I'm making this thread both to share what I feel are good apps and to discover other apps for myself. I have not installed Dexters 2.2 or rooted yet (though I intend to) so I'm not going to list anything that requires it, but feel free to do so yourself.
So:
Lockscreen: GOTO Lockscreen. I saw this a while back but never actually checked it out. It was featured on DroidLife today so I decided to check it out now and it's great. Great, elegant look to it, great functionality as well. I've been using WidgetLocker for ages and it doesn't compare. There were some issues at first but after rebooting everything seems to work perfectly for the most part(I saw someone mention this as well in the comments so I did it). It's also on sale right now. Might be a bit of a drain on battery.
HomeLauncher: LauncherPro (Plus). I love the look and functionality of this and most of all, the widgets (which are greatly enhanced by Signal's themes -that can be found in Android Themes section). Truth be told, ADW (/ADW EX) probably has more options and functionality at this time (and you can use Colorize Widgets app to replace LP widgets for free). For now ADW might be better, though I'm just waiting for LauncherPro rewrite to happen (going so slowly). GoLauncher as well is fantastic. As is Zeam. There are many great options right now (and so many more on the horizon).
Whatever the case, something that is crucial when using one of these (at least for me) is to select the option to "Keep in memory." I think all of the above have that option (not sure about Zeam). My biggest issue with launchers is that my screen always redraws itself so much (this is a problem with XT720 stock launcher as well), so I have to wait forever for my icons and widgets to load itself, which is really annoying. I've tried things to reduce it, but the only thing that ever got rid of it was to select that option. Now using LP with that option and no lags at all.
I also recommend getting home switcher for easy switching between launchers.
EDIT: SPB Shell 3D
Keyboard:
Stock XT720 keyboard isn't bad (for me). I tend to alternate between that and Swype. I prefer stock keyboard for use in landscape mode. Once I'm rooted I plan to install that app that lets you choose a keyboard for portrait mode (i.e that would be Swype for me) and another in landscape (stock).
EDIT: Stock Gingerbread keyboard
Music Player:
Stock is decent, but nothing special really. I do like the album cover flow in landscape mode though. I alternate between that and Connected music player, which is the ripped music player from the atrix and droid bionic I believe (I'm not sure where to get it since that thread has since been locked). Winamp is also pretty good. PowerAmp has a lot of features, but you get annoying popups after two weeks unless you buy the full version ($5). I'd love to know what others use.
Some apps specifically use stock music player so that's another reason I use stock. i.e. when using GoTo lockscreen, the lockscreen changes when you're playing music to give you music player controls, but only seems to do when using stock music player.
EDIT: Google Music/ PowerAmp
Browser:
Stock is not that great. Has that nice bookmark cover flow in landscape mode, but in terms of functionality there are better ones. I use Dolphin Browser HD now (blue theme). Best UI for browser out there currently imo. A lot of people seem to love Miren and Dolphin Browser mini, for reasons I can't understand (everyone says they are super fast but I never notice any difference on my already fast browser).
EDIT: Opera Mobile
Games:
Really loving Stupid Zombies right now, it's a lot of fun (though has slow loading times). Ninjump is great for quick little fun. Angry birds also remains fun, though repetitive. Would love to see what else runs great on XT720.
Customization/Widgets/:
Beautiful Widgets is great and has a huge range of themed clocks and toggles. The recently introduced "Super Clock" was a great improvement. So much customization with this. Colorize Widget is great if you're using something other than LauncherPro, Signals has themes for it also. Widgetsoid and MySettings, are great for quick access to settings.
Task Switching:
SwipePad is just phenomenal and has a great UI, I recommend you check it out if you don't have it already. Together with long press on home button, I have amazing task switching going on.
File Explorer:
File Explorer is a must for me on my XT720. It's how you can install APKs and browse your sdcard and everything and change things easily. ES File Explorer is great for that and has a nice UI.
