Hasta La Gadget!

There are scores of Android launchers out there for people who don’t want to be stuck with TouchWiz (or whatever bloated skin came with your phone). But choosing among them can be a chore. With so many features to parse, which launcher should you use? Last week, we put the question to you, our fabulously informed readers. Here’s what we learned.

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If you want stability…

Nova was the launcher you all recommended most often, and with a good reason: It’s steady, fast as hell, and easy to use. Upgrading to Nova Prime for $4 unlocks a few bonus features, including an immensely useful scrollable dock. It’s available for Android 4.0 and up.

Recommended by Dana Yurcisin

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If you want something fresh…

Of all the launchers we tried out after our round-up last week, Everything.me felt the most like something new. The free launcher is currently in beta for phones running 4.0 and up. We’re particularly fond of the homescreen search widget that queries your apps, messages, files, as well as the web for keywords.

Recommended by ChevyC10

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If you want your home screen to look like stock Android…

Like Nova, Apex Launcher retains much of the core Android functionality but adds a lot of handy features—like widget resizing—as well as some super-deep customization like giving you the ability to set the duration of your phone vibrations. A $4 upgrade to Apex Launcher Pro unlocks loads of new features, including two-finger gestures. Like many current top launchers, it’s available for phones running 4.0 or higher.

Recommended by PixelSnader

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If you want your home screen to look like iOS

For a screen that looks like iOS in the Forestall era, check out the free Esper Launcher. Compatibility varies from phone to phone so you’ll have to check to Google Play link so see if it’ll work for you.

Recommended by Marty_LK

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If you want your home screen to look like Windows Phone…

Simply put, Launcher 8 (Android 2.0+, free) turns your Android homescreen into a Ballmer-worthy Metro paradise of square tiles. Yay, flat design.

Recommended by Salmanorguk

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If your phone is ancient (and you’re cheap)…

Unlike some of its newer brethren, Go Launcher EX has been around forever, so it’s reportedly compatible with phones running OS versions all the way back to Android 1.6. Another benefit of its long existence is a massive community of users, and over 10,000 downloadable themes. And it’s FREE.

Recommended by Inspektor

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Just because the PlayStation 4 centers around an AMD-based platform doesn’t mean that NVIDIA is out of the picture. The graphics firm is updating the software developer kits for both its Apex dynamics framework and PhysX physics modeling system to address Sony’s new console, even if they won’t have the full hardware acceleration that comes with using NVIDIA’s own chipsets. The introductions will mostly take some of the guesswork out of creating realistic-looking games — theoretically, adding a larger number of collisions, destructible objects and subtler elements like cloth and hair modeling. Most of us won’t see the fruits of the updated SDKs until at least this holiday, but programmers looking for more plausible PS4 game worlds can hit the source links.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony, NVIDIA

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Source: NVIDIA (1), (2)

If the keyboards we saw in the run up to CES told us anything, it’s that you ain’t a serious gamer unless your keys be lit. We guess it’s a good thing, then, that the two new ‘boards SteelSeries has brought to the show — the Apex and Apex [RAW] — aren’t lacking that all-important backlighting. Both feature low-riding main keys, an extra-fat space bar, a bunch of macro keys, some extra arrow keys, and various other tricks and treats to give you the upper hand in-game. Despite the [RAW] sounding cooler, it’s actually the lower-spec model, with a few less macro keys / options and only white backlights. The Apex ‘proper’ (pictured above) adds a couple of USB ports to the frame, multicolor backlighting with “ActiveZones” for painting different sections distinct hues, and extra customization options for “more ways to win.” SteelSeries’ Engine software manages your setup — profiles, macros, lighting and such — as well as recording keystroke stats if that’s your bag. The Apex and Apex [RAW] won’t be hitting stores until Q2 this year, but when they do, expect them to set you back $100 / $70, respectively.

Continue reading SteelSeries announces Apex and Apex [RAW] gaming keyboards (yes, the keys are backlit)

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

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We’ve been waiting for Roku to release its miniaturized dongle since CES, and now we finally know the flash drive-sized Streaming Stick will be available next month for $99. Priced the same as as the Roku 2 XS set-top box, it brings the same feature set but in a smaller package designed to work directly with your HDTV, thanks to power, remote control and data signals fed through an MHL-compatible HDMI port. While it will work with other MHL-ready host devices, manufacturers with Roku Ready stamped and certified HDTVs on shelves this fall will include Apex, Insignia and Hitachi — Onkyo plans to ship receivers early next year. If you pick up an otherwise dumb flat-panel with the stick bundled along with it the price is set by that manufacturer, but the standalone plan means buyers savings are focused on the two cables they won’t be needing, and simplified remote capability since their TV remote can talk to the Stick directly. Like the Roku 2 XS, the Streaming Stick also includes the motion control capable game remote.

A separate move will benefit many existing Roku owners, as it is also announcing that Walmart-owned Vudu is launching on the platform today. You will need a Roku HD (2500), LT or Roku 2 box (or the Streaming Stick, once it launches) to take advantage of the Vudu app and its streams that bring quality of up to 1080p and 7.1 surround sound. That also means access to Vudu-compatible UltraViolet movie titles on yet another set-top box, if that’s a consideration, and users score a $5.99 credit with Vudu just for linking the account to their boxes. All the details are in the press release after the break, and on the Roku blog.

Continue reading Roku Streaming Stick launches in October for $99, Vudu comes to the Roku platform today

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Roku Streaming Stick launches in October for $99, Vudu comes to the Roku platform today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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