Now that Google I/O is over with and a potential Android 4.3 release date is in the wild, the hypebeasting of features will undoubtedly start to pick up. The first to kick off the fun is one of our favorite apps, Light Flow. For those not familiar, Light Flow is the best notification manager in the business, as it provides you with more tools and options for notifications settings than any other app. It’s also designed incredibly well and always seems to have a major update around the corner.

So what does Light Flow have to do with the next version of Android? 

In their latest update that was released this afternoon, they are claiming to have made a change towards a mandatory persistent notification icon because Google has requested this become a standard in an “upcoming version of Android.” Their description for this new requirement mentions that any app running in “foreground mode” must place a persistent notification icon in the notification bar. I’m assuming this is a lot like how Pebble works when it’s paired to your phone – there is always a Pebble icon showing that you are connected.

The update also includes support for Hangouts, including pushing text to DashClock, and fixed notifications with Chat Heads for more devices.

But the big mention here has to be with the “upcoming version of Android,” which we are all expecting to be Android 4.3. I know this doesn’t give us much, nor is it a feature that anyone will run and show off to friends, but this potentially adds to the thought that we will see the next version of Android at any moment.

Cheers MG and Evan!

Light Flow Update Teases New Version of Android, May Require Persistent Notifications for Some Tasks is a post from: Droid Life

LightFlow, one of our favorite notification apps, received an update this morning that added support for the Pebble smartwatch (our review). In the app, you’ll now see an option to “Send to Pebble.” If checked, your Pebble watch will vibrate with a notification from your phone, through LightFlow. As you can see in the photo above, it’s even showing me comments on Instagram, something I wasn’t expecting it to do. 

You can also attach dozens and dozens of other apps, as LightFlow is constantly adding support for more. For example, I now have Twitter notifications from HootSuite coming through, though they aren’t displaying the message, but just notifying me that I have a new message to view. I think the amount of info displayed depends on the app and what the notification shows in your notification bar.

If you backed Pebble or purchased one after the Kickstarter, I highly recommend picking up LightFlow to help add more notification options than you’ll know what to do with.

Play Links:  LightFlow Lite | LightFlow ($2.49)

Cheers Scott and @yodatom10!

LightFlow Update Adds Pebble Support For Notifications, Makes Possibilities Mostly Endless is a post from: Droid Life

When the Galaxy Nexus was first announced, I immediately fell in love with an app called Light Flow. Since the G-Nex had this big beautiful multi-colored notification light centered at the bottom of the device, this app would help all of us take full advantage of it. The app, back then though, worked well, but wasn’t the prettiest thing to look at. Thanks to a massive update that dropped last night, it certainly is now.

In version 3.0, users can set specific volume controls for each notification, tell notifications to override silent or vibrate modes, test out new features in a Labs section, and reset wonky notifications through a simple widget. It’s a hefty upgrade, but again, the most noticeable stuff is clearly in the UI overhaul that is pictured above. Good stuff, here.

Links:  Free | Full ($1.99)

Cheers Jason and Justin!

Light Flow Receives Full Makeover, New Features, and is More Impressive Than Ever is a post from: Droid Life

Since the Galaxy Nexus has big and beautiful notification light, we need to make sure you are getting the most out of it. In one of our previous Ice Cream Sandwich videos, we showed you an app called Light Flow that allows you to customize, but have had enough readers ask about it over the last couple of days to give you a quick reminder. This app, is awesome for the G-Nex. If you were looking to utilize the multi-color functionality of your phone, I’m not sure there is a more intense app to do it with. 

There are both paid and free versions of it, with the full giving you the ability to customize a number of additional notifications. So as you can see in the screenshots below, this goes even beyond just giving yourself a custom color. You can set up vibrate patterns, notification tone patterns, have a different color per email address or phone contact, etc. I recommend the paid because it gives you the opportunity to customize so many more notifications, but you may want to test the free version first for a bit.

*Note – In order to use the app, you have to enable Light Flow in accessibility on your phone. You will see a pretty scary warning about how Light Flow can collect every single key stroke or piece of personal info about yourself. The good news is, that this LED Control app does not have internet access, and the developers for it are up front about that. So just know that the app has a warning – proceed at your own risk.

Market Links:  Full ($1.99) | Free

LED Notification Light App for the Galaxy Nexus is Called Light Flow LED Control is a post from: Droid Life