Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
07-02-2014, 11:20 AM
Go Giants
I think you're overthinking.
The watches are going to keep track of time on their own, just like normal watches. You're not going to push the time to the watch every second! That'd totally kill battery life.
I've installed my fair share of broken/crashing apps on my pebble, but nothing has caused the pebble to totally hang. The watch OS is far more stable than phone OSes since it's simpler and you don't have all the carrier bloat/etc.
The watches are going to keep track of time on their own, just like normal watches. You're not going to push the time to the watch every second! That'd totally kill battery life.
I've installed my fair share of broken/crashing apps on my pebble, but nothing has caused the pebble to totally hang. The watch OS is far more stable than phone OSes since it's simpler and you don't have all the carrier bloat/etc.
07-02-2014, 12:01 PM
Senior Moderator
I think you're overthinking.
The watches are going to keep track of time on their own, just like normal watches. You're not going to push the time to the watch every second! That'd totally kill battery life.
I've installed my fair share of broken/crashing apps on my pebble, but nothing has caused the pebble to totally hang. The watch OS is far more stable than phone OSes since it's simpler and you don't have all the carrier bloat/etc.
The watches are going to keep track of time on their own, just like normal watches. You're not going to push the time to the watch every second! That'd totally kill battery life.
I've installed my fair share of broken/crashing apps on my pebble, but nothing has caused the pebble to totally hang. The watch OS is far more stable than phone OSes since it's simpler and you don't have all the carrier bloat/etc.
07-02-2014, 10:31 PM
Moderator Alumnus
I'm kinda curious about Android Wear. I'll probably get a moto 360 if the price isn't horribly obnoxious (I fully expect it to cost more than the others). It'll be a dealbreaker if it has to be charged more than once a day though. Screw that. I'm not real happy about 'must charge every night' after being spoiled by 3-4 day charges on the pebble.
Having google now via microphone on the watch is pretty neat though, and it'll be nice to finally be able to reply to messages.
07-04-2014, 07:33 AM
Oliver!!!
I too am pretty curious about Android Wear, but not curious enough to shell out for either of the current offerings. The Moto 360 intrigues me too, but I think you're right. It probably will cost more than the others.
Don't know that charging every night would be such a dealbreaker for me. I always leave my watch in the same place anyway. Only difference would be that I'd be leaving it on a charging cradle instead of just sitting it on the counter. Would be inconvenient for travel though. Either way, I just blew my toy budget on a tablet so won't have to worry about it for a while. Sadly, I went in to look at the Gear Neo watch in person. Had no intention of looking at tablets.
Don't know that charging every night would be such a dealbreaker for me. I always leave my watch in the same place anyway. Only difference would be that I'd be leaving it on a charging cradle instead of just sitting it on the counter. Would be inconvenient for travel though. Either way, I just blew my toy budget on a tablet so won't have to worry about it for a while. Sadly, I went in to look at the Gear Neo watch in person. Had no intention of looking at tablets.
07-11-2014, 08:29 AM
Senior Moderator
Well, it's been a week since I've had the M8, and I can say that it's the best phone I've ever used. Everything about the phone is top notch. The last time I had an HTC phone was the Glacier, and that phone had quite a bit of problems, but it looks like HTC has really stepped up since then.
Coming from a Nexus phone, the changes made in Sense is very minimal. After a week of use, I think the changes over stock Android are actually quite nice. The only thing I prefer on stock Android is the timer feature in the clock app.
I don't even know why people complain about it's camera. My wife uses iPhones, and even she thinks that the camera on the M8 is better.
Coming from a Nexus phone, the changes made in Sense is very minimal. After a week of use, I think the changes over stock Android are actually quite nice. The only thing I prefer on stock Android is the timer feature in the clock app.
I don't even know why people complain about it's camera. My wife uses iPhones, and even she thinks that the camera on the M8 is better.
