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already expansive list of Power off,
Reboot and Screenshot.
To expand on the available options
on a non-rooted, stock Android
release then just open
Settings>Buttons>Power menu and
activate these options you would like
to see added to the power menu.
This is only the beginning of your
ower (menu) trip. By flashing a
recovery, you should see additional
options (when you tap Reboot, the
options to reboot into Recovery and
Bootloader are displayed). Installing a
custom ROM might see some further
alternatives, such as toggling mobile
data or activating a built-in screen
record tool.
An increased selection of options in
the Power menu can save time and
make your Android device easier to use.

Android use


at night
Using your Android device in the
dark can prove uncomfortable,

especially if you’re picking up your
phone to answer a call in the dead
of night. A bright display can
certainly wake you up, but it might
also hurt your eyes.
Various tools are available to
assist here, but begin by ensuring
that your Android display is set to the
automaticoptionin
Settings>Display>Brightness.
Next, you might consider a tool
such as the free Screen Filter in
Google Play, which adds an
adjustable software screen filter to
your display. It’s particularly useful
for playing video games and reading
eBooks in low-light environments
When you use it on AMOLED
displays, it will save battery life too.
Finally,NightModeisaPlay
Storeappspecificallydesignedfor
using an Android device at night.
With the ability to set a minimum
brightness and disable button
backlights, this is the ultimate tool
for configuring Android for use in
the darkness without giving
yourself a headache.

searching for “instwogram” at
xda-developers.com
You will need to have Unknown
Sources enabled in
Settings>Security as the app isn’t
available in Google Play.
Installing version 5.1.4 is advised
at present for the full set of photo
and video features (later versions
work but without video, so if this isn’t
required you can use these versions).
Once installed you will need to run
the app, which is a clone of the
genuine Instagram, and add your
account credentials. You will then
have the ability to snap and share
photos with either of the two
Instagram accounts.


Edit your


power menu


Shutting down your phone used to
be a case of pressing the power
button and waiting. In the
smartphone age, a bunch of
alternatives can be added to the


Upload photos and video to a second
Instagram account with Instwogram

OS
Short for ‘operating system’. Often the
Android ROM will be referred to as the
OS–thisjustmeansthesystemfiles
on the Android device that make up
your user experience, similar to
Windows,MacOSXorUbuntuona
desktop computer.

ROM
Standsfor‘read-onlymemory’.Inthe
contextofAndroid,theROMrefersto
thefilesthatmakeuptheoperating
system installed on your device.
Gaining root privileges allows for
replacement of the standard ROM
withacustomone.

Root
‘Rooting’ your phone gives apps access
to parts of the OS that are normally
hidden from consumers. This enables
youtorunmorepowerfulsoftwareand
install custom ROMs on your phone.

ROM Manager
An app available from the Android
Market that enables you to install
a whole new version of your OS with
a single click. It requires a rooted
phonetouseandisidealforthose
new on the scene.

Titanium Backup
ThisappfromtheMarketenablesyou
to back up everything on your phone
–apps,data,settingsandall.Itmeans
thatyoucanrestoreyourphonetohow
it was, even after you’ve updated or
changed the ROM.

Unrevoked
Available fromwww.unrevoked.com,
this is a one-click tool that can be
used for rooting many popular
HTC smartphones.

ADB
Stands for ‘Android Debug Bridge’. ADB
is mainly used for software
development, but it also has some
uses for hacking your phone. It can be
used to push files onto the system
folder, for instance.

Nandroid
You might come across the phrase
‘perform a Nandroid backup’. This
meansusingacustomrecoverytool
tomakeaback-upimageofeverything
currentlyonyourphone:OS,apps,
data, etc. It’s very useful should you
wishtorestoreyourphonetoits
previous state later.

Radio
‘Radio’ refers to the software on your
Android device that deals with making
phone calls and data connections.
Updating your radio version can bring
better battery life and signal strength
to your device. Some ROMs require the
latest radio.

Flash
The storage in your device comprises
flashmemory,atypeofsolid-state
storage. The terms ‘flash’ or ‘flashing’
mean installing new software onto your
device’s storage.

Getuptospeedonallthe
terms you need to know
when hacking your phone

Get the Lollipop look Three apps to giveyourAndroidaMaterialDesignmakeover


ai.Android
L-Lollipop
keyboard
Price: Free
From: Play store
Need root? No
This Lollipop-looking
theme will need the
free ai-type keyboard
theming app, but you
will be able to sport
Material Design before
your update arrives!

LTheme
Price:Free
From:Play store
Need root?No
Using a stock ROM? If
you really can’t wait
for Lollipop, consider
this Material Design
theme for your home
screen and native
apps – it requires the
free Themer Launcher
app (also free).

Chrome Beta
Price: Free
From: Play store
Need root? No
Enjoy the future of
Android browsing,
today! Chrome Beta
has Lollipop’s Material
Design slick aesthetic,
and using this for just a
few minutes will help
you adjust to the new
look for Android.

Jargon


Buster


Add new menu items to the power menu to
save time when its pressed

Don’t hurt your eyes or get a headache using
Android in the dark
Free download pdf