Database Users

Things that'll turn Android from Good to PERFECT

List things you wish Android would change (stock) that'll make it perfect...note, nothing about apps or third party skins...I'll start with 3 though I can think of a lot more
1. Better looking notification bar...I like the look of the icons, but the notification bar still has that 1.0 feel to it...not a fan
2. Better looking and more functional media app...and movie player
3. Better looking buttons and selection actions.
(doesn't matter if desired changes are superficial or system deep)

PS. I can't wait until this UI refresh that Gingerbread guarantees...ALSO...
am I the only person who loves when Apple announces new ****, because Android then does better and so on and so forth....the Apple, Android beef should be encouraged by fanboys on all sides...we all benefit greatly.

The dialer needs to be more functional. I cannot afford to scroll down 500 of my contacts to find a name, a simple keypad/numberpad on the contact section would suffice just like it works for sense ui.

mythamp said:
The dialer needs to be more functional. I cannot afford to scroll down 500 of my contacts to find a name, a simple keypad/numberpad on the contact section would suffice just like it works for sense ui.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried google gestures or voice dial? They work great but I dont have enough contacts to justify using them, wish I did but for me its quick to scroll.
Also the tab on the right is handy but im sure youve probably tried these things

mythamp said:
The dialer needs to be more functional. I cannot afford to scroll down 500 of my contacts to find a name, a simple keypad/numberpad on the contact section would suffice just like it works for sense ui.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried Dialer One? It is pretty awesome.
But I agree, the default dialer should work a lot better.
To add to the general discussion, I dont think there is much wrong with the media player but I would like the addition of an EQ and the ability to scroll through the playing song with more accuracy - something the iPhone does particularly well.
I also think the market needs massive improvements to make Android truly great. There may be 50,000 apps but when so many are themes and porn, that number becomes meaningless. I would rather there were only a few thousand really good and useful apps instead.

The UI should natively support themes to change icons, colors, etc

Perfect is yet far away. With basic features like call recording missing, it's take some time.

gllu said:
Perfect is yet far away. With basic features like call recording missing, it's take some time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it's something provided only by third-party apps on other phones, I don't think it should be called a "basic feature".

gllu said:
Perfect is yet far away. With basic features like call recording missing, it's take some time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure recording a call, in America at least, is illegal unless you notify the person being recorded..

Wisefire said:
I'm pretty sure recording a call, in America at least, is illegal unless you notify the person being recorded..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Negative Ghost Rider...
In the US, it is determined by the state that you live in. Many states have what is called "single party" laws, which means that as long as one person is aware the call is being recorded (you), then it's legal.

I cant take my android phone to work. The inability to go to work is easily the largest single weakness of the phone imo. Millions of people need exchange (fully functioning and not through a third party server work around) and to connect to stand alone installations of outlook, often both. It rankles that I am still going to have to buy a winmo phone when when 7 hits to replace my old winmo phone because my 39 mflops N1 is a no go for work.

Decent copy and paste functionality would be nice. yikes even apple gives you that

Sync Tasks with Google Calendar
Sync Sports Calendars
Set "Peak Times" for Google Sync

crachel said:
Sync Tasks with Google Calendar
[*]Sync Sports Calendars
Set "Peak Times" for Google Sync
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i managed to find a workaround for that one, i found an exportable calendar for my local baseball team that did the trick, shows up just fine on my phone, its only googles native sports calendars that dont work in android

I sure would like support for wireless proxy servers, and for the phone to properly pull default gateway information via DHCP like it is supposed to.

gllu said:
Perfect is yet far away. With basic features like call recording missing, it's take some time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since when is call recording a "basic feature"...wow

As much as I love Android, I think the UI could use a lot of work. It lacks cohesiveness, and can be quite bland.
This guy can change all of that, however: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/palms-matias-duarte-has-joined-google-as-user-experience-direct/

How about these two simple features:
1) Native support for sound profiles. Coming from a blackberry this was shocking.
2) Unified gmail/hosted gmail inbox option. Not everyone would enable it but again a blackberry user is used to getting to all messages in one box. Currently I am constantly changing between 4 accounts in gmail. Super annoying.
Android is the best mobile OS out there but I think it isn't ready to be called perfect.

krabman said:
I cant take my android phone to work. The inability to go to work is easily the largest single weakness of the phone imo. Millions of people need exchange (fully functioning and not through a third party server work around) and to connect to stand alone installations of outlook, often both. It rankles that I am still going to have to buy a winmo phone when when 7 hits to replace my old winmo phone because my 39 mflops N1 is a no go for work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried Touchdown? It's a $20.00 app, and it's one time.

jmbrown32 said:
As much as I love Android, I think the UI could use a lot of work. It lacks cohesiveness, and can be quite bland.
This guy can change all of that, however: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/palms-matias-duarte-has-joined-google-as-user-experience-direct/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only as bland as you make it.

