Months after Gingerbread’s arrival, HTC Sense remains fussy, users can’t get no satisfaction
Many HTC Sense users have experienced less than ideal conditions ever since their upgrade to Gingerbread . In an issue that’s likely tied to the operating system’s new memory management techniques, we’ve seen the launcher sporadically restart upon return to the home screen, and in rarer cases, cause Sense to revert entirely to its factory settings. While the glitch is hardly new, it’s rather well documented and the longstanding nature demands a proper (and expedient) update from HTC
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Months after Gingerbread’s arrival, HTC Sense remains fussy, users can’t get no satisfaction
CM9 launcher available in alpha, ROM flashers tweak in anticipation
January’s right around the corner and with the promise of a new year comes the anticipated release of CM9 . So, to whet those ROM-flashing appetites, the CyanogenMod team’s made an alpha of its Trebuchet launcher available as an .apk and .zip file over on XDA , bringing with it the ability to customize the number of homescreens, resize widgets and sort the app drawer, amongst other planned features
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CM9 launcher available in alpha, ROM flashers tweak in anticipation
Purdue University grad students give NASA lander tech a boost, do it for the experience
We just learned of NASA’s end-of-decade plans to rocket astronauts into deep space for exploratory missions to Mars and beyond. Now, we’re getting a peek at the Purdue University-designed lander tech that’ll plant our space fleet’s feet firmly on terra incognita. What originally started as a senior research project for grad students Thomas Feldman and Andrew Rettenmaier, has now blossomed into a joint research endeavor for the federal space agency’s Project Morpheus — a think tank for trips to heretofore unexplored celestial bodies. The in-development propulsion tech, now undergoing testing at the university’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories, is required to “meet stringent design and performance” standards, but most importantly, needs to lift the fuel-depleted lander post-descent. You’d think scientific work of this magnitude would come with a hefty paycheck, but the student team behind it all’s just doing it for the hands-on knowledge. Sure beats your summer internship at that magazine, huh?
Purdue University grad students give NASA lander tech a boost, do it for the experience originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Blocklets’ Arduino-powered trebuchet could be your cat’s worst nightmare (video)
We don’t do a whole lot of reporting on ancient weaponry here, because, well, it’s a little dated — but throw in an Arduino and a servo, and you’ve got our attention. Take, for example, this miniaturized trebuchet. Constructed from a series of click-in-place pieces known as Blocklets, the little launcher is basically a standalone slingshot. With the addition of the aforementioned components, however, it becomes a motorized annoyance for anyone and anything that stands in its way. The folks behind the tiny trebuchet tested its capabilities against a sculpture similarly built from Blocklets, but we prefer the challenge of a moving target. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait to get all medieval with this thing, as Blockets haven’t quite made it out of the funding stage yet.
Blocklets’ Arduino-powered trebuchet could be your cat’s worst nightmare (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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App review: SPB Shell 3D for Android
As we all know, the beauty of Android stems from the fact that you get a wide variety of choices when it comes to devices and interface, though the latter can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Luckily, users who are fed up with their bloated Android UI but don’t want to (or can’t) mess around with ROMs now have another easy solution. Joining the handful of Android launchers is SPB’s Shell 3D app, which installs as a replacement (but removable) home screen that comes with some nifty widgets (radio switches, backlight dimmer, weather forecast with a 3D chart, clock with over 60 skins, world time with a 3D globe, etc.) and resizeable folders.
As you can see above, the highlight of the show here is a cool-looking 3D carousel for switching between up to 16 panels, and you can trigger it by either tapping or horizontally dragging the bottom-center button. Whilst in carousel mode, you can also rearrange the panels, change their colors, or flick away excess panels. All of this required no manual reading on our end, so it’s safe to say that this is a pretty intuitive app. Read on to see what the performance is like.
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App review: SPB Shell 3D for Android originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
ADWLauncher EX updated to support custom docks
Last week we were treated to a Launcher Pro update, this week ADWLauncher EX has rolled out their latest version as well. While most of the changelog is just some bug fixes and minor touch ups to how the launcher function one of the larger additions was the ability to use custom docks. In fact, when you update you’ll find that a few custom docks have already been included in the package for you. Full change log is listed below:
- Reorderable main menu can disable elements and reorder by drag and drop(ADWSettings/General behavior/System settings)
- Added transparency support for the 4D drawer (yes, it’s choppier, I told you)
- Support for custom images for dock and hidden dockbar
- Added a small catalog of dock pictures
- Option to change app drawer icons text color
- Menu/Lock now locks app drawer too
- Fixed old style previews when statusbar was hidden.
- Fixed fancy backgrounds transparency issues
- Fixes more "ForceCloses"
The update is live and available in the Android Market now. Hit the break for the download. [ADWThings]
ADWLauncher EX updated to support custom docks posted originally by Android Central
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Launcher Pro rolls out v0.8.3 update to the Android Market, new transition effects
If you’re currently making use of the popular Launcher Pro, you’ll want to hit up the Android Market and check for updates. Version 0.8.3 is now available for download and while it’s not a huge release, it does add some fancy new transitions. You’ll be able to find the transitions through the settings:
- (Menu > Preferences > Homescreen Settings > Transition Effect)
If you’ve not grabbed the update already, download link is after the break. Thanks, El Jefe!
Launcher Pro rolls out v0.8.3 update to the Android Market, new transition effects posted originally by Android Central
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ADWLauncher EX brings a whole lot of awesome to your home screens
On Android, your home screen and app drawer are collectively and commonly referred to as the "Launcher." And you’re not stuck with the one that came with your phone. There are plenty of custom launchers out there. And you’re going to want to check out the new ADWLauncher EX.
It brings a whole lot of custom UI goodness to your Android phone. For you old salts, bask in the glory that is ADWLauncher EX. It’s based off the old ADW.Launcher code, but with more sex appeal. Five app drawer styles and behaviors, eight home screen transitions, new icons, fast presets — you’re going to want this.
ADWLauncher EX will cost you about $3.43 — money well spent. Check out the video after the break, and there’s more info and screen shots are at the source link. [JBThemes]
ADWLauncher EX brings a whole lot of awesome to your home screens posted originally by Android Central
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10 LauncherPro Plus licenses up for grabs
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without us offering up some free goodies for our readers, so many thanks to Federico Carnales for his participation in this giveaway.
LauncherPro — one of the most popular replacement launchers for Android, and one that I use exclusively — provides for a ton of customizations to your home screen. With LauncherPro, you can apply custom icons, use up to seven home screens, tweak your app drawer settings, add up to 15 apps or shortcuts in a scrollable dock, and much more. I’ve tried several home replacement apps, and some may offer more in terms of customization (re: themes), but LauncherPro’s silky-smooth animations and UI are what keep it installed on my Evo.
Head into the forums and post in this thread for your chance to win.
10 LauncherPro Plus licenses up for grabs posted originally by Android Central
Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Get the Gingerbread launcher now
If you’re just dying to try the Gingerbread launcher, MoDaCo’s pulled it from the Android 2.3 SDK and packaged into a handy app. How’s it different from the stock Android 2.2 launcher? It has colors. But, hey, it’s cool to try, we guess. Download links are after the break.
Get the Gingerbread launcher now posted originally by Android Central
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