Database Develop

Enter the Noob

I'd love to be a part of this community, but where do I go for a good primer? You all are WAY over my head with all of the registry-hacking shenanigans, but I'm a quick study. I guess I could pore over the threads until my head explodes, but isn't their a more noob-friendly way of going about catching up?
In the meantime, perhaps someone could answer some ridiculously noobish questions:
1) I read a review scolding HTC for not including "Voice Command." What is voice command?
2) I don't see why my Tilt keeps trying to connect to Edge when I'm 3 feet from my WiFi router. Can't I make it try WiFi first?
3) I think I understand that I have Edge and the faster 3G will be in my area soon. So what is GPRS all about?
4) My OLD cell phone could at least tell me how many voice messages I had. This thing only gives me an icon that looks like film - it only tells me how many message I have when it gets a new one and "notifies" me. Any way to add the number? Along these same lines, if the iPhone can "itemize" voicemails and iPhones are sold through AT&T, isn't there a way to create a WM app that does the same thing?
5) I haven't yet hooked my phone up to my PC to sync, so why is it that when I drop down the task list "ActiveSync" has always automatically started itself again?
6) How does one access the registry editor? (Don't worry, I realize that with great power comes great responsibility...)
I have a ton more questions, but I'll bother you with them in waves, I guess.
Thanks
FYI - I'm using the AT&T Tilt and the only "custom" things I've installed are Windows Live, Live Search, and the HTC Home plugin. (All very cool!)

AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! good lord read the wiki for Hermes cause most of the **** is the same and just about all of your questions have been answered in the forum!!!!
cheers

uh... thanks? Like I said, I wasn't sure where to start...
Really having second thoughts about saying "I'd love to be a part of this community" too...

Welcome to the forum drokkon
The way I see it Doug2873 just had a little accident as he was answering your question:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
But seriously, it is always difficult to answer a post that has several questions in one and the posts in reply can end up jumbled and confused.
So, how to proceed:
Find the link on the brown bar above to the Wiki. (we do not yet have one for the Kaiser - but much of what is said for the Hermes also applies to the Kaiser)
http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/ISP/ISP113/ispc013011.jpgOn the main posts page you will find a "sticky" post called search XDA-Developers Using Google. You can type key words or phrases into this and search this site only. Many of your questions have been answered several times and you can expect most of your questions to be answered. For immediate convenience here is a link to the same post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=314615
If you cannot find an answer, then post a new thread, but keep it specific to a single topic. e.g. Is there a way to make my screen flash like a Xmass tree on 25th December?
It is generally frowned on to adopt a style like:
Pllllllllllllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeese help me
OMG! i DON'T BELIEVE IT
A sense of humour is always OK (in my view) so long as it does not cross common sense boundaries.
Hope that helps some, initally anyway.
Mike

Not everyone is as discouraging at the first person to reply.
There are apps to download that can fix most of your questions.
I would do some searching on the forums then ask what you didn't find out. I also found out the hard way that if you ask a bunch of questions as once you get considered a noob. But if you ask just one question at a time you will get good anwsers.
I don't consider myself an expert but here is what I know(or think I know on some of your questions)
1 - Voice command is voice dialing
2 - when I am on wifi mine pops up everyonce in while too but it stays connected to wifi with no problems. I haven't address it, there may be a better solution but mine seems to work find so I never messed with it.
3 - I know based on the connection that edge and 3g both connect to the internet GPRS. There are program that allow you to force it to choose the higher one or nothing.
4 - If I click on the voicemail icon it tells me how many I have.
5 - It is always running to be prepared for when you do connect so you don't have to manually start it up. From what i can tell if uses very little resource running so it has never matter to me.
6 - There are program you download to edit the registry. I would suggest looking at the sticky for the kaiser. It is reg edit for dummies that runs on your phone making it very easy to change the settings. It includes everything I was looking at changing.
Don't take my answers as fact, i am sure i will be corrected on a few of them, just trying to help.

Well Drokkon, first off, welcome. I'm pretty new here myself I am tempted to answer all your questions (though one or two have me scratching my own head) but that way you won't learn to get around. I'm siding with what mikechannon said. The answers are here, and his post explains how to find 'em
mikechannon said:
Welcome to the forum drokkon
The way I see it Doug2873 just had a little accident as he was answering your question:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally off-topic but I must say, this is one of the best replies I've ever seen on XDA. That picture!
jallenclark said:
3 - I know based on the connection that edge and 3g both connect to the internet GPRS. There are program that allow you to force it to choose the higher one or nothing.
6 - There are program you download to edit the registry. I would suggest looking at the sticky for the kaiser. It is reg edit for dummies that runs on your phone making it very easy to change the settings. It includes everything I was looking at changing.
Don't take my answers as fact, i am sure i will be corrected on a few of them, just trying to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3 - GPRS and EDGE use GSM, 3G uses UMTS. They do not all connect to 'the internet GPRS' or whatever you meant
6 - My sentiments exactly

