A few newbie questions...Please help!

[nytraveller53]

I'm brand new here - considering getting a Droid Incredible.

Please help me with the following (albeit somewhat random!) questions...

1. When I set up the phone, I only want to use Gmail. Will Gmail automatically be made my default email program, or will the regular HTC Mail program also be loading my Gmail? I'd rather not have conflicting notifications.
2. Voicemail. Thinking of getting regular Basic Voicemail. Do I get notifications every time I get a voicemail? When I click on it, will it take me directly to the voicemail, or will I still have to jump through the password junk? Does Voicemail integrate with the regular Phone app, or is it different?
   
3. Does Verizon give me my "Voicemail Pin" or whatever? Do they set it up at the store?
4. Browser. Is there any way I can set it so that it goes to my home page every time  I open it? I hate when it continues from last time.

THANKS IN ADVANCE! I know that I might sound stupid - but this is my first smartphone. I want it to be efficant, easy to use, and slick. Based on the reviews, the Incredible is all that.

[Twye]

Hi, welcome to  Droid Incredible ownership (hopefully).  I can't answer all of your question but I'll do what I can because

I absoultly love my Incredible. I'm on it all the time. I drive all my friends nuts.

First you have to charge smartphones more often than flipphones. I have a charger at home and in the car. If I'm not on the phone its charging. The Incredible is so much fun and so useful its worth the extra charge time.

My default email is hotmail. I have a gmail account but I only get hotmail on my phone so I'm sure you can set your phone for default gmail only.

My contract comes with voicemail. I never looked to see if it's extra I assume everyone has voicemail. At the very top of the phone is the notification bar that tells you what is going on with your phone. Right now  on my notification bar I have an icon for a missed call (they didn't leave a message), downloads I've done, battery status,  time, charging through my compute, signal strength, 3g status, location is on, and a weather alert icon. I already took care of my voicemail so that's gone now.

What I did for voicemail was put my finger on the notification bar and draged it down. I tapped the part where it said I had a voicemail. It took me directly to the voicemail storage and then I put in my pin number and listened to the voicemail message.

My internet browser is google but I checked my phone and under internet settings you can pick what home page you want. I have 2 ways to get to the internet. I can type in  the google search box or I can tap the internet app on the phone. Google search works like the search on my computer. If I tap the internet app it will take me to what ever I have left open, or if I didn't leave any pages open it goes to google search. You can have 3 or 4 internet pages open an flip between them if you want or just do one at a time.

The Verizon store set everything up for me so I could walk out of the store using my phone.

Good luck. Hope this helps and you become a new Incredible owner.

[AZSALUKI]

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nytraveller53 wrote:

I'm brand new here - considering getting a Droid Incredible.

Please help me with the following (albeit somewhat random!) questions...

1. When I set up the phone, I only want to use Gmail. Will Gmail automatically be made my default email program, or will the regular HTC Mail program also be loading my Gmail? I'd rather not have conflicting notifications. there is a seperate gmail app to set up your gmail account. if you just don't ever set up the htc email app, then it will never conflict with your gmail.
2. Voicemail. Thinking of getting regular Basic Voicemail. Do I get notifications every time I get a voicemail? When I click on it, will it take me directly to the voicemail, or will I still have to jump through the password junk? Does Voicemail integrate with the regular Phone app, or is it different? you will get the notification that you have a voice mail. when you touch the icon, the phone dialer will pop up. you can have someone at the store help you set up a speed dial that will incorporate you password so that you can just touch and hold 1 and it will go straight to your messages.
   
3. Does Verizon give me my "Voicemail Pin" or whatever? Do they set it up at the store? they will if you ask them to help you with it.
4. Browser. Is there any way I can set it so that it goes to my home page every time  I open it? I hate when it continues from last time. the browsers are very custimizable....and you can always completely close it so it doesn't just pick up where you left off.

THANKS IN ADVANCE! I know that I might sound stupid - but this is my first smartphone. I want it to be efficant, easy to use, and slick. Based on the reviews, the Incredible is all that.

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i've enjoyed my incredible for 9 months. it is truly a great phone and i still find new things to do with it. htc is soon releasing a slightly larger version, called the thunderbolt. it will be 4g capable and has a front facing cam so you can video chat. just somethin to think about.

[nytraveller53]

THANKS EVERYONE ALREADY! You've already helped me a lot. I think I'm going to take a trip to the Verizon Store today, and discuss some details with them as well.

