Hi everyone,
Found
this good article on the web, so sharing
it here!
If
you're just learning the Android ropes, you might get tangled up in a mistake
or two. Here are 10 ways to avoid problems and get the maximum benefit from
your Android device.
Android
is the most widely used platform
on the planet. That means it is being used by a variety of skill levels. If you
exist on the newbie end of the scale (or if you have to support a group of
newbies running Android), know that there are some common mistakes made with
this Google-centric platform. Some mistakes come from the adjustments you have
to make when migrating from another platform. But others are a bit more
grievous and could even cause some form of data loss. All these mistakes can be
easily avoided with just a bit of knowledge. So that's what I'm going to give
to you -- in the form of 10 preventable newbie mistakes.
1:
Don't expect it to act like an iPhone
Many
users who migrate from the iOS platform expect Android to behave the same way.
Sure, fundamentally it does. It will make and receive phone calls, check email,
and view web pages. But once you get beyond the basic functionality, the
Android and iOS platforms have little in common. If you assume that Android and
iPhone smartphones are the same, you are in for a frustrating experience. Each
platform approaches tasks differently, and if you assume your Android device is
similar to an iPhone, you'll miss out on a lot of features.
2:
Secure it now
You
have plenty of data on that smartphone... data you do not want getting into to
the hands of other users. To that end, you must secure your smartphone with a
password, or a pattern, a fingerprint, or whatever your device offers. No
matter how you approach it, don't leave your data open for all to see. In the
case of your Google account, consider two-step authentication. You want your
device as secure as possible.
3:
Avoid that POP
The
single most common question I get is, "Why are emails disappearing from my
phone or desktop?" It's because you set up your email as a POP account and
didn't configure your phone or desktop to retain messages on the server. The
best way around this is to avoid configuring your email account as a POP
account. With Android you can set up many types of accounts... but just avoid POP
as much as you can.
4:
Don't drown yourself in widgets
I've
seen Android homescreens so dense with launchers and widgets, it looked like
the app drawer vomited up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unfortunately, the more
widgets you have on your homescreen (especially those that display data from
online accounts) the more battery you will use. If you really want a few
widgets on your homescreen, choose wisely and don't overdo it.
5:
Don't overlook Gmail
Android
and Gmail are like peanut butter and chocolate -- they work perfectly together.
If you get an Android device and don't have a Gmail account, create one. Why?
You're missing out on a LOT of features (the Google Play Store, backups, and
more). Make sure you create your Gmail account before you set up your phone.
It'll make things far easier in the long run.
6: Be
smart about permissions
When
you install an app, you'll be warned about what permissions that app requires
for use. Do not ignore those permissions, as they can give you insight into the
app's nature. If you're installing an app that will serve as a mirror and it
requires permission to use your location and your email, don't install it!
There are certain permissions that should be given only to certain apps. Do not
ignore the permissions warning. Period. Learn what it means and how it works.
Know when to stop installing an app based on the permissions it requires.
7:
Red-light that Bluetooth
If
you don't use Bluetooth for anything, why leave it on? It's only going to drain
your battery (and Android does that well enough by itself). Shut off Bluetooth
from within the Settings app and you won't have to worry about added battery
drain. The same can be said of shutting off Wi-Fi when it is not in use.
8:
Stop hoarding those apps
Open
up your app drawer. Do you see a veritable cornucopia of unused apps? If so,
uninstall them. Your Android device is not a dumping ground for cutesy apps of
the day. If you know you're done flapping angry birds get rid of the app. Those
unused apps take up precious space, and in some cases, they could be helping to
drain your battery (even if they're unused). It's not that those apps are going
to suck your battery dry. But why take the chance that they are even draining
it in the slightest? If you don't use it, lose it.
9: Tap
into all that power
One
of the biggest differences between Android and iOS is the degree of flexibility
and control. You have much more control over what your phone can do on Android
-- so much so, that many new users are overwhelmed or intimidated by all the
bells and whistles. Don't be. If you turn your back on all the possibilities,
you miss out on a lot of features that could make your mobile life far easier.
Of course, that doesn't mean you should just start randomly tapping buttons.
Use that power with intelligence and understanding.
10:
Don't neglect updates
There
are reasons why you get warnings about updates: because they are often
necessary for device security or efficiency. Apple pushes out only major
updates and does so as a whole package. But there are instances when Android
pieces can be updated. Many times these updates will occur without your
assistance. However, you should still go into the Application Manager to find
out whether there are updates for certain apps or elements of Android (the Play
Store is a good example). Make sure you are updating on a regular basis. And be
sure to install (and use) Secure Update Scanner so you don't fall victim to the
pileup flaw.
Reap
the benefits, avoid the pitfalls
Android
is a powerhouse of a platform and has eclipsed all other mobile platforms in
global usage. That means there are a lot of first-time users. Don't fall prey
to any of these beginner mistakes and you'll enjoy a long and productive life
with Android.
Taken
from
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