Ex iPhone users support, tips, and overall new experience thread

[vracer]

I've had this phone for a bit over 24 hours now, and my wall is full of dents where I have thrown the phone in disgust. I think I have finally gotten it up and operating now. It is still frustrating to stumble around partially blind on where to find things. I still hit the ringer volume when typing. I think the on/off sw. is too easy to operate. I've had "stuff" happen when the phone is going in my pocket.
It's been an interesting experiment which I'll probably continue for a couple of weeks. I'm think I have an open mind, but keeping the iPhone 4 until the 5 comes out is still an attractive option.

 

[vracer]

FWIW - I did the AT&T Ready2Go app this morning. I bought the phone at an AT&T store yesterday, and the salesman did quite a bit of setup for me, but that may have messed up the Ready2Go app. I got a yellow warning triangle, and it would not finish, but it did install some apps.

Since this is more computer than phone, an installation program doesn't get completed is scary. I called tech support, and got someone who has never seen a 'rocket. Eventually she said I should do a hard reset, (remove battery). She said this would remove any incomplete installations.

Question: Prior to the hard reset I had a small red dot (<1/4 inch) in the upper left corner of the screen; it was small enough that it was hard to notice. There was a number in it that changed occasionally as I played with the phone. It went away after the reset, and has not reappeared.
Tech had no idea what it was. Do you?

Minor annoyance: To silence the ringer, you have to turn the phone on, then swipe, then adjust, then turn off. It's more complicated to turn it back on because you have to adjust the volume.

One thing I really like is that it seems to be a better PHONE the the iPhone. Driving through areas where my iPhone, and my wife's Blackberry, always lose signal, this has 5 bars.

 

[mhx]

Just figured I would chime in an leave a few comments about my new Skyrocket.

Background: I am a long time iPhone user and this is my first android device. I came from an Iphone 4. You know what really pissed me off about the iphone4? When the iphone4 came out and you couldnt upload 720p vidoes to youtube (they later fixed this, but it took a while). A-JOKE if I ever saw one.

When the iphone 4s came out it was a huge disappointment in terms of specs. Apple seems to be struggling with rolling out the best and latest and greatest.

Getting used to android didnt take long. I got all tingly inside with all the extra freedom and choices!

Samsung makes a the best screens and it shows. The screen size & 4G LTE speeds are all you need to forgot about your iphone4 or iphone4s. Cause lets face it, the 4s was a money maker. Not a real hardware upgrade, right SIRI?


Pros vs iphone4:

• The first thing you will notice the screen. BAM in you face its huge. Its bright, its just eats the iphone screen for lunch.
• The 2nd thing you will notice is how fast the phone zips around menus, loads programs etc.
• The 3rd thing you will see is the 4g LTE speeds are what phones needed 3 yrs ago!
• Good form factor. Very thin, Huge Screen
• More Freedom and choices with android customization.
• Plays Mkv videos files without hassle
• Easier to transfer videos/pics via USB
• Home screen Widgets
• Its nice to be ahead of the TECH curve instead of 1yr behind
• I can take my battery out.
• I can put a MicroSD card in. No way? I am still in shock

Cons:

• The only bad thing about the skyrocket is battery life. The truth of the matter is you find yourself using the phone more vs the small/slow iphone4. I am seeing a full day with avg/normal use. When I cant put it down the battery drains rather fast. With a charger at work, home, car its not that big of deal for me cause power is always near by as I dont travel for work much at all.

• IRIS isn't as accurate and advanced as SIRI (YET). But most people I talk to who have siri only use it to send text msgs or compose emails. Android has the built into the your home screen. Asking SIRI drunk questions for humor lasts what 15mins?
• No ICS
  

I am sure this isnt all the pros/cons.. But its what Ive noticed in a week of ownership. Enjoy my post


Thanks for reading
-mhx

 

[vracer]

Day Three Report:
This was my first day with approx. normal use to test battery. I have about 60% remaining. That's pretty good! 2X Battery App says that I used 24% on the phone, 20% on the screen, 20% Android, 12% standby, etc.
I like the phone a lot, but Android, learning how to manage battery useage, & the app store have not been easy. Yesterday I down loaded a couple of apps, and got the "Virus alert" spam. When I look at the access I have to give the writers of apps, it scares the h*ll out of me. It makes me think I have to wear a raincoat over a prophylactic before venturing there again.
BTW, The red circles I asked about in a previous post showed up when I downloaded the two apps. I deleted both apps as soon as I got the (hopefully) false virus alert. I was not able to uninstall them. On a regular cmptr. delete & uninstall are not the same. Are they really gone? (The red circles went away after the deletion.)

