UI? what ui? All the app does is open a detection report. The "better app" shows a green/yellow icon and links to other apps. The "worse app" shows a list of tests performed along with "found/not found".

The whole app UI is basically install/run/home/uninstall.

(by the way, no carrierIQ found on Motorola Atrix w/Orange French ISP)

Yep. As someone who wants to know if they have CarrierIQ, my main concern is whether I have CarrierIQ.

So isn't your best strategy to install both apps just to be sure? They don't seem to have the exact same detection procedure nor the same result.

I'm starting to wonder why I'm even arguing, it's like comparing the landing page of a company website to its wikipedia entry when all you want is the exact spelling of their latest product.

I don't really like the other UI either. "Share results with Lookout"? "For full protection, download Lookout Mobile Security"? "Tell your friends about Carrier IQ Detector"?

For some perspective, the one I linked only requests permission to read log files (to detect) while the Lookout one wants full network access (and interestingly enough no access to log files).

Presumably the one that requires network access tests for existence by attempting to connect to its local tcp port.

I'd be more comfortable installing an app that just scans the logs.

On the other hand, I have a rooted Android phone with LBE Privacy Guard installed, so I can install apps that require network privileges, and then simply deny them access to the Internet.