How do you use Google Helpouts?

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...And what does it have to do with Android? Well, Helpouts is radically cool, first of all. I'm excited about it; from both sides. It's Hangouts based, but the purpose is connecting someone who has a question with someone who has an answer.

The program, which is by Google, is both a website (helpouts.google.com) and an app (view in Google Play). The format is video chatting, so you need a webcam on your computer or a front-facing camera on your phone. I think it's pretty helpful (appropriate, no?) that it goes with you anywhere, on your Android.

The questioner searches on a question or keywords. A list of instructors will come up, with descriptions, ratings, and per hour and per minute rates. You schedule a time to talk with one, or you can get in a queue to talk with the instructor right away if he/she is available. Google offers a money back guarantee, in case you're dissatisfied with your session. I tried searching for musical questions and discovered a ton of options, from learn guitar classes to answers to music reading questions. I tried searching on some computer/tech-related questions and found many instructors in this area, on a variety of topics. I found, however, that searching for specific questions -- such as "How do you take a screenshot?" or "How do you send a text?" -- while it will pull up a list of instructors in the right category, doesn't find specific results. So likely you could find an approximately appropriate topic and inquire; however, it makes me think perhaps from the instructor side of things, offering straightforward answers to simple questions could be a good angle.

Google is saying this feature will grow fast and big, but is starting on the smaller side, with the categories Arts and Music, Computers and Electronics, Cooking, Education and Careers, Fashion and Beauty, Fitness and Nutrition, Health, and Home and Garden.

How do you stay healthy with Android's help?

Do you have people in your life who are so healthy they would likely break off the relationship if they were aware that you patronize Chick-Fil-A? Or perhaps you are that person, and will no longer read How Do You Android after this startling revelation. Before you go, do finish this article -- it's right up your alley.

Google recently began adding nutrition info to its search engine. Of course that info was already on the web and therefore already findable via Google, but now the information is native to Google, in the same way that currency and measurement conversions are native. That means you can search, for example, on, "How many calories are in a salad with chicken?" Google will display the answer, along with two drop down menus to change Type and Quantity, above the web search results. To the right, you'll see a picture of the item, as well as an About snippet and the Nutrition Facts. You may wonder why I've chosen a salad with chicken as my example meal, since that particular item has not yet made it into Google's database. The answer to that valid question is because a salad with chicken is the best meal under the sun. If you would like to test the feature, I highly recommend the query, "How many calories in a radish?" The particularly cool thing for Android users is that you can ask Google Now for this information.

But calorie-counting is not the only way your Android can keep you healthy. The first app you should check out is called My Tracks, and is Google-developed. It's very simple... like you guessed, it just records your paths -- location, speed, distance, elevation. You can set the app to announce your progress as you go, and you can also export the data to Drive and store the route in Maps, as well as share the information with Facebook or Google+ friends.

MyFitnessPal is the next app you might like to try out. Like the new Google information, it gives the calorie count for foods you search on. It goes beyond that, though, in saving the data so you can make sure you're staying within your goals.

Visit the Play Store's Health and Fitness section for just about any specific assistance you might want, but first we'll look at one more universal option. It's called Workout Trainer -- guess what it does. Step-by-step audio, photo, and video instructions guide you in specific workout routines that either have been specifically  chosen or else fall under the heading (improve running, lose weight, practice yoga, get a six-pack...) that you selected. Other features include a virtual fitness consultation wizard, option to play music from your phone while in the app, a widget with a new workout suggestion every day, and connection with other exercisers.

Ok, now you can leave in a huff, if you feel you ought.