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How-to: Get rid of Google Assistant and use Now on Tap instead

Alexandra Arici
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You probably know that Google has started rolling out the Pixel-exclusive Google Assistant for phones that are running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or Android 7.0 Nougat. Despite the amount of excitement generated by this announcement, some folks appear to be preferring Google Now or On Tap to the Google Assistant.

A pretty substantial thread has emerged on Reddit. Here a user going by Crowday asks the following question: “Anyone else feel like Google Assistant is more cumbersome than Google Now or On Tap”. He goes on to explain further:

“I was pumped to get it but there isn’t really good conversation functionality, or anything more useful than its predecessor. Instead of just having Now Google something for me, Assistant tells me that it Google’d it for me and lets me press a button to see the results. It’s as if the next step is to cut out the middleman voice confirmation and extra click and rename it to something like Google Now.”

Other users have joined and listed various other shortcomings of the Google Assistant. Like the one mentioned by imsoshappy:

“I hate the lack of text search. it’s funny how it’s gotten easier and easier to make a simple search on iOS (literally a swipe away now) while it’s gotten harder on Android, the operating system of the biggest search company.”

Now if you have reason to feel the same, the good news is that there’s a trick which allows you to use Now on Tap rather than the Google Assistant, if that’s your wish. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be good to go:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Scroll until you find Language & Input
  3. Tap on Languages
  4. Tap on Add a Language
  5. Most users probably have the English option enabled, but now you’ll need to pick an option where the Google Assistant is not supported like the US Virgin Islands.
  6. Just like that the Google Assistant will be replaced by Google Now on Tap

Sure, the majority of users will probably still go for the Google Assistant. But this is a nice trick to be aware of, in case you get frustrated with the Assistant for whatever reason.

P.S. The scheme above works on the Pixel and Pixel XL.

LeEco smartphones and TVs are now available with more US retailers

Alexandra Arici
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0

LeEco is one of those daring Chinese brands that have ventured out on the US market. Unlike Xiaomi and others which remain pretty skittish to take their business stateside, LeEco has achieved quite a lot in the short time it’s been offering its products in America.

LeEco’s products including smartphones and TVs were previously available for purchase via BestBuy, Target and Amazon. And now LeEco is expanding retail availability of its products. Here’s the complete list:

HSN

Starting March 11, LeEco’s Super4 EcoTVs, the Super 4 X43 Pro, X55 and X65 will become available for purchase from the HSN.com website.

BrandsMart USA

Furtermore, LeEco has partnered up with retailer BrandsMart USA which will be offering the Le S3 and LePro 3 smartphones both in online (brandsmartusa.com) and brick and mortar locations.

Wider BestBuy availability

As we told you above, LeEco products were already available in select online and in-store BestBuy locations across the country. But in the course of next few months, we’re going to see the products land in more locations. LeEco hasn’t provided us with a complete list of these locations just yet.

Fry’s

Customers can expect to see LeEco smartphones and Super4 X65 EcoTVs in brick and mortar locations and online (frys.com) in the upcoming few weeks.

Need help customizing your phone? Take Google’s #myAndroid Taste Test

Alexandra Arici
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0

The main reason why people love Android so much is because there are so many customization options available for them. Throw in a custom launcher, icon pack or wallpaper and voila you have a new phone on your hands.

However, at times users might have a hard time navigating the extensive number of possibilities. So Google has promptly come to their aid. The search giant has created a tool designed to help you personalize your device in a way that made for you and only you.

My first try

Google’s new #myAndroid Taste Test is a simple quiz meant to uncover your aesthetic preferences, as well as additional info like how you tend to use the device (is it for texting, playing?). All questions offer two answers, so you’ll be done completing the quiz in no time.

Once you’re done with the questions, you are given three different homescreen options to choose from – and they all consist of a wallpaper, a launcher, widgets and an icon pack that you can download off the Google Play Store. Although they are not limited to Google’s offerings and can include third-party options from the Play Store.

My second try

Notably, Google isn’t restricting this test to Pixel/Nexus owners, so anyone with a decently-specced Android smartphone at their disposal can go ahead and customize their handset according to Google’s suggestions.

