Replace Android icons with large custom images with ‘Desktop Visualizer’

One thing I learned from publishing this site is how much some users LOVE to customize the look-and-feel of their computers and devices. If you want a neat way to customize your Android then consider this one: replacing your icons with glorious, artfully crafted images to launch your apps or make calls.
‘Desktop Visualizer’ is a free Android app that can create Android Widgets to launch all sorts of actions, such as launch an app, open a URL, or make a phone call or text message a specific contact. The best part, though, is that these widgets can display any image that you like in a wide variety of sizes, and can be custom labeled in any way you like. It is a bit labor intensive to set up, but it opens the doors to customizing your Android in many very unique and creative ways (see screenshots below).


The examples in the screenshots above show widgets that, in the left screenshot, allow me to make phone calls to some frequently used contacts just by clicking their image, and in the right can launch some game apps.

How to use:

First off, create a widget in the normal way, then select a ‘Desktop Visualizer’ widget in the size that you want. The program deserves credit for the wide range of widget sizes from large to small (see screenshot below). It is quite helpful if you use a launcher that will let you resize widgets (I use Nova Launcher), otherwise the onus becomes greater to get the widget size right from the get go. Or you can install a free add-on called DVRSizeConfig that will help you measure the proper widget size (link at the bottom of the post).

Next, select the image you want to use and the action associated with it. Transparent areas in image files such as PNG are supported and will display as transparent. The label can be skipped if you like, or customized as you wish. Possible actions are shown in the right screenshot below. If you want your widget to make a direct phone call select ‘other’ and then ‘direct call’. Note that if you want a widget which can make a direct call, you need to install an additional add-on from the Google Play store (see download links below).

Note on images:

The best effect can be had by using interesting, customized images that you may have to work on manually using am image editor program or a program that can apply effects. As an example on such variations, see the screenshot to the right, which shows images tweaked to look like sketches, just to create a unique look and feel that you can impress people with.

The verdict:

A very nice app that opens many possibilities for those who like to customize their interface in many creative ways. It is somewhat labor intensive if you want to create many different widgets, as each has to be created on its own, but the result can be worth it.
Although the program is ad-supported, you only see the ads in the settings page, so once you have your widgets set-up that’s the end of it.
This program can be improved if it allowed for image cropping within the program itself (which I believe is available as a paid add-on). Also, I wish there was even larger widgets supported, including an all page widget. It made me think of the opportunity to create a similar app whereby a single widget might contain several images that trigger different actions each, and that can be easily resized or manipulated from within the program.

• You can get Desktop Visualizer here.
• If you want the option to make direct calls from your widgets, you will also need to install a free add-on called DVRDirectCall.
• You can also get DVRSizeConfigTool, a free add on supposed to help get the appropriate sized widgets for your screen (we have NOT tested this one).

Replace Android icons with large custom images, with ‘Desktop Visualizer’

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How To Decorate your inbox with custom photo backgrounds

Tired of Gmail’s boring blank wallpaper? Think the built-in Gmail themes are a bit too cheesy? If so, you’re in for a treat.
Buried in the list of color, HD, and “classic” Gmail themes is a pair of customizable themes that let you upload your own images—perfect for decorating your Gmail inbox with vacation photos, art shots, baby pictures, you name it.

Click the gear icon and select “Themes” to get started with your own custom Gmail background.

You can upload photos from your desktop, your Google+ account, your Android or iOS device (assuming you have the Google+ social app installed), or you can even plug in the URL or a photo from the web.
Here’s how…

• Open Gmail, click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen, then select Themes.
• Scroll down to the Custom Themes section and click either “Light” (for a lighter-looking Gmail inbox) or “Dark” (for a slightly darker inbox). Don’t stress about which one to pick; you can easily change your mind later.
• As soon as you click, a pop-up window titled “Select your background image” will appear. Click “Upload photos” in the left column to upload an image from your desktop, or click “My photos” to select pictures from your Google+ profile. You can also click “Paste a URL” to grab an image from the web, or “Photos from phone” if you have the mobile Google+ app installed with “Instant Upload” turned on.

You can upload your own Gmail background images by selecting either the “Light” or “Dark” custom theme.


• That’s it! Within a second or so, the image you selected will become the background for your Gmail inbox.
• To change your custom background, go back to the Themes setting and click “Change your background image” under the “Custom Themes” heading.
• You can also switch your custom theme from “Light” to “Dark” by clicking the appropriate icons—and no, you won’t have to upload your photo again if you do so.

Bonus tip

Want to delete an image you uploaded for your Gmail background? Just go to your Google+ profile (click your name in the top-right corner of the main Google page), move your mouse over the Home icon, click Photos, click the photo you uploaded, then click the Trash icon near the top of the page.
Source http://heresthethingblog.com
How To Decorate your inbox with custom photo backgrounds

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iPhone tip Create custom vibrations for your contacts

Want to know if that buzz from your silenced iPhone is a call from your spouse, and not just some random cold call?

Good news: your iPhone will let you create custom vibration “patterns” that you can assign to any contact you choose.

The iPhone already comes with a few preset vibration options, ranging from Heartbeat (buzz-buzz, buzz-buzz) to S.O.S. (three short buzzes, three long buzzes, and three short buzzes again), and you can assign those patterns to specific contacts in your address book (more on that in a moment).
But you can also “record” your own personalized vibration patterns by tapping out the buzzes on your iPhone’s touchscreen.
Neat, right?

You can select a saved custom vibration—or create a new one—for a specific contact.

Here’s how you do it…

• First, launch the Phone app, tap the Contacts tab at the bottom of the screen, then pick your favorite contact.
• Tap the Edit button in the top-right corner of the screen, then scroll down until you see a section with fields for “Ringtone” and “Vibration.” Tap “Vibration,” then scroll down and tap “Create New Vibration.”
• Now, ready to create your own vibration pattern? If so, time to start tapping. You can tap rapidly to create little “dot-dot-dots” of buzzes, or tap and hold for a long, sustained buzz.
• All done? Tap Stop, then tap Play to “listen” to your new vibration, or “Record” to try again.
• Happy with your creation? Tap Save, give your vibration a name, and then tap Save again.
• You should now be back on the “Vibration” page for the contact in question, and you’ll notice that your new vibration (under the Custom heading) has a checkmark next to it. Tap the blue Done button in the top-left corner of the page.
• From now on, whenever your contact gives you a ring, your silenced iPhone will “play” the vibration you just created.
• Want your new custom vibration to buzz whenever your contact sends you a text message? Go back to the contact, tap Edit, scroll down to the “Text Tone” section, tap “Vibration,” and choose your vibration pattern under the “Custom” heading. You can also create a brand-new vibration just for text alerts, if you’re feeling ambitious.

Bonus

Once you save a custom vibration, it’ll often be available as an alert option for other apps and events.
For example, you can set a custom vibration to buzz when you get a calendar alert by tapping Settings, Notifications, Calendar, Calendar Alerts, Vibration.
Scroll down to the Custom section, then pick one of your previously saved custom vibrations from the list, or tap Create New Vibration.
Note: This updated and revised tip was first published in January 2012.

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1 100 RGM 79 Sniper Heavy Armed Custom Build

1/100 RGM-79 Sniper & Heavy Armed - Custom Build

Modeled by coralblue76

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