Any of you Droid users want to help test the new able2know android app?

Hi Robert, I can confirm that the Able2know android app is available on the market.

However I am somewhat concerned that this application has access to the following:

network
your location network based + fine GPS location
phone calls (read phone state)
services that cost you money (directly call phone numbers)

Now it could be that it was developed in collaboration with the CIA, IRS, FBI and indeed SMERCH.

However, if you could possibly explain points 2, 3, and 4 I would be more than willing to give it a try.

Service de Documentation Extérieure et de Contre-Espionnage (SDECE).

Well I don't want you trying anything that you aren't comfortable with, and while I trust the company that made it I don't know the technical details about the app (and haven't even seen it myself).

Can't you just deny any access to your phone that you are uncomfortable with? I ask because I don't have much experience with the android platform myself but on the iPhone I can just deny any app the rights to use my location etc. As far as I can tell it only really needs to be able to connect to the internet, as it's just an app to read a2k topic feeds on a mobile, so if you can just disable any access you don't want to give it should work (in theory).

O key-dokey, 10-4.
I will give it a whirl when the phone is fully charged and report back.

This is the first review of the eagerly awaited A2K widget available on the Android platform via the Market. (Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google).

A quick search in the Application section brought up the familiar A2K 'question mark' icon, which is an exact copy of its online version and best of all; its free!

The application has yet to be reviewed in the Market, but that has not deterred over 50 downloads to date. However, the application description is somewhat lacklustre. Is it really necessary to tell the viewer that this is a 'mobile app'? In fact the whole introduction only makes sense if you already know what A2K is all about.

We (as in the team) would have preferred for it to have reached out to possible new members with the same theme as the web version...Need an answer - Ask a question - Join a community approach.

The application on test was version 1.2, and only 263kb in size. The previously asked questions about application access can be summarized as; all to do with Google targeted advertisements which place a small add across the bottom of the screen. If you disable GPS when accessing the app it still works just fine and posses no security risk.

The download takes but a second and you are presented with a standalone button in familiar A2K livery. This is where the fun starts; four or so seconds after pressing the button A2K's 'Most Recent' posts page appears, this is the Home screen. No need to open a browser, type an address or access a bookmark.

There are also tabs for: Categories/ Favorites/ and Settings, the latter allows you to login or even create an account; which is a nice touch.

A tap on Categories brings up the usual Topic choices, and one second after hitting New Posts the list opens.

We assume the Headers are cached as there is a further step to go to the actual web page via the link. However this only took three seconds and then the whole online A2K site was available.

The formatting was sharp and clear and far better than visiting the site via a browser, and way faster.

All in all a simple, effective application which makes access to A2K a breeze. It allows full site navigation with login and post - who could ask for anything more!

There is a lot to commend this fast way of getting on line for a daily A2K fix; say for instance if you were being perused by a man eating bear; one click access to the vast depository of pooled A2K wisdom may be all you require to die laughing....And did we mention its FREE!

4.5/5 stars

Thanks, good show!

By the way, their login system is for their own software and the favorites feature. The ads are theirs as well and pretty much only the content is ours. So while we may not like some of their features that is their take on it and we'll eventually roll our own.

Prego Roberto, capo di tutti capi.

I am just so sorry that the fearless Droid warriors must all have been having a bad hair day to refuse your clarion call even though you saved them from extinction - for shame.

Ok, I downloaded the app. Are you happy now?

I didn't download the app, because in the comments section theres 1 and the words SCAM!, DON'T INSTALL are in caps. With 50 downloads and not 1 good comment, I wont be installing.

Well, it won't let me log in.

Does A2K not work on a mobile web browser?

Not as well as in a mobile app (not necessarily this one). It's not formatted very well for mobile right now and even if it were local apps have certain advantages.

We'll eventually make our own ones for the iPhone and Android platforms but this one was made by another company for us.

The log in on the app is not for a2k, it's admittedly a bit confusing but the company that released this app has a system of saving favorite articles that you can register and log in to. So your a2k credentials won't work with it, and this is a read-only app (we'll eventually make our own one and it'll likely be much better than this one).