Android Discussion

**lewisipso** · 04-29-10, 07:03 AM

Haha! Awesome!

**Xiphos** · 05-01-10, 05:44 PM

Ok, now I'm rockin' 2.1 on my Sapphire 32B also known as the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G.

I just finished loading CyanogenMod 5.0.7.

Part of the upgrade process this time around was a factory wipe/reset. Currently Titanium Backup is restoring all my apps and data.

I'm pretty excited! If you have rooted your device you have to get yourself the Titanium Backup. It's paying for itself right now since I don't have to go download and install the 123 apps I had on my phone.

**Xiphos** · 05-01-10, 11:43 PM

Oh man I love 2.1. Coming from 1.6 it's a huge difference. There's so many little features and upgrades. Great stuff!

**Xiphos** · 05-15-10, 12:34 PM

Go to the UK Google page Google

type Meet Android and hit "I'm Feeling Lucky"

**Five-0** · 05-30-10, 10:10 PM

Just joined the Droid forum under the same user name:

Greetings - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum

**Xiphos** · 05-30-10, 10:26 PM

Here's an interesting article about why Android doesn't need an app manager. I've been running one to kill apps that aren't running but developers specifically address this issue. Android will kill apps when it needs memory. It keeps stuff in memory to speed up when you need the app, then gets rid of it if you need the memory. I've completely rethought my use of the app manager.

Android Developers Blog: Multitasking the Android Way

**MacLean** · 05-31-10, 12:40 AM

Yup - Linux kernel does that.

I still find the app manager useful for stuff I don't want to persist, like the camera.

**Xiphos** · 05-31-10, 10:26 AM

I've found that when Android thinks it's running out of memory is very different from when I perceive it. I have a certain amount of system lag I can deal with but sometimes the phone will really bog down, I like having the app manager to kill everything so I can use the phone. I don't have the automatic schedule running to kill tasks though now.

**gopherpuckfan** · 05-31-10, 12:45 PM

I use the task killer to help conserve battery life. I've seen the Droid shut down apps on it's own, but I like to kill just about everything except email.

Oh, and I can't wait for Froyo (2.2 in case you're wondering) to come out next month!

**Xiphos** · 05-31-10, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by gopherpuckfan

I use the task killer to help conserve battery life. I've seen the Droid shut down apps on it's own, but I like to kill just about everything except email.

Oh, and I can't wait for Froyo (2.2 in case you're wondering) to come out next month!

You really don't need to. Android will keep an app in memory to speed up response when you activate that app. With a few exceptions they aren't running and consuming battery life. Read the article I posted.

For improving battery life check out: [Suggestions] Best practice in Improving Battery Life for CM 5.0.7 - CyanogenMod Forum

**Five-0** · 05-31-10, 01:38 PM

The best battery saver I have found is "Screebl". I have my display set on a 15 second usage timer down from 1 minute. With screebl that is plenty. The display will always be your biggest drain with a Droid or anything similar.

**Jim1348** · 05-31-10, 11:12 PM

While I don't have any Android devices yet, I expect to have one or two in the very near future. I am interested in the:

-Motorola i1 (Nextel)

-Garminfone (T-Mobile)

I am hoping that I will be able to just pull the SIM card from my work i680 and use it on the Motorola i1. Work doesn't provide data, just regular voice and Direct Connect, so I will have to see if it would even be worth my while to get this.

One of my personal phone is a Garmin Nuvifone G60, which I unlocked, and use on T-Mobile. The Garmin Nuvifone G60 received generally dismal reviews, but I like mine. I use it as a GPS in my take home unmarked as well as for calls and texting. I am anticipating that the Garminfone should be even better.

Is there anything I should know about Android before I spring for it? I should point out I have some BlackBerry experience also.

**Five-0** · 05-31-10, 11:33 PM

Droids are buy get one free right now. Best phone and choice I have made.

**gopherpuckfan** · 06-01-10, 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

You really don't need to. Android will keep an app in memory to speed up response when you activate that app. With a few exceptions they aren't running and consuming battery life. Read the article I posted.

For improving battery life check out: [Suggestions] Best practice in Improving Battery Life for CM 5.0.7 - CyanogenMod Forum

Interesting.

Without messing around with the phone too much, the task killer has been great. I can actually make it 24 hours now without the phone completely dying on me. I had a friend buy a Droid as well and she was upset about the short battery life too. She does the task killer now and is very happy. It's a simple fix for those of us that don't want to dink around with the phone settings too much. I might delve into the above link sometime down the road, but for now task killer will suffice

**Five-0** · 06-01-10, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by gopherpuckfan

Interesting.

