Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

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Recommended home launchers for Android users

by xarki, on Sat, May 25 2013 | No Comments

courtesy of nerdsmagazine.comMost Android smartphones are pre-equipped with a default or what is commonly known as stock launchers. Launchers, like in the PCs, enable its users to interface with their device – to navigate from the home screens to our installed apps. In short, it enables us to use our tablets and mobile phones properly to get things done.

 

Launchers have the certain characteristic of uniqueness and freedom of customization. Home launchers are one of the few features of Android and what defines it as a droid device.

 

Basically, Android launchers provide flexible arrangements so that users can build something that works for them. Just like most desktop PCs, shortcuts and widgets can be dragged and dropped into the home screen for quick access and in the same way establish an aesthetic enrichment to one’s handheld gadget.

 

It seems though that many experienced Android users (like me) are not satisfied with the default home launchers installed may be because of poor customization options, sluggish performance or most of the time resource-hogging issues.

 

My list here covers some of the most recommended home launcher replacements. Some are better versions of our default launchers while some offers even a unique way of navigating the Android UI.

  1. Nova launcher – known for its silky smooth performance and high customization options. Sports the default Android interface (scrolling wallpaper, multiple homescreens, widgets and app shortcuts) but is better from what the stock launchers offer. Available in free and paid versions.
  2. ssLauncher – sports a magazine-like interface and is also highly customizable from screen fonts to wallpapers and home screens giving that magazine page per page likeness. Available in free version.
  3. Espier Launcher – if you fancy IPhone’s user interface, this is the closest one you can ever use to make it look like an Apple device. Apps can be sorted, reordered and saved according to your needs. Widgets can be added using a widget page. Available in free version.
  4. Next Launcher 3D – a highly acclaimed launcher because of its fluid 3D interface. From the creators of Go Launcher, this offers eye candy awesomeness for fast Android devices. Only available in paid version.
  5. Smart Launcher – identified as the minimalist home launcher and the only one with an auto category feature for your apps, making it the fastest to launch apps with just a few taps in your screen. No app shortcuts and widgets can be added to its home screen though. Available in free and paid version.

Here are a few more home launcher replacements that might suit you:

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A898 Duo : a local brand smartphone that caught my eye

by xarki, on Tue, Apr 16 2013 | No Comments

courtesy of thetechnoyouthph.blogspot.comA few months ago, I decided to get another android smartphone for myself. I previously got a Lenovo A60+, a single core processor smart phone in the market which I have succeeded rooting (synonymous to jailbreak) and beefed-up according to my needs. The arrival of better processors has even made me flip the switch and immediately caused me to decide in getting a dual core smartphone instead.

 

Though I wasn’t as excited to get a local distributed gadget, I gave it a shot to have one. It was so difficult choosing between OEM rebranded phones in the market today since everyone else are using the same specifications. The price and the freebies are the deciding factor for most buyers.

 

As for me, I relocated the price and the freebies at the bottom of my list and instead yearned for some other factors that will help me decide which one to buy. First of is the after sales service. How fast will these companies look after their client’s needs? I looked for the assurance that their support will be as top-notch as the other famous brands in the market. Then comes the first-hand experience from other users. What features will convince other people to buy the same device from this particular brand? Will this device meet my needs?

 

It took me a week to gather information and decide which local brand I will be putting my money on. I looked around the mall to check on prices and freebies (if they have one). I even did a hands-on feel of the device so I can check if I can handle the weight and the size of my chosen droid phone.

 

Before handing in my cash, I came up with my top three brands and models to choose from: MyPhone’s A898 Duo, Cherry Mobile’s Titan and MyPhone’s A919 Duo. All of them have big screens ranging from 4.5 – 5.0 inch capacitive and IPS (in plane switching). CM’s Titan is a big game changer because of the screen size, camera pixel and cheap price as compared to A919 with the same set of features. But after trying to get a feel of each of these phones, I decided to get a smaller one. One that I can still put inside my pocket and easy enough to handle even with one hand. I also chose a brand that has been in the mobile market longer. MyPhone’s A898 won the contest.

 

Asides from it being my preference, I heard a lot of good review regarding its performance. This, for the record, is the first locally branded phone that I had since then. I felt good owning one and will look forward in owning another one from the same brand in the future.

