3. 3
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T
he last month has seen two
major events for Android this
year. The Samsung Galaxy S4
was announced, and the HTC One
went on sale. The S4 is without
question the biggest – the latest in a
range of devices that has helped
Android become the world’s biggest
mobile platform. Reactions to the S4
were actually somewhat muted, with many suggesting
that Samsung had followed Apple’s lead yet again and
announced, in effect, an ‘S3S’. That’s a bit unfair in my
view. The S4 is not revolutionary, yet while the incremental
improvements seen throughout seem small on their own,
taken as a whole they amount to a pretty massive
upgrade over last year’s model. With hardware that is
noticeably faster and many new ideas on the software
side, Samsung looks to have delivered another pretty
amazing package.
And then there’s the HTC One. There’s no doubt that
Samsung will blow it away in terms of sales, but I’m not
expecting to see a more beautifully designed, well thought
out smartphone than it this year. HTC has been in the
doldrums for some time now, but it’s hard not to root for
the company and hope that it can turn things around. Not
only is the One a stunning device, but HTC has
demonstrated that it is one of the few mobile
manufacturers willing to pursue its own path and try
something different. At a time when so many devices are
scarcely distinguishable from one another that
commitment to innovation is more important than ever.
Mobiwol
Evernote
Gogobot
ECB Cricket
Google Keep
Hungry Shark
Evolution
MY HOME SCREEN
On (and off) Andy’s
phone this month…
GET IN TOUCH
Let us know what you’d
like to see in next issue…
Andy Betts Editor
This month
I’ve been using:
HTC One
Without doubt my
favourite phone
ever. It is a truly
impressive piece
of kit
APPS
IN
APPS
OUT

4. Contents
»Inside issue 24
CONTENTS15SpecialofferforUSAreaders »54Exclusivesubscriptionoffer
06 What to expect from
Key Lime Pie
We look ahead to the launch
of Android 5
09 Ubuntu for Android
Is Ubuntu about to help turn
your phone into a desktop
replacement?
10 Million Sellers
How speech recognition
software is racking up the
downloads
11 The scare over
malware
How to stay safe and clear
from dodgy apps
LauncherPreviews,
news and
speculation
from the
Android world
www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
12 10 things you need to
know about phablets
An introduction to the phone and
tablet combi
14 Twitter apps
We take a look at some of the
best-looking Twitter apps
16 Messages
Sound off about anything and
everything to do with Android
56 Hack-free hacks
Powerful tweaks
and mods that don’t
need root
72 HTC One review
Will HTC be able to give
Samsung a run for its
money with the One?
24 35 Android secrets to
enhance your phone
Hidden features in your favourite
apps uncovered
4
18 Firstlookatthe
amazingnewphone
fromSamsung
GALAXY
S4

5. ContentsInside issue 24«
Cutting-edge tablets and
smartphones on test
78 Mid-range group test
Four mid-range phones go
head-to-head
72 Reviews
72 HTC One
86 Motorola RAZR HD
88 Kogan Agora
90 Archos GamePad
92 BWC 10” tablet
93 BWC 7” tablet
94 Accessories
Power up your phone or tablet
with this collection of goodies
Essential guides to getting more
from your phone or tablet
28 Master the Google apps
Get more from the Google apps with this
handy guide
32 Tutorials
32 Use your phone as a remote
control
35 Working with the new lockscreen
36 Set up a unified inbox for all types
of message
38 Merge Facebook and Google data
39 Use Street View in Navigation
40 Manage your internal and SD card
memory
65 7digital
65 Audioboo
65 BBC Sport
70 Cordy 2
71 Die Hard
67 Facebook Pages Manager
63 Harlem Shake Creator Lite
67 Highlight
67 Hotel Tonight
63 Lemon Wallet
66 Lightning Browser
66 Material
67 Night Vision Camera
71 Oddland
67 Perfect365
71 Pocket Stables
71 QuestLord
71 Real Basketball
71 Robo5
64 Runtastic Pedometer
70 The Simpsons:
Tapped Out
71 Sela The Space Pirate
67 Skype WiFi
63 Slide Meter
71 Slingshot Racing
66 Swapps!
67 Thermometer
63 Truphone
62 Viddy
67 Weather Live Gold
AppsYour complete
guide to
Google Play
62 App reviews
We cast a critical eye over the
best new apps in the Play store
over the last month
69 Free GPS apps
We test out two high-powered
alternatives to Google Maps
70 Game reviews
The latest games for phones
and tablets reviewed
App review index
46 Hacking tips and tricks
Essential tips for getting the most out of
your Android device
48 Tweak your kernel
50 Increase memory by moving
your apps to ROM
52 Copy your favourite apps to
your custom ROM
Explore the limits of
your Android phone
Hacker
Zøne
TutorialsReviews
78 Mid-range maestros
Four leading mid-range phones go head-to-head
32
Use your
phone as a
remote
control
Control your other
media gadgets
using only your
phone or tablet
»www.littlegreenrobot.co.ukCheck our website daily
for even more news
5
88 Kogan
Agora
Is this ultra-
budget phone
a bargain?
86
Motorola
RAZR HD
The latest in the
RAZR range goes
on test
42 Droid Support
Readers’ questions answered, plus
troubleshooting tips and tricks

6. 6
AllthelatestfromtheworldofAndroiddevices
Android5.0isfastapproaching,butwhatdoestheindustrywanttosee
fromGoogle’slatestOSupdate?
T
he yearly Google I/O developers conference
always brings with it a certain sense of
excitement and this year’s event is no different.
Every year, the latest Android operating system
update is announced and following its dessert-
focused path, this time around the event on May 15
in San Francisco will see the unveiling of what is
expected to be called Android 5.0, Key Lime Pie (the
version number itself is largely irrelevant and does
not necessarily correspond to the size of the release
– previous 0.x version updates have often included
radical changes to the way the platform performs, as
well as introducing lots of new features). Google does
Whatcanyouexpect
fromKeyLimePie?
a fairly good job at keeping the details of each update
under wraps, but that doesn’t stop the internet
rumour mill from going crazy, and with that in mind,
we’ve spoken to various people inside the industry to
see what they want, and expect to see, featured
within the latest update.
Colin Adams, president of Andromo App Maker
says: “As a user, I’d like to see continued speed
improvements in Key Lime Pie, like we saw with
Project Butter in Jelly Bean. It really makes the whole
experience feel faster. There have been rumours
about Project Roadrunner for a while now, with talk of
improved battery life as well. The addition of better/
smarter power-saving modes and profiles would also
be a nice addition.” Adams continues: “As Android
developers, we’d love to see some new user
interface ideas, along with compatibility libraries so
we can use them on older versions of Android.
Anything that makes it easier to make use of the
latest features in 5.0 while still supporting older
versions makes our lives easier – and results in
better apps for everyone.”
Building off the success of Jelly Bean is key for
Google to get right, as Project Butter is still the best
way to enjoy the Android experience, and is still a
much better option than the likes of third-party
AllthelatestfromtheworldofAndroiddevices
Whatcanyouexpect
fromKeyLimePie?
Whatcanyouexpect
fromKeyLimePie?
Whatcanyouexpect
When will you get
your slice of the pie?
Ten months after Jelly Bean was first
announced only around 16% of
Android users have devices running
the OS, while around 40% are still
running Gingerbread from back in
2010. We’d expect all new devices
from this year to get an update, as
well as the flagship devices from
2012 as well. As always it will be the
Nexus devices that are first in line,
with devices possibly as old as the
Galaxy Nexus getting the new OS
within days of its launch

