Android Tips – Press and Hold

If you are a new Android phone user, I'm sure that you may have tapped on those icons but have you ever tried holding your finger until something comes up? You should try it out.

The On/Off Button

Pressing and holding the the On/Off button can bring up new options other than locking and unlocking the screen. It can bring up options to switch Flight Mode and Silent Mode to On or Off. The third option is to shut down the device.

The Menu Button

Soft keyboard will pop up on long holding the Menu button. This is not applicable to all phones but will work on pure Android Nexus devices and on HTC phones if you are in an application which uses the keyboard. With Samsung's TouchWiz, keyboard will pop up along with appropriate search facility. Press and holding the same button will make it disappear. This option comes in handy while filling up online forms on your browser without sending the information you've just typed in. This is useful if the android application development company that created the application that you are in isn't able to provide enough security.

The Search Key

Pressing and holding the search key will take you to Voice Search. This may however be different in some phone models. As you may see that there is no search key in Samsung Android phones, you my try double tapping the home key.

The Home Key

Press and hold on the home key, it will bring up a small window that displays the most recent applications you have used and this makes access to your favorite applications easy and swift. You don't need to go through the trouble of going to the menu, scroll to the particular page and click on the application icon. On Samsung TouchWiz, another option, Task Manager is offered at the same time.

The App grid key

This one is meant only for Nexus. Android phones has plenty of home-screens within the desktop and one has to swipe through to get to the desired screen. Press and holding the app grid key at the bottom of the desktop screen will bring up mini-icons each representing the panels or home-screens. Tap on the mini-icons to jump to the desired home-screen.

On Text (copy & paste)

Long pressing on text will start the cut, copy and paste function. First you will have to highlight it then select cut or copy function to have the text copied on the clipboard which can be later pasted on any web form of message.

The Desktop

Last but not the least, press and holding anywhere on an empty space of the desktop or home-screen will uncover the key to a whole new different option of your android phone. You will be able to add new widgets to the home screen, add folders, change wallpapers and shortcuts. This is thereby the easy way of customizing your phone's home-screen.

It is a wonder that without having to download any application from any software development company providing android application development, you can do a lot with your phone and that too by just pressing and holding. It's really worth a try. Explore more and you'll get to know more about your Phone.

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Posted in: android application development,Android tips and tricks

Android App by Kodak – Kodak Gallery

Kodak, a renowned company in the field of photography and cameras has launched an Android application that allows users to create ad hoc social networks for sharing photos.

The company first introduced the app for iPhone users back in November last year and the Android version is rolled out quietly. Here's look the the new Android app:

With this application, users can set up temporary networks for sharing pictures. For example, creating a network by the name “At a Wedding” where members can post photos taken with their mobile devices. Other wedding-goers can also be added to the network thereby giving them access to upload and view pictures from the event. This defining event specific networks has the advantage of giving users access only to those pictures that matter to them.

It is worth mentioning that iPhone version of the Kodak Gallery has been downloaded 500,000 times since its launch and more than 5 million photos have been uploaded using the the iPhone application.

This application allows users share their photos through email, text and Facebook. They can even get push notifications when photos are added and when there are new comments on a particular photo or album. Not only that, uploaded pictures can be transformed into prints, photo books and cards.

This application can be downloaded from Android Market as well as Amazon's Appstore for Android.

For more on such application, visit Oglacs, a reputed software development company based in India renowned for Android application development and iPhone/iPad application development.

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Posted in: android application development,Android Apps Developers

Tips on How to Use Your Android Phone – Part 1

One thing I know of Android Phones is that using it is real easy and works with just a slight touch. And one of the most interesting part is “THE LONG PRESS”.

If you are stuck somewhere while operating your phone or if you don't know where are the options you would like to see, just press and hold on the icon, tab or bar to see more functionality pop up. This function or option that pops up when long pressing an icon, word, or tab can help you decide what to do with the specific application or program. In short it is equivalent to the right click of a mouse.

Deleting Icon From the Home Screen

Your phone comes with some icons already in your home screen. When you want to put another in place of that icon, it will be a problem if you don't know how. It's easy. You just need to Press and Hold the icon until there is a slight vibration from the phone then you will be able to move the icon anywhere on the screen. The moment you start dragging the icon, there in the bottom of the screen will be shown an "bin" icon. Just drag the icon to that portion and release it. The icon is now removed.

You may now wonder, won't that affect the program? No, it doesn't. When you delete a shortcut icon from your computer home screen, does it have any effect to the program? No.

