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You don’t need to run out and upgrade your phone unless it’s so old that the carrier no longer supports it in the country where you reside. Just FYI: 2G is gone, and 3G is on its way out, too.

A Word about Privacy and Security

      I find it annoying when legitimate publications (online or in print) feature articles that spread fear about using the Internet. Such articles prey on those who aren’t tech savvy. Here, I offer solutions on how to keep your phone safe (also, check Chapter 4 for more information).

      Free usually isn’t

      Remember that there’s no free lunch in the digital age. Nothing is free — neither websites nor (especially) apps that you load on your phone. For example, those free apps can share your information and result in sometimes invasive — and always annoying —advertising. You might feel that viewing ads is “payment” for accessing free sites and apps. That’s only partially true: Your usage data is what the company needs and is “buying” from you. Many phone manufacturers, apps, and websites learn about you from tracking your actions on your device.

       If you pay for an app or a service on your smartphone — instead of opting for the free version — there’s less chance that your data will be taken advantage of.

      The terms of service can be tricky

      Every time you start up a new device, introduce a new app, or visit a new website, you’re presented with the opportunity to agree to the app’s terms of service (ToS) and/or privacy policy. You may even see a sentence or two and be prompted to click through to read the entire policy. When did you last read the complete ToS? This document usually spans many pages and is brimming with legalese.

      NOBODY READS THE TERMS OF SERVICE (TOS)

      In 2016, a research group set up a fictitious social network website and invited 543 undergraduate university students to a prelaunch evaluation of the social network.

      While signing up for the network, the students were presented with a privacy policy, which said (buried in the legalese) that their data would be given to their employers — and to the NSA.

      Also, the ToS said that the participants would have to give up their first-born child as payment. Even if they had no children yet, the clause would remain active until 2050. What happened? Ninety-eight percent (that’s 98 percent!) of the participants skipped over the legal jargon, agreed to the ToS, and signed up for the website.

As illustrated in the nearby sidebar, “Nobody reads the terms of service (ToS),” virtually no one actually reads the ToS. Most existing policies would take around an hour for the average Android owner to read!

       I strongly suggest that you go over the terms of service and privacy policy when you’re presented with them, or at least search the documents to see what they plan to do with your data. The fact that your data may be shared with a government agency or insurance company (now or in the future) is a real possibility.

      Being able to confidently assume that every provider on the Internet follows its privacy laws to the letter would be nice, but you know the truth in your heart: There’s always a bad egg.

      Marsha’s sage advice about privacy

Do you want to know the most important pieces of advice I can give you?

       Never share information on the Internet that you wouldn’t tell anyone except your closest circle of friends and family — not even your year of birth.

       Don’t use free Wi-Fi networks without the protection of a VPN. (See Chapter 16 for more information on VPNs.)

       Beware of texts that want you to click a link to attend to an online transaction or an account. Go directly to the website on your phone’s browser, log in, and find out if there really is a problem.

       Do not add free apps to your devices until you’re ready to use them. For example, I load the airline’s app on my phone only when I’m traveling, and then I delete it when my trip ends. Apps like these can fill up your phone and may drain your battery even when not in use.

      Look for more security tips throughout this book!

Chapter 2

      Buying Your Android Smartphone and Accessories

      IN THIS CHAPTER

       Getting the feel of a phone

       Figuring out which options are important

       Knowing where to buy a phone

       Targeting accessories you want

      Making a decision on a new smartphone is a big job. You’ll probably depend on this little device for the next five years. Because phones are personal tools, when you find the right phone, you don’t want to let go. That’s okay, too. You can find many uses for older phones — even when you buy a new one.

      As you do with a car, you can buy, directly from the manufacturer, a used phone that’s “certified preowned.” Also like a car, a smartphone loses value the minute you walk out of the store. But a flagship (top-of-the-line) phone from a couple of years back may fulfill your every need at a quarter of the new-phone price.

      In this chapter, I help you center your search on which phone features and options you need to look for and how to make a solid decision.

Investigate First — Then Make a Buying Decision

      You’ll find a dizzying assortment of smartphones to choose from in the Android world at varying price points. My goal is to help you narrow the choices, decide where to make the final purchase, and secure the best deal.

      Before you decide which make and model you want, take a little time to kick the tires (so to speak) on several choices. I’ve made the mistake of relying on a (commissioned) salesperson’s advice or being tempted by a “good deal” online — only to be less than thrilled when I set up and started using my device. Shopping around and researching the details of this important purchase is your best strategy.

      Where do you begin this window shopping experience? The Apple Store is ubiquitous — those folks need to be close to their customers — but can’t help you with your Android smartphone search. You may be surprised to know that Samsung Experience Stores exist in some cities; looking there is an option if you happen to have one close. You can try the mobile carrier stores (such as T-Mobile or AT&T), and tell them you’re just looking, but you can also visit Costco, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, or any other big box store to check out its Android smartphone offerings.

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