date stringlengths 10 10 | nb_tokens int64 60 629k | text_size int64 234 1.02M | content stringlengths 234 1.02M |
|---|---|---|---|
2011/02/28 | 1,559 | 6,630 | <issue_start>username_0: If you were to install a Home Screen application that does not give you access to the System Settings screen (to go to Manage Applications), and also does not let you launch Apps (such as the Market App or 3rd party install/unistallers), is there ANY way to uninstall such an application?
I know that Android requires your permission before letting a new App take over the home screen privilege. But say you're trying a newly published Launcher app that is buggy (or malicious). You are of course still going to tell Android it's ok to give this App the Home screen privilege. Now once it is installed, your phone is now effectively useless?
Is there a way for a typical end user (who doesn't have Eclipse/ADB) to get out of this situation? Other than doing a complete factory reset?
I realize there are ways to uninstall an App via ADB ("adb uninstall package.name")
But it seems like a typical end user is potentially screwed if they ever install such a malicious/buggy app. This seems like a gaping security hole in Android, no?<issue_comment>username_1: To create such malicious Launcher it will need to:
1. Disable Settings > Applications > Manage Applications
2. Disable Settings > Applications > Development > USB Debugging
3. Disable Market (to prevent you from downloading Home Switcher apps)
4. Prevent all other Launcher-type application from opening (otherwise you can just start the other Launcher and go to Settings from there)
5. Disable Terminal Emulator-type application (to prevent uninstallation by `pm` or `rm`-ing the .apk)
6. ...others?
*This seems like a gaping security hole in Android, no?*
No. When security experts talks about a system having a good security, they don't talk about a stupid user doing stupid thing to his system. A stupid user giving untrusted program unwarranted privileges are social problems, not security problem.
Linux (and Android) is secure not because it is impossible mess the system up (you can, very easily, just type `sudo rm -rf /`). Linux is secure because a malicious program cannot mess up the system without the user's authorization and a user cannot mess the system up unless they have the appropriate privilege to mess up the system (a user with a root privilege can mess up the system in thousands of ways).
Unlike in some other OS, Linux (and Android) does not attempt to protect the user from doing something stupid (since such protection would also prevent power users from doing anything smart). It will blindly follow your order when you told it to destroy itself (as long as the user has the privilege to command the system to destroy itself).
The following sudo's first-time-sudoers lecture sums up the Unix/Linux way to security:
```
We trust you have received the usual lecture from the local System
Administrator. It usually boils down to these three things:
#1) Respect the privacy of others.
#2) Think before you type.
#3) With great power comes great responsibility.
```
In any case, if such malicious Launcher comes into the Market, we can be sure that Google will remove it from Market immediately with no delay (and probably issue a remote uninstall command). And if you install such Launcher from outside Market, then you are not a "typical user", you are responsible for your own if you're installing programs from outside Market.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: Start your device in SAFE MODE and then uninstall the app that's causing problems. Rebooting will exit from Safe Mode. Here's how to access SAFE MODE in a few popular devices.
**HTC devices with physical buttons:**
* Turn off your Android phone.
* Press the Menu button on your phone.
* While holding down the Menu button, turn on your device and keep pressing the Menu button until you see the lock screen.
* “*Safe Mode* should now be printed in the lower-left corner of your display. When in safe mode, Android does not load any third-party apps, and you can uninstall the application that gave you trouble from Settings > Applications > Manage applications.
**Nexus One:**
* Turn off your Nexus. Remove the battery if it cannot be done the normal way.
* Press the power button to start your phone, and right when the logo appears, press and hold the trackball. You should also be able to hold down the touch sensitive Menu button at this point, if you prefer that.
* Keep pressing until you see the lock screen, and you should now be in safe mode.
**Motorola Droid**
* Turn off your Droid and slide open the hardware keyboard.
* Press both the power button and the Menu button on the keyboard simultaneously.
* Keep holding down the Menu key until you see the “Droid Eye”, and you feel your phone vibrate.
* Your Droid should start and say “Safe Mode” in the lower-left corner of the screen.
**Samsung Galaxy S**
1. Power the phone off.
2. Turn the phone back on while pressing and holding the Menu button.
3. Keep holding the Menu button until the Home screen loads. The lower-left corner should say Safe Mode.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: For the "typical end user", the easiest ways probably are:
If the "rogue" was installed from Google Play:
----------------------------------------------
1. On a computer, open the [Play Store Website](https://play.google.com/) with your favorite web browser
2. Log in with your Google Account credentials
3. Hit the "My Android Apps" tab at the upper-right of the page
4. Look for your "rogue" app
5. Hit the trashcan symbol next to it
This will uninstall the selected app. Of course, this only works for apps installed via Google Play.
If you side-loaded the "rogue" (installed it from another source)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you side-loaded the "rogue", you'll need a couple of more steps. Follow 1+2 from above list, then...
1. Search for any other homescreen/launcher app
2. Hit the "Install" button on its page
3. If you've got multiple devices attached to this Google account, select the one with the rogue app
4. Hit "OK"
5. Within the next few minutes, the new launcher should be installed on your device. Until then, you might want to periodically switch it on to ensure it stays "awake" (and connected to the network), which might speed up the process a little
6. Once the installation has finished, hit the `Home` button.
7. As Android noticed the new launcher app, a pop up will ask you to chose which launcher to start. Select any launcher you want, just not the rogue one.
8. As you now have a fully functional launcher running, you can take the usual steps to remove the "rogue" app.
Upvotes: 3 |
2011/02/28 | 335 | 1,241 | <issue_start>username_0: I need it badly. I know Google voice is there, but it's not available in India.
**Clarifications**
Need any good client application (Google Talk / Jabber client) that supports voice calls to and from GTalk users.
Thanks [@Matthew](https://android.stackexchange.com/users/1465/matthew-read)<issue_comment>username_1: Use **Fring**. It can connect to gtalk and enable you to talk to your gtalk buddies. But it mutes in Samsung galaxy 3.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: You can do video chat through Google Talk on Honeycomb (Android 3.0), which is only available on the [Motorola Xoom](http://motorola.com/xoom) at this point in time. No word on when this feature will trickle down into newer versions of Android (2.4+) or if this will become a standalone/updatable market app like Gmail, YouTube, etc.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Fring or Nimbuzz apps from the market place both allow you to do voice calls using gTalk.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_4: Google Talk Video/Voice support will be rolled out shortly on all Android 2.3 Gingerbread devices or on the Nexus S now (but as an OS update, not an app update, so you would find it in Settings, not in Market)
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/01 | 543 | 2,216 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm running 2.3-Gingerbread.
Calling was working fine over the telephone network.
I set up the internet calling feature by adding an account to test the featuire out.
Then I removed the account.
Every time I dial a number I get this error:
```
No Internet calling account
There are no Internet calling accounts on this phone. Add one now?
```
If I click cancel, it doesn't dial using the telephone network it just returns to the home screen.
I've cleared the defaults for the Dialer application but still the problem persists.
Does anyone know how I can prevent this error?<issue_comment>username_1: While I don't have the Nexus S, so can't say for sure, but my guess is that you've accidentally made Internet Calling the default action for dialing a number. Go to settings> applications> manage applications and clear defaults on the Internet calling application, not the dialer.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: Do you have an app called "Voice Changer" installed? I've read that it can cause this. Also if you have google voice installed, do you have it set to "Never Dial with Google Voice"?
If those are not the cause, do you have any other "Phone Linking" apps or "Sip Dialers" etc, remove them and see if your issue stops.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: Go to Settings >> Applications >> Manage applications >> All >> Dialer.
Under "Launch by default" press the "Clear defaults" button.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: I had Voice Changer installed and the second I uninstalled that it worked. Also go to Settings -> Call and go to the bottom and hit "Only for Internet Calls".
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: I've had the same problem. Try this: go to Settings; Call; Use Internet Calling; and select the middle option: Only for Internet calls. I haven't encountered the problem since I did this. Good luck!
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_6: Ok.. so heres the poop.
Settings >> Call >> Use Internet Calling
Change this setting to " Only for Internet Calls"
Also Change
WI-Fi Calling to Disabled
For some reason if you use internet calling it defaults these settings to use it all the time even when you dont want it.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/01 | 381 | 1,390 | <issue_start>username_0: In order to save some volume on my data plan, I'd like to limit updates from the market to the times when I'm connected to a WiFi. And as every good geek, I want this to be automated, in other words, if I am connected to a WiFi network, check and install updates from the market (for those apps that I allow to automatically update). Is there a way of doing this?
I'm running Android 2.2 on an HTC Desire. If it helps, I have Tasker installed.
Update: I don't want to change the autosync settings.
Update II: I'm not rooted and am looking for a "stock" solution.<issue_comment>username_1: This will only work if you're rooted, but [DroidWall](http://code.google.com/p/droidwall/) is a really good front end for Android's iptables. You can filter access to data based on WiFi and 3G to just about anything in your phone (including the Market) that could request it.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: The new version of the Market app allows you to limit updates to Wi-Fi only, among some other new features, like defaulting all apps to auto-update (if the app supports it).
[Android Police has a write-up](http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/11/01/download-android-market-3-3-11-adds-new-settings-default-auto-update-update-over-wi-fi-only-shortcuts-and-more/). (They also have the apk you can download if you don't want to wait.)
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/01 | 236 | 879 | <issue_start>username_0: Are there any apps around that are good at gapless audio playback? I listen to a lot of music that continues from one track to another and the stock app puts a small but noticeable gap between tracks.<issue_comment>username_1: Try the latest [Museek](https://market.android.com/details?id=ch.ethz.dcg.pancho2) player. It has support for gapless playback. You need to enable it from within the ADVANCED settings in the app.
There's also [PowerAmp](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.maxmpz.audioplayer) and [Winamp](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nullsoft.winamp) which seemingly offer decent gapless playback quality.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: The *Amazon MP3* player adds gaps. Luckily you can play songs downloaded to the device with any music player, and *Google Music* does gapless playback out of the box.
Upvotes: -1 |
2011/03/01 | 324 | 1,204 | <issue_start>username_0: >
> **Possible Duplicate:**
>
> [Can I install Android on my non-Android device?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/6849/can-i-install-android-on-my-non-android-device)
>
>
>
It is possible to install Android OS on HTC Touch 2? And if it possible can you guys help me with a tutorial or something like this ?<issue_comment>username_1: Firstly, to do any OS modifications you will need a rooted device. In the commercial phones this root privilege is not available. Also, m not sure if the hardware supports Android OS.
If it supports then you will need the entire phone binary (or individual image files) which has to be flashed onto the device using fastboot.
Best of Luck with ur research on this...
Though seriously, I doubt that can be done.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_2: It seems from [this thread](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=852474) on XDA developers that there are people working on getting android to run on the HTC Touch2, but it doesn't look like its working yet.
It would be best for you to keep your eyes on that project, that seems like the best chance of you being able to run android on your phone.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/01 | 649 | 2,612 | <issue_start>username_0: Recently it seems as if my phone has bogged down to a point where is is almost unusable (Droid Eris running 2.1).
I'm on the verge of reformatting or setting back to a factory state. I was wondering what things should I do to make sure I have all my contacts/pics/etc.. and what tools can help me accomplish this? Also what about the apps I have paid for? How can I get those to transfer?<issue_comment>username_1: 1. If you have an SD card, I would copy its contents to a PC. That should save all of your pictures.
2. Paid apps are linked to your Google account and can always be re-downloaded.
3. Have you entered your contacts manually and not synced them to your Google account? If not, you don't need to back them up; they're in the "cloud", to use the common catchphrase.
4. If you're rooted, you can use an app like [Titanium Backup](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup) to save your applications and data, so that you don't need to redownload them (and so your settings, saved games, etc. are backed up).
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Your contacts and calendar will be stored in the cloud and synced back when you re-login with the same Google Account. Also, most of your settings. Apps that you purchased will be listed in your Market Account.
I suggest you use SMS Backup or something similar to save your messages (if you wish to) to your Storage Card. GoSMS and Handcent SMS also have SMS backup/restore facility.
By default, your camera pics are stored in the DCIM folder on your storage card.
Use a backup app like Titanium Backup or MyBackup Pro to backup all the stuff first, just as an additional safety net.
NOTE: Busy right now, so haven't added links. A quick search will turn up the apps in the Market. ;-)
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: I'd recommend doing all these steps regardless of the fact that your data is in the cloud
1. Download MyBackUp Pro (or a similar app)
2. Backup everything to a micro SD card
3. Deactivate any license (for BlockBuster Movies, etc)
4. Export anything that is exportable (like contacts, calendars, pictures, etc)
I always say that its better to be super safe than sorry. Sometimes if you have multiple accounts that merge data into one place, you may expect <NAME> (example use of name) to be on Google's servers but they are actually on FaceBook or some other server. By exporting it, you'll have a file with everyone and then you can upload the contacts to your Gmail account.
I say this from personal experience by losing pictures and data.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/01 | 306 | 1,262 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm using a beta of Cyanogenmod 7 and it seems unlikely they would leave out home and search button functionality. I tried rolling back to the RC and then getting the latest nightly and then wiping the data and cache and then getting the latest RC and nightly. But still, when I press Home or Search, the phone vibrates as if I pressed something but doesn't go home or bring up a search box. Thankfully, "back" still works.
Is the hardware defective??<issue_comment>username_1: If the phone's registering the keypress and vibrating, I don't see how it could be a hardware issue. Flash back to stock and see if it works. Or at least CM6.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: This means the provisioning got somehow interrupted; in other words, when you just reinstalled the firmware and the wizard was guiding you through the first steps, something interrupted it and it didn't finish. That's why the Home button, the Search button and the Lock Screen don't work.
To fix this, run the following command from a root terminal or from `adb shell`:
`sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db "INSERT INTO secure (name,value) VALUES ('device_provisioned','1');"`
and then reboot.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/01 | 557 | 2,323 | <issue_start>username_0: I just picked up an HTC Droid Incredible a few days ago. I already had a Plantronics Discovery 975 headset, which I like, so I've been trying to use it with the phone. It pairs fine and does work, but I've been having some problems that make it not very usable.
**Problem 1:** The "Bluetooth in-call volume" always goes to minimum between calls, and I can't hear the voice prompts. It doesn't matter whether I raise the volume using the Bluetooth or the handset, it always goes back to minimum on the next call.
**Problem 2:** The standard Navigation app (Google Maps Navigation for mobile) doesn't work with the Bluetooth at all (even if I make sure it's connected before starting of the Navigation app). I have to speak into the handset and all sound comes out through the phone's speaker. I can't find any setting to change this.
**Problem 3:** The Voice Dialer also doesn't work through the Bluetooth. The only way I can use the Voice Dialer is to hold the main button on my Bluetooth for 3 seconds. If I activate it from the phone, I have to speak into the handset.
Does this mean my Discovery is just not compatible with the phone or is there something I can do with settings to get it to work properly?
If I do need a new Bluetooth, can you recommend one that works well with an Android phone (or even better, one that works well with an Incredible)?<issue_comment>username_1: There have been some issues with the fact that Android's bluetooth was not up to date. Testing your phone with another headset would be a first step in singling out the problem. Also, try to see if you can go to your local authorized reseller or a carrier store to see if a technician can have a look at it.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: If I recall correctly, for Navigation directions over BT you need A2DP (just like music). I just checked [the specs on Plantronics' website for the Discovery 975](http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/discovery-975) and it doesn't mention having this.
