Android Tricks

1.Installing non-Market Apps on Android Phone

If you own an Android Dev phone, at some point you'd probably want to create and try your own apps (or apps from your friends).

To ensure that you do not break your phone by installing malicious apps, Android has a couple of safety features built in. So you need to specifically instruct android to be able to install unsigned / non-market apps.

Menu > Settings > Applications > Unknown Sources

Check "Unknown Sources" to allow install of non-Market applications. While developing, you most likely also want to enable "Stay awake" inMenu > Settings > Applications > Development so that your screen does not go to sleep every often.

Now you can install any app (including malicious ones) the usual way either by browsing to the app using the browser or using adb install command.

2.Android Wi-Fi Hotspot Instructions

1. Open Settings then select Wireless & Networks
2. Scroll down and select Tethering & portable hotspot
3. Select Portable Wi-Fi hotspot to enable the service

There are no other settings or configuration needed, and at this point your Android phone will begin to broadcast as Wi-Fi Hotspot with the network name 'AndroidAP' and 'Open' network security. If you would like to customize the SSID name or assign WPA2 PSK network security, select Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings.

Once the computers connects to the new portable Wi-Fi hotspot (AndroidAP is default name), after a few moments the Android phone will automatically issue and IP address to the system. If you're subscribed through a phone carrier who allows pass-through data access, your computer will treat the phone as a network Internet source and can browse the web. Some carriers, such as AT&T in particular, do not allow the phone to function as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. If your carrier is AT&T, this proceedure will work but no Internet access is passed to connected Wi-Fi devices.

Please note that Internet speeds will depend on your phone's data plan, and wireless coverage in your area.