Getting an Android for the first time. What tweaks do you recommend?

[Dark Ride]

I had an iPhone 3G before and it died, so I'm getting a Samsung Galaxy Ace - my first Android based phone.

So, what are some cool things I should do when I get it? Must-have apps? Custom OS? Tweaking tools/gadgets?

Hit me!

[Dick Montage]

Put a decent launcher on it such as Go Launcher EX

[Timmah339]

launcherpro is pretty good.

also, try cyanogenmod. best ROM ever

[Detection]

ADW Launcher Ex is a good Launcher too

Root it and install 'Adfree' to kill the banner ads on everything

Custom OC Kernel and 'SetCPU' for overclocking if you need more speedz

[Mystic Mungis]

Cyanogen mod is pretty awesome if they have a version of the rom for our phone, apart from that the only app I use daily is power amp my favourite music player.

Cyanogen mod is pretty awesome if they have a version of the rom for your phone, apart from that the only app I use daily is power amp my favourite music player.

[still1]

Step 1: Root it

Step 2: install CM9 ICS (this ROM is pretty cool) Its alpha but soon will become stable build maybe in a month.

install launcher, chrome is available for ICS if you install custom rom

[firey]

I had an iPhone 3G before and it died, so I'm getting a Samsung Galaxy Ace - my first Android based phone.

So, what are some cool things I should do when I get it? Must-have apps? Custom OS? Tweaking tools/gadgets?

Hit me!

your first stop should be:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/ <- This is like the Go-To place for everything android related. You will find out how to root your device, unlock the bootloaders, custom roms, etc.

I have an Atrix running a custom 2.3.6 Rom w/ an overclocked Kernel that boosts me up to 1.45GHz per core up from 1.0GHz per. First thing I would do is root your device. Then download Titanium Backup. Once you have that you are set (In my opinion).

There are some great apps, ones I use daily, and some great Games.

Game wise. I like Order and Chaos (Full 3D MMORPG), Minecraft PE, GTA III, Blood and Glory, and ofcourse Angry Birds. As for browser I prefer and use Dolphin I feel it is probably the best you can get. As for music and video I use MXVideo Player. It has a full set of codecs and can play pretty much any file.

Another thing to get would be ESFile Explorer. It's a great file explorer and supports streaming files on your phone via LAN or internet websites.

Another program to get (Desktop Side) is android injector. This allows you to install .APK files via sideload (apk files can be found here: http://www.apktops.com/).

There are a tonne more things (Like custom app launchers, I use ZEAM). If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[still1]

ESFile Explorer, where is my water, cut the rope..

go to http://www.xda-developers.com/ or http://rootzwiki.com/ if you want to learn more about android and your phone.

[soldier1st]

Step 1: Root it

Step 2: install CM9 ICS (this ROM is pretty cool) Its alpha but soon will become stable build maybe in a month.

install launcher, chrome is available for ICS if you install custom rom

why root it? if something happens i want the company to replace it.

[still1]

why root it? if something happens i want the company to replace it.

U can always unroot it...

[firey]

why root it? if something happens i want the company to replace it.

rooting doesn't void warantees, even most companies will replace phones with unlocked bootloaders.

[tsupersonic]

If you feel like tinkering with your device,

1) Root it

2) Install a custom ROM/kernel

3) Install new launcher

4) OC it or underclock it

5) Enjoy!

If you don't want to root it,

1) Install a new launcher and customize it to your liking

2) Enjoy!

[funkydude]

It seems wrong when the first step to buying an Android phone is "to root it and install xyz package".

[firey]

It seems wrong when the first step to buying an Android phone is "to root it and install xyz package".

first step for any device is hack it.

iOS Device / WP7 device.

Step 1. Jailbreak

Step 2. Install Alternate market.

It's not an "Android" thing.

[tsupersonic]

It seems wrong when the first step to buying an Android phone is "to root it and install xyz package".

Nope, you don't have to do it. If you are the curious gadget lover, and have an interest in tinkering, you should consider it. Stock experience is usually good, but why not improve it and make the phone the way you want it? The same concepts exist on the iPhone, WebOS, and to some extent other mobile OS's.

[gazebee_]

I have a rooted device, but I'm going to encourage you to NOT root the hell out of your device just because most techie people do. Enjoy the phone for what it is; download launchers and apps to get know the Android, and if it falls short, root it and do custom roms.

[still1]

It seems wrong when the first step to buying an Android phone is "to root it and install xyz package".

Its not just android.. any os u have to do that... u sound like a android hater...

[techbeck]

I had an iPhone 3G before and it died, so I'm getting a Samsung Galaxy Ace - my first Android based phone.

So, what are some cool things I should do when I get it? Must-have apps? Custom OS? Tweaking tools/gadgets?

Hit me!

Ok, keep in mind that the Galaxy ACE is considered a low end Android phone.

With that said, head over to XDA, http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1164, and read up on how to root your phone. Make sure you know what you are doing and are comfortable with doing it before you attempt to root. You can mess up your phone and void the warranty.

