Xperia S: User Experience Improvement thread

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This thread will be dedicated to improving the user experience of the Sony Xperia S.
It can be either software, hardware or even accessory related. Please keep contributions to this thread simple and 'to the point' to avoid cluttering the pages.

I'll start:

- Sliding your finger over the capacitive buttons instead of pressing on them will give you 100% accuracy.

- Installing the app "Battery" by Macropinch will allow you to have your remaining battery percentage appear in the notification bar.

- Go to Settings -> Network Settings -> Mobile Network -> Network Mode -> (by selecting either WCDMA only OR GSM only modes will reduce battery consumption, as opposed to having the phone decide for you)

- Go SMS Pro (the best SMS app)

- Dolphin HD (the best browser app)


Feel free to add.

I was going to start that thread, but u raced me to it :)
Anways, great job!!

Others :

- Install quick settings by APS for those who like settings' shortcuts in the status bar

- Don't apply other screen protectors on the device, there's one already installed

- Choose a still wallpaper, live ones eat up battery

- Badass battery monitor is a cool alternative

Edited : Summary for tips and tweaks ..... http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...1577181&page=7

Sent from my LT26i using XDA Premium App

Use wallpaper images that are 1440x1280. Because of wallpaper scrolling android wants a wallpaper double the screen width even if you disable wallpaper scrolling.

Darken the wallpaper or/and use a warm filter. The screen shows the wallpapers to cold when compared to a calibrated display.

Set the wallpaper using quickpic. The stock android gallary will make the wallpaper look blurry.

My favorite browser is Opera Mobile, nice looking and smooth

Some good tips here guys, cheers ;)

Sent from my Xperia S via a quantum leap

I noticed the list of unnecessary services running in the background is quite long.
I tried uninstalling them but they keep appearing in the Google Play list.
Also killing them doesn't help as they relaunch immediately.
It seems I'll have to unlock and root my phone to remove them

I didn't check how they contribute to cpu load, but I think getting rid of those will only help improve battery life and responsiveness.

Check the screenshots for a snapshot of system processes and background services for the software ver. 73

Use the power saver that comes with the phone to save battery automatically at night (set up Timed Saver) and when battery is about to dry (default 25% battery saver).
Set it to turn off everything during power saving to achieve maximum batt life.
With this on, I only get about 5% power loss in the morning after a full charge the night before.
I think this is a very good feature sony has add to its phones.

Install GO TaskManager, IMO a very well designed task manager app, functionality is great too.

About the screen,
one, don't put on a screen protector, it degrades the quality of the display
it is strong enough to withstand most scratches.
two, backlight is not really necessary during daytime, 50% brightness is very pleasant to view and saves a lot of juice.

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Now, I really want to replace the Sony bridge for mac with other software to copy musics movies and other files onto my device.
The Bridge is very buggy, and slow as hell.
I've tried a few apps outside that claims to able to connect devices with MTP mode, but no luck with the Xperia S.

Any suggestions?

The solution for all the xperia S users for file transfer from/to phone :

Install wifi file explorer pro (uses wifi for the transfer)

Brilliant utility IMO!!

Originally Posted by sevoflurane

The solution for all the xperia S users for file transfer from/to phone :

Install wifi file explorer pro (uses wifi for the transfer)

Brilliant utility IMO!!

It's great there's wifi file transfer...but at my place I can only connect to wifi one device at a time (University housing), which basically makes all these wireless transfer useless...

I really want to know if there's a better wired file transfer option.
Just right now the Sony Bridge hanged again when I tried to copy my 700 songs into it...

Seriously Sony, can't I just mount the device like I use to do with all my previous Android devices?

Originally Posted by R64

Use wallpaper images that are 1440x1280. Because of wallpaper scrolling android wants a wallpaper double the screen width even if you disable wallpaper scrolling.

Darken the wallpaper or/and use a warm filter. The screen shows the wallpapers to cold when compared to a calibrated display.

Set the wallpaper using quickpic. The stock android gallary will make the wallpaper look blurry.

My favorite browser is Opera Mobile, nice looking and smooth

wow mate thanks for the "QuickPic" app tip xd i was so angry about wallpapers that they are so blured .... now they are sharp thank u mate ^^

BTW. This should be sticked . useful post

Originally Posted by sevoflurane

The solution for all the xperia S users for file transfer from/to phone :

Install wifi file explorer pro (uses wifi for the transfer)

Brilliant utility IMO!!

Nice, I'm going to have to try this.