Android

Shared Resources‎ > ‎

Printing From an Android Device

posted Aug 8, 2012, 11:14 AM by Ed Lefkowitz [ updated Aug 8, 2012, 11:15 AM ]

Ever Want To Print From An Android Device? Here's Some Possible Solutions

Xoom VPN Setup

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:51 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:59 PM by Ivan Galic ]

Xoom VPN Setup Instructional Video

Xoom Bluetooth Keyboard

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:50 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:50 PM by Ivan Galic ]

Check out this web site!

Android Video Chat

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:48 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:48 PM by Ivan Galic ]

Android Video Chat with Google Talk

Use the Talk app already installed on Honeycomb (Xoom)
If someone tries to "talk" with you your client will notify you

Android Security Recommendations

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:47 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:47 PM by Ivan Galic ]

How to keep your device safe

Don't enable third party app markets

The official Amazon app store might be an an exception. The County's Security Team has not looked into it.
Don't check the Allow Apps from Unknown Sources

Be aware that many protocols (e-mail) send data in the clear to places you would not believe.
Set a screen lock password

Use hard to guess passwords and pins
Protect this password along with voice mail passwords

Encrypt whenever you can, particularly use whole device encryption.

use a long key

Allowing applications to know your location means just that. Your location will be known.
Enable Enhanced Privacy Mode
Android tablets and smartphones are designed to be one person devices. Don't share.
Don't root your phone
Synchronize and backup your data to Google
Don't store sensitive data on your device.

Keep it at Google
Some sensitive information can be stored on some County systems
Sensitive data can never be safe on a lost or stolen device
Don't store sensitive data on un-encrypted data sticks, thumb drives or cards

Consider remote destruct software
Consider a trusted third party service to manage your device
Physical safety

Pay attention on the Metro, especially if you sit near the doors
Lock your car doors when you drive
Keep your device out of sight when you park

MCtime and Xoom

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:44 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:44 PM by Ivan Galic ]

Go to MCtime on ePortal
Logon with your County login
Go to MCtime

My Reports

If you want to see your balances touch the bottom lefthand box arrow and select "Accrual Balances and Projections"
Touch the coresponding calendar and select today (usually)
Click view report

My Timecard

Cost Center and Expenditure Org Search is broken on the Xoom and in Chrome. I'm not sure it works on IE for Windows XP

Remember your code with all the funky chars mine is ////DTS300// It must be perfect.
The Drop down works but has many many entries. Luckily they are alphabetized.

Logoff

I Broke My Android Phone

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:42 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:42 PM by Ivan Galic ]

What should I do? I washed my phone!

First off, don’t panic, these things happen. Polls show that dropping a phone in the toilet is one of the most common service calls. I successfully avoided the toilet, but could not avoid the washing machine. (The process I describe can also be used for a lost, stolen or damaged phone. It can even be used if you buy a new phone.)

The water needs to be dealt with, now. If you can, remove the battery as soon as possible. Do not “test” it by trying to turn it on. Wipe it off with a dry cloth. I also used a can of compressed air to get the water out. You can also use an air compressor or a vacuum cleaner but never use a blow dryer. The heat will destroy a phone.

Next I put the phone, battery and back cover in a dish covered with rice. The rice will draw moisture out of the phone. I left it in the rice for about 16 hours.

After I did all this, I reinstalled the battery, snapped the cover back on and powered up. It briefly came on after a couple of tries but then died.

Well, when life gives you lemons.... write a HOW-TO about it.

My next step is to go to a Verizon store and confess. I have insurance which is very expensive and maybe not worth it. I’ve felt that I would pay for the phone in premium charges. But I signed up for it anyway because I was afraid I would wash my phone in the washing machine.

When you purchase “Total Equipment Coverage” at Verizon you are really purchasing insurance from a company called Asurion. They charge $7 per month for loss, damage, theft and extended warranty. $5.20 per month excludes extended warranty.

