The Galaxy Nexus is a great phone offering a "Pure Android Experience." That purity brings differences a typical Android owner may not have seen before. Here are dozens of Ice Cream Sandwich Tips and Tricks but first are 20 Workarounds. Market apps give us workarounds for Facebook Sync, LED Blink Rate, Charging LED, microSD, Speed Dial, Smart Dial, Messaging Enter Key, Browser Zoom, FM Radio, Visual Voicemail Photos, etc. Some also "Root" and replace everything with a different "ROM."
If you have other Galaxy Nexus Workarounds or Ice Cream Sandwich specific Tips and Tricks, please post them here!
Facebook Sync: Is "...removed...from all future 'googlephones'..." The Galaxy Nexus doesn't sync Facebook profile photos, status, messages, phones, events, birthdays, or notifications. Calls don't pop-up with new profile photos.
? Workaround: Friendcaster (free, $5: no ads) or Haxsync for ICS add many sync features back in.
Notification LED Slow Blink Rate: It blinks once every 10 seconds. To be sure it is not blinking, look at it for a full 10 seconds.
Charging Notification LED: The Galaxy Nexus does not have a Notification LED to show when it is charging/charged.
? Workaround: LightFlow Lite let's you customize blink rates, vibrations, sounds, and repeats.
microSD: microSD cards store movies, photos and music, backup texts, alarms, settings, and Nandroid backups. A microSD slot adds 2% to the volume. microSD cards are under $50 for 32GB.
? Workaround: Use free "Cloud Storage" like Dropbox (extra for free), Google Music, Google Docs, etc.
Low speaker/headphone volumes: Some feel that the maximum volumes are too low.
? Workaround: Volume+ Sound Boost $2 (dev website) let's you increase the volume or set Equalizer (free) to full.
Battery Life: The Nexus is a fire-breathing dragon with a big screen, LTE, and six other radios. That takes a lot of power.
? Workaround: Consider an extended battery and see the Battery Life Tips.
Camera Focus: Some find that the stock ICS camera does not always focus well unless you are very steady.
? Workaround 1: Open the camera app and touch where in the picture to focus.
? Workaround 2: Try an app like Camera ZOOM FX ($3) that some say is an amazing upgrade to the stock camera.
Camera Contrast: Some have found much better camera contrast and colors than the stock ICS camera.
? Workaround: HDR Camera (free, $4 full) Automatically combines 3 shots at different exposures for amazing color & contrast.
Messaging: The Nexus messaging is missing the Return Key.
? Workaround: HandCent or ChompSMS add many texting features.
Visual Voicemail Photos: ICS Visual Voicemail does not show the caller's photo.
? Workaround: The Youmail app will show the caller's photo.
Speed Dial: The Nexus Lacks Speed Dial to assign contacts to numbers 1 to 9. Long-press 2 for Voice mail, etc.
Smart Dial: The Nexus lacks Smart Dial. "T9" smart dial uses the keypad to find a name: 2 for B, 7 for R to see names beginning "Br".
? Workaround 1: Get an app like Go Contacts or TouchPal Dialer for Speed Dial, Smart Dial, etc.
? Workaround 2: Create Dialer Shortcuts on a home screen for each number but this is not a Speed Dial or Smart Dial.
Contact Search: The Nexus lets you search names but not city, street, notes, etc. such as, "Who is on Baker street?"
? Workaround: Go Contacts & TouchPal Dialer search names, city, street, etc.
Clock: The Galaxy Nexus Clock does not include a Timer, Stopwatch, World Clock, etc.
? Workaround: Consider one of these full-featured Clocks.
Browser: If you pinch to zoom, the text does not always word-wrap.
? Workaround: Browsers like Dolphin or Opera word-wrap. The manual reflow trick can help too.
5 Home Screen Lock: ICS does not allow Homescreens to be added or removed.
? Workaround: Get a launcher like LauncherPro, ADWLauncher or Nova Launcher to add or remove home screens.
Shortcut to a File: Most Androids let you create a homescreen shortcut to a pfd or other file for fast access, but not ICS.
