How to switch between your recently used apps on Android

android
This week's tips series is all about Android, highlighting some the operating system's built-in utilities, and better ways of getting stuff done. For other technology tips, check our Tips index.

Android is inherently capable of multitasking, and has a sophisticated mechanism for deciding which applications should be kept running in the background, and which should be killed to conserve system resources. That means Android keeps tabs on which applications are running, and when.

It turns out there's a simple way to tap into this mechanism: A long press of the Home hardware button on your device pops up an overlay screen showing the most recently-used applications. You can then just tap an application's icon to instantly switch to it. Handy!

How to switch between your recently used apps on Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/24/how-to-switch-between-your-recently-used-apps-on-android/

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Man in Gap is an addictive, simple Time Waster

maningap
Man in Gap is not about a guy trying to find his way around a Gap store; the gap is quite literal here, as you can see in the screenshot.

Basically, each level is composed of a ceiling and a floor, which snap together quite suddenly. As can be expected, when that happens and you're caught in-between, you're squished to a very thin line of pixels. Not so good.

What makes it even worse is that the ceiling and the floor mostly interlock: They're like two pieces in a zipper, and where the ceiling has a "peak" the floor usually has a "valley" that meshes with it. You can see what I mean if you look at the jagged line in the screenshot - that's the contour of the floor and ceiling.

Lucky for you, there are one or two places in each level where the ceiling doesn't quite meet the floor. Your job is to quickly find those places (with your eyes only) and get to them before the level snaps shut. It takes about two-three seconds every time, so it's very fast. And every level has a different terrain, so you never get used to it.

Zero plot, minimal controls, and tons of fun. Really addictive, at least for me. I love the soundtrack, too - it's a nice guitar track with some hardcore distortion.

Man in Gap is an addictive, simple Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/07/man-in-gap-is-an-addictive-simple-time-waster/

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Armed Notebooks ? Is it a guy thing?

These spiral bound notebooks from MollaSpace feature 3D covers made of PVC, which are shaped like a grenade, revolver or knife. There’s a small ring that you can use to attach items to the notebook – not sure why you would want to do this, but it’s there if you want to. The notebooks are [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/02/16/armed-notebooks-is-it-a-guy-thing/

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Google begins to enable two-factor authentication across all accounts

If you enjoy the unbeatable security of two-factor authentication, you're in luck: Google has now begun rolling it out to every user. Check your Account Management page to see if you can turn it on -- and, to be brutally honest, once the roll out completes, every single one of us should use it.

Two-factor authentication uses your password and another proof of identity -- which in this case is an app called Google Authenticator, which runs on your smartphone. Every time you log in, you need to run the app and input the code it generates. The code is only good for a few seconds, which makes it very secure indeed.

Of course, if you lose your phone things can be a little tricky. Don't worry, though: the setup wizard lets you add a backup phone to your account, and generates some backup codes that you can use in a pinch.

Really, if you store any kind of sensitive data on your Google account (even your search history!), you should use two-factor authentication. It makes hacking your account almost impossible -- and in a world where your login credentials are synonymous with your real identity, that can only be a good thing.

Google begins to enable two-factor authentication across all accounts originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/10/google-begins-to-enable-two-factor-authentication-across-all-acc/

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Toyota to show off iQ EV prototype, put it into production next year

Toyota has been showing off an electric vehicle concept based on its iQ ultra-compact for a couple of years now, but it looks like it's finally worked up enough confidence to actually put it into production. The first step down that road will occur at the Geneva Motor Show next month, where Toyota will show off a "near-production" prototype of its iQ EV (not necessarily the actual name), which is apparently much like its FT-EV concept, but with an improved lithium-ion battery pack that promises a range of 105 kilometers (or 65 miles) on a single charge. Assuming all goes as planned, the car will then be put into production following some additional testing later this year, and Toyota will reportedly begin leasing it to consumers at some point in 2012 -- Europe seems to be first in line for the car, but it will apparently be headed to North America as well.

Toyota to show off iQ EV prototype, put it into production next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/toyota-to-show-off-iq-ev-prototype-put-it-into-production-next/

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NBA Jam for iOS lights up the App Store!

