Simple Mobile Tools is the developer behind a suite of open source Android apps that live up to their name, with simple, ad-free user interfaces and features. Simple Voice Recorder has long been my go to recommendation for anyone looking for a no-nonsense way to record voice memos on an Android phone, and the developer also offers useful calendar, music player, notes, file manager, and gallery apps, among others.
Now the creator of Simple Mobile Tools has confirmed that the company has been acquired by ZipoApps, which could bring significant changes to future versions of these apps. Some existing users are not happy.
One of the most likely changes? Expect new versions of the apps to feature ads and data trackers. Most other Android apps from ZipoApps also include ads and/or in-app purchases. , and the Google Play Store listings for some apps like Simple SMS Messenger already show a “Contains ads” message.”
So if you’ve installed any apps from the Simple Mobile Apps suite from the Play Store, don’t be surprised if future updates bring new “features” that you may not be all that happy about.
It’s also likely that updated versions of the apps will no longer be open source. But since all builds of the apps up until now are still available under an open source license, that leaves users with a few options:
Anyone looking at that last option may want to check out FossifyX, which is a new fork of SimpleMobileTools created by Naveen Singh, a long-time contributor to Simple Mobile Tools.
What this means for anyone who bought the company’s Simple Phone-branded smartphone, which launched last year, remains to be seen.
Alex Mitchell is your go-to expert for all things mobile. With a passion for the latest smartphones, apps, and mobile innovations, Alex provides in-depth reviews, insightful analyses, and breaking news about the ever-evolving world of mobile technology. Stay connected with Alex to navigate the fast-paced realm of mobile devices.
