homescreen - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

May

Nova Launcher Updated To Version 2.1: New Apps Menu, Better Icon And Wallpaper Selection, And More Theme Options

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Applications, News

TeslaCoil Software's Nova Launcher has become one of the most popular custom launchers for Android power users since shortly after the arrival of Ice Cream Sandwich, and part of the reason is the constant addition of new features. The latest revision (2.1) adds a whole lot of goodies, especially if you like to play around with the look and feel of your icons and themes. The release adds features both for free users and those who've bought the $4 Nova Launcher Prime. The app is still compatible with devices running Android 4.0 or higher.

The first thing you'll notice is the new entry in the Settings menu, New Apps.

Feb

Google Play Alternative Yandex.Store Available Worldwide With 50,000+ Apps, Yandex.Shell Upgraded With 3D UI

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Applications, News

So you want more than Google Play can deliver, and the Amazon Appstore leaves you cold. Russian Google competitor Yandex is here to help: they've just launched their own branded app store, creatively titled Yandex.Store. The APK is a freely-available download for any Android device, and after a standard account setup process, you've got access to an impressive selection of mainstream apps. Big titles like Angry Birds, ES File Explorer, SoundHound, Twitter and Opera Mobile are all sitting on the front page. Beneath that is a cache of apps 50,000 strong and growing.

The vast majority of apps on display are free, but there are paid options as well, with support for credit card and cell phone bill payments from dozens of countries including the United States.

Dec

Apex Launcher Updated With More Jelly Bean 4.2 Features, Cross-Launcher Data Import

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Applications, News

What makes a developer great is a continued commitment to a great product, and Apex Launcher dev Android Does has it in spades. Their latest in a long line of updates adds a handful of features, most of which are designed to allow the app to more seamlessly integrate with Android 4.2. There's a new shortcut to the Quick Settings menu, as well as modifications to the shortcut selection screen for 4.2 devices. Other changes include better theme, and live wallpaper support and a new dock swipe gesture on the Pro version.

The most exciting addition to Apex is the ability to import your homescreen configuration from another launcher on your phone.

Aug

TSF Shell 3D Updates With More Gestures, Widgets, Settings, And Enough Shine To Blind Other Launchers

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Applications, News

Last Updated: August 23rd, 2012

The Android launcher has always been ground zero for device customization, and most launchers make at least some concession to user options. But TSF Shell, which we've covered before, surely takes the cake for sheer flexibility. The latest update, to Beta version 1.6.0, adds a dazzling amount of new features. Granted, most of these are eye candy - something that TSF never lacked in the first place - but a few of them are genuinely useful. The ability to select and move multiple apps at a time is something I've wished stock and source-based launchers would implement for years.

The mini-docks on the right and left of TSF, as well as the homescreen itself, get plenty of small tweaks and options.

Jul

Video: Developer Shows Off The Latest Chameleon Launcher Build On The Nexus 7

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Applications, News

Ask any five Android fanatics you know the following question: "What's the most exciting tablet-based launcher project in the world right now?" And you're likely to get five identical responses. The Chameleon launcher has captured the imagination of Android tablet aficionados after a successful Kickstarter campaign and plenty of coverage from news outlets like this one. Today the developers posted two videos showing off Chameleon's impressive complexity and flexibility, and naturally they're showing it off on the hottest Android tablet going: the Nexus 7.

Of the two videos on display, the one above is of the most interest, since it gives us a good look at Chameleon's fascinating widget engine.

Jun

Chameleon Is Back For Its Second Go On Kickstarter, Hopefully Won't Hit Any Snags This Time

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Applications, News

A new project called Chameleon hit Kickstarter last month that promised a whole new interface for Android-powered tablets. We were quite excited about Chameleon, but then the team hit a snag. A big one. They lost their Amazon account that made the Kickstarter listing possible. They were left with no choice but to cancel the pledge drive. And we were all sad.

Now, though, they've opened a new project, and shouldn't have any issues this go around (at least we hope not). Another pleasant surprise is that they've cut the original $50k goal by nearly half, down to $30k. This should make it even easier for backers to reach; in fact, they're already half-way there.

Jun

Chameleon Homescreen Kickstarter Cancelled, New Pledge Drive Coming Soon

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in News

You may remember the Chameleon tablet homescreen project making news last month as the developers started seeking financial backing with the aid of Kickstarter. Teknision Inc. was looking to scoop up $50,000 in small donations to make Chameleon a reality, but after crossing the threshold shortly ago, the funding was cancelled.

According to a message on the Kickstarter page, a problem was encountered with Amazon Payments. Teknision was using an Amazon account belonging to an employee, but that employee left. Since Kickstarter can't switch accounts midstream, the company could not process the payment. Because Kickstarter only uses Amazon's service, Teknision says it will be unable to accept any of the money people have thus far pledged.

Mar

[New App Review] Slider Widget Puts Powerful Volume And Brightness Controls On Your Homescreen

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in App Reviews, Applications, News, Videos

Volume control on Android can be kind of a pain to manage, as there's multiple volume settings that need to be managed, but it's not always obvious what settings you're adjusting when. Slider Widget simplifies this process by placing all five independent volume controls, as wells a brightness control setting, on your homescreen in one convenient widget.

The widget not only displays what level the various settings are at, but gives the user a handy slider for adjusting each one without taking up a ton of space on the homescreen. The stock power widget (and the manufacturer variations thereof) generally only allow you to adjust the brightness to a couple of preset levels, and volume buttons only affect whatever volume level you're currently using.

Jan

[Monthly Home Screen Challenge, January 2012] Post Your Android Home Screen, Win An Android Police Shirt

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Development, Home Screen Challenge

Creating an aesthetically pleasing home screen for your phone or tablet has become an art in itself, and an entire ecosystem packed with widgets, themes, wallpapers, launchers, and custom ROMs has built up to support it. Sometimes, it can be tough to find a winning combination of elements to create a beautiful and enduring home screen that provides both form and function.

For this reason, we have decided to open up a monthly call for gorgeous, well-decorated home screens of all shapes and sizes. Each month we will select the very best home screen configurations and completely break them down into their component parts, providing you with all the necessary information to create your own awesome home screen.

Oct

3 Years Of Android: A Look At Android's Home Screens - From Cupcake To Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Cupcake 1.5, Donut 1.6, Eclair 2.1, Froyo 2.2, Gingerbread 2.3, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Jelly Bean 4.1

Oh, Android. How far you've come since the days of the G1. Actually, tomorrow, October 22nd, will mark 3 years to the day that Android has been available on consumer handsets in the United States, and the G1 on T-Mobile was concepción.

With Ice Cream Sandwich finally revealed, Android has gone through its seventh major iteration. How has Android changed? What better way to illustrate Android's evolution than its home screen, the hub of user interaction. Here's a look at the face of Android over the last 3 years.