Kitz Forum

Computers & Hardware => Android & other hand held devices => Topic started by: sevenlayermuddle on February 05, 2014, 03:13:01 PM

Title: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 05, 2014, 03:13:01 PM
I needed a new mobile and considering the proliferation of iOS devices I've collected, decided it was time to dip a toe into Androids so I am now the proud owner of a cheap as chips Samsung Galaxy Fame PAYG.  ;D

I'm fairly impressed on the whole, but it's worse than useless for network data access.  I only have 2G (gprs) coverage locally, but my previous phone (pre-android and pre-iOS) coped fine, if a bit slow, with the same SIM.  The Android just seems to give up on almost every attempt.  I have checked and double-checked the configurable parameters for the access point and anyway, the fact that it works occasionally suggests the configuration is basically sound.  I've tried it in the nearby town centre, much the sam - nearly never works.

When not working (which is nearly always) the symptoms are initial flickering of the activity arrows under the 'G' (gprs) symbol, which peters out and stops after a few seconds, and then the App hangs for few tens of seconds before giving up, and reporting various error messages like 'can't access', 'try again' etc.  The same symptoms affect all my favourite Apps, BBC weather, National Rail (train times), BBC News, etc.  Yet they all do work, occasionally.

So to recap, signal strength is fine, and data connection does occasionally work, possibly it works best when the network is quiet like wee small hours.  In consideration of that  I'm inclined to think this is an Android O/S problem, rather than with the phone.  Perhaps, for example, it can't cope when corrupted data needs to be resent?   Or maybe it can't cope with long latencies?

Just wondered if anybody else had good/bad experience with Android network data, compared to earlier phones (pre iOS and pre Android)?  I'm Android 4.1.2 for what difference that makes.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: broadstairs on February 05, 2014, 05:06:34 PM
I've had two Android phones and both frankly struggle on any 2G services, dont know why. I'm lucky here that I normally have a good 3G service and when at home I always use wi-fi on it. I have no idea why but if I only get a 2G signal I dont bother with the net. I would not expect and IOS devices to fare much better since most of their access, like Android, would be graphical not text which is what pre-IOS/Android phones used plus I expect timeouts are much shorter because of the design expecting 3G.

Stuart
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 05, 2014, 05:40:46 PM
I would not expect and IOS devices to fare much better since most of their access, like Android, would be graphical not text which is what pre-IOS/Android phones used

Better half has an iPhone, but we've never set it up for data access.  I may do so for comparison, we are both on Vodafone PAYG.  A characteristic of Vodafone PAYG is that as soon as you use any data, you are debited £1 which allows you to use a full 25MB. OIt's not actually bad but it means however that every day I do these experiments it is costing £1 for each phone.    :'(

With the old phone I used to just use the built in browser, had bookmarks for my favourite BBC weather charts, and for my usual train stations from the National Rail website.  On days when I was out walking I could watch the weather, and on my way to the station I could check if the trains were on time.    So that was graphical too, and worked fine, if a bit slow.    And even if it took a while you just stuck it back in your pocket and walked another hundred yards, it'd be ready when you looked later. 

But with the Android, if it doesn't work immediately, there's no point in 'giving it time', it just won't work period.  Really is quite useless in comparison.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: kitz on February 05, 2014, 06:28:54 PM
I have a galaxy S4  mini which runs on Android 4.2.2 and although its slow, I just put that down to being used to having wi-fi on a fast connection at home. Aside from my parents house, where its carp, I cant say Ive noticed a problem -  but thats no surprise since they show as grey on the map even for 2G.

My daughter has an galaxy s2/s3 (cant remember) and she uses 3G practically 24/7 without problems as shes always on the move and hardly ever home.   Shes always uploading photos mail etc from her phone and uses mobile data these days more than her laptop.

Admittedly I previously had a HTC DesireS which tbh wasnt much good on 2g and could be painfully slow at times, but it usually worked depending on location.
I think there may be a setting somewhere in the phone where you can state your network prefs, and I recall seeing something once that if you are in a 2g area it may be best setting that as your default network mode. But double check as Im talking off the top of my head.

