How to Use an Android Tablet

An Android tablet manufactured by Sony

Android tablets are easy-to-use devices that can be used for multiple purposes like: checking e-mails, playing games, watching videos, listening to music. It can also be used as a camera or camcorder. However, an Android tablet is a bit different from an Android mobile phone. Not only are the hardware specifications different, the user-interface is different too.

Edit Steps

1. Set up your Android. While the OS is very easy to use, you'll need a Google account to download apps via the Google Play Store.


2. Understand the functionality of the three-basic touch-capacitive keys. These basic control keys are used for controlling applications and other basic commands:
   
   
   
   • The home button: This is used to jump to the home screen of your Android device. If pressed in between another activity (game, or application), the OS puts the activity in the background. Using this button will, usually, not shut down any application or game; instead, it will run in the background.
   
   
   • The back button: This is used to go to the previous page or activity.
   
   
   • Multi-tasking button: Android tablets running Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) and higher will have a multi-tasking button (parallelogram-shaped button). Tapping this button will give a list of all applications running in the background. Swapping a running application to the left or right (in the multi-task screen) will close the application. This is particularly useful to clear RAM and speed up the device.
   
   
   • Older Android tablets may have an Menu (or settings) button (represented by three parallel horizontal lines). This button gives the user access to additional options for particular apps. This button is not found on devices running Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean out of the box.
   
   
   
   


3. 
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   Check the version of Android your tablet is running on.

   
   
   
   Check the version of Android your tablet is running on. Different tablets run on different versions of the Android OS. The Android version can be found in the About Phone section of the settings panel.
   
   
   
   • Most tablets run on Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) or higher.^[1] The latest version of Android is Jelly Bean (4.2.2). Generally, the higher the version of Android, better will be the device performance.
   
   
   • Some older tablets run on Android Honeycomb (3.x). Honeycomb was a tablet-specific version which wasn't available for mobile phones running on Android.
   
   
   • The OS version gives a brief idea of the features packed in a tablet. For example: Tablets (and phones) running on Jelly Bean version have Google Now^[2] (voice-assistant service by Google) in-built.
   
   
   
   


4. 
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   The Play Store application icon on an Android device

   
   
   
   Download applications. Google Play Store has a vast collection of tools, applications and games that will make your Android experience much better.
   
   
   
   • Download an office app that will help you view and/ or edit documents. Most Android tablets come with an in-built document viewer. If you want to download a free office editor for Android, try downloading the Kingsoft Office application.
   
   
   • Try using your Android device to take notes, add calendar events and get directions.^[3] It can be used for various other activities too.
   
   
   • Try installing wikiHow's Android application that contains our huge collection of how-to articles!
   
   
   
   


5. Customize your Android. Google's open source^[4] Android OS gives you the power to customize your device.
   
   
   
   • Make custom Android smart actions. Setting up smart actions will carry out specific activities when specific conditions are met. Smart actions can be customized to suit your needs. Note: Smart actions may not be available on all devices. However, you can download similar apps from the Google Play Store.
   
   
   • Adjust Screen Timeout. The screen timeout time can be a drain on the battery, especially if it is too long. Setting up a screen timeout is the one of the best ways to save power while your phone is on.
   
   
   • Create your own wallpapers, widgets, etc.
   
   
   
   


6. Speed up your device. Speeding up your device can be done in a number of ways^[5] :
   
   
   
   • 
     
     
     

     
     

     

     
     An OTA (Over The Air) software update option, found under Settings > About phone > Software Update > Update

     
     
     
     Update your version/ firmware. Device manufacturers roll out updates occasionally to fix bugs, reduce lags, and improve performance. Be on the look out for updates for your device.
   
   
   • Download a task-killer and anti-virus applications. Some devices come with an in-built task manager while most don't. Task manager will allow you to close the apps that are running in the background (and use up RAM). Anti-virus application will keep you safe from any external threats.
   
   
   • Remove unneeded widgets from the home screen. Widgets are useful to quickly access important apps or get information. However, unneeded widgets use up a lot of processing power and will slow down your tablet.
   
