Next Launcher APK Download

Description 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1Bc_pgX2Ni0U2c3aEctZmV6Ymc/edit

(Click here to download)

 

 

Most popular premium launcher Next Launcher 3D shows you how 3D dynamic effects and highly customizable Android home screen replacement app could redefine your Android device - Extend imagination, extend capabilities! Join millions of users for unique and splendid operation experience and visual enjoyment!■ Testimonials
“One of the most heavily customizable, fluid, and striking launchers we’ve ever seen here at Redmond Pie.” - Redmond Pie
“A gorgeous app packed with dynamic effects and 3D elements. The gratifying 3D visual elements, transition effects, and gestures will get you a different and brilliant visual enjoyment and operation experience.” - Topapps
“The launcher features crazy 3D effects, turning any device you own into a futuristic Tron-centric trip. With additional themes and custom widgets downloadable from Google Play, it’s an extensive and extremely comprehensive option for someone looking to spice up their device.” - Droid-life
■ Key Features
- Extremely fancy 3D effect with buttery smooth experience
- Real 3D Home Screen Transition Effects (Crystal, Cloth, Folding and more coming soon)
- Stunning 3D screen preview with dazzling animation of screen switching
- Build unique icon style by changing its size, angle, style and label (Icon Editor)
- Combine all good parts from different themes into a single theme you really love (Theme Mix Mode)
- Efficient and powerful batch apps management with gestures
- Up to 8 different gestures available in home screen and app drawer
- See how cool your phone could be by blowing all the icons and the widgets to air space (Floating Mode)
- Enhanced shining border effects for home screen transition
- Up to 7 rows on dock to shortcut all your favorites
- Keep releasing 3D Next widgets, 3D themes and live wallpapers special designed by GO Launcher Dev Team
Watch Next Launcher 3D demo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88mjYORVVRc
■ FAQ
1. Why I have to set Next Launcher as default home screen replacement each time after some devices restarted?
A bug in Android system 4.1.x causes the problem. If you happen to encounter this issue, please find "Next Launcher Patch" in Google Play and follow the instructions to apply it.
2. How to use icons in GO Launcher themes?
Install a Go Launcher theme -> Click “Next Key”- > Click "Theme Mix" -> Click the shining desktop elements -> Find the GO Launcher theme and apply it.
If you happen to find some theme cannot be applied, please send its name and your Next Launcher version to nextlauncher@gmail.com. We'll follow up ASAP.
We strive to become better than we are, providing the best Android home screen replacement for you! Thanks for your support!
More tips: http://www.goforandroid.com/GDTEn/faq.aspx?softid=55&nav=99
■ Follow Us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextLauncher
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nextlauncher
Google+: https://plus.google.com/108624381722454375934/posts
■ Contact Us
E-mail: nextlauncher@gmail.com
________________________________________
Use of this app is governed by our Terms of Service: http://www.goforandroid.com/GDTEN/terms-of-service.htm and Privacy Policy:http://www.goforandroid.com/GDTEN/privacy.htm

Office Suit APK Download

Description

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1Bc_pgX2Ni0X3lGSW80R0JwekE/edit?usp=docslist_api 
(Click in the link or copy paste the link in the address bar to download)

The world’s No. 1 mobile office today!
# Installed on over 100 million devices in more than 205 countries
# Over 40,000 registrations per day
# No. 1 app in Google Play Business category
Made by MobiSystems, OfficeSuite Pro allows you to view, create, edit, print and share Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on the go. You can also open attachments and see PDF files on an Android based phone or tablet with our feature-rich mobile office solution.
OfficeSuite Pro includes a File Browser and integration with Cloud service leaders: Box, DropBox, Google Drive, SkyDrive and SugarSync to give users a multitude of options on how to manage files and attachments.
---OfficeSuite Pro 7 Out Now! New Features---
* New and improved UI
* Side bar navigation in the File Browser for quick access to different folders and remote third party cloud services
* Templates - OfficeSuite Pro 7 users can benefit from a wide range of templates, from Resume and Invoice templates to Travel Planner and Weight Loss Tracker templates, among others
* Extended Cloud support - now compatible with Microsoft SkyDrive. Google Drive support has been improved, by adding folder support, thus allowing for optimized document view
Docs Editor:
* Styles - apply MS Word styles or styles used in the document
* Table design – ability to fashion an inserted table as per our library of tailor-made designs
* Formulas (display only)
* Format painter
Spreadsheet Editor:
* Improved selection of parameters in functions
Slides Editor:
* Animations
PDF Viewing:
* A new PDF engine using library from Adobe, providing instant opening of large PDF files
* Find/Find Next
--File Formats Supported--
* Text format - Microsoft DOC, DOCX, DOCM, RTF, TXT, LOG
* Spreadsheet - Microsoft XLS, XLSX, XLSM, CSV
* Presentation - Microsoft PPT, PPTX, PPS, PPSX, PPTM, PPSM
* Other formats - PDF, EML, ZIP
* Microsoft Office 365 Compatible
--Easy File Access and Sharing--
* With the integrated File Browser you can easily access, modify and share your local or Cloud stored files. OfficeSuite integrates with Google Drive, DropBox, Box, SugarSync and SkyDrive
* Easily open email attachments
* Work with Outlook EML files
* Share documents via Email or Bluetooth
--Intuitive and Intelligent Design--
* OfficeSuite 7 comes with new intuitive design and user experience allowing quick and intuitive workflow while you manage your files or create and modify documents.
* New side bar gives instant access to local and cloud stored files.
* Two-finger zoom, multi-touch support, context toolbars and popup menus make your work with OfficeSuite quick and fun.
--OfficeSuite Extensions--
* QuickSpell – fully integrated with OfficeSuite Pro QuickSpell will help you dramatically improve your typing accuracy.
* QuickWrite - multilingual contextual text prediction tool and keyboard.
* Font Pack – allows you to use Microsoft most used fonts in OfficeSuite text documents.
* Oxford Dictionary of English - look up word meaning in office text documents in the most popular English dictionary
** Note that OfficeSuite Extensions are sold separately. Purchasing any of the extensions is optional.**
Compatible with Sony Ericsson LiveDock™ Multimedia station.
com.sonyericsson.extras.ATTACHED
Works great on a big screen with MHL!
How OfficeSuite uses the granted permissions on your phone - http://www.mobisystems.com/android_office/full-features.html#permissions

