Android Done For?

So while researching some stuff as I was designing a flash based site for Beasthood Inc I ran into some issues with availability on mobile devices. Of course everyone knows Adobe Flash, the vibrant coding engine that makes animation and gameplay on our favorite websites function, was only reserved for full computers... that is, until Google came alone with the Android system and took over as the only mobile device capable of running it. This seemingly small addition is the reason Android soared into relevance and why many overlooked its choppy usability and horrid battery life. But now, with the release of the newest OS, Android 4.0 (ice cream sandwich), for some odd reason Adobe has this up stating they will no longer support them. This means the very high end graphics processors and coding capability that made Android a viable competitor to the Apple ipad and iPhone devices has ceased to exist for future development. With HTML5 its only possible replacement being YEARS away from being standard, what will keep Android afloat? Its a cold world out in these tech streets, every android device out now just simultaneously became "old". As of now "certified" devices will still be supported for the Adobe Flash install (which sounds like corporate code for "those who pay us kickbacks"), so expect your full computer browsing experience to get worse and worse as time goes on. R.I.P. Android, twas a good run.

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What’s the Difference: Memory Cards & Prices

 

I’m sure by now you’ve got a digital camera, tablet, phone, camcorder etc etc etc that probably uses SD/SDHC cards but you probably don’t understand why there are so many different types of memory cards and what the point is of buying anything besides the very cheapest one for your needs… well let me make it simpler for you so that you not get the cheapest card, but the best value for your usage.

 

Capacity

This refers to the size of the memory card and how many pictures/videos/data it can hold. Typical sizes on the market will range from 4Gigabytes to 128Gigabytes doubling in size with each increase (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128). This will determine how much it will take to fill up the card before you need to empty it off to a secondary device.

 

 

Just so you better understand what your needs may be the symbols got from Kilobytes(KB) to Megabytes(MB) to Gigabytes(GB) (1024KB = 1MB, 1024MB = 1GB). This way you can make a basic determination of what the minimum size you want to have is based off what you are using it in.

 

Speed

This an area that most people have NO IDEA about and is probably the most important in a practical sense for people dealing with cameras/camcorders and they don’t even realize it. The speed of the memory card refers to the Read/Write capabilities, in laymen's terms, how fast the information can be created and/or accessed. lower speeds will actually slow the performance of you device which has to slow down because it gets backed up during use.

 

ex. You ever took a photo with your camera or cellphone and had to wait 2 - 3 seconds in between each picture? in most cases its not the camera itself but the memory card that’s the problem. When you take a photo/video or even save something to the memory card, if the card itself is too slow, the device has to slow down to account for it. amazingly simple right? I know.

 

The simplified manner in which to determine the speed of the memory card is called the Class which is notated on the card itself with a small number within a circle (Typically ranging from Class 2 and Class 10).

 

Now while getting the highest speed is the fastest, keep in mind the device you have, Technically faster and actually faster are not one in the same. A typical smartphone needs nothing more than a Class 2/4 speed while a digital camera should be no less than 4 if its more than 8Megapixels. For any device taking Hi-definition video or SLR camera should be Class 6 or 10 to ensure optimal use and speed.

 

So hopefully this has made it a tad bit simpler to understand the dozens of differences between the options available at the store. Make sure you aren't just getting the cheapest option, but the most valuable to suit your needs.

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Android Battery Life Extender Tips by @ChicagoKing

Droids are 1/3 of the leading smart phones next to the Blackberry & the iPhone. The problem most people have with Droids are the battery life. Here i will give you a few tips on making your battery life last MUCH longer

 

1) Download a Task Killer

 

Android phones run "background apps". Applications that will run even after you think you have closed them. The best Task Killer is "Advanced Task Killer”. Make sure you download the one with the BLUE CROSS on the Android logo. Once you download it, the logo will remain on screen. When you pull your screen down it'll say "Ongoing Apps".

