yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Topics] Tabbe:
you can download the apps from android market under multimedia straight.

there are alot of apps, you can try musicgo, mp3 download, music search

youtube can be downloaded by using dolphin browser and videobox

there are alot of players also, play mp3 and videos together, take wikitune example, it will read for lyrics from the net and show it fullscreen or merge with album picture when you are playing mp3 or even video.

there is another player now which is wuzhenhua, chinese develop supporting flv/rmvb, u can read more details on xda dev front page. this is not a market app, so you can download the installation file and install using memory card.

so now without jailbreaking i can use my memory to store the things i want and download install straight from market what i want to play.

actually android is ready already with 1.6 and not a neccessary to upgrade to 2.1

im have droid with 2.1 but its nothing much compare to 1.6. it also depends on oem customization, i must say acer did a wonderful job on adding features that are not avaliable on 1.6.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Can you mix music video with audio music in a playlist?

Can we play video in the background?

Can we play video to just listen to the music with the phone switched off?

I hope Android phones can do these as I've quite a large music video collection by now.
[General Topics] Tabbe:
video and audio in a playlist no. wikitune separate video and mp3, i have not find any that can mix but its highly possible waiting for someone to dev or coreplayer to port over.

video and just listen music while lcd off, yes, media player just tested
[General Topics] wbchristmas:
Interesting thread!!

Eaglesteve.. Can you start compiling a spreadsheet of all of the pros and cons being discussed in this thread? I really think it would go a long way in tracking all of the information being discussed.

+1 Thanks and Cheers!
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
I don't know enough about Android to do that yet. I'll do that when all the answers are in. I need you guys with Android knowledge to help fill in the gaps.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
SMS And Mails

Grouping contacts

iPhone: yes

Android: ?? edit: yes

Send new mail to group without having to enter each contact individually

iPhone:yes. Use ABContacts

Android ??? edit: yes

Send new SMS to group without having to choose all contacts individually

iPhone:yes. Use ABContacts and irealSMS

Android?? edit: yes

Forward mail to group is a problem in iPhone. I have yo use a work around. Copy the mail content into clipboard, go to Abcontacts to compose a mail to group then paste the content in the new mail. I don't like this. I want a more efficient way. Can Android give me anything better like allowing me to forward the jokes email I receive daily to a group of people directly without these long winded steps? edit: Android is strong in this. No problem forwarding to group.
[General Topics] dsymbol:
Android: Yes, & even better. By default, you get a few group contacts: Favorite. Vip. Family. Friends. Co-workers. You can create other customed groups if you want.

Tap the Co-workers > Send > you get 2 options: (a) Send group message. (b) Send group mail

Android: yes. See above

Android: yes.

New Message > People > tick on individual contacts that you want to send to.

Or create a group, & go there & mass send.

If you use HTC's POP3 mail client, it's quite simple.

After setting up your POP3 account. Tap on the joke email > Menu > Forward > People > Groups > Co-workers > OK.

HTC provides the Gmail program that I find it difficult to deal with. For example I can not copy the text from the body. May be I'm missing out something.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
dsymbol,

Very informative post and great contribution. I look forward to benefit even more from your insight and experience on this forum. You're clearly an asset to us here.

Tell me more about the copy and paste features in Android - in as much details as you can. Where are all the places where it is NOT supported? How many different ways are there in cut and paste design?
[General Topics] JAguirre1231:
Depends, if you don't have a physical keyboard and you are NOT using an HTC Sense UI Device, it is ONLY supported in text-entry fields, the browser, and AFAIK that is all.

If you have a keyboard/Sense UI device it is in most places with text (Haven't tried 3rd party apps).

Keyboard, menu->select text, hold and select, long press-> select text, longpress -> select all. Copying and pasting are pretty straightforward from there.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
You mean if the device has a keyboard, there is also a method of copying done completely with the keyboard?

So, no problem in copying from or pasting to url address field, google search box on the main screen, etc?

