This is a post I did on my blog, I didn't want to link it because I'm not sure if it's against the forum rules. So mods, if at any time you feel this review is unfit, I have no problem with you closing the thread or removing it entirely. Just let me know if you do. (Also, readers, if I got any information wrong do not hesitate to point it out to me. I'm as open to feedback and corrections as I can be)
After getting my second Android phone, the HTC T-Mobile G2, or Desire Z known internationally, there was one custom Android Rom that stood out to me. That rom was called MIUI. For those who don’t know or have ever heard of MIUI (pronounced me-you-I), it is a custom Android-based Rom developed by a Chinese team called Xiaomi that received a lot of english ports to now close to 300 or more phones, who later went on to form their own company that features phones, smart appliances, and more. At the time, the current version was MIUI Version 3, and I figured why not give it a try? I liked the concept of it, having all the icons on the homescreen similar to how iOS has their homescreen layout, but with the ability to place icons anywhere and also have widgets on any page wherever you want. The only thing about it was that it wasn’t really visually appealing to me, as it wasn’t as refined in my opinion as iOS. Keep in mind throughout reading this that I have used an iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS, and the iPhone 4 up until I broke it before I switched to an Android phone. I ended up flashing back to a custom HTC Sense based Rom. Later on a port of MIUI Version 4 arrived for the Desire Z. I went ahead and installed that, but it was still kind of lacking something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on, so back to Sense again it was. My next Android phone was the Google Nexus 4, although that lasted about 2 weeks until I shattered the screen rendering it useless. I picked up the Moto G 1st gen a few months later, which I found had a port of MIUI v5. I really liked how Xiaomi had updated the looks of the icons, how the system got a mild visual improvement including the lockscreen which I really did not care for on versions 3 and 4. I would’ve used it and explored it further if it wasn’t for the particular model of the Moto G I had, which was the Boost Mobile CDMA variant so it did not have cellular signal support. Fast forward to my current phone, the HTC One M7. I’ve always been a fan of HTC’s products and I really enjoyed their Sense 6 and 7 interface. About 2 months into owning it I found there was a port of MIUI 7 beta. I decided to install it to see the change of 2 revisions. I instantly fell in love. It is so much more refined than any previous version that I have tried. Sure the flat icons and flat design are somewhat reminiscent of iOS 7 and onwards, but they are unique and different at the same time. The overall design language that is prevalent throughout all of the system applications is visually appealing, and the built in theme application brings a very nice addition to find a theme that suits very well. In the screenshots at the end of this post I have the High Life theme selected, one of the four stock included themes. The lockscreen is very minimalistic, with swiping up to unlock the device, swiping left to access the camera, and swiping right to access what is called Mi Home. I have no use for Mi Home, as I do not have any other Xiaomi home products, and almost all of it is in Chinese. Xiaomi has built in a security app which I do find very useful. You can scan for viruses, see how many files and cache files are taking up space by apps and choose to clean it all up to free up space, allow root access for apps, it tells you the battery level, and allows you to block certain callers such as telemarketers, exes, and unwanted spam/con artists. My favorite aspect and feature of the security app is the ability to set individual permissions for every app you have on your phone. You can pick what apps have the ability to read your text messages, contacts, call history, location information, calendar events, camera, and quite a few more. One thing I have done is for almost every application, and Facebook and their Messenger app being a big one, is block access to almost every permission that they had no use to read, locate me or edit system functionality for added privacy. The only setting is having Facebook, Messenger and a few other social apps set to pop up a notify prompt to access my camera and camera roll only because of the occasional picture I wish to send to a friend or relative. They do not have the ability to access it freely at will. If you have gotten this far in this review, I applaud you for myself not boring you. The reason I love MIUI 7 so much is the familiarity of iOS, what I used for 5-6 years prior to switching to an Android phone, and the functionality of Android which is my favorite mobile OS. My next phone might very well be an international Xiaomi Mi 4i or Mi 5 model. In conclusion, the performance, the features, and the aesthetics of MIUI is what keeps drawing me back to making that Rom my daily driver. I no longer find myself flashing a new AOSP, CyanogenMod or Sense-based rom almost every other day (I was a flashaholic, which is the addiction of flashing a new/different rom quite often. I also stopped because redownloading 40-60+ apps every time got tiresome). In fact, it’s been about 3 months since the last time I flashed a rom other than MIUI updates. There are also still numerous features that I have not covered. I highly recommend people look into seeing if this Rom, or even MIUI 6, is available for their phone. Watch some YouTube reviews, give it a try for a few days. You might be pleasantly surprised like I was. I also highly recommend this for people such as myself who came from iOS over to Android. Thank you for reading, screenshots are below. Have a great day!
