Android Phones For Dummies. Dan Gookin

You may hear a faint clicking sound when the card is fully inserted. If not, use the end of a paperclip or your fingernail to fully insert the card.

      ✔ It’s okay to insert the MicroSD card while the phone is on.

      ✔ If the phone is on, a prompt appears on the touchscreen detailing information about the card. The card is available instantly for use. If not, the card may need to be formatted. See Chapter 18 for details.

      ✔ Some older Android phones may feature internal MicroSD card slots. In that case, you must remove the phone’s back cover to access and install the card. You might even have to remove the battery to get at the card.

      ✔ I’ve never seen an Android phone come with a MicroSD card. If your phone can use such a card, obtain one at any computer or office supply store. They’re cheaper if you order them on the Internet.

      ✔ A MicroSD card comes in a capacity rated in gigabytes (GB), just like most media storage or memory cards. Common MicroSD card capacities are 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and higher. The maximum size allowed in your phone depends on its design. The side of the phone’s box lists compatible capacities.

Removing the MicroSD card

      To remove the MicroSD card, follow these steps:

      1. Turn off the phone.

      It’s possible to remove the card while the phone is on, and directions are offered in Chapter 18. For now, ensure that the phone is off. Specific power-off directions are found in Chapter 2.

      2. Open the little hatch covering the MicroSD card slot.

      Refer to the preceding section.

      3. Using your fingernail or a bent paperclip, gently press the MicroSD card inward a tad.

      The MicroSD card is spring-loaded, so pressing it in pops it outward.

      4. Pinch the MicroSD card between your fingers and remove it completely.

      After you’ve removed the card, you can continue using the phone. It works just fine without a MicroSD card.

      ✔

A MicroSD card is teensy! If you remove it from your phone, keep it in a safe place where you won’t lose it. Never stick the MicroSD card into your ear.

      ✔ You can purchase MicroSD card adapters to allow the card’s data to be read by a computer, by either a standard SD memory slot or the USB port.

      ✔ Refer to Chapter 18 for more information on phone storage.

      Charge the Battery

      The phone’s battery may have enough oomph in it to run the setup-and-configuration process at the Phone Store. If so, count yourself lucky. Otherwise, you need to charge the phone’s battery. Don’t worry about flying a kite and waiting for a lightning storm. Instead, follow these steps:

      1. If necessary, assemble the charging cord.

      Connect the charger head (the plug thing) to the USB cable that comes with the phone. They connect in only one way.

      2. Plug the charger head and cable into a wall socket.

      3. Plug the phone into the USB cable.

      The charger cord plugs into the micro-USB connector, found at the phone’s bottom. The connector plugs in only one way.

      As the phone charges, you may see a charging battery graphic on the touchscreen, or a notification lamp on the phone’s front side may glow. Such activity is normal.

      The phone may turn on when you plug it in for a charge. That’s okay, but read Chapter 2 to find out what to do the first time the phone turns on. You also may need to contact your cellular provider for additional setup instructions the first time you turn on the phone.

      ✔ I recommend fully charging the phone before you use it.

      ✔ You can use the phone while it’s charging, although the phone won't turn on when the battery is too low.

      ✔ The phone also charges itself whenever it’s plugged into a computer by way of a USB cable. The computer must be on for charging to work. Some phones may charge only when plugged into a powered USB port, such as those found directly on the computer console.

      ✔ Cell phones charge more quickly when plugged into the wall than into a computer’s USB port or a car adapter.

      ✔ Unlike the old NiCad batteries, you don’t need to worry about fully discharging your phone before recharging it. If the phone needs a charge, even when the battery is just a little low, feel free to do so.

      ✔ Some Android phones can be charged wirelessly. See the later section “Adding accessories.”

      ✔ Also see Chapter 23 for battery and power management information.

      Android Phone Orientation

      No one told the first person to ride a horse which way to sit. Some things just come naturally. Your Android phone most likely isn’t one of those things. It requires a special introduction and orientation.

Finding things on your phone

I think it’s cute when people refer to things that they can't name as a doodad or thingamabob. Cute, but inaccurate. Take a gander at Figure 1-2, which illustrates common items found on the front and back of a typical Android phone.

       Figure 1-2 Your phone’s face and rump.

      Not every item shown in the figure may be in the exact same spot on your phone. For example, the Power/Lock key might be found on the top of the phone, not the side.

      The terms referenced in Figure 1-2 are the same as the terms used elsewhere in this book and in whatever scant Android phone documentation exists. Here are the highlights:

      Power/Lock key: The Power/Lock key does more than just turn on or off the phone, which is why it’s the Power/Lock key and not the On/Off button.

      Volume key: The phone’s volume control is two buttons in one. Press one end of the key to set the volume higher; the other end sets the volume lower. This key might also be used to control the phone’s camera, as covered in Chapter 13.

      Touchscreen display: The main part of the phone is its touchscreen display. It’s a see-touch thing: You look at the display and also touch it with your fingers to control the phone. That’s where it gets the name touchscreen.

      Front camera: The phone’s front-facing camera is found above the touchscreen. It’s used for taking self-portraits as well as for video chat.

      Speaker(s): The primary phone speaker is located top center on the phone. One or more additional speakers might also be found on the phone’s bottom edge or backside.

      Microphone: Somewhere below the touchscreen, you’ll find the microphone. It’s tiny, about the diameter of a pin. Don’t stick anything into the hole! A second, noise-canceling microphone might also be found on the back of the phone.

      Headphone jack: Somewhere on the phone’s edge you’ll find a hole where you can connect standard headphones. Its location may not always be on top, as shown earlier, in