An Update for Ice Cream Sandwich

by admin on April 25, 2012 in announcements with ( comments)

Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice Cream Sandwich (AKA Android 4.0) is entering the mass market now. So we have a few updates to make to our app. First, we’ve noticed the app isn’t available or is not working on all Android 4.0 compatible devices; we’re fixing that. Second, we’ve had some complaints on google play about the fonts being hard to read. So we’re working on that too. What’s more, Kevin’s working on some new ICS content as well. Should be a lot to update here again soon.

How to Block Calls on Your Android Phone Using Google Voice (no apps needed)

by admin on April 20, 2012 in tips and tricks with ( comments)

If you use Google Voice with your Android phone, which you really should if you don’t already, then blocking unwanted callers is dead simple. But first, a question. Why would you want to block a caller? Because if you’re like me, you sometimes get unsolicited phone calls to my business line. I publish my phone number on the web site and use it when making orders. Sometimes other individuals or companies will take advantage of that. In the past three days, I’ve been called 5 times from the same number. They don’t leave a voicemail and won’t stop calling. So I’m forced to block them.

Here’s how.

Locate your missed calls

The madness!

Block caller

Blocked!

April 4 Android App and eBook 99-Cent Sale

by admin on March 26, 2012 in announcements with ( comments)

Download the Complete Android Guide on Google Play

In honor of Ice Cream Sandwich, AKA Android 4, and since today is 4-4, we’re offering the book and the app for 99 cents today. Get it while it’s cold! Click this link to download the app for $0.99.

Alternatively, download the eBook also for the same low price (marked down from $9). Click any of the links on the left to download an eBook. When you check out, enter “april4″ as your discount code for $8.01 off. The discount expires April 4 (tonight).

Enjoy!

Getting Started with Your Android

by admin on March 16, 2012 in tips and tricks with ( comments)

Quick Start Guide

Chapter 2 of the book outlines how to get started with your brand new Android phone/tablet. Here are a couple of highlights.

  • Charge it before turning it on (not necessary, but helpful).
  • Make sure it’s plugged in while you’re setting it up (again, not necessary, but wise to do)
  • Make sure you’re some place with decent cell coverage (you’ll be glad you did)
  • Have a Google (Gmail) account before you get set up
  • Log in with your Google account (it’s essential)
  • Log in with your Facebook account to sync all your Facebook contacts into your phone
  • The chapter shows you how to log in to your non-Google/Gmail email as well
  • Turn on location-based permissions to take advantage of your location-based services
  • How to lock and unlock your phone with many screenshot samples for the many different device types

There are more goodies in this chapter, but those are the essentials to get you started. We also created this Getting Started PDF of the many apps we recommend you install once you’re up and running. Share it with your friends, please.

Question: what are the apps you can’t live without? Add them to the comments below and the next time we update the chapter we’ll be sure to mention them.

How Androids are Different from iPhones, Blackberries and Other Smartphones and Tablets

by admin on March 16, 2012 in tips and tricks with ( comments)

We explain this in Chapter 1, Meet Your Android.

Get the Complete Android Guide app to own the book and all the latest content. It’s just $1.99.

Download "The Complete Android Guide" on Google Play

At the time we wrote the book, multitasking was a big advantage. iPhones do that now too. But the other things about an Android still hold true. Namely:

  • Synch with Google
  • Total customization
  • Open Software
  • Cloud sync
  • Universal search
  • Unparalleled location-based services

I’ll open this list up to the community though. What are the things that your Android does well that iPhones and Blackberries don’t?

Re-introducing ourselves

by admin on March 16, 2012 in announcements with ( comments)

As the publisher of The Complete Android Guide, I want you to know what we’re up to something really special here. We intend to make it more special every day. Here’s how.

  1. Our book is “free.” That means you can view it online for free, download it for a fee, or buy our app and have it in your pocket (where you probably need it the most).
  2. Our book is collaborative. If you have something you want to write, go for it. Log in to the book site and get started.
  3. We are building our community on this blog. We’ve added some cool social features that will help us provide better content in the future. Namely, we have a realtime forum and photo gallery; and we have realtime comments on every page. If you log in, you’ll be able to upload photos, create topics and chat with other Android users.
  4. We’re tweeting like crazy.
  5. We’re facebooking like crazy.

One of the things that you can help us with is to share this site with your friends and family. We published the book that every Android owner should have. Please help us get the word out. We promise to keep the content fresh from now on.

[Video] Have You Ever Wondered…?

by admin on March 16, 2012 in book updates, video with ( comments)

Hey Android owners. Have you ever wondered…

  • How do I research products?
  • How do I set up my email?
  • What are notifications for?
  • How do I use Twitter, Facebook and Google+?
  • How do I view and share photos?
  • How do I download apps?
  • How do I get the news?
  • How do I use my homescreen?
  • What’s the weather like in Honolulu?

Do yourself a favor and buy the book.