Few questions regarding features and apps - Samsung Gear 2 Neo

Looking into buying the Neo 2, and right now im pretty convinced it is a great watch, but I need to ask a couple of things.
1) - Actual battery life, what do you people actually get out of this device? Samsung advertise 3-4 days, is this correct in real life?
2) - Apps, what sort of apps are available to the end user? Is there some sort of market place that a user can access BEFORE buying one?
3) - Rooting and ROMS, I see there is a TizenMod 3.0, does this reduce battery life or have any real world complications?
4) - Texting and Instant Messaging. I see you can use Fleksy for text messaging and what not, but has there been made support for FaceBook Messenger? That would be great.
5) - Fleksy, if I get a message notification from the device, if I were to click on it, would it take me straight to the Fleksy messenger? Or would I have to go there manually to answer back?
This is all for now, dont want to overload the community at once. Thanks in advance

Anyone?

-I get 3 days battery. I usually keep the brightness set on 2. Unless I am outside alot then I get less battery.
-I use the gear market place it installs with the gear manager.
-I haven't rooted mine.
-I used the gear manager to create several pre composed responses to reply to texts with.
-Never tried Fleksy.
sent from my Note 4

Just got mine yesterday, not a bad device at all. Good for notifications and some ok apps, not allot of then to be honest, and development and forum activity is minimal. Does great as a watch as well! Fleksy is ok, but to be honest, this pairs up with your phone and your phone will typically be right near you, so I use my phone to text unless I use a premade response. If you can get it for a good price, it's a great novelty device, I honestly don't think I would pay full price for it, check swappa, there's a few for sale on there half off and swappa is a legit site. @Pedroc1999

In the UK I seem to be able to get it for 150 GBP, I will have to look into that then! Thank you

Related

My HD7 - Initial thoughts, please tell me yours!

