Top 5 Android Wi-Fi Apps

It’s amazing how many 100% free Android apps are out there! And the good news is that you’ll be able to find free, and yet high quality apps in any almost category. Read this article to discover the best apps that will help improve wireless networks.

1. OpenSignal

We all know about apps that act as hotspot finders, but what about apps that also include cellular coverage maps? If you were interested in finding an app like this, OpenSignal may be the perfect solution.

The app has a database which stores the coordinates of hundreds of thousands of cell towers around the world, and it can tell you where to go when you want to get the strongest signal power for your phone. Of course, it’s also a great tool when it comes to discovering the best Wi-Fi networks near you.

My favorite Internet connection speed measuring service can be found at http://www.speedtest.net. Still, it is good to know that OpenSignal also includes a built-in Internet speed meter, social networking features, and more. Currently, it’s got a rating of 4.2 out of 5, coming from over 300,000 people, so it’s definitely an app you don’t want to miss.

2. WiFi Analyzer

This must be one of the most popular Android apps! It’s not a surprise, though, because it’s got an extensive set of features. WiFi Analyzer will… analyze your Wi-Fi signal, what else, telling you all there is to know about it: signal strength, available networks and Wi-Fi channels, less crowded channels, and more.

It’s the perfect tool if you want to boost the coverage of your Wi-Fi network.

3. Network Signal Speed Booster

This app, which was called “Fresh Network Booster” a while ago, aims to boost your phone’s signal. The first logical step is to boost the coverage of your Wi-Fi network, of course, and some people have come up with effective solutions that won’t break the bank. Take this 16 dBi Wi-Fi antenna that you can build on your own, for example; it costs less than ten dollars, and you’re only going to need a few more dollars for a UFL to SMA cable.

Things look differently when you are outside your home, though. Out there, you’re at your phone carrier’s mercy. Fortunately, apps like Network Signal Speed Booster really work, scanning, resetting and reconfiguring your phone’s cellular connection.

I don’t know how they manage to do this, but it really works! In general, the app adds an extra signal bar whenever it is run. And the good news is that you don’t have to go through complex configuration options; simply run it, and then enjoy the signal strength increase.

Some people report that it doesn’t work for them, while others state that they’ve added up to 3 extra signal bars by running it. I say it’s definitely worth a try!

4. ConnectBot

I’m a geek! There, I’ve said it! This is why apps like ConnectBot sound really exciting to me. Network administrators, and even regular people who need remote access to their devices, make use of a Secure Shell (SSH) client.

ConnectBot is reliable and easy to use. It can run several SSH sessions at the same time, creating a secure tunnel for each session. Also, it can copy/paste data from one application to the other.

The app has got keyboard and mouse support, so you can do with it pretty much anything you’d do with a standard SSH client on a Unix-based server.

One more thing: ConnectBot has got a rating of 4.6 out of 5, being voted as a favorite by over 40,000 people. This says quite a bit about the quality of the product.

5. AirDroid

This app can help you control your Android device wirelessly. Simply install the app, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and then you will be able to access your Android device by making use of a standard web browser.

It’s not all about remote control, though; you can use AirDroid for wireless file sharing, regular phone calls, text messages, and more. Install the app and you’ll get a call notification on your PC whenever somebody is calling your Android-based phone.

Then, you can use your computer’s keyboard and mouse to type and perform other operations on your phone. You’ll do the same things you’re used to on your Android device, but you’ll do them much faster!

There are many other important features, but I’ll let you discover them all. OK, here are a few more: the ability to take screenshots on your phone, to locate your lost/stolen phone, remote camera access, etc.

Best Android Phones of 2017

I don’t know about you, but I’m always excited to hear about the release of a new Android phone that I may be able to purchase and test. Sure, we’ve got the high end Google Pixels, which aren’t very affordable, but we’ve also gotten access to a broad array of high quality, inexpensive Android phones.

Just try to buy an iPhone with a large screen and a decent set of features for $300 or so – you simply can’t do that! So let’s see what type of Android flavor you can get for your hard earned money this year.

