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So after looking around through the forums I have learned a lot, and I have appreciated every piece of information I have been given, but there have been some things I have either not found answers to, or have not found complete answers (ie: someone only asked part of what I'm asking).
*Phone info listed in Signature*
When giving an answer, please number it according to the question and/or Quote the question, Please do not quote the entire post.
1. IMEI Device ID: Can I change it? and How?
- After Flashing and Rooting, my email exchange account no longer recognizes my phone and asks me to validate the Device ID. I did get Exchange to work when I had 2.1 and I'm not doing anything different from before. (Note: Android Device ID and IMEI Device ID are 2 different things)
Answer: Your IMEI Device ID is located on the back of your phone. You can find it by removing the battery and then it is the number above the first barcode. Your IMEI ID is something you neither can change nor want to. If a problem occurs trying to get Exchange to work again after messing with your phone, try connecting to the network at the location of your exchange account. Make sure your phone is registered, if it's not, register and wait a day before attempting to connect to exchange again. If that still doesnt work, contact their IT dept and have them manually add your phone. Also, see Post#4 or Exchange Thread
2. Android Device ID:
a)Is the number/letter sequence located on my battery, my Android's ID?
b)In the app "Android ID Changer", when I change it to said ID on battery and click "Save" nothing happens, the ID that the App gives me is still listed at the top.
Answer: If you flash and root with what I've given in my signature, your Android Device ID should be the same or there shouldn't really be anything you need to worry about that requires it. Your IMEI ID is the important one. Also Reference the Device ID Thread, and please make sure you write yours down before flashing and rooting!!!!
3. Sounds Sounds Sounds!!!!!: OK, so I know everyone wants to have their own custom tones right? Well, after looking around for a little while, I haven't really found full solutions as to what I want:
There are 6 Different Kinds of Tones, and a 7th Tone Type I would like added:
- Voice Call Tones: As main ringtone and per contact(As Title)
- Notification Tones: (Text Messages, Email, etc)
- Music: Your media, the only files that should show up in "Music Player"
- Alarm Tone: In the Default Clock App, under Alarm Creation
- Smart Alarm Tone: In the Clock App also under Alarm Creation
- Screen Touch "Pop" Tone (When you click an app)
- Reminder Tone: Reminds you that you have a text or missed call(Not included on phone currently)
a) OK, with that list, when I go in to choose for each one, you get a menu (for example Voice Call gives you: Silent, AT&T Tone, Bird loop, ..., Samsung tune, ...). I would like for my custom sound files to show in the Default list of each according Tone type as listed above. How do I do it?
b) How do I differentiate the Text message tone from the email tone? How do I make make text message tones & settings individual/separate from Notification Tones and Settings?
c) Reminder Tone: When I had a motorola back in the day, if my phone rang at me and I was too busy or not around it at the time to look at it, about every 5 minutes, it would beep at me telling me that something happened while I wasnt paying attention. Is there a way that I can add this feature to my Captivate?
4. ASTRO vs. My Files(on 2.2-Froyo): It seems like "My Files" has everything that ASTRO has, yet I've seen a lot of people saying to get ASTRO. Is there any reason to have it?
Answer: If you have enabled the Side-Loading of apps, there is no real difference between these two other than their appearance since you can bring up the .apk installer that's included in both programs. Other options to using these to programs are: Root Explorer
5. Default Samsung App: Daily Briefing: There has got to be something better than this out there, any suggestions?
- Also, I already have a big clock that has weather(Fancy Widget), so I dont really rely on Daily Briefing for it
Answer: If you are looking for something in terms of a
Widget NewsReader: try Feedr for news, Auto Express for Car News, and ScoreCenter for Sports News
Non-Widget news readers include: Google Reader, gReader, & NewsRob.
6. Tethering/I'm Tethered, What Now?:
a) I know that my laptop can access WIFI via MobileAP, but how can I connect with my Laptop via USB Tethering. I have Windows XP Pro SP3
b) Is it possible for me to use my Laptop to send Txt Msgs?
c) Assuming I have hundreds of Contacts, Is to possible to keep ALL Contacts on laptop while keeping only most used contacts on phone?
Answer:
a) USB Tethering can be accomplished through apps like EasyTether or PDANet, but most ROM's for the captivate do have it standard. It would be under Menu > Settings > Applications > USB Settings > PC Internet.
b)
c)
7. Removing the Default "Latitude" App (2.2-Froyo): I already have Maps, Navigation, and Places. Why would I need "Latitude"? What is the purpose of it?
I use Titanium Backup Pro to "Freeze" most of the default apps (freeze meaning hide them w/o deleting them) but I cannot seem to find "Latitude" in the list of Apps, is there a way to freeze it with Titanium?
