Hands-On Android (Video)

TWiT

Android isn’t just phones. It's a complex ecosystem. It’s feature-filled. It’s customizable. Each week, Jason Howell will take a closer look at the Android operating system as well as the unique devices running it worldwide. From feature spotlights, to tips and tricks, and even reviews of apps that make Android so much fun, Hands-On Android will change how you use your smartphone for the better. Screen reader support enabled. Although the show is no longer in production, you can enjoy episodes from the TWiT Archives.

#7 in the Top 100 android All time chart

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HOA 43: My Favorite Apps - Jason's Everyday Apps

Hands-On Android (Video)

12/17/20 • 17 min

Everyone has their list of favorite apps. Jason Howell took a look at his app drawer and pulled out some of the apps that he makes sure are installed on every device he tests.

Host: Jason Howell

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-android

12/17/20 • 17 min

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HOA 31: Android 11 Power Menu Customization - Make It Do Just About Anything You Want

Hands-On Android (Video)

09/17/20 • 15 min

Of all the new features rolling out with Android 11, one of the most interesting changes comes in the form of a revised and feature rich power menu. Jason Howell shows what the power button is capable of out of the box as well as how to add your own automations to the Device Control section with the use of Tasker.

Power Menu walkthrough.
Personal safety settings.
Google Pay integration.
Device control.
Tasker beta download.
Hue Essentials Tasker integration.
Programming Tasker for the Power Menu.
Testing Tasker automation.

Host: Jason Howell

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-android

09/17/20 • 15 min

HOA 26: Family Bell for Assistant - Effective Reminders for Distance Learning and Everything Else

Hands-On Android (Video)

08/13/20 • 11 min

Effective reminders for distance learning and everything else.

Sometimes, reminders need to be more than a gentle nudge. Google seems to have read Jason Howell's mind because shortly after last week's episode on Reminders, they announced a new feature called Family Bell that takes reminders on Assistant devices to the next level.

What is Family Bell?
How to set up Family Bell.
Customizing the included templates.
Interacting with the Google Home.
Room for improvement.

Google's Family Bell - https://bit.ly/2DMzQid

Host: Jason Howell

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-android

08/13/20 • 11 min

HOA 29: Note 20 Ultra vs Pixel 4a Photo Walk - Two Different Camera Systems Go Head to Head

Hands-On Android (Video)

09/03/20 • 18 min

The Google Pixel 4a is a solid mid-range device with a proven camera that takes high quality shots easily. The Samsung Note 20 Ultra is about as premium as devices get with a stoked array of lenses and the ability to shoot like a DSLR. Jason Howell escapes the confines of his home to hit the town with both devices to see how each camera system compares to the other.

Main cameras: Landscapes, Color, Complexity, High Contrast.
Zoom/Telephoto: Default zoom, zoom for closeups, Maximum zoom level.
Wide angle: Landscape, people.
Front facing camera: Selfie, portrait mode.
Video: Fast moving water, device beauty shots.

Host: Jason Howell

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-android

Sponsor:

expressvpn.com/hoa

09/03/20 • 18 min

HOA 28: Note 20 Ultra S Pen - What Makes Scribbling on the Go So Powerful and Fun?

Hands-On Android (Video)

08/27/20 • 15 min

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is as premium as smartphones get and the thing that differentiates it most from its competition is the S Pen. Jason Howell shows off some of the latest features of the S Pen in this premium device, what makes it useful, and what makes it fun to use.

Jotting a memo with the screen off.
Using Samsung Notes for straightening notes.
Converting scribbles into text.
Live audio recording while note-taking.
The power of the stroke eraser.
Air Actions for OS control.
Air Actions for app control.
Using Screenwrite to annotate screenshots.
Scroll Capture for screenshots of scrolling web pages.
Using Smart Select to create animated GIFs on the fly.
Magnify the screen with this accessibility feature.
Easily translate words or sentences with the S Pen.
AR Doodle, Live Messages, and PENUP for creativity.

Host: Jason Howell

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-android

08/27/20 • 15 min

HOA 27: How to Sideload APK Files - Installing Apps Outside of the Google Play Store

Hands-On Android (Video)

08/20/20 • 15 min

Installing apps outside of the Google Play Store.
The Google Play Store is good enough for most people when it comes to finding and installing apps and games on Android. However, there are plenty of legitimate reasons to want to install apps manually while bypassing the Play Store altogether. Jason Howell walks through the good and the bad of sideloading APK files, as well as showing just how easy it really is.

Why Fortnite is a good example of why sideloading is desirable.
What is sideloading?
What are APK files?
What can go wrong?
Who can I trust?
How to install APK files.
What is APK Mirror?
What are App Bundles?
Closing the security hole.

Host: Jason Howell

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-android

08/20/20 • 15 min

HOA 30: Android 11 Review - Controlling the Conversation. Finally.

Hands-On Android (Video)

09/10/20 • 22 min

The official release of Android 11 is here, and with it, Google is giving users plenty of control over their device, their smart home, their privacy, and their communication with contacts. Jason Howell summarizes the key features of this new release, and shares his view on these new features after living with them throughout the beta period for months.

Conversations.
Bubbles.
Screen Recorder.
Voice Access.
Device controls.
Media controls.
One-Time Permissions.
Background location access.
Permissions auto-reset.
Mainline.

Host: Jason Howell

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-android

Sponsor:

MySudo.com/twit

09/10/20 • 22 min

HOA 24: Screenshots and Screen Recordings - What To Do When Android Won't Let You

Hands-On Android (Video)

07/30/20 • 12 min

Developers have many reasons for preventing Android users from taking screenshots or screen recordings of in-app content. Usually its for security but sometimes its to protect copyrighted material. Jason Howell walks through some examples of how this is enforced, and a few ways to work around those limitations.

What kinds of apps prevent screenshots.
Why they do that!
Screenshot shortcut on most devices.
Assistant's Screen Context feature.
What is Digital Right Management?
The open-source app scrcpy.
Using a computer to take a screenshot in an app that prevents it.
The analog hole.

scrcpy - github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy
Homebrew for Mac - https://brew.sh

Host: Jason Howell

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-android

07/30/20 • 12 min

HOA 23: Root App Backup - How to Get A Comprehensive Backup of Your Device With Titanium Backup

Hands-On Android (Video)

07/23/20 • 15 min

HOA 32: Protect Yourself in an Emergency - How Android Can Ensure Your Personal Safety

Hands-On Android (Video)

09/24/20 • 15 min

There are plenty of ways that Android protects your data and online security, but how can Android help you out in the real world? Jason Howell takes a look at a number of features within Android that reach outside of the device to protect users from disasters, threats, and illness.