? Workaround: Get a launcher like LauncherPro or ADWLauncher -or- Get an app like ASTRO File Manager.
Keyboard Text Predictions: The ICS keyboard is good but some have problems with the text predictions or want more features.
? Workaround: Consider SwiftKey, Swype, or other Keyboards.
Search Window on every Home Screen: The top 1/5 of each screen is now a search bar.
? Workaround 1: LauncherPro, ADWLauncher or Nova Launcher let you use a 1x1 Search icon just on the pages you like.
? Workaround 2: Settings > Manage apps > Google Search > Disable. Download Google Search from the market and use it instead.
FM Radio: The Nexus lacks an FM Radio.
? Workaround: Consider TuneIn (Pro) for local AM/FM stations or Pandora, Slacker, and iheartradio.
USB Host: Per the Galaxy Nexus user guide, you could plug in a thumb drive but it does not work.
? Workaround: Root and install third party apps.
ICS Tips & Tricks
These tips are specifically for Android 4, Ice Cream Sandwich. 500 general Android tips are in the Getting Started guide.
Basics
Home: To see your home screens with your apps and widgets.
Menu (Technically "Action Overflow"): Tap to see Menu options.
Settings: The fast way to Settings is to swipe Notifications bar down and taps the settings icon.
Back: The Back button moves you back.
Recent Apps: Swipe up or down to view open apps. Swipe left or right to close an app.
All Apps: Tap to see your all of your apps and widgets.
Home screens
? Add an App: To add an app to a homescreen - Tap
All Apps > Drag the app where you want it..
? Add a Widget: Place a widget On a home screen - Tap
All Apps >Widgets > Drag the widget where you want it.
? Folders: Drag and drop one icon on top of another to start a folder.
? Settings Shortcuts: To place a settings shortcut on a home screen, tap My Apps > Widgets > Settings shortcut
? Show more icons: Get a launcher like LauncherPro, ADWLauncher or Nova Launcher.
Settings
? Turn LTE Off: To save battery, go to
Settings > More > Mobile networks > Network Mode> CDMA.
? Animation Speed: To change speed, go to
Settings > Developer Options > Window / Transition animation scale.
? Data Management: To set limits, go to
Settings > Wireless & networks > Data usage.
Apps
? Download a New App: Tap
All Apps > Market, and find a new app.
? Remove Bloatware: Disable apps you can't remove in
Settings > Apps > {app} > Disable.
? Uninstall an App: Fast way is to tap
All Apps and drag the app icon to the word Uninstall at the top.
Sync
? Sync Photos with Picasa: Go to Settings > Accounts & sync > Google > Sync Picasa
Camera/Video
? Take a Photo While Video Recording: Just tap the screen while recording a video.
? Take a Photo From Lock screen: Drag ring to Camera icon to instantly open camera.
? Take a Screenshot: Press Power and Volume down at the same time.
Notifications/Unlock
? Unlock Options: Go to
Settings. Security > Screen lock to select None, Slide, Face Unlock, Pattern, etc.
? Facial Recognition: You can have multiple reference photos with a beard or makeup and without or for 2 people.
? Clear a Notification: Fast way is to swipe down Notification and swipe left or right on the notification to clear.
? Immediate Response: If you use Slide to Unlock, swipe down on the Notification bar to respond directly.
Phone
? Text Reply To A Call: When a call comes in drag up and choose which message to use.
? Phone Settings: In the Phone app, tap
Action Overflow > Settings.
? Tap Power to End Call: Settings>Accessibility>Power button ends call
Clock
? Blue Clock: Open the ICS Clock app, long-press anywhere to dim and turn the display blue.
? Set an Alarm: The fast way is to tap your clock widget and you are there!
Browser
? Browser Quick Controls: Browser
Action Overflow > Settings > Labs > Quick Controls. In a website, press on side of screen.
? Tabs: Tabs are browser windows. Tap Settings to open a tab. Swipe up/down to view. Swipe left/right to close.
? Browser History: As in Gingerbread, long-press
Back in the ICS browser.
? Save a web page: In the browser, tap
Action Overflow > Save for offline reading.