1. Google Pixel

Let’s start with the expensive Google Pixel; believe it or not, the second version will hit the stores before the end of the year. Yes, you won’t be able to buy it too soon, but if you’ve got the money, it may be worth the wait. If Google plans to release a new version every 12 months, the new phone should be available in October.

So far, we know that Pixel 2 will run using the new Android O operating system; we will find out more about it at Google’s I/O conference in May.

Pixel 2 will be waterproof – a very welcome addition – and it will sport a better camera. The current Pixel and Pixel XL phones are already dustproof, so having a new Pixel that’s also submersible should increase its appeal. Also, some sources say that Google is also secretly working at a less expensive Pixel 2B model.

But let’s see why Pixel’s maker asks $700 (or so) for it in the first place. The screen has a standard 1080×1920 resolution, but the colors are very bright and vibrant.

Google Pixel runs Android 7.1 Nougat. You get an OS that feels as its manufacturer intended, and it shows! As an added bonus, its camera is one of the best out there. Probably the best smartphone camera in the world until now!

Battery life isn’t impressive, though. Google Assistant is clever, but not clever enough. Still, I don’t see this as a real problem; future software iterations will certainly fix most of the annoyances.

Can I get myself convinced that $700 is a fair price for this phone? Probably not; there are several smartphones which offer better value for the money. The one below, for example.

2. OnePlus 3T

Many people simply LOVE the OnePlus 3T, and its $400 price tag doesn’t disappoint either. It’s got a great 5.5-inch screen and 6GB or RAM. Storage capacity starts at 64GB, an example that many phone manufacturers could learn from.

The 3T looks great, and the display stands out. And the big 3,400mAh battery offers more than enough juice to get you through a busy day.

Still, the camera isn’t stellar. I mean, it’s OK, but Google Pixel has a much better one. Other people may not like the absence of a microSD slot, but the 128GB version should have enough storage space for most needs.

3. HTC 10

HTC has always been a serious contender for the Best Android Phone crown. It is the first smartphone on this list to offer an improved 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution, and it shows! HTC 10 makes use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 CPU, which is aided by 4GB or RAM.

The phone feels snappy, looks great and – most of all – sounds fantastic! It’s hands-down the best smartphone for music aficionados.

Just like with the OnePlus model, the camera isn’t the best out there, though. And the $600 price is a bit too big for my liking. I love HTC’s design, but for an extra $100 you are getting the Pixel, after all. Still, if your life is centered around music, this phone has got a special vibe.

4. LG G5

I can still remember the days when LG, named “Lucky Goldstar” back then, was just a TV manufacturer. These days, LG makes lots of great products, including a series of Android-based smartphones which are feature-packed and quite affordable.

I’m telling you, LG is onto something that may change the smartphone world forever. LG G5 is a modular phone, with parts that can be swapped depending on your needs. Want a better camera or an audio board that offers professional features? Just pull out the module at the bottom of the phone and replace it with what you need. The only problem is… LG hasn’t provided any modules yet. I am sure that things will change in the very near future, though.

The G5 has a great looking 1440 x 2560 pixels display, the same Snapdragon 820 CPU and 4GB or RAM. You’d say it’s the standard recipe for success, if it weren’t for the small 32GB of storage and a smaller, 2,800mAh battery.

Still, at $400 you are getting a lot of phone for your money. It may be wise to wait a bit more, though; some insiders think that the G6 is right around the corner.

5. Samsung Galaxy S7

You knew that Galaxy S7 won’t miss from this list, right? Samsung has always created great phones at competitive prices.

It looks like with the S7, Samsung has hit all the right notes: a 1440 x 2560 pixels screen, Snapdragon 820, 4GB of RAM, 32 or 64 MB of storage and a 3,000mAh battery.

The camera is almost as good as the one on the Pixel. Still, the 32 MB version may put off some people. The good news is that you can upgrade storage to 256MB by making use of the existing microSD card slot. Samsung has priced the S7 at a fair $550.