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$10 for apps/widgets (self.GalaxyNexus)

submitted ago by honestale

I just got my GN, coming from an OG Droid, and I really want to set it up well. I didn't really purchase many apps on my Droid since it was pretty old, but I'm giving myself a $10 budget to get it set up initially. Any suggestions? I was thinking of getting HDR Camera+ since I wasn't too thrilled with the stock camera ($3.99), Beautiful Widgets seems to get a lot of positive press ($2.89), but so does HD Widgets ($1.99). Not sure what else I really need at this point.

Basically, I'm looking for some good weather/clock/info widgets, and maybe some other added functionality. I'm rooted.

Thanks!

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[–]jack-tripperAOKP b31 - LeanKernel 5 points6 points ago

My favorite weather app by far is 1Weather. Looks really nice, doesn't chug and has lots of data... and its free. Nice looking widget too.

Equalizer is good if you play music on your phone.

Minimalistic Text and SiMi Clock are nice apps for customization.

EDIT: Get NovaLauncher if you don't have it already.

[–]Unclemeow 5 points6 points ago

I was very disappointed with HD widgets, beautiful Widgets is much better. Hdr camera+ also is not worth it.

[–]honestale[S] 1 point2 points ago

Thanks for the info. Any recommendations on camera apps, or am I just hoping for too much out of a small camera?

[–]monsdaVerizon - AOKP 7 points8 points ago

I think problem with the stock camera is hardware, unfortunately.

[–]The_Voiceofgod 4 points5 points ago

Stock is still the best for now.

[–]CHUMituLTE AOKP 1 point2 points ago

Pro capture. I use it and it easily improves the stock.

[–]CuriousCursorGalaxy Nexus, 4.0.2, Stock, Root, S-OFF 0 points1 point ago

Does it snap as fast as the stock app?

[–]CHUMituLTE AOKP 0 points1 point ago

In certain modes, yes. The stock camera snaps so quickly because it doesn't auto-focus; its a toggle in ProCapture.

[–]CuriousCursorGalaxy Nexus, 4.0.2, Stock, Root, S-OFF 0 points1 point ago

Downloaded ProCapture, it's nice. I hope the interface gets a face lift though.

[–]mooseofdoom 3 points4 points ago

Shop around some of the legit alternative markets/app sources - you can pick Beautiful Widgets up on GetJar for free, there's a few other gems lurking in their 'Gold apps' section too.

[–]CrasyMikeAOKP M5 | Franco 4 points5 points ago

Rooted? Hokay. Added functionality apps:

Lightflow - $1.99, also free but check out if you want the pro features.

Titanium Backup Pro - $6.49 Just for the Dropbox sync. Basically, back your phone up to Dropbox :D

SetCPU - $1.99, adjust processor speed for way better battery life.

SwiftKeyX $3.99, bestest keyboard.

[–]kenofthesea 4 points5 points ago

No need for setcpu if you'll be using custom roms, as most have the functionality built in, as does franco kernel. Maybe buy the franco kernel updater app, as it has OC and UV built in, and makes updating the kernel really easy.

[–]CaptnAwesomeGuyVerizon - AOKP 0 points1 point ago

To add more information, because this is exactly right. Most custom roms have some sort of performance menu with a options like setcpu. If you don't want to buy francos app, them just check the forums every couple of days or every few days.

[–]Protuhj 2 points3 points ago

Lightflow works on non-rooted phones (I have it)

SwiftKey for sure.

[–]knockoutkingCDMA / ApeX 1.1.2 2 points3 points ago

swiftkey is the first thing i would pickup

i would skip setCUP until you figure out what ROM you are going to have - many bake it in

[–]bmcclure937AOKP M5 - Faux Kernel 4 points5 points ago*

There are plenty of awesome threads on Android Theming tools available (many of them are free)... but I would check out some of the following:

  1. Beautiful Widgets
  2. Widget Locker
  3. mClock (free)
  4. Minimalist Text (free)
  5. SiMi Clock (free)
  6. Simple Calendar Widget (free)
  7. clockr (free)

Other apps that I would recommend for purchase:

  1. ROM Manager
  2. SwiftKey X
  3. Any.Do - Task Management | Syncs Nicely with Google Tasks (free)
  4. 1Weather (free)

As a rooted user, many custom ROMs will offer enough lock screen customization that you may not find use for Widget Locker. If you want to take your customization further it is a great option.

TL;DR Pay for Beautiful Widgets, ROM Manager, Widget Locker, and SwiftKey X.

[–]honestale[S] 0 points1 point ago

This is a great post, thanks a lot. I'm currently using Swype and really like that, so I'll probably stick with it over Swiftkey X, but thanks for the suggestions!

[–]The_Voiceofgod 2 points3 points ago

beautiful widget for clock and calander. Mint for bank account information. Smooth calander for most functional ice cream friendly calander. Pure music widget for music player. Anydo for task manager. All of these are black themed and or skinable and also free. :) enjoy

[–]doormouse76 2 points3 points ago

http://imgur.com/nJbF6 Circle Battery Widget (free) SimiClock (free)

[–]ncocca 0 points1 point ago

I like these a lot. Thanks :)

[–]Knoxie_89-Verizon- CM9 0 points1 point ago

What do you not like about stock camera app?

[–]honestale[S] 0 points1 point ago

All my photos just seem washed out. It's not a huge deal, I don't need professional quality photos on my Twitter, but it'd be nice to have slightly better quality. I wasn't sure if this was a hardware issue, though, or something that could be fixed on the software end

[–]doormouse76 0 points1 point ago

Stock Camera notes: 1. Lots of light 2. touch subject in the picture to force focus before taking the pic, just because it can instantly take a pic doesn't mean it should.

[–]e40-Verizon- 1 point2 points ago

I bought Beautiful Widgets and ended up not using it.

Doggcatcher is the app I use the most. Best podcast app there is. Worth every penny of $6.99 (or whatever it is now).

[–]doormouse76 0 points1 point ago

Love Doggcatcher, also installed presto ($2) so I can listen to audio podcasts at 1.5x. I watch video podcasts, stream audio content, read rss comic feeds for penny-arcade, xkcd, and questionable content. It is occasionally a little buggy though. (once in a while i have to delete the media from a specific episode and redownload)

[–]lemonfresh33-GSM- 0 points1 point ago

Beautiful widgets was free on getjar last time I checked.

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