Do you have a tip/trick for ICS? Post it here.

[mvigil101]

Thanks for the tip. Mine doesn't work that way. I am using Swype, Swiftkey, and Android keyboards. When I need to change input methods I have to pull down the status bar and tap input method from there. I find the text prediction in SwiftKey phenomenal but I like the cursor controls available in Swype. Now if I could only get a version of Swype that works in landscape mode........

I had Swype on my Samsung Omina II and I loved it. When i finally got my Gnex today after some ordering confusion with VZW it was weird getting usedmto old school texting again. Swype works on Ice Cream Sandwich? I thought it would be a while before there would be a version that would work on the Gnex?

 

[mistermojorizi]

It absolutely DOES close the app.. but only if it doesn't currently have an active Service running (For example, Google Music playing in the background).

Try this example - Open Pandora and let it start playing a song, hit the Home button, open the Browser, now press the button to switch apps and swipe Pandora off the screen. The music will continue to play and the app will remain loaded as if it had no effect (which it doesn't).

Go back to the Home screen

Now try opening Pandora and hit the pause button (which will stop the Service), now hit the Home button, open the Browser, then press the button to switch apps and swipe Pandora off the screen, now go and reopen Pandora and it will completely reload and begin playing a different song (which only happens if Pandora is officially closed).

I've tested this in a few different ways and it seems to always rely on whether an app is currently using a Service or not.

thank you, i've heard people repeating that it doesn't and then cite as their source just other people saying that it doesn't...no one has ever pointed to anything official that says it doesn't close the app.

 

[MoPhoMan]

Here is one tip I noticed tonight and then learned another tip when looking into it...

After sharing a picture from the gallery, the icon for the program you used appears next to the share symbol as a shortcut for next time (like Twitter, for example). Pretty cool. But if you have another program you prefer to use (Like the default SMS) you can set a default shortcut by long-pressing the shortcut icon and chose whichever program you wish.

 

[mistermojorizi]

2 questions

1. i noticed there are text to speech settings under language and input. how do you use text to speech? that is, how do you get the phone to read things aloud to you?

2. is there a program that would allow one to reduce the minimum brightness? i find it is too bright in the dark

 

[gotwillk]

not sure if this has been mentioned or people just know this already but you can drag and drop video files onto the phone and play it with mx video player from the market. even 720p mkv files.

i can watch all my downloaded 720p mkv tv shows without need for converting now. coming from a Droid 1, this is a huge deal for me.

 

[xGalaxyNexusx]

It absolutely DOES close the app.. but only if it doesn't currently have an active Service running (For example, Google Music playing in the background).

Try this example - Open Pandora and let it start playing a song, hit the Home button, open the Browser, now press the button to switch apps and swipe Pandora off the screen. The music will continue to play and the app will remain loaded as if it had no effect (which it doesn't).

Go back to the Home screen

Now try opening Pandora and hit the pause button (which will stop the Service), now hit the Home button, open the Browser, then press the button to switch apps and swipe Pandora off the screen, now go and reopen Pandora and it will completely reload and begin playing a different song (which only happens if Pandora is officially closed).

I've tested this in a few different ways and it seems to always rely on whether an app is currently using a Service or not.

I tried explaining that to people in another thread, but I don't think they understood what I meant. Thank God someone else who can actually give an explanation realized the same thing, lol. Don't be mad if I copy and paste what you just said, lol (don't worry, I'll give credit) haha =)

 

[xGalaxyNexusx]

Anyone have trouble with Nova Launcher? I was extremely excited to have some of the options that 4.0.2 had left out (i.e. app/widget access via long-press on homescreen, icon/tray alteration, etc etc etc) but now it's just getting to be a hassle. In 24 hours, I'm already experiencing numerous FC's, homescreen apps disappearing, general lag and mis-steps and the never ending loop of asking me which launcher I want when I press the home button (despite setting Nova as my default both on screen and in settings multiple times).

Now I admit, I'm using and customizing my phone a little more than I would normally, but these issues aren't isolated to heavy-use situations. I'm starting to wonder if I'd prefer the more limited, yet incredibly smooth, stock launcher just to avoid the hassle? I don't want to give up the ability to change the icons, but this is getting old already...

