Random App/Widget rant

[YosemiteSam]

I hate how IBM bought then for no reason completely redesigned the Weather Underground APP. I loved how it used to be. This new version? It's a pain the butt, isn't near as intuitive, takes a lot more swipes to find the same info, and they released it before making any widgets for it....

Leave it to IBM to completely wreck something that was working beautifully before.

They likely raise the price on it too as they made it worse! lol. That's par for the course when it comes to IBM.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Before starting...the option to switch to Iphone is a no go so don't even bother. I would not even have the option of the widgets to change or personalize like I do with android.

So for years I have been using a widget program called HD Widgets.

I liked the versatility and options it provided. Widgets for Clock, Weather, combo of clock weather and other widgets.

I have used it IIRC on my samsung galaxy 3, Note 4 and now note 8.

I used the clock/weather combo widget on my screen which gave me the ability to choose what my clock looked like (flip, digital and other options), the color of the fonts. The transparency levels, the background and borders to make the clock stand out from the weather portion. It also gave the options of different appearances/icons for the weather portion as well. It was add free after one time upgraded fee applied (very low price IIRC). If I clicked on the clock portion of it, it would bring up the options for the clock, alarm, stop watch. If I clicked on the weather portion it would bring up detail reports for the weather and also gave you the option of different weather services. Use could use the location with your location setting however if you did not want to have the location setting running you could put in your local location and it would find it without problems.

In essence it was the perfect app for what I wanted and any time I got a new phone that was always a priority to set up the app the way I liked it.


However recently the clock portion was not working correctly. If you restarted your phone, if you removed the widget and put it back or if you uninstalled and reinstalled the program, the clock would work once.

By that I mean if it was 7:00 and you reset everying the clock would say 7:00. However once the time went on to 7:01 and so on, the clock on the screen widget would still be stuck on 7:00.

Also another company acquired the HD Widgets called Beautiful Widgets...which I had for other things.

I went to see some of the reviews and it seems some time after the start of 2020 many people were having the same problem with the clock part of the widget. Would imagine that the new company has just not gotten any to update the program.

So being too OCD about stuff on my phone it was driving me crazy so I took it off.

Now one would think I could easily find another program to replace the weather clock widget.

Well...No...it was/is not.

Some programs have too many advert issues. And some can take the apps off but too much for a one time upgrade or they want a monthly payment. So those were no gos.

Some programs had a nice look to the weather clock combo but if you clicked on the widget after it was on your screen, it would only bring up the weather portion and not the clock. I like to bring up both as I use my alarms for various things.

I thought I found one that was ok but it turned out that instead of the Clock portion getting stuck, it was the temp portion was not updating.

Some Did everything I wanted but I just did not like the appearance of it and they would not have options to change the looks.

Finally found one that looked ok, the clock and weather worked, you could click on the clock and it woudl bring that up and same for the weather portion. Also had a place to click on for some settings. It had a refresh button on it so if for some reason it did get stuck, you could hit the refresh button instead of restarting phone or redoing the app.
The upgrade fee to remove the apps was a one time thing and the price was low.

Still do not like it as much as my old one but it is ok. I am hoping that in the future they will finally fix the old one.


So that ends my rambling rant.

Do you have stories of apps or programs you liked but they just stopped updating or the had issues that ruined it for you.

Actually, this sounds very similar to the reason I stopped using it. I was having issues with it functioning correctly and occasionally it would completely disappear off my home screen. I ended up switching to a Moon Phase app which shows the moons phase at that moment. (as an Astronomer, it was cool) Once I had a major upgrade to Android, that app was no longer available. (not supported on that version) Now, I just have a beautiful picture of Jupiter on my home screen. My Android launcher has weather, time, etc by default so I just use those now. They just aren't eye-candy or as useful as HD Widgets was, but I've gotten past that. It was annoying though at first.

 

[Rockport]

HD Widgets is not "Android" It's a 3rd party app FOR Android. Android itself has nothing to do with it.