I've decided to try out MIUI after reading this. Sounds nice.
firedroidx said:
I've decided to try out MIUI after reading this. Sounds nice.
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It might take some time to grow on you, it did with me at first. Definitely delve deep into the settings and check out the themes app for different fonts, themes, I think it might have ringtones as well. Some parts are still in Chinese but it's nothing that gets in the way at all.
Although it isn't quite perfect for me, I LOVE the design. I'm going to test it out for another week and see how I feel then :good:
Related
So now we have several MIUI roms for N1 but which one is the best?
Stability,performance,packed goodies....
Which MIUI is the best and why for you?
Why is MIUI so special? Just go buy an iPhone, it's kind the same... Really, I don't find anything special but heavy modded graphics. What do you use MIUI features for?
It's simply the fastest roms for N1, the menus just fly
I find Enomther's really fast.
elegos said:
Why is MIUI so special? Just go buy an iPhone, it's kind the same... Really, I don't find anything special but heavy modded graphics. What do you use MIUI features for?
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Maybe some would love the UI but hate the OS?
I have seen some people adding WP7 UI like into Galaxy S. All these just show how flexible Android can be.
That's true, but being like that, someone could just create a iPhone-like launcher touching nothing else.
If you keep using the MIUI stock Launcher than yes it looks like a far family member of iphone, but if you use the exellent ADW you gain the extra speed from MIUI + some goodies like the Themes while having an Android UI
CM7 is also very fast but unstable for me whatever is the build: dead touchscreen when calling could happen any time
lenrek said:
Maybe some would love the UI but hate the OS?
I have seen some people adding WP7 UI like into Galaxy S. All these just show how flexible Android can be.
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I hate people who attempt to re-create WP7's UI on Android. There is no way you can properly emulate the simplicity and beauty of WP7 with static blue icons. MIUI may try to copy the iPhone over to Android, but even then you have to remember it is simply a User Interface. Android is still under there, not iOS. Everyone knows out off all the major mobile operating systems Android lacks in the UI department (opinion, of course).
And MIUI attempts to remedy that problem.
i tested [ROM] Miui-AU ROM (english/german) but it isn't that fast.
The Launcher ist laggy (compared to GO or LP) and no scrollable widgets...
i know you can use a different launcher, but then i dont need MIUI...
I just want to recall that this topic is about which MIUI is the best, not if MIUI is good or not...
Ive been using Eveek's eMIUI for a while. I reckon its the best one out of the lot simply cos its the most stable version around.. Also Ive noticed this rom is near enough stock with very minor tweaks. Compare it to others they have heavily modded the stock version which wasnt to my liking!
i had no idea MIUI was so much faster. why is it faster? i only watched one video on MIUI and it was kinda cool but i never tried it out. am i missing something by not trying it?
MIUI is always ahead of the curve when it comes to design and innovation. It was the first with lockscreen music control, the first with power control in the notification bar, the first with a built in theme manager system (with an online data base for easy theme searching and downloading), the first with FM radio on the N1 etc. Not only did it do these things first, but it does them the best.
It has an absolutely gorgeous UI (hi-resolution icons, transitions, themes and menus that blow stock Android out of the water). It's fast and has amazing battery life. The folder system for App organization is light years ahead of the app drawer, which is archaic and inefficient. Also, the support for this ROM is amazing!
Let's get real, it takes some of the best elements of the iPhone UI (ex high resolution, unified icons) and combines it with everything great about Android. Those saying it's just trying o copy the iPhone are ignorant and should really just get their heads out of their asses.
Sure, it might not be for everyone but I would encourage people to try it first before they dismiss it. I was skeptical at first as well but I've been using it for months now and have no intentions of going back to anything else. I flashed CM7 to try out but it doesn't compare, that is my opinion.
