Don’t Know Which App To Buy On Your iOS Or Android phone? Ask Verizon

In a first-of-its-kind move, Verizon has decided to review Android apps and provide ratings based on security, data usage, effect on battery life, etc. All Android apps are found on its market, Google Play, which now includes over 700,000 apps. Part of the reason for this large number is that Google does not screen its apps the way its leading competitor Apple does. While this process is targeted at encouraging versatility from all levels of app developers on Google Play, it also means that there are countless sub-standard apps on the market. Verizon has now decided to step in and do something about it.

Every month, Verizon experts will review the top 50 apps from Google Play – 25 free apps and 25 paid apps. They will then be given a rating of “high risk” if the Verizon team thinks that they will affect your smartphone adversely. This move is a first among mobile phone operators, since the onus for app vetting usually relies with the operating system makers. In fact, some may assume that it’s a good thing for the mobile carrier if consumers are using apps, regardless of which apps these are. Usage of apps equals more data consumption, which means higher phone bills! However, Verizon asserts that is trying to provide users a better smartphone experience, not just make money.

Google on its part also has a reviewing system on Google Play itself, but like everything else, these reviews are crowd-sourced and they let the popularity dictate the rankings of their apps. As Verizon has pointed out, this has led many “high risk” apps like Draw Something and Doodle Jump to become favorites among smartphone users. Doodle Jump was chosen on the “high risk” list because leaving the app on drains out the rapidly three times faster, since it prevents the phone from going into sleep mode. Most people wouldn’t even realize this, and may mistakenly blame the phone maker or operator.

Verizon spokesperson, David Samberg, explains that when data bills are high or something unusual happens with the smartphone, the first reaction is to call the mobile carrier – not the software company or the app developer. As the first contact in the customer’s eyes, the demands from companies like Verizon are higher. The operator has also launched a 20 must-have apps list to vouch for safe, phone-friendly apps.