[Q] A Newb to Android - Captivate Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I just ordered my Samsung Captivate and now I am just waiting...
Maybe I could pass the time learning about Android!?
Having only had a little expierience with my Friend's MotoBackflip running Doughnut and my current phone being Winmo 6.5, I wanted to know the best way to learn about Android before I recieve my phone.
What would be the best learning resource?
I have a feeling I am going to want to Root the phone which I don't completely know what that means but if it gets rid of the the Bloatware then I am just fine with it.
HTC has spoiled me so I have a feeling I am going to want to get rid of TouchWiz too but we'll see.
I have like a thousand questions but I am a pretty capable person so just point me in the right direction if you can!

as far as rooting i think you could take a look at the android dev forum , theres some info there about rooting and different roms available I believe

Don't use a task killer.
They are not needed. And there is no reason not to root. And it is pretty much risk free.
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.

notasimpleway said:
Don't use a task killer.
They are not needed. And there is no reason not to root. And it is pretty much risk free.
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weird, I thought a task killer would be essential. I've always wondered where those little programs go if you don't close them lol

Shival said:
Having only had a little expierience with my Friend's MotoBackflip running Doughnut and my current phone being Winmo 6.5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I'm in a bit of a similar situation (though I've owned an iPhone in-between owning WinMo and then Android).
First off, the best way to learn is to see whether devs had ported Android to your WinMo phone or not. If they did, use that to learn. If not, try reading an Android guidebook (e.g. T-Mobile G1 for Dummies) or simply using an available Android emulator. There's one at: http://tmobile.modeaondemand.com/htc/g1/
Lastly, there's a bit of a difference between Android's root and WinMo's HardSPL. The only purpose of HardSPL is basically to change ROMs...because WinMo pretty much allows you to do anything else you want. Android's rooting, on the other hand, doesn't just allow you to install ROMs, but it allows you to use a variety of programs which requires your phone to be rooted (e.g. ROM Manager), install certain tweaks, and so on.
As an analogy, Android's root is probably closer to iOS' jailbreaking than it is to WinMo's HardSPL. As with the iPhone's jailbreaking, rooting allows you access to a larger variety of apps, tweaks to change how your phone performs, and so on.
If you have any other questions, then basically the right direction to point you in is the Android phone forums around here. Read the questions others asked, see the answers, and learn. That's how I did it.

Shival said:
Weird, I thought a task killer would be essential. I've always wondered where those little programs go if you don't close them lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is built on Linux. Linux does not handle resources the way Windows does. Basically, it closes programs when it is done on its own.
Sent from my iPhone with the bigger Gee Bees.

Your def in the right place. This is my first android phone and from what I understand the captivate is one of thee r easier phones to do anything with. I've flashed this thing a bunch of times already and there hasn't ben any custom roms released for it yet. Check out the stickies in the dev forum. Everything is there. And there s no way to get rid of touch whiz yet. Launcher pro is pretty awesome though. Its free on the market
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Is LauncherPro basically another UI?
When I goto root my device, which or what is going to be the best way?
Should I do the Onclick root program thing? or is there an even better way?
This is sounding like it is going to be just as much fun as the first time I Flashed my HD =]
[Edit]
I just noticed the Re-done Captivate guide so that looks like its gonna solve a bunch of my questions! Sorry that I didn't notice it before I posted.
Thank-you everyone that posted!
-Further Questions
Am I going to want to root the phone as soon as I get it?
Would it be best to use the phone with my Ubuntu partition?
I have a feeling I am going to want launcherpro, should I cash out and get LauncherPro Plus?

Related

WinMo to Android?

