Top 5 Best Android Launchers for Customizing Your Home Screen

Customize your home screen with the Top 5 Best Android Launchers.

1. Go Launcher Ex

Android app launchers, also known as home screen replacements, are extremely popular. Apps like Go Launcher EX can transform the way your handset looks and improve features and functionality. Choose from a large selection of themes, organize your apps into folders, resize widgets to any custom size, and hide private apps. You can download Go Launcher EX Android app from the Google Play Store here.

2. Nova Launcher Prime

Nova Launcher Prime is a homescreen replacement app for Android developed by TeslaCoil Software. Use swiping gestures to start Nova Actions and clean up the clutter by hiding apps you never use. Unread counts show in dock, desktop, drawer and folders. Get more use out of your dock by taking advantage of the swipe-actions. You can purchase Nova Launcher Pro Android app from the Google Play Store here.

3. 91 Launcher

91 Launcher is a popular Android home replacement app developed by 91 Launcher Team. Users can personalize their Android phone with beautiful themes, wallpapers, and widgets. 91 Launcher is a simple launcher that offers users a smooth experience. You can download 91 Launcher Android app from the Google Play Store here.

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4. Apex Launcher

The Apex Launcher has been around for quite some time, and is one of the most popular Android launchers. Apex offers tons of useful features and customization options. Users can take advantage of customizable icons for shortcuts, hide apps from the drawer, and lock their desktop to prevent accidental changes. Apex is a great app that will give your phone a complete makeover. You can download Apex Launcher Android app from Google Play Store here.

5. Buzz Launcher

With Buzz Launcher, users can design their own home screen. Users can set multiple wallpapers for different home screens, edit app icons, add widgets to the lock screen, and much more. Buzz Launcher even offers a widget editor that lets users customize them before placing them. You can download Buzz Launcher Android app from the Google Play Store here.

How To Turn Off Auto App Updates on iOS Android and Windows 8.1

Arizona Senator John McCain famously asked Apple CEO Tim Cook “Why the hell do I have to keep updating my apps on my iPhone all the time and why you don’t fix that?” I’m waiting for the day that McCain or some other Congress critter flip-flops and asks for instructions on how to turn automatic app updates back off again. Tim Cook and Apple fixed automatic updates for Apps and caught up with Android.  Windows users got the feature with the move to Windows 8.1. So, now users of the three major mobile platforms can automatically update Apps until the cows come home. Huzzah!

Or maybe not. Call me old fashioned, and perhaps not a maverick, but I prefer to have some control over when things change on my devices. I may not be able to control how the NSA grabs my data going out, but I can at least stop App updates from coming in when I don’t want them to. So, I keep automatic updates turned off. I run devices on Windows 8.1, iOS 7, and Android 4.3. I keep automatic app updates turned off for the simple reason that even when manually downloading an update I’ve seen updates go bad. Which means you need to wait for the developer to release a new update. Admittedly for the most part this can be a first world problem, but when it happens it is horribly frustrating.

I used to semi-religiously hit the Update All button in App Stores whenever updates appeared.  But after being bitten once or twice I have become a little more circumspect about this.

Fortunately, users can turn off automatic updates on all three platforms. Here’s how to turn off auto app updates on each platform:

iOS 7

On your iOS 7 device go to Settings. Scroll down to iTunes and App Store and make that selection.

Scroll down to you see the heading Automatic Downloads. The last toggle should be Updates. Turn it off and you’re done.

 

When you have Apps Updates available, you’ll see a badge on the App Store icon on your home screen, or you can go to the App Store and check for updates manually.

Android 4.3

Open up the Google Play Store App from your App Drawer or where you have it located.

Choose Apps and then go to Settings by using the capacitive button to the left of the Home Button.

Once you reach the Settings Window select Auto-Update Apps.

On the menu pop-up that appears choose Do not auto-update apps. You’re done.

Windows 8.1

In Windows 8.1 using the Metro or Modern UI, first open the Windows Store, then swipe in from the right to access the Charms Bar.

Then choose Settings. You will see a selection for App Updates. Select it.

On the next screen you will see a toggle switch to turn automatic updates on or off. Flip the switch and you’ve turned them off.

