Android for beginners: Setting up your phone

29 December 2012
So you got an Android smartphone for Christmas? Congrats! Now, go ahead and do the robot dance. We'll pretend we're not watching. One thing you can be certain of, no one's gonna laugh at you. A new droid is worth celebrating - but if it's your first, you may as well want to make some noise...

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  • D
  • AnonD-94576
  • Hxc
  • 29 Dec 2012

Thanks for this gsmarena. I'm not a beginner, but it was still very helpful

    • D
    • AnonD-85335
    • 3Wm
    • 29 Dec 2012

    gilbs, 29 Dec 2012Androids' vast customizability can be seen as either a bles... moreI like how open minded you are to how other companies and consumers like their products. I like iOS myself straight out the box and works or even get a new phone and soon it's set up like my old one, however I own an htc one x and costomising is fun. I personally don't see a huge difference between the systems however iOS could really do with a file system.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • bEK
      • 29 Dec 2012

      Oh, one more thing people forget is that customization is a choice. :). You don't have to do it. Most flagship androids ship with pretty good software with sane defaults.

        • D
        • AnonD-37951
        • t7J
        • 29 Dec 2012

        Very informative article! Though I'm 6 months with my 1st Android phone. It's worthy reading this. Tricks and tips are noted.
        Android is very customizable device. It takes me 4 months to fully realized (rooting!) the power of this smartphone.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • nEf
          • 29 Dec 2012

          gilbs, 29 Dec 2012Androids' vast customizability can be seen as either a bles... moreWell said.

          iOS is so easy to use, and many people don't want to spend hours customizing their phones.

          I like Android, for this very reason, but I found I was wasting too much time trying new ROMS and restoring and rooting, that I eventually decided to go with a lite ROM with battery saving benefits.

          I now own an iPhone and I don't miss all the customisation options as it didn't really suit me.

            • g
            • gilbs
            • v0q
            • 29 Dec 2012

            Androids' vast customizability can be seen as either a blessing or a curse. It takes some time (a few weeks to a month) to get a 'droid and its owner well-acquainted, but then it becomes a very personal relationship. You lend your customized droid to another droid user and it'll be as confusing as his first time. App developers are also allowed to define how their apps behave (no uniform look, menu, etc.). Apple takes advantage of this by pre-defining how the iPhone is used - it's simple to use straight from the box, and another iPhone user can quickly use someone else's iPhone. This predefined character limits the customizability of the phone (e.g. you can't switch keyboards, or add custom widgets/toggles, change the UI/Launcher altogether, etc.) I personally prefer Androids since I don't mind spending time customizing my phone (I do the same with my computers) but I know people who prefer it the other way.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • bEK
              • 29 Dec 2012

              :D This great selection of apps is why I pick android. :-)

              You could add Es file browser or apex or holo launcher to the review. They are good apps.
              Also paragon NTFS/HFS mounter for mounting any partitions via otg. Or some ftp/sftp server for hassle free connection to PC.

                • D
                • AnonD-93671
                • 3sr
                • 29 Dec 2012

                Try Floating Browser its awesome

                https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gpc.myweb.hinet.net.PopupWeb&hl=sv

                  • D
                  • AnonD-94550
                  • YPY
                  • 29 Dec 2012

                  I'd consider adding ES File Explorer to this list, it is free, fully featured, especially with SMB support.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-36945
                    • dPN
                    • 29 Dec 2012

                    this is good for newbies
                    but if you wont do all of this
                    just install a custom rom

                      • M
                      • MdN
                      • Mtr
                      • 29 Dec 2012

                      Nice article. But I just missed a great deal on HTC One S (120 Euro brand new) so I won't need it any time soon, haha.

                        • K
                        • Kornetbeef
                        • sS%
                        • 29 Dec 2012

                        Are u sure u don't watch me doing The Robot Dance?

                          • D
                          • AnonD-79632
                          • jn@
                          • 29 Dec 2012

                          Love this, good stuff gsmarena