8. Allshare Default App 2.2: What does it add to the phone? Do I need it or should I "Freeze" it?
I'm looking for a way to play my media from my computer to my phone, however Windows Media Player doesnt recognize my phone as something to share to, how can I change this? (I use Windows XP Pro SP3)
9. FM Radio: Is there a way I can listen to my favorite channel without using up any data? And if I listen to the channel for about an hour, how much data will I have used? (So far, I've only seen Last.FM and TuneIn Radio)
Answer: Best thing to do if you want to listen to the Radio on your phone is to do it via Wifi. Unfortunately for us, our phone originally had plans to have a FM Chip installed allowing us free FM Radio, but that's just not how AT&T rolls. Another App besides Last.FM or TuneIn Radio to try is iheartradio. Furthermore, if you are wanting to watch your Data Usage, I suggest trying 3G Watchdog, I don't know how accurate it is from month-to-month, but it is an App(and Widget) that does watch your data usage.
10. Is there a way to rename the apps in my App Drawer? Some of them have strange/long names which will break a work so that it is on both lines or the whole title doesnt fit. This bothers my OCD so I was wondering if there was an easy way to do it.
11. Random Reboots When I don't have an Alarm enabled, sometimes my phone seems to go and sleep/hibernate/reset. Meaning I pickup my phone and for some reason it has gone and turned off on me. What's the deal? Does anyone else have this problem and is there a way to fix it?
12. Save Texts: What is the best way to save your text conversations to your computer besides using KIES?
13. Save Contacts What is the best way to Export Contacts to your computer for editing and later Importing back onto the phone besides using KIES?
- I want to have a back up of all my numbers so that I can remove some from my address book, but still have them on my computer in case I need them later.
14. GPS 2.2: Many have commented about fixing the 2.1 GPS, does the 2.2 GPS also need a fix?
15. Editing the System: Where Can I find in-depth threads that tell me how to change things in the system(thread links accepted)? I would like some that cover it in general, but I'd also like ones that also include adding and removing custom ringtones to the default as well as SetCPU and other functions.
16. The Lock Screen: Is there any way in which I can change the Default Lock Screen so that it includes a message on it like "This phone belongs to _______"?
Is there any other themes for the Text Message "Puzzle" Lock Screen?
17. Contacts:
a) Sorting Method - First I would like to sort my contacts by Group, then by Alphabetical Order. Is there any way that I can do this? Basically I want my girlfriend listed first, then all my Family Contacts, then all my friends. Is there a way I can do this other than adding symbols or prefixes in front of everyone's name?
b) Once while on the facebook app, it gave me the option to set a picture to one of my contacts(without saving the image to the phone), however I havent figured out how to do it since, does anyone know how?
c)How do I sync contacts with Gmail? Ive tried clicking Sync Contacts in Contacts under Gmail, and it shows the refresh icon for about a second but when I go to my gmail contacts, nothing is there. What's the deal?
18. Way too Awesome: So we've all seen what phones can do in the movies, hacking into computers and whatnot. Is there anything that our phones can do like in the movies? I personally would love to have a phone that Tony Stark or Sam Flynn would die for. ......Is there at least a way I can use my phone to unlock my car? I'd enjoy turning my phone into a trapper-keeper lol.
19. Custom Sound Settings: Media Volume can only go down as low as 5% before going to 0%, is there any way I can make my phone lower that 5% like when it's late at night but I still want to hear an app's crappy music, just really really quietly?
20. Phone Accessories:
What is the Best phone case for Captivate that utilizes a belt clip (w/screen protector)?
In terms of a 2nd battery, are there any batteries out there that have more battery life than the stock one that comes with the phone?
If I had a 2nd battery, would it be safe to leave it in my car throughout the year in case I need it, or would temperature be a problem?
21. Data Plans: Any chance of AT&T Coming out with a plan that's between 100Mb, and 2Gb?
I'm on Wifi most of the time, so I don't use most of my 2Gb, but I can easily use 100Mb, is there any chance of there being a 1Gb plan?
As I get answers to my questions, if the answer isnt too long I will edit the OP with the answers or link a post below the question for people who might stumble upon this thread with the same question.
EDIT: (Last Edited 1/17)
Added Answers to questions: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9
Added Parts B and C to #6
Added Questions: 15,16,17,18,19,21
1.) IMEI ID is on the back of the phone and don't think you can change that.
4.) Astro also lets you install third party apps that are loaded onto your SD card. My files just lets you browse.
5.) If you dont' need daily breifing, don't use it. I don't use it either.
