Posts Tagged: ‘Android’

Google Currents – Originally Published May 2013

July 26, 2014 Posted by Tiny

From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch

Way back in 2003, I bought my first iPAQ pocket computer.  It was a Windows Mobile device and I loved it and every other one I purchased over the years.  When I finally decided to get a pocket pc with telephone capabilities, it had a Windows operating system.  When Microsoft decided not to keep up with the electronic world, I went to the dark side and started using Android.  Since then, Android mobile has had three major upgrades.  Windows has had one.  I’ve found out that the applications make a big difference.

I remember when I was about 12 or 13 years old, I was the talk of the small town that I lived in.  Everyone thought it was pretty amusing when I was walking home from school while reading a book.  I accidentally walked into a tree.  I couldn’t help it.  I’ve always been an avid reader.  I’ve always liked magazines, books and newspapers.

It’s a high tech age now.  I still visit the library every two weeks, but most of my checkouts are audio books.  I only get two actual magazines delivered by the mail person.  The rest are electronic versions I read on my tablet.  The books I read are either on my tablet or pocket PC.  In fact, the only paper book I read any more is the one by my bed stand.  I tend to fall asleep while reading and drop it on the floor.  Paper books don’t break as easily as electronic devices.

I quit buying the daily newspaper about four months ago.  It is so much easier to read the news on my mobile devices wherever I happen to be.  A pocket PC or a tablet is just more convenient than an over sized printed sheet of paper.  There are several newsreader applications in the Google Play Store.  Many are very good and some have a nice graphical interface.  They all claim to aggregate the best news sites.

My newsreader of choice is Google Currents.  The main screen shows the news categories that are available.  They are News, Business, Science & Tech, Sports and Entertainment.  Tapping on a category opens the sub-menu.  The first time you open a category, you get the option to read breaking stories or customize the category.  In each section there are several newspapers, magazines and blogs that you can add to your news feed.  There are also many international publications you can subscribe to.  Google translate can be used to translate them into 44 languages.

Reading your subscriptions is really easy.  Tap on the publisher you want to read and you get a screen where you scroll through all of the headlines and when they were posted.  Tapping the headline will open the article.  From the article window you can share the story via social networks, email, messaging, etc.  You can also save the article to Dropbox, Evernote, or other note keeping applications you have installed on your device.  You can even save the article to your Currents for later off line reading.

I haven’t tried it yet, but the latest update is supposed to create a play list for audio files.  The application is free.  It takes 5.2 mb of space.  If you’ve got an Android device, you can download it from the Google Play Store.  Give it a try, you might like it.

Excuse me, but I’m off to read the New York Times, or maybe Maximum PC, or maybe one of those British or Australian publications.

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Voice Shortcuts Launcher – Originally Published February 2103

July 25, 2014 Posted by Tiny

From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch

Google Voice has really come of age in the Jelly Bean operating system.  It is so nice to just push a button on my pocket computer and say “Google, find me a place to eat.”  Almost immediately, a list of all the places to chew in the immediate area are listed.  I then go to the nearest McDonald’s and think about how my pocket PC is starting to remind me of a 24th century Library Computer Access/Retrieval System.  I just hope it doesn’t become HAL 2000.

Voice Shortcuts Launcher is a utility program that utilizes Google Voice to allow you to create customized voice commands.  You can open another app, a website or a file on your device.  You can also open your contacts and initiate phone calls by voice.

I’ve installed and tested several other voice assistants, but the Voice Shortcuts Launcher is by far the easiest to use.  Another thing I like is the interface doesn’t talk back to you.  I really don’t need my computer to tell me that it is working.

The application is easy to use.  After installing, all you have to do is open the app, specify the type of shortcut you want to create, and speak in your voice command.  Try to speak as clearly as you can.  You may use any word combination or phrase to launch whatever aspect of your Android you wish to.

Voice Shortcuts Launcher is a free app but it is supported by advertising.  The ads appear at the bottom of the screen but are far away from the command buttons.  There is no free ads-free version of the app, but if ads bother you, you can purchase GVS Pro for $2.33.

GVS Pro combines Voice Shortcuts Launcher and Gesture Shortcuts Launcher, a similar application from the same company.  I was so impressed with the voice program that I purchased the licensed version within fifteen minutes of installing it.

