SOLVED! "...There is insufficient space on the device."

A friend has a Samsung Note android tablet, which continually failed to install any apps from Play Store, with an error message like "...There is insufficient space on the device."

To fix (or workaround) the problem, go to Settings, Apps, find Google Play Service. Then,  clear cache and uninstall updates. Now, try to install apps again from Play Store.

Sometimes, this only temporarily work around the problem. If you have a chance to install Clean Master, before the problem reappears again, Clean Master is able to reveal to you the actual cause of the problem. In the case of my friend's Samsung Note, it's really the lacking of user memory that causes the problem. It's actually a design problem!

HOW TO: Copy Files from Your PC to Android Without Using USB Cable

A simple way to copy your files from a Windows PC or Mac computer to your Android tablet or smartphone, is by using ES File Explorer on your Android mobile device. No USB cable is needed.

Assuming that both your computer and Android mobile device are in the same network. Here're the step:

On Your Android:
1) Go to Google Play Store and install ES File Explorer
2) Start ES File Explorer, swipe right to get the Fast Access menu from the right.
3) Select "Network", "Remote Manger"
4) Press the "Turn On" button to turn on the FTP remote access. It shows you the FTP address to use, such as ftp://192.168.1.51:3721/

On Your Computer
5) Start Windows Explorer, type the FTP address on the address bar (as above)
6) You are ready to copy files to your android device

For a selection of options to copy to your device memory or your sdcard, go to ES File Explorer's Settings, Directory Settings, Home Directory, Go up to your device's root.

From your computer, you can browse to the folder "mnt" of your device to gain access to device's internal storage or external sdcard storage.

HOW TO: Run Android Apps on Windows

With BlueStacks, you can run your favorite Android Apps on your Windows computer. Although a number of apps have their Windows version, some other apps are only available on Android. One example is WhatsApp.*

By installing BlueStacks, you can run Android apps as a "window" on your Windows PC. You can also make it full screen, setup Play Store and install other Android apps on it. It uses resources of your PC, which means Android apps and run faster, have more RAM and storage resources to run your apps. For some apps, like simulation games, this is important.

To download the free beta version, go there - http://www.bluestacks.com/. Although it is a beta version, it runs quite stable on my Windows 7, really worth a try!

*To install WhatsApp, you need to provide your phone number for activation, which will not work on a normal PC; but, after the activation timeout, then you still have an alternate method to activate it. However, note that your WhatsApp can only be installed on ONE machine.

SOLVED! My Android Too Many Pattern Attempts, Locked!

Just got a call from a friend, his Android tablet is locked because of too many failed pattern attempts. I don't have his Google account information and he's forgotten his Google account information! Even his Google account name has been forgotten!

Last resort, wipe data and return to factory default. Follow these steps*:

*it works on his Vido Tablet, same set of buttons may work for you; principle the same.

1)      Turn OFF the tablet.

2)      Hold <Power><Vol+> until the tablet is ON.

3)      You will see a screen different. Now, press <Vol+> to see a menu

4)      Press <Vol-> to change to option “wipe data/factory reset”

5)      Press <Power> button to select

Now, your Android is wiped clean and returns to the factory default settings. All your personal data gone, ... well, it won't take you too long to re-setup everything...


For Alcatel Phones/Tablets
Long press “# key” and “power on key” at the same time in power off mode, then you will be asked “All data will be lost, continue?” After you select “Yes,” the sequence will be entered with reminder “Formatting flash, please wait.” The phone will auto switch on when reset finishes. Please do not manipulate the phone or remove the battery during this process.

NOTES: For OT-Mini (OT-708) specifically, due to the touch panel design, reset can be performed only by long pressing “upper side key” and “power on key” at the same time.

Reference: http://www.alcatelonetouch.com/global-en/support/faq/phone_reset.html

DISCUSSION - Skype Android version not work on my N90 Tablet

Skype for Android supports only a limited number of Android devices. In my case, I've a Window (YuanDao) N90 9.7" tablet, though running Android OS 4, the screen resolution is 1024x768. As a result, Skype cannot install.

This is what I read from Skype, too bad! Hopefully, in the near future more screen resolutions can be supported.

What do I need to run Skype on my Android phone?

To run Skype on your Android phone, you will need a supported phone running Android OS version 2.1 or above with least 27MB of free memory space on your handset and 600Mhz or more processing power. The supported screen resolutions are 320x240, 240x400, 320x480, 800x480 and 850x480.

