Android Headunit or mirrorlink? what's a good option - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello, I have a 2014 WRX hatch and I'm not happy with the OEM headunit's SQ. I do like the steering wheel controls and bluetooth so I'd like to find a replacement and keep these features. Having an android OS headunit is quite appealing especially if I could run Sygic navigation and Torque Pro.
Must have:
-bluetooth - would like to be able to use the pickup/hangup buttons on my steering wheel
-ability to keep steering wheel controls (I believe most will allow for this with an adapter)
- ability to keep the aux input
- ability to add an external amp and/or powered sub (probably will not happen right away)
Would like, but may not be a deal breaker depending on price
- GPS or the ability to mirror my phone/tablet screen
- android OS or ability to mirror torque app (not a deal breaker)
- would be nice to add a backup camera
I was wondering if any of the eBay android headunits are any good? I looked at the appradio 3 and astroid smart. Both seem to fit my requirements for the most part, but I'm wondering if there is a better option or something just as good for less money.

I'm curious about this as well... I've seen a few options from JVC, Alpine, Sony, and of course Pioneer AppRadio. The AR seems the most-supported.

Related

Tasker

Anyone tried this app yet? It seems to be able to do... um... everything?! Ha! I am interested to see what custom profiles and tasks people have set up in theirs!
http://lifehacker.com/5599116/how-to-turn-your-android-phone-into-a-fully+automated-superphone
http://lifehacker.com/5601133/push-...d-to-awesome-heights-with-these-tasker-setups
You can download a 14-day trial from the developers website:
http://tasker.dinglisch.net/download.html
(it is £3.99 in the market for the full version)
Wow, I would have normally glazed right over this. For some reason I read the articles and this is pretty cool. I started thinking of a bunch of uses for it. I bought it outright. Thanks for the post, moonrock!
Welcome!
I noticed in the wiki or forum (somewhere!) that they were able to set up a profile that remapped the camera button -- I am wondering if this can be used to remap the power button while the camera app is open, maybe?
So I haven't had much time to play with Tasker, but the two scripts I have currently running:
* Silence from 11pm > 8am, simple, but it replaced the other 'profiles' type apps
* Disable screen rotation when in the Kindle app, for whatever reason this isn't an option in the Kindle app itself.
I have it set to turn on my Bluetooth when plugged in and off when unplugged works great!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Fantastic! I need to set up a (again, simple!) task that will turn on bluetooth in the times that I am always in my car (commute to work and home, same time every day) which won't be difficult.
I have Locale already, but this may replace it (gotta love paying for apps to find out another one does 10000x more things! oops!) I've had Locale since first getting my G1 though, so it's gotten plenty of use.
So glad you posted about this app... its amazing..
18. 4009
Sent from my Samsung vibrant.
I have a couple tasks set up. First, I have gps automatically turn on and off when entering and exiting google maps. I also have one that lets me pick input style when I go into or leave remotedroid (swype's backspace doesn't work in it). And I have a couple apps that like to hang around after I close them, so I set them to be killed upon closing.
All in all it's a great app, well worth the $6.
Sent from my Vibrant using XDA app
Also worth noting is that it is £3.49 from the developer directly (paypal, via his website) and a larger % goes direct to him that way.
I have it setup for text to speech on SMS messages when my phone connects to my cars bluetooth.
I am trying to find a way to let my replay to said SMS with the voice to text feature or just ignore it. Anyone have any idea how to accomplish that?
Also think it would be cool to have it change my wallpaper based on the weather conditions in my area, but Im not sure how to go about doing that either.
ritalin said:
Also think it would be cool to have it change my wallpaper based on the weather conditions in my area, but Im not sure how to go about doing that either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beautiful Widgets (paid app, couple bucks) and the (free) Beautiful Live Wallpaper. Uses the weather widget to make the wallpaper match the weather
Tasks that I've set up so far:
Silent / dim screen / timeout / alarm volume 7 while I am asleep (timed task)
Vibrate / auto brightness / timeout (slightly longer) while at work (timed task)
Bluetooth on while in my car (timed task -- specificlly during the hours of my work commute)
Load Vlingo when Bluetooth connects, Kill Vlingo when BT disconnects
GPS on when Maps, Navigation and Foursquare are opened
Display timeout (1hr) and brightness (max) when USB plugged in (for when i am in my car, typically listening to music and/or have vlingo up on the screen, annoying (and worthless) for the display to timeout if vlingo is supposed to be a one-touch process!)
