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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
- Sprache: Englisch
Become smartphone savvy with Dummies Android Smartphones For Dummies is the all-new guide to Android phones with the familiar Dummies charm everyone loves. This book will give Android rookies a crash-course in how to use these popular phones. You'll go beyond the basics of texting and taking photos--we'll walk you through all the pro tips and tricks for customizing your phone, optimizing all your settings, using social media (safely), and making the most of apps and widgets. We'll even teach you how to make calls, because phones can still do that. * Set up and customize your new Android phone * Take stunning pictures, video, and even selfies * Find the best apps to make your life easier and more fun * Keep your data secure and private while you browse the internet New and inexperienced Android users will love the helpful, step-by-step guidance and friendly advice in Android Smartphones For Dummies.
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Seitenzahl: 324
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022
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Android® Smartphones For Dummies®
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2023 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
Android Smartphones For Dummies is not based on or derived from Android For Dummies, Second Edition or Android Phones For Dummies, Fourth Edition.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
Trademarks: Wiley, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, Dummies.com, Making Everything Easier, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and may not be used without written permission. Android is a registered trademark of Google, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2022947349
ISBN 978-1-119-90038-2 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-90040-5 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-90039-9 (ebk)
Android® Smartphones For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Android Smartphones For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: The Unboxing
Chapter 1: Introducing All Things Android
What Are Android Devices?
Looking at the Different Flavors of Android
Transitioning from an iPhone to an Android: It’s Possible!
Chapter 2: Checking Out and Charging What’s in the Box
Your Contents May Vary
What Should You Keep (and What You Can Discard)
Installing the SIM Card
A Quick Tour of Your Device’s Hardware
Keeping Your Device Charged and Current
Caring for Your Smartphone
Chapter 3: Deciding on Carrier Service
What Are Locked and Unlocked Smartphones?
Big Box Carriers: No, They Aren’t Used for Moving
Checking Out Alternative Carriers
What Can You Do Without Service?
Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Device
Activating Your Phone
Parlez-Vous Français? Android Is Multilingual
Customizing Your Vision Settings
Accessing Wi-Fi
Adding a Gmail Account
Setting Up Security
How About a Couple of Extras?
Setting Up Multiple Users
Chapter 5: Tapping and Swiping Your Way around the Phone
Starting with Standard Navigation
Moving on to Advanced Navigation
Part 2: The Grand Tour
Chapter 6: Unlocking the Secrets of the Screens
The Lock Screen versus the Home Screen(s)
Securing Access to the Phone with the Lock Screen
Chapter 7: G-Whiz: The Google Experience
Keeping Tabs on Your Life
Emailing and Sending Messages
Capturing Special Moments
Figuring Out the Functional Side of Google
Chapter 8: Investigating Apps for Everything
Exploring the Preinstalled Apps
Installing New Apps
Viewing App Information
Moving and Organizing Apps
Sideloading Apps
Chapter 9: Finding Widgets for Your Gadget
What Is a Widget?
Selecting, Placing, and Sizing Widgets
Removing Widgets
Chapter 10: Enjoying Quick Access Features
Settings That Help You Use Your Device
Settings That Help You Use Other Devices
Settings That Help Apps Help You
Editing the Quick Access Screen
Chapter 11: Staying in the Know with Notifications
Receiving Notifications
Using the Notification Drawer
Swiping for More Information
Configuring Notifications
Setting Do Not Disturb
Chapter 12: Customizing Your Settings
Resting Your Eyes with Night Light
Where Did My Memory Go?
