Database Info

[Q] Looking for an Ipod Touch Android equivalent + Android Q's

Looking through the threads, it seems there are only two options available for a device similar to the ipod touch: Samsung Galaxy Wifi and Dell Streak 7. Now, the problem with the Samsung is that it is not available in America as far as I can tell. The Dell Streak seems too large for what I want, which is something that I can just leave in my pocket and not care if it gets banged up or not.
The smaller Arcos Gen 8 products seem to be more what I'm looking for: small, cheap android alternatives to an Ipod Touch. Unfortunately, from what I've read, they do not have access to the Android app store, which leaves them without any of Google's products and many other useful things I would want.
This leads me to my other questions about Android in general. What I'm looking to do is treat my Android device exactly as I do my Windows computer, where I can just browse the internet for applications, download whatever I want, and then simply install it to the device.
Is this possible to do on Android? Is it even necessary to have access to the App Store? Can I just go to the application's homepage, download the .apk file, and install it to my device? Do I need root access to be able to do this?
I wouldn't mind having a stripped down Arcos device if I could still get all the applications I want and just use it like I do my computer, but with all the variations on the Android OS I'm not sure if this is possible or not.
I apologize for the mess of questions. I guess what I want is whatever would be the closest
experience to just using my Windows PC on a small, cheap, Ipod Touch-like device.

You can install the apks without the Android Market, but most of them aren't available on the internet in legal ways. On the android market site you can't download the apk nor on any other site (like:appbeain) so you have to look on the developer's site or search a torrent
For you first question Samsung has two alternatives for the ipod, the Galaxy S 4 WiFi and the Galaxy S 5 WiFi. The difference is only in the screen size, the first is 4" which isn't too big (for me). I don't know if they're already available, but I think it worths to wait for them
Sent from my MB525 using XDA Premium App

The Samsung devices looked good but there doesn't seem to be a date for release here (America). The other problem is that I've read quite a bit how Samsung is notoriously bad for providing updates. Since Android is evolving rather quickly with new features being added all the time, receiving timely updates is of utmost importance to me. I guess then I will have no other choice than to root? (Assuming a root is even available and roms can be loaded)
I just wish Google could provide their version of Android on their website to download (it is opensource after all isn't it?) so that when I got my device, I could just replace the out of date Android version with Google's recent build. I don't understand why this couldn't be possible?

The main problem is that the phone's hardwares are different so the manufacturer have to create the apropriate drivers + a few of them has costum launchers like Sense or TouchWiz and these have to be updated too
Sent from my MB525 using XDA Premium App

:good:

[Q] android help anyone?

Well I got my galaxy s2 on release day and being a former crackberry addict I have no idea what to do with android. I understand that there are endless possibilities but I have no idea where to begin. Anyone know some stuff I can do to make my android experience simply better?

in same boat
i am not only new to andriod, i am new to smart phones. that said, i have had my andriod for a month. i have done a lot to it just by reading posts here and in andriod central. andriod central seems easier to navigate by phone choise than xda.
my wife is still a blackberry adict. after gettting my phone she wined about how much i could do. she still likes the blackberry and has found ways around the issue or boasted about something she could do that i cant.
this is just from reading about backberry so feel free to correct me if i am wronge. the PC device manager allows you to modify your phone. ie change theme, apps, ect.
the biggest issue most andriod owners have is that they cant get rid of the carriers apps(bloatware). most of these apps take up space, run when not in use, use up your ram. as far as i am aware the only way is to root(gain administrator acess) the phone. then you can get an app that will freeze the unused, unwanted apps(titanium backup,pay for version).you can also delete them, but i read it could be hazardes. recomend reading manual. i wont do it any justice, so info on rooting is everywere, i do suggest andriod central.
if you dont care about the apps then dont root. you cant get multiple home launchers,ie go launcher, launcher pro, adw launcher, theres more. i prefer go launcher, it lets you customize the most, ie change icons, the way the app drawer functions, the way icons function, different functions for the direction you slid your finger on the desktop.
with a rooted phone you can get custom roms to change the look and feel of the phone. what i understand flashing a rom to be is installing a new operating system, its like someone took andriod OS striped it down to just the OS and then added what they feel should be there for apps. generaly they just get rid of the bloatware, optimize the system, and a few usefull tools.
i have rooted my phone. sadly no custom roms yet. freezed most of my bloatware, freed up a lot of space. changed my desktop. got a wifi tether app so i can hotspot my phone with out having to pay for the data plan. any way i hope this helps. if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

