Customize Your HTC One Max with Xtended Settings

The HTC One Max is HTC’s answer to the incredibly successful Note series by Samsung. With top notch specs, a beautiful screen, and running Sense 6 (as of a couple of months ago), the One Max is a great device to have in your hand if phablets are your thing. If you happen to be an owner of the One Max and are looking to further customize its interface, in a big way or small way, you may want to check out Xtended Settings.

Developed by Senior Member RichmondoUK, Xtended Settings is an Xposed module which allows you to customize myriad aspects of the UI of your One Max. The scope of options allowed pretty much covers everything there is to change, ranging from the status bar and the home launcher, to the system and CPU. Functions include:

• Statusbar theming support – theme each icon individually!


• Hide specific notifications icons


• MIUI Battery bar with charging animation


• Custom navbar images


• Select custom colour / Animation / Image for app drawer


• Custom 3 finger swipe gestures and 3 finger tap


• Configure long press delay of buttons


• Highly configurable auto-brightness settings, with manual configuration of each sensor value

Of course, in order to run this, you’ll need your device to be rooted and running the fantastic Xposed Framework. RichmondoUK also states that the closer your ROM is to the official firmware of the device, the better the module will run.

If you would like check out just how much you can customize Your One Max, check out the One Max Xtended Settings forum thread for more information.

The post Customize Your HTC One Max with Xtended Settings appeared first on xda-developers.

The Wakie Alarm App Recruits Strangers to Help Get You Out of Bed

Wakie is an Android and Windows Phone app (iOS is currently in the approval process) that lets complete strangers dial you up to help get your ass out of bed, and I couldn't think of anything more terrifying.

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Sony Xperia Z3 Home Launcher and Widgets Ported Android 4.2+ Devices

When the Sony Xperia Z3 was announced a couple of days ago at IFA 2014, many folks were expectedly excited about what new or improved experiences the device would offer. And just yesterday, the system dump of this new device was made available opening the floodgates for ports to be made to other devices. Now, users of other devices, be it Sony or not, can try out a big part of the new Xperia Z3 with the port of its home launcher and widgets.

This comes thanks to the efforts of XDA Recognized Developer Sahaab who has managed to get the new home launcher and accompanying widgets of the Xperia Z3 working on Xperia and non-Xperia devices running Android 4.2 and newer. The port will work with both rooted and non-rooted devices, and it can be installed by either pushing the app to your device’s system/app directory, or installed like a normal APK. Sahaab plans to backport this to Android 4.1, and if possible, Android 4.0.

One of the most noticeable changes introduced by the new home launcher is the persistent Google search bar at the top of the screen, much like Google’s stock launcher. App icons are also bigger, and some aspects of the interface have a much more ‘Material’ Design.

If you want to check out the port, head over to the Xperia Z3 home launcher port thread to get started.

The post Sony Xperia Z3 Home Launcher and Widgets Ported Android 4.2+ Devices appeared first on xda-developers.

Chrome demo includes debut of password generator

If you’re the type who keeps Chrome to the newest experimental build of the browser then you’re in for a nice surprise if you check out the latest version. Included in the build is a password generator that should give third party software like LastPass and 1Password a run for its money.

When you try to login on to a site that needs a password, you will see a prompt for a strong but very remember-able password. If you choose to use this password, it will be automatically saved to your Chrome passwords. Nifty, eh?

If you are one of those who has made the Chrome Canary jump, the same system is already available – but a couple of flags need to be activated. We warn you that if you don’t know what flags are, or you are not sure what on earth we’re talking about – you probably have no business tweaking Chrome Canary. If you’re sure you want to do this, head on over to the source link for the instructions.

While Google is definitely behind the third party apps in terms of this feature’s time online, the mothership is no stranger to overtaking competitors who were there first. If you’re brave enough, go give this a try and tell us how you like it.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Chrome Beta for Android gets Material, single sign-in


• Chrome for Android Beta closes door on LastPass feature


• Chrome Browser v37 now has Google's material design

Dell Chromebox for Meetings focuses on video conferencing

In February, Google announced the “Chromebox for Meetings” initiative as Google wanted to expand its considerable market reach into the enterprise space. Dell – a global leader in enterprise computers and devices – has taken up the cause with its new Dell Chromebox for Meetings.

