My Android Tablet

Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping your Android tablet working just the way you want. Learn how to

• Take advantage of the new Android 5.0 “Lollipop” features
• Quickly set up your Android tablet and Google account
• Manage all your email accounts, from Gmail to corporate email
• Browse the Web safely and efficiently with new versions of Google Chrome
• Connect and transfer content over Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth
• Search, watch, and upload YouTube videos
• Store your music in the cloud so you can access it anywhere
• Create incredible images with Panorama and Photo Spheres
• Use your built-in camera to record videos
• Organize and track all your meetings, tasks, events, and contacts
• Stay completely up-to-date with Google Now
• Get turn-by-turn navigation help wherever you go
• Find and install great new apps on Google Play
• Buy products and send money with Google Wallet
• Transform your tablet into a world-class e-book reader
• Fix lockups and memory shortages, and keep your tablet up-to-date
• Master Android tips and time-savers for improving your daily life

Craig James Johnston has been involved with technology since his high school days at Glenwood High in Durban, South Africa, when his school was given some Apple ][ Europluses. From that moment technology captivated him, and he has owned, supported, evangelized, and written about it.
    Craig has been involved in designing and supporting large-scale enterprise networks with integrated email and directory services since 1989. He has held many different IT-related positions in his career ranging from sales support engineer to mobile architect for a 40,000 smartphone infrastructure at a large bank.
    In addition to designing and supporting mobile computing environments, Craig co-hosts the CrackBerry.com podcast, as well as guest hosting on other podcasts including iPhone and iPad Live podcasts. You can see Craig’s previously published work in his books Professional BlackBerry and My iMovie, plus many other books in the My series, including books covering BlackBerry, Palm, and Android devices.
    Craig also enjoys high-horsepower, high-speed vehicles and tries very hard to keep to the speed limit while driving them. Originally from Durban, South Africa, Craig has lived in the United Kingdom, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New Jersey, where he now lives with his wife, Karen, and a couple cats.
    Craig would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact Craig about your experiences with My Android Tablet at http://www.CraigsBooks.info.
    All comments, suggestions, and feedback are welcome, including positive and negative.