I picked mine up yesterday, within 2 minutes I had it unlocked....I'm coming from an iPhone 4.
I have to say, coming from the iPhone 4 I've been spoilt to an extent. But what I have to keep reminding myself is the fact that iOS4 is pretty much in the autmn of it's lifespan and is going to need a massive update at some point.
Before the iPhone, I had a couple of Android devices and on paper, Android is the ultimate geeks phone. The only issue I have with it, is how it looks. It just seems so "Raw" and non-pleasing on the eye and the fragmentation of builds is a problem for me. one or two different versions is semi-acceptable but with Gingerbread soon to come out, We'd still have modern handsets scattered between at least 3-4 builds of the OS and that to me is just "Messy". Half the problem is the network providers stupid roll-out phases, which are pretty much worthless as we saw what a POS the O2 2.1 Eclair was like for the Streak (If you didn't, it was a disaster)
I've been following WP7 since it's very first announcement, so the 23rd has been a date in my calendar for a while now. I managed to pick up my HD7 this weekend and so far, I'm a little bit on the fence. The UI is exceptional, I love the vector styling with the Metro UI. I like the whole contemporary text off the screen, I truely love it. WP7 does some things really well, but others are just lacking. The lack of the custom Ringtone is really, REALLY annoying. The fact that it seems impossible to delete an email address you add to the phone seems outright ridiculous....for instance, I incorrectly entered an email address, so it won't sign in. I can change the password, but not the email. I look under the settings and I see no option to remove the account. The manual only shows you how to add them as well, not remove.....???
That is unacceptable in my opinion.
The best way to describe it is I feel this is more a pre-release version of the handset. Having come from a test / QA background I'm just not sure how certain parts of this were signed off. I knew the phone was never going to be "Open" like android, but some of the restrictions are frustrating. Just as I think "God, this is going back!" I then find something I like, which totally changes my mind. I think I'm going to continue using it over the next few days and see how I get on.
What is everyone else's overall opinion so far?
risq said:
I picked mine up yesterday, within 2 minutes I had it unlocked....I'm coming from an iPhone 4.
I have to say, coming from the iPhone 4 I've been spoilt to an extent. But what I have to keep reminding myself is the fact that iOS4 is pretty much in the autmn of it's lifespan and is going to need a massive update at some point.
Before the iPhone, I had a couple of Android devices and on paper, Android is the ultimate geeks phone. The only issue I have with it, is how it looks. It just seems so "Raw" and non-pleasing on the eye and the fragmentation of builds is a problem for me. one or two different versions is semi-acceptable but with Gingerbread soon to come out, We'd still have modern handsets scattered between at least 3-4 builds of the OS and that to me is just "Messy". Half the problem is the network providers stupid roll-out phases, which are pretty much worthless as we saw what a POS the O2 2.1 Eclair was like for the Streak (If you didn't, it was a disaster)
I've been following WP7 since it's very first announcement, so the 23rd has been a date in my calendar for a while now. I managed to pick up my HD7 this weekend and so far, I'm a little bit on the fence. The UI is exceptional, I love the vector styling with the Metro UI. I like the whole contemporary text off the screen, I truely love it. WP7 does some things really well, but others are just lacking. The lack of the custom Ringtone is really, REALLY annoying. The fact that it seems impossible to delete an email address you add to the phone seems outright ridiculous....for instance, I incorrectly entered an email address, so it won't sign in. I can change the password, but not the email. I look under the settings and I see no option to remove the account. The manual only shows you how to add them as well, not remove.....???
That is unacceptable in my opinion.
The best way to describe it is I feel this is more a pre-release version of the handset. Having come from a test / QA background I'm just not sure how certain parts of this were signed off. I knew the phone was never going to be "Open" like android, but some of the restrictions are frustrating. Just as I think "God, this is going back!" I then find something I like, which totally changes my mind. I think I'm going to continue using it over the next few days and see how I get on.
What is everyone else's overall opinion so far?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The feelings mutual.
I like the HD7 but a couple of things annoy me:
1) I cant import my sim contacts..
2) i cant stop it from syncing my hotmail contacts.
But i dont see any issue that an update cant fix which is a good sign.
I think its early days, developers and updates will iron out all the problems eventually.
rafter_01 said:
The feelings mutual.
I like the HD7 but a couple of things annoy me:
1) I cant import my sim contacts..
2) i cant stop it from syncing my hotmail contacts.
But i dont see any issue that an update cant fix which is a good sign.
I think its early days, developers and updates will iron out all the problems eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Am I insane or is it actually impossible to remove a LIVE email account....as I mentioned above, I incorrectly entered the address (Missed a letter) and now, for love nor money I cannot amend the address nor outright delete the account and start over. It's horrible, as It just stands out "Your attention is required" Just let me DELETE THE ACCOUNT!
Looked through all the manuals, HTC stuff, Windows site....simply cannot see an option.
any idea?
Can you add a Google Account (EAS) and have it sync contacts and calendar from there. What it you have no or some contacts in your Live account, will they overwrite or integrate the Google contacts.
Does WP7 display and sync shared calendars or only the primary?
Mujja said:
Does WP7 display and sync shared calendars or only the primary?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only the primary calendar currently but you can have it display multiple live account calendars and gmail calendars I believe.