There's also a setting somewhere in Navigation to route it over the speaker or the headset; I remember turning it off on mine because it was interrupting conversations when I was trying to listen. Unfortunately I can't recall exactly where the setting is; I'll update this later if I find it again.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/02 | 266 | 1,115 | <issue_start>username_0: I'd really like to find a way to reset my phone to the way it was when I bought it, like before I customized it. Is that something that would be possible?<issue_comment>username_1: There have been some issues with the fact that Android's bluetooth was not up to date. Testing your phone with another headset would be a first step in singling out the problem. Also, try to see if you can go to your local authorized reseller or a carrier store to see if a technician can have a look at it.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: If I recall correctly, for Navigation directions over BT you need A2DP (just like music). I just checked [the specs on Plantronics' website for the Discovery 975](http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/discovery-975) and it doesn't mention having this.
There's also a setting somewhere in Navigation to route it over the speaker or the headset; I remember turning it off on mine because it was interrupting conversations when I was trying to listen. Unfortunately I can't recall exactly where the setting is; I'll update this later if I find it again.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/02 | 1,103 | 2,682 | <issue_start>username_0: The Shipped ROMs site has a bunch of ROMs listed, but I can never make out which one is the one I am looking for. Using the baseband version is straightforward, but even then there are often a couple ROMs that fit.
Please excuse me if I should not be doing this, but I'll give you a concrete example:
In my case, I am looking for the stock ROM for the unlocked HTC Desire I bought in The Netherlands (I'm Belgian myself, but this makes little difference). So I looked at the Bravo page:
<http://www.shipped-roms.com/index.php?category=android&model=Bravo>
The baseband version is 32.49.00.32U\_5.11.05.27 so that gives me a list of 8 ROMs
```
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.29.405.2_Radio_32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_151783_signed.exe Binary File
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_TELUS_WWE_2.25.661.2_Radio_32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_151557_signed.exe Binary File
PB99IMG_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.29.405.2_Radio_32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_151783_signed.zip Archived File
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_Vodafone_UK_172.16.31.10_Radio_32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_157522_signed.exe Binary File
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_ARA_2.32.415.3_Radio_32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_157343_signed.exe Binary File
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC__ARA_2.32.415.3_Radio_32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_157343_signed.exe Binary File
RUU_Bravo_Froyo_HTC_WWE_2.29.405.5_Radio_32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_159811_signed.exe Binary File
PB99IMG_2.29.405.5_Radio_32.49.00.32U_5.11.05.27_release_159811_signed.zip Archived File
```
In this list, there are a couple abbreviations I do not know or understand, such as:
WWE, ARA, RUU.
Any help, general or specific to my case, is much appreciated.
I believe I know I will need a bin and not an exe file, and I can probably rule out Telus and Vodafone ones.
Thanks in advance<issue_comment>username_1: If you only want .zip files, there's only 2 choices. 2.29.405.5 is newer than 2.29.405.2, so that's the one you should get.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I'm pretty sure that:
* "WWE" stands for "World Wide English"
* "RUU" is "Rom Update Utility"
* "ARA" means "Arabic" (which [apparently](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=853178) is for "middle eastern devices")
"ARA" may mean "Aramean" and since it is in the same spot that "WWE" is I would guess that it refers to the localization or language like "WWE" does, so "Aramean" makes sense to me.
As you can see the RUU is an executable. You will run on your computer while your device is connected through USB. The zip is usually installed via a recovery - however that is my experience with my HTC EVO and Hero.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/02 | 377 | 1,227 | <issue_start>username_0: Is there a native notes app? I cant find it<issue_comment>username_1: There isn't a native notes app for the Nexus S because it doesn't have TouchWiz UI. I'm quite certain the voice action 'Note to self' actually sends an email to yourself (I don't personally use that action, not sure it likes a British accent)
There are loads of third party apps though. For example [**Scribb.it**](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lioncode.notepad&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5saW9uY29kZS5ub3RlcGFkIl0.) is full to the bursting with features, [AK Notepad](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.akproduction.notepad&feature=search_result) is quite a good simple one or [Evernote](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.evernote&feature=search_result) has a strong following and quite a few more features.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: The Touchwiz Memo app has been ported to ICS, you can grab it on [xda](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529223) (this is in the Vibrant xda forum sub-section, but it works on other phones).
This app works on JB too, you simply have to install it as a regular apk (not in system/app)
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/02 | 525 | 2,132 | <issue_start>username_0: what's the point of the trackball of the Nexus One and of the analogous devices in other similar phones? (e.g. HTC Desire's optical pointing device).
Is there any use case for which the touchscreen is not enough?<issue_comment>username_1: I find moving the cursor to a particular place in some text far more accurate using the trackball than trying to select it by prodding the touchscreen. I would say that there might not be a specific use case which can't be accomplished using only the touchscreen but that there are certainly tasks for which using the trackball is easier.
It's all probably quite subjective though, and depends on user preference.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: A lot of devices (like most of the Galaxy S family) actually don't have a trackball/pad at all now.
I very rarely used the trackball on my old HTC Magic, and haven't missed its absence at all on my Galaxy S. It's not needed these days, the touchscreen is enough.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: I wager that it was a way to attract Blackberry users.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_4: Beside moving the cursor in a textbox it's also nice as blinking orb of information. For mine if it's blinking blue I have a tweet waiting and if it's purple that's a google voice message, etc. And it blinks red and then blue and then green I have three things waiting. Armed with that kind of information I can make a decision about if it worth getting the "stare of death" from my wife if I pick it up at dinnertime.
What I really need is to have it blinking red if a new Angry Birds is available at the market.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_5: I suppose to best "answer" your question, the trackball is there to assist when the touch screen isn't accurate enough. It also exists to give people more choice when scrolling and or selecting.
Personally, I never use it for that but instead use it for Trackball Wake. Not having to push the power button every time to turn the screen on is a god-send. I, like others here, also run LED customizations to notify me of specific things.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/02 | 414 | 1,698 | <issue_start>username_0: This [recent story appeared on Slashdot regarding various malware apps that had invaded the Android Market](http://it.slashdot.org/story/11/03/02/1429221/Google-Pulls-21-Malware-Apps-From-Android-Market). Google quickly removed them (and I was not infected - I don't typically download apps), but I was curious - would a factory reset fix the problems that this malware caused (including rooting)? If so, why not?<issue_comment>username_1: For that/those particular piece(s) of malware, the answer is **probably yes**.
A factory reset does not completely undo rooting, especially with the more "invasive" methods used for a few hard-to-root devices. A simple/common exploit like the ones probably used in these rogue apps is less likely to allow them to persist.
A factory reset should also wipe out installed apps (including the malicious ones) or, if they're stored on the SD card or something, at least reduce them to uninstalled apps just sitting there -- and they can't do anything unless the user reinstalls them.
Factory resets generally leave the `/system` partition intact, however, and any malware could theoretically have replaced system binaries with malicious versions or something along those lines. To be on the safe side you would want to re-flash your ROM and not just do a factory reset.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Adding to what username_1 stated, it most likely will not unroot, but on top of that, it will not stop the damage that it has already done with your contacts or data. I mean if it collected contact data and personal passwords ect. then you need to start changing passwords and all that good stuff.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/02 | 719 | 3,388 | <issue_start>username_0: Is there a technical reason for why apps that only need their own data are not limited to one folder? I do realise that some apps use other apps' data, but I'd be much more likely to install an app that only asked for permission to store files in one, specific folder.<issue_comment>username_1: SD cards generally use the FAT file system, which does not allow for filesystem permissions. This means that the Android OS would have to manage a custom list of files, their permissions, a mapping of apps to files/folders, etc. in order to prevent apps from accessing the whole card. This would be a terrible mess. Not only complicated, but it would require a lot of storage space. And then one day you take out your SD card and remove some pictures, and the entire system breaks. You get the idea.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: There are different mechanisms to store data in an Android application that don't need the SD card access permission. You can create databases, store application parameters, create files on the internal storage. All these will not require any specific permissions and these data are accessible only by the application that created them.
On the other side, if an application needs the SD card permission it may be because it as a very large amount of data to store or that it wants to modify/add/remove files such as in a file manager. But for important application specific data, the SD card if not recommended because it could be removed at anytime (or mounted as a USB drive) and not available to the applications.
I think a lot of applications that ask SD access permission could use another type of data storage that would not require that. Moreover, files created on the SD by an app will not be removed upon un-installation of the app but all other types of internal data storage will be. So to me it would be a better development practice not to use the SD if not required, and as you mentioned it would not scare people away like apps that access the whole SD.
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: As username_1 has explained, with a normal SD card using the FAT file system, it's not possible to use the file permissions to control apps' access, the same way that Android controls their access to files on the internal filesystem. But now that Android phones use internal storage instead of SD cards, and they use MTP to offer access over USB instead of the mass storage device class, Android phones are free to use better filesystems for their large data storage.
KitKat added a new mechanism for apps to store large files. In the internal USB storage, each app gets a private data directory, just like in the smaller device memory. (On some devices, these might even be the very same filesystem.) Apps can access their private directory on this filesystem without needing any special permissions. It's also now possible for apps to only ask for the "read SD card" and "write SD card" permission on versions of Android prior to KitKat, if they only need the SD card in order to use a private directory like this.
The old shared directories like "Downloads", "Music", and "Notifications" are still present just like before, and still need those same permissions for access. Old apps that haven't been updated for KitKat will still use those directories, not the new, private directories.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/02 | 862 | 3,786 | <issue_start>username_0: >
> **Possible Duplicate:**
>
> [How can I be informed through my computer if a new SMS is received?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/4738/how-can-i-be-informed-through-my-computer-if-a-new-sms-is-received)
>
>
>
I have the [LG Optimus One p500](http://www.lg.com/uk/mobile-phones/mobile-phones/LG-android-mobile-phone-P500.jsp). It comes with LG PC Suite IV which is great.
It allows me to download my sms messages to/from the computer fine.
However I must manually check if there are new messages.
Is there any program (for windows) which can listen for sms messages in android and download them to the computer automatically then alert you?<issue_comment>username_1: SD cards generally use the FAT file system, which does not allow for filesystem permissions. This means that the Android OS would have to manage a custom list of files, their permissions, a mapping of apps to files/folders, etc. in order to prevent apps from accessing the whole card. This would be a terrible mess. Not only complicated, but it would require a lot of storage space. And then one day you take out your SD card and remove some pictures, and the entire system breaks. You get the idea.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: There are different mechanisms to store data in an Android application that don't need the SD card access permission. You can create databases, store application parameters, create files on the internal storage. All these will not require any specific permissions and these data are accessible only by the application that created them.
On the other side, if an application needs the SD card permission it may be because it as a very large amount of data to store or that it wants to modify/add/remove files such as in a file manager. But for important application specific data, the SD card if not recommended because it could be removed at anytime (or mounted as a USB drive) and not available to the applications.
I think a lot of applications that ask SD access permission could use another type of data storage that would not require that. Moreover, files created on the SD by an app will not be removed upon un-installation of the app but all other types of internal data storage will be. So to me it would be a better development practice not to use the SD if not required, and as you mentioned it would not scare people away like apps that access the whole SD.
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: As username_1 has explained, with a normal SD card using the FAT file system, it's not possible to use the file permissions to control apps' access, the same way that Android controls their access to files on the internal filesystem. But now that Android phones use internal storage instead of SD cards, and they use MTP to offer access over USB instead of the mass storage device class, Android phones are free to use better filesystems for their large data storage.
KitKat added a new mechanism for apps to store large files. In the internal USB storage, each app gets a private data directory, just like in the smaller device memory. (On some devices, these might even be the very same filesystem.) Apps can access their private directory on this filesystem without needing any special permissions. It's also now possible for apps to only ask for the "read SD card" and "write SD card" permission on versions of Android prior to KitKat, if they only need the SD card in order to use a private directory like this.
The old shared directories like "Downloads", "Music", and "Notifications" are still present just like before, and still need those same permissions for access. Old apps that haven't been updated for KitKat will still use those directories, not the new, private directories.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/02 | 1,750 | 5,509 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm accustomed to running scripts on boot in Linux, but I'm not sure how to do this in Android. I'd like to start my SSH daemon on start, so I'll always be able to connect. How can I run an arbitrary script on Android boot? It'd be preferable to do this outside of Dalvik.<issue_comment>username_1: `/data/init.sh` runs at boot, if you have root you can edit it as you like. Be careful ;)
**Edit:** Apparently you might need to shoehorn the edited script into the boot image as well. Info on how to do that here: <http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=443994>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: While looking around my Android filesystem, I found that it did, in fact have a `/etc/init.d/` directory. After peeking around in there, I found `/etc/init.d/20userinit` with the following lines:
```
if [ -e /data/local/userinit.sh ];
then
log -p -i -t userinit "Executing /data/local/userinit.sh";
busybux chmod +x /data/local/userinit.sh;
logwrapper /system/bin/sh /data/local/userinit.sh;
setprop cm.userinit.active 1;
fi;
```
This being, of course, *exactly* what I needed, I wrote the following script on my computer then pushed it to my device:
```
#!/system/bin/sh
dropbear -s -g
```
(pushed to device via `scp userinit.sh phone:/data/local/userinit.sh`, mind you :] )
Rebooted the device, then ran `ps | grep "[d]ropbear"`, and sure enough, it's running. Coolness!
Upvotes: 7 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: Look to `/etc/` directory. Usually it is placed in `/system/` partition which you can mount as RW:
```
$ ls -l /etc
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 11 Jan 1 2009 /etc -> /system/etc
$ su
$ mount -o remount,rw /system
$ chmod o+w /system/etc # for "adb push"
```
Some above steps may be replaces with:
```
$ adb root
$ adb remount
```
and later remount RO:
```
$ chmod o-w /system/etc
$ mount -o remount,ro /system
```
Now your task to find executable or `*rc` file which you modify to achieve your goal:
```
$ find /etc -type f -perm +110
$ find /etc -name "*rc"
$ find /etc -name "init*"
$ grep -R /data /etc
$ grep -R /system /etc
```
Google about each candidate to get know how this file was used.
Good candidate for including custom scripts are lines from:
```
$ grep service /init*.rc
```
As each device unique you may need to do own guess about search criteria...
For example I found `/etc/mkshrc` which used by Korn shell. I update this file to extend `PATH` env var and now each time I do `adb shell` I have Busybox symlinks in my PATH!
See also **hard way** (if you have no luck with finding *magic* file): <https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9768103/make-persistent-changes-to-init-rc>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_4: Simple way (working):
1. Prepare your post boot commands in a script, say /system/xbin/post-boot (set exec perm)
2. Add the above custom script path at the end of /system/etc/init.qcom.post\_boot.sh
Eg:
echo /system/xbin/post-boot >> /system/etc/init.qcom.post\_boot.sh
==================================================================
Done!
(If you can't find the qcom post\_boot (Qualcomm devices), look for any post\_boot scripts)
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: I tried all these methods and none of them worked for me.