Keeping Your Life in Balance with Digital Wellbeing
Understanding the Volume Controls
Part 3: Communicating Anytime, Anywhere
Chapter 13: Texting to Keep in Touch
Exploring Messages
Tap, Tap, Typing and Other Ways to Enter Your Message
Copying, Pasting, and Deleting Texts
Group Texting
Using Third-Party Texting Apps
Chapter 14: Using the Phone as a … Phone
Seeing Who’s Who in Your Life
Making Contact with Your Contacts
Being Prepared for an Emergency
Chapter 15: Browsing the Internet and Maintaining Your Privacy
Feeling at Home with Chrome
Installing Third-Party Browsers
Chapter 16: Keeping It Social
Installing Social Media Apps
Using Social Media
Chapter 17: Smile! Using the Camera
Opening the Camera App
Navigating the Camera Interface
Holding Your Phone for the Best Shot
Editing Your Images
Part 4: Personalizing Just the Way You Like It
Chapter 18: Customizing Your Device
Setting Custom Ring Tones and Notification Sounds
Adding a Splash of Color
Setting Wallpaper Images
Changing the Font Size
Chapter 19: Saying ‘Hey’ to Google
Getting the Most from Your Smartphone with Google Assistant
Setting Up Google Assistant
Creating Google Assistant Routines
Part 5: The Part of Tens
Chapter 20: Ten Cool Tips and Tricks
Send Someone Your Current Location
Double-Tap to Wake Up
Turn Your Smartphone into a Ruler
Take a Screenshot
Access App Context Menus
Switch to One-Handed Mode
Screencast
Tap and Zoom
Disable App Notifications
Use the Two-Finger Swipe
Chapter 21: Ten Settings to Enable
Skip Lock Screen
Wireless Emergency Alerts
Battery Percentage
Dial Pad (DTMF) Tones
Screen Timeout
Night Light
Auto-Rotate Screen
Screen Lock
Emergency Location Service
Find My Device
Chapter 22: Ten Settings to Disable
Turn On Wi-Fi Automatically
Sensitive Notifications
Show Media Recommendations
Identify Songs Playing Nearby
Adaptive Brightness
Add Users from Lock Screen
Show Wallet
Personalize Using App Data
Developer Options
Back Up Using Mobile Data
Index
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Illustrations
Chapter 2
FIGURE 2-1: The protected handset.
FIGURE 2-2: Some light reading material.
FIGURE 2-3: The electrical bits included with the Google Pixel 4 XL.
FIGURE 2-4: All of the goodies.
FIGURE 2-5: Everything that is not part of the smartphone.
FIGURE 2-6: The secret SIM tray access point.
FIGURE 2-7: An empty SIM card tray.
FIGURE 2-8: The SIM card installed.
FIGURE 2-9: The front of the smartphone.
FIGURE 2-10: The back of the smartphone.
Chapter 4
FIGURE 4-1: Preparing for setup.
FIGURE 4-2: The initial greeting screen.
FIGURE 4-3: You can choose from lots of languages.
FIGURE 4-4: Making sure you can see your screen.
FIGURE 4-5: Looking for Wi-Fi.
FIGURE 4-6: Connecting to the Internet.
FIGURE 4-7: Copying data from one Android phone to another.
FIGURE 4-8: Entering your account information.
FIGURE 4-9: Two-factor authentication.
FIGURE 4-10: Setting up your fingerprint.
FIGURE 4-11: Setting the backup PIN.
FIGURE 4-12: Setting up Google Assistant.
FIGURE 4-13: Android recognizes your voice.
FIGURE 4-14: The default home screen after the initial setup.
FIGURE 4-15: The current user(s).
FIGURE 4-16: Confirming your choice.
Chapter 5
FIGURE 5-1: The search bar at the bottom of the home screen.
Chapter 6
FIGURE 6-1: The lock screen.
FIGURE 6-2: The notification drawer and gear icon.
FIGURE 6-3: The default home screen.
FIGURE 6-4: The Power Menu.
Chapter 7
FIGURE 7-1: You look busy.
FIGURE 7-2: Changing your view.
FIGURE 7-3: On July 4, I don’t have much going on.
FIGURE 7-4: Keeping good time with the Clock app.
FIGURE 7-5: Is it time for bed?
FIGURE 7-6: A blank email.
FIGURE 7-7: The Message interface.
FIGURE 7-8: The default camera view.
FIGURE 7-9: The Maps icon default view. Go Sox!
FIGURE 7-10: The Tab view.
FIGURE 7-11: Google Pay, or GPay.
Chapter 8
FIGURE 8-1: The Android Phone app.
FIGURE 8-2: Files, files, and more files.
FIGURE 8-3: Let’s watch a movie.
FIGURE 8-4: Play some music.
FIGURE 8-5: Some settings.
FIGURE 8-6: Let’s play! The Play Store home screen.
FIGURE 8-7: Helpful information about apps.
FIGURE 8-8: Gmail sends me approximately 15 notifications per day.
FIGURE 8-9: There’s no place like home.
