What are /r/surfaceduo's favorite Products & Services?

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I'm using Launcher 10 because I vastly prefer the Windows Phone design to the usual Android one. It has support for the Duo.

Wide Launcher!

Works well with the span option! The customization is practically limitless! I'm still fiddling with it but oh boy!!!....this app (launcher) does justice to the two Duo screens!

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Works really well in single screen mode too! Supports icon packs, widgets, you name it!

You can use an app that will to swiff off the screen with no lock :

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bryk.off

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The icon will swith off the screen from where you click on it. It probably saves battery. I often uses only one screen in book mode because I find it more convenient to hold

Check out Nebo and Noteshelf! They're both very good apps. Noteshelf has many available templates to write on, and I like the available pens and shape recognition. Nebo has great handwriting recognition, and can format the text based on how it's written, including check lists, bulleted lists, headers, etc.

If you still have it on your Note 8, you can get the apk from there... I use an app called Solid Explorer. It's a file manager app but there's a section called Applications, and you can pull the apk of anything you have installed from there, and copy/send/share it to whatever.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer2

I'm a long time user, so I have the paid version but I don't think the trial is limited in functionality, just time.

Here you go. Open this app on the screen you want off. Since the Duo uses oled screens, the black canvas won't sip any power (the app might take a tiny insignificant amount still)

A guy sold me a Duo (offerup.com "Mr Tru") for $450, he advertised it as the 256 GB version, but it was actually the 128GB version. I asked him to give me $50 and call it square. He countered with $40, I said $50, and I never heard from him again. I reported him to Offerup. They are still investigating. Sorry, I digress... It turned out the fingerprint reader was faulty as well. The bright side is the Duo was still under warranty. I registered it and made a warranty claim. Microsoft replaced it with a "brand new" unit.

The short of it is, it's possible to get either refurbed or new...

Mylio, although being a bit heavy, is specifically optimized for Duo, and its book mode looks beautiful. For a better overall gallery experience, I suggest Simple Gallery (w/wo pro).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tech.onsen.duo.halfen

This works great. Sure, it's a workaround for something that should have been there on day one, but it's very quick and easy to use.

Take screenshot. Go to Photos. Select screenshot. Share to the app.

Most times it automatically selects the correct half.

This is their 7-8" tablet mount on a vehicle-specific A-pillar clip from ProClip USA (with an extra touch of heavy-duty double-sided tape to help keep the clip from falling off my A-pillar). Ram also sells this mount with a suction cup, which would be an easier solution, but I already had the clip and I don't like suction cups since they interfere with my sun shade. Only down-side to this mount is it requires two hands to get the Duo in there.

It feels really solid. This mount can hold the Duo in two-screen mode, but not single-screen mode. It's also really grippy, so it would work rotated 90° if you wanted the screens oriented that way with the mount on the sides.

I have a magnetic charging adaptor that actually sits pretty flush with the bumper on my phone. I just leave the magnetic dongle in the port all the time. It greatly reduces the amount of stress on the port.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BLJ62J8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_OCLEFbPPJM95Z

Looks like maybe you are using the same charging receiver as I am? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CH2BS6C/

I'm trying it out on my Duo right now. I haven't decided whether I'm going to keep it on. It's kind of janky the way it looks now, and the coil prevents the Duo from folding over all the way (I expected this but having it fold over perfectly is so sexy). But it's also super convenient, especially with the (relatively) small battery the Duo has (it's always charged when I pick it up!). I'm hoping I can find a case that can hide it. I really hope the Duo 2 will have wireless charging.

This one works and it also adds an icon to the pull down menu for quick access.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.binarybox.blackscreen

Edit: i now see you were looking for a screen lock app. This one is not that but might be useful? Lol sorry

**Update**

You are all right, the Surface Duo has no build int recorder.

Nevertheless, I found `srcpy` and it works like a charm.

https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy

Touchnotes is a good one. I believe you can set a page size, but I could be wrong. Also Noteshelf which might be closer to what you're looking for.

Ask him. Seems he'd want to know that his app is displaying as shown in the screenshot: [email protected]

Email from the bottom of the app's Google Play listing: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nfwebdev.launcher10&hl=en\_US&gl=US

You can use Live Wallpaper Shortcut to select Live Wallpapers for use with the default launcher. So with this you can try most of them and they don't require significant changes to your system. Most will see themselves as running on a tablet so both screens are joined. I would imagine you could use the Duo SDK and author a Live Wallpaper to recreate the ad experience.

