Develop Bugs

CM9/AOKP Dial by Name Updates?

I love the Dial by name aka Smart Dialing feature in the hacked Dialer used in AOKP and CM9 roms (all custom roms?)... but the damn thing locks up so many times it's annoying.
I have my Gmail contacts and I also have corporate exchange contacts. A few times a day I start to dial a number and it'll freeze after 1 or 2 numbers. I have to force close the dialer (press and hold back) or wait until it eventually force closes and allows me to close it.
Pretty annoying.
At first I figured it was just beta and would eventually get ironed out... but it's been a few months now and it seems the dialer is the same old dialer. It's acted out on just about every rom I've tried. I suspect it could be my exchange contacts and perhaps a poor data signal (maybe?). The contacts get synced and should be physically on my phone, but my new BlueAnt Q2 won't speak the names of my corporate contacts, but has no problem with my personal Gmail contacts.
So I'm wondering how it actually works and perhaps put a nail in this dialer lockup (and fixing maybe fixing corporate name announce would be awesomesauce). At this point I'm about to just manually import my corporate contacts into my personal gmail, and not sync contacts through my exchange... but I'm now sure how this would effect the Email app autofill in.

I have the same issue at times, I have 4 google accounts synced to my phone and thus a lot of contacts sorted (two business two personal). It doesn't happen every time, but when making lots of calls, it does happen with regularity. I would love to help figure out what the fault is.
-D

T9 has always worked fine for me in CM9; I do hear quite a few reports of issues with other ROMs when they port the CM9 dialer however. Not sure what the specific issue is, but logcats would likely help the ROM developer(s).

Well I suspect it is the syncing of multiple accounts. If you just have one, its fine, or make a lots of quick calls in a short amount of time like trying to get a hold of anyone of a group, like work.
What happens is that you'll be making several calls and out of the blue, you start to dial another name and it falls on its face. It doesn't FC but eventually says it stopped responding.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Fwiw I have both exchange and Gmail phone contacts. I don't make a huge volume of out going calls however so that may factor in.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I used to experience exactly the same thing. I have 1 Gmail and 1 Exchange account.
However since flashing the latest Gummy and the latest Nitroz theme I haven't had to force close it. (2 weeks and counting roughly).
I can't be sure if it's the ROM or the theme but it has been great. I make alot of phone calls as I only have one phone for both work and personal use, I must make a minimum of 40 calls per day...

s4vva said:
I used to experience exactly the same thing. I have 1 Gmail and 1 Exchange account.
However since flashing the latest Gummy and the latest Nitroz theme I haven't had to force close it. (2 weeks and counting roughly).
I can't be sure if it's the ROM or the theme but it has been great. I make alot of phone calls as I only have one phone for both work and personal use, I must make a minimum of 40 calls per day...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I haven't experienced it in a while either. I'm running the latest Axi0m AOKP 4.0.4 Hybrid.
Maybe its been updated or patched.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

anyone use whatsapp? is it buggy for you?

running 4.0.4 foxhound. 28/mar
not that kernel matters but thats franco 121 nightly
contacts do not show up.
and i dont show up for people...
i used to have to get people to message me first, but now people are saying i dont even appear in their list anymore... so i can only chat with people who i already have a convo opened with !
does anyone use whatsapp and get the same bug/error ?

acwildfire said:
running 4.0.4 foxhound. 28/mar
not that kernel matters but thats franco 121 nightly
contacts do not show up.
and i dont show up for people...
i used to have to get people to message me first, but now people are saying i dont even appear in their list anymore... so i can only chat with people who i already have a convo opened with !
does anyone use whatsapp and get the same bug/error ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have whatsapp and it work as intended
can i suggest a full wipe, if reinstallation of the app give no effect?

No issues here. Stock 4.0.1, 4.0.2, Gummy 0.9.0 and various kernels.

I use WhatsApp and have had no issues whatsoever... I am able to receive texts from people who aren't in my contacts, etc. Running 4.0.4 (Axi0m Patient Zero)

oh damn must just be me.
shame though, not willing to wipe all my phone for whatsapp... oh well

acwildfire said:
oh damn must just be me.
shame though, not willing to wipe all my phone for whatsapp... oh well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did u tried uninstall/install?

