The Beginner’s Guide to Android

So you’ve picked up your new Android phone and you’re ready to dive right in! But like with any new gadget, you have unanswered questions about the features of Android and that powerful new device you’ve just booted up. And of course there are always unknown tips, tricks, and tutorials that you wish you’d known about beforehand. Luckily, we’ve got all the info that will put you on the fast track to becoming an Android expert!

First, some Frequently Asked Questions:

What should I know about the Android Market?

• First off, the Android Market offers a 15 minute full refund window for paid apps. If you don’t like it, get your money back!
• Certain apps may only be available to specific version of Android, e.g. Android 2.1+. This means if you’re still running Android 1.6, these apps won’t be available to you and won’t show up in searches.

What are those black/white box-shaped images?

• They are called QR codes, and are similar to normal barcodes. They can be scanned by specific apps (see question below) and are a way for transferring all sorts of information, especially URLs. They are most often used as direct links to apps in the Android Market.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  What are some essential Android Apps?

• Barcode Scanner – Scan product barcodes, find the best prices. Also, scan QR codes.
• Quick Settings – Quickly enable/disable WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth etc.
• Ringdroid – Create personalized ringtones from your own music.
• Check out our Top Rated Apps, Top Rated Games, and Top Rated Widgets categories for more!

What is the best Facebook and Twitter App?

• The official Facebook for Android app is your best option to stay up-to-date.
• There are many Twitter apps to try: Seesmic, Twidroid, Touiteur, TweetCaster, TweetDeck and the official Twitter app.

What is a Widget and how do I use it?

• Widgets are items that are placed on your homescreen that provide you with information, without actually opening them like a normal app. To place a widget, long-press the homescreen and select it from the menu.
• Check out our Top Rated Widgets category.

How do Android and Gmail integrate/sync?

• In order to use your Android phone, you will have to have a Gmail account. Similarly, your contacts will be stored and synced from Gmail (So you’ll never lose contact information when switching phones). However, make sure to store old phone numbers and information on your SIM card so before making the transition to your Android phone.
• Your Android phone also syncs with Google Calendar. If your work uses Outlook, you can sync this with Google Calendar to check meetings/appointments from your phone.

How do I get music, movies, photos, etc. onto my Android phone?

• First, connect your phone to your computer by using the USB cable provided with your phone. Then, pull down the notification bar and “Mount” your SD card. This recognizes your SD card as another drive. There are various apps and other software programs that will help manage your files (However, if you’re not loaded with music and media, you may not have to worry about this).
• Check out our tutorial on creating personalized ringtones, notifications, and alarms.

Are there other options for on-screen keyboards?

• Swype - allows you to enter text by sliding your finger from letter to letter.
• Thick Buttons – adjusts keyboard letter size based on predictive algorithm.
• SwiftKey – advanced predictive capabilities and user interface.

How can I save battery life?

• By managing how often your apps try to sync and controlling your settings like GPS and WiFi, you will be able to prolong the time between charges. See our battery saving tutorial for helpful apps.

Is the built-in browser my only option?

• Nope, there are other options like Dolphin browser, Opera Mini, and Skyfire. Try them out and see which one works best for you.

What is “rooting”?

• Don’t worry about this for now.
• (If you must know, it’s the process for gaining full control over your phone and its internal processes/system. Wait until you understand Android a little better before looking into this optional, advanced capability).
• Refer to the XDA Developers Forums for more information and support.

Is there a way to take screenshots of my phone?

• Yes, but it’s a slightly involved process. If you want this capability, check out our full-length tutorial on taking screenshots of your Android homescreen. (Note: if your phone is rooted, taking screenshots is much less involved).

General tips:

• Hold down the “Home” button for quick switching between apps. Multi-tasking is powerful!
• Long-press is your friend. Many apps make use of this functionality, so when in doubt, try it out. (One example, long-press text in order to copy/paste)
• If the on-screen keyboard pops up when you don’t need it, press the “back” button to get rid of it.

Linux and Windows 8: Head-to-Head at Last

"There must be 50 reasons to prefer GNU/Linux over '8' -- all of them sufficient for one or more groups of users," asserted blogger Robert Pogson. "Where GNU/Linux appears on retail shelves, a significant number of consumers do choose it -- we saw that all over the world when ASUS brought out its netbook with Linpus GNU/Linux, and we see it in Brazil today, where GNU/Linux outsells M$'s OS at Wal-Mart."

