The arrival of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean brought a host of new features to owners of Nexus devices, and one of those features is what Google calls Daydream, a screensaver that can appear and usefully display when a device is plugged in or charging. and related information in addition to the display of photos in the device’s Gallery.
Daydream is one of the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean features that Google has highlighted, and while not very useful, it’s a nice touch to Google’s latest mobile software. In a nutshell, it’s a way to get more out of your idle device if you charge it or place it within easy reach of the screen.
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Unfortunately, like some other features in Android 4.2, including Quick Settings and Multiple Users, Daydream is hidden in Android settings, which means users of the new software may not have found it yet.
Here we show you not only how to find the Daydream function in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but also how to use it properly.
How to Use Daydream on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Daydream is a powerful screensaver available on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. And for those who place their devices near their workstation or comfy chair, it’s a great way to bring up not only the news but also memories from the past. As I said though, Google hasn’t done much to highlight this feature, and it’s hidden deep in Settings, which can be hard to find for unsophisticated users.
That changes today as we show you how to find it and set it up on your smartphone or tablet.
First, go to the main settings of the device. It should look like the screenshot below.
Then tap View under Device group. You should then be taken to a screen that looks like the one below, displaying various screen-related options to choose from. Assuming you’re running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, you’ll see an option for Daydream. Tap it.
Here you will find a number of Daydream options. In the top left is a toggle to turn the function on or off. Obviously, if you’re here, you’re going to want to turn that switch on. Then, go to When to Dream in the upper right corner.
You will now be able to choose when the device switches to Daydream. You can choose to use the feature while docked, charging, or both. Go back to that screen.
Now, you will choose what to display. From the watch to some Nexus-inspired colors to the way you look at articles and photos on Google Currents, there are many options to choose from.
When you select one, you will also see some switches to the right of the circle. These are the settings for each setting. For example, if I tap it for Clock, it opens a way to change the style. It lets me choose the photos I want to use for the photo features.
So there’s a lot of customization here, which means you can customize your new screensaver to your liking.
Dream Easter Egg
Google has also added an easter egg to Android 4.2 for Daydream. If you’re bored with the default options of the feature, you can unlock something hidden and must-have called BeanFlinger.
To do this, go to device Settings, go to About and then repeatedly tap on Android Version, Android 4.2. It should take you to a screen that looks like the one above. Hold down that giant Jelly Bean and wait for one group of others to appear.
At this point, you will be able to go back to the Daydream settings and select BeanFlinger for Daydream, similar to the screenshot above.