Hey Guys!!!
Ive been a Winmo user for a very long time now and currently using an Htc HD2,
I have been offered the chance to trade my phone with an unlocked Nexus One running a 2.2 Froyo,but the deal is i dont have enough knowledge on Androids.
I can manage myself with all winmo devices like flashing roms,games ,apps etc.
Is the Android OS the same?what adjustment will i face?
gejenn said:
Hey Guys!!!
Ive been a Winmo user for a very long time now and currently using an Htc HD2,
I have been offered the chance to trade my phone with an unlocked Nexus One running a 2.2 Froyo,but the deal is i dont have enough knowledge on Androids.
I can manage myself with all winmo devices like flashing roms,games ,apps etc.
Is the Android OS the same?what adjustment will i face?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just one adjustment, similar to adjusting from a village hole-in-ground toilet to a 5-star penthouse restroom with a built-in hooker.
Yeah. You'll learn to endure it.
If you want to try Android you can just try the port for the HD2
An even trade??? You're the winner with that trade. WinMo is junk compared to. Android 2.2.
Sent from my Nexus One
xPatriicK said:
If you want to try Android you can just try the port for the HD2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what im waiting for also,its not an even trade,its my hd2 plus $200 cash.
maybe soon the hd2 will have the stable android OS from the developers here.
I was in a simular boat, and found Android an easy progressive fun transition! Tons of support threads here, so go for it and never look back!
There is a learning curve that's for sure. but you should go on with this trade while this person is still on drugs.
I used WinMo for a long time before Android although I think starting Android as soon as it launched eased the curve but you wont regret it, words can't express how much more fun, faster, more stable and ultimately easier Android is to use than WinMo.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
HD2 AND $200? I dunno about that.. see if you can haggle it down some.
Well I was in the same position as the OP. I built my own custom roms for WinMo and had an extensive knowledge about hacking them....
Then I came to Android
Now I don't have to. Vanilla Android on the Nexus One is just simply amazing. I never get fustrated waiting for it to open an app or wish it did something differently. I've unlocked the bootloader on my old phone and did the SD Card Trick on my new one to gain root access and play around with custom roms... but the kicker is I like the Stock OS the best.
Right now I am running a "custom" stock firmware which is rooted and uses a black taskbar theme... but it doesn't contain any extra apps or features.
I can't scream loud enough to express how I feel for the awesomeness of Android. The OS is a dream. Customizable to no end. Very easy to replace default dialers, messaging apps, facebook apps, launchers, etc. I know a few friends with N1's and they all look completely different. I love it.
I've used Windows Mobile all the way from 2002, popped in on Blackberries from time to time, Symbian, and touched the iPhone long enough to realize it sucks.... but Android is just amazing. I couldn't recommend any other OS. Even my non-techie wife has her Android all tricked out. Its just easy to do.
2.2 brings in full fucntionality with exchange support, making it a viable alternative to winmo for enterprise users. If you are a power user, now is the time to convert.
I've owned WinMo and iPhone previously. People always compare Android to the latter. But Android really reminds me of what WinMo could have been if Microsoft had a clue. I think you will adjust without a problem. Go for it!
bigmout said:
Android really reminds me of what WinMo could have been if Microsoft had a clue. I think you will adjust without a problem. Go for it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
x2 - always how I've felt about it. I switched from winmo to android, N1 being my first device. You won't look back, and with windows mobile 7 looking the way it is, I doubt you'll be wanting to jump back in their bed anytime soon.
Go for it without any hesitations. They are not even comparable. You are about to trade Zaporozhets for an Audi. You will not look back.
bpm2000 said:
x2 - always how I've felt about it. I switched from winmo to android, N1 being my first device. You won't look back, and with windows mobile 7 looking the way it is, I doubt you'll be wanting to jump back in their bed anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. N1 was my first android as well
lilchip85 said:
+1. N1 was my first android as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine too, best choice I have ever made!
I say stick with winmo 6.5.
Far superior.
JCopernicus said:
I say stick with winmo 6.5.
Far superior.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you do anything except troll?
You get three guesses as to who I'm refering to!
khaytsus said:
Do you do anything except troll?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I point out people who have no sense of humor.
Do it. Make the switch. I did. Will never go back.
/thread