7. enhancements in terms of a faster UI and battery
life” says Amit Friedberg, Android development
leader at EQuala.FM. “Improved battery life would
help cope with more power coming from the
smartphones themselves.” Matt Lundberg, CTO of
Wolfgang’s Vault, shares the same views: “We need
to see an improvement in battery life and there are
things that KLP can do to help make this happen.”
Something that we can all agree on is that with the
KLP announcement, we want to see Google really
push the boat out with new features. We’ve seen the
likes of Google Now, interactive notifications menu
and multiple user profiles in the past, but as David
Bakke, technology expert at moneycrashers.com
explains, public opinion is pretty split for what should
be included this time around. “There are plenty of
features that Android users are looking for in Key
Lime Pie. Some of the most popular ones include
improved support for multiple devices, a better way
to manage power usage, an app for video chatting
and a more user-friendly contacts section for sending
out blast text messages. Some are even calling for
Key Lime Pie to have a better integration with the
likes of Facebook and Twitter readily available.”
In truth, no one truly knows what we’re going to
see in KLP, but that just adds to the excitement of it
all. However, what is perfectly clear is that as well as
including all the new features, which Google is bound
to do, the company also needs to make sure it builds
on the success of previous updates, especially at a
time when Samsung could be seen as starting to
diminish the importance of the OS in its devices. Key
Lime Pie can potentially cement Android’s status as
the number one mobile operating system in the
world, but only time will tell.
7
»twitter@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for
the latest updates
Stay up to date
Catch up with the latest
Android news and gossip
“I’dliketosee
continuedspeed
improvementsin
KeyLimePie,like
wesawwith
ProjectButterin
JellyBean“
ColinAdams,presidentofAndromoAppMaker
“Androidstillfeels
abitsluggish
comparedtoiOS
onsomedevices“
AmitFriedberg,Androiddevelopmentleaderat
EQuala.FM
custom skins from Samsung, HTC and Motorola. But
where can Google build off the design and features
that made Jelly Bean the most revolutionary Android
update yet? Brian Geary, a developer for AndPlus,
thinks that maybe Google should look elsewhere for
inspiration. “I’d like to see Android take a look in to
Windows Phone and how that operating system
integrates with social networks like Twitter and
Facebook, and figure a way to seamlessly integrate
that functionality into KLP. Where Jelly Bean made
huge steps in the redesign of Google’s OS, I would
like to see similar steps be taken in KLP but this time
in terms of user experience.”
But Key Lime Pie most certainly shouldn’t just be
about new ground-breaking features and Google
should make it of paramount importance to use Key
Lime Pie as a platform for fixing the problems that
have littered Android 4.0 and 4.1, and also use it to
continually develop the plethora of features we’ve
already got access to, in particular Google Now, as
Geary explains: “I’d like to see Google Now really
expand its usability in KLP too. Everybody knows what
Siri is, but it seems like very few people are talking
about the power of Google Now, which in my opinion
is way more powerful than Siri in many ways.”
Another area that Google needs to consider is that
Key Lime Pie needs to be adapted to cater for the
new breed of smartphones. Massive screens and
bigger processors are certainly the future of our
beloved devices, but Key Lime Pie could make a huge
stride in helping consumers with their monster
phones. “I would like to see additional performance
“No, not at all. The Android release schedule has
always been fast-paced, and that’s awesome for
users. If we’re lucky this rapid pace will put more
pressure on device manufacturers and carriers
to stop getting in the way.” – Colin Adams
“Not at all. If KLP delivers what it promises, this
shouldn’t pose a problem.” – Matt Lundberg
“Fragmentation is a big problem in the Android
world, but it will not be solved by slow releases,
but rather by frequent ones that will make
the manufacturers refresh their models more
frequently.” – Amit Friedberg
“Several years ago, the answer to this
question probably would have been yes. But
in today’s world, where everyone desires the
latest technology, Key Lime Pie is likely not
arriving too early.” – David Bakke
“I don’t feel that KLP is arriving too early
for consumers. At the speed that the
mobile market moves it’s important for
Android to keep growing and building on
its OS. There may be some confusion for
consumers on the differences and benefits
of getting a phone with Key Lime Pie.”
– Brian Geary
Whatwewanttosee
inKeyLimePie…
Andy Betts, Editor
Oliver Hill, Staff Writer
The main points of focus for me
should be on streamlining the UI
to make it easier to use for
newcomers to the platform –
many still don’t customise their
phones (or even home screens)
as much as they could – and on
making it quicker to get hold of your most
important information. Combining the
information from the notifications shade and
Google Now into a large, unified home screen
panel would be a good start even if it was just
a glorified full screen widget. I wouldn’t mind a
simplification of widgets as well, maybe along
the lines of Windows Phone where icons can
display live information. And while we’re at it
they could also eradicate lag in scrolling lists
once and for all, and make improvements to
the battery life. What I’m expecting is more
gesture controls, and a lot more Google.
There’s no doubt that Google
has something amazing up its
sleeve with the Key Lime Pie
update, but we’re still clueless to
what it actually is. Not only is it a
good time to unleash new
features, but KLP would be
perfect for making Android less susceptible
to malware attacks, as well as making it
easier for manufacturers to roll out updates.
Manypeopledon’thaveaccessto
Android4.1,soisKLParrivingtooearly?
@ScruffyFox Quiet hours, custom home
button actions
@BigJelJel1 More gesture-based UI that
uses more of the advanced technology out
there
@weepineer google should sort out the
security issues that ruin some people’s
experience with the phones and tablets
@_petitepapillon Flash support back!!
@alived89 Have swiftkey as the default
keyboard option from now on. Default one
is pretty rubbish.
@kebabjones1976 a better name key lime
pie is yukkie ;)
…andwhatyouwant
•Show all my notifications, messages and
context-aware information on a single home
screen
•Rethink the relationship between widgets
and app icons
•New keyboard that takes inspiration from
third-party app Swiftkey
•Overhaul of app drawer design
•Improvements to the stock audio player

8. 8
»www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Visit us daily for news and more
PhonePad–theultimate
Androidaccessory?
ThePhonePadisatouchscreenpanelthatturnsany
smartphoneintoatablet,gamesconsoleand
businesstoolinseconds
GameStick console shows
itself off at GDC
One of the more unassuming games consoles to hit
the market soon is the two-inch GameStick. After a
successful Kickstarter campaign, the tiny Android
device and its controller companion have been
shown off for the first time at the Game Developers
Conference in San Francisco. When released in the
UK, the device is set to cost an impulse-buying £60.
Samsung set to start work on
Android smartwatch
Sony’s SmartWatch reception was a very mixed
affair, but that hasn’t stopped Samsung deciding to
release its own. The Korean giant is looking to make
a smartwatch that will tie in with not just its phones
and tablets, but also many other Samsung-branded
products to really dominate your living room. No
news on a release date or availability, as of yet.
Adobe brings the Photoshop
experience to Android
Adobe is slowly bringing its full suite of apps to the
Android platform and its latest, Photoshop Touch for
phone, is the best yet. The app includes a ridiculous
amount of photo-editing tools and filters to help
create the perfect photograph, but be warned, you’ll
need a decent processor if you want to uncover all
the technical aspects of the app.
Developments to watch in
the Androshpere
WHAT’SHOT
U
ntil now, if you wanted to get the ultimate
Android experience you’d need to buy a
phone, tablet and many other Android-
enabled products. But if you want to make your
wallet a bit happier, then you might want to
check out a new concept called the PhonePad.
With this touchscreen console you simply need
to slide your phone into its adjustable base to
see your display on the big 10.1-inch HD screen.
Once connected, the PhonePad can then be
modified into a clamshell laptop, which can have
a keyboard wirelessly connected to it, a fully
useable tablet or even a stationary games
The PhonePad is a jack of all trades,
but is it a master of none?
Fold PhonePad into a full 10.1-inch tablet Connect your controller and play some AAA titles
console. It caters for a wide range of
phones and the team behind it has many
more compatible devices arriving soon
enough. If that wasn’t enough, the
PhonePad is Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G compatible for
browsing the internet at your leisure, and
also ships with an Xbox-styled game
controller that connects to the console
wirelessly via Bluetooth.
You won’t be able to get your hands on
the PhonePad until May, but for the princely
sum of £149.99 ($179.99) we’re sure you’ll
be able to wait just a little longer.
handshandshands-on

9. Get in touch!
Send us your thoughts
on all things Android
»emailqa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Got questions or comments? Drop
us an email and let us know
»facebook
/littlegreenrobot
Like us on Facebook to
send your comments
»twitter@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for
all the latest gossip
9
WhatexactlyisUbuntuforAndroid?
Anddoesitmeanthatourphones
andtabletscanreplacePCsforgood?
Android
platforms
toreplace
thePC?
A
ccording to its developers, the Ubuntu
operating system could be the next step in
getting our Android platforms to replace the
PC entirely. Ubuntu is a free and open-source
operating system, based on Linux, that has an
estimated 20 million users, worldwide. While this is a
tiny number compared to the 1.25 billion users of
Microsoft Windows, the de facto standard operating
system for the PC, Ubuntu is, nevertheless, a
heavyweight desktop operating system and it’s
coming to Android.
Ubuntu for phones was recently announced by its
developer Canonical Ltd and will be available, as an
alternative to Android or Windows, later this year. A
version for some tablets is already available, but only
if you’re prepared for it to overwrite Android. Of more
interest to Android users, though, is Ubuntu for
Android which enables both Android and Ubuntu to
run on the same multi-core handset at the same
time. Because both operating systems share the
same Linux kernel this doesn’t involve the emulation
or virtualisation techniques that, traditionally, have
allowed one operating system to run inside another.
Ubuntucouldprovideaviableplatform
forAndroidonourdesktops
RichardCollins,productmanageratCanonical
“Anything
otherthan
nicheappeal
fornow”
As a result,
Android and
Ubuntu will
both run at
the maximum speed
allowed by the processor.
Canonical doesn’t envisage you using Ubuntu as
an alternative to Android when you’re on the move.
Instead, you’d use Android as normal when you’re
out and about and then, when you return to the
home or office, you plug your phone into a docking
station that will give you access to Ubuntu with the
added convenience of a
keyboard, mouse and
full-sized screen. Not only
that but the two operating
systems can share
address books, emails,
text messages and the
like, thereby eliminating
the need for
synchronisation. Richard Collins, product manager
at Canonical, sees all this as a significant
development. “Ubuntu for Android is really
important to giving users of high-end Android
smartphones a fully embedded native Ubuntu PC
experience”, he said. “This is a PC capability in
every sense, meaning that when the Android
phone is docked to a desktop monitor, the user
has exactly the same set of Ubuntu services that
“UbuntuforAndroidis
reallyimportant…you
areeffectivelycarrying
yourPCinyourpocket”
would run on normal PC hardware. You are effectively
carrying your PC in your pocket.”
However, David Ludlow, editor of Computer
Shopper, the UK’s highest circulation PC monthly,
isn’t too sure. “The ability to dock your phone and
seamlessly switch to a desktop environment on a
monitor sounds brilliant for people on the move, as it
lets them carry around a complete personal
system”, he agreed. “However, a phone can’t
compete with the power, flexibility and storage of a
full PC or laptop, so I don’t expect Ubuntu for Android
to offer anything other than niche appeal for now.”
DavidLudlow,editorofComputerShopper

