[ROMS][STOCK] stock HTC explorer roms
__________________
Thanks are appreciated
Thanks are appreciated
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Htc Explorer (pico) "JaggyRom
[ROM] Htc Explorer (pico) "JaggyRom" [2.8] (22-6-12) 
I proudly present JaggyRom for HTC explorer,
an optimized, european, stock-based custom rom.
1. Features
2.Version History
- Rooted
- Cranium kernel rel#2 by sakindia123
- Swap support
- Ext-2,3,4 partition support.
- task killer tweak for speed
- Apps2sd enabled (no need of link2sd anymore, don't use it).
- BusyBox installed
- Booting HTC Sound dissabled
- Bash shell support
- /etc/init.d scripts support
- Dalvic-cache to SD enabled
- Deodexed
- Zipaligned to optimize Ram usage
- 148mb free internal memory at startup.
- "ES file explorer", "Easyinstaller" and "A2SDGUI" preinstalled
Code:JaggyRom_1.0 JaggyRom_1.0_clean-With nearly every stock app wiped out . JaggyRom_1.032 - Added custom battery indicator (watch here) - Data will not erase anymore when flashing rom, install to apply update.(wipe cache before through recovery, not dalvic cache) - Improved scroll on many apps. - Added ScreenFlashlight.apk, small system flashlight app with full brightness (thanks to deepaktom and cosmoon) JaggyRom_1.13 - Implemented swipe to remove notifications, you can now remove individual notifications from status bar by sliding your finger over them. - Fixed eventual stuck on HTC white screen when booting. JaggyRom_1.44 -Implemented advanced power menu(watch here) -Implemented Beats Audio sound mod -Reapplied Scroll improvement (tweak was not operative on previous version, sorry about that) -Dalvic heap size set to 32m by default -Updated Google maps, youtube, gmail and easyinstaller to latest version JaggyRom_1.5.0 -improved image and video quality with Bravia Engine hack JaggyRom_2.0.1 -(NEW) now based on OTA update Europe 1.28.401.1 !! clean up system partition before installing JaggyRom_2.2.15 - Fixed notification not deleting from status bar when pressing 'clear' button. - Updated su binary to latest. - Disabled the automatic check for OTA updates by default. - Disabled the 'tell HTC' pop up after a sudden shutdown by default. - Added "Russian", "Czech", "Danish", "Swedish" and "Dutch" languages to stock keyboard. (full support) - Added support for the following languages: English (United States) Español (España!) Français (France) Italiano (Italia) Ukrainian (Ukraine)* Czech (Czech republic)* Vietnamese (Vietnam)* Arabic (Egipt)* Portugês (Portugal)* Corean (Corea)* Nederlands (Nederland)* Japanese (Japan)* Rusian (Rusia)* Chinese (Simplified)* Chinese (Tradicional)**System will not show up on these languages but every app that supports that language (for example all Google apps) will change. The default system language for these will be English. If you are using a custom launcher (Go launcher, for example) you will probably have all your system on your selected language except the settings menu.For the new languages and the default settings to show up you will have to format system/cache and make a factory reset, I am afraid. (make app backup) JaggyRom_2.3.4 - Rebuilded boot.img back from stock to ensure no errors being made. It may solve some booting problems on some people. - Now dalvic cache is moved automatically at first boot. No need to do it manually. (150 mb free memory at first boot after factory resset) - Init.d scripts support. They were not supported on previous v2 versions. - Removed debugging mode persistent notification on status bar. - Recompiled SystemUI.apk, now suitable with UOTkitchen. - (new) Fixed eventual adb debugging notification showing again on notification bar. - (new) Set vm heap size back to 20m by default. Found to be the fastest value. Set it manually in with a2sdgui (recommended). JaggyRom_2.5.1 - Added arabic shaping support. - Removed ads from all applications/games! - Applied V6Supercharger tweak. - Zipalign on every boot. - Removed carrier name on notifications panel and made the clear notification button BIG. - changed the battery icon. - Many other init.d and build.prop tweaks.JaggyRom_2.5.5 - Rebuided SystemUI.apk, fix possible error when using uot kitchen. - Added Serbian and Hungarian language. (supported languages) - Added Gps tweak for faster and better locking to satellites. JaggyRom_2.5.8 - Removed warez app - Added "ES File Explorer" - Added build prop tweaks from "smurfed out" script .JaggyRom_2.6.1 - Removed Supercharger and smurf out tweaks. (some people were noticing battery leaks) - Updated system apps to latest version. JaggyRom_2.7 - Removed Beats audio mod. - Implemented Cranium Kernel rel#2
3. Instructions, please read carefullyJaggyRom_2.8
- Moved back to 800mhz kernel by yannou90 as people requested (no benchmark improvements but it does improve the overall feeling)
- Added CRT on/off animation effect. (Many thanks to pchandra) Watch video example here
Wiping dalvic cache before installation is strongly recommended.
you may also need to fix permissions inside advance options inside recovery.Lite versions:
- Removed all bloatware, widgets, Htc logging apps...
(+25 apps, see list here, thanks to nukeblitz). Mail and google's quick lookup were not deleted.Download
md5 checksum:
2.8 D3451CAC5791D646281639D2364E192C2.8lite E6A7F50A9482BC116ECA021DA384C1BB
previous versions
To update to a newer version you dont need to wipe anything, it will all be done automatically.
4. FAQ
- (not needed from version 2.3.1) To move your Dalvic cache open "A2SDGUI" app and press "move" in the dalvic tab. Free up +60mb!
- use "Titanium backup" to move data to sd card ext partition, choose apps you want to move their data, long press on them and select "move app data to sd". Both data and lib files will move. You can also select batch option to move several applications data at the same time. select a single app first so data folder is created.Check what apps are using the data with "DiskUsage" browsing /data
- Install the .zip in the recovery menu (install zip to sd option) once you unlocked your bootloader and flashed your recovery. Tutorial by me here.
First time installing this rom? Take a look at the first time user detailed tutorial by mahmudaq(thankyou dude
- Do a factory reset after making backup of your apps (with titanium backup... etc.) if you have a different rom (stock...).
- Apps will install automatically to your SD partition. Partition your sd card before (before flashing recommended) to Ext2,3,4 (not fat32) format using programs like Minitool partition wizzard, or using recovery option (no swap needed). Around 500mb-1Gb partition would be fine to start with (depends of how many apps installed). (don't make it greater than 2gb). If you use "Minitool partition wizard" remember to leave the first fat32 partition at the left and then a primary Ext2/3/4 partition.
- To check used/free memory on SD partition browse /system/sd with "DiskUsage". Internal memory in /data
- NOTE: If you want to be able to make a full nandroid backup, including your ext partition, you need the custom recovery made by "yannou90". I updated the recovery (on february 21st) on my rooting tutorial, just download it and flash it.
screenshots
5. Themes, flashable through recoveryQ After installing many apps one or a few have stopped working, force closing. Phone reboots when updating apps. Rebooting phone doesnt solve the probem.I will kindly answer to your questions but NOT repeated ones, please search thread before you ask.
A Some people reported this problem, fix it by going to APP2SDGUI and pressing "rebuild" ig you are experiencing force close of apps. If the phone shows a black screen when trying to install an app and shows the bootanimation for a short time, do a normal restart to fix it.
Q Apps still install on the instarnal memory, I have to move them manually using link2sd or simillar.
A Apps will appear to your system that they are on the internal memory but they are NOT, they are just linked to it. To check the memory go to /system/sd with "DiskUsage" for the sd partition and internal memory in /data. select [root required] to be able to select them in the application.
Q I want to modify battery mod, add scrolling glow or make other customization to them rom, how can I do it? Could you upload it?
A As every person has different likes about customizations of icons and colours, If you want to customize your rom visit http://adf.ly/BnkpV
upload the required system files from the zip and after downloading the modified ones swap them and install the rom normally.
Q I just installed the rom and every time i try to install an app,the screen goes blank and I get the startup animation...this happens even after I restarted my cell twice...any help?
A Go to A2SDGUI and rebuild dalvic cache. If this doesnt work remember you had to use the recovery from rooting tutorial here, step 3. NOT the recovery installed from "Rom manager" and make factory reset with it before installing the rom.
- Blue theme 2 by immortal_yash:
BlueTheme_2_Immortal_yash_JaggyRom.zip
transparent version: BlueTheme_2_Immortal_yash_JaggyRom_transparent.zip
BootAnimation1_by_momo.zip
- Boot animations by momo.martinovic
BootAnimation2_by_momo.zip
12
Center_clockv2_JaggyRom.zip
- Move clock to the center of the status bar. (only for version 2.5.1+)
If you made your own theme and want to share it, send me a PM.
Thanks to everyone who donated! 
Send me a PM with the transaction number if you want your name to be shown here.