Other
? Google Wallet: Get Google Wallet on your Galaxy Nexus with no hackery
Thanks to terpitude71, mclarryjr, Cyber Warrior, and so many others for help in preparing this.
Resources
? Android 4.0 Platform Highlights
? Nexus S Workarounds
? ICS Highlights
? Android Ice Cream Sandwich: 11 awesome tips and tricks
? Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Tips and Tricks [VIDEO]
? Complete Guide to the Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE [Verizon]
? Ice Cream Sandwich tips & tricks | The Verge Forums
? Ice Cream Sandwich: Hints, Tips and Tricks
? A User's Guide to Android Ice Cream Sandwich
? Ice Cream Sandwich Google Apps tip: long press any icon for its ...
? Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich: 8 Essential Tips and Tricks
? Tips and tricks for your new Galaxy Nexus
If you have other Galaxy Nexus Workarounds or Ice Cream Sandwich specific Tips and Tricks, please post them here!
Facebook Sync: Is "...removed...from all future 'googlephones'..." The Galaxy Nexus doesn't sync Facebook profile photos, status, messages, phones, events, birthdays, or notifications. Calls don't pop-up with new profile photos.
? Workaround: Friendcaster (free, $5: no ads) or Haxsync for ICS add many sync features back in.
Notification LED Slow Blink Rate: It blinks once every 10 seconds. To be sure it is not blinking, look at it for a full 10 seconds.
Charging Notification LED: The Galaxy Nexus does not have a Notification LED to show when it is charging/charged.
? Workaround: LightFlow Lite let's you customize blink rates, vibrations, sounds, and repeats.
microSD: microSD cards store movies, photos and music, backup texts, alarms, settings, and Nandroid backups. A microSD slot adds 2% to the volume. microSD cards are under $50 for 32GB.
? Workaround: Use free "Cloud Storage" like Dropbox (extra for free), Google Music, Google Docs, etc.
Low speaker/headphone volumes: Some feel that the maximum volumes are too low.
? Workaround: Volume+ Sound Boost $2 (dev website) let's you increase the volume or set Equalizer (free) to full.
Battery Life: The Nexus is a fire-breathing dragon with a big screen, LTE, and six other radios. That takes a lot of power.
? Workaround: Consider an extended battery and see the Battery Life Tips.
Camera Focus: Some find that the stock ICS camera does not always focus well unless you are very steady.
? Workaround 1: Open the camera app and touch where in the picture to focus.
? Workaround 2: Try an app like Camera ZOOM FX ($3) that some say is an amazing upgrade to the stock camera.
Camera Contrast: Some have found much better camera contrast and colors than the stock ICS camera.
? Workaround: HDR Camera (free, $4 full) Automatically combines 3 shots at different exposures for amazing color & contrast.
Messaging: The Nexus messaging is missing the Return Key.
? Workaround: HandCent or ChompSMS add many texting features.
Visual Voicemail Photos: ICS Visual Voicemail does not show the caller's photo.
? Workaround: The Youmail app will show the caller's photo.
Speed Dial: The Nexus Lacks Speed Dial to assign contacts to numbers 1 to 9. Long-press 2 for Voice mail, etc.
Smart Dial: The Nexus lacks Smart Dial. "T9" smart dial uses the keypad to find a name: 2 for B, 7 for R to see names beginning "Br".
? Workaround 1: Get an app like Go Contacts or TouchPal Dialer for Speed Dial, Smart Dial, etc.
? Workaround 2: Create Dialer Shortcuts on a home screen for each number but this is not a Speed Dial or Smart Dial.
Contact Search: The Nexus lets you search names but not city, street, notes, etc. such as, "Who is on Baker street?"
? Workaround: Go Contacts & TouchPal Dialer search names, city, street, etc.
Clock: The Galaxy Nexus Clock does not include a Timer, Stopwatch, World Clock, etc.
? Workaround: Consider one of these full-featured Clocks.
Browser: If you pinch to zoom, the text does not always word-wrap.
? Workaround: Browsers like Dolphin or Opera word-wrap. The manual reflow trick can help too.
