Non-game Android Apps Recommendations Catch-All

It's a Renault Megane. He always tries to connect automatically, but fails sometimes while claiming it's connected. Reconnecting often helps, but is not very safe while on the road I didn't find any specific car related issues for Bluetooth under Android, most search results referred to the OS as the main issue.

Troubleshooting connectivity issues in cars. We are truly living in the future.

LouZiffer wrote:

In other cases not importing at all was the solution, as the system wasn't updated enough to handle the contract format that newer versions of Android use.

Maybe updating the car firmware could solve that?

I've found this which indicates a potential procedure to follow, and that a system update from Renault might also help.

Most of what I'm seeing online indicates that the contract import feature is the source of many problems. In some cases ticking the "always do this" box and allowing it to automatically import as needed solved disconnection issues. In other cases not importing at all was the solution, as the system wasn't updated enough to handle the contact format that newer versions of Android use.

So for some reason today my phone downloaded a file called Scan-for-viruses-now.apk. I wasn't doing anything with the phone and I certainly didn't tell it to download anything.

I found and deleted the apk file, but why would the phone just spontaneously download something?

I'm definitely going to check if a firmware update is possible. It's a brand new lease car, so it's possible it already has the latest installed. Thanks for the link LouZiffer, the google fu is stronger within you!

I've also installed this app, so at least my phone retries connecting until it works.

While we're talking cars...

I've got this weird issue with Pocket Casts and Google Music in my 2014 Subaru Forester. If I leave the stereo set to Bluetooth input and start the car, the stereo frequently defaults to playing what I last played on Google Music, even if I was just using Pocket Casts.

Secondly, and more importantly, for some reason, my stereo automatically mutes Pocket Casts when it starts a new podcast. It doesn't do this for Google Music: only podcasts. I can't figure out if this is a phone issue or a car issue. It seems like they're both making mistakes somewhere along the line...

It's something I can live with, but if there's a solution, I'd be all about hearing it! Has anyone else experienced anything similar?!

BadKen wrote:

So for some reason today my phone downloaded a file called Scan-for-viruses-now.apk. I wasn't doing anything with the phone and I certainly didn't tell it to download anything.

I found and deleted the apk file, but why would the phone just spontaneously download something?

Sounds like a drive-by malware download. Make sure you have disabled the installation of third-party software and probably install a good scanner and you're fine. I am partial to ESET Mobile Security - it always warns you when something like this downloads and quarantines it. Free version is sufficient and has a small memory footprint.

dejanzie wrote:

I've also installed this app, so at least my phone retries connecting until it works.

I know Bluetooth was designed with low power requirements, but doesn't this app kill your battery?

Tasker [App, webpage] could help you out and get the same thing done with additional filters; GPS, near WiFi signals, closest GSM antenna, etc. This way, you're not demanding bluetooth to connect every time your screen turns on.

Is anyone having trouble downloading the GWJ Conference Call via PocketCast? I keep getting the same error - open failed: EACCES (Permission denied)- and it used to work fine prior to June.

Nevermind - it's a 4.4 issue.

Trashie wrote:

Is anyone having trouble downloading the GWJ Conference Call via PocketCast? I keep getting the same error - open failed: EACCES (Permission denied)- and it used to work fine prior to June.

I can download them fine but as of my last phone switch (from Samsung S5 back to my beloved Sony Z1) I can't download the art. I miss Stan's face...

I miss Stan's face...

I thought you said Satan's face... that was a bit of a double-take.

The Google Now Launcher is now available on devices with Android 4.1 and higher for anyone that's interested.

ilduce620 wrote:

The Google Now Launcher is now available on devices with Android 4.1 and higher for anyone that's interested.

I dropped by to discuss about this; is there anything about the Google Now Launcher that's particularly outstanding?

I bought Nova a few years back and I haven't looked back.

Anyone have any experience using universal remote apps for either the Galaxy S5 or HTC One? I'm about to pull the trigger on one of those and was hoping to use it as a remote at home.

PaladinTom wrote:

Anyone have any experience using universal remote apps for either the Galaxy S5 or HTC One? I'm about to pull the trigger on one of those and was hoping to use it as a remote at home.

I use my S5 as a remote for my TV every day. It comes with pre-installed with a simple remote app, and it works well. That said my needs are not complex at all. I only watch OTA TV and Chromecast.

Edit:

Never mind, figured it out.

Hobbes2099 wrote:
ilduce620 wrote:

The Google Now Launcher is now available on devices with Android 4.1 and higher for anyone that's interested.

I dropped by to discuss about this; is there anything about the Google Now Launcher that's particularly outstanding?

I bought Nova a few years back and I haven't looked back.

In my opinion, Nova is still better.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:
Hobbes2099 wrote:
ilduce620 wrote:

The Google Now Launcher is now available on devices with Android 4.1 and higher for anyone that's interested.

I dropped by to discuss about this; is there anything about the Google Now Launcher that's particularly outstanding?

I bought Nova a few years back and I haven't looked back.

In my opinion, Nova is still better.