You knew it was coming, and now it's here: NBA Jam is now available for purchase from the App Store. At $4.99, Jam is all the portable b-ball action you can handle on your iOS device -- with unlockable NBA legends including Dr. J and Dennis Rodman, a campaign mode, and play-by-play by Tom Kitzrow (who did the original NBA Jam voicing). As you can tell from the screenshot, even big head mode is available. Boom shakalaka!

Check out the teaser video after the break for a more in-depth look at NBA Jam for iOS.

Continue reading NBA Jam for iOS lights up the App Store!

NBA Jam for iOS lights up the App Store! originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/11/nba-jam-ios/

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Why Are Cellphones Taxed So Massively? [Cellphones]

When tax expert Bob McIntyre's daughter bought a cellphone for $25, he was surprised to learn she ended up paying almost $60 in total, once taxes were added in. What followed was his adventures into the messy world of the government's cellphone taxing scheme, which is calculated based on the original sticker-price of a phone, and not the post-rebate and discount price. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/6hSzWf4pBZ8/why-are-cellphones-taxed-so-massively

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Windows Phone 7 update to bring Twitter and SkyDrive integration, webOS style multitasking

The way webOS handles task switching -- via its card interface -- is one of my favorite features of Palm/HP's mobile OS. Microsoft seems to like it, too, at least that's what we assume since the Windows Phone 7 multitasking update will bring a very similar experience. In the image above, you can see a zoomed-out display of all currently running apps, which you'll be able to flick through and tap to switch. Microsoft initially omitted this kind of multitasking due to battery concerns, but say that's no longer an issue.

Windows Phone 7 users will also be receiving full-featured Twitter and SkyDrive integration, and, of course, Internet Explorer Mobile 9 (check the images in the gallery). All the goodness is set to arrive "later in 2011."


Windows Phone 7 update to bring Twitter and SkyDrive integration, webOS style multitasking originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7-updates-bringing-twitter-and-skydrive-integratio/

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True System Security Tweaker customizes over 400 Windows options

Setting up policies and restrictions on a Windows computer isn't all that hard using built-in tools, but it's always nice to have a utility on hand which can further simplify the process. True System Security Tweaker (TSST) is a free, portable tool you can use to modify nearly 500 settings on your Windows systems.

Both 32 and 64-bit Windows installs (from XP to Windows 7) are supported, and just about anything you can toggle on or off, hide, or restrict is easily modified by ticking a checkbox. Everything from what a user sees in Control Panel to Internet Explorer and WIndows Media Player interface tweaks is listed.

TSST can also whiltelist or blacklist applications, and you can password protect the app to prevent unauthorized users from making changes. Undoing all your changes is a simple three-click operation. Interested developers can even request the Delphi source code.

Download True System Security Tweaker for Windows

True System Security Tweaker customizes over 400 Windows options originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/11/true-system-security-tweaker-customizes-over-400-windows-options/

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Motorola Xoom vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. LG G-Slate -- battle of the Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablets

Hello, Moto -- no wait, Samsung... or is it LG? Three of the world's biggest smartphone makers have leapt at the opportunity to serve up Google's brand new Honeycomb build of Android, however their selection of menu items looks to be somewhat lacking in diversity. Motorola's Xoom matches Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in both screen size and resolution (1280 x 800), while LG's Optimus Pad / G-Slate offers only marginally smaller measurements with an 8.9-inch display spanning 1280 x 768. More than that, all three tablets run the bone-stock Honeycomb UI and are built around NVIDIA's 1GHz Tegra 2 system-on-chip, leaving little room for differentiation on the basis of user experience or internal performance (LG would have you believe its 3D camcorder is a big advantage for its slate, but we're not so sure). Most choices between the three, then, will come to things like brand loyalty, ergonomics and pure, basic aesthetic appeal. To help you judge the latter of those three points, we've prepared an exhaustive barrage of side-by-side photos below -- we expect you to view every last one of 'em... at least twice.


Motorola Xoom vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. LG G-Slate -- battle of the Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-vs-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-vs-lg-g-slate-batt/

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