Apps - I have a dumb (n00b) question

KatanaDV20 · 24 Jan 2013 at 02:07

Ok lots of eyes will roll when reading this but I just had to ask

So apologies...

Ive just got my very first smartphone - a Galaxy Note 2. Enjoying Androiding and Ive got a lot to learn.

Ok I'll get straight to it.

Apps like this:

Facebook
Flight tracker
Google maps
XE currency exchange

...and many other similar ones: whats the point of them?

Cant you just have bookmarks for those websites in the Chrome (or Opera) browser on your Android device? Why have apps for each one of them?

Are these apps simply bookmark "widgets"? In Chrome you can just have all of those sitting pretty on the bookmarks bar ready to rock.

I can understand gaming apps, utility apps...but apps for website urls? You can go to them from your browser..? Am I missing something?

Ok...bracing for replies

KatanaDV20 · 27 Jan 2013 at 22:07

Ahh cool thanks guys, appreciate the replies. Didnt think about the touchscreen aspect of it. I dont think Im sold on the idea of what I can only call bookmarklets (apps like facebook etc) but I will check them out. Good point on the Google app being more functional than the service, thats one I shall def check out.

KatanaDV20 · 28 Jan 2013 at 19:33

Do the apps switch off when you are done with them? Arent they supposed to? I just found (under Settings) in Android a list of "Running Apps" and geez theres a LONG LIST of them. 90% of which I didnt even know I had lol, what is all this stuff....battery-hoggers :mad:

Maybe I need an app to control the apps?!

cjgardens said:
...The facebook app also murders your battery. Try fastbook search in the play store

Thanks for that tip m8

KatanaDV20 · 28 Jan 2013 at 23:37

cjgardens said:
Not all do. hold the menu button (one in the middle) and then swipe them to close them

Thanks

KatanaDV20 · 29 Jan 2013 at 21:02

kona786 said:
You have a note 2?

Hold down home button and press the little pie chart on the bottom left:

Here you'll get an excellent task manager and see the real active apps like mine:

Only close apps that are hogging lots of RAM or using the CPU while you are not using the app.

You have 2GB of RAM so you may aswell use it

Whoa...thanks dude , as soon as I get home Im gonna try this

In the manual it says you can tap-hold the screen and flick it over for instant access to the camera but its not working! Ok back to the manual..prob a setting somewhere. Long night ahead. Im not taking this thing outta the house until I master it cuz dont wanna look like a n00b