For more, visit back. In the meantime, you can visit the website of Oglacs, a software development company based in India providing all types of software solutions including Android applicationd evelopment.

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Posted in: android application development,Android Apps Developers,Android tips and tricks,Application Development

Intro to Various Android Versions

Picture Source - mobile.tutsplus.com

These days, when people talk of smartphone, Android phones are what they refer to. We've been using Android phones and what do we know about them. If you are looking for what it really is, I'm providing you an introduction to each Android versions ranging from version 2.1 to 4.0.

Android 2.1

The first commercial version of Android i.e. V1.0 was released in 2008. But all phones comes with at least the 2.1 version. Version 2.1 was released by the end of 2009 and is code-named Eclair.

What's with this version?

V2.0 comes with the following features:

1. Revamped User Interface therefore supporting higher screen resolutions and screen sizes.

2. Users can set live wallpapers

3. Camera Flash Support

4. Exchange email support

5. Multiple account and contact synchronization

Android 2.2

Within six months of the release of v2.1, Google announced the next update v2.2 which is code-named Froyo. In addition to above version, this version includes the following:

1. Wi-Fi hotspot functionality

2. USB tethering

3. Improved multimedia management

4. Push Notifications and

5. Ability of installing applications on memory cards instead of phone memory.

Android 2.3

Some minor additions to the Operating System included improved performance, improved application launcher, automatic application update support in the apps market, Adobe Flash support, voice dialing using Bluetooth. Eventually, Froyo became the OS of choice for tablets owing to its compatibility of supporting larger displays and stability. These are just the features that any android application development company would look for in order to create the best of applications.

Then after another six months, v2.3 was launched with the Google Nexus S. v2.3 was also known as Gingerbread. The improvisations made in this one are:

1. Revamped UI

2. Improved keyboard with better accuracy

3. Simpler copy/paste functionality

4. Front or Secondary camera, gyroscope and barometer support on devices

5. Better power management thereby better battery life

Android 3.0

This one is specifically designed for tables keeping in view the larger screen of tables. It comes with new interface with 3D effects. It also solved the issue of Android button standardization. The need to have physical buttons on devices has been removed by adding a system bar at the bottom. This system bar displays one touch access to connectivity settings, notifications, navigation buttons, etc. Some of the other improvisations include improved onscreen keyboard, multi-core processor support, hardware acceleration, etc. Another feature worth mentioning is the support for external keyboard and joysticks.

Android 4.0

This is the newest version of Android operating system and ia code-named Ice Cream Sandwich. This will be the common OS for both Android Powered phones and tablets from now onwards. It puts in together the best features of v2.x and 3.x, has got new looks and is improved in functions.

Some new features exclusive to this version are:

1. Face recognition

2. Customizable apps launcher

3. Separation of widgets already installed

4. Tabbed browser

5. Built-in photo editor

6. Better camera performance

7. Auto synchronization (customizable) of contacts with social network integration.

That's it. To get more updates on Android Application Development and related topics, visit back.

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Posted in: android application development,Android Apps Developers,Application Development,Mobile apps development,Mobile Technology

9 Quick Google+ tips and tricks

 Are you someone who uses Google+ everyday? If yes, here are some quick tips and tricks that will enhance your Google+ experience.

• While you are in Google+ stream (Google+ page), press J key to read next post (or move down)
• Press K key to read previous post (or move up)
• Clicking on the Google+ bar will scroll to the top of the stream irrespective of wherever you are reading
• Drag and drop any picture, link or video into Google+ share box
• Click on the drop down icon on the top right of a post to get the link for that post
• Don’t like  a post, click on the drop down on the right of  a post and choose Mute this post It’ll disappear from your stream
• Don’t understand the language or want translation of a post? Install the google+ translate plugin and it’ll translate to the language of your choice
• Interested in a topic and want to read posts as it arrives? Search for that keyword and save the search and it’ll appear in the middle left of your stream as a link, you can click on that link to read at anytime
• Don’t want to upload media from your mobile? Turn off Instant Upload in Google+ mobile

Google+ Android application is also available. You may get it from the apps store. For more tips and tricks and other updates alike Android Application Development, visit back.


Source - Google+ News

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Posted in: android application development,Application Development,Google+

Comic Strips – Android App for Comic Lovers

“Comic Strips” is an Android application by the renowned Android apps developer Qwerty Apps. This is one perfect app for those people who love reading comics but have not the time to buy one or read them. With this application, users can read over 300,000 comic strips from over 120 comics on an easy to use UI on any Android device.

