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[GUIDE] Update 20/02/14: HTC Desire S Guide (V1.04) For Newcomers to Android

As the title says, this is something I’ve done for newcomers to Android. It covers only the basics. Experienced Android users will already know this stuff.
I did it as I was always forwarding the same help/advice e-mails to my friends when they bought their HTC Android phones, so I made this to save me fishing out the same e-mails. It was originally for the Desire but I have brought it up to date for the Desire S.
I’ve seen a lot of the same questions being asked here on this Desire S forum. This should help some of you. As this phone currently has a locked up bootloader, the experienced ROM-flashing hardcore Android crowd will probably not pick up this phone. It’s more likely that it will be Android newcomers that buy the Desire S.
If this helps you out, great.
Updated 1st June 2011. Changelog;
Miscellaneous spelling errors and syntax adjusted and tweaked.
Incorporated your comments (e.g. adjusting Timeriffic capabilities)
Added a tutorial for getting started with Tasker!
Added a quick fix for the creaking battery cover issue.
Added clarification on some permissions on free ad-supported apps.
Added advice on dealing with App problems and using the marketplace feedback feature.
Added warning about Fastboot mode issues.
Updated 28th June 2011. Changelog;
Added Index
Added Ultimate Charging Tip - Get 24 hours instead of 12!
Updated 21st February 2014. Changelog;
Made some tweaks to allow for maturation of Android since 2011
Adjusted recommended Apps list to allow for changes since 2011
Disclaimer: I no longer have the Desire S or have any knowledge of the current ROMS available for it. For those reasons some of the info in this guide migt be outdated. Follow with caution, and perhaps feed back where it is wrong?
Download from my Dropbox (in .pdf format) here;
Edit: This dropbox link below will occasionally expire and stop working. Please let me know when it does and I'll refresh it ASAP. I'm subscribed to this thread with e-mail notification so (unless I'm mid ROM-flashing) I'll get your posts replied to quickly.
Link updated 23rd Jul 2014: https://www.dropbox.com/s/601j4ayswkzk9o0/HTC Desire S Owners Guide V1.04.pdf

Many Thanks, found that really useful...Tasker now on my must buy list.
Moderator....possibly make this a sticky, as it will be useful for new comers.

Thank you very much for the manual. Just three comments:
1) Many apps require web access to download adds. Thus, it's unavoidable for them to have the redundant permissions.
2) "Timeriffic" has not the option to tougle the sync, unfortunately.
3) Free "AutomateIt" (https://market.android.com/details?id=AutomateIt.mainPackage&feature=search_result ) has all the options you described for the paid "Tasker".

Great guide! I'm sure alot of new android users will benefit from this. I agree with those methods to maximise battery life.
Thanks for your time and effort +1 for sticky

This is indeed very very very useful... I agreed, need to make this one sticky and updated! Thanks for your hard work man!

igoivo said:
3) Free "AutomateIt" (https://market.android.com/details?id=AutomateIt.mainPackage&feature=search_result ) has all the options you described for the paid "Tasker".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AutomateIT starts GPS ervery time you set an location based trigger. Contraprodactive for battery saving - and not necessary (weather and other location based apps do it by a-gps)
Don't know if Tasker do start gps, but for me Automateit isn't a good choice..

Glad it is of some help to people and thank you for the positive feedback everyone. I will get the guide updated when I get a few minutes. I'm away this weekend. I think I may add a Tasker guide!
Tasker can use GPS as a way of determining location, but you can use other ways. You can even control how often Tasker turns GPS on to get a location fix if you use it in a profile. For the most part, GPS is unnecessary as it is too accurate for most profile requirements. The best way Tasker does approximate location is using a state called, "Cell Near".
What this does is look at your nearest cell tower ID number and signal strength. When it see the right cell tower with the right signal strength, Tasker knows I'm at home. This is economical because it is only using 2G radio info which is on all the time anyway. Obviously it would also think I was home if I was on the same radius around the cell tower, but it's as accurate as I need for my "Home Mode" profile. Typically I see it activate as I am driving onto my estate where I live.
Tasker also knows which parameters in a profile use the least power, and will monitor those first and wait until they are satisfied before moving onto monitor the next parameter in a profile. For example, if you needed to use GPS for a very accurate location-based profile, you can keep power usage down by adding a "Time" context. Say you need your phone to send your wife a text message when you reach a certain point on your journey home after work each day. ("Get my dinner ready!" ) If you add a time context of "Between 5pm and 7pm" and "Monday to Friday" Tasker will wait until those are met before turning GPS on every X seconds to check where you are.
This way it doesn't hog battery power and my wife has time to get dressed and kick the postman out before I get back.

