... freaking hate them.
Just kidding, would be nice to have them. Unfortunately high-res icons are not provided very often, though, as you can see on the top left of the play store app, they technically exist. The devs are required to upload 512x512 icons to google, but not to include them in the .APKs.
Do you do anything about it? Has anyone found a convenient way to replace the icons throughout the system, e.g. not only on the homescreen but also in the app drawer? (Modifiying the APKs manually on the PC or with Ninjamorph is too much of a waste of time in my opinion.)
What I do about it:
Get the Icon: Advanced search for images (Google), filetype PNG. If there is no icon: Screenshot in the play store app, remove background, save as PNG. It should be downscaled to 144x144.
Store it on the device.
Replace icon on homescreen: Via longpress in Nova Launcher. Other method, works with every launcher: Create a "Desktop Visualizer" widget, and link it to the desired app. In case the icon looks blurry, check the Desktop Visualizer settings.
However, keep in mind that the app drawer icons remain as they are.
Please tell me if you know some launcher or a highly automated APK modification app that also replaces the drawer icons.
Cheers!
Thats actually quite interesting. I noticed the high-res icons in the Play Store. I don't have my Nexus 10 as of yet but I would hate to have low-res icons simply because the developer didn't take the 10 minutes to convert the icon and upload it with the .APK!
I would suggest we try to clip this problem at the source - TELL developers of this issue! Email them about it. Request it. Developers are in it for money, customers (and, being human, they obviously appreciate positive feedback). Tell them what we want, make it an issue, show them we care, and it will get fixed. Don't just rely on Google to push for a better ecosystem, tell them yourselves!
If someone posts their email to a developer about this issue here, I will take and alter that email to send to them in support, give a bit more force behind it. Sounds like the best option to me!
CWalkop said:
Thats actually quite interesting. I noticed the high-res icons in the Play Store. I don't have my Nexus 10 as of yet but I would hate to have low-res icons simply because the developer didn't take the 10 minutes to convert the icon and upload it with the .APK!
I would suggest we try to clip this problem at the source - TELL developers of this issue! Email them about it. Request it. Developers are in it for money, customers (and, being human, they obviously appreciate positive feedback). Tell them what we want, make it an issue, show them we care, and it will get fixed. Don't just rely on Google to push for a better ecosystem, tell them yourselves!
If someone posts their email to a developer about this issue here, I will take and alter that email to send to them in support, give a bit more force behind it. Sounds like the best option to me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. However, if you want to get it done quickly and properly, you will have to do it yourself. The problem is that I couldn't find a workaround, which is weird, because the idea exists. A long time ago, I had an iPod Touch, where you could install "Winterboard" - a Cydia app which redirected the read access to the icon file (which is stored within the app on iOS, too) to a folder where you could place custom icons.
If I were Google, I'd change the filetype of icons (or even more ui elements) to a vector format like .SVG. This way every device could calculate its own full resolution icons once and cache them for fast access. There wouldn't be the need for new icons everytime the displays are improved, which is happening all the time.
Related
It was suggested that we start a thread specifically for the apps that run well on the Android port to the HTC Touch/Vogue. I personally own an (Sprint=CDMA) HTC Touch Diamond, but upon seeing the maturity level of Android running on the Touch, I immediately went to eBay and picked up the Touch handset...and I am glad I did. The only reason I boot back to winmo is for work calendar (Lotus), Skype (iSkoot kinda sucks), and Podcasts (hopefully we getting DoggCatcher soon).I've found that battery life with Togga on to be about 8-10 hours which I can live with it, but it's a pain to keep toggling if you really need to conserve (but it could be worse )I plan on posting more battery data soon, but need a few more days of collection. Hopefully we can find a more permanent way of managing the data connection with balance for battery life.
You can find many apps on http://slideme.org/, AndAppStore (both have phone clients - very market-like) and by searching ".apk" on 4shared.com
The apps I have found to run well on my CDMA with dzo/f00bar's (much respect) latest files:
-Scoreboard - I'm not that big of a sports fan, but this app is slick!
-aLastFM - Just got permission to post the link from the developer. Thanks Oleg!!