If you’ve turned automatic updating off, you can check for updates in the Windows Store by following the same steps above and hitting the button to Check for updates.

Top 5 New Dating Apps for iPhone and Android

We’ve rounded up 5 new dating apps singles can use to hook up with exciting new people!

1. Are You Interested iPhone | Android

Are You Interested is a new dating app developed by Snap Interactive. With over millions of singles, users can chat, flirt, and meet new people. Browse pictures of hot local singles, see who likes you, and meet people in your town tonight. Are You Interested Android application is fun and easy to use.

2. Avalable iPhone | Android

Avalable is a new dating app developed by Hays Enterprise Corporation. Find hot singles nearby, who are ready to chat, and connect with them privately. Send fun animated stickers in the chat, and record and send voice messages.

3. Twoo iPhone | Android

Twoo is a new dating app developed by MassiveMedia. Twoo is a fun new way to meet people nearby! Browse through users profiles and let them know if you “like” them. Users can even send a message in a bottle, and chat with members instantly. Get hooked up as soon as tonight.

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4. Charm iPhone | Android

Charm is a new dating app developed by Find Partner. Charm lets users search for hotties who are looking to meet new people and hook up in real life. Naughty chat with cam girls that are live. Adult dating has never been so exciting!

5. iLove Android

iLove is a new dating app developed by iLove, Mobile Dating. iLove lets users find people based on interests. Search for singles in your area, chat instantly, and see who’s ready to meet up for a spontaneous meet up.

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Bring Your Apps into the Classroom, with Google Play for Education

Google Play for Education has officially launched. It’s an extension of Google Play that’s designed for schools, simplifying discovery of educational apps and enabling developers and content providers to reach K-12 educators in the U.S. It offers bulk purchasing with purchase orders and instant distribution of educational apps, videos and other educational content to students' Android tablets via the cloud. Google Play for Education helps your apps gain visibility with the right audiences, without having to knock on school doors.

If you've built an Android app that would be awesome for schools—or even have an idea for one—now's the time to jump in. We'll put you one click away from getting purchased and installed by entire school districts. Class Dojo, Explain Everything, Nearpod, andSocrative are already getting discovered in Google Play for Education.

How to join Google Play for Education

If you already have an educational Android app you can use the Google Play Developer Console to mark your apps for inclusion in Google Play for Education. Marking your app identifies it as suitable for the US K-12 educational market and queues it for educator approval. These educators perform a first-pass qualification of apps, assigning the appropriate subject, grade, and common core standards metadata, while evaluating if the app meets the Google Play for Education criteria for classroom use.

Designing great apps for classrooms

High quality apps are top priority for teachers. Whether you already have an existing K-12 educational app or are looking to build one, take a look at our detailed requirements and guidelines—which we have compiled for you based on educator feedback—to ensure your app is appropriate for a K-12 environment. Also ensure that your app is optimized for both 7” and 10” Android tablets. Then, upload your new or updated app through the Developer Console, opt in to Google Play for Education, and publish. We will email you when your app has been evaluated.

For more information, please visit the Google Play for Education pages on the Android developer site. We are excited to be supporting schools to bring the best content and tools to their students. We look forward to seeing your app on Google Play for Education.

Manage your PS4 with the Official App for Android and iOS

Those preparing for their imminent arrival of the PS4 gaming console this Friday can now download the system’s companion application for Android and iOS.

The PlayStation App arrived in the iTunes App Store and Google Play earlier this morning, two days before the PS4, Sony’s follow-up to the PlayStation 3, arrives on store shelves. As expected, Sony is pushing the app as the only thing users need to stay connected to the console when they are and aren’t at home.

According to the app’s description in both stores, users can expect check what their friends and family are playing through an activity feed and profile viewing system inside the application. They can also compare trophies they’ve earned and receive notifications, alerts and invitations directly on their iPhone or Android device.

Sony is also extending the PlayStation Store to the application as well, PlayStation App users will find that they can purchase games and other downloadable content through the app from anywhere. Purchases made through the PlayStation App automatically download on the PS4. This way, users can begin a game download when they are at work or out shopping, then have the game ready to play by the time they get home. That’s important since digital games are expected to require downloads measured in gigabytes. Of course, users can buy physical games too.

