Abstract: A system includes a ratings server that receives the list of top applications from a source external to the ratings server and selects at least a subset of the top applications based at least in part on a rank of each of the top applications in the list. The system further includes a test server that tests at least one characteristic of each of the subset of top applications selected by the ratings server and outputs a rating representing the at least one characteristic. The ratings server determines a behavior of each of the subset of top applications based on the rating and publishes the behavior of the subset of top applications for access by a user over a communication network.

Abstract: A device may identify an exhibited idle mode current draw according to test results representative of measured current usage associated with execution of an application under test on a test mobile device in communication with a live communications network of a network service provider; determine a battery consumption rating associated with the application under test according to the idle mode current draw and predetermined rating criteria; and update a listing of application ratings based on the determined battery consumption rating of the application under test.

Abstract: To reduce the contribution of data communications for background applications to network congestion, the examples implement techniques in which congestion detection leads a mobile device to impose restriction on data communications by any application running in the background. The mobile device may detect congestion and/or the need to restrict background data communications in response to a message or instruction received from a node of the network; or the mobile device may itself more directly detect congestion from monitoring and analysis of device/network interaction behavior and trends. Upon detecting congestion, the mobile device turns on a background data restriction. For example, with the restriction on, all applications only running in the background without direct user interaction are blocked from sending requests for data communication to/through the network. However, with the restriction active, the mobile device can still provide data communication in response to user interaction with the device.

Abstract: To reduce the contribution of data communications for background applications to network congestion, the examples implement techniques in which congestion detection leads a mobile device to impose restriction on data communications by any application running in the background. The mobile device may detect congestion and/or the need to restrict background data communications in response to a message or instruction received from a node of the network; or the mobile device may itself more directly detect congestion from monitoring and analysis of device/network interaction behavior and trends. Upon detecting congestion, the mobile device turns on a background data restriction. For example, with the restriction on, all applications only running in the background without direct user interaction are blocked from sending requests for data communication to/through the network. However, with the restriction active, the mobile device can still provide data communication in response to user interaction with the device.

Abstract: A system includes a ratings server that receives the list of top applications from a source external to the ratings server and selects at least a subset of the top applications based at least in part on a rank of each of the top applications in the list. The system further includes a test server that tests at least one characteristic of each of the subset of top applications selected by the ratings server and outputs a rating representing the at least one characteristic. The ratings server determines a behavior of each of the subset of top applications based on the rating and publishes the behavior of the subset of top applications for access by a user over a communication network.

Abstract: A device may identify an exhibited idle mode current draw according to test results representative of measured current usage associated with execution of an application under test on a test mobile device in communication with a live communications network of a network service provider; determine a battery consumption rating associated with the application under test according to the idle mode current draw and predetermined rating criteria; and update a listing of application ratings based on the determined battery consumption rating of the application under test.