It has been a while since I posted an update. I am done with finals and now will have some more time to write some reviews.
First, I now have a couple new toys to play with. I picked up an Asus Transformer, and no longer have a Viewsonic G Tablet. I also purchased the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on release day. I will be doing more reviews using these devices.
Second, blog posts will not be posted here any longer. I am now part of the news team at Android Passions and will be migrating my reviews from this blog to their site. Any new reviews I post can be found there.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Titanium Backup: The Essential Root App
Part of the fun of rooting your android phone is trying different custom ROMs. This process can be daunting, especially when it comes to restoring applications. Also, when applications do not have an option to backup data to your SD card, losing all of your data and settings is a scary thought. That is where Titanium Backup steps in.
Titanium Backup backs up all of your applications (the .apk files) and all of the data and settings for those applications. Additionally, it will backup system data, however in most cases system data should not be restored.
One of the best features of this application is the ability to perform batch backups and restores. Using this feature, the only application you need to redownload from the market is Titanium. From there, you are just a few taps away from leaving your phone alone while your applications and data are restored. With the Titanium Backup Pro key ($6.71 in the market) you can make multiple backups of each application, as well as restore applications from a nandroid backup in case you forgot to make a backup before flashing a new ROM.
Titanium Backup is much more than an application for backing up data. One of the most commonly used features is the ability to "freeze" system applications the user doesn't want. Removing bloatware is one of the reasons many people root their phones. However, deleting the wrong application can render a phone unusable. Using the freeze feature allows the user to prevent the undesired application from running, but keeps the .apk file in the system/app folder. If the phone starts going haywire, the app can be defrosted and will run again.
There are too many other features that Titanium has for me to cover them all. Check out the application's page on the android market for more information on the features.
Titanium Backup
Pro Key
One feature that I do not see advertised is the ability to load applications across devices. When I purchased my tablet, I of course installed the games my Eris could slugishly play. However, I didn't want to lose all of the progress I had made, especially in Angry Birds (I definitely beat some levels by pure luck). I was able to backup the data from my phone, and transfer it to my tablet where I was able to restore it, not losing a single level.
Titanium Backup backs up all of your applications (the .apk files) and all of the data and settings for those applications. Additionally, it will backup system data, however in most cases system data should not be restored.
One of the best features of this application is the ability to perform batch backups and restores. Using this feature, the only application you need to redownload from the market is Titanium. From there, you are just a few taps away from leaving your phone alone while your applications and data are restored. With the Titanium Backup Pro key ($6.71 in the market) you can make multiple backups of each application, as well as restore applications from a nandroid backup in case you forgot to make a backup before flashing a new ROM.
Titanium Backup is much more than an application for backing up data. One of the most commonly used features is the ability to "freeze" system applications the user doesn't want. Removing bloatware is one of the reasons many people root their phones. However, deleting the wrong application can render a phone unusable. Using the freeze feature allows the user to prevent the undesired application from running, but keeps the .apk file in the system/app folder. If the phone starts going haywire, the app can be defrosted and will run again.
There are too many other features that Titanium has for me to cover them all. Check out the application's page on the android market for more information on the features.
Titanium Backup
Pro Key
One feature that I do not see advertised is the ability to load applications across devices. When I purchased my tablet, I of course installed the games my Eris could slugishly play. However, I didn't want to lose all of the progress I had made, especially in Angry Birds (I definitely beat some levels by pure luck). I was able to backup the data from my phone, and transfer it to my tablet where I was able to restore it, not losing a single level.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Authenticator by Google [Updated 11/14]
DMThis is not an exclusively Android review. Authenticator is one of my favorite apps simply because of the added security it provides for my Google account.
Authenticator is used in conjunction with Google's two-step authentication. For those who do not know, two-step authentication provides an added layer of security. When you log into your Google account (whether through Google+ , Gmail, etc.), Google will then ask for a code. This code comes from your phone via the Authenticator app (there are other ways to get the code, but those do not involve Android). After you enter the code, you will have access to your account.
