Database Info

Noob question sorry, is nexus s plain android or is there bloatware installed?

About to buy one and I just wanna know
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

Pure vanilla Android.

There's a bunch of stuff preinstalled on it, but it's all Google stuff; I don't think there's any third-party apps.

It's not plain android, there's a bunch of Google bloatware.

JCopernicus said:
It's not plain android, there's a bunch of Google bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious as to what you consider Google bloatware, because the Nexus S is about as plain as you can get. Most of the time bloatware is stuff added by OEMs, such as the preinstalled demo games on the MT4G. Mind elaborating?

I can't speak for JC, but in my mind, anything that comes preinstalled on a device which I neither want nor need is bloatware. This, of course, makes the entire concept subjective, but in general with things like Android, I think less is more, since you can download nearly all of these things from the Market anyway. The consumer-side justification of "bloatware" (revenue for the provider, of course, being the primary, producer-side justification) is to present the user with access to a service they might otherwise not know to look for. ("Oh, hey, my phone can play TV/can display YouTube/has internet radio/whatever!"). For most of us though, particularly anyone savvy enough to be on XDA in the first place, most of it ends up falling into one of three categories:
-Don't care about
-Use a different app for
-Would have downloaded if it wasn't included.
In any case, I've observed that what most people have the biggest issue with isn't that stuff may come preinstalled on their phone, it's that you can't get rid of it, and if you do, you may well open yourself to a world of trouble should you ever wish to install an OTA update.

I would consider it plain android, as the "bloatware" on it is really only google apps, which come with all android phones. It doesn't have bloatware from a third party though like some of the other android phones. Either way, bloatware can be removed off any rooted phone with titanium backup

zorak950 said:
I can't speak for JC, but in my mind, anything that comes preinstalled on a device which I neither want nor need is bloatware. This, of course, makes the entire concept subjective, but in general with things like Android, I think less is more, since you can download nearly all of these things from the Market anyway. The consumer-side justification of "bloatware" (revenue for the provider, of course, being the primary, producer-side justification) is to present the user with access to a service they might otherwise not know to look for. ("Oh, hey, my phone can play TV/can display YouTube/has internet radio/whatever!"). For most of us though, particularly anyone savvy enough to be on XDA in the first place, most of it ends up falling into one of three categories:
-Don't care about
-Use a different app for
-Would have downloaded if it wasn't included.
In any case, I've observed that what most people have the biggest issue with isn't that stuff may come preinstalled on their phone, it's that you can't get rid of it, and if you do, you may well open yourself to a world of trouble should you ever wish to install an OTA update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough points.
Unfortunately, we still run into that last issue even on the Nexus S. Folks were unable to update via the stock 2.3.1 OTA if they had modified system files, such replacing the stock Mms.apk or Gmail.apk with the black/custom ones from the Themes & Apps section or deleting any of their relevant .odexs. Even placing the missing files back on the system partition didn't seem to work, at least for me. It was a very curious update.

unremarked said:
Fair enough points.
Unfortunately, we still run into that last issue even on the Nexus S. Folks were unable to update via the stock 2.3.1 OTA if they had modified system files, such replacing the stock Mms.apk or Gmail.apk with the black/custom ones from the Themes & Apps section or deleting any of their relevant .odexs. Even placing the missing files back on the system partition didn't seem to work, at least for me. It was a very curious update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I soft-bricked my Vibrant trying to grab T-Mobile's OTA after I took it upon myself to delete all the extraneous crapware that came with it. They can be very touchy indeed. It's a steep learning curve for newbies. x_x

Next question,how is t mobiles 4G .I live in knox tn. Anyone know?
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

So it doesn't have the useless Amazon mp3 app anymore like the nexus one?

evilsock said:
Next question,how is t mobiles 4G .I live in knox tn. Anyone know?
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No HSPA+ (it's not 4G!) on the Nexus S. Don't ask me why, it boggles my mind too.
NexusDro said:
So it doesn't have the useless Amazon mp3 app anymore like the nexus one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No Amazon MP3 app installed. Just made me look at my app drawer to confirm, lol.

NexusDro said:
So it doesn't have the useless Amazon mp3 app anymore like the nexus one?
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Click to collapse
Nope, they put google earth in its place.

There is also that office app that is NOT a google product...so yea, there is a bit of bloat, but pretty much it is vanilla.

