The Android Book - Vol.4 Revised Edition 2014

The

Android Volume 4

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Welcome to

The

Android Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, and with good reason. It has a user-friendly interface and includes a host of incredible apps enabling everything from day-to-day tasks to gripping entertainment. Android is easily customisable, too, which is partly why it’s so popular with top smartphone and tablet manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, HTC and more. But whichever device you’re using, this revised edition of The Android Book is the ideal guide for learning how to get more out of all the key apps, from the basic utilities to Play Music, Chromecast and beyond. Follow the tutorials in this book to learn how to optimise Android to suit your needs, and get greater functionality out of your smartphone or tablet. Once you’ve picked up the essentials of Android, you’ll never look back. Let’s get started.

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WorldMags.net Welcome to

The

Android Imagine Publishing Ltd Richmond House 33 Richmond Hill Bournemouth Dorset BH2 6EZ +44 (0) 1202 586200 Website: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk Twitter: @Books_Imagine Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImagineBookazines

Publishing Director Aaron Asadi Head of Design Ross Andrews Production Editors Hannah Westlake & Jen Neal Senior Art Editor Greg Whitaker Designer David Lewis Photographer James Sheppard Printed by William Gibbons, 26 Planetary Road, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3XT Distributed in the UK, Eire & the Rest of the World by: Marketforce, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SU Tel 0203 148 3300 www.marketforce.co.uk Distributed in Australia by: Network Services (a division of Bauer Media Group), Level 21 Civic Tower, 66-68 Goulburn Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia Tel +61 2 8667 5288 Disclaimer The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this bookazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the bookazine has endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This bookazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. The Android Book © 2014 Imagine Publishing Ltd

Part of the

bookazine series

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Contents WorldMags.net

28 Phone 30 30 30 31 31

10

32 Messaging

droid n A y r e Ev estion qu ered answ

20 Settings 22 22 22 23 23 24 24 25

Personalise your device in Settings Make your device energy-efficient Activate the Multi window Assign device gestures and languages Navigate Device Manager Control app permissions Manage Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC tools Manage your email and app accounts

40 6 The Android Book

Make and receive calls with ease Set up speed dialling on your phone Change default ringtone Work with multiple calls Set up call forwarding

34 34 34 35 35

26 Android Device Manager 27 Launch Android Device Manager 27 Call and ring your device remotely 27 Lock or erase your device

Send and receive messages Search for specific messages Delete any text message Attach different files to messages Send group text messages

36 Google Play 38 38 38 39 39

“Use Play Games to compete online”

Purchase an app Get your money back on an app Tell other users what you think Manage your apps and what they do Update to keep apps in shape

40 Play Movies & TV 41 Find a show and choose to buy 41 Share the details of a film you like 41 Rent a movie or a TV show

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48 42 Play Music 43 43 43 44 44 44 45 45

Search for new music and find offers Share songs in Play Music instantly Buy songs from Play Music Start a trial or new subscription Stream music directly to your device View smart suggestions Stream a personalised radio channel Synchronising across devices

46 Play Books

52 Music Player 53 Listen to your music with ease 53 Create an all-new playlist 53 Explore the extra functions

54 Video Player

49 Challenge friends to an online game 49 Share activity with Google+ contacts 49 Create a Cloud Save for a game

50 Google Play Newsstand 51 Browse the Store for mags and news 51 Share a magazine with your friends 51 Take out a new subscription

66 66 66 67 67 68 68 69

56 Internet 58 58 58 59 59

Learn to use the Internet app interface Open and close tabs Clear browser search history Use Google search Bookmark webpages

60 Chrome 62 62 62 63 63

Browse with Chrome Go incognito Clear your search history Sync Chrome Download and share files

Set up an account using the Email app Create a signature to use automatically Attach photos and media Manage multiple email account types Customise and format emails Organise your messages Create an email account with Gmail Manage messages with labels

70 Google Calendar

55 Play your videos 55 Play on your home screen 55 Edit and share movie clips

47 Search and buy a book in Play Books 47 Add books to your personal wishlist 47 Read books how you want

48 Play Games

64 Email & Gmail

72 72 72 73 73

Create a calendar event Share calendar events with others Delete or edit an event Find an event location with Maps Email a reply to an event

74 Google Maps 76 76 76 77 77

Search for locations in Google Maps Favourite a location in Google Maps View map traffic information Change Google Maps view interface Post and share a location

74

“Play Music offers a vast library that can be accessed with ease” WorldMags.net

The Android Book 7

Contents WorldMags.net

86 YouTube

88 88 88 89 89

86

102 Instagram

104 104 104 105 105

Search for and watch videos Subscribe to videos Like or dislike a video Make and edit playlists Share videos with friends

90 Camera 92 92 92 93 93 94 94 95 96 96 97

78 Google Earth 80 80 80 81 81

Explore the world with Google Earth Share any location immediately Change the image quality Change layers and view location data View landmarks in 3D

82 Chromecast 84 84 84 85 85

Shoot photos on an Android device Swap between front and rear cameras Use camera flash modes Add in-camera effects when shooting Shoot a panorama Use different shooting modes New and improved shooting modes Download extra modes Control your shot with manual mode Modify your camera’s quick settings Record an HD video in the Camera app

98 Google Photos 100 100 100 101 101

Edit, tone and improve your images Share on Google+ and social media Quickly create an online album Make a movie from your photos Use images on your device

106 Paper Artist 107 Take creative photos 107 Share with friends 107 Extra creative touches

108 Facebook 110 110 110 111 111

Sign up and log into Facebook Check in no matter where you are Use Facebook’s widget Edit your profile when changes occur Start a new Facebook chat

112 Google+ 114 114 114 115 115

Set up Google+ View content streams Like a Google+ post Manage your circles Create a new Google+ post

98

Set up and use your Chromecast Manage a cloud account on your TV Cast a YouTube video Stream media files from your phone View photos on your TV

8 The Android Book

Edit your photos Share your images in a feed Access account settings View images and add likes Use Instagram’s Direct function

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134 Dropbox

132 116 Hangouts 117 Start a video call to a friend 117 Start a chat with numerous friends 117 Alter Hangout settings

118 ChatON 119 Chat with buddies on other devices 119 Update and personalise your profile 119 Draw and send animessages

124 Google Drive 126 126 126 127 127

128 Quickoffice

120 Skype 122 122 122 123 123

Create and edit your Skype profile Add a friend to your list of contacts Set your status and mood Make video calls to your contacts Call mobile and landlines

“Google Now learns your preferences and gives you information”

Create and upload a Drive document Buy storage space for Google Drive Delete a file from Drive Format your Google Drive documents Manage files on Google Drive

130 130 130 131 131

Open an existing file in Quickoffice Create a document in Quickoffice Alter document settings Create spreadsheets and presentations Share docs by email and Drive

132 Google Keep 133 133 133

136 136 136 137 137

Upload, view and share files Upload media Auto-upload photos Play music from Dropbox Export files from Dropbox

138 Google Now 139 139 139 140 140 140 141 141

Start using Google Now View important places Edit Google Now settings Initiate a voice search on Google Now Recommendations based on searches Use new voice commands Send an email with your voice Use your voice to open an app

142 Google Translate 143 143 143

Enter text for translation Using your Phrasebook Start a conversation

128

Create notes Sync reminders with Google Now Integrate with Google Drive

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The Android Book 9

WorldMags.net Every Android question answered

Every Android question answered If you are new to your Android device or are in need of inspiration on how to get the most out of it, then we have got all of the answers. Read on to become at one with your device

I

f you are new to smartphones and tablets, they can be slightly daunting to begin with. With a home screen festooned with colourful icons and various notifications and alerts hitting you in the face, it can be hard to know where to begin and, indeed, how to start commanding your device in the first place. Even if you have had your Android phone or tablet for a while and think you know your way around it, there will always be new things you discover it can do in order to make your home, work and social lives easier to manage. The purpose of this feature is to scoop up all of the most frequently asked questions posed by newcomers and seasoned device users alike and answer them, so you can go from novice to touch-screen veteran in no time at all. We will start off simple by

We will then explore the various uses for your device, such as staying in touch with other people, using it to help you get from one place to another, how you can employ the device to organise your life and how you can use it to work effectively remotely. And once you are accustomed to all of that, we will then demonstrate how you can kick back and relax with your smartphone or tablet. Remember, although your Android device can aid and assist you in any area of life, it really comes into its own as a portable entertainment system and, as such, you can read books, listen to music and watch videos on it. And then there are the games! The Google Play Store is your ultimate online supermarket that you can use to shop for media and games. By setting up a Google account, you can browse for apps

“Your Android device comes into its own as a portable entertainment system” introducing you to some of your device’s more basic functions and capabilities – such as how to encrypt your important data and how to set up restrictions so that no one may access it. Here we’ll also explain what many of the common features, such as location services, mean and provide essential tips on how you can squeeze more life out of your device’s battery.

10 The Android Book

quickly and easily, pay for them with the minimum amount of fuss and then get using them within a minute or so. And the real joy of the Play Store is that thousands of really great apps – including all of the ones that we have featured – are completely free. So read on and discover more of what your Android device can do for you.

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The Android Book 11


Use your Android device Are you new to your Android device? Then let’s get you started

What are the gesture features? Gestures are what you use to control your Android device and they range from simple finger swipes to pressing your fingers on the screen and spreading them to zoom in. Ultimately, all touch-screen devices are geared towards usability and so the gestures that you use to command your device instantly feel natural and comfortable. Simple gestures include swiping your finger left, right, up or down across the screen to scroll through pages or windows, whereas simply tapping on app icons or settings will open them up in an instant. If you are reading webpages or books then you can also press two fingers down on the screen pinched and then draw your fingers apart to zoom in. Simply reverse the

action to zoom back out again. As you will undoubtedly be using your device a lot and touch the screen constantly, it is important to keep it free from dirt and grease so as not to impair the response of the touch-screen interface, so clean it with recommended products regularly. Android devices also cater for the visually impaired, hard of hearing and people who are less able-bodied than others. By launching the Settings app and then going to the Accessibility section, you will find a range of sections and options designed to make the device easier to use for everyone. Don’t forget that you can also purchase accessories, such as Bluetooth keyboards, to make your device work better for you.

“Ultimately, all touch-screen devices are geared towards usability” What are location services?

How do I add files to devices?

What is the wake-up command?

These are services provided by your Android device for third-party apps that rely on your current location. Your device will use a range of factors to determine your position, including GPS satellites and wireless networks, and you will need to grant individual apps permission to use your location when installing and launching them for the first time. You can check out your location services settings in your main Settings app. There you will be able to move a slider to instantly deny all location services-based apps access to your location and determine which location sources are used in determining your position. You will find that a lot of apps will ask to use your location, so make sure you read up on the implications and the reasons before installing and loading the apps on your device.

Some Android manufacturers supply their own syncing software, such as Samsung Kies, which allows you to transfer files to your device when plugged in to a PC or Mac via USB – but you should also be able to view and add files via Windows Explorer or Mac OS X Finder.

Your Android device will go to sleep after a preset period of inactivity, but you can instantly wake it up by pressing the Home button. You will then be prompted to either swipe right to unlock your device or enter a password if you have restrictions in place.

12 The Android Book

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WorldMags.net Every Android question answered How do I enable text-to-speech?

How do I reset my device?

This feature can be found under the Accessibility section in the Android Settings app, but it really needs to be more prominent as it is actually rather useful – especially if you want your device to, say, read a book to you while you are busy doing other things. Tap on the Text-to-Speech options and you will be able to choose a preferred TTS engine, determine the speech rate and, by clicking on the cog icon to the right of each TTS engine, download and install voice data so that you can select a different voice to read your text out aloud.

If you need to erase your Android device and reset it to the default factory settings – perhaps if you are selling it – then go to the Settings app and tap on the ‘Backup and Restore’ option, which is listed under the Personal section. Here you can back up your data and perform a factory data reset. If you go for the latter then all of your apps, account details and files will be erased from the Android device.

Can I amend the icons in my device’s notification panel? Launch your Settings app and then tap on the Display option, which is situated under the Device section. Once there, tap on ‘Notification panel’ and here you can select brightness adjustment to be included in the notification panel (by ticking the box) and see which other icons are in it. To determine the order of the included icons, simply press and hold on one and then drag it into place. Right: You have freedom to decide which icons appear in your notification panel

How can I save my battery? How do I change the indicator? By default, the remaining battery power of your Android device is displayed by a batteryshaped icon at the top of the screen. But you can change this to a percentage indicator by going to Settings>Display and then tapping on the ‘Display battery percentage’ box.

Can I set restrictions? There are many steps you can take to secure your device, the most obvious being to password-protect it. Go to Settings>Security and then tap on the Security option in the Personal section. Now tap on ‘Encrypt device’ and you will be able to select a means of locking the screen. The level of security is mentioned alongside each method, but the most effective is the good old traditional password, so set one in place.

If you have lots of apps open on your device then they will invariably have an impact on its battery life. In fact, for a detailed rundown of which apps are using how much power, go to Settings>Data Usage and you’ll be able to see which apps are currently running and close them down if you want to save some energy. You can also tap on an app and then tap the Menu button to ‘Restrict background data’. There are also various settings that you can tweak to increase your Android device’s battery life. Start by turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use and disable any location services that aren’t needed, as most apps using this function will periodically query the GPS satellites for your current location. You can also reduce the brightness of the screen as well as the backlight time and turn off any animated wallpapers that you may be using. The other big energy saver to keep in mind is not to wait until

your battery is completely depleted before charging your device. If you repeatedly let your device’s power drain down to nothing before conducting a full recharge, then over time the storage capacity of the battery will be reduced. With these energy-saving tips in mind, you should be able to squeeze even more mileage out of your trusty Android device.

Above: You can monitor the battery usage of running apps in Settings

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The Android Book 13


Keep in touch How to use your Android device to stay in the social loop Can I have conference calls on my Android device? If you have an Android handset then you can use the Add Call and Merge options to conference-call on your phone. If you are using a tablet then Google’s Hangouts service allows you to conduct a live video call with up to ten friends at once. By creating a Hangout party, you can input the names, email addresses or numbers of the people you wish to add and then send out an invite to all parties to connect. You can also add more people once your party is up and running, so nobody needs to be left out of the social loop.

Is there a way to video-chat? Yes – both Samsung’s ChatON and Google’s Hangouts apps enable you to video-conference with friends, family and colleagues. You can also download other apps, such as Skype from the Google Play Store; just set yourself up with a free account and you can talk face-to-face at no cost.

How do I change my message display? Open your ChatON messaging app and then press the Menu button. Now go to Settings and tap on ‘Chat room settings’. The next screen will allow you to change your message-bubble style as well as the background that they appear on.

Can I set up a call reject message? Most Android handsets come with a ‘reject call with message’ feature, but if you feel that the default message is somewhat cold then you can go to Calls>Call Settings>Set Reject Messages to type your own message to fire off to the caller.

Can I use Hangouts with friends on other devices? Absolutely. Hangouts works on computers, Android and Apple devices, so you can connect with everyone and no one gets left out. You will be able to download the app for whatever device you are using and then log in and use it as a universal service. If you are using a computer, simply log into Google+ and you will be able to connect with friends using mobile devices and vice versa.

14 The Android Book

Can I transfer my contacts between multiple Android devices? You can transfer contacts, calendar entries, bookmarked web pages and more, all by tweaking your Google account’s syncing options via the Android Settings app. To complete syncing between devices, the same Google account must be running on all of the Android devices that you want to share information between. To sync your contacts, go into the Accounts section of the Settings app on the Android device where your contacts are stored, and then select your Google account.

This will open a menu that presents several options for managing what information is synced to the account. Select to sync contacts via this menu, and then sign into your Google account on another device. You should be greeted by a notification informing you that the contacts from your main device have been synced to the new phone or tablet via your Google account. Now, whenever you get a new Android device, you can add all your contacts quickly and easily.

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On the go Need to get to a certain place? Then let your Android device lead the way

Can I get traffic information?

If you’re planning on making a journey then an Android device can lead you every step of the way, including informing you of any possible traffic delays in reaching your destination, thanks to its built-in Google Search app. After you launch this you may see the option to ‘Get Google Now’ (if you haven’t already opted in). Google Now provides an at-a-glance service on all the things that are important in your life. From sports results to the current weather, Google has everything sorted in one place when you need it. Tap on the magic wand icon in the bottom-right corner and you will be able to customise Google Now to suit your needs. Choose Places and select a home and work location and one of the cards that Google Now provides will be your route to work, along with the current traffic and any possible delays. You can also add traffic as a layer in Google Maps. To do this, tap the icon in the top-left corner and then tap on Traffic. This will layer the heavily congested areas of traffic onto your map so that you can instantly see the places you need to avoid on your journey.

Can I get directions to my destination?

“You can also see traffic in Google Maps”

Left: Get at-a-glance traffic info thanks to the useful Google Now service

Can I find translations? Google Translate, which comes pre-installed on many Android devices, handles the task of translating foreign languages admirably well. You can use this app to enter words and phrases that you want translated into other tongues, with 80 languages supported. You can also use Android’s voice functions to speak phrases that you want the app to translate, and it even works offline, so you can make the most of it when you’re on the move – definitely handy when travelling abroad.

Going places with Google Maps is easy. Simply tap on the arrow icon next to the search field and then enter the ‘to’ and ‘from’ locations into the fields provided. You can then choose your mode of transport and get an instant route mapped out for you. If you then tap on the time box, you can get turn-by-turn directions or go one step further and turn your Android device into a satnav system by tapping on Start for full audio commands.

How do I find local Wi-Fi? There are free apps on hand to help you out with this. Go to the Google Play Store and download an app called Wi-Fi Finder and it will plot all of the public Wi-Fi hotspots in your area and present them on a map so that you can find the nearest. You can also use this app to scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks so that you can find out which has the strongest signal before connecting. It’s a useful app that is very easy to use on your travels.

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The Android Book 15


Organise your life How to use your Android device to stay on top and personalise it to suit your needs

How can I keep track of my events and appointments? You can use your Android device’s built-in Calendar app for this purpose. This app enables you to create calendar events and alerts which can then be synced across Android devices to help keep you fully up to date with what is going on in your life. To get started, tap on the ‘+’ icon in the top-right corner of the interface to create an entry, give your event a title and then set the start and end time for your event. You can then go on to set locations, reminders and descriptions if you should so wish. If the event is regularly occurring, such as a weekly briefing meeting, then you can set the frequency and Calendar will give you regular reminders. There are also plenty of other apps available from the Google Play Store to help organise your life, including Schedule Planner and PlannerS, both of which are free to download and use.

How do I set an alarm? You can use your Clock app to set yourself an alarm or reminder, although you need to create a calendar event for the latter. For simpler alarms that are quicker to set up, go to the Google Play Store and look at apps such as Alarm Clock and Timely Alarm Clock to meet your requirements. There are plenty of free solutions available.

How can I organise my apps? Your apps can be easily applied to your various home screens to make them easier to access. Go to your Apps section, press and hold on an app and then drag it where you want it. You can also create and name folders to add apps to by long-pressing an app icon and dragging your finger up to the Create Folder option.

How can I manage my Wi-Fi services? Go to your Settings app and then tap on the Wi-Fi section. Now press the Menu button and choose the Advanced settings and here you will be able to select whether Wi-Fi is kept on during sleep (to the detriment of your battery power) and set time frames as to when your device can and can’t connect to the network.

Can I manage my camera shortcuts? Can I create quick notes? Note-taking apps are numerous, but some of the simplest and most efficient are Evernote (which allows you to add any sort of note, including photos and audio) and Google’s Keep app – both are free to download.

16 The Android Book

The Camera app on your Android device comes with numerous ‘Quick Settings’ to enable you to carry out certain tasks. If you would like to change these settings to perform different features, tap the Menu button while in the Camera app and then choose the ‘Edit quick settings’ option. You can then switch the features that appear in your quick settings (accessible by tapping the cog icon).

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Manage your work You can also use your Android device for the serious stuff! How can I work on my device?

Can I print from my device?

The Polaris Office app comes pre-installed on the latest Android devices and this provides all of the tools you need to create and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, as well as upload them to the cloud to work on later using a different device. The Kingsoft Office app is a very good free alternative that also lets you create and edit typical Microsoft format docs, as well as memos. By opting to create a new document in either app, you will be prompted to select the type – from Word, Excel and PowerPoint – and each option comes with all of the tools and features you need to format text, insert pictures and import data from other apps. You can then select where you would like to save the documents and whether to encrypt them for added security.

You can download Google’s Cloud Print app from the Google Play Store for free for this purpose. To use it, you must first set your printer up for cloud printing by going to www.google.co.uk/cloudprint/learn/ and once it is all set up, the Cloud Print app will automatically scan and find your registered printers and allow you to print out your essential documents wirelessly. To start printing, simply tap on the printer icon in the top-right corner and you will be able to select your files from various locations, including Dropbox. You can also set various print options from within the app after choosing what you want to print, including colour, the size of the document and how many copies you need. Once done, tap the arrow icon to start the job.

How can I protect my device from malicious viruses? One of the most efficient apps for virus prevention is Lookout Security & Antivirus. Free to download from the Google Play Store, this provides essential protection for your tablet or smartphone against malware, viruses, loss and theft. You can register a free account after launching the app and then your device will be scanned for existing suspect files. What’s more, Lookout mode will be automatically activated, allowing you to go to lookout.com and log into your account to track the location of your device if it gets lost or stolen, as well as go through various alarm and deactivation procedures to prevent your important data falling into enemy hands. You can also upgrade the app, at a price, to include even more features to ensure your device stays threat-free. Left: The Lookout app helps to protect your device

What is the easiest way to share my files? Thanks to the advent of cloud computing, there is no shortage of options to store and distribute your documents, including services such as Dropbox and Google Drive. By creating free accounts, you will be provided with several gigabytes of free cloud storage space that you can use to upload and share files. Using the respective apps, you can organise what’s in your cloud storage and set certain documents and ascertain who can access it. As these two services are among the most popular, most people have access to them and so they prove an effective means of getting your files out to your work colleagues to collaborate on and update before they’re saved back to your cloud.

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The Android Book 17


Be entertained Welcome to the real bread and butter of what your device can do for you

Can I read books on my Android device? Reading is one of the many reasons why tablet devices exist – as a means to read, carry your entire book collection around with you at all times and save the trees! The Play Books app lets you browse the Google Play Store for digital editions, also known as eBooks, and then purchase and download them to read through the app. All the latest fiction and non-fiction books are available on the Store, which is constantly updated, while there is a vast back catalogue of titles for you to search through as well. All tastes are catered for, whether you’re after a groundbreaking literary classic or the latest blood-pumping crime thriller.

Once you’ve downloaded a book, you have full freedom over the reading conditions, including font size, brightness and page theme. Your books and settings are synced across your devices, and Play Books will remember the page that you were on when you last stopped reading, so that you can pick up exactly where you left off the next time you pick up your device. Some great alternatives to Play Books include the Kindle, Kobo and Audible apps that boast similar features and a staggering amount of choice on what books you can obtain. You need never flick through a paperback again.

Above: The slider at the bottom of the Play Books interface allows you to easily flick through pages and chapters

Is there a way to control my music outside of the app?

Can I take a screenshot on my Android device?

How do I subscribe to magazines?

As soon as you start playing music on your Android device, you are free to leave Play Music and start using other apps. If you then wish to stop the music or skip tracks, swipe down from the top right of the screen to access your notification panel and you can do it from there.

There are many reasons you might want to take a screenshot on your phone or tablet – perhaps to show off a high score or situation from a game you’ve been playing, or maybe you want to share a particular frame from a favourite movie with Facebook friends. The good news is, it’s very easily done on modern Android devices. Each has a slightly different mechanism for taking a screenshot, but mostly this involves holding down two buttons together for a few seconds (home and volume down, or home and power for example). Screenshots can then be viewed and edited in either the native Gallery or Google Photos app.

The Play Newsstand app works along the same lines as the Play Books app, in that you can browse the store for magazines which you then download an app for on your device. Through this app you can buy individual issues or take out a subscription to get every new edition delivered automatically to your device.

Can I view websites offline? You can save any webpage to read later when you may lack an internet connection. To do this, simply navigate to the page in the Internet app and then tap the Menu button. Select the ‘Save for offline reading’ option and you can continue reading regardless of where you are.

Left: Once you start reading on your tablet, you’ll never go back to the printed page

18 The Android Book

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WorldMags.net Every Android question answered Can I play multiplayer games?

Can I use my device to keep fit?

You can compete against your friends, both directly or on the high-score leaderboards across thousands of games. If you go to the Google Play Store, it has its own dedicated Games section to help you find and choose games to download and play.

From workout apps that come packed with workout routines and instructional videos to apps that allow you to track your running routes, distance covered and your overall progress towards your fitness goals, the Google Play Store is packed full of free fitness apps. The RunKeeper app is a good all-round fitness app as you can enter your statistics, set it to run, and the distance that you cover will be monitored and stored. You can tailor the workouts to suit your needs and it also supports a wide range of activities.

Can I add fun effects to my photos? Can I listen to the radio? Play Music All Access allows you to create personalised artist radio, and the free TuneIn Radio app allows you to search for stations and tune in. Both apps come with home-screen widgets for easy access.

Can I watch TV? Each major station has its own catchup viewing portal app to watch on-demand TV and the brilliant TVCatchup app lets you watch live TV on your Android device for free and features most of the Freeview channels.

Having fun experimenting with your photos is made possible by built-in apps and thousands of others that are available to download from the Google Play Store. Most of them provide loads of filters and effects to apply to your pictures. The quickest way to get started with image editing is to open the image you wish to edit in your Gallery app and then tap on the Edit icon in the top-right corner (if you have chosen an image from another source then you will need to download it to your device first, which you can do by tapping the Download icon). You can now select which app you wish to launch to carry out the edits. Or you can use Google Photos, which comes as standard on many newer Android devices, and offers plenty of filters and editing options, including the AutoAwesome function for applying a range of automatic edits to certain kinds of images. Plus, Google Photos integrates completely with Google+ for easy uploading and sharing with friends. If you have more serious editing needs

then the Photo Editor app (which you may need to download from the Play Store) lets you crop, resize, adjust the colours and add a more conventional set of filters to your image, which you can then save and upload to your various social networks to show off your skills.