WhatsApp works fine... only gripe I have with it is it doesn't have the capability on Androids to only show one checkmark instead of 2 when a message has not been read yet.
iPhones have this capability, and as far as I know, blackberries do too...
but oh well...

greeced said:
WhatsApp works fine... only gripe I have with it is it doesn't have the capability on Androids to only show one checkmark instead of 2 when a message has not been read yet.
iPhones have this capability, and as far as I know, blackberries do too...
but oh well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the Android version has the mentioned capability too.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

acwildfire said:
running 4.0.4 foxhound. 28/mar
not that kernel matters but thats franco 121 nightly
contacts do not show up.
and i dont show up for people...
i used to have to get people to message me first, but now people are saying i dont even appear in their list anymore... so i can only chat with people who i already have a convo opened with !
does anyone use whatsapp and get the same bug/error ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check if your whatsapp sync is set to ON in the "accounts & sync" under settings.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

greeced said:
WhatsApp works fine... only gripe I have with it is it doesn't have the capability on Androids to only show one checkmark instead of 2 when a message has not been read yet.
iPhones have this capability, and as far as I know, blackberries do too...
but oh well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uhhhh.... it does do that on android too

moe6 said:
uhhhh.... it does do that on android too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhhhh, no it doesn't. Send a message to an Android phone. It gives you two checkmarks straight away, even if the person hasn't read it yet.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

milander said:
Actually the Android version has the mentioned capability too.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I've contacted support on this, they say that's by design with no plans in changing it. It gives two checks right away even though you haven't read it yet
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

greeced said:
Uhhhh, no it doesn't. Send a message to an Android phone. It gives you two checkmarks straight away, even if the person hasn't read it yet.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm the single check mark is very much a feature in the android version.. turns to two when read. you might think it doesn't if the person you're messaging is reading the message instantly.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Attached message sent to gnexus running stock
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

spovat said:
I can confirm the single check mark is very much a feature in the android version.. turns to two when read. you might think it doesn't if the person you're messaging is reading the message instantly.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With all due respect, I think you guys are missing something here... I've already spoken to support and the 2 checkmark issue effects only sending a message to Android phones only. A screenshot does not do anything as I have no idea what kind of phone the recipient has.
1. If THE RECIPIENT has an Android phone and a message is sent to them, you will see 1 checkmark instantly, followed by the second checkmark a second later, regardless of if they read it or not. The only time it will not show the second checkmark is if the recipient phone is OFF.
2. If THE RECIPIENT has an iPhone, it will show one checkmark until the person reads it. According to support, this is caused by the way iPhone's handle the messages.
I've already had an email conversation with WhatsApp Support/Developers about this issue, and they effectively recognize the issue as Android's handle the notifications differently than iPhones.
So if your phones do it as intended (Recipients are Androids), then you obviously know something the actual Developers don't.

I just told you the recipient has a galaxy Nexus. even now, the double check mark hasn't shown up since he's probably sleeping. why would I lie about this?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

spovat said:
I just told you the recipient has a galaxy Nexus. even now, the double check mark hasn't shown up since he's probably sleeping. why would I lie about this?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thats the whole point... he may be sleeping with the phone off....
Listen... it BLATENTLY states what I am trying to say in:
www.whatsapp.com/faq under "What are those green checkmarks next to my messages"
"We are glad you asked. These green checkmarks are actually very important since they function as message delivery acknowledgement indicators. Here is what they mean:
One checkmark - message successfully delivered to the server.
Two checkmarks - message successfully deliverd to the device of the chat partner. (note: this does not indicate that the message was read, just that it was delivered"
Not much more I could say to that. After speaking to the developers, they have no plans on changing this, and the reason why iPhones function that way is because of the way iPhones handle messages.

spovat said:
I just told you the recipient has a galaxy Nexus. even now, the double check mark hasn't shown up since he's probably sleeping. why would I lie about this?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it means, his galaxy nexus doesn't have connection now (3g/wifi disabled, or phone off)
if the phone was on, and the 3g/wifi was enabled, u will see the 2 green marks right after the 1 green mark..i can confirm u this
also when a user receive the message in the background, he can open the notification or not (or also he can have the phone in the pocket and not unlocking it), thats why it doesn't mean the message is read..android can receive the message even if the phone is in standby with screen off, this doesnt happen on the iphone i think
will be nice if in the future they add a third green mark to indicate the message is read

greeced said:
Ok thats the whole point... he may be sleeping with the phone off....
Listen... it BLATENTLY states what I am trying to say in:
www.whatsapp.com/faq under "What are those green checkmarks next to my messages"
"We are glad you asked. These green checkmarks are actually very important since they function as message delivery acknowledgement indicators. Here is what they mean:
One checkmark - message successfully delivered to the server.
Two checkmarks - message successfully deliverd to the device of the chat partner. (note: this does not indicate that the message was read, just that it was delivered"
Not much more I could say to that. After speaking to the developers, they have no plans on changing this, and the reason why iPhones function that way is because of the way iPhones handle messages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's a fair explanation. would you also mind sharing the email conversation with their support to confirm this?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

spovat said:
that's a fair explanation. would you also mind sharing the email conversation with their support to confirm this?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I still have it, sure. I'm not at home right now, but i'll check my inbox when i get home.
It was a while ago though.
Fact remains, you could test this yourself... as I did, with my Galaxy Nexus, My Wife's SGS2, and my friends iCrap.

Google Hangouts it's horrible!!!

I think it's a horrible app you can't see who is online or busy or whatever. This is not a chat service anymore. There is no contact list basically listing all the people from your G+ and contacts. It's horrible!. In every level. I have to scroll through 800 contacts or search just to send a message and it doesn't even let me know if that person is online, so I have no idea how they are getting my messages

I have to agree. This is pretty terrible. They even removed the calling option so its just video now, as if video-only makes sense on a PHONE.
Hopefully Talk isn't dead by the end of the year.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Thankfully when you uninstall google hangouts you get google talk back

I'm going to agree as well. I dont like that I cant see who's online. And almost all of my contacts dont have this service so, in my opinion, they shouldnt show up at all.

If you guys have any link to updated apk please post it
Sent from my Ascend G300 using Tapatalk 2

Wow, that sounds bad. I'm so glad I saw this thread before installing this garbage.

kenedy said:
If you guys have any link to updated apk please post it
Sent from my Ascend G300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in the Play Store

NexusHeat said:
Wow, that sounds bad. I'm so glad I saw this thread before installing this garbage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just sent a message to a yahoo account, thinking I was going to get an email or something, NOP! Nothing, so you have to be totally sure that message you're sending it's to someone who has a gmail account

chanchan305 said:
Thankfully when you uninstall google hangouts you get google talk back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that as soon as it asked me to confirm my phone number. I really just want the built-in IM that came with my account, not a Whatsapp clone to replace it. I already have Whatsapp.
Hopefully Talk never dies. Hangouts is social media disguised as instant messaging.

So after watching a video on it, I realized it does show who is online by displaying their profile pic at the bottom when they join the hangout. But still, it shouldnt display ALL my contacts in the contact list. Just the ones who have the ability to use it.

Idk maybe it's just me, but I like the new hangout. You can send screenshots again and everything. Granted, it takes some getting used to, but after playing with it a bit, its growing on me
sent from my Sprint GNEX running AXIOM ROM courtesy of DroidTh3ory

jsgraphicart said:
So after watching a video on it, I realized it does show who is online by displaying their profile pic at the bottom when they join the hangout. But still, it shouldnt display ALL my contacts in the contact list. Just the ones who have the ability to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly!

I just wish it was a proper unified messaging app - i.e. could send carrier SMS to non-Hangout contacts. Incidentally, anyone know what happens to the message if you do try and send to someone who doesn't have it? Must get routed somewhere?

!!11oneone said:
I just wish it was a proper unified messaging app - i.e. could send carrier SMS to non-Hangout contacts. Incidentally, anyone know what happens to the message if you do try and send to someone who doesn't have it? Must get routed somewhere?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still waiting for the message I sent to my yahoo account

chanchan305 said:
I'm still waiting for the message I sent to my yahoo account
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think this only works with Gmail/Google+ users. Which, again, is why not all contacts should not be displayed. I'm going to try and search for some info on this.