10. 10
»twitter@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for
the latest updates
Stay up to date
Catch up with the latest
Android news and gossip
Was Speaktoit initially launched to be a competitor to Apple’s
voice assistant, Siri?
No, Speaktoit was actually launched, on Android, before Siri and
was the first conversation-based virtual assistant on the market.
Siri did help bring a lot of attention to this app genre, though,
which Speaktoit certainly benefited from as Android users began
looking for an assistant alternative on their own platform.
How difficult is it to program all the responses that the
Speaktoit Assistant gives?
It’s the most difficult part of designing the app, without question.
We brainstorm, design, and then create tens of thousands of
interaction scenarios, and have to then predict how a Speaktoit
user will continue throughout the conversation. The biggest
challenge with this is that the Assistant is an open input system,
meaning a user can ask anything and the Assistant has to have
something to say about the topic. Because the Assistant
supports clarifying dialogue, we have to take into account how
that dialogue may evolve. In short, it’s difficult!
One problem noted with similar apps on the Google Play store
is that they struggle with certain dialects and accents. How
does Speaktoit deal with this?
Speaktoit uses the voice recognition system native to Google’s
Android platform, so much of this is beyond our control. Still,
Speaktoit can take into account dialogue context – like the
current topic being discussed between Assistant and the user
– in order to understand which speech recognition variant, of
sometimes several possibilities, makes the most sense to follow
in the particular situation.
In your daily life, what feature of Speaktoit do you find yourself
using the most?
Definitely the integration with my calendar, both to create new
events and to stay reminded about what’s coming up. It’s pretty
easy to tell my assistant, ‘Add a meeting with Google to my
calendar for tomorrow at 3pm’. On the calendar reminder side, I
use Speaktoit’s Daily Briefing option, which gives me a detailed
rundown on all my events for that day – along with reading me
top news stories, the weather etc – the first thing in the
morning, every morning.
Assistant
The inside story on Android’s most popular apps
Android
tablets
A brief history of…
Android tablets have had a chequered
history. They didn’t start too well,
thanks to the lack of a tablet-specific UI,
and coupled with mediocre build quality
and a serious lack of apps earned a bad
reputation that took some time to
overcome. But that has now changed.
Thanks to improvements in the UI and
sterling work from manufacturers,
Android tablets are now expected to
outsell the iPad by the end of the year.
With its five-inch screen, the Dell Streak
was mocked upon its launch. It was, with
hindsight, the first phablet, but was
two-handed like a tablet. Today it would
just be a ‘phone’.
2010
The Android tablet era
kicked off properly with the
launch of the Samsung
Galaxy Tab. This seven-inch
device ran a phone-
optimised version of the
OS and could make calls. It
took Android some time to
get past its reputation.
A brief history of… thanks to the lack of a tablet-specific UI,
and coupled with mediocre build quality
and a serious lack of apps earned a bad
reputation that took some time to
overcome. But that has now changed.
Thanks to improvements in the UI and
sterling work from manufacturers,
Android tablets are now expected to
outsell the iPad by the end of the year.
Q&A with Ilya
Gelfenbeyn, CEO of
Speaktoit
W
hen Siri was first launched on iOS there was a massive uproar from Android
users looking for a similar app or service they could use on their own device.
Assistant by Speaktoit looked to fill that gap and ever since its launch, the
app has gone from strength to strength. Assistant is the ultimate virtual assistant and
can answer questions, find information and launch apps that are installed on your
device. There’s also full compatibility with a wide range of social media apps, letting
you check on what your friends are doing whenever and wherever you are. After
sailing through one million downloads, Assistant is continuing to grow. With an active
development team always looking to implement new features into the app, Assistant
will be around for some time yet.
does Speaktoit deal with this?
Speaktoit uses the voice recognition system native to Google’s
Android platform, so much of this is beyond our control. Still,
Speaktoit can take into account dialogue context – like the
current topic being discussed between Assistant and the user
– in order to understand which speech recognition variant, of
sometimes several possibilities, makes the most sense to follow
in the particular situation.
In your daily life, what feature of Speaktoit do you find yourself
using the most?
Definitely the integration with my calendar, both to create new
events and to stay reminded about what’s coming up. It’s pretty
easy to tell my assistant, ‘Add a meeting with Google to my
calendar for tomorrow at 3pm’. On the calendar reminder side, I
use Speaktoit’s Daily Briefing option, which gives me a detailed
rundown on all my events for that day – along with reading me
top news stories, the weather etc – the first thing in the
Send emails
One of Assistant’s
best features is being
fully Gmail compatible,
enabling you to type
and send emails using
solely your voice
The little things
Assistant can also be used to
help covert your currency,
search for specific images and
even find the latest weather
reports in your area
Customise
your assistant
The way your virtual
assistant looks and
dresses can also be
customised. It doesn’t
affect the app, however,
it’s a nice little addition
to include
Keep it simple
Assistant does a surprisingly
good job at recognising most
words, but it can sometimes
fall down on certain
pronunciations of words
Millionsellers
VITAL STATS
ASSISTANT
Price:Free
Launched:2010
Installs:1m-5m
Playstorerating:
Assistant’s stand-out features revealed
2009

11. Thescareovermalware
I
n its latest Mobile Threat Report, computer security
company F-Secure paints a depressing picture for
Android users. During 2012, 79 per cent of all viruses
for mobile platforms were aimed at the Android platform,
up from 67 per cent in 2011. What’s more, things appear
to be getting worse. In the final quarter of 2012, another
96 new families of Android malware appeared,
compared to an average of 47 threats in each of the
previous quarters.
In a sense, the targeting of Android isn’t particularly
surprising – after all, it is the most popular mobile
operating system. However, the threat does appear to be
more than we might expect for Android’s 69 per cent
market share during 2012. Does this mean that Android is
more vulnerable to attack than other mobile platforms?
Not necessarily. According to F-Secure, a more likely
explanation is that malware writers invariably turn their
attention from those operating systems such as Symbian
that are in decline to those that are seeing massive
growth – and that matches Android’s description.
Not only is the threat to Android on the increase but the
nature of that threat is changing. During the last 12
months, 66 per cent of all Android malware took the form
of Trojans and many had a financial motivation. Unlike the
viruses that have plagued PCs for years, a Trojan looks like
an ordinary application so it’s deliberately installed by the
user. But whereas most apps ‘do exactly what it says on
the tin’, Trojans pack a punch you weren’t expecting.
Increasingly, that nasty surprise is that it ends up costing
you money. One common trick is to send texts to a
premium rate number that is owned by the virus writer. It
then deletes all records from your smartphone so that you
don’t realise what’s been happening until you receive your
next bill and get a horrible shock.
While there’s no way you can fully protect yourself from
Trojans – other than never installing apps, that is –
according to anti-malware vendor Kaspersky, one of the
best ways is to avoid installing apps from suspicious
websites. While dodgy apps on the Play store have been
reported (eg Find and Call which appeared in 2012 and
was quickly removed), in the main, Google takes its
responsibility to protect users seriously and this is very
much the exception rather than the rule.
SecurityhaslongbeenoneofAndroid’smostpressingissues.
Whatisthetruthaboutmalware?Whereisitfound?Andhow
canyouavoidit?Wesetouttoseparatefactfromfiction
2011
Android 3.0, or Honeycomb, was launched
with a tablet-optimised UI. It made its debut
with the Motorola Xoom, but a lack of apps
and plenty of quirks held it back.
2012
With Android 4 having
unified tablet and
phone, Google took
the bit between its
teeth with the Nexus
7. It was cheap yet
powerful and became
the first big-selling
Android tablet.
With sales predicted to surpass the iPad,
Android tablets are now well established.
Devices such as the Sony Tablet Z show
that Android can also do premium
models to match Apple.
11
Follow us @lgrobotto join
in the conversation
CROWD
SOURCEOpinion from the
Twittersphere
twitter
@lgrobot
So with more Nexus 4 stock
available through the Play
store, did anyone manage to
pick one up?
@dannynitro
stock issues have killed this
phone early adopters have
moved on and as its even older
now only bargain hunters will be
interested.
@emenelo
Damn straight. Absolute bargain
device for the price! Looks really
good next to the Nexus 7
@lgrobot
What’s the most important
thing for you when you’re
looking to buy a new phone?
@Mug_UK
The words “Samsung” & “S4” ;-)
@PearCidre
Battery life, #android version and
a decent screen. current phone
(zte grand x) does it for me atm.
@richdav
Ease of rooting and availability of
a quality custom ROM. Then
hardware design/specs
@atinjemat
price and the screen.
@TonyP_UK
camera & photo quality are
increasingly important, especially
since pics can be shared &
synced so easily now
@lgrobot
What was your main reasoning
for hacking your phone and/or
tablet?
@Obarie
To break the connection between
the device & network service
provider & to control my own
device.
@PaulaHunter2012
HP Touchpad hacked to enable
dual booting between webOS and
ICS. WebOS nice user interface
but completely lacking in apps.
New mobile threat families & variants received per quarter
Q1-Q4 2012
10
20
30
40
50
60 61
66
74
100
70
80
90
100
Android
ALL THREATS
Blackberry
iOS
J2me
Windows Mobile
Symbian
Top tips for
avoiding
malware
Sean Sullivan, F-Secure’s
security advisor, provides his
top three tips for avoiding
malware on Android…
1. Stick to installing software from official Android
markets such as Google Play or one from your phone
operator. While it can be fun to install new software, and
it may be tempting to install a game you discover via
Facebook, it’s not always the best idea.
2. Even when using official markets, exercise caution –
truly ‘free’ applications are rare. Many free applications
attempt to pay for themselves using ads, and those ads
can sometimes link to scams. Always check all of the
developer’s apps and if you see too many similar ones,
it’s a sign that negative feedback has caused the
developer to ‘rebrand’ his spammy code. Free apps that
are really worth installing will have genuinely positive
feedback that’s hard to fake.
3. Use your screen lock so your jealous other half
doesn’t install a spy-tool on your phone.
2013

12. »www.littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Visit us daily for news and more
12
3Following the
Note’s steps
Starting off the phablet
craze was the Samsung
Galaxy Note and despite the
initial mixed reception for
the 5.3-inch device, it has
gone on from strength to
strength and introduced the
world to a new breed of
device. It was also the first
device to come with its very
own stylus in the S Pen.
2Built for media
The larger screen on a phablet is perfect for
handling all your media content. Using apps like
Netflix means you’ll have access to all your films and
it’s definitely an improvement over a phone screen.
They’re also the perfect choice for wanting to do a
spot of mobile gaming.
4Emerging
markets
Despite a rise in
popularity across
Europe, phablet sales
have really rocketed
in the emerging
Asian market.
Companies like LG
have launched their
own phablets into
the Far East
market, namely the
Optimus VU, to
huge sales and
even a follow-up
device in the Optimus
VU Pro.
8Developer
annoyance
Developers don’t have
an easy time putting
together apps to run on
a phablet. The
awkward screen size
means phone apps
look pixelated and out
of proportion, and a lot
of work goes into
making tablet apps fit
the smaller screen.
5When big
is too big
Holdingafive-inch
phablettoyourhead
whenmakingacall
doeslookabit
stupid,butwhereis
thecut-offpoint?
Huaweihasrecentlyannouncedthe
giant6.1-inchHuaweiAscendMate,
whichalsoincludesaquad-core
processor,4050mAhbatteryand
32GBofinternalstorage.
9Plummeting prices
When phablets were
released they held premium
price tags. By searching
around, you’ll find the ZTE’s
Grand Memo will launch with
an affordable price tag.
7Replacing phones
Shipments of phablets have increased
dramatically this past year and are set to increase
even more in
2013. An early
report by
Barclays shows
that phablet
shipments should
climb to 143
million units and
a whopping 228
million by 2015.
6Dedicated
apps
BoththeGalaxyNote
andNoteIImadegood
useoftheincludedS
Penbybringingouta
rangeofSPen-friendly
apps.Thebestofthe
bunchisSPlanner,a
greatcalendarsystem
thatletsyoucreateand
modifyeventswhen
youneedto.
1Size
matters
Amixbetweena
phoneandtablet,
phabletistheterm
usedtodescribeany
devicethatcomesin
betweenfiveand
seveninches.They
offerauniqueblend
oftablet-specific
featureswithfull
phonecapabilities
aswell.
4Despite a rise in
popularity across
Europe, phablet sales
have really rocketed
in the emerging
Asian market.
Companies like LG
have launched their
own phablets into
the Far East
market, namely the
Optimus VU, to
huge sales and
even a follow-up
device in the Optimus
VU Pro.
5Holdingafive-inch
phablettoyourhead
whenmakingacall
doeslookabit
stupid,butwhereis
thecut-offpoint?
Huaweihasrecentlyannouncedthe
giant6.1-inchHuaweiAscendMate,
whichalsoincludesaquad-core
processor,4050mAhbatteryand
32GBofinternalstorage.
things you need to
know about...
Phablets
10Android
vs Apple
Appleisyetto
launchitsown
phabletontothe
market,butearly
signsareitcouldbe
doingjustthat.The
iPadminihashad
somesuccesssoa
slightlysmallerone
coulddefinitely
competeagainst
thecurrentcropof
Androidofferings.