[Q] Advice for a noobie on customizing I9000

Im planning on customizing my new I9000, any tips for a noobie?
I had been reading a lot of posts here but it kinda made a little bit confused on where to start...
Thanks in advance for all the help guys!!!
customizing what? kernel ?
Hey there,
I got mine about 4 days back and after trying almost all the launchers available, IMHO, the Launcher Pro seems to be the best. I'm still trying all alternatives, but so far I have found nothing that compares with LP.
Do give their free version a try.
Cheers.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Thanks for replying guys, any more tips/advice?
Neo-ST said:
customizing what? kernel ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly my point, i don't know what to do first, is it like rooting the phone? But i would like to keep some default apps in the phone to stay but totally change the UI...
skiddhard said:
Hey there,
I got mine about 4 days back and after trying almost all the launchers available, IMHO, the Launcher Pro seems to be the best. I'm still trying all alternatives, but so far I have found nothing that compares with LP.
Do give their free version a try.
Cheers.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Launcher Pro seems to be like a great alternative to TouchWiz...
spandsbab said:
Yeah, Launcher Pro seems to be like a great alternative to TouchWiz...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To your earlier post, none of the launchers need your phone to be rooted or require a custom firmware (thank god for the sake of all noobs ).
On that rooting note, I am still trying to figure out the obvious and apparent advantages of rooting. Had an iPhone from the 2g all the way till the 3gs. It had the jailbreak and the unlock. Is rooting the same as jailbreaking in terms of functionality??
As a side note, see if you can give WidgetLocker a look. The stock Galaxy S lockscreen is boring and too plain for my liking at least. WidgetLocker allows you to put your widgets and icons right on the lockscreen.
Cheers....
skiddhard said:
To your earlier post, none of the launchers need your phone to be rooted or require a custom firmware (thank god for the sake of all noobs ).
On that rooting note, I am still trying to figure out the obvious and apparent advantages of rooting. Had an iPhone from the 2g all the way till the 3gs. It had the jailbreak and the unlock. Is rooting the same as jailbreaking in terms of functionality??
As a side note, see if you can give WidgetLocker a look. The stock Galaxy S lockscreen is boring and too plain for my liking at least. WidgetLocker allows you to put your widgets and icons right on the lockscreen.
Cheers....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, great advice there! As for the rooting thing, well I heard they did some custom firmware that fixes the slight lagging thingy. I have had slight lagging when i listen to music and watch movies.. btw my firmware is JG2 (though it says in the Kies that it cannot be further upgraded, i doubt its the latest).
spandsbab said:
Thanks, great advice there! As for the rooting thing, well I heard they did some custom firmware that fixes the slight lagging thingy. I have had slight lagging when i listen to music and watch movies.. btw my firmware is JG2 (though it says in the Kies that it cannot be further upgraded, i doubt its the latest).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most welcome.
As for the updates, there are different versions available for different regions. For me in India the upgrade available was JG4. Mine was JG2 out of the box. The new version (JG4) has an inbuilt task manager and a little better performance than the JG2. It fixes a few performance issues from what I have read.
Not really sure how it works, but if you could cheat your system in believing you are in a different location (say India, for eg), perhaps you can get that update too. But do check if its safe pulling off a stunt like that. Check if the phone and the carrier like this at all.
Cheers....
skiddhard said:
Most welcome.
As for the updates, there are different versions available for different regions. For me in India the upgrade available was JG4. Mine was JG2 out of the box. The new version (JG4) has an inbuilt task manager and a little better performance than the JG2. It fixes a few performance issues from what I have read.
Not really sure how it works, but if you could cheat your system in believing you are in a different location (say India, for eg), perhaps you can get that update too. But do check if its safe pulling off a stunt like that. Check if the phone and the carrier like this at all.
Cheers....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read it somewhere here in XDA that you can actually do cheat your location and that it is kinda okay to do that but I think you have to root/flash your phone for that... that's the reason I kinda lean towards rooting the phone cause guys here do faster and better job at fixing issues with the phone than Samsung...
spandsbab said:
I have read it somewhere here in XDA that you can actually do cheat your location and that it is kinda okay to do that but I think you have to root/flash your phone for that... that's the reason I kinda lean towards rooting the phone cause guys here do faster and better job at fixing issues with the phone than Samsung...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been doing some reading on the same thing too. The damn iPhone got me so used to jailbreaking, it seems NOT rooting the android is no fun at all....
Here are a couple of links to get you started I suppose.
/showthread.php?t=746129
/showthread.php?t=739300
Will be using them tonight for myself too. In the mean while, if you get an head start over me, best of luck....
Cheers....
P.S.: The XDA system is not allowing me to enter the complete links. A spam protection mechanism of some kind it seems.
skiddhard said:
Been doing some reading on the same thing too. The damn iPhone got me so used to jailbreaking, it seems NOT rooting the android is no fun at all....
Here are a couple of links to get you started I suppose.
/showthread.php?t=746129
/showthread.php?t=739300
Will be using them tonight for myself too. In the mean while, if you get an head start over me, best of luck....
Cheers....
P.S.: The XDA system is not allowing me to enter the complete links. A spam protection mechanism of some kind it seems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, rooting seems to be a lot more fun as i like tinkering a lot (my PC at work was my first victim). Anyway as soon as i get my wi-fi going (hopefully this week) i'm gonna to PM you, thanks bro!
It's only a little like jailbreaking an iPhone, because one of the main advantages of jailbreaking is getting access to apps that Apple wouldn't approve, and Google don't do that. Features that you had to jailbreak for, like multitasking and a deeper level of customisation, are standard in Android.
It's only really needed on Android for low-level manipulation of the system, like installing lag fixes, using backup programs like Titanium Backup, or tweaks like changing the CPU speed settings in SetCPU. I expect that most Android users would be happy never rooting, but most people here are, being either developers or interested in that low-level customisation.
Luckily, the Galaxy S is very easy to root! There's very little security against that (basically none in 2.1 builds), which is quite unlike a lot of other phones, some of which can require quite arcane methods exploiting obscure security holes.
Mithent said:
It's only a little like jailbreaking an iPhone, because one of the main advantages of jailbreaking is getting access to apps that Apple wouldn't approve, and Google don't do that. Features that you had to jailbreak for, like multitasking and a deeper level of customisation, are standard in Android.
It's only really needed on Android for low-level manipulation of the system, like installing lag fixes, using backup programs like Titanium Backup, or tweaks like changing the CPU speed settings in SetCPU. I expect that most Android users would be happy never rooting, but most people here are, being either developers or interested in that low-level customisation.
Luckily, the Galaxy S is very easy to root! There's very little security against that (basically none in 2.1 builds), which is quite unlike a lot of other phones, some of which can require quite arcane methods exploiting obscure security holes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still get lag with I9000 (especially during music and video playing) though very minimal. I would like to try to just change the UI as I feel it still needs work on. Though, my question is can I still get the Froyo update with custom firmware?
As a new android user I have one suggestion for you:
Spend a lot of time reading about all the things you find on this forum and play with your phone a lot
I did not know anything about android or the phone itself (apart from tech specs and a few things I saw on hands on videos and reviews) till I signed up here. I've read a lot here that made me understand how my phone works.
Atm I'm using LauncherPro and my SGS is rooted and running JM5 firmware. If you read related articles you will find that unrooting your phone and restoring it to your stock firmware is fairly easy.
I have been installing, testing and keeping or uninstalling loads of apps. Some of them people have recommended here (like Titanium Backup) and some I just was curious about (like Unified Remote). So I would say browse the market or other onilne sources and experiment with new apps.
I even feel comfortable now to use adb to pull system files from the phone and see what's in them and if there's room for customisation.
Even been reading a bit about Java fgs
Fireloon said:
As a new android user I have one suggestion for you:
Spend a lot of time reading about all the things you find on this forum and play with your phone a lot
I did not know anything about android or the phone itself (apart from tech specs and a few things I saw on hands on videos and reviews) till I signed up here. I've read a lot here that made me understand how my phone works.
Atm I'm using LauncherPro and my SGS is rooted and running JM5 firmware. If you read related articles you will find that unrooting your phone and restoring it to your stock firmware is fairly easy.
I have been installing, testing and keeping or uninstalling loads of apps. Some of them people have recommended here (like Titanium Backup) and some I just was curious about (like Unified Remote). So I would say browse the market or other onilne sources and experiment with new apps.
I even feel comfortable now to use adb to pull system files from the phone and see what's in them and if there's room for customisation.
Even been reading a bit about Java fgs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep two thumbs up for you! Well I have always felt I'm more of a Sith than a Jedi! Be stepping on the dark side soon too, thanks for the great advice and Ima doing it!

