Android: getting started with the device. What is Android and why is it needed? How to understand applications in Android

Let's say that you are lucky and Santa Claus placed a newfangled gadget under the tree. Smartphones, e-readers and tablets have become very popular lately. The Vestey.Hitek guide will help novice owners of smart devices to unlock the potential of such a gift.

What is this? Android is the program with which you control your device. Its history began in 2005, when Google bought the development company of the same name and began developing the platform. In September 2008, the first stable version of Android was released - 1.0 (codenamed Apple Pie). Over the next four years, 14 “editions” of the OS were released. The release of the latest version to date - 4.1/4.2 (Jelly Bean) - took place in June 2012.

Backed by the world's largest search engine, Android has quickly become the most popular mobile OS in the world. Its success was largely due to the open source code and Google's policy of allowing manufacturers to install Android on their products for free. "Robot" is preferred by such large companies as HTC, Samsung, Sony and Motorola.

— If you urgently need to top up your phone or Internet balance, pay for housing and communal services, buy a ticket, or simply transfer money. Dozens of applications from major payment systems and banks are at your service. On Google Play, for example, there is Yandex.Money, Webmoney, QIWI, Alfa-Bank, Russian Standard, TKS Bank or Home Credit Bank.

— They will help you find your way around the area or build a route for a trip by car

Smartphones combine so many functions that they have become like a Swiss army knife and have surpassed all other types of phones. As a result, they have become complex devices that require a thorough understanding of their operating principles to operate them effectively. In addition to calls and messages, smartphones are equipped with a large number of functions with individual settings.

Steps

Part 1

Unpack the device. Inspect the device and find the main control elements. These include power and volume buttons, as well as a charger connector and audio output. For easy navigation, you can use the function keys, which include a home-shaped home button, an arrow-shaped back button, and a recent apps button that lets you see a list of all running programs. On some models, such buttons become visible after turning on the smartphone. The device may be low out of the box, so use the charger to turn on the phone.

Insert SIM card. It is necessary to connect to the operator's network. The exact location of the SIM card slot depends on the device manufacturer. The connector can be located under the battery, just under the cover or behind a special plug. Use the instructions to find where to install the SIM card.

Insert the SD card. A removable SD memory card allows you to expand your storage capacity. It is not necessary to use such a card, but sometimes without it it is impossible to install new applications and save multimedia files if the internal memory is already occupied. The SD card slot can be located under the cover and supports SD, mini-SD and micro-SD formats, which differ in physical size. For information about supported memory cards, see the user manual.

• Some devices do not allow you to expand the internal memory and do not support SD cards.

1. Turn on your smartphone and perform the initial setup. Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds to turn on the phone. The initial boot of the device will also take a few seconds. The initial setup menu will then open. Follow the on-screen prompts and complete the setup.

   Choose language. This option allows you to change the default menu language and language settings for some applications. The language can always be changed in the phone settings.

   Select a Wi-Fi network. If your tariff includes mobile Internet, then your smartphone can be immediately connected to the network. You can also connect your smartphone to a local Wi-Fi network for faster network connection speeds or save mobile data. Browse the list of available wireless networks and select the appropriate access point.

   • To connect to a secure network, you must enter a password. Tap the text input field to bring up the on-screen keyboard, and then enter your password.

2. Create or sign in to your Google account. Android is developed by Google, so you need to create a free account to use Google Play, Gmail, YouTube and many others. Follow the onscreen prompts to create a Google Account or sign in to an existing account that will be linked to your smartphone.

3. Set the date and time. You can choose to set the time online or set the current time manually.

   • When setting up manually, you also need to select the date, time zone and time format.

4. Use the settings program to change the configuration of your smartphone. This application allows you to change almost any phone settings, including settings for installed programs, notifications, sounds, languages ​​and much more. On the Home screen, tap the shortcut that looks like a grid to open all apps. Flip the screen sideways or from top to bottom to view all installed programs. Find and open the Settings app.

   • Select Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Data to change settings, create a new connection, or enable or disable a feature. Wi-Fi connections are used first if there is an available wireless network nearby.
   • Select a ringtone from Sound>Ringtone. You can also separately adjust the volume of the ringtone and multimedia in the Sound>Volume tab.

5. Ensure safety. Activate the lock screen on your smartphone. It will come in handy if your phone is lost or stolen and will prevent others from using the device. In “Settings” go to “Security” and select to lock the screen using one of the available methods - password, PIN code or pattern. Complete the settings according to the on-screen prompts.