13. Get in touch!
Send us your thoughts
on all things Android
»emailqa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Got questions or comments? Drop
us an email and let us know
»facebook
/littlegreenrobot
Like us on Facebook to
send your comments
»twitter@lgrobot
Follow us on Twitter for
all the latest gossip
Playstorepicks
The Rats
James Herbert
Price: £0.99
The late British horror
writer’s classic debut
novel is as chilling today
as it was on release
30 years ago.
Our favourites from the Play
store this month
James Herbert
Price:
Argo
Price: £3.49 (rent)
This year’s Best Picture
winner at the Oscars
about a hostage rescue
co-stars Breaking Bad’s
Bryan Cranston.
Fillyourtabletwiththe
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ot a Nexus 10, Galaxy Tab, Kindle Fire HD or
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As well as Android Magazine, you can
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They’re available on a range of platforms, including Zinio, Amazon,
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ot a Nexus 10, Galaxy Tab, Kindle Fire HD or
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01202 552936 WWW.CLOVE.CO.UK
SMARTPHONES.TABLETS.ACCESSORIES
All prices include VAT, but exclude delivery. Prices are correct at time of going to press. Website price always applies. Errors and omissions should be excepted.
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SONY XPERIA Z
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• 32GB internal &
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Celebrating 20 years of business
•
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memory options
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card slot
•
video call mode
•
scrolling & pausing
£510

14. 14
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16. 16
InsideAndroidMagazine’svirtualmailbag
Messages
I recently purchased a Nexus 7 and thought as a
project I would look into the best methods to play
DVD movies at full quality specifically on the Nexus
7. Personally for any method to be worthwhile it
would have to take a minimum of time.
To me the question of conversion suggested
compression and loss of quality and although
Handbrake, a free conversion program often
recommended, has the facility to adjust the amount
of compression, if you increase it much beyond the
preset default it takes forever to convert. There is
also that grey area that is always pointed out in the
magazine that although Handbrake will convert to
DVD Video.ts file format it will not accept protected
DVDs, therefore requiring the time consuming ‘grey
area’ process of having to rip the DVD first. There is
a differing of opinion on the legality of the subject
but everybody knows there is a mountain of
software available to help with the process.
Well, provided you are prepared to run the
gauntlet at your own risk and rip a DVD which you
own personally and just want a copy to view on your
Nexus 7, here is what I discovered.
First you need to download two free apps from
Google Play. The first is called Daroon Player and the
second is a later version of that app called
Wondershare Player. Although the apps are
supposed to be the same I found that a DVD played
with distorted sound on the latter but played
normally when tried on Daroon Player– to be fair it
was only the one example. These apps will play the
full DVD without any conversion as they contain the
codecs to play most video formats, which includes
the Video.ts folder format on commercial DVDs.
From the choice of the many ripping programs
available, I used a free 21-day trial called AnyDvd
from slysoft.com. My initial plan was to connect the
Nexus via USB then rip the DVD straight to the
Nexus. I found that it copied the main movie to my
hard drive in about ten minutes and if I could
achieve that time straight to the Nexus that would
be ideal and hard to beat.
Sadly like all good plans when things are going
well you nearly always get a snag. The problem was
that although the Nexus 7 showed as an external
drive on the computer it didn’t show as a source to
save the output from the ripping software. This
meant that a rip to the hard drive was necessary,
followed by a copy to the Nexus 7. This more time
consuming double operation wouldn’t have been
too bad but for the very slow copying speed to the
Nexus, which turned out to be about five minutes
per GB, adding another 25 minutes to the ripping
time for the average DVD film.
Back to the drawing board as far as I was
concerned. I remembered reading in a previous
issue of the magazine about the app called ‘Nexus
Media Importer’ on sale from the Play store for
under £2. It occurred to me that I could rip a DVD
direct to a high speed SD memory card and using a
USB plug-in card converter, in conjunction with a
OTG cable, I could stream from the card, eliminating
the need for the Nexus’ onboard memory. To cut a
long story short, that didn’t work, playback from the
memory card through the ‘Media Importer’ app was
jerky and unwatchable.
The final solution was to use the free app ‘MX
Player’, and for the rip employ a program called
‘Pavtube Bluray Ripper’. Now using Pavtube, rip
direct to a USB3 stick or fast memory card which
takes about 10 minutes. Notice I say USB3 as even
though it is plugged into USB2 on my computer it is
much faster than a standard USB2 memory stick
when used for this purpose.
Final tip, as the Pavtube software is set to ‘Direct
Copy’, the output produces one continuous video
‘VOB’ format file which normally exceeds the file size
which Fat32 can handle – all memory sticks have to
be formatted in the NTFS file format. I won’t try to
explain how to do that here as it is a simple
procedure and instructions for doing this are
available on the internet.
To sum up, if you don’t mind spending the time,
use the first method, ie rip your DVD to the hard
drive and copy it to the Nexus 7 through the USB
then play it on the Nexus with the free apps Daroon
Player and Wondershare Player.
If you prefer the quickest method then employ
Pavtube Blu-ray Ripper to rip to a memory stick or
card then play back through ‘Nexus Media Importer’
attached to the Nexus USB socket with a OTG cable
(bought on eBay) using the MX Player app.
Don Clark
We say: Don, thanks for this brilliantly exhaustive
test of DVD rippers. We’d normally add another step
of compressing the movie for storage reasons,
although that does inevitably come with a further
time cost.
Playing DVDs
on the Nexus 7
Letter of the month
Ripping DVDs to a Nexus 7 can be a
long-winded process

17. Get in touch!
Send us your thoughts
on all things Android
»facebook
/littlegreenrobot
Like us on Facebook to
send your comments
»emailqa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Got questions or comments? Drop
us an email and let us know
Couple of points…
Hi guys! Great mag! Two things I want
to comment on, one is the lack of a
hard camera button on my Galaxy
Nexus (soon to be an S4 I hope).
Trying to do a self portrait with
main camera (it has flash) requires
fingers with ten joints and an eyeball!
Please at least design an app that
will use the power/volume button as
a camera switch!
Other thing is this cloud stuff, I
have serious security/privacy issues
with having all my data stored on
someone else’s database. Not
comfortable with that at all! So just
keep on putting SD cards in please, I
want nothing to do with any cloud
rubbish thank you…
Tim Smith
We say: There are several camera
apps in the Play store that enable
you to use the volume keys as a
shutter button, although they’re not
always compatible with all devices.
Addicted to hacking
I consider myself a novice when it
comes to modding my phone. In the
past I’ve rooted my Nexus One and
Xperia Arc with slight nervousness as
to whether I’ve done the job properly.
Using various websites I’ve managed
to do it and I have been very happy
with the results.
Since I got my S3 I toyed with the
idea of rooting this and decided to go
for it after reading your Hacker Zone
every month. Now I’ve rooted my
phone I’ve flashed CyanogenMod
and now I’ve found a ROM that I love
in Paranoid Android. So this is a
thank you for putting things down
in black and white (or black and
yellow!) and making things in
step-by-step, simple instructions.
It’s great that there is so much
help on the web but to open a
magazine and find all the info you
need in easy-to-use steps beats
trawling through forums every
time. Thanks and keep up the good
work. Gavin Hamilton
We say: Thanks for your
comments, Gavin. As fellow PA
fans we’re totally with you on the
joys of modding.
Are ROMs safe?
I purchased Issue 22 of your
Android Magazine as I was
interested in the ‘Upgrade to
Android 4.2 with CyanogenMod’
article on page 54. I wanted to get
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean for my
Huawei Ascend G300 (U8815) as I
have found Ice Cream Sandwich
(ICS) isn’t very good compared to
the previous Gingerbread OS.
Having browsed through the
www.cyanogenmod.org website I
can’t find any mention of the
CyanogenMod for my phone, do
you know if it’s available?
Also, are these unofficial
firmware mods trustworthy?
Surely developers can build all
sorts of bad stuff into mods, such
as key-loggers, spyware etc?
Leon
PS… I must point out that I’m an
absolute beginner when it comes
to installing mods on phones,
never done it before or know
anything about mods or rooting!
We say: There is an unofficial build
of CM10 (Jelly Bean) at the
modaco.com website (http://bit.
ly/11oscvT). Regarding the
trustworthiness of ROMs, in theory
they could contain bad things, but
so long as you obtain them from
recognised channels (xda-
developers, modaco etc) then it is
highly unlikely.
Sharing woes
The Samsung S III is a great phone
BUT although photos and video
can be shared easily my iMedia or
DLNA playlists in Google Music
player cannot. This is a deal
breaker for me. My next phone
must be able to play my music
through my TV speakers easily.
Maybe Apple is better after all.
Roger Fownes
We say: Do any of our readers have
good solutions for sharing media
content between devices? Get in
touch and let us know!
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© Imagine Publishing Ltd 2013
ISSN 2047-1580
TRENDINGLet us know your thoughts
on these hot topics
• Which do you prefer:
the HTC One or the
Samsung Galaxy S IV?
• Do you use a phablet,
and do you like its
extra size?
• Which is your favourite
Android device
manufacturer?
Getintouch!
qa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Sharing content
between non-Samsung
products isn’t easy on
an S III
17

