Using the Android Market, camera, email and browser

With the initial setup of our Ting Optimus S completed, we can dig in to some of the pre-installed applications on our phone.

First, we'll look at the Browser. Tap the application tray icon to bring up your full list of apps. This list is sorted alphabetically. Browser is the first app in the list. Tap to launch.

To visit a web site, tap in address bar at the top of the browser window. Type the address you want to visit using the on-screen keyboard. We'll go to Ting.com.

Hit the Menu button to bring up a context menu. You can tap to open a new window or tap to see all open windows. This menu is also where you'll find Stop and Forward keys. Tapping on More brings up a bunch of options that will come in handy later. Here, you can add a bookmark, find text on the page or, further down, share the page address via email, SMS or other apps you might install later like Twitter or Facebook.

Next, we'll look at the camera. You can access your camera by opening the app tray and opening the Camera item or by pressing and holding for a second on the dedicated camera button on your Optimus S. You can access some camera settings including zoom, lighting, geotagging and scene modes by tapping the on-screen icons. Switch between still and video recording by moving the on-screen mode switch.

Line up your shot and press the camera button or the on-screen shutter button to snap a picture. Tapping the picture in the upper right of the camera viewfinder will take you to your photo gallery.

Next, we'll set up our work email account. Open the Email app. By default, it will be one of the app shortcuts on your main home screen.

Enter your email address and password. For many accounts, this is all the information you'll need. If you have to manually enter port numbers or server addresses, you'll have to talk to your email administrator to get this information.

Once setup is completed, your email will be pulled in. Tap any item to read and use the on-screen buttons to reply. Back in your inbox, tap the menu key on your phone to bring up a context menu. Here, you can sort your email, change account settings or compose a new message.

Your Gmail account was configured when you first logged or created a new Google Account in the initial device setup process. Open the Gmail app and you'll be dropped into your inbox. Tap the Menu key to access a context menu where you can compose a new email, add a new Gmail account, view Gmail labels, search or access more detailed settings.

Next, we'll have a look at the Android Market. This is where you come to access the over 250,000 Android apps that are available. Read and accept the terms of use.

If you're looking for something specific, tap the search icon at the top of the screen or hit the dedicated search button on your phone. Type in your search terms and hit Enter.

Scroll through your results. Tap any entry to get more insight into the app including a developer summary, screenshots and user reviews.

If you like what you see, tap the Install button. If it's a paid app, you'll be prompted to enter your billing information, which will be stored by Google Checkout for future purchases.

On this screen, you're alerted to any and all permissions the app requires. It's important that you thoroughly read this information for all apps. If something doesn't sound right -- if a Solitaire game requires access to your contact list and dialling privileges, for example -- don't be afraid to hit the Cancel button.

If everything checks out though, hit OK. The download will begin. Drag down your notifications bar to see the download progress. Once the app is fully downloaded, the installation will begin automatically. You can see this progress in your notifications bar too.

Once it's installed, you'll find your new app in your app tray.