[TIPS] Apps to start you off on the NC

**Will Shanklin** · 01-13-2011, 06:19 PM

So you've either rooted the stock ROM, or you've burned your Nookie Froyo SD and are rocking some stock Android 2.2 on your Nook (or both). Now you want to start installing some apps on this bad boy.

If you rooted, you may notice that the auto-noot rooting process installed several apps for you already. In addition to the YouTube, Gmail, and Market apps, you'll have Calendar, Calculator, NookColorTools, and an app called SoftKeys.

If you went the Nookie route, you've probably already installed your Google apps, so you'll have the above-mentioned apps and more.

Included with both rooting and Nookie, SoftKeys can be your best friend when using your nook. Of course, most Android devices have three or four buttons below the screen for Home, Back, Menu, and Search. As the NOOKcolor was designed to read books, Barnes & Noble only put a home button there (the "n" button). That's where Softkeys comes in . . .

Softkeys keeps a small, fairly discreet overlay icon on your screen at all times, that, when pressed, brings up an on-screen menu (on top of whatever else is going on your screen) that lets you press Home, Back, Menu, and Search. It's customizable, mostly non-intrusive, and, after rooting, you'll already have it on your NC.

I personally don't like having an ever-present icon overlay, so I take advantage of the transparency settings in softkeys to make it invisible: simply place the pop-up button somewhere you can easily find (upper right corner works great for me), set the transparency to 100, and you can touch there top bringing up softkeys--without having any intrusive icons on your screen.

If you'd prefer to try an alternative, there's a very similar app called Button Savior in the Market. It has the same function as Softkeys, but with a different interface and theme (if you want to try a version of button savior with an invisible launch trigger--similar to transparency in softkeys--you can ).

If you're on rooted B&N ROM, you do have the option to not use either of these apps, as most of the time, back and menu buttons are in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Some apps will go into full-screen mode at some points, so you could find yourself occasionally stuck without menu and back if you skip SoftKeys and Button Savior.

Now, for adding your own apps, here are some suggestions to help inspire you:

1. Get a 3rd party Launcher (several choices, all in Market)

A Launcher is an important app that serves as the main gateway to your device. In the simplest terms, it's your homescreen.

Nookie Froyo gives you the stock Android launcher, which gets the job done, but is limited (read: zilch) in terms of customization.

When you bought the Nookcolor, it had the stock Barnes & Noble launcher, which shows books on your homescreen and lets you navigate to a few other functions of the device.

On stock, you're free to keep the Barnes launcher running if you want . . . but the following launchers will make one of the most noticeable differences in transforming it into a tablet:

Recommended: ADW.Launcher (free), ADWLauncher EX (with more options - pictured, $3.43), LauncherPro (free), Zeam Launcher (free)

These launchers are highly customizable, allowing apps, widgets (like the Google search bar pictured above), live wallpapers (animated homescreen wallpapers - like "Nexus," left) and folders full of apps to be added to your desktop.

All of these launchers will also give you an "app drawer" (that's the grid of squares at the bottom of the screenshot above), which opens to allow easy access to all of your apps.

2. Kindle for Android (Free, available in the Market)

Why not? It's in the Market, it's free, and it makes an excellent reading app on the Nookcolor.

Besides, if you've purchased Kindle books before on a different device, do you really want to buy them all over again in order to read them on your Nook?

Resize font, change from day/night/sepia modes, jump to any point in the book instantly . . . unless you're a Barnes & Noble loyalist, I would highly recommend installing this app on your Nookcolor tablet.

Note that purchasing books straight from the Kindle app may not work, but simply opening your browser (on either your Nook or another computer) to buy from their website should work as expected.

3. Astro File Manager (free, Market)

You'll probably want to replace it with the more powerful Root Explorer (see below) soon, but for now, the free Astro File Manager will get you started, and let you browse (and install) some non-market apps on your tablet.

