Posts Tagged ‘android’

SMS Pop-Up App for Android Review

You might not get to see this handy Android app in the ‘must-have’ list of most websites and magazines. But, if you are an avid texter, who also receives lots of incoming messages as well, you should try out SMS Pop-Up app in your Android smartphone. It eases the pain of having to open/close the inbox with every beep sound indicating the arrival of an SMS. SMS Pop-Up app gives a visual notification of an incoming message, in the form of a pop up, on top of most applications running at the moment in your smartphone. Also, the SMS Pop-Up app can be downloaded free of cost from the Android website.

Enter SMS Pop-Up

The best feature of SMS Pop-Up app for Android is clearly the notification window (with the full message view) that pops up with the arrival of each new message, and sits right at the centre of the mobile phone screen. The user can then choose between either of the options – ‘close’ or ‘reply’ – according to what they wish to do with the message. In the earlier versions of the app, clicking on ‘close’ would have hidden the notification, leaving the notification icon at the top of the window. But, in the latest version, doing so will not only leave the SMS marked read, but also removes the notification on the top altogether.

The new version also provides to the users an option to pick the color of the blinking light, or the vibration alert you want when a new message/email arrives in the inbox.

Further, there is the privacy setting that enables a user to let the message show only after the screen is unlocked. Users can even customize to let the background screen blur, to give a more visual effect when you receive an incoming message, or set reminders, especially if you belong to the elite group of forgetful types.

Regarding the app size, it won’t take up much memory space of the phone post installation, nor would it strain the processor resources while operating.

Final Thoughts

To sum it up, SMS Pop-Up Android app is a simple, yet powerful, mobile application one should consider having in their Google Android smartphones, especially those who text a lot daily. The user interface of the app is simple, yet not great, such that even a novice could run through the settings with ease. Further, the app won’t put undue strain on the phone resources either.

Definitely, SMS Pop-Up Android app is worth trying out!

Power Manager Apps for Android Review

Have you had to rue the battery life of your Android based smart phone because it never lasts a full day? If so, it is high time you must have had Power Manager in your mobile phone. As the term suggests, Power Manager apps for Android lets users manage the power settings, according to the current power level, thereby ensuring maximum life/charge out of the mobile.

How Power Manager Apps works?

The Power Manager Apps for Android combines a visual panel with the currently running power hogging applications that is enabled in the phone, wherein control over these aspects is managed using preset conditions, such that the user can always keep tab of where he is leaking power. Pressing the Monitor Active button let the app manage the settings for the user.

The users can also manage the settings manually. That is, by varying the four settings under the control panel – A/C powered, Low battery. Browsing mode, and Battery powered – users can toggle between battery life and performance, turn low battery settings on, turn max performance setting on, and turn computer powered performance on respectively as required. Each of these will toggle on/off the options in the control panel corresponding to that setting. The reset button resets the settings to its default.
Also, users can directly switch off the desired features from the control panel. Power Manager Android Apps also enables users to have automatic presets for each profile in the phone.

Here are the options and their functions if the users were to manage power manually,

• Battery Powered – Dims the screen, alongside disabling the locations.
• Low Battery – Dims the screen and turn off WiFi, Bluetooth and locations.
• A/C Powered – Brighten screen and enable WiFi locations.
• Computer Powered – Ability to set specialized settings.
• Browsing Mode – Keep the Android awake while the keyboard is open, plus enable WiFi and locations.
• Initial Settings – Restore the original settings. I.e. the settings as it were when this Power Manager app was first installed in the phone.

Negatives

On the downside, users can’t switch automatically between 2G and 3G presets. It needs to be done manually. The app is a tad buggy when switching between portrait and landscape modes. But that should not be a big deal as the user uses the keypad to enter the new preset name.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Power Manager is a much needed app for Android smart phones, especially if one uses the phone heavily for official/personal work throughout the day. At $0.99, it is only priced very reasonably, especially given the features the Android application brings to the users.

