Help an absolute beginner to Android - Getting Started with Android

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#507603 16-Aug-2011 22:02

Good tip CbC. I got ATK (Advanced Task Killer) but you have to go in manually. Can you recommend one that kills tasks automatically when you leave them? I use the gmail app sometimes, the mail app sometimes, and I don't need two notifications for each email.

I haven't worked out how to make folders of apps yet, or what to do with the extra app screens.

crackrdbycracku

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#507615 16-Aug-2011 22:29

The task manager that comes stock with Android 2.2 has a list which you can add. These are ended when the screen is turned off.

If anybody knows one that kills apps when you move away from them I would like to know.

I would suggest something like Launcher Pro. It gives you a heap of control over the UI, another difference from iOS. The paid version is very good value and lets you change the number of home screens, I only need four.

It's actually surprising how few apps you actually need when your browser can do most things.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

timmmay

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#507663 17-Aug-2011 07:20

I don't even know if Android 3.2 has a task manager, and if it does where it is.

I'll check out launcher pro, thanks.

Privoxy

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#507675 17-Aug-2011 08:14

You should not be using Advanced Task Killer.

The way the android operating system preforms, it is better to have the memory full than to force it to empty. All you are doing is killing your battery life and slowing the phone down.

I could link you to hundreds of case studies backing this, but an easy thing is to think of this...

There is a reason some of the best software engineers in the world developed android to leave applications in memory. Forcing applications to exit memory when close is half a line of code, which was specifically left out.

Think you know better than Google's entire software team?

timmmay

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#507682 17-Aug-2011 08:39

It makes sense for some programs to run in the background. It doesn't make sense for two email clients to run, giving me two notifications of emails. Once I choose an email client and stick with it that won't be a problem any more, but while i'm learning and experimenting it's handy. Plus background programs are using CPU cycles and battery life - maybe not much, but some.

Plus the list of running programs gets annoyingly big. Other than programs that are designed to stay resident, like VoIP and email, i'd rather everything just finished.

tigercorp

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#507716 17-Aug-2011 09:41

timmmay: It makes sense for some programs to run in the background. It doesn't make sense for two email clients to run, giving me two notifications of emails. Once I choose an email client and stick with it that won't be a problem any more, but while i'm learning and experimenting it's handy. Plus background programs are using CPU cycles and battery life - maybe not much, but some.

Plus the list of running programs gets annoyingly big. Other than programs that are designed to stay resident, like VoIP and email, i'd rather everything just finished.

I haven't seen any point in using a Task Killer since 2.2 as the auto memory management is excellent. Only a badly written app will cause problems.

To stop double notifications, you can disable programs/services by using any number of apps (I use Titanium Backup Pro).

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timmmay

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#507723 17-Aug-2011 09:51

That's weird that a backup program lets you disable programs, services, or notifications.

Mostly it's just the big task list that annoys me.

sittingduckz

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#507724 17-Aug-2011 09:51

Privoxy: You should not be using Advanced Task Killer.

The way the android operating system preforms, it is better to have the memory full than to force it to empty. All you are doing is killing your battery life and slowing the phone down.

I could link you to hundreds of case studies backing this, but an easy thing is to think of this...

There is a reason some of the best software engineers in the world developed android to leave applications in memory. Forcing applications to exit memory when close is half a line of code, which was specifically left out.

Think you know better than Google's entire software team?

I'm not a complete idiot, I still have some parts missing.

Privoxy

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#507730 17-Aug-2011 09:58

timmmay: Mostly it's just the big task list that annoys me.

That is how android is designed to work, get used to it or go play with an iPad.

timmmay

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#507740 17-Aug-2011 10:13

Privoxy:
timmmay: Mostly it's just the big task list that annoys me.

That is how android is designed to work, get used to it or go play with an iPad.

Fair call :)

timmmay

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#507875 17-Aug-2011 13:01

I have a few more questions:
- My home screen has icons for some apps on it, but how do I change it to other ones? Specifically i'd like to get the Market on there.
- The temperature on my home screen is kinda cool, but it's wrong, totally different from the met service. It's probably driven from some overseas website. How do I remove it, or make it accurate? What else can I put on there instead?
- Once I go into the apps area, how do I sort my apps into folders?

Also i'd like one more app recommendation. I like Netvibes on the iPhone, it sorts by feeds by folder, then feed, and lets me just look at that feed. Things I want are:
- Offline support
- Sorting by folder
- Google reader sync
- Night mode (huge bonus)

Pulse is cool, and the only thing it misses is sorting, but it also moves things to multiple pages and i'm not sure if it has offline support. Newsr I just don't like. Any suggestions? I could search the market... but that's real slow.

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kalelovil

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#513577 29-Aug-2011 17:59

timmmay: I have a few more questions:
- My home screen has icons for some apps on it, but how do I change it to other ones? Specifically i'd like to get the Market on there.

On my HTC device you can either press and hold somewhere blank on the home screen, or click the physical menu button and select add to home.
Either way, you will then be presented with the option to add either a widget, app, shortcut or folder to the home screen.
To re-position icons in the home screens press and holder them and then move them around.

- The temperature on my home screen is kinda cool, but it's wrong, totally different from the met service. It's probably driven from some overseas website. How do I remove it, or make it accurate? What else can I put on there instead?

To remove, press and hold, then drag the widget on top of the remove button at the button.
You can add anything there instead, just use the same process I explained in the first paragraph.

- Once I go into the apps area, how do I sort my apps into folders?

As far as I can tell, you can't. You can only choose whether to have them as a list or a grid.
However, you can have folders on your home screen containing the different categories of apps you want.
Or you could put the different categories of apps on different home screens.

Stu

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#513586 29-Aug-2011 18:13

kalelovil:
timmmay: - Once I go into the apps area, how do I sort my apps into folders?

As far as I can tell, you can't. You can only choose whether to have them as a list or a grid.
However, you can have folders on your home screen containing the different categories of apps you want.
Or you could put the different categories of apps on different home screens.

Try Folder Organizer which does a few things you can't do by default. Make and organize folders, customize icons for apps etc..

timmmay

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#513635 29-Aug-2011 20:14

Thanks guys. I got Circle Launcher (the paid version) and that works well. It's real simple, just adds circular folders really.

anth

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#513667 29-Aug-2011 21:13

timmmay: Is there a way to disable flash, but start it when I tap it?

Yep, and it is built in but not well known.

Run the web browser. Click the button that brings up the menu. Tap "More", then "Settings". Change "Enable plug-ins" to "On demand".

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