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F-Droid: A security-conscious repository for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) applications for Android

ARTICLE – F-Droid is an app store and repository for verified Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) applications for Android (F-Droid Docs page). I first heard about F-Droid from a CNET article in early August. According to CNET, “… 200 Android apps were found infected with malware [on Google Play] in March, followed by July’s discovery of 1,000-plus Android apps harvesting data even after you deny permissions …”. So, in the interest of security and privacy, perhaps places like F-Droid are a nice alternative to Google Play.

F-Droid is a non-profit volunteer open-source project (it is developed and run by the community) and was started by Ciaran Gultnieks in 2010 (F-Droid About page). Since the apps on F-Droid are open-source, it allows anyone to comb through an app’s code to see if there is any questionable activity going on. There are only about 2600 apps available through F-Droid according to CNET, so this may not have much of what you’re looking for. However, if you are curious about F-Droid and want to check out its security, you can peruse their Security Model and view their latest Security Audit Results.

If you want to try F-Droid, you’ll have to download the app from f-droid.org as it is not available through Google Play.



I downloaded the app from my phone’s Chrome browser. When I tapped on the “Download F-Droid” button on the f-droid.org website, I was prompted by my phone that “This type of file can harm your device. Do you want to keep FDroid.apk anyway? Cancel or Ok”. I tapped on “Ok”. Once the APK file was downloaded, I tapped on “Open” next to the downloaded file.



My phone then warned me that “For your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source [Chrome]. Cancel or Settings”. I tapped on “Settings”. I was taken to the “Install unknown apps” screen for Chrome where I toggled on the “Allow from this source” setting, then tapped on the back arrow at the top left of the screen. I was then asked “Do you want to install this application? It does not require any special access. Cancel or Install.” I tapped on “Install”. Once installed, it took a few seconds to update its repositories, then I was able to browse F-Droid for open source apps.

Here is what F-Droid looks like when looking at the Catagories tab.

When I installed my first app, I was prompted by my phone about installing unknown apps from F-Droid. I then had to go to the “Install unknown apps” settings and toggle on “Allow from this source” (in Android 9.0: phone settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access > Install unknown apps > F-Droid).

Because the people working on F-Droid are security and privacy-conscious, it piqued my interest, so I thought perhaps it may pique yours if you didn’t already know about it. If you are interested, go to f-droid.org to download it and give it a try!

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F-Droid: A security-conscious repository for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) applications for Android originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 30, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Julie’s gadget diary – I am now a T-Mobile Home Internet pilot tester

ARTICLE – I came home yesterday afternoon to find a postcard in my mailbox inviting me to join T-Mobile’s new Home Internet pilot test which started rolling out back in March. I remembered reading about their invite-only service for existing T-Mobile customers but forgot all about it until yesterday.

For a little background, I live in a rural area of southern Indiana where my only option for broadband for years was satellite internet like HughesNet. I had HughesNet and hated it for a few years until I bit the bullet and had a T1 line run to my house. If you don’t know what a T1 line is, it might sound more exciting than what it really was. It was a guaranteed 1.5Mbps download / 1.5Mbps download internet connection which cost me a whopping $389 a month. No, I’m not kidding. All I can say is yay for business expense writeoffs.

I had the T1 line for 10 years until 2yrs ago when I switched to a wireless service from a company called 4G Antenna Shop that uses a wireless cellular router with a SIM from T-Mobile. My speed went from 1.5Mbps to 14-19Mbps which felt like light speed in comparison. At only $83/mo. I’ve been really happy with the 4GAS service but I have always been afraid that I would use too much data and they would kick me off their service because they really only offer 50GB per month and I tend to use well over 300GB each month with my weekend Netflix binge-a-thons, my Wyze cams, and my gadget research surf sessions.

So when the postcard from T-Mobile arrived yesterday, I didn’t hesitate before I called them and signed up for their $50/mo. totally unlimited home broadband service. I even opted for next day shipping and received the package with the wireless router and T-Mobile SIM today!

The postcard talked about 50Mbps speeds which is about 3 times faster than the speeds I get with the 4GAS service which also uses T-Mobile so I am excited to check that out.

