James Bond may be a true master with all his gadgets, his combat skills, and his seductive charm, but he is also a master at selling movies. Real life presents a more problematic view of espionage, with governments and agencies wreaking real havoc. That doesn't stop us from playing at "secret agent" with our Android devices, though, using one of these five apps.
Inevitably, cinema must present a romanticized version of what we know as spying, and over the years, that version has incorporated common elements like mobile devices. Of course, some screenwriters go too far when they suggest the possibility of launching a nuclear missile with a smartphone. The relationship between smartphones and "modern" espionage is worrying. Without a doubt, there are intelligence agencies specially prepared to intercept and/or extract information from these devices, but today we're going to reverse the roles. Can a user "spy" on someone with an app downloaded from the Android store? Of course, the answer to that question is no... although it all depends on how you interpret the word "spy". What if the idea is to take a photo without anyone noticing, or try to listen in on a conversation? In that case, well...
Secret Agent
Half joke, half toolkit, Secret Agent offers a series of functions grouped under an interface that will make you feel like a secret agent. SOS mode for the flashlight, fake filters that modify the look of images, spectral analyzer, GPS tools, and a secret audio recorder are part of the list.
Cell Tracker
The word "spying" doesn't appear anywhere in its description, but if used in a certain way, Cell Tracker is much more interesting than it appears. Its main function is to record all our locations not with the GPS system, but with cell towers or open WiFi networks. If you can install this on another phone, you'll be able to know where it was, and export the data via email.
Sneaky Cam
As its name suggests, the goal of Sneaky Cam is to take photos without your surroundings noticing. The trick is to place a fake image of a game or a browser on screen. In its normal mode it can't get any preview of the photo, but the app allows us to adjust the transparency level, and at the same time it silences the camera shutter sound.
Hidden Camera
Well, there is software that lets us take hidden photos, but what about video? That's where the Hidden Camera app comes in. Basically, it proposes capturing images and video without having to go through the main app, saving time and hiding your intentions from anyone who might see you. As if that weren't enough, it also lets us choose the camera on the smartphone.
Ear Spy
To finish with today's suggestions, we arrive at the gates of Ear Spy. In essence, the app turns your Android smartphone into an ambient microphone. Connect a pair of headphones and listen to everything around you. The final audio quality will depend both on the general noise and on the natural capability of the built-in microphone.
Well, that's all. If you have a few minutes to spare and think you'll need the features in any of these apps, don't hesitate to try them. They are all free and don't require root. Don't get into trouble, and good luck!
