Android News 24 : Android How to
How to replace a cracked or broken Nexus 7 screen and digitizerSometimes the inevitable happens — you're walking along using your Nexus 7, and right before your eyes your favorite Android tablet has a run-in with the sidewalk. As you pick it up you realize that you have cracked the screen, it won't respond to touches either. When both of these symptoms occur, it means that you have broken both the glass screen and the digitizer. On the other hand, if your tablet still responds to touches that means you have only broken the screen, and the following guide is not applicable. Nonetheless, this guide will teach you, step-by-step, how to safely replace a broken screen and digitizer. Remember that this is somewhat of an in-depth process. You should only use this guide as reference, as there is always a chance you may damage your device even further by opening it up. With that being said, read ahead to learn exactly how to breathe life into your broken Nexus 7! Make sure to also check out the video tutorial, which will make the process a breeze! |
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Video - How to easily replace the battery cover on your Nexus 4It wasn’t too long ago my shiny new Nexus 4 and like so many others, the pure Google device took a spill, shattering the back glass into a million pieces. Needless to say, I wasn’t too happy about it and you guys may remember my rant post vocalizing my extreme displeasure with the Nexus 4′s build materials. After pouting for a good couple of days, I finally ordered a replacement back (aesthetics aside, the camera housing was also shattered, rendering it useless). I found what seemed to be an affordable replacement on eBay for $48. The reason it was so cheap is because it was devoid of NFC or wireless charging — 2 features I never used on my sexy Nexy to being with so, they wouldn’t be missed. For those that do live by ‘em, you can find used Nexus 4 back covers on eBay for around 40 that come with wireless charging and NFC. |
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How to extend your Android’s battery lifeAndroid devices are smart mobile devices. They’re actually mini computers more portable than netbooks or laptops. But, their power requirements aren’t as mini as we’d hoped them to be. Many Android users frequently bewail the battery life of many Android devices. Yet, used in moderation — and, with energy-saving habits practiced by the user — an Android tablet’s or phone’s battery life can last longer than originally intended. How do you make your battery last longer so you can use your device longer? In this article, read about tips and tricks to increase Android battery life for your phone or tablet. |
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Universal Unroot said to revoke SU permissions in any rooted deviceWhile most people aren’t as interested in unrooting phones opposed to rooting them, there’s still the occasional need. For instance, many like to sell a device unrooted or may need to submit an insurance claim and want to make sure their carrier doesn’t try to use its status as a rooted device as an excuse. I can only think back to the time where a T-Mobile rep blamed my cracked G1 display on the fact that my device was rooted, thus allowing them to refuse to honor my insurance and warranty. Welp, if you’ve ever found the need to unroot your device, developer Matt Groff — creator of the Batakang ROM — has a very useful utility that you’ll want to check out. It’s called Universal Unroot, and it’s apparently able to unroot any rooted device from any manufacturer regardless of which version of Android it has. It will not only remove any superuser app you have installed, but will completely undo the exploit at the system level, meaning it’s not simply a placebo effect. |
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How To Force An Over The Air Update On AndroidHow many times have you heard about a new update for your specific phone model but every time you go to “check for updates” nothing happens? This has happened to me on several occasions. And considering the fact that I don’t own a Nexus smartphone, I usually feel like I’ve been waiting long enough by the time I hear that an update is rolling out. Thankfully, we have a solution that just might work for you! |
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Sony releases flash tool for unlocked Xperia phonesIf you've hacked around with a bootloader-unlocked Sony Xperia phone at any point, you may be familiar with the unofficial Xperia Flashtool maintained by the forum denizens at XDA. The app allows Xperia owners to flash firmware packages to their phones in a similar manner to the ODIN utility that works with Samsung phones. Now Sony Mobile has released an official app of its own to allow unlocked Xperia phone owners to perform these kinds of tasks. An initial beta version of the Xperia Flash Tool is available to download now, and can be used to flash official firmware back onto an unlocked Xperia phone. Right now the number of supported phones is minimal -- three, to be precise -- but if you have an Xperia S, Xperia Arc or Xperia Arc S, you should good to go with the official Flash Tool. Additional devices should receive Flash Tool support in the months ahead. |
