Hello everyone, and thank you very much for all your hard work in this forum. Also, I'd like to apologize if my questions have been answered elsewhere. I've searched, but I must have missed the answers.
First of all, I'm a noob all right: first-time owning an android device and having almost no experience with linux/unix systems. However, I'm not afraid to learn and tinker with things if I know what I'm doing, the rewards and the risks involved. I have searched and read quite a bit, but I still can't decide whether I want to root my tablet or not. Hence the question: What are the benefits of rooting the NT?
1. Install 3rd party apps?
This seems to be the biggest reason for most people who decide to root their NT. However I'm not an app junkie. In fact I prefer my device to be lean and mean, so I try to minimize the number of apps I install. I don't play games, not even Angry Birds, so the apps that I'm interested in are mostly utility apps. I value functions more than looks, so I couldn't care less about installing a personalized color theme, but I would go all out to get something that helps me organize my stuffs. I have tons of music and books and PDF documents that without a folder system, it would be an impossible pain to scroll up and down to find the thing I want. So my questions are: does stock NT allow us to organize our stuffs into nested folders? If it's a no for stock NT, can rooted NT do that? I've heard that we need to sideload 3rd party app (mxplayer) to playback some video files (mkv)? Can I stream flash videos, such as those on youtube or hulu.com, using built-in web browser, or do I need to root my NT and install particular browser? Is there a good app to read and annotate PDF documents? Can I install voice chat apps such as GTalk or Skype? Is there a good app for sketching with or without a stylus?
I guess my question is, are there such apps, and if there are, can I sideload them without rooting?
2. Remove memory restriction?
We have only 1GB for non-nook stuffs and restrictions on what apps we can install where. Even though we can sideload many non-nook apps as well as non-nook content without rooting, they are not going to be stored in the nook-only partition, right? So is there a way we can access and store our stuffs on that huge nook-only space without rooting? If not, will rooting allow us to do that? It just seems unfair to me that out of 12GB, we have only 1GB for our own stuffs.
3. System/Interface modifications?
I read somewhere that NT does have a bluetooth chip, but rooting still doesn't make it usable. Then what are the main modifications we can do? Would any of them prevent us from unrooting and returning the NT to stock if need be?
Thank you very much for reading my post, and again sorry if I unknowingly violate any rules/etiquette of the forum.
Lot's of questions, but that's ok. I have a nook color that was rooted, and my android phone is rooted...and that's about the extent of my experience, but it lets me compare to a non-rooted NT just fine.
I'm finding that with a little effort, my stock NT is just about as flexible as my rooted NC. Without rooting, I've got a ton of apps sideloaded, a different launcher running, an app that allows me to access specific apps or the whole drawer no matter where I am (wave launcher), dropbox, pdf's a plenty, netflix and hulu...yeah. I'm actually impressed with the stock pdf reader as I can highlight and look up words directly from the text, but I primarily use Repligo for pdf's as the stock reader sucks at reflowing the text. I keep just about everything on my sd card, so I'm not too concerned with the storage partition. I plan on getting a 32gb card and moving apps to sd if I have to...no biggie.
The only thing I really miss about not being rooted is not being able to use titanium back up, or access to the android market for updating my apps, and the only reason I'm not is that I'm too lazy to go through the process. As of right now, if I want an app on my NT, I either get it off the Amazon market (which can easily be installed on a stock NT), or I pull the apk from my titanium back ups on my phone. I know it's not a true tablet, so I'm not so concerned with putting different roms on it. I like it as a high power reader.
It sounds like you don't need a rooted NT, really. Android market is the main reason for most people who don't want to fully use it as an android tablet or mess around with settings to use the machine.
You can install launchers, other apps, amazon market, etc, without rooting it - and a 16 or 32GB sd card is going to be plenty on a reader/browser/streaming entertainment device. As mentioned in another thread, if you're asking why? then you don't need it Try to do whatever you want without it, and keep in mind that it's *not* a drastic procedure if you do decide to root the device, and you can always unroot/go back to factory whenever.
tkanne said:
Hello everyone, and thank you very much for all your hard work in this forum. Also, I'd like to apologize if my questions have been answered elsewhere. I've searched, but I must have missed the answers.
