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The Android Thread - Oh hey, Google is pretty cool.

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Posts

  • KistraKistra Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    RBach wrote: »
    Has anyone dealt with podcasts on an Android device? I'm considering the Droid, but podcast (and non-DRMed audiobooks) playback is something I can't really find much info on. All of the apps I'm finding seem to be geared toward downloading podcasts on the device, but I prefer to handle that on my desktop computer and then transfer podcasts over to whatever portable device I'm using (currently an iPod Touch). I don't expect the tight integration I'd get from iTunes and an iPod/iPhone, but it would be nice if an Android phone could at least save my playback position in video and audio files. If I can get Android to keep track of which files I've listened to and sync that information back to the computer that would be even better.

    I suppose I should mention I'm currently using MediaMonkey for my podcast & audiobook playing & syncing to my Touch, but if another player would work better with Android I'd certainly be open to suggestions.

    I use google listen and it does remember where I am in different podcasts and pauses for phone calls and stuff but it does download stuff directly to the phone. You can set it to only download when it is using wifi or only when you tell it to if you want. It works so I haven't played around too much with the other apps out there but there are others as well.

    Kistra on
    Animal Crossing: City Folk Lissa in Filmore 3179-9580-0076
  • VistiVisti Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    I've been looking for an app that can bookmark regular MP3s and stuff too. People say Doggcatcher, but it's a tad expensive to not be sure.

    Visti on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • Dance CommanderDance Commander Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    I'm realizing that Android doesn't appear to support bluetooth headsets in the way I'd like--it sounds as if Android can't catch certain events from the headset, like a call button push or call button long-push, therefore you can't start the voice dialing app with the headset. Worse still, it looks like this issue has been known for more than a year and is still not fixed.
    Since I know we have a few pretty knowledgeable people in this thread--what's the deal with this? Am I off base? Is there a fix forthcoming?

    Dance Commander on
  • StaxeonStaxeon Buffalo, NYRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    GnomeTank wrote: »
    I don't want it that bad ;)

    Question about the Hero though. I just had a Zagg InvisibleShield installed on it, but I am also thinking of getting one of the thin silicon "bounce" protectors, because I tend to drop phones. With some quick Google searching, I didn't see anything that really fit what I wanted, they all seemed too bulky. The iPhone/iPod Touch have a ton of the thinner ones, but everyone and their grandmas dog is making accessories for that, so that makes sense.

    Has anyone happened across an HTC Hero silicon cover that isn't bulky and terrible? This is the US Sprint Hero, not the European Hero with the funky chin.

    Im waiting for seidio to come out with theirs
    Www.seidioonline.com
    A little expensive but you pay for quality.

    Staxeon on
    Invisible nap is the best nap of all time!
    No man should have that kind of power.
    (Twitter)
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Staxeon wrote: »
    GnomeTank wrote: »
    I don't want it that bad ;)

    Question about the Hero though. I just had a Zagg InvisibleShield installed on it, but I am also thinking of getting one of the thin silicon "bounce" protectors, because I tend to drop phones. With some quick Google searching, I didn't see anything that really fit what I wanted, they all seemed too bulky. The iPhone/iPod Touch have a ton of the thinner ones, but everyone and their grandmas dog is making accessories for that, so that makes sense.

    Has anyone happened across an HTC Hero silicon cover that isn't bulky and terrible? This is the US Sprint Hero, not the European Hero with the funky chin.

    Im waiting for seidio to come out with theirs
    Www.seidioonline.com
    A little expensive but you pay for quality.

    Is this the one you are waiting for: http://www.seidioonline.com/product-p/csr3hhrs-bk.htm?

    Because if so yes. 30 bucks isn't even that bad, and it's exactly what I want. I think that, combined with the InvisibleShield, my Hero should be well protected.

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • StaxeonStaxeon Buffalo, NYRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Yup, thats the one. They make tight fitting, high quality products. You could always go eBay and get one for under $10, but I hear too many bad reviews about loose fits or the cut-outs being in the wrong place for the Sprint HTC Hero.

    I'm waiting for that Seidio case to release, then I'll be getting it and one of their Ultimate Screen Guards to seal my phone in nicely.

    Also by the way, has anyone with a Hero found the [ ] keys?? For the life of me I can't find them.