I’ve had a smartphone for 2 and a half years, that means I’ve paid $210 in premiums. My phone is $600 to replace and the deductible is $100 so the insurance saved me $290. Hopefully you are more responsible than I am.

I didn’t need to go to the Verizon Store after all. Go to the Asurion web site or call them at 1-888-881-2622 for a lost, stolen or damaged device. Call them at 1-866-406-5154 or go to a Verizon store for extended warranty claims.

One of the first questions they asked me is if this was the results of water damage. Apparently they know me or maybe it happens a lot. They approved my claim and are overnighting a new phone.

Asurion warned that I might have to sign for the delivery so I patiently waited for the delivery. Have you every noticed that the UPS guy is so fast that he leaves the package, rings the bell and disappears from the block before you can get to the door? I left a note on the door saying, “I’m here.... keep ringing the bell!” Asurion warned that they would attempt two deliveries and then charge $35. My delivery did not require the signature after all! Maybe they really don’t know me.

The package came with a new phone (apparently not reconditioned), a 4G SIM card, and instructions. I have a 4G LTE device so the instructions say:
SAVE
They say use the Verizon wireless backup assistant on my old phone to save my contacts. My old phone doesn’t work and I save my contacts at Google so I’ll skip this step.
ACTIVATE
Using your existing 4G SIM card from the original phone OR
If you received a new SIM.
Its hard to see the diagram where you put the SIM in the phone. Mine was gold contacts down and notch on the inside left. It’s a little springy loader slot when installed properly.
I received a new SIM so I called 1-877-807-4646 from my landline and follow the prompts. They connected me to a live technician which seemed to surprise us both. I’m glad it did, because my first activation failed and she had to resend it. We had a pleasant and helpful conversation and my next activation worked.
The next step is to run through the setup and log into my Google Account.
I have three accounts all set up with Google’s 2-factor authentication. I will set up most of the phone with my primary Google for my Domain account. I’ll put off setting up the other accounts for later.
I log in with my password and it says I must log in with a browser.
It asks for my 2 factor authentication code but I will select “I don’t have my phone”.
It set a verification code to my home phone (I set this up previously) which allowed me to log on.
The next questions is do I want to restore my phone from Google
I say YES
Connect to your WIFI if you can. The next step downloads lots of data and WIFI is quicker and doesn’t count against minutes or bandwidth.
Google is busy downloading my configurations for the phone so I will let it sit for a while. This is a good time to charge the battery.
This is taking some time so I made some coffee and relaxed for a bit. Don’t interrupt it or change a bunch of stuff. Let Google do the restore.
Every once in a while as the apps load I get an error. I just manually install the app.
This has taken two hours now so I will prepare my old phone to RETURN.
RETURN
It is very important to return the old phone within 10 days. They will charge $350 if It is not returned.
They don’t want your battery, charger or any accessories.
It’s important to remove your old SIM card. They don’t want it and it might contain personal data. I put it away in case any questions arise.
Self address the envelope they included. If it gets lost in the mail it may show up.
Take it to the post office or put it in a locked postal box. Don’t leave it unattended in your residential post box for the postal worker. You are responsible for it and will get charged if it is stolen.
RECONFIGURATION
Once the Google restore is done I noticed that my finely organized work spaces are all messed up, but there are some very important steps to work on first.
First make sure there are no updates for your phone. Look in Settings.
The second thing is to fix up 2 factor authentication on your primary Google account.
Log on to gmail with your primary account on a PC or other device.
Go to mail settings
Go to Accounts->Google Account Settings
You don’t have Authenticator set up so it will call the home phone again.
The Mobile Application in your account settings should be set to Android
Remove/Replace
Pick android to set up the Google Authenticator App.
It asks for a code from your app and attaches your primary account and the Authenticator App.
PRINT YOUR BACKUP CODES! PUT THEM IN A SAFE PLACE! You will need them in the future.
Use your phones gmail app and put in the code.
Try other Apps
Apps that work
Google Maps
Google+
Google Music
Google Books
Google Video
Android Market
Set it to automatically update apps in its settings
Go to “My Apps” and update anything that needs it.
Google Talk
Contacts are working for the primary account.
Cloud Print
reset your default printer
Google Reader
Astrid Tasks
Picassa Tool
Google Bookmarks Widget
Google Docs
Google Voice
If you want to use Google Voicemail rather than Verizon you must configure it.
Mine was already set up and I didn’t need to do anything.
Test that your phone rings and your voicemail works.
Apps that need a Authenticator Pin
ColorNote
Apps that need an Application Specific Code
Some important apps to remember
Set Your Alarm Clock!
log into Amazon.com shopping and Amazon Kindle and Nook. Anything you were reading is archived but not lost.
Your Verizon Account App needs a signal other than WIFI.
Make sure your banking apps work.
Make sure your pharmacy accounts work.
Make sure social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and G+ work.
Other Google Accounts with 2 factor authentication
Go to gmail for each account on your PC.
Go to Mail Settings->Accounts->Google Account Settings
Remove your old Android Device and set up the new one.
Make sure you have a good phone number set up in case you lose your phone.
Print your Backup Codes! Keep them in a safe place.
Suppose you have your smartphone set up for 2 factor authentication.
You configure your home phone as a backup.
You keep your backup codes at home.
There is a fire and you lose your smartphone, home phone and your only copy of the codes?
THE LESSON--- Keep a copy of the codes somewhere else!
Add the account to gmail and your other apps on the phone.
Set up your next account.
Open Issues
The Youtube app reports that my account is not linked but it obviously is.
Other important configurations
Go to settings->accounts and sync and make sure your accounts are syncing.
Go to settings->security->screen lock
set up a PIN or Password
Fill out some user info in case you lose your phone. Make sure it shows up on your lock screen.
Never root your phone or Allow apps from unknown sources.
Full Device Encryption
Fully charge device
Keep it plugged into the charger.
Go to settings->security->Encrypt Phone
DO NOT INTERRUPT THIS PROCESS!
You will have to reread and redo this entire HOW-TO if you interrupt the process. I’m about as entertaining as I am responsible.
It takes some time... Maybe a walk?
After everything is done power off the phone and reboot.
OTHER DEVICES (Google 2 factor authentication has change!)
My main PC that I’ve been doing some of this work on.
At this point you should reboot your computer.
Make sure you can go to gmail and docs for each account
Make sure Chrome is syncing.
My Xoom
Power it up and unlock the device encryption. (You do use device encryption, don’t you?)
Enter your PIN or PASSWORD (You do that, don’t you?)
You will have authentication errors for each of your accounts.
Hit the notifications and log into your accounts one by one.
Make sure gmail works
Make sure your bookmarks are syncing with desktop Chrome.
Make sure docs and other Google apps work.
Shut down the device and reboot.
Everything should work without errors.
My Work PC
Log on to each gmail account.
You will need to enter a code from the Google Authenticator App on your phone. Check the box to remember this computer.
Make sure all your Chrome plugins work.
I had to use an “Application Specific Password” to sync Chrome.
Go to the code generator page
Come up with a descriptive name like Work PC Chrome
Generate the Code
Plug it into the Chrome Sync log in box when asked. You can cut and paste.
Reboot the computer and make sure everything is working.
My Work Linux
Log on to each gmail account.
You will need to enter a code from the Google Authenticator App on your phone. Check the box to remember this computer.
Make sure all your Chrome plugins work.
I had to use an “Application Specific Password” to sync Chrome.
Go to the code generator page
Come up with a descriptive name like Ubuntu Chrome
Generate the Code
Plug it into the Chrome Sync log in box when asked. You can cut and paste.
Reboot the computer and make sure everything is working.
LESSONS LEARNED
I will never ever do laundry again!
This took about three days including the time to dry out the old phone and wait for the overnight delivery of the new phone.
It took about 12 hours to get the most important things working again.
Relax--- panic and rushing around won’t do anything but make errors.
Do it one step at a time.