And I would recommend getting the stock ROM from miui-dev.com just because the support for the stock ROM is so much better than the MIUI ROMs here. There is an online theme database that comes as an app with the ROM anyways, so you can change up the look very easily if you choose to do so.
ya you are missing out, it is highly optimized, solid fast, great battery life, weekly updates, everything makes sense..hence why cyanogen has borrowed some ideas/stuff. Most people just talk **** about miui cuz it looks iphonish, let them be nubs because from the ground up miui has alot more development and is way more advanced than alot of other roms out there, just my two cents but they are worth more than others
I'm not sure whenever I'd consider MIUI one step ahead the current UIs. I find no user friendly evolution, just reordered things. I mean, no intelligent way to launch an application (and no, gestures are NOT the way it will be as you have to remember the gesture), no "outstanding" graphics (I'm not impressed by them, not after 5 minutes handling it).
Is it fast? People in this thread have already replied: it's not fast, it may be faster than CM (which IMHO is getting too choppy due to too many under-the-hood things users are not interested in), but it's not faster than Enomther's, for example. No way.
Why is it followed then? Really simple: it's not the usual CM ROM. If only there was another launcher, people may not idolize this ROM. Kudos to the developers for developing it though, otherwise CM would be the (choppy) standard.
jasrups said:
[...]Those saying it's just trying o copy the iPhone are ignorant and should really just get their heads out of their asses.
Sure, it might not be for everyone but I would encourage people to try it first before they dismiss it. [...]
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I well tested it as I pushed forward the italian translation, but I always been perplexed about its app management and launcher in general. Yes, I prefere the archaic and - IMHO - efficient current one. And no, there is not so much other code I'd import in any other ROM. From my point of view it's just a (shining?) iPhone UI with FM radio. Kudos for them releasing the radio part. That's all.
elegos said:
I'm not sure whenever I'd consider MIUI one step ahead the current UIs. I find no user friendly evolution, just reordered things. I mean, no intelligent way to launch an application (and no, gestures are NOT the way it will be as you have to remember the gesture), no "outstanding" graphics (I'm not impressed by them, not after 5 minutes handling it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give some examples of an intelligent way to launch an application? Just curious.
I'm partial to formel. He keeps up with the latest and its a one shot you're done rom. No need to fiddle with the language packs. I was using enom before which was a very good rom. I get similar batt with formel and the performance is a little smoother. I'm using adw as I'm not fond of the iphone layout anyways. IMO this is a good start for those that want to scope out miui and see what its about. Its pretty much bug free and stable for day to day use which for me is important. I need my phone to work.
I was an Enom fan too, complete rom and very stable but...you get tired pretty soon!
I used to play with Rodriguez's MIUI because it was full of goodies but God knows why he disapeared all of a sudden
Now I am trying Moviestar HD which seems stable but the Theme app can't apply themes downloaded even renamed into mtz, I heard MIUI-AU is the best on Desire but its adaptation on N1 is unstable
The themes work on formel except for the sms skinning. Dont believe that one is figured out yet. The rodriguez rom is good but is 3 releases back now and it has a fair few bugs I turned up in just a few days of usage. Overall the goodies didnt equal out to a newer and quite a bit more tuned up version of miui. I have not tried moviestar yet. Frankly I"m pretty happy with formel. It flat works.
I figured that I can use a custom theme via File Manager but sms app doesn't change like on Formel.
I think a newer theme app is available because it says so when I use it but when I try to download the link is not working!
I hope in next versions of Formel and Moviestar they will use the new fixed one, dunno about MIUI-AU
Well, of all the android devices, I had to use Samsung. They seem to be the only ones who even attempt to make the android software user-friendly. For my little experiment, I went a full 4 days without using WP7. A full four days using only android. Overall, I enjoyed the games. Dungeon Defenders is a great game that I've poured time into, but the battery life of that thing makes it impossible to play for any fair period of time. I even picked up the Mugen battery with double the capacity, it still had horrid battery life. The hotmail simply doesn't work, regardless of settings the built-in mail just doesn't work. You have to install third party apps to check your email, it's sad. The UI leaves a lot to be desired, it takes a lot of rearranging and way too much management for my taste. I tried other launchers, themes, and folders, it just seemed really haphazardly tossed together. Even as a, "Facebook machine" as most use it, it just doesn't seem to work well. The hardware is great and it would be great if well implemented, but everything short of the gaming I could do on wp7 quicker, smoother, and hassle-free. If customization is your bit, android all the way. It won't be pulling me away from WP7 as I want something that really works and does t cause more headaches than it resolves. Anything you guys would recommend to make an android experience more... User-friendly?
