection now. Really really excellent.
- The Gallery is very good.
- The dock and the look are very cool.
Could use improvement
- The music player really needs to allow you to organize your music by folder.
Step backwards.
- The Gingerbread keyboard is great but I really cannot understand why they took a step backwards and removed a great feature. With froyo once you clicked for some seconds on a letter you would get a pop up rectangle with all options regarding this letter (the same letter with accents, etc). The rectangle would stay there until you've selected your choice. But with Gingerbread you have to keep pressing the letter and then slide your finger to the option you want to select in the rectangle. This sucks! The keyboard would be just perfect if it weren't for this.
Still the same
- I thought that Motorola would finally allow you to decide for your self how many homescreens you need instead of still forcing you to have the number of homescreens that think it's right.

hmm, so far for me...
advantages of gingerbread
more free ram on bootup
games run slightly smoother (im assuming better drivers)
disadvantages
menus now have white background with black text. on an lcd screen, this can increase battery consumption notably compared to the previous white text on black background.
icons seem too large for my liking
doesnt feel as smooth as froyo in some areas
when typing with froyo, if you pressed once on an area in the text but missed your target, you could press and hold and a mini magnifying glass would pop up to help you place your text marker more easily. with gingerbread, this is replaced by just a little marker. just a minor annoyance imo.

Souai said:
hmm, so far for me...
advantages of gingerbread
more free ram on bootup
games run slightly smoother (im assuming better drivers)
disadvantages
menus now have white background with black text. on an lcd screen, this can increase battery consumption notably compared to the previous white text on black background.
icons seem too large for my liking
doesnt feel as smooth as froyo in some areas
when typing with froyo, if you pressed once on an area in the text but missed your target, you could press and hold and a mini magnifying glass would pop up to help you place your text marker more easily. with gingerbread, this is replaced by just a little marker. just a minor annoyance imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have white sub pixels, so doesn't that help battery consumption? That's just what I've read thoughout the forum. This is qHD, not just a regular HTC LCD

The keyboard thing is really what's beyond my comprehension. Why would they take a step backwards?! Why? I even checked the settings to see if there was a way to change this but apparently there isn't. This may not be a big deal to english speakers but for languages like portuguese that have toons of accents it was a super useful asset. I hope Motorola fixes this.

You can download different keyboards, right?
Maybe one of them has the features you want.

wirednix said:
You can download different keyboards, right?
Maybe one of them has the features you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know, but it's just a shame that Motorola had such a great keyboard and had to go and change it for the worst.

Souai said:
hmm, so far for me...
advantages of gingerbread
more free ram on bootup
games run slightly smoother (im assuming better drivers)
disadvantages
menus now have white background with black text. on an lcd screen, this can increase battery consumption notably compared to the previous white text on black background.
icons seem too large for my liking
doesnt feel as smooth as froyo in some areas
when typing with froyo, if you pressed once on an area in the text but missed your target, you could press and hold and a mini magnifying glass would pop up to help you place your text marker more easily. with gingerbread, this is replaced by just a little marker. just a minor annoyance imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an lcd screen so the color has no effect on power usage at all. Only on amoled screens does black color drain less power than white. So the new color makes no difference.

i read a while ago a thread on allaboutmaemo or allaboutmeego that they tested the battery life difference between samsung galaxy s (lcd vs amoled) and they found that white backgrounds did increase battery consumption. although its not as bad of an increase when compared to amoled.

A white background will use slightly more power than a black background as all of the sub-pixels in the screen need a continuous charge to stay in the "on" position. However, I seriously doubt that the affect on power consumption would be anything other than negligible unless you are in the menus 24/7.
I do prefer a black background with white text though.

Souai said:
when typing with froyo, if you pressed once on an area in the text but missed your target, you could press and hold and a mini magnifying glass would pop up to help you place your text marker more easily. with gingerbread, this is replaced by just a little marker. just a minor annoyance imo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sounds really bad! No magnifying glass anymore? That is an important feature to precisely place the cursor when you want to edit.

