[Q] Old Android Phone as SmartWatch - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi Developers,
I just wondering if anyone working on a custom ROM to turn old Android phone such as Xperia X8 into a Wearable Android SmartWatch device.
It would be nice to have, since I believe most of have have at least an old Android phone lying around unused.

Already had the same idea of yours.For software, you can just install two things to make it a clock and save battery, eco home launcher and anolog clock widget or live wallpaper. Then set screen timeout to the max, disable lockscreen and set brightness to auto or the lowest. Disable all data connections and set it to airplane mode since youre not using it for calls. For the hardware part you could just buy an armband for phones in amazon. But if youre sear hing for roms for your xperia x8 then ask in its development forum

i had the same idea and will buy a Alcatel Vodafone 541 (2,4"). not android
for testing i will strip it to only core apps.
daydream should be a good clock app. clean and good readable.
for remote accesing my phone i will use
Client: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=android.androidVNC
Server: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.onaips.vnc

With Android smart wear now out I'm hoping something like this can be possible. Anyone else know of any one working on anything like this or any apps that will allow smarty watch function's on an old phone

Maybe this is a Longshot, but hopefully someone sees this. I have an old bionic, it's got a great battery, perfect size, I'd like to know if there's any rom to make it a WearOS device, just bluetooth it to my vzw s9+ and make it fully functional as a watch, music player, and middle-man when I get texts and calls but don't have my actual phone within 10 feet of me. I know it's a weird request and setup, but I can't always have my phone on me, but the bionic is the perfect size for a wearable device.

Related

wat's ur experience on x10 mini pro/mini ?

