Android Several questions/app requests

[Satangel]

I've got a Samsung Galaxy S, with Android 2.3.3, unrooted.

1. I've got a mobile internet subscription, so I can browse the web everywhere, at EDGE speeds I think. I've disabled my WiFi, but I can still browse the internet/download apps. I'm pretty sure it's because of my mobile internet thingy, which costs a lot. How do I turn that off? I've got JuiceDefender btw, maybe that'll help?
2. Next to my connection rating there's an E-with-up-down-arrows symbol, what's that? What does it represent?
3. How can I uninstall apps, particularly the apps that are in the factory reset phone? Things like Mini Diary, Memo, Samsung apps, Voice Dialer, .... (Will try Titanium Backup, tnx)
4. Is there some way to give me an AZERTY keyboard, with the English UK language? (Working on it)
5. How can I create folders in the applications section? I really like the iOS take on this, with little symbols that show which apps are in that folder. (Working on it)
6. Where can I find the Google Calendar app?
7. Best music player? (Working on it)
8. How can I install .apk files on my phone? I've downloaded some full paid apps for free, with my PC. They are in the .apk form, which I think are the .exe files for Android ? (Astro File Manager doesn't show my .apk files, same with 'appinstaller', they just won't show it. I've placed them in the root of my microSD card in a folder called 'apk', but just won't show the contents of that folder.)

Thanks for any answers you can give me, I've already learned a ton here.

 

[pokefloote]

1. Juicedefender has an option to disable 3G/mobile data when the screen is off, and I believe the stock "Power Control" widget has an option for data as well. It's like a toggle widget you put on a home screen.
2. That probably means Edge, then the arrows show when you are sending or receiving data.
3. Those are system integrated apps. Usually you can't uninstall them, but if you're sure it's safe, Titanium Backup can help you there.
4. There are plenty of keyboards with different layouts and languages in the market. I'll see if I can remember which one I found recently that had AZERTY
5. Only some launchers support this. I use Go Launcher EX, the folders work and look really nice.
6. ...I don't know. x)
7. Player Pro. It's like, $5.99 US, though. I've been using Google Music, but that's because I store my music files online. There's tons of good free ones though, but I'm not familiar.
8. In your Settings, go to Applications > check "Unknown Sources" then download a file management app (I use ES File Explorer, or if your phone has an app called "Files" or something, use that). Find your .apk file, and click on it to install. Some carriers lock their phones and make it difficult to install .apk files from outside the market though. If it's not there, then you may have to root your phone, and some other stuff I don't think I can help with (I don't have your phone model)

Oh! My preferred keyboard, "Smart Keyboard" has options for AZERTY, it's a paid app in the market. Also, the only keyboard I could find that has a customizable smiley key. lol

 

[Terminator02]

I've got a Samsung Galaxy S, with Android 2.3.3, unrooted.

1. I've got a mobile internet subscription, so I can browse the web everywhere, at EDGE speeds I think. I've disabled my WiFi, but I can still browse the internet/download apps. I'm pretty sure it's because of my mobile internet thingy, which costs a lot. How do I turn that off? I've got JuiceDefender btw, maybe that'll help? You're saying you don't want to use your mobile connection for the browser only? If you just want to monitor your data usage so that you don't go over you can use an app like 3g Watchdog. However, if you really want to stop your browser from using 3g, you can use DroidWall (requires root).
2. Next to my connection rating there's an E-with-up-down-arrows symbol, what's that? What does it represent? Represents that your connected through EDGE
3. How can I uninstall apps, particularly the apps that are in the factory reset phone? Things like Mini Diary, Memo, Samsung apps, Voice Dialer, .... Those are unremovable and the only way to get rid of them is root and delete/rename/freeze them through Titanium Backup or a similar app
4. Is there some way to give me an AZERTY keyboard, with the English UK language? There are many alternate keyboards in the market that support AZERTY, the one I'd recommend is SwiftKey, that's the trial, lasts for a month, the full app is $3.99.
5. How can I create folders in the applications section? I really like the iOS take on this, with little symbols that show which apps are in that folder. You can't, you can only use folders on the homescreen by holding on an empty space and selecting to add in a folder, you can then drag apps into your folders (and name the folders by holding the bar on the top when they're open). If you're using a homescreen that doesn't support folders you can use a widget such as CircleLauncher.
6. Where can I find the Google Calendar app? It's named Calender
7. Best music player? Many people will give you different answers, the few I'd recommend are PowerAmp (popular with many features, but $4.99 for the full version), Winamp (syncs with winamp wirelessly if you use that, and it's free), doubleTwist (syncs with iTunes, also an optional wireless sync application for $4.99 that integrates with the application), and my personal favorite, PlayerPro ($4.99, has automatic album download, lyric fetching, and folder browsing).
8. How can I install .apk files on my phone? I've downloaded some full paid apps for free, with my PC. They are in the .apk form, which I think are the .exe files for Android ? What Alex said, I recommend ASTRO File Manager. Also, I don't know of any carriers that still block unknown sources, you should be able to do it without root.