Reference: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10653/how-can-i-get-skype-on-my-android-phone?frompage=search&q=resolutoin+screen&fromSearchFirstPage=false#3

DISCUSSION - A List of Recommended Android Apps

Here's a list of Android Apps, which I'll always keep on my Android devices. Of course, you may have your own favorites. But, these may be helpful to give you a good starting:

• ES Explorer (EStrongs Inc.) - provides you a bundle of extra functions compared to the built-in Explorer
• Color Note (Notes) - though many people love Evernote, but for me, after comparing the two, I prefer Color Note, can save and send to others
• Skitch (Evernote Corp.) - a very elegant tool to do free hand drawings, with auto smoothing, very efficient apps
• Whiteboard (HenryHuang) - with a simple interface, yet I love it's simplicity
• Handrite (NC Corp.) - a very fast free handwriting notepad, can edit 
• StopWatch & Timer (sportstracklive.com) - so far no ads. Count up and down. I used to like UltraChron Stopwatch, however it's recent update with ads really disappointed me
• Skype (Skype) - it's choice because of no choice!!
• Offline dictionaries (NGHS.FR) - if you have a chance to search for Android dictionary apps, you'll experience much frustration of the lacking of an offline good dictionary apps. Really good ones like Cobuild are paid apps. Free dictionary apps are most likely with ads and support only online dictionary. Offline dictionary is really very rare. This one worth try
• Merriam Webster (Merriam-Webster Inc.) - another offline dict, but sometimes you might feel the definitions and explanation a bit change
• Winamp (Nullsoft Inc.) - work much like its Windows version, very well-designed apps for music playing
• Music Volume EQ (K&K Design) - often a problem of Android tablet is the built-in speaker sound too soft. This EQ can help boost certain frequencies and make your bulilt-in speaker usable. This is especially helpful when you use Skype on Android tablet
• Maps (Google Inc.) - Google map, I think no need to explain
• QuickPic (AlenSW.COM) - many Android users are frustrated with the built-in Gallery, which is very inefficient in handling photos on your device. QuickPic, as the name indicates, it is QUICK, it's really FAST in browsing and viewing pictures!! I also love its options like excluding some folders when browsing, so you can skip some not-interested pictures
• Zoner Antivirus (Zoner, Inc.) - install and you can almost forget even the presence of an antivirus. It's so light-weight and transparent in functioning
• Aldiko Book Reader (Aldiko Limited) - unlike Apple's IOS, Android simply lacking a good ePub reader, but this one, after I've tried half a dozen of ePub readers, this is my choice, really satisfied
• MX Player (MX Technologies) - there're many good media players, video players; but this one gives me a very clean feel, though sometimes its buttons are not working as they suppose to be
• GO Launcher (GO Launcher Dev Team) - it replaces the default Android launcher. However, on Android 4, I like to default more than GO

DISCUSSION - Android Market Becomes "Play"

Just a few days ago, I was helping my friend to install some Apps on his Android smartphone. And, strange ... the "Market" icon has gone, replaced by the "Play Store" (it took me some time to figure out what's happening). Such a change in name is really unusual, and I believe that this reveals a major change in the direction of Google on the Android market; or, I'd say a clear trend has developed, toward the entertainment market - so "Play Store", rather than "Market"... surely is another a business decision of Google.

*This chart is based on figures from wikipedia. Sorry for not quite in scale, yet still good enough for your reference.

No matter what, Android has become a popular platform - for mobiles and tablets, even some laptops on shelf run Android! In Hong Kong, if you have a chance to go to popular shopping areas, places like Sham Shui Po, you will be surprised to see how mobile phones being dominant (over 80-90%) by Android! I can hardly find any Windows OS phone, maybe occasionally find one or two models. Android devices and accessories are everywhere in Hong Kong. Indeed many of my friends are using Android without any idea how much their phone can do, they simply use it as a mobile phone ... until when I show them ... they simply can't believe their eyes!!

I think the most dramatic transition is within these 3 months, from not many is using a tablet around, to now almost all my friends around, yes, it's almost everyone of them is with an Android tablet or phone.

With the ever growing Apps on the Market, the usability and value of Android device keeps growing. However, how many Apps can a device install? Maybe a browser, email, apps for viewing documents, excels, pdf, epub, video player, music player, photo gallery, and a few tools you use, etc. and that's it. Still, the number of Apps an average person will use is quite limited. But, for entertainment, on the "data" side - music, video, books; of course, together with games - the potential is much greater!! Just think about the success of Angry Bird - well, in Hong Kong, you can see Angry Bird everywhere, not just simply as a game, but Angry Birds of all kinds - decoration, key-chain, bags, toys, clothes, even cakes!!

