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Nov

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Final Roundup] Out Of A Sea Of Apps, Just One Emerges As A Clear Winner In Keeping Your Device Safe

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications, Mobile Security App Shootout

Last Updated: November 29th, 2011

In the past couple of months, I've covered more than a dozen mobile security apps, carefully weighing the pros and cons of each, and determining their relative values. I've spent time with 17 apps in all, and it's about time to wrap up the series, and tell you, the end user, which apps are your best bet for protecting your Android device(s).

Before I get to the nitty-gritty of which app is best, I think it'd be helpful to review what we've covered so far, to get a clear grasp on each of the solutions we've covered. To save your eyes from pages upon pages of analysis, I've made the following handy table, outlining the various features we've covered, and which apps have what you need.

Nov

[New App] AirDroid Lets Your Desktop Control Your Android Phone Over WiFi Using A Simple, Gorgeous Interface

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

For those who spend a lot of time looking at a computer, and can't be bothered to look at their phone very often, Sand Studio has introduced AirDroid, an app that allows users to control their Android Phone from a computer via WiFi.

The great thing about AirDroid is that it works - it's easy to start up, and functions flawlessly (in my experience). The interface is also very polished - mimicking a desktop launcher complete with moveable icons, a task bar, and controls that allow you to do just about anything.

One of the most impressive features is the ability to access SMS messages, manage them, and send messages right from a web browser.

Nov

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 17] NetQin Security Pro Focuses On Anti-Virus Protection Over Anti-Theft, Still Makes A Capable Solution

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications, Mobile Security App Shootout

Last Updated: November 21st, 2011

Coming in at number seventeen in our shootout, NetQin Security Pro is a security app that offers a lot more than your average anti-theft protection, even if that means skimping a little on features that may help you recover your lost device.

At A Glance

First, I want to comment on NetQin's design. The app's overall appearance is clean, and relatively well thought out. The main screen gives you access to all the app's main features, and the layout makes it virtually impossible to misstep. Speaking of features, NetQin has plenty of them, including anti-virus, privacy protection, traffic management, and anti-theft options.

Oct

Review: Philips Fidelio AS851 Android Speaker Dock - When An Awesome Speaker Meets An Amazing Dock

Posted by David Ruddock in Other Reviews, Reviews

I wouldn't exactly say it's a secret, but I'm a bit of a closet audiophile. I've reviewed a couple of audio products for Android devices in the past (like portable speakers and headphones), and am always interested in Android-friendly sound solutions.

Today, I'm taking a look at the Philips Fidelio AS851 (yes, that is kind of a lame name), Philips' top-of-the-line Android speaker dock. How can a speaker dock be designed for Android, you ask? Well, Philips realized that their popular line of iPhone docks could pretty easily be converted to be Android friendly by changing the dock connector to a microUSB connection, and releasing the Fidelio app for Android handsets.

Sep

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 16] XtraSEC Mobile Security Offers The Most Basic Protection At A Very Modest Price

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications, Mobile Security App Shootout

Landing at number 16 in the Mobile Security App Shootout is XtraSEC Mobile Security, from developer wedjohn57. XtraSEC is dedicated specifically to loss and theft protection, providing a clean, no frills experience, an intuitive interface, and support for multiple devices.

At A Glance

XtraSEC is certainly a lightweight app, housing most of its power in the app's online interface. XtraSEC comes in both free and paid flavors. The free version lacks Remote Locking, Data Wipe, Battery Info and on demand SIM information, but the paid version comes in at a modest $1.99/year. The app's design is straight-forward, and the online interface is convenient and intuitive, offering up all your options in only a couple of screens.

Sep

Logitech Harmony Link Will Make Your Android Phone The Best Remote In The House

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Applications, Logitech, News

Logitech is bringing its Harmony remote tech to Android in the form of the Logitech Harmony Link. For those that don't know, Harmony is all about controlling your home theater setup with as little effort as possible - imagine a universal remote mashed up with a computer and you're getting there. A hundred bucks gets you a Wi-Fi equipped IR blaster box and an app. The box receives commands from your phone over the Wi-Fi connection, and can relay that to up to 8 IR devices in your home theater setup. The Wi-Fi connection means you don't need line of sight to control the TV anymore, so if you want to turn off the TV from the bathroom, you can do that.

Sep

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 15] Kaspersky Mobile Security Offers Familiar Security Features, Adds Few New Twists

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications, Mobile Security App Shootout

Kaspersky, a huge name in computer security, not only protects your home and office computers, but your Android device as well. Kaspersky Mobile Security, now in its 9th revision, is a robust app packing anti-virus, anti-malware, call blocking, and theft/loss protection into one lightweight package.

At A Glance

Kaspersky's security solution for Android comes in a relatively lightweight app, costing only 1.5MB in storage. The app's loss/theft protection relies totally on SMS commands, meaning your phone is still protected even if data is turned off. Personally, I always like to see an online interface option, because it makes using the app that much easier in case you've lost your handset and don't have someone with a cell phone handy to send commands to your device.

Sep

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 14] ESET Mobile Security RC Still In Development, Offers Strong Features Nonetheless

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Mobile Security App Shootout

The developers behind the already popular ESET Security solutions for various desktop platforms is responsible for the next entry in our Mobile Security App Shootout: ESET Mobile Security for Android. Before we get started with reviewing the app, it's important to note that right now ESET for Android is in its Beta stage, and the app available on the Market is a Release Candidate, meaning it's not quite finished yet. The good news, however, is that the app is free throughout its stages in beta. ESET's other mobile solutions (for iOS and Symbian) run about $30.00/year.

At A Glance

ESET Mobile Security is a well-designed, easy to use app.

Sep

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 13] Trend Micro's Mobile Security Personal Edition Provides Strong, Basic Protection

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Mobile Security App Shootout

Trend Micro, the company that "Secures Your Journey To The Cloud" with an extensive line of security products for home and business, also offers a mobile security solution for Android users, called simply Mobile Security Personal Edition. This app is what we'll be discussing in the thirteenth installment of our Mobile Security App Shootout.

At A Glance

Within Trend Micro's security app we find another smoothly designed, well functioning security solution that sets up quickly and is exceedingly easy to use. The phone app has a nice set of features, but the real practicality in Mobile Security Personal Edition is its loss/theft protection.

Sep

[Mobile Security App Shootout, Part 12] Webroot Mobile Security Pairs Useful, Unexpected Features With Functional, Reliable Controls

Posted by Liam Spradlin in App Reviews, Applications, Mobile Security App Shootout

Webroot Software Inc. are the developers behind the popular security solution of the same name for desktops, and have brought the same protection to Android users with Webroot Mobile Security. This app, unlike its desktop counterpart, has features specifically for lost or stolen devices, giving the user the ability to track, lock, and wipe the device remotely from the handy online console.

At A Glance

Webroot Mobile Security has a free version and a paid version coming in at $14.99. The free version is only different in that its features list is more constrained than in the full version. I go back and forth on whether this app is worth the price -- on the one hand there are free apps that do much more for lost and stolen devices; on the other hand, Webroot is a trusted name, and the app comes with antivirus/malware protection and a handful of other features that I haven't seen combined with a security app yet.