I wanted to give a special thanks to @gardenwife who has been active in attempting to help other Android users.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.

Anyone that submits a detailed response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. marcboy @androidandme #askandy Is there a way to change the from line in the gmail app like you can with the webapp?

Unfortunately, there is no option to change the from address in the native Gmail app.  Even the mobile Gmail site lacks this option.  For now, you are limited with one option.  If you would like to send an email from a secondary Gmail account, you must setup your other email accounts using the native Email app.

This can be accomplished in a few simple steps.

1. Login to your other Gmail or Google Apps account.
2. Go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP
3. Make sure POP is enabled and save changes.
4. Launch the Email app from your Android device.
5. Follow on screen instructions to enter your account information.

Your email address should be in the format ‘username@your_domain.com.’  For all Google accounts the incoming mail server is pop.gmail.com and the outgoing is smtp.gmail.com.  For security type, be sure to select SSL(always).

2. codethief @androidandme #AskAndy http://tinyurl.com/mnao3a says that the Magic’s battery life’s much better than the G1′s. Can you confirm that?

Yes, the battery included with the HTC Sapphire/Magic last much longer than my G1.  The G1 shipped with a 1150mAh battery and the Sapphire comes with a 1300mAh one.  In addition to the higher capacity battery, it appears other optimizations have been made.

The difference in the batteries might appear small, but it is almost like night and day.  With the G1, I had to constantly manage the battery life and it was always running low when I placed it on the charger at night.  With my Sapphire, the battery is no longer an issue and I rarely even check what the percentage is.

3. captainnapalm Why can’t I get directions to an event from within my calendar on my G2? Seems like something Google would build-in. #askandy

The native Calendar app does not support this feature, but you can find it in the mobile web version.  Navigate your mobile browser to http://google.com/calendar and you will find a “map” link that will launch the native Maps application.

Many of the native Android apps are lacking in features when compared to their mobile web versions.  This is a pattern that is likely to continue.  As we mentioned last month, Google has chosen to target the browser for new services instead of coding native Android apps.

4. Shonzilla @androidandme #askandy Are you aware of face recognition features in Android SDK? Have you seen anyone using it?

The only app I have seen that uses biometric security is BioWallet.  Unfortunately, the app has yet to be released.  They currently support both iris and handwriting recognition, but have also discussed face and voice recognition.  We will try to follow up with the developer to get an update on their progress.  In the mean time, you can follow @BioWallet on Twitter for updates.

5. mrvin #askandy is there a way to add a T9 or suretype style keyboard to android?

The T-Mobile G1 does not include a T9 input method, but many of the other builds have shipped with one.  The Canadian Rogers G1 has the HTC keypad installed as the default.  If you are one of the people who like to tinker with their phones, you can manually install the HTC_IME keypad on your phone in 3 simple steps.

1. Download the htc_ime.zip file from the XDA forums.
2. Extract the file HTC_IME.apk to your SD card and install it like any other application.
3. Enable the new keypad by going to System Settings > Locale & text > Uncheck Android keyboard  > Check Touch Input

After the new HTC keypad is installed, you can toggle the keyboard type by going to the Touch Input settings.  The three options are QWERTY, Phone Keypad, and Compact QWERTY.  The Phone Keypad type is the one which includes T9 entry.

Hopefully a developer will recognize the demand for T9 entry and release a full keyboard replacement to the Market.  ChompSMS had promised T9 in a future release, but they have failed to deliver.  Better Keyboard also claims to have T9, but the predictive text engine does not work.

6. marcboy @androidandme #askandy Is there a way to use google checkout without a credit card to buy apps in $?

From Google: “You can make purchases through Google Checkout using a credit, debit, or gift card. The types of cards accepted through Google Checkout are based on the seller’s location. Other types of payments, such as checks, money orders, and direct bank account debit, aren’t currently accepted.”

If you do not have a credit or debit card, you can go to Walmart or your local grocery store and purchase a gift card with cash.  Anything with the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo will work.

7. TornadoTexan #AskAndy what are some cool things I can do with my rooted phone? I like having 1.5 but I need more. Especially since 1.5 is released now.

If you have a hacked phone with root access, be sure to visit the XDA Dream forums.  They have a comprehensive thread that links to most of the hacks available to root users.  You will find guides to load new custom Android builds, free up space, increase the sound volume, and more.

I think the most usefull thing you can do with root access is WiFi tethering.  If you are interested, I would recommend aNetShare or Wireless Tether for Root Users.  Both apps work great, but Wireless Tether for Root Users supports tethering via WiFi or Bluetooth.

The following video gives a short demonstration of how Bluetooth tethering works.

8. rexxars @androidandme #askandy Do you know if Google is working on any specific Market improvements? Better search, filtering etc?

I have posed this question over and over, but do not have a good answer for you.  When I asked this question at Google I/O, I was told to be patient and that the Market had only been out 6 months.  In trying to discover the root cause for lack of updates I was told that resources were limited and “you would not believe how small the Market team is”.

We have made no formal announcement, but there is a community group of developers working to address this issue.  Keep an eye on this site for updates.