to expand on the topic about rooting (assuming that you take this route), here are some rooting methods (android version-specific):
z4root (2.2/2.2.1)
SuperOneClick (2.2/2.2.1)
Gingerbreak (2.2.2)
everything you can possibly discover about your phone (roms, kernels, themes, etc) can be found in the sgsII's forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1055

[Q] Simple Google ROM for GT3110

hello,
It may have been already posted, but i would like to put on my GT3110 a simple & stable ROM without any additional SAMSUNG layer or any other modification.
i've tested the ROM provided by default, very slow and too much stuff that i don't want in it.
i've then tested the CyanogenMod 10 nighlty build, but the Keyboard wasn't working even after having done the clean as recommended on the web.
i've then tested the ROM RomsWell but it contains the SAMSUNG layer.
i'm now using the Paranoid Android 2.51 but the paranoidSettings seems to modify the resolution of the tablet and icons are not positionned correctly when moving from landscape to portrait.
i don't forget how big the work done by all these people providing this for free mainly, but as this tablet is dedicated for a gift to someone not android addict nor interesting in changing ROMs regularly,
So i would like to implement a Google stock ROM with nothing more/less than what is provided by google. even if i loose some performances or other things.
can you tell me where i can find this for the GT3110?
thank you in advance

If you install a launcher like Nova Launcher Prime, you'll find much of the Samsung layer gone. Some of the Samsung apps are superior. Email, Contacts and Planner come to mind. I would call the system easy for unsophisticated users and reliable as well. There plenty of help and a real user manual.
I've been flashing roms for years now and decided to stay with a rooted SGT27. Custom roms, even AOSP aren't that easy to use and there are always bugs.

This .....
king200 said:
If you install a launcher like Nova Launcher Prime, you'll find much of the Samsung layer gone. Some of the Samsung apps are superior. Email, Contacts and Planner come to mind. I would call the system easy for unsophisticated users and reliable as well. There plenty of help and a real user manual.
I've been flashing roms for years now and decided to stay with a rooted SGT27. Custom roms, even AOSP aren't that easy to use and there are always bugs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you (or the person its for ) isnt into modding Android, stick to stock. I use Apex launcher (Free) and to be honest they are all pretty much the same. Touchwiz isnt that bad and Samsung stock apps are really cool.
I would suggest updating it to JellyBean stock via Odin/Heimdall or just wait for the official update via Samsung.I personally use AOKP M1 but its a little confusing to set things up at first and needs tweaking.NOT noob friendly at all and takes time to work it out. ( but that's why I like it).
I would be careful giving "Root" access to inexperienced users as they may get themselves into trouble with it....Remember it gives them full access and control of the ROM. I would suggest a start up manager either way ,to stop all the junk starting up when you boot. Samsung loves bloat lol.
If you want pure Android, flash an AOSP no frills ROM.

jayce996 said:
hello,
It may have been already posted, but i would like to put on my GT3110 a simple & stable ROM without any additional SAMSUNG layer or any other modification.
i've tested the ROM provided by default, very slow and too much stuff that i don't want in it.
i've then tested the CyanogenMod 10 nighlty build, but the Keyboard wasn't working even after having done the clean as recommended on the web.
i've then tested the ROM RomsWell but it contains the SAMSUNG layer.
ican you tell me where i can find this for the GT3110?
thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This does not exist, in fact it does not exist for any device. Stop dreaming of the mythical "clean" ROM that is 10x faster. There is a lot more to a functioning ROM than Google open source Android. There is no such thing as a pure AOSP ROM for any device because its takes Android + kernel + drivers + libs + apps + bootloader + etc. to have a functioning ROM. and everything except the base Android API is device and version specific.
The Samsung touchwiz launcher doesn't slow anything down and if you don't like the way it looks, as suggested above, install one of the good third party launchers and its not even used.
I find this tablet running the Samsung stock ICS to be very fast and clean, So one would wonder what are you doing to it to make it "slow" There's only a few Samsung apps included and unless you run them, they just sit there doing nothing. You can hide them if you don't want to see the icons.

thank you guys,
i'll try the JellyBean standard ROM as recommended and try another free launcher

[Completed] S3 Stock Dialer into 4.4.4 Roms like CM or OmniRom

Hello everyone
I need your help. I have a rooted galaxy s3. I really really like the ROM developed by XDA members but there is one thing I really hate is the default caller app. I think it's the most awkwardly application developed by Google, since the most obvious thing that should happen when you try to use the phone is see the keyboard, either to find a contact or enter a new number. But Google shows an interface where no keyboard, just a list of recent contacts. If I search the keyboard it does not arise or come after three touchs in special places, luckily I found. So I can not write immediately if someone gives me his phone number. If Google wanted to make impossible for such a basic thing, he did it.
The official Samsung ROM has the best app I've seen: Default leaves the keypad, next pages are history, favorites and list of contacts. All them big size, easy to use, friendly using.
I wonder if it is possible to use this application into a ROM like OmniRom or CM11, and how I could do it.
Thank you very much to all.
Have a great day.

The Samsung Dialer/Phone App is based on Samsung's propitiatory TouchWiz Framework. Its commonly referred to as TW. For this reason, the app will not work well on AOSP Roms such as Omni or CM. You can however find some Good dialer Apps in the Google Play Store.
Can you please post your Device Model and Carrier so that we can point in the Right Direction ?

Asking for opinion regarding customizing tablet for nursing staff

Hi,
I'm currently programming an app for a hospital as a bachelorsproject. Now I've discussed with my mentor about the fact we want the devices to be used only as pupose for the app I'm making, apps we preinstall and future apps that are made for the personel thats using them.
Currently I'm working with a Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) running android 6.0.1 without it being rooted.
So what do you guys suggest with this I've done some reading along how to root whats possible and seen some guides for my device on how to root it.
What I want to do is actually have like a stock android so no samsung bloatware and microsoft apps etc, even chrome doesn't need to be installed as they don't need acces to browsing. And then pre install specific apps like my app, the one from the hospital itself, future apps and others we specifically need.
Also I'm new to android in general so can I create like a nurse user, and a IT-desk user so the IT desk user can log on the tablet and install an app, while the nurse doesn't even have acces to settings maybe.
Would love to hear what you guys think along what to do, and maybe some general steps like root it, flash a stock rom, create your (2)users, and install apps.

Tommyboy500 said:
Hi,
I'm currently programming an app for a hospital as a bachelorsproject. Now I've discussed with my mentor about the fact we want the devices to be used only as pupose for the app I'm making, apps we preinstall and future apps that are made for the personel thats using them.
Currently I'm working with a Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) running android 6.0.1 without it being rooted.
So what do you guys suggest with this I've done some reading along how to root whats possible and seen some guides for my device on how to root it.
What I want to do is actually have like a stock android so no samsung bloatware and microsoft apps etc, even chrome doesn't need to be installed as they don't need acces to browsing. And then pre install specific apps like my app, the one from the hospital itself, future apps and others we specifically need.
Also I'm new to android in general so can I create like a nurse user, and a IT-desk user so the IT desk user can log on the tablet and install an app, while the nurse doesn't even have acces to settings maybe.
Would love to hear what you guys think along what to do, and maybe some general steps like root it, flash a stock rom, create your (2)users, and install apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could build an AOSP ROM for that model number with only the apps and features you choose, it would require AOSP source code and your stock source code.
Then, yes, android natively supports setting up user profiles, with root access you can set it so that the "nurse user" profile can only use the device and an "admin user" would have exclusive permissions to make whatever changes are needed. You can set it so that the "nurse user" would not be able to install new apps, wouldn't be able to browse the web or even set it so they could browse if needed but would be limited in what they can access on the web, and you'd be able to set it so they would be locked out of all settings.
What you want is very possible, the most difficult part would be compiling the ROM if you go that route, you may not need or want to though because with root, you can strip down the existing stock firmware to remove the extras you don't want or need.
Mind you, there would be some details and specifics to deal with that would require trial and error along the way, obviously.