My Samsung Galaxy Note II

Craig James Johnston has been involved with technology since his high school days at Glenwood High in Durban, South Africa, when his school was given some Apple ][ Europluses. From that moment, technology captivated him, and he has owned, supported, evangelized, and written about it. Craig has been involved in designing and supporting large-scale enterprise networks with integrated email and directory services since 1989. He has held many different IT-related positions in his career ranging from sales support engineer to mobile architect for a 40,000-smartphone infrastructure at a large bank. In addition to designing and supporting mobile computing environments, Craig cohosts the CrackBerry.com podcast as well as guest hosting on other podcasts, including iPhone and iPad Live podcasts. You can see Craig’s previously published work in his books Professional BlackBerry, and many books in the My series, including My BlackBerry Curve, My Palm Pre, My Note II One, My DROID (first and second editions), My Motorola Atrix 4G, My BlackBerry PlayBook, and My HTC EVO 3D. Craig also enjoys high-horsepower, high-speed vehicles and tries very hard to keep to the speed limit while driving them. Originally from Durban, South Africa, Craig has lived in the United Kingdom, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New Jersey, where he now lives with his wife, Karen, and a couple of cats. Craig would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact Craig about your experiences with My Samsung Galaxy Note II at http://www.CraigsBooks.info. All comments, suggestions, and feedback are welcome, including positive and negative. Guy Hart-Davis is the author of approximately 100 computer books, including Kindle Fire Geekery and How to Do Everything: Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Prologue: Getting to Know Your Galaxy Note II   3

Your Galaxy Note II’s External Features   3

Front   4

Back   5

Top   6

Bottom   6

S Pen   7

Getting to Know the S Pen   7

Air View   8

Gestures   10

Quick Commands   11

First-Time Setup   13

Fundamentals of Android 4.1 and TouchWiz   18

The Unlock Screen   18

The Home Screen(s)    20

Use the Touchscreen   24

Use the Keyboard   25

Dictation--Speak Instead of Type   29

Edit Text   30

Menus   32

Run Two Apps at the Same Time   33

Switch Between Apps   35

Installing Synchronization Software   35

Install Android File Transfer (Apple Mac OS X)    36

Install Google Music Manager (Apple Mac)    37

Install Google Music Manager (Windows)    38

Configure Music Manager (Windows and Apple Mac)    39

Chapter 1: Connecting to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and VPNs   43

