Even web pages designed specifically for mobile devices can take terribly long to load. The faster your internet connection, the less time you'll have to spend waiting and the more you can read, research, and generally get things done. Internet Speed Master makes surfing on your Android smartphone or tablet quicker--and it could work even on non-rooted devices.

Rooting an Android phone or tablet, as you might recall, gives you the freedom to install anything you want on the device (in addition to a number of other benefits as well). For most system-level changes, you need to root your Android device, but Internet Speed Master, available for free download at Google Play, doesn't require root access. For those who do have a rooted device, Internet Speed Master works with all ROMS.

The utility works by modifying system files to improve the TCP/IP configuration. It's based on a Linux tweak, but the developer, nez droid, does caution you should backup your device before installing (a good practice anytime you're installing something new).

To install the app, just head to the Google Play Storeto download it and agree to the terms and conditions. (Specifically: there's no guarantee this app will definitely increase your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.) Then the app just does its thing, changing the connection settings to speed up your internet access.

It's definitely worth a try. I tested Internet Speed Master before and after installation withOokla's Speedtest.net app. Over 4G, the mobile data connection was about 1Mbps faster than previous tests (16Mbps versus 15Mbps download, and even 2Mbps upload versus 1Mbps previously). Over Wi-Fi, the internet connection was about 2Mbps faster downloading and uploading.

My phone, a Samsung Galaxy SII, isn't rooted. If yours is, you should see even more significant speed improvements, including noticeably faster web page loading.

Sometimes even just the littlest speed bump can make all the difference between a horrible mobile experience (videos lagging, for example, or just painful web surfing) and one that makes you feel you really do have a decent tiny computer in your pocket