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Hello, all!
I was given a Gear S2 for Christmas today! Very polished, and nice UI. Also the battery life has been quite acceptable, with constant use and tinkering all day.
It was actually a completely unexpected gift... I'd been thinking of getting a smartwatch of some kind, and was looking to probably get one next year. As such, I hadn't researched them any.
My ideas of what I could do with a smartwatch, was basically using it as, of course, a watch, in addition to the functions of Google Now (reminders, music control, navigation, etc., as an extension of my phone).
Unfortunately, this nice little piece of technology seems to be 100% devoid of anything Google-related (and that is the eco-system I like, am familiar with, and have been using).
Is there any workaround to get Google Now working on it? I've got the "Wearable Widgets" app, and that allows me to call on Google Now when the phone's screen is on, or if it's plugged in. Also, I've been unable to find out an easy way to use navigation on the watch.
Any ideas if these things are possible? If I can get it working the way I imagine, that would be ideal over trying to get an exchange.
Not to familiar with the whole tizen eco system, but reading your post is making me think that you should go for another watch.
You said, that your '"home" are google services. There may be workarounds possible, but you will always have to deal with these.
I would really consider to exchange it if possible
S-voice is a weak point of the Gear S2, and there's no way I know of to replace it with google now voice recognition. There are nav apps, both the Samsung-supported Here we go and some 3rd party ones that optionally use google maps data like Gear Navigator. If you make sure to check Google and Google plus apps in the list of notifications, you can get cards and related info from google sent to your watch. And the music controls on the watch allow you to control most music apps on the phone (google music, spotify, podcast apps, etc.); you have to set the app on the watch to play music on the phone, instead of tracks stored on the watch. So there's a lot you can do, but it's true that if you want seamless integration with the google universe, android wear will deliver much more.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-gear-s2/599771-list-apps-work-gear-s2-please-add-here.html
ElectroPulse said:
Hello, all!
I was given a Gear S2 for Christmas today! Very polished, and nice UI. Also the battery life has been quite acceptable, with constant use and tinkering all day.
It was actually a completely unexpected gift... I'd been thinking of getting a smartwatch of some kind, and was looking to probably get one next year. As such, I hadn't researched them any.
My ideas of what I could do with a smartwatch, was basically using it as, of course, a watch, in addition to the functions of Google Now (reminders, music control, navigation, etc., as an extension of my phone).
Unfortunately, this nice little piece of technology seems to be 100% devoid of anything Google-related (and that is the eco-system I like, am familiar with, and have been using).
Is there any workaround to get Google Now working on it? I've got the "Wearable Widgets" app, and that allows me to call on Google Now when the phone's screen is on, or if it's plugged in. Also, I've been unable to find out an easy way to use navigation on the watch.
Any ideas if these things are possible? If I can get it working the way I imagine, that would be ideal over trying to get an exchange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What phone are you pairing it with.
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....
Hey everyone, I hope everyone reading this thread is safe & well.
So this week I thought I'd ask everyone how they are getting on with HMS over GMS with some additional details -
For myself I was moulded by Google Mobile Services it is every well made, streamlined and efficient for day to day use and tweaking myself to use Huawei Mobile Services has been the better end of okay but still some major tweaks needed such as -
Apps / Services need to be located in one pre loaded folder
Services need to be shouted about more
Mapping services aligned to apps - such as Uber It would be nice to see driver's ETA
In app purchasing
For me these are key devolvement's and hope Huawei is working on these for update in 2020, What are you missing from GMS to HMS and how has the transition been for you?
Look forward to your answers
one thing im missing, Barclays banking and that's it! I can cast to a smart TV, I can do youtube/spotify etc just need to be able to control the wife spending the joint account savings! #fact
Barclays Banking - I'm happy enough to use it via the browser for the time being, as it's an app I only use a few times a month but would be nice to see added!
YouTube via Browser just isn't a full time solution for me - discovering Vanced has been a saviour (it's now on my P30 Pro too)
Google Drive and Photos was one that I didn't think I used at all, but is one of those things upon using a HMS device you realise you do! (Drive for WhatsApp backup and Photos was a nice background back up I never thought about) - I have since swapped over to Huawei's cloud making use of the 50GB free for 1 year offer and I've been pleasantly surprised at how well made and easy it is to use - not something that can always be said about their in-house solutions if we're being honest.
Google Maps was never used as navigation for me but more for visualising routes via a browser search - which it still works via - Have always used Waze or in car Sat Nav.
Never been interested in NFC payments and assistants, but will be interest to give them a go once Celia? and Huawei Pay improve/go live!
Tech_Droid1 said:
Hey everyone, I hope everyone reading this thread is safe & well.
So this week I thought I'd ask everyone how they are getting on with HMS over GMS with some additional details -
For myself I was moulded by Google Mobile Services it is every well made, streamlined and efficient for day to day use and tweaking myself to use Huawei Mobile Services has been the better end of okay but still some major tweaks needed such as -
Apps / Services need to be located in one pre loaded folder
Services need to be shouted about more
Mapping services aligned to apps - such as Uber It would be nice to see driver's ETA
In app purchasing
For me these are key devolvement's and hope Huawei is working on these for update in 2020, What are you missing from GMS to HMS and how has the transition been for you?
Look forward to your answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting read, my take on it is that services are already pre loaded in to a folder like music, video, themes, health which is cool. apps as we now know can be sourced via petal search but it would be good if that was preinstalled, which i believe is starting to happen. Uber is one to be looked at. but you do now have bolt which does them same thing and can be found in App store. Services have a fairly big exposure already. Its on FB, Insta, Tiktok, TV adds. what else do you feel they could be doing?
Hope you are having a good day.
For me the biggest thing I am missing is the starbucks app. I am guessing that it works via GMS mapping. But just after it for my reward cards.
dw9075n said:
For me the biggest thing I am missing is the starbucks app. I am guessing that it works via GMS mapping. But just after it for my reward cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you not add in to your 'wallet' on the phone
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
one thing im missing, Barclays banking and that's it! I can cast to a smart TV, I can do youtube/spotify etc just need to be able to control the wife spending the joint account savings! #fact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha, love your comment. I now a few people who are just using the online banking until its working.
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
one thing im missing, Barclays banking and that's it! I can cast to a smart TV, I can do youtube/spotify etc just need to be able to control the wife spending the joint account savings! #fact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me about it Barclays needs to join the party soon for the exact same reason
how are you chrome casting? When I hit the screen share button on YTVR nothing seems to happen?
ChrisHtube said:
Interesting read, my take on it is that services are already pre loaded in to a folder like music, video, themes, health which is cool. apps as we now know can be sourced via petal search but it would be good if that was preinstalled, which i believe is starting to happen. Uber is one to be looked at. but you do now have bolt which does them same thing and can be found in App store. Services have a fairly big exposure already. Its on FB, Insta, Tiktok, TV adds. what else do you feel they could be doing?
Hope you are having a good day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Petal Search Find Apps is great hands down, I have used Bolt and it is great to have this app on board so early as Bolt is going to be the next best thing for Uber like services also having the big branded apps on board is great.
I think (probably is happening in the background) HMS should be bringing in app purchases, mapping system in line app usage for apps like Pokémon Go / Uber etc
It would also be great to see App Gallery on app commercials like how it says available on Google Play Store, Apple Store etc this gets the brand out in to the public domain a lot more.
dw9075n said:
For me the biggest thing I am missing is the starbucks app. I am guessing that it works via GMS mapping. But just after it for my reward cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh well, Neros is better anyway I'm still old school with the stamp cards but makes me wonder if theirs will work or not too!
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
can you not add in to your 'wallet' on the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried the only issue is that i have not got a physical card. always been digital.