Example of a quiz question

If you are not satisfied with the results (like I was, too metallic for my taste) you can go ahead and take the test again and try to vary the answers a little bit. However, if you like what you see, you can go ahead and share it with your friends and see what they think.

US Cellular welcomes first affordable Android 7.0 Nougat phone

Alexandra Arici
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0

Do you remember the LG Aristo? This was an entry-level handset which so far was available with T-Mobile and its pre-paid arm, MetroPCS.

Well now the same phone – just under a different name, the LG K8 2017 – has landed with US Cellular. While T-Mobile and MetroPCS have been offering the device in silver, US Cellular is selling it in blue.

US Cellular also offers the high-end LG V20, but with the arrival of the LG K8 2017, the carrier can now cater to the needs of budget users who’d like to get Android 7.0 Nougat on the cheap.

The phone comes carrying a 5-inch display with 720 x 1280 resolution and takes advantage of a Snapdragon 425 processor which works in combination with 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage (expandable via external storage). Customers will also be able to take advantage of an 8MP rear shooter with LED flash and a 5MP selfie snapper.

The device relies on a 2,500 mAh battery to keep itself operable and given the low power specs, it should offer quite a sufficient life cycle.

As for pricing, you can grab the LG K8 2017 form US Cellular for only $49.99 a pop (after a $100 discount has been applied online) or just for $5 per month over 30 months. T-Mobile was previously selling the device with a $144 price-tag, so getting it here might be more convenient.

10 sophisticated mobile app user interfaces

AndroidGuys
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Android applications mobile user interface (UI) design emphasizes three goals; enchant, simplify, and amaze.

While beauty is considered a subjective quality interpreted individually, in Android it has a deeper meaning. An application’s UI is expected to be fast and beautiful, with a crisp layout and meaningful typography, with icons as works of art in their own right. Deep within the system, however, transitions should be fast and clear, combining beauty, simplicity, and purpose to create a magical experience that’s enchanting, effortless, and powerful.

For a user, the whole purpose of engaging an application is to simplify his or her life, beginning with an easy to understand interface. When people use any of the applications below for the first time they intuitively grasp the most important features, while back-end web hosting system tasks such as file management and syncing occur automatically without user intervention. A simple task should never require complex procedures, and when designing a complex task human factors such as hand movements and mind must be a priority. An effective UI makes the user feel in control, regardless of age or culture, and never overwhelmed by too many choices or unnecessary flash.

Following are 10 examples of mobile applications with some sophisticated user interfaces. Note that while most of these are Android-based apps, some of them are specific to iOS, too. Why? Because they have a UI worth showcasing.

Reddit

You may love it or you may hate it, but Reddit is big and getting bigger. As a social news service, it has major reputation issues. Its native mobile application UI design is a much better version from what browser users are used to seeing, with simpler navigation, aesthetically pleasing, and well-spaced content.

Colony

Colony offers an audio experience, while the UI design presents textual content in a very readable and pleasing way. The Colony FM application can narrate articles and stories found on web hosting systems, using clear, crisp voices that are easy to understand, turning the written web into your curated audio library.

Eat This Much

To really follow a diet effectively, a good plan is crucial, supported by self-discipline and sheer will. It’s not just calorie counting, that alone won’t do; it has to become a part of your lifestyle. Researching new foods and recipes that make sense for your particular situation is a time-consuming task. Eat This Much is an application that follows the “simplify” principle putting your diet planning on autopilot. You can create meal plans based on your dietary goals, budget, and preferences. Fully packed with features, the UI design of Eat This Much simplifies the whole diet process for you.

Remente

We are still early in the year and if you have not done so already there’s still time for a few self-development resolutions. Life is not just labor, and there are many other sources to derive personal satisfaction. Remente works as a portable psychiatrist constantly concerned with your mental health, offering articles and courses for mental training and self-improvement. Its UI makes good use of white space and bright colors and is a good example of effective two-dimensional design.

Dials Calendar

This is not just another calendar application. Dials Calendar unique UI design is above many other similar applications. Your daily agenda is shown as a beautiful clock with appointments and to-dos marked as icons. A countdown timer, right in the middle, displays your next agenda item. Dials Calendar is useful, cool, and its dark background and playful colors are fun to watch.