I use the "Screen Orientation Control" app in certain situations and that solves most of my issues with that. Phone is unusable to me without it.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.mm2d.android.orientationfaker

I got both the Slim Pen and regular Surface Pen. A lot of people say that the slim pen magnetically attaches to the Duo, but this is clearly unintentional as it sits on the very edge and is very weak, you'd probably eventually lose the pen. I find the Slim pen to be better to write/draw with. I've been considering getting this to store my pen on my Duo, but I'm not sure how it'll affect using single screen posture.

In another thread in this sub, I posted this:

You can download a "Gallery" app from Google so it is more clear which photos have been uploaded versus which ones are on the device. App link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photosgo

I've used Nebo on an iPad before, but just tested it on my Surface Duo and it works AMAZINGLY well, performing near real-time handwriting translation to text.

Edit: App link --

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myscript.nebo&hl=en_US

This is Mindboard, written for Note devices with s-pen. It works great on Duo with the Surface pen - even the eraser works. There are a couple different versions, you want the one with the green icon. Play store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mindboardapps.app.mbpro. The other versions take away features and charge a subscription to bring them back.

There is nothing like this on any other platform - believe me, I've looked. All the other mind mapping apps are primarily designed for text input and if they support inking at all it takes several annoying steps. Even on iPad Pro with Apple pencil I couldn't never replace this app.

I never see it mentioned and don't think it's very popular, so thought I'd give it a shout out here for all you pen users!

Solid Explorer had always been great but I'm impressed with how well it handled the Duo. The dual screen makes it so much easier to swap between Google drive, one drive, and local folders while moving stuff around.

For reddit, Relay has been similarly surprising - the split screen is great.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=free.reddit.news (note the pro version is the same, just with pay-to-turn-off-ads upfront - the free version it's just an in-app purchase after the ads start showing).

No, it's not a system update, it's a package delivered thru Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.ims

I found a solution here. If you install Ultimate Rotation Control you can have it maintain landscape mode. Oddly for me portrait and landscape are inverted (you set it to lock portrait and it locks landscape)

But for me it's perfect because I can move the device around w a video playing on top and don't have to worry about the wonky rotation back and forth

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nl.fameit.rotate

This game works (not necessarily a board game but it has a few in the collection).

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Also this one that just came out. If it wasn't for the menu often getting covered up by the split, this game would have felt like it was made for the Duo.

I use this app on the V60 to remap the convenience key (thats' been conveniently locked to google assistant...) however, it supports a lot of other gestures and buttons including the volume keys, and possible the finger print scanner. You can try it free, but im not sure how much functionality is gated behind the low purchase price. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=flar2.homebutton

very low memory footprint, no hit to the battery. Its also fast, and reads the hardware event directly, it doesn't intercept spawning processes, kill them and then act like other button remappers.

Hello please, try the optionnal handwrinting module for GBoard.

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Maybe useful on this device ?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.handwriting.ime&hl=en_US

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Best regards

Here is the original mount as well as the 3D printed parts.

Amazon.com: AINOPE Gravity Phone Holder for Car, Air Vent Phone Holder with Hook Like Clips Hand Free Automatic Car Phone Mount Auto-Clamping Cell Phone Car Mount for All Smartphone

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Surface Duo ears for a phone mount by muddtt - Thingiverse

I'm a huge fan of ergonomic keyboards, so I bought one of these for meetings & light travel where I can have a full size keyboard with me without having to lug around a laptop.

Best mount, magnets are strong enough to grab onto the hinge without anything added, even going over massive potholes doesnt knock it loose.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071W3661J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1HQCFb8ABGM8F

I've done a few runs with the Duo now but don't trust myself to hold it securely. I use these shorts which have a stretchy pocket on the interior lining which keeps the device firmly in place. Had been using with my previous phone as well and it works great. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WTMLLB2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_irpCFb76RTCFK

3 Pack Pocket Phone Stand

Picked these up a couple of years ago. Still useful!

I do also have a gooseneck phone holder but am a bit iffy about using it with the Duo.