Thanks for any answers you can give me, I've already learned a ton here.

If you've decided you want to root, you could probably google how to do it, but you'll probably need your model #. Go to your home launcher, press the menu button, then go Settings > About phone and you should see your model number.

 

[DeMoN]

For number 1, you can just do Settings>Wireless and Network>Mobile Networks and turn off Use Packet Data.

 

[ProtoKun7]

1. You can toggle mobile data in the menu that comes up when you long hold the power button. Though I don't know if that's in the menu on a Galaxy S, but it is on an S II.

2. EDGE. For the record: G = GPRS, E = EDGE, 3G = 3G/UMTS, H = HSDPA.

5. If it's supported on TouchWiz 3(?), app drawer, Menu, Edit, and you can put apps in folders there. It's possible on TW4, so I'm only guessing.

6. It's the standard "Calendar" app, as far as I know.

 

[Satangel]

I've got a Samsung Galaxy S, with Android 2.3.3, unrooted.

1. I've got a mobile internet subscription, so I can browse the web everywhere, at EDGE speeds I think. I've disabled my WiFi, but I can still browse the internet/download apps. I'm pretty sure it's because of my mobile internet thingy, which costs a lot. How do I turn that off? I've got JuiceDefender btw, maybe that'll help?
2. Next to my connection rating there's an E-with-up-down-arrows symbol, what's that? What does it represent?
3. How can I uninstall apps, particularly the apps that are in the factory reset phone? Things like Mini Diary, Memo, Samsung apps, Voice Dialer, .... (Will try Titanium Backup, tnx)
4. Is there some way to give me an AZERTY keyboard, with the English UK language? (Working on it)
5. How can I create folders in the applications section? I really like the iOS take on this, with little symbols that show which apps are in that folder. (Working on it)
6. Where can I find the Google Calendar app?
7. Best music player? (Working on it)
8. How can I install .apk files on my phone? I've downloaded some full paid apps for free, with my PC. They are in the .apk form, which I think are the .exe files for Android ? (Astro File Manager doesn't show my .apk files, same with 'appinstaller', they just won't show it. I've placed them in the root of my microSD card in a folder called 'apk', but just won't show the contents of that folder.)

Updated, thanks so much again, I knew GBAtemp would help me out

 

[The_Dragons_Mast]

5. There is an app called Folder Organizer that allow you to chose some folders for each app & then you place that folder in the homescreen & it will contain all those apps . I personally use to put all my games in one folder so people can find them easily without messing with any dangerous apps & allow you to easily sort & remove apps unlike regular folders . It wasn't free last time I checked but I guess that isn't really a problem .

8.Try ES File Explorer . If still nothing show up then try getting another apks .

 

[Terminator02]

Only thing I could think of for your apks not showing up is if there's a period at the beginning of the filename (that makes files hidden).

You can set ASTRO to show hidden files by checking Menu > Preferences > Look and Feel > Show Hidden Files

 

[Satangel]

Only thing I could think of for your apks not showing up is if there's a period at the beginning of the filename (that makes files hidden).

