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Amazing Apps for the Xperia Z
A list of must-try applications
Hi guys, I've been trying out a lot of apps lately and I was surprised by the number of apps that go unnoticed when you're browsing the Play Store.
These may not be the most recent apps, but they're just apps that I think everyone should experience at least once.
None of these apps are specifically made for the Z, but they work well with it.
Anyway, I've put together a list of apps and a short description for them. Screenshots used are of my own phone.
I hope you like the suggestions, do give these apps a try.
Apps in this list may require -ROOT-.
This list contains -PAID- applications. (Please try the free versions of such app before purchasing)
Some apps run on the -XPOSED- framework.
All links to apps are to Play Store or XDA Thread.
App Settings:
|-ROOT-|-XPOSED-|
Download from XDAThread
Ever change the phone's dpi and find out that some apps just don't look right? (Hint: Phone dialer on Xperia Z)
Well, now that's no longer a problem because you can keep different dpi for different apps. The App Settings Xposed module lets you set per app dpi & font size.
Camera FV-5:
|-PAID-|
Download from Play Store
When it comes to taking pictures, some people just want a camera that adjusts it's settings automatically. But if you're one of those peoples who likes DSLRs where you can adjust various parameters to get the "perfect shot", this is the app for you!
Camera FV-5 can also produce photos in PNG format, thus preserving high quality of pictures. Multiple focus modes, Shutter speed adjustment, Exposure adjustment, and the list goes on. Hands down the best professional camera app ever!
Delayed Lock:
|-ROOT-|-PAID-|
Download from Play Store
The main drawback of having a lockscreen pattern is that you have to enter it each time you want to unlock the device, even if it is only a few seconds after screen off. If you set a lock delay in settings, say 2 minutes after screen off, your phone will unlock right away. No slide lockscreen. The solution for this is to use Delayed Lock. Aside from the mentioned feature, it also has other useful plugins for WiFi based unlock, location based unlock, etc.
DroidCam:
Download from Play Store
Webcams suck because most of them have really bad picture quality. Wouldn't it be awesome if your phone's camera could work as a webcam?
Well, here's your solution. DroidCam can connect to your phone in multiple ways and stream video from your phone's camera to your PC.
You need to install software on your PC too. It is compatible with Windows and Linux.
GMDGesture Control:
|-ROOT-|-PAID-|
Download from Play Store
Having a 5 inch screen, I thought it would be awesome to be able to perform multitouch gestures to navigate between activities and control various device features.
GMD gesture Control proved to be exactly what I was looking for.
With a great levels of customization and an extensive feature set, this app is probably the best gesture control app you'll ever come across.
(Tip: In advanced settings, set Override touch events parser to: ICS_DEFAULT)
Greenify:
|-ROOT-|-XPOSED-|
Download from Play Store
The worst part of having a ton of apps is that they drain battery even when you aren't using them.
Well, with Greenify, you pretty much ensure that applications that you don't need running in the background will be hibernated when you aren't using them!
It's very simple to use & very low on resources.
History Eraser:
Download from Play Store
If you're like me, then you hate having any sort of history on your device. History Eraser erases history from apps like the browser, play store, call logs, etc. at the touch of a button.
It also has a handy 1x1 widget for this.
Icon Themer:
|-ROOT-|-XPOSED-|
Download from XDA Thread
This Xposed module can change system icons. The beauty of it is that it can be used for all launchers.
Everytime a resource is requested, it responds with the corresponding resource that the theme redirects to.
Lockscreen Policy:
Download from Play Store
One feature I hate in 4.2.x is that the camera is accessible over the lockscreen. I have also noticed a number of people who do not like the idea of having widgets on the lockscreen. Lockscreen Policy allows you to disable lockscreen widgets and/or camera.
MoDaCo Toolkit:
|-ROOT-|-XPOSED-|
Download from XDA Thread
This handy set of tweaks runs on the Xposed framework.
Good for ROM customization.
SD Maid:
|-ROOT-|
Download from Play Store
SD Maid can clear up unnecessary data from your phone. No more do you need to worry about apps leaving behind traces of data after uninstall.
It also has useful features like Corpsefinder, which finds traces of uninstalled apps and Duplicates, which finds duplicate copies of files which can help you save space.
Sidebar Pro:
|-PAID-|
Download from Play Store
An amazing app that puts a sidebar on the phone which can hold app shortcuts and/or a list of open apps.
It is an overlay on the screen and doesn't interfere with functioning of other applications.
A must have for multitaskers!