6.) PDAnet will let you tether via USB and there are a few others.
10.) when you add a app to your home screens, you have the option to change the name. Doesn't help with your app drawer OCD but keeps your home screens under control.
11.) There are multiple threads about random shutdowns. Read them all if you want. So far, increasing the sleep speed minimum to 2000 (in setCPU) has worked for me. Granted it's only been a few days but no shutdowns since doing that.
14.) Reading all the GPS threads will show you that it's not locked into a particular OS. Nobody really knows what the problem is. Some have great GPS, some don't. Some get it working better with fixes, some don't.
axis01 said:
1.) IMEI ID is on the back of the phone and don't think you can change that.
4.) Astro also lets you install third party apps that are loaded onto your SD card. My files just lets you browse.
10.) when you add a app to your home screens, you have the option to change the name. Doesn't help with your app drawer OCD but keeps your home screens under control.
11.) There are multiple threads about random shutdowns. Read them all if you want. So far, increasing the sleep speed minimum to 2000 (in setCPU) has worked for me. Granted it's only been a few days but no shutdowns since doing that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4. My Files has a package installer if you have enabled sideloading of apps and seems to work the same as ASTRO as far as I can tell.
10. I havent seen an option to change the name on the homescreen either, I usually just drag them from my app drawer though.
11. Could you define what the sleep speed minimum is?
EDIT: ANd big thanks on where the IMEI was. I was kind of avoiding taking the battery out, but the number on the back matched the number in the phone info so I was happy. And for some reason my phone now works with exchange. I think my phone was waiting till I knew what it knew lol.
Oh man. I'll see if I can answer them all. LET'S DO THIS!
1. Before you left 2.1 stock, shoulda backed up nv_data. If your Device ID and produce code get messed up, check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881162 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=880223 Use these threads to try and restore it; but if that doesn't work you might be SOL without a nv_data backup.
As for exhange, check out http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=821297
I work for AT&T, so me and IMEI's are best buds. You can't change your IMEI as it's a number issued directly for AT&T. AT&T uses these IMEI's to determine what type of phone is on your account. Should you change the IMEI, it would appear to AT&T as "Unknown GSM", and you would cease to get data.
2. Read #1
3. It depends on the apps you use to accomplish said tasks. I would imagine very few of us use the stock e-mail client, i would imagine most of us use K-9 or something along those lines, in which case you can specify a sound file in said apps settings.
As for having them show up in the default menu, throw them into /system/media/audio/ringtones and they should show up in default.
I'm not sure about the reminder, although I can't see an app for this not existing. As stated above, some e-mail clients such as k-9 or SMS like handcent may have this feature. If the stock ones don't, what can ya do?
4. Don't get either, get Root Explorer.
5. If you already have a clock, I suppose all Daily Briefing offers is news and a calendar. There's plenty of awesome news readers for the Captivate. If you like the widget variant, i would go with Feedr. If you prefer non-widget news readers, Google Reader, gReader, NewsRob; all good choices.
6. It depends on the ROM. USB Tethering can be accomplished through apps like EasyTether or PDANet, but most ROM's for the captivate do have it standard. It would be under Menu > Settings > Applications > USB Settings > PC Internet.
7. Latitude is bundled in with Google Maps. Not sure how to remove it, or if you can..maybe.
8. You don't need it. It's just a global way to share pictures and videos to multiple sources. I never use it.
9. Connect to WiFi!
10. Aside from decompiling the APK, i don't think so. Maybe NinjaMorph can do it, but I don't think so. You can hide apps from the drawer though, or hide the text, with alternative launchers.
11. The captivate stock firmwares seemed to have a problem with randomly rebooting. I work at AT&T and I sell these phones daily so I can safely say it's just the stock, even the 2.2 stock seems to do it. You can use SetCPU profiles to work some magic, but it's easier to just install a Custom ROM, as I personally no longer have this problem UNLESS i am on stock. Use http://romkitchen.org from your phone, easiest way. Make sure to donate if you use it frequently, it's an awesome service!
12. Can't answer this one. I imagine there's an app to back up texts to files on the phone directly though, if not it wouldn't be very hard to make!
13. From your contacts on the phone, menu > (possibly More) > Import/Export. It will save EVERYTHING about your contacts(Ringtone info, pictures, birthdays, etc) to a .vcf file. These can be altered, edited and saved on the computer.
14. 2.2 stock needs a fix I'm pretty sure. Check out this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881941 , all you gotta do is flash one file, so do it anyway just to be safe!
