Questions on App buying; Default People/Calendar apps; Recomendation request

[CJPalermo21]

Hello all,

Apologies as I've not done a lot of research yet. I have an HTC Incredible, through Verizon - I've had it for about 2 months; but I've really only scratched the surface of what I know the device can do.

I was a die-hard Palm lover (until their newest devices stopped being Windows 7 compatible) - but I did love the desktop interfaces that Palm offered.

So, here are my questions...

Three questions on buying/installing apps
1. Is there any way to "try out" an app before being on the hook for it? There are a lot of apps that look GOOD, but until I can put them through the test, I won't know.

2. If I download an app, do I "own" the app? For example, like iTunes, if I switch devices, later, I still own the app. Or, is it keyed to the device?

3. I remember reading that you can install apps, etc. to the 8gb flash memory in the phone -- yet, I've not seen that in the manual (only the marketing materials ... hmmm...) any suggestions on how to do that?


Three questions on default People/Calendar apps
4. Is there ANY way to force the "People" app to sort by last name?

5. Is there ANY way to remove the standard "groups" in the People app? Family, Favorites, Friends, VIP (?)

6. For some reason, although I've set the calendar app to default to "Day" view, every time i start it up, it heads to month view.


Finally - the recommendations. As I said, I was a huge fan of the Palm interface - everything integrated -- calendar/contacts/tasks. I don't see the same thing available here. What I'd LOVE would be one app (although, three that work well together would be fine) that integrates all three functions. I'd like to be able to work within that app and have it update Google Calendar and Contacts (for synching purposes); but basically, I'd like to have a task; see it pop up for that day, and then, drag that task to the calendar for the time I'll work on it that day. Currently, it resides in it's own calendar, above the timeslots on Google Calendar.

Thanks so much! I know I have a lot of reading/researching to do - these were just the first, easy, starter questions

 

[Colchicine]

Three questions on buying/installing apps
1. Is there any way to "try out" an app before being on the hook for it? There are a lot of apps that look GOOD, but until I can put them through the test, I won't know.

You have 15 minutes to test out a paid app. After that, it is yours unless you work out a refund through the developer. This was in response to people, apparently, just not buying many paid apps. Most good apps will have a free version to test out.

2. If I download an app, do I "own" the app? For example, like iTunes, if I switch devices, later, I still own the app. Or, is it keyed to the device?

It is YOURS and not the device's. It's all stored in the cloud. You can switch to an entirely different Android phone and you can still redownload a paid app. Also, most ebook apps store books in the cloud so they are transferable.

3. I remember reading that you can install apps, etc. to the 8gb flash memory in the phone -- yet, I've not seen that in the manual (only the marketing materials ... hmmm...) any suggestions on how to do that?

Go to Menua > Settings > Applications > Manage Apps. Then go to that app and you'll have an option to move it back and forth to/from the phone/SD.

Three questions on default People/Calendar apps
4. Is there ANY way to force the "People" app to sort by last name?

5. Is there ANY way to remove the standard "groups" in the People app? Family, Favorites, Friends, VIP (?)

I'm not a hardcore user in this area. Instead, I use Google Gesture Search anytime I need a contact.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.gesturesearch

6. For some reason, although I've set the calendar app to default to "Day" view, every time i start it up, it heads to month view.

As much as I like the Sense UI, the calendar apps sucks. Just this morning I found an app I like and bought it. It works just like G Calendar on a computer!
https://market.android.com/details?id=uk.co.olilan.touchcalendar

I'd like to be able to work within that app...

While you are waiting for someone to help with this part, start digging around in the App Market!

 

[CJPalermo21]

Most good apps will have a free version to test out.

That's what I was hoping. Good to know.

While you are waiting for someone to help with this part, start digging around in the App Market!

I will, I will -- but, I'd like to start with the recommendations of others, first.

The Droid forums (and there are three that are just bustling with information) are almost overwhelming. I need to set up a full weekend just to do some research (I'm a fan of the "measure twice, cut once" philosophy; although, I may be guilty of measuring four or five times)

Thanks for the info!

 

[mandasol]

1. Is there any way to "try out" an app before being on the hook for it? There are a lot of apps that look GOOD, but until I can put them through the test, I won't know.

Most apps will have a free version, and sometimes the free versions are just as good as the paid. If not read reviews. The best place to search and read reviews is Top Android Apps and Games in the Android Market | AppBrain.com. This service is also one of the best for keeping track of all your apps and if you need to reset or have multiple devices you can manage them all in one place. When you get to know other android owners you can share you appbrain page link and see what others are using.

2. If I download an app, do I "own" the app? For example, like iTunes, if I switch devices, later, I still own the app. Or, is it keyed to the device?

Normally you will keep all the apps. I've had experiences where the developers re-listed the exact same app differently, so it won't show up in your list of paid apps. Most dev's will be nice and give you a code or something to reinstall, except it happened to me with EA Sports and I got no response from multiple attempts to get in touch.

3. I remember reading that you can install apps, etc. to the 8gb flash memory in the phone -- yet, I've not seen that in the manual (only the marketing materials ... hmmm...) any suggestions on how to do that?

If the app is compatible with apps2SD it will install to your external SD card not your internal memory. Just remember to remove the apps from your SD card if you ever need to reset your phone or you'll just have useless data mucking up your SD card.

4. Is there ANY way to force the "People" app to sort by last name?

I have over 1500 contacts so I never bother with sorting, the only way to find anything is by search - it's extremely effective and time saving.

5. Is there ANY way to remove the standard "groups" in the People app? Family, Favorites, Friends, VIP (?)

In the people/contacts app click on the groups tab and it'll take you to your list of groups. Click menu and you can add or delete as you like.

6. For some reason, although I've set the calendar app to default to "Day" view, every time i start it up, it heads to month view.

I've found better success looking for a calendar app that has the functions you need. I've been pretty happy with Business Calendar]. You should try different apps to see which one suits your needs.

Finally - the recommendations. As I said, I was a huge fan of the Palm interface - everything integrated -- calendar/contacts/tasks. I don't see the same thing available here. What I'd LOVE would be one app (although, three that work well together would be fine) that integrates all three functions. I'd like to be able to work within that app and have it update Google Calendar and Contacts (for synching purposes); but basically, I'd like to have a task; see it pop up for that day, and then, drag that task to the calendar for the time I'll work on it that day. Currently, it resides in it's own calendar, above the timeslots on Google Calendar.

Integrating tasks is one of the biggest gaping holes in google calendar & contacts IMHO. Not just on android but on the cloud based system as well. I'm using a market app called Gtasks and it's fine for just creating a task list and a due date but other than that it doesn't integrate all that well with calendar and not at all with contacts.