Have you checked coverage for your area via your network provider
vodafones is here
http://www.vodafone.co.uk/our-network-and-coverage/uk-coverage-map/index.htm?cid=rdr-11072-01
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: Ronski on February 05, 2014, 06:43:03 PM
I can't shed any light on your specific problem, I've had Android phones for a long time and don't have any problems, but I do generally have a good 3G signal.  Do any of the other mobile firms have good 3G coverage in your area? There are only four mobile network operators in the UK (mentioned below), all the others piggy back off those 4, you can find further info here (http://ukmobilecoverage.co.uk/).

Just reading what Kitz posted reminded me that your phone may keep trying to swap to 3G then drop back to 2G, I think there may well be a setting somewhere to set it to 2G only.

£1 a day for 25MB sounds like it could be very expensive way of using your phone, there are now some very good Sim only deals out.

Vodafone 300 minutes,    500 texts,    250MB data for £9 a month
Three 200 minutes, 5000 texts, 500MB data for £6.90 - I'm on the One Plan, 2000 minutes, 5000 texts and unlimited data with tethering for £15, but looks like it's gone up to £20 a month
Orange 500 minutes, 500 texts, 100MB data £8 a month
O2 100 minutes, unlimited texts, 100MB data £8 a month

Those above are the cheapest tariffs for 12 month contract, a little more money can get some good allowances, tie that in with a cash back deal and you can have a good contract at a very good rate. Do some in depth research and it is possible to get some very good deals.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 05, 2014, 06:45:20 PM

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/our-network-and-coverage/uk-coverage-map/index.htm?cid=rdr-11072-01
I am in an area  coloured purple which predicts 2g coverage indoors & outdoors. 
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 05, 2014, 06:51:21 PM
I

Just reading what Kitz posted reminded me that your phone may keep trying to swap to 3G then drop back to 2G, I think there may well be a setting somewhere to set it to 2G only.

£1 a day for 25MB sounds like it could be very expensive way of using your phone, there are now some very good Sim only deals out.

I have no 3G coverage at all, as confirmed by the checker kitz posted.  In any case, I have tried disabling 3G as can be done from 'settings', it made no difference.

Regarding price plans, I only use my data plan one or two days a month, so the Vodafone scheme suits me well; all the mobile data I need for, with my usage pattern, £2 per month.   :graduate:

I refuse to have a contract phone as I don't like the T&Cs of any I've investigated, but that's off-topic. 
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: GigabitEthernet on February 05, 2014, 06:59:09 PM
I switched to Android from iOS at the end of last year and I am really glad I did. Android is the superior OS nowadays. It didn't used to be, admittedly, but you can't beat it now.

You really realise how much Apple limits you when you try Android. Apple's attitude to iOS seems to be you like what we like. No? Too bad!
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 05, 2014, 07:26:40 PM
I switched to Android from iOS at the end of last year and I am really glad I did. Android is the superior OS nowadays. It didn't used to be, admittedly, but you can't beat it now.

You really realise how much Apple limits you when you try Android. Apple's attitude to iOS seems to be you like what we like. No? Too bad!

Trouble is, I thought I was buying a mobile phone rather than just (say) an iPod Touch competitor.   And for the specific purposes for which I use the phone, the Android seems to be a dismal failure.   

In saying that I am comparing at least to the previous generations of mobiles, long predating iOS as well as pre-Android.  It may (or may not) be a fantastic tablet computer, but  as a mobile phone it is the worst phone for data access I have owned since GPRS became available, maybe a decade or so ago.

Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: kitz on February 05, 2014, 09:14:05 PM
>> I thought I was buying a mobile phone rather than just (say) an iPod Touch competitor.

That is a damn shame 7LM, because I really am thrilled to bits with my galaxy s4.  It does everything and so more than my ipad/ipod.

 
The only limitation to me is screen size,
I have a dilema,  Im not a person that likes massive handbags and dont want to be carrying a stonking great big phone bag, yet unfortunately Ive approached that age where Im beginning to hold my phone further away to see any text. 
Since one eye is long sighted and the other short-sighted I get headaches switching from eye to eye to view something close up  :(

If my phone screen was the size of my ipad, then there would be no contest on which would get used the most.  The Android wins hands down.    The only thing it cant do is play to my Apple TV.

Im sure there must be something somewhere thats stopping you get a decent 2G signal.   
I just really, really wish I could point you in the right direction.   If you are with vodafone you could perhaps try their forums to see if anyone with that particular phone has come across this before.    :'( :'(

Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: kitz on February 05, 2014, 09:14:51 PM
Quote
You really realise how much Apple limits you when you try Android.