!!11oneone said:
I just wish it was a proper unified messaging app - i.e. could send carrier SMS to non-Hangout contacts. Incidentally, anyone know what happens to the message if you do try and send to someone who doesn't have it? Must get routed somewhere?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you think this would happen? Google doesn't want you using carrier SMS anyway. They will shift us to internet-based messaging completely someday. That's why you didn't get SMS integration.
I'm guessing it gets sent to their Google Talk.

chanchan305 said:
I think it's a horrible app you can't see who is online or busy or whatever. This is not a chat service anymore. There is no contact list basically listing all the people from your G+ and contacts. It's horrible!. In every level. I have to scroll through 800 contacts or search just to send a message and it doesn't even let me know if that person is online, so I have no idea how they are getting my messages
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if you go and try to start a hangout it will show you a list of people to start the hangout with, people not available(offline) has their picture grayed out and the available(online) are shown as usual. As far as the video calling-I think if the person on the other end doesn't have video calling available(due to no front facing camera on their phone or no camera on the desktop/laptop) only voice calling will be the option available....have to test it though... I think it's fresh and after awhile it will get better...I don't hate it.

Sadly a lot not to like so far. I was wondering why there were duplicate users in my contact list, if they are showing non-gmail email accounts separately I guess that explains it. Unfortunately, it doesn't show what account users in the list are coming from so you don't know which one you can use, if any.
Hopefully they will fix the contact mess and re-add status information (online/busy/offline, mobile/desktop). I like the new emoji, but hardly seems worth the great leap backwards in functionality.
On the plus side, you can finally copy text from your message history, so that's one longstanding, inexplicable failure corrected

pfmiller said:
I like the new emoji, but hardly seems worth the great leap backwards in functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what is really annoying. It feels like a dumbed-down product even though its been in the making for what seems like forever. It even requires you to join G+ to get the most out of it. Plus, its not even really that unified, as people still have G+ messenger since this only replaces Talk.
Heck, the app rating in the Play store has plummeted to 3.9 as I type this. What a joke.

completely useless.
I can't believe it took them two years to make this.
google talk was MUCH better, and compared to let's say, whatsapp, google talk was completely useless. that's how bad this thing is.

Koush busts out sweet Google Voice update but only for CM 10 Nightlies

Not sure if this is the right place for this, or if there is a better place. Mods feel free to move if it fits better elsewhere. But found this when I woke up and wouldn't you know I have JUST left CM nightlies for MOAR Rom not 6 hours ago. But fwiw for CM Nightly Gvoicers...
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/07/0...ms-app-on-cyanogenmod-available-for-download/
Google Voice, while an amazing concept and at times brilliant product, has been neglected by Google for the last couple of years and is for the most part incredibly frustrating to use these days. It still doesn’t do MMS, but maybe more importantly, users have been forced to use the painfully buggy and slow Google Voice app for texting rather than some of the more popular SMS apps available. Thanks to Koush, that second issue may have been fixed.
In a G+ post two days ago, Koush (of ClockworkMod, Helium, and trolling fame) mentioned that he has found a way to get Google Voice SMS working through not only the stock SMS app on Android, but also any third party app that does text messaging. Yesterday morning, he then released the first build of the concept for users to try out.
This is essentially what it does:
The app will sync your existing Google Voice messages into your messaging store. New Google SMS will be received as if it were a normal SMS.
When you send a message out from your messaging app, it goes out via Google Voice.
As of now, this is a feature that only CyanogenMod ROM is capable of producing, so you have to be running CM in order to test it (July 1 and later build). Obviously, you’ll need Google Voice installed as well. Once you have those two requirements taken care of, hit up the instructions at his G+ to dive in.
How awesome is this?
Update: He already pushed out a beta 2. Instructions here.
Via: +Koush [2]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
beta instructs
https://plus.google.com/u/0/110558071969009568835/posts/AQEqVYt2hdk
Beta 2: Google Voice through any messaging app
Leave bug reports, etc in comments.
0) Google Voice must be installed with notifications enabled (for now).
1) Install a recent +CyanogenMod nightly. July 1st or later. You need the SMS middleware patches I put in for PushSMS. (see Gerrit)
2) Push this apk to /system/app: http://download.clockworkmod.com/test/babel-2-signed.apk adb install will not work. The app requires system/signature permissions.
4) Start Babel, choose your Google Voice account. Authorize it.
Fixed since original release:
* Registers with AccessibilityService automatically.
* SMS sent via GV website, etc now sync to the stock messaging store.
* If you're running a +CyanogenMod build from last night, the duplicate GV notifications will be cleared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Damn, I'd love to see this on the S2/ET4G!
sent from my GS2/ET4G (AOKP/CM Rootbox 3.9.1 20130623) on Xparent Tapatalk2

I really must be missing something, when I was on AOKP or CM or stock and had GV about 8 months ago, I used GoSMS and was receiving SMS via both apps. It initially tried to send it over data however if it didn't have a 2/3/4g or WiFi connection it would send it over as a regular SMS over vocie. When I received a MMS it wouldn't come through over GV but it did over my messaging app.
What about this is exactly different?