My problem after upgrading to the is connecting to my car's bluetooth (bluelogic). Once I turn the toggle on won't automatically connect anymore. I have to go to settings and connect it, it's says paired but not connected. Anybody knows how to fix this?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

jonstatt said:
This sounds really bad! No magnifying glass anymore? That is an important feature to precisely place the cursor when you want to edit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully it at least uses the SGS blue marker, which IMO was way better than the magnifying glass anyway...
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App

slimslim said:
My problem after upgrading to the is connecting to my car's bluetooth (bluelogic). Once I turn the toggle on won't automatically connect anymore. I have to go to settings and connect it, it's says paired but not connected. Anybody knows how to fix this?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just delete/remove it and re-pair it. Should work fine then.

ccrows said:
Hopefully it at least uses the SGS blue marker, which IMO was way better than the magnifying glass anyway...
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it does, i dont think its that bad compared to the magnifying glass. just doesnt look as kool..

MARCuS MARCuS MARCuS said:
A white background will use slightly more power than a black background as all of the sub-pixels in the screen need a continuous charge to stay in the "on" position. However, I seriously doubt that the affect on power consumption would be anything other than negligible unless you are in the menus 24/7.
I do prefer a black background with white text though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
White background battery draining is more about Amoled screen phones...

GM1 said:
Just delete/remove it and re-pair it. Should work fine then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it twice and still doesn't work .
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

Homescreen scrolling is still slow. I love the new look but I keep going back to launcherpro. Seriously, why can they just make it smooth like launcherpro?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

Upgrade was successful on first attempt. After 5-minutes use... app icons appear to be larger - have not checked if there is a setting for that. I thought I heard that we would be able to get more icons per screen so maybe there is a setting. Contacts application appears to work differently and contact details are not as compact as previously. Weather Channel app took some time to load but I see it is up now. I like the new look of the alert bar. Anyway that's after only 5-minutes of playing around.

I got the same problem as you. Can't seem to find a fix for this.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

Anyone know how to get back the ability of linking contacts to facebook profiles manually? Its no longer an option anymore :-\

Left/Right statusbar and notification bar

Hello there,
I just got Nexus 4 and played around with different Roms... and my hand hurts from Nexus 4 size. I found ParanoidAndroid's tablet UI being convient, but it's still too inconvenient. Pie works alright... but having it appear and disappear is annoying (to me). So what I like to know if there is a method to have the status+notification bar on the left/right side? Seems more convenient that way for one hand use. Anyways, I just like to know if there's a MOD or customization.
Thanks for taking your time reading.

0wangj4 said:
Hello there,
I just got Nexus 4 and played around with different Roms... and my hand hurts from Nexus 4 size. I found ParanoidAndroid's tablet UI being convient, but it's still too inconvenient. Pie works alright... but having it appear and disappear is annoying (to me). So what I like to know if there is a method to have the status+notification bar on the left/right side? Seems more convenient that way for one hand use. Anyways, I just like to know if there's a MOD or customization.
Thanks for taking your time reading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Status + notification bar on the left/right are you kidding me.. It would look so ugly and INCONVENIENT to drag and see notifications from left side.

Rohit02 said:
Status + notification bar on the left/right are you kidding me.. It would look so ugly and INCONVENIENT to drag and see notifications from left side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? It just seems so much easier to have the thumb access everything and have a firm grip on the phone instead of it resting on your pinky and have your thumb in the middle of the screen. Maybe because I have small hand and been used to HTC sensation :c

0wangj4 said:
Really? It just seems so much easier to have the thumb access everything and have a firm grip on the phone instead of it resting on your pinky and have your thumb in the middle of the screen. Maybe because I have small hand and been used to HTC sensation :c
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ubuntu touch may have that feature since it launches from the left.
It did if memory serves.
Though , it's not stable enough to be used as a daily driver.
Nexus 4 is of average size. It's actually smaller than most phones. My 4.3" Optimus 3D was actually a little bit taller than my nexus 4.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] Defective screen

Anyone else seeing this issue?
http://i.imgur.com/taJ9jRH.jpg
The vertical bands are only really visible on flat colours, but the green glow affecting the top two thirds of the display are always there on dark greys. I sent back my original Galaxy S4 for exactly the same problem...... Comparing this to my wife's Note 3, hers is perfect. Just curious how common this is with these screens. Easiest way to reproduce the issue is on Chrome with no tabs open, backlight set to minimum and with low/no ambient light. I like reading with white text on a black background, so it really bugs me :/

