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Android Software Thread - Tasty Desserts, Tastier Apps

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It gets even better as you get more accustomed to the level of accuracy needed for certain words, start adding your common non-dictionary words, and learn to immediately tap the replace options if the first choice isn't right.

The developers say that as you begin to really get used to it, your typing speed becomes truly insane- because for common words, you aren't actually spelling anything anymore, you're just drawing a shape from muscle memory.

I have actually been following the project for years. I know the price might seem steep but I really encourage buying this if you feel like you'll get some use out of it, if only to encourage the kind of innovation that went into it (as well as the inevitable support and improvements).
 
I've been excited about Shapewriter for a while, I'm excited that it's available...I didn't know that. I'm gonna try it out, I'd love to switch over to it.

I checked it in the settings but it's not working(nothing's different), I guess it's not compatible with the Hero?
 
As far as I know, it was released months before the Droid came out, so I don't know why it wouldn't work on the Hero...
 
It works, I thought I simply had to enable it in the settings. But once you do that you have to hold a text field and then pick it from a menu asking what keyboard you'd want to use.

It's fun. I feel like it's much more work than simply typing, but I like it. Probably won't be making it the default.
 
I have been really looking into sweeter home... man. I think one day, when some major features are added and bugs fixed, it will have to replace dxTop for me. Right now it is missing some key options and, though not that buggy anymore, still a little less stable that the competition.

But DAMN. The other home replacements will really just skin your desktop and let you customize a theme... Sweeter lets you make your own entire fucking UI. When it really catches on and a lot of people are making unique themes, it will be the best option by far, in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeZHEEcsXH4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZwQez-dUdY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eksavUdmpg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiD39R7h6GI&feature=player_embedded
 
http://larvalabs.com/product_pages/intelligent_home_screen.html
huge_phone.jpg

I have this bad boy installed on my cliq. I think i'm leaving it on even though its beta.
 
Might have been asked. I haven't been keeping up. If so, sorry. I'm just really eager to make the jump. Those who are up to date with the Hardware thread are aware, I'm sure.

What's instant messaging like on Android? I'm currently using BeeJive on my iPhone. Is there a program that constantly runs in the background with your IM programs (specifically AIM and gchat)? Kind of like how a Sidekick does it.

On another note, is there anything like MOTOBLUR?
 
Bboy AJ said:
Might have been asked. I haven't been keeping up. If so, sorry. I'm just really eager to make the jump. Those who are up to date with the Hardware thread are aware, I'm sure.

What's instant messaging like on Android? I'm currently using BeeJive on my iPhone. Is there a program that constantly runs in the background with your IM programs (specifically AIM and gchat)? Kind of like how a Sidekick does it.

On another note, is there anything like MOTOBLUR?
Click to expand...
Meebo is a free, great IM client, runs in the background because Android can handle multiple processes at the same time :)

Not sure what MOTOBLUR is...
 
is there somewhere i can browse the Android market without owning an Android phone? I once used cyrket.com but it seems to be down.
 
Bboy AJ said:
On another note, is there anything like MOTOBLUR?
Click to expand...

When you say "is there anything like MOTOBLUR?" I don't really know how to answer!

There's... MOTOBLUR. :P: It's an Android customization on the Cliq and potentially other phones. Did you mean on a certain phone?

I use http://www.androlib.com/ to browse the market. Cyrket is long gone :(

EDIT: BTW "categories" with dxTop rocks.
 
So I got open home (mostly for the extra home screens) but I hate the little phone and search buttons on the side of the home screen. Any way to get rid of them? Any other good replacement for open home that might not have it?
 
Hmmm might try GDE or PandaHome. Or dxTop if you're willing to go a little more radical, but it only has 1 extra screen.
 
poweld said:
Meebo is a free, great IM client, runs in the background because Android can handle multiple processes at the same time :)

Not sure what MOTOBLUR is...
Click to expand...
Hawkian said:
When you say "is there anything like MOTOBLUR?" I don't really know how to answer!

There's... MOTOBLUR. :P: It's an Android customization on the Cliq and potentially other phones. Did you mean on a certain phone?
Click to expand...
First, thanks for the replies.

I meant MOTOBLUR as in something that will group all my contacts' social feeds in one spot. Kind of like the Rachael UI for the Sony X10. Is there a way to make it so that my address book will have all their Facebook updates, Twitter feeds, emails, SMS, etc. in one spot? Maybe more like Rachael than MOTOBLUR.

I'm going to be so happy to have an IM client always running. I really miss that. I have BeeJive running with Backgrounder with my iPhone but it's a band-aid over an artery wound :lol

I kind of want to pick up a cheap Android phone to use until the X10 or Passion come out. Just need a GSM one I can unlock on T-Mobile.
 
I went ahead and bought a G1 off of craigslist for $100 this morning. I couldn't wait. I'm going to mess around with it until the X10 comes out and sell it for what I paid, I'm sure.

Quick question, when an update gets rolled out, how is the upgrade process? Is it a simple flash and restore all data?

I'll be perusing this thread. If there is any other advice, it would be much appreciated! Thanks!

edit: This phone sucks. The hardware is absolute shit. I hope learning the Android experience makes it worthwhile.
 
My friend just told me about a program that will use the camera to figure out which constellation I'm looking at in the sky.

Anybody know which one he's talking about? Sounds like a wonderful toy for when I find myself back out in CT where the skies are crystal clear :)
 
Google Sky Map.

It is. The future.

edit: btw not just constellations. planets, other heavenly bodies, and even the zenith and nadir of the universal sphere (as we can futilely hope to comprehend it).
 
Hawkian said:
Google Sky Map.

It is. The future.

edit: btw not just constellations. planets, other heavenly bodies, and even the zenith and nadir of the universal sphere (as we can futilely hope to comprehend it).
Click to expand...

Excuse if I am sounding retarded but...

This app confuses me...Am I supposed to aim my camera into the sky while I use it or just hold it at normal usage (Camera down)?
 
womp said:
Excuse if I am sounding retarded but...

This app confuses me...Am I supposed to aim my camera into the sky while I use it or just hold it at normal usage (Camera down)?
Click to expand...

GPS maybe? I'll download later and confirm.
 
womp said:
Excuse if I am sounding retarded but...

This app confuses me...Am I supposed to aim my camera into the sky while I use it or just hold it at normal usage (Camera down)?
Click to expand...
Normally the mode is set to track where you're pointing it. So, you point it at the heavens, and it will show you a map of the sky you're pointing at.

However, you can tap the screen and the button that appears in the top-right toggles manual mode, allowing you to spin the sky around as you please.

Truly wonderful app, thanks Hawk for directing me :D
 
Did you guys know you can take screenshots of the phone using the SDK?

Also wow @ secondapps.com/neogaf -- what genius is responsible for creating that? Its awesome!
 
tokkun said:
G1 hardware does suck. The big advantage of the G1 is that it has the best modding scene.
Click to expand...
Yup. I'm having a good time rooting and flashing the phone. On stock firmware, I couldn't use the phone at all without a SIM. Flashing it fixed that which is great because I'm not using this as a phone. It wanted me to upgrade to 3G (I'm currently on an EDGE plan for T-Mobile [own a 3GS, no point]).

Locale is a pretty cool app. It's nice to have Latitude constantly running (though I do have longitude on the iPhone for that). I love this OS.

Is there anything that will pull Facebook profile pictures and place them as my Google contact pictures automatically? I know FeX on the iPhone does this.
 
Bboy AJ said:
Yup. I'm having a good time rooting and flashing the phone. On stock firmware, I couldn't use the phone at all without a SIM. Flashing it fixed that which is great because I'm not using this as a phone. It wanted me to upgrade to 3G (I'm currently on an EDGE plan for T-Mobile [own a 3GS, no point]).

Locale is a pretty cool app. It's nice to have Latitude constantly running (though I do have longitude on the iPhone for that). I love this OS.