MailTime

When you feel like talking to an intelligent non-human being, and Alexa and Google Home are not enough, or portable enough, MailTime comes to the rescue as an intelligent email-as-a-conversation application. The UI design resembles an IM application, but instead of you spending time classifying emails, MailTime’s smart inbox will filter out the real conversations from your never ending stream of newsletters and ads.

What else?

The following apps might be strictly offered on iOS right now, but they definitely have a UI worth noting. Besides, we know at least some of these are coming to Android before long.

Plane

Do you like meeting new people but find it hard to do? Are you new in town and don’t know where to start? Common interests bring people together and the Internet is the premier tool to find like-minded people. Plane works as a social icebreaker offering an alternative to meet new people in new places. Forget Tinder with bots and sleazy folks, Plane instead sends out a “signal” to your location of choice for people to respond with social meeting ideas. What’s to love about Plane’s UI is its beautiful gradients and unique typography with an edgy, futuristic look that sets it apart from other social networking applications.

Letterboxd

Movie lovers, rejoice, this one’s for you. In between good movies, you probably spend a lot of time researching the next one to see, but find the process tedious and boring. The Letterboxd mobile application works as a social network letting you know what your friends and others have enjoyed watching. The UI design of Letterboxd is simple and good-looking, offering you all the information that you might want to know about a film in diaries and lists that you can create and share.

Great Italian Chefs

If cooking is your thing and you love Italian food, this is the application you have been looking for. Great Italian Chefs gives you access to recipes from 26 well-known chefs representing all the diversity of Italian cuisine. Its UI is gorgeous, with an elegant typeface, a visually balanced layout, and stunning food photography that will make your mouth water.

Today

This is one application that asks to be seen daily if you want to be happier, healthier, and more productive. A tall order for just an application, Today will help you pick a few good habits while you put in the willpower to stick to them. A stunning UI design is its hallmark, along with great features that enchant, inspire, and motivate you to achieve your goals. Your health data, or anything else you want to track, can be displayed as pretty charts and counters, collected from more than 30 different applications on your mobile device. Combine those charts in stunning cards and create your own dashboard. Beautiful cover images from stock or from your own photo gallery enhance an UI designed to motivate with visual reminders.

Conclusion

These are a few examples of well-designed UI’s that strive to be called “amazing”, a highly-sought quality that is not achieved by ease-of-use only. In their own way, they feel personal, providing access to web hosting technology with clarity and grace, and therefore empowering people to try new things and to use them in creative ways.

Sky Devices offers up a Photo-Centric phone with the Elite Photo Pro (review)

AndroidGuys
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There is an awful lot of publicity recently for the unlocked phone market. And it’s generally well-deserved: the recent flood of good (if not great) devices that can hold their water against the likes of the big boys Samsung, LG, and the Cupertino-based-company-that-shall-not-be-named.

The added draw is that with the death of traditional 2-year service contracts, you as a consumer aren’t tied to a handful of subsidized phone options. Instead, you can pick from a much larger pool of devices, and (generally speaking) if you break, lose, are just aren’t happy with your current ride, you’re only a SIM switch away from a new and different phone.

And the phone makers have responded to this growing market in a huge way. So much so that one manufacturer has already skyrocketed to become the world’s #3. On top of that are several up-and-coming manufacturers who has planted its flag in the market, looking to take its piece of the smartphone pie.

One manufacturer is Sky Devices, who has been selling Android smartphones throughout Latin America, and is now making its move into the U.S. While you would think this sounds like a brand with just a few devices, in fact, they boast 29 different phone models (not to mention 3 smartwatch/wearables).

Recently I was given the opportunity to test drive its finest offering, the Sky Devices Elite Photo Pro. While the initial looks are there, let’s see how this phone fares in the real world as a premium phone offering.

Specs

Let’s start with the numbers. With this device you get:

  • Display: 5.0″, 1280p x 720p
  • Operating System: Android 5.1 (Lollipop)
  • Processor: MediaTek MTK6735, 1.3 GHz Quad Core
  • Storage: 16 GB (expandable)
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Camera: 16 MP main; 13 MP front shooter
  • Battery: 2000 mAh
  • Connectivity: 2G 850/900/1800/1900
    3G/4G 850/900/1900/2100
    4G/LTE/2/3/4/7/17/20

To those up on their smartphone knowledge, these are obviously not top-tier numbers, but I consider myself “tech-frugal”, where there’s a definite value point where specs and price meet. And hey, this device retails for about $150; which leaves you with some breathing room in your day-to-day budget. That said, I believe it’s worth seeing how the phone performs in the hand.

