Trying out an Android Phone

[MotionMan]

A friend of mine emptied out his electronic junk drawer. Included in the haul was a Motorola DROID RAZR XT912 running Jelly Bean (It maxes out at 4.1.2). I decided, since I have never really had a good hands-on test with an Android phone, I would set this one up and use it at home on my wifi instead of my iPhone.

I loaded some of my favorite apps (that I use on my iPhone), but there are still some settings and workflows I cannot seem to figure out.

Where are some good online Android (Jelly Bean) primers for Android noobs?

MotionMan

 

[RossMAN]

Not quite a primer but it's a start, best Android apps (most of which are JB compatible).

 

[sweenish]

What are you trying to figure out?

I would say just run through settings, and get very familiar with the share button.

 

[rudeguy]

A friend of mine emptied out his electronic junk drawer. Included in the haul was a Motorola DROID RAZR XT912 running Jelly Bean (It maxes out at 4.1.2). I decided, since I have never really had a good hands-on test with an Android phone, I would set this one up and use it at home on my wifi instead of my iPhone.

I loaded some of my favorite apps (that I use on my iPhone), but there are still some settings and workflows I cannot seem to figure out.

Where are some good online Android (Jelly Bean) primers for Android noobs?

MotionMan

I've yet to see a good one.

Post up what you have questions on. Or PM me. Work is slow today and I am a nerd.

 

[MotionMan]

Well, for one thing, apparently Google will not let me log into any services from this phone.

Also, is there a way to change the lock screen?

Is there a way to get my iCloud Calendar on an Android phone?

(Those are a good start for now.)

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

Well, for one thing, apparently Google will not let me log into any services from this phone.

Also, is there a way to change the lock screen?

Is there a way to get my iCloud Calendar on an Android phone?

(Those are a good start for now.)

MotionMan

 

[rudeguy]

Well, for one thing, apparently Google will not let me log into any services from this phone.

Also, is there a way to change the lock screen?

Is there a way to get my iCloud Calendar on an Android phone?

(Those are a good start for now.)

MotionMan

Do you have 2 step authentication enabled on your Google account? That would be the only thing I can think of unless its something weird like you don't have a Google account.

Lock screen can be changed by going: app drawer > settings > display. That is off memory but it should get you close.

The easiest way I could find for iCloud to Android with a PC Chrome extension but there are some apps you can get that make it a breeze. However you will need to get into your Google account first.

http://www.androidcentral.com/how-easily-sync-your-icloud-calendar-android

 

[poofyhairguy]

I would do a factory reset if you haven't to give it the best shot for performance.

 

[MotionMan]

Do you have 2 step authentication enabled on your Google account? That would be the only thing I can think of unless its something weird like you don't have a Google account.

I do have a Google account (many of them, actually). I do not have 2 step turned on on the accounts I have tried. When I try, it get rejected and I get an e-mail from Google cheerfully telling me that it blocked the attempt.

Lock screen can be changed by going: app drawer > settings > display. That is off memory but it should get you close.

You lost me at "app drawer".

The easiest way I could find for iCloud to Android with a PC Chrome extension but there are some apps you can get that make it a breeze. However you will need to get into your Google account first.

http://www.androidcentral.com/how-easily-sync-your-icloud-calendar-android

For the time being, since I am just messing around, I am avoiding paid apps.

MotionMan

 

[vi edit]

For a nice lock screen check out "Microsoft Next". It's a lockscreen, for Android, made by Microsoft. It's a sleek, functional lock screen with some nice customization.

 

[magomago]

app drawer is the the icon that looks like a grid of 2x3 squares (image on the right - the icon is in the center):
http://www.pocketables.com/images/2012/08/multiple-jelly-bean-user-accounts.jpg

Basically the app drawer has every single app you have on your phone. You can then choose to decide what apps get a shortcut on your phone's main screen.


Are you "messing around" enough to see if you can get Kitkat or Lollipod installed on the phone, or is that too much hacking? That said its a 2011 phone, so the experience (whether or you stay with 4.1,l or move to 4.4) ain't gonna be THAT pretty.


However, I have KitKit installed on a Galaxy S1 and it works well, but that phone had amazing community support.

 

[luv2liv]

i dont even mess with lock screen. what a waste of time! press the power button n the phone turns on instantly. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.jraf.android.nolock
if u r worried about security, then important apps like banking will require pw/pin each time u open the app.

 

[sweenish]

They don't know what the app drawer is, and people are asking about installing ROMs?

Sounds reasonable.

 

[RossMAN]

Kroger B&M has Android 4.4 Kitkat smart phones for under $20 after coupons, not sure if they're available at Ralphs.

No need to activate them, just use WiFi, MP3, watch videos or GPS.

 

[gadgetprostitute]

Good God, man, you're using that thing as a representation of android?

That's like using an ios device of the same vintage- with its original OS.

 

[MotionMan]

Good God, man, you're using that thing as a representation of android?

That's like using an ios device of the same vintage- with its original OS.

I guess I can wait for you to send me a new Android phone for me to try out. Let me know when you want the shipping information.



MotionMan

 

[compcons]

Ignore all the other posts other than what was said about changing your lock screen. People seem to not actually read or understand what you are trying to do.

The app drawer is just a list of all apps. Newer androids let you access settings by swiping down from the top of the screen. The icon looks like a gear. Once you get to settings, the lock screen might be under display and possibly wallpaper. I haven't used an older android in a while. This will let you modify how your lock screen behaves. As an also iPhone user, I can say it should be more intuitive to find it than on iOS. Also note that most app settings are (get ready for this) IN the app versus the retarded iOS "all settings in some junk drawer of settings" approach.

There is NO reason you should have issues with Google and the device. Google does however note that you are accessing your account with a new device on a different network. I had that issue with my iPhone and iPad at one point. I really don't recall the fix. Maybe some authorization I had to do on the device? I would suggest a google search for that one. Definitely not a device issue.