WP7 on Captivate

Since I first knew that Captivates were hackable, I always wondered if there was any way to put WP7 on my phone. It isn't because I would have rather had a WP7, but it is simply because I want the option to. I find it hard to believe that none of you haven't imagine WP7 on your captivates. Recently trax26 made a theme of WP7 that looks simply amazing, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=910918) but, his barely sufficient tranlation makes it even harder for a small time programmer like myself to install it. The screenshots look amazing, but there is no way I can do that.
My question is: Does anybody else know of a simpler WP7 theme to install? A CWM theme would be ideal, but some minor hacking would be okay with me.
And if not, I would just like to put that out there as a suggestion for anybody whose up to it. I'm sure there are tons of people (including myself) who would beta it as much as possible, just so as long the feel is right.
Thanks in advance, Richard.
Look at metro ui in the market. It is a decent wp7 launcher. Some bugs but overall much better then trying the theme.
This is my captivate. There are many like it buy this one is mine.
flashman2002 said:
Look at metro ui in the market. It is a decent wp7 launcher. Some bugs but overall much better then trying the theme.
This is my captivate. There are many like it buy this one is mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a bunch and just wan to let you know you have a typo in your signature
EDIT: Although that is a good emulator, take a look at the link that i posted. That's what im looking for, full blow WP7 with the right symbols and everything (more or less). But thanks anyways.
Yea, it would be nice to have WP7 running on Cappy. After watching HD2 running WP7 on YouTube makes me eager to have it. But idk how. Lol.
Sent from my Muscles using Brain Cells
Yeah I know about my sig .
As for getting real wp7 it just wont happen. These themes and that II are probably the closest we will get. I figure the metro II is much easier than trying to do the process of the theme.
This is my captivate. There are many like it buy this one is mine.
WP7? So you can deal with stuff like this? http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/237934.asp?from=blog_last3
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I'm not saying I want WP7 as my only operating system, because Android is far superior in almost everything, but I simply want it to be able to have the choice of having WP7. I would like to have the speed and hackability of Android, but have the simplicity of WP7. I have to say the tiles are probably the only thing that will keep WP7 going, because honestly, I think they are pretty cool. Metro is a decent simulator that gets the jist, of WP7 but it's actually too simple. The thing about WP7 is that it has cool simplicity by using colored and animated tiles.
And as for the quote "It will be a long time before WP7 comes to android" every rom has to start somewhere.
You'd need someone who could reverse engineer WP7 - then figure out how to use existing drivers or write new ones before WP7 could be installed on our Android phones.
There is no "Open Source" for Windows... ever.
Drivers would probably have to all be re-written or some type of hack so WP7 could work with existing drivers.
So... unless you know someone with a great amount of time - possibly can hack M$ and get the source code we probably won't be see this type of port soon.
well i use LG optimus 7 before i change to captivate just use it 1 month
then sell. What can i said... it actually very nice and really fast phone
and its wp7 is really pretty but it 2 simple and lack of app support for now.
cause its still new maybe another 1 or 2 years i will get it again.
Maybe i'm just not understanding, but im not asking for the windows sole operating system, im just asking for a themed windows 7 rom, or even better, a combination of the home screen on WP7 and the rest of it being android. Maybe thats too much to ask, but it doesnt seem like it.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Maybe I didn't read your source post fully, but isn't that theme built for galaxy s phones, and only require launcherpro?
Granted I only glanced the post, but it didn't look too complex. If you can flash a ROM, that theme shouldn't be a big deal.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Dupontrocks11 said:
Maybe i'm just not understanding, but im not asking for the windows sole operating system, im just asking for a themed windows 7 rom, or even better, a combination of the home screen on WP7 and the rest of it being android. Maybe thats too much to ask, but it doesnt seem like it.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Phone 7 Theme
Google is your friend!
With all those widgets I wouldn't expect the battery to last half a day.
I read the entire post, and you need launcherpro plus to resize the widgets, which I dont have, and have no money to buy. Also, it's not a theme that you can flash, you need to do some extracting and coding via terminal. It may not be possible to make a complete WP7 theme that's flashable with Clockwork recovery, but I've seen many a theme that looks completely original. I don't know much about ROM writing (if i did i would have the WP7 theme on my phone and this post would be gone), but it seems like with all the amazing devoted themers on XDA, someone besides the before mentioned person, could create a wonderful flashable theme that does not require any money/hacking.
cappysw10 said:
Android Phone 7 Theme
Google is your friend!
With all those widgets I wouldn't expect the battery to last half a day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wooww. This is truely what I wanted. My only question is, does it require and money and is it compatable with captivate? I only wish I could thank you twice haha
EDIT: Where is the tutorial?
Dupontrocks11 said:
Wooww. This is truely what I wanted. My only question is, does it require and money and is it compatable with captivate? I only wish I could thank you twice haha
EDIT: Where is the tutorial?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The whole first post is a tutorial! Good luck!
Ok honestly, I don't want to try and screw with my phone, because I'm happy the way it is right now. I would really like to get a WP7 theme, but I think I'm going to wait until someone makes a SIMPLE theme, that you can flash and be done with HINT HINT HINT HINT.
Dupontrocks11 said:
Ok honestly, I don't want to try and screw with my phone, because I'm happy the way it is right now. I would really like to get a WP7 theme, but I think I'm going to wait until someone makes a SIMPLE theme, that you can flash and be done with HINT HINT HINT HINT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LoL yea i agree.. we just want wat we cant have.. but if we'd be stuck with it we'd be trying to get rid of it
Ive had a captivate since july and i love the phone even with numerous software problems right out of the box. I recently picked up unlocked HTC Surround and its awesome. That one comes with snapdragon processor 1 gig, same one in the HTC Evo 4g, and 512 mb ram and using the WP7 Os it is very fast right out of the box. It totally lacks customization unlike android os and no where the amount of apps and games android has, but the ones it does have are way better versions then the android ones, for example facebook and craiglist. And the xbox live game THE HARVEST is amazing. I would encourage anyone to try one out, very well done OS compared to the previous windows mobile os. I dont think ill sell my captivate because i love having option to choose from either android or Windows Phone 7. I just hope it catches on so it will soon have as many apps and games as Android.
Windows Phone 7 is a polished OS, but it won't even come close to Android or iOS for a VERY long time. And like I said early, It's not like I want WP7 instead of Android, but It's the reason that i CAN'T have WP7 that makes me want it. If anyone has any WP7 friends, give them the idea!
Have you looked into "Launcher7" ? Search it on the market.
If you just want a home theme that looks like WP7 this seems to be the easiest one going.
I think asking someone to port the whole WP7 OS over to a Cappy is probably not going to happen though.

