Tag: Android

As you have probably seen or read by now, there is a beta app of the Google Pixel Launcher that is expected to be a part of the upcoming Google Pixel phones.  You may recall earlier this Summer there was a Nexus Launcher that was running around in beta.  This is the exact same thing, renamed and updated a bit.  If you want to try out the new launcher, you can download both the launcher APK and the new wallpaper pack APK in one zip file after the break.

First, a few of housekeeping items before you download these files.

1. This is a beta app and is not officially supported.  There is no tech support for it so if you aren’t comfortable with that, don’t install it.  Wait until it becomes official.
2. No, I’m not tech support.
3. No warranty is expressed or implied.  ClintonFitch.com is not responsible for any damages to your phone, data, pictures, files, etc. on your phone.  Load at your own risk.
4. In order to install the APKs, you will need to allow for apps to be installed from unknown sources.  You can find this setting at Settings>Security>Unknown Sources.
5. You will need to install both APKs for everything to work properly.  I recommend installing the wallpaper pack first.

Today’s Deal is on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and it is a good one.  Right now over at eBay you can pick up the unlocked version of the phone with 32GB of built-in storage for $184.99 while supplies last.  It is available in black only and it is a manufacture reconditioned unit but for what this phone offers, at this price it is a great deal.  In case you don’t remember all of the specs on this 5.7″ phablet, here is a quick run down.  The 5.7″ display renders at 1440 x 2560 so you get about 518 ppi.  It is powered by the Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor running at 2.7GHz, has 3GB of RAM and built-in 32GB of storage.  You can expand that storage up to an additional 256GB with the MicroSD slot.

For those of you who play Pokemon Go, be on the look out for a sizable update coming to the game.  The update is a combination of new features and refinements to improve the game play and performance of the popular game.  The most notable new feature is the Buddy Pokemon addition.  Here you will be able to choose a Pokemon that you have captured as your buddy.  They will walk with you and be a part of your game avatar and you can earn Candy with your Buddy Pokemon by walking with them.  Not only does it add a new element of game play but it brings a bit more personalization as you can have your favorite Pokemon as part of your avatar in the game.

Paranoid Android, the name of the team and AOSP-based ROM for a number of Android devices, has announced that they have setup a partnership with Nextbit and have released a ROM for the device.

The device lineup has been updated to include yet another device – The Nextbit Robin. Huge thanks to Nextbit for hooking us up with devices and believing in the open source project. This release is only for the Robin & the OnePlus 3.

The news is exciting for those who like what is arguably one of the cleanest and more robust ROMs available for Android devices.  Having the addition of the Nextbit Robin and the OnePlus3 will give those tech savvy users an option over the stock Android builds from each manufacture.

If you are a heavy user of Hangouts and use Chrome or Chrome OS, there is a new extension and app for you to check out.  Last week Google announced that a new, Android-like Chrome extension for Hangouts would be coming out with the aim to improve performance and the overall look and feel of the UI.  Achievement unlocked as both the extension and the app look far better than the old style and both perform exceptionally well.

The new extension can be found in the Chrome Web Store which allows you to run Hangouts while you are using your Chrome browser regardless of platform.  This is what the majority of users will want, especially Chrome OS users, as the browser tends to stay open all the time.

Twitter has rolled out a behind-the-scenes update to Direct Messages that now shows you the date and time when your message was read.  The update, which does not require any sort of app update on your Android devices, brings Direct Messages more in line with other Instant Messaging applications like Facebook Messenger.  Now, instead of wondering if your message has been read, you will see in the message thread the date (if it is not today) and time that the message was read.