Android newbie....some questions

[Masterguy]

Bit the bullet and bought Atrix yesterday. The news of unlocked bootloader swayed my decision. Honestly waited for SGSII, but doesnt seem to be in the horizon in US.

So, Anyway coming from iSheep, I have a few questions on my new OS:

1. Installed Launcher pro as soon as I setup my phone. Seems fine, but how to get Motoblur in case I want it back?
2.If I buy any app, is it always tied to my google account. Lets say I install a custom ROM on a later day and end up formatting, can I go back to download the same?
3.I have all my contacts on my iphone 3G, how can I port them? Do i have to go to ATT store to get it done? is that the only way?
4.I have facebook accounts added as part of my contacts and I could not find a way to delete them. What do I do?
5.which are the best free customization tools available in the market? I want a good Icon pack as well as something to show like transparent folders.
6.How do I transfer my pictures and music? I tried connecting to my PC via USB mass storage. I was able to see 8-9 folders. Can I create my own folders for music and pics? or should I add them to a specific folder for the phone to recognize?
7.Is there a easy way to toggle between Silent, Vibrate & Ring mode? I currently hold my power button a little long and it gives the option to enter Silent mode & power off. I want something like WIFI and airplane mode to control my phone ring options.
8.What is best music player available? I downloaded WINAMP. Havent used it yet as I have not transferred any music.
9.How to sideload? I want to add netflix. Do I have to root to begin with. Or can I just wait for GB update and install netflix for I know it works properly.
10.Where and how do I find out my version of android installed on my phone? How foes OTA update work? Will i receive any notification from ATT?


Any other suggestions to customize the phone will help. Sorry about the long post. I'm just trying to get a grip of the new OS. I basically bought it for watching flash tennis & cricket streams. As of now I have to say that I'm far happy.

Thanks

 

[kilasix9]

Bit the bullet and bought Atrix yesterday. The news of unlocked bootloader swayed my decision. Honestly waited for SGSII, but doesnt seem to be in the horizon in US.

So, Anyway coming from iSheep, I have a few questions on my new OS:

1. Installed Launcher pro as soon as I setup my phone. Seems fine, but how to get Motoblur in case I want it back?
2.If I buy any app, is it always tied to my google account. Lets say I install a custom ROM on a later day and end up formatting, can I go back to download the same?
3.I have all my contacts on my iphone 3G, how can I port them? Do i have to go to ATT store to get it done? is that the only way?
4.I have facebook accounts added as part of my contacts and I could not find a way to delete them. What do I do?
5.which are the best free customization tools available in the market? I want a good Icon pack as well as something to show like transparent folders.
6.How do I transfer my pictures and music? I tried connecting to my PC via USB mass storage. I was able to see 8-9 folders. Can I create my own folders for music and pics? or should I add them to a specific folder for the phone to recognize?
7.Is there a easy way to toggle between Silent, Vibrate & Ring mode? I currently hold my power button a little long and it gives the option to enter Silent mode & power off. I want something like WIFI and airplane mode to control my phone ring options.
8.What is best music player available? I downloaded WINAMP. Havent used it yet as I have not transferred any music.
9.How to sideload? I want to add netflix. Do I have to root to begin with. Or can I just wait for GB update and install netflix for I know it works properly.
10.Where and how do I find out my version of android installed on my phone? How foes OTA update work? Will i receive any notification from ATT?


Any other suggestions to customize the phone will help. Sorry about the long post. I'm just trying to get a grip of the new OS. I basically bought it for watching flash tennis & cricket streams. As of now I have to say that I'm far happy.

Thanks

I'll try to answer as many questions as I know:

2. If you download a PAID app it will always be tied to your Google Market account. The free ones wont be tied to your login if say you reset your phone or something. I suggest downloading 'AppBrain' which will sync ALL your apps.

3. For your contacts I would suggest adding your Gmail account to the iPhone, sync contacts and then when you add the Gmail account to your Atrix, the contacts should sync. If that doesn't work, a trip to the ATT store would be a sure solution.

4. If you to 'Settings' then 'Accounts' there should be a Facebook account there and if you open that section it should allow you to uncheck the box for the contacts.

6. Motorola Media Link works great to transfer pics and music.

7. For the toggles, you can download 'Beautiful Widgets' or another app that will give you toggles that can be added to the home screen.

8. For music players go with Winamp, which I use and is great or PowerAmp which has very high reviews.

9. For sideloading you don't have to root, you can use the SideLoad Wonder Machine but with root its much easier. The GB update will come with sideloading capabilities so it might be worth the short wait.

10. Go to Settings, About Phone and you will get the info of your phone. AT&T sometimes sends you messages about OTAs but usually you'll find out first by reading this forum

Hope my answers help. Welcome to the Atrix. AT&Ts best device!

 

[woodshedder]

7.Is there a easy way to toggle between Silent, Vibrate & Ring mode? I currently hold my power button a little long and it gives the option to enter Silent mode & power off. I want something like WIFI and airplane mode to control my phone ring options.

There is a widget called "SilentMode OnOff" by CurveFish which does exactly this and works great.

 

[Masterguy]

Thanks guys, figured out some portions of my issues. Widgetsoid is really good and helps to add a lot of toggles and shortcuts.

Tried trying to come to terms with Android. Interesting....

 

[Couter]

5. I suggest ADW launcher EX, its 4 bucks, but you can customize everything. and theres tons of themes for it

 

[egDonald]

...
4. If you to 'Settings' then 'Accounts' there should be a Facebook account there and if you open that section it should allow you to uncheck the box for the contacts.
...

So, I tried, this, but I don't see any check-box for "contact" inclusion or not.

So the FB version I am referring to is under the grouping "Motoblur Accounts"
and when I go to Settings > Accounts > Facebook all I see is the login, password, and "remove account".

Coming from non-iPhone, non-Android phones, I'm used to entering my own contacts and listing the appropriate numbers manually.
I understand I can sync this via "Gmail", but Gmail is my primary email source, and when I email "customer service" emails, I don't want that to automatically fall into my contacts list.