An Android Guide : These Are The Droids You’re Looking For

Learn everything you want to learn about Android, for free! “These Are The Droids You’re Looking For: An Android Guide”, by author Matt Smith, is the latest free manual from MakeUseOf.com. Outlining the ins and outs of Android, this guide covers basic everything from basic usage to rooting your phone, and is a must-have if you use Google’s smartphone OS.

Android is among the most influential operating systems crafted this century. Along with iOS, it has paved the way for mobile devices that offer an unprecedented level of functionality. Currently Android is the most common mobile operating system — and there’s no sign that its popularity will wane anytime soon.

Already own an Android device? This guide will help you become acquainted with it, and teach you tricks that can make it even better than it already is. Thinking of buying an Android device? This guide can help you with your decision, by showing you what Android can do.

This amazing manual will teach you:

  • Android’s history, from 2003 to now
  • Find out what Android version you’re running
  • Customizing the Android launcher
  • Enjoying music and videos on your phone
  • Exploring the Android Marketplace
  • How and why you should root your phone
  • Securing your Android phone

How To Download

Option 1: Very easy! Share this page on Facebook, Twitter, or Google Plus. You need to use the buttons above to share and your download link will be revealed right below! That would also help us spread the word. Thank you!

Option 2: Subscribe to MakeUseOf Newsletter and get unlock password to our downloads. Enter the password below to download the file. (Already subscriber? Re-enter your email in the newsletter subscription form to retrieve the password).

Check out other cool MakeUseOf Guides.

Similar Stuff

Reader Feedback

  • Kavalec

    Download doesn’t work. password makeuseof. browser chrome.

    • Pjs E374

      Same here.

    • E Yaekle

      Just worked for me, browser chrome also.

    • nuXNub

      Yabadabadu! Thank you MOU and about time too!
      Download works for me – google chrome.

    • Callisto

      Download worked through FF 7.0.1. Just took a while for the page to load, and the DL to start.

      • jhpot

        A lot of people are downloading this manual, so there are a few glitches. Thanks for your patience, everyone; I hope the manual is worth it.

    • Edstewart1

      Didn’t work in chrome for me either, copied link to Opera and it downloaded fine!

      • http://www.makeuseof.com/answers Tina

        Thanks for the advice! It should work in all browsers. We’re working on it…

  • Mervyn Edwards

    no where to enter password in Opera or Chrome

    • http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

      could you please send us a screenshot of what you use. We aren’t able to reproduce the issue on our end.

      Aibek

  • JonahHex

    Thank you for this great guide. Download worked like a sharm.

  • Geekman32

    the download doesn’t work, says invalid argument

  • snert

    No download – invalid argument.

  • Istvan

    Download works like a charm, try typing it in instead of just copy/paste… can hardly wait to read this, thanks a bunch.

  • Hippo42

    Such a shame they can’t set up a simple download. Maybe there’s a good guide available to teach them how to do it.

  • Frigk

    It woks fine in chrome. Just type the password don’t copy paste.

  • Kblack

    Worked for me IE9. Thanks a bunch!

  • alok

    thank u for this guide…..!!!!
    it is a fantastic guide for android.

  • Guest

    for your password detection you should use trim, frequently people copy and paste from a email and it gains a leading or trailing space (or both), if you just do a trim these users never knew about the error and you get the password your required. Plus I don’t think you would ever use a password for a promotion with a leading or trailing space

    • muotechguy

      I’ll have a nose around the plugin code, thanks for the tip. I agree, download manager sucks.

  • Gd

    the “these are the droids” download is the same as the general guide. The pdf is mislabled.

  • palnudb

    Does this guide discuss syncing only to your local machine? I have been looking for how use droid phone with NO cloud. I don’t want all my info in the cloud.

  • palnudb

    Actually syncinng to mac osx more specifically.

    TIA

    • jhpot

      There is a little bit about syncing music in there. Android being Google’s platform, it’s very cloud-oriented.

  • Julius Leachman III

    This was LOOONG overdue MakeUseOf, but glad that it’s finally making it’s debut…

  • snert

    Download worked this time.
    A ghost in the machine, mayhap?
    I’d like to thank the MakeUseOf staff for all that you do. (pops a top and hoists one in your direction)

  • Ron

    downloaded perfectly- Chrome password makeuseof

  • Foundusually

    No problem with download in Chrome. If you want an alternative, and more hands on android manual, go to http://goo.gl/2qzB.

  • Hippo42

    Now been trying for 6 hours and no download!!!

    • http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

      Did you manage to download the guide?
      I sent you one via email directly.

      Aibek

  • William H Mcdaniel

    Worked great for me. Thank you, I need to catch up and this will help a lot. Good work. Way to go. Keep it up!!!! ETC.

  • Nedrover

    Downloads are not working. Enter password, press the button and ….nothing?

  • http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

    still having issues with the download?

  • http://www.facebook.com/adi.mayraz Adi Mayraz

    The Doctor writes guids now? LOL

  • Eric Maurissen

    Very good and handy resume. I am a Blackberry user and used to a normal keyboard. This brochure will help me to make a decision on a new mobile combing Andoid and avoiding touch screen for typing messages.

  • Brvmama

    even after entering the password nothing is happening. Browser chrome.password makeuseof

    • http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

      did you enter the password manually or copy pasted it?

  • Edisonespinoza

    Wonderful gift!

  • Jlmiles8

    Using Firefox 7 on Mac Snow Leopard. Tried copy/paste and typing password in. Tried from another site which just brought me back to MakeUseOf. Tried right clicking & opening in new tab and/or window. No luck!!!! The SUBMIT button won’t light. Suppose you fix and why a password anyway when it appears on the page before DL page?????
    This is not the first time I have had this problem. Like your guides BUT to get my LIKE vote, fix the DL issue!

  • Jadedinalaska

    Works on IE9. Went right to my acrobat reader. Took about a second.

  • Hjpydo

    Worked like a charm on Chrome. Manually type in the password, not cut&paste, and ‘mouse click’ the SUBMIT, don’t just hit ‘enter’

  • PdxTechie

    Thanks. Very informative. Downloaded easy- IE8 in Compatibility Mode.

  • Tangsoe

    I’m very glad to see it.thank’s

  • Fajitaskibum

    Download didn’t work – I did a quick google search and downloaded it from “elsewhere” (where I didn’t have to register to receive SPAM)

    • http://www.makeuseof.com/answers Tina

      MakeUseOf does not spam its subscribers. You subscribe to a newsletter and you are free to unsubscribe any time and you won’t receive anymore emails from us. We do not share your email address with third parties (Privacy Policy).

      Note that the PDF guide is original work written for MakeUseOf and published by MakeUseOf. You only need to subscribe once to be able to download all our guides.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Woody-Watje/1532886321 Woody Watje

    I have you on my facebook already can’t I just sign in some where.
    I’ve downloaded your items before but there was a sign in before.

    • http://www.makeuseof.com/answers Tina

      Woody,

      you don’t have to subscribe! Simply go to the MakeUseOf Facebook page, be sure you’re logged in, click the All MakeUseOf Guides links in the sidebar, and the download password will be shown to you.

  • redcar

    Thanks for the great guides perfect for idiots like me, How about Sonys new tablet I am in desperate need of some coaching on that one. Once again keep up the great work your site works for me John

    • jhpot

      If Sony’s tablet sells really well we might write a guide, but it might take a while or never happen. It is an Android system, though, so you can at least learn a bit by reading this guide.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000708464215 Kaye Yagasaki

    HI…I AM NEW… NICE TO MEET YOU.

  • Sharleen Mehemed

    Thanks you all for this excellent guide to androids!

  • Fredshed1

    Looks great and I am desperate for a guide on Android

    • http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

      cool, let us know how your thoughts once you have read it

  • Agent047

    Thanks a ton !!!

  • robert hoopet

    Thank you for the Android Guide, presentation looks brilliant. As a duffer with Windows, I’m hoping I will soon be able to accomplish with ease and pleasure all the things I was never able to do in before.
    Even before I became aware of this book, I recognised that for my segment of the pc and digital market, Android was going to prove the biggest blessing of all computer operating systems, enabling non professionals (like me) to enjoy all of the fun and none of the pain associated with o/s predecessors. Robert Hooper

  • Robert Moorman

    Thanks Again Just what I have been looking for!

  • KT

    you guys Rock I have learned so much