Couple of questions froma newbie

[Sarm3n]

New to Androids and the HTC One.

1. Is there any way to make the status/notification bar transparent on my HTC One?

I installed the apex launcher which allows me to hide the status bar entirely but I find that a bit annoying because I like to see the information on my notification bar at all times (i.e. time, connection). I just want the black strip to be transparent.

2. I just found out that there is an update to the software (4.3) and I'm currently on 4.1.2. If I install the update, will everything on my phone reset? Will I lose the layout of my icons with the apex launcher or Sense?

3. I've seen alot of people complain about 4.3 for various bugs. Do Androids receive fixes to such bugs quickly? My concern is that if I do update, I don't want to be on a buggy system for too long.

 

[Dave Clark]

1) you will have to root your phone to have a transparent status bar. On stock launcher the status bar is nearly transparent, but if you switch you won't get the customization of a third party launcher. It's one of those things that you need to decide whether you can live with or without it.

2) factory resetting after such a large update is recommended as there can be complications with your previous version.

3) dependent upon your carrier you could have to wait between 6 and 12 months for an update. Android is not updated quite as quickly as one would like. For constant updates, try rooting your phone and installing a custom Rom. This way you won't have to wait long for updates to the latest version of android such as kit Kat, which is out very soon.

 

[cpaight]

1. I too use Apex and you can't make the status bar transparent, but I've heard Nova Launcher offers that option in its Pro version.
2. The update shouldn't reset your layout....at most it might revert back to the stock launcher as default, in which case you just have to re-enable Apex as your default and your setting will come back. Just to be safe you may want to go into Apex settings and backup your current setup.
3. I've been on 4.3 for awhile now and haven't experienced anything "buggy," however the speed of any updates will depend on your carrier.

 

[Dave Clark]

Nova launcher prime does not come with an option for a transparent status bar.

 

[Sarm3n]

2) factory resetting after such a large update is recommended as there can be complications with your previous version.

So apply the update and then do a factory reset? Will that leave me with a clean version of 4.3? I assume I have to go back and install all my apps again after that, correct?

Also, I've seen a ton of fancy customized lock screen. Are those just installed apps (like the launchers)? Or does that require installing ROMS or rooting my phone?

Is it possible to have a one background for my lock screen and another for the home screen?

 

[Dave Clark]

So apply the update and then do a factory reset? Will that leave me with a clean version of 4.3? I assume I have to go back and install all my apps again after that, correct?

Also, I've seen a ton of fancy customized lock screen. Are those just installed apps (like the launchers)? Or does that require installing ROMS or rooting my phone?

Is it possible to have a one background for my lock screen and another for the home screen?

1) apply the update and then factory reset.

2) Yes they are apps you can install like start and creative locker to name a few.Search for them on the play store.

3)You can have a wallpaper but as soon as you swipe up to unlock you will be brought to a pin or pattern screen that will be black and not your wallpaper. Silly of HTC to do that in my opinion. Try the above apps and see if they can help in this area.

 

[JBeef]

1) apply the update and then factory reset.

2) Yes they are apps you can install like start and creative locker to name a few.Search for them on the play store.

3)You can have a wallpaper but as soon as you swipe up to unlock you will be brought to a pin or pattern screen that will be black and not your wallpaper. Silly of HTC to do that in my opinion. Try the above apps and see if they can help in this area.

I'd say the factory reset is a choice not a necessity. I have never performed a factory reset for an android version update (on Samsung Galaxy SII and now HTC ONE). There's no harm in doing it if you back up properly but why go through the hassle? You might as well wait and see. If something isn't right first thing you'd do is factory reset anyway so you might as well wait and see if you NEED to do one.