Anyway of exporting a profile then importing it so some of the more advanced useres can create some and we can tweak them ?
Edit: Having hard time getting them to do what i want .
Probably, but I am not entirely sure how... lol
My initial use:
As previously mentioned on this board the bluetooth streaming volume is not the loudest, so I always end up turning up the volume for bluetooth. Then when I plugin my headphones I destroy my eardrums.
So I setup a task that when I connect to my bluetooth car stereo, it automatically sets the volume to max and turns off wifi for good measure.
I have another task that when I plugin headphones, it sets the volume to 60% and opens the doubletwist music player.
Finally I setup the standard battery task so that when my battery gets to 20% it turns of all the GPS, wifi, and bluetooth radios, as well as dimming my screen.
Shane_pcs said:
My initial use:
As previously mentioned on this board the bluetooth streaming volume is not the loudest, so I always end up turning up the volume for bluetooth. Then when I plugin my headphones I destroy my eardrums.
So I setup a task that when I connect to my bluetooth car stereo, it automatically sets the volume to max and turns off wifi for good measure.
I have another task that when I plugin headphones, it sets the volume to 60% and opens the doubletwist music player.
Finally I setup the standard battery task so that when my battery gets to 20% it turns of all the GPS, wifi, and bluetooth radios, as well as dimming my screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I keep meaning to setup the low battery task as well!
I have two keyboards i really like in 2 different orientations.
Droid X keyboard:
its sweet autocorrections and large real estate makes it ideal for two thumb typing in landscape
swype:
slower than droid X keyboard in landscape, but in portrait, this is possibly the fastest/most accurate keyboard around.
I tried to set it up so that i could change my keyboards depending on the orientation, but i could not figure it out
im also for an app that turns your screen off with a timer (in the background). and have that work when you turn your screen downward./
any with either of these would be greatly appreciated.
Anyone know how to make it so that the Incall volume goes up to max on the connect of the phone call? I cant seem to find it in the settings meeting seems to only answer on 3/4 volume. Thought Tasker might be able to .
This app is awesome. I only got a few tasks setup but one nice one is turning the screen timeout to 23hr when I open the web browser and back to 30 secs when I exit.
talltexan said:
Anyway of exporting a profile then importing it so some of the more advanced useres can create some and we can tweak them ?
Edit: Having hard time getting them to do what i want .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To export a profile tap the context (left) icon <profile<export. To import just open the file with Tasker as the chosen program I think. lots of premade tasks on the Tasker wiki. (it won't let me post a link)

[Q] 180-degree Screen Rotation

Coming from WM6, I find it odd that there's no manual screen rotation options in Android. Odder still, that there's no 180-degree rotation mode.
I have a universal Car Mount from my old phone that I like, mostly because it attaches to the air vents. I find this positioning is better than a conventional windshield mount on my car, and avoids the typical issues with suction cups continuously falling off (or melting into place).
The problem is that the dock blocks the USB charging ports on the corner of the Atrix. I can get around this issue by putting the phone in upside down, however to do so I need to 'flip' the display.
The Motorola Auto-Rotate feature does not support the 180-degree position out of the box. I've found several posts asking about this feature, but no answers except a vague reference to Cyanogen Mod, implying that this will take more than a standard app/widget can do.
So, is it possible to do this on the Atrix now that we have root and deodexing options available? This is my first Android phone, so I'm not yet familiar with its innards.
Alternatively, is it possible to flip the display on a given application, specifically Nav or one of the offline GPS programs?
Ideally, what I'd like to see is:
A Widget or shortcut to manually set and/or toggle screen rotation like what was standard on WM6. Outside of the car dock, this is also useful when using the phone on a desk or bed at odd angles.
Script/Shortcut/Icon that sets a specific rotation and then launches the car dock (or GPS app).
Use Launcher Pro.
Gives you full 360 screen rotation.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
No, unless I'm missing something, it does not.
LauncherPro does allow the home screen to be rotated (which is not what I care about right now), but it does not support rotating it 180-degrees (upside down).
