Static DNS for WiFi app review

The app that I am going to review next is the Static DNS for WiFi app.

Google play: Static DNS for WiFi

I stumbled upon this app because I tried to find ways on how to speed up and stabilize my internet connection. Sounds like a prank (I know), but there are actually a multitude of ways to do just that. Some of you might say, why don’t I just upgrade my internet speed/bandwidth through my internet service provider? Well yes, that is one option but not always the right one.

I am based in the Philippines, which is currently ranked second slowest in terms of download speeds (out of 22 countries in Asia). The average download speed here is only 3.64 MBps. The cost per Mbps is also very expensive with an average value of $18.18 (source: ABS-CBN news). In conclusion, upgrading my speed package does not really guarantee fast internet speed and can be very expensive as well. So I might as well stick with what I have now (which is 1 MBps haha), and just try some ways for improvement.

So what I did is to test this app at peak hours (which is usually around 5-7 pm in my location). At this time period, the internet speed really becomes slow and unstable. These are some of the indications: slow loading of photos/videos/GIFs in Facebook, delayed sending of messages, Youtube buffering, etc.

Without the app, these problems persisted. When I tried activating the app by setting the DNS to the Google public DNS server (there are other available serversand there is also an option add a new DNS server), I am surprised that it actually worked! I can say for certain because photos now load faster in Facebook and I did not have problems using messaging apps.

Before I forget, let me tell you about the function of a DNS server:

“The Domain Name System (DNS) is a system for naming computers and network services that is organized into a hierarchy of domains. TCP/IP networks, such as the Internet, use DNS to locate computers and services through user-friendly names” (Excerpt taken from: Technet Microsoft).

In simpler terms:

“The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the Internet’s phonebook, mapping website names like “About.com” to a specific computer (or computers) where the site is hosted” (Excerpt taken from: Mobileoffice.about.com).

Basically:

“When you try to access a website, your computer has to look up the addresses, and your choice of DNS server can affect how fast a website loads. The network settings for your computer, router, and/or access point allow you to specify which DNS servers (primary and secondary) to use. By default, these are likely set by your Internet service provider, but there may be faster ones to use”(Excerpt taken from: Mobileoffice.about.com).

Thus, the best option is to use a DNS server that will maximize the internet speed  given by your internet service provider.

I did not use the Ookla speedtest to check my internet speed because a lot of factors must be considered before doing a speed test (e.g. there should be a direct connection to the modem, no wireless devices must be connected, etc etc). I admit that it was difficult to estimate without it, but I believe that the actual use of the device will really help you determine whether there is a significant change in speed. In my case, I really felt the difference (e.g. no buffering and loading, etc).

Due to this positive result, I downloaded a PC software with a similar function: DNSjumper. I forgot where I downloaded it from (just google it, or I can give you a copy). It has a list of DNS servers, an option to check which DNS server is the fastest, and then you can directly apply the fastest DNS server to your computer. Unfortunately, I think it did not work for me, or maybe the change in speed is not significant.

We have to remember that there are a lot of factors to consider regarding changes in internet speed, including the internet service provider. Thus, the app might not work for everyone. It is really a trial and error thing.

Also, be aware that if you chose to discontinue usage of the app, you must disable it first before uninstalling — to restore the DNS server to the factory setting (or the original setting provided by your internet service provider).

I am glad that the app worked for me and I hope it does for you too! Try this app now.

Quipsphere app review

Today, I am going to review a  Filipino-made entertainment and social media app called Quipsphere (version 1.0.9). It is free on Google play.

Google play: Quipsphere

There are fewer users as compared to Facebook and Twitter (it is fairly new), but it has potential to garner more users in the future due to its non-traditional approach in connecting people. The concept of this social media app is quite novel, because it focuses on users’ own voice messages or recording as the main communication platform, as opposed to text and images (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc). I do not know any other social media app that operates on the same level.

Basically, after signing up, you will be taken to the main interface with buttons at the bottom. The five buttons are: Campfire, Home/Newsfeed, Record, Chats and Spheres. If you press Campfire, three tabs will appear: Topics, Quippers and Spheres. Topics, of course, presents you with different topics that you can “quip” about (quip – recording and posting an audio/voice message). You can join that Topic and you can quip about it by pressing the Record button.

Quippers gives a you a list of active, prominent, and avid users of Quipshere. You are to build your reputation and thus be featured here. You can follow other users by pressing the “footprint” button next to their name (kinda works like twitter where you can follow people and let other people follow you). The last one is Spheres (not to be confused with the other Spheres button, next to Chat) gives you spheres (similar to threads in Topics) wherein you can follow. However, if you are only a follower of the sphere you are interested in, you are not allowed to join the thread (meaning you are only a spectator).

The other Spheres tab (next to the chat button), allows you to create your own sphere (by inviting friends) and lists down the spheres you are currently following. The Home button or the Newsfeed shows the posts of your friends and people you followed. You can reply to their quips with another audio message. You can also “requip” their posts, meaning you can share their posts on your profile wall. The Chat shows your chat history and last is the Spheres tab (which I have already explained before).

I forgot to mention that you can also attach a photo (and GIFs!) along with your quip. I think this is a good idea because users will always be drawn to visually appealing posts.