 

[Mr. Ed]

Stickied in an effort to help others new to Android

 

[Brody wan]

What is up forum? I just switched from a iPhone 3GS to a Skyrocket. I have honestly been wanting to switch to android for a while, just really loved my iPhone and up until the Evo there was no phone I thought could replace my 3GS. But my 3GS finally died on dec 5 2011 the back light wont turn on at all.

So I had an upgrade and really wanted a android phone, and i have to say I'm very happy I made the switch. The 4g LTE is FAST way better then i thought it would be. Call reception; My iPhone had the worst reception the SR has beautiful call quality and reception in any store or building.

As far as learning the android software, sucked for the first hour or so till i found the menu key dose something different for every app. now I'm in complete control of my phone and loving it.

The one big problem is I've had the phone for 3-days, and I fully charged it after I killed the first day I got it. Charged it over night, and day 2 stayed at 100% all day until it died. Then it wouldn't charge with the wall outlet I had to plug it into the computer to get it to turn on. Kinda sucks it's recharging right now, someone did say just rebooting the phone displays the correct battery % Hope it doesn't become a major issue.

Because other then that I love the Phone and Android.

 

[Mr. Ed]

The one big problem is I've had the phone for 3-days, and I fully charged it after I killed the first day I got it. Charged it over night, and day 2 stayed at 100% all day until it died. Then it wouldn't charge with the wall outlet I had to plug it into the computer to get it to turn on. Kinda sucks it's recharging right now, someone did say just rebooting the phone displays the correct battery % Hope it doesn't become a major issue.

Because other then that I love the Phone and Android.

Welcome to Android!

As for the charging issue we do have a thread going on that
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...dit-my-skyrocket-has-battery-meter-issue.html

Feel free to follow our progress there. Currently I believe it is the 1a chargers that are causing the issue but I am still experimenting.

 

[lovemagnet]

I had a 3GS and my wife has IPhone 4. I use the phone more and more for business as well as pics and videos of the kids. I wanted a fast phone. I got it! The Chicago area has the network via ATT to get up to speed. I am old @46 and not a gadget geek, so I am still learning the ins and outs. Overall, I am a happy camper

 

[radman2020]

found a great app that mimics Iphone notifications..both the big box and the banner.

Iphone notification

get it. enjoy it.

 

[vracer]

He's not happy??? He got a free phone, you paid him 500 Loonies, & HE"S not happy?

 

[vice86]

My bro dropped his iPhone 4...rather than fix it, he was due for an upgrade and got the Sky Rocket. I'm still on a 3GS waiting for the "perfect" phone and messed with his Sky Rocket for about an hour last night. OMG, i now hate my 3GS and can't wait to get an Android phone. I love how much you can do with the customization. Going back to my iPhone, it felt so...i can't explain it but...just how it looks is how it looks. And the 3.5" screen is so tiny to me now.

I'd love to order a Sky Rocket today but wondering if there's anything due out in a few weeks that's worth waiting for.

 

[ADRz]

I've had this phone for a bit over 24 hours now, and my wall is full of dents where I have thrown the phone in disgust. I think I have finally gotten it up and operating now. It is still frustrating to stumble around partially blind on where to find things. I still hit the ringer volume when typing. I think the on/off sw. is too easy to operate. I've had "stuff" happen when the phone is going in my pocket.
It's been an interesting experiment which I'll probably continue for a couple of weeks. I'm think I have an open mind, but keeping the iPhone 4 until the 5 comes out is still an attractive option.

Wow, what a tale!!! I guess that when is used in one way of doing things, one has difficulties changing. It is obvious that over a period of time you built habits with your finger movements that need to be abandoned or reshaped for a new phone.

I, of course, do not touch anything with an Apple logo, so I do not have difficulty in moving from one system to another. In fact, I find the on/off switch in the phone perfectly placed. Furthermore, once you get the hang of Touchwiz, this phone is endlessly customizable.

 

[ADRz]

I'd love to order a Sky Rocket today but wondering if there's anything due out in a few weeks that's worth waiting for.

I do not see anything dramatically new in a few weeks. At the end of next quarter, AT&T may introduce a couple of ICS phones (including an ICS Skyrocket) but the Skyrocket is slated to get this update too. Of the current three LTE offerings by AT&T (Skyrocket, Vivid, Nitro), the Skyrocket seems to have the edge (at least in reviews). However, you should examine the other phones too to see if you have any personal preference that cannot be accounted by points in reviews.

 

[cruzzinlow]

I am currently on the iphone 4s but i also have the galaxy s2 white international. I have also tried many other android phones, dell streak, samsung captivate, 2 months on verizon on the thunderbolt and more recently 2 weeks on the verizon HTC Rezound. Every time i end up back on the iphone. I love the galaxy s2, the SAMOLED plus screen is amazing, but i do a lot of video streaming (netflix, hulu plus, hbogo, maxgo, crackle..) all of the android phones even the rezound with its 1280x720 screen couldnt hold a candle to the video quality on the iphone, the videos look so pixilated and compressed on all the androids compared to the iphone.. Its always a deal breaker for me. I am interested in getting the Skyrocket but just know i will end up back on the iphone because of the streaming video quality. Why are the streaming apps so much better on ios?