First of all, I'm a noob all right: first-time owning an android device and having almost no experience with linux/unix systems. However, I'm not afraid to learn and tinker with things if I know what I'm doing, the rewards and the risks involved. I have searched and read quite a bit, but I still can't decide whether I want to root my tablet or not. Hence the question: What are the benefits of rooting the NT?
1. Install 3rd party apps?
This seems to be the biggest reason for most people who decide to root their NT. However I'm not an app junkie. In fact I prefer my device to be lean and mean, so I try to minimize the number of apps I install. I don't play games, not even Angry Birds, so the apps that I'm interested in are mostly utility apps. I value functions more than looks, so I couldn't care less about installing a personalized color theme, but I would go all out to get something that helps me organize my stuffs. I have tons of music and books and PDF documents that without a folder system, it would be an impossible pain to scroll up and down to find the thing I want. So my questions are: does stock NT allow us to organize our stuffs into nested folders? If it's a no for stock NT, can rooted NT do that? I've heard that we need to sideload 3rd party app (mxplayer) to playback some video files (mkv)? Can I stream flash videos, such as those on youtube or hulu.com, using built-in web browser, or do I need to root my NT and install particular browser? Is there a good app to read and annotate PDF documents? Can I install voice chat apps such as GTalk or Skype? Is there a good app for sketching with or without a stylus?
I guess my question is, are there such apps, and if there are, can I sideload them without rooting?
2. Remove memory restriction?
We have only 1GB for non-nook stuffs and restrictions on what apps we can install where. Even though we can sideload many non-nook apps as well as non-nook content without rooting, they are not going to be stored in the nook-only partition, right? So is there a way we can access and store our stuffs on that huge nook-only space without rooting? If not, will rooting allow us to do that? It just seems unfair to me that out of 12GB, we have only 1GB for our own stuffs.
3. System/Interface modifications?
I read somewhere that NT does have a bluetooth chip, but rooting still doesn't make it usable. Then what are the main modifications we can do? Would any of them prevent us from unrooting and returning the NT to stock if need be?
Thank you very much for reading my post, and again sorry if I unknowingly violate any rules/etiquette of the forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm somewhat experienced with Android, but I just lurk on the forums, I rarely post. The talent here and on other forums is amazing. You ask why root? And then you spell out the 3 main reasons for rooting. You kinda answered your own question. What you need to do now is make a decision for your self if you want to root. Factory restore is real easy, as long as you don't mess with the partitions, if you need warranty. One reason for rooting you left out, which to me is the most important, it's my hardware, I'll do what I want to with it-once I pay for it I don't want to be told what I can and cannot do with it. I guess that's ego. I love mine rooted, it's a decent standard android tab, and the Nook, because all the Nook software is still there-I chose not to remove it. Whatever you decide, though, Enjoy it!
Thank you all so much for replying to my post. It sounds like I don't need to root my NT, and that's my feeling too. Rooting or unrooting the device doesnt seem to be difficult, I was just wondering if it's worth it. I didn't want to miss out on something cool if I don't. I'm quite keen on reclaiming as much built-in memory as I can though, so I'll keep an eye out for when the gurus in this forum find out how to do create and mount a virtual FAT filesystem as mentioned in this post. It will also be real cool if someone figure out how to make the bluetooth chip work, if at all possible.
I have a question about Android market though. What's the main benefits of having Android Market vs Amazon Appstore?
Thanks again.
tkanne said:
I didn't want to miss out on something cool if I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be - it's mostly convenience and exposure to more apps (by browsing the market), and a few other things (backup tools).
The Amazon store sort of seems to be pulling apps from a small (very small, like 2% or so currently) section of the Android market actually, since I've found deals on Amazon mirrored when the Android market was having a sale - but never the reverse. So: main advantage is separate deal opportunities for when apps go on sale. If you have access to an android device (your phone etc) you can just buy them on that device instead and port them over. The Amazon store is actually nicer and has more features that you'll like - the ability to block in-app purchases, much more reliable reviews, daily free app deals, so it's not bad at all. The Android market is much much bigger, but that likely means both harder to find stuff and ending up with a lot of apps that flat out don't work or crash on the NT. And who knows, the B&N app store might be expanded to be fairly large next year (they're planning on it).
