Hello all - New to Android!

[BBRfuG]

Hello all!

FINALLY, after many years of beeing a Crackberry addict (8830 World Ed.), I have broken free and arrived in the "Smartphone/Android" world. I am a "Blackberry Refugee" (Hence my User name: BBRfuG). Yesterday, I replaced the old 8830 with a GS5. with Kitkat 4.4.4 This will take a little getting used to, so I'd appreciate someone pointing me towards the FAQ if one exists. And if not answered there, I'd appreciate a little latitude with some "newbie" questions

Thanks all, and hope to contribute well to the forum.

Regards,
BR

 

[Almeuit]

Welcome to Android and Android Central! .

 

[Golfdriver97]

Welcome to the forums. How are you liking the device?

Sent from an AOSP M8

 

[BBRfuG]

Welcome to the forums. How are you liking the device?

Sent from an AOSP M8

Taking a bit of getting used to. But working on it.

I have my custom ringtones downloaded. I have Malwarebytes Mobile installed. I've altered the default home page icons to what I think I'd use mostly.

I'm finding I have to be very careful with the USB 3.0 connection port. The cover on it is very flimsy and can easily break off. So far, so good, but I guess that's one thing one must do with extreme care (i.e. insert remove the USB cable). I have an Otter-box cover on order for the phone. I'll feel a little better when I get that on.

Quick question - How can I change the "default picture" on the home screen (i.e. of the "grasssy meadow")? I know how to change the "Wallpaper," but I don't see how to change the picture that sits on top of the wall paper on the home page (and contains the clock).

Other than that, I'm still getting use to it. No contacts or other things yet... I'm still learning all the security/privacy things about the phone. I've read in some docs where you can turn off Google Sync of contacts via settings choices (I have a Gmail account but I don't use it... all contacts deleted). But I think those were written for earlier versions of Android (I'm on Kitkat 4.4.4). I don't see how to do it in Kitkat. What I read says to look (in Setitings) for "Data Synchroization" or "Accounts and Sync" and I can't find either.

 

[neonworm]

Welcome to Android Central!

 

[Golfdriver97]

Taking a bit of getting used to. But working on it.

I have my custom ringtones downloaded. I have Malwarebytes Mobile installed. I've altered the default home page icons to what I think I'd use mostly.

I'm finding I have to be very careful with the USB 3.0 connection port. The cover on it is very flimsy and can easily break off. So far, so good, but I guess that's one thing one must do with extreme care (i.e. insert remove the USB cable). I have an Otter-box cover on order for the phone. I'll feel a little better when I get that on.

Quick question - How can I change the "default picture" on the home screen (i.e. of the "grasssy meadow")? I know how to change the "Wallpaper," but I don't see how to change the picture that sits on top of the wall paper on the home page (and contains the clock).

Other than that, I'm still getting use to it. No contacts or other things yet... I'm still learning all the security/privacy things about the phone. I've read in some docs where you can turn off Google Sync of contacts via settings choices (I have a Gmail account but I don't use it... all contacts deleted). But I think those were written for earlier versions of Android (I'm on Kitkat 4.4.4). I don't see how to do it in Kitkat. What I read says to look (in Setitings) for "Data Synchroization" or "Accounts and Sync" and I can't find either.

The wallpaper change should be under settings>display.

Sent from an AOSP M8

 

[BBRfuG]

The wallpaper change should be under settings>display.

Sent from an AOSP M8

But that doesn't change the picture that sits on top of the wallpaper (i.e. in which the clock/date is located)... Is there a way to change that picture?

 

[Golfdriver97]

But that doesn't change the picture that sits on top of the wallpaper (i.e. in which the clock/date is located)... Is there a way to change that picture?

Sorry...I misunderstood. I am not sure.

 

[BBRfuG]

Sorry...I misunderstood. I am not sure.

Well, I found an article on how to make it transparent, but it involves something that (as a newbie, both to Android and this forum), I'd rather not discuss here.... (the "R" word)

 

[Golfdriver97]

the "R" word

Root?

 

[Milly7]

If I'm not mistaken, on the S5 transparency should be a setting within the weather app itself. Shouldn't need root.

 

[BBRfuG]

Root?

Yes.

But, a brief update. I've discovered that this is the "Weather Widget." I hadn't yet entered my "location" so it was kinda dormant. Now that I have entered my location and time, it changes the picture based on the weather and time of day (i.e. status of day light). I don't think I'll want to make it transparent, now that I know what it is. I was going to use one of my favorite pictures as a wall paper (which the widget was blocking), but I'm comfortable now with the standard turquoise fractal background.

