New essential Android apps thread

BananaDunka · 5 Oct 2016 at 20:51

I still use the full one as the lite one doesn't let you pick a notification tone. I find the default fixed tone obnoxious. All my tones for all apps are short tones, blips and clicks.

TheVoice · 5 Oct 2016 at 23:33

Lite version doesn't seem to show counters on the icon on my Z3 either. If they add that, I'll probably switch; the normal app is absurdly bloated now.

Quinnaay · 5 Oct 2016 at 23:45

TheVoice said:
Lite version doesn't seem to show counters on the icon on my Z3 either. If they add that, I'll probably switch; the normal app is absurdly bloated now.

think my Tesla plug in for Nova launcher shows the counter.

Terrier_Jimlad · 6 Oct 2016 at 00:50

Quinnaay said:
think my Tesla plug in for Nova launcher shows the counter.

Same

UnworthyBean · 7 Oct 2016 at 12:08

On a health kick at the moment so looking for a new running/cycling app. Currently use Strava and it's excellent but looking for something to help me keep to a certain pace (eg 10min/mile or whatever) Or does Strava does this and I need to go to specsavers?

Anyone have any ideas? Might also try the sports forum as well.

Bonus points if I can transfer my data from Strava too.

Orcvader · 7 Oct 2016 at 12:18

Does Messenger Lite support facebook calling?

Scottland · 12 Oct 2016 at 16:31

Does anyone here use a 'Daydream' (aka Screensaver) clock?

The Google/AOSP one would be fine - except in dim mode it goes so dim you can barely see it, and in non dim mode it's way too bright for a bedside table.

There's a few on the play store, but most look horrid with giant faux digital watch displays...

MouseMat2004 · 12 Oct 2016 at 16:37

Scottland said:
Does anyone here use a 'Daydream' (aka Screensaver) clock?

The Google/AOSP one would be fine - except in dim mode it goes so dim you can barely see it, and in non dim mode it's way too bright for a bedside table.

There's a few on the play store, but most look horrid with giant faux digital watch displays...

I used to use it for many years, I settled on the alarm clock Timely, has a nice Daydream mode.

PiKe · 13 Oct 2016 at 23:33

Need a call blocker/blacklist as my phone's dialler doesn't have one integrated.

Phone is rooted, any recommendations?

Dumbnub · 14 Oct 2016 at 00:39

PiKe said:
Need a call blocker/blacklist as my phone's dialler doesn't have one integrated.

Phone is rooted, any recommendations?

"Calls Blacklist - Call Blocker" works well for me.

HouR · 14 Oct 2016 at 09:08

Dumbnub said:
"Calls Blacklist - Call Blocker" works well for me.

Seconded:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vladlee.easyblacklist&hl=en_GB

Just set it to block anything not in contacts.
Legit people can still leave a message etc but gets rid of most of the rubbish.
Its a must have for me as I have actually been involved in a non fault car accident and get numerous calls from companies trying to get me to claim.

Scottland · 14 Oct 2016 at 09:30

MouseMat2004 said:
I used to use it for many years, I settled on the alarm clock Timely, has a nice Daydream mode.

Thanks, settled on Always on AMOLED in the end. It's not a daydream clock, but has the option to only come on when plugged in.

PiKe said:
Need a call blocker/blacklist as my phone's dialler doesn't have one integrated.

Phone is rooted, any recommendations?

Google's official Phone app has this facility, officially it only works on Nexus phones, but you can get a flashable framework to allow it to install on other phones.

Psypher5 · 14 Oct 2016 at 09:58

I use truecaller as a number blocker. Lovely little app!

OspreyO · 14 Oct 2016 at 10:23

Is there anyway to have a seperate Mail icon on the home screen for a sub folder on your email on android.

Also any way to get badge numbers on the mail icon in Android? Like IOS or on Windows Phone.

Orcvader · 14 Oct 2016 at 11:48

OspreyO said:
Is there anyway to have a seperate Mail icon on the home screen for a sub folder on your email on android.

Don't think there is but a new API in Android 7.1 seems to allow shortcuts to certain parts of an app.

Also any way to get badge numbers on the mail icon in Android? Like IOS or on Windows Phone.

You'll need to use a 3rd party launcher, Nova Launcher with the TelsaUnread plugin does this.

Father Ted · 14 Oct 2016 at 12:20

OspreyO said:
Also any way to get badge numbers on the mail icon in Android? Like IOS or on Windows Phone.

I've never understood why this isn't a feature in vanilla Android, it's such an obviously simple and useful thing.

Scottland · 14 Oct 2016 at 12:27

Father Ted said:
I've never understood why this isn't a feature in vanilla Android, it's such an obviously simple and useful thing.

I agree, it's such a fundamental feature to have an API to handle this. Would also like a notification centre to show all current and dismissed/recent notifications.

OspreyO · 14 Oct 2016 at 14:51

For me I have one folder for important email and another for all trival stuff.

On WP I have can have them as two different icons. The badge lets me if there's anything to read without me getting notifications of the trivial stuff. But I do get notifications of the main email inbox.

Can't seem to set Android up like this.

Thanks for the replies.

Orcvader · 14 Oct 2016 at 15:19

Actually just had a look and seems someone had to use a combination of two different apps to get the email folder shortcuts: http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/551407-how-can-i-create-shortcut-email-folder.html

As for the unread badge number, I did have it initially when I got my first phone but didn't really like it. It's not really an Android thing, the launcher itself needs to implement support for it. Some OEMs have it in their stock launchers while some don't.

Scottland · 14 Oct 2016 at 15:33

OspreyO said:
For me I have one folder for important email and another for all trival stuff.

On WP I have can have them as two different icons. The badge lets me if there's anything to read without me getting notifications of the trivial stuff. But I do get notifications of the main email inbox.

Can't seem to set Android up like this.

Thanks for the replies.

That would be more a function of the individual app itself rather than android per se. I do see why that would be useful though...

You can do something pretty similar to this via Gmail by use of the 1x1 Gmail widget - this'll let you create a shortcut to a specific label in Gmail. If you're using Outlook though this doesn't appear to have this function.

Although you can use Gmail with non Gmail accounts (IMAP/POP3/Exchange).