Wow, thanks so much for the explanation, zmobie. Now I feel totally confident that I won't need the Android Market, at least as far as I can see. I might still root my NT though, one day, just for the fun of it
Amazon DRM
Let's not fail to mention that apps purchased through the Amazon App Store have been infected with DRM (digital rights management). You must keep the Amazon App Store application installed so that it can verify that you did not steal the apps. Though I am uncertain whether it keeps a log or actually makes contact with Amazon.com.
Then there is the fact that it runs in the background constantly. The NT may have the memory for it but my phone doesn't
So here we are, talking about not being coerced or controlled by hardware manufacturers but are perfectly willing to drink the Amazon kool-aid.
Thanks, Nuenjin. I didn't know that about Amazon Appstore. I hate things that run in the background unnecessarily, and this will be one of those. Why does it need to do that? Can we force it to close or change the settings such that it wont start automatically (sth similar to changing the startup settings on the PC)? As for the DRM, do we have a way to strip it off the apps? I bought ebooks from amazon now and then, and I always strip off the DRM so I can read them on other devices...
Nuenjin said:
Let's not fail to mention that apps purchased through the Amazon App Store have been infected with DRM (digital rights management). You must keep the Amazon App Store application installed so that it can verify that you did not steal the apps. Though I am uncertain whether it keeps a log or actually makes contact with Amazon.com.
Then there is the fact that it runs in the background constantly. The NT may have the memory for it but my phone doesn't
So here we are, talking about not being coerced or controlled by hardware manufacturers but are perfectly willing to drink the Amazon kool-aid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this also apply to the "free app of the day" from amazon?
HMG10 said:
Does this also apply to the "free app of the day" from amazon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very much so
There are many people who do not mind a little DRM with their breakfast. They get a free app every day and sometimes better deals on the rest. I don't own any tablet yet, waiting on money honestly, but my phone can't support another memory sucking app that doesn't pull its own weight.
I read an article, and I'm looking for it so I can post it, about the hoops that Amazon forces developers to jump through.
For instance:
-The free app of the day; the developer gets no royalty for a free app.
-DRM is 'optional' but has anyone found an Amazon app that does not contain it?
-Developers cannot put their app 'on sale' outside of Amazon without lowering their Amazon price permanently.
-Amazon decides where the app will be priced, not the developer.
Sorry to go on, but once again, I don't like to do business with people/groups who bully their way into market share. That's Apple's model.
Nuenjin said:
There are many people who do not mind a little DRM with their breakfast. They get a free app every day and sometimes better deals on the rest. I don't own any tablet yet, waiting on money honestly, but my phone can't support another memory sucking app that doesn't pull its own weight.
I read an article, and I'm looking for it so I can post it, about the hoops that Amazon forces developers to jump through.
For instance:
-The free app of the day; the developer gets no royalty for a free app.
-DRM is 'optional' but has anyone found an Amazon app that does not contain it?
-Developers cannot put their app 'on sale' outside of Amazon without lowering their Amazon price permanently.
-Amazon decides where the app will be priced, not the developer.
Sorry to go on, but once again, I don't like to do business with people/groups who bully their way into market share. That's Apple's model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a poor business model, as it pushes developers away.
Follow up question on amazon app market: if you get the free app of the day, is it forever tied to your amazon account? Can I remove amazon app store then someday put it back on and have access to those free apps?
HMG10 said:
Sounds like a poor business model, as it pushes developers away.
Follow up question on amazon app market: if you get the free app of the day, is it forever tied to your amazon account? Can I remove amazon app store then someday put it back on and have access to those free apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, they're tied to your account. So as long as you attach the app store to the same account (and the apps haven't been removed by amazon for some reason) you'll have access to them.
akaCat said:
and the apps haven't been removed by amazon for some reason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
And one more question, I bought SoundHound from Apple AppStore for my iPhone. Is there a way I can install it on my NT? Or do I need to buy its Android version?
tkanne said:
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
And one more question, I bought SoundHound from Apple AppStore for my iPhone. Is there a way I can install it on my NT? Or do I need to buy its Android version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an android version.
tkanne said:
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only meant if Amazon hasn't removed the apps from their market. I have no idea if any android app vendor has a way to remove a downloaded app from a device.
Google has removed numerous apps from the android market. The ones I've heard of were all malware of some sort, so no loss.
Hello, I'm new to this forum, but, I have been in other forums relating to hacking 'mobile' devices. Previously, I was part of a number of different iOS forums, so, I know about jailbreaking, and troubleshooting problems on the iOS platform. I'll also share my few thoughts on Android, and my experience on Jelly Bean so far within this, embarrassingly long, post.
However, with Google's announcement of the Nexus 7, I was impressed by Android, and I was thoroughly impressed that it had finally sorted out the lagging problems. (I had used Android tablets, but they never appealed to me due to the lag which each one experienced. Jelly Bean, and, in particular, 'Project Butter', has remedied this issue - I have experienced no lag on my Nexus 7 since I received it a week ago.) And so, I pre-ordered the Nexus 7 - deciding against purchasing, a much more expensive, but, I believed, an excellent tablet, the iPad.
iOS, also, was beginning to become less interesting to use - sure, the iPad may have a larger scale of the iOS mobile operating system, but it remained largely the same. Same interface (although on a, admittedly, much better screen) same apps, same freedom - without the jailbreak. The new iPad (as advertised and sold by Apple), I thought, also did not do an excellent job on improving it's predecessor. Sure, an improved screen, and processor to power the screen - but is that worth it? (Considering another one will, inevitably, be released within a year.)
Tegra 3 was making strides. Although, one thing that saddens me about Android, and is something which definitely hinders it's ability to overthrow iOS - is the fragmentation present on the operating system. I'm not sure which apps are compatible with my Nexus 7, and which ones are not. (On a side not, piracy is also another factor which slows the progress of Android, and is perhaps a reason why some apps are exclusive to iOS in the first place - I'm looking at you Epic Games! Android certainly has the power and graphical capabilities to run the game, but Epic, like all companies must, are interested primarily on their profits. Again, fragmentation plays its part!)
Although, shifting to different mobile operating systems is rather difficult - especially since I am intrigued by modifications, and altering devices to make them fulfil my needs. On iOS, it was quite simple: There was only one thing to do - jailbreak. A process, which in itself, was extremely simple (for the most part.) It appears there are also much more iOS specialists on YouTube, who post easy to follow tutorials. Also, since iOS is a 'closed' platform, I was not concerned by viruses, and I knew what I could, and could not do.
Android, however, is open - and this, paradoxically, limits myself. There are so many modifications, I do not know which ones are good, which ones are bad, and which ones could result in bricking my, now beloved, Nexus 7. I don't want to completely mess up my device, or install random rubbish which only makes it slower. I have, almost literally, no clue on where to start. Sure, I've downloaded a few basic apps from Google Play - TegraZone - but who cannot do that without assistance?
I want to install more widgets, that amaze me, and also applications which will prove useful. (For example, a file managing app, a torrent app (no piracy! ), and other cool things.) I also, though, require a reliable anti-virus. Having previously used iOS for a number of years, I was not subject to any viruses, and, indeed, I did not have to worry about viruses - there are very few, if any, viruses on iOS. Android, though, is much more open to viruses. I need to ensure that I do not succumb to one.
However, what I am most interested in is the 'rooting' process, and the benefits which can derive from it. What extra things can I achieve by rooting my Nexus 7? What applications should I install to supplement the rooted device? (I have read of ClockWork(?)Mod, but I have not really ventured that far into applications which take advantage of rooting, since a lot of the information mentioned appears to me as gibberish, due to my noobishness .) And, perhaps most importantly, if something were to go tragically wrong - how would I recover the device. (Again, I'll make a reference to iOS, since, it is an operating system I am familiar with - you could simply restore the device through iTunes - what is Android's alternative?)
So, can you assist me in getting accustomed to the Android operating system by providing your recommended apps, and also useful tutorials which I can use to develop my understanding? I literally have no clue what half of the things in the Android section of this forum talk about - they included an abundance of vocabulary which, evidently, you need relative experience to understand. I also need require some Android experts - involved in perhaps development - to follow on Twitter!
Thanks for reading through my essay! Please, help a noob get started! I would appreciate all forms of feedback!
Note: I have downloaded the Android SDK (Although, not installed it, as of the time of writing.), and I have also got the factory image for the Nexus 7. I achieved this by briefly viewing a YouTube video. There do not appear to be that many, though. The XDA YouTube channel generally covers the news aspect of all things related to Android.
The greatest bit of advice I can give is to start here - Nexus 7 - and read read read!
There's no backup and restoring the entire system without root. When you do you can install a custom recovery. Note there is always a stock recovery that is far limited compared to recoveries such as CWM.
Android really doesn't have problems with viruses. Seriously. The only reason why it appears so is because idiots sideload apps from shady sites that contain viruses, but on iOS there is no sideloading without jailbreak.
For a file managing app, you can use Explorer (my preferance), ES File Explorer, or Astro.
Widgets are really personal preferance, I keep a music widget to quickly play music, a calendar widget, weather widget. You might want a news widget like Flipboard.
Rooting gives you full access to your device. It allows performance gains like overclocking, battery saving with underclocking. Like I said before, it opens to ability to backup/restore entire systems and individual apps with Titanium Backup. You can install customs ROMs, delete system apps (usually bloatware), remap the physical keys, use Tasker for automated tasking (pretty awesome btw). You can also edit system files, such as notification tones, ringtones, bootanimation, etc.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
Konflict1471 said:
Hello, I'm new to this forum, but, I have been in other forums relating to hacking 'mobile' devices. Previously, I was part of a number of different iOS forums, so, I know about jailbreaking, and troubleshooting problems on the iOS platform. I'll also share my few thoughts on Android, and my experience on Jelly Bean so far within this, embarrassingly long, post.
However, with Google's announcement of the Nexus 7, I was impressed by Android, and I was thoroughly impressed that it had finally sorted out the lagging problems. (I had used Android tablets, but they never appealed to me due to the lag which each one experienced. Jelly Bean, and, in particular, 'Project Butter', has remedied this issue - I have experienced no lag on my Nexus 7 since I received it a week ago.) And so, I pre-ordered the Nexus 7 - deciding against purchasing, a much more expensive, but, I believed, an excellent tablet, the iPad.
iOS, also, was beginning to become less interesting to use - sure, the iPad may have a larger scale of the iOS mobile operating system, but it remained largely the same. Same interface (although on a, admittedly, much better screen) same apps, same freedom - without the jailbreak. The new iPad (as advertised and sold by Apple), I thought, also did not do an excellent job on improving it's predecessor. Sure, an improved screen, and processor to power the screen - but is that worth it? (Considering another one will, inevitably, be released within a year.)
Tegra 3 was making strides. Although, one thing that saddens me about Android, and is something which definitely hinders it's ability to overthrow iOS - is the fragmentation present on the operating system. I'm not sure which apps are compatible with my Nexus 7, and which ones are not. (On a side not, piracy is also another factor which slows the progress of Android, and is perhaps a reason why some apps are exclusive to iOS in the first place - I'm looking at you Epic Games! Android certainly has the power and graphical capabilities to run the game, but Epic, like all companies must, are interested primarily on their profits. Again, fragmentation plays its part!)
Although, shifting to different mobile operating systems is rather difficult - especially since I am intrigued by modifications, and altering devices to make them fulfil my needs. On iOS, it was quite simple: There was only one thing to do - jailbreak. A process, which in itself, was extremely simple (for the most part.) It appears there are also much more iOS specialists on YouTube, who post easy to follow tutorials. Also, since iOS is a 'closed' platform, I was not concerned by viruses, and I knew what I could, and could not do.
Android, however, is open - and this, paradoxically, limits myself. There are so many modifications, I do not know which ones are good, which ones are bad, and which ones could result in bricking my, now beloved, Nexus 7. I don't want to completely mess up my device, or install random rubbish which only makes it slower. I have, almost literally, no clue on where to start. Sure, I've downloaded a few basic apps from Google Play - TegraZone - but who cannot do that without assistance?
I want to install more widgets, that amaze me, and also applications which will prove useful. (For example, a file managing app, a torrent app (no piracy! ), and other cool things.) I also, though, require a reliable anti-virus. Having previously used iOS for a number of years, I was not subject to any viruses, and, indeed, I did not have to worry about viruses - there are very few, if any, viruses on iOS. Android, though, is much more open to viruses. I need to ensure that I do not succumb to one.