-Stocker - Simple but effective stock app, but no graphs. If someone could find a better one...
-Weather - Simple, but effective. Multiple Cities, current and forecast, with menu link to detailed outlook including radar from Undergroud Weather.
-AnyCut -Great for making shortcuts to just about any screen in the OS, especially useful for Battery and Sounds&Display
-TextEasy - for sending a text to multiple contacts, until someone can get a hold of ChomperSMS or K9SMS (K9Mail I have not gotten to work either, we need a better mail app, the native client doesn't even recognize URLS, wtf?!)
-OIFileManager - It's the only one I've tried, so can't comment on the others, but there are several out there. UPDATE: I tried out Astro and Glance. I liked Astro, but after a day it stopped working for me and gives me a force quit. I prefer Glance over OI FileManager, it's on 4shared I believe.
-OIFlashlight - amazing how handy this comes in
-OINewsReader - No frills RSS aggregator
-ShopSavvy - Did you say "We'll match any price"?...but be fast with your fingers, camera is not fine enough to capture the barcode
UPDATE:
I wanted to add SMS PopUp as another great app. You can find it along with a bunch of other APKs here. One of the G1 owners that grabbed all of the apps and is hosting them for download.
WANTED:
-DoggCatcher - for my daily podcast fix
-A true Skype client
-HEADPHONE SUPPORT!!
Please post replies with your own favorite apps that run well on this port (with links, please!)
Cheers!
Wow, no replies?!
I'm looking for SMS PopUp if anyone can post a link.
Cheers!
The Meebo app is well worth a look - look for it on 4shared.com. Lets you IM on just about any IM network (Yahoo, MSN, AIM etc). IMs appear in the notification bar while you are in any other program. Great stuff.
I believe im the only person hosting the meebo.apk at the moment.
Meebo Instant Messenger:
http://jonsingh.com/android/files/meebo.apk
I did recieve the "ok" from the meebo!
thanks
Jon
steve98 said:
The Meebo app is well worth a look - look for it on 4shared.com. Lets you IM on just about any IM network (Yahoo, MSN, AIM etc). IMs appear in the notification bar while you are in any other program. Great stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i installed and signed into my MSN account, however, just a white screen shows up. No list of contacts, etc. No menu options other than to add another account or sign off. Not exactly useful (at least this version). Is anyone using this successfully?
EDIT: I received a chat, and that gave me a buddy online, maybe no one on my list was signed on at the time I first checked.
Also, it doesnt remember your username and password, which is annoying because it randomly closed on me after tapping the notification in the bar during a chat session today. I'll keep looking for a better app or updated version.
Ideal2545 said:
I believe im the only person hosting the meebo.apk at the moment.
Meebo Instant Messenger:
http://jonsingh.com/android/files/meebo.apk
I did recieve the "ok" from the meebo!
thanks
Jon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you might be the only one who got the 'ok' from meebo but as i said, it can be found on 4shared.com also.
What about an updated version of Shopsavvy. Mine keeps saying there is a new version, but of course we can't update off the marketplace.
I'm looking for the Locale application. Even though we don't have GPS running, Locale still alows profile switching based on time and days of the week, which would be useful for office vs. non-office settings. If someone could post this I would appreciate it!
how do i install apps i have them saved to the storage card i just dont know how to load them up, sorry if this is a dumb question
thoughtlesskyle said:
how do i install apps i have them saved to the storage card i just dont know how to load them up, sorry if this is a dumb question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they are in the AndroidApps folder then they should be installed already. I found that sometimes icons don't show up to launch the program, however. This is where AnyCut comes in handy. Use AnyCut to search in "Activities" to find your app. If you are not seeing it in this list then you may have to "manually" install the app. Open a file browser such as OI File Manager or Glance and navigate to your AndroidApps folder. Click on the .apk file and it should launch teh app installer.
Hope this helps.
Any word on aLastFM?
etx said:
Any word on aLastFM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the update first post.
Scoreboard.apk
I am very interested in the Scoreboard app, I got it running fine, but the other day the game I added to my favorite never really gave me updates until the game was over by a few hours.
Isnt this application able to provide real-time results?