ZeroSX said:
No HSPA+ (it's not 4G!) on the Nexus S. Don't ask me why, it boggles my mind too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but it does still support up to 7.2Mbps down which you'll only get in a t-mobile 4g area.
I was just in Orlando and i was getting around 5-6Mbps on my N1 and in a Nexus S i was testing at best buy and it was pretty damn fast. puts my DSL connection at home to shame.

mcosmi said:
There is also that office app that is NOT a google product...so yea, there is a bit of bloat, but pretty much it is vanilla.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think Google has an office app for Android. Every device has launched with some kind of partnered 3rd party, either ThinkFree, or Quickoffice. At least, I think those are the two they've used.
If they didn't, you wouldn't be able to read any kind of text document on your phone and that's just kind of a silly thing to not be able to do, imo.
EDIT: And on that note, Google should probably make a office app! lol

Who really cares whats installed or not, EVERYTHING can be uninstalled.

after using ThinkFREE for a while on the Galaxy S, i can say it's really good
way better than the Docs To Go and/or QuickOffice which i'm using on the XT720
but truth is... you don't need any of those with Google Office online, it's so much easier to keep things and work with documents using Google Office Online

Wow, AT&T blocks non market apps?

That is so pathetic. Just another reason to hate that company.
Anyway...my friend just got an inspire and is new to android. I'm just helping with the phone (I have a verizon android phone) and realized that AT&T finds someway to screw with consumers again. So, is there a way to get around this and install non market apps?

brian85 said:
That is so pathetic. Just another reason to hate that company.
Anyway...my friend just got an inspire and is new to android. I'm just helping with the phone (I have a verizon android phone) and realized that AT&T finds someway to screw with consumers again. So, is there a way to get around this and install non market apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use sideload wonder machine http://forum.androidcentral.com/android-sideload-wonder-machine/
Or root the phone and load a custom ROM that has non market apps enabled

the sideload wonder machine method is sipmple the only drawback is that the apps wont receive updates like they would from the market, if I'm not mistaken.

Also if I remember correctly if the app is to big for side load wonder machine, you can use adb push. There are always work arounds.

brian85 said:
That is so pathetic. Just another reason to hate that company.
Anyway...my friend just got an inspire and is new to android. I'm just helping with the phone (I have a verizon android phone) and realized that AT&T finds someway to screw with consumers again. So, is there a way to get around this and install non market apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why it's such a sweet feeling when you uninstall their application through TiBu........

You can also consider rooting the device. I did mine with no issues at all. It's VERY easy, just time consuming. From start to finish, took me about 35 minutes. I already had EVERYTHING I needed to do this though, including the ROM I wanted.

tribalartgod said:
You can also consider rooting the device. I did mine with no issues at all. It's VERY easy, just time consuming. From start to finish, took me about 35 minutes. I already had EVERYTHING I needed to do this though, including the ROM I wanted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congratulations on finally getting it man.

Roland_D said:
That's why it's such a sweet feeling when you uninstall their application through TiBu........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. Buh-bye bloat.
Sent from my Inspire using Tapatalk

I am interested to know what apps are good that aren't on the marketplace. I would like to find some other cool stuff I can put on this phone. I put swype on and that was fun to side load. Would like to do some other stuff. Inform me please.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

You want good go to Amazon App store, in the past few days I got a full version of Shazam and then SoundHound. Both have full unlimited use with no expiration, also if you change rom's you can redownload them from your account for as long as you have the account. They give away a full paid app everyday on there.

MatUK.8 said:
I am interested to know what apps are good that aren't on the marketplace. I would like to find some other cool stuff I can put on this phone. I put swype on and that was fun to side load. Would like to do some other stuff. Inform me please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the Gameloft games for starters.
Sent from my mancave, wearing blu blockers while eating a twinkie using the XDA App

[Q] - Chandroid

Anyone having huge issues with this program, as soon as it pulls data it slows to a crawl and pops up with force close the moment it's caught up. This is the only program I have come across so far that runs like this. Anyone else having issues?

I just use the browser to lurk, no need to use chandroid which IMO does way worse than any full screen browser since you have a lot more real estate than a phone.

I like using it since I can't find anyway to download all the images from inside the posts, which chandroid will do for you. Unless you got a way to do it I don't know of?

Is this app dead? I cannot get it to work at all on any of my three Android devices.
It "loads" but nothing is displayed.

typhoonikan said:
Is this app dead? I cannot get it to work at all on any of my three Android devices.
It "loads" but nothing is displayed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's dead, I believe they are still selling it but it's dead. They lost/let go the dev for it and I guess no one else there knows how to make it work. Which is a shame because it really was the best app for it.

