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Rick has worked in a variety of fields, from a print and radio journalist to making bubble wrap in the UK for 18 months. However, settled in Cape Town a few years ago, he moved into the online world and as a lover of all things tech and geek related, spent many hours researching all things Android.
It’s not all “droiding” for Rick, though, music plays a massive part in his life and his rants on “Don’t Sink, Swim” have gained quite an underground following, mostly from friends who never get to see him in person, because of his reclusive lifestyle.
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Google’s yearly I/O, a conference aimed at developers saw its keynote on May 15 and surprisingly, there was no major Android update -- and I’m okay with that. Sure, that’s what I say now, but I am a little disappointed, because everyone loves a fresh OS. However, I completely understand why Google didn’t update its mobile OS this time around. As I see it there are five main factors contributing to the lack of Android update.
Fragmentation
First, give the general Android user ...
Google I/O, the search company's annual developer conference had some surprises for us this year as it announced a wide range of changes to a number of its services and apps, but surprisingly enough, no version bump for Android. I am certainly not alone when I say that I didn’t see that coming. Enough about what didn’t happen, let’s look at what did.
Firstly, it was announced that Android has more than 900-million global activations and I for one am blown ...
There is little doubt when it comes to who the leading Android handset manufacturer in the world is, considering Samsung has obliterated all competition since the inception of its Galaxy S II. The Galaxy range has sold tens of millions of devices and I’m sure you know more than a few people who use one of them. The devices are obviously aimed at the mass market, and as such Samsung has taken some steps to keep its latest flagship, the ...
I have always unlocked, rooted and tired out custom software on my devices. That all changed when I got my Nexus 4 though. This has had quite an effect on the apps I use, have installed and purchased in the past. Root enabled apps are no longer required and I’m undertaking a mini quest of sorts, to use only holo themed apps.
Root Explorer has been my file manager of choice, basically since I can remember. But when I had no ...
Action Launcher 1.5.7 (US$3.99) is here, and Developer Chris Lacy released a brand new feature called, Shutters. What this does is eliminate the need for a ton of homescreens, so you can get where you want to be faster and with fewer actions. In my previous review of Action Launcher, I told you about Lacy’s take on folders, Covers.
This time I’m focussing on the coolest feature to hit an Android launcher for as long as I can remember, well, since ...
Since Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), Google’s mobile OS finally started looking as well as it functioned. Pre-ICS was a horrible thing to look at if I’m honest. It wasn’t designed well and felt like more like an afterthought, but that all changed when Android introduced, it's “holo" design.
Holo is short for “hologram” and it has been implemented as part of Android’s creative vision for its OS. The design guidelines were created to achieve three goals, "Enchant Me", "Simplify my ...
I don’t often use productivity apps, but there’s been such an increase in the quality of these apps that my attitude towards them might be changing. That’s mostly to do with a wonderfully designed and fantastically functional personal organiser, Todoist.
The interface of the app is clean, sophisticated and very professional looking. I will start by saying that although I love this app, it might be for people with more intense schedules than mine. I’m by no means a power-user when ...
I’ve had all of the Nexus devices (except for the tablets, so if anyone has a 7 for me…) and I've enjoyed them all, and after only a short time with my shiny new Nexus 4, I have to admit, I’m rather smitten.
It pains me to admit though, that until I turned on the 4 for the first time, I didn't know what Android should feel like. You've read all of the Nexus 4 reviews, you've been told about the ...
Over the past few months, my interest in Android has started waning a little if I am honest, but let me explain why. It’s mostly because my Galaxy Nexus is starting to act its age: it stutters, reboots, has a terrible battery life and has annoying bugs, but considering my Nexus 4 is on the way, it’ll be rectified soon. Until then, I’m excited to report that I’ve found another app that completely transformed the way I use my phone.
Action ...
When it comes to remembering what I need to do, and when I need to do it, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m rubbish at it. Sure, I’ll remember what happened ten years ago, one miserable night in a foreign town, but trying to remember to draw cash before walking home is something which has more often than I’d like to admit got the better of me. That’s where another useful app, which I found comes in, ladies ...
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