I am having more success simply by going to www.nhl.com :-S
Thanks for aLastFM!
I was looking around and found another 4shared user with a bunch of APK's!
http://www.4shared.com/dir/11234070/20e0c1f0/sharing.html
Someone in the main topic said something about an ebay app. What is it and is it any good? Is it secure? It'd be nice to have for me.
There's been a couple apps I liked that didn't fit our screen plus having to reinstall android files often I lose all my saved info so it doesn't work out for me. Sprint needs to hurry up with an HTC Android phone.
Maybe a stupid question, not sure... Why can't someone extract the android market application from the G1 to be used on other phones? Seems a bit odd of Google to limit the market to only a specific phone.
There is a discussion about the marketplace on the big long forum. The marketplace is not open source. They're talking about the commands and encryption and such for it. I'd think it's not open because they plan on having pay for apps but I could be wrong
G1 Central
This is a must have for any one with a Grand Central account- G1 Central
http://evancharlton.com/projects/g1central
Allows you to place calls and check voicemail for your GrandCentral account. Pretty much allows for unlimited free calling. Works great on my friends G1.
Still missing a few features.. like the ability to call contacts that are only in your GC account, but still very good.
Heres the problem.. it crashes when trying to dial out on the Vogue!!! Ahhh!
So close to beating the telecoms... If anyone knows anything about error codes or how to get this working, I might have a GrandCentral account invite...
megalewis said:
I am very interested in the Scoreboard app, I got it running fine, but the other day the game I added to my favorite never really gave me updates until the game was over by a few hours.
Isnt this application able to provide real-time results?
I am having more success simply by going to www.nhl.com :-S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this also. i resolved by changing my time zone in settings. Only problem is that this then modifies your "synced" time with your carrier, it adjusts + or - according to your time zone, so you have to comensate...each time you boot. Not by any means an elegant solution, but if you need realtime scores this is the answer. Probably better off sticking with NHL.com
aven_soulgazer said:
Someone in the main topic said something about an ebay app. What is it and is it any good? Is it secure? It'd be nice to have for me.
There's been a couple apps I liked that didn't fit our screen plus having to reinstall android files often I lose all my saved info so it doesn't work out for me. Sprint needs to hurry up with an HTC Android phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the "Ebay.apk" from 4Shared, but it doesn't display properly. The tabs extend all the way to the bottom of the other screen which is a common problem for us vogue port users.
Introducing, the Windows Phone 7 Android Project!
This project was launched by mobile enthusiasts to combine the ultimate mobile experience. The freedom of Android and the grace and elegance of Windows Phone 7. Anyone that has not used Windows Phone 7 is missing out on the sleek and beauty of the OS and the style of the applications. However, on the other hand, those that have used it will also notice the limitations and lack of apps that everyone is used to using.
With the WP7Android applications, you can pick and choose how much WP7 that you want on your device. This is not an all or nothing solution. You can show off your "WP7" device and wow everyone with how much freedom you have and access to ALL of the android applications!
There will be a total of 9 applications in the package that you can chose from.
*Launcher - A Metro UI launcher written from the ground up to ensure that the ENTIRE WP7 experience can be utilized. Not just a skinned or tweaked existing launcher, this is the real deal!
*Dialer - Integrated with the stock Android contacts app or the WP7 contact app, this launcher will look and feel the way it is supposed to. With enhanced Facebook integration to just stock settings.
*Contacts - Full contacts support with Facebook integration. You can scroll through your contact list and also view their updates and other status changes. Evert hing you need in one app to stay connected!
*Mail - Manage all your mail accounts through one sleek interface.
*Message - WP7 Message app with thread view
*Browser - WP7 Browser and extra features
*Camera - WP7 Camera
*Gallery - WP7 Photo/Video Gallery
*Zune-Player - All of the look and feel of the Zune music player, None of the restrictions! You can view, play and see all of your media, no matter where it is!
For XDA users 3 apps will be free(Users who donated or Devs who brought some real contribution will get all packs for free). Not all apps will be available at first. Also the apps will be closed-source and paid on the market(somebody requested that I say this clearly). If you have any comments I would love to hear them!