Can someone try to reply with a quote on this forum (it will require a select and copy first, a strange forum I know). Can it be done?
[General Topics] dsymbol:
Cut Copy Paste

I can only speak for my non-rooted HTC Legend ok :-)

In the enterable field of SMS or Email, Press & Hold will give me some options: Select all. Select text. Cut all. Copy all.

Within SMS app(s):

- With the HTC's SMS (default program that comes with the phone), Press & Hold the non-enterable field doesn't give me the option to copy. However, to work around that, Press & Hold > Forward.

I cannot select the whole conversation to copy & paste (like I could with WinMo 6.1 & 6.5)

- With the 3rd party SMS app (Handcent SMS),

A) Press & Hold the non-enterable field > Copy message text > Press & Hold > Paste.

B) Press & Hold the non-enterable field > Forward.

I cannot select the whole conversation to copy & paste (like I could with WinMo 6.1 & 6.5)

Within email app:

- With HTC's POP3 mail client, in the non-enterable field: Press & Hold will magnify the word (just like in the Iphone). Release it for 3 options: Copy to clipboard (you have to drag the cursors); Look up; Share.

- With Gmail program provided by HTC: In the non-enterable field, I cannot Copy/Paste. Press & Hold doesn't do anything.

The phone is equipped with Quickoffice.

In Doc, can not Copy/Paste

The phone is equipped with a PDF Viewer.

In PDF, can not Copy

If you get the 3rd Party app called DocumentsToGo

In PDF, Menu > Edit > Select Text > Highlight. Upon release, the text is copied to clipboard.

In Doc, Press & Hold > Selection Mode > Highlight the text you want to copy > Menu > Edit > Cut/Copy

Within the Built-in web browser provided by HTC

Press & Hold will magnify the word. Release will give me 3 options. Copy to clipboard; Look up in wiki; Share (with Friend Stream; Mail; Messages; Peep; Plurk). It's quite good. But I RARELY get online from the phone.

In my own experiments, HTC's Android 2.1 default apps give you different options to copy/cut/paste, & I find that inconsistent.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
This does not sound right. I'm sure this software is using another completely different cut and paste method different from those you have described so far.

How about trying double tap on the Doc pages and see if you're then able to select text?
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
This does not sound right. I'm sure this software is using another completely different cut and paste method different from those you have described so far.

How about trying double tap on the Doc pages and see if you're then able to select text?

Having so many inconsistent method of copying really makes using it frustrating I imagine. I would definitely find it frustrating not knowing how I can copy and paste when editing a word document, the most basic function of a text editing application using the two methods that have been ingrained into my usage habbit.

Can you also describe how those two productivity software do these:

a) Copy and paste a cell and range of cells to another place in the spreadsheet

b) Copy and paste INSIDE the cell.
[General Topics] dsymbol:
heheheh.

In Quickoffice's *.doc file, Tap & Hold doesn't give me any option.

Double tap is zooming in & out.

Press Menu for 5 options:

1. Open: To open files

2. View

(a) Normal: meaning it'll show the whole page, which you cannot see anything because the text is very small.

(b) Reformatted: Text is readable, but still very small. Double tap to zoom. By default, the doc is opened in Reformatted view.

3. Search. I tried to search for a word & Press & Hold to see if I could Copy, but .. hopeless.

4. Properties: giving you info of the file size, location.

5. About: giving you the info of Quickoffice app itself.

If you want to modify the doc, DocumentsToGo is the way to go.

Bad news for me is the DocumentsToGo I have doesnt read my *.xls files correctly.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Are you serious? QuickOffice is only for viewing in Android? Well, even then, I would expect the ability to copy out part of the documents to be pasted to mail, etc. Anyway, would you mind describing the copy and past of cell(s) and within a cell of a spreadsheet using document to go?
[General Topics] dsymbol:
Yeah, sorry to disappoint you about my Legend's Quickoffice.

I wonder the Desire's Quickoffice is any different?!?!

