Android tips - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I finally made the switch to android after years of iOS and WP.
WP was really a failure in my opinion, and since android doesn't seem to lag that much anymore since 4.0, I thought I'd give android a shot.
I've been playing around and searching for tips and tricks etc, I'm trying to customize my UI to my liking especially, but I can't get anywhere close to those awesome UI screenshots I see people posting of their phones across forums. I'm currently using Go Launcher EX but I'm looking for cooler techy/nerdy widgets, live backgrounds, more animations (especially TV animation when locking the phone).
Can you give a new android user any tips and hints (anything from apps to general usage)?
Any essential apps (like CCleaner for android or something) that I should get, or any procedures such as cleaning the cache regularly I should be aware of?

Shebee said:
Hi,
I finally made the switch to android after years of iOS and WP.
WP was really a failure in my opinion, and since android doesn't seem to lag that much anymore since 4.0, I thought I'd give android a shot.
I've been playing around and searching for tips and tricks etc, I'm trying to customize my UI to my liking especially, but I can't get anywhere close to those awesome UI screenshots I see people posting of their phones across forums. I'm currently using Go Launcher EX but I'm looking for cooler techy/nerdy widgets, live backgrounds, more animations (especially TV animation when locking the phone).
Can you give a new android user any tips and hints (anything from apps to general usage)?
Any essential apps (like CCleaner for android or something) that I should get, or any procedures such as cleaning the cache regularly I should be aware of?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm..
Seems like you need a must have apps guide..
Nevermind click here and see what apps are you really looking for..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018256

dagger said:
Hmm..
Seems like you need a must have apps guide..
Nevermind click here and see what apps are you really looking for..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018256
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, that should get me started at least, thanks.
Do you have more launcher suggestions? I don't mind paying for it, but I'm looking for something that has a decent amount of themes to choose from and lots of customizability plus it should be stable and not lag.

