All about Android for ordinary users

Android has become one of the popular operating system leading the world in recent times. The manufacturers have launched many models using the operating system Android, from segment to super high levels. I wanted to write this article as a guide android small so people can make the most of your Android, helps life and work easier.

Firstly, I will briefly introduce the operating system's Google. The name means exactly Android is "a machine with human shape." Android is an operating system for mobile devices developed by Android Inc. company. The company was acquired by Google in 2005. Since then, Google has decided to invest in the operating system. By 2007, mobile devices Alliance open source (Open Handset Alliance) was established, including Texas Instruments, Broadcom Corporation, Google, HTC, Intel, LG, Marvell Technology Group, Motorola, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile to develop a standard for handheld open source. By 2008, the alliance has added 14 new members, such as ASUS, Sony, Toshiba, ... Starting from version Android 1.5 codenamed Cupcake, to date (15/11/2010) Android has been updated to version 2.2 name Froyo code. December 2010, Android has officially lifted version 2.3 with the introduction of the second generation of phones Google: Nexus S. Android 3.0 also has the first pictures of the Motorola tablet.

T-Mobile G1 (or HTC Dream), phone era begins for Android

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I. Hardware

First of all, we will learn about the basic hardware of a device that uses Android . I will refer to the components that ordinary users will need to know to buy or use the equipment effectively. 1) Screen

Large touch screen 4.3 "HTC EVO 4G

Most screens of Android devices are using the touch screen (capacitive touch or resistive touch).Google designed Android to be optimized for touch screens with large icons, large print, dragging the application, the screen scrolls, ... Android devices currently do not use the touch screen only some TVs or laptops only. With Android's screen, you can perform a number of tasks such as: + Click and touch: Press the fingers manipulate you click on an object (Object) to enable operation of pre-programmed commands for that object. For example: you click on an icon to launch the application, click the OK button to save the document, click in the address bar to type a website name, ... Touch it when you hold your finger at an object to when the event occurs. For example, you touch and hold your finger in the second half of the screen to add widgets, change the background image, ... These are basic steps that one must often use on Android. + Drag and Drop: This relatively same as on your computer when we pull out drop icon screen, arrange icon, ... + strokes: use two (or more) fingers to perform tasks. These include zoom in or zoom out the images will need to replace the strokes. This rarely be used on Android. richly supports Android resolutions and screen sizes, resolutions ranging from VGA up to 1024 x 600. Some equipment owned screen 10 ", but also the only device 2" screen only. 2) Keyboard Keyboard on Android can be roughly divided into two categories: data entry keypad and keyboard functions . On all Android devices use must satisfy two kinds of keyboard. They can be separated or integrated together. + keyboard input: This is a full keyboard that we often known as the QWERTY keyboard (other countries have different keyboard layouts). Keyboard input usually has three components: the letters, the number and the seal. Keyboard input can be the virtual keyboard (because Android is available, by equipment manufacturers design, so we install from the Market, ...) or physical keyboard (QWERTY and full QWERTY shortened, keyboard normal mobile phones, ...)

The virtual keyboard of the Droid X multitouch 


keyboard on the HTC Desire Z physics

+ Keyboard functions: Actually, this is not really a keyboard which is just a bunch of keys with separate functions and we characterize the Android operating system. There are 4 basic keys of this keyboard types: 
- Home key: go back to the main screen when you are running the application. Press and hold the Home key long dialog opens showing the running apps just recently convenient access to you. 
- Key Menu: Open the menu depending on the application. In this menu is usually the function of the application, set the application settings, ... 
- Keyboard Back: Return to previous screen when you are running an application. For example, press the Back key to return to display all the messages, click to return to the previous web page, ... 
- Search key: activate quick search box. This dialog box is available for each app or Android. With this dialog box, you can quickly find your message, website name, the contact's name in the computer, the document name for office applications, the name of a song in the air, ... 
In addition to the above key 4, manufacturers can integrate the other keys 5-way navigation key, roller bearings, optical mouse, ... Power key, volume up key as well as two indispensable keys on Android.

Cluster of Android function keys

[box = 600] Tip : For quick access history (History) of the Browser app (Android's default browser), you press and hold the Back button about 1 second. [/ box]

3) wireless system

default Android better support all wireless connection is now commonly used as WiFi, GSM, CDMA, 3G, Bluetooth and 4G networks (such as the HTC EVO 4G). Depending on the machine that the connection can be changed, such as wireless phones, GSM/3G and Bluetooth, there are devices like the tablet does not have 3G connectivity, ... support the switch to Android between 2G and 3G to save battery power as well as the mode on or off Mobile Network (GPRS/EGDE/3G to use the Internet connection) to avoid loss of freight users. 4) LED signal

This is one of Android's best features when compared to the other mobile operating systems. All Android devices are equipped with a small LED alert function (also known as LED Notification).This LED indicates when the battery almost machine, no messages or missed calls, new emails ... The third-party applications can also use LED lights to alert the user to the content of applications, such as Yahoo! Messenger application is a chat message with your Facebook app alert messages, ... color of light may vary depending on the manufacturer and depending on the application. Normally: Red will notice almost missed calls and battery, green or orange signaling messages. 5) Cameras Camera on Android devices as well as how to use the camera phone.However, the software used to capture images may vary depending on the manufacturer or we have to install any software or photography. Camera on Android devices is common resolution from 3.2 megapixels to 8 megapixels. The particular machine on the 10 megapixel and has appeared on the market. The flash light support is not a mandatory thing.

12 megapixel camera on the Android Leo

Second camera supports video calling is only popular in the recent period with the integration of the camera on the HTC EVO 4G. Earlier, Android does not have a secondary camera equipped. 
Regarding shooting functions, the Android can be a good take on this. Some Android devices such as the Droid X, Droid 2 2/Milestone, HTC Desire, ... can also filmed in 720p HD ready resolution.

[Box = 600] Tip : You can quickly activate the photographic process by pressing the capture button (if your machine is equipped) or bring the camera app home screen for easy access. [/ box]

II. Software

Underneath is the concept I do not know how to translate into Vietnamese most suitable had to write in English. If you have any words to translate, please pm for themselves know. 1) LauncherLauncher Android's own concept. Launcher is a desktop (or screen) of the device. Launcher role as the Desktop on your computer. Launcher will contain the icon of the application that we have brought to the main screen. In addition, Launcher widget and also contains a button to open the App Drawer (will be mentioned later). Launcher is a very important component for the Android.Lacking it, you can not open the app installed, there is no room for widgets and no concept of "desktop". Launcher is where when you press the Home button, the device will switch back to it.launcher can be divided into 3 categories: Google's default Launcher, Launcher by equipment manufacturers and designers of the Launcher independent programmers. + Launcher Google (Android users often called the Stock Launcher) interface is quite simple but works gently, do not spend too much RAM and has all the basic functions of a Launcher. Google Launcher minor changes from version to version of Android on simplified but still glitter inherent definition. + Launcher manufacturer (OEM Launcher) is the Launcher is designed for each line or each machines, typically used on a particular device only. The Launcher this kind can be found in the HTC devices with HTC Sense UI, the Desire factory in China with MIUI interface, Motorola's MotoBlur Launcher, ...

Launcher default HTC Sense UI

+ Launcher by the development programmer also known as Third-Party Launcher. It is possible to install the Launcher from the Market or from the downloaded installation files on the network.Launcher is very diverse kinds, from interface design to feature. There are free Launcher and Launcher also has a fee. Currently, the popular Launcher is LauncherPro, ADW Launcher, aHome, ... You can see more about this in the Launcher here .

 
LauncherPro interface and LiveHomeLauncher

2) App Drawer

App Drawer

App Drawer is also a very important component of Android with the main role is to list all the existing applications in your device. App Drawer is triggered when we click on a button on the Launcher determined (varies according Launcher). App Drawer is a unit launcher attached, so each will have a Launcher App Drawer style of their own. With the default Launcher or Launcher OEM, we can not customize much with App Drawer. With third-party launcher, we can adjust the number of symbols in a line, the Home button, adjust the speed of the App Drawer appearance, adjust video browsing application, ... 3) status bar notification (Notification Bar / Status Bar)status bar notification is subject to the top of the screen where the battery icon, clock, ... The function of the status bar displays the message that the application would like to inform to the user, such as a new message, music is playing, you missed a call, have the Add us on Facebook, Yahoo Messenger just someone to chat with me, ... this information will be displayed at the party left of the status bar, from left to right, in order of time of each event. The right side of the status bar is used for now, remaining battery capacity, wireless network connection, cellular network, Bluetooth, ...

Extensions of the status bar after pulling down

In particular, the Android status bar can be pulled down to display additional information about event notification and the information network users. When you want to open the application is notified of events, users simply click on the corresponding message. Some Launcher also integrates a number of buttons on the extension of such status bar button toggle wifi, bluetooth, restart button.

Expand the area of ​​the status bar toggle buttons integrated Wifi, Bluetooth, ...

4) Widget

widget concept that is a small device, attached to a particular instrument. On Android, you can understand the widget is a small application mounted on the main screen of the launcher. These small applications have the ability to link and display information from other applications or perform major functions of its own, regardless of the application. Widget is currently only available on mobile devices in recent years. Thanks to the touch screen, the add / delete, move, sort and use widget has become easier. Widget for Android is very diverse, including widgets and widget available we install. The widget is available is often accompanied by the Launcher widget. Google Android itself is also available equipped with some useful widgets (see more information of this widget below). HTC's Sense UI interface or MIUI beautiful widgets and also help many users to use the machine.

Presentation Widget on the home screen of Android. The arrangement also represents the user identity.

To install a widget, we can search the Market or the installation files are shared over the Internet.Installing the widget set is also conducted as a normal application. Some widgets have fees attached to or Launcher.

[Box = 400] The default widget Android 2.1 and 2.2 (available on all machines)
+ Analog Clock: analog clock
+ Calendar: the calendar and upcoming events
+ Email: browse the new mail
+ Google Search / Search: quick Google search or find information in the machine
+ Home screen tips (Android 2.2) is the basic tricks for beginners
+ Latitude: current location in Google Latitude service
+ Music: the player controls
+ Market : the new software in the Market
+ News and Weather: Current news and weather information
+ Picture Frame picture frames on the main screen
+ Power Control: widget allows quick shut off Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS, mode Sync auto, auto adjust screen brightness [/ box]

But is it useful widget but still have its limitations. First, the widget is an application, that application is consuming RAM to run. Therefore, the more widgets you add to the main screen, you have little more than the amount of RAM. Some widgets require an Internet connection to update data (such as Facebook or widget widget News & Weather) will cause you to lose charge. Newcomers often use Android or questions why your account was quickly diminished but did not know why, this is one of the causes. Too many widgets also make the interface of the machine is not bad if you cleverly arranged. The Force Close errors will occasionally occur because RAM is overloaded.

[Box = 600] Tip : To place a new widget on the screen, you have to do the following:
+ At the main screen, press the menu button, select Add> Widgets> Name desired widget
+ Click on keeping the space on the main screen, in the dialog box that appears, select Widgets> widget desired name [/ box]

5) Lock Screen
Lock Screen is part of the Android system. Lock Screen is where you need to drag the slider (or similar action) to unlock and start using the machine. At Lock Screen, information about the date, time, alarm, ... will be displayed. A number of manufacturers Lock Screen design can also display messages or missed calls, playing music control keys, ...

Default Lock Screen Android 2.2 Lock Screen style puzzle piece to unlock the MIUI interface

Lock Screen has two main objects that we can use, that is the two slider "Unlock" and "Sound Off / On". Unlock function of sliding bar too simple to understand, it is to unlock the machine. Some Lock Screen without sliding to unlock the puzzle using the symbol (Samsung, MIUI), slide down (HTC Sense UI), ... slider Sound Off On / On, it will turn your device into mode silent or normal mode. For devices using Android 2.1, this slider will put the machine in Silent mode, completely silent, no vibration and no ringtones. According to some users this is rather inconvenient. Up to Android 2.2, slider bar Sound Off / On will return the computer to Vibrate mode, ie will shake if the user has set the ringtone and no. This is very commendable improvements of Android 2.2 Some manufacturers will let you slide for quick access to a specific feature, such as email, SMS, phone, ...

[Box = 600] Tip : To change the Lock Screen interface, you can use software LockBotPro. This software has been shared on forums Refiner. [/ Box]

6) Application and Market
One of the factors that made ​​the success of Android is the application most useful and free to be developed for this operating system. Android Applications can be written in Java, Objective-C and some other languages ​​in the SDK (Software Development Kit) was released Google. 's Android applications have access to the system than the operating system used on its rivals - iOS. In addition to the calling application (Phone), Messaging (Messaging), Browser (Browser) is Google integrated, users can download the app from the Market functionally equivalent. These applications are mostly free and sometimes they have the look and performance even better than apps available. Many software developers such as Adobe, Microsoft also write software for Android, such as Photoshop Express, Microsoft Bing, ...

Photoshop Express for Android

Market is "market" app for Android. The programmer after I finished writing my program, through a series of stages registration, censorship, their applications will come to people through distribution channels Market. On the Market are two types of applications, such as fees and free. The application is distributed free to all nations, while the application fee appears only in a certain region of the world. Number of applications available on Android very large and growing. However, due to Google's censorship process is not so strict an application of "junk", or deceptive applications apps "virus" (to create a message to the user and amortization charges, ...) still appear pretty much on the Market, not to mention the bad internet software, adult content and full attendance. This is less significant than the App Store's Market. Therefore, before you install the software, the user should check that the feature extraction application on the phone (such as SMS, Network, File, ...). If that function is not consistent with the introduction of the software (such as: Applications which should see the message extraction and calls) is 90% which is the second standalone application.

Market app's interface is a list of top software

One of the highlights from the Android mobile operating system is the ability to support Flash. Flash version 10.1 full version Adobe has been designed for Android, so users of Android version 2.2 and above will have the experience of Flash as on the computer. However, the use of Flash to make costly battery pretty fast, the machine becomes hot and slow than normal. This can be found on the Android 2.2 device is low profile (segment devices at cheaper prices). On older versions of Android, users can use Flash Lite to browse the web, but they are not really good and not the device is also equipped with Flash Lite.

Experience Android 2.2 with full Flash and Full Adobe Flash 10.1

Above is the information that I have accumulated over time using Android. Everyone can contribute their knowledge of Android within this topic. If it is a new and useful information, I will update the main post. Happy new Android user who will be using this article as a tool to access your Android becomes easier.