Although smart phone competition among iPhone, Droid, Nexus One, Blackberry, and Palm Pre is red hot, not everyone has a smart phone and actually most people still use simpler and much cheaper phones. According to New York Times article Firms Selling Apps for Simple Phones,"roughly 82 percent of cellphones in use are limited-function phones, the kind that typically sell for less than $50 or are given away with a two-year service contract."
These traditional phones can also access Internet. In Asian coutnries like China, WAP is still very popular to access Internet. So what is WAP? Here WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), not Wireless Access Point. It is a suite of protocol of wireless communications. It usally runs on 2G mobile network, like GSM, CDMA, and GPRS.
What is the difference between WAP and GSM/CDMA? Using analogy, some people consider GSM/CDMA as highway and WAP as vehicle on the highway. Using more technical terms (TCP/IP and OSI), GSM/CDMA provides lower level data link/physical layer and WAP provider higher layer (UDP, HTTP) and some a markup language WML (Wirless Markup Language), similar with HTML.
People can use WAP to browse websites, check emails, track sports scores, etc. In Japan, NTT DoCoMo offers i-mode as a competitor of WAP. But KDDI and SoftBank mobile use WAP.
Do not be confused about WAP and WAPI. What is WAPI? WAPI stands for WLAN authentication and Privacy Infrastructure and is the Chinese version of Wi-Fi. Chinese government required handset manufacturers to support WAPI if Wi-Fi is supported on cell phones. In 2009, it was a big issue when Apple iphone planned to enter Chinese market. When China Unicom introduced iphone in China later, iphone has neither Wi-Fi nor WAPI functionality, although it is reported that iphone with Wi-Fi and WAPI will be on the market in 2010.
BTW, what is the difference between WAP and Wi-Fi? Again, Wi-Fi is a data link layer and provides a data highway so that data can be communicated using TCP/IP protocol. In some sense, WAP can be considered as the counterpart of TCP/IP, and GSM/CDMA, which under the WAP, as the counterpart of Wi-Fi.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
How to change primary email account for Android phone G1 Dream?
Android phone G1 Dream has only one email account associated with Gmail app. When you start pre-installed Gmail app (not Email), you can directly read your email without login and get notification when you've got mail. This email account is also associated with other applications like Contacts (sync with your email account) and other Google apps. When the phone ownership changes, e.g., you want to give you G1 Dream phone to your spouse since you just bought a Droid, the email account needs to be changed. How can I change the primary email account? How can I remove existing contacts to protect privacy? How can the new owner import his contacts?
Some people suggest we do factory data reset. It is not necessary. Here is how you can do it without factory data reset.
1) Go Menu -> Setting -> Applications -> Manage applications.
2) Gmail Storage -> Clear data.
3) Gmail -> Clear data.
4) Google Apps -> Clear data.
5) Google Search (enhanced) -> Clear data, then your existing contacts and your former email account are removed.
6) Restart Gmail, which will ask you to set up your Google mail account. Now you can set up a new gmail account. Then emails and contacts will be synchronized and shown up shortly.
However, it does not work for Nexus One. On Nexus One, you will not see Gmail storage, Gmail, Google apps, or Google apps item on Menu -> Setting -> Applications -> Manage applications. But for Nexus One, you can associate several email accounts with Gmail app. Here is how you add multiple email accounts to Gmail application on Nexus One.
1) Go Menu -> Setting -> Accounts & sync.
2) Add account and set up another Google email account following the wizard.
3) When you start email, you have one primary account and emails associated with it to read. When you view email, you can select Setting -> Accounts and pick your another email to check emails associated with your other email accounts.
Some people suggest we do factory data reset. It is not necessary. Here is how you can do it without factory data reset.
1) Go Menu -> Setting -> Applications -> Manage applications.
2) Gmail Storage -> Clear data.
3) Gmail -> Clear data.
4) Google Apps -> Clear data.
5) Google Search (enhanced) -> Clear data, then your existing contacts and your former email account are removed.
6) Restart Gmail, which will ask you to set up your Google mail account. Now you can set up a new gmail account. Then emails and contacts will be synchronized and shown up shortly.
However, it does not work for Nexus One. On Nexus One, you will not see Gmail storage, Gmail, Google apps, or Google apps item on Menu -> Setting -> Applications -> Manage applications. But for Nexus One, you can associate several email accounts with Gmail app. Here is how you add multiple email accounts to Gmail application on Nexus One.
1) Go Menu -> Setting -> Accounts & sync.
2) Add account and set up another Google email account following the wizard.
