How Google Now Works In Chrome & How To Enable Or Disable It

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Google Now is arguably one of the best personal information aggregation services that we’ve seen so far. It’s like having a personal assistant at your service all the time, to present you with just the information you need – a task the ancestors of our modern smartphones, which were aptly called PDAs (short for Personal Digital Assistants), aspired to accomplish. Since its debut on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google Now has come a long way, with several new cards being added with each OS update, as well as iOS support added last year. On the desktop front, last year brought Google Now-like information-rich cards Google search results, and Google Now-style natural language voice search added to Chrome. The latest update in this series of Google Now expansion brings its cards to Chrome’s notification center. Let’s take a closer look after the jump. Read More

Navigation Layer Lets You Perform Countless Actions On Android Using Edge Gestures [Review]

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I’m a huge fan of using gestures instead of buttons for quickly performing several actions on our devices. Nokia got it just right with their version of MeeGo on the amazing N9, but that device was sadly doomed to failure before even its launch due to Nokia’s exclusive Windows Phone deal with Microsoft. Next came Ubuntu Touch with a similar edge gesture-driven interface, which I completely fell in love with when I tried it out for my review. While Android doesn’t natively offer such system-wide edge gestures, we’ve seen third-party apps like Switchr bring this functionality to our favorite mobile OS. Though none of the options we’ve previously seen offer the robust functionality of the app we’re about to take for a spin. Navigation Layer just might be the ultimate edge gesture control solution for Android, offering multiple gestures from the left, right and bottom edges of your screen, each of which can be configured to perform an action of your choice such as OS navigation, music playback control, task management and even launching apps. Read More

Stream Photos From Android To Your TV With Photowall For Chromecast

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The Chromecast dongle has been a massive hit for Google, cemented by the fact that lots of developers are now creating apps for this little streaming gadget. Though, it’s not just its incredible third-party support, the Mountain View based tech firm itself is also fairly active in encouraging development for the device. Fresh out of Mountain View Headquarters is an app for iOS and Android called Photowall for Chromecast, which enables a group of people to beam photos from their Android or iOS devices to a Chromecast-connected TV, letting them view their images on bigger screens. Details to follow. Read More

Customize The iOS 7 Notification Center To Your Liking With BetterNC7

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The Notification Center in iOS was one of the first steps towards a better overall notification management system, and since then, things have continued to improve for the Cupertino company’s operating system for smartphones and tablets. Over the course of last two major iterations of iOS, the notification center has improved considerably, especially when it comes to the design overhaul that iOS 7 brought. However, despite the visual enhancements, there is the omnipresent challenge of iOS not allowing detailed level control of any interface element, which is perhaps what prompted the release of BetterNC7 – a Cydia tweak for jailbroken iPhones aimed especially at improving (or changing) the iOS 7 Notification Center experience. Read More

The Popular KMPlayer Comes To Android & iOS; We Go Hands-On

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When it comes to video players for Windows that have the ability to play just about any format you throw at them, KMPlayer is one of the first names that comes to mind, along with VLC Player. This standalone player comes with built-in codec support for a plethora of video formats without the need for any external codecs, and offers more customization options than you would know what to do with. While Android and iOS both already have many excellent video players available, it never hurts to have more great options at your disposal. If you’re a fan of KMPlayer, you’ll be glad to know that its developers have released it to both Google Play Store and the iTunes App Store for your Android and iOS devices. Join us as we take the Android version of the app for a spin. Read More

ProWidgets Is The First True Widget Implementation For iPhone & iPad

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You might have heard that Android changed its entire look and feel when Apple unveiled the iPhone back in 2007, something that Android fan boys would be really reluctant to admit. However, I am nowhere implying that Android didn’t carry its original elements. In fact, Google’s offering allowed you to perform certain actions that either never reached iOS (alternate keyboards, anyone?), or were too late, like changing wallpapers, and using widgets. In fact, Apple’s implementation of Notification Center widgets was so miserable that I don’t even count them of any use. Luckily, iOS users have the jailbreak scenario to turn to for assistance, and a new Cydia tweak for jailbroken iPhones, iPod touches and iPads from the famed developer Alan Yip aims to address the lack of widgets problem for good. This wonderful package has been labeled ProWidgets. Read More

