Everyone knows that the best thing about Android is the fact that it's so darn customizable. As the adage goes, you can never have too much of a good thing -- provided you don't get overwhelmed by all the choice.  Today we're going to take a look at custom launchers.  Which one suits you the best?  Have a read (after the break) and be sure to vote in the froum poll!

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

We have already discussed the functions of the four main buttons featured on most Android phones. One vital button was omitted: the on/off button. This button is more commonly used to boot up your phone, or cause the screen to goto sleep to save battery power if clicked once. Holding this button causes a menu to appear, with different options depending on what phone you have.

Most phones will have silent mode, airplane mode, and power off options. Phones with HTC's Sense UI (Droid Incredible, Evo 4G, Desire, etc) will have a couple extra: toggle vibrate mode and toggle mobile network. The former turns on vibrate and turns off sound for all notifications (email, phone calles, etc) while the latter will toggle your 3G or 4G data connection. This is really useful if you want to save battery when using a WiFi network. 

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Have you ever thought about what your Android dream phone might look like? There’s no doubt that HTC has an amazing lineup of state-of-the-art devices, but how could they improve? A man named Andrew Kim has put a lot of thought into this, and came up with a concept design he’s titled the HTC 1. And folks, it’ll knock your socks off.

A clutter-free, simplistic interface mixed with a sleek and sexy chassis adorned with chrome accents seems to be what he’s going for here. Andrew’s vision also includes a sincere minimalistic version of Sense that only seems to add to the professional image he’s constructed. SMS messaging all happens inside one application, and all of your favorite social network clients are merged into one, providing the user a powerful texting solution. If things couldn’t get any more awesome, the HTC 1 is even equipped with an integrated UV light that illuminates whenever it's being charged, warding off any bacteria that may have collected on your handset. Unfortunately, there's a slim chance to none that we'll ever see this phone in the flesh, but maybe after this they might consider it.  Heres hoping.  [Design Fabulous via Engadget]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Just seen at the FCC: the HTC Desire is sporting AT&T and Canadian operators Rogers, Telus, and Bell 3G bands. While this is far from an announcement, for our readers in the frozen North it means that you may be seeing the incredible Desire (see what I did there?) sooner rather than later. There is no confirmation or anything to suggest this is going anywhere except for Telus but, this does give some hope that the spiffy phone will be seen on the Death Star in the US at some point. And if not, well, you'll be able to import it and use it with AT&T. [FCC via Engadget]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

With 160,000 activations a day, there's a huge number of people waiting for the HTC Sense UI version of Froyo to show up.  I know all of us here sure are. Usually, we have to pass on the random screenshot tip that rolls in, but in this case they are worth talking about.  To be sure -- we can in no way verify that these are real, as anyone with a rudimentary set of Android ROM cooking skills and a copy of Photoshop could pull them off.  On the other hand, a Froyo version of Sense UI should be in testing somewhere, and it would look pretty much like this (watermarks and all) if it were to show itself. 

With all that out of the way, if anyone out there in the 'tubes needs a hand testing, or removing watermarks from a legit Sense 2.2 leak, just sing out.  I'm sure we can find you some help :)  Hit the break to see one more screenshot of the camera application showing off 720p resolution. Thanks Dan!

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

For those of you who updated your Sprint Evo 4G and didn’t face any of the bricking problems that brought the update to a halt, how’s your phone treating you now? Seeing an improvement in Wifi signal? How about battery life? Find some unannounced gem? Inquiring minds want to know!

Sound off in the comments, or peruse the Evo 4G forums to see what everybody’s talking about.

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

We've known for some time that U.S. Cellular was getting the HTC Desire, thanks to it being on the regional carrier's rebate form. And now we've got a launch window. The Desire will be available in "early August."

Oh, but wait. There's more. Another Samsung Android phone -- to go along with the Acclaim, which is coming July 9 -- is on the way, and LG will have an Android phone, too. That'll give U.S. Cellular four Android phones -- twice as many as AT&T. Who said the little guys can't play big? Full presser after the break.

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

The HTC Aria. The tiny phone with big potential is the second Android device on AT&T, and arguably the first worth really considering on the U.S. carrier. (Sorry, Moto Backflip.) It has the slick HTC Sense on top of Android 2.1. And while this guy is small, it is mighty.

You've watched our hands-on and unboxing. You've seen our benchmark results. Now it's time to review the Aria. After the break, people. After the break.

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

AT&T's second Android phone, the HTC Aria, is now available for purchase. You can buy it direct from AT&T for $129.99 after $100 rebate, or you can find it other notable online sources for considerably less (read: free). While the specs on the Aria don't exactly match up with some of the newer phones we've seen, the results we've seen on benchmarks show that this phone is more than capable of holding its own. [AT&T wireless]

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

The touchscreen on the HTC Aria touchscreen doesn't offer as much real estate on which to work as the Evo 4G, Droid Incredible or Nexus One. But how does its multitouch capability match up? We put it through its paces after the break.

Posted originally at Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories