Synysterxx
Newbie
UPS says its on the truck for delivery. First time as a Verizon customer. What are some of the first things I should do with the GNex when I get it to improve performance/battery?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
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Getting my GNex tonight
- Thread starter Synysterxx
- Start date
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- Tags
- galaxy nexus
AntimonyER
CHANGED FROM AF ADDICT MIKESTONY
Make sure you save any and all wifi hotspots to your phone, especially if you are in an LTE area.
Turn screen brightness down to the lowest level you can live with.
If you can swing a little extra, grab the extended battery from Verizon. An extra 15% never hurt, and it doesn't change the thickness much at all.
And if you are interested in unlocking and rooting, there are some great kernels that improve battery life out there. Check out the all things root section for more info.
Turn screen brightness down to the lowest level you can live with.
If you can swing a little extra, grab the extended battery from Verizon. An extra 15% never hurt, and it doesn't change the thickness much at all.
And if you are interested in unlocking and rooting, there are some great kernels that improve battery life out there. Check out the all things root section for more info.
Synysterxx
Newbie
So you would recommend Wifi over using the 4G signal? I am right outside of Boston so I am hoping for a decent 4G signal.
streetfish
Well-Known Member
my phone is a beast on wifi - an easy 24 hours for medium to heavy usage
4g, not so much - 10-15 hours depending on usage
AntimonyER
CHANGED FROM AF ADDICT MIKESTONY
If you want battery life, definitely. Speed is probably a little better over 4G, but not enough to justify cutting your battery life in half. Or worse. I have gone over 30 hours on wi-fi with moderate usage, but never managed more than 6-8 on 4G.
Turdbogls
Android Expert
stick to Wifi when you can to conserve battery...sometimes it isn't as fast as af 4g, but it is MUCH better on battery life.
first thing i would do is unlock the phone and Root it. with the "one click" method on android central, it literally took me 20 minutes and was simple. this wipes your entire phone (camera pictures and downloads included). once you do that, play with your phone for a while, and decide if you need better battery life. if so, slap a ROM and a custom Kernal on there. they will make a difference.
FWIW, yesterday was my first day with ROM/kernal
i got 9 hrs battery on 4G the entire time
2hrs, 10 minutes of screen on time (auto brightness)
40 minutes google music streaming
30 minutes pandora streaming
maybe 5 text messages
1 5 minute phone call
the rest was forum browsing, app installing, downloaded one 10 page PDF and read that, watched some HD youtube videos ect.
just to give you an idea.
battery is not terrible, i have a feeling with normal usage (no music streaming or youtube) i could go 12 hours easily, especially when i am around wifi.
first thing i would do is unlock the phone and Root it. with the "one click" method on android central, it literally took me 20 minutes and was simple. this wipes your entire phone (camera pictures and downloads included). once you do that, play with your phone for a while, and decide if you need better battery life. if so, slap a ROM and a custom Kernal on there. they will make a difference.
FWIW, yesterday was my first day with ROM/kernal
i got 9 hrs battery on 4G the entire time
2hrs, 10 minutes of screen on time (auto brightness)
40 minutes google music streaming
30 minutes pandora streaming
maybe 5 text messages
1 5 minute phone call
the rest was forum browsing, app installing, downloaded one 10 page PDF and read that, watched some HD youtube videos ect.
just to give you an idea.
battery is not terrible, i have a feeling with normal usage (no music streaming or youtube) i could go 12 hours easily, especially when i am around wifi.
I can heartily recommend Juice Defender. The free version gave me half again the battery life... the Plus version more than doubled it. I can easily go all day long on a charge with moderate use.
Beyond that: yeah, use wifi whenever possible. Uses much less power than 4G.
CONGRATS on your new Nexus!
Beyond that: yeah, use wifi whenever possible. Uses much less power than 4G.
CONGRATS on your new Nexus!
Sandroidfan
Android Expert
I can heartily recommend Juice Defender. The free version gave me half again the battery life... the Plus version more than doubled it. I can easily go all day long on a charge with moderate use.
Beyond that: yeah, use wifi whenever possible. Uses much less power than 4G.
CONGRATS on your new Nexus!
How is radio switch on/off with JD on nexus?
I saw complains that it's often too slow to reconnect with mobile data when waking up. Seems like other phones had the same issue with JD as well.
red66charger
Android Expert
Sorry folks, I'm in a grouchy mood. I just read this thread for the first time from start to finish and it struck me how pathetic "new tech" seems to be these days. Every new device sucks if you talk to enough people. Basically, a perfect device doesn't exist.
I'm sure I've caused eyes to roll with previous criticisms of certain devices due to the fact that we, the consumer, have to "settle" for workarounds. It just struck me that the OP posted here because he is excited about getting his GNex and the best advice we can offer him is to turn off his 4G and use WiFi! lol That just drives me batsh**.
No offense to you guys...it's the "crack" that these manufacturers are pushing on us. Crap, crap, crap...buy our crap, crap, crap! If I buy a 4G phone I want to use the damn 4G, I don't want to use WiFi! Too many exploits in public WiFi, and oh yeah, I BOUGHT A 4G FRIGGIN' PHONE! I guess I should have just bought an iPod Touch or a WiFi Tablet to go with a feature phone.
