What NOT to do with your Android device
We read a lot about what we should do with our Android devices to get the most out of them. From increasing battery life to managing our data better, there’s no shortage of solid advice around to make our favorite smartphones and tablets faster, more efficient, and more us. What we don’t see very often is directions on what not to do with Android devices. After all, newbies to the operating system often make a slew of mistakes thinking they’re making improvements.
About a month ago now, Reddit user 19683dw pointed out the fact that there aren’t really many guides out there that attempt to tackle this issue. He and fellow redditors put together a great list of points, and it inspired us to run with his idea and dig a bit deeper. Not every point made in the Reddit thread is mentioned here, and we also added several different points of our own, but we do recommend checking out the original post and wanted to give a big thanks to 19683dw for putting this idea on our radar.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in, shall we?
Install apps with unnecessary permissions
Why does that flashlight app need to know your GPS location? Actually, why are you even using a flashlight app since Lollipop has built-in functionality for it? Never mind. Look, whenever you download an app, make sure you’re only giving it permission to do things that make sense for the app. Some shady developers like to take advantage of unnecessary app permissions to harvest sellable data about its users. If you’re looking for a basic doodling app and it has 15 permissions it wants to use, you might want to find yourself an alternative digital canvas.
(Oh, and if you are stuck on a version of Android pre-Lollipop, Tesla LED is a good, simple flashlight app.)
Use a task killer
Task killers were useful for about four days back in 2009 before the Android operating system got good enough at managing its own memory to render them irrelevant. Most apps spring back to life anyway if you deliberately kill them, so you’re really just wasting battery power in addition to precious seconds of your finite life-span on Planet Earth.
If your phone is acting sluggish, check out which apps are hogging your resources and uninstall them. Find more efficient alternatives.
See also: Improve battery life with Xposed, Amplify and Greenify – Android customization
Greenify is an alternative to task-killers that actually works (it “hibernates” apps rather than kill them) but you really have to have a rooted device for it to be worth it. For most users, the answer is not to kill rebellious apps, but rather to drive them off their devices for good, never to return again.
Install battery saving apps
Most battery saving apps do more harm than good. There are some good ones out there, of course. Once again, Greenify comes to mind. However, battery-saving apps themselves cost battery to run. It’s hard to find those whose positive impact is larger than their own battery footprint. This is especially bad if you’re using multiple battery saving apps. Stop that.
See also: How to extend your Android’s battery life
Okay, okay. It is technically possible to make good use of a combination of good battery savers. A lot of Lollipop buffs recommend a Power Nap, Greenify, Amplify combo, but you have to have root access to really make the best of these power-frugal hacks.
Get Power Nap
Get Greenify
Get Amplify
For most users, the best way to maximize battery life is to dim your screen and turn off any functions (like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Location) that you aren’t actively using. You can also identify and uninstall battery-hogging apps, like Facebook. Which reminds me of another thing you should never do:
Use the official Facebook app
Facebook. You will never find a more wretched hive of bugs and drainery. The official Facebook app is renowned for being a legendary resource hog. To get the most out of your Android device, try replacing it with something like Folio. The mobile browser version of Facebook is pretty good anyway, so how much do you really need that app?
Plus, maybe it’s best to put a few extra taps between you and obsessively checking your ex’s page. Seriously, it becomes stalking at some point, and you really just need to move on and stop torturing yourself.
Get Folio
See also: There is life after Facebook: these are the best Facebook app alternatives
Expect an Apple-like experience
This is crucial advice to people coming into Android from iOS. On Apple products, “everything just works” is the design goal. Android is a completely different ballgame that focuses on making your device your device.
To make the smoothest transition possible, we recommend former iPhone users pick up something from the Nexus line, which is produced by Google. Buying Nexus ensures the most streamlined, Apple-esque experience, especially when you’re using Google apps. You’ll also have all the Android versatility at your fingertips to test the waters of tinkering, customizability, and personalization.
Bottom-line, don’t expect the exact same type of experience, as there will certainly be some adjustment needed. That said, you won’t regret making the switch in the long run.
See also: Why I switched to the iPhone…. (and back again)
Buy Play Store credit to pay for a new phone
Never ever throw hundreds of dollars into Google Play gift cards with the plan to buy a new phone. You might be surprised how often people will pay for $500 of Play Store credit only to learn afterward that they can’t use it to buy a Nexus. Google won’t accept Play credit for devices, so these poor folks are stuck with a hell of a lot of microtransactions to make. At least their Clash of Clans base will be super tricked out soon.
