Apps

Every owner of an Android smartphone has to deal with them every day and loads them mainly from the Google Play Store. The talk is of applications, short apps. What many people do not know is that the expanding software can also be legally loaded onto the phone via various other sources: Alternative App Stores. How good is their offer? How safe are they? Whether the view is out of the box or whether the content is not an annoying adware. Continue reading…

Amazon App Store: Apps against data

There are so many alternative app stores. The best known is Amazon App Store. The application for the apps store is loaded onto the Android phone via APK file. As with the official Google counterpart, the content can be searched through a category overview and loaded directly – if you have an Amazon account. A few weeks ago, Julia has already looked at the offer more closely and showed maladministration. With the installation, the user grants the shopping giant a time to track and store the apps. For each minute the company pays a certain amount to the developers. So everyone should know for themselves what is worth the free app fun.

F-Droid: Freeware for geeks

Fans of Freeware will get their money’s worth at F-Droid – so the developers promise. As with Amazon Apps store, you can download and install the appropriate APK file directly from the website. The apps store lists all open-source programs, which are free of charge and at the same time ad-free. There are even a few useful root apps that have already been removed from the Play Store. But beware: this could lead to the destruction of the phone with unclean programs, because of the software deeply into the Android system intervenes. F-Droid itself promises to list only “clean” applications.

In addition to recommended software in “What’s new,” there is also a comprehensive, categorized list of available apps. An Even beta software can be downloaded and updated via F-Droid. An advantage over Amazon Underground is also the elimination of the registration force. Only gaming freaks should look with a weeping eye on the free apps store: The contents are very clear and mostly not really appealing. In addition, the open-source freeware is often a simple application, which can only be used by normal users.

GetJar: Restricted Play Store without Google Account

The developers behind GetJar have been looking to all those who want to download and use the free Android software without a Google Account. The apps store comes as a website, which can be called simply mobile. A categorization, as well as a curated selection, provides the necessary overview. However, this is not absolutely necessary because the apps selection is very limited. In addition, you are looking for paid applications at GetJar in vain. Contrary to the great example of Google, the apps exam is treated very negatively. One should, therefore, take an eye on applications with a certain skepticism. All too soon infected software could land on the mobile phone and pick up sensitive data.

Also, the update possibilities are only rudimentary. Updates must be played manually. Apart from the lack of Google constraint, Get Jar offers disadvantages mainly and should not be used in practice.

Slide Me: Apps-Store for everyone

The developer of Slide Me is a very special way. Unlike F-Droid or Get Jar, the user creates his own account. You can also use the account to publish your own applications through a developer upgrade. The store offers free, also paid content. For the latter a special prepaid account has to be charged, a single payment of the apps is not possible. The lower limit for charging is $ 5. In addition to the mobile phone bill and credit card, the re-valuation can also be made securely by Paypal. Anyone who makes software recommendations can earn money similar to Google’s apps. Annoying: Advertising is displayed despite paying content.

Something unusual is the look because it comes in the chic tile design, therefore. In addition to applications presented by the operators, “Top Paid” or “Latest new” are also displayed. If you frequently browse the Apps Store, you get a quick overview of new settings. Because it is all the sadder, the selection to the Google Play Store several below.

Conclusion: alternative apps stores with compromises

The Google Play Store is undoubtedly the undisputed Primus in the field of apps stores. It offers the widest range of Android software and is the safest way to install applications on the mobile phone.

Alternative apps stores like Amazon or Get Jar lure mostly with the free mentality. However, you often pay with your own usage data or in the worst case with the security of the smartphone. Due to the possibility of the Slide-Me users to upload their own apps, one of the few stores with paid content is not necessarily secure.

For Geeks, only one F-Droid can be given a recommendation, because there is mostly good open-source software listed and offered. Probably the best variant is, however, still applications from the Google Play Store to relate and thus safety in the data and device function ability to enjoy.

The best navigation app on Android and iPhone is Google Maps but taking into account that most of the users tend to use it while driving, it could miss out on some of its features. Irrespective of the user being new or experienced we could check on the best options of getting the most out of it.

Save Home/Work Addresses in Google Maps

Google Maps could be a bit pleasant by adding in your work and home address since it tends to simplify navigating to each place.  On tapping the three-line menu bar in the search box, followed by Place and add your home and work address.

Addition of multiple destinations

Setting up multiple destinations tends to make it easy.  However there are two types of adding multiple stops.  First plan the direction to the final destination and then tap the three-dot icon towards the top right area > Add Stop.  Then enter in the next location and the Map would then navigate you between them.  The user could add up to nine various stops at this point. On the other hand you could also add a stop midway along the route.  This could make up for a snack or a cup of coffee on a road trip.  You could start up navigation to your last destination.  Once Maps starts navigating, tap the big search button and search for what is essential.  Maps would only portray your choices along your existing route.

Save Your Parking Spot in Google Maps

Google has the facility of saving your parking spot with the latest version of Google Maps. When the parking is done, one would see a pop-up which prompts you to save your location which you can do so and then can also add more information such as what lot one is in or how much time is on your meter.  This is a new feature and if it is not seen, you could check for it at a later stage.

Using Google Maps for Saving Locations of One’s Choice

Based on how Google Maps is utilised, you tend to have convenient options of saving locations.  Generally, My Maps has always been the go-to though it needs you to have access to desktop computer.  Go to the My Maps site from your computer and create a private or public map which is accessible in Google Maps on the phone.  It would be convenient if one is developing an itinerary for a vacation or intending an event or working on a combined map with colleagues. New lists of features are available when one is on the go wherein you could look for locations on Google Maps and tap the Save Button.  You will then get a list of your locations inclusive of defined lists known as Favourites, Want to go and Starred Places.

Look at History to See Trips Undertaken

Google Maps, by default tends to keep history of every trip undertaken which could be useful or not.  You could tap the three line menu button, Settings > Map History where you can view all the various places navigated. You have the option to disable it by flipping the toggle towards the top of the screen to `off’.

Download Maps for Offline Viewing

Offline maps are essential if one tends to have a bad data plan with their phone or while travelling internationally.  You could search for a city or place name and tap the name or address towards the bottom bar.  Tap the Download button to save the map.  What is saved can be viewed by tapping the three line menu button in the search bar and then tap Offline Areas. In some of the case, one can still navigate and search for location in this mode.

Send Directions from Your Computer to Phone

If one has been viewing directions to a place on a computer and prefers to do the real navigation on their phone, you could send the data to your phone till you are logged in Google account on both the devices.  You could first search for a destination and locate a route. Once done you will see a possibility to send the directions to your phone if it supports Google Maps

Dig Deeper in Transit Directions

Google Maps is said to be an amazing way of getting around if using public transit where Google tends to do a good job of providing plenty of search factors in modification of search effects. You could search for a destination in Google Maps and tap the public transportation button where you will get a list of the options to get to your destinations. Should you desire to change the time around, you could tap the Depart at button and alter that to the options of your choice.  Moreover you could also tap the choice button in fine-tuning your results plus the choice of public transportation needed.