Cool story bro
z33dev33l said:
Well, of all the android devices, I had to use Samsung. They seem to be the only ones who even attempt to make the android software user-friendly. For my little experiment, I went a full 4 days without using WP7. A full four days using only android. Overall, I enjoyed the games. Dungeon Defenders is a great game that I've poured time into, but the battery life of that thing makes it impossible to play for any fair period of time. I even picked up the Mugen battery with double the capacity, it still had horrid battery life. The hotmail simply doesn't work, regardless of settings the built-in mail just doesn't work. You have to install third party apps to check your email, it's sad. The UI leaves a lot to be desired, it takes a lot of rearranging and way too much management for my taste. I tried other launchers, themes, and folders, it just seemed really haphazardly tossed together. Even as a, "Facebook machine" as most use it, it just doesn't seem to work well. The hardware is great and it would be great if well implemented, but everything short of the gaming I could do on wp7 quicker, smoother, and hassle-free. If customization is your bit, android all the way. It won't be pulling me away from WP7 as I want something that really works and does t cause more headaches than it resolves. Anything you guys would recommend to make an android experience more... User-friendly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting and flashing an AOSP ROM?
I personally hate TW like hell especially on ICS.....its makes everything look crap.
As for facebook, the official app is always slow IMO. I recommend using Friendcaster.
And for hotmail, there is an official hotmail app from MS i believe.
edit: I personally just auto forward my hotmail to my gmail so therefore no need for third party email apps
I wouldn't use gmail if it was the only email service there was, can't stand it. See, I, disagree though. I got the phone used and it had aosp on it and I went back to stock because I hated it. touchwiz is the only considerable hone replacement I've stumbled upon. I'll check out friend caster though. I want to like this phone, but it feels like someone wrapped a ton of capability in something...
Android is good, unless 2 problems: short battery - high degree
OP: I totally agree with you. Its something iOS and WP7 beat Android in.
Sent from my R800x using XDA
Never got on with TW/ASOP which was one of the reasons I stuck with HTC and got the Sensation, the built in Apps seem more polished, take the email client and Polaris office on the phone, if someone sends me a .xlsm file, I can open it, something IOS and other Android devices I've tried cannot do. The Blackberry playbook can, but that's poo.
Do people still use Hotmail as a daily address rather than just a spamtrap? I haven't logged into mine for about 4 years now, I only have a live acount these days for accessing MS services like their licences page.
Hate gmail but use Android? Makes absolutely no sense.
Thats like me using a Windows Phone and hating Bing.
keep on trying to promote WP7, you may actually stop the losing market share.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2
Im confused...you had an SGSII, got rid of it months ago and then bought another one to "try out"? That doesn't make much sense at all...
U sir don't know what android is about.When u start messing with rooms and customization u will know.Give it some time.And flash aokp or cm9 loads of features
Sent from my SGS2 powered by cm9 love
I REALLY don't get you. Android is common sence. Download a easy launcher if you don't know what your doing. Android was never intended for people without common sence if you read they're story.
Also, you saw samsung has the most user friendly interface however all android phones have the same basic stock ui. The layout is the same just different styles.
Remember you have widgets
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Had a gs2, didn't like, heard ICS fixed all that I've hated, gave it a shot as I'm an equal opportune type when it comes to an OS,.still the same issues. The OS just isn't very intuitive.
Anyone got a ROM that will give me more than my hour and a half battery life? Something with Swype as the stock keyboard won't keep up.
Matty, don't mock someone common sense until you can distinguish the difference between, "your" and "you're" or, "there," "their" and, "they're."
z33dev33l said:
Had a gs2, didn't like, heard ICS fixed all that I've hated, gave it a shot as I'm an equal opportune type when it comes to an OS,.still the same issues. The OS just isn't very intuitive.