9. nart1s @androidandme #askandy why should I change my iPhone to a google android?

The comparison of iPhone vs Android comes down to one word: choice.  If you choose to go iPhone, all the hardware is basically the same form factor.  The new iPhone 3Gs looks impressive, but it still lacks a physical keyboard and user replaceable battery.  The only Android phones available for purchase are the HTC Dream and Sapphire, but that will change by the end of this year.

Andy Rubin of Google recently revealed we might see 18-20 Android phones this year.  In addition to the total number of devices, Android will be coming to multiple carriers in the US.  Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint will all be launching Android devices.

In addition to the hardware choices, Android also brings more software options.  If you have the knowledge and time, you can build and compile your own operating system.  The open nature of Android also encourages community developement of the platform.  When the first Android phone shipped it lacked some basic functions like saving MMS attachments, but the community stepped up and released apps to fill the gap.  This pattern continues as more independent developers continue to improve the Android platform.

Finally, developers and customers have more choice with the competing application Markets.  Apple has a history of blocking many apps from their App Store for bizzare reasons.  The approval process for the App Store can also take weeks.  With the Android Market, developers can publish their own apps within minutes.

10. maximosis #askandy with all of the overclocking applications on the market, wondering how overclocking really affects your G1′s performance?

The overclocking apps can increase performance at the cost of battery life.  The G1 shipped with a 528mhz processor, but it is constantly throttled to save on power consumption.  The overclocking apps simply allow you to set the CPU frequency at its max value.  You will need root access in order to use these types of apps.

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

p.s. i’m thinking of turning #AskAndy into a full fledged Android application. Any developers out there interested in helping with the project?

I wanted to give a special thanks to @mrhaydel who has been very active in attempting to help other Android users.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.  We want to encourage community involvement and will be adding new features in the coming weeks to #AskAndy that will make it easier.  Soon we will be creating a dedicated Ask Andy section for the site, but in the mean time you can send responses via Twitter, from the contact page, or send email to andy (at) androidandme.com

Anyone that submits a detailed response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. machee @androidandme Will Rogers HTC Dream/Magic work with AT&T 3G? Will we be able to install standard Android and/or JesusFreak, etc? #askandy

The T-Mobile G1/Dream will not work on AT&T’s 3G network because it operates on a different band.  As for the Rogers versions of Dream and Magic, I am not certain.  Rogers operates on the 1900mhz band for their 3G and also offers the iPhone.  It is quite possible that a Rogers Dream will work on US AT&T if it ships with a different radio chip. I searched long and hard and could not come up with an answer, so don’t get your hopes up yet.

We do know that the Rogers Android phones will not be full Google experience phones.  It has been reported they offer Exchange support and other new features.  Hopefully, someone can give us a final answer when the phones are released on June 2nd.

As for installing custom builds, I have yet to see an Android phone that was not hackable.  Root guides are availalbe for both the G1/Dream and Sapphire/Magic.

2. massayoshi @androidandme #askandy does it mean that g1 doenst fully support multitouch?

The G1 was never intended to be a multi-touch device.  Luke Hutchinson created a hack that offers multi-touch like functionality, but it is only useful for pinch zooming.  You will never see iPhone like multi-touch on the G1 because the hardware does not support it.  The G1 will not recognize two fingers when they are close together or when they cross the same horizontal or vertial axis.  Think of the hack as tracking two touches but they are still seen as one input.

The following video gives a brief demo of Luke’s hack.  For additional information, see his post The Android Multi-Touch Conspiracy.

3. leetcharmer @androidandme do you know of any good T9 keypads for android? Need me some big buttons with predictive text

Check out Better Keyboard available in the Market for $2.99.  A new version was released today that now includes a T9 keypad.  I’ve been using it for several days and found it easier to use than the standard soft keyboard.

The T9 input is not perfect, but this is the first release and we should see improvements.  I suggest downloading it and trying it out.  If you have any suggestions visit the dev’s website send them feedback.

4. j_norton @androidandme #askandy I’ve seen a lot of references to Twidroid on your site. I think TwitterRide is far superior, give it a try. Review it

Thank you for the suggestion.  I have been looking for a new Twitter client and this past week I finally switched to I Tweet! Right now, I don’t think I will be returning to Twidroid until they release a new version.  I still plan to do an updated review of multiple Twitter apps and I will inclue TwitterRide.

I went with I Tweet! because it has multi-user support and it just works.  I don’t really care for the UI, but it has support for skins.  Hopefully, we will see some new themes released for it soon.

5. TornadoTexan @androidandme #askAndy any good GPS programs that provide turn by turn ala Tomtom etc. I know telenav has one but any free?

TeleNav is the only app I have seen that offers turn by turn instructions for the US.  I reviewed it back in February, but found it too slow for my taste.  We had a major Android update since that time so maybe performance has been increased.  I can find no change log on the TeleNav site so I don’t know what version is the current release.

TeleNav still offer a free 30 day trial if you want to give it a look.  I’m interested to see if they improved the performance.  If anyone out there has TeleNav and Android 1.5, let us know how it works.

