Android Battery Life - 5 Tips to Make It All Day on a Charge

With the increasing availability of quad-core processors as is the case with the Samsung Galaxy S III, trying to keep Android battery charged is an even more apparent concern. Today we will take a look at the top 5 ways to get the most of the Android's battery life.

Android Battery Tip #1 - Find Out What Is Using The Juice

To know what actions to take to fix your battery problems, first you must know why your battery is being depleted in the first place. In Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, you can find this information under: Setting >Device >Battery. In Gingerbread this same screen can be pulled up through Settings > About Phone > Status.
This screen will show your current discharge rate and also how long it has been since your battery was fully charged. Below that you will see, by percentage, exactly what sources are using up your battery. In the example that I have shown here. The screen is taking approximately 64% of the battery life from my phone. This will most likely be your highest user of battery as well. But as you can see with mine, Twitter is taking a significant amount of battery. For me this is normal, but if you happen to see an application that that is incredibly high this will be your first sign of what should be done next in order to improve your battery life.
Android Battery Tip #2 - Screen Brightness
Though apps can use a chew through a great amount of battery, the most likely culprit to be #1 on the list is your display. This is pretty universal through all phones, and limiting the power your display takes will ultimately yield the best results in saving battery.
The trickiest part of this is; there is no "best setting" when it comes to screen brightness. The best setting for one phone for one person, may render the screen absolutely unreadable to another. Also, automatic brightness setting work differently on different phones, some phones regulate the screen brightness very well while others are marginal at best. What I suggest is to get a widget for your phones, like this one, and adjust the brightness to what suits your needs the best.
Android Battery Tip #3 - Control Your Refresh Intervals
Social networking has continue to find a place into our everyday lives. And apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are used by millions on a daily basis. These apps push notification to a users phones and allows them to see updates real-time from other users within the given app. The biggest problem with the apps, is that order to achieve these real-time data, your mobile device is constantly checking the internet to see if anything new has been added.
When you take into account that the average user may have 2 or 3 of these apps on their phone, you can see what type of power can be generated to make sure these apps are up-to-date. Looking within the apps settings and changing the refresh interval will certainly have an effect on your batter over the course of a day.
Android Battery Tip #4 - End Apps You're Not Using
Within the newer version of the Android OS you will find a task manager. This application can show you which programs are active on your mobile device and how many resources each of those are using. By taking ending applications that you are no longer, those resources will go into an idle state that will allow you to save more of your battery for when you really need it.
Note: Under the task manager, you will see a tab that is named RAM. There is an ongoing debate as to whether clearing the RAM on a regular basis will help your device's battery life. The truth is, that no matter how many times you clear the RAM, it will just get used up again. It is a inherit trait of how Linux system run and will have a very minimal effect on your battery life. So save your time.
Android Battery Tip #5 - Take Things Into Your Own Hands
The last tip is about as simple as they come, take charge yourself. Many features have been added to the newer Android Operating Systems to allow the user to have a greater control over their battery life. ICS for one, has a battery saving setting that allows you Things such as switching Wi-Fi on and off, or going into airplane mode when you don't need the signal will have a profound affect on your battery.
Also don't take for granted the ignoring your device method. Each time you flip your screen on to check to see if there is anything new, your display uses a large amount of energy to turn on. Constantly doing this is much worse than having proper notifications set on your phone to make you aware of new content.
Android Battery - Conclusion
As you can see there are many ways for a user to take more control over the battery life their device consumes. Though some may have more benefits than others, all of these tips will help you create most out of the life of your device.
Did we miss something, let us know your tips in the comments below.

Find more information to improve your Android at Access Android

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The Nuts and Bolts of Android Development

I always hear the same question asked in several ways. "Can I actually learn how to produce apps for Android?" "How hard is it to study Android programming?" "Where should I go to learn Android programming?" "I just bought a new Android device, and I feel so inspired! I have an idea for a new application, but where do I begin?"

