Why trust GreenbotThe site is known for offering apps before the play store. It’s the go-to site for software tear-downs, often finding hidden or upcoming features in the latest Android OS releases. If you’re aching to know what won’t tell you about Android, you’ll likely find it at Android Police. Inspired by the site and its intrepid team of bloggers. This is why we asked Artem Russakovskii to chat with us for our Android Influencers series. Here’s what he has to say about the site’s infamous AI tear-downs and what he thinks the Android blogosphere lacks.
Android Police is famous for its AI tear-downs. When did you guys start tearing apart apps, and why? How do you decide who does what?
Russakovski: Started tearing down. Apps in mid-2012, once Ron Amadeo. Note: former reviewer extraordinaire. I have done the first few; people obviously liked this content. It’s between rumors and facts, stuff found in Al teardowns, and based on facts, it’s not guaranteed.
Until Ron’s departure to Ars Technica, he was the primary teardown master. When he left, I formed a teardown team. Currently 6 people strong and all with skills of doing or aiding in doing complete teardowns. Once a new AI arrives, whoever is available jumps in and starts poking around.
Does most of your team have a development background? Is that a criterion for working at Android Police?
Russakovski: I have a background in Computer Science. Before starting at Android Police, I was a software engineer. System Administrator, Database Administrator. These skills are instrumental in running a self-hosted site dealing with developer-oriented topics. Three other team members are currently developers as well.
While it’s not a criterion for working, having a developer background is a huge plus.
What do you think the Android blogosphere is lacking, what does it desperately need?
Russakovski: A higher standard for posting rumors and passing off stories as news is needed. Still, it is, unfortunately, frequently traded for page views instead. Some sites are guilty of this more than others; we constantly pass on stories deemed unreliable and full of fluff. One thing I’d love to see is a comprehensive, up-to-date list of rumors, their origins, and their statuses. Sourced is an attempt to do just that, but it needs more data users.
How long have you personally been an Android user?
Russakovski: I started using Android in 2009 with the HTC Hero.
What’s the phone you’re currently sporting and why?
Russakovski: I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 after voting down the Nexus 5 last October. I plan to switch to a OnePlus; I’m tired of carrier locks. Touch bloat, slow updates, eventual abandonment. I picked the Note 3 because it was, at the time, one of the best devices in the phablet range. Which is the size I prefer.
What’s one app you can’t live without?
Russakovski: FolderSync is a must for anyone looking to sync files between various storage mediums on their Android devices. It’s highly configurable and is usually one of the first apps I install.