18. 18
The complete guide to
what you can expect
from the follow up to the
world’s biggest-selling
smartphone
Feature
»Galaxy S4 is here!
GALAXY 4GALAXY 4
The complete guide to
GALAXYGALAXY 4
I
t was seen as the most threatening answer to
the iPhone yet, and as all of those who have got
hold of Samsung’s much-hyped handset will
confirm, there is little in the way of
disappointment with the Galaxy S4.
With a launch event in New York that many
believed was taking on Apple on its own territory,
the South Korean company pulled a blinder,
producing a new device that one survey suggested
was on the wish-list for a whopping 25 per cent of
iPhone owners.
Although we wouldn’t wish to keep up the Apple
comparisons, it is clear how far the Cupertino giant
is starting to fall behind – its iPhone 5’s biggest
selling point was a larger screen; the underlying
operating system largely remained the same.
Samsung’s new baby – which will likely outsell
“Crammedwith
featuresthatredefine
whatweexpectfrom
oursmartphones”

20. 20
Guide to the Galaxy
What’s new in the Galaxy S4?
Feature
»Galaxy S4 is here!
Group Play
If you have lots of
friends who own
Galaxy S4s you will be
able to connect them together for
the Group Play function. You can
combine the speakers on multiple
devices for vastly improved audio
output, or join them for a session of
multiplayer gaming online. All
wireless, of course.
Smart pause
The phone knows
what your eyeballs are
doing. Look away from
a playing video and the video will
pause. Look back again and it will
start playing once more.
Smart scroll
The S4 recognises
how you hold your
device, and the way
you are looking at it, and will
subsequently scroll text-heavy pages
accordingly. Coupled with the stay
awake feature first introduced on
the S III, the device moves into fully
hands-free operation for eBook and
webpage reading.
Dual camera
The S4 enables you to
capture photos or
videos using the
rear-facing 13-megapixel camera and
the two-megapixel front-facing
camera. Most interestingly of all, you
can use both at the same time,
letting the person behind the
camera appear in those family
snapshots after all. Gimmick or
genius? Only time will tell.
Innovative
camera features
The camera app is
packed with
interesting features. The most
interesting is Drama Shot, which can
shoot a burst of up to 100 images
in four seconds, then create a
composite of the action shown
within them. There’s also Sound and
Shot, which adds real audio to your
still photos, and Story Album, a
feature that can turn your images
into a rich album of information.
Thinner with
better processor
The S4 is only 7.9mm
thick. It is 137mm tall
and 70mm wide and this is an
improvement on the S III, even
though the screen is an extra
third-of-an-inch larger from corner-to-
corner. There are two versions of the
phone with top-notch processors in
both, with the Snapdragon version
supporting 4G.
Air gestures
There are times when
you can’t touch your
phone to make or
receive a call or send a text. When
driving or if your hands are full of
paint after a decorating session,
make use of air gestures and Smart
Call Accept.
S Translator
It’s not quite real time
translation, but if you
speak into your phone it
can translate it into another language
as soon as you stop talking. Get the
person you’re holding a conversation
with to do the same and you can
understand the response, letting you
have a full conversation without
language barriers.
Sensitive screen
Not quite a first for
smartphones but the
extra sensitivity given
to the screen to enable the hands-
free gestures also means the device
can be used when you’re wearing
gloves. It’s only a minor point, yet for
those of us in colder countries it is
likely to become the kind of feature
we take for granted.
Air View
Similar to Air Gestures,
Air View is not unlike
the mouse-over effect
you’ll be familiar with on your PC.
Hover your finger over a specific item
and you’ll get a small preview of that
item – contact details will be briefly
expanded to reveal more information,
or thumbnail images will blow up to
give you a better look.

21. 21
Need for speed
Screen test PenTile vs RGB
Will your S4 processor have four or eight cores, and does it matter?
What is a PenTile matrix screen, and is it any good?
The Galaxy S4 will be available in two different
variants, with different processors in each. The
I9500 model will feature Samsung’s own Exynos
1.6GHz octa-core processor, while the I9505 will
have the 1.9GHz Snapdragon 600 CPU (the same
as used in the new HTC One, albeit clocked faster).
The octa-core processor is quite interesting, and
since more cores have been adopted by spec
enthusiasts as a good thing, would appear to be
more desirable than the Snapdragon variant.
However, it’s not quite as simple as that. First, the
octa-core CPU might actually be more accurately
described as a dual quad-core CPU – rather than a
straight eight cores – it features four cores for
high-power functions and four for low-power usage,
with the aim of finding the perfect balance
between performance and battery life, so speed
improvements over the Snapdragon may be
negligible and nonexistent. Secondly, the Exynos
processor doesn’t currently support 4G LTE
networks, meaning the Snapdragon variant has
greater future proofing.
The phone will launch initially in the UK with the
Snapdragon processor, and be compatible with 4G
networks, although it is widely rumoured that the
Exynos version will be available in due course. Most
other markets with established 4G networks will
also have the Snapdragon offering at launch, with
some markets having both.
Early benchmark tests of the Snapdragon variant
of the S4 put it way ahead of the competition.
Primate Labs, the company behind the Geekbench
benchmarking software, has analysed the initial
tests of the processor and found that it beats all
the competition on all platforms by some margin.
This includes the iPhone 5 as well as last year’s
Galaxy S III.
Primate Labs founder John Poole commented on
his company’s blog: “It’s clear that the Samsung
Galaxy S4 will be the fastest smartphone available
when it is released in April. What’s not clear is how
the Galaxy S4 will handle the increased power and
cooling requirements that generally come with
faster processors.”
The Samsung Galaxy S4 features a
stunning five-inch, 1080p AMOLED display,
with a pixel density on a par with the Sony
Xperia Z, considerably higher than on the
iPhone 5, and bested only by the HTC One,
which packs the same resolution into a
4.7-inch panel.
However, display aficionados may be
disappointed to discover the S4’s screen
uses a PenTile matrix, which some argue
actually reduces the effective resolution.
Where the pixels on a traditional display
are created from red, green and blue
subpixels, a PenTile display most often
uses a red, green, blue, green subpixel
arrangement, just two subpixels per pixel.
The extra green pixels can potentially
result in a green tint on the display, while
the presence of a third fewer subpixels
could be interpreted as meaning the
display technically has a lower resolution
than is reported.
PenTile displays are used in AMOLED
screens for reasons of power and lifespan.
Blue subpixels require more power to
achieve the required brightness levels,
which in turn can reduce their lifespan.
Halving their number reduces the amount
of power needed, and so ensures they last
longer as well.
Whether this matters now is
questionable. It is generally agreed that at
a pixel density below 230ppi, the PenTile
matrix is clearly visible to the eye and is
therefore much less desirable. At much
denser levels, such as the 441ppi on the
S4 you’ll have to look very closely indeed to
discern them.
The subpixel arrangement on an RGB display (top) is tighter and
more uniform than on a PenTile screen
Source: www.primatelabs.com
Geekbench 2 benchmark scores
Samsung Galaxy S4
HTC One
LG Nexus 4
Samsung Galaxy S III
Apple iPhone 5
BlackBerry Z10
3163
2687
2040
1717
1596
1480
FeatureGalaxy S4 is here!«
“Itbeatsallthecompetition
onallplatformsby
somemargin”
tbeatsallthecompetition

22. 22
S3 vs S4
And the winner is...
Samsung Galaxy S4
There isn’t a single feature in the S4 that you could consider
revolutionary when compared to last year’s model. Yet when
you put all the smaller improvements together – the screen,
the battery, the software, the camera – it amounts to a
noticeable advancement over the S3. It should be more than
enough to keep the Galaxy in its position as the must-have
Android device. And, of course, it will mean that the still
excellent S3 will become available at even keener prices too!
We can’t get enough Galaxy.
So here we have Samsung’s brand-new S4, which is supposed to be better, not
bigger, but sleeker, than the S3, a phone that we have unconditionally loved since it
was released in March last year and which has served us well into the era of Jelly
Bean. But just how good is it? We look at the key areas of both phones, from
processor to software features, to work out if the S4 is a worthy upgrade (clue – it is).
It’s also handy to see why an S3 still represents good value and will be worth buying if
you don’t own one already.
Specscomparison
betweentheS4andits
predecessor
Feature
»Galaxy S4 is here!
So here we have Samsung’s brand-new S4, which is supposed to be better, not
bigger, but sleeker, than the S3, a phone that we have unconditionally loved since it
was released in March last year and which has served us well into the era of Jelly
Bean. But just how good is it? We look at the key areas of both phones, from
processor to software features, to work out if the S4 is a worthy upgrade (clue – it is).
It’s also handy to see why an S3 still represents good value and will be worth buying if
betweentheS4andits
It’s also handy to see why an S3 still represents good value and will be worth buying if
bigger, but sleeker, than the S3, a phone that we have unconditionally loved since it
was released in March last year and which has served us well into the era of Jelly
processor to software features, to work out if the S4 is a worthy upgrade (clue – it is).
It’s also handy to see why an S3 still represents good value and will be worth buying ifIt’s also handy to see why an S3 still represents good value and will be worth buying ifIt’s also handy to see why an S3 still represents good value and will be worth buying if
Samsung Galaxy S4Samsung Galaxy S3
One version (the one sold in the UK) has a
1.4GHz quad-core Cortex-A9 and the second has
a 1.5GHz dual-core Krait. With 1GB of RAM and
either 16 or 32GB of flash memory, a 2100mAh
battery finished things off nicely.
PROCESSOR AND
KEY SPECS
Version one has an Exynos octa-core 1.6GHz
processor while version two includes a
Qualcomm quad-core 1.9GHz processor. Both
have 2GB of RAM, 16, 32 or 64GB storage and a
beastly 2600mAh battery.
A thickness of 8.6mm combines with a height
of 136.6mm and a width of 70.6mm. It is made
of plastic but looks good with its large,
dominating screen.
DESIGN
AND BUILD
A sleek device that is just 7.9mm thick. At
137mm tall and 70mm wide, it is bigger than an
iPhone. It is made of plastic which can feel
rather cheap.
With eye-tracking and voice-control that gives
access to weather forecasts, web searching and
scheduling, the S3’s software features kept it
truly in the game. The machine-gun camera is a
great feature.
SOFTWARE
FEATURES
But the S4 improves. While software features
capable of running on S3 will be made available,
we like the pause-when-you-look-away-from-the-
screen feature and the touch-less interfacing
that can be done.
Released with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream
Sandwich, the S3 is upgradeable to 4.1 Jelly
Bean. It weighs 133g and that is more than the
S4 but not by a massive margin.
OTHER
FEATURES
The S4 runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. It can
take advantage of 4G too. The actual device
weighs 130g which isn’t hefty and will not weigh
down a pocket.
The 1,280 x 720 pixel screen looks wonderful.
The 4.8-inch screen allows for 306ppi which is
not as good as some of its rivals but does the
job incredibly well.
SCREEN
For all the talk of the iPhone 5, its four-inch 326
pixel screen doesn’t compare with the 1,920 x
1080 five-inch, 441 ppi screen of the S4 which
perhaps is better suited to a phablet.
Quite why the Galaxy S3 stuck with a 8-MP
camera from the S2 beats us. We forgave it
then and Buddy Photo Share, Burst Mode and
Face Zoom helped things along.
CAMERA
A whopping 13-MP offering makes all the
difference. Yes, it doesn’t always matter how
many pixels there are but this camera is a vast
improvement on the S3.
There isn’t a single feature in the S4 that you could consider
revolutionary when compared to last year’s model. Yet when
you put all the smaller improvements together – the screen,
the battery, the software, the camera – it amounts to a
advancement over the S3. It should be more than
enough to keep the Galaxy in its position as the must-have
it will mean that the still
excellent S3 will become available at even keener prices too!
SOFTWARE
FEATURES
But the S4 improves. While software features
capable of running on S3 will be made available,
we like the pause-when-you-look-away-from-the-
screen feature and the touch-less interfacing
that can be done.
CAMERACAMERA
A whopping 13-MP offering makes all the
difference. Yes, it doesn’t always matter how
many pixels there are but this camera is a vast
improvement on the S3.