Phew. Hope this helps!
geokhentix said:
Oh man. I'll see if I can answer them all. LET'S DO THIS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Big thanks
As for my Android ID, I didnt know about it until afterwards. The posts that inform people about flashing and Rooting should mention this, because I didn't see it anywhere until after I was worrying about my phone not being able to connect to my email, but for some reason this morning when I tried it miraculously worked.
As for #3, where is my system folder? is it: I:\media\audio\ringtones ?
with my "system" being "I:"
I recently discovered setting custom sounds for my email accounts, but I am curious about all the default tones.
Are all the ones listed in different setting all just the same file with the exception that they only play for "X" amount of type depending on menu your are in?
And can the captivate not play MIDI files?....you know, old school polyphonic files........
And how the heck do I change the text tone for while my phone is plugged into the USB? omg it is the most annoying sound in the world, why does it not use the tone I have my texts set for? (I forgot this one on my list)
Thanks for your answer to #11. My phone hadnt done it at all until I dropped it down about 10 feet at a concert screen down 6 days after I got it. The next day the phone did the reset thing and I just about cried cuz I was just like I know it's because I dropped it. On the bright side when I picked it up after it fell, it didnt have a scratch on it or nothin'.
How do you alter a .vcf file?
WandererTJ said:
Big thanks
As for my Android ID, I didnt know about it until afterwards. The posts that inform people about flashing and Rooting should mention this, because I didn't see it anywhere until after I was worrying about my phone not being able to connect to my email, but for some reason this morning when I tried it miraculously worked.
As for #3, where is my system folder? is it: I:\media\audio\ringtones ?
with my "system" being "I:"
I recently discovered setting custom sounds for my email accounts, but I am curious about all the default tones.
Are all the ones listed in different setting all just the same file with the exception that they only play for "X" amount of type depending on menu your are in?
And can the captivate not play MIDI files?....you know, old school polyphonic files........
And how the heck do I change the text tone for while my phone is plugged into the USB? omg it is the most annoying sound in the world, why does it not use the tone I have my texts set for? (I forgot this one on my list)
Thanks for your answer to #11. My phone hadnt done it at all until I dropped it down about 10 feet at a concert screen down 6 days after I got it. The next day the phone did the reset thing and I just about cried cuz I was just like I know it's because I dropped it. On the bright side when I picked it up after it fell, it didnt have a scratch on it or nothin'.
How do you alter a .vcf file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, all Custom ROM threads should have a little blurb about it for people installing their ROM from a new stock device. But it seems to be fixable even if you didn't with a little work, so it's not too bad.
You can use Root Explorer to copy them to /system/media/audio/ringtones, but I think they may have to be in .ogg for them to work out of this directory. I'm not entirely positive, but all you would have to do to test it is push a non-.ogg ringtone over and try it. To copy your ringtones over nice and easy like;
Download the Android SDK and extract the android-sdk-windows folder to your desktop for easy copy pasta!
And enable USB Debugging (Menu > Settings > Applications > Development > USB Debugging)
Open a command prompt!
cd %USERPROFILE%/desktop/android-sdk-windows/tools
adb push [ringtone] /system/media/audio/ringtones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's in a perfect world where it won't complain about permissions. if it does;
cd %USERPROFILE%/desktop/android-sdk-windows/tools
adb push [ringtone] /sdcard/
adb shell
su - at this point, accept superuser request on the phone; make sure the screen isn't locked when you hit enter, prompt should change from a $ to a #
mv /sdcard/[ringtone] /system/media/audio/ringtones/
exit
exit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if the Captivate can play .MIDI files for notification sounds. Only one way to find out though, right?
And i have no idea why your text tone is different when plugged into USB...mine sounds the same.
Late edit: forgot to answer one of em, you can edit .vcf files in MS Outlook!
# 9 - unfortunately our phone doesn't have FM radio. Another one to try is iheartradio. They have a number of radio stations. Although you're still using data unless you're using wifi like mentioned above.
Are there any better phonebook editors other than Outlook express?
I am looking for something so that I can have multiple phonebooks such as one with all my contacts I've ever had, and another for just the contacts I want on my phone
if you have a custom ringtone set for something and you have the phone plugged into usb, the phone can't access the the SD card where the custom tone is stored, thus you get that annoying (and loud) built in tone.
Re: myfiles: it does indeed let you install apps, but I'd recommend estrongs file explorer. It allows you to not only browse you're phone, but your pc files too (assuming it's on the same network, of course.) And let you open, copy and edit between the 2 devices.
Re: allshare: out of the box this great app let me browse and watch all of the video files off of my PC. I didn't have to configure anything special, except that my PC was already configured to share media with my xbox 360.
