Android 2.2 – Overview
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For those new to Android 2.2 and those updating your operating system, we’ve prepared an overview of the latest features. We’ll cover a number of things, including:
- Application Launcher
- 5 Home Screens
- Recent Apps Screens
- Google Search
- Android Market
- Camera App
- Gmail Interface Changes
- Call Log Improvements
And if that wasn’t enough, we’ll also be discussing:
- Gallery App
- Car / Home App
- Application Settings and SD Cards
- Tethering with USB & WiFi
- Screen Lock Options
- Adobe Flash
Keep in mind that this is simply an overview. We won’t get into the super technical aspects of the recent Android 2.2 update. The content addresses changes on the Motorola Droid phone. If you have a different Droid, things may be slightly different.
Watch this lesson on video: Android 2.2 Video.
Android 2.2 – Application Launcher
The application launcher on the Android 2.2 is at the bottom of your home screen. There are three buttons. From left to right, this now has 1) a phone dialer icon; 2) the app launcher (the icon with stacked squares); 3) web browser icon.
Pressing the app launcher (the middle button) displays all the applications currently installed on your Droid alphabetically. Scroll up or down to see them all. Return to your home screen by hitting the home icon.
Android 2.2 – Home Screens
Once upon a time, the Android 2.2 had three home screens. Now there are 5! Let’s talk about the various ways you can navigate from one screen to another.
First, you can press the dots on the bottom left or bottom right of the applicaton launcher. The number of dots represents how many pages there are. So, if you are on the left most home screen, there will be 4 dots on the right most button.
Second, long press on any of the dotted buttons and a display of all the home screens will pop up. Select the home screen you want to go to from that point. The mini display of all your home screens can also be reached by long pressing the middle launcher area.
Android 2.2 – Recent Apps Screen
You can access recently used apps with the touch of a button. Simply long press the Home key (located at the bottom) and a window opens displaying recently used apps and widgets.
The Android 2.2 shows 8 apps where it previously only displayed 6. Press on an app or widet from this display to quickly go to an app you’ve recently used. Multi-tasking at it’s finest.
Watch this lesson on video: Android 2.2 Video.
Android 2.2 – Google Search Changes
The Google Search on the Android 2.2 gives you much more control. You can search everywhere, just the web, apps on your phone, or contacts by simply pressing the Google “G”. Once you start your market or contact search, you can press the right arrow to search in a whole new way.
Android 2.2 – Android Market
One of the big changes in the Android 2.2 is the ability have your apps automatically update. Updating apps one at a time is a thing of the past. You have two options for updating your programs.
First, when you receive an alert that you have apps that need updating, you can update them all at once by pressing the “update all” button.
Second, save time by allow automatic updates. Open each app individually and press the “allow automatic updating” at the top. Then press update on the bottom. Voila! Your apps will manage themselves.
Android 2.2 – Camera App Changes
The camera options/settings now appear on the bottom (or right) as overlay icons. Meaning the buttoms appear to be floating on top of the image you have the camera pointed at.
All the former camera features are there, with the addition of some new ones. A quick tip, some of the features in the settings button can only be accessed by scrolling for them.
Lighting is a big deal. When you’re in video mode, you can use your flash as a spotlight. Be forewarned, however, this will sap battery life.
View our Droid phone battery tips here to learn how to maximize your battery’s life.
Android 2.2 – Gmail Interface Changes
There are a couple new time saving options for managing your gmail. As you view a message, you can go to the next or previous message with arrows on the bottom. You can also archive or delete the message without having to go to the options button.
Android 2.2 – Call Log Improvements
The call log has been organized to allow you to see more callers. It has accomplished this by grouping calls. By grouping all calls from a single number in a day together, you can see other numbers or people who’ve called you. You can expand the calls from a single number by pressing the arrow on the left.
Watch this lesson on video: Android 2.2 Video.
Right about now we’d bring the tutorial to a close and end with a Power Tip. But we’ve got so much we still want to talk about. Very briefly, we want to make you aware of a few more Android 2.2 updates!
Android 2.2 – Gallery App Changes
You can now view your photo gallery in album mode. Pinch out to zoom in and see a thumbnail of the photos in your gallery.
Android 2.2 – The Car / Home App Has Changed
The Car / Home app has been updated. There’s simply too much to cover. Please note that you MUST select the exit button to get back to your home screen.
Android 2.2 – Application Settings and SD Cards
Some apps can now be run off the SD card. To set an app to run off the SD card (or return it to running on the phone):
- Press Settings
- Press Applications
- Press Manage Applications
- Select an App
- Press Move App to SD card or Move App Back to Phone.
Watch this lesson on video: Android 2.2 Video.
Android 2.2 – Tethering with USB & WiFi
Thethering allows your computer to reach the Internet through your phone using a USB cable or WiFi. This various depending on your phone and network plan. To access the Internet using your phone:
- Press Settings
- Press Wireless & Network
- Press Tethering
Android 2.2 – Screen Lock Options
You can now make your phone more secure by changing the screen lock options. You can set pins, passwords or swipe patterns. To change the settings:
- Press Settings
- Press Location & Security
- Press Setup Screen Lock
- Select your option
Watch this lesson on video: Android 2.2 Video.
Android 2.2 – Adobe Flash
This is big. Android 2.2 can now upload Flash 10.1 – which is needed for some websites, games and videos. This is not necessarily available for all Droids but it soon will be.
There are two updates for the Motorola Droid, and both were needed in order to install Flash. In the future, they may be released together, but for now make sure you install both updates.
After the updates are done, go to the market and search for Flash. If you don’t see Flash as an option, then your phone may not be ready for it and you’ll have to wait for the next update.
Once you install Flash, we recommend that you have it automatically update. You can check to see if Flash is installed a couple different ways.
First look for it in your applications.
- Press Settings
- Press Applications
- Press Manage Applications
- Scroll to see if it’s in your list
Second, visit a website that requires flash like hulu.com. If you can see the flash element, flash is working on your phone.
Android 2.2 – Conclusion
Ok, we’ve covered a lot of things in a brief amount of space. We couldn’t cover it all, nor discuss it in great detail. Let us know what you like about the new updates or what you’d like us to cover in greater detail.
Feel Free To Comment
Has this Android 2.2 tutorial been helpful? What changes on your phone have you noticed? Let us know – leave a comment below.