23. 23
AccessoriesAccessories
HRM
This official heart rate monitor straps
around your chest while you’re out running
and the corresponding app will track your
health and fitness as you progress.
Body Scale
Another S Health related accessory. The
Body Scale is a set of bathroom scales that
Bluetooths your weight to the S4, plotting it
in the S Health app.
Wireless charging pad
No cutting edge device is complete without
wireless charging capability. Simply rest
your S4 on the pad when not in use and it
will be fully charged when you need it.
Griffin Reveal
A one-piece shell that adds less than 2mm
to the thickness of your device. With
rubberised edges it helps to protect the
phone from the impact of drops and falls.
Make your
own Galaxy S4
How to get the best new software from the S4 on your phone today
FeatureGalaxy S4 is here!«
Dual camera
WHAT IT DOES: With the
Dual Camera feature you
can shoot with both your
front and rear-mounted
cameras at the same
time, meaning you won’t
be cut out of the family
album if you’re the one
controlling the camera.
HOW YOU CAN TRY IT:
Multi-lens Camera (free).
There’s no direct alternative on the Play store for
using both cameras together, but an app like
Multi-lens Camera offers a very simple way of
combining multiple shots into a single image.
Optical
Reader
WHAT IT DOES: Scans
documents, business
cards and the like via the
camera and converts the
printed word into digital
form. An easy way to
combine your physical
and digital worlds.
HOW YOU CAN TRY IT:
Google Goggles (free).
Interacts with the physical
world better than any other. Point the camera at text
or pictures and it can help you identify them.
S Health
WHAT IT DOES: A suite of
tools that help your
Galaxy S4 handset
monitor your health and
fitness. Comes with a
range of accessories
including a heart rate
monitor and even a handy
set of scales.
HOW YOU CAN TRY IT:
Instant Heart Rate (free).
There are plenty of
separate health apps on the Play store. Instant Heart
Rate is a simple and effective way of tracking your
heart before and after exercise.
S Translator
WHAT IT DOES: Hold live
conversations with
people in various
languages. Simply speak
into your S4 and S
Translator will translate
and read aloud your
words in one of nine
different languages.
HOW YOU CAN TRY IT:
Google Translate (free).
Google’s similar app is
already well established as an excellent multi-lingual
tool. Like S Translator it needs a data connection, but
supports 64 languages.
S Voice Drive
WHAT IT DOES: Interacts
with your in-car Bluetooth
system to give you a fully
voice-controlled
smartphone. Whether for
texts or directions, you
can go hands-free while
on the road.
HOW YOU CAN TRY IT:
Text’nDrive Drive Safely
(free, pro version also
available). Google Maps Navigation already has a good
speech-controlled option as default, while this
application helps you compose or listen to text
messages while driving.
Samsung
WatchON
WHAT IT DOES:
Samsung’s TV remote
service incorporates
infrared for controlling
your viewing habits and
may be extended to other
equipment in and around
your home in future.
HOW YOU CAN TRY IT:
Sky+ (free). There’s no
substitute for an infrared
port, but if your Sky box is connected to your Wi-Fi
router then you can use the Sky+ apps to record
shows, manage your planner and change channels.

24. Discover features you never knew existed on your phone or
tablet with this in-depth guide to Android’s hidden secrets
GetmorefromtheGalleryapp
01Use the Filmstrip view
While browsing your photos, pinch on a
single photo to bring up a filmstrip-style view that
makes it easier to flick between your images.
03Take pictures while recording
As you record using the video function on
your device, long-press on your screen and you
can take a photo of that frame for safe keeping.
02Apply custom crop
Go to the Crop feature within the Gallery
app and locate the small menu at the bottom
that lets you choose a crop template to use.
24
Feature
»35 Android secrets

25. Hiddenmenusandmore
04Edit personal dictionary
The stock Android keyboard has a limited
dictionary, but you can add words to it by going
into the Personal Dictionary folder within the
Language & Input menu. Add as many words as
you like – or know!
05Track
your
battery usage
Press on the graph in
the Battery section in
your Settings app to
uncover a more thorough
and comprehensive
graph listing, showing
how your phone battery
is being used.
06Solve sudokus with Goggles
One of the coolest features in Google
Goggles is something you wouldn’t expect an app
to do. Simply use the app to take a picture of a
sudoku puzzle and the app will finish it for you.
07Beanflinger Easter egg
Long press on the Android version number
in your Settings application to see the hidden
Beanflinger screen.
08Avoid delivery reports
Depending on your network, delivery
reports can cost you 1p for every time you send a
text message. To disable them, go to your
message settings and find the Stop Delivery
Reports option and enable that. To check if it has
worked properly, it’s best to check your phone bill
at the end of the month.
09Reboot to
safe mode
Need to rid your phone
of malicious software?
No problem. Long press
on your power button
and on the Power Off
tab that appears. You
can now choose to
boot your phone up in
safe mode.
10Add faces to Face Unlock
You can add several faces to the Face
Unlock feature to make sure it recognises you
when you try to unlock it. Particularly useful if
you’re prone to growing a beard!
11Offline voice input
You don’t need to be online to use the
voice search function on your phone or tablet. Go
to Settings>Language & Input>Voice Search and
select Download Offline Speech Recognition.
12Filter your
app content
There are over 675,000
apps on the Play store and
some of them aren’t
suitable for younger users.
To block them from your
searches, go to the Play
store’s Settings page and
edit the Content Filter list.
13Secret keyboard symbols
Long-press on a specific letter on your
keyboard to add accents to it.
19Alternate
driving
directions
See different
driving paths in
Navigation to
help avoid
traffic and
roadworks.
18Invite
friends
toLatitude
Connect
Google Latitude
to your
Facebook
account and
see where
your friends
are going.
17Geta
quick
address
Long-press on
a building or
road to see
the exact
address and
post code.
16Find
your
Location
history
Find the
Location
history tab in
Maps’ main
menu to see
your most
visited places.
15One
finger
zoom
Double-tap,
long-press and
then slide your
finger up or
down to zoom
in and out
within a Google
Maps view.
Domorewith
GoogleMaps
14Topsecretdiallingcodes
Built in to the Android OS are a series of dialling codes that when
entered will activate a number of hidden features and settings that
you can take a look at on your phone. To get them to work, type
them exactly as you see below, and wait a few seconds for the
outcome to appear.
Note: Not all dialling codes work with every device.
*2767*3855# – Hard reset your phone
*#*#1472365#*#* – Quick GPS test
*#06# – Displays IMEI number
*#*#34971539#*#* – Shows complete information about your
device’s camera
*#*#526#*#* – Wi-Fi tests
*#*#4636#*#* – General phone information
*#*#1234#*#* – Firmware information
*#*#0842#*#* – Vibration and backlight test
*#*#44336#*#* – Displays build time and changes list number
25
Feature35 Android secrets«

26. 24Full screen browsing
Type ‘chrome://flags/’ in the address bar
and enable the WebGL option. Then go to http://
bit.ly/10QfLqM and select Start Experiment to
begin your full screen browsing experience.
26Find data savings
Type ‘chrome://net-internals/’ into the
address bar to open up some advanced settings.
Scroll down and choose the Bandwidth option to
see how much data you’re currently saving.
25Enable auto-fill
One of the new features in Chrome is
being able to use auto-fill on any emails and
passwords you use. Find the Auto-Fill option
within the Sync folder in Chrome’s Settings.
20Developer options in
Android 4.2
In previous versions of the Android OS,
the Developer options menu has come as
standard, but with Android 4.2 the menu
seems to be missing. The menu can be
retrieved with a bit of digging, however.
Go to Settings>About Phone and find the
tab listing the build number of your
device. Make seven short presses on this
tab to bring the Developer options back to
your Settings menu for you to use
whenever you need it. All the settings and
toggles within this menu are the same as
they were in previous OS versions.
22Update apps on
different Google
accounts
You could have a series of Google
accounts for many reasons, but trying to
keep the downloaded apps on each of
them updated can be a difficult and
time-consuming project. A great way to
quicken the process up is by going into
the My Apps section of the Play store,
navigate to the Update tab and select a
different email account from the menu
provided. This menu lists each app that
has been installed on each device and
you can choose which apps to update.
21Simple settings toggle
The new settings window is a
great way of gaining access to some of
your most commonly accessed menus
and settings. You can make the process
of altering some of the settings listed
here even quicker, however. By long-
pressing on the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or
Aeroplane mode buttons, you’ll be able to
instantly turn them on or off without ever
needing go into the actual menu. The only
limit to this feature is that you’ll be unable
to choose the Wi-Fi network you connect
to, so for that, you’ll need to venture into
the appropriate menu.
23Swipe-to-delete
gesture in Gmail
The Gmail service has recently undergone
a massive update and there’s now a
whole host of features to uncover. One of
the biggest features, and one that was
desperately wanted by the Android
community, was a new way of quickly
deleting messages from your inbox. By
simply swiping to the right on the email
you want to delete, it will now
automatically be placed in your Deleted
folder. On top of this, there’s also a new
menu in Gmail’s settings to alter what the
swipe function does.
TweakChromeforfasterbrowsing
26
Feature
»35 Android secrets