Ahh you're right.
The dock will flip to 180, but the screen stops at 90.
Any ideas?
I don't mind playing with Androids internals (time permitting) if this is possible , but as I said my experience with Android so far is minimal (particularly compared to the xda experts).
According to http://developer.motorola.com/docst...at_runtime__Allow_the_user_to_set_preferences, the only options for application preferences are landscape or portrait. Not sure if this is applicable though.
I've found an old related thread for the G1 here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=449688&page=2 added screen rotation to that device. It does note though that not all rotations are implemented, and is probably also talking in the context of 2.1.
Another related thread at http://stackoverflow.com/questions/...e-rotations-by-90-but-enable-rotations-by-180 seems to imply that the 180-degree rotation won't work until we get the Android 2.3 update.
The android docs includes a ROTATION_180 definition for the Surface object with a setOrientation method on http://developer.android.com/reference/android/view/Surface.html
It appears that CyanogenMod 7 adds this capability: http://nightly.posterous.com/rotate-180
Clearly we're not going to see CM on the Atrix for a while, but is there anyway we can backport this feature into the Atrix, or will this have to wait for the fabled 2.3 update?

[Q] Android based car navigation -> external touchscreen 400x240 - possible?

Hello,
I hope I am in good part of the forum - I have a question to Android geeks -> I have an idea on the project (which in case of WinCE based navi units is explored - but not in Android based ones) - to put an Android based tabled with GPS or GPS navigation unit as a navi unit in my VW RCD510 device... My first question is -> is there a possibility to connect external screen with touch-screen which will be different resolution than the native one on the Android based unit... In particular - the RCD510 unit has a screen resolution (with touch) of: 400x240 pix (6,5") screen...
Is there a possibility to connect that to the tablet or navi unit with Android and to use that screen to controll (completely) the unit??
The main screen of the unit may be not used - it does not make me difference - I only ask about such thing, as I am not really good in Android...
Just one more thing - I do not think about "on-the-go" - it may be some dismounting etc stuff - just to make it work (if possible at all)...
I will appreciate your help...

[Novice Guide] 50+ Tips and Tricks - Make phone faster - Better battery life & More!!

[Novice Guide] 50+ Tips and Tricks - Make phone faster - Better battery life & More!!
Source by Andrew Williams :-> HERE
50 Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Tips and Tricks​For novice users​
Hi everybody
So you decided to join the ranks of Android and the millions of happy Note2 owners. But It can be troublesome to setup your phone at the begining. So I decided to search for you some little tricks you can use to better know and use your phone. I found this excellent article by Andrew Williams. I modified some content to better fit XDA's forum format but the info are the same. I also add a touchwiz tweaks that was not in the aticle, Here are 50 useful tips and tricks for new(even less new) Note2 users to pull out the best of your phone. Enjoy!
Touchwiz​Make Touchwiz go faster.
To make Touchwiz look good, Samsung created some animations to transit between screens. These animations take some times and can make your phone seems slow. The solution is to go in your phone Settings-> Developer options and turn off -> "Windows animation scale", "Transition animation scale" and "Animator duration scale". Now check how much snappier your phone is.:good:
If Developer Options is not enable go to SETTINGS->About Phone and tap BUILD NUMBER for 7 times.
***You can also turn on "Force GPU rendering" but SOME applications don't like that, so you can try it, but if you find you start having problem with some of your aplications, turn it off.
Ringtones - Alarms - Notifications​Put your Sounds in the system.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 allows us to use mp3 as ringtones, alarms or notifications. But if like me you have over 16G of music on your phone it might be anoying to "Go To Files" and search for them. Another way to do it is by creating a folder where Android will automatically look in and put the files in the "Ringtones". To do this just create a folder called "Media" on your sd-card. Inside the Media folders create 3 more folders "Ringtones", "Alarms" and "Notifications". It should look like this.
Media..
--------Alarms
--------Notifications
--------Ringtones
Now move/copy your mp3 files in the according folders. Now if you go on your phone settings->sounds->device ringtones you should see your mp3 files in the list.(Phone restart might be needed)
Screen and video​
Get AMOLED colours in check
OLED-based screens like the Samsung Galaxy Note 2's tend to bring oversaturated colours that make skin tones look unnatural. They pop, but they pop a little too much. There's a solution, though. In the settings menu is a Display Setting submenu that lets you choose how vivid the colours are. We recommend the "natural" or "movie" settings.
