So you’ve lost your Android phone or had it stolen and you’re kind of in panic mode, eh? As important as smartphones have become in our everyday lives, misplacing them is one of the most scary things that can happen, but we’re here to help.

Most people think it’s only about the burden of having to replace the phone, which can cost anywhere from $100 to $700 depending on whether you’ve got insurance. But the reality is that your privacy and security are at risk.

Your phone holds tons of info about not only you, but those who are close to you. Someone who gets their hands on your phone may have access to sensitive information such as racy pictures you don’t intend for anyone else to see, phone numbers and addresses, and even financial info. You also might be subject to losing precious memories that simply can’t be replaced.

In most cases you’ll want your exact phone back. At the very least you’ll want ways to potentially recover important files, and either lock access to the phone or completely wipe it so you know all your stuff is safe. Fortunately, you should no longer feel helpless: long gone are the days where you are totally out of options when your phone disappears.

Quick Tips to get your lost phone search started

This article goes in depth with step-by-step tutorials on the top ways to recover your lost Android device, but we’ve collected your best options in bullets to get your search underway as quick as possible.

• The best offense is a good defense: your phone may already be equipped with the proper tools for locating your device and securing it from a remote location using tools like Android Device Manager and Lookout. Once you’ve got your phone back, take preventative measures so this doesn’t happen again.
• Using apps like AirDroid to remotely access files and information that you need to recover, as well as using advanced features like remote camera access and SMS text messaging.
• Using smartwatch smart watches to ensure you and your phone are never far apart.
• And, of course, we’ll be showing you what you can do in the event that you weren’t aptly prepared to find your lost Android phone.

Sound good to you? Well, make no delay — let’s get going!

Making sure you’re prepared

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” “Brush your teeth to prevent cavities.” “Watch your step to ensure you don’t fall.” We’re often reminded throughout our life that it’s best to do everything in our power to avoid sticky situations, thus doing away with the need for remedies in the first place. The same is true for making sure you don’t lose your smartphone.

There aren’t many things you can do to prevent actually losing your smartphone — use common sense, keep your phone in your pocket, and make sure you always have it on you before moving from place to place — but there are some things you can use (mainly in the form of apps) to make sure you aren’t totally SoL the moment you lose it.

Enable a lock-screen pattern

First thing’s first — enable a lock-screen pattern or password. This won’t do anything to help you find your phone in the event that it gets lost, but if you lose your phone then you can at least breath easily knowing your information and privacy are protected.

Some folks might find it frustrating to constantly unlock a device each time they need to use it. For that reason, some devices allow you to set a time limit before the device’s password is put into effect. If you really can’t stand using a lock pattern or password day-to-day, then you’ll want to read on to find out how you can enable a password from a remote location.

Options for setting a lock-screen pattern are typically located under the Settings > Security orSettings > Display > Lock Screen menus on your phone. If you can’t find it, consult your phone’s manual.

In case of emergency

Again, this isn’t something that’s going to immediately or directly assist you, but it could help a good Samaritan return your smartphone. A lot of phones have options for setting up lock-screen info, like your name and an alternative number you can be reached in case the phone is lost. Be sure to explore your options for whichever phone you have.

You’ll also want to download an app like ICE. This is a good replacement for emergency lock-screen info if your phone lacks built-in tools, but it also has features for calling relevant emergency response groups and getting in touch with emergency contacts you specify. In fact, this is a good app to have just for day-to-day peace of mind in case anything happens to you (such as collapsing from a heart attack).

Enabling and using the Android Device Manager

Your primary option for making sure you’ll be able to locate your phone is to make sure your device is properly registered and accessible via the Android Device Manager. This is a handy little tool thatGoogle released back in 2013, and they have used the advent of Google Play Services to make sure nearly every modern Android device is equipped with it. Many devices come with the feature enabled out of the box, but you will want to double check and make sure that yours is squared away before you set foot into the dangerous world.

For starters, you will have to make sure that the Android Device Manager is enabled as a device administrator by going to Settings > Security and Screen Lock > Device Administrators on your Android device. The exact location and name of the menus might differ from phone to phone, so poke around or consult your user manual for your specific device if you can’t find it. From here, simply check the box that says “Android Device Manager.”

This will also be a good time to head into your device’s location settings and make sure your GPS services are fully enabled and functional. While full GPS isn’t necessarily required for locating a device, it will make the reading more accurate so you’ll have a clear idea of the device’s exact location. GPS doesn’t drain your battery unless it’s actively being used, so it wouldn’t hurt to leave it on for good (unless you’re a tad paranoid about people snooping on your whereabouts and whatnot).

Next, find the “Google Settings” application in your app drawer, and select Android Device Manager from the list of options. From there, make sure you check the boxes named “Remotely locate this device” and “Allow remote lock and factory reset.” These options will be self-explanatory once you head to the browser-based dashboard that you’ll be using.

Which leads us to the Android Device Manager website. Always located at this link (bookmark it, and don’t forget it), the Android Device Manager dashboard is a very simple user interface that is used to locate all your devices from a remote location. A Google Maps-based user interface will show the last known location of your device, which will be updated up to the minute if the phone is still powered on and connected to the internet.

You can also use this interface to start a loud ring that will help you locate the phone if you suspect it’s in a nearby area. You also get options for remotely locking and remotely wiping the device in case you are handling sensitive documents and files on your mobile device.

Remotely wiping your device should be a last-ditch move in the event that you know your phone is not recoverable, because once you perform this action your device will no longer be tied to your Google account (thus rendering the Android Device Manager useless). Finally, be sure to download the Android Device Manager app from the Google Play Store if you ever need to use the service from another Android device.

Using Lookout

If, for whatever reason, you can’t use the Android Device Manager, then consider Lookout. It’s a fine alternative, and it offers a much more compelling suite of general security features. But speaking only about its phone location tools, Lookout gets the job done just as well as any other.

It has all the typical bells and whistles, such as locating your phone using GPS (it’ll make a point to save the phone’s last GPS location right before the battery hits empty) and sounding the alarm. It also has a great feature that will send an email of a photo and location if someone tries and fails to use your lock code five times, something the Android Device Manager can’t boast.

Unfortunately you do have to pay for a premium subscription if you want the ability to remotely lock and wipe the device. Besides all that, though, the same tips and tricks from the previous section apply — make sure your GPS is on and ready for that one unfortunate moment when you do happen to lose your phone.

We’d also shy away from using the persistent Lookout icon in your notification bar, as this could tip any burglars off to your ability to locate the phone. Find the Android app here, and head to Lookout’s sitefor the web interface you’ll need to track the phone down.

Using AirDroid

AirDroid is another great alternative, offering the same usual suspects in terms of “find my device” features — lock, locate, wipe, sound the alarm and take photos of whoever tries to unlock it. But AirDroid also offers a lot more than just the ability to find the device, or wipe and lock it for peace of mind:

• Have important photos and documents you want to make sure you get before you wipe the phone? You can transfer them all over the web using your AirDroid account.
• You can initiate your device’s front or rear camera and see where it is or who is using it — in real time — and snap a photo to save to your desktop. And they won’t even know!
• You can access the phone’s call logs and send text messages, which is handy for alerting people who are trying to contact you that your phone has been compromised and that you will try to reach them another way.
• Root user? Use the screenshot functionality to see if you can catch the perpetrator writing something that may help you identify who they are or where the phone is.

And all of that is coming to you at a price point of $0 over a LAN connection. Doing it over a remote connection — that is, when your phone and PC aren’t on the same WiFi network — requires a premium account starting at $1.99 per month or $20 per year.

A free account also limits you to transfers of just 100MB per month and limits the file sizes you can transfer. The message here is pretty simple: you’ll want to seriously think about opting for a premium subscription if you want to use AirDroid for situations where your device has been lost or stolen. You can find everything you need right here.

Mix and Match

The best way to use all these tools? Use all of them. Or at least a couple of them. The Android Device Manager is pretty barebones in comparison, but it has the advantage of being pre-installed on every device, so you always know it’s there to have your back.

There should be nothing stopping you from also installing AirDroid or Lookout Premium for those extra features — such as remote camera and file transfer — to give you even more peace of mind. Whatever you choose to use in the end depends on your own tastes or needs, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t let you know that I thought AirDroid was the way to go if you only had to have one of these.

