Relentless Appz Has released there 2nd Generation of Android ROM Kitchens and this time, its took a whole new approach. The 1st Generation was aimed at solely the beginners in its design but still allowing some great customisation to your phones look and feel. This however has gone that whole lot further. If you were one of the ones to purchase the original software this is the perfect move onto further developing your own ROM’s. The interesting thing about this Android ROM Kitchen, is that it allows you to practically customise everything you see virtually on any Android Device, it does this by creating tools which have been specifically designed for customising certain parts of your ROM and makes customising a whole lot easier and faster in development, so its perfect for designers, developers and even the curious beginner. The picture below is of the software’s new simplistic look.

To name its features we will need a list so, it will allow you to:

• Take any Android ROM and prepare it for Customisation
• Add and Remove any Applications installed on the ROM
• Change the Font to anyone of the 30 Funky pre-installed examples or to one of your choice

• Add Compatibility automatically between different ROM’s so that you can use for instance a G1 ROM on a HTC Magic
• Create or edit any of the scripts with the ROM
• Change the Boot Screen which loads when you turn on the device, you can choose one of the pre-installed or create your own
• Customise Any Applications you desire, edit the graphics,the layout, everything and this tool will unpack, edit, re-pack and sign the app all for you
• Customise the Framework-res, the heart of the device. This is done in a special method which allows you to edit it without breaking the unique security signature of the Framework, without this special method, its impossible to edit, but with it you can edit all the resources like the smiley faces in your sms

• Add extras like, unique features such as bluetooth fileshare, wifi tethering, file explorer, APN lists, Apps2SD and Super User Capabilities
• Customise the ROM information so that you can state you created it, you can also set up all the default structures like ringtones etc
• ZipAlign this is a great new function which will go through every single APK application and optimise it so that it uses less RAM on the Device so overall provides better performance. The great thing about this funtion is that its all done for you at a click of a button
• Last but not least the packaging up of all your customisations into a tidy archive and then signing it so that you can flash it to your Android device for use

The great thing is, once you have finished creating your custom ROM you can if you have it, then use there other application the Relentless Command Centre to get it flashed onto the device. Although this is not necessary you can obviously just boot into recovery and flash in the normal way and enjoy.

I have created many ROM’s with this software and they all work very well indeed, its on sale at the Relentless Appz website for less than a fiver and the best of it is, if you have every purchased from the Relentless Appz website before, for one of there Automatic Rooting Solutions or the 1st Generation ROM Roaster then you are eligible for a whopping 50% discount, so you get all this software for just £2.49….Crazy

so if this takes your interest go along to there website now

http://www.relentlessappz.com

Tinkernut is a great site for how to videos on everything in PC land. They make quality videos with simple language. Anyway, they recently got hacked and decided to share how to make things secure so it doesn’t happen again.

You need to spend time protecting you PC from hackers and other nasties. Believe me, its time well spent. It is always a matter of when, not if you get hacked.

Have a look at this video for some straight forward tips on defending your geek life.

I recently told you about RelentlessAppz and their fantastic software called Relentless Command Centre. Well shortly after that was released, Sean Marsh contacted me about his newest “invention”. I have been playing with it for a couple of weeks. Its called RelentlessAppz ROM Roaster. Cool name, huh?

The idea is really simple. If like me, you are constantly on the look out for a decent ROM for your Android handset. You will find that every ROM you try is almost right. Just not exactly how you like. For example, being in Ireland, it always annoys me that I have to re-enter my APNs to get my data connection going whilst most others have them preset. Or when I reflash, the most essential app for me is Titanium Backup. Some chefs add them, some don’t.

Well, if you relate to all that and feel like having a little fun, then this is for you.

Relentless Appz ROM Roaster

This is a review of the software. Later I will write, not so much a how to as its pretty simple, but more of a tips and tricks of the software. Whilst Sean doesn’t get a gold star for his Photoshop skills  , he does get bonus stars for making something that is usually out of the reach of the everyday user in to a simple click click affair.

Features

• Add your own APN list
• Add a custom boot screen and Launcher
• Add your own fonts
• Enable APPS2SD
• Choose where apps get installed
• Install specific keyboards
• Add Social networks, Music apps and File sharing apps
• Fine tune control over what apps get added at the beginning
• Add superuser app
• GREAT FUN!!!
• 32b Compatibility Mode -E.g Use a Hero ROM on a Dream/Magic

This is your control centre.

You need a base ROM to work with and load that into the interface. Then as you move along you add and remove features that not completely your liking. When you are done, you hit the turkey and flash your device.

If you need reminding on flashing devices just use the search button on this site.

PRICE: £4.99

I have a daughter, aged 1.5 years. I guess watching me play with my phone, on my desktop clicking and tapping, on my laptop doing the same, all resulting in beeps and screen flashes captures a child’s interests and imaginations. So what can you do when they are this young but insist they need to use the PC. Lots, actually. And none of the solutions damage your settings or files. After all you want to encourage them as much as possible.

First up, BabySmash!

This is a program that gives them instant gratification for all their random and wild clicks on the mouse and taps on the keyboard. It takes up the full screen and locks them out of any of the desktop items.

Features Smash on any keys Draws letters, shapes, numbers Keeps babies happy Won’t harm your computer New features added often

It offers a settings dialog so you can tune the “experience”. You may need to buy a new keyboard after a while though if your child is like mine. Or dig out an old one for them.

Its really good for hand-eye coordination. She is learning to control the mouse movement better and realize each key is different for a reason.

Soon she will be writing on the blog.

Its a free download and you can get it here – Baby Smash!

Secondly, Animal Sounds for Android

The desktop is only one part. So you need something for your phone too. I use Animal sounds to teach her the spellings, sounds and images of a particular animal. It doesn’t lock out the screen but has taught her what a touch screen is and how to use it with swipes.

Its an effective way of keeping her entertained and learning at the same time.

There is of course an options screen, again where you can fine tune things a little. Especially the sound control.

To get it, search for Animal Sounds on the market place and its free.

Here is their website – Linkedin Profile

Thirdly, Baby Go for Android and Blackberry

This one is good because it locks out your mobile screen so they can only learn and play. The creators website is fantastically designed. Below are the feature differences between the paid and free version. For me the free version is enough for now. I am sure she will grow out of it though and I will have to get the super version.

The site doesn’t indicate that its available for Android but a market search will show it up.

I hope these have been useful and if there are some better ones out there, let me know in the comments.

Relentless Command Centre

What’s Wrong With It?

The Good Stuff

• Designed for every Avid Android user that has ROOT
• Most useful Fastboot & ADB commands in one centre.
• Backing up of all your apps,
• Restoring all of your apps,
• Push single apps to your device in one click,
• Format your EXT Partition,
• Flash a new custom ROM to your device,
• Fastboot a new ROM or Recovery Image to test it first- a bit of a try before you buy thing,
• Flash a new Recovery Image
• A host of rebooting options

Flash A Recovery Image To Your Android Handset

How To Flash A Custom ROM