Hi all,
I am from India and while I was in Bangalore I picked this little android phone. I was in a dilemma which phone to pick, my budget was not too good for any 1gig - android phone so I had to pick this one (backflip from moto or wildfire from HTC was my other options -).
From the very first day that first thing I noticed that I am not that satisfied with the phone apart from the fact it's an android( which I needed badly) and (look of the phone -). I felt no one has used/ experienced / tested this phone before releasing. It's like a B-grade hindi movie, you like the title and then you like nothing.
Even they did not pay a little attention to make icons in a same pattern, games are horrible, I cannot access the market or any other app/widgets with manual configured apns (vodafone, india)--- its like worse dream of my life. I myself hate copy paste but I think people from sony (graphics as well as the developers) need to know this copy paste funda. I was very angry and posted all these in "Update on updates" as MINI PRO USER (may be now lost as around 2000 comments are there).
I don't how come they marketed this one with horrible calling feature, when I try to call or receive the call, the screen goes and needs unlock to find somewhere in the screen a tiny rectangle (if u use any other launcher, opps u even can't find it). Then messaging, in my life this is the first phone which takes ages to show the letter when u use the soft keyboard.
And how come they can make they make "CA gold rush" or something like that with a **** like icon? It's unbelievable, no tester with sony ? or HE is non sense.
Anyway I know I can easily download lots of apk's from here and there (as android market does not work) and make things better. But when is it desirable to purchase a Nike shoe and very first day then go to other painter to do some painting???
I really don't get enough time for doing stuff like changing icons or changing colors of the framework-res.apk. then also I had to spend 2 days to find icons like iphone (please iphone hater don't be angry, we all know the pattern of iphone icons are really good and almost every phone-maker tries to make something like that) or some good png icons and put then all the apk's that came with this and other apps that I needed. Now the phone looks like a phone. But I don't know when SONY will come up with a update that will make this a real phone (at least when I will be able to use the GPRS, Market etc and will be able to pick a incoming with minimum effort, those "SOFTWARE GUYS" made a slider with incoming phone that's like picking a needle huh.......b e a u tiful )
phone is nice and fast... works good. i got adw launcher and i rooted it so i could uninstall alot of pre-installed junk...
its fast, smooth im happy with it.
I know, my phone is also rooted and I changed all the icons through out, and using a launcher customized for me (I made a simple launcher for me) some time. I know we can do a lot of things in android that is one the reason I looked for android device, not WM phone. But my point was when someone is selling (marketing) some product, they should test it thoroughly. Why should the users take the pressure to find a decent launcher or call app??
I really like the phone but:
1- SE support SUCKS.
2- Upgrade to Android 2.1 delayed (Sucks)
3- No news about upgrade to android 2.2 (double sucks).
4- Turn on/off problems :
http://talk.sonyericsson.com/thread/3671?tstart=30
http://talk.sonyericsson.com/thread/5957
http://talk.sonyericsson.com/thread/6260?tstart=0
If the phone would work as it should, and the SE updates where in date, it should be one of the best phones for me.
My biggest disappointment, coming from WM, is the Android app market...
Yes: ,000's of android apps, but very few well-developed ones. My X1 is a bit like a Swiss Army Knife (without accelerometer, fast CPU etc etc), but the applications out there are plenty, and well designed. Also the WM apps are pretty expensive, comparatively but at least they exist.
The X10 Mini Pro itself, I'm OK with it. A lot of the minor flaws can be remedied by small apps like the SMS Handcent, adding a launcher, that sort of thing...
Biggest issue for me is the Android-wide problem of not being able to modify font size at system level. What were these guys thinking of?
Seems I have a bigger problem with Android, than with the X10 Mini Pro
I'm very pleased with my little "tamagochi" aka X10 mini
The point is i'm coming from a HTC Hero, and I loved it a lot, but the last time sometimes it got frozen i don't know why. I gave a X10 mini to my girlfriend and i got very impressed about the phone and finally I decided to get another one for me, so she and I have the same mobile.
First of all I have to say that the mobile is REALLY fast. Faster than my Hero on a 2.1 android version. Sony Ericsson has done a very good job about that even it running 1.6 android version. The kernel is very light, but for that reason some things doesn't work (i.e. tethering via root).
Good things: fast, very light, small, excellent camera (even better than other high models), excelent touch response
Bad things: BATTERY! (the worst), Android 1.6 and some stuff like launcher (aaaargh), the contact list, Timescape (I hate it) and the facebook links
For me the display isn't a bad thing cuz if not, it wasn't a small phone, and i like the small phones.
Some stuff inside is bad, but you can change perfectly. I mean the awful keyboard... that's very easy to fix with a keyboard from the market. I'm very happy with "Smart Keyboard pro". Nothing to say about the SE launcher... is totally a CRAP, you have to change it inmediately! "ADW Launcher" for 1.6 (on market) is really really good, once installed it, your phone is a true android mobile . Other stuff i didn't like was the SMS app from SE, so I changed it by "ChompSMS" and it works excellent on my X10 mini.
Other point is that some apps don't appear in the market because of the screen resolution. Anyway, I got most of them via Apktor (Aptoide), and they work perfect... I don't remember now what were them.
I want the update to 2.1 ASAP cuz I hope that SE improves the facebook links to the contacts (they said that in their blog) and also to install some apps that need android 2.0 or above, like Whatsapp and new google stuff.
So that's all, I'm very happy with it !!!
Just loving it !!!
It has got style and design features are so good that it is very easy to communicate with just one hand. It's a basic smart phone, great for the basic user. Internet, music, calls, text, chat, e-mail and apps to pay your bills.
The 5MP camera on the X10 mini performed admirably. It was quick to focus even in low light with very low shutterlag for a camera phone. The flash worked quite well for low light portrait shots. Images showed good colors and satisfactory details.
I just love this phone and really can't think a day without it.
Hope to read good reviews from respected community members about this phone......
Regards
Don Zone
My x10 mini is the best phone i've ever had. I have it since about 3 months now. It does everything I need and is very loveable. I have access to app market with no problem. I use the 3g connection as the much as the wifi, use the gps for driving (with google nav).
At first I thought the battery life was awful, but after uncharging completely and recharging fully 3 or 4 times, now I have 2 days of life. The only problems I have for now is not being able to copy text from sms, and cant find a descent azerty keyboard. I am please to know we will get 2.1 by the end of this month so I didn't take the time to fully customise the start screen with a launcher.
My old phones : htc 9100, touch diamond, htc snap.
Sent from my E10i using XDA App
For the SMS try ChompSMS, it's much better than the native app from SE, you can copy texts and much more, also you can write in landscape, with the original app you can't.
For the keyboard, try smart keyboard pro, I like it a lot, it has a very good algoritm and it can learn words you usually use, etc.
Both of them are in Apktor (Aptoide) for free. I think they are a MUST.
darfito said:
For the SMS try ChompSMS, it's much better than the native app from SE, you can copy texts and much more, also you can write in landscape, with the original app you can't.
For the keyboard, try smart keyboard pro, I like it a lot, it has a very good algoritm and it can learn words you usually use, etc.
Both of them are in Apktor (Aptoide) for free. I think they are a MUST.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
smart keyboard pro Hmm is not free it's a paid app
Hey I'm also from India..I Just love my "little fella"..battery is a big problem though
Take a look to Apktor or Aptoide app on google, I can't say anything else... hehe
I'M also from India.
Now I'm having xperia mini pro.
My dad having xperia x10.
Before this I had HTC tattoo.
I sold HTC tattoo because there is no 2.1 rom with camera working.
Xperia have official update.
Very nice and small size phone.
Nice hardware for that cost.
Really happy with phone.
Waiting for update......
Sent from my U20i using XDA App
I have had the x10 mini for a week and generally I like it. Its compact and lightweight and has many features.
There is a few annoying things that I dont like.
- Low resolution which doesnt look good.
- Cant have homescreen in landscape mode like the pro (this is very annoying)
- When inputting messages in landscape mode it can be quite unresponsive on occasions.
- The back cover of the phone feels very cheap and creaky.
- Battery life needs to be improved.
- Screen is a smudge magnet and is plastic not glass?
X10 Mini is perfect small phone with lots of features
Background data question
Hi,
I'm planning to buy the Mini Pro but I'm worried about battery life issue.. How does the background data and synchronisation system work on Android? If I want an e-mail and some other apps to be automatically synchronised e.g. once in an hour, does it require data connection to be switched on all the time? If I disable background data from the settings, are all the apps able to turn it on when needed (when it's time fo sync)? Just like it works on Symbian devices.. Only 3G connection will be used in my case, not WiFi..
And how about GPS, do I have to manually turn it on before I launch Google Maps? Or does the Maps turn the GPS on automatically when needed?

