Android Smartphones For Seniors For Dummies. Marsha Collier

Android. For those who remember the Blackberry, I’ve even heard rumors that a new Blackberry model based on Android is coming out!

      The additions that manufacturers put on their devices become Android combined operating systems, or skins, as software overlays that deliver the interface design of the phone. A lot of extra software can be piled on a phone this way. I remember being given a popular brand’s phone to review, and I couldn’t get past the complexity of the skin. Screen shots in this book illustrate that similar screens can look different between phones because each manufacturer’s device has its own skin design. You’ll notice that even Android icons may appear in circles or squares and are modified ever so slightly.

      Android skin customizations offer the user an enhanced experience. Its up to you to decide which one works best in your day-to-day phone use.

       Just as Android names each version of the software, it’s probably no surprise (because branding is important to manufacturers) that each OS skin has its own name: OncPlus = OxygenOS, Samsung = One UI, Xiaomi = MIUI, Oppo = ColorOS.

      Note: You receive separate updates on your phone for security, the Android operating system, and the manufacturer’s operating system.

      Tech support options

      In Chapter 2, you find out about buying a phone, but know that you don’t have to buy from the cellular carrier. You can buy direct. Because both the manufacturer and carrier are intertwined with your phone, you might receive better tech support by contacting the manufacturer.

In Table 1-1, I give you tech support contact information for the major phone manufacturers. I have added a Twitter handle for brands that have a dedicated tech support Twitter account. Reaching brands via social media can be the fastest way to find service.

       Yes, efficient service can happen! On a personal note, I can attest to reaching Samsung support on Twitter (some years ago). Even though my device was out of warranty and the problem was caused by my own idiocy (I put the phone on a counter and spilled a cleaning solution which saturated my phone), I told them I’d pay for the repair. They asked that I mail in my phone, and I was able to track the repair progress on the online portal. The process was super efficient, and my phone was returned to me quickly.

TABLE 1-1 Customer Service Contact Info for Android Phone Manufacturers

Manufacturer	Twitter Handle	Link	Phone
Huawei		https://consumer.huawei.com/us	[phone]
Lenovo	@LenovoSupport	https://support.lenovo.com/	[phone]
LG	@LGUSSupport	https://www.lg.com/us/mobile	[phone]
Motorola	@Moto_Support	https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/mcp/contactus	[phone]
OnePlus	@OnePlus_Support	https://www.oneplus.com/support	[phone]
Oppo	@OPPOCareGlobal	https://support.oppo.com/en	[phone]
Pixel	@Google	https://support.google.com/pixelphone
Samsung	@SamsungSupport	https://www.samsung.com/us/support	Text HELP to 62913
TCL	@TCL_USA	https://support.tcl.com	[phone]
Xiaomi		https://www.mi.com/global	(833)-942-6648
ZTE		https://ztedevices.com/en-gl/support-center	[phone]

      5G? LTE? 4G? VoLTE? Whaaat?

      I hope you appreciate the fact that I’m sparing you a long diatribe on the technical aspects of your phone’s radio frequency usage. At best, an explanation would be wordy and confusing. And it’s unnecessary.

      The simple explanation for those letters and numbers associated with your smartphone’s signal is this: The higher the number in the radio frequency designation, the faster the data signal can communicate with your phone. The G stands for the generation of the device. LTE stands for Long Term Evolution (basically, industry and marketing jargon), and 4G VoLTE means that you can make voice calls over the LTE data network.

      Each leap in technology represents more signal capacity. The faster newer-generation technology also means less latency (lag time) between the signal source and your phone. It takes less time to get a signal response, which, in the case of 5G, can mean useful advances in personal medical devices, such as remote monitoring, and more. Also, if you live in a home with lots of people using the Internet simultaneously,