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Hi all,
New to Android here. Just got a AT&T Galaxy S II Skyrocket after 4 frustrating years with iPhones.
So far I really like Android, especially that it lets you change what you don't like. I do feel that both devices are unacceptably tethered to their respective corporate landlords - and google is not necessarily better than apple in that respect - but Android lets you change that more readily. For instance myphoneexplorer lets you sync with outlook pretty flawlessly if you don't care to upload your info to google's "cloud", etc.
OK, I'm done ranting now but I do have 2 specific questions:
1. My particular SIISR does not display a visual reminder nor sounds a loud enough alarm when (a) I get a text, or (b) a calendar event comes due. It just makes a ridiculously soft noise that I miss every time I'm not standing in an empty recording studio, and even worse when I pull the phone the screen is dark so I have no idea what the feeble alarm was about. I expect the same level of alert as when I get a call, i.e. the lock screen lights up and I can read / snooze / dismiss as the case may be. This is really pretty amazing that such dirt-basic functionality is not included in the software, at the very least easily enabled in Settings. Am I really expected to turn on the phone and pull down the Notifications curtain to find out what is going on? If there is no workaround this will be a showstopper for me and I'll have no choice but to return the phone.
2. I like the idea of upgrading to a rom like cyanogen when it becomes available for the SIISR, but I am concerned about how at&t cottons up to having rooted and OS-reflashed devices on its network and what they might do about it, and more specifically what happens when updates are pushed down the pipe. What is you guys' real world experience with that?
Thank you for your feedback! I'd really like to stick with my new Android phone!
you go into setting and the sound option. click on volume and make sure it maxed out, then click notification ringtone and you can change the sound.
As for visual reminder its at the top left of the screen. Text shows an envelope and calender alert a different icon.. I use handcent for sms and it works way better than stock program.
Not sure if BLN works on the this model but try it. it will leave your softkeys lit when you have a text.
you can try different lock screens via golocker so that you dont have to unlock your phone to see what the alert was but to actually read the alert or know more than if it was a message or email or phone call you have to unlock it for security reasons as perhaps you get confidential material that not just ANYONE should see.
as for rooted and custom firmware its safe, and prevents stock updates from your provider. as android is opensource you are allowed to customize it.
As to #1, you can change the notification sound both in your email settings and in the phones settings/sounds area. As to it being a dark screen when you go to check it.. thats one of the downsides to this particular model, no notification LED.. there is an app on the android market called NoLED that will put a little picture on the black screen to make up for it. BUT I cannot vouch for whether or not it drains battery (my chief concern), just have to try it out.
#2 I've been on AT&T with a rooted/flashed phone of various models since 2008 and I've never had them notice/say anything. It does void your warranty flashing, but there are ways of getting it back to stock if you do end up needing that. At the moment on this phone I believe you can't get it *perfectly* back to stock, but just have to give the devs here time and it will be available eventually.
*NoLED is on my list of apps to check battery usage, I'll get on it and post again tomorrow
while the forums are a great resource for things, you will get answers faster if you just google (or youtube) things like 'how to change android sms sound'
jacobharasimo said:
Not sure if BLN works on the this model but try it. it will leave your softkeys lit when you have a text.
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Click to collapse
Sounds even better than NoLED.. givin that a try too
sulpher said:
Sounds even better than NoLED.. givin that a try too
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Click to collapse
BLN requires a kernel that supports BLN, its only a matter of time when one of these great devs on here creates one.
Handcent SMS (free in the market) has the option to have your message pop up and remain on your screen until you cancel it. Almost like the iPhone.
As what Jacob said, when you are running a rooted device, you are most likely running a custom Recovery like CWM. Its actually the custom recovery that prevents you from getting the updates Over The Air. HOWEVER, the way the devs work... those new updates will generally be available for you way before your carrier sends it to your device. So rooted or not, you're gonna wanna root it anyway cause you'll end up being one of the few who wont have ICS, or whatever.
cue_32 said:
BLN requires a kernel that supports BLN, its only a matter of time when one of these great devs on here creates one.