You guys should try chant and YON.
YON has the save all images features but its been a lil bit since last update.
transmitted from the Dark Obelisk

This really was the only way/reason for me getting on 4chan and downloading LOL pictures. Oh well.

Try memedroid for lol pics/comics
transmitted from the Dark Obelisk

Better Keyboard disappeared?

Is it just me or has better keyboard disappeared off the market? I had to reflash generic UK and root/go back up to 2.3.3, but when I restored with Titanium Backup, I got the unlocker for Better Keyboard but not the app itself.
Now I'm stuck in an odd position where I can't find it on the market for whatever reason. Can anyone else check their market and see if they can see Better Keyboard?

I cant find it either, just a lot of other better keyboard add ons there. Might be worth emailing the dev and asking about it, if not see if there is a back up apk somewhere

Found it, I assume the dev changed name:
Better Keyboard 8
Here's the old link Old Better Keyboard 8

aitmanga said:
Found it, I assume the dev changed name:
Better Keyboard 8
Here's the old link Old Better Keyboard 8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Must have taken it down to update it, never mind!! Much changed?

aitmanga said:
Found it, I assume the dev changed name:
Better Keyboard 8
Here's the old link Old Better Keyboard 8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that was very strange.. I knew that it was named Better Keyboard 8, but no results came up for me yesterday. I can find it now so all is well.
Thanks for checking.

Their developer account got busted for some weird reason google apparently saw valid. But i assume they are back in buisiness .
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

Is it just me or has it been pulled again, guys? Even downloading the addons doesn't work!

juzz86 said:
Is it just me or has it been pulled again, guys? Even downloading the addons doesn't work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find it either..

The dev got banned, started a new account and re-released it, then got banned again - looks like he's gone for good now!

wired84 said:
The dev got banned, started a new account and re-released it, then got banned again - looks like he's gone for good now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou for the information. That's bad luck, it was easily the best keyboard for me.

juzz86 said:
Thankyou for the information. That's bad luck, it was easily the best keyboard for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really like Ultra keyboard, does so much and is so customisable but needs a bit of an update - also you have to disable it to use the dpad/touch pads which is very annoying, I love swype and I love swiftkey, I just want them to merge together that would be the best keyboard!

wired84 said:
I really like Ultra keyboard, does so much and is so customisable but needs a bit of an update - also you have to disable it to use the dpad/touch pads which is very annoying, I love swype and I love swiftkey, I just want them to merge together that would be the best keyboard!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Ultra currently, I like it I just haven't worked out how to add a smiley key to it, and it mucks up my colons (puctuation mark - not bodily organ ) every time I try to do one. It is good though.
On a related note, I must be the only person on Earth who doesn't enjoy Swype/Swiftkey at all! Everyone seems to rave about it, yet I can't stand it!

Bit of an update guys, apparently the Developer account was pulled for some dodgy skins in Open Home. They're not going to deal with Google again, but the apps should become available on Amazon App Store soon!

Better Keyboard moved to SlideMe
juzz86 said:
Bit of an update guys, apparently the Developer account was pulled for some dodgy skins in Open Home. They're not going to deal with Google again, but the apps should become available on Amazon App Store soon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, found the betterandroid blog.. it's all in details there.
They put better keyboard in SlideMe, and I'm waiting for an answer on how to get new updates without having to pay for it again.

pwew. good thing I still have one
Sent from my R800i using xda premium

Sorry to summon gost of the past, but someone knows what happen with this keyboard?
I used all time but recentlt I plaing with roms and want instal it again.
Or maybe someone knows good keyboard with chunky buttons most of them got small and my big fingers always pushes wrong ones.
Thanks

Sorry to revive a year-old thread, but seeing as people who search for better keyboard will see this thread on google, the viable option for those still wanting to use it is to either install the Amazon store or find the better keyboard APK. Both can be found with a google search. "Better Keyboard APK" "Amazon app store APK" For those who dont know what an APK File is (Making this new-droid user friendly) you copy the APK file onto your device and select it with a file manager to install it.

[Tip] De-bloat your HTC Car app!

