Switched from iPhone 5 to Note 3 - Need help and advice

[weelzSA]

As the title reads, I have finally made the switch to Android after using every iPhone since the very first one. Decided it was now or never and went for the Note 3 and so far it has been a learning curve but am sure there still a million things I am missing, doing wrong or just not doing at all.

Just have a few questions (I apologise if these have been asked before)

1 - Is there a diference between the Google Play Store between countries as it is with iOS? I had been on a UK appstore as SA one had nothing so was wondering if it works the same with Play Store?

2 - Is it possible to get notification badges on the actual app icon? For example on iOS when you received a Whatsapp message, there would be a red notification on the corner of the app icon informing you there was a new message - I have searched for this but can't find anything. I get them on the facebook app icon but nothing on Whatsapp or messages.

3 - I know this must have been asked thousands of times but what are the most recommended apps that any Android phone can simply not live without? And is it recommend to install an anti-virus app on the phone? If so are there any negatives to doing so as in slowing the performance down ect?

Thats all I can think of now (but Im sure the more I mess around with Android, the more I will find out / struggle with).

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get into Android.

 

[Ecco]

1. Yes there is a difference. But i think its mostly for content like movies, music and books.
2. The notification badges are part of the app e.g. fb. I think some customer roms or launchers may have this feature too. The default android notification system also shows you the number of messages etc when you pull the notification bar down.
3. I don't think you need an antivirus program. Just be sensible with the apps you load and links you follow. The usual apps are available on iOS and Android. For stuff you would probably only get on android, check out custom launchers, maybe a 3rd party sms app e.g. Go SMS pro. Put AlwaysOn Samsung for 1Gb free wifi data at AlwaysOn hotspots (samsung thing not Android) Quickpic, for viewing your pics vids etc. Opera Mini

 

[R13...]

Must say Go SMS Pro is bloaty and buggy. I use it as it's the best dual sim app. It crashes and I restart my phone weekly to sort it out, I notice it's dead when two days go by without receiving any text.

 

[Ecco]

Must say Go SMS Pro is bloaty and buggy. I use it as it's the best dual sim app. It crashes and I restart my phone weekly to sort it out, I notice it's dead when two days go by without receiving any text.

Have had no issues with it on the GS3. Maybe its a problem related to the dual sim thing. But not to derail, to the OP, there are many 3rd party apps for SMS's - pick one you like.

 

[satanboy]

3 - I know this must have been asked thousands of times but what are the most recommended apps that any Android phone can simply not live without?

Endomondo
WDlxTV Mediaplayer
Simpsons Tapped Out
Real Racing 3

 

[Maverick Jester]

1 - Is there a diference between the Google Play Store between countries as it is with iOS? I had been on a UK appstore as SA one had nothing so was wondering if it works the same with Play Store?

Yes- but as previously mentioned, it is more related to content such as music, movies, books and devices. FPB being the reason behind this.

2 - Is it possible to get notification badges on the actual app icon? For example on iOS when you received a Whatsapp message, there would be a red notification on the corner of the app icon informing you there was a new message - I have searched for this but can't find anything. I get them on the facebook app icon but nothing on Whatsapp or messages.

Try this app or this one for Whatsapp.

3 - I know this must have been asked thousands of times but what are the most recommended apps that any Android phone can simply not live without? And is it recommend to install an anti-virus app on the phone? If so are there any negatives to doing so as in slowing the performance down ect?

It varies greatly dependant on your usage of the device. Coming from iOS, I'm not sure what sort of apps you used most often. I would say however, that a good file manager (ES File Explorer or Sliding Explorer) is necessary.
MX Player is the best video player that I have come across, and a definite recommendation. I can't advise any more until I have a feel for your usage pattern. However given that you use a Note 3, I would definitely load a few games and HD videos onto the device.

And on the anti-virus: I would only use one as a tracking mechanism should my phone get stolen. I don't install malware, so the risk of me device becoming infected is tiny...

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get into Android.

Welcome to the dark side and enjoy your device!

 

[weelzSA]

1. Yes there is a difference. But i think its mostly for content like movies, music and books.
2. The notification badges are part of the app e.g. fb. I think some customer roms or launchers may have this feature too. The default android notification system also shows you the number of messages etc when you pull the notification bar down.
3. I don't think you need an antivirus program. Just be sensible with the apps you load and links you follow. The usual apps are available on iOS and Android. For stuff you would probably only get on android, check out custom launchers, maybe a 3rd party sms app e.g. Go SMS pro. Put AlwaysOn Samsung for 1Gb free wifi data at AlwaysOn hotspots (samsung thing not Android) Quickpic, for viewing your pics vids etc. Opera Mini

Thanks will have a look at GO SMS Pro.