Again I'm sorry for the rant. I just attended the Civil Wars concert in Tampa and because I came home and changed pants after work, I left the house without a back up battery (which was in the other pants, naturally) and my dang phone died before the show started! I just want to scream...then cry...then laugh. Then maybe eat a taco, drink a couple of Newcastles and chill.
Seriously, all good tips to get through the day with your new GNex. This community is great for offering help. Lord knows I need some right now.
It reconnects more quickly than my old HTC Glacier (MyTouch 4G)--sometimes instantly, sometimes after about five seconds... usually the former.
That said, I still prefer to use Tasker to make a modified version of Juice Defender. Instead of turning data off immediately when the screen turns off, I have Tasker wait ten minutes after the screen turns off. If the screen is still off after ten minutes, it turns data off.
Synysterxx
Newbie
So question: This is my first time on VZW. We got our phones (myself Nexus, wife Bionic) and we cannot get them activated. It says to just turn on your phone and it will activate automatically. Well it still is not activated. I called VZW there was not to much they could help with as they had no record of a new contract (I signed up through AmazonWireless). They said it could be because we were supposed to get our phones the 8th but they got them shipped quicker to us. It wont recognize my activation til the 8th cause thats when I was supposed to get them?
SeattleYanksFan
Android Expert
I have never ordered a phone from Amazon; however, when I received mine, I had to call a number that came on the activation instructions sheet. Did you not receive that with your phone? It was a red booklet with like 2-3 pages.
Synysterxx
Newbie
Definitely did not receive this. All that came was the box with two phones inside of it.
SeattleYanksFan
Android Expert
Try following the instructions here: Answers to FAQs
Particularly, step 3.
Note: This may not work as it says to follow those steps if you ordered from Verizon or Telesales. But who knows, can't hurt.
EDIT: Perhaps you are out of luck. Although, I don't see why you'd have to wait til the 8th. I'd bring it to a store tomorrow.
Amazon's website says:
"New Verizon Wireless Customers
Service activation with or without transferring your existing number
Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to insert your new SIM card and battery, and then charge your phone completely.
Turn on your phone.
Activation will begin automatically. If prompted, follow instructions to accept Customer Agreement."
Particularly, step 3.
Note: This may not work as it says to follow those steps if you ordered from Verizon or Telesales. But who knows, can't hurt.
EDIT: Perhaps you are out of luck. Although, I don't see why you'd have to wait til the 8th. I'd bring it to a store tomorrow.
Amazon's website says:
"New Verizon Wireless Customers
Service activation with or without transferring your existing number
Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual to insert your new SIM card and battery, and then charge your phone completely.
Turn on your phone.
Activation will begin automatically. If prompted, follow instructions to accept Customer Agreement."
Synysterxx
Newbie
Yea thats the first thing we both did and no work. Love the phone and I am on wifi rite now
AntimonyER
CHANGED FROM AF ADDICT MIKESTONY
My advice would be to go to Verizon and get new sim cards. That should get you activated before you leave the store.
Why, yes you did, Red. And there is NOTHING wrong with staying on 4G all the time... particularly if you have unlimited data. I was simply implying that wifi helps the BATTERY last longer. But 4G in my area is MUCH faster than my n-wifi and I use it a great deal. So enjoy your 4G phone!
syntrix
Android Expert
Why, yes you did, Red. And there is NOTHING wrong with staying on 4G all the time... particularly if you have unlimited data. I was simply implying that wifi helps the BATTERY last longer. But 4G in my area is MUCH faster than my n-wifi and I use it a great deal. So enjoy your 4G phone!
I'm in GGGG all the time, and I usually have ample battery power every time I change my pants.
Synysterxx
Newbie
I loved Wifi. Very fast pages loaded instantly. If it helps my battery when I am at home I am going to use it all the time. Ran speed test and was getting 7mbps down so thats probably even faster than the 4g in my area lol.
syntrix
Android Expert
I can get well over 50Mb/s on 4G.
My Comcast business account can't get more than 20Mb/s.
GGGG > Komkast
red66charger
Android Expert
Why, yes you did, Red. And there is NOTHING wrong with staying on 4G all the time... particularly if you have unlimited data. I was simply implying that wifi helps the BATTERY last longer. But 4G in my area is MUCH faster than my n-wifi and I use it a great deal. So enjoy your 4G phone!
No doubt, Chief. You all know way more about these devices than me and I completely understand and appreciate the advice. I use WiFi at home because I can't receive 4G, but my network is locked down pretty good.
My gripe...and I was a grumpy cuss last night...is that we have to resort to these battery saving measures in the first place. Moto just proved manufacturers can indeed put longer lasting batteries in a smartphone. My issue is with the OEM's, not this loveable lot!
GNex IS a sweet device, but not without its weaknesses.
Synysterxx
Newbie
Got everything working. Getting no 4G signal and my 3G is weak but that is more likely cause I am inside the building. All I can say is wow, how did I live without this phone before? This thing is a beast. Love every aspect of it except the battery, but oh well. Beggers cant be choosers.