At it’s press event earlier this week, Google debuted Android 4.3 which was released that day with some great features. Today, tech blog Android Police has discovered a hidden feature called App Ops that allows the user selectively disable permissions for some apps in order to keep battery life to the maximum and rid the user of pesky prompts.
Even better is that someone similarly discovered the feature and created a third party app so those users who wish to access App Ops don’t have to jump through hoops to arrive there. Simply download the app, available here, and it will automatically launch the permissions manager where App Ops is found.
Once there, the user will see that all of their apps and permissions are broken down into four easily distinguishable categories: Personal, Location, Messaging, and Device. Simply choose an app, tape the on/off button, and voilŕ! The user’s app is still completely functional without annoyingly draining your device.
It is noteworthy to mention, though, that some apps must be used or activated before the App Ops feature is available to them. Android Police uses the example of the Facebook app. Some permissions appear when the user, say, when the app is first engaged with, when the user imports contacts, or when the user posts a snapshot from their camera.
As is the case with the Facebook app, many apps will force the user to track down each permission individually, which is the likely reason Google still has it hidden. Engadget thinks that Google will make the feature publicly available once kinks like his are ironed out.
Other highlights of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean include multi-user restricted profiles which limits access to specified content, a sound for aspect of sale systems and kiosks, for example. Security is in play here as it works for parental controls too. Bluetooth Low-Energy support will easily pair Android 4.3 with a fitness sensor for the workout-aholics out there.
For those who have downloaded Android 4.3, let us know how your experience with the updated OS has been in the comments section below.
[Screenshots via Android Police]