Prologue:  Getting to Know Your Android Tablet     3
Your Android Tablet’s External Features     3
    Front     4
    Back     6
    Other Buttons and Connectors     7
First-Time Setup     8
    Set Up Your Android Tablet      8
Fundamentals of Android 5.0 (Lollipop)     12
    The Lock Screen     12
    The Home Screen     14
    The System Bar     18
    Using Your Touchscreen     19
    Using Your Keyboard     20
    Edit Text     25
    Menus     26
    Switch Between Apps     27
Setting Up Multiple Users on Your Tablet     28
    Add a New Tablet User     28
    Add a Tablet Guest User     30
Installing Synchronization Software     31
    Install Android File Transfer (Apple Mac OS X)     32
    Install Google Music Manager (Apple Mac)     33
    Install Google Music Manager (Windows)     35
    Configure Music Manager (Windows and Apple Mac)     36
Chapter 1  Contacts 41
Adding Accounts     41
    Add a Work Email Account     42
Navigating Contacts     48
    Edit a Contact     50
    Add a Contact Photo     51
Adding and Managing Contacts     53
    Add Contacts from an Email     53
    Add a Contact Manually     54
    Add a Contact from a vCard     55
    Customize Contacts Settings     58
    Contact Groups     58
    Choose Contacts to Display    60
    Joining and Separating Contacts     61
Adding a Contact to Your Home Screen     64
Chapter 2  Audio, Video, and Movies     69
Music     69
    Find Music     70
    Purchase Music     71
    Add Your Existing Music to Google Play Music     73
    Use the Music App     75
    Work with My Library     77
    Work with Playlists     78
    Instant Mixes     80
    Control Playback     82
    Work and Listen to Music     84
    Listen to Music with No Wireless Coverage     85
    Change Google Play Music Settings     85
Recording Videos with the Camera Application     88
    Record Video     88
    Change Video Settings     90
    Play Videos     92
    Share Videos     95
    Delete Videos     97
    Change Photos App Settings     97
Movies and TV Shows     100
    Buy and Rent Movies     100
    Buy TV Shows     103
    Use the Play Movies & TV App     105
    Copy Videos from Your Computer     107
Watching Videos with YouTube     109
    Navigate the YouTube Main Screen     109
    Navigate the YouTube App     110
    Play a Video     111
    Upload a Video     112
    Change YouTube Settings     114
Chapter 3  Connecting to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and VPNs     117
Connecting to Bluetooth Devices     117
    Pair with a New Bluetooth Device     118
    Extra Bluetooth Options     120
    Change Bluetooth Device Options     120
Wi-Fi     121
    Connect to Wi-Fi     121
    Adjust Wi-Fi Network Options     124
    Set Advanced Wi-Fi Options     124
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)     126
    Add a VPN     127
    Connect to a VPN     128
Near Field Communications (NFC)     132
    Enable NFC     133
Chapter 4  Email 135
Adding Accounts To Gmail     135
    Add a Google Account     136
    Add a New POP3 or IMAP Account     138
    Add a Work Email Account     142
    Navigate the Gmail App     145
    Compose an Email     148
    Read an Email     151
    Customize Gmail App Settings     154
Chapter 5  Browsing the Web with Chrome     163
Navigating with Chrome     163
    Get Started with Chrome     164
    Use Web Page and Chrome Options     165
    Master Chrome Browser Tricks     167
Managing Bookmarks and History     169
    Open a Bookmark     169
    Manage Browsing History     171
Customizing Browser Settings     172
Chapter 6  Google Now and Navigation     181
Google Now     181
    Set Up Google Now     184
Google Maps     190
    Get Directions     192
    Configure Google Maps Settings     194
    Use Offline Google Maps     195
Chapter 7  Working with Date, Time, and Calendar     199
Setting the Date and Time     199
Clock Application     201
    Navigate the Clock Application     201
    Manage Alarms     202
    Adjust Clock Settings    204
Using the Calendar Application     205
    Get to Know the Calendar Main Screen     205
    Adjust Calendar Settings     206
    Use Quick Responses     209
    Add a New Event     210
    Respond to an Event Invitation     212
Chapter 8  Working with Android Applications     215
Configuring Google Wallet     215
Navigating Google Play     216
    Install Free Applications     218
    Buy Applications     220
    Manage Apps     222
    Adjust Google Play Settings     224
Chapter 9  Customizing Your Android Tablet     227
Changing Your Wallpaper     228
    Wallpaper from Pictures in the Photos App     228
    Live Wallpaper     229
    Wallpaper     230
Changing Your Keyboard     231
Adding Widgets to Your Home Screens     233
    Add a Widget     233
    Remove and Move a Widget     234
Customizing Language     235
Adjusting Accessibility Settings     236
Modifying Sound and Notification Settings     239
Changing Display Settings     241
Changing Security Settings     243
Chapter 10  Google Wallet     249
Setting Up Google Wallet     250
Adding Methods of Payment     251
    Add a Credit Card or Checking Account     251
Using Loyalty and Gift Cards     252
    Add an Existing Gift Card     253
    Add an Existing Loyalty Card     254
Using Google Wallet     257
Google Wallet Settings     258
Chapter 11  Books and Magazines     263
Books     263
    Navigate the Play Books App     264
    Buy Books     265
    Read Books     267
Magazines and Newspapers     271
    Search for Stories     272
    Purchase or Subscribe to Publications     272
    Read a Publication     274
Chapter 12  Maintaining Your Android Tablet and Solving Problems     279
Updating Android     279
Optimizing Battery Life     281
    Looking After the Battery     281
    Determine What Is Using the Battery     281
Applications and Memory     283
Checking Your Apps’ Data Usage     284
Caring for the Android Tablet’s Exterior    286
Getting Help with Your Android Tablet     287
Chapter 13  Taking and Editing Pictures     289
Using the Camera     289
    Adjust Camera Settings     293
    Take Regular Pictures     295
    Take Panoramic Pictures     296
    Take Photo Sphere (360 Panoramic) Pictures     298
    Take Lens Blur Pictures     299
Viewing and Managing Your Photos     302
    Navigate Photos     302
    Delete Photo Albums     303
    Review and Share Pictures     304
    Edit Pictures     305
    Modify Photos App Settings     318
Managing Photos with Your Computer     319
    Manual Picture Management     319
    Automatic Picture Management on a Mac     322
Synchronizing Pictures Using Your Google Cloud     323
Index     325