The Galaxy Nexus is a great phone offering a "Pure Android Experience." That purity brings differences a typical Android owner may not have seen before. Here are dozens of Ice Cream Sandwich Tips and Tricks but first are 20 Workarounds. Market apps give us workarounds for Facebook Sync, LED Blink Rate, Charging LED, microSD, Speed Dial, Smart Dial, Messaging Enter Key, Browser Zoom, FM Radio, Visual Voicemail Photos, etc. Some also "Root" and replace everything with a different "ROM."
If you have other Galaxy Nexus Workarounds or Ice Cream Sandwich specific Tips and Tricks, please post them here!
Facebook Sync: Is "...removed...from all future 'googlephones'..." The Galaxy Nexus doesn't sync Facebook profile photos, status, messages, phones, events, birthdays, or notifications. Calls don't pop-up with new profile photos.
Workaround: [Only registered users can view links. ] (free, [Only registered users can view links. ]) or [Only registered users can view links. ] add many sync features back in.
Notification LED Slow Blink Rate: [Only registered users can view links. ]. To be sure it is not blinking, look at it for a full 10 seconds. Charging Notification LED: The Galaxy Nexus does not have a Notification LED to show when it is charging/charged.
Workaround: [Only registered users can view links. ] let's you customize blink rates, vibrations, sounds, and repeats.
microSD: microSD cards store movies, photos and music, backup texts, alarms, settings, and Nandroid backups. A microSD slot adds 2% to the volume. microSD cards are under [Only registered users can view links. ].
Workaround: Use free "Cloud Storage" like [Only registered users can view links. ] ([Only registered users can view links. ]), [Only registered users can view links. ], [Only registered users can view links. ], etc.
Low speaker/headphone volumes: Some feel that the [Only registered users can view links. ].
Workaround: [Only registered users can view links. ] $2 ([Only registered users can view links. ]) let's you increase the volume or set [Only registered users can view links. ] (free) to full.
Battery Life: The Nexus is a fire-breathing dragon with a big screen, LTE, and six other radios. That takes a lot of power.
Workaround: Consider an [Only registered users can view links. ] and see the Battery Life Tips.
Camera Focus: Some find that the stock ICS [Only registered users can view links. ].
Workaround 1: Open the camera app and touch where in the picture to focus.
Workaround 2: Try an app like [Only registered users can view links. ] ($3) that [Only registered users can view links. ] to the stock camera.
Camera Contrast: Some have found much better camera contrast and colors than the stock ICS camera.
Workaround: [Only registered users can view links. ] (free, [Only registered users can view links. ]) Automatically combines 3 shots at different exposures for amazing color & contrast.
Messaging: The Nexus messaging is [Only registered users can view links. ].
Workaround: [Only registered users can view links. ] or [Only registered users can view links. ] add many texting features.
[Only registered users can view links. ]: ICS Visual Voicemail does not show the caller's photo.
Workaround: The [Only registered users can view links. ] app will show the caller's photo.
Speed Dial: The Nexus Lacks Speed Dial to assign contacts to numbers 1 to 9. Long-press 2 for Voice mail, etc. Smart Dial: The Nexus [Only registered users can view links. ]. "T9" [Only registered users can view links. ] uses the keypad to find a name: 2 for B, 7 for R to see names beginning "Br".
Workaround 1: Get an app like [Only registered users can view links. ] or [Only registered users can view links. ] for Speed Dial, Smart Dial, etc.
Workaround 2: Create Dialer Shortcuts on a home screen for each number but this is not a Speed Dial or Smart Dial.
Contact Search: The Nexus lets you search names but not city, street, notes, etc. such as, "Who is on Baker street?"
Workaround: [Only registered users can view links. ] & [Only registered users can view links. ] search names, city, street, etc.
Clock: The Galaxy Nexus Clock does not include a Timer, Stopwatch, World Clock, etc.
Workaround: Consider one of these full-featured [Only registered users can view links. ].
Browser: If you pinch to zoom, the text does not always word-wrap.
Workaround: Browsers like [Only registered users can view links. ] or [Only registered users can view links. ] word-wrap. The [Only registered users can view links. ] can help too.
5 Home Screen Lock: [Only registered users can view links. ].
Workaround: Get a launcher like [Only registered users can view links. ], [Only registered users can view links. ] or [Only registered users can view links. ] to add or remove home screens.
Shortcut to a File: Most Androids let you create a homescreen shortcut to a pfd or other file for fast access, but not ICS.
Workaround: Get a launcher like [Only registered users can view links. ] or [Only registered users can view links. ] -or- Get an app like [Only registered users can view links. ].
Keyboard Text Predictions: The ICS keyboard is good but some have problems with the text predictions or want more features.
Workaround: Consider [Only registered users can view links. ], [Only registered users can view links. ], or other Keyboards.
Search Window on every Home Screen: The top 1/5 of each screen is now a search bar.
Workaround 1: [Only registered users can view links. ], [Only registered users can view links. ] or [Only registered users can view links. ] let you use a 1x1 Search icon just on the pages you like.
Workaround 2: Settings > Manage apps > Google Search > Disable. Download Google Search from the market and use it instead.
FM Radio: The Nexus [Only registered users can view links. ].
Workaround: Consider [Only registered users can view links. ] ([Only registered users can view links. ]) for local AM/FM stations or [Only registered users can view links. ], [Only registered users can view links. ], and [Only registered users can view links. ].
USB Host: Per the Galaxy Nexus user guide, you could plug in a thumb drive but it does not work.
Workaround: [Only registered users can view links. ].