But I didn't do anything on my pc after buying the phone. Just connected to wifi and everything showed up. I haven't tried sharing the other way though (watching media from my phone on my PC)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I896 using XDA App
#12. I've used Wifi Android Manager Wifi, I think it backs up text messages. It seems to back up everything else, that's for sure.
Hey, I've been working on adding answers to the OP, it's going, but I'm not done
Anyways, UPDATE 1/17/11 - I've Added Questions 15-21, please try and answer these when you get the time.
Added Answers to questions: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9
Added Parts B and C to #6
Added Questions: 15,16,17,18,19,21
Name: AudiobookMark
I was frustrated by the lack of built-in support for mp3-based audiobooks so I wrote this app. It lets you load as many audiobooks as you have memory for. It remembers where you are in each file of each book (and of course, which file you are listening to for each book).
It has standard transport keys plus the ability to enter HH:MM:SS to skip directly to.
Download Link: social.zune.net/redirect?type=phoneApp&id=b1cab14b-e91d-e011-9264-00237de2db9e
Is this a free app?
Its a 0.99 app, with a free trial that basically let's you use it without limitation, but pops up a message box occasionally...
Can you add support for a sleep timer? So you need to shake the phone every 15 mins or it will pause the audio book.
That sounds like a useful addition. Let me think through how best to implement it, and I'll try to add it in with "run under locked screen" update I'm working on...
elmstrom said:
Can you add support for a sleep timer? So you need to shake the phone every 15 mins or it will pause the audio book.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also really like this.
Hey dbroome, this sounds like it has the potential to be an awesome app. I'm so used to the Mortplayer audiobook app on Android and really enjoy using it (great alternative to music btw).
So by mention of "remembers where you are" you mean bookmarks are automatically placed for us? I ask because a cool feature of the mortplayer app was the bookmark feature where you can tag certain spots on demand and go back to wherever you tagged. I hope you go far with this app, it really does sound promising.
The UI looks good too!
I had not heard of Mortplayer, I'll have to check it out, though I don't have an Android device to be able to get a good look at it.
You are correct in that the app places the bookmark for you. It basically remembers where you were in each file.
How do you use the "tag different places in a file" type feature in your audiobook listening? I generally am just listening to novels, and don't have any real need to jump to various spots in the same file.
The reason I ask is that I'd like to implement features users would use, but don't want to overly complicate it with feature bloat.
As an update, I have implemented and am testing three new features. Once I make sure it is working as expected, I'll submit the update to the marketplace:
1) Configurable port on the loader (8001 might not be convenient for everyone. Should have thought of this before)
2) Run under locked screen. Now you can lock the screen to save battery power
3) Configureable sleep timer (with optional shake to reset).
I hope to submit it in the next day or so...
Thanks / Volume / File Corruption
First I love the app. I have been writing down my numbers until this app came along. Thank you dbroome.
Second, I noticed the volume is weaker than the default music player; has any one else notice this?
Third, I received a file corruption error message saying it couldn't determine the file lengths and displays all .MP3s as being 00:00:00 in running time. The files didn't play, but after a reboot they started too but still display the zero length; anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks!
Also needs skip forward/skip back button that just goes 30 sec back/fprward. The current skip to a location is not usable when driving.
Bonus points for a ui redesign with bigger buttons.
Additional bonus points for a fast play (i.e. play back at 150% speed with no pitch shift).
For me to purchase, I need:
Play under lock screen
Uploader program to work (changing ports might help)
In order to determine the length of the mp3, the player has to actually open the file and then close it. The Zune software interferes with the player opening the file after upload, and as such you have to unplug the phone from the computer after uploading before closing the "I'm done" pop up box. I'm guessing that the 0-length issue might have been due to that. Try deleting that book and re-loading it to the phone, making sure to unplug the phone before continuing (or, alternatively, using the SDK's WPConnect.exe which doesn't interfere with the media being opened).
It might be useful to add a "determine durations" type button on the load screen that would let you try to determine them again at a later time instead of re-loading them. What do you think?
30 second skip could definitely be useful. I'll see if I can find a good way to incorporate it in the next update.
I really want fast play as well. Unfortunately the MediaElement player I have to use to be able to set positions doesn't support it. I'll definitely be watching the updates as they come out for supporting that.
I'm dreadful at UI stuff, but I have a friend who I can probably rope into giving it some love.
Play under lock and the configureable port are in the next update, which I will finish testing and submit tonight...
Cool. Bought it as an encourgement.
For UI ideas look at audiobook player 2. It is much easier to use while driving.
Suggestions
Your [skip to a time] section shouldn't be on the main page, but off a toolbar option.
