Getting started with your Android

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Did you just buy an Android phone or plan to do next? Do not know where to start? Here we tell you all you need.

What should I know?

• Remember that Android has multitasking, ie listening to music while you surf the Internet and many other options. But this implies a higher consumption of battery.
• Several versions of Android: 1.1, 1.5 (Cupcake), 1.6 (Donut), 2.0/2.1 (Eclair). Note that each version has its own characteristics, have different functions and support different types of applications (one application of 2.1 will not work in 1.6). You can see your version of Android if you go to Settings-> About Phone-> Firmware version.
• There are many great communities related to Android ROMs are dedicated to creating and modifying things to go better. If you do not have Android then these names will be new to you like XDA , MoDaCo or HTCMania.

What do I need?

You will need different things to really enjoy your new phone. Including..

A Google Account: Android is "Google" for phones. Just after starting the phone will ask you to sign in to your Google account. Why? Because Android is constantly synchronized with Google. This means

• Receive your emails from Gmail automatically
• Having all calendars synchronized
• Have all your contacts in sync
• Your Google Talk contact
• Your Google Maps

This way, when you open any phone you have everything exactly as you left it last time. If you add a contact in Gmail, you will automatically appear on your mobile and vice versa.

Social Networks: Now you have a great device in your hands. You'll be able to update your statements at any time, post photos or share things with the world. This will need flat rate or wi-fi, but in any case you should consider enrolling in a social network to start enjoying the small pleasures. Android has thousands of applications for Twitter, Facebook, Buzz, Orkut, Youtube, Hotmail, Skype and many more.

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Personalization
One of the keys of Android is its ability to customize.

• Shortcuts: Drag any application on the desktop menu. Indeed you can create as many shortcuts as you like and put them where you want. If you run out of space, get more icons that allows you to multiply the number of icons that you can put.
• Folders: If you press the screen for 2 seconds you will see a menu. There you can choose to create a folder. In each folder you can enter all the shortcuts you want to keep your desktop organized. I forgot, if you open the folder and click as in the name of the folder, you can change your name.
• Widgets: Widgets are applications that run continuously on your desktop. To put one of them, hold 2 seconds by pressing the screen and select Widgets.

Applications
Android market has over 38,000 applications for all tastes. There are free apps and paid apps. To purchase applications need a Google Checkout account, mind you. To start setting things up, click on the icon Android Market.

• Browser: If you have Android 1.6, the browser leaves much to be desired. Remember that you have many alternatives in the Market: Opera , Skyfire Browser or Dolphin among many. Find the one that best suits your tastes.
• Google Maps: Full advantage of this great application. Is installed by default and lets you do almost everything. View maps, directions, state or local traffic to your surroundings. Since June 2010 is available also the Google GPS Navigation. To use, just click the Browse button after asking directions to the destination. With Google Maps you can also get Google Latitude and Google Buzz.
• Twitter Client: With Android you have no excuse to enjoy Twitter. Receive news, tips or information from your friends at the moment is priceless.
• There are many more and you will get to know about this when you start using it.

Create your applications:
All Android applications are based largely on Java (at least the bases). You can perfectly introduce you to programming Android applications as well as share with everyone.