5 Android Tricks for a Smarter Smartphone

In some ways, new technology can be a lot like magic. Things that seemed impossible are suddenly happening right before your very eyes, and unless you are versed in programming, you probably can’t explain them. Google, in its Android operating system, loves to emphasize this ability of technology to impress. Take, for instance, the Google Nowapp: a modern day mind reader that knows where you are going, how to get there, and maybe even where you’ll want to stop on the way.

This tech magic is not just for novelty. It has very practical applications as well. People everywhere are coming to Android for its smart, time-saving, and customizable features, making it the most widely used operating system on smartphones

But if you are new to Android or switching from iOS, you may still be discovering your device’s full potential.  Maybe you’re even scratching your head wondering what gets people so excited about this software. If that’s true for you, read on to discover five of the best Android tricks to get a smarter smartphone experience.

Note: none of these features require access to administrative or “root” privileges on your phone.

1. Home Renovation (customized launcher)

When you swipe to open your Android device and look at your home screen, are you happy with what you see? Are there things you wish you could change about the look and feel? One of Android’s main selling points is customization, but if the device’s style isn’t suiting you, you may think it is pretty limited.

What you may not realize, though, is that the Android home-screen, lock screen, and app drawer can all be replaced easily. The Google Play Store offers a wide-range of alternatives to custom fit your taste and needs.

Nova Launcher, one of the most popular options for tweaking the Android experience, gives you control over virtually every detail. But if you are looking for simplicity and style, you might try Chameleon Launcher, MIHome, or the soon-to-be-released Aviate app.

2. Quick-Draw (smart widgets)

Widgets are a unique feature for Android. These helpful tools deliver information, updates, and app-specific data right to your home-screen in a stylish, interactive display. This way, you can get what you need quickly, without launching a separate app.

Many apps that you download from the Google Play Store come with widgets built in to them. But if you wish you had a widget that doesn’t seem to exist, you can also make it for yourself! User-friendly tools such as UCCW (ultimate custom widget) will allow you to design almost anything you can dream up with just a few steps. You don’t even have to know code!

Some savvy graphic designers even make money selling their own pre-made widgets for the UCCW app. Anyone with good design sensibilities and a publishing account on the Google Play Store can do the same. If this interests you, all you really need is some inspiration and some basic design skills, which you can easily learn in this graphic design course.

3. Presto Change-O (quick navigation)

Early versions of Android were task-management challenged. If you wanted to switch apps, you had to press the home key and navigate all the way through from there. There was no way to switch between apps you already had open.

This has become much easier in Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and later versions. There is now an app switching key built in to most devices.  But if you really want to pick up speed, you can do even better.

Independent android developers have devised some very clever approaches to quick navigation on your device. Sidebar, Homeflip, Glovebox, and SwipePad all offer unique options for setting up quick navigation that you wouldn’t think was possible on your device. Each of the apps is unique and worth a try. Give them all a spin to find out what works best for you.

4. The Hidden Hand (task automation)

Are there things you want your phone to do automatically? For instance, when you plug in your headphones, do you wish your favorite music app would come up? Do you forget to turn wi-fi on when you get home and wish your device would remember to do it for you?

These are just two examples of many automations you can accomplish using Tasker. A long-time favorite of tech enthusiasts and productivity champs everywhere, the Tasker app lets you make mini-programs that carry out tasks you would otherwise need to do manually. Limited only by the user’s comfort and skill level, Tasker’s ability to “get it done for you” is truly remarkable.

Once you install the app, you can easily find templates online to start making simple tasks.  But if you really find yourself drawn to creating intricate tasks, you may want tolearn some programming fundamentals. As an aside: apart from allowing you to save time by building Android automations, the skills you will learn in a basic programming course will help you approach real-life problems methodically and logically.  It has immense general applicability.

5. The Do-It-Yourself (easy app-making)

A great thing about Android is that it is relatively easy to create and publish your own apps on the platform. If you have a great idea for an app and no clue how to make it, here is some good news: some code-free software will let you get it done today! For free! And if you want a jump-start, there is even a course to get you up and running on Android in no time.

If you find you enjoy working with Android, and you do learn a little code, you open up many more possibilities to turn your ideas into apps. There is always something to learn, even for advanced programmers, but getting started may be much easier than you think. You can get there in very little time with the help of a comprehensive online course in Android programming.

