New Android Version 5.0 "Lollipop"

The latest version of Android OS is about to be released.  It apparently has a different user interface and will appear first on the Google Nexus tablets and will roll out to other devices over the next few months.

To learn more, check out this article from USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/10/30/android-lollipop-first-look/18162395/

Or...this webpage at Android.com
http://www.android.com/versions/lollipop-5-0/

or...this one from TheVerge  (12 best new features of Lollipop):
http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/28/7082875/12-best-new-features-android-lollipop-nexus

Lock your Android apps and more

Droid Protector:    Droid Protector allows you to set per-app restrictions to keep nosy people out. You can also enable a fake "crash" dialog for a specific app if someone tries to access it without authorization. This app will also allow you to hide certain photographs or videos from prying eyes, which is a particularly handy feature that complements the other features so well, you'd wonder why other apps don't already do both.

Learn more here

All-In-One Tool Box app looks good

I installed an app that was new to me, the All-In-One Tool Box.  It helps one manage their Android device, by providing 29 tools as shown below.  Worth checking it out, since its free.  Here is what it can do....

★ Clean out junk files:
Created in a simple method of seeing what's taking up storage and reclaiming lost memory via smart and safe cleaning.
* Delete SMS & Call logs
* Erase browsing history
* Remove Temp files
* Clean SD card
* Sweep out Apk leftover
* Eliminate cache files

★ Speedup system performance: 
Shut down unnecessary running apps to free up memory to keep Android devices at optimal performance and potentially extend battery life
* One-tap boost
* Kill unessential tasks
* Speed-up boot

★ Privacy protection: 
Provide access for you to erase your personal data and browsing traces to keep the privacy information from revealing. Pass-word service will lock the things you don’t want to share with others
* App locker
* Browsing trace erasing
* Call or SMS logs deleting

★ APP and File management: 
Check what’s on Android and provide a list of options for you to control files at your own will.
* Uninstall system app
* App to SD card
* Batch installer/uninstaller
* Zip and unzip
* Backup and restore

★ Plenty of additional tools: 
29+ system tools available in All-In-One Toolbox, all essential for your ease and wonderful Android experience
* Auto task plug-in: cache and junk file clean, silent mode, airplane mode and wifi management at set intervals automatically
* Compass plug-in: give you the directions when you are lost
* Flashlight: light up your surroundings when it’s dark
* QR and Barcode Scanner: quick scanning and collecting info you need
* Game Booster: boost games to give you more fun
* Android sensor box: show you all available sensors on your Android
* Quick settings: offer easy access to the
* Volume settings: provide one-click volume setup

Here is the link to the Google Play Store page covering this app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=imoblife.toolbox.full&hl=en

Kill Switch coming ...

from a USA Today article (full link below):  "Google and Microsoft will add kill switches to the next versions of their cell phone operating systems, according to San Francisco district attorney George Gascón.  The move is seen as a major step towards making smart phones and other easily-stolen devices such as tablets less of a theft risk...."

This will allow a user to disable their stolen phone and erase data (if they wish)...making the phone not worth hardly anything.  If the phone is recovered, it can be reloaded by the rightful owner.

here is the full article:  USA Today Article

KiIndle android app improves speech function

The new Adnroid Kindle app now makes it much easier to switch between reading and being read to (speech function).  Here is an article that explains it all.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/06/10/kindle-android-app-gets-audible-integration-provides-option-easily-switch-reading-listening/

Change in the Google Play Store

The new version of Google PlayStore has reduced the amount of detail that you see for permissions the desired application requires.  This could cause us to download and install an app that needs permissions that we don't want to grant.  So...here is a link to an article that explains the situation and shows you how to see the permissions detail before downloadin/installing a new app from the PlayStore.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/06/10/simplified-permissions-ui-in-the-play-store-could-allow-malicious-developers-to-silently-add-permissions/

Quick-Charge your phone

From "Drippler.com" 

Today, we’re going to show you how to charge your Android’s battery to 100% as quickly as possible:

Turn your phone off

You probably already know this tip, but turning your phone off (or enabling airplane mode) is an easy and effective way to reduce charging time. The reason is simple: your phone burns a lot of battery when it’s connected to Wi-Fi or mobile networks. Disabling that connection reduces outgoing battery life.

Don’t charge using your computer’s USB port

Ever wonder why your phone seems to charge more slowly on some electrical outlets or ports? You’re not crazy – there’s a good reason for it, and that reason is USB. USB 2.0 ports output 0.5 amps of energy while USB 3.0 ports output 0.9 amps of energy. When you charge via a traditional electrical outlet, you can receive anywhere from 1 to 2 amps of energy. The more amps you send to your phone’s battery, the faster it will charge. 1 to 2 amps of power may not seem like a lot, but 2 amps is four times as much power as you’ll get from USB 2.0, which roughly translates to 4 times faster charging times.

Avoid low-quality chargers from third-party manufacturers

Avoid using third-party chargers or other unsupported chargers. This tip is obvious, but it needs to be said. In some cases, third-party chargers aren’t as efficient. They may be poorly designed or use lower-quality materials. In some cases, they can even pose a fire risk. Use the charger that came with your Android.

Use more powerful chargers

Here’s a tip many people aren’t aware of: your smartphone charges faster when connected to a tablet charger than to a smartphone charger. The reason is simple: different chargers draw different amperages. A tablet requires more juice, which is why it draws more amperage. If you have a charger for your Android tablet, try using it on your Android smartphone and see how quickly it charges. You can also buy third-party charges designed for higher amperages that will charge your device more quickly.

Charging an iPad or iPhone? Use your Mac’s USB port

Yes, I know this is an Android site, but let’s talk about Apple for a second. It’s no secret that Apple devices work well together. In fact, as we recently learned, Apple deliberately designs its devices to arbitrarily work better with iDevices than Android devices. If you use a Mac and an iPhone or iPad, you’ll receive 1.1 amps of power when charging your iDevices via your Mac’s USB port. The Mac automatically detects the iDevice and cranks er into overdrive. Or something like that.