Android help

LE3

I am now the owner of a shiny new Android phone, my first Android! I need some help from ye-Android experts in getting it set up!

1) I need an app to be able to send texts to a predefined group of people - any recommendations? I don't seem to be able to set up groups in the contacts like I used to have! This is rather annoying :mad:
2) what are the "must have" apps?
3) what else do I need to know - as I say, this is my first android so be gentle with me!,

thegoodman

It's a good os.
What phone have you got?

Try many apps from Google Play.

Also make sure you know about app access rights and how to protect from malware.

As long as you are careful you can enjoy the phone and try many apps.

We have a group of Android fanboys to help you with apps and how to get most from your phone.

BlueC

1) There are loads. Try GroupText:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smallbouldering.grouptext&hl=en

2) Depends. I use the following frequently:

Natwest app - it is brilliant if you bank with them, RBS have the same app
Pocket Casts - excellent podcast app
All the Google apps - reader, mail, maps - all excellent
Facebook - bit flaky but its ok
The Guardian app - nice app, I set it to sync every morning then read it on the train
eBay app - very well made app and really useful if you buy/sell stuff

3) Loads to know, but just enjoy finding your way around. Android is excellent.

Rusty!

Don't install a task killer. Waste of time.

Yes you can kill some running apps, but a) Android will do this as and when it needs to and b) they'll just load up again anyway.

Read this: http://androidspin.com/2010/05/25/why-you-dont-need-a-task-killer-app-with-android/

LE3

thanks BlueC & Quiff - I will look into those.
All further suggestions very much appreciated!

cubegame

Four big tips from me

1) Ignore thegoodman. That user is the biggest iphone fan boy around. I'm sure he will be hear again later peddling rubbish about malware.

2) Install titanium backup and buy the pro key.

3) Take a look at Tasker.....the android killer app IMO.

LE3

cubegame wrote: »

Four big tips from me

1) Ignore thegoodman. That user is the biggest iphone fan boy around. I'm sure he will be hear again later peddling rubbish about malware.

2) Install titanium backup and buy the pro key.

3) Take a look at Tasker.....the android killer app IMO.

I looked at Titanium Backup - but I'm not sure what it actually does ... can you explain? I have my contacts backed up and have linked to my Google Calendar - what else do I need to be backing up?
What is Tasker for? Again I can't work it out from the description I've found online!

Rusty!

Titanium Backup backs up literally everything. Every app, every setting etc

thegoodman

cubegame wrote: »

about malware.

.

The OP and others only need to refer to the news below:
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2189104/android-malware-quadrupled-quarter-trend-micro

Google's market place Google Play was also breached this past quarter, with 17 malicious apps downloaded over 700,000 times before they were spotted and removed from the web site.
Why would Google need to wait for 700,000 downloads before removing them?

Are you saying OP should not be made aware of malware when 700,000 people have downloaded the malicious apps just from Google Play?

Do you want op to be 700,001?

What would you get out of this?

Its unlikely for everone to be making things up about malware.

indesisiv

Titanium Backup is only really useful if you have root. As a new android user thats not really an issue at the moment. Make sure that your contacts, calendar etc are synced with google.

Quickpic is one of my most useful apps.
Also i use smart keyboard pro as it is my favourite keyboard (its nice to be able to change the skin)
Must say that i also use go launcher and go sms to for the same sort of reason, its nice to have a unique looking phone.

Just get yourself onto the play store and read the reviews and editors pics. If it sounds useful try it. You can always remove an app if you don't find it useful.

EDIT: Task killers will end up using more battery power than not using them (certainly since android 2.3) let android take care of the multitasking and memory management.

thegoodman

You can try most apps. Way to avoid malware apps is to look at the app access rights. Say for example if weather app need to send a text message or make a call think twice before installing the app and ask your self why would app need to send text messages out. May be check with app developer by email to find out why would app need to do that or search the Google to make sure app is not malware.
Use the common sense, check access rights and read reviews. As long as you follow that you will be ok.

My post may not be what Android fanboys like to read, it is for newcomer to make them aware of pro and con of the os which I think is the right thing to do.