SoftkeyZ:
|-ROOT-|-PAID-|
Download from Play Store
Easily change your Navbar's softkeys with this app.
Occasionally causes problems, but if you're an experienced user, you will have no problems fixing it.
Startup Manager:
|-ROOT-|
Download from Play Store
A great app to manage startup of applications. Many apps launch on boot that considerably slow down the phone. Not only that, but they also end up draining battery if they are not killed.
Startup manager lets you decide what apps will launch on boot. It can also control startup of system applications.
Trickster Mod:
|-ROOT-|
Download from Play Store
Trickster MOD is a nice, easy-to-use tweaker. It may not have a ton of options, but it does have the most useful ones and the ones that really matter.
It also has these "tools" that help you change your device's hostname, trigger the media scanner and connect through ADB over WiFi.
Wakelock Detector:
Download from Play Store
I was huge fan of Better Battery Stats, but of late, I've been having problems with it. I was searching for a good replacement, which is when I came across this app.
A humble app that shows you a list of wakelocks. Does the job well and does not consume additional resources.
XBackground:
|-ROOT-|-XPOSED-|
Download from XDA Thread
An Xposed module that can change the background for the Xposed Installer app as well as the background of the notification bar.
Needs a reboot to take effect.
Xposed Installer:
|-ROOT-|
Download from XDA Thread
The Xposed Installer installs the Xopsed framework and helps to manage Xposed modules.
This framework is compatible accross most ROMs. An absolute must for people who love customizing their phones.
Xposed Tweakbox:
|-ROOT-|-XPOSED-|
Download from XDA Thread
Another Xposed module for small tweaks and customizations.
The CRT animation is particularly interesting.
XThemeEngine:
|-ROOT-|-XPOSED-|
Download from XDA Thread
Ever wanted to use CM themes on a non-CM ROM? More specifically, have you ever wanted T-Mobile Theme Engine themes on a ROM that doesn't have the T-Mobile Theme Engine built in?
Well, this is the answer. XThemeEngine does exactly that. The drawback though is that it's limited in it's scope and not everything works perfectly (The project is still in beta). Also, themes need to be ported and cannot be directly used as is.
Zooper Widget:
Download from Play Store
Don't you love an app that lets you create your own widgets? Zooper Widget allows you to create highly customizable widgets.
It's quite light on resources too.
I hope this post was informative.
Took me quite a while to put this together, and it's not really what I usually do, but I thought I'd put in the effort anyway.
Thanks for the list, can I suggest six axis tool I find it really handy for gaming if you have a spare ps3 remote
Sent from the beast!
MattJaO3D said:
Thanks for the list, can I suggest six axis tool I find it really handy for gaming if you have a spare ps3 remote
Sent from the beast!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't own a PS3 (PCGamer ), so I have never used the app. I will however add it to the list later.
I wonder if it will work with my Xbox 360 Wired Controller for Windows. Some games do support the Xbox controller without having to modify anything.
I'll test it out tomorrow when I get back home.
Wowww amazing apps jajaja, para ésto hay un subforo no?
Sent from my C6603 using xda premium
Thanks for the list
domaco xposed app only works for deodexed roms/AOSP based?
im currently on stock,locked but no changes has been seen.. or should i reboot?
I bit the bullet and bought camera fv I'm a sucker for pics and I'm well glad I did not only does it give a million options but you can set the hardware control's ie volume control to take pics
Sent from the beast!
So i installed the Exposed Installer and now my battery is messed up. My z was on discharging 19% left and when i connected to pc....immediately raised upto 45%, 10 mins later the phone died. Any ideas?
Aresmar said:
Thanks for the list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome.
leongzxc said:
domaco xposed app only works for deodexed roms/AOSP based?
im currently on stock,locked but no changes has been seen.. or should i reboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I'm on an odexed stock ROM. Some tweaks may not work, some might. All of them need a reboot to take effect & also ensure that you enabled the module in Xposed.
MattJaO3D said:
I bit the bullet and bought camera fv I'm a sucker for pics and I'm well glad I did not only does it give a million options but you can set the hardware control's ie volume control to take pics
Sent from the beast!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I'm just back from a vacation to a beautiful hill station. I was grateful for that amazing app!
handsup1 said:
So i installed the Exposed Installer and now my battery is messed up. My z was on discharging 19% left and when i connected to pc....immediately raised upto 45%, 10 mins later the phone died. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is most likely not related to Xposed framework.
Try and do a full charge to 100% and see if it's just a random problem.
Is it just me or just everything seem really big on this phone even with the font set to small? I feel like my S5 can fit a ton more content on the screen and they are supposed to be the same resolution. I.e. my keyboard takes up almost half the screen on the X. It feels like still 720p...
km8j said:
Is it just me or just everything seem really big on this phone even with the font set to small? I feel like my S5 can fit a ton more content on the screen and they are supposed to be the same resolution. I.e. my keyboard takes up almost half the screen on the X. It feels like still 720p...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is amoled technology, it looks like pixelated as u said but it have many advantage, amoled can produce much high ratio of color saturation than other screen, there are only one screen technology that can truly turn off pixel where black picture is, I mean at black colour, pixels are off, means true black you cant find any faint or visible black that is cool feeling when you see at black especially at night... This feature is my favorite.
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app
Mandeep148 said:
This is amoled technology, it looks like pixelated as u said but it have many advantage, amoled can produce much high ratio of color saturation than other screen, there are only one screen technology that can truly turn off pixel where black picture is, I mean at black colour, pixels are off, means true black you cant find any faint or visible black that is cool feeling when you see at black especially at night... This feature is my favorite.
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think you understood my original question.
Yeah, the DPI is set pretty crazy on the phone. First thing I did was root and change the density to 380 instead of 480. That fixed the problem for me.
l2and said:
Yeah, the DPI is set pretty crazy on the phone. First thing I did was root and change the density to 380 instead of 480. That fixed the problem for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which app did you use?
If you are rooted just use a File explorer to edit the build.prop.
Be aware that the Camera app will no longer function if you change the DPI
knitler said:
If you are rooted just use a File explorer to edit the build.prop.
Be aware that the Camera app will no longer function if you change the DPI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol that is ridiculous - need a camera
km8j said:
lol that is ridiculous - need a camera
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to change the build.prop, you'll need to mount /system as well.
After doing that, install Xposed and used the "App Settings" module. After the restart, go to app settings and change the DPI back on the camera and moto display if you're using the active notifications to 480 (com.motorola.camera and com.motorola.motodisplay). After that, you should be good to go with everything else. If you come across another app that looks funny or doesn't load, go back to app settings and change it.
l2and said:
If you want to change the build.prop, you'll need to mount /system as well.
After doing that, install Xposed and used the "App Settings" module. After the restart, go to app settings and change the DPI back on the camera and moto display if you're using the active notifications to 480 (com.motorola.camera and com.motorola.motodisplay). After that, you should be good to go with everything else. If you come across another app that looks funny or doesn't load, go back to app settings and change it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But this cans the camera?
I tried the moto X in at&t store and also noticed the icons and text being a lot bigger. I tried using nova launcher and this displayed everything normally. I think the stock google now launcher is the problem
viking2.0 said:
I tried the moto X in at&t store and also noticed the icons and text being a lot bigger. I tried using nova launcher and this displayed everything normally. I think the stock google now launcher is the problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Google launcher has bigger icons that stock Android launcher.
Yes but everything is that way. Even individual apps are simply huge
Yeah they definitely should have tweaked the DPI for this phone. Most of it is fine (for me) but the icons are ridiculously large. Not going to give up the camera app to change it though.
km8j said:
But this cans the camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will force the camera to stop working until you go into app settings using xposed and set the DPI to the camera back to 480. Once you do that, the camera will work just fine.
......
Hmmm anyone else notice that the active display time and lock icon is all screwed up after changing dpi
Changing the DPI on active display app works
The annoying part is that Moto Display is only compatible with the stock DPI. I went from 480 to 400 today and everything is fine besides that and stock camera app crashes on opening. However, I use Google Camera so meh.
Yup, if you need your active display back. Change com.motorola.display back to 480.
There are a couple apps in the play store that will change the DPI for you.. DPI changer, texdroider DPI. Both work great. As mentioned, use the Xposed module "app settings" to change any app that is acting up, back to stock DPI. I've got the VZW variant, I may have to make an exchange to the pure edition. I myself prefer a much smaller DPI, as well as hiding my nav keys and enabling pie via LMT. Not to mention the Xposed module "Tinted Status Bar" which improves the look of the interface dramatically.
I always used 290 on my nexus 4 and it was great.
I really don't like how big the icons are stock. Any suggestions?
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk 2
I use Nova, Google Launcher icons are stupidly big
320 maybe
I wouldn't go 320... the stock value is 480.
