Archive for January, 2013

SF Launcher Alpha Android is a new breed of Android Launcher that puts Google Now front and center here tested on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

We’re all for testing things out, that way we can help developers fine tune their apps. The more people who get involved the better, as far as we’re concerned.

So when the opportunity came along to have a look at SF Launcher, currently in alpha mode, which is an earlier version than beta – for anyone who is more familiar with beta – we thought we’d have a look-see.

Developer Alamo Apps says SF Launcher is close to beta but it is still somewhat buggy and they hope to add more features in due course.

For starters, you get a launcher with a header with the time and date on it, which is vital so full marks for that. It comes with a rather nice graphic of the San Francisco shoreline and bridge which is a bit reminiscent of the old British Rail holiday posters of the 1930s. It changes depending on the time of day and if you don’t like it, there is now a London alternative.
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Alamo have included configurable tap and long-press options to speed things up and it’s easy to arrange or remove your widgets. Adding favourites is as easy as long-pressing on your chosen apps in the apps list and you can remove them the same way, with a long-press.

This version of SF Launcher is free but if you want to pay 69p or $1.99 you can add custom icon packs.

The guy behind Alamo has provided lots of really interesting info on the Google Play Store, explaining what he is working on with the launcher next and he’s keen to engage with anyone who has ideas.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.alamoapps.launcher ****

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Temple Run 2 Android is here, just a few short weeks after other platforms Temple Run 2 arrives on Android out now on the Galaxy Note 2 and S3 and we can now take a look at the follow up to one of the biggest game releases of all time Temple Run.

Not much has changed in the basic game play why mess with what works, but Temple Run 2 Android has been given a facelift with better graphics and faster gameplay that make this a worthy successor to Temple Run.
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Free on the Play Store now:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imangi.templerun2

There’s a sense of deja-vu with Temple Run 2 and it’s blooming GREAT!

And with more than 17,000 gamers voting it with a five-star rating on the Google Play Store you can’t go wrong.

There have been more than 170 million downloads worldwide as Temple Runners zoomed into action.

Temple Run 2 Android is more of the same thrilling gameplay, jumping, sliding, and of course running while avoiding obstacles like sheer sided cliffs, forests and mines as you make off with the cursed idol.

The graphics are more beautiful than ever with stunning environments featuring new obstacles. Try your luck with more power-ups and more achievements and discover the new powers which the characters use.

There’s an even bigger monkey. GULP!

Temple Run 2 Android is free to play, entertaining and highly addictive with good gameplay mechanics. A very small amount of swiping lag, but not really enough to spoil your enjoyment, barely noticeable actually. Maybe could do with a little bit of tilt sensitivity but that would be the only criticism. ****

The Androidizen

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***** Galaxy S6 review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-s3c0CWJ4

QM Launcher Android is a strange beast, as a launcher it reinvents the way you will interact with your Android device.

We found QM Launcher to work well but lack the polish of other launchers, its a massive shift in the way you launcher applications.
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The widget area is a shame It would be nice to see widgets incorporated more cleanly rather than placed in a draw but it works well for enough for now.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quantummatrix.QuantumMatrix3DEngine&feature=nav_result

Phew! Just when we were getting a bit bored, along came a really innovative idea, and it’s so good that we can’t believe nobody has thought of it before.

QM Launcher. What a gem of an Android app. From MobileKNOT, it will set you back £3.07 but we think it’s worth every penny.

What you get looks at first sight like a one colour Rubik Cube. A six-sided shape hacked into squares. Doesn’t sound very exciting does it, but trust us – it is.

This is a home screen, app launcher and content organiser which you can use on an Android smartphone or tablet. QM means Quantum Matrix which the developers have patented to be a one-stop organiser for all your apps and everything else you have on your device, like music, photos, contacts and documents.

If you think it sounds complicated then it isn’t but there is a good user guide which is worth a quick read before you get started.

We don’t know about you, but we’re getting a bit fed up with having to swipe page after page of 2D icons and having to remember which page our maps are on for instance. The Matrix is so much easier as you just rotate it and have all your apps immediately visible.

There’s also a toolbar and a widget panel so you can add your favourites and if that isn’t enough, what about the Sub-Matrix which lets you access another Matrix. You can just go on and on with this device until you either run out of apps to load, or your device memory gives up the ghost.

MobileKNOT are still working on QM Launcher, so expect more features and updates before long. We can’t wait to see what else they include as the developments progress. ****

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Carbon App Sync and Backup for Android is an app backup tool for root users, it’s still in testing but this is a sneak peak at how it works used our trusty Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for this one.

Carbon App Sync and Backup allows you to backup any app on your device to a cloud services like Google Drive or DropBox you can then restore the apps to any device later on.

The great thing about this app is it’s easy to use so ideal for all Android users not just those that figure out Titanium Backup.

Carbon App Sync and Backup is in the play store now and it’s free!
Download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.backup
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Winner Waterproof Skin’s this has to be one of the most bizarre but brilliant products I’ve ever reviewed. The idea is to seal your Galaxy note 2 in a water proof skin that is ideal for holidays or adventurous types who need their phone but don’t want water damage.

You have to push the Note 2 into the Winner Waterproof Skin its a tight fit but the skin is stretchy and strong so unlikely to tear as you put it in.

You get two skins in each pack and a set of moisture indicators you can place on the back of the phone so you know if you have sprung a leak and can reskin it.

I was really impressed with the way the skin works allowing you to continue to access all the features of the phone while it’s sealed up safe.

You can use each skin twice before it may become unsafe for reuse making this a cost effective option for those on holiday or in the great outdoors.
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The Androidizen

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