Just got my screen protector put on. I got the matte finish here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G5C5ND6. Application was easy. The feel is kind of weird, slightly rough. I like it with the pen though. Almost feels like paper. The clarity is odd when viewing a white screen, like a pearlescent. This is similar to other matte anti-glare ones I've used in the past, so I wasn't surprised. The real issue I ran into is two of the three for the camera side had specs of dust already in the adhesive. On the bright side, I was able to repurpose the additional two for the left side on the outside of the device. Another downfall, those two also had dust. Not as noticeable as it was on the black screen though. Overall, I'd give it a 6 out of 10 for quality. With that being said, for $8 USD it's better than no protection. Good enough for now, but I'll most likely replace them when better ones become available.

Yeah I currently have some matte screen protectors for the inside being delivered in the next couple days. And I have dbrand skins coming for the outside so I'm set.

Here's the link to the matte screen protectors. Only ones available besides the $40 ZAGG ones at best buy that are not matte. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G5C5ND6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TmCuFbMN11SB9

That is the MKII version. Can be had on Amazon here. It fluctuates at or around $400, though you can typically find deals elsewhere on occasion in the sub $400 range. For that price point its really hard to find something that provides as much quality value in that form factor for pocket ability. The RX100 is fantastic and roughly the same size and type of camera (1" sensor) but the modern version (VII) goes for ~$1200. You can skip down a few generations and get a III for about $600, but you're starting to lose some of the better innovative features at that point.

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Have been very happy with the G9X MKII though... I don't need 4k video as I do more photos than videos (and regular HD is fine for my purposes which is recording memories of our kids, etc). Your optical zoom is also brought down a bit with the G9X as it makes a trade off for further compressed size. You also lose out with the repositionable LCD screen which is good for selfies, etc that you might get with the RX100 or the Canon G7X. But again that ups the price... the G7X ia at ~700+ as of this writing (and I don't really use it to capture stuff in behind the camera, just in front of it, I'm fine with the the Duo if I ever want to do that). Additionally that re-positionable LCD adds the slightest amount of bulk. And when you're looking for a pocketable camera that doesn't bust the seams on your pocket, even millimeters matter a lot. You can do a search for each P&S to check their dimensions... I haven't found one with a 1" that is smaller in overall package size than the G9X.

The LG G8X ThinQ with the dual-screen case can be had for $570 on Amazon.

Less polished, yes, but also much cheaper.

I'm hoping Microsoft will surprise us all with an $800-900ish phone, but I'm honestly expecting it to be around the $1200 mark. :(

I bought mine last September, magnetic charger right after. The first one (NetDot 10th gen) charged slowly (it was a magnetic adapter that fit at the end of the normal. USB-C plug). The second one works very well. These get rebranded, and they are not big brands, so you might need to try a few too. This was the one I bought (it's no longer available either): https://www.amazon.de/Nimaso-Magnetic-Charging-Cable-Type/dp/B08KT5B6K6/

Try to look at the dimensions too. Some are quite wide and the Duo won't be able to lay flat.

I ordered one from Amazon Japan and it shipped to me in the US via DHL. It took about a week to get here. It's the genuine product.

You get a second phone number from Google that you link to your phone, then you use the Google Voice app with that new number to make and receive calls. You can also forward your T-Moble number to Google Voice so when your T-Moble number is called, it rings the Google Voice app.

The people that already have your T-Moble number will call that number, same as always. They won't notice any difference. You'll just need to tell them to expect calls from you from the Google Voice number.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.googlevoice

I have been using Challenger Viewer for years. You can basically customize every aspect of it. No ads, lightweight. TachiyomiJSK and TachiyomiSY is better for manga since you can find content through the app, but Challenger Viewer is great if you already have the cbr or cbz files.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kill.geek.bdviewer&hl=en&gl=US

Yes! I use and app called button mapper. With it I have set so that when I double click the volume up button it changed the orientation and locks it as well.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=flar2.homebutton

have you tried installing the "bluetooth phone book" app? it seems to magically fix some connections. I do not understand how...

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android\_rsap.irmc&gl=US

Was 12L absurdly late when Z Fold got it last month?

Goodness there's a lot in this post.. As has been said several times, the taskbar was omitted because it doesn't make a ton of sense on Duo. If you want to launch a second app you use the other screen.

I'm not sure what you mean by compact notification view, but if you're referring to having the notifications open on both screens showing the full quick settings on one and the notifications on the other, I would have been okay with a toggle, but ultimately I'm not sure why you'd want to occlude both screens like that.

I'd love to hear where there's "less UI space in most places" because I honestly have no idea what you're referring to other than maybe the quick settings but that's an Android design change.

