Google Android OS

[tyrion]

I would like to tether a wifi ipad to my S4.  I am told that other than going to ATT which would require me to give up my unlimited plan,  I would have to root my S4. Is this difficult to do.  I've JB my iphones a few times without too much trouble but no nothing of Android.

[Dusty Chalk]

I've seen in Settings->Wireless and Network->More Settings->Tethering, there's USB and Bluetooth tethering.  Do you get those?  (This is on a non-jailbroken Verizon phone, so yours may be different.)

[tyrion]

You use that if you go through Verizon or ATT, in my case.  I'm trying to avoid that so I do not lose my unlimited plan.

[Pars]

I use an iphone, but my brother sent me this link the other day. I've read some of it, but it is an interesting view of android...

 

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any-means-necessary/

[tyrion]

Interesting read.

[Cankin]

Been using Note 3 for two weeks. Nice screen and battery life, other than those I feel I should have bought 5s instead.

Does anyone know how to set default action for Chrome? After downloading a excel file from work or school, I want the file open automatically in Quick office. For now, I have to navigate to the file system and open the file inside download folder manually and that is cumbersome.

Firefox does that automatically but there are many website won't render correctly.

Another question, how can I download album artwork?

Thanks

[Dusty Chalk]

You use that if you go through Verizon or ATT, in my case.  I'm trying to avoid that so I do not lose my unlimited plan.

So you wanted S4->wireless->iPad Mini?  Yeah, pretty sure you're going to need to root it for that.  Unless you can find an app to make it transmit wireless.  The only way I can think that you could get this to work would be to tether a computer from it (either USB or Bluetooth, doesn't matter), then have the computer somehow transmit ("transmit" == act as wireless server, since it's really both transmit and receive, but it still has to be the master and server-provide stuff like DHCP) via wireless.

 

I ended up giving up my limitless plan -- I had them do a history, and I never even came close to their smallest limit.  You may want to have them do the same thing.  I could only go back a couple months online, but they can get a report and email it to you if AT&T are the same way.

[Grahame]

On this phone

Under Settings

Wireless and networks More ...

Tethering and portable hotspot

Its a built in option.

I tried exactly what you wanted, briefly, with tapatalk on the iPM and it worked.

Some carriers will want to charge you more / prevent your phone from re-using the same bits they quite happily sent you

Re data usage - built in tracker

[Dusty Chalk]

Hrm.  Mine doesn't have the built-in hotspot.  I wonder why?  Will have to fix that.

[Iron_Dreamer]

I would like to tether a wifi ipad to my S4.  I am told that other than going to ATT which would require me to give up my unlimited plan,  I would have to root my S4. Is this difficult to do.  I've JB my iphones a few times without too much trouble but no nothing of Android.

 

I've yet to find an Android device that I couldn't root, some more difficult than others, of course.  I wouldn't guess that the S4 is too bad, given how much ROM development there's been for it.  I'd start here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2314494

[tyrion]

Peter, thanks.  I had trouble reading the instructions for the instructions for the FAQ on how to root.  I think I will see if I can find someone locally with the skills to do this for me.

[Iron_Dreamer]

I looked at it a bit for you, Mike.  Seems like you need to download and run the file from the first post in the following thread under "download" heading: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2297900

 

Enable USB debugging on your phone (under developer options), connect your phone to the computer, install any relevant drivers (if necessary), and run the file you just downloaded.  I think it should be fairly self-explanatory from the look of the software screenshot.

 

If you're feeling a little brave, of course

[tyrion]

Thanks Peter.  Dom was able to help me out, no rooting needed.  Foxfi app works like a charm.  

[tkam]

The Nexus 5 looks nice.

[Dreadhead]

My brother bought two.

[n_maher]

Stupid effing Verizon won't support it.

[Nebby]

Unfortunately, Verizon screwed up their support of the Nexus when they did have it, that Google is highly unlikely to ever bring it back to Verizon.

[robm321]

The Nexus 5 looks nice.

 

Yes, and priced right. 

[postjack]

Bought one, just got my shipping notice. Don't even know why, I love my note 2. I just like toys I guess.

[agile_one]

^^^ Head Case approved action, Jack.  

[shellylh]

Glad I got the iphone 5s and didn't wait for the Nexus 5.  It's so nice to use a phone than fits in my pocket and that I can use with one hand. 

[Dreadhead]

Shelly the Galaxy S4 mini may compete in that space. That said I get what you are saying. I wish my phone was smaller.

[postjack]

Shelly the Galaxy S4 mini may compete in that space. That said I get what you are saying. I wish my phone was smaller.

[blessingx]

This is cool. Android 4.4 KitKat comes with a deep, non-destructive photo editor (video) http://feedly.com/k/1iEJFr0

[shellylh]

I would like to get a cheap Android tablet to watch Netflix while on the spinning bike or elliptical machine at the gym.  Nexus 7 (2013) seems to have touchscreen problems so I went even cheaper and started looking at the ASUS MeMOPad HD 7-Inch 16 GB Tablet.  Is there anything better around this price point $129 (let stick with brands I've actually heard of).