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Click to collapse
Da_G supports it - look in the dev forum.
fedupey1 said:
2. I like the idea of upgrading to a rom like cyanogen when it becomes available for the SIISR, but I am concerned about how at&t cottons up to having rooted and OS-reflashed devices on its network and what they might do about it, and more specifically what happens when updates are pushed down the pipe. What is you guys' real world experience with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like it was said, you won't get updates from AT&T, but why would you want AT&T updates to overwrite your Cyanogen ROM?? When you flash Cyanogen (or any ROM), you follow that ROM and reflash when updates are available. So instead of relying on AT&T for updates, you'll rely on the developer of the ROM for updates. Also, as long as you're not trying to exchange the phone or anything like that, AT&T has no right to tell you how to use your phone. Root it, flash it...throw it against the wall...it's yours. Do what you want. Now, when you try to warranty your wall smashed phone, you better hope you have a stock AT&T ROM on there if it powers up. Every time I've warrantied a phone, it's been dead, so it didn't matter. If it won't turn on, they can't tell what ROM you have, and really, most of those "techs" just want to give you a new phone and get you on your way. Personally, I've never had a problem getting a new phone.
#1 go into sms press settings in there change your SMS ringtone. If you want an iPhone SMS type of visual reminder (bubble alert) download SMS popup from the market tinker the settings to your liking.
I'll suggest every new iPhone to android user to read the phones manual or Google your questions before jumping to conclusion that android doesn't have this and that. Most likely it does. You can customize android how ever You want.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Has anyone had experience with the Chinese GO Launcher and the widgets that come with it? They look pretty cool, and it seems they have the functionality I'm missing.
btw I can understand the "read the manual first" comments; I did read the manual and, not unpredictably, it said nothing about functionality that doesn't exit.
Thanks for all the input so far everyone!
I recently upgraded from the iphone to the Skyrocket, and am loving it. I wasn't sure whether I was going to like it the first few days, but now when I pick up my husband's iphone it seems like a toy compared to the Skyrocket.
I just started using Go Launcher Ex two days ago. It has a lot of slick and useful features. I haven't finished exploring all of the options available, but so far I'm enjoying the themes, locker options, and SMS pro. It's easy to try Go, and you always can uninstall it if you don't like it. I did have to redo my widgets after installing it, but that was actually kind of fun with the new theme I installed.
Not a huge deal but something to keep in mind with GO launcher.. recently noticed with system panel that GO launcher drains battery excessively when the phone is idle (device on but screen off), so i switched to launcher pro which drains FAR less with the screen off. The app is nearly the same as far as functionality, with one or two exceptions that can be added by purchasing the the pro version if you really need them (resizing widgets). I decided it was worth it to use less battery.
*note, im a battery stickler.. I can't stand any extra drain
more then happy to help you out.
fedupey1 said:
Has anyone had experience with the Chinese GO Launcher and the widgets that come with it? They look pretty cool, and it seems they have the functionality I'm missing.
btw I can understand the "read the manual first" comments; I did read the manual and, not unpredictably, it said nothing about functionality that doesn't exit.
Thanks for all the input so far everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know switching from the Iphone to Android is a big change. I was so confused for about a week. Anyways, if you want I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about your phone. I use the Go Launcher and Go SMS , I know a lot about them. Anyway just PM me if you'd like.
it has been my experience, because all returned/exchanged phones are sent out for reconditioning, att nor does the manufacturer care what OS modification has been performed on the phone. I returned my cappy at the atrix launch and asked specifically about the issue of "stock" or not, then I handed my serendipity cappy right over. Never heard back from att since and I'm still upgrading phones today without any heat. no worries.
sulpher said:
Not a huge deal but something to keep in mind with GO launcher.. recently noticed with system panel that GO launcher drains battery excessively when the phone is idle (device on but screen off), so i switched to launcher pro which drains FAR less with the screen off. The app is nearly the same as far as functionality, with one or two exceptions that can be added by purchasing the the pro version if you really need them (resizing widgets). I decided it was worth it to use less battery.
*note, im a battery stickler.. I can't stand any extra drain
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Click to collapse
Good to know, thanks for the info. I'm really happy with Go launcher, and in fact have noticed much better battery performance than I had previously with a live wallpaper. But I'll look into launcher pro if the battery performance is a problem in the future.
i can confirm that Go Launcher DRAINS battery very much.....but i still use it i like to functions.
just letting you know
I installed GO Launcher EX, it looks very cool; polished and very usable UI is a massive improvement. I recommend it. Ditto GO Dialer / contacts, a huge improvement over stock. GO calendar widget is OK but not fabulous; it looks good though with the Transparency theme. GO locker was pretty but rather useless, I uninstalled it.
Installed SMS popup, works excellent. I'm happy with it. Who knew I'd get excited over functionality that used to be standard 6 years ago.
Then for my calendar I looked for an iPhone type of visual reminder (bubble alert) that wakes up the phone and displays even when the screen is locked. I only found two:
- Calendar Snooze, of which I am currently running the free version. It does the job, but it's sort of aesthetically challenged.