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The basics: How to install the Nexus 4 SIM cardThis one's super basic, but we've had enough people ask, so here's how to install the SIM card on the Nexus 4. With the phone's display facing you in your hand, look on the left-and side. (If you see "Nexus", you're looking at the back, and so the SIM card tray will be on the right.) Look just below the volume rocker, and you'll see a little pinhole next to the SIM card tray. In your Nexus 4 box there's a little metal SIM card tray ejector tool thingy. Kinda looks like a circle with a little pin sticking out of it. Press is straight into that pinhole, and the SIM card tray will pop out. There's only one right way to insert the SIM card into the tray. Look for the notched corner, and make sure it matches up with the notch in the tray. The slide the tray back into the phone. (The printed side of the card faces the same direction as the front of the phone; the gold contacts face the rear. You'll need to reboot once you've got the SIM card installed. But after that, you're golden. |
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How To Enable Voice Controls On Samsung Galaxy S3When we did the 50 Reasons Why The Galaxy S3 Is Better Than The iPhone 5 video, a lot of you asked about the voice controls for apps on the Galaxy S3 and how to enable them. Well, instead of responding to each individual comment we decided to write this quick article showing you exactly how to do it. |
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Setting change lets Nexus 4 pick up weak LTE signal in CanadaSo, the LG Nexus 4 has a dormant LTE capability inside, and no it's not going to magically start working with LTE. Or is it? Kind of, is possibly the best way to describe what we're now starting to see. Seems some enterprising types up in Canada have been fiddling with things and amazingly have managed to kick LTE into gear on TELUS and Rogers by changing a setting in Android's testing menu (*#*#4636#*#* in the dialer app). It all stems from an apparent compatibility with LTE band 4 on the 1700MHz and 2100MHz frequencies, due to the existing radio assembly supporting LTE on those bands. It looks like for some reason LG decided to leave a fully functional LTE radio on the N4, but disable it through a software setting. In Canada, LTE band 4 is supported by TELUS, Rogers and Bell. Currently no carriers in the U.S. or Europe support LTE on those bands, So your HSPA+ Nexus 4 isn't going to be running on . It's a neat trick, make no mistake, but before we all go running off to try and do this we should remember a few things. Just because it's possible, doesn't mean we'll be able to make good use of it for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's no use anywhere outside of Canada right now. Secondly, the Nexus 4 is not approved for use with LTE anywhere in the world at this moment in time, and as such it will likely be patched out in the future to avoid LG getting into hot water with the regulators. Remember, the Nexus 4 is marketed as a HSPA+ phone for a reason, and regulations have a part to play in that. Technically, it's unlawful to use LTE on these bands without regulatory approval, even if all it takes to enable it is a quick setting change. (It's also slightly baffling as to why LG would've left LTE radio software in a non-LTE phone -- presumably this is a hang-over from the Optimus G rather than something specifically designed for the N4.) |
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How-To unlock the Nexus 4 bootloader
A lot of us who are planning to buy the LG Nexus 4 will be doing so because of the developer options, including the easily unlockable bootloader. Unlocking your bootloader is something to think about before you jump in and do it, because a locked bootloader is essential to keeping your device secure. Once you unlock it, a knowledgeable person can take every bit of data off your phone, even if you're unrooted and have adb debugging turned off, and even with a secure lock screen. Now that's out of the way. (Seriously -- think before you take the plunge, OK?) If you're going to want to unlock your bootloader, you'll want to do it before you have the phone all set up, because unlocking it erases everything from your phone. That's a security feature. If a hacker gets your phone and it is not unlocked, he can't get into your data to steal it as easily. Security is good. So make your decision before you dive into the Google Play store and set things up just so. |
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