So I am tired of my Imagio, just ordered the Thunderbolt. So I am switching from Windows to Android, have a few questions, please bear with me!
I have a ton (over 600) of songs in both mp3 and mp4 format, is the transfer easy?
Is the music player stock acceptable, and if not, what do you all recommend?
Do you recommend staying with Sense or look at an alternate UI?
Im sure I will have more once it comes, but this is a start.
Thanks guys.
the stock HTC music app is sweet, but poweramp is better, and it has an equalizer. as to whether or not you will like sense, it all depends, some people swear by it, some people can't wait to get it off their phone
You will not have any issues with transferring the MP3 files, and should also be OK with the MP4 files. I made the transition from WM to Android back in September, and it was quite seamless. The only hard part was getting my contacts transferred over, as they were synced in Outlook. I ended up transferring them to Google using a CSV file and they've been fine ever since.
NotATreoFan said:
You will not have any issues with transferring the MP3 files, and should also be OK with the MP4 files. I made the transition from WM to Android back in September, and it was quite seamless. The only hard part was getting my contacts transferred over, as they were synced in Outlook. I ended up transferring them to Google using a CSV file and they've been fine ever since.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use windows at home extensively, outlook for contacts, emails and schedule. Will that be an issue with switching over to Android? Any tricks that wont require alot of screwing around? The wife is the time master at my home, cant have outlook screwed up, or require alot of additional work when dealing with schedule changes.
JerryA said:
So I am tired of my Imagio, just ordered the Thunderbolt. So I am switching from Windows to Android, have a few questions, please bear with me!
I have a ton (over 600) of songs in both mp3 and mp4 format, is the transfer easy?
Is the music player stock acceptable, and if not, what do you all recommend?
Do you recommend staying with Sense or look at an alternate UI?
Im sure I will have more once it comes, but this is a start.
Thanks guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PowerAMP is the best player for Android. I also recommend Songbird (I dunno if it supports MP4 though). The UI is great on it. If you download the Songbird software for your PC it will automatically sync your library with your phone (just think iTunes).
The UI is totally up to you. I don't mind Sense. There's a lot of great launcher replacements out there though. I'd recommend starting with LauncherPro.
JerryA said:
I use windows at home extensively, outlook for contacts, emails and schedule. Will that be an issue with switching over to Android? Any tricks that wont require alot of screwing around? The wife is the time master at my home, cant have outlook screwed up, or require alot of additional work when dealing with schedule changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android does not natively sync with Outlook, but I'm almost certain there are apps on the Market that can add that functionality.
As for the UI, Sense looks beautiful. But some doubt its effectiveness and just how deep it integrates with the OS. I cannot speak for the Thunderbolt, but Sense makes the Incredible lag quite a bit until you spend some time tweaking it. Personally, I started out with LauncherPro, and then upgraded to LauncherPro Plus in order to support the dev since I liked it so much.
NotATreoFan said:
Android does not natively sync with Outlook, but I'm almost certain there are apps on the Market that can add that functionality.
As for the UI, Sense looks beautiful. But some doubt its effectiveness and just how deep it integrates with the OS. I cannot speak for the Thunderbolt, but Sense makes the Incredible lag quite a bit until you spend some time tweaking it. Personally, I started out with LauncherPro, and then upgraded to LauncherPro Plus in order to support the dev since I liked it so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kind of tweaks? Is that internal or through an app? I am not going to unlock this, want the ROM to stay stock (yea, crazy huh? You don't know my wife!)
Thanks guys! The HTC Sync works great! Thanks for all the help. I'm loving this phone! I feel like I went from a pinto to a f40!
Sent from my iPhone killer - HTC Thunderbolt!
Related
Yea, I could go through each and every post of every thread, bt instead of taking several days to do that, figure I will take the shortcut and get with you guys first.
I will be getting my Thunderbolt by Tuesday, and want to jump right into customizing (a little bit, no unlocking!), and downloading and installing the apps I need!
So my question to everyone, (coming from an Imagio), what apps do you recommend? What widgets? And what about different clocks and other things?