View & Manage iOS 7 Notifications Right Off App Icons With Badger 7

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The long way that iOS has come over the last (almost) seven years, and the fact that jailbreaking initiated pretty much around the same time, has made certain tweaks and jailbroken apps such common knowledge that they barely need an introduction. Any jailbreak aficionado will be well versed in the likes of Mobile (now Cydia) Substrate, SBSettings, Activator, Winterboard and the like. Then there are certain tweaks out there that may not be as famous as the aforementioned ones, but still much favored and anxiously awaited by the jailbreak community. Badger is one such example, which, until recently, was only available for devices running versions of iOS 6. That changed with the release of Badger 7, which made the neat notification handler not only compatible with iOS 7, but also gave the tweak a much needed aesthetic overhaul, making its integration into the OS more balanced and smoother. Details just past the jump. Read More

Get Google Now Launcher Hotword Detection In Apex, Nova, TouchWiz & Sense

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Upon releasing Android 4.4 KitKat on the Nexus 5, Google decided to ditch the AOSP launcher in favor of its all-new Google Now Launcher, featuring tight integration with Google Now, complete with ‘OK Google’ hotword detection to trigger Google Now voice search right from your home screen without even having to touch your phone. As awesome as this feature is, it’s limited specifically to the Google Now Launcher, and doesn’t work with any other launcher (including the AOSP launcher) even on KitKat. However, if you are using Apex, Nova, Samsung TouchWiz or HTC Sense launchers, you can now get similar voice-activated Google Now voice search capability right on your home screen with Active Searching by XDA-Developers Senior Member sam_0829. Read More

Multitasking For Android Offers Simultaneous, Windowed Use Of Multiple Common Apps

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Multitasking is one of the greatest features on Android. Whether you're switching from one app to the other, or quickly accessing settings and toggles, you have to appreciate the multitasking capabilities of the platform. In case you’re not satisfied with the default implementation, you can always download a wide array of apps from the Play Store to make the process even more intuitive. One such app is Multitasking by OryonCorp, a simple but powerful multitasking solution that takes a page out of desktop operating systems. It basically lets you simultaneously use commonly used apps such as Browser, Calculator, Camera and File Explorer in separate floating windows. Details to follow. Read More

Autodesk Instant: A New Android & iOS Group Messaging App For Offices

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Over the past few years, Autodesk has brought a variety of notably good apps for both Android and iOS, including the famed Pixlr Express, Pixlr-o-matic, AutoCAD 360, Sketchbook Mobile, and a variety of others. Joining the developer’s remarkable arsenal is Autodesk Instant, a group chat client aimed at workplaces and corporate clients, available on both Android and iOS. We’ll take a deeper look at it right after the jump. Read More

Record A Video Of The Current Tab In Chrome With Screencastify

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There are various screencast software, both free and paid, that allow users to record on-screen activity within a web browser. Screencast-O-Matic from Big Nerd Software, for instance, is a perfect example. The popular web-based app lets you create screencasts, add narration, and upload the output to Screencast-O-Matic or YouTube, or simply save it to your local drive for offline viewing. Recently, I stumbled upon Screencastify, a lightweight extension that offers similar functionality on Chrome, and found it worth sharing with our readers. The dead-simple tool enables recording screen activity within a Chrome tab or on the desktop. It also carries options for configuring screen resolution and frame rate. Read More

Selectively Lock Android Apps In Multiple Ways With Lockdown Pro

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As we are trusting our smartphones more and more with our private data, it is becoming increasingly important to take the necessary measures for keeping that data out of reach of prying eyes. Just a few months ago, we took a look at five great tools for password-protecting apps on Android, but the app that we’re about to take for a spin today has what it takes to give them all a run for their money. Aptly named Lockdown Pro, this awesome app offers basic as well as advanced app locking features for newbies and seasoned users alike, and looks great while at it. Featuring multiple PIN & pattern options, geo-fencing, stealth mode to conceal the app’s very presence, and several great-looking themes for the unlocking screen, this should be a must-have on every Android phone and tablet out there. And best of all, it’s completely free, without even any ads! Read More

