Connection is a free smartphone application for Android devices. The app is sized under one megabyte and is compatible with Android version 2.2 or later. After installing the app you can easily enable and disable connections and profiles. You will get an overall control panel that lets you enable or disable Wi-Fi, mobile data, Bluetooth, GPS, and modes for silence and flight.

You can individually set the times and days for each of these options so the app automatically turns them and shuts them off. This can be useful in many ways; for example, the phone can be set to automatically enter silent mode before bedtime.

Features:

• A user-friendly phone app.
• Compatible with Android devices.
• Lets you easily enable/disable phone connections.
• Lets you automate days and times for different connection types.

Check out Connection Planner @ market.android.com/details?id=com.jomasapa.android.cplanner (by MOin from Thumb Press)

Ookla Net Index provides a simple way to check which ISP is providing the best service in terms of overall download and upload speeds. When you visit the site, click on the link stating “Go to my location”. This will trace your IP address to your geographical area and display a summary of the nearby tests conducted.

The tests analyzed are the ones carried out on Speedtest. You will be shown the average download and upload speeds along with the quality factor of the ISPs in your area. You can scroll down to view the local ISP rankings based on the actual speed and quality factor they are delivering to users.

Features:

• Helps you find the best isp for your area.
• The tool ranks local ISPs based on real speed tests.
• A graph-like representation of your area’s average upload and download speeds is shown.
• The average quality factor is also displayed.
• The graph representations are shown for each ISP.
• Can be a great help in deciding which ISP to go for.
• Similar tools: Speed.io, PingTest and BandwidthPlace.

Check out “Ookla Net Index” @ www.netindex.com

All you need to do is click the start button and relax. BandwidthPlace will do a test for your download as well as upload speed. During the test, the speed will be displayed on an analog speedometer. Once the tests are completed, you will see the speeds your bandwidth connection has for downloads and uploads in KBPS or MBPS.

Features:

• Test your download and upload speed.
• Dead simple tool with just one feature.
• See current speed on an analog speedometer.
• No registration required.
• Similar tools: Speed.io and PingTest.

Visit BandwidthPlace @ www.BandwidthPlace.com

MashedIn builds trust across multiple connections online. You can add a widget to your website or blog to show who you are connected to. If someone checks you out on MashedIn just one time and sees that you are acquainted with reputable people and you get a job because of it then it is worth it.

Now you can check the references of someone you have never met or probably never will.

Features:

1. Connects with Facebook.
2. Connects with Twitter.
3. Connects with LinkedIn.
4. Provides a website or blog widget.
5. Helps identify yours and others contacts online.
6. Adds to your reputation.

Check out MashedIn @ www.mashedin.com

When you are experiencing any connectivity issues like trouble accessing an FTP client or failures in sending email, this web application can be used to quickly check and troubleshoot the problem. All you need to do is enter the port id and click “Check” button to find out.

Key features:

• Test your computer for open ports behind firewalls.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues with your internet connection or the computer itself.
• Free to use, no registration needed.
• Similar tools: ShieldsUP.

Check out Open Port Check Tool @ www.canyouseeme.org (via LifeHacker, by Srikanth AD from Techonaut)

It is also handy for keeping all your mobile devices connected from one internet source without having to rely on wireless routers.

Connectify is one of the first tools that uses the power of mesh networking. The idea behind mesh networks is that every pc/laptop can become a wi-fi hotspot, ensuring not only a steady internet connection but also allow integration of different devices without having to set up anything.

Once installed, Connectify sits in your system tray. To start a hotspot, just fill in your preferred Wi-Fi name and your pass phrase, and then click the large button to turn the hotspot on. Other devices will immediately detect your created hotspot and they can join in using the password that you supplied.

You can also use Connectify to start your home network to share files and printers without using a router.

Features:

• Create a wi-fi hotspot from your pc/laptop in an instant.
• Created hotspots require WPA passphrases for better security.
• Connect and sync your wi-fi enabled devices without using cords, blue tooth, or wireless router.
• Works with Windows 7 (only).

Check out Connectify @ www.connectify.me

When you click on “Begin test”, it first selects a server from where it’ll run the test. Then it runs various tests to check for packet loss, ping and jitter and rates your connection accordingly. You could also choose to select a different server and re-run the test.

Features:

• Check the quality of your broadband connection.
• Connection tested for packet loss, ping and jitter.
• Check out their learn page to see what the above terms mean.
• Get the grade for your connection. You may also re-conduct the test.
• You may also go through recent MakeUseOf article about understanding the internet speed.

Check out PingTest @ www.pingtest.net (by Abhijeet from Jeet Blog)

To get it running, go to the website and launch the Java applet within your browser to start the analysis.

Features:

• Check your internet connection for various common problems.
• View findings in a detailed report.
• Non need to download or install anything, runs in you browser.
• No registration or email required.

Check out Netalyzr @ http://netalyzr.icsi.berkeley.edu