- The pathetic Nudnik, which I uninstalled immediately. It looks like it was designed by a pre-schooler.
Now I need to resolve my lock screen issue, then I'll be content (it locks up immediately whenever I press Power although I set the delay to 10 mins in Settings).
I think I'll give Cyanogen a whirl if it becomes available for Skyrocket.
Try iPhone Notification.
I was wondering if there was a way to get all widgets to be availible on an non-stock launcher. I am using the Nova Prime launcher, and widgets for Samsung's S-Planner are not showing up in the list of available widgets. Anybody know a way to get full access to all my widgets, on this launcher (I don't have any plans to switch to another launcher)?
(The device is unrooted, if that's relevant.)
If you figure anything out please feel free to share, I've been trying to get my ****ing swidgets to work with now for a long time
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app
I believe they only work on the touchwiz launcher, even if you have touchwiz installed.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
I guess our best bet, is for all of us to keep messaging Samsung, until they recognize that enough people want this capability, that they should work at getting it to happen. Another, that comes to mind, is to seek out a ROM, that could allow that compatibility.
For immediate purposes, I imagine that some app developer(s) have discovered this royal pain of incompatibility, and was smart enough to realize that:
A) Very few people actually keep the launcher on their devices as stock
B) Samsung is undisputed as the current most popular Android-device manufacturer, with the highest number of users & sales,
So they released what would pretty much be a clone of these Samsung apps, but with more universal compatibility to other apps. I will browse the market when I have the time. I will, and ask that other users do as well, post the best/most similar/user-friendly/useful/blah of these finding.
otherwise, we may have to set the stupid touchwiz as our default (if we prefer and wish to regularly utilize Samsung's S-planner & other launcher-picky S-widgets) and have the touchwiz default homepages remain relatively uncluttered, except for these widgets, obviously. Then put in an app icon to switch to the launcher you actually prefer most.
OR
I just did a search in the google app market for "launcher switcher". There seems to be a semi-decent number of apps to help make it easy to toggle between the use of 2+ different launchers. Again, no time for me to test them out at the moment. Will also try to report back with anything promising... this is getting to be an annoying obstacle. lol.
If, like me, you mostly just want to be able to be able to keep on top of your S-planner to-do's, & don't have a great need for that apps menu that pops out of the side when you take out your S-pen, then change the s-pen settings, so that S-planner appears whenever the pen is detached.
I just remembered I could change it. for me this is GREAT because I never used that pen-apps popup. Also, I have really bad A.D.D., alongside O.C.D. . The result is that I constantly do ocd things, like put a lot of time into making detailed lists of things to do for the day, and set a stopwatch counter to track how long a task takes me to finish, but then I Always get distracted to the point, that All the time i put into countless overboard ocd attempts to keep on top of things, become completely worthless, because I have great difficulty keeping up any platform consistently. I feel like Sisyphus, rolling the giant bolder up the hill, and having it always roll back down. Anyways, on my Note tablet, I use the S-Pen more often than I use my finger, so for me, This works well.
Tablet_JF said:
Also, I have really bad A.D.D., alongside O.C.D. . ...
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I guess we all are to some extent or we wouldn't be on this forum reading things like this...
Well, I've used iOS since the 3GS. I disliked iOS stock, but loved it after Jailbreak. I've always waited for a Jailbreak to be available before updating current device or buying a new one.
The release of the most beautiful phone yet, the HTC One, made me switch camps. Well that and because I felt there was nothing I didn't know how to tinker/do with iOS and Android seems to be a never-ending tinkering journey.
I love the HTC One and even though I thought all non-pure Android versions sucked (just because I played with TouchWizz for a while and that massively sucks), I like Sense 5 which is why I flashed ARHD 12.2 instead of the GE.
Anyway, I've been using the One for two months or so and I made a "Note" on phone to write what I miss from iOS. I thought the list would be longer, but amazingly, Android is better than I thought it would be. Actually, most of what I miss are Apps. I know Android is highly customizable, and that is why I ask you guys how to get the following features/apps I had on iOS.
1) When I received a text on iOS while playing music, music stopped playing, then the text message sound played, then music resumed. On Android, (at least on my Sense 5 version) the text sound plays at the same time which makes me not hear the messages. Is there any way to make sound behave like it does in iOS?
2) Navitel Navigation App = (Removed as found Navitel.apk)
3) Remove Recent tweak = There was a Cydia tweak that removed all Apps running in the background when double tapping the status bar instead of having to manually close each running App. How can I do this in Android? I don't like swiping up 9 times all the time to remove my background apps.
