HTC Hero Android Phone Part II

RobM · 31-10-2009, 7:54 PM

With thanks to everyone who contributed to the original, it is now time for Part II since the original has gone well past the 1000 post mark

The original can be found here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/htc-m...oid-phone.html

Android App discussion can be found here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/htc-m...iscussion.html

David DG · 31-10-2009, 9:17 PM

Can someone explain what 'always on' actually does? ie If I leave my mobile internet on all the time and disable 'always on' what am I missing out on?

Also, under data synchronization settings what does 'enable background data usage' do?

Thanks

jonneymendoza · 31-10-2009, 9:30 PM

nice one

JayCee · 31-10-2009, 9:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dg.lander

Can someone explain what 'always on' actually does? ie If I leave my mobile internet on all the time and disable 'always on' what am I missing out on?

Automatic updating of social websites like Facebook, Twitter, emails and news websites etc I would think.
I'll leave the 2nd part of your query to someone more knowledgeable

badsoden · 01-11-2009, 9:00 AM

Does anyone know if there are desktop docking/charging stations available?

scuderia · 01-11-2009, 9:35 AM

I think there are a couple, the official htc one is htc cr g300 which supports different inserts for different htc phones. It supports charging and syncing and also includes an audio out if you want to integrate with a home cinema. Its not cheap at around £30

HTC CR G300 Sync & Charge Cradle For HTC Hero

Other non htc version are also available on mobilefun and other sites too.

I've ordered the official htc one and can report back if anyone is interested in hearing how I get on with it.

chrislad · 01-11-2009, 9:48 AM

Just got one yesterday.

1) What are the best apps out there? Have a couple but I'm sure I'm only seeing snapshots and forums are the best way to get ideas!!

2) Themes. Any decent ones out there? Would love a good Fallout 3 Pipboy one!!

3) Suggestions? Anything that helps with the setup, phone use etc? Should I get used to the trackball? Haven't touched it yet, since I'm use to an iPhone.

scuderia · 01-11-2009, 9:48 AM

Sorry for the double posting but I can't directly reply to this question from Gazaman (HTC Hero Android Phone) from the previous thread as its locked.

I've noticed how stocks and peep keep on appearing in the advanced task manger too but I have several task managers installed and they dont appear in the others. I can only guess its a bug in the app, if you kill stocks process you'll notice how peep disappears too (until they both reappear in a few seconds).

I have noticed something odd though, if you go to the social networking settings account settings (settings > social networking > Menu button >account settings).I've noticed that you can uncheck the update tweets every.. If you uncheck it and save it it doesn't save it. Go back in and its checked again, doesn't happen with facebook or flicker settings.

On a totally different note, I recently tweaked a few settings to improve battery life and found that unticking the use mobile networks in My Location has massively improved my battery life (mainly drain from when not using the phone e.g. overnight etc). Obviously this setting can affect the performance of certain apps so you'll need to decide whether you can live with that and it won't help much if you're battery drain is mainly from heavy use. I've not used my phone a huge amount in the last few days and it was fully charged on Friday morning and now its at 60%.

scuderia · 01-11-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrislad

Just got one yesterday.

1) What are the best apps out there? Have a couple but I'm sure I'm only seeing snapshots and forums are the best way to get ideas!!

2) Themes. Any decent ones out there? Would love a good Fallout 3 Pipboy one!!

3) Suggestions? Anything that helps with the setup, phone use etc? Should I get used to the trackball? Haven't touched it yet, since I'm use to an iPhone.

1) There are loads of threads on this, it really depends on what you want tbh. A few that will crop up alot are:
Handcent - alternative sms client
Tracks - app to track your route e.g. training
ShopSavvy - barcode scanner which lets you see the price of something online
SMSBackup - a great app which backs up your sms messages to your gmail
Layar - augmented reality app - uses your camera and location to display additional information about your environment.

Simple advice is if you can think of an app you might want go and search the marketplace and you'll probably find it and it'll probably be free too.

3)If you haven't already flash the latest firmware this improves the ui performance - not sure what else, have a look at the settings and if you're not sure what a setting is for google it.

