How to switch between your recently used apps on Android

android
This week's tips series is all about Android, highlighting some the operating system's built-in utilities, and better ways of getting stuff done. For other technology tips, check our Tips index.

Android is inherently capable of multitasking, and has a sophisticated mechanism for deciding which applications should be kept running in the background, and which should be killed to conserve system resources. That means Android keeps tabs on which applications are running, and when.

It turns out there's a simple way to tap into this mechanism: A long press of the Home hardware button on your device pops up an overlay screen showing the most recently-used applications. You can then just tap an application's icon to instantly switch to it. Handy!

How to switch between your recently used apps on Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/24/how-to-switch-between-your-recently-used-apps-on-android/

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Insidia is a dark-yet-forgiving platformer -- Time Waster

insidia
So you're an alien, tooling around in free space in your little spaceship... when suddenly, disaster strikes! Your craft is hit by a meteor, and you're forced to crash-land on an unfamiliar, dark planet.

That's where Insidia starts off. Now that you're on the planet, you have to navigate its complex maze of rooms and corridors in search of repair kits for your craft. Once you find all ten repair kits, you'd be able to leave the planet (and win the game).

Unlike many other platformers, Insidia is not linear. As you progress through the game, you reveal more and more passages and rooms, but you also go through some places more than once. When you hit M you get a nice map that shows everywhere you've been so far and gives you a sense of how much is still to be explored.

As you walk around, you find items that improve your abilities (a double-jump power-up, for example). And when something kills you, you just respawn at the last "save point", with all of your items and abilities intact. I love that, because it means dying is not a big deal - it's just a part of the game, and it doesn't make you feel like you're failing.

All in all, this is a platformer I could certainly spend some time with.

Insidia is a dark-yet-forgiving platformer -- Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/27/insidia-is-a-dark-yet-forgiving-platformer-time-waster/

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Skype hints at video calling for Android users on AT&T, promises improvements to Qik

We haven't heard a ton out of Skype since its acquisition of Qik last month, but executives from the two companies have finally done a bit of talking at Mobile World Congress this week. As you might expect, any actual merger of the two applications is still a ways off, but Skype has revealed that it plans to share some of its technical expertise to improve the quality of Qik video calls on Sprint and T-Mobile devices, and Skype exec Rick Osterloh also said that we should "watch out for some announcements" when it comes to AT&T. Considering Skype for iPhone already does video calls on AT&T, we assume that means we should look for video calling to come to Android phones on the carrier as well. In the longer term, PC Magazine reports that the "new vision" for Skype and Qik involves Skype's video call technology being used alongside Qik's video mail, video sharing and live streaming abilities, although the companies aren't providing any timeline for when any of that might happen.

Skype hints at video calling for Android users on AT&T, promises improvements to Qik originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/GZo8Mh5zRqg/

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uTorrent 3 hands on: zero-config Web control, streaming, and one-click file sharing

uTorrent LogouTorrent 3 beta [download link], which has been publicly available since the end of 2010, is now stable enough and juicy enough for you to sink your teeth into.

As far as actual torrenting goes, uTorrent 3 is very similar to its precursor, but it's now very apparent that this new version is about extending the BitTorrent protocol -- and the company -- into another space entirely.

The main new feature, which we alluded to when we reviewed uTorrent Remote for Android last week, is integration with uTorrent Web. uTorrent Web is a completely new offering from BitTorrent (the company) that offers secure and private zero-config control of your torrents via a Web control panel.

There's more, though! Video and music streaming makes its return, and 'Pulse' torrent ratings are making their debut. Finally, there's a new way to share files with your friends with the magic of TinyURL, BitTorrent, and 'Web Seeds.' Read on for the full hands-on treatment.

Continue reading uTorrent 3 hands on: zero-config Web control, streaming, and one-click file sharing

uTorrent 3 hands on: zero-config Web control, streaming, and one-click file sharing originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/07/utorrent-3-hands-on-zero-config-web-control-streaming-and-one/

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Weekly Links ? Did you miss anything on The Gadgeteer this week?

