Technology Get the latest on technology, electronics and software…

Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread

Thread Tools
 
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:33 PM
  #4361  
Mizouse's Avatar
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 64,114
Likes: 3,366
From: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
Originally Posted by speedemon90
I wish more people used Google+

The new mobile update just shows how hard they are working compared to fb. But people aren't realizing!
id use it if there were more girls to stalk.......
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:41 PM
  #4362  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Whoops. Forgot to remove Widgetsoid. lol. Extended Controls does work without the white background in the notification bar.

Last edited by CGFebTSX04; Dec 19, 2011 at 11:44 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:44 PM
  #4363  
civicdrivr's Avatar
Team Owner
15 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 36,860
Likes: 8,746
From: VA
If you dont mind, shoot the dev an email (his email is in the market) just to raise some more awareness on it. Quite a few people are mentioning it and some of my other apps are suffering from the same issue.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:55 PM
  #4364  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Originally Posted by civicdrivr
If you dont mind, shoot the dev an email (his email is in the market) just to raise some more awareness on it. Quite a few people are mentioning it and some of my other apps are suffering from the same issue.
Done. Extended Controls works but its not free and the notification icon isn't invisible like it is in Widgetsoid.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 12:46 AM
  #4365  
speedemon90's Avatar
Suzuka Master
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Mizouse
id use it if there were more girls to stalk.......
you try looking???

more people are public in google+ than in fb
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 12:54 AM
  #4366  
civicdrivr's Avatar
Team Owner
15 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 36,860
Likes: 8,746
From: VA
I honestly didnt know people still used G+. I stopped using it about 2 months ago.

Then again I was never really one for the online social networks.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 01:36 AM
  #4367  
Mizouse's Avatar
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 64,114
Likes: 3,366
From: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
Originally Posted by speedemon90
you try looking???

more people are public in google+ than in fb
i only stalk girls that ive met/said hi to/looked at in person.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 01:49 AM
  #4368  
civicdrivr's Avatar
Team Owner
15 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 36,860
Likes: 8,746
From: VA


Its nice to know you have boundaries.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 07:52 AM
  #4369  
CCColtsicehockey's Avatar
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,116
Likes: 4,425
From: Mooresville, NC
Originally Posted by speedemon90
I wish more people used Google+

The new mobile update just shows how hard they are working compared to fb. But people aren't realizing!
Originally Posted by CGFebTSX04
There's a new social network now called Path trying to take on Instagram and Facebook. There's so many now its getting a little ridiculous. lol.

Just to follow up on the Widgetsoid issue. I upgraded my Nexus to 4.0.3 and I do get the White background in the notification bar. Seems like the app needs to be updated for 4.0.3. Gonna try Extended Controls and see if it does the same thing.
Yeah they need to stop with being so many. I don't use Facebook that much as it is which is why it has been hard to get into G+. I have never used twitter ever either so for me when I am already into to one thing so much as well as most friends it is hard to switch to something else not many are using.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 11:36 AM
  #4370  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
So 4.0.3 has been great so far. Battery drain seems to be a lot less. It could also be Franco's kernel that's helping but I've noticed idle drain is starting to match my Galaxy S. I'll keep an eye on it though. Browser seems to be faster as well and I like how they finally attached a Bookmark button into the Quick Controls. The power off is throwing me off though as I'm always looking for it at the bottom instead of the top where they placed it now.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 12:03 PM
  #4371  
Spci816's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Originally Posted by CGFebTSX04
Oh also, which baseband are you using? You can check in your Settings --> About Phone. The latest one for North America is KL1:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=230

Flash the above using fastboot. Supposedly it improves speeds on data, wifi and call quality.
I'm a complete NoOb regarding this, so if I don't root my phone I won't get any updates?
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 12:13 PM
  #4372  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Originally Posted by Spci816
I'm a complete NoOb regarding this, so if I don't root my phone I won't get any updates?
If you want official updates, don't root. If you want bleeding edge stuff and have time to keep up with it, root. (You could always unroot to get official updates if you like)

Rooting is actually very simple on Nexus phones. XDA developers is where you'll find all the info.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1352413

The file above should have everything included needed to unlock you bootloader first (can re lock for warranty purposes) and then root your phone. Watch some YouTube vids if you still feel uncomfortable. That's how I learned.





^I know it says Verizon LTE, but the steps are pretty similar to the GSM version. Just different files being used. Make sure you use the GSM version.



