Some of us are app happy.
Some are WhatsAppers.
Some are like, What’s an app?
And some have faith that there’s an app for even that.
App-happy people eventually develop an eerie awareness of the expanse of App Land. My-oh-my, theplaces you can go when you step through the door of the App Store.
Apple (App Store) and Google (Play Store) both promise that they vetted each app in their store for integrityand security. Even if we trust the big dogs’ protection, appers soon learn that many apps can’t fulfill theirpromises. We learn to compare notes with other appers via app reviews.
If you want to curb your APPetite, a good deterrent is to read the Terms of Service before downloading anapp. That’s scary. Clicking the “Accept” button often grants the app access to everything you read, write,and store on your device, as well as your camera and microphone. Who are we saying Yes to? Microsoft?Google? Lord Android?
Most apps are created by creative people who make money from ads showing up in the app. There is acertain comfort when they ask to be paid for their efforts. If an app is free AND ad-free, I would besuspicious that their money is coming from data mining.
Apps used to be all fun and games. Solitaire. Karaoke. Tetris. Nowadays, our trusted institutions are joining the app community. Your bank. Your insurance company. TSA. Domino’s Pizza. If THEY get hacked… What am I saying? We live in a world of shared germs and shared data.
To start 2022 on a strong app foot, I’d like to share an app that could improve your security. How would you like a pocket-sized Xerox machine?
Microsoft offers a free storage vault for your digital documents. It’s called “OneDrive”. If you never need digital storage, this is a moot point. However, the OneDrive mobile app has another great feature. It turns your phone camera into a PDF document scanner. While there are many apps available for this, you have to trust those companies with your documents, camera, etc. Who would you rather hold hands with? Microsoft or “Kickhead Softwares”? Then again, it’s that competition that pressured Microsoft to stop charging for this feature.
I think you’ll love the OneDrive scanner. Download it from your app store and give it a whirl.
This article was originally published in the South Ponte Vedra Civic Association newsletter on 1/1/2022.