HTCSense.com

A new dimension of HTC Sense
HTC Sense is a holistic experience based on putting you at the center, by making things work simply the way they should. Now, we’ve expanded that experience online with HTCSense.com. Let us show you some of the benefits that you can get by using HTCSense.com.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Peace of mind when you can't find your phone
HTCSense.com is the first place to turn when you reach for your phone and it's not there.
If this happens, just go to HTCSense.com and use it to make your phone ring… loudly… even it’s set to vibrate. Hopefully it's nearby - buried in the sofa or under a stack of papers. Sorted.
Another option is to use HTCSense.com to locate your phone and see where it is on the map – literally. If you see that it is still in the cafe you left 20 minutes ago, use HTCSense.com to lock it and to forward all your calls to a different number. You can even post a reward message to show up on your locked screen in case a stranger finds it. Sorted.
And in the worst case – if you see that your phone is someplace that it definitely should not be (like the train tracks headed out of town), use HTCSense.com to lock it and erase all the personal data from it. Sorted!
Hold on to your memories
HTCSense.com holds on to all the text messages you send or receive. That way, you can go back in time to easily find that special message. And because this history holds special memories or addresses of some unforgettable spots, HTCSense.com keeps it available even if you get a new phone. And to make your life easier while you’re at your home or office computer, you can receive and send SMS messages without even touching your phone.
Manage your contacts – comfortably
HTCSense.com makes it easier than ever to add pics from your computer for all the friends on your phone. And of course, you can add new friends and their details to your phone via your computer, as well. And if you want to keep family separate from your work colleagues – you can use HTCSense.com to create handy groups of contacts. All this is done with great ease on the big screen and spacious keyboard of your computer.
Discover new places - grab your phone and go
Keeping track of what you've done and where you've been - plus adding what you'd like to go and see - is easy on HTCSense.com with Footprints. Use the integrated Google Maps and your computer to create Footprints of the cool spots you want to see. And voila! All the Footprints you create will appear on your phone. Now, your phone can help you find your way to that cool Café or that hidden jazz bar.
Discover fun, useful and trusted apps
Do you love to make your phone more fun and useful? Then HTCSense.com is the place for you! You will find a large selection of HTC tested and reviewed apps that you can install with confideeeeence! So come on down and try it out!
Share cool apps with friends
HTCSense.com gives you a handy way to recommend apps you've tried and think others will appreciate. You also see what your friends suggest you try. What better way to gain social kudos than by telling each other what’s new and cool?
Make it yours
Make your phone look and sound in a way that is all you. Choose from hundreds of cool wallpapers and a wide selection of sound-sets, scenes and useful (and sometimes just fun) widgets. Want to update your style? Return to HTCSense.com and change your phone’s personality as often as you like.

The big question know is... Are we going to be able to use that with our Hero's? Because this is a Promo of the Desire HD....

rockypr said:
The big question know is... Are we going to be able to use that with our Hero's? Because this is a Promo of the Desire HD....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not lol

I get a password request when I go to the site.

this can't be for a hero... that's a desire or evo in the photo.
btw sprint WAKE UP and give us a desire dammit!

fixxxer2008 said:
this can't be for a hero... that's a desire or evo in the photo.
btw sprint WAKE UP and give us a desire dammit!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Desire HD = EVO
I say that all official 2.2 froyo phones will get this new sense.
That of course leaves the HERO out!
I am sure that the devs can get the new sense.com on the Hero, but i am worried about having access to the services from htcsense.com

Dan330 said:
Desire HDS = EVO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but the Desire is a different phone entirely, one that's mostly a Nexus One. ACG (Mine included) carriers are starting to sell the Desire. It's tempting to upgrade and get that 1ghz snapdragon goodness, but the CDMA desire rooting and rom scene is pretty bad at the moment and I would hate to be stuck with a stock/unrootable phone for even a day.
http://www.alaskacommunications.com/Shop/Phones/Desire.aspx
The part about all your SMS being on the website is kind of unnerving. I don't feel right about a 3rd party having my txt messages, that's equal to having recordings of calls since I txt more than I use voice.

I'm having issues with the website and my Desire HD. Basically there is no way to scroll down through your contacts, texts, numbers, missed calls etc...
Anyone else experiencing this?

Xartz said:
I'm having issues with the website and my Desire HD. Basically there is no way to scroll down through your contacts, texts, numbers, missed calls etc...
Anyone else experiencing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the hero thread, please ask in your thread

Dan330 said:
Desire HD = EVO
I say that all official 2.2 froyo phones will get this new sense.
That of course leaves the HERO out!
I am sure that the devs can get the new sense.com on the Hero, but i am worried about having access to the services from htcsense.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i sort of see it like this. when we get a 2.2 sense rom, many of us will be thrilled! but just like some hero CM6 2.2 users cant download Angry Birds from the market because its not official 2.2, i dont think that we will get sense online syncing simply because it isnt official. now, we just need to wait until devs can spoof the official-ness...

steve19137 said:
i sort of see it like this. when we get a 2.2 sense rom, many of us will be thrilled! but just like some hero CM6 2.2 users cant download Angry Birds from the market because its not official 2.2, i dont think that we will get sense online syncing simply because it isnt official. now, we just need to wait until devs can spoof the official-ness...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well for me.. it might be a mute point...
by then.. I hope to be on my next android phone on sprint.
maybe the Knight or what ever this xmas.

