Very
good
 |
Gauge Battery Widget - Running Out Of Juice?
Tested version: 1.7.0 RELEASE NOTES: New Icon, Facelist of the widgets, Performance optimization, Status bar icon works without widget, Non widgets configuration dialog.
Latest version: 3.2.1 (Free)
Requires Android: from 1.5
|
Summary
Battery power has always been a major thing to complain about - and not just with our beloved Android phones. The battery has been the Achilles heel of virtually every single mobile device, including electrical cars. As a huge fan of electrical automobiles, even I understand that it’s going to take a while before these new vehicles can match standard gasoline engines in terms of power and performance. On a smaller scale, we all hope that future Android will include truly long-lasting battery power. In the meantime we can let apps such as Gauge Battery Widget run in the background in order to keep a better eye on battery consumption. Find out how well Gauge Battery performs on our Android phones in our test.
Features & Use
Section rating:
Even though every Android phone has a small battery icon in the status bar, you can never tell precisely just how much juice is left in your device. Accurate battery information is crucial in order for you to know when to charge up your device. My battery usually doesn’t make it past the 12 hour mark. The Gauge Battery Widget may not be able fix my battery problem, but it gives me a better idea of when I need to recharge my phone.
Gauge Battery Widget makes a nice impression as either a widget on your homescreen or an icon on your status bar. You can instantly see what your current battery level in percentages. There a couple of different status icon variations, but two of them are only available in the donate version.
One tap of the widget opens up a detailed settings menu, where you can customize just about anything. The homescreen widget is available in three different sizes:
- 1x1
- 2x1
- 2x2 ic
So regardless of whether you need to save space on your homescreen or have plenty of room to spare – there’s something here for everyone. In the settings you’ll find three shortcuts to your system settings. This includes Wireless & Network Settings, Location & Security and Top Battery Consumers. The shortcut to the last settings saves you a lot of time searching around your phone’s settings.
Pluses
- Battery power at a glance
- Customizable
- Battery level in status bar
Minuses
- Circle battery icon for your status bar available only in the donate version
- Few functions
- Only in-app donations possible
Bottom Line:
Gauge Battery Widget shows you your battery life at a glance and does a better job than the standard Android status bar icon. Being able to adjust the widget’s colors is also definitely a bonus. If you want to get your hands on the fancy circle battery icon for your status bar, you’ll have to donate a small amount to the developer. It’s still worth considering.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
Just add the Gauge Battery Widget – and end of story. You don’t have to do anything else. If you want to customize the widget’s colors, you may need to go through a couple more steps. You can choose to use the color templates or create your own styles. The widget’s size is also adjustable.
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
Gauge Battery Widget runs quickly and without crashing.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
Gauge Battery Widget can be downloaded for free from the App Center.
Comparable Apps
Report comparable or similar appsReviews of this app in other languages
Developer
Top App:
Gauge Battery Widget
Bored of ordinary battery widgets? All looks the same? Try this analog one! Measure your (...)
Bored of ordinary battery widgets? All looks the same? Try this analog one! Measure your (...)
You must be logged in in order to become a fan of Tomas Hubalek.
Features
Screen
Speed
Price
Market Rating:
AndroidPIT User Rating:
Own Rating:
Log yourself in!
Ad
Bookmark / E-Mail
Click on an icon to bookmark this test report. » Send this article via e-mailScreenshots
All Test Reports
- Applications (505)
- Games (300)
Archive
- 2012 (142)
- May (25)
- Songify – Speech to Music
- Money Tab – Everything's Under Control!
- 500px – The Official App
- Get-neutral – Environmental Activism à la Android
- OsmAnd+ – Navigation Made Easy
- TimeTable++ Schedule – What's On Today?
- GRAVITY PROJECT – A Better Temple Run?
- AlarmDroid Pro
- Chord! Free (Guitar Chords) – Crazy Chords
- Rail Maze
- Cartoon Wars
- mSecure - Password Manager – The Ultimate Security Service
- Get Taxi – The London Edition
- Akinator the Genie – Omniscience For Android
- Talking Tom Cat 2 Free – Return Of the Cat
- Solitaire – A Classic
- trainANDtrack! – How fit are you?
- Sonos Controller for Android – Music In the Palm Of Your Hand
- Folder Organizer – Tidy smartphone, tidy mind!
- BMX Boy
- IMDb Movies & TV – Films and Telly Galore
- ICQ Messenger – Chat! Chat! Chat!
- Samurai II: Vengeance – Pure Action!
- Remoteless (for Spotify) – Remote Control for Spotify
- Tiki Kart 3D – Does it compare to Mario Kart?
- April (29)
- March (29)
- February (30)
- January (29)
- May (25)
- 2011 (360)
- 2010 (303)
Market Comments
glf, Apr 23, 2012
Great program! Great program, lots of wonderful features, great amount of Usable data to available!
doleboy, Apr 22, 2012
It works! Does what it's supposed to do. Looks good and did not seem to use a lot of resources. Nice!
Ari, Apr 22, 2012
Looks cool but... To use anything that's worthwhile displacing cost. No way I'm paying for a battery icon...
Steve, Apr 22, 2012
Works well I would like to see some color changes for the free app even if the changes are pre-sets and just different shades like the over all graph. This app is a must have when you have heat issues and don't need to use your phone as a toaster.
Mike, Apr 21, 2012
Great little app Can't fault this one, lots of choice with display and looks cool!
Molly, Apr 21, 2012
Closes Worked great until I updated the app. Closes from status bar when I close apps. It didn't do this before. :(
Robbie, Apr 21, 2012
Could use an update It's OK as far as it is and gets the job done but DV should have a shortcut to see what's USING the battery. This was already emailed to him. I don't have the choice of different gauges which was what attracted me. Not the same screens as advertised. No feedback from app.
Kristine, Apr 20, 2012
Simply the best!!! I've had this app on multiple androids & I love it. I tried to see if I liked other apps better and they just don't compare. Most of have widget on the screen instead of status bar which is stupid. Thank You!
You must log in or register now,
to submit a comment!
As a logged in user, you can also change the order of the comments.