Go into this completely blind - do not watch the trailer, do not read about it first, just take a deep breath & enjoy the ride
Saltarello
My other half has new Ultra, I have an older Ultra model. Stuff i find invaluable that she hasn't used once:
- S Pen
- Modes & Routines
- Secure folder
- DeX (to a lesser degree than the above)
I try to use my phone as a Swiss army knife. Stuff I rely on that most normal users likely dont realise their phone can do:
- Using Kodi the phone becomes fully fledged mobile media player. Great for vacations in case of poor weather (in conjunction with HDMI lead, controller/wireless keyboard)
- OsmAnd navigation has an offline Wikipedia plugin. I set up a shortcut in it so i can display/hide all wiki entries nearby. Brilliant when on vacation
- All my main apps will work offline in case of data outage: navigation, notes, password manager, books, music, podcasts, media etc etc
- Password manager has more uses than simply handling passwords
- Playing video sites in the background ...with a timer if desired
- Browser with uBlock "etc"
- Manipulation of .pdf files
- A good launcher. Mine is always set up the same regardless of device - I can access any app within 2 swipes & 2 taps
- A good car dock
- Most don't realise that a simple DNS entry can help reduce the amount of ads they see
- All manner of nerdy tech shit to interact with stuff on my network. No normal human needs to know that this usage factor exists
And most importantly ...using the camera in landscape so images/video can be viewed properly on a TV or monitor. And not using digital zoom in the dark to record an entire concert from row Q
Simplest option is probably speak to sales staff & specifically ask about the set up process. It might be worth phoning a couple of reputable TV vendors as they may have more understanding than the spotty herberts in the sheds at the local retail park.
I last bought a TV outside of your preferred time frame but back then Panasonic made, what for my needs, was the best panel for the price & didnt insist on having internet in order to set it up (no idea whether this has changed with current generation models)
It doesnt help with your hdmi concerns, but what about blocking the TV at router level or restrict it by putting it on VLAN/guest network then disconnecting it from the internet forever once set up.is complete?
For images, on Android you could use Imagepipe.
Once you've set it up, simply "share" the image to Imagepipe, it does its thing then automatically passes it on to whatever app you want - for example a messaging app for you to send on to others (it stores a copy of the image minus its metadata in an Imagepipe folder in your gallery for ease of access should you need it again).
For video, from memory I think mp3tag for Windows/Mac can remove metadata from some video formats
mobile Chromium doesn't have ublock anyway...
Kiwi browser on Android is Chromium based & has had the ability to add extensions such as uBlock for years
Everyone knows the popular ones so here's a shout out to a few that are perhaps not so commonly known:
My most used can no longer live without app:
- Joplin - Note taking. Various sync options. Brilliant app, helpful community & very regular updates (especially desktop)
Ha I once fell for this same issue with the exact same bars. To be fair they're so darn tasty I've fallen for it again several times since!
Late to the party but just another vote for Nextcloud. I used a paid subscription initially but then took the plunge, bought a Pi 4 & SSD for storage then read up & figured out how to self host.
It was my first experience with Linux, I fell over many times but dont give in as after all the hair pulling & teeth grinding it becomes rewarding & even a little "fun" when you get there & then become confident enough to take on & complete further Pi projects.
The Pi can handle Libre Office (synced through Nextcloud, handled on mobile by Collabora Office).
Whilst you're at it, why not sync the notes you'll inevitability make on your self hosting journey through your Nextcloud instance? Try Joplin & do away with Google Docs, Evernote etc into the bargain
I really like it. Tech comminities & some others are very bouyant & interesting but niche communities really struggle. Even direct replacements of big subreddits struggle. Hopefully this improves.
One tip from my own experience. I use Voyager & blocked a load of US politics keywords.
And another, I subscribed to as many interesting Lemmy communities as i could then browse Home feed in the main & occasionally All to see if any other interesting communities crop up that could be worth joining.
Welcome & enjoy.
Can't help with payments but if it's a loyalty card wallet you're after, zCard is excellent & allows you to add your own image/art for the card
Edit: just re-read your requirements, zCard doesn't use NFC. My bad, I should pay more attention. Still, it's a good app so i won't delete my reply just in case someone else finds it useful
Like others I used Liftoff but had to move on when API broke it & dev is getting on with real life stuff.
Moved to Voyager. It's good but as an android I still find it a bit strange using what looks like iOS interface. I still get a bit lost when uploading a post & usually have to edit it a few times. No biggie, maybe I should post more & get used it it 😃
I still miss the Joey app from the other place.
OmsAnd can seem daunting for new users. I persevered because the map info is so detailed & it works offline. On a couple of occasions my family found ourselves in a new city in a foreign country in need of food etc & OsmAnd has had the info telling us exactly what we needed & where to go thanks to the dedicated community. It encouraged me to map my own city suburb in detail to help fellow travelers.
I also love its offline Wikipedia function.
If anyone is interested, even adding a park bench or litter bin helps & is quite simple with something like StreetComplete