UPDATE 6.1: The Contacts App has been updated to version 1.1. Known issues have been fixed. This version should work without problems on Xperia X10 and Eclair. Also the Zune Player has been updated as well. Known FC's have been fixed. Buyers PM me, donators download from third post.
Attention!!!: Please note that some parts of the site are still in construction including the Shop. After you buy send a Private Message here on XDA with your email so I can send the application. If you won't I will send it only to the PP mail address.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1)Apps review - Second Post
2)Apps download and extras - Third Post
Official Site:http://wp7android.com/
My Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/#!/TheRedDrake
IF YOU SUPPORT THIS PROJECT PLEASE DONATE OR JUST VOTE TO FRONT PAGE
P.S Thanks to all who donated. Their contribution brings this project to life
Apps review + Planned Versions and Updates + Order of Releases
Contacts App:
You can:
-Sync contacts from SIM and Gmail
-Add new contact or edit existing one.
-Search contacts by clicking search button. If one contact remains swipe up or click for edit contact.
-Sort contacts by clicking all under people. You can sort by phone or email
-Chose own picture by clicking on the picture under the All/With Phone/With Email
-Quick search by letter by clicking blue letters. This opens the WP7 full onscreen Search Keyboard
-In Edit Contact: Swipe left for Call, right for Messaging
-Login to Facebook and Wall Post
Launcher App
You can:
- Add static, live & custom tiles. Live tiles like weather and slideshow need there corresponding aps to work.
- manage tiles & uninstall apps
- QTA (quick tile access) - give access to extra features on pinching on tiles. Only messaging tile & slideshow tile do things on QTA for now
-Tile Preview - gives the user the ability to only show tiles by category in the tiles view. It's activated by pinching on different tiles.
- change fonts - this change will apply to the most part of the launcher. Fonts are loaded from a folder on the SDCard
- tile notification for messages and missed calls
- lots of options in the launcher menu & more to come
- support for Wallpapers & Live Wallpapers
- widget support
- Live folder tiles support.
- theme-able (subject to improvements)
- add postit like tiles
- contact tiles (you must pin them from the contacts app) with quick call and sms features
- minor battery impact
- ... maybe other features that I'am missing right now
To do:
- interface improvements
- animations
- more live tiles (once everybody - or most of them- are content with the launcher)
- maybe animated tiles
- full integration with the other apps in the project
Music Player(Aka ZPlayer)
You can:
- As with the Zune player, this player will save a play history of the music you listen to, save favourites and also display newly added tracks to the home screen of the player.
- The home screen will have 3 sections: home, history and new.
- The radio player works using the Android mediaplayer API and streams MP3 music from internet radio stations.
- users can save radio stations as favourites and easily jump to their favourite stations.
To do:
- interface improvements
- implement color preferences to match colors of the other apps in the project
- animated activity switching
- homescreen widgets
- last.fm integration for scrobbling
- high resolution images for background images.
- playlist and genre section under "music"
Extras:
WP7Notifications:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11620804/Update-WP7Notifications-signed.zip
WP7Ringtones:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11620804/Update-WP7Ringtones-signed.zip
WP7 Theme for GO SMS: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13428027/GOS...mpleBlueW7.apk
*Credits for this go to lucas.scott and sualfred*
WP7 Theme for HTC Keyboard: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=942743
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Videos:
Video Review of the Apps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIMpAga1hkg
Messaging app Alpha:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPDdBUsh_cY
lol
So let me get this straight you want programmers, designers and beta testers. So where do you come into all this lol? This sounds more like to me your asking people to do the job you cant
TheRedDrake said:
I would like to start an project to port the Windows Phone 7 UI to Android(Including Launcher and some basic utilities like mail/dialer/contacts/music/etc.), not just a theme using LauncherPro or ADW Launcher. Everybody can contribute to this in any way possible. So let the work begin and hope to see your contributions to this one as soon as possible.I will keep updating this thread every day in order to keep things in order. Good Luck!
What do I need?
1) Programmers
2) Designers
3) Beta testers: atomfix, JKshowman, Sellitus,MStott
P.S. Remember all who choose to contribute to this project please P.M me or post what are you willing to do in order to assign task based on your current skills.