What’s In the Box?

Sky Devices takes good care to set you up right with this phone. In the box you will find:

  • The phone (duh)
  • A pair of gloss-black earbuds
  • A wall charger with USB cord
  • Two screen protectors (stick-on, and tempered glass)
  • A clear snap-on silicone case
  • A couple of screen-cleaning wipes.
  • The true bonus here is a wide-angle/macro clip-on stacked lens adapter for the phone’s camera, allowing an x0.63 magnification wide-angle, or if you choose, a 15x magnification macro. It comes in the package ready to go. More on this accessory below.

What’s not in the box, but comes with the phone anyway, is a 2-year warranty from Sky Devices, complete with toll-free assistance direct from the manufacturer.

Body & Display

The Elite Photo Pro is a really good-looking phone right out of the box; sporting a “soft-etch” (my term) back… it’s plastic but hard to tell until you touch it. I was honestly impressed upon viewing & holding it for the first time.  Silver is your only color choice here.

This “soft-etch” gives a good feel to your hand. Around the device, there’s a micro-USB charging port at the bottom, along with a microphone. On the left side, you have both the power & volume up/down buttons. Up top are the 3.5 mm headphone jack and second mic. The right side is clean along its length.

On the front the display is up-front and center; it’s 5″ diagonal with minimal side bezels.

The 720p resolution is OK, but nothing that will blow your mind in terms of detail. The top holds the front-facing camera and notification LED, while the bottom has the now-traditional home, back, and recent app capacitive keys. These keys sit dark until one is touched, then provide a subtle blue illumination to all three. In general, these keys were very responsive, and if you’re an Android veteran you’ll have no problem tracing across the dark keys as they’re right where you’d expect them to be. There’s also a microSD card slot which accepts up to 32 GB of additional storage.

On the back is the camera lens, flash, and single speaker. The lens is given special visual treatment, with a pronounced circular bump-out.

Given the display, visuals are decent but not jaw-dropping. Still, the color saturation is pretty darn good, and overall it performs nothing short of above-average across all functions (Netflix, gaming, general apps, etc.).

Software

Lollipop 5.1. I know, I know; this is more than a generation old at this time. But given the specs, the price point, and the [perceived] target market, there isn’t really anything this phone can’t do for everyday usage. Power Android users may take umbrage to the OS, but what you’re missing is Now on Tap, Doze battery saver, fine tuning of app permissions, and fingerprint login (which this phone doesn’t have anyway). None of these I consider ground-breaking or must-have features, so to me, they’re no big loss.

There is a skin over the stock Android experience here; it reminds me a bit of LG’s flagship devices, with a bit of a cartoon-style look and color scheme. Beyond this, there isn’t a lot of differentiation from the stock Google offering, and I claim this to be a good thing.

One anomaly I found is that the recent-apps button (bottom-right) wants instead to act the same as a long press on the screen, essentially backing you out to see the homescreens and select widgets & wallpapers.

I found performance to be really good given the price. Lag was minimal to non-existent, and switching between apps offered a satisfying small amount of delay and/or stutter; nothing to really write about here.

Camera, Camera, Camera

Here’s this phone’s big claim to fame (or marketing push) is the camera, a 16 MP unit teamed up with a 13 MP selfie shooter. And the phone design really tries to visually emphasize the camera, with a pronounced circular cutout tucked tightly into the upper corner of the body. A single flash unit sits just below.

Camera Modes

Real-world test shots were mixed. In good light the camera performed well, getting all the contrast and colors one would expect. But when the light levels dimmed, it had some trouble keeping up. And in darker interior environments the Elite Photo Pro struggled some, with quite a bit of noise and greatly reduced contrast capabilities.

Given that this is obviously the most-hyped feature of this device, I was somewhat disappointed by the performance. My personal holy grail of smartphones is to find one that doesn’t go all-out on all the specs but does focus on a truly industry-leading camera experience while providing a better cost value to the consumer. The Elite Photo Pro certainly wants to be this but doesn’t quite get there.