Related

[THINK TANK] MIUI Save/Restore Homescreen Layout

So, we all by now have heard of the awesomeness that is MIUI. Im running the Rodrigez port of the ROM, and its fantastic.
One thing about this ROM is that it stores all installed apps on the homescreen, much like the iPhone. There is no launcher. So for people like myself (and IM sure many others), its pretty time consuming arranging all 132 apps on the homescreens the way I want them!
I know in ADW launcher there is a setting to save your homescreen layout to your sd card, which can be conveniently restored when needed. I used this all the time with Cyan and Enomther, simply because it saved time after a fresh install.
Im asking the awesome coders of XDA if they think there is any way of either writing a command/app that will save your homescreen layout into a file on your sd card that can later be restored? I dont know if its something that can be written into the ROM, as Im not a coder. I just know it would save a lot of time in using this ROM. I just had a problem with my sd card and had to repartition it, meaning that I ll need to set all 132 apps on the homescreen again to the order I want them
I know that a nandroid can do this, but a separate application would be nice, as MIUI needs an ext 3 parition for apps2ext to work and everything I do a Nandroid +ext backup, I always have problems restoring it.
Any devs or coders out there know if this is possible?
Ideas?
I would like to see an auto rearrange option.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Question
Why would you want your homescreens cluttered with apps, I'm running Rod's MIUI, but I'm using Launcher Pro because I have to have a app drawer. And, I think most Android users aren't trying to make their Android phones like the Iphone. If you haven't already, check out the screenshots in the beginning of Themes & App's forum, most users are using alt. launchers to customize the UI. I didn't see one shot with anyone running stock MIUI
blas4me said:
Why would you want your homescreens cluttered with apps, I'm running Rod's MIUI, but I'm using Launcher Pro because I have to have a app drawer. And, I think most Android users aren't trying to make their Android phones like the Iphone. If you haven't already, check out the screenshots in the beginning of Themes & App's forum, most users are using alt. launchers to customize the UI. I didn't see one shot with anyone running stock MIUI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree. It seems like we are taking a step back in the evolution of the os. Like who seriously wants all apps mixed up in a clutter on your homescreen? But for the 5 people who do prefer this, I could see why they would want this save option included.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
This is convenient for all users of the very nice standard launcher that MIUI comes with.
I'd happily use it if it existed.
blas4me said:
Why would you want your homescreens cluttered with apps, I'm running Rod's MIUI, but I'm using Launcher Pro because I have to have a app drawer. And, I think most Android users aren't trying to make their Android phones like the Iphone. If you haven't already, check out the screenshots in the beginning of Themes & App's forum, most users are using alt. launchers to customize the UI. I didn't see one shot with anyone running stock MIUI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Imperial.mack said:
I have to agree. It seems like we are taking a step back in the evolution of the os. Like who seriously wants all apps mixed up in a clutter on your homescreen? But for the 5 people who do prefer this, I could see why they would want this save option included.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to disagree, MIUI is a huge step forward. Regular xda members may not like the iPhone-ness, but I'm willing to bet that the majority of the public tend to gravitate towards it. How do you think they still sell iPhones, anyways? lol.
I look at MIUI as a breath of fresh air. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that we needed a break from Sense and stock for a while.
That being said, I have defected back to CM for now. Main reason: Lockscreen music controls. I love the MIUI lockscreen, but having to unlock, open music app, and press skip just wasn't safe for me, as the only time I use my phone for music is while driving. Personal preference, but pretty important to me.
wdfowty said:
I have to disagree, MIUI is a huge step forward. Regular xda members may not like the iPhone-ness, but I'm willing to bet that the majority of the public tend to gravitate towards it. How do you think they still sell iPhones, anyways? lol.
I look at MIUI as a breath of fresh air. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that we needed a break from Sense and stock for a while.
That being said, I have defected back to CM for now. Main reason: Lockscreen music controls. I love the MIUI lockscreen, but having to unlock, open music app, and press skip just wasn't safe for me, as the only time I use my phone for music is while driving. Personal preference, but pretty important to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never knew people liked that iPhone-esque home screen. Always thought installing another launcher on top of it was mandatory for the Android crowd. Step back indeed, unless you think gravitating towards the iPhone's OS' simplicity is step forward according to the poster right above me. Assuming he's not some T-Mobile exec that just looks at the "big picture's aka sales...
@Op: sorry for veering OT. I just thought what he posted was absolutely absurd! Unless it was complete sarcasm, then I apologize.
You can use Titanium Backup to backup the data portion of the MIUI launcher, restoring that will restore the layout.
And what's with this BS fake "you're the 1 millionth user" banner ads, what is this, 1998!?
gstar_raw said:
Never knew people liked that iPhone-esque home screen. Always thought installing another launcher on top of it was mandatory for the Android crowd. Step back indeed, unless you think gravitating towards the iPhone's OS' simplicity is step forward according to the poster right above me. Assuming he's not some T-Mobile exec that just looks at the "big picture's aka sales...
@Op: sorry for veering OT. I just thought what he posted was absolutely absurd! Unless it was complete sarcasm, then I apologize.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a step forward in the fact that developers are thinking outside the box and working on the framework/user-interface, instead of focusing all efforts on the "behind-the-scenes" aspect of Android. Don't get me wrong, I love CyanogenMod and TheOfficial, and appreciate all the work the countless devs have done, but the stock UI hasn't changed at all, really, since 1.5...
It's not the simplicity of iOS, per say; rather, the ease of use is what I think draws the crowds. I'm an iPhone to Android convert, and have rid myself of most of my Apple products (bad experience with my MacBook left a horrible taste in my mouth), so I guess you could consider me an Android fanboy.
And why would a T-Mobile exec be promoting a competitor's biggest seller (aka AT&T and the iPhone). Kinda off-base there, if you ask me.
I would also like to apologize for going so far off topic. Had to speak my mind .
I won't be posting (off topic) in this thread again.
wdfowty said:
It's a step forward in the fact that developers are thinking outside the box and working on the framework/user-interface, instead of focusing all efforts on the "behind-the-scenes" aspect of Android. Don't get me wrong, I love CyanogenMod and TheOfficial, and appreciate all the work the countless devs have done, but the stock UI hasn't changed at all, really, since 1.5...
