Related
Something that I'm coming to terms with, with the Android OS and HTC. It's feeling a bit like my desktop computer.
Obviously pros and cons.
But the irritating thing is that, unlike my desktop, you don't really have an option to exit most apps. Why? I love Android because it's very customisable. But why is there not the option to leave it in the background OR close it completely? I'm not an Apple fan, but I get the feeling that they will have a cleaner multitask/program control system. Eventually. Still won't buy one though!
Then you have the Palm WebOS that shows everyone how to multitask. And with, let's be frank, hardware that puts it (at best) middle of the smartphone pack.
Then you have startup. I've got Fring and Docs to Go (free version), and for some reason, they both startup with powering up. Fring even has an option to startup or not to startup. Maybe that's a bug. But Docs to Go? I can't even see the option. Hopefully these two are the exceptions.
But just the simple thing (I think) first. Why the hell is there not an option on every program to exit it - therefore killing it dead?! Why why why? I'm no programmer but is this really such an issue???
Fortunately there's many programmers on this great site so maybe someone can educate me.....
Cleargrey said:
But just the simple thing (I think) first. Why the hell is there not an option on every program to exit it - therefore killing it dead?! Why why why? I'm no programmer but is this really such an issue???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the android system doesn't need to kill applications, it just takes resources from them when they are needed. You can manually kill tasks but then the resources will just be reassigned in a matter of minutes.
Which is definitely impressive.
But as some programmers I've spoken to said, it doesn't seem to work as precisely as you may want. Windows Mobile had a similar issue. It was meant to work, but didn't.
In fact, now that you mention it, I think I may do a Palm PreCentral.com task, and see how many apps I can open before I see slowdown. If I see slowdown.
This will be interesting....
Go and read at Google how to setup an android application an how the application processes work. You don't have to be a programmer, but it answers all you questions and doubts.
There was even an article somewhere that using a taskmanager and killing tasks decreases battery life. Not what you would expect, but understandable when you see how the structure works.
Cleargrey said:
Then you have startup. I've got Fring and Docs to Go (free version), and for some reason, they both startup with powering up. Fring even has an option to startup or not to startup. Maybe that's a bug. But Docs to Go? I can't even see the option. Hopefully these two are the exceptions.
Fortunately there's many programmers on this great site so maybe someone can educate me.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume that Docs to Go preloads some stuff it needs so that it won't have to load that when opening the first document. You have to see: A background task isn't something bad, as long as it's not doing anything it won't use battery either.
Same with "free" memory: if memory is "free", it's not being used. Docs to Go puts itself in the memory so it's already there when needed. You'll never have trouble with not having enough free memory to run an app, because Android takes care of that (frees memory when needed, leaves stuff in memory when there is plenyty of room to do so).
Use advanced task killer and it should kill any app, with all apps you should be able to turn it off so it doesn't automatically start when you turn on the phone, try opening the app and press menu or look into the options to turn it off
@ RaptorRVL - I would be very interested in reading that article. And I don't mean that in a sarcastic way, I mean I would honestly be interested in reading it as if it's true, I need to adjust my thinking on how Android workds. I'm looking, but if you find any links, please share.
@oawalker - I know there's many arguements about task killers whether they are needed or not. I have one. But I'm not going to say it's absolutely necessary as I think I need to read more hard facts. But it sort of brings me back here.
As jm997 has said, Android OS rejiggs resources as required, so you are never left wanting. However on earlier devices, this was obviously not working to such a degree as many complained of slowdown. Hence we come to today with the arguements of do I / don't I get/need a task manager.
I have to admit, it was the first app that I got so I could see what is running natively so I know what not to trouble. But I'm a control freak, I have to know.
What I just did was to load up every app I had, 50 in total, along with the apps and widgets already running, maybe another 5-10, to see if I can see slowdown. And I watched the memory on my memory widget drop to 10%. And I gotta say, my Desire is still running as smooth as it ever was with maybe a slightest fraction of slowdown. If that.
However, 1. I have no idea what affect this has on my battery life. 2. I would still like to be able to totally close something by simply tapping exit, or purposely leave it running.