There's more that I wanted to add I'm sure, but here's this for now. Feel free to share what apps you use on your XT720.
I really like Zeam mainly for the small footprint & speed, I've used LPP & the widgets are very cool. My preferred keyboard is SwiftKey, once you use it for a while the predictive text feature is really nice. I'm still using the stock browser, that along with ChromeMarks gives me access to all my desktop bookmarks. For music I've got MusicMod (Froyo) for the widgets & the MIUI music app. I'd also recommend SIMI Clock (Time, weather & battery level in 1 1x4 widget & a built in launcher) & SIMI folder widget. I also find SwiFTP very usefull, just fire up the FTP on the phone & copy files between the phone & my pc without a USB cable.
Lockscreen: default--dexter froyo
HomeLauncher: GoLauncherEX---no lags n a lot of options.....nice interface
Keyboard: swype---easy n handy
Music Player:winamp---no equalizer but fast n flexible
i ll recommend mixzing also.
Games:angry birds, world`s hardest game, fruit ninja, ninjump, soccerball, drop,pinball deluxe, brick breaker---all f em addictive
File Explorer:andrpzip, astro
Tools-- android assistant, set cpu---both help a lot in makin ure phone fast n unlaggy
Great post. I loved some of the suggestions.
Customization/Widgets/:
I use Sense Analog Clock. It gives me SD Storage, Internal Storage, Internal Memory, Battery Level and Temperature in one place. Edit: it gives me weather, time, lunar phase (even tough I don't use that info) and quick access to my alarms as well.
Music Player:
Because of the media scan bug, I've tested loads of music players. Most of the players based on folder navigation did not impress me. So I chose the simplest one for now: Gtunes. Once the media scan is back to business, I intend to come back to stock or winamp.
BTW, where do I get Connected music player?
Games:
Andoku is a must have for Sudoku lovers.
I'm starting to play Pocket Legends, but I don't see it getting very amusing in the near future...
Memory Trainer is nice if you wanna test yourself.
Misc:
Pulse - for news
Evernote - for note taking and journal
Gtasks - to synchronize my gmail tasks
AppMonster - to save my apps
Looking for:
A good personal finance app with online support. Unfortunately, Mint doesn't work down here.
just a reminder guys, before some one gets in trouble
no reference to WAREZ related apps here on XDA
it's the XDA Forum rules
aCCleaner
clear the cache nicely. worth a try.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.aCCleaner.free
hello, from argentina ,for radio app ?
very good. thx u
What about a boot animation changer? I tried BAC lite and it disabled my touch screen and I had to do a recovery to get it back. I am using the CBW update and universal androot on my 720. Thanks for any suggestions
Browser
Opera mobile
Why I download from many sites and no fail on downloading.
Launcher
Go launcher 2.31 beta great 3d and many launcher.
Filemanager
Efile work good for me.
Radio
Tunein radio best radio around.
Sent from my XT720 using XDA Premium App
By far the best app for me is Absolute system, it's paid but has so many goodies and is super well supported!
Just about the first app I install after Titanium Backup is Quick Settings and set it to have a status bar shortcut with hidden icon.
