[Vibrant General] s15274n:
Continued from post #1

VIBRANT TOPICS

ARE YOU HARDWARE LOCKED? ** Please note this is for JI6, if you are running froyo do not do this **

untermensch has a fix for those who are HWL'd that seems VERY effective. I always heard some who updated from JFD to JI6 had the HWL fixed automatically, but that was not the case for everyone. It appears those who updated OTA got the fix, but most who did ODIN or Kies did NOT get the HWL issue fixed.

Please see his excellent thread by clicking here. Hope this helps.

If you are using froyo, I imagine you could revert back to JI6 and flash this to fix the HWL.

HOW TO USE ODIN

I have the steps listed below (from when JI6 was leaked). For those who prefer a video, this video seems to do a good job of showing it.

TIPS FOR BATTERY LIFE

I have not tried this, but BruceElliot had a great post on his suggestions to improve battery life. You can read it here. I will try and add more as you guys report them to me.

GPS FIX THAT WORKED WONDERS FOR ME!

I have never had an issue with GPS until I flashed ODIN JI6. I could be outside 45 minutes and never get a lock... stock JI6, Eugene's or sombionix's ROMs.. nada. I was PM'd by kdf2833 about a GPS fix for the JI6 (no clue if it works for JFD, I would assume so). He told me to go read THIS POST from digatltoddy. Below is the post if you do not want to leave the thread:

** If this works for you too, and boy did it for me, please thank digitaltoddy and let me know in this thread - good or bad so I know **

EASY WAY TO GET THE JI6 UPDATE ** Huge thanks to VICosPhi, youneek, samfirmware.com, rhcp0112345,Viralblack and the3dman **

I went back to the stock kernel from JACs oc/uv kernel using this zip file (flash it in in clockwork recovery). I then downloaded this .zip from VICosPhi. and followed the following steps (given by youneek):

** please note that I was on the stock ROM (with alot of mods). If you are running a custom ROM, you may need to go back to stock (I do not know, n/a to me), which would wipe your data.... if you are stock (JFD) however, you will retain all of your settings/data when you update to JI6.

Those who want to go back to stock the file is included in the zip and youneek laid out all the steps in his thread. Below are the steps for people who are stock already (JFD) **

Your phone will reboot. It will take about 10 minutes at the Galaxy screen, this is normal.

** I lost root. I followed these steps again. I have clockwork recovery which you have to keep the update.zip in /sdcard.... well, to root, the file must be named update.zip and in /sdcard, so I renamed the CWR one "cwrupdate.zip"... when my root and reboot was done I went back and renamed the cwrupdate.zip back to update.zip (afterr I deleted the update.zip file that was used to root). This all may not be necessary, but it worked for me.

I rebooted in clockwork recovery (remember to reinstall packages for this update.zip at the stock recovery to get to CWR) and made a nandroid of stock JI6 so I have this fresh root to come back to. ALWAYS MAKE A NANDROID BACKUP!

QUICKLY REBOOT YOUR PHONE

Sometimes you need to reboot your phone. kizer & Gad13 informed me that you can press and hold the power button for 8-10 seconds and it will reboot. I also use an app called Quick Boot that works very well. Quick Boot does require root access. I have a shortcut on my LauncherPro dock, one press and I can reboot.

BUTTONS - Tap vs. Long Press (LP) Taken from www.androidcentral.com:

Home

: Returns to the main home screen. If at the home screen, another tap gives a preview of all home screens.

(LP) = See your most recently used apps (GREAT for multitasking). On JI6 (update from Oct 2010) you also can see the Task Manager.

Back

: Takes you back a level in an app, or back a page in a browser, etc.

(LP) = In your browser, quickly access bookmarks, history and most-visited sites. Thanks, Snapdragon0503! (EDIT: odd, doesn't seem to work for me now)

Menu

: Tap this for additional options in an application, or from the home screens.

(LP) = Make the keyboard appear.

