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Rick has worked in a variety of fields, from a print and radio journalist to making bubble wrap in the UK for 18 months. However, settled in Cape Town a few years ago, he moved into the online world and as a lover of all things tech and geek related, spent many hours researching all things Android. It’s not all “droiding” for Rick, though, music plays a massive part in his life and his rants on “Don’t Sink, Swim” have gained quite an underground following, mostly from friends who never get to see him in person, because of his reclusive lifestyle.
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Since I’ve been using Android, and trying to encourage other people to use it, I’ve waxed lyrical about the customisability and open nature of the OS. The sheer number of options available to Android user when it comes to setting up a device exactly to their individual needs is seemingly endless. I’ve tried most of the major launchers, Twitter and Facebook clients, as well as the keyboards. I’ve tried these not out of need, but more out of curiosity, more ...
So I walk to and from work, most days. That means a lot of time to muck around while on foot, whether it’s taking snaps of the city, trying to video tape something weird and wonderful, or seeing something new and making a note to research it later. These are things that I do while commuting, basically, it’s all about sharing. What I see, what I hear and sometimes just letting everyone know what I smell. So which three apps ...
As I mentioned in my previous post, there was no new version of Android announced at Google I/O this year. I speculated, and suggested why I think they waited with the release of it, but since then I’ve been watching the keynote videos, checking what Android authorities are saying and I must admit, I think I got it slightly wrong previously.I don’t think my reasoning was wrong, but I completely underplayed how important what we got instead of a new ...
Google’s annual I/O, a conference aimed at developers has come and gone and surprisingly, there was no major Android update -- and I’m okay with that. Sure, that’s what I say now, but I am a little disappointed, because everyone loves a fresh OS. However, I completely understand why Google didn’t update its mobile OS this time around. As I see it there are five main factors contributing to the lack of Android update.Read more on Gearburn.
There is little doubt when it comes to who the leading Android handset manufacturer in the world is, considering Samsung has obliterated all competition since the inception of its Galaxy S II. The Galaxy range has sold tens of millions of devices and I’m sure you know more than a few people who use one of them. The devices are obviously aimed at the mass market, and as such Samsung has taken some steps to keep its latest flagship, the ...
I have always unlocked, rooted and tired out custom software on my devices. That all changed when I got my Nexus 4 though. This has had quite an effect on the apps I use, have installed and purchased in the past. Root enabled apps are no longer required and I’m undertaking a mini quest of sorts, to use only holo themed apps.Root Explorer has been my file manager of choice, basically since I can remember. But when I had no ...
Action Launcher 1.5.7 (US$3.99) is here, and Developer Chris Lacy released a brand new feature called, Shutters. What this does is eliminate the need for a ton of homescreens, so you can get where you want to be faster and with fewer actions. In my previous review of Action Launcher, I told you about Lacy’s take on folders, Covers.This time I’m focussing on the coolest feature to hit an Android launcher for as long as I can remember, well, since ...
Since Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Google’s mobile OS finally started looking as well as it functioned. Pre-ICS was a horrible thing to look at if I’m honest. It wasn’t designed well and felt like more like an afterthought, but that all changed when Android introduced, it's “holo" design.Holo is short for “hologram” and it has been implemented as part of Android’s creative vision for its OS. The design guidelines were created to achieve three goals, "Enchant Me", "Simplify my ...
I don’t often use productivity apps, but there’s been such an increase in the quality of these apps that my attitude towards them might be changing. That’s mostly to do with a wonderfully designed and fantastically functional personal organiser, Todoist.The interface of the app is clean, sophisticated and very professional looking. I will start by saying that although I love this app, it might be for people with more intense schedules than mine.Read more on Gearburn.
I’ve had all of the Nexus devices (except for the tablets, so if anyone has a 7 for me…) and I've enjoyed them all, and after only a short time with my shiny new Nexus 4, I have to admit, I’m rather smitten.It pains me to admit though, that until I turned on the 4 for the first time, I didn't know what Android should feel like. You've read all of the Nexus 4 reviews, you've been told about the ...
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