Blackberry to Thunderbolt

[itsdollar]

I finally got my thunderbolt from Fedex today but I am coming from a Storm 2 and I remember someone has given some pointers on the apps that are good for starters on android but I can seem to find the post and was looking for a little help. Thanks.

Keep an open mind and forget what you left. I read a lot of tutorials but once I got the phone i just tried a lot of apps to see if they fit what I needed and deleted them if not. There are so many and it's such a quick process that you have the luxury of doing that now.

For work related I use: Touchdown for email which has everything you will need if you want it

For my personal use: I use the Google reader app and that easily replaces BerryReader for me since I can actually open a link without waiting. There are so many options and apps that you will soon wonder why you never swithced earlier. I am wondering that now.

 

[Gage]

I will be coming from a Tour (I'm getting my Thunderbolt in a week or so after some logistical things fall into place) and I have a couple of questions (I apologize if this is not the place to ask them):

1. In the Market, can I pay for apps by using a gift card from Visa (for example) rather than a credit/debit card?

2. When I download something from the Market that has a stock equivalent already (e.g. Handcent vs. the native messaging app) does the downloaded app replace the stock one or get added in addition and I then have a choice?

TIA for the help

 

[HawaiiD]

I will be coming from a Tour (I'm getting my Thunderbolt in a week or so after some logistical things fall into place) and I have a couple of questions (I apologize if this is not the place to ask them):

1. In the Market, can I pay for apps by using a gift card from Visa (for example) rather than a credit/debit card?

2. When I download something from the Market that has a stock equivalent already (e.g. Handcent vs. the native messaging app) does the downloaded app replace the stock one or get added in addition and I then have a choice?

TIA for the help

1. I'm not sure if you can use gift cards? I don't see why not though?
I use my regular visa card(sorry I did say Paypal earlier but that was for my BlackBerry App World).

2.The two apps will work together at the same time? What I do is in my native messaging app's settings I disable all notifications. If you don't? when you receive a message?
you will get 2 notifications on your top bar or your app's icon.
Note: this will not disable your native app.It will only disable it's notifications.
You will still however, over time have to go into your native messaging app
to delete old messages.

But handcent is a much better messaging app that allows for really good customization. For one thing I'm not sure what the Native mms limt size is for the TB?
On the Evo it is 2MB. So when trying to send 8MP camera shots?

It will compress the image to very small file sizes. With Handcent it goes up to 5MB and won't compress it when sharing via Gmail.

Give Handcent a Try!

 

[Komodod]

Hawaii,


Saw you mention using paypal in Market. I am not showing that option and all post i find mention the leaked announcement(oct of 2010) OR the paypal app available. Help?

 

[Eric The Duke]

Has anyone else notice the speaker on the thunderbolt when compared to blackberry? Bolt seems to deff be not as loud. Just trying to compare not sure if that's how the bolt is or maybe I have one with a blown a speaker

My BB Tour definetly has a louder speaker than my bolt. On the bolt if you cover where the speaker is with your hand, you'll notice a reduction in loudness. Somehow, when do the same on my Tour, it sounds the same.

 

[DrMPH08]

yes maybe we should. I have been playing on my TB and it isn't as bad as i thought it would be. I am still trying to make it my own and get all the little things that i had on my bb.

 

[DrMPH08]

I'm the exact same boat and in fact still have my storm 2. We should start a sub forum for storm 2 to tb.

HAve you gotten your TB yet?

 

[bvitale]

Came from my blackberry storm 1. Only had one, never replaced. Liked it but love this thing. Like said before, the speaker on the TB is less loud. However I think it may be because of the ringtones they have. I am going to mess with my mp3s to make ringtones and increase the vol. The one thing I notice the most is that we can't wake the screen up by touching the screen or any buttons other than the power button that is not in a convenient place. Well it's getting better. Change isn't as easy as when I was a kid.

 

[anonymous239411]

Came from my blackberry storm 1. Only had one, never replaced. Liked it but love this thing. Like said before, the speaker on the TB is less loud. However I think it may be because of the ringtones they have. I am going to mess with my mp3s to make ringtones and increase the vol. The one thing I notice the most is that we can't wake the screen up by touching the screen or any buttons other than the power button that is not in a convenient place. Well it's getting better. Change isn't as easy as when I was a kid.

I agree..atleast using the volume buttons to wake the phone its much easier. Plus who knows if that power button will eventually fail and become sunked in. I think in terms of the volume for the speaker I think software update can be performed to make it louder. I remember my blackberry bold was like that. One day after the update all sounds were louder.

