Selena Gomez's best friend gave her a kidney this summer

 

♥8.7m likes

201.8k Comments

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always

Selena Gomez's best friend Francia Raisa

wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and an incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much, sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

2 DAYS AGO

The superstar said the transplant was "what I needed to do for my overall health."

She said she looked forward to sharing more with her fans later about her transplant journey, but in the meantime she wanted to thank her health team and Raisa.

"She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me," Gomez said. "I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis."

Raisa is an actress best known for her role as Adrian Lee on the TV series "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."

On Thursday, Gomez fans swarmed Raisa's latest Instragram photo to thank her for the kidney donation.

iPhone X vs iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

Which iPhone Should You Buy? How the iPhone X Compares to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

Lisa Eadicicco

Sep 14, 2017

If you're planning to upgrade your iPhone, you now have three new options to choose from: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. All three devices offer significant improvements over the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, but in different ways. And most importantly, there's a noticeable price gap between the three phones, with the iPhone 8 starting at $699, the iPhone 8 Plus starting at $799, and the iPhone X starting at $999.

If you're trying to decide which one is best for you, here's a look at iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 8 Plus vs. iPhone X:

Why to buy the iPhone 8

Apple Holds Product Launch Event In CupertinoCUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller makes speech during the Apple launch event on September 12, 2017 in Cupertino,California. Apple Inc. unveiled its new iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, and the Apple Watch Series 3 at the new Apple Park campus. (Photo by Qi Heng/VCG via Getty Images) VCG—VCG via Getty Images 

If you're still not ready to switch to a bigger screen and want to save an extra $100-$300 on your new phone, check out the iPhone 8. Even though it's not Apple's top-of-the-line phone, it still offers faster performance with the new A11 Bionic processor and includes a better camera than the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Like Apple's more expensive new iPhones, it also supports wireless charging thanks to its new glass design. The company’s True Tone screen technology will be present on all three new iPhones as well, which adjusts the white balance to match the lighting in your surroundings. Here are two reasons to consider the iPhone 8:

If you want a better camera than the iPhone 7

The iPhone 8's camera isn't as advanced as the ones on the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, but Apple has made a few noteworthy changes that differentiate it from that of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The 12-megapixel sensor now has deeper pixels, which should make it better at capturing color and detail. And the sensor itself is also faster — a change that should help the shutter snap photos more quickly.

If you want faster performance than the iPhone 7, plus augmented reality

SMARTPHONES

How Apple's iPhone X Compares to the Best Smartphones Around

The iPhone 8 includes Apple’s new A11 Bionic processor, which means you won’t have to worry about missing out on faster performance by opting for the smaller, cheaper iPhone model. Apple’s new processor now has six cores instead of four, two of which are optimized for performance and four of which are tailored for efficiency. The more processors a computer has, the better it usually is at handling more tasks at once without slowing down.

Apple also says the cameras on each new phone have been calibrated for augmented reality, so it should still offer an AR experience that’s somewhat superior than that of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The A11 Bionic chip is also designed to enable better world tracking and scene recognition, with an image signal processor that estimates light in real time.

Is the iPhone 8 right for you?

The iPhone 8 is probably the right choice for those who want an iPhone that feels new but aren’t willing to spend $1,000. Going for the less expensive option isn’t always the best idea because those models tend to include cheaper, older hardware that becomes obsolete more quickly. But in this case, since the iPhone 8 runs on the same processor as Apple’s pricier models and still includes new features like wireless charging, it’s a solid move. If you don’t necessarily care about having the best screen quality, more sophisticated camera features, or the ability to log in to your phone with your face, go for the iPhone 8.