I'm on Sprint and GV integrated with my number so not sure if that makes a difference. But in GV there is already an option to receive the GV through the phone's internal text messaging app and it syncs to both. I can even go further and have FB chathead for message with GV and it all syncs.

Works great on moar. Love the integrated Google voice.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

I cant get this to work no matter what i try. I am on the latest nightly CM10 and i push it to system/app. i change the permissions to make sure all S are check marked. i reboot phone and i dont see babel anywhere in my apps drawer. Any ideas?

Android Cowboy said:
But in GV there is already an option to receive the GV through the phone's internal text messaging app and it syncs to both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you check this option, Google Voice servers send the text to your phone number via your phone carrier, so you will be charged for a SMS message. With Koush's mod, the text is received on your phone over data, via the google voice app, and then placed into your sms app, so your carrier is not involved in the transaction at all. This is important if you pay per text with your carrier, or have no cell service in your building and are relying on wifi to deliver the text.

Brian3000 said:
Not sure if this is the right place for this, or if there is a better place. Mods feel free to move if it fits better elsewhere. But found this when I woke up and wouldn't you know I have JUST left CM nightlies for MOAR Rom not 6 hours ago. But fwiw for CM Nightly Gvoicers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great news and I am surprised that more people aren't interested... but I have a question. Since Google Voice doesn't support MMS, what happens when you compose an MMS in whatever messaging app you're using (Textra, in my case)? Will it automatically be sent through the carrier data plan, or is it going to fail because every message is sent through GV?

What is needed to get this working on CM11?

}{Alienz}{ said:
What is needed to get this working on CM11?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you find out, please share... I've been looking everywhere to find out.

Man.....Verizon can kiss my A** with all this bloatware

I can't wait to get root. NFL Mobile constantly popping up. EVERY SINGLE TIME I GET A CALL THAT CALLER ID THING COMES UP. Verizon Messenger, etc. WTF. This is ridiculous.

Go to Settings, Application Manager, All and uninstall what you can and if you can't do that, disable.
What is more worrying is all the features they removed.

Aye man be glad you don't have a Galaxy phone lmao, especially S5 & under, those things are filled with bloat from bottom to top and without root are the legit true phone nightmare. S6 improved a bit but not as much as it could've been. Satisfied with my G4 so far, just got it today and not too much bloat, I can live with it.

You can disable most of that stuff right from the application manager section of settings, and you will not see it anymore.

If you want to go hardcore use the debloater tool. I've hidden every app I normal remove with root including concierge.

The G4's bloat is insignificant compared to the Sammy phones man!

Fastbird said:
I can't wait to get root. NFL Mobile constantly popping up. EVERY SINGLE TIME I GET A CALL THAT CALLER ID THING COMES UP. Verizon Messenger, etc. WTF. This is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That annoying caller id can be semi-taken care of. If you are using an app and a call comes in, you can have it only pop up a much smaller icon that lets you know of an incoming call instead of that humongous annoying full screen caller id. From the home screen, tap the dialer icon. You have to be on 'Dial' or 'Recent', just hit the 3 dots in the top right and select Call settings. Down towards the bottom there is an option "Incoming voice call pop-up" that is unchecked by default. This will give a much smaller pop up that you can use just like the full screen. And if you don't want to see it when a call comes in, you can just swipe it up and the call will eventually go to voice mail. Or you can just hit decline and continue using the app that you were.
Hope this helps some :good:

valerinism said:
That annoying caller id can be semi-taken care of. If you are using an app and a call comes in, you can have it only pop up a much smaller icon that lets you know of an incoming call instead of that humongous annoying full screen caller id. From the home screen, tap the dialer icon. You have to be on 'Dial' or 'Recent', just hit the 3 dots in the top right and select Call settings. Down towards the bottom there is an option "Incoming voice call pop-up" that is unchecked by default. This will give a much smaller pop up that you can use just like the full screen. And if you don't want to see it when a call comes in, you can just swipe it up and the call will eventually go to voice mail. Or you can just hit decline and continue using the app that you were.
Hope this helps some :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I was gonna say. Hope it solves his problem. Have there been any updates from codefire team other than the one last week. No eta just trying to follow progress. So I can decide whether to take phone back from wife. Lol. Still rocking g2 with cloudyg4 Rom and dori kernel.