[Q] Need advice on Lollipop native / apps please

Hi All.
I've taken the plunge and ordered my S6 Edge 128gb in Emerald Green.
I'm sure everything will be just fine, but I was hoping for some pointers from the Android users for certain apps and features I use on the BlackBerry.
I've been using BlackBerry for a few years now (Z30 and a Passport) but I'm wanting a change and LOVED the look of the Edge. Just wondering if you fab people could give some assistance in either clarifying what Lollipop does natively or suggesting apps I could use to achieve a similar effect.
1. One of the things I think I will miss quite a bit is the notification light on the BlackBerry. Hence why I ultimately went with the Edge. I know the edge can have notification lights for the top 5 contacts (thats enough for me) showing when placed face down.. however. just two questions connected to this:
* Does the notification light continue to flash if you miss the call / message? i.e. continue until you pick the phone up and look
* I'm sure the notification doesn't work with the phone facing upwards or stood on a stand, but do you think this is something that a rom flash could fix? or even, maybe an app..
2. BlackBerry Hub really is very good. You have all your communications in one location, save opening text apps, Social media, then mail apps etc. How does Lollipop 5 handle messaging? Does it have a similar type of hub?
3. I run an app called Hubb++ on my Passport. Here I can tell notifications to switch off and on during certain time periods. Ideal after a long hard day in the office, get home and my phone automatically goes into silent from 8.30pm until 7am. (except for contacts I've highlighted as important and to break the silence). Again, does Android lollipop have anything like this or is there an app that does similar?
4. Bluetooth connection to the car. I have to be honest and say the BlackBerry really does nothing special in the arena for me. It's a basic rSAP connection type which allows contacts etc to be sent to my car (Audi A7). How is Bluetooth within Android Lollipop? Last time I used Android, rSAP was not working and I had to root the phone and install all sorts to get it going. To be honest, my days of rooting and messing are over (I know, that's part of the fun of Android) I'm too busy these days to spend the time learning and testing etc. I just want the connection to work. Any input please.
That's basically it. Any input and recommendations would be received with thanks.
1. There's notification light blinking on the top left of the phone for miss call, message /SMS or social app/ voicemail, email etc... You can get a short vibration when you pick up your phone and you have miss call or SMS message as well /not sure for other notifications/
2. I'm sure there's some apps you can find for the most messaging services on Google play, buy better give it a try on few and see what's best for you
3. There's apps to switch your profiles according to time settings, but I thing S6 has option to do that as well with detecting your GPS location /home, work, etc.../
4. The bluetooth should be just fine. I have no problem with Audi A5
pacho_bs said:
1. There's notification light blinking on the top left of the phone for miss call, message /SMS or social app/ voicemail, email etc... You can get a short vibration when you pick up your phone and you have miss call or SMS message as well /not sure for other notifications/
2. I'm sure there's some apps you can find for the most messaging services on Google play, buy better give it a try on few and see what's best for you
3. There's apps to switch your profiles according to time settings, but I thing S6 has option to do that as well with detecting your GPS location /home, work, etc.../
4. The bluetooth should be just fine. I have no problem with Audi A5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to answer.
Sent from my Passport using Tapatalk

why did you switch the watch to android instead of tizen?

