The Android Thread

Author
Discussion

Wheat

Original Poster:

505 posts

129 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
First off I don't want this to turn into the usual iOS vs Android argument! Both have their advantages, both are better for some people and not others, both are fantastic examples of modern technology and design.

I want to start a thread where Android users can share and show off their customisation, tricks, hacks, tips and advice etc.

It seems to me that the possibility's are endless and I am only scratching the surface.

So anything from the new widget clock you have that looks great, to full on re-rooting and Kernel fiddeling, share it here! Let others experience your fantastic Android tips.

Try and include what device you're using and any screenshots/ links you can add.

I have not go much to add just yet, as I say I'm only scratching the surface, only thing that has made my Nexus 5 better is the installation of Dashclock that enables you to add Notifications, battery level and weather to your lock screen.

I'm sure some of you have a lot more impressive mods than mine. Care to share?

XslaneyX

1,334 posts

141 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
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I wouldn't mind knowing a bit more about this kernel business and other skullduggery also smile had my note 2 fir nearly 2 years and barely done anything amazing on it other then take photos abd videos.

pad58

12,543 posts

180 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
All I know is, PAYG on Android is rubbish as you have to pay for using any decent apps.
There was I trying to use my nav app it wouldn't down load even though is a standard app on the phone.
A lot of the apps on Android PAYG do not work, so why bother putting them on such a phone????

devnull

3,745 posts

156 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
pad58 said:
All I know is, PAYG on Android is rubbish as you have to pay for using any decent apps.
There was I trying to use my nav app it wouldn't down load even though is a standard app on the phone.
A lot of the apps on Android PAYG do not work, so why bother putting them on such a phone????
Apps are tied to your google play account, not your SIM type. Not sure what is going on with you?

pad58

12,543 posts

180 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
Ah ,I need an account with Google then?

Luke.

10,944 posts

249 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
pad58 said:
Ah ,I need an account with Google then?
How you've got this far with Android I've no idea.. hehe

pad58

12,543 posts

180 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
Silversurfer help, it's bad enough on this laptop let alone anything smaller.

bazza white

3,550 posts

127 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
quotequote all
Install nova launcher and get rid of the Google search bar and put a widget (clock) in its place. You can turn it off but can't use the space annoyingly..


I use HD widgets for the clock on both n10 and ñ5.






stevoknevo

1,672 posts

189 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
pad58 said:
Ah ,I need an account with Google then?
Most Android phones I've used prompt you to create a Google account when setting up from new, but if memory serves, it can be bypassed during setup.

Go to Settings>accounts>add new account, and you'll be able to set up a Google account, login to Google play with your newly created Google account and download free apps. Paid for apps/music/movies/books etc can be purchased using Google play prepay cards that can be purchased in most supermarkets etc. or via debit/credit cards.

Mr Will

13,719 posts

205 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
devnull said:
pad58 said:
All I know is, PAYG on Android is rubbish as you have to pay for using any decent apps.
There was I trying to use my nav app it wouldn't down load even though is a standard app on the phone.
A lot of the apps on Android PAYG do not work, so why bother putting them on such a phone????
Apps are tied to your google play account, not your SIM type. Not sure what is going on with you?
At a guess, he's using an ancient 2G only PAYG plan that doesn't have any data included.

Altrezia

8,517 posts

210 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
Surely all (android) phones have wifi though?

Dr Murdoch

3,427 posts

134 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
Any recommendations for an app that cleans the phone? Bloody thing is slowing right down.

Something like CCeaner for the PC?

moleamol

15,887 posts

262 months

Monday 28th July 2014
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Dr Murdoch said:
Any recommendations for an app that cleans the phone? Bloody thing is slowing right down.

Something like CCeaner for the PC?
Clean Master seems ok.

Jayyylo

985 posts

146 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
I got as far as downloading DCikonZ which launch through Nova launcher (as previously mentioned) to change the layout and appearance.

[I think we've had a very similar thread to this before].

selwonk

2,123 posts

224 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
Dr Murdoch said:
Any recommendations for an app that cleans the phone? Bloody thing is slowing right down.

Something like CCeaner for the PC?
PiriForm now do a CCleaner app:

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner-android

PGM

2,168 posts

248 months

Monday 28th July 2014
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Any tips for battery life on Samsung s3 android other than the obvious screen and bluetooth etc?

Jayyylo

985 posts

146 months

Monday 28th July 2014
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PGM said:
Any tips for battery life on Samsung s3 android other than the obvious screen and bluetooth etc?
Go to settings and find out what's using all your battery power. It should tell you in % terms then you can cancel anything that is using too much. If it is general apps running in the background, you may need to install an app killer which can be set to shut down background apps everytime you lock the phone.

8bit

4,845 posts

154 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
Anyone find the official Facebook app for Android is crap on a tablet? I've got a 10" Toshiba AT300, Android 4.2.something I think and the Facebook app sucks. It seems to do the video preview OK but won't play videos when I click on them. It doesn't use the screen space well, it's just like on a phone but stretched so you get small text, big pictures and lots of wasted screen space. It also seems to rotate the screen to portrait mode to view certain things, like lists of people's photo albums.

Anyone got any suggestions how to fix it or do I just have to make do until Facebook ever bother sorting it out?

stevejh

799 posts

203 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
My S3 was getting ridiculously slow and laggy and the battery life was just bearable if you hardly used the phone but dropped dramatically if you did. I did a factory reset a couple of months ago when I upgraded to 4.3 but made the mistake of reloading all my apps so barely saw any improvement. Last weekend I did another factory reset but this time I only reloaded apps I actually use and also installed an app called 'sync settings' which allows you to switch off auto syncing of apps that you're really not that bothered about syncing. It seems that some apps try to sync at regular intervals whether you're connected or not and this uses battery.

I also used Automateit Pro to do things like switching wifi on when I get home and switch ringtone off when I get to work etc. It seems that the phone switching radios on and off, searching for location etc was using a lot of battery. I've now changed the switches to times rather than locations and now the battery life is much better. Yesterday, with admittedly light use but wifi on all day, the battery was still showing 75% after about 13 hours.

It actually feels like a new phone now. The lag has gone and I don't feel I have to take a spare battery or charging cable with me every time I leave the house.

bingybongy

3,858 posts

145 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
pad58 said:
Ah ,I need an account with Google then?
I know several people that set up with gmail accounts then never used them again.

If you ask them for an email addy they say #%&£##@hotmail.com and don't seem in the slightest bit concerned that they then have to go looking for it.