In Documents To Go > Sheet To Go (app to open & edit *.xls files) to copy:

- 1 cell: Tap & Hold the cell > Copy > Tap & Hold cell > Paste.

- 2+ cells: Tap & Hold > Selection Mode > Hightlight cells to copy, Tap & Hold > Copy > Tap & Hold > Paste
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Is Document To Go the very best Office Document application available? In the case of iPhone, this is one of the top, but I personally prefer Office2 (office square), which is even better than Document on the go. But I'll stick with Document on the Go for the purpose of comparison.

In the case of Androi, how to do copy inside the cell. Say the cell contains a long sentence and you want to copy part if that sentence? Can you also describe how the column width is changed in Document to Go?

For iPhone, it works as follows:

Word document with Document to go iPhone

---------------------------------------------------------

There are some shortcuts available: Double tap to select a single word, double-tap and drag to select more text. Trip tap to select the entire paragraph. In all these cases, you will see different amount of text already included by the start and end selection handle. You're free then to alter the amount of selection. When the selection includes exactly what you have in mind, choose what you want to do (cut/copy/select all/paste)

Spreadsheets with Document to go iPhone:

----------------------------------------------------------

- To select one cell: tap the cell to select that cell.

- To select a range of cell: double touch that cell then without letting go drag to the diagonally opposite corner. If you hit the border of the screen, it will automatically scroll the sheet.

- To select the enter column, touch the column header. To select the entire row, touch the row header.

After selection has been made, a pop-up appears a s in other iPhone appls to allow for cut, copy, and paste of the selection to another spot in the document, or another application on the iPhone.

- To select a portion of the content within a cell, touch the cell which will display the content on the top of the spreadsheet entry window. Press and hold on the text entry window until magnifying glass appear and selection handle appear. Move two ends of the handle to select text, then copy. Therefore it is exactly the same mechanism as if you're editing the word document of any other part of iPhone application.

Power point with Document to Go iPhone:

------------------------------------------------------

Touch and hold until the magnifying glass and selection handle appears. Drag the begining and end selection handle, then touch copy/cut/paste.

To change column width in spreadsheet, touch and hold the divider between the rows or columns header. A dotted line will appear on screen allowing you to roll your finger or drag in the desired direction and change the size of the row or column.

Summary: The method is consistent with other iPhone applications and immediately intuitive to users.
[General Topics] dsymbol:
Now this gets tricky.

Unlike the Iphone, there's no magnify glass. So I have to use the Optical Trackpad for the selecting precision.

Lets say the cell has Belvedere Luxury Vodka. To copy just 1 word Belvedere:

Tap that cell > Tap the Formula bar > use the Optical Trackpad to place the cursor at the beginning or the end of the word Belvedere > Tap & Hold the Formula bar > Select Text > use the Optical Trackpad to highlight the word (because your finger is too big to highlight it precisely > Tap & Hold the Formula bar again > Copy > Paste.

Tap any cell in that column > Menu > More > Columns >

At this point, you have several options: Autofit, Column Width, Hide Column...
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Thanks. Get a good idea of the difference in user interface in this application now.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Desktop comparison - one possible customization scenario for iPhone

In the next area of comparison, let's look at HTC Sense UI versus iPhone using Overboard customized desktop/springboard (see picture here)

(Note, you can scroll vertically to see the hidden pages)

Let me put down whatever I know first, and please correct any erroneous understanding on my part.

Number of pages:

HTC sense : 7 pages maximum

Number of springboard pages in stock OS: 11 pages, 12 if you count the search

Number of springboard pages in JB iphone running overboard: no limit

One click of home button from anywhere (including desktop, or within another application) to immediately show the "helicopter view" of all the pages"

HTC Sense: No. You need to press home, then home again.

iPhone overboard: Yes if you configure springboard to be the home page. othersiwe single click of home button will bring you to the main page, and you have to click home again to show the helicopter view.