I notice there are some with text clocks and calendars, I would really like that. Is that something easy to install?
And what about modding so that I can throw alot of stuff on the SD card instead of stacking up my phones memory? Any suggestions there?
Same question regarding performance, there are several apps that run in the background, and I hear that they are not able to be shut off (except for what the XDA wiz kids have come up with) in order to save battery life. Is that correct? If so, can I shut them down or remove them?
What about skype, does it come with it installed or not?
Thats all I got for now, I am sure there will be more! So any advice and suggestions would be great.
You guys really helped make my Imagio last this long, looking forward to working with you guys on a brand new phone.
Brightness Level widget, LTE OnOff
Veridor said:
Brightness Level widget, LTE OnOff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with both of these as they will help you with your batt life a bit.
As for the text clock/calendar, that is also a must have for me (Minimalistic Text) all of these are easy to install just look for them in the market.
Beyond that, i don't do much more to my phone beside using Launcher Pro and the widgets that come with it.
Clock/Weather Widgets: Beautiful Widget or Fancy Widget
Calendar: Agenda Widget
Home screen replacement: ADW or LauncherPro (I prefer ADW)
SMS Replacement App: Handcent SMS
Clock replacement: Alarm Clock Plus*
Ringtone finder: Zedge
Wallpaper finder: Flikie
Email replacement app: K-9 Mail
Browser replacement: Miren Browser
File Browser Replacement: OI File Manager
Weather app: Weather Bug or The Weather Channel
Hope these help!
JerryA said:
And what about modding so that I can throw alot of stuff on the SD card instead of stacking up my phones memory? Any suggestions there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install everything in your internal memory. It's MUCH faster than the SD Card. For media (MP3s, videos, etc.) you don't have much of an option unless you unlock it - those go on your SD Card. And even if you unlocked it, I'd still recommend you put them there.
JerryA said:
Same question regarding performance, there are several apps that run in the background, and I hear that they are not able to be shut off (except for what the XDA wiz kids have come up with) in order to save battery life. Is that correct? If so, can I shut them down or remove them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uninstall as much of the pre-installed software as you can that you won't use. That said, you'll be stuck with most of the bloat. However, it's not really a problem - it's pretty smooth and performs pretty well, stock.
Lastly, BEWARE of anybody who tells you to install a tool like Advanced Task Killer. This tool will NOT speed up your phone - it will just slow you down a bit (probably not enough for you to notice) but it will drain your battery even faster than normal. The battery life on this phone is bad enough - you don't need to make it worse!
For best results and maximum customizations, I suggest you root your phone, if not to load a custom-super-themed-decked-out ROM then at least to load a standard debloat-deodex ROM.
nerozehl said:
For best results and maximum customizations, I suggest you root your phone, if not to load a custom-super-themed-decked-out ROM then at least to load a standard debloat-deodex ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must disagree, honestly. Stock Sense, while it is a bit bloated, it is by no means laggy. If somebody isn't comfortable with rooting, and doesn't have a pressing need to root, then I don't think they should root their phone. It adds risk, headaches, and concerns to make something, that is already fast, faster. If somebody should root their phone, it should be for more of a reason than, "well, it seems like a good thing to do".
[edit] Although, you are right. If you want "best results and maximum customizations", then yeah, rooting is required. But it didn't sound like that the OP wants. It sounds like the OP wants to know how to customize it well without rooting. That's my interpretation, and why I disagreed with you suggesting the the OP root and flash roms.
Just my $0.02 worth.
Jaxidian said:
I must disagree, honestly. Stock Sense, while it is a bit bloated, it is by no means laggy. If somebody isn't comfortable with rooting, and doesn't have a pressing need to root, then I don't think they should root their phone. It adds risk, headaches, and concerns to make something, that is already fast, faster. If somebody should root their phone, it should be for more of a reason than, "well, it seems like a good thing to do".
