Guide to Android Application Permissions

Guide to Android Application Permissions

Android App PermissionsAndroid app permissions are causing a bit of upset for many people concerned that their personal details are in danger. As the Android system is aimed at managing a lot of your data in a 'cloud', there is a lot of interaction between data on your system and that on the web. When installing any new app, the installer will show a list of permissions that are put in place to inform the user how the app will be using data on your Android device. The permissions page is there for a reason, and anyone worried about their privacy being in jeopardy should take a good look at them before installing any application.

Types of Android Application PermissionsSurely everybody has wondered what all the permissions that pop up on the screen just before installing an Android app actually mean. Here is a breakdown of all types of Android application permissions, and what they do. Each of the categories has a series of subcategories that describe in more detail what they do. However, they will never go beyond the 'jurisdiction' of the 'mother category'. As most are pretty much self explanatory, only a small amount of text is added to indicate how seriously certain permissions should be taken:

Services that Cost You Money This category deals with apps that use services such as calling and texting. Potentially they can cost you money, but a popular SMS app such as Handcent will only use it to allow you to directly call a contact that just texted you. Your Messages This permission category deals with the ability to read and write SMS and MMS messages. Storage This is pretty straightforward as this lets an app read/write to the SD card or internal memory of the phone. Your personal information This is the permission category to look out for, as it is able to read through your contact list of any of the accounts configured in your phone. Examples of apps that will use this permission are SMS/MMS apps or phonebook replacement apps and the likes. An app that for instance triggers the torch of the phone will NOT need this permission, especially not in combination with for instance 'network communication'. Phone calls This permission deals with reading the state of the phone and identity. This can be a bit of questionable permission as it allows apps to read the IMEI, IMSI and 64 bit unique ID of the phone. Apps can use this for finding out about piracy, but this is not transparent. The state of the phone deals with an app being able to read if you are on the phone or not. You location This permission category deals with your location, either through GPS or through mobile networks. It is quite obvious that only location based applications, such as Google maps or weather apps, should use this. Again, a torch app should not! Network communication This permission grants Internet access to an app. Obviously the internet is the way a malware app will be able to 'steal' your (personal) data, so be wary of which apps use this. System tools The system tools permission will be used by most applications as through this they can function. However, potentially, through modifying system tools an app could get access to certain sensitive information on the phone. Therefore it is essential to check which subcategories are listed to see if it seems logical for an app to get certain permissions. Hardware Controls This permission category deals with apps that use hardware aspects of the phone. As a lot of applications make use of the hardware specs of an Android phone, most apps will use this permission. Anything little like an SMS app vibrating when a message arrives cannot work without this permission. Theoretically an app could take pictures and make recordings without you knowing. A bit of caution might therefore be needed to make sure that an app truly has the need for this permission. Your Accounts This permission gives an app the chance to check which accounts are activated to provide the user the options to interact with it. It doesn't necessarily approve an app to use the account for anything by itself.

How to Interpret the Permissions and Guard Against Malicious AppsIn theory it should be easy for concerned users to filter out apps that look dodgy. The Android application permissions are put in place to grant users a level of transparency. Google has also provided a full list of app permissions that should make it easy to filter out the ones that do not fit with what the app advertises to do. As permissions show exactly what the app will be using in the phone, common sense will often be enough to determine if this seems logical. After all, a weather app will most definitely be wanting to use the GPS permission, as well as internet access to download weather updates. But does that same app really need access to for instance the 'Services That Cost Money', or 'Your Accounts' permission? Things get a bit more difficult, however, when you realize that many free apps use Internet and location access just for the sole reason of being able to advertise, and as such are hard to check. These apps may need the Internet permission, even though that wouldn't necessarily make sense at first. You could be missing out on a perfectly fine application if you decide that it seems too suspicious at first. Also consider, that if these apps are not able to advertise, perhaps they would not even be free. So does the free factor outweigh a potential privacy breach?

How Could Permissions be Changed to Better Protect the User?This last question should not even need to be asked. As mentioned before, the Android application permissions are put in place to provide users with a certain level of transparency as to what an app will access. Many are not satisfied with the way this is presented currently, as it leaves a lot to be discovered afterwards. There are other options. One of these options is to follow the BlackBerry model and allow for users to individually allow an app to use certain permissions. Another possibility could be to have a developer explain in greater detail how an app intends to use certain permissions. Surely, either of these, or any other option that guarantees the privacy of Android users should be considered. As long as this remains to be done, users should be wary of what they install, and always research apps that they think are not to be trusted. As Android has an increasingly significant user base, there should be enough info going around on the Internet for everyone to find. In the end you can almost forget that these machines are meant to make phone calls in the first place.

