Topic: Android Phones - Apps and stuff

[lauz]

help!

I have a samsung s4, and it has 1 major problem at the minute is that it keeps turning itself off when it has 68% battery and wont turn on again till i've put it on charge!

I took it in ages ago to be fixed, but it got refused at it had a smashed screen, and so i just bought a replacement battery but it's started up playing up again.

[danwms]

I'm working on getting the lfchistory app onto the amazon store at the moment.

[rob1408]

Anyone using Android 5 ?  Just installed a leaked factory image on my first gen Nexus 7 and its like a new tablet, both aesthetically and performance wise.  Nearly every aspect has changed, obviously there has been a deluge of g-app updates lately, but it goes beyond that.  Google Now looks different, the app drawer is different and the notifications are different.  The runtime of the Nexus 7 has also changed from Davlik to ART.

Quite impressed, but it'll take some getting used to.

[Persephone]

Anyone using Android 5 ?  Just installed a leaked factory image on my first gen Nexus 7 and its like a new tablet, both aesthetically and performance wise.  Nearly every aspect has changed, obviously there has been a deluge of g-app updates lately, but it goes beyond that.  Google Now looks different, the app drawer is different and the notifications are different.  The runtime of the Nexus 7 has also changed from Davlik to ART.

Quite impressed, but it'll take some getting used to.

I'm still waiting for the OTA updates for my Nexus 5 and 7. It looks really good though

[wz4jc3]

Anyone using Android 5 ?  Just installed a leaked factory image on my first gen Nexus 7 and its like a new tablet, both aesthetically and performance wise.  Nearly every aspect has changed, obviously there has been a deluge of g-app updates lately, but it goes beyond that.  Google Now looks different, the app drawer is different and the notifications are different.  The runtime of the Nexus 7 has also changed from Davlik to ART.

Quite impressed, but it'll take some getting used to.

I'm looking forward to the update on my Nexus 4. There looks to be a few nice updates including the improved notifications.

[wz4jc3]

Can anybody recommend an app that will allow me to use a code / pattern for security when I'm away from home, but automatically use my location to switch off security when at home? Thank you.

[Pheeny]

What music player do people use? (One that plays FLAC)

[danwms]

I'm using it on my nexus 5 and its great.

[Liamski-la]

Guys, I'm thinking about swapping from iOS to Android. Which phone - in your real life experience - has the best battery life? It is by far my biggest consideration.

What kind of duration are you getting out of a full charge? For example, I went shopping yesterday; I listened to an hour's Spotify, did about an hour's browsing and probably 20 minutes use of maps and it drained my battery completely. What would you expect the drain on your phone to be with that use?

Cheers - Dan

Ive recently gone from an Iphone 5 to a htc one M8 and the htc pisses all over the iphone. I'm a heavy user and I'm also using the htc as a wifi hotspot for my ipad and I could easily get well into a second day on one charge.

Just normal use, music, bit of internet and it etc barely seems to drain it.

[gazzalfc]

Guys, I'm thinking about swapping from iOS to Android. Which phone - in your real life experience - has the best battery life? It is by far my biggest consideration.

What kind of duration are you getting out of a full charge? For example, I went shopping yesterday; I listened to an hour's Spotify, did about an hour's browsing and probably 20 minutes use of maps and it drained my battery completely. What would you expect the drain on your phone to be with that use?

Cheers - Dan

That is par for the course with all smartphones nowadays. If you are using data, Bluetooth or the screen then you'll be draining the battery pretty quick.

The advantage with using android over Apple is that you have bigger scope to control the memory management and background apps.

[danwms]

Nexus 5 on lollipop is working really well.

[rob1408]

Nexus 5 on lollipop is working really well.

My Nexus 9 came with Android 5, but I had to sideload it on my Nexus 5, Androids roll out system isn't the greatest. I also installed it on an old Nexus 7 we had lying around and its breathed new life into it.  The white takes some getting used to mind.

[gazzalfc]

Thing is though Gaz, the rate at which it chows the battery is unacceptable in my opinion; especially having already had a battery replacement less than a year ago.

I always have the screen on the lowest brightness, turn off location services when I'm not using them, no wifi or bluetooth when I'm out and I've even turned off 4G and it's still shite.

Having read reviews of the top end Android phones, they seem to offer a good 30% more battery life than the comparable Apple devices. The Xperia Z3 looks like it would be double the battery life of mine and the power saving mode that some of these devices have also looks like a good feature.

4G is always a battery drainer. Not because its faster or any different to 3g. But 4G doesn't get the coverage in the UK so phones are always forced to scan betwen the 4G,3G and even the 2G bands constantly for the best signal strength.

Thats the reason why I wouldn't read too much into reviews on battery life. Signal coverage and the way the reviewer uses the phone is always different.

At least with Android you always have the choice of carrying a spare battery with you

[gazzalfc]

I have the Oppo find 7. Its a great phone. But the 2K screen, 4G and Samsung S5 specs does drain the battery pretty quick (been using my phone for 2 hours and only have 40% left). But it comes with a 4amp charger so charges the phone from 0-100% in 40 mins.