[edit] Although, you are right. If you want "best results and maximum customizations", then yeah, rooting is required. But it didn't sound like that the OP wants. It sounds like the OP wants to know how to customize it well without rooting. That's my interpretation, and why I disagreed with you suggesting the the OP root and flash roms.
Just my $0.02 worth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, its not that I don't want to, because I really would love to, but the wife was pissed that I unlocked my Imagio, and blames that on the problems I have had, so a deal was made, I take my kids upgrade, transfer to mine, and get the new Thunderbolt provided I DONT unlock, root, jailbreak, or do anything that allows me to customize it beyond what the original design allows.
Yea, fine, sounds fair. So what I am looking for is just those things that I can download and install that are 'authorized', so to speak, from Verizon and HTC.
Maybe when she upgrades she will want to see what can be done (she is due in a few months) and thats when I will have to 'show' her!
Thanks again guys for all your help, one more day!
Heres the jist of the ones I use on a regular basis:
Utilities
Amazon App Store
Titanium Backup (requires root)
Root explorer (requires root)
Shoot Me (requires root)
QR Droid
Recalls.gov (I got kids lol)
Fancy Widget Pro
iCorps (Marine Corps App)
Social
Facebook
Foursquare
Skype
eBuddy
WordPress
Ventriloid
XDA
SMS
Handcent usually
Trying out chompSMS atm
Entertainment & Themeage
Zedge
Pandora
HBO Go
Soundhound
Finances
USAA
PageOnce Pro
Ing Direct
Progressive Insurance
Shopping
Key Ring
ShopSavvy
Amazon.com
Kayak
Craigsphone
News
NYTimes
Engadget
Health & Fitness
CardioTrainer
Libra (Weight Log)
Games
Robo Defense
Farm Frenzy
Flight Control
Collapse
Angry Birds
Angry Birds Seasons
Angry Birds Rio
Doodle Jump
Fruit Ninja
Words Free
Hate blur... hate blur, want it completely gone. I've considered the idea of installing 3rd party contacts/dialer combo and then sequentially ripping out every f'n blur apk...
thoughts?
how about using all the AOSP stuff?
either way I want blur to die NOW, i got a nandroid backup that I can softbrick and reload so let's do this shiiit!
I have go dialer and contacts and it works beautiful but still pulls up blur when it's all said and done. Roms are coming...be patient
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA App
Why does everyone hate Blur? It's not even that bad. Looks a lot better on this than the older versions. One thing I don't like about it, is the Facebook integration. Messes up with the regular Facebook app, so I can't send messages or use chat..
SwiftLegend said:
Why does everyone hate Blur? It's not even that bad. Looks a lot better on this than the older versions. One thing I don't like about it, is the Facebook integration. Messes up with the regular Facebook app, so I can't send messages or use chat..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it's bull crap that it's impregnated in every portion of this phone's interface.
SwiftLegend said:
Why does everyone hate Blur? It's not even that bad. Looks a lot better on this than the older versions. One thing I don't like about it, is the Facebook integration. Messes up with the regular Facebook app, so I can't send messages or use chat..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is why. and all that crap wastes a ton of space. I want only the ability to copy contacts from fecebook one at a time when needed. It's fecebook, I don't need that crap polluting my contacts.
I mean, as soon as a few more people get in my google+ circles I won't need any ability to integrate fecebook into my experience, leaving me able to completely rid myself of the useless integration that will waste working memory and contribute to killing my battery.
forgive me for being one of those nerds who went to an OPEN SOURCE platform. I buy a "computerphone" based on specs, not software
as far as blur, if you like that kinda crap, great! but I'm sure motorola has made many dirty rags polishing that bloated turd.
i want to use the launcher of my choice and AOSP dialer/contacts/messaging. I dont wanna waste bandwidth cause I travel alot and sometimes I'm stuck with very very slow data. (the fact that contacts uses data every time I scroll through it just to update pictures is useless and total bullshiiit)
i have some downtime to spend in the airport coming up, so I need something to do. if anyone has found a good way to do this, or at least get halfway there (particularly making the AOSP apps work, and which versions from where to use.) I've not seen anyone have success yet and I've spent days reading post after post after post without finding someone who says "f yeah it works, here's how ya do it, blah blah"
I really don't have uber high demands for my phones, I just expect them to work and fill my what I believe to be simple needs. I'm hoping that I can list some of my issues and possibly get some positive feedback to help weed through issues, not only for me but for other users. I know this phone has a lot of passionate followers, I can definitely say, I'm not one of them.