Anyone got a ROM that will give me more than my hour and a half battery life? Something with Swype as the stock keyboard won't keep up.
Matty, don't mock someone common sense until you can distinguish the difference between, "your" and "you're" or, "there," "their" and, "they're."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use AOSP not that bloat filled ugly thing called TW ontop of ICS
Just sign up for Swype beta and you can get swype on any device
Last I signed up for Swype beta, there was a waiting list. AOSP isn't really appealing to me. It's pretty unpleasing aesthetically.
No more waiting on swype beta. Just sign up.
Or you can use WP7 keyboard.
Hour and a half battery life is a over exaggerated, dont you think?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2
z33dev33l said:
Last I signed up for Swype beta, there was a waiting list. AOSP isn't really appealing to me. It's pretty unpleasing aesthetically.
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each to their own.
If you dislike android so much; go back to WP7
Won't is my main OS, I use it as my daily driver.
I tried the imitation wp7 keyboard, it's still a bit slow. I'll sign up for Swype beta and look for more battery friendly roms. I wish I was exaggerating, my phone dies faster than it charges while plaiting dungeon defenders.
How can you use something as gimmicky and non-user friendly as WP7 and say Android is not intuitive? Basically WP7 is similar to the beta Windows 8and can be considered a step backwards for MS going by the new UI so I wouldn't exactly call WP7 intuitive and user-friendly/
AndIKnow said:
How can you use something as gimmicky and non-user friendly as WP7 and say Android is not intuitive? Basically WP7 is similar to the beta Windows 8and can be considered a step backwards for MS going by the new UI so I wouldn't exactly call WP7 intuitive and user-friendly/
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Clearly an assumption without foundation.
I don't own this device but i did just see this video come up in my subscriptions going over a "never before seen" update that completely changes the interface http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZoh_QKnGbc
Thanks a lot! Its really neat! Oppo said that we will have something big soon. Hopefully this is it.
Sent from my Oppo Find 5
Well, it's still not "spectacular". Icons are still iPhone-ish, the Settings menu is still a mess...
I should contact Oppo and offer them to do some better concepts for a few bucks.
XpLoDWilD said:
Well, it's still not "spectacular". Icons are still iPhone-ish, the Settings menu is still a mess...
I should contact Oppo and offer them to do some better concepts for a few bucks.
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Click to collapse
with the new update. you will be able to change icon packs easily. they are introducing there own "theme store"
excited to see what they are doing
with the new update they sent out yesterday, they updated the lock screen with a new version! so slick. i love it!
Some interesting things in the video. This is not Oppo specific, but I have to say that all this stuff the vendors are doing with software are just kind of... meh.
/rant
I mean seriously, how many screen, menu transitions do we need. Some of us could give two s$*ts about snow building up on an icon...
Give me SOLID bluetooth to headset performance for 3 hour meetings.
Give me an amazing email client for enterprise messaging systems.
I'd like a bigger sensor for the love of God! 13 megapixels isn't worth diddly if the sensor is crap... and they all are. Thinking you can replace a camera with a phone right now is a serious flaw in logic.
Improve on signal strength and antenna design for better signal in suspect areas.
/-rant
I really am leaning toward getting the Black international 32GB version. The level of 'real' updates, improving performance and fixing issues, is impressive thus far. I can change the UI by installing the homescreen app of my choosing, so leave this stuff for later please
WhiteSRT69 said:
with the new update. you will be able to change icon packs easily. they are introducing there own "theme store"
excited to see what they are doing
with the new update they sent out yesterday, they updated the lock screen with a new version! so slick. i love it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still, the Camera app is super basic and looks like apps we did 2 years ago, the Settings menu is totally disorganized, the contacts app is everything but cool like Android 4.0 stock Contacts app, etc...
There's a point where theming cannot just cover everything. Ok for the icons, but the apps stay the same, experience stays the same. How are they going to bring 4.2's lockscreen widgets? Quick settings? They update their current design without planning features released a few months ago, and god knows users are angry when you don't update their favorite handset to the latest OS version -- especially knowing the next Android version comes in less than a month now.
Now, you can perfectly live happy with it, that's just my opinion ^^ I love enhanced user experience, and Oppo firmware just looks like a step back to me compared to stock 4.2, half-way between Gingerbread and ICS.
