If you're using a service that allows 2-step authentication -- GMail and Dropbox are a couple of high-profile names -- you really ought to be using it. There's a lot to be said for the extra layer of security it provides. This isn't a post on how to activate 2-step authentication. This is all about Authomator, probably the best way to manage your 2-step authentication codes on BlackBerry 10.
There isn't a lot to the app itself, there doesn't need to be. But it's really nicely designed, and just proves that utility apps can look great too. The main screen of the app lists all your accounts and the currently active codes for each one. Each account allows you to add a custom title for it too over and above just the registered email address.
Adding accounts can be done manually by adding the necessary keys, or if your service provider allows the use of a QR code, Authomator will scan that instead. One point worth noting, when setting this up in GMail hit 'Android' as the mobile app selection. This brings up the QR code, hitting BlackBerry still refers to BBOS devices. QR scanning is lightning quick, and in a matter of just a second or so you have the first codes up in front of you. Better still, if you're using an app on your phone that requires the entry of a code, just copy it to the clipboard and paste it in. As the codes are time based, as their time begins to run out, a nice little indicator starts to change colour and warn you of this.
And then we get to the best part. Because this is a properly designed, native BlackBerry 10 application, it has an active frame. While the app is free to download, an in-app purchase is required to upgrade to get the active frame along with removing the advertising. It's worth it, really it is. If you rely on these codes heavily, the convenience of being able to display them on your home screen in this way is brilliant. Now, if only we could pin active frames…
Authomator is a great example of an app that would have been so easy to implement function without thinking about design. The developers have scored on both fronts, and made a great looking 2-step authentication utility. And the final word, take a look below at Authomator sat side by side with Google's Authenticator app on Android. I know which one I'll be using from now on.
More information/download Authomator for BlackBerry 10
Read more
Sound Scheme for BB10 takes your OS notifications to the next level!
With Sound Scheme for BlackBerry 10, you can always be alerted of events happening on your device. Like sound schemes in Windows or MacOS, Sound Scheme for BlackBerry 10 allows you to customize almost all OS events with a sound notification.
Hands-on with Hub2Watch for BlackBerry 10
If you're a Pebble smartwatch user, Hub2Watch is an app you'll want to get. It was released recently and goes hand-in-hand with Talk2Watch Pro. While Talk2Watch is by far the best third party Pebble app we have for BlackBerry 10, there are still some limitations in terms of notifications and Hub2Watch helps to bring more notifications to your wrist. Follow on as we go hands-on with...
The top social apps for BlackBerry 10
When it comes to social applications for BlackBerry 10 we've pretty much got access to them all now since OS 10.2.1 allows for the easy installation of Android APK's. Of course, there are a few that will automatically be at the top of the list - such as BBM, Facebook, Twitter, foursquare and LinkedIn - all of which are native to BlackBerry 10. Most of us will be more than acquainted...
CascaRun Sports Tracker gets updated with some BlackBerry OS 10.2.1 fixes and more
The Built for BlackBerry 10 sports tracking application, CascaRun, has received an update this week and with it brings some additional language enhancements as well as a tweak for users running OS 10.2.1 who were experiencing issues. For those of you that like to track your sports activities CascaRun is the perfect way to do so whether you are into running, cycling, hiking etc. The...