Don't get me wrong, the multitasking, as I've just mentioned, is very impressive and obviously much better than earlier versions. And Android is still a new OS that's maturing nicely. But I still gotta wonder if this is a clean way to operate or if we are heading for a bit of a Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.x mess.
Now to find those pages RaptorRVL spoke of......
Random trivia: I just put "android", "google" and "multitasking" into Google, and the top 3 hits are all about speculation about will a platform that doesn't really multitask, really multitask.
"Rumored iPhone OS multitasking would use Exposé-like feature"
"Apple iPhone vs. Google Android – Mobile Software War Between ..."
"Are the people at Google watching the iPad release? - Android Help"
Go figure. Come to your own conclusions....
If I remember correctly, in the earlier versions of Android (1.x), there was an option for developers to force programs to stay in memory. This was meant to be for programs that needed it, but unfortunally it was abused, so Google removed it as of 2.x.
The Desire runs 2.1, so it shouldn't be a problem for us anymore.
This article was written in Norwegian, but I'll post a Google translate link, as it was very good
edit:
Here is the link to the translated article:
http://translate.google.com/transla...du-avslutte-programmer-i-android/&sl=no&tl=en
Some words was translated badly, but most of it was fine.
Cleargrey said:
Random trivia: I just put "android", "google" and "multitasking" into Google, and the top 3 hits are all about speculation about will a platform that doesn't really multitask, really multitask.
"Rumored iPhone OS multitasking would use Exposé-like feature"
"Apple iPhone vs. Google Android – Mobile Software War Between ..."
"Are the people at Google watching the iPad release? - Android Help"
Go figure. Come to your own conclusions....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here you go
http://geekfor.me/faq/you-shouldnt-be-using-a-task-killer-with-android/
this should enlighten you about Android memory management as it did for me
good luck
That was the article I was referring to.
And for more information read this: http://developer.android.com/guide/
Thanks Zappza and irkan. Great info and very informative.
I think the bits that stuck out for me are:
"The point is to not see Android as a PC, where applications run until you stop them. It works just not the same."
"...linux will run the same regardless of if you have 20mb free memory or 200mb."
"It has been possible for software developers to implement a feature... and could therefore not be concluded automatically. Android phone will not quit the program even if there is a need for memory or CPU resources the program uses. ...As a result, so the function removed in Android 2.0."
Ok, for the next week at least, no killing tasks at all. Let's see how that goes.
I like this site. There's always people willing to school you with facts rather than abuse you with hot air.
When I turn my phone on I get all of these apps running:
Music
FM Radio
Calander
People
Documents2Go
ShopSavvy
Assistant Free
CNET scan and shop
timeriffic
3
Photos
Mail
Footprints
Google Mail
Settings
3G watchdog
Wave secure
handcet sms
messages
facebook
clock
advanced Task Killer
How can I stop this??? Surely this is taking up my battery??
Raminder1992 said:
When I turn my phone on I get all of these apps running:
Music
FM Radio
Calander
People
Documents2Go
ShopSavvy
Assistant Free
CNET scan and shop
timeriffic
3
Photos
Mail
Footprints
Google Mail
Settings
3G watchdog
Wave secure
handcet sms
messages
facebook
clock
advanced Task Killer
How can I stop this??? Surely this is taking up my battery??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if its not active or updating it is not eating the battery power, it will only take small very small memory to reside in, and even with that, when any process is inactive for along time and if Android needs memory, it will not hesitate to take it (the memory) away from that inactive process.
irkan said:
if its not active or updating it is not eating the battery power, it will only take small very small memory to reside in, and even with that, when any process is inactive for along time and if Android needs memory, it will not hesitate to take it (the memory) away from that inactive process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thank you for that. After reading the article you posted I was not sure if it was for all apps.
I have deleted my ATK and lets see how it goes .... because my battery life was pretty poor before!
Also when you check your battery life is there any way to get the % rather than that big bar thing split into 10 bars?
Raminder1992 said:
Hello, thank you for that. After reading the article you posted I was not sure if it was for all apps.
I have deleted my ATK and lets see how it goes .... because my battery life was pretty poor before!