This seems like a hassle, so why would anyone use this? Two-step authentication is used by many banks as an extra means of security to prevent people from accessing your account. The same works for your google account. If your password is stolen or compromised, your account will still be inaccessible because there would be no way to access the second code displayed in your Authenticator app.
Every time one of my friend's gmail accounts is hacked, I recommend two-step authentication. It is well worth the extra few seconds it will take to enter the second code to make it infinitely more difficult for your account to be compromised. For more information on two step authentication see Google's help page here. For Authenticator on the market click here.
I will never run my Google account without two-step authentication again, and neither should you.
Update:
After posting this, I had a good discussion with one of the most knowledgable people I know when it comes to the Eris. He mentioned some concerns he had with switching ROMs on the Eris. Here is the conversation:
DM: I did try out Authenticator with the Eris, but the major problem that I had with it was that I was wiping data on the Eris itself far too often that it made its use a hassle. I may try it out again, now that I've stabilized use with the new phone.
Also, Lastpass now supports Authenticator for two-pass authentication, so that makes Lastpass even more secure.
Me: I found that I could restore the app's data with Titanium, otherwise this would have been a major problem for me as well. You do have to create a new password for the phone each time you wipe data, but I find that to be worth it for the added security. I've seen too many people get hacked.
DM: The issue wasn't the authenticator app itself - it was when I activated the Google account on the phone, I had to consult (I think - I can't recall) a list of one-time use passwords or something, rather than my account password. I always worried that I would have some sort of issue with the phone out and about, need to Nandroid restore another ROM or wipe data, and not be able to activate the phone.
Me: Good point. A restore on the go would be a problem.
This is something to keep in mind if you are rooted and like to switch ROMs a lot, especially if you do it when you're out and about with no access to a computer.
Authenticator is used in conjunction with Google's two-step authentication. For those who do not know, two-step authentication provides an added layer of security. When you log into your Google account (whether through Google+ , Gmail, etc.), Google will then ask for a code. This code comes from your phone via the Authenticator app (there are other ways to get the code, but those do not involve Android). After you enter the code, you will have access to your account.
This seems like a hassle, so why would anyone use this? Two-step authentication is used by many banks as an extra means of security to prevent people from accessing your account. The same works for your google account. If your password is stolen or compromised, your account will still be inaccessible because there would be no way to access the second code displayed in your Authenticator app.
Every time one of my friend's gmail accounts is hacked, I recommend two-step authentication. It is well worth the extra few seconds it will take to enter the second code to make it infinitely more difficult for your account to be compromised. For more information on two step authentication see Google's help page here. For Authenticator on the market click here.
I will never run my Google account without two-step authentication again, and neither should you.
Update:
After posting this, I had a good discussion with one of the most knowledgable people I know when it comes to the Eris. He mentioned some concerns he had with switching ROMs on the Eris. Here is the conversation:
DM: I did try out Authenticator with the Eris, but the major problem that I had with it was that I was wiping data on the Eris itself far too often that it made its use a hassle. I may try it out again, now that I've stabilized use with the new phone.
Also, Lastpass now supports Authenticator for two-pass authentication, so that makes Lastpass even more secure.
Me: I found that I could restore the app's data with Titanium, otherwise this would have been a major problem for me as well. You do have to create a new password for the phone each time you wipe data, but I find that to be worth it for the added security. I've seen too many people get hacked.
DM: The issue wasn't the authenticator app itself - it was when I activated the Google account on the phone, I had to consult (I think - I can't recall) a list of one-time use passwords or something, rather than my account password. I always worried that I would have some sort of issue with the phone out and about, need to Nandroid restore another ROM or wipe data, and not be able to activate the phone.
Me: Good point. A restore on the go would be a problem.
This is something to keep in mind if you are rooted and like to switch ROMs a lot, especially if you do it when you're out and about with no access to a computer.
Monday, October 24, 2011
App Review: Tasker
Tasker is one of the most useful, but more complicated apps available for Android. It is the complexity that makes Tasker so great. You can use Tasker to automate many things your phone can do. You set up profiles where certain actions, events, or conditions will trigger another action from your phone.
Want your music app to launch whenever you insert your headphones? Tasker can do that. Want to send a text to your significant other that you're on your way home from work every day? Tasker can do that. Do you forget to turn your phone to vibrate or silent during class? Never have this problem again, with Tasker.
I will the the first to admit that I have only scratched the surface of what Tasker can do. There are so many options that it can be overwhelming for a new user. Luckily there are is a great thread on the xda-developers.com forums with instructions on how to set up many profiles. There is also a useful user guide here.
Tasker becomes even more functional when you have other apps that integrate with it. Seal (password protect apps) and Locale (location-based automation) integrate with Tasker to further automate your phone.
What do I use Tasker for? The main thing, and what has made it worth every penny to me, is setting my phone to silent for certain events. I keep track of everything with my Google Calendar, so I created a profile that turns my phone to silent every time I have an appointment where my status is set at "Busy." I never have my phone ring while I'm in class or at work. When the appointment is over, Tasker sets my ringer back to normal. Brilliant!
The other main profile I have turns my wifi on when I'm within a certain area near my home (location determined by cell tower, so no gps battery drain) and turns wifi off when I leave that area. The same thing can be done for other locations where you use wifi.
As I said before, these profiles are just scratching the surface of what Tasker can do. Check out the two links above for more examples of Tasker profiles, and find Tasker on the Android market for $6.49.
Feed back is always welcome. If you use Tasker, what are some of your favorite/really cool profiles?
Want your music app to launch whenever you insert your headphones? Tasker can do that. Want to send a text to your significant other that you're on your way home from work every day? Tasker can do that. Do you forget to turn your phone to vibrate or silent during class? Never have this problem again, with Tasker.
I will the the first to admit that I have only scratched the surface of what Tasker can do. There are so many options that it can be overwhelming for a new user. Luckily there are is a great thread on the xda-developers.com forums with instructions on how to set up many profiles. There is also a useful user guide here.
Tasker becomes even more functional when you have other apps that integrate with it. Seal (password protect apps) and Locale (location-based automation) integrate with Tasker to further automate your phone.
What do I use Tasker for? The main thing, and what has made it worth every penny to me, is setting my phone to silent for certain events. I keep track of everything with my Google Calendar, so I created a profile that turns my phone to silent every time I have an appointment where my status is set at "Busy." I never have my phone ring while I'm in class or at work. When the appointment is over, Tasker sets my ringer back to normal. Brilliant!
The other main profile I have turns my wifi on when I'm within a certain area near my home (location determined by cell tower, so no gps battery drain) and turns wifi off when I leave that area. The same thing can be done for other locations where you use wifi.
As I said before, these profiles are just scratching the surface of what Tasker can do. Check out the two links above for more examples of Tasker profiles, and find Tasker on the Android market for $6.49.
Feed back is always welcome. If you use Tasker, what are some of your favorite/really cool profiles?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Something New
I am new to blogging, so hang in there while I learn as I try to inform. I will mainly be using this blog to review Android applications, but I will also talk about ROMs from time to time.
My current devices (rooted, of course):
HTC Droid Eris running Condemned CM7 Vanilla
Viewsonic G Tablet running VeganTab (CM7)
I will try to be as diverse in the type of applications I review, but with my current hardware there are some limitations. I am hoping to upgrade the a Samsung Galaxy Nexus in November, so things will change then.
My current devices (rooted, of course):
HTC Droid Eris running Condemned CM7 Vanilla
Viewsonic G Tablet running VeganTab (CM7)
I will try to be as diverse in the type of applications I review, but with my current hardware there are some limitations. I am hoping to upgrade the a Samsung Galaxy Nexus in November, so things will change then.
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