Nexus One Thread:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8792774#post8792774
Desire Thread:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8792538#post8792538
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can help for designing & graphic
We need the devs to crack the bootloader first before you can do anything on this project.
TheRedDrake said:
I would like to start an project to port the Windows Phone 7 UI to Android(Including Launcher and some basic utilities like mail/dialer/contacts/music/etc.), not just a theme using LauncherPro or ADW Launcher. Everybody can contribute to this in any way possible. So let the work begin and hope to see your contributions to this one as soon as possible.I will keep updating this thread every day in order to keep things in order. Good Luck!
What do I need?
1) Programmers
2) Designers
3) Beta testers: atomfix, JKshowman, Sellitus,MStott
P.S. Remember all who choose to contribute to this project please P.M me or post what are you willing to do in order to assign task based on your current skills.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zune player on Android, i say YES! and compatibility with Zune software for synchronizing music-video-images with it!
But the bootloader blocked all issues to do it...
SEMPITERNAL said:
I can help for designing & graphic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finaly someone willing to help.
P.S. I am going to do a launcher with some apps that will have the UI and functionality of WP7. I am designing the apps, I need help with the Launcher
Nankov said:
We need the devs to crack the bootloader first before you can do anything on this project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App
Nankov said:
We need the devs to crack the bootloader first before you can do anything on this project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't need the bootloader cracked if this is a launcher replacement.
I.e. equivalent to ADWLauncher.
I dont want to start the 2.1 debate again (theres another topic for that) but we may need the upgrade before we can make a better home replacement app. (LauncherPro requires 2.1 for example)
I'll be interested in testing this though, should the project come to something
JahmanSoldat said:
Zune player on Android, i say YES! and compatibility with Zune software for synchronizing music-video-images with it!
But the bootloader blocked all issues to do it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I started on a Zune player for android a while back, had a few screens transfer over/layout and whatnot.. just needed to add the code from the old player.. I may just revamp up this project again
I'm in for testing and perhaps some dev work. I am a software engineer but haven't gotten in to android sdk much yet
Sent from my R2-D2
xastey said:
I started on a Zune player for android a while back, had a few screens transfer over/layout and whatnot.. just needed to add the code from the old player.. I may just revamp up this project again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers bro! Hope you will contribute
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
It's interesting... Good luck with it. I don't have developer skills, so I can't help you.
But if you manage to do it, I will give it a tray. Hope to see something soon.
Id Love to be a beta tester, I love blowing up phones with new tech LOL j/p
But beta tester for sure
androidfanboi said:
So let me get this straight you want programmers, designers and beta testers. So where do you come into all this lol? This sounds more like to me your asking people to do the job you cant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
androidfanboi don't be rude and arrogant... if you check, TheRedDrake is listed as a programmer
wow...nice to hear that...i wanna be tester too...
Would definitely test on dx and help with any audio related needs. Also can put me down for a massive donation if this thing takes off. Was planning on two hundred going to a wp7 device but doesn't look like Verizon will have it for a while. If this is legit... more than happy to give it to you guys.
If you guys can do it, ill beta test it
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App
7years photoshop skill is ready to help with design and graphics !
Ok.. I use the Google+ app on my phone. But because it its not a web app, if I ever am on this network and I see some image that someone has posted which I like, many times I would love to be able to save to my phone. But because this an app, and not built for a browser, I can't just long-press and save it.
And obviously google has not as of yet built this functionality into this app in any other way.
BUT....after much poking and prodding in and to the google+ app, I notice that when you are viewing an image, you CAN set it as your desktop wallpaper!
But, once I set it as my wallpaper, I cannot find it! Using root explorer, I have searched for every .jpg, jpeg, .png, and .bmp and no dice. I have tried opening up quickpic (the free market app), and hit ”display hidden images” (which hides icons and other stuff you wouldn't want to see anyway), and look through EVERYTHING that is revealed...but still I cannot find it. Its on my desktop as the wallpaper, so it must be on the phone.
It is driving me crazy. Does anyone have any clue where a file like this might be stored? I imagine a wallpaper image could be anywhere in the sys partition or the sdcard, but it wouldn't need to be convertthan those above extensions I search on, right? So WTF? Where could it be?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
Got the new phone other day, really nice so far.