I don't mind rooting at all, but cannot lose 4g capabilities. I know I've seen some locked OSs, any suggestions would be appreciated. I also bought this phone based on my ideals behind Tegra and the SIM slot as I'll be doing some world travel within the next few months. Now to some issues I've had...
Default Music player - efing sucks. If there isn't a good 30secs of lag loading media from the external SD card, the damn thing crashes after 3-4 songs. I fully understand that rooting will get through this issue with a different (hopefully android default) media player. But I'm struggling to find why this is an issue outside of poor development. Have about 8GB worth of music on either a 16gb or 32gb SD card. Wipe Dvcache and NO PROBLEMS with same memory card.
Camera - Can't shut off shutter sound? What the hell were Motorola software techs thinking? Yes the camera is very good, but what the fizzle? I ironically heavily considered this phone over the GS2 because of the dedicated camera button. Only to be frustrated thanks to the inability to take ninja photos.
Multi-Touch - I had issues with multi point touching. Multidev gave some direction here, which if I root my phone later today, I'll definitely go in this direction.
BT Media Stream - Specifically with the Sync in Ford vehicles. I've used it in both a 2011 Focus (sync 3.0) and my 2011 Mustang (sync 2.0) and repeated the same issue detailed in this thread. Completely drives me up the wall, as I have not had this issue with any of the roms I ran previously on my Evo4g. Everything else works well with Sync, including making and receiving calls and text/email notification.
I'm sure there's been a few more issues that I've had slip my mind. But, I guess I'm really just hoping that I can use the benefits of this phone without continuing to 'deal with' the shortcomings of owning a handset that isn't going to sell 500k units and get the kind of manufacturer and homebrew software support of a phone that has sold 500k units.
Thanks
i use google music app, not the moto one and i love it.. ive had NO issues with it what so ever.. and it is THE default android player
camera is annoying but you are required to be rooted to remove it.. dunno if anyone has or not tho. any third party app should still work with the button etc etc
as for bluetooth.. no idea again may be solved by removing the current music app and putting googlemusic on there (use titanium backup to remove the moto music player )
Thanks for the response Shabby.
So either way, I'd be better off rooting and removing the music player and camera apps?
I guess the only other thing I'm looking for in a rom is just general speed. The phone flys when it comes to opening programs and program performance, but the general speed of menu access and transitioning from one base mode to the next leaves a lot to be desired. Just getting in and out of text messages takes just too damn long.
First of all, the Photon is a great phone, when it works properly.
I have had wayyy more issues than you with it, and trust me, sometime I just completely hate the F&@^(*$ Mother [email protected]%[email protected] This phone can be a dumb @$$ son of a B!^@%. When it works it is awesome.
I have been through about 5 replacement Photon's and need to replace it again after the holidays, (Motorola has finally fixed the problem with it officially, YAY!) Now, you shouldn't be complaining compared to what I have been through.
But, I understand where you are comming from.
I have not had a stable music player, other than Rhapsody, that didn't crash or force close on me, including, Music, Google Music, Honeycomb Music, & Player Pro.
I personally hate the Rhapsody interface and I am forced to deal with it.
Camera Shutter Issue,
Root Required - Download Root Explorer via Market or find other means of getting it. PM me if you want to know how you can get it in other ways.
Go to
System/media/audio/ui in Root Explorer.
First copy and save to it to sd first incase you want it back cause delete is permanent.
Set system to rw then delete
Delete camera sound ogg.
Then you are all set. Or don't root and use the following application: https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/443424#443424
(Sorry, the Motorola forums are currently down, they hope to get back up by the end of this week.) But, check later on this or next week. (NOW YOU CAN TAKE NINJA PHOTOS) But remember, there is not current way to disable the auto focus double beep, if someone finds a way, please comment below, and I may edit this post.