David DG · 01-11-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCee

Automatic updating of social websites like Facebook, Twitter, emails and news websites etc I would think.
I'll leave the 2nd part of your query to someone more knowledgeable

but I disabled 'always on' last night and checked this morning and I downloaded 181kb overnigh. What would be causing that?

zedzed · 01-11-2009, 11:35 AM

Any recommendations on stereo bluetooth headphones to go with this phone? One that does track forward/backwards would be good .... I have that with my (wired) iphone headphones so don't want to take a step backwards when i get this phone

Dez

Skirge · 01-11-2009, 5:40 PM

Hi lads.. I have a Hero coming tomorrow its on Orange contract as I am not a big mobile phone user but needed a big screen phone because of eyesight issues, I am planning on giving my wife the contract sim and unlocking the Hero.
Could I use say an 02 pay as u go sim in it? was looking at the unlimired net and texts tarriff from 02.
Thanks in advance.

Hrochnick · 01-11-2009, 9:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuderia

I have noticed something odd though, if you go to the social networking settings account settings (settings > social networking > Menu button >account settings).I've noticed that you can uncheck the update tweets every.. If you uncheck it and save it it doesn't save it. Go back in and its checked again, doesn't happen with facebook or flicker settings.

You're right, does seem a bit a strange. What's stranger for me though is why Fb and flicker are linked forcing the same settings for each?!

*andrewnufc* · 02-11-2009, 8:54 AM

I've just got one of these phones, As I'm going on holiday currently I wanted an app that will covert peso to pounds at the rate I got them for if that makes any sense.

Also my Hero is 1.5 can you please tell me how I could improve my phone with updates etc.

Tomo71 · 02-11-2009, 9:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewnufc

I've just got one of these phones, As I'm going on holiday currently I wanted an app that will covert peso to pounds at the rate I got them for if that makes any sense.

Also my Hero is 1.5 can you please tell me how I could improve my phone with updates etc.

You can either go the official route and follow any updates from HTC (there is one on their website now that updates the Sense UI but not the OS) and then wait for a couple of months for them to release Android 2.0 (donut). The update on the HTC site does seem to make the phone less laggy between home screens etc.

Also, look at another one of my replies re the battery drain issue caused by the inbuilt messaging app.

Or, do some googling and "root" the device which gives you permissions to mess more with it and then load one of many custom ROMs onto it. Obviously the latter involves risk of warranty issues and bricking the device!

Steve

facial · 02-11-2009, 10:15 AM

Hi, if i got the phone on t mobile, is it easy to unlock to use an orange sim in it?

dn852004 · 03-11-2009, 7:34 AM

When I use taskKiller to close my apps, I notice that there's apps running that I didn't open myself. Does anyone else have this problem? How can it be rectified?

TH1882FC · 03-11-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by facial

Hi, if i got the phone on t mobile, is it easy to unlock to use an orange sim in it?

Why dont you just get it on orange??

I'm looking at getting it on t-mobile as well and using my vodafone sim in it, you can get unlock codes on ebay, i have seen people on xda forum recommending swiftsales714 but cannot vouch for them until i have used them myself.

What deal have you been offered by t-mobile?

facial · 03-11-2009, 3:45 PM

I haven't yet, Im waiting for orange to get back to me, but if they dont offer me a decent deal on a second line, i will be moving it, but using the orange sim in it, as the second line would be for the missus, but shes happy with her current phone.

So far orange havnt got back to me and it is over 24hours..so they don't have long before they will be getting a phone call!!

David DG · 03-11-2009, 5:26 PM

they won't get back to you. when i was phoning them to get a Hero on contract it took me 4 phone calls. On two occasions they said they'd get back to me within the hour but never did. i think it's a game they like to play when they get someone pushing for a deal.

facial · 03-11-2009, 5:29 PM

Your right, so far no contact what so ever, i will be calling them on my way home tonight to find out why!

dancingmatt · 05-11-2009, 10:40 AM

Facial, you mention a 2nd line - is it a business contract you're after?

facial · 05-11-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancingmatt

Facial, you mention a 2nd line - is it a business contract you're after?