BUT when i choose an uploader button on forums, craigslist or google image search etc… the choose an action menu pops up like normal, but NO gallery icon.
SO how can i upload? Taking a new pic each time is pretty annoying. BTW this worked fine on all my previous droid devices WITHOUT a special craigslist app or google app etc…..
vdubjim said:
Got the new phone other day, really nice so far.
BUT when i choose an uploader button on forums, craigslist or google image search etc… the choose an action menu pops up like normal, but NO gallery icon.
SO how can i upload? Taking a new pic each time is pretty annoying. BTW this worked fine on all my previous droid devices WITHOUT a special craigslist app or google app etc…..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not clear what you are objecting to. What your droid did is irrelevant. It's not reasonable to expect every phone to be identical for your favourite features. And if that is somehow critical to you.. why did you buy a non-droid phone?
As far as I can tell, you are accustomed to having the gallery icon show up on the action menu and don't like that it's (apparently) not there on your S5. Did you try clicking, "documents" on the action menu? I bet that takes you right into the gallery or a file browser.
Or there are a million other ways to do the same thing too - my files (the stock file browser, various apps, upload from your browser, long press on the recents (left soft) key to access a conventional context menu, the command line.. etc, etc.
If you want, go grab the Google gallery apk and install it and I bet it shows up on the action menu..
.
Umm thanks I guess??
Yes document worked.
The other 12 paragraphs you typed why?
Wtf are you talking about ? I guess htc, Sony and Samsung don't count. Lol
fffft said:
It's not clear what you are objecting to. What your droid did is irrelevant. It's not reasonable to expect every phone to be identical for your favourite features. And if that is somehow critical to you.. why did you buy a non-droid phone?
As far as I can tell, you are accustomed to having the gallery icon show up on the action menu and don't like that it's (apparently) not there on your S5. Did you try clicking, "documents" on the action menu? I bet that takes you right into the gallery or a file browser.
Or there are a million other ways to do the same thing too - my files (the stock file browser, various apps, upload from your browser, long press on the recents (left soft) key to access a conventional context menu, the command line.. etc, etc.
If you want, go grab the Google gallery apk and install it and I bet it shows up on the action menu..
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
* plonk *
Dear Vdubjim,
To be completely honest with you the answer you received was quite sensible - outlining many options you do have and hope they can be resolved.
Do note - "droid" - means a Motorola phone with that word in the name (a/p gsmarena.com 4 pieces produced). Therefore - the whole rant about other options in other device maker's skins for Android.
The thing is - there are a lot of people in those forums who do not bother to google for answers and who simply want everything put before them on a plate. This always results in a somewhat sarcastic reply - and personally I'm not surprised. The answer you received was mild and non-offensive - please do take note of that.
Cheers!
Thank you for the insight.
Next time I'll post my search logs.
rnrnrn said:
Dear Vdubjim,
To be completely honest with you the answer you received was quite sensible - outlining many options you do have and hope they can be resolved.
Do note - "droid" - means a Motorola phone with that word in the name (a/p gsmarena.com 4 pieces produced). Therefore - the whole rant about other options in other device maker's skins for Android.
The thing is - there are a lot of people in those forums who do not bother to google for answers and who simply want everything put before them on a plate. This always results in a somewhat sarcastic reply - and personally I'm not surprised. The answer you received was mild and non-offensive - please do take note of that.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my Essential Phone for about three days and I've got mixed feelings about it. This is my escape from the Samsung ecosystem, and I love love love the fact that it isn't bogged down with bloat. Generally, the PH-1 does everything faster than any phone I've ever owned, even the much lauded iPhone. But there's a number of functionalities I'd like to get.
1.) File Management: I thought this was part of the Android OS. Apparently not? I would like to find a file management app that gives me Windows-like control and navigation.
2.) Camera: The PH-1's native camera app might be good someday. For now it sucks. I'd heard you could "just get the Google Pixel Camera" and everyone made it sound super easy. Well ... I did go out and find the Nougat version Google Pixel Camera APK. I installed it. It crashes instantly upon opening and never works. I'd love to know what went wrong there.