Bluetooth car issue, you should experiment with different Music Player applications.
Hope I've helped! Be sure to click the "Thanks" button if I did, it lets other users know that I am helpful.
MultiTouch - follow the directions that you posted
deedscreen said:
First of all, the Photon is a great phone, when it works properly.
I have had wayyy more issues than you with it, and trust me, sometime I just completely hate the F&@^(*$ Mother [email protected]%[email protected] This phone can be a dumb @$$ son of a B!^@%. When it works it is awesome.
I have been through about 5 replacement Photon's and need to replace it again after the holidays, (Motorola has finally fixed the problem with it officially, YAY!) Now, you shouldn't be complaining compared to what I have been through.
But, I understand where you are comming from.
I have not had a stable music player, other than Rhapsody, that didn't crash or force close on me, including, Music, Google Music, Honeycomb Music, & Player Pro.
I personally hate the Rhapsody interface and I am forced to deal with it.
Camera Shutter Issue,
Root Required - Download Root Explorer via Market or find other means of getting it. PM me if you want to know how you can get it in other ways.
Go to
System/media/audio/ui in Root Explorer.
First copy and save to it to sd first incase you want it back cause delete is permanent.
Set system to rw then delete
Delete camera sound ogg.
Then you are all set. Or don't root and use the following application: https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/443424#443424
(Sorry, the Motorola forums are currently down, they hope to get back up by the end of this week.) But, check later on this or next week. (NOW YOU CAN TAKE NINJA PHOTOS) But remember, there is not current way to disable the auto focus double beep, if someone finds a way, please comment below, and I may edit this post.
Bluetooth car issue, you should experiment with different Music Player applications.
Hope I've helped! Be sure to click the "Thanks" button if I did, it lets other users know that I am helpful.
MultiTouch - follow the directions that you posted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's another way to disable the camera sound on the phone here: Enable sound settings in stock camera app - root required
Also, what's the problem with the phone that they're finally fixing?
I wasn't aware of the Multi touch problem, and I have ran into my touch screen locking problem yesterday while playing Mario Kart 64 yesterday.
I backed up my touch screen folder, and replaced it with the 8 multi touch files.
That is a deal breaker, but I'm glad to have the solution.
Edit: I tried Mario Kart again, but the touch screen continues to lock up after holding down "A" for a bit (to accelerate). Did Motorola lock how long you can press down on the screen?
Yes, I tried the multi touch app and they register all 8 touches.
Sent from my Photon 4G using Tapatalk
hi there.
the devs' of one game (EA's monopoly) were so brilliant to forget to hide their game's pictures and other media from android gallery.
I have added the file .nomedia in all folders that contain the game media, cleared gallery data and rebooted, but the pictures still show up in gallery.
what am i doing wrong?
Would've thought the file would do the trick. Strongly suggest QuickPic. MUCH faster, lighter and has more options. The gallery is a cpu hog.
s15274n said:
Would've thought the file would do the trick. Strongly suggest QuickPic. MUCH faster, lighter and has more options. The gallery is a cpu hog.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that's what i thought.
used quickpic on my other phone, liked it. generally want to go stock as much as possible though... weird that it doesnt work the way it should
so there is no known solution for the monopoly issue? its too bad, i really like the game but its messing up my gallery so much
obi1visionary said:
so there is no known solution for the monopoly issue? its too bad, i really like the game but its messing up my gallery so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I couldn't find any
I put .nomedia file in every possible sub-folder and rebooted, but the media still showed up. Kind of weird, because ".nomedia" should and has worked in the past... so kind of a combination of EA making this blunder in their game design, and something wacky about the GT ROM not properly rescanning media files...
