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[Q] New to Android; need customization tutorial

Longtime WinMo user (now with TP2). Just bought each kid an Android phone.
Been using XDA for a long time to modify my WinMo, add apps, etc...
Not familiar with the Android OS lingo and need to bone up so I can hook my kids up with some cool stuff
Did SEARCH but didn't find specific thread to read. Little help?

DLTempler said:
Longtime WinMo user (now with TP2). Just bought each kid an Android phone.
Been using XDA for a long time to modify my WinMo, add apps, etc...
Not familiar with the Android OS lingo and need to bone up so I can hook my kids up with some cool stuff
Did SEARCH but didn't find specific thread to read. Little help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well..
With android (especially with HTC Sense, HTC's UI) you can add plenty of little things to customize your phone. From the top
You can move application icons from page to page on the homescreen along with widgets. to add an application to the homescreen you can open the app drawer/list and longpress it and drag it to the homescreen. Once on the homescreen you can move it around.
Along with Apps you can add widgets to the homescreen, a widget is an app that runs in the homescreen it can do things like display a news ticker, enable/disable settings (power control widget), and other things like play music and search boxes. these can be very useful for getting a quick glance at information without opening up the app.
To change the background you can longpress the homescreen and select wallpapers.
If your phone supports it you can use live wallpapers, search for them on the market or on XDA.
One tip is dont install lots of apps! dont go and download every app you see it will slow down your phone, also dont use task managers as it messes with android native application closing process.
Also the biggest customization of all if your phone is rooted (IE: full permissions and access to the system) and has a hacked bootloader you can load custom roms that are themed or have a big performance boost.
Best of luck!
If you have any questions PM me and I will be glad to help!

Thanks
I spent the weekend tearing through other forums
Found a program called Sideload Wonder Machine that allows apk files to be put into the Aria without having to "root" the phone or otherwise dcik around with it. Worked pretty good after I found the USB Driver to sync it up with my laptop. that was a bit of a process in and of itself.
At the end of the day (weekend) I didn't really find too much to load into the phone that was not already available at the droid market. Swype, yes, but not for this phone. Loaded F-Secure anti-theft too but that, too, is not for this phone.
I am not sure how business savvy these droids can be but they are cool. Kids love them. The UI operates much like the iPhone and much less like WinMo.
I'll keep dciking around with it and see what happens. Thanks again.

DLTempler said:
Thanks
I spent the weekend tearing through other forums
Found a program called Sideload Wonder Machine that allows apk files to be put into the Aria without having to "root" the phone or otherwise dcik around with it. Worked pretty good after I found the USB Driver to sync it up with my laptop. that was a bit of a process in and of itself.
At the end of the day (weekend) I didn't really find too much to load into the phone that was not already available at the droid market. Swype, yes, but not for this phone. Loaded F-Secure anti-theft too but that, too, is not for this phone.
I am not sure how business savvy these droids can be but they are cool. Kids love them. The UI operates much like the iPhone and much less like WinMo.
I'll keep dciking around with it and see what happens. Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can be quite business oriented (IE: Exchange, Calendars, Productivity Apps) If you want help PM me
Cheers,
Cap'n Krtek

Captainkrtek said:
They can be quite business oriented (IE: Exchange, Calendars, Productivity Apps) If you want help PM me
Cheers,
Cap'n Krtek
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree dont let the inteface fool you, android works as a tool just as well as winmo if not better

