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Introduction
One of the attractions of an Android device is how easily you can make it own. There are very few elements of the phone that you can't change the appearance of and there are apps that can change the way that you accomplish almost any task.
In the last month I have changed a lot on my phone. Updates follow.
Home Replacement App
Last month I wrote:
"I have tried many home replacement apps only to return to the default home app that came on the phone. The biggest reason is stability. The phone just seems to perform better with the stock home app. I see less lag and almost no lock-ups with the default app."
Well that's changed. I am now using LiveHome. The reasons:
- ability to hide the unused icons in the app tray
- wrap-around scrolling through the homescreens
- app-tray for shortcuts you use frequently and want accessible from every screen
- hide text on homescreen icons
- setting for homescreen rotate. I like it off, but I know there are others who like for it to rotate.
Things I would like to see:
- The ability to lock the action buttons once you have them set. I keep missing the trash can and replacing them.
- A way to access the screen previews besides using the home button. I like the home button to take me to the main homescreen, but I would like to be able to use the previews.
I have it set up very close to the stock home app, with the dialer and contacts as my action buttons. I use the app tray for some of the shortcuts I normally have on my main homescreen. This cleans up the screen and makes them available from any screen. I like the rotate and book screen transitions.
I will do a complete review of LiveHome, but for now you can see what it looks like on my phone with the included screenshots.
Current Phone Setup
This is my phone setup. Starting with the leftmost screen. One of the big changes is that I am only using three screen. With the wrap-around screen scrolling in LiveHome this puts me one swipe away from any of the screens.
Screen One
This screen has folders for applications, tools (utilities), pictures and videos, and system shortcuts.
The applications folder
If you want to keep track of maintenance on your vehicles your should look at aCar.
The tools folder
Of note here is the Backflip Flashlight because it uses the camera LED and WiFi Analyzer because it can help you find the best channel for your network.
The pics/vids/audio folder
Rehearsal Assistant will continue to record even when you switch to another app. Ringdroid is a must if you want to cut snippets of longer sound files saved on your phone to use for tones.
The system folder
Auto Ring allows you to whitelist contacts that can interrupt you even if you have your phone on vibrate or silent mode. It even has a "missed mode" that will only allow your phone to ring after a set number of missed calls in a user configurable period of time. Great for not missing the really important calls.
Status and Testing are shortcuts created with Anycut that take you to detailed info about your phone.
Toggle Screen Timeout is an application that switches between your screen timeout setting and no timeout.
Screen Two (Main Homescreen)
These two screenshots show the homescreen with LiveHome's replacement bottom bar. I have the bar setup with my dialer on the left and contacts on the right. In LiveHome these are configurable 'action buttons'. If you want different shortcuts there you juts drag them into position and whatever you drag there will replace the current shortcut.
The right hand screenshot shows LiveHome's app dock open. You access the app dock by swiping the bar up. Shortcuts you place here can be accessed from any screen.
To open the app dock hold the app tray button. It will change color and a small arrow will appear, then swipe up.
To close the app dock hold at the top of the dock area and the color will change and then let go.
The widgets on my main homescreen are Digital Clock, Quick Calendar, No Lock, WiFi OnOff.
The apps in the app dock are Ring Toggle, K-9 Mail, Handcent, and Toggle Screen Timeout.
Screen Three
This screen has folders for programs that access the internet, search tools, and music related apps. The only widget is the stock widget for the AT&T music player.
Every app in this folder uses internet access.
These are music related apps. Pandora Radio is for streaming music over the internet. Playlist Builder lets you create filters that generate playlists for use with the music player.
Additional Screenshots
My favorite LiveHome screen transition - rotate effect
LiveHome app tray with 4 columns. It can be set for 1-6 columns.
When you tap the top bar in the app tray in LiveHome you can select a sub-set of your apps to view.
The homescreen in landscape. While LiveHome supports this, I don't use it. The transition is just too slow.
Summary
That's my phone now. It may or may not stay the same.
I have stopped using Apps Organizer. The 'folders' it creates can only hold app shortcuts, not shortcuts created by AnyCut. It also seemed to be slowing my phone down.