Wearables, Are They Worth it?

I had a chance to try the new craze in mobile technology; wearables. Now I have to say, these have to be the most pointless devices I've ever used. They are expensive, the practicality is non existent, and the battery will last you 2 days max. For the amount of money you spending, you might as well buy a Rolex. You get a notification center, and that's basically it. Because of the battery, you barely get a functioning watch.

I personally don't see any need for these devices, and find them to be more of gimmicky, give me your money you nerd products. I wouldn't advise you getting one, especially if you already have a decent real watch. It doesn't take much to pull your phone out of your pocket to check that message and respond to it without looking like a weirdo.

Google Messenger For Android Review

A few months back, Google released an SMS app, simply called Messenger. It came default on the Nexus 6 and Android 5.0 Lollipop, and is on the Play Store. A very simple, and clean messaging application, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a replacement to their current SMS app. 

This application is what I believe Hangouts should have been. The styling is great, and each contact has their own color thread based on their contact picture, or randomly chosen if no contact picture is available. You can also change the theme of any thread to any color you wish. 

Following Material Design, you're sure to love the look and feel of this SMS application, with its animations, shadows, and again, its simple layout. Sending a picture resembles Facebook's Messenger application, which is a nice touch. If you were expecting more, I'm sorry but there isn't much left to say about this app, as it is such a simple application. It get's the job done, and does it very aesthetically. 

I can go on and on about how this is what hangouts should have been but I'll save that for a later date. 

Thanks for reading!!

Messenger - Play Store

Falcon Pro 3, Twitter Client For Android

Android has an abundance of third party Twitter clients. Very few stand out from the rest though, and with Android 5.0 Lollipop, there are just two apps that come to mind that use Lollipop's design. 

This time around, Falcon Pro 3 is in the spot light. If you've ever used Falcon Pro in the past, you know that is was a great app before it reached its token limit that Twitter imposes on third party developers. Now to be fair, this application doesn't follow Material Design to the fullest and, I actually have no issue with that. If all apps looked exactly the same things would just a bit boring and iOS like. 

When it comes to features, there really aren't any that other Twitter apps don't already have. What you get here is; reliability, performance, and a nice design. Like I mentioned above, Falcon Pro 3 doesn't completely follow Material Design but, in color only, if you like the light and bright theme of Lollipop. You have to floating action button, or the FAB, as it is commonly referred to. The animations are all there, you just don't have that nice contrast that is pretty consistent in Lollipop. Over all, you won't be disappointed. 

Now the price of the app. This is where I have a problem, because if you have more than one account, you have to pay to use each account. With a price tag of $3.99 per account, it can get pretty pricey. Joaquim Verges, the developer, say this will help with the token limit issues that plagued his previous application and a few others. My take on that is; I call bull. The token limit Twitter set in place is 100,000 tokens, and when that limit for that specific client is reached, then that is it, no more tokens. 

I personally think the developer is just being a little greedy (I can say that because freedom of speech and this is just a blog ha). Now is the app not worth paying for if you only have one account? Of course it is! The app is really  and performs well.

Falcon Pro 3 - Play Store

Android Developer Spotlight: Chris Lacy

Here is another "episode" of Developer Spotlight. If you didn't catch the last one, it can be found here. When it comes to quality, there is seriously almost no better than Chris Lacy's apps. He might not have many in his portfolio but what he does have, are well worth the amount he charges for the pro versions of his apps ($5). 

• Action Launcher

   Action Launcher is a home replacement launcher that well, lets you take action. Following the Holo Android design but with a twist. Instead of an application drawer, you have what is called a Quickdrawer, which holds all of your applications in a list view that is accessed by swiping out from the left side of the screen. Swiping once more with the Quickdrawer open, you access a list view of all your widgets. Swiping out from the right side of the screen you get a Quickpage which is a home screen that accessible from anywhere. You can add apps, widgets and folders that are always from a swipe away.

   Chris lacy also takes a different approach to widgets and folders. If you want a clean and minimal home screen, he's got you "covered".  Create a folder like you normally would, open the folder and tap the 3 dot menu and select "make cover". This makes the first app in the folder the cover of the folder and can be accessed just by tapping it. If you swipe up on the folder it will reveal the contents of it. Any app that has a widget associated with it will have 3 little lines on the bottom right corner of the icon and by swiping up, you have direct access to the widget.  Google Play - Action Launcher 

• Tweet Lanes For Twitter 

   A Twitter client that Twitter themselves actually took some notes on. Tweet Lanes aslo lets you connect to APP.NET, a social network for developers. Now the idea Twitter "stole" would be that nifty new tweet bar at the bottom of the app. Tweet Lanes gets its name from the way it handles all the sections of Twitter. I don't really wanna go into detail on every lane but lets just say the only thing you can't access from a lane is the settings of the application. Another nice feature is Volcroll. This allows you to use your volume buttons to scroll through your timeline instead using your fingers on the screen, and did I mention Chris Lacy open sourced it? Google Play - Tweet Lanes