Fill video codec gaps with third-party players
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has an excellent inbuilt media player, but there are some files it can't handle. We found that high-quality 1080p MKVs were too much for it. Snag a third-party media player like MX Player from the Google Play app store, though, and you'll be flying. These can use software encoding to fill gaps in natuve video support.
Video multi-tasking is in
One of the neatest additional features of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 is that you can overlay a video playback screen on top of any part of the phone. Just press a button in the nav bar of the media player and a little window will pop-up on the homescreen, playing the vid. Watch an episode of Peep Show while browsing the web? Don't mind if I do.
Free games to show off the screen
One of the best ways to show off the Sasmung Galaxy Note 2's screen is with a fancy 3D game. Top free picks to try include Dead Trigger.
Not bright enough? Turn off auto
The standard setting of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 uses automatic brightness, which judges the intensity of screen brightness using an ambient light sensor on the front. If it's still not bright enough at the max slider point, switch off the auto mode for real searing intensity. But it will affect battery life.
The microUSB port can output video
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2's microUSB port is more special than you might guess. It has MHL capabilities when used with a special Samsung cable, letting it output HD video and surround audio. The Samsung adapter, which is essentially an MHL-to-HDMI converter costs around £25. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 does not come bundled with one, though.
Mini home cinema? Tick the surround box
If you want to output surround sound, make sure you tick the Surround box within the Settings menu. This isn't within the Audio bit, which you might expect, but is actually in the Accessory submenu.
Battery life​
Keep battery life riding high with auto management
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has a massive 3100mAh battery. Stamina is good at the worst of times, but there's also an auto power management mode to make the most of the phone's juice. It's called Power Saving and has its own section within the main Settings menu. It can throttle the CPU, change the background of the web browser to conserve power (it turns the white background blue), and turns off haptic feedback. These are compromises, but they do work.
Switch off features for extra battery life
The best way to conserve power in any phone is to switch off features - most importantly 3G mobile internet. You can do this manually in the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, directly from the pull-down notifications menu, and apps such as MySettings let you do the same thing.
Reduce screen timeout time
Another dead simple trick is to reduce the screen timeout time. This is in the Display submenu within settings, and lets you choose between 15 sec and 10 minutes of time the screen stays lit after a screen press. It's hardly a secret, but it is something not enough people consider.
Grab a spare battery, live forever
In a time of non-removable batteries - the HTC One X and iPhone 5 to name but two - we love that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has a removable battery. You can swap it out within about 15 seconds. Spare batteries are available from eBay for well under £10. We recommend shopping around for a reliable brand though as some third-party batteries are as dodgy as Del Boy's VCRs.
Turn off S Pen
The S Pen digitser sucks away at the Note 2's battery life a little, so it's a good idea to switch off the detection feature entirely if you're unlikely to use it for an extended period. You'll find it within the S Pen sub-menu in Settings.
S Pen​
Quick commands let you launch… anything
An S Pen feature that's easy to miss is Quick Commands. This lets you launch any app on the phone with a quick flick of the S Pen. Just press the stylus button and swipe up the screen, and the Quick commands box will pop-up. Draw your pre-determined character or symbol and key-presto, the right app will launch.
OCR means you can forget the virtual keyboard
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 features excellent OCR, optical character recognition, and it's built into the Samsung keyboard. Whip out the S Pen and the keyboard area will turn into a little box for you to write in, whether you're writing an email, text or searching the web. It's remarkably clever at working out your scribbles too although we haven't tested it on a doctor yet.
S Pen keeper - it's a keeper
We love the S Pen, but the thing is terribly easy to lose. Samsung has devised a way to make sure you don't leave home without it. It's called S Pen keeper. Using the accelerometer and the digitiser sensor of the Note 2, the phone can tell when you're walking away without the stylus in its little hole in the bottom of the device. Walk far enough and it bleats out an alarm tone.
Keep the kids happy with S Note
The stylus of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 makes it an obvious choice for creative types, business types and a host of other busy folk. But it'll keep the kids entertained too. S Note has a feature called Idea Sketch, which lets you write the name of an object, only for it to appear in your sketch. It's a perfect educational tool, and a fun one too.
