New essential Android apps thread

Hamster · 16 May 2015 at 18:38

Any apps to make headphone volume louder without distorting? I'm finding full volume a bit low with some music on the note 4 and could do with a little boost from time to time.

SexyGreyFox · 16 May 2015 at 18:44

Hamster said:
Any apps to make headphone volume louder without distorting? I'm finding full volume a bit low with some music on the note 4 and could do with a little boost from time to time.

Poweramp

Hamster · 16 May 2015 at 18:47

Dimple said:
Poweramp

Thanks. Sorry, should have clarified that i'm after something that boosts volume in all apps rather than just within a particular music player.

SexyGreyFox · 16 May 2015 at 18:52

Hamster said:
Thanks. Sorry, should have clarified that i'm after something that boosts volume in all apps rather than just within a particular music player.

Never used it but what about this? - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smartandroidapps.equalizer&hl=en

Hamster · 16 May 2015 at 18:55

Dimple said:
Never used it but what about this? - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smartandroidapps.equalizer&hl=en

Thanks. That's one i've not tried yet. I'll give it a go

-edit - just have. It appears to be an equaliser with presets for classical, rock etc rather than a volume booster. I've tried a few boosters from Play but none appear to do very much but i'm sure there's something that will work (without root).

kona786 · 17 May 2015 at 08:55

Another whatsapp update

http://www.androidauthority.com/whatsapp-update-more-material-design-608589/

A few more MD tweaks.

Scam · 17 May 2015 at 11:21

So I take it google keyboard is better than AOSP keyboard? But what happened to all the symbols behind letters on google keyboard? You now have to hold period to get to them all? :confused:

Cookeh · 17 May 2015 at 20:54

Can anyone spec me a decent youtube alternative? The stock youtube app is beyond terrible... Mainly just for the audio of vids, but I do watch vids on my tablet at times.

kona786 · 17 May 2015 at 20:59

Cookeh said:
Can anyone spec me a decent youtube alternative? The stock youtube app is beyond terrible... Mainly just for the audio of vids, but I do watch vids on my tablet at times.

I've used Viral Pro before if that helps. was ok.

Agreed the stock YT app needs the option to run with screen off and audio only mode.

Buckster · 17 May 2015 at 21:02

anyone else getting youtube - video going stationary - but audio continues ?

only reboot fixes it - but since update it keeps doing it

Cookeh · 17 May 2015 at 21:22

Cookeh said:
Can anyone spec me a decent youtube alternative? The stock youtube app is beyond terrible... Mainly just for the audio of vids, but I do watch vids on my tablet at times.

kona786 said:
I've used Viral Pro before if that helps. was ok.

Agreed the stock YT app needs the option to run with screen off and audio only mode.

Couldn't agree more - running in the background too would be desirable. I'll have a look at Viral Pro

smokedog · 17 May 2015 at 21:22

Scam said:
So I take it google keyboard is better than AOSP keyboard? But what happened to all the symbols behind letters on google keyboard? You now have to hold period to get to them all?

Yeah that change happened awhile back. No got a clue why they did that, must be a design thing as having the symbols short cuts was so useful.

Vernon Pinkley · 18 May 2015 at 08:42

Buckster said:
anyone else getting youtube - video going stationary - but audio continues ?

only reboot fixes it - but since update it keeps doing it

Been getting that on Kitkat & Jellybean devices last couple of weeks, bit random usually around 20sec mark in 720p mode.

Buckster · 18 May 2015 at 09:00

thanks Vernon

millsy888 · 18 May 2015 at 11:21

Cookeh said:
Couldn't agree more - running in the background too would be desirable. I'll have a look at Viral Pro

It does if you subscribe to Google Music.

millsy888 · 18 May 2015 at 11:26

Buckster said:
anyone else getting youtube - video going stationary - but audio continues ?

only reboot fixes it - but since update it keeps doing it

Doesnt happen on my phone (4.4.2), but it does happen on my tablet (also 4.4.2). Sometimes it even plays the advert and then just freezes, refusing to go into the actual video at all.

Cosimo · 20 May 2015 at 07:56

Samsung Flow beta for:

Galaxy S5, S6 and S6 Edge
Galaxy Alpha
Note 4 and Note Edge
Galaxy Tab S

Which lets users seamlessly share activities between devices:

http://9to5google.com/2015/05/19/samsung-flow-beta/

Swarfega · 20 May 2015 at 09:00

As most people have been saying its a poor mans Pushbullet. The only advantage is it can be used offline.

Smeghead · 20 May 2015 at 09:28

Cookeh said:
Can anyone spec me a decent youtube alternative? The stock youtube app is beyond terrible... Mainly just for the audio of vids, but I do watch vids on my tablet at times.

I watch quite a lot of Youtube videos, and I agree the stock YT app is dreadful. I've tried a few and the best I've found is Tubemate, mainly because you can select the exact stream quality to watch at fullscreen, and you can download videos or play just the audio in the background. You'll need to find an APK for it though as it's not on the play store.

I also tried Viral, but for some reason I couldn't get on with the UI.

doodah · 20 May 2015 at 10:20

Background audio for YT? I thought the official YT app was meant to do that or was that a rumour? I had no idea alternatives existed, Tubemate here I come.