ActiveNotifications App for Android Review
One of the highlights of Google’s most anticipated Moto X is its Active Display. Even when the phone screen is locked, it’ll show notifications for calls, messages and more over a black background. An XDA developer has taken this idea and created an app – ActiveNotifications – to run in all Android phones running ICS and above. You can get ActiveNotifications Android app for free from Google Play Store.
ActiveNotifications App Features
ActiveNotifications app for Android displays notifications on lock screen over a minimal background. It displays a lock icon and the most recent notification along with a related count. Of course, like other notification apps, ActiveNotifications also need to be enabled in the accessibility menu. From the app settings, you can disable any apps that you don’t want notifications from on the lock screen. You simply tap on an app icon in the list to change/vary how notifications for it are handled. For easy comprehension, the notification-enabled apps are listed with a blue outline while the disabled ones with an Orange one.
In Android ActiveNotifications app, you got only two interactions; swipe up to the notification icon or swipe down to unlock. Swipe left or right to dismiss a notification. Further, if you have a unlock code or pattern enforced it will also pull up the related security prompts before proceeding further. Keep in mind, the app requires Device Administrator access for smooth functioning. The black screen conserves energy. The background looks great on AMOLED screens even though it works fine on other screens as well.
Further, ActiveNotifications will not turn on the screen or light up notifications while your mobile devices is in your pocket, purse or is placed face down on some surface. Such a feature prevents accidental unlocking of the phone. The app uses 22 MB RAM while running, which is reasonable. ActiveNotifications is compatible with Android OS versions 4.0 and up.
Conclusion
ActiveNotifications app for Android effectively clones Moto X’s Active Display to the ‘T’. It works fine and the black background on which notifications are displayed helps to conserve energy. You have the option to handpick the apps for which you require notifications so that the lock screen is never inundated with unwanted notifications. It is also thoughtful from developers’ part to keep the screen turned off for certain phone orientations to prevent accidental unlocking. The UI is simple at best. Verdict: Check it out.
Category: Free Android Apps