Read about How to Use Android Market Safely for more on this topic.

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Top Free Software For The HTC Touch Pro 2

Top Free Software For The HTC Touch Pro 2

Microsoft My Phone This free software app is available to you on the Marketplace and allows you to sync information from your Windows Mobile phone directly to a password protected site. Here, you can access all of the information on your phone, edit it, share it, and have a complete backup if your phone has any problems. You can also restore your information onto a completely new phone if you damage yours, lose it, or upgrade to another Windows mobile phone. What I like the best about this free app for the HTC Touch Pro 2 is that it will back up the information on your phone automatically and you can access anything on your phone text messages, contacts for free. It also will help you to locate a lost phone if the unthinkable ever happens. This is one smart free software app that any Windows Mobile phone owner should have.

You can find the website for Microsoft My Phone here.

AP Mobile Love getting the latest news? With the AP Mobile free software app for the HTC Touch Pro 2, you'll have it all at your fingertips. You will not only get national news, but international as well and local news from over 1,200 local newspapers all over the country. To make the AP Mobile free app even easier to use, you can customize your favorite sections for quick access and even set local preferences to ensure that you're always up to date with happenings in your area. Want to share a news story with your Facebook friends? No problem! The AP Mobile app does this too plus a lot more. You can even save the news to read it when you are offline or out of range. My favorite thing about this free software app is that you can fully customize the news that you get so you're not sifting through areas of the news that you don't really read. You can get exactly what you want, when you want it. Overall, this is probably one of the better free news apps out there for the HTC Touch Pro 2. You can also find this great free app for the iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Pre, Android, and several different Nokia smartphones.

Netflix Mobile Manager Who has time to go to a movie theater and sit through a movie while you're on the go? With the Netflix Mobile Manager free software app, you can easily watch all of your favorite movies directly on your phone. Search through the massive vault of Netflix's choices and you can even move films around that are in your queue to adjust what your tastes are at any given moment. For those that don't have the time to sit around and watch their favorite movies, or just need something to do while traveling, the Netflix Mobile Manager is an excellent choice to get some of your favorite movies. You have access to the specialized preview feature that allows you to see, change, update, and select movies. The excellent thing about the Netflix Mobile Manager is that it's specifically for Windows Mobile phones, even though there are several different Netflix apps for the iPhone, Android, and so on. So, if you're into watching movies on the go make sure that you download this free software app so you can keep up with all of your favorites.

Facebook For Windows Mobile Can't stand to be out of the loop on Facebook? While the normal app that comes loaded on most HTC phones will allow you to see what's going on and keep up with your friends, you can't update your own status or anything else. With the Facebook For Windows Mobile free software app, you can easily update your status, comment on friend's posts, send messages and more. You can even upload photos and video directly from your phone to your Facebook account and share them instantly. One of my favorite features about the Facebook For Windows Mobile app is that you can even call your friends directly from your Friend's list, meaning that you can instantly get in touch with your friends to see what's going on.

Trapster Worried about hitting some major hazards when you're traveling? How about those tiny towns that have speed traps and other problem areas? With Trapster, you can get alerts to speed traps, red light cameras, and plenty of other roadway hazards that can really hamper your driving. You'll see real time traffic, get turn by turn directions, and be able to search local problems all from your phone with this one free software app. Sound too good to be true? I thought so too so I had to download it and try it out. While some reviewers of this app said that it didn't work on their HTC Touch Pro 2, I had no problems with it and found that it was extremely useful while on vacation. It helped us miss some major roadworks and helped us spot several little speed traps through smaller towns on our journey. You can use this one free software app for so many different things that it's amazing to me that it's free. If you don't have this free app on your HTC Touch Pro 2, get it now.

Trapster is actually listed on CNET as the 1 automotive app, listed on WIRED Magazine as the 1 app that makes the most of any location, and a Time Magazine top 10 app as well. You can get it for the iPhone too if you have one. You'll find up to the minute information about areas all over the US and Europe on their website here.

More Free Software Apps For HTC Touch Pro 2While these are just a few of the great free software applications that you can download on your HTC Touch Pro 2 Windows Mobile phone, they are by far some of the very best and most useful out there. I personally have all of these installed on my HTC and love every one of them. I have used them all constantly and not had any problems with any. So, if you're looking for some excellent free apps for your HTC Touch Pro 2 and you aren't sure which ones might help you the most, I would recommend checking out these great free software apps.

Want to know more about the HTC phones, their apps, and more? Here are some great articles that you don't want to miss here on Bright Hub:

HTC Touch Diamond 2 Versus the HTC Touch Pro 2: Comparison Between The Two Phones

Top Five HTC Touch Themes

Top Ten HTC Apps

What others are readingGet Hot Dates Using Your Android PhoneTop Applications for Using Facebook on Your Android PhoneBest Applications from HTCBest Applications for the HTC WildfireTop Ten HTC Ozone ApplicationsFree Software for the HTC Touch Pro 2Great Applications for the HTC Inspire 4GAldiko Book Reader App ReviewedTop Five HTC Touch Themes10 Best Applications for the HTC Tilt 2

The Best Battery Saving Apps for Android Phones

The Best Battery Saving Apps for Android Phones

How To Extend Your Phone's Battery Life Using AppsIt seems like every year we ask our phones to do more and more for us. Today you can even control your home's lighting, heating and alarm systems from your phone, or use it as a remote control for your home entertainment systems, as I've written about in my home automation hubs. As mobile phone technology continues to progress we increasingly turn to our phones for everything from work and organizing our lives to socialising to entertainment. Our mobile handsets are a one stop shop, acting as everything from an alarm clock to a browser to a second office computer. Unfortunately, however, all of these fancy features need power to work, and as they have proliferated the demands we place on our phone's battery life have also increased.

Remember the days when phone were dumb rather than smart, when they were only used for calls and texts and perhaps the odd bit of very slow internet browsing? Back then I had a Nokia phone which I only had to charge something like twice per week. This has created a huge market for apps which help you to optimize and customize your handset specifically to improve battery life. This hub features some of the best of them.

Go Battery SaverThe free Go Battery Saver app has a wide range of features and an attractive, user friendly design. The app's main function is to identify and list those apps running on your phone which consume the most power. Many apps will keep running various processes in the background even when you are not using them, so you can often shut these down and save power without actually affecting your experience of using the phone. A quick clean up function will automatically shut down all of the most power hungry apps.

One of the nicest features of the Go Battery Saver which you won't find on other apps is the pre set modes. These will optimize your phone for a range of activities such as gaming or reading, and will close down all unnecessary power drains.

Upgrading to the paid app gives you more control of things like Bluetooth and WiFi, as well as removing the adverts.

Screenshots from Go Battery Saver

Battery DefenderBattery Defender, which is available as a free app, collects together all of your phone's setting which impact on battery life so that you can toggle them on or off quickly and easily from a single screen. You can then turn off WiFi and Bluetooth, change the sleep timer, turn down the display brightness and so on to preserve your battery for as long as possible.

One of the nicest features of the Battery Defender app is that it also upgrades your battery life indicator so that you get the precise percentage that you have left rather than just the bars you get in that little icon which most handsets use. It also has something called 'Genuis Sync' which means that you can cut down on the power used by the apps you have running on your handset but still allow them to synch every 15 minutes. You can also set it to automatically shut off the WiFi connection while you are sleeping.

Screenshots from the Battery Defender App

Deep Sleep Battery SaverThe DS Battery Saver is both simple to use and very powerful. Unlike the other apps listed here it doesn't work by singling out individual phone features or apps to shut down, but instead puts your whole handset into deep sleep whenever the screen is off. WiFi and other connections are therefore switched off, whilst almost all of your apps are stopped. In order to make sure that you still receive emails, social media updates and so on it will turn back on momentarily every now and then (you can adjust how often you want it to do this in the settings) to download data and sync your apps.

To use the DS Battery Saver you just select one of five levels, from Gentle through Balanced up to 'Slumberer' and then just tap once to turn it on. To get more detailed information about your battery and its use by various apps you need to upgrade to get the paid Battery Stats app from the same developer.

This app is great for those times when your battery is already running low and you want to make sure that it lasts until you get to a charging point, and I love the fact that it is so simple to use. Because I don't need to worry about conserving my phone's battery on a daily basis only when I happen to use it a lot on a particular day these two factors make the DS Battery Saver my own personal favourite. The flip side of this app's ease of use, however, is the fact that there are fewer customizable options compared to the alternatives.