A couple other questions I had, but I forgot to ask:

1. Task Killers. I know many Android fans swear by them, but most of the "Tech Experts" (PC World, Wired, etc.) claim that Android is designed to do it by itself. Is a Task Killer really necessary?
2. How would I go about switching between open apps (WITHOUT using a third-party app), that is different from just going to the home screen again?
3. SO...Pressing down "1" to get to voicemail needs to be programmed in at Verizon, correct? Making it so that I don't have to enter the password needs to be done at Verizon, correct? And Verizon will give me my voicemail PIN and Password, correct?
4. The Droid Incredible was released almost a year ago now. Does it even make sense to sign up for a smartphone already that old, when I have to have it for 2 years? I'm thinking it might be better to wait for the new Thunderbolt. Your opinion?
5. Hulu. Am I correct that Hulu does NOT work on Android, even with Flash?
6. Can someone please give me a list of ALL the apps that CAME with the phone when you got it? (You know, calendar, mail, etc.)
7. Do I NEED Adobe Reader to see pdf email attachments, or will the "Office" thing display all documents just fine? What does that built in app support anyway?
8. What "Verizon" apps comes with the phone? I don't want VCast and all that, just an app to monitor my minutes. I really hope Verizon doesn't load crapware (cough, HP, cough) onto the phone, do they?
9. On the phone, are there both "HTC Sense" versions of apps AND regular stock Android apps, or is it all combined? I don't want two contacts apps, for example.
10. Visual Voicemail. I'm considering it, it's just $2.99. And I'm NOT messing with Google Voice. Is VVM integrated with the regular dialer, or is it a seperate program? I've heard reports from both sides on this topic.
11. How can I make it so the Browser starts up at the home page every time (NO Task killer, please!)
12. How do you change the address in the web browser without navigating to "Menu" - "Go to" (that's a real pain). Is there a shortcut? Thanks!
13.  I plan on using this phone for maybe an hour in the morning, not very much during the day, and then about two or three hours total in the afternoon. Will the battery last without me having to turn off different features? I actually WANT the 3G, sync, etc. running!
14. I have super high speed Wifi in my home. When I set up wifi on the device initially, will the phone automatically connect to Wifi instead of 3G everytime I go home? Or do I do this manually?

Thanks again - I know these are very nitpicky and detailed questions, but I'm so close to getting the Incredible...I want the full scoop!!

Thanks! I'll probably have more questions, thanks for helping me out! Forgive my stupid questions!

[budone · Accepted solution]

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nytraveller53 wrote:

THANKS EVERYONE ALREADY! You've already helped me a lot. I think I'm going to take a trip to the Verizon Store today, and discuss some details with them as well.

A couple other questions I had, but I forgot to ask:

1. Task Killers. I know many Android fans swear by them, but most of the "Tech Experts" (PC World, Wired, etc.) claim that Android is designed to do it by itself. Is a Task Killer really necessary? I personally do not use task killers as they are glorifed battery killers.
   
2. How would I go about switching between open apps (WITHOUT using a third-party app), that is different from just going to the home screen again?
3. SO...Pressing down "1" to get to voicemail needs to be programmed in at Verizon, correct? Making it so that I don't have to enter the password needs to be done at Verizon, correct? And Verizon will give me my voicemail PIN and Password, correct? Call *86 to get to VM. Once there, you will set up your VM and assign a pin. Just follow the instructions.
   
4. The Droid Incredible was released almost a year ago now. Does it even make sense to sign up for a smartphone already that old, when I have to have it for 2 years? I'm thinking it might be better to wait for the new Thunderbolt. Your opinion? That is strictly a personal preference. If you are not near an area where LTE service will not be for a while, maybe the cheaper Incredible will be fine for you.
5. Hulu. Am I correct that Hulu does NOT work on Android, even with Flash? Hulu has blocked access from phones except MAYBE iPhone, but I am not sure
6. Can someone please give me a list of ALL the apps that CAME with the phone when you got it? (You know, calendar, mail, etc.) Too many to list. What you see is more than waht we got originally. More were added when Froyo came out.
7. Do I NEED Adobe Reader to see pdf email attachments, or will the "Office" thing display all documents just fine? What does that built in app support anyway? Download the reader
8. What "Verizon" apps comes with the phone? I don't want VCast and all that, just an app to monitor my minutes. I really hope Verizon doesn't load crapware (cough, HP, cough) onto the phone, do they? Vcast 'Comes' on the phone. You will see it and other apps you may never use on the 'Running' list, but do not dwell on it. If you want an explanation as to why they are 'Running', do a search. Simply they do not use resources unless you ARE using them.
   