GUIDE : HOW TO : USEFUL TIPS SETTING UP 10.1v

This guide will basically answer the following questions:
What to do for the tab case?
How to screen protect?
Best Email app
Best Office Application for tabs
How to make Whatsapp work on honeycomb tablets?
What is the best video format for galaxy tab?
Is your screen coming out. Are you alone?
How to download YOUTUBE VIDEOS HIGH QUALITY
Which is the best weather application for 10.1 inch tabs
What is the best wallpaper size?
Which is the replacement of the task calendar for honeycomb
OK so after the news that Vodafone ditched 10.1v for 10.1, most users are left on their own. Some are stil getting 10.1v from vodafone in some areas and others having it may have some issues. So I decided to compile some facts about the tablet. Screen shots are in here and in second thread.
Some of the tips below have been borrowed from some other threads for recompilation purposes and the credit goes to these people. Some of the other tips come from me and I would be glad to update them as I get to explore it more.
So lets start...
Hardware
The hardware of Galaxy tab 10.1 is well..heavy...but the plus side is that it is so very handy to grip. The curves at the back side make it so easy for the hand to hold them. I let couple of my friends hold it and they stated the heaviness does not feel due to the grip. Its so easy to hold this baby for longer times and thats a big plus. The downside in the hardware is that the screen is a little coming out from the top right corner. If you press the screen from the other three corners it wont go in. But the top right corner it is flimsy and loose. Press it and the screen visibly goes in. Seems like samsung forgot to glue it. LOL
SIM SLOT
One weird thing i noticed about the 10.1v was the PUSH needed to insert the sim inside the tablet. Initially i thought this was a fault but trust me , its not. Read a couple of threads on it and realized people were having problems. The solution is simple, once u insert the sim in get some thin key or your credit /atm card and just puch the sim in as much as you can. and VOILA it stays there.
So anyone using 10.1v and had to replace the sim for some reason dont think you got stuck cuz the sim really needs a big push to settle in.
The Casing
I did not get a casing for the galaxy tab. and as i found most people does not. The solution is to get an acer iconia flip cover. It suits completely on the galaxt tab and gives three different options for tilting the screen which are really useful for video, reading and other work. The only thing required for acer iconia cover is to reveal the headphone socket of the tab and thats easy. There is a slot in iconia cover almost at the same place. Just use your scissors and continue to cut it along the already made slit vertically. Once the handsfree socket is visible stop cutting. Now you can either remove the loose portion by either cutting it horizontally or letting ti stay there. I preferred letting it stay there cuz that gave the original look and stil made it easy for me to fit the handsfree when needed.
Fortunately, the galaxy tab 10.1v adopts to screen rotations so that gives u the option to put the charger slot either at the top or the bottom of the sliding case. I prefer it at the bottom for two reasons. First it avoids any dust going in and second it makes me charge the tab taking it out of the cover which i have heard is actually good to avoid heating issues.
SCREEN PROTECTOR
As was with the cover, the tab i had did not come with a screen protector. The solution again is simple. Get an apple ipad screen protector. Place it on the screen and align from one side vertically and horizontally. The other side will have the Apple ipad central button gap. Let this side flow out and cut horizontally to separate the ipad's round button from the screen protector. Thats it. Apply. Be careful not to cover the camera with the screen protector. Now use the screen protector in all its glory to avoid screen issues.
Apple screen protectors are reusable and washable. But be careful not to wash off the tablet when you wash them.
SETTING UP
Ok enough of the hardware info. Now for the software. Insert the sim. Once you switch on the tab, its a WOW. Honeycomb first look is really nice and the screen is really HD.
We all have to go through the honeycomb setup wizard which is a breeze actually and i will not dwelve into it since this guide will take on the useful issues only and not old ones.
However as a tip, once you go through the wizard.....RESTART....yes i know you are anxious but trust me RESTART.
Once you restart, the first thing that I usually do is to set up a lock screen password. Just hit settings in apps menu and hit
"Location and Security" and in there "Configure lock screen ". Setup your favorite way to unlock the screen and chill. Now you can show your tablet to tons of people without feeling a problem they will enter your tablet.
In the same "Locations and Security" tab you will notice "Owner Info". Hit it and you can enter your personalized message to appear on the lock screen. Kinda nice tip to setup your tab look good.
You may also notice an option "encrypt tablet" . I would not hit on it since i feel that it slows down the tab. Choice is yours if you are living at a place where you need to protect your data and theft is common the best choice is to encrypt.
First Things THE MAIN SCREEN
The first thing you would notice is that there are five screens for honey comb. The choice is yours how to arrange them but I would share the useful way to do it without losing on the beauty of the wallpaper in the tab.
The most useful application shortcuts I feel to place on the main screen are 6
Calculator
Calendar
Officer Application (which one comes later)
Email (or K9)
Settings
Browser
Thats not all. There is some more useful things you may wanna put on the main screen. Like weather. But for that you need two things. First I assume your 3g internet settings are auto detected by the tablet but if they are not set it up and SECOND goto market to download ASTRO file manager free. Once downloaded goto settings, applications and click on unknown sources.
WEATHER
Dont waste your time on other weather applications. Just move onto one of the threads in this forum where you have the SIGNED WEATHER application from asus transformer. Download the signed version and click on downloaded app from astro from above and bang you got the best weather info that suits the 10.1 inch screen and looks pretty nice. Installation can be done without root and by simple clicking. No need to change permissions or manual copying since I did not and mine works fine.
NOTES
Next comes the Notes. I spent months searching for the right application. I wanted a widget with transprent background that can hold my meetings and notes and reminders of different things. I did not like the stock calendar widget due to limitations of reminders in it for some task due but not done on due date.