Also when you check your battery life is there any way to get the % rather than that big bar thing split into 10 bars?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is a Battery widget i believe, you can download it, and it will show you a percentage of the battery, not sure of the exact name though, check in the download widgets
Now that I've read more, and thinking back to all the arguements I read about Android and task killers, and it occured to me that every post that spoke about slowdown, it was based on knowledge from Android 1.x. I'm still trying to get some slowdown (due to memory) on my unit and haven't managed it yet.
So I'm curious now, has anyone experienced slowdown on an Android 2.x device? I'm guessing much much less, if any.
Cleargrey said:
Now that I've read more, and thinking back to all the arguements I read about Android and task killers, and it occured to me that every post that spoke about slowdown, it was based on knowledge from Android 1.x. I'm still trying to get some slowdown (due to memory) on my unit and haven't managed it yet.
So I'm curious now, has anyone experienced slowdown on an Android 2.x device? I'm guessing much much less, if any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only when the FM radio freaked out and started locking my phone up, other then that no slow downs.
I'm a long time Windows "expert" and as such have become a bit paranoid about closing rather than minimising apps. When I got my first Android phone I, like a lot of other windows people, immediately installed a task killer. I soon found it a mistake though. Battery life was definitely worse and applications took longer to load. It's very difficult for people with a Windows background to accept that Android works in a different way and that, providing the application is written property, suspended apps. are not using any appreciable resources.
If windows has been written better in the first place we would never have preceived it as a problem. I am still tempted to install a task killer but I keep telling myself "this is not Windows".
These are the 3 important things on my list about Windows Phone 7. I know initially these wont be available but i remember reading a while back that the emulator or something got hacked by someone here and revealed a file explorer in windows phone 7
is that any indication that there will be a means of exploring the contents of the device like we currently have on winmo?
also how feasible would it be for them to allow multitasking for apps? is that something impossible for this platform or could they actually do this with a update?
and whats the word on using the device as a usb drive like most phones out there can currently do?
deadwrong03 said:
These are the 3 important things on my list about Windows Phone 7. I know initially these wont be available but i remember reading a while back that the emulator or something got hacked by someone here and revealed a file explorer in windows phone 7
is that any indication that there will be a means of exploring the contents of the device like we currently have on winmo?
also how feasible would it be for them to allow multitasking for apps? is that something impossible for this platform or could they actually do this with a update?
and whats the word on using the device as a usb drive like most phones out there can currently do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you probably didn't follow the WP7 news....
Anyway at launch NONE of the above are available.
deadwrong03 said:
the emulator or something got hacked by someone here and revealed a file explorer in windows phone 7
is that any indication that there will be a means of exploring the contents of the device like we currently have on winmo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file explorer in the emulator didn't really work, but was present. It won't be available in the retail version and there will be no file system access for users.
deadwrong03 said:
also how feasible would it be for them to allow multitasking for apps? is that something impossible for this platform or could they actually do this with a update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Multitasking will likely be added in a future update, although I would bet that this will be some iPhone-style limited multitasking where programs won't actually run in background but rather use OS services to do what needs to be done while they're not in focus. That multitasking is needed was confirmed by MS. How it will be implemented is not known, I'm guessing here.
deadwrong03 said:
and whats the word on using the device as a usb drive like most phones out there can currently do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This won't be available. After all, it's not really useful without file system access.
So in these areas WP7 is very similar to the iPhone. To get this features, WP7 devices will need to be jailbroken (or whatever the process will be called).
Like stated above. Many if not all the things you are looking for may be missing on launch. But future updates may change this. Also don't doubt the good people at XDA-Devs not to find some sort of way around getting USB Mass Storage access as well as a File Explorer. Never Say "Never" around this place.
what about downloading through the web browser? like downloading pictures or like i do with my tp2 download music and albums will any downloading be possible at all thru the browser? since theres no file explorer now im guessing not
IM0001 said:
Also don't doubt the good people at XDA-Devs not to find some sort of way around getting USB Mass Storage access as well as a File Explorer. Never Say "Never" around this place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure we will get a USB Mass Storage mod, I just hope it isn't a long process like on the iphone.
deadwrong03 said:
what about downloading through the web browser? like downloading pictures or like i do with my tp2 download music and albums will any downloading be possible at all thru the browser?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is possible for file types supported by the OS - images, office documents. All other file types will be downloadable via webbrowser controls within third-party applications to their isolated storage areas.
vangrieg said:
Multitasking will likely be added in a future update, although I would bet that this will be some iPhone-style limited multitasking where programs won't actually run in background but rather use OS services to do what needs to be done while they're not in focus. That multitasking is needed was confirmed by MS. How it will be implemented is not known, I'm guessing here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think some kinds of multitasking are available. Read this post: bolingconsulting[dot]com/blog/?p=46
Azatey said:
I think some kinds of multitasking are available. Read this post: bolingconsulting[dot]com/blog/?p=46
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is first party multitasking for some apps e.g. Zune. No third party multitasking e.g. no Pandora.
-R
sketchy9 said:
There is first party multitasking for some apps e.g. Zune. No third party multitasking e.g. no Pandora.
-R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but there is a iPhone esque multi-tasking. They call it tombstoning. The app gets put into a saved state when you switch apps, and when you hit the back button it gets brought back up as if you never left, but it is not running in the background, just saved. But if you go to the home/star menu and start the same app it gets started as if you never had it in the tombstone state.
the toombstoning sounds awefull for anything that uses bluetooth or gps....
Tombstoning is NOT multitasking and it is NOT an alternative.
crow26 said:
Tombstoning is NOT multitasking and it is NOT an alternative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in most cases it is the same as multi tasking with the exception of music other than zune or gps / bluetooth however i do not see a need for a gps app to be running when its not in the foreground. but any other will act the same as it would on a phone with multi tasking. i would be intrested in you posting your example that you think wp7 cant do (with the exception of what is listed above).
It's not at all the same, never. Completely different thing that has nothing to do with multitasking.
crow26 said:
It's not at all the same, never. Completely different thing that has nothing to do with multitasking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you keep making the claim but have yet to give an example... wp7 current way of "multi task" vs andriod "multi task"
WP7:
1. App is running in the forderground
2. App is frozen in the RAM and only some threads are still running
3. App is frozen in the Flash memory and only some threads are still running
4. App is not running
Andriod
1. App is running in the foreground
2. App is frozen in the RAM and only some threads are still running
3. Just a portion of an app is running in the background as a service, the main app is deflated and residing in memory, or has been killed, leaving only the service.
4. App is not running, but is still in Memory in a deflated state until RAM runs out.
5. App is killed and not residing in memory. It may leave call to the OS to revive it periodically when conditions are met.
and here are a few examples people have explained how they use "multi task"
listen to my music
surf on the Internet,
check some addresses with Google Maps.
Also I use the camera.- wp7 possable
listening to music
open my twitter program
open a link from one of the twits
pause twitting to write a SMS - wp7 possable
The fact is there are very few areas where we do need "real multitasking", they are music+whatever and navigation+receiving a call/email. And of these, it is only navigation that seem not to be working as we all expect in first release of WP7 at least. Music, mail, phone are 1. party apps, and those will run in background when needed.
What people often think about when they say; "But I need multitasking"...they often just think about that they want to work in one app, then jump to another app, and then back to the first and continue where they left off...and that is something that is handeled by saving and loading of state. For us users...it will be as it was running in the background.
And then there are multitasking-scenario where you want for example to get notified when there is a new Twitter that mentions you, or when you airplane is delayed, and so forth...and that is also possible in WP7, if the developers use PushNotifications.
for now this is what most people really use as far as "multi task" goes...
Honestly, WM 6/6.5 style multitasking would be instant death for WP7. People who are computer-retarded (the majority of people) wouldn't be able to use it properly. When the memory fills up, the phone simply "stops working" for them and it's time to get an iPhone.
This new system makes much more sense... yes, it's not the same, but it will work just fine in the long run.
Perfect example I use my phone for navigation. I'm driving and my friend wants to surf the net while I drive. My friend takes my phone and starts browsing the net. Navigation is still running in the background giving me voice guided directions. Can WP7 do this?