9. On the phone, are there both "HTC Sense" versions of apps AND regular stock Android apps, or is it all combined? I don't want two contacts apps, for example. You will end up with dup apps if you DL another app. But you can hide the one you do not want to use, if it came with the phone.
10. Visual Voicemail. I'm considering it, it's just $2.99. And I'm NOT messing with Google Voice. Is VVM integrated with the regular dialer, or is it a seperate program? I've heard reports from both sides on this topic.
11. How can I make it so the Browser starts up at the home page every time (NO Task killer, please!) You mean have a favorite web page open when you open the browser???
12. How do you change the address in the web browser without navigating to "Menu" - "Go to" (that's a real pain). Is there a shortcut? Thanks! Bookmarks are your friend
13.  I plan on using this phone for maybe an hour in the morning, not very much during the day, and then about two or three hours total in the afternoon. Will the battery last without me having to turn off different features? I actually WANT the 3G, sync, etc. running! battery life depends on many factors.... Do a search of 'Battery Life' to have help with that
14. I have super high speed Wifi in my home. When I set up wifi on the device initially, will the phone automatically connect to Wifi instead of 3G everytime I go home? Or do I do this manually? If you keep the WiFi switch on, yes. But keeping it on away from home KILLS the battery as the phone searches and searches

Thanks again - I know these are very nitpicky and detailed questions, but I'm so close to getting the Incredible...I want the full scoop!!

Thanks! I'll probably have more questions, thanks for helping me out! Forgive my stupid questions!

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[nytraveller53]

Regarding question #11: I want it so that every time I open the browser, it starts at google.com. How do I set this, if it is possible? I DON'T want it to remember from last time.

Question #9: So when I get the phone initially, there will only be, for example, one contacts (people) app? Good.

Question #8: So all the Verizon $@#% will be "running", but if I don't touch it, it won't affect performance?

Question #12: You have a point. Is there a "bookmarks bar" on the browser, or do you have to navigate to the regular list?

Thanks for the help - I'm not going to mark your reply as the "solution" because I'd still love to get other replies as well.

PS: I live in upstate NY, which gets good 3G coverage, but isn't even a "LTE Future Market". Maybe a 4G phone isn't worth it...!

[budone]

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nytraveller53 wrote:

Regarding question #11: I want it so that every time I open the browser, it starts at google.com. How do I set this, if it is possible? I DON'T want it to remember from last time. Google is the normal HOME page. If not, go to the page you want and Click MENU>MORE>scroll fown to SETTINGS.... Set your home oage there

Question #9: So when I get the phone initially, there will only be, for example, one contacts (people) app? Good.yes

Question #8: So all the Verizon $@#% will be "running", but if I don't touch it, it won't affect performance? It DOES NOT affect performance. the OS is Linux based and it will open an app that has info it needs. Unlike Window programs where each program may have the same info over and over.

Question #12: You have a point. Is there a "bookmarks bar" on the browser, or do you have to navigate to the regular list? Bookmarks is under MENU when in the browser. I also set up one of the Main screens with a  Bookmarks list for easy access if I am not in the browser

Thanks for the help - I'm not going to mark your reply as the "solution" because I'd still love to get other replies as well.

PS: I live in upstate NY, which gets good 3G coverage, but isn't even a "LTE Future Market". Maybe a 4G phone isn't worth it...!

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[nytraveller53]

No, no no! What I mean with the home page on the browser is..

You know how in Firefox or IE, you close out, and then when you go back again later, it starts at the home screen?

How do I set it so that on the Droid browser, when I exit the browser by pressing the home button (leaving from a non-home page), do some other stuff, and then return to the browser again, it starts off at the homepage again? Or would I have to completely turn off the browser ("kill" it)? I won't mess with that...

Another question:

How does everyone like the voice command? If you just want to write an email with it, do you say, "Email Bob Jonson: Hi Bob, what's up!" and it does it? Neat!

Thanks everyone so far for the help...I am exploring the facinating world of smartphones one question at a time!!

[ChristyG]

These forums are awesome! 

You do want a task killer because leaving everything running drains your battery rather than kiling everthing thats open all at once.

Also....don't pay for ringtones (if your into that)....they are free in the android market...search music.....there's so many options, it's rediculous.

