Written Android App Review
These days it seems like all of us are addicted to location based Android apps. Social networks like Facebook, Foursquare, Google and Gowalla all allow us to offer real time updates about our day and where our travels take us. The problem is that many of us seem to have social networking ADHD and can’t be satisfied with using only one of these networks for our checkins. Not such a bad thing until you look at the time that it takes to go into each Android app, one after another, and manually update your location.
That my friends takes more time than I have and that is where the Checkin King Android app comes into play. With Checkin King you can “checkin” to all of your different social networks with one easy step. No need to keep repeating the same task over and over, this Android app does it all and they do it from one central location.
Sound too good to be true? Well, after finishing up my review I can tell you that it just might be.
Checkin King
Features
Here’s how it works. Start by downloading the Checkin King Android app straight from the Android Market. It’s a quick download, but once it’s done, be ready to spend some time setting up your account. You will have to go through and build your account one profile at a time until you have things all set up.
For me the process went rather quickly, but I felt that it was overly intrusive. For example, is there really any reason to ask me about my income? How does that relate to social networking and, pardon my bluntness, why is it any of your business? But, even though this made me a bit nervous, I went ahead and finished up my profile so we could get to the good stuff. Plus, we’ll talk more about security in a bit.
Once I had Checkin King up and running things went well. I had no trouble checking in to several popular venues throughout my day but did notice the inability to create my own venue. There were a few times when I wanted to mix things up, and it just wasn’t possible. Seems like while the basic features are there, the Android app is a little “one size fits all” I would like to see them open things up a bit and give their users more freedom.
Functionality
Checkin King
As is so often the case functionality is where I came across my real issues with Checkin King. First, the Checkin King Android app had a tendency to drain my battery like crazy! And I mean fast! I’m used to Android apps that are hard on battery life, but Checkin King took things to a new level. I usually only have to charge my phone at night, regardless of how much I use it. With this app? I had to reach for my car charger each and every time I got behind the wheel or my phone wouldn’t make it throughout the day.
Second, I think that the Checkin King Android app is on a bit of a fishing expedition when it comes to my personal information. Ever take the time to read a privacy policy? You should. You might just be shocked at what you find. In this case Checkin King informed me that I was giving them permission to access my name, the id of my device and my phone number just for starters. And this is on top of the hefty list of permissions that come tacked on the back. Pair that with the question about income and its just not worth it. I’m almost positive that I can find an Android app that does the same thing without all the unneeded background noise.
Usefulness
At the end of the day the Checkin King Android app may be free but it is also way too nosy. I don’t want to spend my time worrying about what kind of info an app is trying to sneak from me when there are so many other options out there. And I don’t want to even think about what they might be able to find on my Android!
Bottom line? Checkin King is a fun app, but its just not worth the hassle. Once they back off the info gathering and just stick with providing the service the advertise then they might have what it takes to claim their spot in an already crowded market.
Checkin King
Android Apps Review Details: The Photile Pro Live Wallpaper Android app is free. This app requires Android 1.5 and up. You may download Photile Pro Live Wallpaper from the Android Market.
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