Very
good
 |
SlideScreen - slide it, baby!
Tested version: 1.14
Latest version: 1.27
Requires Android: from 1.0
Summary
One of the Android’s biggest advantages, in comparison to other smartphones, is that you can set it up just the way you like it, so that every time you use it brings a tear to your eye and makes your heart beat a little faster. That’s why it’s a great to see more and more Home Replacements on the market, as these allow you to personalize your Android all the more. But, to each his own—there are lots of different ideas and concepts behind the developments to cater to the preferences and dislikes of the users. Generally speaking though, people like to have an overview of their incoming emails, text messages, and missed calls. So, at first glance SlideScreen seems to be just the thing… We’re putting it to the test!
Features & Use
Section rating:
One topic, lots of opinions. What must a Home Replacement be able to do in order to be a success? Does it need to have seven Homescreens? Or is one enough? That’s what went through my mind as I was reviewing the app, but I’ll get into that a little later.
The concept behind SlideScreen is completely different from other Replacements because it focuses on that aspect which is essential to smartphones: communication.
Shows summary information for SMS, GMail, Phone calls, Calendar, Google Reader, Stocks, Twitter and Facebook.
… Is what the app is described like on the market. And...it’s true! It allows you to have an overview of your appointments, text messages, calls, Google Newsreader feeds, and stock quotations at a glance. If you grant SlideScreen access to Twitter or Facebook, it will supply you with your friends’ status updates and Tweets of the people you’re following. Oh, and it also acts as a weather service.
SlideScreen’s central control unit is located in the bar in the middle, which displays the date. You use this to slide to the infos you’re looking for. You’ll find missed calls, your appointments, Newsreader and Facebook feeds, and Tweets in the starting position. When you receive new emails or text messages you are notified by tabs that move into the foreground. Moving the tab in the middle gives you different overviews. By pulling it down a little you’ll be able to see your chosen methods of communication.
The difference with SlideScreen is that if you slide the tab all the way up, a complete list of whatever it is you want to consult will appear. Whether you’re looking for Facebook, Twitter, price of shares, or Google Newsreader, you can easily change the display by tapping the icon in the right hand margin, in case you’d rather devote yourself to your Facebook friends than your stock quotations. The same thing can be done by pulling the tab down. This allows you an overview of your incoming emails and your calendar.
You can link your stock quotations to your Google Finance Account, if you have one. You can choose which of your Google Calenders is displayed, which News from your Reader is shown, and you can also set the frequency of your updates yourself. This could be useful if you’re using a flatrate for your mobile data connection. In short, SlideScreen is bursting at the seams with functionality.
By tapping on a news item it is displayed in its own viewer, regardless of whether it’s Facebook or Google Reader. I would’ve been very impressed if it were possible to post a comment or status update on Facebook from this viewer, but it isn’t.
The clou is that if you wipe a news thread from left to right it disappears and is replaced by a new one.
Bottom line:
I want to go back to the question of whether one Homescreen is sufficient. The only clear answer is that there isn’t any clear answer. “Gee, thanks, that wasn’t ambiguous at all”, you must be thinking, but it’s true: it’s all a question of taste. The user with the IP 91.19.36.114 reading this review right now might be of the opinion that you can’t get any better than the Standard Android Homescreen or the Sense UI. One thing’s for sure: SlideScreen is a really great app which follows an innovative operational concept and really pulls it off. Highly recommended!
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
I was impressed by the sleek black design. The design of the icons is brilliant. The weather icon, for example, actually changes in accordance to the weather outside. Simple and stylish—that was my impression.
You operate the app using the central control unit, which is really smart and practical. It’s user-friendly and well thought out. If you’re like me and don’t particularly like sitting through app tutorials you’ll have to play around with is for a while to see what all the different functions are. But it definitely deserves five stars!
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
Good speed, no droppers.
In short, the app runs smoothly and without crashing.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
You can download SlideScreen for free from the Android market.
A SlideScreen Pro version is also available on the market, the advantage being that there’s no advertisement in the margins in this version.
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Market Comments
Doug, Mar 18, 2011
Great idea hampered by incomplete development, e.g. lack of exchange support, lack of customization, etc.
Mike, Mar 17, 2011
I like this launcher, its simplistic beauty, but it wont be on my phone much longer unless an update comes out fairly soon. There is no customization
Taylor, Mar 17, 2011
Really good, but the Ad kills it for me, I know you need to advertise, but do it in the settings and not the homescreen!
Chris, Mar 17, 2011
I love this app. I really just wish that you could add more things to the update screen, like widgets or something, and remove others. Droid X 4 stars
Tana, Mar 16, 2011
Love this app! 5 stars from me. The functionality is awesome and its a super clean interface. Pro app is way too pricey though.
MamapapaXP, Mar 10, 2011
Cannot get it to work properly on Dell Streak... after reading the reviews, decided it wasn't worth waiting for an update, so uninstalled.
mack, Mar 7, 2011
Its crap, no developer support, eats battery in 4 hours flat, no customization options. I would say don't bother
John, Mar 7, 2011
Looking forward to Exchange email and Google Voice app integration. Preferably app integration and not web UI.
zach, Mar 6, 2011
Not customizable enough. I want to switch between top/bottom services. I also wish services would open apps instead of web-based UIs. Evo4g
Ali, Mar 5, 2011
Efficient but could use some more eye candy...maybe u could implement this to look kinda like touchflow 4 windows mobile by htc
NKProds, Mar 1, 2011
Great concept and implementation works great. Would need some optimizations though to show faster.
douglas, Feb 28, 2011
Great concept horrible approach, needs customization 'cause I don't need to watch stocks' and I would love a media player, for all of that I will buy.
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