Solo Guitar APK download

http://www.uploady.com/download/A9NPQi5fGq/95-1v_oloS-rar# (Click this link to download)

Description

With Solo you can play to your favourite songs, or create some of your own...
It's ideal for jamming sessions when you don't have your guitar with you, or an excellent reference for when you do!
This is a free demo version and includes:
* Great, authentic sounding acoustic guitar
* The same huge chord library available in the full version
* Create and load custom chord layouts
* Uses Immersion’s MOTIV haptic effects for advanced haptic feedback
* Many settings to customize to your playing style
* Great for S Pen Samsung Galaxy Note
Also available in the full version:
* Classical guitar, acoustic guitar and electric guitars, each with authentic sound
* A huge chord library with chord diagrams - hear and see how each chord is played.
* Create your own chords
* Play along to any music loaded on your phone
* Get chord and lyric overlays from the web - excellent for teaching yourself new songs to play
* Play with a capo to fit your vocal range
* Create, load and save chord layouts for your favourite songs
* Customize the UI to fit your playing style
* Use multitouch on supported devices

ABOUT PERMISSIONS:
Solo Lite is a freemium app, that is ad supported and it uses in app upgrades to obtain full version features. (Don't hate me, even developers have to make a living :). For this, the app requires a few extra permissions (these are in the Lite version only, the full version has no ads or extra permissions). Below is a description of required permissions:

INTERNET ACCESS - To check/download updates (for non-Market users), free upgrades via GetJar Rewards, ad on startup
VIEW NETWORK STATE - Solo checks if internet connection is up and enables/disables online features as appropriate
READ PHONE STATE AND IDENTITY (Solo Lite Only) - Only used to access the device ID. Solo does NOT access phone calls, etc. only the device ID (needed to uniquely identify the device and earn gold to upgrade features)
The "Read phone state and identity" permission doesn't give devs access to passwords or other personal identity information. The only id obtained from this is the phone's IMEI number, which is a unique serial number tied to every device with a sim card. Knowing this number does not give devs access to any personal information, it only provides a way for us to reliably distinguish between different devices.
GET_ACCOUNTS (Solo Lite only) - This is used by GetJar and Pocket Change to identify users across multiple devices. This way, features upgraded through GetJar, or rewards earned through Pocket Change, will still be available if you change your phone and reinstall the app on a new device. Without this, upgrades purchased would only be available on the device where the original purchase was made.
GET_TASKS (Solo Lite only) - Used to determine if a sponsored app (installed to earn free GetJar gold) has been opened so that the gold can be awarded to you and be used to upgrade features.
STORAGE - Used to backup/restore chords on the SD Card
VIBRATE - For string vibrations and haptic feedback (optional)

What is xda-developers

XDA Developers (also known simply as XDA; often stylized as xda-developers) is a mobile software development community of little over 5 million users  worldwide, started in January 2003.The site's main purpose is discussion, troubleshooting and development for Android, Windows Phone, WebOS, Ubuntu Touch, Firefox OS and Bada phones. The site also offers Windows Mobile and Android users general information about devices, ROM upgrades, technical support, Q&A, and reviews of device applications and accessories. Separate forums exist for each model of phones manufactured by Sony, HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola, and many others. Forums are also available for tablets and many other devices. The name XDA Developers is originally derived from the O2 XDA, which was marketed as a PDA with "extra" features.

In February 2009, Microsoft asked XDA Developers to remove all ROMs created by OEMs. In response, a petition was raised and signed by over 10,000 XDA Developers members. The petition was put aside when Microsoft did not pursue the removal of the customized images. Microsoft felt that using custom images based on the ROMs originally provided by Microsoft was acceptable as the ROMs work only on specific models and are not portable to devices for which the original ROM was not designed.

CNET Asia suggested that XDA Developers offers potential solutions to problems with many Windows-based mobile devices. In other mobile phone reviews, testers at CNET preferred using XDA Developers' ROMs when carrying out detailed reviews.