If I know I'm going to be away from a charge point for anywhere over 3-4 hours I carry my spare battery and emergency battery pack with me. 

[potatomato33]

Just got my Sony Z3 Compact last week and I'm loving it! The speakers are amazing, as is the battery life! Water and dust resistant helps when I'm out in the field as well

[PaulF]

Have just bought at a hudl2. At its ridiculous price im liking it more than more than our iPad air .

[Snail]

Have just bought at a hudl2. At its ridiculous price im liking it more than more than our iPad air .

Got mine yesterday. It is fantastic.

["21C or 70F?" SchizoidWeatherMan!]

Thing is though Gaz, the rate at which it chows the battery is unacceptable in my opinion; especially having already had a battery replacement less than a year ago.

I always have the screen on the lowest brightness, turn off location services when I'm not using them, no wifi or bluetooth when I'm out and I've even turned off 4G and it's still shite.

Having read reviews of the top end Android phones, they seem to offer a good 30% more battery life than the comparable Apple devices. The Xperia Z3 looks like it would be double the battery life of mine and the power saving mode that some of these devices have also looks like a good feature.

If super high level processing and graphics performance is not a priority for you, I'd reccommend the Huawei Ascend Mate2 4G. It has a mammoth 4000 plus battery and a lovely screen. Solid and stable performer.

Will give you 2 days EASILY with normal usage (some browsing, gaming and music/videos).

If the OS is not a problem, I'd also reccomend the Lumia 1520 Phablet. It gives you 2 days of backup and a lovely 6 inch full hd screen. One of the best smartphones around in terms of build quality, screen, camera and general user friendliness.

And the 'app gapp' is overrated, you'll find most apps on Windows store.

[PaulF]

Got mine yesterday. It is fantastic.

Ours is used about 90% of the time for youtube. It seems pretty snappy at that, although it doesn't seem to want to respond to voice searches. 

The size means I can hold it in portrait mode and use both thumbs to type.

Has ticked all the boxes I want in a tablet.  Might work out to cost me more than our air if I succumb and buy the whole family one!

["21C or 70F?" SchizoidWeatherMan!]

Not massively fussed with having the very best phone, just want to be able to run emulators, have a decent battery and that's about it to be honest.

Will definitely be looking at the Oppo and the Huawei.

Go for the Mate 4g , it can easily handle emulators and stuff. You wont get a longer lasting android phone on the market!

[cloggypop]

Android 5.0 is supposed to increase battery life a fair bit. Huawai are usually quite slow on the updates.

Might be worth looking at the Oneplus One as well as they are defo updating to Lollipop.

[rob1408]

Android 5.0 is supposed to increase battery life a fair bit. Huawai are usually quite slow on the updates.

Might be worth looking at the Oneplus One as well as they are defo updating to Lollipop.

I don't know if it takes a period of calibration, but I'm yet to see any difference in battery life.  That said, battery saving mode (option to turn it on when at 15%) is better on Lollipop.

[gazzalfc]

I'd be careful with the Oneplus one.

The only 4G LTE bands it'll work on in the UK are EE and only part of the 3 network.

[wz4jc3]

Android 5 Lollipop has just finished installing on my Nexus 4. Looks nice on early glance.

[LanceLink!!!!!]

Just installed Lollipop on my Nexus 5, looks and feels really nice

[Guz-kop]

Just installed Lollipop on my Nexus 5, looks and feels really nice

Whatsapp is a little clunky but otherwise looks decent. The improved battery life is what I'm most interested in but not sure to what extent the OS upgrade can improve it?

[rob1408]

There is very little difference in battery life apart from when its in sleep mode.  Overnight my phone lost 1% battery which is better, during the day with normal use I've noticed very little difference.  This is after using Lollipop since Friday.

["21C or 70F?" SchizoidWeatherMan!]

There is very little difference in battery life apart from when its in sleep mode.  Overnight my phone lost 1% battery which is better, during the day with normal use I've noticed very little difference.  This is after using Lollipop since Friday.

Any difference in day to day performance? They have changed the runtime from Dalvik to ART which is supposed to make a significant difference in the context of resource management.

How different is the UI from stock Kitkat/Jellybean?

[rob1408]

Any difference in day to day performance? They have changed the runtime from Dalvik to ART which is supposed to make a significant difference in the context of resource management.

How different is the UI from stock Kitkat/Jellybean?

I was using ART before the release of Lollipop.  Each app takes up more space, but they launch quicker and run smoother (apart from the ones that aren't compatible, there are a few).

The UI is vastly different in my opinion.  The app drawer has changed, the keyboard is different and the notification system has been revamped.  I really like the notifications, others may not (the opinion on forums is mixed).  The menus have all changed, the 'material design' look is much more consistent now.

The overall performance of the phone is marginally better, it was running well before, it seems slightly faster now.

I also sideloaded it on an old Nexus 7 I had lying around.  The ART runtime wasn't previously available on the first gen Nexus 7, now it's default.  I haven't looked through the developer options, but I'm assuming the Davlik option is no longer there.  The Nexus 7's performance goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.  One minute it's like butter, the next the whole system grinds to a halt.  Clearing the system cache has improved things considerably though.  I suppose the change is more vast on the Nexus 7 and it'll take time to iron out the bugs.

