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Friday, May 7, 2010

The Android Project Review: Profile Android App

Category: OS functionality
Price: $0.99
Gotta-have-it factor: 7
Developer: noimjosh

This is another application that has made my Android OS usage a bit easier. It seems like there’s about 30 different volumes and notification settings to adjust in Android, along with wifi and bluetooth settings. The Android OS doesn’t make it easy for one to access all of these settings quickly. So every morning when I got to work, I found myself fumbling through several menus trying to find the volume and wifi settings to change them. It always seemed like the media volume was the one that I found the most difficult to change. I would have nightmares that my buddy would send me his latest “funny video” called “Do it for Slayer” and I would accidentally open it right before my boss walks in. I also couldn’t find a widget that would quickly silence the media volume. I though about purchasing the Locale Android application, but I have read too many negative reviews about its reliability.

Then I stumbled on the Profile Android App. Profile allows you to create different settings “profiles” (obviously) for different situations. I set up profiles called Home and Work, and there were predefined profiles for Silent and Vibrate. In each of these profiles you can select separate volumes for your ringer, media and notifications. Each profile also has a wifi and bluetooth switch. Another cool option is the time setting. I can set Profile to switch to my Work profile between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and my Home profile after 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays. I also have a Sleep profile set for 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

I keep Profile as one of the links in my Bar Control application (see my review of Bar Control here) so I can access it quickly. The developer also seems to be very active and updates the app frequently.

One of the major negatives to Profile is that it is a paid app. You can purchase it for $0.99. There are probably other apps out there that can do close to what Profile does, but I haven’t found them. I think Profile is worth the money I paid for it. Another negative is that I haven’t quite figured out the timer settings. It seems like once you change one of your volumes from the currently active profile setting, it deactivates the timer. Also, my life doesn’t always fit within the predefined settings I have chosen for the time settings. So when I’m at work past 6:00 p.m., I have to make sure my Sir Mix-a-Lot ringtone doesn’t go off accidentally.
Other than those minor quibbles, I highly recommend the Profile Android application.

1 comment:

  1. I love the Profiles application. I also don't mind paying people who provide something worthwhile - no one should expect people to work for free. Certainly a buck for this application isn't going to break anyone's bank and it will help save time and alleviate some embarrassing moments when you may have otherwise forgotten to change your phone settings but this app took care of it for you. Automate your phone settings and the times they should be at the various settings and you will have little to worry about. Everytime I hear someone's phone ring in church I just smile and know that mine won't because of this app. Great app.

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