Best Alternatives to the Google Play Store (Android Market)

The recently revamped Google Play Store is one of the most frequented application stores on the Internet. Competing head-on with the iTunes Store, the free marketplace lets you browse, download, and purchase variety of applications without any hassles. And though the store suffices the needs of almost every app-hungry user, it doesn't, however, provide access to apps that violate Google policies. Furthermore, modders and rooters are always ready to try out variety of new apps, many of which aren't available in the Play Store.

So, if you are looking for some great alternatives to the traditional Google Play app store, here is a list of some great replacements for the revered marketplace (previously known as Android Market):

Amazon App Store

While it might seem a bit weird for a big company like Amazon to invest in an alternative to the Google Play Store, it does, in fact, help the retail giant cater to the needs of its huge user base of Kindle Fire consumers. The Amazon store isn't that different from the Google Play Store; it doesn't offer any banned apps, nor does it provide any special apps of its own. The only advantage that the Amazon app store has over Play Store, and also other competing app stores, is the fact that it gives away one app for free everyday. This makes the store a perfect choice for all the users who are always on the hunt for freebies.

GetJar

GetJar is perhaps the biggest app store on the Internet. Founded in Lithuania in 2004, the store provides more than 350,000 applications for Android, Blackberry, Symbian and other devices. GetJar, thanks to its versatility, is quite popular amongst developers as well as users. The site sees about 3 million downloads a day, which is quite an achievement for an independent app store. The store can easily be seen as a replacement for the default Play Store.

AppBrain

AppBrain is one of the most frequented alternative stores for Android. Rather than being yet another app store, AppBrain serves more or less like a website for discovering and sharing new Android apps. Once you download an app, it gets added to your custom wish list that is then stored on your AppBrain account. Since AppBrain doesn't distribute apps, purchase of paid apps happens via the Play Store itself.

The most important feature of AppBrain is its discovery engine, which lets users stumble upon new apps. Also, each app’s page has a detailed description of the title, something that you won’t find on all apps in the Play Store.

Installing of apps can be done via two methods: you can either use the link leading to the Play store and install it from there, or you can use AppBrain’s fast installer. The Fast Web Installer is an application that lets you push applications to your smartphone just like you do in the Play Store. To get started, all you have to do is install the Fast Web Installer application on your phone.

Overall, AppBrain is one of the rare marketplaces that can be used as a viable replacement for the original Play Store. A must try even if you’re not willing to quit the Play Store.

SlideME

SlideME is an app store that is more lucrative for developers than end users. While Android Market keeps 30% of your app price and gives you the remaining 70%, SlideMe offers much better payouts so that developers can benefit the most. As for the applications, users can browse through thousands of titles, or they could just search for an app they like. To install a particular application, simply click on the Download button and save the .apk file to your computer. You can then transfer this file to your Droid and install it from there. Also, you can send this .apk file to your friends so that they could also install the app on their phones. Overall, the variety of apps offered in this store is nothing compared to what we have on AppBrain; however, it’s still a great place to publish new apps and download apps from.

How to Manage Android Devices on Linux

Android is one of the most popular mobile operating systems around. In just a short span of time, this Linux-based OS has soared to popularity thanks to its amazing features and ease of use. When pitted head-to-head against its archrival, that is none other than Apple’s iOS, Android usually gets the upper hand thanks to the freedom that it offers to users.

While iOS requires iTunes and a Windows or Mac operating system, an Android device can be managed from any device, be it Linux, Mac, or Windows. Moreover, managing the device, or transferring songs, videos, and documents, doesn't take much effort at all; all you have to do is simply plug in your smartphone or tablet to the computer and drag and drop. That said, not all are comfortable with that method of 'softwareless' management, especially people who switch over from other devices -- mostly Nokia-based and iOS devices -- feel that they need a dedicated software for managing their phones and tablets.

So, if you’re a Linux user, and just purchased an Android device, here are some tips that will help you manage your brand new Droid with ease:

Method 1: Managing Without Additional Software

First plug in your Android device using the cable provided in your box. Then, on your device, turn on mass storage mode, which will then pop up the device on your computer. Simply open it with your file manager (Nautilus, Dolphin, or whichever you use) and create separate folders for the files you want to put. For example, you want to transfer Excel spreadsheets, create a folder called Documents, and in there, create another folder called spreadsheets wherein the file will go. It is important that you keep everything organized into proper folders because over time the file system tends to get overly crowded as different apps create their own folders.

When it comes to transferring music, simply open Rhythmbox or Banshee on your Linux desktop. The device will show up in the left pane wherein you could drag and drop all your songs. Sometimes, however, the files show up in folders other than the main Music folder, in that case, you can safely drop them to the designated folder without losing the playlists you created on your device.