__________________
Thanks are appreciated
Htc Explorer (pico) "JaggyRom" (a2sd + overclock) HERE
Final "htc explorer" rooting tutorial HereVote so HTC EXPLORER has a separate forum
Thanks are appreciated
Htc Explorer (pico) "JaggyRom" (a2sd + overclock) HERE
Final "htc explorer" rooting tutorial HereVote so HTC EXPLORER has a separate forum
Beats Audio for htc explorer
Beats AudioIt was mentioned here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1525226
that it is for all gingerbread roms but if it doesnt work dont blame me coz this it is working on my other phone LG Optimus One
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1525226
that it is for all gingerbread roms but if it doesnt work dont blame me coz this it is working on my other phone LG Optimus One
Secret Codes for htc explorer
Secret Codes
hold 1 (dial voicemail)
*#06# (view IMEI)
*#*#8350#*#* (disable voice dialer logging)
*#*#8351#*#* (enable voice dialer logging)
*#*#4636#*#* (general information)
*#*#8255#*#* (gtalk service monitor)
*#*#225#*#* (calendar info)
**04*[old pin]*[new pin]*[new pin]# (change pin; do not enter [ and ])
**05*[PUK]*[new pin]*[new pin]# (unlock pin; do not enter [ and ])
**042*[old pin2]*[new pin2]*[new pin2]# (change pin2; do not enter [ and ])
**052*[PUK]*[new pin2]*[new pin2]# (unlock pin2; do not enter [ and ])
the following codes require that you hit dial:
*#61# (check redirection status)
##002# (cancel all redirections)
*43# (activate call waiting)
#43# (deactivate call waiting)
*#43# (show status of call waiting)
#31#[phone number] (hides your phone number from the receiver; you will be seen as "unknown"; do not enter [ and ])
*31#[phone number] (shows your phone number to the receiver)
the following codes are for call forwarding; must hit dial:
Call forwarding when busy:
**67*[phone number]# (forward to the given number; do not enter [ and ])
#67# (deactivate call forwarding)
##67# (erase call forwarding)
*#67# (request status for call forwarding)
Call forwarding when the phone is turned off or has no coverage:
**62*[phone number]# (forward to the given number; do not enter [ and ])
#62# (deactivate call forwarding)
##62# (erase call forwarding)
*#62# (request status for call forwarding)
Call forwarding for when you are not responding:
**61*[phone number]**x# (forward to the given number after x seconds; x=5,10,15,20,25,30; do not enter [ and ])
#61# (deactivate call forwarding)
##61# (erase call forwarding)
*#61# (request status for call forwarding)
Call forwarding for all conditions above:
*#004*[phone number]# (forward to the given number; do not enter [ and ])
#004# (deactivate call forwarding)
##004# (erase call forwarding)
*#004# (request status for call forwarding)
Always forward:
*#21*[phone number]# (always forward to the given number; do not enter [ and ])
#21# (deactivate call forwarding)
##21# (erase call forwarding)
*#21# (request status for call forwarding)
Erase all call diversions:
##002# (remove all call diversions)
More will come soon..!
hold 1 (dial voicemail)
*#06# (view IMEI)
*#*#8350#*#* (disable voice dialer logging)
*#*#8351#*#* (enable voice dialer logging)
*#*#4636#*#* (general information)
*#*#8255#*#* (gtalk service monitor)
*#*#225#*#* (calendar info)
**04*[old pin]*[new pin]*[new pin]# (change pin; do not enter [ and ])
**05*[PUK]*[new pin]*[new pin]# (unlock pin; do not enter [ and ])
**042*[old pin2]*[new pin2]*[new pin2]# (change pin2; do not enter [ and ])
**052*[PUK]*[new pin2]*[new pin2]# (unlock pin2; do not enter [ and ])
the following codes require that you hit dial:
*#61# (check redirection status)
##002# (cancel all redirections)
*43# (activate call waiting)
#43# (deactivate call waiting)
*#43# (show status of call waiting)
#31#[phone number] (hides your phone number from the receiver; you will be seen as "unknown"; do not enter [ and ])
*31#[phone number] (shows your phone number to the receiver)
the following codes are for call forwarding; must hit dial:
Call forwarding when busy:
**67*[phone number]# (forward to the given number; do not enter [ and ])
#67# (deactivate call forwarding)
##67# (erase call forwarding)
*#67# (request status for call forwarding)
Call forwarding when the phone is turned off or has no coverage:
**62*[phone number]# (forward to the given number; do not enter [ and ])
#62# (deactivate call forwarding)
##62# (erase call forwarding)
*#62# (request status for call forwarding)
Call forwarding for when you are not responding:
**61*[phone number]**x# (forward to the given number after x seconds; x=5,10,15,20,25,30; do not enter [ and ])
#61# (deactivate call forwarding)
##61# (erase call forwarding)
*#61# (request status for call forwarding)
Call forwarding for all conditions above:
*#004*[phone number]# (forward to the given number; do not enter [ and ])
#004# (deactivate call forwarding)
##004# (erase call forwarding)
*#004# (request status for call forwarding)
Always forward:
*#21*[phone number]# (always forward to the given number; do not enter [ and ])
#21# (deactivate call forwarding)
##21# (erase call forwarding)
*#21# (request status for call forwarding)
Erase all call diversions:
##002# (remove all call diversions)
More will come soon..!
CUSTOM ROMS for HTC explorer
CUSTOM ROMSTHe best rom till now is made by Jaggyjags so thank him for his ROM
To install this Rom:
download this ROM from his thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1473218
1.Place this Rom in the sd card
2.Install this as you installed superuser.zip earlier
3.Done, now reboot your phone
With this rom you can
- overclock up to 800mhz by using apps like set cpu in google play
- move all apps to sd using A2sd
- this rom is faster than stock Rom
- this rom has more free memory at start ie. 148 mb
Custom Rom has many benefits which You will see after you install this
To install this Rom:
download this ROM from his thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1473218
1.Place this Rom in the sd card
2.Install this as you installed superuser.zip earlier
3.Done, now reboot your phone
With this rom you can
- overclock up to 800mhz by using apps like set cpu in google play
- move all apps to sd using A2sd
- this rom is faster than stock Rom
- this rom has more free memory at start ie. 148 mb
Custom Rom has many benefits which You will see after you install this
Root HTC explorer
Rooting1. Install HTC Sync on your PC
It is already in your sd card which you got with the phone but if you lost it you can download it from: www.htc.com/www/help/htc-explorer/#download
2. Unlock your phone's bootloader
Go to http://adf.ly/BrtOu
select all then select "all other supported devices" when asked to select devices
then follow the steps indicated
3. Add a recovery
With recovery you can make a nandroid backup of you current ROM and you can flash .zip files . All custom ROMs are in the format .zip and you need a custom recovery to flash them easily.
