Hi,
I picked up a touchpad when HP held their second firesale. I loaded Android shortly after and have been running Alpha 3.5.
I would like some feedback on what are some must have utility apps for this combination of hardware and software.
So far I have AVG anti-virus, android pro widgets, and adw free launcher. I have downloaded CPU master free but haven't turned it on yet.
What are some other utilities you consideration must have.
Thanks,
Rick
hmmm...depends what sort of apps you are after, quick office, adobe reader enhanced email, evernote & skitch for the productivity stuff.
android pro widgets is a good one allows you good selection of widgets to cover the large screen (except email)
if you're after a nice clock HD widgets works well.
Choice (the free will android offers ) is yours pretty much
My suggestions:
Airdroid for quick access to the Touchpad.
Rom Toolbox and/or Titanium Backup in case you need it.
SetCPU is another option instead of CPU master free.
File Expert is often helpful
Quick Settings for turning options.
bye the way: Quite a number of apps and games are available and are really worth.
You wil find it on the market or also at getjar (m.getjar.com)
Thank you both for the replies. My original post was about utilities for the OS and software. Having said that, I'm looking for all good app recommendations.
I have installed several highly praised apps like Evernote, Google Maps, etc.
I was wondering if I should get launcher pro. I'm not exactly sure what a launcher does. Will it include new widgets? Does it also add the functionality to change icons?
Again, appreciate all the suggestions and welcome more.
Rick
The launcher is really the interface you see and use to launch apps. I haven't used launcher pro lately and last time I used it, it was not being updated. I think most people either use the default launcher, ADW, or Go launcher. There isn't much harm installing each and trying it other that the time invested setting up the screens. Every time you hit the home button, it will ask which launcher you want to use. When you find one you like, check make default and uninstall the others.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
C5Longhorn said:
So far I have AVG anti-virus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need that, delete it.
peachpuff said:
You don't need that, delete it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying a anti-virus app is not needed or there is a better one out there?
pbot said:
The launcher is really the interface you see and use to launch apps. I haven't used launcher pro lately and last time I used it, it was not being updated. I think most people either use the default launcher, ADW, or Go launcher. There isn't much harm installing each and trying it other that the time invested setting up the screens. Every time you hit the home button, it will ask which launcher you want to use. When you find one you like, check make default and uninstall the others.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. I have the free ADW launcher as it came with the Honeycomb look alike 3D SB theme I downloaded.
C5Longhorn said:
Are you saying a anti-virus app is not needed or there is a better one out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not needed.
What about Advanced Task Killer. That is not needed either, right?
I would suggest (in addition to what you have, thought I agree you don't need AVG):
root explorer (file browser with root access and built in text editor)
HashDroid (md5 checker to doublecheck downloads were successful)
amazon market (free app a day, can't go wrong with that)
mClock (fully customizable clock widget)
C5Longhorn said:
Are you saying a anti-virus app is not needed or there is a better one out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not needed, there are no android viruses.
What about Advanced Task Killer. That is not needed either, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely not. Task killers work against how android works, and will actually use more battery.
sitlet said:
Not needed, there are no android viruses.
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Click to collapse
Ya, it's not like android is the #1 most infected OS for 2011
sitlet said:
Not needed, there are no android viruses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly true, there ARE Android viruses (at least, by most people's definition of virus... there are no true viruses but the same could be said for Windows)
However, they're far and few, and you can only really get one if you carelessly install something without knowing what it is. The Android Market shows you application permissions needed before installing for that very reason, for example if a live wallpaper needs to read your contact info then something is wrong.
File Expert -->Powerful File Manager/WIFI File Transfer Web & FTP/App Manager
Super Manager -->All in One powerful system utility (backup apk in "Readable Display Name").
Do u know any other utility capable of this apart "AppMonster"?
I am currently running the Xeron Beta 2.9 build, which is ICS themed just a little.
