New phone

[DanceswithUnix]

An icon is static, if you want something to update (with a slight cost in battery life) use a widget.

I use Smooth Calendar, it uses a 1x4 horizontal area on my home screen and shows the date and next three things on my calenders.

[peterb]

OK - I was hoping for something like the iPad 'icon' that shows the current date - the android widgets are much bigger than the icons. I suppose there isn't anything for mail that shows the number of new e mails either! (or a dynamic clock icon)

Thanks anyway

[Gerrard]

That's odd as it used to show the day on my old Desire. I have just checked my Moto E, where I am using the Tiny White Icon Pack, and the calendar icon is currently showing 7. I am not sure about the default icons though.

[Jonj1611]

Shows 31 on my Galaxy S5

[DanceswithUnix]

A google for "calendar android widget 1x1" brings up a couple of possibles.

[peterb]

Found the 'today' widget that does what I wanted. But as these things are so useful, it begs the question why they aren't included in the basic system? It's this lack of detail that gives the (to me) unpolished impression of Android.

[peterb]

And following on, found a 1x1 analogue clock, but best of all, type mail with a widget that shows the number of new mail. Unfortunately it seems you can't but widgets in the persistent area on the home screen.

Again, thanks everyone for their help.

[DanceswithUnix]

If you use a custom launcher rather than the default "Google Now" launcher you can put anything anywhere you want.

My son recommends Nova Launcher, don't use one myself.

[Gerrard]

I use Nova Launcher on mine just to get rid of the Google bar at the top of the screen. I am hardly a power user, but I haven't had a problem with it.

[artcon]

Agreed, Nova launcher is one the best third party launchers. I've never had any problems with it and it reliably updates to the latest UI (Apex Launcher is another one you can try but I had some lagging issues with it which is why I stuck with Nova). The only thing you won't get with third party launchers is the swipe right for Google Now which some people really want. Unless you use customised gestures, but it just doesn't look as pretty.

[deejayburnout]

Nova launchers poor execution of Google now widget made me go back to Google now launcher and used an xposed module called x gel. Let's you customise the launcher like Nova.

[peterb]

Nova launchers poor execution of Google now widget made me go back to Google now launcher and used an xposed module called x gel. Let's you customise the launcher like Nova.

But that requires rooting the phone! Pity Google can't get it right without needing to root the phone and compromise security or install third party apps for core functions!

[Jonj1611]

Yes it is but I don't think Peter wants to root the phone, though maybe corrected.

Edit : Edited again as I now look insane. My post was a reply to a post thats been deleted.

[peterb]

Well, three months on and Android and I have reached a more or less amicable truce . I am miffed by the fact that I have no say on what applications access. Some seem to want to take complete control over the phone, for no obvious reason. They don't get installed. I'm also miffed by the fact that I can't move all apps to the SD card - some can, others can't, which is irritating.

Finally, does anyone have any opinions on battery use age apps? I have installed Battery Doctor, but apart from providing some glitzy graphics, some interesting but essentially useless information (like battery temperature, nothing I can do about) the ability to shut down some background apps, it seems to do little that the firmware does. In fact I have noticed a slowing in performance and it seems to be a memory hog - as well as pushing more ads in my direction. It is a candidate for the chop, unless fellow Hexites can convince me that it is useful!

[deejayburnout]

With Marshmallow out, when your device gets the update ( if it ever does ) you will now have more control of what the app needs to access. By default, it will not allow access until you give it permission.

As for battery usage apps, the one i prefer is GSAM battery monitor. It give you various data and it details what apps use most battery. very good for finding battery hogs and wakelocks

If you root your device, there is apps that can actually delay or stop the wakelocks that some of these apps cause.

[peterb]

Rooting (and thereby compromising security) is not an option. I regard a phone as a product, and if it needs rooting to perform 'properly' then it isn't fit for purpose! Added to that, some of the more useful apps won't run on a rooted device, for security reasons.

Which version is 'Marshmallow'? I'm on 5.0.2. Good news about app permissions, long overdue