What about surf the net while on a skype call?
What about Pandora while playing a game?
vetvito said:
Perfect example I use my phone for navigation. I'm driving and my friend wants to surf the net while I drive. My friend takes my phone and starts browsing the net. Navigation is still running in the background giving me voice guided directions. Can WP7 do this?
What about surf the net while on a skype call?
What about Pandora while playing a game?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as mentioned above in many post "with the exception of navigation" and not all people use pandora zune will do for current. and yes you are what most consider to be a more "advance user" however this is not the norm as most people use one app at a time.. so although its not giving you all that you are looking for at the current it will fufill 95% of the users and they way they use apps. and the most important thing is it will run alot smoother and better than android, wm 6.5, 6.1, rim... i will take this over a few things not being able to run in the background anyday!!!
"Tombstoning" is nothing. Every OS can do that.
Multitasking means running applications in the background. On WP7, nothing is running at all = NO MULTITASKING.
= no navigation in the background
= no internet radio in the background
= no downloads in the background
= no skype in the backround
= no server in the background
= ...
Is that so hard to understand?! Are you somehow retarded or what's wrong with you?
Crow26, why do you have to be rude? Politeness never hurt anyone.
After I read the review on WM7 on GSMArena, I finally made up my mind: I will never downgrade to WM7, because it's what it actually is: a downgrade.
I use navigation a lot and, obviously, I receive calls while I drive. Is my HD2 the last phone with which I can do that? Is this the end of the line?
WM7 feels like another one of those OS for people who know nothing about computers (the majority). It is such a downgrade from WM6.5 in that sense...
Until now we know that wp7 will not have multitasking
how can be a bussiness phone without multitask?
we know all the problems with iOS on iphone
if someone call you when writting mail you loosing your mail.. bla bla
maybe before 2-3 and more years back with lower cpu and ram the multitask had bad things
now with minimum device as HD2 1GHz and more than 512mb ram you can use many apps without any problem... what is your oppinion???
maybe will waitting for android 3 before jump to wp7
The minimum ram is 256mb.
1st party apps (ie email) can multitask. I believe even 3rd party apps will remain running during a phone call.
At this point in time, WP7 is not being positioned to target business users.
b16b said:
Until now we know that wp7 will not have multitasking
how can be a bussiness phone without multitask?
we know all the problems with iOS on iphone
if someone call you when writting mail you loosing your mail.. bla bla
maybe before 2-3 and more years back with lower cpu and ram the multitask had bad things
now with minimum device as HD2 1GHz and more than 512mb ram you can use many apps without any problem... what is your oppinion???
maybe will waitting for android 3 before jump to wp7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if someone call you when writting mail you loosing your mail
This is not true ,wp7 will save your email status in memory when someone call you.
b16b said:
Until now we know that wp7 will not have multitasking
how can be a bussiness phone without multitask?
we know all the problems with iOS on iphone
if someone call you when writting mail you loosing your mail.. bla bla
maybe before 2-3 and more years back with lower cpu and ram the multitask had bad things
now with minimum device as HD2 1GHz and more than 512mb ram you can use many apps without any problem... what is your oppinion???
maybe will waitting for android 3 before jump to wp7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually any app when closed saves its current state 1st or 3rd party apps. so you will not loose you email.
so can you listen to music while writing a text?
You can listen to zune while doing anything on the phone but you won't be able to listen to something like pandora and write a text.
theomni said:
so can you listen to music while writing a text?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st part apps multitask, so you'll be able to listen to zune and write a text.
What I'm curious about is what they mean by 1st part apps multitask, are there any rules here? Do some 1st party apps tombstone even if you don't want them to?
For Example.
If I:
1) listen to zune
2) open ie
3) open upto 6 tabs
4) open 3rd party app
What will the device do?
Will Zune keep playing, Will IE continue to load the 6 tabs while I'm playing with the 3rd party app Or will IE tombstone itself and/or stop loading the tabs when it loses focus.
gom99 said:
1st part apps multitask, so you'll be able to listen to zune and write a text.
What I'm curious about is what they mean by 1st part apps multitask, are there any rules here? Do some 1st party apps tombstone even if you don't want them to?