One other niggle is that the lens sits so very close to the edge and corner of the phone body, that it becomes entirely too easy to let your finger obscure a portion of your photos. I had to devise a non-traditional way (to me) of holding the device for photography purposes.

Conclusion

Ok, let’s go full-circle here. The Sky Devices Elite Photo Pro retails for $150; meaning you could literally buy 4 or more of these for the price of one mainstream flagship phone. So we have to keep our expectations in check here.

For the money spent, you get a very nice frame & body, a pretty good display, almost stock Android, decent storage and RAM (what would have been industry-leading a couple of years ago), a pretty good camera, some nice accessories, and enough money left in the bank to tackle some of other life’s challenges and opportunities.

So overall, I have to say I really like the Sky Devices Elite Photo Pro phone. If you are looking for a more-than-OK Android device and don’t want to spend upwards of $1,000 on something that will irrelevant two years from now, or if you have family members looking for good Android of their own, I do recommend this device.

You can purchase the Elite Photo Pro from the likes of Amazon, or directly from the Sky Devices website.

TUFFS – Quick and Painless Notification Shortcuts (Sponsored Review)

Donovan Jeska
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TUFFS is a simple app that, in essence, creates a constant notification in your shade, with a number of configurable “slots” for quick access to apps or shortcuts.

IT’S SO CUTE.

When you install TUFFS, even if you don’t immediately configure it, it still shows up in your notification shade. It’s kind of obnoxious – though it definitely gives you an incentive to configure it ASAP.

Once you’re in the app, it presents you with the main menu screen, shown here, complete with an utterly adorable menu animation that I personally think should be used more often.

Now, there’s a bunch of different options here, but there are really just two that matter – Home, and Settings (and even then, the two could easily be combined). The various options of the app are separated arbitrarily between the two, so you’ll have to do a little exploring before you figure out which options are where.

 

The free version will land you most of the options, including a single row of up to eight configurable and customizable shortcuts; the paid upgrade – $0.99 – gets you two rows.

The color picker.
The theme picker.

The app comes pre-loaded with some common themes among smartphone UIs, in order to better match your TUFFS shortcuts to your Quick Settings. It also includes some custom options for frames and background colors as well as icon pack support, if you fancy creating your own theme. The color picker is also really, really fancy-looking; check it out to the left.

 

The end result.

The end result is something that looks a little like the image to the left; up to two rows of apps or shortcuts that live in your Notification Shade and Lockscreen for easy access. While TUFFS isn’t the most polished or well-organized app, it does what it sets out to do effectively. The interface is a bit cluttered, but easy; just tap on the shortcut you want to modify, pick the replacement, and you’re done.

It should be noted that I got a couple force-closes while using the app, and it doesn’t reliably ‘stick’ to the Quick Settings like it should – notice that my Kings notification ended up on top of it – but overall it performs well.

 

TUFFS is available on the Google Play Store for free, with an option unlock all features ($0.99) or unlock and tip the developers ($1.49).

10 cool gadgets to take with you on a camping trip

Alexandra Arici
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I always loved the outdoors and going on a camping trip was one of my favorite activities during holidays. I tended to go on nature trips whenever I wanted some quality time with myself or a select group of friends who also enjoyed the reflective nature of the experience.

While our daily lives are ruled by the impact of technology, camping trips are often characterized by a return to a simpler way of doing things. However, you’d be surprised how many camping gadgets exist, all designed to make your life easier in the wild. And for those of us who are not Bear Grylls, having a little tech assistance while we go off to live in the woods for a week is actually recommended, since it makes the transition from urban environment to the natural one easier.

So here are some gadgets which I think you should consider taking with you on your outdoor trip. You know, just in case.

Nektek Solar Charger

Assuming you’re not into doing mountain climbing during winter, you’re probably going to go camping when it’s nice and warm outside. So a solar powerbank is just what you need. Want to let the people back home know you’re safe? A solar battery will ensure your smartphone has enough battery to send a text or make a phone even after a week of being away from a power outlet.