If you’re interested in an easy launcher, give it a try. I’m sure you’ll like it.

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Galaxy Note 2 Review – Originally Published January 2013

July 25, 2014 Posted by Tiny

From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch

Way back in April of 2010, I wrote in this column about how I was finally giving up my IPAQ pocket computer (PPC) for a newfangled kind of PPC that happened to also make phone calls.  Now that I look back on what I’ve just written, I’m wondering if Hewlett-Packard could sue Apple for copyright infringement.  On third thought, I guess not.  Apple uses a lower case I.

Last June, I told you about how my trusty TP2 finally gave up the ghost.  Microsoft lost a customer due to their lousy updating of their mobile operating systems.  I changed to an Android phone that my grandson had quit using.  Three months later, I bought an android tablet.

In November, I finally used my upgrade and bought a Samsung Galaxy Note II.  This is by far the best pocket computer I have ever owned.  (I still can’t get myself to call it a telephone).

The Note II is a big machine.  It measures 5.949” x 3.17” x 0.37” and weighs 6.349 oz.  Some of the tech writers are calling this machine a “phablet” (from the two words phone and tablet).  For me it is a perfect size.  It fits in my pocket and the large screen is easy for my old eyes to read.  The screen resolution is 1280 x 720.

The processor is a Exynos 1.6GHz Quad-core and it is fast.  I haven’t experienced any screen lag.  The operating system is Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and is a joy to use.  Android has finally come into its own.  There is 16GB of internal memory and a slot for up to a 64GB micro SD card.  Powering it is a 3,100 mAh battery.  I have yet to get a message telling me the battery is getting low.  As a matter of routine, I’ve always bought a second battery for my pocket computers.  I haven’t had to use my stand-by battery with the Note II.

The camera resolution is 8.0 Megapixels.  The front facing camera is 1.9 Megapixels.  The camera features include Auto Focus, Best Face, Best Photo, Beauty, Buddy Photo Share, Burst Shot, Face Detection, HDR, Low Light, Panorama, Share Shot, Single Shot, Smile Shot and Geo-tagging.

One of my favorite features is the multitasking in split screen windows.  I can watch a movie in one window while I’m playing a game in the other window.  The possibilities are endless.  Messaging in one window, take pictures in the other.  Map in one window, take notes in the other.  This is an awesome feature.

Of course, all of the standard features are included: WI-FI, Bluetooth, GPS, Messaging, Web Browsing, Social Networking, etc.  Also included are some new apps designed specially for the fancy stylus, named the S-Pen.  The stylus is touch sensitive.  The harder you press on the screen, the darker the line.  It also works without touching the screen at all.  One of the cool features is when you pull the S-Pen out of its holder, all of the apps automatically load.  Reinsert the S-Pen and they close.  You won’t easily lose your stylus, because the machine will sound an alarm if you walk away without it.

There are a couple of things that I don’t like about the machine.  There is only one button on the front.  Pressing it opens the home screen.  Long pressing brings up the recently used apps screen.  Double pressing the button opens Samsung’s S-Voice app, which I don’t use.  Maybe future hackers will make some useful applications for the button.

The power button is on the upper right side of the computer, which is an an awkward position for me.  I often accidentally bump the volume control when I’m turning the machine on or off.  I wish they had put it on the top of the device.

Lastly is a pain in the whatchamacallit when using the camera.  You cannot turn the sound off.  This doesn’t bother me anymore though.  I’ve rooted my phone and have a quiet camera now.

If you’re in the market for a new phone and you want a large screen, a smooth operating system and superb battery life, I recommend you test drive the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.  It’s an excellent pocket computer that happens to also make telephone calls.

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Android App Permissions – Originally Published August 2011

July 22, 2014 Posted by Tiny

A Pain in the Whatchamacallit
By Tiny Ruisch

I’ve had my Archos Android tablet for six months now and I’ve formed an opinion of android applications.  There are a lot of them.  I’ve got three different app stores on my device, so I can usually find a usable program for whatever I want to do.  The only thing that is easier is finding applications for things that I don’t want to do.

The Google Marketplace is the iTunes store of the android world.  The selection of programs grows larger every day.  I can’t really say much about iTunes because Apple is one of the companies whose software I avoid installing on my machines.  Probably the biggest difference between the two is the fact that Apple has real live people preview all software before it goes on the market.  In theory, this will stop any malicious applications from ever being downloaded.  The only problematic iTunes programs I’ve read about involve misusing their customers private data.

