APNdroid

Summary

Ever since iPhone and Co. have been around, people have been dealing with the same old problem: using your phone without a data plan. Smartphone makers make you believe that a data connection (HSDPA, EDGE, GPRS etc.) is absolutely necessary for every user. Without a mobile internet flatrate, your service provider may charge you a fortune just for a couple of megabytes. Is your phone always trying to connect to an expensive data connection? To take care of this problem once and for all, try out the APNdroid app. According to its description, it grants you total control over your mobile internet connection. Let’s find out if it’s actually true!
 

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APNdroid is supposed to be able to block all data connections, including 3G, EDGE and GPRS. In theory, it shouldn’t have any effect on your mobile network when calling.
We tested out the following scenarios (with Wi-Fi turned off):
 

Data connection blocked:
Everything turns off: Market, Browser, Weather App etc. No programs can connect to the internet. All the calling capabilities continue to work as normal. Wow!
 

Data connection activated:
Everything works as usual.
APNdroid has no control over your Wi-Fi. Apparently, it can only deactivate the phone’s internet capability via APNs. Well done! No extra features are included, but it does what it’s supposed efficiently and neatly.
Wi-Fi internet works perfectly when activated with all programs.
 

Bottom Line:
The Appstore needs more apps like this one. For those you that lack an unlimited data plan or simply would like to have better control over your phone – APNdroid is the right option for you!

Update suggestion: It would be really cool if there were a setup function that would let you select which specific APNs you wish to deactivate.
 

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APNdroid is very discreet. You’ll barely notice the main screen when you start up the app.

A small button saying “3G/EDGE/GPRS Enabled/Disabled” is all that appears at the top of your screen. You can switch between the two modes by simply tapping on the button.
 

If you select Notifications, a small icon will appear in your status bar displaying whether your data connection is activated or not.
 

Programs requiring an internet connection will display a network error message. It would be nice if the app would display a full-blown warning window when turning your data connection on/off. This would be a good way to insure that people don't get a heart attack from an expensive billing statement at the end of the month because of accidently leaving your data connection turned on.

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No reliability issues with APNdroid whatsoever! Turning your mobile internet on and off is fast and simple. To avoid any billing surprises, make sure to keep an eye on your status bar!

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APNdroid is available for free from the Android Market.