10 Tips to get more life out of your Android Phone's battery

Best Free News Apps for Android Phones and Tablets

Setting up New Android Phones: How to Transfer Data

Best Apps for Android 2013

Best Twitter Client Apps for Android in 2014

Follow (3)Comments 6 commentsGo to last comment

FlourishAnyway 4 months ago from USA Level 8 Commenter

This is a very useful hub. I've noticed that even on a new phone, the charge just does not last! Pinning and sharing, voting up and more.

amiebutchko 4 months ago from Warwick, NY Level 5 Commenter

Very interesting and useful, Flourish. Technology moves so fast, it is good to have this update on how to keep us connected when we need it! It is very annoying to have an uncharged phone and it usually does happen when you most need it! A timely article. With lots of features and apps to choose from, the battery drains so fast especially those that run on data. Thanks for your suggestions :)

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poker games in casinos

poker games in casinos

When you hit any casino in the world, chances are they'll be some form of gambling based on the game of poker there. Most places have table games based on poker such as Caribbean Stud or Four card poker, and if you're lucky, you'll find a casino poker room where you can play the famous Texas Hold'em and sometimes other games, too. Read on to learn all you need to know about casino poker games and get started having fun.

Casino Poker Table Game RulesThese games are played against the house or dealer, like blackjack, and can be played for low or high stakes.

One of my favorite ways to spend an idle hour in a casino is at a video poker machine even better if it's at a bar serving free drinks. Read up on video poker and learn about this great game.

Choosing a video poker machine

How to play video poker

Video poker strategy and tips

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fuss Marketing Android App Tips

fuss Marketing Android App Tips

Some guys and people would truly love the idea of creating an application , but perform not have good thorough concepts on just what they need in their own app this might be precisely why they usually are unsuccessful. Onwards of your also only bring one more step inside the way of creating an application , be certain you have got in depth tools on especially the way you wish the iPhone or iPad application to manage like this includes design and build because effectively as comprehensive degree of efficiency. Whether you may be simply beginning away, or posses actually already recently been developing iOS apps for a while, this publication is crucial to their probability of creating funds.

Personal news is a larger and longer conversation. Lots of information technology is meaningless and trivial. Accomplish not connect your own cellular strategy to this sort of catastrophic discussion. Continue the information short and to the idea. Public news try a secret to any promotion, but you need to make incorporate of it sensibly to bring beneficial results. With Apples release of iOS 7 to creators this day, the mobile platforms revamped look and sense also the introduction of iTunes Radio grabbed the spotlight. But what CEO Tim prepare referred to as the greatest overhaul of iOS given that the iPhones release additionally integrated revisions that will impair accurately just how designers and companies market their particular own applications on iPhones and iPads.

carry out an individual bring a great concept for an application, but dont discover where to start? Or perhaps you have already begun to build cellular apps, but want to distribute your message? Wherever you're in the procedure, making sure that their application is a victory typically try determined by how better it's advertised. With 18.67 billion applications installed in 2012, the app field is clearly an aggressive one. Those just that sell their unique application will go up above those whom leave it to chance. Regrettably, there isn't any straightforward step by step app marketing guidebook. Information technology may be difficult and several areas have to be done concurrently.

While the website was however the go to provider for information about treatments and products, many anyone see that constructing their very own directory, on your own personal cell or tablet, is actually one particular effective method of quickly finding the products an individual enjoy and rely on. Software supply the capacity to not best easily offering all on the information their people need, but also need actually some superb built in features that will enlarge brand commitment and result in the operate of locating a great deal best coupons, offers and rewards that a great deal easier.

Large numbers of apparatus have become offered to enhance wedding with their app consumers. It is essential in order to read your target audience to ensure that you can best fulfill their unique needs. Since their particular requirements are fulfilled, they're typically considerably ready to return to your application.

As a greater number of users is making use of smart phones like iPhone, the requirements of the mobile programs try growing within the markets. Almost all of the providers become in addition making use of these smatphone apps for correspondence since effectively as for connecting their consumers. Nevertheless, if you were prep for an iPhone software marketing choice, you'll find normally two possibilities in front on the. The main is actually to sell the iPhone programs by your self as well as the 2nd due to the assistance of a advertising and marketing business. Nonetheless, if you're opting fro the initial solution, there are few important issues that your need to check out.

There are big earnings to be made in marketing iPhone and iPad applications! However with extra than 180,000 + software now readily available, only getting your software into the application shop has stopped being adequate. You have to promote it efficiently. Dont see a lot about promotion? Dont fear: This publication gives you all the apparatus youll need. Best iPhone and iPad apps promotion consultant Jeffrey Hughes walks an individual through building a winning advertising and ranking, placing extremely competitive software, selecting their content, building buzz, and linking with people wholl actually pick their application. With a lot of illustrations and screen shots, this book can make iPhone and iPad applications promotion painless!

