Lookout Mobile Security

Lookout Mobile Security is one of, if not, the best app out there. And it's free. You can't beat free. It's a proven fact. Especially when this free monitors your phone, scans for malicious apps, and backs up call and contacts. It also allows you to track your phone when you lose it. It actually help catch a criminal who stole a car with a phone in it that had Lookout on it. For an upgrade to $9.99 premium, it also lets you see apps that can access your location. Dictionary.com, for example, can. Now why would a dictionary need that? Uninstalled. Hmm, that new game I got can do that to. Uninstalled. It's a very useful tool. The link to the Android Market and Lookout is Here. Here's an intro video:



Till next time, keep your phone and personal data safe with Lookout!

How to tether

Okay, one of the most debated things in the Android world is whether or not we should be able to tether (use our android phones to gain access to the internet). Users are screaming: yes. Carriers are screaming: at a large 30-bucks-a -month-fee, yes. The Android Operating system itself is more than capable of tethering. However, carriers almost always restrict access in the OS. However, people (brilliant, brilliant people) have found ways to develop apps to get around this. Two of the best ones are:

• EasyTether/EasyTether Lite (all later instructions apply to both)
• PDA Net

Both of these are good for tethering without paying 30 bucks a month. However, they do have limitations. The full version of easy tether costs $10. The free version restricts https access (so, basically no secure connections). The PDA Net I experienced was slow. I personally would like to stick to easy tether, just because I get fast connection speeds at no cost (besides data, however with an unlimited plan this doesn't matter). Both require desktop client with windows, though, so either download before hand or download on your phone and transfer to your computer. With EasyTether, it really is easy.

1. Download EasyTether
2. Go through the setup wizard
3. You're done.

Tip: Plug your phone into your computer first, before you enable usb debugging. This way your computer will recognize your phone. One reason I think EasyTether is better is I haven't actually gotten any fast or strong connectivity with PDA Net.

What is open source?

Open source means that the source code is there for anyone to access. If you go to the site of an open source project, you usually find links to download for mac, pc, and linux. Under that, you will usually find the source code. Now, open source software is free, and will have large communities of users. However, they sometimes have bugs that need reporting, or have major changes coming in updates. This could be potentially frustrating. But, this could be a blessing as well. Open source communities usually find the best ways to get the most out of the software. Updates come frequently, and best of all, it's free. There's a slew of open source software out there, and some that are less than stellar. But, if you find the right programs, it's a huge step forward. Here's some of the best (or at least most popular):

• Android (started that way, now it's not)
• Linux
• GIMP
• notepad ++
• Apache
• OpenShot Video Editor

This is barely touching the surface. The things these programs can do is limited by the developer's imaginations only.