 

Now open the app > hit the menu button > go to settings > scroll to auto kill & set it to "Aggressive" > Click on Auto Kill Frequency and set it to your preference. "Every Half hour" would be your best bet.

Another good option would be to set the Advanced Task Killer as a widget on your phone screen. This way every time you tap on the widget it kills all the background apps instantly.

 

2) Mobile Data

To get on the web or use apps that require the internet (Facebook, twitter, dictionary) you have to have access to the internet. Whether it be the phones mobile network or Wi-Fi. Now the phones mobile internet consumes A LOT of battery life. A simple fix to this is to turn the mobile network off when you're not using an app that needs Internet, or when your phone is locked etc.

There are 2 ways to do this. You can hit you menu button > settings > wireless & networks > and look for the Mobile network box Uncheck the box to turn off your mobile internet. Another way is to add the mobile network widget on your screen somewhere. Hold down on your screen > add widget > settings > mobile network

Now all you have to do is click the mobile network widget & BAM mobile network is off. Also turning off your mobile network will not interfere with you getting calls or receiving texts, so don’t worry. Now if you are at home or somewhere with access to Wi-Fi CONNECT IT AND TURN OFF YOUR MOBILE NETWORK. This is extremely helpful, especially if you don’t have unlimited data. Using your own Wi-Fi does not contribute to data used on your phone plans data consumption.

 

Follow these instructions & your battery life will last you just fine. And as a side note , it doesn’t hurt to get a second battery with an external charger. Ebay is your friend

*Some versions of Android will require slightly different steps to the menu option available above*

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Must Have Apps: ArcMedia - Player Extraordinaire

 

 

You ever been sent a video from a Pretty Young Thang Droppin it like its hot on her Webcam for you and you can't play it on your phone at work because it was saved in Windows Media Video format? Oh, Just me? Well...

Either way, Windows Media Video is pretty annoying because its optimized for Windows Operating System/Phones and I feel Microsoft wants to keep it that way in a feeble attempt to keep their mobile devices relevant in the mass market. Usually when you try to play these files on a Blackberry device you will only get Audio, on Android and Apple mobile devices it won't even open and play. Luckily though, for you horn toads, the ArcMedia app available in the Android Market for free will do the job just fine. In some cases it will buffer and you lose up to a few seconds on the start and ending of the video, but at least it shows.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONALITY

For you non Freaks, this application actually includes a streaming and download function for videos on major websites in mp4 and even flv which includes Facebook & YouTube so you don't have to wait for that slow buffer, you can actually download your favorite vids and take them on the go now to be viewed with no internet connection at all. Great for Plane rides and road trips where you may not always have a signal.

The free version of this app does have a few advertisements but they are not intrusive to me at all, but there is an ad free version for a one time fee of $3.26 if you are so inclined to do so. Clink the Picture below to get the free version to test out for now.

 

 

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Must Have Apps: Shop Savvy - Scan & Save Cash

 

 

My first step into Extreme Couponing (because I'm not about that Clip n Save Life) is Shop Savvy. At first glance its a simple Barcode scanning app that will allow you to use your phones camera and internet connection to find the price of random items further making associates in the workplace expendable (which is kinda scary in the long run) but it goes a step further to actually check all local and internet prices of that same UPC so that you can genuinely see if you are getting the best available price on a Product.

Now of course when checking the local prices keep in mind these are not guaranteed and are based off other peoples scans and editing of Pricing data so the app will not count as price verification. Also before dashing out to drive 5 miles down the road to save 20cents check to see if the store you're in has a Price Match Guarantee so you won't have to bother (You will still need to find it on the company website to verify). If the item you are seeking is something you don't need immediately and you are trying to save a few bucks the Online sites are almost always cheaper but they do also need to be shipped and that cost is not included in the scan. So Happy Shopping Folks, Go save some Cash.