FIGURE 8-10: Categorizing two apps.
FIGURE 8-11: An app folder.
Chapter 9
FIGURE 9-1: The home screen context menu.
FIGURE 9-2: Widgets, widgets, everywhere!
FIGURE 9-3: Widget options.
FIGURE 9-4: The App grid option.
FIGURE 9-5: So many sizes!
FIGURE 9-6: Placing the widget on your home screen.
FIGURE 9-7: The widget is in place.
FIGURE 9-8: Resizing the widget.
FIGURE 9-9: Remove that unwanted widget.
Chapter 10
FIGURE 10-1: The notification drawer with a few of the quick access settings.
FIGURE 10-2: Quick access! More settings to choose from.
FIGURE 10-3: Even more quick access settings.
FIGURE 10-4: My external device.
FIGURE 10-5: Turn off Wi-Fi when you are roaming around.
FIGURE 10-6: Here’s where you turn on your hotspot.
FIGURE 10-7: Casting a wide net.
Chapter 11
FIGURE 11-1: The notification bar.
FIGURE 11-2: The notification drawer.
FIGURE 11-3: Silent but … visible.
FIGURE 11-4: One Outlook notification.
FIGURE 11-5: It’s starting to feel a little crowded.
FIGURE 11-6: More information about the Outlook notifications.
FIGURE 11-7: The full preview.
FIGURE 11-8: Reply from Outlook.
FIGURE 11-9: Different action buttons appear based on notification type.
FIGURE 11-10: Settings for notifications.
FIGURE 11-11: Adjusting app settings.
FIGURE 11-12: Do not disturb.
Chapter 12
FIGURE 12-1: Display settings.
FIGURE 12-2: The Night Light configuration screen.
FIGURE 12-3: Night Light turned off.
FIGURE 12-4: Night Light turned on.
FIGURE 12-5: Storage settings.
FIGURE 12-6: Apps, apps, and more apps.
FIGURE 12-7: Storage settings for the Facebook app.
FIGURE 12-8: Android found some junk.
FIGURE 12-9: Memories! All alone in the …
FIGURE 12-10: A breakdown of memory stats.
FIGURE 12-11: Lots of apps are using lots of memory.
FIGURE 12-12: A snapshot of your wellbeing.
FIGURE 12-13: A detailed look at app usage.
FIGURE 12-14: Limiting usage.
FIGURE 12-15: Time to focus.
FIGURE 12-16: Goodnight phone.
FIGURE 12-17: The ringer volume slider.
FIGURE 12-18: Adjust the volume of all media in this handy screen.
Chapter 13
FIGURE 13-1: The Messages icon.
FIGURE 13-2: QWERTY to the rescue.
FIGURE 13-3: Long press letter options.
FIGURE 13-4: The GBoard includes accents!
FIGURE 13-5: Special character keyboard.
FIGURE 13-6: Emojis.
FIGURE 13-7: Stickers! Like the 1980s only more electronic.
FIGURE 13-8: GIFs.
FIGURE 13-9: Swiping out the word “It’s.”
FIGURE 13-10: Keyboard options.
FIGURE 13-11: Google Voice Typing keyboard: ready and listening.
FIGURE 13-12: A message in Select mode.
FIGURE 13-13: Starting a new group conversation.
FIGURE 13-14: A new group.
Chapter 14
FIGURE 14-1: 3-2-1 contact! The default Contacts screen.
FIGURE 14-2: Creating a contact.
FIGURE 14-3: Phone dialer contacts screen.
FIGURE 14-4: A contact’s contact screen.
FIGURE 14-5: Recent calls.
FIGURE 14-6: Telephone keypad.
FIGURE 14-7: Emergency settings.
FIGURE 14-8: Changing the emergency phone number.
Chapter 15
FIGURE 15-1: The Chrome browser.
FIGURE 15-2: Using the keyboard to search the web.
FIGURE 15-3: Google Lens.
FIGURE 15-4: Mysterious flowers.
FIGURE 15-5: Roses!
FIGURE 15-6: An expensive paintbrush.
FIGURE 15-7: Current open tabs.
FIGURE 15-8: A new tab.
FIGURE 15-9: Selecting tabs to group.
FIGURE 15-10: A group of tabs.
FIGURE 15-11: Installing a third-party browser.