I’m also a little worried about the fact that they told me that I can connect up to 10 devices to the router. The problem is that I have more than 10 devices (4 Wyze cams, 2 smartphones, 2 laptops, Nest thermostat, 2 Amazon Echo devices, LiftMaster WLED garage door opener, Jetstream Android TV, Vizio Smart TV, and I’m sure there are others I can’t think of right now.

I’ll post an update in a few days after I set up the new router, move all my devices to it, and get a chance to do a lot of surfing, streaming, speed tests, etc.

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Julie’s gadget diary – I am now a T-Mobile Home Internet pilot tester originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 27, 2019 at 7:49 pm.

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6 gadgets making the world a better place

ARTICLE – It’s easy to take the convenience of technology for granted. Numerous people have smartphones and tablets at the tips of their fingers, and they don’t think twice about using apps or typing queries into Google. When one wants to sleep, all they have to do is flick a switch and the room becomes dark. When they wake up, they roll out of bed and jump into the shower or run the faucet to brush their teeth.

Countless others don’t have the advantages of running water or light after dark. For them, living isn’t a simple task — it’s a daily hurdle they must figure out how to surmount.

Fortunately, inventors and innovators work hard every day to create tools for improving the quality of life for millions of people.

1. Luci Solar Light

The Luci light is a solar lamp that’s shatterproof, waterproof and foldable for easy transportation. This lamp is an excellent device for countries where electricity may be scarce or unavailable. Work and play must cease once the sun sets, and traveling at night poses a danger for women and children. This solar light enables children to continue their lessons and helps women walk safely after dark. Mpowerd, the company that created the Luci light, aims to provide 3 billion people with adequate, clean lighting to replace the use of toxic kerosene lamps.

Check them out on Amazon.

2. LifeStraw

The LifeStraw removes bacteria, parasites and microplastics from water to make it safe to drink. It’s light yet durable, and it can filter enough water to last one person five years. Some people use it for prefilled containers, although it’s possible to drink directly from a lake or stream with this tool. It filters out harmful and common bacteria such as E. coli, Giardia and Legionella.

Legionella poses a major problem because it grows mainly in man-made water systems — these aren’t often designed well in impoverished countries. Exposure to Legionella causes Legionnaire’s disease in 5% of the people who aspirate this bacteria, which is deadly for those with weak immune systems. With the LifeStraw, people can ensure they receive clean water without risk of illness or disease.

You can try one for $17.47 on Amazon.

3. The Shoe That Grows

The organization Because International created a shoe made from compressed rubber and velcro that expands up to five sizes. It’s durable enough to last for years — which is convenient considering how fast children grow out of their shoes.

Shoes donated to people in impoverished countries typically last a year, and their material doesn’t withstand the elements for long. The Shoe That Grows provides a solution for these worn-out shoes.

The Shoe That Grows provides comfort as well as protection against parasites and sharp objects in the soil. With 102,000 pairs distributed in over 100 countries, children can run, play and attend school without worrying about their bare feet.

4. Embrace Infant Warmer

Embrace created their portable incubator to provide a heat source to premature and underweight babies too small to retain warmth. The lack of body fat leaves them vulnerable to colds and pneumonia, which are deadly for newborns.

In countries where healthcare is more advanced, doctors place these underweight babies into standard incubators — but many impoverished countries lack the resources for this luxury. Hospitals can use the Embrace Nest instead to keep infants warm in the NICU until their mothers take them home.

Embrace offers the Nest for hospital use and Embrace Care for personal use. They’ve supplied over 300,000 units to 22 countries.

5. Tata Swach

The Tata Swach purifies water of bacteria and viruses and makes it safe to consume. The company Tata and its business partners created this water purifier to help rural Indian families — Swach means clean in Hindi. The Tata Swach comes in electric and non-electric versions, but all of them use TSRF and silver nanotechnology to purify water. The filters utilize rice husk ash containing activated carbon and silica to kill any microorganisms present in water.

6. Q Drum

The Q Drum allows people in rural South African communities to transport drinking water without the hassle of weight or long distances. The Q Drum rolls along the ground, so individuals transporting water save time and prevent injury. This function is vital for women and children who suffer spine and back problems from the weight of carrying heavy water containers. The Q Drum holds up to 50 liters of water and consists of exceptionally durable material — low-density polyethylene.

Technology Powers the World

The advancement of modern technology influences the world in so many different ways — it even touches those who usually have no access to it.

Innovators who desire a better world regularly achieve the incredible feat of connecting hearts and minds for the good of all humanity.

