The first thing I would do is...

[Chief7]

Here's the deal - my Hero SHOULD arrive Saturday (it's been 8 days already!) and there are a WHOLE lot of you that have significantly more experience than me - MUCH more!

So, what would be the first two or three things that you would do or applications that you would add to your phone? Don't talk to me about ROOTing it - hey, I'm a middle aged, retired Fire Chief that does consulting. Do you really think I'm going to ROOT my phone? But since many (most) of you have been using this phone since October you have a pretty good handle on what needs to be done early to ensure that I get the most out of the experience. I appreciate your insight.

 

[vw driver]

Of course it all depends on what you want to do with the phone. If I were starting over, knowing what I do now (had the Hero a Month), I'd go to the market and download "Sound Manager" so I can schedule all sounds--alarm volume, ringer volume, etc, from one spot, and go there to make temporary changes as the need arises. Then I'd download "Calwidget". It isn't quite as pretty as the HTC calander display, but its dead on accurate. Maybe after 2.1 we can revert.

Even before the phone arrives you can get Google Calandar and a GMail account on your computer, and load up e-mail and phone no. for your contacts. When you activate the phone, and go to Android market, it will ask for your GMail account, and sync all your contacts.

Thats what I'd do. BTW if your calandar consists of "go fishing" for every day, you probably won't need to input that. ha. Enjoy your retirement, and the new Hero.

 

[Chief7]

Of course it all depends on what you want to do with the phone.

Good point - I am essentially using it for contact information & calendar for appointments & scheduling, phone calls (some of you DO make calls with it, right?) and email & text messages. A little Facebook and maybe a game or two for while I'm waiting for the plane. But, it has to be better than my Blackberry - right?

Even before the phone arrives you can get Google Calandar and a GMail account on your computer, and load up e-mail and phone no. for your contacts. When you activate the phone, and go to Android market, it will ask for your GMail account, and sync all your contacts.

Done - I've synched my Outlook Calendar with the Google Calendar and my contacts are in both places, as well. I think we're ready to fire it up when it arrives and have all my data there.

Thats what I'd do. BTW if your calandar consists of "go fishing" for every day, you probably won't need to input that. ha. Enjoy your retirement, and the new Hero.

Thanks for your insight!

 

[illogic6]

It sounds like you've done just about as much as you can do for now.

The nice thing about Android, and more specifically the Hero, is that you should be able to do everything you mentioned above with the software that comes stock.

One of the things that I've definitely enjoyed about this phone is being able to kill time browsing through the App Market and trying out what's available. I use my phone for things I couldn't fathom before. (Currently studying for the Comptia A+ Cert exam with the Hero.)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the phone once it shows.

 

[Chief7]

It sounds like you've done just about as much as you can do for now.

The nice thing about Android, and more specifically the Hero, is that you should be able to do everything you mentioned above with the software that comes stock.

I appreciate the sentiments. I've read several threads about the stock SMS app causing some lag & battery drain. They've suggested - after considerable experimentation - that you use Handcent or Chomp and don't even start the stock app. But I think I'll probably follow a lot of your recommendation. Thanks!

 

[illogic6]

Sprint pushed out an update recently that fixed the battery drain issue with the stock sms app. It used to not allow the phone to sleep properly, but that has been resolved.

If you haven't already, you certainly could take this time to pick up the accessories you'll need for your phone. Chances are you'll want a larger memory card right off the bat. I picked up a class 4, 8gb micro sd card for $17 at the local electronics store yesterday.

 

[Chief7]

Thanks, illogic6. Just when you think you've read them all... that makes me feel better about the stock stuff.

 

[mylinuxbox]

Get dolphin browser. Would not use calwidget, I have tried that one and found it far less functional than Android agenda widget. The only other thing I would get is Quick Settings.

All the stock apps are excellent on my hero.

 

[Chief7]

I've read that others think Dolphin is better, too. And thanks for the tip on calwidget. Quick Settings is not one I've heard of before. We'll check it out - and thanks a bunch!

 

[HTCHero203]

I am sad for you cause you getting your hero in the mail, i am getting mine in stores. we cant proof anything about delivery, shipping etc. all we need to do is go to the sprint store and get the hero right in our hands and we are set for the day.

We can call it a day since we have it

I've read that others think Dolphin is better, too. And thanks for the tip on calwidget. Quick Settings is not one I've heard of before. We'll check it out - and thanks a bunch!

 

[Chief7]

I am sad for you cause you getting your hero in the mail, i am getting mine in stores. we cant proof anything about delivery, shipping etc. all we need to do is go to the sprint store and get the hero right in our hands and we are set for the day.

We can call it a day since we have it

Yeah, that's a bitXh! But I'm not due for an upgrade from my BB for about 6 months and I'm too impatient to wait! And, yet, here I sit - waiting!! But, I'm gathering a LOT of info from nice folks like you who are willing to share!

