TechieDan » android

Problem installing Android SDK

techieDan — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 02:40:02 +0000

If you have problems installing Android SDK, please do a an initial check and make sure you have the prerequisite requirements. Make sure you have a Java SDK installed which one can get from it here.

Now after downloading Android SDK (for Android developers and also initially for those wanting to root their Android phones), this is the initial screen.

Following that, click the Next button which the following screen should appear.

What is happening? After checking, it looks like the JDK was already installed on the machine. Something is not right here. Now here comes the fun part, click the Back button which should appear to the first screen and then click Next again. The screen which initially showed theJava SE Development Kit (JDK) not found is different now.

Oh, it is a bug in Android SDK Installer. This has got to be a funny mishap in the programming codes but then it is not something to be going gaga over though.

After this phase, just follow the screen and everything should be done.

Summary of the installation

Simple steps to follow.

Click Next > Back > Next

How To Backup Contacts to SD Card on HTC Hero

techieDan — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 04:31:13 +0000

After using the HTC Hero for nearly 2 years, it seems that this phone really has some issues on memory space with every application installed only on the phone memory. It was also found out that one of the most disk space consumed was the contacts and also the sms/mms that were on the phone.

So in short, what can one do to clear the unnecessary usage of space. Do a factory reset? Well, it works but maybe just before you do that you would want to backup your contacts that are on the phone (yes, as some saved their contacts on the phone.. one of them would be me).

Surprisingly, after searching the web for solutions, most gave solutions of downloading an application which to me is tedious and unnecessary. The simplest way would be as followed

On your menu, select People
Press MENU and select IMPORT/EXPORT
Export the phone contacts to SD card (You can choose the option from your phone or your SIM)

That is all there is to it. Saving your contacts is easy. Now just backup your contacts and get it ready for import the next time you wanted to.

Firefox 4 Beta Unleashed

techieDan — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 05:02:35 +0000

Firefox 4 Beta unleashed and TechieDan has finally gotten his jump onto the beta stage. Here is where there would be bugs encountered in order to help the Mozilla team to create the ultimate browser experience.

The interface for the Firefox 4 Beta is simply amazing with it’s fluid like tabs and buttons. Browser also loads much faster. It also boasts of a NEW Sync interface which allows one to sync their preferences and sync with another Firefox browser on another PC.

But what’s a browser?

A browser is just like any other browser. The Mozilla team though has given us instead to Android and Maemo users a mobile version of their browser. Another thumbs up to the team there.

How to get this wonderful app? Simply point your location to http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/mobile/beta/ and you’re off for download of the mobile application. Sad to say, this browser only supports a few mobile devices.They are

Maemo
Nokia N900

Android

Firefox is compatible with Android 2.0 and above devices.
Installation requires approximately 32MB internal storage, plus 12MB SD storage.

Supported Devices – Tested

HTC Desire
HTC Desire HD
HTC Droid Incredible
HTC EVO 4G
HTC Google Nexus One
Motorola Droid 2
Motorola Droid X
Samsung I9000 Galaxy S (AT&T Captivate, Verizon Fascinate, T-Mobile Vibrant, Sprint Epic 4G)

Supported Devices – Not Tested

HTC Desire Z (T-Mobile G2)

What does this mean? For older devices like the HTC Hero, this will definitely not be good for them, even if they have upgraded to Android 2.1. The reason, with the requirements of storage space encompassing 32MB on the phone, it’s just not possible. Another sad day for Techiedan as an owner of the HTC Hero.

For those of you who is looking to download Mobile Firefox 4 Beta, you may get it from the market or just scan this code using your QR Scan or any Code Scan applications.

Sidenote: Some sites being opened by the Firefox 4 Beta is buggy and crashes the browser. Let’s do our part as a community to ensure that Firefox would be released earlier after all the bugs are reported and fixed.

WhatsApp Now Supports Android 2.1

techieDan — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:05:07 +0000

Great news! The ever popular WhatsApp application (frequently used by iPhone users) is now available for Android users that are running Android 2.1 OS. Previously, Whatsapp only supports Android 2.2 for the Android market. Great news for HTC Hero users which is only capable to upgrade to that OS version. Great news for TechieDan as a HTC Hero user too.

Yes, after 20 over days later, it’s finally here. WhatsApp now supports Android 2.1. Thank you to the WhatsApp developers for considering lower end Android machines that do not have the capability to upgrade to the Android 2.2 OS.

WhatsApp? What’s this? Basically this application will let you save tonnes of money spent on SMSes (of course you need a data network plan 3G/Edge/Wifi to use it). Using phone numbers as the primary key contact, it lets you send messages without being charged into your standard telco bill.

