Oct 30 2009, 07:41 PM, updated 15y ago
Q: What is Android?
A: It is an open sourced mobile OS by Google
Q: What is the current version of Android?
A: 2.2 for most handsets, 2.3 rolling out over the next few months, with 3.0 codenamed Honeycomb out soon.
Q: What is Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread?
A: They are codenames for Android versions named after delicious pastry/desserts and in alphabetical order. Froyo – 2.2, Gingerbread - 2.3
Q: Why Android phones have a chin?
A: Only HTC’s phones have them, for me they do prevent scratches when placing the phone down
Q: If I buy a phone, can it upgrade to a higher version?
A: Some manufacturers will provide it, but if there is not one, you can always rely on xda-developers.com to provide one. So far, only HTC and Motorola are the best at providing upgrades.
Q: What manufactures are on board this Android’s ship
A: Lots, Including HTC, Samsung, LG, Dell, Motorola, Sony Erricson, Acer and lots more to come.
Q: Does Android have Chinese input?
A: Google provides it’s infamous pinyin input. HTC’s IME have handwriting, pinyin, zhuyin, changjin and strokes. Not only that, there is always other IMEs that supports other languages such as Japanese, Greek etc.
Q: How is the web browser?
A: In terms of technology, they support nearly the same thing, both are equally fast in terms on general use the same hardware
Q:Copy & Paste?
A:Yes, system wide, as long there is a text box for text input
Q: Does Android supports multi-tasking?
A: Yes
Q: Where is the task manager?
A: There is no official task manager, as Android manages phone resources “auto-magically”. However, there are task managers in Adroid Market.
Q: How come I can’t receive MMS/ Connect to 3G / Edge
A: Means two things, wrong APN settings or you din’t activate the mobile network. For the APN settings, refer to your telco’s website, there should be a tutorial to tell you how to connect.
Q: What is this “Google Experience”
A: Just means it uses the vanilla Android, no “crap”.
Q: What is HTC Sense?
A: UI layer from HTC, just like Touch Flo for WinMo. Concentrates on integration between people, software apps, and social networks.
Q: What is Moto Blur?
A: Another UI layer from Motorola, it sucks, period.
Q: What is Nandroid?
A: A full backup (I really mean every freaking thing) software that is built in to the recovery image
Q: What is recovery mode?
A: A alternative mode to the normal OS, can be accessed by holding the HOME and POWER button together while turning ON
Q: Does Android/Hardware support kinetic scrolling, animations?
A: Yes
Q: Does Android/Hardware support multi-touch?
A: This is hardware and software dependent. Currently HTC sense and Android 2.0 and above uses multi-touch.
Q:Is the screen really sensitive?
A:Other than HTC Tattoo, most of the phones use a capacitive touch screen, the same technology as the iPhone which also allows multi-touch.
Q: How does rooting works?
A: It essentially adds two files to the system folder (su and superuser.apk). It is just like installing a computer driver that provides direct access to the hardware.
Q: What benefits does rooting gives?
A: Quite a lot, some market apps depend on root.
Currently rooting gives you the following:
Bluetooth File Transfer(OBEX)
Put apps folder on SD card (app2SD)
Full Backup
Full control over the phone
Q: What is the risk of rooting?
A: Essentially, zero, a hard reset will bring it back to it's previous state.
Q: What is a ROM?
A: A rom is an image, kinda like a photo that contains the necessary data to run phone. Also referred to as Firmware or OS
Q: Is there official ROM updates like Nokia or Iphone(HTC phones)?
A: Yes, Look for it in HTC's website, most phones uses OTA(over the air) updates, means it will automatically update if avalaible.
Q: What is a bootloader?
A: It is a piece of software that executes when you start the phone.
Q: What happens when a bootloader is locked, signed or encrypted?
A: You can't have a complete custom rom as you can't change the kernel
Q: So, why do people say I need to flash it?
A: Its like changing your phone's clothes and may gain abilities such as Root Access, Android Market, Cool themes and they are generally faster than the originals.
Q: What is flashing, it is dangerous?
A: It is not as dangerous as it used to be, there are now two to three layers of protection if something goes wrong. However there is still a chance that something will go wrong but that is like 1 in 100000 chance, if you followed the instructions correctly.
Q: How come I don’t have the Android Market?
A: Units from some countries such Malaysia, Vietnam are replaced SlideMe market, which is a inferior version the Android market. To get it refer below.
Q: What do I have to loose when flashing to a custom ROM?
A: A wipe is needed, means contacts, sms will be gone (you will need to backup and restore after flashing)
APN settings will not be inside, you will need to enter it yourself
When claiming warranty, you will need to flash it back which some people may consider a hassle.
Q: Is there anyway to disable 3G/HSDPA until required?
A: Yes, turn off mobile network under wireless settings in the settings, you can also force it to connect to GSM networks only.
Q: What is APN?
A: It is a set of settings that is used by the phone to connect to the Internet using 3G/HSPA via your telco (DiGi, Maxis, Celcom). Also need to make MMS work.
Q: What are the APN settings?
A: APN settings for Maxis, Digi and Celcom are available below
Q: So, how do I get Android Market?
A: The best way is to just flash to a custom Rom that contains Android Market.
Q: How come my Android Market only have free apps?
