Initial things to do after unboxing

[mrsmdh]

Hi all,

My Epic is in the mail to me and so starts the conversion from Windows Mobile.

I am wondering what are the initial things you "veterans" have done or added to your Epic when you first got it. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ywenz]

I came from WM on a Treo 800. WOW has the cell phone industry evolved!

some stuff regarding android
1. there is no "Close" for most apps. To close out apps and prevent them from running in the background, keep hitting the 'back' key until you return to home.
2. get a calendar widget that goes on the home screen. I had gotten used to the WM Home screen where upcoming events show up. I'm running Smooth calendar and it seems okay so far.

 

[packerbacker]

Oh man, welcome to android!! I never liked Windows Mobile, even when it was the "best thing" aside from Apple. My friend had one of those Samsungs with WM on it like 2 years ago and I thought it sucked.

Android has tons of apps and things available, so my advice is to search the forums and also search appbrain.com and appwant.com for what apps are the highest rated and highest downloaded.

 

[milominderbinde]

Check out the Getting Started guide link below for hundreds of tips and tricks.

 

[mrsmdh]

Thanks for the suggestions.

When I was a WM user, it was suggested that the first thing I do is put a screen protector on, then hard reset the phone, then unlock it.

From what I have read about android, it looks like one of the first things I should do is root it in order to have access to a bunch of cool apps and be able to customize my Epic more than the average user.

It seems that hard reset is a little more complicated on android then it is on wm and maybe not as necessary.

 

[nmoreman]

I would suggest using the phone as is, no need to hard reset. Play with the apps on it, learn to find the hidden settings to tweak as you wish. There are a myriad of taps and hard presses to bring up other menus within to adjust settings.

Learn to use settings - Home Screen/Menu/Settings - this will give you valuable info about your phone.

Be sure all updates are up to date, then read about the battery issues - find the Running Applications and be sure DRM is off or you will not like your phone, it is associated with Media Hub - but read these. I have been working with phone and now have wonderful battery life - it had gone to hell

Rooting on this phone - I did this as the new updates are coming through and it caused problems - and it might stop the Froyo 2.2 update from coming through. The roms are not extensive yet. It is fast out of the box and learning to manage, such as installing the internal Task Manager and accessing it through holding the Home Key will allow you to kill tasks.

Have fun

 

[Ontopofthegame]

I recommend getting familiar with android first play around with all your stock apps like the camera and mms and home screen. Get a feel for them because thats what leverages your phone from any other android device. Then go into the app market and try some of the top apps in each category these are usually cooler and more stable.

Wouldn't root off the bat this device is already stellar! Rooting is primary for wifi tether and to keep up with the times as your device gets older or lack customization. But once u run out of things to do stock by all means root away but 2.2 froyo might not work or be pushed out to your device in a update

 

[king5697#CB]

Install a good screen protector and possibly a good case.

 

[cocochannelle]

Check out the Getting Started guide link below for hundreds of tips and tricks.

what link?

 

[milominderbinde]

what link?

Sorry. Brain Freeze.

Here are the main topics from the:
Getting Started with Android - Tips and Tricks.

• Multitasking
• Search, Voice Search, and Voice Actions
• Folders
• Cut, Copy, Paste, and Share
• Email Tips and Tricks
• Phone Tips and Tricks
• Messaging Tips and Tricks
• Internet Tips and Tricks
• Visual Voicemail
• Settings
• Keyboards
• Notifications
• Applications
• Live Wallpaper

Android has literally hundreds of amazing features. So often when somone is wishing Android had a feature, it is already there but they just don't know how to find it.

I went through every tip and trick thread I could find here and on every other forum and put them all into the Getting Started Guide.

The first goal is that in a few minute you can be up and running knowing what long-presses do and such. In under an hour you can have your email, internet, messaging, voicemail, and phone set up just the way you want.

You will never more than 3 taps away from any of your favorite apps. Plus you can have more than 16 icons on a screen and have a couple of cool keyboards to try. Just bookmark it for when you can't remember something.

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

Below are some of my personal App recommendations, Most are free that have more functions in full paid versions. These Apps will really bring out the functionality in your new Android.


SMS App: Handcent: Hands down the Best most feature rich SMS app
Media Player: there are many I like Meridian & Mixzing they support swipe to advance tracks. meridian seems to be more feature rich.
Other Media Apps: Pandora, Mvideo player, iHeartradio, Doggcatcher podcatcher, Google Listen podcatcher. Seesmic: feature rich free twitter client
Good games:
Angry Birds.. Fling vengeful birds at greedy swine
The Moron test buy .99 full version well worth it, keep you busy and get lots of laughs.
Talking Tom: repeats what you say in a funny voice, Much like iPhones "Talking Karl"
Bonsai Blast
paper toss
Reversi othello like game, logic and thinking..
Other non Game fun Apps:
The Swartz; Star wars light sabers...
Google SkyMap: point it up at the sky and it maps out stars and constellations.. my kids love this one.
Kids paint finger paint on the phone and new works of art as .jpeg to share.
App Killer:
stock task killer As Some have already mentioned (Long press on Home key)
Camera App:
Picsay my favorite photo editing apps

Productivity Utilities:
RingDroid: Ringtone app create and edit your own ringtones
Smart Measure: Measures distance bubble, height..
ConvertPad: Unit converter
Google talk: should already be installed
Google Shopper ,
Shop Savvy: can do research by scanning Barcodes, also enables QR code reading.
Barcode scanner QR code reader and barcode scanner
Wikitude: Augmented reality App.
Layard: another augmented reality App
DropBox: view files from any remote PC on your mobile
Quadrant standard: speed and graphics test on your phone
Shootme: enables screen shot capture
Connect Bot: Terminal emulator
Astro file manager is nice.. but i find stock file manager works just as good.

And one of the best for last.
Launcher pro replaces stock TouchWiz. I downloaded this so I could change the default docked icons.

My advice on getting started is to read the help sections, & tips & tricks sections of the Android forums

Help & How To

Android Apps