The official Android thread (discuss Android OS and supporting phones here)

[Toi]

I own a Nokia N97 32GB and recently flung it across the office in a fit of rage. Not my proudest of moments but given my work environment it's understandable.

So I took a leap of faith and moved over to an Android OS. So far it's ok but not nearly as simple or comfortable for me to use as Symbians offering. My problem with the X10 is the owner’s manual. Either I've become retarded over night or that manual doesn't explain ****.

Firstly the back button does it also close your current window or is it equivalent to using the end call button on a Symbian and the program still runs in the background?
Also, there doesn't seem to be a file manager type of app where I can browse all the contents on the Memory card etc. There are all kinds of vids and **** that comes pre-packaged with the phone that I want to delete but it doesn't seem to give me an option to delete a file?

Next dilemma. My N97s screen is busted, but all my contacts are stored on the phone and not the SIM. Could one of you who own a N97 please check the sequence that I need to follow to enter my phone book and copy all contacts to the SIM. Ex, menu, up, up, enter, down, enter etc. Kinda like back in the days of MK. And also, giving me the wrong sequence and changing the language to Korean wouldn't be funny.

So yeah, thanks in advance for any help guys.

And I did Google BTW.

[GeometriX]

I have an N97 Mini - exactly the same OS. You'll need to use the touchscreen a few times, but this might work:
To get into contacts: Menu button. Up. Enter.
To select all contacts: Tap bottom right of screen (Options button). 5x Down. Right. Down. Enter.
To copy: Tap bottom right of screen. Down. Enter. Enter.

Problem is, it won't copy all of your contacts. I have 200 and something, and it only copied the first 22. Memory status on mine is 90KB, but I think SIM cards are limited to 64K.

Edit: Oh, yeah, it'll beep when it's done copying. If it doesn't beep then I guess you've just sent your home-made porn to your entire family instead.

[x-scon]

I own an HTC Tattoo and honestly don't know why Android is still so unpopular in SA. I think you made the right move by opting for Android OS.

Unfortunately I can't give any advice for the Nokia problems but I can suggest some cool, free apps.

I use Astro to manage my files, check it out. The other popular file manager that you can try is IO File Manager.

When you use the "back" button to leave a program they sometimes stay open in the background. Get a task manager, I use Task Control. It allows you to close the apps one by one or kill all running apps. It also contains an "ignore" list, which allows you to leave certain apps running that you need active at all times. There are plenty of free task managers on the market, find one you like.

For browsing the net I use Opera Mini, it works beautifully on Android and looks pretty cool too.

Nimbuzz can be used to chat to your buddies on various IM apps. It's the only one I found that allows voip for both Skype and GTalk, neither of their own apps allows it, only text.

The Twitter and Facebook apps are pretty cool, but I normally end up just browsing to the sites on Opera. It's faster than opening two more apps.

Data Counter tells me how much data (mobile and WiFi) I have used. The widget isn't perfect but hey, it's free...

Google Goggles is a cool time waster. It allows you to take a photo of something (book, dvd, logo, famous landmark, business cards, etc) and it will actually find the item online and suggest sites for it with prices etc. It's also an awesome app to show off just how cool Android is to your buddies.

For entertainment check out Abduction and AirControl, both very cool games.
Also worth a mention here is Bonsai Blast and Andoku.

Well, that should keep you busy for a while. Let me know what you think and if you found any gems on the market.

If enough people show an interest in Android we could even start a dedicated thread for it...

[Gambit]

I asked a co worker who has one of these and this was his response:

OK well the manual is very basic, and doesn't cover everything. The back button doesn't necessarily close the app. it depends on the app being used, but the app may still be running in the background. I would say the home key is more like the end-call key on a Symbian phone. this takes you to the home screen, but leaves all apps running in the background.The phone does not come pre-installed with a file manager, but that's the beauty of Android. You are free to use Market and download a file manager of your choice, A good one is Astro, its free and it has a process manager, that can be used to close unnecessary running aps, and those that don't close when you back all the way out of them.Don't forget the menu key, the one one the left, in different apps, it gives a menu with additional functions eg. delete.

[x-scon]

I asked a co worker who has one of these and this was his response:

Lol, yeah. So at least one guy agrees with me. Also, where the menu button doesn't show the option you are looking for, try press-and-hold on the item that you want additional options for, some apps have that function too.

I had a look at Astro's built in Task Manager and it looks quite complicated. One thing that it does show you is how much load each running service has on the cpu but the effort of running Astro, pressing Menu > Tools> Process Manager, and then having to look for what you need to close (between 3 different tabs) is too much of a hassle.

With Task Control I have a button on one of the home screens that opens the manager with one tap. The next screen you see is all apps currently running (that aren't in the ignore list). Another touch of the screen either closes one app or all running apps including the task manager. Much better in my opinion.

[Toi]

I have an N97 Mini - exactly the same OS. You'll need to use the touchscreen a few times, but this might work:
To get into contacts: Menu button. Up. Enter.
To select all contacts: Tap bottom right of screen (Options button). 5x Down. Right. Down. Enter.
To copy: Tap bottom right of screen. Down. Enter. Enter.