- Download A310E Recovery.zip from
http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...4&d=1329843100
- extract it on your desktop
- run the recovery.bat with phone in fastboot mode (first option in the "3 android menu" ) and connected with usb.
Done! You got the recovery installed if no errors, you can now install any compatible .zip ROM or app.
4. ROOT the device
Download superuser zip from http://downloads.androidsu.com/super...ghi-signed.zip
Place the superuser.zip in the sd card
Boot in recovery by pressing "power+volume" down while phone is off
Install superuser.zip
Note: after rooting dont restore to factory setting from storage menu in setting
It is already in your sd card which you got with the phone but if you lost it you can download it from: www.htc.com/www/help/htc-explorer/#download
2. Unlock your phone's bootloader
Go to http://adf.ly/BrtOu
select all then select "all other supported devices" when asked to select devices
then follow the steps indicated
3. Add a recovery
With recovery you can make a nandroid backup of you current ROM and you can flash .zip files . All custom ROMs are in the format .zip and you need a custom recovery to flash them easily.
- Download A310E Recovery.zip from
http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...4&d=1329843100
- extract it on your desktop
- run the recovery.bat with phone in fastboot mode (first option in the "3 android menu" ) and connected with usb.
Done! You got the recovery installed if no errors, you can now install any compatible .zip ROM or app.
4. ROOT the device
Download superuser zip from http://downloads.androidsu.com/super...ghi-signed.zip
Place the superuser.zip in the sd card
Boot in recovery by pressing "power+volume" down while phone is off
Install superuser.zip
Note: after rooting dont restore to factory setting from storage menu in setting
Friday, June 22, 2012
Android tips and tricks
1. Activate the Android Power Strip
The single most important feature in Android 2.1 is its built-in power strip widget. Here, you're able to quickly disconnect all the phone's battery-destroying features, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the Great Batter Killer that is GPS. Long-press on the screen and install it via the widgets category.
2. Android call screening
If you're a paranoid call-screener, Android is there for you. Open up the Contacts listing of the person you're currently avoiding, then select Menu > Options. From here you're able to ping all incoming calls from this person directly to voicemail. Give people the brush off with Android.
3. Set up custom caller ringtones
Alternatively, if you like talking to people, the same screen lets you allocate a specific custom ringtone to each caller stored in your Contacts directory.
4. Add your alarm clock to your task killer
A classic mistake, this. We're constantly being told of the (debatable) importance of using a task manager to maximise Android battery life, and if you want to go down that route you're welcome. However, when killing all your tasks to save battery life, remember that your alarm clock is a task in itself - kill that and you'll wake up in a panic at 10.15am tomorrow morning.
5. Organise things into folders
While Steve Jobs may have recently made quite a big deal about letting iOS users organise things into folders, Android's been doing that for ages. Fancy a quick Home screen shortcut to your starred favourite contacts? Long-press the Home screen and make it so.
6. Rename Android folders
And, once you've done that, to customise things to perfection it's possible to rename folders. Simply open the folder, then long-press on its name in the top bar to bring up the Top Secret renaming field.
7. Check the date
Possibly one of the tiniest undocumented features is the date-checking facility. Press the Notification bar at the top left of the screen. It tells you what the date is. Go on, try it. It will.
8. Mount your SD card
Also accessed via the Notifications field is the "Mount" option. Many an Android newcomer has failed at this hurdle, as mounting your phone's SD card is an awkward step that needs to be taken before it'll appear as an external drive for data copying. Plug it in, mount it, then copy.
9. Set up your keyboard launch shortcuts
One of the reasons many people still love their QWERTY keyboards is Google's inclusion of the reliable old keyboard shortcut system in Android. The phone has a completely customisable collection of app launcher shortcuts, which are found under Settings > Applications > Quick Launch.
10. Download more Android live wallpapers
One thing that makes Android 2.1 a little more swish and exciting than the rather dull earlier versions is its support for Live Wallpapers - the animating image format that brings your Home screen to life. There's a negligible battery life hit for doing so, but in return you get a phone that looks cool. Which is what life's all about, right? Search the Android Market for Live Wallpaper - there are loads.
11. Easy zoom
A teeny little feature, this, but one that's super-useful if you're using all five of your Home screens - or a custom user interface that offers even more. Tapping the dots beside the dock at the bottom of the screen brings up a mini thumbnail list of all Home screens, allowing you to get from Screen 1 to Screen 5 without wearing a groove into your screen surface.
12. Add a Navigation shortcut to Android
Android 2.1 lets users set up local short-cuts to the Maps Navigation satnav app. As long as you have one of the latest Google Maps updates, you're able to select one of your Navigation routes and attach it directly to a shortcut on the Home screen - creating a one-press launcher for your favourite trips.