Your play/pause button should swap between play/pause depending on state rather than changing the background colour.
Use images rather than text in the buttons [|<] [<<] etc
v1.1 has been approved and should show up in the marketplace shortly. This adds a sleep timer (with optional shake to reset), play under lock, and configureable port on the loader and phone.
Next update will hopefully be a ui re-do, possibly adding the "skip xx seconds" idea.
Downloaded the update for the app, re-uploaded the audio book, followed instructions on the pop up (after upload completed) and the software recognized the full lengths. Very nice! Thanks dbroome!! The mp3s seem to have uploaded a little quicker too or is it this just me?
FYI, using a colon within the name of a book crashes the app (at least it does for me).
Good find. I'll correct that.
Waiting on a friend with some design skills. If he doesn't come back to me soon, I'll go looking for free images to include on the buttons and do a general usability re-skin of the ui...
Is this the correct website: http://davidbroome.com/AudiobookMark
I am just getting Bad Request (Invalid Hostname) when I try to goto it. Also the volume seems low on my Samsung Focus. Good work though, I am going to buy it.
Thanks!
The website had a temporary issue and should be resolved.
I'm looking into the lower volume and should have at least an answer soon if not a fix...
it's a very nice little app and I'm using it now for a few weeks.
But I've found when you have to many audiobooks or when the aaudio-files are very big (about 6 MB's) the program can't determine the length of the audio-files any longer...
Maybe we can get an update for that?
The only time I have been able to load an audio file the program could not determine the length of was when I forgot to unplug the phone from the Zune software when prompted. I have tested files up to 50 mb. Of course, it could be file dependent. Did the file play even after the length failed to update?
Fortunately I am almost done with the next update that includes code to re-check for the length of files if it fails the first time. I need to finish the "Load from DropBox" functionality that I am implementing and then I can submit it. Hopefully this week!
Yes - I can start the player and I can play the file even when it says the length is 00:00:00.
This morning I've transferred some 300 MB audiobook-files to my HD7. After that I disconnected the device and it started "determining length of..." and it immediately started playing the first file (10.7 MBs) but even after 20 minutes it just couldn't find the length of the first audio-file so I stopped the program.
hi people,
I'm looking to switch to WinPhone.
I've got a few quite good features on Android that I'd like to make sure I can have/reproduce on WinPhone too. May you help me with those ?
- Have ringer/notifications volume to get adjusted to ambient noise and/or calendar events automatically
- have a car mode
- have an event/place actions system (like Tasker or OnX)
Many many thanks
Fabio
- for ambient no...
- all this (car mode, task manager with close X) is available with upcoming GDR3 update or today for developer or via WP AppStudio...
notice: car connection with BT for hands free calls and audio reproduction is available long time ago in WP but with upcoming GDR3 come additional settings
I'd say it depends on what type of android user you are. If you just user the phone, sms, browsing and occasional app then you're fine. If you're a power user then you'll just get annoyed and frustrated at simple things that you use yo be able to do but now can't.
As I've said in the windows 1520 thread, its undoubtedly a gorgeous piece of hardware and is the prime drive for me to keep looking into windows phone. Dare I say it and definitely not trying to be a troll, but if it did run android, I'm sure myself and others would buy it in a flash.
Sticking with realities though, I don't think WP8 is quite there yet for the advanced android user. I'm still very concerned that without DPI settings/apps with phablet UI, that the 1520 is just going to be running blown up phone apps, like first gen android tablets, which is not ideal.
File browser is key and offers so much flexibility. Copying and sharing photos off your DSLR, sending whatever file you want through gmail, deleting downloaded files etc. Skydrive is not a suitable replacement, especially if you're not always on wifi/limited 4G data plans.
Apps is becoming less of an issue with most of the core apps there in some shape and using 3rd party official apps is not something I worry about. It is still an issue however for niche apps. Eg Niche medical apps, a reliable CHM file reader (reference text books), advanced pdf reader/editor with the ability to underline/comment/draw in.... I can go on. Even office 365 functionality that is supposedly a huge selling point is largely replaceable with Kingsoft office which is superb sans the synching (you just need the extra step of google drive).
Then there are the core google services which have really exploded in functionality to become more than just gimmicks in the past 12 months. – Chrome browser with its desktop session synching, google now with its local contextual searches, automatic G+ photo uploader (full size backups with auto enhancement unlike dropbox).
Lets not mention 3rd party accessory compatibility with Windows Phone...ie. there APIs are so closed that no BT keyboards work with it for example.
There's a lot which is being fixed and is "promised" to be fixed in upcoming updates from MS – unfortunately thats always been the story with WP as they play catchup, which I understand being a new OS. However, 12 months on, even basic things like notification centre, screen rotation lock, separate notification ringtones, separate notification/system volumes are still yet to be fixed/only being patched now.
