Exploring the Android emulator

As we progress, it helps to be familiar with exactly how to use the Android emulator. If you haven't used the latest version of Android, some of the ways even simple tasks are executed (such as viewing all the apps) can be different from how your current device works. In addition, we want to know how to use the extra controls that come with all emulators.

Emulator control panel

You probably noticed the mini control panel that appears beside the emulator when you run it. Let's go through some of the most useful controls. Look at this screenshot of the emulator control panel. I have annotated it to aid discussion of it:

Figure 3.17 – Emulator control panel

I will just mention the more obvious controls as follows, and go into a bit more depth when necessary:

1. These are the window controls. Minimize or close the emulator window.
2. From top to bottom, power off the emulator, simulating powering off...