Android is largely an open ecosystem and sometimes it seems like too many things are happening there at the same time. The most effective way to know what is going on behind-the-screen is having an Assistant. Yes, we are talking about the Android Assistant with over 17 new features!

Developed by Aaron Smith, this app really packs-in a punch with all the bells and whistles. Android smartphones are packed to the gill in terms of memory, RAM, processors, so an app acting as an assistant is a big boon for advanced as well as causal users.

Many times smartphones run a host of background apps that slow up the phone, drain the battery quick, produce glitches during multitasking, or interfere with the data connection. Here comes in Android Assistant, which helps the users to keep a complete check on all the background processes and unnecessary actions using up the device resources.

The app has 17 features that would help users to keep track of progress manager, cache cleaner (system & browser cache), file manger, battery use, volume control, ringer, startup time, system info, system clean-up and many more. The features that really place all the power into the hands of users.

The app is loaded to the gills just like the high-end Android monsters we all love and is a must-have app for every advanced user, as well as users just wanting to play around. A great option for Android 2.2 and above is the additional option to move the app to the SD card via the APP 2 SD applications. Overall a great administrative tool with perfect tool integration.

Related Links:
Android Assistant on Android Market

iOS is one of the most versatile smartphone ecosystems, but the entire Apple restriction scene bogs it down for advanced users. Thankfully there are third-party apps such as iDownload PLUS, a free download manager for iOS developed by AppFactor and said to be one of the most powerful and swiftest download managers on the App Store.

iDownload PLUS removes the restrictions on the number of download files at one time. This is a major plus point for all iOS users on an unlimited data plan.

iDownload PLUS gives users the option to download files, images, texts directly from the Safari browser. Also, a great addition is the ability to share links, texts, images on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, MySpace with just a tap. Version 1.3.8 also adds the ability to share via SMS feature.

iDownload PLUS adds a plethora of in-app options and is great for people who work on-the-go. So, users can now view documents in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point, txt, htm, html, rtf file formats. Users cannot edit them, but surely can view them anytime. Also iDownload PLUS supports unzipping of RAR and ZIP files on the device itself and that is quite a neat feature. The app also adds a Live-Download bar with information on file size, download speed, and progress bar.

Audio and Video player also got some slick additions. Video in .mp4, .m4v, and .mov formats can be directly played on the device and there is the added functionality for TV-out display. In addition, users can now save album-art associated with mp3 files to the photo gallery all while having the option of adding their own custom image. A feature common to both audio and video is scrubbing, with upto 42x speed in landscape mode and upto 28x speed in portrait mode.

The app speeds up the entire download process and manages it quite well, including an option to pause, cancel and resume download at any point of time without a hiccup.

iDownload Plus adds a multitude of functions to the device. My personal favorite is the Passcode lock feature which locks the app with a password, even when the app is in active state. Multitasking support is a relief and not only do downloads run in the background, audio can also be played and controlled when the app runs in the background.

Overall, iDownload PLUS is a great app and a must have for every iOS device owner who hates restrictions. The amount of options really nails the developers statement that the app itself is the best download manger out there. The app also has a paid version at an offer price of $1.99 (original price is $4.99), but there is no mentioned difference or added functionality between the two.

Related Links:
Developer Website
iDownload PLUS Paid version
AppFactor on Facebook

Looking for a DJing software, but all you could find is either too complicated to use or hefty on the pocket? No worries, here is Mixxx; an open-source, free DJ software that punches everything from live performance to casual mixing in the house.

Mixxx really has the perfect combination of tools for a rookie entering the DJ scene. Hot cues, looping control, cross-faders, pitchers - you name it and its there in the user-friendly interface to get you started without breaking a sweat.

The software also loads folders, where you usually store music files. So if iTunes is your game, then Mixxx will instantly load up your entire iTunes library for easy and full-access.

Experienced mixers will also find it helpful to have the BPM estimation feature, as well as the way to detect the BPM. The software is simple to use, and since it's new updated version was released songs can be now dragged from the library and be placed in the cue with one move of the mouse. What the software desperately needs though is a real-time fullscreen mode, and not the windowed mode UI that gets quite annoying after extended time of use.

Users get a choice of different UI schemes to choose from according to their comfort levels. Overall, this DJ software is a good bet for the casual mixings and is very helpfull for picking up the basics of DJing; all without making you go through the trouble of buying a professional DJ turntable.

With ability for Live broadcast via Darkice and Icecast2, recording of mixes, live-editing, syncing and everything you expect from a DJ console, Mixxx is one the best bets for everyone looking for a DJing alternative software for free. Available on the Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms.

Related Links:
Mixxx Official Website
Mixxx on Wikipedia
Mixxx DJ tutorials on Facebook
Mixxx tutorials on Threadbox

Creevity is a program designed to track the album art of mp3 music files and acts as a helping hand in the organisation of a music library. All it takes is one click. Furthermore, ‘no matter to which folder you move your mp3 file, the saved cover will always be there for you’.

With its simple interface, this program can be accessed by everyone. All one has to do is select the programs file menu, add a desired folder and then pick from a list of suggestions.

Creevity not only allows you to add album covers to mp3s; it also enables a user to change, delete or add alternative images to an mp3 file. A user can update an image whenever they want. Furthermore, Creevity has extended compatibility. Covers will be shown in Windows, Mac, Windows Media Player, iTunes and many other players. This ensures that most people will be able to utilize this useful form of freeware.

In a similar way to Itunes, Creevity enables a user to rate their music. Like Itunes, this is through a star rating system. This function allows a user to prioritise their music and it organises all of their favourite music into a single category.