drokkon said:
In the meantime, perhaps someone could answer some ridiculously noobish questions:
1) I read a review scolding HTC for not including "Voice Command." What is voice command?
Voice command allows you to use your voice to command the phone. (Duh, I know). There are 2 different types now. One, you train with your own voice .. the other (Microsoft's) requires no training and can functionally do more. Voice command is included in some roms and from some carriers, Microsofts can be purchased.
2) I don't see why my Tilt keeps trying to connect to Edge when I'm 3 feet from my WiFi router. Can't I make it try WiFi first?
Maybe a dumb question but did you turn on WiFi? Start --> Programs --> Comm Manager
3) I think I understand that I have Edge and the faster 3G will be in my area soon. So what is GPRS all about?
From Wiki:
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a Mobile Data Service available to users of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and IS-136mobile phones. GPRS data transfer is typically charged per megabyte of transferred data, while data communication via traditional circuit switching is billed per minute of connection time, independent of whether the user has actually transferred data or has been in an idle state. GPRS can be used for services such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access, Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and for Internet communication services such as email and World Wide Web access.
Read More: HERE
4) My OLD cell phone could at least tell me how many voice messages I had. This thing only gives me an icon that looks like film - it only tells me how many message I have when it gets a new one and "notifies" me. Any way to add the number? Along these same lines, if the iPhone can "itemize" voicemails and iPhones are sold through AT&T, isn't there a way to create a WM app that does the same thing?
There are several app out there that do that. Some free some pay. Look for Pocket Phone Zen or PhoneAlarm. You may also want to click on the icon as mentioned
5) I haven't yet hooked my phone up to my PC to sync, so why is it that when I drop down the task list "ActiveSync" has always automatically started itself again?
ActiveSync is always running (checking) for a connection. You can pretty much consider it part of the OS .. you know .. a "feature"
6) How does one access the registry editor? (Don't worry, I realize that with great power comes great responsibility...)
You will need a registry editor.
PHM Registry Editor or Total Commander (for PPC) are two free choices. Total commander is also a very good file manager.
** Keep in mind, you screw up the registry ... you will be hard reseting (formating and starting from scratch) **
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See answers in-line with your questions. I hope this helps some.

this board really moves fast too, which makes it hard to find things for new people or people that don't have a lot of time to troll the forum... i have litterally 8 different threads added to my favorites so that when i get up to speed with my phone i can bring them up and try to follow whatever directions i wanted to recall.
i've been lurking around this forum for a month and a half or so but now that i have my device in hand i realize how much more i need to know before i start messing with it. i guess a good place to start will be the wiki for the hermes after i finish the 240 page user manual for the tilt. i can't wait to start adding new things to my phone(like GPS software, WIMP, Opera mini, a cool keyboard someone recommended, etc). anyway, i am just glad a place like this exists.

mikechannon said:
Welcome to the forum drokkon
Hope that helps some, initally anyway.
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, Mike - it did! I'll be sure to check out those sources you mentioned.
jallenclark said:
Not everyone is as discouraging at the first person to reply.
2 - when I am on wifi mine pops up everyonce in while too but it stays connected to wifi with no problems. I haven't address it, there may be a better solution but mine seems to work find so I never messed with it.
4 - If I click on the voicemail icon it tells me how many I have.
Don't take my answers as fact, i am sure i will be corrected on a few of them, just trying to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help!
2) In regards to the WiFi vs. Edge, I guess I'm just annoyed because I AM connected to WiFi and yet it keeps going for Edge. I figured out that under Settings -> Connections -> Connections -> Advanced -> Select Networks, you can choose whether programs use MEdia Net, AT&T ISP, My Work, and My ISP. First of all, this is tedious; secondly it's confusing - I assume it has to do with that confusing question that the WiFi connection asked me: "Is this connection to a) your work network or b) the internet." HUH? I'm sure I'll figure it out.
4) Furthermore, I can't click my voicemail icon. Wonder why not?
Chainfire said:
Well Drokkon, first off, welcome. I'm pretty new here myself I am tempted to answer all your questions (though one or two have me scratching my own head) but that way you won't learn to get around. I'm siding with what mikechannon said. The answers are here, and his post explains how to find 'em
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate it - hope we can both learn a lot!
wattsja said:
See answers in-line with your questions. I hope this helps some.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lots of good info! Thanks so much.
MAXPOW3R said:
this board really moves fast too, which makes it hard to find things for new people or people that don't have a lot of time to troll the forum... i have litterally 8 different threads added to my favorites so that when i get up to speed with my phone i can bring them up and try to follow whatever directions i wanted to recall.
i've been lurking around this forum for a month and a half or so but now that i have my device in hand i realize how much more i need to know before i start messing with it. i guess a good place to start will be the wiki for the hermes after i finish the 240 page user manual for the tilt. i can't wait to start adding new things to my phone(like GPS software, WIMP, Opera mini, a cool keyboard someone recommended, etc). anyway, i am just glad a place like this exists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I'm not the only one! I've been lurking for about a month, waiting for the Tilt to come out. I was active over at HowardForums and AT&T forums, but once I had the thing in my hot little hands last Thursday, I figured it was time to jump ship and learn how to customize this thing to my heart's content. As you said, however, the board moves fast and I couldn't find a board for beginners or even a sticky for beginners, so I thought I'd ask.

Finger-Friendly Friends (FFF) v1.0 alpha 2 is available!