Of course, all these different methods are rendered useless in the event of a factory reset, so you’ll just have to hope and pray that whoever has your phone doesn’t have the sense to wipe your phone the moment they scoop it up.

Physical tools

While physical tools might not always be the most practical ways to discretely track down a lost or stolen phone — the idea is that you don’t want the perp to know you have these capabilities — it’s important to know all your options.

Smart Watches

Smart watches haven’t caught on with everyone yet, but they’re gaining steam, and many of them come with rudimentary phone location features built-in. Whether it’s as simple as an audible beep whenever you and your phone are separated or a full-blown map interface for pinpointing its exact location, these wrist-dwelling beauties will help you in a pinch:

• Samsung Galaxy Gear: it has an auto lock feature that secures your phone when you walk away from it, and uses the Find My Device feature on select Galaxy devices to help you locate your phone if it’s lost or stolen. Note: the Galaxy Gear is only compatible with select Samsung Galaxy devices with Android 4.3 or higher. Check with Samsung to see if your particular device is compatible.
• Qualcomm Toq: allows you to ring your phone remotely (if it’s in range) and will alert you when you and the phone have been separated. No mapping features, but a great preventative tool.
• Pebble: nothing built-in, but an app like Phone Pebble Finder will help you track down your phone using GPS coordinates and remote ring commands. Search the Google Play Store for more.
• Sony SmartWatch 2: like all the others, lets you know when you’ve walked away from your phone (but not much more).

I warned you that these solutions aren’t the most effective, flexible or practical, but they get the job done on the front lines. You’re much less likely to lose your phone if your wrist starts beeping every time you walk away from it, so if you have one then be sure to explore your options for activating these features. I wouldn’t buy a smart watch for these features alone, but you might find some other value in them as they offer tons more.

Key Finders

I know — weird, right? Who would use a key finder to locate a phone? But if for some reason the aforementioned software-based options aren’t doing it for you, you can get a little creative and shoehorn these things onto your phone. You could even stuff them into the back of your case if they have a bit of wiggle room.

• Cobra Tag Key Finder: made for keys, but can be used for your phone too. Use a secondary device or tablet to locate.
• Wallet TrackR: again, made for wallets, but feel free to use it for your phone somehow.

These little gizmos haven’t been the bee’s knees since 2011, but you can still find them on several online stores (including Amazon) if you’re interested.

The advantage of these tools is that they can work independently of the device as long as the battery is alive and kicking. The downside is that anyone who finds your device is likely going to remove them (unless they’re one of very few good Samaritans still left in this world). If all else fails, just repurpose them for what they were originally purposed for — keys.

When all hope is lost…

Let’s face it — someone, somewhere, is going to get caught slipping one of these days, and won’t have the multitude of tools discussed above at their disposal. It might not be you. After all, after reading this article you should have gotten yourself squared away with the tools you need to locate your phone without breaking a sweat.

But that doesn’t mean your sweet grandma or that random friend you knew from high school on Facebook will be just as wise. In the event that you need to help someone who has absolutely no other recourse, I present one last ditch hope of recovering one of the most lost items there are.

Android Lost

The name? Perfect. It’s named after the exact function it helps you eradicate — finding a lost Android phone. I have a bit of a special connection to this app because it actually helped me find my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in a pinch.

It was before the age of Android Device Manager, and — like a fool — I hadn’t installed a third-party option from Google Play. I actually owe an assist to this great thread over at AndroidForums.com, consisting of help guides and videos to help you get the most out of the app. After Lookout’s Plan B proved to be an utter failure (it’s only compatible with Android 2.0 through Android 2.3), Android Lost came to save the day.

Check Out This Video

Android Lost allows you to remotely install the app to your smartphone through the Google Play Store (granted your phone hasn’t been wiped and it’s still powered on) and get some of the same great location features we discussed in previous sections. Controllable either via the internet or SMS messages, you’ll be able to pull off the following list of functions:

• Read sent and received text messages
• Wipe phone
• Lock phone
• Erase SD card
• Locate by GPS or Network location data
• Start alarm with flashing screen
• Take photos with front and rear camera
• Record sound from microphone

And that’s not even a quarter of the list. The Android app and the web user interface you use to control it are some of the ugliest, most grotesque pieces of code we’ve ever seen crafted, but as The Temptations often remind me, beauty really is only skin deep, and Android Lost is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

I only call this tool a last ditch effort because of its reliability, as it’s literally the only remote install, “plan b,” “after the fact” solutions I’ve found for tracking down an Android smartphone (well, the ones that come with Android 4.0 or higher, anyway) that actually works.