    Staxeon on
    Invisible nap is the best nap of all time!
    No man should have that kind of power.
    (Twitter)
  • AyulinAyulin Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Assuming you're using the default Sense keyboard, hit 12# next to . to get into symbol mode, then hit 1/2 on the left side of space to get to the second page of symbols.

    Ayulin on
    steam_sig.png
  • StaxeonStaxeon Buffalo, NYRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Holy crap, I can't believe I never noticed that 1 of 2. Thanks!

    Staxeon on
    Invisible nap is the best nap of all time!
    No man should have that kind of power.
    (Twitter)
  • AyulinAyulin Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Took me ages to figure out what it was as well, when I was looking for an equals sign. Didn't think to click the fraction button :P

    Ayulin on
    steam_sig.png
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Staxeon wrote: »
    Yup, thats the one. They make tight fitting, high quality products. You could always go eBay and get one for under $10, but I hear too many bad reviews about loose fits or the cut-outs being in the wrong place for the Sprint HTC Hero.

    I'm waiting for that Seidio case to release, then I'll be getting it and one of their Ultimate Screen Guards to seal my phone in nicely.

    Also by the way, has anyone with a Hero found the [ ] keys?? For the life of me I can't find them.

    Yah, I have a full body InvisibleShield on my Hero now, and combined with the Seidio case, I think it will be well protected.

    Oddly enough, Seidio is based in Houston...wish I knew someone that worked there so I could get early access to one of those cases, hehe. Do you happen to have any idea when they plan to have it out?

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • ImpersonatorImpersonator Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Will the HTC Tattoo/Click get the Android 2.0 update?

    Impersonator on
  • StaxeonStaxeon Buffalo, NYRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    GnomeTank wrote: »
    Staxeon wrote: »
    Yup, thats the one. They make tight fitting, high quality products. You could always go eBay and get one for under $10, but I hear too many bad reviews about loose fits or the cut-outs being in the wrong place for the Sprint HTC Hero.

    I'm waiting for that Seidio case to release, then I'll be getting it and one of their Ultimate Screen Guards to seal my phone in nicely.

    Also by the way, has anyone with a Hero found the [ ] keys?? For the life of me I can't find them.

    Yah, I have a full body InvisibleShield on my Hero now, and combined with the Seidio case, I think it will be well protected.

    Oddly enough, Seidio is based in Houston...wish I knew someone that worked there so I could get early access to one of those cases, hehe. Do you happen to have any idea when they plan to have it out?

    Site seems to be updated. You can pre-order now, to be shipping out 11/23.

    Staxeon on
    Invisible nap is the best nap of all time!
    No man should have that kind of power.
    (Twitter)
  • VistiVisti Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    People, recommend me some awesome games! I recently found Speedforge, which is a 3d wipeout clone and I'm loving it.

    Visti on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Will the HTC Tattoo/Click get the Android 2.0 update?

    No idea. I know that HTC has said the Hero will get 2.0 (they are skipping 1.6), so that may be a product line wide decisions, but I'm not sure.

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Staxeon wrote: »
    GnomeTank wrote: »
    Staxeon wrote: »
    Yup, thats the one. They make tight fitting, high quality products. You could always go eBay and get one for under $10, but I hear too many bad reviews about loose fits or the cut-outs being in the wrong place for the Sprint HTC Hero.

    I'm waiting for that Seidio case to release, then I'll be getting it and one of their Ultimate Screen Guards to seal my phone in nicely.

    Also by the way, has anyone with a Hero found the [ ] keys?? For the life of me I can't find them.

    Yah, I have a full body InvisibleShield on my Hero now, and combined with the Seidio case, I think it will be well protected.

    Oddly enough, Seidio is based in Houston...wish I knew someone that worked there so I could get early access to one of those cases, hehe. Do you happen to have any idea when they plan to have it out?

    Site seems to be updated. You can pre-order now, to be shipping out 11/23.

    Yep, I noticed this weekend and already pre-ordered my case and belt clip combo :)

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • Lilac CitizenLilac Citizen Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Is there an easy way to get a generic android 2.0 image onto my stock G1?

    I guess I'll have to get it unlocked or something, but it'd be neat to use some of those new features

    Lilac Citizen on
  • VistiVisti Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Like, totally generic?