Hopefully, these Android tricks will get you on the path to discovering the potential of Android and possibly even building on it. Google and third party developers are always unveiling new ideas and technologies, sometimes with the grandeur of a modern magic trick and sometimes with the simple promise of a few minutes saved. Either way, it is an exciting and promising world, and it is right there at the end of your stylus.

Tips and tricks for speeding up your Android device

These simple tips and tricks can help speed up your device and make it perform like new:

1. Uninstall or disable unused apps

(Credit: Screenshot by Dan Graziano/CNET)

Your device has a limited amount of internal storage and the less free space it has the slower it will perform. If you have filled your device with photos, music, or apps, it is recommended to free up space by either uninstalling unused apps or moving files to cloud storage services likeDropbox or Google Drive.

Uninstalling apps can be done by going to Settings, opening the Apps menu, and selecting the app you wish to uninstall. Preloaded applications from carriers or manufacturers that cannot be uninstalled, known as bloatware, can at least be disabled and hidden from the app drawer using this method.

On smartphones and tablets that include expandable storage you can also move apps to the microSD card. To do this, enter Settings, go to the Apps menu, click the app you wish to move, and select the "Move to SD card" option.

Too many widgets can affect battery life and performance.

(Credit: Screenshot by Dan Graziano/CNET)

2. Clear app caches
Cached data can build up over time in your applications and affect the performance of your device. Deleting individual caches can be done in the Apps menu, but a number of free programs are available through the Google Play store that can automate the process. Some of the most popular ones include App Cache Cleaner and Clean Master, both of which are available for free.

3. Limit widgets and live wallpapers
Many people would argue that widgets are one of the benefits of using an Android device. They can be helpful for finding information quickly without having to open an app, but at the same time they can eat away at battery life and slow your device.

Reducing the number of widgets, especially data-intensive ones like Facebook, will help your smartphone or tablet run more smoothly and last longer. You can remove widgets from the home screen by long-pressing the one you wish to delete and dragging it to the top of the screen.

Another cool Android feature is the option to use a live wallpaper as your background. Like widgets, however, live wallpapers can slow down your device and drain the battery. You can also change your wallpaper with a long press on the home screen.

4. Disable animations
A hidden settings option in Android will give you access to commands you may have never known existed. Go to Settings, About Phone, scroll down to Build number, and tap it seven times. You will now have access to developer options. These special settings allow you to do a variety of things, but they are meant for advanced users and shouldn't be changed unless you know what you are doing.

One tweak that could speed up your device is disabling animations within the operating system. To do this, open Settings, go to Developer options, and scroll down to the Drawing option. Next, turn off the Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale. This will disable animations that occur when you open, close, and switch between apps. Although the interface will look less polished, there should be less lag in performance.

(Credit: Screenshot by Dan Graziano/CNET)

5. Get software updates
Manufacturers and carriers are continually pushing out new software updates to their devices. It is imperative that you be on the latest firmware as these updates usually include security and bug fixes, among other things that will improve the overall stability of your device. To check to see if there is an update available, go to Settings, select About Phone, and choose the "System updates" option.

6. Rooting, ROMing, and more
Risk takers and advanced users can also root their device, which will open the door to new features and even greater performance boosts. Rooting gives you the ability to overclock the device's processor, install a custom ROM, and other things; however it also voids your warranty and could cause irreversible damage to the device.

Be sure to check out these five apps that can help prolong your smartphone's battery life.

Monitor Your Data Usage

Check your data usage by going to Settings > Wireless & Networks > Data Usage. You’ll see a breakdown of all data transfers and you can tap any app to see how much data that specific app is using.

The Data Manager

You can also set a 3G limit here; after this point, 3G data will automatically be disabled – useful for anyone on a restricted plan.

How to Close a Running App

The Android system doesn't need you to close a running app for every instance. But in some cases you may need to force stop an app that's misbehaving, or like playing a game, you may need to actually close the app in order to start a new level rather than continuing the last. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Run the Settings app and tap Apps under DEVICE.
2. Select the app you want to close.
3. Tap the 'Force stop' button and tap 'OK' to confirm.

How to Switch between Open Apps

When running an app, you can minimize it by simply tapping the Home icon. Getting back to it is not just one click on the taskbar like the way you do in Windows. But the Android way is pretty straightforward too.

1. Tap the Recent Apps icon to reveal the apps that you recently opened. (Note 2)
2. Slide down to see more recent apps.
3. Tap a screenshot from the list to instantly switch to the app.

Note 1: You can clear the recent apps from the list by swiping them sideways one by one.
Note 2: On Android 2.x, touch and hold the Home button to reveal recent apps.