[APP] Executive Assistant - for anybody whose inc is an office phone too

Holy guacamole! Has anybody else seen or used this app? I am amazed - its spectacular. It is a 1 stop widget for email / calendar / tasks / sms / missed calls / voicemail / facebook / twitter / google reader.
I just downloaded and installed the free version of the app from market and various add-ons and am positively blown away. Will be buying the paid version to get rid of ads when i get home.
I have been searching for something like this for weeks and found a reference on droidforums or something like that. My stupid, stodgy, underpowered, small low res screen, bad browser, no apps, no customization blackberry can now safely be consigned to the trash can! My d-inc will be my new work phone and with this app and the widgets I have absolutely everything I needed.
A few things to note:
1. Set up took a small bit of time for me but once set up properly it is great.
2. Editing any incorrectly entered settings is confusing since the menu button keeps pulling up general phone settings. You have to click inside the widget and then press the menu button to get the app settings. They should make that better.
3. The widget app does not seem to support exchange email - just gmail including google apps and other IMAP/POP accounts such as yahoo, hotmail - you need paid accounts for those last 2 I believe. I guess for my exchange account i will use the htc widget (strangely though the app does support exchange calendars).
4. There are countless settings - spend the time to figure them out. Font size, color, background - way too many things can be changed.
5. I confused myself by using it on the lockscreen - when you switch on the screen, you dont see screen unlock - you just see a summary page of the emails / calendars etc etc. - you have to click the home button to get the slider to unlock your phone.
6. http://www.appventive.com/executive-assistant is the app site but there is not a helluva lot of info there. You are a bit on your own in figuring out the settings etc.
7. I have 2 google emails - 1 personal, 1 office g-app and of course google voice. It did not like that and would not login into all my email and voice till I entered their passwords properly instead of letting the app gather that from the device settings.
8. I have not tested battery drain yet but I suspect it will lead to some since it seems to pull the emails rather than just polling the android apps.
For anybody who wants to use their droids as work related phones - this is by far the best thing I have ever come across.

not that I'm cynical, and it does look interesting, but this post sure sounds like developer pumping his app

corefile said:
not that I'm cynical, and it does look interesting, but this post sure sounds like developer pumping his app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahahahaha. check my other posts - u will see i am a noob tinkering around - not a dev or anything like that - probably sound too excited because i finally got an app which makes my bberry (useless junk i was forced to use since the iphone is bad too) replaceable. am a private equity guy - i know financial statements not java or whatever android is written in.
PS: there is 1 more drawback - if u try to use multiple widgets, 1 setting applies to all. So u cant have 1 widget for SMS/Twitter/Facebook and 1 for email - maybe i am doing something wrong but thats what it seemed like.

Does not support exchange = fail.

Hatman41 said:
Does not support exchange = fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 That is the only mail that I check on a daily basis. Double Fail!!

Devildog8791 said:
+1 That is the only mail that I check on a daily basis. Double Fail!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
triple it, it a deal breaker for me, great idea though. would buy it if it was able to read from the exchange mailbox (i don't want yet another mailbox checking or recieving, its already downloading the email, just read that inbox?)

If anybody can recommend anything better, I would love to try that. I suggested this only because there is nothing better than this out there - at least I have not found any. Even without exchange, there is no consolidated widget for all the things in 1 screen.
I have a JB iphone 4 too and I use lockinfo (cydia app). That's the best implementation of a launchpad for various items (calendar, weather, email, missed calls, sms, voicemail, notifications, tasks, twitter) and so on... So far no such widget/app seen on the android platform. This one is close but as you can see from my comments too, its not perfect.

I have Executive Assistant and I must say it's very useful.. if you're looking for something else that also displays all information you might want to try Slidescreen and Slidescreen Pro. I'm not sure if you can read exchange mail through them but they're very clean and professional looking.. they act as a new home though.

Good find!
Checkin out the free version now, no exchange support isn't an issue for me as I don't use it, but if the rest of the app is solid and the dev has enough of a following, I think it's safe to say that exchange support can be expected down the pipeline (Here's hoping since I know a lot of folks use it!)
OK, bought full version, dude SWEET find! Been looking for something like this!

[Q] Multiple Users Accounts Possible?

Hey guys,
I just preordered the Asus Eee Pad, main use is not just for me, but for the family.
I was wondering if it's possible to have a selectable account when using the the Tablet, sorta like how Windows/OS X allows you to login and have your own specific "desktop" or in this case "Home" page?
Is this possible?

No seperate user accounts in the way windows has it, but you can tie seperate syncing/app accounts to 1 transformer.

i too think this would be a great feature, even if you dont have a "user selection" but rather different lockscreen patterns or pins. enter your personal pin or lockscreen pattern and it opens to your custom homescreens, caching, app data etc...

I would really like a multiple profile feature, but I think it'd have to be done at an Android OS level. I haven't seen anything like this for any tablet, though

Locri said:
I would really like a multiple profile feature, but I think it'd have to be done at an Android OS level. I haven't seen anything like this for any tablet, though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think a launcher could do it.

A Launcher could do it marginally well. You would have to manually switch profiles, and it would only affect what showed up in your app drawer and on you home screens.
It would have to be done on an OS level or individually for each app if you wanted different email account notifications based on user, or different settings based on user.

Theres no multi user support but your not the first to request it http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=15030

It just seems like a feature that should be supported, no?
Hope to see this feature added in soon.

