Android Noob coming from Windows

[Speed_419]

Hello all, I have been reading the site for a month or two now because I knew that I would be pulling the trigger and getting myself an Android phone soon. Well, I am happy to say that today is that day!

After reading, and reading, and reading I have a few questions that I would like to pose for the forum. First off, like I said I am coming from Windows based smartphones and have been flashing them for quite some time so I don't consider myself a complete idiot. (I could be wrong.. ) For me, Microsoft just took to long and I wasn't willing to wait any longer. For what it is worth, in the 5-6 hours that I have played with my phone I can honestly say that it was a great decision on my part! If anyone is in my position, take the leap. I can promise you that from what I have seen so far, it is well worth it.

After reading, I have decided that rooting the phone will come after Froyo is released. From what I understand, it shouldn't be 'to' long and I don't want to risk missing the update because I mess something up. I have installed Google Voice which seems to be quite cool and might be able to save me $10-15 a month in text messaging fees. (Not sure yet due to flexibility and ease of use, but I do like what I see so far.) I also like how I can bypass Verizon's voicemail service as well. I have also downloaded Google Maps and am trying to come up with a layout that I am happy with. Big change from HTC's Sense UI so it will take me a while.

What I would like to know from all of you is where the hell I should start? There is just sooo much in the Marketplace to download and try out that it is all a little overwhelming to be honest. I have made a list of programs to try, but that list now includes over 50 programs which is still a lot to think about. If you all could kind of point me in the direction you yourself would start, I would greatly appreciate it. Not sure where you are going to send me, but after stepping over the edge I want to fly so send me where you will.

Thanks for all that you have contributed so far, I hope to be able to do the same once I start to get a grasp of this new thing called Android...
Speed...

 

[Alrg]

I did the exact same thing as you, used flashed windows phones for a long time, then came to droid, and it was a great move.
There is a lot of stuff in the market, just start playing around and find what works with you for what you want, it just wouldn't be right to tell you, use this program, when there is such a variety. Launchers are good for changing the layout of your home screens, widgets can be helpful, depending on what you want. I don't really know what to tell you that would be helpful in just a general sort of way except play around, thats what i did.
1 little hint tho, make a google maps widget with the starting point as your current location, and the ending point your house, that way, no matter where you are, you can just hit that, and it will show you how to get home.
Let me know what your looking for, and I'll see what I can do to help you.

 

[esn]

I can't believe Windows came out with a new device again Android is the future and will be the number one operating system very soon. Good luck with your new phone!

 

[nitsuj17]

welcome! hope to see you around the fascinate forums

 

[lordofthereef]

I think it is tough to say where to start with apps, not really knowing what you are into. WHat sorts of things do you plan to do with your phone? An app that I use every day could be an app that you consider a waste of your time.

 

[lunatic59]

Best place to start is to Google the top list of Android Apps. You'll find a lot of different recommendations buy there will be common apps that may or may not be of interest. You will do best to search by category like productivity, games, communications, etc. And check out AppBrain Android Market - find the best Android Apps and Games

One word of caution. You may see a lot of references and recommendations for task killers. DO NOT USE ONE at least until you've had the chance to read this article.

Android Task Killers Explained: What They Do and Why You Shouldn't Use Them

 

[jroc]

Yea its hard to say where to start. Launchers are great. I dont know if you would want to use one on the Fascinate tho.

I have a Droid X. I NEED a 3rd party launcher to make my phone better...lol.

So probably a good starting point is see if you like the Fascinate like it is or would you like a 3rd party launcher.

Look at file managers, especially ones that let you transfer files back n forth from your PC over Wifi.

Try different web browsers just to see if you like something better than the stock one.

I good idea is to peak in the Fascinate forum and see what others have done as far as apps.

 

[lunatic59]

Look at file managers, especially ones that let you transfer files back n forth from your PC over Wifi. .

ES File Explorer - Android app on AppBrain is a good free one.

 

[Speed_419]

I did the exact same thing as you, used flashed windows phones for a long time, then came to droid, and it was a great move.
There is a lot of stuff in the market, just start playing around and find what works with you for what you want, it just wouldn't be right to tell you, use this program, when there is such a variety. Launchers are good for changing the layout of your home screens, widgets can be helpful, depending on what you want. I don't really know what to tell you that would be helpful in just a general sort of way except play around, thats what i did.
1 little hint tho, make a google maps widget with the starting point as your current location, and the ending point your house, that way, no matter where you are, you can just hit that, and it will show you how to get home.
Let me know what your looking for, and I'll see what I can do to help you.