Mobile application development is really hot these days, and Android is now out in front of the rest in the mobile app world. And if you have already read this far in this article, I'm assured it is because you have already been asking some different version of one of the questions listed above. Today you are lucky, because I have already been down this road, and I have one resounding response: "Positively! It is really feasible to become able to write Android applications, no matter your background, and the tools to study and develop with are free and simple to use!"
So let's begin with the tools. The number one tool for Android programming is the Eclipse IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Eclipse is free, runs on many operating systems (including Windows and Linux), and is often upgraded to provide better performance in development. In addition, the Android Development Team from Google has provided the Android Development Toolkit (ADT) plugin for Eclipse that turns it into an Android mobile application fabrication powerhouse! It turns application compilation into a one-click task, provides custom editors for layout files and resources, and automates updates for the latest revisions of the Android SDK. Some developers find Eclipse a little quirky, or even buggy to use at times (myself included). For example, it won't always recognize new resource files until you restart it, which is sometimes a pain. However, I always use Eclipse with the ADT plugin for all of my Android programming, and I suggest that you do the same thing.
You may always opt to use a different piece of software, and there are many out there. But a word of caution about IDEs: many Android IDEs claim to turn mobile programming into a "drag-and-drop" process, or permit Android programming in other languages besides Java. Is it easy to create mobile apps using these tools? Of course. Will they be alright apps? Maybe. But will they be great apps - apps that really exceed expectations and extend easily with new features as the Android mobile platform evolves? No. Mobile programming is just like any other task worth doing: do it correctly (in this case, do it the Android way) and you will always have better success.
Now on to the study part. This part will take much longer than just downloading a simple tool. Learning Android development is like studying any other foreign language (and that is what this is - just a foreign language, except a language that allows you to talk to a computer instead of another human). It will require persistence, and a lot of trial-and-error. A good portion of readers will quit, telling yourself that it isn't worth it. That's ok: the remainder of us will succeed in the Android app market in your absence! For those readers who don't quit, you will find the process very rewarding in so many ways.
If you don't understand Java, that is how you need to start. When I started learning Android I got a little frustrated, because I didn't already understand Java beforehand. After spending a week on the basics of Java, I learned that I could read the code samples and understand the examples. So start there.
Next is the Android SDK itself. There are so many studying tutorials for Android available that I really don't have the room to list them all in this post. But Google does, so search for it. Search for "Android app tutorial" and start with the tutorial that suits you the best. It is truly that easy. I would also suggest the Android lessons found in the Android SDK online documentation for all of your coding reference needs about the Android platform. And don't forget those newsgroups! They are one of my favorite places to find instant help from real developers who enjoy helping new programmers.

Archie Spencer is an Android development veteran, and has been building mobile apps for Android since 2010. He invites you to continue your journey on the path to dominating the Android app market by checking out his new Android App Tutorial [http://androidapptutorial.net], designed specifically with new developers in mind.

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Anti-Virus Software for Android - How To Choose The Right One

Do you know the features that you need to look for in antivirus software for Android? Besides its capability to determine as well as clean up computer viruses and other spyware and adware programs, it must possess a constantly kept up to date database of recognized computer virus threats and have the ability to scan all the essential Android system files for infections on demand. Real-time scanning as well as inspecting of mobile applications for viruses are some of the other features to look for. Anti-theft protection features tend to be a desirable feature. The program must make it effortless to find the device in the event of theft as well as safeguard information kept on it. Checking SMS service content for malware is another feature that you need to consider.

Best Antivirus For Android: Reviews
Given that you may share extremely sensitive information such as credit card information whenever buying by means of your Android phone, it is crucial that you have an antivirus software program that protects against hacking risks. Here are a few cost-free as well as paid software programs which are good candidates.
AVG Antivirus Free
Among the best antivirus programs available for Android system is definitely AVG Antivirus Free. It gives you a comprehensive diagnostic of all SMS, email, applications as well as storage devices, which are an integral part of the Android phone. It contains malware scan features, together with theft protection that can help you safeguard important data, in the event your mobile phone gets stolen. SMS spam security is in addition provided. Similar to the personal computer edition, this totally free AVG application for Android is an extremely dependable option.
SMobile Security Shield
An additional challenger for the distinction of very best antivirus for Android is SMobile Security shield, which retails for $29.99. This is a custom-designed application for Android OS that includes an antivirus program, a back up support feature as well as anti - theft service, which can allow you to get rid of crucial information after a loss.
Super Security Standard
One of the free antivirus programs for Android phones is Super Security standard edition. Along with a real-time as well as on demand scanning option, it offers each and every fundamental protection features that you desire. Super security provides cloud based antivirus engine to help you get rid of malware. It also provides a 'strongbox' to hide your sensitive data.
AVG Antivirus Pro
The sophisticated anti-virus protection option furnished by AVG is Antivirus Pro. This consists of each of the features from the free version, together with additional features. This consists of powerful anti-SMS spam security as well as on demand tech support team if needed. It costs $9.99.
As you can see, there are a number of low cost/no-cost options for Android AV protection. The choices mentioned above are all good, so make sure you don't take any risks with your Android and go with one of them.

