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Android Software Thread - Tasty Desserts, Tastier Apps

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JCX said:
How do I stop most apps from running? I have advanced task killer, but the weird part is that apps I have not opened run without me opening them.
Click to expand...

Are you on 2.2? If so, you're seeing how the OS manages memory, and this is nothing bad. In fact, on 2.2 you should get rid of any task killers, and instead opt for something like Watchdog to spot runaway apps.
 
Having a real problem here, guys:

So I factory reset my phone a fe weeks ago, and it's been working marvelously ever since (Moto Droid), but I'm still having a problem with apps on my SD card. My phone acts like they don't exist. The card is working and mounted (all my pictures are viewable in the Gallery) but any app I moved to the SD card is basically non-existent according to my Droid. When I plug it into my computer, though, all the app folders are still there.

What should I do? I don't want to just delete things I shouldn't be off my SD card in case it ruins something. Any suggestions?
 
Pyrokai said:
Having a real problem here, guys:

So I factory reset my phone a fe weeks ago, and it's been working marvelously ever since (Moto Droid), but I'm still having a problem with apps on my SD card. My phone acts like they don't exist. The card is working and mounted (all my pictures are viewable in the Gallery) but any app I moved to the SD card is basically non-existent according to my Droid. When I plug it into my computer, though, all the app folders are still there.

What should I do? I don't want to just delete things I shouldn't be off my SD card in case it ruins something. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

are you using a different launcher then standard?
 
No, I've never downloaded anything that does that (I actually haven't downloaded anything at all since I factory reset the phone, and the SD card apps worked then).

Do you think I should just delete the app folders from my SD card and just redownload all of them?
 
Blu_LED said:
Just bought Watchdog. Hopefully this works better then Advanced Task Killer.
Click to expand...
Well, it works as advertised: tells you when an app crosses a certain CPU usage. Not much more than that.
 
I just deleted everything I thought I could from my SD card. Man, when it comes to Android, there's nothing worse than managing files like that. I don't understand a damn thing, and I'm not tech stupid. What the hell IS all that stuff on my SD card, anyway?
 
Pyrokai said:
I just deleted everything I thought I could from my SD card. Man, when it comes to Android, there's nothing worse than managing files like that. I don't understand a damn thing, and I'm not tech stupid. What the hell IS all that stuff on my SD card, anyway?
Click to expand...
When you do a reset you lose everything. Even though your files stay on your SD card there is always a small portion on your internal memory that points to the files on the SD card... so even though the files may be there you need to reinstall everything
 
I think by "they" he meant the general thinking out there is that you NEED ATK. Not that the article was saying to use ATK, because obviously it isn't.
 
Futureman said:
I think by "they" he meant the general thinking out there is that you NEED ATK. Not that the article was saying to use ATK, because obviously it isn't.
Click to expand...

This. sorry for vagueness.
 
Ah, yes, all clear now. yeah I was told that by everyone too and noticed a difference when I finally got rid of the task killer.

Side note: I ran the two utilities mentioned in the article, and things seem to be a bit faster, but the test is far from scientific. Couldn't hurt in the long run, I guess.
 
Just received an OTA update for my Nexus One. Installing now, no idea what it's for but it says it's one of two.

Edit: WTF 2.2.1 FRG83? Thought I'd installed this already :S
 
J Tourettes said:
Just received an OTA update for my Nexus One. Installing now, no idea what it's for but it says it's one of two.

Edit: WTF 2.2.1 FRG83? Thought I'd installed this already :S
Click to expand...

Yeah I just got that too.

It's installed but nothing else has happened yet.

Hopefully 2.3 is on the way.
 
J Tourettes said:
Just received an OTA update for my Nexus One. Installing now, no idea what it's for but it says it's one of two.

Edit: WTF 2.2.1 FRG83? Thought I'd installed this already :S
Click to expand...
You should get another ota for frg83D.
 
thespot84 said:
Ah, yes, all clear now. yeah I was told that by everyone too and noticed a difference when I finally got rid of the task killer.

Side note: I ran the two utilities mentioned in the article, and things seem to be a bit faster, but the test is far from scientific. Couldn't hurt in the long run, I guess.
Click to expand...

Just to be totally clear, if you are on something earlier than 2.2, ATK is still recommended?