If you haven't installed the Android SDK yet, I suggest you do it before attempting to do anything. Really, this is the hardest part of the whole thing.

http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html (Download)

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=757233 (How to install it)


At minimum you'll want to download the Android SDK Tools, Android SDK Platform-Tools and Google USB driver package. The others are for developers who are trying to create apps/games.


Last edited by CGFebTSX04; Dec 20, 2011 at 12:15 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 12:31 PM
  #4373  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Supercurio just got his Nexus today. He seems to be impressed with the Audio of the Nexus so I guess there will be minimal updates with Voodoo Sound. Voodoo color maybe coming up soon.

https://twitter.com/#!/supercurio
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 12:55 PM
  #4374  
Spci816's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Thanks for the videos and links... I have been reading XDA but those guys lose me at the first paragraph. I'll give it a try, and report back when I have a $700 brick in my hands..
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 01:22 PM
  #4375  
CCColtsicehockey's Avatar
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,116
Likes: 4,425
From: Mooresville, NC
Damnit I want 4.0.3 now if battery drain is better. I hope it comes before the end of the year. I don't have time to deal with rooting phones like I used to or else I would just do that now.


My Diztronic case still hasn't showed up. I ordered it on the 15th and it shipped on the 16th with estimated delivery yesterday. However, the stupid tracking info still shows it is in WI for some reason. I hope it just didn't update cause I refuse to activate and use my replacement phone till I have a case for it this time. I don't want to have to resort to going to Verizon and buying a second case really.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 01:36 PM
  #4376  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Originally Posted by Spci816
Thanks for the videos and links... I have been reading XDA but those guys lose me at the first paragraph. I'll give it a try, and report back when I have a $700 brick in my hands..
Lol. Yeah, that happens. YouTube vids help a lot in that regard. Its pretty hard to brick a phone nowadays especially a Nexus phone. Just don't mix up LTE and GSM files and there will always be a way back to restore.

Originally Posted by CCColtsicehockey
Damnit I want 4.0.3 now if battery drain is better. I hope it comes before the end of the year. I don't have time to deal with rooting phones like I used to or else I would just do that now.


My Diztronic case still hasn't showed up. I ordered it on the 15th and it shipped on the 16th with estimated delivery yesterday. However, the stupid tracking info still shows it is in WI for some reason. I hope it just didn't update cause I refuse to activate and use my replacement phone till I have a case for it this time. I don't want to have to resort to going to Verizon and buying a second case really.
Must be the holiday rush delaying shipments. If you need to contact TPU Cases, he's an XDA member:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=1744309
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 02:10 PM
  #4377  
civicdrivr's Avatar
Team Owner
15 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 36,860
Likes: 8,746
From: VA
Oddly enough, 4.0.3 on the NS is draining the battery and keeping the CPU active for some reason:

http://phandroid.com/2011/12/20/goog...tery-life-bug/

Luckily I havent been hit with it as severely as others, but there is an entire thread on XDA dedicated to it. Im getting around 34hrs to a charge (from full to ~9%) which is down from ~45-50hrs I was getting on GB.

However, I take that back. I just looked at my phone and after 7 hours its dropped 16%. Android OS is at 29% and kept the phone awake for about 2 hours. The screen has only been about 1hr of that time, I made three phone calls, a handful of texts, but other then that the phone wasn't touched

Bring on 4.0.4
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 02:13 PM
  #4378  
CCColtsicehockey's Avatar
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,116
Likes: 4,425
From: Mooresville, NC
45-50 hours holy crap that is crazy. I don't know anything beyond like 10-12 hours lol.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 02:16 PM
  #4379  
civicdrivr's Avatar
Team Owner
15 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 36,860
Likes: 8,746
From: VA
I do have a 3500mah battery though, which helps out quite a bit On the stock battery I was getting around 18hrs of use.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 03:41 PM
  #4380  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Yeah saw that about the battery life on 4.0.3. That Android OS bug is hit and miss. When I was using the alpha ROMs on my Galaxy S, it was the highest one but my battery life was comparable to regular CM7 ROMs. So I'm not sure how to read that Android OS being so high. Some people think it automatically means that their phone is draining and they freak out. Its probably a combination of baseband, kernel and ROM. So far my battery has been better than 4.0.1 especially my idle battery.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 03:43 PM
  #4381  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Apparently there's an HD Netflix app for Android:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1394637
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 03:49 PM
  #4382  
Spci816's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Would it be safe to pull the battery if I'm stuck on the bootlooder screen?