3) When you start email, you have one primary account and emails associated with it to read. When you view email, you can select Setting -> Accounts and pick your another email to check emails associated with your other email accounts.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Wireless Signal Series: How to disable mobile carrier's data service on Android phone
Although smart phones like Android phone can use mobile network carrier's data service (e.g., 3G, Edge, or GPRS data service) to surf Internet, people sometimes do not want to use mobile network carrier's data service. For example, in some phone plans, mobile network carrier charges the consumer based on usage. When the wi-fi is freely available to the consumer, he wants to explicitly disable mobile network carrier's data service to avoid unnecessary usage charge and instead use the free wi-fi to surf Internet or check emails.
It should be mentioned that although we disable mobile network carrier's data service, we can still use mobile network carrier's voice service to make phone calls.
There are at least two methods to easily do this. One method is as follows.
1) Menu -> Setting -> Wireless & network -> Mobile network -> Access Point Names (APN).
2) Click the available APNs (T-mobile US, epic.tmobile.com for me).
3) Select APN.
4) Update a random prefix or postfix to APN name, e.g. change epc.tmobile.com to x-epic.tmobile.com or epic.tmobile.comx.
5) Click OK. Then the data service should be disabled.
The other method is to use APNDroid app.
1) Install APNDroid from Android market.
2) Start APNDroid.
3) Click Off/On button to disable or reenable mobile network carrier's data service.
It should be mentioned that although we disable mobile network carrier's data service, we can still use mobile network carrier's voice service to make phone calls.
There are at least two methods to easily do this. One method is as follows.
1) Menu -> Setting -> Wireless & network -> Mobile network -> Access Point Names (APN).
2) Click the available APNs (T-mobile US, epic.tmobile.com for me).
3) Select APN.
4) Update a random prefix or postfix to APN name, e.g. change epc.tmobile.com to x-epic.tmobile.com or epic.tmobile.comx.
5) Click OK. Then the data service should be disabled.
The other method is to use APNDroid app.
1) Install APNDroid from Android market.
2) Start APNDroid.
3) Click Off/On button to disable or reenable mobile network carrier's data service.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Does cell phone radiation affect human health?
San Francisco city is debating whether to require cell phone sellers to put a label about the amount of radiation levels emitted by cell phones on the cell phone. State of Maine also has a similar bill in work. Increasing amount of people in the world have at least one cell phone, increasing percentage of cell phones are smart phones (with more wireless signals, mobile network, wi-fi, bluetooth, and gps signal), and cell phones use the same radiation as microwave uses. It becomes a hot issue whether cell phone radiation affect people's health, particularly brain health.
Check wikipedia article Mobile phone radiation and health,
you can see that a lot of research has been done. From these research works, however, no convincing evidence proves one way or the other. Some research concludes that cell phone radiation is harmful to human health, some research think the cell phone signal is too weak to be harmful, and other research concludes that phone radiation is beneficial to the health.
If you have concerns about the potential danger of cell phone radiation, you may consider methods to disable some wireless signals, or use headset during the phone conversation.
BTW, although it is questionable whether cell phone radiation affect your health, it is very clear that overusing cell phone (like texting and calling during driving or walking) is a danger to public safety.
Check wikipedia article Mobile phone radiation and health,
you can see that a lot of research has been done. From these research works, however, no convincing evidence proves one way or the other. Some research concludes that cell phone radiation is harmful to human health, some research think the cell phone signal is too weak to be harmful, and other research concludes that phone radiation is beneficial to the health.
If you have concerns about the potential danger of cell phone radiation, you may consider methods to disable some wireless signals, or use headset during the phone conversation.
BTW, although it is questionable whether cell phone radiation affect your health, it is very clear that overusing cell phone (like texting and calling during driving or walking) is a danger to public safety.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wireless Signal Series: What is Airplane mode on Android phone
Airplane mode on Android phone is very useful to me (airplane mode also exists for other types of smart phones). You can go Menu -> Settings -> Wireless & Networks (for Android 2.1, Wireless controls for Android 1.6) -> Airplane mode to check/enable or uncheck/disable Airplane mode.
If you check Airplane mode, you will disable all wireless signals including mobile network signal (voice and data), wireless signal, and bluetooth (GPS signal still works). So you can not make or receive a phone call, or use 3G signal to surf Internet. Why is airplane mode useful? Intuitively, you need to check airplane mode when you are on a flight. But it is more than that. Some people put their Android phone in the bedroom at night. They need to check airplane mode before going to bed. Otherwise, they may be awaken by the phone call or incoming email notification. Airplane mode is also useful when you bring your phone to a meeting room, movie theater (Silence is Golden), church service, etc.