hello.
just got my watch a few days ago and am curious to those who decided to switch out the rom to have full android on their watch.
now we all know samsung had to do a lot to make this watch a companion with the phone so the software on it plus the gear manager on the phone give it the ability to be controlled properly. when you install real android on it you lose this functionality ... sure there are a few apps out there that can do that (forward notifications) but mostly they suck.
i am not a fan of actually using my watch as a real phone because of its battery capacity.
please share your reason ....
I switched to have full android on the watch so I could use the Gear S as a daily driver.
I'm using it to replace my Omate Truesmart that I've been using as my standalone phone for the last 6 months.
cylent said:
hello.
just got my watch a few days ago and am curious to those who decided to switch out the rom to have full android on their watch.
now we all know samsung had to do a lot to make this watch a companion with the phone so the software on it plus the gear manager on the phone give it the ability to be controlled properly. when you install real android on it you lose this functionality ... sure there are a few apps out there that can do that (forward notifications) but mostly they suck.
i am not a fan of actually using my watch as a real phone because of its battery capacity.
please share your reason ....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I switched from the mobile operating system ties into Android because I personally have more functionality with Android, and not only does that beautiful display play flappy bird flawlessly, there's a lot of other random ass I can cram on to the tiny screen. You think all the screen so small I'm not going to be able to type take it off your wrist use both hands it's not that big of a deal. Not only that if you use SwiftKey it's an amazing keyboard for such a small device Haven you at T maps to then changed where your fingers maybe a little bit bigger for some parts of the screen or too small. Google has a few really nice apps that are basically made to run on anything my tracks for instance it's one of the best app I've ever used for tracking my speed and distance as well as calories burned. It's not an app but it's my favorite and the fact that I can use it on such a small display is very convenient. I'll finish this article up in a bit alright about 10 more reason why I prefer it, I'm just riding my bike right now and using Google Voice on my gear s to type this
mmm.... and what about cardio and steps counter? Can you use them with S-health in your phone even with Android installed ?

more control?

I currently have a vzw galaxy note 5, and a Moto 360 2015.
I am so unhappy with my inability to control my phone from my watch...
biggest example is I can not turn on and off location from my watch.
I would like total control of all toggles from my watch to my phone.
I know my vzw galaxy will probably never be rootable, nor romable...
so if I were to buy a new phone on vzw, what is most likely to be able to get more functionality out of my watch?
are there roms that are watch friendly?
or am I living in a dream land thinking that the watch will ever be able to have control of the phone?
Hey there!
You should probably take a look at AutoWear. Its a Tasker plugin that leaves you with ENDLESS possibilities! (Which itself might rely heavily on root though. So that probably wont be possible for your VZW phone. Still worth a look though) It's quite impressive what can be done from your wrist!
msteendahl said:
I can not turn on and off location from my watch.
I would like total control of all toggles from my watch to my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can control most toggles, including GPS, from my watch using Notification Toggle:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.j4velin.notificationToggle
For some tips on how to set it up, see Post 3 in my thread on 'How To Wake Your PC From Your Android Wear Device':
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64496440&postcount=3

Best Android Supporting Home DoorBell for (Motion Alert Notification)

Hi all, just wondered if you could guide me please in the best Smart home doorbell which has a decent android supporting app that sends instant notifications to android phones? In your personal opinions, please. I am an owner of a oneplus 7 phone, I have purchased numerous doorbells from amazon,
Ring Door Bell 1&2
Video Doorbell, KAMEP 1080P HD WiFi Doorbell
Both of which just do a bad job of sending notifications to my android phone, they both have decent reviews, yet, the delay in notifications are terrible for the Ring, and the other doorbell I do not get any notifications at all!
However, if I install the supported apps on an iPhone the apps notify my old iPhone 8 instantly with no problems on both Doorbells. They work perfectly Why is this?
I have tested both doorbells on 2 android phones, Samsung galaxy s10 and my one plus 7 phones. All stock android, I have switched off battery optimation for the supported apps, in addition to setting notifications "on" and Important, to pop up during all phone profiles. Wifi password setup for the doorbells is also on 2.4ghz frequency, with no special characters for the password. I have exhausted all avenues on trying to find the best camera with decent instant motion alert for android.
Before I go on to purchase another, I was hoping if anyone could guide me tell me what front camera they have in support for their android device and comment on whether the notifications are instant. When I say instant, I mean at least within 10 seconds. Like any recommendations to purchase, please.
Also, the doorbell function I am not fussed about. I just want a camera to put at my front door that notifies me of motion near my front door to my phone, not a cctv type bullet camera, but a doorbell kinda type, of course, the doorbell feature would be preferable, though amazon do the blink camera which just a camera for motion detection yet small looking which too is fine, though, again I am hesitant because what is the notification like on it to android phones. It just seems to me that the app support for these devices on android are just no good. I have yet come across any doorbell android app that has 4.5 star on the store. All mostly below 4.
Your thoughts, ideas and advice are greatly appreciative. Thank you to all.

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