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Hi all, have 2 quick questions today
1. Was wondering if there's an app that tracks how often and for how long I use an app. I tried searching for analytic tools on the play store and all I get are google analytic apps.
2. Is there a way to keep the keyboard open after sending a message? I've googled a lot of different search terms but I can't seem to find any solutions or definitive yes/no answers
1: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.agrvaibhav.AppUsageTracking&hl=no or one of the related apps you'll get on that page.
2: This I think is a dead end, I haven't heard of a way and a few google searches seems to say the same thing that it "can't be done". Don't take my word for it though.
For the record, questions ought to be in the Q&A section of the forum.
Cheers
When I saw that Google had a new version of maps available last night I was really excited. However, that excitement died down really fast when I saw how much they'd stripped from it. Just read the 1- and 2-star rating comments that this app is now getting on Google Play if you don't take my word for it.
Here's just some of the big disappointments:
- No more Google Latitude, though in fairness this isn't really a problem with Maps per se, because Google is SHUTTING DOWN Latitude on August 9th. They want us to use Google+ and its Locations feature as a replacement, but Locations is mere toy compared to what Latitude was able to do. It's a sad joke. To make matters worse, the location sharing feature of Google+ only works if the app is a SYSTEM APP. If your phone didn't come with it and you initially installed Google+ from the Play Store, Locations WILL NOT WORK. You must have a rooted phone on which you can assign Google+ to a system app using a tool such as Titanium Backup.
- No more Labs functions. One of the features I used to adore on my S4 was the "Larger Text" lab. This worked great on phones with 1080p screens, as the native text was just too small. The new maps app has small text, especially on a 1080p screen.
- No access to "My Maps". I read somewhere that this will be restored IN THE FUTURE, but until then you won't have access to your custom routes and maps if you upgrade to 7.0.
- No more zoom buttons on the map, though it is apparently possible to double-tap, and the swipe up or down to change the zoom. However, this still isn't as convenient under some circumstances.
- No more scale on the map. Okay, not everyone used this, but I liked knowing how far 1 km (or 1 mile) was on the map at the current zoom level.
- The Pegman in Streetview is gone and overall this feature seems less usable than it was before.
- Offline maps are still available, but they've been hidden. It's rather like an Easter Egg now, in that you must type (or say) "OK Maps" to get it to cache what you are zoomed in on at the time. However, it doesn't store as large an area as before and there is NO WAY to list or administer your cached local maps.
- Many people have reported that Navigation is now quite buggy, though I haven't had a chance to try it myself.
- You can no longer create navigation shortcuts and no Navigation icon appears on your phone. To use Navigation you must start Maps first and go through that.
- No more Terrain layer.
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So, if you are curious about trying Maps 7.0, then I strongly recommend that you backup your copy of the older maps first (if you have Titanium Backup or another apps for backing up your apps). Failing that, Google has made the old version available for downloading, if you can find it.
If you have Titanium Backup, use it to remove Maps from Play Store list so that it won't keep popping up as an update. You might accidentally install it.
Double tap, hold and swipe over the screen to zoom with one finger. Worked in maps 6.x and still works with maps 7.
To get access to your places, you just have to simply press the icon on the right side of the search bar, and there they are.
neluba said:
Double tap, hold and swipe over the screen to zoom with one finger. Worked in maps 6.x and still works with maps 7.
To get access to your places, you just have to simply press the icon on the right side of the search bar, and there they are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was not aware of the double-tap shortcut for zoom, but I tried it and it certainly does work. I edited the original post to reflect this.
However, I think you might have misunderstood what I meant concerning the second issue. I'm not so much interest in "My Places", but the sub-category of that called "My Maps". These are custom routes and maps you can create with the desktop version of Maps and they were loadable on Maps for Android prior to version 7.0. I double-checked to make sure they weren't there on 7.0, and they definitely aren't. I edited the original post to say just "My Maps" to clarify this point.
You can still launch navigation by voice, but it opens maps then navigation. What I'm not liking about this is that I often launch navigation by voice and like being able to change my route and check off avoid tolls and/or highways. This now has to be done from maps before launching navigation. A bit inconvenient.
