Android Tablet On and Off

Greetings, Android Tablet

The first time you turn on an Android tablet — the very first time — it prompts you to complete the setup process. This step is necessary, and it may have already been completed for you by the cheerful people at the Phone Store who sold you an LTE tablet. Whether or not that’s the case, better read this section, just to be sure.

• Initial tablet setup works best when you already have a Google, or Gmail, account. If you lack a Google account, you’re prompted to create an account in the setup process; see the next section.
• The tablet will not start unless the battery is charged.

Turning on your Android tablet for the first time

The very, very first time you turn on your Android tablet, you’re required to work through the setup process. It’s a must, but it needs to be done only once. If your tablet has already been set up, skip to the next section, “Turning on the tablet.”

The specifics of the setup‐and‐configuration process differ from tablet to tablet. For example, some tablets may prompt you to sign in to services like Dropbox. Tablets on certain mobile data networks may require you to run specific setup apps, which you’ll read about during the configuration  process. Generally speaking, however, the process is similar on all Android tablets, which is what I’ve documented in this section.

I recommend reading through these steps first, and then turning on the tablet and working through them afterward — the process goes kind of fast, and the screen may dim if you spend too much time waiting between steps:

1. Turn on the tablet by pressing the Power/Lock key. You may have to press the button longer than you think; when you see the tablet’s logo appear on the screen, the tablet has started. It’s okay to turn on the tablet while it’s plugged in and charging.

2. Answer the questions that are presented. You’re asked to select options for some, if not all, of these items:

• Select your language
• Activate an LTE tablet on the mobile data network
• Choose a Wi‐Fi network (can be done later) 
• Set the time zone 
• Accept terms and conditions 
• Sign in to your Google account 
• Add other online accounts 
• Set location information.

When in doubt, just accept the standard options as presented to you during the setup process.

To fill in text fields, use the onscreen keyboard.

You can’t screw up anything at this point; any selection you make can be changed later.

3. After each choice, tap the Next button, or large triangle icon. The Next button might appear on the screen, labeled with the text Next, or it might appear as a triangle icon, shown in the margin.

4. Tap the Finish button. The Finish button appears on the last screen of the setup procedure.

You’re done. From this point on, starting the tablet works as described in the next section.

After the initial setup, you’re taken to the Home screen.

• You may find yourself asked various questions or prompted to try various tricks when you first start to use the tablet. Some of those prompts are helpful, but it’s okay to skip some. To do so, tap the OK I Got It button or select the Do Not Show Again check box.
• Additional information on connecting your tablet to a Wi‐Fi network is found in Chapter 16.
• Location settings relate to how the tablet knows its position on Planet Earth. I recommend keeping all these items activated to get the most from your Android tablet.
• It’s important to have a Google account on an Android tablet. If you don’t have one, sign up during the setup process.
• By setting up your Google account, you coordinate with your new Android tablet whatever information you have on the Internet. This information includes your email messages and contacts on Gmail, appointments on Google Calendar, and information and data from other Google Internet applications.
• It isn’t necessary to use any specific software provided by the tablet’s manufacturer or the cellular provider. For example, if you don’t want a Samsung account, you don’t need to sign up for one; skip that step.

Turning on the tablet

To turn on your Android tablet, press and hold the Power/Lock button. After a few seconds, you see the tablet’s start‐up logo, enjoy some hypnotic animation, and maybe even hear a tune. Release the Power/Lock key; the device is starting.

Eventually, you see the unlock screen. See the later section “Working the screen lock” for information on what to do next.

Unlocking the tablet

You’ll probably leave your Android tablet on all the time. That’s great! Tablets are designed that way, and the battery supports keeping it on for lengthy periods. When your tablet is bored, or when you’ve ignored it for a while, it locks itself similarly to a computer entering Sleep mode. After the tablet is locked, the touchscreen turns off to save power.

To unlock the tablet, press the Power/Lock key. Unlike turning on the tablet, a quick press is all that’s needed.

After unlocking the tablet, you see the lock screen. Work the lock as described in the next section, and then you can start using the device.

On Samsung tablets, you can press the Home button to unlock the tablet. The Home button is centered below the touchscreen.
On the Samsung Galaxy Note, you can unlock the tablet by removing the S Pen.
If your tablet features a cover, opening the cover unlocks the device.
Android tablets don’t snore while sleeping, but they can dream. See Chapter 23.