We see the logic behind the change of name - Google "Play"!!

HOW TO - Sync Hotmail Calendar to Android

To synchronize Hotmail mails and calendar to your Android device#, do these:

You should have a calendar app on your Android device. If you're happy with your current calendar, go directly to (1); otherwise, you may also go to Android Market to download and install a calendar app like "aCalendar".

1. On your Android device, go to Android Market, download Hotmail app (by Microsoft + SEVEN)* and install it
2. Open Hotmail app, setup your Hotmail account
3. Press and hold on your account, select Settings. In Calendar item, check "Sync Calendar". Return back to Account Settings
4. Press Sync New Calendar

Other Hotmail data like contacts and email folders can also be synchronized in a similar way. By default, only your Hotmail Inbox will be synchronized. Also, there's a limit of maximum 30 days to keep your Inbox mail data.

#Hotmail sync also supports other phones like Windows Phone, iPhone, some Nokia phones and BlackBerry phones. - http://explore.live.com/hotmail-mobile?T1=t1
*There are other apps with similar names. However, this is the only official app for Hotmail sync.

SOLVED! - Skype on Tablet Speaker Volume Too Soft

Many users have reported that when using Skype on Android tablets, for some reasons the sound volume through the built-in speakers are extremely soft (too low volume). Even when the system volume is set to maximum and other audio players are working perfectly fine with good volume, strangely Skype just simply remains very very soft.

Unlike its other platform versions, Skype's volume test and level control is severely lacking on Android.

Workaround: A workaround I've tested maybe also helpful to you: download an Equalizer from Android Market. Just go to the Market and type "Equalizer", and you'll find dozens of free equalizers for your use. One equalizer I've tried gives me a present of equalizing with a widget handy to on/off my present. Once various frequencies are boost up, Skype's voice through built-in speakers sound much better!!

Of course, the down side of adding an equalizer is that it tends to distort your music. So, having an on/off widget switch is good when you'd like to listen to your favorite music and songs, you'd not want the EQ to kill your favorites - turn the EQ off.

Hope that Skype will soon have an upgrade to fix this very annoying problem...

SOLVED! - Android Tablet Cannot Connect Server / Cannot Create Account

Fail to create a new Android Market account using your Android tablet, or fail to login to Android Market nor Gmail. No matter using WIFI or wired network, keep prompt message that cannot establish a secure connection with the Market - like this "...cannot establish a secure connection to the server"

The chance is that your system date time is incorrect, that caused a secure connection cannot be established.
This solved the problem:

• Go to "Settings"
• Select "Date and Time"
• Uncheck "Automatic"
• Select "Set date", set the current date correctly
• Select "Set time", set the current time correctly

Now, you are ready to create an Android Market account.

DISCUSSION - Antivirus for Android, Are They Really Effective?

Although the linux-based Android is a well protected system, I doesn't mean that it will not be affected by viruses, Trojans and worms. Viruses for linux do exist, and they're getting more popular as the linux user-base keeps growing.

Recently, the reputatble AV-TEST lab has conducted some tests on Android antivirus. Yoy may be surprised to read their reported results: http://www.av-test.org/fileadmin/pdf/avtest_2011-11_free_android_virus_scanner_english.pdf

In summary, many popluar free antivirus solutions for Android are not as effective as they're thought to be. Detection rate is poor. The concern of false sense of security is valid, which a user believes that his data is being well protected. Sadly, many Android phones and tablets WILL store much sensitive or confidential information.

There's no other more effective measure than USER AWARENESS of the risk involved in using any technological products. Of course, I'm not objecting the idea of having an antivirus app. But, it is no replacement for our carefulness and awareness of the risk factor. Follow good practices, like:

• Install only reputable apps from Android Market; before you install an app, assess the risk involved in giving out the different system rights to the app
• Turn off your wifi when not in use
• Worst scenario - what if your phone / tablet is stolen, hacked, what is your emergency plan? Can you survive that?
• A Rooted Android may give you much more freedom in installing apps and try different things, yet it also at the same time increases the extend of damages that a virus can have on your device system

HOW TO - Erase Personal Data from Android Device

Before you dispose your old Android device, remember to erase / remove your personal data. Basically, two places your personal data is stored.

1) External Memory Card Storage - such as TF / micrSD card.

• If your device support memory card, remove the memory card from your device. Keep it. Some smartphones have the memory card hidden inside the phone, near the battery. Read the device user or service manual to make sure of that.

