Ugh!

[TeamPEZ]

Been trying my Hero out for a few days now, and I am still baffled. I've searched for answers, but to no avail. Please be gentle with me.

Is there a way to get rid of programs that I know that I will never use, i.e. Nascar, NFL, navigation, etc?

I downloaded the barcode program, but when I scan an item to dl, I don't get the option to download it. Example - I was trying to dl a new browser, dolphin, but the only option I had was to send it via text

Speaking of text, I dl handcent sms as I've read numerous posts about this as well as have talked to several people that prefer this over the original. How do I get rid of the original so only handcent is my text
messenger?

How do I know if I have the most up-to-date software?

I've noticed that there is some lag time after I touch an application button - about 4-5 seconds. Is this common?

I've always had gmail, so I would like to get rid of the mailbox icon.

Speaking of email, I was getting email last night on my phone, but not during the evening as I slept. Now I don't have any notifications like I did last night. Did I do something?

Can I get rid of any of the home pages (you start off with 7.) Would like just to have the calendar and my bookmarks.

I'm sure I have some more questions, but I don't want you to think I am a complete idiot! Really, I'm not

Thanks for any help and suggestions you may offer.

- TP

 

[grainysand]

Is there a way to get rid of programs that I know that I will never use, i.e. Nascar, NFL, navigation, etc?

You can't. The bloatware is there to stay unless you root. Them's the breaks when you get a subsidized phone.

Speaking of text, I dl handcent sms as I've read numerous posts about this as well as have talked to several people that prefer this over the original. How do I get rid of the original so only handcent is my text
messenger?

Open the default messaging app. Go to settings. Untick "auto-retrieve" and disable its notifications. Open Handcent, go to settings, tick auto-retrieve and enable notifications, etc.

How do I know if I have the most up-to-date software?

Settings -> About phone -> Software. Not that it matters, since I don't think there's currently an official update for the Hero. You'll be stuck with Android 1.5 until, say, April?

I've always had gmail, so I would like to get rid of the mailbox icon.

Huh? Not sure what you mean, but to remove any icon, long-press it, then drag and drop to a bin at the bottom.

Speaking of email, I was getting email last night on my phone, but not during the evening as I slept. Now I don't have any notifications like I did last night. Did I do something?

Turn sync on.

Can I get rid of any of the home pages (you start off with 7.) Would like just to have the calendar and my bookmarks.

No. But you can use a home replacement app to reduce the number of homescreens, usually to five or three.

 

[TeamPEZ]

Thanks for your help - I'm such a noob.

I took my phone off at 5am and its about 8am and I'm down between 3/4-1/2 battery. I disabled many things as mentioned, but could it be because it's the first I've charged it?

I will try not to ask any more questions ... thanks for your help again!

 

[grainysand]

Not sure about the Hero, but yes, my Nexus One's battery life was pretty bad until I'd charged it about two-three times.

 

[lildegregs22]

Do you have advanced task manager free? If not then get it from the market and use that to kill the apps, it'll improve your batter life to last all day and night, at least that's how mine is and I have a ton of applications running.

 

[grainysand]

I'm not sure about that. There have been some debate as to whether killing tasks helps your battery life. In my experience, though I haven't done extensive testing, it doesn't really.

Stopping apps from auto-starting altogether would be much more effective, but for that you need root.

 

[IOWA]

You need to root your phone, it can get a little complicated.