Nice guide!

Thanks for the guide ! I find it very useful: I've discovered some interesting applications ( I love TuneIt radio) and the tips to save battery are already really working for me
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

dont know said:
AutomateIT starts GPS ervery time you set an location based trigger. Contraprodactive for battery saving - and not necessary (weather and other location based apps do it by a-gps)
Don't know if Tasker do start gps, but for me Automateit isn't a good choice..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry, but it's not right. In particular, "AutomateIt" has "Enable/Disable GPS" action, which you can use with either the location (home/office) or any location based application events.
An example: "Entering proximity region ... - disable GPS"
When GPS is disabled, "AutomateIt" can use the available networks only to detect the location. To this end, use the flag "Allow Coarse Accurasy", see the manual at http://muzikant-android.blogspot.com/2011/02/automateit-automate-your-android.html

Thanks a lot

wnp_79 said:
Obviously it would also think I was home if I was on the same radius around the cell tower, but it's as accurate as I need for my "Home Mode" profile. Typically I see it activate as I am driving onto my estate where I live.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use another app called Llama. It's also a profile manager, doing basically the same thing as AutomateIT and Tasker, except that it can use not just gps and cell towers, but also wifi networks to recognise my location, so i don't have to keep gps turned on (which is a drain). But it tends to be quite a bit more accurate since wifi networks have a smaller radius. I set the app to recognise my "home" location not just by the cell towers in my area, but also my home wifi. So if i step outside to buy something, my phone would probably still connect to the same cell tower but as long as my phone loses the wifi connection (which happens about 10m away) it knows i'm not "home" anymore. It's pretty useful 'cause sometimes even when i'm a kilometer away, i'm already connected to the cell tower near my home.
But it works for me because i live in an apartment and my wifi network covers the whole house. For those of you who have lawns or backyards, i'm guessing your wifi might not cover those areas so it might not work for you.
But the best part of the app, which is mainly why i use it, is that its FREE. Oh, and the dev has a certain sense of humour.. it's less an app and more of a pet or assistant. You've gotta "train" your Llama to recognise the location. Cute, in a way.

slightowl said:
I use another app called Llama. It's also a profile manager, doing basically the same thing as AutomateIT and Tasker, except that it can use not just gps and cell towers, but also wifi networks to recognise my location, so i don't have to keep gps turned on (which is a drain). But it tends to be quite a bit more accurate since wifi networks have a smaller radius.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
AutomateIt does exactly the same thing with wifi networks. Checking the "Allow coarse location" checkbox uses both cell location and wifi networks.
Also, if GPS is disabled, AutomateIt will not use it (but than you'll get less accurate location...). AutomateIt tries to minimize usage of GPS by allowing the user to define a sampling rate and timeout for getting a location fix so it will not continuously use the GPS. It also stops using the GPS as soon as it gets a location fix.
for more details see the post on location trigger tips & tricks on the developer's website.

Thank you for the guide, it's a very good guide
Also, about battery drain, I checked the usage info, it seems Zenonia is at the top of my list, I was playing it earlier, but I can't even see the settings anywhere near HTC Sense, what should I do?

I seem not to be able to open the file. Could you possibly upload it on an other client?

Seriously, don't know which of the tips did it, but somehow my battery lasts 50% longer. Thinking it might be the fact that I turned of the "call louder when in pocket"-thingy as you suggested.
Awesome noob guide.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

stevennekens said:
I seem not to be able to open the file. Could you possibly upload it on an other client?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had also problem opening it directly (in Firefox), so I right-clicked on link and saved the file directly to my computer.
Will go through guide today, when I receive my Desire S.