The files app is not disabled in any way, the icon is just gone and this is extremely easy to fix. - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.marc.files&hl=en_US&gl=US

Lastly, I have seen zero scaling issues causing the settings search or any of the buttons to not work. I have also not seen any reports of this from anyone else. If you'd like to clarify or post a screenshot that would help.

I'll comment directly too, check out Island. It's what I use to enable Work apps without jumping through the company MDM

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oasisfeng.island&hl=en\_GB&gl=US

It's a shame that it isn't a real wallpaper, I did find this years ago

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamelounge.chrooma_2_lwp.android

That has a lovely unlock affect that has a similar effect.

We'll worth a try.

It's a app called key mapper https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.github.sds100.keymapper

You can do lots of stuff in it like what I put above or something like turn auto brightness on, then off so the screen is adjusted but it doesn't continuesly check and drain power.

You can make a app open with a volume press, you can add functions to the home screen. Toggle Bluetooth, wifi, airplane mode.

I don't have my Duob in hand but it's one of these 2. I have both on my S22 Ultra but I'm not sure that I have both on my Duo. I believe, if memory serves me well, that's is this first link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foxdebug.acodefree

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.spck

I was able to find a foldable Microsoft keyboard NIB on eBay that I use to assist with editing. It's a great combo. You can always use Visual Studio via browser as well.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lwi.android.flapps

I posted on this sub a year ago, asking if apps like the one above, work. Someone said it use to, but an earlier update broke the app, so im just curious if any other updates have fixed the ability to use apps like this one. I dont have a Duo and thinking of switching to one otherwise i would just test it myself.

Sometimes developers strict things like device types and screen sizes, you would need to contact the developer to see what the issue is.

However I just checked, and what appears to be the official app is installing fine for me. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subway.mobile.subwayapp03&gl=US

What carrier? Tmobile uses their own app. I believe most others are built right into the phone app. You should see, voicemail in the phone app and from there it should activate once you hit the voicemail tab. For Tmobile you have to download your voicemail

Install Touch Screen Test App (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.rallwell.siriuth.touchscreentest) and run the test and BOOOM!! your Duo is much faster

I came from a pixel 5 and loved the gesture on the fingerprint scanner to bring down the notifications.

I am using an app right now called gesture plus which allows you to initiate an action by tapping the navigation bar. I have it set to bring down notifications with a tap and the quick settings with a long press. It works quite well! There are many actions you can choose from.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jamworks.bestgesturenavigation

I started using this app and its really cool, shows a 3d planet as your background. you can rotate around it using the swipes!
3D EARTH PRO

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livingearth.pro

This app is close, contact the developer to try and have voicemail added. This notebook works with the phone app, loads when you receive a call.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ztnstudio.notepad

I just stuck one of these (Ringke pen holder) to the back.. Works great with slim pen it's same height as the camera bump .. I live in OneNote so like to have my pen with me all the time https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PXL4Y8C/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_F9BMETTE10CC1EZ45WS4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.de/Komfortable-Protection-Microsoft-Surface-Duo-1/dp/B09NKY672Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_5_sspa?crid=18MAXS3X92Q1K&keywords=surface+duo+2+h%C3%BClle&qid=1648040661&sprefix=%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-5-spons&psc=1&smid=A22TDCKW...

I've used https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore&hl=en_GB&gl=US for years to backup and restore my SMS messages between devices. But it looks like you can also use google to backup your messages.

I recommend installing the beats app before giving up

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.bnd&hl=en_US&gl=US

If using the app does not resolve the issue, I don't think anything can be done.

Try black screen app in the play store. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.binarybox.blackscreen

I also used https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iglint.android.screenlockpro On my og duo to turn off one screen.

You linked to the key. The About this app says that "you will need the Kustom Live Wallpaper app too." I don't see the app when looking at all apps by Kustom Industries. Seems like it isn't available on my device. Specifically I have three message, "Your device isn't compatible with this version." I'd take the discussion to the [Kustom](/r/Kustom) sub if you have questions.

Unsurprisingly, this latest GSI isn't configured for the Duo. It is just the large screen tablet UI for the Duo which means that it doesn't really do anything helpful. I ran Dual Screen Experience Example and it just spans full screen. The image isn't configured for the device, so there's nothing to really evaluate.

