Android apps

[Ch3tan]

Oh, I also turned "ok Google" off. Did you do that? Also I usually have location on low power or off.

 

[Bodhi]

OK Google is sill on, but Location Services are only on when connected to my car stereo and the phone is on charge. It seems to be behaving itself again, took it off charge at 7am this morning and still have 84% left so will keep monitoring - if it goes crazy the cache clearing method seems to stop it in it's tracks. I'd still rather Google fixed the bloody thing however.

 

[Bodhi]

Heh, and once Google Play Services quietens down it appears the battery life in Kit Kat is WAY better than 4.3, currently on 56% after 10 hours with 2 hours screen time, WiFi, LTE, Bluetooth etc all on. Shame it was hidden by Google's infinite team of developer monkeys.

Anyway I'll shut up about battery issues and let y'all talk about apps again. In fact how about Inrix Traffic, anyone used that? It was a godsend for me until Google Now's commute times, if you program in your home and work location, it will tell you how long it takes to get there no matter where you are, and suggests the best route to get there. Pretty useful, just remember to close the app when you're finished, as it loves chewing down on battery.

 

[MYstIC G]

Not tried it, sounds awful similar to features found in waze.

 

[Raven]

Fairly sure I have everything on auto update on my phone (4.4.2 atm, been on that version a while afaik) and not really noticed any battery issues. Went to bed on 15% and woke up at 12%. Charged this morning at work via USB and its on 85% now, probably about normal. Not really used it today except a couple of phone calls and texts though so no idea about heavy usage.

Is there something I should avoid installing?

 

[Bodhi]

Sadly there seems to be an element of the luck of the draw in it, I had it, but the missus with pretty much the same firmware and the same version of Google Play Services doesn't. Only difference I can see is I use Google Now a lot, she has it on but never really use it. I've seen Google + blamed on XDA a lot too, so I've turned that off, and everything seems to be behaving for now.

 

[Athan]

If it's the same issue I've been seeing... I never use Google Now and use Google+ only incredibly rarely (and certainly hadn't since prior reboot of phone).

If it's related to Google Play Services then it might somehow trigger off what apps you have installed and the kind of apps/ads that causes to be pushed at you ?

 

[old.user4556]

I have everything turned on (Google Now, location services etc.) and I had this issue briefly, but it seems to have cleared up?

 

[Ch3tan]

So the problem is that play services keeps your phone awake when locked, this drains the battery. It's a bug, add covered in xda and various other places. Google have wrapped all their individual apps under the play services umbrella with the latest release.

 

[Bodhi]

If it's the same issue I've been seeing... I never use Google Now and use Google+ only incredibly rarely (and certainly hadn't since prior reboot of phone).

If it's related to Google Play Services then it might somehow trigger off what apps you have installed and the kind of apps/ads that causes to be pushed at you ?

This is what I'm thinking. Mine was behaving until this morning when I went on Twitter, then the Z started heating up and battery life went through the floor. Had location services on High Accuracy at the time for Freecaddie, took a couple of cache clears and reboots to make it behave.

 

[Nate]

Anyone got a good podcast app that can download not just stream?

 

[MYstIC G]

Anyone got a good podcast app that can download not just stream?

Pocket Casts is my choice for that particular job.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

I use Podcast Addict. Does what I need it to.

 

[Poag]

Anyone got a good podcast app that can download not just stream?

Beyondpod is my personal fav.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.beyondpod

 

[MYstIC G]

SwiftKey appears to be free now.

 

[Athan]

SwiftKey appears to be free now.

Aye, gone 'Freemium'. The app itself is free, but they'll still be charging for extra themes.

 

[caLLous]

It was all they could do since Google Keyboard came along.

 

[MYstIC G]

Doubt it, I'd imagine they are looking to sell on iOS and give away on Android where people are less inclined to part with their cash.

 

[caLLous]

What Android games are people playing? I just finished Monument Valley, which was excellent. I'm looking for time-killing puzzle games like Where's My Water, Cut the Rope etc...

 

[Trem]

Monument Valley is brilliant! Candy Crush Soda takes up my time while I am bored, it looks all gay but it is very good when you get into it. Bonza Word Puzzle is good and Sweet Drmzzz is maybe more what you are looking for Cally.

On the subject of keyboards and Swift key, I can't find one I am happy with. They start off ok then eventually annoy the fuck out of me. I don't like the swiping way of texting but the auto predict fill box always pisses me where the 3 words being shown are never the word I want even when it is blindingly obvious.

 

[caLLous]

Monument Valley IS good but it's not long enough for what you have to pay for it imo. I mean it's beautiful and stuff and you can tell they put a lot of work into it, I just wish there was more to it.

And I've been using Google Keyboard for ages, it works perfectly for me.

 

[Trem]

I got Monument Valley for free on Amazon's app of the day thing. Their app store is well worth installing and checking daily if you haven't got it already.

 

[Trem]

Trying Google keyboard again, can I make it bloody bigger? It doesn't auto space after punctuation is the first thing I've noticed but mainly is it's fucking tiny!

 

[Gray]

Anyone know of a decent Android radio for sports? I have TunedIn Pro, and try and listen to live football - But because it streams over the internet, things like BBC Sport are blocked so i can't listen!

 

[Ch3tan]

BBC stations work for me over tunedin....

 

[Gray]

Hmm, it's BBC i use, an automated message plays over the air saying how they can't stream due to contractual reasons, with it being BBC Merseyside then i wonder if it's because it's Everton/Liverpool matches and the teams don't allow it. Hmmmm.

 

[Nate]

Fallout Shelter came out for android the other day, awesome game and free

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bethsoft.falloutshelter&hl=en_GB

 

[caLLous]

BBC Five Live is blocked for me with TuneIn, I usually have to make do with TalkSport.

 

[Raven]

Fallout Shelter came out for android the other day, awesome game and free

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bethsoft.falloutshelter&hl=en_GB

I love it but I got hit by a bit of a moral issue.

I basically have 3 lads stood in one of the bedrooms, whenever a women isn't pregnant she gets sent to the bedroom to get impregnated, pops a kid out and gets sent back again over and over. That's their job.

The women are basically baby factories and the men sperm donors.

 

[Gray]

I normally have to make-do with TalkSport, but it seems utter shit to me, something about Collymore and he's always on everytime i listen!