Android Basics: The Long Press - Android's "Right Click"

 A not-so-obvious feature of Android is the ability to "long press" (press and hold) many items to reveal additional menu options. Android developers call this a context menu. It's similar to the "right click" in the Windows world.

Some common examples:

• Long press the background of page to see options for adding app shortcuts or changing wallpaper.
• Long press an app icon to enable drag/drop mode to move it or remove it by dragging to the trash.
• Long press an individual email to see options for deleting, forwarding, or marking as unread.
• Long press a letter on the keypad to enter special characters.
• Long press a photo in Gallery for options for sharing or deleting.
• Long press a date in calendar to create a new event.

The back button will usually exit you from the long press menu. Note also that long press menu options will vary from app to app and by version of Android. So, next time you're sure it must be possible to do something, but can't figure out how, try the long press.

Here we go...

In the words of my grandmother, "here we go," an impromptu toast that became a favorite family saying. Today, I use it to launch my first blog.

Yup, if you know me, you probably know that I I have a thing for Android phones and tablets. You might even be one of the people that have asked me questions about how to use them. More likely, I noticed that you had an Android phone and I started telling you about my favorite apps.

In the coming days, weeks and months I hope to share helpful tips, thoughts and advice on using those Androids. I hope this blog will be a useful reference to you all. Oh, and I take requests.Here we go...