However, what I am most interested in is the 'rooting' process, and the benefits which can derive from it. What extra things can I achieve by rooting my Nexus 7? What applications should I install to supplement the rooted device? (I have read of ClockWork(?)Mod, but I have not really ventured that far into applications which take advantage of rooting, since a lot of the information mentioned appears to me as gibberish, due to my noobishness .) And, perhaps most importantly, if something were to go tragically wrong - how would I recover the device. (Again, I'll make a reference to iOS, since, it is an operating system I am familiar with - you could simply restore the device through iTunes - what is Android's alternative?)
So, can you assist me in getting accustomed to the Android operating system by providing your recommended apps, and also useful tutorials which I can use to develop my understanding? I literally have no clue what half of the things in the Android section of this forum talk about - they included an abundance of vocabulary which, evidently, you need relative experience to understand. I also need require some Android experts - involved in perhaps development - to follow on Twitter!
Thanks for reading through my essay! Please, help a noob get started! I would appreciate all forms of feedback!
Note: I have downloaded the Android SDK (Although, not installed it, as of the time of writing.), and I have also got the factory image for the Nexus 7. I achieved this by briefly viewing a YouTube video. There do not appear to be that many, though. The XDA YouTube channel generally covers the news aspect of all things related to Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to Android!
I think you'll enjoy it
Ok on to your questions:
These are gonna be out of order
Reliable anti-virus: Trend Micro Mobile Security (worth the $10 )
Benefits of CWM: Backups, restores, custom ROM flashing
Benefits of rooting: custom ROMs, access to system files
Some apps to get started: Angry birds , Rom Manager, BatteryCalibration, ES File Manager, imo
Android's alternative to iTunes' restore is CWM. It's not official but its tons better then iTunes. You do it from the device and its a full, complete restore.
Ask again if I didn't answer something
Very long post BUT a few things to think about.
I have never used a antivirus software and really they are pointless just look at the apps before you download them read the comments and look at the permissions the app uses and think "does that fart noise app need to be able to send texts" of cause the answer is no so don't install it.
Other fractures can be useful like phone tracking but there are better apps that are free for this like prey.
If you root you will have full control of your filesystem much like su on Linux if you have ever used this. You could for example with root use my project to run Linux distros like Ubuntu. The nexus 7 due to being under googles power is very easy to unlock and root and if you mess something up easy to restore a backup. There are other great apps to like being able to back up apps and there data.
Just a few points and if you have more questions feel free to pm me
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
AVG or Avast antivirus are the best.
Solid Explorer is the best file explorer.
UCCW is the most customizable widget.
Taptu or Pulse are the best news readers.
Pocket.
Tapatalk forum.
MX player is the best video player.
Dropbox is by far the best cloud storage.
Photoshop.
PowerAMP is the best Music Player.
I would say that you don't need to root a Nexus Device. You got the latest OS and will always have.
The only reason you would wanna root is for some root apps.
Like Titanium Backup, AdBlocker and ROM Toolbox.
CWM is only necessary if you want to flash a custom ROM and you don't need to because you already have AOSP Jelly BEAN.
Thanks for all of the responses! And apologies for the long post! xD
I'll look through the Nexus 7 forums as XperienceD mentioned.
And by ClockWordMod - is that actually ROM Manager? I'm confused, and this is probably the most noobish question you'll get. xD
Since I don't really want to root my Nexus 7 (currently, that is) - then I would not really need to back up the data, since, there will be no risk. I'm not really concerned about overclocking my device - it's quite fast as it is. However, battery saving is quite tempting. Although, I don't see it as a reason alone to root my Nexus. And, as it is stock Google - there is no unnecessary bloat ware attached to the device.
And I can't get viruses while browsing through the internet?
I always thought that was the case, which is why I was looking for an anti-virus application.
Also, for UCCW - do I need to install a custom launcher of some sort? Is it really possible to add a widget, that appears complicated, simply through the Google Play market?
And finally, while installing ES File Explorer - I noticed that it had permission to remove shortcuts without user intervention. Is this the sort of permission I should be checking for on other applications? Since people on this forum recommended the app, I didn't really have any doubts of whether it was legit.3.