Hands-On With Microsoft OneNote For Mac OS X

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We have come a long way from memorizing phone numbers and carrying written notes with us just to maintain schedules. In the modern era of getting things done, there is tremendous demand for note taking apps, which is why suites like Evernote and Google Keep generate so much interest. We even compared the top note taking apps around this time last year and the competition was stiff. Under Microsoft’s new regime, we see the arrival of Microsoft OneNote for Mac. The Mac variant has debuted as a free download along with a free version for Windows desktop. Read More

Save Any Facebook Post For Later In Chrome With Facebook Favorite

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The social network giant, Facebook, is known for keeping its user-base engaged with new features and functionality, introduced throughout each year. Still, no matter how many features they add to the it, there will always be room for more. If the social network doesn't officially offer what you're looking for, there might be a third-party tool, app or browser extension that adds the required feature to it. One great example that I recently came across is Facebook Favorite for Chrome, a simple and lightweight extension that lets you save Facebook posts for later. It’s somewhat like Pocket for Facebook. Read More

Dewey Offers A Pinterest-Like Bookmark Manager For Chrome With Smarter Search

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Chrome has come a long way since its inception in 2008. The web browser, which is popular for providing a speedy web experience, lightweight design and a ton of features, is also the one with more extensions and apps in its arsenal than any other web browser on the market, offering several good solutions for any major requirement. For example, if you find it tedious to manage your Chrome bookmarks via the integrated Bookmarks Manager, you'll find many worthy alternatives on the Chrome Web Store, one of which is Dewey Bookmarks. This Chrome app is an alternative bookmark manager with a Pinterest-like interface that’s both user-friendly and functional, bookmark searching, tagging and sorting. Details after the break. Read More

CrowdInspect Scans Running Windows Processes Over VirusTotal, WOT & More

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It often gets really difficult to determine which processes and services running on your computer are legitimate. While the integrated Task Manager utility in Windows does allow you to kill unwanted programs or create their dump files, it doesn’t show you the integrity of each item. Back in December 2013, we covered herdProtect for Windows, a simple tool that scans running process and startup items on several cloud antivirus engines to find inherent threats. CrowdInspect is a similar application that takes things a step further. Not only does it analyze processes against Virus Total's database, but also displays security ratings from WOT (Web of Trust) and MHR (Malware Hash Project). Read More

Taskei For Android Lets You Automate Popular Muzei Live Wallpaper With Tasker

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Since its release last month, Muzei Live Wallpaper has gained a lot of acclaim from its users for bringing gorgeous wallpapers from different sources to their home screens. Another app that a lot of Android power users love is Tasker, known for its ability to let users automate countless tasks on Android. While Muzei can automatically rotate your wallpaper, how about the ability to do it based on context, action or any condition supported by Tasker? Taskei acts as a bridge between these two apps to let you do just that. Let’s take a look at how that works. Read More

Astrill VPN Offers Secure, Region Restriction-Free Browsing On Android

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The sad truth about the Internet is that many amazing services like Spotify and Hulu are only accessible within a few countries. While folks living in those countries can stream free music or watch their favorite TV shows, those of us who live elsewhere on the planet are left out in the cold. If you’ve been having a hard time coping with online region restriction, then one definitive solution is to use a VPN service. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN secures your Internet traffic and enables you to access geo-restricted websites. Astrill VPN is a fairly popular name in this genre, and recently, the company launched an Android app to allow on-the-go access to their VPN service. Read More

Quickly Type Special Characters In Windows Using Keyboard Shortcuts

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Windows lets you use tons of different special characters, which don’t appear on a standard QWERTY keyboard, via an integrated Character Map. However, if you often find the need to type special characters in text, then copying them from the Characters Map every time could prove to be tedious and time-consuming. Meet WinCompose, an open-source desktop tool that saves you from this tasking process by allowing you to swiftly type special characters using simple key combinations. Read More

Spin Reimagines The iPhone Lock Screen Music Controls

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Tweaks that let users customize the iOS lock screen are abundant in the Cydia store, but Spin is the kind of release that just refuses to get lost in the crowd. With Spin, you get a complete revamp of the  lock screen music view. Instead of a square containing the album art of the current song, Spin displays a radial frame in the middle of the lock screen. The current status of the track is depicted by a knob around the border of the album art. Spin doesn’t stop at just changing the album art; it also affects the playback controls and the overall layout of the lock screen, including the status bar clock and the wallpaper. Read More