Many software and hardware hacks, rooting methods, and other phone and tablet specific tweaks originate from the members of the XDA Forum. The XDA Portal, launched February 2010, is a source for Android and mobile phone development news.

50 Android apps you must install before the world ends

So you’re new to Android, eh? Welcome to the club, we think you’ve made a great decision! In the event you haven’t already filled your phone or tablet with a slew of Android apps and games, we’ve got just the resource you need. We’ve put together a list of 50 must-have apps that you should seriously consider before the world ends. Okay, so assuming the world continues on beyond December 21, these are the apps we feel are definitely worth your time and/or money.

Note that this is not necessarily our official endorsement of “the top 50 Android apps of all time” and that such a list is often hard to put together. That said, we really like this mix of apps and games as they speak well for Android. We’ll certainly put together more lists along these lines, especially as time goes and new stuff shows up.

Honestly, this is one of the more difficult things to assemble and we feel terrible having left of gems. You’ll notice that there are no big first-person shooters or high-res 3D games on the list. We tried to cater to the average user and come up with 50 titles we’d feel good telling anyone and everyone to check out. You could do much worse than to use this as a starting point for your foray into Android.

Amazon Appstore – The same app store that comes with Kindle Fire devices, it’s often a source of exclusive releases and/or discounts.

Amazon Kindle – Read your books and documents in the official Amazon app that also synchronizes with your Kindle Fire or web experience.

Amazon Mobile – Buy and search millions of products from the Amazon online experience with the handy mobile app. Scan barcodes, snap photos, or type in your search queries.

Angry Birds – The game the launched a franchise, toy line, stuffed animals, and movie tie-ins, this is the original version of the series.

Barnes & Noble NOOK – Search, discover, and buy titles in the massive library of B&N titles. Enjoy books, magazines, comics, newspapers, and more.

Beautiful Widgets – Jazz up your home screen with some of the most gorgeous widgets you’ll find. Customize the skin for time, weather, battery life, and more.

Calorie Counter – MyFitnessPal – Keep an eye on the calories from more than 2,000,000 foods, set goals, track exercises, and manage reports.

Chrome – The official browser from Google syncs with your other devices, offers a clean tab layout, and even browse in incognito mode. Looks wonderful on tablets.

Cut the Rope – Cut ropes, collect stars, and feed Om Nom in the wildly popular series that has spawned more than a few copy-cat games.

DoggCatcher – The first podcat app we fell in love with, it gets better all the time. Add your own feeds, search for related topics, and personalize the listening experience.

Dropbox – So popular that it might as well be a verb, Dropbox is the cloud-based storage and file sharing service that

Endomondo Sports Tracker – Keep track of your workouts across a myriad of activities, set goals, challenge friends, and even earn some rewards for your effort.

ESPN ScoreCenter – Get news, scores, and other details for your favorite teams and sports. One of the easiest way to keep track of the goings-on in the world of pro and college athletics.

Evernote – Perhaps one of the easiest ways to keep track of your thoughts, the app and service lets users take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders.

Facebook – The app for the world’s largest social network platform. Not the best Android representation, mind you, but the most official.

Flixter – Find local showtimes, search upcoming films, purchase tickets and much more with the location-based movie application.

Fruit Ninja – Addictive, colorful, and always taunting us, the casual slasher owes us a ton of free time. Multiple game modes, achievements, and unlockables keep us coming back.

Glympse – Share and/or track the real-time locations of your friends, family, and contacts and social networks. With a maximum share time of 4 hours, it keeps your privacy as well.

Google Currents – Follow your favorite news sites, blogs, and magazines or import your RSS feed for more personal touch. Tracks breaking and hop topics as well.

Google Drive – The official app companion to create, edit, search, and share your cloud-based documents. Works well on tablets thanks to larger display optimization.

Google Voice -Get yourself a personalized phone number and talk or text across multiple devices. Web-based extensions, filtering, and deep customization options make this cloud-based service a keeper.

HBO GO – Keep up with your HBO movies and televisions shows, revisit the classics, or discover something new worth watching. Requires subscription and support from cable provider.

HD Widgets – Fast becoming a preferred way of putting a clock, weather, and system settings on our home screen, this one is born for tablets. Bonus points for Android 4.2 Daydream feature.

Hulu Plus – Watch current television shows and movies or dip into an oldie-but-goodie with the streaming service. Requires a monthly subscription.

IMDb – The perfect companion app for movie and TV fans, it’s one of the first titles we put on our tablets.  Keep up with news, images, and all the nitty gritty details for actors and their work.

Instagram – The first name in photo filter apps, it has grown on the back of Facebook and new features. Share your special moments with the social network, discover new places to visit, or just keep to yourself.

Lookout Security & Antivirus – Keep a watchful eye on the apps on your device and back your content up as well. Lose your phone? No worries, make it scream, remotely wipe it, or find it on a map.

Minecraft – Build an entire world in your spare time with this virtually unlimited supply of Lego bricks.  Watch out for the Creepers though, they explode!