If I have some time, I'll do a mockup or two for an UI Oppo-style, but with 4.2 experience.
XpLoDWilD said:
Still, the Camera app is super basic and looks like apps we did 2 years ago, the Settings menu is totally disorganized, the contacts app is everything but cool like Android 4.0 stock Contacts app, etc...
There's a point where theming cannot just cover everything. Ok for the icons, but the apps stay the same, experience stays the same. How are they going to bring 4.2's lockscreen widgets? Quick settings? They update their current design without planning features released a few months ago, and god knows users are angry when you don't update their favorite handset to the latest OS version -- especially knowing the next Android version comes in less than a month now.
Now, you can perfectly live happy with it, that's just my opinion ^^ I love enhanced user experience, and Oppo firmware just looks like a step back to me compared to stock 4.2, half-way between Gingerbread and ICS.
If I have some time, I'll do a mockup or two for an UI Oppo-style, but with 4.2 experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohhhhh.I'll.be waiting for that one. I.love aosp but my grippes with it is camera optimization
Sent from my Oppo Find 5
with CM10.1 from XpLoDWilD i got better battery life than stock firmware
My test is left the phone full charge throught night, after 7 hours. stock firmware took 11% percent, CM10.1 took 5%. (I Only turn wifi on, 3g and data disable)
I feel like my phone got extremely boring and harsh to use day to day, it lacks the initial freshness and stuff like that, it just isn't so fly like it was a few weeks ago. I was wondering if someone could bring up some root tweaks to refresh the user experience, possibly without losing the original rom
main43 said:
I feel like my phone got extremely boring and harsh to use day to day, it lacks the initial freshness and stuff like that, it just isn't so fly like it was a few weeks ago. I was wondering if someone could bring up some root tweaks to refresh the user experience, possibly without losing the original rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try installing Xposed installer, it has some nice modules to add looks and fuctionality to the phone.
First, thank you for your quick response.
I already have Wanam and squashed every fancy bit out of it, but it just doesn't feel so alive even through it looks at it best. I would apprecciate if someone could acknowledge some tweaks that can do things like gesture swiping between multitasked applications, like in chrome for android and its tabs, or as it was on old iPhones with some tweaks from Cydia.
I feel the same way too. Unfortunately, the phone really was well made and Android has come a long way. There aren't many things to really mod.
Even the kernels aren't important as much because the battery life is far superior to previous Samsung phones.
The only reason I use a custom kernel is for the fast charge.
A potential bug for installing xposed is S Health not working(can work through build prop edit ) and air gestures not working at all.
Air gestures work well with mine, i thought something should be worked out with the basic framework, like they did with the volume panel when you increase or decrease the volume, it moves smoothly now, not in small cut steps like on previous firmwares. Small bits like that add to the experience and when they are composed good, it can turn out very well. Aah if i could work in some UI development..
I love that you came up with this thread! I have been feeling the same way. Got everything pretty close to how I like it between rooting and many xposed mods. Don't really want to accept that maybe I don't need to constantly be on XDA finding new tweaks to try. I guess with my previous S3 I got so used to all the custom roms I could play with that would each feel a little different. I think a big problem with the xposed mods is that once you have found and used them they are pretty much always available whatever ROM you use as long as you have root. Once you have found that particular module and enjoyed its unique abilities it becomes an expected part of your experience from then on. And now most of them can do almost all the same things as the most feature rich custom Roms. Thankfully it looks like CM is finally starting to roll out for the S5 and hopefully the usual suspects and some surprise Roms will pop up. Unfortunately I've already played with almost all of the CM11 based ones on my S3 already so I think there will not be a whole lot of freshness there. Oh poor me! Bring on Android L!
Tapped It!
I hope something will be done with system physics and touch picking behaviour, i love Android and would love it to have the same feel like iPhone when scrolling etc. Try it and you will know what i mean. And i know it is very possible even with an open OS like Android so shut up and develop the fresh out of it.
Greetings android users! I am reaching out to XDA community for some advice on my new S10+ setup, configurations, and some do's and don'ts.
I have been a long time Apple user (since the first original iPhone), but lately the lack of innovation from Tim Cook has been pushing me away. Anyways, when Samsung announced the S10+ with One UI, I was hooked! I picked up my first android device on Friday and have been greatly enjoying the it!