Chapter 16
FIGURE 16-1: Lots of results for social media apps.
FIGURE 16-2: The Facebook news feed.
FIGURE 16-3: Wares for sale.
FIGURE 16-4: Creating a new Facebook post.
FIGURE 16-5: Giving Facebook access to your photos.
FIGURE 16-6: See something interesting?
FIGURE 16-7: Picking people to follow on Instagram.
Chapter 17
FIGURE 17-1: The default camera interface.
FIGURE 17-2: Camera settings for a Pixel smartphone.
FIGURE 17-3: Finding the top shot.
FIGURE 17-4: Image file save locations.
FIGURE 17-5: Quick image sharing.
FIGURE 17-6: More camera settings.
FIGURE 17-7: Look, Ma! No lines.
FIGURE 17-8: Zoom, zoom, zoom. Switching to the 2x camera.
FIGURE 17-9: A portrait.
FIGURE 17-10: Video mode.
FIGURE 17-11: Panorama mode.
FIGURE 17-12: Photo Sphere mode.
FIGURE 17-13: The Camera app photo editor.
FIGURE 17-14: Brightness.
FIGURE 17-15: Contrast.
FIGURE 17-16: It’s getting hot in here.
FIGURE 17-17: Adjusting the tint.
FIGURE 17-18: Lots of Snapseed options!
Chapter 18
FIGURE 18-1: Ring tone settings.
FIGURE 18-2: Sound & vibration.
FIGURE 18-3: Complete the action with an app.
FIGURE 18-4: The Bat Phone should have its own ring.
FIGURE 18-5: Searching for notification sounds.
FIGURE 18-6: Changing that ding!
FIGURE 18-7: The home screen settings menu.
FIGURE 18-8: Picking out the perfect color.
FIGURE 18-9: Color preview.
FIGURE 18-10: So many wallpaper choices.
FIGURE 18-11: Look at the motion.
FIGURE 18-12: Changing the font size.
FIGURE 18-13: A very large font.
Chapter 19
FIGURE 19-1: Searching for Google Assistant.
FIGURE 19-2: Google Assistant settings.
FIGURE 19-3: The Google Assistant toggle switch.
FIGURE 19-4: Step one.
FIGURE 19-5: Repeat after me …
FIGURE 19-6: The end, or is it?
FIGURE 19-7: Google Assistant on the lock screen.
FIGURE 19-8: Tap to wake up Google Assistant.
FIGURE 19-9: Personal results settings.
FIGURE 19-10: Creating a routine.
FIGURE 19-11: Good morning, Google.
Chapter 20
FIGURE 20-1: A Google Maps context menu.
FIGURE 20-2: The sharing menu.
FIGURE 20-3: Keyboard settings.
FIGURE 20-4: A more reachable keyboard.
FIGURE 20-5: Magnification screen.
FIGURE 20-6: Extra zoom!
Guide
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
Index
About the Author
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Introduction
The first Android smartphone was released in 2008, and over these past 15 years, smartphones have become more feature-rich and more complicated — to the point that many of them include capabilities that people may not even realize are possible. Smartphones have become so ingrained in our daily lives that manufacturers may now simply assume everyone knows how to use every feature of every smartphone. On top of that, any smartphone manufacturer can use the Android operating system on its hardware, which adds another level of complexity to an already diversly complex platform. Android Smartphones For Dummies demystifies Android smartphones, from the most basic functionality to the hidden gems that even seasoned users may not realize are there.
About This Book
I wrote this book to put everyone using an Android smartphone on a level playing field. If you have ever thought that smartphone technology has passed you by, this book is the tool you need to catch back up with the crowd. Here you find all the basics as well as many tips, tricks, and cheats that make using an Android smartphone easy and trouble-free.
Android Smartphones For Dummies covers everything from the initial setup of your smartphone to calling, texting, and tweeting right from your device. You even discover how to take enviable photographs, customize your device to suit your personality and needs, and set up Google Assistant routines to help make your life even easier. The material in this book is stripped down to basic, easy-to-follow, jargon-free steps that are a breeze to understand.
Foolish Assumptions
This book assumes you have already purchased or are interested in purchasing an Android smartphone. That’s really it. There is no further skills or knowledge needed other than an interest to learn to ins and outs of your Android smartphone.