The app mainly functions to connect people, same with other social media apps, but it uses a different method which is voice messaging. I have mentioned before that this app truly has potential to get more users, it all just boils down to users’ preference. I think the app would be a great tool for artists and musicians to showcase their music. However, recording is only 12 seconds max, so this might be a problem as well (is that considered a snippet?). On a personal level, I think users dig the idea of being able to speak out their thoughts with clarity and emotion.

I repeat, using this app is a matter of preference. If you liked it, then good for you and the developer (support them!). My problem is I won’t really be able to maximize the function of this app because I am too shy to make quips haha. I am not a social butterfly, you see, I only have Facebook and Linkedin for online connections (I don’t even post statuses!). But if you are my opposite, you might like this.

To summarize my thoughts (and suggestions) on this app:

• unique and intriguing – mainly due to voice messaging as communication. Although I do have a suggestion: allow users to upload audio. We can also capture live events by recording them using our phone’s voice recorder and uploading it later to Quipsphere.
• A suggestion I’ve read on the app’s Google play profile (posted by a user) is reasonable: to add a Help or FAQ section (if not possible in the app itself, why not add the section to the app website?).
• not everyone’s cup of tea – others may like the app’s concept, but not all. Well, who knows? It might turn into a new trend.
• voice messages/posts must always be accompanied with images to make it more interesting and eye-catching
• minor problem: I cannot use my phone’s “Back” button when using the app (I own a Samsung smartphone – it is located on the bottom right, next to the home key). I can only use it on one occasion: after recording. Most of the time, I use the app’s back button (top left). It takes some getting used to. Or maybe my phone is at fault haha.
• Correct me if I’m wrong: no option to edit profile
• Kudos to the developer for giving out important updates (the app is definitely improving)

Try it!

Smart Booster – Free cleaner app review

Today I am going to review the Smart Booster – Free cleaner app (version 4.9). It is free on Google play.

Google play: Smart Booster

 

Here are the features taken from Google play:

The best optimization tool. This is former Smart RAM Booster.

Highlights of Smart Booster
► Smart RAM Booster: small widget to adaptively boost RAM from anywhere
► Fast cache cleaner: one click to clean cache
► Quick SD Card cleaner: efficiently scan and clean junk created by million apps
► Advanced application manager: optimize your devices by hibernate, disable, auto-start apps

Recommended by AddictiveTips. Hotest Apps by AppBrain.

Smart RAM Booster
The most beautiful part of this app is a small, configurable widget that places on top of any app and one-click to RAM boost.
Most of Android devices bundle with limited memory. Android task manager will selectively kill low priority tasks in order to
reserve memory to higher priority task. That’s not always run at an appropriate time, causing low responsive apps, lagging,
especially when you launch a new app after heavily browsing web pages. It causes a worse experience.

RAM Booster comes with auto-boost in 4 levels: aggressive, strong, medium, gentle.

☆ Aggressive: kill most of low priority apps
☆ Strong: Kill apps that is low priority as well as consume lightly below an “average”
☆ Medium: kill apps that consumes memory above an “average”
☆ Gentle: kill only apps that uses considerable memory

There are 5 ways to boost
☆ Auto-boost: boost automatically under RAM available & timing conditions
☆ Overlay widget – Enable RAM Booster overlay widget (on by default), adjust widget’s position, and tap on widget to boost anytime you want
☆ Home screen widget – one tap to boost (long-press your home screen>Widget to add RAM Booster widget)
☆ Notification bar – one tap to boost (toggle notification bar visibility in app’s setting)
☆ Boost Now – tap this button from app’s main screen

Fast cache cleaner
☆ 1-click to clean cache
☆ Show detail internal cache and external cache
☆ Select apps that use most cache

Quick SD Card cleaner
☆ Show SD card partition
☆ Scan for junk folder, big files, orphaned files
☆ Nice photo cleaner, music cleaner
☆ Notify for low storage usage

Advanced application manager
☆ Easily backup, uninstall unused apps
☆ App2SD – recommend apps to move to sd card
☆ Hibernate rarely used apps to save battery
☆ Disable system apps
☆ Scan auto-start apps
☆ Manage backup (.apk) files

The information from Google play pretty much summarizes the functions of the app. I must say this app is indeed useful. My favorite is the cache cleaner and the booster. The booster actually closes applications that are not needed (at the moment) to increase free RAM and thus speed up your smartphone. The app gives you the exact (amount?) RAM that can be released once you boost the device.

The storage manager allows monitoring of internal and external storage space. The application manager gives you a lot of options: backup and install, install apps to your SD, hibernation, app disabling, autostart, install app from backup and app installation.

The privacy advisor allows scanning of apps to check for risks of privacy breach (classified as high risk or normal). High risk apps are those that collects our personal data, location, and other information.

Looking at the app’s settings, it allows you to set the boost level: aggressive, strong, medium and gentle. The good thing is you can whitelist an app, so it gets excluded during boosts. You can also choose to boost when your screen turns off and also set the threshold (ex. at 100 MB RAM) for auto-boosting.

You can also activate a floating widget so you won’t need to open the app directly. Just tap the widget and your device is quickly boosted.

I have been using this app for a long time now and haven’t thought of changing to another app. We will see if a better app comes along, but for the meantime this is a worth a try. 🙂