style="font-size:15px;"> Enjoy this book and your Android phone!
Part I
Getting Started with Your Android Phone
In this part …
✔ Get started with Android phones.
✔ Work through the setup of your Android phone.
✔ Learn how to use your Android phone.
✔ Discover parts of the Android phone.
Chapter 1
Hello, Phone!
In This Chapter
▶ Freeing the phone from its box
▶ Setting up the phone
▶ Charging the battery
▶ Recognizing phone features
▶ Obtaining accessories
▶ Taking the phone with you
▶ Keeping the phone in one place
It may have a funky name, like a character in a science fiction novel or a sports hero. Or it can simply be a fancy number, perhaps with the letter X thrown in to make it cool. No matter what, the phone you own is an Android phone because it runs the Android operating system. The adventure you’re about to undertake begins with removing the thing from the box and getting to know your new smartphone.
Liberation and Setup
The phone works fastest when you remove it from its box. How you liberate it is up to you. I prefer to gingerly open the box, delicately lifting the various flaps and tenderly setting everything aside. I even savor the industrial solvent smell. If you prefer, you can just dump everything on the tabletop. But be careful: Your phone may be compact, but it’s not indestructible.
Several useful items are found loitering inside your Android phone’s box. Some of them are immediately handy, and others you should consider saving for later. Even if you’ve already opened the box and spread its contents across the table like some sort of tiny yard sale, take a few moments to locate and identify these specific items:
✔ The phone itself, which may be fully assembled or in pieces
✔ Papers, instructions, a warranty, and perhaps a tiny, useless Getting Started pamphlet
✔ The phone’s battery, which might already be installed inside the phone
✔ The phone’s back cover, which might already be on the phone
✔ The charger/data cable or USB cable
✔ The charger head, which is a wall adapter for the charger/data cable
✔ Other stuff, including the SIM card, SIM card removal tool, headphones, a carrying case, or other goodies
If anything is missing or appears to be damaged, immediately contact the folks who sold you the phone.
See the later section “Adding accessories” for a description of various goodies available for the typical Android phone.
Android phone buying tips
When buying a phone, first look at a cellular provider, and then determine which phones are available and suit your purpose.
Finding a cellular provider is all about coverage: Can you get a signal everywhere you need one? Despite the boasts, not every cellular provider offers full data coverage. The true test is to ask people who frequent your same locations which services they use and whether they’re happy with the coverage.
All Android phones offer similar features and a vast array of apps. Start looking for a phone by finding something that feels good in your hands. Some people like smaller, compact phones that fit easily in a pocket or purse. Others prefer the large-format (phablet) phones, which offer larger screens.
Check the phone’s display, not by reviewing the fancy technical jargon but by looking at it with your own eyes. View some photos on the phone to see how good they look.
If you need more storage, look for a phone that offers a removable MicroSD card. This feature is becoming rather rare, so if you want it, you may have to look for it.
Camera resolution isn’t vital, but if your Android phone is your only digital camera, getting a high-resolution rear camera is a plus.
Beyond these basic items, most Android phones are drearily similar. To work best with this book, ensure that your phone uses the Android operating system and can access and use the Google Play Store. Some low-price, bargain phones restrict your purchases to the manufacturer’s own app store. That’s not a good thing.
Phone Assembly
Most Android phones come fully assembled. If not, the folks at the store most likely put everything together for you. When you’re on your own, some setup may be required. This process involves installing the SIM card and inserting the battery. Directions that come with the phone assist you.
Don’t worry about the assembly process being overly complex; if you’re good with Legos, you can put together an Android phone.
✔
✔ The current trend is for Android phones not to feature a removable battery. If your phone has a removable battery, refer to the included instructions for details on inserting and removing the battery.
A SIM card identifies your phone on a digital cellular network. Before you can use the phone, the SIM card must be installed. The only time you as a mere mortal need to do this is when you purchase the phone independently of a cellular provider. Otherwise, the kind people at the Phone Store install the SIM card.
When you do need to install the SIM card, follow these steps when the phone is turned off:
1. Pop the SIM card out of the credit-card-size holder.
2.