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Mugen.Justice (07-14-2014)
07-13-2014, 12:50 AM
Safety Car
Anyone try to get the LG G3 for free or $50?
http://slickdeals.net/f/7055760-at-t...ct-bestbuy?v=1
I just picked up a brand new Nexus 5 or else I'd be all over this right now. That and my contract isn't over yet with AT&T until May of next year. My HTC One's GPS decided to go kaputz on me for no reason. It sees the satellites but just never locks. Never dropped this phone so I don't even know why it just decided to stop working.
Gonna try to see if they'll repair my phone otherwise my One is useless for navigating and the like. I could use an external BT GPS which I do have on the side but it would be a hassle connecting/disconnecting it each time. Also the reason for the Nexus 5 pickup which I'm running Android L on.
http://slickdeals.net/f/7055760-at-t...ct-bestbuy?v=1
I just picked up a brand new Nexus 5 or else I'd be all over this right now. That and my contract isn't over yet with AT&T until May of next year. My HTC One's GPS decided to go kaputz on me for no reason. It sees the satellites but just never locks. Never dropped this phone so I don't even know why it just decided to stop working.
Gonna try to see if they'll repair my phone otherwise my One is useless for navigating and the like. I could use an external BT GPS which I do have on the side but it would be a hassle connecting/disconnecting it each time. Also the reason for the Nexus 5 pickup which I'm running Android L on.
07-13-2014, 12:53 AM
Safety Car
Well, it's been a week since I've had the M8, and I can say that it's the best phone I've ever used. Everything about the phone is top notch. The last time I had an HTC phone was the Glacier, and that phone had quite a bit of problems, but it looks like HTC has really stepped up since then.
Coming from a Nexus phone, the changes made in Sense is very minimal. After a week of use, I think the changes over stock Android are actually quite nice. The only thing I prefer on stock Android is the timer feature in the clock app.
I don't even know why people complain about it's camera. My wife uses iPhones, and even she thinks that the camera on the M8 is better.
Coming from a Nexus phone, the changes made in Sense is very minimal. After a week of use, I think the changes over stock Android are actually quite nice. The only thing I prefer on stock Android is the timer feature in the clock app.
I don't even know why people complain about it's camera. My wife uses iPhones, and even she thinks that the camera on the M8 is better.
07-13-2014, 09:03 AM
Banned
Yeah for social sharing the M7/M8 camera works just fine. Its when you look at it on your computer and try to zoom in where it starts to show its weakness. As long as you only use your phone for sharing photos on social networks, the HTC One camera is fine. My girlfriend also loves the camera on the One and asks to use it every time we're out. Well that and her iPhone's battery is craptastic for some reason so its almost always dead by lunch time every day. I was actually thinking of picking an M8 instead of the Nexus 5 but decided I needed an interim phone until my contract is over in May so I didn't want to spend too much...
The iPhone 6 if it's 4.7" will tempt me, though.
07-13-2014, 01:11 PM
Safety Car
Here's an app that allows Chromecast mirroring on your phone that aren't supported yet:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/hard...evice-t2812193
You'll need root and be on KitKat! The mirroring is awesome and I'm glad I held off on a miracast adapter. So close to spending money on one but the reviews kept holding me back. Chromecast mirroring will depend on your router and network. It works great on my Wireles N network with very minimal lag and sound is pretty synced up. Its almost similar to casting from my desktop but again this will depend on your router and network.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/hard...evice-t2812193
You'll need root and be on KitKat! The mirroring is awesome and I'm glad I held off on a miracast adapter. So close to spending money on one but the reviews kept holding me back. Chromecast mirroring will depend on your router and network. It works great on my Wireles N network with very minimal lag and sound is pretty synced up. Its almost similar to casting from my desktop but again this will depend on your router and network.
07-14-2014, 12:48 PM
Senior Moderator
Yeah for social sharing the M7/M8 camera works just fine. Its when you look at it on your computer and try to zoom in where it starts to show its weakness. As long as you only use your phone for sharing photos on social networks, the HTC One camera is fine. My girlfriend also loves the camera on the One and asks to use it every time we're out. Well that and her iPhone's battery is craptastic for some reason so its almost always dead by lunch time every day. I was actually thinking of picking an M8 instead of the Nexus 5 but decided I needed an interim phone until my contract is over in May so I didn't want to spend too much...