The premise behind Chromebox for Meetings is simple – build a small computer aimed at businesses and telecommuters elegantly simple enough in hardware but has enough punch to power video conferencing and collaboration.

The Dell Chromebox is exactly this – running with the latest Intel 4th generation processors, a full HD webcam, a speaker phone, and the cabling to mount the box almost anywhere in your office space. The design is very compact and should fit well into growing and medium-sized businesses.

Current generation video outputs will not be a problem – the Dell Chromebox has multiple ports including the more common HDMI, outputting to dual monitors, and even 4K resolution output capability. And as this is a Chromebox, users will have access to familiar Chrome-based applications. This Dell solution should be a boon to medium-sized businesses who want to upgrade their video conferencing capabilities. The Dell Chromebox is priced at USD$999, and the solution includes one year support and service in the US.

SOURCE: Dell

Story Timeline

• Dell Chromebook 11 unveiled for education


• Google introduces 'Chromebox for Meetings', a big enterprise solution in a tiny box


• HP announces their new Chromebox, available this spring in four colors

New features might trickle down to old Moto X, G users

Motorola’s Vice President of Product Management Punit Soni may have just given a lifeline to those who own last year’s variant of the Moto X and the Moto G. With the launch of the new Moto X at IFA 2014, we’re seeing a lot of new features to the brand spanking new upgrade – but there is hope for the old Moto X (and possibly Moto G) yet.

In a Google Plus post, Punit Soni said regarding the new Moto’s features that “all that software will come to all our existing users too” with the caveat of “as long as the hardware allows it”. There are a lot of good things that we can say about the new Moto X, but it is quite comforting for old Moto X users that there might be some life in their old devices yet.

These new features include the improved “Moto Voice” features, which now lets you post directly to Facebook status or play YouTube videos via voice – among other things. Gestures (a.k.a. waving your hand in front of your phone like a magician) have been given a new lease on life via “Moto Actions”, utilizing the device’s IR sensor to do tasks and processes on the Moto X. These are just a few of those things that might trickle down to last year’s flagship – with the big “if” of hardware compatibility.

That said, last year’s Moto X did lag behind the rest in terms of specific hardware. But we’re pretty sure that some of the features may make it to your old Moto X. So yes, there is reason to hold on to that old handset for now, even as you’re being mesmerized by the new one that we know you will buy for sure.

SOURCE: Punit Soni, Google Plus

Story Timeline

• New Moto X makes another benchmark appearance at GFXBench


• The new Moto G: bigger, faster, still pure Android


• The new Moto X builds on an already successful device

Android Wear announces upcoming features for wearables

Google made noises after the Google I/O developers’ conference this year that more features will be coming to Android Wear – that umbrella of wearable devices where Google’s stamp of approval makes everything official like. Android Wear top honchos said that the announcement will be made by end of year, and true to their word, we have that announcement at hand.

During Google I/O, Android Wear was front and center together with the mothership’s announcement of Android L. At IFA 2014 in Berlin, it seems that a lot of manufacturers have taken notice of the new market for wearables and a lot – we mean a LOT – of wearable devices will be getting unveiled through the course of the trade show. But not all of them will be Android Wear.

To the official ones – like the newfangled Moto 360, the ASUS Zen Watch, the LG G Watch, and the new Sony SmartWatch 3 – new official features are coming out. First is offline music playback, where you can take your smartwatch on your bike ride or run independent of your smartphone, and play music that is directly stored on your watch streamed to a Bluetooth headset. And if a watch has the hardware for it, users can track their speed and distance via native GPS support.

Lastly, Google has announced that there will be downloadable watch faces soon via the Google Play Store – it is already in communication with manufacturers to make this possible. This brings a whole new level of customization and personalization to your Android Wear device. So which one are you getting, if ever? Tell us about it.

SOURCE: Android Official

Story Timeline

• Android Wear crucial features, updates by end of the year


• Moto 360 puts a real watch with Android Wear on your wrist


• Android Wear 2.0 rumored to arrive this October 15