Now I understand why people don't like android...

Hello all, I know this will sound like a rant against the phone but in reality I just want to know if others share my opinion or if I'm alone on this one thus making the "problem" me.
I recently bought an HTC sensation 4g and I have a problem called companies customizations!
My problem with sense is that it has tons of apps that I don't need: ereader, stock; or other that I need but are bloated: weather.
It's probably a seller to see big cloud on such a great screen, but on the long run I wished it opened up immediately with the hourly forecast and less fullscreen animation to drain battery.
I heard a lot of my friends that didn't like android (mostly hated samsung or htc) and I never understood why. My nexus one with stock android wasn't the prettiest phone to look at (compared to iphone) but with some customization it was quick, usable and provided more functions than pretty graphics. But now I know! With loads of extra useless apps and their contents or awkward design choices (like the not very friendly coverflow looking thing to choose backgrounds and such). Yesterday I heard from my friend that his girlfriend galaxy s came with avatar and they had a long struggle trying to remove it from the phone sd card because they didn't care about it. When I checked the phone the avatar icon was still there since they're not very tech-savvy.
Don't get me wrong I don't hate my phone, the hardware is great, the screen is better than I expected, I love android, but that extra stuff that I really don't need should have an easy way to come off, it should not be installed in a way that I can't remove it without rooting. No wonder why people hate android... it's because they mistake android for the extra load it comes with it that slows down the phone, uses their monthly data and drains their battery. Apple doesn't do that and there's a reason "normal" people tend to pick up an iphone so quickly.
I wish there was an official way to ask companies to make all this stuff optional! Please don't think that I have it with HTC or sense, I'm referencing sense because that's what I experienced this problem with. Let me know what you think maybe if others have this issue with companies, we could organize a petition or something?
That's not android its more of a service provider and hardware supplier way of getting a cut from development companies .my Samsung had a heap of unwanted bloatware and service provider crappy useless battery consuming memory hogging apps the best thing i ever did was root this phone no more random reboots battery improved by 50% and everything on the phone is what i want on it not something that the companies think or want you to have on it .So with all that said if you have patients and can do some searching on the xda forums you will find a solution to what you want to achieve on your device .Believe me if you like it now you will love it when you get it the way you want it.
Hope that help .
I moved from iphone 4 to the SGS2.
One thing i know whatever i do to this phone it can be fully restored back to stock and the warranty will still be there providing i don't brick the phone
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Mustoura said:
That's not android its more of a service provider and hardware supplier way of getting a cut from development companies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He said that himself
DBBGBA said:
I love android, but that extra stuff that I really don't need should have an easy way to come off, it should not be installed in a way that I can't remove it without rooting. No wonder why people hate android... it's because they mistake android for the extra load it comes with it that slows down the phone, uses their monthly data and drains their battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not agree more with the OP. I used Nexus 1 builds on my HD2 for about 8 months and loved it. I've now got a Samsung Galaxy S2 (I just wanted a newer, faster phone, but with the same size screen), and despite being a great phone I found myself longing for that AOSP experience. I tried a couple of AOSP ROMs in the SGS2 forum and breathed a sigh of relief at how much difference they made, but they unfortunatly aren't currently stable enough to use day-in-day-out. So I've recently gone down a different route - MIUI. I've literally only done it today, and so far I'm loving it.
Anyway, I digress. There should be some manufacturers out there that recognise this gap in the market and sell basic Android phones, with no other crap on them. I know Google do that (obviously), but I wish more did the same. People shouldn't have to know how to flash a ROM or root and freeze apps, just to get the best possible basic Android experience available.
Rant over
Point taken and yes i agree.
I missed that bit as I'm half asleep
Wow i just had a read over again i apologies that i missed that whole section lol sorry for telling you how to suck eggs
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Mustoura said:
Point taken and yes i agree.
I missed that bit as I'm half asleep
Wow i just had a read over again i apologies that i missed that whole section lol sorry for telling you how to suck eggs
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh. I have a sneaking suspicion that you're not the 1st person to comment on a post after not reading it correctly. I reckon in the history of the internet it's happened at least 3 times
Id like to see a major manufacturer do a little experiment on there next big handset.
Supply two different versions, one with there overlay and one aosp fresh from the oven, see which one sells.
I know they are only trying to add functionality to the device but they could at least write there apps properly so they dont cause wakelocks and hog resources, hell there's a whole forum full of very competent developers im sure would be happy to help
@johncmolyneux
off topic but have you tried the latest Cm7 for the SGS2? the latest nightly is pretty complete, the devs have done a stand up job. Keep it aosp baby
