Given that Android’s global market share is now at 85% -- a truly astounding number -- and Google’s open-source mobile OS recently eclipsed Apple’s iOS for total web traffic generated, it’s safe to say that more people are coming to Android devices every day.
For many of these newcomers -- and you may be one of them -- Android can be a slightly mystifying and even intimidating mobile OS. There’s a good reason: Unlike the iPhone and iPad, which will deliver a consistent experience to all owners, Android devices vary wildly in terms of what they offer users out of the box.
That’s because Google licenses Android to manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, and HTC, which are free to tinker with the code and add their own software and user interfaces. So someone who owns a Nexus 5 running a pure version of KitKat might initially have some trouble operating a Samsung Galaxy S3 running Jelly Bean.
Google I/O: The two most important things from Google's big developer conference
Even beyond that, forked versions of Android -- which allow manufacturers even greater latitude in replacing Google services on Android devices -- are at 20% of the global market and rising. And while Android’s new, unifying Material Design initiative should help, for the moment we’re talking about a whole bunch of fragmentation.
Fortunately, there are a number of functions and features common to all Android mobile devices. Unfortunately, they too often are ignored or overlooked by new owners who are busy agonizing over whether to use animated wallpaper.
Here are a half-dozen mistakes Android owners should avoid:
Not using Google Now
If I had to give one piece of advice to an Android user, it would be to use Google Now. It sounds like marketing language, but it’s true: Google’s voice-activated search service truly does transform your smartphone into a valuable personal assistant -- but only if you use it. (If you don’t, why don’t you just run out and get a Palm Treo?)
I’ve written a lot about Google Now (here’s a link with a bunch of articles). The bottom line is that Google Now allows you to launch voice-activated searches of not just the Internet, but information stored in other apps on the device, such as Contacts.
Google Now also will remind you of important events like deadlines or meetings, open apps, get driving directions, and even remember where you parked. But only if you use it.
Your Android phone must run Jelly Bean or KitKat to use Google Now, and only devices running KitKat can use the newest feature, which allows users to access Google Now from any screen.
Here’s a rundown of what Google Now can offer and how to get started.
Not using Chrome
Google has been slowly integrating Android with its Chrome browser and OS. If you use Chrome on your desktop, using Chrome on your Android device will allow you to automatically sync files and features connected to your Google account, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Search, Google Play, YouTube and Google+.
Even if you only use one or two of those services, it’ll be extremely convenient over time. However, you need to be signed into Chrome on any device that you want to sync.
Downloading third-party apps from weird places
The vast majority of mobile malware is targeted toward Android apps. That’s both because Android is so popular -- attackers love a large attack surface -- and because Apple exercises much tighter control over the kinds of iOS apps it allows in the App Store (and it's impossible to download apps in other ways unless you jailbreak your iOS device).
Still, nearly all of the Android malware hassle can be avoided by sticking to Google Play for your mobile downloads.
Not that Google Play is infallible, as the recent embarrassment with the “Bomb Gaza” app that snuck its way onto the online Android store illustrates. But Google Play is much better policed than it used to be, and it’s not like you aren’t going to find what you want or need there. Show your maverickness in other ways.
Adding more crapware
If you have a carrier version of Android, your device already has extra software in the form of apps loaded on by the manufacturer and carrier. This bloatware consumes battery power and impacts performance.
So while it’s always tempting to add even more apps to your device, don’t let them build up over time. Not only will the drain your battery, many will invoke excessive permissions that you rubber-stamped prior to download. If you don’t use an app, uninstall it. If it turns out you miss it (you won’t), reinstall it.
Ignoring security basics
Sure, Androids may not be as hip or in-demand as the latest iPhone, but they still get lost or stolen.
The first thing you should do to secure their devices is to go into Settings/Security and create a screen lock password.
The next thing you should do in the Security settings is tap “Device administrators” and then check “Android Device Manager.” Activating this service will allow you to locate and lock your missing device or even wipe all data on the phone from your desktop PC or another device. Just sign into your Google account and then do a search on “Android device manager” and it should find your lost device.
There are plenty of other things you can do to make your Android phone more secure and easier to use, but just taking the steps above will go a long way toward making your Android experience more enjoyable and productive.
0 comments:
Post a Comment