My first steps with Android time ago I was with a terminal Galaxy
Samsung i5700 Spica through Telstra. A nice capacitive touchscreen phone (not have to push calibrated or used lapicillo), 800 MHz processor, Wi-Fi, A-GPS and a discrete 3.2-Mp camera. And most importantly, operating system Android, which was what caught my attention because I wanted to see how to use it for my work.
The gadget in question. Mine is white, but I like black.
Once in my hands I had to get familiar with the environment and how Android work. My first choice was to look at forums in which I am registered, and drew two conclusions:
1) that there is a lot of information and
2) that is horribly organized
Given that my knowledge of this latest platform are very modest, I have taken the liberty to bring together and summarize what I found on the net and I have experienced over the phone, if you also have a Spica and you do not know how to start working with him.
STEP 1: have a Gmail account. Important because:
- to use Android Market
(installing applications, free or paid) you need to enter data in your Gmail account.
- you have permanently in your mail in Gmail as a messaging system (I have him told my contacts that if they want to save the little money I send an SMS via e-mail better, goes almost immediately).
- have the contacts
synchronized with the mail. This is a little weird at first, but is best in the world, keep them organized on the Gmail website and stored on your phone, so that each time you have to "reformat" or if you buy another
android, no lose that information. In addition, it is much more intuitive and convenient synchronization with Outlook makes WM6 (if you're not careful, you delete all the contacts!).
- perfect sync with Google Calendar
: as with the contacts will not lose your agenda, and from a computer via the web you can modify calendar events and organize it as you like.
also have a fabulous email. If you do not have and you're taking:
Gmail.
STEP 2: Get a memory card If possible, pay-here are not encouraged to choriceo that this is a house most holy ... Spica
supports up to 32 GB MicroSD . Manda to take bitter cucumbers where the bringer of 1 Gb and grab at least one of 8. For videos in DivX, music, photos and GPS maps will come in sooo good.
STEP 3: hire a data plan tailored to your needs For Android without a permanent data connection is like
without Bruce Dickinson Iron Maiden . As I said earlier, synchronization of contacts, calendar and email is possible through an Internet connection, but not always
you have a Wi-Fi network reach.
Other applications also make heavy use of the network, such as Google Maps, which download maps in real time and always updated. Or the same Android Market, you never know when you may need to download an application make emergency.
Data Plans are to stop a train, and most horrific, but
one of the less abusive is to Telstra, which has a bonus 8
you pay monthly for € 8 and you have 500 MB to 3.6 Mbps download, if you go over consumption, I lower the speed to 64 Kbps so you will not find surprises in the bill. The 8 € count toward the minimum monthly consumption of the general contract.
STEP 4: Update your Galaxy Spica The former come with version 1.5 Android (called Cupcake
), but bring the most recent 2.1 (
Eclair ). If you touched the salty ham, do not worry: with the New Samsung PC Studio application that brings the installation CD so you can update official Eclair, and thus:
- access the voice recognition system of Google
- a better system of TTS (Text-To-Speech, speech synthesizer)
- access to Google Maps Navigation (amazing!)
- support for multiple Gmail accounts
- many more applications available
- better phone performance
Are you more or less hands, try to update it on your own (and risk). Have on the next page
official Samsung firmware for Spica and manuals and programs in order to accomplish this:
http://www.samfirmware.com/WEBPROTECT-i5700.htm Finally, rumored to be an official update to Android 2.2 (
Froyo ). This would bring some advantages, such as power install applications on Memory Card (Apps2sd) and increased performance. Also supposed to contain "the driver for multitouch
: both the hardware
as Eclair allow this technology, but only some ROMs include driver so you can use your phone.
have more information about updates in the following pages:
http://www.htcmania.com/showthread.php?t=118654 (ROMs and updates in general)
http://www. htcmania.com / showthread.php? t = 133437 (to install the multitouch
)
STEP 5: Install applications
Android Market is the nutmeg of kibble Android. With Market can install applications for free or pay to complete the package
software that brings your series.
The first thing I recommend is that
update the applications that come already installed : Google Maps, Layar, Facebook, etc. Mostly Maps, which incorporates a GPS impressive and free.
Some recommended free programs that may interest you (if you can not find on Market, you may have
Cupcake instead of Eclair):
UTILITIES: -
ADW.Launcher : replaces Pantheon The application providing the Android desktop. Is much more customizable and includes support for themes and icons (many free).
-
APNDroid : used to toggle coverage GPRS/3G/HSDPA data on the phone, which can save battery power and money (if not having contracted data plan). Includes a widget
.
- Profiles
(eggs' n stone): create, modify and activate the phone usage profiles. It also has an option to save and restore the profiles. Essential.
- Blackmoon
File Browser: File Browser light and powerful. It is an ideal complement to Save
Attach Blackmoon, a payment software that lets you download attachments from Gmail in the memory card.
- Advanced Task Killer
: to close open processes in Android. Save battery and frees memory. Includes a programmable auto-release.
-
Goggles: an image recognition system. You gotta try it!
- Google Translator
: Need I explain?
MULTIMEDIA AND LEISURE: - Vignette
: it replaces the conventional camera by an application that lets you add interesting photographic effects (such Lomo, for more information look at this other blog entry). A version
full payment.
-
FxCamera : similar to above. Achieved good effects.
- Google Sky Map
: planetarium on your mobile. Beautiful.
-
Voice Recorder, voice recorder and high quality light. Includes
widget and recordings can easily send your mail to Gmail.
- Film & TV
IMDB: IMDB accessed without using the browser and the application is very well done.
COMMUNICATIONS - Talk
MSN: Windows Live client, free and quite complete.
-
TweetDeck: Twitter client and other social networks. Lets you organize feeds
in columns and set up notifications. There are other clients, but are heavier. If you do not like, try
Touiteur ,
TweetCaster software or official.
- Count
Unread Gmail: If you take more than one Gmail account on the phone, this application lets you access them independently through
widgets that show an unread message counter.
- Press
Spain: A good way to not have your browser bookmarks full access to the press. Access to a pile of newspapers on their mobile versions.
OFFICE: -
RealCalc Scientific Calculator: The best I've tried.
-
StopWatch: stopwatch easy to use and all options.
-
Documents Go To : an office suite that includes PDF viewer. Trial.
- Astrid
Task List: a complete task manager with
widget.
- Notepad
AK: A simple notebook.
Do you know more applications for Android? What take away and what would you add?
Greetings nickel-metal hydride.