I've been using it the past few days. The Google Now launcher seems to work pretty well. Icons are flattened over what I was using in Nova, and I like having quick access to Google Now via left-hand swipe. Otherwise, it doesn't do much better. Less customizable, for sure, but for my purposes, it seems to work fine.

ilduce620 wrote:
Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:
Hobbes2099 wrote:
ilduce620 wrote:

The Google Now Launcher is now available on devices with Android 4.1 and higher for anyone that's interested.

I dropped by to discuss about this; is there anything about the Google Now Launcher that's particularly outstanding?

I bought Nova a few years back and I haven't looked back.

In my opinion, Nova is still better.

I've been using it the past few days. The Google Now launcher seems to work pretty well. Icons are flattened over what I was using in Nova, and I like having quick access to Google Now via left-hand swipe. Otherwise, it doesn't do much better. Less customizable, for sure, but for my purposes, it seems to work fine.

In Nova, I have the left menu button long press set to open search/Google Now in Nova (on an S4). Works great. Also have it set up to take voice input of "OK Google" off the home screen.

Throwing out a recommendation (sorry if it's already been recommended) for Pushbullet. Been using it for a week and loving it. It's an app, computer program, and browser extension that lets you easily push files, notes, lists, reminders, etc between your devices. I have it on my tablet, phone, and home computer and use it to send around documents and pictures I take.
Plus you can add in friends and collaborate with them, easily sending files between everyone.
And if you use IFTTT.com, it has full integration there as well.
It's an amazing, feature rich app that works seamlessly in the background, and is free to boot. Try it out.

Please could someone recommend a good app for wireless (i.e. over home wifi) file transfer between Windows and an android phone (Nexus 4)?

babakotia wrote:

Please could someone recommend a good app for wireless (i.e. over home wifi) file transfer between Windows and an android phone (Nexus 4)?

Air Droid or Wifi Transfer. Or maybe Pushbullet.

babakotia wrote:

Please could someone recommend a good app for wireless (i.e. over home wifi) file transfer between Windows and an android phone (Nexus 4)?

Airdroid is the best for me. It's simply to use and you don't need a desktop client.

MannishBoy wrote:
babakotia wrote:

Please could someone recommend a good app for wireless (i.e. over home wifi) file transfer between Windows and an android phone (Nexus 4)?

Air Droid or Wifi Transfer. Or maybe Pushbullet.

Dropbox works too.

groan wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:
babakotia wrote:

Please could someone recommend a good app for wireless (i.e. over home wifi) file transfer between Windows and an android phone (Nexus 4)?

Air Droid or Wifi Transfer. Or maybe Pushbullet.

Dropbox works too.

Yeah, but with that (or OneDrive, etc), the way I organize my phone, I have to still go cut and paste the files to where I normally keep them.

Probably not a big deal to most, but it's one more step to me.

Hey guys, I could use some help because so far I've not found a solution on my own. My commute just got a lot shorter since I moved (yay!) but now I've less time in the car to listen to podcasts, which is where I listened to 'em exclusively. I wanna listen to 'em on a multitude of devices when/where I have time, so what I'd like is an app/service that:

1. Parses RSS feeds and downloads podcast episodes regularly, like a typical podcasting app, however...
2. Sync those feeds, which episodes I've listened to and which I'm currently listening to (and when my last stopping point was) to a central service/server
3. Allow me to listen to those same feeds and start off from where I stopped on my work MacBook, my PC, and my Android phone.

Does such a service/app exist, or if not, might there be a workaround?

Thanks!

Veloxi wrote:

Hey guys, I could use some help because so far I've not found a solution on my own. My commute just got a lot shorter since I moved (yay!) but now I've less time in the car to listen to podcasts, which is where I listened to 'em exclusively. I wanna listen to 'em on a multitude of devices when/where I have time, so what I'd like is an app/service that:

1. Parses RSS feeds and downloads podcast episodes regularly, like a typical podcasting app, however...
2. Sync those feeds, which episodes I've listened to and which I'm currently listening to (and when my last stopping point was) to a central service/server
3. Allow me to listen to those same feeds and start off from where I stopped on my work MacBook, my PC, and my Android phone.

Does such a service/app exist, or if not, might there be a workaround?

Thanks!

Not sure if there is an easy cross platform option, but Pocket Cast syncs across Android (and maybe their iOS clients?) You could theoretically use that as your media server, and play it through your PC/Macbook via bluetooth? Or just an aux in input?

I used to use Media Monkey to sync podcast files and play stuff on PC and a phone or MP3 player, but it was more work than necessary. Since I always have my phone, I just use that now, even when sitting at the PC.

OMG, I didn't even think, but Mannish you reminded me I own Subsonic, which has podcast functionality. I'll try that! Thanks!!

Veloxi wrote:

OMG, I didn't even think, but Mannish you reminded me I own Subsonic, which has podcast functionality. I'll try that! Thanks!!

Let me know if you can figure out how to sync phone and computer players with Subsonic, I've got it, but I have not idea how to set that up.

If I figure it out I'll let'cha know.