How to take screenshots on Android

There are times when you really need to share to others what’s on your Android device’s screen. At such moments, you’ll need to capture screenshots, which are nothing more than snapshots of whatever is currently showing on your screen. App developers take lots of screenshots to document their apps. Writers take screenshots to complement their online posts. Some gamers take screenshots of their game sessions. There are varied reasons for needing screenshots.

The good news is that taking screenshots on Android is a very easy task. You can do it blindfolded. Do you know how?

In this guide, learn how to take screenshots on Android. (You may also watch our video tutorialat the end of this post.)

General Procedure

Capturing a screenshot usually involves pressing two buttons on your Android device — either the Volume Down key and the Power button, or the Home button and the Power key.

When the right button combo is pressed, your device’s screen will flash, usually accompanied with a camera shutter sound. Sometimes, a pop-up message or notification alert appears, suggesting that the screenshot has been made.

At other times, you can find a screenshot option on the Power menu. Just long press the Power button, wait for the Power menu to appear, and select Take screenshot to capture a screenshot of the current screen. This can be a useful method, especially when pressing combos of physical buttons is difficult, such as on the Sony Xperia V.

Android device manufacturers even include extra and unique ways of taking screenshots on your device. For instance, you can take a screenshot on the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 using the S Pen. In most high-end Samsung phones, you can take a screenshot by swiping the screen with the side of your palm. There are alternate ways to capture screenshots, and those may or may not be mentioned in this guide.

Important Note: The procedures described in this post are for stock software. Procedures for capturing screenshots under custom ROMs may be different.

Screenshots on Samsung devices

Devices with physical Home button

For many high-end Samsung phones with a physical Home button, you can use the Home + Power button combo to take screenshots.

Just press the two buttons simultaneously until the sides of the screen flash and you hear the camera shutter sound.

You will also get a notification confirming that the screenshot has been captured.

Devices without physical Home button

Some Samsung devices (e.g., Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Camera), however, don’t have a physical Home button. In this case, the button combo is Volume Down and Power. Hold down both buttons until your device takes a screenshot.

Certain devices, such as the Galaxy Note 10.1, also have a quick launch button that can be set to capture screenshots. On the the Galaxy Note 10.1, this quick launch button sits right beside the Multitasking virtual button on the virtual navigation bar.

Devices with S Pen

On Samsung devices that come with the S Pen (e.g., the Galaxy Note series), you can use the stylus itself to take a screenshot. Just hold down the S Pen button and touch the pen tip on the device’s screen until the screen flashes. Usually, after the screenshot is captured, the image will be immediately opened for editing. Just remember to save the edited screenshot afterwards.

Devices with hand motions support

Most high-end Samsung phones also let you capture screenshots by swiping the screen with the side of your hand. For this method to work, go to Settings > Motion and activate the “Palm swipe to capture” option.

Screenshots on HTC devices

On HTC devices, capturing a screenshot still involves the Home and Power buttons. But, instead of simultaneously holding them down, you hold down the Power button first, then tap the capacitive Home button quickly. The screen flashes, and you’ll hear audible feedback. You will also see a popup message confirming that your screenshot has been saved.

Screenshots on Sony Xperia devices

On Sony Xperia phones, the screenshot combo is Volume Down + Power. Hold down both buttons at the same time until the screen flashes and the screenshot thumbnail appears on the screen. A notification also appears on the notification menu once the screenshot has been captured.

There’s an alternate method, too. You can also capture a screenshot through the Power menu. Hold down the Power button until the Power dialog appears. Tap on Take Screenshot to capture the screen underneath the dialog.

Screenshots on LG devices

On LG devices, the button combination is still Volume Down + Power. Long-press these buttons at the same time until the screen flashes and you hear the capture tone. A notification also appears on the notification menu once the screenshot is captured.

You can also take a screenshot with Quick Memo, which can instantly capture and let you create doodles on your screenshots. You can toggle Quick Memo from the notification shade. Once enabled, the editing page will then appear. You can now write notes and doodles on the current screen. Tap the floppy disk icon to save your work.

Screenshots on Nexus devices

Capturing screenshots on the Google Nexus devices (i.e., Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10) remains uniform — hold down both Volume Down and Power keys until you hear audio feedback. The screenshot thumbnail will flash briefly on the screen, and you will get a notification about your screenshot.

Video Guide

Taking screenshots on Android is very easy! Watch our video guide to learn how:

Conclusion

Capturing a screenshot on your Android device is easy. With screenshots, you can easily share what’s on your Android device to everyone. What Android device do you own? How do you capture screenshots on it? Share your screenshotting tales in the comments.