Overall, Creevity is designed to make life easier for the owners of messy mp3 collections. Personally, I believe that this program definitely achieves its aim. Put an end to the untidiness of an mp3 library and download this free program!

Related Links:
Creevity's Website
Creevity on Snapfiles.com

Having a slow computer can be pretty annoying. This is especially true if you work fast and wish your programs would open at one click of a mouse. If you suspect that there's simply too much junk that's causing your system to move like molasses, then try out System Ninja.

This nifty tool is designed to do a thorough sweep of your system; getting rid of all the unwanted junk you've accumulated from visiting and downloading various things onto your computer. Of course, it's features don't stop there, you can expect so much more from this little program apart from a simple cleanup.

The System Ninja works fast. When you run it, the program will go through all of your files and check almost everything that's burrowed in your system. From cookies, temporary internet files to recent documents and history, this handy software won't leave any stone unturned.

Using the program is also pretty easy. All you need to do is download and install it. Then simply click the Scan Drive option and it should work right off the bat. A list of everything that the program considers junk will show up. You'll have the option to tick or untick the ones you would like to keep or delete. Keep in mind though that the system does not create an automatic backup so always double check items you're not sure about.

Apart from functioning as a cleaner, the system also includes a Startup Manager and a Process Manager so you can keep an eye out for the apps that launch on startup or ones that are currently working.

The program is quite effective in what it does. It is pretty easy to use and doesn't require any complicated process. The best part of course, is that it's offered absolutely free.

Related Links:
System Ninja on Cnet
System Ninja on The Web Atom
System Ninja on Download Crew
System Ninya on Wipe Your Data

From the get-go, it's obvious what The Unarchiver does. It can easily unzip or unpack any files that you want. Even though the program might have an unimaginative name, it gets the job done without much trouble and complaint.

The program was developed by Dag Agren and available for free download on the Mac App Store. It works great on Mac but it's also possible to run it on Windows or Linux. You just have to follow a few things before you can get it up and running.

It's a nifty little tool that's easy to navigate and understand.  Best of all, you can easily open any file you have since it supports a great selection of formats.

With this tool, it's easy to open any type of file format. Some of the basic formats it can accommodate are the following:  RAR, 7-zip, Zip, Tar, Gzip and Bzip2. Older formats like DiskDoubler, ARC and ARJ can also be accommodated by this little program. Apart from the usual file formats, it goes out of its way to even open certain ISO or even Windows .EXE installers. It definitely provides users enough of a leeway when it comes to the files they want opened.

Another cool feature is that it can even open files that are encoded in another language without corrupting the data. Oftentimes, similar programs will garble up the content when opening. With The Unarchiver, you won't have to worry so much about this happening.

When you open a file, you can easily control which folders you want the files to be stored. It also has a good preference section that you can tinker with so it can be made suitable for your needs. Definitely a simple but very helpful program you need to have.

Related Links:
The Unarchiver on iTunes
The Unarchiver Official Website
The Unarchiver on MacUpdate
The Unarchiver on Mac World

Tired of crashing computers or accidentally losing files? Then hit up MiniTool Power Data Recovery software and say goodbye to lost-file problems once and for all. This powerful little freeware can easily find all of your lost files in an instant.

Using the program doesn't require a technical background, in fact, almost anybody can go ahead and power it up. It provides easy to follow steps on how to recover files or data back. This nifty program keeps everything simple and logical that you won't even break a sweat trying to figure out which buttons to push. 

The program has several distinctive features that sets it apart from other recovery tools. The most useful one is that it recovers files even from formatted disks. Unlike other programs that can only recover lost files that are deleted from the drive, the Power Data Recovery digs deep and searches for lost files in damaged or formatted drives.

It also works on CDs, DVDs, memory sticks and flash drives. Pretty much, any type of file that you want to recover from almost any type of storage device can be found. To help make it more efficient, the program lets you choose which type of device you want to recover data from. These five options include: Undelete Recovery, Damaged Partition Recovery, Lost Partition Recovery, Digital Media Recovery and CD/DVD Recovery. Each one of these help to make recovering files from specific places a breeze.

Overall, the program is definitely worth downloading. It's packed with features and does an efficients job at finding lost files. It'll certainly help lessen out headaches in the future.

Related Links:
MiniTool Power Data Recovery Official Website
MiniTool Power Data Recovery on CNET
MiniTool Power Data Recovery on DownloadPlex

Okozo ensures that your desktop is never boring by livening it up with movement and interaction. Using this form of freeware, a user is able to embed interactive calendars and clocks onto their desktop, along with many other things that can be pulled from the net.

Animations are flash based and unlike WMV based desktop animations, Okozo animations require minimal CPU usage and memory. This deems it more practical when compared to ‘Dreamscenes’ and similar programs.

On top of this, animations are extremely stylish and neat. It is easy to imagine that an animated and interactive desktop could become overwhelming at times. Do not worry, this isn’t the case for Okozo. Its animations are fairly subtle and are only noticeable if focused on.

There are two downsides to Okozo. Firstly, it can only play ‘.okozo’ files, meaning that popular files like ‘.SWF’ must be converted in order to be used by Okozo. This can be done on the official Okozo website and a user must wait until the site converts the file. Secondly, at the moment, there is only a moderate amount of selection and a user is only given a limited amount of power in customizing the designs.

Overall, Okozo is an excellent program, it is easy to use, light, free and it is definitely worth a shot. As Okozo grows older, I am sure that more desktop animations will become available and the program will improve. It is one of the most advanced programs of its kind and it will definitely enhance your desktop.

Related Links:
Okozo's on Website
Okozo on Snapfiles.com
Okozo on Cnet.com
Okozo on Brothersoft.com