[nytraveller53]

About the task killers:

http://lifehacker.com/#!5650894/android-task-killers-explained-what-they-do-and-why-you-shouldnt-use...

I've heard that Android is DESIGNED to handle multiple open apps...so I'm not using a task killer. Apparently, Android runs better when it's memory is full, and then if necessary, it'll kill off apps by itself. Seems like a waste of time to me, using  a task killer.

[ChristyG]

I have never heard Anroid runs better on full memory, could be true...my mindset is alot of open tasks (running) at one time could drain your battery way faster than not. I was thinking about the battery, not the memory though. The first they'll ask on an app phone if you call about draining battery is....do you close your open apps? That's how I know that.

[budone]

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ChristyG wrote:

These forums are awesome! 

You do want a task killer because leaving everything running drains your battery rather than kiling everthing thats open all at once. I will have to respecfully disagree with you with task killers. Those apps do not use resources. But info IN those apps are needed by other apps you do use.

An app named System Tools Lite (an app killer) will show what these apps use in CPU and memory resources and how much time they run. They use nothing. If you kill them, they come back, and it is a viscious circle of on and off which in turn kills the battery. In fact, a Linux based OS (which Android is) WANTS memory used.

Also....don't pay for ringtones (if your into that)....they are free in the android market...search music.....there's so many options, it's rediculous. A GREAT resource for free ringtones is crackberry.com  I have a ton from there

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[Ann154]

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nytraveller53 wrote:

No, no no! What I mean with the home page on the browser is..

You know how in Firefox or IE, you close out, and then when you go back again later, it starts at the home screen?

How do I set it so that on the Droid browser, when I exit the browser by pressing the home button (leaving from a non-home page), do some other stuff, and then return to the browser again, it starts off at the homepage again? Or would I have to completely turn off the browser ("kill" it)? I won't mess with that...

The stock browser will open where you left off home page or not all the time unless you DO "kill it" or flose stop it.  There are replacement browers that let you exit the app and the next time it will start at your home page.  Dolphin browser, skyfire, and others are like that.

Another question:

How does everyone like the voice command? If you just want to write an email with it, do you say, "Email Bob Jonson: Hi Bob, what's up!" and it does it? Neat!

Thanks everyone so far for the help...I am exploring the facinating world of smartphones one question at a time!!

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[nytraveller53]

Okay, fair enough. I don't really want to use alternative browsers...because the regular browser integrates with Sense UI. Thanks anyway!

If anyone can give me some more answers, please do!

[Ann154]

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nytraveller53 wrote:

Okay, fair enough. I don't really want to use alternative browsers...because the regular browser integrates with Sense UI. Thanks anyway!

If anyone can give me some more answers, please do!

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Whaaaat?  I have never had any trouble with my Sense UI based Droid Eris while using Dolphin or any of the other browsers I tried before finally choosing to stay with Dolphin.  Don't knock it before you try it

[nytraveller53]

Like, you can share stuff directly from the browser to email or whatever. At least that's what I've heard. I don't want to completely alter the whole phone, I'd rather use what they give me

[Ann154]

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nytraveller53 wrote:

Like, you can share stuff directly from the browser to email or whatever. At least that's what I've heard. I don't want to completely alter the whole phone, I'd rather use what they give me

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I have an option to "share page" in Dolphin and acts just the default browser's "share page" option.

[nytraveller53]

Okay. But still, I'd rather use the stock browser. Thanks for your help!

[budone]

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nytraveller53 wrote:

No, no no! What I mean with the home page on the browser is..

You know how in Firefox or IE, you close out, and then when you go back again later, it starts at the home screen?

How do I set it so that on the Droid browser, when I exit the browser by pressing the home button (leaving from a non-home page), do some other stuff, and then return to the browser again, it starts off at the homepage again? Or would I have to completely turn off the browser ("kill" it)? I won't mess with that...

Another question:

How does everyone like the voice command? If you just want to write an email with it, do you say, "Email Bob Jonson: Hi Bob, what's up!" and it does it? Neat!

Thanks everyone so far for the help...I am exploring the facinating world of smartphones one question at a time!!

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The browser works exactly as you want. I know what you mean now.   Get out as you stated and then click on the Internet icon again and you are taken back to where you were.

As for VC. I use it for creating text messages and love it. You have to break it up, but it works fine.

Sorry, I did not notice there was a page of answers before I replied.

[nytraveller53]

More replies are always welcome