 

 

The App even goes further to give you exclusive online and local deals on Products along with Reviews on Products you have scanned so that you can make informed decisions.

 

                                                          

 

For some reason the Android App seems to get more Local results than the free Apple one, but for $1.99 you can upgrade to the Premium version which I’m sure is more functional. Evil Geniuses, smh.

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Must Have Apps: Download All Files

 

Tired of the Limitations your Android device puts on the types of files you can download directly to your device? Download All Files is the app you need to further unlock the capabilities of your Google Powered Mobile OS by allowing you to retrieve any Email attachment or Browser file easily. This plug-in integrates to your menu options and only pops up when applicable so "learning" how to use it is as simple as telling it where to save your file. I have personally don't Photos, zip, mp3, wav files, mp4, and even wmv as large as a few hundred Megabytes with no problems at all. There have been absolutely no bugs so far for me and many of the other Half a Million downloaders who give it a 4 out of 5 star rating on the Android Market. Unleash your Android device and get this Free App today.

Click Here to Download from the Market

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Must Have Apps: Lookout Mobile - Security on the Go

 

 

Viruses, Malicious Apps, Phone Missing, Photos/Contacts Lost... Do you want to be able to avoid these issues? Believe it or not you can do this for FREE on Blackberry, Android, Windows and is even available for Beta testing on Apple's iOs system.

 

With built in Anti-Virus this program will automatically scan your phone, SD Card and newly download Apps to ensure no malicious codes are waiting to infect your phone or worse, lay dormant until you hook it up to your computer and transfer it to infect your entire PC.

 

 

 

Each Lookout Mobile account also comes with free backup of your contacts and photos (multiple devices can be set on each account) so that in the event your phone is reset you can easily restore your information with minimal loss of data.

 

 

If your device ever goes missing this software is extremely useful. I've dubbed it the "Beat Yo A$$ App" because using Google Maps it sends a Email (text message if compatible) to your device and locates your device within 300 meters (30ft if device equipped with GPS) showing you where it is via the website. So if someone's sticky fingers have lifted it but won't come clean simply locate the device and send a message to it to Let off a Siren until you unlock your phone and shut it off or the battery is pulled, regardless if its on silent/vibrate or not. That way, you can lace up your timbs and Beat some... I mean alert the authorities and get your device back using Proper, legal, non-violent methods.

 

Lookout Mobile is a relatively small and extremely battery conscious as it claims to use as much energy as a 33 second phone call daily. I can definitely attest to this because upon adding it to both my DroidX and Blackberry Curve & Bold there have been absolutely no performance issues in Processor, memory or Battery and it runs 24hrs a day.

A Premium version is available for $3 a month that will add the functionality to scan websites you view in real-time for potential security breaches, give you diagnostic information about the apps currently on your device to see what they are doing behind the scenes (similar to Superbox) and allow you to transfer your pics and contacts to a new phone wirelessly if you've upgraded or switched regardless of device or carrier from and to.

Over 10 Million, yes diamond status, users have downloaded this and given it a 4.5 out of 5 star rating and it has yet to fail me. So get you a copy here http://m.MyLookout.com

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Must Have Apps: Ping.fm - Multi Social Network Posting

 

Tired of maintaining multiple Social Networks? Having to remember all passwords and log in individually to post the link to promote your Blogs, music or event? Save the Hassle.

For those of you who have never Heard of Ping.fm, it’s a Site that makes Social Networking SO MUCH EASIER by allowing you to connect all your Accounts and Blogs to one location so that you can post to any one individually or all simultaneously by sending one message, it even allows you to automatically share the newest article you wrote on popular free blogsite such as Blogger, Wordpress & Tumblr utilizing the very same Feed links already employed by them and many popular Reader Browser Plugins. oh and best of all… its FREE.