OMG Alec  I thought you were a confirmed Apple iOS fan!! :swoon:
The reason I moan about iOS is because I started on android... then bought i-devices and it was only once Id purchased them, realised then how much Apple stopped me from doing what I wanted to.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: GigabitEthernet on February 05, 2014, 09:32:36 PM
Kitz, see my avatar and my personal text. I'm a convert :).
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 05, 2014, 10:21:32 PM
Quote


Im sure there must be something somewhere thats stopping you get a decent 2G signal.   

I'm sure it's not a signal strength problem (full 4 bars) as other phones are happy with Vodafone's  2G service here.   Moving on from my 2G data probems, and despite the fact it's a cute gadget, I'm still not really enamoured.   

One biggie that bugs me is that I seem to have to be permanently logged into my google account.   Thus if my phone gets nicked and the thief manages to get past the screen password, they have full access to my google account.   I've not yet thought of any specific problems from that, it just seems terriby bad security practice to stay logged in when not needed.  With iOS you can log out of iTunes account, and it'll invite you to login again as and when it is needed, such as when you want to install an App.   

My (google) mail (with two step verification enabled) seems much more secure on iOS too as I can generate an 'application specific password' for each iOS device.  That allows the device lmited mail access but nothing more, and if I ever lose the iOS device a click of the mouse on the account website revokes that individual device without disrupting anything else.   All of that would work on Android's mail app too, but is entirely negated by the fact that the gmail app bypasses it all, by virtue of the permanent login.

I'm also a bit stunned at the liberties taken by some of the Apps from google play.   I nearly installed a satnav app, until I noticed it wanted permissions to silently initiate phone calls!   At least Apple have an exhaustive vetting/approvals process before allowing Apps to be unleashed, but do Google?


Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: broadstairs on February 05, 2014, 10:41:11 PM
I think there may well be a setting somewhere to set it to 2G only.

There is on my phone, go to Settings and under Wireless & Networks on mine you tap More... then select Mobile networks then Network Mode.

As to Apps you must check the apps permissions as they dont always play fair but I believe from a developer I am acquainted with that it is not easy to set the correct permission items when coding. I dont use my google accounts for anyting except the app store so I'm not too bothered about that.

I'd advise using something like Lookout which is a kind of virus checker and also allows remote locking of a phone if stolen or lost.

Stuart
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 05, 2014, 11:05:34 PM
I think there may well be a setting somewhere to set it to 2G only.

There is on my phone, go to Settings and under Wireless & Networks on mine you tap More... then select Mobile networks then Network Mode.


Thanks, but I already found and tried that, it makes no difference to the problem.

The real issue with 2G data of course is not that I can't use it at home - I have WiFi at home - it's that I can't trust it to work when I'm out walking.   My 'middle of back of beyond' walking trails are all likely to have poor signals.   Previous GPRS phones have coped fine, even when signal strength was so intermittent as to make voice calls unusable, thus letting me watch the weather and train times and check email.    But based on testing at home, I have no confidence that the Android will work on walks.

One thing I will say to Android's credit, I like the way it is quite easy to unambiguously enable/disable data access, thus avoiding accidental data charges when at home.   iOS is less convincing in that respect, which is the main reason we've never enabled data on better half's iPhone.   :)
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: Ronski on February 06, 2014, 01:08:33 PM
I wonder if it's the phone, I had a quick Google and there were some reports of poor reception, but I could probably find reports of poor reception for most phones.

The Fame is quite a low end phone, my current choice of phone for family and friends is a second hand Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini, I've managed to pickup a couple of mint condition phones for around £110 recently. We have a couple now and am very pleased with them. The first thing I do is root them, and install a light Rom (No crapware!) then install Avast, which allows me to track the phone, lock it and wipe it if need be. Avast also allows you to lock apps, so for instance on my S4 I have a 6 digit pin to unlock it, then another pin to get into apps such as Gmail, EBay etc. I also install a custom recovery so I can backup the entire phone, and therefore easily restore it should there be a major problem. I have another App which will save me from entering my unlock pin if I'm connected to a trusted Wi-fi connection such as at home.

The thing with Android is it takes a lot of time to get a phone to how you like it, right Apps, right settings etc purely because Android is so customisable, where as iOS is not, basically you get what Apple wants to give you, apart from Apps of course which you can choose.