ChrisHtube said:
Interesting read, my take on it is that services are already pre loaded in to a folder like music, video, themes, health which is cool. apps as we now know can be sourced via petal search but it would be good if that was preinstalled, which i believe is starting to happen. Uber is one to be looked at. but you do now have bolt which does them same thing and can be found in App store. Services have a fairly big exposure already. Its on FB, Insta, Tiktok, TV adds. what else do you feel they could be doing?
Hope you are having a good day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose with uber can you still use the site for it? I don't have uber in south wales!
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
I suppose with uber can you still use the site for it? I don't have uber in south wales!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting for Deliveroo in this town :laugh:
I have GMS installed and suppressed all playstore notifications to avoid constant errors. II keep getting at random when I try to register the email and it checks Google " your device id is not registered" and some apps doesn't work as they can't find Google play services framework. But able to get netflix, YouTube vanced, Gmail (using huawei mail app) to work.
skyisblue79 said:
I have GMS installed and suppressed all playstore notifications to avoid constant errors. II keep getting at random when I try to register the email and it checks Google " your device id is not registered" and some apps doesn't work as they can't find Google play services framework. But able to get netflix, YouTube vanced, Gmail (using huawei mail app) to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very interesting SkyIsBlue, are you considered reverting and trying HMS core?>
Tech_Droid1 said:
Very interesting SkyIsBlue, are you considered reverting and trying HMS core?>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I will still keep GMS as play store is still working and I'm able to access my paid apps. Guess I will live with this error till some better fix comes up.
I have installed Keep on my watch it just says notes syncing. I have granted files permission. Anyone got Keep working? Phone is Note 20 ultra 5g android 10.
How did you install on watch? I tried multiple ways with no success. When I go out to play page I'm only able to install to phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep
Play store on watch
I have installed Google keep on watch and it has synced my notes, however it is missing a Search button/function which makes the app worthless for me...
stakoz said:
I have installed Google keep on watch and it has synced my notes, however it is missing a Search button/function which makes the app worthless for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you install it? Did you have to change any permissions or anything on the phone to get it to sync?
Hi, I don't remember any specific issues, just went to the Play store and tapped on the option available/install on other devices (GW4). If you have issues, you may try to look up the APK (from APKmirror or similar) and ADB side load it on the watch. As I have tried sideloading on the watch also the phone app (because of the missing search function on the watch app) and it opens but does not seem to be able to search either and frequently crashes maybe because of insufficient RAM. Finally I tried using a chrome browser app on my watch (sideloaded again from a watch APK) and by using the web interface of Google Keep and it works but is a mixed experience due to interface not being optimized for a watch/ circular screen etc
Anyone have any luck getting Google Keep to stop syncing? I've tried reinstalling on the watch and phone, clearing various caches, etc. No luck. I only have five notes, so it shouldn't be a heavy lift.
I´ve also installed keep on my GW4 from the play store on the watch. And it also keeps syncing. When I´m fast enough after app start and click on one of my 3 notes, it opens and I can edit successfully.
I had these issues in the past also on notes for smartphone but on some update they fixed it. I guess we have to wait for an app update from Google. In the meantime, we´ve to pull out our smartphone during shopping
Similar to the previous post, if I open Keep and quickly select "Show All", it'll of course post the "Syncing" banner.
But then, I leave the app (right swipe), open Keep again and quickly scroll down my Notes before the banner can display, I'll see my million+ notes.
Sometimes I have to re-enter the app again and scroll quickly to the bottom of the list again before the banner displays, but it'll work - at least for me.
Hope this helps!
And I hope Google fixes this! Don't they test their code??
Have the same issue. Literally nothing works on this POS.
MKchrias said:
I have installed Keep on my watch it just says notes syncing. I have granted files permission. Anyone got Keep working? Phone is Note 20 ultra 5g android 10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got an update to Keep on the phone today, and it appears to have fixed the syncing issue! You'll have to uninstall Keep from your watch, then re-install it, but so far so good!