In terms of positives of the windows phone os, to be honest there isn't anything that appeals to me that I'm not already experiencing in android. Metro UI I don't mind but can be hit and miss with no notification centre and when you're relying on 3rd party live tiles which don't always update frequently enough for your liking (and wit no option to change). Simplicity is always touted as a windows phone advantage, but to be honest I find android simple enough if you know what you're doing and the appeal is more for perhaps people new to smartphones. As an android user, the simplicity actually feels limiting as I can't get things to work exactly how I want it to. In short it's a matter of how much I can compromise when coming from Android to wp on the software side unfortunately.
Having said all this I'd still keep looking at WP due to Nokia's hardware and their general nailing of the camera (which android hasn't accomplished fully yet), but there needs to be a lot of improvement on the software side from MS and 3rd party developers before I can fully see myself changing platforms. As good as the hardware and camera may be, my smartphone is my mobile computer replacement and the OS needs to be able to function like that.
Perhaps when RT merges with 8.1 and a few more MS and Nokia updates roll out it'll get more capable and phablet friendly. But until that time I'm keep jealously watching and admiring in awe at the camera and hardware but deep down knowing I just can't do what I want to do on it right now.
YMMV.
Good luck!
Something like Tasker or automatic volume adjustment will require homebrew, or at least an OEM app; third-party apps aren't allowed to run continuously in the background (it's bad for performance and battery life) on WP.
thank to you all so far
is it possible to have voice driving directions in car (thinking of Here Drive) AND listen to music from another app at the same time ? Or view a Youtube video ? Is WP8 really multitask these days ?
chareos12 said:
thank to you all so far
is it possible to have voice driving directions in car (thinking of Here Drive) AND listen to music from another app at the same time ? Or view a Youtube video ? Is WP8 really multitask these days ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can listen music and working here drive+ navigation in same time... music temporally get lower and pause when navigation give voice direction
dxdy said:
yes you can listen music and working here drive+ navigation in same time... music temporally get lower and pause when navigation give voice direction
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Youtube too ?
Man, I'm getting really impatient to make the switch
chareos12 said:
Youtube too ?
Man, I'm getting really impatient to make the switch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
youtube no, because when you switch to start screen or other app automatically stop playing (but only tried in official YT app and SuperTube)
Here Drive will run fully in the background (battery warning: don't forget to stop it if you take a break somewhere short of your destination!) and will override other audio playback to give directions. Start Here Drive, enter directions and start navigation, then hit Start (or press-and-hold Back) and go to your media player app. You should continue getting turn-by-turn prompts. It doesn't actually pause the audio, which is annoying - you'll miss bits of songs or audiobooks, for example - but it works.
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....
Hi
I'm using Android Auto in my Seat Arona for two things: music and navigation. I was pretty surprised when I discovered that there's no way to plan my route on the PC (or even phone) and then use this custom route within Android Auto navigation. Or maybe I'm wrong and there is some way to do that?
It does not depend on AA, but on your navigation app. Your are right, as of now, none of the nav apps (Google Maps or Waze) do not provide the possibility to plan custom routes. I'm not sure about Maps, but in Waze is possible to plan a route to include one stop point and to save it for a later time, when you will receive a reminder, if you want. But today, there is nothing comparable to the good old days offline navigation programs or apps.
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me too im in the same situation and was asking same question
unfortunately it's not possible, all you can do is save a destination and once in the car you can select it as it will shows in the favorits (talking abt google maps)
the bad thing is that if you create a custom list of favorite places it won't show up
once in the car, google maps will only shows the saved location in the default list
Pro Cal said:
me too im in the same situation and was asking same question
unfortunately it's not possible, all you can do is save a destination and once in the car you can select it as it will shows in the favorits (talking abt google maps)
the bad thing is that if you create a custom list of favorite places it won't show up
once in the car, google maps will only shows the saved location in the default list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about Maps, but there is no problem to save no matter how many favorites in Waze, and use them whenever you want from within AA. I also miss the custom rides that I could do and save in Microsoft Autoroute Express or iGO app, even so they where working only offline.
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It's so weird that there's no option for that...Especially since both AA and Google Maps are using the same engine.
Anyway, thanks. At least now I know that there's no point in trying to find some solution to that.
Draghmar said:
It's so weird that there's no option for that...Especially since both AA and Google Maps are using the same engine.
