All About Android on You Tube

For those of you who like videos on tech topics, you might want to check out the "All About Android" channel on You Tube. Here is the link.

https://www.youtube.com/user/AllAboutAndroid/featured

10 Worthwhile Android Tips & Tricks

Here is a webpage that covers 10 handy Android Tips and Tricks.

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/android-tips-and-tricks/

Included are:

• Disable App Notifications
• Disable Mobile Data
• Set Mobile Data Limit
• Add Multiple Google Accounts
• Disable Automatic App Updates
• How to Check for Android System Updates
• Changing Default Apps
• Organize Home Screen Shortcuts with Folders
• Disable Animations
• How to Turn Off Auto-Correction

Reduce image file Size before Sending

It is a often good idea to reduce the image file size before sending to someone via email or uploading to sites like eBay or Local Sales Network.  Today's smart phone have high resolution cameras that create really large image files.  Many times that high resolution is not needed or even wanted.

To the rescue come phone apps that can reduce the file size (and resolution) of image files right on your phone and them make them available to "share" in several directions.

The one that I use is called Reduce Photo Size.  I find it easy to use and a handy tool to add to your Android Smart Phone.

Here is a link to its listing on Google Play Store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shoozhoo.imageresizer&hl=en

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