I have 186 apps installed on my phone, but those are my favorite:
Top 50:
aCalendar - cool looking
Adobe Reader
Alarm Clock Xtreame - ascending alarm
ALYac Adnroid Antivirus - best looking antivirus with awesome preformance also
AppBrain App Market - find it useful
Angry Birds - fun game
Battery Doctor - overcharging battery before calibration
BattStatt -Widget
BobClockD3 - Widget
Broken Screen - To [email protected]#$ your friends
CacheMate - easy to use cache cleaner
Call Faker - for annoying people
Catch Notes - Never used it, but I still find it useful
Compass
Desktop VisualizeR
Digitally Imported Radio - DI.fm app
ES File Explorer
Fancy Widget
Flash Player
Font Changer
Glow Hockey 2 - Game
Labyrinth - Game
LauncherPro Plus
Lyrics App
MissedIt! - widget
MoboPlayer - video player
Notepad
Optimize ToolBox - awesome app
QR Droid - barcode scanner
Quadrant Standart Edition
Robotek - Game
Root Explorer
SetCPU
ShakyTower - Game
Shazam - music finder
ShootMe - I like ShootIt! Trail more, but don't know why it seem to capture only black screen now
SiMi Clock Pro - widget
SoundHound - music finder
Skype
Stop Skype
SwithPro Widget
System Info Widget
SystemApp Remover
TeamViewer - Manage your PC from phone
The Worlds Most Pointless App
Titanium Backup
TuneIn Radio
Unit Converter
XDA-Developers app
Zedge
P.S.: Almost forgot - Battery Calibration... awesome app after flashing new ROM. (Thanks Mioze for letting me know it.)
P.S.P.S: Lockscreen Widget pro too...
OriginalLucy said:
What about a boot animation changer? I tried BAC lite and it disabled my touch screen and I had to do a recovery to get it back. I am using the CBW update and universal androot on my 720. Thanks for any suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolute system has many excellent tool, boot animation downloader included.
It's a paid app, but totally worth it Sherry, euh i mean Lucy .
I really like the functionality of "BusyMe (Lite)" which automatically set your ringer to vibrate (or: to quiet) during meetings on your Google Calendar and then return to normal afterwards.
No more hassle due to phone calls during meetings ;-))
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fernandodunn.android.busyme.lite
Taken quite a while for this thread to get any attention.
Some more apps:
Pulse
Speed X 3D
Afroid (XT720 light)
Apparatus
Cover Art Downloader
Androidify
Google+
SPB Time (I love this alarm clock though it's $6 as opposed to $2 when I bought it)
PowerAmp (really looking forward to the massive V2 update)
OriginalLucy said:
What about a boot animation changer? I tried BAC lite and it disabled my touch screen and I had to do a recovery to get it back. I am using the CBW update and universal androot on my 720. Thanks for any suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this problem too. Really annoying. The home screen would come up and the touch screen did nothing. I was finally able to get a different bootup screen, but I had to work through a couple before I found one that wouldn't have that problem. I'm currently using the one where the apple logo is displayed and then pulled off the screen by our favorite android sporting a red and white stripped suit.
I noticed a couple things while messing around with it:
1- the boot animation sounds never worked for me
2- If I tried copying over larger boot anims, I would run out of space, but the CLI never told me that, so only part would be copied. (I think this has to do with the memhack/cache tweak)
3- When the touch screen went out I would just use ADB to recopy the original bootanim, then restart and then touchscreen would work again. (Save you a recovery).
In the end, I had to put a smaller file size on there but it's better than that eyeball bootanim, that was freaking me out lol.
With Dexter's Froyo installed and Gingerbread theme upgrade
So:
Lockscreen:
See Music Player
HomeLauncher:
LauncherPro (Plus), Launcher7(I simply enjoy it for being slick, and its status bar, but with a black status bar from gingerbread I've no need for it anymore.)
Slidescreen, this is a beautiful launcher that can also be ran as an app overlaying your current launcher.
If you simply want information, details stats, this is the one for you
Slide screen is slick and its advertisement for the free version, is an add to get the paid version.
sidenote--Home Switcher for Froyo
Keyboard:
Better Keyboard 8
Music Player:
Cloud Skipper
Serves as both a very accessible player and has its own lock screen with full access to the player itself upon hitting the unlock key.
Browser:
Opera Mini
xScope
Games:
Fruit Slice (not my slice of pie but some may like it, ran well)
Glow Hockey (Great game, if it supports vs over wifi, then wow)
Hex Defense (Plays like defense Grid)
Ninja Dash
Ninjump
Pew Pew (was interesting, but a little awkward for me)
Return Zero (interesting racer, and not too taxing on the system either)
Speedx 3D
YooNinja
Customization:
Metamorph is what i use for themes at the moment. May change to something else later on.