In actuality, this is probably the most powerful option discussed today, and should definitely be near the top of your list of options if you’re desperate to procure what’s rightfully yours. That all of this is free is mind boggling. The gracious developer asks for absolutely nothing to use it, but if you feel so inclined then be sure to send a few bucks through Paypal over at their website. Here’s the Google Play linkyou’ll want to use to install it remotely.

Source:- Phandroid

Read more »

From today, for some new devices, Adobe Flash Player will no longer be available from Google Play, marking the end of Flash’s brief flirtation with Android. That means if you want to get hold of Flash on an Android device that doesn't ship with it, you’ll need to resort to a little bit of trickery. Fortunately, though, it’s pretty easy to get Flash up and running manually, assuming you understand the risks.
Join us after the break to find out how to manually install a legacy version of Adobe Flash Player on your Android phone or tablet.

Big scary warning

Before we begin, make sure you understand the risks associated with running the now-unsupported Adobe Flash on your device --

• There’s no official support for Flash on Android now. That means no more security or stability updates, no official support channels if something goes wrong. In particular, if you’re using this on an Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) device, you can probably expect a few stability issues
• The fact that security updates are no longer being developed for Flash for Android means that running this could potentially open you up to security risks and malicious Flash content. There’s no record of Flash exploits specifically targeting Android users, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
• You’re installing an app from a third-party source, so you’ll need to disable one of Android’s built-in security options. Remember to re-enable it afterwards for your device’s security.
• On newer hardware, particularly devices running Android 4.1, you may experience stability issues with Flash content. That’s just the way Flash rolls on mobile devices.

Prerequisites

You’ll need a phone or tablet running Android 2.2 (Froyo) to 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Check Settings > About phone / About tablet to see what you’re running. If you’re on Jelly Bean, check that you have a stock browser installed besides Google Chrome, as Chrome for Android doesn’t support Flash. Check your app drawer for “Browser” or “Internet.”

The method

Now, down to business. The process of getting Flash for Android on a device that doesn’t already have it is pretty simple.

1. First, you’ll need to tell your device it’s OK to install apps from sources other than Google Play. You’ll need to check the box marked “Unknown sources.” On Android 2.2, 2.3 or 3.x, this is found under Settings > Applications. On Android 4.x, you’ll find it under Settings > Security.
2. On your phone or tablet, download the Flash for Android application downloader. (It'll then download the file directly from Adobe.)
3. Once that’s done, pull down the notification area and tap on the file to install it. Tap “Install” on the next screen to confirm.
4. When Flash is installed, head into your phone’s stock browser (again, Google Chrome won’t support your newly-installed Flash apk).
5. On Android 3.0 or later, go to Menu (three dots next to the address bar on some phones) > Settings > Advanced > Enable plug-ins. To enable Flash content all the time, select “Always on,” or to enable it selectively on each page, choose “On demand.” Or on Android 2.2 or 2.3, go to Menu > Settings (sometimes Menu > More > Settings), where you’ll find the “Enable plug-ins” option.
6. You should now be ready to go. Check this link on your phone to confirm that Flash is up and running.

  

Finally, once it’s working, you may want to uncheck the “Unknown sources” option once again to keep your phone or tablet secure.

So there you have it -- Flash support on your Android device. Flash on mobile devices has never been perfect, but on the right hardware Flash 11.1 for Android will give you a decent experience. Remember, though, that Flash has been withdrawn from the Google Play Store for a reason -- it’s no longer officially supported, so bear that in mind as you’re browsing through Flash content on your phone.

Source:AndroidCentral

Read more »

The Galaxy S3 breaks new ground in lots of areas; one of the ways this phone separates itself from the pack is with the use of Motion.