Icons Used in This Book
Throughout this book, icons in the margins highlight certain types of valuable information that call out for your attention. Here are the icons you’ll encounter and a brief description of each.
The Tip icon marks tips and shortcuts that you can use to make configuring and exploring your Android smartphone easier.
Remember icons mark the information that’s especially important to know. To siphon off the most important information in each chapter, just skim through these icons.
The Technical Stuff icon marks information of a highly technical nature that you can skip over if you don’t want to get into the nitty-gritty details.
The Warning icon tells you to watch out! It marks important information that may save you headaches while using your Android smartphone.
Beyond the Book
In addition to the abundance of information and guidance related to Android smartphones that I provide in this book, you get access to even more help and information online at Dummies.com. Check out this book’s online Cheat Sheet. Just go to www.dummies.com and search for “Android Smartphones For Dummies Cheat Sheet.”
Where to Go from Here
I wrote Android Smartphones For Dummies to be nonlinear. That means you can pick it up at any point, in any chapter, and get something useful out of it without having to read the whole book from the first chapter on.
Part 1
The Unboxing
IN THIS PART …
Discover the ins and outs of the Android mobile operating system and what makes a smartphone an Android smartphone.
Explore what comes packaged with your smartphone, how to install a SIM card, and how to care for your device.
Understand the difference between a locked and unlocked smartphone and what carrier services you need to get the most out of your phone.
Find out how to set up your Android smartphone and customize security and accessibility settings.
Become a pro at navigating the smartphone interface and understand the difference between a tap, a swipe, and a hold.
Chapter 1
Introducing All Things Android
IN THIS CHAPTER
Discovering what make a device an Android device
Checking out the different versions of Android software
Comparing Android versus iPhone
In this chapter, you explore the details of the Android mobile operating system and Android-based smartphones. If you are new to Android smartphones, this is the perfect place to start your journey. If you are switching to Android from iPhone, this chapter also outlines some of the differences between the two platforms.
What Are Android Devices?
There is no such thing as the one Android smartphone. Unlike its major market competitor — the iPhone — Android is an open-source mobile operating system that any smartphone manufacturer can use for its devices. Because of this, hundreds of different Android smartphones are available around the world — and they all offer different features.
The term open source means that the source code (all the lines of programming code that make the Android software what it is) is available freely to anyone who wants to use it.
One of the consequences of making Android open source is that any smartphone manufacturer can change the Android code to do anything it wants it to do. And so there are going to be some major differences between these phones. Some phones are going to have bigger or smaller screens, sharper or wider cameras, and more or fewer buttons. The Android software itself may also appear slightly different on different smartphones and be able to do slightly different things.
Think of it this way: Everyone knows what a car stereo is. Every car has a car stereo in it. However, no two car manufacturers are going to have the exact same stereos. Some will have access to satellite radio, some will have cassette players, some will have touchscreen controls, and some will have physical buttons. But in the end, they all have similar basic functions. In the following sections, I outline some of the most popular Android smartphone brands and highlight some of the differences between them.
Samsung
Samsung phones are some of the most popular smartphones in the world. In fact, a recent report from Counterpoint Research shows that Samsung is the most popular brand of Android smartphone, and the second most popular smartphone in the world behind Apple’s iPhone.
Samsung produces several different models of smartphone for sale around the world, but its most popular is the flagship Galaxy line.
A flagship smartphone is the most featured model of smartphone from a particular manufacturer. It is meant to showcase the abilities of the manufacturer’s line.
The Galaxy brand comes in several models:
Galaxy A
Galaxy S
Galaxy Z
The Galaxy S line is also further divided into the S, S+, and S Ultra models. The differences between the S, S+, and S Ultra are mainly screen size, except the S Ultra also comes with a stylus that enables you to draw and interact with the screen.
If you are familiar with older Samsung models, the Galaxy Note is now the Galaxy S Ultra. This is why the Galaxy S Ultra comes with the familiar Galaxy Note stylus.
Other model highlights include the innovative folding screens of the Galaxy Z models, and the affordability of the Galaxy A line.
Google Pixel
Google is the manufacturer that “owns” the Android software. Even though it offers the source code openly, Google still owns it. However, Google did not always make its own Android smartphones. Starting in 2010, Google began a branding relationship with manufactures such as HTC, Samsung, LG, and Motorola to create the Google Nexus line of phones. These phones were meant to showcase the functionality of the Android mobile operating system as Google intended it to be used.