4) TV Forecast App = An amazing iOS app where you add TV Shows you like and when they are about to air, you get a notification sent to your phone.
5) SBSettings tweak = (Removed as I discovered PowerToggles or better yet, the ARHD 12.2 version)
Well, that is it, everything else I already have. I am really liking Android, glad I switched from the boring iOS it has become.
schn1tt3r said:
Well, I've used iOS since the 3GS. I disliked iOS stock, but loved it after Jailbreak. I've always waited for a Jailbreak to be available before updating current device or buying a new one.
The release of the most beautiful phone yet, the HTC One, made me switch camps. Well that and because I felt there was nothing I didn't know how to tinker/do with iOS and Android seems to be a never-ending tinkering journey.
I love the HTC One and even though I thought all non-pure Android versions sucked (just because I played with TouchWizz for a while and that massively sucks), I like Sense 5 which is why I flashed ARHD 12.2 instead of the GE.
Anyway, I've been using the One for two months or so and I made a "Note" on phone to write what I miss from iOS. I thought the list would be longer, but amazingly, Android is better than I thought it would be. Actually, most of what I miss are Apps. I know Android is highly customizable, and that is why I ask you guys how to get the following features/apps I had on iOS.
1) When I received a text on iOS while playing music, music stopped playing, then the text message sound played, then music resumed. On Android, (at least on my Sense 5 version) the text sound plays at the same time which makes me not hear the messages. Is there any way to make sound behave like it does in iOS?
2) Navitel Navigation App = (Removed as found Navitel.apk)
3) Remove Recent tweak = There was a Cydia tweak that removed all Apps running in the background when double tapping the status bar instead of having to manually close each running App. How can I do this in Android? I don't like swiping up 9 times all the time to remove my background apps.
4) TV Forecast App = An amazing iOS app where you add TV Shows you like and when they are about to air, you get a notification sent to your phone.
5) SBSettings tweak = (Removed as I discovered PowerToggles or better yet, the ARHD 12.2 version)
Well, that is it, everything else I already have. I am really liking Android, glad I switched from the boring iOS it has become.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For 1 and 3 samsung implement like you want and provide task manager to clear ram
Sent from my GT-I9500
Dude. Really? The One specifically has a dedicated app for #4. Just set it up with your favorite TV shows.
#3, go to dev options and say limit background processes. That should help.
sauprankul said:
Dude. Really? The One specifically has a dedicated app for #4. Just set it up with your favorite TV shows.
#3, go to dev options and say limit background processes. That should help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I've used HTC TV Remote app and favorited "Breaking Bad" but I never get a notification sent that it is starting? I can't find any way to have it send me a notification.
EDIT: Yeah sort of found how to set reminders, I have to go to the day manually and tap "Remind Me" Not that bad, but TV Forecast reminded me of new releases and how much time for and since the next/last episode of a particular show it was. I wish there was an app like TV Forecast for Android.
EDIT2: Success, it seems "TvJunkie" or "SeriesGuide" does what I want. Downloading both to see which is better.
EDIT3: Oh man SeriesGuide is better than TV Forecast. More expensive (the X version for notifications) but worth it!
1. Folder in home screen. Do they really had to add that + sign inside the folder? Galaxy S6 did not have this. Whoever designed the folder and added a big fat + sign should get their head checked out. If I have 2 icons in one folder, there's a third button with a big fat + sign wasting space and distracting the user. Sure, different luncher will fix it but at what cost ($ or battery life from other bugs). The underlying thing for the UI doesn't change though. I also tried Samsung's other UI which you can download (GoodLock app) in their own app store, but that doesn't go well with the overall UI. ---> this is fixed in Nougat.
2. Bouncing effect in S-Health and other places. When I open S-Health to record my weight and scroll through the numbers, it's very hard to get it to stop on the place I want it to be because there's some stupid elastic bouncing back kicking and fourth effect on the dial. It moves for a while even after I let it go. I really hate this behavior and wonder whoever designed it had in mind. The person responsible should do something else for a living, and not be involved in designing user interface.
3. [edit: this one is treatable by changing Setting - Applications - Default applications - Default app selection] Default apps selection. Once you select an app, that becomes the default forever. Yeah, you can reset it by clearing the default, but I wish Samsung hadn't touched this behavior so I can choose to do it once "only for this time" or keep it as default.
4. User should be able to disable Samsung Calendar without 3rd party app, root, or adb. I find Samsung Calendar worse than stock Google's Calendar app so I use Google's Calendar app. Now why do I have to keep both if I'm not using it? So much for making TouchWiz lean. These apps should be uninstallable, or at least disable-able.