Mint.com Personal Finance – Track your finances, create reports, and do all sorts of wonderful things with your banks, credit cards, and other financial institutions. Safe and secure, it’s a preferred way to get at-a-glance snapshots of your spending and savings.

Netflix – Watch television and movies on demand, manage your queue, and discover a new series worth following. Requires a paid subscription.

Pandora Internet Radio – Among the first Android apps we ever installed, it’s the personalized streaming audio service with stations based on your preferences. Create stations from individual tracks or artists.

Pattrn – Liven up your wallpaper with this large collection of patterns and prints. Set your background to change on a regular interval with your handpicked wallpapers.

Paypal – Manage your account, send money, view transactions, and more with the official app to the online service.

Pinterest -Share and discover all sorts of wonderful things such as recipes, crafts, activities, and places. If you’re in need of inspiration for a Sunday afternoon, this is the app for you.

Pocket – Got a long article from a website that you want to revisit or finish later? Add it to Pocket and you can get a clean and clutter-free looking experience. Share your favorites with friends across social networks.

Pulse News – A great way to read your RSS feeds and news sources, the tiles look great on smartphones but even better on tablets. Sort by category, share with contacts, and other fun stuff.

Scramble With Friends – Challenge a Facebook friend to a game of wits and see how many different words you can come up with before time runs out.  Spend a few credits and snag a power-up to gain an edge over your opponent.

Shazam – Need to identify the song playing in your car or at the club? Use this app to find out the artist and then search for lyrics, videos, buy the album, and much more.

ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner – The often-imitated barcode scanning app that helps you find the best prices in town or online. Keep a wishlist of items, share your bargains, or simply save products to revisit later.

Skype – Video chat with friends and contacts and take advantage of the front-facing camera on your smartphone or tablet. Also take advantage of low-priced international calls.

Slacker Radio – Deep customization and personalized radio based on your tastes as well as news and sports updates. Buy a Premium account and handpick the songs you simply must hear (or avoid) and  listen to full albums on demand.

Songza – Listen to curated playlists centered around moods, activities, or a particular movie. Music concierge is also cognizant of day/time to present channels that perfectly fit the environment.

Stitcher Radio – News & Talk – Browse and discover more than 10,000 radio shows, live stations, and podcasts on demand. Put the service to work and let it create curated channels based on listening preferences.

Swiftkey – One of the smartest and most practical apps you can install, this keyboard replacement learns your language, habits, and more to save you keystrokes.

Temple Run – Simple premise of outrunning monkeys and collecting gold is very addictive and fun. Channel your inner Indiana Jones and tear through the jungle.

Twitter – The official app for the social network might not be the most feature rich but it’s a great way to get started. Set notifications for select accounts and stay current with up-to-the-minute alerts.

Weatherbug  – One of the most feature-rich weather apps you can install, the is the same website and desktop app you already know. Recent update adds a shiny new coat of polish as well.

Where’s my Water? – Developed by Disney, this physics-based puzzler offers more than 400 levels with rich graphics, intuitive controls, and a fun soundtrack. Aimed at children, we’re not ashamed to say it is responsible for many a stolen  moment.

Wordfeud - Of all the Scrabble clones available for Android, this one is our favorite. Turn-based games with random opponents, contacts, and (now) Facebook friends. Recent updates add a new level of polish and set of features.

Zedge – Customize the wallpapers, ringtones, and notification sounds for your Android phone or tablet. Thousands of user-submitted images and sounds, searchable by tags and categories.

http://www.androidworld.com

http://www.androidworld.com

This site is devoted to androids. An android is an anthropomorphic robot - i.e. a robot that looks like a human. Many android developers call their creations "humanoids" rather than androids. We also have robotics links, robot links, animatronics links, and research links.

Favor Apple, Not Android or, vice-versa

Apple is hemorrhaging market share as Android wins first-time smartphone buyers, but this could be a short-term phenomenon.


You love the shockingly awesome camera on Nokia's new Lumia 1020. You're blown away by how cool Google Now is on its new Moto X phone. You're impressed by the brilliantly big screen on the Samsung Galaxy S4.
But you're not buying any of them. Instead, you're waiting for the next iPhone to come out.
You're not alone.

More Than A Matter Of Market Share

Despite Android's steady march to roughly 80% market share, it's not displacing Apple's iPhone any time soon. If anything, the iPhone is making a resurgence against Android, at least in the U.S., with both Apple and Android spanking lesser rivals, as comScore data provided by Asymco demonstrates.
Of course, such market share data doesn't account for profit share in the market. Apple still mints a 33% profit margin on its iPhones, compared to 19% profit margins at Samsung, according to IDC, lending Apple a gargantuan bank balance in excess of $150 billion. Even so, a year ago this translated into Apple claiming 71% of all industry profits, with Samsung taking much of the rest. Today, Samsung's share of profits is soon to exceed Apple's.
But there's more reason for Apple fans to be cheery than just profits. After all, it turns out that very few people dump their iPhones for Android smartphones. The iPhone remains aspirational. Android phones? Not so much.