+1 on the Google Maps Widget! It definitely makes it easier..

I can't believe Windows came out with a new device again Android is the future and will be the number one operating system very soon. Good luck with your new phone!

You can't blame them for trying.. Heck, that is why they are trying to cramp our style with putting Bing on the Fascinate!. They need exposure badly and have missed the boat like no other. Heck, it has been just over 24 hours and I can already tell you I don't miss my Touch Pro 2. I use to think it was tough to beat, but not anymore....

welcome! hope to see you around the fascinate forums

You can count on it!.. On every night so far.

I think it is tough to say where to start with apps, not really knowing what you are into. WHat sorts of things do you plan to do with your phone? An app that I use every day could be an app that you consider a waste of your time.

That is a great point and it completely skipped my mind when I started this post. I plan on using it for navigation (Google), social networking (Facebook and Tweetcaster for Twitter), obviously phone calls (trying Google Voice integration), if I can set it up like my Windows phone I will also use it for all my scheduling (currently trying Jorte with Google Calendar integration), news (trying Newser, Engadget, CNET News, Bloomberg, Falcons News, and Fluent News right now), checking out the Kindle app, LOVE Angry Birds, Google Sky, Directv App. Dropbox app is cool and you can't forget about Pandora or YouTube. I am seriously looking forward to Froyo so that I can root it and get rid of all of Verizon's bloatware. It is already starting to drive me nuts! I also want to integrate the circle battery icon on the taskbar, but I need to be rooted for that. Also need Froyo to use the car mounting unit which I plan on purchasing so that I can have ready access to Pandora and Google Maps. Still can't believe that didn't work at time of release. I thought Samsung usually had their sh1t together, but then again they did let Microsoft mess it up with Bing. I know you can't trust Verizon for anything but a working network..
I will probably end up trying some different launchers and I would really like to find a nice weather widget or app that updates on its own. That was one thing that I loved about Sense UI was the weather and clock integration.

ES File Explorer - Android app on AppBrain is a good free one.

Downloading it as soon as I get done typing this! Thanks for the tip. I have been wondering what I should use for file transfers. I have been using Dropbox, but even when I transfer pics, I can't make them my background. They are jpg so I don't know what is going on there.?!. 960x400 right?..

Oh, and on a side note, when I visited Android Central Forum on my new phone, (after first coming here,) I noticed that they suggested an app for forums. Do any of you use it? If so, does it work on this forum as well and does it make it easier to surf the forums? I plan on customizing the heck out of the UI like I did my TP2. It wasn't even the same phone when I was finished and I even made the people at Verizon jealous. Hope to again be able to do that..

You all rock, thank you all soo much for all of your help!.. Couldn't ask for a better group of people to get support from. I hope to be passing on the knowledge to someone in my situation soon!
Speed...

 

[Speed_419]

Oh, one more thing I was hoping to be able to do if possible was monitor my blog I have on blogger.com. Do any of you know of an app that lets me do that? Sorry for this, but you can check it out at www.shivsrants.com I know that is a shameful plug, but I thought it 'might' be fitting since we are discussing it.
Speed...

 

[Bnice]

@Speed,did you try the new WP7? and if you did, what was about it you didn't like?

 

[Speed_419]

@Speed,did you try the new WP7? and if you did, what was about it you didn't like?

No, I didn't try the new version. I use Verizon and it isn't available yet for their network..(Shocking.) I have done some looking into the phone and have been reading a lot about it though. I just felt that the openness that Android has was being lost in the new Windows version. I could be wrong about that, but I didn't want to take the chance when I knew it was open with Android.
Speed...

 

[lunatic59]

Oh, and on a side note, when I visited Android Central Forum on my new phone, (after first coming here,) I noticed that they suggested an app for forums. Do any of you use it?

If you are referring to Tapatalk, sadly no, it will no longer work for these forums for security reasons. Rumor was that AF was developing their own app, but I haven't seen it yet.