Hey guys! I have recently done an internal make over of my phone (HTC One) and it looks awesome to me so I wanted to share it with you guys and steps for doing it. Also, I may make this a regular thing whenever I change my phone's setup.
Screenshots:
Homescreen
Lockscreen
Settings screen
Quicksettings tiles
Prerequisites:
Rooted Android phone with a custom ROM with CM Theme Engine. I'm running PA.
Nova/Apex or any other launcher that supports icon packs. Read
XuiMod (Xposed module for seconds in statusbar clock)
Tinted Translucent Statusbar (Xposed module for changing statusbar colors)
Steps:
Make sure Fi, Elun and Power toggles are installed because they are the basic apps that make this setup special.
Apply Fi by first opening the app, selecting between Red, Blue or Green and then applying the theme by going into Settings > Themes. Select Style and Fonts, other things are optional.
Go to Nova/Apex Settings and apply Elun icon pack.
Long press on homescreen and insert Power Toggles widget. You can customize the toggles while placing the widget and also later, from the app. After you select your toggles, press on Themes and there, you can find other good pre-installed themes for the toggles.
The clock widget is the stock Android Digital Clock. You can replace it by any other clock widget you prefer.
You will note that the App Drawer icon will not be the same as mine. To fix this, long press on the App Drawer, select Edit and then, press on the logo. Swipe towards the left to Elun and scroll down to find a collection of icons that you can choose from.
Install Xposed framework for added benefits like the seconds on the statusbar clock or to change the colors of your statusbar. I have listed the links above and Xposed modules are very easy to use.
So, that's it guys, hope to see you again soon. If you liked this article, please also read our other articles which are listed on the right and share it with your friends who love Android too! Also, if you want to make sure you are one of the first persons to get notified when we write more awesome stuff like this, add me in your circles, +1 or follow the blog via e-mail!
Another month, another release to mark the occasion – today the CyanogenMod team fires off the builds for CM11 M9. The M9 build incorporates changes from June 31st through its branch date on Sunday July 27th.
This release marks the first ever (non-nightly) release for the Xperia Z2 ‘sirius’, Xperia Z2 Tablets ‘castor’ and the HTC One ‘M8′ – kudos to their maintainers and all the other maintainers that bring you these releases every month! If you encounter any bugs or problems, you can report on CyanogenMod's JIRA instance.
Changelog:
* Themes support for additional UI elements
* Heads Up Notifications – Bug Fixes
* Lockscreen – Allow doubletap to sleep when using secure keyguard
* Torch – Improve performance
* Safe Headset Volume – prompt when interfering with 3rd party device (Jawbone, Square, etc)
* Center clock support
* Quick Settings – respect locale changes on additional tiles
* Proximity Wake-Up support – prevent accidental wake-up of device by checking to see if proximity sensor is blocked (eg. Device is in a bag or pocket).
* Spam notification filtering – Set notifications to auto-ignore based on content (perfect for those pesky games that want you to ‘Save 20% on our new game’). Long-press offending notification to set as ignored; manage in Privacy settings.
* Settings Search – Additional improvements and highlighting
* Data Usage Info – Add support for CDMA devices without sim cards
* Bluetooth – Add additional A2DP profiles
* Bluetooth – Disable AVRCP 1.5 by default (fixes various car unit compatibility)
* Email – Fix saving attachments to storage for POP3 accounts
* Translations (Thanks CM Crowdin Team!)
* Account for Play Services induced wake-locks
* Fix encryption on some LG Devices
* Dialer – add support for Korean and Chinese to smart-dialer
Moto 360 was the obvious standout for the crowd in the bunch of Android Wear smartwatches and it was mostly because the Moto 360 doesn't look weird to wear in everyday use. Recently, HP has teamed up with fashion designer Michael Bastian and they have created a smartwatch design that can truly fool anybody as a "dumbwatch".
