Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Got Lollipop 10 cool things to try with Android 5 0
Googles Android 5.0 release is more than just a pretty makeover. Here are 10 fun features youll definitely want to explore once you have Lollipop in front of you |
Theres plenty of new stuff to see, of course -- but once youve finished exploring all the fresh and fancy visuals, here are 10 cool things to try with Lollipop on your Android phone or tablet:
1. Set up a trusted Bluetooth device.
If you have a Moto phone, you may have done this before -- but for the rest of the world, its uncharted terrain: the ability to have your Android device stay unlocked anytime a specific Bluetooth device is present and paired.To set it up, head into your phone or tablets system settings and tap "Security." Make sure you have "Screen lock" set to something other than "Swipe"; youll need to have a pattern, password, or PIN established so your phone can automatically secure itself whenever your trusted Bluetooth device isnt around.
Once youve done that, tap "Smart Lock" on that same menu and then tap "Trusted devices." Tap the red plus sign and follow the prompts to pair your smartwatch, car stereo, portable speaker, or practically anything else -- then sit back and enjoy having easy access to your Android gadget whenever the Bluetooth device is nearby.
(You probably dont have access to it yet, by the way, but youll soon be able to set a trusted place as well. An incoming update to Google Play Services should add that option to all Lollipop devices within the coming days.)
2. Check out the revamped Face Lock feature.
While youre in that same "Security" menu, go back into "Smart Lock" and tap "Trusted face." Follow the prompts to train the system to recognize your face, then press the power button and give it a whirl.
3. Take Lollipops always-listening voice command system out for a spin.
Provided your phone or tablet supports it, you can now give voice commands anytime -- even when your devices display is off.The option to activate the feature is a bit buried: Head into your system settings, tap "Language & input" and then "Voice input," then tap the gear icon next to "Enhanced Google services" and look for a line labeled "Ok Google Detection."
Tap it, then tap the line labeled "Always on" and follow the prompts to train the system to recognize your voice. While youre in that menu, think about whether you want voice commands to work even when your phone is locked with a pattern, PIN, or password; if you do, tap the line labeled "When locked" before you exit out.
Once youre all done, just say "Okay, Google" and your phone will start listening. You can then ask it a question or give it all sorts of commands and have it work for you whether its in your hands or not.
4. Interact with a notification on the lock screen.
Lollipop brings a whole new look to the Android lock screen, and your personal notifications are the main attraction. Next time you press your devices power button and see a notification waiting, try swiping it horizontally in either direction to dismiss it. You can also tap on it twice to open it or swipe downwards on it to expand it and gain access to any quick commands available (like archiving or replying to an email).5. Set up and try priority notification mode.
One of Lollipops more complex but also potentially useful features is the systems new priority notification mode -- essentially a customizable "do not disturb"-style setting for your tablet or phone. Whenever the priority mode is active, only notifications that are considered "high priority" will make a sound and alert you; any other notifications will show up but remain silent.To get started, press your devices volume up or volume down key while the display is on and then tap "Priority" in the panel that appears at the top of the screen. Select either to leave that mode on indefinitely (the default) or to specify a finite amount of time -- an hour, two hours, whatever -- for which itll remain active.
While you have that panel open, take a minute to visit the priority notification settings to make sure its set up the way you want: After pressing a volume key and tapping "Priority," tap the gear icon next to the words "Priority interruptions only." Now think about what types of notifications you want to alert you when you have the priority mode active. You can opt to allow any combination of events and reminders, calls, and messages -- and with the latter two, you can either allow any calls and messages to come through or allow only calls and messages from approved contacts.
6. Schedule a recurring priority notification mode.
Lollipops priority notification mode can automatically activate itself at certain recurring times -- if, say, you want your phone to remain silent except for emergency calls and messages during the night.Go back into that same menu we were just in (you can also get to it by going into the main system settings and tapping "Sound & notification," then "Interruptions"). Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and select what days and times you want the priority mode to activate.
Once youve done that, your device will automatically go into priority notification mode during those windows -- and youll be bothered only by the notifications you absolutely need.
7. Customize how app notifications behave.
Want to take things a step further? Lollipop lets you customize notifications on an app-by-app basis so that any apps alerts can be considered "high priority" all the time.If you set an app to be high priority, youre effectively whitelisting it: Any notifications generated by that app will always alert you, even if your device is in priority-only mode. The apps notifications will also always appear at the top of your notification panel, above any others.
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