Google began manufacturing its own smartphones in 2016. These smartphones became the Google Pixel line of phones.
Today you can get the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones from Google. The major difference between these models is the size of the screen — with the Pixel 6 Pro having a slightly larger screen than the Pixel 6.
Other hot brands
The list of Android smartphones seems endless. Other popular brands and models include:
Motorola Edge
Motorola Edge Plus
Nokia 8.3
One Plus 9
One Plus 9 Pro
Sony Xperia 1 ii
Xiaomi Mi 10
Looking at the Different Flavors of Android
Android software changes from year to year. In Android, these changes are known as flavors, and there is a delicious history behind why Android versions are known as flavors.
When the Android operating system was first introduced to the public in 2009, Google decided to forego the popular structure of numbering its versions and instead chose to name each version of Android after a sweet treat. Version 1.5 of Android was therefore named Cupcake. From there, the list of Android flavors continued in alphabetical order:
Cupcake
Donut
Éclair
Froyo
Gingerbread
Honeycomb
Ice Cream Sandwich
Jelly Bean
KitKat
Lollipop
Marshmallow
Nougat
Oreo
Pie
Android Pie was released in 2018, and was the last flavor of Android to be publicly released with a sweet name. Starting in 2019, Android switched to Android 10 — with Android 11, Android 12, and Android 13 released in subsequent years.
Samsung’s version of Android
The fact that Google offers Android as an open-source software platform has led to one of the most confusing aspects of using Android smartphones among consumers. Most Android smartphone manufactures, Samsung included, have tweaked Android to set their phones apart. These tweaks include features and applications (most often referred to as an app) that are only available on that manufacturer’s phones.
For example, Samsung developed several versions of Android specifically for use on Samsung devices. Using a Samsung Android smartphone gives users access to features not found on other devices. For example:
Samsung devices have a virtual assistant known as Bixby. (See
Chapter 19
for more on using virtual assistants.)
Samsung devices have software-based navigation buttons to help you “go back,” “go home,” and view your running apps. (See
Chapter 5
for details on navigating your way around an Android phone.)
Samsung devices have a home screen dedicated to Samsung Free, a list of free news articles, podcasts, games, and other content compiled by Samsung (this is replaced by Google Feed on other Android devices).
Samsung devices include their own version of some Google apps such as Calendar, Calculator, Photos, and camera.
Lastly, users of Samsung Android smartphones will notice some differences in the way many menus look. Keep in mind that even with some of these differences, the basic functionality persists through all Android smartphones.
An app is an application that you install to your smartphone. These apps expand the features of your smartphone — like getting access to weather information from around the world or shopping from your favorite stores.
Google Pixel’s ‘pure Android’
Soon after the release of Android, it became evident that consumers were confused about what Android was — because every smartphone seemed to have a different version of it. For this reason, Google began to release its own flagship smartphone — the Google Pixel — with the key feature being that the Google smartphone would include an unadulterated version of the Android operating system known as “pure Android.” As such, users who purchase the Google Pixel line of smartphones use a version of Android that has not been changed.
The examples offered throughout this book use pure Android running on a Google Pixel smartphone. However, the basic functionality shown still exists in most Android smartphones — even if it looks a little different or goes by a slightly different name on another phone.
No matter the brand smartphone you use, with an Android phone, you have access to the Google ecosystem of apps to help you with just about every aspect of daily life. Chapters 7 and 8 explore these apps as well as what additional apps are pre-installed and where you can find more.
Transitioning from an iPhone to an Android: It’s Possible!
Many people switch from one smartphone platform to another. Personally, I have switched from Android to iPhone and back over the years. Now, I use both an iPhone and a Google Pixel Android smartphone on a daily basis. Having used both, I can say that the two are not as different as they might seem on the surface.
Following are some of the major differences you should be aware of when moving from iPhone to Android:
Apple has very strict control over the type and content of apps that are approved for use on iPhone.
When moving from iPhone to Android, the exact app you are looking for might not be available in some cases — but there should be a number of similar options for Android.
Android keeps all apps in the app drawer by default.
This is the standard location for all installed apps on Android smartphones. Android smartphones do not clutter up the home screens with apps; instead, apps are kept in a special menu until they are moved onto the screen.