5. Every time I switch Auto Sync from quick settings pull-down, I get a warning message and must confirm that I will not get notifications about some apps and battery saving blablabla. It's almost ridiculous they did not add an option such as "Do not show again". This goes same for some other switches too. I think they fixed some such as the mobile data icon, or it may be a Verizon specific thing (as I'm using 935U). In the past you get a warning something in the line of "you won't have access to YouTube videos" and such stupid popup message.
6. High Volume warning. Every time, or once you reboot, or maybe every 24 hours this warning resets and comes back. I don't listen to music that loud but sometimes depending on what you connect you need to adjust the volume over 100% level. This stupid warning shows up and it won't let you go on unless you press OK. That's really stupid. I hate you whoever designed these this way.
I currently have a Verizon S7 Edge, with the latest 935U ROM stock, non-rooted. Because I hated how TouchWiz displays icon collection of folders, I was using NovaLauncher Prime for a while but went back because Nova Launcher caused more battery drain than TouchWiz. I turned off S-Health because it also causes some battery drain, and don't like to use it because the stupid scrolling kick bouncing effect. I tried iPhone SE for couple months, and it's so much more refined but I came back to S7 Edge because the better camera (even though it's artificially over sharpened) and for the file management ability.
I thought these annoyances would be fixed over time, but no, it's been almost 10 months since I got this phone and nothing has changed.
hp79 said:
1. Folder in home screen. Do they really had to add that + sign inside the folder? Galaxy S6 did not have this. Whoever designed the folder and added a big fat + sign should get their head checked out. If I have 2 icons in one folder, there's a third button with a big fat + sign wasting space and distracting the user.
2. Bouncing effect in S-Health and other places. When I open S-Health to record my weight and scroll through the numbers, it's very hard to get it to stop on the place I want it to be because there's some stupid elastic bouncing back and fourth effect on the dial. It moves for a while even after I let it go. I really hate this behavior and wonder whoever designed it had in mind. The person responsible should do something else for a living, and not be involved in designing user interface.
3. Default apps selection. Once you select an app, that becomes the default forever. Yeah, you can reset it by clearing the default, but I wish Samsung hadn't touched this behavior so I can choose to do it once "only for this time" or keep it as default.
4. User should be able to disable Samsung Calendar without 3rd party app, root, or adb. I find Samsung Calendar no better than stock Google's Calendar app, so why do I have to keep it if I'm not using it? So much for making TouchWiz lean.
I currently have a Verizon S7 Edge, with the latest 935U ROM stock, non-rooted. Because I hated how TouchWiz displays icon collection of folders, I am currently using NovaLauncher. I turned off S-Health because it causes some battery drain, and don't like to use it because the scrolling bouncing effect. I tried iPhoone SE for couple months, and it's so much more refined but I came back to S7 Edge because the better camera and file management.
I thought these annoyances would be fixed over time, but no, it's been almost 10 months since I got this phone and nothing has changed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then why did you get this device? Why not a myriad other devices that didn't have TouchWiz?
Sell it and buy a Nexus
"And on that Bombshell"
Sent from my Echoe Powered Nougat G935f
s7freak said:
Then why did you get this device? Why not a myriad other devices that didn't have TouchWiz?
Sell it and buy a Nexus
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Click to collapse
Because it has the best camera and some other hardware advantages. I like the water resistant feature, expandable storage, SamsungPay. Also, there was a $400 rebate when I bought this using a device payment plan. I paid it off the next day and closed the account with Verizon. So that's how I ended up with my S7 Edge.
Oh, and I heard Samsung was making TouchWiz leaner with less bloat, I think this was part of their promises from S6 days.
If you don't like TouchWiz why don't you switch back to Nova or Apex launcher?
Just use nova/apex/google launcher
As for your number 3 problem
You can change that behaviour in setting>applications>default applications
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Nova is the best launcher.
Woah, you sound agitated!
As for problem one, switch launcher. Problem two, three and four, that's just how Samsung has designed Touchwiz, there are plenty of other great phones with great software and components as camera (Pixel/iPhone) and water resistance (iPhone 7(pro)). As for the expandable storage, buy yourself an OTG cable and any USB stick! Hope to have helped you
Wait for Nougat. Not sure if you have tried/seen the beta, but it's :good:
I never ever used TouchWiz as a launcher. Nova from the start, and i never missed anything.
You should realize that every phone you will ever have is going to have something you won't like. And those things you counted can easily be fixed.