Did anyone else get the update (today) for Verizons "supports and protection" app. My concern is the "protection" part...it appears to be an antivirus. Fine, with every other scenario, with our possible future exploit...I turned it off/disabled it for piece of mind.
Sent from my VS986 using XDA Premium HD app

MADDAN18 said:
Did anyone else get the update (today) for Verizons "supports and protection" app. My concern is the "protection" part...it appears to be an antivirus. Fine, with every other scenario, with our possible future exploit...I turned it off/disabled it for piece of mind.
Sent from my VS986 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have disabled protection as well; along with few others. (verizon navigation and visual voice mail)

Huh, I guess I was being dense. Every phone I've had before the disable option was turned off for all the bloat from the get go so you couldn't disable. I just disabled a metric ton of crap on my phone. MUCH better already! Thanks XDA!!!!!!

Yea I use Nova Launcher and drag and drop unwanted Apps to the desktop "App Info", where it goes directly to the option to either Uninstall or Disable. I weeded through all of the App Drawer apps, then dive into the actual Application Manager where I Disabled several there too.
I DO love the Visual VM app, so that is the one thing I like to keep.

For some reason I liked there messaging app better than the LG one.

player911 said:
Yea I use Nova Launcher and drag and drop unwanted Apps to the desktop "App Info", where it goes directly to the option to either Uninstall or Disable. I weeded through all of the App Drawer apps, then dive into the actual Application Manager where I Disabled several there too.
I DO love the Visual VM app, so that is the one thing I like to keep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One (free) alternative to the Visual Voicemail app is Google Voice. You can configure your phone send unanswered calls to your Google voicemail instead of Verizon's. This will automatically transcribe the emails for you. It can be a bit hit or miss, but it's better than nothing! It also lets you play your voicemails individually without having to call in and listen to them all.
www.google.com/voice

DT Ignite
Be sure to disable DT Ignite (uninstall not available). It is used by the cell companies to push apps to your phone without your consent. I was wondering why Cookie Crushers and another app showed up two days after I activated my G4. A Google search turned up an article showing that this app is what does it. At least I was able to uninstall the added bloatware that was installed via DT Ignite.

Tomyk89 said:
One (free) alternative to the Visual Voicemail app is Google Voice. You can configure your phone send unanswered calls to your Google voicemail instead of Verizon's. This will automatically transcribe the emails for you. It can be a bit hit or miss, but it's better than nothing! It also lets you play your voicemails individually without having to call in and listen to them all.
www.google.com/voice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I used Google Voice and it was nice. It worked enough for me to get a jist of the message but it would be really funny sometimes. I REALLY like Verizon's Visual Voicemail. It is just easy. I like being able to delete multiple messages at once and pick and choose.
@OP, coming from the G2 the Bloatware is about the same. This should be no surprise. I had a Verizon G2 that had official lollipop. I think the apps were exactly the same. I use the same method I used on the G4. I use Nova to drag apps and uninstall what I can and Disable the rest.
There is an actual Debloater Tool, but you have to be careful with it as it lists EVERYTHING. I find it much easier to do it my way. No PC. No Drivers. No risk of removing an important app.

Dennisg34 said:
The G4's bloat is insignificant compared to the Sammy phones man!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless it's rooted =p
But yeah, every time I have to odin my s6 back to stock I'm reminded of how much crap they pack in it!

Amen
Sent from my VS986 using XDA Free mobile app

While I do agree verizon should do anything the phone, the extra software they added on isn't 'too' bad once you think of it. I looked at my disabled menu and its about less than 10 apps? It is not as awful as it was on my G2. with a bit of time you can tweek the phone to your liking. Maybe it is Stockholm syndrome but I'm starting to like LG's layout as they have progressed over the past 2 years..I am looking forward to custom roms though
I do not understand why verizon would want anyone to use their messaging app.. all it does is cause confusion and cause people who are unaware they can change default messaging apps to switch to an iphone or something else. I do not understand why they think this is a good thing. the simple stupid solution is always better!
still a bit ticked off that they removed smart settings from our phones (multi user etc). I could honestly live without, but the fact they did it for their personal gain (which actually hurts them) makes zero sense to me.
kinda wished verizon added wireless charging, like the g2... OH well, its a simple enough fix.

true