From the course: Android Phone and Tablet Essential Training

Exploring the device

From the course: Android Phone and Tablet Essential Training

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Exploring the device

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- [Instructor] All Android devices offer consistent and similar features. Knowing what these features are, and, most importantly, their terms is important. On your own device, locate these common items as I describe them. They may not look as depicted here or even be found in the same location. The front of the Android features the touchscreen, which works as the display and as an input device reacting to your touches. A front-facing camera is found above the touchscreen. Also available are a speaker and a microphone. Around the edge of the device, you'll find these buttons, the power/lock key and the volume key. You may also find a headphone connector, though some newer devices lack this useful jack; the USB connector, which is also used to charge the Android; a microSD card slot for removable storage, which isn't found on every Android; and a SIM card slot, which is used on cellular devices to identify the device to the mobile data network. On the back of your Android, you will find these two items, the main or rear-facing camera, which may feature multiple lenses; and a flash LED, which is absent on some Android tablets. To charge your Android's battery, connect the power cord to the USB connector, which is usually found on the bottom center of the device. Plug the other end of the cable into a wall socket or connect it to a computer's USB port when the computer is powered on. Alternatively, you can use a wireless charging pad. Set your phone or tablet on the pad where it's magically recharged via induction technology. Your Android charges whether it's on or off. You can use the device while it's charging, though it does get warm if you're talking on the phone. You can charge at any time. You don't need to wait for the battery to completely drain to recharge. Turning on your Android works like this. Press and hold the power/lock key. Keep holding until you feel the device vibrate or you see a startup logo. Then, you can release the power/lock key. Unlock the device by swiping the screen and then working the screen lock. Once unlocked, you can use your Android. Eventually, you see the home screen shown here. Now you can do whatever marvelous things you need to do with your gizmo. To set aside the Android, lock the screen. Press and release the power/lock key. When the device is locked, the screen goes dark and no longer accepts input. Your phone or tablet continues to run while it's locked. Music plays, phone calls come in, updates are made and alarms can trigger. To unlock the Android, press and release the power/lock key, swipe the screen and work the secure screen lock, and you're in. To turn off your Android, press and hold the power/lock key until you see the power off menu. Choose Power Off. And if prompted to confirm, tap OK or whatever icon is presented. The Android shuts itself off. Turning the device off isn't the same as locking it. When the Android is off, it's off and its features no longer work. Remember, it's rare to turn off your Android. Most of the time, you just lock it and you'll be fine.

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