Customizing the helicopter view

HTC: ???

Overboard: You can have two, three, four pages per row of display according to your own personal preference and number of applications you have. If you have very few applications, you might want to have just two pages per row, whereas if you've hundreds of applications like me, you might want to have four pages per row. You can also decide to either display or hide the docked (most frequently used applications) at the bottom.

Move and reorder pages:

HTC sense: Yes

IPhone Overboard: Yes

Moving more than one icons at a time to a different desktop page. This is very important for organising the icons. I might want to pick up all the location service related applications of all the pages, then swipe to the page dedicted for this category of applications, and drop all the icons that came from the other pages, all at one go.

HTC sense: not possible. Only one icon at a time.

iPhone Overboard: Yes. Press any icon until all of them wobble. Then touch all the applications you want to pick up. You can go to any page to pick up any number of icons, then swipe to the destination page and press Home key to release them to that page. You must install a Cydia application called MultiIconsMover first before you can have this feature.

Jump to any page from the helicopter view:

Both yes.

Folders are supported in both (OS4.0 for iPhone). The difference is that the folder in iPhone display 9 miniaturised icons so that you know what's in it.

Is there any error or omission on my part with regards to what HTC sense UI desktop could do?

Ah, this is only available in some model of HTC, but not all models, right? Also, it is completely unavailable in non-HTC phones. Right or wrong?
[General Topics] dsymbol:
EXACTLY

I'm quite disappointed with the Legend/Android for its lack of basic functions of taking note while making call; copy & paste; Sending contact via SMS (have to send via MMS).

Have I mentioned that the phone doesnt even have Notes. Had to download it.

I understand that there'll never be a phone that can accommodate everyone's need. That's why there's Marketplace, 3rd party applications

However, Android is immature of the very basic fundamental of a SMARTPHONE:

Taking Note

Cut/Copy/Paste

SMS function

Ok, I guess I've sidetracked & broken your rules hehehehehe.

Let's get back to the topic of Iphone IS better than Android
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
No, the topic is not to show that iPhone is better than Android. It is just to understand where the differences are. Which one being "better" is probably heavily influenced by personal preferences, and needs to consider the total pictures, not just any single aspects. In some areas, such as notifications, ability to designate default applications, and gadgets, Android is still the king of Smartphones. It also have a lot more choices when come to hardware selection. Until we look at every aspects in details, it is probably still prematured for me to say which will be my next phone. iPhone HD vs HTC Supersonic is not going to be walkover for any of the device but fierce battle if anything.
[General Topics] dsymbol:
LOL.....i was just jokingly mocking you. But hey, Glad you are here Steve. Please bring all the ammo, or maybe 2/3rd is enough ?!?! hehehehe.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
I have a bad news for you: iPhone's contact can only be send via email and MMS, not SMS. Therefore it has the same limitation as Android in this regards. Not sure if they improve on this in OS 4.0. I suppose it is because there is picture there which you need to send, so only MMS can do that.
[General Topics] dsymbol:
That sucks.

I REALLY like it how WinMo 6.1 & 6.5 allow you to select which info of the contact to send, & send it via SMS. That's what I need.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
I wouldn't say it sucks just because of one little thing though. Let's say there's room for improvement here. Anyway, is there hugh difference in the cost of MMS and SMS in where you come from ? How often do you have to do that? Can you not do it be email which is free?

Also, I forgot to mention that you can bluetooth your contact over to another iPhone. Many applications exist for this, one of which is called bluewaves. You start the application, shake the phone to connect, pick the contact, and press send. Done. Nothing like that in winmo, right? So, there're places you win, and there're places you lose. We need to see the complete picture before making the best overall decision.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Quick jump to any part of a page?

