All about Smartphones and Tablets...

[shiv]

How fast are Android apps to launch?
I read that they are actually interpreted, like Java, with a VM.
Thanks!

[RuadRauFlessa]

Quicker than on an iPhone

[shiv]

Lol nice comparison
What about Symbian OS -> native Symbian apps launch fast!

[RuadRauFlessa]

I have never had a Symbian phone with a comparative CPU so I won't be able to comment on that. Although My 5800 XM can be a slouch at times.

[DAE_JA_VOO]

How fast are Android apps to launch?

They're instant. Click the Icon, and the app opens as if it were running the whole time. That's MY experience, at least.

[shiv]

How fast are Android apps to launch?

They're instant. Click the Icon, and the app opens as if it were running the whole time. That's MY experience, at least.

Impressive!
And one more thing... concerning compatibility.

Experienced any issues?
Like apps not launching, or freezing, or working incorrectly -> apps that match the version of the OS, and those that don't?

That's one of my biggest gripes with Symbian OS -> S60 v3 FP1, FP2, S60v5 (Symbian^1), then Symbian^3, then Symbian^4...

And also upgrading the OS... I assume that you could get the latest and greatest with minimum hassle?

Thanks for the feedback

[DAE_JA_VOO]

And one more thing... concerning compatibility.

Experienced any issues?
Like apps not launching, or freezing, or working incorrectly -> apps that match the version of the OS, and those that don't?

That's one of my biggest gripes with Symbian OS -> S60 v3 FP1, FP2, S60v5 (Symbian^1), then Symbian^3, then Symbian^4...

And also upgrading the OS... I assume that you could get the latest and greatest with minimum hassle?

Thanks for the feedback

Well, I've been running the latest version of Android all along, so compatibility has never been an issue for me. At the moment, I'm running Froyo, which hasn't even been officially launched yet for my phone, and I'm still not picking up problems.

Updates - same story. If you're not a user that flashes the newest ROMs as soon as they're out, like many of us here, then updates are pushed to the phone, eventually, so that'll never be an issue

[shiv]

And one more thing... concerning compatibility.

Experienced any issues?
Like apps not launching, or freezing, or working incorrectly -> apps that match the version of the OS, and those that don't?

That's one of my biggest gripes with Symbian OS -> S60 v3 FP1, FP2, S60v5 (Symbian^1), then Symbian^3, then Symbian^4...

And also upgrading the OS... I assume that you could get the latest and greatest with minimum hassle?

Thanks for the feedback

Well, I've been running the latest version of Android all along, so compatibility has never been an issue for me. At the moment, I'm running Froyo, which hasn't even been officially launched yet for my phone, and I'm still not picking up problems.

Updates - same story. If you're not a user that flashes the newest ROMs as soon as they're out, like many of us here, then updates are pushed to the phone, eventually, so that'll never be an issue

Thank you!

Can you install apps from anywhere?
With Symbian OS, I usually download a .sis, .sisx, or .jar file to my PC and copy it to my phone.
Then I use the file manager and browse to the desired drive... and click on the file -> installer pops up.

I assume the same is true with Android, although rooting might be required?

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Can you install apps from anywhere?
With Symbian OS, I usually download a .sis, .sisx, or .jar file to my PC and copy it to my phone.
Then I use the file manager and browse to the desired drive... and click on the file -> installer pops up.

I assume the same is true with Android, although rooting might be required?

You can do that without rooting. Android will tell you that it only allows for apps to installed from the market, and say "you can change this setting". It'll take you to a menu and all you do is check "Install from untrusted sources" and then you can install files from anywhere, including your SD card No root required

[RuadRauFlessa]

Can you install apps from anywhere?
With Symbian OS, I usually download a .sis, .sisx, or .jar file to my PC and copy it to my phone.
Then I use the file manager and browse to the desired drive... and click on the file -> installer pops up.

I assume the same is true with Android, although rooting might be required?

You can do that without rooting. Android will tell you that it only allows for apps to installed from the market, and say "you can change this setting". It'll take you to a menu and all you do is check "Install from untrusted sources" and then you can install files from anywhere, including your SD card No root required

Cool....

I just submitted a contract for my Android....
Any must have apps I should have a look at? I work from recommendations.

[shiv]

Can you install apps from anywhere?
With Symbian OS, I usually download a .sis, .sisx, or .jar file to my PC and copy it to my phone.
Then I use the file manager and browse to the desired drive... and click on the file -> installer pops up.

I assume the same is true with Android, although rooting might be required?

You can do that without rooting. Android will tell you that it only allows for apps to installed from the market, and say "you can change this setting". It'll take you to a menu and all you do is check "Install from untrusted sources" and then you can install files from anywhere, including your SD card No root required

Nice!
My next phone will probably be Android based
But the hardware must top my Samsung i8510, then I will look at software!
I'm hoping for a Nokia N8-like spec'd phone (or better) running Android in the next 6 months or so.

[Anakha56]

I just submitted a contract for my Android....
Any must have apps I should have a look at? I work from recommendations.