Everyone: please do NOT post in this thread. Post here instead: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=340227
I promised you some more candy... well, here it is!
There are a couple of bugfixes and a new feature: "Send my position". If you have a GPS receiver in your telephone (such as the HTC Kaiser), you can send your position to your contacts! FFF will track your position and generate a map in Google Maps that can be opened on a PC (mobile phone browsers typically don't support Google Maps. Perhaps Opera 9 will).
It will also create a short link, so your friend won't have to type a zillion-character long address.
Address is http://www.jotto.no/fff
Enjoy!
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Edit: v1.0 alpha 3 is now available. Have fun!

wow,what a surprising feature. I'm gonna test it right away!!

Wouldn't work on my Vario 3 unless I used Live Search to fix my GPS position first. Cool how it knows where I am with just that short link though. Nice app.

yoda6 said:
Wouldn't work on my Vario 3 unless I used Live Search to fix my GPS position first. Cool how it knows where I am with just that short link though. Nice app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get an error message? What's stated in the "Status" field?

sweet and brilliant ideas!! downloading right now!!!

Looks like this is the new thread for FFF, so I'm going to copy what I posted in the original thread as my comments actually pertain to the most recent version of the software (downloaded Alpha 2 earlier and installed before making these comments in the original thread):
Dwimmerlaik said:
By far the best contact app I've seen developed for Windows Mobile yet. A couple of suggestions:
Allow for scrolling via TouchFlo when there are more contacts that match the search criteria than those displayed on the screen (i.e. the same condition that results in the "more" at the bottom right).
Definitely enable a setting or make it a default function for the installer to modify the registry to make this the default contact application. I don't mind tweaking the registry, but not everyone is comfortable with that.
You have a function to send current GPS location to a friend, how about doing the opposite and have a function to obtain directions from Google Maps from your current location to the Home or Work address of the contact?
In the same direction as #3, I would suggest adding two additional icons to the screen that are labled as "Home Address" and "Work Address". I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to locate some icons that would match the current default set. Clicking on either would display the address and then provide an option to obtain directions to that address from your present location.
Other than those suggestions, great application and I'm looking forward to watching its development. I love it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

hmmm need to get outdoors tmw to test the GPS function..
cant scroll down the list of contacts via dpad? and.. cant see all matches of more than certain number?

Jahnotto,
It froze a couple times, but I got it to work. I think it froze because I tried to exit out of it as it was searching for satellites. Constructively, I think the gps is kind of a neat feature but from a practical standpoint it's more of a "hey...look what my phone can do" more than a required feature. Some of the other suggestions listed would make this a serious go-to tool.
-list and scroll through all the names feature
-operating d-pad scrolling
-corporate and/or middle name search ( I have a bunch of 'Z' entries that I can't look up, they are stored on my SIM...maybe that's why)
-when you get a name isolated to one name, ability to press send key and dial directly
Are these possibilities?
Again, just trying to help and be constructive.
Thank you.

do you need a data plan to send position to a friend?

thomassster said:
do you need a data plan to send position to a friend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? What's a data plan?

Update: Alpha 3 is now available! A mobile-friendly map link is generated in addition to the full-blown Google Maps map. I have also fixed a bug on the map link.
I have got lots of suggestions to improvements. I appreciate that, but I haven't had the time to reply you all! I'd better spend my time developing this, huh? ;-)
I will not add any additional features in this release. I will now concentrate on fixing bugs and improving general usablity (for example company name search, scrolling, etc, etc).

thomassster said:
do you need a data plan to send position to a friend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's setup so that you are just sending the coordinates in an email with a link to googlemaps. No more data than sending an email.

roverman said:
It's setup so that you are just sending the coordinates in an email with a link to googlemaps. No more data than sending an email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm connecting to the url-shorten service at http://metamark.net/ to shorten the url. It's not much data, though - 100 bytes back and forth or so.

Very Very Very COOL!
Bad thing is that when you send your GPS position via email, it uses "Outlook Email". Problem is, I dont have Outlook Email, I only use Gmail so I cant send an email with my position since I cant seem to change it to use Gmail (or another account other than Outlook).

grizzley said:
Very Very Very COOL!
Bad thing is that when you send your GPS position via email, it uses "Outlook Email". Problem is, I dont have Outlook Email, I only use Gmail so I cant send an email with my position since I cant seem to change it to use Gmail (or another account other than Outlook).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same goes for the regular "send email" feature. I will let the user select the email account.

jahnotto said:
Same goes for the regular "send email" feature. I will let the user select the email account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True... However, if you choose "In Outlook" you can choose the account it is sent from. With the "Copy To Clipboard" not working yet, I have to just wish I could use it.

I tested version 3 the last hour and found a bug.
When I get the message 'short link failed' (why??) I can't get rid of the error message.
when I did get that message and clicked it a several times away the buttons on the bottom halve don't work anymore.
Very nice program by the way and a great feature the GPS.
Would be nice if it was possible to let the FFF sent automatic every two minutes an email for example.
please continue developing. I like it very much!!

Mine is getting a fix just fine and reporting the position but I can't tap any of the links like "Send via email".