The Nekteck Solar charger is a rain-resistant dirt/shockproof 10,000 mAh power bank which chargers via a super powerful SunPower solar panel. It also doubles as a LED flashlight which you can use in case of emergency. It only costs $25.99 on Amazon, so you have no excuse not to get it before you head out.

All-Terrain Sound Speaker

I don’t’ know about you, but I really love listening to music while on the trail in the woods. That’s why a portable Bluetooth speaker is the perfect companion for a trip out in nature. The All-Terrain Sound speaker is all you will ever need. It clips to your bike or backpack and is water, weather and dust proof, which means you can use it anywhere.

It has been tested for ruggedized durability, so a 10+ foot drop on concrete won’t break it. The speaker also has a built-in microphone which allows for speaker phone conversations. The All-Terrain Sound speaker is currently available in our own AndroidGuys Deals shop for only $29.99.

Waterfi Short Cord Headphones

Planning of setting up camp near a lake and maybe going for a nice swim in the morning? Well with the Waterfi Short Cord headphones you can listen to music underwater (as well as while hiking on the trail).

The accessory features IPX8 certifications and takes advantage a 11-inch cord to reduce drag and tangles. A pair can be yours for $30 a pop.

Meco Hand Cranking Solar Powered Flashlight

You never know in what sort of emergency may arise and that’s why it’s always wise to have a backup plan. For example, you might find yourself lost in the woods at night. In such a situation it might be useful to have a flashlight non-dependent on batteries with you. The MECO is a solar-powered flashlight that recharges during the day. It’s durable and compact so you it can easily fit in your backpack. It’s available for only $9.99.

Eton Scorpion Solar Powered Digital Weather Radio

I do seem to have a percent for solar-powered gadgetry, but that’s because I consider it wise to harness the nature’s power to your advantage. And the Eton Scorpion Solar powered radio is another great example of a useful piece of gadgetry you can employ during your explorations in nature. The Eton Scorpion is a multi-function radio that can also power smartphones.

The device also delivers weather alerts, so you’ll know whether to proceed further on your trail or to remain where you are and wait for bad weather to clear out. The Eton Scorpion is available for $59.99.

Biolite Kettlecharge

If you are planning to spend more than a few days out in the wilderness, potable water will be the issue. With the Biolite Kettlecharger you will be able to easily boil water (you’ll need to know how to make a fire or have a portable gas can at your disposal), while producing electricity at the same time. You can transform river water into potable water and charge your devices all in one simple step. Get the Kettlecharge for $149.95 a pop.

Garmin inReach Explorer+

Smartphones might not have coverage everywhere, so in case you’ll find yourself stuck in a remote area the DeLorme inReach Explorer+ can be your ticket out. This is a satellite communicator which enables to send and receive text messages via the Iridium satellite network (it boasts 100% global coverage).

The device allows you to share your GPS coordinates and in a case of an emergency, you can trigger an SOS alert and even have a text exchange with the search-and-rescue party. The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is a bit on the pricier side of things. It costs around $449, but safety is more important than anything, right?

GoPro HERO5

Don’t forget to record all the beauty you see all around with the GoPro Hero5 action camera. The device can shoot stunning 4K video and 12MP photos in Single, Burst and Time Lapse modes. It’s waterproof for up to 33ft without a housing and it can be yours for $399.

Oomph

A lot of people can’t kick start their day without a proper cup of coffee in the morning. But what do you do when you are in the wild? You take out your Oomph that’s what. All you need to do is fill the Oomph with hot water and then press down on the outer shell so the gizmo will force pressurized water straight into the coffee grounds. Oomph is touted as the fastest hand portable coffee marker – it can deliver your cup in less than 2 minutes. If you decide to purchase an Oomph now, then you should know it’s available with a discount. Two portable coffee makers can be yours for $86.

goTenna

Sometimes while you are on a hike you might get separated from your group. But with the goTenna attached to your backpack you won’t have to worry when this happens. The little strip can send a text to a friend even without cell service. However, your buddies will need to have the goTenna app installed on their device. The little gadget costs $149.

6 of the best web development apps for Android

Guest Blogger
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A web application is an app that uses a web browser as a client. In computing, a web-application or web-app is client-server software application in which client or user interface runs in a web browser.  Common web applications include web mail, online retail sales, online auctions, wikis, instant messaging services and many other functions.