What worked however was based on lord-ralf-adolf's answer here
[How to run a script on boot in CM12.1?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/112338/how-to-run-a-script-on-boot-in-cm12-1)
basically, find the file
`/system/etc/install-recovery.sh` and add the following line at the beginning
`/data/init.sh &`
then
```
touch /data/init.sh
chmod 755 /data/init.sh
```
Done!
You can now put whatever you want in `/data/init.sh` and it will run on startup.
If the file `/system/etc/install-recovery.sh` is not in your system then this answer won't work for you. Don't bother creating it.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_6: If you have **magisk** installed you can place the .sh to:
>
> /sbin/.magisk/img/.core/service.d/
>
>
>
or to
>
> /sbin/.magisk/img/.core/post-fs-data.d/
>
>
>
Don't forget to make it executable: `chmod +x your-script.sh`.
More info: <https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/blob/master/docs/guides.md#boot-scripts>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_7: Things were simple before Android 5 when SELinux wasn't `enforcing`. You could put your code in any script or replace a binary with script which was executed with root privileges on boot. Another method was to define a custom `init` service specifically to batch execute scripts from some directory.
Based on these approaches custom ROM developers introduced different *pseudo-`init.d`* phenomenon like `/etc/init.d/`, `/etc/install-recovery.sh`, `/etc/init.qcom.post_boot.sh`, `/system/bin/debuggerd`, `/data/init.sh`, `/data/local/userinit.sh`, `/data/local/init.d/` etc.
However a process running with UID `0` but in a restricted SELinux context is quite helpless. A service started in `init.rc` file with `u:r:init:s0` context [can't even execute a shell script](https://android.stackexchange.com/a/214866/218526) from `/system/bin/`, so SELinux policy needs to be patched to inject an *unrestricted* context e.g. Magisk [defines](https://android.stackexchange.com/a/213344/218526) `u:r:magisk:s0`. After that it's possible to run a script directly as `init` service or from `init.d`-like directory.
For details see [How to run an executable on boot and keep it running?](https://android.stackexchange.com/a/213623/218526)
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/02 | 805 | 2,782 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm looking for an app that will allow me to move most (if not all) of my applications to the SD card really easily. The actual Android application manager takes too much work to go to each application and manually move it.<issue_comment>username_1: You can use the `pm` command (via the debugger or a terminal app) to move packages around. I don’t know whether or not this needs root access.
```
$ pm list packages -f
package:/mnt/asec/cx.hell.android.pdfview-1/pkg.apk=cx.hell.android.pdfview
package:/data/app/uk.co.nickfines.RealCalc-1.apk=uk.co.nickfines.RealCalc
package:/mnt/asec/com.google.android.apps.androidify-1/pkg.apk=com.google.android.apps.androidify
package:/system/app/GoogleContactsSyncAdapter.apk=com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts
package:/data/app/com.isecpartners.android.manifestexplorer-1.apk=com.isecpartners.android.manifestexplorer
package:/system/app/GoogleBackupTransport.apk=com.google.android.backup
package:/data/app/org.fdroid.fdroid-1.apk=org.fdroid.fdroid
...etc...
```
Those packages which start with `/data/app` are candidates to be moved. Use
```
pm install -r -s /data/app/org.fdroid.fdroid-1.apk
```
which will reinstall it on the SD card (preserving the data). You could script this.
If an app does not want to move, use
```
pm setInstallLocation 2
```
to force it, but be warned that this can disable widgets and notifications for apps that aren’t expecting it, and that you should set it back to `0` unless you want every future app to go on the SD card.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: [AppAdmin](http://downloadandroid.info/tag/android-appadmin/)
The screenshots don't show the "Move" option if you Google it.
It's useful for backups and restores too. A great piece of kit
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: Take a look at [SD Move](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.beaglebros.SDMove&feature=search_result) and [SD Watch](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.beaglebros.SDWatch). They don't automate the process for you (I don't think automation is possible), but SD Move will give you a color coded list of what applications you can move over, and SD Watch will alert you when you install a new app whether or not it can be moved to the SD card.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_4: App2SD both notifies you when apps can be moved to the SD card, and provide an interface to do so.
Also there is a way to refine app2sd to allow more apps to move to SD card instructions here -
<http://www.bongizmo.com/blog/moving-all-android-apps-to-sdcard-apps2sd-froyo/>
I was able to follow except that it didn't indicate precisely what to enter in terminal, so I got stuck there - if anyone can advise on what should be typed in, would be helpful.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/03 | 406 | 1,468 | <issue_start>username_0: I have filters configured on my gmail account to add labels to incoming messages based on sender, subject, etc. I'd like to configure the default gmail client to apply different notifications based on these labels. [This post](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/2246/can-you-setup-android-gmail-to-play-a-sound-when-an-email-from-a-certain-email-ad) suggests setting up multiple gmail accounts, but that would quickly become unworkable, IMO. I've tried to change the notification settings while in a label view, and long-pressing on the label name in the label list screen, but neither leads to the desired result. I'm hoping there's something I've missed...<issue_comment>username_1: **No**, not in the native Gmail App.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_1: I just happened upon the **[GMail Label Notifier](https://market.android.com/details?id=org.hubris.gmailnotifierpro)** app. I think this will do exactly what you want.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: This has recently become a feature in the native GMail app.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: Yes they can!
```
Open GMail App
Settings
Select Account
Manage Labels
Select Label
Select "Sync Messages"
Customize!
```
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/BFDBB.png)
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/wxoLX.png)
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/03 | 285 | 995 | <issue_start>username_0: Are there a way to block all 3G traffic for specified apps?<issue_comment>username_1: You can block all 3G usage by going to SETTINGS > WIRELESS & NETWORKS > MOBILE NETWORKS and then clciking USE ONLY 2G Networks to disable 3G usage.
There are also lots of widgets available that will allow you toggle between 2G / 3G usage.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: ***If you have a rooted device*** you can filter which specific apps can access the 3G connection with **[DroidWall](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.googlecode.droidwall.free)**.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: [Onavo](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.onavo.android.onavoid) will let you do this, and it doesn't require your device to be rooted:
"Data hog blocking: Restrict specific apps to Wi-Fi, or block your 3G data altogether once you exceed your data cap to avoid any additional costs"
note that it's only free for a limited time (<http://www.onavo.com/help>).
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/03 | 3,032 | 12,723 | <issue_start>username_0: How does Android handle tablet specific apps and how do you distinguish these apps?
I know there are Android apps that [only work on Tablet devices](http://scobleizer.com/2011/03/02/no-apps-no-sale-ipad-2-vs-motorola-xoom-vs-rim-playbook-vs-hp-touchpad/) (they say there are currently 16) and wont work on phones. There is a similar relationship between the iPad and iPhone but in the iTunes app store there are distinct iPad and iPhone tabs. There doesn't appear to be the same type of distinction in the Android Market that will allow me to browse Tablet specific apps.<issue_comment>username_1: At this time there are no distinctions in the Market for browsing Tablet specific apps, and actually **there is no real Tablet specific distinction in general, it's a device specific destinction.**
Android has a distinction for **"Protected Apps."** These are apps that the developer has specified certain required device specific criteria. For example Adobe Flash has different versions of their app for different devices. If you have a Droid X, you'll see the specific version of the Flash app in the market which is different from the one that appears in the market for the Nexus 1, and if you have device that's not on the developers list of approved devices you won't see the app at all.
I have an Archos Tablet. The [NY Times has a "Tablet App"](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nytimes.android.tablet) but since my Tablet isn't a supported device, I don't see it in my Market.
These protected apps are mostly about Resolution, Processor type or Android OS version so apps cant be loaded on a device which couldn't support the resolution, or doesn't have the correct processor technology. In many cases if you are able to sideload the app, it'll work just fine but other times they do not. I download a lot of Protected apps on my Droid then transfer them to my Archos and they work great. Adobe Flash however force closes because it was designed for the Droid's processor and for good reason isn't available for my Archos. That doesn't mean another devices version of the Flash app won't work but this illustrates the problem of cross device compatibility.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: Very good question. I'll try to give the complete story here. I'm a developer myself so I might get a little technical now and then, but only that will show you the true reasons behind all of this.
Baseline: **There is no distinction between "phone apps" and "tablet apps" in the Market**.
A bit of *history* first: Android was meant for **phones** (let's say a G1). It was a **scope** thing. Then it started to support different **screen sizes** and different **screen densities** for these phones (like the Nexus One, at the time of [Android 1.6 Donut](http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.6.html)). If you want to know why I'm not using "screen resolution", then read [this](http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html#overview). Finally there was a market for other devices, like TV's and tablets with different needs and extra large screens. **TV's** aren't different from the phones in that they just show the same screen image, only enlarged since you sit further. **Tablets** however almost require a different *form of interaction* and have *extra large screens* combined WITH *high screen densities*, as do computer screens. True support for these tablets only came with the last version currently available, [**Android 3.0 Honeycomb**](http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-3.0.html). The only well-known exception being the Samsung Galaxy Tab which uses a different trick, just like the TV's actually, which I won't go into right now.
Transparency: The idea is that *every app* should be able to run *on any Android device*, if only the developer stays within reasonable boundaries, as defined by the platform API. This really is obvious for developers, and hence there is no good reason to cross the line here, but some still do, which makes for a small percentage of apps working really badly in general, or working really badly in any configuration but the specific one they were built for. This is **a shame** because these different configurations are really [commonplace](http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/screens.html) nowadays. Then again there are criminals in every society so let's keep these out. Next, there are **several levels of support for tablets, you could say**:
1. Apps that were built but **never adapted** for any of the above story. Let's say these are version 1.5 apps that haven't been touched since. For this Android uses a [**compatibility mode**](http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html#compatibility-examples). If the screen density is different than what the app was intended for, and the default used to be medium, than the app is being rendered scaled, either smaller or bigger. The whole picture here is being enlarged or shrunk basically. Tablets have the same medium density so they won't show any of this. If the screen size is different, and it is extra large for tablets, than a **black border**, like what you know from your widescreen TV, is being added. Would the screen be smaller than intended, than the app is filtered out via the market for that device, because there simply is no compatible way of properly displaying this app and have it work well enough. Plenty of caveats, but it works well. Still, you could call these app developers *pretty bad*, because the effort to at least get a typical app out of this compatibility mode is fairly small, as long as its developer used native widgets and didn't do too much fancy stuff. You can compare this btw to the way iPhone apps are displayed enlarged (switchable) on an iPad, when they are not adapted.
2. A step up are apps that have [information incorporated](http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/supports-screens-element.html) about **which screen parameters they support**. As the first of this was introduced in 1.6, this is still very much in the context of phones, but anyway still applies to tablets as well. What these apps will do, or rather, let the platform do for them considering they used the proper advised techniques, is **scale their content**. Now I'm not talking about scaling up the image in pixels. What it means is that if the app used to display 5 items on a regular screen, they will now display 10 or **more items in the same view** on a larger screen. As an added effect, all the controls, such as buttons, and the font size, stay more or less the same between all these devices. This is very much *intentionally* since we are using finger touch to operate them. If a button would become smaller, your finger might be to big for it; it would be awkward. The perk for tablets is that they display more information. I personally already call this very much **tablet compatible**, and if so, there are way more than 16 or 100 apps working on tablets, if not the bigger part of all the available apps. Don't let the marketing fool you. Do these apps make use of some of the new ways of interaction that comes with tablets? No they don't. So are they "designed for tablets"? Eh well, ..., it depends on the app. Many show up near-perfect regardless. Some devs include specific artwork for all the configurations (this is advised) so that everything looks nice and sharp. Some devs even test on all configurations :-) (which is also recommended). But the next category of apps really is designed for tablets:
3. These are apps **designed specifically also with tablets in mind**. They make use of some newer API parts that allow them to better fit in and to allow them to display **multiple sets of information** next to eachother. Android/Honeycomb doesn't have windows that you can drag around, but instead has parts of a screen that display each their own stuff, called ["*Fragments*"](http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/fundamentals/fragments.html). Note that this level of abstraction is below what Android used to have, a single "Activity", whereas on a desktop computer, the "window" concept is sort-of supra-application, an added level on top of what we used to have on old DOS computers. The need to **display even more information** than what I mentioned in paragraph 2, comes from the fact that there are a lot of one-dimensional lists in Android apps of course. In 2 these would extend by adding new items in the length, but in width they would just *fill the screen*. Add to that that tablets are preferably held in landscape mode, and these lists with very wide items would just be unfortunate. Hence the idea to display *multiple lists next to eachother*, and make it possible to *slide them in and out*, etc. I.e. make use of the free **extra screen space**. The same rationale is behind *controls moving into the screen space*, the *menu being integrated into the top bar*, and *notifications* getting more screen space *in the bottom bar*, all things these apps can support on top of what they supported on phones. *There are however forcibly **no** apps that **ONLY** work on a tablet.* There is also *no per-device filtering in the Market currently, only a filtering based on these rough specs and parameters* we have been discussing. The recommendation is to add this support on top of supporting phones, and it is perfectly possible to do this **in the same app**. There is however a somewhat *exceptional situation* in that Android 3.0 Honeycomb is currently *not released for phones*, only for tablets. But it has been confirmed that in the future these two forks will likely *merge* again, and the reason for the fork has been an *organizational* one rather than a conceptual one, where one group focused on getting tablets, whereas another kept working to improve Android for phones to bridge this long time period. Though I have to admit, personally, I see this step up to full tablet support as **the biggest change in Android yet**. No way you could say this doesn't take any effort, or doesn't induce some mild [headaches](http://commonsware.com/blog/2011/02/09/honeycomb-or-why-i-havent-been-blogged-much-recently.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3a+PlanetAndroidCom+%28Planet+Android%29), such as maintaining [backwards compatibility](http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/compatibility.html). Can't blame Android, it is exactly what it only could have been, but it is [non-trivial](http://blog.radioactiveyak.com/2011/02/strategies-for-honeycomb-and-backwards.html) nonetheless. So please bear with us, users! Things are always very much in motion.
So, to get back to the *original question*. How to distinguish these in the Market? In short: **you can't**. The Market has advanced filtering capabilities, but since nearly all apps can run in some compatibility mode or another they will show up on your tablet. The mindset behind the Android Market, from Google's point of view, as well as the OHA, has always been to interfere as little as possible and have it open. Since the intent is to build a community and ecosystem, I guess they meant to rely on news sites a la AndroidGuys to do some filtering for you, by **reviewing** and **testing** apps and **rating** them. **That's where you should look for now.**
*One more thing*: Now, why does Apple do have this kind of differentiation? There's a simple reason for that! If you objectively look at iOS devices, then you'll notice there are only a few screen resolutions. I believe 2 between the iPhones, and 1 for the iPads. While the Android platform now truly supports the full scale of screens - you could throw any resolution at it and it'd work perfectly - , *iOS can't*. That's why the new iPad 2 did not get a slightly bigger resolution. It'd basically trigger a totally new category in the App Store, as well as a rewrite of any app, to make it run in anything but compatibility mode. Guess I don't need to explain how much that sucks from both a user and developer perspective?
To summarize: as usual, the Android story, as is probably the real situation, is a bit more complex, but you get served well in the end.