Search

: Brings up the search function. Could be search within an app, Google search, or universal search of contacts, bookmarks, apps, etc. that are in the phone.

(LP) = Launches voice search.

WANT A NEW LOOK? CHANGE YOUR FONT!

In settings, go to sound and display. Change the "Font Style" is like 8th from the bottom. There are a few freebies, and about 50 for a dollar in the market. If you want to see more available, click on "Get Fonts Online." This will direct you to the Market.

I changed my system to helvetica, and I was amazed at the level it changed the phone.

EDIT: I used to have a thread linked here with 100's of free fonts, but some broke the rules and posted paid fonts so the thread was closed. If anyone starts the initiative to post more free ones, please let me know so I can add a link, thanks!

CHANGE THE DOCK BUTTONS ON TOUCHWIZ!

Open the app drawer, menu, edit, change to customizable. With the app drawer open now, press menu and edit again. You can now replace the two app docks in the middle (dialer and app drawer can't be replaced).

DELETE APPS FROM THE LAUNCHER OF TOUCHWIZ

Open the launcher, menu > view type, change to customizable. Now press Menu again and select Edit. All of the non-system apps will have a red subtraction logo. Thanks to XDA user erikrios and his post for this gem!

QUICKLY ADJUST YOUR BRIGHTNESS

Move your finger left to right across the notification bar. You probably need to cut off auto-brightness though. thanks to soklean (neat!)

NEED TO COPY AND PASTE?

If at a site, and you need to copy some text... click Menu > Select Text > Drag your finger over the text you need to copy. When you release your finger, the selected text is copied to your clipboard. Long press and paste when ready. I agree this is not perfect, but some of us may not even know you could do it. Froyo is coming soon, and with it the ability to easily copy/paste within gmail.

HOW TO CONTROL + F USING THE ANDROID BROWSER

Android makes this very easy when using their browser as well. Simply press Menu when in the browser, go to More, then select "Find on Page." You can then enter the keyword you are looking for and use the directional arrows (to the left of the word) to move from one entry to the next.

CHANGE THE HAPTIC VIBRATION INTENSITY

Love this feature. I often find haptic feedback is too much. To adjust the intensity, from the home screen: Menu > Settings > Sound and Display > Vibration Intensity. As you slide the bar it gives you an idea of the intensity.

TAP CONTACT IMAGE FOR MORE OPTIONS

XDA user jkang29 reminded me of another thing I took for granted. When you are in Contacts, click on the image of the contact for MANY options on how to contact/share with that particular contact. Thanks jkang29!

WANT TO DISABLE SD CARD NOTIFICATIONS?

To cut off the sound, from the home screen: Menu > Settings > Sound and Display > SD Card Notifications. You can uncheck this and never hear that sound again.

CAMERA / VIDEO SECTION

WANT TO ADD THE FRONT FACING CAMERA TO YOUR VIBRANT?

Thanks to siirial and Eugene's ROM you can actually have a working FFC on the Vibrant. It takes a little modification, and you will need to be running a custom ROM from Eugene (Root Needed), but if you want a FFC, this is an awesome mod. I have not done this myself, but please see his thread for everything you need to know (how to get the camera, how to mod the phone, and you can find a link to Eugene's rom).

* If someone can create a video for this mod, please let me know so I can post it for everyone. * Thanks to MTC44 for the suggestion.

PHOTOS IN THE DARK? WANT A PANORAMIC?

You can put the Camera in Night Mode and it will take amazingly good photos in a dark situation. I tried this for the first time at a concert recently. I was amazed. Pull out the tab on the left of the camera screen, go to settings and change Scene Mode to Night. Do some test shots to compare for yourself!

Also, I tried out Panoramic shots for the first time in Alaska. I was amazed at how simple/easy this was. Just like before, just go the settings and change the mode. Then just pan left to right. You can press the camera button again to stop the panoramic... I believe it can take up to 8 shots.

LOCK THE SCREEN WHILE VIEWING VIDEOS OR USING THE CAMERA

XDA user timekillerj just made a thread pointing out how to do this. It was new to me, and a nice feature. Simple press the power button and your screen is locked - helpful so you do not skip a scene by accident. You can see his thread here.

HOW DO YOU ZOOM IN?

XDA user antonio91282 pointed out that you can zoom in by pressing the volume rocker while using the camera. It goes from 1-4x.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RECODING VIDEO TO SD VS. INTERNAL MEMORY ** No noticable difference **

XDA user wphend00 asked if there were differences between recording video to the SD vs. Internal memory. Here is my post with links to the videos so you can see for yourself. Here is a link to the entire thread so you can see discussion about it, if any.

APP TOPICS

DOWNLOAD NOT SHOWING UP, MAKING YOU REBOOT?

I did not notice this on Eclair, but with the froyo builds most of the time my downloads (especially pictures) do not show in the Gallery unless I do a reboot. IF this was a problem on Eclair I just went to SD Card & Phone Storage an unmounted and mounted my internal memory. Froyo has taken this function away apparently.

I found that this app ScanMedia works like a charm (no permission needed)

COMPARISONS OF THE HOME REPLACEMENT APPS ** AS OF OCT 2010 **

I tried to write a synopsis of the apps that can replace TouchWiz. Please see this thread here and let me know if I missed anything. I strongly encourage new users to try these apps. I prefer LauncherPro - it just seems snappy.

INSTALL THE 2.2 MARKET ON YOUR 2.1 DEVICE ** I had hiccups, just flash a froyo ROM in my opinion **

Paul (a genius for rooting android devices) made a tweet a couple of weeks ago about how to install the 2.2 market on 2.1 devices. You can see his thread here.

XDA user JWhipple made a post with the .apk file and it's really been catching on. You can find his post and the file to download here.

Do not delete your existing market (vending.apk from system/apps) or move it. Just simply download the .apk file from the linked thread, and then open it up with a file manager. It may ask you to install or upgrade, click that, and then accept the prompt about a system app. Voi'la, you have one of the better features of 2.2 Froyo on your phone now.

** Please note this is just the updated market, you will not be able to install Flash on our Vibrants till we have Froyo OS **

Huge thanks to Paul, Liam Haynes and JWhipple. I have done this and everything seems to be working perfectly.

WANT SWYPE WITH VOICE INPUT? ** This may be irrelevant with JI6 rolling out OTA now **

Jr33 made a thread with a version of swype that has the voice input button. It works very well. Just download and install with clockwork recovery. You can find it here. If after installing it you would like to theme it, head over to this thread started by hoey2011. I have done both of these mods, and love it.

WANT THE NFL APP FROM VERIZON?

Mr_Creeper_98 made a post for the updated NFL app that Tnpapadakos posted. This is a must have app if you like the NFL. You can find the post here.

WHERE ARE APPS LOCATED?

System Apps:

Market Apps:

Market Apps (Private):

Downloaded Apps (using browser):

* If you download an app using the browser, you can use Root Explorer to move the app to data/app so the apps are stored on the 1.9GB partition the system uses. Once moved you can click on it to install it.

TRY A HOME REPLACEMENT (ADW or LauncherPro) ** See my guide above for some Home Replacement options **

Go to the market and download either - both are free. Gravis86 started a good thread debating which is better, located here.

ADW: LP:

This my LP setup on my Vibrant (OLD, much cooler looking now, ha). Notice the docks (these are also scrollable & there are 5 per each desktop screen you have). The Live Wallpaper is Aquarium.

XDA user afive720 had a nice post on how to revert back to TouchWiz (without uninstalling). You can read the thread here for more information.

WHAT WEATHER APP IS THAT?

It is Beautiful Widgets, found here.

BW is approximately $1.92:

WANT TO USE ALLSHARE: PC > PHONE AND VICE/VERSA?