Hi thanks for a really great app!
Just one suggestion, is it possible to just post one thread for the applicaiton.
You can use the first post to attach new release. This way you will get all the feedback and suggestions in one place.
Another request is if you could just post a short version history list so we could find out what has happened to the application.
Again, thanks for the great work!
//Piotr

PiotrM said:
Hi thanks for a really great app!
Just one suggestion, is it possible to just post one thread for the applicaiton.
You can use the first post to attach new release. This way you will get all the feedback and suggestions in one place.
Another request is if you could just post a short version history list so we could find out what has happened to the application.
Again, thanks for the great work!
//Piotr
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good suggestion. I will ask the moderators to freeze this thread.
Everyone: please do not post in this thread. Post here instead: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=340227

Recommended WM software site?

Hi, I just got a tytnii (new to windows mobile) and was trying to find a "filehippo for WinMob" type site for software, any suggestions would be appricated. I was specifically looking for:
* an IM client
* podcast client
* rss reader (river of news format)
* perhaps an email client
* drawing program
* time sync prog
* codecs? (haven't tried many diff videos yet)
* wardriving prog
* graphics viewer
Any suggettions/recommendations would be appreciated!
Cheers
-Gaiko

Try here:
http://google.com
Search for PPC or WM5 freeware /shareware /whatever

grizzley said:
Try here:
http://google.com
Search for PPC or WM5 freeware /shareware /whatever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right. That would certianly help me find sh*tloads of software but I was hoping to find *good* software and not just any crap that happens to popup in google. Geeze dude, if you can't post something constructive then why post anything at all?

I totally agree, these smart ass remarks are useless. I normally just use handago to search for free ones.
Good luck
Lindemann

gaikokujinkyofusho said:
Hi, I just got a tytnii (new to windows mobile) and was trying to find a "filehippo for WinMob" type site for software, any suggestions would be appricated. I was specifically looking for:
* an IM client
* podcast client
* rss reader (river of news format)
* perhaps an email client
* drawing program
* time sync prog
* codecs? (haven't tried many diff videos yet)
* wardriving prog
* graphics viewer
Any suggettions/recommendations would be appreciated!
Cheers
-Gaiko
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
* podcast client - I like BeyondPod
* rss reader (river of news format) - I'm trying out mDigger and NewsGator Go There is also viigo, but I found it horribly slow in comparison.
* drawing program - try http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ (I've got Pocket Picture, which meets my wants)

google.com has never failed me.

www.freecabs.de
for games
www.clickgamer.com

gaikokujinkyofusho said:
Hi, I just got a tytnii (new to windows mobile) and was trying to find a "filehippo for WinMob" type site for software, any suggestions would be appricated. I was specifically looking for:
* an IM client
* podcast client
* rss reader (river of news format)
* perhaps an email client
* drawing program
* time sync prog
* codecs? (haven't tried many diff videos yet)
* wardriving prog
* graphics viewer
Any suggettions/recommendations would be appreciated!
Cheers
-Gaiko
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I suggest IM+ for IM or mundu messenger or agile messenger
2. can't help with podcasts because i don't need those.
3. RSSHub works for RSS I believe.
4. your phone has a built in email client of outlook
5. i don't draw on my phone but the Notes program could be a suitable freebie for you thats built in
6. your phone changes time automatically with DST when you have it ticked in phone settings
7. for video there's a TCPMP completed package around with all codecs for it except flv which can be sound on sourceforge(use google)
8. wardriving is a bad bad thing
9. your phone has standard picture viewing but you could try S2V or HTC Album

Thanks (very much) to all for the suggestions, to the "use google crowd"; i obviously annoyed you and for that i am sorry but the point of my posting was asking for recommendations.
-Gaiko

truely smart comment
grizzley said:
Try here:
http://google.com
Search for PPC or WM5 freeware /shareware /whatever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly this is the most intelligent comment I have ever read. If you want to find good programs, then search and get your feet wet. You will install crapware and find out you don't like it, thats the only way to find out what is good and what is bad. Thats part of the fun of winMo, its all about finding what works great for you and your phone!!.

I tend to use freewareppc.com (not to be confused with freewarepocketpc.net) and ppc4all.com (search the freebies), although most of the best freewares can be found right here at xda dev. If it's worth having, at some point somebody will have suggested or recommended it and posted a link. Only trouble is that nearly always requires knowing exactly what you're after. Good luck!

gaikokujinkyofusho said:
Thanks (very much) to all for the suggestions, to the "use google crowd"; i obviously annoyed you and for that i am sorry but the point of my posting was asking for recommendations.
-Gaiko
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose you want someone to install it for you, configure it, and use it for you too? You need to get aquainted with how to find stuff, etc. There's a zillion sites that are very easily found, but gee, I guess I better not say how.
BTW, you whining that people were being smartass to you while being a smartass is, well, dumbass.

khaytsus said:
I suppose you want someone to install it for you, configure it, and use it for you too? You need to get aquainted with how to find stuff, etc. There's a zillion sites that are very easily found, but gee, I guess I better not say how.
BTW, you whining that people were being smartass to you while being a smartass is, well, dumbass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go easy, man. Not everyone is in the XDA mind set when they start. I'm sure first couple of people who told him to use google made their point. We all have been there one day. Now he knows.

