Android launcher showdown: LauncherPro, ADW, Zeam, GO Launcher and QuickDesk

Android's greatest, platform-defining feature is customizability. The entire operating system is open-sourced, APIs are laid bare, and almost every user-facing part of the OS can be modified by apps.

There's no surprise, then, that replacement apps exist for almost every part of Android's stock functionality. In turn, to complete the circle of life, new versions of Android incorporate the functionality of replacement apps. It's the ecosystem of replacement apps, in fact, that helps drive Android's disgustingly fast iteration.

Today we're going to look at by far the most popular type of feature-replacement apps: launchers. With strong, age-old offerings from LauncherPro and ADW, and fresh upstarts Zeam, GO Launcher and QuickDesk, the field couldn't be stronger. Competition is driving developers to cram new features in on a weekly basis. The end result, of course, is that you and I get to reap the rewards.

But which launcher replacement is the best? There's only one way to find out.

Continue reading Android launcher showdown: LauncherPro, ADW, Zeam, GO Launcher and QuickDesk

Android launcher showdown: LauncherPro, ADW, Zeam, GO Launcher and QuickDesk originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/28/android-launcher-showdown-launcherpro-adw-zeam-go-launcher-quickdesk/

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RetroMash is a Tetris-Space Invaders mash-up -- Time Waster

retromash
Do you enjoy 8-bit music? How about retro classics, like Space Invaders and Tetris? If so, RetroMash is just the game for you.

It's an interesting mash-up: Blocky-looking space invaders drop down from the top of the level; you have a cursor that looks like a Tetris block. You must place the cursor so space invaders "fill" all of the available spots in it, and then click to make the space invaders explode. As soon as that happens, the cursor changes its shape, becoming another Tetris block.

Another rule is that you must place the cursor so that it touches the "bottom" of the space-invader group. Meaning, you can't just plant it anywhere, but at least a part of it must always touch the "open air" at the bottom of the space invader pile.

The game starts off very easy; the first three minutes were trivial - something I could definitely do while calmly sipping a cup of coffee. Then it started getting a bit more intense. All in all, it's a fun game, and I love how creative the mash-up is.

RetroMash is a Tetris-Space Invaders mash-up -- Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/14/retromash-is-a-tetris-space-invaders-mash-up-time-waster/

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Simplenote Adds Dropbox Sync and Lists

Gadget Lab’s favorite note-taking app, Simplenote, has just seen a major new update. But don’t worry. If you love Simplenote because it is so, well, simple, then you can keep on using it as if nothing had changed. Here’s a list of what’s new: Passcode lock Better tags People tags Group tags Lists Dropbox integration Let’s start with the last item first. Premium [...]

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/02/simpletext-adds-dropbox-sync-and-lists/

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A Crocheted Android Robot [Artsandcraft]

If you've never wanted to learn how to crochet, this will make you want to start. Who knew the Android robot would be even cuter in crochet form? You can make one following these complete instructions or buy one for $25. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/F91z5Y4sOpc/a-crocheted-android-robot

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