There is a difference about airplane mode for Android 2.1 (Nexus One uses Android 2.1) and Android 1.6 (G1 Dream uses Android 1.6). For Android 2.1, after you check airplane mode, you can still enable Wi-Fi (Menu -> Setting -> Wireless & Networks -> Wi-Fi) to surf Internet (but you can not enable bluetooth); for Android 1.6, after you check airplane mode, you can not enable Wi-Fi (can not enable bluetooth either). I do not know the change is according to the design or by accident.
If you check Airplane mode, you will disable all wireless signals including mobile network signal (voice and data), wireless signal, and bluetooth (GPS signal still works). So you can not make or receive a phone call, or use 3G signal to surf Internet. Why is airplane mode useful? Intuitively, you need to check airplane mode when you are on a flight. But it is more than that. Some people put their Android phone in the bedroom at night. They need to check airplane mode before going to bed. Otherwise, they may be awaken by the phone call or incoming email notification. Airplane mode is also useful when you bring your phone to a meeting room, movie theater (Silence is Golden), church service, etc.
There is a difference about airplane mode for Android 2.1 (Nexus One uses Android 2.1) and Android 1.6 (G1 Dream uses Android 1.6). For Android 2.1, after you check airplane mode, you can still enable Wi-Fi (Menu -> Setting -> Wireless & Networks -> Wi-Fi) to surf Internet (but you can not enable bluetooth); for Android 1.6, after you check airplane mode, you can not enable Wi-Fi (can not enable bluetooth either). I do not know the change is according to the design or by accident.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wireless Signal Series: What are wireless signals on Android phone
Smart phones like Android phone usually receive three or four wireless signals. People is easily confused about these signals and puzzled about how to disable these wireless signals.
Here is some description about what wireless signals are on Android phone and other smart phones.
1) Mobile network. This is the signal from mobile carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-mobile, and Sprint. You need to pay these carriers to use this signal. Based on mobile network signal, there are voice service (phone call), text message service, and data service. For the data service, there is 2G and 3G network signal. For Android phone, you can set them from Menu -> Wireless & Network -> Mobile networks.
2) Wi-Fi. This is the signal from your home wireless router, your company wireless data network, wireless network in public libraries, hot spot in cafe shops, bookstores, car service waiting rooms, airports, etc. You can use Wi-Fi to access Internet. More and more places offer Wi-Fi signals, free or not. For example, in November 2009, Google announced that it offers free Wi-Fi in 47 airports and on Virgin America airplanes. For Android phone, you can view what Wi-Fi signals are available from Menu -> Wireless & Network -> Wi-Fi settings.
3) Bluetooth. This is a short distance wireless signal. You can use it to connect with laptop or car with bluetooth functionality to transfer data. Or you can use bluetooth headphone to make phone call when you drive (strongly discouraged!). For Android phone, you can view bluetooth setting from Menu -> Wireless & Network -> Bluetooth settings.
4) GPS. This is a wireless signal sent from satellites about your phone location (latitude and longitude) about the phone. It's free. But sometimes it may be battery power consuming.
How can we disable all these wireless signals or individual wireless signals on Android phone?
1) To disable all signals (except GPS signal), use airplane mode. Menu -> Wireless & Network, check Airplane Mode. It disables phone and data service provided by mobile carrier, Wi-Fi, and bluetooth. But it does not disable GPS signal. You want to need this because you are required to do so on the flight, you are sitting in a meeting room, or you put your phone besides the bed, but do not want someone to interrupt your sleep by phone call or incoming email notification. Read this article for more information about airplane mode and airplane mode difference between Nexus One ((Android 2.1)) and G1 Dream (Android 1.6).
2) To disable GPS signal, go Menu -> Location & Security settings, and then uncheck Use GPS satellites. You want to do this because you want to save battery life.
3) To disable bluetooth signal individually, go Menu -> Wireless & Network, and then uncheck bluetooth. You want to do this because 1) you never use the bluetooth signal, like me, or 2) you are concerned about the bluetooth radiation.
4) To disable Wi-Fi signal individually, Menu -> Wireless & Network, and then uncheck Wi-Fi. You want to do this sometimes because you want to save battery life.
5) To disable data service provided by carrier, you can install an app called APNDroid (APN stands for Access Point Names) to do this. You do this when you want to use Wi-Fi rather than 2G/3G signal provided by mobile carrier to surf Internent. Why do you want to do this? a) In some phone service packages, data service is charged according to your usage. So when Wi-Fi signal is available, people want to use Wi-Fi signal to surf Internet for free instead of pay usage fee to mobile carreirs. b) In many cases (not always), Wi-Fi data transfer speed is higher than 3G mobile network.
Update on January 19, 2009: add a link about airplane mode.
