The Starter’s Guide to Android 4

By Bryan Winters

Android now accounts for 60-70% of global smartphone shipments. The release of version 4 of the software was a major factor in that growth. It literally gives us a handheld computer doubling as a cellphone, camera, e-reader, web browser, calendar, location finder, and much, much more.

This highly illustrated 184 page guide leads beginners through a fun learning curve on the latest Android smartphones. It even addresses the version of Android that will appear on the Samsung S4, this year’s biggest upcoming phone launch. And it's the first book of its kind published in New Zealand, written in a playful style, illustrating actual scenarios.

For example the author alternates between phones by borrowing his wife's one, demonstrating online marital 'collaboration' as they plan a dinner party together via the cloud.

He even upgrades hers, extending its battery life, then books lunch with her via the phone calendar. He examines Wifi and mobile data settings, enabling him to justify to her any overruns in his monthly billing charge. Demonstrating the politest way to handle her call when he's busy, he turns it into a party trick to impress a business colleague.

Screenshots appear on every page, each one encased in the image of the phone it comes from, allowing the reader to appreciate subtle differences here and there.

The book reads like a story, showing how to get faster with the keyboard, or rationalise icons on the screens. Widgets, folders and shortcuts are demonstrated; cloud storage is integrated with PC and smartphone folders into a seamless world; and important presentations are only a touch away for that unforeseen opportunity with a client, or to outclass that hotshot nephew.

There's a good amount of explanations too – how come some websites look compact on the phone, and others don't? How do I connect my PC to the internet through my phone? GoogleMaps is fine, but what if I'm out of cellphone range? How do I backup all my contacts? Or add photos into their profiles? How on earth did you take that fantastic 180 degree panorama photograph – with a phone?

Available from our website now, the book is hot off the press. GrownUps have negotiated a discount for our members. Normal retail price is $26.95, GrownUps is pleased to offer the book to you for $25.00.

Buy this Book in Store now.

Download a PDF extract from the book here.