Full reference: <http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html>
Expiration date: 2012-03-07
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: I think if your looking for a place to find tablet specific apps and not have to sift through the Android market then you should check out the Playstore app [Tablified Tablet Market](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tablifiedapps.tablifiedmarket). For now, it can be the Tablet section that the market is missing. Hope this helps.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/03 | 3,081 | 13,028 | <issue_start>username_0: Before installing a new ROM, I backed up all data from my system apps using Titanium. I installed the new ROM, and also put in a new SIM card from a different network (so it was in on first boot-up of the new ROM). Everything worked great on the new network, until I restored my backups. The settings for the network (matching the current SIM) were overwritten by the settings for the old network (matching the previous SIM), and data completely stopped working.
My question is, **what app stores the data network settings?** If I know then I can restore data for everthing except that app (or apps) and not need to start from scratch if I change SIMs again. Additionally, is there any way I can trigger the phone to go "Oh look, the settings don't match this SIM, how 'bout we update the settings?"
I have a Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant running Froyo (Bionix v1.3 with TouchWiz).<issue_comment>username_1: At this time there are no distinctions in the Market for browsing Tablet specific apps, and actually **there is no real Tablet specific distinction in general, it's a device specific destinction.**
Android has a distinction for **"Protected Apps."** These are apps that the developer has specified certain required device specific criteria. For example Adobe Flash has different versions of their app for different devices. If you have a Droid X, you'll see the specific version of the Flash app in the market which is different from the one that appears in the market for the Nexus 1, and if you have device that's not on the developers list of approved devices you won't see the app at all.
I have an Archos Tablet. The [NY Times has a "Tablet App"](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nytimes.android.tablet) but since my Tablet isn't a supported device, I don't see it in my Market.
These protected apps are mostly about Resolution, Processor type or Android OS version so apps cant be loaded on a device which couldn't support the resolution, or doesn't have the correct processor technology. In many cases if you are able to sideload the app, it'll work just fine but other times they do not. I download a lot of Protected apps on my Droid then transfer them to my Archos and they work great. Adobe Flash however force closes because it was designed for the Droid's processor and for good reason isn't available for my Archos. That doesn't mean another devices version of the Flash app won't work but this illustrates the problem of cross device compatibility.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: Very good question. I'll try to give the complete story here. I'm a developer myself so I might get a little technical now and then, but only that will show you the true reasons behind all of this.
Baseline: **There is no distinction between "phone apps" and "tablet apps" in the Market**.
A bit of *history* first: Android was meant for **phones** (let's say a G1). It was a **scope** thing. Then it started to support different **screen sizes** and different **screen densities** for these phones (like the Nexus One, at the time of [Android 1.6 Donut](http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.6.html)). If you want to know why I'm not using "screen resolution", then read [this](http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html#overview). Finally there was a market for other devices, like TV's and tablets with different needs and extra large screens. **TV's** aren't different from the phones in that they just show the same screen image, only enlarged since you sit further. **Tablets** however almost require a different *form of interaction* and have *extra large screens* combined WITH *high screen densities*, as do computer screens. True support for these tablets only came with the last version currently available, [**Android 3.0 Honeycomb**](http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-3.0.html). The only well-known exception being the Samsung Galaxy Tab which uses a different trick, just like the TV's actually, which I won't go into right now.
Transparency: The idea is that *every app* should be able to run *on any Android device*, if only the developer stays within reasonable boundaries, as defined by the platform API. This really is obvious for developers, and hence there is no good reason to cross the line here, but some still do, which makes for a small percentage of apps working really badly in general, or working really badly in any configuration but the specific one they were built for. This is **a shame** because these different configurations are really [commonplace](http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/screens.html) nowadays. Then again there are criminals in every society so let's keep these out. Next, there are **several levels of support for tablets, you could say**:
1. Apps that were built but **never adapted** for any of the above story. Let's say these are version 1.5 apps that haven't been touched since. For this Android uses a [**compatibility mode**](http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html#compatibility-examples). If the screen density is different than what the app was intended for, and the default used to be medium, than the app is being rendered scaled, either smaller or bigger. The whole picture here is being enlarged or shrunk basically. Tablets have the same medium density so they won't show any of this. If the screen size is different, and it is extra large for tablets, than a **black border**, like what you know from your widescreen TV, is being added. Would the screen be smaller than intended, than the app is filtered out via the market for that device, because there simply is no compatible way of properly displaying this app and have it work well enough. Plenty of caveats, but it works well. Still, you could call these app developers *pretty bad*, because the effort to at least get a typical app out of this compatibility mode is fairly small, as long as its developer used native widgets and didn't do too much fancy stuff. You can compare this btw to the way iPhone apps are displayed enlarged (switchable) on an iPad, when they are not adapted.
2. A step up are apps that have [information incorporated](http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/supports-screens-element.html) about **which screen parameters they support**. As the first of this was introduced in 1.6, this is still very much in the context of phones, but anyway still applies to tablets as well. What these apps will do, or rather, let the platform do for them considering they used the proper advised techniques, is **scale their content**. Now I'm not talking about scaling up the image in pixels. What it means is that if the app used to display 5 items on a regular screen, they will now display 10 or **more items in the same view** on a larger screen. As an added effect, all the controls, such as buttons, and the font size, stay more or less the same between all these devices. This is very much *intentionally* since we are using finger touch to operate them. If a button would become smaller, your finger might be to big for it; it would be awkward. The perk for tablets is that they display more information. I personally already call this very much **tablet compatible**, and if so, there are way more than 16 or 100 apps working on tablets, if not the bigger part of all the available apps. Don't let the marketing fool you. Do these apps make use of some of the new ways of interaction that comes with tablets? No they don't. So are they "designed for tablets"? Eh well, ..., it depends on the app. Many show up near-perfect regardless. Some devs include specific artwork for all the configurations (this is advised) so that everything looks nice and sharp. Some devs even test on all configurations :-) (which is also recommended). But the next category of apps really is designed for tablets:
3. These are apps **designed specifically also with tablets in mind**. They make use of some newer API parts that allow them to better fit in and to allow them to display **multiple sets of information** next to eachother. Android/Honeycomb doesn't have windows that you can drag around, but instead has parts of a screen that display each their own stuff, called ["*Fragments*"](http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/fundamentals/fragments.html). Note that this level of abstraction is below what Android used to have, a single "Activity", whereas on a desktop computer, the "window" concept is sort-of supra-application, an added level on top of what we used to have on old DOS computers. The need to **display even more information** than what I mentioned in paragraph 2, comes from the fact that there are a lot of one-dimensional lists in Android apps of course. In 2 these would extend by adding new items in the length, but in width they would just *fill the screen*. Add to that that tablets are preferably held in landscape mode, and these lists with very wide items would just be unfortunate. Hence the idea to display *multiple lists next to eachother*, and make it possible to *slide them in and out*, etc. I.e. make use of the free **extra screen space**. The same rationale is behind *controls moving into the screen space*, the *menu being integrated into the top bar*, and *notifications* getting more screen space *in the bottom bar*, all things these apps can support on top of what they supported on phones. *There are however forcibly **no** apps that **ONLY** work on a tablet.* There is also *no per-device filtering in the Market currently, only a filtering based on these rough specs and parameters* we have been discussing. The recommendation is to add this support on top of supporting phones, and it is perfectly possible to do this **in the same app**. There is however a somewhat *exceptional situation* in that Android 3.0 Honeycomb is currently *not released for phones*, only for tablets. But it has been confirmed that in the future these two forks will likely *merge* again, and the reason for the fork has been an *organizational* one rather than a conceptual one, where one group focused on getting tablets, whereas another kept working to improve Android for phones to bridge this long time period. Though I have to admit, personally, I see this step up to full tablet support as **the biggest change in Android yet**. No way you could say this doesn't take any effort, or doesn't induce some mild [headaches](http://commonsware.com/blog/2011/02/09/honeycomb-or-why-i-havent-been-blogged-much-recently.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3a+PlanetAndroidCom+%28Planet+Android%29), such as maintaining [backwards compatibility](http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/compatibility.html). Can't blame Android, it is exactly what it only could have been, but it is [non-trivial](http://blog.radioactiveyak.com/2011/02/strategies-for-honeycomb-and-backwards.html) nonetheless. So please bear with us, users! Things are always very much in motion.
So, to get back to the *original question*. How to distinguish these in the Market? In short: **you can't**. The Market has advanced filtering capabilities, but since nearly all apps can run in some compatibility mode or another they will show up on your tablet. The mindset behind the Android Market, from Google's point of view, as well as the OHA, has always been to interfere as little as possible and have it open. Since the intent is to build a community and ecosystem, I guess they meant to rely on news sites a la AndroidGuys to do some filtering for you, by **reviewing** and **testing** apps and **rating** them. **That's where you should look for now.**
*One more thing*: Now, why does Apple do have this kind of differentiation? There's a simple reason for that! If you objectively look at iOS devices, then you'll notice there are only a few screen resolutions. I believe 2 between the iPhones, and 1 for the iPads. While the Android platform now truly supports the full scale of screens - you could throw any resolution at it and it'd work perfectly - , *iOS can't*. That's why the new iPad 2 did not get a slightly bigger resolution. It'd basically trigger a totally new category in the App Store, as well as a rewrite of any app, to make it run in anything but compatibility mode. Guess I don't need to explain how much that sucks from both a user and developer perspective?
To summarize: as usual, the Android story, as is probably the real situation, is a bit more complex, but you get served well in the end.
Full reference: <http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/screens_support.html>
Expiration date: 2012-03-07
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: I think if your looking for a place to find tablet specific apps and not have to sift through the Android market then you should check out the Playstore app [Tablified Tablet Market](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tablifiedapps.tablifiedmarket). For now, it can be the Tablet section that the market is missing. Hope this helps.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/03 | 696 | 2,659 | <issue_start>username_0: >
> **Possible Duplicate:**
>
> [How can I install an app given only its APK file?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/5566/how-can-i-install-an-app-given-only-its-apk-file)
>
>
>
First, as I understand, if I do not have the SD card slot on Android phone (e.g. Samsung Nexus S), the only way that I can install the .apk file is to either download from Android Market or use the SDK (description is e.g. here <http://www.talkandroid.com/guides/install-apk-files-on-android/>) and the USB cable (With SD card I'm copying the .apk to SD card and then I'm using the ASTRO file manager).
Installation by sending .apk file over Bluetooth (like it is done on Symbian) is not possible, I guess - at least I was not able to send an .apk on any Android phone (the Bluetooth transfer was always rejected by the phone).
How can I install an .apk file on an Android Phone which does not have a SD card slot?<issue_comment>username_1: You can also place an .apk file on a web server and then using the built-in web browser on your android phone, navigate to that URL which will cause the browser to download the apk file. You will then have the ability in the downloads window to click on the downloaded apk file which Android will then try to install.
I forgot to mention to make sure the content-type is:
```
Content-Type: application/vnd.android.package-archive
```
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I don't have a Nexus S, but I'm sure that the internal storage has a publicly accessible folder. Where does the browser save files to? Put an APK on a website, download it with a browser, and then open it. That will do the trick.
Same thing with Bluetooth. Store the APK somewhere (in the same path, or create a path and `chmod 777` it), and then use something like OI File Manager to open it.
Btw, check `Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory()` and related methods for a path to store data in.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Probably .apk files are not allowed to transfer over bluetooth (not sure)
but you can change the extension from .apk to some other format and after transfering again change it back to .apk - work around solution
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: I have a Windows 7 64-bit laptop and a Samsung Spica running v2.1 Eclair. I've paired the phone with the laptop and frequently transfer APKs via bluetooth to the phone. Especially when my cable isn't nearby.
The APK is placed in the /sdcard/bluetooth folder and I can then install it using a File Manager of choice like Astro / Root Explorer etc.
This may be new behaviour that is being displayed.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/03 | 1,893 | 7,749 | <issue_start>username_0: I've had my HTC Desire for a couple of months now and it is awesome! (A huge improvement to my previous phone... Nokia 3315)
Though recently, I've realised that the phone semi-freezes more and more often - ie. when swiping between homescreens it will either pause/freeze and I will have to re-swipe to get it to change screens. Or worse, it just won't respond to any further swipes and I have to lock the screen then unlock to get the phone back into action.
Got quite annoyed at this (was probably happening once or twice a day) so I thought it might help to turn it off and on again. So I did - not sure if it was a placebo effect but it *seems* to have helped a bit?
So given that this is my first smartphone, I was wondering if it is 'normal' to need to restart the phone every so often. If so, how often is 'normal'? If not, what can I do to diagnose/fix this problem?<issue_comment>username_1: In my experience, for some devices, it helps to reboot the device about once a week. I don't know the exact technical implications of this but rebooting seems to free up the device in some way and make it respond quicker. This will not always be the case though, right now on my EVO i'm at 391 hours (16 days) of uptime and I don't notice any freezing or slowness. On my Hero I would though so I rebooted every-so-often. If you haven't already you may want to look into rooting and [flash a custom-rom](https://android.stackexchange.com/q/6028/2422) on your phone as usually that will give you better performance and battery-life. I have found this to be true since with both my Android devices and my previous Windows Mobile phones.
And while I don't recommend it, you can look into [ATK for Android](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rechild.advancedtaskkiller) or some other task killer and see if this helps. You can make your own decision if you want to use a task killer - some people think they're great while others think they don't help.
*Edit* - I went to find some links both for and against task killers and mostly I found against. Here are two that lean against them but also talk about ways to use them.
<http://lifehacker.com/#!5650894>
<http://www.androidcentral.com/how-properly-set-and-use-task-killer-oh-yes-i-went-there>
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I have had a similar problem but I also had my desire rebooting itself when using google maps. I spoke to vodafone who said return the device to us and we'll fix it, well I did and all they did was reflash it...total waste of time. Anyway ity started rebooting on its own again so I contacted HTC who were very helpful and said that on some desire handsets the motherboard was faulty and I need to send it to them for them to change the motherboard. I did this and 8 days later received my phone back and I have tested it with maps and all the app killer software and my phone works perfect. I say if you have any problems with any HTC contact them directly and they will sort it for you.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: When should I reboot?
---------------------
If you notice any of the following, it is probably time for a reboot:
* It takes a long time for an app to launch
* A system service keep crashing
* It takes a long time to switch in between activities (i.e. pressing the back button)
* It takes a long time for the lock screen to appear after pressing the power button
A lot of people almost never reboot their phones (once a couple of months) and they function perfectly. Most of those people are not serious android users though, they pretty much just use it as a phone (calling/texting) and thats about it. If you are a more serious user that plays a lot of games or likes to use a ton of apps then you will need to reboot more often, perhaps once every week or every couple of days.
If you have a newer device you also don't need to reboot it as much because it probably has a faster processor and more RAM so it can handle a larger load for longer. Older devices need to be rebooted a lot more than newer devices.
Why does my device slow down?
-----------------------------
Your device slows down because the processor is busy doing work it doesn't need to do. After a while, processes running in the background ([services](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4353570/android-service)) start to pile up. Android is pretty efficient about knowing when to keep services and activities alive. in the older builds of Android, the system is a little bit more lenient about what it keeps running. In theory it isn't really bad to have a ton of Apps running at once because Android pauses all of the Apps that are in the background. Now, what stinker developers do is they have their app start up a bunch of services when their app starts up. This is really bad because the services will keep running even after the app is no longer visible.
