Android Phones For Dummies. Gookin Dan

Therefore, one book can pretty much cover the gamut of Android phones.

      Android has versions. This book was updated to cover the current Android release, 6.0, called Marshmallow. Also addressed is Android 5.1, known as Lollipop. Some details on older versions of Android phones might be found here as well. These are all similar versions of the operating system, so if your phone has an older version, you should be just fine.

      To confirm which Android version your phone has, follow these steps:

      1. At the Home screen, tap the Apps icon.

      2. Open the Settings app.

      3. Choose the About Phone item.

      On some Samsung phones, you need to first tap the General tab atop the screen and then swipe down the screen to find an About Device item. Samsung phones can be a little different from other Android phones, and those differences are highlighted throughout this tome.

      4. Look at the item titled Android Version.

      The version number is listed, such as 6.0.1.

      Don’t fret if these steps confuse you: Review Part I of this book, and then come back here. (I’ll wait.)

      More assumptions: You don’t need to own a computer to use your Android phone. If you have a computer, great. The Android phone works well with both PCs and Macs. When phone and computer cross paths, you’ll find directions for both PC and Mac.

      Finally, this book assumes that you have a Google account. If you don’t, find out how to configure one in Chapter 2. Having a Google account opens up a slew of useful features, information, and programs that make using your phone more productive.

Icons Used in This Book

      

This icon flags useful, helpful tips or shortcuts.

      

This icon marks a friendly reminder to do something.

      

This icon marks a friendly reminder not to do something.

      

This icon alerts you to overly nerdy information and technical discussions of the topic at hand. Reading the information is optional, though it may win you a pie slice in Trivial Pursuit.

Beyond the Book

      The publisher maintains a support page with updates or changes that occur between editions of this book. Go to www.dummies.com, search for Android Phones For Dummies, then open the Extras tab on this book’s specific page to view the updates or changes. Or click the Cheat Sheet link to view helpful information pulled from throughout the text.

      On a personal note, my email address is [email protected]. Yes, that’s my real address. I reply to every email I receive, especially when you keep your question short and specific to this book. Although I enjoy saying “Hi,” I cannot answer technical support questions, resolve billing issues, or help you troubleshoot your phone. Thanks for understanding.

      My website is wambooli.com. This book has its own page on that site, which you can check for updates, new information, and all sorts of fun stuff. Visit often:

      wambooli.com/help/android/phones

Where to Go from Here

      Thank you for reading the introduction. Few people do, and it would save a lot of time and bother if they did. Consider yourself fortunate, though you probably knew that.

      Your task now: Start reading the rest of the book – but not the whole thing, and especially not in order. Observe the table of contents and find something that interests you. Or look up your puzzle in the index. When these suggestions don’t cut it, just start reading Chapter 1.

Part 1

      Getting Started with Your Android Phone

      IN THIS PART …

      Get started with Android phones.

      Work through the setup of your Android phone.

      Learn how to use your Android phone.

      Discover parts of the Android phone.

Chapter 1

      Hello, Phone!

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      Freeing the phone from its box

      Setting up the phone

      Charging the battery

      Recognizing phone features

      Obtaining accessories

      Taking the phone with you

      Keeping the phone in one place

      It may have a funky name, like a character in a science fiction novel or a sports hero. Or it can simply be a fancy number, perhaps with the letter X thrown in to make it cool. No matter what, the phone you own is an Android phone because it runs the Android operating system. The adventure you’re about to undertake begins with removing the thing from the box and getting to know your new smartphone.

Liberation and Setup

      The phone works fastest when you remove it from its box. How you liberate it is up to you. I prefer to gingerly open the box, delicately lifting the various flaps and tenderly setting everything aside. I even savor the industrial-solvent smell. If you prefer, you can just dump everything on the tabletop. Be careful: Your phone may be compact, but it’s not indestructible.

      Several useful items are found loitering inside your Android phone’s box. Some of them are immediately handy, and others you should consider saving for later. Even if you’ve already opened the box and spread its contents across the table like some sort of tiny yard sale, take a few moments to locate and identify these specific items:

      ❯❯ The phone itself, which may be fully assembled or in pieces

      ❯❯ Papers, instructions, a warranty, and perhaps a tiny, useless Getting Started pamphlet

      ❯❯ The phone’s back cover, which might already be attached to the phone

      ❯❯ The charger/data USB cable

      ❯❯ The charger head, which is a wall adapter for the charger/data cable

      ❯❯ Other stuff, including the SIM card, SIM card removal tool, earbuds, carrying case, or other goodies

      It’s rare, but the phone may feature a removable battery. If so, you’ll find the phone’s battery in the box, along with the phone’s rear cover. These items must be assembled. Look for instructions inside the box.

      If anything is missing or appears to be damaged, immediately contact the folks who sold you the phone.

      

I recommend keeping the instructions and other information as long as you own the phone: The phone’s box makes an excellent storage place for that stuff – as well as for anything else you don’t plan to use right away.

      See the later section “Adding accessories” for a description of various goodies available for the typical Android phone.

ANDROID PHONE-BUYING TIPS

      When buying a phone, first look at a cellular provider, and then determine which phones are available and suit your purpose.

      Finding a cellular provider is all about coverage: Can you get a signal everywhere you need one? Despite the boasts, not every cellular provider offers full data coverage. The true test is to ask people who frequent your same locations which services they use and whether they’re happy with the