   
   
   


7. Configure Sync options. Syncing is an efficient way to transfer data like pictures, videos, contacts, messages, emails, and more, between many devices (including your PC). To configure synchronization options for apps or accounts, go to Settings -> Accounts & sync.^[6]
   
   
   
   • Sync your Gmail emails, contacts, calender with Windows Outlook or other accounts.^[7]
     
     
     
     • Set up Gmail in Microsoft Outlook. Set the server type to IMAP. Set the incoming mail server to imap.gmail.com and outgoing mail server to smtp.gmail.com. Enter log-in information (Gmail username and password). Under "More Settings", open the Advanced tab. Set incoming server to 933 with SSL encryption and your outgoing server to 587 with TLS encryption.^[8]
     
     
     • Set up Gmail in Mozilla Thunderbird. Mozilla Thunderbird is a cross-platform open-source email client. To set up Gmail in Thunderbird, first, enable IMAP in your Google account settings. Open Thunderbird and go to Tools -> Account Settings. Add a new mail account; and input your name, email-address and password. Thunderbird will automatically try to configure your Gmail account for Thunderbird.^[9]
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   


8. Back-up your data. Back up your data to your computer, mobile phone or an external storage. You can also try backing up on the Google Cloud.

Edit Tips

• Set up a maze lock (if your device supports it), for additional security. To set this up, go to Settings --> Location & Security.


• Try downloading a file manager that will allow you to access external storage easily.


• Switching off your device completely will clear temporary data and the device will run faster.

Edit Warnings

• The path for setting up the steps might vary, depending on your manufacturer and Android version.


• Installing Custom ROMs might give you additional features, but they will void your warranty and could affect the device's performance. If this is not done correctly, it could cause irreversible damage to your device.

Edit Things You'll Need

• Android tablet

Edit Related wikiHows

• How to Set the Android Browser Home Page


• How to Change Font Size on Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0


• How to Find the Best Free Mobile Browser for Your Phone or Tablet

Edit Sources and Citations

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How to Organize a Book Collection

Are you a book lover? Do you have more books than available bookcases? Do friends jokingly call you "Bookworm" or "Bibliophile"? It's great to have lots of books but it's not so much fun tripping over them or never being able to find exactly the one you want. To ensure that your books are kept in fabulous order and can always be found when you want them, here are some simple but effective ways to organize your book collection.

Edit Steps

1. Determine how you think of books. Do you categorize them by story type, color, size, genre, title or author? There are as many ways to organize books as there are people. What really matters though, is that you pick the method that appeals or makes the most sense to you. By doing so, this will trigger your memory and help you to locate the book you want quickly.
   
   
   
   The following sections set forth various tried-and-true methods for organizing a book collection; it's recommended that you pick the approach that appeals to you the most.

Alphabetical Division

1. Shelve all of your books alphabetically by author or title. This method will work well if you're good at remembering titles or names. Putting books by the same author together helps you find a book in a series easily.
   
   
   
   • This method is less successful if you're the kind of reader who remembers content but can barely recall the name of the author or the book. In such a case, you'll need to try a different approach.
   
   
   • Alphabetical division may also need to take into account fiction and non-fiction division (see Subject Method below for more suggestions).
   
   
   
   

Size or Color Organization

1. Place the books on the shelf according to size. It is best to put larger, heavier books on lower shelves and smaller, lighter books on higher shelves; this is a basic principle to ensure that you stabilize the bookcase. This method is visually appealing and appears neat, as there is a size order. If you remember books by their size or shape, this method might be just right for you.
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   This bookshelf shows an array of ideas for keeping like sizes together.

   
   
   
   


2. Sort books by color. For some people, the book's color or colorful style/depictions on the book's cover is highly memorable and instantly draws you back to each and every book read. And if you love arranging things by color in your home, this could be a great decor statement as well as an easy to way to retrieve your books.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   

Subject Method

1. Sort your books by topic. This means dividing the books into what you see as distinct topics, such as placing all the romance books in one pile, all the science books in another, philosophy, biographies, how-to manuals, etc. into another pile.
   
   
   
   • Consider dividing fiction and non-fiction. You might like to make a distinction between fiction and non-fiction books––this method tends to encourage this division naturally. Such a division can be done on the same bookshelf, for example by placing all fiction novels on the top shelf and all woodworking manuals on the bottom shelf. Or it can be done by using different bookshelves across the house, for example, keeping cookbooks in the kitchen and romance novels in the bedroom.
   
   
   
   


2. Determine the shelf space required for each topic. It's always wise to assume you need more space rather than less, since it's likely you'll add to your collection over time and somehow, stray books will always turn up in need of shelving!


3. Place the books by topic selection on the shelves, together with others of their genre. In some cases, as shown in this image, you might like to add some relevant items to the shelf as well, such as figurines, photos or collectibles.