My GF has an LG Ally which I believe is 2.1, so it'd still be recommended for her to use ATK?
 
Futureman said:
Just to be totally clear, if you are on something earlier than 2.2, ATK is still recommended?

My GF has an LG Ally which I believe is 2.1, so it'd still be recommended for her to use ATK?
Click to expand...

I think the memory management changed with 2.0, so anything 2.0 or later shouldn't need atk. Worth a google though.
 
Quick question on my pc I use an app called Flux that regulates the tone of the screen. I was wondering if there was a similar app for android, I find that the screen is a little too cool for my personal tastes.
 
Does anyone here have a Droid Incredible and can give some good insight into giving that battery more life?

I am going to download Watchdog but perhaps there are other things I can do to help?
 
Cubes Pro is released! The free version has been patched, and you will see a button to upgrade within; or just search for "Cubes Pro" on the market.

Things you get with pro for $.99:

-3 new levels
-Removed ads
-New ship with engine animations
-Open Feint integration, with leaderboards for most levels (supported levels are marked with an OF logo in the course screen)
-Adjusted the lateral speed for faster dodging of cubes at high speeds
-Optimized code to smooth out gameplay

Things you get with the patched Cubes Free:

-1 new level
-Adjusted the lateral speed for faster dodging of cubes at high speeds
-Optimized code to smooth out gameplay

Thanks to all Gaffers who have beta tested Cubes for us, and we hope that you enjoy Pro!
 
Futureman said:
Just to be totally clear, if you are on something earlier than 2.2, ATK is still recommended?

My GF has an LG Ally which I believe is 2.1, so it'd still be recommended for her to use ATK?
Click to expand...
I still use ATK on my Captivate which is 2.1. Maybe its phone but at times my battery runs quickly or the phone is really chuggish. ATK and problem solved. :/
 
Menelaus said:
Cubes Pro is released! The free version has been patched, and you will see a button to upgrade within; or just search for "Cubes Pro" on the market.

Things you get with pro for $.99:

-3 new levels
-Removed ads
-New ship with engine animations
-Open Feint integration, with leaderboards for most levels (supported levels are marked with an OF logo in the course screen)
-Adjusted the lateral speed for faster dodging of cubes at high speeds
-Optimized code to smooth out gameplay

Things you get with the patched Cubes Free:

-1 new level
-Adjusted the lateral speed for faster dodging of cubes at high speeds
-Optimized code to smooth out gameplay

Thanks to all Gaffers who have beta tested Cubes for us, and we hope that you enjoy Pro!
Click to expand...

awesome, will buy!
 
Incitemaybe said:
Does anyone here have a Droid Incredible and can give some good insight into giving that battery more life?

I am going to download Watchdog but perhaps there are other things I can do to help?
Click to expand...
-Turn off 3g when youre not using it (download switch pro so its easier to do)
-Use wifi when possible (I dont do this but I heard it helps)
-Turn off the haptic feedback for your keyboard
-Turn off autobrightness
-Turn off background data

Im not sure this will work for everyone but these are some things I do and they dont really interfere with my daily phone doins in the least bit. But then again I dont run a lot of widgets on my home screen.
 
.GqueB. said:
-Turn off 3g when youre not using it (download switch pro so its easier to do)
-Use wifi when possible (I dont do this but I heard it helps)
-Turn off the haptic feedback for your keyboard
-Turn off autobrightness
-Turn off background data

Im not sure this will work for everyone but these are some things I do and they dont really interfere with my daily phone doins in the least bit. But then again I dont run a lot of widgets on my home screen.
Click to expand...

so how do you get email with background data off? You check it manually?
 
thespot84 said:
so how do you get email with background data off? You check it manually?
Click to expand...
It still updates with background data off. I just turn 3g on every once in a while. I dont use the gmail app though just the stock mail app if thats what youre referring to.
 
Menelaus said:
Cubes Pro is released! The free version has been patched, and you will see a button to upgrade within; or just search for "Cubes Pro" on the market.