Should have clarified in my first post (sorry); The link is to download the file from my dropbox in .pdf format. If your browser doesn't have the appropriate plugin to directly view pdf files, use adobe 8+ reader.
It opens and reads well with the pdf reader included with the Desire S (sim free, unlocked).
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

Updated to V1.02! See original post for new download link and change-log.

thanks for the awesome noob guide, worked wonders for me, with this being my first android smart phone. thanks again

[Q] Location Based Automation

Any apps out there that will allow me to control various toggles based on location (WiFi on at home, but when I leave, turn it off), etc...?

Yes, it it's called Tasker, and it's explained here:
http://tasker.wikidot.com/
Gesendet von meinem HTC One S mit Tapatalk 2

Microsoft's on{X} will also let you do actions based on a location.
Apparently I haven't posted enough time to supply a link. Search for "on {X}" on the play store and it should be the first link that pops up.

azmodiusOG said:
Microsoft's on{X} will also let you do actions based on a location.
Apparently I haven't posted enough time to supply a link. Search for "on {X}" on the play store and it should be the first link that pops up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
10 posts required to post links iirc,
here is the link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.onx.app
Does require Facebook login for whatever reason but other methods incoming soon according to MS.

OnX is the right idea, but the recipes are very limited at this point; and I am not a coder.

Try Llama - Location Profiles. I turn off WiFi when I leave Home. I enter a silent profile at Work. I go back to a normal profile when I leave Work. When I get home, WiFi turns on.
Areas can be defined by towers seen and by GPS. Defining them is very easy -- you just tell it that you'll be in that area for however long and it learns the area.
It's very easy to set up and add actions based on conditions. One tweak that involved a tiny bit of diggings was that I made the GPS defined area around Home smaller than the default setting.
I read about one guy that set up an action to automatically text his wife if he was at work past a certain time to let her know he was staying late. Then he had it set to automatically text her when he left to head home when that happened.
[Edit]You can check out the author's blog for additional info.[/edit]

I used to use Juice Defender Ultimate and the location based WiFi worked perfect for me.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using XDA

AutomateIt, Easy Profiles and many others.

You can find AutomateIt user guide and thread on XDA in my signature

Help with Tasker

Hey guys, I got tasker a long while ago and only really gave it a chance a few days ago and I think I have the basics down
I feel like I'm doing things inefficiently, and I can't work out what the variables tab is for. My current proudest achievements are wifi on when home auto of when away, not using gps, and when headset plugged in volume up phone silent=off ect
I'm currently using 4 profiles crammed into a project just for turning mobile data on and off during work hours excluding my dinner hour, surely I'm doing this wrong?
I also have no idea how to set multiple contexts, eg, tasks based on the month, day and time all at once in one profile?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated by a lowly noob
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

I also have no idea how to set multiple contexts, eg, tasks based on the month, day and time all at once in one profile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first, make a profile with one context (maybe based on day in your case?). when it's done, long press on context and you will get an option to add new context (here you may want to add time). Same method applies for adding multiple tasks to one profile.
The task will be performed when all conditions are true.

[APP][ALPHA][5.1+] Llama Silent Fix

Just realized this is probably not going to work completely as my biggest issue was vibrate mode not being set properly...
Will work on solutions tomorrow
This is going to be a very rough draft of what I got here.
Long story short, Silent mode doesn't work on Lollipop and beyond, Thanks Google
Therefore Llama is borked.
Simple fix will try to make better later (I am no programmer for sure), for now this is my simple solution.
I know this doesn't allow you to quickly change phone to silent but it does allow you to at least let Llama do it for you.
Also I've only tested this on Lollipop, Time willing I'm going to attempt to get this working on Marshmallow tomorrow or later this week.
3 simple apps made in Tasker that implement the new Do Not Disturb Mode, that can be run in Llama.
To get working:
1. Install desired Apps
2. Grant Notification Access
3. Add a new action to llama
4. Select Run Application
5. Select 1 of the 3 attached apps depending on what you want to happen.
Will post pics later but I think it's pretty self explanatory if you use Llama
Future plans:
1 app where you can call the activities of the app instead of running an actual app.
A button that opens Notification access so you can enable the app.