4. Choose an identifying mark for each subject or genre. This method is optional if it's already easy for you to remember where you've placed the books by topic. But if you need to further clarify the topics, some easy methods to adopt include:
   
   
   
   • Colored Stickers: Choose stickers with permanent adhesive from a library supply company, or be prepared to cover the sticker in permanent tape. Avoid packing tape and scotch tape as they yellow, crack and peel, while duct tape becomes gooey over time.
   
   
   • Colored Cloth Tape: Permanently adhesive colored tapes work very well for this task.
   
   
   • Written symbols: Use a permanent marker to write a letter(s) or identifying mark for each subject or genre. For example: "R" for Romance, "M" for Mystery, "R" for Religion, "B" for Biographies, etc. Unfortunately, not all books are the same color, so what shows up well on one cover may not show up at all on a different color; as an exception for books that use the same color as your label, consider opting for a white label and use marker in the chosen color.
   
   
   • These are great to use if you move frequently and need your book collection to stay relatively intact when packed.
   
   
   
   

Desktop Organization

1. If you keep a book collection on your desk, organizing it can help make your work or study more effective. Take a look at what books are currently sitting on your desk.
   
   
   
   • What sorts of books do you consider necessary for a desk book collection? Usually it will be books you need to reach for almost every time you're at your desk, such as dictionaries, reference manuals, computer troubleshooting manuals, guides for writing, editing or calculating, books that are currently important for an essay/report/book you're preparing, etc. Books that are not likely to be as necessary could include manuals you'd check no more than once every few months, novels you're meaning to get around to reading and books that are more interesting than what you're supposed to be getting on with! Remove anything that isn't in frequent use or is serving as a distraction.
   
   
   
   


2. Use a very small part of your desk for your book collection. The basic rule of books on a desk is to keep them to a minimum. The desk is an area for papers, the computer and spreading out open books that are in use. Anything else is extraneous and risks getting in the way, especially with a small desk.
   
   
   
   • Ideas for shelves on or near desks include: a small portable shelf that can be picked up by hand with the books still on it; books held upright between portable bookends; shelving hanging above the desk on the wall; or simply leaning books up against the wall if the desk sits against a wall.
   
   
   
   


3. Arrange the books according to frequency of use. Put the most used as near to your reach as possible, and the lesser used but still useful ones can be placed further away from where you're seated. Keep it simple.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Get into the habit of always returning books to their proper shelves after using. Books piling up on a desk can demotivate you from getting back to study or work and isn't very organized.
   
   
   
   

Edit Tips

• Invest in good quality bookcases. Your books will benefit from bookcases that are clean, don't bow under the weight of books and are not damp or moist. Dust bookcases regularly.


• Invest in good quality books. When given the hardcover or softcover choice, always buy hardcover. It will last much longer and it retains its value better too, on the off chance you want to resell it some day.


• Invest in book protection and repair supplies. Slipcovers or dust jackets keep books clean and in good repair.


• Invest in good book organizing software and create the catalog of your collection.

Edit Warnings

• Use only library quality repair supplies if you want your books to last. Using scotch, packing, or duct tape on a book will ruin the book for long term use.

Edit Things You'll Need

• A book collection

Edit Related wikiHows

• How to Protect Hardcover Book Corners


• How to Make a Duct Tape Book Cover


• How to Cover a Paperback Book With Clear Plastic Film


• How to Make a Durable Plastic Book Cover


• How to Locate a Book in a Library


• How to Create a Library in Your Home

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How to Create a Study Schedule

Before throwing yourself into studying, you should make a study schedule. Creating and following a study schedule can help you concentrate, better retain course material, and effectively manage your time.

Edit Steps

1. Assess your current schedule. Creating a healthy balance between your studies, social life and sleep is important. You can tailor your study schedule to fit your needs and learning style. Do you need to allot time on weekend afternoons because you work nights the same days? Could you listen to an audio recording of a lecture on your MP3 player while sweating at the gym?
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   


2. List all the subjects you need to study. If you have a study guide or a textbook with review sections, use it to narrow down what you list. Once you have your list, rank the subjects by how confident you feel about them. You can note them with least, moderately or mostly. By doing this, you can focus more time and energy on problem areas.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   