For Example.
If I:
1) listen to zune
2) open ie
3) open upto 6 tabs
4) open 3rd party app
What will the device do?
Will Zune keep playing, Will IE continue to load the 6 tabs while I'm playing with the 3rd party app Or will IE tombstone itself and/or stop loading the tabs when it loses focus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all 1st party apps will continue to do what they are doing including ie will continue to load the 6 pages however when you go back to ie or zune the 3rd party app will go to sleep / or be closed to its current state
RustyGrom said:
The minimum ram is 256mb.
1st party apps (ie email) can multitask. I believe even 3rd party apps will remain running during a phone call.
At this point in time, WP7 is not being positioned to target business users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IE does multitask, most don't do much (though the synchronisation services multitask).
rruffman said:
all 1st party apps will continue to do what they are doing including ie will continue to load the 6 pages however when you go back to ie or zune the 3rd party app will go to sleep / or be closed to its current state
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that 100% confirmed i.e. have you had hands on experience with an actual device. Or is it just what you assume will happen?
gom99 said:
Is that 100% confirmed i.e. have you had hands on experience with an actual device. Or is it just what you assume will happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the emu which runs the same os as the test phones...
rruffman said:
I have the emu which runs the same os as the test phones...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so do I, but I can't really play anything on Zune to really test it. IE does load its tabs with a 3rd party program open in the emulator atm though.
gom99 said:
so do I, but I can't really play anything on Zune to really test it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was speaking of the ie zune is been stated several times and i believe there are videos on youtube that show this...
if you want to get final answer you can post a question here http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsphone7series/threads
This sounds better than I thought! This fuction with the 1st party apps multi-tasking is more than enough for me. It allmost never happens that I use 2 3th party apps (and if I do pausing or freezing that app would be more than enough)
I think true multi-tasking uses more energy than it delivers pleasure for me!
(and really, the multi tasking on the iphone is so crappy! They say it's true but like other things they deliver a illusion and because it has an apple logo on it, everbody excepts it.....)
The biggest problem would be using apps like Pandora. I stream that all day at work while I do things like text and email. Maybe Pandora can be integrated into the zune player so that it will not terminate while doing other things. I think we will have to see how the Pandora developers handle it. This is the only app that I can think of where I would need true multi-tasking.
n8huntsman said:
The biggest problem would be using apps like Pandora. I stream that all day at work while I do things like text and email. Maybe Pandora can be integrated into the zune player so that it will not terminate while doing other things. I think we will have to see how the Pandora developers handle it. This is the only app that I can think of where I would need true multi-tasking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will not work at launch but resources for this to work in the near future will be available within the first year.. most likly by summer of 2011..
I'm waking this thread to life again after getting surprised by the latest development kit. Yesterday I uninstalled the old Dev kit and downloaded a fresh one from MS.
Aside from the Panorama and Pivot controls, I noted that my application didn't turn of when I went back to the home screen, and if I press the back button in the home screen I can go back to the place I was. The same thing applies even if I take some tours in Internet Explorer or the settings.
So where does this leave the multitasking question? It's interesting that is seems to support it, but really, the task-switch method isn't the smoothest I've seen.
would it be possible for someone to make a task manager app?
No, not without extended permissions.
But i assume that all apps are suspended while in the background and therefore use zero CPU power. They will probably be killed instantly if the device runs out of memory.
Sir. Haxalot said:
I'm waking this thread to life again after getting surprised by the latest development kit. Yesterday I uninstalled the old Dev kit and downloaded a fresh one from MS.
Aside from the Panorama and Pivot controls, I noted that my application didn't turn of when I went back to the home screen, and if I press the back button in the home screen I can go back to the place I was. The same thing applies even if I take some tours in Internet Explorer or the settings.