Download "Simple Notepad" application from android market and if you can configure it correctly, you can get something like in my screen shot.
Notice the transparency, the sleekness and usefulness of this widget. I use the widget 3 x 2. You can use one of your own choice.
WALLPAPER
No matter what I did, EXACT resolution match to fit in full screen wallpaper without zooming was not achievable. The closest to optimum resolution was 1920 * 1408 strange but yeah this one works. Problem is you cant find images that resolution in abundance and resizing will destroy the image aspect ratio. If some one wants to try this, he can.
I, however went for a really useful free application from android market. "Multi picture Live Wallpaper". This has excellent abilities especially having different wallpapers for each screen full size without zoom. the best part is the cross fade option that smoothly transitions the wallpapers into one another and you can have different wallpapers for your different screens depending on your mood.
The wallpapers in the tablet are okay and not mouth watering so not go ahead and download 1900*1200 or 1280*800 and they will suit correctly without zoom using the app above.
EMAIL APP
Stil k9 is the best. Simple because the email client stil does not have "select all" option for mailbox. This is really ahndyt o delete bulk emails from trashcan.
Also you have no option to download a preview message and hence once you click on a message the entire is downloaded with attachement in one go.
In K9, you can either download the attachment or leave it. So those people on high cost 3g connections, dont use this email client.
Download k9 and associated with it is the the "Message Center" application from market to identify unread emails in the k9 mail box. So on your main screen you have the unread count which is very handy.
QUICK OFFICE HD
DOnt waste your time here and all the HD fancy things with it. When you receive an email with attachment in excel word or powerpoint you cant view it in there, and surely cannot download. This is because of a known issue that Quick Office is not a PLUGIN for default email client of honeycomb. So the attachments are pretty uselss to download since you got no option to view them.
For those who want to use quickoffice stil, they need to download a kind of work around. Download and install "Download all files" or similar download software for android and instal. Now when you open your emails with attachments you will notice the "VIEW" and "SAVE" button next to the attachement and now you can open it.
For those who dont want this, like me, just instal "ThinkFree Office". Its by far the best and supports freezing windows and panes in which format i usually receive my attachments. Please purchase the full application if rquired it really is far ahead than quickoffice in my opinion. Plus it has the native ability to open email attachments.
WHATSAPP
Ok so you need Whatsapp. After tons and tons of searching and finding nothing, I finally managed to install Whatsapp and solve the contacts not appearing issue.
I will here like to notify that I emailed the whatsapp people and they stated that whastapp is not for tablets. Strange, cuz it works on internet and tabs are all about internet messaging. So heres a guide to instal Whats app.
EXISTING ANDROID WHATSAPP USERS
Existing ANDROID whatsapp users trying to switch to galaxy tab 10.1v there is good news.l You can do that in easy steps. But if you have already tried whatsapp on tablet without any success then you need to first remove the account from accounts and sync under settings and then uninstal the application in your tablet first before the points below.
Make sure you have the latest whatsapp version in you old android phone and the contacts you want to transfer or talk to in 10.1v whastapp ar ein the original whatsapp application you are using on the android phone. Please also make sure you have some messaging going under these contacts.
Goto settings of whatsapp in your original android phone and check the last back up that was made. This is i think under the option "MORE" This date should be fresh. If not you gotto wait for the autobackup. Else backup if there is an option in your version.
Now take out the SIM and put in 10.1v tablet
download whatsapp from the whatsapp web site. Dont bother going to market...its not there.
Once downloaded instal.
When it comes to verification of your account, it will give a failure to send sms or somethign like that. Dont panic. Just click on retry.
Now you will see a roughly 10 minute time clock. Make sure your 3g or wifi is on. Let the 10 minutes pass.
Bang you will see a SMS received from whatsapp and it will shwo int he SERVICE INFO icon at the bottom bar of your tablet
Whatsapp will recognize it automatically and move forward. It will now auto backup your account under this number.
It will ask to restore backup and you do restore. and thats it. All your contacts and conversations are there. and you can WHATSAPP.
NEW WHATSAPP USERS
Well you guys need an android phone. and you gotto register whatsapp in there. Add your contacts and make some messages. Then follow the above procedures.
MESSAGING
Incoming sms messages work from anyone and they are clubbed in service info application.
YOU TUBE
Download tube mate not from the market but from the web. and that will help you download nice high definition movies. Dont bother downloading above 720p.
VIDEO PLAYBACK SIZE AND RESOLUTION
I tried everything. 1280 * 800 and the 720p one too. I could not get a fullscreen playback from tablet. So i reverted to SOUL MOVIE....a nice small free player to play in full screen with multiple options. Very nice give it a try.
I tried downloading 1080p youtube videos, they either stutter or somewhere in the end it says "Cannot play this video. Contact your Phone Maker". There are many thread son limitations of 1080p playback on tegra and i wont go into it. Hope this gets resolved in 3.1.
So the best way is to use third party encoders like 4videosoft to convert your downloaded youtube or movies to 1080p videos and then use a bitrate not more than 5000. Anything above that and you are inviting trouble. However, hionestly 720p is equally good too.
GOOGLE TALK
Works nicely with video. WOW thumbs up.
This needs to be updated pretty frequently, but to start with, one must have
ASTRO
DROPBOX
UNRAR
SOUL MOVIE PLAYER
WHATSAPP
Moon+reader for ebooks...well did i miss on ebooks here.
Now some Pics
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"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
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"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
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I will keep updating this thread. If anyone has something to share /add, please share and will be added to first post.

