Android for n00bs

[Whisper]

Hi

As a recent procurer of an Android based handset, I was wondering if there were any good FAQ's, Wiki's, How to Guides (for n00bs) etc people could recommend?

Thanks in Advance

[itachi46]

not really, but what exactly did you have in mind? (to ask)

[Dommo]

Its meant to be intuative... thogh I must admit sometimes it gets a bit crazy. Just keep playing you cant stuff up tooo badly. And remember menue button will always get you deeper and home will always dig you back out.

[dainese]

Originally Posted by Dommo

Its meant to be intuative... thogh I must admit sometimes it gets a bit crazy. Just keep playing you cant stuff up tooo badly. And remember menue button will always get you deeper and home will always dig you back out.

and the long presses too.

check here OP:

http://www.androidcentral.com/

[Whisper]

Ok a few things

A decent missed calls and new SMS function. How to get it?

How do I stop all those programs that show up in running programs from starting up?

When I go to the BOM website to view the radar, why can't I close the browser easily, so I don't get whacked by excess data charges because the page constantly refreshes?

Yes I know I can search on Google, but from where I am currently standing, I have no way of being able to sort the wheat from the chaff, which is why you ask friends and acquaintances who may have more experience than I have for guidance rather than just believing the first few hits on a search engine.

Surely there must be some easy to follow guides written by helpful people out there, that OCAU people can vouch for?

Originally Posted by dainese

and the long presses too.

check here OP:

http://www.androidcentral.com/

This is a start for the sort of thing I was looking for.

[qwertylesh]

android is meant to run programs in the background, it has its own memory management, if your running a good version (froyo or gingerbread) then you may as well just allow it to do its own memory management provided you dont get any slow downs its fine.

if you are running eclair or older, then you may want to get minfreemanger and do a search on a more aggressive memory management.

theres no need for ATK on any version.

as for phone calls, if your not happy with stock and dont use htc sense, then you can get a free program called dialer one from the android market, and it will replace the stock one with one that is more friendly.

[dainese]

there are heaps of widgets that can give you reminders. i don't find them necessary personally.

you can go to town with this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=665991

most screenies have widgets and wallpapers listed for you.

this app is also highly recommended by most and me:
widget locker
themes are here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=968613

widget index here too:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=753151

autostarts can be customised to stop and control unwanted app under certain situations.

android is supposed to be self managing when it comes to memory and app management.

as long as the BOM isn't continually updating, it MIGHT be ok..

[Whisper]

You know, I just want to sit and read some stuff that gets me up to speed on how this whole Android OS works, and what I can do to get the most out of it, without just fiddling and hoping for the best.

[hak]

Originally Posted by Whisper

You know, I just want to sit and read some stuff that gets me up to speed on how this whole Android OS works, and what I can do to get the most out of it, without just fiddling and hoping for the best.

the first thing you want to do is to download timeriffic and set it up, you will now have a unique smartphone that will be distinctively different from the iphone and wp7.

[Zee]

Originally Posted by hak

the first thing you want to do is to download timeriffic and set it up, you will now have a unique smartphone that will be distinctively different from the iphone and wp7.

Great! Erm... What does it do? (thinking of converting to Android soon - sick of Apple lockdown...)

Z...

[flagger]

Aussie Weather for BOM radar

Missed call for well... missed calls

New SMS's? Just go into the stock SMS app and select new SMS or select an existing conversation thread...

[GooSE]

Originally Posted by Whisper

You know, I just want to sit and read some stuff that gets me up to speed on how this whole Android OS works, and what I can do to get the most out of it, without just fiddling and hoping for the best.

Sounds like you're making it more difficult than it should be. Go read some forums. Install some apps. If you don't like them uninstall them. Play with some widgets, etc.

You're not going to break anything.

[qwertylesh]

dont spoil all the whimsy and wonder of learning a new platform with faqs and guides!! >_<

[2SHY]

I have never read a manual for a phone that i bought. You should just discover the phone by yourself.

[dainese]

yeah. just get into it.

some good tips by some, and if you need help, we are here