Without messing around with the phone too much, the task killer has been great. I can actually make it 24 hours now without the phone completely dying on me. I had a friend buy a Droid as well and she was upset about the short battery life too. She does the task killer now and is very happy. It's a simple fix for those of us that don't want to dink around with the phone settings too much. I might delve into the above link sometime down the road, but for now task killer will suffice

Screebl will increase battery life even more.

**Xiphos** · 06-01-10, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by gopherpuckfan

Interesting.

Without messing around with the phone too much, the task killer has been great. I can actually make it 24 hours now without the phone completely dying on me. I had a friend buy a Droid as well and she was upset about the short battery life too. She does the task killer now and is very happy. It's a simple fix for those of us that don't want to dink around with the phone settings too much. I might delve into the above link sometime down the road, but for now task killer will suffice

One of the articles I've read said the task killers decrease battery life. Because Android intentionally starts apps to keep them in memory, when you are killing them the system will restart them. This thrashes the battery until the app is in memory. Once it's there it sits without consuming any juice. With few exceptions it's not actually performing anything and not using juice. It's just sitting and waiting for you to use it. The more you kill the apps, the more android has to start them, eating battery. You'll use less battery if you just leave it alone.

**Xiphos** · 06-01-10, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Jim1348

While I don't have any Android devices yet, I expect to have one or two in the very near future. I am interested in the:

-Motorola i1 (Nextel)

-Garminfone (T-Mobile)

I am hoping that I will be able to just pull the SIM card from my work i680 and use it on the Motorola i1. Work doesn't provide data, just regular voice and Direct Connect, so I will have to see if it would even be worth my while to get this.

One of my personal phone is a Garmin Nuvifone G60, which I unlocked, and use on T-Mobile. The Garmin Nuvifone G60 received generally dismal reviews, but I like mine. I use it as a GPS in my take home unmarked as well as for calls and texting. I am anticipating that the Garminfone should be even better.

Is there anything I should know about Android before I spring for it? I should point out I have some BlackBerry experience also.

If you are going with T-Mobile the phone I would most recommend is the Nexus One Phone - Web meets phone. ... You will be getting blazing speeds and a gorgeous screen. You'll also get an unlocked phone that is easily rooted and modded as well if you want to (don't have to if that's not your thing.) You'll also be able to use Google Maps Navigation for navigation if you want. If you want a more fully featured navigation program you can purchase nav apps. You'll be better off I think with that route than the route with the Garmin phone. As far as I know that's rather untested and unknown right now.

T-Mobile also is coming out with the MyTouch Slide with will have a hardware keyboard and will be less expensive than the Nexus One.

**121Traffic** · 06-02-10, 02:49 AM

I'll admit I haven't read this entire thread, because I'm not a Droid user and a lot of this stuff doesn't make sense to me. BUT, I have been hearing a lot of buzz about the Droid Incredible on VZW. Thoughts?

**Xiphos** · 06-02-10, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by 121Traffic

I'll admit I haven't read this entire thread, because I'm not a Droid user and a lot of this stuff doesn't make sense to me. BUT, I have been hearing a lot of buzz about the Droid Incredible on VZW. Thoughts?

It's a very impressive phone. Devs are working hard on getting it rooted. The one drawback is the demand for parts is so high the phone is back ordered until the end of June. When Verizon picked up the Incredible it dropped plans to carry the Nexus One. Very similar feature set.

Check out some benchmarks: Motorola Shadow Benchmarked, Looking Pretty Zippy | Android Phone Fans

There's another Droid phone coming out probably this summer. There's speculation it's the Droid 2, possibly the Xtreme. The Shadow also looks badass!

In other news Qualcomm just announced a new 1.2 ghz Snapdragon DUAL CORE processor. Two processors on one board designed for the mobile market. The next couple years are going to be really interesting in the smart phone market. Holiday Inn Express is testing a new app where you can check into your hotel and open your door with just your phone. Bypass the front desk and never pick up a key. As this smart phone technology gets more pervasive we're really going to see some cool stuff.

**lewisipso** · 06-02-10, 05:44 AM

Ok I'm lazy. I just don't feel like checking it myself. Is "Droid" a phone or a platform for which a phone to operate? I say this because when an iPhone is referred to it is the phone specifically. I thought Droid was the same thing.