A: Install market-enabler(Google it)
Q: How do I buy from Market and how do I pay for it?
A: You will need a Google Checkout Account that links to your credit card
Q: I got market, how come I can’t download anything
A: Market uses port 5228 to communicate, make sure that the port is not blocked
Q: Is there any GPS software for android?
A: So far there are a few, Papago X5, Ndrive, Co-pilot, Sygic, and Google Navigation. Currently MFM(malfreemaps) or MSM(malsing maps) have Papago X5 maps only. Sygic and Google do have maps for Malaysia, but they are not as complete as MFM or MSM’s maps.
Q: Does PapagoX5 works with MFM maps?
A: Yes, get the X5 version and paste it in the "maps" directory in the SD card
Q: How much does PapagoX5 cost?
A: Online shops sells for 2280 NTD or RM 200+ Rumored to cost around RM 150+ locally.
Q: Does PapagoX5 supports android 2.1?
A: Yes only with the x5.1 patch and new data files
Q: Where can I download PapagoX5 SEA?
A: You can download them at the following links, you will need a unlock code to use it.
http://dl2.papago.com.tw/download/Papago/A...90818_MY+SG.zip
http://www.papago.com.tw/andsea/PAPAGO_SEA_090717.apk
Q: No Garmin?
A: Garmin said they are working on it, no release date though. However do note that garmin are releasing phones with them, it is unlikely they will release as a software package.
Q: There is no file manager, where can I get it?
A: I would recommend the Astro File manager from Android Market
Q: Does it support Exchange/ ActiveSync / Outlook?
A: HTC sense does have support for it, official support comes in version 2.0 and above
Q: Does it supports MS Office?
A: Quickoffice that comes with HTC’s phone does a great job viewing them. For editing and other features, check the Market
Q: Does it have Adobe Flash?
A: The vanilla Android does not have flash, but HTC’s Sense phones do have them but, very slow. Android 2.2 and above supports the real flash 10.1 beta
Q: Does it have a PDF reader?
A: Yes, comes with HTC’s phones or you can download Adobe's version from the market(2.1 and above)
Q: Does it have like a PC suite thingy?
A: Some manufacturer such as HTC may provide one, but you are better off syncing to the cloud and editing within Google Contacts/Calander.
Q: Will it connect to the internet when connected to a computer?
A: No, unlike WM, it does not do so. But you may set up a adhoc connection to your laptop.
Q: Does it have a backup software?
A: There are plenty on the market, most people are using Sprite Backup, My backup Pro, and backup for Root (Requires Root)
Q: Can android let us stored the sms/email in the sd card? (jajac)
A: Unfortunately, no. If you are looking for backups, most backup software will do that. If you do Gmail, email is actually not stored locally at all.
Q: Does the Android have a future?
A: It has the highest adoption rate of all platforms (since iPhone already saturated most markets).
Q: What games are avalaible?
A: There are lots of games including some fun ones like Labyrinth, Bonsai Blast etc. Selection not as wide as the App Store though, FPS and some 3d intensive games are still available but you will need the high end android devices to run.
Q: Is Android truly open?
A: No, there are some closed source parts, such as Google’s Apps
Q: Where can I download the SDK
A: developers.android.com
Q: Is Rooting/Flashing permanent?
A: No, it is possible to return to its original state by flashing the original rom (Obtainable from manufacturer’s site).
Q: If I restored it, is it detectable during warranty claims?
A: Just like the iPhone, it is quite impossible, so far, flashing/ rooting DOES NOT void the warranty.
Q: Does Android have limitations compared to other OS?
A:
Can’t send or receive files (2.0 and below)
App choices not as good as Apple’s App Store
Q: What is the "Class" thing on micro SD cards?
A: It indicates the data transfer speed of the card, the higher the better.
Q: So, which micro SD card class should I get?
A: Always get the highest class available (class 8), the difference between classes is noticeable.
Q: I just installed Modaco / custom roms, some of my applications how can't start and I have to force close, how can I fix this?
A: You will need to do a wipe in the recovery mode to fix it
MISC Questions
Q: I have a WinMo phone, can it run android?
A: Technically yes, practically no. See xda-developers.com to see if you phone supports it.
Recomended Apps (for those who wanna see what Android can do)
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Tutorials
HTC Hero
From Original To Custom Rom
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
MP3 as ringtone or other sounds by naTTan
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1213449
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Appendix
APN Settings
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Jargon
Hero, Magic (G2), Dream (G1), Tattoo – Devices by HTC, refer to HTC’s website for more details.
SDK(Software Development Kit) – Used to help developers to write software for platforms such as Android.
Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Flan - Codenames for Android versions named after delicious pastry/desserts and in alphabetical order
Rooting – Gives user Privileged access to the phone, kinda like running as Administrator account on Windows.
IME(Input Method) – Kinda like a layer between your hands and input, allows for multiple language support.
EXT 2, EXT 3 – Linux file system, used by Android.
app2SD – Software that allows apps to be installed in the SDcard instead on the phone
Class 2, Class 6 – Read write speed of an SD card, the higher the better.
Will Update it with more tutorials and information soon
Contributions by str4vag,naTTan
This post has been edited by MaggieMee: Feb 23 2011, 11:42 AM
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