Nexus 9 is performing brilliantly with Lollipop, I haven't had any app crashes or noticeable bugs on either the N9 or N5.

["21C or 70F?" SchizoidWeatherMan!]

I was using ART before the release of Lollipop.  Each app takes up more space, but they launch quicker and run smoother (apart from the ones that aren't compatible, there are a few).

The UI is vastly different in my opinion.  The app drawer has changed, the keyboard is different and the notification system has been revamped.  I really like the notifications, others may not (the opinion on forums is mixed).  The menus have all changed, the 'material design' look is much more consistent now.

The overall performance of the phone is marginally better, it was running well before, it seems slightly faster now.

I also sideloaded it on an old Nexus 7 I had lying around.  The ART runtime wasn't previously available on the first gen Nexus 7, now it's default.  I haven't looked through the developer options, but I'm assuming the Davlik option is no longer there.  The Nexus 7's performance goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.  One minute it's like butter, the next the whole system grinds to a halt.  Clearing the system cache has improved things considerably though.  I suppose the change is more vast on the Nexus 7 and it'll take time to iron out the bugs.

Nexus 9 is performing brilliantly with Lollipop, I haven't had any app crashes or noticeable bugs on either the N9 or N5.

Thanks mate, interesting info.

The reason I asked is because my phone is probably getting an update in the next month or so and I am undecided whether the update is worth it or not. I am perfectly satisfied with Kitkat.

So basically the aesthetics have changed radically with some functional changes. A coworker told me today that the multitasking has changed too? I hope its not anything like the Windows phone version of multitasking.

Do you mind expounding a bit on what exactly has changed in the context of notifications? 

[rob1408]

Firstly, Notifications and quick settings have been merged into one drag down menu, which I prefer.  When you receive a call, you don't have a new screen popping up interrupting what you're doing, instead you get a heads-up notification from where you can choose to receive or decline the call, messages and other important notifications also work the same way.  You also now get interactive notifications on the lock screen.

There's also an interruptions setting.  You can choose which notifications you want at certain times via a whitelist.

Task managing is also done via some sort of carousel rather than the old style switcher, oh and the soft keys have changed.

["21C or 70F?" SchizoidWeatherMan!]

Firstly, Notifications and quick settings have been merged into one drag down menu, which I prefer.  When you receive a call, you don't have a new screen popping up interrupting what you're doing, instead you get a heads-up notification from where you can choose to receive or decline the call, messages and other important notifications also work the same way.  You also now get interactive notifications on the lock screen.

There's also an interruptions setting.  You can choose which notifications you want at certain times via a whitelist.

Task managing is also done via some sort of carousel rather than the old style switcher, oh and the soft keys have changed.

cheers man.

The notification shade with quick settings is already implemented in some ODM skins, my Lg g pro has it.

Love the fact you can prioritize notifications as you want. Rest of it seems more cosmetic than actual changes in functionality.

[djphal]

Anyone else have problems with whatsapp notifications? quite often i dont get my messages until I open whatsapp, then they all come through

its a pain in my ass

[Thush]

Anyone else have problems with whatsapp notifications? quite often i dont get my messages until I open whatsapp, then they all come through

its a pain in my ass

Yes. I've had that a few times in the past months.

[Jimmy Two Times]

It depends on your background data settings. Check your sync settings to see if background data is allowed for Whatsapp

[Motty]

Something's happened to recently to my HTC One where when I try and post photos or screenshots on here it now says  the file is too large ,never been a issue before. Has a update changed the settings ? Where do you go to change the file sizing ?

[MichaelA]

I also sideloaded it on an old Nexus 7 I had lying around.  The ART runtime wasn't previously available on the first gen Nexus 7, now it's default.  I haven't looked through the developer options, but I'm assuming the Davlik option is no longer there.  The Nexus 7's performance goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.  One minute it's like butter, the next the whole system grinds to a halt.  Clearing the system cache has improved things considerably though.  I suppose the change is more vast on the Nexus 7 and it'll take time to iron out the bugs.

Hi Rob, I'm interested in doing this on an old Nexus 7 - can you point me int he right direction for a software download/how to do it?

[gazzalfc]

Hi Rob, I'm interested in doing this on an old Nexus 7 - can you point me int he right direction for a software download/how to do it?

Give yourself plenty of time. Its a very fiddly method. Also you will lose everything on your Nexus so make sure its backed up.

http://www.redmondpie.com/download-and-install-android-5.0-lollipop-final-on-nexus-5-4-7-10-right-now-how-to-tutorial/

[MichaelA]

http://www.redmondpie.com/download-and-install-android-5.0-lollipop-final-on-nexus-5-4-7-10-right-now-how-to-tutorial/

Cheers, will take a look! Although tehe Nexus is currently sat on my desk as dead as a doornail, and doesn't seem to be charging up.

[rob1408]

Gazza's link will work, although I took a slightly different route.

http://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

To be honest, the OTA rollout to Nexus devices is well under way, you'd probably receive it automatically by Monday, my son's device updated last night.