I followed the directions step by step, but my computer is still unable to recognize the phone. I'm stuck at waiting for device...
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 04:15 PM
  #4383  
Spci816's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Originally Posted by Spci816
Would it be safe to pull the battery if I'm stuck on the bootlooder screen?

I followed the directions step by step, but my computer is still unable to recognize the phone. I'm stuck at waiting for device...
Nevermind, I figured it out.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 04:18 PM
  #4384  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Originally Posted by Spci816
Would it be safe to pull the battery if I'm stuck on the bootlooder screen?

I followed the directions step by step, but my computer is still unable to recognize the phone. I'm stuck at waiting for device...
Originally Posted by Spci816
Nevermind, I figured it out.
If your phone is not being recognized make sure you have the USB drivers installed. You can pull the battery out so long as its not in the middle of flashing anything. This applies to everything. If its mid-flash it can be very bad.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 04:27 PM
  #4385  
Spci816's Avatar
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Originally Posted by CGFebTSX04
If your phone is not being recognized make sure you have the USB drivers installed. You can pull the battery out so long as its not in the middle of flashing anything. This applies to everything. If its mid-flash it can be very bad.
I had the Samsung drivers installed and it read the phone up to the command, adb reboot bootlooder but not after that.

I read on XDA that some people were having issues with that driver, but that it would work with pdanet driver. To install the program for the drivers and remove it after, and that did the trick.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 04:53 PM
  #4386  
speedemon90's Avatar
Suzuka Master
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by civicdrivr
Oddly enough, 4.0.3 on the NS is draining the battery and keeping the CPU active for some reason:

http://phandroid.com/2011/12/20/goog...tery-life-bug/

Luckily I havent been hit with it as severely as others, but there is an entire thread on XDA dedicated to it. Im getting around 34hrs to a charge (from full to ~9%) which is down from ~45-50hrs I was getting on GB.

However, I take that back. I just looked at my phone and after 7 hours its dropped 16%. Android OS is at 29% and kept the phone awake for about 2 hours. The screen has only been about 1hr of that time, I made three phone calls, a handful of texts, but other then that the phone wasn't touched

Bring on 4.0.4

Mines not too bad, like i mentioned earlier, I think Google can manage apps better. FB is a big battery hog at times. Even when I'm not using it.

Other problems I've seen on my NS are
About every morning I get a notification saying Google account manager stopped working, but I still receive all my synced stuff so other than the notification I see nothing wrong with it.
My browser on some websites doesn't always render. It loads and then its just a blank scrollable page. Usually scrolling brings the page into view.
Other than that, everything else is very smooth in my phone.
I would say I haven't experienced any lab other than the browser app.

Ohh also, screen orientation is not as quick as it used to be. Sometimes I have to wait like a good second for it to flip over.


edit: is there anywhere I can give google feedback??
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 05:21 PM
  #4387  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
^http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/list

Star the ones that affect you for updates. The more stars the more priority (well sort of).
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 07:01 PM
  #4388  
civicdrivr's Avatar
Team Owner
15 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 36,860
Likes: 8,746
From: VA
Originally Posted by CGFebTSX04
Yeah saw that about the battery life on 4.0.3. That Android OS bug is hit and miss. When I was using the alpha ROMs on my Galaxy S, it was the highest one but my battery life was comparable to regular CM7 ROMs. So I'm not sure how to read that Android OS being so high. Some people think it automatically means that their phone is draining and they freak out. Its probably a combination of baseband, kernel and ROM. So far my battery has been better than 4.0.1 especially my idle battery.
Yea, mine has settled back down. 11hrs and 39mins on this charge and Im at 71%. I can't complain, although there is room for improvement as its more then my usual 2% per hour average from GB, which was overclocked.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 08:17 PM
  #4389  
CCColtsicehockey's Avatar
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,116
Likes: 4,425
From: Mooresville, NC
Originally Posted by civicdrivr
I do have a 3500mah battery though, which helps out quite a bit On the stock battery I was getting around 18hrs of use.
Yeah you definitely failed to mention that

my 2150 just showed up for my GN. It is charging in my replacement phone off right now so that I can then kill it. I now have 3 batteries for the phone and realized I have no way to charge the extras. If I buy the battery charger I will then get another standard and have 4 batteries which might be a bit much.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 10:31 PM
  #4390  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Android 4.0.3 RC1 OneCosmic's build is up for the Galaxy S phones:



ROM: http://t.co/ekynn2N3

i9000 kernel: http://t.co/fkClFcDc

Vibrant kernel: http://t.co/3QZT3u7L

Captivate kernel: http://t.co/7glqyDrz


Supposedly everything works except for zooming in Camera and is fast as the Nexus S build. Gonna give it a try later.

https://twitter.com/#!/Onecosmic
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2011 | 11:49 PM
  #4391  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Wow the speeds are impressive for OneCosmic's ICS build for the Galaxy S. I can't imagine how much better CM9 could improve the speeds on this. Its a lot faster than the alpha builds. I'm guessing the Nexus S drop helped a lot.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 12:51 AM
  #4392  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
So yeah everything pretty much works. Camera funny faces don't work but not a big deal at all. Face Unlock works but is slow compared to the Nexus. YouTube Live videos work so that means video drivers are working. Very impressed at the speed of ICS on this phone. Works very well. The Nexus is a smoother experience but its really not that bad at all on the Galaxy S. I'm sure they can polish it a little bit more with some kernel tweaks as well. Overall though, this ICS build can be used as a daily for sure.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 06:25 AM
  #4393  
CCColtsicehockey's Avatar
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,116
Likes: 4,425
From: Mooresville, NC
Anyone know if you root can you get the NFL Mobile app to work on the Nexus. It is killing me not being able to have that.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 12:00 PM
  #4394  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
^The app has to be updated and they need to whitelist the Nexus to allow it to use the service. You can sideload the apk but you'll get a device not compatible error. Why not use the many online streaming sites now that Adobe Flash Player works until they fix it? Flash works awesome on ICS.

Last edited by CGFebTSX04; Dec 21, 2011 at 12:05 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 12:02 PM
  #4395  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Sense 3.5 Ice Cream Sandwich Screenshots by Modaco:

http://android.modaco.com/page/news/...sensation-r138


HTC really needs to revamp Sense and start from scratch. After playing with ICS, it just looks old now.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 12:05 PM
  #4396  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
So I just updated my Nexus to a newer 4.0.3 nightly by Bigxie and the latest Franco kernel and wow my phone is flying right now. Its not even overclocked yet but its so smooth. The stutters I was seeing in non-optimized apps is gone. It was very noticeable in the Engadget app but now its scrolling like butter. Didn't think Android can be this smooth. lol. For the people with the Nexus, you need to check out Franco's kernel. I think he makes kernels for the Nexus S as well if I'm not mistaken.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 02:34 PM
  #4397  
CCColtsicehockey's Avatar
Moderator
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,116
Likes: 4,425
From: Mooresville, NC
Thats awesome I can't wait for the official 4.0.3 release. I hope it comes soon.

Also trying my extended battery for the first time after letting it fully charge in my spare phone while it was turned off. Hopefully I get some good life out of it.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 06:49 PM
  #4398  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
So here's my battery life so far after letting it settle with Bigxie's 4.0.3 and Franco's kernel:





I was on WiFi the whole time so battery seems better but even then I was on the phone for about 45 minutes and screen time at 30 minutes. Display brightness is at 40%. Not bad at all. Idle drain is a lot better than 4.0.1 for sure. Also notice how Android OS is using up the most and yet my battery life is still awesome.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 09:30 PM
  #4399  
is300eater's Avatar
I Shoot with a Camera
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 23,077
Likes: 3,669
From: Vancouver BC
hey guys... so, I have aging Nexus ONE, which I'm still fine with for now... but I gotta admit, I played with the Galaxy 2II or II s or whatever today and was pretty impressed.

But anyway, so some of you guys might remember, I'm living in Vancouver, and on Mobilicity... the last time I was home in Southern Cali, I used a sim card off an AT&T phone on the Nexus ONE and was able to use it for talk/text... This time around... for some reason, I can't. Is there some kind of setting I need to do?
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2011 | 10:38 PM
  #4400  
CGFebTSX04's Avatar
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Originally Posted by is300eater
hey guys... so, I have aging Nexus ONE, which I'm still fine with for now... but I gotta admit, I played with the Galaxy 2II or II s or whatever today and was pretty impressed.

But anyway, so some of you guys might remember, I'm living in Vancouver, and on Mobilicity... the last time I was home in Southern Cali, I used a sim card off an AT&T phone on the Nexus ONE and was able to use it for talk/text... This time around... for some reason, I can't. Is there some kind of setting I need to do?
For text and talk you shouldn't need to do anything. Do you know if your Nexus One is locking your SIM card by chance?
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:47 AM.