When you first turn on your Samsung Galaxy S III (S3) you may not immediately be aware of all the Motion capabilities as most of them are turned off by default. Once you begin to explore the Settings and menus you will find yourself opened up to quite an array of new ways to use this phone. 
Accelerometers and gyroscopes are not new anymore to mobile phones.  Anyone who as use their phone like a steering wheel in a racing game or taken advantage of a gyroscope in navigation software knows how cool this technology is.  Essentially, when a phone can sense movement and gravity it can do all sorts of things.
Samsung has really raised the bar in this technology with the Galaxy S3. In order to use all these cool new features, we need to know how to turn them on.

The Motion menu in Settings app

While individual apps may give you a pop up about a particular Motion enabled app, they can all be enabled and configured in the Settings app.

1. Pull down the Notification drawer and tap the Settings icon
2. Scroll down to Motion and tap
3. The Motion menu will now be displayed

  

For purposes of this article, we will tackle each Motion activation in the order they appear in the menu.

Enabling Motion activation

Before you can use any of the Motion settings, you need to enable Motion activation on the Galaxy S3. This is as simple as placing a check mark in the Motion activation box.

Direct call

Direct call is a very convenient feature – as long as you remember it is enabled. Imagine you are looking up a particular contact to find their number, email or whatever. 

1. Pick up the phone and move it to your face as if you were going to call them
2. The Galaxy S3 will automatically call the contact
3. This can be done via the Messaging and Call logs as well

  

I did find that it is possible to forget this feature is enabled and accidentally call someone when lifting the phone up in one of these apps – but, overall, this is a very cool feature.

Smart alert

Smart alert is a way to make sure you are notified about missed  calls and alerts. Essentially, the Galaxy S3 knows when you have placed it down and it turns the screen off.  When you pick up the device, you will be notified about your missed call and alerts. The phone will vibrate as soon as you pick it up if you have missed calls or alerts.

  

Tap to top

Tap to top makes it very quick to jump to the top of your Contact list, Email list and your email messages.

1. Open the Contacts or Email app
2. Scroll for what you need
3. Tap twice on the very top of the phone (not the screen – but the actual top of the phone)
4. You will see the view jump to the top

The only problem with this feature is that it works on the native Contacts and Email app, but I could not get it to work on the Gmail app which is what I use for email on the Galaxy S3.

Tilt to zoom

The Tilt to zoom feature allows you to simply tilt the phone – as opposed to pinching and zooming – to zoom in on a picture or web site.

1. Tap and hold the phone at two separate points (usually with your thumbs)
2. Tilt the Galaxy S3 towards you to zoom in
3. Tilt it away from you to zoom out

  

I actually found it much quicker to just pinch and zoom – but, again, it is a cool use of the technology.

Pan to move icon

Let’s say you want to move an icon to one of your Home screens.  Normally, you would touch and hold the icon and then try to drag it onto another Home screen.

Pan to move takes another approach. You still touch and hold the icon, but instead of dragging it while holding it down, just move the phone left or right and you will see the Home screens move as you pan. When you find the Home screen you want, just release and the icon will be moved to the new position.

  

 

​Touch on the Pan to move tab and you can see another tab to adjust the Sensitivity.  Move the slider from slow to Fast and then test out the settings to see what works best for you.

Pan to browse images

When this feature is turned on, you can literally  “move around” the image in which you are zoomed in.

So, you need to zoom into a picture or web site, then:

1. Touch and hold anywhere on the screen
2. Move the phone up or down, left or right to pan around
3. Release to stop panning

  

As you did with Pan to move, you can adjust the sensitivity of the panning by touching the Sensitivity slider and moving it towards Slow or Fast.

Shake to update

Various apps on the Galaxy S3 take advantage of this Motion. When in those apps, just shake the phone and it will update the information. This works in the Weather widget, Email and News apps at the moment.

This feature also works with Bluetooth. Simple shake the device in the Bluetooth menu to search for Bluetooth devices.

Turn over to mute/pause

Imagine you are in that important meeting and you didn’t turn off your speaker. A phone call comes in or a message alert with an inappropriate ring tone. What do you do?

Well, if you have this feature enabled – just turn the switch to the ON position, all you have to do is turn your phone over on its face to mute the alert.

This feature also works with the built in Samsung Media apps. It will not work, however, if you are using Google Play Music or Movie apps. It would be nice to see these features extended beyond the built in Samsung apps.