Read more: Here's Everything Apple Announced During It's Big iPhone X Event

Why to buy the iPhone 8 Plus

Lisa Eadicicco 

The iPhone 8 Plus is the right choice for those who need a screen that’s larger than 4.7 inches and are looking for a bit more than the iPhone’s basic camera features. So the main reason to consider the iPhone 8 Plus is:

If you want everything the iPhone 8 has, but with a more advanced camera

The Plus model includes all of the improvements found in the 8 — the A11 Bionic processor, the TrueTone screen, the improved 12-megapixel sensor, cameras optimized for augmented reality, and a new glass design with wireless charging — but with a camera that can do more. Unlike the iPhone 8, the 8 Plus includes two cameras, one wide-angle lens and another telephoto lens. As such, it supports Portrait Mode: the feature Apple introduced last year that makes it possible to blur the background of an image in order to make the subject appear sharper.

With the iPhone 8 Plus, Apple is adding a new capability to Portrait Mode that lets you adjust the lighting in a shot. On the iPhone 8 Plus, you’ll now have the option to toggle between lighting scenarios that change the way shadows hit the subject's face, making it possible to produce shots in different styles. And like the 7 Plus, those two lenses also mean Apple’s larger new iPhone will offer clearer shots when zooming compared to the smaller model. Both of the 8 Plus’ cameras have optical image stabilization this time around, meaning they will be better at keeping images and videos stable if your hands shake while holding the camera.

Is the iPhone 8 Plus right for you?

If having a large screen and a superior camera are important to you, and you don’t want to spend $1,000 on the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 Plus is likely the right choice.

Why to buy the iPhone X

Lisa Eadicicco 

Starting at $999, the iPhone X is Apple’s most expensive iPhone yet. Most of the advancements here have to do with the phone’s screen and cameras: The iPhone X's 5.8-inch display is the largest any iPhone has had to date, and it's the first Apple product that can recognize you by your face. It also has the same improvements as the Phone 8 and 8 Plus, like wireless charging, Apple’s new A11 Bionic processor, a new glass design, and the improved 12-megapixel camera sensor. Here are the two main reasons to consider the iPhone X:

If you want a bigger, sharper screen

The iPhone X is Apple’s first smartphone to include an OLED screen, a type of display technology that’s capable of showing deeper blacks and richer contrast. That means you’ll definitely see improvements in the viewing experience compared to the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Samsung’s flagship phones have long offered these types of screens, and I’ve always noticed that they’ve displayed colors much bolder and more vibrantly than the iPhone. Based on my brief hands-on impressions with the iPhone X following Apple’s event, it seems like Apple could give Samsung some tough competition with the X.

It’s not just the quality of the screen that’s different — it’s the size of it, too. Apple removed the home button in order to enlarge the display without actually making the phone itself bigger. It’s a technique Samsung, LG, and Essential have all implemented on their recent smartphones as well. That means with the X, you’ll get even more screen space than the iPhone 8 Plus offers, but in a phone that’s much smaller and easier to use with one hand.

If you want facial recognition

The other major change that differentiates the X from the 8 and 8 Plus is its facial recognition technology. There’s a small cutout above the screen that contains several sensors, including a dot projector, flood illuminator, and infrared camera in addition to the regular front-facing camera. These sensors are capable of mapping your face so that you can unlock your iPhone just by looking at it. That comes at the expense of Touch ID, however, since there’s no home button. Facial recognition is another feature Samsung has already adopted on its Note 8, but I’ve found that it can sometimes be slow or unreliable when scanning my face. If Apple’s technology proves to be different and more accurate than Samsung’s, it could provide a convenient new way to unlock your phone. That’s especially true considering Apple’s Touch ID doesn’t usually perform well if your hands happen to be wet.

There’s another benefit to having those depth sensors on the front of the phone: you can take selfies in Portrait Mode on the iPhone X. Social media apps that project masks and effects over selfies, like Snapchat, will also be able to do so more accurately using the iPhone X’s facial scanner.

Is the iPhone X right for you?If screen quality is the most important characteristic you look for in a new smartphone, consider the iPhone X. It’s the best iPhone experience Apple has to offer, but at a very steep price. If you don’t necessarily care about having the best possible display and aren’t sold on the benefits that come with facial recognition, the iPhone 8 Plus is a worthwhile alternative that will save you $200.

