Kyle, comments for Android applications and games, Androlib, Android Applications and Games directory

by Kyle the 3/8/2012

Llama - Location Profiles

Very good, very useful Though I don't use Llama's location- or time-based functions, its profiles are powerful and useful to me, either triggered by other events (docking and undocking in the car, mainly) or manually. Since the app lets me toggle data transfer and 3G radio together (that is, switch between 3G/4G and 2G/GSM), I donated. On a typical day of mine, this functionality lets my phone's battery last practically forever after a full charge. And since Llama lets me make shortcuts for it and add it to profiles, I can use it as event driven or manually. Lastly, though the somewhat rough hewn UI doesn't bother me, and though I appreciate the developer's sense of humor, I think the persistent "clever" comments in the UI are a real distraction. They seem precocious and sophomoric, and they don't add any value.

by Kyle the 2/24/2012

PlayTool Pro (donate)

Great controller. Leaves heavy work to the player. PlayTool is a perfect complement to Poweramp on my SGS2. The simplicity and pragmatic approach of this app is enough to earn it a 5-star rating. I was glad to buy the donate version.

by Kyle the 2/11/2012

1Tap Cleaner Pro

Useful, but paritally ineffective This app gets most of the job done on my SGH-T989. I am downgrading it to three stars because 1. I just discovered that it does not actually clear the clipboard, and 2. its main screen devotes far too much space to upselling (it's okay to upsell, but it should be done very discretely with paying customers.) Regarding the clipboard: Running a version of 2.3.6, my phone stores at least eight items on the clipboard. This app needs to be able to clear them all, but currently it does not.

by Kyle the 2/4/2012

Smart App Protector(app lock+)

Update hijacks the UI for a review, loads Market When the latest update of Smart App Protector(app lock+) is run for the first time, in its Settings panel at least, it pops up a modal dialog "requesting" a good review. But when you tap its only button to continue, it automatically runs the Market app, taking you to the app's page. This is shameful. The developer should remove this virus-like behavior immediately. Once he does, I will post my former 5-star review and glowing description of the app and my use of it. Until then, I will be reporting the developer to Google. Pathetic and sad... I can't believe I paid for this abuse and childishness.

by Kyle the 1/30/2012

Dialer One

Great dialer for me. On my tweaked SGH-T989, Dialer One is fast and efficient. Even after I stripped it of many permissions, it works fine. Lots of useful customization options net an almost perfect UI for me: spare, dark and usable, just like I like it. Mostly dark, anyway. The only features I don't understand are the "Create contact" and "Send SMS" buttons at the top. They are native and do not inherit the dark theme I use; so their light gray color greatly degrades the overall UI. Since I can't disable them, they are a constant nuisance as I use the dialer. In my opinion, Dialer One is a dialer first and foremost. I don't want it for SMS or managing contacts. But if others do, the app should expose those functions discretely and let them be optional.

by Kyle the 1/30/2012

Permissions Denied

Much improved experience. Solves a tricky case. I think it was some weeks ago that I first tried Permissions Denied; then, it made me wait for a big, non-interactive splash screen. Since I use App Shield to strip apps of permissions by altering their apk file, at that time I didn't have a real need for Permissions Denied and uninstalled it. But I recently got an app whose paid version refuses to run when side loaded, so the App Shield approach didn't work with it. Last night, I installed the updated Permissions Denied. The splash screen was gone, which was a much nicer experience, and it let me deny permissions to the paid app in question, which ran perfectly. Case solved! My thanks go to Stericson. When I can afford to buy the paid version of Permissions Denied, I will (I always buy the good ones.)

by Kyle the 1/27/2012

Network Tester

It works! So simple, informative and useful Many thanks to the developer for this excellent open source app. If ever he would like to add an upload test, I will not complain. :^)

by Kyle the 1/17/2012

Wifi Protector

Essential Thanks to the responsive, polite developer for this unique and powerful app that he keeps improving. Especially on a rooted phone, Wifi Protector lets you use insecure WiFi networks with near impunity; it gives you a fighting chance and then some. Add your own TCP/IP hardening measures and you're set. Everyone else is flying blind...

by Kyle the 1/17/2012

Set DNS Pro

What Luigi said I was happy to buy the Pro version of this app. Thank you!

by Kyle the 1/17/2012

Set DNS

Free at last Many thanks! I was glad to buy the Pro version.

by Kyle the 1/17/2012

Hash Droid

Useful, usable, uncluttered, and open source My thanks go to the developer for this simple, perfectly useful open source app!

by Kyle the 1/17/2012

Apps Organizer

Simple, effective, useful, brilliant Like many others, I'm sure, I discovered this app via Titanium Backup. Then, once I used Apps Organizer, not only did it do what I needed for use with Titanium Backup, but it proved a very useful tool by itself. Then I realized that I wanted shortcuts in App Organizer "labels"; and for once I didn't mind an app upselling me: it suggested Folder Organizer, which had the feature I wanted. Seeing that Folder Organizer could export and import its settings and definitions, I checked Apps Organizer and voilà!, I was able to reuse my Apps Organizer definitions by importing them into Folder Organizer. All around, using this developer's apps has been a great experience. I was happy to buy Folder Organizer, and I will still use Apps Organizer with Titanium Backup.

