Android News

Use NetLive for Android to find data-hogging apps in real-time
As Sharon Vaknin recently pointed out, unlimited data plans are in short supply. You may have a 2GB or 4GB data limit because the next package up is either too much data, or doesn't fit in your budget. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to enjoy your smartphone to the fullest.
One of the first things you should do on a limited data plan is find ways to conserve data. But what if you've followed all the tips for saving data, and you still seem to be running out too quickly? There may be a data-hogging culprit in your mix of apps.
NetLive is an Android app that will show you data usage in real-time, so you can see what's really hogging your data plan. The way this app differs from the built-in data manager and other data reporting apps is the real-time feature. For instance, if you use Facebook, Gmail, and Pandora more often than other apps, they will undoubtedly be at the top of your list. But what if another app you don't use that often keeps running in the background and pilfering your data allowance? Ready to check it out? Here's how to get started:
It's time to decide if you want the data usage information shown in the notification shade, in a widget on your Home screen, or both. The widget has sizing options (from micro to large), unit of measure options, and even text color choices so you can read it on your wallpaper. If you're using the widget, you can disable the notification shade information from the app's menu.