Some features of the application are also given below:

1.       Users can read any comic starting anywhere for the archive of the whole list of comics is also given.

2.       Strips can be added to favorites for easy access.

3.       Recently viewed strips can also be viewed.

4.       Strips viewer supports Double Tap Zooming, Pinch-To-Zoom as well as zoom buttons

5.       Easy navigation

6.       Options to share comic strips to Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Tumblr, etc. and many more.

Comic Strips supported with this application are listed below.

1.       2 Cows and a Chicken

2.       9 Chickweed Lane

3.       9 to 5

4.       The Academia Waltz

5.       Adam@Home

6.       Agnes

7.       Alley Oop

8.       Andy Capp

9.       Animal Crackers

10.   The Argyle Sweater

11.   Arlo and Janis

12.   Ask Shagg

13.   B.C.

14.   Back in the Day

15.   Bad Reporter

16.   Baldo

17.   Ballard Street

18.   Barkeater Lake

19.   The Barn

20.   Barney & Clyde

21.   Basic Instructions

22.   Ben

23.   Betty

24.   Bewley

25.   Big Nate

26.   The Big Picture

27.   Big Top

28.   Biographic

29.   Birdbrains

30.   Bliss

31.   Bloom County

32.   Bo Nanas

33.   Bob the Squirrel

34.   Boomerangs

35.   The Boondocks

36.   The Born Loser

37.   Bottomliners

38.   Bound and Gagged

39.   Brainwaves

40.   Brevity

41.   Brewster Rockit

42.   Broom Hilda

43.   The Buckets

44.   Café con Leche

45.   Calvin and Hobbes

46.   Candorville

47.   Cathy

48.   C'est la Vie

49.   Cheap Thrills Cuisine

50.   Chuckle Bros

51.   Citizen Dog

52.   The City

53.   Cleats

54.   Close to Home

55.   Compu-toon

56.   Cornered

57.   Cow and Boy

58.   CowTown

59.   Cul de Sac

60.   Daddy's Home

61.   Dark Side of the Horse

62.   Deep Cover

63.   Diamond Lil

64.   Dick Tracy

65.   The Dinette Set

66.   Dog Eat Doug

67.   Dogs of C-Kennel

68.   Domestic Abuse

69.   Doodles

70.   Doonesbury

71.   The Doozies

72.   Drabble

73.   Dude and Dude

74.   The Duplex

75.   Eek!

76.   The Elderberries

77.   Endtown

78.   F Minus

79.   Family Tree

80.   Ferd'nand

81.   Flo and Friends

82.   The Flying McCoys

83.   For Better or For Worse

84.   For Heaven's Sake

85.   Fort Knox

86.   FoxTrot

87.   FoxTrot Classics

88.   Frank & Ernest

89.   Frazz

90.   Fred Basset

91.   Free Range

92.   Freshly Squeezed

93.   Frog Applause

94.   The Fusco Brothers

95.   Garfield

96.   Garfield Minus Garfield

97.   Gasoline Alley

98.   Get a Life

99.   Get Fuzzy

100.                        Gil Thorp

101.                        Ginger Meggs

102.                        Girls & Sports

103.                        Graffiti

104.                        Grand Avenue

105.                        The Grizzwells

106.                        Haiku Ewe

107.                        Heart of the City

108.                        Heathcliff

109.                        Herb and Jamaal

110.                        Herman

111.                        Home and Away

112.                        Hubert and Abby

113.                        Imagine This

114.                        In the Bleachers

115.                        In the Sticks

116.                        Incidental Comics

117.                        Ink Pen

118.                        It's All About You

119.                        Jane's World

120.                        Jim's Journal

121.                        Joe Vanilla

122.                        Jump Start

123.                        KidSpot

124.                        Kit 'N' Carlyle

125.                        The Knight Life

126.                        La Cucaracha

127.                        Last Kiss

128.                        The LeftyBosco Picture Show

129.                        Legend of Bill

130.                        Liberty Meadows

131.                        Lio

132.                        Little Dog Lost

133.                        Lola

134.                        Loose Parts

135.                        Lost Side of Suburbia

136.                        Love Is...

137.                        Luann

138.                        Lucky Cow

139.                        Maintaining

140.                        Marmaduke

141.                        The Meaning of Lila

142.                        The Middletons

143.                        Minimum Security

144.                        Moderately Confused

145.                        Molly and the Bear

146.                        Momma

147.                        Monty

148.                        Mutt & Jeff

149.                        My Cage

150.                        MythTickle

151.                        Nancy

152.                        Nest Heads

153.                        NEUROTICA

154.                        New Adventures of Queen Victoria

155.                        Non Sequitur

156.                        The Norm

157.                        Off the Mark

158.                        On A Claire Day

159.                        One Big Happy

160.                        The Other Coast

161.                        Out of the Gene Pool Re-Runs

162.                        Over the Hedge

163.                        Overboard

164.                        PC and Pixel

165.                        Peanuts

166.                        Pearls Before Swine

167.                        Pibgorn

