Looking for a true Beginner's Guide to Android (ICS)

[NeutralNovice]

Hi all,

So I FINALLY convinced my parents to make the jump to Android!

Dad: Moved from iPhone 4 to Galaxy S3
Mom: Moved from dumbphone to Galaxy Note LTE

My dad can get by with technology for the most part but my mom... not so much. As much as I'd like to teach my parents everything they would need to know about their phones, my "lessons" have not really stuck too well with them. My mom seems to be resistant to learning more about her phone LOL... either that or the info I give her just doesn't stick.

Basically, I am looking for a true beginner's guide to an Android phone operating with ICS. A guide where one can relearn how to make a phone call, how to check voicemail, or whatever. My mom seems to be a bit overwhelmed by the phone and requested that she get some type of literature to read and learn about her new device.

Anyone have any suggestions for great guides (print or website or app) that would help introduce someone who is brand new to the land of smartphones?

 

[Idunno]

Honestly, my best advice with android would be to just jump right in... I was completely clueless about android when I got my humble LG Ally a couple years ago, and I just sat down for hours upon hours endlessly fiddling/playing with/tinkering/trying/testing everything I could. I would go through every screen on my phone (homescreens, app drawer, apps, settings, menu, sub-menu) and press the menu button just to see what other options would pop up that I could manipulate and customize in some way. And don't forget about long pressing... oh man, long pressing will make all kinds of wonderful things happen

I don't know of any official guides but i'm sure if you did a quick search on google they have tongs of guides, tips and tricks. I would be quite surprised if google didn't provide an online user guide for android. I know they will probably need some help along the way but tell them to just start playing with it and see what they can make it do... its very intuitive for the most part.

 

[candroid11]

Isn't the Note running gingerbread?

As for guides, I always find YouTube useful. I just like to watch how other people use their phones, it gives me ideas.

 

[GalaxyS2Kent]

.... Basically, I am looking for a true beginner's guide to an Android phone operating with ICS. A guide where one can relearn how to make a phone call, how to check voicemail, or whatever. .... Anyone have any suggestions for great guides (print or website or app) that would help introduce someone who is brand new to the land of smartphones?

Instead of an Android guide, I'd think a guide to their particular phones would be more useful. Any Android guide (or ICS specific) would have both tablet and phone info, plus a lot of technical information. The tasks you mentioned may be different from phone to phone, as just being ICS doesn't necessarily make them all the same. Just a thought...

 

[chanchan05]

There's a little user's guide with the basics in the box of their phones you know.

Otherwise the manufacturer websites will have guides for download. There is no universal Android guide simply because each manufacturer has a different Android flavor. The settings and menus on an HTC will differ from a Samsung even if they would be running the exact same Android version.