HOW TO DEBLOAT YOUR VERY OWN CAR APP
By Mitch Chaiet
Hello xda-developers!
Welcome to my first guide after switching over to the One X. All new username on the forums, all new phone... life is good right now.
I absolutely love this phone.I was pleasantly surprised by all the features on this phone, coming from my beloved Captivate. With such a gorgeous screen, I figured "Hey.... this would be great in my car!" As soon as I walked out of the At&t store, I popped my new baby into my car dock, turned up my woofers, and hit the car app....
Where I was greeted to this.
There, in the bottom right hand corner, was some ********* I wasn't used to seeing. Bloatware.
View attachment 1190561
I was NOT going to take this.
It is hard to imagine how pissed off I was. Beautiful white polycarbonate, bonded magically with the sweet curves of hardened glass.... all of this ruined by the ugly sight of TuneIn Radio popping up where it really shouldn't be. The frustration must be endless worldwide, as owner upon new owner realize that their carrier has setup some shoddy deal to add an app into the stock firmware of every single new phone they carry.
Today, friends, the frustration ends here.
Here is how to remove the ugly TuneIn Radio shortcut from the Car app and replace it with a nice, uniform Settings icon.
Navigate to 'Settings' > Scroll down and hit 'Apps' > Tap the 'All' tab
Scroll down until you find that pesky TuneIn Radio entry.
View attachment 1190562
Tap on it. You should arrive at the following screen.
View attachment 1190563
Now for the fun part! Click 'Disable' > Tap 'OK' to disable the app
Congratulations. You have successfully, as of now, debloated your car app. That's all that you had to do, but I doubt you'll be getting any awards from anyone just from following such a well laid out guide. You wanna cookie or something?
Open up your car app and see the result.
View attachment 1190564​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(To revert, enable it again. Follow the same steps)
Happy modding! Written by Mitch Chaiet. Click thanks if one of my posts helped!

Man, I want that minute of my life back. Anyone who's uninstalled TuneIn (thank you TiBU) has the settings button already. But it's a good writeup for those who won't uninstall.
I was hoping to learn not just how to remove but replace the TuneIn with like, Google Play music or something. Anyone know how this can be done?
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD. In between FCs.

Lucky for you. I'm in the process off figuring that out. Gimme a day or two because I'm interviewing for my first job today!!

Already figured this one out, but good tip for those who didn't know
---------- Post added at 07:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:58 AM ----------
Vendetta-NY said:
Man, I want that minute of my life back. Anyone who's uninstalled TuneIn (thank you TiBU) has the settings button already. But it's a good writeup for those who won't uninstall.
I was hoping to learn not just how to remove but replace the TuneIn with like, Google Play music or something. Anyone know how this can be done?
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD. In between FCs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or how about replacing the entire music screen with one that Incorporates google music?

Just a constructive criticism (nitpick): you use the term "de-bloat" in the text, but "de-spam" in the title. De-bloat seems like the more correct or appropriate term, so now sure why you have it different in the title. Just a pet peeve of mine, people using the term "spam" for things that are in fact not spam at all.
Thanks for the tip.

redpoint73 said:
Just a constructive criticism (nitpick): you use the term "de-bloat" in the text, but "de-spam" in the title. De-bloat seems like the more correct or appropriate term, so now sure why you have it different in the title. Just a pet peeve of mine, people using the term "spam" for things that are in fact not spam at all.
Thanks for the tip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edited!

Given how uninstalling doesn't change the stability of the Car app, there has to be a pretty simple mod to swap out TuneIn for something else.
I wish I knew enough coding to give it a shot; I'd love to stick Spotify in there.

iElvis said:
Given how uninstalling doesn't change the stability of the Car app, there has to be a pretty simple mod to swap out TuneIn for something else.
I wish I knew enough coding to give it a shot; I'd love to stick Spotify in there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally think Tune in is awesome. I do wish i could use my paid version in the car app. Why do you hate it so much? It lets you listen to any radio staion you want for free. No adds, no commercials, its one of my favorite must have apps. Sound quality is great through bluetooth as well, i play it through my $10,000 Hertz/JL system and it sounds great. What is there not to like about it?

nugzo said:
I personally think Tune in is awesome. I do wish i could use my paid version in the car app. Why do you hate it so much? It lets you listen to any radio staion you want for free. No adds, no commercials, its one of my favorite must have apps. Sound quality is great through bluetooth as well, i play it through my $10,000 Hertz/JL system and it sounds great. What is there not to like about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't hate it; I just want the option to put something else there if I feel like it.

iElvis said:
I don't hate it; I just want the option to put something else there if I feel like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, although in my perfect world, the stock music app would be replaced with Play Music...

I'm working on a mod for the car app that will let you customize the shortcuts, hopefully. It's tricky trying to figure everything out.

iElvis said:
I don't hate it; I just want the option to put something else there if I feel like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, i actually meant that for the OP lol. He seemed like it was life or death :highfive: