Droid related stuff (problems/solutions tips, tricks, apps)

[daoist]

It doles the levels out advent calendar-style. neato!

[fiveSD]

awesome!

[G.O.A.T.]

Can't uninstall slacker, Skype, or other currently unwanted programs. What's worse, most don't have the option to limit or shut off updates (slacker). Anyone know of a worthwhile user friendly data limiting ap like dao spoke of? On a related note, I think I figured out how they give away 200 dollar phones for free...

[Xopher]

Probably been discussed before, but what's the best way to extend battery life when not in use? I use the advanced task killer everytime I start up (even though like others I wonder how well it works). Is there a quick way to turn off all the extra BS so it functions just as a phone (abe to receive calls/texts) while I'm not using it for other stuff?

Add Widget to home screen, navigate to Power Control Widget, place, enjoy.

[White Thunder]

Can't uninstall slacker, Skype, or other currently unwanted programs. What's worse, most don't have the option to limit or shut off updates (slacker). Anyone know of a worthwhile user friendly data limiting ap like dao spoke of? On a related note, I think I figured out how they give away 200 dollar phones for free...

Root your phone and you can remove whatever you want. Google will find you a guide without too much trouble.

[PaulMuaDib]

Angry birds just released their xmas version. it includes the halloween levels from iphone too.

fuck yes

[G.O.A.T.]

I found an option under settings to turn off the mobile network which helped a ton. Also found you can kill your own aps under settings which helps.

The free mileage ap is pretty awesome. Lots of data generated.

[daoist]

Killing apps does not help with battery life.

[White Thunder]

Like someone said, your best bet is to turn off things that try and update themselves constantly. Unless you really need to see the latest on Facebook every 5 seconds. Go through all your apps and turn them down as low as you can handle it. I have no problem getting a day of heavy use or two of light use out of my Evo.

[daoist]

Today only, get a free huge game:

http://www.droid-life.com/2010/12/03/ga ... -for-free/

[Xopher]

I found an option under settings to turn off the mobile network which helped a ton. Also found you can kill your own aps under settings which helps.

The free mileage ap is pretty awesome. Lots of data generated.

you must be ignoring me. oh well, power control widget is exactly what you're looking for.

[G.O.A.T.]

Today only, get a free huge game:

http://www.droid-life.com/2010/12/03/ga ... -for-free/

Downloaded, but I don't think it installed. Now I can't even find the file.

[White Thunder]

Damn you, I really didn't need free portable Diablo.

[Turbo]

So, I have a $100 credit on my Verizon phone plan from not upgrading when I was eligible. Should I make the jump? and will the $15/month data plan be enough?

[daoist]

last I knew you had to get the $30 data package for a smart phone. Not sure if that's changed with the new data rate tiers. How much data do you get for $15?

[daoist]

trubstar, as for what to get, I'd check out the droid [pro, 2, 2 global, x, incredible]. Stay away from the Galaxy S phones for now, since they've got weird gps issues reported.

pro: It's got a portrait qwerty keyboard (think blackberry)

2: it's like mine, but faster and a better keyboard.

2 global: same as above, but works on more cell networks if you ever travel.

x: no physical keyboard. god-sized screen.

incredible: no physical keyboard. human-sized screen.

[Turbo]

last I knew you had to get the $30 data package for a smart phone. Not sure if that's changed with the new data rate tiers. How much data do you get for $15?

according to the website, 150mb

[floor punching mummy]

trubstar, as for what to get, I'd check out the droid [pro, 2, 2 global, x, incredible]. Stay away from the Galaxy S phones for now, since they've got weird gps issues reported.

pro: It's got a portrait qwerty keyboard (think blackberry)

2: it's like mine, but faster and a better keyboard.

2 global: same as above, but works on more cell networks if you ever travel.

x: no physical keyboard. god-sized screen.

incredible: no physical keyboard. human-sized screen.

FWIW, I have the Samsung Epic (Sprint Galaxy S) and my GPS works perfectly.

[daoist]

Just dicking around on email and the occasional google search will send you north of 150mb. Given how much you text, you will probably be on gtalk 24/7 as well as lots of browsing. I'd bump that up.

[daoist]

A lifestyle change you will have to get used to: nightly charging is not really optional with any of these phones.

if battery life is the most important to you, it looks like the Droid 2 (nonglobal) wins out.

[floor punching mummy]

does bruto's office have wifi? if you can keep wifi on a bunch, you'll drop data usage dramatically.

[Turbo]

yes, my laptop runs on it fine. i'd probably use the most data when i'm at home and checking email/facebook. gtalk won't ever be on, I've only used it once.

nightly charging will just be something i'll have to get used to, i'm usually every third day on the phone i have now

[Turbo]

fuck, I don't want to spend $30 on data

[floor punching mummy]

if your usual hangouts have wifi, you might be able to get away with 150 megs a month. especially if you keep browsing off wifi to reasonable levels.

does WAS have wifi? office, house, WAS...that's like 98% of your time, innit?

[Turbo]

in fall 2008 WAS had city of ames wifi. wifi would be enough except when i'm at parents'

[floor punching mummy]

do they have broadband?

[Turbo]

56k dialup

[Xopher]

in fall 2008 WAS had city of ames wifi. wifi would be enough except when i'm at parents'

if you're just wanting to browse the web, turn off images and enabled Mobile sites, and I'm sure you can't exceed your data usage.

[PaulMuaDib]

are you sure yo ucan even do the $15/month data? i know i can't. that said $30 for data given when/how i use it isn't insane. a bit high, but not crazy. facebook and other browsing at work when i have time is nice, plus whenever i travel it kicks ass.