I’ve been using this a while now and the fact that it works on every possible mobile device, site, instant messenger, bird call (okay I’m trippin’ but you get the point) with either a Text message, email or mobile web form makes it great for non smart phone users and the availability for Apps in every smartphone arena from Apple, Android and Blackberry, all the way down to Symbian (Nokia), PalmOS, Windows Mobile and even the Sidekick makes it super functional. You cant beat an app that makes it simple to share your thoughts to your friends family and fans without the need to actually spend any extra time at all.

Personally I use BlackPing on my Blackberry device because it allows me to Post to all my sites or even just one of my choosing which helps me keep my Twitter Followers and Facebook friends up to date on my latest articles, Music and Poetry since I am barely on Facebook anymore. Wherever I have a following or connection, they are able to see my work whenever I post. There are tons of them that work on All Mobile phones, computers and Browser Extensions as well available here, but Which App do you use and why?

 

Check out all the Networks you can Simultaneously Post to using Ping.fm

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Must Have Apps: Memory Booster Pro

 

You know when you got an older phone and after a while of downloading new and more demanding, higher level functioning Apps designed for newer devices, using Wi-Fi more often, turning your phone off less and you start noticing your phone may slow down for a minute or two then be back to its normal self? Well that's because you've used up all your RAM memory and it has to reallocate it. This stand alone app is a great supplement Quick Pull so that you get the most out of your device all day. Memory Booster Pro is the best I've used out of the many I've tried because it has a scheduling feature where you can auto-clean it every few hours, and since its simply running the built in Memory cleaning that comes supplied within All Blackberry OS's, the file size for the program is extremely small and non intrusive on Phone performance. I use Quick Pull for my reset every morning before I start my day and auto-schedule for the evening when I'm getting off work so my phone is always running at peak efficiency whenever I need it.

Download Memory Booster Pro from the App Store
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/39879

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Must Have Apps: Photo Editor Ultimate (BB Photoshop)

 

Wanna do a Side by Side comparison or shrink the size of a picture right from your Black Berry quickly and easily? Well here you have it, With Photo Editor Ultimate you can do all of these things and More.

 

For those that are familiar with Photoshop, think of this as a Mobile version of such that allows you to paint, recolor, decolor, rotate, resize, combine multiples, and even add effects to your Mobile snapshots to save, upload and/or send to others. Great thing about this program is that it works fast, doesn't take up too much space in Application memory and saves as a separate file so you don't have to worry about messing up your original files as you play with all the settings and features available in the free version of this Program.

For those that want additional creative control for $1.99 you can get the upgraded version which includes the ability to place layers on photos (for adding text and overlaying of 2 separate photos), saving as different files types, and a slew of fully functioning features.

 

Below is an example of a Side by Side done right from the Blackberry itself. Took all of 20seconds too. Even the non techie can enjoy.

    

    

    

    

 

 

And Even Resize it to Perfection

 

 

Check out Photo Editor Ultimate FREE! You can find it at http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/25411
Paid Version
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/25410

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Must Have App: CameraMuteApp

 

Imma make this one short and sweet because I know there's tons of you Spy-like gimme my drink shaken not stirred behind people out there that don't take covert photos of people out looking a fool because of that doggone shutter sound on your Blackberry... Well fear no more, the CameraMuteApp is here.

Now legally, this can't be found in the App Store because manufacturers have to put a shutter sound on phones to try and deter God knows what but we're all rebels right? Good, go ahead and peep how easy this is to correct and get to hashtagging #MuteCameraCaught on Twitter or make an album of the same name on Facebook/MySpace so that we may see what we've been missing.

 

 

1) Download and Install Program from the Blackberry handset

2) Open Application, press Menu button and select “Add ‘Mute"’ Menu-Item

3) Open Camera, press Menu button and select “Mute !”

4) Catch people out there Slippin’ on they Pimpin’

5) Upload to your Social Network of choice under the name CameraMuteCaught

 

Over-The-Air Install: Download Here

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Must Have Apps: SuperBox 10-in-1

 

New Phone, New Operating System, New Menu Settings, New Layout... It can all get pretty annoying getting accommodated to a new device once you’ve been accustomed to something for so long. Especially if it’s not logically where you’d think it should be. So why hasn’t anyone made a simple way to put all the most important features of your device in one place to ease that learning curve? Well, someone has.

This Free Application has saved so much frustration for me switching to the Android Operating system and definitely the single most important program on my Phone (besides Words With Friends of course). Super Box is actually a 10 App Utility jam packed with diagnostic information, task killers, install/uninstall programs, security and media scanning software.

 

 

INFORMATION 

The Information section will give you diagnostic information about your device along with your battery life, detailed usage life remaining and even Battery Temp/Health Status. This helps in knowing why your phone may be running slow, also how and when your battery dies. Watch out for High Battery temps (> 90˚) because it will lead to draining of the battery and can also slow the performance of the Phones processor. (Normal Room Temp is between 59˚ & 77˚ F)

 

 

APPS

For all your Application needs this will Install and Uninstall files (even if not downloaded from the Android Market), analyze, determine & move capable Applications to the Memory card that can be ran for additional storage and a Cache clearer of Applications storing information you may not even be using.

 

 

 BATTERY SAVER

TaskKiller is not as violent as it sounds, it simply is made for non jail broken (or rooted) phones so that you can close applications and services running in the background that are not all necessary. Be careful when using this app, its easiest to use the "Kill All" which will do the job, but will also stop things you may need like alarm clocks, daily reminders, widgets etc. Read before acting.

The Settings menu isn't anything but a custom menu that allows you to get to the most commonly used menu options of the phone. To me it is better situated than the regular menu so I tend to use it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHERS 

File Manager is another function already included in the Android OS but this brings it to all one area and also adds the tweak of auto scanning your entire phone, including memory card, to separate installable program files, Music, Movies and Photos into one easy to read alpha numerical list without having to remember exactly what folder your file is in.

Safe Guard isn't an app isn't as necessary as it would've been before the existence of unlimited everything plans but with an open source software as Google's Android program it's definitely something you'd want to check out if you want a secure device for business purposes. This will scan all the apps in your phone to show you High, Middle and Low level security risks to your data. It will show you apps that have the ability to scan your data, send messages, call others, send historical data on usage to a third party, read contacts, Access your location, see your SD card and even use the internet on your phone to operate without your approval.

 

 

 

All in All the App simplifies many functions on your Android Device, gives you tools that non techie people can utilize to improve the performance of your device and helps you locate files quickly and easily. It doesn't run in the background either so you don't have to worry about it doing more harm than good. Enjoy

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Must Have Apps: Quick Pull

 

Did you know that Smartphones (yes, ALL Smartphones) are recommended to be fully powered down at least once every day? Similar to computers, phones now have high end processors and ram (application memory) that get used with every website visited, song heard, video watched, game played, phone call, picture message, email and, believe it or not, even the touch screen itself. Fully power cycling your device daily will keep it running optimally for longer period of time. With this App from Steelhorn, they go a step further and simulate Pulling out the battery which is the only true way to reset all aspects of the computing device. They even go a step further to allowing you to set a timer that does it once a day for you automatically, at a preset time of your choosing (even if security locked if you so choose) so that it becomes a self sustaining worry free process. At only 314KB (0.3 MB) its smaller than a picture message and uses ZERO application memory until it activates which is when its resetting your device to clear All memory. Its the closest thing to 100% efficient you can get in an app. I'm hoping they start making similar software for all other Smartphone Manufactures because this is definitely a Necessary App.

 

 

 

And for you Twitter Addicted folk, you can even integrate with your page to let all your followers know when you are resetting automatically since it does take up to 15minutes to reboot if you have an old Trackball Blackberry. Your OG BB Users know of the old struggle

 

 

App World Link: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/1300

Developer Website: http://getquickpull.com/

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