168.                        Pibgorn Sketches

169.                        Pickles

170.                        Pinkerton

171.                        Pluggers

172.                        Pooch Café

173.                        PreTeena

174.                        Prickly City

175.                        Rabbits Against Magic

176.                        Raising Duncan

177.                        W.T. Duck

178.                        Yenny

179.                        Zack Hill

180.                        Ziggy

181.                        The DogHouse Diaries

182.                        xkcd

183.                        Dilbert

And the list goes on.

Some of the upcoming additions to this Android application are Oatmeal, SMBC and Comics that users requested to include.

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Posted in: android application development,Android Apps Developers,Application Development

Holy Cow!! Malicious Android Apps Double in 6 Months??

Here’s a jaw-dropping information for Android mobile users. Shocked was I when I read about it online. It is said that the number of malicious android apps has doubled within a period of less than six months. These malicious apps however aren’t found in the official Androids apps market but from third party alternatives of the same.

It is also said that the yearly estimated rise of malicious apps is 1% and it is also estimated that the percentage of a user clicking on malicious links provided by the malicious apps is 36% and this is 6% higher than July 2011.

It is also been detected that there is also a rise in the intensity of “mobile pickpocketing” i.e. apps and malware that underhandedly charges fees to the phone owner. GGTracker is one application that signs up phones for premium text message subscription without the knowledge of the owner. RuFraud apps is one such application that poses as free version of wallpaper and popular games but in a way hides terms of services that allows developers to sign phones up for expensive SMS rates.

Therefore, we should make sure that we download only genuine Android applications from trusted Android apps developers. 

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Posted in: android application development,Android Apps Developers

Android Market Downloads – 10 Billion and Counting

Image Source - http://android-developers.blogspot.com

Android has achieved a feat which no other operating systems achieved. It has reached a milestone of 10 billion downloads by the end of November 2011. This amount to round about one billion app downloads per month. Don’t know where this speedy growth will take Android in the near future.

In order to celebrate the milestone achieved, Android partnered with some of the renowned Android Developers and Android Application Development companies to make some amazing applications that will be released to the market with cheaper than ever price tag. And the application hence developed will be available for just 10 cents. Some of the applications are like Asphalt 6 HD, Endomondo Sports Tracker Pro., Color & Draw for Kids, Great Little War Game, Paper Camera, Fieldrunners HD, Minecraft, Soundhound Infinity, Swiftkey X and Sketchbook Mobile.

Android in its official blog thanked all Android apps developers around the world giving them the credit for the feat they have achieved. They went on to say that if it weren’t of these developers, the success they have achieved would have been a hard one to get to.

So watch out for cheap Android applications starting this week.

Oglacs is also coming up with new Android application. You will have to come back in order to know what the company has in store.

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Posted in: android application development

Android Application Development – Oglacs’ New Venture

Since recent years, Android has become the most popular Mobile OS and there are reasons behind that. It has taken over Symbian, iOS and other operating system when it comes to hand-held devices. Oglacs, an Indian based software Development Company known for its high-end iPhone mobile applications will be venturing into the Android mobile application development. It is expected that the company will be successful in making their mark in this field which they gave less importance to before.

Oglacs’ professionals who are known for their skills and competence are positive and say that this new step that the company has taken up will not pose a challenge to them engineers. So it is worth looking out for what the company is going to do in this domain. The company is not only taken up on Android Application development but also certain IT and software domains which will be revealed at the right time.

Here are the main reasons why Android has taken over the Smartphone market:

·         Heightened multitasking capability

·         Wide range of applications available

·         Capability of running all types of websites

Oglacs, also known for its mark in the web application development is moving forward with a positive note that the company is going to do its best despite the many rivals already prevailing in the market.

For more on the company, visit back or you can visit the company’s website.

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Posted in: android application development,software development company,web application development