Roving Rovers Floating Launcher Roves around your screen (app review)

When Facebook debuted its chat head system with Facebook messenger in 2013 it was an instant hit. So much so, that when they axed SMS and MMS messaging from the app, it caused quite the uproar. The Paranoid Android ROM makers would soon pick up the mantle and integrate chat head style notifications into their custom baked ROM.

Rovers Floating Launcher is the latest app to feature a floating “chat” head. Except it’s not a chat head, but a floating launcher of sorts. The call them rovers. In this  review, we’ll examine what makes this launcher unique.

Rovers Floating Launcher overview

The nice thing about this launcher is that you don’t have to get rid of your favorite launcher to use this. Rovers Floating Launcher works on top of your existing launcher and applications. It is also highly customizable.

The app is free on Google Play, but there are 3 in-app purchases that will unlock certain features of the app.  First, you are limited to 10 Rovers. By purchasing this upgrade, you’ll be free to add as many rovers to the launcher as you please. Second is more colors. This will allow you to change the color of the individual Rovers. Third is more settings.  This will allow you to customize the trigger’s color, alpha, offset, and size. Each upgrade is $0.99 or you can opt for the complete package for $2.49, save $0.50 in the process and get any other paid upgrades that will be released in the future.

Rovers Floating Launcher setup

When the app first launches, you are greeted with a 5-page tutorial. You’ll find that the tutorial is fairly easy to comprehend. All the basics are there. One only needs to configure the app.

Configuring the launcher is fairly easy to do. There is a plus icon that allows you to add another item that you wish to launch. You can select from apps, shortcuts, actions, and folders.

The folder option is very handy as it allows you to group certain apps, shortcuts, and actions together. Once you select a new folder, you can customize the icon and color scheme of the folder. This is handy as there are no text elements to the launcher and the customizable icons will help you recognize which folders contain which items. One feature that I would like to see is the ability to move already existing Rovers in and out of the folders simply by dragging them. The only way to accomplish this is to remove the Rover from its current location, navigate to the folder, and select the + icon and re-add the Rover. This is a little complicated for my taste.

The apps option is fairly obvious. It allows you to add an app to the launcher.

The shortcut option gives you the ability to direct dial or direct message a contact. You can also connect to bookmarked web pages, Gmail labels, Playlists, and any other shortcuts supported by individual apps.

The action option allows you to open an app drawer, turn on your flashlight, go home, go to your last used app, open your recent apps, open Google search, view battery level, voice search, go to settings, and direct-dial your contacts. You can also clear your ram. I found this feature to be especially helpful as my Asus Padfone X, when docked and undocked, clears out the running apps from your task switcher, but it doesn’t clear it out the ram. So with Rovers I can clear out all available ram with just one click.

Who will enjoy Rovers Floating Launcher?

What I liked about Rovers Floating Launcher is that it is always on top of whatever app you are using and you can toggle settings, launch apps, etc… all without having to leave the application your are using. This is also a small annoyance at times. I sometimes found myself having to frequently move the trigger around so that it was not in the way of my keyboard. You can also hide and show the trigger at will via the notification tray.

If you are looking for a new launcher but aren’t quite ready to get rid of your current launcher, Rovers Floating Launcher is a good place to start. I recommend that you purchase the upgrades as they greatly increase the functionality of the app.

What we liked:

• Floating trigger
• Extreme customizability
• Multifunction Rovers

What could be better:

• Easier folder management
• Automatic trigger movements, like in the case of the keyboard popping up. It would be handy if it would automatically move off of the keyboard area.

Overall

Rovers Floating Launcher is a little bit novelty and a little bit utility, but the utility is drastically increased by purchasing the upgrades. If not for the upgrades I’m not sure that I would keep the app installed on my phone. As it is, I find it a great companion app to my Asus PadFone X.

The post Roving Rovers Floating Launcher Roves around your screen (app review) appeared first on AndroidGuys.

India blocks hundreds of sex sites in the name of ‘decency’

India’s government has been threatening to crack down on porn in the country, and it looks like the administration has made good on its word. The Department of Telecommunications has blocked 857 sex sites (including everything from Fleshbot‘s blog through to hookup site Adult Friend Finder) in the name of “decency.” While the restrictions may not affect everyone — some mobile users report unfettered access, for example — they’re definitely noticeable on at least some landline internet providers. Officials claim that India’s IT Act grants them the authority to block content if it preserves “public order” and prevents sites from inciting crimes.

Whether or not the government actually has that power isn’t so certain. Legal experts believe that the Department may have to provide evidence that the block is truly necessary. Also, the nation’s Chief Justice has contended that banning porn at home would violate personal liberty rights. It won’t be shocking if the courts eventually overturn the censorship move. As it stands, there are questions as to whether or not the ban will be effective. It should be relatively easy to find a workaround (such as using a proxy or virtual private network), and it’s doubtful that there will be a truly comprehensive list of forbidden web pages. Some sites (and some people) are bound to slip through the cracks.

[Image credit: AP Photo/ Bikas Das]

Filed under:
Internet

Comments

Via:
The Independent, Legally India

Source:
Center for Internet & Society

Tags: censorship, civilrights, freespeech, india, internet, isp, porn, sex

New studies analyze growing use of sapphire glass in smartphones

Some new studies by RnR Market Research take a look at the global market for sapphire glass and how manufacturers are responding for demands for supply from smartphone manufacturers. According to one analyst, manufacturers are considering the use of sapphire glass for use in high-end smartphone displays and even Corning is considering adding sapphire glass properties to their Gorilla Glass line of screens.

The research indicates production capacities for sapphire glass are growing around the globe with China and the U.S. leading the way. Interestingly, it appears smaller organizations are finding the most success thus far in spinning up new production capabilities, although bigger manufacturers are coming on as well.

One dynamic identified by the researchers is the impact of the high cost of production of sapphire glass, partly due to limited supplies. This results in the glass really only being appropriate for use in high-end devices. The problem that is looming is the downward price pressure in the high-end smartphone market which works against inclusion of higher-end components like sapphire glass.

On a related issue, RnR Market Research also studied the market for non-glass capacitive sensors. This market is projected to grow by 14.3% from 2014 to 2020. The study notes costs for these non-glass touch screens tend to be five to seven times higher than glass. Despite those high costs, these materials will be incorporated into more devices and applications in the coming years as device manufacturers move into new form factors and add capabilities to traditional smartphones and tablets.

source: RnR Market Research (PR)

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[TA Deals] ZeroLemon SolarJuice 20,000mAh battery for $49

Everyone needs an external battery simply because of how demanding mobile devices have become. When your phone or tablet’s battery is dead while away from a wall outlet or car charger, an external battery can save the day. Right now on Talk Android Deals, you can purchase a massive and durable external battery from ZeroLemon with 50% savings.

The SolarJuice 20,000mAh is encased in a body that is both shockproof and water resistant, offering two-full size USB ports for charging multiple devices simultaneously. But the power and durability of this external battery may not even be the best part. It’s actually capable of drawing its own power from the sun. ZeroLemon included a solar panel on the SolarJuice 20,000mAh to ensure that it is ready to charge your devices at all times.

So how much does the ZeroLemon SolarJuice 20,000mAh battery cost? Only $49 with free shipping. That’s 50% off of the normal $100 price.

[Talk Android Deals]

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