No, just a second line in my name. Think you have to be registered to get a business one

TH1882FC · 05-11-2009, 2:38 PM

Anyone used these people before:

Business Mobile Phones from A1 Comms Ltd. - A1Comms

They seem to have some great offers on the branded Hero/G2s particularly on 12 month contracts.

dancingmatt · 05-11-2009, 3:06 PM

They only do business tariffs - if anyone does want a business tariff (you're self-employed, sole trader, running your own company, call it what you like) then please take a look at my post here - 1000 mins inc. calls to US, Canada and Europe, free calls to all 01/02/03 landlines, unlimited texts, unlimited internet and email, free G2 or other handsets available, just £20+VAT / month.

TH1882FC · 06-11-2009, 9:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancingmatt

They only do business tariffs - if anyone does want a business tariff (you're self-employed, sole trader, running your own company, call it what you like) then please take a look at my post here - 1000 mins inc. calls to US, Canada and Europe, free calls to all 01/02/03 landlines, unlimited texts, unlimited internet and email, free G2 or other handsets available, just £20+VAT / month.

What do you mean they only do business tarrifs? They'd refuse to sell me one?

Am i missing something as they offer cashback, 'free consoles' etc with the tarrifs?

They also own buymobilephones.net

http://www.buymobilephones.net/mobil...-Hero/85,13641

David_S · 06-11-2009, 4:30 PM

Anyone else having trouble with the HTC Sync program?

I'm trying to install it on my PC (again) after updating my W7 RC to a proper W7 copy and I'm missing the ADB driver.

I never managed to get it running on the RC copy or on my Vista laptop. Had the same issue.

I've looked around the internet using Google and found a few references to downloading certain drivers and pasting them into specific file locations to no avail.

This is driving me mad now, it's the only problem I have with the phone.

zedzed · 07-11-2009, 9:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_S

Anyone else having trouble with the HTC Sync program?

I'm trying to install it on my PC (again) after updating my W7 RC to a proper W7 copy and I'm missing the ADB driver.

I never managed to get it running on the RC copy or on my Vista laptop. Had the same issue.

I've looked around the internet using Google and found a few references to downloading certain drivers and pasting them into specific file locations to no avail.

This is driving me mad now, it's the only problem I have with the phone.

Emmm, (from memory) I think you have to go to the phone and open the notifications and accept the connection/sync - have you done that? Or something like that anyway ... I remember having a few issues with Sync too until I did something on my phone. I was expecting "plug and play" but it wasn't quite like that!

Dez

JMWS · 07-11-2009, 6:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_S

Anyone else having trouble with the HTC Sync program?

I'm trying to install it on my PC (again) after updating my W7 RC to a proper W7 copy and I'm missing the ADB driver.

I never managed to get it running on the RC copy or on my Vista laptop. Had the same issue.

I've looked around the internet using Google and found a few references to downloading certain drivers and pasting them into specific file locations to no avail.

This is driving me mad now, it's the only problem I have with the phone.

Also have Windows 7 but went to the HTC website and downloaded the latest version of their sync software. Appears to have resolved any previous sync problems I had.

Further ... Had no problems at all once I started using the EXTUSB lead and NOT the standard USB lead

..... simply plugged and played!!

chrislad · 08-11-2009, 4:43 PM

Any decent themes? Would love a Fallout 3 one, like this

Pip-Berry 3000 - Fallout 3 - Kotaku

The pain about the Hero over here in Ireland is that even though it is officially released, we can't access paid apps yet, just the free ones. I've heard about aHome, but that seems to be a paid app.

02-11-2009, 8:54 AM	#14
andrewnufc Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Thanks: Gave 2, Got 1 Posts: 151	Re: HTC Hero Android Phone Part II I've just got one of these phones, As I'm going on holiday currently I wanted an app that will covert peso to pounds at the rate I got them for if that makes any sense. Also my Hero is 1.5 can you please tell me how I could improve my phone with updates etc.
	Quote