Android Tips

Steve · Oct 03, 2014, 10:27:03

For those who like the purer uncluttered Android launcher instead of the Touchwiz from Samsung and Sense from HTC can I recommend the 'google now launcher'

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.launcher&hl=en

I don't believe it makes any disastrous changes to your phone apart from an update to google search. You also have a choice of which launcher then that you wish to use.

Seems to work fine on the Xperia Z3 (Kitkat 4.4) it's very much like the Nexus 5 experience, for others I'm sure a google search may showup any pitfalls.

Glenn · Oct 03, 2014, 10:56:00

I would recommend Nova Launcher https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher&hl=en_GB

Steve · Oct 03, 2014, 11:20:47

I'll give that one a try as well

Simon · Oct 04, 2014, 18:47:46

Can anyone recommend some simple time killing games, which aren't infested with ads? I don't mind paying to get rid of ads, if the game is decent. I'm particularly looking for a reasonable Pool game, that I don't have to play with other people. I had one on the iPhone but they don't do an Android version.

zappaDPJ · Oct 04, 2014, 20:57:53

I have one game on the iPhone that my daughter put there which you can also get on Android. I only play the free version but there's no advertising: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kiragames.unblockmefree&hl=en_GB

Simon · Oct 04, 2014, 21:17:13

That's probably the sort of thing that would drive me nuts, but I'll give it a look.

Steve · Oct 04, 2014, 22:18:45

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/60-best-free-android-games-2013-687718

Simon · Oct 04, 2014, 22:55:51

It's the ads on most of them that spoil it for me. Maybe I just need to get used to them, with it being Android, but on the Angry Birds game, for example, the ad takes up half the screen!

Simon · Oct 04, 2014, 23:16:16

What do you think is the best (most secure) payment method for apps from Google Play? For the first couple, I used PayPal, but then I realised that Google Wallet had stored my PayPal account details and password, which I wasn't very happy about, so I've just removed them. Apparently, banks won't support Google Wallet because it feeds back purchase information for (you guessed it), advertising purposes. Is there anything about Android that isn't out to harvest information from the user?

Steve · Oct 05, 2014, 07:16:54

I use a credit card I don't use Google wallet same with Apple App Store . Yes there's a lot of information gathered about you but of course some is fed back to allow searching to be more relevant. It's not something to be honest I worry about.

Simon · Oct 05, 2014, 09:08:39

But even a credit card seems to be stored in Google Wallet. $:-\$

Steve · Oct 05, 2014, 09:37:08

I don't have a Google wallet on my phone and I didn't think it was a UK option

Simon · Oct 05, 2014, 10:08:15

No, it's not on your phone, but you would have had to sign in to your Google account to make purchases from the Play Store, and that's when they nab your details. If you sign into your Google account via a browser, you'll see your Google Wallet there. It didn't give me any choice.

nowster · Oct 05, 2014, 10:31:56

Frozen Bubble (at least the original version). The idea was pinched by Bubble Witch, etc.

Steve · Oct 05, 2014, 12:07:32

Quote from: Simon on Oct 05, 2014, 10:08:15
No, it's not on your phone, but you would have had to sign in to your Google account to make purchases from the Play Store, and that's when they nab your details. If you sign into your Google account via a browser, you'll see your Google Wallet there. It didn't give me any choice.

OK found it , however is it any different than iTunes for taking your credit details etc.

Glenn · Oct 05, 2014, 12:09:03

Or Amazon, so you can use their 'One Click' buying service?

Simon · Oct 05, 2014, 12:15:51

I know, but it just feels less safe because it's Google, and the fact that UK banks won't support it due to privacy issues.

Simon · Oct 05, 2014, 12:29:00

http://mobile.pcadvisor.co.uk/features/internet/3456165/what-you-need-know-about-google-wallet/

Steve · Oct 19, 2014, 16:43:40

AirDroid 2 is quite fun if you've not tried it. i.e. control of you android phone from a web browser.

Technical Ben · Oct 20, 2014, 11:27:16

Quote from: Simon on Oct 05, 2014, 12:15:51
I know, but it just feels less safe because it's Google, and the fact that UK banks won't support it due to privacy issues.

Yep. It's probably as safe as any other payment system that's not cash/card (both can still get stolen

). But it's mainly privacy that is the problem. The banks and/or credit agencies have access to your data. Though not cross business unless specifically applying for credit. Tesco/etc have your shopping when in their store (either face to face or with a points card). These are all limited in scope.

If Google wish to data mine their payment system, that is working like a bank, then that's a lot of data that they can get that they are not normally privy to. Plus are they even regulated like other banks/cards?