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User Rating5.00/5Android Advice™ by AndroidTapp.com is a set of frequently asked and answered questions geared at new Android users.
No, if you log into the Android Market with the same Gmail/Google Apps account you initially purchased with, you should be able to re-download those Android apps at no additional cost. Google keeps a history of your app purchases in cases like this.
Unfortunately this is the negative effect of partly Android Fragmentation and saturation limitations in many countries.
There are many phones with different versions of the Android operating system (See Fragmentation Stats by Google). Many Android developers simply many not yet support your Android OS version.
Many countries either do not have access to the Android Market or may have access but to only the free apps and not paid apps.
First enable “Pattern Lock”. Go to Settings Menu » Set unlock pattern. Android locking works by patterns drawn versus a PIN code or password. Draw a pattern you can remember. Every time you lock your phone or it falls asleep the Pattern Lock enables.
As a backup, Google allows you to retrieve it online using your Gmail/Google Apps account.
Autolock. It’s a simple Android app to delay the pattern lock screen at intervals you choose. If you set the app to activate the pattern lock at 3 minutes, after 30 or so seconds your phone sleeps (the black screen) and you wake it up under the 3 minute threshold, you won’t have to pattern unlock your phone.
There are a few apps but we recommend Protector as you can protect the whole Gmail app with PIN code password or only certain features of the app like certain folders/labels. Honorable mention would be App Protector.
Yes you can make shortcuts. 2 ways… find a free spot on the home screen, press it for more than 2 seconds (known as Longpress) and a menu appears for shortcuts, or open the list of apps and Longpress an app then drag and drop it where you want it. To delete from the home screen, Longpress then a red trash can appears at the bottom, drag and drop there.
For pictures and video it is easier to open Gallery app and delete. For files download and use Astro File Manager.
There is a convenient feature to Longpress (pressing for 2 more seconds) and save to SD Card.
Go to Settings menu » Sound & display » check/uncheck Audible selection.
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DROID Gets Updated to Android 2.1 What New Apps to Expect
Have a DROID and noticed your phone is available for the latest and greatest version of Google's Android software? Please ...
Posted 
I can save MMS media files just fine on my Samsung Galaxy running Android 1.5 without a special application installed. I just long press on the MMS inside Messaging and select “Save attached to SD card” from the pop-up, like you described. Android 1.0, the initial OS of the HTC Dream/G1, wasn’t able to do this.
You said “For example, (at the time of this writing) most Android phones are running 2.0.1..”
I’m not sure that’s true. Look at this chart:
http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/platform-versions.html
Seems like only 1/5 of Android phones are on 2.0.1. This might explain why 4/5 of us are frustrated by reviews for apps we can’t see in our marketplace.
Just sayin.
If memory serves me correct, that stat was conducted the end of December 2009. The DROID had recently launched the month prior. That stat in comparison to the time of this writing is no longer accurate.
Actually DROIDs are receiving the 2.1 update now… further complicating or frustrating things for older versions of Android.
Here is the most recent survey – just came out today:
http://www.androidcentral.com/android-21-now-more-quarter-android-phones
So – 68.7% of Android users have below 2.0.
Update: 1.5 is actually on the rise:
http://phandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/android-os-version-share-admob-march2010.png
PS – My coworker just bought an Eris with 1.5 last weekend.
“…most Android phones are running 2.0.1..” is still, even after all this time, much to my frustration, still not true:
http://androidandme.com/2010/05/uncategorized/oldest-android-firmware-still-the-most-popular/
I am a recent convert from Blackberry, and miss a feature that I have not been able to find in the App Market. Blackberry had a “phone only” setting that muted all notifications except phone calls. I need my phone on at night for emergency calls from kids and parents, but don’t want to wake up every time an email comes through. Is there such an app for my droid eris??
Thanks to any one that can point me in the right direction!
Try AudioManager Widget, I’ve also heard Locale, Profiles and Quick Profiles has the capability too.
I like Timeriffic! It takes a little effort to set up, but once it’s done, it’s done. I love it!
http://androidandme.com/2010/03/news/android-app-video-review-timeriffic/
Awesome! Thanks so much for the quick answers! I knew there had to be a way!
Can I access Mail on android which normally I get via outlook
Yes, But you would need to know some information from Outlook to connect. See number 2 of this guide and let us know if that helps http://www.androidtapp.com/new-to-android-welcome-to-android-advice/
how do you download music from Itunes library to droid from mac?
Hi Scott, the easier way is to install DoubleTwist. It will convert your iTunes library to easily export and play on DROID or any device for that matter.
Beginner’s questions from a Nokia Smartphone user. I’m frustrated!
I recently took a huge leap of faith and moved from N95 8GB to HTC Desire, described on the web as “Possibly the best smartphone yet”, and I’m finding it very hard going….
eg.
1. Although I had all my contacts in MS Outlook, they won’t transfer properly – the contacts prog in Desire doesn’t seem to have the necessary fields. Are there any better Android contacts progs out there (I can’t find any!), or am I “synching” the wrong way?
2. I want to transfer all my “Notes” from the Nokia notes program, but I have no idea which Droid prog to use. I have downloaded Astrid, but it doesn’t seem to be what I really want.
3. I do a lot of podcasting, and the Nokia podcast prog worked well – what’s the best android equivalent?
4. I’ve turned most everything off (my handsfree in the car requires that I keep bluetooth on, but that’s not unusual), but still my battery won’t last. Are there any other hints for extending battery life?
Thanks,
William Richard