As far as apps, just browse the thread here where people post what apps they use.

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/817420-definitive-best-android-apps/

[Dark Ride]

your first stop should be:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/ <- This is like the Go-To place for everything android related. You will find out how to root your device, unlock the bootloaders, custom roms, etc.

I have an Atrix running a custom 2.3.6 Rom w/ an overclocked Kernel that boosts me up to 1.45GHz per core up from 1.0GHz per. First thing I would do is root your device. Then download Titanium Backup. Once you have that you are set (In my opinion).

There are some great apps, ones I use daily, and some great Games.

Game wise. I like Order and Chaos (Full 3D MMORPG), Minecraft PE, GTA III, Blood and Glory, and ofcourse Angry Birds. As for browser I prefer and use Dolphin I feel it is probably the best you can get. As for music and video I use MXVideo Player. It has a full set of codecs and can play pretty much any file.

Another thing to get would be ESFile Explorer. It's a great file explorer and supports streaming files on your phone via LAN or internet websites.

Another program to get (Desktop Side) is android injector. This allows you to install .APK files via sideload (apk files can be found here: http://www.apktops.com/).

There are a tonne more things (Like custom app launchers, I use ZEAM). If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Thanks, firey!

ESFile Explorer, where is my water, cut the rope..

go to http://www.xda-developers.com/ or http://rootzwiki.com/ if you want to learn more about android and your phone.

Thanks for the links, still1.

I have a rooted device, but I'm going to encourage you to NOT root the hell out of your device just because most techie people do. Enjoy the phone for what it is; download launchers and apps to get know the Android, and if it falls short, root it and do custom roms.

If/when I do it, it will be because I like to customize my electronic devices to my liking and tweak them to get the most out of them, not because it's the cool thing to do.

Ok, keep in mind that the Galaxy ACE is considered a low end Android phone.

With that said, head over to XDA, http://forum.xda-dev...play.php?f=1164, and read up on how to root your phone. Make sure you know what you are doing and are comfortable with doing it before you attempt to root. You can mess up your phone and void the warranty.

As far as apps, just browse the thread here where people post what apps they use.

http://www.neowin.ne...t-android-apps/

Thanks for the links and quick info.

Btw, to my knowledge the Galaxy Ace is considered a mid-range smartphone, while the Galaxy Y, for example, is a low-end (or "budget) smartphone.

[techbeck]

Thanks, firey!

Thanks for the links, still1.

If/when I do it, it will be because I like to customize my electronic devices to my liking and tweak them to get the most out of them, not because it's the cool thing to do.

Thanks for the links and quick info.

Btw, to my knowledge the Galaxy Ace is considered a mid-range smartphone, while the Galaxy Y, for example, is a low-end (or "budget) smartphone.

Matter of opinion I guess. I dont see anything more significant in the Ace than the Y.

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone2=3724

[bjoswald]

1. Root

2. Install custom ROM

3. Look up v6 SuperCharger scripts from XDA

4. Actually get what you paid for

Job's done!

[Dark Ride]

Matter of opinion I guess. I dont see anything more significant in the Ace than the Y.

http://www.gsmarena....3?idPhone2=3724

It has nothing to do with opinion ...

Display: 256K colors VS 16M colors

Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels VS 320 x 480 pixels

Camera: 2 MP, 1600x1200 pixels VS 5 MP, 2592x1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash

Video: QVGA@15fps VS VGA@24fps

1. Root

2. Install custom ROM

3. Look up v6 SuperCharger scripts from XDA

4. Actually get what you paid for

Job's done!

Can you be more specific? Like, linking to a guide on how to root, which ROM to use and what those scripts are and whay they do?

[Paul Ferson Veteran]

I have the Ace as well, and mine is unrooted. The Ace doesn't have a huge amount of development activity so there aren't many ROMs for it. I'm not even sure if it'll get Ice Cream Sandwich officially. I didn't see a need to root it. Sure, removing ads would be nice but as it is I don't see a major need (but with the article on the front page being about ads draining battery maybe I should). All I really did was install a different launcher and get it set up how I like it.

Like Firey, I use Zeam Launcher. Very minimalist and very lightweight. I like it a lot.

[AbandonedTrolley]

I'd forgotten all about Zeam launcher, I know it used to get bundled in with the Oxygen roms i would flash on my Desire, since have changed to using ADW launcher though. Might pop back and see how the development has gone with it.

Regarding the comparison between the Y and the Ace the main thing I would look at that normally defines the phone is the processor and GPU, it seems that the Y doesn't have a dedicated GPU going by the GSM Arena comparison. Not too sure how the CPU stack up against each other though.

[techbeck]

It has nothing to do with opinion ...

Display: 256K colors VS 16M colors

Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels VS 320 x 480 pixels

Camera: 2 MP, 1600x1200 pixels VS 5 MP, 2592x1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash

Video: QVGA@15fps VS VGA@24fps

I was referring more towards the processor and memory than the screen size and camera. And IMO, the Ace is still a low end Android phone.