Droid Stack

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/67/how-to-get-android-4-4-kitkat-launcher-for-4-1-or-4-2-android-version/

How To Get Android 4.4 KitKat Launcher For 4.1 or 4.2 Android Version.

To do this you need to be on either 4.1 or 4.2 Android Version. Download the zip folder mentioned below and get ready for Android 4.4 KitKat Skin ON your 4.1 or 4.2 Android Version.

How to install Android 4.4 Kitkat Launcher

First download the zip folder and extract it. It will have three files named Prebuilt Gms Core.apk, Velvet.apk, GoogleHome.apk

Once you extract the files, save them into the phone memory.

After that tap on each file to install it. First on PrebuiltGmsCore.apk. After that Velvet.apk  and at last GoogleHome.apk. Now you may have trouble installing these. Just make sure that your security settings allows you to install apps from unknown location. If it gives security warning, then click on settings in the warning notification and then check mark the Unknown source option. Now the first two mentioned files may not be installed. Don’t worry. Just install the third one. Even I had the launcher running on my mobile by installing just the third one.

Once you have installed it. Restart your phone. After the restart, it will ask you to choose between the new launcher and Samsung TouchWiz. Choose the New Launcher and select Always. And you are done. You are now successfully running the Android 4.4 KitKat version.

To enable google now, On your homescreen, Tap the menu button and it will show you three options. Click on settings and then turn on “Google Now”. Once you do this, you can access Google Now by simply swiping to the left from your homescreen.

One more thing you may do is to download the Android 4.4 KitKat default wallpaper and make it the default wallpaper. In this way, it will look more personalized for the KitKat theme.

Once you do all this, restart your phone again.

You can use the same way to install the KitKat 4.4 launcher on any android device running on Android 4.1 or above.

Benefits of Installing This Skin

First not to forget that you get the look of latest OS. And also you will see performance enhancement of your smartphone. Ever since installing and playing for a few times, the smartphone is responding very well, with the apps launching very quickly and also seems more stable.

Problems You may face:

Your battery may drain at an alarming rate. This means that in a moment your battery may drain from 90 to 78%. So once you install this and face this issue, I would suggest you to remove this.

To remove this, go to settings and then to application manager in the third tab and then touch the menu button and choose reset app preferences. After this restart the phone. It will again ask for choosing default launcher. This time, select Touchwiz UI and select always. After that head over to the same Application manager and then look for  launcher, click on that and uninstall it.

Links for Downloading the needed files.

Android 4.4 KitKat

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/61/tutorial-actionbarcompat/

Tutorial ActionBarCompat

Using ActionBarCompat is almost as easy as native bar, and even similar to ActionBarSherlock, but there are a few differences that must be know. This tutorial covered the most simple integration. It is pretty simple to use and implement ActionBarCompat, but we have to pay attention when we add it to our project. In Android Studio it is very very simple. Open build.gradle and add this:

dependencies compile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:18.0.+'

In ADT (Eclipse) you can add it as a library project based on code that you can find in sdk\extras\android\support\v7\appcompat. It is described here. Pay attention. In your project you have to add this library project.

So let’s create a new project using API 18 and add the project under sdk\extras\android\support\v7\appcompat folder. I will set light theme with dark Action Bar. It is easy:

<application android:label="@string/app_name" android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher" android:theme="@style/Theme.AppCompat.Light.DarkActionBar">

Now your activity needs to extend ActionBarActivity instead. This activity is based on FragmentActivity, so you will be able to use fragments without any extra effort. It’s easy:

public class MainActivity extends ActionBarActivity /** * Called when the activity is first created. */ @Override public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.main);

And here it is! But what if we want to add some menu items? It’s pretty much the same, but some attributes require our custom namespace:

<menu xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto" > <item android:id="@+id/action_refresh" android:title="@string/action_refresh" android:icon="@drawable/ic_action_refresh" app:showAsAction="ifRoom" /> <item android:id="@+id/action_search" android:title="@string/action_search" android:icon="@drawable/ic_action_search" app:showAsAction="ifRoom" /> <item android:id="@+id/action_settings" android:title="@string/action_settings" app:showAsAction="never" /> </menu>

Now you can inflate the menu:

@Override public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.main, menu); return true;

f you need to access Action Bar programatically, you will call getSupportActionBar()

Adding an Action View Action Views are those helpful views that can be added over the Action Bar when the user presses a menu item. The most typical is the Search View, and that’s the one I’m explaining here. Every Action View has been added to the support library, so you will need to add the reference to it instead of the one in the SDK:

<item android:id="@+id/action_search" android:title="@string/action_search" android:icon="@drawable/ic_action_search" app:actionViewClass="android.support.v7.widget.SearchView" app:showAsAction="ifRoom" />

