Did you know that the iOS version of Bitstrips uses 403.82MB of data per month on average? It’s an even higher 509.31MB on an Android device! Even SwiftKey, a popular software keyboard for Android devices, can use up about 56.32MB of data per month. For someone on a capped data plan (and that’s still most of us), such information can be very useful to ensure that we don’t end up with extra overage fees every month.
Fortunately, The Wireless Association (CTIA) will make if far easier to figure out how much data mobile apps use with a new service launched yesterday. Much like the FTC’s EnergyGuide ratings for appliances tells us how much energy they use over a month, the CTIA’s KnowMyApp.org website measures much data mobile apps use on average over the course of a month.
While our mobile devices already offer such a service, they only track usage once an app has been installed and running for a while. KnowMyApp.org gives you this information before you install the app. If nothing else, you will know ahead of time whether you need to carefully monitor an app to make sure it does not chew up too much of your data plan.
The CTIA’s KnowMyApp.org allows users to search for apps by name, operating system or category. Information on each app includes:
- How the app was tested
- How much data is used when downloaded, at initialization (both first and subsequent start-ups to analyze caching), during active run time and during background time
- How the app impacts data plans (i.e., 300 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB)
- How users can conserve data usage
The website also provides useful information to app developers to let them know how to minimize data usage and conserve battery life.
“By highlighting those apps and developers that use data efficiently, KnowMyApp.org seeks to guide consumers toward a better user experience. We’re pleased to work with our members and the developer community to accomplish this goal since it’s important to provide apps that use data responsibly to minimize the impact on consumers’ usage as well as on wireless networks, which is fueled by spectrum. With experts predicting continued exponential growth of mobile technology, including apps, everyone – from consumers to developers – should work together to be responsible stewards of our networks and spectrum,” said Steve Largent, President and CEO, CTIA.
KnowMyApp.org currently has information on the top 50 paid and free apps from the Apple and Google app stores. The CTIA plans to continue to add apps every month. It has also invited developers to submit their apps to be tested so they can be included on the website.
Do you worry about how much data your mobile apps use every month? If yes, how do you track data usage? Let us know below.
Source : KnowMyApp.org