Also, this morning, I received the Otter Box hard shell case for it. At first, I couldn't figure out how to break it apart, but I browsed some YouTube videos and figured out how to pull slightly on he "earplug" flap to get the rubber outer case to start separating from the inner plastic. After that, it was easy to assemble. I've also received my new MPOW Bluetooth 4.0 ear headset and have paired that OK. I also installed Firefox browser and an Emoji app last evening. I'll consider the Twitter app for a little later.

Tonight I'll be adding my e-mail services and my contacts. One last question - Do the standard "contacts" app (Orange icon with white silhouette) and "Email" app (White envelope with white "at" sign inside a red circle) "sync" with anything over the network (as I would assume the GMail and other Google apps or the Verizon apps would)? For privacy reasons, I want to do all the syncing and backups myself locally on my desktop.

Thanks.

 

[BBRfuG]

If I'm not mistaken, on the S5 transparency should be a setting within the weather app itself. Shouldn't need root.

Yes, I see this in the settings. But I won't change it, now that I know what it is....

 

[srkmagnus]

Welcome to Android Central!

 

[Golfdriver97]

One last question - Do the standard "contacts" app (Orange icon with white silhouette) and "Email" app (White envelope with white "at" sign inside a red circle) "sync" with anything over the network (as I would assume the GMail and other Google apps or the Verizon apps would)? For privacy reasons, I want to do all the syncing and backups myself locally on my desktop.

They do. Contacts should go to Google. As for the general email app I am sure it syncs, it depends on which client you have entered.

If you do keep your contacts on your PC, I would get in the habit of making sure they get updated from time to time.

 

[BBRfuG]

They do. Contacts should go to Google. As for the general email app I am sure it syncs, it depends on which client you have entered.

They haven't yet. I checked on the Google acct. and none of them have been uploaded to "GMail Contacts" for that account. Unless they've been stored "unbeknowst" to me....

If you do keep your contacts on your PC, I would get in the habit of making sure they get updated from time to time.

Absolutely! I back up my entire home IT footprint in full, once a week, and on an ad-hoc basis as needed.

Latest updates: I have several contacts added, and email accounts established. I am receiving emails on the phone. Not sending any yet. Will add more contacts tonight.

Question: when scanning through email "inbox" lists, is there a way to "select all" for a given action (i.e. "Mark as read") or must one select each email individually? This is on the plain vanilla "Email" app as described above.

Thanks.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! When you enter a new contact, you can typically choose to associate it with your Google account or with the Phone account. The latter won't sync with anything automatically (although you can back it up to your computer using the Kies program). Although you may be wary of using the cloud, I would still strongly suggest associating your contacts with your Google account, because they sync automatically and are kept safe in the cloud, in case something happens to the phone. Otherwise, make sure you back up your information on a regular basis to your computer.

Most Email apps require you to multi-select emails one by one--there usually isn't a "select all" function.

Here's an intro guide to Android, although it's based more on vanilla Android, rather than the more modified TouchWiz interface from Samsung. Still, a lot of it is relevant: http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/399060-guide-getting-started-android-2014-a.html

 

[BBRfuG]

Welcome to Android Central! When you enter a new contact, you can typically choose to associate it with your Google account or with the Phone account. The latter won't sync with anything automatically (although you can back it up to your computer using the Kies program). Although you may be wary of using the cloud, I would still strongly suggest associating your contacts with your Google account, because they sync automatically and are kept safe in the cloud, in case something happens to the phone. Otherwise, make sure you back up your information on a regular basis to your computer.

Thank you for the kind welcome. Things are moving along in re: my "new orientation" to the phone. I also have a business phone (still a Blackberry Storm), and that I back up to my desktop every night. I intend to do the same with this phone. I'll look into that Kies Prrogram.

You are quite correct. It's my policy (both personally and professionally) not to entrust any live production data stores to a publicly managed cloud storage platform over which I don't have exclusive physical custody or control. While I certainly don't have the same "content" issues, I think what recently happened to Jennifer Lawrence and her colleagues speaks for itself, and for my reasoning. I realize that puts the burden of keeping the data secure and backed up on me, but I gladly accept that responsibility. Similarly, I don't maintain a contacts list on GMail, to my knowledge, (I deleted the original list just before Google changed it's privacy policies 2 years ago), and I am not a member of G+ I don't log on to Google when doing web or YouTube searches. Maybe they can still track me by my WAN IP, but my own ISP changes that frequently enough, as their network evolves.

Most Email apps require you to multi-select emails one by one--there usually isn't a "select all" function.

Fair enough... not a huge deal... just a "nice to have." I have this ability on other desktop/web based email clients. It would just make it easier is all.

Here's an intro guide to Android, although it's based more on vanilla Android, rather than the more modified TouchWiz interface from Samsung. Still, a lot of it is relevant:

Thank you! I'll definitely take a look at it. I also have the "GS5 for Dummies" e-book as well.

 

[UJ95x]

Welcome to Android Central

 

[STARGATE]

Hello BBR, welcome to the best Android forums!