If you own an Android phone with tons of bloatware apps you don’t use that came pre-loaded onto the phone, you have two choices. You can either root your phone and remove the apps, or simply hide them from your view. If you’re not savvy enough for rooting and wish to banish these awful apps from your view, you can simply use a new launcher app like Go Launcher EX.
1. Download and install Go Launcher EX. (Android Market link)
2. Once installed, tap the Home button. You should be prompted to complete the action. check the Use by default for this action box, then tap Go Launcher EX.
3. Tap the app slider to bring up the list of apps.
4. Press Menu > Hide app.
5. Check the boxes next to the apps you would like to hide.
Now you can be pleased with the view of a launcher that only contains apps you actually use.
If you have an old iPhone and have disconnected it from your wireless provider, you can still use it as an iPod Touch. I use mine as a mini-tablet for my living room when I want to quickly look something up.
In order for this to work, the iPhone needs to have a deactivated SIM card inserted to operate. It won’t sync with iTunes otherwise. If you’ve switched phones, your wireless provider may have taken your SIM card out of your iPhone and utilized it in your new phone. In this case, you may want to ask your wireless provider for a new SIM card.
Once you start using your disconnected iPhone, you can turn Cellular Data off. There’s no sense it having it search for a data signal that is disconnected. Go under Settings > General > Network and switch Cellular Data to Off.
Side note: I have seen people use the SIM card from their iPad in an iPhone and have been able to utilize a 3G only connection without a voice contract on their iPhone.
Another option is to run your iPhone in Airplane Mode at all times. This will prevent the device from wasting battery power attempting to connect to the wireless provider. Go to Settings and turn Airplane Mode on. Since this also turns off Wi-Fi, you may want to Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and re-enable it.
Now you’re all ready to use your old iPhone eternally without a wireless provider. Enjoy and if you have anything to add to this post, please feel free to leave a comment below.
