Project Highlight – Replicant

I have been having some critical thoughts about Android and Google in the past year, and I am not alone.  If you are one that is on the sidelines and uses an Android device in the most basic sense, you probably haven’t even noticed, and may never for quite some time.  Google has been slowing taking control of core applications though some sneaky methods, and here is why you should care, and why Replicant may be the answer for the nerd and geek-alike.

Quick Tip: Keep An Eye On Your Phone with Android Device Manager

To be honest I had no idea this feature was even on my phone, and this is coming from a guy who roots, unlocks, and updates his ROM and toolbox on a weekly basis. I have been in the security settings many times, but never did I think the access to this program had to be turned on in this particular spot. To enabled Android Device Manager, perform the following steps:

Android Corner: Linux Deploy

   

I used to think “Complete Linux Installer” for Android was the “bees knees” so to speak.  Enter “Linux Deploy,” a very seemless implementation of deploying/installing Linux distributions on your Android device.  Like Complete Linux Installer, Linux Deploy makes use of VNC in a very intelligent way.    Read on to learn more.

Android App Pick: Mobile Financial/Budgeting With GnuCash for Android

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GnuCash is my go-to defacto budgeting/financial program on Linux.  I love its double-entry classic system with standard XML protocol support.  The only thing missing from GnuCash is an online sync option, in my my opinion.  And as you will find out, that same flaw exists in its mobile cousin. 

Android App Corner: Airdroid

This is one of the coolest Android apps I have come across lately. The premise is simple: launch the app’s webserver, and enter a handy url into your browser and get instant access to manager you android phone, tablet, or any other android based device.

See below for more details

Android Corner – OSMand for Android, A GPS Contender

OSMand has that chance to be an alternative app to Google’s Maps application. Maybe it will be your replacement.

What a silly acronym…  Ok, OSMand (Open Street Map and Navigational Directions) is a hot new maps app that bases its whole well being on the Open Street Maps project.  So, if you are total Open Source dork, this is a great app for you. The app has received very positive reviews, with its minor quirks, of course.

What makes it exception is its offline maps mode, which far out guns the meager offline map mode of Google Maps, enabling you to download areas much larger and multiple countries too.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Google Maps, but only letting me selecting a small square area is beyond aggravating  especially when I have* the space.

OSMand features quick vector rendering, and snappy response time.  I did experience a rerouting issue every once in a while, but it was very minor, and not a huge issue for me.  Reports all over the web are positive in OSMand’s ability to handle streets in multiple corners of the world.  I am still testing this app, but I have to say I am very impressed so far.

-Professor

Android Corner: Retail Debut Of The OUYA Game Console

The Outa game console

No.  No No No No No No No No No.  That is the word I keep hearing all around the net.  With all the buzz that continues to surround Ouya, many of it is highly negative.  From early backers of the Kickstarter campaign still not receiving their consoles (I did receive mine on time), to interface issues such as overscan/underscan.  To Ouya’s credit, they are communicating quickly and as fast as they can, but the responses seem to be more finger pointing at DHL Hong Kong (which was a bad* idea in and of itself), among other things.  Despite all these issues, how does it far up?  Well, since I have had the console for quite some time already, I have had plenty of time to put it through the ringer.  Allow me to discuss the pros and cons of this “promising” console…

Read on:

Android Corner: Orbot

I decided to open up topics on the site to Android as well.  Besides, it IS based on the Linux kernel after all.  Thanks to some nice folks over at The Linux Action Show, I was shown Orbot.  Orbot is the Tor Project developed application to remain anonymous on the net.  With all the headlines about the NSA and PRISM…DUH DUH DUH….I figured it was high time to highlight a popular app to keep yourself hidden (if not mostly hidden) while on your mobile phone.

What I hate most about this NSA debacle, is I know* they have been doing it anyway, but we just finding out now.  It’s a crumby thing to realize, but now that it is in the spotlight, projects such as The Tor Project, are more important than ever, in maintaining a private life, far enough away from the prying clutches of government g-men who pry to hard.  Nobody likes being watched, unless you go for that sort of thing (wink, wink).  The developers are very responsive of this app, and it makes the who  presentation quite simple, and relatively hassle-free.  Hit up the Play Store links and site links below to read more