@gaikokujinkyofusho: I recommend having a read through the PocketPC experts awards results. Lots of reviews, lots of good software. Not all free, but lots worth having (and buying!)
V

gaikokujinkyofusho said:
right. That would certianly help me find sh*tloads of software but I was hoping to find *good* software and not just any crap that happens to popup in google. Geeze dude, if you can't post something constructive then why post anything at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about stop being such a n00b and read the wiki. That tells you freeware sites etc

a few solutions
I would recomdend using the windows mobile email app especially if your email uses IMAP4
its realy sgood can cehck every 1,15,30 etc
there is a realy nice youtube app you can find the link in a post or pm me if u can't and ill email it to you
if your using aim u can download the "aim for ppc" from aol uk its what I used on my wizad now I use the installed one that came with stock att tilt rom

Basic WinMob Apps
Gaiko,
You may want to back up a bit and begin by gaining some control over the OS first.
WinMob doesn't do automated profile switching (ring settings, backlight settings...) beyond "off" and "mute."
WinMob also doesn't clean up after itself very well. You will notice that, as you use your winmob device it will get slower and slooower. So you may want to begin with a couple of basic applications like ...
phoneAlarm (pocketmax.net), which lets you manage ring tones, alerts volumes, backlight level and time to turn off... (profiles)
MemMaid (Dinar Soft) which helps keep your device's memory freed up to operate all the apps you are dying to find and install.
I would also highly recommend the following...
BeyondPod for both RSS reading and podcasts. I have tried most of what's available. BP works best and is free.
ProfiMail for email. If you are using POP email, Profi is simply the best. The user interface is very straight forward and efficient and it renders html email better than any other program I have used by far. It also lets you store email on the card (vs. internal memory). ProfiMail does not, however, integrate with your calendar app to send notifications about meetings... The big player in this space is FlexMail. BUT, the rendering of HTML mail sucks - at best - and the UI is not at all user friendly (and I use this app for my pushed email account). It will, however, integrate with your calendar to send and receive notifications.
Opera for web browsing. Period! Pay version currently @ 8.65 with 9 promised sometime before the turn of the decade.
Calendar program. Pocket Informant. Period.
When it comes to where to find your apps, check the XDA store first. Then, I recommend MobiHand and the rest. I try to go straight to the developers sites once I have found them in the hopes that they get to keep more of the price of the app that way.
Happy hunting, Richard

Can I jump in and thank dgduris.
You are one of the few people on this site who has considered a question before replying with an easy answer.
Yes this is a developer’s site, but developers work best through collaboration and being considerate to the client / users needs. Who is to say that the OP won’t end up contributing hugely in one way or another to this community? I personally think there are some on this forum who seem to be looking for a fight. I would also hazard a guess that most of these types of people aren’t actually developers themselves, but like to feel big by belittling others in public.
I try to keep my head down on these forums in fear of reprisal, where as other forums make you feel welcome and people try and help each other.
Just my 0.02p

SlyTuk said:
Can I jump in and thank dgduris.
You are one of the few people on this site who has considered a question before replying with an easy answer.
Yes this is a developer’s site, but developers work best through collaboration and being considerate to the client / users needs. Who is to say that the OP won’t end up contributing hugely in one way or another to this community? I personally think there are some on this forum who seem to be looking for a fight. I would also hazard a guess that most of these types of people aren’t actually developers themselves, but like to feel big by belittling others in public.
I try to keep my head down on these forums in fear of reprisal, where as other forums make you feel welcome and people try and help each other.
Just my 0.02p
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Click to collapse
In fact its the complete opposite. You will find this site to be a wealth of information and everyone is more than happy to help, but alot of people (myself included) get annoyed when we see the same threads posted again and again when all people need to do is read the wiki or use the search option. These tools are there for a reason because they help people.
You will find everyone on here can be your best friend if you use the search option as all you do is create another redundant thread.
Dont take this personally as this happens every day

SlyTuk,
Thanks for the kind words.
I figure most of the folks doing the flaming need to get their hand out of their pants, go outside and soak in a little vitamin D (sun).
And I don't worry too much about them.
Once upon a time I was in Gaiko's shoes trying to understand WinMob after years with EPOC-->Symbian. I got lots of help from this forum. It is nice to be able to re-pay the value I get here as an end-user.

Missing WinMo Apps and Customizations!

I came from a Wing, so i am used to a few apps and customizations. I would really like to see a QuickMenu and Touchflo app for Android. Would be cool to have the slide menu broken up into folders, raise up like it does, then have a vista-like menu style. I can't wait till people start figuring out about making full blown themes like touchflo or SPB Shell app.
Has anyone seen or used any apps like these for Android yet?

great phone can't wait for more apps
I was a wing man to kinda hard to switch from wm6 but they are coming up with apps I am sure by the end of the month they will have all we want

Perhaps, but given that this is a new platform that is not Windows Mobile, I think most developers will be trying to work in new directions rather than ape other OS' looks and functionality.