Android Full Device Encryption

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:41 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:41 PM by Ivan Galic ]

Android Supports Full Device Encryption

Versions

Ice Cream Sandwich
Honeycomb

Devices

Xoom
Galaxy Tab 10.1
Galaxy Nexus

Tutorial

HOW TO

Android Sim Card Lock

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:38 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:38 PM by Ivan Galic ]

It is possible to lock your sim card. This will require a simple password to access your sim card even if it is removed from your phone. This is a dangerous operation because if you mess up you can lock up your card.

On verizon go to MyVerizon and log on. Click on your device and go to "Unlock SIM (PUK) Now". Write down the "Default PIN" and the "Personal Unblocking Key" before you change anything. Here are verizon's instructions

A better option is to set a "screen lock" and then "encrypt phone".

Android: Initial Setup

posted Mar 27, 2012, 12:36 PM by Chris Daniel [ updated Mar 27, 2012, 12:36 PM by Ivan Galic ]

This page describes some detail when a new Android tablet or phone is being setup and connected to the County.

Google Accounts

One Google account must be selected to be permanently associated with this device. Who controls this account ultimately controls the device

It can be a @gmail.com account
It can be a Google Domain account (@yourdomain.com)
It can be the County's Google Domain account for you (@montgomerycountymd.gov)

Trade offs and compromises should be considered

If you own the device do you really want the County to have the ability to turn it off?
Although it may change, the ability to buy apps in the market is best handled by a @gmail.com primary account
If you sync the Chrome browser's bookmarks and passwords between many machines, both personal and professional, and PC, smartphone and tablet I have found it easier to use a personal @gmail.com account for the Xoom
It's changing quickly but some Google tools expect a @gmail account
You will want to keep your personal data and applications separate from your professional data and applications

Considering everything, it is recommended that you use a _____@gmail.com account as the primary account

Other Email Accounts

Once your primary account is set up you can start adding your other accounts
Other Google Accounts

The "Add Account" dialog within the gmail app integrates your other Google Accounts onto the phone
This action also integrates the calendars for those accounts
Using gmail as your County email account is highly experimental and closed to a small set of users
Sometimes it is better to bind a Google email account to a master Google email account inside Gmail settings and let the phone think of it is one account

IMAP/POP Accounts

There is a email app on most phones and tablets

Yahoo

Apparently a paid Yahoo email account can be set up like a IMAP/POP account
Yahoo's app on Droids works OK, sometimes notifications don't work and updates sometimes disable the app

Exchange

Current County Outlook Web Access is possible but has some significant incompatibilities
The default Exchange client and the County's email service is quick and easy to setup. It has some integration advantages
The paid app Touchdown in the marketplace works well. It also implements calendaring and access to the global address book

Calendars

the iCalendar protocol is fully supported by Google Calendars, Apple iCal, GoDaddy, IBM Lotus Notes, Yahoo Calendar and partial by Microsoft Outlook
Using other calendars as a primary County calendar is highly experimental and closed to a small set of users
Unfortunately the County does not offer a free/busy internet service which makes calendaring with us difficult
The touchdown app works well and offers some integration with your other calendars
Using Google calendars for other projects is beyond the scope of this document
Android devices have a calendaring app that will display most of your calendars

Security
County VPN Access

Junos pulse app in market connects to the County Juniper VPN server
no app for Honeycomb yet as of 5/24/2011

County Address Book

Corporate Directory app works well
No app for Honeycomb

S Drive Access

It is possible to use the corporate VPN on an iPad/iPhone and access your S Drive
It is much better to store files in the cloud (Google Docs)
Share files with colleagues if they have a Google account

They don't need a Google account @montgomerycountymd.gov. Any Google account will work
Email files the old fashion way to folks without Gmail

Files that are sensitive or that must not be lost are much safer at Google than on the S drive
Never store a file on a smartphone or a tablet.

Other Apps

1-10 of 11

Report Abuse|Print Page|Remove Access|Powered By Google Sites

Android

Recent Posts