Don't even for a second tell me there are no 3rd party iPhone apps that don't have issues or are complete crap. I know they do because I work in IT and we have people who use iPhone apps. I ended up having to hire Apple specific people due to all the issues MacOS and iOS have.

Never said that so not quite sure where you are coming from? You seem very sensitive on the subject for some reason. I love Linux which both Android and IOS are based on. There’s no doubt that iPone 3rd part apps are much superior to Androids because of the vetting they must go through. Also there’s only 1 flavor of IOS while there are multiple flavors of Android depending on the manufacturer so inconsistencies in app performance is the price you pay.

 

[nobody]

They likely raise the price on it too as they made it worse! lol. That's par for the course when it comes to IBM.

Funny you should mention that. They put previously free features behind the app paywall, too. lol

 

[YosemiteSam]

Never said that so not quite sure where you are coming from? You seem very sensitive on the subject for some reason. I love Linux which both Android and IOS are based on. There’s no doubt that iPone 3rd part apps are much superior to Androids because of the vetting they must go through. Also there’s only 1 flavor of IOS while there are multiple flavors of Android depending on the manufacturer so inconsistencies in app performance is the price you pay.

Couple of things.

• I've been an Android guy for a long time. That said, I'm not such a fan as I used to be due to a myriad of things over the more recent years. (Mostly around Google's actions as a whole and OS decisions) Sensitive about it. Not really. Most recently, I do not even respond to falsehoods and / or miss-represented / understood ideas about it anymore. I just happen to this time. I still find Android far superior to iOS, but opinions are a subjective thing. That is just mine.
• Android is actually Java Virtual Machine (JVM named Dalvik)) that runs on top of the Linux kernel. So Android is not actually Linux, it's just a JVM. (application of sort) that runs on top of a Linux kernel. iOS, isn't Linux either. It's based on the NeXTSTEP OS which is a BSD Unix variant created by Steve Jobs in 1985 (after he was fired from Apple) that actually pre-dates Linux's conception. (Linux initial beginnings were in 1991).
• The quality of an application depends on the developer, not the OS it runs on. So to say "apps" (in general sense) are better on iOS vs Android is a falsehood. Android has many high quality apps that can compete or possibility even better than any named iOS app. Just like Android, there are some garbage iOS apps too. I know this, because as stated earlier. My IT department supports these devices and fight with some of the garbage apps on iOS that users insist on using.
• There are multiple versions of iOS. Don't let some idiot on the Internet fool you. They are just framing the context to exclude truth to support their own iOS vs Android agenda. They (iOS) just all look like a cookie cutter of each other. Just because they all look the same, doesn't mean they all *ARE* the same. Ask any Help Desk team that actually has to support Apple products.
• If you don't like an app or it's got issues. (no matter which OS you are using) Don't use it. It's that simple. It's why I don't use HD Widgets anymore not to mention many other apps too. I've uninstalled many apps I used to really enjoy the second they started adding ads in them that impact my ability to use it. The apps I do use do not have performance issues. If they did, I would uninstall them. I do not pay this "performance price" you have suggested that I pay *because* I use Android. I'm sure someone does though, but they are paying it by choice. As noted earlier, if it sucks. Don't use it. That statement applies to both Android and iOS alike as both OSes have their share of crappy apps.

 

[Rockport]

Couple of things.