Why won’t Google just take the money? I mean, you want to give it to them, right? They basically already have it! Well, the reason is probably due to the fact that they pay commissions to gift card vendors. This percentage is no problem for apps and such because they can collect a 30% transaction fee, but for more devices, Google would most likely lose a fair chunk of money.
Leave tab merging on for Chrome
I imagine the Chrome design meeting had to go something like this.
KYLE: Guys, I have this totally awesome idea.
TEAM LEAD: What is it, Kyle?
KYLE: Okay, you know how Chrome keeps all of its tabs in one place so you can quickly access your previous browsing locations?
TEAM LEAD: Of course.
KYLE: Right. And you know how we now have that new gigantic stack of cards in the Recent Apps function?
TEAM LEAD: Yes?
KYLE: Okay… What if, instead of putting all of our users’ tabs in one place… we scatter them all throughout the Recent Apps cards!
TEAM LEAD: Kyle… That has to be… The most brilliant idea anyone has ever had. We’ll make it the new default setting. A raise for Kyle!
Screw Kyle. Kyle can go die in a fire. Boot up Chrome, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, choose Settings, and turn off “Merge tabs and apps.” Return sanity to your internet browsing.
Buy a carrier-branded phone
Maybe saying “never” to do this is a bridge too far, but in most cases, for most people, there are better options. Not only do carriers have a bad habit of loading up their phones with bloatware, they also are notoriously slow at rolling out updates. Buying an unlocked phone at full price may hurt in the short-run, but you’ll actually own your device and you’ll be able to do what you want with it.
This particular issue varies from region to region and from what the user is looking to get out of the device. Some people genuinely don’t care very much about having the latest version of Android, and they actually use that pre-installed, un-installable NFL app on a regular basis. The true advice here is to look before you leap. Know what you’re getting into when you get in bed with a carrier, because although those subsidized phones are tempting, it might not be worth it in the long run.
Root by the seat of your pants
Rooting is playing with fire, which is super cool if you’re like a pyromancer or the Human Torch or something, but for the majority of the population, it’s something best left to the pros. Don’t go into rooting your device unless you’ve extensively read the documentation and you are well aware of the risks and rewards. Practice rooting on an old device you’ve got lying around or on a cheap one first before you start unlocking the bootloader on your $700 flagship smartphone.
See also: Rooting your phone? A few things to think about – Android customization
This is another look before you leap issue. A misstep in rooting isn’t like a misstep in cooking, where you can make a mistake or two and then say “Screw it, I’m turning this into a stir fry.” Bricking your phone is very possible, and in some cases startlingly easy. Have an experienced friend walk you through your root process at the very, very least.
Of course, there are plenty of rewards to rooting, just be certain you know what you’re getting into.
Conclusion
These are all the Don’ts we can think of when it comes to using Android devices. Anything you can think of that we left out, or do you have anything to add to any of these points? If so, let us know your tips in the comments!
Motorola rolling out Marshmallow to Moto G (2014) in India
Motorola after a successful soak test is quickly rolling out Android Marshmallow for the Moto G (2014) in India.
Motorola’s David Schuster announced that the update for India was in its soak test stage a couple weeks back. The soak test seems to have been a success, and now Motorola is widely rolling out the update for the Moto G (2014) throughout India.
As a quick refresher, Marshmallow brings a handful of new features like Doze, Google Now on Tap, App Permissions, and more. Motorola with Marshmallow is also retiring some built-in applications, such as Moto Assist, Motorola Migrate, and Motorola Alert. Keep in mind that Assist features aren’t leaving the smartphone, just the application, as many of the Assist features have been built into other parts of Android.
Keep in mind that updates like these do take awhile to get out to everyone. That said, you can either wait for the update prompt or check for it manually in Settings > About Phone.
Have you gotten the update? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below!
source: Motorola
Come comment on this article: Motorola rolling out Marshmallow to Moto G (2014) in India
Apple Music officially comes to Sonos Controller for Android
The Sonos Controller for Android app in its latest update received support for streaming Apple Music.
Apple Music originally came to Sonos in the form of a public beta back in mid-December. And now, after nearly two months of ongoing testing, it’s ready for prime time with the home speaker system!