3.) Keyboard: Okay, sometimes Samsung just does it better. Their keyboard app was perfect and I'd gotten used to the layout. Now I'm wishing I could have my Samsung keyboard back. The Google one sucks, truth be told. Most keyboard apps you find searching Google Play are all about being pretty or fancy or whatever. I just want the same simple functionality back: All letters and numbers on the same screen and the most common special characters as alternate long-press options on that same page. Decent intelligent autocomplete. Larger buttons. Extensions such as .com when they make sense and not when they don't.
I'd also like to get any and every recommendation for apps. Is there any point in rooting the PH-1? That sort of thing.
Thanks in advance!
BonkersTheClown said:
I've had my Essential Phone for about three days and I've got mixed feelings about it. This is my escape from the Samsung ecosystem, and I love love love the fact that it isn't bogged down with bloat. Generally, the PH-1 does everything faster than any phone I've ever owned, even the much lauded iPhone. But there's a number of functionalities I'd like to get.
1.) File Management: I thought this was part of the Android OS. Apparently not? I would like to find a file management app that gives me Windows-like control and navigation.
2.) Camera: The PH-1's native camera app might be good someday. For now it sucks. I'd heard you could "just get the Google Pixel Camera" and everyone made it sound super easy. Well ... I did go out and find the Nougat version Google Pixel Camera APK. I installed it. It crashes instantly upon opening and never works. I'd love to know what went wrong there.
3.) Keyboard: Okay, sometimes Samsung just does it better. Their keyboard app was perfect and I'd gotten used to the layout. Now I'm wishing I could have my Samsung keyboard back. The Google one sucks, truth be told. Most keyboard apps you find searching Google Play are all about being pretty or fancy or whatever. I just want the same simple functionality back: All letters and numbers on the same screen and the most common special characters as alternate long-press options on that same page. Decent intelligent autocomplete. Larger buttons. Extensions such as .com when they make sense and not when they don't.
I'd also like to get any and every recommendation for apps. Is there any point in rooting the PH-1? That sort of thing.
Thanks in advance!
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You can set up the Google keyboard to display letters and numbers as well as symbols on long press. It's in the keyboard settings in your phone settings but isn't turned on by default. I don't know why. I turned it on and now it's usable. Go to phone settings, language&input, virtual keyboard, Gboard and preferences. Enable show numbers and long press symbols
Also I use file explorer from play store
barleysoda said:
You can set up the Google keyboard to display letters and numbers as well as symbols on long press. It's in the keyboard settings in your phone settings but isn't turned on by default. I don't know why. I turned it on and now it's usable. Go to phone settings, language&input, virtual keyboard, Gboard and preferences. Enable show numbers and long press symbols
Also I use file explorer from play store
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I prefer the SwiftKey Beta keyboard, been using it for years.
barleysoda said:
You can set up the Google keyboard to display letters and numbers as well as symbols on long press. It's in the keyboard settings in your phone settings but isn't turned on by default. I don't know why. I turned it on and now it's usable. Go to phone settings, language&input, virtual keyboard, Gboard and preferences. Enable show numbers and long press symbols
Also I use file explorer from play store
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the timely response. Yeah, got the Gboard sorted. Weird how you have to look to find settings and minor tweaks like that. Oddly found that I prefer ASUS file manager. Strange that the Android OS doesn't have file management built in. Is there a way to enable full control of my PH-1 files and folders from my PC?
Next problem: Sounds. Once again, Samsung made it all so much easier. Need to sort out how to specify sounds for specific apps. For example, if I get a text message, I am used to setting one sound just for that and different sounds for other specific events. What I am seeing here is ringtones, media and notifications. And quite annoyingly, EVERY APP seems to be enabled to span notifications by default. Apparently,you have to block each one individually. It's also be nice to set my phone to silent easily but on a timer so I don't forget to turn it back on. Used to just pull down top of the screen and tap the icon to silence. Had an app to turn it back on on a timer called Shush, but it didn't work reliably.
Had another "damn I love this phone" moment yesterday when I realized that I can actually just uninstall my longtime nemesis, Google Music.
