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WITH THE LATEST version of Android now making an appearance, it’s only a matter of time before the update makes its way to other devices – some taking longer than others.
But for those who have it, there are a vast number of new features that are worth knowing about, while not changing the world, just makes things that little bit handier for everyone.
Here’s a rundown of the new features you should know about (and can look forward to when Lollipop arrives for your device).
Search for settings
Before we start proper, one incredibly handy feature you have is the ability to search for a specific feature instead of searching manually. The main Settings screen has a magnifying glass at the top so you’ve no excuse for not finding any of the new features displayed underneath (we’ll say where each feature can be found anyway so you won’t get lost).
Change default SMS app
If you’re using more than one app that includes SMS, and you want to step away from Hangouts entirely, you can change it here. Go to Settings > More and you will be presented with the option just underneath Airplane Mode.
Smart unlock
If you have any Bluetooth devices lying around the house, you can use that as a smart unlock. Go into Settings > Security > Smart Lock and you will be presented with three options. They are:
Trusted Devices: Any Bluetooth or NFC devices you use can be added here
Trusted Face: This is basically Face Unlock which means it looks for you anytime it wants to unlock
Trusted Places: If you have added any locations to your Google account, this will mean your phone unlocks automatically when you arrive there.
Create user profiles
If you ever find yourself lending your phone to a friend or family member regularly, you can create custom profiles to limit what they can do. By going into Settings > Users, you can either create a new profile or just used Guest mode.
Guest mode is similar to Google Incognito mode in which any information or data sent during a session is temporarily stored. A profile gives another person their own space to customise, similar to how profiles are created on Windows/Mac.
You can allow them to make phone calls and send SMS if you wish, although this is something you should only allow trusted users to do.
You can access profiles quickly by tapping the user icon whenever you’re viewing Quick Settings (two-finger swipe from the top down).
Create interruptions
Basically Lollipop’s version of Do Not Disturb, Interruptions allows you to prioritise certain apps, notifications and calls from getting through when you’ve busy. You can bring this up whenever you press the volume button, although you can only customise priority (None turns off everything without any exceptions).
Pin screen
Go into settings > Security and scroll down to Advanced. After you activate it, go into Overview and on the latest app or tab and you will see a pin icon on it. Tapping that will lock the phone on that service or app, which is useful if you don’t want to set up profiles for someone and only want them to see one thing.
Control notifications
Many apps try to take over precious real estate by firing you regular notifications, especially free games. If there is an app that is really bugging you with notifications, you can turn them off by going into Settings > Notifications and selecting said app.
Hide pattern password
This is a small but handy feature if you use patterns passwords but don’t want someone to see it. By going into Settings > Security, you can choose to hide the trail it makes.
It’s a small change, but you’re taking away one of the biggest cues for guessing it so it works out.
Turn on colour inversion/correction
If you have problems making out colours, you have two options, both of which are in settings under accessibility. The first inverts the screen colours but the second, more useful feature tweaks the display’s colour reproduction. You have three different options to choose from: Deuteranomaly, Protanomaly and Tritanomaly.
Turn off WiFi scanning
If you want to conserve your battery power a little bit more, it’s a good idea to turn off notifications and scanning when you get the chance. To do this, go into WiFi – either through settings or quick settings – tap options (on top-right hand corner) and select advanced. You will be presented with the two options.
On a related note, you can save battery power by using WiFi and mobile networks instead of GPS to determine your location. By going into Settings > Locations, you can disable it, although it may affect its accuracy.
Hide notifications
Found under Security > Sounds and Notifications, you can choose to hide any notifications that might contain sensitive information (SMS, emails, etc.) by selecting the option near the bottom of the screen.
Battery saver
Chances are you will end up bringing your battery life down to the red, in which case battery saver mode is your friend. You can choose to turn it on when your battery is reduced to 5% or 15% automatically, which will get you out of a tight spot.
And one easter egg
Go into settings > about phone and start tapping Android Version. When the screen changes, tap the circle and then hold down on the lollipop to play a version of Flappy Bird. It’s incredibly difficult, mind.
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I have worked in retail for over 15 years. I loved dealing with people,helping customers with their queries and feeling like I made a difference. Then,you know what happened? People happened. Grumpy SOB’s that come into the shop at 7.30 in the morning,throwing coins at me for a paper without so much as a hello, people complaining that the coffee machine is on a cleaning cycle and walking off in a huff or when you don’t activate petrol pumps within 2 seconds,you get an earful.. People completely ruined my love for retail so….rant over
What’s the difference between people now and 15 years ago?
Experience and 15 years full of taking cr@p from people. Most retail staff can be unprofessional as well,I understand that but I’ve put up with and seen a fair amount of abuse from people over the years and it’s made me want to just get out of it altogether. A nice office somewhere away from people
But you just said in your first comment you loved dealing with people and then you contradicted yourself that you hate dealing with people?
You get ass###es in all walks of life and in every job. It’s just the way the world is. I have learnt over the years to take these people in my stride and realise it’s not my fault they’re unpleasant. If you stand up to them they usually back down quite quickly. They usually pray on the weak.
I realise giving lip to unpleasant people isn’t easy when your in customer services but you can make life more difficult for them. Get some pleasure from that.
Your mistake was staying in retail for 15 years.
I used to like people before I worked in retail, four years of idiocy and snide remarks when you’re trying to do your utmost best for them takes its toll..