Here is some description about what wireless signals are on Android phone and other smart phones.
1) Mobile network. This is the signal from mobile carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-mobile, and Sprint. You need to pay these carriers to use this signal. Based on mobile network signal, there are voice service (phone call), text message service, and data service. For the data service, there is 2G and 3G network signal. For Android phone, you can set them from Menu -> Wireless & Network -> Mobile networks.
2) Wi-Fi. This is the signal from your home wireless router, your company wireless data network, wireless network in public libraries, hot spot in cafe shops, bookstores, car service waiting rooms, airports, etc. You can use Wi-Fi to access Internet. More and more places offer Wi-Fi signals, free or not. For example, in November 2009, Google announced that it offers free Wi-Fi in 47 airports and on Virgin America airplanes. For Android phone, you can view what Wi-Fi signals are available from Menu -> Wireless & Network -> Wi-Fi settings.
3) Bluetooth. This is a short distance wireless signal. You can use it to connect with laptop or car with bluetooth functionality to transfer data. Or you can use bluetooth headphone to make phone call when you drive (strongly discouraged!). For Android phone, you can view bluetooth setting from Menu -> Wireless & Network -> Bluetooth settings.
4) GPS. This is a wireless signal sent from satellites about your phone location (latitude and longitude) about the phone. It's free. But sometimes it may be battery power consuming.
How can we disable all these wireless signals or individual wireless signals on Android phone?
1) To disable all signals (except GPS signal), use airplane mode. Menu -> Wireless & Network, check Airplane Mode. It disables phone and data service provided by mobile carrier, Wi-Fi, and bluetooth. But it does not disable GPS signal. You want to need this because you are required to do so on the flight, you are sitting in a meeting room, or you put your phone besides the bed, but do not want someone to interrupt your sleep by phone call or incoming email notification. Read this article for more information about airplane mode and airplane mode difference between Nexus One ((Android 2.1)) and G1 Dream (Android 1.6).
2) To disable GPS signal, go Menu -> Location & Security settings, and then uncheck Use GPS satellites. You want to do this because you want to save battery life.
3) To disable bluetooth signal individually, go Menu -> Wireless & Network, and then uncheck bluetooth. You want to do this because 1) you never use the bluetooth signal, like me, or 2) you are concerned about the bluetooth radiation.
4) To disable Wi-Fi signal individually, Menu -> Wireless & Network, and then uncheck Wi-Fi. You want to do this sometimes because you want to save battery life.
5) To disable data service provided by carrier, you can install an app called APNDroid (APN stands for Access Point Names) to do this. You do this when you want to use Wi-Fi rather than 2G/3G signal provided by mobile carrier to surf Internent. Why do you want to do this? a) In some phone service packages, data service is charged according to your usage. So when Wi-Fi signal is available, people want to use Wi-Fi signal to surf Internet for free instead of pay usage fee to mobile carreirs. b) In many cases (not always), Wi-Fi data transfer speed is higher than 3G mobile network.
Update on January 19, 2009: add a link about airplane mode.
How can I copy and paste text on Android phone
Many times when I read news article using Android phone browser, I want to do a search on some text in the article. So how can I copy text in the browser and paste it in the search box? Here is a method.
For copying text when you browse web pages, push the menu button on the bottom of the phone, Select More menu item, then select Select Text menu item (Pay attention that the menu item is not called Copy, so do not look for Copy menu item), now you can use your finger select the text you want to copy. The text is copied to the clipboard. I find it is hard to select the exact text you want to select. Many times, I over-select text.
For pasting text in the search box to do Google search, you touch and hold the search box on the screen for a while, a context menu jumps up. You select Paste menu item, the text will show up in the text box. Then you can do a Google search.
This method has an asymmetry. I copy text using the hardware menu button on the bottom of Android phone display; I paste text using the context menu by touching and holding the text box on the screen. So it will take time for people to figure out this method. I hope there is a simpler way to copy and paste.
For copying text when you browse web pages, push the menu button on the bottom of the phone, Select More menu item, then select Select Text menu item (Pay attention that the menu item is not called Copy, so do not look for Copy menu item), now you can use your finger select the text you want to copy. The text is copied to the clipboard. I find it is hard to select the exact text you want to select. Many times, I over-select text.
For pasting text in the search box to do Google search, you touch and hold the search box on the screen for a while, a context menu jumps up. You select Paste menu item, the text will show up in the text box. Then you can do a Google search.
This method has an asymmetry. I copy text using the hardware menu button on the bottom of Android phone display; I paste text using the context menu by touching and holding the text box on the screen. So it will take time for people to figure out this method. I hope there is a simpler way to copy and paste.
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