Tuesday 30 April 2013

BBCiplayer Downloads Android

Iphone users have been able to download BBCiplayer content since September 2012 and able to keep them on their device for up to 30 days. But where is it for android, surely it has been long enough, I am going to send an email to the BBC asking them why? There are downloads available on the BBC radio application, so why not on the videos? BBC have promised download for android, but they just don't seem to have arrived yet!


Smartphones Are Too Big

Yes you read it right, we all may like the look of big smartphones but they could be causing us injury! Recently I have been having wrist and thumb pains from texting, this is on my Galaxy S2 which has a 4.3 inch screen, and a outer case on it. Before that I used to use a Galaxy Ace (with a 3.5 inch screen) which I only changed due to the low memory that it has, and I never had injury with the Galaxy Ace! I have since taken the case off the Galaxy S2 and will see if it still causes injury.

This is nothing to be ignored either , please read the article that I came across earlier today which shows it isn't just me!
 http://janderson99.hubpages.com/hub/Thumb-Pain-from-Texting-Causes-Treatment-Prevention


Android To TV

There are many android devices on the market and some require a different method to enable your device to connect to your TV.

  1. First of all there is the MHL to HDMI adapter this works for devices such as the Galaxy S2, HTC One X and the HTC Sensation. Make sure the adapter has a power source as well as output to TV (as shown in picture) otherwise it wont charge during output.
  2. Secondly there is the Micro HDMI to HDMI adapter and this works for devices such as the high end Sony Xperia 's and some of the android tablets such as the Kindle Fire HD.


  3. Finally some devices simply won't do it! Devices include Nexus 7 tablet and low end devices, it is however possible to stream videos to your internet enabled TV or through your wifi console (PS3 or Xbox 360) using iMediaShare Lite available in the Google Play store.


Monday 29 April 2013

Saving Battery On Android

Just to let you all know I have added an extra tip to my page on saving battery life, and will continue to update the page with any future tips I may come across! Hopefully you will find this useful, if you haven't yet visited the page please take a look as it includes some of the best ways to save battery on your android device!

Android Hobbies

So I have just published a new page, on android apps which can be used to help you to enjoy your favorite activities more than before. Not every activity will be on there as not all activities have applications which I believe are useful. Please let me know of any apps which could be added to the hobbies  page if you come across any that aren't already under a listed activity.

Animal Android

So since starting the blog on April 17th I have had nearly 1000 views, and would like to thank everyone for visiting! Please like the Facebook page, and add me to circles on Google+ to keep up to date with my top tips and news for android devices! I will be posting a new page on "Hobbies" later on reviewing all the latest apps to link in with what you like to do!

Sunday 28 April 2013

Lumix DMC-TZ40

So I have just got a new camera the Lumix DMC-TZ40, the overall features of camera are fantastic! I need more time to test the image quality, as I will most likely be using it to take numerous landscape photos. Linking in with android you are able to control the camera using your android device, as well as transfer images directly from your camera to your phone (through wifi direct). This works flawlessly once you understand how to do it! It took me a while lol, I never like to read instructions I prefer to work it out for myself!



If you decide to buy the camera here is a link to the app, I am quite impressed!



For Those With A Galaxy S4

Spare Anker battery 2600mah for Samsung Galaxy S4! Its always useful to have a spare battery as I have more than often found out, if your battery is bad take a look at my page on how to save battery on your android device!



Saturday 27 April 2013

Viber App Poses Security Risk

I found out earlier today that the popular Viber application poses a possible security flaw to your android device. This flaw potentially allows attackers to get past the screen lock you have set up and control your entire device, without you knowing. Many of the attackers have been accessing the device and then sending text messages to premium rate numbers, costing you a lot of money!

I used to have this application and luckily I uninstalled it a few months back (it really drained the battery). If you have this application I would recommend uninstalling it temporarily until the fix has been issued by the Viber team, as of now the risk is still there.


Work day

So I have quite a bit of work to complete today, and what better way to organise it than Astrid Tasks & To-do List, I have found it to be one of the most useful task managers. This morning I got up and it told me what I had to do for the day, and you are able to back them up to Google tasks. I can't normally be bothered but this keeps me in check with reminders and encouragement, take a look and let me know what you think.


Friday 26 April 2013

Outdoor apps

During my camping trip I decided to use the opportunity to test a variety of different outdoor applications, so I downloaded a fair few to my android device to give them a whirl. Some proved to be very useful, and I have listed these applications on the Outdoor Apps page.

Problems

UPDATE: The internet problem is fixed, and I have finished the page and published, enjoy :D

Ok so I was in the middle of writing up a page on the outdoor apps that you can use, then my internet went down, and hasn't come back on, so I can't use my computer to update the blog. Hopefully it will be back by tomorrow I was wanting to show you all that today!
I used some great apps whilst I was out, and some of you will definitely want them if you go out walking/biking/running. I also plan to start a page "Hobbies Apps" (best apps for different activities) spurred on by the apps that I used for yesterdays and today's expedition. I had a great time overall, and it was much helped by my phone. Will keep you posted and hopefully have the new page up by tomorrow morning :)

Upcoming

Just on way back from camping, updates will be coming soon!