ICS Tips & Tricks
These tips are specifically for Android 4, Ice Cream Sandwich. 500 general Android tips are in the Getting Started guide.
Basics Home: To see your home screens with your apps and widgets. Menu (Technically "Action Overflow"): Tap to see Menu options. Settings: The fast way to Settings is to swipe Notifications bar down and taps the settings icon. Back: The Back button moves you back. Recent Apps: Swipe up or down to view open apps. Swipe left or right to close an app. All Apps: Tap to see your all of your apps and widgets.
Home screens
Add an App: To add an app to a homescreen - Tap All Apps > Drag the app where you want it..
Add a Widget: Place a widget On a home screen - Tap All Apps >Widgets > Drag the widget where you want it.
Folders: Drag and drop one icon on top of another to start a folder.
Settings Shortcuts: To place a settings shortcut on a home screen, tap My Apps > Widgets > Settings shortcut
Show more icons: Get a launcher like [Only registered users can view links. ], [Only registered users can view links. ] or [Only registered users can view links. ].
Settings
Turn LTE Off: To save battery, go to Settings > More > Mobile networks > Network Mode> CDMA.
Animation Speed: To change speed, go to Settings > Developer Options > Window / Transition animation scale.
Data Management: To set limits, go to Settings > Wireless & networks > Data usage.
Apps
Download a New App: Tap All Apps > Market, and find a new app.
Remove Bloatware: Disable apps you can't remove in Settings > Apps > {app} > Disable.
Uninstall an App: Fast way is to tap All Apps and drag the app icon to the word Uninstall at the top.
Sync
Sync Photos with Picasa: Go to Settings > Accounts & sync > Google > Sync Picasa
Camera/Video
Take a Photo While Video Recording: Just tap the screen while recording a video.
Take a Photo From Lock screen: Drag ring to Camera icon to instantly open camera.
Take a Screenshot: Press Power and Volume down at the same time.
Notifications/Unlock
Unlock Options: Go to Settings. Security > Screen lock to select None, Slide, Face Unlock, Pattern, etc.
Facial Recognition: You can have multiple reference photos with a beard or makeup and without or for 2 people.
Clear a Notification: Fast way is to swipe down Notification and swipe left or right on the notification to clear.
Immediate Response: If you use Slide to Unlock, swipe down on the Notification bar to respond directly.
Phone
Text Reply To A Call: When a call comes in drag up and choose which message to use.
Phone Settings: In the Phone app, tap Action Overflow > Settings.
Tap Power to End Call: Settings>Accessibility>Power button ends call
Clock
Blue Clock: Open the ICS Clock app, long-press anywhere to dim and turn the display blue.
Set an Alarm: The fast way is to tap your clock widget and you are there!
Browser
Browser Quick Controls: Browser Action Overflow > Settings > Labs > Quick Controls. In a website, press on side of screen.
Tabs: Tabs are browser windows. Tap Settings to open a tab. Swipe up/down to view. Swipe left/right to close.
Browser History: As in Gingerbread, long-press Back in the ICS browser.
Save a web page: In the browser, tap Action Overflow > Save for offline reading.
Forgive me guys, if this is not the right place to put this... but, I've searched everywhere for the answer this morning...
A couple of questions:
1) What is the best way to put a PDF file on your home screen or inside a folder for quick access, in case I'm off-line somewhere. I know there are probably many ways, but what is the simplest. Currently, I have a short-cut, linking it as an Evernote attachment.
2) What is the simplest way to watch an offline movie on the G-Nex. Of course the least expensive method, best (HD) quality, and a wide range of selection the better. I'm thinking I need to download or convert to .3gp files either from DVD or .FLV and such, but what are some legit services are out there.
thanks... looking forward to spending some quality time with my G-Nex on the plane, hopefully with WiFi, so just in case I don't I have something to do...
...
1) What is the best way to put a PDF file on your home screen...
2) What is the simplest way to watch an offline movie on the G-Nex...
1) I added a Workaround for this. Good question.
Shortcut to a File: Most Androids let you create a homescreen shortcut to a pfd or other file for fast access, but not ICS. Workaround: Get a launcher like [Only registered users can view links. ] or [Only registered users can view links. ] -or- Get an app like [Only registered users can view links. ].
2) I use Handbrake. See the Getting Started, first post for this:
Converting videos: Convert DVD's and other videos to mp4 or 3gp files that can play on your Android phone
thanks for this but today my phone rebooted and I had to log into fb. I use ha sync but now I am getting fb updates on people widget that didn't occur beforehand even with haxsync.
microSD: microSD cards store movies, photos and music, backup texts, alarms, settings, and Nandroid backups. A microSD slot adds 2% to the volume. microSD cards are under $50 for 32GB.
• Workaround: Use free "Cloud Storage" like Dropbox (extra for free), Google Music, Google Docs, etc.
You can also purchase a USB OTG cable and then any USB flash drive should work for additional storage.
This is an excellent workaround list. Great tips, great for an all-inclusive one-stop-shop.
I have to admit though, it's a little embarrassing that this list has to exist! It means that Google left out lots, shipped ICS with tons of bugs, and removed highly popular functionality. Some of those features I had forgotten were missing, and makes me appreciate my old phones more.
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Home: To see your home screens with your apps and widgets.
Menu (Technically "Action Overflow"): Tap to see Menu options.
Settings: The fast way to Settings is to swipe Notifications bar down and taps the settings icon.
Back: The Back button moves you back.
Recent Apps: Swipe up or down to view open apps. Swipe left or right to close an app.
All Apps: Tap to see your all of your apps and widgets.