It is also this customization ability which also causes a lot of problems, this is why even though I hate Apple and the way they do things it's still the right choice for some people, I would recommend Apple to anyone who wasn't technically savy when it comes to a phone or tablet.

That said Android is getting a lot better, but can still be a pain to find a particular setting.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: door_bell on February 06, 2014, 01:24:20 PM
I love my Android stuff. Got a Nexus 7, Nexus 5 and Tegra Note 7. Amongst all my other Windows tablets and stuff.

Scary thing with Android comes when you add a custom recovery - doesn't matter what passwords you have, unless you secure ADB access. Someone can get your phone, plug it into a PC and wipe passwords or just take all your data!!!!!


Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 06, 2014, 03:23:17 PM
I wonder if it's the phone, I had a quick Google and there were some reports of poor reception, but I could probably find reports of poor reception for most phones.

Most unlikely to be a signal strength or reception problem as it is showing either 3 or 4 bars at all times.  Moreover, voice calls are fine.

But today I've noticed that if I avoid using the various Apps (BBC, Network Rail) etc and instead just use the Opera browser to view the relevant mobile websites directly, it seems to work most of the time.  It can take a long time to render but I don't care about that as long as it gets there in the end.  That would suggest to me it's a basic Android weakness in whatever APIs the Apps are using?    :-\ 

Mildly surprising there not more talk about it on the Android forums, you sometimes see people mentioning something similar, but being shot down in flames by the throng of Android supporters, along the lines of 'GPRS is crap, what do you expect?' .  Which of course is twaddle, many of us have been using GPRS for a decade or so, it serves its purpose if properly implemented.

I shall live with that approach of using the browser directly for a few weeks and, if it allows me to carry on doing most of the stuff I used to do with my old (pre-Android) Samsung, then I suppose I'll be happy.  And it's a cute gadget that I will enjoy, to supplement my (substantial!) collection of cute iOS gadgets. 

WRT comparison of iOS and Android, IMHO they are both amazing achievements of modern technology and I'm sure each has their benefits.  Personally I trust iOS to be more secure, and expect Android to perhaps be more 'fun' in a frivolous way.     But one thing in particular they seem  to have in common is a strong, almost cult-like following, from large numbers who will hear no criticism of whichever one it is they have chosen   :D
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: broadstairs on February 06, 2014, 04:27:16 PM
Not sure if the Opera browser on Android is still the same but if I remember correctly it uses a server to render stuff and pass back the display info to the phone. If still trhe same I would be worried about using it to do anything secure on the phone. I do access banking stuuf from my phone but ONLY using the relevant banks own app.

Stuart
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 06, 2014, 05:30:05 PM
Not sure if the Opera browser on Android is still the same but if I remember correctly it uses a server to render stuff and pass back the display info to the phone. If still the same I would be worried about using it to do anything secure on the phone. I do access banking stuuf from my phone but ONLY using the relevant banks own app.

Stuart
Agreed it's a concern, but if Opera want to know what weather forecasts I'm checking, or what train timetables I'm looking at, they are very welcome.

The Google chrome browser works too, but I prefer Opera.

Next challenge is to try and find a way of getting email working at least as well as it did with my older, pre-Android phones.  Webmail may work but is not is not a viable solution, far too graphical.  I may try the separate Android mail App and see if it works?   I've been using the dedicated gmail App so far, or rather had it thrust upon me as it is what Android seem to think is good for me.   But gmail behaves like the other Apps, seems to give up the ghost at the slightest hiccup, whereas with GPRS I think you need to be able to survive the hiccups.

One big feature missing from the Gmail App (compared to mail Apps on older Samsung/Siemens/Motorola phones) is an option to 'download mail headers only', so the subject and from fields are downloaded and displayed, but the body of the email is only downloaded if you actually decide to read it.  That massive reduces the data overhead in most circumstances.  The closest thing i can find in the Gmail App is the option to (not) download attachments, but I want to defer download of the whole message body, not just the attachments.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: Ronski on February 06, 2014, 05:37:04 PM
Try Aquamail (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kman.AquaMail&hl=en_GB), that only downloads a small part of the message, not sure how it will cope with your connection though.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: broadstairs on February 06, 2014, 05:45:41 PM
I use K-9 Mail again dont know how well it will cope with a 2g connection.

Stuart
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 06, 2014, 06:04:54 PM
Try Aquamail (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kman.AquaMail&hl=en_GB), that only downloads a small part of the message, not sure how it will cope with your connection though.