6. mrhaydel @androidandme If I wanted to get the Amazon MP3 app back on my phone, how would I go about that? I’m on a rooted JF 1.51. #AskAndy

If you would like the Amazon MP3 app, you have two choices.  You can flash a custom build based on the official US version or manually install the Amazon app to any build.

The first JesusFreke cupcake build was based off the Android Developer Phone which lacks Amazon MP3, My Faves, and certain IM apps.  When he released JF1.51, he offered both an ADP and US build.  If you wish to flash the US build and are coming from ADP, make sure you perform a wipe when flashing.  Visit JesusFreke’s blog for download info.

If you wish to manually install the Amazon MP3 app, it is available for download as a zip file.  Just download the zip file, change the file extension to apk and install it like a normal Android app.  The file download can be found over at XDA forums. (Thanks mrhaydel for the link and answering your own question)

If you are still confused over what each build includes, check out the Android ROM Build Information Database.

7. JA3ROK @androidandme #askandy are there any “Gigapet” like games on the Android Phone or games like that coming?

I have yet to see any Gigapet/Tamagotchi/Digimon style virtual pet game.  Your phone is the perfect platform for this genre of game so I expect we will eventually see one.  Actually, I have a similar game idea I’d like create myself.

Imagine a game where your pet was a mixed martial arts fighter.  You could train him, feed him, and then send him into battle to face off against your friends.  I’m a huge UFC fan so that is where I got the idea.  If someone wants to use my idea please do or wait another 10 years and you can play mine.

8. OrganizedFellow @androidandme #AskAndy Is it possible to corrupt the internal memory of the G1 with repeated ROM re-flashes & app re-installs, etc.?

Yes, repeated use of a flash rom can wear it down but I don’t think there is anything to worry about.  Flash memory does have a finite number of erase-write cycles, but for most current products that number is over 100,000.  I have yet to see someone corrupt their G1 flash memory, but I guess anything is possible.

9. phroghollow @androidandme #AskAndy Paid Apps For Australia just ask the question and tell us, even if they say we don`t know thats more than we have now

I was hoping to get some new info about the Market during Google I/O, but was sadly disappointed.  The latest news out of Google is that free apps are now availalbe in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Greece, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan.  For accessing paid apps in other countries, your only hope is a hack done by Tim Strazzere and Andrea Baccega.

10. C3NTURY@androidandme Anything that makes it(HTC Sapphire) stand out from the G1? The lack of a physical keyboard makes me think it’s not for me.

I’ve been using the Google Ion(HTC Sapphire) for a few days now and I think I’m ready to switch.  The two things that stand out are the increased internal memory and higher capacity battery.  I miss the physical keyboard, but I am getting better with the soft version.  Give me another week or two and I plan to do a full review of the hardware and how it compares to the G1.

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

I wanted to give a special thanks to @ryanheaton who has been very active in attempting to help other Android users.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.  We want to encourage community involvement and will be adding new features in the coming weeks to #AskAndy that will make it easier.  Soon we will be creating a dedicated Ask Andy section for the site, but in the mean time you can send responses via Twitter, from the contact page, or send email to andy (at) androidandme.com

Anyone that submits a detailed response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. superindigo2000 @androidandme #AskAndy Does having a home replacement app slow down the phone performance??

From my personal experience, I would say yes.  My biggest problem with the home apps was the pause when returning to the home screen. I have seen recent updates for aHome and Open Home that claim to improve performance issues, but have not spent time with them under Android 1.5.

At one time, I had four home replacement apps installed at once and did notice quite a bit of slowdown.  My suggestion, try one out and see if you notice a difference.  You can return any Market purchase for a full refund in the first 24hrs so there is nothing to lose. We posted a roundup of the different home apps back in March if you are looking for a basic comparison.

2. skry Is there a good #android Twitter client? Twitdroid only retrieves the last hour or so and can’t get earlier tweets. #askandy – phroghollow @androidandme #askandy Anyone else having issues with Twidroid lately? Having issues with it not caching more than 100 tweets

Twidroid is still my go to Twitter client for Android.  I had issues with it retrieving all my recent tweets, but the latest version has fixed that problem for me.  If you upgraded from a previous version of Twidroid, uninstall it then reinstall it again.

For issues with caching, try storing your tweets on the SD card by selecting it from the Twidroid settings.  If you are still experiencing problems, contact Twidroid and report the bug.  They have good customer support and have responded to problems I ran into.

Last month, we sampled five Twitter clients here.  I’d like to post an updated comparison, but I need to spend some extended time with each client.  I have no problems with Twidroid right now, so I’m not actively looking for a new client.  If enough people suggest some alternate clients, I’m willing to take a look at them and post my updated thoughts.

3. kaushikgopal Is there a way you can record normal phone conversations with the Android, assuming it to be legal in my country? #AskAndy

I have tried using Phone Recorder from Mamoru Tokashiki, but found the sound did not always work.  The app is free so you can try it out and see if it works for you.  The current version only saves the last five calls and limits the recordings to ten minutes.

There is also a paid app called Call Recorder, but I have not used it.  The app is stuck on the original 1.0 release so it appears it is not being actively developed.  Again, you can try it for 24hrs before you decide to keep it.