Working the screen lock

The swipe lock isn’t a difficult lock to pick. In fact, it’s known as the No Security screen lock on some tablets. If you’ve added more security, you might see any one of several different screen locks on your tablet. Here are the common Android screen locks:

• Swipe: It’s the standard screen lock. Swipe your finger on the screen to unlock the device, as
• Pattern: Trace a preset pattern over the nine dots on the screen.
• PIN: Type a number to unlock the device.
• Password: Type a password, which can include letters, numbers, and  symbols. Some tablets provide additional, fancy screen locks. Among the variety are the following:
• Face Unlock: Look at the tablet. In a few moments, your visage is recognized and the tablet unlocks.
• Fingerprint: Rub your finger or thumb over the sensor, such as the Home button on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S, to unlock the device.
• Signature: The Samsung Galaxy Note line of tablets lets you sign your name on the screen by using the S Pen. If the signature matches, the tablet unlocks.

Finally, some tablets provide the None option for the screen lock. When this option is selected, the device lacks a screen lock and you can use the tablet immediately.

The PIN and password locks are considered the most secure. To use certain tablet features, you must choose either the PIN or password screen lock. Other locks offer moderate security, and may require a PIN or password as a backup. The swipe and None locks are the least secure.

Unlocking and running an app

Your tablet’s lock screen may feature app icons, such as the Camera icon, shown earlier, in Figure 2-1. You can unlock the tablet and run a given app: Drag the app icon across the touchscreen. The tablet unlocks, and the chosen app starts automatically.

• When a secure screen lock is set, the tablet isn’t actually unlocked when the app runs. To do anything else on the tablet, you must eventually work the screen lock.
• Refer to Chapter 3 for details on performing the drag operation.

More Accounts

Your Android tablet can serve as home to your various online incarnations. That includes your email accounts, online services, subscriptions, and other digital personas. I recommended adding those accounts to your tablet to   continue the setup‐and‐configuration process.

With your tablet on and unlocked, follow these steps:

1. Tap the Apps icon. The Apps icon is found at the bottom of the Home screen. It looks similar to the icon shown in the margin, although it has many variations. See Chapter 3 for the variety. When you tap the Apps icon, you view the Apps drawer, which lists all apps available on your tablet.
2. Open the Settings app. You may have to swipe the Apps drawer screen left or right a few times, paging through the various icons, to find the Settings app. After you tap the Settings icon, the Settings app runs. It shows  commands for configuring and setting tablet options.
3. Choose the Accounts category. On some Samsung tablets, tap the General tab atop the Settings app screen to find the Accounts category. Some tablets may name the item Accounts and Sync. Upon success, you see all existing accounts on your tablet, similar to the ones shown in Figure 2-2.
4. Tap Add Account. The Add Account item is illustrated in Figure 2-2, although it may appear as only a plus sign, shown in the margin.
5. Choose an account from the list. For example, to add a Facebook account, choose the Facebook app from the list. Don’t worry if you don’t see the exact type of account you want to add. You may have to add a specific app before an account appears. Chapter 15 covers adding apps.
6. Follow the directions to sign in to your account. The steps you take depend on the type of account you’re adding. Generally speaking, you sign in by using an existing username and  password.

You can continue adding accounts by repeating these steps. When you’re done, tap the Home icon to return to the Home screen.

• See Chapter 6 for specific information on adding email accounts to your Android tablet.
• Chapter 9 covers social networking on your tablet. Refer there for  specific information on adding Facebook, Twitter, and other social  networking accounts.
• The accounts you add are your own. If you need to add another user to the tablet (who would have her own accounts), see Chapter 20 for  information.

Transferring information from your old tablet

Here’s one task you don’t need to worry about: All the Google information associated with your old tablet — your current phone — is instantly transferred to your new Android tablet. This information includes contacts, Gmail, events, and other Google account data. You can even install apps you’ve previously obtained (free or purchased). As you add other accounts to your tablet, the information associated with those accounts is migrated as well. The only category not migrated is media installed on the old device. If you’ve synchronized the media with an online sharing service, the information can easily be transferred. Otherwise, refer to Chapter 17 for information on moving over photos, videos, and music to your new Android tablet.

The End of Your Android Tablet Day

I know of three ways to say goodbye to your Android tablet; only one of them involves the application of high explosives. The other methods are  documented in this section.

Locking the tablet

Locking the tablet is cinchy: Simply press and release the Power/Lock key. The display goes dark; your tablet is locked.