The PlayStation App should also help extend user’s gaming experience at home too. Developers can include PlayStation App functionality in their games. This allows  user’s smartphone to act as a sort of in-game tool or prop. The Division and The Crew will include PlayStation App functionality at launch.

Read: PlayStation 4 Mobile App Screenshots Leak

Users can read PlayStation system guides, console manuals and the company’s PlayStation blog through the application too. The PlayStation App is free, however Sony has confirmed that users will a “Sony Entertainment Network account and PS4™ system are required to use all of this application’s features.”

Users can purchase the PS4 beginning November 14th for $399.

BBM for Android and iOS Updated With New Features and Improvements

BlackBerry has updated their BBM for iOS and Android with new versions as we expected today. This new version adds new features, bug fixes, and performance enhancements along with iPod and iPad support. Best of all is that they added social functions to help find your friends who have BBM on other social networks you use. This is the kind of viral use case that BlackBerry needs to get more users on BBM. They are even promoting that you share your BBM barcode on your social networks though I am not sure how popular that will be. Still I have been seeing quite a few barcodes on Facebook and Instagram…

BlackBerry was even kind enough to release a high level change log for each version:

BBM for Android

• Support for BBM Contact Categories
• BBM Group List sorting and filtering improvements
• More options for sharing your BBM PIN Barcode
• Find your friends on other social networks who are also using BBM
• Addresses an issue where some users may have experienced higher battery use

BBM for iPhone

• Support for iPod and iPad devices running iOS6 and iOS7
• Improvements to right-to-left language support
• More options for sharing your BBM PIN Barcode
• Find your friends on other social networks who are also using BBM
• Fixes an issue where some users would be missing BBM contact names

Get the latest versions at the iOS App Store and Google Play.

Unlock ANY BlackBerry ($6 for Legacy & $39 for BlackBerry 10)!!! @BerryReview Unlocking Store

Nova Launcher Beta Gets Transparent Status Bar & More For Android 4.4 KitKat

Nova Launcher, one of the most popular third-party launchers for Android, has a new beta release out today, which includes a number of new features and tweaks for Android 4.4 KitKat. In addition to transparent status and navigations bars, the update adds KitKat’s new home screen page indicators and app drawer icon, its folders, its font, and lots more.

The update is only compatible with devices that already support transparent bars, unfortunately, so it won’t add one to your device if you don’t have one already. Here’s a list of handsets it is compatible with:

• Any smartphone running Android 4.4 KitKat, including the Nexus 5
• Samsung Galaxy S III (running Android 4.3 or above)
• Samsung Galaxy S4
• HTC One (rooted)
• Motorola Moto X
• Sony Xperia Z1

And here’s a complete list of the new changes:

• KitKat scroll indicator (Settings > Desktop > Scroll Indicator)
• KitKat folders (Settings > Folders > Light Background and Folder Background > Light Circle)
• KitKat font (Settings > Look and Feel > Icon Font > Condensed, requires Android 4.1+)
• KitKat app drawer (on by default, get the old style by long-press > Edit > tap the icon > Built-in)
• Transparent system bars on Kitkat (Settings > Look and feel > Transparent Notification Bar)
• Transparent nav bar on Moto X (Settings > Look and feel > Transparent Navigation Bar)
• Drawer tab indicator scrolls during tab change
• Drawer scroll indicator is relative to current tab
• Scroll indicators animate properly for infinite scroll
• Backup/Restore from external sdcard (on devices with sdcards)
• Fast scroll for vertical app drawer
• Fixes and optimizations

To access the Nova Launcher beta, first sign up to the Google+ community, then opt into the beta program. Then install Nova Launcher (the free version) if you haven’t already, and you should see an update for the beta in Google Play.

Source: Nova Launcher

The post Nova Launcher Beta Gets Transparent Status Bar & More For Android 4.4 KitKat appeared first on Cult of Android.

Apps Of The Week: Note List, Google Maps Engine & More!

It’s Sunday, the time of the week when Cult of Android brings you its report of some of the very best apps we have been using throughout the past week.