Things you get with pro for $.99:

-3 new levels
-Removed ads
-New ship with engine animations
-Open Feint integration, with leaderboards for most levels (supported levels are marked with an OF logo in the course screen)
-Adjusted the lateral speed for faster dodging of cubes at high speeds
-Optimized code to smooth out gameplay

Things you get with the patched Cubes Free:

-1 new level
-Adjusted the lateral speed for faster dodging of cubes at high speeds
-Optimized code to smooth out gameplay

Thanks to all Gaffers who have beta tested Cubes for us, and we hope that you enjoy Pro!
Click to expand...
Bought! :D Installing as I type.
 
A thought, if i leave sync on (Mainly for mail), but juice defender is turning off my data connection while the phone is locked, does that mean sync won't do anything? Or will it still be running trying to update?
 
Underclocking will save you an unbelievable amount of battery while idle.
Also if you can find an undervolted kernel for your phone it can help.
 
Wow, thanks for the heads up on the SetCPU thing. Installed it and I'll see how my phone fares the day.

Funny thing though, I thought only running about 2 days on average with my X10 mini was bad, but when I searched for reviews and tips on SetCPU on YouTube, people were like: omg, I can last a whole day now with some percentage left! :lol

Are Android phones' battery life really that bad? At least now I understand why reviews of X10 mini were actually praising the battery life, even though I thought it was mediocre.
 
Soneet said:
Are smartphones' battery life really that bad?
Click to expand...

Fixed and yeah, you will be really lucky to get a couple days of battery from phones that basically stay connected 24/7 with mid to high-end hardware with the battery consumption it implies. With some models, you will struggle to make it through a single day.
 
I was surprised by the poor battery life as well when I purchased my first smartphone but it quickly became a habit of plugging it in every night.

Now, if a smart phone can last 2...even 3 days that would be considered amazing. How quick our perception changes...
 
To me smart phones used a lot should last 3 days. If it does then you either have an after market battery or aren't using it alot.
 
beje said:
Fixed and yeah, you will be really lucky to get a couple days of battery from phones that basically stay connected 24/7 with mid to high-end hardware with the battery consumption it implies. With some models, you will struggle to make it through a single day.
Click to expand...

yeah, its not an android thing, its a smartphone thing... if you are expecting something to last more then a day then you aren't using it or you need to adjust your expectations :)
 
gcubed said:
yeah, its not an android thing, its a smartphone thing... if you are expecting something to last more then a day then you aren't using it or you need to adjust your expectations :)
Click to expand...
The thing is, it wasn't that long ago that phones running Symbian and WM6.x were considered smartphones (the rest being normal phones) and those phones lasted several days with moderate use. Now current phones have trouble staying on for 2 days on stand-by. Phones are getting too smart :P
 
I hope phone manufacturers focus more on energy efficiency and battery life rather than incrased features. My evo is good enough, it would just be nice to be able to get a day of use out of it.
 
Soneet said:
The thing is, it wasn't that long ago that phones running Symbian and WM6.x were considered smartphones (the rest being normal phones) and those phones lasted several days with moderate use. Now current phones have trouble staying on for 2 days on stand-by. Phones are getting too smart :P
Click to expand...

i had an old WM phone but never used symbian. From what i can remember i wouldn't really classify some of those phones as "smart" phones the way things are running now. Lots of data syncing, apps in the background, streaming quite a bit of data, running games, etc. I have no issue with charging my phone every night, the charger sits next to my bed and i just plug it in before bed. If it didnt make it through day i'd get pissed.
 
Got my Android today, super amazed with how awesome it is. Looking forward to scouring this thread for the best apps. Already got a modest amount myself- trying to keep it to just stuff I want/need.

YouTube in my pocket, is huge for me.
 
I'm going to stop using opera browser for now. I like the gifs.but the fact it has troubles linking to things out of the browser like market and the google search feels ugly compared to the one three default browser here uses. When I google something and click on a result, google follows into the link (like www.google.com/yadayafayada....http://www.wiki.com) and messes up the page.
Sometimes it will close out when I leave the browser and force me back to the start page, annoying after using a youtube link.
Will wait to see if updates get better.
 
Not sure if mentioned yet, but i was personally interested in when Chase was going to release an official app for Android, and it's now available

http://www.appbrain.com/app/chase-mobile/com.chase.sig.android

I've read complaints about people's checks not being captured clearly enough by their phone's camera...I tried today with my HTC Hero, first attempt said it was too blurry, so i moved to a closer light source, and second attempt had no problems
 
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