Method 2: Managing Using Additional Software

AirDroid

AirDroid is one of the best Android-managing tools out there. Though not a complete Linux-based software per se, it works perfectly well across all platforms, as it needs nothing but your web browser. With AirDroid you can wirelessly transfer files, manage SMSes, apps, and media right from your desktop. You can also copy and organize your music, and even set a song as your ringtone. The software is incredibly easy to use, even easier than iTunes. To get started, all you have to do is pair your device with the web-based version of AirDroid.

QtADB

QtADB, as the name suggests, is a Qt-based Android manager for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. Written in C++, the application can be used for managing files, apps, and more. Furthermore, you can use it for taking screenshots, flashing bootloader, boot recovery, Nandroid backup, and more complex tasks. Though the app is more suited for rooters and advanced users, enthusiasts can use it for managing files and apps. The application requires Qt 4.7 libraries to be installed on your computer (libqtgui4, libqt4-network and libqt4-declarative).

Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

Best Disk Partition Managers for Linux

Back in the olden days when installing Linux was painfully tedious, disk management and partitioning was an area even the tech experts refused to venture into. The reason for this reticence was the fact that partitioning, as opposed to most of the other administrative tasks, was the riskiest of them all. If you make one mistake in typing a command, you’d risk losing all your data, thus leaving you in the lurch.

Thankfully though, as time progressed, Linux became more GUI-friendly, and more and more tools started popping up, thus giving new users a chance to tweak disks to their liking. Also, with the advent of tools like Palimpsest, users started feeling more confident while making major changes to their hard drive, all thanks to the user-friendly GUIs these tools offered. Now, Linux has more than half a dozen of such tools that help users partition and manage their disk, and also, help them with multi-booting, bootloader management, and other tasks.

So, if you’re looking to tweak or manage your disks, here’s a collection of the best disk management tools out there for Linux:

GNU Parted

GNU Parted is a free tool used to create, destroy, check, and copy partitions. It has a command-line front-end called parted and forms the base for the undermentioned programs like GParted and KDE Partition Manager.

Palimpsest Disk Utility

Palimpsest is a disk utility used for S.M.A.R.T. monitoring, benchmarking, partitioning, and software RAID. It is the default partition manager for Fedora and Ubuntu along with many other distributions. The application comes with a very simple user interface, along with some important data about the hard drive. For example, Palimpsest shows warnings if a partition is misaligned or if the disk is unhealthy, thus prompting users and admins to make important fixes to their system. Apart from formatting, ejecting, and deleting a partition, Palimpsest can also help users benchmark their disks and run various self-tests to analyze disk health. On Ubuntu, Palimpsest can be accessed by opening the launcher and typing in ‘disk utility’ without the quotes.

KDE Partition Manager

Based on the aforementioned parted tool, KDE Partition Manager is KDE-based tool for creating, deleting, resizing, moving, checking, and copying partitions and file systems. Written in C++ and designed using the Qt GUI toolkit, KDE Partition Manager was first seen when KDE 4.1 was released. Though not much different from GParted underneath, the UI blends in perfectly with the K desktop and differs quite a lot from other partitioning tools. In fact, it looks more like the disk management tool on Windows system, except that there’s a space for viewing the application and the live progress log.

GParted

GParted is the GUI version of the aforesaid parted tool. It helps users create, delete, resize, move, check, and copy partitions and filesystems. The application is more useful for creating dual boot systems (for example creating space for a Windows 7 installation), reorganizing disk usage, and mirroring a hard disk.

GParted's user interface is quite simple and easy to use. The top bar shows the disk space of the partition and the bottom part of the page lists all the partitions that are available on that disk. Written in C++, GParted, in my opinion, has the simplest UI on the list, and, even when compared to the mighty Palimpsest, it still comes out as the strongest. Apart from plain partitioning, the free tool can also be used for manipulating a lot of different file systems from Btrfs to FAT16. Though GParted comes with a really simple user interface, it loses out to Palimpsest as the latter comes with a lot more features (like S.M.A.R.T. tools and more) and is also a more powerful tool for benchmarking.


You may also check out: Linux-based Hard Drive Data Recovery Tools

Samsung Galaxy S III / S3 Rumors And Expectations

Despite Android’s soaring success, the Droidian rumor scene hasn't really gotten as big as the one on iOS. Mac and Apple fanboys in general are perpetually clamoring to get the slightest of glimpse of what goes on inside their walled garden. Apple, which meticulously guards its every little move, leaves no stone unturned in making sure that no one except its employees knows about its next product. And though some might see this as borderline compulsive behavior, it’s actually a great marketing move that helps Apple wow crowds with the magical element of surprise.