Steve Punter said:
- You can no longer create navigation shortcuts and no Navigation icon appears on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still have a separate Navigation icon? Takes me right to the 'choose destination' screen in Navigation...?
Sent from my LG-LS970 using xda premium
Another thing to note which is now missing (I believe) is the separate "Car Mode" Maps display.
This was a quasi 3d display, similar to the old all-in-one GPS units, that followed the car movement from behind. This used to pop up automatically when my 'car mode' was activated. This mode would not screen time-out. Now it just pops up with the standard maps display, which will time-out and not follow along/scroll with your car position.
The offline maps feature has been added back in a small update. Still not done right, but it's at least accessible and not an easter egg.
I think latitude's features are supposed to be rolled into G+ before latitude itself is shut down.
Hadn't heard about the rest, but several sound like serious leaps backwards.
Well that's 3 google apps I'm leaving old versions now, all within the last few months I had to stop applying updates, I gave it a try and I agree, it sucks
Maps, GMail, and Talk.
I'm so disappointed in Google lately, nothing good has come out of their updates. I bought in to their infrastructure and now they're just ****ing around with me as they please. I wish they had a competitor worth a damn (Bing's worse imo).
Fire their new UI guys and let engineers develop apps again, sick of this design first philosophy that doesn't work.
what's remained ???
i will update and see what happens
waylo said:
Another thing to note which is now missing (I believe) is the separate "Car Mode" Maps display.
This was a quasi 3d display, similar to the old all-in-one GPS units, that followed the car movement from behind. This used to pop up automatically when my 'car mode' was activated. This mode would not screen time-out. Now it just pops up with the standard maps display, which will time-out and not follow along/scroll with your car position.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is mainly what I use Google Maps for in my car, had to downgrade to 6.x to get this back
I used Latitude a lot... now I have to use a separate (broken) app to see my latitude contacts? Shouldn't that be in the MAPS program?
Double tab to zoom,, it works to my phone in this last maps..:good::good:
Everyone talking about the update but how come I still can't get it!!! I'm on ICS 4.0.4 ...usa
Sent from my C5170 using xda premium
I also have the difficulty to see the tiny street name on the map. Why won't Google make the font size user adjustable.
I probably have to keep using the old version of Google maps unless a larger text is allowed.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Steve Punter said:
I was not aware of the double-tap shortcut for zoom, but I tried it and it certainly does work. I edited the original post to reflect this.
However, I think you might have misunderstood what I meant concerning the second issue. I'm not so much interest in "My Places", but the sub-category of that called "My Maps". These are custom routes and maps you can create with the desktop version of Maps and they were loadable on Maps for Android prior to version 7.0. I double-checked to make sure they weren't there on 7.0, and they definitely aren't. I edited the original post to say just "My Maps" to clarify this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just installed version 7 and no ``My Places``, how do we downgrade to the old version?
Downgrade?
raczyk said:
Just installed version 7 and no ``My Places``, how do we downgrade to the old version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I concur but don't know how to do that. I want the old version back. Anyone?
Thanks
So basically I got my Nexus 5 a month ago and from day 1 I could not access Google Now by swiping right on the homescreen. However, "Okay Google" does work.
I have checked my Location Settings and it says that Google Location Reporting is not available in Malta. I do not assume this is the problem since my Maltese friends have Google Now and it work perfectly (not the ones with Nexus 5).
I am running 4.4.2. and I just got the Google + and Google Search updates last night which I installed. Still no Google Now. I cannot even access the settings for Google Now.
I have searched for possible solutions on the internet and there was one post on Google Forums with a bunch of people complaining about this problem but I decided to post on here becase
Maybe we could come up with a possible solution (hopefully one that does not inculde downgrading Google Search)
and secondly to pass on this message. It seems like XDA is a good framework to have complaints go across seeing as Google and LG decided to act on their faulty devices thanks to an XDA thread. (correct me if I'm wrong?)