Android is pretty picky about it's memory. Android wants to have it's memory as close to full as possible. Android is pretty efficient at cleaning up memory leaks created by processes, so you really don't need to be worrying about your memory usage especially on newer devices. Most people think that when their memory is full, it's a bad thing. That is totally wrong and I will show you why.
If you know a little bit about electronics, you should know that RAM is basically just a massive array of bytes. The processor needs to run an instruction to load a byte into a section of the array. When the processor runs instruction, it takes power (in this case battery power). When the RAM is almost full it doesn't really hurt the battery; you want it to be almost full because the system doesn't want to keep pushing bytes into the register, it wants to work with what it has. When you destroy all of your apps that were just running, Android automatically clears the memory that those applications were hogging. Then the Android system goes "oh, where did my Sync Service just go? Better start it up again!" Then your device has to reload all of the RAM that you just cleared. This takes a lot of power and drains your battery. So you might kill a couple of services that were CPU hoggers but you are killing a lot of services that Android was actually managing efficiently.
Myths about 'Memory Boosters'
-----------------------------
>
> Ha! Take that system apps that were running in the background, thank you App Killer for freeing up all of that memory for me!
>
>
>
When I hear this I go just about nuts, and so does every else on this site. Do not constantly use an App Killer to kill all of your idle processes! What you should really be saying is this:
>
> Ha! Take that battery! Have fun loading all of those services up again from scratch!
>
>
>
Now, there is a way to use "App Killers" effectively. You should only use them to kill background services that have gone rouge (eating up massive amounts of CPU). This happens more often on older devices.
Unless you have a reason why you don't want to reboot your phone when it is being slow, I would reboot it instead of running an App Killer. Rebooting does eat up a little bit of battery as well, but it will most defiantly kill any service that could have been hogging your CPU.
>
> Friends don't let friends use App Killers.
>
>
>
My device is still slow after reboot, help?
-------------------------------------------
If your device is still slow after reboot, then you should go through your apps and delete the ones you don't need. A lot of those apps are probably starting background services and slowing your device down.
---
If anything needs to be added, or if anything here is inaccurate feel free to edit. Constructive editing is welcome.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/04 | 787 | 2,533 | <issue_start>username_0: I bought it at Amazon.com, and had it delivered to a friend's house in Massachusetts. I flew to the US, visit my friend, did some tourism, and brought the phone back with me to Brazil, where I put in my GSM chip and it works just fine. Here is the phone info:
* Model number: Milestone
* Firmware version: 2.1-update1
* Firmware configuration version: GAS\_EMEA\_USASHLS00RTINT\_P012
The box says: SM,A853,TR,RETAIL,LICBRZ
So, I should be waiting for an update for what? Europe, like it says in [this thread](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/2696/when-will-my-phone-get-the-android-2-2-update-froyo)? Or Latin America? Or can I get 2.2 safely from somewhere else? The software looks pretty American to me. What if I follow the instructions from [this site](http://digitalconqurer.com/gadgets/motorola/install-android-2-2-froyo-update-for-motorola-droid-milestone-without-rootinghow-to/)? Do I risk bricking my phone?<issue_comment>username_1: First of all: Motorola Droid and Motorola Milestone are two different phones, although they look the same. The XT720 (aka Motoroi or Sholes Tablet) is another phone from the Milestone family, but without a keyboard.
The Software is NOT compatible, flashing a SBF file for the wrong phone will result in a bricked device. If you flash a custom ROM via an update.zip or nandroid image, you won't get past the Motorola-Logo on boot, but it's still possible to flash the right ROM.
>
> * Model number: Milestone Firmware
> * version: 2.1-update1 Firmware
> * configuration version: GAS\_EMEA\_USASHLS00RTINT\_P012
>
>
> The box says: SM,A853,TR,RETAIL,LICBRZ
>
>
>
This is indicating you got the standard Milestone, the A853, with the South-East Asia firmware (RTINT). You can flash every Milestone (A853) RO, but it's possible, that 3G won't work due to different frequencies.
I think, a Brazil ROM (Vivo?!) was leaked some time ago, but there's no official release yet.
Custom ROMs:
<NAME> maintains a Brazilian AOSP ROM (<http://code.google.com/p/shadowmodbr/>) and there is an unofficial version of the CyanogenMod 7 (2.3.3, Gingerbread). More info here: <http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=670>
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: The Motorola update software will recognize the correct origin, so you could always try to get the official Froyo upgrade.
Click around on this page to get instructions: <http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Support/GB-EN/froyo/milestonenotification.htm>
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/04 | 409 | 1,503 | <issue_start>username_0: >
> **Possible Duplicate:**
>
> [How to remove pre-installed apps like Peep and Friend Stream from my HTC phone?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/50/how-to-remove-pre-installed-apps-like-peep-and-friend-stream-from-my-htc-phone)
>
> [How can I uninstall applications that are locked by phone vendor?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/6851/how-can-i-uninstall-applications-that-are-locked-by-phone-vendor)
>
>
>
I've just treated myself to an HTC Desire HD. I now want to get rid of quite a lot of the bloat that comes pre-installed. E.g. things like HTC's 'Stocks' widget which isn't visible on the Market and doesn't have an `Uninstall` option on the handsets Application Manager.
My googling around has lead me to the conclusion that to do this I'll need to `root` my phone and consequently invalidate my UK warranty. Is this correct or is there another way?
Thanks.<issue_comment>username_1: You can also attempt to go directly to Settings>Applications>Manage Applications and see if you can uninstall from there. If not, those HTC things you mention are baked into the OS version they are using, so you won't be able to uninstall it without (possibly) rooting or even installing a community version such as CyanogenMod.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: Yes, you will have to root and invalidate your warranty to remove these apps. Most of the time however you can "un-root" and no one will be the wiser.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/04 | 195 | 789 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm using Samsung Galaxy 3 (GT-I5801). The ones listed as Dialer.favourites and contacts.starred in the 'Choose custom activity' are not working. This happens in both TouchWiz and ADWLauncher<issue_comment>username_1: You can also attempt to go directly to Settings>Applications>Manage Applications and see if you can uninstall from there. If not, those HTC things you mention are baked into the OS version they are using, so you won't be able to uninstall it without (possibly) rooting or even installing a community version such as CyanogenMod.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: Yes, you will have to root and invalidate your warranty to remove these apps. Most of the time however you can "un-root" and no one will be the wiser.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/03 | 231 | 959 | <issue_start>username_0: I is there an app wherein I can switch on my laptop camera from my andorid phone, and view the camera output on my phone. I am running windows 7 on my laptop.<issue_comment>username_1: Use a chat program like Skype and set it to auto answer when a particular account is the caller.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: One suggestion is to install a VNC Server on the PC you wish to interact with.
You will then need to install a VNC Client on the device you wish to use as the remote control.
There are a few VNC clients listed on Google Play Store Apps.
With that you can activate other apps such as the camera.
While the camera is showing on the screen the view will stream to your remote device.
This method would also give the ability to further interact with remote environment as well.
My research has found this technique can work the other way around as well.
+1 for @<NAME> idea for Skype as an option
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/04 | 315 | 1,068 | <issue_start>username_0: My wife has a Pandigital Novel and would like to be able to listen to audiobooks from Barnes & Noble. The people at the Barnes & Noble store said this can only be done on a Nook. However, since we just recently (last Fall) bought the Novel, I'm not much inclined to turn around and buy another tablet/e-reader for her if it can be avoided.
Is there any way the Novel can download/play Barnes & Noble's audiobooks?<issue_comment>username_1: After some googling, it appears that B&N audiobooks are in MP3 format with no DRM. That means they should play on **almost everything** that can play audio, including the Novel.
**Edit:** Their [FAQ](http://www.barnesandnoble.com/help/cds2.asp?PID=27154&cds2Pid=8510&linkid=1636468) says exactly that, and mentions how to download the files.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I have a Pandigital and DO play mp3 audiobooks on it without any issue. However, I have been borrowing them from the public library and it seems you have to got through iTunes to drag and drop them to you PDN.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/05 | 240 | 988 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm digging around trying to find a Angry Birds save files but File Manager is lying about what's in each folder. How can I give that app su rights? Can I launch it from the command line after typing su or something?<issue_comment>username_1: I'm not sure how you'd do that with the built-in file manager, but there are several file managers that will work. I use Root Explorer, and I've heard many other recommend Astro File Manager (which has a free version, I believe). They should work if you have the Superuser app installed (I would assume it comes with CM, but it's in the Market if not).
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: You cannot grant su to any normal file manager. The application has to "request" su. That is where applications like Root Explorer come in.
AFAIK, Astro File Manager doesn't even make use of su. If it does, some one tell me how because I like that file manager, and will use it for my "root" tasks.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/05 | 1,045 | 3,999 | <issue_start>username_0: My phone is HTC desire, Android 2.2.
It seems to connect to the VPN server while using WiFi, but the browser and other applications can't be access the Internet any more. The connection is disconnected after minutes automatically. However, the same VPN settings work well while using 3G.
**Update:** The router allows VPN connections -- My PC and a Milestone 2 can use the same VPN over the WiFi network.
**Update 2:** It doesn't work over all WiFi connection! My phone could access the Internet when connecting the same VPN over the WiFi network of my office. It looks like the VPN only doesn't work over the WiFi network of my home.
**Update 3 - solution** After updating my phone to HTC official desire 2.3.3 dev ROM, it works. So it looks like there is a bug fixed by Android or HTC rom in 2.3.3.
Does anyone know how to resolve or diagnose this issue?<issue_comment>username_1: A complete article on VPN on HTC Desire is present on the [HTC Europe](http://www.htc.com/europe/howto.aspx?id=698&type=1&p_id=312) portal. Hope this will help you out.
>
> Connecting to a virtual private network (VPN) From your phone, you can add, set up, and manage virtual private networks (VPNs) that allow you to connect and access resources inside a secured local network, such as your corporate network.
>
>
> Depending on the type of VPN you are using at work, you may be required to enter your login credentials and/or install security certificates before you can connect to your company’s local network. You can get this information from your network administrator.
>
>
> Also, your phone must first establish a Wi-Fi or data connection before you can initiate a VPN connection. For information about setting up and using these connections on your phone, see Data connection and Wi-Fi.
>
>
> **Setting up secure credential storage**
>
>
> If your network administrator instructs you to download and install security certificates, you must first set up the phone’s secure credential storage.
>
>
> * From the Home screen, press MENU, tap Settings > Security, and then tap Set password.
> * Enter a new password for the credential storage (at least 8 characters without any spaces).
> * Scroll down and confirm the password, and then tap OK.
> * Select the Use secure credentials check box.
>
>
> You can then download and install the certificates needed to access your local network Your network administrator can tell you how to do this.
>
>
> **Adding a VPN connection**
>
>
> * From the Home screen, press MENU, tap Settings > Wireless & networks > VPN settings.
> * Tap Add VPN, and then tap the type of VPN you want to add.
> * Tap the VPN settings and set them up according to the security details you obtained from your network administrator.
> * Press MENU, and then tap Save.
>
>
> The VPN is then added to the VPNs section of the VPN settings screen.
>
>
> **Connecting to a VPN**
>
>
> * From the Home screen, press MENU, tap Settings > Wireless & networks > VPN settings.
> * In the VPNs section, tap the VPN that you want to connect to.
> * When prompted, enter your log in credentials, and then tap Connect.
>
>
> When you are connected, the VPN connected icon appears in the notification area of the title bar.
>
>
> You can then open the web browser to access resources such as intranet sites on your corporate network.
>
>
> **Disconnecting from a VPN**
>
>
> * Press and hold the title bar, and then slide down your finger to open the Notifications panel.
> * Tap the VPN connection to return to the VPN settings screen, and then tap the VPN connection to disconnect from it.
> * When your phone has disconnected from the VPN, the VPN disconnected icon is displayed in the notification area of the title bar.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: After updating my phone to htc official desire 2.3.3 dev ROM, it works. So it looks like there is a bug fixed by Android or HTC rom in 2.3.3.
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/05 | 322 | 1,318 | <issue_start>username_0: I mistakenly dragged an icon on the home screen (Nexus One) to the bottom area ("Main dock") that contains 3 main icons (phone, launcher, browser).
That icon replaced the launcher and now I can't access any of my other apps.
(My launcher is the ADWLauncher, that comes with CyganogenMod).
What do I do now?
How do I revert this back?
(I tried "Restore ADW settings" but unfortunately there was nothing in the backup location).
Is there a way to "restore it to factory settings"?<issue_comment>username_1: You should be able to go to `Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications`, find the launcher, and Clear Data for it. Hopefully that will restore it to default.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: You can create a launcher app shortcut on the desktop (long press on the desktop then shortcuts; or something like that, can't remember the exact menu), then drag the launcher to the middle button. I've also often had this as well, accidentally removing the launcher shortcut every time I want to delete the shortcut, it's part of the reason I no longer uses ADW.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: This just happened to me too, and a simple `Power off` then `Power on` solved the problem.
(if one could avoid clearing data, this is even better)
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/05 | 594 | 2,376 | <issue_start>username_0: My phone syncs with Google pretty often. Each time it takes a few minutes and makes the whole phone work slowly.
Is there any way to make the synchronization less frequent?
Barring that, is there any way to make it pause when I actually want to *use* the phone? Is there any way to lower the priority of the sync tasks?
I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S with Froyo.<issue_comment>username_1: I don't know of any way to set the sync frequency or to make syncing low-priority, unfortunately. You could use Locale to turn off/on auto-sync based on profiles you set up, however. There's a Locale plugin that might do most of the work for you: <https://market.android.com/details?id=net.andvari.android.syncsetting>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: I believe that username_1 is correct about there being no native way to sync this, and about Locale's ability to work around this, but I'm going to suggest some cheaper and simpler alternatives to the $10 Locale app:
**[Tasker](https://market.android.com/details?id=net.dinglisch.android.taskerm) ($6.50):** Basically the same as Locale but cheaper. With this (and probably Locale) **you could set a profile that turns on AutoSync for only 5 minutes and repeats this every hour (or whatever timeframe you want).** Also, Tasker can use Locale plugins.
**[JuiceDefender](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.latedroid.juicedefender) (free):** I've used it before (although never tried what you are trying to do) and it's super easy to setup and use. It allows you to control total connectivity and app by app connectivity control. It also claims to allow you to schedule "Synchronization Events", which I've never tried by sounds like it would control general and app specific syncing.
**[Sync Schedule](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ebserver.syncschedule) (free):** I don't think this will be as useful as the name suggests but if all else fails it's worth a shot. It allows you to set times for the autosync to turn off and on but I'm not sure if it lets you set multiple time windows per day so this may be of limited use.
