Droid X for dummies?

[s11]

Not kidding,  is there such a thing?  I think I need it!!  This is my first smart phone and I am struggling with learning how to use it....  I have downloaded the users manual and am still wading through it...   but,  I am still having trouble figuring things out.....   I have a bar across my homepage.  It has the WI-FI symbol,  another that says bluetooth sync,  the GPS symbol,  the sync active symbol and a symbol that looks like it is for the screen brightness.  I don't know how it got there or how to get rid of it.....  I am not sure what they are for,  or what to do with them. 

Also,  periodically my phone says "DROID".  Why does it do that?  I keep looking for texts for anything that would show me why it is doing that. 

Thanks for any help.  I know I am going to have a LOT of questions...  is this the right place to be asking them?

[yellowcanary]

If your not needing to use Wi-Fi,Bluetooth go into settings then to Wireless & network setting uncheck them the others not to sure of but we have only had the Droid X since 12pm.

[PJNC284]

It's the Power Control Widget which allows you to turn on/off various radios (wifi, bluetooth, gps) + sync  and also allows you to adjust the screen brightness between low, medium, full and auto.  It's just an easy way to manage all of those with one touch.  To delete it, just long press on it and drag it to the trash can that will appear at the bottom where the app launcher is.  As for it "Droid"ing randomly, it's either some sort of notification or it's possible that your phone could be rebooting.  To check the latter, Settings-About Phone-Status and scroll to the bottom to check the Uptime after you hear the notification.  If it's just above 0, then you have an issue with your phone randomly rebooting.  

[bull24dg]

The only timemy X says"DROID" is when I receive a message, either text or email..check to see if your phoneis set to notify you when email arrives.If you have it synced up with an email acct, it will notify you everytime you receive something. If you receive a barage of junk mail via email..phone will go nuts & drive you that way

[deaddolly]

if there is a Droid X for Dummies -- i need it too.  Had my Droid X for 2 days --- am only slightly past the 'throwing it on the street and getting my iphone back' phase.  So don't feel bad.  I found answers by just playing with the phone.  Called Verizon support and they were helpful.  If all fails - go to a store.  They get paid to help you learn your phone.

Forums work well, but with the newness of it -- it'll be awhile before all questions get on here and answered.

Good luck -- I'm right there with you!

[W3NS]

I felt the same way, but I feel a lot better now.  This is what I did:

a) I called Motorola and had them send me a hard copy of the Owners Manual.  You can get their number from the quick start guide that came with the phone.

b)  Go to your local Verizon Store and make an appointment to sit down with a service rep/tech.  I did this for several hours on two different occassions.

These steps helped me a lot.  Good Luck!

[Wildman]

---

s11 wrote:

Not kidding,  is there such a thing?  I think I need it!!  This is my first smart phone and I am struggling with learning how to use it....  I have downloaded the users manual and am still wading through it...   but,  I am still having trouble figuring things out.....   I have a bar across my homepage.  It has the WI-FI symbol,  another that says bluetooth sync,  the GPS symbol,  the sync active symbol and a symbol that looks like it is for the screen brightness.  I don't know how it got there or how to get rid of it.....  I am not sure what they are for,  or what to do with them. 

Also,  periodically my phone says "DROID".  Why does it do that?  I keep looking for texts for anything that would show me why it is doing that. 

Thanks for any help.  I know I am going to have a LOT of questions...  is this the right place to be asking them?

---

I have a bar across my homepage.  It has the WI-FI symbol,  another that says bluetooth sync,  the GPS symbol,  the sync active symbol and a symbol that looks like it is for the screen brightness.

Sounds like you have the top status menu expanded, you can get it to close be either grabbing bottom area and drag it to the top bar or you can press the back button (Second right button on front)

Also,  periodically my phone says "DROID".  Why does it do that?  I keep looking for texts for anything that would show me why it is doing that.

You can hear the droid prompter for a number of things because it is the notification default sound, it sounds for any messagea (Voice, Text or email) but also you will hear the droid sound when you lose signal and it reconnects.. You can change the sound under the Settings/Sounds and Display/Notification Ringtone directory.

Hope this helps some...

[CoastalCrew]

The X is my 2nd smart phone, but I have to admit that from the moment I opened the box, I wondered what I was thinking when I ordered it. Initially I had difficulty because I tried to learn to navigate without reading the tips. I was so used to using a QWERTY keyboard & I felt completely lost! After discovering the Help Center on the phone, I feel very comfortable with the phone now (I've had it since Thursday afternoon) & I absolutely love it! The touch screen is much more sensitive than my previous smart phone.

Now I just need to find some great FREE apps for things like a calendar (don't like the calendar that's on it) & a few other useful apps.

Is there a thread in this forum where memberes list & review their fav apps?

[jaxinaustin]

I found that going on YouTube and searching for Droid X videos helped me.  You can see people actually using the phone and showing all its uses.  Worth a try, I learned a lot.

[s11]

Thanks everyone for the great advise and info.  I really like the phone,  there is just a significant learning curve that goes with it...  Maybe a trip to the store for a hands on tutorial is a good idea.

One more question....   I LOVE the navigation.  used it today and I like it better than my GPS.  But is there a way to store addresses as favorites or my address as  "home"   so that I can just tell it to  "Navigate home"?

Thanks again!

[PJNC284]

For addresses you access frequently, you have 3 options.  One to go to google.com/maps from a computer and make sure you're logged in.  You can then search for the address and it'll give you the option to star it.   Then when when you open Maps from your Droid X and choose Directions.  Hit the little bookmark symbol and choose starred items.  You can also go to My Maps on your computer and create a new map and save it.  Then search for an address and select Save To and whatever name you saved the map as.  Then from inside of google maps on the phone, hit the menu button and choose Layers.  Pick More Layers, My Maps, and you should see the map you created.  This overlays all of your saved locations onto the map and you can just choose one and navigate to that location.  A third option is to long press on the home screen, choose Shortcuts, Directions & Navigation.  Enter the address you want and it'll save a shortcut to that location on your home screen. 

[s11]

Wow...  thanks!  I am doing that right now.  (I'll be an expert at this in no time with all the great help here!!!)

[boricua14]

I know the feeling, got mine yesterday and I'm still trying to figure it out. I googled droid x for dummies and found that there is a "Droid X for Dummies" book out. You can find it at Borders. I'll probably end up getting one if I don't get the hang of this phone soon. It's my first Droid so practice makes perfect. ^_^

Borders: "Droid X for Dummies" link: http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0470903198

[s11]

Thanks!   But it looks like it is not coming out until Sept.....