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Advantages of Smart Phone Barcode Scanners

There are a number of great iPhone and Android barcode scanners on the market that will help you find the best deals and prices on products you are contemplating purchasing. If you have the product in front of you at a Best Buy or other retail store, you can line up your camera with the barcode on the product and take a picture. When the application processes the picture you will be able to see if the store is offering a good deal or if there are better prices online. The possibilities are endless for syncing online services with these mobile barcode scanners.
One such application is Red Laser, which comes available for the Apple iPhone. In addition to the online comparison shopping the barcode scanners usually provide, Red Laser has several other helpful features. When you scan a movie at the store, not only will the app find a copy of it online, it will allow you to send the whole film to your TiVo. Another feature that the Red Laser provides is adding products to your shopping list. Anytime you throw away a used bottle of milk, you can scan the barcode and add milk to your shopping list to remind you what to buy on your next grocery store trip.
A popular application on Android phones is ShopSavvy, which can be downloaded for free for the iPhone and Blackberry as well. ShopSavvy also has product reviews, and instead of a shopping list it features Wish Lists. Missing, however, is the straight-to-TiVo feature available on Red Laser. The key component of ShopSavvy is its local price comparison, which will help if you prefer buying on-location. Although this feature is limited with its inventory of local products, it is a good start in the field. Finally, if at the time of scanning you don't see the price you want to pay, you can set a price alert that will let you know when an online or local product comes up with a lower price.
A free service that will help with local comparison shopping and finding the best deals on local products and services is Text-Savings. This service can be used on any mobile device capable of sending and receiving text messages (SMS). Available is a large inventory of items provided by local businesses, and an advantage is that a barcode is not necessary to search for the item. Foods and services such as pizza and hair cuts don't even use barcodes! To use Text-Savings' free service, send a text message to 52771 with your query (e.g. pizza) and zip code. Finding good deals on-the-go no longer has to be exclusive to mobile phones that offer applications.

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Android App Development: The Need of the Changing World

Android gadgets sell like the proverbial hot cakes, and young folks wouldn't consider going out from their homes without an Android phone.

The task of Android Apps Development has altered the focus of many IT firms. Less than a decade ago, software development was the only source of earnings for most businesses; nevertheless, the popularity and growth of smart phones, paired with higher number of folks using smart phones to browse the internet and check their mails has transformed the way IT businesses work.

With thousands and thousands of users and enormous amounts of downloads, Android Applications Development field is humming with action. A lot of individuals enjoy various types of apps; it complies with their amusement, business, utility and a variety of other requirements.
At the preliminary stage Android Apps Development experts ware viewed as professionals who provides extension to computer software development; nonetheless, with changing time companies mastered to implement the exclusive characteristics and uses of Android phones to produce apps tailor-made for the smart phone. The outcome was development of a variety of apps did just what software development did, but which equipped the smart phone attributes.
So, you had quite a few browser apps, shopping cart apps, travel apps, social networking apps, and games apps designed particularly for Android phones. A number of IT firms utilized their competence in software development for PCs and laptops, and made Android app development teams for Android apps development. Their development teams concentrated on what can be termed as 'traditional smart phone development-the development of Android apps that are comparable in size, scope and performance to software development for PCs or laptops.
But now, a significantly huge number of folks are making it a habit of asking the question, 'Is there any app for this?' So now, an Android Applications Development expert is not restricted to creating sophisticated apps that deliver improved performance, or providing complicated services. For example, there are eateries that give out their menus in form of Android apps. They do not want any intricate or interactive program: all they require is an app they can give to their consumers. So they get an app designed which lists their food products and helps the user track down their nearest outlet using their Android.
The reputation of these types of applications has started out a new door for smaller sized IT companies that wish to enter the Android Apps Development career. Software development companies at entry-level, whose primary area of skills is development for pc's, are the ones who stand to obtain the most from this pattern.
Big companies are generally not engaged in developing small applications as they do not pay much, and such IT firms desire to go for bigger projects. But for software development firms trying to get a grip in the Android apps development industry, creating small applications is a pretty good choice.
It's not simple for small IT organizations to remain competitive with their bigger counterparts on their own turf: they find it too complicated to bag big projects without significantly limiting their revenue. But the requirement of simple and small applications for Android (apps that can be reasonably designed within a week) have given a terrific chance for beginners and small IT firms to obtain experience and profits by means of apps development and Android Apps Development.

Alex Morgan is a software developer who is working as an Android Apps Development in a leading mobile software company in US and providing his services there. Along with that, he also likes to share his vast knowledge about various Android Applications Development techniques through his articles and blogs.

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