Tholotis will let you blur, dim, and tint your Android wallpapers for pure home screen perfection

Tholotis


We’ve been curating hand-picked Android wallpapers for awhile now (see past editions here ). Contrary to what some might think, not every awesome piece of high-res art or pictures will make a good fit on your Android’s homescreen. While this largely depends on personal tastes, generally, having a wallpaper that’s considered “too busy” can make it difficult to easily locate icons on your homescreen. This can be especially painful when you locate that perfect wallpaper or want to use a snapshot of a loved one, only to find it conflicts with your theme’s color pallet, or is simply too bright or (again) busy.


Tholotis is a wallpaper app who’s name comes from the Greek word for “blurriness” and looks to fix this first world problem by allowing users to not only defocus or blur backgrounds (making them appear less busy), but also tint/dim background images as well. The app utilizes the same open-source design resources as Muzei and features a clean and minimal interface that’s easy to navigate.


Tholotis screenshots


Although free to download, there is an in-purchase (located by swiping left on the main screen) that unlocks the ability to color tint images as well (see right screenshot above). While this may not sound too appealing, we were surprised to find how wonderfully well this works with photos taken using your phone. Tholotis is definitely one of those must-have Android apps for anyone who enjoys customizing their homescreens to perfection. Download link provided below.






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Why you should use Gmail






Gmail is an effective tool that helps us keep in touch with the world


Oh, Gmail, I still remember when I first heard of you. I was still a young lad at the time, but I remember hoping for an invitation to join the service. It seemed like it was an invitation-only beta, or not open to the public, for such a long time. As I waited for my invitation to get an account, I watched numbers scroll upwards on a little ticker as Google made a point that it offered much more storage than Yahoo! and Hotmail, its biggest email competitors at the time.


The happy day finally did arrive. I got an invitation and opened up my Gmail account. Since then, I haven't really used any other email services. Gmail gets the job done for me, plus some. But what is it that makes Google's email service so great, and why should you use it? The following are just some of the reasons I use Gmail. I think you'll think a lot of the following things are pretty cool, too.





















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Lenovo takes a dig at Apple, possibly hints at Android L with September 4 invite

lenovo_september_2014_invite


Lenovo, like everyone else, is hosting an event next month to introduce the Vibe X2. Invites have been sent out for an event on September 4 during IFA 2014. There is a comedic part and an interesting part to Lenovo’s invite. The comedic part has to do with Apple and its September 9 event and the interesting part involves Android L.


Hit the break to see the break for more.



apple_september_2014_invite


What you are looking at above is the invitation for Apple’s event being held on September 9. The caption is “Wish we could say more.” Lenovo responded to this by remaining mum on any details for their event, too. The Lenovo event’s invitation says “We can’t say anything either.” Lenovo is saying what everyone else says: of course you cannot say anything. That is the whole purpose of hosting an event. These companies all stay quiet in the run up to the date or release a teaser (or seven).


The interesting part of Lenovo’s invitation is the lollipop. This could be to indicate that the next version of Android will be named Lollipop. Google has yet to give the upcoming version of Android a name, but lollipop certainly seems likely. We found out from last night’s WiFi certification that the Vibe X2 would have at least Android 4.4.2; therefore, Lenovo could be implying that a software update with Android L will arrive at launch or as soon as possible.




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Here's your winner of the HTC One M8 Phunk Edition






Congrats, Archan Nair, you just won the HTC One M8 Phunk Edition (number one) in our contest!


Last week, we asked you fine readers of AC to get to work on your own custom design for the HTC One M8, and after a slew of entries, we put our top ten up for the community vote. We closed the voting down and live on episode 200 of the Android Central podcast we picked the winner.


But you won't believe what happened.





















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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 shows itself again in an odd box

samsung_galaxy_note_4_encased_box


There was a video that surfaced recently allegedly showing the Galaxy Note 4 within a dummy box. The only part of the device actually exposed was the display. Now, an image showing something similar has appeared. Again, the massive Samsung device is encased in some sort of box. A screenshot from the About device menu reveals that it is running Android 4.4.4, the latest version of the operating system.


The only other thing worth noting is that the home button looks taller. This could be what allows the new fingerprint technology to be present in the Galaxy Note 4.


Source: Android Central




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Leaked image shows Motorola Moto X+1 lacking flash next to camera

moto_x1_black_leather_aluminum_no_flash


The latest leak involving the next Motorola flagship shows its back panel. The image above was obtained by TK Tech News and shows what is likely a prototype of the Moto X+1. The reason we call it a prototype is because the device here is missing any sort of flash to operate with the camera. The source notes that this is seemingly the leather back panel with aluminum frame. Again, Motorola is aiming for choice and customization with its flagship device.


Source: TK Tech News




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Another Galaxy Note 4 teaser video focuses on the S Pen






Samsung continues to release teaser videos for the Galaxy Note 4 reveal event that's scheduled for September 3. This new clip focuses on the S Pen, which apparently will get a lot of attention at the Samsung Unpacked event in Berlin.





















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HTC T1 tablet will have a slew of accessories upon being available, LTE variant on the way as well

HTC_One_VX_Back_HTC_Logo_TA


It is only a matter of time before HTC announces its upcoming T1 tablet that will have beastly specifications. Being that all signs point the T1 as the Nexus 8, an October launch seems likely as Android L is expected to arrive then. From Google itself, accessories for Nexus devices have remained scarce. With this tablet, however, Google and HTC are making sure they offer plenty of accessories. Leaked information reveals that a Magic Cover will be available in either leather or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The leather material will come in Natural or Black choices. The TPU Magic Cover will be offered in Coral Amethyst, Mint Indigo, Lime Stone, Indigo Black. In addition to this, a folio keyboard will be made specifically for the tablet.



Like the Nexus 7, the T1 tablet will have both WiFi and LTE-enabled variants. The source, @upleaks, claims that a ton of countries will be getting the WiFi variant including Japan and Korea. That part is expected. For the LTE variant, it will be “coming to Europe, Russia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Australia(include NZ), Korea, HK.” Of course, the market also dictates what kind of internet connection the tablet can have. So not all of the aforementioned places will have a device capable of LTE speeds. It will work on GSM and WCDMA networks.


Source: @upleaks (1) (2) (3)




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