risq, it doesn't look like you can delete the main live account you entered when you set up the phone initially (I might be wrong though). You CAN remove other email accounts in the Settings > Email & Accounts screen. Press and hold the account you want to remove and you get a 'synchronise' or 'delete' option.
I haven't tried it but maybe for the main account, try adding the correct live account, then it may allow you to remove the one that doesn't work?
Thanks for your review it really helps, i currently have an iphone 4...thinking of selling it to get an hd7...do you think it is currently worth doing or should i wait so they can iron out the bugs??...As i understand you cannot tether as well also whats the keyboard like vs the iphone?...i had an hd2 and hated the keyboard...
Theguru1 said:
Thanks for your review it really helps, i currently have an iphone 4...thinking of selling it to get an hd7...do you think it is currently worth doing or should i wait so they can iron out the bugs??...As i understand you cannot tether as well also whats the keyboard like vs the iphone?...i had an hd2 and hated the keyboard...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i can tell you one thing, the keyboard is amazingly quick and responsive on the HD7. My mate has a IPHONE4 and he thinks HD7 keyboard is awesome...
To delete an account
goto settings
goto accounts and email
long press on the account you want to delete
rafter_01 said:
The feelings mutual.
I like the HD7 but a couple of things annoy me:
1) I cant import my sim contacts..
2) i cant stop it from syncing my hotmail contacts.
But i dont see any issue that an update cant fix which is a good sign.
I think its early days, developers and updates will iron out all the problems eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought you could import sim contacts, I've not put a contact on a sim for a couple of years now but...
Go to settings,
swipe the screen from system to applications
tap People
there is a import sim contacts button there, it's not useable on my handset but then I know there aren't any sim contacts there, you may get more mileage.
As to annoyances, my biggest gripe is volume control, who thought it was a good idea to have one central volume setting, have the ring tone high to be able to hear the tinny rings, start using Zune with a set of headphones, take the volume down to a listen-able volume and then when finished have to put the volume back up for the ring tones ARGGHHH /rant sorry
I agree, the volume setting is a bit annoying and slightly unusual. Like I say, it's almost like they've chucked WP7 to the angry mob to rip it to bits and provide feedback on how to improve it..
at least that's what I hope they've done. Like a Commerical BETA.
interesting comments.
I still feel that WM7 is more rounded then the first version of iOS or Android
Sure MS have had some time to develop it but broadly the biggest pain to me is no removable SD card.
Everything else will be fixed by firmware. I understand the Q1 firmware release will be hugh (cut & paste, etc.)
thanks
so jump ship or stay with iphone 4 until the bugs are sorted and more features are added?
Theguru1 said:
thanks
so jump ship or stay with iphone 4 until the bugs are sorted and more features are added?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
If your an App whore and cant stand not having them....stick with the iPhone4
I have the HD7 and there are some things which really have peed me off, however coming from a 6.5windows mobile phone I have the biggest smile on my face
its a matter of time until Microsoft iron out these small little bugs, but overall an awesome phone/OS which will get better over time
lol i'm kind of an app whore but there is too much crap on there...300,000 apps and more than likely 90% of them is utter rubbish...
i have an ipad so i think have an ipad and iphone is too much wp7 seems to be a fresh approach on the OS and lets face iOS 4 needs a face lift its kind of boring now...and wp7 exactly does that...i'm just worried about bugs i had an hd2 before iphone because there were alot of things that bugged me about it...thats why i questioning wp7...
Initial thoughts
Been lurking around these forums for a very long time, only now decided to make an account so this is my first post i guess!
back on topic;
brought my HD7 this morning from o2 (pay and go)
It feel and looks brilliant, screen is quite sharp and looks very pretty regardless of what youre doing on the phone.
Sound quality isnt anything to drool over, you can hear things, it does its job but could be better.
Sound quality during phone calls is a bit better, but again, could be better.
Performance is great, UI is quick and pretty and works like a charm.
Charged it from close to empty to full within 2 hours, although the battery got quite warm which worried me, as ive never experienced that with a phone before.
Physical buttons on the device are are good, camera button works really well as do the volume rockers. However the power button up top has a VERY soft feel to it, (No click as you press it). not sure if this is how its meant to be, or if its the way it was designed. (Anyone confirm if there power button is the same?)
I think as the market store matures, the device will get even better along with firmware updates, and i look forward to experiencing them.
Obviously these are just my own personal opinions~
will hd7 work on att network?
I have the hd2 on att now and i know htc is releasing the srrond for att, but the 3.5 screen seems to be a step backwards, so more interested in the hd7.. Anyone know how hd7/windows 7 plays with exchange?
how would you compare the speakers quality comparing to an iPhone 4 or Nexus One ?
Finally made a decision and pre ordered from letstalk. Got tired of waiting on info from dell about the Venue. May get it later but know I will love the Hd7. Just hope the screen is better than my Evos
I think you need to Reset the phone to remove the main Windows Live Account (and all data!)
Ian
cjindustry said:
I have the hd2 on att now and i know htc is releasing the srrond for att, but the 3.5 screen seems to be a step backwards, so more interested in the hd7.. Anyone know how hd7/windows 7 plays with exchange?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HD7 works well with my Exchange 2010 server. Some things missing that are present in iPhone 4 which frankly surprised me ..
1 - No content search of email
2 - No Search on server option
In its defence though the HD7/WP7 works well in offline mode - something that really frustrates on iOS
ian