I found this thread to be extremely helpful. I ended up using Windows Media Player and it was too easy. Great app.

XDA User BritCrit has also given some really good information in this thread you may also want to review.

USE AWESOME DROP TO MOVE FILES IF NO CABLES

If you are ever in a bind, or just being lazy you can use this app to move files from a PC to your phone. No hassle, no account setup and it is free. Just go to this site: http://labs.dashwire.com/drop and then enter the 4 digit code when you open the app on your phone. Drag whatever files to the browser on your PC, and voila, it will instantly start showing up on your phone.

REDUCE A PICTURES SIZE BEFORE SHARING IT?

Paul O'Brien tweeted about an app, Image Shrink Lite, that lets you adjust the size and then select the method you want to share (twitter, messenger, gmail, etc). I mention this only because a lot of people get frustrated when they take a pic and try and send it out, but gmail hangs on it (and it eventually ends up a draft email) because it is too large to send timely. Re-size the pics before you email them and you will not have this Fail.

Image Shrink Lite:

METAMORPH - Theme Your Phone!

junkdruggler has a great thread on everything metamorph. Please check it out here and thank him! Metamorph is great for theming your phone, but it can break your market requiring you to login again. I prefer to theme with .zip files flashed in recovery.

MetaMorph Donate ($1): Free:

** Use Metamorph to theme Swype or your Notification Bar ** (these are old links, there may be better/cooler ones now, search)

Themed Swype - Huge props to hoey2011

Themed Notification Bar (Evo) - Huge props to bahnburner

*ALTERNATIVELY* YOU COULD FLASH THIS .ZIP AND NOT USE METAMORPH (This is what I am currently running, it is spectacular!!).

CONTACTS / DIALER TOPICS

HOW TO ADD UNWANTED CALLS TO REJECT

I was recently being spammed. About 20 calls a day (ANNOYING). After you get an unwanted call, go to the Call Log, long press on the number and then add it to the Reject List. Next time the number calls you will just get a pop-up letting you know.

EDIT YOUR CONTACTS (BIG IMPROVEMENT IMHO)

Please read my guide located here. It was moved to save space. This really cleans up the phone, so I encourage giving it a try!

FIND YOUR CONTACTS FASTER!

When you load Contacts, you will notice the far right has the alphabet running top to bottom. Good news, by simply pressing on the letter you will automatically jump down, instantly.

SMART DIALER!

Pull up your dialer and just start typing the number (or letters will work too, thanks sl0play) out. It filters down your contacts as you type each new digit/letter. Likely, after the area code and first 1 or 2 digits after should be enough. There will be a drop down on the right and a number above it (the # of possible contacts based off what you input). Just press the contact, and the press CALL, genius.

SLIDE CONTACT PIC TO TEXT/CALL

denny_1986 mentioned in this post, that by sliding the contact picture to the left you are sent to the messenger app (with the "to" field completed). If you slide the contact pic to the right, you call the default phone number. Works in both Contacts and Messenger.

KEYBOARD TOPICS

TRY A NEW KEYBOARD!

To switch... simply long press anywhere that you would normally input text (a text message or the search widget). "input method" will pop up, click on this. Now choose the KB you want to try out. If one is not showing up, go to Menu > Settings > Locale and Text and make sure it’s there & checked.

NEED A TRACKBALL? ** Other KB's can/may do this too, you can search this thread for how, I prefer Swype **

In swype, move from the "swype tips" button to the "sym" key. Voila, directional buttons appear + other goodies (see pic).

MISC. GUIDES

HOW TO RECONDITION YOUR BATTERY

If your battery seems to drain fast, or if you are changing roms, you might want to try the following to help your battery. Master posted the following instructions (this assumes you have root and clockwork recovery):

** I drain my battery to as low as it will go, but not all the way. I also charge it for only about an extra hour max, once it's fully charged. **

HOW TO MOUNT PHONE TO PC

XDA user DaMaDo reminded me Android does not auto-mount like some other phones on the market. When most of us connect the phone, the USB drivers are automatic (use the cable that came with your phone!). If not, there is a guide below to assist. For now, let's assume all is well on the first connection of the Vibrant to the PC. When you connect you will likely get a popup on the PC about installing drivers, great.

