What Android is — according to the folks who know
We all spend a lot of time discussing exactly what Android is, and isn’t. Because it’s something relatively new, we always end up comparing it to something that isn’t quite the same, like embedded or desktop Linux. Finally, Tim Bray, one of our favorite Googlers, has taken the reigns and we now have a description of what Android is, written for people who don’t spend all day fiddling around writing code. Be sure to visit the source link and have a read, you’ll be glad you did. [Tim Bray]
What Android is — according to the folks who know posted originally by Android Central
Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Fine tuning the MinFree settings (improving on Android’s multitasking)
Hey guys! Jerry back with another neat trick you can do on your Android phone. This one helps keep things running smoothly, and gives us some user control over Android’s internal task killer. Like most things that affect the low level operation of Android, this one requires root, but it’s a good read even for you folks who don’t feel the need to root (and break your warranty!) because you just might have a better understanding of what’s going on behind the scenes. Open up a couple extra tabs on your browser, get your phone (and maybe even your USB cable) ready and follow the break.
Oh, and a warning: This is pretty low-level stuff. It’s not hard to do, but what it does is a bit advanced. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Android 2.2, FroYo, Google I/O — let’s make some sense of all this
FroYo, FroYo, FroYo. Seems like you can’t visit a tech blog or read your Twitter timeline without seeing news about Android 2.2 everywhere. FroYo can do this, FroYo does this 300 percent faster, FroYo has ponies. It’s enough to make a sane man crazy (good thing none of us will have to worry about that). We all want some delicious new Android treats for our phones, but do we really know why, or what comes along with it? Hopefully, by the time we’re finished here you’ll have a better idea just what to expect, and when to expect it. Hit the link, get your spoon, and let’s check out what this frozen concoction has in store for you and I.
Posted originally at Android Central
Sponsored by www.droidappshowcase.com
Spruce up your Android phone with wallpapers, ringtones
Hey everybody! Welcome to another week of Inside Android. This week we’re gonna look at the things most everybody will change on their phones — wallpaper and ringtones. There might even be a little something extra thrown in for people using stock Android as well. Place your tray in the upright position, fasten your seatbelts and continue past the break.
Keep your charge on — how to improve battery life on your Android phone
Howdy! It’s me again, and this week we’re gonna talk about something near and dear to all of us — battery life. It’s always at the tip of everyone’s tongue (especially as new phones are released), and all the information out there is enough to make a person lose his or her mind. Hopefully together we can work through it all, separate the fact from the fiction, and figure out how to keep everything out of the red.
Prepare your beverages, smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, and follow the jump so we can figure this out together.
Getting started with your Android phone (Welcome Droid Incredible owners!)
Hey everybody! This week we’re gonna go back to basics and show our support to those who switched over to Android by picking up the HTC Droid Incredible on Verizon. Now I know a lot of this is common knowledge to you salty Android vetrans, but think back to the first time you put your mitts on a G1 or the Motorola Droid. Hopefully, there was someone around to help you get acclimated and into the swing of all things Android. If not, then you know exactly why we do what we do here at Android Central.
So welcome newcomers, kick back and have a look to see just what you got yourself into, and I’ll bet you feel even better about your choice when we’re finished.
Android, security, and you
One of the biggest misconceptions users migrating to the Android platform have is that they
will be sacrificing security compared to their previous flavor of smartphone OS. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Settle in with your favorite beverage, and follow along after the break and we’ll talk about Android’s security features, and what you need to know and do to keep things going smoothly.
Getting started with Google Voice
Hey everybody. Jerry back this week with with some tips for Google Voice. If you’re not using Google Voice, you’ve surely heard people talking it up, with good reason. Google Voice runs great on most smartphones, and like most things Google, it runs incredibly well on Android phones.
Hit the break for some hints about getting an invite and setting it all up so you can enjoy the convenience of visual voice mail and a central number across multiple phones.
Android and videos, how to get started
Hello again everybody! This week we’re leaving all the techie stuff behind and we’re going to have some fun. Android phones are great portable media playesrs — we just have to get used to a different way of encoding and syncing our media. While there are lots of way to get it done, we’re going to focus on two that use free tools to make the most out of your Android multimedia experience. So put your ringer on silent, send the kids out to play in the yard and read along after the break.
App Overload – Take control of the Android Market with AppBrain
Thirty thousand. That’s a big number being thrown around. Thirty thousand of anything is a lot. Last June, an asteroid hit a young boy on his way to school in Essen, Germany. It was going 30,000 mph (he survived). Archeologists estimate that man has been creating art of some sort or another for 30,000 years. And the Android Market just hit 30,000 apps. Or did it? This week let’s take a look at the apps in the Market and a great new way to make sense of them all with some help from our friends at Swiss Code Monkeys. Follow along after the break.