Share texts between phone and tablet

Anyone know of any apps (current or in development) that allows for text messages that come in to an android phone to be answered and responded to from a tablet?
I know theres similar functionality for answering from a computer, but this would be great over wifi or bluetooth.
(Also thinking out loud here, if the two are paired over bluetooth, would it be at all possible with some kind of development to use the tablet like a headset to answer or place calls from the phone?)
These are things that I dont expect people to say "Heres an .apk" but want to get these ideas out into the open to see if anyone has anything to contribute or point us in the right direction.
text
Try using Google voice on both phone and tablet with the same account then you can get ye messages and text.
Thanks but...
1) Google voice isnt currently available for the Xoom.
2) I'd like something that doesnt require me to notify all my contacts of a number change and have them be confused about which is actually my cell phone number.
Google voice works fine through the browser
Yes you can. You can send texts from your phone on your tab using the free app Remote Web Desktop.
This app gives you your phone desktop on your tab, send texts, add files to your SD card, etc.
Gotta admit, that one is pretty great, i can see myself using it on my comp.
A little sluggish and slow on the tablet going through the browser though.
What im looking for is essentially the functionality of that on the phone side, but a dedicated app on the tablet, obviously optimized for the screen real estate and interface that will refresh on its own, have its own notifications on the tablet etc.
Basically an app that looks and acts like a dedicated sms client on the tablet, only its doing all the actual sending and receiving on the phone side and pulling it over wifi or bluetooth.
This is basically what HP has in store for the touchpad and pre3 so im not exactly expecting someone to just link to it and move along. I'm really hoping someone developing some kind of similar solution sees this and reaches out to the community.
Thanks for the suggestions and please keep them coming...always love seeing new apps.
WHY?
gbenj said:
Anyone know of any apps (current or in development) that allows for text messages that come in to an android phone to be answered and responded to from a tablet?
I know theres similar functionality for answering from a computer, but this would be great over wifi or bluetooth.
(Also thinking out loud here, if the two are paired over bluetooth, would it be at all possible with some kind of development to use the tablet like a headset to answer or place calls from the phone?)
These are things that I dont expect people to say "Heres an .apk" but want to get these ideas out into the open to see if anyone has anything to contribute or point us in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am wondering why one would want to do this? just really curious as to your thought behind the question....
Kent_Davis said:
I am wondering why one would want to do this? just really curious as to your thought behind the question....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want this kind of app too... heres my reason. My phone sits on its dock once i get home in the bedroom and i tether the wifi to my tab. So i dont have it nearby but my nook always is
Sent from one of those missing Droids
Another reason is that its much more comfortable to text and type from the tablet. (Its amazing how tiny my Incredible feels after using the Xoom for a few days.)
Like the previous post says, if I can be sitting on the couch with the tablet, leave the phone plugged in in my room, and get notifications etc on the tablet that would be great.
Plus, if i'm gonna be using the tablet more and more around the house, it would be much easier to sit there with one device on my lap instead of constantly switching between the tablet to the phone when I get a text.
Think of it as a phone extender where the main phone functions are accessible on the tablet over WiFi or bluetooth, whatever is easier.
I just wanted to throw my +1 here. I feel silly juggling my phone and tablet. I'd love to be able to walk away from my office and only have to worry about grabbing one device.
Didn't find it sluggish, xoom tethered to my N1 on Tmo's fast network. If you find something else, please share, thanks!
There is definitely a need for this. I use the google voice app on my iPad for SMS more than on my N1. I also use the talkatone ios app for voip google voice calls as well. Not having a google voice app for Honeycomb is ridiculous.
Ditto I will be needing some sort of app like so. Reason- I dont own a cell phone but I wouldnt mind pay the $20 a month for the data service and being able to text using sms.
Basically he (and me too) is looking for something that acts like Motorola's Webtop App.
neonerz said:
I just wanted to throw my +1 here. I feel silly juggling my phone and tablet. I'd love to be able to walk away from my office and only have to worry about grabbing one device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
thefoss said:
Basically he (and me too) is looking for something that acts like Motorola's Webtop App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly!
I concur. This is one thing I did like about the Galaxy Tab before I sold it for the Xoom...I could answer email and TXT from one device. When you're at home using your Xoom it does make a difference in lifestyle having to grab my phone every time it beeps for a TXT...lets face it most people don't talk as much over the phone as they used to.
Very much needed app. I'd be willing to pay $10 easy for it too.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
I believe that this on the new HP Toucpad when its synced with WebOS phones. This would be awesome!
—-----------————---------------
Still rocking DJ05 with Voodoo5 Blazed Eclair 1.2ghz with GingerLiberty
------——-———-----—----—------
Sent from XDA Premium App
----------------—-----------------
DungeonDefendersUsername: TheSonicEmerald
I've been thinking about this alot over the past couple of days even to the point that I began to investigate and play around with the Android SDK to see what I might be able to do, which is not alot at the moment.
I thought of this app functioning as follows:
1) We currently have a bunch of applications that allow the user to view and respond to their text messages through an interface on the browser or computer application using an app on the phone that "broadcasts" the messaging features of the phone out over either WiFi or bluetooth. (For example, the ones mentioned earlier in this thread.)
2) We also have something called "Remote Notifier" that sends out a "ping" when a new message is received to a listening service on a computer which notifies the user on the desktop.
3) If the existing functionality of those two are combined, we have an application that can put together a list of the messages on the phone (primary location), send it out to a secondary location (in this case a tablet), while also notifying the secondary location (tablet) of a new message received.
The app on the phone also gives the secondary location the ability to respond and edit the message list on the phone.
4) The second piece of the equation we would need is an app for the tablet, preferably optimized for the screen size in a 5manner similar to the way Gmail and the native email client handle messaging, (with a list of messages on the left, and the conversation view on the right) that allows the user to browse their messages on the phone and reply within the app.
If the app on the tablet could "look" to the phone as the service provider instead of the network, I could even see notifications being created from within that app and displayed on the tablet just as if it was actually receiving the texts itself.
While I am technical enough to debug a little and troubleshoot alot, I don't have the programming background to create this from the ground up. Is there anyone out there that would be interested in working with me to build something like this?
I feel as though I have the Idea of how this will function pretty well planned out, and if there is someone who wants to do the legwork involved in the building/programming, I can definitely write and draw up use cases, user flows, and wire-frame designs for how both sides of the application would work in both the front and back end.
So, is there anyone out there interested in and capable of helping to put this together for the community? I really feel that if it is done well enough, it could take off and maybe even Google would take notice and build it in natively moving forward...If they're not already working on it.
Thoughts, questions, concerns? I would appreciate any and all feedback.
Thanks for reading....this has been a long post
if you really want to try without having to code anything try the appinventor.appinventor.googlelabs[dot]c o m/learn/setup/[/url]
ill try messing around with it later once im finished working on my woodshop project (im 14). But it you want to id try it out.

Very 1st Things to do After Activation?

Hi everyone, just got my N3 last night and I am pretty excited about it.
I am a long time Mac Rumors member and my past phones have been ...... JB 3g, JB 3gs, JB 4, JB 4s
I am very upset with the tiny screens on my iphones and I refuse to wait another year for the 6 to come out.
So now I am a 1st time Android user and what to really check out the Android scene.
What are the first things I should do with the phone, what should I install right away? (different keyboards, apps, etc)
Is there a thread around here with tutes instructing how to transfer my contacts etc?
I surely will appreciate all replies, so thanks in advance. I really wanna get the very MOST out of this device.
edit: does Google Play offer any rebates/coupons/freebies for newly purchased devices?
Hey I would use smart switch to get your things from iPhone to your new phone but that is after you have it activated
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app
XiphoneUzer said:
Hi everyone, just got my N3 last night and I am pretty excited about it.
I am a long time Mac Rumors member and my past phones have been ...... JB 3g, JB 3gs, JB 4, JB 4s
I am very upset with the tiny screens on my iphones and I refuse to wait another year for the 6 to come out.
So now I am a 1st time Android user and what to really check out the Android scene.
My N3 arrived Wednesday evening, and it's STILL not activated, (and its killing me).
The reason being, I wanna know if there is anything I should do BEFORE I call ATT and activate it.
(I do NOT want to close any windows, so is there is anything you folks recommend I do before I activate it)?
Once activated, what are the first things I should do with the phone, what should I install right away?
Is there a thread around here with tutes instructing how to transfer my contacts etc?
I surely will appreciate all replies, so thanks in advance. I really wanna get the very MOST out of this device.
edit: does Google Play offer any rebates/coupons/freebies for newly purchased devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by call ATT and activate it? All you have to do is put your SIM card in and it is ready to go with a few account setups. After that it is up to you except for rooting and modding. Cant be done right now without voiding your warranty.
First thing you do is scratch off the att emblem since they locked the bootloader
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
XiphoneUzer said:
Once activated, what are the first things I should do with the phone, what should I install right away?
Is there a thread around here with tutes instructing how to transfer my contacts etc?
I surely will appreciate all replies, so thanks in advance. I really wanna get the very MOST out of this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello?
Looking for some help here. This keyboard is way different than iphone, is it something you get used to, or should I install something else?
Please tell me what are some of the things I should change/install right away, (there's got to be some "must haves" no?)
XiphoneUzer said:
Hello?
Looking for some help here. This keyboard is way different than iphone, is it something you get used to, or should I install something else?
Please tell me what are some of the things I should change/install right away, (there's got to be some "must haves" no?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the keyboard, i prefer the google keyboard over the samsung one. It provides functionality similar to the iphone and is easy to switch between the iphone and android if you use them both in daily life.
As for apps, here is a small list of apps i like to have on all of my devices.
GOOGLE CHROME. Its much better than the built in browser and is able to synchronize with my desktop browsers favorites, etc.
Skype: Perfect for if you are travelling over seas at all with your device.
Google Hangouts: A good replacement for the built in SMS app.
Facebook & Twitter: If you need an explanation, you shouldn't be useing these apps.
Battery Doctor by KS Mobile: Simple app, but is helpful to save battery life and know exactly how much you have left.
Google Music: I have most of my library stored on google so it makes my life easy to have this.
Google Books: The book equivalent of my music library. Syncronizes what i have read across devices and browsers.
Kindle for Android: For the ebooks you buy on amazon.
Google Keep: Great for taking quick notes and having them on all your devices.
Dropbox: Great cloud file storage. Comes with free storage and you can pay to get more.
Google Drive: Google version of dropbox.
MX Player: This video player will play any video format you throw at it.
Google Maps: A must have for all smartphone users.
Zedge: While its quality has gone down a fair bit from what it once was, its still a great place to find ringtones and notification sounds for your android device.
GPS Status: Great for calibrating your devices sensors and ensuring that it works properly.
Now for the ROOT ONLY apps.
Titanium backup
SuperSU
Triangle Away
Hopefully this is a useful list to get you started. I have all these plus many more installed on my devices, and I find I use them all fairly regularly.
djdelusional said:
Skype: Perfect for if you are travelling over seas at all with your device.
Google Hangouts: A good replacement for the built in SMS app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer Hangouts to Skype because Hangouts features free video multi-chat.
But I use Google Voice for SMS because it provides free unlimited texting. Hangouts insists on using the phone's native number rather than your Google Voice number, so you have to pay extra for a text plan or for individual messages.
Doesn't anyone else have any advice for a first time Android user?
XiphoneUzer said:
Doesn't anyone else have any advice for a first time Android user?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your new to android I'd stay away from root for a while.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I467 using Tapatalk 4
XiphoneUzer said:
Hello?
Looking for some help here. This keyboard is way different than iphone, is it something you get used to, or should I install something else?
Please tell me what are some of the things I should change/install right away, (there's got to be some "must haves" no?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel like for every-day typical phone use cases, there aren't that many gaps that stand out as needing to be filled by a third party app. You'll probably need a new music player, the defaults are crapola - but I can't be much help here; I keep my music as folders full of MP3 files (like God intended!) and play with Music Folder Player, and shun the dirty S&M ("sync and manage") apps.
There's a big list of stuff that I did when I first got the phone to get it to where I'm happy with it, but all of this was root required stuff. There are apps that come pre-loaded on android devices and can't be removed or disabled without root. Also, customizing stuff that can't be customized without root. I couldn't abide by some of the not-changable-without-root defaults. Getting rid of the "screen turns on so you can unlock it when you hit the home key" behavior is probably the most glaring example for me; my ass* was unlocking it constantly - but coming from iPhone, you probably view that as the Right Thing for home button to do.
I think most people use a custom keyboard. Swiftkey and Swype are the most popular. The phone comes with Swype, but it's an ancient version with limited support for changing the dictionary, you want the newest one.
I use Hangouts for gchat, but not for SMS. I actually prefer default app for SMS..
Settings:
Pull down status bar, long press on wifi, WiFi -> menu -> advanced settings, uncheck auto connect to AT&T hotspots (unless they don't suck where you are. Around here, they often don't have internet behind them, and just break your connectivity for the 30 seconds or so it takes for the phone to connect to them, determine that the wifi is no good, and fall back to 4G. At least this phone does that; Original note would just sit there like a fool trying to use non-functional wifi... I've also yet to find a hotspot that performs better than the 4G does. But I live in a city, so the situation may be different elsewhere).
Pull down status bar, long press on GPS. Uncheck "Use wireless networks" - on newer versions of android, this drains battery while idle; the damned thing wakes the phone periodically to check the networks around it - if the phone is nearly idle, this can halve battery life (!!!)
Pull down status bar, swipe to the left along the options at the top (woah, did you know you could do that?), tap multiwindow to enable multiwindow (this was a headline feature for the note 3, but comes disabled by default). If I long-press back button, that makes the multiwindow tab hide or unhide (once it's enabled), but I don't remember if I had to do something to get this behavior.
General must-have things:
AppOps Starter (to kill permissions from apps that request permissions you don't want to give them)
Battery Monitor Widget (gives you a realtime readout of battery usage)
ES File Explorer
If you want to pretty-ize clock + weather widgets:
DigiClock
Eye in Sky
If you work in IT or have need of these (if you aren't sure what these mean, you don't need them ):
ConnectBot (telnet/ssh client)
AndFTP (ftp/sftp client, supports scp if you pay)
RDP Client (remote desktop and VNC client)
FEAT VPN (OpenVPN client)
Hacker's Keyboard (you'll tear your hair out trying to use swype/swiftkey for terminal sessions or RDP)
If you want to root the phone:
Root it, then immediately install titanium backup and "freeze" AT&T software update, so it won't update your phone (breaking root) while you're not looking
Titanium Backup - freeze all the useless bloatware that AT&T and Samsung included (there's a list of what apps you can freeze here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmzC8GFarItSdGpOZzBfWlR4MC03aDMyZ1BDUFNqU0E - not my work)
Root Explorer
Pen Window Manager for adding apps to the pen window feature
Xposed Framework
Wanam - general huge amount of customization, including selecting apps for multiwindow.
Keyboard Manager (almost a necessity if you use ConnectBot/RDP frequently - keyboards designed for messaging and such are garbage for doing administration of non-phone systems, while hacker's keyboard is garbage for messaging and everyday phone stuff)
Terminal Emulator (gives you a command prompt on phone. Doesn't require root, but there are very few use cases for terminal on android that don't also need root)
*Well, I keep it in my front pocket, so technically it wasn't my /ass/ unlocking the phone....

Nokia 1520 or Note 3?

Please help me to decide. I have used android for long time. I want to try something different but I'm not sure . Any one here switched from the Note or an android phone?
argo1a said:
Please help me to decide. I have used android for long time. I want to try something different but I'm not sure . Any one here switched from the Note or an android phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, you're asking in the Windows Phone 8 General section, so you probably won't get an unbiased opinion, so be sure to check out other sources too, which should help you decide.
Honestly, I think I would go for the Note 3. I currently use both Windows Phone 8 and Android 4.4.2 (ATIV S and Nexus 4) and I think both of them are great devices. But I prefere using the ATIV S because of its camera, the keyboard and its performance.
But in case of a phablet, I think the Note 3 (with a good custom ROM) is a much better choice.
The Nokia Lumia 1520 has a great camera, a wonderful screen and Windows Phone 8 performs seemlessly on it. The Note 3 has a bit smaller screen than the Lumia 1520, does support input via stylus and can be used much more productively. If you need or want a stylus, you have no other choice.
The Lumia 1520 is a great phone though, but imho it is not a good phablet, because I simply expect stylus support from a smartphone with such a big screen. If you just want a phone that has a great battery, great camera, great screen, great performance, great built-quality all the advantages and disadvanteges of Windows Phone 8 and you want to try something different/new, you should totally get the Lumia.
Maybe take a look at some reviews, but I don't think that you are making a wrong decision when buying either of these devices.
If you want to change from ecosystem.......from Droid to WP8x
Then you should do a lot more than compare devices.
There is a upcomming update for wp8 ( wp8.1 ) so some of the stuf you read wil soon be obsolete.
Phablets is not only about stylus.
I got a 1320, the big little brother of the 1520.
And i like it better than the note I of my wife and the note II of my daugter.
The letterfonts are bigger, i dont need my glasses to work with it.
Its simply strait forward and does everything what it supose to do.
Battery life is a lot longer and also i find the gps a lot better.
Aspecialy with the Here maps and Here drive.
Also the Nokia camera-app is way better than the one on the Samsung.
But there is no possibility to change custom roms and root ( yet ),
but thats oke because it works great strait out of the box, no need for tinkering.
yeah, he should definitely take a look at Windows Phone 8.1.
The Lumia 1520 is great, but imho it is just another Nokia phone with a bigger screen. This is not bad at all, Nokia makes great phones, but it is not really a phablet like the Note 3.
If you want something that will work out-of the box for years, have a great performance as always and will just become better the more you use it, you should take the Lumia 1520. For everything else, like Custom-ROMs, stylus support, etc. you will have to get the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
1520
HI
i own a nokia 1520 and i like it very very much. everything goes smooth and the phablet is very handy , long battery life ...in my case 3 days... beautiful design...much quicker browsing !!
there are so many android devices on the market and allmost everybody has such a phone.
with the 1520 you have something special in your hand. all my friends want to have a nokia 1x20 or x20 ...
go for the NOKIA LUMIA 1520 !!!!
I like the 1520. I can live with windows phone limitations. Android is indeed a better OS without a doubt cz you can drop your PC for an android phone but with WP you can't do a lot of things.. But I love the windows phone, its faster, more secure, stylish and has a better look. Its a matter of taste and a subjective approach... I chose the Lumia 1520 and didn't buy the Note 3.
argo1a said:
Please help me to decide. I have used android for long time. I want to try something different but I'm not sure . Any one here switched from the Note or an android phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i switched android phone...
note 3 is more productive than nokia :good:
patraaas said:
note 3 is more productive than nokia :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wel nee, Nokia is more productive ..........
serious
How come that N3 is more productive than a 1520, care to explane?
I heard that a lot, but they never could explane.
I, too, wanted to leave android and get a windows phone.
Until I realized what I used primarily, and how windows phones didn't have it (officially, or yet)
I didn't want a clone of VLC - I wanted VLC. Or a subsitute of Chrome/Firefox - I wanted the real thing.
My bank didn't have an app - I could just use the mobile version, but then again, that's true for almost everything! Right???
Tethering wasn't available, or at least how I would tether. So those long trips w/me using my Verizon unlimited plan instead of those crappy hotel wifis....gone!
Shoot, even the price of the windows store seemed pitiful! Apps that were 99 cents on android were 2.99 on windows!
These are things you gotta take into account!!!!
I had the note 3 when it first came out for T-Mobile. I actually had every major galaxy phone S1, s2, s3, sIV,(I will be skipping S V, 1 because it didn't impress me, and 2 I'm so bored with Samsung phones), Note 2 and Note3, along with some HTC android phones and some Sony android phones. I recently switched to the unicorn model of the Lumia 1520. I say unicorn model because it's a very hard and rare phone to find. It actually supports the AWS band for T-Mobile along with the At&t bands and rest of the world bands.
I actually got bored with Android and wanted something different. Pretty much it comes down to the how much do you really care about apps/games. I don't game a lot on a phone that's why I have consoles, 3ds, vita, and a pc. I do a lot of productivity on my phone though. A lot of banking and emails. Not really into the social media stuff. As people always say, windows phone does not have a lot of apps. Some of my banks do not have apps on windows phone. But when you look at what an app does it is just a pretty UI that connects to your bank. In windows I can just pin the website to the home page and poof instant app for that bank or that website, etc. On the Lumia 1520, the screen is large enough where it's not hassle.
I can say that battery life between the two, are very good. Both will last all day with heavy usage. I normally am streaming music, checking emails, playing a game or two, viewing websites, and watch a little Netflix and I don't have to charge untill I go to bed. Normally the phone is off the charger about 6:00 am each day and I got bed around 11pm or 12am. Performance wise, I have to say the windows phone runs a little smoother.
When it comes to customization, Android wins hands down. I actually do miss the customization that Android allows. On windows phone you have the tiles you can put and you can resize them between small, medium, and large. Medium and large will show additional information, where as small tile just shows the app without any info.
Tethering works fine on both, although on the Lumia 1520 I did have to do a few extra steps to get it to work. Apparently the US carriers has some type of block on the built in tethering app. One last thing, if you heavily in with google services, pretty much none of those services are available on windows phone. So no google play, no google voice, no push service for gmail, no chrome, etc.
The things I don't like about windows phone:
1.) Unable to download large files - I tried to download a 2 GB map file for the nokia here and it said I had to switch to wifi. Android has no such restrictions.
2.) Lack of Customization
3.) Lack of Google services (Not sure if it's Google or MS)
The things I like:
1.) Very clean and simple interface,
2.) The Lumia 1520 has a great design
3.) Runs smooth and works
4.) Office intergration
5.) Native Email and Calendar apps are the best (much better than android or ios)
Things I like about android:
1.) Customization
2.) Tethering worked out the box
3.) No restrictions on file types to download or file size
4.) Multitasking with 2 apps on the screen at once.
Things I don't like about android:
1.) You have to root to really use the phone as you want
2.) A lot of bloatware
3.) You have to watch out for rogue apps (haven't heard of any in windows phone)
4.) You may or may not get the next version of the OS regardless of how new your phone may be.
This is just my thoughts. So far though I'm like the 1520. I have high hopes for the next update to windows phone and look forward to it improving. Windows phone is still young so still is playing catch-up, but I think it has a bright future.
Erm... there are plenty of third-party apps for Google Voice on WP8, and push for Gmail works fine for me and has been for years (since WP7). With that said, yeah, the integration with Google services other than Gmail and Calendar isn't great, and mostly relies on third-party apps.
GoodDayToDie said:
Erm... there are plenty of third-party apps for Google Voice on WP8, and push for Gmail works fine for me and has been for years (since WP7). With that said, yeah, the integration with Google services other than Gmail and Calendar isn't great, and mostly relies on third-party apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually fetch if you use the default email client on non Microsoft accounts. It only allows push on Microsoft accounts (.msn,.live,.hotmail,.outlook). For those accounts you have the option to receive mail as they arrive. But when you set up Gmail you have to select intervals and the shortest interval is every 15 minutes. At least when I set it up it did not give me the option of as mail arrives on the Gmail accounts.
Ah... I still have ActiveSync on my Gmail account, and therefore get push email plus calendar and contact sync. I've heard that new accounts may not get ActiveSync anymore, but it still works for me. Try setting up an Exchange/Outlook account with the following details and see if it works? May only work for accounts created before 2013 or something (mine's from way back when Gmail was invite-only beta...)
Username = <your Gmail address, including the @gmail.com or similar>
Password = <your Google password>
Server = m.google.com
Require SSL = Yes
Note 3 for sure... and I'm a Windows Phone user, really good OS. Note 3 is the best Android device ever, at least for me.
hotrock11 said:
I, too, wanted to leave android and get a windows phone.
Until I realized what I used primarily, and how windows phones didn't have it (officially, or yet)
I didn't want a clone of VLC - I wanted VLC. Or a subsitute of Chrome/Firefox - I wanted the real thing.
My bank didn't have an app - I could just use the mobile version, but then again, that's true for almost everything! Right???
Tethering wasn't available, or at least how I would tether. So those long trips w/me using my Verizon unlimited plan instead of those crappy hotel wifis....gone!
Shoot, even the price of the windows store seemed pitiful! Apps that were 99 cents on android were 2.99 on windows!
These are things you gotta take into account!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah you're 100% right, but after all, and I'm talking about myself - android guy- I threw away all "reason" and I did buy the Lumia cz its simply better than the note. Better in hand, better in screen, better in sound, camera, looks, touch sensitivity (or at least how I feel), build quality.....etc... its a Nokia !!!! Lol
I went from OG Droid -> Droid X -> Galaxy Nexus = 6 years of Android to a brand spanking new Nokia Lumia Icon (the slightly smaller version of the 1520 on Verizon).
I can say, in the end, I just got tired of tinkering with my Android phones. Root-wipe-backup-install rom-install kernel-backup, rinse and repeat - over and over again, every time a updated ROM was submitted to the site. I just got tired of it all. Windows phone has limitations, but you have to take it for what it is, after all, these are smart PHONES we are talking about here. They all do the same things, some differently, some the same. The Galaxy nexus was awesome when I first got it, but after about a year, it lagged like crazy, no matter what rom/kernel combo I had on it. The battery life was abysmal. The Note 3 is better on all accords, but from seeing my friends GS4 lag it up after a year, it seems that even new hardware cant keep up on Android. But I think this is also dependent on the user, if you have a lot of apps, and you tinker its bound to run like $hit after a year +.
If your debating between the Note and a Lumia phone, my recommendation is to go with the Lumia (unless you have a specific need for the stylus). I tried the Note 3 out for 2 weeks, and returned it. It was faster, and almost lag free, but touchwiz is just aweful, and trying to put 2 apps on screen lagged the thing to death. Its a good feature, that is really not ready for prime time. Maybe in a year or 2 Android and the chips will be ready for this feature, but its just not there yet, for me.
My reasons for choosing the Lumia are very simple. I looked at my Android device, and decided that there were really no apps that I couldn't live without. I looked through the windows phone store to see if I could do what I needed to, and haven't really missed a beat. The phone is highly customizable with apps like Custom Tile Maker, and Lockmix, and I find the live tiles refreshing and new. The things I miss, are reported coming to Windows phone 8.1 - VPN, Notification Center, and Cortana (Google Now replacement), and background images on the start screen. The Camera is better than my point and shoot camera, it gives me RAW .dng files, that I can open in Photoshop / Lightroom and edit. Add to it all, the fact that I use a Windows 8 PC, and the syncing between the devices is really pretty awesome. I forward all my GMAIL to my Outlook.com account, and I can say, outlook.com is soooooooo much better than gmail. The App gap is more media perceived than reality. The only apps I couldn't find a suitable replacement for were kids apps, and an HSBC banking app (which is supposedly coming soon).
To replace your Google services:
Here Maps/Drive is better than Google Maps Navigation. Only think I miss is street view.
MetroTube for Youtube (you can download audio or video for anything
Outlook > GMAIL (forward gmail to outlook.com, or just use built in mail app with fetch)
Onedrive > Google Drive
Office > Google Docs
No stupid requirement to use Google +. Windows Phone ME tile, allows you to connect to multiple social media apps, and integrates them into the experience. Its pretty great once you get into it.
Music: Cloudmuzik Beta - works for Google Music you have previously uploaded, but I find that XBOX music subscription blows everything out of the water. I like it better than Spotify. Nokia Mix Radio is better than Pandora too, and its free on Nokia devices.
Hangouts - I use IM+, works fine. I have a feeling Skype will be integrating google chat at some point, but until then, IM+ is suitable chat replacement.
Bing and Google.....difference is really subjective. if im not getting the results I want on Bing, just go to google.com, and do the same search
for File management, and multiple cloud storage integration, use Pocket File Manager app - I paid for it, its pretty awesome. Theres no Dropbox app, you can access your files via Pocket File Manager, or use Cloudsix for Dropbox app.
I don't know, I guess my opinion of Android just soured over time. The only thing that I "miss" is being able to steal wifi tethering through a rooted device. Take my opinion like a grain of salt, because that's what it is, my opinion, and just like everyone else, im entitled to my opinion.
Thanks
I had the note 2 since it came out,and before that the Captivate and all the others up to #3...Motorola,and a few Iphones..
Last Sunday..I traded it in on the 1520 along with my wife's original Captivate for her a 1020
I had both rooted and custom roms loaded..
As much as I used to enjoy flashing roms,radios,themes...it just became tiresome to me as well..
I did my comparison of all the new Sammy phones..and went with these because they did exactly what we wanted,and because for me there was no comparison of build quality or screen displays...no for my wife a better camera.
Also,as far as connectativity these connect better than any here at work and home..
Do I miss my Androids...no..not in the least and have run win 7/8 themes off and on for a couple of years anyway...and there isn't any apps I can't find I use in the wins app store
FWIW..I'm extremely pleased with my choices..
Mac
Sent from my Nokia 1520
I've had a Note1, Note2 and S4. An iphone 3g and 4. A lumia 920 and 1520. I like my 1520 much better than my note 2. The note3 isn't a significant upgrade as far as I'm concerned. Aside from missing a lot of games and not being able to tether for free, I love wp8 and the 1530. Wp8 is smoother than even ios. Btw, I also have an ipad3 and galaxy tab pro 8.4.

Questions before purchase

Hey guys,
I'm looking at getting a G2N in the next few days (if I can find a shop that has them in stock!)
I just have a couple of questions...
1. Does it show WhatsApp messages? I tried YouTube but the ones that talk about WhatsApp is in German.
2. Does it show the weather forecast?
3. How accurate is the S Voice on it?
I'm using a Galaxy Note 2 (DN3 RC2 on 4.4.2).
Sent from my GT-N7100 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I don't use whatsapp messenger so I can't answer the first question, but I do use it to receive Facebook, espn, and other notifications. I'm site if you choose to see those it will display them. It also has a ten day forecast. And as far as s voice I think it's pretty spot on, I've been using it for a week and only once have I had to re-say what I meant. I have it paired with an s5 to for what it's worth
Sent from my SM-G900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
kdogguk said:
Hey guys, I'm looking at getting a G2N in the next few days (if I can find a shop that has them in stock!) //
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Does it show WhatsApp messages?
I don't use WhatsApp, but *all* the apps that I have used with the watch DO show notifications clearly.
(GoogleNow, Business Calendar, Feedly, a couple of others/ etc.)
2. Does it show the weather forecast?
Yes, it even has a watch face with time and a weather logo that show the temperature and a current weather
symbol (clouds, clear, rainy). If you push the logo, you get a scrolling weather forecast in more detail (for several
days). It works well -but the fastest/most current updates in settings is hourly (I'd like 15 minutes!). I also use WeatherBug
and it pushed weather to the watch --turned it off since I was getting multiple weather more or less the same times!
3. How accurate is the S Voice on it?
- S Voice does work, and I use it to respond to text messages. (So, if you get a text message on your watch -you can read the whole thing, and there is a menu to reply (settings: either 3-4 stock "canned" messages, or using a "free form" reply with S Voice. I used S Voice, but to do so you need to a) be in a reasonably quiet location (outdoors on a windy street does not work well, riding in a car with the window open and music playing does not work well...etc.).
- Secondly, I found I needed to think through the reply completely in advance and then say it slowly. Whenever I tried to create and speak and pause and continue to speak, S voice just caught a portion of the reply and offered "here is your reply shall I send it"? (no no no! delete!). However, when I knew exactly what I wanted to say, and said it slowly but clearly, S voice did well. I would NOT recommend it for LONG message replies on the watch, (Send several short replies -that works!) However, S Voice does not seem to be as good at dictation as Google's voice keyboard, or Swype/Dragon's voice type. It is pretty good at searches.
We are very close to Android Wear devices being released. Are you prepared to possibly feel remorse after dropping money on one of these and then just a few months later, new devices will be out that may eclipse them in function and app ecosystem? I bought and kept my Neo with the knowledge that its a stopgap for a few months and I'll most probably ditch it for Android Wear this summer. There's still a lot of missing functionality that the older Gears and even Pebble watches can do that need to be caught up because Samsung decided to ditch the old platform for Tizen. So it's pretty much like a gen 1 device again instead of building on the existing ecosystem from the original Gear, which means waiting on features, apps and stability/bug fixes.
Because I love the IR blaster and mic, I kept my Neo in the chance that devs can come through and fix/add the software/apps to address my problems with it. I don't know if an Android Wear device will come out that has the IR blaster, so I'm keeping the Neo for now. Even though the WatchOn app sucks right now, because it's very limited in what devices it can control.
You must be willing to gamble on whether those apps/software features will ever come around, because those of us who buy Samsung devices regularly, know that if you don't buy one of their devices that have decent developer support, you're kind of screwed due to their penchant to release so many new devices and subsequently forget about supporting their last-gen products with updates. We'll see if the decision to go Tizen will help or hurt this product. So far the app store is pretty thin and I expected there would be a bounty of awesome apps by now since one of the advantages of Tizen promoted was that it's so easy to develop on this platform compared to android. Given that, the only reason for the lack of apps I would think is lack of developer interest.

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