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When the Going Gets Really Tough - AppMonster Pro
Tested version: 1.8.3
Latest version: 2.5.1
Requires Android: from 1.6
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Summary
Sometimes an app update can do more harm than good: either something goes awry or the whole thing flakes out on you… and everything had been going so well up until the update! Then there are those days when the only solution is to wipe everything and reinstall all of your apps.
Sound familiar? Okay, that means you’ve been paying attention! And yes—you’re right a few days ago I reviewed the free version of AppMonster. Today we’re featuring the pay-for version AppMonster Pro that has even more to offer.
Features & Use
Section rating:
Test device: HTC Wildfire
Android version: 2.1
As of: 1.6
Permissions: Absolutely clean
I bet every Android user has had to go through the kind of scenario described in the teaser—either directly or indirectly. Are you prepared? AppMonster can’t help you avoid these types of situations, but it’s specialized in helping you muddle your way back out of said sorry state.
After starting AppMonster Pro it lists all of the apps you’ve got installed. Displaying the list takes a few seconds as all system data has to be processed: which versions of which apps have been installed, how much space do they take up (including their data), when were they installed, etc. The list’s default arrangement is by installation date (newest apps at the top of the list), but you can change this via the menu if you want (arrange according to size, alphabetically). This gives you a good overview of what you’ll be dealing with.
You can access actions via the context menu of each app-entry, which means you can start, uninstall, and save apps, as well as search for them in the Market, display additional information, or recommend them to your friends (via calendar, mail/Gmail, SMS, Twitter… depending on which apps are installed on your phone). If you’ve installed an app it’s a good idea to save the *.apk file to your SD card. But why should you waste your time doing this manually? AppMonster Pro can take over for you and do it automatically after every installation and every update, provided that’s what’s programmed in configurations. This means that you have to save everything that’s important to you once and then kick back and relax—that’s one of the bonuses that come with the pay-for version.
If you haven’t yet backed your apps up make use of the Save function when you first start using this app, and tap on More in order to read up on the app itself (English only).
You probably noticed the Install option in the menu, right? Well, you probably won’t need to make use of it just yet: it is to be used in sticky situations such as the ones described in the teaser. Whether you’ve just installed an older version of the app that got scr*wed up when you updated it or wiped everything clean—AppMonster Pro has saved everything for you (including *.apk), provided you made backups (or the Monster has done it for you in the case of the pro version). This means you won’t have to comb through the Market, but can reinstall apps at your leisure. Another alternative is to use Batch-Install. Wait until the list has been completed, tap on menu until you see Batch Install and select all *.apk files that start actions—and kick your feet up once more! Another pro perk. Whichever version you’re using, it’s important to remember that this can only work if you saved the files, not just the Market links, because otherwise you can only reinstall via the Market (i.e. the current version, provided the app hasn’t been removed altogether), which means you can’t install the previous version.
When you press the Install button the app switches to install-mode: AppMonster scans the SD card for available *.apk files / Market links and then asks you if you’d like to install them. Previously installed apps are displayed as such—the third bonus that comes with the pro version. The fourth bonus is an easy search tool even when you’ve got lots saved: the first letter suffices to help find what you’re looking for.
Bottom line: AppMonster Pro really is an app in shining armor in a lot of annoying situations.
BTW: If you’re still hesitating about whether or not to go for the pro version… what can I say, it’s your loss. Give the free version a go, but be warned that the four bonus featured mentioned above only come with the pro version… But it will let you get to know the Monster without having to splurge.
I was hesitating between giving this app a 4 or 5 star rating, but went for the full monty as I’d already awarded the free version 4 stars and pro has a lot more to offer.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
You won’t have any trouble getting used to AppMonster Pro. It’s designed in a logical and straightforward way that makes it easy to access all relevant function.
The configuration was also designed intelligently: you choose if the app should keep the same sorting mode for the next time you use it, if app/installer icons should be displayed or hidden (hiding them makes the process a bit faster)…
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
It does take a bit of time for the list to appear—but you can’t blame AppMonster Pro for that, it simply takes time for the information to gather. Aside from this the app runs really smoothly. The current version didn’t crash, expect for one time when I was using the test version a few days ago, but that’s it and I’ve been using AppMonster Pro for months.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
AppMonster can be downloaded for free from the Market. AppMonster Pro costs EUR 1,77—and it’s worth it IMHO. The app is updated regularly and the support is great—five star rating in this department!
Comparable Apps
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AppMonster
AppMonster is the Application Manager for Android. With AppMonster you can easily (...)
AppMonster is the Application Manager for Android. With AppMonster you can easily (...)
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Market Comments
r3d, May 13, 2012
Essential I flash ROMs a lot on a couple of phones & Appmonster is the first app downloaded from G Play. Excellent backup tool!
Doug, May 13, 2012
Greatest backup app ever. This is an invaluable tool for backing up and reinstalling any version of your apps.
Denis , May 11, 2012
Brilliant Great brilliant and brilliant again. One of the best apps I,ve ever tried. Easy 5 out of 5. Good as it gets.
scentman, May 11, 2012
SCENTMAN Very good to excellent app. Can manage everything with it and it has NEVER failed. I uninstall....update....and install within the app. Should be the DEFAULT File Manager on ALL phones.
Rod, May 10, 2012
Wtf Internet permission is so the app can perform "copy protection", ie the app calls home! Funny how the author is concerned about protecting his app yet has no issues helping defeat copy protection for other apps! Uninstalled!
Mark, May 10, 2012
Outstanding It would get 5 stars if it could also backup and restore app settings and data.
Dr. Piranha, May 4, 2012
DRM is bad There is no way I'd ever update any software i own, so that i could give the developer the luxury of installing DRM (copy protection) into my app. You show me any, and i mean any piece of software that is copy protected, whether it is on Android or anywhere else imaginable. And I'll immediately point you towards a pirated cracked version of that app. Does that mean I condone stealing someone's hard work and IP? Absolutely not. In fact, I'm a developer. But I'm smart enough to know that the only thing adding DRM to my software is going to do, is frustrate and anger the very people who are legally buying it and paying my bills. Now in what world does that make sense? There are copies of my apps sitting on share sites right now. It doesn't make me happy at all. But instead of angering the people who actually buy my apps, I instead just keep focusing on providing a quality product and live with the fact that i know if i do that I'll end with more sales anyways, as opposed to losing customers who are frustrated with the pointless DRM I've thought was necessary to add to my apps. It's sad that some developers still don't see this and see how pointless it truly is in the end, while you risk frustrating the very people who do support you the right way.
Michael, May 4, 2012
Exciting! Been a little while since we'd seen an update...looks great so far! Now to clear a few things up: The icon is fine. It's called "Appmonster" people! To the "Bernie Madoff" guy, this had me back to normal VERY quickly after a hard reset. Batch install of backups works perfect. What app2sd program doesn't point you to the native function? The internet permission is to make sure you bought the app. Who needs to backup system apps? I thought the challenge was getting rid of them? Version history!!!
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