Ask NerdGirl: I Can’t Hear You, Bad Proximity, How Secure Is My Stuff? Better ActiveSync, and Roam If You Want To!

by n3rdg1rl Jun 20, 2010 6:00 AM – 3 Comments

I just want to ask you all, what do you want to see on here? Keep the same format? Add more information? Make the font rainbow colored? We here at AndroidTapp really want to know what you think to make “Ask NerdGirl” really work for you!

Is there an app out there that can boost the volume on the phone? I drive a Jeep Wrangler…it’s a little noisy, which makes it difficult to hear sometimes. I used to have an app for my Treo that “boosted” the volume but can’t find anything for the Droid…

Thanks !

I’ve spent a lot of time in a 1978 CJ-7 (when they were REAL Jeeps ) so I understand your pain. The speaker on the DROID is loud and it’s a common complaint that for some reason the regular earpiece is very low. Unfortunately, there is no app solution that I have found. The only solution that I have found is to get a Bluetooth headset with a louder tolerance or a wired headset with in line volume. Not the answer you were looking for, but it is the only answer at the moment.

Hey Nerd girl,

Wondering if you could help me with a little problem. Whenever I am in the midst of a call, the screen blacks out and I can’t use the buttons or anything. Is there a way to eliminate this or extend the time before the screen goes dead during a call?

Thanks!

The screen isn’t going dead. It’s just confused. The proximity sensor phone turns the screen off when it detects that it is close to your face during a call to conserve battery. My Eris does this and sometimes it does get confused and doesn’t turn the screen back on when I move it away. There is an app that may help you called KeepScreen. Just remember, if you turn off this feature, you run the risk of hitting every button on the phone with your face when you take a call.

If you feel like it’s not functioning the way it’s supposed to, it could be a faulty proximity sensor. This does happen occasionally. That’s covered by the warranty so you can try that route if you would like.

Hi Nerd Girl,

How can I be sure that in info in my Gmail & calendar are safe & secure? With all the scanning they do to target ads, isn’t there a risk that they’ll read my confidential email.

I’m thinking about using your app to sync my Outlook onto my new HTC Incredible, but I’m concerned…

http://www.androidtapp.com/how-to-synch-your-outlook-calendar-google-calendar-and-android-phone-calendar/

Thomas

aka “Insecure Guy”

As far as I’m aware, for the ads, the only way to target phones is by the OS (Android, Apple, Blackberry, etc.) and by carrier, not by the information on your phone. The syncing information is sent over a secure server, but you are allowed to be insecure. There are bad people out there and anything sent over any type of media from any device is available for someone who can figure out how to crack it. You could live in a tent on a mountain somewhere and throw away every piece of electronics you own, but that doesn’t sound very fun, does it?

But seriously, from what I understand, your data is encrypted when it is synced for as much protection as is available.

Love the column, been really nice to read since I (with relief) switched from win mobile 6.5.

Is there a better app for Exchange ActiveSync than the HTC mail on the Desire? Features I miss are task sync, folder sync (especially sent items and drafts).

At the moment, Exchange and Android are little more than acquaintances. There is a lot left out of the connection between the two, and the task and folder syncs are just a part of it. You can try Exchange by TouchDown. This will fix your folder syncing issues, but the task syncing will still be lacking. Try the trial first to make sure that it works with your Exchange server.

The only full solution I found is a program called FutureDial Android Sync that is an answer for corporate compliance much more than an individual. If there are enough of you at work, you may be able to convince your company that this is a good solution. They might like it on their end as it allows for remote control of the phone in the event it is stolen.

Any good way to have different settings when roaming? It’s painful to have to change push to pull and download limits when I go away.

There is an app made just for this. It’s called Locale Phone State Plug-In and costs about $0.93 (0.75 Euros). This is an add-on to Locale which costs $9.99. Locale itself changes the phone state depending on where you are and what time it is. The Phone State Plug-In adds the ability to change the phone state dependant of if you’re roaming, out-of-service, in-service, etc.

Keep sending those questions (and suggestions) to nerdgirl@androidtapp.com!

~n3rdg1rl

Tags: Android Advice, Android Questions, Ask NerdGirl, Best App for Exchange Email, Best App for Roaming Settings, Help with Android, Increasing Speaker Volume, Proximity Sensor Issues, Security of Gmail Data Sync

Categorised in: Android Advice, Ask NerdGirl

3 Comments

By Michael on June 20, 2010 at 12:31 pm:

For the screen blanking problem it might be helpful to know that you can press the menu button to unblank the screen. At least that’s how it works on my Hero, which doesn’t have a proximity sensor.

Reply
By gscounselor on June 21, 2010 at 11:51 am:

is there an ap for gps in Europe also for translating, for ex Solakian to English, and back?

Reply
- By n3rdg1rl on July 13, 2010 at 7:33 pm:
  
  I answered both of these questions in today’s Ask NerdGirl! ^_^ http://www.androidtapp.com/ask-nerdgirl-google-integration-europe-gps-translations-my-new-brick-and-dead-rockbaseplayer/
  
  Reply