It's not the simplicity of iOS, per say; rather, the ease of use is what I think draws the crowds. I'm an iPhone to Android convert, and have rid myself of most of my Apple products (bad experience with my MacBook left a horrible taste in my mouth), so I guess you could consider me an Android fanboy.
And why would a T-Mobile exec be promoting a competitor's biggest seller (aka AT&T and the iPhone). Kinda off-base there, if you ask me.
I would also like to apologize for going so far off topic. Had to speak my mind .
I won't be posting in this thread again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel you on the alleged ease of use of the iphone but personally I found the Miui homescreen harder to use. If I wanted to open an app, I had to mentally remember which homescreen I placed it on. There was also no other way to sort the homescreen. And when I wanted to move an app to a specific place, other apps shifted places but in sometimes undesirable places. I got frustrated. Thats why I think that the app drawer is a forward evolution of the os. Thats like me places a million shortcuts on my desktop computer instead of going to the start menu or searching for the program in the start menu searchbar. Just my 2cents. Iphone os just not that impressive to me.
I actually have used all the launchers out there and launcherpro is a good launcher to have over certain roms. I myself been on LP plus since CM6 and loved the ability of customizing almost every faucet of the ROM. But since MIUI, I have tried to use LP plus and I have to admit I cannot use any of the launchers to run on top of MIUI. IMO kinda takes away from MIUI.
And because of my opinion, all the apps of course, are on the screens. What did I do? I just used created two folders. One "app" and one "tools" folder and separated them that way. So far so good, unless someone can point me in the direction of a launcher that can organize it in a 'better' way, please let me know. Thanks!
kpjimmy said:
I actually have used all the launchers out there and launcherpro is a good launcher to have over certain roms. I myself been on LP plus since CM6 and loved the ability of customizing almost every faucet of the ROM. But since MIUI, I have tried to use LP plus and I have to admit I cannot use any of the launchers to run on top of MIUI. IMO kinda takes away from MIUI.
And because of my opinion, all the apps of course, are on the screens. What did I do? I just used created two folders. One "app" and one "tools" folder and separated them that way. So far so good, unless someone can point me in the direction of a launcher that can organize it in a 'better' way, please let me know. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes folders are nice. I just didn't like the look of them. I'm happy that cm is porting over the power widget notification bar! That was my fav part of Miui rom
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
wdfowty said:
That being said, I have defected back to CM for now. Main reason: Lockscreen music controls. I love the MIUI lockscreen, but having to unlock, open music app, and press skip just wasn't safe for me, as the only time I use my phone for music is while driving. Personal preference, but pretty important to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to skip music without unlock the phone, there are many solutions, search in the marker: "Shake2PlayNext".
http://www.appbrain.com/app/shake2playnext/ru.atrant.shake2playnext
Imperial.mack said:
I feel you on the alleged ease of use of the iphone but personally I found the Miui homescreen harder to use. If I wanted to open an app, I had to mentally remember which homescreen I placed it on. There was also no other way to sort the homescreen. And when I wanted to move an app to a specific place, other apps shifted places but in sometimes undesirable places. I got frustrated. Thats why I think that the app drawer is a forward evolution of the os. Thats like me places a million shortcuts on my desktop computer instead of going to the start menu or searching for the program in the start menu searchbar. Just my 2cents. Iphone os just not that impressive to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or you just can use the search function of your phone
wdfowty said:
I have to disagree, MIUI is a huge step forward. Regular xda members may not like the iPhone-ness, but I'm willing to bet that the majority of the public tend to gravitate towards it. How do you think they still sell iPhones, anyways? lol.
I look at MIUI as a breath of fresh air. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that we needed a break from Sense and stock for a while.
That being said, I have defected back to CM for now. Main reason: Lockscreen music controls. I love the MIUI lockscreen, but having to unlock, open music app, and press skip just wasn't safe for me, as the only time I use my phone for music is while driving. Personal preference, but pretty important to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+ 1
Sent from my Nexus One
wdfowty said:
That being said, I have defected back to CM for now. Main reason: Lockscreen music controls. I love the MIUI lockscreen, but having to unlock, open music app, and press skip just wasn't safe for me, as the only time I use my phone for music is while driving. Personal preference, but pretty important to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried WidgetLocker Lockscreen? =P maybe you'll go back to MIUI again if you try it.
I have organized lots of apps in folders so I don't miss the app drawer at all :]
Music Player Pro (app) has lock screen controls.
Best music player out there imo.
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/multimedia/music-playerpro_jkyc.html
Interesting thoughts guys.
I actually take the MIUI homescreen as " a breath of fresh air" as well. I know its a bit iPhoneish, but it works VERY quickly and it looks nice. Also, less widgets = less lag, and for now Im enjoying the change.
I used ADW launcher (love it) and Launcher Pro (also great) on Cyanogen and Enomther for a while, but with MIUI, the launcher they have developed just works so well, which is why I think an app to import and retain homescreen settings would make the ROM even more awesome.
Dai323 said:
Interesting thoughts guys.
I actually take the MIUI homescreen as " a breath of fresh air" as well. I know its a bit iPhoneish, but it works VERY quickly and it looks nice. Also, less widgets = less lag, and for now Im enjoying the change.
I used ADW launcher (love it) and Launcher Pro (also great) on Cyanogen and Enomther for a while, but with MIUI, the launcher they have developed just works so well, which is why I think an app to import and retain homescreen settings would make the ROM even more awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is miui open sourced?
The beauty of android
Dai323 said:
Interesting thoughts guys.
I actually take the MIUI homescreen as " a breath of fresh air" as well. I know its a bit iPhoneish, but it works VERY quickly and it looks nice. Also, less widgets = less lag, and for now Im enjoying the change.
I used ADW launcher (love it) and Launcher Pro (also great) on Cyanogen and Enomther for a while, but with MIUI, the launcher they have developed just works so well, which is why I think an app to import and retain homescreen settings would make the ROM even more awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you on that, MIUI is a very fast and dependable rom, I just don't like my homescreen cluttered, I run a lot of widgets and I don't lag. Nexus can handle it. I have over 200 apps installed and with the standard launcher I couldn't find anything. I have to admit the icons give the phone a uniformed look, but I don't want them on my home screen. I have the App Inventor from Google, and I was trying to come up with a idea for a app, so Ima see what I can do for you. I'm not a dev or anything I'm still going through the tutorials, but we'll see.