Website Design Tutorial For Beginners

Website Design Tutorial For Beginners

Learn how to make a website. This video goes step by step thru the process of creating a simple web page using HTML and CSS. This tutorial is based on XHTML version 1.0 and CSS.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjLntW0qqDWAhWKPI8KHdsoAIQQuAIILDAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D3Wd2uEsbc_c&usg=AFQjCNHtihIXTk7JF-vmzOSRI5u8YXG8eQ

Taylor Swift - Look What You Made

Taylor Swift - Look What You Made

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tmd-ClpJxA&list=PLFgquLnL59alCl_2TQvOiD5Vgm1hCaGSI

Easy Magic Tricks

3 Easy Magic Tricks

By Julia Edelstein  

Turn an ordinary afternoon into a spellbinding show with these clever sleights of hand, conjured up by Ben Nemzer of Monday Night Magic, in New York City, and Frank Thurston of the Magic Castle, in Hollywood.


Crayon ESP
The Big Reveal
Your child picks a crayon from a box. You guess the color with mind-reading powers!

Trickiness Level: 1 out of 3

Props: A small box of crayons.

Secret Steps
1. Stand with your back to your child. Put your hands behind your back and ask her to pick a crayon out of the box and place it into your hands.

2. Once you can feel it in your fingers, turn to face your child with your hands concealed behind you. While you’re talking about the magic, scrape the crayon with your right thumbnail so some wax gets stuck between your finger and the nail.

3. Keeping the crayon behind your back in your left hand, transfer your child’s thoughts to your own with your right hand. Wave your fingers in front of her face, repeating, “I’m reading your thoughts” and “I’m moving them into my mind.”

4. As you’re waving your hand in front of your eyes, sneak a glimpse of the color under your thumbnail.

5. Reveal the answer, adding a few dramatic abracadabras for effect.

The Card Hotel

The Big Reveal
In a jumble of cards, the kings, queens, jacks, and aces defy the odds to find one another!

Trickiness Level: 2 out of 3

Props: A deck of cards.

Secret Steps
1. Remove all the face cards and aces from the deck—they’re the only cards you need.

2. Place the kings in a row and say, “All the kings decided to check into a hotel. And since they’re nice kings, they decided to bring their wives, the queens.” Now place the queens on top of the kings, matching the suits.

3. Then say, “The queens were such devoted mothers, they didn’t want to leave their sons at home.” Place the jacks on top of the queens, matching the suits.

4. Now say, “Before they all went to bed, they decided to lock their doors.” Place the aces on top of the jacks, matching the suits.

5. Here’s where the story gets interesting. Say, “But in the middle of the night, they all got mixed up.” Put all the stacks of cards together, one on top of the other. Turn the deck facedown and ask your child to cut it three times, being sure to put the deck back together after each cut.

6. When she’s done, say, “But somehow, come morning, everyone was back where he or she belonged.” Starting from the top of the pile, lay the cards out in four stacks facedown, putting one card in each stack until you’re out of cards. Turn the piles over: All the kings will be together, and so will all the queens, jacks, and aces!

3 of 3 Levi Brown
The Linking Paper Clips

The Big Reveal
Two plain old paper clips spring into the air and mystifyingly link themselves together!

Trickiness Level: 3 out of 3

Props: A dollar bill and two paper clips.

Secret Steps
1. Take the dollar bill and accordion-fold it into thirds so it’s shaped like an S.

2. Attach one of the paper clips to the front of the bill from the top, with the shorter side of the clip facing you. The clip should go over the outer layer of the folded bill as well as the middle layer, and it should be clipped near the edge of the bill, not the fold.

3. Attach the other paper clip to the back of the bill from the top, with the shorter side facing away from you. Again, the clip should go over the outer layer of the folded bill as well as the middle layer.