• I've been an Android guy for a long time. That said, I'm not such a fan as I used to be due to a myriad of things over the more recent years. (Mostly around Google's actions as a whole and OS decisions) Sensitive about it. Not really. Most recently, I do not even respond to falsehoods and / or miss-represented / understood ideas about it anymore. I just happen to this time. I still find Android far superior to iOS, but opinions are a subjective thing. That is just mine.
• Android is actually Java Virtual Machine (JVM named Dalvik)) that runs on top of the Linux kernel. So Android is not actually Linux, it's just a JVM. (application of sort) that runs on top of a Linux kernel. iOS, isn't Linux either. It's based on the NeXTSTEP OS which is a BSD Unix variant created by Steve Jobs in 1985 (after he was fired from Apple) that actually pre-dates Linux's conception. (Linux initial beginnings were in 1991).
• The quality of an application depends on the developer, not the OS it runs on. So to say "apps" (in general sense) are better on iOS vs Android is a falsehood. Android has many high quality apps that can compete or possibility even better than any named iOS app. Just like Android, there are some garbage iOS apps too. I know this, because as stated earlier. My IT department supports these devices and fight with some of the garbage apps on iOS that users insist on using.
• There are multiple versions of iOS. Don't let some idiot on the Internet fool you. They are just framing the context to exclude truth to support their own iOS vs Android agenda. They (iOS) just all look like a cookie cutter of each other. Just because they all look the same, doesn't mean they all *ARE* the same. Ask any Help Desk team that actually has to support Apple products.
• If you don't like an app or it's got issues. (no matter which OS you are using) Don't use it. It's that simple. It's why I don't use HD Widgets anymore not to mention many other apps too. I've uninstalled many apps I used to really enjoy the second they started adding ads in them that impact my ability to use it. The apps I do use do not have performance issues. If they did, I would uninstall them. I do not pay this "performance price" you have suggested that I pay *because* I use Android. I'm sure someone does though, but they are paying it by choice. As noted earlier, if it sucks. Don't use it. That statement applies to both Android and iOS alike as both OSes have their share of crappy apps.

Both Android and iOS are based on Unix kernels. Whether you call it Linux or Unix is basically just semantics. I’ve been working in IT since 1976 starting out on the old IBM mainframes so I’m well aware of the pro’s and con’s of Android vs iOS. In the corporate world these days, security is huge as you well know. That’s why many big publicly traded corporations do not allow Android OS in the workplace. There are crappy iOS apps as well but if you are trying to insinuate that the # of those crappy apps on iOS is equivalent to the # of apps on Android you’re absolutely wrong. It’s not even close. For one, Apple has a very stringent vetting process for apps and they won’t allow the majority of those to pass. Don’t get me wrong, I love Android as well because it’s open source. You’re allowed to do many things with it. But personally, I don’t play around trying to customize my phone. I leave that interesting stuff to do on my home computers. I want my phone to work when I need it to work and it’s just a fact that Apple does it much better than Samsung, HTC, Sony, LG who all have their proprietary versions of Android.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Unix and Linux may appear similar, but they are different. They have to be otherwise Linux would infringe on Unix patents. The entire reason Linux was created was to create a free Unix-like operating system so people could use it without spending $250k. I would like to stress the point that Linux is "unix-like", but Linux is not Unix.

I used to work in the financial district in Manhattan and have worked with many large banking institutions. I've never have I seen a place where Android use was outlawed due to "Android security issues". I have on the other hand seen it were only "company issued phones" where allowed on the local network. Those phones are issued by the company and have been locked down where you cannot install software on the phones. Those phones come in whatever variety the company decides to offer. Yes, including Android.

btw, my phone works too. I depend on it every day. I'm on call 24/7, I use it for VPN, remote access, and every other function I can think of. It's almost my sole Alarm clock. It runs Android. It just works.

Personally, I don't care what someone uses as long as they don't bring their issues (even if they claim to not have any) to me.

Keep your opinion, I'll keep mine. I'm done with this particular (Android / iPhone) discussion.

 

[Quickdraw]

I used to use Agenda Widget. It was a widget that showed my calendar appointments in agenda form. It was really useful. Then all of the sudden, about 3 years ago, they stopped updating it and it would not run on Android 6. It's since been resurrected but not by the same developer and it's very stripped down now. It used to have a lot of configuration options. I now use Digical.

 

[Rockport]

Unix and Linux may appear similar, but they are different. They have to be otherwise Linux would infringe on Unix patents. The entire reason Linux was created was to create a free Unix-like operating system so people could use it without spending $250k. I would like to stress the point that Linux is "unix-like", but Linux is not Unix.