[caddymac]

bruto, aren't you a text messaging whore? If so, using GoogleTalk, you could send texts through that and drop your regular text messaging plan, which I'm guessing is probably $10. Thus that $30 plan is really $20 to you.

[nippletwister]

I've had a hell of a time figuring out if my friends also have Talk accounts. Don't know why it's been so difficult.... Probably because I don't spend a lot of time on Gmail.

[Turbo]

bruto, aren't you a text messaging whore? If so, using GoogleTalk, you could send texts through that and drop your regular text messaging plan, which I'm guessing is probably $10. Thus that $30 plan is really $20 to you.

i think i'm grandfathered in on the old rate of $5/month

[Turbo]

trubstar, as for what to get, I'd check out the droid [pro, 2, 2 global, x, incredible]. Stay away from the Galaxy S phones for now, since they've got weird gps issues reported.

pro: It's got a portrait qwerty keyboard (think blackberry)

2: it's like mine, but faster and a better keyboard.

2 global: same as above, but works on more cell networks if you ever travel.

x: no physical keyboard. god-sized screen.

incredible: no physical keyboard. human-sized screen.

prices for each:

Pro: 79.99
2:49.99 (website says out of stock)
2 global: 99.99
x: 99.99
incredible: 49.99

of course, i was leaning towards the 2

[G.O.A.T.]

Small note: apparently HTC phones with sense(?) interface can't sync up with wiimotes at this point without rooting the phone. That includes the incredible. Small complaint, but I want a remote for my emulator. Not sure if mine is stripped down, but it also doesn't let me uninstall some default aps and some aps are gimped (my office is read only). A friends Droid X (or some Motorola devoid phone) was capable of all of those out of the box. Small complaints; other than that I'm loving my phone.

[caddymac]

Fiancée's original Droid has been acting up, so she's going to get a Droid 2 tomorrow. Missed the warranty by 3 weeks, so she has to renew a 2 year contract to get the new one.

[nippletwister]

What does "acting up" mean?

[daoist]

Just in case you heard this story when it broke, here's the follow-up:

http://www.droid-life.com/2010/12/10/mo ... t-his-ear/

[caddymac]

Acting up as in the top physical button the phone no longer worked, and the right side the screen no longer responded to touch.

[daoist]

Dear Turbo,

Welcome to flavor country.

[Turbo]

this is interesting. i'm catching up on this thread, found a few things i like

[Turbo]

is there a web browser consensus?

[nippletwister]

I use dolphin for its few extra features, but the stock browser is ok.

[daoist]

I stick with the stock browser.

[Toilet of Sadness]

I stick with the stock browser.

[fiveSD]

Fiancée's original Droid has been acting up, so she's going to get a Droid 2 tomorrow. Missed the warranty by 3 weeks, so she has to renew a 2 year contract to get the new one.

How is she not still under contract? Or did she just buy the first droid?

[daoist]

If you show a little leg to the sales guy you can usually get a deal cut.

Works for me.

[nippletwister]

pics or it didn't happen

[fiveSD]

so when you going to be in mpls next dao?? I could sure use a deal, but i'm sure my pasty legs are only going to blind the poor salesman.

[Turbo]

is there some way to have a vibration reminder of missed texts even when the screen is locked?

[Xopher]

if so, I haven't found it.

[Toilet of Sadness]

is there some way to have a vibration reminder of missed texts even when the screen is locked?

Enabling notifications and vibrate from the Messaging app's preferences doesn't do what you want?

[floor punching mummy]

woman is set to upgrade from G1. torn between Nexus S and G2. was gonna be Nexus until Tmo dropped the G2 price to $50 online. tough call.

[daoist]

Man I'd still go Nexus S. The G2 hinge is reported to be wonky anyhow, and with the Nexus S you know you're going to be getting updates ASAP (and 2.3 out of the box), and you get NFC to play with to boot.

[daoist]

is there some way to have a vibration reminder of missed texts even when the screen is locked?

Enabling notifications and vibrate from the Messaging app's preferences doesn't do what you want?

Cut him a slack, the pigfucking hayseed just barely knows how to open the damn thing so far.

[floor punching mummy]

Man I'd still go Nexus S. The G2 hinge is reported to be wonky anyhow, and with the Nexus S you know you're going to be getting updates ASAP (and 2.3 out of the box), and you get NFC to play with to boot.

that was my rationale. the way the G2 closes, it catches your fingertip pretty easily. she played with it for about 10 seconds at Costco and said "this is gonna annoy me."

was gonna be Nexus S for sure til she saw that $50 price tag. that, and procuring a Nexus might be tricky for a few weeks. maybe. this whole "LIMIT 2!" thing might just be marketing. Nexus 1 didn't sell real hot, who knows if the S will?

[White Thunder]

is there some way to have a vibration reminder of missed texts even when the screen is locked?

Handcent will allow you to respond to texts even when your screen is locked, as well as give you vibration notification.

[daoist]

is there some way to have a vibration reminder of missed texts even when the screen is locked?

Do you mean you want it to occasionally vibrate again if you have a missed text?

[Turbo]

is there some way to have a vibration reminder of missed texts even when the screen is locked?

Do you mean you want it to occasionally vibrate again if you have a missed text?

yes, or phone call

[daoist]

btw the new google maps is on the market.

[Gretyl]

what's it do now?

[Xopher]

they fixed the driving directions.

[White Thunder]

The new market is out too.

[floor punching mummy]

for breakfast this morning we had biscuits, eggs, and a fresh Nexus S.

[Gretyl]

did it cook the eggs & biscuits?

[caddymac]

Great news, everyone! The original Droid dock still works with the Droid 2!