One last thing
DOLPHIN BROWSER HD is stil number 1. SImply because it alllows to spoof your user id. Which means you can goto flash web sites without identifying yourself as on Android.
Cheers

Hi Yahya. I see from your pictures that you too are from Lahore.
In case I didn't make it that obvious - so am I. Where did you get your 10.1v from and do you recommend any place in Lahore where I could get a tab?
Thanks,
Mobeen.

From south africa. sim free.

Wonderful list, thanks alot!
But my whatsapp is not showing any contacts, copied the backup and used the sim from my Galaxy S2.
yahya.hamid said:
One last thing
DOLPHIN BROWSER HD is stil number 1. SImply because it alllows to spoof your user id. Which means you can goto flash web sites without identifying yourself as on Android.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera Mobile beats Dolphin HD in a million.

Nice post. Thx
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using xda premium

Hi there!
I cannot install whatsapp on my galaxy tab 10.1 wifi only P7510.
After pressing on agree it says not compatible. What shall I do?

Hi,
I managed to get Whatsapp installed but it can't seem to find my contacts on my Galaxy Tab 3G.
I basically got the apk over to my tablet and installed.
Was I supposed to do something else?

I have an idea to change the way we look at Metro UI

Microsoft thinks of the Metro UI as the Desktop, and the Desktop as an application.
I want to modify this way of thinking and put it back to how it should be.
I want to when you login, go to the desktop, I know there is already a registry tweak for this. And I want to add back a start button. But when you hit this start button I want to bring up the metro UI. But not completely full screen. I want to leave the taskbar at the bottom, so you can still easily switch between your open apps.
Doing this creates the feel of a full screen customizable Start Menu, rather than a whole new (crappy) interface we have to learn. It would make live tiles more useful in my eyes too. You could potentially even have the Metro apps work this way too, so you arent taken off the desktop into the new interface, but still interacting with it in a way both users and forseeably microsoft would approve.
This idea came when I was theming my own ViStart start menu, and my friend said he wished he could have a larger start menu that was more customizable, in terms of sorting and viewing. And this just sort of hit me.
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While this certainly seems feasible with the Start page, there is no way around having Metro apps run in a visual state besides full screen, snapped, filled and portrait. Microsoft have stated that developers should only count on 1px boundaries around their apps and letting the taskbar stay on top would change this guideline, which I think is both against the point of Metro apps and too late to be added to the design guidelines.
But yeah, as an alternative to the current Start page it seems pretty cool.

Really, I think Microsoft sees Metro UI as more of a Start Menu/new UI rather than a Desktop. Sure the Desktop is an application, but the Metro Start Screen was not supposed to replace the desktop, only replace the Start Menu with a more informative version.

That was my idea that i've posted on MS blog long time ago. Also unification of running applications lists (metro and desktop) would be fine. But now it's all too late. I think about switching to w8 for a while to see if i like it. I did that with w7 and vista with some scripts that sync applications data between partitions when systems were changed (newer files replaced the older) - this way i could use the same application with the same data on booth systems and after a while i've switched to w7 completely.

I know it's too late to have microshaft do it, but I'm sure it's something a third party developer could do, which is why I posted here, hoping someone could take a crack at it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

i heard that metro files are encrypted AES 256bit
so it wont be possible or soon
however its gr8 idea hope ms will adopted it
cos its metro really "hollow" looking for me and at the Caterpillar phase

Greg2k said:
While this certainly seems feasible with the Start page, there is no way around having Metro apps run in a visual state besides full screen, snapped, filled and portrait. Microsoft have stated that developers should only count on 1px boundaries around their apps and letting the taskbar stay on top would change this guideline, which I think is both against the point of Metro apps and too late to be added to the design guidelines.
But yeah, as an alternative to the current Start page it seems pretty cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is that Microsoft needs to stop pretending that it's possible to make an UI that works well on both tablets and PCs. Metro works well on tablets but it is only a pain to use on a PC. Yes, I've used Windows 8 for about a month on my PC and my conclusion is that most tasks require more actions/time to complete than with regular desktop apps, especially when you need to use two separate apps.
What they need to do is a split of Tablets and PC and I feel that this suggestion is a good way to do it. Also, what they really need to realize is that it's a stupid idea to limit PC users to running 2 apps simultaneously per screen. The fact that they apparently doesn't see a problem with running everything in fullscreen is also a bit worrying. A good example of a task that can't be done in Metro is reading a PDF and at the same time writing in a word processor, because there isn't a way to run apps in 50/50 mode, only 70/30 which will make on of those apps a real pain to use.
I think they should do something like this, but make the start button only show 2-4 tiles initially (first group), then add a button that expands the menu to the whole screen. This would allow me to pin my most important (live) tiles on the start menu and give me a glance over it at time to time. I guess it would also be a good idea to be able to pin tiles in the taskbar and even if they mey not be fully live there is definitely enough space to display a number. This would be excellent for e.g. email and IM since they would always be visible. Of course Microsoft would also need to produce a whole new set of Metro apps for the desktop.

Sir. Haxalot said:
The thing is that Microsoft needs to stop pretending that it's possible to make an UI that works well on both tablets and PCs. Metro works well on tablets but it is only a pain to use on a PC. Yes, I've used Windows 8 for about a month on my PC and my conclusion is that most tasks require more actions/time to complete than with regular desktop apps, especially when you need to use two separate apps.
What they need to do is a split of Tablets and PC and I feel that this suggestion is a good way to do it. Also, what they really need to realize is that it's a stupid idea to limit PC users to running 2 apps simultaneously per screen. The fact that they apparently doesn't see a problem with running everything in fullscreen is also a bit worrying. A good example of a task that can't be done in Metro is reading a PDF and at the same time writing in a word processor, because there isn't a way to run apps in 50/50 mode, only 70/30 which will make on of those apps a real pain to use.
I think they should do something like this, but make the start button only show 2-4 tiles initially (first group), then add a button that expands the menu to the whole screen. This would allow me to pin my most important (live) tiles on the start menu and give me a glance over it at time to time. I guess it would also be a good idea to be able to pin tiles in the taskbar and even if they mey not be fully live there is definitely enough space to display a number. This would be excellent for e.g. email and IM since they would always be visible. Of course Microsoft would also need to produce a whole new set of Metro apps for the desktop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do, its called the All apps button and semantic zoom button at the lower right corner of the start screen. It is completely possible to have a UI optimized for both touch and traditional input devices and they've done it well. Tasks do not take longer, if anything it's shorter to open metro, right click on the screen, hit all apps and select and normal desktop program than it ever was to search for a program through millions of program groups in the start menu.
Sent from my LG-LS670 using XDA

edgex said:
I know it's too late to have microshaft do it, but I'm sure it's something a third party developer could do, which is why I posted here, hoping someone could take a crack at it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lets keep the childish MS hate out of this forum shall we
ShadowEO said:
They do, its called the All apps button and semantic zoom button at the lower right corner of the start screen. It is completely possible to have a UI optimized for both touch and traditional input devices and they've done it well. Tasks do not take longer, if anything it's shorter to open metro, right click on the screen, hit all apps and select and normal desktop program than it ever was to search for a program through millions of program groups in the start menu.
Sent from my LG-LS670 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
indeed, im not sure how some people can make such sweeping statements like we all dont like it, or that no one can use it. I think its great and loth using my Office computer, its refreshing and quick, very quick!