4. Google Maps (free, manual installation necessary on stock ROM)

While the Nookcolor doesn't have a chip for using full GPS, it will still be able to determine your location through the network (should you allow it), usually accurate to within a few hundred yards (only on the stock ROM - nookie hadn't enabled location yet).

Google Maps offers everything you'd expect, including driving/walking/public transportation directions, and street view (see left, Street View is really something to behold on a tablet). Voiced real-time navigation won't work due to the lack of GPS hardware in the Nook (but the possibility of bluetooth on the nook could mean bluetooth GPS down the road!!).

The current version of Google Maps from the Market has been having problems on the stock NC ROM, but you can download a version that does work (be sure you've set it to allow the installation of non-market apps after rooting - see rooting page).

After downloading the file, use Astro (above) to browse to your SD card's Download folder. Find maps.apk, and install it.

Google Maps will be installed when you push Google Apps onto your Nook for Nookie (see instructions in Nookie Froyo thread).

5. Titanium Backup (free, Market)

Titanium can be one of the most valuable apps you'll have, as it lets you backup all of your apps and system info to your SD Card or to Dropbox (see below). Should you ever need to restore your device for any reason, Titanium will help you get it back just how it was.

The first time you run Titanium, you'll probably want to hit the "Problems?" button at the bottom for it to work properly (by installing a compatible version of busybox...if you don't know what that is, don't worry).

6. Dropbox (free, Market)

Free storage in the cloud (waiting in "internet-land" to be downloaded from any device you want).

Say you want to transfer some photos from your computer to your NOOKcolor to show you're dinner guests later on that evening? Go to dropbox.com on your desktop, upload them, then open your Dropbox app on your NC, hit download, and bam--it's now stored on your SD card, to be opened by Astro or Root Explorer.

No cords needed, just an internet connection.

7. Install a new Web Browser (Market)

The stock browser that comes installed in the stock ROM is lacking (among other things) the much-desired pinch-to-zoom feature that's standard on touch-screen devices. xScope, Dolphin HD, Opera Mobile, and Firefox (Fennec) are popular browsers that all feature pinch-to-zoom and countless other features that the B&N browser won't give you.

In Nookie, you'll start with the stock Android browser, which is certainly a major upgrade over the B&N browser. Many Android users are completely content with this, but it couldn't hurt to experiment with some of the Market browsers as well.

We'd recommend you try them all. Some think Opera Mobile has the edge in terms of speed and smoothness, others think Dolphin HD (above) is plenty quick and has much more customization. Our preference is xScope, as it just might be the fastest of the bunch, in addition to having a variety of options . . .

Choice: that's why we love Android.

** the current version (4.3) of Dolphin HD has faulty pinch-to-zoom on the stock nook ROM. Just download this to use instead. **

8. DocumentsToGo Full Version ($14.95, Market)

Want to write up a new resume on a road trip? Open up this mobile office suite, type it up, attach it to your cover letter email, and you're all done. No laptop needed, only your NOOKcolor.

Have a nagging Excel spreadsheet from work, and you're at the beach? Docs to Go can handle that too.

$15 is a lot for any mobile app, but if there's one that's worth it, it's DocumentsToGo.

The most common tasks you can do on Microsoft Office or Apple's iWork, you'll be able to do on your NOOKcolor tablet with DocsToGo.

9. Root Explorer ($3.95, Market)

This app is a mobile file browser, which is highly recommended. Many of the mods from this point on are going to assume that you have Root Explorer.

While Astro lets you do many things in the file system, it doesn't let you modify the root system files (which is going to be needed for some mods), while Root Explorer does. When browsing the /system portion of your Nook, there will be a button up top to "Mount system as r-w" - this means you're allowing reading and writing of the file system (the default is r-o, or read-only).

10. Angry Birds/Angry Birds Seasons (both free, Market)

Just because your NOOKcolor tablet can be productive doesn't mean it always has to be.