Nonetheless, in the event you is intending to market your iPhone program on the internet, it is really imperative to choose the proper promote choice. The means your use for promotion should be in a position to seize the focus on the travelers. Furthermore, you need to ready to entice even more internet traffic to your website. Nonetheless, for those who become ranking your own software on the internet, it's really necessary to building a site that meets the form of services you create. Leading Charts, particularly Leading Charts within a particular group, accomplish a good work of allowing you to understand the profits with regards to the remainder of the programs in the category.

As you tend to be generating you app, beginning the hype on the web. Should you decide dont get one currently, you really need to establish an on the internet site and Facebook page for you app, and start to mix improve. Do you have an individual blog? This might be a good socket to began marketing the application since well. Start developing the on the web existence of the app. Improve for any software Store Skypes iPad software, which got officially established on August 2, are transferring also more swiftly so far. and, according to Stevens, a wide range of European places.

Just in case youve already got your hands regarding the iOS 7 beta through a developer connection, take not that we expect big changes prior to the final release. Its reported to be very a lot a work in progress at this point, so the product launched 4 months from now might look and feel really various that the one ruffling feathers today. The smartest way to market iPhone apps is to hire an iPhone applications marketing firm. Choosing a company means delivering them with specifications and leaving the headache of staffing, strategizing, perfecting and making the output solely with your providers. The noticeable gain here is high quality within deadlines!

Today, Android phones are being sold like hot cakes within the market, giving a stiff competition to iPhone's. Android supports development of all sorts of applications ranging from business to health to travel to entertainment and such. This offers Android creators a lucrative chance to enrich their skills for Android apps development by establishing apps for a range of categories. Make use of using SMS, or messaging, to connect with your consumers using mobile devices. This will be a way to generate leads, collect consumer information, and build customer relationships. Mobile device users are conditioned to read text messages, so your messages have a tremendously good chance to be read.

Get other individuals to speak about your app You could potentially convey information about your new app on your own blog however the message will have more credibility if it comes from an expert on the subject. If you can get a tech blogger to talk about your app then you can be sure that plenty of individuals will be interested in checking it out as well. Mobile ranking is the fastest growing ranking arena and local business App ranking is regarded as be one of the most effective and affordable methods of getting your brand right in front of your local community. From consoles to personal computers, games can now be played online and even via mobile phones. All these types .

Free Articles Under The Tag Designer

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Times have changed, and women are spending and more and more money of their perfect fashion accessories From shoes, jewelry, handbags and wallets, we simple differ from men in this regard Whereas men will use the same wallet for decades until the seams are falling apart, women tend to have different styles to complement their wide variety of designer handbags.

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Mary Greenwell's Luxury Perfume

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Stationery Design: Bringing in the Designer

When you want to guarantee that your marketing campaign is effective, you need to come up with impressive materials To some business owners this would be a challenging job You would need to be creative and imaginative in order to create interesting and attention grabbing materials.

Why You Can Be Very Sure of Getting Authentic Designer Handbags Online

A designer handbag is increasingly becoming the in thing for ladies in virtually all circles of life You don believe that Take a moment and think of how many ladies, girls or just women you see every day with a designer handbag.

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In the Chicago area and love fashion Well look no further Starting the week of October 17, 2011, designers everywhere will be previewing their new 2012 collections during Chicago Fashion Week.

Android Skating Apps

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Let your Android phone go to work to help you find safe locations to skate, map your rail trails, organize your fitness workouts and even help you learn how to skate. These Android applications are great tools to help make your inline skating activities more productive and more fun. Many more are available on the internet or by surfing around through your android phone. If you have an iPhone that needs inline skating apps, there are a lot of good ones to choose from for it, too.

Inline Skating for Beginners Selectsoft Publishing

Get expert advice with step by step video lessons in the Inline Skating for Beginners Android application. Learn all about the sport, from skating equipment to advanced techniques. No need to carry bulky PCs, calculators or scoring sheets. With Diecizero you can manage the results of many events from local meets to the World Championships. This app supports competition with 3, 5 and 7 judges and runs scores for figures with 2,3 or 4 exercises, long or short + long programs and combined for an unlimited number of competitions at the same time. Once recorded, you can share your tracks, upload them to Google Spreadsheets and view them on Google My Maps. My Tracks integrates with Google Maps for real time GPS, has a speed and altitude chart, and also tracks speed, time, and average miles per hour with audio announcements at distance increments. It can report time, distance, speed and even your calorie count for skating.