Also regarding your *"is there any way to make it pause when I actually want to use the phone?"* question, **the native Android Power Control Widget has an Autosync as one of the options allowing you to toggle it on/off at will**.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/06 | 371 | 1,432 | <issue_start>username_0: I have a samsung Galaxy S (Fascinate) that I haven't decided if I want to keep, so I haven't activated it on my Verizon account. I'd like to root it and flash a new ROM (possibly a separate Kernel) but I'm wondering if doing so when it is not connected to any carrier will cause any problems, particularly with the voice/data connection settings?<issue_comment>username_1: I doubt it. I've done the same with a GSM Galaxy S (the Vibrant) with no problems. Of course it probably depends on whether you have a really terrible ROM, but rooting alone shouldn't matter. And it might be different for CDMA. But worst case, you can just flash back to stock. My Vibrant picked up the network settings on it's first boot with a SIM, I would again assume your first boot-up after activation would cause the same thing. Plus, if the custom ROM is Captivate-based and not i9000-based, it might have the network settings already built in (and just need to pick up the phone number).
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: You will not get voice/data if it is not activated on your VZW account. But you can use it as a wifi device, like an iPod. I say root it and flash an ICS ROM to see what the device can do. I think you'll be surprised! Go [here](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1238070) for all the info you need to root/flash/return it to stock if you decide to sell it.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/06 | 2,037 | 7,500 | <issue_start>username_0: Is there such a thing as a "current user" on Android and a way to switch it?
I'm interested in getting a Motorola Xoom and would like to share it with my wife when at home. For my Windows laptop we us fast-user switching so that we can keep our own tabs and logins. I'm not specifically interested in the privacy aspects of user-switching, so if the OS doesn't support separate users, is there a concept of profile switching?<issue_comment>username_1: **There is an app called [Devide](http://www.enterproid.com/features.html) by Enterproid that may do the trick.** It's meant to be for deploying in a work environment so that a user can have a work profile and a personal profile on the phone, each separate and secure with different settings and apps specific to the work or personal environment. I don't see why it wouldn't work with two different people's profiles instead of the work vs. personal setup. I don't know about compatibility with the Xoom, or cost (it's probably not cheap) and they are still in an invite only beta but it's worth requesting an invite and checking it out.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Supporting multiple users has been discussed before, and I think that it is something that is needed as well. If I buy a tablet, and set it up for my email, calendar, etc. I don't want that device to be a community device. Which would mean that multiple tablets would be needed in a family household.
A problem with being able to support multiple users is the space required. If each user had their own settings, then the /data/data would have to be much larger to support these extra users. But not only settings, it would have to support all the apps installed by the user too, so /data would have to be much larger too. You couldn't use the same apps between users, because the paid apps are tied to the account that bought them.
I think this will eventually happen, but much larger storage would be needed for the devices. As it is, my device consistently fills the /data/cache and I have to clear that out because of the number of apps I have installed. Now just imagine have 2 (or more users) using the same device. And where do you set the limit on the number of users that can use one device? There are 2 adults and 3 teenagers in my household. So that is 5 people that could potentially be using one device.
I actually experience issues with Google TV about this very topic as well. It doesn't, currently, have gmail, or apps like that, installed, but I can log in to gmail via Chrome Browser, and then if someone else comes and uses the TV/Browser, now I am logged in. (I don't actually do this, but I noticed it to be an issue with services like youtube and such)
---
**update**
Google has been hard at work [starting to implement this](http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/07/30/multiple-user-accounts-are-coming-miles-of-code-is-already-in-aosp-and-some-of-it-is-quietly-working-on-devices-right-now/). No actually information on when it will be available, but the start of the foundation has been laid.
In the [LockPatternKeyguardView](https://github.com/CyanogenMod/android_frameworks_base/blob/52c489cd63cca0361f374f7cb392018fabfa8bcc/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/LockPatternKeyguardView.java) is the following code:
```
public void onUserChanged(int userId) {
mLockPatternUtils.setCurrentUser(userId);
updateScreen(getInitialMode(), true);
}
```
So multi-user support is coming, at some point.
**Update 2 (10/29/2012)**
With the announcement of JellyBean 4.2, Multi-User support is available, but only on tablets.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: I'll admit this isn't a great solution, but in case it helps somebody, [Titanium Backup](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup) has very limited support for this:
<http://www.titaniumtrack.com/kb/titanium-backup-kb/titanium-backup-howtos.html#multi-user-data-profiles>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: [SwitchMe](https://market.android.com/details?id=fahrbot.apps.switchme) app just appeared featuring profiles for root users. The free version is able to manage 2 profiles. In order to manage more profiles you need to buy the key for around 3$. SwitchMe needs, not surprisingly, **root**.
>
> SwitchMe is a unique application for root users that allows you to log
> in and out of multiple installations of Android just as you would on a
> desktop computer.
>
>
> The technology behind SwitchMe saves all of your applications and
> data, protects it and stores it as a file in memory. You can then log
> out of an account and log into a fresh installation of Android or
> another account with its own unique content.
>
>
> You may create as many profiles as the memory is capable of holding.
> Some of these may require very little free memory because they contain
> few apps, others will be larger as they contain many applications and
> lots of cache and data.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_5: With the update to 4.1.2, multiple user profiles can be configured.
There's some documentation on xda:
* [Switch User Profiles on Jelly Bean](http://www.xda-developers.com/android/switch-user-profiles-on-jelly-bean/)
* [Discussion](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1807751)
* [Application (needs root)](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1824066)
* [Application SwitchMe (doesn't need root)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fahrbot.apps.switchme) and works starting 2.1, so this is probably what the OP might be looking for.
In JellyBean, according to XDA, using the commands (need root, so su prior to calling)
```
pm create user
pm remove-user
pm list-users
```
user accounts can be created, deleted, and listed (in this order).
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: This is available for phones starting in Android 5.0 (Lollipop):
<http://www.android.com/versions/lollipop-5-0/>
And for tablets starting in Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean):
<http://developer.android.com/about/versions/jelly-bean.html#42-multiuser>
As username_5 [mentioned](https://android.stackexchange.com/a/31894/5132), it's also available as hidden functionality in Android 4.1, but not accessible through the regular user interface.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_6: You can login with another user, by adding multiple user in your Android device. We can Enable Multiple User Accounts on Android 4.2 and Above.
1. Create another User Account by opening the notification by double pulldown notification to get the other quick settings.
2. In that other quick settings, on top-right corner you'll find a round icon. That is Admin user icon(if you're using it for first time).
3. Click on it and create a new user(it'll remain until you delete it) or use a guest user(it'll be deleted after using it, but you can also keep it).
4. After creating new/guest user. Just go to Google Play Store, install whatever app you want. Don't worry it'll use your existing same app files but not users data, so it won't download a new one.
5. You can login those apps with another id. Like this you can use Whatsapp, hike, facebook, twitter, paytm and more...
6. Before that, go to more settings Click and open that created new/guest user's settings and enable Allow phone calls and SMS. So that you'll get verification SMS or call.
If any help you can comment it, i'll keep on updating it if any change or improvement.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/06 | 1,959 | 7,129 | <issue_start>username_0: Is there any **Arabic** Froyo rom for I5503 (Galaxy 5)?<issue_comment>username_1: **There is an app called [Devide](http://www.enterproid.com/features.html) by Enterproid that may do the trick.** It's meant to be for deploying in a work environment so that a user can have a work profile and a personal profile on the phone, each separate and secure with different settings and apps specific to the work or personal environment. I don't see why it wouldn't work with two different people's profiles instead of the work vs. personal setup. I don't know about compatibility with the Xoom, or cost (it's probably not cheap) and they are still in an invite only beta but it's worth requesting an invite and checking it out.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Supporting multiple users has been discussed before, and I think that it is something that is needed as well. If I buy a tablet, and set it up for my email, calendar, etc. I don't want that device to be a community device. Which would mean that multiple tablets would be needed in a family household.
A problem with being able to support multiple users is the space required. If each user had their own settings, then the /data/data would have to be much larger to support these extra users. But not only settings, it would have to support all the apps installed by the user too, so /data would have to be much larger too. You couldn't use the same apps between users, because the paid apps are tied to the account that bought them.
I think this will eventually happen, but much larger storage would be needed for the devices. As it is, my device consistently fills the /data/cache and I have to clear that out because of the number of apps I have installed. Now just imagine have 2 (or more users) using the same device. And where do you set the limit on the number of users that can use one device? There are 2 adults and 3 teenagers in my household. So that is 5 people that could potentially be using one device.
I actually experience issues with Google TV about this very topic as well. It doesn't, currently, have gmail, or apps like that, installed, but I can log in to gmail via Chrome Browser, and then if someone else comes and uses the TV/Browser, now I am logged in. (I don't actually do this, but I noticed it to be an issue with services like youtube and such)
---
**update**
Google has been hard at work [starting to implement this](http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/07/30/multiple-user-accounts-are-coming-miles-of-code-is-already-in-aosp-and-some-of-it-is-quietly-working-on-devices-right-now/). No actually information on when it will be available, but the start of the foundation has been laid.
In the [LockPatternKeyguardView](https://github.com/CyanogenMod/android_frameworks_base/blob/52c489cd63cca0361f374f7cb392018fabfa8bcc/policy/src/com/android/internal/policy/impl/LockPatternKeyguardView.java) is the following code:
```
public void onUserChanged(int userId) {
mLockPatternUtils.setCurrentUser(userId);
updateScreen(getInitialMode(), true);
}
```
So multi-user support is coming, at some point.
**Update 2 (10/29/2012)**
With the announcement of JellyBean 4.2, Multi-User support is available, but only on tablets.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: I'll admit this isn't a great solution, but in case it helps somebody, [Titanium Backup](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup) has very limited support for this:
<http://www.titaniumtrack.com/kb/titanium-backup-kb/titanium-backup-howtos.html#multi-user-data-profiles>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: [SwitchMe](https://market.android.com/details?id=fahrbot.apps.switchme) app just appeared featuring profiles for root users. The free version is able to manage 2 profiles. In order to manage more profiles you need to buy the key for around 3$. SwitchMe needs, not surprisingly, **root**.
>
> SwitchMe is a unique application for root users that allows you to log
> in and out of multiple installations of Android just as you would on a
> desktop computer.
>
>
> The technology behind SwitchMe saves all of your applications and
> data, protects it and stores it as a file in memory. You can then log
> out of an account and log into a fresh installation of Android or
> another account with its own unique content.
>
>
> You may create as many profiles as the memory is capable of holding.
> Some of these may require very little free memory because they contain
> few apps, others will be larger as they contain many applications and
> lots of cache and data.
>
>
>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_5: With the update to 4.1.2, multiple user profiles can be configured.
There's some documentation on xda:
* [Switch User Profiles on Jelly Bean](http://www.xda-developers.com/android/switch-user-profiles-on-jelly-bean/)
* [Discussion](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1807751)
* [Application (needs root)](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1824066)
* [Application SwitchMe (doesn't need root)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fahrbot.apps.switchme) and works starting 2.1, so this is probably what the OP might be looking for.
In JellyBean, according to XDA, using the commands (need root, so su prior to calling)
```
pm create user
pm remove-user
pm list-users
```
user accounts can be created, deleted, and listed (in this order).
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: This is available for phones starting in Android 5.0 (Lollipop):
<http://www.android.com/versions/lollipop-5-0/>
And for tablets starting in Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean):
<http://developer.android.com/about/versions/jelly-bean.html#42-multiuser>
As username_5 [mentioned](https://android.stackexchange.com/a/31894/5132), it's also available as hidden functionality in Android 4.1, but not accessible through the regular user interface.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_6: You can login with another user, by adding multiple user in your Android device. We can Enable Multiple User Accounts on Android 4.2 and Above.
1. Create another User Account by opening the notification by double pulldown notification to get the other quick settings.
2. In that other quick settings, on top-right corner you'll find a round icon. That is Admin user icon(if you're using it for first time).
3. Click on it and create a new user(it'll remain until you delete it) or use a guest user(it'll be deleted after using it, but you can also keep it).
4. After creating new/guest user. Just go to Google Play Store, install whatever app you want. Don't worry it'll use your existing same app files but not users data, so it won't download a new one.
5. You can login those apps with another id. Like this you can use Whatsapp, hike, facebook, twitter, paytm and more...
6. Before that, go to more settings Click and open that created new/guest user's settings and enable Allow phone calls and SMS. So that you'll get verification SMS or call.
If any help you can comment it, i'll keep on updating it if any change or improvement.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/06 | 395 | 1,629 | <issue_start>username_0: Im wondering about the filesystem on the galaxy tab, could i for example connect it to a camera, transfer some images, fix red eyes and transfer the images to a storage device like a usb pen or a western digital passport, would it be possible?
How about connecting it to a NAS, transfer a episode on my favorite show, watch it and then delete it?<issue_comment>username_1: The Galaxy Tab is pretty much like any other android device. You can transfer images to it, but not directly from, say, your Camera.
It does not have USB ports on it for external devices, like thumb drives.
Connecting to a NAS, out of the box, also really isn't possible. The device does not support mounting NAS (NFS & CIFS) out of the box. You could use some file manager applications that do support SAMBA, like Astro File Manager. But you would have to copy the file to the Tab before you can watch a video or listen to the mp3 for example.
With that said, it would be possible, if rooted, to install the modules needed to mount NAS shares. I have done this with my Galaxy S device. The advantage of being able to mount the share on the system level, I no longer have to copy the files over to the device, since the shares are mounted on the device, it "thinks" they are actually on the device.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: If your camera has an Eye-Fi card - a storage card with WiFi - it *might* be possible to transfer files (although I'm not in a position to verify this, ATM) via WiFi.
As of now, there is no way to directly connect an external storage device to the Galaxy TAB.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/06 | 218 | 840 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm looking for a method of tabbing between web fields in the Android browser, similar to how one would with the Tab key on a PC. Is there a keyboard or another app that will enable this?<issue_comment>username_1: If you have a device with a D-pad like the Droid it will allow you to jump from element to element on a website like the tab button on a computer keyboard. I believe the devices with a trackball like the N1 also allow this. I've seen some apps that offer an on screen "virtual" D-pad but I can't seen to find them now.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Try [Hacker's Keyboard](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.pocketworkstation.pckeyboard), it has a `Tab` key, at least in the layouts I use. The keyboard can be pretty space-consuming on smaller screens, so be warned.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/07 | 297 | 1,202 | <issue_start>username_0: I have a problem with my HTC Desire Z, when I open messages it’s just blank, I have the option to write messages but I can see any of my old ones. I have tried restarting it and taking in an out the sim-card.
Is this a known problem? Anyone have a solution?<issue_comment>username_1: Are you capable of receiving new sms? Do new SMS messages pop up?
If you're using the default or stock messaging app, try installing another app like [Handcent](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.handcent.nextsms) or [GoSMS](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jb.mms) and see if the same behaviour is repeated.
Else, try clearing all the messages stored and see. Within the default messaging app, there's an option to specify the Message Centre number - you need to verify that the number entered is what your service provider has assigned.
If that doesn't result in any improvement, see if a Factory Reset will help. Beware that a Factory Reset will erase all user data.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: Is your internal storage full? Usually you won't receive any message when your internal memory is getting full, but it could potentially be your problem.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/07 | 534 | 1,831 | <issue_start>username_0: I've tried downloading Skype on my HTC Wildfire, but the calls don't work. Every time I try to call the sound stutters and doesn't come out fluent.