The iPhone Remains The Upgrade

This might be less the case if smartphone users were a fickle bunch. We're not. Of the 326 million wireless subscribers in the U.S., only 19 million churn, or change to a different carrier each year. Of these, only 1% move off the major carriers like AT&T and Verizon.
With our smartphone brands, we're even less likely to move. According to a Retrevo study, 81% of iPhone owners plan to stick with the iPhone for their next smartphone purchase, with a mere 4% expecting to jump to Android devices. Android users are far less loyal, with only 63% planning to stay with the Android platform, and a full 12% hoping to jump to the iPhone. In so-called "saturated" markets like the U.S., Android and iPhone are more even, with "smartphone competition... still primarily with non-consumption," not between platforms, according to Horace Dediu of Asymco.
But this is with existing smartphone users or established markets. Where Android shines is for first-time smartphone users, where purchases are often driven by cost considerations, especially in emerging markets.
Android, then, is the gateway drug to smartphone adoption, but the iPhone remains the ultimate goal.

App Store Lock-in

Once a user is hooked on either platform, it's hard to get off. Buyers get locked into a platform's app store, particularly families that share accounts (like mine). Once an app store vendor bills you for a set of apps, as I've argued before, it's hard to justify purchasing them again on another platform. Hence, app stores may only take 30% of an app developer's sales, but they claim 100% of the end-user's loyalty.
While this is a hard lock to crack, Apple seems to entice more people than any other platform to go through the bother of switching. Despite Android's device dominance, Apple still has more and better apps for iOS. Apple's App Store lock-in, and subsequent cloud services revenues, is much stronger than Android's.
Or, as the Yankee Group argues in a research note, "Apple’s 'black hole' ecosystem captures subscribers who never leave." Android's, quite simply, does not.

Till Death Do Us Part?

Apple, then, is not nearly as vulnerable to Android's market share gains as might first appear. So long as Apple maintains its position as the pinnacle of smartphone aspirations, it may be able to afford short-term market share hemorrhaging as it prepares for long-term relevance.
This isn't to suggest it needn't bother introducing low-cost models to compete with Android for first-time buyers. It should. While Apple does tend to scoop up churning Android users over time, far better (and more profitable) to collect them at the point of first sale.

Speedtest.net 2.0.9 DOWNLOAD APK

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1Bc_pgX2Ni0Y1dlYVVEbWNsZ2c/edit?usp=docslist_apiad

To download click above link

Use Speedtest.net for easy, one-tap 

connection testing in under 30 seconds—accurate anywhere thanks to our global network.
Millions of users have made Speedtest.net the #1 app for testing internet speeds, and it’s trusted by the professionals like Anandtech, Engadget, and even the BBC and New York Times!
Speedtest.net Features:

• Discover your Download, Upload, and Ping
• Real-time graphs show connection consistency
• Troubleshoot or Verify the speeds you were promised
• Track past tests with detailed reporting
• Easily share results

Android 5.0 “Key Lime Pie” UI Concepts Hitting the Web, Give Us Very High Hopes

As we approach the rumored date for Android 4.3′s launch on June 20 (at least, that’s what our sources say), many have already come to the realization that we should not expect Google to introduce a new interface for the OS. It will still be called Jelly Bean and nothing too crazy will happen. What most in the business have their money on is that we can expect to see Google change up Android’s look in the iteration after next, being Android 5.0 “Key Lime Pie.” That’s when we will see some new colors, icons, wallpapers, etc. take place.

Graphic designers appear to be already creating their very own concepts for what they would like to see in Android 5.0, playing more with lockscreen widgets and revising the Android homescreen look. Artist Jinesh Shah took to his Google+ page recently to post up a few pictures of his own ideas, some of which we have become big fans of. While it comes off as minimal and clean, there is enough information on any given homescreen and the lockscreen to give off the sense that this concept would be highly functional and practical for users.

The lockscreen widget shows a comprehensive look at this user’s upcoming meeting, even showing a map preview of its location. Below that, we can see upcoming flight details, all of which would be able to be customized under new settings that would come with KLP. As for the homescreen changes, what sets this concept apart from others is the idea of “hidden” widgets. With swipes and other gestures, you could reveal other widgets that don’t necessarily have to be on your homescreen when not being used. It’s a fantastic concept, one that we probably wouldn’t mind seeing implemented.

Is Android really better than iOS?

