Ok ladies, as per your input and my googling I got myself an s3, much to my chagrin the default keyboard is rubbish. Someone on here mentioned replacement ones.
So, rather than revive that thread, let's have yet another thread about our favourite android apps that replace and / or make better, the default apps.
So recommend me a new keyboard, preferably one that works like my HTC keyboard does where you hold letters and you get symbols, like an oldass commodore 64 keyboard had multiple use keys. Preferably freebie too. Maybe I'll try the HTC one I have, though I'm pretty sure it's an HTC specific keyboard).
My better than standard apps: Handcent SMS. Customizable out the wazoo so you don't have to look at the ugly default message client. RealCalc. Scientific calculator from hell. It also has unit conversions in it for speed, mass, distance, time, etc. Handy dandy.
Favourite "can't live without" apps: Stopwatch & timer. Good for setting countdowns you use regularly like timing lunch breaks or cooking an egg, whatever. Ulysse Speedometer. Excellent speedo app, not as fussy about locking on while moving like some other speedo apps that require you to be completely stopped in order to lock on to a satellite. Wifi Analyzer. Name says it all ES File Explorer File Manager. Awesome file manager, does FTP and LAN browsing too.
EDIT!:OMG! So it turns out someone's continued on the work of keeping the HTC_IME mod going. YAY! Stop looking, I've got my favourite keyboard back: XDA thread. Not quite as pretty (you can create customized themes for the HTC one) but it's a start.
Yeah, I've got swiftkey, and I like it, but I'm still not sure why its raved about so much and what makes it so much better than the default android keyboard. I like that the comma is on its own button, but thats about the only advantage I've found tbh over the default android one. Maybe I'm just using it wrong or something.
swiftkey +1. sometimes fun just repeat pressing the . and seeing what it thinks im thinking. business calender free is handy as a widget also. for music, spotify and spotimote ftw.
i'll grab Ulysse Speedometer on your recommendation :)
Yeah, I've got swiftkey, and I like it, but I'm still not sure why its raved about so much and what makes it so much better than the default android keyboard. I like that the comma is on its own button, but thats about the only advantage I've found tbh over the default android one. Maybe I'm just using it wrong or something.
swiftkey actually closely resembles my HTC's default keyboard so it's kind of won my vote.
My modded HTC keyboard DOES work, but it's fixed in size and sized for a tiny desire sized screen so while it functions, it's not really usable. I might see if I can modify it to fit a bigger screen.
What's the difference between the swiftkey free and paid versions? Does the free version expire?
Swype for phone and swiftkey for tablet pwns for the split dual thumb typing
Chrome is approximately 50 times better than the android browser in case you already don't have it.
The only other app I can recommend with the condition that you read ABC news is Google Currents. The ABC site looks awful on mobile and i use the currents app almost purely for reading ABC news (sometimes I read some Tim O'riely poasts).
Swype is that thing where you just move your fingers over the keys without actually letting off the screen right? My tablet supports that, not really a big fan of it.
Got an S3 and up until the last update I could change the apps in the quick launch bar (at the bottom of the home screen). Can't do it anymore. Can anyone recommend a launcher?
Nah you can't move then anymore. Someone on some random android forum recommended Apex Launcher Free. I've only JUST found out about this myself, haven't installed yet because the default apps down there don't bug me all that much. I'm too busy dicking about with apk files at the moment.
edit: Just installed it, kind of makes the home screen behave a bit more like my desire. win there I suppose.
Apex Launcher (customizations galore) Swiftkey keyboard Handcent SMS Maxathon browser Poweramp for audio MX Player for video Astro file manager (now with the updated UI) myUsage for Call & Data tracking Astrid + Evernote for task management and note taking Fancy widgets for Clock and Weather skins exdialier for customized dialer & contact screens
Also i just found out if you have ICS 4.0 you could take a screen shot of your phone simply by holding volume down + power button at the same time. It will save the image in your gallery.
Installed Apex just now and it won't let me add widgets to the home screen without my phone being rooted. And I'm too scared to do that. Don't know how to do that and I wouldn't know what to do with the phone after it is rooted.
Also Whoop, s3 screen snapshot should be as easy as wiping your hand across the entire face of the phone.
Installed Apex just now and it won't let me add widgets to the home screen without my phone being rooted. And I'm too scared to do that. Don't know how to do that and I wouldn't know what to do with the phone after it is rooted.
Also Whoop, s3 screen snapshot should be as easy as wiping your hand across the entire face of the phone.
After apex install my homescreen was cleared. So I tried to put in my usual clock widget and access was denied. Tried all widgets to no avail. Maybe too tired waiting for for this spaceman to jump. Try again tmr .
After apex install my homescreen was cleared. So I tried to put in my usual click widget and access was denied. Tried all widgets to no avail. Maybe too tired waiting for for this spaceman to jump. Try again tmr .