3. Pull out your calendar/planner. Write down important dates or events that you cannot change (e.g. midterm, final exam day, your grandmother’s 99th birthday). Now, you can check if there are times or days of the week you can always study during. For example, you may be free 3-4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. If possible, try to schedule your studying then, because a regular, set routine can help you get into a studying mindset and into one more quickly.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   


4. Schedule study sessions in 20- or 30-minute blocks. Shorter time blocks are easier to find and to schedule than than 1-hour or longer times. By doing 20 and 30-minute limits, you automatically create breaks. This way, you can rest your tired eyes, stretch your legs and maybe get a healthy snack.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   


5. Write down which subject you are studying in each session. This will help keep you on track, create checkpoints for the material, and allow you to organize your textbooks and study materials ahead of time. If you have questions or concerns about a specific subject, you have a record of what you studied and when. If you request help from someone, you can give them context.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   


6. Stick to the schedule. There's no point in making a study schedule if you don't stick to it, but it can be hard to start. Try to get into the habit of looking at your calendar/planner on a regular, preferably daily, basis. This will help keep you away from the "out of mind, out of sight" trap. Once you’ve established a routine, you may start mentally associating certain acts, such as the the opening of a textbook or sitting down at a desk, with a study mode. By quickly getting to your studying mindset, you can more easily ignore distractions and focus on the material you are reviewing.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   


7. Finished.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   

Edit Tips

• Avoid procrastinating (delaying) work as much as possible.


• Set an alarm on your phone or computer when you study


• consult your teachers about the relative importance of different chapters.


• If you finish something ahead of schedule, go back and note which subjects you feel better about and which you still have questions on. Accordingly, you can adjust what you plan to study and review later on.


• Did you miss a study session? Reschedule ASAP. You don't want to lose your study stride.


• Try to not use technology during your free time or you'll be tempted.

EditThings You'll Need

• A calendar or dayplanner. Now, because you are creating one for yourself, you should try to look for one that fits your daily life. For example:
  
  
  
  • If you use a computer or mobile device, consider using an organizer app such as Google Calendar or Jorte Calendar.
  
  
  • Use a traditional planner if you prefer writing things down.
  
  
  • If you work at an office, buy a desk planner.
  
  
  
  

Edit Related wikiHows

• How to Study For Exams


• How to Organize Your Studying Schedule

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Concurso - Tu hijo puede ser un genio mates

	Concurso - Tu hijo puede ser un genio mates Sorteamos 3 ejemplares de nuestro libro "Tu hijo puede ser un genio de las mates". Finaliza el 21 de abril a las 23:59. Para participar, escribe en Twitter e...	From: juanmemol Views: 6 0 ratings
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Aprende más sobre Android jugando con las opciones de desarrollo

Desde la actualización a 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Android incluye por defecto una serie de opciones dedicadas a hacer el trabajo de los desarrolladores más sencillo. Pero que sean para desarrolladores no quiere decir que no podamos sacar nosotros, usuarios medios, provecho de estas si tenemos un poco de maña. Hoy vamos a enseñaros qué significan cada una de estas opciones y como aprovecharlas para mejorar nuestra experiencia en Android o, simplemente, aprender algo más sobre su funcionamiento.

Encontrar las Opciones de desarrollo

Lo primero que tenemos que hacer es, evidentemente, entrar en las Opciones de Desarrollo. Se encuentran en la parte de abajo de los Ajustes. Las opciones de desarrollo sólo están disponibles en dispositivos con Android 4.0 y siguientes. No puedo asegurar que todas las capas de personalización las mantengan pero estoy seguro que la mayoría sí lo hace. Si tienes un dispositivo con Android 4.2 es probable que no las encuentras, están ocultas. Para mostrarlas entra en Ajustes-> Información del Dispositivo y pulsa repetidamente (7 veces deberían bastar) donde dice Número de Compilación. Ahora deberían aparecerte las opciones en el mismo sitio que a todos. Así que podemos ya pasar a la acción.

Primer vistazo

Lo primero que veremos es que la mayoría de opciones vienen explicadas por lo que sólo nos detendremos a explicar las más interesantes para nosotros. Las primeras opciones que encontramos son bastante evidentes a excepción de la Comprobación de HDCP para contenido DRM, podéis echar un ojo a los enlaces para saber más, pero en sencillo: es una protección de contenido digital. La siguiente categoría, Depuración, también resultará inútil y aburrida salvo que seamos desarrolladores por lo que pasaremos adelante que es donde empieza lo interesante.