So where does this leave the multitasking question? It's interesting that is seems to support it, but really, the task-switch method isn't the smoothest I've seen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your apps are not killed only suspended this is what i have been telling people all along it is mostly the same as what most call "multi task" as you can never have two apps in the foreground anyway and if you can return to the previous state of an app this is pretty much the behavor of what your apps do on any os ie ios, android wm6.5 the only thing is 3party apps that play music or gps will not be able to work in the background but for music this is what zune is for and is well put together so not sure if there will be a need for pandora and as far as gps not sure if you will need this on to be actually running in the background pausing it will be more than fine for now. I don't think there will be any gps apps other than bing available at launch for wp7 and i am sure none of the current ones that work on wm6.5 will work. so this one may take care of its self when gps app become available..
So im new to the whole Phone scene, This is my first smartphone.. I know shocking. And of course being a Customizer and moder in everything I dabble in I rooted my Evo and am now scouring the net for useful apps.
So my question is..
What are your favorite/most used apps and how do they save you time?
So far heres my list.
Audio Galaxy - Can stream all my music from my computer. No storage needed.
Apps Organizer - Keeps folders looking sleek and easy to access. Also the most available icons by default.
Last Call Widget - Can just glance at my phone to see who called.
XDA App - Faster than the stock browser.
Android Central Widget - Android news at a glance.
Rom Manager - To obvious there.
Selective Silence - Good White/Black list for vibrate... still searching my options for this type of app. (any suggestions)
Thanks
Dropbox is definitely my favorite time saver. I NEVER have to plug my phone into my computer just to swipe a file! Saves me huge amounts of time Plus I download roms and hacks for other phones and store them on my desktop so when I run into my friends I can quickly download appropriate hacks and bluetooth them on over
If you want to sign up, and it's free, could you use this link? I get 250 MB more storage upon a successful referral (that's another thing I like there)
*NVM* Can't post links (I'm too new) *NVM*
PM me if you want the link to sign up please!
Barcode scanner is another time saver. I hardly use it to scan any actual barcodes at all, but it can read QR codes off webpages as well. So when I want to download an APK while I'm browsing on my desktop, I just bust out my phone and point it at the screen and it does all the hard work! There's 45 and a half apps that do the same function, but this one is my favorite as it has the most minimal UI.
Fast Reboot is definitely one of my most used apps. It's essentially a link that sits in your drawer (or wherever you place it) that does a software version of a reboot upon press. It's great for clearing tons of memory quickly, calming down your Android when it's bugging out with a memory leak, or if you're handing your phone over to someone and you don't want them to hit the back arrow and see that you were on Ebay looking for outfits for your girlfriends Tea-cup chihuahua And did I mention it's literally instantaneous?
Hope it helps!
Thanks ill definitely have to set up the drop box. Always having to SD to the computer is a hassle at times.
Thanks
Sent from my WTF using XDA App
Check out my free app in the Marketplace: AppFinder
AppFinder is the fastest way to find apps by name bar none.
Start typing the name of an app or publisher, and the search results are shown instantly.
tap one of the results to go to the marketplace page for the app.
Check it out and let me know what you think
Been using it last couple days, its a big help! Thanks!!!
I'll check it out thanks!
Thank you - it's very fast like the marketplace search should be. Good for quick looking apps if you know the name.
Are there any improvements coming? Like the Top Downloads or anything else?
appfinder feedback
thanks for the feedback - I'm on it
Great app, thanks!
BTW I can't find HTC Hub...
I think you need an HTC device for that sorry buddy
zukа said:
I think you need an HTC device for that sorry buddy
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Yeah but some guys were able to find it...
AppFinder
Ok, v1.1 has been submitted to the app marketplace and is ready for testing - should show up in the marketplace as an update within a few days
ebadger said:
Ok, v1.1 has been submitted to the app marketplace and is ready for testing - should show up in the marketplace as an update within a few days
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does this fix the crash where it closed and wouldn't reopen for me (even after soft reset)?
I had to uninstall, reinstall to get it working again.
I don't think so.
Although I think I know the cause. I will have to roll the fix into another update.
I think there is a small window where the downloaded data file can be corrupted if the writing to flash is interrupted. It will be simple to fix. For now, if you hit it, uninstall reinstall is the only option.
nice find. but did you know while in maketplace you can use the search button to find apps as well?
jimecm said:
nice find. but did you know while in maketplace you can use the search button to find apps as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course I do
AppFinder is all about making apps discoverable in the fastest way possible.
