HTC uses a new lock screen on the HTC Flyer Tablet and HTC Sensation 4G smartphone. There’s a ring at the bottom for the screen that you can pull to unlock your device — but there are also four icons for apps that you can launch by dragging them into that same ring. This lets you launch some apps without first unlocking your device and then finding… Read more »

Most smartphones with touchscreens have some sort of a lock screen that requires you to swipe a pattern or enter a passcode before you can start using your phone. This keeps you from accidentally making a phone call, deleting email messages, or topping your high score in Angry Birds if your screen accidentally turns on while your phone is in your pocket. But it also… Read more »

Your Android phone or tablet will turn off the display after a certain period of time if you’re not using the device. This is a good thing, because it helps save battery life. But it can also be annoying because the next time you turn on the display you’ll also probably have to swipe to unlock the device. If you’re listening to music and constantly… Read more »

Amazon has launched updated versions of its Appstore for Android and its Amazon MP3 app for Android. The latest version of the Appstore brings a series of bug fixes, and if you have the Appstore installed on your device you should be prompted to update automatically. The latest Amazon MP3 app for Android brings a couple of  interesting changes. The most noticeable change is probably… Read more »

The developers behind the Songbird music player have released an updated version that adds support for tablets running Google Android 3.0. But there are also improvements fro smartphone users including better support for Bluetooth headsets, improved widget stability, and the ability to hear audible notifications even when music is playing. The lock screen widget lets you play or pause music or skip tracks without first… Read more »

In order to do pretty much anything on an Android phone, you need to hit the power button and then slide your finger across the unlock button in order to get to the home screen. That is, unless you install FlyScreen, an application that lets you add widgets to the lock screen. Then all you have to do is hit the power button to interact… Read more »