Anyway, thanks. At least now I know that there's no point in trying to find some solution to that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, it looks to me that you are confusing AA with Google Maps. AA is only an interface between your phone screen and your car's infotainment system. There are only a few apps that are designed to work through this interface, that is, to run on your phone and to be displayed on your car's touchscreen. One of them is Google Maps and one other is Waze. It doesn't matter if you use Maps or Waze only on your phone or on your car's screen, they simply are not designed to enable custom routes. I agree that they should be improved to enable custom drives.
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Maybe I'm confusing it a little bit but to be honest for me AA is basically Maps + Spotify. And the main message here still remains true - I can access my custom route, designed on desktop, through the Google Maps on my phone but I can't get it on the AA. This is especially annoying when I need to set some unusual place as a target. Place that can't be found by name because it may not have one. I was in this situation and had to find something nearby and then navigate on my own...
Again, I have to contradict you. I tried this evening to use Maps on AA and I have to tell you that I was suprised. Unlike Waze, Google Maps provides the functionality to place more than one stop on your route, even when used on AA. I also found the option to load saved routes, and I think that it doesn't matter how many stop points. I didn't try to prepare the route on my computer abd save it for further use, but I found on Maps, when used on AA, the possibility to load saved routes. All this was tested on an Android phone connected to AA on my car's infotainment system.
Are you using an iPhone? Maybe on iPhone it's not possible, I don't know. But it is sure that everything you say you're missing, it is in fact possible on Maps used on AA with an Android phone.
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No, I have OnePlus 6T.
How did you plan and save it? Do you have access to those saved routes both in AA mode and regular Google Maps on your phone?
I already explained that I did not have the time today to test your scenario. I tried only two scenarios:
1. I started a new drive at home, on my phone only, including only one stop. I couldn't find how to save it. After that, I closed the app on phone without stopping the drive. I later connected the phone in my car, chose Maps instead of Waze, which is my default, and the already planned (at home) drive with one stop was there.
2. Phone being connected to my car and Maps in the foreground, I canceled the previous drive. Now the search box is shown and under it the last two destinations used. When I click on the search box, I'm given a lot of options and between them there is one called Saved. I suppose that if I would have a previously saved route, I would have to find here. I will try tomorrow your scenario and I will also make some screenshots from my car's display to post them here. I'll let you know if it worked or not.
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Thanks!
Actually I was asking exactly for what you just posted now.
If you find some more time to test that it would be really great!
I had to make your scenario on my own to see if I get that saved route.
Here are some examples from today, everything is possible in Maps, unlike in Waze. The only thing that I didn't test is to save an entire drive planned on Maps on Windows and then retrieve it in Maps when opened in AA.
I'll post links to my youtube account because the video clips are to big to upload them here.
https://youtu.be/xsR0UXcEpa8
https://youtu.be/WbbnMSYrj1U
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Ok, that's weird. I don't have all those options like "Favorites" or "Labeled". I had one starred point there that I had to add by accident long time ago but I can't remove it. I mean, I did remove it from full Google Maps but it's still there on the AA version. I've manage to make one address starred and that showed up in AA. But that's it. I wonder if it's because I have some setting turned off or something...
It's not about any setting. Just open Maps on phone or laptop.
Search for an address you would like to have it as a favorite. When you find it, let's say on your phone, you will see on the bottom of the screen a few buttons. If you scroll to the right you'll find the Save button. Press it and you'll be given three options: Favorites, Want to go and Starred places. Choose where you want to store the address. After that, going back to AA, you'll find your address under the category you saved it on. I think you don't see the different categories because you never used them, that is, you never saved anything under any category besides Favorites. After you will make your favorites database, planning a multiple stop drive straight on the car's screen will be very easy.
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It doesn't work for me like that. I did save one destination at the "Want to go" and it simply doesn't show up. I don't have those categories visible at all. Those favs shows up directly, no categories before.
I'll test that more throughout the weekend. Thanks for your help with that. At least I know there's some way to simplify searching for location.
Check if you have all involved apps updated. What Android version you have? I am on Pie (9) because I've heard that there are still many unsolved problems on 10 and AA. Wish you luck!
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I'm on Android 10 with AA being 5.4. So maybe it is somehow related.
I'll check maps later. Thanks for your help!
You're welcome!
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I've manage to get categories. I think the issue was that I had turned off some tracking from Google that probably prevented synchronization. I'm not 100% sure that really was the case but at least now I've got access to the points I could define on phone or PC. Not the ideal solution but I'm closer to final effect than before.
Happy to hear you're closer to the solution. If you have routes with multiple stop points that you drive everyday, I would suggest to try to plan such a route on your computer, save it as a map in My Maps category, and than see if it is possible to use it on phone or AA as an already made route.
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