Hand motions

The last of the Motions are Hand motions.  The Palm swipe to capture was covered in this tutorial and allows you to take a screen shot by simply swiping your hand across the screen of the Galaxy S3.

The next Hand motion is Palm touch to mute/pause.  This works just like turning your phone over in the Turn over to mute/pause motion discussed above. In this case, you just cover the phone with your palm (which is very intuitive) and you will mute the ring tone, message or media. Again, this only works on the stock Samsung apps – not Google Play music of movies or other media apps.

All of the Motion gestures are pretty unique and innovative. You may find that some are not as useful as others, but take some time to experiment and see if these built-in gestures can enhance your productivity and the overall experience you have with the Galaxy S3.

Source:AndroidCentral

Read more »

Android: The Wi-Fi hotspot feature on Android phones lets you use your mobile data on multiple computers or tablets at once. The only problem is a lot of carriers have restrictions to prevent you from sharing your mobile data (which you're already paying for) for free. Computerworld posts a couple of workarounds.

First, you should know that, as with other kinds of tethering, your carrier may not be too happy with you going around their special Wi-Fi hotspot plans, and you can end up pissing them off and being charged extra (or in extreme cases, having your contract canceled). Also, these workarounds might not apply to every wireless carrier or device (it doesn't for me on T-Mobile with a Samsung Galaxy S2, but some commenters on Computerworld vouch for the method).

That said, if you only plan on using this occasionally and are willing to take the risk, here's how to get the hotspot functionality working:

1. Install a third-party power widget app. Computerworld suggests Extended Controls ($0.99), but you can try a free one like previously mentioned Elixir 2
2. Use the widget app to add a widget to your homescreen that toggles your hotspot Wi-Fi on or off.
3. Turn on the Wi-Fi hotspot

Pretty simple! Computerworld says that this workaround activates Android's built-in hotspot functionality, bypassing any menu-level modifications.

An alternative is to use a free app called FoxFi. It doesn't work with Android 4.1, though, and some carriers are blocking it from being downloaded, but you may be able to install it from an alternate location.

Source:Lifehacker

Read more »

Google Wallet is Google’s own NFC-based mobile payment system, which should have taken off by now, at least according to the Search giant’s wishes. However, that’s not exactly the case, and Google is still struggling to make the payment method popular with the crowds.
It definitely doesn’t help to have to fight against three of the four main U.S. mobile operators – Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile – which are working on their own mobile payment operation called ISIS. That means Android handsets launched by these three carriers do not come with Google Wallet on board, which is quite a hassle for Android users that want to use the service.
Even Sprint, currently the only mobile operator that supports Google Wallet, wants to get itself its own mobile payment operation, although no new product announcements have been made in that regard yet.
Meanwhile, if you have purchased a Galaxy S3 from Verizon, and want to have Google Wallet up and running on the handset then we have good news for you: it can be done.
However, in order to get Google Wallet running on a Verizon Android handset with NFC capabilities such as the Galaxy S3, you’d have to root the device and install additional files. While we’re definitely not encouraging you to perform any tasks, it’s up to you to choose whether to have Google Wallet enabled on the Verizon Galaxy S3 or not.

In case you do want to use Google Wallet on the handset, make sure you follow all the available instructions from xda-developers, and also watch the video above.








Source:AndroidAuthority

Read more »

One of the few negative points with the Nexus 7 for some, is the lack of any sizable on-board storage. Indeed, looking at a couple of the latest big name game titles such as Max Payne or the Amazing Spider Man further compounds the frustration. With games going well in excess of 1GB -- and even approaching 2GB -- there isn't a great deal of room left for music and videos. 
Make no mistake, we're not here to discuss the lack of microSD card. It is what it is. But, what we are here to discuss, is a way of using a USB mass storage device such as a flash drive, with your Nexus 7. Hit the break and have a look.

The capability is there, but out of the box you can't make use of it. With root access though, most things are possible. Many long term Android users may already be familiar with an application called Stickmount. To them, we apologize, and say just this. Stickmount works perfectly well with the Nexus 7 and Jelly Bean.

To everyone else who's new to this, we'll walk you through it step by step. First up, besides root you also need to purchase a USB OTG cable. Not sure what that is? It's essentially an adaptor that features a microUSB port that plugs into the device, and a USB socket which you can plug your flash drive into -- or a mouse or keyboard if you so desire. You'll also need some form of file browser, such as ASTRO or Solid Explorer Beta as we'll be using here. 