However, Apple’s not the only one diligently protecting its upcoming secrets, its arch rival Samsung too has been keeping things under the wraps just to surprise the Droid-loving fanboys and fangirls. As the successor of the Samsung Galaxy S II / S2 is due to be launched in front of impatient Android users, many rumors about the yet-to-be-named smartphone have started to emerge. Given the fact that it’s most likely that the successor will be called Samsung Galaxy S III / S3, Samsung is yet to confirm any of these rumors.

So, if like us, you too are excited about Samsung's upcoming offering, here’s a roundup of all the Samsung Galaxy S3 rumors and expectations:

It will be called Samsung Galaxy S III GT I9300

Following Samsung's usual naming conventions, the next phone will most likely be called Samsung Galaxy S3 GT I9300. Multiple sources have confirmed this, and it’s quite improbable that the phone will follow any other nomenclature.

It will run Ice Cream Sandwich: Since a bit of time has passed since the launch of Android 4.0, there’s very little doubt that ICS will be the preferred OS for the highly-anticipated smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy S III GT I9300 will sport a Quad-Core processor

Multiple reports have suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will come with a Quad-core Exynos 4412 processor. Furthermore, rumors have hinted at an ample 2GB worth of RAM, and a 2250mAh battery. The processor is clocked at 1.5 GHz thus making Galaxy S3 one of the fastest devices in the market.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 will have a 12 MP camera

Yes, if most of the rumors are to be believed, S3 will, in fact, come with a spectacular 12 MP camera. Cool huh?

The Samsung Galaxy S III will feature wireless charging

Whoa! This just keeps getting better and better doesn't it? I mean wireless charging, that would permanently end my frantic searches for the elusive charger! If reports of a Korean site are to be believed, wireless charging might be the killer feature that the S3 will wow the crowd with.

Launch Date is May 3rd

Samsung has confirmed that the launch event will take place on May 3rd in London. As for what will happen at the event, Samsung had the following things to say:

"Samsung is looking forward to introducing and demonstrating exciting new mobile products at Mobile World Congress 2012. The successor to the Galaxy S2 smartphone will be unveiled at a separate Samsung-hosted event in the first half of the year, closer to commercial availability of the product."

Leaked Photos of the Samsung Galaxy S3

A Reddit user has leaked a photo of what appears to be the Samsung Galaxy S3. Though we’re not sure of its credibility, it does, nonetheless, provide some more information about the upcoming product. Engadget has also shared a leaked photo of an unreleased Samsung smartphone that could also be the Galaxy S III.

What to expect? Will it be a success?

So, what can we expect from the Galaxy S2 successor? Well, there is very little doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will get huge amount of pre-orders and sales, unless, of course, they screw things up real bad. Besides Google/Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the S3 may become the second most popular high-end smartphone that can compete directly with Apple’s iPhone 4S. Also, as days go by, rumors about the upcoming iPhone 5 have started popping up thus making the smartphone market hotter than ever. We don’t know yet whether the Samsung Galaxy S III will beat the next generation iPhone, but one thing’s for sure, it will make every Android fan drool.

Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

5 Simple Ways to Download YouTube Videos on Ubuntu

From making piano-playing cats popular to giving skilled musicians a platform, YouTube has become one of the most pivotal entertainment hubs of our generation. Not only has it successfully revolutionized entertainment; it has also made knowledge and education more accessible to the bleakest corners of the world. Founded in 2005 by three former PayPal employees, no one had thought that YouTube would go on to become the third most popular site on the Internet.

While most people use YouTube for entertainment, there a growing number of people who are incorporating this video sharing site into their studies. Thanks to revolutionary uploaders like Khan Academy, education has become simpler, more accessible, and easy to understand. That said, not everyone has access to the Internet, and sometimes, it’s a great idea to download those videos on a thumb drive and share it with others. However, as easy as it sounds, it’s not always possible to download videos off YouTube. Thanks to the dreaded copyright laws and a host of other reasons, downloading videos from YouTube is not allowed.

That said, it’s not as if you can’t download videos from YouTube. There are interesting sites like KeepVid and others that offer the functionality for free. And yeah, if you’re on Ubuntu too, there are a few options that will let you bring the best of the video-sharing site to your hard drive. So, without further ado, here are some of the best ways you can download YouTube videos from your Ubuntu desktop.

Youtube-dl

Youtube-dl is a tiny command-line program designed to help users download videos from YouTube by simply typing a command along with the URL of the video. Written in Python, this free and open-source program can run on any platform so long as the Python Interpreter is installed. Youtube-dl, apart from letting you download videos, also lets you choose which format they’ll be downloaded in. Before you start using it, it’s not a bad idea to go through the documentation once. You may also check out our quick and easy guide on downloading YouTube videos from the Linux terminal.

DamnVid

DamnVid is a free video downloader and converter for Linux that lets you grab videos from popular video sites like YouTube, Dailymotion, and CollegeHumor without making you go through hoops. This simple, straightforward application, once installed, can download as well as convert videos to your favorite format, all at the same time.