Air View - hover pen fun
Something that makes the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 S Pen so much more than a standard stylus is that it can be sensed without even touching the screen. Samsung makes great use of this with Air View. It's used throughout Samsung's apps, and makes info pop-up when the S Pen hovers over items. For example, you can read the first lines of emails, see previews of pictures and take a closer look at calendar events. It's fantastic.
You can scribble - on anything
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 S Pen also let you scribble notes on anything. Just hold the button on the stylus down, press the nib down on the screen and hold it there until you see a flash around the screen edges. This is the phone taking a screenshot of what's on-screen, which you can then write notes on. This is further integrated into apps like S Planner, which have dedicated handwriting modes.
Other apps use S Pen pressure sensitivity
Now that the Note series is fairly established, a bunch of excellent apps already make use of the pressure sensitive S Pen stylus. Top picks include Sketchbook Pro and Infinite Painter. It's not just S Note that shows the S Pen off these days.
The S Pen takes screengrabs
Here's a really neat S Pen tool to show off to your "non stylus" friends. Press down the button on the Galaxy Note 2 stylus, draw a shape on the screen and whatever's on-screen within the shape will be saved as a screengrab.
For full S Pen compatibility, check out Samsung Apps
Samsung says that if you want full S Pen certified apps, you'll need to go to the Samsung Apps store. This comes built into the Note 2, and there's even an S Pen apps section. At present, you're still best off using the Play Store as well, though, as the Samsung Apps store isn't exactly rammed full of Note 2 apps yet.
Left handers need a tweak
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 comes setup for right-handers as standard, but there's also a mode for lefties in the Settings menu. This offsets the digitiser sensor, to compensate for the way those strange left-handed types hold pens. A creepy bunch, aren't they?
Interface​
One for your grandma? Easy home screen mode
Here's one feature we were a little surprised to see in a device that's such a geek's dreamphone. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has a mode called Easy home screen, which simplifies the layout of the phone's home screens in a way that even your technophobe grandma might be able to get along with.
Full screenshots are easy
Like the Samsung Galaxy S3, the Galaxy Note II makes it pretty easy to take screenshots of whatever's on the phone's display. Just hold down the home button and the power button at the same time, wait or a white flash and a screenshot will be taken and whisked over to the Gallery app.
A cooler/easier way to take screenshot is to swipe the palm of your hand from right to left. For this to work you need to enable "Motion" in Settings and check "Palm swipe capture".
Use one-handed operation mode for on-the-go use
The big screen is one of the main selling points of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but it doesn't half make it hard to use one-handed. Knowing this, Samsung as included a one-handed mode, which organises things like the keypad, virtual keyboard and the unlock pattern screen so that you can operate them with one mitt. You'll find it in the Settings menu.
Don't forget side-loading of apps
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is an Android device, with all the benefits that brings. You don't have to rely on the official Google Play app store for one, with APK installation files available for all sorts of other apps online. Be careful, though, as Android viruses are a real issue.
Customise your phone with non-Samsung widgets
Samsung supplied a nice handful of widgets with which you can customise your home screens, but far too few people try a new look with third-party widgets from Google Play. And there are loads out them out there. Some of our old faves include those of the Beautiful Widgets package.
Gadgets and Gimmicks​
Motion control
Here's one we're not big fans of, but some of you may like it. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 lets you control things like the photo gallery and the navigation of you home screens using the accelerometer - by tilting your phone, basically. You can turn it off, though, and it's set to "off" as standard. Phew.
Face unlock
A bit Minority Report, this one. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 can scan your face to unlock your phone. It takes a picture of your mug, remembers the basic geometry of it and then scans your face whenever you try and unlock the phone. It works pretty well, but as a security measure is about as flimsy as the padlock on a filofax.
Smart Stay
The last user-facing camera gimmick is one that sounds kinda neat in principle. It scans for your eyes to check if you're reading, and if it spots them, Smart Stay stops the backlight from turning off. It's designed to make reading on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 a good deal less frustrating. It's a feature you'll find in the Settings menu.