Everyone has their thing but why do you want to take a new platform and apply old after thoughts from Win Mobile to it? Lets think outside the box and develop for the future and stop recycling the past onto another device that has much more potential. Google posted the source code to Android. There is nothing we can't make this thing do, keeping in mind hardware, if we just imagine a little bit and really push for a change of pace. I'm sick to death of the Touch series. Whats next?

damnitpud said:
I came from a Wing, so i am used to a few apps and customizations. I would really like to see a QuickMenu and Touchflo app for Android. Would be cool to have the slide menu broken up into folders, raise up like it does, then have a vista-like menu style. I can't wait till people start figuring out about making full blown themes like touchflo or SPB Shell app.
Has anyone seen or used any apps like these for Android yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree about the "application" slide up needing folders. I've been downloading just about everything from the market just to check it out and it's getting a little cluttered. You can make folders on the "desktop" why not in the menu.

So lets do it. Should be able to sift through the source and find the option to create the folders from the main screen, just implement it into the menu?

d474rpr said:
Everyone has their thing but why do you want to take a new platform and apply old after thoughts from Win Mobile to it? Lets think outside the box and develop for the future and stop recycling the past onto another device that has much more potential. Google posted the source code to Android. There is nothing we can't make this thing do, keeping in mind hardware, if we just imagine a little bit and really push for a change of pace. I'm sick to death of the Touch series. Whats next?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree here, if you just take from one platform to another, you end up with Vista! But there is a reason to take somethings and make it Android's own. Plus the stuff i want is not from WinMo really, its more from 3rd party apps...I got tired of the Diamond themes, but the Manilla themes are awesome and much newer! I don't think there is a Homescreen alternative that can beat TouchFlo2d right now. It's kind of the same thought of running Ubuntu with the Mac or Vista themes. A stable underbelly but a pretty shell. Nothing wrong with that right?

damnitpud said:
I agree here, if you just take from one platform to another, you end up with Vista! But there is a reason to take somethings and make it Android's own. Plus the stuff i want is not from WinMo really, its more from 3rd party apps...I got tired of the Diamond themes, but the Manilla themes are awesome and much newer! I don't think there is a Homescreen alternative that can beat TouchFlo2d right now. It's kind of the same thought of running Ubuntu with the Mac or Vista themes. A stable underbelly but a pretty shell. Nothing wrong with that right?
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Not at all. Sorry I think my post came across a little harsh. Didn't mean for it to. I agree, there are a lot of third party apps out there that I'd love to see on Android as well.

d474rpr said:
Not at all. Sorry I think my post came across a little harsh. Didn't mean for it to. I agree, there are a lot of third party apps out there that I'd love to see on Android as well.
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Nah wasn't harsh at all.
Ahh wish i could fast forward like 3 months, i am sure a lot of what we are asking for now will be here by then! Would be cool to have a Virtual Keyboard, File Explorer, TaskManager, BatteryStatus and some sort of TouchFlo2d =)

damnitpud said:
Nah wasn't harsh at all.
Ahh wish i could fast forward like 3 months, i am sure a lot of what we are asking for now will be here by then! Would be cool to have a Virtual Keyboard, File Explorer, TaskManager, BatteryStatus and some sort of TouchFlo2d =)
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Click to collapse
Yeah, 3 months from now will be better on the virtual keyboard front.
There were some pre-release file managers that worked passably. I don't know why Google hasn't put them back up in the marketplace yet.
As for battery status, the OS has pretty detailed status information that's easy to make into a shortcut. There is a task switcher in the marketplace that shows you what's really running (as opposed to the last six from the long-press home key). There is no app killer, though, but if the apps are coded correctly, Android handles them like a champ. There really shouldn't be any need for a task manager if apps are coded right and Android manages them like the "life cycle" documentation describes. In an ideal Android world, the task manager is a thing of the WinMo past.
But as for TouchFlo, sliding panels, spb, and all that BS, I'm so happy to be out of that world and would be disappointed to see any of it come to Android. To each his own, though.

agree with you beartard about touchflo etc.
most important to me is to get some ability to attach files to emails. That should've been in basic android. I'd be totally happy with that. Errr, and file manager and a touch keyboard

Wait doesn't the G1 have a sort of touchflo feel just without that annoying cube that no one ever used?
I mean you drag down to get notifications, you drag up to open all programs. You scroll by dragging in the direction. Isn't that all what touchflo did for WinMo?

Wait doesn't the G1 have a sort of touchflo feel just without that annoying cube that no one ever used?
I mean you drag down to get notifications, you drag up to open all programs. You scroll by dragging in the direction. Isn't that all what touchflo did for WinMo?

neoobs said:
Wait doesn't the G1 have a sort of touchflo feel just without that annoying cube that no one ever used?
I mean you drag down to get notifications, you drag up to open all programs. You scroll by dragging in the direction. Isn't that all what touchflo did for WinMo?
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Click to collapse
TouchFlo made it easier to get to anything in less clicks. But it also gave it a nice interface. The G1 does have a touchflo feel to it, but it doesn't have all the settings to change where apps/contacts are. I did download Any Cut so i can get to certain things quicker. But It doesn't have the nice interface. Once you get a bunch of Icons on the homescreen, it starts looking like a bad copy of the IPhone.