If someone can show me an app that does this and is well supported, I would purchase it in an instant.

4. PurplePenguin04 #askandy Is there a way to choose what name shows up when I leave an app review or am I stuck with my gmail username?

nExSoftware: Go to Google, Log in, go to Edit User Info within My Account, Update Nickname.  If you are currently signed in, you can visit the following link https://www.google.com/accounts/EditUserInfo

5. j_norton #askandy #android how do I get back to my default home screen after I’ve set dxTop or aHome to be my default home? @androidandme

The process for clearing an app to automatically run is the same no matter what type of application it is.  Perform the following steps:

• From the home screen press Menu and go to Settings.
• From the Settings menu go to Applications then Manage applications
• Scroll down the list until you find the program that is set as the current default.
• On the app info page look for “Launch by default” and tap clear.

Some of the home replacement apps also have an option to return to the default from their main menu.  Each one changes so often that I do not have detailed instructions on that.

6. davorg @androidandme What was in the Android update that went out to T-Mobile UK G1 owners this morning? (we already have cupcake) #AskAndy

Everything I have read points to the new update being a security fix.  One of our readers codethief sent in the follwing picture which shows the kernal version has been updated from 2.67-00392 to 2.67-00393.  Another reader sent in this oCert Advisory which details an Android security issue, but I have no confirmation if this was the actual fix addressed.

Recent CRB43 update.

7. AndrewKam My phone suddenly stopped recognizing the SD card. On/off didn’t work, and neither did in/out. Any suggestions? #askandy

For issues with the SD card I always suggest to power off the phone, remove the battery, and reseat the card in the slot.  If that does not work, you can test the SD card with a card reader from your PC.

When you have given up all hope on a SD card, you can always reformat it directly from your phone.  I trashed my partitions when I first attempted AppstoSD and this got my 8GB card working again.  This can be accomplished in 4 easy steps:

1. From the home screen press Menu and go to Settings
2. Navigate to SD card & phone storage
3. Press Unmount SD card
4. Press Format SD card

Please note this will erase all information, but if you can’t access the card then you don’t have a choice.

8. stefwill @androidandme When will Android be able to use WPA2 Enterprise? #AskAndy

ryanheaton: WPA-Enterprise is still not part of Android, not even #Cupcake (not ADP, anyway). WiFi Helper app provides it, but needs root.

WiFi helper is available for free on the Market and supports the following type of wireless networks:

• Open
• WEP
• WPA Personal
• WPA2 Personal
• WPA Enterprise
• WPA2 Enterprise

There is also a Pro version available for $0.99 which includes settings for advanced users.

9. ryenyc @androidandme What are the best Android websites and resources for G1 owners (besides Androidandme)? #AskAndy

There are so many sites that it depends on what you are looking for.  For basic Android news, you can visit Planet Android which is a collection of RSS feeds from many different types of Android sites.  For Android Market info I visit Cyrket and aTrackDog.

For a more detailed listing of Android sites, Android Tapp posted a list of 25 Awesome Google Android Sites and 25 MORE Awesomer Android Sites.

10. OrganizedFellow @androidandme #AskAndy Can we get a poll and see which is more popular and why? JesusFreke, Haykuro, or TheDude?

XDA forums recently did a poll and JesusFreke won with over half the vote.  Haykuro has just released his latest build 6.0 with new goodies so it might be time to for a new poll.  We recently ran our first poll and I was surprised with the participation we received.

I am evaluating several polling solutions and I now plan to start weekly polls.  I will add this to the list of questions we might ask our readers.  While I’m on the subject, is anyone interested in an Android polling application? ;)

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

I wanted to give a special thanks to @TornadoTexan who has been very active in attempting to help other Android users.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.  We want to encourage community involvement and will be adding new features in the coming weeks to #AskAndy that will make it easier.  Soon we will be creating a dedicated Ask Andy section for the site, but in the mean time you can send responses via Twitter, from the contact page, or send email to andy (at) androidandme.com

Anyone that submits a detailed response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. argylesocks @androidandme #askandy Is there anyway to keep Google Maps running in the background & updating my location in Latitude?

So far, the only way I have found to keep my location up to date is by manually forcing it to find me.  I open Maps and hit “My Location” which normally does the trick.  If that does not work, then go into the Latitude privacy settings to hide and then detect your location.

TornadoTexan found this Google support page that says this is a known issue and being worked on.

This is the intended behavior, however, there is a known issue where background location updates stop periodically on the Android devices, especially if you are using many other apps simultaneously. We’re in the process of working on releasing a fix for this issue so thank you for your patience. In the meantime, you may need to occasionally tap My Location from the Maps menu to restart background updates.

2. QDOG8 @androidandme do you know when the 1.5 OTA update will officially come out? #Cupcake #AskAndy

Phandroid posted the first screen shot of a cupcake OTA update back on April 30th.  A week after that T-Mobile finally announced on their forums that the update would begin May 11th.  That day came and went, then on May 12 Android Market Support sent an email to developers informing them the the Android 1.5 update was starting and “over the next few weeks, the percentage of devices running Android 1.5 will increase as devices get updated to the latest version of Android.”