Regarding the region and Play Store, I see there are alot of Apps that say "This app is incompatible with your device" and when I click more info it tells me "This item cannot be installed in your devices country" - Is there anyway of getting around this as there a few apps that I use quite often that give me this message when trying to download (have tried from note 3 and Mac).

What exactly are "Launchers" - are they kind of a theme?

 

[Ecco]

Launchers are kind of themes or the interface to android. The launchers will determine how many screens you have, how you group apps, how many shortcuts you can put on each screen, if you can resize widgets etc

 

[weelzSA]

Yes- but as previously mentioned, it is more related to content such as music, movies, books and devices. FPB being the reason behind this.



Try this app or this one for Whatsapp.



It varies greatly dependant on your usage of the device. Coming from iOS, I'm not sure what sort of apps you used most often. I would say however, that a good file manager (ES File Explorer or Sliding Explorer) is necessary.
MX Player is the best video player that I have come across, and a definite recommendation. I can't advise any more until I have a feel for your usage pattern. However given that you use a Note 3, I would definitely load a few games and HD videos onto the device.

And on the anti-virus: I would only use one as a tracking mechanism should my phone get stolen. I don't install malware, so the risk of me device becoming infected is tiny...



Welcome to the dark side and enjoy your device!

Thanks for all the info... Much appreciated

There are a few apps which when I try and install get told I can't because the app is not available in my country.

Will try those two for Whatsapp notifications and hopefully one of them will work.

Thanks for MX Player, been looking for a movie player. Any tips on Music player as I don't know how well the default one will work.

Definitely will be loading some HD movies to see the quality but one thing for sure is the size difference is HUGE compared to my iPhone 5.

Ahhh yeah forgot I now need something similar to "Find my iPhone", will have a look.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

Some apps that I use on my phone and would recommend are:

Solid Explorer (it's a paid app, but worth it)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer

Astro File Manager (free file explorer)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.metago.astro

Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus (also a paid app)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bitdefender.security

Lookout Antivirus (nice free Antivirus app)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout

QuickPic (free replacement galery app)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alensw.PicFolder

Tapatalk (you'll probably know this one, now free)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkpro.activity

1Weather (free weather app)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.handmark.expressweather

Edit: forgot to add my favourite music and video player app.

PlayerPro Music Player (it's a paid app)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tbig.playerpro

MX Player (probably the best free video player)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mxtech.videoplayer.ad

 

[Park@82]

I know this must have been asked thousands of times but what are the most recommended apps that any Android phone can simply not live without?

For me this is it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=SwiftKey

And a custom launcher like Nova or Apex.

Other apps that I use almost daily is:
a Flashlight app via a wiget so I can toggle it on and off from the home screen.
Some of the Google apps - Keep to take notes; Google plus to auto backup/upload my photos; Gmail for contact backups & email; Drive to store files; Google Now to set reminders, check weather etc.

Edit: another thing that is awesome about Android are apps that automate certain actions based on your location/time/event. Check out Llama and Tasker


For anything else there is http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/397329-Android-Useful-Apps

 

[Maverick Jester]

There are a few apps which when I try and install get told I can't because the app is not available in my country.

There used to be a hack for the Play Store that allowed you to install apps that are otherwise blocked, not sure if it still works. Another option is using a cracked APK of the app that you want to install, but your device needs to be rooted and it is risky.

Thanks for MX Player, been looking for a movie player. Any tips on Music player as I don't know how well the default one will work.

Neutron Music Player or Poweramp. Both are paid apps, but well worth the money. And with the Note 3 playing audio at 24-bit, Neutron will sound amazing on it.

Ahhh yeah forgot I now need something similar to "Find my iPhone", will have a look.

Google themselves have this, and most of the Android antivirus programs (Avast, AVG, even an app like Tasker) have a "find my device" option.

Thanks again for all the help.

You're welcome.

 

[Park@82]

...
Ahhh yeah forgot I now need something similar to "Find my iPhone", will have a look.

Plenty of these.
Default on Android :https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager
for Samsung: http://findmymobile.samsung.com
Highly recommended Cerberus anti theft
Free all in one Mobile Security & Antivirus from AVAST.