Canonical may have ultimately changed its mind about "Avoid the pain of Windows 8" -- the slogan that accompanied the original launch of Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" earlier this fall, but like so many deeply compelling notions, it seems to have staying power here in the Linux blogosphere.

That indeed is why more than a few Linux fans have viewed Windows 8 with jubilation rather than dread -- it may, after all, prove to be Linux's next big shot at broader desktop use -- and it's also surely behind an intriguing little story that popped up recently over at PCWorld.

"10 reasons to choose Ubuntu 12.10 over Windows 8" was the name of said piece, and it was penned by two intrepid souls who were apparently not only fearless in the face of a heavily MTBS-afflicted audience, but also fortunate to be in possession of fireproof clothes, so hot were some of the flames that followed.

Both freedom fighters remain undaunted, Linux Girl is happy to report, and it should be noted that there were countless approving sentiments as well among the roughly 100 comments the story generated.

Down at the blogosphere's Broken Windows Lounge, meanwhile, the topic has lingered on more than a few tongues. 

'Much Easier and Cool and Free'

"Tricky subject," began Google+ blogger Gonzalo Velasco C., for example. "GNU/Linux users would choose Ubuntu 8.04 before windows 8!" he quipped.

"OK, seriously: Besides security issues, it's all about usability," he explained. "Ubuntu (GNU/Linux) 12.10 is easier and faster to use than MS Windows 8. The desktop environments are not even comparable.

"Ubuntu has a usable bar on the left and top (hidden, part of the time) and a utility to search applications, files and even things in the web," he added. "Windows 8 looks like a giant phone!"

Then, too, there are "the goodies of all GNU/Linux distributions: the way you can search, choose and install/uninstall new applications," Gonzalo Velasco C. added. "It's so infinitely much easier and cool (and free!). I don't understand how some people don't even try a live-CD of a Linux distribution."

'The Better Value'

Indeed, "I think that we have reached the point where staying on Windows is mostly a matter of inertia," Google+ blogger Kevin O'Brien agreed. "Linux is faster, more secure, and requires fewer resources to run. It has better hardware support.

"Even if it were not 'free as in beer,' it would still be the better value," O'Brien added.

"Ubuntu GNU/Linux is not my recommended solution," began blogger Robert Pogson. "Certainly it is far superior to '7' or '8' for all kinds of reasons, mostly centered on not being from M$, with all its control issues."

'There Must Be 50 Reasons'

Still, "I would recommend its root, Debian GNU/Linux, which is FREE and will remain FREE no matter what happens in the markets of the world," Pogson suggested. "The world needs software that works for it, and Debian brings it all together for every kind of use of IT."

Windows 8, meanwhile, "is designed to prevent GNU/Linux from booting, preventing people from changing their OS, limiting use of LANs, crowding out all competition on retail shelves for x86, and so on, nothing of value for end users," he added.

In fact, "there must be 50 reasons to prefer GNU/Linux over '8' -- all of them sufficient for one or more groups of users," Pogson asserted. And "where GNU/Linux appears on retail shelves, a significant number of consumers do choose it -- we saw that all over the world when ASUS brought out its netbook with Linpus GNU/Linux, and we see it in Brazil today, where GNU/Linux outsells M$'s OS at Wal-Mart." 

'M$ Does Not Provide That'

Regarding interfaces, meanwhile, "'8' assumes users want to be lost on a flat plane with no widgets, no menus, and no way to find anything," he concluded. "Debian's installer gives you the choice at installation time or any time after installation.

"That's freedom and flexibility, what everyone wants," Pogson said. "M$ does not provide that at any price."

Consultant and Slashdot blogger had a different favorite.

"Windows 8 vs Unity? I'll take neither," Mack told Linux Girl. "Xfce at least doesn't try to rearrange things on me, leaving me free to actually get work done."

'I Want Android on the Desktop'

Robin Lim, a lawyer and blogger on Mobile Raptor, had yet a different take.

"Ten, or even 20, reasons to choose Ubuntu over Windows 8 won't result in a single Linux convert," Lim said. "Instead, it would be more productive to convince Windows to try LibreOffice or GIMP. Once a person get used to software that is compatible with multiple platforms, the free operating system starts to look more inviting."

Nevertheless, "I think that is where Linux is really falling behind," Lim opined. "More and more, I am starting to want to have Android on the desktop. My phone apps are really much better than my desktop apps."