Right: Make your pictures perfect by applying all manner of outlandish filters and effects

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The Android Book 19

Settings WorldMags.net

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If you’d like to have a custom background or create a Wi-Fi hotspot, in the Settings app you can modify, customise and change almost every single aspect of your device

8IBUJUDBOEP

t'VMMZDVTUPNJTF Decide your device’s style

t'BOUBTUJDUPPMT Multitask with multi-screen

t2VJDLTFUUJOHT Access your settings fast

Set up your Android device easily Find a host of amazing tools for your device, all within its Settings app Android’s Settings app Wi-Fi hotspot so you can connect a device tools, the Settings app is here to provide you The Settings app is a perfect starting point when getting to know your Android device. It may seem strange to consider your device’s settings as an app, but that’s exactly what it is. In fact, within the Android Settings app are a series of important tools which are unavailable anywhere else on your device. So it’s important to explore within the Settings app to see what is available. Most of the big features to be found there are connectivity ones, which include the ability to set up a

20 The Android Book

such as a laptop to your Android device, and use the phone/tablet’s available data plan to give internet access to the third-party device. The Settings app also has a host of NFC and file transfer tools (Fig 1) which, once enabled, don’t require much more attention. Since most apps have their own NFC tools included, NFC does not have its own standalone app on most Android phones. Simply switch NFC on, then find another device to interact with. Of course, beyond the advanced connectivity

with everything you need to set up your Android device exactly how you want it to be, giving you ultimate control.

Device settings tabs The Settings app can be accessed through the apps drawer of your device or, on some devices (such as the Samsung Galaxy S4), from the Menu button to the left of the Home button. Settings on your Android device are broken down into four tabs, each

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WorldMags.netSettings

Fig 1: The Settings app includes a host of different file-sharing tools such as Android Beam, NFC, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth

Fig 2: The Talk Back tool is one of many accessibility options that makes navigating on an Android device possible for any user

with their own collection of subcategories. First you have the Connections tab, which covers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and any other connectivity settings. Secondly you have My Device, which is where you’ll find all of the customisable tools to manage how your device looks, sounds and behaves. This tab also includes Motions and Gestures settings as well as accessibility options that offer the Talk Back tool (Fig 2), which speaks your actions as you perform them on your device. Next up is your Accounts tab. In this section you will manage all of your syncable accounts like Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and any other app accounts available. Here you’ll also be able to set up cloud storage options with various services such as Dropbox and Google. Finally, under the More tab you’ll find a series of tools to manage your device including the Application Manager, which can uninstall and modify your apps.

amount of power to run, as well as manage storage usage, breaking down stored files into different categories which you can then manage individually (Fig 3). Another great tool available on many devices is the quick settings buttons. These can be found in your notification window. Quick settings work as a fast way to turn settings on and off on your device. For example, say you’ve just hopped into the car and want to enable Driving mode. You can simply access your notification panel and tap to activate it. This is especially useful when you want to activate a tool which when left on all the time would be a drain on your battery. Each available quick setting is linked to a more advanced settings window, which can be managed separately. All of the available settings have been built in such a way so as to be able to cater to you and the way in which you want to use your device. These tools include Air Gestures and Smart Scroll, which tracks the movement of your eyes to scroll in windows, as well as the lock-screen widgets and shortcuts function, which lets you place shortcuts to your apps on the lock screen. Follow along with these step-by-step tutorials to find out about all of the great tools available to you in your device’s Settings app.

Settings made for you Your Settings app isn’t just for managing your device: it’s also a great way to monitor its activity. Through the Device Manager options you’ll be able to keep an eye on battery usage, finding out which apps and tools use the most

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Fig 3: Tap on any type of storage to view more details on it and uninstall items that are currently taking up space on your device

Wake-up commands

Set up a wake-up shortcut To quickly access an app from your lock screen using your voice, go to the My Device settings and tap on Lock Screen. Tap on ‘Set wake-up command’, then select Wake-up function 1. Choose a command, such as Open Camera. Now tap the microphone icon and speak the verbal command you want to use as your wake-up command four times. Return to the lock-screen menu and check ‘Wake up in lock screen’. Now, when your device is locked, you can prompt the command you just set up with your voice.

The Android Book 21

Settings WorldMags.net

Using the Android Settings app Using the Android Settings app you’ll learn how to modify every part of your device

Personalise your device in Settings

1: Settings app

2: Lock screen

3: Set up display

4: LED settings

5: Sound tools

From your home screen open the Apps window. Tap on the Settings app.

Tap My Device. Tap Lock Screen. Tap Screen Lock to turn on lock mode.

In My Device, tap Display to adjust fonts, brightness and wallpapers.

In My Device, select LED Indicator to manage your LED notifications.

From the Sound settings, adjust all notification tones on your device.

Make your device energy-efficient

Activate the Multi window

1: Power saving mode

2: Power settings

In My Device settings, under the Personalisation heading, tap Power Saving mode.

Choose the options you want deactivated when you’ve entered Power Saving mode.

1: Display settings

3: Auto Brightness

4: Quick settings

2: Go multi-window

Drag from the top of the screen to open the notification panel. Switch on Auto Brightness.

Scroll the quick settings in the notification panel. Tap Power Saving to activate it.

Open an app. Tap on the white tab, then drag an app into the running one.

22 The Android Book

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In your Display settings, switch on Multi window. A small tab will appear.

WorldMags.netSettings Assign device gestures and languages

Navigate Device Manager

1: Access Device Manager In the Settings app, tap More, then scroll down to the Device Manager heading.

1: Gesture setup

2: Gyroscope setup

3: Gesture menu

In the Settings app, tap on My Device. Tap on Motions and Gestures under the ‘Input and control’ subheading. Tap on Gyroscope Calibration.

Place your device on top of a flat surface and tap Calibrate. Once calibrated, return to the Motions and Gestures menu. Tap on Air Gestures.

Switch on gestures at the top of the Air Gestures menu. Long-press on any gesture to view a visual tutorial as to how the gesture works.

2: Application Manager Open Application Manager. Review memory and RAM at the base of the list.

3: Free up your memory In the All list, tap on an app. Free up space by clearing its cache and data.

4: More settings

5: Language input

6: Keyboard input

Tap the on switch to activate a gesture. Each gesture has its own submenu of settings depending on the action that the gesture performs.

Back in My Device, tap on Language and Input, found under the ‘Input and control’ subheading. Tap Language to change the device language.

In Language and Input, tap the settings icon next to a keyboard input language, keyboard navigation options and voice type tools.

“Long-press on any gesture to view a visual tutorial as to how the gesture works” WorldMags.net

4: Check Battery usage In Device Manager, tap on Battery to see which apps are using the most power.

The Android Book 23

Settings WorldMags.net Control app permissions

Manage Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC tools

1: Device permissions In the More tab of your device settings, locate the Permissions subheading.

1: Connections

2: Wi-Fi settings

3: Use Bluetooth

Device connections come in two categories: Network connections (Wi-Fi, data usage) and Connect and Share (NFC, file transfers).

Tap Wi-Fi. Tap on an available Wi-Fi connection and input a password if necessary to connect to it. Tap Scan to search for new connections.

In the Bluetooth menu, turn it on. Available devices will be displayed. Check the box next to your device to make it visible for pairing.

4: Check your data

5: More networks

6: Activate NFC

In Data Usage, check the ‘Set mobile data limit’ box. You can then use the red bar on the chart to set up your limit to cut off data use.

In Network Connections, tap More Networks. You can turn on Flight mode to disable call and messaging functions, as well as data usage.

Under Connect and Share, switch on NFC and Android Beam (or S Beam on Samsungs). These transfer files between two devices.

2: Location services Tap Location Services. Turn on ‘Access to my location’ and ‘Use GPS satellites’.

3: GPS usage within apps With Location Services turned on, apps can use your position when running.

4: Security permissions Under the Permissions subheading, tap Security for more permission options.

24 The Android Book

“Turn on Flight mode to disable call and messaging functions and data usage” WorldMags.net

WorldMags.netSettings Manage your email and app accounts

1: My Accounts

2: App accounts

3: Sync settings

4: Remove account

My Accounts has its own heading within the Settings app. Tap on it. Under My Accounts you can view all accounts that are currently synced with your device.

Some apps (such as Facebook or Twitter) have their own accounts, which will be added to your account list. Tap on an app’s name to view an account’s details.

Tap on your Google account from the list. Tap on the email address linked to the account. In this menu you can manage your sync options for the account.

Within your sync options you can tap on Remove account to delete the account and all of its stored information (such as your contacts) from your device.

5: Back up account

6: Add an account

With accounts like Google, you can back up your stored data (contacts, messages) to the server by tapping Back Up in the Account Settings screen.

At the base of the My Accounts list, tap Add Account. You can only add accounts through apps on your device. Tap an app name, then add your login details.

Tethering In More Networks, tap on ‘Tethering and portable hotspot’ to show this menu

Hotspot Switch on this option to turn your device into a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices

Connect You can also grant access to your device’s internet connection by USB or Bluetooth

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The Android Book 25

WorldMags.net Android Device Manager

"OESPJE%FWJDF .BOBHFS

Ensure you know where your device is and keep data on it secure using the Device Manager

What it can do:

t'JOEZPVSEFWJDF View the location on a map

t.BLFJUSJOH Remotely call the device

t,FFQJUTFDVSF Lock the device or erase data

Track your device if it gets lost If your Android phone or tablet goes missing, now you can find, ring, lock or erase it Just like Apple introduced the Find My Phone feature for the iPhone, so has Google with the Android Device Manager. This is both a web service and available as an app. Now, clearly, installing it on a device that is then stolen won’t help at all, but if you have more than one Android device, then you can use it to find the others. The alternative is to use the web-based service at www.google.com/ android/devicemanager which can track all your devices. The advantage of the app-based version is that it can be used while you are

26 The Android Book

out and about and makes it easier on a phone to track either another phone or a tablet. To fully access the features of the service, though, you need to have turned some things on in the Settings on your device. Open the Settings app and tap Security. Tap on Device Administrators. In here is the option to ‘Allow Android Device Manager to lock or erase a lost device’. Tick this so it is on. The alternative is to go to the Google Settings app, which is different; tap on Android Device Manager at the bottom of the list and put in a tick for

‘Remotely locate this device’ and also for ‘Allow remote lock and factory reset’ if you haven’t accessed it via Settings. They are the same thing, so ticking or unticking in one setting will change it in the other as well. When selecting a remote Erase, you are warned of the consequences of this action. Also, if the target device is currently offline, the Erase will be performed as soon as it comes online again. This has the side effect of also disabling Android Device Manager on the target device, so you won’t be able to find it again.

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WorldMags.net Android Device Manager

Finding your device How to locate and manage lost or stolen Android devices

Lock or erase your device

Launch Android Device Manager

1: Select the Lock option Go to Android Device Manager and select the device. Then tap on Lock.

1: Download the app

2: Sign in

3: Locate devices

Go to the Play Store and tap on the search field. Enter ‘Android Device Manager’ and download it.

Run the app and tap on Accept. Then type in your Android password and tap on ‘Sign in’.

Once signed in, the app will find any other Android devices registered to your Google account.

2: Enter the password Type in a new password and the confirmation, which will lock the device.

Call and ring your device remotely

3: Add a message Add an optional message for the locked device, such as a contact number.

1: Select the device

2: Call or ring device

3: It’s ringing for you

Tap on the down arrow next to the first device to show all of them. Select an alternative device if needed.

You can call an Android phone or make a tablet ring. Tap on the appropriate call or ring icon.

After a confirmation notice, the respective device will start ringing or a call will be made to it.

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4: Erase all the data To erase everything on the lost device, tap on Erase, then Erase again.

The Android Book 27

Phone

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Phone

Use your Android device to perfect the art of mobile calling using a variety of advanced and more obvious features to keep in touch with those most important to you

What it can do:

t%JBMJOTUZMF A logical and easy screen

t4QFFEEJBMMJOH Call people with one tap

t.VMUJQMFTFUUJOHT Make the phone your own

Call anyone in any way you like Smart features, intuitive calling and excellent call quality are the hallmarks of Android A real experience point you can input a PIN number and you can hold any name in the contacts listing and The voice-calling experience on an Android device is as clean, efficient and as easy to use as you could hope for. The main calling screen is dominated by easy-to-tap buttons and the learning curve is surprisingly short. Tapping the Menu icon will bring up a selection of extra options when you are dialling a number (Fig 1) and from here you can access all manner of call types instantly. If you want to dial into a company conference call, there are quick options to add a pause or a wait, at which

28 The Android Book

also quickly add the number you are calling as a new contact. As you type in the number, it will be listed against the relevant contact if it has already been saved in your contacts list and you can even dial names by tapping the keys which correspond to the letters within each icon. For example, to dial your fictional friend Kevin you would tap 53846 and the software works out all of the contacts that have names which potentially correspond to your input sequence. You can also press and

then undertake one more tap to initiate a call. The Phone capabilities of your device interact perfectly with many other functions.

Not just voice Voice calling used to be so simple and it still is, but you also have many other options available to you if you want to save money when calling abroad or even locally. Press the Menu key when viewing the main calling screen, choose Settings and then scroll down

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WorldMags.net Phone

Fig 1: The main call screen is intuitive and takes no time at all to understand. Extra options are also easily accessible

Fig 2: Internet calling is an inexpensive and flexible method of making contact with anyone and Android has you covered here

to the very bottom where you will see a section called ‘Internet call settings’. Tap ‘Use Internet calling’ and you will be offered three options (Fig 2) – you will need to decide which suits the services you use the best, but choosing ‘Ask for every call’ will likely save you the most money. You can add multiple accounts to your Android device and then decide which one to use at the time, but remember that some services also offer apps which can streamline the internet calling and management process much better. A valid internet connection will be needed to use this type of calling and it is advisable to also consider any data limits that are present on your current tariff. Internet calling is efficient in terms of data usage, but it can still eat up lots of your plan if you use it all of the time. The trick is to use the most useful and costeffective type of calling at the right time.

but once you have set it all up you will have a solution that works the way you want every single day. If you go to Settings in the Phone app and then select ‘Call’, you will be rewarded with a huge list of potential changes that can be made. Tap ‘Ringtones and keypad tones’ to quickly change the tone to any that is already loaded on the device and to deal with vibrations. You can choose various vibrations which will eventually feel familiar and if you assign them to known contacts, you will start to understand who is calling without even looking at the screen. The ‘Call alerts’ function lets you dive deeper and manage the tones you receive during calls (Fig 3), which can be useful for alerting you to what is happening while you are talking. There is also a checkbox at the bottom of the list in ‘Call alerts’ that you can clear to ensure that no alerts are sounded while you are talking, which may be preferred. The more you look, the more settings you will find and navigating to ‘My call sound’ will highlight just how complete the Phone app is. Here you can change the sound to either suit your mood or the setting you usually frequent. Choices range from ‘Soft’ to ‘Clear’ and really do make a noticeable difference.

Use your ears You will likely expect to be able to customise the main ringtone on any phone, but with an Android device the options go way beyond this. Following a quick look through all of the settings available, it is easy to become bewildered by the sheer amount of choice,

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Fig 3: There are multiple settings available to let you customise the notification experience so that it works just for you

Clever features Advanced Phone settings In the Phone app Settings menu, there are some extremely clever features which are worth exploring. The ‘Answering and ending calls’ options, for example, lets you manage how your calls are answered and ended. You can choose to answer calls by pressing the home key, using voice commands or by waving your hand over the device and you can tick the checkbox to instantly end a call simply by pressing the power key on the side of your device. Your phone, your rules.

The Android Book 29

Phone

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Manage calls and texts with touch An Android phone is an advanced modern communications tool with all the features you need

Make and receive calls with ease

1: Find the Phone

2: The old way

3: Contacts appear

4: Take a call

5: In-call menu

Locate and tap the Phone icon to see a familiar keypad screen.

Tap each number and then tap the green handset button to call out.

As you type, tappable matching contacts will appear for efficiency.

When calls come in, the screen will change. Slide to answer or reject.

During the call, useful in-call options will be available to use.

Set up speed dialling on your phone

Change default ringtone

1: The Menu key

2: Choose a list item

Tap the Menu key while in the main phone screen and select ‘Speed dial setting’.

Tap any list item, representing each of the dialling numbers, and select a contact to use.

1: The settings

3: It is complete

4: Tap and hold

2: Tap and preview

You will now see the contact detail assigned to the box. The speed dial is now complete.

Tap and hold the number in the dialling screen and it will start the call straight away.

Tap each tone to hear it and then tap OK when you have selected one.

30 The Android Book

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Go to Settings>Sound and tap ‘Ringtone’ to see a list of tones.

WorldMags.net Phone Work with multiple calls

Set up call forwarding

1: The forward settings Tap the menu icon, choose Settings>More settings>Call forwarding.

1: Call on call

2: Two options

3: Two calls

When you are on a call and another comes in, the answer screen will appear with an audible notification. Swipe to answer it.

Two options will appear on screen. You can either put the first call on hold or end it and take the new one. Put it on hold to manage both.

You’ll see both calls displayed on the main screen and some new options appear. Tap the Merge button to start a conference call.

2: Voice or video The next screen will give you two options. Choose the ‘Voice call’ option.

3: Various options You can now choose when to forward calls by selecting a specific option.

4: Conferencing

5: Extra options

6: End a call

A conference call is now live with new options to end the call or to add another caller to the conference. Press the Menu key for more.

Now tap the ‘Manage conference call’ option to decide how to manage the ongoing call. It’s all very simple to do.

You can now end a call with one of the parties by tapping the red End button. The options are limited, but offer everything you should need.

“You can either put the first call on hold or end it and take the new one” WorldMags.net

4: Select a number The final step is to add a number to forward calls to. Then tap Enable.

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WorldMags.net Messaging

Messaging Messaging on an Android device can involve much more than merely sending and receiving texts. You can set up text templates, add attachments and much more

What it can do:

t.FEJBNFTTBHJOH Send photos and videos

t3FBMJTUJDDIBUT Enjoy a real conversation

t.FTTBHFSFQPSUJOH Manage and read reports

Message anyone from anywhere Take your text messaging to a whole new level with your advanced and trusty Android device Real-time conversations you like. Go to Settings and at the top you will approach will prove useful and make every Text messaging is no longer about merely sending and receiving messages because it can be a useful tool for building relationships and keeping long conversations on track. Once you send a message, it will be shown in a full-screen when tapped. As soon as a reply arrives, this will be placed below your first message in a different colour and so on as the chat progresses (Fig 1). Every message and conversation is obviously laid out, but you can make the interface truly personal to you if

32 The Android Book

see a Display section. Here you can adjust the speech bubbles to take different shapes and also different colours, and the choice is varied enough for any taste. You can then select the ‘Background style’ option and choose from a variety of colours and textures, which makes more difference to the interface than you may at first imagine. Finally, you can choose to change the text size with the volume key by ticking one box and because every conversation is naturally different, this simple

conversation look clearer in the future. There is no doubt that text messaging can be fun on any Android device.

Dealing with spam Spam is a curse that has slowly started to infiltrate the world of text messaging and is one which can be highly inconvenient and somewhat annoying. The way texts work means that you are almost always likely to view any message that comes in, but there is

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Fig 1: Your conversations with each recipient are preserved in threads to ensure that the meaning of each text is never lost

Fig 2: You can block specific contacts as spam numbers and also quickly add recipients from first-time messages you receive

a very simple way to deal with this problem once and for all. When you receive a spam text message, view it and tap the Menu key. You will be presented with a series of options (Fig 2), of which ‘Register as spam number’ is one of the most useful. This option is not always presented straight away and so you may need to scroll down to see it. Once you select it, you will not receive any more messages from that number and so you need no longer be hassled by the company or person sending the spam. This simple trick can also be used for people who you no longer want to be contacted by and is about as efficient a solution as you could hope for. If you change your mind in the future, you can bring up the menu in the same message and select ‘Unregister as spam number’ to start receiving text messages from that contact in the future. That is the end of your text spam.

message (SMS) settings’; the first, ‘Delivery reports’, lets you request confirmation that a new text message has been sent successfully. If it has, it will be shown in the notification centre almost as soon as it has been sent (Fig 3). This of course offers peace of mind and a simple confirmation that your message got through, which can be crucial in business. When you scroll further down the settings, you will see ‘Text message (MMS) settings’ where you can also request delivery reports for any files or photos that you have attached to texts. On top of this there is a ‘Read reports’ option which will advise you once the sent message has been read. This is especially useful because some MMS messages cannot be read because the recipient’s phone is not capable of viewing them or their account may not be enabled for MMS – despite this facility, we would still advise checking with the recipient first to make sure all of your messages can get through. There are many other messaging settings available and it is advisable to check them all out to see if some quick changes will provide huge dividends in the long run. Messaging limits, auto-retrieve and push messages can be extremely useful changes to make for many Android users.

Message reporting Text messaging on an Android device is, of course, extremely useful and beneficial when keeping in contact with friends, but you can also use it in a more serious way, such as for work, if you want to. In the Message settings you will see some options under ‘Text

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Fig 3: Delivery and read reports are automatically available in the notification panel and can be tweaked to your specific needs

Text templates Speed up your messaging When composing a new message, you can press the Menu key and then select ‘Add text’. Now choose ‘Text templates’, where you can automatically include any from a set of common phrases to greatly speed up your message creation. If you open the Message settings, an option will be available called ‘Text templates’ as well, but you can also tap the ‘+’ symbol at the top to create your own templates to cover a variety of situations. It’s quick and easy.

The Android Book 33


Keep in touch with your contacts Send, receive and manage all of your text messages efficiently and in style every day

Send and receive messages

1: Messaging icon

2: Use a contact

3: It’s delivered

4: Notifications

5: Tap to view

Tap the top-right icon in Messages to start composing a new text.

Start to type a contact, select their name. Add content and send.

Pull down the notifications bar to view a delivery or read receipt.

New text messages will be displayed at the top of the home screen.

Simply tap the notification to read the message and full conversation.

Search for specific messages

Delete any text message

1: Magnifying glass

2: Search matches

Press the Menu key and then tap the Search option with a magnifying glass next to it.

As you type, matches will appear, which could be contacts or words held within messages.

1: Delete a thread

3: Every result

4: Tap to view

2: Delete a message

Every result will be shown for you to select and can be derived from many conversations.

Tap any result and you will be taken to the conversation the search result is held within.

In the conversation view, hold any message and select ‘Delete Message’.

34 The Android Book

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For chats, hold your finger down on the main list and tap ‘Delete thread’.

WorldMags.net Messaging Attach different files to messages

Send group text messages

1: Multiple recipients Add a recipient as normal and select them. They will be shown at the top.

1: A new message

2: The paperclip

3: Set a default

Create a new message as you would any other, by selecting a contact and then adding text in the main screen. Don’t send the message yet.

Tap the paper-clip icon and you will be shown a table of apps that support compatible attachments. Make your choice to proceed further.

You will likely be prompted to choose a default app, but if you send different types of attachments, tap the ‘Just once’ option when asked.

2: Simple contact labels Keep adding recipients until all of the relevant contacts have been included.

3: Add the new message Complete the message as you normally do and send it with a single tap.

4: Choose a file

5: The thumbnail

6: Message sent

You can now search for the file you want to attach. It will greatly speed the process up if you already know roughly where the file is.

Once you have selected the attachment, you’ll see a thumbnail in the message body to confirm you have selected the correct one.

The attachment will show up in the conversation view once received and can be tapped to open it in Messages or in a relevant compatible app.

“You will be shown a table of apps that support compatible attachments” WorldMags.net

4: Group message sent The group message will be displayed with the recipients listed at the top.

The Android Book 35

WorldMags.net Google Play

(PPHMF1MBZ

Discover how to get the best out of this one-stop entertainment shop on your Android device and realise the potential of thousands of games, songs, apps and much more

8IBUJUDBOEP

t"QQTGPSFWFSZPOF A huge selection to browse

t3FDPNNFOEBUJPOT Based on purchases

t#PPLTBOE/FXTTUBOE Find great reading material

Stay entertained with Google Play With the Play Store app on your device, you can rest assured that you’ll never be bored again Simplistic and intuitive Movies & TV, Music, Books and Newsstand. This can either be a specific name, for example The Google Play Store app is a great feature of any Android device. It always has what you want and when you want it. Whether you’re after an addictive game to pass the time waiting for the bus, an app to manage your finances or you simply want to kick back with a classic film, Google Play has it all. As soon as you load the app, its main screen presents you with numerous options. At the top there are the categories of the Play Store that can be explored, such as Apps, Games,

36 The Android Book

Below this you can swipe down to see all kinds of other goodies available to you. This can include special sales (Fig 1), recommended purchases, all-new Google Play features and top-rated media. You can tap on each of these sections to see further exciting items or tap an app to find out more about it. If you’ve got something more specific in mind, head to the very top of the interface and tap the magnifying glass icon. This opens up a search bar, so type in what you’re looking for.

‘X-Men’, or a generic term such as ‘racing game’. Google Play will come up with a list of suggestions as you type, and tapping on one of these will take you directly to the app, song, album or whatever you’re after right away.