 

[itsdollar]

Came from my blackberry storm 1. Only had one, never replaced. Liked it but love this thing. Like said before, the speaker on the TB is less loud. However I think it may be because of the ringtones they have. I am going to mess with my mp3s to make ringtones and increase the vol. The one thing I notice the most is that we can't wake the screen up by touching the screen or any buttons other than the power button that is not in a convenient place. Well it's getting better. Change isn't as easy as when I was a kid.

Try no lock in the market. it enables you to change how you can wake the screen.

 

[Gage]

Thanks Hawaii for your clarification. One more question: I know android runs flash as part of Froyo but I noticed in the market there's a 10.2 player available...when a new version comes out does it get pushed as a software update or do I have to update it in the market?

 

[gotconsultants]

For those wanting louder sounds, just Google Blackberry Default Sounds, and there is a great soundpack with all the classic ringtones, and notifications...

 

[Gav508]

Made the jump and teetering

I also made the jump over from BB Storm2. It is a whole different world using the TB. There are so many things I love about the TB but there are alot of things I miss from Blackberry too.

I miss
* Bedside mode - This was great because it would dim the screen, adjust volume, set notifications off for SMS, MMS and Emails, and put phone in alarm mode. Ever since getting the Storm2 I used this every night and got rid of my alarm clock. I hope someone can make an APP that will do this. I will buy it.

* Sound profiles. - Maybe Im missing this on the TB but everytime I hit the side volume control it changes the volume of the tones. With BB I had to pic a profile and it was locked. Should be an OS lock for this. Heck maybe there is and I haven't found it yet.

* Camera button. - It was very nice having a camera button on the side of my Storm2. Made it very easy to start the cam and take the pic.

* BB sync - A very easy way to sync my Outlook contacts, calendar, Itunes playlist, and backups. The bolt says it has HTC Sync but all it seems to open is a lame Verizon Media Sync App. No way to sync contacts with outlook and I haven't been able to sync just a certain playlist from Itunes. I have been on the phone for hours with Verizon and HTC and cannot do it.

Now I am not bashing the TB. These are some things I was used to with my Storm. I have had the TB for a week now and have thought of returning it several times, until I play with it. Speed, Internet, Apps are awesome. THIS THING FLIES. Free Google Nav which I must say is VERY good saved me 10 bucks a month. The Mobile Hot Spot option is incredible. My kids are playing on their computer and Itouch while away from home in the car, and the speed is surprisingly very good. One daughter was watching a video on the computer with no stops or pauses. And I am only in a 3G area. I cant even imagine how good it must be on LTE.

I do think the battery life issue needs to be addressed. Although I have read alot of advice here and have boosted the life, I do think HTC should look into another way of increasing the life without having to shut services down. These are the reasons I bought the phone and its no fun having them but being scared to use them. I must say though that honestly battery life has seemed as if it was increasing by itself. I am playing with the phone as much as I did when I first got it, and it is lasting longer.

Having my TB 7 days now I can honestly say that I am leaning heavy on keeping it. 4 days ago it was positively going back. As soon as I could get the time I was returning it and reactivating my Storm. I am must say I am glad that I haven't had the time and that I got more time to get used to the OS. It was mostly in my ignorance that I wanted to take it back. I was so used to BB that I didn't want to learn the Android system. I am slowly getting it and I must say that without a doubt I am really enjoying this phone.

 

[Chrisy]

I miss my convenience keys too.

 

[jfarinella]

I came from a Storm 2 also but, after taking the time to read all of the manuals, information tips and checking the Touchdown Google Forum I found the whole app to be fantastic - better than the blackberry. Make sure to enable all of the folders you want synced and to show on Touchdown the tasks/unread emails screen when you load it - you can sync multiple folders simultaneously. The icon identifier on the upper task bar of the main home screen will tell you if you have a new message. I have mine set to push on new and so far I get about 10-12 hrs on my battery (with moderate use). Also, I use their 2x2 widget for my calendar. The only thing I truly miss so far is my sounds manager and the ability to set volume limits per setting.

 

[akira751]

I miss my convenience keys too.

I almost forgot about them. Until now.

 

[MBeattie]

Whitin each of those app you hit menu>settings>notification sound

 

[petaf]

I miss the battery pulls. NOT!!

 

[scassel]

Long time (7 yrs) BB user now on an android. I had the Droid Incredible and now the TB. I too went through the frustration when I first made the jump You must be persistent in your searching. There are apps for most of the things you are looking for. There is a widget under settings for profile. Gives you a quick method to go from silent to vibrate and normal. Timeriffic is also a great program (free) out of the market. I use it to control sounds and wifi. A search for bedside in the app market will bring back a few apps for that purpose as well.

I have been on android for about 4 months now and I don't regret my decision. Stick with it.

Good luck

 

[scassel]

I miss the battery pulls. NOT!!

Priceless