This was a busy week for gadget news. HP announced 3 new webOS devices set to be released this year and the Verizon iPhone 4 went on sale in Verizon shops. If you don’t subscribe to our daily email newsletter or our RSS feed, you might have missed one of these articles. Don’t worry, you [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/02/12/weekly-links-did-you-miss-anything-on-the-gadgeteer-this-week-2/

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Apple details call-related differences between CDMA and GSM iPhones

Kamikaze Blocks is an explosive Time Waster

kamikazeblocks
When I write up a game, I usually have to classify it one way or the other: either it's an arcade-type game, or it's something more cerebral. Well, Kamikaze Blocks is one game that says, "why choose?"

The premise of the game is simple: It's a physics shooter, the type where you have to set off one or more explosive charges to blow all the blocks off the board. But what's unique about it is that you can choose whether or not you'd like to have a limited supply of shots every level. So if you want easy, arcade-style gameplay, you've got it - just use unlimited shots and blow those blocks off the board like there's no tomorrow.

On the other hand, if you're actually interested in a puzzle experience, simply select to have a limited number of shots, and there you go. Each level has a different quota of shots, depending on how complex it is.

Another thing I like about this game is the part where the fish eat the blocks once they've fallen off the stage. They make a really cute chewing sound!

Kamikaze Blocks is an explosive Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/24/kamikaze-blocks-is-an-explosive-time-waster/

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Sony releases statement on PS3 hacking, surprisingly comes out against it

In the wake of recent developments in Sony's war on Geohot, the company has released an "Official Statement Regarding PS3 Circumvention Devices and Pirated Software," which reads, in part:
Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently.

To avoid this, consumers must immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems.

In other words: get caught with custom firmware, find yourself banished from the PlayStation Network forever. Seems rather reasonable. More reasonable than, say, filing a motion in court for the usernames and IP addresses of everyone who posted comments on Geohot's YouTube video. Read the entire statement at the source link.

Sony releases statement on PS3 hacking, surprisingly comes out against it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/sony-releases-statement-on-ps3-hacking-surprisingly-comes-out-a/

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Gallo, Sterling, Opus One and Silver Oak Android tablets on Dell's leaked roadmap [Exclusive]

Dell tablet roadmap

Dell's tablet roadmap has been leaked by a very reliable tipster along with Dell Android Smartphones and Dell Windows Phones, and it appears that there are four new Android tablets in the works.  According to the roadmap, we should expect the Dell Gallo, a Honeycomb tablet, sometime around April of this year. That will be followed by the Dell Sterling, running Honeycomb in Q4.  We also have the Dell Opus One and Dell Silver Oak (best name ever!) for sometime in Q1 of 2012.  The roadmap makes mention that these 2012 tablets will be running Honeycomb as well, but we wouldn't be surprised if that ends up changing. True hardcore tablet lovers will note that the Gallo is set to receive a "Handwriting" update in Q4, while the Streak 7 may get an update in Q3.

Heck, it's out our bag, but Dell also has Windows 7 tablets planned under the codenames Rosemount and Peju.

We'll be very interested to see what Dell brings to the table with these four Android tablets, and as soon as we know more you can read it here.

Be sure to check out the Dell 2011 Android Smartphones and the Dell 2011 Windows Phone roadmap!

Thanks Anonymous!

Gallo, Sterling, Opus One and Silver Oak Android tablets on Dell's leaked roadmap [Exclusive] posted originally by Android Central

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Toyota to show off iQ EV prototype, put it into production next year

Toyota has been showing off an electric vehicle concept based on its iQ ultra-compact for a couple of years now, but it looks like it's finally worked up enough confidence to actually put it into production. The first step down that road will occur at the Geneva Motor Show next month, where Toyota will show off a "near-production" prototype of its iQ EV (not necessarily the actual name), which is apparently much like its FT-EV concept, but with an improved lithium-ion battery pack that promises a range of 105 kilometers (or 65 miles) on a single charge. Assuming all goes as planned, the car will then be put into production following some additional testing later this year, and Toyota will reportedly begin leasing it to consumers at some point in 2012 -- Europe seems to be first in line for the car, but it will apparently be headed to North America as well.

Toyota to show off iQ EV prototype, put it into production next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/toyota-to-show-off-iq-ev-prototype-put-it-into-production-next/

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