Top 5 Android Features and How to Use Them

 

With its huge base of developers, the Android smartphone brand has a huge number of interesting and powerful features. So, just which features are the best? This article will go through the top five features that you may not be aware of. Make sure you use these features if you really want to make the most of your Android phone.

Change the User Interface
Changing your Android interface can be quite intuitive. Android smartphones allow you to change the widget size or you can add a favorites tray on the home screen. This allows you to easily customize the Android phone for your exact needs.

How to: The best part is that you don’t need an app to do this. This is a common option that you will find within the phone itself, so you can quickly customize the interface to your preference.

Screen Shots
Taking a screen shot on a computer or desktop is fairly simple, and you can do it with just one button. But, until recently, Android phones have lacked this ability. Being able to take a screen shot enables you to easily save something you saw online or in an app. Not only that, but taking a screen shot isn’t all that difficult.

How to: First, just open the app or website you want a screen shot of. Then, press the home and power buttons at the same time. This will cause the Android phone to take a screen shot of the current screen, and the image will be stored within the hard drive. Use this whenever you see something interesting that you want to keep.

Alternate Keyboards
Having a bad smartphone keyboard is like a plague. It affects everything you do, and a bad keyboard can make the phone overly difficult to use. You will always be hitting the wrong buttons and nothing will seem to work right. With an Android phone you can easily change the keyboard out for another one.

How to: Choose and download an alternate keyboard app. Some are capable of making it easier to type the letters, while others make the entire experience very interesting and intuitive. For example, the Swype app allows you to glide your finger over different letters to insert words, rather than tapping each key.

Automation
There are a number of Android automation apps that allow you to easily set app features and settings and certain times of the day. For example, if you want an app to activate every Wednesday morning, then you can do this through one of the various automation apps, like Tasker and JuiceDefender.

How to: Browse through and download an app featuring automation. Some automation apps have particular aims, like increasing your battery life or running productivity apps, but most allow you to set your own rules. If you need to do recurring tasks, then an automation app is just the thing you need to save some time.

Facial Recognition
Want the ultimate in security? Then try out a facial recognition app to ensure that no one can open your phone. This app will cause the Android phone to use its front camera to look at you when you try to unlock it. If the photo is similar to one you have stored in the phone, then it will unlock. If not, then no one is getting into the phone.

How to: Download the app. For this to properly work, make sure you have a clear picture of your face. Taking a picture with many shadows may cause the phone to not recognize your face. Also, use a picture of you looking directly towards the camera. A picture of your face at an angle can also cause a problem. If that happens, then you are going to have a hard time getting into your phone.

Conclusion
There are many interesting and fun techniques that you can use with your Android phone. Some require certain apps, while others can be used at any time without the need for any special software. These features can be used to make your Android phone stronger and more productive, or they can just be fun and entertaining.

Try out these five features and see what you think of them. Most of them are free, and you can usually find free app alternatives if needed. Just try them out, and have some fun with your Android phone.

 

Inspiration for this article was contributed by NetQin, a mobile security company with proven mobile security solutions.