1/15:  Life management skills

All about apps

Our agenda this week:

Review last week's class Finding resources online

Presentation

Breakout:  Your favorite apps 

Discussion from breakout

Process:  Getting apps from Apple/Google Play store

Questions on apps

Homework:

Introduction:  What are apps?

What is an app?  App is an abbreviation for application.  It is a piece of software that is pre-installed on your device, or it can be software that you install yourself.

Apps can run on the device, or they can run through a web browser.  They are found on your computer, smartphone, tablet and even on smart TVs and smartwatches.  They may or may not connect to the Internet. They may also run on websites and be present as part of your operating system.

Types of apps:

Types of apps:  There are three types of apps, each with unique characteristics and uses.  They include desktop, mobile and web apps.  Here is some information about each:

Desktop:  Desktop apps are software programs that are installed and run on a desktop or laptop computer. They may offer robust functionality and benefit from the full resources of the computer's hardware. They often have more complex features compared to mobile or web apps and are designed to work with the operating system of the computer.  Some examples include:

o   Word processing apps (like Word)

o   Web browsers (like Chrome, Safari)

o   Media players (like Windows Media Player and iTunes)

o   Games (like Solitaire)

 

Mobile: Mobile apps are apps designed specifically for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. These apps can use the device's features like the camera, GPS, and touch screen. Mobile apps are typically downloaded from app stores like the Apple App Store for iOS devices or the Google Play Store for Android devices. Examples include:

o   A messaging app like WhatsApp

o   A social media app like Instagram

o   A navigational app like Google Maps

 

Web:  Web apps are apps that run on a web browser and don't need to be downloaded or installed on your device. They are accessible through the internet and can adjust to the size of the browser window whether it's on a desktop, tablet, or mobile. Web apps can provide functionalities like desktop or mobile apps but run within a web browser. Examples include:

o   A web-based program like Google docs

o   A streaming service like Netflix (accessed through the browser)

o   An online note taking app like Google Keep



Where to get apps:


What are third-party apps?

Third-party apps are those developed by companies or individuals other than the manufacturer of the device or the developer of the operating system.  Apps offered through the official app store (Apple’s App store, Google’s Play Store) go through a rigorous review process, but third-party apps may not. Always pay attention to reviews and do research on apps which you are not familiar with.  Also, consider the following about third party apps:

·         Consider the source:  Apps from reputable third-party developers or well-known companies are generally more reliable, while those from unknown sources can create risks. They may not have gone through the security checks and may present malware or spyware when installing.

·         Consider privacy: Some third-party apps may access more personal information than needed or they may share your data without your consent.

·         Quality and updates:  These apps may not be as polished as the originals and may not receive regular updates making them less secure and less functional.

·         Compatibility:  They may not be optimized for your device.

Two examples of 3rd party apps:  Softpedia and FileHippo

When looking for apps, you can often find them at sites like Softpedia and File Hippo. These sites provide software which may not be available on other sites, as well as software which can be procured from an official site.  According to users, there are various opinions and experiences related to these two services.

Softpedia:  Many users have expressed trust in the site, describing it as a reliable downloading site with useful software and not associated with viruses.  However, there are reports that the downloads can be dangerous, and the software is not always checked for malware.  It is suggested that you are vigilant when using this site.

FileHippo:  Like Softpedia, there are mixed experiences reported.  Some have reported downloading software with viruses included, while others have had no issues. There are warnings that the site is not always safe and may include outdated software versions.  There may be problems with malware and trojans, and a risk of hacking (according to some users).  Again, vigilance is suggested when using this site.

Bottom line:  If you can find software on the official site (Microsoft, Google, Zoom, web browsers) it is always preferable to use them.  If you must use one of these sources, review the download and scan for viruses before installing.


App security on Apple vs Android devices

There are differences on how Apple and Android view third-party apps.  These differences are based on the operating system of each, as well as how the company has evolved.

Apple is known for its control over its ecosystem.  The Apple store has rigorous guidelines and review processes for app submissions.  This makes iOS less prone to malware, but also limits the availability of third-party apps not approved by Apple.  Installing apps without using the App store is generally not accepted unless you “jailbreak” the device (which voids warrantees and threatens security.