Helpful menus If you want to return to the main screen at any time, tap the Play Store ‘shopping bag’ icon at the top left. This will call up a short list of options (Fig 2), the first of which is Store home,

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Fig 1: In the main menu you’ll see some great deals on entertainment as well as recommended purchases tailored for you

Fig 2: You’ll never get lost in the Play Store’s entertainment jungle again, as long as you use this little menu to take you to key places

to take you back to the main screen. Beneath this are a few other options that can greatly enhance your Google Play experience. Tap on My apps to see a list of everything you’ve ever downloaded from Google Play. While browsing the Play Store, you can add items to your wishlist, which can be found under the same Play Store menu. You can use this list to store up a treasure trove of apps, music, movies and everything else in one place, so it’s there for you when you’re ready to come back and purchase it later. To add something to your wishlist, tap the bookmark icon (a ribbon with a ‘+’) on the item’s page. The last option at the bottom of the Play Store menu is Redeem. If you’re lucky enough to have received a Google Play gift voucher, select this option and type in the Gift Card & Promotional Code. Your Google account will be credited with the gift voucher’s value.

name at the top. This takes you to your Google Play homepage (Fig 3). You can see a list of the things you have rated recently, and there is also a link to your Google+ homepage. Sometimes, as apps update and evolve, your opinion of an app may change. If you’ve rated an app on Google Play, you can easily change it. Find the app and then scroll down to the Rate section and tap the Edit button. Then just add in your newest thoughts about the app and give it a star rating, then press Save. Another great thing about Google’s syncedup nature is that your payment details are held safely within Google Wallet, which alongside use in the Play Store can be used for a whole lot more. If you’ve never made a payment in the Play Store before and you want to buy a paid app, you’ll need to type in a few payment details first, including card details, registered address and other essential information. This will then be stored in Google Wallet and ready for you to purchase anything from Play Store at the tap of a finger. To turn on password control, just in case your Android device falls into the wrong hands (or a child’s), just hit the Menu button and tick the box in Settings. Your password will be the one you use for your Google login.

A social experience Your Play Store activity is instantly shareable with your Google+ profile. If you use the Play Store to rate and review the apps that you use, these are all public and can be published to your Google+ page. To view all your activity, tap the Play Store menu and then tap on your

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Fig 3: Google lets you share your opinions of apps, games, music and more so you can have a truly social entertainment experience

Share purchases You can tell the world Every so often you’ll come across something that’s so great, it would be criminal to keep it to yourself. For times such as these, enter the Share button. This icon looks like three small dots joined together and is found at the top right-hand corner of a specific app, TV or movie page. Once tapped it will present you with a whole list of sharing options. Simply tap on your preferred sharing method and then tell the world about your Google Play find!

The Android Book 37


Shop away on Google Play Browse collections, find freebies, grab a bargain and discover all the entertainment you need

Purchase an app

1: Install the app

2: Permissions

3: Payment details

4: Watch progress

5: Time to enjoy

Peruse an app’s info and if you like it, tap the Install/ Price button at the top.

An app permissions box will pop up with the app’s small print. Tap Accept.

Add your details and tap Save (you only need to do this once). Then tap Buy.

Watch the progress bar as your app downloads and installs on your device.

Once it’s downloaded, tap Open. This will launch the app straight away. Enjoy!

Get your money back on an app

Tell other users what you think

1: Go to My Apps

2: Locate the app

Hit the top-left Play Store icon, then select the My Apps option from the menu choices.

Scroll down the list of apps installed and tap the one that you want to remove and refund.

1: Track down the app

3: Get a refund

4: Confirm and uninstall

2: Rate away!

Tap the Refund button – you only have 15 minutes from the time of purchase to do this.

Tap Yes. If you miss the 15-minute window, you can uninstall but won’t get your money back.

Rate it and type a review. Reviews are public and linked to your Google+ profile.

38 The Android Book

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In My Apps, find an app to rate. Scroll down and tap the stars. Hit OK.

WorldMags.net Google Play Manage your apps and what they do

Update to keep apps in shape

1: Individual updates In My Apps>Installed, you’ll see apps that need updating. Tap one, then hit Update.

1: Installed apps

2: See every app

3: Reinstall an app

Tap the top-left icon and then My Apps. Select the Installed tab at the top. This shows the apps that are currently stored on your device.

The All tab shows every app you’ve ever downloaded, even ones you’ve uninstalled. Refunded apps won’t show up here, however.

Uninstalled apps have a X at top-right corner. To reinstall, tap the app then the Install button. Tap the X to remove an app from My Apps.

2: Watch it happen Accept the permissions and you’ll see the progress bar. Once ready, tap Open.

3: Do a job lot Tap the Update All button at the top to update all apps in need of attention.

4: Notifications

5: Manage widgets

6: Manage content

In My Apps, hit the Menu button, then tap Settings. At the top of the Settings menu, use the checkbox to turn app notifications on or off.

In Settings, you can opt to automatically add homescreen widgets when you download a new app. These run on your home screen.

In Settings, you can control the kind of app content shown on Google Play. Select from the checkbox options and then tap on OK.

“Automatically add home-screen widgets when you download a new app” WorldMags.net

4: Set auto updates In Settings, tap ‘Auto-update apps’ to select the method of automatic update.

The Android Book 39

WorldMags.net Play Movies & TV

1MBZ.PWJFT & TV

Buy or rent the latest movies and TV shows to watch on your Android device

What it can do:

t4FBSDIGPSGFBUVSFT The latest films and shows

t4IBSFBTIPX Let friends know about it

t#VZPSSFOU Watch now or buy to keep

Search, rent, buy and watch How to rent a TV show or movie and watch it on your device, or buy a show to keep forever If you like to watch films or catch up with your favourite TV shows on your device, the Play Movies & TV app is the place to head for. Tap on this and a screen of recommendations will appear, along with a search engine and a link to the Play Movies shop. Tap on the Search icon and enter the name of what you are looking for. Everything that vaguely responds to the title will be listed, starting with the best hits first. These are highlighted while showing each category so to see the full list of hits, tap on the red square where it says there are

40 The Android Book

more to look at. To select any show or movie, simply tap on it to see the renting or viewing options. If you want to see whether there are any books, music, magazines or apps related to the show you are searching for, tap on the heading for Movies and TV. This produces a search filter that allows you to see all results, or ones for specific categories. To navigate around the app when you have downloaded some content, tap the icon next to Watch Now. This produces a slide-out menu covering My Movies, My TV Shows, On Device

and another link to the Shop. Tap on any of the categories to see a show that has been rented, bought or downloaded. Then tap on the listing for the show to see the details about it. There are usually links to other shows that are related to this one. Otherwise, tap on Play to watch it. Note that this will automatically rotate the screen to landscape view to play the video – you can’t watch in portrait orientation. Some shows can be streamed, but if the network isn’t fast enough you can download it instead by tapping on the Pin icon.

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WorldMags.net Play Movies & TV

Watch a movie or show Search for a movie or show to watch, rent, buy or share

Rent a movie or a TV show

Find a show and choose to buy

1: Find the show you want Tap on the Search icon and type in what you are looking for. Tap on More.

1: Find the show

2: Select a film

3: Make a purchase

Tap on the Search icon and type what it is you are looking for. Tap on the magnifying glass.

Tap on the film (or show) you are interested in. There are options to rate and review the film or watch the preview.

Tap on Buy to see the options. Select HD or standard definition and then tap on Buy.

2: Select the movie Scroll up and down and tap on the show or film you want to rent out.

Share the details of a film you like

3: Select a rental option Tap on the options for Rent. This will be HD or SD, with prices for each.

1: Share a favourite

2: Select a service

3: Notify with email

Tap on a film or TV show to see the details and then tap on the Share icon located at the top right.

Select from the connection, social media and email options with which to share the film/show’s details.

Having tapped on the Email option, enter the recipient’s address and personalise the message.

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4: Pay through the Store Tap on the quality option then on the Rent icon to pay through Google Play.

The Android Book 41

Play MusicWorldMags.net

Play Music Play Music offers a huge library of tracks and albums, many special deals and excellent sound quality throughout. It also lets you organise your entire music library

What it can do:

t.VTJDCBSHBJOT Sale items are very common

t#FIJOEUIFNVTJD Read bios and song details

t1SFWJFXTPOHT Preview any song you like

Discover new music anywhere Find music, purchase tracks and enjoy previews no matter where you are. It’s always with you Play Music offers a huge library of tracks which can be accessed with ease. Simply tap the Menu key at the top of the screen and select Genres to break down the listings to show music that you are more likely to be interested in, then scroll through the most popular tracks. When you tap on any album, you will see a track listing which then enables you to make quick purchases by simply tapping the price. If you tap to the left-hand side of the track, you can also listen to a preview to ensure that the purchase will be worthwhile. Once your

42 The Android Book

account is set up, you can make any new purchase in a second without having to enter payment details every time and the entire process is built for speed and ease of use. Selecting ‘My wishlist’ from the menu icon lets you see all of the music you are intending to buy and you can add new tracks by tapping the bookmark icon at the top. This allows you to keep a record of what you expect to buy in the future and if a particular track impresses, sharing only takes a couple of taps to complete. The main screen often shows

special deals, of which some are extremely good value, and if you prefer you can meander through the store at any time in an attempt to discover potential new music that you will enjoy. The top songs and top album lists are prominent, to let you know what is popular at the current time, and throughout the experience touch is used effectively to let you navigate all of the tracks on offer. Play Music is the ultimate pocket music library and one that interacts perfectly with the songs already loaded on your device.

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WorldMags.net Play Music

Use a virtual music store Play and purchase any music track from a library of millions

Buy songs from Play Music

Search for new music and find offers

1: Set up an account Make sure that your payment information is set up in the Play Store.

1: Find the shop

2: Select a genre

3: Play free samples

Tap the menu icon in the Play Music app and then select the Shop option from the drop-down list.

Now tap the menu icon again and choose a particular musical genre that you are interested in.

A selected part of each track can be played by simply tapping the track number next to it.

2: Tap the price tag Tap the price tag next to any song to initiate the purchasing process.

Share songs in Play Music instantly

3: Confirm your purchase Now tap Buy in the pop-up panel to confirm and start the download.

1: The sharing icon

2: Choose a method

3: Share single tracks

When viewing any music in the Store, you can tap the sharing icon at the top to share an entire album.

You can now choose how exactly you want to share. Make your choice and select a contact.

Hold your finger down on any track to bring up the sharing panel. Now select your method.

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4: Buy a whole album Tapping the orange price tag at the top will let you buy a whole album.

The Android Book 43

Play MusicWorldMags.net

Download and stream new music Use Play Music All Access to discover new music and artists, with millions of tracks and radio

Start a trial or new subscription

1: Getting started

2: Select All Access

3: Payment

4: Start the service

5: Start listening

Launch the Play Music app and tap on the menu, top left. Tap on Settings.

Tap on Try All Access and then on ‘Try it FREE’. Tap on the down arrow.

Tap on ‘Payment options’ to check, change or add credit or debit cards.

Tap Subscribe. Then type in your Google password and tap on Confirm.

Once the payment is verified, you can tap on ‘Get started’ to begin.

Stream music directly to your device

View smart suggestions

1: Ready to explore

2: Select a song

Launch the app and tap on the menu, top left. Select Explore to see the welcome message.

Scroll down to the Top Songs and tap on 20 More. Tap on a song you want to listen to.

1: Music tracks for you

3: Play the track

4: More control options

2: Play those new songs

The song will now start streaming. Use play, pause and back/skip buttons to navigate.

Tap the thumbnail on the left to go full screen and reveal repeat and shuffle options.

Tap on a suggested album and selected songs or go through the entire album.

44 The Android Book

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Tap Explore, Recommended, then 19 More to expand the suggested list.

WorldMags.net Play Music Stream a personalised radio channel

Synchronising across devices

1: Go to the Settings Keep your music library synchronised across devices by going to Settings.

1: Select source

2: Create a channel

3: Select matches

Tap the top left menu and select Radio. From the Radio drop-down menu, select ‘All music’ rather than ‘On device’, to get more variety.

Tap on the ‘+’ sign to create a new radio channel. Enter the name of an artist, song, album or genre of music. For example, type in ‘classic rock’.

Results show a best match, then genre stations, specific artists, matching albums and songs that fit the search term. Tap on any to play.

2: Select the account Scroll down to the Accounts section and tap on the entry for Google itself.

3: Select your account All your accounts are listed. Tap on the main one, or the one with Play Music.

4: Get more choices

5: Swipe control

6: Advanced options

Tap on 4 More to get more choices on any category. Tap on the music list icon to see the tracks that are coming up. Tap on it again to go back.

If you don’t like something on the upcoming track list, swipe sideways to remove it. Swipe the menu down to minimise and show a station list view.

Tap the Menu icon, top right, to clear or save the music queue, add to your library and playlists, or go to the song’s album or artist.

“Create a new radio channel based on an artist, song, album or genre of music” WorldMags.net

4: Turn syncing to on Go down the Settings to Google Play Music. Ensure that this is ticked to sync.

The Android Book 45

Play BooksWorldMags.net

Play Books Read your books anywhere and buy new titles no matter what you are doing. You can even make each book look exactly as you want it to for prolonged reading stints

What it can do:

t"XPSMEPGCPPLT The book library is huge

t$PWFSTBOEUFYU The books feel very real

t.BLFJUZPVSPXO Use many display options

Read brand new books anywhere Carry a huge library of books with you to access whenever you have some spare time eBooks are extremely convenient and with Google Play Books you have a world of fiction and non-fiction available to you. If you select the menu option within the Play Books app, you will see a Shop item which, when tapped, will take you to the main online library. Here you can navigate through genres by selecting Categories at the top, or view the most popular books in the Top Selling list. The New Arrivals sections are always kept up to date and if there is a new release you are interested in, you will likely be able to buy it immediately.

46 The Android Book

Free samples can be accessed for every book by tapping the Free Sample button in the listing, at which point it will be downloaded to your device. Purchasing is actually very similar: tap the price tag, confirm and the book will be loaded onto your device straight away. Each book will be stored with the full cover on show for ease of reference and when you start to read, the experience gets even better. When viewing any book, tap the Menu key and you will be offered the opportunity to change the size and type of

the font, the theme and even the justification. An eBook will never truly replace the feel of a traditional paper book, but if you take time to make it work for you the experience will still feel extremely positive. In the Settings option you can select to use the volume keys to turn pages on most devices and even ask for the books to be read aloud, which is handy when driving. Your reading position in the book will be stored to resume from it later and you can even do this on other devices that use Play Books. It’s time to start reading.

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WorldMags.net Play Books

Understand Play Books Dive into a world of pocketable reading when on the move

Read books how you want

Search and buy a book in Play Books

1: Access your library While in Play Books, tap the Menu key and select My Library.

1: Find by genre

2: A detailed search

3: Buy a new book

Tap on the Shop books option and then tap the Categories tab at the top to view books by genre.

The magnifying glass at the top lets you search by book title or author. It makes suggestions as you type.

When viewing a book, tap the price tag to purchase it immediately. It will now download to your device.

2: Cover to cover All of your books will be shown, ready for you to read straight away.

Add books to your personal wishlist

3: The display options In the page view, use the Menu key to bring up the display options.

1: The wishlist icon

2: Find your wishlist

3: Access the wishlist

While viewing a book, tap the bookmark icon at the top. A confirmation will appear, saying ‘Adding to wishlist’.

Now tap the Menu key and then select ‘My wishlist’ from the options that show up in the list.

When you access your wishlist, it will show your wanted items in the whole Play Store and not just books.

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4: Make your choices Play around with fonts and themes until you are happy with the result.

The Android Book 47

WorldMags.net Play Games

Play Games Connect to your friends and play multiplayer games over the internet with them. Compete against them and everyone else with achievements and leaderboards

What it can do:

t.VMUJQMBZFSHBNFT Challenge friends to a game

t(FUBDIJFWFNFOUT Compare accomplishments

t8IPTUIFCFTU Compete with folks globally

Play games online on the go To compete against your friends in online multiplayer games, you need to use Play Games While you can play plenty of games without having to use Play Games, if you want to play with your friends in online games then this is the Google app that you need to use. You can either start off from the app and look for games and send requests to friends, or dive right in to your favourite game and when accessing the multiplayer component it will automatically connect to the Play Games app to make the connections. In many regards, this is the Google equivalent of Apple’s Game Center. Going into the app first, though, has a

48 The Android Book

number of advantages, starting with the ability to add friends. You can then challenge anyone on your friends list to a game. In the Featured games section are a few suggestions, but tap on See More and you get the full game list which includes featured, popular and, most importantly, popular multiplayer. Download ones from here and then they will be added to the My Games section. On the menu, top left, tap and select My Games. There are three tabs: the first for all games, the second for recently accessed games and the last one for

games that are installed on the device. From the main menu, if you tap on My Activity then your recently played games are listed and there’s a link to the Google+ profile. The next option from the main menu is to see a player’s list. This covers active players you have played against and others you may know, which are usually your contacts or people you have chatted with previously. Tap on any of the players to see the results of any recent games, go to their Google+ profile and if they are Circles friends they will be listed as such.

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WorldMags.net Play Games

Sign into Play Games Invite your friends and compete in multiplayer action games

Create a Cloud Save for a game

Challenge friends to an online game

1: Log into Google+ first For any of these multiplayer functions you must be logged into Google+.

1: Add notifications

2: Sign into Google+

3: Send request

Select Settings from the menu. Tap on ‘Who can send notifications’ and tag as many as possible.

Run a multiplayer game and select the online option. Then tap on Confirm to sign into Google+.

Select your choice of player from your Google+ Circles, then tap on Play to send a game request.

2: Save to Cloud option Any game supporting Cloud Load and Save will have an icon to tap on.

Share activity with Google+ contacts

3: Load or save a file Tapping on the icon creates the option to save the game position or load it.

1: Go to leaderboard

2: Share activity

3: Select recipients

In the game you’re playing, tap on the Leaderboard to see your ranking among friends and the public.

Tap on Share on Google+ and if necessary, edit the message that is being displayed or sent.

Tap on the down arrow alongside ‘To’ and select who the message is broadcast to. Then tap on Share.

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4: Set for storage Once the Cloud Save is activated, it is sent into a queue to be uploaded.

The Android Book 49

WorldMags.net Play Newsstand

(PPHMF1MBZ /FXTTUBOE

Browse a wide range of magazines, share with friends and check out the latest news stories

What it can do:

t#SPXTFUIFTUPSF Look through the shelves

t3FBEOFXTTUPSJFT Get news from the web

t.BLFJUZPVST Subscribe to a magazine

Read news, subscribe to magazines Search the Play Store for your favourite titles from within the Newsstand app Google Play Newsstand is a new app that replaces Play Magazines and Google Currents by blending them together. It makes it easier to find and subscribe to magazines and mixes in suggested content from around the web based on what you’ve been reading. The more you read with the app, the smarter it gets and the more suggestions it can make. The first section is called Read Now and this contains suggested stories and subscribed news feeds. Tap on Read Now to see the other section headers, which include My News, My

50 The Android Book

Magazines, Bookmarks and Explore. Tap on Explore to see links to the Play Store, Featured news items, or sections of content such as entertainment, arts and photography, news and politics. Tap on one of these to see a choice of magazines or website to check out. To configure what news stories get sent to Newsstand, tap on My News. Preset sources can be removed if you wish. Or tap on Explore and go find new ones and add them to your news feed. The news is split into sections to make it easier to find the kind of stories you

want. Tap on Entertainment, for example, to see a range of stories. Tap on a story to read it. Scroll down to the very bottom of the story to see the source and put a tick next to it to get stories from there in My News, or untick the box to remove them. What you really want to do, though, is find some magazines to subscribe to, or check out individual issues. The My Magazines section has an initial link to the Play Store, but once you tap on Got It, it won’t appear again. Instead, go down to Explore and use the link there.

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WorldMags.net Play Newsstand

Search for magazines Find titles and add them to your personal reading platform

Take out a new subscription

Browse the Store for mags and news

1: Find the magazine first Browse and locate the magazine you’re interested in and perhaps buy an issue.

1: Finding the Store

2: Use categories

3: Check out a title

Tap on the main menu and then select Explore. The first link that comes up is for the Store. Tap it.

Now tap on Categories on the top menu to see a list of them on the left. Tap on a section to view.

Tap on one of the magazines displayed to read about it, how others rate it and what are similar titles.

2: Subscribe to the mag Tap on Subscribe and choose whether to pay monthly or for the year.

Share a magazine with your friends

3: Fill out your address You may need to enter your postal address as well. Tap Continue.

1: Find a magazine

2: Select the service

3: Send message

Once you have found a magazine that you want to tell friends about, scroll down and tap on the Share icon.

There are a number of services that can be used to share the link with. Select one of them.

Add a personal comment and fill out the receiving address, then send the message to share the news.

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4: Confirm the subscription Tap on Subscribe to authorise the payment using your Play account details.

The Android Book 51

WorldMags.net Music Player

Music Player

This Android app has everything you need to listen to your favourite tunes on the go. Stylish, simplistic and intuitive, your device has never sounded so good

What it can do:

t1MBZZPVSUSBDLT All your music, ready to go

t.BOBHFZPVSNVTJD Organise songs, albums etc

t1MBZJOUIFCBDLHSPVOE Use an app while listening

Listen to songs, albums and playlists Music Player will help you maximise your personal soundtrack The Music Player app on your Android has the power to provide you with hours of listening goodness. Super-easy to use, it gets rid of all the fluff and organises the tracks on your device into simple, easy-to-navigate categories so you can find what you want with the swipe of a finger. To flick through your music library, use the tabs of Songs, Albums, Artists and Playlists at the top. To see where each of your songs is stored on your device, tap Folders. If one music library is just not enough, turn on Nearby Devices to pilfer the musical

52 The Android Book

contents of other devices that are on your Wi-Fi network. You can’t keep the tracks, but you can play them while you and the other device are on the same network. However, if a song is just too good to keep to yourself, you can also send it to friends using Bluetooth. If you really love a song, you can make it your ringtone. Hit the Options button and tap Set As. You can then set it as your overall ringtone, assign it to a contact or set it as your alarm. If you aren’t sure what you want to listen to, this isn’t a problem. Just turn on Music

Square in the Music Player Settings: hit the Options button>Settings>Music Menu, then tick the Music Square box. Go to the Music Square tab and tap a square on the grid. Music Square analyses the songs in your library and creates a playlist based on your mood. You can change the categories from Years (as in old or new songs) to Tempo (joyful, exciting, calm, passionate). Every time you add new music to your device, to ensure Music Square includes this in its playlist selection, tap the Menu button and then hit Library Update.

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WorldMags.net Music Player

Play favourite tunes Treat your ears to the finest aural delights using Music Player

Explore the extra functions

Listen to your music with ease

1: Share your music Tap Menu and ‘Scan for nearby devices’ on your Wi-Fi network. Play their music.

1: Browse categories

2: Pick a tune to play

3: Know the controls

Choose from Songs, Playlists, Albums and Artists tabs. Swipe through to find something you fancy.

Tap an album or artist to show the tracks, then tap on a track to begin playback. You’ll see the player appear.

The skip forward/backwards and play/pause buttons are at the bottom. You can also shuffle and repeat.

2: Use Music Square Drag your finger over squares and Music Square selects songs by their tempo.

Create an all-new playlist

3: Tweak your sound Tap Menu>Settings>SoundAlive to alter the levels of your sound.

1: Set up your folder

2: Give it a title

3: Add music

Head to the Playlist tab in Music Player and then tap the Menu button. Select the ‘Create playlist’ option.

Next you need to name your playlist so you can recognise the music within. Then tap OK to select music.

Browse the folders of artists and albums etc and tick the boxes to add a tune, or tap Select All. Then tap Done.

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4: Thumbnail view On the Albums tab, tap Menu then ‘Thumbnail view’ to see album artwork.

The Android Book 53

WorldMags.net Video Player

Video Player This great app is the premier destination for watching, editing, organising and sharing all of your clips and movies as you capture your life with your Android device’s camera

What it can do:

t0SHBOJTFNPWJFT File and rename your videos

t8BUDIZPVSDMJQT Play back videos seamlessly

t5SJNBOEFEJU Chop and change your films

Watch video clips on your device Video Player is always busy safeguarding your videos so they can be watched, edited and shared The Video Player app on your Android device is the perfect tool for managing all the clips you shoot on it. When you open the app you’ll see all of your clips lined up – either in a list of as thumbnails. You can also sort clips by title, date, size or type. At the top of the list you’ll see a large ‘Last played’ window, which shows you the video played previously in case you want to go back to it. There’s also a search bar at the top of Video Player’s main screen – particularly useful if you’re a bit of a Spielberg in the making and shoot hours of footage.

54 The Android Book

Another great thing about video playback within this app is that you can select Chapter Preview via the Menu button. This shows you a list of still-image chapters throughout the movie, so if you’re looking for a particular part but want to save yourself the bother of skipping through the entire playback, this is a great tool to use. You can also capture still images within your videos. When the clip is playing, tap anywhere on the screen to call up the controls, then turn your eyes to the very top of the interface. A tap

on the small camera icon there will capture a still shot of the scene in the clip. If you pause the clip, two small arrows appear either side of this icon, allowing you to skip through the video frame-by-frame. If you’re watching a film and don’t want to be hindered by the video control popping up if you accidentally tap the screen, just hit your device’s screen-lock button. A small padlock icon will appear in the top-right corner of the playback window to let you know that it is locked. To unlock, simply tap this icon.

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WorldMags.net Video Player

Sort, edit, watch videos A few tricks to get the very best from your captured footage

Edit and share movie clips

Play your videos

1: Trim down your video Open a video and then tap the Menu button, then select the Trim option.

1: Open Video Player

2: Watch your clip

3: Grab the controls

Open the app and you’ll see all of your recorded videos listed. Select a video to play by tapping it.

The video playback will open and play your video in fullscreen. Watch it in portrait or landscape orientation.

Tap anywhere to call up the basic controls of play/pause and a progress bar to watch the length of your clip.

2: Cut frames to length Use the markers to set start and end points. Tap the play icon to preview.

Play on your home screen

3: Name and save clip Your clip will be saved as a separate file, so type a name and Save.

1: Play a video

2: Begin pop-up play

3: Move and resize

Open up a video and play. Tap to call up the controls and then tap the icon in the bottom-right corner.

