Task Identifier - The Configurable/Reconfigurable Tool

Lately I've had multiple opportunities to speak with potential users as well as existing users of our Task Identifier Productivity Tool (TI). The main comment I find from existing users has been "I keep getting pop-ups" (AKA 'Toast'). My response is if your are seeing too many pop-ups your settings may not be configured the way you'd like Task Identifier to behave.

Remember, TI allows you to 'Take Back Control Of Your Phone'! In order for TI to be effective, it must be configured to your liking and according to your usage. In the illustration to the left, the settings screen allows the user to set which level of alerts will be displayed. This screen-shot shows all alerts will be displayed for the user.

Too many 'greens' going off? Change the setting to Yellow and above. Remember to save. I know I've exited the screen without doing so on a number of occasions. In fact, because it is so easy to miss, Josh has moved the button for the Save function from the bottom of the settings screen to the top. I really like the new location and hope you do as well.

Another comment I've received has been related to the settings function as it pertains to TI's "Monitor Refresh Time". Why is it there? It's there, to again, provide flexibility to the user, allowing full configuration control, (TI Full Version), for the fetch time, as I call it. By increasing the setting, the user preserves more battery life and vice versa. The benefit of this setting is directly associated with the level or type of user you are.

If you are a "Power User", you'll enjoy the ability to save on battery and still protect yourself. If you're like most folks, a setting of 5 seconds will do just fine. Those of you who are using the phone for specific tasks like Maps or Pandora, will love the 2.5 second setting as nothing will be able to get by you. However, remember this will increase battery usage. Note though, that this function, has been high on our list to optimize and Josh continues to make great progress.

Out of all the feedback we've received, (We love it, keep it coming!), the single most widely shared comment/question has been "How should I configure it? I haven't a clue what's what! And don't have the time to mess with it."

We hear you... Enter 'TI Simplified'!


We're gearing up to make our next version release. Look for many new enhancements, not the least of which is 'TI Simplified'. This new function adds even greater flexibility and control of your smart phone then ever before.

'TI Simplified' will provide you with a means to kick start your tool while you get use to the endless configurations and permissions Apps request. With our 'TI Simplified' function we'll setup your alerts based on what you typically have running on your Smart Phone. With the press of one button, VOILA !!! Your smart phone is now set based upon the Apps on your phone and their current permissions.

Use your phone as you normally do, but pay attention to how TI is running. Soon you'll be reconfiguring TI and its permission threshold settings based on your usage. Remember, you're in control and we're always here to address your comments and questions.

We're on a quest to give our users the ability to Take Back Control Of Your Phone, with the best Productivity Tool available!

Till Next Time!

R2

Take Back Control of your Smart Phone!

Ever wonder why your smart phone mysteriously starts, say, your ‘Map app’, or your ‘Camera app’ or ‘Google app’ on its own? I did too. That is, until I realized that many of the permissions we give to the apps we download, allow companies, (and Individuals), permissions to gather significant amounts of information, like finding out what a user does, where they are, or what their likes and dislikes are using browser data, telephone call lists and the likes.

Just check out this article from the Wall street Journal, "Your Apps are watching you " by Scott Thurm and Yukari Iwatani Kane. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704368004576027751867039730.html )

Armed with data of this nature, users can be targeted for advertising and other trending information. In fact, several apps receive permission to access a users mail list, telephone contact and call lists. Imagine what someone can do with that information! Some apps are even allowed to send e-mails using your smart phone and it’s e-mail contact list.

I decided to define a means to combat this and allow Smart Phone users a means to take back control of their devices. I hooked up with my partner "JG "and explained the idea to him and we went to work. 90 days later the result was the Birth of "Task Identifier" , or TI as we call it.

With TI, our Mission is to provide a tool for users to take back control of their Smart phone by being alerted when conditions as noted above and in the WSJ article are started so that users can decide whether or not they want to allow it.

Task Identifier aims to become the number one data protection and control tool available. Once configured, TI will notify the user when an app starts with a Green, Yellow or Red alert. Additionally, Task Identifier offers an ‘Auto-Kill’ function, which allows the user to immediately “Kill” an offending application.

We think you'll find TI to be a robust tool that users control. That said, once the app is installed on your phone, you’ll need to set it up. To do so, go to the “Help and About” section for a quick rundown of how things work.

We've introduced two versions of the product, the Task Identifier Lite and the Task Identifier Full version. As you can guess, the Lite version has limited functionality and the Full version, well, it got all the 'Bells and Whistles'. TI is currently for use on Android's OS version 2.2 and higher. We plan on porting to the iPhone in the future.

Check both Apps at www.market.android.com www.appbrain.com or www.market.android.com I'd love to hear your comments, suggestions, and thoughts.

You can also learn a bit more about what the app is and what it does by visiting JG's and my Blog at :

http://taskidentifier.blogspot.com/

I look forward to hearing from you!

R2

This Week's Topic

I am new to Blogging and while I have a lot to say, (who doesn’t), I'm going to start this out slow and see if people like it. So with that, this week’s topic is more a number of inspirational statements surrounding the topic of failure:

Inspiration, Perspiration and the Team!

"Never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

Harriet Beecher Stowe

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear."

Mark Twain

"It's not whether you get knocked down. It's whether you get up again."

Vince Lombardi

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down."

Mary Pickford

"See things as you would have them be instead of as they are."

Robert Collier

"Winning in the long run is predicated on the satisfaction, preparation, commitment, and execution of a dedicated and loyal team; recognizing individual and group contribution and efforts."

R2