You've probably played Angry Birds on some mobile touchscreen device by now, and if you haven't played it on a tablet, you're in for a treat.

Smashing kamikaze birds into vindictive swine takes on a whole new level of fun when you're doing it on a gorgeous 7" display with 1024x600 resolution.

**eric6052** · 01-13-2011, 06:50 PM

I also installed fruit ninja as an alternative for when I need a break from Angry Birds. Evernote is another must have since it syncs lists and files between your phone, computer and nook color.

**Whistlin Dixie** · 01-20-2011, 01:32 PM

Haven't bought the NC yet, but wondering…

I have Docs to Go and others on the EVO I bought. Do I have to buy them again to run them on a rooted NC?

Thanks!

**imtravis** · 01-20-2011, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Whistlin Dixie

Haven't bought the NC yet, but wondering…

I have Docs to Go and others on the EVO I bought. Do I have to buy them again to run them on a rooted NC?

Thanks!

As long as you use the same google account, no, just have to download them to the device. You can even open up the market, go to "my apps" and see all your paid for apps, so you can download them from ther easily enough.

**Loondog** · 01-23-2011, 10:04 AM

I am trying to install an older version of Dolphin browser (4.2) with pinch/zoom.
I have the downloaded .apk (via dropbox) but my nook is not letting me install it.
It pops up a message saying:
Install Blocked
Installation of download apks is not supported

I am not finding in settings where I can uncheck "Unknown Sources" since it still has the B&N settings interface.

I have tried Root Explorer (mounted as R/W) and Astro with no luck (as mentioned above in #3) still get the same error message.

Am I missing something?
Thanks

**Will Shanklin** · 01-23-2011, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by architectjon

I am trying to install an older version of Dolphin browser (4.2) with pinch/zoom.
I have the downloaded .apk (via dropbox) but my nook is not letting me install it.
It pops up a message saying:
Install Blocked
Installation of download apks is not supported

I am not finding in settings where I can uncheck "Unknown Sources" since it still has the B&N settings interface.

I have tried Root Explorer (mounted as R/W) and Astro with no luck (as mentioned above in #3) still get the same error message.

Am I missing something?
Thanks

Open NookColorTools and check the box to allow non-market installs.

**Loondog** · 01-23-2011, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Will Shanklin

Open NookColorTools and check the box to allow non-market installs.

Got it,
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

After copying the file to /system/app via Root Explorer r/w, I had to change the file permissions before it would install. Checked Read,Write,Excute under User.
Would not install until checked.

**cryogenic** · 01-26-2011, 10:29 PM

I know everyone swears by root explorer, but I've found Super Manager to be as good as Root Explorer and FREE. It's available in the market and from my experience so far, works great. It does support mounting the file system r/w just like Root Explorer. The developers are apparently Chinese, so their help files and stuff are in horrific English, but the app works fine.

**Will Shanklin** · 01-27-2011, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by cryogenic666

I know everyone swears by root explorer, but I've found Super Manager to be as good as Root Explorer and FREE. It's available in the market and from my experience so far, works great. It does support mounting the file system r/w just like Root Explorer. The developers are apparently Chinese, so their help files and stuff are in horrific English, but the app works fine.

Cool, good tip - I might check it out and remember as a possible recommendation.

**n3tguru** · 01-31-2011, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by cryogenic666

I know everyone swears by root explorer, but I've found Super Manager to be as good as Root Explorer and FREE. It's available in the market and from my experience so far, works great. It does support mounting the file system r/w just like Root Explorer. The developers are apparently Chinese, so their help files and stuff are in horrific English, but the app works fine.

I have tried both Super Manager and Android Mate and can't seem to edit files in the system/ folders. I must be missing a r/w enable somewhere but can't seem to find it.

Any help would be appreciated.

**boomdiggy02** · 02-08-2011, 08:17 AM

Just wanted to say thank you for this great guide. Everything I needed, super easy, and all in one place! Awesome!