• Your Android tablet still works while locked; it receives email, can play music, and signals alerts. While it’s locked, the tablet doesn’t use as much power as it would with the display on.
• The tablet will probably spend most of its time locked.
• Locking doesn’t turn off the tablet.
• Any timers or alarms you set still activate when your tablet is locked. See Chapter 14 for information on setting alarms.
• To unlock your tablet, press and release the Power/Lock key. See the section “Unlocking the tablet,” earlier in this chapter.
• Refer to Chapter 19 for information on setting the automatic timeout value for locking the tablet.

Turning off your Android tablet

To turn off your tablet, heed these steps:

1. Press and hold the Power/Lock key. You see the Device Options menu, which may contain only one item: Power Off. Some tablets feature more items on this menu, such as the Samsung version of the Device Options menu, shown in Figure 2-3.
2. If you chicken out and don’t want to turn off your tablet, tap the Back icon to dismiss the Device Options menu.
3. Tap the Power Off item. If a confirmation message appears, tap the OK button. The Android tablet turns itself off.

The tablet doesn’t run when it’s off, so it doesn’t remind you of appointments and doesn’t collect email, nor do you hear any alarms you’ve set. The tablet isn’t angry with you for turning it off, though you may sense some resentment when you turn it on again.

• Varieties of the Device Options menu on various Android tablets include the Restart command as well as commands to silence the speakers or control vibration. I’ve also seen a Kid Mode command on some tablets.
• Samsung tablets sport a Restart command on the Device Options menu. To restart other Android tablets, you need to turn the device off and then on again, as described in this chapter.
• The tablet can be charged while it’s off.
• Keep your tablet in a safe place while it’s turned off. Chapter 1 offers some suggestions.

That Out‐of‐the‐Box Experience

Your Android tablet adventure begins by opening the device’s box. Sure, you’ve probably already done that. I don’t blame you; I had already opened the box that my Android tablet came in before I read this chapter. No problem. So, to help you recall the ordeal, or to get you oriented if you found the process daunting, or just to prepare you for that out‐of‐the‐box experience yet to come, this chapter provides you with a gentle introduction to your new Android tablet.

Initial Procedures

If you’ve purchased a cellular or LTE tablet, the folks who sold it to you may have already done some configuration before you left the store. That’s great because an LTE tablet requires some extra setup before you can use the device. For now, all tablet owners —  LTE and Wi‐Fi — need to perform two basic tablet activities, described in this section.

Liberating the tablet from the box

Thanks to an excess of funds, your federal government has conducted numerous studies on how people use electronic devices. Men and women wearing white lab coats and safety goggles, and wielding clipboards, drew solid conclusions by thoroughly examining hundreds of Android tablets. The results were unanimous: An Android tablet works better when you first remove it from its box. Thank you, federal grant!

I assume that you’re pretty good at the box‐opening thing, so I probably don’t need to detail that procedure. I can affirm, however, that it’s perfectly okay to remove and throw away those protective plastic sheets clinging to the front, back, and sides of the tablet. And don’t be embarrassed when, three weeks from now, you find yet another plastic sheet you haven’t removed. Feel free to remove and throw away the plastic sheets.

Along with the tablet, you’ll find the following items in the box:

• USB cable: You can use it to connect the tablet to a computer or a wall charger.
• Power adapter: Use this thing (and the USB cable) to charge the tablet’s battery. The adapter may come in two pieces, both of which must be assembled.
• Power charger and cable: These are included with some tablets that don’t use the USB cable to charge the battery.
• Useless pamphlets: If your tablet is like mine, you’ll find that the safety and warranty information is far more extensive than the flimsy setup guide. That shows the priority our culture places on lawyers versus technology writers.
• The 4G SIM card holder: For an LTE tablet, you need a 4G SIM card. If you purchased your tablet at a phone store, someone there may have tossed the SIM card holder into the box as well. You can throw it out.

Keep the box for as long as you own your Android tablet. If you ever need to return the thing, or ship it anywhere, the original box is the ideal container. You can shove all those useless pamphlets and papers back into the box as well.

Charging the battery

The very first thing that I recommend you do with your tablet is give it a full charge.

Assemble the charging cord: Attach the wall adapter to the USB cable. Plug the cable into the tablet and the adapter into a wall socket. Wait.

Some tablets use their own charging cord, not the USB cable. If you own such a tablet, ensure that you’re using that cord and not the USB cable; directions buried somewhere in the box explain how charging works.

Upon success, a large “battery charging” type of icon might appear on the tablet’s touchscreen. This icon lets you know that the tablet is functioning properly — but don’t be alarmed if the battery icon fails to appear.