I use K-9 Mail again dont know how well it will cope with a 2g connection.

Stuart

Thanks a lot, will try them both as long as they are free, or at least free to try.

Might be a day or two before you hear back from me though as configuring access to  Google Apps mail is a little bit fiddly thanks to the (excellent, IMHO) two-step verification.  It doesn't take two days mind, but it takes longer than a minute or two, and some days it seems 'a minute or two' is all I have to spare   :D
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sheddyian on February 06, 2014, 10:03:58 PM
I've got a Galaxy Nexus 5, running Android 4.2.2 and I find it pretty good on 3G networks.  Obviously, at home on the wifi it's faster, but don't have much problem with it.

On the occasion it's switched to 2G due to lack of coverage, it is pretty unusable, I have to say. but I assumed that was down to the speed of 2G rather than the phone.

I've had a couple of instances where it's had a strong 3G sgnal but there's been no data connection at all, even switching it off and on didn't clear it.  But a little later when I moved a few miles along the road (and so I assume on a different network beacon) it all started working again, so it may have a been a local fault rather than my phone.

As to data, I'm on a Virgin pay as you go, and you can buy a repeating 1Gig per month bundle for £5, which seems good value.

Ian
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 07, 2014, 10:59:39 AM
On the occasion it's switched to 2G due to lack of coverage, it is pretty unusable, I have to say. but I assumed that was down to the speed of 2G rather than the phone.

Interesting, as are all comments.

2G data is crap on any phone, that much is indisputable.   But I used to be able to request train times on my (45 minute) walk to the station then stick the phone back in my pocket while it worked on it.   Five minutes later it would have finished, and I could see the train times.    So it was crap, yes, but still useful.

The Android in comparison with previous generation handsets (pre Android and pre iOS) seems to give up quite quickly, if it doesn't complete in the first few seconds (which has always been rare for 2G data) it just gives up.   Still crap, but this time it's crap and useless too.

I'm still testing the theory that the browsers (chrome / opera) try a bit harder than the dedicated Apps.  But I tried side by side browsing comparisons with other half's iPhone last night (also Vodafone PAYG), the iPhone won hands down.   When the data arrived quickly they both rendered in the same sort of time but - more importantly - the iPhone kept on trying even if it took a while, long after the Android had given up.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: kitz on February 08, 2014, 12:06:10 PM
>>> One biggie that bugs me is that I seem to have to be permanently logged into my google account

There must be some way around this.  There is a one login for all page which has a button top right to log you out.     However I thought it still leaves you connected with google play in that any apps which need updating can still do so without need for logging in to google play.

I always use the logout feature, & afaik I am always logged out as I have to enter my password to get to gmail/g+/YouTube account.   However I agree that I do seem to be associated somehow because existing apps will update without me having to re-enter my password.     Yet yesterday I went to install a brand new app, I was suddenly presented with a page telling me I had to log in before I could download and install it.   So it would appear it treats new and existing apps differently.

Btw I also have google sync switched off (the one which keeps a  backup of contacts etc) so I don't know if this makes a difference.


Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 08, 2014, 01:57:27 PM
>>> One biggie that bugs me is that I seem to have to be permanently logged into my google account
There is a one login for all page which has a button top right to log you out.   

I am probably being even thicker than usual, but I haven't found such a button.   Can you tell me where it is?  :-[

Re internet access it's better news.... the Opera & Chrome browsers definitely do seem to work on 2G even when the dedicated Apps don't.   Time after time I've witnessed this, alternating between the National Rail website (takes ages but nearly always works) and their App (nearly never works at all).  Same result for BBC weather App vs website.    :)

Combined with the (nice!) feature that Chrome allows me to add bookmarks as icons directly to the home screen, this gives me reasonably convenient access to what I want, and should be enough to stop me moaning for a while.   And I'll stop watching ebay, and lusting over cheap ageing iPhones.   :D

Still, the fact that I can browse the web with Chrome and Opera does leave me thinking there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the phone, the signal strength, or the network.   Odd then that so many Apps that basically attempt to automate the same process don't work - I'm guessing somewhere in the depth of Android perhaps, it just has the wrong timeout (for 2G) hard-coded?

The gmail App behaves like the other Apps and gives up in circumstances where the browser succeeds.  But I can live with that, in fact I never used email on my last phone either as it couldn't handle IMAP and I never missed it.   I've yet to see if the other mail apps might work any better.

Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: kitz on February 08, 2014, 07:02:41 PM
>>  but I haven't found such a button.

I use chrome on my phone.

If I go to google.co.uk theres a button on the top right which invites you to "Sign In".

If I click that I get the "One account All of Google screen" and an option to "sign in" and "Manage accounts on this device".

For the next steps Im typing as I do this as Im not normally signed in

 I enter my password,
I now get a new home screen for google, and at the top right theres an icon of my av I use for google.
If I click the av I get the following options
"View profile" & "sign out"

I sign out and Im back to seeing the "sign in" button on top right, which is how it was previously.

------------------
"which is how it was previously"
oh no it isnt...     :'(


.....  because now I  I can download anything from Play without having to log back in  :no: :no: :no: :no: :no: :no: :no: :no: :no:


Ive no idea what Ive changed, and why I can now purchase anything on the play store without having to login.   
I definitely definitely 100% still had to log in on Thurs before I could download an app...  but now I cant seem to sign out of play.  grrrrrrrrr. 
I can still sign out of mail/web/ though etc though.   :-X

I totally agree its not good that you cant log out of Play...   Ive bought apps in the past and it concerns me that my credit card may be associated.
What a stupid and pathetic idea.  :angry:

Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 08, 2014, 07:40:20 PM


I totally agree its not good that you cant log out of Play...   Ive bought apps in the past and it concerns me that my credit card may be associated.
What a stupid and pathetic idea.  :angry:

Oh dear, and just as I'm becoming a bit more cheerful, didn't mean to disgruntle anybody else  :D

I hadn't thought of logging out via the website and you're right it does seem to stop mail from downloading, so I'm halfway there.  :)

One thing that ought to work (sledge hammer approach) would be to go to settings->accounts and delete my account from the phone.  I'm not sure what the side effects would be, or what else may stop working though, and what would happen to any Apps I've installed.

Probably what worries me most is that the new owner of my stolen phone would find access to my google drive stuff, I'm finding it hard to convince myself that won't be possible.  I suspect google's legendary data-mining plays a role here.   By making me stay logged in, I'm guessing, they can learn all the more about me?
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 08, 2014, 10:58:13 PM
One thing that ought to work (sledge hammer approach) would be to go to settings->accounts and delete my account from the phone. 

I've now tried that sledge-hammer approach of removing the account and it does seem to have the desired effect, equivalent to 'logging out'.   Better still, I no longer have bits of Android spontaneusly suggesting that the man who owns the removal firm that cleared Dad's flat should be a friend of mine, just because Google found his name on an email I'd sent.   :graduate:

Downsides are that when you need to log back in again, you have to go through the 'new account' ordeal all over again, agreeing to the T&C, and answering various prompts about various settings.

Also, can't confirm it, but I have read on forums that earlier Android versions simply won't let you remove the primary account.  Mine does though, version 4.1.2.
Title: Re: Android phones - anybody a fan?
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on February 09, 2014, 12:25:07 PM
Re mail clients…

Try Aquamail (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kman.AquaMail&hl=en_GB), that only downloads a small part of the message, not sure how it will cope with your connection though.

I use K-9 Mail again dont know how well it will cope with a 2g connection.
Stuart

Aquamail doesn't look as if its right for me as the free version seems to be limited to just 2 accounts (I have 3 or 4 that I want to enable), and you seem to have to upgrade to 'pro' to get rid of the default signature.

k9 Mail looks good, I really like the feel of it, and it overcomes both of above.  It doesn't seem to have a  'headers only' option, but can be limited to download just 1Kb, which is good enough.  Unfortunately, like so many other Apps, it seems to really struggle with my 2G connection.  From initial testing it seems that it only works once in a blue moon.  Most times, despite having a GPRS connection (albeit a crap one) it gives up before succeeding in sending/receiving anything.

The Samsung Mail App that came with my phone also seems to work very well indeed.  It has the 'headers only option' that I wanted and, so far, has managed to cope with the 2G data.   It's early days, but first impressions are that it seems to work as long as there's a connection, even if the connection is crap.

So I'm torn between k9 and Samsung Mail.  I'll leave both in use for a while and see what looks best once the dust has settled, and whether one really is better than the other at coping with GPRS/Edge.

Thanks again for the suggestions  :)