That would be the same for any phone camera. If you want a real photo, use a proper camera.
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Mugen.Justice (07-14-2014)
07-17-2014, 10:23 AM
Moderator Alumnus
This is encouraging:
Moto 360 spotting:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/15/59...0-this-morning
My biggest concern, I think, is battery life.
And cost, I guess. I'm hoping it's $300, but I think I'd drop, at most, $400 on it.
I'm trying to think of a really useful Wear app, there a lot of silly ones out there that miss the point of a smartwatch. (like keyboard - who the hell wants to type on a watch? Nice for adding in punctuation, but that's it)
Moto 360 spotting:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/15/59...0-this-morning
My biggest concern, I think, is battery life.
And cost, I guess. I'm hoping it's $300, but I think I'd drop, at most, $400 on it.
I'm trying to think of a really useful Wear app, there a lot of silly ones out there that miss the point of a smartwatch. (like keyboard - who the hell wants to type on a watch? Nice for adding in punctuation, but that's it)
Last edited by ChodTheWacko; 07-17-2014 at 10:26 AM.
07-17-2014, 11:08 AM
Suzuka Master
This is encouraging:
Moto 360 spotting:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/15/59...0-this-morning
My biggest concern, I think, is battery life.
And cost, I guess. I'm hoping it's $300, but I think I'd drop, at most, $400 on it.
I'm trying to think of a really useful Wear app, there a lot of silly ones out there that miss the point of a smartwatch. (like keyboard - who the hell wants to type on a watch? Nice for adding in punctuation, but that's it)
Moto 360 spotting:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/7/15/59...0-this-morning
My biggest concern, I think, is battery life.
And cost, I guess. I'm hoping it's $300, but I think I'd drop, at most, $400 on it.
I'm trying to think of a really useful Wear app, there a lot of silly ones out there that miss the point of a smartwatch. (like keyboard - who the hell wants to type on a watch? Nice for adding in punctuation, but that's it)
07-17-2014, 11:28 AM
Senior Moderator
I'd imagine that you can use speech-typing on the watch.
07-17-2014, 12:13 PM
Suzuka Master
07-21-2014, 12:26 PM
Team Owner
Got 4.4.2 on my ATT Note 2. Popup Browser doesn't work anymore 
07-21-2014, 12:41 PM
Burning Brakes
I played around with the LG G3 in store but didn't really like it. Great phone, just not for me and didn't really want to pay 600$ for a phone yet (Tmobile).
So I purchased the Sony Z Ultra google play edition for 349 and should be getting it soon. I think it'll be an interesting experience.
I needed a phone asap since my nexus 4 decided to die on me yesterday. The phone won't charge and when it does, it won't go over 40% and reboot by itself with ghost touches randomly. I can still use it but it reboots too much to use it steadily. It occasionally gives off the 'red blink of death' but the phone hasn't completely died yet. I've searched but haven't really found a solution.
So I purchased the Sony Z Ultra google play edition for 349 and should be getting it soon. I think it'll be an interesting experience.
I needed a phone asap since my nexus 4 decided to die on me yesterday. The phone won't charge and when it does, it won't go over 40% and reboot by itself with ghost touches randomly. I can still use it but it reboots too much to use it steadily. It occasionally gives off the 'red blink of death' but the phone hasn't completely died yet. I've searched but haven't really found a solution.
07-21-2014, 01:08 PM
07-21-2014, 01:14 PM
Goodbye.
I played around with the LG G3 in store but didn't really like it. Great phone, just not for me and didn't really want to pay 600$ for a phone yet (Tmobile).
So I purchased the Sony Z Ultra google play edition for 349 and should be getting it soon. I think it'll be an interesting experience.