mynamesteve said:
@johncmolyneux
off topic but have you tried the latest Cm7 for the SGS2? the latest nightly is pretty complete, the devs have done a stand up job. Keep it aosp baby
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've not, but I've shied away from non-standard ROMs normally. After the very favourable MIUI experience I may well give CM7 a play. I did have a sort of CM ROM on my HD2 for a while, but it looked and played pretty much like AOSP, but was blue instead of green.
Thanks for the advice
johncmolyneux said:
I've not, but I've shied away from non-standard ROMs normally. After the very favourable MIUI experience I may well give CM7 a play. I did have a sort of CM ROM on my HD2 for a while, but it looked and played pretty much like AOSP, but was blue instead of green.
Thanks for the advice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was the same meself tried a few out and stuck with Villain, been testing CM out occasionally to see how development is going and very impressed! if i'm not mistaken Miui is based on CM so if thats working for you its party time
the main thread with the download link is in the Q&A thread in Q&A, just so you know
Was rocking Hyperdroid Cm7 on my HD2 too so i know the feeling
I think I just officially hijacked this thread! sorry OP
That's why I have a g2x, pretty much vanilla android. But then again, just take all that crap off yourself or flash a custom rom.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium
What would really be the difference in the phones if they were all AOSP? Sure they've got different hardware specs, but if all had the same hardware, it'd be nearly impossible to know the difference.
Overstew said:
What would really be the difference in the phones if they were all AOSP? Sure they've got different hardware specs, but if all had the same hardware, it'd be nearly impossible to know the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, that is a very valid point. People would end up buying phones purely on colour and shape, if the hardware was close enough and they were all AOSP. I do like mynamesteve's suggestion of manufacturing 2 devices - 1 with their own software and 1 with basic Android, but I can't see anyone really doing that unfortunately. I guess there isn't really a practical solution to this. Not that I can think of, anyway.
Incidentally, I like your avatar. Homage to The King. He may be dead, but his burgers most certainly are not!
Overstew said:
What would really be the difference in the phones if they were all AOSP? Sure they've got different hardware specs, but if all had the same hardware, it'd be nearly impossible to know the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure you get it Sir!
aosp = stock android = no bloatware
Standard and fast for you to add what YOU want, not have crappy coded apps forced on you that are difficult to remove.
Simples
I agree...
But I think this Operating System Fragmentation is a USA problem. Sure it happens elsewhere. The problem is the carriers use the bloatware and other specialty apps as a revenue stream. So far, Apple is changing that game and Google is doing what it can but with so many handsets and the open nature of Android it's really hard to control. I won't say anything about the closed ecosystem Apple has built vs the Android Market since both have redeeming qualities as well as flaws.
I have 3 phones on my account, all android. All were rooted on first day out of the box and had all that bloatware removed, including Inception which took up too much space on the memory card.
I wish the USA would take the approach found almost everywhere else. You pick your phone, then you pick your carrier. There's lots of great stuff going on elsewhere in the world like NFC, handsets that aren't gimped by the carrier... etc.
Just IMHO.
Cheers
johncmolyneux said:
Actually, that is a very valid point. People would end up buying phones purely on colour and shape, if the hardware was close enough and they were all AOSP. I do like mynamesteve's suggestion of manufacturing 2 devices - 1 with their own software and 1 with basic Android, but I can't see anyone really doing that unfortunately. I guess there isn't really a practical solution to this. Not that I can think of, anyway.
Incidentally, I like your avatar. Homage to The King. He may be dead, but his burgers most certainly are not!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But really deep down arn't they all just android?
I will admit the overlays draw customers, I was drawn in by sense bk in the winMO days (RIP) but other than some fancy widgets its really not much better than stock.
I understand they get paid for most of the note/ereader/Doc Dre beats headphone rubbish that gets shipped so things will most likely not change
but thank you for treasures like this website.
I know tings i.e. rooting can be daunting for the beginner but if ya follow the guides and read, ya never know you might even learn something (John this wasn't directed at you at all just peeps in general i know your a kick ass developer, i read it bk n thought wtf lol)
TLDR:read it
mynamesteve said:
But really deep down arn't they all just android?
I will admit the overlays draw customers, I was drawn in by sense bk in the winMO days (RIP) but other than some fancy widgets its really not much better than stock.
I understand they get paid for most of the note/ereader/Doc Dre beats headphone rubbish that gets shipped so things will most likely not change
but thank you for treasures like this website.
I know tings i.e. rooting can be daunting for the beginner but if ya follow the guides and read, ya never know you might even learn something (John this wasn't directed at you at all just peeps in general i know your a kick ass developer, i read it bk n thought wtf lol)
TLDR:read it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To a certain degree, yes, but the SGS2 doesn't even have the stock Android launcher available, never mind the cluster of Samsung apps that everyone seems to be freezing straight out of the box. Samsung have pretty much made it their own device, which is obviously fine, and it's still a very stock-looking experience, but just freezing apps doesn't make it AOSP unfortunately.
I think (italics because I'm not sure) that a lot of people would learn more about their device if it was a bog-standard stock Android experience from day 1. They'd try different apps and launchers etc.. I've got a friend with a Desire HD and he's never even opened the Market app. He's 0% techie, so fair enough he's not gonna undervolt and overclock the thing, but he didn't even realise he had a satnav device! I don't want to turn this into a xxx manufacturer against yyy manufacturer, but certain other devices on the market are popular because of what they can do. I think Android is being sold short by not making it obvious how far it can go. That, I believe, is partly down to having a device loaded with apps that obscure the possibilities.
Rant over
BTW, thanks for the compliment, but I'm simply a developer. This place has far more kick ass developers than me!
I have to say, if it wasn't for HTC I wouldn't have an android phone.
Tried a Nexus ROM on my HD2, really hated it. Tried the SGS2, really couldn't get on with it (nice screen though).
I can understand and respect that many people do like aosp, and I'm glad that we have the options available to us.
My stock sensation is fast and sense 3 is lovely and polished.
I really wish carriers (apparently mostly in the US) didn't take a fast phone and turn it into something reportedly sluggish though.
johncmolyneux said:
To a certain degree, yes, but the SGS2 doesn't even have the stock Android launcher available, never mind the cluster of Samsung apps that everyone seems to be freezing straight out of the box. Samsung have pretty much made it their own device, which is obviously fine, and it's still a very stock-looking experience, but just freezing apps doesn't make it AOSP unfortunately.
I think (italics because I'm not sure) that a lot of people would learn more about their device if it was a bog-standard stock Android experience from day 1. They'd try different apps and launchers etc.. I've got a friend with a Desire HD and he's never even opened the Market app. He's 0% techie, so fair enough he's not gonna undervolt and overclock the thing, but he didn't even realise he had a satnav device! I don't want to turn this into a xxx manufacturer against yyy manufacturer, but certain other devices on the market are popular because of what they can do. I think Android is being sold short by not making it obvious how far it can go. That, I believe, is partly down to having a device loaded with apps that obscure the possibilities.
Rant over
BTW, thanks for the compliment, but I'm simply a developer. This place has far more kick ass developers than me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly no it doesnt make it aosp and as the user above pointed out theres a lot of fragmentation in android, manufactures are messing with the core of the system and not just building an overlay/launcher.
Sometimes this works sometimes this doesn't i do feel alot of the resources could be used to better the stock system, better all round compatibility, better drivers and make android better for all there users. but thats like asking for world peace, and im no CEO of a major corp so what do i know
But i know how it works in the real world, i gave my sister my HD2 and she doesnt care what Rom is on there as long as it looks nice and everything is there out the box. (cant believe i gave her the most versitile handset on the planet with that attitude but thats beside the point )
The OS ease is very important to people and i understand that for a non-tecky, i think that is also part of the reason why we cant have stock out the box, the 'mobile market' needs the icon on his device to begin with so the manufacturers try to supply that, but do it very badly.
Phew! sorry about that.
I also much prefer AOSP.
I loved sense on winmo but I absolutely detest the android equivalent.
Touchwiz is just plain vile and as jcm mentioned the SGS2 is lacking that really stable aosp experience....
Luckily though if your unhappy with your phone and need to make changes then your in the right place
No I haven't missed the op's point about wanting more customisation out of the box but I just wanted to make the point that every single resource you need to achieve whatever you want to do with your phone (within reason) is right here under your nose.
I now have a rom for my phone that is (nearly) exactly how I want it, no Touchwiz, less bloat, all the cool little tweaks that our talented devs have given us and all it took was one day of reading and a lot of trial and error...... it was fun too.
Sure I cheated and used a kitchen but hey, gotta start somewhere right.
Anyway I digress, my point is that we can all wish for HTC/samsung etc to start catering for our every need until we are blue in the face but they won't.
Sometimes you just have to roll up you're sleeves and do things for yourself.
Sent From My Fingers To Your Face.......
conantroutman said:
I now have a rom for my phone that is (nearly) exactly how I want it, no Touchwiz, less bloat, all the cool little tweaks that our talented devs have given us and all it took was one day of reading and a lot of trial and error...... it was fun too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And are you planning on releasing this? You've had my dev work. It's only fair I have yours
johncmolyneux said:
And are you planning on releasing this? You've had my dev work. It's only fair I have yours
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I very nearly did but you know how many zip file heroes there are in that section. Do we really need another?
That and I'm too lazy to update it for each new firmware that trickles out.
I think I will release one though, probably with a very tongue in cheek OP....
And yes, I and a lot of others had many, many hours of enjoyment from your work so thanks for that
Sent From My Fingers To Your Face.......

