Tag Archives: apps
Twitter Updates Android and iOS Apps
Today Twitter released a big update for their Android app and the iOS app (not so much the iPad though). The updates provide a new UI for both apps that are very similar in nature. They have changed Mentions to being called Connect now, combining an Interactions tab along with your Mentions.
Also included now is a Discover tab/hub, that allows you to to search hashtags or keywords, see what is trending, and also view your suggested friends. It is really nice that both Twitter and Facebook are trying to get on the same page with their apps on both platforms. Go ahead and update your apps or download them to try out the new updates, and tell us what you think?
Google Chrome Gets an Update, Focuses on Apps
Apps, apps, apps, that’s what it’s all about these days. Google has just updated Chrome with some changes with a direct focus on apps. The “new tab” screen now shows you a grid of all of your installed apps with navigation controls on the side as well as the ability to customize app arrangement. Google also gave the Chrome Web Store much needed face lift the highlights apps much better.
Hit the jump to check out the video!
Guru Gotta Have It: Android Apps Edition
What apps should I download? This is a question I see and get asked quite often. With apps in the Android Market numbering in the hundreds of thousands, it is pretty easy to get overwhelmed. Have no fear young Android user, for The Gurus are here to help! In this Guru Gotta Have It special, we will break down the first group of Android apps we recommend for any user.
Google+ Games and Apps are Coming
Are we ready for full on Facebook competition from Google? Ready or not, Google has announced today that they have signed deals with “select partners” for games to be added into Google+. There will be several available like Angry Birds, Bejeweled Blitz, Sudoku, Diamond Dash, and more games that you are used to seeing others play on Facebook.
They have an interesting approach though, Google will allow you to opt in and play all of your games and see the game post in their own separate stream, keeping the regular stream the same. This is great because, if you are a big time gamer and love these games or hate them with a passion, it should not affect your experience in the social network.
Guru Interview: ADW Launcher Developer Ander Web
Ander Web, the developer for ADWLauncher and ADW EX, was nice enough to take some time out for this Guru Interview. ADWLauncher is one of the most popular home launchers for Android with install number in the millions. ADWLauncher is also the default home app in the popular Cyanogenmod ROMS. Make sure you check out ADW on the Android Market and head over to ADW Things to stay up to date with all the happenings.
Can you give is a little background on how you got into Android development?
I got here when I got my htc magic (mytouch 3g in the us) and also got unemployed. It started as the typical “lets see if I can change the colors of the stuff” kind of hobby… 
What apps do you currently work on?
Besides my current ones (ADWLauncher *) I work on a lot of apps, not for myself but as main android software engineer at my current job.
What’s your favorite aspect of developing for Android?
Learning! And creating visual stuff and UI related things.
Whats your least favorite?
Having to deal with android bugs and limitations (and there are a lot of them).
What challenges have you run into developing for Android. Fragmentation issues?
I think there are much more issues with the fact that android is been evolving a bit weird and kind of closed, and with some “google android gurus” acting as “$DEITY” (no mames, sorry) than with the fragmentation itself.
The only fragmentation specific issues I’ve faced were due to some device manufacturers playing really dirty with the android OS and adding more bugs to it (like if it didn’t have enough!)
How did ADW become the default launcher in Cyanogenmod?
Because it is opensource (and at the time Steve decided to merge it, was the only launcher with an opensource tree and continuous evolution).
What are some key differences in developing a home launcher vs a “regular” application?
Users (lol).
A launcher is like any regular app, but users think of it as “something special” that needs to contain everything inside.
The only real different thing on a launcher against any other app is that users expect it to handle android AppWidgets (desktop widgets), but even a “rss app” could allow users to put widgets over its feeds
What do you do to set ADW apart from all the other launchers out there?
I don’t think its apart from anything. As any other kind of app, there are lots of similar ones out there and users have the power to choose (or even use more than one). That is what makes android what it is today.
What is your ultimate goal for ADW? Do you think it will ever be “finished”?
The goal is to reach the day I don’t get a single feature request more, lol. That would mean it’s finished.
What can we look forward to in the future from you? Any new apps planned?
Yes, there are a few things around my head, but nothing really solid right now.
What devices do you currently use? Any favorites?
Currently the LG Optimus 2x and the Galaxy Tab 10.1.
My favorite remains being the one and only incredibly awesome Nexus One, the phone that changed my life