This icon opens your video in a small window on your home screen, so you can use other apps while watching it.

Tap and drag to move the video window. To resize it, use pinch gestures to enlarge or scale down.

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4: Share your movie! Play a clip. Tap Menu>Share Via and choose a method to share the video.

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Internet WorldMags.net

Internet

Naturally, your Android device can connect to the internet and with Android’s easy-to-use and intuitive built-in web browser, you’ll soon get the hang of it

What it can do:

t4FBSDIUIFXFC Find webpages and info

t.BOBHFCPPLNBSLT Keep favourite sites handy

t4IBSFXJUIGSJFOET Send webpages to contacts

Connect to the web for instant info Navigate the online world with a no-nonsense browser that’s simple to learn and use Learn basic features this useful app close to hand, by dragging it flip through multiple pages at once. By default, The Internet app is a built-in feature on your Android device and the place to head to when you need to look up information online, read news stories directly from webpages and find anything you need on the world wide web. The icon sits in your app drawer and is one of the collection of applications that is included as standard on Android devices. Since one of the main draws of owning a smartphone or tablet is to be able to do just about everything you can on your computer, it’s wise to keep

56 The Android Book

onto one of your home screens (Fig 1). The app’s main interface follows the standard layout of most browsers, with a search bar at the top and space to browse results below. The most basic use of the app is to type in a word or phrase in the top bar and then hit the search icon to locate relevant webpages in Google Search. However, the clever app can do much more than this basic task and its real value lies in the way it lets you save bookmarks, keep pages for offline reading and

this is the browser that will be used when you open up any links from your email or social media sites.

Flip through and save pages The Internet app, like most browsers, works on a system of tabs or new pages, enabling you to hold the results from multiple searches at one time. This particular browser has the unique feature of allowing you to swipe through your open tabs and catch a glimpse

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WorldMags.netInternet

Fig 1: Keep the Internet application close to hand by dragging it from the app drawer onto one of your home screens

Fig 2: Swipe between tabs, each of which shows you a handy preview of the webpage currently contained in it

of what is on each one, which saves you the trouble of opening the page to view it. You can open a new tab in a few different ways. The first is to the tap the Menu button on the bottom of your device and then select the New Window option at the top. You can also tap the small box next to the main search input and then tap the ‘+’ icon that appears at the top of the screen. This small box is the same option to tap to flip through your open windows. The small number inside it indicates how many tabs you have open. To flip through, tap the box once and then simply slide your finger to the right to see a glimpse of what’s on your open pages (Fig 2). To open a page, tap once. To save a page to come back to later, tap the small starred icon at the top of the page. It’s a good idea to organise your bookmarked pages and this is covered in more depth in a tutorial here.

by hitting the Menu button on the bottom of your device and then selecting the Print function. You’ll need to plug your device in, if it has a cable, or be connected to a wireless printer to get it to work. The ‘Find in page’ feature is another that you’ll find in the same menu. Essentially a search within a search, the option allows you to locate any word or phrase within a page in a matter of seconds (Fig 3). Most webpages are optimised for viewing on a device such as your Android phone or tablet. This means when you open it in the browser, it will fit the dimensions of your screen and be easy to browse. If, for any reason, you need to view the original webpage, simply tap the Menu button again and tick the option that offers you the Desktop view. Remember to untick the option to go back to the optimised page. The last feature to mention, but certainly not the least this app has to offer, is the Download folder. When you save anything from a webpage, such as a PDF of a restaurant menu or a downloaded photo, it gets stored in the Downloads location, again in the menu options. Open it up to take another look at any documents, but remember to clear it periodically to keep the app free from clutter.

Practical features Android’s Internet app is so packed with features and options, it’s difficult to keep track of its versatility, but some of the lesser mentioned functions are the most practical ones. You can easily print off any webpage or document you are viewing in the browser

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Fig 3: Search for a word or phrase in any webpage using the ‘Find in page’ tool in the main menu options

Tweak settings Change display options Head to the settings menu, via the main menu options, to customise how a webpage displays on your device. Navigate to the Accessibility menu and choose how big or small you would like the text to come up, as well as how colours display. Inverted screen rendering is an interesting option to try. It turns webpages into inverted black and white, which might seem strange but can improve the legibility of text if you find the screen difficult to read.

The Android Book 57

Internet WorldMags.net

Internet functions and features Learn how to navigate the Internet browser and make the most out of the app

Learn to use the Internet app interface

1: Launch app

2: Tap and type

3: View results

4: Share a page

5: Save an image

Open the Internet app by locating it in the app drawer and tapping once.

Tap the top search bar once and type a word or phrase. Tap the Go key.

Scroll through the list of results by swiping your finger up or down.

Tap the Menu option and choose Share to send a webpage to anyone.

Long-press any image in a webpage to save it to your device.

Open and close tabs

Clear browser search history

1: Open a new tab

2: Tap to close

Tap the Menu button and select the ‘New window’ option to open a tab.

Tap the small box next to the search area once, then tap the small red ‘–’ icon to close a tab.

1: Open History tab

3: Swipe to view tabs

4: View number of tabs

2: Tap to clear

Swipe your finger to the right to scroll through a preview of open tabs.

The number in the white box next to the search area shows how many tabs are open.

Tap the Menu button once and then select ‘Clear history’ to erase it.

58 The Android Book

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Tap the bookmark icon at the top right and then tap the History tab.

WorldMags.netInternet Use Google search

Bookmark webpages

1: Open a webpage Type a search into the top bar and open up a new webpage.

1: Integral Google

2: Browse images

3: View other media

The Google search engine is integrated into the Internet app, so when you search you can use all the Google functions as standard.

To see image results on any of your searches, tap the Image tab at the top of the Google results page and then tap again to open.

Similarly, you can choose to view only results that are a certain medium, like videos, or options such as news and shopping.

2: Tap bookmark option Tap the starred icon at the top right to open bookmark options.

3: Add bookmark Tap ‘Add bookmark’, then give the page any name you want and save.

4: Sign in to account

5: Link to features

6: Tweak search term

Scroll down to the bottom of a results page to sign into your account and access options such as Mail and Drive in a browser format.

Once signed in, you can access other features, like your calendar, by tapping the Google icon and pulling out the side tab.

To alter or change your search term, you can click directly in the Google search bar and type, rather than in the main app search bar.

“When you search, you can use all the Google functions as standard” WorldMags.net

4: Organise bookmarks Use the menu option to create folders for bookmarks and rearrange them.

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Chrome WorldMags.net

Chrome

Link your Google account to the Chrome app and you can then browse the web using the same bookmarks and settings you use on all your other devices

What it can do:

t6TF(PPHMFTFBSDI Search for webpages

t'JOEJOQBHF Search for text in a page

t6TFNVMUJQMFUBCT Switch between open pages

Search the web on the move Launch Google Chrome to search for information and browse webpages on your device Search with Chrome the screen and large window in which to scroll menu (Fig 1). The back arrow will take you to Google Chrome is a web browser that remains a popular choice for desktop internet searches and for use on mobile devices running the Android OS. While the app comes preloaded on newer Android devices, you can also search for it on the Play Store if you haven’t got it. The interface is a condensed version of the desktop site and you’ll find all the functions you’d expect tucked neatly away into the app. When you launch the app, you’ll see the standard layout of a search bar at the top of

60 The Android Book

results and open webpages. The gestures used in Chrome are similar to almost every Android application. Swipe up or down to scroll a page and depending on what site you’re on, you can also swipe left or right to search through pages. All the options associated with Chrome can be accessed by tapping the Menu button on your Android device. This menu also has options to navigate within a tab by using the two arrows that sit right at the top of the

a previous page or set of results, while the forward arrow will take you to the next one you’ve searched.

Customise Chrome Most webpages are built in a full desktop version as well as an enhanced version designed specifically for viewing on mobile devices. Because the dimensions of your smartphone or tablet screen are much smaller than your PC or Mac monitor, the enhanced

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WorldMags.netChrome

Fig 1: Navigate back and forth inside a tab using the arrows on the main menu, accessed by tapping the Menu button

Fig 2: Change the appearance of webpages by setting the Accessibility options in the Settings menu

version makes sure that no details get lost and that you can still read everything on a page. To change the way a page displays, head into the Accessibility settings, which are a submenu of the main Settings options that can be accessed through the main menu. Here you can change the size of the text displayed (Fig 2), making it easier to read if you’re visually impaired or if the size of screen makes the writing appear too small. Use the slider to scale the text and check the preview to see how big or small it will be displayed. You can also check the option to zoom into any webpages even if the site tries to block this action. To zoom in and out, use the same gestures you would on any other application on your Android device. To zoom in, start with your fingers together on a screen and pull slowly apart. To zoom out, do the opposite starting with your fingers apart and pinching them together.

Google account and sync your searches and actions with those that you perform on your desktop or on other devices. When you save a bookmark on your device, you can view this bookmark on your desktop computer too. The first time you use Chrome, you will be asked to sign into your account. As soon as you’ve signed in once, the Chrome app will remember you and your search history. The integrated nature of Google products means that you’ll always be offered suggestions and searches based on what is learned about your preferences. If you prefer to keep your account a little bit private then open the Privacy setting from the main Settings menu and customise what you are offered. The options you can choose to uncheck include having URL suggestions made to you related to what you search for often, as well as suggestions when you make an error typing in a web address. Usage reports are another option you may want to untick if you prefer not to share too much. It’s a good idea to clear your browsing data, including cookies and passwords periodically. There is an option to do this directly in the Privacy menu or you can follow the simple steps in the tutorial here.

Pick your search engine Google is the default search engine for Chrome, but it isn’t the only option. If you prefer Yahoo! or Bing, you can choose to use either of these instead (Fig 3). The beauty of using Google is that you can sign into your

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Fig 3: Google is the default search engine on Chrome, but you can choose to switch it to Bing or Yahoo!

Use bookmarks Save your favourite pages Creating bookmarks is a good way to save time if you often go back to the same webpages and sites. From any page, open the menu options and then tap the star icon to create a bookmark. You can give your bookmark a name and assign it to a category, such as mobile or desktop bookmarks, or you can create your own category. To view bookmarks, go back to menu options and select Bookmarks. Browse until you find the page you want and then tap to open.

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Chrome WorldMags.net

Browse the web with Chrome Learn how to connect to the internet and perform searches using multiple tabs

Browse with Chrome

1: Launch app

2: Type to search

3: Click on results

4: Open new tab

5: View tabs

Locate the application in your app drawer and tap once to open.

Type a search term into the top box and tap Go to get results.

Swipe down to scroll results and tap once to open up a webpage.

Tap the Menu button and select the option to open a new tab.

Tap the icon with a number on it to view tabs or open a new one.

Go incognito

Clear your search history

1: View menu options

2: Tap the open tab

Tap the Menu button to bring up options including ‘New incognito tab’; tap it.

Going incognito means that any pages visited won’t be recorded in your history.

1: Open history

3: Browse as usual

4: Tap to close

2: Clear items

Browse as normal, knowing that cookies and other data will not be stored on your device.

Close an incognito tab by tapping the number icon, then the X at the top right of the tab.

Tap the X next to each item to clear, or tap Clear browsing data to delete it all.

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From the main menu, tap the History option to view all searches by date.

WorldMags.netChrome Sync Chrome

Download and share files

1: Download a PDF Click a PDF in search results or a page and confirm you want to download.

1: Sign into Chrome

2: Choose account

3: Sync settings

Open the Settings menu for the app and locate the bottom option that allows you to sign into Chrome. Tap once to open.

If you have multiple Google accounts, choose which one you want to associate with Chrome and then sign in with your password for it.

Once signed in, your account will show up at the top of the Settings menu. Tap once to see account details and then tap Sync to view options.

2: View downloads Tap the Download folder in your app drawer to see all your downloaded files.

3: Tap to share Tap the Share icon here to send the PDF or file via email or message services.

4: Sync selection

5: Switch sync off

6: Disconnect

Choose which elements of your Google account you want to sync with the Chrome app, or tick the Sync everything option.

If you don’t want anything synced, then use the slider at the top to switch the feature off. You can turn it on again at any time.

To disconnect your Google account or switch to a different one, tap the option at the bottom of your account information.

“Choose which elements of your Google account you want to sync with Chrome” WorldMags.net

4: Share a webpage You can share a webpage from the main menu: tap Share and choose a method.

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WorldMags.net Email & Gmail

&NBJM(NBJM

Discover how to set up new accounts in both the main email apps on your Android device

What it can do:

t6TFZPVSFNBJM Sync an existing account

t.FEJBBUUBDINFOUT Add photos, music & video

t4JHOJUZPVSTFMG Add that personal touch

Write, send and receive emails How to use the email programs with your existing or new accounts, including Google Mail Getting started with email when you get home. Setting up a webmail but then may require an account password, The Android Email app has the advantage that it can not only access web-based email like Yahoo! Mail, but also from an internet service provider/domain supplier or an Exchange server which large companies use. You can create the same email address you use at home, to work on your device, and set it to sync settings with the server. So, if you read and delete an email on your device while you’re out, it’ll be removed from the server and not downloaded onto your computer

64 The Android Book

account in the Email app is as easy as entering the email address and password. All you then need to do is select the various sync and checking options, add a name for the account and you’re ready to go. A webmail account has extra features like being able to customise folders and saving important emails. A POP3 email account with your ISP/ domain supplier at home may require more information, though. It starts with adding the email address and password as before (Fig 1),

POP3 mail address and other details. You’ll need to have them all handy before you start, but your ISP/domain supplier should have provided them when you first signed up.

Writing and sending Once the account is set up, tap on the pencil icon to write a new email (Fig 2). Type the address of the person it is for in the To field, and CC a copy to other interested parties by tapping on ‘+cc/bc’ as well. Send a copy to

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Fig 1: Many different types of email account can be set up, from web-based mail to ISP-hosted POP3 and Google Gmail itself

Fig 2: There are numerous handy editing functions, from contacts and image attachments to formatting

yourself by tapping +Me. As a shortcut to this process, you can use your Contacts stored on your device. Tap the face icon to open Contacts and from there you can tap on a person to select them as the recipient. Fill in the Subject matter as ones with a blank field can often be treated as spam. Now you’re ready to write the email. Tap in the message body area, but if you have something standard or quick to say, tap on the T+ icon. This contains a list of quick responses, such as ‘For your information’, ‘Thank you for your email’ and ‘Please remind me later’. Select any response by tapping on it to have that text inserted into the body of the message. There’s a range of font sizes available, up to 36px, so tap on 12px and decide which to use. Other formatting options include bold, italics, underscored and highlighted with a background colour of your choice.

Quick Responses (Fig 3) contains all the text messages that are accessible when tapping the T+ icon. Here you can edit the messages to change the wording or replace with ones you use. Tap on Cancel to change your mind or on Done to save any changes. If you like to know when a new email has arrived, tap on the Email notifications box so the status bar will let you know. There’s also a range of ringtones that can be used to announce the new mail arriving. Tap on the ringtone to see all the options, select which one to use, then tap on Done to save. These are general preferences that apply to all accounts, but for specific ones, tap on the account name itself. Under the account preferences you can change the name displayed, so you could use a company name rather than your own. If you don’t want emails to have a signature, it can be turned off. By default, an incoming message will have the images turned off – this is to save space on your device. If you want to have them on by default, tick the Show Images box. On the theme of data usage, look at the options here. Most devices are normally set to download only 50kB of messages, which excludes large attachments, but this can be increased in size and to include them.

Manage your account If you tap the Menu button and select Settings, there are numerous ways to configure the Email app. These start with General preferences, where you can change the header of emails to who they are from rather than the subject matter.

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Fig 3: Edit the Quick Responses so that they use the text that you want for frequently used phrases and automatic replies

Auto Advance Speed up navigation If you get a lot of email that has to be deleted, moved or sorted into folders, the default function of going back to the email list isn’t ideal. Instead, go into Settings and then General Preferences and tap on Auto Advance. There are three options here, the default being Message List. The other options are to automatically go to the next message in the email list for whatever folder you are in, or to the previous one. Select one to speed things up.

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Set up your email accounts Discover how to create, write, format, schedule and organise emails using Email and Gmail

Set up an account using the Email app

1: Add account

2: Enter password

3: Account type

4: Incoming server

5: Outgoing

Run the Email app for the first time and type in your email address.

Type in the password. You can make it visible while typing if required.

Tap on Next and then select the type of email account you are using.

For a POP3 account, you will need to enter the incoming server settings.

Enter the settings for the outgoing mail server, then configure the details.

Create a signature to use automatically

Attach photos and media

1: Go to the options

2: Reveal the text

Run Email and tap on the Menu button. Select Settings then tap on the account to use.

Under the entry for Common Settings, tap on Signature to reveal the default text to replace.

1: Create an email

3: Enter your own words

4: Turn the setting on

2: Select attachment

Tap backspace to remove the preset text, type in your own signature message and tap OK.

The text will update to show your signature. Simply move the slider to On to activate.

Select the image to use, then the resize option. Tap Done to attach, then Send.

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Tap the paper-clip icon and then select the media type, or Files app.

WorldMags.net Email & Gmail Manage multiple email account types

Customise and format emails

1: Insert an image in mail Start a new mail and then add visual interest by inserting a photo inside it.

1: Add new accounts

2: Two accounts

3: Default sender

Once a mail account is set up, add others, then manage the results. Firstly, go to Settings and tap on ‘Add account’ to add the new account.

Both accounts now appear on the email address bar. Tap on it to show both. To swap between them, simply tap on the other account name.

Tap the Menu button and select Settings. Tap on your main account. Put a tick in the Default account box to send email from it by default.

2: Select the image to use Tap on the picture icon with a ‘+’ sign and use the Gallery to select it.

3: Highlight words Double-tap a word to select then use the highlighter to make it stand out.

4: Set priorities

5: Check priority

6: Combine inboxes

Go to Settings>General Preferences and tap Priority Senders. Add people who you want to keep tabs on with a custom inbox.

To check the Priority Inbox, tap the accounts menu and select ‘Priority sender inbox’. Also, tag emails with stars to view in their own folder.

To see all mail from both accounts, tap on the email selection box and choose ‘Combined view’. To go back, simply pick an account again.

“Use the ‘Combined view’ option to see all mail from both accounts” WorldMags.net

4: Make it bigger Mark out a whole sentence, then tap on the 12px icon. Select a larger size.

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WorldMags.net Email & Gmail Organise your messages

Create an email account with Gmail

1: Mark spam and move Put a tick in the box of any emails to get rid of, then tap on the Move icon.

1: Add the account

2: Enter the details

3: To the inbox

Launch the Gmail app and then tap the ‘+’ sign to add an account. You can either create a completely new account or add an existing one.

You can use the same account on multiple Android devices, helping to sync Play Store purchases. Add your email and password.

Read the help messages and skip the Google+ option if you want. Tap on the close gadget, then tap on Done to go to the inbox.

4: Reading emails

5: Forwarding emails

6: Write new mail

To read an email, tap on the message body. Tap the down arrow to show the sender details. Tap the back arrow to reply to it, then Send.

Tap the forward arrow to forward the email, or the double back arrow to reply to all selected messages. Include others by tapping +cc/bcc.

Tap the Mail icon to create a new email. Add the recipient address and fill the subject and message body before tapping on Send to transmit.

2: Move to Spam folder Select the Spam folder to immediately move them there and block in future.

3: Delete messages Tick all the emails that you don’t want to keep, then tap on the trash-can icon.

4: Create new folders Tap on the Menu button and select ‘Create folder’. Move important mail to it.

68 The Android Book

“Use the same account on multiple Android devices to sync Play Store purchases” WorldMags.net

WorldMags.net Email & Gmail Manage messages with labels

1: Label an email

2: Add a label

3: View the folder

4: View labelled mail

Labels can be added to emails to help categorise them. They are then available in the All Mail folder and the folder relating to the label. Open an email.

Tap on the label icon, top right, and select from the range of labels to add to the email. You can add more than one, then tap on OK to apply or Cancel to quit.

Tap on the side menu icon at the top left and scroll down the list to the bottom to see all the labels. Tap on the Work folder, or whichever one you just labelled.

In here are all the emails that have been labelled with the Work label. Tap on an email to read it. Also, there is now a ‘remove label’ icon in the top row.

5: Manage labels

6: Multiple labels

While in the Work folder, tap on the Menu button and select ‘Manage labels’. Here you can select labels to synchronise across all devices and get notifications.

Save time by labelling lots of emails at once. Tap on the square coloured icons, rather than the body text, to make multiple selections, then tap on Label.

Labelling Add labels to emails so they can be categorised and stored in folders

Folders Change the folder an email is stored in by selecting a new one

Images Set images to be always on from trusted senders to save yourself time

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WorldMags.net Google Calendar

(PPHMF $BMFOEBS

Discover how you can use your Android device’s default Google Calendar app to manage your life, schedule events and keep others in the loop

What it can do:

t.VMUJQMFWJFXT View by Day, Week or Month

t$SFBUFFWFOUT Schedule and share them

t.BQTJOUFHSBUJPO Get directions to meetings

Organise your life with Calendar Ensure that important dates are not forgotten by using Google’s versatile personal assistant Manage your life easy to use. A simple interface is set to Day search for specific items, hide/display the It’s human nature to forget important dates, despite the fact that personal organiser apps exist on every mobile device. Part of the problem is feeling disinclined to employ the relevant app – it needs to be straightforward to use with the minimum of effort. Step forward Google Calendar. This should be a default app on your Android device (if not then you can download it for free from the Google Play Store) and by far the best thing about it is that it’s incredibly

70 The Android Book

view by default, but you can change this by tapping on the Day option on the top menu bar and then choosing an alternate view such as Week or Month (Fig 1). A fourth option, Agenda, neatly organises and displays your day via the appointments you have set up. Elsewhere in the interface you can tap on the Today option to jump straight to the current day (handy if scheduling events in advance), tap the ‘+’ icon to start creating a new event, and hit the Menu icon to refresh your calendar,

controls and access the settings screen for the app and all the accounts associated with it.

Scheduling events There are two ways to schedule events in Google Calendar. You can either tap on the ‘+’ icon on the top menu bar or tap on a time frame within your calendar. Either method will bring up a New Event window wherein you can add details, such the as event name, the start and end times, and add the

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Fig 1: You can choose to view your calendar by Day, Week, Month or Agenda using a simple drop-down menu

Fig 2: Invite people to attend your events and they will be instantly shared, without you having to do anything else

“When you invite a guest, the event will appear in their Google Calendar” email addresses of people you would like to invite. To do this, tap on the Guests field and start entering email addresses. If the people are listed in your contacts then their email addresses will automatically appear for selection as you type them (Fig 2). When you invite a guest, the event will automatically appear in their Google Calendar and they will be able to tap on the event to display the details and respond as to whether they intend to attend or not. All this happens seamlessly without you having to fire off individual or group emails from other apps. As Google Calendar is linked to your Google account, this app is linked to other Google apps to carry out specific services behind the scenes, one example being Gmail and another being Maps, as you will soon discover.

The time and place When creating events, ensure that you enter a location and try to be as specific as possible, right down to the postcode. The reason for

this is that Google Calendar is linked to Google Maps and if a location has been specified it will become underlined, allowing the recipient to tap on it in Google Calendar. This in turn will automatically launch Google Maps with the address already entered in the search field so that the app jumps straight to the location as soon as it is launched. Now, within Google Maps, the recipient can get directions to the location, see what it looks like in Street View to aid navigation, plot a route and even specify the mode of transport to get a detailed journey breakdown and travel time. If you find that you are running late for a scheduled event, you can bring up the event details box by tapping on it and then choose the ‘Email guests’ option. This will provide a list of quick responses that you can tap on to email everyone else who is attending (Fig 3). You can edit these quick response messages by going to General Settings (tap on the Menu icon in the top-right corner of the interface) to suit your individual needs.

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Fig 3: Quick response emails can be fired out quickly and easily if you are running late for an event!

Alter settings Tweak them to your needs By tapping the Menu icon in the topright corner of the screen and choosing Settings, you can edit your personal calendars by tapping on your email address, or tweak the general settings for the app. The latter option enables you to determine when the week starts and the time zone. You can also set notifications and edit the quick response emails that you send out from within the app – these are handy for letting other parties know if you are running late and suchlike.

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Creating and sharing events How to use Google Calendar to schedule meetings and invite other people to attend

Create a calendar event

1: Press and hold

2: Alternatively…

3: Select calendar

4: Fill in details

5: Create event

To create a new event quickly, long-press on an hour and tap New Event.

You can also tap the ‘+’ icon at the top of the screen. Either way is fine.

Ensure the right calendar is selected at the top of the New Event window.

Fill in details such as the event name, location and the start and end times.

When happy with your details, tap the Done button at the top right.

Share calendar events with others

Delete or edit an event

1: Tap on Guests

2: Add addresses

When creating an event, tap on the ‘Guests’ field about halfway down the window.

Add email addresses into the field. If they are in your contacts they will appear for selection.

1: Tap on event

3: Tap Done

4: Event sent

2: Edit or delete

When you have finished adding details, tap on the Done button in the top-right corner.

The event will appear in the calendar of your intended recipients, whereby they can confirm.

Tap the pen icon at the top to edit the event, or the trash can to delete it.

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Tap on the event in your Day view and a details window will then appear.

WorldMags.net Google Calendar Find an event location with Maps

Email a reply to an event

1: Tap on event Tap on the event to open the details box, then tap the ‘Email guests’ option.

1: Open details

2: Tap on location

3: See map

Calendar is linked to Google Maps so if a location is given for the meeting, you can easily find it. Start by tapping on the event to open it.

The location will be listed under the start and end times. If it is a specific location, it will be underlined; tap on this link.

Google Maps will launch and take you straight to the location. Tap on the address of the location in the window at the top of the screen.

2: Choose a quick response Here you can tap a quick response email or choose to write your own.

3: Select client Choose an email client to complete the action and send the email as normal.

