First android phone

[naike]

So, after years of iOS and WP I decided to give Android a try since they seem to finally have fixed the lag issues since 4.0.

I got myself a Samsung GS4, can you give me any tips on useful apps etc and stuff I need to know about android?

Also, I'm wondering whether or not to root the phone, but I'm not sure what I can gain by rooting my phone considering the risks? And will I keep my purchased apps from the play store?

[rustikles]

Tasker is a must. Basically an IFTT style conditional for phone settings, etc. (EDIT: it's $2.99 btw)

 

Example: Use GPS or home wifi connection as a trigger to temporarily disable your password lock.

[Cacao]

Only root your phone if you're interested in truly customizing your phone, since you're coming from iOS I think just stock android is a big enough step for now. As for tips and stuff, there's too much to cover for a forum post, but check this out: http://techland.time.com/2013/04/25/new-android-phone-check-out-these-14-essential-hints-and-tips/

 

It gives you a pretty good guide for what you should be setting you on your new phone. Enjoy!

[wkronbaek]

Install a launcher (Homescreen) you like - TouchWiz isn't great, i really like something like Nova/Apex launcher (Download from google play) a lot better - Subjective though

 

Download custom stuff for everything - SwiftKey Keyboard (And check the settings out), Twicca for twitter, Music players like Now Playing, Everything. 

Widgets are great, Minimalistic text is great, Circle battery widget is great, Check what you think looks good yourself.

 

Root to get 5.0 (When it comes out) if Samsung doesn't ship it.

Rooting is also great for stuff like Titanium Backup (Backup app)

And you of course keep everything tied to your account when rooting, Google doesn't care about rooting much

 

Amazon Appstore gives you free apps and stuff, it's great

 

MightyText is awesome

 

Emulators for pretty much everything, Pokemon still beats any phone game.

 

Buy humble bundles with android. 

 

And if there's something you'd like, Google if it can be done cause it probably can.

 

Oh, and use play.google.com to download apps : P

[T.Vengeance]

Oh, and use play.google.com to download apps : P

Amen to that. I love how I can search the play store on my computer and just click install and my phone automatically downloads it.

 

I know it's a lot to take in, but if you really wanna maximize your phone usage, once you get much more familiar with android, download custom kernels for your GS4. There are some that will make your battery life just insanely good. And of course, who doesn't like to overclock? :p

[Zappy]

Apps are tied to your account on the store you buy them from (IE Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore), not to a specific phone/tablet so you don't have to worry. You shoud also try out Apex or Nova if you want to see how a "stock" experience might look like.

 

As for Apps

 

Swiftkey (Best Keyboard, almost a must) - Paid
Feedly (RSS reader) - Free

MX Player (Video Player) - Adsupported or Paid

TuneIn Player (Listen to Shoutcasts) - Free

Poweramp (Music Player) - Paid

Soundhound OO or Shazam Encore (Music IDer) - Paid

Skype (VOIP) - Free

IMO - (IM Messenger) - Free

RealCalc Plus (Scientific Calculator) - Paid

PocketCasts (Podcasts) - Paid

Business Calendar (Better than Google's Calendar App) - Paid

Facebook/Facebook Messenger (well you know) - Free

Adobe Reader (PDF Reader) - Free

Kingsoft Office (Good Office Suite) - Free

Helium (App Sync and Backup) - Free with a better paid version

 

Hmm two apps I forgot:

 

3G Watchdog (Better than android's build in function for watching data use) - Free with a better paid version

Keep (A Notes/Reminder app from Google) - Free

[wkronbaek]

Amen to that. I love how I can search the play store on my computer and just click install and my phone automatically downloads it.

 

I know it's a lot to take in, but if you really wanna maximize your phone usage, once you get much more familiar with android, download custom kernels for your GS4. There are some that will make your battery life just insanely good. And of course, who doesn't like to overclock? :P

Overclocking a device that doesn't even have a heatsink or fan is the best idea i've ever heard!

 

But installing kernels isn't that heard, and yeah with some devices it can improve battery life or performance massively.

 

And, if you root you should install cyanogenmod for sure.

[OneGun]