I used to work in the financial district in Manhattan and have worked with many large banking institutions. I've never have I seen a place where Android use was outlawed due to "Android security issues". I have on the other hand seen it were only "company issued phones" where allowed on the local network. Those phones are issued by the company and have been locked down where you cannot install software on the phones. Those phones come in whatever variety the company decides to offer. Yes, including Android.

btw, my phone works too. I depend on it every day. I'm on call 24/7, I use it for VPN, remote access, and every other function I can think of. It's almost my sole Alarm clock. It runs Android. It just works.

Personally, I don't care what someone uses as long as they don't bring their issues (even if they claim to not have any) to me.

Keep your opinion, I'll keep mine. I'm done with this particular (Android / iPhone) discussion.

You are very sensitive about this for some reason. I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. Just stating the facts on why i chose one over the other. But point of fact, there aren’t any publicist traded banking companies that allow Android use by their employees. If you deny that there are security concerns with Android then you be a big fat liar.

 

[Vtwin]

You are very sensitive about this for some reason. I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. Just stating the facts on why i chose one over the other. But point of fact, there aren’t any publicist traded banking companies that allow Android use by their employees. If you deny that there are security concerns with Android then you be a big fat liar.

I am not a tech expert by any stretch of the imagination. I do work in a large, federal government facilty which requires a security clearance for everyone who works there. Those that are issued phones by the US government are issued...... Android powered phones. Just a point of fact.

 

[Rockport]

I am not a tech expert by any stretch of the imagination. I do work in a large, federal government facilty which requires a security clearance for everyone who works there. Those that are issued phones by the US government are issued...... Android powered phones. Just a point of fact.

Yes, with their version of Android installed. All the holes locked down.

 

[Vtwin]

My internet providor had a very nice app which gave quick an easy access to everything related to my account.

The company that bought them replaced the very nice app with a useless piece of crap which, even if it will open. is an excercise in frustration to actually do or find anything.

 

[YosemiteSam]

You are very sensitive about this for some reason. I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. Just stating the facts on why i chose one over the other. But point of fact, there aren’t any publicist traded banking companies that allow Android use by their employees. If you deny that there are security concerns with Android then you be a big fat liar.

Wow, did you just call me a liar?

Riddle me this, why EXACTLY does Android have more reported vulnerabilities and if you respond because it's not as secure. It's you who is either a liar or just outright ignorant of the truth.

Hint, it's the same reason Windows (closed source like iOS!?!?!?!!) has more reported vulnerabilities than MacOS, Linux, Unix, z/OS, OS/2, AS/400, etc

1.4B vs 2.5B Yes, there are 178% more Android devices in use than iPhone. If you Honda sold 1000 cars and Ford only sold 500 cars. Which model of car would end up having more stolen vehicles at the end of the year?

 

[Runwildboys]

Wow, did you just call me a liar?

Riddle me this, why EXACTLY does Android have more reported vulnerabilities and if you respond because it's not as secure. It's you who is either a liar or just outright ignorant of the truth.

Hint, it's the same reason Windows (closed source like iOS!?!?!?!!) has more reported vulnerabilities than MacOS, Linux, Unix, z/OS, OS/2, AS/400, etc

1.4B vs 2.5B Yes, there are 178% more Android devices in use than iPhone. If you Honda sold 1000 cars and Ford only sold 500 cars. Which model of car would end up having more stolen vehicles at the end of the year?

Depends on whether you live in Texas, or someplace else.

 

[Rockport]

Wow, did you just call me a liar?

Riddle me this, why EXACTLY does Android have more reported vulnerabilities and if you respond because it's not as secure. It's you who is either a liar or just outright ignorant of the truth.

Hint, it's the same reason Windows (closed source like iOS!?!?!?!!) has more reported vulnerabilities than MacOS, Linux, Unix, z/OS, OS/2, AS/400, etc

1.4B vs 2.5B Yes, there are 178% more Android devices in use than iPhone. If you Honda sold 1000 cars and Ford only sold 500 cars. Which model of car would end up having more stolen vehicles at the end of the year?

If you say there are just S many security issues with iOS than Android then yes. Doesn’t matter to me why Android has more security vulnerabilities just that it does and I choose a different phone. Again not trying to make you change, just trying to point out the facts and then to each his own.