Auz_Guy: yeah it clears them because it's a new home screen, your old one is still there underneath (mine was anyway) if you want it back. I don't know what this click widget is but I've added my clock widget and the flashlight widget with no trouble at all.
With custom launchers if you have ICS, you have to add widgets by holding down your thumb and selecting 'add widget' off the popup menu (which was the only way in gingerbread). It doesn't work from the app drawer unless you have root.
That restriction has been fixed in jelly bean, fortunately
No good for me then, I can fall asleep at work while people out back are using angle grinders & hammering shit. I don't sleep lightly, ever.
Yes you do, you're not some sort of hulkman who has no light sleep. During this time (REM I think), you are dreaming and it's when the program wakes you up. REM happens at the end of your sleep cycle which might be why you can sleep through jackhammers.
Handcent SMS Touchdown (email) Chrome ES File Explorer 2x Client (RDP) Camera Zoom FX Avast Mobile Security (with firewall for rooted devices) APEX launcher DICE Media Player SwiftKey 3 Titanium Backup Pro Call Master (needs root) - allows blocking of calls before they even ring etc Market Enabler (needs root) - allows you to access region locked apps Market Autoupdate Bulk Toggle - allows to turn on and off auto updates of all your apps at once Battery Calibrator Samba File Sharing
For those that use Chrome on their phone (I can't believe I was using the default browser for this long!!!@!!@$) can you get m.foxsports.com.au to work?
This site is essential reading on the trip to work in the morning!
Also i just found out if you have ICS 4.0 you could take a screen shot of your phone simply by holding volume down + power button at the same time. It will save the image in your gallery.
I think since Gingerbread you can do this?
For me, my replacement apps for the stock ones are.
Phone:
Swype
Camera Zoom
Opera
Kindle
Simple Calendar Widget
Bloomberg
DoubleTwist
Dropbox
Smart Tools
Looks like SwiftKey is adding the same functionality is the other swipe keyboards. Which is bad ass. Can probably say by to Swype now. SwiftKey will have the best of both worlds :p
I find swiftkey needs a LOT more accuracy than swype does and is FAR less intuitive in the suggestions (and default) words. Every freaking word if i'm lazy i've had to change, whereas the same on swype usually works pretty intuitively.
Swype for me is almost only circles no sharp edges between letter to letter, often i don't even hit the letters at all. As long as i've roughly got enough letters it's clever enough to figure out what I want.
You can see even on that demo how precise she is with hitting the letter and her finger changes direction entirely sharply leaving the obvious trail that she wants that specific letter.
I don't like that.
I think the stupidest thing swype did was make it that it was such a closed process and hard to install. It either comes with your phone or you have to sign up for the beta and install it. That's basically cut out nearly every person.
One problem I've had with swype though, is if i've made a lot of mistakes, then it seems to lose accuracy and i pretty much find the only way to get it back is wiping the data.
The problem with Swype is ditching your F'ing dictionary between upgrades. Also doesn't seem to work well in lots of apps. Took ages before Swype was usable in Firefox mobile.
DoubleTwist is an awesome music player. Plus it had a nice custom lock screen so I don't have to unlock to change tracks. Plume is great for the Twitters I also use Apex as my launcher.
On a related note, GTAIII is $0.99 on Android today. link (not compatible with my galaxy s though)
Tried to get it this morning but couldn't. First it said it wasn't available in my location. Jumped on the PC, turned on unblockus and tried again. This time it is saying it is not available with any of my devices, but I know people have used it with their Nexus phones and tablets.
I had the unavailable on your device thing with an app, downloaded it to my other phone, saved the apk, manually installed it on my new phone, winner. See if you can get someone else to buy it for you (on your account) & save the apk to an sd card (or zip it & bluetooth it directly).
My experience was with a free app so I don't know if this will work with an app you pay for but I don't see why it wouldn't as long as you use your own account.
Smart Glass is out now too if you have an xbox. Also HD Widgets is decent if you have ICS/JB vanilla.
Also I like tweedle if you like a clean twitter experience.
Anyone know of the quickest app-killer?
Its just a shame its still an inferior user experience compared to iOS, and less innovative than WP8 :/. Maybe 5.0
BOOST - if your device is rooted, google the 'Market Unlocker' apk file. Install it, select Verizon as the provider, and away you go - can download region locked apps.
No, its not finished yet! Just flashed the camera/gallery app onto the 4.1 rom I'm using. On the phone before and I missed the clip to explain what photosphere is:
Photosphere looks pretty damn awesome, especially if they somehow incorporate it into google earth / google maps, allowing users to help fill in the blanks to get more "street views" of out of the way places the google cars haven't been yet, or can't get to (like a park).
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