Android, on the other hand, is open source.  This means that apps from the Google Play Store have security measures which may be less strict than Apple.  Also, Android allows installation of apps from third-party sources and users can enable this in settings.  This increases the variety of apps available, but also the risk of malicious software.


Free versus Paid

Some apps that you find may be free, while others may charge a fee for the app.  What should you consider when using a free vs paid app?

Paid apps:  Require a one-time payment to download and use the app.  They may offer full functionality without the need for other purchases.  The source of income is the initial purchase price.  After the app store takes its share (usually about 30%), the rest goes to the developer.  This type of app typically provides a more seamless and ad-free experience, along with more features not available in free apps.

Free apps:  These apps can be downloaded without any upfront payment.  They come in different forms:

·         Ad-supported:  They display ads to the users, and earn money based on ad views or clicks

·         Freemium:  Free to download and use, but offer optional in-app purchases for additional features or content

·         Subscription-based:  These apps are free for basic features, but require a subscription to unlock premium features or content. 

Generally, the user experience in free apps may vary.  The ads may be annoying, while the freemium apps may limit functionality until the user makes a purchase.  The subscription-based apps may be better, but will require continuous payment over time.


Netflix app:  Free, In-app purchases 

Star Walk 2 app:  $2.99, one time only fee

Permissions in apps

 When downloading app, you will be asked for permissions for using functions of your device.

These permissions may include  phone and email contacts, call logs, internet data, calendar data, location data, unique information about device and how you will use the app

 There may be apps requesting permission which are not important to functioning and may be a red flag.  Examples include:

◦Flashlight app requiring access to contacts or messengers

◦A wallpaper or ringtone app requesting location

◦A game requesting the camera or microphone (unless necessary for playing the game)

◦A  note taking app asking for your call history or text messages

◦A calculator requesting Internet access (which may be used to send data to server or show ads)

◦A photo editing app requesting to send SMS or make calls (can indicate fraudulent activities)

Some bad behaviors from bad apps

Although the risks of a bad app are different on a computer vs a smartphone, there are still some bad behaviors which can be done by a malicious app.  They include: 

Displaying pop-up ads to generate money for the developer

Locating your email addresses and phone number

Extracting details from your contact list

Finding your GPS coordinates

Stealing messages

Copying your passwords and logging into your accounts remotely

Mining cryptocurrency on your device and send the funds to the developer

Using SMS tricks (messaging) to make you pay for services you didn’t ask for

Redirecting browser pages to fake login screens and ad sites

Opening your device for more attacks in the future


WhatsApp permissions

Hawaii Match (game) permissions

Animotica (movie making) permissions

How to safely download apps:

Although there may be risks, there are ways to decrease the risk of bad apps.  Here are some things to look for:

Bottom line on apps:

Apps are what makes our phones and tablets productive and entertaining.  Use good judgment when finding apps and pay attention after installing for any changes in the device. 

Part 2:  10 useful apps for your smartphone or tablet 

Our presentation will look at 10 apps, some of the specific and others general.  These are the ones which are important for most smartphones or tablets.  Many of these will be on your phone already.  For those which are not on your phone, visit the App store or Google Play Store to find one.  Make sure and follow the precautions to keep your device safe from malware!

Apps included in presentation: 

Additional apps you might consider

 

Already on your device (Settings, Notes, Reminders, App Store, Game Center)

Emergency (Red Cross First Aid)

Productivity (Word, Google docs)

Messaging (Messenger, WhatsApp, Messages)

Photography (Snapseed, Facetune)

News and more (Flipboard, Tumbler, PBS Video, Overdrive, Kindle)

Music (Pandora, YouTube Music,)

Health (Kaiser, heart rate free, BrainHQ,)

Travel (AroundMe, Southwest, Wave, Transit, Uber, Lyft)

Social networks (Facebook, Meetup, Instagram, NextDoor,)

Video (Facetime, Zoom, Hangouts)

Entertainment (Fandango, Netflix, Pandora, Spotify)


Past class:  Recommended and Favorite Apps