SportyPal is an easy to use mobile work out application that works on iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Java, Symbian and Windows Mobile apps. You activate this app when you start skating or any distance traveled type fitness activity. SportyPal will overlay the path skated on google maps, keep track of tons of data, and upload information to the web.

The Best Wine Apps on the Android Platform

The Best Wine Apps on the Android Platform

Drync Wine Drync Wine is a fairly straightforward wine application that does what it advertises. The app does indeed have a large database of wines, which can be saved to your 'wine cellar'. This virtual collection of wines can then be backed up online. This is a great feature for keeping track of your wines. However, it is not possible to, for instance, filter your collection, which makes the feature a bit simplistic. However, it is possible to make wine notes and save wines you drank, which you own and which you want. This can eventually be quite compelling for those serious about wine tracking.

The overall look of the app is a bit rough, with smaller lettering and small images of labels. Your findings can be shared with Facebook and Twitter as well. The app does excel in what it promises to do and a frequent wine drinker and tracker will be able to really make use of it. The app is still sometimes a bit buggy and force closes every now and then, but once these things are ironed out, a good wine app remains.

Wine Dictionary The Wine Dictionary app is a different type of wine app that focuses entirely on providing definitions. As such it is really an application for the beginning wine enthusiast, although experts can use it as a backup as well. The app provides a large list of common words in the world of wine. There are types of vines; types of wine production and general wine related 'slang'.

The app will come in handy for various occasions, such as choosing a wine in store or on occasions where a certain wine knowledge is required. The app doesn't do much more then explain wine related jargon, so the app would not replace any of the other apps mentioned here. Instead it is a rather great addition and could even make your life easier when browsing through any of the other apps, which can sometimes be too technical for beginners. Wine Dictionary is a clever app, filling a niche and available for free as well.

Swirl Swirl was one of the first wine apps to be available in the Android Market. The app tries to combine an inventory kind of application with a more informative one, and moderately achieves this goal. It does let you build a database of your wines, the ones you tasted, want, liked or disliked. The app also lets you save personal photos you make and add them to your wine portfolio. In terms of building a catalog this app is quite good in what it does.

On the other hand, the app also lets you pair food and wine. This is the part of the application that is a bit buggy and limited. It does make food recommendations but these are fairly limited. A recommendation for a red wine could, for example, be limited to 'Mediterranean' food, which could be anything from fish to salads, which might not be suitable for a red wine at all. As a basic guide it could work, but in terms of food recommendations the app is not too deep.

Wine descriptions themselves are good and really comprehensive, making the app suitable for anyone from a wine pro to beginner. A free version exists in the market with a $3.99 pro version upgrade available.

Hello Vino Hello Vino is one of the more useful apps out there specializing in finding the perfect wine for you in a variety of scenarios. There are four available categories for finding wine. There is 'Wine with a Meal/Food', 'Wine for an Occasion', 'Wine by Taste Preference' and 'Wine from a Country/Region'. This is especially handy for the not so expert people that would still like to have a nice wine for any of the above purposes. Even if you already have a certain wine the app can find a good dish for it.

The app is nicely designed and works well in what it does. It suggests a variety of wines for a specific scenario, ranging from cheap to expensive. This is not an app for cataloging your wine collection, but it is excellent in what it promises to do. One of the best wine apps in the Android Market and free as well.

Wine Facts 2000 Wine Facts 2000 is unlike any of the above mentioned apps and focuses more on wine knowledge in general. It is a trivia like application with a large database of interesting and not so interesting facts about wine. Although a bit of a novelty app, surely wine enthusiasts will enjoy this application for what it is. Facts can be rather obscure and many can learn from it. The facts are displayed rather randomly, however, and aren't categorized, making this app a hit and miss experience. If Wine Facts 2000 was a bit more structured, it could truly be a nice companion for wine enthusiasts.

The Definitive Wine App on Android?Wine apps on Android are available in large numbers. Unfortunately there isn't an Android wine app available yet that can label itself as the definitive one. All the apps described here try to show off something really unique. Unfortunately for a truly usable Android phone as a wine companion, a combination of apps need to be installed. For instance, in terms of food matching, 'Hello Vino' is unmatched, whereas 'Drync Wine' is perhaps the best wine tracking app. You could welcome the variety of apps or conclude that there is still a gap to fill for some developer to deliver the true definitive Android wine application.

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