Is there anything that will pull Facebook profile pictures and place them as my Google contact pictures automatically? I know FeX on the iPhone does this.
Click to expand...

on HTC hero (which is a lot like a g1 without the keyboard really) you can do this natively. Can you not do it on the G1?

If you goto People (the google contacts / phonebook thing) > Updates and Events you can set it up to sync with Facebook and Flickr... I'm not sure if you need to get the Facebook app from the market first or if there are other prerequisites. Anyway, once its set up it automatically updates peoples' contacts with profile pics.
 
radioheadrule83 said:
on HTC hero (which is a lot like a g1 without the keyboard really) you can do this natively. Can you not do it on the G1?

If you goto People (the google contacts / phonebook thing) > Updates and Events you can set it up to sync with Facebook and Flickr... I'm not sure if you need to get the Facebook app from the market first or if there are other prerequisites. Anyway, once its set up it automatically updates peoples' contacts with profile pics.
Click to expand...
If there is, I don't see it. Maybe it's a part of Sense UI and I don't have it. Or maybe someone with a G1 will enlighten me. However, I noticed that my contacts do have pictures. I think FeX uploaded them to my Google contacts and they transferred over. Cool.

Your screen is way too busy, loud, and bright for me :lol
 
Bboy AJ said:
Is there anything that will pull Facebook profile pictures and place them as my Google contact pictures automatically? I know FeX on the iPhone does this.
Click to expand...

It's built into the HTC contacts app. You may be able to install it separately, otherwise you can flash one of the many Sense-based ROMs.
 
Bboy AJ said:
If there is, I don't see it. Maybe it's a part of Sense UI and I don't have it. Or maybe someone with a G1 will enlighten me. However, I noticed that my contacts do have pictures. I think FeX uploaded them to my Google contacts and they transferred over. Cool.

Your screen is way too busy, loud, and bright for me :lol
Click to expand...

7 homescreens is overkill really on the hero... I tend to only use these two

homescreen4s.png
homescreen5s.png


The reason my far left screen is so cluttered is because its rarely used. Tasks/Music, turning off features or killing tasks to save the battery. I could do with making it nicer though, true :p
 
radioheadrule83 said:
7 homescreens is overkill really on the hero... I tend to only use these two

homescreen4s.png
homescreen5s.png


The reason my far left screen is so cluttered is because its rarely used. Tasks/Music, turning off features or killing tasks to save the battery. I could do with making it nicer though, true :p
Click to expand...

1. How did you take screenshots?
2. 7 Screens is really more than enough, I use 3 mainly, then 2 are here and there and the outside 2 are barely used. That's mainly because I hate the big widgets, like the weather and calender widgets that take up the whole screen, I like to use the smaller ones and put more things. If I only used big widgets than I'd probably visit all the screens often, hell Weather, Calender, Photo Album and Music player alone would take up 4 pages. But the small music player only takes half a screen, so then I put other stuff under it like the small calender, two apps and the small clock for another region.
 
Well I'm on Windows 7 - so these instructions should be taken as for Windows:

SCREENSHOTS USING THE SDK STARTER PACK ONLY

SETUP:

1) Get the SDK Starter Pack and extract it somewhere where you intend to keep it.
- http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

2) Run the SDK Setup file - this will launch the Android SDK and AVD manager.

2a) If you get this error:

Code: 
"Failed to fetch URL https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/repository/repository.xml, reason: HTTPS SSL error. You might want to force download through HTTP in the settings."

Go to "Settings" on the left (under Available Packages) and tick "force https sources to be fetched using http" and click Apply.

3) At this point you'll be given a list of available SDK downloads. I downloaded them all because I intend to try and make something - however you really only need the Tools (which are part of the starter pack) and the USB driver. So leave those to download.


GET YOUR PHONE READY

Goto Settings > Applications > Development > and tick USB debugging mode.


INSTALL THE USB DRIVER

The driver we're talking about here is different to your phones' basic driver. In the folder where you extracted the SDK you should now have a USB driver folder... if you go into Device Manager you should see "ADB" with a question mark next to it. Right click and choose to update/install a driver - navigate to the USB driver folder. "ADB" should now become "Android Composite ADB Interface"

That's it, thats the one off part done.