If a Welcome screen or Setup screen appears when you charge the tablet, you can proceed with configuration.

• Some tablets feature an HDMI connector, which looks similar to the USB or power connector. Don’t jam the USB cable into that hole.
• Even if your Android tablet comes fully charged from the factory, I still recommend giving it an initial charge, to at least familiarize yourself with the process.
• The USB cable is also used for connecting the tablet to a computer to share information, exchange files, or use the tablet as a modem. The latter process, called tethering, is covered in Chapter 23.
• You can also charge the tablet by connecting it to a computer’s USB port. As long as the computer is on, the tablet charges.
• Feel free to use the tablet while the battery is charging. And you don’t have to wait for a full charge, either.
• When the battery is dead or just very low, you can’t turn on the tablet. Just wait until the thing gets charged an eensie bit, and then it will turn on.
• The battery charges more efficiently if you plug it into a wall, as opposed to charging it from a computer’s USB port.
• Most Android tablets I’ve seen don’t feature a removable battery, so the battery cannot be replaced if it’s defective. If the battery doesn’t charge or keep a charge, you should return the tablet for a refund or  replacement.

Tablet Exploration

Everyone loves a good game of hide‐and‐seek — except when it comes to technology. It’s important that you know where certain key items are found on your Android tablet. The problem is that the location of these items isn’t consistent, even when two tablets are made by the same manufacturer.

Finding things on the tablet

Take heed of Figure 1-1, which is my attempt at illustrating a generic Android tablet’s hardware features. Use this figure as a guide as you follow along on your own tablet to locate some key features.

Important items you’ll find on the front of the tablet include the items in this list:

Touchscreen display: The biggest part of the tablet is its touchscreen display, which occupies almost all the territory on the front of the device. The touchscreen display is a look‐touch gizmo: You look at it but also touch it with your fingers to control the tablet.

Front camera: The Android tablet’s front‐facing camera is found above the touchscreen. On larger tablets, the camera is on top when the tablet is  oriented horizontally (refer to the left side of Figure 1-1). On small‐format  tablets, the camera is on top when the tablet is oriented vertically (refer to the right side of Figure 1-1).

Navigation icons: The bottom of the touchscreen shows the Android navigation icons. On some tablets, these icons are physical buttons found below the touchscreen. Refer to Chapter 3 for information on the navigation icons.

Important items found on the tablet’s edges include the ones in this list:

Power/Lock key: This button, or key, turns the tablet on or off, or locks or unlocks the device.

Volume key: The tablet’s volume control is two buttons in one. Press one side of the key to set the volume higher or the other side to set the volume lower. This key is often found next to the Power/Lock key. It’s the larger of the two.

USB/Power connector: This slot is where you connect the USB cable, which is used both to charge the battery and to connect your Android tablet to a computer. The slot is also where the tablet connects to the dock, should one of those be available. See the later section “Optional Accessories.”

External storage slot: The tablet’s external storage is added by inserting a memory card into the external storage slot. Details on using this feature are covered in the next section.

SIM card cover: This spot is used to access an LTE tablet’s SIM card, which is inserted into a slot beneath the cover.

Headphone jack: This hole is where you can connect standard headphones.

Speaker(s): Stereo speakers are found left and right on the tablet, although smaller‐format tablets may have their speakers on the back.

Microphone: A miniscule, circular opening serves as the device’s microphone. Some tablets may feature two microphone holes. Don’t worry if you can’t find them; they’re there.

The typical Android also has a back side. It’s not shown earlier, in Figure 1-1,  because the censors won’t let me do an illustration but also because the back is boring: On it you may find the tablet’s main camera and LED flash. That’s it.

• Samsung tablets feature the Home button directly below the touchscreen. This physical button serves the same purpose as the Home icon on other Android tablets.
• Samsung tablets also feature touch‐sensitive Recent and Back buttons. A Menu button is found instead of the Recent button on older tablets. 
• Be careful not to confuse the SIM card slot with the external storage slot. They’re not the same thing. You’ll rarely, if ever, access the SIM card.
• SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module. The SIM card is used by a cellular provider to identify your tablet and keep track of the amount of data transmitted over the mobile data network. Yep, that’s so you can be billed properly. The SIM also gives your LTE tablet a phone number, though that number is merely an account and not something you can dial into or use for sending a text message.
• Don’t stick anything into the microphone hole. Yes, it’s tempting, but don’t. Only stick things into your tablet that you’re supposed to, such as the USB cable, headphones, memory card, or SIM card.