File Explorer:
OI File manager
I love saving space, and OI looks simple and efficient and runs extremely smooth.
Media Player:
Mobo Player
Management:
1-Click Clear
Appkik
As for games and excess apps, the ones that can't be ran from SD i backup with Appkik for later use to free up memory and space on the phone.
@ OriginalLucy
I used the following two videos for switching the boot animation
Search youtube for:
ANDROID Boot Animation (How-To Change It)
CyanogenMod Boot Animation
Got it running to replace that really bad boot animation from Dexter's Froyo
Great rom but the Boot animation was driving me bonkers.
Hope this helps out.
An easy way to change your boot animations is set up a folder on your SD card named Boot Animations and put the zip in there. Then go into /system/media and copy the original and put it on your SD card in case something ever happens and you can replace it with the original. Take your new boot animation and just replace the one that is in /system/media and reboot.
Obviously make a back up before you do this b/c not all work well.
Also watch your size. While they do look cool, some take up a ton of space.
wondering why no one mentioned some of these:
- "LBE privacy guard" --> control & take away the rights of your apps, e.g. don't allow facebook to access your contacts or send SMS , in my opinion one of the best apps so far. only for rooted devices!
- "history eraser"
- for users in Germany: "Öffi" -> great app for public transport, in germany we call it "öffentliche Nahverkehrsmittel"
- SMS Backup & Restore
- Titanium Backup
- WhatsApp -> like SMS , but works via internet connection and sends messages via internet -> no costs for sms
While I patiently wait for root, I have the customization bug, most wallpapers don't scale up to the high resolution screen well,does anyone have any suggestions on some good, colorful, live wp's for this phone? I currently run digital hive and solar winds. Thanks!
Don't waste your battery! lol, I never use those things. You can find regular 720p images in Google Search, DL and use!
I think these are pretty nice:
Exodus Live Wallpaper Market Link
ICS Phase Beam Live Wallpaper Market Link
Light Grid Pro Market Link
Also grab a custom launcher if you aren't rooted and want to customize, customize, customize (Go Launcher EX is great as well as ADW , if you haven't already).
WP Clock on the Amazon App Store is my fav!
Is it possible to get the SGS3 Dandelion lockscreen on the SGS2?
I have installed the live wallpaper samsung dandelion for galaxy s3;it works for galaxy note but I have just discovered that works also for sg 2.If you want to install this live wallpaper click here ;http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1069205&stc=1&d=1337367259
I have got the live wallpaper installed but i was wondering if you could use it for the lock scrren aswell.
Thanks for the reply
Get Widget Locker from the Play Store:
http://bit.ly/MeUCC7
It's a lockscreen replacement that keeps your live wallpaper running. You can also adjust lockscreen brightness, so the LWP is always shining bright. And remember to set it to your task killer's ignore list (if you use one), else it'll keep getting killed.
if anyone knows of a better and/or free alternative, feel free to tell me.
devid801 said:
I have installed the live wallpaper samsung dandelion for galaxy s3;it works for galaxy note but I have just discovered that works also for sg 2.If you want to install this live wallpaper click here ;http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1069205&stc=1&d=1337367259
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
big thanks!
Also search for it on market
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Xelasarg said:
Get Widget Locker from the Play Store:
http://bit.ly/MeUCC7
It's a lockscreen replacement that keeps your live wallpaper running. You can also adjust lockscreen brightness, so the LWP is always shining bright. And remember to set it to your task killer's ignore list (if you use one), else it'll keep getting killed.
if anyone knows of a better and/or free alternative, feel free to tell me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats Great Thanks
If anyone is interested...
I found a better way:
Get Go Locker from the Play Store (http://bit.ly/M7ryOv). Unlike Widet Locker, it's completely free. Not so customizable, but faster. The lag when unlocking the phone is completely gone.