TO TAKE SCREENSHOTS

From the folder where you placed the SDK, go into the Tools folder and run "DDMS". Your device should appear in the list. Click it, then on the menu bar, select Device > Screen Capture. Its self-explanatory from there.


TO TAKE SCREENSHOTS USING ECLIPSE

Follow the above instructions as far as (and including) installing the USB driver.

If you haven't done it yet install either the Java or RCP version of Eclipse: http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

CONFIGURE ECLIPSE FOR ANDROID DEVELOPMENT:

http://developer.android.com/sdk/eclipse-adt.html said:
1. Start Eclipse, then select Help > Install New Softare.
2. In the Available Software dialog, click Add....
3. In the Add Site dialog that appears, enter a name for the remote site (for example, "Android Plugin") in the "Name" field.
4. In the "Location" field, enter this URL:
https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse/

Note: If you have trouble aqcuiring the plugin, you can try using "http" in the URL, instead of "https" (https is preferred for security reasons).

Click OK.

5. Back in the Available Software view, you should now see "Developer Tools" added to the list. Select the checkbox next to Developer Tools, which will automatically select the nested tools Android DDMS and Android Development Tools. Click Next.
6. In the resulting Install Details dialog, the Android DDMS and Android Development Tools features are listed. Click Next to read and accept the license agreement and install any dependencies, then click Finish.
7. Restart Eclipse.
Click to expand...

With Eclipse open, goto Window > Preferences. Select Android from the list on the left. Direct Eclipse to the directory where you have stored the SDK. Click Apply and OK.

Goto Window > Open Perspective > "Other..." and select DDMS from the list. This places a DDMS view into your Eclipse working environment. So now you can take screenshots while you work on applications in an emulated phone, OR when you've got your actual phone plugged in.
 
Bit-Bit said:
Just downloaded shaperwriter. My new favorite way to type.
Click to expand...
Downloaded this but was skeptical at first but it really is a great way to type. It will probably be the first app I buy on my htc hero after the trial ends.
 
tokkun said:
It's built into the HTC contacts app. You may be able to install it separately, otherwise you can flash one of the many Sense-based ROMs.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I flashed eugene's Android 2.1 Hero UI onto my G1. For those who are interested:

What to download: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=592568
Walkthrough: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=534461
If you haven't rooted before or anything, this is a fantastic step one: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php/Full_Update_Guide_-_G1/Dream_Firmware_to_CyanogenMod

Caveat: If I were using the G1 as a phone, which I'm not, I would hesitate to use this ROM. It can be a little laggy and the camera isn't currently working. That said, it's still pretty cool and totally usable.
 
radioheadrule83 said:
screencaps
Click to expand...

I want the black notification bar.... NOW.

agm2502 said:
Downloaded this but was skeptical at first but it really is a great way to type. It will probably be the first app I buy on my htc hero after the trial ends.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I can never go back. Waiting out my trial days in the hope of a sale, but I'll shell out the ten bucks within hesitation if I gotta.
 
Man, I'm really pissed about the Android IM situation. I've tried a lot of IM clients, but all of them have problems that make them useless to me. Worst of them all is Meebo IM. It constantly loses connection to the servers and neither tells me about nor does it try to reconnect by itself.

EBuddy works great for ICQ, but not for MSN. I can't see some contacts that are online and none of them can see me online.

I'm currently testing Mundu IM. It usually costs $11, but it's only $3 at the moment and there's the 24 hour testing period too. It looks like there are MSN problems again, though. One of my contacts isn't shown online, even though they are and they're all shown with their email address instead of their user name.

Does anybody know of any good clients for ICQ and MSN?
 
Meebo was losing connections for me about 3 days after I got my Droid, but for two weeks or so it has been totally solid and even auto-reconnecting when it disconnected. I'm not sure if they are having compatibility issues or what.
 
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