Child Item

Site Totals

61434 Questions Answered 270 Categories

"I Just Got an Android Phone, What do I do now?" TIPS AND CARE READ

Hi! I've been seeing a lot of new "I Got my new phone, what apps/accessories should I buy for it?" I'm making this thread today to assist you with new accessories, and new apps that I think will enhance your phone experience.

****~****Disclaimer: I am not he be all end all of Android phones (Though some will probably disagree), I've just used A LOT of them, and I have a big knowledge on what I think works the best. If something happens, please don't come here to flame. I just want to help new and older customers get the most they can out of their phones.*****~****

I'm going to go in order for phones from oldest to most recent, hopefully the mods will be able to sticky this if they deem it good enough. If at the end of the day, you have to chose between buying NO case, or buying one that I'm suggesting you to avoid, buy that one anyway.

Remember: Protecting your phone is better than not protecting it at all!!!!

Motorola Droid Accessories

[Cases]

(Buy This one!) Leather Sleeve: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11812

It slips in quite well, and doesn't scratch the inside

(Buy This One!) Leather Side Pouch: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11685

It's simple, it's sleek, it fits your Droid in like a dream. I like this one because I can wear it with much anything I want.

(Avoid This one!) Snap On Back Cover: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11945

It's not practical. It's ugly, it doesn't protect much, and the worst thing about covers like these, is that if you buy the top part as well, then it'll separate the top slide and the bottom slide part. I had one like this before and it gave me more troubles than it did help. And not only that, but it's nasty and bulky looking.

[Screen Protectors]

I prefer the original Verizon one that they sell. It's not bad whatsoever, however, if you can find a matte-finished one, or one that blocks out the sun I'd say get it. Verizon's can be found at: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11656

[What to do when your screen becomes DIRTY]

First I want to say stay far far away from anything that has chemicals in it. You've read it before, and I'll reiterate it here: USE WATER (Also more commonly known as H2O). Take a paper towel or two, or a hand cloth, run your hand under some water. With the same wet hand pat it on the paper towel/cloth and then proceed to clean the screen in an up and down or side to side manner.

-To get the space in between the bezel and the actual phone, take your cloth and lightly press against the bezel and drag it out.

-To clean your keyboard, I sugges you turning off your phone (to ensure you're not texting "sl;asdjfkls;dfjas" to your mother), and rubbing the same cloth against it.

-Cleaning the outside lens is just as easy. Clean the small lens with the cloth, and you'll be good to go.

IF YOU GET A SCRATCH ON YOUR SCREEN, TRY TO PUT A SCREEN PROTECTOR ON IT TO FILL IN THE CUTS. THIS WILL NOT ONLY TEACH YOU A LESSON FOR NEXT TIME, BUT IT MIGHT FILL IN THAT SCRATCH SO THAT IT APPEARS TO NOT BE THERE.

HTC Eris Accessories

[Cases]

(Buy this one!) http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11978

I have wished Droid users could have something like this. It works, easy to slip off, easy to clean, and it doesn't feel too chunky in your hands.

(Buy this one!) http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11993

You slip it in, snap it on, you're good to go!

(Avoid this one!) http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11692

It's a snap on. it's unattractive, it makes your phone heavier, and it's just annoying to take on/off.

[Screen Protectors]

(Buy this one!) http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11682

Very simple, not too hard to use in the sunlight.

If your screen gets dirty/scratched, please follow the instructions above

Motorola Devour

There are only phone cases that are for sale. All look like they are worth buying.

HTC Incredible

(Buy this one!) http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=12017

Just like the other ones, it'll fit wonderfully.

As per usual, stay away from snap on ones.

[Screen Cover]

I like to use Verizon's, and so I'll link it here: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=12059

Comments

supitsmike

Things you should do before you play with your phone:

Activate your device!

Check to see if everything looks good.

You don't want to have a defective device. Be sure to be proactive and look for things that may be wrong.

Wipe the SD Card.

You can do this by going to Menu>Settings>SD Card/Phone Storage>Format SD Card. Do this just so that you're ensured that nothing is on it.

Fully Charge your phone. Don't play or touch it until it is.

Usually, when it's fully charge, the notification light will go green. Make sure that it's fully charged so that you can enjoy a full day's worth of phone service.

After that's been done:

If you already have a Google Account because you went from one Android phone to the next, be sure that you enter in your Gmail account information, and redownload all your old applications that you have. If you don't have applications, or you are a new Android user, continue for my recommendation of applications for first time users.

Starting Applications I recommend:

There are a lot of applications on the Market, and while I can give you my personal preference, here are some that I initially think should be installed on the phone. You can press "Market", and then go to "Search" or the little search icon to start searching for these apps!

My Verizon

Gathers your information from your account. View minutes, text, data, pay bills, everything!

Astro File Manager

One of the most comprehensive file managers there is around. With a friendly UI, and easy to use interface, you can search your SD card for anything on here (Heck, I've even rooted my phone without using my computer with this thing!).

{Keep it Legal}

SaveSMS

Now you can REALLY embarass the old boyfriend/girlfriend because this application SAVES all your text messages in a label called SMS in your Gmail.

NetCounter

Not that we really need this application, but it's handy because you can see how many MB you've used for the day.

Advanced Task Manger

I'm not going to call this as mandatory as I did a few months ago, but it's still handy to force quit an app when it's going bonkers.

Ringroid

The only "sorta play" app that I recommend to start off with. It's an app that allows you to (from your phone) create ringtones for as long as you'd like.

tim600sl

What do you think about those full body protectors? like zagg or something like that

supitsmike

tim600sl wrote:
What do you think about those full body protectors? like zagg or something like that

I've never used Zagg, so I wouldn't know about those personally, but, I don't like anything that 'snaps' on or completely covers the device, as it can make it very bulky and annoying to use.

Instead of carrying around a case, and you want to use an alternative, then I would say find any silicone case that'll cover it. They're easier to use and absorb shock.

otho

I disagree with the suggestion to consider the leather side pouch (PART# PDASDPCH6). The quality of these is very poor. I bought one in less than six weeks ago and it's already badly frayed even though it has had only minimal use.

unknown

I prefer not to use a case so my Motorola Droid fits in the car dock and multimedia dock. I carry my phone in my front pants pocket but never put anything in there with it, such as car keys, etc. My phone if 4 months old and still looks brand new. I do have a plastic screen cover on it.

Child Item