13. Set your double-tap zoom level
On phones that don't support multi-touch zooming, you can take more control of your web browsing zoom via the browser's setting page. Change your view to "Close" if you want the page to fly right into extreme close up when you double-tap the screen, or leave it to "Far" if you're happy to have text only cropping in a little closer when you double-tap.
14. Change Android browser font size
From the same menu you're also able to select your browser font size. Your personal ideal settings will vary depending on your screen size, resolution and eye sight, but a few minutes getting it set up so pages are instantly readable will save many cumulative hours of resizing over the coming years.
15. Search web pages
Menu > More > Find on Page lets you search for specific text terms on web pages, if you can't be bothered reading the thing properly as the author intended.
16. Practise your robot voice
Android 2.1 features voice-input for every text field. Which is nice, although the delay for "processing" - and often rather left field results - mean it's usually quicker to just bite the bullet and type things. Remember to say "comma" to tell it to insert a comma. Full stop.
17. Add words to the Android dictionary
This is such a useful feature it ought to be screamed about via a sticker on the phone when you take it out of the box. If you've been labouring through life with a difficult-to-spell surname, type it once into your Android phone's text field - then long-press on it in the suggested word field. This adds it to the dictionary, so you'll never have to type more than the first couple of characters of your stupid name again.
18. Sign up for a Picasa account
Google's online image-sharing tool may have failed to capture the public's imagination in the same way as Flickr, but there's one good reason to register yourself one - Android 2.1's 3D gallery can auto-sync your photos with your Picasa account. Photo sharing works both ways, so you'll have to deactivate sync if you don't want your entire web gallery popping up on your phone.
19. Download web images
If you've seen one of those funny photographs on the internet, long-pressing on it lets you download it to your phone - and it'll pop up in your Gallery for easy sharing.
20. Manage your Android call log
It's very easy to delete individual items from Android's log of made and received calls - simply long-press on an item and delete it. Then sleep easier.
21. Facebook your Contact photos
If you combine Android with the official Facebook Android app, it's possible to automatically pull in photos for your contacts through Facebook. You're also able to create a specific Facebook Phonebook folder on the Home page, keeping internet and proper friends separate.
22. Browser combo button
The Android 2.1 web browser features a clever multi-function button beside the address bar. While a page is loading it turns into a "X" to cancel loading, but once a page has finished it transforms itself into a bookmark adding and history management tool. It's always there for you.
23. Android web history shortcut
Also, further speed up browsing by holding down the Back key - this is your shortcut to your internet History. Ideal for navigating those complex browsing sessions - and also cuts down on unnecessary reloading.
24. Use browser tabs
The standard Android browser offers tabbed browsing, it just doesn't do a very good job of advertising it. Long-pressing a URL lets you open web links in a new tab - you then switch tabs by pressing Menu and selecting the Windows option. Not that user-friendly a system, but it works. Just remember that quitting to the desktop may automatically close everything in the middle of a tab-heavy session.
25. Multiple Gmail accounts in Android
Android 2.1 added support for multiple Gmail accounts. Add a new internet identity to your phone by opening the Gmail app, then pressing Menu > Accounts > Add Accounts. Then remember who you're pretending to be.
26. Turn off Google auto-suggest
If you're phone's a bit on the entry level side of things, your Google searching will be speeded up quite significantly by turning off the web suggestions feature. Having Google constantly guessing what you're about to type is nice, but can bring older phones crunching to a halt. Deactivate this feature by heading to Settings > Search > Google Search Settings.
27. Add a hotline to the Android Home screen
If there's one person you tend to call more than most - wife, councillor or parole officer - make it easy on yourself by adding a Direct Dial shortcut to the Home screen. Long-press on the background, then select Shortcuts then Direct Dial - to add the modern equivalent of a big red telephone to your Home page that instantly dials the one number without messing around with the Dialer or Contacts pages.
28. Add a hotline to Techradar
You can do the above with web site pages, too. Simply long-press on a web bookmark when in the browser, and you'll be given the option to "Add Shortcut to Home" - which will indeed drop an icon onto your Home screen that instantly launches the browser and starts loading your favourite site.
29. Shortcut to music playlists
If you've setup a playlist for your music, it's also possible to add a shortcut to that on the Home screen in a similar fashion. Beats fiddling with the music player.
30. Bypass Android slide unlock
You don't have to slide the screen locker to bring your phone out of standby. A double press of your phone's Menu button will also wake it up, as long as your manufacturer hasn't removed that feature from its skin.
31. Unconfirmed deletions
Pressing Menu while in the Gallery lets you switch off the deletion confirmation dialogue, which could shave many seconds off your photo management times.
32. Alternate text fields
If you're a bit of a grammar fetishist, the Android stock keyboard can help. Holding down a key brings up a floating alternate text field for that letter, with all the special characters needed for accurately sending SMS messages to French and German people popping up.
33. More Android emoticions
The above tip also works with the Android keyboard's selection of smiley faces, with a long-press on the smiley pulling up loads more. Although there still aren't enough sad/depressed ones for our liking.