The most recent rollout schedule I have seen was posted on Android Central.  They received a tip that T-Mobile would begin the rollout tomorrow May 18th.  This is the rumored release schedule:

• 5% of Android Devices will receive the Android 1.5 Cupcake Update on Monday, May 18th
• 15% on Tuesday, May 19th
• 30% on Wednesday, May 20th
• 45% on Thursday, May 21st
• 60% on Friday, May 22nd
• 75% on Saturday, May 23rd
• 90% on Sunday, May 24th
• 100% on Monday, May 25th

So basically, there has been much confusing over the actual release date and rollout schedule.  It is my opinion that this thing was kind of fumbled badly.  It would have helped if T-Mobile would be more transparent with the actual schedule in order to quiet all the noise across the web.

Of course, you could always decide to root your phone and flash a custom build of Android.  Then you get to decide your update schedule.

3. TornadoTexan #AskAndy after rooting my phone I restored my contacts from a backup I had made but now they aren’t showing on gmail. Can I get them back?

Your contacts should sync automatically in Gmail and the Dialer, but many users have reported sync issues.  I had quite a few myself with Gmail, but most of them appear to have been fixed in Android 1.5.

After searching all over the Google Mobile Help, I found the following troubleshooting guide for sync problems:

1. Press your phone’s < Home > button, then press < Menu >.
2. Select Settings and then Applications.
3. Select Manage applications.
4. Select Gmail Storage and then select Clear data. Answer OK when prompted.
5. Return to the list of applications by pressing the < Back > key.
6. Select Gmail and then select Clear data. Answer OK when prompted.
7. Restart your phone (Press and hold the < End call > button, then select Power off. Press < End call > to power on).

Your phone will re-sync with the server after restarting (this may take several minutes).

That appears to have worked for some people, but I still see many cases of sync errors.  I suggest reporting any unresolved problems to the Google Mobile Help page so they are aware of how many people have problems.

4. treebykooba @androidandme are there any batteries you can buy that are better than the original? do they actually work that good? #AskAndy

If you are looking for a longer lasting battery, you have two options to choose from.  You can get a same sized battery with a higher capacity, or buy one of the jumbo sized versions that more than doubles the original.  The downfall of the larger batteries is that most cases and accessories will no longer fit with the increased bulk.

The HTC G1 comes with a 1150 mAh.  The largest battery you can purchase is the Seidio Innocell 2600 mAh for $52.95.  If you are looking for an original sized battery with a bigger punch, Seido also offers a 1400 mAh extended life battery for $40.90.  If you are trying to go cheap, you can find a 1200 mAh battery for 0.89 made by HTC.0.89 m0.89 from0.89 0.890.0l.

5. therealjorge @androidandme is there a non-geek-speak explanation to teach rooted G1 users to install and run apps on the sd card? #AskAndy

I am not ready to approve a non-geek method for installing apps to the SD card, but we are very close.  MarcusMaximus has released a new version of AppstoSD 2 on the Market that is attempting to address these issues.  The latest version downloads the sdsplit script to your phone which allows you to partition the SD card without typing any commands.

I tested the new version out, but I’m a newb myself and ruined the partitions of my 8GB card.  Thankfully, you can reformat your SD card from the G1 menu settings to repair it.  If you would like to try it out at your own risk, make sure you read the full instructions.  With continued feedback, the bugs should get worked out and the app can be made more idiot proof.

When I feel comfortable enough with the app and the recovery process, I plan to post a guide geared towards the novice user.  Stay tuned for details.

6. dbuffini Does @androidandme or anyone else know if the G1 now supports Stereo Bluetooth? I know it claims to, but has anyone made it work? #askandy

Yes, the new Android 1.5 update adds A2DP stereo bluetooth.  I have no bluetooth headphones, so I have not tested it out.  I’ve seen some readers with bluetooth headphones and we plan to post some reviews soon.

7. therealjorge @androidandme Is 1.5 going to offer a simpler way to do a screenshot for those of us too hesitant to root our G1s? #askandy

No, there is not a built in screenshot feature.  The best option that does not require root access is to install the SDK and use the Davlik Debug monitor to capture the screen.  In the coming days, I will post a full guide on all the required steps.  I believe I have also seen some of the home replacement apps like aHome are starting to include this feature.

I’ve posted the link several times, but The Rebeldroid has a YouTube video up that demonstrates how to use DDMS to capture screens.

8. nateblackest @androidandme my g1 hangs loading my homescreen when I hit the key, I’ve deleted all non essential apps, are there caches to clear? #askandy

The most common cause of degraded performance is normally low internal storage space.  When you run out of room, your phone sometimes pauses in order to automatically clear out Market and Browser caches.  Uninstall as many apps as possible that you no longer use.  If you are still experiencing problems, you can always do a factory reset by going to Settings > SD card & phone storage > Factory data reset.  This of course erases all data so make sure you backup first.

If you wish to manually clear out caches, you can go to Settings > Application settings > Manage applications.  This will allow you to pick and choose which caches are cleared.