To install this fabulous application on your Ubuntu box, open your terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and paste or type in the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:damnvid/ppa

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install damnvid python-gdata



ClipGrab

Similar to the aforementioned DamnVid, ClipGrab, as the name suggests, lets you grab clips from the Internet in an easy, quick, and hassle-free way. Once installed, not only can you download your favorite videos from YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion, you can also convert them to your preferred format (including simple audio).

To install this application, open your terminal and punch in the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:clipgrab-team/ppa

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install clipgrab



Downverter

Downverter is a completely free video-downloading tool for Ubuntu, Windows, and Mac. The application, once installed, lets you download YouTube videos in a variety of formats. Supported formats include popular ones like MP4, MOV, AVI, 3GP, and others. Furthermore, you can also grab videos specially converted for your iPod, PSP, Pocket PC, or Mobile Phone. With an easy to use interface and a bunch of interesting features, Downverter is one of the best choices if you’re looking for a decent video grabber.

Minitube

Minitube is a YouTube application for your desktop. The free and open-source tool lets you watch, search, and discover YouTube videos from your desktop without the need for any external plug-ins (not even the dreaded Flash player). Written in Qt, this application has recently added the functionality to download YouTube videos by a simple click of a button.

To download the software to your Ubuntu box, simply type in or paste the following commands in your Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T).

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install minitube

Best Desktop Notification Tools For Android

Nomophobia is the buzzword these days. For those living under a cave, nomophobia is the fear of being out of mobile contact. It’s one of those modern-day addictions that our ancestors were never able to predict. And though the addiction hasn't killed anyone (yet), it’s a testament to our increasing dependence on our mobile devices. We constantly want to be notified of SMSes, BBMs, emails, and whatnot.

That said, if you’re an Android user and a nomophobe, you won’t have to be fervently clutching at your phone throughout the day. Instead of swiping your finger downwards in a compulsive anxiety to check for any new SMSes and emails, you can, instead, get notified of any new happenings right on your desktop. So, if you’re impatiently awaiting an SMS, here are some of the best apps that will help you get all your Android notifications on your desktop.

SMS2PC

SMS2PC is a cute little app that routes SMSes from your Android smartphone to your computer so that you can send and reply to your messages without getting off from your chair. The app, which works on Linux, Windows, and Mac, connects to your phone using Wi-Fi thus letting you seamlessly access your messages without any lags. Unlike other remote access applications, SMS2PC doesn't require you to enter cryptic commands or IP addresses; everything is done automatically. Furthermore, the app syncs your address book to and from your phone, thus making it easier to compose messages. Overall, the app is quite good when compared to other remote access applications, and does work perfectly if you’re looking for a desktop SMS app.

DOWNLOAD HERE

LazyDroid Web Desktop

LazyDroid is an app that lets you control your Android device from your web browser. Making use of Chrome’s or Firefox’s built-in notification system, this free app alerts you of any new messages and lets you interact with them. Apart from notifications, LazyDroid also allows you to manage contacts, handle calls (whether to hang up or silence them), manage files, view clipboard, and much more. Furthermore, since the application relies on the web-browser, you don’t have to worry about switching to another operating system.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Smshare

Another SMS-to-desktop app on this list is Smshare. This free download lets you send and receive SMSes to your browser. Once installed, the app will alert you of any new messages or missed calls by email or by using desktop notifications. The app works perfectly with Chrome and thus, it can be used across all platforms, including our very own Linux. To get started, all you have to do is install the app’s official Chrome extension and then grab the app. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, Smshare is freely available for download in the Google Play Store.

DOWNLOAD HERE

AirDroid

When it comes to remote access applications, AirDroid is definitely the hottest and the most talked-about in the marketplace. Though not a desktop notification app per se, it does, however, let you browse through your recent SMS notifications, making it easier to check your messages without handling the phone. The free application, once installed, lets you almost completely control your Android device right from your browser. You can kill tasks, set ringtones, check call logs and much more. To see the app in action, here’s a short walkthrough video that the developer has made:

DOWNLOAD HERE

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars, AirDroid is freely available for download from the marketplace, and, it works seamlessly across all platforms.

Remote Notifier

Remote Notifier, as the name suggests, notifies you of any incoming phone notifications on your desktop. The app, which works perfectly on Linux, Windows, and Mac, notifies you of calls, SMSes, battery status, and more using the desktop’s built-in notification system. To get started, all you have to do is download the notifier app from the Play Store and then grab the companion desktop application from the project’s web page HERE. Remote Notifier is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars in the Play Store and is freely available for download.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

Google Glasses: Hot or Not?

When it comes to wowing the crowd with technological innovations, there’s no company as successful as Apple. No one can forget those breathtaking moments when the great Steve Jobs unveiled yet another revolutionary product captivating the crowd like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. No company, so far, have managed to achieve that ‘magician’ status until very recently. -And that company, if you’re wondering, is none other than the search giant Google.

