Verizon Wireless is prepared to roll out a new search tool on select Android handsets over the next few weeks. The tool, called Appflash, was developed by Evie. AppFlash will serve as the device's default launcher, or essential home screen experience. Much like the Google Now launcher, AppFlash will take over the left home screen of select Android devices where it will present a search tool for seeking out movies, music, restaurants, apps, as well as on-device content. AppFlash will offer recommendations based on user preferences, which it will learn over time. In order for it to do that, AppFlash will collect quite a bit of user data. According to the company's privacy policy, AppFlash will collect "your mobile number, device identifiers, device type and operating system, and information about the AppFlash features and services you use and your interactions with them." The app also looks at what apps are installed on the device, location data, and contacts. Verizon insists the information is used to improve the AppFlash user experience, but it may also be shared with "the Verizon family of companies," including AOL for advertising purposes. Verizon notes that users can prevent AppFlash from collecting location and contact information, as well as opt-out of certain targeted advertisements, but they won't be able to stop the app from collating basic data points. Verizon spokesperson Scott Charlston told Phone Scoop that AppFlash is being tested in a limited commercial trial rolling out to certain new phones. AppFlash will be preinstalled on these phones before they ship, but end users can disable AppFlash and use the launcher of their choice. The app uses about 20 MB of storage, according to Charlston. Verizon did not specify which new devices might ship with AppFlash on board.


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