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Sony’s unannounced Xperia SP gets its first render

Aside from the flagship Xperia Z and Xperia ZL, Sony is prepping a pair of mid-range phones that have yet to be made official, the Xperia SP and L.
We first learned of the former last month, when leaked pictures of the device made their way online. We also know that it’s possibly going to be unveiled in Russia in a few days. Now, we have what appears to be the first rendering of the Xperia SP.

The render seems to match the live pictures of the Xperia SP, as seen above. So it looks like there’ll be no visual surprise when Sony finally introduces the handset. Some rumored specs of the SP include a 4.55-inch HD display, a dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB RAM, and an 8-megapixel rear camera.
Not too shabby, right? But apparently they’re only good enough to be classified as a mid-ranger nowadays.
If you’re in the UK, you may get to play with the Xperia SP very soon, as it’s been rumored to hit stores in the coming days. It might be offered for around £310 ($470) off-contract, which isn’t at all cheap.
Are you at all intrigued by the Xperia SP?

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Jelly Bean update reportedly rolling out in late March for Sony’s Xperia S

After several mediocre years in the Android décor, Sony finally has a shot at becoming one of the greats, courtesy of the splendid Xperia Z and ZL. And yet not all the company’s attention is focused on the high-end duo, with a couple of mid-rangers expected to land soon.
Meanwhile, last year’s Xperia line-up continues to be spoiled. It was only a week ago we heard the first reports of Jelly Bean rolling out to the humble J, with the more impressive TL getting the same butter treatment a couple of days back.
And while we feared Sony would have too much on its plate to also worry about the one year-old Xperia S, that doesn’t seem to be the case. At all. In fact, the early 2012 flagship might actually get its own Android 4.1 Jelly Bean bump earlier than planned – in late March.

That’s based on a tweet sent out by Sony Mobile Germany, so you could say it’s official information. Then again, we know how tricky “social media” can be nowadays, meaning the ETA is definitely not set in stone yet.
Worst-case scenario, Sony’s German branch is wrong and we go back to the old schedule, according to which the Xperia S was due for an update in April. Which would still not be awful, would it?
Now how about some Android 4.2 upgrades, Sony? Also, some 4.1 love for the TX would be welcomed. And the P and U. Anyone want to add something to the wishlist?

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Must-have NFC smartphones

NFC technology has been poised to reach critical mass, at least in the U.S., for years now. Touted to bestow upon smartphones a wide range of magical solutions, proponents of NFC (near field communication) have said it will enable everything from using your phone as a digital wallet, serving as a secure and convenient method of identification, to even unlocking your home's front door.And if the

NFC invades Mobile World Congress (pictures)

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 technology's big presence at MWC 2013 was any indication, it seems the long wait for the wonderful world of NFC might actually be nearing an end. Yes, almost all of today's hottest handsets -- sorry,iPhone 5, you lose -- come with NFC circuitry baked right in. From the mighty Samsung Galaxy S3 (and yes the upcoming Galaxy S4, too), HTC One, HTC Droid DNA, and Nokia Lumia 920, all are on the NFC bandwagon. And don't count out the BlackBerry Z10, Sony Xperia TL, Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD, and excellent LG Nexus 4, which can harness the powers of NFC as well.

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HTC Droid DNA (Verizon)

Unquestionably the best Droid device Verizon has ever sold, the HTC Droid DNA is much more than a mobile fire-breather. Running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, the DNA also uses NFC for easy Bluetooth pairing. The handset has built-in Qi wireless charging, too. Read the full review of the HTC Droid DNA.

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HTC One

NFC is just one of the HTC One's many tricks. The company's latest flagship phone is powered by a new 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, a massive 4.7-inch HD screen, plus Android Jelly Bean. The real draw of this device, though, is its achingly beautiful aluminum unibody design. Read our hands-on review of the HTC One.

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LG Nexus 4 (T-Mobile)

The freshest officially sanctioned Nexus handset, the LG Nexus 4 flaunts both a lovely glass design and elegant Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean user interface. Running the most recent version of Android available, the Nexus 4 also can use NFC to full Google effect. Specifically that means Android Beam to transfer application data such as pictures, Web sites, or contacts just by bumping phones together. Driven by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon CPU, the handset will likely receive fresh Android updates before any other phone. Read the full review of the LG Nexus 4.

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Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD

When it first hit the market last fall, the Droid Razr Maxx HD was certainly one of the most fearsome mobile machines ever minted by Motorola. It not only mixed quick dual-core processing with a big, 4.7-inch AMOLED screen, plus a humongous 3,300mAh battery for amazing longevity, it also added an NFC chip, which it predecessors lacked. Now that Motorola has thrown in an update to Android Jelly Bean, it's an even more compelling option. Read a full review of the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD.