Are you using the Graffiti Pro for Android app that's published by Access-Company (the English translation), or something else?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.access_company.graffiti_pro&hl=en_US&gl=US

Joking/not-joking: Get used to your friends blaming you for ruining their group messaging.

as for first things:

It has been YEARS since I moved from iOS, but you may want to lookup some recent stuff online on migration to Android. I think one of them was to remove yourself/phone from iMessage so you can transition to regular SMS/MMS.

Android is great with customization. Like Fragrant said, I would probably use the default launcher for a little bit as you get used to Android and Duo2. But like others recommended, I moved on to Launcher10 as it was more customizable.

If you don't mind a bit of privacy concerns, I joined: google opinion rewards. This will give you some free credit towards paid Android apps (I mostly use it for paid icon packs and customization apps)

Temper your expectations. Duo/2 is a different form factor. It works great as a multitasking/tablet, and secondarily as a traditional phone. There will be bugs/hiccups, but for me, I've enjoyed it immensely over traditional phones (except when I need to only use one hand).

Good luck!

I found the Proximity Screenshot Capture tool to be useful sometimes. Probably not what you're looking for because you probably don't want to keep this on the whole time, but it does have the advantage that it won't change any aspect about the device state when trying to take a capture. This was very useful when trying to show the state of the keyboard and trying to use the Power button would dismiss it.

Looking at this, I installed SIM Cell Info. This system info app reports eSIM supported and available.

I tried looking at the decompiled APK, and it seems like it is only looking at properties, so it might see that a device property flags this as available, but actually configuring this would fail.

/u/reddchu, assuming that you haven't performed this upgrade yet and have an A10 AT&T device in front of you, what does this app show for eSIM capability? /u/filiphsandstrom, to leave nothing to question, what did you do to evaluate that the capability doesn't exist?

Since OP is being an egghead, it's likely the tachiyomi j2k fork. Looks like it detects split screen mode right out the box. If you're using a different tachiyomi distro you can make a backup and restore it in the other app.

For that, you can get the quick settings app from the play store and enable the caffeine tile in your pulldown menu. I've used this to keep my screen on all the time, plugged in or not.

Okay, seems there's enough interest, so here goes. I had to tweak some more complicated scripts to generalize them, but should work... Still, no guarantees of anything, YMMV, etc. Happy to help get it working if anyone tries it out.

First you will need Tasker. Here is the Tasker project xml: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19nqJuGBgXwMc6UnxJeqxRWX9qgucF1f4/view?usp=drivesdk. Download, then import into Tasker by long pressing the house icon in Tasker and selecting "Import Project". Make sure all the profiles in the imported project are turned on, then tap the checkmark in the upper right. Now give it a shot! If you go into landscape then back to portrait within 5 seconds, it'll turn off auto-rotate (and tell you it did so); then whenever you turn your phone off, it'll turn auto rotate back on. Pro tip: I personally expand that Display Off profile task to reset a bunch of defaults I sometimes change for just a session (e.g., volume, brightness and auto-brightness, display timeout, wifi on, etc.).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=rk.android.app.shortcutmaker

This app will get you a few steps closer. You can create a shortcut directly to system settings. After that, tap gestures/system navigation and choose. I've can't find a more direct path.

I purchased this one when it was avail:

amazon. com/gp/product/B08H1Q7Z2R

I wanted the black one, but only the white was left, I still don't regret it, I absolutely HATE that there are no good cases for SD1/2.

EDIT: Oh snap, they put one out for the "Duo2" (looks exactly the same) amazon. com/dp/B08H18HCQ4

https://winaero.com/how-to-find-and-list-connected-usb-devices-in-windows-10/#:~:text=Launch%20PowerShell%20or%20Windows%20Terminal%20with%20the%20%27,show%20a%20list%20of%20all%20present%20USB%20devices.

Use "SMS Backup & Restore" App. it works fantastic. I used it to restore all SMS and call history from Duo 1 to Duo 2

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore

It's more than a little unconventional, but I've been using DotKey for the past few weeks and I think it's brilliant.

Since you say you are a terrible sleeper try this app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sleepmonitor.aio&hl=en_US&gl=US

It looks similar to an app I used maybe 10-years or so ago. You'll probably have to keep the duo powered while you sleep. But you can have it wake you based on your sleep cycle. It may go off earlier than set because what you don't want to do is wake when you are in a deeper state of sleep.

Cannot say it faces less or more issues than Google Clock, but then, your health has more issues with poor quality sleep.

You may have sleep apnea, which you should look into.