I think if you're not in the top 20 apps in the marketplace under any one of the categories, then as a developer you're invisible. AppFinder seeks to make it easier to find apps via search, and with the update, via browsing as well.
Update is in the hopper, still waiting for testing to complete...
jimecm said:
nice find. but did you know while in maketplace you can use the search button to find apps as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the annoying thing is that it searches music and video as well. i can't just search for apps alone
locales
Ok, so I just figured out I've only been indexing the en-US locale
I've updated the data to include
{ "en-US", "en-GB", "en-IE", "en-CA", "en-IN", "en-AU", "en-HK", "en-SG", "de-DE", "fr-FR", "fr-BE", "de-AT", "de-CH", "it-IT", "en-NZ", "es-ES", "es-MX" };
this change is effective immediately as it is a data update. Still waiting for the update to make it through the approval process. It seems that the holiday has slowed things down a bit
The update finally arrived
Nice new features and still very fast. But unfortunately, in my case, it wont load after the second app start (even at first start if I switch the section). I always have to deinstall/reinstall again once the app was started.
Maybe you can take a look? Feels like a caching problem or something like that. I'm using a Samsung Omnia 7 in germany - if that helps
Feature wishlist:
1. add a settings screen to edit:
a.) the number of list entries on one page (10, 20, 50) to keep the app fast enough
b.) the section on loading (and maybe you also can set this to no section just for fast look-up app search - I used the app for this before the update)
2. Maybe you can use the OS-typical "left-to-right-scrolling-loading-dots" instead of the big ones?
3. New logo if there is enough time
PrivateJoker said:
The update finally arrived
Nice new features and still very fast. But unfortunately, in my case, it wont load after the second app start (even at first start if I switch the section). I always have to deinstall/reinstall again once the app was started.
Maybe you can take a look? Feels like a caching problem or something like that. I'm using a Samsung Omnia 7 in germany - if that helps
Feature wishlist:
1. add a settings screen to edit:
a.) the number of list entries on one page (10, 20, 50) to keep the app fast enough
b.) the section on loading (and maybe you also can set this to no section just for fast look-up app search - I used the app for this before the update)
2. Maybe you can use the OS-typical "left-to-right-scrolling-loading-dots" instead of the big ones?
3. New logo if there is enough time
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Click to collapse
Private Joker,
Thanks for the feedback.
First - there was a bug that only impacted the German locale! I was trying to save bandwidth by truncating unnecessary leading zeros in the price and this caused an exception when the locale was set to German. I've updated the data to include the leading zeros and this fixes the problem for Germans. You will have to uninstall and reinstall though to get it to work. I am very sorry for the inconvenience, and I really appreciate you taking the time to give me your feedback even though the app was not working for you at all. I hope you will try again given that the data has been fixed.
Regarding your feedback -
I think you are right on the mark for #2 and #3
I don't understand 2b.
regarding 1a.
perf should not be impacted by the number of items that are shown -
Appfinder actually transfers the marketplace data to the device and indexes it locally. I do this because the network is really, really slow. Aside from having artists and albums mixed up with apps in the marketplace search results, I also was tired of waiting for results to load. Scrolling through the apps means waiting.
The delay at the beginning is caused by reading the marketplace data from flash and indexing it in RAM. Occasionally the loading dots will appear after launching (like the first time that you use it) because AppFinder has transfered a new data file and needs to parse it again. Instead of delaying every 10 or so apps in the list, there is one delay at the beginning (which is relatively small). Right now parsing the file takes about 4 seconds.
Perf could be greatly improve if I had access to memory mapped file APIs. Further compressing the data would help as well - The really slowest part is really reading from the flash. I can improve perf when a network update occurs by reading from the flash in the background before blocking - this would drop the update delay from ~4 seconds to ~1 second.
I could also not query as you're typing -- Waiting until the enter button has been pressed would reduce CPU load and any chunkiness - pressing search would just render the apps instantly.
Anyway, really appreciate your positive attitude and willingness to give feedback in light of what must be a frustrating experience. Please give it another try.
Thanks,
Eric