Problem is, it won't copy all of your contacts. I have 200 and something, and it only copied the first 22. Memory status on mine is 90KB, but I think SIM cards are limited to 64K.

Edit: Oh, yeah, it'll beep when it's done copying. If it doesn't beep then I guess you've just sent your home-made porn to your entire family instead.

Thanks for the help bud. I tried it and no beep, **** knows what I've actualy done then. ;P

I've luckily learned a lot from my BFF Paris, one being to never actually keep your home made porn so I should hopefully be safe.

Ag, I'll eventually get them all back, the ones I need anyway.

@x-scon: Thanks for the tips bro, I'm actually checking those out as we speak so I'll let you know how it all goes down.

[Wesley]

Thanks for the help bud. I tried it and no beep, **** knows what I've actualy done then. ;P

I've luckily learned a lot from my BFF Paris, one being to never actually keep your home made porn so I should hopefully be safe.

Ag, I'll eventually get them all back, the ones I need anyway.

@x-scon: Thanks for the tips bro, I'm actually checking those out as we speak so I'll let you know how it all goes down.

If you can still access basic menu functions using the touch screen, try to send the lists of contacts to your other phone by sending them as business cards via Bluetooth. My Samsung i450, which runs Symbian S60 V3 has the option to mark all contacts and send them as business cards using Bluetooth, which I recently had to to for my boss.

And then get yourself a 64k sim if you don't have one already, store all your contacts on that once you've transferred them. IIRC, Android can back up contacts to a PC and store them as tab-separated files which makes for easy reading. Syncing them to your PC is also a good idea.

[Toi]

@x-scon: I tried Astro and Task Control last night.

Astro: Seems like it works ok, just feel a little overwhelmed right now. Features seems cool so as I get more used to the app I'm sure that I'll discover more and more of them. The problem is not so much the app but more the "busy" memory layout. It's just files and files and folders and **** everywhere, most of the time I'm not sure where I'm at. But I'm being cynical again. It's not bad, I just need to get used to it.

Task control: Nice and easy to use, just the way I like it. Just one question though. If I go into say, settings and go back to the home screen again and open Task Control, a bunch of other apps show to be open. Close them, go into one app, go back to the home screen and the same problem, a couple of open apps, none relating to the app or folder I just opened. So is this normal? Should I just make a habit of opening Task Control and closing apps every now and then?

I'm a simple guy so I haven't checked out all the other apps, I'm the type that uses his phone for the most basic of features. Thanks for the recommendations though.

[x-scon]

@x-scon: I tried Astro and Task Control last night.

Astro: Seems like it works ok, just feel a little overwhelmed right now. Features seems cool so as I get more used to the app I'm sure that I'll discover more and more of them. The problem is not so much the app but more the "busy" memory layout. It's just files and files and folders and **** everywhere, most of the time I'm not sure where I'm at. But I'm being cynical again. It's not bad, I just need to get used to it.

Task control: Nice and easy to use, just the way I like it. Just one question though. If I go into say, settings and go back to the home screen again and open Task Control, a bunch of other apps show to be open. Close them, go into one app, go back to the home screen and the same problem, a couple of open apps, none relating to the app or folder I just opened. So is this normal? Should I just make a habit of opening Task Control and closing apps every now and then?

I'm a simple guy so I haven't checked out all the other apps, I'm the type that uses his phone for the most basic of features. Thanks for the recommendations though.

Unfortunately some apps stay open rather than close once opened, but that is true multitasking for you :-P
The apps I have in my "ignore" list are:

• HTC Sense (HTC's own UI for Android - Pretty Awesome)
• Battery Indicator (Cool app that gives a % of battery life remaining - Check it out too)
• Touch Input (ignored for obvious reasons)
• Data Counter Widget (also, no use killing an app that needs to work most of the time)
• Clock (just to make sure that my alarms go off in the morning :-) )

Peep, Google Maps and Calendar seem to open quite often without actually running them. I haven't experienced any problems with closing any of them, they seem to run whenever needed on their own.
Things like going into the phone's settings also opens a process for them that doesn't always close. Also, no issues with closing using Task Control.

The apps/processes that your phone will have open might be different from my phone, so just add stuff to ignore that looks important. Anything else can be closed with Task Control without issues.
If you notice that an app loads again directly after closing it, it is obviously needed, so ignore it too.

Oh, also have a look at Google Sky Map. It is a cool app that uses your GPS location, magnetic compass and G-Censors to display the stars on your screen that you point the phone towards. Very useful for identifying celestial bodies that you see at night or, you know, for showing off again :-P

Another one, if you are into this sort of thing is Pokedroid. It is a Pokedex for your phone. It even has an extra update that adds voice to the app, just like the cartoons ^_^ (You will need to install the Android Voice extensions for this, of which the voice is a bit crap unfortunately)

If you were a fan of those books where you were told which page to turn to according to the choices you made for the lead character then you should definitely check out Choice of Broadsides (swashbuckler text based game) and Choice of the Dragon (same as Broadside except , you are a Dragon).

