Discussion on:

Lesser-known Android tips and tricks

OK I can get the copy/cut handles to move on my nexus S but then it also moves the entire web page, preventing me fromn selecting the desired text- Arrrgh! How do you stop the web page moving while attempting such a basic task?

The power widget is great. It truly is a pain to have to navigate through the home page menu to get to all those settings without it. But what is vastly superior to it is the Notification Power Widget available on CyanogenMod (and its derivatives). It's available in any app that doesn't hide the notification area (stock android requires you to go to hit the home button first and then swipe to the one that has the widget). It's configurable and has many more options than the home screen widget. For me it is the "killer app" of CyanogenMod. I hope someday stock will include it.

I would also like to add the 2 second tap on a button or option. So man users forget about this even though its a huge part of the Android OS mobile user experience (i.e. holding down the home key to get the last 8 apps run or holding down a contact name to edit, call or delete.)

Follow my Mobile UX blog at http://www.marlinmobile.com/blog

I've never EVER gotten voice activation to work right. Add that fact that the Contacts can't be listed by last name and it drags the user experience down into mediocrity. I like the openness concept and love my Droid's screen, but Android simply is not user-friendly. Unfortunately, I've never found "the one" phone that gives an above-average experience. I hesitate to say it, but my Pocket PC Phone came the closest.

On my Captivate I have the option to sort by first or last name and to display by first name first or last name first. In the contacts app it's under Menu > More > Display Options

I didn't even know the Android platform had a voice option until I read this article, and then I got all jazzed about trying it, and then I encountered the same troubles as you. It was an emotional roller coaster. Also, in the age of singles, most people won't know the album of the song they want to listen to. Is that a mandatory command to get your music running?

I'd trade all of those tips for a set of cursor keys on my Dell Streak 5. It's frustrating to attempt to edit one letter in one word by touching that word over and over to click the right spot!

Go to the market and search for "keyboard" and download a new keyboard that has cursor keys.

HTC Legend - Makes it a pain to try & edit. Very frustrating, and I usually end up simply back-spacing through everything and retyping the entire entry.

This is a customizable keyboard with cursors and a row of editable keys. It costs less than $3 and it adds a lot of features to your keyboard.
I use it for my HTC Flyer to type in landscape with my thumbs. It works great.

I actually bought and installed thumb keyboard before I saw your comment. Still getting used to it but at least it does have the cursor key. If I can figure out how to configure it for cursor keys and no number pad, I may have it licked.

It's a way better example. You can actually see the shapes of the buildings. It's fantastic. It makes it way easier to spot landmarks to help you get around. At least, as I bicycle tourist in SF, I thought it was great. I could have pulled my phone out every two blocks, but this was better.

@Get-Smart

I can sort and/or display by first or last name. i can filter by phone or e-mail, and I can pick which integrated contact lists by which to filter at any given moment. I didn't even realize I had seven until I looked at the options. Best E-V-E-R.

Any of these useful for us Android Phoneless Rooted Nook Color device owners?

Specifically thumb keyboard 4.0 and Tabltet 7" is my favourite as it has some other very handy features like a hideaway panel for custom keys and a fantastic layout. Has helped me replace my PC as my main browsing/posting method while at home. Tapped this out in about 45 seconds all told.

http://market.android.com/details?id=com.beansoft.keyboardplus

Please keep the Android tips coming! I need a good utility for capturing screen shots from mobile devices - iPad, Zoom, cell phones and etc. that I can use to create training documentation. Can you tell me what you used for your screen captures?

Qoppa Software recently released a PDF annotator / form filler for Android, and has a viewer and SDK coming soon! This tool is written in Android, so it will run on all devices, and is built on our own PDF technology so no server or other software is required. Check our website for description or get it (qPDF Notes) from the Android marketplace.

Voice activation is completely worthless in Andriod. It cannot get the correct contact....ever.

I'm surprised by all the voice command problems. My Evo was dead on almost every time.

I have a Droid, not an X. None of the tips above worked on my phone. Sorry!

I have listed out few more tips and tricks on my blog.
It might be worth having a look at those.

http://thelunchtalk.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/top-ten-android-tips-and-tricks/

Thanks
Shree
http://thelunchtalk.wordpress.com