I’ve also experienced slow performance when I had multiple home replacement apps installed at the same time.

9. itradio #AskAndy (this is a joke… Maybe) When will Android have an App that will tell me exactly what I want for lunch? lol

nExSoftware:  The Where app has a function that picks at random a place to eat that is “near” you.

10. Amabacha @androidandme #askandy How can I purchase an #Android Dev phone in South Africa?

After you sign up for an Android developer account, you can purchase the Android Developer Phone from a link in the console. The phone sells for $399.00 USD. You can find the order form at http://android.brightstarcorp.com/

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

I wanted to give a special thanks to @j_norton who has been very active in attempting to help other Android users.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.  We want to encourage community involvement and will be adding new features in the coming weeks to #AskAndy that will make it easier.  Soon we will be creating a dedicated Ask Andy section for the site, but in the mean time you can send responses via Twitter, from the contact page, or send email to andy (at) androidandme.com

Anyone that submits a detailed response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. itradio #askandy What is the easiest way to do the Apps to SD once the SD card is FAT32/EXT2? I know next to nothing about terminal and am stuck!

If you have already installed JesusFreke’s latest build and created the ext2 partition on your SD card, I would suggest AppstoSD 2 from MarcusMaximus.  You can purchase it from the Android Market for $0.99 or get it free from the xda-developers forums. If you know nothing about using the terminal and are unsure of the process, you can ask questions over on the xda thread or wait for the next major release of AppstoSD.  I have been told that a newer version is in the works that will make things much easier including partitioning the SD card from your phone.

2. treebykooba @androidandme if you root your G1 and mess up or it’s just buggy is there an easy way to go back and have it normal again? #askandy

If you wish to “unroot” your phone and return to the official T-Mobile build, the process has two steps.

First, you must replace the SPL (secondary program loader) back to its original version.  All the SPL’s are posted over at xda and they are packaged in the familiar update.zip format.  Just copy the update.zip to your SD card and apply it by booting into the recovery console (home + power).

Second, you need to downgrade your phone back to RC29 and then allow it to update on its own.  To do this, you need to download the DREAIMG.nbh file and apply it by powering on the phone with camera+power.

3. j_norton @androidandme I noticed Google Mobile blog is talking more about the new gmail floaty bar, but I don’t have it yet? is it in 1.5? #askandy

The “floaty bar” that was added to the mobile Gmail site last month has made its way to the Android client.  You can now select multiple emails at once and perform mass actions on them.  Once an email is selected, a new bar appears at the bottom of the screen with the option to archive, label, or delete.

Chris Nesladek demos this new feature in a preview video for the upcoming Google I/O.

4. TornadoTexan @androidandme #askandy Is it possible 2 have 2 accounts syncing 2 a G1? I’m sure thr R ways I could work google 2 do it but anything easier?

Currently, you are only allowed to sync one account to your G1.  I have linked multiple Gmail accounts together and then filter each one into a different folder.  Unfortunately, the new Android client does not allow you to send from multiple addresses which is a feature available on the web.

5. skry #askandy why are there no URLs for Android phones to follow on Android app and review pages, to the app on the market? Need a new protocol?

Actually, there is a format for links that will send you to the market.  The links will only work when clicked on from an Android device.  If you want to find the package name for any application, search on Cyrket.

Example:  market://search?q=pname:net.hexage.buka

6. peterkirn @androidandme Have you seen the Gmail app sync get ‘stuck’? Sync icon appears, but refresh doesn’t work / can’t get mail in sync. #askandy

Yes, I experienced many syncing problems with the original Gmail app.  I would often find folders with -1 or 1 emails that would get stuck and not sync correctly.  After upgrading to Android 1.5, these issues appear to have been addressed.

7. Riussi Is there an easy way to get a screenshot in Android? #AskAndy #Android

There are two methods I use for taking screenshots in Android.  When I’m on the go, I like to use the Screenshot app from Koushik Dutta.  The downfall is this app requires root access, but if you are interested I posted a short guide several months ago.

If you are at home, you can hook your G1 up to your PC via USB and easily capture screenshots.  All you have to do is install the Android SDK and then launch DDMS.

For a short demonstration, check out this video from The Rebeldroid.

8. mrjack92 @androidandme #askandy AH! I found a scratch on my g1! What are some things I can do about it?

I have seen many creative methods for removing scratches, but your best bet is to prevent them from ever occurring.  There are many screen protectors available on Amazon for under $5 or you can spend a little extra and get full protection with a product like invisibleSHIELD.  For more information on invisibleSHIELD, see our review we posted last month.

9. androidPT @androidandme #askandy I bought a second hand G1 and has already a google account set up. How can I reset the G1 to use my google account?

The easiest way to reset your G1 is to perform a factory data reset which erases all data on the phone.  This can be performed by pressing menu from the home screen then clicking Settings > SD card & phone storage > Factory data reset.

10. QDOG8 If I buy an app off the Android Market and get another Android phone, will I still be able to get the app I bought back? #AskAndy

Yes, every application you purchase from the Android market is linked to your account.  As long as you use the same Google account, all your purchases made with Google Checkout will be saved and the apps will be marked as Purchased in the Market.  You can then choose to download and install them whenever you please.