4 teh birds (yes, it's teh, not the) is a fun time waster.

Android Lightsaber is AWESOME xD
(Also check out The Schwartz Unsheathed if you want)

IMDb is an app for the popular movie database website (www.imdb.com) which works pretty well.

Google Maps is an obvious app to install, no explanation needed.

MXit, if you need it is available.

Robo Defense is a cool Tower Defense game.

Aaaaaand that's it for now. Now you need to let me know if my suggestions were any good.
Also, Why The Hell isn't there more Android OS users on these forums? And you call yourself Geeks? Pfft...

[echo]

I don't really want to hijack this thread, but I was looking into getting an X10. Read a couple reviews and watched a couple if videos, but still not sure if it's a worthwhile phone. My biggest gripe (according to the videos) is the touch screen qwerty-keyboard. I don't necessarily have big fingers how is the ease of typing on the phone?

@x-scon: Thanks for the recommendations on what apps to get. Your awesome.

[Necro101]

I would recommend the HTC Desire over the x10. If you are patient though then I recommend the Galaxy S, it's the best Android phone out right now.

[echo]

I would recommend the HTC Desire over the x10. If you are patient though then I recommend the Galaxy S, it's the best Android phone out right now.

I made so, thanks for the advice. The Desire is a beaut.

If enough people show an interest in Android we could even start a dedicated thread for it...

I'm on it. Is it OK if I copy your posts from this thread or should we write everything nice and new? Lets copy it for now and change it if we want to.

[GeometriX]

I'll just rename this thread. Saves having to break up the conversation and will help reduce double-posting across both threads.

[echo]

I'll just rename this thread. Saves having to break up the conversation and will help reduce double-posting across both threads.

Awesome, almost made a whole new thread.

Ok so just for the fun of it and the fact that this thread needs more pictures here we go:



If you looking for this

Android Lightsaber is AWESOME xD
(Also check out The Schwartz Unsheathed if you want)

Android lightsaber isn't on the market anymore so try The Schwartz Unsheathed. Favorite app so far.

[maxdamage]

I own a Nokia N97 32GB and recently flung it across the office in a fit of rage. Not my proudest of moments but given my work environment it's understandable.

Wow!I recently aquired an HP iPAQ HW 6915 and it has had it fair amount of abuse and as a result the power for it cuts out now and then especially when I start up the device....I did not "pay" much for it but I am desperately wanting to use it but can't because of the lack of care taken to it.Heck I eve n have a Sony Ericsson T-610 which has a dent in the back cover for the battery most likely due to it being thrown against a cupboard,etc... also from the same person who used to own that iPAQ!

then I recommend the Galaxy S, it's the best Android phone out right now.

Samsung I9000 Galaxy S which costs about ?600.

[Cpt.Monde]

I need some help. I've been due for an upgrade for a few moths now but I haven't picked a phone yet because I'm not too sure which one I should get. I'm really interested in Android and I'm a bit of a moto fanboy so, really, my only choice so far is the Motorola Milestone. Does anyone here own one or knows somebody that does or has anyone played around with one a bit? Are there any other phones Android powered I should rather get instead of the Milestone?

[-StrY-]

If anyone is thinking into moving to android the HTC Desire is a good start.

I have had mine for 2 months now and I couldn't be more satisfied. It's fast the screen is beautiful and with android you can get an app for almost anything.

[x-scon]

I know this isn't Android related, but I thought it was funny...
Would you be proud to tell people what phone you just bought?

Another site described it as

It costs $78, it is available in black, red or white and it is called the WANK E5. No, not a personalised number plate, but the name of a Nokia handset on sale at SoloMobi, a Chinese retailer. Going Solo? That sounds about right. We guess the name will change soon enough; and before sniggering too hard, we happily acknowledge ?

And one of the user comments:

Looking at the full specs... #
...very good to see that it comes with a handshaking function.

/immaturity

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

[luenardi]

LMAO...

Well i know i'm not very proud of my phone..
http://www.nag.co.za/forums/showthread.php?t=14877

[x-scon]

I just downloaded a game called Alchemy. It's around 2mb in size. You should be able to find it in the top 10 of the top free games.

You basically start with four basic elements (Water, Fire, Air, Earth) and you have to make different combinations of the elements in pairs of 2 to create new elements. There are 300 elements/items to unlock.
So far I have unlocked 85/300.
That includes things like Zombies, Frankenstein('s monster)[Zombie +Electricity], Vodka, Whiskey, Dinosaurs, Molotov ****tails[alcohol + fire], sushi, petroleum, and a host of other elements, animals and items.

I am still trying to figure out how to get human beings, or any mammals for that matter...(that's if you don't count [whale] or [beast])
If anyone checks it out, let me know what the coolest things are you have unlocked, and we could even share recipes!

I suppose it could get boring after a short while, but the possibilities that you unlock when you discover something new is enough to keep you going for a bit longer...

EDIT- Up to 105/300 elements now, damn it's tough to find new ones.
Remember to try two of the same elements as a combination, there are quite a few that works.