Chapter 6
goes into detail about how Android organizes apps and the home screen(s).
Text messages are not color-coded in Android.
Using an iPhone often means seeing text messages in either blue or green text fields (blue if the other party is using an iPhone, and green if they are not). This concept does not exist in Android. For the most part, the type of smartphone other parties are using cannot be inferred from the color assigned to their text messages. In
Chapter 13
you discover how texting is one of the most convenient ways to keep up with friends, family, and coworkers.
Android’s silent feature isn’t where you think it’d be.
iPhones have a toggle switch on the side of the phone to turn the ringer from sound to vibration mode. Android smartphones do not have a separate button for this. On an Android smartphone, you use the volume buttons to turn the phone down all the way (as you discover in
Chapter 12
, as well as how to control the volume of all Android apps and features). After hitting the lowest volume level, the phone enters vibration mode. Going down one more level from vibration mode puts the phone in silent mode (no sound or vibration). Let’s see iPhone do that!
In the next chapter, you explore the contents of a brand new Android smartphone box and discover the best ways to care for your new smartphone.
Chapter 2
Checking Out and Charging What’s in the Box
IN THIS CHAPTER
Unboxing your smartphone
Understanding the purpose of and installing a SIM card
Checking out your device’s hardware
Giving your Android phone some TLC
Before ripping into your shiny new phone’s packaging like a kid on Christmas morning, take some time to appreciate just what is in the box. While included contents have changed over the years, you’ll find more than just a handset in the box. Smartphone manufacturers try to include everything needed for the initial experience of using a new smartphone.
In this chapter, you discover what may come packaged with your smartphone and what you should keep, as well as how to install your SIM card and how to keep your phone in tip-top shape for as long as you wish to use it.
In technical terms, the physical smartphone is also known as a handset. This is a term that goes back to the earliest days of telephones, where the handset was the piece held up to the ear (as opposed to the piece you spoke into).
Your Contents May Vary
One word of caution here — the exact contents of a new smartphone box varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, smartphone manufacturers usually include some basic items in the box along with the handset. These items include documentation and user guides, basic tools, and a means for keeping the smartphone charged. The phone shown in the examples that follow — a Google Pixel 4 XL — offers a good idea of what contents are usually included. Other smartphone manufacturers may also include earphones, cleaning kits, styli, and other accessories that may be useful on their specific handset.
Hello, handset!
Break the seal on the box — typically a couple of pieces of strategically placed tape or adhesive — and remove the top of the box. This should immediately reveal the most important item in the box, the handset. The handset will be wrapped in a protective film, as shown in Figure 2-1.
FIGURE 2-1: The protected handset.
The first thing I always want to do is rip off the protective plastic and admire the shiny new smartphone — but wait! There’s more.
Lift the smartphone from its holding tray and then remove the holding tray from the box to reveal more items. Typically it is easier to remove the tray if you remove the phone from the tray first. In the case of the Google Pixel 4 XL, removing the smartphone holding tray reveals a documentation packet, as shown in Figure 2-2.
FIGURE 2-2: Some light reading material.
This documentation packet includes a quick start guide (covered in detail in Chapter 3), some device usage warnings, and — most important — a SIM card removal tool.
Depending on how you buy your phone, whether you buy it directly from the manufacturer or if you buy it from a wireless carrier or service provider like AT&T or Verizon, the documentation packet will also include a SIM card, which is the small computer chip your phone needs to connect your phone to a cellular network. Typically, if you buy the smartphone from the manufacturer, an “unlocked” SIM card may be included in the documentation packet on a credit card–sized piece of plastic. If you buy the smartphone from a wireless carrier, the carrier will send you a SIM card specific to their cellular network in the mail in separate packaging.
You’re not doing anything without the power cord
In the case of the Google Pixel 4 XL, the USB charging cable, adapter, and power block are all found under the documentation packet, as shown in Figure 2-3. The USB (short for universal serial bus) charging cable is one item that may vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. In the case of the Google Pixel 4 XL, both ends of the cable are USB-C ports. However, some manufacturers may include cables that are USB-C on one end and USB-A on the other. They may even include cables that include a micro USB port on one end and a USB-A port on the other. Whatever configuration the charging cable is found in, it will be the specific cable needed to charge the handset.
