CardSwitcher Updated To v2.0 With Support For iOS 5 And iPad, New Features, And More

Advertisements

If you ever decided to take the time to sit and sift through the hundreds and thousands of packages that live within the default repositories in Cydia, I would imagine you would need to set aside a fair portion of your week in order to get through them all. With that said, even if you managed to sort through the packages, you only come out with a handful of tweaks or extensions that would be classed as essential installations for your jailbroken iOS device.

My own personal Cydia account is rammed full of purchases that I have made in the last few years, with the majority of the purchases being small tweaks designed to alter a tiny part of iOS, or something that I just thought looked good at that time. After using the extensions for a few days, the truth is that most of the purchases haven’t been used since and although they are available for me to download; I choose not to as they are what I would class as flash in the pan tweaks. Opinions may differ on this topic, but I tend to find that for my uses, only a handful of Cydia-based packages would fall under the essential category.

A tweak known as CardSwitcher has been around for quite some time, has received a lot of attention and may be familiar to some of you. Due to the fact it kind of offers the same functionality as the Multifl0w tweak, it has previously been overlooked, as people opt for the software associated with Aaron Ash’s name who has gained popularity with his Barrel extension. The developer of CardSwitcher has spent the last few months rewriting and re-imagining his work to bring it up to date and make it fully compatible with devices running iOS 5. Version 2.0 has recently been released onto the BigBoss repository with the following changes:

• Live application views.
• Refined swipe gestures.
• New grid mode, designed primarily for the larger screen of the iPad but still works without issue on the iPhone and iPod touch.
• Vastly improved performance and memory usage.

The latest version brings an impressive array of improvements, but what about the underlying core functionality of CardSwitcher? Well, the tweak itself can essentially be classified as one that reworks the way multitasking is handled on the device, bringing a visual interface very similar to the now defunct webOS. When the multitasking experience is invoked, either through the standard iOS method or by setting your own through Activator, the native switcher tray is replaced by either a tiled or grid view depending on which is active through the tweak’s settings bundle. The new view allows all backgrounded applications to be seamlessly swiped through and either brought to life again, or removed from multitasking altogether by either pressing the familiar red delete option or using a vertical swipe.

One of the most beautiful parts of the tweak is the inclusion of the live app tiles. Unlike other tweaks of a similar nature which simply display a static image, CardSwitcher shows a live view of the application including any outstanding badged notifications if relevant. Although the CardSwitcher tweak has been rewritten for iOS 5 support, it also features backwards compatibility with every firmware version from iOS 4 to the latest, which is 5.1, which should be enough to cater for all jailbreak needs.

For me, the CardSwitcher tweak essentially takes something that wasn’t broke and fixes it. Native iOS multitasking isn’t something that is in dire need of a makeover and it exists for a purpose and serves that purpose quite well. However, CardSwitcher manages to make the whole multitasking experience for a more, intuitive and extremely visually appealing with a set of stunning animations. The tweak is available on the BigBoss repository at a cost of $1.99 and is available for all iOS devices running iOS 4 and above.

Of course, you will need to jailbreak your device to install this tweak. For jailbreaking the latest iOS 5.1 (tethered), follow the instructions posted here to jailbreak using Redsn0w, or here for Sn0wbreeze. For jailbreaking iPhone 4S and iPad 2, you can simply follow our step by step tutorial posted here to jailbreak iOS 5.0.1 using Absinthe on Windows or Mac. Those of you with an iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad 1, and iPod touches can use Redsn0w or Sn0wbreeze to untether jailbreak on iOS 5.0.1.

Be sure to check out our iPhone Apps Gallery and iPad Apps Gallery to explore more apps for your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the web.

Advertisements

Subscribe to our RSS Feed !

Like this post on Facebook

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Microsoft Lining Up Windows 8 For October 2012 Release

This probably doesn’t come as much as a surprise to many of us, we all knew well that Microsoft are looking to release Windows 8 towards the end of 2012. It also makes sense that they’d want to ship it in time for the holidays to get a some extra bang for their buck. Going on Bloomberg’s report, Microsoft are aiming to ship Windows 8 in October of this year.

According to their report, Microsoft are looking to wrap up work on Windows 8 this summer, with an army of Windows Tablets and other hardware devices shipping with the new OS in October. We’re also being told that both Intel and ARM devices will be hitting our shelves at release.

We’re being told that Microsoft are getting ready to hold an even in April for its industry partners. At this event they will outline release schedules as well as their marketing campaign for the new operating system.

This report pretty much confirms everything we had already been expecting, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Microsoft will want to get Windows 8 on the market as soon as possible. It has to if they want to prevent themselves losing much more ground to Apple.

A lot of Windows 8 success will come down to the range of hardware on offer at launch. There needs to be some killer devices launched with it to tempt people away from the iPad, but more importantly their cash.

Now who wants to place a bet on the release date?

I’m going for October 22nd… sound familiar?

Source:

Bloomberg

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Llama For Android Lets You Set Custom Profiles Based On Location, WiFi, Date And Time

Advertisements

Have I mentioned how Android is really good with context-sensitive apps? Just a few days ago we covered Timeriffic which allowed users to set custom WiFi/data, ringtone and notification, media/system volume settings based on the time of the day. One area where Timeriffic lacked was in its inability to set profiles based in other contexts.

That is where apps like Tasker come in. Tasker lets you set profiles based on a wide variety of contexts but it is pretty difficult to set up. Llama is a Tasker-alternative that provides much of the same functionality but with a more easy to use user-interface. Check it out after the jump!

From Google Play:

Llama uses phone masts to determine your location, so that you can change your ringer, vibrate and ringtones depending on where you are as well as the time of day. Llama provides you with sound profiles so you can quickly switch between quiet, loud, silent and normal sound settings.

We’ve tested the app on a Samsung Galaxy S II on Android 4.0.3 ICS and can confirm that it works as advertised.

As with Timeriffic, an app we covered recently, Llama is a location-sensitive app that lets you set “profiles” of a particular group of settings related to 4G/3G/EDGE, WiFi, Accounts Sync, Bluetooth, GPS, Kill/run apps, screen brightness and screen lock just to name a few. These profiles can be set to be activated based on battery level, day of the week, time of day and, of course, WiFi connectivity and location.

The perfect utility of this app lies with users who are destined to remain care-free most of their lives. As an example, how many of us silence our smartphones when we’re already late for school or a meeting? Well, very few of us. In that case, Llama is a life saving app!

Llama is a free app and it can be downloaded from the link embedded below:

Download Llama – Location Profiles [Play Link]

Be sure to let us know what you think of Llama by leaving a comment over on our Facebook and Google+ page.

You may also like to check out:

• How To Get 23GB Of Free Space On Dropbox Using A Custom APK [Android Only]

Be sure to check out our Android Apps gallery to explore more apps for your Android device.

You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the web.

Advertisements

Subscribe to our RSS Feed !

Like this post on Facebook

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Using Windows 8 With A Mouse And Keyboard

Thanks to the new Metro UI, Windows 8 is certainly heavily geared towards tablets and other touchscreen devices. The Metro UI may seem a little daunting at first because of the lack of visible controls and settings, but once you figure out the different swipes and gestures it becomes second nature to you. Suddenly it makes sense to swipe in from the left when you want to switch to a different app or pinch to zoom out.

Now this is all well and good for touchscreen users, but what about those of us who are still using a mouse and keyboard? The vast majority of Windows machines are all using this traditional set up. Many have criticised Microsoft’s implementation of the mouse and keyboard controls for the Metro UI, but I’ve actually got used to them fairly quick.

I do like the immersive full screen experience that you get with the Metro UI, and this can only be achieved by hiding the controls and settings that we’re used to seeing on screen.

So for those of you who are struggling to get to grips with the Metro UI using your mouse and keyboard, here’s how you can access the different menus and options.

Charm Bar

The Charm Bar in Windows 8 is pretty essential, in fact you can’t even shut down your computer without it! So you’ll have to find this at some stage. It’s also where you’ll find most of the important settings for your PC as well as different sharing options.

To access the Charm bar simply move your cursor to the top right of your screen and then down. Alternatively you can use the keyboard shortcut.

Windows + C

Don’t forget to check out our list of Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts

Start Button

People have been panicking at the lack of the start button in Windows 8. But don’t worry, it’s actually still there, and chances are you’ll discover it when you instinctively go to move your cursor down to where it used to be. All you have to do is move your mouse to the bottom left of the screen and you’ll find it. Alternatively just press the Windows key on your keyboard.

App Settings

Since the Metro Apps are all full screen, it’s not entirely obvious where you go to find the settings for them. However it’s quite simple. All you have to do is right click within the app and you’ll see the settings bar pop up from either the bottom or top of the screen.

Update: As correctly pointed out by the commentators, there is also more app settings if you go to the charm bar while within the app.

Switching Apps

Since there’s no taskbar in the Metro UI, it’s hard to tell which apps you actually have open at the moment. If you move your mouse to the top left of the screen however you’ll see the most recent app you used (Step 1 in the screenshot) and then if you move your cursor down the screen, you’ll see the other apps that you’ve opened (Step 2).

Clicking on one of these thumbnails will bring you to that app.

Semantic Zoom

Semantic Zoom is a cool little feature which allows you to zoom out and see all the apps on your start menu as normally you have to scroll across. To do this all you have to do is hold Ctrl and Scroll out at the same time.

Closing Apps

In theory, with Windows 8 you don’t actually have to close apps because it automatically pauses the apps in the background when you’re not using them to save on battery life and performance. However sometimes you may still want to close them, possibly to free up a bit of RAM. To do that, simply click and drag the app you want to close to the bottom of the screen.

Internet Explorer Tabs

You’ve probably noticed by now that Microsoft have a special version of Internet Explorer for the Metro UI. I was quite confused at first as to how I switch tabs and the likes, but it turns out it’s actually quite simple. Just right click towards the top of the browser window and you’ll find all the options and tabs.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wave Alarm For iOS: Use Motion Gestures To Silence Or Snooze Alarms – Download Now

Advertisements

Of all the essential everyday uses our smartphones give us, the simplest – and perhaps, the most vital – is the alarm clock.

The App store is trawling with various alarm clock apps, most of which don’t bring anything new to the table. There are the rather pleasant "night stand" apps, which give a nice warm glow to a dark room, as well as those which present a collage of beautiful images and backdrops blended into one another. One can get alarm clocks with RSS feeds, weather, and news updates all on standby ready to ease those AM blues, but there’s always room for improvement.

Wave Alarm by Augmented Minds changes the game a little – bringing a trump card over rivaling alarm clock apps. Unlike alternatives, which usually require you to slide in order to stop your alarm, Wave Alarm incorporates Motion Control technology, and as the name entails, you simply wave off your device in order to silence or snooze the alarm.

The description on the App Store states:

Utilizing Motion Control and detection, you never need to touch your phone again in the morning to turn off the alarm or to snooze, just wave your hand over the device when the alarm is sounding, and Wave Alarm will snooze or silence the alarm for you!

It’s an interesting take on just which type of alarm works best, although one suspects a wave is a rather easy way to fob your alarm off, before falling back to sleep. I’m inclined to think that the Math Alarm Cydia tweak is a more appropriate way to wake up – prompting the serial sleeper to solve a minor math problem before the noise can be stopped.

As well as the motion alarm, it’s also possible to have a normal alarm, and music from the device’s library can be used as the wake-up melody. As is the case with all iOS alarm apps (aside from stock), multitasking limitations mean Wave Alarm must be running in the foreground for it to work fully.

It works on all iDevices with front-facing cameras (required for motion detection). It’s free to download and try, but the full version costs $1.99 via in-app purchase.

Download Wave Alarm – Motion Control Alarm Clock for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch [App Store link]

Be sure to check out our iPhone Apps Gallery and iPad Apps Gallery to explore more apps for your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the web.

Advertisements

Subscribe to our RSS Feed !

Like this post on Facebook

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.