All across the web, you'll find guides on setting up various apps and mods for your Android device—but while these are certainly useful, they all seem to be working under the assumption that the reader has a certain level of knowledge about Android. For someone that's just getting started with the world's most popular mobile operating system, the basics of Android simply aren't covered as well as they should be.
Brand loyalty is one of the main factors behind our decision to choose a particular mobile device, but it doesn't have to be the entire equation. Educated consumers know that certain devices simply fit their budget and usage better than others, which means you can't always let a logo dictate what kind of phone or tablet you buy.
If you're entirely new to smartphones, Android's share menu can seem like a foreign concept at first glance. In reality, it's one of Android's most central and unique features, and with a little experience, it can make your smartphone a lot easier to use.
If you've just ditched your Android phone for a new iPhone, you're in luck, because Apple has a way to make your transition as simple as possible with their Move to iOS app for Android. To help make things even easier on you, we've outlined the process of using Move to iOS to transfer images, messages, contacts, mail accounts, calendars, and more over to your iPad or iPhone running iOS 10.
It's official: The next version of Android will be code-named "Marshmallow," and we're getting a whole number bump to version 6.0. Lots of exciting new changes are coming to the world's most popular operating system, including a "Now on Tap" feature that will give you relevant information about any screen at the press of a button.
When the Galaxy S6 hype-train was building momentum ahead of the phone's release, many reports had Samsung cutting back on its much-maligned TouchWiz skin. In the end, these reports were either highly exaggerated or entirely fabricated, because while not as egregious as previous devices, Samsung's signature bloated UI and duplicate apps are definitely present on the Galaxy S6.
Today we are pleased to announce the end to the Apple vs. Android war. About a year ago, our Gadget Hacks team started working on a top-secret project to dual-boot both Android and iOS on the same phone—and we couldn't be more proud to announce that we've finally succeeded! Your phone can now run both iOS and Android—whenever you want. Right now.
To Android users, especially advanced ones, rooting their phones or tablets is becoming a necessity. Rooting Android could be complicated, if you do it all by yourself, even with a step-by-step tutorial. However, what Kingo Android Root offers you is a true one-click experience when rooting your Android.
I love Android, and I think its apps are great—the polish that came with the Ice Cream Sandwich update truly put Android design on the map. That being said, one of the more frequent complaints from iOS fans continues to be that apps just "run smoother" and "look better" on iOS than they do Android.
If you're looking into rooting your device yourself, you're going to need ADB and Fastboot on your computer.
KitKats? Toast? Sorry if that headline made you hungry, but no I'm not talking about Nestlé's chocolatey wafer treat, nor the crunchy slices of bread you have with your eggs in the morning.
In this epic, 23-minute guide, we learn how to root the T-Mobile G2 Google Android smartphone. Whether you're interested in rooting your own G2 or just want to learn more about the process and its effects, you're sure to enjoy this exhaustive walkthrough from the folks at Zedomax.
The new Nexus S from Google comes preloaded with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), which itself includes the latest iteration of Google's official YouTube app.
Sure, the touchscreens are convenient — but are they the fastest way to get around your Google Android smartphone? Not always. This video guide from CNET will teach a number of especially ones that are certain to save you time when navigating around your phone.
Root your Droid X Google Android smartphone and run custom ROMs! This hacker's how-to presents a thorough, step-by-step overview on unlocking and rooting a Motorola Droid X smartphone. For detailed instructions, and to get started rooting your own Motorola Droid X phone, watch this free video tutorial.
One of the coolest features of the new Android phone, HTC EVO 4G is its ability to tether the Internet. In this clip, learn how to access and set up tethering, as well as which apps work best. You will also learn how to use Sprint's 29.99 Hot Spot plan, or bypass the charges by setting up free options. So, follow along and get your phone up and running with the new lightning fast 4G network.
Systm is the Do It Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. We will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast.
This is, by far, the easiest way to root your Android phone, and it's even got its own name— the "SuperOneClick" method. This is a universal technique that applies to most Android-based smartphones (minus the HTC Evo and T-Mobile G2/Vision). TheUnlockr shows you the secret behind rooting your Droid, so watch and learn. Anyone with an Android-enabled phone can do this.
If you have any Google applications, like Gmail or Google Calendar, that you want to sync to your new Android enabled mobile phone, it's a simple task to complete. There's nothing hard about it, but if you think you need help, Best Buy has answers. The Best Buy Mobile team explains how simple it is to sync Google apps with your Android cell phone.
Designing a cool app for Android? If you were looking to integrate web content into your Android app, you can—and the Android Developers are here to show you how it's done! It's all done with an embedded WebView, allowing you to embed HTML, Javascript and style sheets from your web content. If you were looking for a quick answer on how you embed your web content into your app, let the pros at Google teach you the right way.
There's a lot of questions about screen capture on Android cell phones like Motorola's Droid and the HTC Droid Incredible. Currently (and unfortunately) there is no simple way to take screenshots of you Droid's screen. There are no applications, except for ones that require a rooted phone. But this way may be the easiest for you…
Here is a helpful tip for the next time you go on a trip. Don't lose your way, or your money, watch this video and learn how to download Google Maps data onto your Android so you can use it offline.
Check out this video to learn how to use Set CPU for Android. This video explains how to install SetCPU, including the system requirements for doing so. Watch this video and then follow along with your phone to get SetCPU running.
Take your Motorola Xoom Android gaming experience to the next level. Watch this video and follow these instructions to learn how to set up an Xbox 360 controller to work with your tablet wirelessly. Play all of your favorite emulator games.
The HTC Inspire is a $99 4G-capable Android handset with a 4+ inch touchscreen. Really? That's pretty awesome. If you're an AT&T customer or thinking about switching to them, check out this video review and guide to the phone to learn all about it. Also check it out if you've already taken the plunge and want to get to know the phone faster.
Whether you want to search the web or just the contents of your phone, the Desire HD's searchbar widget is the way to go. Learn how to use it with this quick, official guide from HTC.
The Desire HD's Smart Dial autocomplete tool makes dialing numbers a snap. Learn how to use it with this quick, official guide from HTC.
Browsing the web just got easier in Android 2.2 (Froyo), thanks to the wonderful new Samsung Galaxy Tab. It's the perfect Android tablet for those device-hungry techies. This video gives you some quick information on using the built-in web browser on the Galaxy Tab, including how to play back video.
In this clip, you'll learn how to complete disable HTC Sense on an HTC Evo 4G Google Android smartphone. For more information, including a complete demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started turning off HTC Sense on your own Evo 4G, take a look.
Looking for a guide on how to tether your Android phone to your Windows PC, creating an ad-hoc Internet connection? This guide will teach you everything you'll need to know. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this guide can present a thorough overview of the process in just over four minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this clip.
Looking for a quick guide on how to install and use the Skyfire web browser on your Android smartphone? It's easier than you'd think! So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial can present a complete overview of the process in just over three minutes' time. For specifics, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
Looking for a quick guide on how to install and use Opera Mini on your Android smartphone? It's easier than you'd think! So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial can present a complete overview of the process in just over three minutes' time. For specifics, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
It's really tempting to put every app and widget you can think of on your Android cell phone's home screen, but eventually you'll have a hard time finding anything in the clutter. That's where folders come in. Creating a folder on your home screen makes life a little easier, and a little more organized. Think about dragging all your games into a one consolidated folder. CNET shows you how to make a folder, how to rename it, and how to manage it on your Android smartphone.
If you find yourself recharging your HTC EVO from Sprint more than once a day, you might find these tips from CNET more than helpful. In this video, CNET shows you how to maximize the battery life on your HTC EVO running the Android software. These tips can also be applied other smartphones running Android. Basically, you just need to stop programs from running constantly, like WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. And dropping the screen brightness can help, too. See all the tips to a bigger and better ...
Whether you're the owner of a Google Nexus One Android smartphone or just covet one, you're sure to enjoy this Nexus One owner's guide from Nexus One Hacks, which presents a complete, step-by-step walkthrough of how to install a Sega Genesis emulator on your phone. For complete details, take a look!
In this tutorial, learn how to use the ShapeWriter app on your Android phone to increase the speed of your typing. ShapeWriter is similar to Swype and allows you to text and e-mail without ever taking your hand off the keyboard. Start texting at the speed of light with this cool app and this helpful tutorial from the pros at Shapewriter.
In this tutorial, learn how to get a little bit of Droid on your iPhone. You will get a step by step on how to install the Android locking screen on your iPhone 3G or 3GS. This requires a jailbroken, Cydia-enabled phone and a little work, but the cool effect is totally worth it. Check it out!
Often, it's much quicker to copy and paste text than to retype it completely. Fortunately for Droid users, it's easy to copy and paste text on Android phones! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Butterscotch can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just two minutes' time. For detailed instructions, and to get started using copying and pasting on your Android phone yourself, watch this free video tutorial.
There are various ways to connect your Android phone to play music in your vehicle. You may be feeling a little left out with all of the devices available for connecting iPods and iPhones, but have no fear! There are plenty of available and easy to use options for your Droid as well. Follow along and start jammin'!
Have a new app that you want to pin to your home screen on your Android enabled mobile device? Slapping the application on the home screen is simple on any Android phone. Best Buy has answers. The Best Buy Mobile team explains how simple it is to add apps to your home screen on an Android cell phone.