Websites most likely to be referred to as web application are those which have similar functionality to a desktop software apps or a mobile app. The Melbourne Website Design is the company who delivers the best web development services to their clients.

The following are 6 of the best free web development apps for Android.

ES File Explorer File Manager

This app is free, safe, simple and manage your files efficiently and easily with ES File Explorer (File Manager). It is a full-featured file (images, music, movies, document and app) manager for both local and networked use.

Features:
  • It is powerful tool that put desktop-grade features in your pockets.
  • Built-in ZIP and RAR support.
  • Cloud storage: supports Dropbox, Box.net, Sugarsync, Google Drive etc.
  • Functions as an FTP and WebDAV client.
  • Access your home PC: it provides access to the entire file system and all data directories on your PC.

anWriter free HTML editor

This is unarguably one of the best Android web development apps. It is not only the best for writing codes, it also offers auto-completion support for HTML, CSS, Javascript, LaTeX etc. It supports modern technologies, too.

Features:
  • Syntax highlighting for HTML, CSS, Javascript, XML, LaTeX, Python languages etc.
  • Web pages preview in the internal viewer.
  • Downloading/ Uploading file from/ to the FTP server.

AIDE Web

AIDE Web is a web editor and integrated development environment (IDE) for developing websites with HTML, CSS, and Javascript directly for your Android device. AIDE web will turn your Android tablet with keyboard into a real development box.

Features:
  • Interactive lessons with step-by-step instructions.
  • Javascript programming course.
  • Edit-compile-run cycle. Build HTML, CSS, Javascript websites etc.
  • No root access required.
  • Real time error checking.
  • Code formatter and out-comment-code.

Simple HTTP server

This is a very simple and easy-to-use web server for sharing contents on your device.

Features:
  • Range header support for seeking video.
  • Only support port 12345.
  • No root access required.
  • Support Digest Authentication for security.

KWS Android Web Server

This app is a lightweight and fast web server specially designed for Android mobile devices. It can be used to host websites and to serve file over HTTP.

Features:
  • Basic and digest authentication for secure access.
  • Server side includes (SSI).
  • Directory index.
  • Directory downloads in tar and zip formats.
  • Built-in Dynamic DNS updates.
  • Comprehensive HTTP logs.

VT View Source

This application is used to view HTML, CSS, Javascript or XML sources of webpages and remotely located files. The source code can be opened by typing the URL or using “share page” functionality of device browser (native android browser, Opera mobile, Firefox etc.)

Features:
  • View HTML, XML, CSS and Javascript sources.
  • Syntax highlighter with more than 35 predefined themes.
  • Share unformatted source code to clipboard.
  • Though this app is very good, it has the following shortcomings:
    • It currently supports only UTF-8 encoding for non-English content.
    • Internationalized Domain Names are not supported in Android 2.2 (Froyo), please use Punycode instead.
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Smartphone industry newcomer Maze will launch a Xiaomi Mi MIX alternative soon

Alexandra Arici
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This year we’re probably see more and more smartphones with almost non-existent bezels. The Xiaomi Mi MIX turned a few heads when it launched with a display that featured a screen-to-body ratio of 91.3%.

Well it seems we’re soon going to see a new Xiaomi Mi MIX competitor arrive on the market. This time from a new company called Maze which hails from Shenzhen, China. The device maker has released a teaser which details a device called Alpha that seems to boast the Mi MIX’s main characteristics – the almost invisible bezels.

At this point we don’t have much info on the handset, but we can tell you the Alpha is going to be a phablet with a 5.5-inch or 6-inch AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass 4 onboard. As you can see for yourself in the image below, the phone appears to feature a dual camera setup plus a flash.

So we have to assume, the device will be at least an upper to middle ranger. Hence we can speculate, the Alpha will feature at least 1920 x 1080 resolution and maybe a Snapdragon 820/821 under the hood. Android 7.0 Nougat will probably be onboard and the company’s own overlay plastered on top.

Come join the Maze

At launch, Maze is targeting the European market, but that doesn’t mean the Alpha won’t make it to the US at some point in the future. The China-based company expects the phone to become available sometimes in April, although we don’t have no information about pricing. Somehow we expect it to be cheaper than the Xiaomi Mi MIX.

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