ActionComplete

   For a while I was looking for an application to organize my projects and business tasks on the Android Market. Recently I have discovered the ActionComplete, a productivity software based on David Allen`s Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology. This program has four modules: Actions, Waits, Projects and Ideas.

   Actions can be assigned to different projects, but you will need to define these projects first. All actions are shown in this tab and also there are the projects details in the description. I have to say that this is a great to-do list for short and long term, for personal and for business as you can set these tasks with a deadline and a reminder.

   In the Projects tab there is information related to these including how many tasks (actions) are assigned to each. Also the Ideas tab is great to note all your thoughts regarding any pending projects or tasks. What`s great on actions is the possibility to assign one to a contact from your smartphone agenda with the tag feature.

   The ActionComplete also has voice commands options and places (like Facebook places or Foursquare) just you can tag or assign a project or task to a certain place. There is the ActionComplete Pro (the paid version) which has assorted shortcuts, Due Today live folder and integration with the system wide-search - but I for me the free version is doing the job just great.

   In conclusion this is a very nice and useful application to organize your tasks and projects. The only thing I do not like is if I close the ActionComplete from the Android task manager the reminder will no longer work. But I hope they will fix this in the future versions or perhaps will work better with Gingerbread. There is the ActionComplete for web and you can use this from the computer. This will synchronize the information with the smartphone.

INSTALL

Norton Mobile Utilities

   For some time I was looking for a utilities application for my Android phone. Symantec has released a beta version of Norton Mobile Utilities for Android about two months ago. I decided to use this as a replacement for a task manager but I got more. This application has 4 modules integrated - Apps, Usage, Device, Installer.

   The Apps module shows information regarding installed applications on your device and the location (if are stored in phone memory or SD card), size, battery percentage these use and program version. Also this is working as a task manager providing details on how many programs are running, which are system apps and which are external. Most of these can be closed using the 'X' button but will not work for too long or not all will be terminated. I believe this is because Android does not have a good task manager, at least not for the Froyo version. But I hope this will be solved as soon as I receive upgrade to Gingerbread for my HTC Desire. More than that there is the option to uninstall applications - even the system ones - but have not tried this yet.

   Next Norton Mobile Utilities module is Usage working as a monitor for how many minutes and SMS were used or internet traffic data from your monthly subscription package. There is the option for an alarm notification when the limits will exceed. The third module is Device which shows battery usage, phone`s temperature, CPU, memory, network and internal storage under live charts. Also if you click the 'System Information' button you will be able to check your phone`s model and product information, CPU minimum and maximum clock, OS version and sub-version, operator with service status and signal strength, phone`s IMEI, IMSI and IP address. 

   Last module is the Installer - working as an application installer manager. This will help you install applications from outside the Android Market but also to uninstall or delete these. What I like at Norton Mobile Utilities is - first that is a system manager integrating several useful applications, thus avoiding the installation of four up to five or more independent applications on my phone which could affect the performance. Then I like that is very efficient for battery life and I was somehow surprised as I was not expecting this given the fact that is a Norton application. The application is available as beta version for now but is working good and hope they will release the full version soon and also that will remain free. So if you were looking for a system manager for your Android phone I recommend this one.

INSTALL

IMPROVE YOUR SMARTPHONE`s BATTERY LIFE

The main disadvantage of every smartphone, these days, is the battery life. It is always the same issue... the power is not enough, and also your phone remains out of energy exactly when you need it the most. Most important aspect is that phone batteries are not evolving with all the new technology available. If a phone has a long battery life then it means it does not have too much hardware and software installed. Or if it has, then some of the hardware parts are not battery killers (an example can be the led screen which is a less power consumer than the old LCD)

I am a technology fan but I do not understand why the phone batteries have not improved all these years. Perhaps the technology evolved too fast. I have always used my smartphone in a way that improved the battery life. I had a Nokia E71 which had about one week power life and now I have a HTC Desire with 3-4 days power life.

The secret is that I always follow my own rules for charging the phone:

1. DO NOT charge the phone whenever you feel like.

2. Always use your phone until all battery power is consumed (the phone will turn off)

3. Always charge it when the phone is turned off. If you will turn it on then it starts to use energy and the charging session will not be an efficient one.

4. DO NOT charge the phone if the battery is not completely out of energy.

5. TRY AND NOT charge it from a USB port, always use the AC adapter/power cable.

I know... it may sound too restrictive or too complicated because you always have to remember this. But I see it as a simple thing once you get use to it. When I made a review for a Nokia E71, many readers did not believe that the battery power can last up to one week (if is not used intensively) and up to 5 days for a normal usage. Oh and if you are a busy business person you can buy a spare battery, as in this way you can always charge it correctly (as I like to thing I do).

Now this is just one way to improve your phone`s battery life. I will come back with other tips in the future.