jbOS7 An iOS7 Inspired Theme For Android

With all the buzz around Apple’s upcoming iOS7 update, it’s no wonder that many Android users are curious as to what all the commotion is about. The recent release of iOS7 beta to certain users has given plenty of information about the look and feel of the new iOS and some intrepid Android developers have brought the experience to Android devices. The name jbOS7 stands for Jelly Bean OS 7, a play on the name of the current Android distribution and the upcoming iOS update.

To use jbOS7, you’ll need a launcher for the skin to work with. If you’ve got a working one, jbOS7 is a simple download and install from a provided link at Dropbox. Once the theme has been applied, you’re ready to play around with the finest faux iOS7 skin for Android around. The developers have definitely done their homework in emulating the exact look of iOS7’s color scheme and icon styling. If you like experimenting with a bunch of different themes, jbOS7 is definitely worth a try. To be honest, it looks like it borrows a lot from the look of Windows 8 in terms of the minimalism and font usage. The skin is full of bright, airy colors that make the whole thing feel lighter and sunnier.

Some people might debate how necessary it is to bring the atmosphere of Android’s arch nemesis to an Android device. Others just want to experience the whole gamut of styling options. Either way, you have the choice with jbOS7 to bring the look of iOS7 to your device a few months before it is officially released. Like many modern interface designs, it looks clean, bright, and free of unwanted clutter.

You can download jbOS7 from here.

Top 5 Network Switches for 2013

What are some of the best network switches for 2013? When comparing network switches, it’s worth thinking about how many ports they can handle, as well as the amount of layers they can provide for a network. The best network switches will also offer integration with fibre optics and admin services that can allow you to manage large scale LANs. The best switches at the moment still come from leading brands like Netgear and Cisco, with Cisco switches being particularly impressive in 2013. Some of the best switches include:

1 – Netgear GSM7328S

This premium switch can handle 24 ports, and operates at Layer 3 as a managed device. The extra capacity that the switch offers makes it one of the best available for gigabit switching, with 10 Gbps slots available. The GSM7328S is also recommended as a low latency switch capable of handling large amounts of traffic, as well as connections to fibre optic cabling. A power module is also available for backing up data onto an RPS if a mains power supply goes down.

2 – ASUS Ethernet Switch GX-D1051

A budget switch from ASUS, the GX-D1051 has a Gigabit capacity, and can be ideal for small businesses and homes that don’t require comprehensive switching; this switch has five ports, an extended warranty, and Jumbo Frame support. Compact enough to be discreetly used in the home or an office, the Gbps speeds that this switch can handle puts it above most other Ethernet devices in its category.

3 – Cisco Catalyst 2960S-24TS-L Switch

Of the many Cisco switches currently available, the 2960S-24TS-L is recommended if you want to manage a large scale network; it has 24 ports, and 4 dual purpose SFP GigE ports, as well as a LAN base. The enhanced switching services that Cisco offer can be combined with IP communications, and can be set up to handle multiple levels of traffic, while also being stackable with other switches if you need to build up a server room system.

4 – Netgear GS605

Another good option for a home switch, the Netgerar GS605 can handle 5 ports, and can push into a capacity of 1000 Mbps. In this way, the GS605 is a worthwhile investment if you’re regularly transferring large files, or if you’re playing online games. One of the best for detecting when a network is overloading, this switch is also useful for small businesses that only require a desktop switch for handling traffic.

5 – Cisco SF102-24-UK

If you’re looking for a solid switch for your business, then the 100 Series from Cisco remains one of the best options you can take in 2013. This plug and play switch is part of Cisco’s Small Business Range, and as an unmanaged switch it can be used to deliver efficient, low power networking. You can also upgrade the SF102-24-UK if you need to, while also combining a small switch for your LAN with larger managed switches if you decide to expand your IT infrastructure.

Author Bio :

Rosette is a blogger with a special interest in network solutions and business IT. She’s been particularly impressed by the performance of cisco switches over the past few years.

How to Make Android phone look like 3D Home

Getting tired of the stock Android launcher on your device? Wish you could spend a few moments relaxing in the privacy of your own digital home before starting an app? Well, 3D Home might just be what you’re looking for. 3D Home transforms your device from a cold, technological slab into a personalized space that will shout out your arrival to the world.