Running a Nougat Beta rom and i'm loving it. (TouchWiz was good too). I like it better then Stock Android.
Touchwiz is more than just a Launcher it's an integral part of the system.
If one doesn't like Touchwiz buy an LG or Pixel or a OnePlus3
"And on that Bombshell"
Sent from my Echoe Powered Nougat G935f
TW is better than it ever has been. With the theming engine I enjoy it much more than stock Android at this point!
mjs2011 said:
TW is better than it ever has been. With the theming engine I enjoy it much more than stock Android at this point!
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Click to collapse
Agreed of course I'm an unabashed Sammy Fanboy LOL So yeah I'm a little biased
"And on that Bombshell"
Sent from my Echoe Powered Nougat G935f
s7freak said:
Touchwiz is more than just a Launcher it's an integral part of the system.
If one doesn't like Touchwiz buy an LG or Pixel or a OnePlus3
"And on that Bombshell"
Sent from my Echoe Powered Nougat G935f
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agrre with you, one thing i miss, since galaxy s5, samsung stop to make infinity scrolling in home screen and app driver,
Sent from my SM-G935F using XDA-Developers mobile app
I had a OnePlusOne and a OnePlusX I really loved them but I just love my Sammy devices more. One Plus devices are fantastically built but just not Sdevices
Of course this is all my own opinion
"And on that Bombshell"
Sent from my Echoe Powered Nougat G935f
Point 1: wait for Nougat
Other point are no issue for me
just got the s7 Edge today, will be delivered in a few days. I have a few questions about TouchWiz. Is the 'theme engine' thing really that good? Does it change Touchwiz that much depending on the theme used? I love Nova Launcher, so i'm wondering if i use it, will i be able to Theme my phone at the same time...
LightspeeDLee said:
just got the s7 Edge today, will be delivered in a few days. I have a few questions about TouchWiz. Is the 'theme engine' thing really that good? Does it change Touchwiz that much depending on the theme used? I love Nova Launcher, so i'm wondering if i use it, will i be able to Theme my phone at the same time...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The theme engine doesn't just change your icons, but changes the UI (menu, dialer, messages, quick settings, etc)
I really like it. Be warned, there are a ton of themes and probably only a small fraction of them are good, but the good ones are pretty fantastic.
Here are a few to try when you get the phone.
Bleex
Material Dark
Black and Blue Amoled
Bleen
Morfix
Aurora
I'm considering the M5 8.4 to replace my aging Nexus 7 (2013) and would like some feedback on the EMUI software experience.
Do you like the skin? Is it similar to stock Android?
Since there probably won't be many ROM options, how is Huawei's track record with updates?
Thanks,
Rick
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
There should be lots of ROM options shortly if not right away, since the device is Treble compatible as are other EMUI 8.0 devices.
For whatever it's worth:
I am running EMUI - but debloated with Nova installed (I couldn't imagine Android without Nova). I'm also not 100% sure what features are EMUI vs stock Oreo.
There's a "Launch" feature built in to EMUI that allows you to specify which apps are allowed to launch in the background, allowed to be launched by a secondary app, and allowed to run in the background. I like this feature, but if you don't bother setting preferences for each app, EMUI kills background apps somewhat aggressively.
EMUI lets you choose between a collapsible navbar (if rooted you can use Exposed Edge Pro instead), and/or a one-button navigation system using the fingerprint sensor - tap for 'back,' hold for 'home,' swipe for 'recents.' I am using the one-button system in conjunction with Edge Pro and to me it's pretty seamless (but I still have to work on not hitting the sensor by accident).
The dialer and SMS skins are fine. Stock DPI options are a bit high, but you can change via developer options (after every reboot). Stock camera app no longer works if you change the DPI, but you can always use opencamera (or change the DPI back).
The other day I had an issue with background music playback about 45 minutes into streaming music via an old version of eDJing premium. Issues stopped after I disabled Doze (via root app that I had set to run at boot). That's probably an Android issue?
Battery life for me is in line with what I have experienced with every similar phablet I have previously owned.
Anyways, all EMUI 8.0 devices share key things in common, so the dev community is larger than it seems.
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I also use Nova and will probably remove some of the reduny apps. I can see myself rooting and using Magisk.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
In my opinion the emui is not bad.
The personalization of Android that Huawei made is pretty clean.
However they obviusly add some bugs:
- adaptive icons do not works correctly: you can have only the circular one (even with Nova)
- the resolution of the display or the information that the apps get are really strange: some app starts always in landscape, no matter the actual orientation, other render the pages in strange ways when the tablet in turned fron landscape to portait, etc... Really really annoying
- battery optimization is too agressive and it is not (for me) completely clear how to tune it
- every time the launcher is updated, it switch back to its stock launcher, and i have to set the nova again as default (this can be done just in the default app in the settings). Probably this will happen also for other apps.