Recovering this Action View from code is a little bit different. MenuItemCompat will do the hard work this time:

private SearchView mSearchView; @Override public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.main, menu); MenuItem searchItem = menu.findItem(R.id.action_search); mSearchView = (SearchView) MenuItemCompat.getActionView(searchItem); return true;

Now it’s time to show the search view when the user presses the magnifying glass icon. No difference with native Action Bar:

@Override public boolean onOptionsItemSelected(MenuItem item) switch(item.getItemId()) ... case R.id.action_search: mSearchView.setIconified(false); return true; ... return false;

You can add an OnQueryTextListener to detect user input on SearchView

public class MainActivity extends ActionBarActivity implements SearchView.OnQueryTextListener ... @Override public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) ... mSearchView = (SearchView) MenuItemCompat.getActionView(searchItem); mSearchView.setOnQueryTextListener(this); return true; ... @Override public boolean onQueryTextSubmit(String s) Toast.makeText(this, s, Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show(); return true; @Override public boolean onQueryTextChange(String s) return false;

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/62/good-books-to-learn-android-development/

GOOD Books to learn Android Development

I know one great book on Android that worth reading. It is The Busy Coder’s Guide to Android Development by Mark Murphy: http://commonsware.com/Android/ .This book is updated very often. You can get the latest version . It covers all the features and the latest Android versions. . So it is a strong addition to the Android official docs.

Here is some more other books :

Learn Android App Development

Android Tablets For Dummies

Learn Java for Android Development, 2nd Edition

Head First Android Development

Learning Android

Hello, Android

Beginning Android Application Development

Android Apps for Absolute Beginners

The Busy Coder’s Guide to Android Development

Professional Android 4 Application Development

Android Wireless Application Development

Pro Android Media: Developing Graphics, Music, Video, and Rich Media Apps for Smartphones and Tablets

The Android Developer’s Cookbook: Building Applications with the Android SDK

Android Application Testing Guide

Beginning Android 3

Programming Android

Android User Interface Development: Beginner’s Guide

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/58/an-easy-way-to-download-apk-files-from-google-play/

An Easy Way to Download APK Files from Google Play

Android apps are packaged as APK files. You can use any File Manager app to copy these files from the computer to your Android device and then touch the .apk file to install, or sideload, the corresponding app on your device.

There are various reasons why you may want to download the APK installer of an Android app from the Google Play store:

Google Play Store says that a particular app or game is incompatible with your Android device though you know that the app would work just fine.

Sometime an Android app may be not be available for download in the Google Play store of your region or country.

An app is listed on the Google Play store but you want to install that app on another Android device, like the Amazon Kindle tablet, that doesn’t have the Play Store.

How to Download APK Files from Google Play Store Evozi, an Android app developer, offers a one-click online APK download app that lets you download the APK installed of any Android app that’s listed on the Google Play store. The downloader app can be accessed at apps.evozi.com.

To get started, enter the web URL of any app listed on the Google Play store and click the “Generated Download Link” button. The APK download app will fetch the APK file from the Google Play store and will host it on its own servers from where you downlaod the file.

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/56/how-to-view-your-old-notifications-in-android/

How to View your Old Notifications in Android

There were a couple of pending notifications sitting in the status bar of your Android phone and you have just tapped the “Dismiss” icon to clear them all. And then it occurred that you may have dismissed certain important notifications. Where did they go? Can you retrieve the old notifications even if they have have removed from the notifications bar?

Well if your phone is running a more recent version of Android, Jelly Bean or later you can get a log of notifications that have pushed by various apps. Here’s how.

Go to your Android home screen and tap the apps icon. Switch to the Widgets tab, tap and hold the 1×1 Settings Shortcut and place it on your your home screen. Now select “Notifications” from the available choices.

Tap the settings icon that you have placed on the home screen and it will display the notification history in reverse chronological order. You will know the name of the app that pushed the notification, the title of the notification and the time when that message was pushed.

You may also use the notifications shortcut to prevent certain apps from sending notifications to your phone. Just tap the name of an app and deselect the option that says “Show Notifications” from the App info page.

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/51/android-4-3-update-now-available-for-sony-xperia-z-ultra/

Android 4.3 Update now available for Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Sony Xperia Z Ultra received the new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update starting with today. The info comes after the same firmware has included on the Google Play Edition of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra out of the box, and the Android 4.3 firmware has been leaked for Xperia Z and ZL devices.

According to Sony’s blog the new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update comes with Project Butter performance, User Interface optimization and a better graphical experience for its users.

Moreover, the new release brings Sony’s Smart Social Camera application that lets users download and access the “Xperia camera apps” directly from within the viewfinder.

According to the same source the Xperia Z Ultra Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update will include the latest version for the Messaging, MyXperia, Small apps, Sony Select, TrackID, Sony Select applications.

