widgets

If you think "Noonien Soong" when someone says "Android doc," you might be a Trekkie (and fiercely proud of it). But if you hear "Android dock" instead, maybe you're thinking of Next Launcher, an Android-based app dock and launcher. If you use Next Launcher, you'll certainly want to take a look at Next Task Manager Widget, a free 3D plug-in for Next Launcher from GO Launch Team. We tried Next Launcher with and without Next Task Manager Widget installed, and the plug-in definitely improved the docking app's 3D performance. Though Next … Read more

Instagram users may be searching for a more efficient way to use the app from their home screens. Winstagram - Instagram Widget claims to make viewing your favorite photos easier, but its operational failures make it difficult to use.

Winstagram - Instagram Widget comes at no cost. The download from the Google Play store completed quickly, but installation took longer than expected. It is not clear from the application if technical support is available, and there were no user instructions available, either. Upon startup, the application returned multiple errors, but after several tries it eventually opened. The main screen was … Read more

When it comes to widgets featured on a home screen, most mobile users select certain data that they wish to view on a regular basis such as weather conditions or incoming mail. The only logical tool you may additionally need is the ability to leave a note. Simple Sticky Note Widget Plus does this for you. For $0.99 this app enables you to quickly and easily create sticky notes on the home screen of your mobile device.

Being a pretty light application, Simple Sticky Note Widget Plus loads almost instantly and requires no special permissions. The creation of a … Read more

Though gold may not fluctuate as much as the dollar, it's nice to keep track of how prices are doing. Gold/Silver Spot Price Widget delivers updates right to your home screen for both gold, platinum, and silver. It doesn't let you customize much about its appearance, but the prices are updated often and prove to be pretty accurate.

Gold/Silver Spot Price Widget features a simple, 2X2 whiteboard with the prices for gold, silver, and platinum. The price appears to be price per ounce, but it doesn't tell you how it's measuring the price or … Read more

Not every smartphone has detailed battery information at your fingertips. Battery Widget puts a simple but detailed battery indicator anywhere on your home screen. It's simple and elegant, but not as customizable as other battery widgets in the Play store. It's still worth trying out, though.

Though the app prides itself on its cool widget, it features detailed battery information for you to use, too. Since the app is 1X1, it can be placed anywhere on your phone's home screen. It would be nice if there were a bigger version to use, with a few more statistics. … Read more

With lock screen widgets having been introduced in Android 4.2, developers have been looking for ways to take advantage of the new feature in creative ways. Earlier this week a developer e-mailed me with an introduction to his app, Shipoopi, which allows Android users to add a shortcut to any app to the lock screen of a device.

Admittedly, the name of his app, Shipoopi, has nothing to do with what the app actual does, according to Jonathan Dharmaraj, the developer. The simple app, with a name inspired by a "Family Guy" episode (where Peter sings the … Read more

If the only option for accessing the Internet on your Android tablet is through a Wi-Fi connection, you may desire to connect to the Internet by using your phone. PPP Widget may be the solution you are looking for. It does need root access and some extra tuning for certain devices, as it may become buggy.

Those who are new to Android may find the setup challenging. Many settings are needed to set the link up, and one missed step will cause a lost connection. However, there is not a whole lot to complain about with PPP Widget's layout, … Read more

Android 4.2 is full of new features, some are fairly minor, such as the Settings shortcut in the notification bar. Other features, such an improved photo editing process, are bound to have a bigger impact on the overall user experience.

Here are five new features you can find in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, with the sixth item being a workaround should you decide against lock-screen widgets.

Developer Options Developer Options is an important settings menu for developers and those who like to fiddle with their Android device. For whatever reason in Android 4.2, Google hid the Developer … Read more

My first Android phone, the original Motorola Droid, was one of the first phones to debut Google Maps Navigation. Now, Google knew that this feature would get drivers interested in using their Android phones in the car and that the tiny virtual buttons and shortcuts that worked well when the device was handheld wouldn't cut it behind the wheel. So, when users popped their Droids into their car docks, they were presented with a simplified interface with large shortcut buttons to car-centric apps, designed for safer use while driving.

Smartphones have come a long way since I retired my … Read more