In a few years Android has gone from zero to millions of users, with dozens of terminals and more than 70,000 applications in the Android Market store
The mobile operating system of Google is a great example of growth. In a few years, it has gone from zero to millions of users, with dozens of terminals and more than 70,000 applications in the Android Market store.
Intermediate level
This type of devices does not need just maintenance operations or advanced configuration, but it never hurts to have some useful resources that facilitate their use Of course, we must not forget the diversification of phones and versions of the Android operating system , which is beginning to have compatibility problems with applications or even with hardware.
Trick 1. Know the versions
To inquire about the version of the operating system that has a specific device, you just have to display the list of applications . In the Settings section , under About phone , select Software information . In this screen you will find information about everything related to the software, including the firmware version .
As a reference, here is a list of the different versions of Android that can be found at the terminals:
• Android 1.5 or Cupcake (April 2009). Based on Linux kernel 2.6.27, with improvements in the multimedia field (video recording or uploading videos to YouTube or photos to Picasa) and connectivity (such as connecting with headphones via Bluetooth).
• Android 1.6 or Donut (September 2009). Based on Linux kernel 2.6.29, it included improvements to Market, voice search, WVGA screen support and increased speed.
• Android 2.0 / 2.1 or Eclair (October 2009). Based on the 2.6.29 kernel, it incorporated support for HTML5 and Exchange, improved Google maps, Bluetooth 2.1 or animated wallpapers.
• Android 2.2 or Froyo (May 2010). Based on Linux kernel 2.6.32, it is characterized by increased speed, tethering and functionality as WiFi hotspot, automatic Market updates and shared contacts via Bluetooth.
• Android Gingerbread . Based on Linux kernel 2.6.33, it is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2010. With it will come the Android music store and streaming from the PC, along with an improved user interface.
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Trick 2. Restore the configuration
Android needs a Google identity to take full advantage of all the services and applications it integrates. It is precisely for this reason that it is difficult to make modifications to an Android phone once it has been configured for the first time. So, the fastest method to customize a mobile with this operating system is to return it to its original configuration, but always after making a backup of the content. The restoration goes through the Settings menu and then enter Privacy , where you can find the option to restore the factory data .
In this same menu, there is the option to make a back-up copy of the factory data, which, once activated, uses the SD card to store the important information. That backup is vital ; Without going any further, when you have the card inserted in a terminal in the process of reinitialization to its original settings, the system will ask if you want to restore the information from that SD card , without the user having to worry about anything else.
Tip 3. Backup all your contacts
If there is some data that is really relevant for the users, those are the contacts . To make a backup of them, it is only necessary to go to the Contacts application in the list of installed programs and, after pressing the Menu button , choose the Import / Export option . From here, it will be possible to export contacts from your phone or from your Google account . In either case, you get a file in standard .vcf format, compatible with many contact and address management applications.
Trick 4. Define keyboard options
One of the most delicate sections in the configuration of a terminal and in particular of an Android is that of the keyboard. The amount of options available is very broad and it is not always easy to get the best results. To configure the keyboard options , you only need to make the virtual keyboard appear on the screen and click on the gear, located at the bottom left of the screen.
In this way, all related options are shown , where the most significant is Text entry. In this section are the options of automatic spelling correction or prediction , which are not always liked by users. Neither are those of vibration when a key is pressed or that of emitting a sound . Remember that, in almost all applications, if you switch the terminal off, you go from the compact QWERTY keyboard to the full QWERTY, more comfortable to enter text.
Trick 5. Special characters
Another point that does not stop being obvious is that of using special keyboard characters . For the most common, it is only necessary to keep a key pressed for a moment so that a context menu with special characters is displayed. Of special interest are the ñ , the accented vowels and the symbols of habitual use. It's a fast and versatile way to access them without going into specific menus to insert symbols.
In addition, there are other applications for long press , in this case on the screen, elements of the interface or Android applications. For example, to create a new folder on the desktop, simply press and hold the screen in an icon-free zone and a contextual menu will appear with different options, among which you can create a new folder or add a widget to access a new folder. application or a service.
In general, the long press on the screen will cause different actions depending on the application and the context. For example, on Facebook , in the corresponding application, if you click on the photo albums for a long time, the editing option will appear. Do not be afraid to experiment.