Jelly Bean easter egg
The Jelly Bean easter egg has made it in the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Go to Settings menu > About device and tap on the Android version number entry. You'll be transported to a screen with a picture of a giant jelly bean on it. Hold your finger down on said jelly bean and the screen will fill up with dozens of the blighters, which you can flick around. Pure joy.
Arrange your music by moods
The music player of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 features a fun little extra called Music square. This scans through your music library, arranging the tracks by mood - passionate, calm, exciting, joyful or a little in-between. Tap a block in the 5x5 square grid and you'll be greeted with a tune to match your mood.
Storage​
Expandable storage - where to get it cheap
If you're out to spend as little as possible (and the Note 2 doesn't come cheap as it is), your best bet is to buy the cheapest 16GB model, and supplement any other storage needs with a microSD card. Top retailers for bargain basement-price memory cards include 7DayShop and Ebuyer. A 32GB microSD card these days will set you back less than £15 if you shop hard enough.
Flush the cache for extra memory
If you find yourself running low on memory, you can easily delete the cache and temporary files of any apps you have installed. To do this, go to the Applications Manager section within settings and tap on an app to see how much memory it's leeching. There will be buttons to wipe the cache and data for the app here.
Comes with 50GB of dropbox storage
Cloud storage is the future - you may not like it, but you may as well embrace it. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 owners get to benefit from 50GB of free cloud storage from one of the best providers out there - Dropbox. There are Dropbox apps for mobiles, tablets and computers, and it honestly works like a dream. If this won't convert you, nothing will. You only normally get 2GB of free from Dropbox, making it a pretty sweet deal.
Don't sync, drag 'n' drop
If you chose to go Android rather than opting for an iPhone, there's a good chance that the open-ness of the platform had something to do with it. Samsung is keen on trying to make its users adopt the Kies desktop software, but it's actually completely unnecessary. Plug the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 into a computer with a microUSB cable and it'll show up as a media player drive, which you can drag and drop all kinds of files onto. Transfer speeds are impressively fast too.
Contacts​
Nab contacts from Facebook and Twitter
When we first got our Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in, it didn't have any of the usual social apps installed. Even if you're not a massive mobile Facebook-er, it's worth giving the app a download because it lets you harvest contacts from the network, making populating your contacts book a good deal easier.
Blocking Mode
Do you have a bug-a-boo stalking you? Is there a creep who keeps calling? The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 lets you keep them away with the blocking mode. It restricts notifications and calls from all but your approved contacts - and that can be at all times, or just during the hours you choose.
Camera and Video​
Use HDR mode in mixed lighting - or all the time
The 8-megapixel sensor of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is pretty good on its own, but the neat camera app ups its skills significantly. One of our favourite bonus bits is the HDR mode. This effectively combines multiple exposure in a single shot to bring out extra detail in shadows. Both the HDR and normal shots are saved, meaning there's very little downside - other than that taking shots is a little bit slower.
Check out slow and fast motion modes
Nestled within the menus of the video camera app are fast and slow motion modes, capturing either more or fewer frames per second than normal. It's not quite the 120fps mode you get in some dedicated cameras, but will come in handy if you're trying to video a sports event, for example.
Don't forget video effects
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 doesn't have the fun face-distorting video effects you get with a vanilla Jelly Bean phone, but it does have a range of funky filters. There are colour pop modes, extracting all but certain shades from your videos, and the cartoon filter is perfect for some arty rotoscope-style vids.
Give the exposure longer time than the sound effect suggests
Each time you take a photo, a shutter sound plays in the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. However, we found that occasionally the phone needs a little bit longer to attain a solid focus. Hold still for an extra half-second for good measure.
Get vid previews with Air View
Using Air View, if you hold the pen over the transport bar of a movie clip in the media player, you'll be given a preview of what's going on in the film at that point. It makes finding the right part of a film or TV ep a doddle.
Connectivity​
Don't go over you allowance, with Data Usage
A staple Android feature is the Data Usage counter. This can be found within the Settings menu, and it monitors your data usage, showing it as a colourful graph. You can use it to cut off your mobile data connection once you reach a certain limit, to ensure you won't get charged by your carrier.
Wi-Fi sync with Kies
We've already endorsed drag 'n' drop file transfers over Kies sync'ing, but if you're a Kies fan, don't forget that you can also sync wirelessly. To set this feature up, scroll to the bottom of the More Settings sub-menu, where you'll find the Kies via Wi-Fi option.