When using certain applications, such as viewing a long webpage, looking at pages after pages of photo thumbnails, viweing 1000+ RSS items list or even webpage of an item in such applications, I find it tedious to have to keep swiping in order to get to the place I want to go. On xda for example, I might want to quickly go to the middle of the page, 2/3 down the page, etc. My ideal smartphone is one that lets me quickly jump to any place of the screen of any application.

iPhone: If I install a Cydia appliation called QuickScroll2, I will be able to do that. There is a traslucent scroll bar on the right which only appears when I scroll (you can configure it differently to suit to taste). By merely touching that scroll bar when it appears for that brief few seconds (duration configurable again), it will let me jump directly to (next page, or that part of the page, according to your preferred setting).

Android: Is there anything like this, in order to increase page navigational efficiency?
[General Topics] dsymbol:
I'm from Vietnam, where the data plans are still limited. We have 3G & GPRS here, but the speed is SLOW & only a small fraction of the population use it. It's still in a very new to people.

My company pays for my phone bill, so data plans isn't the problem. The problem is only a few people on data plan, in fact, I haven't met any clients/friends using data plan. MMS is just not gonna work for me & most people here yet.
[General Topics] dsymbol:
Yes, for example, in the photo album, instead of flicking & flicking, I can just Tap & Hold that scroll bar on the right, & drag it down. As I drag down the scroll bar, it actually gives me the date the pictures are taken in that page.

Using Documents To Go to read PDF files: Menu > View > Go To Page

Not sure about the webpages & *.doc cuz I haven't read anything that long on the phone yet hehe.
[General Topics] dsymbol:
Steve, WinMo by default can send the contact via SMS/Bluetooth/MMS.
[General Topics] JAguirre1231:
10

characters
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Pinch-zoom only when you're on one of the pages of the desktops but not within any application, right? That means that while within an application and you want to start a new one, you have to 1) Press Menu go to desktop first 2) pinch to show the helicopter view, 3) select the page where your application is kept 4) Touch the application icon.

iPhone's Overboard basically combines step 1) and 2) and cuts down the total number of steps. From within any applicatin, pressing Home key will right away show the helicopter view of all the desktop pages.

Incidentally, if you're already on the desktop, iPhone also allows you to pinch zoom to bring up the helicopter view. There are about 20 different methods you can choose to bring this up: pinch zoom is one of the 20 methods. I personally use single click of home key since this will also work from within application, even full screen applications such as full screen web browser.

My friend has a Omnia Galaxy, and I think it runs 1.5, but I'm not completely sure now. Can he get this without having hacking skill? (This thread is meant to view things from the general end user perspective rather than hacker or programmers, so the rule that I mention is that GENERAL user must be able to do it. We must only use generally available tools created by technical people, but not required to be personally technical). Where can he get the tool to install HTC Sense UI with helicopter view capability?

EDIT:

I think I seriously misunderstood what the 7 screens in HTC sense are showing. I thought that you spread all the programs around in the seven screen, but seems like it is for more showing widgets.

So, what's the quickest way, from within an application to get to the programs? Is it to have one folder for each category of applications and go to the right folder to search for that application? Can global search allow me to quickly search for application by name and launch it like in iPhone? Is there a hardware button to immediately show the all program screen while you're inside the sixth level of the application? Do I have to press back, back, back, back hardware key to exit the application first?
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Multiple exchange support

iPhone:

Yes.

Android:

Yes. It appears though that HTC removed this capability which is otherwise native in the OS (Am I right?). However the feature can be brought back by installing an application called TouchDown.
[General Topics] eaglesteve:
Global search

Bump this. Surely google search will be ten times superior to iPhone's I would expect. After all, google is THE search company.

Could you please comprehensively list what could be searched with Android's global search?

In OS 4.0, the search could include:

- Web search (new in OS 4.0) I think you can choose any search engine, not just google. So Bing, Yahoo, etc are supported.

- Wikipedia search (new in OS 4.0)

- Search for contact name

- Search for applications installed on the phone

- Search for music's name, artist, or album name

- Search for podcast

- search for video

- search for audiobooks

- search for notes name and within notes.

- search for mails and text within the mails

- search for calendar items