Thursday 25 April 2013

Camping Trip

So i'm setting off on a camping trip this morning and will be testing a variety of outdoor applications, which I will be reviewing when I return. However I will most likely be out of cell phone signal range, so will not be able to update the blog. My next post will be tomorrow :) 

Will keep you posted!

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Best Android Keyboard

I have used a wide range of different keyboards over the past year or so, and have had my fair share of really good ones and really bad ones. Even ones that seem good at first, don't turn out to be in the end, they will start to crash or lag, and it just isn't good enough! I have finally come across a keyboard that I am happy with called Jelly Bean Keyboard, and it is based on the stock firmware of 4.1 Jelly Bean. The predictive text works fantastically, and the auto correct function works just as well! I especially like the plugin which you can download to enable emoji within the keyboard. Emoji is the cool smileys and symbols which can be sent and received between iphones and some android devices, I use them all the time. Apparently the internet permission is used to display ads, although in all my time in using it I have never had one which seems strange (not that i'm complaining) May be worth buying the pro version of it if you like it, as it enables you to use themes, change the key text size, font packs etc...  I am seriously considering buying the Pro version after having the Jelly Bean keyboard for over a month or so. See screenshots below!





Tuesday 23 April 2013

Just Eat Application

Finally its here! Ha ha, if you love food like me, then this is the application for you! Find the nearest takeaway by simply typing your postcode into the search bar, then you are able to view the menu and the prices using just your android device, and order your food straight to your door.




Android Management Tool

So I have recently come across a fantastic android management tool, called Moborobo! This is much like i-tunes for iphones! This works for both android and i-phones and has the android market integrated, so you are able to install apps through Moborobo, as well as managing your pictures and contacts etc..


New Google Play Store

So I am providing a link on how to get the new Google Play on your android device! Personally I am going to wait until it rolls out officially, as there doesn't seem to be a significant difference, other than the way it looks (which is better!) I am just happy to wait lol :p Hope some of you find this useful!

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/04/09/download-new-google-play-store-4-0-25/

New Google play

Apparently there is a update available for GooglePlay for some android devices, I will be looking into this later to see if we can get it now!

Monday 22 April 2013

Facebook Home

The new Facebook home application looks so good! Not compatible with many phone's officially but take a look at this link if you want to get it unofficially! 

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Facebook

Like my Facebook Page and follow AnimalAndroid activity!

Flash Player on android

For a while now flash player has "apparently" no longer supported android devices, well I have provided a guide on how to get flash player onto your android device, and working successfully. This will enable you to view certain content in your web browser that you wouldn't have been able to before, including videos, and games websites through the firefox browser for android.

Sunday 21 April 2013

Securing Android


So I have created a page on how to properly secure your android device! This will be especially useful if your device gets stolen or lost. I came across a video review on YouTube by TheAndroidAssistant that links in with the page, so I have added it to this post. 






Saturday 20 April 2013

Galaxy ace tutorial

Galaxy ace tutorial completed, debrand your phone by updating to official 2.3 Samsung firmware, followed by rooting your phone. Click here to read about what rooting is and what the advantages are for doing it. After rooting you can install Clockworkmod recovery (click here to read about what that is). Then finally you are able to install a custom firmware onto your Samsung galaxy ace, there are many to choose from, I even found a 4.2.2 firmware one however it could be unstable, I recommend Stocklite V8 on 2.3.7 But search for yourself and see what suits you.

On its way!

New page on the way tonight :)
I know that there is a lot of people out there with a 'Samsung galaxy ace' Smartphone, so I will be providing a guide on how to put official 2.3.3 Firmware on, followed by how to root the device, then flashing custom recovery (clockwork recovery 5.0.2.6) And finally how to flash a custom rom. I have compiled the tutorial from various web sources, and will therefore take no credit for the instructions, I have simply put them all together in an easy to use tutorial, of which I have thoroughly tested!

Friday 19 April 2013

Most Useful Apps

So a new page added today with my 
Feel free to let me know your opinion of them, and post your own most useful apps.

 

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Saving Battery

So I have just finished my first page on how to save battery on your android device. I'm sure that we could all benefit from this! Hope you find it useful, and my next tutorial will be on my Top 10 most useful apps, and I should post this within the next few days.


1st Post

Hi there :)
I am going to keep this blog updated with the latest android news, and provide helpful tips and tutorials on how to do specific things with your android phone. The tutorials that I will provide you with will be advanced, and cover every single little detail, to make it easier for you. Any problems please do let me know!