• Link Bubble

   Probably the most useful application that I have ever used, and it is only available on Android. What Link Bubble does it, it takes your links and opens them in a bubble off to the side while you continue to use the current application that you're in. If you don't want to read it at that moment, you can slide the bubble to the left and save it to the Pocket app (Pocket app not included). If it's something you want to share right away you can also set the left bubble Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc. Swiping it to the right bubble brings up a list of applications that you can share it too. The free version is restricted to only one bubble and one app to share to. Buy the pro version opens up unlimited tabs/bubbles and share to any available app on your phone. I really didn't think this app was going to be as useful as it is. Google Play - Link Bubble

• TapPath

   This in my opinion is something that could have been included in Link Bubble with the pro version but, the basic functions of this app include single, double, and triple tapping on a link. I have mine set up to open Link Bubble with a single tap, Chrome Beta with a double tap and share with a triple tap. It's $1 and for the sake of supporting such a great developer I bought it. I however do not think it should be a separate application for the sake of adding to your portfolio. Google Play - TapPath

I suggest supporting this amazing developer because his apps are of great quality and Chris is always asking his users for suggestions and feedback. 

Android Browser Comparison Part 2

Uuhh..welcome back to the comparison? It's been a little while since I posted part one of this but, the time has given me the time to use some more browsers and compare them. Now remember, this is NOT a review of these application. Shall we get started?

•   Javelin Browser 

  Javelin offers up some nice features. A built in ad-block, reading mode, two finger swipe gestures. Ad-block only seems to work on sites with ad banners but not the full screen pop ups that appear on many sites. Javelin offers a Material like design, translucent system bars, and stack.

Stack takes this idea from another application called Link Bubble (expect a post about that app very soon), and loads links in the background while you continue browsing your current app, (man that sounds familiar). Now the main attraction for me with this browser is the ad-block capabilities it has. Yes its kind of half baked but it works and the translucent system bars give that nice full screen feel without actually getting rid of them. Google Play - Javelin Browser

• Dolphin Browser

   Now what kind of comparison would this be if Dolphin wasn't included? Now this is probably the most well known Android browser. It's been around since the beginning of Android itself just about, and has evolved tremendously, offering up more ad-ons than you can count. Giving you themes (who don't love themes?). You can draw a gesture to go to certain websites, like a "G" to go to Google, with a floating dolphin always present at the bottom left hand corner, you always have access to setting, gestures, and tabs. There is also a beta, mini version available for you download if you want to try out the new features before official release or an even faster experience with the mini version that strips most of the features away. Google Play - Dolphin Browser

• Chrome Beta

   I know I mentioned Chrome in part one but, I think the beta needs its own mention. Google will update the beta to test out new features and designs before pushing it to the official app in the Play Store. The most recent update to Chrome Beta brings a Material design and subtle animations. You can expect some small bugs but, that's what a beta is for, to test and find bugs, and when the app crashes, go on and send that report to Google because it helps them out a lot. Google Play - Chrome Beta


Now there are MANY different browsers on the Play Store but, I only wanted to mention the ones worth using. Now I'm sure the others will mature and grow but as it stands now, these are best in my experience. If there are any that you would like me to try out or missed let me know!

Android Developer Spotlight: Klinker Apps

   In this post I am going to be spotlighting certain developers and their applications found on the Google Play Store. These are developers that interact with their customers/users and care about the feedback that you give them. After all, if it weren't for people like us, they wouldn't have a job/extra pocket money hobby.

I'm going to start this off with developer Klinker Apps. This is not a review of these apps and are purely to make people aware of their existence.  

• Sliding Messaging 

     This is obviously an SMS app that replaces your default SMS on your phone. What made this a great application was the way it works. It was slightly customizable with themes and layouts, giving you the look and feel of Hangouts but for SMS (before Google added it to the actual Hangouts app). What this app also did, no other SMS app on the Play Store did; it kept all of your messages side by side. By simply swiping left or right from in the middle of the app, you could easily get to another message and, if you needed to get to a message that was all the way at the end of the conversations, just swipe out the left hand drawer to reveal all your conversations in a list format. To create a conversation, just swipe from the right edge of the screen start texting someone new. Sliding Messaging also gave you a quick reply, mark read, and delete right from the notification shade. Google Play - Sliding Messaging

• Talon For Twitter

     This Twitter client is probably the most popular of them all at the moment, and is the Klinker bothers bread and butter, with a beta program through the Play Store, constant updates, and amazing theme support. You'd think it was made by CyanogenMod this app has so many themes for it. Talon is fast, responsive, and feature packed. I'm not diving into the full list but know that you won't be disappointed with it. Talon includes 3 different layouts, 3 themes built in, and supports Android translucent system bars and is pretty reliant on the card based look and feel when replying to a tweet or posting a new tweet. Google Play - Talon For Twitter