34. "What I meant was..."
And if you're too old to know what all these smiley faces actually mean, press Menu then Insert Smiley while on the Android keyboard - then the meaning of them all is nicely explained for granddad.
35. Change Android auto-correct
If you're having problems with the Android keyboard auto-correcting or simply don't like words completing and capitalising themselves, the options can be changed in Settings > Language and Keyboard > Android Keyboard.
36. Install am Android file manager
The lack of a way to properly manage files on Android 2.1 is quite odd. Sure, you can delete photos and music from within their apps, but you'll need one of the many file managers on the Android Market to mass-delete things in comfort, PC style. Astro is a good, free one to start with.
37. Manage your Android battery
Keeping track of the occasional rogue app is important when it comes to making sure you've got enough battery left for those odd occasions when you might actually need to make a phone call. The data collected by your phone and stored under Settings > About Phone > Battery use will tell you if one of your apps is staying on and hammering your battery, letting you do the human thing and delete it.
38. Set keyboard, from keyboard
Another rather obscure feature, this. Long-pressing the 123 button on the standard Android keyboard brings up a keyboard settings page, where you're able to switch keyboards (if you have others installed) and fiddle with settings on the fly.
39. STOP
Also, further speed up your typing by double-pressing the spacebar - this automatically inserts a full-stop.
40. "Never heard of her"
If you need to delete all mentions of ex-partners from your phone, the dictionary can be edited - go to Settings > Language and Keyboard > User Dictionary to clean up your typing history.
41. Speak the Queen's English
If you're fed up of the bizarre accent of the Maps Navigation voice, there's an English variant - go to Menu > Settings > Text to Speech > and tick the box to use your own settings. Now you're able to have an English accent. Much better for navigating the M25.
42. Delete fat Android apps
If you're running low on internal memory space, your apps can be sorted by size - and big ones binned to make space. Head off to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications and press Menu to filter them by memory use.
43. Activate speakerphone
It's not particular user-friendly having to press the Menu button while making a call, but you if you do so you're able to select the speakerphone option - plus other calling features.
44. Delete entire threads
If you have a late night SMS conversation you'd rather forget, long-pressing on the thread from the Messaging app's front screen lets you delete the entire thing in one go. It'll be like it never happened.
45. Make your own wallpaper
You don't have to stick with Android's default collection of 1990s corporate imagery - any photo can be used as your desktop image. And you're even allowed to crop it, so it scrolls nicely with the desktop. Simply long-press on the Home screen and select Wallpapers then Pictures to use any pic you've previously taken.
46. Android recent apps list
Holding down the Home button brings up the Android equivalent of your most recently used apps list. It beats paging through the phone, if you've just quit something by mistake.
47. Lose non-essential fancy stuff
Speed up your phone and save a teeny amount of battery life by binning the fancy animations. You can turn them back on again when you need to impress an iPhone user. Find the toggles under Settings > Sound and Display > Animation.
48. Built-in Android task killer
Android features its own little task killer, but it's very, very well hidden. Manually close apps by going to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications then pressing Menu - and filtering the results by running apps. If you can be bothered with all that, you're than able to force close anything that's running.
49. Lock your phone
Setting an unlock pattern adds a small layer of additional security to your phone - just remember to wipe the tell-tale finger smears from the screen.
50. Keep the screen on while charging
It's often handy to have the screen stay on all the time, especially if you tend to recharge your phone overnight and use one of the fancy apps that turn your phone into a nice 1980s clock radio and. Go to Settings > Applications > Development and tell the screen to stay on while charging. Just don't tell your environmentalist friends you're burning through electricity like this.
The single most important feature in Android 2.1 is its built-in power strip widget. Here, you're able to quickly disconnect all the phone's battery-destroying features, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the Great Batter Killer that is GPS. Long-press on the screen and install it via the widgets category.
2. Android call screening
If you're a paranoid call-screener, Android is there for you. Open up the Contacts listing of the person you're currently avoiding, then select Menu > Options. From here you're able to ping all incoming calls from this person directly to voicemail. Give people the brush off with Android.
3. Set up custom caller ringtones
Alternatively, if you like talking to people, the same screen lets you allocate a specific custom ringtone to each caller stored in your Contacts directory.
4. Add your alarm clock to your task killer
A classic mistake, this. We're constantly being told of the (debatable) importance of using a task manager to maximise Android battery life, and if you want to go down that route you're welcome. However, when killing all your tasks to save battery life, remember that your alarm clock is a task in itself - kill that and you'll wake up in a panic at 10.15am tomorrow morning.
5. Organise things into folders
While Steve Jobs may have recently made quite a big deal about letting iOS users organise things into folders, Android's been doing that for ages. Fancy a quick Home screen shortcut to your starred favourite contacts? Long-press the Home screen and make it so.
6. Rename Android folders
And, once you've done that, to customise things to perfection it's possible to rename folders. Simply open the folder, then long-press on its name in the top bar to bring up the Top Secret renaming field.
7. Check the date
Possibly one of the tiniest undocumented features is the date-checking facility. Press the Notification bar at the top left of the screen. It tells you what the date is. Go on, try it. It will.
