Manage updates with the Download AppUse a custom Android home screen Video
Use a custom Android home screen Video Transcript
-One of the best things about the Android platform is that it's both customizable and modular. This means that users can really get in there and change the interface to meet their own personal needs. I'm not just talking about a simple wallpaper swap. Today, I'm gonna show you how to transform your entire Android home screen with just a few clicks. The first thing you're gonna wanna do is actually figure out which custom home launcher you're gonna wanna use. Now, of those available, there are launchers that totally revamp the idea what the home screen looks like, like slide screen. There are some that add features and widgets but look more or less familiar like ADW launcher and LauncherPro and still others that exist nearly to enhance performance such as Zeam. We'll be using Slide Screen because the visual change makes it easy to illustrate what we're doing. But regardless of the launcher you choose, the steps will be more or less the same. Head over to the Android market and download your launcher. When the download is complete, you'll need to launch your new launcher. Whether than jumping into the app drawer like you would with any other app, simply hit the home button. You'll be presented with a list asking you to choose which app to associate with the home button. You simply choose the launcher of your choice and you'll be greeted with your new home screen. Now, you're not gonna wanna go through this manual selection of launchers after every home button press. So once you're happy with your launcher of choice, hit the Use By Default button to lock in your selection. Now, if you ever decide that you wanna go back to your default home screen, simply hit into the settings menu and select applications, then look for Manage Applications. Scroll down to your selected launcher in the list of your downloaded apps and tap it. Now, look for the button that says Clear Default, and the next time you hit the home key, you'll be re-prompted to Select Your Default Home Launcher or you could simply uninstall the custom launcher like any other app to reset the home back to the defaults. Now, you have one more way to customize your Android phone for an interface that works the way you want it. Check out the Android Atlas blog for even more Android tips and tricks and CNET TV for more how-to videos. This has been Antuan Goodwin with cnet.com showing you how it's done.
Related Videos
Use Android to play music in your car
CNET's Antuan Goodwin shows you three ways to use your Android phone to play music through your car's stereo.
Ep 54: Stealing stuff with Jaymar Cabebe!
Download.com Associate Editor Jaymar Cabebe stops by to help Antuan Goodwin host today's show. We take a look at CNET's wishlist for the rumored next Nexus phone and, boy, are our expectations great. Leaked photos show that LG is taking aim with a dual-screen gimmick phone at an entry level price. If rumors are to be believed, Antuan will have something to look forward to on his HTC Thunderbolt and so do you Motorola Atrix 4G users. Jaymar helps us figure out what Yahoo is up to with its new Play music app for Android and Antuan encourages intellectual property theft. All of that, plus the answers to your emails on this week's episode of Android Atlas Weekly.
Manage battery life on Android devices
Considering their big screens, multiple wireless connections, and power-sapping apps, Android phones typically aren't known for their amazing battery life. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to control your power usage. CNET's Antuan Goodwin shows you how to eke the most out of your battery.
Install third-party apps on an Android phone
The Android Market isn't the only place to get your app fix. CNET's Antuan Goodwin shows you how to enable the installation of third-party APK files on your Android phone.
Ep. 35: Opposable thumbs don't really work for us
Android guys Antuan Goodwin and Justin Eckhouse get grossed out by the Playstation phone, are confused at the Facebook phone, and take a look at a two-screened Transformer of a phone. Our latest How To video shows you how to free space for apps on Froyo and we answer your questions about the Motorola Atrix and Xoom on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly.
Ep. 46: Desire and the Cute Girl Index
Nielsen thinks that Android phones are finally more desirable than iPhones, but Antuan could have told you that based on less than scientific observations. Justin shows us a phone that he does not desire, the HTC Droid Incredible 2. The unlikely Barnes & Noble Nook Color is rapidly becoming the most desirable Android tablet thanks to a new firmware update. Meanwhile, Motorola plans to give hardcore users what they truly desire, quad-core processors and more hacker friendly Android phones. All of that plus more news and the answers to your emailed questions on this week's episode of Android Atlas Weekly with Justin Eckhouse and Antuan Goodwin.
Free space for apps on Android 2.2+
Android phones often feature very limited internal app storage space. Fortunately, phones running Froyo 2.2 can take advantage of gigabytes of space on their microSD card. CNET's Antuan Goodwin shows you how to create space for your next must-have app.
2013 Geneva Motor Show Roundup
CNET's Wayne Cunningham and Antuan Goodwin gives us the highlights and some lowlights from the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
It was the worst kept secret of the 2010 LA Auto Show. CNET's Antuan Goodwin takes a look at the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.
Ep. 20: 5 Reasons Android is better than iPhone
A look at Android 3.0, a dual-core phone and the top 5 reasons Android is better than the iPhone, on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly join Justin Eckhouse along side guest host, CNET Associate Editor, Antuan Goodwin.