Hi Folks,
I recently received a UMIDIGI Z2 Special Edition. Yesterday, I finally got around to downloading and applying all the available OTA updates. I was hoping that there could be a way to do the updates via sharing my Laptops Internet connection to a USB port.
It is my first Android phone. I haven't used it yet as I need to get a compatible SIM chip. Meanwhile, I am still using an old Apple 3GS.
I have been trying to find a comprehensive Android User Guide for Beginners but with no luck. Can someone point me in the right direction please?
I do not want to use any Google applications, like Gmail, Chrome, Drive etc (I may have to keep the Play Store app though.) nor Facebook, Twitter, Instagram nor any others that the "Powers that shouldn't be" use to monitor, exploit and manipulate the masses for the benefit of the elitist scum that are still "pulling the strings" on our home (Mother Earth).
So, I would appreciate your recommendations for alternative applications that are completely private.
I want to remove the aforementioned Google apps.
Which are the best Alternative App Stores?
What other applications are recommended for everyday use?
I will be using the phone for Email, Browsing, SMS Messaging, Phone Calls, Photos, Language Dictionaries/Translation, Maps.
Many thanks, MTB.
So having had the p40 pro and seen threads all over XDA about what are the alternatives i thought id share what i've found.
So for gmail, i've used the email app preinstalled (which does the same job)
google maps, I saw a post about here we go maps, so i've used that and it does exactly the same thing, i guess as the roads dont change and to be honest i found the speedometer element on it to be more accurate as I used my wifes s10 (as i got no other cellular GMS device) to compare GMS maps vs HMS maps and using the digital speedo in the car, so that was quite interesting.
google docs, I'm simply using what I've always used which is Microsoft office and for me I find it easier to use i guess its because its what I've always used.
Youtube, well for this i just added it as a short cut to my home screen, Even though its not an app i really use to be fair unless im on a tablet.
Playstore, Ive adjusted to appgallery and the petal search app which compliments it really well, yes you can use apkpure & aptoid etc however im just sticking to that.
I mean the misconception that android is google is crazy, I stepped away from the chains of IOS sometime ago for the reason I wanted freedom of apks, RIP showbox.
However if you've found alternatives to other google apps it could be handy, this is from what i use but for the time being ive not needed the use of any other apps as im still on lockdown in Wales.
let me know
Scott
Unfortunately lots of apps require google services. Some banking apps, some browser apps, etc. The problem is not limited to just chrome, maps, drive, youtube, etc. It is far broader and the user wouldn't know if he might have a problem unless he tried all apps that he needs without google services in order to find out which ones don't work.
From my point of view Microsoft has lots of google apps alternatives - onedrive, onenote, etc. Also YouTube which is critical for a lot of users can be used normally by installing YouTube Vanced.
I hope that some good and easy methods of installing google services show up or the Huawei ban is lifted.
There already many of these threads. .. bit hard for people to use when everything is just buried in hundreds of posts.
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
So having had the p40 pro and seen threads all over XDA about what are the alternatives i thought id share what i've found.
So for gmail, i've used the email app preinstalled (which does the same job)
google maps, I saw a post about here we go maps, so i've used that and it does exactly the same thing, i guess as the roads dont change and to be honest i found the speedometer element on it to be more accurate as I used my wifes s10 (as i got no other cellular GMS device) to compare GMS maps vs HMS maps and using the digital speedo in the car, so that was quite interesting.
google docs, I'm simply using what I've always used which is Microsoft office and for me I find it easier to use i guess its because its what I've always used.
Youtube, well for this i just added it as a short cut to my home screen, Even though its not an app i really use to be fair unless im on a tablet.
Playstore, Ive adjusted to appgallery and the petal search app which compliments it really well, yes you can use apkpure & aptoid etc however im just sticking to that.
I mean the misconception that android is google is crazy, I stepped away from the chains of IOS sometime ago for the reason I wanted freedom of apks, RIP showbox.
However if you've found alternatives to other google apps it could be handy, this is from what i use but for the time being ive not needed the use of any other apps as im still on lockdown in Wales.
let me know
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, and for banking apps you can simply add the website to homescreen, also google maps is a PWA and runs great as a desktop shortcut! I did a lot of this with windows phone and had no issues whatsoever, google is not the be all and end all of mobile phones!
xchatter said:
Unfortunately lots of apps require google services. Some banking apps, some browser apps, etc. The problem is not limited to just chrome, maps, drive, youtube, etc. It is far broader and the user wouldn't know if he might have a problem unless he tried all apps that he needs without google services in order to find out which ones don't work.
From my point of view Microsoft has lots of google apps alternatives - onedrive, onenote, etc. Also YouTube which is critical for a lot of users can be used normally by installing YouTube Vanced.
I hope that some good and easy methods of installing google services show up or the Huawei ban is lifted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Onedrive is good or Yandex.disk
ive got a p40 pro and I use petal search ive found the odd one that tells me I need GMS then I press ok and it carries on as normal, happens with my playsration messages app but once I hit the ok button im good
linux2525 said:
There already many of these threads. .. bit hard for people to use when everything is just buried in hundreds of posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would guess as its a bit of a hot topic considering the change from GMS to HMS? and with consumers like us trying to either learn or teach there will always be a tonne of posts?
Wakawaka89 said:
ive got a p40 pro and I use petal search ive found the odd one that tells me I need GMS then I press ok and it carries on as normal, happens with my playsration messages app but once I hit the ok button im good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah ive found the same on certain apps, I had it when I phone cloned the tube app across but yeah works a treat , I guess its a download / transfer it across and see kinda thing.
machina77 said:
You are right, and for banking apps you can simply add the website to homescreen, also google maps is a PWA and runs great as a desktop shortcut! I did a lot of this with windows phone and had no issues whatsoever, google is not the be all and end all of mobile phones!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, I've taken the mindset of 'there is always a way' and turns out 99% of the time there is!
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
I would guess as its a bit of a hot topic considering the change from GMS to HMS? and with consumers like us trying to either learn or teach there will always be a tonne of posts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some sort of structured spreadsheet.. Maybe Wikipedia lol
But yea.. Probably a bit hard to coordinate and Huawei should really develop
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
So having had the p40 pro and seen threads all over XDA about what are the alternatives i thought id share what i've found.
So for gmail, i've used the email app preinstalled (which does the same job)
google maps, I saw a post about here we go maps, so i've used that and it does exactly the same thing, i guess as the roads dont change and to be honest i found the speedometer element on it to be more accurate as I used my wifes s10 (as i got no other cellular GMS device) to compare GMS maps vs HMS maps and using the digital speedo in the car, so that was quite interesting.
google docs, I'm simply using what I've always used which is Microsoft office and for me I find it easier to use i guess its because its what I've always used.
Youtube, well for this i just added it as a short cut to my home screen, Even though its not an app i really use to be fair unless im on a tablet.
Playstore, Ive adjusted to appgallery and the petal search app which compliments it really well, yes you can use apkpure & aptoid etc however im just sticking to that.
I mean the misconception that android is google is crazy, I stepped away from the chains of IOS sometime ago for the reason I wanted freedom of apks, RIP showbox.
However if you've found alternatives to other google apps it could be handy, this is from what i use but for the time being ive not needed the use of any other apps as im still on lockdown in Wales.
let me know
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've found to youtube. And I have my account connected there. So everything is synched. My p40 pro is without GMS. I only have youtube. And the best part is that it is premium and for free .
It is called vanced youtube....
I've come across it I believe on some XDA forum....
You lucky guys. I must go with gms on My p40 pro for now. Only because of one App, and thats My banking App from N26. In webpage i can't make money Transfers. The App is needed to Do this. I wrote to the N26 Support if they had Plans to offer the App in the App gallery, but they had Till now no Plans to Do that.
If anyone had a solution for this, i'm open for all.
Aurora store - an open source Google Play app that doesn't need GMS.
Microsoft Office - its far more usable than Google Docs
One Drive - works well especially if you have an office 365 subscription and it'll backup photos
There are a bunch of youtube apps on XDA that adblock and run in the background too....