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!

The Start Of Project Hera

I figured would be a good time to write a quick post.

Today Google has updated the Google+ app for Android and, some pretty big changes were made. Most notably would have to be there is no longer the hamburger nav drawer. Some might not like this and I for one am one of those folks. I like the pull out nav drawer but, Google has opt'd for the quick tap navigation.

Another notable change is the removal of the new post bar at the bottom and replaced with a floating new post "bubble" of you will. I personally LOVE this change as it looks more attractive and like I've said in past posts, I'm a huge design nut. The whole app has pretty much been redesigned and I'm alright with that but wish they would go with their own guidelines. Transparency anyone?

This design was leaked last month along with a few other Google apps. Gmail was updated recently but no huge UI changes made. I think Google updating the Google+ app is just the beginning of Project Hera and maybe a glimpse of what a to come in the next major version of Android.

Google Glass To Be A Success?

According to CNET, Google has completely sold out of their entire stock of Google Glass.

Now let me remind you that these nifty marvels of technology are not cheap what so ever. Going for $1,500 a piece, Google has definitely made a pretty penny in just one day. Now whether the people that bought them just have the extra cash laying around and decided to pick one up, or have been saving up, waiting for the day Google opens their doors to buy Glass is unknown.

I bring that up because I personally, an average consumer that is effected by the economy just like many of you (hopefully) reading this. $1,500 seems a bit pricey for the average consumer for a GPS with a heads up display or (HUD) and a camera running Android 4.4 KitKat. It is basically a phone you wear on your face. I could be missing a few things and, you're more than welcome to mention them in the comments.

Were you the one of the lucky ones that had the cash to pick one up? Let me know in the comments.

Source: CNET

App Of The Day - Carbon For Twitter

Once a day, I am going to go through the Play Store and review an app. Photo apps, social network apps, maybe a game or two, (I'm not much for gaming on my phone).

Today I'm going over a slightly older app that is for Twitter that I think needs to be re-introduced. 

Carbon for Twitter on Android, designed by Dots&Lines and if you haven't noticed by my previous posts, I am a sucker for a well designed app. For me a design is what is going to catch your attention before anything else. Now that's not to say I don't like a well functioning app as well and, Carbon for Twitter gives both a great design and functionality. In-app browsers seem to be all the rage when it comes to Twitter apps.

Tapping a tweet will bring up your options to reply, quote, retweet, favorite, share, and view conversation and makes any links or hashtags clickable. The "Tweet button" is just a floating plus sign next to your profile picture in the bottom right hand corner. If you tap on your profile picture, you are presented with your favorites, your lists, retweets of your tweets, your profile, settings, mute, search, and trending topics. All nicely done and out of the way.

Swiping right to left brings you to your mentions and other swipe brings you to your direct messages. With simple animations Carbon is fast, smooth, and dare I say elegant? If you have a device with on screen buttons like a Nexus 5 or a more recent Motorola device like the Moto X/G then your on screen buttons and status bar icons fade away giving you an even more elegant look and feel and a a pull to refresh with a Star Wars like animation.

Below are some screenshots of the app. 

As far as I know, the developer has not released anything for iOS and this only on Android. Thanks for reading! Share if you liked it!

Google Camera, More To Come

The amazing staff over at Android Police have taken the new Google Camera and broke it down and revealed more "dead code" within the app.

This means there are more features within the app that Google has not yet activated. It's safe to say that some pretty cool things are to come in the near future. So without further ado, the list of features that are to come, most likely after Google's I/O convention.

• Photo Sphere Live Wallpaper

         My guess would be after taking a photo sphere, you would be able to set it as a wallpaper (assuming you take one that isn't disrupted).

• Advanced Camera, Time Laps, Wide Angle mode.

• Video Effects

           The ability to take pictures while recording was removed but the string of code was left in there
           to be activated later I'm guessing.

• Bits and Pieces 

          Enables a flashlight.

For the full story check out Android Police
         
      

Google I/O Can't Come Soon Enough

I know everyone is thinking June 25th cannot come sooner!

Google plans to release their new Hera design for their apps and possibly their icons. In the past few weeks there has been a few leaks of the new Gmail and Calendar apps with the Hera design, and just today, images of the new Google+ app leak following the same design.

It would seem the folks in Mountain View, CA are going full force with this "new" flat design. I guess the well received response from the users of both Apple's iOS and Samsung's TouchWiz flat UI has given Google the push to re-imagine their own look to Android and it's Google services.

The fine people over at Android Headlines haven gotten their hands on the leaked images of the new Google+ design and I have to say I am really liking the new direction Google is taking Android. We all know at I/O will showcase just about all of what is in store for Android in the coming months when the new version of Android is released. The best part about all of this is, you don't need to be on the latest version of the OS to enjoy these new redesigned apps. I would assume you would need to be on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich at the very least but, don't take my word for it.

Below is the leaked images of Google+, Gmail, and the new Calendar apps.

Google+ Source: Google+ Redesign

[UPDATE] Google Camera Released To Play Store

Bringing a nice refreshed look and easier navigation within the app, and improved the shutter speed (from my experience) photo sphere and lens blur. For those who forget to turn the phone while recording a video, Google now reminds you upon selecting the video option to rotate the device to landscape.

My only complaint is that I feel there is too much wasted space. On the button where the shutter button sits there is a thick black bar surrounding it, where as in the previous camera app there was just the shutter button. I personally think they should do away with the button all together since you can use the volume buttons to snap a picture.

Camera still uses the Google Photos app if you swipe left from the right edge if you're a Nexus user, it could be different on other devices, let me know if I'm wrong. Unfortunately there was no redesign to native gallery app found on the Nexus devices, and the reasoning is most likely because, Google is pretty focused on Google Photos to access all your pictures and videos and, it's the only place you can view your auto awesome pictures. Maybe there will be a update to the Google Photos app that organizes the pictures better.

I do like that Google is releasing their stand alone apps on the Play Store so that everyone can enjoy their products, not just Nexus users. You also no longer have to wait for your carrier to send out the update, or wait until the .apk is ripped and shared.

Edit: This app only works with devices running Android 4.4+ KitKat.

Source: Android Google+ Post