dazza9075 said:
lets keep the childish MS hate out of this forum shall we
indeed, im not sure how some people can make such sweeping statements like we all dont like it, or that no one can use it. I think its great and loth using my Office computer, its refreshing and quick, very quick!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what is quick, opening a photo with the metro app takes longer than loading photoshop CS6! and the interface is not fluid, you must leave the desktop to run another app, to get back, you have to either hit the windows key to hopefully get back to metro screen, then hit desktop, or if you know what you are doing, alt tabbing around. slow and not easy. and multi tasking, I don't even think I can have windows 50/50.
I will definitely use win8, but metro is not my bag of chips, it would make a much better start menu while taskbar is showing, then a whole user interface/system.

edgex said:
Not sure what is quick, opening a photo with the metro app takes longer than loading photoshop CS6! and the interface is not fluid, you must leave the desktop to run another app, to get back, you have to either hit the windows key to hopefully get back to metro screen, then hit desktop, or if you know what you are doing, alt tabbing around. slow and not easy. and multi tasking, I don't even think I can have windows 50/50.
I will definitely use win8, but metro is not my bag of chips, it would make a much better start menu while taskbar is showing, then a whole user interface/system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if it is taking as long as PS to open up then I suggest you need to look at your computer because I have no delay at all in opening a photo, browsing through all of my sources for photos is fluid and very quick, opening photos independent of metro takes no longer than any other version of windows this century. But that is just one example.
use metro, aka, your new start menu, to hold all your important self updating apps. Within a fraction of a second I can check multiply email accounts, stock markets, PMs, what songs playing, my appointments coming up, if any apps are updating and the weather forecast, and that is just from a small handful of RP apps!
Win button, check it all, win button, back to work on whatever program im currently working on, it doesn't get much more efficient than that, and again, this is the RP, once more apps are available potential uses go through the roof!

Yes, I support this idea; please hurry up and make it happen, I'm about to throw this POS out the window! This was not meant for desktops or non touch laptops, its a complete mess.

sinister1 said:
Yes, I support this idea; please hurry up and make it happen, I'm about to throw this POS out the window! This was not meant for desktops or non touch laptops, its a complete mess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but go ahead and throw it out. You shouldn't be using the previews anyway if you hate metro. It's what they're trying to get feedback on. We won't miss you.
Metro is great with both mouse and non touch laptops (I use my non touch NetBook with downscaling on so I can actually use metro apps.)
Sent from my LS-LS670 using XDA

ShadowEO said:
Sorry, but go ahead and throw it out. You shouldn't be using the previews anyway if you hate metro. It's what they're trying to get feedback on. We won't miss you.
Metro is great with both mouse and non touch laptops (I use my non touch NetBook with downscaling on so I can actually use metro apps.)
Sent from my LS-LS670 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My opinions are my own views so weather or not I hate it doesn't give you the right to tell me to use it or not; who do you think you are talking to me like that? I'm not a child. And who cares if you miss me or not? What are you like 12 years old? I don't remember disrespecting you; so grow up and respect your elders.

sinister1 said:
My opinions are my own views so weather or not I hate it doesn't give you the right to tell me to use it or not; who do you think you are talking to me like that? I'm not a child. And who cares if you miss me or not? What are you like 12 years old? I don't remember disrespecting you; so grow up and respect your elders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have me all wrong friend. In a blunt way I was stating that the previews are to gain some preliminary telemetry from metro. If you don't use metro, they don't get it. Moreover, metro is probably not going to be optional, so you'll continue to hate it anyway as per your previous statement. I meant no offense or insult by my previous statements and never mean any offense to begin with. Also please look at my profile before commenting on age, it looks silly when someone does that. Although I find it funny that you fly off the handle at a single post and then personally attack me, it's the internet and there are a lot worse people than me.
Also my statement is my opinion, so are you allowed your yet I should stifle mine?
Some food for thought.
Sent from my LS-LS670 using XDA

I still think there should be some competence test to see if a user should use it or not, it would save MS a lot of hassle in the long run and serious testers can then exchange ideas and opinions without the constant interruption from from people who just don't care to make a difference other than spread general FUD about something they know little about
Sent from my HD2 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App