I've tried it on 2 different Wildfires and got the same result on both. I have another VoIP application and it sounds fine.
Where can I find a Skype version that will work with the HTC Wildfire?<issue_comment>username_1: I'm afraid that if the official Skype app does not work then you are probably out of luck. Skype do not let third party applications use their service, so you are unlikely to find anything that works.
I suspect the issue is down to the CPU speed of the HTC Wildfire, which is only 528mhz. It's likely that the processor simply can't keep up with the demands of the application, which is why you get the stuttering, and why performance is the same on other Wildfire's.
Unfortunately you may have to stick with your other VOIP application.
Edit: There are a [lot](http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/11/skype_now_available_on_htc_wil.html) [of](http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=762893) [posts](http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=796637) [on](http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=801387) the Skype support forum where people are complaining of poor performance on the HTC wildfire. The Skype rep does say they are aware of it and trying to improve performance, so you may just have to wait for an update to the application sometime in the future.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I believe it is the CPU speed. The HTC Wildfire has a CPU speed of 528 MHz. The Skype app is only supported on devices with a CPU clock speed of 600MHz or greater. See the section on 'What do I need to run Skype on my Android phone?' <https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10653/How-can-I-get-Skype-on-my-Android-phone>
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/07 | 501 | 1,742 | <issue_start>username_0: I think this used to work on my phone and then stopped. Vibration feedback is enabled but only works for the four off screen buttons - Home , Menu, Back, & Search not for any icons on the home or other screens.
So how can I get it to work normally again?<issue_comment>username_1: I'm afraid that if the official Skype app does not work then you are probably out of luck. Skype do not let third party applications use their service, so you are unlikely to find anything that works.
I suspect the issue is down to the CPU speed of the HTC Wildfire, which is only 528mhz. It's likely that the processor simply can't keep up with the demands of the application, which is why you get the stuttering, and why performance is the same on other Wildfire's.
Unfortunately you may have to stick with your other VOIP application.
Edit: There are a [lot](http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/11/skype_now_available_on_htc_wil.html) [of](http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=762893) [posts](http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=796637) [on](http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=801387) the Skype support forum where people are complaining of poor performance on the HTC wildfire. The Skype rep does say they are aware of it and trying to improve performance, so you may just have to wait for an update to the application sometime in the future.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I believe it is the CPU speed. The HTC Wildfire has a CPU speed of 528 MHz. The Skype app is only supported on devices with a CPU clock speed of 600MHz or greater. See the section on 'What do I need to run Skype on my Android phone?' <https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10653/How-can-I-get-Skype-on-my-Android-phone>
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/07 | 275 | 1,003 | <issue_start>username_0: >
> **Possible Duplicate:**
>
> [Good app for blocking incoming sms?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/2198/good-app-for-blocking-incoming-sms)
>
>
>
how can i temporarily block all messages in an ANDROID operated Dell Streak by a particular contact....<issue_comment>username_1: I don't think you can with the default SMS app.
The 2 best alternatives, HandCent SMS & [GoSMS](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jb.mms) offer a feature called blacklisting - you can long-press hold a conversation and choose to add it to your blacklist. Such messages will be hidden (not deleted) and you won't receive notifications / popups.
You can also configure individual notification colour and ringtone for a particular user.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Your carrier may be able to block the contact for you. For example, [here is how you would do it on Verizon.](http://wirelesssupport.verizon.com/features/top_questions.html?t=3#item12)
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/07 | 326 | 1,349 | <issue_start>username_0: My Samsung Captivate's default calendar app only lists some of the calendars I have on my Google Calendar account, to the point where they do not even appear in the list of calendars available. It shows my facebook and exchange calendars and some of my google calendars.
Any fix?<issue_comment>username_1: Not all calendars are allowed to sync with the google calendar app - examples of this are NFL schedule calendars. Any calendar that are not in the XML format will not sync. I remember seeing a warning about some of the interesting calendars not being able to be synced with my phone when I first set some of them up.
Here is post with a work around on how to get them on your phone - if this is your issue:
<http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=70374da8b32c29e4&hl=en>
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: This is probably due to the calendars not being in the right format. Some calendars added from within Google calendar is only in `html`format (especially the sport calendars I think).
You can check the calender formats by pressing the `down arrow`next to the calendar name and select `Calendar settings`. On the page opened you can see the calender formats under `calendar addresses`.
I fixed the problem by removing the calendar and adding it through the team homepage.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/08 | 321 | 1,294 | <issue_start>username_0: I am trying to convince my wife to switch from the Motorola stock calendar app to Jorte. Is there a way to synch Jorte with your Outlook calendar? If not, is there another calendar app that beats the pants off the stock one?<issue_comment>username_1: Not all calendars are allowed to sync with the google calendar app - examples of this are NFL schedule calendars. Any calendar that are not in the XML format will not sync. I remember seeing a warning about some of the interesting calendars not being able to be synced with my phone when I first set some of them up.
Here is post with a work around on how to get them on your phone - if this is your issue:
<http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=70374da8b32c29e4&hl=en>
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: This is probably due to the calendars not being in the right format. Some calendars added from within Google calendar is only in `html`format (especially the sport calendars I think).
You can check the calender formats by pressing the `down arrow`next to the calendar name and select `Calendar settings`. On the page opened you can see the calender formats under `calendar addresses`.
I fixed the problem by removing the calendar and adding it through the team homepage.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/09 | 495 | 2,239 | <issue_start>username_0: our company is considering using the Android platform for future developments.
Some folks raised concerns over Google ability to remotely delete applications on the device. they are arguing that if Google can (and did) remotely un-installed apps from a device, than who knows what else they can do.
this is a valid concern over the nature of our software (sensitive medical records managment)
is there any way to block Google remote control? for instance by recompiling the OS minus any Google back-doors.<issue_comment>username_1: It is possible to run android devices without the google apps and thus without a google account. In such cases I don't think google would be able to do anything remotely.
Google could only remotely 'zap' applications because those devises used their market application and the phones would have been associated with a google account.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: When you first used the Android Market, you are presented with Android Market's Term of Service. One of the clauses is this:
>
> 2.4 From time to time, Google may discover
> a Product on the Market that
> violates the Android Market Developer
> Distribution Agreement or other legal
> agreements, laws, regulations or
> policies. You agree that in such an
> instance Google retains the right to
> remotely remove those applications
> from your Device at its sole
> discretion and without notice to you.
>
>
>
So, if you want to block Google from using their remote uninstall, you cannot use Android Market. However, note that their Term of Service only allows them to uninstall applications that "violates the Android Market Developer Distribution Agreement", this implies that Google can only uninstall applications that are installed from Market (since an application that was not distributed from the Market never accepted to be bound by the AMDDA, and therefore cannot "violate" the AMDDA). If you sideload your application, Google cannot touch your application.
If your company want to use Android Market but you don't want to allow Google to use their remote uninstall on your company's devices, I suggest you contact Google to make a special TOS agreement.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/09 | 462 | 1,720 | <issue_start>username_0: I just got a notification that I can't receive an SMS because "the space/memory was full". Which is it, the internal or SD space, and what's the best way to free it up?
Note - I just installed a bunch of apps, so I'm suspecting it's the SD.<issue_comment>username_1: SMS messages are stored in your internal phone memory, usually in this location.
```
/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
```
Also, if you installed some apps, by default apps are usually installed to the internal memory unless you've specified otherwise ans you're using Froyo or higher or some other variant of Apps2SD etc.
You can use an app like [SMS Backup](https://market.android.com/details?id=tv.studer.smssync) and archive SMS to your Gmail account or an alternate SMS app like [GoSMS](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jb.mms) which has a provision to backup/restore SMS from the SD Card.
As an aside, try freeing up some space by moving / uninstalling apps that you don't require and clearing up your browser cache and app data from other apps. An app like [Cachemate](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.aac.cachemate.demo) might help if you're rooted.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: I got this some time ago, and even after deleting all of messages (I back them up to my Gmail) I got the same thing. The problem was that when the internal memory fell below 22M or so (I forget exactly), this message appears. The SMS themselves take up very little space, so deleting them had no effect.
You may also be suffering from this bug, as I was, which it is important to know about:
<http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=4991>
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/09 | 247 | 844 | <issue_start>username_0: >
> **Possible Duplicate:**
>
> [How to install APK files on SDCARD.](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/3436/how-to-install-apk-files-on-sdcard)
>
>
>
Hi ,
I ran out of phone memory installing various applications . Looks like there is no obvious way to install apps into my memory card ?
Is there any way to do so ?<issue_comment>username_1: You need Android 2.2 to install applications to the SD-card.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: If your phone is rooted you can also use an app like Link2SD after partitioning your SD card to install apps there.
I'm using a rooted Samsung Spica on 2.1 and have done it myself without any issues.
Follow the step-by-step instructions [in this question/answer](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/6438/sd-card-partitioning-why-how).
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/09 | 354 | 1,407 | <issue_start>username_0: I installed [Google Chrome to Phone](http://code.google.com/p/chrometophone/) via AppBrain. AppBrain displays the app as installed (both the website, and my AppBrain app). When I click 'open', I get "This app is not executable".
When I click 'uninstall', I get 'The application was not found in the list of installed applications.'
I indeed do not see it in the list. What should I do to install it? (BTW, I also can't find it on the Google Market)<issue_comment>username_1: >
> (BTW, I also can't find it on the
> Google Market)
>
>
>
If you cannot find an application in the Market, this means the application is not compatible with your device. AppBrain cannot install applications that you cannot find from the Market, since in the AppBrain installation, you are brought to the Market to install your application (AppBrain is application discovery service, not alternative Market).
Are you possibly using Android 2.1, which does not have the Cloud-to-Device Messaging API, and therefore cannot use Chrome to Phone? Or possibly you have multiple phones linked to your AppBrain account?
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: It may be because you live in Israel.
Try using [Market Enabler](https://market.android.com/details?id=ch.racic.android.marketenabler&feature=search_result) to circumvent that problem and see if it'll show in the market for you then.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/09 | 255 | 831 | <issue_start>username_0: >
> **Possible Duplicate:**
>
> [What can I do to manage my phone's internal storage?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/2065/what-can-i-do-to-manage-my-phones-internal-storage)
>
>
>
Basically, I'm looking for an Android version of [SpaceMonger](http://www.sixty-five.cc/sm/) or [WinDirStat](http://alternativeto.net/software/windirstat/).<issue_comment>username_1: Install [ES FileExplorer](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop) and use the SD Card Analyst tool.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: [DiskUsage](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage&feature=search_result) is what you're looking for. Shows a very nice (zoomable) graph of directories and how much space each one and their files are consuming.
Upvotes: 3 |
2011/03/09 | 692 | 2,812 | <issue_start>username_0: On my T mobile G2 there is always a lot of action in my Log output that has the tag KINETO these are the two most common things it puts in there:
```
ERROR/KINETO(9304): KLOG0C3- xmk_QueryOSQueue SDL Queue empty : WAIT_FOREVER
ERROR/KINETO(9304): KLOG0A3- ibs_os_GetMsg: Timeout forever for UKCC qHnd 0x80c34e3c
```
but there are a lot of others that it does as well. I am wondering what these logs are related to, because they seem to be happening basically all of the time on my device. I did a google search for KINETO and got a bunch of results for Wifi Calling related stuff, which kind of makes sense. My phone came with a Wifi calling app on it. But I never use this app. My suspicion is that I am getting these messages in the log because the wifi calling app does not have access to the internet on my device because of DroidWall. But my question is why does it try so often? and does anyone know if there is a way to stop it from trying so much I am sure this behavior has some negative impact on my battery life.<issue_comment>username_1: Carrier apps like WiFi Calling generally try to run constantly as a background service, and stay connected so that they're instantly available. Beyond that, we can't be any more specific about why it runs all the time (you *might* get specific details from the carrier, but don't count on it).
If you don't use it and don't want it to drain your battery, remove it! It's probably a system app, which means you need to be rooted to remove it; you can use an app like Titanium Backup to remove it easily.
Another option is to allow it to connect. Presumably it will stop "spinning" and trying to connect if you just allow it to succeed, and use less battery.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: Kineto is the company that makes the Wifi calling software that is present on some Tmobile phones such as the G2. Unfortunately this software is poorly written. To make matters worse it is only possible to stop or remove the software if you root your phone. (More accurately it isn't your phone - it is tmobile's phone to do with as they please.) Coincidentally I contacted Kineto support yesterday to complain. If more people do that maybe it will get fixed.
* It constantly spews out log messages at the ERROR level every second or so, despite the messages not being errors
* You cannot stop the software (needs root) and the constant logging still happens even if you disable wifi calling
* Sometimes the software gets confused and you have to reboot the phone to get it working again
* They haven't structured it like most Android apps separating the user interface from the service
It looks to me like they had an existing codebase that they ported to Android hence its poor structure and operation.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/10 | 346 | 1,375 | <issue_start>username_0: Say my cousin wants to play with my phone/tablet for a while. Let's pretend I'm really nice and pleased to let him play with it as long as he wants, but deep inside I'm a little worry about him reading my emails and sms out of curiosity. And I have other things to do so I can't stay around and watch.
If the current GMail or SMS applications don't have a 'temporary lock' feature, is it possible to write a separate application that controls access to existing applications on the device? For example, something like "com.google.android.gmail.Main is temporarily protected, draw the correct pattern to open".<issue_comment>username_1: Give this application a try [App Lock](http://www.appbrain.com/app/app-lock/com.droid.g.applock) you sound be able to lock the application you want to keep private.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: The two best SMS replacement apps - Handcent & GoSMS both have options for putting up a pin input screen before allowing access to the app.
Both also allow this functionality to be extended to the default in-built SMS app as well.
GoSMS also allows a user to apply this security screen to ALL apps, but that tends to hinder rather than help, IMO.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: Check out the app called "[App Protector](http://market.android.com/details?id=ukzzang.android.app.protector)".
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/10 | 194 | 810 | <issue_start>username_0: I've added stock Power Controls widget to the home screen of my Android 2.3 (Cyanogenmod).
While being installed it displayed its settings screen.
Now I'm unable to reconfigure the widget. The only option I have is to remove and add the widget to home screen, so that the settings screen will reappear.
Is there any place where I can configure the Power Controls widget without re-adding it?<issue_comment>username_1: Not that I have found. Looks like you only get that one opportunity.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I've only used CyanogenMod for a few days before reverting back to SamdroidMod since CM on Spica is too unstable for daily use. But I think I remembered seeing some settings that seems related to Power Widget on "Settings > CyanogenMod Settings".
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/02/17 | 473 | 1,711 | <issue_start>username_0: I dont know whether my question is right to ask here. please advise me if I need to ask this kind of question at other areas.
I am investigating to find a right portable scanner to connect with an Android mobile phone (such as HTC Desire). After scanning a paper from a portable scanner, the mobile phone will receive the file as a pdf or jpg. That's it!
Would this be possible to do?
Thanks in advance.<issue_comment>username_1: As far as I know, there isn't a way to connect a USB scanner to an Android device - most if not all phones don't have a USB host in any form. I suppose someone could hack an adapter into the MicroSD port, but it'd be a lot of work. You'll have to use a laptop or computer.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: Try to look for Bluetooth scanners. Android supports bluetooth and there is SDK API for it so you could create your own app to receive and process data from scanner.