The hardware is solid and the battery life is good.
The position of the touch sensor and of the hardware buttons are not imho right and a big design failure.
If you keep the tablet in portrait with the touch button in the buttom: the hardware buttons are almost inaccessible unless you have a prehensile bellybutton ?
In landscape if you try to change the volume with the hardware button your finger will touch the touch button and the current app is "closed" (the tablet swith back to the home screen). This is a software feature (bug?) that i will like to change
Inviato dal mio CMR-AL09 utilizzando Tapatalk
Also the Mediapad is now listed as enterprise device. I'd be surprised if they'd stop with updates soon.
As for EMUI:
It's a mixed bag for me. There are 3 annoying bugs which most likely have their origin in EMUI:
- 2 fingers at the same time without instantly moving makes the tablet not recognize the input anymore. (there is a thread on xda about it)
The other 2 are about the keyboard accessory which is probably irrelevant for you (for everybody else):
- flipping the cover from front to back triggers a "refresh", black screen on netflix or a return from edit mode to view mode in xodo pdf
- EMUI always asks if I want to start desktop mode when a keyboard is connected, doesn't matter if you tick the "don't remind me again" checkbox
giovaorama said:
- adaptive icons do not works correctly: you can have only the circular one (even with Nova)
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Squircle works for me. I think all work. I'm not sure they work how they should. Not that I care.
- the resolution of the display or the information that the apps get are really strange: some app starts always in landscape, no matter the actual orientation, other render the pages in strange ways when the tablet in turned fron landscape to portait, etc... Really really annoying
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This usually has to do with the apps, not EMUI. Install Rotation Control to force auto rotation across all apps.
battery optimization is too agressive and it is not (for me) completely clear how to tune it
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This is probably the biggest issue with EMUI. But almost everything is tunable and with root/feedback from other EMUI users, I don't expect this to be a long term issue for anyone. (I started having issues playing music in the background without a charger plugged in - they fixed themselves last night and I'm not sure why. My preferred music player app was last updated in probably 2011, might or might not be a factor.)
every time the launcher is updated, it switch back to its stock launcher, and i have to set the nova again as default (this can be done just in the default app in the settings).
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I can confirm that you do not have this issue as long as automatic updates are turned off. I have also seen a general improvement after uninstalling updates to Google Webview.
The one EMUI feature I like that I forgot to mention in my previous post, is Eye Comfort. It's a partial blue light filter that works better than any apps I've found on the Play Store.
Nope the adpative icons do not works, and this is something that you may corcern since this is one of the feature of Oreo and the app on oreo only gave icons to works as adpative. The circle one are just ugly.
Regarding the orietation, the same app works all correctly on my previous tablet and on all my other devices.
Root should not be required to solve implementation problem.
The sotck rom must be as much as posdible bug free.
For all this bug we should blame Huawei: have a look to the support fotum for nova launcher or chronus, just to understand the real situation.
As usual what it is important for someone count nothing for the others
Inviato dal mio CMR-AL09 utilizzando Tapatalk
Hi anyone on EMUI in the UK with the 10.8 Wifi version (CMR-W09). Would you please tell me what is the version you are on (Latest). As I am considering going back from Lineage for a short while as there are too many bugs just now. Stupidly I didn't note down what version of EMUI 8 I should be on and there are tonnes of them. Cheers.
generic2 said:
Hi anyone on EMUI in the UK with the 10.8 Wifi version (CMR-W09). Would you please tell me what is the version you are on (Latest). As I am considering going back from Lineage for a short while as there are too many bugs just now. Stupidly I didn't note down what version of EMUI 8 I should be on and there are tonnes of them. Cheers.
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SHT-W09C432B151 (8.0.0.151) is what you need
Hey there,
It's not a mixed zone for me:
1) If I wanted an Ipad I would have bought that.
2) I do not like limits in terms of app-drawer etc. (fixed this, now using Nova Pro)
3) battery optimization too heavy: hell, using the keyboard with firefox (nebo, playstore, and may more) is almost impossible as the screen brightness lowers even if automatic brightness adjustment is turned off ...
What I love is:
1) Battery live
2) How it all fits together (So the "Iphoneish feeling" that I cried about above is not my taste, but it's a consistent Design at least ...)
I bought the Mediapad mainly because of the Pen, the Hardware, and the Keyboard(if I am not hating it for ausing brightness trouble...) and these are the things that I really like!