by Kyle the 12/27/2011

AdAway

Easy to configure. Works when it happens to run. Sadly, AdAway is not reliable. When is happens to run, it works as described. The two bugs I encountered were 1. the web server stops running (after being started manually within a boot session, not only immediately after a reboot), 2. the update routine in broken; the "download and apply" button persists, even after manually running the download. I will try the app again later.

by Kyle the 12/26/2011

Location Cache

A critical part of my Android privacy strategy Ditto what Ron Overdrive said. "delete and block" is why I installed Location Cache. Where I go is my business, not Google's. Many thanks to the developer!

by Kyle the 12/25/2011

WiFi Key Recovery (needs root)

It works and clearly presents the info Thank you!

by Kyle the 12/25/2011

Bonus Apps

A worthless, invasive resource sucker Root, flash, out with the trash!

by Kyle the 12/25/2011

[root] Chainfire3D Pro

Supporting the developer's innovative work Five stars for innovation. I bought the Pro license to support the developer's work, even though I play no games. My interest is in CF.lumen. On my SGH-T989, I suspect that CF.lumen and/or Chainfire3D is using a lot of battery, but I am still investigating. Also, as others have reported, using night mode on an SGS2 slows UI performance radically. I look forward to the developer fixing this.

by Kyle the 12/25/2011

[root] Chainfire3D

Five stars for innovation I bought the Pro license to support the developer's work, even though I play no games. My interest is in CF.lumen. On my SGH-T989, I suspect that CF.lumen and/or Chainfire3D is using a lot of battery, but I am still investigating. Also, as others have reported, using night mode on an SGS2 slows UI performance radically. I look forward to the developer fixing this.

by Kyle the 12/24/2011

RL Permissions

Completely useful and helpful This app is a valuable tool for anyone trying to keep their Android device secure and efficient. Used in tandem with App Shield and (on a rooted device) DroidWall, RL Permissions helps me verify my work in screening and constraining apps. Many thanks to this developer!

by Kyle the 12/22/2011

Voodoo Carrier IQ detector

Perfect. Thank you! My first run reported some CIQ presence and that it was probably inactive, with a score of 120. I deleted one of the CIQ lib files cited in the report, then rebooted. My next run reported the same status, but with a score of 50 (lower scores are better.) It correctly did not detect the file I deleted. What a useful app: it names names and enables you to do some of the fix yourself. Thanks to the developers!

by Kyle the 12/16/2011

Bookmarks manager

It works: deleted bloatware bookmarks stay gone. On a rooted SGH-T989, this easy-to-use app let me delete the carrier's bloatware bookmarks in the stock browser. After a quick reboot, I confirmed that the bookmarks were still gone. Perfect. My thanks go to the developer!

by Kyle the 11/30/2011

Klink (Red Edition)

It works. Fast! One special requirement for SGS2. (Used on SGH-T989 + 2.3.5, Mac + OS X 10.6.) Instructions good; installation easy; setup, use easy. Good with slow cable via WiFi. Fast with T-Mobile 4G. If unusable below 3G, I'll be unhappy, but I haven't yet tried it. So far it's worth the price. UPDATE: The instructions miss one SGS2 requirement: the Android setting "Location and Security>Disable USB debugging mode" must be UN-checked, or Klink loses its connection when the screen times out, even if the screen doesn't lock. (Responsive, friendly dev!)

by Kyle the 11/17/2011

App Shield

It really works. App Shield's clear, logical workflow makes it easy to use. I only suggest that it should display a constant reminder of which app you are working on, which it does not do now. Some apps FC after modification by App Shield, as the dev warns they will; but a little patience will let you find which permissions they need to avoid crashing with the settings you use. Since the apps I run often want permissions for features I don't need, App Shield lets me run them, yet worry less about my privacy being invaded.

by Kyle the 11/9/2011

Jump Desktop (RDP & VNC)

Windows-centric, 2.3 slow screen redraw, but solid (Used on an SGH-T989 with 2.3.5 and a Mac with OS X 10.6.8.) Usable and solid, Jump is just responsive enough to be useful. At 99 cents, its value for money is great. Instructions were good; installation and setup were easy. Jump's Android UI shows its Windows-centric roots. If I connect Jump to a Mac, it should know to replace its "Win" button with a "[Mac command symbol]" button, but it does not. Its weakest points are 1. slow screen redraw, 2. auto-disconnect on Android screen timeout. But a good start!

by Kyle the 10/25/2011

Sparse rss

Perfect Thank you very much for publishing a no nonsense RSS reader for Android! True to its name, Sparse rss is free, small, fast enough, ad-free, non-invasive, unintrusive and easy to use, and it offers only essential functionality. For me, that makes it perfect. TIP: Want to share an article? While reading it, tap the "Goto link" button at the bottom of the screen. Then, after the article loads in your web browser, use the browser's sharing feature to share the article via email, text, etc.