Despite their utility, smartwatches remain a geeky niche item thanks to a certain lack of je ne sais quoi. However, HP is partnering with a retailer called Gilt to build an Android and iOS compatible smartwatch that may finally tick the style box, thanks to US designer Michael Bastian. He'll take care of the design, which will feature a circular, 44mm stainless steel case and three swappable bands: black rubber, brown leather, olive green nylon and a limited edition black.
Bastian says the design cues came from luxury automobiles, namely interior features like the dashboard and trim. Meanwhile, HP will will add the watch's smart features, which will include notifications like email, text and calls, along with user controls for music and other apps. HP will also supply the software, meaning the watch may be platform agnostic and not tied to Android Wear, for instance. It'll reportedly arrive this fall, but there are no other details like the type of display, memory or pricing -- but we imagine it will be in the "if you have to ask" category.
That's all we know about the HP Smartwatch as of now. If you liked this article, you can read others listed on the right hand side or find ones in which you might be interested in by using the labels which are also listed on the right hand side. Follow me on Google+ to be one of the first ones to know whenever I write more awesome content! :)
They're on it. Another Samsung Galaxy S5 variant to fit another need! This time, it's a phone with a smaller screen for people who prefer it or have very small hands. Many people get fed up with the number of devices Samsung releases every year. But I am all for it. I know they look similar but that is what Samsung is aiming for, a family of phones with one for everybody. Want a brilliant camera phone? Galaxy K Zoom. Want a little rugged phone? S5 Active. A phone with specs of 2015? S5 LTE-A/Prime. This is what everything should be about: variety. If somebody likes the build quality of the M8 but wants a waterproof or a one with even an average camera, god help them. Anyways, we're here to discuss about the S5 Mini so, let's get started!
The S5 Mini is a 4.5" phone with looks very similar to the S5
The device features the same design with the textured back as the Galaxy S5, in a smaller form factor. Samsung is also bringing features that were exclusive to the Galaxy S5, like IP67 certification, Ultra Power Saving Mode, a heart rate monitor and the fingerprint scanner.
The Galaxy S5 mini features much better hardware from the last two generations of mini variants, and comes with a 4.5-inch 720p screen which has a pixel density of 326 PPI. Under the hood, the device is powered by a 1.4 GHz quad-core CPU, and includes 1.5 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, microSD card slot up to 64 GB, 8 MP camera at the back with LED flash, 2.1 MP front camera, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, USB 2.0, A-GPS + GLONASS, IR blaster and a 2,100 mAh battery. The Galaxy S5 mini runs Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box and comes with the latest version of Samsung's TouchWiz UX skin.
One of the major highlights of the device includes LTE Category 4 connectivity, which allows you to download at 150 Mbps. While pricing information for the handset isn't available, Samsung mentioned that the Galaxy S5 mini will be launching in Russia later this month, with other countries set to follow in due course of time. At launch, the device will be offered in four color versions: Charcoal Black, Shimmery White, Electric Blue and Copper Gold.
That's everything about the S5 Mini. If you agree or disagree with my opinions, feel free to post a comment in the section at the bottom. If you liked this article, +1 and follow me or our official page on Google+ by using the sidebar to be one of the first ones to know whenever we post more awesome content like this! :)
I/O happened! I am pretty sure all the Android enthusiasts around the world would have watched the I/O either via live stream or in a viewing party. Let's get started!
Firstly, Sundar Pichai, VP of Android, gave an overview of advancement in the technological world. P.S.: I don't know if many people noticed, but he was wearing a Moto 360!
Google is so far the only company that talks about 30 day active users. If they talked about just installations, the numbers would double or triple. These were some common stats given but the fun began now!
Android Silver = Android One
The LONG rumored Android Silver was announced at I/O in the name of "Android One". The concept is that Google will partner with manufacturers to provide them stock Android and hopefully every device will get software updates STRAIGHT from Google. This is very similar to Google Play Edition devices. They gave the example of a Micromax phone and 3-4 other manufactures from India. (+1 if you are Indian!) Android L Developer Preview
Old Gmail app and new Gmail app
One apk for all form factors
Heads Up was officially announced received an UI overhaul
New Recent Apps in Android L
This I/O, Google announced the Developer Preview for Android L and the full version will be announced later this year, hopefully with a Nexus 6.
