My Android Phone
Published on 16. July 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
480 pages
978-0-7897-5479-0 (ISBN)
Description
If you own or are considering a new Android smartphone, My Android Phone is your must-have companion.
Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping your Android 5 (Lollipop) phone working just the way you want. Learn how to:
* Master Android 5's new tools, improved interface, and best shortcuts
* Quickly set up your phone, Google account, and Wi-Fi connection
* Play and organize all your media: music, photos, YouTube videos, movie rentals, eBooks, and more
* Efficiently manage your life: contacts, events, and more
* Connect securely via VPNs
* Link to nearby Android devices via Wi-Fi Direct
* Use one app to manage all your email accounts, not just Gmail
* Discover today's fastest Chrome web browser shortcuts
* Bookmark and share the sites you visit
* Browse the web "incognito," without leaving evidence on your phone
* Use Google Maps and Google Now to find any destination
* Discover great new apps and games in the Google Play Store--even great freebies
* Create amazing images with Panorama and Photo Spheres
* Customize everything from ringtones to wallpaper and widgets
* Use Google Wallet to pay for items and send or receive money
* Optimize battery life and uncover apps that are draining power
* Control data usage to avoid costly overages
* Use your phone with a new Android Wear smartwatch
Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping your Android 5 (Lollipop) phone working just the way you want. Learn how to:
* Master Android 5's new tools, improved interface, and best shortcuts
* Quickly set up your phone, Google account, and Wi-Fi connection
* Play and organize all your media: music, photos, YouTube videos, movie rentals, eBooks, and more
* Efficiently manage your life: contacts, events, and more
* Connect securely via VPNs
* Link to nearby Android devices via Wi-Fi Direct
* Use one app to manage all your email accounts, not just Gmail
* Discover today's fastest Chrome web browser shortcuts
* Bookmark and share the sites you visit
* Browse the web "incognito," without leaving evidence on your phone
* Use Google Maps and Google Now to find any destination
* Discover great new apps and games in the Google Play Store--even great freebies
* Create amazing images with Panorama and Photo Spheres
* Customize everything from ringtones to wallpaper and widgets
* Use Google Wallet to pay for items and send or receive money
* Optimize battery life and uncover apps that are draining power
* Control data usage to avoid costly overages
* Use your phone with a new Android Wear smartwatch
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Craig James Johnston has been involved with technology since his high school days at Glenwood High in Durban, South Africa, when his school was given some Apple ][ Europluses. From that moment, technology captivated him, and he has owned, supported, evangelized, and written about it.
Craig has been involved in designing and supporting large-scale enterprise networks with integrated email and directory services since 1989. He has held many different IT-related positions in his career ranging from sales support engineer to mobile architect for a 40,000-smartphone infrastructure at a large bank.
You can see Craig's previously published work in his books Professional BlackBerry, and many books in the My series, covering devices from Apple, BlackBerry, HTC, Google, Motorola, and Samsung.
Craig also enjoys high-horsepower, high-speed vehicles and tries very hard to keep to the speed limit while driving them. Originally from Durban, South Africa, Craig has lived in the United Kingdom, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New Jersey, where he now lives with his wife, Karen, and a couple of cats.
Craig would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact Craig about your experiences with My Android Phone at http://www.CraigsBooks.info.
Craig has been involved in designing and supporting large-scale enterprise networks with integrated email and directory services since 1989. He has held many different IT-related positions in his career ranging from sales support engineer to mobile architect for a 40,000-smartphone infrastructure at a large bank.
You can see Craig's previously published work in his books Professional BlackBerry, and many books in the My series, covering devices from Apple, BlackBerry, HTC, Google, Motorola, and Samsung.
Craig also enjoys high-horsepower, high-speed vehicles and tries very hard to keep to the speed limit while driving them. Originally from Durban, South Africa, Craig has lived in the United Kingdom, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New Jersey, where he now lives with his wife, Karen, and a couple of cats.
Craig would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact Craig about your experiences with My Android Phone at http://www.CraigsBooks.info.
Content
Prologue Getting to Know Your Android Phone 3
Your Android Phone's External Features 3
Front 4
Back 6
First-Time Setup 8
Fundamentals of Android 5.0 (Lollipop) 12
The Lock Screen 12
The Home Screen 16
The System Bar 20
Using Your Touchscreen 21
Using Your Keyboard 22
Edit Text 29
Menus 30
Switch Between Apps 31
Run Multiple Apps on the Screen at the Same Time (Samsung Only) 32
Setting Up Multiple Users on Your Phone 38
Add a New Phone User 39
Add a Phone Guest User 40
Installing Synchronization Software 43
Install Android File Transfer (Apple Mac OS X) 43
Install Google Music Manager (Apple Mac) 44
Install Google Music Manager (Windows) 45
Configure Music Manager (Windows and Apple Mac) 46
Freeing Up Memory 50
Move Apps 50
Chapter 1 Phone, SMS, and MMS 53
Using the Phone App 53
Make a Call 54
Receive a Call 62
Handle a Missed Call 65
Make a Conference Call 66
Configure the Phone App 68
Using SMS and MMS 71
Get to Know the Messenger App 72
Manage Settings for the Messenger App 73
Compose a Message 75
Attach a File to a Message 77
Receive a Message 79
Chapter 2 Contacts 83
Adding Accounts 83
Add a Work Email Account 85
Navigating Contacts 90
Navigate Contacts 90
Adding and Managing Contacts 91
Add Contacts from an Email 92
Add a Contact Manually 93
Add a Contact from a vCard 94
Edit a Contact 96
Add a Contact Photo 97
Customize Contacts Settings 99
Manage Contact Groups 100
Choose Contacts to Display 101
Join and Separate Contacts 103
Adding a Contact to Your Home Screen 105
Chapter 3 Audio, Video, and Movies 109
Using Google Play Music 109
Find Music 110
Purchase Music 111
Add Your Existing Music to Google Play Music 112
Use the Google Play Music App 115
Work with Instant Mixes 121
Control Playback 123
Work and Listen to Music 125
Listen to Music with No Wireless Coverage 126
Change Google Play Music Settings 127
Recording Videos with the Camera Application 131
Record Video 131
Change Video Settings 133
Play Videos 134
Share Videos 137
Delete Videos 139
Change Photos App Settings 140
Managing Movies and TV Shows 143
Buy and Rent Movies 143
Buy TV Shows 146
Use the Play Movies & TV App 148
Copy Videos from Your Computer 151
Watching Videos with YouTube 154
Navigate the YouTube Main Screen 155
Navigate the YouTube App 156
Play a Video 158
Upload a Video 159
Change YouTube Settings 162
Chapter 4 Connecting to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and VPNs 167
Connecting to Bluetooth Devices 167
Pair with a New Bluetooth Device 168
Manage Extra Bluetooth Options 170
Change Bluetooth Device Options 171
Working with Wi-Fi 172
Connect to Wi-Fi 172
Adjust Wi-Fi Network Options 175
Set Advanced Wi-Fi Options 176
Managing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) 178
Add a VPN 179
Connect to a VPN 181
Managing Near Field Communications (NFCs) 184
Enable NFC and Android Beam 185
Use Android Beam to Send Links to Content 187
Use Android Beam to Send Real Files 188
Managing Cellular Network Settings 189
Change Mobile Settings 189
Using Your Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot 191
Set Up and Start Your Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot 191
Chapter 5 Email 195
Adding Accounts to Gmail 196
Start Setting Up Accounts 196
Add a Google Account 197
Add a New POP3 or IMAP Account 198
Add a Work Email Account 202
Using the Gmail App 205
Navigate the Gmail App 206
Compose an Email 208
Read an Email 211
Customize Gmail App Settings 215
Chapter 6 Browsing the Web with Chrome 225
Navigating with Chrome 225
Get Started with Chrome 226
Use Web Page and Chrome Options 228
Master Chrome Browser Tricks 230
Managing Bookmarks and History 233
Manage Bookmarks 233
Manage Browsing History 235
Customizing Browser Settings 236
Chapter 7 Google Now and Navigation 245
Using Google Now 245
Use Google Now 247
Set Up Google Now 248
Navigating with Google Maps 252
Get Directions 254
Configure Google Maps Settings 256
Use Offline Google Maps 258
Chapter 8 Working with Date, Time, and Calendar 261
Setting the Date and Time 261
Using the Clock App 263
Navigate the Clock App 263
Manage Alarms 264
Adjust Clock Settings 266
Using the Calendar App 268
Get to Know the Calendar Main Screen 268
Adjust Calendar Settings 270
Use Quick Responses 273
Add a New Event 274
Respond to an Event Invitation 277
Chapter 9 Working with Android Apps 281
Configuring Google Wallet 281
Finding and Installing Apps 282
Navigate Google Play 282
Install Free Apps 284
Buy Apps 286
Manage Apps 287
Adjust Google Play Store Settings 289
Chapter 10 Customizing Your Android Phone 295
Changing Your Wallpaper 295
Select Wallpaper from Pictures in the Photos App 296
Use Live Wallpaper 297
Choose Wallpaper 299
Changing Your Keyboard 300
Choose a New Keyboard 300
Adding Widgets to Your Home Screens 303
Add a Widget 303
Remove and Move a Widget 305
Customizing Language 306
Choose a Different Language 306
Adjusting Accessibility Settings 307
Manage Accessibility Settings 307
Modifying Sound and Notification Settings 310
Modify Sound and Notification Settings 310
Changing Display Settings 313
Changing Security Settings 315
Chapter 11 Google Wallet 323
Setting Up Google Wallet 324
Adding Methods of Payment 324
Add a Credit Card or Checking Account 325
Using Loyalty and Gift Cards 326
Add an Existing Gift Card 326
Add an Existing Loyalty Card 328
Using Google Wallet 331
Changing Google Wallet Settings 331
Sending and Receiving Money 333
Send Money 333
Request Money 334
Chapter 12 Books and Magazines 337
Purchasing Books 337
Navigate the Play Books App 338
Buy Books 339
Reading Books 340
Purchasing Magazines and Newspapers 345
Purchase or Subscribe to Publications 346
Read a Publication 348
Chapter 13 Maintaining Your Android Phone and Solving Problems 351
Updating Android 351
Optimizing Battery Life 353
Look After the Battery 353
Determine What Is Using the Battery 354
Controlling Apps and Memory 355
Checking and Controlling Data Usage 358
Set a Data Usage Warning 360
Set a Data Usage Limit 361
Caring for the Android Phone's Exterior 362
Getting Help with Your Android Phone 362
Chapter 14 Taking and Managing Pictures 365
Using the Camera 365
Adjust Camera Settings 368
Take Regular Pictures 371
Take Panoramic Pictures 372
Take Photo Sphere (360 Panoramic) Pictures 375
Take Lens Blur Pictures 377
Viewing and Managing Your Photos 383
Navigate Photos 383
Delete Photo Albums 385
Review and Share Pictures 386
Edit Pictures 387
Modify Photos App Settings 402
Managing Photos with Your Computer 403
Manually Manage Pictures 404
Automatically Manage Pictures on a Mac 407
Synchronizing Pictures Using Your Google Cloud 408
Chapter 15 Using Your Android Phone with an Android Wear Smartwatch 413
Setting Up Your Android Wear Watch 413
Choosing Settings for Your Android Wear Watch 416
Navigate the Android Wear App 417
Using Your Android Wear Watch 427
Navigate Your Watch 428
Use Your Watch and Run Watch Apps 433
Use Watch Functions and Watch Apps 434
Index 443
Your Android Phone's External Features 3
Front 4
Back 6
First-Time Setup 8
Fundamentals of Android 5.0 (Lollipop) 12
The Lock Screen 12
The Home Screen 16
The System Bar 20
Using Your Touchscreen 21
Using Your Keyboard 22
Edit Text 29
Menus 30
Switch Between Apps 31
Run Multiple Apps on the Screen at the Same Time (Samsung Only) 32
Setting Up Multiple Users on Your Phone 38
Add a New Phone User 39
Add a Phone Guest User 40
Installing Synchronization Software 43
Install Android File Transfer (Apple Mac OS X) 43
Install Google Music Manager (Apple Mac) 44
Install Google Music Manager (Windows) 45
Configure Music Manager (Windows and Apple Mac) 46
Freeing Up Memory 50
Move Apps 50
Chapter 1 Phone, SMS, and MMS 53
Using the Phone App 53
Make a Call 54
Receive a Call 62
Handle a Missed Call 65
Make a Conference Call 66
Configure the Phone App 68
Using SMS and MMS 71
Get to Know the Messenger App 72
Manage Settings for the Messenger App 73
Compose a Message 75
Attach a File to a Message 77
Receive a Message 79
Chapter 2 Contacts 83
Adding Accounts 83
Add a Work Email Account 85
Navigating Contacts 90
Navigate Contacts 90
Adding and Managing Contacts 91
Add Contacts from an Email 92
Add a Contact Manually 93
Add a Contact from a vCard 94
Edit a Contact 96
Add a Contact Photo 97
Customize Contacts Settings 99
Manage Contact Groups 100
Choose Contacts to Display 101
Join and Separate Contacts 103
Adding a Contact to Your Home Screen 105
Chapter 3 Audio, Video, and Movies 109
Using Google Play Music 109
Find Music 110
Purchase Music 111
Add Your Existing Music to Google Play Music 112
Use the Google Play Music App 115
Work with Instant Mixes 121
Control Playback 123
Work and Listen to Music 125
Listen to Music with No Wireless Coverage 126
Change Google Play Music Settings 127
Recording Videos with the Camera Application 131
Record Video 131
Change Video Settings 133
Play Videos 134
Share Videos 137
Delete Videos 139
Change Photos App Settings 140
Managing Movies and TV Shows 143
Buy and Rent Movies 143
Buy TV Shows 146
Use the Play Movies & TV App 148
Copy Videos from Your Computer 151
Watching Videos with YouTube 154
Navigate the YouTube Main Screen 155
Navigate the YouTube App 156
Play a Video 158
Upload a Video 159
Change YouTube Settings 162
Chapter 4 Connecting to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and VPNs 167
Connecting to Bluetooth Devices 167
Pair with a New Bluetooth Device 168
Manage Extra Bluetooth Options 170
Change Bluetooth Device Options 171
Working with Wi-Fi 172
Connect to Wi-Fi 172
Adjust Wi-Fi Network Options 175
Set Advanced Wi-Fi Options 176
Managing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) 178
Add a VPN 179
Connect to a VPN 181
Managing Near Field Communications (NFCs) 184
Enable NFC and Android Beam 185
Use Android Beam to Send Links to Content 187
Use Android Beam to Send Real Files 188
Managing Cellular Network Settings 189
Change Mobile Settings 189
Using Your Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot 191
Set Up and Start Your Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot 191
Chapter 5 Email 195
Adding Accounts to Gmail 196
Start Setting Up Accounts 196
Add a Google Account 197
Add a New POP3 or IMAP Account 198
Add a Work Email Account 202
Using the Gmail App 205
Navigate the Gmail App 206
Compose an Email 208
Read an Email 211
Customize Gmail App Settings 215
Chapter 6 Browsing the Web with Chrome 225
Navigating with Chrome 225
Get Started with Chrome 226
Use Web Page and Chrome Options 228
Master Chrome Browser Tricks 230
Managing Bookmarks and History 233
Manage Bookmarks 233
Manage Browsing History 235
Customizing Browser Settings 236
Chapter 7 Google Now and Navigation 245
Using Google Now 245
Use Google Now 247
Set Up Google Now 248
Navigating with Google Maps 252
Get Directions 254
Configure Google Maps Settings 256
Use Offline Google Maps 258
Chapter 8 Working with Date, Time, and Calendar 261
Setting the Date and Time 261
Using the Clock App 263
Navigate the Clock App 263
Manage Alarms 264
Adjust Clock Settings 266
Using the Calendar App 268
Get to Know the Calendar Main Screen 268
Adjust Calendar Settings 270
Use Quick Responses 273
Add a New Event 274
Respond to an Event Invitation 277
Chapter 9 Working with Android Apps 281
Configuring Google Wallet 281
Finding and Installing Apps 282
Navigate Google Play 282
Install Free Apps 284
Buy Apps 286
Manage Apps 287
Adjust Google Play Store Settings 289
Chapter 10 Customizing Your Android Phone 295
Changing Your Wallpaper 295
Select Wallpaper from Pictures in the Photos App 296
Use Live Wallpaper 297
Choose Wallpaper 299
Changing Your Keyboard 300
Choose a New Keyboard 300
Adding Widgets to Your Home Screens 303
Add a Widget 303
Remove and Move a Widget 305
Customizing Language 306
Choose a Different Language 306
Adjusting Accessibility Settings 307
Manage Accessibility Settings 307
Modifying Sound and Notification Settings 310
Modify Sound and Notification Settings 310
Changing Display Settings 313
Changing Security Settings 315
Chapter 11 Google Wallet 323
Setting Up Google Wallet 324
Adding Methods of Payment 324
Add a Credit Card or Checking Account 325
Using Loyalty and Gift Cards 326
Add an Existing Gift Card 326
Add an Existing Loyalty Card 328
Using Google Wallet 331
Changing Google Wallet Settings 331
Sending and Receiving Money 333
Send Money 333
Request Money 334
Chapter 12 Books and Magazines 337
Purchasing Books 337
Navigate the Play Books App 338
Buy Books 339
Reading Books 340
Purchasing Magazines and Newspapers 345
Purchase or Subscribe to Publications 346
Read a Publication 348
Chapter 13 Maintaining Your Android Phone and Solving Problems 351
Updating Android 351
Optimizing Battery Life 353
Look After the Battery 353
Determine What Is Using the Battery 354
Controlling Apps and Memory 355
Checking and Controlling Data Usage 358
Set a Data Usage Warning 360
Set a Data Usage Limit 361
Caring for the Android Phone's Exterior 362
Getting Help with Your Android Phone 362
Chapter 14 Taking and Managing Pictures 365
Using the Camera 365
Adjust Camera Settings 368
Take Regular Pictures 371
Take Panoramic Pictures 372
Take Photo Sphere (360 Panoramic) Pictures 375
Take Lens Blur Pictures 377
Viewing and Managing Your Photos 383
Navigate Photos 383
Delete Photo Albums 385
Review and Share Pictures 386
Edit Pictures 387
Modify Photos App Settings 402
Managing Photos with Your Computer 403
Manually Manage Pictures 404
Automatically Manage Pictures on a Mac 407
Synchronizing Pictures Using Your Google Cloud 408
Chapter 15 Using Your Android Phone with an Android Wear Smartwatch 413
Setting Up Your Android Wear Watch 413
Choosing Settings for Your Android Wear Watch 416
Navigate the Android Wear App 417
Using Your Android Wear Watch 427
Navigate Your Watch 428
Use Your Watch and Run Watch Apps 433
Use Watch Functions and Watch Apps 434
Index 443