Android Tablets Made Simple

Android Tablets Made Simple

Released November 2011
Publisher(s): Apress
ISBN: 9781430236719

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Book description

If you thought your phone was smart, you should see the new Android tablets! Based on Android 3 Honeycomb, these tablets provide all the computing power you'll need on a device light enough to carry wherever you go.

Get the most out of your Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet with Android Tablets Made Simple—learn all the key features, understand what's new, and utilize dozens of time-saving tips and tricks.

Android Tablets Made Simple includes over 500 pages of easy-to-read instructions and over 1,000 carefully annotated screen shots to guide you to Android tablet mastery. You'll never be left wondering, "How did they do that?"

This book guides you through:

  • Finding and purchasing the right Android tablet

  • Understanding the Android Honeycomb interface

  • Downloading and using tablet apps

What you'll learn

  • Connect your tablet to wireless networks, including 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi

  • Make video calls to your friends and colleagues

  • Download and read eBooks, newspapers, and magazines in your new compact library

  • Connect with friends and coworkers through e-mail and social networks

  • Unleash your creative side with photo editing and drawing tools

  • Troubleshoot minor problems with your tablet without having to wait on hold with tech support

Who this book is for

This book is for new and potential owners of Android-based tablets running Android 3 (Honeycomb) and above. These devices include the Motorola Xoom, the Galaxy Tab 4G, and devices by Toshiba, Asus, and others.