damnitpud said:
TouchFlo made it easier to get to anything in less clicks. But it also gave it a nice interface. The G1 does have a touchflo feel to it, but it doesn't have all the settings to change where apps/contacts are. I did download Any Cut so i can get to certain things quicker. But It doesn't have the nice interface. Once you get a bunch of Icons on the homescreen, it starts looking like a bad copy of the IPhone.
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Click to collapse
That's why I'm putting my shortcuts on the sides, where they'll be hidden most of the time.
I had ultimate launcher for my Wing, and it was...okay. I found after awhile I didn't need all the tabs I kept adding, and that they actually started to get in the way. Do I really need a shortcut to a game I only play when I'm bored and have nothing else to do?
Part of me wonders if the "drawer" at the bottom will be split into thirds so that there's three tabs at the bottom, and you drag whichever one you want up. You can't drop a shortcut on either side of that drawer button, so it seems like it would work.

Email
I liked the email application with exchange support on the iPhone 3G. It would be nice to get an intuitive yet different (to the iPhone) email application on the G1 from which I can control my exchange mail. (Yes unfortunately the organization that I work for is heavily based around Microsoft products and so for work, my email is exchange based.)
I do however agree with the idea of thinking out of the box but I'm not a developer and coming up with the ideas is not my strong point. I also think that taking some good designs/ideas from other platforms and improving on them is absolutely acceptable as long as it's done within reasonable boundaries. (I don't want an iPhone or WinMo lookalike)

I also agree about missing the wide world of windows mobile capabilities but what's crazy is that the android platform been out for a long time before the G1 so you would think that by now all the apps for the older version would have gotten updated by now since they knew this was coming.

TyTN II
You Should have Stuck with Windows mobile The Wing Sucked to me You needed a Powerful ppc like A Tilt Aka Tytn 2 Are Diamond Are Touch Are Fuse Then Add Skyfire and Wisbar And you have full flash Web And you have a mini Computer
picture below is my Moded out HTC Dual Camera ...lol TyTN II HomeScreen with mouse control
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

I was actually selling my Wing on CraigsList to get a Tilt. But the person who i was supposed to sell the Wing to stopped answering my emails. The person i was going to buy the Tilt from stopped emailing me back when i told him i would need another week to come up with the $300 for the Tilt. I was still debating on getting a Tilt as a back up. But i think i will wait and see what happens with the G1 before spending that much on a backup phone. Not to mention i still have my Wing and will only get rid of it for a Tilt or enough to get a Tilt.

nucentury08 said:
You Should have Stuck with Windows mobile The Wing Sucked to me You needed a Powerful ppc like A Tilt Aka Tytn 2 Are Diamond Are Touch Are Fuse Then Add Skyfire and Wisbar And you have full flash Web And you have a mini Computer
picture below is my Moded out HTC Dual Camera ...lol TyTN II HomeScreen with mouse control
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, would you mind PM'ing me how to get that interface on my phone?? You said something about wisbar, i just want to know exactly what to do before I purchase it...

Request/Ideas for Apps Go Here!!!!

It would be awesome if there was an application to use the MBW-150 bluetooth watch on the G1. Is anyone developing one?
-Tyler

I'll bite. I'd buy one if I didn't have to use a sony ericson phone to use it.

[IDEA]A new contact app(2 preview screenshots)
Does anybody think the built-in contact app is not easy to use?
I'm working on a new contact app called aContact which provides a new UI to access to contact data and some more features.
So,anybody has any idea about this new app or found the disadvantages of the built-in contact app??
THANKS
I will post the scrrenshots after I finished the first version.
Thanks again for your advices!
---------------------------21th December added---------------------------
There are two screenshots.Any advice?

The best contact manager I've used was the one built into SPB Mobile Shell for Winmo.

thefoss said:
The best contact manager I've used was the one built into SPB Mobile Shell for Winmo.
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Click to collapse
OK.I'm now using the htc touch diamond.I will try SPB Mobile Shell.
Thanks for your advice

nice idea even though i dont mind the g1's contact app i know it can be better.
some things i think you should add:
-ability to view contacts in groups or categories
- if possible assign ringtones to group
- have the number/letter show up when scrolling like the icontact for wm
- integrate it so that when someone send you a number you can long press and add number to you contact manager or you can make it retrieve contacts through google.
- have birthday

haitiankid4lyf said:
nice idea even though i dont mind the g1's contact app i know it can be better.
some things i think you should add:
-ability to view contacts in groups or categories
- if possible assign ringtones to group
- have the number/letter show up when scrolling like the icontact for wm
- integrate it so that when someone send you a number you can long press and add number to you contact manager or you can make it retrieve contacts through google.
- have birthday
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes!I am strongly agree with you!
The built-in contact has no birthday records!
BTW,I think iContact is a nice app on WM.