My transformer arrives today and I've been wandering about this.
Has anyone tried this/this

Slightly OT
Isn't this the initial process for the creation of bloatware?
More and more features requested.

[New App] AirDroid Lets Your Desktop Control Your Android Phone Over WiFi

For those who spend a lot of time looking at a computer, and can't be bothered to look at their phone very often, Sand Studio has introduced AirDroid, an app that allows users to control their Android Phone from a computer via WiFi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WfNnQxpw7Uw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfXRhSIm-m0
The great thing about AirDroid is that it works - it's easy to start up, and functions flawlessly (in my experience). The interface is also very polished - mimicking a desktop launcher complete with moveable icons, a task bar, and controls that allow you to do just about anything.
One of the most impressive features is the ability to access SMS messages, manage them, and send messages right from a web browser. Users can also manage contacts, uninstall/backup apps (AirDroid will download your apps as apk files), browse files, access the Android Market, and manage music and ringtones, in addition to the ability to look at phone information from CPU status to battery level and beyond.
Best of all, AirDroid is completely free from the Android Market. With all the powerful features it offers, this app is certainly worth checking out.
ITS FREE
DOWNLOAD
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid&feature=search_result

the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please

mehdi.moha said:
the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
befarmain
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AURZDHQ2

wish i could send and recieve whatsapp messages from it...
edit: just installed the app..sometimes the app makes the phone go crazy!! i have to logout fro the browser or turn off wifi for the phone to become normal.

This is without a doubt 'the best' app for controlling your phone from your browser. I've installed and played with many and this one tops the lot in my opinion.
It's clean, easy to use, great interface (both on the phone and PC).
Side note: This thread would probably be much better off in General Android Apps and Themes forum - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=530. The app isn't specific an LG Optimus.
---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 PM ----------
mehdi.moha said:
the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's also available on the official website: http://www.airdroid.com/apk/airdroid_1127.apk

saw this in a google search, was just about to post in the GNote forum....
Anyone else used this? Am very tempted, but concerned of legitimacy of app (never heard of devs and truly paranoid about security )
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

SpyderTracks said:
Anyone else used this? Am very tempted, but concerned of legitimacy of app (never heard of devs and truly paranoid about security )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little hesitant to try out apps like this as well but they have nothing but good feedback on the market and a good following on both Facebook and Google+, as well as having their own website, so I was happy to give it ago.

@smackdownn Yeah I am with you on the whatsapp, this app is brilliant.
@Nucleotide & SpyderTracks Seriously? Whats the issue with privacy? Scared these devs are going to email or sms your gf while you are out? Either that or learn to hide your porn somewhere that is not your phone. I have said this before on so many occasions, when you were using a nokia/winmo/other NON android phone, they sneakily NEVER asked for permissions, but you installed apps that could pretty much do anything on your phone anyway
This app is by far the best solution I have tried in this regard, it just works and damn well too

@Cornelha
Lol.... I get what you're saying, but I think it's a little naive... the information we hold on smartphones these days compared to "our old nokias" means security is vital. After years of dodgy torrents, malware and hacked accounts, I've learnt to take it a bit more seriously, albeit probably to the extreme
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

This app is fantastic. We were the first to review it:
http://www.androidstatic.com/must-have-air-droid-lets-you-control-your-phone-from-your-browser

SpyderTracks said:
Lol.... I get what you're saying, but I think it's a little naive... the information we hold on smartphones these days compared to "our old nokias" means security is vital. After years of dodgy torrents, malware and hacked accounts, I've learnt to take it a bit more seriously, albeit probably to the extreme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I don't have anything I would call "sensitive data" on my phone but I do have a lot of contact information such as names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and other information which although not really sensitive, I still don't want other people to have - especially if I don't know about it. Not only that but apps can track your location, the buttons you press on your phone, numbers dialed, text messages sent, websites you visited, and the list goes on.
With that in mind I take caution when installing any app. I check for things like the amount of reviews on the market, the quality of the reviews (good vs. bad), does the developer have a website, a Facebook page with a good following, and so on.

one of the best app i ever know
good job mate

slow files transfers but great app !

have been using it for about 2 days and I have to say it is great...downloading files takes a very long to though
-love the SMS from desktop feature and comes very handy for different ROM users when putting files on devices

Love this app
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA

i love this app!!!! i wish it would have a feature like an android simulator as well so we can open certain apps like whatsapp via mac/pc...

