Review of Firefox “Daylight” for Android
The new Firefox version for Android comes with big changes under the hood, but also drops support for thousands of extensions, and is less configurable.
Mobile Apps
FreeStyle Libre Reader vs LibreLink app
The pros and cons of using Abbott’s dedicated Reader device or the LibreLink mobile app to read your levels with the FreeStyle Libre flash-glucose Sensor.
What is Samsung Secure Wi-Fi?
Secure Wi-Fi is a VPN service from Samsung and McAfee. Here is what it does and how to stop its adverts and remove it from your phone.
Review: Joplin note-taking app
The open-source note-taking app Joplin supports encryption and choose-your-own-cloud. Desktop app gets the job done, but the Android app is slow and clunky.
Unobtrusive sleep tracking app for Android
Sleep Debt Tracker is a simple Google Fit-compatible Android app that assumes you’re sleeping in the hours when you don’t use your phone at night.
How to get to the Microsoft Feed in your web browser
Get access to the Microsoft Hummingbird personalized news feed app in your web browser (and outside the US).
Use Xiaomi Mi Band as a continuous heart rate monitor with Google Fit
How to sync your continuous heart rate monitoring data collected by the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 or 3 fitness tracker to the Google Fit app.
![An open box of glucose test strips with a Contour Next glucose meter next to it. Next to that, a smartphone with a view on the screen titled “Meter Settings” overlaid by an error message saying “Contour isn’t responding. [Close app].”](../media/hero/contour-diabetes-meter-and-app.192x108.jpeg "“Diabetes glucose meter, test strips, and app”")
Contour Diabetes app, Bluetooth, and why we can’t have nice things
The Contour Next glucose monitor and its companion app communicate with each other over Bluetooth. Well, they try to anyway.
Not getting much done with Microsoft To-Do
Microsoft To-Do app is slow and requires frequent reloading. It doesn’t sync with Outlook, Cortana, and other Microsoft task list apps.
Replaced the default Google Now Launcher app to save my Nexus 5X
My Android device struggled with high-memory usage from the Google Now Launcher app. Moving to a different launcher app gave my phone a new lease on life.
The fabulous USB Type-C Simulator app
An amazingly simple app lets you experience the joy of having a reversible USB Type-C cable.
The not always Simplenote
Simplenote is a great note-taking service, but the apps and service have some serious issues with syncing.
KDE Connect: Making friends between Android and the Linux desktop
A smart app connects your Linux desktop and Android device. Lets them share files and clipboard with each other.
Help Mozilla build out its Location Service by taking a walk
Mozilla is building a free alternative to the big tech companies’ location services. But they need help gathering signaling data from your neighboorhood.
Apple News app getting its own User-Agent in iOS 10
Apple News app to stop pretending like it’s Safari browser; making it easier to measure success in web analytics.
Conversations: The best open-source XMPP client for Android
There are a number of XMPP clients available for Android, but Conversations is the one you’ll want to use.
Looking back on a year with Android Wear
I’ve worn a Moto 360 for one year and I’ve got a lot to say about the experience.
Experiences with monetizing on Google Play Store
I made a quick niche app and published it on Google Play Store. Here are my experiences trying to monetize it.
Proxy Troubleshooter app for Android
I developed an Android app to detect and troubleshoot HTTP proxy configuration issues.
Pocket Casts’ new webapp: “Shut up and take my money!”
A clever Purchase button design featuring a Futurama meme really impressed me.
The abysmal state of backup on Android
It’s difficult to back up your things on a platform not built for being backed up.
Keep the screen off while charging with Snoozy for Android
Prevent your Android phone’s screen from turning on while it’s connected to a USB-charger or Qi wireless charging mat.