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PocketPermissions (v2.0) - The app version of my security guide (updated)

alostpacket

Over Macho Grande?
Nov 29, 2009
7,970
3,604
NY
alostpacket.com


update:

PocketPermissions 2.1
has been released!

  • Over 150 new permissions added to the database
  • Bookmarks for permissions
  • All permissions requested by your apps added to DB
  • Improved details screen with more info on each permission
  • New database code for greatly improved performance
  • Improvements to tablet layout


Hey all,

Many of you have read my guide on permissions and security.

And, thanks to some of the great feedback and support on this site, I decided to make an app version. Because, well, where better to read about permissions for your phone, than on your phone?

Before anyone asks though, I still plan on updating the guide on these forums and my site and the downloadble pdf, and that will all stay free. :)

So who is it for?

Well, lots of us are watching as our less tech-savvy friends grab new Android phones and would like to set them up with some good habits.

It's my hope that this will help people feel more secure and informed and not feel like they've been tossed into the wild west or have to rely soley on anti-virus. The idea is that you can set them up with this app, or keep it as a quick reference for yourself.

As always, please feel free to continue to ask questions and post feedback both here and in the guide, and I will be happy to answer/investigate things as best I can.

Anyways, all the promotion aside, I especially just wanted to say thanks to AF for all the support and interest in the guide. This forum is where I first wrote it and has always had the most updated version, so very sincerely, thank you all.


________________


The app is $1.99 on the Market.
Requires: Android 2.0 or newer


Web:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alostpacket.pocketpermissions

Phone:
market://details?id=com.alostpacket.pocketpermissions


Amazon:
Amazon.com: PocketPermissions - Android security info on the go: Appstore for Android


FEATURES

Explains permissions and why they matter

Tips on good safety habits

Details the possible dangers out there

Search for permissions

See which apps have requested a specific permission



SCREENSHOTS



home.jpg
permission_list.jpg
permission_detail.jpg


apps_found.jpg
app_details.jpg
search.jpg


home_tablet.jpg


permission_detail_tablet.jpg


guides_tablet.jpg





.
 
Thanks much for the kind words guys.

Working on updates to the free guides this week, but please feel free to make feature suggesstions for the app too.

Currently I have 3 "coming soon" features I plan to implement:
- List of all permissions requested by all apps (a "master list" so to speak)
- Show an "all apps" list
- When clicking on an app, show its permissions

Not sure on the ETA but shouldn't be more than a few weeks tops depending on my schedule.

Thanks again :)
 
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Well I was playing with Pocket Permission and I simply love it! :D I had originally thought it was an app version of your infamous intro to Android Guide, ALP, but it's so much more! The best feature I love is that after reading up a certain permission in the app, I can then view ALL of the apps that USE that permission. So it gives me more analytical tool as to whether I want the app or not :)

I think a good feature that you might want to consider is the ability to direct you to the system install/uninstall of that app.
 
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Thanks much guys! :)


As for the install/uninstall feature, unfortunately that would require (I think) one of the scariest permissions of all. (Install Packages). Which is something I warn is a critically dangerous permission only to be given to say Amazon AppStore or the Market itself.

And I actually designed the app in such a way as to make sure it always said that it require no permissions to run. I figured an app about permissions.... ;)
 
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Thanks much guys! :)


As for the install/uninstall feature, unfortunately that would require (I think) one of the scariest permissions of all. (Install Packages). Which is something I warn is a critically dangerous permission only to be given to say Amazon AppStore or the Market itself.

And I actually designed the app in such a way as to make sure it always said that it require no permissions to run. I figured an app about permissions.... ;)

What about sending you to the system to install/uninstall app :)
 
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What about sending you to the system to install/uninstall app :)


Ah good call. You know I didn't even think there was an way to do this. But I just looked it up and it looks like as of Gingerbread they added one.

There is a way to send someone to the "general apps settings" page that shows all the apps prior to Gingerbread, so maybe I will add this and see how it goes :) So both can use it but Gingerbread users will get the much tastier experience ;)

thanks for the tip roze! <3
 
Upvote 0
OK, I just uploaded 1.0.6
(may take a bit for the market to update and show the latest)

This has Roze's feature idea for clicking an app in the list -- it will take you to that app's detail page. You can then see all its permissions and force close it/uninstall it/clear cache/etc

I was only able to test this feature on Android 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. So if anyone encounters a problem please don't hesistate to let me know! :)
 
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