Yes I LOVED dealing with people when I first started out but people’s attitude changed my opinion on the job. I don’t hate dealing with people at work but they don’t make the job any easier. Most customers are lovely but you will ALWAYS get at least 3 in any shift that will cause a problem when there is none there. Asking a customer if they have any fuel outside can be a nightmare. IT IS MY JOB TO ASK THIS!! Yet when I ask some people,it’s like I’ve committed the worst atrocity towards them
They’re 15 years older
How do people get offended when asked ‘did you get fuel’ is beyond me?. There is a few people round here like that. The whole community think they’re ass###es so be safe in the knowledge that most people think the same.
One of the bullet points says, “Only 27% of shoppers found their main supermarket to be fun and exciting.”
Whenever I have roller-skated through the Tesco aisles, expertly lobbing everything I need into a basket as I go and usually without dropping anything, I was always stopped by security and abruptly asked to leave :/
Shopping isn’t exciting for me anymore, I am one of the disgruntled 27%. Sort it out Tesco!
In retail, the public think they have a right to walk in and completely ruin anything you have, whether it be a display, cleanliness or dignity. They will shout and ball at you for the littlest things imaginable. Families with kids are the worst horror of all, spoiling peoples day with their disregard of other people, so they don’t have to look after the kids. The elderly are split into 2 groups, really nice and pleasant or real S.O.B.’s
I still get amazed how people walk into penny’s and destroy the stores on a daily basis.
Retail workers are usually on minimum wage and deserve a medal for what they have to put up with!
You sir, I salute you. Do you work or have you worked in retail? Because you know what you’re on about. If you haven’t, I’m amazed at your consideration – something that the majority of the non retail experienced public seem to lack.
He’s dead right, parents that don’t keep control of their kids while enquiring about a product and the children wreck the shop then you spend an hour fixing for it only for it to happen again and again and again…
Once this little brat walked around the whole perimeter of the store, held his arm out to his level and knocked over EVERYTHING at arms level. Needless to say i was fit to kill the mother…
He’s dead right, parents that don’t keep control of their kids while enquiring about a product and the children wreck the shop then you spend an hour fixing for it only for it to happen again and again and again…
Once this little brat walked around the whole perimeter of the store, held his arm out to his level and knocked over EVERYTHING at arms level. Needless to say i was fit to kill the mother…
Sell blue moulded chocolate eclairs,that’s how Tescos got me to go back to them yesterday
I can’t understand then, how lidl and aldi have taken the Irish and British markets by storm, since their interiors look like a warehouse. Does not compute….
Both Aldi and Lidl are bright and airy – Aldi more so, in my opinion. Walk in the door, you can see from one side of the shop to the other. No clutter. Flow around nicely with your trolley. It’s always clean. Get to the checkout and be dealt with quicker than in any of the other supermarkets. They pay their staff a considerable amount more than any other chain and it pays off.
And you can walk into any Aldi in Ireland and find exactly what you went in for in 10 seconds unlike the big names where your a half an hour trying to find a bag of sugar.Aldi may not be fancy but they are functional and cheap.
That’s bollox about the queues. You often spend 20 minutes queuing in the German shops.
I’m always amazed at the speed of the person on check out in Lidl /Aldi. It’s so fast. They also say hi to you maybe have a very brief chat. Then I go to Tesco. About 99% of the times I’ve been in there there’s always a grumpy sod on checkout that sighs before beginning to checkout your goods. Never smiles at you but if one of their colleagues comes over it’s all shits and giggles. The 1% is usually a new person or a needle in a haystack.
That’s because they’re terrified they’ll lose their jobs if they fail to smile the requisite 4.5 inches and scan one item every 2.7 micro-seconds. At least Tesco lets them have an off-day.
Has anyone found that you’re almost taken aback when you get a friendly checkout operator in these stores? And that when you do come across one they are almost always foreign?? Its almost funny how downright rude some of the miserable Irish biddies (they are ALWAYS girls/women) are, say hello and they point blank ignore you, through change at you like you have leporasy and ignored again when you say “thank you”. Or leave you standing there while they b*tch & moan to a colleague for 5 mins. Dunnes Stores staff are the worst!!
Not exactly retail but I went into burgerking on Grafton street yesterday and encountered two surly slow Irish people employed there. Long queue. Gave up went next door to the much busier but queueless McDonald’s and got served instantly with a smile by a charming Polish person.
Can’t beat a shop with a clear, attractive layout. I honestly think this is a huge part of where Tesco fell down in recent years; shops with little order, dirty and unkept shelves etc. Good visual displays, friendly staff and organisation across the shop floor…that’s what retailers need to focus on.
I recently came across a small clothes shop in Charleville, Co. Cork. Contrary to popular belief that these shops are dying out, the shop was doing roaring trade. Why? The lady that owned the shop was passionate about clothes and buys a very wide range of styles that are appealing to young and old. She also used vintage couches and chairs to add to the boutique vibe she wanted to create. And she utilised social media very well, using case studies of ladies who came to her looking for a dress for a wedding or special occasion, along with competitions etc (she has over 27k FB fans…not bad going).
If small retailers want to survive, they have to interact as much as they can with the customer and not underestimate the importance of visual impact and genuine enthusiasm for their products.
What is the name of the shop?
Cherish, on the Cork side as you’re coming into town…well worth a look.
The rudeness of staff in most shops here in the town where I live is a disgrace.And in a restaurant you cannot complain if there is an issue with your food.Oh no.People accept every shyte .The customer is not king in Ireland.
The customer should be king.In shops.In pubs.In restaurants.Just like in America. Unfortunately the customer is far from being king here.The shopkeeper rules the waves.And since nobody complains..
Never ever go to the male checkout staff, slow as snails. Proof that women are multi-taskers and we men are not!
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