Is Android really better than iOS?
Today in Open Source: Is Android better than iOS? Plus: How to run Linux on your Windows computer, and a Pennsylvania school district embraces open source solutions
By Jim Lynch, ITworld |  Open Source, android better than ios, open source software in schools
August 13, 2013, 2:43 PM — Is Android Better Than iOS?
Paul Stamatiou has switched from iOS to Android, and he has a compelling list of reasons why he thinks Android is better than iOS.
It was just meant to be a quick experiment. I started using a Nexus 4. I was going to go right back to my iPhone after a week. I was designing more and more Android interfaces at Twitter and realized I needed to more intimately grok Android UI paradigms.
A week in it started feeling normal; the larger form factor was no longer a nuisance. A month in I didn't miss anything about my iPhone. Two months in I sold my iPhone 5 and iPad Mini. It has now been three months since I made the switch. I'm loving Android.
More at PaulStamatiou.com
I generally hesitate to wade into the "this product is better than that" kind of discussion, for the simple reason that everybody's needs are different. If you read Paul's commentary (and it's worth a read), it's clear that Android is meeting his needs much more than iOS ever did.
Angry iOS and Android Fans
I'm sure Paul is going to catch some heat for his commentary from some of the Apple devotees out there. What he is saying amounts to heresy to some of those folks, but I give him credit for honestly stating his preference in mobile devices.
I think he'd be catching heat if he'd written it the other way around, and had switched from Android to iOS. Some Android fans are as equally passionate as their iOS counterparts for sure.
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
But beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to mobile devices and ecosystems. My friend Kevin used to use an Android phone, but switched to IOS and he's never been happier. I've asked him why and his answer amounted to "it just works" and he's happy with that.
I have yet another friend though who switched from iOS to Android because he has large hands and needed a larger size screen on his phone. Patrick is able to shift easily between operating systems, and may yet move back to iOS if Apple ever releases an iPhone with a larger screen.
Choice is a Beautiful Thing: Android, iOS or Something Else
If the product you choose isn't meeting your needs, then it makes sense to switch as Kevin, Patrick and Paul did. That is why competition and market alternatives are so important. No two users are exactly alike, and no product is going to make everybody happy.
Choice is a beautiful thing, whether you choose iOS or Android or something else entirely.
Have you switched between iOS and Android? Or did you choose something else? Tell me why in the comments.
How to Run Linux on a Windows PC
SJVN had a great article yesterday here on ITworld about how to run Linux on a Windows PC. It's a guide that will help get you started with Linux.

Android 4.3

Android 4.3, an even sweeter Jelly Bean, is available now on Nexus phones and tablets.

Restricted profiles limit access to apps and content, at home with your family and at work. Bluetooth Smart support makes Android ready for a whole new class of mobile apps that connect to fitness sensors. Games look great thanks to the 3D realistic, high performance graphics powered by OpenGL ES 3.0.

And there's a lot more new in this release:

Audio

• Virtual surround sound - enjoy movies from Google Play with surround sound on Nexus 7 (2013 edition) and other Nexus devices.
  Surround sound is powered by Fraunhofer Cingo™ mobile audio technology.
  
  

  Dial pad

  • Autocomplete - just start touching numbers or letters and the dial pad will suggest phone numbers or names. To turn on this feature, open your phone app settings and enable “Dial pad autocomplete.”

  Keyboard & input

  • Easier text input - an improved algorithm for tap-typing recognition makes text input easier.
  • Lower latency input for gamepad buttons and joysticks.

  Location

  • Location detection through Wi-Fi - use Wi-Fi to detect location without turning on Wi-Fi all the time.

  Networking

  • Bluetooth Smart support (a.k.a. Bluetooth Low-Energy) - devices like Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 (2013 edition) are now Bluetooth Smart Ready.
  • Bluetooth AVRCP 1.3 support - display song names on a car stereo.

  
  

  Graphics

  • OpenGL ES 3.0 - Android now supports the latest version of the industry standard for high performance graphics.
  • Wireless Display for Nexus 7 (2013 edition) and Nexus 10 - project from your tablet to a TV.

  Internationalization and localization

  • Additional language support - Android is now translated in Africaans, Amharic (አማርኛ), Hindi (हिंदी), Swahili (Kiswahili), and Zulu (IsiZulu).
  • Hebrew, Arabic, and other RTL (right-to-left) - now supported in the home screen, settings, and Phone, People, and Keep apps.

  
  

  Settings

  • Disabled apps tab - check which apps are disabled in Settings > Apps.

  System

  • Restricted profiles - put your tablet into a mode with limited access to apps and content.
  • Setup wizard simplification - getting started on Android is easier thanks to the ability to correct previous input, and because of streamlined user agreements.
  • Faster user switching - switching users from the lock screen is now faster.
  • Enhanced photo daydream - navigate through interesting albums.

  
  

  
  

  
  

How Android Tablets Work

Just a few years ago, seeing a tablet computer in the hands of a consumer was a rare experience. There's a certain wow factor that goes along with holding a flat screen with a touch interface -- it feels like something out of "Star Trek." But it wasn't until Apple introduced the iPad in 2010 that tablets became more than just a curiosity.

Hot on the heels of Apple's runaway success in the tablet market was Google. Google introduced the Android operating system a few months after Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone. While Google optimized the original build of Android for smartphone devices, the company continued to develop the mobile operating system. In 2011, Google introduced Honeycomb, also known as Android 3.0. Google designed this build of Android with tablet devices in mind.

Tablet computers fill a niche between smartphones and personal computers -- tablets tend to have faster processors than your typical smartphone but fall short of the processing power you'll find in an average computer. You can watch videos, listen to music, surf the Web, read electronic documents, play games and launch apps from a tablet. Many companies are working hard to create apps, services and content geared specifically for the tablet form factor. It's not a stretch to say that tablets are part of a new model for content creation.

In this article, we'll take a look at Android tablets and what makes them tick. We'll also give some tips on how to choose an Android tablet. First, let's learn more about what an Android tablet actually is.

What is an Android Tablet?