In essence, you are given a large room to decorate with a variety of furniture, wallpaper, and themes to choose from. You can place the furniture however you see fit, but in the end it all looks kind of sterile like an art exhibit with stuff hung on the walls. The furniture does more than just sit there and look pretty, it actually functions as a way to intuitively launch common Android apps. If you want to make a phone call you…pick up the phone sitting on the table. See an irresistible photo op? Grab the camera icon. It is very gimmicky but it’s also fun and breathes some new life into the Android interface. Besides the furniture for the stock apps, you can also place the standard app icons anywhere you like for quick access.

The launcher isn’t just about opening apps, it’s really meant to evoke the experience of having a personal room. The room consists of a series of panels, a floor, and a roof, all of which can be customized. Scrolling through them provides a slick 3D effect which is where the name comes from and enhances the feeling of being in an actual physical space. You can even look up at the sky which can be set to match your local weather conditions in a very creative touch.

3D Home is available now for free on Google Play. If you’re into fun launchers, give it a try.

Source: 3D Home For Android

[Image Credit: Google Play Store]

Get Running With QWOP For Android

QWOP is a zany running game for iOS and PC that is just now coming to Android. In it, you control a world class track athlete in a variety of sporting events including the 100m Dash, Hurdles, Long Jump, Steeplechase, and a 50k Walk. In case you’re wondering, QWOP is the name of a mysterious runner from a wealthy Scandinavian country. Your guess is as good as any as to what it means.

You control QWOP by rotating twin diamond shaped pads in a clockwise motion to make QWOP’s legs move. Each point on the diamond is a cycle in QWOP’s stride. If you get the timing right, he runs smoothly along the track. If you don’t he goes crashing to the ground with some goofy physics. You can also tilt your device to make QWOP lean forward or back. It’s not easy at all but it can be a lot of fun when it goes right and still funnier when it doesn’t. Each of the events is slightly different and surprisingly true to what you would expect from a real sporting event. You can even compete with friends by comparing performance on Google Game Services leaderboards.

QWOP is a little insane but it’s also great fun. The graphics are as crazy as the game sounds but somehow they fit it perfectly. The controls take a lot of practice and can be somewhat buggy but most of the time they work. It’s a perfect time to go running, so give QWOP a spin around the track. QWOP is available now on Google Play for $0.99.

Source: QWOP App For Android

[Image Credit: Google Play Store]

 

Flash Often With Flashify (for root users)

For all those Android explorers constantly juggling the latest ROMs and images, Flashify has you covered. You will need to have root access to your device to use Flashify, but once you do, you can flash boot and recovery images as well as any zip files. One of the best features is the ability to flash any of these directly from Android without going into recovery mode. If you’re always swapping out builds or experimenting with the latest and greatest in Android, this is a real life saver and your changes will all be there with a quick reboot.

Flashify is also a great backup tool, and you can backup or restore your recovery image or kernel. The data can be saved to an SD card or you can use Dropbox for cloud saves. Going even further with the Dropbox integration, you can synchronize your updates across all Android devices instantly or save them on your desktop. The app also supports using other file browsers to instantly flash from a different app, which is a very thoughtful addition.

Flashify keeps a detailed history of all changes, updates, etc. done through the app in case you want to keep track or find yourself getting lost after dozens of flashes. The history feature is a fantastic way to remind yourself of what you’ve done or to track down any issues that may arise from flashing different things to the device.

Flashify is available now on Google Play for free, though you are limited to 3 flashes per day. If you cough up $1.99, you can flash all you want.

Source: Flashify App for Android

[Image Credit: Google Play Store]

Liven Up Photos With ShapeThat For iOS

ShapeThat puts a different spin on your photos with its collection of over 180 different masks. The masks come in four categories called shapes, symbols, words and letters. The concept is very simple but it’s a lot of fun and with the variety available, there is almost surely the right shape for your photo. ShapeThat has a clean interface and is very user friendly with helpful icons that explain everything you’d want to do.

You begin by choosing a photo on the camera roll, or taking a new photo that you’d like to use. The app also has the option to use Facebook photos if you link your account. Then, you can browse each category for the right mask you want to apply to the photo. The variety of masks is amazing and they’re all very sleek and well made. Next, you can resize the mask or leave it as the default. This is a really great feature that allows for some control and creativity over the finished photo. Finally, you can change the color of the mask itself to match the photo or however you’d like. You can even adjust the photo position underneath the mask if you only want a part of it or to help it fit the mask. Once it’s done, your masterpiece is ready to share with the world. You can email it to someone, share through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or just save it to the camera roll on your device.

ShapeThat is available now on the App Store, free for a limited time. If you’re looking for a fun tool to add something extra to your photos, you can’t go wrong with ShapeThat.

 Source: ShapeThat App for iOS

[Image Credit: Apple iTunes Store]