Now, at this time, I have not installed any apps from Google Play store as I have been reading many different things that others are doing to remove Google and Samsung from the phone. I looked around on reddit and various forums for setup guides, what apps to remove/block, and recommendations that iPhone users should do when moving to android. However, I have not come across a guide/list with the various things people have done.
Lastly, I read that many android users have done one of two things. One, some folks do not use the Google Play store to install any apps to bypass Google's analytics. by installing all apps manually. In addition to this, folks are blocking anything google and Samsung related. Secondly, I read that some users are flashing their device and installing custom roms to completely remove anything related to google and Samsung and will install the apps manually.
Based on this information and coming from iPhone, what are your recommendations? Should I not use the Google Play store and install the apps manually? If so, where and how would I go about it? Should I just block Google and Samsung in general to prevent any invasion of privacy and from gaining analytics? Or, should I flash and use a custom rom?
Any advice you can provide would be really helpful! Thanks in advance for reading my post.
I switch from back and forth from iOS and Android all the time. There are certain things you'll come to appreciate about each.
The good news for you is that the there isn't a huge difference in how android (ahem - specifically samung for the past couple years) performs in terms of fluidity and responsiveness. During the early days this was horrendous, and don't let any fanboys tell you different. With the S10, I find myself not having to play the disable/remove apps/features game like before (out of habit I did anyway lol). This means you can really just start enjoying things as is, without having to worry about the best performance. - so far at least.
WIth that said, if you're new to the platform, I'd start with the basics of getting familar with the OS and apps. If you ever run into a situation where you think "i don't like that way that works/feels/looks" figure out how to change it. That's the one of the best parts about android honestly. And since you found your way over to XDA, sometimes it can seem like a never ending game. It seems like the days of custom roms may be slowly coming to an end, but in a way it's a good thing because the phones are so good out of the box now.
Probably not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth imo.
If you're looking on how to some ideas on where to start from there -
-Play with a different launcher (i love nova premium)
-Figure out which widgets do what you want - you can take this really far into customization if you look at different homescreen setups... the rabbit hole can go pretty deep
-Find the right app for certain things so you don't have to live with double or triple of the same thing (calendar/messaging/keyboard for example)
I wouldn't worry about much else for now. Keep reading the boards, and you'll figure out how things go. Back in the days we used to have to flash custom roms sometimes weekly to try and get good performing, stable devices with great battery life. Then it moved to disabling a bunch of **** we didn't use, and now it's fine so far as is.
Oh and while you can prevent some apps from collecting data about you, in the bigger picture, there's nothing you can do about it. Ask marketing people who are into big data, we are all already profiled. If you don't want data collected, you gotta disconnect, go move to the woods and live off the land.
Danslides1 said:
I switch from back and forth from iOS and Android all the time. There are certain things you'll come to appreciate about each.
The good news for you is that the there isn't a huge difference in how android (ahem - specifically samung for the past couple years) performs in terms of fluidity and responsiveness. During the early days this was horrendous, and don't let any fanboys tell you different. With the S10, I find myself not having to play the disable/remove apps/features game like before (out of habit I did anyway lol). This means you can really just start enjoying things as is, without having to worry about the best performance. - so far at least.
WIth that said, if you're new to the platform, I'd start with the basics of getting familar with the OS and apps. If you ever run into a situation where you think "i don't like that way that works/feels/looks" figure out how to change it. That's the one of the best parts about android honestly. And since you found your way over to XDA, sometimes it can seem like a never ending game. It seems like the days of custom roms may be slowly coming to an end, but in a way it's a good thing because the phones are so good out of the box now.
Probably not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth imo.
If you're looking on how to some ideas on where to start from there -
-Play with a different launcher (i love nova premium)
-Figure out which widgets do what you want - you can take this really far into customization if you look at different homescreen setups... the rabbit hole can go pretty deep
-Find the right app for certain things so you don't have to live with double or triple of the same thing (calendar/messaging/keyboard for example)
I wouldn't worry about much else for now. Keep reading the boards, and you'll figure out how things go. Back in the days we used to have to flash custom roms sometimes weekly to try and get good performing, stable devices with great battery life. Then it moved to disabling a bunch of **** we didn't use, and now it's fine so far as is.