Connecting to Bluetooth Devices   43

Pair with a New Bluetooth Device   44

Change Bluetooth Settings   47

Change Bluetooth Device Options   47

Wi-Fi   49

Connect to Wi-Fi   49

Wi-Fi Network Options   50

Advanced Wi-Fi Options   51

Wi-Fi Direct   53

Set Up Wi-Fi Direct   53

Use Wi-Fi Direct (the Official Way)    54

Use Wi-Fi Direct (Use WiFi Shoot)    56

Near Field Communications (NFC)    57

Enable NFC, Android Beam, and S Beam   57

Use Android Beam to Send Links to Content   58

Use Android Beam to Send Real Files   59

Use Samsung S Beam to Send Files   61

Cellular Networks   62

Change Mobile Settings   62

Virtual Private Networks (VPN)    64

Add a VPN   64

Connect to a VPN   66

Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot   69

Start Your Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot   69

Chapter 2: Customizing Your Galaxy Note II   73

Changing Your Wallpaper   74

Wallpaper from Gallery Pictures   75

Live Wallpaper   76

Wallpaper   76

Changing Your Keyboard   77

Adding Widgets to Your Home Screens   78

Add a Widget   78

Remove and Move a Widget   80

Setting the Language   80

Changing Accessibility Settings   81

Adjusting Sound Settings   83

Modifying Display Settings   84

Adjusting Samsung-Specific Settings   87

Home Screen Mode   87

Blocking Mode   88

Motion   89

S Pen   91

Chapter 3: Browsing the Web   93

Navigating with Chrome   93

Web Page Options   95

Browser Tricks   96

Managing Bookmarks, Most Visited, and Other Devices  97

Manage Bookmarks   98

Create a Bookmark   99

Manage the Most Visited Sites List   99

Manage the Other Devices List   100

Managing Multiple Tabs   101

Customizing Browser Settings   102

Chapter 4: Email   109

Gmail   109

Add a Google Account  110

Navigate the Gmail App   112

Compose Gmail Email   113

Add Attachments to Messages   114

Read Gmail Email   115

Modify Gmail Settings   117

Manage Gmail Labels   120

Email Application   121

Add a Work Email Account   121

Add a New POP3 or IMAP Account   124

Working with the Email App   127

Navigate the Email Application   127

Compose an Email   128

Add Attachments to a Message   130

Read Email   130

Change Email App Settings   132

Chapter 5: Google Now and Navigation   141

Google Now   141

Understand the Google Now Screen   142

Set Up Google Now   143

Set Up Google Maps   145

Google Maps   146

Get Directions   146

Adjust Google Maps Settings   148

Use Offline Google Maps   150

Access Google Maps Offers   151

Locate Friends with Google Latitude   153

Navigation   153

Chapter 6: Working with Date, Time, and Calendar   157

Setting the Date and Time   157

Clock Application   159

Navigate the Clock Application   159

Manage Alarms   160

Use the World Clock   162

Use the Desk Clock   163

Use Dock Mode   164

Using the Calendar Application   167

Navigate the Calendar Main Screen   167

Choose Which Calendars and Task Lists to View   169

Change Calendar Settings   169

Add a New Event   171

Respond to a Google Event Invitation   174

Respond to a Corporate Event Invitation   175

Use Quick Responses   177

Add a Task   178

Chapter 7: Contacts   181

Adding Accounts   181

Navigating Contacts   186

Check a Contact’s Status   188

Edit a Contact   188

Add a Contact Photo   190

Adding and Managing Contacts   191

Add a Contact from an Email   191

Add a Contact Manually   192

Add a Contact from a vCard   193

Add a Contact Using Near Field Communications   194

Manage Contacts Settings   195

Create Contact Groups   196

Change the Contacts in a Contacts Group   197

Choose Which Contacts to Display   198

Join and Separate Contacts   199

Adding a Contact to Your Home Screen   200

Chapter 8: Phone, SMS, and MMS   203

Phone   203

Open and Navigate the Phone App   204

Receive a Call   205

Handle Missed Calls   207

Place a Call   208

Configure the Phone App   213

SMS and MMS   215

Get to Know the Messaging App   216

Manage Settings for the Messaging App   216

Compose Messages   223

Attach Files to Messages   224

Receive Messages   226

Chapter 9: Audio, Video, Photos, and Movies   229

Enjoying Music with the Music Application   229

Install the Play Music App   230

Find Music   231

Purchase Music   231

Add Your Existing Music to Google Music   233

Use the Music Application   236

Control Playback   238

Work and Listen to Music   240

Work with Playlists   241

Listen to Music with No Wireless Coverage   243

Playing and Sharing Videos   244

Share Videos   246

Delete Videos   248

Taking Photos and Videos with the Camera App   248

Take Photos   248

Change Camera Settings   249

View the Photos You Take   251

Record Videos with the Camera App   253

Change Video Settings   253

Enjoying Videos with the YouTube App   254

Meet the YouTube Main Screen   255

Play a Video   256

Change YouTube Settings   258

Upload a Video to YouTube from the YouTube App   260

Chapter 10: Books and Magazines   263

Reading Books with Play Books and Kindle   263

Open the Play Books App and Meet Your Library   264

Get Books from the Play Store   265

Read Books with the Play Books App   267

Choose Options for the Play Books App   268

Install the Kindle App   270

Reading Magazines with Play Magazines   274

Open the Play Magazines App and Choose Your Magazines   275

Read a Magazine with the Play Magazines App   277

Choose Options for the Play Magazines App   278

Chapter 11: Working with Android Apps   281

Configuring Google Wallet   281

Navigating Google Play   283

Download Free Apps   284

Buy Apps   285

Manage Apps   286

Manage Google Play Settings   288

Keeping Apps Up to Date   289

Chapter 12: Maintaining Your Galaxy Note II and Solving Problems   293

Updating Android   294

Optimizing the Battery   296

Take Care of the Battery   296

Monitor Battery Use   297

Choose Power-Saving Options   298

Apps and Memory   .299

Reining in Your Data Usage   300

Set Background Data Limits   302

Caring for the Galaxy Note II’s Exterior   302

Getting Help with Your Galaxy Note II   303

Index   304