[REQ] Android App Ideas
hello android users,
I am a developer on the windows mobile side of things (see the M2DC thread for an example of my work) and I am thinking I might like to move over to developing for android.
I have a few problems, first, I don't have a device, this is not a huge deal at the moment because I can just use the SDK emulator for now, but I will be purchasing a device later on if I like developing for this platform. The second problem is that I need help with ideas for some simple apps... since I do not have a G1 to handle on a daily basis I don't really get the chance to feel things out and discover where an app might come in useful.
So my request is this. Does anyone have any ideas for "simple" android applications? Anything they wish the phone did better? Or a simple functionality that they wish the phone had? Reading through this forum it looks like there is a demand for OCR and possibly something to make applying new themes/skins easier? Or the TextTwist Game?
Of these 3 the game sounds the most interesting, the theme changer sounds good too because that is what my current development in windows mobile does, and the OCR is most likely out of my league at the moment.
I am open to any app ideas, I'm just looking for something to get me started and get me interested in the platform.

A few apps i would like to see as follows
1. A reboot option in shut down menu "if possible".
2. Digital Clock for homescreen
3. Screen Capture
4. Camera Zoom option
5. Checkers
Hope this helps a bit, good luck!

An application that kills tasks running in the background (although most folks say it's not possible right now), video recorder, night mode for camera, or Sirius/XM internet streamer similar to SiriusWM5 (I'm not sure that one is possible at the moment either...). Of course, you could create widgets (something more simple) but the source code won't be available to next year allegedly.

- Office suite (word and excel file editor)
- Youtube downloader from phone (like iphone mxtube)
- Super Mario Chronicles !!!!!
- FlightGear portable
- compiz fusion !! (not important but just tto test phone power to my friend that have an Iphone)
- More widget

haitiankid4lyf said:
nice idea even though i dont mind the g1's contact app i know it can be better.
some things i think you should add:
-ability to view contacts in groups or categories
- if possible assign ringtones to group
- have the number/letter show up when scrolling like the icontact for wm
- integrate it so that when someone send you a number you can long press and add number to you contact manager or you can make it retrieve contacts through google.
- have birthday
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can view contacts in groups - Contacts - Menu - Display Group (created on GMAIL page).
Ringtones to groups would be nice, but for now you may just display a group and assign them all a ringtone
The long press to dial/save numbers in SMS has been addressed and should be in the final version of Android 1.0.
A birthday? Ehrmm.... Would personally prefer that to stay where it is (in my calendar).

I would like it to integrate the Dialer and searching for contacts, so i can just start typing a name or a number and it would show me the matching contacts. (I think SpellDial does this but is not very robust).
Thanks

Need view sort by last name, company, etc.

jhales said:
Need view sort by last name, company, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK.I'm working on this.

ye11ow said:
OK.I'm working on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is tougher because the gmail contacts (web) only has one field for the name...
--M

Thank you very much for the input guys, I really appreciate it. These lists are definitely getting the creative juices flowing... I will see what I can put together.
If possible I will open source the beta version of my first program and post the beta packages here on xda for everyone to use without charge... I am still learning the whole process so we will see what happens in the end
Thank you for the suggestions, and I am still open to hearing more

I guess "simple" is also relative to your level of proficiency in Java and mobile development. As far as holes in the shipped operating system that could use fixing, there are many points to attack. Some could be done in the JVM, others would have to be done in native c. Examples include:
An office suite
Video recording
Touchscreen text input (API will expose this in 09Q1)
A simple but high-quality word or puzzle game would be great tho.
Edit: welcome aboard the Android side too ;-)

jashsu said:
I guess "simple" is also relative to your level of proficiency in Java and mobile development. As far as holes in the shipped operating system that could use fixing, there are many points to attack. Some could be done in the JVM, others would have to be done in native c. Examples include:
An office suite
Video recording
Touchscreen text input (API will expose this in 09Q1)
A simple but high-quality word or puzzle game would be great tho.
Edit: welcome aboard the Android side too ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you 100%, the system stuff sounds good, but of the posted ideas and from what I have seen there is a small demand for "simple" games, and this is the direction I plan on going initially, games are fun to make and they should give me a decent overview of what is involved in throwing together an app.
As far as my java proficiency... I can definitely get by. I have a few websites that rely completely on the google web toolkit, and my bachelors degree was typical of an early 2008 CS curriculum, 2 years of java to learn what OO programming is, and then 2 years of C to learn about the fun stuff (pointers, threads, compilers, OS's, etc...). but like I said before I am just looking to make a traditional application, and I think that it is going to end up being a game of some sort,
I don't have a device yet, if I get one it would be pretty much a development only device, so I am trying to get my feet wet with an app or 2 before I decide to get one. I did manage to get a few minutes with a G1 today and I must say that the device feels so much better than my Titan, that capacitive touchscreen is awesome.
Once I get something going I will startup a new project on google code so I can take advantage of the free svn server and start posting my progress

fun stuff (pointers
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I have to admit that might be the first time i've seen the word "fun" and "pointers" so close together ;-)
I did manage to get a few minutes with a G1 today and I must say that the device feels so much better than my Titan, that capacitive touchscreen is awesome.
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Capacitive touch screens feel great and and quite responsive but they do have their caveats too. The main one is that accuracy of input is lower than with a stylus. You'll have to keep that in mind when you design the UI. You can scale the size of the emulator on screen to match an actual G1's physical screen size (emulated pixels might be mangled though).
Once I get something going I will startup a new project on google code so I can take advantage of the free svn server and start posting my progress
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking forward to it There are some specific android development communities you can check out too for more relevant talk on android java programming. anddev.org I think is a popular site.