8. Mount your SD card
Also accessed via the Notifications field is the "Mount" option. Many an Android newcomer has failed at this hurdle, as mounting your phone's SD card is an awkward step that needs to be taken before it'll appear as an external drive for data copying. Plug it in, mount it, then copy.
9. Set up your keyboard launch shortcuts
One of the reasons many people still love their QWERTY keyboards is Google's inclusion of the reliable old keyboard shortcut system in Android. The phone has a completely customisable collection of app launcher shortcuts, which are found under Settings > Applications > Quick Launch.
10. Download more Android live wallpapers
One thing that makes Android 2.1 a little more swish and exciting than the rather dull earlier versions is its support for Live Wallpapers - the animating image format that brings your Home screen to life. There's a negligible battery life hit for doing so, but in return you get a phone that looks cool. Which is what life's all about, right? Search the Android Market for Live Wallpaper - there are loads.
11. Easy zoom
A teeny little feature, this, but one that's super-useful if you're using all five of your Home screens - or a custom user interface that offers even more. Tapping the dots beside the dock at the bottom of the screen brings up a mini thumbnail list of all Home screens, allowing you to get from Screen 1 to Screen 5 without wearing a groove into your screen surface.
12. Add a Navigation shortcut to Android
Android 2.1 lets users set up local short-cuts to the Maps Navigation satnav app. As long as you have one of the latest Google Maps updates, you're able to select one of your Navigation routes and attach it directly to a shortcut on the Home screen - creating a one-press launcher for your favourite trips.
13. Set your double-tap zoom level
On phones that don't support multi-touch zooming, you can take more control of your web browsing zoom via the browser's setting page. Change your view to "Close" if you want the page to fly right into extreme close up when you double-tap the screen, or leave it to "Far" if you're happy to have text only cropping in a little closer when you double-tap.
14. Change Android browser font size
From the same menu you're also able to select your browser font size. Your personal ideal settings will vary depending on your screen size, resolution and eye sight, but a few minutes getting it set up so pages are instantly readable will save many cumulative hours of resizing over the coming years.
15. Search web pages
Menu > More > Find on Page lets you search for specific text terms on web pages, if you can't be bothered reading the thing properly as the author intended.
16. Practise your robot voice
Android 2.1 features voice-input for every text field. Which is nice, although the delay for "processing" - and often rather left field results - mean it's usually quicker to just bite the bullet and type things. Remember to say "comma" to tell it to insert a comma. Full stop.
17. Add words to the Android dictionary
This is such a useful feature it ought to be screamed about via a sticker on the phone when you take it out of the box. If you've been labouring through life with a difficult-to-spell surname, type it once into your Android phone's text field - then long-press on it in the suggested word field. This adds it to the dictionary, so you'll never have to type more than the first couple of characters of your stupid name again.
18. Sign up for a Picasa account
Google's online image-sharing tool may have failed to capture the public's imagination in the same way as Flickr, but there's one good reason to register yourself one - Android 2.1's 3D gallery can auto-sync your photos with your Picasa account. Photo sharing works both ways, so you'll have to deactivate sync if you don't want your entire web gallery popping up on your phone.
19. Download web images
If you've seen one of those funny photographs on the internet, long-pressing on it lets you download it to your phone - and it'll pop up in your Gallery for easy sharing.
20. Manage your Android call log
It's very easy to delete individual items from Android's log of made and received calls - simply long-press on an item and delete it. Then sleep easier.
21. Facebook your Contact photos
If you combine Android with the official Facebook Android app, it's possible to automatically pull in photos for your contacts through Facebook. You're also able to create a specific Facebook Phonebook folder on the Home page, keeping internet and proper friends separate.
22. Browser combo button
The Android 2.1 web browser features a clever multi-function button beside the address bar. While a page is loading it turns into a "X" to cancel loading, but once a page has finished it transforms itself into a bookmark adding and history management tool. It's always there for you.
23. Android web history shortcut
Also, further speed up browsing by holding down the Back key - this is your shortcut to your internet History. Ideal for navigating those complex browsing sessions - and also cuts down on unnecessary reloading.
24. Use browser tabs
The standard Android browser offers tabbed browsing, it just doesn't do a very good job of advertising it. Long-pressing a URL lets you open web links in a new tab - you then switch tabs by pressing Menu and selecting the Windows option. Not that user-friendly a system, but it works. Just remember that quitting to the desktop may automatically close everything in the middle of a tab-heavy session.
25. Multiple Gmail accounts in Android
Android 2.1 added support for multiple Gmail accounts. Add a new internet identity to your phone by opening the Gmail app, then pressing Menu > Accounts > Add Accounts. Then remember who you're pretending to be.
26. Turn off Google auto-suggest
If you're phone's a bit on the entry level side of things, your Google searching will be speeded up quite significantly by turning off the web suggestions feature. Having Google constantly guessing what you're about to type is nice, but can bring older phones crunching to a halt. Deactivate this feature by heading to Settings > Search > Google Search Settings.