Inserting a MicroSD card

Removable storage is available on some Android tablets in the form of a MicroSD card. It can be used to store photos, videos, music, evil plans, and so on.

The MicroSD card is teensy. (That’s a scientific description.) The card fits into a slot on the edge of your tablet but can also be inserted into your  computer and read like any removable media card.

The card can be inserted into your tablet whether the device is on or off. Heed these directions:

1. Locate the MicroSD card hatch on the tablet’s edge. Figure 1-2 illustrates the hatch’s appearance, although it may look subtly different on your tablet. The card may be labeled MicroSD. Do not confuse it with the SIM card cover.
2. Poke your fingernail into the slot on the teensy hatch that covers the MicroSD slot, and then flip up the hatch. When pressure is applied to the slot, the hatch pops up and kind of flops over to the side. The cover may not come off completely.
3. Orient the MicroSD card so that the printed side faces up and the teeny triangle on the card points toward the open slot.
4. Use your fingernail or a paperclip to gently shove the card all the way into the slot. The card makes a faint clicking sound when it’s fully inserted. If the card keeps popping out, you’re not shoving it in far enough.
5. Close the hatch covering the MicroSD card slot.

If the tablet is on (and has been configured), you may see an onscreen prompt. If so, ignore the prompt and just tap the OK button on the tablet’s touchscreen.

• Not every Android tablet features external storage. If you can’t find a MicroSD card slot on the tablet’s edge, that feature isn’t available to your tablet.
• The tablet works with or without a MicroSD card installed.
• The MicroSD card is a purchase you must make in addition to your Android tablet. Check the tablet’s documentation (on the box) to see which capacities are compatible with your tablet.
• MicroSD card capacity is in gigabytes (billions of bytes), abbreviated GB or just G. Common capacities include 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The higher the capacity, the more stuff you can store but also the more expensive the card.
• To use a MicroSD card with a computer, you need an SD card adapter. Insert the MicroSD card into the adapter, and then plug the SD card adapter into the computer. The adapter is an extra purchase, although some MicroSD cards come with such an adapter.
• SD stands for Secure Digital. It is but one of about a zillion media card standards.
• In addition to the MicroSD card, your Android tablet features internal storage. That storage is used for the programs you install on the tablet, as well as for the tablet’s operating system and other control programs.

Removing the MicroSD card

Most of the time, the MicroSD card dwells contently inside your Android tablet. When the urge arises to remove it, heed these steps:

1. Turn off your Android tablet. You can damage the media card if you just yank it out of the tablet, which is why I recommend turning off the tablet first.
2. Open the itty‐bitty hatch covering the MicroSD card slot.
3. Use your fingernail to press the MicroSD card inward a tad. The MicroSD card is spring‐loaded, so pressing it in eventually pops it outward.
4. Pinch the MicroSD card between your fingers and remove it completely.

The MicroSD card is too tiny to leave lying around. Put it into a MicroSD card adapter for use in your PC or another electronic device. Or store it inside a miniature box that you can label with a miniature pen in miniature letters: “MicroSD Card Inside.” Don’t lose it!

It’s possible to remove the MicroSD card without turning off the tablet. To do that, you need to unmount the card while the tablet is running. This technical procedure is explained later.

Optional Accessories

Your credit card company will be thrilled when you discover that an assortment of handy Android tablet accessories are available for purchase. You can find them at the place where you purchased your tablet, online, or in the real world. Here are just a few of the items that you can consider getting to complete your tablet experience:

Earphones: You can use any standard cell phone or portable media player earphones with an Android tablet. Simply plug the earphones into the headphone jack at the top of the tablet and you’re ready to go.

Covers, pouches, and sleeves: Answering the question “Where do I put this thing?” is the handy Android tablet pouch or sleeve accessory. Special pouches that double as covers or tablet stands are also available. Try to get one designed for your tablet. If not, check the size before you buy. Not every 10‐inch tablet fits into the same 10‐inch pouch.

Screen protectors: These plastic, clingy things are affixed to the front of the tablet, right over the touchscreen. They help defend the touchscreen glass from finger smudges and sneeze globs while still allowing you to use the touchscreen.

Vehicle charger: You can charge the Android tablet in your car if you buy a vehicle charger. It’s an adapter that plugs into your car’s 12‐volt power supply, in the receptacle that was once known as a cigarette lighter. The vehicle charger is a must if you plan on using the Android tablet’s navigation features in your auto or when you need a charge on the road.