 

[Capt.De57]

Chief, I would only do a few things to your new phone right know, be patient and wait for the 2.0 update in a month or so. I would change the camera settings for the iso from 100 to 400. Don't use a task manager. I got the app. AK notepad for quick notes and reminders. You will need a G-mail account to down load apps. The only other thing I did was ,I turned off Wifi and bluetooth and only turn them on when I need them. My Wife had a blackberry and like that, but likes the hero better. Enjoy your retirement, I have a few years to go yet.

 

[Chief7]

Chief, I would only do a few things to your new phone right know, be patient and wait for the 2.0 update in a month or so. I would change the camera settings for the iso from 100 to 400. Don't use a task manager. I got the app. AK notepad for quick notes and reminders. You will need a G-mail account to down load apps. The only other thing I did was ,I turned off Wifi and bluetooth and only turn them on when I need them. My Wife had a blackberry and like that, but likes the hero better. Enjoy your retirement, I have a few years to go yet.

Thanks, Capt! (hey, what does the "De57" stand for?) I have a gmail account and have been trying to get it ready for the Hero. You gave me some good info and it is appreciated. I'm getting good info, here - maybe we should make this a sticky! I'll take a look at the AK - I do lots of notes and voice memos on my Tour now so I need something to keep me going on the Hero. And I',m afraid my wife is going to want my Hero, too! She's a teacher and loves that 'visual' stuff!

Stay safe, Capt!

 

[Capt.De57]

Thanks, Capt! (hey, what does the "De57" stand for?) I have a gmail account and have been trying to get it ready for the Hero. You gave me some good info and it is appreciated. I'm getting good info, here - maybe we should make this a sticky! I'll take a look at the AK - I do lots of notes and voice memos on my Tour now so I need something to keep me going on the Hero. And I',m afraid my wife is going to want my Hero, too! She's a teacher and loves that 'visual' stuff!

Stay safe, Capt!

The D is the first letter of my last name. The e is for engine and my engine number is 57.

 

[HTCHero203]

Why not, Just buy the hero and keep the BB, I'm sure you would be fine with that.

Yeah, that's a bitXh! But I'm not due for an upgrade from my BB for about 6 months and I'm too impatient to wait! And, yet, here I sit - waiting!! But, I'm gathering a LOT of info from nice folks like you who are willing to share!

 

[Chief7]

The D is the first letter of my last name. The e is for engine and my engine number is 57.

I figured that it was Engine 57 but in my post / pre Holiday stupor I didn't read it close enough... Captain D on E57 - got it!! Thanks, Capt!

 

[Chief7]

Why not, Just buy the hero and keep the BB, I'm sure you would be fine with that.

I'm not quite sure of the logic of your post, but I think I'm WAY beyond wanting to carry TWO devices. I got past that in the Nextel & Sprint split days. No, I'd just as soon have one device that meets all (re: MOST) of my needs in one, small, attractive bundle. Think of it like a pretty blond.

 

[vw driver]

Well, its Saturday evening and you haven't posted for a while. You are either too busy playing (hope thats the case) or depressed cause it didn't arrive today. ha.


The great thing about Android is you can download, try, and keep or discard lots of aps. After following your thread, I thought, oh, maybe I should be using Android Agenda, so I installed it, and my personal pref. is to go back to Calwigit, so thats what I did. No money spent in trying new things. You may prefer Agenda.

Let us know when your phone arrives and what your thoughts on it are.

 

[Chief7]

That's funny VW! Yes I've been busy testing the waters. I appreciate you checking in on me. This is actually the 1st text message. Way to go! I'll report back soon

 

[DFRESH]

ROOT IT! j/k

I rooted my Hero due to the fact many of the stock apps were useless to me..

Apps I recommend for your Hero, Astro File Manager, Places Dir, Super Fast Uninstaller, Tip Calculator by IStockManager, Finance by Google Inc. and I can't think of other useful apps...

 

[vw driver]

I also recommend Weather Bug Elite, it costs $2.99, but is well worth it. Moving radar, extended forecast, weather alerts, and photo of the area. You can select additional cities, and see all the above info for any of them. I have Accuweather and Radar Now, but weather bug is my favorite. You can download the free version and see if you like it, but you get advertisements on the screen.

John

 

[Chief7]

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to look at several of them and see what works. I sure worked it hard today!! I've got to figure out how to do a restart now - I've had so many things going that I'm sure it's got a dozen programs running!

 

[DanDroid]

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to look at several of them and see what works. I sure worked it hard today!! I've got to figure out how to do a restart now - I've had so many things going that I'm sure it's got a dozen programs running!

While the device is powered on..

Press and hold green talk button + menu button, then press red hangup button. Device will restart.