 

[Empr1ze]

The ability to watch Flashes flashing girls flashing their flashy flashizzles.

On a larger screen.

With fast 4G speed.

And dual-core processors..

 

[vice86]

I do not see anything dramatically new in a few weeks. At the end of next quarter, AT&T may introduce a couple of ICS phones (including an ICS Skyrocket) but the Skyrocket is slated to get this update too. Of the current three LTE offerings by AT&T (Skyrocket, Vivid, Nitro), the Skyrocket seems to have the edge (at least in reviews). However, you should examine the other phones too to see if you have any personal preference that cannot be accounted by points in reviews.

If the SR had a 4.65" HD(1280 x 720) Super AMOLED screen...i'd be at ATT this second.

 

[answer1o1]

FWIW - I did the AT&T Ready2Go app this morning. I bought the phone at an AT&T store yesterday, and the salesman did quite a bit of setup for me, but that may have messed up the Ready2Go app. I got a yellow warning triangle, and it would not finish, but it did install some apps.

Since this is more computer than phone, an installation program doesn't get completed is scary. I called tech support, and got someone who has never seen a 'rocket. Eventually she said I should do a hard reset, (remove battery). She said this would remove any incomplete installations.

Question: Prior to the hard reset I had a small red dot (<1/4 inch) in the upper left corner of the screen; it was small enough that it was hard to notice. There was a number in it that changed occasionally as I played with the phone. It went away after the reset, and has not reappeared.
Tech had no idea what it was. Do you?

Minor annoyance: To silence the ringer, you have to turn the phone on, then swipe, then adjust, then turn off. It's more complicated to turn it back on because you have to adjust the volume.

One thing I really like is that it seems to be a better PHONE the the iPhone. Driving through areas where my iPhone, and my wife's Blackberry, always lose signal, this has 5 bars.

You can hold the sleep button anytime anywhere and put the phone in silent from there.

 

[702]

I had to download the zedge app, and set it through that- now it works.

 

[radman2020]

I need to be able to reach in my pocket and turn off the sound. There are times when you just can't take the phone out and futz with it. I loved that I could flip a switch on the iphone in my pocket and feel the confirmatory vibration. THERE HAS GOT to be an app that allows me to do that with one of the hard buttons on the galaxy...but I can't find it. They are all widgets or apps that I have to unlock the phone for. PLEASE someone develop this or tell me where there is one.

One other pet peeve. The "home" button is not a real button and it isn't lit up... so I can't see it or feel it. I miss that!

 

[radman2020]

I need to be able to reach in my pocket and turn off the sound. There are times when you just can't take the phone out and futz with it. I loved that I could flip a switch on the iphone in my pocket and feel the confirmatory vibration. THERE HAS GOT to be an app that allows me to do that with one of the hard buttons on the galaxy...but I can't find it. They are all widgets or apps that I have to unlock the phone for. PLEASE someone develop this or tell me where there is one.

One other pet peeve. The "home" button is not a real button and it isn't lit up... so I can't see it or feel it. I miss that!

 

[radman2020]

I need to be able to reach in my pocket and turn off the sound (on my galaxy s2). There are times when you just can't take the phone out and futz with it. I loved that I could flip a switch on the iphone in my pocket and feel the confirmatory vibration. THERE HAS GOT to be an app that allows me to do that with one of the hard buttons on the galaxy...but I can't find it. They are all widgets or apps that I have to unlock the phone for. PLEASE someone develop this or tell me where there is one.

One other pet peeve. The "home" button is not a real button and it isn't lit up... so I can't see it or feel it. I miss that!

 

[mark86a]

silent toogle widget works great

 

[radman2020]

Thanks.. That widget..and any widget, requires me to take the phone out of my pocket, unlock, and then activate widget. I need to be able to reach into my pocket and just flip pnone sound off... or confirm off. There are places it is rude to take out the phone...but ruder to have it go off..

 

[jerofld]

You can get widgetlocker lockscreen. Then it'd be an easy swipe to set the phone to silence on the lock screen. (I'm kinda surprised the stock Sammy lockscreen doesn't have this?)

As for your home key...sounds like you have a defective LED. While I don't have a Sammy device, I'm pretty sure that is supposed to be lit.

 

[Sierra255]

To change the lighting settings on the capacitive buttons - from the home screen, press the menu key, then settings. Next, go to Display settings. At the bottom of the screen (about halfway down the total length of the page) is where you change the setting for the 'Touch key light duration'. When you get the phone, it's set to either '1.5 seconds' or 'Always off'.