27. 27Profeaturesin
theCalendarapp
One of the most overlooked apps
that comes as standard on most
Android devices is the Calendar
app. As well as being a simple
way to keep track of
appointments and important
dates, there are plenty of
additional features buried within
the app that you can also use.
The latest update to the Calendar
enabled users to put together
their own interactive notifications
that can display appointment
details on. If you’re an avid
Calendar app user you can look
up previous entries to mimic
them and create the same
notification as before, which is a
massive help if trying to create
lots of entries at the same time.
Finally, by long-pressing on a date,
you’ll be able to create a new
entry using the month view mode.
After creating a
standard event, a
notification will be
automatically
created. The layout
and detail of the
notification can be
changed in the
Settings menu
Long-press on any date on
your calendar and select the
Create Event option to create
a new entry on your calendar
using the month view mode
When entering an
event location,
press on the menu
button provided to
see suggestions
based on your
previous Calendar
entries
28Rename Wi-Fi hotspot
The Wi-Fi hotspot feature is great for
sorting out pesky internet issues and connecting
your non-3G devices to the internet. Although the
Wi-Fi hotspot is a well-known feature, by opening
up the
settings page
relating to
your hotspot,
you can
rename it to a
name that
suits you
while also
customising
the password
needed to
connect to it.
29Use 2G only
3G is a massive drain on your battery life,
so to help save some precious minutes, turn on
the Use 2G Only option within the Settings menu.
Although your connection will be slower, it will
certainly save you precious battery life.
31Stop screen from sleeping
Having your screen turn itself off while
you’re using it can be an annoyance, but it’s an
easy fix if you look in the right place. Choose the
Stop Screen from Sleeping option within
Developer options to disable it.
32Show RAM usage
Open up the Apps menu within your
Settings and scroll across to the Running tab.
Press on the Show Cached Process button found
in the top-right of the app to see a display of
where your RAM is being used.
34Shortcuts for contacts
Instead of filling your various home
screens with widgets, why not create a shortcut
of your most contacted numbers on your device
instead? Open up the Contacts app and long-
press on a contact’s name to add a shortcut of
them directly onto your home screen.
33Change your spell checker
Navigate to the Language & Input section
of the Settings menu and find the Keyboard
section within. From this menu you can find
details about your spell checker and customise
the language you want it to recognise.
35YouTube as a second screen
One of the best things about the default
YouTube app is being able to connect it to your
PS3 and Xbox 360 accounts. When you then use
the YouTube app on either console, you can
control it using the playback controls on your
phone or tablet.
30Full screen movies
While watching a movie in the Play
Movies app, press on the screen symbol located
in the top-right of the app to play the movie in full
screen mode. That way you make better use of
your device’s extra screen real estate.
“Additional
featuresburied
withintheapp”
27
Feature35 Android secrets«

28. TutorialsTutorials
28
Getmorefromthe
Googleapps
T
he staple of many an
Android phone is the
range of Google apps
that come with it straight out of the
box. These apps perform a wide
variety of functions to help make
using your device that little easier,
and in some cases they can unlock
new features on your device. With so
much on offer in these apps, it can be
hard to keep track of all the features
they include, but with the help of this
masterclass, we’ll help you discover
some new things to try out with the
Google suite on your device.
In our first tutorial we’ll be delving
into Google’s own social network site,
Google+, and showing you how to
make free video calls to your friends
and family. One of the newest Google
apps to be launched is the Google
Settings app. This is the hub for all
your various Google accounts and
we’ll show you how to get started with
it. The app in focus in our third
tutorial is Google Maps, and how by
digging a little deeper you can find
alternate driving directions for your
journey. Our final two tutorials cover
extra features in Gmail and Google
Now, respectively.
UnlockadvancedfeaturesfromGoogle’sbiggestapps
»masterclass
EvenmoreGoogle ThreeGoogleappsyoushoulddownloadnow
Add two-step
passwords
» Google
Authenticator
UsethisGoogle
applicationtoadda
two-tierpassword
systemforwheneveryou
orsomeoneelsetriesto
accessyourGoogle
account.The
Authenticatorappgives
youauniquePINtouse
aftereverylogin,helping
youtokeepyouraccount
safeandgiveyouthat
extrapeaceofmind.
Whetheryou
accidentallydeletea
Googleapporyour
devicedidn’tcome
withitasstandard,
you’llbeableto
downloadeach and
everyoneofthemfrom
theGooglePlaystore
forfree.
I don’t have a
certain Google app on
my phone, can I
download it?
Track your
website’s
progress
» Google Analytics
Ifyouhaveawebsite
(businessorpersonal)
you’dliketokeeptrackof,
useGoogleAnalytics to
tracktrafficand other
statisticaldataregarding
it.There’sarealtime page
whereyoucanseehow
manypeoplearecurrently
onyoursiteanda
day-by-daybreakdown on
whatbitsofyoursite were
themostpopular.
Find new
information
» Google
Goggles
GoogleGoggles
performsafullGoogle
searchbasedon
somethingyouscanor
takeaphotoof.It’s
remarkablycleverat
figuringoutthepicture
inquestionandthen
providingyouwithallthe
informationaboutit,but
sometimesitlinksto
placeswhereyoucan
findoutevenmore.
GoogleappsUnlockadvancedfeaturesfromGoogle’sbiggestapps
In our first tutorial we’ll be delving
into Google’s own social network site,
make free video calls to your friends
One of the newest Google
we’ll show you how to get started with
ThreeGoogleappsyoushoulddownloadnow
I don’t have a
certain Google app on
my phone, can I
download it?
Track your
website’s
progress
» Google Analytics
Ifyouhaveawebsite
(businessorpersonal)
Find new
information
» Google
Goggles
GoogleGoggles
performsafullGoogle
“Withthehelpofthis
masterclass,we’llhelp
youdiscoversomenew
thingstotryoutwith
theGooglesuiteon
yourdevice”

29. 29
Startavideo
hangoutin
Google+
Master
theGoogle
Settings
application
Usejustoneappto
controlthevarious
settingsofallyour
Googleappsand
linkedaccounts
You’ll find plenty of Google+ settings you
can alter within the app. All changes will
automatically update the corresponding
account it’s linked with.
3
2
guide
min
You can change how your phone starts
up a Google Search by pressing it from
the menu. There’s also the option to choose
the type of results you want displayed.
2
The app’s main screen will list a variety
of options you can change and edit.
Making changes should benefit the various
Google apps stored on your device.
1
After adding all the contacts you want to
chat to, you are ready to begin your video hangout.
All your contacts will be represented by a
thumbnail at the top of the app, but by pressing on
one of the thumbnails, you can see them in full
screen mode instead.
Go full screen4
After opening up your Google+ profile,
scroll from the left-hand side of the screen to
reveal the side menu. From here you’ll need to
choose the Hangouts tab that is labelled half-way
down the list. Then, you get to choose between a
video or non-video hangout.
Find Hangouts1
Now choose a single contact to start your
video chat with. Your phone will begin to call that
person and you should soon see yourself on your
device’s screen. By then pressing the back button
on your phone, you can start adding more people
to the hangout.
Who to add?3
Depending on how many people you’re
connected to on Google+, you’ll now need to
confirm which circles you want to include in your
video chat. If you want to add someone to your
video chat who you aren’t connected with, just
input their email address.
Confirm your circles2
F
or those who are new to Google+, video hangouts are a novel way of being able
to stay in contact with some of your closest friends and family. Not only does it
work in the same way as a messenger program would, you can also take full
advantage of your camera’s video function by performing Skype-like video chats. Once you’ve
set up your video hangout, you can then add people from your various circles to take part and
create a truly social experience. Quality is generally good and easily matches the likes of Viber,
Tango and Skype.
Performfreevideocallsin
Google’ssocialnetwork
Works with »Android 2.2 and up Difficulty »Easy
»m
asterclass
Getm
orefrom
theGoogleapps
advantage of your camera’s video function by performing Skype-like video chats. Once you’ve

30. 30
Tutorials
Routingandre-routing
inGoogleMapsAvoidtrafficand
roadworksby
discovering
differentroutes
toyour
destination
T
here’s no denying that Google Maps
is not just one of the best Google apps
around, but possibly one of the best
on the Play store. A large portion of the app is used to
help you get from one place to another by providing
you with the best and most convenient route and
directions. Google Maps can then be used as a fully
featured satnav replacement and with the help of the
Navigation beta that is built in to the Maps app, you’ll
find your way to your destination without any issues.
On occasion, however, you might come across a
sudden traffic jam or collision, leaving the route
you’re travelling on to be slow, congested or even
impassable. This isn’t a problem though, as with
Maps and Navigation you’ll be able to easily discover
alternative driving routes to reach your destination
and avoid long queues altogether – and road rage! By
following our tutorial we’ll show you where you can
find the alternative route option and how to
implement it while you’re on the move.
Depending on your route, Navigation will
now give you a couple of alternatives that bypass
the worst of the traffic congestion. By simply
selecting one of these with a tap, the app will
automatically redirect you and give you a new set
of directions to follow.
Choose a different route5
Open up the Google Maps app from your
device’s app drawer and follow the instructions to
turn on your phone’s GPS if it isn’t already
activated. Once opened, press on the Direction
tab at the bottom of the screen to continue on to
the next step.
Open up Google Maps1
In Navigation your route is labelled in
different colours depending on how busy it is. Lots
of red on your route means you should look for an
alternate route. Press the Menu button at the
bottom of the app and choose Route and
alternatives from the options displayed.
Look for alternate routes4
Use this menu to input where you want to
get directions from and the destination you want
to arrive at. Once you’ve entered all the
information that’s required, press on the Get
Directions tab to get your planned route explained
to you in a series of straightforward instructions.
Search for directions2
Your route will now appear in front of you,
but to follow it you’ll need to open up the
Navigation Beta feature by pressing the compass
arrow in the bottom-left of the screen. This will
take a few seconds to load as it generates a
thorough overview of your route.
Access Navigation Beta3
Works with »Android 2.3 and above Difficulty »Easy
on the Play store.

