Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you're probably well aware that the Android world has been buzzing with excitement over the recently debuted Android L preview build that was released for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 at Google's I/O conference.
Update, November 12, 2014: Android 5.0 Lollipop is officially out now. If you haven't gotten the OTA yet, check out our new guide on installing the official Lollipop builds on any Nexus for download links and instructions, for Mac or Windows.
It's the biggest day of the year for all things Google. Their developer conference, dubbed Google I/O, gives us a peak at what the guys at Mountain View have been working on over the course of the past year, and this year, Android was center stage.
Unless you've been living under a rock with no internet connection, it's safe to say that you've heard of the Heartbleed flaw that allows practically anyone with the right knowledge to steal your personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and e-mail addresses using OpenSSL.
Apple may have unabashedly lifted their upcoming "Control Center" from Android devices, but visually speaking, it's an awesome take on Quick Settings that would look pretty good on a Samsung Galaxy S3.
Even if you have the fastest internet connection in the world, it's not going to be fast if your Android device isn't optimized to use all of the bandwidth. I have pretty fast speeds at home, but every now and then my web surfing on my Nexus 7 tablet is halted in its tracks—for seemingly no reason.
As most everyone knows, Android and Apple don't get along so well. Even the users don't get along well, with Android and iPhone users constantly berating and insulting each other online—any chance they get. I should know, since I was one of them, but I'm now rare breed who's learned to appreciate both. People just need to realize that they have their own unique strengths—Android with its customization and Apple with its simplicity.
Android's newest Jelly Bean 4.2 update comes with Daydream, a feature that allows you to run screensaver-like apps while your Android device is docked or charging. While the feature comes with several stock 'daydreams' available, there's a hidden Easter egg one that you can unlock! The 'daydream', aptly titled BeanFlinger, is hidden inside of Android's 4.2 Jelly Bean. In order to unlock it, you'll have to go to the phone's Settings and click on About phone. From there, you should come across ...
Android devices are known for their USB and Wi-Fi tethering abilities—rooted or unrooted—which comes in handy for those that travel and need internet on their laptops in areas that don't have any Wi-Fi networks available, but have a strong cellular signal.
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.
With the Android platform on a large amount of mobile phones today, chances are you have one. Sometimes messaging on the phones can be a little confusing, but there's a simple explanation for texting your friends and family. Best Buy has answers. The Best Buy Mobile team explains how simple it is to send a text message on your Android enabled cell phone.
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to uninstall the program on an Android phone. Begin by clicking on Settings and select Applications. Click on Manage applications. Now users will be revealed a list of all the applications that are installed on the phone. Simply scroll through the applications and select the unwanted application(s). Users will now see the information about the application, click on Uninstall. Now click OK and click OK again when the application is finished uninstallin...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to change the lock pattern on an Android phone. The lock pattern allows minimum security on the phone to prevent other people from tampering with your mobile files. Begin by going into the Settings and click on Location & security. Under Screen unlock pattern, select Change unlock pattern. In order to change the unlock pattern, users will have to type in the current unlock pattern. Now type in the new unlock pattern and press Continue. Then retype the...
Want to take notes on your Android cell phone? This brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started creating, storing and sharing digital notes on your own Android phone, take a look.
Have you ever wanted to play Radiohead on the guitar? This tutorial is a note for note lesson for the intro to Radiohead's "Paranoid Android" on the guitar. This lesson is geared towards beginner to intermediate guitar players but it does assume prior knowledge of guitar playing. With this tutorial you will be able to play "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead.
If you need to repair a broken component in an HTC My Touch mobile Android phone, take a look at this guide for a walkthrough of the teardown. The tutorial specifically focuses on repairing or replacing a glass digitizer that may have cracked or broken and needs to be fixed.
Want to add some widgets to the home screen of your Android enabled Nook Color tablet? Watch this video to learn how to do it. If you need one, you can order a pre-configured microSD here. Watch this video and learn.
You can run Android 2.3 Gingerbread on your Sprint HTC Hero. Watch this video to learn how to use CyanogenMod to install Android 2.3 Gingerbread on your HTC Hero. Here is the link for the described in the video.
Have you been having trouble sending picture messages on your Android device? It could be that the pictures are exceeding the size limits set by your friends' carrier. To ensure that all your picture MMS get seen, follow the instructions in this video.
Getting a phone call should be music to your ears- no matter who is on the other end. This video will show you how to change the ringtone and notification sound on your Android device. Make your phone your own.
You need an app to be competitive, but you don't know any code. Don't let that stop you. Watch this video and learn about buzztouch a website that will make your app for you. Expand your presence with an app in the App Store or Android Market.
Using Android apps like N64oid, Wiimote Controller, and Bluetooth OnOff, you can configure your Dropad A8 to play N64 games using a Wiimote at the controller. Watch this video to see how it works. Hook up your Android version 2.3.1 Dropad A8 tablet with a bluetooth dongle and start gaming.