Featured image via Dazzle Jam

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6 gadgets making the world a better place originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 23, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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Enso gives traditional rings a silicone reboot

ARTICLE – I spend a lot of time gardening, exercising, traveling, and cleaning up after the people and puppy in my life. None of these are conducive to wearing a valuable ring on my finger, day in and day out.

Nearly 20 years ago, my husband and I purchased our wedding rings from a tiny shop in Valencia, Spain. Then 5 years ago, I inherited my mother-in-law’s beautiful anniversary band. While neither of these is especially valuable dollarwise, they’re irreplaceable and two of my most prized possessions.

After a few close calls where I almost lost them forever, I banished my rings to my jewelry box for special occasions only. Yet, I feel naked without them! And that’s when I found Enso silicone rings.

These simple, unobtrusive bands are flexible, comfortable, and actually look nice. Plus, I don’t have to stress about wearing them while swimming with my boys, scrubbing bathrooms or working out.

Enso rings come in three different widths (classic, halo and thin). They feature multiple textures and designs, like smooth, braided, pyramid, hammered, treaded, column, studded and feathered. Enso also offers dozens of colors, from metallics to birthstones, to the often sold-out “Inked” collaboration with Santa Cruz, featuring skateboard-inspired art.

The company offers an online sizing guide, an engraving option for $9.99, and recently introduced bracelets.

Enso silicone rings range from $11.99 to $39.99 and include a lifetime warranty for rips, tears and discoloration. Find them on the Enso website or Amazon.

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Enso gives traditional rings a silicone reboot originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 14, 2019 at 8:00 am.

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How to use your Amazon Echo Dot as a Bluetooth Speaker

ARTICLE – A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article about How to listen to audiobooks and read eBooks for FREE. Since then, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying using the Libby app to listen to free audiobooks by checking them out (virtually) from my local library.

I listen to the audiobooks through my phone (Huawei P30 Pro) and the car stereo in my MINI Cooper while I’m driving to and from work each day. The problem is that these brief sessions only allow me about 40 minutes of listening per day. That’s not much time to get through a full-length novel in the time allotted for a Libby loan.

I have tried listening through the built-in speaker on my phone while getting ready for work in the mornings, but the Huawei speaker’s max volume setting isn’t loud enough for me to hear over the sound of the shower and the bathroom fan.

I thought about buying a small waterproof Bluetooth speaker than I could put in the shower with me, but I already have a speaker in my bathroom – an Amazon Echo Dot which is actually what started my new found love of audiobooks in the first place. If only there was a way I could listen to Libby through the Echo Dot like listening to an Audible book. Sure, I could use a line out cable to plug my phone into the speaker,  but the way my Echo Dot is mounted in my bathroom (see lead image) the 3.5mm line out jack is blocked – and who wants to use cables anyway, it’s 2019 for goodness sake!

Then a light bulb flicked on in my brain and I thought, what if I could use the Echo Dot as a stand-alone Bluetooth speaker? Is this possible? A quick Google and I learned that yes, it definitely is possible!


Through the Alexa app, you can set the Echo Dot to play music from other certain other streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, etc. But as you will notice, Libby isn’t included in that list. But a little more Googling helped me learn that I can pair the Echo with my phone and use it just like any other Bluetooth speaker. Yay!

All you have to do is say “Alexa, pair Bluetooth” and Alexa will reply with “Searching…” Then you open the Bluetooth settings on your mobile device and look for an Echo-XXX entry in the devices list, click on it to connect and you’re done! Alexa will confirm that the connection has been made and then any sound that normally comes from your mobile device will now play through the Echo until you disconnect.

Now when I am getting ready in the morning,  I just say “Alexa, connect to my phone” and wait for her to say that she’s connected. Then start the Libby app. When I’m done listening, I press pause in the Libby app and say “Alexa, disconnect” and Alexa will confirm that the connection has been disconnected. Nice and simple!

I like that I’ve found another use for my Amazon Echo Dot in addition to just using it to listen to music, read the news, or listen to podcasts.

Now if I can just solve the issue with not being able to turn off the wake alarm in the morning because Alexa will say that there’s no connection to the internet…

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How to use your Amazon Echo Dot as a Bluetooth Speaker originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 13, 2019 at 12:08 pm.

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