If a lot of people had this extreme issue, you would've seen a 1000 page thread. Get an exchange asap.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

MohJee said:
If a lot of people had this extreme issue, you would've seen a 1000 page thread. Get an exchange asap.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I must be exceptionally unlucky then to have seen the same issue on two phones in a row...... You'd be amazed at how few people will have noticed this fault, even if their phone shows it.

vanButton said:
Well, I must be exceptionally unlucky then to have seen the same issue on two phones in a row...... You'd be amazed at how few people will have noticed this fault, even if their phone shows it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Maybe your wife's note 3 was made/assembled in a different factory than the two you had. You can check where it is made by pulling the battery a looking underneath (you will see Vietnam, China, or Korea ..threse are the most likely ..but it could be some other country since Samsung has a several factories.)
My advice is replace it again but this time check it in the store before taking it home.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

there are a lot of threads regarding such type of AMOLED issues! use the search function!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

.....

vanButton said:
Anyone else seeing this issue?
http://i.imgur.com/taJ9jRH.jpg
The vertical bands are only really visible on flat colours, but the green glow affecting the top two thirds of the display are always there on dark greys. I sent back my original Galaxy S4 for exactly the same problem...... Comparing this to my wife's Note 3, hers is perfect. Just curious how common this is with these screens. Easiest way to reproduce the issue is on Chrome with no tabs open, backlight set to minimum and with low/no ambient light. I like reading with white text on a black background, so it really bugs me :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like previous responses have indicated, I would swap out your device ASAP and hopefully it's still within the return policy otherwise, you'll need to warranty it under the standard manufacturer warranty. This is not uncommon as you have to realize these devices are being mass produced. The odds of you having a similar issue with 2 devices is comical but not unheard of due to the amount of devices which are being manufactured.
Good luck with your new device and hope this post has answered your questions!

Pinstriped bezel

Since this subforum is so dead, I figured I'd make some small talk...
Am I the only one who loves their notification LED? I was very disappointed to see the gray demo units at Best Buy actually have a pinstripe pattern under the glass that noticeably obscures/dulls the LED, and the pattern is even applied over the touchkeys, so they have a weird, wavy look to them. A foolish decision by Samsung, IMO.

ffolkes said:
Since this subforum is so dead, I figured I'd make some small talk...
Am I the only one who loves their notification LED? I was very disappointed to see the gray demo units at Best Buy actually have a pinstripe pattern under the glass that noticeably obscures/dulls the LED, and the pattern is even applied over the touchkeys, so they have a weird, wavy look to them. A foolish decision by Samsung, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to see you over here in the Note 4 area! Can't wait to see what you come up with.
I haven't actually seen the note 4 in person yet but i'll have my hands on one in a couple days. Are you talking about the same type of pattern under the glass of the note 2 and its touchkeys?

Yes that's the way it is on my Note 4 :/
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

Funny you should mention that - I just noticed it with my Note 4 about 30 minutes ago :$

Just got my note 4 and see the same thing. At least for the soft key buttons i dont mind it because i always keep them off
Sent from my SM-N910P using XDA Free mobile app

ffolkes said:
Since this subforum is so dead, I figured I'd make some small talk...
Am I the only one who loves their notification LED? I was very disappointed to see the gray demo units at Best Buy actually have a pinstripe pattern under the glass that noticeably obscures/dulls the LED, and the pattern is even applied over the touchkeys, so they have a weird, wavy look to them. A foolish decision by Samsung, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same pattern on mine. Didn't notice it on the white one set up at best buy. Not a fan of the obscurity. Stoked to see you picked one up too ffolkes!
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

egodriver07 said:
Same pattern on mine. Didn't notice it on the white one set up at best buy. Not a fan of the obscurity. Stoked to see you picked one up too ffolkes!
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know if its design or corner cutting. I dont like it, it looks cheap. Even the notification light has it. Luckly its only these items.