I needed a phone asap since my nexus 4 decided to die on me yesterday. The phone won't charge and when it does, it won't go over 40% and reboot by itself with ghost touches randomly. I can still use it but it reboots too much to use it steadily. It occasionally gives off the 'red blink of death' but the phone hasn't completely died yet. I've searched but haven't really found a solution.
So I purchased the Sony Z Ultra google play edition for 349 and should be getting it soon. I think it'll be an interesting experience.
I needed a phone asap since my nexus 4 decided to die on me yesterday. The phone won't charge and when it does, it won't go over 40% and reboot by itself with ghost touches randomly. I can still use it but it reboots too much to use it steadily. It occasionally gives off the 'red blink of death' but the phone hasn't completely died yet. I've searched but haven't really found a solution.
Did you factory reset your Nexus 4?
07-21-2014, 01:56 PM
Team Owner
No flash killed it for me too on the Z Ultra.
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CarbonGray Earl (07-21-2014)
07-21-2014, 10:31 PM
I could not put up with my POS Galaxy SII anymore (yes...yes...I was still rocking the SII...)
Finally pulled the trigger on an M7. I'm back into the HTC family.
(Photos courtesy of, you guessed it - my POS Galaxy SII)
That's the general impression I'm getting too - it's a camera for social media photos and performs decently enough in that aspect.
Finally pulled the trigger on an M7. I'm back into the HTC family.
(Photos courtesy of, you guessed it - my POS Galaxy SII)
That's the general impression I'm getting too - it's a camera for social media photos and performs decently enough in that aspect.
07-21-2014, 10:55 PM
Burning Brakes
Yeah I've played around with the Z Ultra before at a Sony retail store (closed now) and didn't mind the huge size. Camera sucks and there is no flash but I carry around my Nex 7 quite often so it won't be a huge problem.
I shall try the factory reset once my new phone arrives and I switch over. Funny enough, my N4 hasn't reset itself in the last five hours. Thanks for the advice!
As for the Xperia Z2, its finally available on the Sony website for... 699 nearly five months after its release and when ebay sellers are unloading them for 590 or so. Also the Z3 is around the corner. Sony really doesn't care about the US cellular market it seems.
I shall try the factory reset once my new phone arrives and I switch over. Funny enough, my N4 hasn't reset itself in the last five hours. Thanks for the advice!
As for the Xperia Z2, its finally available on the Sony website for... 699 nearly five months after its release and when ebay sellers are unloading them for 590 or so. Also the Z3 is around the corner. Sony really doesn't care about the US cellular market it seems.
07-22-2014, 09:28 AM
Goodbye.
They have blatantly said that they do not because they know they won't make a dent now without having a budget for Apple and Samsung's style of advertising.
They might one day re-enter the US market properly with a huge bang, but don't hold your breath unless you want to donate a billion dollars for advertising to them lol.
They might one day re-enter the US market properly with a huge bang, but don't hold your breath unless you want to donate a billion dollars for advertising to them lol.
07-24-2014, 09:42 AM
Nom Nom Nom Nom
I think the proximity sensor on my HTC One M7 is taking a shit. It seems like I can't make a phone call anymore without the screen coming on and my face hitting the speaker button, mute button or even sometimes both. Really annoying.
With that said... I don't know if it is worth trying a factory reset and seeing if that works, but I don't know if there is a benefit to that. Being a new phone coming out soon worth waiting for? I am eligible for an upgrade now and was going to go today, but i'm still not even sure what phone I want.
With that said... I don't know if it is worth trying a factory reset and seeing if that works, but I don't know if there is a benefit to that. Being a new phone coming out soon worth waiting for? I am eligible for an upgrade now and was going to go today, but i'm still not even sure what phone I want.
07-24-2014, 10:33 AM
Team Owner
I was forced to upgrade it last night after delaying it for a day so not enough experience yet. I did up end up getting floating browser to run so I don't have to leave the app to go on the internet. So far though it seems a little smoother but I haven't played with any of the new features. My phone would get stuck where it wouldn't wake up for a good minute when it connected to my car radio for bluetooth. Bluetooth was a real drainer of memory. So far it seems to run smooth. Let's see how it is today with GPS and BT on and I'm running Waze.
