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Help Noob question about the Vortex

M

Mattdawg18

Newbie
Is there anything in particular that I need to d/l to the phone??? I've already used appbrain for all my d/l's and they seem fine, although every once in awhile it will just start showing a video, almost like there's a popup or something going on.

I'm new to the whole smart phone thing to begin with. My last phone was an Env2 that I had for 3 years, so go easy on me.
 
I think what is being asked is, is there a suggested list of apps that will enhance the Android experience for a new user. Something that you, as experienced Droid users, could not live without on a new phone.

I would be interested in this as well, since I just ordered a new LG Vortex and will be using this OS for the first time. Is there something like Droid Wall that can block/allow apps based on connection type (WiFi vs 3G) that doesn't require root access? How easy is it to remove installed apps from these devices (bloatware)? I read somewhere that a task killer app is a must, can anyone elaborate on what this app is/does?

Thanks for reading.

Gray
 
What I couldn't live without might be stuff that someone else couldn't care less about. It's all about personal preference really.

I personally use:
Handcent for texting
Dolphin HD for browsing
K9 Mail for email
Facebook for Android in lieu of the FB for HTC app
SiMi clock for my clock/weather widget
Weatherbug
AndFTP for FTP'ing in to my home laptop
ES File Explorer/Astro File Manager for managing on-phone files
AudioManager for managing various volume levels
PowerAmp and MixZing for music playback
Pandora
Titanium Backup for, well, backing up (requires root!)
Root Explorer for modifying system files
RealCalc calculator
Engadget news widget
drocap2 for screen captures (requires root!)
System Monitor for graphically keeping an eye on battery usage

I guess that about does it for most of my personal must haves. I have a ton of other apps that get sporadic usage, such as IMDB, Zillow, games, and other stuff. As far as backing up all these apps, I use Titanium which does require root access, but I've heard of appbrain as well and I don't know if it requires root. I do know though that you can't save game data, just the app itself. And you also can't uninstall bloat without root, it's a necessity!

Again, it's all in what YOU want! I recommend just going in to the market and exploring, that's half the fun ;) Oh, and DO NOT install a task killer! It'll do nothing but speed up battery drain, as it goes against how this OS is set up to work.
 
richb82 said:
What I couldn't live without might be stuff that someone else couldn't care less about. It's all about personal preference really.

I personally use:
Handcent for texting
Dolphin HD for browsing
K9 Mail for email
Facebook for Android in lieu of the FB for HTC app
SiMi clock for my clock/weather widget
Weatherbug
AndFTP for FTP'ing in to my home laptop
ES File Explorer/Astro File Manager for managing on-phone files
AudioManager for managing various volume levels
PowerAmp and MixZing for music playback
Pandora
Titanium Backup for, well, backing up (requires root!)
Root Explorer for modifying system files
RealCalc calculator
Engadget news widget
drocap2 for screen captures (requires root!)
System Monitor for graphically keeping an eye on battery usage

I guess that about does it for most of my personal must haves. I have a ton of other apps that get sporadic usage, such as IMDB, Zillow, games, and other stuff. As far as backing up all these apps, I use Titanium which does require root access, but I've heard of appbrain as well and I don't know if it requires root. I do know though that you can't save game data, just the app itself. And you also can't uninstall bloat without root, it's a necessity!

Again, it's all in what YOU want! I recommend just going in to the market and exploring, that's half the fun ;) Oh, and DO NOT install a task killer! It'll do nothing but speed up battery drain, as it goes against how this OS is set up to work.
Click to expand...

The salesman at the Verizon store insisted that both my wife and I get an App Killer. Otherwise, I've gotten most of my stuff from appbrain.com, so far.

BTW, when I play Angry Birds, there seems to be some pop-up ads every once in awhile. Then say when I go to youtube, it just plays a pop-up ad vid. Any way to block that from happening???
 
Uninstall any task killers ASAP, trust me. Do research on it for yourself if you want, but they're no good and defeat the way Android is supposed to work.
 
Really it all comes down to personal preference. I used ATK on my Ally for some time, and I saw a drastic increase in the life of my battery, but yes, any app killer does work opposite to the nature of Android. DO NOT INSTALL AN APP SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU ARE TOLD TOO!! Especially if a salesman tells you to.

To "root" a phone simply means to gain administrative access to your device. Be warned, it will prevent you from getting most (if not all) regular updates for your apps. Especially OS updates.

There are pop-up adds on your version of Angry Birds because you have the free version of it. If you purchase the game, it is add free.
 
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