BonkersTheClown said:
Thanks for the timely response. Yeah, got the Gboard sorted. Weird how you have to look to find settings and minor tweaks like that. Oddly found that I prefer ASUS file manager. Strange that the Android OS doesn't have file management built in. Is there a way to enable full control of my PH-1 files and folders from my PC?
Next problem: Sounds. Once again, Samsung made it all so much easier. Need to sort out how to specify sounds for specific apps. For example, if I get a text message, I am used to setting one sound just for that and different sounds for other specific events. What I am seeing here is ringtones, media and notifications. And quite annoyingly, EVERY APP seems to be enabled to span notifications by default. Apparently,you have to block each one individually. It's also be nice to set my phone to silent easily but on a timer so I don't forget to turn it back on. Used to just pull down top of the screen and tap the icon to silence. Had an app to turn it back on on a timer called Shush, but it didn't work reliably.
Had another "damn I love this phone" moment yesterday when I realized that I can actually just uninstall my longtime nemesis, Google Music.
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In the msgs app, you can set the notification sound for that.
For the timed silence, when you pull down the notification bar, you will see the do not disturb icon. A circle with a stroke through it. When you turn that on, you can set a duration for it.
I use Ex File Explorer on my phone and I use the blackberry keyboard.
There is another thread on this forum that's dedicated to the Google cam port where you can get the APK.
Sent from my PH-1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
BonkersTheClown said:
1.) File Management: I thought this was part of the Android OS. Apparently not? I would like to find a file management app that gives me Windows-like control and navigation.
2.) Camera: The PH-1's native camera app might be good someday. For now it sucks. I'd heard you could "just get the Google Pixel Camera" and everyone made it sound super easy. Well ... I did go out and find the Nougat version Google Pixel Camera APK. I installed it. It crashes instantly upon opening and never works. I'd love to know what went wrong there.
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Click to collapse
1. If you search on the play store, there are a bunch of free file managers for download. There's a bunch of them, pick one that fits your style
2. Did you get the ported one? Havent tried it but I don't think the actual pixel camera apk will work on any phone. Check out the most recent port in this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/themes/google-camera-port-t3665197/page4
flakko86 said:
1. If you search on the play store, there are a bunch of free file managers for download. There's a bunch of them, pick one that fits your style
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Got that part sorted. As a pure Android noob, I was surprised the OS doesn't have one built in.
2. Did you get the ported one? Havent tried it but I don't think the actual pixel camera apk will work on any phone. Check out the most recent port in this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/themes/google-camera-port-t3665197/page4
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I am pretty sure I got the right one, but I'll try the one you linked along with the instructions. We'll see how it goes.
Okay I have downloaded the APK, how do you access changelog and make the prescribed settings changes?
BonkersTheClown said:
Got that part sorted. As a pure Android noob, I was surprised the OS doesn't have one built in.
I am pretty sure I got the right one, but I'll try the one you linked along with the instructions. We'll see how it goes.
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Stock Explorer:
Settings - Storage - Explore
onenexus said:
Stock Explorer:
Settings - Storage - Explore
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Yeah true, found that before. It's a lot of steps. I wanted and got something to stick on my home screen that gets me there in a single tap.
BonkersTheClown said:
Okay I have downloaded the APK, how do you access changelog and make the prescribed settings changes?
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Click to collapse
While you're in the app, tap the 3 horizontal lines on the top right corner of the screen. That should take you to the settings menu
More fun stuff. I would have thought that this would be simple. I dumped Google Music because quite frankly it sucks and I have always hated it. Shopped around and found a music player that I liked: Pi Music Player. Now when I try to play music via voice command via Google Assistant, it doesn't know what app to use. I'm offered the choice between Google Play and YouTube. I have looked and looked, but haven't found steps for changing the GA default music app to Pi Music Player - at least no steps that actually work. Another one of those, "this should seriously be easier than this" things.
Also, on my old Samsung phone, I was able to get the home button working in Google Chrome. Frankly, I'd rather use Brave as I prefer to not spend my bandwidth on letting Google spy on me. Same is true in Brave and Chrome: No home button possible.
Thanks so much for the help!