But these are my downloaded apps:
Ice Cream Sandwich (theme) for adw and go launchers [replaces the stock icons to ice cream sandwich]
Clean Clock Widget [a nice 3x2 widget for showing time and date]
Dropbox [enables me to transfer some apk's files without the hassle and using usb]
ES File Explorer [file manager with root access to remove unwanted apps/bloat ware]
Firefox [best browser imo with access to my desktop bookmarks, and quick access to the address bar]
AnTuTu CPU Master (free) [overclocked my tablet to 1512 MHz]
Tiwiz ICS Search Bar [adds google search widget ICS themed]
Thanks for all replies. I'm going to the app store and checking out all recommendations. Keep them coming.
Forgot to mention this theme:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1311339
Ignore the error message about screen size when you install, it works and looks fantastic! I love how the wifi and battery are the same color now, and the notification window is shaded so it's easier to tell when it's up. Also it makes the soft buttons more consistent with ICS.
Noob android user here.
When I first got my s3 it was snappy and fast but after a year it has really slowed down. I have 4gb of free space and I also have tried cleaning cache.
What can I do to make it snappy again? any help would be appreciated.
I here talk about bloatware removal, What does it actually remove?
I highly recommend using Nova Launcher from the playstore. Go to developer settings and switch animations to .5, default is 1.0x.
Nova gives you more customization than touchwiz and from what I've read it uses less RAM than touchwiz. Win win.
In nova settings, also switch the transitions to fast.
Removing bloatware is self explanatory. You basically get rid of apps that you don't use that come pre installed on your device and you cannot actually uninstall.
Most custom roms are debloated. For this you need root access though.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
IXChicharitoXI said:
I highly recommend using Nova Launcher from the playstore. Go to developer settings and switch animations to .5, default is 1.0x.
Nova gives you more customization than touchwiz and from what I've read it uses less RAM than touchwiz. Win win.
In nova settings, also switch the transitions to fast.
Removing bloatware is self explanatory. You basically get rid of apps that you don't use that come pre installed on your device and you cannot actually uninstall.
Most custom roms are debloated. For this you need root access though.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Well I am rooted and I am using nova because I used to have homescreen redraws.
uf21 said:
Well I am rooted and I am using nova because I used to have homescreen redraws.
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Click to collapse
Which galaxy s 3 are you using? If you're rooted, have you tried different roms? Most roms come tweaked for better performance and debloated. Just read the OP to see what you're getting.
Check for any apps settings like Facebook, Twitter, weather, anything that may be syncing in the background.
Things like that take up RAM so when you use other apps it'll slow you down cause everything is working at once.
I highly suggest downloading Greenify from the playstore.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
The Fastest and the easiest way would be to switch to a custom ROM, especially slimmed down ones. I'm personally using Neat ROM Lite and I have been more than satisfied with its performance. I'm also using googy kernel v2.0 TDI with it since I believe that gives me more battery but that is optional.
If you don't want to change your ROM. The other quick fix you can do is, get xposed framework with per app settings module from below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2072081
Make your launcher, phone and contacts app as always resident in memory. This will solve launcher redraws and slow opening of phone/contact app.
Once you done that, to kill off the lag install another app called greenify from market. This app will search for all other apps running persistently in background causing the lag. From the list of the app thus obtained, you can greenify the non-important ones i.e. it will make them exit as soon as you leave the app.
and don't ask questions in this section, please. it's against the rules
HI
bloatware removal is only done on custom ROms by developers.. you cant do it when you are on stock firmware .you can use applikations to clean out rubbish from phone.. for example clean master (free)
or remove uneccessary programs from startup - use startup manager free app from market.
i will try also restore phone to factory defaults.. dont forget to backup whats important.
hope will help.
Something about Touchwiz (wether you use the launcher or not) makes the phone slow at times. I have found that mods and roms seldom fix ALL slowdowns. They always occur from time to time.