GTDarthYoda said:
Just realized this is probably not going to work completely as my biggest issue was vibrate mode not being set properly...
Will work on solutions tomorrow
This is going to be a very rough draft of what I got here.
Long story short, Silent mode doesn't work on Lollipop and beyond, Thanks Google
Therefore Llama is borked.
Simple fix will try to make better later (I am no programmer for sure), for now this is my simple solution.
I know this doesn't allow you to quickly change phone to silent but it does allow you to at least let Llama do it for you.
Also I've only tested this on Lollipop, Time willing I'm going to attempt to get this working on Marshmallow tomorrow or later this week.
3 simple apps made in Tasker that implement the new Do Not Disturb Mode, that can be run in Llama.
To get working:
1. Install desired Apps
2. Grant Notification Access
3. Add a new action to llama
4. Select Run Application
5. Select 1 of the 3 attached apps depending on what you want to happen.
Will post pics later but I think it's pretty self explanatory if you use Llama
Future plans:
1 app where you can call the activities of the app instead of running an actual app.
A button that opens Notification access so you can enable the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is working for me on stock LG lollipop 5.1.1. I will test and see if I notice any excess battery drain due to the notification listener service. Thanks for helping fix Google's mess up.

If you want I can play around with this some more but I finally gave up on Llama
Llama is dead Hasn't been updated 11/21/2014 So I've switched over to Tasker utilizing wifi
I'm thinking of trying to figure out how to make my own app that can possibly launch tasker tasks but using a similar cell tower scanning/saving system as llama but right now I don't have the time or know how.

Ok I've played and I think I figured it out!
If you select run app shortcut in lama, you can run tasker tasks from there!
I might be bringing llama back!

GTDarthYoda said:
Ok I've played and I think I figured it out!
If you select run app shortcut in lama, you can run tasker tasks from there!
I might be bringing llama back!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been thinking if switching to tasker but have been using llama for years and everything is see up. I know you can run intents and locale plugins. Don't know if there is a way to use those features. So far your apks are work well for me. I think I have everything set up right. Thanks again.

I know what you mean

GTDarthYoda said:
I might be bringing llama back!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, please bring Llama back. This is the best profile app i've ever seen: fast to set, easy to config, no-battery draining and very useful.
:fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:

Edinho376 said:
Hey man, please bring Llama back. This is the best profile app i've ever seen: fast to set, easy to config, no-battery draining and very useful.
:fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using llama again. But I'm using it with tasker and a tasker plug in.
If you want i can write up my setup for ya?
You will need autonotification, tasker and llama but it works 99% of the time wwithouta hitch

GTDarthYoda said:
I am using llama again. But I'm using it with tasker and a tasker plug in.
If you want i can write up my setup for ya?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey dude, thanks for yours good will, but i wrote that hoping that somebody would continue the development for this app or similar for the whole community. Unfortunately i don't have skills to do this, but just looking how many times Llama was downloaded from Google Play you can see this is an incredible app everybody likes. It is useful and easy to setup... I am very sad since it don't work properly in newer android versions. :crying: Already sent e-mails to Kebab Apps but no answer, this is a great lose for everybody since this app was unique.

So far I've only installed Android studio
I've written alot in Java but never touched Android code. We'll see if I can figure it out. Don't have alot of spare time on my hands so we'll see what I can do.

How to set S-Health exercise defaults?

I walk every day as a form of exercise.
How do I change the default setting for what sort of exercise using the Start Workout widget? It always starts a Run.
Also, I can change step target on the watch; however, I've found no way to change the exercise duration target, distance target, etc. How do you change these?

If you're referring to quick start in the s health app on your watch, the only way I know to default it walking is to manually set it to walking the first time. The quick exercise will default to the last one used. I had the same question.
Also by selecting the walking icon from the list, you will be able to set the time, distance ect.
Sent from my SM-N920T using XDA-Developers mobile app

ptfdmedic said:
If you're referring to quick start in the s health app on your watch, the only way I know to default it walking is to manually set it to walking the first time. The quick exercise will default to the last one used. I had the same question.
Also by selecting the walking icon from the list, you will be able to set the time, distance ect.
Sent from my SM-N920T using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I was just looking to do this exact same thing and it appears this did the trick.