One of the most popular Android widget applications of all time, Beautiful Widgets, is now available as a free app on Google Play. This new free version is a bare-bones edition that allows you to pick and choose the options or themes you want. As you find something that looks interesting, you can decide to buy it out-right. The folks at LevelUp Studio even bundled some of the options into packs, but you can buy pieces individually as well. Should you decide that you don’t want to spend countless amounts of cash on individual packs, you can always upgrade to the Pro version, which is the new name of the original Beautiful Widgets.

Play Link

Via:  LevelUp Studio

Beautiful Widgets Launches Free Version With In-App Purchases is a post from: Droid Life

Here are some great app sales to deliver you into the weekend. Some of the bigger names that grace this last are Super Hexagon, Beautiful Widgets, and even Plants vs. Zombies. And can you believe it, there’s Tasker for just $2! That’s a serious steal. 

• Beautiful Widgets ($1.69)
• 4 Player Reactor ($1.99)
• aCar Pro Unlocker ($0.99)
• Prince of Persia ($1.27)
• Tasker ($1.99)
• Wave ($0.99)
• NBA JAM ($0.99)
• Monopoly ($1.99)
• Plants vs. Zombies ($0.99)
• Sonic Jump ($0.99)
• F-Sim Space Shuttle ($0.99)
• Super Hexagon ($0.99)

If you don’t own some of these apps yet, you are doing it wrong. Let’s change that and support some devs.

Friday App Sales: Beautiful Widgets, Tasker, Super Hexagon, and More is a post from: Droid Life

Not too long ago, Beautiful Widgets was updated to version 5.0, bringing a completely new look, feel, and features to the application. Today, it has been bumped up to 5.1, which brings even more goodies that continually make this the ultimate widget app for Android. To kick it off, they have introduced a new feature called Lifestyles. When pulling weather data from AccuWeather, you are shown a graph of which outdoor activities would be best for the forecasted weather. 

Moving beyond that, there is a new 6×1 and 6×2 widget, users can now get rid of the geolocation option, and the developer is also making it easier for users to enter the official beta channel.

Go grab the update from Google Play.

Play Link ($3.99)

Via: LevelUp Studios

Beautiful Widgets Updated to Version 5.1, Brings “Lifestyles” Feature and More is a post from: Droid Life

So, you got a fancy new Android phone for the holidays! Congratulations! Now that you’re all set up, the only thing left to do is find the best apps and start having some fun. Google Play offers thousands of different applications and games to choose from, so without getting lost looking through countless pages of apps, allow us to drop some knowledge on you.

These are our top 10 recommendations to get you started with Android. 

1.  Chrome (free):

Earlier this year, Google released Chrome for Android and changed the way folks were using their Internet browsers. With Chrome, your mobile device and desktop computer’s tabs/browsing history can be perfectly synced, allowing for a fantastic browsing experience while on the go. Were you looking up that perfect spot for lunch on your desktop and forgot the name while on your way? Chrome has you covered. It’s free on Google Play and is always the first app we suggest to new Android users.

2.  Falcon Pro ($0.99):

Our love for the Falcon Pro app for Twitter is well known in these parts. We even did a full review on the app just to inform the masses of its existence. What makes the app so great is the user experience. The app is built amazingly well and offers up a very smooth, yet easy-to-navigate experience. It features swipe controls that help you go through your different feeds, which allows you to only see and read what you want. When it comes to Twitter apps, Falcon Pro rules the roost.

3.  SwiftKey 3 Keyboard ($1.99):

For Android users, having a third party keyboard can be a major plus. There are a lot of different options out there and we have found that SwiftKey 3 (especially the new beta, Flow) takes the cake. As for me, I type extremely fast, so I need a keyboard whose auto correct I can actually rely on. The app also offers up a ton of customization options such as themes, layout options, and more. To top that off, it offers usage statistics that show you your typing efficiency and things of that nature. Definitely worth the price.

4.  Instagram (free):

Instagram makes our list given that we feel it to be the “perfect social network.” None of those silly status updates – just pictures that give you a peak into the lives of those you care about. And of course, you can follow some celebs if you are so inclined. You can always check out Facebook, Google+, and Tumblr as well.

5.  Nova Launcher (free):

Custom launchers are one of the many things that makes Android great. If you aren’t happy with the stock home experience, you can change it! What makes Nova our go-to launcher is that we simply love the performance and customization options. Once applied, it gives you the ability to use custom icons, adjust grid sizes, change home screen transitions, manipulate the app drawer, and so much more. If there was something in your stock home experience that you weren’t enjoying, Nova likely has a fix. Also, if you’re looking for a good custom icon pack, check our Lustre and Tersus from Google Play.

6.  Snapseed (free):

Snapseed is relatively new to Android, but it has already become one of our new favorites. Previously only available for iOS devices, it is award-winning photo editing software that puts many other “filter apps” to complete shame. With swipe controls that put you in command of some powerful editing tools, you can turn your silly smartphone pictures into works of art. Once you are done editing your pictures, you can easily share them to your favorite social network or save them to your device. What makes it even better is that it is completely free.