Now with the Sonos Controller app, users will be able to play music from their own Apple Music library, listen to curated results in the “For You” section, and users will even be able to use the Beats1 radio. There’s also a “New” section, where users will be able to play and listen to music they may not have heard of yet. It’s essentially a glorified “discovery” category.
If you have the Sonos Controller app, Apple Music won’t show up as a service straight away. You have to manually add it by opening the menu and selecting “Add Service.” From there, you should be able to select Apple Music as a service, enter your Apple Music account information, and be ready to go!
If you haven’t gotten the update for the Sonos Controller app, you can do so manually by hitting the download link below.
What do you think of Apple Music on your home speaker system?
Come comment on this article: Apple Music officially comes to Sonos Controller for Android
Adobe’s Flash gets closer to the pan with Google advertising change
The slow death of Adobe’s Flash technology received another nail in the coffin after Google announced they are starting the process of phasing out the use of Flash in display ads. The change will impact advertising provided through Google’s AdWords platform and their DoubleClick Digital Marketing. Google announced both platforms will move to being 100% HTML5 by January 2017.
The process of removing Flash built ads will officially start on June 30, 2016 when Google will stop allowing the uploading of Flash ads to either of the affected advertising networks. Following that move, on January 2, 2017 Google will no longer allow Flash format ads to run on the Google Display Network or the DoubleClick platform.
If there is any glimmer of hope for Flash fans it is that video ads built in Flash will “not be impacted at this time.” Google’s wording seems to indicate the days are numbered for Flash based video ads as well.
Google, and many others, have slowly but surely been moving away from the Flash format for several years now, opting instead for HTML5. The death of Flash has been driven largely by security problems present with the technology as new vulnerabilities continue to pop up on a regular basis. In addition, Adobe themselves did the platform no favors when they announced in 2011 that they were no longer going to support the Flash Player for mobile devices.
This is not Google’s first move with regard to transitioning Flash to HTML5. In January 2015 the tech giant started converting YouTube videos from Flash to HTML5. Besides the improved security, the use of HTML5 opens up content to more devices, notably mobile devices.
source: AdWords (Google+)
Come comment on this article: Adobe’s Flash gets closer to the pan with Google advertising change
ICYMI: Mind-controlled exosuit, a pancake study and more
Today on In Case You Missed It: Researchers from The University of Melbourne are about to launch a clinical trial into whether paralyzed people can control an exoskeleton suit simply by thinking about moving. It functions thanks to an implanted device in the brain and clinical trials will begin next year. If it works, the system could be available within about six years. We don’t have to tell you how huge this would be.
Meanwhile, University College of London researchers got together to study the similarities between pancakes and the eye, to better help them understand diseases like glaucoma.
Winter sports enthusiasts might appreciate this crowdfunding campaign for wearable sleds for each leg, that frees up your arms from having to actually carry a sled around.
And finally, we wanted to share a glimpse of this newly designed super truck out of Russia. Apparently lakes are no problem for it. Yet somehow, it’s not a duck boat. As always, please share any interesting science or tech videos, anytime! Just tweet us with the #ICYMI hashtag to @mskerryd.
Twitter’s timeline option puts important tweets up top
Twitter is doing its best to make sure you see the best content in your timeline. At least that’s what it’s hoping it’s doing with today’s announcement of a new timeline option. The new feature drops what Twitter determines are the best tweets at the top of your timeline. Now before you lose your mind, the feature is opt-in and even if you turn it on today, the company is slowly roll it out so it might take weeks before you see the new feature.
The new nameless-feature algorithmically determines which tweets are important to you (based on who you follow and engage with) and moves them to the top of your timeline when you open the app or launch the site. The featured updates will be presented in reverse chronological order in case you were worried Twitter was turning into Facebook. Twitter is hoping this will keep you from missing important updates. Michelle Haq, Twitter timeline project manager told Engadget, “we realized there’s a ton of great content on Twitter and it’s not always easy to find that great content.”
While this seems like a super-charged version of While You Were Away, Haq insists that they are two different features. “While You Were Away only shows when you been away for a very long time,” Haq told Engadget. While this new timeline feature will be there whenever you open the app or load the site. After a quick refresh, the timeline goes back to showing all your full timeline in reverse chronological order.
MadCatz cutting a third of staff after ‘Rock Band 4’ flop
Peripheral maker Mad Catz has posted yet another disappointing financial report, sparking executive resignations and major layoffs. The filing is the first full quarter since Rock Band 4 was released last year, and the game helped sales increase to $65 million, 114 percent higher than the year before.
