Just the Tip. Just to see how it feels:
One of my favorite things I've found on the internet are the little collections of LPT's (formally, Life Pro Tips);
which are basically little shortcuts in life that are meant to make things easier.
*This is where I finally learned how to open a banana the right way: like the monkeys do it,
from the bottom instead of the top. (It may not sound like much, but to me it felt like reading Page One of the Rosetta Stone.)
I thought it'd be simple enough to start a list of Android Pro Tips, as well; to hopefully make someone else's
Android experience a little easier...I mean, everyone loves a shortcut, right?
So, to make it official, (drumroll), here's the first one I can think of:
(A)ndroid (P)ro (T)ip #1: How to install an Android app like a Ninja.
(*My definition of Ninja here means without Anything: without a file manager, without a data connection or Play Store/Market link of any kind,
and without any cables/computer connection whatsoever.)
Ever done this?
You flash a new Rom, and then go to install a copy of a much-needed app from your SD card.
Then you realize that the Chef/Developer forgot to include a Very Important Thing: a File Manager.
Unless you have a data connection/wifi access point/Play Store link, this can be a very real problem.
First time this happened to me, this was my thought process:
my dumb brain:
"Wha?...er, no problem, I'll just install that copy of Root Explorer
I keep on my SD card, that'll be my new file manager!"
my smart brain:
"How ya gonna access that, you Dink?"
my dumb brain:
".....I don't care for you much, you know that?"
my smart brain:
"Just shut up. Aren't you missing Storage Wars?.."
Anyway,
It's frustrating to no end to have available, working copies of important apps,
just sitting there on your SD card, with no way to access them...
Here's the solution.
A true Android Ninja would use this little-known trick:
1. Open the Browser. (All Roms at least come with at least a browser, it's in the Constitution.)
2. In the address bar, type "file:///sdcard/nameofapk.apk" (Don't type the exclamation points, and yes, those are 3 forward slashes.)
3. Press Enter.
4. Profit.
Now, the above example is written assuming you'll insert the name of your apk, and assuming also
that it's on the root directory of your SD card.
If it isn't, then just alter the command,
reflecting the proper folder and location; e.g.:
"file:///sdcard/download/games/nameofapk.apk"
(Just make sure you remember the EXACT name and location of the app. You'll be all set.)
So that's it.
Install an Android apk, straight from your browser, no cables necessary.
Impress ALL your friends!
(I would guess that there are even more Browser commands that exist within the Android OS,
but that's the only one I know: anyone else know of some, please feel free to chime in!)
*Oh yeah, need to say this: "First Post!"
More to follow, be back soon;
-Zook
