Android OS Discussion Thread
 

I figure we can have dedicated threads for specific phones, ie. The Nexus 4, Note II, Galaxy S3 etc.

Use this thread to discuss or ask anything android related so we can keep the dedicated threads a little cleaner :)

Android needs to refresh its underlying code, to be less dependent on Java, as it will never be as fluid and smooth as their competitors that use other programming languages; such as HTML5.

So I've had my droid phone for over a year-and-a-half now, played with some customizations (background/themes/lock screen etc.) and I think I prefer the fluidity of the iOS devices much more. All the aesthetic customizations get boring after a while, what else can I do to the device to give it a new feel??

^ Rooting is probably your next step. It's a lot to know if you're not too technologically literate, but can be worth it.
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Good luck with that! To change it now will break everything Android stood for. I wish they didn't use Java in the first place otherwise what you said is true.

Still, Project butter is helping a ton with the "perspective" that its fluid.

You'll have to radically change the way you use your phone entirely then. Take a look at this video:


You could root your device as per yogenfruz, but I think your looking to do something with aesthetics more than memory management or overclocking on your phone.

Since this is a discussion of the Android OS, what's your guys favorite launcher so far? It doesn't have to be manufacturer specific.

I use Go Launcher EX, it works well and I like how simple it was to use and learn. I may switch to Nova at some point as there's been a few theme styles/apps that aren't compatible with Go.

On the sidenote about rooting, I suggested it as you can get different versions of the OS on your phone. I was debating rooting my Desire HD to get Ice Cream Sandwich or Jellybean.
Posted via RS Mobile

Nova launcher. does everything i want.

+1 for Nova

Apex for me. I would suggest a custom rom as well as rooting. It's like getting a brand new phone.

Which ROM works best for you guys?
I am using stock 4.2.1 and it feels so plain. I mean, I thought all phones allowed the user to set a ringtone for SMS, but it turns out JB 4.2.1 doesn't give me that option.

clean rom+nova for that sweet sweet stability.

scottsroms.com

As for java and fluidity, im not much of a tech guy, but is it possible to get the IOS fluidity on hardware that is out already? EG note 2, s3. Like with new firmware or something? Or would that have to be along side more beefy specs?

SMS-specific ringtone is set in the SMS app, not the system. The system has a single "notification" tone that most apps (mail, SMS, Twitter, FB, etc.) will use unless you tell them otherwise.

I'm using GoSMS on JellyTime, a 4.2.1 Jellybean-based ROM for my Desire HD, I have no problem setting not only a separate SMS tone, but individual SMS tones for certain contacts.

The fluidity is based on the way the OS was written. Sadly since Android is written on Java, you won't get the same fluidity that you would get if you written the program in C/C++. They obviously have their pro's and cons. Java is easy to write in, C is not. When writing in C, you need to be super careful of how you manage your memory. Java you do not though Java becomes a memory hog in general if not written properly.

In a funny way, its probably why we need more beefier specifications since Ice Cream Sandwich, RAM is so cheap we are able to cram 1-2GB of RAM into the phone where as iOS 1GB is plenty since they don't really have real multi-tasking ongoing.

Running JediX9 based off a Samsung Galaxy Note II GT-N7105 4.1.2 ROM. Great, stable, needs tweaking though. Stuff like AwesomeBeats only works with a select set of applications.

Android 4.4 "KitKat"

Sundar Pichai G+
http://www.android.com/kitkat/index.html

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V...oid+KitKat.jpg

A = ?
B = ?
C = 1.5 Cupcake
D = 1.6 Donut
E = 2.0 Eclair
F = 2.2 Froyo
G = 2.3 Gingerbread
H = 3.0 Honeycomb
I = 4.0 Icecream Sandwich
J = 4.1 Jellybean
K = 4.4 Kitkat
L =
M =
N =
O =
P =
Q =
R =
S =
T =
U =
V =
W =
X =
Y =
Z =



So much for the Keylime Pie for the next OS...

5.0 Lemon Drops

doesn't make sense for them to come up with 4.4 KK when 5.0 is due with the new Nexus phone..?!

Android OS theme is for desserts.. not for alcoholic drinks.. haha

Android (the OS itself) is written in C/C++, not Java. Apps for Android are usually written in Java. However, you can use C/C++ in your Apps if you use the NDK (native development kit). However, Google doesn't seem to want people to use the NDK unless they have a very specific reason to do so.

Android NDK

ParanoidAndroid for that sweet, sweet halo. 3.97 is not as stable as I would like it though.

Nova, Tasker, and Wallpaper Changer(3GB worth of wallpapers) is what you need for a good looking phone

Nova Launcher and Pie Control. Can't live without either of them.

So everyone thought that Google was making a new OS called Key Lime Pie. Well too bad because its actually been unveiled by Google that its the Kit Kat. lulz everyone got trolled :troll:

Edit: So FerrariEnzo already stated it. I didn't read his post. But still everyone thought it was Key lime pie