23
Jul
image
Last Updated: November 4th, 2011

When we found Medieval Software's new app called Dual File Manager XT yesterday, we jumped on it right away due to its 2-pane support. Ever since the '90s, 2-pane "orthodox" file managers like the Midnight, Norton, Volkov, and most recently Total Commander have been an absolute necessity on any computer I use.

In fact, once I install a Windows OS nowadays, Total Commander is the first program that follows. Those who try 2-pane file managers can't (or rather shouldn't want to) go back to the conventional Explorer-style layouts - the level of productivity they bring is unparalleled.

Total Commander for Android

But let's come back to Android - after we posted the Dual File Manager XT, 2 people (Wr3ck and Martin) brought to my attention the fact that Christian Ghisler, the developer behind my favorite Total Commander, has been actually working on an Android port for quite a while now.

22
Jul
hi-256-0-ff7783da3f93fc7b248bae6165b513bd8847bfa9
Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

If you're like us, you probably spend a little bit of time in your Android device's directory system, hunting down stray files or unused app folders ripe for deletion. Or, more frustratingly, moving files between folders. This has never been particularly easy on Android, because you're limited to enough room on most handsets for one open file directory at a time - but no more.

Update: In response to a lot of you who are asking for root support, the app developer wrote in to say this:

"yes ROOT will be added if the program along with additional features."

Even with robust file management applications like Astro, moving files from folder to folder is a bit of a pain.

21
Jul
hi-256-0-04e29df122ecc204538e734c774143ec8c79add3

The updated Netflix APK that officially landed in the Android Market today has successfully been extracted and made available for download on "unsupported" devices by XDA member quixin. As you may know, Netflix 1.3.0 is the first version to support Honeycomb devices of any kind thanks to the Lenovo IdeaPad K1. Of course, the K1 has that super-special hardware-based DRM that was assumedly put in place just for Netflix support. Because of this, we wondered if Netflix would require this type of hardware level support in all future devices... but it appears that's not the case. The updated APK should work flawlessly on all Honeycomb devices, and probably most phones, too.

21
Jul
swiftkey x

Just a week after shedding its beta status, the ever-popular keyboard SwiftKey X is being featured in the Amazon Appstore as the free app of the day, down from its usual $3.99 price. If you've never used the beta, SwiftKey X has a few great features that distinguish it from many other alternative keyboards:

  • Improved word prediction using TouchType's Fluency Prediction Engine
  • Personalization Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, and SMS
  • "Precise" and "Rapid" typing styles
  • Supports multiple languages simultaneously

This is actually the second time one of TouchType's apps have been featured on the Appstore, the first being the original SwiftKey a few months back, so there's hope for tablet owners that SwiftKey Tablet X may be featured soon as well.

20
Jul
image

Netflix this evening appears to have quietly unleashed the Android app on 16 more previously unsupported devices, all without updating the application at all.

The whole situation threw us off quite a bit, as the Netflix app description now lists both the new devices and a reference to a new version 1.3, while the app itself is still stuck at 1.2.2.

Nevertheless, after trying to find it in the Market using devices that were previously unsupported (HTC EVO 3D and Thunderbolt), to our pleasant surprise, we succeeded. So... it seems that Netflix indeed simply updated the list in the Market publishing console without updating the app at all, which means it was compatible with all of them all along.

20
Jul
viber android logo

Viber is a cross-platform VoIP app which currently runs on iOS and Android, allowing you to make free calls using your data plan so you don't have to use up your minutes each month. So far though, it's Android existence has been limited to a private beta to test the service and iron out bugs before releasing it to the masses.

If you've been waiting anxiously to begin using Viber on your Android phone, you can now download it from the Market for free starting today and begin using it to text and call your friends.

viber android banner

When you install Viber on your phone, it will scan your contacts and let you know who else is using the service so that you can call them for free.

19
Jul
image

A large amount of that comics market has been claimed to the app ComiXology; it's usually been the gold standard for a lot of comic-dom's digital offerings. However, as with other things, it's almost impossible to enforce a standard.

image

DC Comics has partnered with ComiXology in order to produce their own digital offerings, and distribute them to their audiences. This app uses a lot of the same technologies as ComiXology's, like the Guided View, which allows for easy touch-based scrolling. Readers will be able to buy and read individual issues of comics, as well as large collections of back issues at once.

19
Jul
hi-256-4-3764fbf99f49fb79a888cb737c5274c476787a55

Even though FriendCaster Tab was "Honeycomb's first Facebook app," when it initially hit the Market it was, in a word, lackluster. It offered basic access to Facebook, but it was missing quite a few of the most commonly used features.

Since then, the dev has been hard at work completely redesigning the app - and the end result landed in the Market today. The updated app is similar to the phone version, but utilizes Fragments in Honeycomb, and it looks quite good. The new interface reminds me of FriendMe, but after messing around with it for just a few minutes, I think I like FriendCaster Tab better.

19
Jul
hi-256-3-589412a22120caa6e8b9483f583394e7634732e3

UK based news publication The Economist released its official Android app into the Market today, bringing all of the features of the magazine to your handset. This app differs a bit from other publication based apps, as the download is free, and offers free access to editor's highlights - no subscription required. Naturally, if you are already a subscriber, you can access full cover-to-cover versions of the magazine, download them for offline viewing, switch between reading and listening, and access/download pervious issues.

ss-320-0-3 ss-320-2-0 ss-320-4-0

The Economist app also utilizes in-app purchases for people who only want occasional access. If you see an edition of the mag that you're interested in, simply grab your device and buy it - no need to buy a full subscription.

19
Jul
hi-512-2

Autodesk is one of the many devs out there that consistently impress me with its high-quality, well-made apps - especially when it comes to Honeycomb. The newest app out of Autodesk's camp, SketchBook Pro, meets - and perhaps surpasses - all of the standards that have been set in my mind for quality development.

ss-1280-2-2 ss-1280-3-2 ss-1280-4-2

SketchBook Pro is a drawing app designed with the professional in mind - and it appears to be quite full-featured. It's designed to be used with a stylus or with your finger, depending on what type of look you're going for.

After watching the video, one of the coolest things about Sketchbook Pro in my opinion is the "mirror" feature, which makes creating images that require precision symmetry extremely easy.