newbie- just got my new phone! so many questions!

**unknown00** · 04-20-2012, 11:14 PM

first android phone coming from ios for the last many years

1. sms- how do i get notifications? i don't want that little icon on the top taskbar, i want a popup like the iphone so i will immediately know. i don't even get a notification in the lockscreen which i want. also quick reply somehow? same as missed calls, i want a big notification popup
2. contact/sms page- how do i get rid of the picture profile squares? it makes each line so "thick" and takes up too much room
3. quick way to put it to silent/vibrate only mode like iphone?
4. how do you actually exit an app? it seems like when i press any of the softkeys on the bottom (home or back) it just minimizes it and still has it running in the background
5. if i reflash rom, will i lose all my apps and settings? which rom do you suggest?
6. what are the advantages of giving me root access? examples or what i can do?
7. one big feature of iphone ios 5 is group sms, can android group sms with iphone users?
8. must have apps?

**axne1** · 04-20-2012, 11:29 PM

Sounds like you need another iPhone fam..

Kanged out Google phone +
Franco's Magic

**TnA206** · 04-20-2012, 11:32 PM

Lol. Good luck bud

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

**Paul627g** · 04-20-2012, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by unknown00

first android phone coming from ios for the last many years

1. sms- how do i get notifications? i don't want that little icon on the top taskbar, i want a popup like the iphone so i will immediately know. i don't even get a notification in the lockscreen which i want. also quick reply somehow? same as missed calls, i want a big notification popup
2. contact/sms page- how do i get rid of the picture profile squares? it makes each line so "thick" and takes up too much room

This sounds like a theme issue, which if it is can only be achieved by modifying the Contacts/MMS apps

3. quick way to put it to silent/vibrate only mode like iphone?
4. how do you actually exit an app? it seems like when i press any of the softkeys on the bottom (home or back) it just minimizes it and still has it running in the background

Go into Settings/Developer Options and there all the way at the bottom you will see Kill app back button. Check that box, when exiting an app hold the back button for a few seconds that will kill the app and it will show a little popup saying so

5. if i reflash rom, will i lose all my apps and settings? which rom do you suggest?

This is still a new deal being released today. ROMs should pop up quick from the devs, but I would NOT recommend trying to flash a Verizon CDMA or GSM model GNex ROM.

6. what are the advantages of giving me root access? examples or what i can do?

We have some guides and threads here explaining rooting.

7. one big feature of iphone ios 5 is group sms, can android group sms with iphone users?
8. must have apps?

Your choice...

Also.. Welcome to AC.

As for what I didn't answer, I'm sure some of the other helpful members with GNex's will be able to assist you better in answering those.

Enjoy the forums.

**unknown00** · 04-20-2012, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Paul627g

This sounds like a theme issue, which if it is can only be achieved by modifying the Contacts/MMS appsGo into Settings/Developer Options and there all the way at the bottom you will see Kill app back button. Check that box, when exiting an app hold the back button for a few seconds that will kill the app and it will show a little popup saying soThis is still a new deal being released today. ROMs should pop up quick from the devs, but I would NOT recommend trying to flash a Verizon CDMA or GSM model GNex ROM.We have some guides and threads here explaining rooting.Your choice...

Also.. Welcome to AC.

As for what I didn't answer, I'm sure some of the other helpful members with GNex's will be able to assist you better in answering those.

Enjoy the forums.

thank you for your reply. any themes you recommend? also, Kill app back button does not exist

**eric3316** · 04-21-2012, 06:28 AM

There is no reason to kill your apps, Android handles all that for you. Just because it is in the background, it does not mean it is running or even using any resources. Don't worry about it...

For quick vibrate mode, if you are running a stock Rom like AOKP you can add a vibrate toggle to the drop down menu. Remember that your top bar will work even on the lock screen so you will not even need to unlock the phone to do this.

Also, SMS popup will give you a popup of your text message for the stock messaging app.

Here is an SMS replacement app Go SMS Pro that will also give you a popup.
.

**unknown00** · 04-21-2012, 12:34 PM

everyone talks about oh if you root if you flash and mess up you will get in trouble etc etc, can't you just "reflash" to stock if you screw something up?

**Paul627g** · 04-21-2012, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by unknown00

everyone talks about oh if you root if you flash and mess up you will get in trouble etc etc, can't you just "reflash" to stock if you screw something up?

Yes this is true in 99% of the cases. The real problem lies is when someone does something wrong and causes a bricked device which is VERY hard to do with the Nexus line.

**dancing-bass** · 04-21-2012, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by unknown00

first android phone coming from ios for the last many years

1. sms- how do i get notifications? i don't want that little icon on the top taskbar, i want a popup like the iphone so i will immediately know. i don't even get a notification in the lockscreen which i want. also quick reply somehow? same as missed calls, i want a big notification popup

It doesn't notify for calls but if you download the GoSMS app, it allows themeing of the SMS app as well as popups. I haven't found a notifier for missed calls but haven't looked for one either

**jivester** · 04-21-2012, 02:43 PM

Press the power button like you would turn it off it will pull up volume on, off, and vibrate on options

**unknown00** · 04-21-2012, 07:14 PM

so looking at the roms/kernels, it seems like a new update comes out monthly, does that mean you have to make a backup and you lose all your apps (that have to be reinstalled) if you make that monthly rom upgrade? i'm new to this and just am not sure what data is lost when...?

what exactly is the difference between a rom and kernel anyways?

**Paul627g** · 04-21-2012, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by unknown00

so looking at the roms/kernels, it seems like a new update comes out monthly, does that mean you have to make a backup and you lose all your apps (that have to be reinstalled) if you make that monthly rom upgrade? i'm new to this and just am not sure what data is lost when...?

what exactly is the difference between a rom and kernel anyways?

Yes you always want to make a backup before flashing a new ROM or theme.

When you do a full wipe (data) then you loose everything. Cache partition and dalvik cache wipes will not hurt any of your data.

Along with a Nandroid Backup you should make use of either Titanium or MyBackup Root to backup your apps & their data so when you do swap out to a new ROM or update your current one you can simply restore your apps/data back as they were.

ROM= That is the OS in simple terms.

Kernel= This is the main link between your device and the OS. Every thing you do, basically runs through the kernel first then the proper commands/functions are sent onward to the OS.