More About Permissions and AK Notepad
With the latest update a lot of people are signing up for AK Notepad accounts for the first time, and asking about the permissions they give when creating an account.
Last week we posted a summary of the permissions we ask for when a Catch account is created, and many of the same reasons apply for AK Notepad.
Here are the permissions we request, and why we ask for them.
NETWORK COMMUNICATION
Full Internet Access
Allows the app to create network sockets.
Why? AK Notepad offers syncing functionality that allows users to have their notes backed up to Catch.com for access on the web and all of their devices.
STORAGE
Modify/Delete USB Storage Contents; Modify/Delete SD Card Contents
Allows the app to write to the USB storage. Allows the app to write to the SD card.
Why? AK Notepad has an option in Settings to export all of your notes to separate text files on USB storage or SD card.
The following permissions are under the “Hide >>” control in Google Play, as Google considers these permissions to be minor and not of concern to most users.
YOUR ACCOUNTS
Discover Known Accounts
Allows the app to get the list of accounts known by the tablet. Allows the app to get the list of accounts known by the phone.
Why? AK Notepad uses this permission to pre-fill Catch account sign-in forms so the user does not have to type them in.
HARDWARE CONTROLS
Control Vibrator
Allows the app to control the vibrator.
Why? AK Notepad allows the user to optionally have the device vibrate when reminder notifications occur.
NETWORK COMMUNICATION
View Network State
Allows the app to view the state of all networks.
Why? AK Notepad uses this permission to tell whether or not the user’s device has internet connectivity for syncing. This helps us reduce battery usage.
SYSTEM TOOLS
Automatically Start at Boot
Allows the app to have itself started as soon as the system has finished booting. This can make it take longer to start the tablet and allow the app to slow down the overall tablet by always running. This can also make it take longer to start the phone and allow the app to slow down the overall phone by always running.
Why? AK Notepad does not run its main application on boot. It only runs a lightweight, one-time service that ensures that if the user has any upcoming reminder notes set to go off, their alarm schedules are set in the device’s memory. After this, it is done running.