Table of contents

  1. Title
  2. Dedication
  3. Contents at a Glance
  4. Contents
  5. About the Author
  6. About the Technical Reviewer
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. A Day in the Life of an Android Tablet
  9. Chapter 1: What Is Android: Choosing the Right Tablet
    1. The History of Android
    2. Android Honeycomb
    3. Other Uses for Android
    4. Choosing the Right Android Tablet
    5. Touchscreen Sensitivity
    6. Screen Contrast
    7. Cameras
    8. Memory
    9. Internal Storage
    10. HDMI
    11. USB
    12. Accessories
    13. Hacking a Nook
  10. Chapter 2: Getting Started
    1. Unlocking Your Tablet
    2. A Typical Activation Sequence
    3. Google Account
    4. Activating Your Data Plan
    5. The Basic Home Screen
    6. Where Are the Buttons?
    7. Recent Apps and Easy Multitasking
    8. The Notification Panel
    9. Basic Tablet Gestures
    10. Long Pressing on the Home Screen
  11. Chapter 3: Typing, Copy, and Search
    1. The Virtual Keyboard
    2. The Standard Keyboard Layout
    3. Swype Typing
    4. Word Suggestions
    5. User Dictionary
    6. Copy, Cut, and Paste
    7. Input Settings
    8. Voice Actions
    9. Search
  12. Chapter 4: Syncing with Your Google Account
    1. Activating Your Google Account
    2. Adding a Google Account
    3. Adding Another Google Account: the Short Way
    4. Google Account Services
    5. Getting Contacts from Your Old Planner to Google
  13. Chapter 5: Syncing with Other Accounts
    1. Adding an Account
    2. Syncing with Exchange Email Accounts
    3. Adding Other Email Accounts
    4. Removing an Email Account
    5. Data Syncing Settings
    6. Alternative Syncing Apps
  14. Chapter 6: Understanding Connection: Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G
    1. Does Your Tablet Have a Data Plan?
    2. What Does 3G or 4G Mean?
    3. CDMA and GSM
    4. More on LTE and WiMAX
    5. The Notifications Bar
    6. Setting up a Private Wi-Fi Connection
    7. Creating a Hotspot
    8. Troubleshooting Connections
    9. VPN
  15. Chapter 7: Personalizing Your Home Screen
    1. Reviewing the Home Screen Interface
    2. Exploring Widgets
    3. App Icons
    4. More
    5. Wallpapers
  16. Chapter 8: Email on Tablets
    1. Understanding Gmail
    2. The Gmail App
    3. Reading Gmail Messages
    4. Receiving Messages with Attachments
    5. Gmail App Settings
    6. The Email App
    7. Email and Gmail Action Bar Items
    8. Email and Gmail Widgets
  17. Chapter 9: Managing Contacts
    1. Tablets vs. Phones
    2. The Contact App
    3. Adding/ Editing a Contact
    4. Filtering Contacts
    5. Joining Accounts
    6. Sharing Contacts
    7. Importing and Exporting Contacts
    8. Widgets
  18. Chapter 10: Working with Calendars
    1. Google Calendar on the Web
    2. Privacy Levels
    3. Adding Calendars
    4. Importing and Exporting Calendars
    5. Syncing Calendars with Exchange
    6. TouchDown
    7. Google Calendar on Tablets
    8. Adding Events
    9. Adding Guests
    10. Changing Your Calendar Settings
    11. Widgets
    12. Tasks
  19. Chapter 11: Using Maps
    1. Understanding Google Maps
    2. Find Your Location on the Map
    3. Map Layers
    4. Location Sharing with Latitude
    5. Places Pages
    6. Email and Text Directions
    7. Making Your Own Maps
    8. Third-Party Navigation
    9. Location-Sensing Social Media and Games
  20. Chapter 12: Browsing the Web
    1. Chrome and the Android Browser
    2. Android Browser Navigation
    3. Bookmarking Pages
    4. Syncing with Your Google Account
    5. Setting Your Search Engine
    6. Flash
    7. Google Labs and Quick Controls
    8. Desktop and Mobile Versions of Websites
    9. Alternative Browsers
  21. Chapter 13: The Android Market
    1. Introducing the Android Market
    2. Paying for Apps
    3. Installing Apps from Your Tablet
    4. Paying for Apps
    5. Uninstalling Apps
    6. Getting a Refund
    7. Updating Apps
    8. Using the Android Market Website
  22. Chapter 14: Alternative App Markets
    1. Installing Apps from Unknown Sources
    2. The Amazon Appstore
    3. The Samsung App Store
    4. Barnes & Noble Nook Apps
    5. Handmark
    6. GetJar
    7. Uninstalling Apps
  23. Chapter 15: Social Media
    1. Facebook
    2. Twitter and Microblogs
    3. Twitter Apps on Your Tablet
    4. Choosing a Twitter App
    5. Yammer
    6. Salesforce
    7. Google+
    8. LinkedIn
    9. Wordpress
    10. Blogger
    11. Tumblr
  24. Chapter 16: Video and Voice Chat
    1. Video and Voice Chat with Google Talk
    2. Making Phone Calls with Skype
    3. Fring
    4. Qik
    5. OoVoo
    6. Tango
  25. Chapter 17: Reading E-books, Newspapers, and Magazines
    1. Formats
    2. Google Books
    3. The Kindle Reader
    4. The Barnes & Noble Nook
    5. Kobo
    6. Reading PDF Books
    7. Converting Books from One Format to Another
  26. Chapter 18: Taking Notes and Working with Documents
    1. Google Docs
    2. Microsoft Live
    3. Documents to Go
    4. QuickOffice
    5. Printing Documents from Your Tablet
    6. Sticky Notes
    7. Evernote
  27. Chapter 19: Viewing Videos and Movies on Your Tablet
    1. Adobe Flash
    2. YouTube
    3. Android Movie Rentals
    4. Using Your Tablet to Display a Show on Your TV
    5. Channel Apps
    6. TWiT
    7. iPlayer
    8. Netflix
    9. Amazon Videos
    10. Watch Directly From the Web
    11. Hulu+
    12. PlayOn
    13. Using Your Tablet As the Remote
  28. Chapter 20: Creating Photos, Videos, and Art
    1. Tablet Differences
    2. Taking Photos with the Camera App
    3. Shooting Video
    4. The Gallery App
    5. Sharing Photos and Videos
    6. Third-Party Photo Apps
    7. Editing Video
    8. Using a Different Camera
    9. Using Your Tablet for Art
    10. Printing Photos
  29. Chapter 21: Listening to Music
    1. Google Music
    2. Amazon MP3s and Cloud Player
    3. Pre-Installed Music Players
    4. Pandora
    5. Spotify
    6. Finding Music When You Don’t Know the Name
    7. Beyond Listening
  30. Chapter 22: Fun and Games
    1. Favorites on a Bigger Screen
    2. Arcade Classics
    3. Tower Defense
    4. Board Games
    5. Sports Games
    6. Using Tablet Features
    7. Mystery Adventure Games
    8. MMOPRGs
    9. Virtual Simulations
    10. Games for Children
  31. Chapter 23: The Clock, Calculator, and Other Utilities
    1. The Clock
    2. Extending the Clock
    3. The Calculator
    4. ES File Explorer
    5. The Grocery List
  32. Chapter 24: Using Bluetooth for Keyboards and More
    1. Turning on Bluetooth
    2. Bluetooth Profiles
    3. Bluetooth and Pairing
    4. Pairing with Keyboards and Headsets
    5. Using a Keyboard
    6. Transferring Files
    7. Unpairing Bluetooth Devices
  33. Appendix A: Advanced Troubleshooting
    1. Steps for Troubleshooting
    2. Factory Data Resets
    3. Rooting Your Tablet
    4. Tablet Development
  34. Appendix B: App Guide for Developers
    1. Typing, Copy, and Search
    2. Syncing Your Tablet With Google
    3. Understanding Connection
    4. Icons and Widgets, and Tabs
    5. Email and Instant Messaging
    6. Working With Calendars
    7. Using Maps
    8. Browsing the Web
    9. Social Media
    10. Video Conferencing
    11. Reading E-books, Newspapers, and Magazines
    12. Taking Notes and Working With Documents
    13. Viewing Videos and Movies
    14. Creating Photos, Videos, and Art on Android
    15. Listening to Music
    16. Games on Tablets
    17. The Clock, Calculator, and Other Utilities
  35. Index

Product information

  • Title: Android Tablets Made Simple
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: November 2011
  • Publisher(s): Apress
  • ISBN: 9781430236719