I ended up deleting the files and uninstalling the game, periodically checking the market whether EA has updated the game... I also sent them a bug report to their support Email in their website (although for support they do not have Android as a platform listed... go figure...) -haven't received an answer yet
^ certainly understand your thoughts... just curious though... the stock gallery is a cpu hog. why not just freeze it and use quickpic? You know from using it you could easily hide/exclude the galleries you did not want scanned/shown and the Tab has proven to run much better for me without the stock Gallery.
I know you mentioned staying stock as much as possible.... just felt I'd beat the drum a little more for those who read this later.
RootzFan said:
^ certainly understand your thoughts... just curious though... the stock gallery is a cpu hog. why not just freeze it and use quickpic? You know from using it you could easily hide/exclude the galleries you did not want scanned/shown and the Tab has proven to run much better for me without the stock Gallery.
I know you mentioned staying stock as much as possible.... just felt I'd beat the drum a little more for those who read this later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no prob.
i used quickpic on my old Galaxy Tab (and my wife still does).
Gallery in Honeycomb just has a pretty good integration with Google+ and Picasa.
quickpic is a good app, can recommend it definitely.
right now i however just wish that EA would take android programming more serious... it tells me a lot that their user support pages don't even list Android as a platform... they haven't really arrived here yet...
I also have this problem, tried everything and my gallery is still full of monopoly trash . Sad cause I liked the game.
Have you cleared app data for media storage in settings/apps?
not entirely related to your issue, but an interesting side note.... When i plug in my nikon sd card via the usb adapter gallery refuses to show the contents, but quickpic works fine
Never had this with my other droid devices, so defo something odd on the tab re gallery/media scan
adzman808 said:
Have you cleared app data for media storage in settings/apps? ........ so defo something odd on the tab re gallery/media scan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and yes
So I am using HTC sync manager for OSX version 2.0.56 which as of right now is the latest version. It seems that the itunes support portion of the software has been removed. I am posting to find out if any other OSX users out there can confirm that they have this problem as well.
I am trying to determine if the problem is htc sync manager or if the problem is with my phone. I am running Elegancia 4.8.0 for the ATT HOX+
I'd rather not go back to stock and find out if it's a phone problem or an HTC problem.
On another note, even when it does work HTC Sync is an abortion of a program. It's slow as all hell, crashes, and is generally just complete garbage. Does any one have any suggestions for syncing music and playlist to their phone and NOT using doubletwist air sync. air sync is another waste of time. The wifi syncing is totally stupid and takes hours upon hours. My phone generally cannot complete the sync session as the phone runs out of battery while syncing, even when plugged into the charger!
This is a huge problem for me, and is making me consider going back to the iPhone. Why is it nobody can get syncing music right except apple? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
http://www.android.com/filetransfer/
Android file transfer, as far as I know the program comes directly from Google and it let's you view your phone as a disk drive when using a mac. The only problem I've run into is that if the screen turns off the program "ejects" your phone as you would a thumb drive. I have about 12GB of music and this is what I use to transfer everything to my phone. Just be sure to put all your music in a folder titled music and you shouldn't have any problems.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app
Thanks, the only problem I have with using android file transfer is that it lacks the true features of syncing. I have always thought the android method of just drop some files in and hope for the best is not really a solution. Without a way to sync, I can't get my playlist on there or remove files quickly when I want them gone. This is one area where the iphone has android beat. As you can see by the lack of responses there is just nothing else out there that works as well.
Thanks anyway.
On my previous phone I used "iSyncer for iTunes-Mac" you can do the exact same thing as you would in iTunes it just goes much quicker. I haven't used it for this phone yet because I just haven't had a need. Just plug the phone into the computer, it will then ask you to download a small application on your computer that can access iTunes and you should be good to go from there. I know you mentioned that you didn't like double twist, I was never able to get that program to work right as far as album art, keeping the same albums and the same artist together but I have had great success with isyncer.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app
I tired isyncr but it did not see my device. part of the problem is the connects vis mda and does not mount the drive with traditional methods. this problem is driving me nuts. I considered going back to the iPhone but after using the big screens the iPhone seems like a toy your get in a cereal box and not a serious device. maybe I should just get an ipad.
Sent from my HTC One X+ using xda app-developers app