What I don't get, is the Metro Start Menu is only used when you are playing within the start menu, or playing with metro apps. Outside of that 95% of your normal Windows 7 style usage can continue like it always has. Really how long do people spend in the start menu in Win7 and older? It is clunky, hard to navigate quickly with a mouse, and overall still dates back to Windows XP in functionality. With the addition of Quick Search in Vista and 7, I rarely go to the start menu outside of the obscure app I didn't create a shortcut for or for some reason, misspell when I type.
Now using the new Metro Start menu, quick search is as easy as ever with a keyboard and mouse, the built in gestures are actually incredibly intuitive both with and without a KB/Mouse or Touchscreen, and everything I could do with my normal Win7 desktop can be done just as fast if not faster on Win8. Some of the new Metro apps are actually really good and some like mentioned above (Music and Video app) could still use some tweaking (like just giving us normal Zune style combined integration and usability would be nice). Outside of that It will definitely take everyone a bit of time to get used to the new design, they will need to have some form of active tutorial to get to know Win8 for new users for sure, but once they get used to it, I think it will be a refreshing change that may not be welcome at first, but when it comes to inventing a whole new level of app design and computing, I dare to see anyone actually make something completely new that is as easy to use with both the KB/Mouse and touch without looking like the old interface (pretty much like the OP's post though I do admit it looks good) or ripping off someone else's design. Microsoft is on to something good and with Windows RT, things I feel will get really competitive in the tablet market.
I have had the pleasure of using Win8 on both a normal desktop and on a Acer W500 tablet, and I really enjoy it on both. It takes a different approach on how you arrange and get to your apps and discovering what the current metro apps do for you, but give it time, get used to that Windows key, and really give it an honest shot by actually using all the gestures and features offered. Don't just throw it out because it looks different and therefor must suck..
It is funny, how every generation of Windows it is the same dance. New version comes out with much better interface, design, layout, features, and you always have the ones that have to configure it back to Win95 layout just because they can't adapt. If that is you, well, there will always probably be a convenient registry change (or heck even possibly an official option when released) to go back to the old days.

Well, i give credit to Microsoft for trying to create a universal OS interface but i have to admit Metro is far from it. sure its faster and better optimized but all that speed is for not because i constantly have to switch between the desktop and the metro interface. However there is alot of things i do like. i do like how they hid the start button i like having to hit the windows key to access it i think its very simple. and i also like the new window, designs the menus on them, and they just the look is nice. And all the optimization is really really nice. if microsoft is for some reason reading this here is my two cents. keep the metro but make it smaller and confine it to the start menu portion of the screen. it would be easier on a desktop environment to have a customizable start menu and a desktop environment than to convert the whole start menu to the desktop thats just useless on anything but a touch screen.

Im confused on some things with the complaints. What part do you not like? The desktop is still there, i almost never even see the metro unless im going to start a new program. For desktop users its really not bad at all, only the start menu is changed. And there is a way to undo that change, plus microsoft did comment saying they would have both availible to users
Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

Windows phone 8 ++ 11 New & Hot feature ++

Hi++
Introducing microsoft windows phone 8 new features (listed by SPIDER7 :fingers-crossed
(source= wpcentral )
1- Internet explorer 10
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
A number of highlighted features included in Internet Explorer 10 for Windows Phone:
Hardware-Accelerated Graphics. Uses your phone’s built-in GPU to improve performance when rendering HTML5-based animation or video in the browser.
Faster JavaScript Engine. When rendering webpages based on JavaScript, Internet Explorer in Windows Phone 8 is up to seven times faster than the version in Windows Phone 7.5.
Improved Support for HTML5 and W3C Web Standards. Including CSS3, SVG, DOM, XHTML, and ECMAScript. Support for HTML5 is double what it was in Windows Phone 7.5, including new support for HTML5 touch events.
A Clean UI Design. Enables you to experience the beauty of the Web instead of the browser frame.
Protected Mode. Helps improve security by constraining the browser session to a low-rights security sandbox.
Tab Isolation. Runs each browser tab in a separate process so that one poorly-designed website won’t crash the entire browser or affect other tabs.
2- Live wallpapers
3- NFC sharing between Windows Phone 8 and Android
4- Xbox music
Xbox Music has been designed to work across multiple devices and allow for a more seamless music playing experience. You’ll be able to buy music from the phone using the store and later either stream or download that purchase to another device like your Surface tablet or Windows 8 laptop.
Windows Phone 8 will allow you to see download or stream previous purchase from your ‘cloud collection’
5- Data Sense
++
Nokia Counters - similar functionality to Data Sense for all windows phone devices
6- One note mobile
you can now dictate a note and have it automatically transcribed into OneNote. Using voice to text technology you can save yourself some typing and let Windows Phone 8 do the work for you. Using this function is similar to how speech to text works in Windows Phone 7, hold down the start button to enable speech and say “Note” and commence dictating your notes. The feature will even work while the screen is locked if you wish it to, saving you having to unlock the phone.
8- New Accents
9- Rooms
These are the features available to the group you create in this application:
Room Chat Unlike with group texting, every Room member in a Room Chat session sees each other’s messages and replies, making it easy to keep everyone in-the-loop—and only Room members can see those messages. And with the new Location Sharing feature you can just as easily let everyone else in a Room know exactly where they are.
Shared Calendar Every Room has a shared calendar, which all Room members can view and update. If anyone adds an event or makes a change, it is automatically synced to all other Room members’ phones.
Shared Photo Album Rooms also provide a shared photo and video album—just share a photo or video with a Room and it’ll be visible to all Room members.
Shared Notes Rooms also make it easy to share OneNote notes, which are automatically synced across all Room members’ phones.
10- Wallet
One of the new features with Windows Phone 8 is the Wallet app. Microsoft has added a digital wallet that you can use to keep your debit, credit, loyalty and membership card information handy on your Windows Phone.
11- The Kid's Corner
Kid's Corner will introduce new ways for parents to allow their children to access content on their Windows Phone without the concern of accidental misuse. But it's not only limited to children, should you wish to lend your device to friends or the loved one for a minute or so, and wish to keep private areas of the device secure, Kid's Corner can be provided with peace of mind.
++I'll waiting for more
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(source= wpcentral )

so according to #8 there still now way of set your own color? wtf?

eortizr said:
so according to #8 there still now way of set your own color? wtf?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
++
Maybe that settings is in another place because they confirmed the custom Accent colors !