    Visti on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • AyulinAyulin Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    If I'm not mistaken, some people at xda-developers have ported it for the G1, but it's missing some features. (I'd look and link, but I'm posting from my Hero.)

    Ayulin on
    steam_sig.png
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Ayulin wrote: »
    If I'm not mistaken, some people at xda-developers have ported it for the G1, but it's missing some features. (I'd look and link, but I'm posting from my Hero.)

    Out of curiosity, how did you get the forums to be usable on your Hero? I can come here, and login, but the forums have no mobile skin (that I can see), so it just draws to draw it as if I was coming in using a stock browser, which makes it somewhat cumbersome to use and read.

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • VistiVisti Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    My Magic wraps and rearranges pages fine. I can turn it off and on in the settings somewhere.

    Also, there's an easy fix to get 2.0 Google Maps navigation and Facebook on 1.6 (Cyanogen etc.) Magics on XDA right now.

    Visti on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Hmm. Is the browser part of the Android OS? If so, then we should have the same basic browser software, I would think? I'll play with it some later when I'm not at work and supposed to be working.

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • VistiVisti Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Well, HTC has a specialized browser and some of the custom ROMs have some hacks as well, but I seem to distinctly remember that feature being standard.

    Visti on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • AyulinAyulin Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Yeah, the browser rewraps the text to fit the page. As far as I know, it's a customized stock browser (adding HTC's multi-touch zooming and flash support), but the text wrap should be standard.

    The only downside is I can only read the posts; the user details won't fit with the content of the posts, so I keep it off the screen to the left.

    Ayulin on
    steam_sig.png
  • DeicistDeicist Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Visti wrote: »
    My Magic wraps and rearranges pages fine. I can turn it off and on in the settings somewhere.

    Also, there's an easy fix to get 2.0 Google Maps navigation and Facebook on 1.6 (Cyanogen etc.) Magics on XDA right now.

    Only if you live in the US :(

    Deicist on
  • VistiVisti Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Tallus wrote: »
    Visti wrote: »
    My Magic wraps and rearranges pages fine. I can turn it off and on in the settings somewhere.

    Also, there's an easy fix to get 2.0 Google Maps navigation and Facebook on 1.6 (Cyanogen etc.) Magics on XDA right now.

    Only if you live in the US :(

    Yeah, but the Facebook app is pretty good. Doesn't sync contacts, though.

    Visti on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    So does anyonehave some advice on what I can do to watch video from g4's websites and the daily show? I think it has something to do withy their players being flash based.

    RoyceSraphim on
  • VistiVisti Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Flash a Hero rom. Plays fullscreen flash mostly fine.

    Visti on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Mine didn'What do you mean when you use flash as a verb? Furthermore, where would I get a hero rom?

    And does anyone have a better widget the put on their home screen than the one that comes with a droid? Mine didn't update for days at a time.

    RoyceSraphim on
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Got my Seido Innocase II and matching belt clip for my HTC Hero today . It's a really, really nice case. It's lined with velvet and doesn't add much bulk to the phone. The belt clip is also line with velvet, as it's meant to be used "face in".

    One issue I did have is that the full body InvisibleShield I put on there interfered with the super tight fit of the Innocase. I had to remove the body portion of my InvisibleShield. The screen portion is still intact and fits fine with the Innocase. Oh well, 10 bucks down the drain. Should have thought about that before I did honestly, but for 10 bucks it protected my phone for two weeks until Seido was shipping their Innocases.

    Oh, also, Siedo seems to be shipping them before their 11/23 date (obviously), so if you "pre-order" one now, you may just get it in a couple of days.

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • KyouguKyougu Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    So, how much do you think having so many different Android phones out there will hurt the Apps? There's already some that don't work as good on some phones as others, or are waiting on patches to work correctly on certain phones. More phones will just add to this, wont it?

    Kyougu on
  • gilraingilrain Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    My understanding is that one of the problems is that Google's Android emulator doesn't do a good job of emulating the various hardware platforms. Assuming they fix that, and it works well, then development for multiple phones shouldn't be too bad.