Docks, various and sundry: Most people manhandle their tablets. Tsk, tsk. You can be more refined and get your Android tablet a dock. There are several kinds, from the simple prop‐dock that holds up the tablet at a pleasant viewing angle to docks that contain keyboards to multimedia docks that feature USB ports.

Keyboard: Some docking stands double as tablet keyboards, but you can also obtain any Bluetooth keyboard for use with your Android tablet. See Chapter 16, which covers the Bluetooth connection.

USB Adapter: This USB adapter isn’t the same thing as the USB cable that comes with your tablet. It’s a dongle that plugs into the tablet’s power/USB jack to allow the tablet to host a USB device, such as a keyboard, mouse, or modem, or an external storage device (hard drive or optical drive).

Other exciting and nifty accessories might be available for your tablet. Check frequently for new garnishes and frills at the location where you bought your tablet.

• None of this extra stuff is essential to using your tablet.
• You can use Bluetooth earphones or a cell phone Bluetooth headset with any Android tablet.
• If the earphones feature a microphone, you can use that microphone for dictation, recording, and even chatting online with friends.
• If the earphones feature a button, you can use the button to pause and play music. Press the button once to pause, and again to play.
• Android tablets generally don’t recognize more than one earphones button. For example, if you use earphones that feature a Volume button or Mute button, pressing that extra button does nothing.
• Another useful accessory to get is a microfiber cloth to help clean the tablet’s screen, plus a special cleaning‐solution wipe.

Where to Keep Your Tablet

Like your car keys, glasses, wallet, and phaser pistol, your Android tablet should be kept in a safe, easy‐to‐find, always handy place, whether you’re at home, at work, on the road, or orbiting the Klingon home world.

Making a home for the tablet

I recommend returning your Android tablet to the same spot whenever you finish using it. If you have a computer, my first suggestion is to make a spot right by the computer. Keep the charging cord handy, or just plug the cord into the computer’s USB port so that you can synchronize information with your computer on a regular basis, not to mention keep the tablet charged.

Another handy place to keep the tablet is on your nightstand. That makes sense because, in addition to using the tablet for nighttime reading or video watching, it can serve as an alarm clock.

If you have a docking stand, plug your tablet into it whenever you’re not toting it about.

Above all, avoid putting the tablet in a place where someone can sit on it, step on it, or otherwise damage it. For example, don’t leave the tablet on a table or counter under a stack of newspapers, where it might get accidentally tossed out or put in the recycle bin.

Never leave the tablet on a chair!

As long as you remember to return the tablet to the same spot when you’re done with it, you’ll always know where it is.

Taking the Android tablet with you

If you’re like me, you probably carry the Android tablet around with you to or from the office, at the airport, in the air, or in your car. I hope you’re not using the tablet while you’re driving. Regardless, it’s best to have a portable place to store your tablet while you’re on the road.

The ideal place for the tablet is a specially designed pouch or sleeve. The pouch keeps the device from being dinged, scratched, or even unexpectedly turned on while it’s in your backpack, purse, or carry‐on luggage or wherever you put the tablet when you’re not using it.

Android tablet purchasing tips

The major things to look for when purchasing an Android tablet are the screen size and whether you want an LTE or a Wi‐Fi–only device.

Larger screens are more visible and easier to read, but a larger tablet requires two hands to operate. A smaller size tablet might be more convenient. The only way to know which size works best for you is to manhandle an Android tablet at the store before you buy.

LTE tablets use the mobile data network to access the Internet, just like a smartphone. That ability comes with a monthly bill, but if you need Internet access anywhere, it’s worth the price. Both LTE and Wi‐Fi–only tablets can access Wi‐Fi networks.

Some tablets feature removable storage in the form of a MicroSD card. This feature allows you to expand the device’s storage and more easily share files with a computer.

Ensure that the tablet has both front and rear cameras. The camera resolution isn’t vital, but if your tablet is going to be your only digital camera, getting a high‐resolution rear camera is a plus. Also confirm that the rear camera has a flash.

Beyond these basic items, most Android tablets are the same, with only subtle software differences. Do ensure, however, that your tablet uses the Android operating system and can access and use the Google Play Store. Some low‐price, bargain tablets restrict your purchases to the manufacturer’s own app store. I don’t see that limitation as a positive thing.

• That Out‐of‐the‐Box Experience
• Android Tablet On and Off