You can set ASTRO to show hidden files by checking Menu > Preferences > Look and Feel > Show Hidden Files

I did that last thing, didn't help.... I'll try the things The_Dragons_Master_F suggested, thanks

 

[CrimzonEyed]

PowerAmp is hands down the best music player. I'm an audiophile and have tested around 50 music apps, and so far PowerAmp have the best features/support/quality etc.
The miui music player is the only one coming close to PowerAmp that is a free app.
And since you liked the Ios folder thing try the MIUI ROM.

 

[Satangel]

PowerAmp is hands down the best music player. I'm an audiophile and have tested around 50 music apps, and so far PowerAmp have the best features/support/quality etc.
The miui music player is the only one coming close to PowerAmp that is a free app.
And since you liked the Ios folder thing try the MIUI ROM.

I've got the Poweramp thingy, not that impressed with it so far. I hate how far the Search function is tucked away.... Nice feature that it can get the album artwork on itself, very impressed with that.

Also, does everyone believe I should use the MIUI ROM, and not some other ROM? Are there others out there that are also highly recommended?

 

[Terminator02]

CyanogenMod

 

[Satangel]

Okay, just rooted my phone, before I start fiddling with any ROMs I would like to take a complete back-up of my phone. I presume I can do that with Titanium backup?
I want to back-up everything, contacts, apps, preferences, save games, .... Just taking an image file of the phone and if I want to return to the current state/ROM, I can do it fairly easy.

 

[Terminator02]

Okay, just rooted my phone, before I start fiddling with any ROMs I would like to take a complete back-up of my phone. I presume I can do that with Titanium backup?
I want to back-up everything, contacts, apps, preferences, save games, .... Just taking an image file of the phone and if I want to return to the current state/ROM, I can do it fairly easy.

What you want is a NAND backup, you can do it in ClockworkMod

 

[Satangel]

Okay, just rooted my phone, before I start fiddling with any ROMs I would like to take a complete back-up of my phone. I presume I can do that with Titanium backup?
I want to back-up everything, contacts, apps, preferences, save games, .... Just taking an image file of the phone and if I want to return to the current state/ROM, I can do it fairly easy.

What you want is a NAND backup, you can do it in ClockworkMod

I've started this guide and am almost finished with it (just need to install BusyBox but I don't have WiFi atm), will that back all the things up too? I've got a Titanium Backup Pro app + Dropbox so it seems perfect.

 

[Terminator02]

No, that only backs up your apps and settings, which can cause problems if you restore them on a different ROM and you backed them up on. With a NAND backup once you restore it, you're ROM, kernel, apps, data, everything will be reset to exactly how it was when you backed up (excluding junk on your SD card).

 

[VashTS]

i had all these questions too when i started with my droid, but it comes fast and its not too much to learn. installing custom stuff might not be supported on your phone, on my captivate it was not, most phones have the option to install non market apps, but captivates need CM7 installed in order to gain that feature. you can always side load apps, look up side load wonder machine, its a bit of a pain in the ass but it works if you cannot install custom softwares.

any questions feel free to shoot me a pm, i'll answer the best i can.

 

[Terminator02]

i had all these questions too when i started with my droid, but it comes fast and its not too much to learn. installing custom stuff might not be supported on your phone, on my captivate it was not, most phones have the option to install non market apps, but captivates need CM7 installed in order to gain that feature. you can always side load apps, look up side load wonder machine, its a bit of a pain in the ass but it works if you cannot install custom softwares.

any questions feel free to shoot me a pm, i'll answer the best i can.

That was only with AT&T branded android phones, however they stopped that policy a while ago anyway. The problem is non-existent unless you buy an old AT&T android device.

 

[Satangel]

I've tried backing up my phone twice now via ClockwordMod, but I keep getting this error:
.....
E:failed to verify whole-file signature
E:signature verification failed

And then it gives me the option to reboot, or wipe my SD card, wipe my cache.
I've Googled a bit and arrived on XDA, but it wasn't completely clear what I should do, and how I should fix this. Any help?

 

[Terminator02]

That's odd, not really sure what to tell you, are backups supported on the version of Clockwork you installed? You could maybe check for a newer version.