Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2013 June 17

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June 17

Phone locating apps for android

At the moment I have an iPhone 5 and I use Find My iPhone to locate the device on a map via iCloud. I am thinking of changing to a Samsung Galaxy S4, but I'm unsure about the tracking software that is available for Android. Specifically, I'm looking for a tracking app that:

• Can be installed and running on the phone without showing icons or alerts on the interface (i.e. is at least partially hidden),
• Has an interface accessible from devices connected to the internet in a similar way to accessing Find My iPhone on iCloud,
• Displays the device on a map in a similar way to Find My iPhone,
• Allows all of the above functionality without requiring the activation of a special "Lost mode" or similar.

What apps are there that meet the above requirements? 182.8.177.168 (talk) 04:04, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

Prey (software) - Cucumber Mike (talk) 06:46, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

Prey does not meet the above requirements and it was my previous experience with prey on my galaxy tab that lead me to ask the question in the first place. Specifically, it doesn't show the phone's location on a map in real time (it sends reports at a maximum frequency of 1 every 10 minutes), and it doesn't send any location data unless you activate lost mode. 39.214.54.44 (talk) 23:52, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

On the Android, phone finder functions are usually included in Antivirus apps such as Lookout Mobile Security, Avast and AVG. This makes sense as you'll need some form of AV on the device anyway and it's an always resident program. I use the free version of Lookout which gives basic functions such as AV, Data backup, phone finder (both Google Maps and making it sound an alarm) and also automatically taking pictures of the phone user. The premium version adds remote wipes and locks as well as more AV and backup options. Other Apps offer all of these functions for free and the majority allow you to access the phone finder and backup features from a web browser on another device. Nanonic (talk) 06:48, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

I challenge the "need" for AV on Android devices. If installing only from the Play Store the majority of people are unlikely to ever encounter malware. Plus, since the apps are sandboxed, the AV can't do anything anyway. It's a myth that AV is a requirement for Android perpetuated mostly by Kaspersky, who (gasp) sell a security app on the platform. Never known anyone ever have a security issue with an Android device and the infectees are mostly confined to lab tests and China (where piracy is rife and multiple app stores rule). Thanks ツ Jenova20 ^(email) 10:03, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

Hmmm I've known a couple; I've also heard the rumours of a virus-laden marketplace for that platform but since I don't own one I cannot validate those claims. I thought I read a study once (a year ago or so) where they tested for malware on iOS vs Android - and found Android to be a lot more susceptible. --Yellow1996 (talk) 19:37, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

Android has more variables: More marketplaces and lots of phones running different versions of Android (A volatile mix). But, malware is still something 99% of people outside of China will never experience.

If i keep my phone on an outdated version with well publicised vulnerabilities and install from another marketplace for example, then i'd expect to find malware and exploits quite often. If the stories in the news are from security researchers for Anti Virus companies, then take em with a pinch of salt. For comparison i use Windows 7 also and would never use the thing without multiple security layers active. Thanks ツ Jenova20 ^(email) 15:28, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

You make some good points, Jenova. Mobile phones are probably my least-learned (or paid attention to) subsection of computing - thanks for explaining it in better detail for me! :) --Yellow1996 (talk) 15:54, 18 June 2013 (UTC)

How were Google Promotion Videos made?

I think Google Promotion Video looks great. By which software they made it? --The Master (talk) 13:15, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

Many screencast software packages are able to produce that. However, not all support editing recorded video such as cropping, trimming, zooming, focus, or splitting. Knowing exactly which package Google used is kind of difficult, since they exported the results to an avi, mpeg or whatever video format they chose. OsmanRF34 (talk) 17:12, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

These are hand animated with a motion graphics application like After Effects or Apple Motion. It's impossible to zoom in to the screen as much as these videos and keep everything absolutely crisp and not pixellated. Also, the perfect mouse movements and motion blur are telltale signs this is not a screen recording. --Navstar (talk) 22:57, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

Energy consumption of a PC/notebook

How many volts and amperes does each component within a PC need? OsmanRF34 (talk) 17:06, 17 June 2013 (UTC)

This is an immensely complicated topic and there is an enormous variety among different manufacturers, models, technology- and cost-points. Start with some primer-knowledge by reading about standard ATX power supplies. Nimur (talk) 17:32, 17 June 2013 (UTC)