I have been using Lazy Droid but after using this for couple of days, I have uninstalled Lazy Droid. Nice app. thanks

I love AirDroid!!! It helps me to transfer photos and files from my phone to my PC wirelessly. I don't need to carry my cable anywhere with me. It's a great app. Nice job!

what do you have to install on the PC? if you want to link a PC to smartphone, for example

FASAR said:
what do you have to install on the PC? if you want to link a PC to smartphone, for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to install on the PC. You just need to open the browser and visit web.airdroid.com to log in. Then you can manage you phone on the web. Easy, right?

Backup/Restore Instagram App data while keeping accounts logged-in

My Android phone is rooted.
I would like to have more accounts logged into Instagram than what they allow.
I was thinking about backing up/restoring the app data for this purpose so I can switch between sets of accounts.
However this seems to be quite difficult.
First I tried to use adb with the method described here https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...me-between-phones-adb-shell-non-root.4378323/
But the file is 1kb in size and restoring it does nothing.
Then I through about renaming the /data/data/com.instagram.android folder to /data/data/com.instagram.android1, /data/data/com.instagram.android2, etc. and only have the one I need at /data/data/com.instagram.android.
This also does not work. The account appears to be logged-in but I get the pop-up that the account has been logged-out and all feeds fail to load.
Is there a method that allows me to do what I try to do?

I am paying for a solution to this. If anybody is interested, please let me know your price.

Hi @mattdeox,
just a friendly reminder, XDA is not a marketplace. You can ask for help, but members are not allowed to charge you for service. Donations are allowed.
MikeChannon said:
XDA-Developers is based on the principle of sharing to transmit knowledge. This is the cornerstone of our site. Our members and developers freely share their experience, knowledge, and finished works with the rest of the community to promote growth within the developer community, and to encourage those still learning to become better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know for your ROM but the issue is pretty common. Possible solutions for running two instances of app are creating a second island/work profile or install parallel/cloned/dual apps.
cheers
alecxs
moderator

mattdeox said:
My Android phone is rooted.
I would like to have more accounts logged into Instagram than what they allow.
I was thinking about backing up/restoring the app data for this purpose so I can switch between sets of accounts.
However this seems to be quite difficult.
First I tried to use adb with the method described here https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...me-between-phones-adb-shell-non-root.4378323/
But the file is 1kb in size and restoring it does nothing.
Then I through about renaming the /data/data/com.instagram.android folder to /data/data/com.instagram.android1, /data/data/com.instagram.android2, etc. and only have the one I need at /data/data/com.instagram.android.
This also does not work. The account appears to be logged-in but I get the pop-up that the account has been logged-out and all feeds fail to load.
Is there a method that allows me to do what I try to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mattdeox said:
I am paying for a solution to this. If anybody is interested, please let me know your price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you need/are looking for is "app cloning"... They make these very things/apps for the purposes you want. And, as you are willing to pay for this, you can pay for the app and/or the premium functions of those apps.
There are free methods, but it can get pretty convoluted.
Probably the main drawback for you would be that since the app is "cloned", they run multiple "instances" of the app -- it seems some apps make it a bit more seamless switching among the clones or accounts than others -- so it's not like having ALL your accounts under the one and only Instagram app, but theoretically you should be able to run all your accounts among several IGs; which to me, if it is as important to you as it looks, is a good enough compromise....

simplepinoi177 said:
What you need/are looking for is "app cloning"... They make these very things/apps for the purposes you want. And, as you are willing to pay for this, you can pay for the app and/or the premium functions of those apps.
There are free methods, but it can get pretty convoluted.
Probably the main drawback for you would be that since the app is "cloned", they run multiple "instances" of the app -- it seems some apps make it a bit more seamless switching among the clones or accounts than others -- so it's not like having ALL your accounts under the one and only Instagram app, but theoretically you should be able to run all your accounts among several IGs; which to me, if it is as important to you as it looks, is a good enough compromise....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, thank you I think I will go that route then.
Do you think Instagram somehow detects this "cloning" and could block the accounts?

mattdeox said:
Alright, thank you I think I will go that route then.
Do you think Instagram somehow detects this "cloning" and could block the accounts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I can tell; and I highly doubt it. There are like more than 10+ app-clone apps (many for a price) and a plethora of Instagram Mods, and they don't seem to ban/block accounts for them -- but you never know and/or the mods do leave a disclaimer saying it's a possibility and/or guides on how to get it unblocked or working right again...