2) Internal Memory Storage, which is built into your device

• On your Android system, go to "Settings". Find the item "Privacy". Make sure your data is backuped. Use the "Back up my data" option to backup your data first. To proceed with the personal data erase, find the under Personal Data the option "Factory data reset (Erases all data on MID)". Press and confirm.

It's also a good idea to change your Googles account password.

DISCUSSION - Killing Android Processes and Battery Life

I've read quite a number of posts on Android forums, discussing and sometimes heated arguing about the use of tools like "process killers" or "task terminators" to save battery life of Android devices or tablets.

Simply put, many people believe that by killing unwanted processes running on your Android, you can save your battery life. However, others disagree, stating that no matter how many processes we run, the power consumption should be more or less the same. Besides, users killing processes in such a brutal way may corrupt their apps or even the Android system.

The fact is that, both can be correct at least to some degree. By killing processes running on Android, battery life can be extended. I personally experimented it with my Anroid tablet. Yet, the concern of others who disagree can't be ignored.

Interestingly, the reason why killing processes can save power is that many Apps works on your memory card, get access to your Internet (that means, using your wifi), which consumes much power. That's the major reason why killing unwanted processes can save battery life.

However, think carefully, why will an Android device full of Apps trying to get access to the Internet? Besides certain legitimate Apps requiring to work properly with Internet access. Also, don't forget the many "FREE" Apps that loads you with tons of Ads, gathering your information, etc.

Here again, a warning, there's no free lunch... so, be a wise Android user!

A very effective way to save battery power is to DISABLE YOUR WIFI CARD WHEN NOT USED.

SOLVED! - Creating Folder Shortcut in Android

Quite a number of friends had asked me how to create a shortcut to a folder in their Android's storage, like to a memory card folder. Here's one way you can do so:

1. Go to Googles Market, download and install "ES File Explorer" and "ES Bookmark Manager"*
2. Tab and run "ES File Explorer", browse to the folder that you want to creat a shortcut to
3. Tab and hold on the folder until the menu "Operations" pops up
4. Select "Shortcut"

You should now see a shortcut created on your desktop for that folder, with the same name of the folder. You can move this shortcut anywhere in your launcher desktop.


*In the latest version of ES File Explorer, no ES Bookmark Manager is needed.

TIPS - Android, my recommendation

Android has gained worldwide popularity, and is gradually mature enough for practical day to day use. Samsung, HTC are big names, yet I found that this China brandname - Cube - a very quality product.

Tested model: Cube K8GT ( <USD100)

Main Specification: Cortex A8 1GHz RK2918, 7" 16:9, 800×480 resolution, 512MB DDR3, 8GB built-in storage, Android 2.3
Other features: wifi, 3D graphic accelerator, USB port, microSD slot

Benchmark: Quadrant - 1673 (higher than HTC Nexus One, 2 times faster than Samsung Galaxy S)

Test Results:
I've been using it for more than a month. Everything works very smoothly - the screen, the senors, the buttons, the wifi, the sound, the slots, ... yes, everything to my satisfaction. Battery is always the concern, yet I found the 4000mAH battery did a very good job. If left the wifi on, the battery can run for 6-7 hours. Turn off the wifi and you can work on the tablet for more than 24 hours. I used it to take notes and run various software tools throughout the day, after 10 hours the battery only dropped by about 10%. Of couse, it inherited all the advantages and strengths of Android system, which I love so much!

Bonus feature:
The built-in USB port is very useful! I can plug my USB thumb drive on it, connect a USB network card (for wired network), and even a USB mouse!!

The microSD (or T-flash) card slot is very useful, I have a 16GB UHS-1 microSD card inserted with my music, videos, and other big files...

The "Home" button is handy!

Important Tips for those looking for a Android Tablet:

• Look for a tablet with physical Home, Menu, ESC and power buttons
• Look for one with USB port and card slot
• For security concern, you may want to create a new Google account just for your tablet
• If ever possible, always download and install apps from Android Market, which is actively monitored by Googles; downloading apps from third party sites should be avoided
• If not needed, turn off your wifi card
• When installing apps, carefully read the rights you will allow the apps' vendor. For exapmle, if an apps needs full access to the network, you need to think seriously if you can trust the vendor
• If ever possible, I'll only install apps without ads

Android proves to be a very good and stable OS, and high quality yet low cost hardware are not difficult to find. Yet, on software side, it seems software vendors are having a hard time catching up, or may not be so eager to invest on developing quality software. Therefore, apps crashes are quite frequent. Big software developers like Skype and Adobe, should feel shame that their Android versions have defiled their names! ePub support is certainly not as good as iPad.