Sounds Sweet but WHERE to Download?

As of date of post, the application is still not available for download on the Android Marketplace yet. Well, fear not, WhatsApp has given us a link for Android 2.1 and above users to download them. The best way would be to use your Android powered phone and go to the mentioned web link

http://www.whatsapp.com/android/

Here’s what the website would show when you’re on that page.

Welcome to WhatsApp! Please download the beta version of WhatsApp Messenger below and enjoy our service free for 90 days. During, or after free trial period you can purchase service for US $1.99 / YEAR.

Minimum requirements

Android OS 2.1 or above

Unlimited internet data plan

Good money spent.

WhatsApp for Android

techieDan — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:44:16 +0000

Android users, Whatsapp, the application that is the craze for those iPhone and Blackberry users is now available for Android users.

Save money on your SMSes with your friends that are using WhatsApp. Android users can now download WhatsApp.

Noticed this familiar application running. Now what about other operating systems like the Symbian OS from Nokia? It’s also now available for beta testing.

No mentioned on the website of WhatsApp as to where to download the Android version, unless you’re following their twitter at @whatsappinc.

Android users please download them by browsing using your Android browser at http://www.whatsapp.com/android/

Note: As of now, WhatsApp for Android only supports Android 2.2, so Android 2.1 users and below would have to wait for upcoming support for WhatsApp for Android 2.1.

From the website if using Android 2.1 from my HTC HERO.

>>> Sorry, your current Android OS is not supported yet. Only Android OS 2.2 is supported at the moment. Support for Android 2.1 is coming soon.

Minimum Requirements

Android OS 2.2 or above

Unlimited internet data plan

Let’s cross our fingers for those using the older OS.

Android Software – PicSay

techieDan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:45:36 +0000

This marks the first android dedicated post to show to all Android enabled mobiles the abundance of Android apps out there. Everyone loves to take photos or at least have taken photos, some even use their android handset to capture photos. Then either one goes home and extract the photo out and do some Adobe Photoshop with it. Though, what if one wants to do it directly on their mobile?

Presenting PicSay, which TechieDan has been using to modify photos before uploading them to Facebook and Twitter via mobile.

Instead of wasting time looking for a laptop or a personal computer to enhance your digital image and to re-size them, PicSay does it all for you all on your Android Gadget. The free version comes with the basic photo editing options that one needs.

PicSay offers 3 sizes for a photo, from

Normal 320 x 479
High 428 x 640 PRO
Maximum 725 x 1084 PRO

As seen though, only the first option is available for the free version. Here are some of the features that one can do with PicSay.

Amazing? Yes, only for the Pro edition. The very least this was what TechieDan did with the free version of PicSay.

All those cute photos are readily made available with PicSay.

Conclusion

Definitely a 9/10 for a splendid picture editing application for the Android. What more can one ask for? Application was tested on the HTC Hero which worked perfectly as of written date.

HTC Hero Locate Drivers USB Modem

techieDan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:46:15 +0000

Are you a proud owner of HTC Hero. Did you know that this phone is one of the finest Android Phone up to date! Now did you know that the HTC Hero can function as a USB Modem? Here are some steps you have to take.

Considering the HTC Hero has the ability to act as a USB Modem, now one can online anywhere provided your telco has 3G or you’re trying to connect to a wireless network using your non-wifi capable notebook (who still has it though?). Highly applicable to those wanting to connect using 3G, this setup is imminent.

What are the steps to connect to setup the HERO as a USB Modem?

Before continuing, here are some major steps you need to take and download before continuing. Download HTC Sync software for the HTC Hero from the HTC main site. Install it and ready to go.

Steps

Once HTC Sync is installed, on the Hero device.

Browse to Settings –> Wireless Controls and enable Mobile Network Sharing.

Now connect the Hero to the PC via USB cable. Windows will detect the new hardware automatically and install an “HTC Remote NDIS Network Adapter”

Simple? You can now use your HTC Hero now as a Modem. Trouble is that maybe your Windows can’t locate the drivers specifically to automatically install the HTC Remote NDIS Network Adapter. So in order to save your time to look for the drivers, here are the links to download either the 32 bit or the 64 bit drivers.

HTC Hero 64 Bit Drivers (Vista 64 Bit)
HTC Hero 32 Bit Drivers (Windows XP, Vista 32 Bit)

So this saves a lot of time and finally your HTC Hero is good to go.

Notes: Will add more information about the HTC Hero in the coming future. A new category is now created.