7.  Games (Granny Smith, Need for Speed: Most Wanted):

Okay, we couldn’t narrow it down to just a single game, so we will give you two to get started. For starters, if you know anything about us, you will know we love Granny Smith. We named it our top game of 2012 and for good reason – it’s addictive! To start, it’s nice and easy and then evolves into a game that can become frustrating and extremely difficult, all while being completely enjoyable to play. It’s priced at $1.99, but is a game that we can’t get enough of. Secondly, we have Need For Speed: Most Wanted. To put it simply, it’s the best driving game on Android. Period. For having tilt controls and some touchscreen controls, the game plays extremely well. The graphics are insanely sweet, but it does come paired with a high $5.99 price tag. Act quick and you can still get it on sale for $0.99.

8.  AppSales (free):

This app is fantastic. It’s sole purpose is to save you money on the apps you want. Everyday, AppSales is updated to show which apps on Google Play are currently on sale. From using this app, I’ve easily saved $10 on apps/games, which is a win in my book. Definitely install this one if you’re big into buying content for your device.

9.  Beautiful Widgets ($2.50)

Beautiful Widgets has been around since the beginning, and it’s always on our list of recommendations for new Android users. With the newest updates the app has received, it has blossomed into an amazing widget application, with a literal ton of different options to choose from. Once one of the widgets is applied to your homescreen, you can see the time, current weather reports for your location or another location, dates, and access your alarms all from your homescreen. There isn’t a single option you can’t customize, which allows users to make a widget that fits their device and lifestyle with relative ease. The app runs a couple of dollars, but it could be some of the best money you spend in a long time.

10.  Dropbox (free):

Being able to have all of your important files/media on the go is important to everyone, not just Android users. With Dropbox, you have a safe place to store your important photos, videos, work files, and everything else that you don’t want stored on your device. Dropbox is one of the must-have apps for any Android user.

Honorable Mentions:

The below listed apps didn’t make our top 10, but they certainly deserve a mention. Some are apps for getting work done, and the others are games that will help you waste that extra time you have. Either way, these are just a few more apps that we can’t live without as Android users.

1.  Flipboard (free)
2.  Pattrn (free)
3.  Grand Theft Auto: Vice City ($4.99)
4.  Adobe Reader (free)
5.  Zombiewood (free)
6.  Google Currents (free)
7.  Sound Search (free)
8.  Ingress (free)

If you have any apps that you want to share with the community, feel free to list them below in the comments section. Have a good time with your new device!

Top 10 Apps For Your New Android Device is a post from: Droid Life

The Beautiful Widgets 5.0 update that was teased a few weeks back, is now live on Google Play. The update introduces an entirely new app, with new UI, Jelly Bean notifications, lockscreen widget support, independent weather and clock widgets, and more. It has been some time since this insanely popular widget app received a major overhaul like this, and so far, we’re really liking it – even the lockscreen widget. 

The full changelog:

• Beautiful Facelift
• Application rewritten
• JellyBean notifications
• Daydream support
• Independent widgets
• Forecast hours
• Widget 4×4
• Lockscreen widget
• Pick location

Play Link ($2.49)

(Incredibly cheesy promo video.)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheers Shawn, Matt, Steven, Jose, Steen and Michael!

Beautiful Widgets Updated to Version 5.0 – New UI, Lockscreen Widgets, and More is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, the developers of Beautiful Widgets, one of the oldest and most popular widget apps on Android, released a preview of their upcoming major 5.0 update. The application has been completely re-written, which shows as it sports the ultra-clean holo theme look that was introduced with Ice Cream Sandwich. Based on the pictures they have released, it looks fantastic. Not only will the look of the app be changed, but many of the features are being redone to allow for easier themeing and applying of widgets. 

As for a time frame, the release will take place in just a “few weeks.” I haven’t used BW in quite some time, but this update will certainly get me back into using it.

What do you think?

Via:  Level Up Studio

Beautiful Widgets 5.0 on the Way, Here is a Sneak Peek is a post from: Droid Life

Beautiful Widgets, one of the most successful applications on Android, just got a massive update today. BW took the plastic off a new online Web Store that allows you to browse through their whole catalog of widget skins. You can see an HD version of the skin, scroll through a few skins in that set and even tweet about how awesome this new widget is going to be. Best part though is once you log into the website with your BW account, you can save widget skins to the cloud and then transfer them to your phone through the cloud.

And they weren’t done there. One of their most requested features was the option to have more than one forecast in their weather application and they have provided it in this update. You can even swipe between them smoothly like a good Ice Cream Sandwich optimized application would let you. How many users use BW? Are you going to make use of the new website?

Play Link

Via: Beautiful Widgets

Beautiful Widgets Gets Update to Version 4.0, Web Skin Market and Multi-Forecast Added By Demand is a post from: Droid Life

It is day two of Google’s ten days of premium apps for just 10 cents!  Yesterday had some really great options and today is no different.  To name just a few of the biggest names we have Fruit Ninja, Beautiful Widgets, and Read It Later Pro.  This is possibly the greatest deal to ever come to the Android Market and we still have 8 days left!

