Tips for Android Gingerbread

December 14, 2012 · by Anna Rohleder

In the northern parts of the world, it's the time of year for all sorts of things to be made out of gingerbread: from houses, to cookies, to little gingerbread men.

These days there's also one more very important type of gingerbread, and that's the software that runs Android phones! Nearly half of all Android users still have Gingerbread, which is also known as version 2.3+. (The latest version of Android is 4.2, otherwise known as Jellybean.) Although Gingerbread has been out for a while now, it has quite a few features that still count as both innovative and handy, from the ability to copy and paste text with one touch, to 3D maps!

If you're running Gingerbread on your Android phone, here are some tips and tricks from the Google Android blog we thought were pretty useful:

Use your fingers to make an instant slide show: Put two fingers on two different photos in your image gallery. When you spread those fingers, all the photos in between will turn into a slide show!
Long-hold the comma key for more punctuation options. Or just press and hold any key to access the special characters keyboard.
Last but not least, use Opera Mini with Android Gingerbread to save money and time with your browsing!

What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for your Android phone?

Readers' comments 12

Left under the original article, as archived.

EJFriday, December 14, 2012 2:35:43 PM
They(whether it is HTC, Android, or both) need to deliver the long ago promised Ice Cream Sandwich updates to us HTC Droid Incredible 2 users or they will lose a lot of good customers.
SoumitraFriday, December 14, 2012 3:50:40 PM
I am using Smart mobile phone LG-P500 having Android Gingerbread 2.3. This is Excellent.
ErikSaturday, December 15, 2012 4:39:00 AM
recently got an Android phone and read about saving battery power; is preferable to use the back button than the home one to close applications and save resources.

Who knows about the android processes, even when you thought you closed them, in a while you can close them again with the task manager...
Mpho MazibukoSaturday, December 15, 2012 11:21:53 AM
My Galaxy just freezes when I am on Twitter uploading a picture or When I am on Opera mini. How do fix this?
mastiphal25Saturday, December 15, 2012 4:33:01 PM
Haha, this is kinda cool.
Enoch 'Robot Boy' Appiah JuniorSaturday, December 15, 2012 10:32:13 PM
screen capture

presa qnd hold the power button and the home key

leave th power button before u leave the home button.

works on my Samsung Pocket
monster54Monday, December 17, 2012 6:15:07 AM
very cool.
Nalda KwamkurMonday, December 17, 2012 4:15:23 PM
fantastic.
Barraco Mármol JerónimoFriday, December 21, 2012 2:44:44 AM
I'm using opera on android 2.3 right now!
Fathima Rifqa GhaffarMonday, December 31, 2012 5:34:17 PM
Thank you very much Opera for Android 4.2 ★★ Again I find difficult to add Smilies :-( :-(
HRIDAYEMRANThursday, January 3, 2013 7:44:59 AM
Hi.i am hriday khan .how are you all best friend
mahesaTuesday, January 29, 2013 9:25:29 AM
Great tips for Gingrebread users!