I will say that after having my phone on all day and then running BT on my home stereo even while charged still drains battery but at a slower rate. I still restart my phone every night before bed as leaving it on for a few days makes Android buggy.
Google maps is giving me issues. I got entirely wrong directions last night trying to find a condo because it kept telling me to leave the complex entirely. Also when I want to zoom into the house itself it doesn't allow a real close zoom like before. And lastly the annoying agree/disagree about sharing info EVERY TIME I open Maps.
I love that the music album art is spread on the entire lock screen. A perk of having a large screen.
07-24-2014, 03:00 PM
Nom Nom Nom Nom
I think the proximity sensor on my HTC One M7 is taking a shit. It seems like I can't make a phone call anymore without the screen coming on and my face hitting the speaker button, mute button or even sometimes both. Really annoying.
With that said... I don't know if it is worth trying a factory reset and seeing if that works, but I don't know if there is a benefit to that. Being a new phone coming out soon worth waiting for? I am eligible for an upgrade now and was going to go today, but i'm still not even sure what phone I want.
With that said... I don't know if it is worth trying a factory reset and seeing if that works, but I don't know if there is a benefit to that. Being a new phone coming out soon worth waiting for? I am eligible for an upgrade now and was going to go today, but i'm still not even sure what phone I want.
07-24-2014, 09:14 PM
Nom Nom Nom Nom
07-25-2014, 04:59 PM
Needs more Lemon Pledge
anyone else with MotoX:
Go to SETTINGS>APP>ALL
Do you have an app called 'ADAM' with basically unlimited permissions? No one seems to know what this is. Cant disable it, cant remove it...
Go to SETTINGS>APP>ALL
Do you have an app called 'ADAM' with basically unlimited permissions? No one seems to know what this is. Cant disable it, cant remove it...
07-25-2014, 05:22 PM
Moderator Alumnus
Assuming you're saying your phone drains battery even while on the charger - check your charger and/or cables. Either one being bad can make a huge difference. In my car, I can have the screen on full brightness, bluetooth on, gps on, nav running, music playing, and it still charges. Doesn't get much worse than that.
07-25-2014, 05:29 PM
Needs more Lemon Pledge
^Gotta check the output rating on the charger. Some of mine are .6mA, .85, 1.1, 1.8, 2.1...
My current phone is .85mA and my Nexus7 charger is 1.8mA I think.
My current phone is .85mA and my Nexus7 charger is 1.8mA I think.
07-25-2014, 06:11 PM
Suzuka Master
I got my N7 back from Asus and hopefully the restarting thing is fixed. But my battery died really quick. It was still a day but I barely used it. There was no idle. It just went straight down.
07-26-2014, 07:23 AM
Nom Nom Nom Nom
07-26-2014, 02:09 PM
Suzuka Master
Chrome Beta is updated to how it should look like in android L 
07-28-2014, 06:59 AM
Team Owner
Assuming you're saying your phone drains battery even while on the charger - check your charger and/or cables. Either one being bad can make a huge difference. In my car, I can have the screen on full brightness, bluetooth on, gps on, nav running, music playing, and it still charges. Doesn't get much worse than that.
07-29-2014, 05:55 PM
I shoot people
07-29-2014, 06:08 PM
Suzuka Master
07-29-2014, 06:13 PM
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Looks like someone discovered it's com.motorola.adamsvc
which someone decompiled to:
http://pastebin.com/CtGcczLX
Still does not tell me what it is though...
Last edited by stogie1020; 07-29-2014 at 06:19 PM.
07-29-2014, 06:19 PM
Suzuka Master
Adam is part of a diagnostic tool we use in pre-production software builds for networking quality. It was left in a few consumer builds but it's disabled. It doesn't collect or send any data so it is safe to ignore.
guess you're fine
07-29-2014, 06:21 PM
Needs more Lemon Pledge
OK, not totally comforted but I guess i don't have a choice...
Thanks.
Thanks.