Haha

DJV It looks like your thread is going to be needed . Just to quote a previous post of DJV's:

Okay, wait wait wait, I need to tell you guys a few things about this phone's data usage.

I've got a R200 airtime budget on my contract (well, that's what I try to keep to). This includes data. Now, it must've taken me a month to manage my data usage on this phone, but I've managed to get it all under control.

You should set a DAILY quota in 3G watchdog, in case your phone goes rogue and downloads 15MB (which happened to me. Twice). Here's the best way to manage data:

• First off, disable autosync and background data sync. You can do this in Settings -> Accounts & Sync.
• Second, navigate to Settings -> Wireless & Networks -> Mobile Network Settings and uncheck "Enable always-on".
• Next, install 3G Watchdog and APNDroid. Together, these will cut off the data connection once you pass your quota.
• Lastly, disable all automatic syncing. In other words, go into the facebook app and disable notifications and updates every X minutes. Do this for all your facebook/twitter stuff. I thought that this last point would be a REAL bummer for me, but it worked out great. If I were to get a notification for every time someone wrote on my wall your tweeted at me, I'd go nuts.

That SHOULD get your data usage under control. This is what I do, and it works well for me

As for apps, here's a full list of the apps I use.

• Fast Web Installer
• AppBrain App Market These first two are together
• doubleTwist Player My Media Player of choice
• ShootMe (Screen Grabber) Screenshots
• Network Monitor Self Explanatory
• Wheres My Droid Google this one. It's amazing
• Twitter
• COL Reminder I forget stuff
• twicca BETA Twitter client
• Brightness Level My brightness widget
• Bookmarks to SD As the name suggests
• Dolphin Tweet Allows me to tweet stuff from the browser
• Dolphin Speed Dial I need to get rid of this one
• Dolphin Theme: Blue
• Dolphin Browser HD My browser
• SetCPU for Root Users CPU speed profiles. I use this to save battery power
• Extended Controls Like the power control widget, only better
• APNdroid
• 3G Watchdog
• FolderOrganizer lite App management. Can't live without it
• LauncherPro Beta My home screen app/launcher
• Talkback No idea what this is. Don't see it anywhere
• Facebook for Android
• Google Maps
• ASTRO File Manager

File manager

View this app list on AppBrain

[DAE_JA_VOO]

DJV It looks like your thread is going to be needed .

Aaah! I see!

Okay, I'll get that thread up soon. What all should I put in the first post?

[shiv]

I have to ask... does your phone slow down when too much junk is installed?
This problem affects Windows/Mobile (no surprise), and also Symbian.
But with Symbian, I think it's more because of the 10,000 processes sitting in memory and eating CPU, memory and battery.

[DAE_JA_VOO]

I have to ask... does your phone slow down when too much junk is installed?

This is something I LOVE about Android. No matter how many apps I've got installed it never gets any slower. The only time I've ever seen any form of lag is when the phone is busy installing an app (which only takes a couple of seconds). Other than that, I've never seen any lag.

[RuadRauFlessa]

DJV It looks like your thread is going to be needed .

Aaah! I see!

Okay, I'll get that thread up soon. What all should I put in the first post?

All the essentials with a review about each

[DAE_JA_VOO]

No man! Don't be crazy!

[Anakha56]

+1 to DJV I have not noticed any lag as well and I am switching between emails(work and private), apps and a game every now and then and its still smooth.

@ DJV no idea, maybe some common terms (rooting) and a list of useful apps?

[shiv]

I have to ask... does your phone slow down when too much junk is installed?

This is something I LOVE about Android. No matter how many apps I've got installed it never gets any slower. The only time I've ever seen any form of lag is when the phone is busy installing an app (which only takes a couple of seconds). Other than that, I've never seen any lag.

Those run-when-you-want-it apps don't count
How many apps do you have that run as background processes?
I've got apps that monitor messages, calls, etc.

[Prime]

+1 to DJV I have not noticed any lag as well and I am switching between emails(work and private), apps and a game every now and then and its still smooth.

@ DJV no idea, maybe some common terms (rooting) and a list of useful apps?

We already have an App's thread. http://forums.pcformat.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=36474

and then there is this: http://forums.pcformat.co.za/viewtopic. ... it=Android

Do we really need another thread?

[DAE_JA_VOO]

+1 to DJV I have not noticed any lag as well and I am switching between emails(work and private), apps and a game every now and then and its still smooth.

@ DJV no idea, maybe some common terms (rooting) and a list of useful apps?

We already have an App's thread. http://forums.pcformat.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=36474

and then there is this: http://forums.pcformat.co.za/viewtopic. ... it=Android

Do we really need another thread?

I think we do.

And even if we don't, I don't care. I'm busy writing up an awesome first post

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Hmmm wait. That second link is "the official android thread. Shouldn't we move all our chatter there?

[Prime]

Hmmm wait. That second link is "the official android thread. Shouldn't we move all our chatter there?

Probably!

[Anakha56]

If the second link is the official Droid thread then yes, maybe I could edit the first post with your post?

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Why don't we just start talking there and I'll throw my post in there somewhere?