Then, you'll need to head over to the Play Store and download a copy of Stickmount -- download links below. When you fire up Stickmount, you'll be greeted with the screen seen below. 

The section labelled "mounts" is the key, as this is where you will mount and un-mount your USB drives -- much as you would on a desktop computer. The app will work its magic, and you'll have your files available to you on your tablet. 

From here you'll need to switch over to your file browsing application of choice. You need to head into the folder labelled as 'sdcard,' and scroll down until you reach a folder within called 'USB storage.' It is within this folder you will find the files and folders contained on your USB drive -- shown here holding a Windows 8 .iso file. I assure you I'm not carrying that on my Nexus 7! 

And thats all there really is to it. From there on out just launch the files as you would any stored on the tablet itself. It isn't a particularly elegant solution, but if you have a large collection of music and movies you wish to carry about then it could definitely prove useful. 

Download: Stickmount

Read more »

Security is important these days. Our phones carry our lives, so using security features like Face Unlock can give us peace of mind.

As facial recognition software gets more and more sophisticated, it will also become more and more affordable – appearing on many of our electronic devices. While not foolproof – just yet – the Face Unlock feature built into your new Android phone does pretty well.

The argument against using facial recognition software is that it is too easy to “fool” the software into thinking you are the owner. Fortunately, Samsung also includes a “backup” recognition using standard PIN or Pattern input.

Setting up Face Lock on Android phones

Out of the box, your typical Ice Cream Sandwich Android phone does not have security enabled.

  

1. Tap the Settings icon to get to the Settings app
2. Scroll down to Personal and then tap on Security
3. Tap on Screen Lock and choose:

a.     None – for no locking at all

b.     Slide- for the typical slide to unlock

c.      Face Unlock – to set the Face Unlock feature

d.     Pattern – to set a Pattern unlock

e.     PIN – to set a standard four digit PIN unlock

f.      Password – to set a more secure password to unlock

For our purposes, choose Face Unlock. Read the warning notice that a Face Unlock is less secure than a Pattern, PIN or Password. Now you are ready to have your Android phone capture your face to unlock the phone.

  

1. Tap Continue
2.  Move a little away from the front facing camera so your face fits in the Show Your Face screen.
3. Center your face in the outlined area marked “put your face here.”
4. You will receive a Face Captured screen if the Face Unlock setup was successful.

Once the Face Unlock is set to your face, you will be prompted to now set up a backup lock. In case the phone does not recognize you (this can happen for a bunch of reasons) it will revert to another method for secure unlocking of the phone.

  

1. Choose one of the two backup methods listed; Pattern or PIN
2. For a Pattern unlock, slide your finger to connect at least four dots in any pattern of your choosing.
3. Repeat the pattern to confirm the choice.
4. For a PIN unlock, simply input a four digit PIN – repeat to confirm.

   

Using the Face Unlock feature on  your Android phone

Using Face Unlock is very simple, just turn on the device and look at the front facing camera. You will see an area in the middle of the screen to capture your face, try to put yourself in the same position as you did when you set up Face Unlock.

  

If you get an error message telling you that the phone did not recognize you, it will automatically default to the backup unlock method chosen.

Either input your PIN or complete the Pattern than you originally chose and the phone will unlock.

Setting the time before the phone locks

Depending on your phone, it might lock immediately after the screen goes off.  On my EVO 4G LTE, the default was to lock immediately and on my HTC One X, the default was to lock after 15 minutes. Locking immediately is sort of a pain since you then have to look at your phone every single time you turn it on. I found that setting the Lock phone after field to 5 minutes was a good amount of time. 

1. Go to the Settings menu
2. Go to Security
3. Tap on the Lock phone after tab
4. Choose the desired time

  

All in all, Face Unlock works surprisingly well on the new  Android phones.   It is easy to set up, fun to use and it adds the necessary layer of security so that if someone were to “steal” your device, they would not have access to your personal information.

If you are very security conscious, remember that this is perhaps the “least” secure option of those listed as screen unlock choices – but it is certainly much more secure than no security at all.

Read more »