[APP]Windows7Mobile

Hi Community,
I found a App, called Metro UI, it haves the Windows7Mobile UI.
Here some Screens:
The Screen are saying all
Here QR-Code:
PS:Sorry for my bad English I'm a german guy.
thanks but
thanks but it didnt work for me :S
I spent an enormous amount of time modifying the ADW Launcher and creating custom icons to create a sort of WM7 emulation until I accidentally found this one on the Market. It's absolutely brilliant, very promising, even though it's only a beta.
The fact that it runs so smooth, the small size and the vertical scrolling home screen were the main selling points for me. Now I'm just waiting for the dev to update it, since there are a few problems with it. I'd recommend using it with another launcher installed if you have a rooted device and you like modding apps, because it doesn't like copying apk's to system/app, among others. I use LauncherPro when pushing apps, for example.
It doesn't affect the device's functionality apart from the modding part, so I set it up with custom icons on the tiles and I'm enjoying the hell outta it until a satisfactory version comes out, optimised, packed with more features and hopefully running at least as smooth as it does now.
sandulea said:
I spent an enormous amount of time modifying the ADW Launcher and creating custom icons to create a sort of WM7 emulation until I accidentally found this one on the Market. It's absolutely brilliant, very promising, even though it's only a beta.
The fact that it runs so smooth, the small size and the vertical scrolling home screen were the main selling points for me. Now I'm just waiting for the dev to update it, since there are a few problems with it. I'd recommend using it with another launcher installed if you have a rooted device and you like modding apps, because it doesn't like copying apk's to system/app, among others. I use LauncherPro when pushing apps, for example.
It doesn't affect the device's functionality apart from the modding part, so I set it up with custom icons on the tiles and I'm enjoying the hell outta it until a satisfactory version comes out, optimised, packed with more features and hopefully running at least as smooth as it does now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I usw now launcher pro with my own Icons andere It looks better than this one.Metro UI ist eeasy but selfed created Icons are best
Sent from my GT540 using XDA App
it wont let me open the app
has any1 else got this problem?
would really like to use this app
No tiles are appearing for me on 2.3 DroidSwift.