Any suggestions? Anyone having similar issues? Let me know. Thanks!! Also - does anyone know how to get the same Google search bar back that is on every screen of the stock launcher? It was acting up, so I slid it over to the X, but then when I went to put it back it was a different search bar. The original one is slim and clear where the one it puts back is thick and black. Thanks again!

 

[Member112085]

Anyone have trouble with Nova Launcher? I was extremely excited to have some of the options that 4.0.2 had left out (i.e. app/widget access via long-press on homescreen, icon/tray alteration, etc etc etc) but now it's just getting to be a hassle. In 24 hours, I'm already experiencing numerous FC's, homescreen apps disappearing, general lag and mis-steps and the never ending loop of asking me which launcher I want when I press the home button (despite setting Nova as my default both on screen and in settings multiple times).

Now I admit, I'm using and customizing my phone a little more than I would normally, but these issues aren't isolated to heavy-use situations. I'm starting to wonder if I'd prefer the more limited, yet incredibly smooth, stock launcher just to avoid the hassle? I don't want to give up the ability to change the icons, but this is getting old already...

Any suggestions? Anyone having similar issues? Let me know. Thanks!! Also - does anyone know how to get the same Google search bar back that is on every screen of the stock launcher? It was acting up, so I slid it over to the X, but then when I went to put it back it was a different search bar. The original one is slim and clear where the one it puts back is thick and black. Thanks again!

Maybe that launcher hasn't been optimized for 4.0? I like the stock launcher so much, I haven't even used another launcher yet, and I haven't used a stock launcher since the second week of my Android life.

 

[xGalaxyNexusx]

Maybe that launcher hasn't been optimized for 4.0? I like the stock launcher so much, I haven't even used another launcher yet, and I haven't used a stock launcher since the second week of my Android life.

Well, the only reason I use Nova over ADW or LauncherPro is because I love the stock launcher. Nova is exactly as same as the stock, however it adds features that users missed. At first glance you wouldn't even be able to tell the two apart, but as soon as you long-pressed on the wallpaper, you'd realize one of, if not the greatest of, the upgrades. It does have some downsides too (even when working perfectly). Currently the widget tray is only available to rooted users. Plus there are some smaller differences you start noticing as you play with it. But it's by far the best launcher available.... I just wish it worked better. I'm thinking I might have done something to screw it up... it was perfect right outta the gate. I'm gonna try getting rid of it and getting it back before I do anything else...

 

[LoBatt]

To force the browser to always show the desktop version of sites, type "about:debug" (omit the quotes) in the address bar of the browser. Nothing appears to happen but go to the settings menu for the browser and you'll see a new "debug" menu item. Go to "UAString" and select "Desktop."

Edit: This may be a big NVM. It works if the browser stays in debug mode but you get a java console message at the top of the browser. Typing "about:debug" a second time clears the java message but then the browser doesn't seem to force the desktop UAstring anymore. Going back into debug mode shows that the desktop UAstring is still selected so it seems this only works if you stay in debug mode.

One thing I did notice is that the Menu>Request desktop selection is unique to that browser window only. Open another browser window and it's unchecked by default. I couldn't figure out why that setting kept getting unchecked and thought the UAstring tip might fix it. I now realize I was opening multiple browser windows at times and the Menu>Request desktop site setting wasn't sticking.

So, NVM.

 

[PetiePal]

Thanks for this tip and mentioning that you can replace it at the icon too. I've been doing this for years and hoped that it was still gonna be possible.

I prefer password to open the phone, then Vmail and email, etc open already once I'm in.... makes it too cumbersome otherwise

No prob! I always got frustrated on my work Thunderbolt that I would input the pin too fast for Verizon to comprehend it so having it done automatically is boss.

 

[wedgemoose]

Sorry to ask a question here but you guys might know. I'm having problems transferring pic's from my PC to phone. The music was fast as lightning but a pic takes forever. I could use "drop box" but I have a million to do.

Am I doing something wrong? I don't know what that "no mass storage" thing means. Is that the reason I can't transfer my pics?