Okay, go to the phone's notification bar and pull it down. You will see USB Connected. Click on this, & then click on "Mount."

Shortly after, your computer should pop up automatically TWO devices, the "/SDCARD" (Internal Memory) and "SDCARD/SD" (SD Card). If not, go to My Computer and find the drives you just mounted to the PC.

NEPHRON'S GUIDE FOR ADB, etc (taken from the G1 forums)

This guide helped me a ton. I realize some things may be different, but I could not think of a better starting point. Please read this thread. You should attempt ADB, it's very nice to have.

CONVERT VIDEO FILES ON YOUR PC FOR YOUR PHONE

XDA user TGA_Gunnman did an excellent job putting a thread together for how to convert videos using HandBrake (get it here) and then moving them to your phone. Be sure and thank him if his how to helped you!

HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL A NEW SD CARD

XDA user techspy posted this question and I had recently done it so I responded. Like always, I'm certain there are people on here who know how to do this better/easier, but this works and is nothing difficult. Here is my post with instructions, and here is the thread for discussion.

HOW TO HIDE FOLDERS

achild made a great post with the instructions. Thank him for his effort on this post!

MISC. QUESTIONS

MY PHONE NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW UNDER SETTINGS?

It has happened to me on the G1, and I recently saw a Vibrant user post this. smerff has an excellent post with what you need to do!

WHAT ARE THOSE FUNKY BARCODES?

These are QR Codes. Download Barcode Scanner from the market. Scan any of these codes I linked. You will be sent to the app in the market. Download, enjoy.

NOTICE LAG? ** I do not use lag fixes so this may be old, please search the development section before creating a thread **

I do not encourage this

, but some will want to play with it. There is a great thread on tweaks that can be done to speed up the Galaxy.

I personally think custom ROMs and oc/uv kernels knock out almost any of this issue. If you are stock/non-rooted.. please try a root/custom ROM setup before you give up on the Vibrant. Our developers are amazing.

DOUBLE NOTIFICATIONS?

If you are using a 3rd party app, you may be getting double notifications. For example, I use Handcent for texting (you should try it). First thing you need to do is open the stock Messenger app, go menu > Settings and disable notifications. This is basic, but sometimes it's easy to overlook.

SHOULD I USE A TASK KILLER?

Absolutely not. You have the best OS and one of the best spec'd phones ever. You would be doing more harm than good. If you do have one, uninstall, reboot and let me know what you think! If you have a bad app that is causing you issues, uninstall it, rather than installing a TK.

In addition, even Google at Google I/O 2010 addressed app developers and asked them to no longer include "quit" or "close" as options within their apps. I think Andronica (another great android site) summed it up well with their article, found here.

XDA user iunlock created a thread with some good debate based off this sticky. You can read all the thoughts by clicking here. In short, the overwhelming majority agreed and some have commented on seeing an increase in performance after deleting their task killers.

HOW TO DO A FACTORY RESET!

Rarely should you need to do this (I've never done one), but if you want to, simply press menu and go to settings. Scroll down to Privacy. In there is the option to perform a Factory Reset.

NEED HELP INSTALLING THE DRIVERS ON YOUR PC?

TGAGunnMan started a great thread with links for the drivers. You can view it here.

courtmagician also has a good thread discussing issues with USB Debugging as well. I would suggest reading this thread also.

THREE (3) LIGHTS/SENSORS - SURE THERE IS NO NOTIFICATION LED?

Yeap. I asked myself when I noticed there were 3 items. Two are used for the proximity sensor, the other is the light sensor.

Big props to XDA user gravis86 for answering my query so fast, see his post here.