Start Go Locker, activate it and set Background -> Launcher Background, so it displays the LWP on the lock screen.
If you like, install Fluid Live Wallpaper (http://bit.ly/LhvacK). It's a paid app, but well worth the money - the water effects are stunning.
Download the attached wallpapers (they're identical, I only reduced color saturation in No. 1) and set one of them as LWP background (via Live Wallpapers -> Fluid -> Downloaded Images).
That's it...
Xelasarg said:
I found a better way:
Get Go Locker from the Play Store (http://bit.ly/M7ryOv). Unlike Widet Locker, it's completely free. Not so customizable, but faster. The lag when unlocking the phone is completely gone.
Start Go Locker, activate it and set Background -> Launcher Background, so it displays the LWP on the lock screen.
If you like, install Fluid Live Wallpaper (http://bit.ly/LhvacK). It's a paid app, but well worth the money - the water effects are stunning.
Download the attached wallpapers (they're identical, I only reduced color saturation in No. 1) and set one of them as LWP background (via Live Wallpapers -> Fluid -> Downloaded Images).
That's it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... About that GO Locker no lag behaviour... As far as I'm aware - lag when powering up screen comes from device waking modem up from deep sleep state.
Could you download CPU Spy (free) and check if phone gets to sleep while GO locker is used?
Hi,
It is more app development question, but as I mostly reader and don't post a lot - I have no access to dev forums yet.
I have my own wallpaper app (Awesome Nature Wallpapers) and noticed that it can't set wallpaper for lock screen when it runs on SGS3. When I test it on different phones (my old SGS1, GT7.7, Motorola Defy+, some Huawei phone and emulator) it is working fine - lock screen is transparent and wallpaper is visible, but not on SGS3.
Does anybody now how to change SGS3 lock screen background programmatically (I mean not from settings)?
Thanks in advance!
yekorzh said:
Hi,
It is more app development question, but as I mostly reader and don't post a lot - I have no access to dev forums yet.
I have my own wallpaper app (Awesome Nature Wallpapers) and noticed that it can't set wallpaper for lock screen when it runs on SGS3. When I test it on different phones (my old SGS1, GT7.7, Motorola Defy+, some Huawei phone and emulator) it is working fine - lock screen is transparent and wallpaper is visible, but not on SGS3.
Does anybody now how to change SGS3 lock screen background programmatically (I mean not from settings)?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Need to use the stock gallery. QuickPic can do it as well but you still need to crop the photo using the Gallery's editor otherwise it won't work. Another option is to download a really old app called Wallpaper Set & Save. Works really well.
DramatikBeats said:
Need to use the stock gallery. QuickPic can do it as well but you still need to crop the photo using the Gallery's editor otherwise it won't work. Another option is to download a really old app called Wallpaper Set & Save. Works really well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I probably didn't explain properly - I'm not looking for another app to do it. I'm looking for a way to do it from my own app which I'm developing. Standard Android methods of changing wallpaper don't work for S3 lock screen background...
Hey guys,
Was wondering if any of you know how i can get a full screen wallpaper for my Z2, since i tried the app Wizard (weird name after) and now im using Wallpaper setter.
Wizard did not work and wallpaper setter, at it's best cuts the notification bar and half the buttons of the dock.
Tried googling 1080x1776 wallpapers instead of 1080x1920 too, to no better result.
Wanted to change, since the stock wallpapers make for a crappy homescreen, since it is already a washedout screen (i come from a note 3, so probably it's just my opinion).
P.S. Was wondering if you can use any method to not crop the images on lockscreen too
Thank you
I use this to crop them perfectly. Even gallery images, just use this to set wallpaper.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.srsdev.wallpapers
google play said : We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server
i use image2wallpaper or image2livewallpaper
You can try Background HD Wallpapers app from pkaystore.. Its one of the perfect one available. Screenshots attached.