It has been more than a week since Google unveiled the amazing new Google Glasses, and the world is already going crazy over it. The demo video was uploaded on 4th April, and so far, it has got more than 13 million views. Moreover, almost every major newspaper and news channel covered the story, thus making Google Glasses one of the most coveted innovations of the decade.

So, what's Google Glasses?

Google Glasses, or Project Glass, is an under-development project by Google that brings augmented reality to a head-mounted display (HMD). As compared to other HMDs, this one looks more like goggles and less like some Robocop accessory, which is one of the biggest USPs of the project. Despite all the awesomeness that comes packed with Google’s ‘pet project’, there have been growing concerns about privacy along with some hilarious parodies openly suggesting a dystopian Google-owned future.

Here’s a quick rundown of points that make Google Glasses hot, and ones that don’t.


3 Reasons Why Google Glasses is Hot:

1. Augmented reality done right... finally

Voice commands have existed for a long time now, but it wasn't until Siri came along and showed the world the right way of doing things. Same is the case with Google Glasses, a project which, if works as demoed, will revolutionize the concept of augmented reality. You see, augmented reality, like voice commands, has existed for a long time now; however, no project has managed to really impress us so much so that we’d make it a part of our daily lives. Google Glasses promises to change that paradigm and make augmented reality an integral part of our life.

2. Welcome to the future

If you've ever envied that Terminator eyesight, Google Glasses is like a dream come true for you. To be fairly honest, it is the most innovative thing we've seen in a very long time.

3. Google services integration

Google already has an amazing lineup of products. From the classic text search to news updates, Google’s got it all. So, it won’t be hard to imagine you walking down a street, seeing a rare flower, then just looking at it for a few seconds and knowing its name. Moreover, you could lookup where you could buy those flowers using Google Maps, navigate to the shop, and buy them using your Google Wallet-integrated phone. Finally once you've fitted them neatly in that beautiful vase, you can snap its picture and share it with your friends on Google+ or any other social network. Cool huh?

3 Reasons Why Google Glasses is Not Hot:

1. Privacy concerns

Google hasn't got a good track record when it comes to dealing with users’ privacy. In this department, the search giant has messed up many times before and it has been a concern amongst many of its users. Privacy advocates have prophesied a much more dystopian future wherein everything you see is recorded and sold to advertisers. Moreover, it’s really hard to put up with ads or ‘sponsored content’ popping up in front of your eyes the moment you wake up. Even if Google assures us otherwise, there will always be concerns about the project’s privacy handling.

2. Distraction

Imagine riding a bicycle on the streets of New York wearing one of those Google Glasses? Yes, it’s crazy!! As awesome as it looks, there’s a huge chance you’ll bump into something -- or someone? -- unexpected and make them wonder if you’re drunk. Also, walking around with notifications popping up in front of your eyes isn't something you’ll put your money into.

3. It’s not the actual product

The demo video shows all the great features of the product; however, it would be really hard to say anything overwhelmingly positive about it unless the we get to see the actual product hands-on. For now, let’s just hope Project Glass lives up to its expectations.

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” -- Arthur C. Clarke


Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

How to Install Windows Games and Software on Linux

Since Windows is the most popular operating system around, most of the games and software that are out there are available only for the Microsoft-made platform. While Mac has some great offerings to its users in this department, Linux users often miss out on the amazing games and applications its competitors can run.

The Windows monopoly has successfully managed to keep all the best applications to its continually thriving platform, thus thwarting many Linux-curious users from making the switch. That said, it doesn't mean that it’s impossible for switchers to enjoy the same features that their Windows-loving friends enjoy. Thanks to relentless efforts of thousands of developers, Linux has managed to bolster itself using the hundreds of alternative software like GIMP and LibreOffice, thus making it a viable choice for anyone looking for something apart from Windows.

Having said that, not every alternative software suffices the need of users. LibreOffice and GIMP, though good, are not quite up to the mark when compared to MS Office or Photoshop. Moreover, many games that Windows fanboys often boast of aren't available on Linux, thus holding back many gamers who want to make the switch. Thankfully, though, there are some great ways to access those software; that too without dual-booting or punching in cryptic code for hours. So, if you’re looking to make Linux as your one and only operating system, here are some tips that will help you run Windows-based games and software applications without hassles:

Wine

Wine is perhaps one of the most popular software on the Linux platform. It’s the good old tool that lets you run all your favorite Windows applications and games on your breezy little Linux box. According to statistics found on Wine’s website, the free software has over 1.5 million users worldwide.


Wine is known for its ability to run famous games like StarCraft, Left4Dead, Guild Wars, and Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. Also, the open-source tool can run Adobe Flash CS3, Adobe Photoshop CS3, MediaMonkey and many other Windows-based software. A good place to know whether your app is compatible or not is to look up the AppDB. To download Wine, simply go to the downloads page HERE and grab the one that works with your Linux distribution.

PlayOnLinux

PlayOnLinux is a Python-based software that helps users run Windows-based games and applications on your Linux computer. The application, apart from letting you play the latest games on your Linux desktop, also lets you install and run many software that are actually designed for Windows. PlayOnLinux uses the aforementioned Wine to run all the needed applications thus providing outstanding compatibility with most Windows-based software.


The biggest advantage that PlayOnLinux has over Wine is the fact that it makes it easy for new users to install their favorite games and applications in a neat, guided manner. In fact, if you are a new user just embarking on your journey to Linuxland, I’d recommend you to go with PlayOnLinux instead of Wine. Though this amazing piece of software can run many of the popular applications, don’t expect it to work well with every software that comes to your mind. Also, as compared to Wine, PlayOnLinux is relatively new, and, even though it is based on Wine, you might encounter some glitches here and there. To install PlayOnLinux on Ubuntu, type in or paste the following commands in your terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T).

wget -q "http://deb.playonlinux.com/public.gpg" -O- | sudo apt-key add -

sudo wget http://deb.playonlinux.com/playonlinux_oneiric.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/playonlinux.list

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install playonlinux

If you’re on any other distribution, feel free to head over to the downloads page.

Crossover

Developed by CodeWeavers, Crossover is a polished version of Wine that is designed for users who are looking for something more solid and professional. The proprietary software lets you run all your favorite Windows-based games and applications on Linux, and it also provides technical support in case you hit any brick walls.


The license for Crossover costs about $60 with which you get 12 months of phone and email support along with upgrades. To download/buy Crossover, simply head over to their main website HERE.

Best Sketching/Painting Apps For Android

If you have a penchant for painting, drawing, and sketching, then the normal canvas and paper might usually suffice your needs. However, with the advent of technology and the ever-growing need for mobility, the canvas has gone touch-friendly and the painting brush digital. Thanks to iPad, iPhone, and a bunch of impressive Android devices, painting on a mobile device is no longer a thing of the future. You can now draw, sketch, and paint on your tablet computer, smartphone, and other mobile devices without getting your hands messy with the paint and all. Though, of course, it’s not the same experience as painting with a real brush or a pencil, it still has some advantages over the old-school method.

Firstly, painting on a mobile device can be used to teach kids the creative art of painting without exposing them to toxic crayons or messy paints. Secondly, you can share your work to all the major social networks by simply clicking a button and get the exposure you always needed. So, if you’re looking for some good painting, drawing, or sketching apps for your Android device, you've come to the right place. Here’s a list of all the best ones in the genre.

Draw Something

Draw Something, apart from being a painting or sketching app, is a fun social game that you can play with your friends and family. Topping the charts currently as the number 1 free app, the game involves players taking turns to draw pictures that their opponents have to guess correctly. The better you are at guessing, the more coins you earn. The app has soared to unimagined heights since its launch; the hype of this little wonder is so much that the popular Zynga has recently acquired OMGPOP, the creator of Draw Something.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Kids Paint

A painting app specially designed for kids, Kids Paint lets you unleash your creativity without getting your fingers messy. Once installed, you or your kid can use it to draw anything from a grizzly bear to a scenic vista. If you mess up, just shake the screen and start over. Rated 4 out of 5 stars, Kids Paint is freely available for download from the Play Store.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Paint Easy

This free app lets you do finger painting, brush painting, spray painting and even layer painting. The app can be used by kids as well as adults to unleash their creativity.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Kids Doodle - Movie Kids Paint

Kids Doodle is an app specially designed for young children who love to paint. Apart from letting kids paint with various brushes, the app also features a special movie mode. So, once you paint your picture, you can play it back as a movie.

Another unique feature of this app is that it comes with various brushes including neon, rainbow, emboss, and crayon. Once you’re done painting, you can share your masterpiece via Facebook, SMS, Gmail, or else, you can store it safely into your SD card. With over 3 million downloads worldwide, this free app is a must-have for the budding doodler in you.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Paint Pro

Paint Pro is a simple application that lets you paint with various effects and backgrounds. Though the app doesn't have much to offer, especially when pitted with most of the aforementioned titles, it’s still a great download if you’re looking for something simple and straightforward. Paint Pro is rated 4.2 out of 5 stars and has been downloaded more than a million times so far.

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Paint Lightning

This app is not a sketching app per se; however, it does let you doodle for hours. The free download lets you draw on pictures and add a little funk to them. So, for example, you have your 21st birthday pictures with you. With this app, you can add a lightsaber or a lightning to your image with a touch of a button. Of course, you can doodle anything, but it’s much more fun to draw over your favorite images.

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Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

Top Paid Apps For Ubuntu That Are Worth Your Every Penny

When it comes to the number of quality paid applications available for download, Ubuntu has always lagged behind Windows and Mac. Despite some great choices in the Software Center, the Canonical-made distro has a long way to go in order to go head-to-head with other operating systems.

That said, not everything is so sullen and gloomy in the Canonical world. Slowly and steadily, Ubuntu is catching up with its competitors by offering some great paid applications that many users have started appreciating. And though you won’t find Adobe Photoshop or MS Office here, you’ll find an assortment of some fantastic games and software that put Ubuntu way ahead of any other Linux-based distribution.

From side-scrolling adventures to addictive MMORPGs, the paid app arena in Ubuntu is just warming up, and it seems that it’s getting hotter and hotter with every passing day. So, if you’re looking to spend your hard-earned cash on some applications tailor-made for Ubuntu, here’s a list that will help you choose the best from the lot.

World of Goo

One of the most popular cross-platform physics-based games around, World of Goo is a title you simply cannot afford to miss. The game challenges the player to build giant structures using interactive globs of goo. Be careful though, one wrong move and your whole structure could collapse right to the ground. This fun adventure-filled puzzle challenges your mind and shapes up your creativity. -Definitely worth your every penny.

Crossover Pro

If you've just switched from Windows to Ubuntu, you might be missing some of the best apps that Redmond has to offer. From MS Office and Photoshop to high-intensity action games, there are a few things that you leave behind when you switch to Linux. Well, not anymore. Crossover Pro lets you seamlessly run all your favorite Windows applications without any hassles. Be it Outlook 2007 or your favorite Windows games, Crossover Pro makes sure that you’ll never have to boot to Windows again. To get started, you can download the trial version from the Software Center. Then, if you like it, you can pay and upgrade to the full version.

Steel Storm: Burning Retribution

This top-down shooter is set in an alternative universe wherein you control a weapon-laden advanced hovercraft. And, all you have to do is eliminate all extra-terrestrial invaders just to survive. The fast-paced game features single player mode as well as online multiplayer mode where you can battle against 16 random players at once. The old-school title has been well received by Ubuntu users, and is completely worth the surprisingly low $5 price tag.

Oil Rush

One of the most well designed games to ever hit the Linux platform is Oil Rush. Based on the powerful UNIGINE graphics engine, Oil Rush is a naval strategy game based on group control. A sort of a cross between real-time strategy and tower defense games, this $20 stunner comes with hours of DRM-free single player and multiplayer fun.

Musictube

YouTube, though a video-sharing site, has become one of the best mediums to listen to music. The sheer variety of songs offered by that platform can’t be matched by any other site. Taking advantage of this offering comes Musictube, a YouTube-based music player. The $12 app lets you listen to thousands of songs from YouTube without having to open the site. Musictube works and feels just like any other music player, except for the fact that all music comes from YouTube rather than your hard drive.

Braid

Braid is a game set in a painting-like world where you manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. Everything about the game is about timing and attention, thus putting you on the edge of the seat throughout the gameplay. Apart from a challenging puzzle, Braid is also a sweet adventure with some beautiful graphics and sounds.

The Clockwork Man: The Hidden World

With some stunning graphics and engaging gameplay, this next title puts you in the Victorian era with wondrous contraptions and fascinating machinery. The game follows the adventures of Miranda and Sprocket through the Hidden World as they set off on a new adventure filled with innovative puzzles and gorgeous hand-painted scenery.

How To Use Procrastination To Enhance Online Productivity

If you’re a productivity freak like me, you might've tried every possible method to solve your procrastination woes. No matter how hard you try, if your work involves researching stuff on the Internet, you tend to put off important things. “Oh, I have that report to submit. I’m kinda bored right now, maybe I’ll check Reddit for 5 minutes and then start.” You visited reddit.com and after four hours you realized, “Oh sh*t! Where did the time go?”

Been there. Done that.

Procrastination is a problem everyone suffers from; maybe its severity differs from person to person, but there’s no denying the fact that everyone procrastinates.

So, if procrastination isn't that bad, why do I end up in such a mess? -Because it is important that you learn some self-control so that you won’t be putting things off every so often.

That said, not every kind of procrastination is bad. It’s time you learn to use it to your advantage. Today, we've compiled a list of some great techniques that will help you use procrastination to enhance your overall online productivity. Sounds crazy right? Read on.


Step 1: Aggregate

You should stop visiting or browsing your favorite news sites or blogs one by one. I suggest using an RSS feed reader like Google Reader or Feedly to aggregate the contents of your most-visited sites. Personally, I prefer Feedly as it has more features and is much more easy to use. It doesn't matter what you use; it’s totally up to you. To get started, add feeds of your favorite news sites or blogs to your RSS reader. Then, set a specific time of the day when you want to get your daily dose of news or blog madness and then bask in the glory of a fully productive day by saving some quality time.