Literally the rest of the industry updates the launcher via the Play Store. Here's some examples.

Samsung https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sec.android.app.launcher

OnePlus https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.oneplus.launcher

I wish this was native. I used an android virtual machine. I have tried a few recently however I was only able to make it work with this one:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pspace.vandroid

It works pretty good. They only defect it has is when you rotate the screen. You actually have to change the app resolution (inside app settings) to make it work.

Now I'm finally able to have two apps of the same type as calendar, task, etc which are not allowed on dublify. On one screen I have the real app and in the other I have the virtual machine running a copy of the app.

Similar concept in some ways, but I like TerraTime. You need to mess with the location to make it shift the view to your liking. This image is using Chita as my location to try and put North and South America on the left home screen and Africa, Europe, and part of Asia on the right, splitting the Atlantic. Turn on clouds and it uses satellite feeds to show current global conditions. It's a nice way to watch storm fronts brewing.

Excellent choice for what you want to do with it, at a very reasonable and affordable price,

That hardware alone by itself pays that toy !

Check out this "car launcher" :

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.autolauncher.motorcar

Enjoy !

Admittedly, I'm still in my 'honeymoon period' as I've had it for about 1.5 weeks. There are definitely quirks and I doubt I could ever use this as my only device. Since I got it for $389 (Buydig) and it is my secondary 'tablet' device for media consumption, news reading, xcloud game playing, I'm willing to forgive many of the quirks. Overall so far, it has been a great experience. As others have echoed, the dual screens, wide form factor are a dream for multitasking/reading/media.

For system wide adblock I use either Blokada or DNS like (https://nextdns.io/). I'm unrooted. I don't really have a use for rooting.

I also bought the new 2021 version of the Gamesir X2 and it works so well with xcloud gaming and I just love the Switch-like form factor for gaming.

if what you need just blanking the screen, you can use https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy this to mirror your device, most people use this nowadays to mirror their android phone, avail for most os I think.

edit: though it will not turn the screen off completely, since the backlight still on and can't be used for anything else, but you can control your screen through pc

I use XRecorder locally on my device for quick stuff and scrcpy when I'm connected to a computer.

Scrcpy has been a lifesaver for me. I work in IT and do a lot of documentation with instructional videos. Scrcpy can even capture scenes in apps that don't allow screen captures like device management apps.

https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy

Are you using RCS? There's a little more work if you don't, but if you do it will automatically transfer. I have messages going back to 2018 and I've switched phones several times. For years before that, I used SMS Backup & Restore. It was probably one of the first apps I bought. You have to make it the default SMS app and then it can work. It doesn't like RCS... There may be others, but this has been dependable for me.

I didn't use app pairs much on my Duo1, but I did run Niagara exclusively. You can create app pairs with this app: Shortcut Maker: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=rk.android.app.shortcutmaker

It worked in my brief testing.

Check out Google's Live Transcribe app. Not sure it fits your use case exactly but may be useful.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.audio.hearing.visualization.accessibility.scribe&hl=en\_US&gl=US

Do you have a CD player slot? If you do, thus is awesome! Just got it from a recommendation here and don't know how I lived without it!

Universal Car Mount [2 in 1] CD Slot Tablet Car Mount for 7-11 inch Tablet, CD Player Cell Phone Holder for 3.5-7 inch Smartphone - APPS2Car Tablet Car Mount Dash Holder Stand for iPad Pro/Air/Mini https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C3ZKJYQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_P5ZVP38VCCGNMYVPQSMZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Looks like it's out of stock. But there's this.

Laptop Stand Cooling for Desk Portable Laptop Riser Computer Holder 3 in 1 Adjustable Holder for Phone Pad Light Weight for Travelling (White)

/dp/B08SR35Q72/

I actually used Scrcpy and a HDMI blank to trick my Note into windowing Dex on a Chromebook at one point. It's a great tool.

It won't buy me anything on a lapdock, though, since a lapdock is a peripheral with no OS. (Think external monitor fused to USB keyboard.) I'll already have mirroring that way.

What I'm hoping to find is a more "desktop-y" home screen when using an external display.

I'm looking into Sentio as a possibility now.

For me:

1. Custom icon packs
2. remove the right swipe shelf (I never used it and it wasn't useful to me)
3. Swipe down on desktop to show notifications
4. ability to make folders and use custom icons for folders.
5. new way of launching apps, I like not having the drawer really, the app search works well for me.
6. Mostly for customization.