S Beam
A feature introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S3, S Beam uses a mixture of NFC and Wi-Fi Direct to let you transfer files between compatible Samsung phones. You just need to tap the phones together to get them playing. S Beam needs to be switched on, though, from within the Wireless and Networks menu.
NFC lets you buy coffee
The NFC connectivity of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 also let you buy small items such as cups of coffee, sandwiches and the like. Several big high street chains have taken the NFC plunge, including Starbucks and EAT, using apps to let you dump credit onto your phone.
Share screens with AllShare Cast
AllShare used to be just about sending a video file from, say, your phone to your Blu-ray player. But now it does a lot more. AllShare Cast lets you send your Galaxy Note 2's screen contents to another display, a bit like AirPlay Mirroring.
Forget Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct is better
Wi-Fi Direct is tied into the S Beam transfer feature, but you can also use it easily on its own. This is a version of Wi-Fi that doesn't need an internet connection, as it can hook-up directly with another compatible device. It some ways it's a successor to Bluetooth, letting you transfer files, and at a much greater speed than old Bluetooth could handle.
Watch your 4G
If you want to get a 4G-capable Note 2, be aware that the LTE edition is separate from the standard one. EE says it'll stock the LTE Galaxy Note 2 from October 15.
Enjoy!:good:
PS: Without comments this thread will fall in the abyss of the system(unless it becomes a sticky, which would be good). So please keep it alive with a little reply. thanks.
<--Don't forget to hit THANKS if I helped
Thank you for this!
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Nice dude. Great write up buddy. Thanks for this. I know all of this stuff already but this is most certainly a fantastic guide for people who just got this phone. Quite invaluable. I applaud your effort. Great stuff brother. Cheers :beer:
Can a mod please sticky this?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Kick A$$! Thanks.
TaPpEd from my TwEaKeD N2
Good tips, thanks didn't know about the spen drawing screen capture feture, nice!
Very useful. Thank you:good:
Awsome Job Sir!! Adding link to my guides directory!!!
Thank you most of this I knew already but some of it I did not very cool. Thank you for putting it all in one place.
Thanks, I learned a few new tricks with the S Pen. Also I turned off the animations per your suggestion, will see what affect that has.
This the first I heard of the dropbox promo. I will have to look into this, do you have more details on it? Although I currently am only using 50% of my 3.5 gigs right now anyhow.
AximUser08 said:
Thanks, I learned a few new tricks with the S Pen. Also I turned off the animations per your suggestion, will see what affect that has.
This the first I heard of the dropbox promo. I will have to look into this, do you have more details on it? Although I currently am only using 50% of my 3.5 gigs right now anyhow.
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The Dropbox Promo works only if you have Dropbox "Preinstalled" on your device. If you have to download Dropbox it won't work.
Op Updated
Good tips!
Thanks for your contribution!
esegype absolutely
Straight up awesome...really appreciate the time and effort this must have taken...Noobs everywhere rejoice!!!
Awsome post. The SPen tid bits are especially handy (scribble directly onto a screenie).
Luv it.
Just wanted to send a little bump to this thread. Just read over entire OP again and still found something I didn't see the first time. Or remember Lol. This is great and very useful. I hope this thread stays alive
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
npainter7 said:
Just wanted to send a little bump to this thread. Just read over entire OP again and still found something I didn't see the first time. Or remember Lol. This is great and very useful. I hope this thread stays alive
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
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Do tell
Thanks for the tips. Very useful.
Thanks for the tips! Some useful stuff in there I didn't know about.
Thanks for the info. Being a new note 2 owner and switching from IOS these hints and tips are a great help.. Makes the learning curve not so long.
Thanks Again
Good Stuff

Sony Smartband SWR10 Full Review and Extended Capabilities Suggestions

Unfortunately, before buying this band, I had made a lot of research and reading people's reviews on this device but there are just simple touch and go writings which do not really provide a better understanding for people to understand this Smartband and its potential. I do hope I could rejoy whoever using this smart device with its pros and care its cons.