5 Home Screen Lock: ICS does not allow Homescreens to be added or removed.
? Workaround: Get a launcher like LauncherPro, ADWLauncher or Nova Launcher to add or remove home screens.
Shortcut to a File: Most Androids let you create a homescreen shortcut to a pfd or other file for fast access, but not ICS.
? Workaround: Get a launcher like LauncherPro or ADWLauncher -or- Get an app like ASTRO File Manager.
Keyboard Text Predictions: The ICS keyboard is good but some have problems with the text predictions or want more features.
? Workaround: Consider SwiftKey, Swype, or other Keyboards.
Search Window on every Home Screen: The top 1/5 of each screen is now a search bar.
? Workaround 1: LauncherPro, ADWLauncher or Nova Launcher let you use a 1x1 Search icon just on the pages you like.
? Workaround 2: Settings > Manage apps > Google Search > Disable. Download Google Search from the market and use it instead.
FM Radio: The Nexus lacks an FM Radio.
? Workaround: Consider TuneIn (Pro) for local AM/FM stations or Pandora, Slacker, and iheartradio.
USB Host: Per the Galaxy Nexus user guide, you could plug in a thumb drive but it does not work.
? Workaround: Root and install third party apps.
ICS Tips & Tricks
These tips are specifically for Android 4, Ice Cream Sandwich. 500 general Android tips are in the Getting Started guide.
Basics
Home screens
? Add an App: To add an app to a homescreen - Tap
? Add a Widget: Place a widget On a home screen - Tap
? Folders: Drag and drop one icon on top of another to start a folder.
? Settings Shortcuts: To place a settings shortcut on a home screen, tap My Apps > Widgets > Settings shortcut
? Show more icons: Get a launcher like LauncherPro, ADWLauncher or Nova Launcher.
Settings
? Turn LTE Off: To save battery, go to
? Animation Speed: To change speed, go to
? Data Management: To set limits, go to
Apps
? Download a New App: Tap
? Remove Bloatware: Disable apps you can't remove in
? Uninstall an App: Fast way is to tap
Sync
? Sync Photos with Picasa: Go to Settings > Accounts & sync > Google > Sync Picasa
Camera/Video
? Take a Photo While Video Recording: Just tap the screen while recording a video.
? Take a Photo From Lock screen: Drag ring to Camera icon to instantly open camera.
? Take a Screenshot: Press Power and Volume down at the same time.
Notifications/Unlock
? Unlock Options: Go to
? Facial Recognition: You can have multiple reference photos with a beard or makeup and without or for 2 people.
? Clear a Notification: Fast way is to swipe down Notification and swipe left or right on the notification to clear.
? Immediate Response: If you use Slide to Unlock, swipe down on the Notification bar to respond directly.
Phone
? Text Reply To A Call: When a call comes in drag up and choose which message to use.
? Phone Settings: In the Phone app, tap
? Tap Power to End Call: Settings>Accessibility>Power button ends call
Clock
? Blue Clock: Open the ICS Clock app, long-press anywhere to dim and turn the display blue.
? Set an Alarm: The fast way is to tap your clock widget and you are there!
Browser
? Browser Quick Controls: Browser
? Tabs: Tabs are browser windows. Tap Settings to open a tab. Swipe up/down to view. Swipe left/right to close.
? Browser History: As in Gingerbread, long-press
? Save a web page: In the browser, tap
Other
? Google Wallet: Get Google Wallet on your Galaxy Nexus with no hackery
Thanks to terpitude71, mclarryjr, Cyber Warrior, and so many others for help in preparing this.
Resources
? Android 4.0 Platform Highlights
? Nexus S Workarounds
? ICS Highlights
? Android Ice Cream Sandwich: 11 awesome tips and tricks
? Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Tips and Tricks [VIDEO]
? Complete Guide to the Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE [Verizon]
? Ice Cream Sandwich tips & tricks | The Verge Forums
? Ice Cream Sandwich: Hints, Tips and Tricks
? A User's Guide to Android Ice Cream Sandwich
? Ice Cream Sandwich Google Apps tip: long press any icon for its ...
? Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich: 8 Essential Tips and Tricks
? Tips and tricks for your new Galaxy Nexus
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