A quandary. Again.

Previously: Owned HTC HD7, Windows Phone 7 device.
Current status: Own a RaZr running CM9. (Android 4.0.4)
Ok...
Here I am again at that crossroad. Where to go from here. I am in a genuine dilemma here. I have had a WP7 device and I loved the simplicity and fluidity that kicks Android in the nuts. (Let's be honest.)
The problem is, like they say, once a flasher, always a flasher. I have played around with RaZr a lot! I have had custom ROMs, mods, tweaks, apps...you name it. And this is where I want/wish/feel/need to stop. I am done with Android. It takes waaay tooo much of my time. There are so many tweaks and mods that it leaves very little family/social time. Android is very customizable. Like totally. I can have HTC OS/apps on a MOTO. LG homescreen on HTC. Bla bla...it goes on...
You would ask then why did I shift from WP7 to Android. Good question. The itch to flash a ROM, the high you get when you have another device's UI, an app that you love...all of that. The dev scenario on the WP front it almost negligible. I am again being honest. And I don't even have to mention how it is on Android front.
But, like I confessed, I am done. What else do I do now...?
On the other hand, WP8 is fresh, new and beautiful. I like it. Another thing, I had many apps that I thought I would love running once I get my Android. I did, only for a month. The excitement died with the same speed it was born.
So, I will conclude this with a question.
How will my experience be different from WP7 and more importantly, Android. I want a simple, fast, and innovative OS. But what is the future of WP? Is it going to be as big as Android? Apart from the resizable tiles, is there a lot more than what was there when I had it?
Footnote: I use phones for email, staying connected on social platforms, staying updated with all the latest tech news and most importantly, books. I like to read a lot. And of course Music. So is the WP8 for me? OR Android is my best bet?
PS: Trolling and sarcasm will NOT answer my questions. So please avoid it. I am looking for people who are genuinely interested in sharing info to make WP8 my next phone.
Thanks a lot for your time and patience.
circleofomega said:
Previously: Owned HTC HD7, Windows Phone 7 device.
Current status: Own a RaZr running CM9. (Android 4.0.4)
Ok...
Here I am again at that crossroad. Where to go from here. I am in a genuine dilemma here. I have had a WP7 device and I loved the simplicity and fluidity that kicks Android in the nuts. (Let's be honest.)
The problem is, like they say, once a flasher, always a flasher. I have played around with RaZr a lot! I have had custom ROMs, mods, tweaks, apps...you name it. And this is where I want/wish/feel/need to stop. I am done with Android. It takes waaay tooo much of my time. There are so many tweaks and mods that it leaves very little family/social time. Android is very customizable. Like totally. I can have HTC OS/apps on a MOTO. LG homescreen on HTC. Bla bla...it goes on...
You would ask then why did I shift from WP7 to Android. Good question. The itch to flash a ROM, the high you get when you have another device's UI, an app that you love...all of that. The dev scenario on the WP front it almost negligible. I am again being honest. And I don't even have to mention how it is on Android front.
But, like I confessed, I am done. What else do I do now...?
On the other hand, WP8 is fresh, new and beautiful. I like it. Another thing, I had many apps that I thought I would love running once I get my Android. I did, only for a month. The excitement died with the same speed it was born.
So, I will conclude this with a question.
How will my experience be different from WP7 and more importantly, Android. I want a simple, fast, and innovative OS. But what is the future of WP? Is it going to be as big as Android? Apart from the resizable tiles, is there a lot more than what was there when I had it?
Footnote: I use phones for email, staying connected on social platforms, staying updated with all the latest tech news and most importantly, books. I like to read a lot. And of course Music. So is the WP8 for me? OR Android is my best bet?
PS: Trolling and sarcasm will NOT answer my questions. So please avoid it. I am looking for people who are genuinely interested in sharing info to make WP8 my next phone.
Thanks a lot for your time and patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too many contradictions. You want new, fresh, different, but don't want to flash anything. You want wp8, but its not been released, so you are basing your wants on vapor ware.
For now, get an iPhone, then, if wp8 is ever released, read the hardware and software reviews, and weigh it again.
I don't like iPhones, but at this point, change and stability is all you need.
ohgood said:
Too many contradictions. You want new, fresh, different, but don't want to flash anything. You want wp8, but its not been released, so you are basing your wants on vapor ware.
For now, get an iPhone, then, if wp8 is ever released, read the hardware and software reviews, and weigh it again.
I don't like iPhones, but at this point, change and stability is all you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanx for your reply. To begin with, I hate Apple to the core. So that's out of the window. I would rather stick with my RaZr. Thanx anyways...
Sent from my RaZr NeXus.
WP8 will have many new features:
Bluetooth File Transfer, Real Multitasking, 3rd Party Info on the Lockscreen etc..
Just browse through WP7 sites like www wmpoweruser com or http://www.1800pocketpc.com/...
I'll go for WP8...
chabun said:
WP8 will have many new features:
Bluetooth File Transfer, Real Multitasking, 3rd Party Info on the Lockscreen etc..
Just browse through WP7 sites like www wmpoweruser com or http://www.1800pocketpc.com/...
I'll go for WP8...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've made up mind too. I'm buying Windows Phone 8 as well.
Thanx!!
Sent from my RaZr NeXus.
circleofomega said:
I've made up mind too. I'm buying Windows Phone 8 as well.
Thanx!!
Sent from my RaZr NeXus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's nice to hear... Welcome back in the WP world

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