Furthermore, there are new Sony’s Media applications as WALKMAN, Album and Movies with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration. In additional, the developers integrated Xperia Themes with downloadable UI pack from Sony Select, UI optimizations, enhanced performance and various bug fixes.

Even though you have an unlocked Sony Xperia Z Ultra, and you didn’t receive an automatically OTA notification then you can manually check for it from Settings > About Phone > System Updates > Check for updates.

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/49/whatsapp-messenger-for-android-2-11-146-available-on-google-play-store-for-download/

WhatsApp Messenger for Android 2.11.146 available on Google Play Store for Download

A new version of the WhatsApp Messenger application for Android is now available in the Google Play Store for download totally free; the new version is named WhatsApp Messenger 2.11.146.

The new version comes along with some improvements and bug fixes for all Android smartphones or tablets that have installed Android 4.4 KitKat OS. The new enhancements allow users to send and receive audio and video files.

Moreover, the new code comes with miscellaneous translation fixes and enhancements. Additionally, the application brings a workaround for issues on Galaxy S4 devices.

With this new WhatsApp Messenger application for Android 2.11.146 version, the Android ART is not supported.

All our readers who want to download WhatsApp Messenger for Android 2.11.146 application for free can visit its Google Play Store from here.

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/44/update-samsung-galaxy-grand-i9082-to-official-android-4-2-2-xxubmi1-jelly-bean-firmware/

Update Samsung Galaxy Grand (I9082) to official Android 4.2.2 XXUBMI1 Jelly Bean Firmware

A new Android OTA Jelly Bean has been released for the Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 device. This new firmware comes to solve an issue regarding with a RAM consumption bug that the previous firmware has. So, this new Android Jelly Bean OS is more stable and comes in additional to solve other minor issues.

This step by step guide is provided to teach you how easily you can manually install this official Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 version XXUMBMI1 firmware to Samsung Galaxy Grand device.

The new XXUMBMI1 OS for Galaxy Grand I9082 is the latest firmware update, and it has been released by Samsung in September this year by OTA. Unfortunately, when we are speaking about an OTA release not all the users receive it in the same time, and it is rolled out in phases. Also, the users who have a Grand I9082 rooted or a custom ROM installed on it cannot receive official OTA software.

Therefore, if you want to download and install this latest OTA update you need manually install, this present step by step guide will be more than helpful for you.

Prerequisites and Guidelines required:

The present tutorial works with all the variants of Samsung Galaxy Grand I9082 devices including rooted devices. Moreover, if the device has installed a custom ROM and Kernel this guide is useful if its owner want to install official firmware on it.

Applying, this stock Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS the root access will be revoked, but the main advantage is that the warranty will be restored.

So, the root access isn’t required for this step by step guide. In additional, isn’t required to have a custom recovery image as CWM or TWRP installed on it.

In order to complete this step by step tutorial for the Samsung Galaxy Grand device we will use ODIN software, which is a flashing tool developed by Samsung.

A Windows PC is required to be used to download and install ODIN app; also the USB cable and the Galaxy Grand device should be near of you.

On both PC and Android device disable or deactivate all the security programs such as antivirus, firewalls and antimalware, these programs can interfere with the installation process and can interrupt the same.

To install the new firmware a couple of minutes is necessary, that’s why the smartphone must have enough power left in its battery, so ensure that the device’s battery has more than 65 % power left before going any further.

Enable the USB Debugging Option from the next path: “settings -> applications -> development” to assure the connection between the PC and the Android handset.

This is a manually method and never know what can happens with your device and your data, even thought the ODIN app is safe, and the software is an official one.

So, to avoid an unpleasant situation, backup all your personal data and setting from the device’s internal storage including the market applications, personal data, SMS and MM, call logs history, internet settings, EFS folder calendar info and all your important files.

All instructions and files provided in this tutorial work and are compatible with Samsung Galaxy Grand model number I9082 only. So, knowing that do not use it for any incorrect device or variant, you can end up this guide by bricking (damage) your device or to lose your data.

This guide, instructions and files listed here are provided only for educational and instructional purpose, knowing that we cannot be responsible or held liable for any data lost or if you damage or brick your device. Users are advised to read and understand very clearly all the instructions listed here and to apply this step by step guide only in their own risk.

So, note and remember that this is the latest official Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean named XXUNMI1 firmware released by Samsung and isn’t a custom ROM. The software not brings major changes it comes only with some bug fixes and stability for Galaxy Grand I9082 devices.

How manually install the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean XXUMBMI1 firmware to Galaxy Grand I9082 by using ODIN.

Download and install suitable USB drivers with the Galaxy Grand I9082 device. You can download and install the Samsung Kies software and install the same.

Download Odin software, save it, uninstall and install the same to the PC.

Download the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean XXUMBMI1 firmware file from here.

Save it in on your PC on the Desktop folder and then unzip the downloaded firmware file.

Now, run ODIN software on your computer as an Administrator.

Turn off the device.

Boot in into Download Mode (to enter into download mode you have to: press and keep holding the power, volume down and home buttons in the same time).

While the device is into Download Mode, connect the Samsung Galaxy Grand device to the PC via USB cable.

Now, ensure that ODIN recognize the device, and the “added” message is displayed, and ID:COM section is yellow or blue. Note: if not, you will have to close the ODIN app, disconnect the device by removing the USB cable, change the USB port from the PC and reinstall the USB Grand drivers once again. Then, repeat all the steps from above.

Now, if everything is ok you can move to the next step.

From ODIN app click on the “PDA” button.

Browse and pick the extracted firmware file from the PC’s desktop.

Next, from ODIN click on “START” button.

The installation process should begin immediately, and you must wait until the firmware is being flashed.

When into ODIN app the “pass” message will be displayed and the ID:COM section will turn green, then the firmware is completely installed.

Now, you can disconnect the USB cable from PC.

Reboot the Galaxy Grand device.

Note: the first boot after the installation process will take longer than usual, just be patient.

Troubleshooting: If the device is entering into a boot loop, you’ll have to:

Reboot the device into Recovery Mode.

From the Recovery Mode select “wipe data factory reset” and “wipe cache partition”

Return to the main menu of the recovery mode and reboot the Galaxy Grand device.

If ODIN app might get stuck while the installation of stock firmware, you have to:

Close ODIN software.

Disconnect the device from the PC.

Force restarts the Galaxy Grand device.

Repeat the step by step procedure from beginning.

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/45/odin-3-07/

Odin 3.07

  Odin is an internal Samsung tool used for flashing firmware to their devices (via Download mode, bypassing recovery etc.). Importantly, it also has the ability to repartition the device storage based on a .pit file, which can save you from softbricking (when flashing goes wrong and recovery/the bootloader fail). It is not open source and to my knowledge they have not intentionally released it — a few versions have been leaked. For what it’s worth, I have used the version posted here without issue.

New update for ODIN application now is available, you can download ODIN 3.07 version from our site. If you have a new smartphone and want more from it, then when you want to flash a new custom ROM in your device you’ll need to download and install the latest version of ODIN, now the new version for ODIN is 3.07.

This new version comes with bug fixes and gives us new improvements for the new models of Android devices like Galaxy Note 2, Samsung Galaxy S3 and others new smartphones.

In our lessons we use the ODIN in many procedures, the ODIN make the flashing process more easily, only download and install ODIN 3.07 install it and then download the stock ROM and flash it with ODIN.

Odin can help you to flash custom ROMs without waiting the official updates; you can also install with ODIN software some Kernels, files system, bootloaders or other hacks.

For the moment, this powerful software is only for windows system, and if you have other OS then you need to search an substitute for it.

It is extremely serious when you use ODIN to make the correct settings, to tick the right checkboxes because can be extremely dangerous for your device if you check something wrong. Otherwise if, something is not correctly checked in the ODIN settings, you can brick your Android device. In our tutorials, you find the correct settings which you need to do when should use the ODIN app, so you need to be sure you read carefully all the instructions and you follow all the steps in the correct order.

New Post has been published on http://droidstack.com/32/simple-http-request-in-android/

Simple HTTP Request in Android

In most of the android applications it is essential that app may need to connect to internet and make some HTTP requests. In this article i’ll be demonstrating about making simple HTTP Requests in android or java.

Creating HTTP Client and HTTP Post

// Creating HTTP client HttpClient httpClient = new DefaultHttpClient(); // Creating HTTP Post HttpPost httpPost = new HttpPost("http://www.droidstack.com/login");

Bulding Post Parameters The following code will create post parameters pair with key and value.

// Building post parameters, key and value pair List<NameValuePair> nameValuePair = new ArrayList<NameValuePair>(2); nameValuePair.add(new BasicNameValuePair("email", "[email protected]")); nameValuePair.add(new BasicNameValuePair("password", "123456"));

URL Encoding POST data Before making HTTP request you need to encode the post data in order to convert all string data into valid url format.

// Url Encoding the POST parameters try httpPost.setEntity(new UrlEncodedFormEntity(nameValuePair)); catch (UnsupportedEncodingException e) // writing error to Log e.printStackTrace();

Finally making HTTP Request Finally you need to execute httpPost using the httpClient created before.

// Making HTTP Request try HttpResponse response = httpClient.execute(httpPost); // writing response to log Log.d("Http Response:", response.toString()); catch (ClientProtocolException e) // writing exception to log e.printStackTrace(); catch (IOException e) // writing exception to log e.printStackTrace();

Final Code The following is the final code to make http Requests. I am writing response to log. Check your Log report in Eclipse to see your http response.