In the tablet market, there are two primary philosophies when it comes to device design. On one side you have the juggernaut: the Apple iPad. Apple has strict control over the entire design of the iPad from the user interface (UI) all the way down to the actual hardware. Every design decision comes from Apple itself. On the other side, you have Android tablets. While Google is responsible for the Android operating system (OS), other companies produce the hardware. Hardware manufacturers may even alter the UI without changing the functionality of the operating system. The bottom line is that if you look at two iPad 2 devices side by side, they'll essentially be identical. But pick any two Android tablets and you may notice some big differences. Google doesn't set standards for a tablet's size, weight or screen dimensions.

Which philosophy is better? That depends upon your own point of view. If you like sleek design aesthetics and an operating system that works in a clean, predictable way, the Apple iPad may appeal to you. But if you like to tweak settings and change things around, the Android approach may suit you best. In the end, both types of tablets will let you perform similar tasks on the go.

Another reason that defining an Android tablet is tricky is that you can find the Android operating system on numerous devices from many different manufacturers. Some of those devices run an older version of Android that isn't optimized for the tablet experience. These devices rely on versions of the OS before Android 3.0, so you'll get a tablet device running an operating system originally intended for a smartphone.

Once Google released Android 3.0, manufacturers like Motorola Mobility began to produce tablets with an optimized operating system. That means Google designed this build of the operating system with tablets in mind. Tablets running on Android 3.0 will have features and options you won't find on older tablets.

A device is really only as good as the applications it can run. Android owners may not have access to the sheer number of apps available to iOS owners -- at the time of this writing, the Apple App Store boasts more than 90,000 apps for the iPad and over 400,000 for iOS in general [source: Apple]. But Apple limits iPad owners to purchasing apps from the official App Store exclusively. With an Android device, you can install any app designed for Android whether you find it in the Android Market or elsewhere. You may have to change your device's settings to allow it to accept apps from unofficial sources but the freedom is there. But be warned; downloading apps from unofficial sources may be dangerous. You could download malware to your Android device.

It boils down to this: An Android tablet is a touch-screen, mobile device that runs some version of the Android operating system on it. And it's not a smartphone, though with the right software and hardware you might be able to make calls over Wi-Fi networks using one.

Next, we'll dive into the Android operating system and see what makes it tick.

Android Tablet Features and Specs

The variety of Android tablets on the market make it difficult to sum up specifications. Android tablets are really just specialized computers. In general, most tablets contain the following hardware components:

• a processor, generally underclocked to limit heat output
• memory chips
• a storage chip and possibly a slot for additional storage
• a battery
• a graphics processor
• a sound processor and speakers
• sensors such as accelerometers, a compass and light sensors
• a GPS receiver
• a Wi-Fi antenna (and possible a cellular antenna)
• a Bluetooth chip
• an FM tuner
• at least one camera

Specific Android tablets may have other components or may lack some of the ones on this list.

All Android tablets run a version of Google's mobile operating system. Most of the latest Android tablets feature Honeycomb, also known as Android 3.0. Older tablets may be stuck with an operating systemGoogle designed for smartphones. A few are in the tablet dark ages, running Android 1.5 -- also known as Cupcake. Older versions of the operating system may not be able to run some Android apps. The older the Android build, the fewer apps the tablet will be able to run without problems. Many Android tablets run some version of Android between Cupcake and Honeycomb.

All versions of Android have the same foundation. You can visualize the Android operating system as several layers. Computer engineers call this a software stack. Elements at the top of the stack are what the user sees while interacting with the operating system. The bottom of the stack includes the parts of the operating system that interface directly with the device's hardware.

Android's software stack begins with the hardware at the bottom. These are the physical components that make up the Android tablet device -- processors, sensors, wires and circuit boards. On top of this layer rests the kernel. An operating system kernel is sometimes called firmware -- software that controls, manages and allocates hardware resources so that the device does what you tell it to do. Google modeled Android's kernel after Linux 2.6, an open-source operating system.

On top of the kernel are Android's libraries. The libraries in Android are collections of instructions the device follows when processing different types of data. An example is the three-dimensional acceleration library, which contains all the instructions the Android device needs to interpret and respond to changes in the device's orientation and acceleration. Next to the Android libraries -- on the same level in the software stack -- you'll find the core libraries necessary to support applications written in Java. Java is a programming language from Sun Microsystems.

On the same layer as the libraries you'll find the Android virtual machine. This is a piece of software that creates a virtual operating environment. It acts just as if it were a physical device with its own operating system. Google designed this layer so that each application on Android runs as a single process. That way, should a process crash on you while you're in the middle of it, everything else remains unaffected. The virtual machine also acts as a memory manager.

The next layer up is the application framework. This is the foundation for all the apps on your Android device. The application framework acts as a liaison between Android apps and the rest of the operating system. Google outlines the guidelines to build apps that interact with this layer in the Android application programming interface (API). Developers only have to learn the rules set down by the API -- they don't need to worry about the hardware specifications of each Android tablet.

Finally, the top layer includes the user interface and all the apps on the Android tablet. This is the part of the operating system the average user sees. But underneath that flashy layer of animation and interaction is a lot of code!