The only real solution I've found was moving to AOSP (CM in my case). You get a couple of bugs, but the lag is completely gone. A trade off sadly. Worth trying though.
Hello !
I have an Android 4.4.2 KitKat and I want to sort apps by type (tools, game, social ...) in apps drawer.
Is there any applications that can allow to create a sort by type ? I don't want to install new laucher like Go launcher but just mods or apks that can I use with my default launcher.
Suggestions?
Thank you !
quentin2260 said:
Hello !
I have an Android 4.4.2 KitKat and I want to sort apps by type (tools, game, social ...) in apps drawer.
Is there any applications that can allow to create a sort by type ? I don't want to install new laucher like Go launcher but just mods or apks that can I use with my default launcher.
Suggestions?
Thank you !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have ever seen this mods or apks before in xda/mobilism.org/other forum/....
if you prefer KitKat Launcher style with folders follow this:
KK Launcher Prime ( Android 4.4) v2.5
KK Launcher Prime ( Android 4.4) v2.5
quentin2260 said:
Hello !
I have an Android 4.4.2 KitKat and I want to sort apps by type (tools, game, social ...) in apps drawer.
Is there any applications that can allow to create a sort by type ? I don't want to install new laucher like Go launcher but just mods or apks that can I use with my default launcher.
Suggestions?
Thank you !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there are plenty of apps and launchers that allow you to sort you apps in the drawer. You can create folders if thats what you mean:highfive:
A great one I use is Epic Laucher, its also based on kitkat laucher + its free! You can find a link below along with a few others:
Epic Launcher:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2534657
Nova Launcher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en
ADW.Launcher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adw.launcher&hl=en
Enjoy dude
Maurice5813 said:
Yes, there are plenty of apps and launchers that allow you to sort you apps in the drawer. You can create folders if thats what you mean:highfive:
A great one I use is Epic Laucher, its also based on kitkat laucher + its free! You can find a link below along with a few others:
Epic Launcher:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2534657
Nova Launcher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en
ADW.Launcher:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adw.launcher&hl=en
Enjoy dude
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for answers ! I'll try Epic Launcher
quentin2260 said:
Thanks for answers ! I'll try Epic Launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your welcome
create app folders in Android
a) Firstly, open you app window or application drawer.
b) Now from the list of apps, Long press the app you want to make a folder for. Long pressing the app should take you straight to the homescreen where you can drop the app.
c) Again open the app drawer and long press another app you want to put in the same folder. Without letting go, drag the app on top of the previous app to put them in the same folder. Repeat the process for other apps or games.
d) In the homescreen you should now see a round folder with the apps you just put in. You can name the folder by pressing it and clicking on “Unnamed Folder”.
That creates a folder on the homescreen, not in the app drawer. Or am I missing something?
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Hi,
I have searched around but could not find any ans but have similar threads >(http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...m.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2583934)
I am looking for an alternative to GO launcher.I have not upgraded my GO launcher since 3.11 due to bloatware.I would like to ask is there any launcher that allows custom sorting of apps inside the folder?For eg i have created a folder called Games in the app drawer and would like to custom the games sort them instead alphabetical order.From my understanding,Nova is only not able to do so?
use next launcher,its bloatware free but very costly
Thanks.I will try the lite version first.So only launchers developed by GO-devs are able to do that?
Hey, so in one of the launchers i used previously ( I think Nova, not too sure) There was a folder feature which allowed me to scroll inside a folder as if it was a homescreen, thus enabling me to put more than the current default amount of apps which is 16 on the Google Now Launcher which I currently use.
I was wondering if this feature was available through a mod (xposed) or if there was an app which would enable me to do so??
Im currently using a Moto G XT1032 running the stock Motorola 4.4.2 with the Google Now launcher on top of it. It is rooted with the Xposed Framework enabled. Although Gravitybox has a lot of features, it doesnt have this
I'd appreciate any help
thanks in advance