Please keep the questions coming in guys.  I’ll be on Twitter more frequently and I’ll try to respond in real time in addition to posting the answers during the weekly column.

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

I wanted to give a special thanks to @whoisnick who submitted a good answer to one of the questions.  We want to encourage community involvement and will be adding new features to #AskAndy that will make it easier.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.  We are working on a dedicated Ask Andy section for the site, but in the mean time you can send responses from the contact page or send email to andy (at) androidandme.com

Anyone that submits a response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. jakubmach #AskAndy Is possible to launch gambling applications on Android Market?

I believe it depends on what country you live in.  I know porn and other adult material is not allowed on the Android Market, but I do not see anything that forbids gambling.  Mobile software company Hop-on is releasing several gambling applications for Android.  According to their latest press release, they will be releasing gambling apps in Europe “where Gaming is legal, secure and regulated”.

2. nateblackest @androidandme the iphone is well known for its hard to scratch glass screen. How does the g1 compare? I hate most screen skins. #askandy

The invisibleSHIELD offers total protection for you G1.

I carried my G1 in my pocket with a 2nd phone for several months and never scratched the screen.  Even thought I never got a scratch, I still purchased a screen protector.  Overall, I have zero issues with the screen skin.  You can barely even tell it is installed and the touch screen performance has not changed at all.  If you are interested in total phone protection, check out our review of the invisibleSHIELD.

3. JaeRobinson @androidandme Why does the Home Screen Hang all the time? Is it because other apps need the resources? #askandy

I have found my home screen to hang when your phone is low on memory.  Also, having several of the home replacement apps installed at once slowed down my phone.  I had Sweeter Home, Open Home, dxTop, and aHome all installed at once.  Users are reporting improved performance with the recent cupcake update.  I wiped my phone then installed Android 1.5 on my G1 last night.  There was a noticeable difference in the overall performance; especially when returning to the home screen.

I have not seen any benchmarks done, but I would assume that a phone with more free space will perform better than one that is at the limit.  It is unfortunate that the G1 has such limited space.  Users with hacked phones can install their apps to the SD card, but this feature is not currently supported by the official Android build.  If you would like to join the Google discussion of support for installing apps to your SD card, please visit Issue 1151 and leave a comment.

4. j_norton @androidandme #askandy My phone would d/l .zip files out of browser a few weeks ago. Now it says that format is not supported. What gives??

You may have had a file manager installed that was handling the zip files and then removed it.  I suggest Linda File Manager for .zip support.

5. kaushikgopal @androidandme #askandy does cupcake allow “dream”ers to read pdf?if you store a file(say pdf)on your SDcard,is there a way of accessing it?

The default version of cupcake does not have PDF support.  There are custom Android builds like The Dude’s Cupcake that have this added feature.  You can also purchase RepliGo from the Market for PDF support.

6. Aelothir @androidandme Any idea when the update will hit UK G1′s? #askandy

There have been conflicting reports on the cupcake update from T-Mobile.  Phandroid.com reported that the update was rolling out and included a photo, but T-Mobile has yet to confirm the update.  According to a Twitter update from T-Mobile, “T-Mobile USA will confirm details of Android 1.5 ( #cupcake ) availability for our T-Mobile G1 customers in the near future.”  T-Mobile UK also sent out a press release that says the update is coming in May.

Most likely, T-Mobile is slowly sending out the update to allow developers a chance to update their applications.  Google has documented the process for making your apps backwards compatible on their blog.  For more information on the challenges developers are facing with cupcake, check out Big In Japan’s blog.

7. haydenAndroid @androidandme #askandy Do all Android users access same Market servers? Does it depend on carrier? Can unofficial installs see full market?

The Android Market is filtered according to your device and carrier.  For example, T-Mobile customers no longer have access to any of the WiFi tether apps, but they are still available in other countries.  The Android Developers Phone is also blocked from downloading protected applications.

One of our readers has informed us that they are working on an app to unlock paid apps for users in other countries.  Stay tuned for more details.

8. jimibrown5 @androidandme #askandy Does Android do a keep-alive connection like MS-Push-Mail? and is there a way to limit the data-traffic?

The cupcake update allows you to block background data.

Yes, Android supports push email, contacts, and calendar from Google. If you wish to limit your data usage, you can block it in the new cupcake update. You can also get full Microsoft Exhchange sync with a paid application like Touchdown.

9. j_norton @androidandme what are the weird looking white and black boxes android sites are putting next to their descriptions of market aps? #askandy

Response from reader:  whoisnick @j_norton QR Codes. Download the Barcode Scanner app and scan them for a link to the market app or other info. #askandy

See our article for more information on QR codes.  We will be using them more and more on this site.

10. Dnukem89 #askandy For The 1.5 Software Update A.K.A. Cupcake, Are The Dev 1 G1s The Only Phones That Will Be Getting The Update??