I don't have mine yet so I don't know. But you're saying this dulls the notification light? maybe Samsung did this so people complain less about their notification light colors when their phone is charging/charged in the middle of the night in a dark room
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app

mikey123 said:
I don't have mine yet so I don't know. But you're saying this dulls the notification light? maybe Samsung did this so people complain less about their notification light colors when their phone is charging/charged in the middle of the night in a dark room
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if they did it for any reason on purpose it is stupid. I usually don't mind software related mishaps with LED because apps and kernel devs usually give us a ton of options to workaround it. But this is the way they designed the phone from a manufacturing standpoint. Blah.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Black one has the stripes but my wife's white one doesnt.

I like the pinstripe and keeps it from looking plain. I always turn off the bottom lights, i know the buttons are there, so that's not an issue.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

I like the pinstripe on the notification light. I like the dulling effect. I on the other hand hate the stripes on the lower buttons. It gives it an appearance that the lighted buttons are flawed or pixels are burnt out.
Sent from my SM-N910P using XDA Free mobile app

I don't like the dimmed LED. I use Light Flow, maybe my favorite program on Android. I rely on LED notifications almost every minute of every day. I'm missing the LED on the Nexus 5.

I don't have that problem on my white Sprint Note 4 at all. Not on the buttons or the notification light. I'm really glad because I saw that pinstriped look on the buttons on some YouTube videos and think it looks awful.
Sent from my SM-N910P using XDA Free mobile app

White spots on aluminum bezel
Anyone else have 4 white squares on their aluminum bezel on the top and bottom? There's 2 near the glass and 2 near the back on the top and bottom, no idea what they are or what they're for.

Kortekn said:
Anyone else have 4 white squares on their aluminum bezel on the top and bottom? There's 2 near the glass and 2 near the back on the top and bottom, no idea what they are or what they're for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they're gaps to allow signal to get through the metal frame to the antenna.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Cool, thanks for the info.
Sent from my SM-N910P using XDA Free mobile app

I don't like the pinstripes; period. Last three plus years, the plain black bezel matched to the dark super Amoled native screen gave the black Galaxy a certain distinction that other OEMs with LCD couldn't match with their lighter looking native screen. Not appreciating this look; not so bad under low light but that wasn't the reaction Samsung hoped for. Thumbs down; face Palm. Not liking either of the browsers included either. Why no auto fit? Samsung's response is that natively, auto-fit exists; reset your settings. Nope. Second response: you can manually adjust the screen with pinch to zoom/minimize. Otherwise, I'm very pleased with this phone and look forward to development in this forum.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

stared at both black and white side by side at best buy the other day for a bit, the white one definitely has the pin stripe look to it, its just a lot less noticeable. The only would offer to let me pre-order a black device so..guess ill look forward to stripes whenever they come in...

j00manji said:
stared at both black and white side by side at best buy the other day for a bit, the white one definitely has the pin stripe look to it, its just a lot less noticeable. The only would offer to let me pre-order a black device so..guess ill look forward to stripes whenever they come in...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my opinion on the 8 total white (possible 8x ir led) squares on the bezel.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/3/6098745/samsung-gear-vr-oculus-announcement-hands-on
It is for vr. To be used with a Xbox-one live camera for positional/tilt head movement in conjuction with a PC.
As soon as I saw these 8 squares I had a 99.9% confidence that note4 is vr ready! As I have been balls deep in oculus news!
The Exynos has 20-30% stronger gpu that never overheats, so it never throttles.
My sm-910C Thailand is a cool running gaming monster so far. Better than all phones in benches so far..... only 75% slower than i7 [email protected] 4.8ghz [email protected] For open es 3.0 bench with t-rex
34fps 1440p t-rex in my pocket. ......
Thank you XDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Black lines crossing over the touch keys

Hi,
I have black lines crossing over the touch keys.
Do you have too? Is that normal?
(I didn't have on Note3, the pictograms was perfect)

I got it to - it is normal I think.

Thanks to reassure me.
This is bizarre. It might be a reason for?

That's completely normal tho something Samsung shouldn't have done, it doesn't bothers me much but still can look weird at times. What annoys me is the same lines going all over the LED notification, I mean seriously... how Samsung miss on these small things. -_-

Yes, it's part of the new glass. Can't seem them so much on the white note 4s though.

This is their design print it's normal
I though I also read something about it, keeps the phones buttons/ appearance clean.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA Free mobile app

Absolutely it's normal. Looks good on the buttons IMO, on the LED not so much

Yes it is normal.