The Apps Library is the Archos Android store.  It doesn’t have as many programs as the Marketplace, but they almost always work on my device.  I’ve noticed that many of the tablet manufacturers have their own application libraries (stores).  I imagine that is so they can get a cut of the sales.

The Amazon Android Store has been in operation for about a month now.  Every day, they feature a free app of the day.  Some of them have been useful to me.  Most of the daily offerings have been games.  Amazon says that all applications are previewed by employees.

Many applications can be downloaded directly from the developers website.  If you download directly, I recommend that you do some research and make certain that it is a safe application.

My biggest concern with downloading Android applications is that it is extremely easy to install programs that might not be in your best interests.  For example, at the June meeting when we had our first door prize drawing, I downloaded and installed a random generator app.  Later on, when I more closely checked it out, I found that I had given the app permission to modify storage, check GPS location, monitor phone calls and full internet access.  Does this simple program really need those functions?  Maybe so, but not from me.  I’ve deleted the program.

If you use Android software, I recommend that you closely check the permissions that programs request before you install them.  This is especially true for new software on the market.  Some of the permissions that could cost you money are:
a) Make Phone Calls.  This could allow an application to call a 1-900 number and charge you money.
b) Send SMS or MMS.  This could let an application send a text message on your behalf, and much like the phone call feature above, it could cost you money.

Other permissions could allow a rogue program to steal your personal data or make changes on your device that you don’t want to happen. Examples are:
a) Modify/Delete SD Card Contents will allow the application to read, write, and delete anything stored on your device’s SD card.
b) Read Contact Data is extra scary for me.  Unless an app explicitly states a specific feature that it would use your contact list for, there isn’t much of a reason tor you to allow it.
c) Full Internet Access could be the most important permission you will want to pay attention to.  For any malware to truly be effective it needs a means by which to transfer data off of your machine.  This is one of the settings it would definitely have to ask for.

Some other Android permissions that are mostly benign are:
a) Read Calendar Data.
b) Write Calendar Data.
c) Read Phone State and Identity gives an application access to three unique numbers that can identify your phone.  The numbers are the International Mobile Equipment Identity, International Mobile Subscriber Identity and a 64 bit unique ID that Google provides for the phone.
d) Fine (GPS) Location will allow an application to track where you are.
e) Modify Global System Settings allows a program to change anything you find under Android’s main ‘settings’ window.
f) Automatically Start At Boot will allow an application to tell Android to run the application every time you start your phone.  g) Retrieve Running Applications will allow an application to find out what other applications are running on your system.  Am I paranoid about the Android application security?  I don’t think so, but I’m definitely concerned enough to write an article about it for the Club Newsletter.  Like many other things on the internet, free isn’t free.  We pay for programs and services by giving the developers access to our personal data.  This information can be used for useful things like showing ads that you could use.  It could also be used for lousy things like mining every e-mail, phone number, address, etc. in your contact list.

Right now, my only Android device is my tablet.  It doesn’t have a phone or GPS.  This eliminates a lot of my concerns.  Will my next phone be Android?  I don’t know.  If Microsoft doesn’t get their mobile stuff together, I might have to make a change.

Thanks for reading.

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Voice Shortcuts Launcher – Originally Published February 2013

June 10, 2014 Posted by Tiny

From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch

Google Voice has really come of age in the Jelly Bean operating system.  It is so nice to just push a button on my pocket computer and say “Google, find me a place to eat.”  Almost immediately, a list of all the places to chew in the immediate area are listed.  I can then go to the nearest McDonald’s and think about how my pocket PC is starting to remind me of a 24th century Library Computer Access/Retrieval System.  I just hope it doesn’t become HAL 2000.

Voice Shortcuts Launcher is a utility program that utilizes Google Voice to allow you to create customized voice commands.  You can open another app, a website or a file on your device.  You can open your contacts and initiate phone calls by voice.  I’ve installed and tested several other voice assistants, but the Voice Shortcuts Launcher is by far the easiest to use.  Another thing I like is the interface doesn’t talk back to you.  I really don’t need my computer to tell me that it is working.

The applications is easy to use.  After installing, all you have to do is open the app, specify the type of shortcut you want to create, and speak in your voice command.  Try to speak as clearly as you can.  You may use any word combination or phrase to launch whatever aspect of your Android you wish to.

Voice Shortcuts Launcher is a free app but it is supported by advertising.  The ads appear at the bottom of the screen but are far away from the command buttons.  There is no free ads-free version of the app, but if ads bother you, you can purchase GVS Pro for $2.33.

GVS Pro combines Voice Shortcuts Launcher and Gesture Shortcuts Launcher, a similar application from the same company.  I was so impressed with the voice program that I purchased the licensed version within fifteen minutes of installing it.  If you’re interested in an easy launcher, give it a try. I’m sure you’ll like it.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 2 – Originally Published January 2013

June 10, 2014 Posted by Tiny

From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch

Way back in April of 2010, I wrote in my Whatchamacallit column about how I was finally giving up my IPAQ pocket computer (PPC) for a newfangled kind of PPC that happened to also make phone calls.  Now that I look back on what I’ve just written, I’m wondering if Hewlett-Packard could sue Apple for copyright infringement.  On third thought, I guess not. Apple uses a lower case I.

Last June, I told you about how my trusty TP2 finally gave up the ghost.  Microsoft lost a customer due to their lousy updating of their mobile operating systems.  I changed to an Android phone that my grandson had quit using.  Three months later, I bought an android tablet.

In November, I finally used my upgrade and bought a Samsung Galaxy Note II.  This is by far the best pocket PC I have ever owned. (I still can’t get myself to call it a telephone).

The Note II is a big machine.  It measures 5.949” x 3.17” x 0.37” and weighs 6.349 oz.  Some of the tech writers are calling this machine a “phablet” (a combination of the words phone and tablet).   For me it is a perfect size.  It fits in my pocket and the large screen is easy for my old eyes to read.  The screen resolution is 1280 x 720.

The processor is a Exynos 1.6GHz Quad-core and it is fast.  I haven’t experienced any screen lag.  The operating system is Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and is a joy to use.  Android has finally come into its own.  There is 16GB of internal memory and a slot for up to a 64GB micro SD card.  Powering it is a 3,100 mAh battery.  I have yet to get a message telling me the battery is getting low.  As a matter of routine, I’ve always bought a second battery for my PPCs.  I haven’t had to use my stand-by battery with the Note II.

The camera resolution is 8.0 Megapixels.  The front facing camera is 1.9 Megapixels.  The camera features include Auto Focus, Best Face, Best Photo, Beauty, Buddy Photo Share, Burst Shot, Face Detection, HDR, Low Light, Panorama, Share Shot, Single Shot, Smile Shot and Geo-tagging.

One of my favorite features is the multitasking in split screen windows.  I can watch a movie in one window while I’m playing a game in the other window.  The possibilities are endless.  Messaging in one window, take pictures in the other.  Map in one window, take notes in the other.  This is an awesome feature.

Of course, all of the standard features are included: WI-FI, Bluetooth, GPS, Messaging, Web Browsing, Social Networking, etc.  Also included are some new apps designed specially for the fancy stylus, named the S-Pen.  The stylus is touch sensitive.  The harder you press on the screen, the darker the line.  It also works without touching the screen at all.  One of the cool features is when you pull the S-Pen out of its holder, all of the apps automatically load.  Reinsert the S-Pen and they close.  You won’t easily lose your stylus, because the PPC will sound an alarm if you walk away without it.

There are a couple of things that I don’t like about the machine.  There is only one button on the front.  Pressing it opens the home screen.  Long pressing brings up the recently used apps screen.  Double pressing the button opens Samsung’s S-Voice app, which I don’t use.  Maybe future hackers will make some useful applications for the button.

The power button is on the upper right side of the PPC, which is an an awkward position for me.  I often accidentally bump the volume control when I’m turning the machine off.  I wish they had put it on the top of the device.

Lastly is a pain in the whatchamacallit when using the camera. You cannot turn the sound off.  This doesn’t bother me anymore though.  I’ve rooted my phone and have a quiet camera now.

If you’re in the market for a new phone and you want a large screen, a smooth operating system and superb battery life, I recommend you test drive the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.  It’s an excellent PPC which happens to also make telephone calls.

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