CyanogenMod 7.2 Release Candidate Brings Predictive Phone Dialer, Ice Cream Sandwich Features to Android [Cyanogenmod]

Android (rooted): Our favorite custom Android ROM, CyanogenMod, has come out with a release candidate of its next version, complete with some Ice Cream Sandwich visual effects, a predictive phone dialer, and more.

We're still waiting for CyanogenMod 9, the Ice Cream Sandwich version of our favorite Android ROM, but the CyanogenMod team has come out with a small update to hold us over. It has some of Ice Cream Sandwich's transition and rotation effects, which adds some pizazz to the OS, plus an awesome predictive phone dialer, much like the one found in HTC's Sense UI or Samsung's TouchWiz UI. As you type numbers, it'll also search your contacts for people that match the numbers and letters as you type. It also has a number of bug fixes, plus advanced options for quiet hours, calendar reminders, and more. It also supports over 20 new devices, so if you've never tried out CyanogenMod, hit the link below to see if it's available for you (or check out the changelog to see all its newest features).

CyanogenMod is a free download for rooted Android devices. As always, the Release Candidate may still have a bug or two, but should be stable enough for everyday use.

CyanogenMod-7.2.0-RC1 Is Upon Us | CyanogenMod Blog

Create a "Complaint Sandwich" to Become a More Effective Bellyacher [Complaints]

Complaining effectively can make your life better, but we often resort to anger and other poor methods of voicing our opinions. Master complainer Guy Winch, author of The Squeaky Wheel, has an easy way of making your complaints more effective: make a complaint sandwich. Meg Selig, writing for Psychology Today, explains:

Whip up a yummy "complaint sandwich." Start with an ear-opener-something that will help the recipient of the complaint become sympathetic. Add the meat-your actual request for redress of your grievances. Finish it off with a digestive-words that will increase the listener's motivation to help you. Short example: "I've been a customer of Slipshod Corporation for 5 years, and I've generally been happy with your service. Last month I noticed an extra charge on my account for a service I never ordered, and I would like that removed. I would really appreciate your help with this."

For more tips on effective complaining, check out our complaining guide. We've also put together a complaint form letter to help you get started if your complaints are written rather than voiced.

The 9 Habits of Highly Effective Complainers | Psychology Today

Phoenix Launcher Brings Android's Ice Cream Sandwich Launcher to Any Gingerbread Device [Android Downloads]

Android: A lot of phones are getting Ice Cream Sandwich eventually, but we all know that could take awhile. If you can't wait, Phoenix Launcher reproduces Ice Cream Sandwich's smooth, good-looking launcher and app drawer on any device running Gingerbread.

Phoenix Launcher is very smooth, and contains all of Ice Cream Sandwich's great transition animations, not to mention its dock, app drawer, and even wallpapers. You can choose between 3, 5, 7, or 9 home screens, set which one you want to be the default, and even change a few other miscellaneous settings. The only catch is that if you want to use widgets from the app drawer, you need to root your phone and move the app to /system/app using something like Root Explorer before you use it. See the app's official thread over at XDA Developers for more info on this. All of Phoenix Launcher's other features work on rooted or unrooted devices.

Phoenix Launcher is a $2 download for Android devices running Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich, though you can grab a limited free version to try it out first.

Phoenix Launcher | Android Market via XDA Developers Blog