Verdict

Power Manager Apps for Android is a must have for executives / corporate. Thumbs Up!

iMOBILE® CARE – SMART FIRST AID APP

Written by Professor Appy

iMOBILE® Care First Aid App (on the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry)

This is one of those  apps everyone should have on their mobile. iMobile Care has great visuals, with an illustrated first aid guide for either reference, education, or to actually use in case something serious happens, like a barn burning or eating some really foul food or flying into a tree on a  rainy day. This first aid app covers the whole range of various situations and conditions, including Allergies, Asthma, Chest Pains, Choking, Food Poisoning, Traumas, and even the dreaded swine flu.

iMOBILE Care is owlsome. It also lets me input my personal information and to enter messages in case I experience a really bad situation, like a fall, a back pain, or a spider bite. My fellow wingsters can know exactly what’s happening to me and why I’m not flying right or why I’m lying in a tree or on the ground. It also shows you how to properly perform CPR – Professor Appy recommends practicing with a loved one or sexy partner, so you can really get the hearts beating in rhythm.

Did I mention the mapping features? I can just touch a button and it tells me where I am. OK, so I touch the “Locate Me” button and there I am, and I can zoom in on my location: right now I’m on top of the Plaza Hotel in New York, with a great view of this magical city. Hey, I’ve got a great life – no complaints.

I’ve got an SOS distress button to let my nearby wingsters know that Appy is in danger and needs help, and a 911 button to call the emergency personnel that Professor Appy is in need of care.

Why iMobile Care makes me happy and secure?

1)   Easy to Use

2)   Elegant, and simple interface

3)   Super mapping

4)   Personalized

5)   A potential life safer

Professor Appy gives the iMobile Care APP:

3 Hoots – it’s a fine mobile first aid app on the market!

Caller ID App for Google Android

Caller ID App for Google Android

Summary

Generally speaking, if you order caller ID on a mobile device, what you are going to end up getting is the number flashing across your screen. You won’t get a name with it because phonebook listings are not programmed into the caller ID screens for cell phones. The only time you will see an actual name on the cell phone screen is if you actually have that person in your cell phone contact list so that the phone can match the number to the name. With Caller ID App for Google Android however, there is another way to get caller ID working on your Google Android device.

User Interaction

Interacting with Caller ID application for Google Android is a breeze. All you have to do is take a look at the call when it comes in and then decide what you want to do about the call when you know for sure who is calling. It could not be easier to use any app than it is to use Caller ID for Google Android.

User Interface

The graphical user interface for the Google Android Caller ID app is fantastic. On one side of the screen you have information regarding the person that is calling that has been matched to their phone number and on the other side of the screen you have the options that are available to you at the moment that the phone rings. All you have to do is cross-reference one screen with the other and you are getting the most out of that particular application. Doing so is easy with text colours, sizes and fonts used liberally to denote a hierarchy of information. The design is absolutely perfect for an application of this kind.

Utility and Productivity

Becoming productive with Caller ID for Google Android is very easy to do. In fact, this particular app is one of the few that does not require active use on your part for increased productivity. It is a passive application, which means that you only have to set it up on your Android once and then let it do its thing.

Whenever someone calls your phone, the Caller ID app will kick into gear. It will cross-reference the number that is calling with the database of numbers supplied by the White Pages and then return a name, address, phone number and other available contact information based on what you have available in the White Pages database. All of this is completely automatic and kick starts when someone calls you. All you need to do in the end is decide which calls you want to answer and which calls you would prefer to let the machine get.

Rating

In the end, the only real criticism of Caller ID for Google Android is that it does require the caller ID to be present in your plan so that the phone number can be used as a lookup point. If you don’t have that then this app is useless. For that reason, we have to give it a slightly lower score of 8.0 out of 10.

Snaptell App Android

Name: Snaptell App Android

Summary:

When it comes to excellent visual product search technology, SnapTell app is the solution. This application can deliver information, prices, and reviews for visual search queries. Tremendously, SnapTell had become one of the most downloaded apps in Android devices.

SnapTell app continues to expand its recognition categories allowing users to continuously purchase review and browse products. Upcoming versions of this application continuously improved based on customers feedback and needs. Along with the improvements are newly offered products and services for the users.

User Interaction:

The SnapTell application provides a highly integrated and customizable mobile marketing solution for Android users. It aids marketers to deploy mobile marketing campaigns effectively and quickly. It enables users to easily access revenues, conversions, driving brand awareness, and marketing information and content on the go.

SnapTell app in your Android devices allows you to search out for information on products simply snapping an image or barcode of the item. Since it works out very well, it is definitely worth checking out.

User Interface:

SnapTell app is very easy and simple to use. There are three options available in this application that you can select from whenever you start the application. You can automatically upload an image from your photo album, scan a barcode, and take a picture directly from the application. Once the image is uploaded or the barcode is scanned, the application will send the information out and try finding for a match.

The matching information that SnapTell application returns is a web page containing all the details and information that the application could ever find. Usually, the details or information may include images, list of prices, and other links related to the item being searched. The links provided are usually launch inside the application itself, which is pretty cool for most users. As an Android application, SnapTell can load up web links through the Android browser.

SnapTell is a useful and great app for Android devices. Aside from being handy, it also works very well especially during barcode scanning. One best feature of this application is when you pull out an image from your photo album you can save it for future use, thus it is not necessary for you to run the application outright. This feature works best for Android devices.

Utility and Productivity:

The SnapTell app is available for download in the Android market under the Shopping category. It supports barcode scanning and image recognition where details are garnered from links to Barnes & Noble, eBay, IMDb, Wikipeida, YouTube, Google, and more. It works best on 3G and Wi-Fi networks, and supports Edge as well.

The SnapTell application is greatly recommended for shopaholics and shoppers. It has an extensive database of merchandise for all kinds of commodity details.

The productivity of SnapTell app is very convenient as well for those bargain hunters. With this application, you can go to any online store and search for the best deal of the item you are shopping for. Compared to other barcode scanning applications, SnapTell can read barcode accurately and quickly.

Rating:

(8.0 out of 10) SnapTell app is an easy to use, helpful, and amazing app for your Android device. Aside from the accurate results it returns, the application also has a user interface that is easy to understand and use.

Catalista App Android Review

Catalista App Android Review

Android apps provides users with seemingly countless apps, many of them extremely useful and worthwhile. Here is a review of one of the best and most noteworthy of the many apps available.

Application Name: Catalista App this easy-to-use application has been designed for people interested in serving the communities in which they live. It provides simple-to-access information that should be especially appealing to young people.

Summary: If you are interested in making a positive difference in your community – in really helping others less fortunate – Catalista app is an application you need to get to know. It’s perfect for you. Consider what you can do with a little assistance from this application:

You can use Catalista app to find a broad range of timely and local volunteer opportunities. In short, you can find and fill needs that will make a real difference in your community. What kind of opportunities are you likely to find?

It could be any – or all – of the following: a chance to read to kids … deliver meals daily to the elderly or disabled and infirm … clean up a park … donate $10 or more, or even less, to help out … and more, much, much more.

It doesn’t matter what you do to “pitch in.” It only matters that you do pitch in. And Catalista is the app that makes “helping out” easy.

User Interaction: This application is easy-to-use. All you need is a G1 Phone that you can use to enter the Android app market. Once there, you’ll have no trouble at all finding the information you want.

User Interface: No “rocket science” involved here. The application doesn’t require any advanced skills to use. All you have to do is download Catalista after you’ve entered the Android app universe. It’s absolutely free. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to find information about all of the many different ways you can volunteer and serve your community. For people who care about others – like you – this is a great application.

Rating

It’s still too early to properly and effectively rate Catalista app. The application is still in early Beta. However, it is already perfect for civic-minded individuals who want to help others in their communities, but don’t know how to go about doing so. If that describes you, download Catalista today. Remember, it’s free.

Texas Hold ‘Em Online App for Google Android

Texas Hold ‘Em Online App for Google Android

Summary

In recent years, poker has really had a major popularity boost around the world. The combination of online poker and televised poker was what did it and now everyone seems to want to play poker whenever they get the opportunity. Well, if you have a Google Android, the good news is that you can actually go online and play poker whenever you want to now with Texas Hold ‘Em Online. This latest app for the Google Android was created by Westtek LLC and represents the newest in online poker gaming action.

User Interaction

Interacting with Texas Hold ‘Em Online app for Google Android is a very simple matter. The only things that you need to do are make selections at the original menu and then press the button that corresponds to the action that you would like to take when the play comes around to you. The only actions that will be available to you are calling, checking, raising, betting and folding and on any given hand you will only have at most three of those actions available as buttons. Once again, this is an example of a Google Android app that is so easy to use that you could easily start using it immediately even if you had no idea how to use the advanced controls on the Android platform.

User Interface

The interface of Texas Hold ‘Em Online application for Google Android is a relatively easy one to navigate and like most apps starts with the opening menu. Within that menu, all you have to do is select whether you would like to play poker online against other players or whether you would rather take on the computer in a single player mode.

Once you have made that selection, the other major screen is the game screen. It contains information on the chip stacks of the players around the table as well as a graphical user interface that is similar to what you would see on any other poker software package. Recognizing everything on the interface is easy to do and in the end getting all of the information that is available on the screen at one time should be something that comes to you instantaneously because of just how intuitive this setup happens to be.

Utility and Productivity

Poker hands do not take very long to play. In fact, a single hand might take less than a minute depending on how fast the players make their decisions. Therefore, you can easily get in a few hands of Texas Hold ‘Em if you have a non-driving commute to work. Even if you do, this app can be a good friend to you during boring lunch breaks where you have nothing else to do. For that reason, it definitely has a high utility rating, although in the end it won’t really do that much to enhance your productivity.

Rating

When all of the factors are taken into account, the appropriate conclusion to this review is to state that Texas Hold ‘Em Online is definitely a welcome addition to the Google Android app arsenal. For this reason, we’ll score it at 9.0 out of 10.

Wuzzle App for Google Android

Wuzzle App for Google Android

Summary

For anyone that was a Boggle fan or still is a fan of that very popular word game Wuzzle. Wuzzle app for Google Android is a game that is definitely worth taking a closer look at. Out of all of the games that are currently available for public consumption, Wuzzle is the one that really does the game it was modeled after justice. There are a few new features added in for this game that was developed by Robert Green, but in the basics it is still essentially Boggle under a new name.

User Interaction

Interacting with Wuzzle app for Google Android is extremely easy to do. All you need is access to the letter keys so that you can type in words as you see them on the screen and then access to the scrolling so that you can look through the results and then select the options that you want from the original menu that comes onto the screen. It is essentially very low skill interaction and for that reason even a person that has just picked up their Google Android can download Wuzzle and have a great time playing this game again and again.

User Interface

The interface of Wuzzle application for Google Android starts with the menu screen. This includes the title of the game and five different options that you can select. You can start a new game, play online against friends or total strangers, take a look at your personal statistics that are kept by the software as you play along, change some of the difficulty or play settings or take a closer look at the basic metadata surrounding the game’s release.

From that basic menu, you basically just have the actual game screen as the other major interface in the game. It contains either a 4 x 4 or 5 x 5 grid with one letter per block in the grid. It has a time left indicator as well as a score indicator and the bottom of the screen is reserved for information about this round and a field where you can enter in the words that you have found. All in all, it is a simple and straightforward interface that is very easy to interpret.

Utility and Productivity

As far as this category is concerned, Wuzzle for Google Android definitely has to be a game that gets a lot of kudos from the people that have downloaded it and continue to play it to this day. When you are playing a game like Wuzzle, what you will find is that a single round is short enough that you can quickly wrap up the round and put the Android away when you have come to the end of a commute. You don’t have to worry about overshooting your commuting time and therefore diminishing your productivity as a result. That is exceptionally good for a mobile application and it definitely gains positive scoring points for Wuzzle as a result.

Rating

In the end, Wuzzle app for Google Android gets a score of 9.0 out of 10 for all of the amazing things that were mentioned above.

Voxmobili Phonebook App for Android

Your Personal Voxmobili Phonebook app for Android

Summary

Normal contact lists are not that intuitive most of the time and when it comes to even a great mobile device like the Google Android, it can be difficult to find the right person to call. That is why Voxmobili created Phonebook, a much more intuitive way to look at your contacts on Google Android. It may not seem like it has that many differences from the average contact list at first, but once you have had the chance to really examine it in close detail, you should find that your first impression was pleasantly incorrect.

User Interaction

Interacting with the Voxmobili Phonebook app for Google Android is about the same as far as adding contacts is concerned. Where this particular Phonebook for Android application really shines is in the retrieval part. The search options make it very easy to scroll through a large list of contacts in order to find a specific one. Furthermore, you can easily sort by different identifying characteristics, ending up with a personal phonebook that is highly customizable to whatever your tastes happen to be at the time. With just a few different interactive options available to you, the Phonebook nevertheless still presents a high level of versatility and flexibility in both search and retrieval functions.

User Interface

The interface of Voxmobili Phonebook app for Android is actually quite easy to look at with Phonebook. The contact list contains a picture plus text for a name and a line of information, all of which is color coded in a way that really makes sense to the average person. In regards to the history however, you might find the bright colors a bit visually jarring at first. You’ll eventually get used to it though and before too long looking at those bright colors will just be second nature to you. All the same, that particular part of the interface is not the greatest and that is why Phonebook loses some points from its overall score as a result of those poor background choices.

Utility and Productivity

Everyone can use a better phonebook on their mobile devices and that is exactly what the Android Phonebook app by Voxmobili provides. It is a more intuitive design for a contact list and that allows you to save a few seconds every time you actually need to find a contact or look up the name of the person that just called. When you consider the number of times you expect to do one of those things over the course of the day, you eventually realize that over the long term you will actually save days or even weeks worth of time through having something like Phonebook on your Google Android.

Rating

On the plus side, Voxmobili Phonebook for the Google Android has the ability to save you oodles of time over the long run. On the negative side however, the interface design and more specifically the color scheme is not as good as it could be. The plus outweighs the minus because functionality always trumps style with these types of software programs. The final score of 8.5 out of 10 reflects this reality.

Google Sky Map App for Android Platform

Google Sky Map App for Android Platform

Summary

Have you ever looked up at the sky, seen a collection of stars and felt embarrassed that you were not able to name the constellation? Furthermore, have you ever seen a bright star in the sky and wondered what it was only to later find out that you were actually looking at one of the planets? You are by no means alone in either of these things, but the Google Sky Map app, recent released by Google for their Android platform, has the potential to make those mistakes a thing of the past.

User Interaction

Interacting with the Google Sky Map app for Google Android is a powerful process that can allow you to do two very important things. The first thing that you can do is scroll through the different sky maps that Google has available, importing the one to your screen that best represents the sky above you. Once you have done that, you can then scroll down the list of elements that are supposed to be in the night sky. Once you have selected a specific element, a circle with an arrow will appear on the screen, pointing you in the direction of the object that you would like to see. At that point, all you have to do is follow the viewing instructions laid out for you by Google Sky Map and you should be able to find the desired object without too much difficulty.

User Interface

If you have ever used Starry Night or any other observational software that allows you to look through star charts and pretend that you are outside, you are undoubtedly already more than familiar with the interface of Google Sky Map. Many of the sky map software packages are going to have the same or similar interfaces regardless of what their specific features happen to be. With a blue-black background and different colors representing the lines of different constellations, Google Sky Map is no different from the vast majority of other sky map observing applications available out there. The real strength of this app is in its interaction and features as mentioned above and not really in the graphical user interface that it brings to the table.

Utility and Productivity

Normally, observing might take the average person hours to do in order to find all of the things that they wanted to find. The Google Sky Map app for Android will cut this time down significantly, since all you have to do is refer to the map and you will be able to see all of the other objects in the night sky. Simply point it upward and follow the directions on the screen to find whatever it is you are looking for. In the end, that is a very effective app and one that many people will appreciate.

Rating

One needs to take the whole picture into account when rating a specific application. Even though Google Sky Map app for Android has some great innovative features, the interface is not particularly ground-breaking in any way. That reduces its final score to 8.5 out of 10.