fresh start with android with nexus 4 : need suggestions

**raj24** · 02-17-2013, 12:26 AM

Hello,
I was using apple (iOS) till now, first time using android..
just got my nexus 4.

tell me what are cool things to do, cool & must have apps & necessary sit4esm resources etc..

and rooting (was using jailbroken ipod touch), benifits and disadvantages etc..

**Tall Mike 2145** · 02-17-2013, 12:33 AM

Well, I'll try and tackle some of this.

There's been a LOT of conversation on here lately about battery life (i.e.: runtime) and one thing you should know is that iOS does a lot of extra stuff to try and optimize power usage that is left to the user in Android. So, unless you're using these things, turn them off most of the time:

• Screen Auto-Rotation
• Wireless
• Bluetooth
• Near-Field Communications (NFC)
• GPS (Location Services)

As for apps, I'd have to say A Better Terminal Emulator (if you need to do any remote terminal work, say on a server); WeatherBug, Talkatone (or GrooveIP) if you want to talk over your data connection (thus saving you minutes on your voice service); SoundHound to identify songs; and of course the ever popular Dope Wars.

**raj24** · 02-17-2013, 12:58 AM

jus added some mp3s from my laptop to nexus 4..played with "play music"

..music (speakers) seems not as good as other phones..
or i need to install other music player which will work better or do something else..

**xstinkyx** · 02-17-2013, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by Tall Mike 2145

SoundHound to identify songs

Since Google Search has song identification built in, I think SoundHound is a lot less essential than it used to be. Yes, you don't have history and all of bells and whistles that SoundHound does, but for quick song identification it's super fast to use.

raj24, learn to take Photospheres, take some decent ones, and then post them to your google+

**raj24** · 02-17-2013, 01:36 AM

best video player and best mp3 player?

**Greg C** · 02-17-2013, 01:56 AM

Poweramp for mp3 player.

**Greg C** · 02-17-2013, 02:00 AM

Apex is an awesome launcher. I use the pro version.

**Uselessbass** · 02-17-2013, 02:09 AM

Use power amp for your music player its hands down the best one has best sound quality and lots of options and a good widget

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

**Greg C** · 02-17-2013, 02:16 AM

Also... download Box for cloud storage. Because you have a Nexus 4 you will get 50gb of storage for FREE.

**raj24** · 02-17-2013, 04:19 AM

also suggest best chm reader... i didnt found any good yet..chm reader x isnt good...

best chm , pdf and ms office files reader for android?

**Greg C** · 02-17-2013, 04:39 AM

For pdf...... ezPDF is really good. It gets updated frequentl . It costs $3.99, but in my opinion it's worth it.

**mawil1013** · 02-17-2013, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by Tall Mike 2145

Well, I'll try and tackle some of this.

There's been a LOT of conversation on here lately about battery life (i.e.: runtime) and one thing you should know is that iOS does a lot of extra stuff to try and optimize power usage that is left to the user in Android. So, unless you're using these things, turn them off most of the time:

• Screen Auto-Rotation
• Wireless
• Bluetooth
• Near-Field Communications (NFC)
• GPS (Location Services)

As for apps, I'd have to say A Better Terminal Emulator (if you need to do any remote terminal work, say on a server); WeatherBug, Talkatone (or GrooveIP) if you want to talk over your data connection (thus saving you minutes on your voice service); SoundHound to identify songs; and of course the ever popular Dope Wars.

I have all those items active and more and I go all day and evening with more than enough before plugging in the charger before going g to bed.

**Lanhoj** · 02-17-2013, 11:24 AM

Since you're coming from iOS you'll like miss GLOBAL Badge Notifications (I know I did at first)...
But here's how you can achieve it on Android--> [HOW-TO] Guide to Global Badge Notifications

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**raj24** · 02-17-2013, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by greg c

apex is an awesome launcher. I use the pro version.

nova launcher is good or apex?

**Lanhoj** · 02-17-2013, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by raj24

nova launcher is good or apex?

I own both & I'd recommend Nova over Apex (especially if you read my previous post).

**still1** · 02-17-2013, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by raj24

nova launcher is good or apex?

both are equally good but i like Apex because apex include notification badge without installing another app. just simple.

**still1** · 02-17-2013, 12:32 PM

http://forums.androidcentral.com/goo...pps-16feb.html

**Lanhoj** · 02-17-2013, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by still1

...
i like Apex because apex include notification badge without installing another app
...