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Worthwhile piano tools for android users and musicians

by xarki, on Fri, Apr 5 2013 | No Comments

courtesy of en.muzhiwan.comOne of the perks of having an android device is the ease of securing a certain app (application) to do a specific job for you.

 

As a part time musician, it is important that I get my hands on any tool available to aid me in my piano works, exercises and as a knowledge base resource whenever, wherever.

 

I was enthusiastic to find several apps that fit my requirements. Google play met my standards.

 

I found two notable apps for pianists: Piano Assistant and Perfect Piano.

 

Piano assistant is a good resource for notes and chords. It covers all types of chords at your own disposal, making it easier for pianists like me to review and understand the theoretical constructs of certain chords and play them anytime, anywhere without the hassle of bringing my bulky keyboard. It lessens the time haggling for the right combination of notes to produce the chord.

 

Perfect piano is a good app to quickly play melodies or piano pieces. It has a feature where musicians can somehow preview or get a quick sound review of their musical piece at hand.

 

These two apps have consequently improved my piano playing capability and helped establish an efficient way to enjoy music all the time.

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Russian meteor injured thousands in a surprising flyby

by xarki, on Wed, Feb 20 2013 | No Comments

courtesy of www.mashable.comWe can now leave our worries about the impending doom as prophecised on 21st of December the previous year…  Err, not likely the scenario.

 

A ball of fire (that seemed to be a rogue meteor) surprisingly emerged in Russia causing a lot of damage and injured a lot of people in the area.

 

The latest meteor phenomenon in Chelyabinsk, Russia caused everyone to question the world’s safety on the closest flyby of an asteroid (2012 DA14) that is currently passing our planet.

 

NASA debunks the idea that these two heavenly bodies are related to each other. But did our astronomers keep a blind eye in not noticing the arrival of the smaller yet disastrous ball of fire? Or they just decided not to tell since it is not much of their worries?

 

According to several reports, thousands of people were hurt by the passing of this 7,000 ton meteorite leaving a streak of smoke at the sky of Chelyabinsk and lighting the serene blue sky with a blinding light for a few seconds. The sonic boom amassed by its passage caused damages to several structures in the region.

 

The videos that have circulated on the web were all captured by vehicle mounted cameras.

 

Space debris falling from the sky is something you would frequently see in sci-fi films leaving us in amazement. But this kind of scientific feat is one scary stuff for us to be astounded.

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Making the most out of my android phone

by xarki, on Sun, Dec 9 2012 | 2 Comments

courtesy of 101hacker.comI decided to replace my old Samsung phone with a new one from Lenovo. With only a few cash to spare and a good review from some of its users, the Lenovo A60+ has served its purpose and was able to keep me abreast with all my connectivity needs. Truly, Android smart phones are a huge alternative for people who cannot get themselves one of those pricey gadgets from Apple. Since the development of the Android, many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have entered the market and further offered the world with cheaper alternatives up to the branded Android “teletoys.”

 

But not all techno geeks have cash or resources to satisfy their gadget craving. That is why we search for the cheapest and bang-for-the-buck tools of the trade.

 

Android boasts hundreds or even thousands of apps in the market – both free and paid versions. In a way, this gives each “droid” owner a chance to build his custom setup for personal ease of use. If you search the internet, you will find a handful of forums and blogs that suggests different ways to make your device run faster and better – with apps and firmware updates or even customizations that will push each smart phone to the limit. Obviously, this idea has tickled the Filipino’s tinkering nature and Juan is now included in the growing population of Android owners in the world.

 

The common applications that you should have as a starting droid owner are a power management app (battery saver), file manager and backup, an alternative launcher (if you don’t like the stock), an alternative web browser, an SD card manager (like Link2SD or Apps2SD) and the most needed of all apps – the task killer. Other apps that you would consider having are the email client, calendar and agenda organizer, google map service, amazon’s ebook reader, social connectivity apps (FB, Instagram, and Twitter). And of course the multitude number of games which makes it almost an all-in-one personal gadget to have these days.

 

You really don’t need to install all of these apps. What you have to do is to define your needs and find out what you plan to do with your Android phone. By then, you will find yourself breezing through your phone and not being slowed down by thousand of unneeded applications which will make your Android experience the worst one.

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