Mad Catz had banked on Rock Band 4 being a big success, though, and despite a broadly positive reaction from critics, sales are lower than originally forecast. It expected profits to increase significantly due to the games’ release (albeit with lower margins), but instead they dropped from $1.36 million to $1.22 million year-over-year.
The night before the earnings release was due, three key executives — the CEO, chairman and vice president of business affairs — all resigned. The company will now reduce its entire workforce by 37 percent.
Facebook eyes millimeter-wave wireless to power free internet
Despite a major setback in India, Facebook is still working on expanding its Free Basics service (part of internet.org) for developing nations. The company told the Verge that it’s researching wireless networks that use extremely high-frequency millimeter-wave bands. It applied for at least two patents on the tech, which is similar to that proposed by Starry, the company led by fomer Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia. “This work is part of the Connectivity Lab which supports the mission of Internet.org — to connect the four billion people who don’t have Internet access,” a representative said.
Millimeter-wave wireless operates in the 30 to 300GHz spectrum, a frequency also being tested by operators for proposed 5G cellular networks. It’s generally set up as a “mesh” network, where signals are bounced between strategically placed antennas. Such signals generally don’t go through walls or other obstacles, so a direct line of site is required. Kanojia recently told Engadget that Starry plans to use it to deliver gigabit-speed connections with unlimited caps.
Along with its research into millimeter-wave networks, Facebook’s Connectivity Lab is looking at ways to provide internet via satellite and other means. However, the company’s Free Basics service, which gives users access to Facebook and a few other sites (but not the rest of internet), has stumbled. Many think that it violates net neutrality principals and could harm other projects to provide free internet to poor regions. Google, for instance, has Project Loon, which uses high-altitude balloons to distribute wireless internet over a wide swath, with no content restrictions.
Facebook’s patent applications detail how networks could be built efficiently using millimeter-wave systems, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll be granted by the USPTO. Quite a few players are researching the tech, including cellular network operators, Starry and now Facebook. That means that the US Patent Office, not the FCC, may end up picking the winners and losers.
Via: The Verge
Paul McCartney wrote tiny songs for Skype’s new animated emojis
Last fall, Skype took the emoji and sticker craze and ran with it, introducing a new animated emoticon the company simply called the “Moji.” It’s basically an animation coupled with an audio clip, and they launched with big content properties like The Muppets and Jurassic Park. Now, to go along with Valentine’s day, Skype has a new set of 10 Moji it designed to convey the feelings of the holiday in a bunch of silly / cute ways.
What’s perhaps most interesting about these new animations is the big-name talent Skype recruited to do the sound that accompanies them: Sir Paul McCartney actually composed little 5-second ditties to go along with each, doing both sound effects and bare bones music. In a video, McCartney admits it was a “strange proposition” and that making music to fit the animations was “really challenging, but he’s overall pleased with how they turned out.
The few that Skype showed us in a preview were equal parts cute and bizarre, but also a touch risqué — one animated character pulls out flowers, chocolate, champagne… and then some fuzzy handcuffs. There’s also a “flirty” banana that’s essentially doing a striptease out of its peel and a sumo wrestler / cupid hybrid. Fortunately, if you don’t want to suggest light bondage to the person you’re Skyping with, you can preview these before sending. All in all it’s a strange partnership, but it doesn’t hurt Skype to have the endorsement of one of the two living Beatles members.
Source: Skype
BioWare writer David Gaider to helm ‘Baldur’s Gate’ series
When longtime BioWare writer David Gaider announced his departure from the studio, many wondered where he would end up next. The answer shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. He’s joining Beamdog, a game developer and distributor best known for the “enhanced” remakes of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II. That’s notable because Gaider started his career at BioWare working on Baldur’s Gate II, before moving on to larger writing roles with Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and, most famously, the ongoing Dragon Age franchise.
Beamdog is currently working on a novel project — an all-new expansion pack for Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition called Siege of Dragonspear, which will add 25 hours of gameplay, 70 locations and four heroic companions. The studio is a rare opportunity for Gaider to return not only to a classic and well-regarded RPG franchise, but one that played a pivotal role in his early career. At Beamdog, he’ll be taking on the role of Creative Director, leading its writing team and taking the helm with “new creative endeavors for the company.” We really hope that’s code for Baldur’s Gate 3.
Via: Kotaku
Source: Beamdog (Blog Post)
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