 

[pabbo]

2. Separating the ringtone from notifications- this took forever for me to figure out (perhaps I was missing something).
- Settings --> sounds--> notification set to silent
- d/l My Profiles and change the notification sounds to what I want for each profile

- This was rather important for me as I'm on call at night frequently and need my phone volume on but don't want to hear emails/texts

Sorry but could you help me out. How do I navigate "d/l My Profiles"?

Also, does Nexus have the ability to set up profiles such as Night, Office, etc where you program times of day and what notifications will sound for each one? I recall seeing a demo but it might have been the Razr which I considered before buying Nexus.

 

[WishinItWas]

Any suggestions? Anyone having similar issues? Let me know. Thanks!! Also - does anyone know how to get the same Google search bar back that is on every screen of the stock launcher?

]

Are you updated to the beta3? under nova setting through the app drawer there is a section for quick search bar, you can set it to landscape, always or never.

 

[MoPhoMan]

Sorry to ask a question here but you guys might know. I'm having problems transferring pic's from my PC to phone. The music was fast as lightning but a pic takes forever. I could use "drop box" but I have a million to do.

Am I doing something wrong? I don't know what that "no mass storage" thing means. Is that the reason I can't transfer my pics?

All my photos in Picasa are automatically added to my phone. You could try that.

 

[CharlzO]

Can't really say it's a tip or trick, but didn't figure I needed a whole new thread on it. One thing that I noticed when I got a phone call the other day...is that when locked, and the phone rings, the lock circle vibrates. Ok, cool. Um...which direction to I go to answer? It doesn't tell you until you touch it. They really could add even just a green and red dot to each side just for the people who aren't used to it, to know which way to go!

 

[Techno Tonis]

Does anyone know if there is a trick like holding up or down on the volume rocker to change a song while it's playing, and or how to enable that feature?

That would make my morning commute a lot easier

 

[Dubbin1]

The only problem I have had with it is the wallpaper sometimes going off center.

 

[xGalaxyNexusx]

Sorry to ask a question here but you guys might know. I'm having problems transferring pic's from my PC to phone. The music was fast as lightning but a pic takes forever. I could use "drop box" but I have a million to do.

Am I doing something wrong? I don't know what that "no mass storage" thing means. Is that the reason I can't transfer my pics?

Anyone transferring anything to or from their phone needs to be using AirDroid. This app is probably the best one I've ever used. So perfect! Try it and if you still have issues let us know.

 

[xGalaxyNexusx]

]

Are you updated to the beta3? under nova setting through the app drawer there is a section for quick search bar, you can set it to landscape, always or never.

Hey thanks! A quick reinstall of Nova (yes, beta3) fixed the issue, but I really appreciate the help. That'll come in handy incase it happens again!

 

[xGalaxyNexusx]

The only problem I have had with it is the wallpaper sometimes going off center.

What's your wallpaper setting set as?

 

[Dubbin1]

Anyone transferring anything to or from their phone needs to be using AirDroid. This app is probably the best one I've ever used. So perfect! Try it and if you still have issues let us know.

I found one I like even better. WiFi File Explorer PRO. I got it awhile back from amazons free app of the day and just tried out for the first time last night.

 

[Dubbin1]

What's your wallpaper setting set as?

It is set not to scroll, the maker of Nova is aware of the problem. The last update was supposed to fix it but only kind of fixed it.

 

[xGalaxyNexusx]

I found one I like even better. WiFi File Explorer PRO. I got it awhile back from amazons free app of the day and just tried out for the first time last night.

Have you tried AirDroid? I had WiFi File Ex a little awhile ago and I thought it was light years away from AD. Might just come down to personal preference, though. I just thought AD was so much quicker, better organized and gave off that "high tech" vibe. I dunno, I work with computers everyday so anything I can find that gives me that nice, neat, and super fast experience I'm a sucker for!

 

[Dubbin1]

Have you tried AirDroid? I had WiFi File Ex a little awhile ago and I thought it was light years away from AD. Might just come down to personal preference, though. I just thought AD was so much quicker, better organized and gave off that "high tech" vibe. I dunno, I work with computers everyday so anything I can find that gives me that nice, neat, and super fast experience I'm a sucker for!

Yup I have AD too its a great app, I just like the way WiFi File Explorer PRO works a little better.