27. Add a hotline to the Android Home screen
If there's one person you tend to call more than most - wife, councillor or parole officer - make it easy on yourself by adding a Direct Dial shortcut to the Home screen. Long-press on the background, then select Shortcuts then Direct Dial - to add the modern equivalent of a big red telephone to your Home page that instantly dials the one number without messing around with the Dialer or Contacts pages.
28. Add a hotline to Techradar
You can do the above with web site pages, too. Simply long-press on a web bookmark when in the browser, and you'll be given the option to "Add Shortcut to Home" - which will indeed drop an icon onto your Home screen that instantly launches the browser and starts loading your favourite site.
29. Shortcut to music playlists
If you've setup a playlist for your music, it's also possible to add a shortcut to that on the Home screen in a similar fashion. Beats fiddling with the music player.
30. Bypass Android slide unlock
You don't have to slide the screen locker to bring your phone out of standby. A double press of your phone's Menu button will also wake it up, as long as your manufacturer hasn't removed that feature from its skin.
31. Unconfirmed deletions
Pressing Menu while in the Gallery lets you switch off the deletion confirmation dialogue, which could shave many seconds off your photo management times.
32. Alternate text fields
If you're a bit of a grammar fetishist, the Android stock keyboard can help. Holding down a key brings up a floating alternate text field for that letter, with all the special characters needed for accurately sending SMS messages to French and German people popping up.
33. More Android emoticions
The above tip also works with the Android keyboard's selection of smiley faces, with a long-press on the smiley pulling up loads more. Although there still aren't enough sad/depressed ones for our liking.
34. "What I meant was..."
And if you're too old to know what all these smiley faces actually mean, press Menu then Insert Smiley while on the Android keyboard - then the meaning of them all is nicely explained for granddad.
35. Change Android auto-correct
If you're having problems with the Android keyboard auto-correcting or simply don't like words completing and capitalising themselves, the options can be changed in Settings > Language and Keyboard > Android Keyboard.
36. Install am Android file manager
The lack of a way to properly manage files on Android 2.1 is quite odd. Sure, you can delete photos and music from within their apps, but you'll need one of the many file managers on the Android Market to mass-delete things in comfort, PC style. Astro is a good, free one to start with.
37. Manage your Android battery
Keeping track of the occasional rogue app is important when it comes to making sure you've got enough battery left for those odd occasions when you might actually need to make a phone call. The data collected by your phone and stored under Settings > About Phone > Battery use will tell you if one of your apps is staying on and hammering your battery, letting you do the human thing and delete it.
38. Set keyboard, from keyboard
Another rather obscure feature, this. Long-pressing the 123 button on the standard Android keyboard brings up a keyboard settings page, where you're able to switch keyboards (if you have others installed) and fiddle with settings on the fly.
39. STOP
Also, further speed up your typing by double-pressing the spacebar - this automatically inserts a full-stop.
40. "Never heard of her"
If you need to delete all mentions of ex-partners from your phone, the dictionary can be edited - go to Settings > Language and Keyboard > User Dictionary to clean up your typing history.
41. Speak the Queen's English
If you're fed up of the bizarre accent of the Maps Navigation voice, there's an English variant - go to Menu > Settings > Text to Speech > and tick the box to use your own settings. Now you're able to have an English accent. Much better for navigating the M25.
42. Delete fat Android apps
If you're running low on internal memory space, your apps can be sorted by size - and big ones binned to make space. Head off to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications and press Menu to filter them by memory use.
43. Activate speakerphone
It's not particular user-friendly having to press the Menu button while making a call, but you if you do so you're able to select the speakerphone option - plus other calling features.
44. Delete entire threads
If you have a late night SMS conversation you'd rather forget, long-pressing on the thread from the Messaging app's front screen lets you delete the entire thing in one go. It'll be like it never happened.
45. Make your own wallpaper
You don't have to stick with Android's default collection of 1990s corporate imagery - any photo can be used as your desktop image. And you're even allowed to crop it, so it scrolls nicely with the desktop. Simply long-press on the Home screen and select Wallpapers then Pictures to use any pic you've previously taken.
46. Android recent apps list
Holding down the Home button brings up the Android equivalent of your most recently used apps list. It beats paging through the phone, if you've just quit something by mistake.
47. Lose non-essential fancy stuff
Speed up your phone and save a teeny amount of battery life by binning the fancy animations. You can turn them back on again when you need to impress an iPhone user. Find the toggles under Settings > Sound and Display > Animation.
48. Built-in Android task killer
Android features its own little task killer, but it's very, very well hidden. Manually close apps by going to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications then pressing Menu - and filtering the results by running apps. If you can be bothered with all that, you're than able to force close anything that's running.
49. Lock your phone
Setting an unlock pattern adds a small layer of additional security to your phone - just remember to wipe the tell-tale finger smears from the screen.
50. Keep the screen on while charging
It's often handy to have the screen stay on all the time, especially if you tend to recharge your phone overnight and use one of the fancy apps that turn your phone into a nice 1980s clock radio and. Go to Settings > Applications > Development and tell the screen to stay on while charging. Just don't tell your environmentalist friends you're burning through electricity like this.
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