One such device I could find: <http://www.planon.com/products/docupen/xseries>
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: Android has USB host capabilities as of 3.2. Accusoft USB Scanner is a well made app that lets you take advantage of this and connect many USB scanner models directly to your phone or tablet.
[Accusoft USB Scanner](http://www.accusoft.com/usbscanner.htm)
[Accusoft USB Scanner on Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.accusoft.usbscannerfree&feature=more_from_developer#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwMiwiY29tLmFjY3Vzb2Z0LnVzYnNjYW5uZXJmcmVlIl0.)
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: There are lots of scanners like that. Query "bluetooth document scanner for android" About 15 will show up. 5 at least from amazon
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/10 | 903 | 3,416 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm using a Samsung I9000 and I have some annoying apps that came pre installed by the phone vendor, like a music store, a custom web browser and other memory leaking apps.
Those crappy apps can't be uninstalled neither by `Manage applications` tool, nor by editing the apps tiles in the front menu.
I guess I have to be a root user or something to get rid of those apps, but I don't know how.<issue_comment>username_1: Yes, you have to root your phone in order to remove preinstalled apps.
See these questions [here](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/1184/how-do-i-root-my-phone) and [here](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/1/ive-rooted-my-phone-now-what).
Before you remove any applications, MAKE SURE YOU MAKE A BACKUP via Nandroid. You may delete an app that the system relies on (for one reason or other). Do some searching and make sure it is safe to remove the apps you want to remove.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Yes, you have to be rooted. To get rooted, see this question: [How do I root my Android device?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/1184/how-do-i-root-my-phone)
One of the easiest ways to uninstall system apps after rooting is to use [Titanium Backup](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup). You can just click an app and choose Uninstall.
Note: Be careful what you remove! You might want to use Titanium to back them up before you remove them, in case it makes your phone unstable or stop working.
Also note that the bootloader may restore system apps on reboot. If possible, unlock your bootloader; you may also need to install a custom ROM that's deodexed, or to edit the image that is restored by the bootloader. That depends on your particular device, but with the SGS you should have no bootloader-related problems.
Upvotes: 7 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: You can't remove them without root, they're installed to a directory that cannot be accessed without root. However, you can do the next best thing, close your eyes, stick your fingers in your ears, and go la-la-la-la, pretending they don't exist. The way to do this is to get a launcher (such as ADW if memory serves), that allows you to hide icons. In that case, they will still be installed (and if something triggers them, they'll pop up), but at least you won't have to look at them any more.
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_4: You may also use ADB to remove applications, but the application methods are easier. Since use of ADB does not require a market, this will work for users who are rooted but who cannot or do not wish to use Android market or similar marketplaces.
```
./adb remount #ROOT IS REQUIRED TO REMOUNT /system read-write
./adb shell
cd /system/app
```
To see what's installed:
`pm list packages`
To remove a package:
```
rm PackageName.apk
pm uninstall class.name.of.package
```
CyanogenMod, as far as I can tell, only requires the `rm` step, not the `pm` step; if you are running a de-odexed version of Android, you may only need the rm step.
If you are concerned you might need the application in the future (over the air updates), you can use `adb pull` to copy the apk to your desktop (instead of moving it to another location on your phone) or just `mv` the apk to your uSD card or USB storage.
See <http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/Barebones> for more information.
Upvotes: 5 |
2011/03/10 | 493 | 1,933 | <issue_start>username_0: As far as I know, some apps quit by pressing the *Back* button while on the main screen of that app; and some quit by pressing the *Menu* button and selecting *Quit*. Should I always first check the *Menu* button? How can I make sure that I have quit a specific application? I don't want my battery drained by unquit apps running in the background without my knowledge.
By the way, I'm on HTC HD2 with Android 2.2.<issue_comment>username_1: That's the thing about the Android OS. A "quit" or "exit" button is not really necessary. Why? Because the operating system automatically kills applications that are no longer used. For this same reason, there is no need to install a task killer or similar. When you're done with an application, the OS will clean things up for you so you don't have to worry about it.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Bryan's answer is correct. However, if you don't want to wait for the OS to kill something, you should use a task manager (different from an always-running task killer). One is built in to the 2.2 ROM on my Galaxy S, and you can get to it by long-pressing the Home button. I've used this for frozen apps and for when the OS hasn't quite realized it needs to kill something so the in-focus app doesn't lag.
Additionally, you can set how aggressive your OS is in killing idle apps. I do this on my phone using [RyanZA's One Click Lag Fix](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rc.QuickFixLagFixR2) (the lagfix is just for the Galaxy S, but I'm not sure if the app-killing settings can be used on other devices).
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: I'd recommend [Advanced Task Killer](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rechild.advancedtaskkiller&feature=search_result), which does a great job of showing you which of your apps are currently running and giving you a one-button solution to stopping any that you want.
Upvotes: -1 |
2011/03/10 | 273 | 1,000 | <issue_start>username_0: I have a lot of problems whenever I install media players. Some times one will trigger another player, othertimes both players will be triggered if I plug in the aux output cable into my car. Othertimes pandora will keep starting and stopping very rapidly (a bug) when I plug in the aux cable.
Here is what I want:
No auto starting ever, at all. Is this achievable with a simple imperative setting?<issue_comment>username_1: You can use [the Autostarts app](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.elsdoerfer.android.autostarts) (requires root) to modify which apps can listen in to particular events. In your case, you'd remove the media player apps from listening to the event(s) triggered by plugging in the audio cable.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I had some problems with music apps autostarting on my Droid. [See my answer here](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/4940/random-music-playback-winamp-cubed/4962#4962) on how I handled it.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/10 | 440 | 1,893 | <issue_start>username_0: I have noticed that when I remove an app, which is placed on the SD card, this also frees up space on the main storage. The space freed up corresponds to the "data", which an app stores. My question is, therefore, why does an app, which is placed on the SD card, still choose to store its data on the main storage? Is it because it is impossible not to, or lazyness on the part of the developer?<issue_comment>username_1: Apps can store data in both places, but the SD card has a FAT filesystem which does not support file permissions. This means that a malicious app could erase or change app data very easily if the data was on the SD card. As well, you can swap SD cards or format your card, and then the app would have "forgotten" all its settings and lost all the other data. So it's a very good idea to put app data in the phone storage, where Android can manage access to the data and protect it.
On newer versions of Android, the SD card filesystem can be virtualized to enforce permissions. Couple this with encryption, and the above issues go away.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: It's not something I would look to developers and blame them for. Quite frankly, there are many cases in which our apps don't even work while living on the SD card. I've had situations where music and podcasts are stored on my SD card because the app in question puts them there, but if the card is out, doesn't register on boot, gets swapped, etc, and something doesn't work when it's time to use the app, users run straight to the Market to bash the app developer when it's their own fault.
Developers often try to save users from themselves, because quite frankly we as users do stupid things, and sometimes that can be viewed as being lazy. When in reality, we're doing what makes sense because we can predict how things can break down.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/10 | 348 | 1,479 | <issue_start>username_0: As I am seriously out of space on my phone storage on my HTC Desire, I would like an overview of how much phone storage each app takes up. The point is that I can see how much space the data of each app takes up, but not where this data is placed, hence I cannot conclude how much space each app is taking up on the phone storage.<issue_comment>username_1: I'm pretty sure that the space shown for each app is the space used on the phone storage, and does not include space used on the SD card. You can verify this by checking an app in `Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications`, then unmount and remove the SD card and check again.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: The [Disk Usage application](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage) can show you all this information in a nice graphical format, allowing you to explore the space taken up by applications in your phone memory, or the space taken up by files on your SD card.
[App2SD](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.app2sd) will also display information for all apps, although it doesn't split the space into segments based on app/data/cache like Disk Usage does. However, it will allow you to move all apps that you can to the SD card from the phone memory, and provides an easy way to see all the apps installed on the phone, and one click access to the main application settings to uninstall applications.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/10 | 266 | 1,040 | <issue_start>username_0: I am on cm7 & HTC Desire. Old HTC Sence was linking my contacts with Facebook, Gmail etc. It gave me good suggestions what could be linked or an easy way how to link a contact item with some other kind of account. The current contact manager has a 'join' feature which I am not sure if I can use for Facebook.
Are there any advanced contact managers?<issue_comment>username_1: You can use the Join feature to merge Facebook contacts as well.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: If you're only looking to have your contacts' display images synced with their Facebook avatars, I recommend you take a look at the freeware [SyncMyPix](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nloko.android.syncmypix) - it's a little unwieldy but tends to do the job.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: You have to go to `Edit contact`, then press the Menu key, then select `Join`. This gives you the list of suggested contacts to join. Works for me between Google contacts and Facebook on Galaxy S + CyanogenMod 7.1.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/11 | 240 | 1,052 | <issue_start>username_0: I recently noticed that while searching for contacts I see the same SIM contacts repeated more than 20 times. In the settings for contacts it says I have 5795 contacts on the SIM card but it's almost all the same contacts repeated over and over again. If I delete one of those contacts every other with the same name is also removed.
I have a HTC Desire that runs Android 2.2. I synchronize contacts with Exchange, Google and Facebook but I don't see how that would affect the contacts on the SIM.
Any thoughts on why this happens and how I can fix it?<issue_comment>username_1: Are the contacts also duplicated in your gmail address book?
If it is just on your SIM, it might be worth going into your carrier and getting a new SIM card. It is possible that the SIM card itself is corrupted somehow.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I never actually found the underlying problem but by deleting all contacts on the SIM I at least didn't have to scroll through hundreds of duplicates anymore.
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/11 | 391 | 1,538 | <issue_start>username_0: I've been trying to add <https://android.stackexchange.com/feeds> to my RSS feeds in the News application on my HTC Desire Z. However it doesn't "find" any results. I just want to add this URL as it is instead of searching for it. Isn't this possible?<issue_comment>username_1: You may have already done all this but I will detail the steps I just took to add this to my HTC Evo. It worked so maybe there is something different I'm doing. First off I have never used the News app before.
1. Opened the News app
2. Deleted all default feeds
3. Clicked "Add Feed"
4. Clicked "Add from URL"
5. Entered in the URL you have above
6. Clicked "Done"
7. Feed Appeared with 30 unread.
Then to see if maybe you had typed the URL incorrectly on your device, I entered almost the exact same URL with one letter off and I got a warning that the feed was incorrect. So since you didn't mention this I'm guessing thats not your issue.
If none of this helped - can you add any other feeds or its just the android.stackexchange feed that isn't working?
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: I would recommend another way of fetching RSS feeds to your cell phone:
1. Synchronize News Reader to your Google Account (to read news from Google Reader - it should be available there)
2. From your 'big' computer add this URL (http://android.stackexchange.com/feeds) to your subscription in Google Reader.
3. You should see news from Android.SE in your News Reader after its next sync with Google Reader.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/11 | 524 | 1,926 | <issue_start>username_0: Does anyone know where the VLC developers are up to with VLC for Android. Is there a beta out, an APK somewhere?
I'm trying to play an AVI on my HTC Legend, to no avail. If VLC is not ready, does anyone know a media player which will play AVIs (is there more than one codec for AVI types?).
Thanks very much.<issue_comment>username_1: Look for applications that use ffmpeg. It is something like an alternative set of codecs, and it handles quite a lot formats.
If I recall correctly, I used VitalPlayer once to play a Matroska file -- something which is not normally possible to do on my phone.
But it seems there are more programs that use this library.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: [Rockplayer](http://rockplayer.com) has decoders built-in and can play divX files. AVI files are containers - you should also find out what codec has been used for the video. Use a utility like [GSpot Codec](http://www.headbands.com/gspot/) Information Appliance on your PC to check.
There's also [yxPlayer](https://market.android.com/details?id=kr.mobilesoft.yxplayer) but not too many satisfied users from what I hear although YMMV.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: I know this question has been answered already but if someone else comes looking for Android video players here is an article on MakeUseOf that lists 8 of the "best" video players for Android:
<http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-mobile-video-players-android-phone/>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: Have you tried Arcmedia? Maybe that will work.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_5: There's been a beta for VLC out for a while. You can find out about it on [the main Videolan site](http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-android.html) or on their [Google Play site](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videolan.vlc.betav7neon).
I'm not sure of how it will play on your Legend, though.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/11 | 1,165 | 4,508 | <issue_start>username_0: Let's say I want to create a context where the SSID of a WiFi connection is either 'ABC' **or** 'XYZ'.
I can see where I am able to create 2 contexts, but it seems to enforce AND logic between the two, so in order words I must be in proximity to both 'ABC' and 'XYZ'.
How to make the context to be either, not both?<issue_comment>username_1: You will need to make a single profile for each context and pair it to the action individually.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: You could make your action depend on a variable "%condition=true" and then make two different profiles:
* profile a: set condition to "true"
* profile b: set condition to "true"
your profile: if variable "condition"=true then ... and there goes your exit task
But would be nice if the authors would enhance tasker for that... :)
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Specify SSID in the WiFi Connected context to be `ABC/XYZ`
This will activate the context if you connect to ABC **or** XYZ,
Reference: <http://tasker.dinglisch.net/userguide/en/matching.html>
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_4: Or probably you can use "Inverted" conditions to do an opposite task?, e.g.
If you want to run a task when WiFi is connected OR when the profile:A is inactive, you can instead setup contexts for "WiFi is disconnected" AND "Profile: A is active" both with "inverted" checkbox selected, and setup a task that does the opposite, if that is possible.
This basically works because of:
`(A OR B) = NOT((NOT A) AND (NOT B))`
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_5: To support my bluetooth headset, my desire was to turn bluetooth on when I'm in the Contacts app OR in a call. I could do it only while in a call but then I can't make sure my headset is connected before the other party picks up.
None of the solutions already posted would work. Setting %BluetoothNeeded on when in Contacts or in call means that when a call starts, it sets %BlueToothNeeded on but then when Contacts becomes background to being in call, it sets %BlueToothNeeded off and bluetooth turns off. Using the inverse operation, turn bluetooth off when NOT in Contacts AND NOT in call but turn bluetooth on as an exit task almost works, but apparently Tasker notices the brief period when Contacts loses foreground status and the call hasn't started yet and turns bluetooth off.
So here's what worked for me, based on [this blog](http://www.pocketables.com/2013/06/quick-tasker-tip-trigger-a-profile-with-any-of-several-contexts.html):
1. Create a Task called `Dummy` with an Action of `Tasks > Wait > 1ms`
2. Create a Profile called `stateInCall` with a condition of `State > Phone > Call > Type: Any`. Link it to the `Dummy` task.
3. Create a Profile called `stateInContacts` with a condition of `State > Application > Contacts`. Link it to the `Dummy` task.
4. Create a Profile called `Bluetooth Needed` with a condition of `State > Variable > Variable Value`. Set Name to `%PACTIVE`, Op to `Matches`, and Value to `*,stateInCall,*|*,stateInContacts,*`. According to the Tasker docs, %PACTIVE contains a comma-separated list of active Profiles where the list also begins and ends with a comma to make matching easier. