Let Google find your Android phone ...

Google announced Wednesday a new phone-finding feature for Android users tied to its search engine. Simply type “find my phone” into the Google search bar, and the results will show a map with the last known location of your phone. You can also choose to ring the phone from this page to make it easier to find — say, if it’s lost under the couch.

The feature works on the desktop and with the Google search app. Just make sure you’re signed into the same Google account on your phone and on your desktop to enable the option.  In Chrome, just type "google find my phone" and it should work if your phone is on.

I just tried it and it located my phone in the middle of my house.  I tried the feature to ring the phone, but that did not work.  However, I have a weird setup using VOIP to connect to Verizon from my home, and that may be the cause.

Copy & Paste in Android

I just figured that Copy & Paste did not exist in Android.  I could not find the function at all, even after two years and several Android versions.  Well, you can copy and paste from / to many applications.

Here is a link to a good explanation.  What they show you works well with a web browser and email, but not on .pdf files (because most .pdf viewers don't let you select text).  It does work on Word .doc files.

Basically, you long press on some text...wait a bit and two tab icons appear....move those to the beginning and end of the text you want to select and click on the menu item at the to, "copy".  Then go to the application where you want to paste (something that allows you to type in text), long-press in the location desired and an option to "paste" should appear.

Check it out:  http://www.androidcentral.com/android-101-using-copy-paste

Android "Lolliop" Tips & Tricks

You probably don't have this version of Android yet, but these should give you a good idea of some of the new features and the new user interface.

http://drippler.com/drip/15-tips-tricks-android-lollipop-users-1

Help Finding those Important Lost Items

KiiTag is a new product that provides "smart" tags to attach to important items.  These tags can be located via BlueTooth from your smart phone/tablet.  They are physical tags that can be moved from one item to another as the need arises. Tags cost about $20 each, but could be worth it to find items that are really impotant to you.

To learn more:

Article from USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2014/11/01/new-tech-products/18027365/


Webpage of the Manufacturer (lifensoul):
http://lifensoul.com/blue-kiitag.html

New Android Version 5.0 "Lollipop"

The latest version of Android OS is about to be released.  It apparently has a different user interface and will appear first on the Google Nexus tablets and will roll out to other devices over the next few months.

To learn more, check out this article from USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/10/30/android-lollipop-first-look/18162395/

Or...this webpage at Android.com
http://www.android.com/versions/lollipop-5-0/

or...this one from TheVerge  (12 best new features of Lollipop):
http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/28/7082875/12-best-new-features-android-lollipop-nexus

Lock your Android apps and more

Droid Protector:    Droid Protector allows you to set per-app restrictions to keep nosy people out. You can also enable a fake "crash" dialog for a specific app if someone tries to access it without authorization. This app will also allow you to hide certain photographs or videos from prying eyes, which is a particularly handy feature that complements the other features so well, you'd wonder why other apps don't already do both.

Learn more here

All-In-One Tool Box app looks good

I installed an app that was new to me, the All-In-One Tool Box.  It helps one manage their Android device, by providing 29 tools as shown below.  Worth checking it out, since its free.  Here is what it can do....

★ Clean out junk files:
Created in a simple method of seeing what's taking up storage and reclaiming lost memory via smart and safe cleaning.
* Delete SMS & Call logs
* Erase browsing history
* Remove Temp files
* Clean SD card
* Sweep out Apk leftover
* Eliminate cache files

★ Speedup system performance: 
Shut down unnecessary running apps to free up memory to keep Android devices at optimal performance and potentially extend battery life
* One-tap boost
* Kill unessential tasks
* Speed-up boot

★ Privacy protection: 
Provide access for you to erase your personal data and browsing traces to keep the privacy information from revealing. Pass-word service will lock the things you don’t want to share with others
* App locker
* Browsing trace erasing
* Call or SMS logs deleting

★ APP and File management: 
Check what’s on Android and provide a list of options for you to control files at your own will.
* Uninstall system app
* App to SD card
* Batch installer/uninstaller
* Zip and unzip
* Backup and restore

★ Plenty of additional tools: 
29+ system tools available in All-In-One Toolbox, all essential for your ease and wonderful Android experience
* Auto task plug-in: cache and junk file clean, silent mode, airplane mode and wifi management at set intervals automatically
* Compass plug-in: give you the directions when you are lost
* Flashlight: light up your surroundings when it’s dark
* QR and Barcode Scanner: quick scanning and collecting info you need
* Game Booster: boost games to give you more fun
* Android sensor box: show you all available sensors on your Android
* Quick settings: offer easy access to the
* Volume settings: provide one-click volume setup

Here is the link to the Google Play Store page covering this app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=imoblife.toolbox.full&hl=en