just got my first android ever!

[CarliCruise]

ok...so....im a religious blackberry user, i still have my bold 9700, and ive had all 3 iphones before the iphone 4, but i needed to finally buy an android phone so i got a vibrant, first, any opinion on the vibrant? and second, what are some of the ins and outs i should know and what to do first with my phone and such?

 

[cliffgardner]

Root your phone and find some apps you enjoy.

 

[CarliCruise]

root?

 

[CarliCruise]

and which apps do you suggest?

 

[Kasracer]

I don't see much of a reason to root anymore; you can do practically anything on the phone already so I wouldn't worry about it (at least not now; you just got a new phone!).

 

[troffe]

Forget rooting! Enjoy your phone! Check out some apps in the Applications section on the forums. Check out some android blogs about the best apps to download!

 

[Brett]

can everybody answer his question instead of just saying "root it" and "enjoy the phone". he wants to enjoy it but he wants to know what he should do with his phone as far as i guess setting it up and getting apps. thank you

ok well a few things i would look into would be:

-setting up google voice. this way you have either a separate number or even a free visual voice mail. its a great service that google offers.

-look into a battery type widget so you can see exactly where you battery usage is coming from. a good choice is juiceplotter. great widget with a great app. it graphs you battery consumption and informs you when it is used the most/least

-get a good nice wallpaper. you wanna know why, because i said so haha. in all seriousness i would say only because the wallpaper can change the whole look of your home in some cases.

-if you do not like the current launcher on your phone i would also look into ADW launcher or pro launcher beta. both are customizable with some sense-esque styling as well as stock google looks. adw is my favorite but to each his own.

just a few things to look into. dont want to over load you with a lot more things because i know from first hand experience that if there is too much in the beginning you will have no idea where to start haha

P.S.-- to anybody who tells other people who are new to android to root their device, keep it to yourself. unless you plan on explaining exactly what rooting is, how to root, and things along that line then dont even mention it. This person is trying to get used to android and if you tell sombody that is new to a device to root it without explaining the pros and cons then that person may do some irreversable damage to his phone and be stuck without a new phone. so you have 2 options:

1) explain everything about root

or

2) DO NOT MENTION IT!

sorry guys for being a little blunt but i don't want sombody to break their brand new phone by trying somthing they have never done before or know anything about. when somebody wants to root they will look it up and try to understand it.

 

[Kyle Gibb]

Great advice Brett, I would add that using AppBrain will make finding apps much easier. Make sure to install the AppBrain app along with the Fast App Installer for maximum functionality.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

Number 1: Read these forums, including older posts, and go through the archives of articles that appeared on Android Central. Almost everything I know about Android and my Evo I learned here.

 

[CarliCruise]

Thanks!

 

[scramer]

Great advice Brett, I would add that using AppBrain will make finding apps much easier. Make sure to install the AppBrain app along with the Fast App Installer for maximum functionality.

Number 1: Read these forums, including older posts, and go through the archives of articles that appeared on Android Central. Almost everything I know about Android and my Evo I learned here.

I've had my phone about two weeks and this is great advice. AppBrain.com is awesome to check out the applications that are available. Read the forums / articles of Android Central for what is out there for programs and how to use your phone.

I came from the Palm Pre (been a Palm user forever) and made a list of what I needed and wanted. I actually had a few programs set up on AppBrain set up to install before I even had my EVO! Here are the steps I recommend:

1. Make a list of the programs you use now that you will need on your phone. Then read the forum / articles for what is recommended for these programs, you will probably also find programs that you didn't know that you need.

2. You can then go to AppBrain.com to see screen shots (usually) and read reviews and the program description. Do a search on AppBrain for other programs that you need, maybe even the exact same ones that you now use and love.

3. Do a search in the forum for how to do the things on your new phone that you now do on your phone. (ie how to send a file by bluetooth, how to tether, etc.) so you can be up and running when you get your new phone.

4. Make sure you know all of your settings (gmail account, password, POP settings, Exchange, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to get everything set up.

5. There are some recommendations for battery / setting setups. Print them out.

6. As you customize your phone, back it up. If you are like me, you will probably try 3 or 4 programs before you settle on the one that you like.

I had a checklist of everything I needed to get the phone where I wanted.... (it is still a work in progress, tho)

 

[volcom.airsoft]

I just got my incredible today & want to know if there is any must have apps and does Android central have a mobile site? It is telling me to buy tapatalk. Is that app worth it?

 

[AndroidAddict]

I tried tapatalk and didn't care for it much but try it out for yourself. When you go to android central and it ask about tapatalk just hit cancel and it will let you view the site.

 

[scramer]

I just got my incredible today & want to know if there is any must have apps and does Android central have a mobile site? It is telling me to buy tapatalk. Is that app worth it?

There is an Android Central Widget.