31. 31
ExplorenewGoogleNowactionsNewcardsandvoiceactionsmakeGoogleNowevenmoreusefulthaneverbefore
It’ll take a few seconds for your individual
account settings to load up so be patient, but
once loaded, scroll down the list until you reach
Signature under the main options. Press on this
option to begin inputting your personalised email
signature to your chosen account.
Find signature option2 You can add whatever you like in your email
signature, but unfortunately you can’t edit or
format the text once completed to add an even
more personal touch. After finishing, press OK and
your signature will automatically be added to all
your sent email from that point on.
Create the signature3Open up the Gmail app as you would
normally and navigate to the menu button in the
bottom-right of the app. From the list that now
appears, select the Settings option to continue.
On the next screen, select the correct account you
want to create a signature for.
Open up Settings1
Addcustomsignatures
intheGmailappPersonaliseyouremailsbyadding
bespokesignaturestothem
Works with »Android 4.0 and above Difficulty »Easy
»m
asterclass
Getm
orefrom
theGoogleapps
Message us!
Get in touch via Facebook
and Twitter
»facebook/littlegreenrobot
Get help from our
Facebook community
»twitter@lgrobot
Follow us to send your
questions and thoughts
One of the new voice actions
you can use in Google Now is
the event locator that lists all events
that are currently happening near
you. If there’s nothing currently
happening near you, the app will
perform a Google search for events.
One of the coolest new cards
implemented into Google Now
is the ability to get a QR version of
your boarding pass that can be used
with most airlines just before your
flight. It also includes vital flight
information that you can check out.
By asking Google Now to scan
a barcode, the app will
automatically bring up a barcode
scanner and link you to an online
version of the product you scanned.
A great way to buy online without
having to go through a web browser.
Google is constantly looking to
implement information about
any recognisable landmarks in the
UK and the rest of the world. By
asking Google Now to look for local
landmarks, the app will give you
information about what is nearby.
1 2 3 4
intheGmailapp

32. 32
Tutorials
Useyour
phoneasa
remotecontrol
L
et’s be honest, we take our Android
devices with us everywhere. When we’re
sat watching TV or surfing the internet,
it’s a decent bet that there’s going to be an
Android device somewhere close by. Well,
what if you could use that Android device to
connect to your home entertainment
network, tapping on the screen to pause your
entertainment, manage files and whatever
else you’re playing with when you’re on your
PC or smart TV.
Well, to coin a phrase, there are some apps
for that, and in this tutorial we’re going to
walk you through getting one set up, and give
you a few tips about what to look out for
before you buy a new TV to make sure your
Android devices are going to be happy
talking to it. We live in a world where
everything is connected, so it makes sense
that your Android device should be part of it
too. So, without further ado, let’s look at the
cool stuff your phone and tablet can do…
Works with »Android 1.5 and up Difficulty »Intermediate
Once the server and the app are installed,
tap the button and your phone or tablet will search
for your PC. When it brings up the server list, tap
on the right one and you’re all set to start
controlling your PC remotely.
Connect your device3You’ll have to download the server that lets
your PC talk to your Android device. Head over to
unifiedremote.com and download the version of
the software that’s right for your PC. You’ll need to
make sure it can get through your Firewall too.
Download the server2First up, head over to Google Play and grab
Unified Remote. There’s a free version, but if you
like that we recommend grabbing the paid version.
It doesn’t cost much and it adds extra support for
a lot more programs and media players.
Go get the app1
More options
Tapping on the button at the
bottom-right of the screen that
looks like a play symbol will open
the program, and tapping on the
icon that looks like a set of drawers
lets you quickly switch between the
remotes for different programs you
have favourited
Different combos
It might seem cumbersome at first to
have different remote screens for
different programs, but with the various
combinations of controls required, it’s a
much better system than trying to figure
out which button does what every time
you load up a different media player
Controls
The buttons are pretty self
explanatory, and set out in a way
that’s going to be easy to
understand for anyone who’s ever
picked up a remote control before.
Tapping at the bottom lets you
control the mouse, the keyboard or
use voice commands
Different remotes
This is Unified Remote, an app that turns
your phone into a multi-functional remote
control for your PC. There are different
remotes for different programs, and it also
lets you use your device to control the
cursor. This is the remote for Windows
Media Center
TheGalaxyS4andHTCOnecanbeusedas
remotecontrols.Here’showtoaddthe
featuretoyourphone,too.

33. 33
Before you start though, it’s a good idea to
get everything set up just the way you like it. From
the main menu, tap on the Preferences option and
you’ll be able to have a play round with a vast
amount of settings.
Set your preferences4
Next up choose one of your remotes. This
is the Google Music remote for example. Tap on
the bottom-right button to bring up the service or,
if it’s already open, use your Android device as a
touch pointer to navigate to it.
Have a play6
You can set up customised widgets on
your home screens so that you don’t even need to
open the app to get control. It’s pretty complicated
to set them up though, as you need to program
what the different buttons do.
Get adventurous8
It’s important to remember that the
remote won’t work on programs that aren’t
currently in focus on Windows. It’s simple enough
to rectify though thanks to the fact you can quickly
use the remote as a touchpad or keyboard.
Stay focused7
From the Preferences menu scroll down to
Quick Switch. This is where you can set the
remotes you’re going to be using most. Tap on it,
then select your media players from the list to set
them as quick switch favourites.
Find your players5
It doesn’t take much to connect a PC to
your TV, which means with a few cables and a bit
of know-how you’ve now got a media system
controlled wirelessly from your Android device. Just
make sure you don’t run out of charge.
Show off to your friends9
Need help?
Got a problem with your
Android phone or tablet?
Get in touch with us...
»facebook/littlegreenrobot
Get help from our
Facebook community
»twitter@lgrobot
Follow us to send your
questions and thoughts
»emailqa@littlegreenrobot.co.uk
Send your questions for our team of
experts to tackle
ForusingyourAndroidsmartphonetocontrolyourPCorTV
1Carefulwhatyoutype
Predictivetextdoesn’talwayswork
asitshouldwhenyou’resending
infotoyourPC.
2Readthe manual
Pickaremoteapplicationwithlots
ofsupportandyou’relesslikelyto
getstuckwithproblems.
3Play indifferentrooms
Wi-Fiappsmeanyoudon’tneedto
beinthesameroomtobeincontrol
ofyourmediacentre.
4Think outofthe box
Astrongnetworkconnectionmeans
youneedn’thaveyourPCandTV
nexttoeachother.
5UseyourNFC
NFCtags canbe settoactivate the
remote whenyoulayyour
smartphonedown,forexample.
quick
tips
Can I use my
Android device to
control my TV?
It all depends on your TV. A lot
of modern smart TV
manufacturers, like Panasonic,
Sony and Samsung, have apps
on the Google Play store that let
you use your Android device, so
it’s always best to have a read
up before you buy. It’s likely if
your new TV can connect to the
internet via Wi-Fi that there will
be an app you can use to
control it on your phone.
Are there apps
other than Unified
Remote that let me
control my PC?
There are plenty. Unified
Remote is among the best, but
a lot of it comes down to
personal preference. Some
apps need more technological
nous than others as well. Our
best advice is to find trial
versions of the apps and see
which one suits you best.
Ask your own
question online at
littlegreenrobot.co.uk

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35. 35
Working
with
thenew
lockscreen
Works with »Android 4.2 Difficulty » Easy
T
he Android lockscreen adds a level of
security to a device and the latest
version has been given a revamp. The
default lockscreen uses the slide method for
unlocking, but now the user can drag in
any direction and unlock. Different screen
security options will offer variations on the
unlock option. Users can add a PIN,
Password, Pattern or use the Face Unlock
feature to gain access to a device.
Adding a PIN, Password or Pattern
reveals additional options including the
option to automatically lock a device
after a set time period. Plus, users can
set up the power button to instantly
lock a device. A selection of widgets
including Email, Gmail, Google+ posts
and Calendar can be added to the
lockscreen for quick access.
Discoverthenewfeaturesinthe
updatedAndroid4.2lockscreen
Multiple users
If a device has multiple users these
will be placed along the bottom of
the screen just above the Google
button. Each user is assigned a
different colour and the currently
selected user will be larger in size.
Select an alternative user to switch
to their lockscreen
Managinglockscreensecurity
Thelockscreen,bydefault,simplylocksthescreentostopusersaccidentally
openingappsandchangingsettings.Nowit’stimetoaddanewlevelofsecurity…
Google hub
The Google connection is subtly
placed at the bottom of the
screen. Tap the small dotted
circle to activate the Google Now
icon. Drag to the Google Now icon
to open and start using the
related Google services
Widgets
The digital clock widget takes centre
stage, but dragging the screen to the right
will reveal the add screen. Tap to reveal
the available widgets; these include Gmail,
Calendar and Email. Tap a widget to add to
the lockscreen. To remove a widget, tap,
hold and drag away
Add texts
To add more information to the
lockscreen, or a personal message,
head to Settings. Under Security
will be Owner Info, tap and add a
text message. The message will be
automatically added to the
lockscreen. A user can only add a
text message
The power button is used to
shut down a device, but selecting the
PIN, Password or Pattern options
enables the power button to be used
as an instant lock. Switch the option
on to activate and tap the power
button to lock the screen.
Power button3Selecting the PIN, Password or
Pattern option will activate the
Automatically lock option. By default,
this is set to 5 seconds, so after five
seconds the screen locks. Tap
Automatically lock to change the lock
time to suit you better.
Automatic lock2
Security
Access to a device will differ
depending on the screen security
option chosen. The default screen
lock slide option simply enables the
user to slide the padlock to get
access to the device. To add an
extra layer of security choose a
Password, Pattern or PIN
To stop users accessing a
device, switch from Slide to Pattern,
PIN or Password. To change option,
go to Settings, select Security, tap
Screen lock, choose your option and
add the relevant details before
setting up a new screen lock option.
Secure screen lock1