I don't mind emui has some good features and of you use Nova you can make it look stock. I like the themes and the book cover feature. I like the battery optimisation it lasts so well.
I'm trying to get ahold of the stock firmware so I can root mine.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Lee82UK said:
SHT-W09C432B151 (8.0.0.151) is what you need
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Thanks very much. Appreciated!
odd1ne said:
I don't mind emui has some good features and of you use Nova you can make it look stock. I like the themes and the book cover feature. I like the battery optimisation it lasts so well.
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the tab has great features but some disadvantages (brightness bug with keyboard for me ... weird behavior at least)
Best of all certainly is the battery life! And I am using Nova ... That's why the look is not too much of an issue
I do notice the aggressive doze feature.
Sent from my SHT-W09 using Tapatalk
I decided to replace my aging, but beloved, Nexus 7 2013 WiFi (running LineagoOS 15.0) with something a bit meatier. After much consideration, I ordered and received a 32GB M5 8.4 (SHT-W09) from Amazon UK.
First up, the hardware is awesome. I really notice the difference with the move to 4GB RAM and the updated CPU / GPU. The performance is worlds apart from the Nexus 7 - very zippy, very responsive, games run great etc. The display also is a significant improvement - I really like the 16:9 ratio too and don't agree with review feedback that it impacts eBook and web browsing. It works great for those and just looks incredible for movies and TV. No surprises so far, then, given the 5 year old spec of the N7. On the subject of this display, note that both Amazon Prime Video and Netflix now support HD playback on the SHT-W09. Absolutely brilliant. Audio is fine, I'd always listen through Bose BT OE headphones anyway. The lack of 3.5" headphone jack doesn't bother me in the least.
So, on to the OP question about EMUI. To be honest, I really don't like it. The sheer number of junk apps installed is disappointing, especially as some (YouTube, for example) cannot be uninstalled. Note that of the 32GB available, only 16GB was available out of the box. Adoptable storage has been explicitly disabled in EMUI, so there's no option to use external SD as internal storage. A bit disappointing, but a 128GB MicroSD gives plenty of storage for media, if not apps. Within the UI itself, I miss the app drawer button (I'm sure there's an option somewhere) and it all just doesn't feel "familiar" enough for my liking. The Themes idea is great, but the version delivered with the tab only seems to support local themes - there's no "Theme Store" as such, unlike the phone version of the app. As such, customisation feels limited. I've simply installed Nova and couldn't be happier with the end result.
A really worthy replacement for the king of Android tablets, the Nexus 7 2013, so I'd encourage the OP to give it a go!
@mroshaw similar for me. I replaced my Nexus 7 (2012) by the SHT-W09 and I am quite happy. I uninstalled all the apps I do not use (ebay, facebook, some games, ...) and I replaced the laucher with the Pixel-Launcher. The only parts which still remember me that I am running on EMUI are the top bar and the configuration settings, but I can live with that.
I do not regret having it bought. There are not many Android tablets out offering such a build quality and performance for such a price tag.
I am growing to like the emui. It's got some grand security features. Like others, I uninstalled a TON of apps, disabled others, then I put an AOSP P Dark theme (from here on xda). The theme takes care of the notifications bar icons - I didn't really like the emui ones - plus "stock-ifies" most of the UI.
@mroshaw To activate the app drawer button, go to Settings, Display, Home Secreen Stlye, choose Drawer.
To enable SD card storage, Settings, Storage, Default Location. I have 45GBs out of the internal 64GB once I adb uninstalled bloat.
The deal breaker for me with EMUI is the missing option to plug in the tablet via USB and mount its storage to be visible and usable with any files operation (I use Linux only). There is no HiSuite for Linux and doing everything via adb is just a pain in the neck.
Having said that, the alternative is Lineage OS as the currently only alternative ROM, but this breaks two other things which are a deal breaker as well: No Bluetooth connectivity (its just dosn't pair anything properly), so no BT audio, which sucks when there is no headphone jack. Plus, with a custom ROM you lose L1 security in widevine, so no HD streaming with Netflix or Amazon video.
Fortunately, my usage for the tablet is different from my beloved N7; I mainly use it as a score reader for my piano. I wouldn't recommend it as a replacement for the N7; for that I bought the Lenovo Tab 4 Plus and it's a perfect replacement - except there are no custom ROM, But you can root it and the Lenovo UI is pretty much stock.
@DF5JT mtp works for me to access the device's internal and sdcard storage. Probably you need to configure your udev rules to identify your device correctly.