    As an open platform, though, yes... we're likely to see the same old devide between Macs and PCs as ever. Macs are more restricted, but "just work" (mostly) as a result; PCs are more open and flexible, but you might have to browse some forums and fiddle to get everything working.

    gilrain on
  • GnomeTankGnomeTank What the what? Portland, OregonRegistered User regular
    edited November 2009
    I think what will end up happening is that developers will make sure their software works on the most popular hand sets (Hero, Droid, Cliq, etc). The problem isn't the emulators so much that each handset maker is allowed to put their own ROM's on the phone. See HTC's Sense UI, or Motorola's Blur. Those ROM's can, apparently, also change how certain system functionality is accessed, which is Very Bad (tm). Supposedly, for instance, the HTC Hero's GPS unit response to commands differently than the Droid and some other Android phones.

    That's the kind of thing Google needs to nip in the bud early. Minor differences between vendors is fine, but when major system functionality works differently on one handset, it makes creating apps a real nightmare.

    GnomeTank on
    Sagroth wrote: »
    Oh c'mon FyreWulff, no one's gonna pay to visit Uranus.
    Steam: Brainling, XBL / PSN: GnomeTank, NintendoID: Brainling, FF14: Zillius Rosh SFV: Brainling
  • eatmosushieatmosushi __BANNED USERS regular
    edited November 2009
    Just got a mytouch 3g.

    I want to play games on it asap.

    Talk to me

    eatmosushi on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Spun uncontrollably skyward... Driven brutally into the ground
  • bloodatonementbloodatonement Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Speed Forge, Cestos (online multiplayer), there's a Doom engine, Gem Miner.

    Why hasn't DosBox made it's way to Droid?

    bloodatonement on
    Zdy0pmg.jpg
    Steam ID: Good Life
  • ImpersonatorImpersonator Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Doom and SCUMM needs to be ported to any electronic device ever made.

    Anyway, how well does Android handle Java?

    Impersonator on
  • BarrakkethBarrakketh Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Anyway, how well does Android handle Java?

    It doesn't, per se. The packages provided don't match up with any of the existing Java platforms (J2ME, J2SE, J2EE), and software needs to be compiled for the VM that Android uses since the Dalvik VM doesn't use standard Java bytecode.

    The language itself is Java, and the packages provided are built on a subset of the ones available in the Apache Harmony project.

    Barrakketh on
    Rollers are red, chargers are blue....omae wa mou shindeiru
  • Centipede DamascusCentipede Damascus Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    So the Google Maps Navigation beta is available for people running Donut now.

    I tried it out on the way home from work. I couldn't stop grinning.

    Centipede Damascus on
  • DeicistDeicist Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    Been using one of the 'bare bones' versions of eclair from XDA on my magic:

    bad news:

    None of the google apps work yet (market, gmail etc) although I see there's a new rom on XDA today that promises to fix this

    Camera, wifi, bluetooth, accelerometer don't work (waiting on HTC drivers) again though, newer roms support wifi (I think)

    Picture gallery.

    good news:

    It's incredibly fast
    Exchange sync works perfectly
    New Facebook app is the tits (I'm not sure if this is part of the stock rom or nicked from the motorola dump)
    New icons look much better
    The UI in general seems.... nicer? I hated the cupcake / donut stock theme, but eclair I can live with.

    Deicist on
  • Silent TristeroSilent Tristero Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    So not sure if this is the place t ask, but - what is the extent of the Gmail and Facebook syncing I've read about for the HTC Hero? I just picked one up and I've been tooling around with it whilst I await my old phone number to be ported over. Basically, virtually none of my facebook contacts have their phone numbers detailed, and alot of the people in my phonebook aren't on facebook. I don't have a single Gmail 'contact', either.

    What's the best way to set this up with minimal fuss? I wouldn't mind a bit of effort merging various details, but I also don't want a horrible mish-mash of contacts with pictures, some without, some from gmail, some not, etc.

    Edit: I guess I could just add all the numbers from my old phone to Gmail Contacts, whether I have their email address or not? I may be misunderstanding how this works, but I'm not finding much documentation on the subject.

    Silent Tristero on
  • AyulinAyulin Registered User regular
    edited November 2009
    You basically link gmail contacts with those from Facebook through the Updates/Events tab. It'll pull their birthday and profile picture, but that's about it (that I know of, anyway).

    The actual link is done by a certain string being placed in the notes field of the contact; It's hidden on the phone, but you can see it if you open the contact up in gmail on a PC.

    Ayulin on
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This discussion has been closed.