Controlando nuestro Android

Existen una serie de opciones que nos permiten un mayor control de nuestro Android y de lo que en él pasa. Primeramente encontramos Mostrar pulsaciones y Ubicación del puntero que nos permiten ver dónde pulsamos. Son opciones muy interesantes para comprobar la respuesta de la pantalla, su sensibilidad o incluso descubrir puntos muertos donde la pantalla no reconozca los toques. Si bajamos un poco encontramos la opción Mostrar uso de la CPU que nos permite observar la carga de trabajo a la que está sometido nuestro procesador en cada momento. No es cómodo porque se superpone encima del resto de aplicaciones, pero nos permite saber qué tareas requieren más trabajo que otras.

Aprender jugando

Aquí viene lo hardcore, al menos visualmente. Dentro del apartado Dibujo encontramos 3 opciones que nos van a permitir entender mejor la forma en que Android dibuja la interfaz gráfica por la que nos movemos. La primera, Mostrar límites de diseño, nos encerrará en un rectángulo cada uno de los diferente elementos de diseño de la ventana en que nos encontremos, permitiéndonos ver hasta dónde llega cada elemento de diseño y cómo se superponen y combinan. Pero aún hay más, podemos activar Actualizaciones GPU y la pantalla nos mostrará en diferente color cada vez que sea el procesador gráfico el que modifica la vista de la ventana. Y por si a alguien esto le parece poco, justo debajo tenemos Cambios de superficie que nos permite observar qué parte de la pantalla es la que está actualización nuestro dispositivo. Un aviso antes de que lo probéis: La pantalla va a mostrar flashazos de diferentes colores cada vez que se actualice, no tengáis miedo, no habéis roto nada, simplemente desactivando esta opción todo volverá a la normalidad. Mientras tengamos estas opciones activadas podremos ver cómo el sistema dibuja la interfaz gráfica y cómo está compuesta.

Si bajamos hasta abajo del todo, encontraremos la opción Errores sin respuesta. Si activamos esta opción, el sistema nos mostrará mensajes de aplicaciones que no responden aunque estas se encuentren en segundo plano. Es útil para saber cuándo una aplicación se cuelga y ralentiza el sistema, pero si no tenemos un teléfono muy estable puede resultar muy molesto.

Optimizar y personalizar nuestra experiencia

Llegamos a la parte más interesante de las opciones de desarrollo de Android, personalizar el funcionamiento del dispositivo para adaptarlo a nosotros. Dentro de la opción Dibujo encontramos tres opciones: Escala de animación de ventana, Escala de transición-animación y Escala de duración de animador. Con estas opciones controlaremos la velocidad a la que se ejecutan las animación de transición entre aplicaciones e interfaces y a la que se dibujan las ventanas emergentes. Controlando esto podremos adaptar la velocidad del sistema a nuestro gusto entre velocidad pura (Animación desactivada) y suavidad y recreación en la animaciones (Escala de animación 10x). Mi recomendación es que probéis cambiando de una escala a otra y viendo como afecta eso a la fluidez del sistema.

Como no todo en esta vida es el aspecto visual, pasemos a modificar cosas más internas. Inhabilitar superposiciones HW y Forzar aceleración GPU son dos opciones que nos permiten, cuando están activadas, cargar todo el procesamiento gráfico sobre la tarjeta gráfica (tiene sentido, ¿verdad?) de forma que libraremos al procesador de trabajo extra. Hay gente que nota mejora con ellas activadas, gente que no nota diferencia… mi recomendación es probar y decidir, no vais a romper nada, tranquilos.

Y por último tenemos la opción de limitar los procesos en segundo plano que básicamente nos permite “disfrutar” la multitarea del iPhone, en nuestro Android. Bueno, no es exactamente así, pero se acerca. Con esta opción podremos controlar el número de procesos que se ejecutan en segundo plano, es decir, mientras no los vemos. Es una opción muy recomendable en teléfonos con varios años o poca RAM ya que aporta fluidez y soltura; aunque, a cambio, la multitarea no es tan real como por defecto.

Y hasta aquí el repaso a las opciones de desarrollo, no me cansaré de repetir que lo mejor es probar y ver por uno mismo lo que hace cada opción. Recordaros también que estos ajustes son legales y para nada perdéis la garantía ni hacéis algo ilegal jugando con ellas. Esperamos que os animéis a probarlo y nos contéis vuestra experiencia con estos ajustes.

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