Some of these features are already available in WP7.5
One note, data counters (for nokia only), Xbox muxic is the same as zune, and a few more will come in 7.8 lol.
Not really a big loss as it seems, for old windows phone users.

two new features:
1. Allow multiple mobile no.
2. Enable any languages.
see attched snapshot from MS Community forum. I do not have WP8, can anyone confirm?

++
update
++
12-New features for Skype
First, and maybe the most important improvement, is that Skype can keep you signed-in and reachable even when you've closed out the Skype app. Skype stays asleep in the background until an incoming call or message is received. Not only can you receive calls just like you would through your wireless carrier but staying dormant, you save battery life.
The new Skype app also automatically adds your Skype contacts to your People Hub. This will allow you to start a Skype conversation directly from a person's contact card.
Other improvements include Live Tile support to show unread message counts and/or a text preview of the most recent message and Skype notifications for your Lock Screen.

++
update
++
13-multiple select
-we can see the “select multiple” option in the gallery; which is a huge relief for many who have faced the horror of wanting to delete more than one picture (God forbid).
14-In App purchase
-support for NFC, contactless payments, deals, loyalty cards and the likes
++This feature is just for wp8
15-Group Tile will be a live tile ( like the people tile )
Another little tweak to the Windows Phone 8 People Hub has been noticed. Besides the Recent Contacts now being a vertical pivot, another pivot has been added for groups specifically, showing a similar animation to the start screen People tile.
The discovery shows there is likely many more small changes in Windows Phone 8, which, despite the emulator leak, we will likely only really discover once we hold a real device in our hands.
16- 4 Hot in one
16.1-You will be able to Search from the lock screen
16.2-Download Maps for offline use
16.3-Basic Photo Editing tools like crop, rotate, fix, aspect ratio, etc will be included in the OS
16.4-Voicemail, Email, Text or IM, Email Notification Support
------------------------------------------------
++more coming soon

"wow"...

HTC_FUZE said:
two new features:
1. Allow multiple mobile no.
2. Enable any languages.
see attched snapshot from MS Community forum. I do not have WP8, can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
++
You think they lie to us Because one of wpcentral friends confirmed that

This is small, but something Ive been missing ALOT: you can paste to dialer. At least here in Finland so often phone numbers from explorer dont appear as clickable links.

Loco5150 said:
This is small, but something Ive been missing ALOT: you can paste to dialer. At least here in Finland so often phone numbers from explorer dont appear as clickable links.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes in WP8 you can paste in dialer.
http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-phone-8-will-finally-let-you-paste-phone-numbers-into-the-dialler/
For WP 7.5 you can download my easy dial app :fingers-crossed:

monotheist said:
Yes in WP8 you can paste in dialer.
http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-phone-8-will-finally-let-you-paste-phone-numbers-into-the-dialler/
For WP 7.5 you can download my easy dial app :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you ! :good:
By the way your app is great

++
update
++
17-paste in dialer
Microsoft did not allow one to paste phone numbers into the dialler. This has been such a problem that there has even been apps developed to allow one to copy a phone number from a web page or IM for example and paste it into an app, which would then dial the number.
Like with so many things, Microsoft finally fixed the issue in Windows Phone 8

SPIDER-7 said:
++
You think they lie to us Because one of wpcentral friends confirmed that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks. However, I think the multiple mobile no. is still limited to 2? From the hotmail, now I see Mobile 2 becomes available, but still you cannot customize it, e.g. change "Mobile" to Mobile-Personal, change "Mobile 2" to "Mobile-Company" etc. or add more than 2 no.

monotheist said:
For WP 7.5 you can download my easy dial app :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes easy dial and few others are great apps for WP7. Only problem for me on all of these is the fact that the tile of the app cannot show missed calls. This of course its due to limitation of WP7, not because people dont want to include this function to their apps. The way the home screen and notifications is build in WP7 would mean basically having 2 tiles for dialing and ehh, its too much. Smart dial is something I thought was very strange that it wasnt present in WP7, but I have got used to dialing from people hub.

SPIDER-7 said:
thank you ! :good:
By the way your app is great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Some of the features you missed
1) Now you can take screen shots with the phone, this was demoed long back in the first look of Windows Phone
2) Custom lens, you can have apps that create Custom Lens for the Phone for taking pictures
3) Downloadable Maps for offline Maps support.

++
Update
++
someone please wake me up !!! wow!! wow! and wow!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18-Dual Core Chipsets
Microsoft plans to have the latest and greatest hardware on their new phones, and that includes dual-cores and more (read, multi-cores).
19- 3 Screen Resolutions
WP8 will no longer be restricted to the lowly 800×480 (by today’s standards). Coming forth are 2 new resolutions, HD (1280×720) as well as WXGA (1280×728). The second resolution spec is particularly interesting. WXGA keeps direct aspect ratio compatibility with WP7′s WVGA screen resolution.
20-Micro SD Card support
Not having Micro SD slots was a bummer with Windows Phone 7 as that pretty much limited offline storage capacity. Most phones were stuck with 8 GB of storage (less than 6 GB useful most of the times). For an office guy, it might be enough. But start to take pictures and carry them around, store music and apps and you would soon be running into tight spots. We are glad MS addressed this petty problem with WP7 and is introducing the feature (finally) with WP8.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21-Unleashed Gaming
22-More Countries, More Languages
In their continued expansion, Microsoft highlights the number of different countries and languages in which their apps will be available.
...

Any improvement of the calendar tile?
Thanks for this thread and info!
Is there any improvement of the calendar tile. In particular, more than 1 appointment showing on the start screen tile (Such a big tile of nothingness in WP7). I'd like to see 3 or 4 appointments. Ideally the ability to control how many and from what calendar, all day or not. At present one has to achieve this via third party apps.