Worth Reading? There’s no shortage of custom launcher apps for your Android smartphone, but when it comes to tablets, options have been somewhat lacking for the better part of a year. One of the first to release a true tablet launcher comes from a familiar place: the Go Launcher team. Their new app, titled Go Launcher HD for Pad, is designed for Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich tablets, and it’s a free download in the Google Play Store. If you’re looking for something beyond the standard launcher that’s built for tablets from the ground up, you should check it out. The standard bells and whistles are present, including customizable home screens and animations, a new interface for adding icons and widgets, and more settings than you can shake a capacitive stylus at. It keeps the basic layout and structure of the Honeycomb/ICS launcher, but adds in a special section for GO’s extensive collection of free and paid widgets. In a nod towards the smartphone version of the launcher, there’s an option for a persistent set of docked shortcuts along the bottom row that are customizable, not unlike the tray icons in Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series. Early reaction is mixed. While most are happy to see another launcher option for Android tablets, many have reported stability issues with the early release. Expect this to improve, as the app is only at version 1.01 at the moment (the latest release was today, as a matter of fact). Other small complaints include ICS-style automatic folders and a few widget incompatibilities. Note that GO Launcher HD is only for tablets; even smartphones that run Ice Cream Sandwich won’t be able to install it from the Google Play Store. Read More
So today is Christmas for many of us (or something similar) and for all of you that were lucky enough to tear open the wrapping paper on a brand new ASUS Transformer Prime or Galaxy Tab and are wondering what apps or games to try for that new Android tablet — we have you covered. Below you’ll find a few awesome choices for that 7 or 10 inches of screen real estate. Unlike our list of top smartphone apps today we’ll just feature 5 awesome Android tablet apps — or six. Below are a few of the personal favorites from Android Community that we’ve featured in the past because they are just that great. We’ll start with my all time favorite for showing off graphics. Riptide GP If you’d like to show off the amazing graphics or games available for that new tablet be sure and get Riptide GP. This is the premiere racing game for Android — only its all on water. This jet-ski style high paced racing game will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the edge of your tablet screen. Controlling jet ski’s by cranking that tablet left and right like a steering wheel sounds fun right? With some of the best graphics on a mobile device this will keep you entertained with hours of gameplay. The water effects in particular are highly impressive. Dolphin Browser for Pad While still currently at a beta level Dolphin Browser is the best 3rd party browser for Android hands-down (if you ask me). The stock tablet browser is quite excellent but Dolphin’s access to gestures, ad-ons and more give the user even more power with their tablet. SHADOWGUN Now this is another game that might cost a few bucks but hopefully you received an extra gift card or Read More