Next, we'll look at what you should consider when buying an Android tablet.

How to Choose an Android Tablet

Before you set out to buy an Android tablet, you need to ask yourself a few questions. Are you prepared for a device that has a learning curve? Navigating an Android device is a learning experience. Other operating systems may prove to be more intuitive, but you'll have a lot of flexibility with an Android device.

The next question to ask is how much are you willing to spend? Because there are dozens of different Android tablets from various manufacturers on the market, prices vary more than with Apple's iPad line. But the saying "you get what you pay for" comes into play -- less-expensive tablets may be made from cheaper materials and feature an older version of the Android operating system.

Researching the products is important. If you want a device that can run the latest apps and has all the features Android allows, you'll want to concentrate on the tablets with the most recent build of the Android operating system. Older Android tablets may not be able to run more advanced versions of the operating system, limiting your options.

Don't leave out a review of the hardware. Not all Android tablets are equal. If you want a tablet that lets you make video calls, you'll want one that has a forward-facing camera. If you plan to store a lot of content on your device, including movies, music and apps, you'll probably want a tablet with expandable storage like an SD-card slot. Will you want to use your Android tablet on the road? If so, you may want one with a cellular antenna so that you can access the Internet even if you're not near a Wi-Fi network. Keep in mind that you may have to subscribe to a cellular service plan to take advantage of this feature.

Android tablets come in different shapes and sizes. You'll need to decide which form factor best suits your needs. Do you want something really portable that can slip into an oversized pocket or a small bag? Do you prefer a device with a lot of screen real estate? If you plan to use your tablet to watch a lot of video content you may want one with a larger screen.

Make sure you read product reviews before you settle on any one device. Reviews might point out flaws in the hardware design or implementation. They might also give you more insight as to how you'd use the tablet. It's a good idea to get your reviews from several sources no matter what product you're considering to purchase.

The good news is that there are so many Android tablets on the market that one of them is bound to fit your needs. You just have to figure out what those needs are before you head out to the store.

To learn more about tablets and the Android operating system, follow the links on the next page.

More Great Links

• Google Android
• Google Android Developers
• Google Android Market

Sources

• Apple. "From the App Store." 2011. (Aug. 15, 2011) http://www.apple.com/ipad/from-the-app-store/
• Burnette, Ed. "How Android works: The big picrture." ZDNet. Jan. 28, 2009. (Aug. 14, 2011) http://www.zdnet.com/blog/burnette/how-android-works-the-big-picture/515
• Google. "Android." 2011. (Aug. 15, 2011) http://code.google.com/android/
• Google. "Google Mobile Blog." 2011 (Aug. 15, 2011) http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/
• iFixit. "Motorola Xoom Teardown." 2011 (Aug. 15, 2011) http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Motorola-Xoom-Teardown/4989/1
• Mobile Enterprise. "Android Tablets Take Share from iPad, Analyst Claims." Aug. 15, 2011. (Aug. 15, 2011) http://mobileenterprise.edgl.com/news/Android-Tablets-Take-Share-from-iPad,-Analyst-Claims74970

Father Of Android

Andy Rubin

Andrew E. Rubin is the co-founder and former CEO of both Danger Inc. and Android Inc. He was formerly Senior Vice President of Mobile and Digital Content at Google until March 2013, where he oversaw development of Android, an open-source operating system for smartphones. Rubin has four patents for his inventions, and is believed to have a net worth of US$100 million.

On 13 March 2013, Larry Page announced in a blog post that Andy Rubin had moved from the Android division to take on new projects at Google.He was replaced by Sundar Pichai, who also continues his role as the head of Google's Chrome division.

What ANDROID Device is Famous in Which Country

U.S

• amsung Galaxy S III
• Motorola DROID RAZR
• Amazon Kindle Fire                                                  
• T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch
• Android Generic
• HTC EVO 4G
• Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE
• Motorola DROID X
• Google Nexus 7

Great Britain

• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy Ace
• Google Nexus 7
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
• Android Generic
• Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE
• Samsung Galaxy Note
• HTC One X

Australia

• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Android Generic
• Samsung Galaxy S III
• HTC One X
• Samsung Galaxy S3 4G
• Samsung Galaxy Note
• Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE
• LG Nexus 4
• Sony Xperia ION
• Samsung I9250

Germany

• Samsung Galaxy S III
• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy ACE
• Android Generic
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
• HTC One S
• Samsung Galaxy Y
• Samsung Galaxy SIII MINI
• Samsung GT-I9001
• HTC Wildfire  S

Spain

• Samsung GT-I9000
•  Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy S III
• Samsung Galaxy ACE
• Android Generic
• Samsung GT-S5570
• Sony Xperia ION
• Sony Xperia U
• LG Optimus LS
• SonyEricsson MT11

France

• Samsung Galaxy S III
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
• Android Generic
• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy ACE
• Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE
• Samsung GT-I9100P
• Sony Xperia ION
• Samsung Galaxy Note
• Samsung GT-I9000

India

• Android Generic
• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy Y
• Sony Xperia J
• Samsung Galaxy ACE
• Samsung Galaxy Y Duos
• Samsung S7560
• Samsung GT-I9000
• Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE