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The Android Realm Android 5.0.2 / CyanogenMod 12 Preview

January 14, 2015
  • Preliminary Information
    • Device: HTC One M7
    • ROM: CyanogenMod 12
    • Build: 01/11/2015
    • Mirror Beta
  • Features
    • Notification Drawer
      • Single Swype - Notifications
      • Double Swype - Toggles
      • Battery - Percentage and time remaining
      • Settings shortcut
      • User profile
    • Recents switcher
      • 3D UI
      • Chrome windows as “app”
      • Quick search
    • Volume Control
      • Press Volume Up or Volume Down
      • All - normal audio notifications
      • Priority - Receive notifications based on settings in priority sounds
      • None - silent mode
      • Touching bell puts phone in vibrate mode
    • Priority Interruptions
      • Events/Reminders, calls and messages
      • Set days and times 

Contact

  • E-Mail Me
  • Twitter - @pateln01
  • Voicemail - (714)451-6574
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  • HeadphonesNeil Amazon Author Profile
Tags android, lollipop, cyanogenmod, material design, recent apps, swype, toggle, wifi, bluetooth, notification, battery, percentage, mirror, clockworkmod
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The Android Realm Podcast Episode 195 Connections

August 16, 2014

Tapping around, swyping vertically, integrating functions, and more!

Episode Guide

  • Show Notes
  • App Review - Tap Path

Direct Download

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Tags podcast, android, google, cyanogenmod, htc, zoe, chromebook, swype, tappatch, click, field trip, google now, samsung, galaxy alpha, acer, motorola, chromecast, youtube
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The Android Realm Device Review Samsung Chromebook 2

July 16, 2014
Screenshot 2014-07-11 at 9.14.24 PM.png
  • Initial Setup

    • Connect to WiFi to have default profile

    • May download various updates

    • Tour system and UI

  • Performance

    • Internet speed limited only by network connection

    • Mouse sensitivity adjustments may need changing

    • Adjust display to fit viewability

    • Smooth performance even after installing apps

  • General Use

    • Easy transition if already using Chrome browser

    • Mouse supports swype gestures to switch between tabs

    • Some shortcuts may differ but all the same ones in other OS's available

When considering the purchase of a Chromebook, it is hard to believe that its setup and use can be as easy as they say but I would say it is about 99% accurate. The only thing difficult would be learning some keyboard combinations and maybe learning how to zoom in and out on websites.

 

To start with the initial setup, the step by step process guides the user through connection to a WiFi network the logging in with your existing Google account (or setting up a new one). A Chromebook can be used without a Google account but with limited functionality (i.e. no apps besides what is already on the device. Once the user is logged in, a quick tour is given of the UI and that is about it. If you have used a browser then perfect and if you've used Chrome, then even better.

 

Overall system performance is very responsive. Booting the device takes around 5-10 seconds (mine takes around 6, even after installing apps). Switching between tabs and navigating the UI is very smooth, even with several tabs open. If there is an update that requires a reboot, a little arrow shows up in the task drawer. The only setup the user may need to work on is the screen brightness and mouse sensitivity which I find to be a very personal touch. Getting used to the mouse takes a little bit of getting used to as it supports multi-touch and gestures so remembering to not leave my fingertip on the pad takes some time but is not unfeasible. The brightness setting, on the other hand, does not even require even going into settings as there are keys built into the keyboard. Speaker sound quality is about as much as can be expected from laptop speakers so plugging in external speakers is your best bet (or headphones for that matter) for better sound but the built-in speakers work well enough in quiet environments or for a quick listen (i.e. Google Voice voicemail).

 

As far as laptops go, getting a Chromebook is a good bet. It works well for e-mail, checking RSS feeds, watching videos, etc. The screen quality looks good on at the 13.3” size to make HD videos enjoyable to watch and battery life makes it easy to forget to charge, even while during regular usage. Finally, the price is easy on one’s budget, especially better when compared to other laptops with similar specs to do the same thing.

Tags samsung, chromebook, google, chrome, browser, wifi, performance, mouse, gesture, swype, internet, sensitivity, transition
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The Android Realm App Review Heads Up!

June 30, 2014

At Google I/O 2014, Google showed off a new feature in the Android 'L' build that provides heads up notifications. Basically what this does is show a toaster pop up at the top of your screen for notifications. This particularly useful when in a full screen app or game, have your notification bar hidden or in a mode where you can't easily get to your notifications.

If you don't have a Nexus 5 or 7 or don't want to install the full developer build of Android L but want this same feature now, then Heads Up! is the app to try. After installing the app, hitting Start (to enable notification access) and rebooting your device, this app will display Google Play Games style toaster popups for your notifications. Swyping left or right will clear the notification but that is all (so no archiving in Gmail or marking a text message as read in Hangouts) so when you get to that app, the item still shows up as new.

The most subtle feature is the ability to only have the heads up notifications show up in full screen mode or when the notification bar is hidden so you don't have to see the same notification twice or if you only want the toaster notification in those instances.

Currently the app works only in Android 4.3 and above due to various system requirements. The app is free to check out on xda but if you want to easily get regular updates and/or support the developer, be sure to purchase the app from Google Play.

xda - $Free

Google Play - $0.99

Tags app review, android, google, heads up, toaster, notification, google play games, hidden, game, nexus, developer, build, reboot, swype, xda, google play
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The Android Realm App Review Mailbox

April 9, 2014

If you ever wanted an e-mail app that works to remind you rather than have a multitude of apps to provide the same experience, then Mailbox may be the app for you. The app is developed by the creators of Dropbox and provides the functionality for iOS and Android. The interface is built around swyping to organize and get through e-mails. Short swyping right for example archives emails while long swyping right will delete the email. Swyping left will allow users to setup a reminder for that email later among various other reminders types.

The UI looks like a mix between iOS 7 and Android's HoloUI which gives it a very light look and feel. If Gmail is used, the app supports Gmail aliases to send and receive emails which can be added via settings. The app is very light on resources as well so performance should not be a factor along with nice transitions to make the app feel very much at home on Android.

Google Play - $Free

YouTube Slideshow Preview

Tags app review, android, google, mailbox, dropbox, gmail, email, icloud, swype
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