• Fruit Ninja
• BB – Bedtime Battle 
• AirSync by doubleTwist 
• Flick Golf! 
• Star Chart 
• Reckless Racing
• Christmas HD
• NFL Rivals
• Beautiful Widgets
• Read It Later Pro

If you want to see the whole page of deals, then check out the Android Market.

Day 2 of Google’s 10 Days of 10 Cent Apps: Beautiful Widgets, Fruit Ninja, and More is a post from: Droid Life

There used to be this running joke around when it came to Beautiful Widgets, that I’m sure some of you long-time readers will probably remember.  Back when this site and Android for the most part, were just starting to explode, we used to get comments on every post asking, “What’s that clock widget!”  We ended up writing a post about it so that it could be referenced by readers and us every time someone asked.  Boy have we come a long way since then.

Anyways, we thought we should point out that this iconic Android application is free for the time being from GetJar.  Normally priced at around $2.99, this app gives you plenty of options to spice up your phone from time to time.

GetJar Link

Cheers @0mie!

Beautiful Widgets is FREE Right Now from GetJar is a post from: Droid Life

If your Beautiful Widgets tablet beta expired today leaving your clock looking like the one above, don’t worry because there is a new 5-day active version already available.  Grab it below, install it, and enjoy.

Download:  bwbeta.apk

Via:  Twitter

Cheers Tato and everyone else!

Beautiful Widgets Tablet Beta Expires, Here is a New One is a post from: Droid Life

A beta version of Beautiful Widgets has just been released and is the first version to include a tablet-specific clock size of 4×3.  You can see from my screen above that it actually doesn’t look all that bad, especially once you start skinning it just as you would with any other  version.  You won’t find it on the market yet, but there is an .apk below to  get you going.  Install as you would any other .apk file.

Download:  bwbeta.apk

Via:  Twitter

Cheers @el_bori1!

Beautiful Widgets Beta 3.5 with Tablet Support Available is a post from: Droid Life

Just yesterday we revisited Beautiful Widgets with some new skins and today a major update popped up for it.  I suggest you take a look at the changelog above which talks about a new “SuperClock”, battery meters, re-written live wallpaper, hi-res everything, and a bunch of fixes.  It also introduced a fairly new UI for setting up your clocks which should make life easier for the novice user out there.  We are seeing one major problem though, and that’s the idea that all of the previously made skins will no longer work with these “SuperClocks”.  Let’s hope for everyone’s sake that current skins will be easy to port over or this update may be a giant failure.

Grab it from the market now.

Download Link

Cheers Jason and James!

Beautiful Widgets Receives Update, Introduces New SuperClock and Hi-res Skins is a post from: Droid Life

We haven’t talked much about Beautiful Widgets lately, but after receiving this new set of skins from reader Nicholas, we’re back on the bandwagon.  For those of you looking to add some extra spice to that Liberty or Gingerbread ROM of yours, these should fit in nicely.  Oh, and these will all be included in the BW download list in the next week or so if you don’t want to do this all manually, but we wanted to get them to you early.

Download:  Curved_Collection.zip (alt link)

Instructions:

1.  Download the file from above to your PC or SD card.
2.  Unzip the files and place them in your Beautiful Widgets skins folder.

/data/beautifulwidgets/skins

3.  Run Beautiful Widgets and choose your favorite skin!

And a big “Thanks!” again to Nicholas for sending these over!

Download: Curved Collection Beautiful Widgets Skins for Liberty and Gingerbread ROMs is a post from: Droid Life

Beautiful Widgets was updated today and included a special prize if you ventured into the app’s settings.  The developer behind one of the most successful apps ever, created a live wallpaper to compliment BW called Beautiful Live Weather.

This new live wallpaper pulls up your local weather and streams it across the background.  Pretty cool right?  Oh, and it works even better if you have Beautiful Widgets installed.

*Side Note* - I know that many of you are reporting that you cannot see the app in the market.  Try our direct link below from your phone’s browser.  There is also word from the dev that they will be posting the apk tomorrow.  It’s free so I’d think about posting it, but I’m not sure everyone involved would be that excited about that.

Download…

Download Link

Beautiful Widgets Live Wallpaper Released is a post from: Droid Life

sorry if that title comes off a little negative (that definitely wasn’t the intention), but i need to get this out so we can move forward and onto bigger and better things!  (wow, that sounded a little overdramatic.)  to everyone out there that is wondering or has wondered what the clock/weather/calendar widget is on my home screen, this is for you.

the widget is called Beautiful Widgets.

you can grab this beautiful thing from the market, but it will cost you a whoppin’ $1.99.  trust me when i say this though, it is well worth the $1.99 when you think about the number of questions i’ve received on it.  it’s definitely “beautiful” and the amount of skins you can download to it have made it a top app purchase for me.

and if you need further verification on its awesomeness, i’m sure there are plenty of readers who would like to weigh in…

download…

the widget is called beautiful widgets people is a post from: Droid Life