All G1′s will be receiving the cupcake update.  Follow @TMobile_USA on Twitter for an official announcement.  If you are impatient, you could root your phone and install the cupcake update on your own.  We will be posting a root guide for beginners later tonight if you are interested.

p.s. I will add the QR links later tonight, but I wanted to get this published first.  perform a search on Cyrket if you need the QR codes in the mean time.

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

I wanted to give a special thanks to pixeladdikt who submitted the first question.  Flash isn’t available for Android yet so we can’t answer your question, but we want to show our thanks for participating.  We are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.  We are working on a dedicated Ask Andy section for the site, but in the mean time you can send responses from the contact page or send email to andy (at) androidandme.com

Anyone that submits a response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.

1. foebea: @androidandme pspdev has great noob dev tutorials like http://is.gd/tbmJ Is there anything like this for droid? #askandy

I would suggest Android Programming Tutorials from CommonsWare.  You can get a year’s access to their full library of Android books for only $35.  Check out the table of contents for what tutorials are currently offered.  We will also be offering some tutorials of our own including building web applications for Android.

2. Whoisnick: @androidandme Are there any good document readers (doc, pdf…) or ebook reader apps? #askandy

• Office: For Microsoft Office documents your best and only choice is
  Documents-To-Go. It allows viewing and editing of Office 2007 & 2008
  Word and Excel files. It’s a bit pricey at $19.99 though.
• PDF Reader: I have had great success with RepliGo Reader. It’s a
  little slow but flawless in its presentation. No complaints.
• EBook: FBReaderJ is the best I have found although it isn’t available
  on the Market. Download it at http://www.fbreader.org/FBReaderJ/.

See our full reviews of FBReaderJ and Documents to Go for more information.

3. antoniothonis: @androidandme For which andoid phone should I wait and when is it released? What is holding up the G2 release? :S #askandy

Vodaphone will release the HTC Magic on May 5th.  There is no release date for the US but T-Mobile is expected to launch the phone this summer.  The new HTC phone lacks a keyboard, but it’s the only new phone we may see for months.  The rumors said the Magic was pushed back for a last second hardware change which included rounded buttons.

4. mattandmeagen: @androidandme Just curious what you think it will take to get more iPhone developers to port their apps to Android? #askandy

The main thing preventing larger developers from porting their applications to Android is lack of money.  Look at the top 10 applications for Android and most of them have less than 5k units sold.  Compare that to the millions that some iPhone apps get and you can see why devs choose Apple.  As Android begins to expand its numbers, we should see more apps targeted at the platform.

5. kissmyapocalyps: @androidandme #askandy are there any apps with an on-screen T9-style keyboard with predictive text? I miss texting with 1 hand. i will pay $

The looming Android 1.5 update has a new Input Method framework which includes a text prediction engine. The next release of chompSMS will most likely include a T9 keypad so you can text while driving text with one hand.

Handcent SMS also includes a t9 soft keyboard.

The wait for T9 texting is almost over.

6. MrHyrne: @androidandme I like the #askandy idea, but which G1 app can track hashtags?

I have not seen a Twitter application with this feature, but you have several other options.  You can follow any hash tag from the Twitter search page by RSS.  Here is our short article about using RSS with Android.  You could also choose to setup email alerts using a service like TweetBeep.

7. QDOG8: Will the G1 ever get an update to support flash in the browser, or will it only be in newer devices? #askandy

Adobe has confirmed that Flash 10 will come to Android, but you might have to wait till 2010.  It was also announced that BSQUARE will be porting a version of the Flash player to Android.  When either of these solutions makes their way to Android, we should see an update released for the G1.

8. JaeRobinson: @androidandme Is there any free software that I can use to partition my memory card for my android phone. #askandy

Most people suggest Paragon Partition Manager, but work has begun on an application that will run from your phone.  If you would like to encourage Google to implement this feature into Android, you could visit issue 1151 on their discussion boards and make your voice heard.

Our Twitter Profile when we had 70 followers.

9. MrHyrne: Anyone using @Twidroid 2.0 for #Android? I was waiting for this version, but Market reviews are kinda bad so far. #AskAndy

Yes I have been using Twidroid 2.0 and the performance is greatly enhanced.  Some people had issues with the upgrade, but a uninstall/reinstall should take care of most problems.  Check out their release notes for the latest fixes and new features.

10. bob0mb: @androidandme . people keep talking about contact groups (ie: family, work. etc) . i can’t seem to figure out how to do this #askandy

The default dialer and Gmail application do not currently support contact groups.  This should be included in a future update, but you can manage contact groups from the desktop version of the Gmail site.  Navigate your browser to http://gmail.com and select contacts on the left side navigation menu.  Here you will be able to create and manage your groups.

Applications Mentioned in this Article:

chompSMS for Android
Version: 1.18
Developed By: chompSMS
Price: FREE
Filesize: 809KB

Documents To Go for Android
Version: 1.001
Developed By: DataViz
Price: $19.99
Filesize: 3.03MB

RepliGo for Android
Version: 1.0.1
Developed By: Cerience Corporation
Price: $4.95
Filesize: 1.16MB

Twidroid for Android
Version: 2.0.2
Developed By: Ralph Zimmermann & Thomas Marban
Price: FREE
Filesize: 336KB