4: Save location

5: Get directions

6: Follow the route

Tap on the star icon to save the address and then you can pay a visit to the Street View function to see exactly where it is you are going.

Tap on the journey time to the location and Maps will plan out a route for you to take. You can specify your mode of transport here.

Tap on the journey time box again and you can get turn-by-turn directions. Tap on Start to get the directions dictated like a satnav device.

“Google Maps will launch and take you straight to the event location” WorldMags.net

4: Individual emails If you wish to email individuals in a list, tap on their picture and tap on Email.

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WorldMags.net Google Maps

Google Maps With the Google Maps app you’ll never get lost again. Navigate the world, locate your favourite bars and restaurants, and get directions anywhere with the number-one maps app

What it can do:

t%JTDPWFSSPVUFT Bike, car or bus to places

t%(PPHMF&BSUI Delve into landmarks in 3D

t5SFLUIFQMBOFU Tour a city in Street View

Never get lost with Google Maps Google Maps provides you with a detailed and immersive map of the world on your device Find your way easily apps. A great way to get started with Google on the map, which you can tap on for more Google Maps is one of the most used apps available on Android. You can literally navigate the world from your device using the app, as well as find all kinds of great locations, points of interest and landmarks. The app combines your device’s GPS function as well as a Wi-Fi or data connection to find your location, navigate you from point to point and let you browse the entire planet with the swipe of your finger. The Google Maps app is also linked to Google Earth, as well as being implemented in other

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Maps is to set up a Home point for yourself. Opening the Google Maps app, tap on your device’s Menu button, then tap Settings. Tap Edit Home or Edit Work. Now you can input your home or work postcode and Google Maps will remember it for you. This will come in really useful when you are trying to get directions from your home or work location, or share these locations with another person. Once a home location has been set up in Google Maps, a small house icon will appear

options. If you type ‘Home’ into the search tool, you’ll be taken to your home location automatically (Fig 1).

Profile and privacy Google Maps covers pretty much every corner of the globe, displaying road systems and the geography of locations. If you have a Google account, all of your Google Maps information will be synced across any device that you log in with, making your favourite locations

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Fig 1: Setting up a home location can be useful since it can be utilised when in other apps that feature a Google Maps function

Fig 2: The more location settings that you’ve enabled, the more options Google Maps will be able to offer you when using the app

available from anywhere. In Google Maps, tap on the person icon at the top right, next to the search tool, to view your profile information. Here you’ll be able to see any reviews that you have completed on locations stored within Google Maps, as well as view your saved places and recently accessed places. It’s worth taking the time to set up your Google Maps account properly, to save you time in the long run when accessing locations you visit a lot within the app. If privacy is a concern to you when using an app that tracks your current location, open up the app’s settings and tap on Google Location settings. Here you can switch off location reporting and location history (Fig 2). Location reporting syncs your visited locations with other Google products, enhancing your Google experience. In Settings you can access a rundown of your map history.

tools that Google Maps does, but it’s a fantastic tool for exploring the planet in a satellite view. Through Google Earth you will be able to access more detailed information for places and businesses, as well as connect to Wikipedia entries on specific locations. There is even a setting to switch on access to Panoramio photos of locations (Fig 3). When browsing through Google Earth a series of recommended locations will appear at the bottom of the interface. These locations are specific to the country that you’re browsing in and are great for getting to know a place that you might be thinking about visiting, using photos and videos to give you a true idea of an area. Navigating both Google Earth and Google Maps is easy. In terms of touch commands, all you have to do is swipe to navigate across the map and pinch inwards or outwards to zoom. To rotate the map, press down on the screen with two fingers, then rotate them either clockwise or anticlockwise. If you find yourself getting lost as to which way is north, just tap on the compass icon to set yourself straight again. Check out the following tutorials to find out about all of the amazing navigational tools Google Maps has to offer.

Explore Google Earth Tap on the menu icon, which is poking out at the bottom left of the app, to display all of your Google Maps options. Tap Google Earth to run Google Earth on your device. Google Earth is a more advanced map app that comes pre-installed on all Android devices. Google Earth doesn’t provide the same navigation

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Fig 3: Tap on the Polaroid icon to go to the Panoramio.com site, where you can view more images of places from Google Maps

In-app map tool Google Maps in other apps Thousands of apps utilise Google Maps to offer users map-based tools. As an example, the NatWest banking app can pinpoint cash machines and branch locations through the use of a layering function that can be applied to maps. Most apps that use a map function also include the GPS button, allowing you to locate yourself on the map. Google Maps can be used in apps to help you find a lost device, locate ingredients for recipes or find out your friends’ whereabouts.

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Travel the world on your device Find out how to get directions, save your favourite locations and more using Google Maps

Search for locations in Google Maps

1: Device setup

2: GPS settings

3: Search the map

4: Search results

5: Find location

On the home screen tap the Menu button. Tap Settings, then tap More.

Tap Location Services. Switch on the Location, GPS and Wi-Fi options.

Close the settings panel and open Google Maps. Tap on the search box.

Start typing a location; Google will provide you with suggestions.

Tap on a suggestion or tap on the search icon to go to the location.

Favourite a location in Google Maps

View map traffic information

1: Find a location

2: Tap and hold

Search for and find a location in Google Maps that you want to add to your favourites list.

You can also long-press anywhere on the map to move the red pin to that particular point.

1: Google Maps menu

3: Save a place

4: Star locations

2: Traffic overlay

Tap once on the red pointer to reveal the information panel of that location. Tap on Save.

Once a location is saved to your Favourites, a star will appear at that point on the map.

Tap Traffic. The map will now display colour-coded traffic information.

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In Google Maps, tap on the menu icon found at the bottom left of the app.

WorldMags.net Google Maps Change Google Maps view interface

Post and share a location

1: Find a map location In Google Maps, find and pinpoint a location on the map you’d like to share.

1: Satellite mode

2: Map overlays

3: Google Earth

Open the menu bar. Tap on Satellite to change the map view to satellite mode. Satellite mode will take longer to load than map view.

Open the menu bar. Tap on Traffic, Public Transport or Cycling to view different map overlays displaying the routes for each option.

In the menu bar, tap Google Earth. In Google Earth, some buildings will be shown in 3D, giving you a realistic sense of scale for them.

2: Show location details Tap on the location name at the bottom of the screen to display its details.

3: Choose to share via Tap on Share. Choose from the list of available sharing functions and apps.

4: Access layers

5: Street View

6: Navigate a map

Tap the menu icon in the top-left corner of the app. Here you can switch on and off different layers, which will help speed up loading time.

In Google Earth, tap and drag on the person icon to switch on Street View. Roads that can be seen in Street View will be highlighted in blue.

Swipe across the screen to look around in Street View. Double-tap to move forward to the next image along the highlighted yellow line.

“In Google Earth, some buildings will be shown in 3D, giving you a sense of scale” WorldMags.net

4: Add a location link A link to the location will be pasted into the app that you’re sharing from.

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WorldMags.net Google Earth

Google Earth Explore the world and understand every location and landmark within it from the palm of your hand. Google Earth, and our advice, will have you up and running in minutes

What it can do:

t4UVOOJOHNBQT Map quality is incredible

t:PVSMPDBUJPO Always see your location

t6TFGVMMBZFST Use layers to find places

Search the world from your pocket View realistic representations of any landmark or location simply by tapping and searching Historic and new data an overlay detailing unusual views or specialist Remember the extras that are easily available Google Earth is not just designed to show you the world in its current form – there is a lot of useful historical information also available with a couple of taps. Tap the Menu key and you will see a section at the bottom called More Maps. When you select Earth Gallery, you will be presented with a set of thumbnails (Fig 1), each with a description below it showing you what it contains. When you select one, you will be given a completely different view of the world, which could be from the past or even

78 The Android Book

stats. Despite the fact that Google Earth is primarily designed to give you location-based information that is as timely as possible, the extras that are included can prove useful for research, homework and many other tasks. In the left-hand column you will also see sections to navigate or you can simply browse using the arrows in the top-right corner. There are more than 700 options here which will give you everything you need and potentially more information than you could ever require.

and Google Earth will be more useful than ever to you and beneficial for many tasks.

Knowledge is power Google Earth includes a number of layers which directly interact with the locations you are viewing and we have detailed how to select these in a related tutorial. However, if you take some time to explore each layer, you may be surprised at what is on offer. The Wikipedia layer adds simple markers

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Fig 1: The galleries offer a chance to see the world as it was and are highly informative and educational

Fig 2: Wikipedia is just one example of where extra detail is available for any location you are currently viewing on screen

to landmarks and specific locations; when a marker is tapped, you will be presented with a detailed description and history of the location in question (Fig 2). This potentially makes the entire system more useful than using standalone apps for this kind of task and brings together much of your fact-finding into the one solution. If you enable the Places and Panoramic Photos layers, you will also be able to tap markers to see a full-screen image taken by a user. Some of these images can add a lot of realism and familiarity to any map-based location and make you feel as if you are almost visiting the place in person. Be careful not to overuse every layer and feature on offer, though, because this can easily crowd the maps and make them unreadable. Know what you are looking for, enable the features and enjoy the stunning realism.

nothing will happen at all; but if you tap and hold and then drag him to the location you are currently viewing, everything changes immediately. You will see a ground-level view (Fig 3) that can look obscured in some locations. Moving your fingers around the screen will still move the entire display and this comes into its own when you move the man to 3D buildings. The detail is incredible and you will be able to see buildings, landmarks and locations in their most accurate representations and consequently be able to understand what makes them so special. To navigate away from ground level again you need to tap the Exit Ground Level option in the top right-hand corner and then you can continue exploring as before. Away from the ground-level feature, simply zooming in to certain areas, such as major cities like New York, will produce stunningly realistic imagery and you can choose to set the image quality to ‘high’ if need be. As you move your finger around the screen, the buildings will appear, but remember that using the high quality setting on some devices can cause slowdowns in the app and even in the general usage of the device while Google Earth is running.

Time for a quick walk It would be easy to think of Google Earth as a mapping tool, but it offers so much more when it comes to ‘seeing’ what a place far away is really like. You will notice a small yellow man in the main map screen in most views, but it is very easy to overlook him and presume that he is a static icon. Tap him and

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Fig 3: The ground-level option offers the most realistic and compelling view of the area you are looking at in Google Earth

Find a business Locate local services The search mechanism in Google Earth can be used for anything. You do not need to just look for places – you can input businesses or even types of service such as ‘Pub’ or ‘Pizza’ to receive markers showing the ones that are closest to you. When you tap a marker, you will see full contact details and even reviews so that you can decide whether a trip out is worth your effort. It is yet another beneficial use for the highly comprehensive Google Earth.

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Use the Google Earth features Understand how to make the most out of every advanced Google Earth feature in seconds

Explore the world with Google Earth

1: Zooming in

2: Spin around

3: A real view

4: So much detail

5: Local landmarks

Pinch outwards on the main screen to zoom in to the map on display.

Spin your fingers either way to change the map display orientation.

Hold two fingers down and pull downwards to tilt the main map view.

Tap the top-left menu icon to manage all of the viewing options.

Pull up the bottom black icon to see local landmarks in more detail.

Share any location immediately

Change the image quality

1: Find a location

2: Sharing methods

When viewing a location, tap the Menu key and then select Share from the pop-up list.

Now select the method you want to use to share the screenshot of the chosen location.

1: Go to settings

3: Send the object

4: It’s been shared

2: Make your choice

Add details of the recipient, a description, and then click Send to share the location.

The recipient can now tap the screenshot to see all of the location information they need.

Now choose your preferred quality. ‘High’ may slow down your device.

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Open Settings from the menu and then select the Image Quality option.

WorldMags.net Google Earth Change layers and view location data

View landmarks in 3D

1: Select the 3D option In the Layers menu, select 3D Buildings and then tap the map to proceed.

1: The layer menu

2: See the layer

3: Extra detail

Tap the top-left menu icon to be shown a complete selection of available layers. Select the Places one for the purposes of this tutorial.

A series of indicators will appear over the map screen. There is little indication of what they are until you select them. Choose one and tap.

You will see a new screen appear with a lot of relevant information about the specific location. Photos, videos and text are included.

2: Find a landmark Tap the magnifying glass at the top and search for a landmark to view.

3: An unusual shade 3D objects are coloured differently and will look quite unusual at first.

4: A busy screen

5: Under the sea

6: Navigation

As you start to select more layers, the map screen will become busier. Be careful not to choose unnecessary layers that you do not need.

You can even select the Ocean layer to see detailed information for the part of the sea you are currently viewing. Labels are shown as well.

The Roads layer will offer an accurate representation of major and minor roads, with names, and will prove useful for basic navigation.

“Tap the top-left menu icon to be shown a complete selection of available layers” WorldMags.net

4: Time to explore Zoom in and pan to see incredible levels of detail. It’s like actually being there.

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WorldMags.net Chromecast

Chromecast

Start using Google’s Chromecast device to wirelessly stream movies, music, documents and more from your smartphone on to your TV in a matter of seconds

What it can do:

t-JOLXJUI:PV5VCF Cast any YouTube video.

t7JFXQIPUPTPOUIF57 Look at your best images

t$BTUXFCUBCT Browse the web on your TV

Stream easily with Chromecast The Chromecast cuts out all the wires and makes streaming a whole lot easier to complete The setting up process network for the Chromecast. The next step Chromecast and Wi-Fi connection at the Setting up the Chromecast is a really simple task that is done solely through the official Chromecast app available from the Google Play store. The app itself is free and is compatible with nearly all Android devices. Before you start setting up your Chromecast it’s important that both your phone’s Wi-Fi and your home’s router is turned on, or else you’ll find that neither device will connect. After plugging the Chromecast into your TV’s HDMI port, the app will begin scanning your Wi-Fi

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will be to set a name for your Chromecast. You’ll find that your Chromecast name will be needed for access to certain apps, so make sure it’s something you can remember. The name can be changed from the Devices tab (Fig 1) within the Chromecast app. After naming the Chromecast, you should find the set up phase complete. To double check that it’s all working okay, go to the HDMI channel on your TV, where you should now find a colourful background, with the name of your

bottom right of the screen. If all appears as it should, you can now start streaming.

Explore streaming options Now that your Chromecast is set up, you’ll want to explore the various streaming options at your disposal. As you’d expect from any Google product, all of their official Google apps are compatible with Chromecast. For example, users can stream movies from their phone to the TV with Google Play

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Fig 1: By going through the stages set out in the official Chromecast app, the setting up process should take just a few minutes

Fig 2: There are some fantastic third-party apps available for Chromecast that can help you stream a variety of content

Movies, or listen to their favourite playlists and anything in their library with Google Play Music. Whenever you use an official Google app, simply keep an eye out for the Cast icon at the top of it to indicate that the content is compatible. Dig a little deeper on the Play store and you’ll find a wide variety of third party apps also available for streaming purposes. AllCast is a fantastic app for streaming any locally stored media from your phone on to your TV and LocalCast is a great way of getting your favourite images on the big screen (Fig 2). If you’re struggling to find Chromecast-compatible apps, then you should download the Cast Store app. This contains every Chromecast app that has been released on to the Google Play store; including everything from games to media servers. You might be surprised with what you can find through the app.

your Wi-Fi network, it’ll provide you with a selection of quick troubleshooting tips to help fix the problem (Fig 3). If these instructions don’t fix your problem, then you might consider putting the Chromecast into a different HDMI port on your TV, which should fix the issue for you. The other area in which users may experience some problems is with streaming quality. If you’re finding that your stream is stuttering and constantly freezing, a simple restart of your router might do the trick, but you’ll need to Cast your content across to your TV again after the restart. If not, then you’ll want to go into the app’s settings menu that you’re streaming from. Nearly all Chromecast-compatible apps will have an option for you to lower the quality of the stream to cater for poor internet connections. If problems with your stream still persist, then you’ll want to make sure that you currently aren’t downloading, uploading or performing any other function on your phone that uses a lot of bandwidth. For the most part, users won’t find any problems when setting up and using the Chromecast, but when a problem does arise, use the above tips or head over to the official Chromecast forums where you can find guides to other issues users have faced.

Fix Chromecast problems As with most products, from time to time you’ll find certain issues appear that need to be fixed. Although rare, you may have some initial problems with connecting the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network. If the official Chromecast app cannot connect to

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Fig 3: The Chromecast app has some simple troubleshooting instructions you can follow to try and fix any issues you have

Playback controls Take control of your stream Once you’ve started a stream, by pressing on the Cast icon within the app you can now access a range of playback controls (depending on the app in question). For Google Play Music, users will have access to a simple volume toggle, which directly controls the TV volume. On the other hand, the YouTube app also offers volume control, but users can also choose to lower the video quality if the stream is stuttering a little. Each app offers different things.

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Start streaming with Chromecast Check out the following tutorials that showcase some of the best Chromecast-compatible apps

Set up and use your Chromecast

1: Select Devices

2: Wi-Fi scanning

3: Did it work?

4: Set a new name

5: Download apps

Select the Devices tab from within the Chromecast app’s menu.

It will now scan your Wi-Fi network and connect to the Chromecast.

If the scan worked, your device will now appear on your device.

Press on the Chromecast picture to set a new personal name for it.

Now go to the Play store to download Chromecastcompatible apps.

Manage a cloud account on your TV

Cast a YouTube video

1: Download AllCast

2: Select files

Download and install the AllCast app. Select the Google Drive option from the side menu.

Choose the cloud files you want to send over to your TV and then confirm your choices.

1: Select a video

3: Choose Chromecast

4: Start streaming

2: Start to Cast

The app will scan for compatible streaming options. Choose your Chromecast from the list.

Allow AllCast access to Google Drive on the next screen, your streamed content will show.

Press the Cast icon at the top and wait for the video to appear on your TV.

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Open up a video contained within the YouTube app and wait for it to play.

WorldMags.net Chromecast Stream media files from your phone

View photos on your TV

1: Open Gallery app Open either the Photos or Gallery app, depending on the phone you’re using.

1: Open LocalCast

2: Select audio files

3: Or choose video

Open up the LocalCast app and press on the menu icon so the side menu appears. Scroll down until you reach the Library tab at the bottom.

First you want to try casting some of the locally stored audio files on your device. Select Music from the Library and search for some tunes.

You may want to select a video. Go through the Library tab again, select video and then the DCIM option provided at the top.

2: Select image Open up an image, or select a full album from the list provided to you.

3: Start the stream Press on the Cast icon at the top of the app to start streaming the image.

4: Casting icon

5: Check settings

6: Adjust volume

Once you’ve chosen what file you want to cast, press on the Cast icon at the bottom-right of the app and wait for the content to show.

Scroll to the bottom of the side menu within LocalCast and open the Settings menu. You can change streaming options for better casting.

If you’ve issues with the sound being streamed through your phone, select Volume Assignment and choose HDMI Out.

“Press on the Cast icon at the bottom-right and wait for the content to show” WorldMags.net

4: View recent history Go to the Recent tab to see images of what you’ve Cast across.

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YouTube WorldMags.net

YouTube

Search for and watch all your favourite videos with the app version of the biggest video sharing platform on the internet

What it can do:

t8BUDIWJEFPT View videos on your phone

t4VCTDSJCFUPDIBOOFMT Get alerts for new videos

t4IBSFWJEFPT Send videos to friends

Watch videos with the YouTube app The YouTube app is easy to navigate and lets you access content wherever you are Watch videos using a tablet, or a phone with a large screen, then tapping the play icon. Otherwise, you can YouTube, by far the largest video-sharing platform on the internet, needs no introduction. The immensely popular site ingests hundreds of thousands of videos every single day and no matter what your interests are, you’ll find something that’ll entertain and inform you. The YouTube app available for Android devices is a simplified version of the web platform and perfect to use while you travel or when you can’t access your computer. If you’re

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it may even be a preferable way to watch and share videos. YouTube comes as standard on most Android devices, but if you don’t have it installed then download it for free from the Google Play Store (Fig 1). As with any app, YouTube can be launched from your Android app drawer by tapping the icon once. When opening the app for the first time, you’ll be presented with some of the most popular videos of the day. You can watch these instantly by tapping on the name and

perform a basic search by tapping the search icon or browse videos by category.

Working with accounts YouTube, like most Google products, is now linked to your Google accounts. When opening the app for the first time, you will be asked to sign into your account. While you don’t have to do this to watch videos and perform basic searches, it is necessary if you want to engage with the community, like

WorldMags.net

WorldMags.netYouTube

Fig 1: YouTube comes as standard on newer Android devices, but you can download it from the Play store, too

Fig 2: View and clear your video history by navigating to the History tab. YouTube will make suggestions based on your viewing history

videos, add them to a favourites list (or playlist) and leave comments. If you’re uploading videos yourself, it’s also necessary to create a channel and tell other viewers about yourself. You only have to sign in once. After you do, the app will remember you and open up on your account every time. Each time you watch a video, YouTube will remember it and build up a History of your searches (Fig 2). Based on the types of videos you are watching, YouTube will make recommendations. This is a great feature if you need a little inspiration, but can also work against you if you watched something you didn’t particularly enjoy and are recommended similar options. You can clear your History by tapping the Menu icon when on the History page and selecting Clear. Any playlists you created will also be associated with your account and available for you to watch wherever you are.

save you some data. From any screen in the YouTube app, tap the Settings option and then tap Preloading (Fig 3). This feature allows you to preload any videos that are in your Subscriptions or Watch Later list when you’re connected to Wi-Fi, which means you’ll use less data when you watch them on the move. Because the videos will essentially download onto your device, they will take up space, so be sure to have enough available before ticking the options. You can also choose to preload only one or the other option rather than both, to save you some storage space. Other Settings options which warrant taking a look at include General settings and Connect TVs. In the General settings menu you can choose to play videos at high quality as standard and also adjust the size of the caption text. If you’re an uploader of videos rather than just a viewer, you can also specify over which data connection you allow your uploads to process. The Connected TVs menu allows you to firstly connect and then manage any televisions you might use to watch videos from. You will, of course, need the right cables to make the connection, but once done you’ll enjoy the benefit of seeing all your favourite videos on a bigger screen.

Preloading and other features Videos are characteristically large files and watching a lot of content on the move can really eat into your data allowance. Therefore it’s always best to connect to Wi-Fi when it’s available, but for the occasions when it isn’t possible, YouTube has an option to

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Fig 3: Choose to preload videos to your device to save on data usage when you’re on the move and working off 3G/4G

Report a video Flag inappropriate content YouTube has millions of users uploading content every day and very little capacity to check each one. There are guidelines that govern what type of content is allowed on the site and users can report anything unsuitable. To report a video, tap the flag icon in the main video area, then choose the reason. Reporting a video is serious, so be sure that the content really is against the community rules before flagging up, rather than just against your taste in content.

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YouTube WorldMags.net

Play and share YouTube videos Personalise your YouTube experience by learning the features and functions of the app

Search for and watch videos

1: Category list

2: Tap to select

3: Use search bar

4: Tap to play

5: Suggestions

Tap the YouTube icon to pull out a menu listing video categories.

To view videos in a category, tap it once and scroll the results.

Perform a keywordspecific search by typing in the search bar.

Tap the video once to open, then tap the play option; tap again to pause.

Based on your history, you’ll see suggestions for more videos of interest.

Subscribe to videos

Like or dislike a video

1: Search channels

2: Tap to subscribe

YouTube videos are on channels that you can subscribe to. Search for a channel you like.

Tap the red button to subscribe to the channel. Tap it again to unsubscribe.

1: Like a video

3: View subscriptions

4: Scroll video list

2: Dislike a video

Pull out the left menu and scroll down to see all the channels you’re subscribed to.

All videos on subscribed channels are available in a stream when you tap the red button.

To dislike a video, tap the thumbs-down. You can also leave a comment below.

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After watching a video, like it by tapping the thumbs-up icon underneath it.

WorldMags.netYouTube Make and edit playlists

Share videos with friends

1: Locate share icon The Share icon is positioned at the top right of each video (the middle icon).

1: Add a video

2: Create a playlist

3: Give it a name

Building up playlists is a good way to keep content to watch later. Search for a video and then tap the small icon next to it and choose ‘Add to’.

If you have no current playlists, you will be invited to create one. Select the ‘New playlist’ option from the popup menu.

Name your playlist, then tick if you want it be private or public. If it’s public it’ll be associated with your Google account and seen by others.

2: Tap to share Tap the Share icon once and choose which app to use to share the video.

3: Share via email If sharing via Gmail, add in a recipient or a number of recipients and tap Send.

4: View playlists

5: Play all videos

6: Remove a video

Navigate back to the main YouTube pull-out menu and tap the Playlists option. Here you can view all your playlists and their videos.

Set yourself up for a video marathon by tapping the small icon next to a playlist and selecting ‘Play all’. Its videos will play back-to-back.

Tap the playlist to view videos within it. Again, tap the icon next to a video, then choose Remove to delete it from that playlist. Or move it or share it.

“Building up playlists is a good way to keep content to watch later” WorldMags.net

4: Share playlist items To share videos from within a playlist, tap the icon next to a video, then Share.

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Camera WorldMags.net

Camera Capture memories, shoot a breathtaking panorama, snap a family portrait or make a home movie. Let out your creative side with Android’s Camera app

What it can do:

t4IPPUMJLFBQSP Snap high-quality images

t6UJMJTFTQFDJBMFGGFDUT Change the look of a shot

t.BLF)%NPWJFT Record high-quality video

Take perfect photos on your phone With a built-in flash, shooting modes and two cameras, you can shoot anything Shoot photos in style Camera app comes with an abundance of exposure to changing your camera’s ISO. On One of the most used tools of any Android smartphone or tablet has got to be the camera. Whether you’re taking a self-portrait using a front-facing camera or capturing an epic sunset with a rear-facing one, there is so much to see and do with built-in cameras that you’ll never run out of interesting ways to shoot your subjects. Many cameras have a built-in flash, although front-facing cameras can only rely on the brightness of your device’s screen to illuminate the subject. The native

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different tools, functions and settings to help you get the best possible shots from your camera. These include the focal point box that will flash green when your shot is in focus, as well as a variety of different in-camera effects that can be added before shooting (Fig 1). All of these settings can be turned on and off as you like, allowing you to let the camera run in a fully automatic mode. Alternatively, you can take control of every single aspect of the shooting process, from setting up the perfect

top of shooting photos you’ll be able to switch to capturing high-quality video, all with the Android Camera app.

Setting up your camera An important consideration before you start shooting photos and capturing videos is the quality settings. The size of your images and video clips will determine how quickly your storage gets filled up. Of course, you’ll always be able to continuously back up your files onto

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WorldMags.net Camera

Fig 1: Adding any of the effects included in the Camera app can help create a unique style and look to your photos

Fig 2: The quality of an image will depend on what you want to do with it. If you plan to edit the photo, keep the quality high

a computer. Tap on the Settings drop-down icon, then tap on the Settings cog again. Under the Photo subheading, tap ‘Photo size’ to change the size of your shot images (Fig 2); keep in mind that the lower the size, the lower the quality. Tap the Video icon to do the same for your video clips. Tap on the Settings cog for general settings. Here you’ll find the wellhidden timer function, which allows you to set up a delay before a photo is taken, as well as being able to turn on Review mode. When review mode is on any photo that you take will instantly be shown to you in the Gallery app. When turned off you’ll still be presented with a thumbnail image of your shot in the top left corner of the frame that you can tap on to view. In the general settings you’ll also be able to activate voice controls, file names and your photo location information settings.

image combining the shadows, mid-tones and highlights of each one (Fig 3). In the Camera app, when tapping on the Settings icon, you’ll find a collection of quick settings tools that will come in very handy. On top of being able to choose a flash type, you can select a recording mode when shooting video, as well as switch on ‘Auto night detection’. This mode will activate smart stabilisation when taking night-time shots. The shutter speed of your camera must be slowed down to allow for as much light as possible to enter the shot when shooting in a dark location; this means the photo takes longer to be captured, so any shake that occurs when the shot is being made might add a slight blurring effect to the finished image. Stabilisation mode tries to counter this helping you to get sharp and well-illuminated shots at night-time. It’s worth switching this mode off when you’re not shooting at night. When shooting, below the Settings cog you’ll see a number which represents how many more photos can be taken in relation to your device’s storage capacity. If you’re a budding photographer or just want to get some quick snaps on your phone, there are enough functions in the Camera app to get some really amazing shots.

Shoot modes and tools The Camera app comes with a series of different modes depending on what you’re trying to shoot. For high-speed subjects you’ve got Sports mode or, if you want a perfectly exposed image, try HDR which takes three separate images all at different exposes and mixes them to create a single

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Fig 3: The HDR tool is one of many shooting modes that helps you to get the best possible results out of your camera

Using GPS tags GPS location information Tap the Menu button and open the Settings. Tap the Settings cog and tap ‘GPS tag’. Switch this option on. With GPS tagging, photos will include location information, which will be included when they’re shared with other people. The GPS tagging tool can only work when you have a data network connection and GPS is turned on. Keep in mind that posting images with GPS information will make it possible to find out exactly where your photographs have been taken.

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Camera WorldMags.net

Shoot, store and share photos Learn just how easy it is to become a pro Android photographer when using the Camera app

Shoot photos on an Android device

1: The Camera app

2: Digital zoom

3: Auto focusing

4: Manual focus

5: The focus box

Open the app drawer, then find and open the Camera app.

In the Camera app, your volume buttons operate the zoom function.

The camera will focus on the subject in the centre box of the frame.

Tap on a specific area within the frame to focus specifically on it.

Once the focus has been found, tap on the camera icon to take a snap.

Swap between front and rear cameras

Use camera flash modes

1: The rear camera

2: Swap the camera

By default the Camera app will shoot through the rear camera, making use of the auto flash.

Tap the ‘swap camera’ icon at the top left of the screen to turn on the front-facing camera.

1: Flash settings

3: Dual camera mode

4: Frame placement

2: Select a flash

On certain devices, use the dual camera tool (under Modes) to use both cameras.

Tap on the frame holding the second camera view to reposition and resize it to your liking.

Choose between On, Off or Auto. Tap an option, setting it until changed.

92 The Android Book

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With the rear camera turned on, tap the Settings icon. Tap the flash icon.

WorldMags.net Camera Add in-camera effects when shooting

Shoot a panorama

1: Select Panorama mode Tap on Mode. Swipe through the list of different modes and select Panorama.

1: Effects list

2: Add vignette

3: Colour effects

In shooting mode, tap the Settings cog and then choose the Effects option to display a collection of in-camera shooting effects.

Tap Vignette to add a faint black border around your shot. The Vintage effect will do the same as well as affecting saturation.

Effects such as Greyscale, Sepia and Turquoise will apply a specific tone of colour to your shots. Greyscale shoots in black and white.

2: Shoot panorama Tap the camera button, then slowly pan the camera to the left or the right.

3: Use panorama guide Use the preview bar as you turn to make sure that you’re shooting straight.

4: Stylised shot

5: Fisheye lens

6: Apply effects

The Cartoon, Moody, Rugged and Oil Pastel options are stylistic special effects which can completely change the look of a shot.

The Fisheye lens effect will apply a bulging look to shots, adding a circular frame as if they’ve been taken with a real fisheye lens.

Tap an effects thumbnail to preview it in-camera. Once happy, take a photo. Remember, effects can also be added after taking a shot.

“Stylistic special effects can completely change the look of a shot” WorldMags.net

4: Process the panorama Once you’ve done a full rotation or pressed stop, the shot will be processed.

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Camera WorldMags.net Use different shooting modes

New and improved shooting modes

1: View shooting modes Tap Mode, then all of the available modes will be listed on the screen.

1: Mode updates

2: Sound & Shot

3: Record audio

Not all Android devices offer the most up-to-date shooting modes, so you may find some variations as to the modes that are available.

Tap Mode. Scroll the mode list until you get to Sound & shot mode (if available) to activate it. Tap the camera button when ready.

In Sound & shot mode, nine seconds of audio will be recorded after the photo is taken. In the Gallery, tap the music icon to play the audio.

4: Add some drama

5: Animated photo

6: Show movement

In Drama mode, your device will shoot several seconds of footage then stitch together the variations of movement within a still image.

Select Animated photo. Make sure your shot has some moving elements to it, then tap the camera icon to shoot several frames.

In the image preview, scrub the moving parts of the image with your finger. Tap Save. View your animated shot in the Gallery app.

2: Auto shooting mode The default mode is Auto, which decides the best mode for the shot.

3: Facial enhancements Beauty face mode will fix imperfections on skin tones when shooting people.

4: Select shooting mode Tap on a mode to switch it on. Each has its own shooting requirements.

94 The Android Book

“In Sound & shot mode, nine seconds of audio will be recorded” WorldMags.net

WorldMags.net Camera Download extra modes for your Camera app

1: Tap Mode

2: Scroll to Download

3: Browse content

4: Download modes

While in the Camera app, tap on the Mode button in the lower-left corner of the screen to display all of the modes that are currently available on the device.

Now scroll right down to the bottom of the list and you will see an option called Download. Tap on this to be taken to the Galaxy Store app.

All of the available modes will be listed. You can tap on one to read more about it and the various exciting new features it brings to your Galaxy device.

If you wish to add one of the new modes to your existing array, tap on the Download button and it will be installed on your device. They are small files to download.

5: Select new mode

6: Manage modes

When the new mode has downloaded, go back to your Camera app and tap on Mode. The new mode should now have been added to the list.

By tapping the Manage Modes option at the bottom of the modes list, you can select which modes will be displayed in the list by ticking and unticking them.

Settings Tap here to view all settings and select quick settings to appear at the top of the interface

Modes Tap this icon to view all of the available shooting modes that you can use

Video mode Tap this icon to instantly start shooting HD video on your device

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Camera WorldMags.net Control your shot with manual mode

1: ISO settings

2: White balance

3: Exposure value

4: Add guidelines

While in the Camera app, tap on the Settings cog and then tap ISO to manually input an amount, increasing the brightness and grain of a shot.

Tap the Settings icon, then tap ‘White balance’. From the list, select a white balance that is appropriate for the lighting conditions that you’re shooting in.

Tap ‘Exposure value’ to manually set the exposure of a shot. This is useful when your shot has different exposures within it, such as when shooting a horizon.

Tap Grid Lines, then turn them on. Now when you shoot, a grid overlay will appear, helping you compose your shots, using techniques like the rule of thirds.

Modify your camera’s quick settings

1: Quick settings

2: Add settings

3: Reset settings

4: Volume buttons

While in the Camera app, tap the Settings cog. A grid displaying all of the available quick settings will appear, as well as the ones that are set up.

Drag a quick setting from the grid up to one of the three quick settings that has a blue box around it. When it turns blue, let go to place the new setting.

Add your preferred quick settings. Settings that you moved will be added to the quick settings grid. Tap Reset to restore settings to their default setup.

In Settings you can assign commands to your phone’s volume key. Tap the Volume Key option in the settings grid and assign a command.

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WorldMags.net Camera Record an HD video in the Camera app Aspect When shooting in 16:9 mode, videos will be shot at a wider aspect ratio

Square In 4:3 a square effect is added, placing borders around the shot

1: Shoot a video

2: Recording mode

Tap on the video-camera icon at the bottom of the screen to enter video mode. The Camera app will automatically start shooting video. Tap stop to finish recording.

Tap the Settings icon. Tap the filmreel icon to change the recording mode. ‘Limit for MMS’ will create a low-quality video that is easier to share via MMS and email.

3: Change speed

4: Video options

5: Video storage

6: Video editing

Tap Slow or Fast motion. A new option will appear below the recording mode icon; tap it to change the speed of motion. Audio is not recorded.

Various video options can be found in the settings grid. You can adjust the size of your videos and to enable stabilisation – the latter may cause a warping effect.

Within the settings grid is an option called Storage Location. If you have a memory card in your device, it may be worth recording footage to that to save space.

Once you’ve shot a video, tap on the clip thumbnail in the top-left corner. Tap Trim in the options bar to edit the duration of your clip. Tap Done when finished.

Pixels The pixel ratio will define the quality of an image and its file size

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WorldMags.net Google Photos

(PPHMF1IPUPT

Enhance your photos with cool and retro filters and frames to make them look better, back them up for safekeeping, then share them, create an album and even a montage

What it can do:

t$SFBUJWFGJMUFST Give an image style and tone

t6TFZPVSJNBHF Set the photo as wallpaper

t$SFBUFNPWJFTIPXT Combine pics, video & music

Make your images look better Improve then back up and share your photos and videos, or create a new film from them Navigate around the app Tap on the Google Photos app to get started. Be aware that as with all things Google now, there’s significant Google+ integration, whether you want it or not. The main Photos menu splits into two tabs covering Camera and Highlights. What’s under the Camera heading, though, is actually all your camera and imported images in folders. Under the heading you will see both shown, with one image having a Folders tag on it. Tap on this to browse through the entire Android device for images. Along the top of the screen are

98 The Android Book

three icons covering creating a film, searching for specific images and a small menu covering Settings and basic operations like signing out, sending feedback and finding Help. On the left, there’s the main menu (Fig 1), right next to the Photos icon; this shows which account is using the app, then has entries for Google+, Photos, Albums, Auto-Awesome, Videos, Photos of you and the delete bin. Obviously, tapping on Photos from this menu now doesn’t do anything, but if you are in any of those other apps listed, tapping Photos brings you back here. Tap the down arrow next to the

account name and then on ‘Select Google+ page’ to choose a different one.

Make photos look better Tap on Folders and browse to the category you want to look in. Tap on the More icon to go directly into it to look around. Tap on an image to select it and you then have a number of functions to access relating to it. The image editing option is the paintbrush, bottom left. There are three functions here, starting with Rotate. The Crop option has some basic options: there’s Free mode where a grid can

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Fig 1: Navigate to other image-related apps as well as Google+ from the main menu. You can always tap Photos to return

Fig 2: Each filter has extra versions for variety and you can increase or decrease the strength of effect, brightness and saturation

be dragged into any shape. Tap on the tick icon to initiate the crop. Or there’s a Square option and one to return back to the original layout. Of course, the real fun is in the Filters section and here there are options for filters or frames. There are nine filters to choose from; tap on one to select it. Now, tap and hold on the screen and drag up or down to use a popup menu to select from Strength, Brightness and Saturation and more (Fig 2). Tap and drag left and right to decrease and increase the function that you just selected. Also, look at the filter box itself. It will have a number of small dots in it. Each one represents a different version. Tap on it to change to the next option.

also do a little nifty object removal if you have more than one photo of the same place. There are also Auto-Awesome movies and these can be created directly from within the Photos app. Tap on the clapperboard icon on the top row and browse to the folders where your images and videos are stored that you want to include in the movie. Tap the tick sign next to a folder name to include everything in that folder or go into it and select media individually. You can also tap on the stretch icon and zoom in to a particular part of an image to use. When you have made your selection, tap on Select to go to the editing element (Fig 3). Here you can swipe left and right on the screen to select from categories such as natural, 8mm film, action, cinema, documentary, extreme, festival, glamour, lo-fi, memory lane, modern pop, punk, showtime, silver screen, the great outdoors, urban landscape and vintage. Each one has a different colour style and some effects and has a different way of transitioning from one screen to another. Tap on the music icon to select a different style of music; the pencil to add a title or remove images/movies from the running order. Tap on Save to output the film in 480p or 720p quality.

Create a slideshow From the main photos menu there are options to turn on the automatic backup of images to Google cloud storage. While this acts as a safety net in case they get deleted elsewhere, it also brings into play the Google AutoAwesome feature, which works when you either upload images to Google+ or use the backup feature. It checks to see what content has been uploaded and then can make HDR or panoramic images, merge group images into one photo, combine action shots and

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Fig 3: Create basic slideshow movies from your photos and video clips, then add music and a title and upload to Google+ or share

Frame it Add the finishing touches Want to add the perfect finish to your edited image? Go to the paintbrush icon and select Filters, then Frames. There are plenty to choose from, including round, worn, instant, filed, clean, easel, modern, scratchy, dark, curved and scraped, scratchy and film stock. As with the filters, each frame has some variations. Just tap on the frame icon to see the next one. Also, they have a frame width parameter. Slide left and right on the image to adjust the size of the frame.

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Apply filters, borders and tweaks Use tap controls to add effects, create movies to share on Google+ and upload to social media

Edit, tone and improve your images

1: Go to Edit mode

2: Crop to shape

3: Apply filters

4: Adjust effect

5: Finish and save

Select a photo to enhance and tap on the paintbrush icon to start editing.

Tap on the Crop tool and use this to trim wasted space around the image.

Tap on Filters and select a filter. Tap again to choose a different version.

Tap and hold on the image to select a variable. Slide sideways to increase.

Tap the tick icon when you’re done. Then tap on Save to apply effects.

Share on Google+ and social media

Quickly create an online album

1: Find the image

2: Start the sharing

Navigate through the folders to find the image that you want to share, then tap on it to load.

Tap the Share icon, bottom middle, to bring up all the services and options.

1: Select entire folder

3: Share with Google+

4: Fill out the title

2: Create new album

Tap on Google+ and then the down arrow by To. Select Public so everyone can see it.

Add a title for the album, fill in a description and maybe add more photos. Then tap Share.

Select Google+. Enter viewing option, text and album name, then tap Share.

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Tap on a folder to open it, then tap each image to select all of them. Tap Share.

WorldMags.net Google Photos Make a movie from your photos

Use images on your device

1: Select an image to use From the Photos screen, go through the folders and tap the image to use.

1: Find the images

2: Select ones to use

3: Build the movie

From the main Photos screen, tap on the clapperboard icon on the top row. Then navigate through the folders to the location of the images.

Tap images to select them to use in the movie. Also, tap on the stretch icon to go to an image and then zoom in to the part you want to show.

Tap on Select when finished, to start building the movie. Tap and slide left and right on the image to select a different colour and transition style.

2: Make it a profile photo Tap the Menu icon and select ‘Set as’. The first option is as a Profile Photo.

3: Make it the wallpaper Tap on More and there are options for contact photo and types of wallpaper.

4: Increase the time

5: Add some music

6: Edit and save

Tap on the timer icon, top right, to bring up the length of the movie. Use the Short and Long shortcuts or tap and drag the timer manually.

Tap on the music icon to select from the various styles of accompanying tune. Listen to the previews, then tap on the back icon, top left.

The pencil icon lets you add a title and remove any images by sliding them off. Then tap on Save and select SD or HD to output the movie.

“Slide left and right on the image to select a different colour and transition style” WorldMags.net

4: Watch a slideshow Or tap Menu and select Slideshow. All images in that folder are displayed.

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InstagramWorldMags.net

Instagram

Discover how you can make any throw-away picture look like a stunning work of art and upload it to a thriving and friendly social network

What it can do:

t&EJUJNBHFT Make any photo look perfect

t4IBSFJNBHFT Upload favourite pictures

t&YQMPSFQJDUVSFT See what others have posted

Edit and share your perfect pictures Introducing the friendly social network that is mad about photos Join the creative community from a wide range of sources such as cloud If you enjoy taking photos, then the Instagram app is a fast, beautiful and fun way to share your pictures with friends and family, along with other people all over the world if you want. Packed with features, this free app offers convenient mobile access to what is a sprawling social network devoted to casual snappers, with a friendly and welcoming community. Since Instagram is all about photos, it allows you to take new pictures quickly and easily in-app, or import photos


drives like Dropbox, transforming your Android device into a handy editing suite to work some Instagram magic on your images before sharing them. What’s good about Instagram is that the app includes a wide range of free customdesigned filters that you can apply to your captured images to make them look amazing (Fig 1). You can also use tilt-shift blur effects to breathe new life into your photos to transform everyday moments into stunning works of art

that you’ll want to show off – which is where Instagram really comes into its own. After setting up an account, you can then connect Instagram to your other social networking sites, including Twitter and Facebook, and find and follow friends and family who also use the Instagram app or web service.

Exploring Instagram Through Instagram you can also browse the photographic work of other users and choose to ‘like’ or comment on their pictures and

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WorldMags.net Instagram

Fig 1: Use Instagram’s built-in editing tools to make your pictures look instantly more eye-catching

‘follow’ them, in much the same way that you would through Twitter, so that every time they upload an image, you’ll be notified about it. The Explore tab in Instagram’s main menu bar features a selection of recent uploads from various users, or you can tap on the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner to search for specific users or tags. Whenever you see an eye-catching image, tap on it to open it and then you can scroll down to see two icons that allow you to ‘like’ and add comments to the picture. You can also double-tap on the main image itself to quickly ‘like’ a picture. If the admiration you hold for an image is so great that you feel compelled to start following the user in the hope that they snap and upload similar gems, then tap on the uploader’s username to see more of their recent work. On this screen you can also see how many followers the person has, how many people they in turn are following and opt to follow them yourself by tapping the blue ‘Follow’ button (Fig 2).

Fig 2: Marvel at the work of others and then opt to ‘follow’ them to get their updates relayed to your Instagram Home screen

More places The layout of the Instagram app is such that everything is broken down into neat little sections, accessible via the buttons at the bottom of the interface. Obviously, we have already touched on some of these features, so let’s just clear up the others. The first button, Home, displays all of your recent uploads as well as those posted by the people whom you follow. You can also add likes and comments to images displayed here by scrolling down and tapping the corresponding button. The next two buttons allow you to explore Instagram and take a new picture in-app respectively, but the next icon (the heart in the speech bubble) represents all Instagram news that is applicable to you. This includes notifications of when other users like or comment on your uploaded images, when you have gained a new follower and when friends from your other social networks have joined Instagram so that you can instantly jump to their profile page and start following them (Fig 3).

Fig 3: Receive notifications about all of the recent activity relating to your Instagram account

Your Photo Map Display the locations of your images on a map By tapping the pin icon on your profile page, you will bring up Instagram’s Photo Map, which makes the locations of where your uploaded pictures were taken visible on a map. Simply select which images you wish to add by placing or removing the ticks on them and then press Done when you are finished. This map is visible to everyone, so make sure you are okay with divulging potentially sensitive information about your movements.

“Through Instagram you can also browse the photographic work of other users” WorldMags.net


InstagramWorldMags.net

Snap, edit and share your images How to use Instagram’s intuitive interface to get your images out there

Edit your photos

1: Take a picture

2: Apply a filter

3: Adjust the shift

4: Sharpen image

5: Activating Lux

Tap on the camera icon in Instagram to take a new shot in-app.

Scroll through the filters at the bottom and tap one to preview it.

Tap the droplet to adjust the camera shift. Choose linear (-) or radial (o) shift.

With shift selected, drag to sharpen a selected portion of the image.

Tap the sun icon to autoadjust the colour levels. Tap again to revert.

Share your images in a feed

Access account settings

1: Tap the arrow

2: Add a caption

When you have finished editing your image, tap the arrow icon in the top-right corner.

On the following screen, add a caption, tag people and add locations to your photo.

1: Go to profile

3: Tap to share

4: On display

2: Your options

When you have finished adding details to your picture, tap the tick icon at the top right.

Your photo will then appear in your Instagram feed and be visible to your followers.

The screen will show various preferences and options relating to your account.


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Tap on your profile tab from the row of options and then hit the Menu icon.

WorldMags.net Instagram View images and add likes

Use Instagram’s Direct function

1: Take a picture Take a picture through Instagram and on the ‘Share To’ screen, tap Direct.

1: Go explore

2: Tap an image

3: Add a ‘like’

Tap on the Explore tab, represented by the star icon on the main menu bar. This will display a selection of recent uploads.

Tap on the thumbnail to open the image or video and then scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Here you will see two icons.

Tap the heart-shaped icon to ‘like’ the uploaded image or video. You can also doubletap on the image to add an instant ‘like’.

2: Add a caption Type in a caption for your image and then browse suggested recipients.

3: Tick recipients Place a tick next to the person or people you want to share the image with…

4: Add a comment

5: Report comments

6: Search Instagram

Tap the speech bubble icon and you can type your own comments and then post them to the uploader’s wall. Tap on Send when done.

If you think a comment is spam or abusive, tap the pen icon, then the red ‘!’ next to the offending comment and select a reason for reporting.

You can also search Instagram for users and tags by tapping on the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner of the main Explore tab window.

“Tap the heart-shaped icon to ‘like’ the uploaded image or video” WorldMags.net

4: Send image When happy, tap the green tick icon in the top-right corner to send the image.


WorldMags.net Paper Artist

Paper Artist Using this app, the only limits that apply are those of your own imagination. With in-app photography, vibrant filter options and drawing tools, it’s ideal for any budding artist

What it can do:

t*OBQQQJDUVSFT Snap photos with fun filters

t$SFBUJWFFEJUJOH Play with art styles

t#PSEFSTHBMPSF Add impact to creations

Paint and shoot with Paper Artist Unleash you inner artist with this image-editing app and apply fun filters, frames and doodles Paper Artist is ideal for image-editing novices. It’s bright, colourful and fresh with a simple structure yet produces some great artwork. As soon as the app loads, you can use the preset image to start playing with art styles and experimenting with filters. Some art styles let you draw over them with your finger or stylus to reveal a completely different look hiding underneath – great if you’re looking to recreate a colour-splash look. The art styles called Newsprint, Dreamy, Oil Painting and Comic Book work best for this effect.


To load up your own photo to work on, tap the top-left icon. This takes you to the Gallery app where you can scroll through to find an image, then tap it to open it in Paper Artist. If you’re keen to take an image in-app and see the filters working in real-time to preview your shot, just hit the camera icon and experience Paper Artist’s own camera interface. Here you can zoom in and out using the ‘+’ and ‘–’ icons or the slider, operate the flash, switch cameras to take a self-portrait, or tap the top-right arrow to return to the app’s main screen.

If you need help at any time, tap the small arrow at the right of the interface. On the tab that opens, hit the ‘?’ icon and you’ll see labels pop up all over the screen to show you what’s what – you’ll never get confused over which button does what function ever again. Similarly, if you’d like a bit more info about the app, just tap the ‘i’ icon to be shown the app’s website and email links. On this same tab are the undo and redo buttons; turn to these if you want to go back through the steps of your edit, or simply undo a mistake or start again.

WorldMags.net

WorldMags.net Paper Artist

Add arty textures Dive into a world of painterly effects and artistic flair

Extra creative touches

Take creative photos

1: Use the art style selector Many art styles let you paint over the filter to show a different effect beneath!

1: Select camera

2: Play with filters

3: Camera options

Open the app and tap the camera icon. Explore camera functions at the top and hit the shutter at the bottom.

Swipe through the different filters at the bottom; tap to apply and see how they look before taking the shot.

Use ‘+’ and ‘–’ to zoom, the lightning icon for the flash and the camera icon on the right to take a self-portrait.

2: Using the paintbrush Tap the brush icon to select differentsized brushes for painting in the effects.

Share with friends

3: Add a funky border The border icon (top) opens a gallery; tap to apply a border to your image.

1: Save your creation

2: Sharing options

3: Type a message

When done editing, tap the Save icon, which looks like an arrow inside a circle to the right of the top bar.

Hit the Share icon in the topright corner to call up a list of all sharing methods. Here we’ve gone for Gmail.

You’ll be taken to your selected sharing app, where you can add a description or message and share away.

WorldMags.net

4: Doodle with the pencil Choose a pencil weight and make precision edits in contrasting colours.


FacebookWorldMags.net

Facebook

Facebook on an Android device offers the full experience and every social feature you need. From events to instant chats, everything is available and it all works seamlessly

What it can do:

t'BNJMJBSGFFM It still feels like Facebook

t/FXFWFOUT All events are covered

t,FFQJOUPVDI Apps will keep you talking

Keep up to date with Facebook Facebook on a mobile device is potentially more useful than at home. It is amazing to use So many options that friends of yours have visited. No matter obtain help when on the move. Take some Facebook on an Android device offers all of the features you will be used to using on a desktop web browser. The main menu bar, which is accessible by tapping the top-left icon, brings everything together nicely. You will see small cogs next to some items, such as Messages, and these let you delve deeper into the features with only one further tap (Fig 1). The app and related service try to help as much as possible by recommending potential friends whom you may know and also places


what you want to do in Facebook when mobile, you can do so via the menu bar and this even includes adjusting the app and main account settings. Scroll through the list to see what is available and you may be surprised at just how complete the feature-set is. You will have full control over your privacy if you want and this is particularly useful if you are struggling with a particular contact and have no access to a desktop PC. You can report problems directly to Facebook and even

time to explore the Facebook app on your Android device and you will be rewarded with a flexible service which works brilliantly.

Enhanced for mobile There is nothing cut-down about Facebook on an Android device and in many ways the entire experience is better because you can use it when mobile. A QR code is included within the app (Fig 2), which can be shared with anyone – when they scan it they will see

WorldMags.net

WorldMags.net Facebook

Fig 1: Multiple settings and features have been built to be accessible easily within the Facebook app. Everything feels instant

Fig 2: A phone or tablet can actually feel more consistent with Facebook thanks to the integration of features for mobiles

your timeline immediately. You can take this further and add it to emails or even a website, if you run one, to ensure that as many people as possible can view your Facebook presence. The Messenger feature is included, but you will be prompted to install the separate Facebook Messenger app when you access it. If you do this, you will be rewarded with a very slick and easy to use instant messaging app which takes full advantage of every social feature on offer. This means that you can keep in contact wherever you are and it is likely that you will end up accessing Facebook more on your Android device than you do at home. Use the options in the main menu to poke friends, add notes and status updates, and upload interesting photos that you have just taken. You can do it all on your phone or tablet and your location or situation is no longer a barrier to how you socialise online.

features like Nearby Places, you can tap a couple of times to see full information on any location (Fig 3). You will be presented with contact details, a map that will open in Google Maps and, perhaps most importantly, reviews from Facebook friends. This means that you can view potential local attractions without needing to do any research and then gauge as to if they are worth visiting at the same time. The fact that Facebook is designed for social interaction means that many of your friends will likely be local anyway and so you can do all of this when out and about with your phone or tablet. If you trust the thoughts and opinions of your friends, the simple addition of a location-aware app on an Android device could potentially replace many other services which are designed to do a similar thing. The Events feature, which you can access from the main Facebook menu, will let you know everything that your friends are doing and, crucially, can be sorted to just show nearby happenings. This potentially lets you meet and interact face to face with your friends and build stronger relationships, and it’s all thanks to a simple app installed on a mobile device. Facebook and your Android device help wherever you are.

Where you are Thanks to the GPS features built into Android devices, the Facebook app will always know where you are and this leads to much advancement in terms of how you can use the various features on offer. The local nature of the setup means that when you access

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Fig 3: Locations are handled in many features and benefit greatly from the portability of phones and tablets. It all works well

Facebook local You can socialise locally Near the top of the main menu you will see an item called Nearby Places. When you tap this, a map will immediately pop up showing local places that may be worth visiting. Tap on any of the map icons and you will then see details of which friends have visited the same location. At this point you will be able to check in, like or review the same place, but it is the implementation that is so impressive. On an Android device, it works just like on a desktop computer.


FacebookWorldMags.net

Enjoy every Facebook feature Facebook is as flexible and easy to use on an Android device as it is on desktop computers

Sign up and log in to Facebook

1: The main screen

2: Signing up

3: Logging in

4: Conditions

5: You are set up

Click the link at the bottom of the Facebook app welcome screen.

Enter your correct details in the webpage and then tap Sign Up.

Once you have a username and password, you can log into Facebook.

You will then need to OK a series of conditions for using the app.

The main Facebook screen will now appear. You are ready to socialise.

Check in no matter where you are

Use Facebook’s widget

1: Tap the button

2: The location

From the front screen, tap the ‘Check In’ icon at the top right to start checking in.

Choose a suitable, or the nearest, location on the resultant list to show where you are.

1: Find the widget

3: Add meaning

4: Checked in

2: No more to do

Now type in a message to explain exactly what you are doing in that particular location.

Tap Post and your check-in message will be published immediately for everyone to see.

You can now read updates and click Share to add a new post to Facebook.


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Find the Facebook widget via your app drawer. Drag it to the home screen.

WorldMags.net Facebook Edit your profile when changes occur

Start a new Facebook chat

1: Find online friends Tap the upper right icon to see which of your friends are currently online.

1: The main icon

2: Cover photos

3: Add a photo

Tap the top left-hand icon to bring up a list of options. You will see your name at the top – tap it to see your current profile displayed.

There are a few settings that can be changed here. Tap on Add Cover Photo in the centre of the top panel to bring up the photo selector.

Now choose a new photo, which will take a few seconds to upload. Tap Save and it will be displayed on your profile page for all to see.

2: Select a friend Select any friend to then be presented with the clean-looking chat screen.

3: Send a message Type a message in the bottom bar and then tap Send to start the chat.

4: All about you

5: Your picture

6: The settings

Tap the About icon and then the top line. You will now see a series of options that you can complete to add more weight to your profile.

Tap your profile picture and then select Edit Profile Picture. You can choose a substitute image to replace the currently displayed photo.

As part of updating your account, scroll to the bottom and select Account Settings to amend your email address or password if required.

“You’ll see a series of options that you can complete to add weight to your profile” WorldMags.net

4: Add emoticons You can tap the smiley face in the chat box to use one of many emoticons.


Google+ WorldMags.net

Google+ Up your social game by connecting with friends on the Google+ platform and sharing and engaging with colleagues and public users

What it can do:

t'PMMPXGSJFOET See what friends are doing

t4IBSFMPDBUJPOT Tell pals where you are

t4IBSFQIPUPT Share images with others

Use Google+ to keep in touch Make Google+ part of your online life and use it seamlessly with other Google offerings Get social user is automatically assigned an account There are different categories of circles, such Google+ is an integrated social network that aims to do much more than rivals such as Facebook or Twitter can. Using the power and reach of Google’s other products, the application aims to bring together every aspect of your online social list and includes features that are specific to smartphone users. Much like other sites, Google+ revolves around your own profile, which you can set up to include as much or as little information about yourself as you like. Each Google account


that is linked to their email address, so to start it’s just a matter of making sure the app is downloaded onto your device and then launching it and choosing an account. Once your account is live, Google will attempt to suggest friends and people you know by using contact information on your device and in your email. Circles is the Google+ equivalent of friending others or following them and you don’t need permission to add anyone to your circles and see what they post publicly.

as Friends, Family and Acquaintances. As you post information and share images, you can specify which circles get to see them.

Access interesting content Rather than just pushing out updates to friends and family, Google+ also aims to integrate with the wider community including brands, people and places of interest. The app will give you a constant stream of suggestions of people you might know and want to add

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WorldMags.netGoogle+

Fig 1: Get content from people, places and brands of interest by searching for them or adding them as they get recommended

Fig 2: Create an event, invite all your Google+ contacts and manage details of those coming along in the Events section

into your circles as well as pages that might be of interest to you (Fig 1). The more you use the app and customise it to your own personal taste, the more you’ll get out of it. Because you’ll be receiving content from many different places, such as your friends and family as well as organisations, Google+ makes it easy to filter what you’re seeing. In the main content stream you can choose to view posts from different circles, such as acquaintances only. This feature is useful to keep at bay an overwhelming amount of updates and not miss the important ones from people closest to you. Reading posts is just one half of the function of the app: putting out your own posts is the other. Creating a post is simple once you learn how and it can include images, your location, as well as quirky information such as what mood you’re in. As mentioned, you can share this with whichever group of people you specify, meaning you can be as private or public as you want to be.

events. The events function lets you create new events and invite contacts. It also keeps track of any events you’re invited to. Tap on the Events to see anything that’s coming up (Fig 2) or create your own event. The simple but beautiful design lets you create lovely invitations that set the mood for any event and give everyone invited all the information they need. Once an event is in progress, Google+ users can automatically upload photos and share information as it happens. This is an especially useful way to get hold of the snaps you see people taking, without having to ask them to email them to you at a later date. Because Google+ works on the basis of Google accounts, it is possible to have more than one profile depending on whether you have a personal and work Google account. If you talk about and share work-specific info on one account, having them split up is a real benefit. To see which account you’re working with and switch between the two, open the Settings menu and find the Account options. Tick the account you want to use or choose to add an account to the Google+ application (Fig 3). You can’t be logged into more that one account at one time, so be sure to switch between the ones you need.

Events and accounts Because Google+ brings together all the people you love in one place, as well as those you work and interact with, it’s also a good place to mobilise people and create and share

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Fig 3: Switch between your Google accounts if you have more than one Google+ profile that you use

Location sharing Check your settings The functionality of Google+ is enhanced by the location features which allow users to tag posts with their current whereabouts, making it easy for people close by to see what’s going on in the area. Take care when setting your own location preferences as you might not want everyone to be able to track your every post. Go to the Location option and tap the Menu button to bring up location sharing. Here you can choose to share your location with people in a selected circle, rather than every user.


Google+ WorldMags.net

Install and set up the Google+ app Download Google+ from the Play Store and start using it to connect with others

Set up Google+

1: Find in Store

2: Choose account

3: Set up profile

4: Find friends

5: Choose a circle

Launch Google Play and locate the app in the store. Tap on Install.

Select which Gmail account you want to associate with Google+.

Specify how your info will appear to other users. You can also add a photo.

Use suggestions to find friends and then add them to your circles.

Choose whether to add people as family, friends or acquaintances.

View content streams

Like a Google+ post

1: Choose a stream

2: See what’s hot

Content streams include Friends and Family. Choose one to view what people are saying.

View the most popular posts and see what’s trending by tapping What’s hot.

1: Click to like

3: Content by location

4: View all content

2: Add a comment

Tap Nearby to see posts from people in your vicinity. Location services must be turned on.

View all available streams by tapping All and then scrolling down with a swipe gesture.

To say something about a post, tap Comment and type your message.


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Tap the ‘+’ icon on a post to 1-up it. Folks in your circles will see what you like.

WorldMags.netGoogle+ Manage your circles

Create a new Google+ post

1: Navigate home Open the side menu and tap Home to go to your page so you can write a post.

1: Create new circle

2: Add to a circle

3: Delete a circle

From the main screen, tap the G+ icon then People. Scroll right to the bottom of the screen and select Create New Circle. Give the circle a name.

Search for a person or view suggestions and tap the Add button to add them. Select which circle you want to add them to and tap OK.

Scroll down to the Circle section on the People page and tap a circle to view all in it. Tap the Menu button and then tap Delete Circle.

2: Tap to write Tap the green icon on the bottom right of the screen to start writing a post.

3: Add info Type in your post and add a location, photo or link if you want to.

4: Remove person

5: Circle settings

6: Add followers

Tap a circle at the bottom of the People page. Tap the blue icon next to a contact to change which circle(s) they’re in or take them out of one.

Navigate to one of your circle pages and tap the Menu button. Select Circle Settings and make any customisations you want.

If someone has added you to their circles you’ll get a notification. You can add them back by tapping their name and choosing Add.

“Tap the blue icon next to a contact to change which circle(s) they’re in” WorldMags.net

4: Choose your circles Choose to make the post public or share with certain circles or people. Tap Post.


HangoutsWorldMags.net

Hangouts Engage in free text chats and even video calls with friends and colleagues, or a group of them at once, using the Google Hangouts app

What it can do:

t.FTTBHFGSJFOET Start talking to your contacts

t(SPVQDIBUT Invite numerous contacts

t7JEFPDBMMT Make calls across devices

Make group calls and video chats Keep in touch with everyone thanks to chat, messages and video across mobile and desktop The problem with having friends with Apple devices is that they tend to use FaceTime for video calls, but with Hangouts everyone can get involved, whether they use Android, iOS or computers with webcams. You can send photos and emoji characters to friends with chat messages, even if they aren’t online at that moment. When they are, connect to up to ten friends for video calling. Hangouts is part of the Google+ system, so on a computer it works via the web browser and any friends need to have signed up to Google+ to use


it. They’ll also need to install a web-browser add-on for voice and video chat. On Android devices, though, it’s a separate app. Again, to access picture sending and group chat, you need to join Google+. You start by adding contacts, by name, email or circle. The trouble with using a name is that it’s almost impossible to find the right person, unless they have an unusual name. It’s much easier to use an email address. Just type it in and tap OK. When it connects to their Hangouts or Google+ account, a profile

picture will appear and you can contact them via message or video call. Each chat is a new Hangout and the entire conversation can be archived so you can read it again later. Other people can be invited to join in, no matter what device they’re using. If you want your image to appear next to your messages, you’ll need to sign in to a Google+ account. You can join Google+ from within the app: tap the Menu button, then Settings and you’ll find the option to join under Account. There are also options for sound messages and requests.

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WorldMags.net Hangouts

How to make a call Start messages, group chats or video calls to contacts

Alter Hangout settings

Start a video call to a friend

1: Take a break from it Snooze from notifications by tapping Menu>Snooze and selecting a time.

1: Find address/name

2: Start the video call

3: In-call options

Tap on the left pane and then enter the email address of the desired contact. Tap on it when it appears.

The relevant contact will appear. Tap on the Video Call option at the bottom of the screen to start a call.

During a call, tap the screen to show options for ending the call, going to the message thread etc.

2: Archive a conversation To archive a conversation, simply swipe over the Hangout list on the left.

Start a chat with numerous friends

3: Add a profile photo Tap the Menu button, then Settings and Profile Photo to add from Google+.

1: Add the contacts

2: Include others

3: Talk to everyone

Tap the ‘+’ icon to start a new Hangout and type the first friend to invite (or tap from the Frequently Contacted list).

Use the same process to add all other people you want included, then tap on the Message button.

Simply start typing your messages and the conversation will appear for everyone to see.

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4: Customise new requests In Settings, tap Customise Requests. Define who can ask from your circles.


ChatON WorldMags.net

ChatON

Chat with your friends by text, voice or video on mobile devices or computers using the ChatON messaging service

What it can do:

t4FOENFTTBHFT

Talk to folks on other devices

t4FOEBWJEFP Record and transmit video

t6TFBOJDPOT Send animated messages

Use global mobile messaging Use ChatON to message phones, tablets and computers, wherever they are in the world If you aren’t a fan of the all-pervasive Google apps for chatting then the ChatON messenger might be more up your street. For starters, you won’t have to join Google+ to use it. You do need a Samsung account, which you can set up via a Samsung device if you’re using one. If not, it’s easy to set one up as it simply uses your existing email address and adds a password. Download the ChatON Android app from the Play Store or register at the website www.chaton.com to chat from a computer – it’s even available in the iOS App Store.


The basics are that once you have registered yourself, you need to add some friends, or buddies. To do this, tap Add Buddy to see four options. Firstly there are suggestions, but it takes over 24 hours from signing up for any to appear. You can tell friends, which entails emailing them a link to download the app. A phone number can be added, but it has to be registered against an account of a ChatON subscriber, so you can’t just add regular phone contacts. The final option is to search by ID. This looks for the email address registered to

a Samsung account, so again, it has to have been registered. Once you have people added as buddies, you can then involve them all in chat conversations. Basic conversations are by text message, but you can add emoticons and anicons, record a voice message or tap Attach. This allows a number of different types of media to be inserted, from video and photos to locations, animessages and contacts. The photos and video can be from regular storage on your device or you can use the camera to record single images and clips and send them.

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WorldMags.netChatON

Use text and voice Chat to your new contacts using various forms of media

Draw and send animessages

Chat with buddies on other devices

1: Create new message In a chat session, tap on the paper-clip icon, then on the Animessage icon.

1: Add a buddy

2: Enter details

3: Start chatting

To add a new contact, you can either search or tap on the plus person icon. Here, tap on Search by ID.

Type in their Samsung account email address. Then tap on the ‘+’ symbol in the result field.

Tap on Chats then on the ‘+’ symbol. Select the contact and then tap Done. Now you can chat with them.

2: Start the drawing Tap ‘+’ and draw the first frame of the message with the pencil tool.

Update and personalise your profile

3: Add effects and pages Select other tools for coloured backgrounds, fills and overlay graphics.

1: Add profile photo

2: Add your birthday

3: Personal message

Tap on your profile, then on the photo slot, then on the ‘+’ symbol to select a suitable image to use.

Tap on My Page and then on the ‘i’ symbol. Tap on ‘Add your birthday’ if you want to include it.

Tap on the pencil icon and write something for your status message. This will appear under your name.

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4: Preview then save Tap on the Play icon to preview the animation and Done when finished.


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Skype

Skype Get in touch with friends by video-calling their phones, tablets and desktop computers, no matter where they live

What it can do:

t$SFBUFZPVSQSPGJMF Let others contact you

t.BLFBWJEFPDBMM Get in touch with video chat

t$BMMPUIFSQIPOFT Make calls to other devices

Make video calls to your contacts Send messages, files or simply chat with other people on their phone, tablet or computer Get started with Skype numbers. There’s a marketing opt-in box at the to have missed Skype calls redirected to your Once the app has been downloaded from the Play Store and installed, tap on it to run. If you already have a Skype account, you can now sign in with it (Fig 1), or sign in using a Microsoft account. If you are using Windows 8, this is the same account details that were used there. Otherwise the first option is to create a new account. Tap on this option and agree with Skype that you can’t make emergency calls with it. Then create a Skype username, password and add your email and phone


bottom – untick it to opt out. The next thing to do is edit your profile. Tap on the profile icon at the top, to the right. Select View profile. Tap on your name to see your Personal and Contact details. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Edit to make changes to both of these. In Contact details you should have your primary email and phone details. You can add others but it’s worth tapping ‘Verify your number’ and confirming it so it shows when you call other phones, and also

mobile. Tap on Save when you have finished making any changes, then go back to the main menu to change the profile photo.

Configure your settings Once an account has been created, you can configure it to work the way you want. Start by tapping on the Settings icon at the top right. The first option is whether to sign in automatically or not. If you share the device, this isn’t a good idea; if not, it saves time.

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WorldMags.net Skype

Fig 1: Sign in with either a Skype account or use your Microsoft account details (these are the same as the ones on Windows 8)

Fig 2: Receive notifications when people send you messages. Set this to the most appropriate effect type

Next, when you get going with Skype you’ll be adding contacts. Those contacts can be shared and added to your device’s address book. More important is ‘Skype notification settings’. Tap on this to receive alerts for new instant messages. These can be flagged up by adding sound, light or vibrations, where supported. If you use Skype a lot, you may want to turn the Skype status to On so that it shows whether you are busy, available or already chatting to someone (Fig 2). On to the Privacy settings then and instant messages are set for contacts only, whereas calls can come from anyone. You might want to untick the box that gives Microsoft carte blanche to pester you with adverts. Finally, video quality is automatically set to High, which is great for Wi-Fi. If you use a cellular connection like 3G though, it will save data usage if this is set to Low.

for those extras, you need to pay. You can call mobiles and landlines around the world at lower rates than what a mobile carrier would charge. You can send text messages for a few pence and have group video calls with up to ten people – network traffic willing. There are two ways of setting up payments. The first is Skype Credit, where you charge a set amount of money for your account and use it whenever needed. Skype Credit doesn’t expire – you just use it when you make those paidfor calls. There are also various subscription models, which make for cheaper calls overall but require a higher financial commitment. Tap on your profile icon and then on the S symbol next to how much credit you have. This shows a pop-up box detailing how much credit you have and offering the option to buy credit or subs directly from your device. You can also buy it from www.skype.com. Tap on ‘Buy credit’ on your device and the initial option is to buy £10 of credit, which actually costs you £11.50 (Fig 3). On the desktop there’s the option to buy £20 credit, costing £23. There’s a checkbox that will automatically bill you for more credit any time your account falls below £2. This is set to on, so you may want to turn that off.

The payment options If you wanted to, you could use Skype and never pay a penny to anyone. You get free video and voice calls to any of your contacts who are also using the Skype app. You also get free instant messaging and file sharing. However, Skype can do more than this, but

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Fig 3: Add Skype credit and pay VAT on what you order. You can also pay in a number of other currencies. Tap Continue to set it up

Quick answers Change your call setting One of the options in Settings is to have any calls answered automatically. This can be useful, but it depends on where you are using Skype. On your desktop computer or Android device, when you are at home for the evening, an automatic connection saves having to accept the call, particularly if you’ve just gone out of the room for a minute. On a phone or tablet with a cellular connection it’s less useful because if in the car you may not hear it connect.


Skype

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Start messaging and making calls Fill out your profile, add contacts, use instant messaging and make video and phone calls

Create and edit your Skype profile

1: Create account

2: Fill out details

3: Your profile

4: Start editing

5: Brief description

From the start screen, tap on ‘Create account’. Type in your personal details.

Add your email and phone numbers, then tap the tick icon to create it.

Tap on the profile icon, then on ‘View profile’. Tap on your name to see it.

Scroll down and tap on Edit. Now fill in missing elements for your profile.

Save then go back. Tap on the profile image to add a photo or replace one.

Add a friend to your list of contacts

Set your status and mood

1: Add new contacts

2: Enter the name

On the main page, tap ‘Add contacts’, under People. All your contacts will appear here.

You can type in the full name (not advisable), email address or Skype name of your contact.

1: Are you in or out?

3: Select the result

4: Send request

2: Add mood message

Tap on the best matching result that comes up. On the next screen, tap ‘Add to contacts’.

This produces an editable contact request. Tap Send. When they accept, they will be added.

While there, type in a mood message to let people know how you are feeling.


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Tap on your profile icon and toggle between Available and Invisible statuses.

WorldMags.net Skype Make video calls to your contacts

Call mobile and landlines

1: Calling phones abroad To make an overseas call, tap on the phone icon, then select which country.

1: Select the contact

2: Make a video call

3: In-call options

Tap on the contact you want to call, under the People heading. If you have lots of contacts, tap on the right arrow to see them all listed.

You’ll see any previous conversations here. At the top, tap the camera icon to start a video call. When they answer, the video begins.

Tap the screen to see options. There are ones to end the call, switch to the message screen, turn the microphone off and switch the video camera.

2: Enter the number Type in the telephone number and area code, then press the blue call button.

3: Calling options When connected, you can end the call, send a text message or turn the mic off.

4: Send messages

5: Send files instantly

6: Bring in others

To just chat using the instant messaging service, type a message into the field at the bottom and then tap on the right arrow key to send.

To send files or send a video message, tap on the ‘+’ sign at the bottom and select that option. For files, you can select from Dropbox as well.

To add others to the conversation, tap the ‘+’ sign and select ‘Add participants’. Then type in their contact name to add to the thread.

“In-call options let you end the call, turn the mic off and switch the video camera” WorldMags.net

4: Not enough credit If the credit runs out mid-call, you will go to the credit top-up option menu.


WorldMags.net Google Drive

Google Drive With the Google Drive app, you can upload and store your files in one location, accessible from any device – ideal for sharing and collaborating on documents

What it can do:

t1PSUBCMFPGGJDF Create and edit documents

t4FBSDIRVJDLMZ Find files with filters

t4IBSFZPVSXPSL Collaborate with others

Store files with Google Drive Make life easier to manage by putting all your files straight into the palm of your hand Free cloud storage stored on Google Drive aren’t kept on your itself with your device and apps, allowing you Google Drive’s free cloud storage facility and office suite allow you to upload files onto Google’s servers so you can then access them from any Android or iOS device, computer or web browser. Much like Dropbox, Google Drive is an easy way to put all of your vital files in one place. Being cloud based, Google Drive requires a Wi-Fi or data network connection to access your files. However, you can also make the files available offline so you can access them anywhere. Files that are


device – instead, the filename is made visible and tapping on it results in the file being downloaded to your device and opened. With this approach to file storage, you can store gigabytes of data on Google Drive, then simply select which file or document you want to download and access. All of this happens seamlessly within the app. In theory you could upload an entire hard drive of content to Google Drive, then browse through it on your device. On top of this, Google Drive integrates

to share Drive-stored files and upload files to Drive that are stored on your device (Fig 1).

In-app office suite Google Drive’s office features let you create word documents and spreadsheets on your Android device. When using Google Drive through a web browser, you’ll also be able to create presentations, forms, coding scripts and design work. At a later date, some of these features will most likely be added to the

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Fig 1: As long as you’ve got a Wi-Fi or data connection, you can upload and download your files with Google Drive

Fig 2: Use permission controls to determine exactly what a user can and cannot do when accessing your Google Drive documents

Android app version. Word documents and spreadsheets are created in a similar vein to any other office program, such as Microsoft Word or Excel. One of the added benefits of creating documents that are stored on a cloud service is how easy it is to share and collaborate with other users. Not only can you provide access to a document to another Google user, but you can allow them to edit and comment on it. You can even work on the same document simultaneously, viewing another user’s amendments as they go. Drive-created documents can be shared by providing users with access to them (Fig 2), as well as sending out a link, emailing the document or printing it. You can also download a copy of a document into a PDF format, making it universally readable to people you want to share it with who don’t have Google Drive.

the Google Drive upload tool to locate a file from your device or an app and place it in your My Drive folder. From the bottom toolbar you can upload files, create documents and scan physical documents with your camera. Tap the Scan icon, then point your camera at the document you want scanned (Fig 3). Turn on the flash if needed, then tap the blue button. In the next window, a preview of the scanned item will appear, where you’ll be able to edit the image and then upload it to Google Drive. All uploads can be found in the Upload window, accessible from the main menu of Google Drive – where you can also manage your folders, access your offline documents and increase your Drive’s storage space. Whenever you open a file in Google Drive, its data will be added to a cache, which can build up over time. Tap the Menu button then Settings, then tap Change Size to set a limit for how much data will be downloaded and kept on your device from Drive. From the Settings window you can also clear the current cache to free up some space. With free storage space of 15GB and the ability to quickly upload and share files with others, Google Drive is the number-one app for a fast workflow when managing your files.

Complete integration When managing files in Google Drive, you can arrange and upload items into folders. When running an app on your device that contains files of any type and has a share function, you’ll be able to send them directly to your Drive account from the app. Or you can use

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Fig 3: Scanning documents that are uploaded straight to your Drive is a good way to keep track of receipts and important papers

Quickoffice app Google’s pocket office Google Quickoffice is available from the Play Store. Quickoffice lets you create documents, spreadsheets and presentations. You can also use it to open and edit Microsoft Office files. It offers similar tools to Google Drive, but with an extra emphasis on office functions. An added benefit is that Quickoffice lets you open files stored on your device, without having to upload them to Drive before working on them. It’s the perfect companion to Google Drive.



Cloud storage for everything Gain fast access to all of your most important files and documents no matter where you are

Create and upload a Drive document

1: Google Drive

2: Google sign in

3: Create a doc

4: Edit your doc

5: Upload a doc

Download Google Drive from the Play Store, then open it on your device.

Sign in with a Google account. At the bottom of the app, tap Create.

In the Create window, tap Document, then give a title to the document.

Add to your document. When you’re finished, tap on the tick icon.

Once you’ve saved your document, it will be uploaded to Google Drive.

Buy storage space for Google Drive

Delete a file from Drive

1: Drive storage

2: Choose your plan

Open the Google Drive menu, then tap your storage info at the bottom of the menu.

Sign into your account. Choose a storage option. Tap the arrow for more choices.

1: Select the file

3: Payment method

4: Upgrade storage

2: Remove the file

If you don’t yet have a card registered with Google, tap ‘Add a new payment method’.

Once you’ve added your card details, tap Buy. Your storage will be automatically updated.

Tap Remove. Removed files will be deleted from your entire Drive folder.


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In the My Drive window, press and hold on a file that you want to delete.

WorldMags.net Google Drive Format your Google Drive documents

Manage files on Google Drive

1: Preview with tiles Tap on the tile icon to view files as tiles, making files easier to preview.

1: Format tools

2: Editing text

3: Text alignment

Open or create a Drive document. Swipe along the toolbar to access different formatting options, including the ability to format text.

Press and hold on text to select it. Drag the pins either side of the text to change your selection, then apply the desired formatting tools.

Tap the alignment option in the toolbar. An options window will appear. Choose an alignment. Most tools have an options window.

2: Move a file in Drive Press and hold on a file. In the menu, tap ‘Move to’ to view all your folders.

3: Create a new folder Tap the new folder icon and name the folder. Then tap OK to confirm.

4: Insert tables

5: Edit an object

6: Delete objects

Tap on the table icon. In the options window, swipe the rows and columns to get the desired number within the blue box. Tap ‘Insert table’.

With an object such as a table in your document, tap on it to edit it. Tap the ‘+’ icon to add a row or column, and use the corner pin to resize.

Tap a box in the table, then the arrow icon from the popup. Here you can add and remove rows and columns, and delete the table.

“Swipe along the toolbar to access different formatting options” WorldMags.net

4: Move files to folders Tap Move and your selected file will be sent to the newly created folder.


WorldMags.net Quickoffice

Quickoffice Learn how to create, open and share word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation documents for when you need to do some work on your Android device

What it can do:

t$SFBUFEPDVNFOUT Start with a word processor

t6TF%SJWFTUPSBHF Access files from the cloud

t*ODPSQPSBUFHSBQIJDT Add images and charts

Create office files for your work Quickoffice lets you create and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations All around the interface one, and next to it is a ‘+’ sign. This again then be able to navigate around the internal Launch the Quickoffice app – you can download it free from the Play Store if needed. Any recently opened files are listed first, then there’s the icon for opening an existing file and finally, there are three icons for creating the main file types supported: documents, spreadsheets and presentations. As can be seen, Quickoffice supports Microsoft Office formats. Along the top of the screen are a few more options. Firstly there’s another Open Document icon, which duplicates the other


duplicates the Create New File icons below. What’s more important, though, are the options that are used when you tap on Open File. Now, on the left side there’s a new menu which contains locations to look in for files to open. There’s a search function and a sorting option next to it. On the far right is a final menu that has two options – one for changing to a grid view and the other for Settings. Tap on this and in the options, tap on ‘Display advanced devices’ (Fig 1). By doing this you will

filing structure of your Android device, looking for the files you want, rather than be restricted to just the few main locations that the app would otherwise use.

Use the word processor Load or create a document and then all the options available for editing will appear on the top row of the screen. To start with, the disc icon can Save in the current format or ‘Save as’, which lets you choose how and where to save

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Fig 1: Turn the ‘Display advanced devices’ option on or you will find it hard to navigate to where you want to store your file

Fig 2: There are a number of text style options, such as selecting the font size and typeface. You can add bullet points and more

the document. The other option here is to bring up Details for the document, which also prompts some new options. These include ‘Save as’, Share and Print. Share is the next icon on the main edit screen anyway and this offers options for Bluetooth, Email, Gmail, Drive (the cloud storage) and then any relevant apps you might have installed like ChatON, Kindle and Skype. The A icon is where most of the editing functions reside (Fig 2). Here you can set the font type, size and colour, add highlights, bold and italics. The paragraph heading is for formatting, which includes text justification, line spacing, drop caps, image wraparound, bullet points and numbered points. The next icon is one for inserting images, page breaks or tables and finally, there’s a drop down menu for navigation options. These include jumping to specific pages, find and replace, spell check, printing and a reading view.

slightly different, though. Tap on the A symbol and while the font options are the same, there are now entries for Alignment, Border and Cell (Fig 3). The Alignment offering can arrange text in the cells vertically, as well as horizontally. For the borders there’s a choice of thickness and colour and also group cell bordering to save time. Cells themselves have an adjustable width and height, can be merged or have the content automatically fitted. You can also hide rows and columns. One of the most important options is to format the cell data type – such as date, time, percentage, scientific and plain text. For spreadsheets, the ‘+’ sign means that charts and links can be embedded, while the navigation options from the final top row menu icon allow you to freeze elements, find and replace content and jump to specific cells. Finally, multiple sheets are supported, as well as calculations. Tap on a cell to see any calculation stored for it. The formula then appears on the formula line above and follows the same syntax as those in Microsoft’s Excel. Basic navigation is handled by pinching and spreading to zoom in an out. You can rotate the device sideways to get more of the spreadsheet into view horizontally. To edit a cell, simply double-tap on it.

Spreadsheets and more The other two functions in Quickoffice are spreadsheets and presentations. Tap on the spreadsheet function and load a file to see what’s on offer. The menu system follows the same path, with Save and Share being identical in function. The editing menu is

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Fig 3: Content can be formatted within the cell. The cells are adjustable and the contents can be set as a variety of data types

Format support Work on the files you need Quickoffice is a modern office app, but what file formats does it support? Well, the good news is that it creates .docx files, as used in the latest version of MS Word, and it will let you view and edit .doc files, the default in Word up to 2003. The same applies with Excel and PowerPoint compatible files – it creates the latest formats and supports standard .xls and .ppt formats. Quickoffice also supports plain .txt text files and can be used to view and annotate .pdf files.



Creating and loading office files Discover how to use, format and edit office documents, spreadsheets and presentations

Open an existing file in Quickoffice

1: Change settings

2: Turn on devices

3: Select a file

4: Start editing it

5: Save your work

Tap Open File and then Settings, in the top-right drop-down menu.

Tick the ‘Display advanced devices’ box, then tap on the ‘Open from’ menu.

Browse to the location where the file is stored, then tap on it to load.

Zoom in to the view and tap on any text to bring up the keyboard to edit it.

Tap the disc icon and select ‘Save as’ to use a different name/location.

Create a document in Quickoffice

Alter document settings

1: Create new file

2: Alternative option

From the main menu, tap the W icon, under ‘Create new file’, to create a new document.

Or tap ‘+’ on the top row and select ‘New document’ from the drop-down menu.

1: Easy reading view

3: Decide on fonts

4: Save your new file

2: Turn on the checker

Tap on the A icon and then on the entry for the font typeface. Select which one to use.

Start typing, then tap on the disc icon, then on ‘Save as’ so the new file is saved to storage.

Tap on Settings and turn on the spell check. Unknown words are underlined.


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Open a document as normal, then tap on Settings and select ‘Reading view’.

WorldMags.net Quickoffice Create spreadsheets and presentations

Share docs by email and Drive

1: Start sharing the doc From the document edit screen, tap the Share icon and select Email (or Gmail).

1: New file please

2: Resize columns

3: Enter text & values

To create a new spreadsheet, tap on the Spreadsheet icon under the ‘Create new file’ heading, or select it from the ‘+’ sign drop-down menu.

Starting on sheet 1, to resize a column width, either tap on the dividing line between it and the next column or tap on A then Cell and adjust.

Tap on a cell to enter text or a numerical value. To enter a formula, select the cell then tap on the formula line and enter it in Excel format.

2: Fill out the details Enter the address of the recipient, add a text message, then tap on Send.

3: Uploading to Drive To store the doc in cloud storage, tap on Share again and select Drive.

4: New presentation

5: Enter some text

6: Adding elements

To create a presentation, tap on the option under ‘Create new file’ or from the ‘+’ sign drop-down menu. It starts with just one basic slide.

Tap on a placeholder and type in text for it. Tap on the A icon for access to fonts, paragraph formatting and using custom colour fills.

Tap the ‘+’ sign and select from images, text or shapes. Resize or rotate images. Tap on Play to preview, or the grey ‘+’ to add a new slide.

“In a presentation, tap the ‘+’ sign and select from images, text or shapes” WorldMags.net

4: Select correct folder Tap on My Drive and select the folder to store it in. Tap Select then OK to save.


WorldMags.net Google Keep

Google Keep Start using Google’s versatile note-taking app to record thoughts, create to-do lists and more

What it can do:

t"EEOPUFT Create quick and easy notes

t"EESFNJOEFST Get notifications for events

t4ZODOPUFT See notes in Google Now

Store all your thoughts with Keep Introducing Google’s essential personal organiser that ensures that you never forget Google Keep is an extremely useful app for capturing whatever’s on your mind and ensuring that you are reminded about key events. Via a simple interface, you can create checklists, voice notes or take in-app photos that you can annotate with ideas and observations. What’s more, everything you add to Keep is made instantly available on all your devices and is synced to other Google services (as long as you are logged into the same account), such as Google Now, without you having to lift a finger.


There are many ways in which you can utilise the features of this versatile app. You can keep track of your thoughts through notes, lists and photos, add reminders to important notes (and be reminded via Google Now), have voice notes transcribed automatically and use widgets to capture your thoughts quickly. You also have full freedom over how your notes are presented. Any notes you create are automatically placed in your Google Keep screen space and from there you can longpress notes to move them around, colour-

code them, share them via a wide range of services and delete any you no longer need. You can also transform notes into handy to-do lists by adding checkboxes and access your notes from anywhere (they are all stored on the web at keep.google.com so you can access them from any web browser). So now the big question is how have you managed without this app for so long? Give your brain a rest by lightening its load and feed your thoughts into the handy and ever-reliable Google Keep app instead.

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WorldMags.net Google Keep

Feed thoughts to Keep Start creating notes, setting reminders and staying in sync

Integrate with Google Drive

Create notes

1: Select a note Long-press a note, list or photo, then tap the Share icon (right) in the top row.

1: Tap the note icon

2: Add details

3: See your note

Tap on the note icon (left) or tap the ‘Add quick note’ text field to add a simple note to your screen space.

Add a title and text by tapping the respective field, then tap the top-left Keep icon to save your note.

The note appears in Keep. Long-press to drag it to a new position; tap the palette icon to change its colour.

2: Select Google Drive From the sharing menu, choose Drive and an upload details screen will appear.

Sync reminders with Google Now

3: Add details Add a title. Select the Google account, then a folder in your Drive. Tap on OK.

1: Add a reminder

2: Sync Google Now

3: Tap on reminders

To add a reminder, long-press the note, then tap the bell icon on the top row. You can now select a date and time.

In Google Now, tap Menu, then Settings. In Accounts & Privacy, ensure you’re signed into the same account.

Still in Now, tap the reminder icon in the lower-left corner and all the reminders you’ve created in Keep will be listed.

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4: Check Drive In the Drive app, tap the top-left icon. Choose Uploads to see your document.


Dropbox WorldMags.net

Dropbox Back up your images and documents to the cloud and share files with colleagues and friends, straight from your Android device

What it can do:

t#BDLVQGJMFT Store your data online

t4IBSFEBUB Send others files and folders

t"DDFTTPGGMJOF Star files to view offline

Store and share files with Dropbox Access your files anywhere you are by adding the Dropbox app to your Android device Using your Dropbox and every time you do use it, whether on of storage space (Fig 1). If you’re happy with Dropbox has become a household name, among techno-literate folks at least, and has proved especially useful for people who want to share big folders and files with each other for free. It is essentially cloud-based storage, meaning that any files that you upload are stored online – in the cloud – and you don’t have to worry about them getting lost even if your device does. You’ll need to sign up for an account before you start using the Dropbox service


your mobile device or your desktop, you should use this same account. Dropbox is free to join and you’ll start off with a free space allowance of 5.5GB. You can build this up by doing things such as inviting friends to join. Once you’ve signed up, any offers like this will be made clear to you. If you expect you’ll need a lot more space, possibly if you handle a lot of video or images, you can also become a premium user by paying a monthly subscription fee and getting 100GB

a free account, you can start uploading files immediately and Dropbox will automatically tell you when your account gets full.

Uploading and media Dropbox can handle any file type you might want to throw at it, from simple word documents and PDFs through to multimedia files. All files are uploaded in the same way, the only difference being how long each takes to upload. Media files will typically take a longer

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WorldMags.netDropbox

Fig 1: Get more space if you need it by signing up to a premium account, which you pay for every month

time to upload than simple text files. Dropbox is unique in the way it handles media in that you can listen to audio and watch video streamed directly via the app, rather than having to download them first. This is a useful tool if you’re not sure what is contained in an audio file and you need to listen to it first. To make things easier, you can rename and organise files directly in the application, too. To rename a file, long-press on the file and then tap the Rename option. Type in a new name and then tap Rename to complete (Fig 2). You’ll also find options to group files into folders and create new folders as you need. When sharing multiple files with others, it’s always easiest to group the files into a folder and then share the entire folder with them, rather than going through each item to share them individually.

Extra functions Backing up files – that is, keeping a copy of everything you have safe in case you lose your phone or device – is something that many people neglect. Dropbox makes it easy to back up files as you go, especially your precious photographs. One great feature that Dropbox has is the option to automatically

Fig 2: Rename your files by tapping the side options on each thumbnail, or long-pressing, and then typing in a new name

upload every image you take on your device to a Dropbox folder. When you switch the feature on, you’ll never need to worry about backing up an image again. However, you should beware that if you take a lot of pictures, especially ones you’ll probably not want to keep, your Dropbox could fill up quickly. To delete any from the folder, launch the app, find the images, tap on each one and select the Delete option. Dropbox includes a few additional functions and features that are worth knowing about. One is the ability to search for files and folders using a keyword. From any screen, tap the Search icon in the top-right corner and then use the keyboard to type in a search term (Fig 3). The app will look through your files and offer you a list of search results. The public folder that comes with each Dropbox account is another one to be aware of. Anything you put into this folder will generate its own link, which means you can share files and folders with anyone even if they’re not a Dropbox user. Once you move a file into the folder, get the link and send this out to anyone who wants to access it. As it is a publicly available space, beware not to move any personal or sensitive files into the folder.

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Fig 3: Search for a file or folder by name by tapping the Search icon once and using the keyboard to input a keyword or phrase

Upload via Wi-Fi Avoid high data usage Dropbox is a versatile tool for storing all kinds of files, including audio, video and images. Media files are notoriously large and can often take a while to upload or download, depending on your connection speed. When working with large files, it’s always better to perform uploads and downloads when connected to Wi-Fi to prevent it eating into your mobile data allowance. If you’re using Auto-upload, check the ‘Wi-Fi only’ option to keep usage low.


Dropbox WorldMags.net

Start using the Dropbox cloud Get to grips with uploading, downloading and sharing the files you have saved online

Upload, view and share files

1: Select files

2: Click to share

3: Upload

4: Tap to view

5: Share a file

Select documents from your Files folder, or inside an email or message.

Tap the Share icon and from the list of options, select Dropbox.

Select or create a folder, tap Upload and wait for the files to process.

In Dropbox, tap a file to open it. If it’s a word document, you can edit it.

Tap the icon next to a file/ folder. Tap Share to send it via email or other app.

Upload media

Auto-upload photos

1: Select videos

2: Share via Dropbox

Open the Video app, tap ‘Share via’ and make a selection of the videos you want to upload.

Tap the Done button and then, from the sharing options, select ‘Add to Dropbox’.

1: Open Settings

3: Upload images

4: Upload to Dropbox

2: Find Camera option

Open your Gallery and select images you want to upload to your Dropbox account.

In the sharing options, tap Dropbox, choose a location and wait while the upload completes.

Scroll down to find Camera Upload. Tap the option once to turn it on.


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In the Dropbox app, tap the Menu button and then the Settings option.

WorldMags.netDropbox Play music from Dropbox

Export files from Dropbox

1: Select an image Select a pic to move to your device or another location (such as Google Drive).

1: Find music files

2: Select track

3: Pick a player

Find music files in your Dropbox account by navigating your folders and then tapping on the folder name once to open it.

From the tracks you have uploaded, select one to listen to by tapping once. All music tracks have a small musical note icon next to them.

Select the app on your device that you want to play the song with. You can choose to have this as your default app or to use it only once.

2: Tap to export Tap More to reveal the Export option. Select where to export the image.

3: Choose a file Similarly, you can export a file by longpressing and choosing Export.

4: Listen to the song

5: Organise music

6: Share music

The song will play in a popup player over the Dropbox interface. Use the controls to stop or pause the track, or tap the X to close it.

Organise your music tracks by creating folders from the main menu options and then dragging tracks into the relevant places.

You can share music just like other files, by tapping Share and then sending to a contact or posting on a site such as Google+.

“The song will play in a pop-up player over the Dropbox interface” WorldMags.net

4: Select destination Choose to export it to a number of locations, such as your SD card or Skype.


WorldMags.net Google Now

Google Now Use this handy integrated app to streamline your day by getting up-to-the-minute information on everything you need without even having to search for it

What it can do:

t(FUBIFBEPGUIFUSBGGJD Check your route home

t&YQMPSFOFXUIJOHT Be inspired by location pics

t$IFDLUIFTDPSF See how your team is faring

Customise your information Set up Google Now to get easy access to relevant information as you need it Google’s search function is arguably the most powerful search engine available today. On your Android phone or tablet, the Google search icon launches a quick way to search the internet. However, it also features Google Now, a search engine that learns your preferences and gives you up-to-the minute information when you need it most. You can turn Google Now on or off in the Settings options in the app. The Now function is essentially a set of cards that offer you the information the app thinks you might need, depending on details


you specify about yourself as well as data from other apps you allow to be searched. Travel information is one of the most useful functions the app provides. Once you’ve specified key locations such as where you live and where you work, you’ll automatically be provided with traffic and transport updates as notifications, or by opening the app and searching through cards. Other details you can specify include the sports teams you support and stocks you’re interested in. You can add as many options

as you want by scrolling down on the main screen of the app and selecting the magic wand icon. Everything you’re interested in will appear as a scrollable card that, when clicked on, opens up a page of search results in Google search. Weather updates also come as standard with the app and you can see what’s in store at your work or home location, or any other location that you specify. There is also an area to set reminders, which makes the app a good place to go to for everything current going on in your life.

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Personalise Google Now Specify your preferences to tailor the app to you

Edit Google Now settings

Start using Google Now

1: Open Settings menu Tap the Menu button on your device and tap to open the Settings menu.

1: Turn feature on

2: View basic cards

3: Add information

To start using Google Now, launch the Google search app and then tap the Get Google Now option.

Based on your location, Now will offer basic cards such as the local weather or suggest nearby places to visit.

To get more useful info, use the magic wand icon to add sports team, stock and location preferences.

2: Set location options Tap Privacy then Location to specify what location info you want to share.

View important places

3: Specify phone search In the main menu, tap Phone Search. Choose which apps Now gets data from.

1: Choose locations

2: View nearby sites

3: See reviews

Navigate to the Customise menu and tap the Places option. Now input your home and work locations.

View a list of user-sourced images of places around you to visit and explore. It can be very illuminating.

See what’s around you and what people are saying about those places, via the numerous user reviews.

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4: Set notification options Let Now notify you of urgent updates via ringtone/vibrate in Notifications.



Take control with voice commands Discover how to initiate searches, find recommended hotels, see the local traffic and more

Initiate a voice search on Google Now

1: Voice activation

2: Turn voice on

3: Activate search

4: View results

5: Use results

Launch Google Now and tap the bottom-right Menu icon. Tap Settings.

Tap on Voice and ensure that ‘Hotword detection’ is ticked so that it is on.

From the Now main screen, say “OK Google” then ask your question.

There’s a main result, weblinks and a category list at the bottom.

Follow the web and news links or tap on Images to see related items.

Recommendations based on searches

Use new voice commands

1: Start the search

2: See reviews and ratings

Say “OK Google” then “recommended hotels near…” and add your location to the query.

Scroll down to the recommendation. Tap on the down arrow to see more about the hotel.

1: Say something else

3: View the images

4: View the alternatives

2: View a location

Scroll down and tap on the photos. This may take you to another website to view them.

Tap on the Images link on the bottom menu to see views of other hotels in the same area.

Say “Map of”, then the place or business name, to see it on Google Maps.


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Say “Create a calendar event” followed by a description and the date/time.

WorldMags.net Google Now Send an email with your voice

Use your voice to open an app

1: Listen to music quickly Don’t hunt around for that music app – just say “OK Google, open Play Music”.

1: New messages

2: Find the contact

3: Add the message

Say “OK Google” and then issue a series of commands and content, all as one long sentence, with punctuation. First, say “Send email”.

Say “To” and your contact’s name. This will retrieve the email address from your contacts list and ask you to say what the message is.

Speak the message and the text will appear. Quickly check it, as you are then asked whether it is okay to send. If it has mistakes, say “No”.

2: Automatic app launch The app should now launch – but if there’s a delay, you can tap ‘Open app’.

3: Apps other than Google This will work with non-Google apps. Try “Open Amazon Kindle” or a game.

4: Get it right now

5: Check it in Gmail

6: Say it all at once

Repeat the message and speak more slowly and clearly. If it is correct this time, when prompted if you want to send, say “Yes”.

The email will be sent and you can then open it in Gmail. Tap on the link in the sent confirmation message to access it.

The alternative is to say the entire email message at once, and include an entry line for “Subject”. Remember to say any punctuation as words.

“Speak the message and the text will appear. Quickly check if it’s okay to send” WorldMags.net

4: Voice confirmation Sometimes there’s a slight delay, so Voice will suddenly say “Opening app”.


WorldMags.net Google Translate

(PPHMF 5SBOTMBUF

Discover how you can start using Google’s quick and easy translation tool to convert written or spoken text into foreign tongues

What it can do:

t5SBOTMBUFUFYU Support for 70 languages

t6TFPGGMJOF Store languages to device

t4QFBLGSFFMZ Have real-time conversations

Speak to the world with Translate Introducing Google’s brilliant mobile multi-linguist and essential holiday companion Google Translate is a free app well worthy of ‘essential’ status. First and foremost it is a text translator that is incredibly easy to use – just select the translate to and from languages and then type text into the translation window for instant results. The app caters for other forms of text input as well: you can take a picture (useful for foreign menus and signposts) and the app will analyse and translate the text as it appears. While this feature isn’t supported by all Android models, it is sure to impress. You can also speak words and phrases to get


written and verbal translations back and even write words and phrases in freehand – all of these options are available at the bottom of the main ‘Tap to translate’ window. If you have a regular need to converse in another language, the facility is there to mark translated words and phrases as favourites and then access them any time by tapping on the Menu icon in the top-right corner of the screen and then selecting the Phrasebook option. When using the app on holiday, you might not always have an internet connection

on your Android device, but the good news is that you can save languages for offline use by going to the Settings (via the Menu icon) and selecting the ‘Manage offline languages’ option. You can then ‘pin’ languages for offline use. With Google Translate you can also choose to converse more naturally, whereby the device acts as a go-between when you wish to talk to a person and will translate your text into their language and vice versa by voice alone. Can you really afford not to be without this wondrous app?

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WorldMags.net Google Translate

Translating text Translate words, store phrases and have conversations

Start a conversation

Enter text for translation

1: Tap Menu icon After translating some text, tap the Menu icon in the window.

1: Translate from

2: Translate to

3: Enter text

Tap the Language field at the top left and then select a language that you would like to translate the text from.

Likewise, tap the Language field at the top right, then select a language that you’d like to translate the text to.

Enter text in the main ‘Tap to translate’ window, then press Finished. The translation will appear instantly!

2: Tap ‘Start conversation’ Tap ‘Start conversation’ to start using your device as a voice translator.

Using your Phrasebook

3: Start speaking With the left language shown in red, start speaking. Your dialogue will appear.

1: Save favourites

2: Tap on menu icon

3: Your Phrasebook

Mark words and phrases as favourites by tapping the star icon next to the translated text; it will turn yellow.

To access marked phrases, tap the top-right Menu icon, then choose the Phrasebook option from the list.

All your saved words and phrases are listed. Sign into your Google account to sync them across all your devices.

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4: To and fro The device will speak it in the foreign tongue. The recipient can then talk.


tri Spe al ci of al fe r

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Android

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The Android Book - Vol.4 Revised Edition 2014

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