Fresh phones, tablets, and smartwatches sure are exciting -- but sometimes it's typically the smaller stuff that genuinely makes me smile. A great app, an accessory, virtually any little thing that gives a breath of refreshing air into my Android os devices and makes myself appreciate just how great technology can be.
That is why I like to be able to spend some time to pause in addition to shine the light about a few of the best things related to Android os frequently -- things of which frequently lose your direction in typically the shuffle of our everyday big-picture discussion. They may necessarily have to end up being transformative. They only have to deliver a grin onto our surly (but still lovable) face.
So without more ado, here are about three things I'm particularly attached to of at this time:
1 ) Action Launcher 3
It's zero secret that I've extended relied on the superb Nova Launcher (Prime) regarding my various personal Android os devices. As much since I love looking into additional launchers, at the conclusion of the day, Nova's always been the residence screen setup I've delivered to.
The first time in yrs, another launcher has in fact won me over. Is actually the new Action Launcher 3, released by whiz-dev Chris Lacy the other day.
Activity Launcher's been around for a time, but this new variation is actually a complete rewrite of which takes the app's finest ideas and elements in addition to brings them into typically the Google Now/Material Design planet. If you're buying standard Android launcher, this may not be that. And that's precisely just what helps it be so interesting.
Several of Action Launcher's estampille features range from the Quickdrawer, a new fast way to accessibility your apps by moving over from the still left of any home display screen panel; Covers, which usually are clutter-free folders that survive within app shortcuts in addition to can be opened by simply swiping upward on typically the icon; and Shutters, which often allow you to retain widgets available on requirement without needing them take upwards any permanent space about your home screen.
Of which last one deserves a new bit more explanation: Why don't say Excellent shortcut to be able to Gmail in the home display screen. With Shutters, I could make it so of which swiping upward on typically the Gmail icon pulls upwards the Gmail widget proper then and there, enabling me to glimpse inside of of my inbox with out having to open typically the app. The widget exhibits up only if I stimulate it; other time, that remains tidily tucked apart and out of look.
I really could do the similar thing with any step-around and widget combination -- having a widget together with my Twitter mentions seem when I swipe up over a Twitter icon, possessing a widget with our latest messages appear any time I swipe upward about a Hangouts icon, or perhaps having a widget together with my Google Keep records appear when I swipping upward over a Google Push icon. You may mix in addition to match and set items up in whatever way you just like. It really is a new clever concept that gives a whole new stage of possibility into Android's already-powerful widget system.
Activity Launcher 3 has one more neat feature in which often it can automatically "read" your current wallpaper and after that theme the rest regarding your home screen consequently -- so if an individual have a very photo of a new sunset within the sand since your wallpaper, it could help to make your search bar yellowish and your various skills (in the Quickdrawer, directories, therefore forth) dark dark brown. Especially if you how to use app like Muzei to be able to rotate your wallpaper frequently, this is a extremely cool touch that quickly transforms the entire appearance of your phone inside a coordinated manner. Is actually one of those items that sounds simple on document but feels -- to be able to borrow a phrase I actually once heard somewhere -- almost magical when that happens.
Other handy alternatives include a customizable top-of-screen search/action bar plus the capacity to double-tap (or triple-tap, if you prefer) everywhere within the display to switch your phone's screen away from.
It took several days regarding me to reshape our work flow around Activity Launcher's strengths, but Now i'm really enjoying it today , nor see myself needing to stop trying its unconventional features in the near future. If an individual want something different together with a lots of innovative in addition to useful elements, Action Launcher 3 is well well worth giving a whirl.
Is actually free to download in addition to try, though you'll have got to pony up several bucks (via an in-app purchase) if you need to use everything that has to offer.
2. Motorola Keylink
Who woulda thought a $25 keychain would become one regarding my most useful gizmos? Motorola's Keylink is a new small fob that sets along with your phone via Wireless. You may then use it to be able to make your phone engagement ring -- or occurs telephone to make your tips ring and/or pinpoint their particular last known location over a map.
That's handy for anyone of us with marshmallowy brains who frequently shed things within our very own homes and offices. Much cooler yet, though, is typically the fact that the Keylink is a trusted Wireless device for almost any recent Motocicleta phone or any type of Android phone/tablet with Lollipop in spot. That means once an individual pair it and established things up, the keychain can automatically maintain your telephone or tablet unlocked whenever it's nearby. Your system will then require your current PIN, pattern, or pass word whenever the keychain isn't very present.
Between that in addition to Lollipop's trusted place in addition to face options, there's totally no excuse for departing your phone unsecured any more. All these options generate a powerful combination regarding security and convenience regarding those individuals who need that sort of equilibrium.
The only downside to be able to the Keylink is of which it's damn-near impossible to be able to find at the second. With its simple performance and impulse-purchase price, I actually can't say I'm astonished. But I'll definitely end up being keeping my eyes peeled for the possibility to decide on a few up regarding my children as soon since they're back in inventory.
three or more. The Runway watch deal with for Android Wear
Having official support regarding third-party watch faces about Android Wear is a new fun (if somewhat overdue) feature. I've been examining out some of typically the initial designs available inside the Play Store, in addition to while there are lots of nice-looking faces to be able to be sampled, one out of certain has stood to be able to myself.
It's called Runway, in addition to it's part of a new series of free deal with designs called ustwo Intelligent Watch Faces. I really like Catwalk because it makes our smartwatch feel smart but stylish: It turns typically the display into a active circle that shows myself the upcoming weather inside an attractive and easily readable sliced-pie design.
Runway constantly positions the current moment at the top regarding the face. It and then divides the face directly into thirds and shows typically the forecast for every single upcoming portion of the day by using a simple graphic -- atmosphere, sun, rain drops, or perhaps whatever the case may possibly be. The precise existing time sits in typically the center of the look, generating it dead-simple to notice despite having the fastest regarding glances.
Sure, that is a gloomy and over cast day here. If right now there were everything else in typically the forecast, it'd be visible on typically the face.
The face likewise looks great in Wear's dimmed mode -- just what you see whenever an individual aren't actively utilizing your enjoy. All the same details remains easy to study and is just scaled down into a line-driven black-and-white state.
Smartwatch deal with designers have tons regarding info available, and several of them end upwards seeking to cram too very much of it in to a tiny surface area. I may want my watch deal with to be a intricate dashboard jam-packed with every single bit of data accessible; I want it to be able to be something I could easily glance at to be able to glean pertinent info -- the type of details only a connected system could provide, plus the sort of info I'd really need to know at a new glance.
Runway's clever settings manages to accomplish of which with style and sophistication -- and that, our friends, is why is actually one of my favored things inside the land regarding Android at this time. Stay configured for more.
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