I use 440, it's perfect for me. It could be smaller (but 320 is WAY too small), but with the large screen and bumbling one-hand use 440 is perfect. Plus if you don't use XGELS to modify the launcher settings, it adds a 5th column in the app drawer.
I will also add: if you change the DPI at all, Moto Display will be weird. It's just graphical, off center and funky icons. Xposed module App Settings allowed me to change the DPI of just Moto Display back to 480 and problem solved.
how do you change the dpi? the large icons are bugging me too
_bottle_ said:
how do you change the dpi? the large icons are bugging me too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The large icons aren't a dpi issue, it's just the style of the Google launcher
_bottle_ said:
how do you change the dpi? the large icons are bugging me too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit the build.prop.
I just use the app "textdroider dpi" to adjust mine
Just rooted 5.0. On 4.4.4, I had my DPI at 400 with the Xposed Module App Settings to correct Moto Display. Obviously, that's not an option on Lollipop. So, my questions is, does anyone know a way to correct this while maintaining a similar DPI to 400 and do it without Xposed?
Crooke356 said:
Just rooted 5.0. On 4.4.4, I had my DPI at 400 with the Xposed Module App Settings to correct Moto Display. Obviously, that's not an option on Lollipop. So, my questions is, does anyone know a way to correct this while maintaining a similar DPI to 400 and do it without Xposed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I just switched to 400 and I'm having the same issue, anyone have a fix for this?
ggmask said:
Yeah I just switched to 400 and I'm having the same issue, anyone have a fix for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think there really is a fix.. With xposed you could do per app DPI.. I've learned to deal with it being a little off center using 420 dpi
CWick4141 said:
Don't think there really is a fix.. With xposed you could do per app DPI.. I've learned to deal with it being a little off center using 420 dpi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my plan but then I noticed that after some time it seemed to re-center, but the actual active portion of the screen doesn't. So I have to slide to the left of the actual unlock icon to unlock it (???). Weird.
I'm interested too, those icons and applications are too big for me. I feel like we don't benefit of the entire 5.2" screen 1920x1080 and 441 ppi... it shows exactly the same amount of content as a 4.2" screen with 150 ppi. I would be happy to find a little fix too, I have not enough skills to build it.
Maybe the key is to come back to Nexus' line, but the Moto X 2014 seem so perfect except that point.
Just install nova launcher
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
Tried it. Indeed the desktop is better, but each time I launch an application like Youtube, Whatsapp or Settings for example, it feels I'm a old person who needs very big font size. I would like to see more on my screen, with smaller font size then.
Setting ourself the DPI would have been great.
I edit with pro build dpi with root explorer , perfect.
regards
Anybody else noticed that the phone icon hasn't updated to the flatter one after update?... Looks out of place
Well, I decided to keep my XT1092 and try it out with some tweaks. I'm on Lollipop 5.0 (22.21.19 reteuall).
I firstly unlocked the bootloader, secondly I rooted it with Multitool 4.1, and finally I used "adb shell wm density XXX" to change the DPI to 360.
PERFECT : I have no glitches at all, even Active Display is OK. So I recommend this very easy method to be happy with a good screen DPI.
Edit : my bad, after the 1st reboot, I have same problem with Active Display, but it's worth it.
There will be Xposed soon I hope, then I'll take it back.
StiiLe said:
Well, I decided to keep my XT1092 and try it out with some tweaks. I'm on Lollipop 5.0 (22.21.19 reteuall).
I firstly unlocked the bootloader, secondly I rooted it with Multitool 4.1, and finally I used "adb shell wm density XXX" to change the DPI to 360.
PERFECT : I have no glitches at all, even Active Display is OK. So I recommend this very easy method to be happy with a good screen DPI.
Edit : my bad, after the 1st reboot, I have same problem with Active Display, but it's worth it.
There will be Xposed soon I hope, then I'll take it back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found this too, but ended up going back to stock DPI for another reason as well: the back button does not get properly sized when you adb the DPI, it looks too big. Same goes for some of the status bar icons (for example the battery is larger than other buttons). Then there's the glitches like your profile icon in hangouts being way too big, the top developer icon in play store being way out of position, and the triple dots under the middle word suggestion on google keyboard being too large. Changing DPI is just a hassle and makes the phone uglier, which is a real bummer because this phone desperately needs a better DPI setting.
ggmask said:
I found this too, but ended up going back to stock DPI for another reason as well: the back button does not get properly sized when you adb the DPI, it looks too big. Same goes for some of the status bar icons (for example the battery is larger than other buttons). Then there's the glitches like your profile icon in hangouts being way too big, the top developer icon in play store being way out of position, and the triple dots under the middle word suggestion on google keyboard being too large. Changing DPI is just a hassle and makes the phone uglier, which is a real bummer because this phone desperately needs a better DPI setting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have your problems...
