Now, there’s no denying that Android has added that extra dash into your mobile. It’s got some cool applications that makes your machine all that more exciting. What’s more you get variety to play the music in your mobile. So let’s take a good look at the Android operating system and see what makes it tick.
Google’s Android is an operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Android develops many applications ("apps") that caters to various functions for mobile and tablet users. At last count, Android has over 250,000 apps. The company runs an online app store called Android Market, though users can also download apps from other sites. Needless to add that these apps include music downloads and playbacks. Last year, Android was listed as the best-selling smartphone platform worldwide.
Introduced in 2007, Android has seen phenomenal growth in the last couple of years and today has overtaken all other operating systems globally, including, Apple iOS, Nokia’s Symbian (the global market leader till 2010), RIM Blackberry OS and Microsoft Windows Phone, the four major smartphone operating systems.
So, if you are both a gadget freak and deep into music, the Android platform in your mobile will be of great help. Google’s Android is an amazing platform not just for mere communications, because it is built with great multimedia capabilities, many of which would enhance your multimedia experience. Android devices usually carry features that manages and plays music in not just manifold ways, but with a far greater satisfaction. This Google’s offer comes with built-in music player, which gets enhanced all the more thanks to the touch-screen interface. This makes the functions much easier to control compared to other devices. The following takes you through its main features:
Two Simple Steps
1. Capture Songs
It’s fairly simple. Connect your phone to your computer through its USB port. Tap the notification area at the top of your phone's screen and then tap USB connected in the notification area. Finally, tap Mount to make your Android hard drive appear as a storage device on your desktop. The best part is that this is the standard procedure that works for all operating systems. Once Android drive is mounted on your computer, you can open it to view the files and folders on your phone as simply as you do any other folder in your computer. You can start by dragging the song files from your computer into your phone and vice versa.
2. Sync Songs
You can sync your iTunes
If you’re already an iTunes user, and you don’t feel like going through the hassle of lurking through forums,
To sync songs with Media Player, first follow the instructions above of capturing songs. Once your phone is recognised in Windows, we can move ahead. Now, launch Windows Media Player. Wait for your phone to appear as a drive in the left side window of Media Player's Library view.
To set up syncing to your phone, click the Sync tab in the upper-right corner of Windows Media Player and then click the small Sync options drop-down menu under that. Click Set up sync. Then name your mobile. When you click Finish, you'll have a sync relationship configured so that your phone will update to mirror your PC's Music folder whenever the handset is connected.
Drool Tools - Android Music Apps That Matter
Well, now we come to the real drool elements that make Android phones so much more attractive. You must use some of these applications to pep up music on your phone. Although not all of them are completely free, most of these apps will enhance music on your mobile. Let’s look at some that might be helpful to you, that music loving Android phone users in India must give a shot at.
Pandora
An amazing choice for music lovers to stream music on to their mobiles while on the go. Pandora lets you to create Internet radio stations based on an artist or song, though it comes with a hitch. You can't choose the songs to play and can only skip a certain number of songs each hour. Despite that and other small hitches, Pandora is one of the best Internet-radio apps around.
Spotify
This app will prove helpful in managing your playlists much better. If you want to stream music, you'll need a premium Spotify account that comes slightly steep, but for the price you pay, you'll be able to sync music to your device for offline playback.
Listen
This is Google’s app. It keeps you up-to-date with podcasts. You can search for and subscribe to podcasts from within the app, and you can look at "popular searches" to see what other people are currently listening to.
Amazon MP3
This app for Android brings along Cloud Player. Whenever you buy an album or song from the Amazon MP3 store, your purchase will be sent to your Cloud Player. From there, you can play any song that you have downloaded.
Winamp
It is a very good option what with its simple interface that has loads of useful features. You can wirelessly sync your music to your phone. You can also download free music from Spinner. What’s more, Winamp is a great music manager apps for your Android phone.
mSpot Music
It not only allows you to stream your music to your Android device, but also lets you listen to internet radio stations. mSpot Music compresses your tunes so that they will play smoothly, even in areas where you have poor reception.
Android Phones in India
Indian market is now getting more excited with many players joining the Android bandwagon. Let’s look at some players, especially from the point of view of their music capabilities.
1. Samsung Galaxy S II
A lot of people might begin by immediately dubbing it the best among the various Android devices, but it won’t be an exaggeration to call it jumping the gun, what with a volley of other equally-strong players. But, before we start those comparison games, let’s look at whether Galaxy S II is good with its multimedia functions. Apart from the other added features that you would expect any smartphone to excel in, Galaxy S II is amazing with its music. Not only does Android make those transfers and interface all that more convenient, the music is crisp and affords many combinations. Samsung Galaxy S II has Android v2.3.3 with TouchWiz 4.0 which makes easy handling of music files. Where it also scores above most of its competitors is its inbuilt memory that can store more songs that other devices in the main memory and not in the card, making the search, shuffle, play and all other music related function that much more crisp.
2. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
It’s perhaps one of the sleekest phones in the market, but despite its thin look it is a great combination of beauty and brain, or shall we say, features. Little wonder Sony Ericsson is going that extra mile to promote it. Sony Ericsson has a history of giving great slant for music in its products and it shows in this model as well. Not only is the performance ahead of its other competitors, with Android it makes interface all the more easier. If you are a music buff, Sony Ericsson won’t let you down.
3. HTC Sensation & Incredible S
There’s no denying the hold HTC has on the smartphone market. They command a certain respect very few players can and when you see either of the two models we are talking about, you would know why. As always HTC’s screen resolution, especially in Sensation is surely something to talk about. It’s a great smartphone with amazing interface, but still HTC comes slightly lower down when it comes to music as compared to say a Sony Ericsson.
4. LG Optimus 2x
This is one wild stallion that can give any competitor a run for its money. With great storage, two good resolution cameras in front and rear and an amazing processor makes Optimus 2x a wonderful option. What’s more, it is great music to a music lover’s ears. Not only can she/he store a plethora of songs and create multiple wishlists, the output is also pretty impressive.
So, now that you know how Android actually helps those with a fine ear for music, with its array of apps and interface, you can tweak your Android phone to suit your style, but if Google’s baby is not part of your phone, well it’s time you thought of having one. For sure, you won’t be disappointed. And, though it comes with its fair share of downs, even the detractors can’t call it loony tunes. It’s actually music to the ears man!
(To throw either bouquets or brickbats, the writer is available at raajeshiyyer@yahoo.co.in)