Step 2: Procrastinate

Now that you've aggregated all your stuff, it’s time to put procrastination into action. Whenever you come across an article, especially a long one, just pause for a moment and think whether you actually want to spend your time reading it. If the answer is no, skip to the next one. If the answer is yes, then decide whether you can actually spend your time reading it.

If, in case, the article is really long, use a service like Read It Later or Instapaper to read the article for a nice lazy Sunday read. Alternatively, you can use Feedly’s built-in ‘save for later’ feature, which lets you keep a list of all the articles you want to read later. To start using it, simply press the ‘s’ key while on an article.

When it comes to browsing articles on the web, i.e. the links you come across while browsing Reddit, Stumbleupon, and Digg, use the Read It Later bookmarklets to keep a list of everything important. Alternatively, you can use Instapaper, which too provides similar features.


Time-based Procrastination

Whilst procrastinating, you might come across an article that you really want to read but don’t currently have the time to. In that case, the best thing to do is use Remember The Milk. For Chrome users, simply go to this page and add the Quickadd bookmarklet to your bookmarks bar. Now, whenever you come across something interesting, simply hit the bookmarklet. This will create a new task with the page’s URL. The best thing about this method is that you can set RTM to remind you about the article any time you want.


For Kindle Users

Finally, if you’re a Kindle user, there’s a service called Klip.me, which, once activated, lets you send web articles to your Kindle or your Android phone with a click of a button. Simply install the service’s Chrome extension or bookmarklet and you’re good to go. The service also comes with a feature that lets you read your Google Reader feeds on your Kindle even when offline. Cool huh?

Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.

Top 5 Mind Mapping Tools For Android

Of all the learning methods in the world, mind mapping has been regarded as one of the best and the most efficient ones around. A mind map is basically a diagram that represents various ideas, words, or tasks, and links them together branching out from one single idea. The reason these spider-like diagrams work well is the fact that they facilitate learning in a more visual manner as opposed to the tedious process of going through long texts. Invented and popularized by Tony Buzan, mind mapping can be used for brainstorming ideas, preparing for exams, or breaking down a big project.

Though the easiest way to start mind mapping is using a pen and paper, many people actually prefer taking the help of software. We've already talked about the best mind mapping tools available for Linux, it’s time to touch upon the ones that are available for Android. So, without much ado, here are the best mind mapping tools for Android:

Connected Mind

Connected Mind is one of the most feature-laden mind-mapping apps for Android. This cloud connected tool lets you draw detailed mind maps and sync them with your Google cloud account (via Google App engine). Rather than relying on a plain drag-and-drop interface, Connected Mind brings a more intuitive approach to mind mapping. You can draw mind maps with your fingers like you are drawing on a piece of paper. Furthermore, the app comes with support for all versions of Android, including the recently released Ice Cream Sandwich. Once you’re done mind mapping, you can share your maps as images on Twitter, Facebook, etc. without leaving the app.

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Mind Map Memo

This free app lets you draw mind maps in a neat, intuitive way. You can choose between different node icons, change background color, and even select your favorite node color. Another important feature that this app offers is that it allows users to import and export their maps to and from Freemind. Rated 4 out of 5 stars, Smart Diagram Pro is freely available for download from the Google Play store.

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Smart Diagram Pro

Actually a diagramming tool, Smart Diagram Pro can also be used as a great mind mapping application. Not only can you draw mind maps with it, you can also design flow charts, tree diagrams and more. To get started, the app features a nicely detailed tutorial guiding you through the basics of the application. Then, once you get the hang of it, you can draw as many diagrams as you like. Though the app doesn't provide any cloud-based backup, it does, however, let users export their files in XML and SVG format.

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Mindjet

Mindjet, earlier known as Thinking Space Pro, is an app for capturing and organizing information. The tool lets you take notes, brainstorm ideas, and track tasks right from your beloved Android device. Not only can you create detailed mind maps with this application, you can also organize and tag them later on, so that finding them wouldn't be a drag.

Drawing maps is easy; the app supports a variety of keyboard shortcuts and gestures that make the process quite intuitive. You can drag and drop various topics and also add icons and images for context and detail. Furthermore, if you like to work with a little focus, the app also provides a nice full screen mode.

Finally, once you’re done with your mind maps, you can sync them with your PC using the Dropbox support that comes with the application. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars, Mindjet is freely available for download from the marketplace.

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MindMeister

MindMeister brings one of the most popular mind mapping applications to your Android device. The free app lets you create mind maps and sync them with your free online account. Also, you can share your maps with your friends or colleagues without leaving the app. Though the app hasn't been received that well by Android users, it still is worthy enough to belong to this list.

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