Oh and while you can prevent some apps from collecting data about you, in the bigger picture, there's nothing you can do about it. Ask marketing people who are into big data, we are all already profiled. If you don't want data collected, you gotta disconnect, go move to the woods and live off the land.
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Thanks for the information. I find the OneUI very fluid and responsiveness - I also find the colors more vivid than my iPhone XS MAX. I remember when some of my friends had the older galaxy and pixels phones they would complain about how it slows down over time, while my iPhone would be running strong. However, I have encountered several issues with black screen and freezing on my iPhone XS Max.
The customization is really nice on the S10+. Honestly, it feels great to be able to make theme changes and different customization to my phone in order to make it more personal to me! That is one thing I was also "jealous" about and wished the iPhones had - everyone's phone looks the same!
Makes sense about the custom roms. Not having any knowledge about them I wasn't sure if it was the way to go. Based on what you're saying they are slowly coming to an end, so I guess I won't need to worry about it.
You mentioned "Find the right app for certain things so you don't have to live with double or triple of the same thing (calendar/messaging/keyboard for example)". Do you have any app recommendations I could start with? Also, do you use the default google mail app, or is there a better one that I should use?
Best email app is AquaMail
Nothing much when you install it first. But once you experiment with its options you'll find an ocean of possibilities.
When finally set up it is a powerful monster.
I've gotta agree with Aquamail. I've tried a lot of email apps and stuck with this one. The developer regularly updates the app and responds to problems.
tiho5 said:
Best email app is AquaMail
Nothing much when you install it first. But once you experiment with its options you'll find an ocean of possibilities.
When finally set up it is a powerful monster.
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Click to collapse
Tel864 said:
I've gotta agree with Aquamail. I've tried a lot of email apps and stuck with this one. The developer regularly updates the app and responds to problems.
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Click to collapse
Thank you both for the recommendation.
@Tel864 and @tiho5 when setting up Aquamail for the first time, do you use the connect feature for "Connet a Gmail account from the phone's Settings" or setup manual?
Curlypx said:
Do you have any app recommendations I could start with? Also, do you use the default google mail app, or is there a better one that I should use?
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Click to collapse
Here's stuff I'm playing with at the moment
Gcam (grab from the s10 themes and apps forum)
Gboard keyboard, I used to use swiftkey
I haven't decided on Textra or the Google messages app yet
Fluid navigation gestures
Goodlock (using the task switcher and multitasking app)
Other stuff I suggest to check out
Nova launcher prime
Zooper or KWGT widgets
I use chrome beta as my browser, but I love kiwi. Id switch to kiwi of it would sync with my chrome stuff
The rabbit hole is insanely deep. You can get lost in the apps available here on xda alone. Install a bunch and delete a bunch. The fun part is whenever you get board with your phone, enough time will have passed for new stuff to come out. Keeps it interesting.
1. Bluemail - Playstore
2. Nicelock- Playstore
3. ES File Explorer- Playstore
4. Screen Lock- Playstore
5. GBInsta- Alternate Instagram with customised options- Google it
6. Tubemate- Customised YouTube- Google it
7. Fildo- Music- Google it
8. Navbar Apps- Playstore
9. Phone Info- Playstore
10.SMS Backup and Restore- Playstore
11.Zedge Ringtones- Playstore
12 Waze - Navigation- Playstore
13. Team Blackout APK- Google it. It's trusted. Will give you black Telegram etc.
14. XDA Labs
Sent from my Samsung SM-G975F using XDA Labs
ashishpmb said:
13. Team Blackout APK- Google it. It's trusted. Will give you black Telegram etc.
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Click to collapse
Black telegram? Telegram has a dark mode?
Does it also manage to blacken WhatsApp?
Hey there, you might want to check my guide for power optimisation basics, I didn't go in depth with specific apps since it really depends on user requirements/tastes and on date.
If you have doubts about two similar apps but can't decide just google a "A Vs B Reddit", it's the fastest way to hear honest reviews that aren't bought.
For basic phone functions, prioritize Samsung apps over Google ones unless the function is strictly related to a specific Google service such as Drive, I find Samsung apps to be way more polished and seamless than Google ones.