• Blur - A Launcher Replacement 

     Based off of Google's own home launcher, Google Now Launcher, Blur adds something new and "Klinker". As most in the Android community know, Google did not release APIs for third party developers to incorporate Google Now into their launchers. Instead the Klinker brothers have put together something of their own. It's not quite as intuitive of Google Now but it will give the look and feel you want. The real beauty behind this home replacement launcher is; they left it open other third party developers to make ad-ons for it. Blur incorporates Talon, EvolveSMS (which I will get to momentarily), and other apps that have been developed to work with it. These ad-ons are called "pages" and "info cards", which is Klinkers take on Google Now. Pages are basically full apps built into the launcher for easy access, and info cards are things like weather, next alarm, and calender. I'm sure more are on the horizon. Google Play - Blur

• EvolveSMS

     Being a more refined SMS app than Sliding Massaging, you get a very beautiful application for your texting needs. Smooth animations, again, theme support, desktop support (Pushbullet) and as stated above, Blur page intergration. Some things return from Sliding Messaging like the quick reply from notification shade and a unified messaging center like in Sliding. There are in app purchases for the customizing support however. So far I have been very pleased with this app and I would recommend it to anyone looking to replace their stock messaging app on their Android phone. Google Play - EvolveSMS

Hope you enjoy these as much as I have! Thanks for reading!

Android Browser Comparison Part 1

With Android there are always options, and that is what makes the operating system so desirable by the tech savvy and average consumer alike. Now to be clear, this is NOT an in-depth comparison and just a overview to give you an idea. 

One of those choices are web browsers. Some offer a look you may like over another, one might perform better, and another might add functions that others do not have, and it's quite common for someone to have more than one on their phone. So in this post I'm going to run through the popular ones and maybe a few that you've never heard of. All will have a link to the Play Store for your convenience. 

First up is Google's very own Chrome Browser: Play Store - Chrome Play Store - Chrome Beta

This is the default pre-installed browser on the Nexus 5 and any device running a stock build of Android. Chrome offers a nice simple look, performs great and syncs your bookmarks with the desktop version of Chrome. 

Next up we have Mozilla's Firefox for Android: Play Store - Firefox Play Store - Firefox Beta

Firefox also offers a syncing option to their desktop version of the browser, looks nice but doesn't really offer anything over Chrome to warrant setting it at default. In my use, it has had a slight difficulty rendering pages quickly after scrolling. 

Opera for Android: Play Store - Opera Browser Play Store - Opera Browser Beta

This browser is built off of chromium open source. Meaning it's a Chrome copy. I know it seems like I'm crowning Chrome king but I'm just stating a fact. Opera does on the other hand offer things Chrome does not or does better. Opera has always been known for leaving a very small data footprint, compressing the data that is being sent and received through proxy servers helping you stay under that data cap. This is called Off-Road mode, which takes into account the service signal. 

If you are in a "rough neighborhood" (poor signal area), Off-Road helps you out by compressing sites and giving you a "watered down version" of the site. Just don't expect to browse and post to your Facebook and Twitter efficiently. Opera also gives you a Discover section. Giving you relevant news and articles to your liking. 

UC Browser HD: Play Store - UC Browser HD

I found this to be very unique browser. If you're a person that likes to use gestures to navigate apps then you're going to love this browser. Two finger swipes can get you from tab to tab and even open and close them. Pinching out twice will zoom in, even on mobile sites that don't normally allow such things. A night mode which changes the theme to a dark "see through" theme, even the sites themselves, making it much easier on your eyes if your in the dark. Also if used on an SuperAmoled display (Samsung phones mainly) it will save on battery. But be warned, you won't be able to see in the light with it turned on. 

Mercury Browser: Play Store - Mercury Browser

A minimalistic browser that also has gesture support. You have the two finger swipe left and right to switch tabs, two finger tap on either the top or bottom of the page to jump but, in my experience, I tend to tap a link so an ad etc and swipe down with three fingers to close out a tab. Has a quick sharing option to send links to friends and other sites like Pocket, which lets you store articles for reading later.

Last on the list is Lightning Browser: Play Store - Lightning Browser

Praised by many for its lightning quick speed, hence the name, and very very small size. This browser doesn't even cross the 1mb mark. Making it one of the smallest and fasted browsers on the Play Store. Takes the look of the Chrome browser and tweaks it a little to maintain its small and minimal feel. You have a pullout drawer that holds your tabs. No gestures, no fancy plugins, just a simple browser meant to get the job done and get it done fast. 

Stay tuned for part 2!