All Apps? I can't seem to get that.
All I get are SMS, GMail & Calls.

**still1** · 02-17-2013, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Lanhoj

All Apps? I can't seem to get that.
All I get are SMS, GMail & Calls.

thats not what i meant. To get notification in Nova you need to install 2 apps from same developer.
but Apex its all baked in one app. just one app.

**greydarrah** · 02-17-2013, 12:47 PM

When I first started using Android, I went to youtube and watched videos for my phone, for top android apps, for unlocking and rooting, etc... Watching people do stuff on the phone was a great way to figure it out.

You also mentioned rooting. If you think that you might want to do this, you should do it now rather than later. When you unlock the bootloader, it will completely wipe your phone, leaving only the operating system. Any apps that you've downloaded, screens that you set up and files that you have copied to your virtual sd card will be gone. It's easy to do when the phone is new and you haven't invested a lot of time in setting it up. This complete wipe only happens the one time that you unlock the bootloader. Later on, if you decide to install custom ROMs, your sd card will remain as is. If you want to do it, here's a link to show you how: [GUIDE] Nexus 4 - Unlock & Root

**AbuYazeedUK** · 02-17-2013, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by still1

thats not what i meant. To get notification in Nova you need to install 2 apps from same developer.
but Apex its all baked in one app. just one app.

Yeah but do you get notifications for all apps?

**Lanhoj** · 02-17-2013, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by still1

thats not what i meant. To get notification in Nova you need to install 2 apps from same developer.
but Apex its all baked in one app. just one app.

Ok so I'm not missing anything - only SMS / Calls / Gmail Notifications are supported by Apex.
Cool, that's what I thought.

I've contacted the Dev of Apex asking if they'd include more & all they replied with was a link to a poll for future features - no thanks.

I need all Apps to show Badge Notifications (or at least the knowledge they're working on it) and I don't get that with Apex or any other Launcher so I go with Nova (even if it requires 2 other Apps) .

**illiniah** · 02-17-2013, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by Tall Mike 2145

Well, I'll try and tackle some of this.

There's been a LOT of conversation on here lately about battery life (i.e.: runtime) and one thing you should know is that iOS does a lot of extra stuff to try and optimize power usage that is left to the user in Android. So, unless you're using these things, turn them off most of the time:

• Screen Auto-Rotation
• Wireless
• Bluetooth
• Near-Field Communications (NFC)
• GPS (Location Services)

As for apps, I'd have to say A Better Terminal Emulator (if you need to do any remote terminal work, say on a server); WeatherBug, Talkatone (or GrooveIP) if you want to talk over your data connection (thus saving you minutes on your voice service); SoundHound to identify songs; and of course the ever popular Dope Wars.

Couldn't disagree more about wifi, gps, and nfc - I see NO impact of keeping these on. GPS is a receiver (not a transmitter). Keeping 802.11 on also EXTENDS battery life by removing the need to transmit to a tower. To save battery life you need to reduce syncing (look at the aps and set the duration that works for you) and watch your screen on-time and brightness.

**gone down south** · 02-17-2013, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by illiniEE

Couldn't disagree more about wifi, gps, and nfc - I see NO impact of keeping these on. GPS is a receiver (not a transmitter). Keeping 802.11 on also EXTENDS battery life by removing the need to transmit to a tower. To save battery life you need to reduce syncing (look at the aps and set the duration that works for you) and watch your screen on-time and brightness.

Wifi and bluetooth continually search for signals when not connected, contributing to battery drain.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

**raj24** · 02-18-2013, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by greydarrah

When I first started using Android, I went to youtube and watched videos for my phone, for top android apps, for unlocking and rooting, etc... Watching people do stuff on the phone was a great way to figure it out.

You also mentioned rooting. If you think that you might want to do this, you should do it now rather than later. When you unlock the bootloader, it will completely wipe your phone, leaving only the operating system. Any apps that you've downloaded, screens that you set up and files that you have copied to your virtual sd card will be gone. It's easy to do when the phone is new and you haven't invested a lot of time in setting it up. This complete wipe only happens the one time that you unlock the bootloader. Later on, if you decide to install custom ROMs, your sd card will remain as is. If you want to do it, here's a link to show you how: [GUIDE] Nexus 4 - Unlock & Root

Rooting will wipe out my data but can't I back up? Like in my iPod touch , restore & updating firmware wipe out everything but after update I restore backup in iTunes & it restored every single thing.

Same thing possible in nexus after rooting?