Temptations are everywhere, especially on your computer. And to help keep you accountable there have been a number of businesses who have created software for your computer that alerts your accountability partner about your online activity.
But what about staying safe on your mobile device?
That’s where something like a mobile accountability app comes into play…
Enter Double Agent!
Double Agent is an Android app that monitors your web browsing, search, and app installation activity and reports that data in a weekly email to anyone you’d like. There are no monthly fees. Just search “accountability” in the Android Market and Double Agent will be the only result.
The app runs in the background (thanks to the wonders of Android) and quietly monitors your activity without getting in the way. Because Double Agent uses less processing power than the standard Android keyboard, it won’t slow your device down at all. We’ve tested on old G1 phones and the latest Nexus One and Droid Incredible and performance isn’t effected in any way.
No Loop Holes
Due to the nature of the Android OS, it *is* possible to deactivate the app, but performing any action in the browser, search, or downloading a new app from the Market will reactivate Double Agent immediately. There’s no way to “dodge” or “cheat” the app into not monitoring your activity.
You can delete the app altogether, but your accountability partner(s) will know that you’ve deleted the app from your phone because of how our email system is setup.
Finally, Double Agent keeps an icon in the notification bar to let the user know that it’s running and monitoring your activity. We’ve also built in a handful of fun notification warnings that lighten the mood.
Top Five Features:
- Monitoring – We track the *right* information and allows private data to remain private. We don’t track emails, SMS, photos, etc. because we don’t believe those are pertinent to an accountability relationship. (We might release an “pro” version that tracks MUCH more data and could be used by employers to track more data on company-issued devices.)
- Reporting – Happens via a weekly email to as many addresses (people) as you want. This is automated and runs from our servers that are setup in a cloud application environment for ongoing reliability, no matter how many emails are being sent each week for all of our users.
- Privacy – Although our servers handle the weekly email processing, we don’t store any of your data. Once it has been emailed, the data is wiped from our servers.
- Lightweight – Double Agent runs quietly in the background so it can grab an accurate accounting of your activity, but it uses less power than the Android keyboard and won’t bog down your phone at all.
- Reminders – With the cute Double Agent icon in the notification bar at all times, you’ll be naturally discouraged from visiting harmful or inappropriate websites, searching for the wrong thing, or downloading a bad app. After all, what good is monitoring software if it ONLY gets you in trouble but doesn’t keep you OUT of trouble.
Check it out if you’re interested!
Stephen Bateman says
From that description, this looks like the best, most effective mobile accountability software that’s come out…I’m really impressed.
John Saddington says
i think it’s pretty neat too.
Andre Barnes says
I have never tried one of these in my life, it may be that time! lol
John Saddington says
now is a better time than never.
PhillipGibb says
nice one, no one is perfect so when these trials come, it is good to have tools like that to help you stay afloat
Rivan says
any idea what happened to the links? I get a 404…
John Saddington says
hmm. have to check that out.
Joseph says
Looks like “Double Agent” just became “X3 Watch” for Android. Got the update notice on my phone. Details here: http://x3watch.com/x3watchandroid.html
Christina says
i typed this into my market search bar and it didn’t show up at all… i even typed in double agent and still not one of the results listed… What’s the deal?
Joseph says
“Double Agent” became “X3 Watch” for Android. Details here: http://x3watch.com/x3watchandroid.html
bloodymurderlive says
DoubleAgent was the most awesome smartphone accountability software … It even brought some levity to the woefully heavy subject with funny little comments in the notifications bar.
I’m sorry that xxxchurch ever bought the software. They’ve completely botched its once-perfect execution. Their lack of discretion is breathtaking. Now, there’s a big “X3” in the notification bar at all times, branding me for anyone looking at my phone’s screen. Pull down the notification bar, and you immediately see a big message saying:
“X3Watch is active. Personal accountability from XXXchurch.com”
Thanks, guys. That’s exactly what I want to be advertising to anyone and everyone touching my phone even briefly (like the Verizon person last night who helped me switch numbers on my phone).
It seems to me that xxxchurch couldn’t get over the shock value that they hold so dear to maintain the same – or ANY – level of discretion that helped make DoubleAgent perfect in the first place.
Frankly, I’m heartbroken. I’m branded. I’m back to having to hide things (like my phone). Thanks, xxxchurch. I’m sure you can’t hear me, and I’m sure you wouldn’t listen anyways, cause I’m just little ole branded me.
Tim Paquin says
How do I purchase Double Agent Accountability App?
I can’t find where I sign up.
Thanks,
Tim
Eric Dye says
I think they may have renamed it: http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cc.updatable.doubleagent&hl=en
bloodymurderlive says
Yeah, and the new name, plus the non-optional status bar icon, gives you away to anyone who looks at your phone. Plus, say bye bye to the charming status bar messages when you do things like open the web browser, which used to keep the accountability thing light-hearted. I hate that this app was bought out and then ruined… It used to be discrete and uplifting. Now, it gives away your business and has ZERO personality to keep things light. I’ve told the new owners, but they honestly do not give a crap. And now I don’t use it anymore. Sorry, but I don’t want people asking me why I have a freaking app with 3 X’s in its name.
Jerks.
Eric Dye says
#sadness