Customizing Your Android Tablet

Google's Android gives users countless customization options for their tablets. I'm Jon Rettinger bringing you a few tips on getting your Android device looking and working just the way you want it, with widgets, launchers, and wallpapers, right here on Tech Savvy. Android gives users so many more ways to customize their device than Apple, it'll surely make even the most loyal iPad users just a little jealous. So, let's dig into a few of the many ways you can personalize an Android tablet. Let's start with widgets. Widgets are miniature apps that at a glance let you see information or quickly perform tasks without even having to open up the full app. The best part, you have it right on your home screen. Common ones include clocks, weather, maps, email, and contacts, but there's a wide variety beyond that. And, for you social network fanatics, Facebook and Twitter have widgets too, providing an easy interface for staying connected on the go. To add a widget on most versions of Android, simple open up your apps menu, select widgets, and you can now pick whichever one you like, and drag it right to your home screen. But, you don't have to confine your widgets to just the home screen. Using an app like WidgetLocker, they can even appear on your display before you unlock your device. With the information available on your lock screen, you might find you never need to unlock your tablet. The main interface to your tablet is it's launcher. It's basically what you call your home screen. It controls how your apps and media are organized, and it's your gateway to the rest of your device. Default Android launchers could definitely get the job done, but there's a whole world of options out there beyond that. Something like ADW launcher, one of the most popular, customized home screen launchers out there. And the best part, it's totally free. Has amazing options for the way you can personalize your Android experience. You can change how many icons show up per row, font size, and even the icons themselves. Most days, I end up staring at my tablet for hours on end, so I'm a big fan of mixing up my wallpaper. Many options exist, but my favorites are definitely live wallpapers. As the name implies, Moving Image can used as your screens background. For example, you can set a live wallpaper, such as the Galactic Core, which beautifully displays the rotating spiral galaxy as your background. There's also a really great live wallpaper called Earth HD, which even lets users interact with the planet by spinning it in circles. For Android users, there are literally thousands of customization options out there. You're only limited by your imagination. Tune in to future episodes of Tech Savvy for more information about tablets, and the rest of the world of technology. Thanks for joining us.