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BlackBerry Z10

Blackberry's best, most powerful handset yet, the Z10 is attractive and boasts all the slickness the new BlackBerry 10 operating system can muster. Along with a solid camera and smooth performance, the touch-screen Z10 also boasts NFC tech to pair with Bluetooth gadgets such as the BlackBerry Music Gateway in a snap. Read the full review of the BlacbBerry Z10.

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Samsung Galaxy S3 (multiple carriers)

No one can deny the global success of Samsung's Galaxy S3. Besides coming packed to the gills with excellent mobile components for a very attractive price, the handset's software was also top notch for its time. Complementing Android, now recently upgraded to 4.1 Jelly Bean, you'll find all the bells and whistles here, including NFC. Samsung also put its own spin on Android Beam, called S Beam, that merges NFC and Wi-Fi direct to push large files between compatible smartphones. Read the full review of the Samsung Galaxy S3.

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Nokia Lumia 920 (AT&T)

Arguably no other smartphone line has been as much a champion of NFC technology than Nokia's Lumia handsets. Featuring Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 software, the Lumia 920 is no exception. It uses NFC to connect to specially crafted accessories such as JBL wireless Bluetooth speakers, which also charge the phone sans wires, and the Nokia Purity Pro headphones by Monster. Read the full review of the Nokia Lumia 920.

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Sony Xperia TL (AT&T)

Sony smartphones have long championed the virtues of NFC, and the latest Xperia device to hit a U.S. carrier, the Xperia TL, is cut from the same cloth. Finally boasting modern dual-core Snapdragon processing and a powerful camera, the handset also uses NFC to read Sony Smart Tag stickers to alter menu settings in a flash

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Telstra opens Sony Xperia Z pre-orders, shipping to start on March 26

Although Australia was one of the first countries to gain confirmation of a wide Xperia Z rollout, Sony left it out the initial global launch waves. And, as it appears, Aussies will be left hanging a little more than expected, specifically until March 26.
On the flipside, the Z can already be pre-ordered from Telstra in three color options, all of which will be bringing you a nice bonus as well. No matter if you choose the black, white or online exclusive purple version, Australia’s number one carrier will be throwing in a free Sony wireless NFC speaker (normally worth $129).
You can only order the Z with contracts for now, but thankfully you have plenty of choices to go around. The S plan is the most convenient, having a monthly fee of $63 and including unlimited texts and 1 GB of data. The M, L and XL will require heftier $80, $100 and $130 monthly payments, but of course they’ll come with more data as well (ranging from 1.5 to 3 GB).

In all four cases, Telstra offers the Xperia Z with no upfront payment, but the overall 24-month costs will still reach a minimum of $1,512 (the S plan) or a whopping $3,120 (the XL).
Meanwhile, Vodafone and Optus, the other two networks expected to carry Sony’s flagship, are yet to announce something specific on release dates or pricing. Which probably means they’ll not start shipping the Z until April after all.
Off contract, the 5-incher is expected to go for sale in a matter of days via Sony’s online store and a couple of other retailers for $749. As for the non-waterproof Xperia ZL, that’s already available via MobiCity for $689 outright (only in black), but it’s not expected in carrier subsidized flavors anytime soon.

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AT&T offers Android 4.1 download for Sony's Xperia TL

If you're still waiting for AT&T to update yourSony Xperia TL to Android 4.1 and patience isn't your top virtue, the carrier is now letting you download Jelly Bean yourself.

While connected to Wi-Fi, you can scoot on into the settings and choose "About phone," then select the software update to get things rolling.

Easy peasy. You can check out the fullAndroid 41. Jelly Bean features here.

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Sony Xperia E Dual Review!

With all the hype surrounding Sony’s high-end phones like the Xperia Z, it’s easy to forget that the company is still making phones for the low-end market as well. Joining the low-end ranks most recently are the tag-team duo of the Sony Xperia E and the Sony Xperia E Dual. The two phones are nearly identical aside from the number of SIMs and the Android version they run. They also share one very important factor: a pretty low off-contract price.

In particular, the combination of low price and dual-SIM capabilities has the possibility to make the Sony Xperia E Dual very popular in certain parts of the world. That is, as long as it’s actually a decent phone. So, is it? Read on to find out.

In a hurry? Check out our video review or jump to the conclusion at the end of this article.

Specs

• 1 GHz single-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
• 3.5-inch HVGA display (480 x 320)
• 512 MB of RAM
• 4 GB internal storage
• microSD slot (up to 32 GB supported)
• 3.2-megapixel camera
• 1,500 mAh battery
• Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich

Build Quality & Design

One of the nicer aspects of the Sony Xperia E Dual is its design. Even though it’s obviously lower on the totem pole than Sony’s high end devices, it doesn’t seem as though they skimped on the look and feel here. The glossy finish (black, in this case) and color-changing illumination bar certainly don’t broadcast the phone’s low-end nature.

The phone feels well-built, though there is some flex present in the body. It fits well in the hand, though it has a chunky, short and squat feel to it. If the bezel was a little thinner or the device was a little taller, it would feel more “natural.”

One minor annoyance in the otherwise solid build is the haptic feedback. Whenever this occurs (which is often with the Xperia E Dual), a loud buzzing is present that sounds almost like something is loose inside the phone. This could be an issue that is only present in the unit we tested, but it’s worth mentioning.

Display

No surprises here: the display is clearly the weakest point of the Sony Xperia E Dual. No matter how you size it up, a 480 x 320 resolution and a pixel density around 165 ppi just isn’t too pleasant to look at.

Pixelation is visible nearly everywhere and it’s odd, but tilting the top of the phone toward you at even a slight angle makes everything very hard to see. Meanwhile, you can tilt the phone in the other direction until you’re nearly looking at the bottom of it and you can still read what is on the screen. The screen is protected, but not with Gorilla Glass, so pressing down just a little to hard leads to visible distortion of the display.

Chances are if you’re looking at a dual-SIM phone in this price range, you’re already aware that you’re going to have to make some sacrifices, but if a quality display is important to you, you may want to look elsewhere.

Performance

With a look at the processor and RAM, it’s clear that this device isn’t going to be a top performer, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t handle a fairly good amount of what you throw at it. Some light stuttering is somethings visible when scrolling through the home screen or app drawer, but this tends to happen when a lot of things are running in the background. Apps still launch quickly and while this phone isn’t going to run the most demanding games, the Xperia E Dual can keep up with quite a few.

Interested in how the modest hardware would compare to other devices, I ran a few benchmarks. The first was AnTuTu. I ran the benchmark five times and ended up with an average score of 5468. Next was Vellamo which produced an average of 1070 in its HTML5 test and 314 in its Metal test. Epic Citadel surprised me a little, producing an average FPS of 29.5 in High Performance mode and 29 in High Quality mode. Then again, it was only pushing a grand total of 153600 pixels.

Software

Unlike its single-SIM sibling, which runs Jelly Bean, the Sony Xperia E Dual runs Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. There has been some word that an update to Jelly Bean is on the way, but I haven’t found anything confirming this by Sony. Sony has skinned the interface with a themeable overlay which looks fairly nice, but I can’t help but wonder how it impacts performance.

Aside from the usual Google apps, Sony has included quite a few of its own, including its Walkman app, TrackID and Smart Connect, which will put the phone in different modes depending on if you plug in the headphones or plug the charger in, for example. Other apps include OfficeSuite, Facebook and NeoReader, which scans QR codes and barcodes.

Camera

The 3.2-megapixel camera is nothing to write home about. In its default mode, even pictures taken on a bright, sunny day looked dark and drab. Artifacts were very noticeable in areas that quickly contrasted light and dark, and visual noise was present even in the brightest areas of images. The camera is useful for taking a quick picture when you have nothing else on hand, but don’t expect the highest quality. Self-portraits are out as well, since the Sony Xperia E Dual has no front-facing camera, which is understandable at this price.

Though video functionality is built in, don’t expect to use it too often as the resolution caps out at 640 x 480. If you really need to grab something in motion, its okay, but viewing it later on anything other than the phone itself isn’t going to be very enjoyable.

Battery

Despite the battery’s meager capacity of 1,500 mAh, the battery life is better than you might think. Sony estimates a talk time of just around 6 hours, And I got just over that while doing some fairly heavy benchmarking and testing. In real world use, it’s going to be relatively easy to go a full day without a charge, though having both SIM slots full may run your battery down a bit faster.

The battery is removable and replaceable, so it’s possible to carry another charged battery with you, use an extended battery, or both.

Video Review

Conclusion

More than a lot of devices on the market right now, the Sony Xperia E Dual is a good choice for someone who uses their device first and foremost as a phone, with other functionality running a distant second. Despite its low-end specs, the phone is quite capable, but there are many better choices if you only need a single SIM.

That said, this is hands down one of the most affordable dual-SIM phones on the market, and that alone makes it worthy of a recommendation for the right person. The Xperia E Dual can be found for around $200 U.S. dollars contract-free, so it’s going to be very difficult to find another dual-SIM option at this price.

Have you used the Sony Xperia E Dual? Have any thoughts? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.

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