Also, how you I get toggles back on the notification bar? On iOS (sorry for the repeated mentioning of the scum ) - I had SBSettings, which was similar to the notifications available on Android. How would I add the toggles back?
Konflict1471 said:
Thanks for all of the responses! And apologies for the long post! xD
I'll look through the Nexus 7 forums as XperienceD mentioned.
And by ClockWordMod - is that actually ROM Manager? I'm confused, and this is probably the most noobish question you'll get. xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a custom recovery which lets you backup your ROM, flash new ROMs and make other changes to your device (so in a way use it is a ROM manager)
Konflict1471 said:
Since I don't really want to root my Nexus 7 (currently, that is) - then I would not really need to back up the data, since, there will be no risk. I'm not really concerned about overclocking my device - it's quite fast as it is. However, battery saving is quite tempting. Although, I don't see it as a reason alone to root my Nexus. And, as it is stock Google - there is no unnecessary bloat ware attached to the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true if you have a nexus device the need for root is far less, and the fact that alot of apps that used to need root have become features in new versions of android, back in the days of 1.5/6 you needed root to pretty much do anything good
Konflict1471 said:
And I can't get viruses while browsing through the internet?
I always thought that was the case, which is why I was looking for an anti-virus application.
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Sure you might get windows viruses but in no way will they beable to run on your device let aloan harm it. The only way anything evil can be done is if you install the app (and in alot of cases give it root) so check those permissions!
anti-virus apps are the biggest scam (well paid one anyway) all they can really do is check a database of known bad apps and check it its there, other than that they do nothing. They are a trick from all the Windows users coming to android after having it hammered into them that you need anti-virus
Konflict1471 said:
Also, for UCCW - do I need to install a custom launcher of some sort? Is it really possible to add a widget, that appears complicated, simply through the Google Play market?
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Nope just add the widget to your home creen, in the app launcher press the widget button and then long press on the widget you want and drag it to the home screen you want, many apps include widgets so will be installed with the app as part of it (e.g twitter) while other 'apps' are just widgets
Konflict1471 said:
And finally, while installing ES File Explorer - I noticed that it had permission to remove shortcuts without user intervention. Is this the sort of permission I should be checking for on other applications? Since people on this forum recommended the app, I didn't really have any doubts of whether it was legit.3.
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There is likely a good reason for this (And with alot of apps if there is a odd permissions it will say in the apps description why its needed) but yes its the kind of thing you have to stop and think about
Konflict1471 said:
Also, how you I get toggles back on the notification bar? On iOS (sorry for the repeated mentioning of the scum ) - I had SBSettings, which was similar to the notifications available on Android. How would I add the toggles back?
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to add toggles you would either need to use a custom ROM, or download a app that will do it like this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.j4velin.notificationToggle&hl=en
Thanks very much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!
I'll just do what you recommended! The Notification Toggle is an extremely impressive app, I must admit.
Since there is no point downloading a paid antivirus, should I download Avast Anti-virus (since it's free), just for precautionary measures?
Konflict1471 said:
Thanks very much for your detailed and extremely helpful reply!
I'll just do what you recommended! The Notification Toggle is an extremely impressive app, I must admit.
Since there is no point downloading a paid antivirus, should I download Avast Anti-virus (since it's free), just for precautionary measures?
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Well its not going to hurt and would at least prevent an app thats bad be installed if you missed it. And like I said some do have some nice other features just the "anit-virus" side of it is rather pointless
There is a huge thread with skins for UCCW.
And Power Widgets or Notification Toggles are the best Notification Drawer toggle apps.
NT has customizable icons.
If you want weather too there's some new app called Deluxe Notification Bar which shows weather and toggles.
Look in the Nexus 7 forums for no-root battery saving advice.
And if you do not want battery drain don't use Anti-virus.
I've never had any virus problems.
If you're unrooted they can't really mess with your phone.
Just stay away from creepy apps, Chinese apps (no racist), piracied apps and apps from other than Play Store and XDA.
And never play ad-supported games.
Buy ad-free versions or play offline if you don't want battery drain.
Also SwiftKey is a MUST, if you're not happy with Jelly Bean keyboard.