 

[weelzSA]

So I take it there is no way to get Netflix or Hulu installed via the play Store? I can see the apps there but get the message" This app is incompatible with your device. Not supported in your country".

Is there a way around this without rooting my device?

 

[qdada]

As a previous apple user, I remember beginning to enjoy the apple experience when i resigned myself to using the phone they way it was intended. I had been a Nokia user before.

This meant getting used to life WITH iTunes instead of resisting and learning to live without things such as flash disks and the like.

So when I finally jumped to Android, I resolved to do the same. I had low expectations and the ONLY thing that brought me over was the size of the GS3 compared with my old 3GS (<--- look Ma a Palindrome ?). Little did I know how BIG screen sizes were going to be.

I grew to love Android and found a way to enjoy the device in its own right and not try to compare, eg.

I loved the way iTunes handled podcasts. I struggled to find a podcast manager on Android and was obsessed with have to 'sync' . While Winamp and KIES offered that, I soon learned that my phone was cable of managing the feeds on its own without requiring a 'parent' device to sync with. Once I released the mental shackles of having to sync, I discovered BeyondPod which I initially thought it looked grotesque (again comparing to iTunes), I soon learned to appreciate its simplicity and flexibility. Subsequently i discovered the gorgeous Pocket Casts but I still stuck with BeyondPod

I loved and still miss Constellation. It was slick smooth beautiful and was anxious having an XBMC experience without the app. I discovered XBMC remote,which does the job just find and I do not even have to pay for it. Sure it is not as pretty but you know what 'you get what you pay for' and I can actually live without it. Besides, I still have access to my old iPad and if I really missed the experience that much I could always go back to my trusty Constellation. Needless to say. ... I do not miss it that much.

The one app I was thrilled to find a port for was Flipboard and it now comes stock standard with some devices. I wont even get into the world of custom ROMs, that is a whole lot of chapter on its ow. I am not an Android fan boy and neither was I an Apple fan boy,however my experience as a techie and an user has been more fulfilling on Android than my iPhone experience.

It isn't all Green fields, I still miss the simplicity of Airplay. Yes DLNA is there but is not the same thing. The fact that each audio capable app is autonomous make the whole DLNA experience harder to enjoy as one media play will support DLNA and the other would not. On IOS if your app makes a sound, it will be on Airplay.... so for me this area is a work in progress.

 

[gkm]

Other apps that I use almost daily is:
a Flashlight app via a wiget so I can toggle it on and off from the home screen.

My Note 3 came standard with a flashlight widget called "Assistive Light", so I just added that to my home screen and it seems to work fine.

Also, coming from the S2 where we got Route 66 bundled with the phone, I downloaded it for the Note 3, since it remains my favourite navigation app. I shall happily pay for it in a month's time when the free trail is over.

 

[Lupus]

There are a few apps which when I try and install get told I can't because the app is not available in my country.

There used to be a hack for the Play Store that allowed you to install apps that are otherwise blocked, not sure if it still works. Another option is using a cracked APK of the app that you want to install, but your device needs to be rooted and it is risky.

Thanks for MX Player, been looking for a movie player. Any tips on Music player as I don't know how well the default one will work.

Neutron Music Player or Poweramp. Both are paid apps, but well worth the money. And with the Note 3 playing audio at 24-bit, Neutron will sound amazing on it.

Ahhh yeah forgot I now need something similar to "Find my iPhone", will have a look.

Google themselves have this, and most of the Android antivirus programs (Avast, AVG, even an app like Tasker) have a "find my device" option.

Thanks again for all the help.

You're welcome.

Your device doesn't have to be rooted to sideload apps, download the apk, copy to Phone it will normally tell you to switch phone to allow unknown sources installation do this and bam.
Done it on a few different Androids

 

[Park@82]

Another app that I forgot to mention is a app to monitor data usage. My Data Manager works really well for me.

 

[Lupus]

Another app that I forgot to mention is a app to monitor data usage. My Data Manager works really well for me.

But Android cames standard with data monitoring since ICS? Does a really good job of it as well.

 

[Crowley]

I loved and still miss Constellation.

Give Yatse a try. It is a much better remote for XBMC than the official XBMC one.

Also, coming from the S2 where we got Route 66 bundled with the phone, I downloaded it for the Note 3, since it remains my favourite navigation app. I shall happily pay for it in a month's time when the free trail is over.

Give Waze a try before you pay for a navigation app.