This week we have been trying out a very elegant note-taking app, a helpful GPS engine, a stunning live wallpaper and a timely widget.

Note List – Notepad:

To kick things off this week, we have a very simple note taking application. Note List – Notepad is an elegant note manager for all Android-powered  mobile devices, which enables its users to easily create notes, lists and much, much more.

This application helps the user to manage their notes with ease, it makes independent judgements. Like, for example, automatically storing and organizing a users note list depending on the date it was created, the title and its priority as well as sorting notes and archiving folders.

In addition, users will also have the option of saving a Note List widget on their home screen, which gives them the means to quickly create new notes, share notes with friends and search through their stored notes.

Note List – Notepad is free to download on Google Play, and you can grab it by clicking here.

Google Maps Engine:

Google Maps Engine is an extremely useful GPS app for any Android-powered smartphone or tablet. The application connects to MapsEngine.Google. and allows its users to create custom maps anywhere, anytime.

Once the maps have been created, you will be able to view them directly in the official Maps application, and fully utilize Google’s extremely accurate 3D turn-by-turn GPS navigation.

Google Maps Engine is free to download on Google Play, and you can grab it by clicking here.

Galaxy S4 Nature Live Wallpaper: 

Next up we have a gorgeous live wallpaper. Galaxy S4 Nature Live Wallpaper is simple, smooth, and very similar to all of Samsung’s other themed backgrounds. Once installed on a user’s device, the wallpaper will change to a truly breathtaking countryside image, and if the screen is tapped on leaves will fly in from all directions.

Unfortunately, much like all of Wasabi’s other masterpieces, there are adverts included, but thankfully they are only housed in the wallpaper’s settings.

Galaxy S4 Nature Live Wallpaper is free to download on Google Play, and you can grab it by clickinghere.

Days Left Widget:

Finally we have the Days Left Widget. Days Left allows its users to create a unique daily countdown widget to display on their home screen, so they will never miss an important date ever again. In addition to setting their own countdown date, users also have the ability to customize the colors and overlays of the widget.

Days Left Widget is free to download on Google Play, and you can grab it by clicking here.

The post Apps Of The Week: Note List, Google Maps Engine & More! appeared first on Cult of Android.

Star Wars: Tiny Death Star – Build the largest Death Star in the Galaxy

The makers of Tiny Towers has teamed up with LucasArts to create the all new Star Wars: Tiny Death Star for Android. Build the Death Star level by level and conquer the galaxy once and for all.

Features:

• Over 80 types residential and commercial floors
• Attract over 30 unique species
• Build secretive, underground imperial levels
• Capture Rebel spies
• Unlock story scenes

Download Star Wars: Tiny Death Star for free from Google Play.

Play Link

Tophatter goes international and takes its 90-second live auctions to Android

 

Three months after Tophatter took its fast-paced live auction marketplace to iPads, the California-based startup has now arrived for Android users too.

Tophatter first launched on the Web way back in 2012 before arriving for iPhones earlier this year. It sells itself as “the world’s most entertaining live marketplace”, letting buyers and sellers chat and network as they bid on items. We previously described it as eBay on speed.

In addition to its Android launch, Tophatter is also arriving outside the US for the first time, and is now available in Canada, with the UK and Ireland being added in the coming weeks. South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand will join “in the near future”.

The startup says it’s selling $40M worth of goods a year

➤ Tophatter | Google Play

Feature Image Credit – Shutterstock

Tin Can app relays messages to phones without Internet, cell reception

Tin Can, in use by two different accounts.

Tin Can

Developer Mark Katakowski has created an app that facilitates a social network without an Internet connection or cell service, according to The Daily Dot. The app, called Tin Can, allows phones to relay messages between one another when in close proximity, without having to use data or SMS. Most importantly, Tin Can allows phones with the app to act as relay points for a message, even if those phones are not the intended destination.

Tin Can works by connecting phones via their Wi-Fi radios, but it doesn’t require reception from any network. Messages can be sent by this connection, and they can be sent to more than one phone.

The range is only about 100 feet, depending on the phone, according to the app’s Google Play page. But because of the relay capability, one message could potentially spread to many phones over a large area using other relay points.