4. Take one end of the bill in each hand and give it a quick snap. The clips will fly into the air, and when you pick them up, they’ll be attached. How? Magic, of course.

review : Samsung Galaxy S8 vs iPhone 7

For a full spec comparison, check out the table below:

	Samsung Galaxy S8	iPhone 7
Screen	5.8 inches (Super AMOLED)	4.7 inches (LED-backlit LCD)
Display Resolution	2960 x 1440 (567ppi)	1334 x 750 (326ppi)
Aspect Ratio	18.5:9	16:9
Primary Camera	12 megapixels | f/1.7 | OIS	12 megapixels | f/1.8 | OIS
Secondary Camera	8 megapixels | f/1.7 | AF	7 megapixels | f/2.2
Chipset	Snapdragon 835 (10nm) or Exynos 8995 (10nm)	Apple A10 Fusion (16nm)
RAM	4GB	2GB
Storage	64GB	32GB
Battery Capacity	3000mAh	1960mAh
Waterproof?	Yes (IP68 certified)	Yes (IP67 certified)
Fingerprint Scanner?	Yes	Yes
Headphone Jack?	Yes	No
Primary Port	USB Type C	Lightning
Iris Scanner?	Yes	No
Wireless Charging?	Yes	No
Micro SD Slot?	Yes	No
Dimensions	148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0mm	138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1mm
Weight	155 grams	138 grams
Software	Android 7.0 Nougat	iOS 10

RIP : SIR Peter Hall

   

Theatre director Sir Peter Hall, founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company, has died aged 86

Score! Hero

SCORE! HERO

Score! Classic Goals Logo

Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_135x40_0824  en_generic_rgb_wo_60
Score! Hero, from the award winning makers of Score! World Goals, Dream League Soccer & First Touch Soccer.

BE THE HERO! Pass, Shoot & Score your way to legendary status, as you explore the dramatic career of your HERO player over 460 challenging levels!

Immersive free flowing 3D Score! Gameplay lets you control the action. Split defences with precise through balls, or bend shots into the top corner, putting you in control for an unrivalled mobile soccer experience.

Download and play today for FREE!

*****************************************

FEATURES
* Over 460 levels and counting…
* Win awards, win trophies, score goals, change clubs, represent your country and go for glory!
* New Score! Engine that allows more freedom and strategic play than ever before!
* Simple to play, tough to master
* Stunning 3D graphics, cut scenes and animations
* Customise your Hero player for a unique look and feel
* Intelligent AI adapts to your passes, and shots making each play through different
* Connect with Facebook to compete against your closest friends!
* Game Center achievements & leaderboards to see who ranks on top!
* Sync progress between devices with iCloud!
* ReplayKit support to save and share your moments of glory!
* Engaging Story charting your rise from an aspiring teen to a player making it big!

Take your chances, score the goals, be a HERO

windows 7

Windows 7 (codenamed Vienna, formerly Blackcomb[7]) is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft. It is a part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and became generally available on October 22, 2009,[8] less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.

Windows 7 was primarily intended to be an incremental upgrade to the operating system intending to address Windows Vista's poor critical reception while maintaining hardware and software compatibility. Windows 7 continued improvements on Windows Aero (the user interface introduced in Windows Vista) with the addition of a redesigned taskbar that allows applications to be "pinned" to it, and new window management features. Other new features were added to the operating system, including libraries, the new file sharing system HomeGroup, and support for multitouch input. A new "Action Center" interface was also added to provide an overview of system security and maintenance information, and tweaks were made to the User Account Control system to make it less intrusive. Windows 7 also shipped with updated versions of several stock applications, including Internet Explorer 8, Windows Media Player, and Windows Media Center.

In contrast to Windows Vista, Windows 7 was generally praised by critics, who considered the operating system to be a major improvement over its predecessor due to its increased performance, its more intuitive interface (with particular praise devoted to the new taskbar), fewer User Account Control popups, and other improvements made across the platform. Windows 7 was a major success for Microsoft; even prior to its official release, pre-order sales for 7 on the online retailer Amazon.com had surpassed previous records. In just six months, over 100 million copies had been sold worldwide, increasing to over 630 million licenses by July 2012, and a market share of 49.04% of "desktop operating systems" as of June 2017[9] according to Net Applications, making it the most widely used version of Windows

Features new to Windows 8

Features new to Windows 8
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Part of a series on
Windows 8
Features
Editions
Windows Store
Removed features
v t e
The transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8 introduced a number of new features across various aspects of the operating system. These include a greater focus on optimizing the operating system for touchscreen-based devices (such as tablets) and cloud computing.

Contents  [hide]
1 Development platform
1.1 Language and standards support
1.2 Windows Store
2 Shell and user interface
2.1 Bundled apps
2.2 Start screen
2.3 Search
2.4 User login
2.5 Notifications
2.6 Microsoft account integration
2.7 Display screen
2.8 File Explorer
2.9 Internet Explorer
2.10 Task Manager
2.11 Touch keyboard
2.12 Password input
3 Infrastructure
3.1 File History
3.2 Hardware support
3.3 Installation
3.4 Networking
3.5 Startup
3.6 Video subsystem
3.7 Printing
3.8 Windows PowerShell
3.9 Windows To Go
4 Maintenance
5 Security
5.1 Biometrics
5.2 Device encryption
5.3 Device lockdown
5.4 Family Safety
5.5 Startup security
5.5.1 Windows Platform Binary Table
5.6 Windows Defender
6 Keyboard shortcuts
7 Virtualization
8 Storage
8.1 Storage Spaces
8.2 NVM Express
9 See also
10 References
11 External links

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 (codenamed Blue) is an upgrade for Windows 8, a computer operating system released by Microsoft. First unveiled and released as a public beta in June 2013, it was released to manufacturing on August 27, 2013, and reached general availability on October 17, 2013, almost a year after the retail release of its predecessor. Windows 8.1 is available free of charge for retail copies of Windows 8 and Windows RT users via the Windows Store. Unlike service packs on previous versions of Windows, users who obtained Windows 8 outside of retail copies or pre-loaded installations (i.e., volume licensing) must obtain Windows 8.1 through new installation media from their respective subscription or enterprise channel. Microsoft's support lifecycle policy treats Windows 8.1 similar to previous service packs of Windows: It is part of Windows 8's support lifecycle, and installing Windows 8.1 is required to maintain access to support and Windows updates after January 12, 2016. However, unlike previous service packs, Windows 8.1 cannot be acquired via Windows Update.

Released as part of a shift by Microsoft towards regular yearly major updates for its software platforms and services, Windows 8.1 aims to address complaints of Windows 8 users and reviewers on launch. Visible enhancements include an improved Start screen, additional snap views, additional bundled apps, tighter OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) integration, Internet Explorer 11, a Bing-powered unified search system, restoration of a visible Start button on the taskbar, and the ability to restore the previous behavior of opening the user's desktop on login instead of the Start screen. Windows 8.1 also added support for such emerging technologies as high-resolution displays, 3D printing, Wi-Fi Direct, and Miracast streaming, as well as the ReFS file system.[5]

Windows 8.1 received mixed reception, although more positive than Windows 8, with critics praising the expanded functionality available to apps in comparison to 8, its OneDrive integration, along with its user interface tweaks and the addition of expanded tutorials for operating the Windows 8 interface. Despite these improvements, Windows 8.1 was still criticized for not addressing all digressions of Windows 8 (such as a poor level of integration between Metro-style apps and the desktop interface), and the potential privacy implications of the expanded use of online services. As of June 2017, the market share of Windows 8.1 is 6.40%.[6]

windows 10

Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed and released by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was first released on July 29, 2015.[7] Unlike previous versions of Windows, Microsoft has branded Windows 10 as a "service" that receives ongoing "feature updates". Devices in enterprise environments can receive these updates at a slower pace, or use long-term support milestones that only receive critical updates, such as security patches, over their ten-year lifespan of extended support.[8][9]

Windows 10 introduces what Microsoft described as "universal apps"; expanding on Metro-style apps, these apps can be designed to run across multiple Microsoft product families with nearly identical code‍—‌including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and Mixed Reality. The Windows user interface was revised to handle transitions between a mouse-oriented interface and a touchscreen-optimized interface based on available input devices‍—‌particularly on 2-in-1 PCs; both interfaces include an updated Start menu which incorporates elements of Windows 7's traditional Start menu with the tiles of Windows 8. The first release of Windows 10 also introduces a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, the Microsoft Edge web browser, support for fingerprint and face recognition login, new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 to improve the operating system's graphics capabilities for games.

Windows 10 received mostly positive reviews upon its original release in July 2015; critics praised Microsoft's decision to provide a desktop-oriented interface in line with previous versions of Windows, contrasting the tablet-oriented approach of 8, although Windows 10's touch-oriented user interface mode was panned for containing regressions upon the touch-oriented interface of Windows 8. Critics also praised the improvements to Windows 10's bundled software over Windows 8.1, Xbox Live integration, as well as the functionality and capabilities of Cortana personal assistant and the replacement of Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge. However, media outlets have been critical of changes to operating system behaviors, including mandatory update installation, privacy concerns over data collection performed by the OS for Microsoft and its partners, and the adware-like tactics used to promote the operating system on its release.[10][11][12][13][14]

Microsoft aimed to have Windows 10 installed on at least one billion devices in the two to three years following its release.[8] Up to August 2016, Windows 10 usage was increasing, with it then plateauing,[15][16][17] and with previous versions of Windows declining in their share of total usage as measured by web traffic. The operating system is running on more than 400 million active devices[18] and has an estimated usage share of 27.72% on traditional PCs[16] and 12.53% across all platforms (PC, mobile, tablet, and console).[15]

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows, or simply Windows, is a metafamily of graphical operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. It consists of several families of operating systems, each of which cater to a certain sector of the computing industry with the OS typically associated with IBM PC compatible architecture. Active Windows families include Windows NT and Windows Embedded; these may encompass subfamilies, e.g. Windows Embedded Compact (Windows CE) or Windows Server. Defunct Windows families include Windows 9x, Windows Mobile and Windows Phone.

Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985, as a graphical operating system shell for MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs).[3] Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer (PC) market with over 90% market share, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced in 1984. Apple came to see Windows as an unfair encroachment on their innovation in GUI development as implemented on products such as the Lisa and Macintosh (eventually settled in court in Microsoft's favor in 1993). On PCs, Windows is still the most popular operating system. However, in 2014, Microsoft admitted losing the majority of the overall operating system market to Android,[4] because of the massive growth in sales of Android smartphones. In 2014, the number of Windows devices sold was less than 25% that of Android devices sold. This comparison however may not be fully relevant, as the two operating systems traditionally target different platforms. Still, numbers for server use of Windows (that are comparable to competitors) show one third market share, similar to for end user use.

As of September 2016, the most recent version of Windows for PCs, tablets, smartphones and embedded devices is Windows 10. The most recent versions for server computers is Windows Server 2016. A specialized version of Windows runs on the Xbox One video game console

BEST ANDROID THEMES: OUR TOP 8 PICKS TO MAKE YOUR SMARTPHONE LOOK INCREDIBLE

There are so many ways in which you can make your Android look and feel awesome, but one of the easiest is by downloading an Android theme. Below I’ve assembled what I currently believe to be the best Android themes for a number of different launchers which are all free to install and use. Recent updates include Ocean Dream, Glasklart and the minimalist White. 

Best Android Launchers

Best Android Icon Packs

AndroidPIT best android themes 1

Dragon for CM Launcher is on of the best themes on Android. / © ANDROIDPIT 

1. Ocean Dream for ZenUI Launcher

ZenUI is a strong launcher for theming because it doesn’t require any extras and doesn't supply much in the way of bloatware. Though its themes aren’t the most comprehensive – its icon packs generally cover only the most basic apps (and often not even all those that come pre-installed) – they are nonetheless considered and consistent.

The icons within Ocean Dream are all cleverly designed to tie in with the theme. The icon for messaging app for example, looks like a message in a bottle. The icon for the browser app, on the other hand, is a radar.

It's beautiful stuff, I just wish its icon packs were more extensive. Be sure to take a look at the Autumn theme too (you can see a picture of that at the top of the article).

AndroidPIT best android themes 5

Ocean Dream was created by the ASUS / ZenUI team. / © ANDROIDPIT

2. Glasklart for Apex launcher

Glasklart has many unique icons, even for slightly less common apps such as Anututu and Greenify, and the overall design is fantastic. Even those which aren't built from the ground up don’t look out of place here.

The apps in the app drawer are like ghosts, drawn in a single shade of white. Their names are hard to see against the gray background, but pull them out of the app drawer and onto the homescreen and they'll really look delicious.

The app icons are subtly, but expertly shaded, which gives them a soft and chic appearance. With its white and silvery icons against a palette of purple, Glasklart is highly recommended.

AndroidPIT best android themes 4

Glasklart is a highly polished theme. / © ANDROIDPIT

3. White for CM Launcher

White for CM Launcher is gorgeous. There is real confidence shown in the minimalist background wallpaper; a simple winter scene of a tree and a person walking away from it. But it's the postcard-like app icons – the namecard style address book icon in particular – that steal the show.

You can also get a theme called Dragon for CM launcher (seen above), which is quite garish for my tastes and only adds some simple shapes to the regular icons, but any fantasy or anime fan may be interested. It’s White's two-tone winter scene below that is most beautiful, though.

AndroidPIT best android themes 3

Simple, elegant, White.  / © ANDROIDPIT

4. Black Mechanic Atom Theme for Atom Launcher

Anybody who’s ever checked out Android themes in the Play Store should be immediately familiar this one. Garish for sure, this theme combines a live cyber-punk style wallpaper with some well-designed neon buttons to give your handset a futuristic feel.

It largely consists of blue and black tones, which makes some of the widgets in its ‘Atom All in One Widgets’ look a little out of place, but the initial theme has a strong continuity between all of the elements, even down to the font choice and the time/date/battery display. Combine it with the Mechanism Atom Icon Pack for an even more impressive look.

androidpit black mechanic theme 5

Black Mechanic is a futuristic-looking app. / © ANDROIDPIT

Black mechanic Atom Theme

Install on Google Play

5. Jellyfish 3D for Hola Launcher

Jellyfish theme for Hola Launcher is incredibly simple in principle: it creates a ripple effect when you tap on display, on an app, or swipe between homescreens. This is slapped onto a background of an underwater scene with a couple of jellyfish pictures.

But the result is so effective and pleasing to watch that it completely belies the concept. The background colors and designs are carefully matched to the soft and bright tones of Hola Launchers icons, and it’s always responsive. It's simple, effective and features a nice clock icon too.

androidpit hola launcher theme 5

You have to see Jellyfish 3D live to fully appreciate it. / © ANDROIDPIT

Jellyfish Hola 3D Theme

Install on Google Play

6. Pinko for APUS Launcher

Pinko has been an Android favorite for a long time thanks to minimalist icons with high attention to detail. Pinko turns all your apps into circles which have all been colored and designed with care. The dialer app looks like the mouthpiece of an old-fashioned telephone, and the messaging and all apps icons are just groups of circles.

It doesn’t make the interface look a whole lot different, and it doesn’t use any fancy animations, it just creates an almost retro style which looks neater and more sophisticated than many other competing themes.

androidpit pinko android theme 5

Pinko is understated and effective. / © ANDROIDPIT

Pinko APUS stylish theme

Install on Google Play

7. Music Life for Go Launcher

Music Life is an unashamedly colorful theme inspired by graffiti art. There are a number of icons with custom street-art style designs, and the paint splash drop shadows added to all of your pre-existing icons look very cool.

The stock white Android Clock icon is a fraction unclear against the white background, and be warned that Go Launcher throws a lot of ads and bloatware at you. If you're okay with that, make sure you give it a go.

androidpit music life for go theme

It's brash, but the Music Life theme is undeniably exciting. / © ANDROIDPIT

Download Music Life from the Play Store here

8. Album for Go Locker

One of the best lockscreen themes right now is Album. It works with Go Locker, and transforms your lockscreen into a map of tiles. Not only do these look good from an aesthetic standpoint, but these tiles are functional too.

Several of the squares house an icon which leads to a particular app. Swipe the tile with the message symbol and you will see a 3D effect before it launches your messaging app, for example.

It’s quirky, and the disorganized look of the colors and squares somehow combines to create something unique and interesting.

androidpit album locker app theme

Album is one of the best lockscreen themes around right now. / © ANDROIDPIT

8 Ball Pool

•The World's #1 Pool game - now on Android!•

Play with friends! Play with Legends. Play the hit Miniclip 8 Ball Pool game on your mobile and become the best!

COMPETE 1-ON-1 OR IN 8 PLAYER TOURNAMENTS

Refine your skills in the practice arena, take on the world in 1-vs-1 matches, or enter tournaments to win trophies and exclusive cues!

PLAY FOR POOL COINS AND EXCLUSIVE ITEMS

Customize your cue and table! In every competitive 1-vs-1 match you play, there’ll be Pool Coins at stake – win the match and the Coins are yours. You can use these to enter higher ranked matches with bigger stakes, or to buy new items in the Pool Shop.

CHALLENGE YOUR FRIENDS

Playing friends is easy: sign in with your Miniclip or Facebook account and you’ll be able to challenge your friends straight from the game. Challenge friends anytime, anywhere and show off your skills.

LEVEL UP

8 Ball Pool’s level system means you’re always facing a challenge. Play matches to increase your ranking and get access to more exclusive match locations, where you play against only the best Pool players.

--Download Pool by Miniclip NOW!--
*This game requires internet connection.

Play on the Web at miniclip.com/pool

Don’t miss out on the latest news:

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Samsung galaxy S8

Samsung galaxy S8

NETWORK Technology

GSM / HSPA / LTE

LAUNCH Announced 2017, March

Status Available. Released 2017, April

BODY Dimensions 148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (5.86 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)

Weight 155 g (5.47 oz)

Build Corning Gorilla Glass 5 back panel

SIM Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)

  - Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)

- IP68 certified - dust/water proof over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes

DISPLAY Type Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors

Size 5.8 inches (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)

Resolution 1440 x 2960 pixels (~570 ppi pixel density)

Multitouch Yes

Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 5

  - 3D Touch (home button only)

- Always-on display

PLATFORM OS Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Chipset Exynos 8895 Octa - EMEA

Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 - USA & China

CPU Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.7 GHz) - EMEA

Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) - USA & China

GPU Mali-G71 MP20 - EMEA

Adreno 540 - USA & China

MEMORY Card slot microSD, up to 256 GB (dedicated slot) - single-SIM model

microSD, up to 256 GB (uses SIM 2 slot) - dual-SIM model

Internal 64 GB, 4 GB RAM

CAMERA Primary 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, LED flash, check quality

Features 1/2.5" sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size, geo-tagging, simultaneous 4K video and 9MP image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, Auto HDR, panorama

Video 2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, HDR, dual-video rec., check quality

Secondary 8 MP, f/1.7, autofocus, 1440p@30fps, dual video call, Auto HDR

SOUND Alert types Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones

Loudspeaker Yes

3.5mm jack Yes

  - 32-bit/384kHz audio

- Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic

COMMS WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot

Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX

GPS Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO

NFC Yes

Radio No

USB 3.1, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector

FEATURES Sensors Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2

Messaging SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM

Browser HTML5

Java No

  - Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)

- Fast battery charging (Quick Charge 2.0)

- Qi/PMA wireless charging (market dependent)

- ANT+ support

- Bixby natural language commands and dictation

- MP4/DivX/XviD/H.265 player

- MP3/WAV/eAAC+/FLAC player

- Photo/video editor

- Document editor

BATTERY Non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery

Talk time Up to 20 h (3G)

Music play Up to 67 h

MISC Colors Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold

SAR 0.44 W/kg (head)     0.75 W/kg (body)    

SAR EU 0.32 W/kg (head)     1.27 W/kg (body)    

Price About 610 EUR

TESTS Performance Basemark OS II: 3272 / Basemark OS II 2.0: 3376

Basemark X: 42370

Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.768 (sunlight)

Camera Photo / Video

Loudspeaker Voice 66dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 72dB

Audio quality Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.8dB

Battery life

Endurance rating 84h