Maybe it depends on which number DPI you are, mine seems OK with all of this. Also, I set "Small" font size in the settings. I got one "big" problem for me anyway, I can't use Swiftkey with this, there is a strange bug with this keyboard, I will post an screenshot later.
This isn't really a questions, more an answer. Though many questions hide here...
I like to use my Note 4's S-pen to annotate excel files (and others). The app that works best is WPS Office (formerly kingsoft). It has one really annoying "feature": when it detects that the device is a phone, it doesn't allow you to annotate using the pen. Only when the DPI is 480 or lower do you get something like tablet mode, and then the pen works.
(Maybe it has something to do with Samsung dropping Kingsoft?)
I can adjust the DPI by using the Xposed AppSettings module, and the DPI does change, but the detection of tablet/phone does not. I tried to play with various AppSettings setting, but nothing convinced WPS to allow me to use the pen.
Second option is to change DPI via system/build.prop. That works! However, now my phone has small fonts and icons. These I can adjust with AppSettings.
The last thing left is the statusbar. (I need large statusbar icons while driving/navigating, because I'd like to know if the battery is slowly increasing or slowly decreasing...)
I tried various Xposed modules to change status bar size, nothing worked.
Finally, the following worked: in AppSettings, adjust DPI for the app "System UI". That allows the statusbar to be bigger and readable (it also adjusts the Notification bar...)
A long series of problems finally solved... maybe
1. What do you use to annotate documents?
2. Any other way to convince WPS to enable the pen?
3. Is there a better way to change status bar size?
I'm on latest stock Touchwiz 6.0.1, T-mobile.
Hi all,
I'm starting to give up hope on making the Edge Lighting work as a notification with AOD Always On (and not installing third-party apps).
I just want to go into Samsung's Edge Lighting Menu, select Google's Messages app, or Facebook Messenger, or Instagram, create a color, and have it work when the screen is off and AOD is on. Why is this so difficult?
Am I missing something? Why would Samsung create the Edge Lighting to work ONLY with their Messages app and not a single other app on the Play Store?
Does anyone know of a decent fix? I tried the Glimpse trick, but it only Edge Lights up one color (whatever is chosen for Glimpse), and the little popup at the top of the AOD is a Glimpse Icon, not the real notification (ex. "App Icon: Sender: Message Content"). I think this would work great, and very simply, as it's essentially just forcing a screen wake for selected apps, which is what Edge needs to work, apparently, but it's own popup bubble and Edge color is useless right now.
And I've tried the "Edge Lighting Fix For All Apps" App, but it's still pretty convoluted for setup and actually spells out each app in the notification popup (ex. "Instagram: Sender: Message Content") rather than the IG Icon and then the content. It's the best we've got right now, but it's still sad Samsung can't make this work by now (how many phones with edge screens have there been now?)
Anyone have other workarounds for this? Thanks in advance, it's driving me nuts.:silly:
I know you don't want to use a 3rd party app, but the aodNotify app will do just what you're looking for and it is developed from a user right here on XDA. It's got a low profile so battery life isn't affected much at all. You can get it on the play store. I highly recommend it as it doesn't look like Samsung is gonna do anything.
StoneyJSG said:
I know you don't want to use a 3rd party app, but the aodNotify app will do just what you're looking for and it is developed from a user right here on XDA. It's got a low profile so battery life isn't affected much at all. You can get it on the play store. I highly recommend it as it doesn't look like Samsung is gonna do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that, but it's using a knockoff version of edge light that looks like junk, to be blunt. Sammy's is smoother and I want that to be the Edge Light in use.
Also, no customizing app colors.
I use it with the Edge lighting plus app, it works well for me. Good luck on your quest!
not every app works with edge notif's, matter of fact, it seems that very few do. go to the galaxy store and download "good lock", it allows you to configure the edge notif's and its directly from samsung. Not third party. It also allows you to customize the s**t out of the statusbar, bottom icons etc etc. It gives root access to mods that no other app has access to
Apparently, my Edge Lighting on my S10 works for 2 of the 3 apps I selected: Whatsapp, Samsung Messages work fine, Samsung Email (v6.1.12) does not show Edge Lighting on my S10. I enables all notifications for Samsung Email, but not luck. Pretty annoying. Anyone experiencing this too?