Need some advice

I am wondering what are some apps and widgets to get to improve my phone and make me like it more. Just want to have some fun but don't know what to get. I have a galaxy note
I like flipboard, there's a thread in this forum with an APK that works on GB. Temple run is nice on the larger screen thats available in the play store. Outside of that it depends on what you're interested in, social media, gaming, etc.
Multipicture live wallpaper. It lets you set a different wallpaper for each home screen. I have them tailored to the Office, Music, Movies, Modding, and Photography.
If you really want to have some fun Google Motorola Xoom Hubs and check out the videos of hubs being set up on Android devices.
Get a different Launcher. That alone gives you tons of great tweaking options.
Richdb14 said:
I am wondering what are some apps and widgets to get to improve my phone and make me like it more. Just want to have some fun but don't know what to get. I have a galaxy note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyhow if you go back to the themes and apps thread scroll down to the thread that says ics optimized. there are tons of apps and links and widgets and launchers for you to check out.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1584026
I would start with the basics first.. .like handcent sms, beautiful widgets, Adw ex launcher for fully customizing the home launcher.........maybe you should help us by being a little more specific in your guest of app or widgets...so we know what you have first to begin ....we all could be naming the same things you have if we have that info to go by.

Advanced ICS CM9 Customization

Hi. There have been various images of Android devices that have been greatly customized that look nothing like the original stock Android. How do people make such advanced customization. How can I try to do this on my Motorola Defy with CM9? What apps on Android and programs on the computer can help with this? I personally have a Ubuntu computer but can access a Windows one if needed.
Sent from my Xoom using xda app-developers app
try a couple of launchers and themes.
i recommend Apex launcher, and search the play store for themes.
what is it that you mean with "advanced customization"?
something like my screenshots attached?
greetz,
sUsH
Yeah sUsH667. Like that. By the way, your system looks amazing like that. When I mean advanced customization, I don't mean simply downloading a new launcher and finding a theme. The stuff you did with Android make it look entirely different from stock Android and in a good way. I want to do something like that on my device.
Launchers are a huge part of getting the customization that most users have. The default just doesn't have the same abilities, though because of Soft Keys and a few other things you can actually make a lot happen even with the stock version. A large part of it is also functional widgets that users have added.
Anyway have a look through this thread if you want to see how users do it. Most people give some kind of explanation: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3236616#post3236616
sUsH667 said:
what is it that you mean with "advanced customization"?
something like my screenshots attached?
greetz,
sUsH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you provide us the thing you use to make your phone look like that?
I will be very grateful if you can. Thanks man

[Q] Completely different...everything?

I recently came across the Listener Launcher which takes a different approach to launchers and I love it because I'm absolutely tired of the default jellybean/ics launcher and lock screen. But of course, if I change those, I can't stand the status bar and notification drawer being the same/stock/looking alike the other parts of the ROM/OS.
So my question is, does anyone know of any good apps or even ROMs that I could use on my Galaxy S2 Skyrocket that fundamentally changes the look and feel of my Android phone? I don't really like mixing tons of random apps together because it looks terrible and I can't stand it. Yeah, I know, you can say I'm OCD about it. Just looking for a good ROM/Launcher/Suite that changes up Android.
I know about GO Launcher and those apps, I haven't tried them, but I've seen them and they're not really what I'm after. They just re-style/theme the basic launcher lol.
Thanks for reading and or helping, if you do.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

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