   • Be sure to remember the digital combination and pattern key so as not to lose access to your smartphone. Otherwise, you will have to perform a factory reset, which will result in the loss of all data.
   • After completing the settings, you need to enter the selected code to unlock your phone. Press the Power button to turn off the screen and lock your device. Press the Power button again to turn on the screen. Follow the prompts and unlock your smartphone. You will need to enter a password or pattern.

Part 2

1. Make a call. Open the Phone app to call someone else. This application is usually found in the favorite programs row at the bottom of the screen or in the all programs menu. After launching the application, the numeric keypad will open. Click the icon if the keyboard is not visible. Enter the contact's phone number and click “Call”. Additional features will be available during the call.

   • When you hold the smartphone to your ear, the backlight will go off and the touch screen will be locked. Move your phone away from your ear to take advantage of additional features during a call.
   • Tap the microphone icon to mute the microphone so the other person can't hear you. Tap the icon again to continue the conversation.
   • Tap the speaker icon to turn speakerphone on or off. Adjust the call volume using the adjustment buttons on the side of the device.
   • Tap the keyboard icon, which looks like a square grid, to bring up the numeric keypad. During a call, you may need to use the keyboard to enter information.
   • Click the “End Call” button to end the call.

2. Save and edit contacts. The smartphone allows you to save personal contact information in the phone book. Open the Contacts app to see your list of contacts. The smartphone can use the SIM card or Google account contact information to populate the phone book.

   • To add a contact, click the “Add” icon at the top of the screen. Choose a location to save contact information - phone memory or Google account. You can enter the person's name, phone number, email address, and other information. After entering all the information, click “Save” to create a new contact on your device.
   • Scroll up and down the list to view all available contacts. Tap a name in the list to view contact information, make a call, send a message, send an email, or edit information.
   • Tap and hold a contact's name to bring up a context menu that allows you to make a call, edit contact details, send a message, or block calls from the contact.
   • Tap the magnifying glass icon to search by contact name.

3. Send a text message. Open the Messages application, which is usually found in the favorites bar or in the all programs menu, to use the short text message (SMS) service. The program also stores all outgoing and incoming messages, which are shown as dialogs. Messages are sent via phone number.

   • A message can be sent to a contact from a book or by phone number. Click “Write” to enter the text of the message. In the “Recipient” field, enter the recipient’s name from the phone book or enter a phone number. If the number is in the phone's memory, suitable options will appear on the screen. To select, click on the name or phone number.
   • The text of the message should be entered in a special window. Touch the field to bring up the on-screen keyboard. Then enter the text of the message and click "Send".
   • The paperclip icon allows you to attach attachments. Various files can be attached to the text of the message. Follow the prompts to add the file and then click Submit.

Part 3

1. Add a desktop. The system allows you to add desktops to place applications on them for quick access. Slide two fingers from the borders to the center of the screen or hold the Home button to see all desktops. Click "Add" to add a new desktop. Touch and hold the selected desktop with your finger, then drag over the “Delete” icon and release to delete one of the desktops.

   • Among all desktops there is always a main screen. It will open when you press the Home button on any desktop or program.
   • Long-press the selected desktop, then drag forward or backward to change the order of desktops.

2. Add apps to your home screen. Tap the grid icon to view all installed apps. Scroll the screens sideways or from top to bottom. Tap and hold a program icon to create a shortcut on your desktop. Release your finger at the selected location on the desktop to place the shortcut.

   • It is not necessary to create a shortcut on the desktop to launch applications. Click on the icon of the selected program.
   • You can also add a shortcut to your favorites bar at the bottom of the screen. This string does not change when switching between desktops and is displayed on the lock screen.

3. Place items on your desktop. The desktop can be customized to your taste. App shortcuts and other elements can be arranged in a grid according to your preferences for quick and easy access. Press and hold the shortcut for a couple of seconds to move it to any free spot, and then release your finger.

   • Drag an icon to the left or right edge of the screen to move it to another table.
   • Some devices allow you to drag icons on top of each other and create folders. Just click on a folder to see the contents. Long press the folder icon to bring up the keyboard and enter any name. Enter text and press the enter button to rename the folder.
   • Press and hold the selected shortcut with your finger, then drag over the “Delete” icon and release to remove the shortcut from the desktop.

4. Place widgets on your desktop. A widget is an application window that runs directly on the desktop. Get instant access to unique phone features. Use the calculator, view social media updates in real time, or work with the built-in music player. You can view the list of available widgets in one of the following ways. Press and hold your finger on an empty space on the desktop, or open the list of all programs and find the section with widgets. When adding to your desktop, consider the size of the widget, as it is laid out in a grid similar to app shortcuts. Touch and hold the selected widget to move it to your desktop, then select a suitable location. Release to place the widget on your home screen.

   • If there is not enough space on your desktop for a widget, add a new desktop or move adjacent widget shortcuts to free up space.
   • Widgets on desktops contribute to accelerated battery drain. Limit yourself to only the most necessary widgets.

Android is an open source system. And this inevitably entails the creation of many alternative versions. Almost every manufacturer has its own Android - with its own functions and features, design, icons and applications.

When buying a new smartphone, you will have to get used to its operating system. Of course, you can try to install custom firmware to adapt the gadget to your needs. But this activity is not for everyone. So it’s better to figure out which Android-based OS you’ll like best before purchasing another device. Let's figure out what Android versions are and how they differ.

This is Android as it should be. Its shell fully complies with the Material Design style and looks neat and minimalistic. A small number of graphical bells and whistles and pre-installed applications guarantee performance and stability.

Smartphones with pure Android will appeal to those who love order. You don't have to clear your device of applications carefully installed by vendors.

A distinctive feature of Samsung Experience is a bunch of native services from Samsung. For example, the Galaxy Apps application store, the Samsung Health fitness tracker and the Samsung Pay payment service.

Advantages: a lot of functions. Good shell customizability. Useful notification panel, Smart Stay, many different gestures.

Flaws: Samsung's services largely duplicate Google's capabilities and will only be useful to a limited number of users. The native design of Samsung Experience is not for everybody. There are many pre-installed applications that cannot be removed without .

MIUI

OxygenOS has a built-in App Locker that can protect sensitive data in the apps you choose using a password or fingerprint. The OxygenOS launcher allows you to fine-tune the appearance and size of icons on your home screen and app drawer.

Advantages: live updates. There are no proprietary services imposed by the company - instead, native Google services. The Material Design interface is ascetic, but beautiful, and all applications - both built-in and installed by the user - look like native ones in it. A large number of gestures.

Flaws: Some third party app widgets in OxygenOS behave strangely.

The HTC proprietary shell has good customizability. There's a Themes app that can change the style of your home screen almost beyond recognition. And also a personal assistant, Sense Companion, which can remind you of calendar events, notify you, serve as a fitness tracker, and help optimize your phone's performance. True, this thing is only available in the HTC U series, and its learning capabilities, declared by the manufacturer, turn out to be somewhat overestimated in practice.

Another interesting feature of HTC Sense is the “smartphone compression” function, which appeared in the company’s new flagship HTC U11. Squeeze your phone and HTC Sense performs the action you specify. For example, it will launch a previously selected application. Otherwise, the HTC shell is very similar to native Android.

Advantages: A fun smartphone compression feature. Freestyle mode allows you to flexibly customize the appearance of your home screen.

Flaws: The built-in Sense Companion and Blinkfeed apps aren't particularly useful. Native icons are not for everyone.

Flyme

Flyme for Meizu devices has its own cute design. Beautiful animations and round icons add originality to the system, although the influence of MIUI makes itself felt. Firmware features include special modes for guests and children, a proprietary application and theme store, as well as a built-in cleaner and optimizer. The system supports fine-tuning the power and performance of devices with Flyme.

Advantages: the design looks unusual and fresh. Not even the company's newest smartphones receive updates. Flyme can also be installed on non-Meizu smartphones. True, as always, this will require dancing with a tambourine.

Flaws: some built-in applications look clumsy, and the native Flyme store is not needed at all - there is Google Play.

Getting to know a new mobile device is a very interesting process, especially if this is your first smartphone or tablet. First, make sure you are familiar with interface your device and know how to perform main goals, including screen, built-in applications, etc. Then you can move on to some other basic tasks such as connecting to the Internet using Wi-Fi.

The first time you turn on the device, you will be asked to set up several features, such as your preferred language, date and time, and (most importantly) your Google account. If you don't have a Google account, you can create one during the installation process.

Why is a Google Account so important? because your Google account is "your identity on your device". Not only does it connect you to the Cloud, where your photos and contacts are stored, but it also gives you access to Play Store, where you can download and purchase various applications.

It also gives access to other Google services such as Gmail, Chrome, Google Drive and YouTube. For more details, check out our tutorials.

Getting to know your device

After setting up your phone for the first time, you will see a simple screen with several icons, buttons, and other various functions. This is one of the most important parts of your device, this is the home screen - where the icons of all your favorite applications will be displayed.

As we already said, every Android device is unique. (We talked about this in the previous lesson). This means that your device and some tasks may also perform slightly differently depending on your phone or tablet. Fortunately, you can learn a lot by comparing your device with ours (LG Nexus 5 from which we take screenshots and show in our lessons).

The image below highlights the interface, home screen and other features. You can read the description of these elements below the image.

1. Notifications

Notifications are notification signals that let you know about activities, offers, changes, updates, etc.

To view notifications, swipe down from the top of the screen. From there, you can see more detailed information about each notification.

2. Status bar

The area in the upper right corner displays current information about your device (signal strength, Wi-Fi status, battery life, and time). In our example, there is an icon indicating that the phone is in vibration mode.

3. Google Now

Many new devices come with a tool called Google Now. It gives easy access to some of its features.

4. Widgets

This is an example of a widget that can be added to your device. Basically, widgets are like mini versions of your apps: they're bundled with specific features so you can access them directly from your home screen.

For example, the widget in the image allows you to control important settings such as Wi-Fi and screen brightness. You may have different widgets on your device, or you may not have any at all, depending on the make and model of your device.

5. Applications

The icons you see on the home screen are application shortcuts. To open an application, all you need to do is click on the desired application and it will open.

You can add and change app locations as you wish.

6. Home screen

This display area is the main screen. It stores shortcuts to all your apps so you can access them with just one tap.

If desired or necessary, you can always create multiple home screens to organize and group applications. To move between screens, swipe left or right on the screen.

7. Favorites

The panel at the bottom of the screen is called Favorites. There are shortcuts to the most commonly used apps, such as the default camera or web browser, but you can always customize it to your liking.

Every Android device has a set of navigation buttons. They are usually part of the software, but they can also be part of the hardware (ie, built into the device's memory).

The two most important buttons are: Home- returns to the main screen and Back. On new devices there is a button Recent Applications. This feature allows you to navigate between open applications, just like the example below.

Basic Applications

We will discuss the main applications in detail over the next few lessons. Now just look on your device Basic built-in applications. Their names may vary slightly depending on the phone or tablet, but their icons should give you some idea of ​​the app.

• App with icon Telephone designed for making calls.
• Messages for text messaging, or Hangouts for text messaging via Google plus chat.
• Email to manage your email or Gmail if you have a Gmail account.
• Contacts for creating and storing people's contacts.
• Chrome to view web pages (can also be called Internet or Browser).
• Camera for taking photos and videos.
• Play Store or Play Store to download applications.
• Settings to configure settings.

Some of these apps may already be installed on your home screen. If not, you can view all your applications by clicking on the view applications button at the bottom main screen.

Basic Gestures

These are the gestures you'll use to interact with your device's touchscreen. This is similar to how you click something on a monitor screen with a mouse. And on the device, you simply touch the screen with your finger.

• Click(tap) to launch an application or select an option.
• Click(touch) and hold to access other options (it's like right-clicking)
• Drag to scroll up and down, left and right, or any other direction on the screen
• Swipe left or right to “flip” through pages on the Home screen, photos, or pages in an e-book
• Double click to zoom in or out in certain apps, such as Maps or Chrome.
• Press and hold on empty space to zoom in or out almost anywhere.

Access to the Internet

The device can connect to the Internet almost anywhere, be it mobile data (3G/4G or LTE) or nearby Wi-Fi. So what is their difference? Most cellular plans will only give you a certain number of megabytes per month, but with Wi-Fi, you can use the Internet unlimitedly.

To connect to Wi-Fi (optional):

Whether you are in an area of ​​a Wi-Fi network (such as at home or at work), you can easily connect to it using the steps below. You only need to connect to the Wi-Fi network once. The next time you are in this area, you will be connected to the network automatically if you turn on the Wi-Fi function on your device.

If the network you are connecting to is not password protected, then you can access it without a password.

You've probably already used the virtual keyboard on your device. It automatically opens when you write a letter, search for information on the Internet, or fill out a form.

This keyboard is smaller than a traditional keyboard but has very convenient shortcuts for quickly typing like symbols, numbers and capital letters. To access keyboard features, you just have to know where to look for them.

The image below highlights the keyboard elements. You can read the description of these elements below the image.

1. Cursor

The cursor points to where the text will appear.

2. Offers

Some keyboards have their own suggestions or corrections for spelling errors as you type. To choose one of the options, simply click on the one you need.

This convenient feature allows you to enter text without using the keyboard. Just tap the microphone (either on your keyboard or in the text field) and you can dictate what you want to type.

4. Basic keys

The main part of the keyboard includes the letter keys, space keys, and sometimes some basic punctuation. Use these buttons to type text.

5. Shift key

Press the Shift key to turn on capital letters. On most devices, double-clicking turns on Caps Lock.

6. Removal

Press the X key to delete the previous character. To delete entire words or phrases, press and hold the key.

7. Numbers and special characters

Click to access numbers and special characters.

If you do not find the symbol you are looking for, click on = \ < . This will open up even more alternate symbols.