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Ten Android switcher tips
#276 | 24:35 |
Monday June 6, 2011
Lab Rats
Monday June 6, 2011
Andy, once again flouting Lab Rats convention, decided to make the switch from the Apple to the Android camp. He's ditched the iPhone 4 and moved over the the reference design Google phone, the Nexus S. The Lab Rats have compiled their top-ten tips for Android switcher or really, anyone trying to come to terms with and get the most out of their shiny new Android phone.
On a related note: Anyone in the market to buy a lightly-used iPhone 4?
On a related note: Anyone in the market to buy a lightly-used iPhone 4?
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Tip One - Always, always read the permissions
Malware has, sadly, made its way into the Android Market. The first tip: Always read the permissions and app requires before installing an app from the Market. If something seems amiss (if a simple Solitaire game is requesting access to your contacts, your location, your phone and Internet connection, for example) don't be afraid to hit the cancel button.
Tip Two - Check battery use and running tasks
Android has a built-in task manager and a way to check what's been chewing through your phone's battery. Make sure you go to Settings > Applications to check out these two features and get a better idea of how your apps are using your phone.
Tip Three - Create contact shortcuts
Tap and hold on a home screen to bring up a context menu. Select Shortcuts, Contact, Direct Dial of Direct Message, choose a contact and it'll be placed on your home screen. Super handy.
Tip Four - Check your notifications often
Android handles notifications differently than you may be used to. All notifications drop in to your notifications bar. Tap at the top of the screen and drag down to see what's happened since last you checked in.
Tip Five - Replace the crappy messaging client
Grab Handcent SMS. This SMS app beats the stock one hands-down.
Tip Six - Browser choices
Android lets you not just download an alternate browser, but also to change your default browser. Take that, iOS.
Tip Seven - Get a flashlight
Turn your cell phone's camera light or screen as a flashlight.
Tip Eight - Sort your screens
Personalize your home screens; drop in your apps for quick access, add widgets, direct dial contacts, Bluetooth shares and much much more.
Tip Nine - Clean up your Google Contacts list
When you enter your Google account to begin using your Android phone, EVERY contact, email address, phone number etc. will come along for the ride. Clean up your contacts.
Tip Ten - Change your ringtone
Grab a ringtone app. The default ringtones on Android are, according to Andy, highly dissatisfactory.
Malware has, sadly, made its way into the Android Market. The first tip: Always read the permissions and app requires before installing an app from the Market. If something seems amiss (if a simple Solitaire game is requesting access to your contacts, your location, your phone and Internet connection, for example) don't be afraid to hit the cancel button.
Tip Two - Check battery use and running tasks
Android has a built-in task manager and a way to check what's been chewing through your phone's battery. Make sure you go to Settings > Applications to check out these two features and get a better idea of how your apps are using your phone.
Tip Three - Create contact shortcuts
Tap and hold on a home screen to bring up a context menu. Select Shortcuts, Contact, Direct Dial of Direct Message, choose a contact and it'll be placed on your home screen. Super handy.
Tip Four - Check your notifications often
Android handles notifications differently than you may be used to. All notifications drop in to your notifications bar. Tap at the top of the screen and drag down to see what's happened since last you checked in.
Tip Five - Replace the crappy messaging client
Grab Handcent SMS. This SMS app beats the stock one hands-down.
Tip Six - Browser choices
Android lets you not just download an alternate browser, but also to change your default browser. Take that, iOS.
Tip Seven - Get a flashlight
Turn your cell phone's camera light or screen as a flashlight.
Tip Eight - Sort your screens
Personalize your home screens; drop in your apps for quick access, add widgets, direct dial contacts, Bluetooth shares and much much more.
Tip Nine - Clean up your Google Contacts list
When you enter your Google account to begin using your Android phone, EVERY contact, email address, phone number etc. will come along for the ride. Clean up your contacts.
Tip Ten - Change your ringtone
Grab a ringtone app. The default ringtones on Android are, according to Andy, highly dissatisfactory.
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