Quirks:

1. Doesn't fully support dual screen. When you launch something on one screen, then the other screen doesn't auto switch to desktop in single screen, so your desktop icons are hidden behind the app that just launched. I can deal with swiping the app around to each screen to launch a second app, but yah, it is a little bit of a pain.
2. You lose dual launch icons, however you can use Shortcut Maker to make split screen apps AND customize the icon.
3. Niagara Launcher isn't for everyone, it does take a bit of getting used to. I used Nova Launcher for years and loved customizations/configuration on that launcher, unfortunately, it doesn't work all that well for the Duo.
4. I use custom KWGT widgets to have a different looking homescreen. Niagara only allows one custom widget unlike other launchers.
5. Yah, it is pricey, $5/year or $15 fully paid. But, for me, I love customizing my icons/homescreen and pay for KWGT, icon packs and such, so I don't mind supporting the customization community. Plus, if Niagara commits to the DUO, we'll get better dual screen support. I do plan on buying the Duo2 and making it my main device.

No settings seem to be there but you can check if the app is the same below. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.math Or Quickstep can be fail, so you should try the reboot your duo.

I just got mine last week, love discovering new ways of using it. Im using it as a secondary device to my phone, not sure I would be as happy with it as my primary.

I just discoverd Google Handwriting Input its pretty great with a stylus

I like TerraTime Pro for a Live Wallpaper. It takes a little bit of playing around to get it to align the way I want, but when it does it looks great. You can also turn on ice and clouds to give you a "realtime" view of the Earth updated with satellite data. I turned them off so that I could see notifications a little better, but I usually leave those settings on to see active cloud cover and to watch storms.

this is the one I bought. My car is too new to NOT have a CD player - lol.
this works great. I highly recommend it.
amazon links don't work here. just put the amazon . com in front of this
/gp/product/B079Y24YR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Macally Heavy Duty Tablet Holder for Car

You can use Google's Test DPC demo app to setup your own work profile.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.afwsamples.testdpc

Or use something like the Island app which provides a nice UI for creating/managing the work profile.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oasisfeng.island

I've been using this to change my home screen icons......

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.arun.kustomiconpack

Not bad. I would like the stock launcher to have the already there ability to do it but meh.

Not an endorsement of the app, because I haven't tried it, but maybe look into something like Always Visible Volume Button. This would probably give you some control without using physical buttons. I would think there's probably something you could do using Tasker too.

I've had this issue with two duo's, back to back. One was the AT&T locked Woot.com duo I'm sending back (because it can't be unlocked) and the other was with my current Amazon Renewed (brand new, by the way) duo. Both phones are in perfect physical condition so it seemed like more of a bug probability than anything. They would power off on their own and would not boot. The boot screen would show the Windows logo and then a battery icon and would loop between the two. After plugged in for a couple of minutes, I could get it to boot by holding down the Volume Up and Power buttons for about 30 seconds. It did this to me about 5 or 6 times a day.

Here's what I've recently done, and (knock on wood) I've gone all day today without an issue:

After a factory reset out of desperation, things were going well. Until, I configured my Google Nest app. Within minutes of setting up my Nest app, my duo shut down on its own and boot looped. After I finally got it back up and running, I uninstalled the Nest app. I also did some binging (I'm not a big google fan) and came across an issue effecting Android apps crashing because of the Android system app: WebView. Admittedly, the issue only describes apps crashing and not the actual OS itself, but perhaps it had potential of crashing other system apps or even the launcher.

After removing Nest and updating WebView, I haven't yet had a crash. Although, I'm sure I'll have to come back, hat in hand and with a "nevermind" when inevitably it crashes later tonight but, it's worth a shot if you're having this particular issue.

Navigate to Play Store app

Search for Android System WebView

(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview)

1. Select the "Update" option

2. Repeat these steps for Google Chrome (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome)

What about the always visible volume button? That's what the app is called. I don't know how good it is since my volume buttons still work, but it seems like it covers the necessary bases you were looking for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alwaysvolumebutton

I found this one. It saves as .wav. You can adjust the sample rate (up to 44.1kHz) and you have the option of keeping the screen on while recording, as well as setting the phone to "do not disturb" so you dont ruin your recordings.

​

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andrwq.recorder

I use Easy Voice Recorder: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coffeebeanventures.easyvoicerecorder

That free version gives you a good bit of options but there's also a pro version if you need more.