**bobdowns** · 02-10-2011, 03:11 PM

I followed your thread for installing Honeycomb onto the internal eMMC and most everything works great. Except for downloading and installing apps from Market. I chose most of the apps you list here and every time I tapped on an app, it responded with "Your app will be downloaded" (or something to that effect). And, when I go to "MyApps" inside the Market app, I can see all of my selected apps listed there, but without the "installed" indicator.

And, when I click on one to install by itself (rather than finding and tapping on several in rapid succession), it gives me the "...will be downloaded" message and display the status bar for 2-3 seconds and then goes right back to the screen I was on previously (usually, the MyApps screen). It doesn't finish downloading, it certainly doesn't install.

I'm connected to our home WiFi, as always. I can browse the web, send and receive emails in the Gmail app, and so forth. But, apps won't download from the Market.

Any ideas?

**Anoxymoron** · 02-10-2011, 10:03 PM

So once my nook is rooted, I can still safely access the B&N store and my library and all that, correct?

**kronium#AC** · 02-11-2011, 03:53 AM

Originally Posted by Anoxymoron

So once my nook is rooted, I can still safely access the B&N store and my library and all that, correct?

Correct. App not quite as fancy as stock nook, but just as functional .

**imtravis** · 02-11-2011, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Anoxymoron

So once my nook is rooted, I can still safely access the B&N store and my library and all that, correct?

Yes you can.. I'm still using the stock reader/store/etc, on my rooted NC.

**ndinfla** · 02-18-2011, 03:44 PM

anyone else having problems with the softkeys the ones included when auto nooter is used in the rooted Rom. I keep geting an error that says wont work in root. Everything else is stable and running incredible. Thanks again for the very precise instructions on everything.

**Pudmunkie** · 02-18-2011, 04:05 PM

Button Savior has been much more stable for me. Have you tried it yet?

Sent from my rooted nook using Tapatalk

**jmrmotorhead** · 02-18-2011, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by kronium

Correct. App not quite as fancy as stock nook, but just as functional .

I have the nook app running great, and my books downloaded fine, however why dont my magazines show up? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Matt

**quixoticelixer** · 02-18-2011, 04:25 PM

Quick question. Is there a United States alternative to root explorer? My bank wont allow overseas app purchases.

**roberto** · 02-18-2011, 04:40 PM

Where does one find Angry Birds? It doesn't show up in Android Market.

**jmrmotorhead** · 02-18-2011, 04:53 PM

I just asked the same question, heres what I was told to do:
http://forum.androidcentral.com/barn...ompatable.html

I was able to find a angry birds.apk download by searching google, and just emailed it to myself, but this will work as well.

**dcreed** · 02-18-2011, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by roberto

Where does one find Angry Birds? It doesn't show up in Android Market.

You may need to change your fingerprint for it to show up.

From another thread:

Open Root Explorer, navigate to system/, mount as r-w, and open build.prop in a text editor. Find the line that starts with ro.build.fingerprint= and change it to the following:

ro.build.fingerprint=verizon/voles/sholes/sholes:2.1-update1/ESE81/29593:user/release-keys

Now from your homescreen, hit Menu>settings>Applications>Manage Applications>All, and find Market. Select clear cache, and then force stop. Then, still under All, find Google Services Framework, and hit wipe data, and then force stop. Reboot, and many more apps should show up!

The default fingerprint on my Nook Color / Froyo SD is

ro.build.fingerprint=google/passion/passion/mahimahi:2.2.1/FRG83/60505:user/release-keys

May also want to search this forum as I know there's another way to get it.

- Dave

**crazace** · 02-18-2011, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by jmrmotorhead

I have the nook app running great, and my books downloaded fine, however why dont my magazines show up? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Matt

Most mags are exclusive to the nook color only and will not download to the nook app. You can go to BN.com select the mags you have and it should show a list of compatibility. I have that issue with Maxim and that why I am still running 2.1 on my nook with HCv4 on an SD card.