It looks like they still haven't named the OS and for now, they are teasing us by calling it "L".
There are 5000 new APIs in Android L and a major UI overhaul, one like going from Gingerbread to ICS.
Next, Wolverine gave us a look at Material Design (:P). Material design is a new design language at Google that aims at giving pixels not only width and height, but also depth. Material design is the rumored Quantum paper. They have also update the Roboto system font.
The lockscreen now shows notifications below the clock. The best current example of this is Dashclock. Dashclock is a lockscreen widget that gives you options to add extensions for certain apps.
Motorola implemented a feature called "Trusted Bluetooth Devices" last year with the Moto X. It basically means that if a trusted bluetooth device is connected with your phone, it will not ask you for a password. Google added this feature in Android L, but on steroids. If you have an Android Wear smartwatch and you are wearing it, the phone will not ask you for a password, but as soon as you give your watch to someone else, your phone gets protected.
All this is awesome but the standout for me this year is Project Volta. Project Volta aims at improving battery life by limiting the times that radio signal wakes up your phone.
Android Wear
Android Wear was officially announced a while ago but now, the first devices, namely the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live are up for pre-order on the Play Store with shipping starting from July 7th. Read more about Android Wear and a comparison of both the devices here and here.
Android Auto
Android Auto is kind of like the central entertainment/GPS system in your car. The SDK for development is released if anybody wants to develop for this platform. The concept is similar to CarPlay by Apple but it has Google Now instead of Siri and Google Maps instead of Apple Maps ;) It's very simple to use: you plug your phone in via a cable and then you can receive and initiate calls and text messages or listen to music. It is basically Google now on your car dashboard.
Android Auto will start shipping out in cars before the end of 2014 (YES) in over 40 manufacturer's cars. Android TV
If I had to give the shortest description possible: Android TV is a chromecast built into your TV with gaming support. But I don't have to give a short desciption, do I? :P
Android TV has a beautiful UI and if you read my previous article about what to expect from I/O this year, you would know that I was super excited for this. Android TV connects via Wi-Fi to the internet to give you Play Movies and TV on your TV. You can control Android TV with a controller, your phone or your Android Wear smartwatch (Kudos, Google).
Android TV does everything the Chromecast can do, including casting local media or your device's screen onto your TV. It will come built into select TVs starting from 2015 with all major TV makers like LG, Samsung and Sony, Sharp, etc. Chromecast improvements
Massive increase in Chromecast usage
Tutorial showing casting without being in the same Wi-fi network
Chromecast is a winner as it is but Google improved it even more this I/O. Your Chromecast can now connect to Android L devices without being in the same Wi-fi network. It uses supersonic waves to achieve this.
Backdrop lets you cast your Google+ photos in the background
The photo stream of Chromecast from Google is beautiful but now with the Chromecast app, you can choose to have a slideshow of your personal Google+ photos.
Screen mirroring via Chromecast app
Supported devices for screen mirroring
Chromecast now also supports mirroring your Android device. And I'm glad to tell you that with Android L, you just have to swipe down from your notifications and press on "Cast Screen". It's as simple as it gets!
Chromebook
Incoming calls
Text messages
Battery low warning
If you have connected your Chromebook with your Android L device, any incoming calls or messages will also be seen on the Chromebook and it's a super awesome feature!
Apart from this, Google Drive now offers unlimited storage to enterprise customers for 10$/user/month in the celebration of 190M 30 day active users.
That's all for this I/O wrap up guys,I hope you liked it! If you did, check out my other articles listed on the right or you can find the ones you might be interested in by using the labels. Follow me or our official page on Google+ to be one of the first to know whenever we write more awesome content! :)