Design
Just like the Fitbit and Jawbone, SWR10 was well-known with its minimalistic yet futuristic looking. Simple structure with high quality strap which is amazingly comfortable to be worn. The textured finishing with a silver colour button made the smartband looks simple and premium. The texture difference between top and bottom of the strap brought a unique outlook when it was came with colours other than black. Featuring a feather-weighted core (main part) did really made users to forget its existence occasionally.
Pros
As rated IP58, the smartband was a water resistant device which brings no fear when you wearing it for bathing and swimming. But NOT FOR SEAWATER! For dust proof aspect, it was not perfect to be burried into fine sand. Checkout the IP rating list for more details.
SWR10 was a life companion as it works perfectly with Lifelog app when both of them not as simple as just a fitness tracking combination, but they do record down your daily activities like the moment when you USING YOUR PHONE for social networking and entertaining. It records the moment when you trigger the camera button and what the photos you take, and even more. Just a double presses on the button at the side of the core, the smartband capture your LifeBookmark and send to the Lifelog to bookmark your interesting moment with location.
The sleep tracking amd Smart Alarm were wonderful for me. Using these features, I felt that now I am able manage my sleep better and wake up fresh every morning. Inspecting the trend of my sleeps, I know my body well and will try out a better relaxation method when preparing to sleep so that I could really rest my body with a longer Deep Sleep phase.
Vibration feature does really helps me a lot at pushing notification from phone to my smartband and also wake me up by vinrating on my wrist. When I kept my phone in my bag and go to the kitchen, I can know when there is an incoming call as the smartband will vibrate to notify me. Now I never miss out any call since using smartband!
With the aid of different smartband extension apps, you can remote your phone even better than other brands. Example, when activated the Media Player mode, a single tap after pressing the button of the smartband once, Music app will open and plays the songs! With Smart Camera Extension, taking a Groupfie will be so easy like never! Just press the smartband button and a single tap will trigger the shutter!
Cons
Overall, this smartband has some cons as below
1) Not as accurate as pro tracker like Jawbone Up or Fitbit or Garmin, but since it is activity. tracker and life recording device, I could say it worth the drawback. As even it was not a perfect steps counter, but it still did its job to show whether you are more active than yesterday!
2) Limited functionality, might just for now since no API was available at this moment, this smartband just works for different tasks without allowong you to customize own vibrationpatterns or LED indicating patterns. Without a display was the biggest drawback...But who cares? Even you are notified or able to see the content of message, you still need to take out your phone and reply, so it makes no difference unless you willing to buy the expensive Samsung Gear smartwatch or Apple Watch or others.
3) Remote media player by tapping on smartband was not flawless last time, but with new updated firmware, it works better with some practices. Practice makes perfect!
Extended functionality
The word "functionali-" was not end with "ties" is because by now, there is only an app called Smartband Notifier which is available at Google Play Store which works with Tasker to produce customized number of vibration with customized interval between vibration for different apps' notification. Without display or LED pattern, at least, you can determine which app is notifying you without a glance on your phone.
Suggestion
1) Time feature
Since smartband has three LEDs, I suggest developer to make a gesture like Miband to show the current time. Like example, 1 o'clock, LED A flash once and so on for 2 and 3 o'clock with flashing of LED B and C respectively. Add once more for a cycle like flashing LED A twice for 4 o'clock, understand? And for 10,11 and 12, set the LEDs to flash alternately with combination of two LEDs : 10 (x_x) , 11 (xx_) , 12(_xx). Dividing 60minutes into four quaters and light the LEDs with different patterns to tell the quater might be a simple solution for the minutes.
2) Enhance the media control by flashing the LEDs but not just remain light up to tell the users whether their taps on the smartband are registered or not. A beep sound also can be played on the phone to tells the users that their phone is responding with the taps. Also, adding volume control by movement of wrist as with the 3D accelerometer, the smartband can tells the phone that users is turning their wrist clockwise to increase the volume. This situation is just similar to the game which designed for Smarband (forgotten the name of it, is a bombing airplanes game).
This is my step-by-step reviews and I hope the developer will see these and modify the smartbamd firmware to fully extend its potential to be not just a simple band! Goodluck everyone!
Forgive my bad grammars but I am learning to be better =) Correct my grammars before sharing if you willing to do so =D
Goodjob bro.informing post.i'm waiting for new band
Thanks man, do share it so developers might give it a shot to enhance the band.

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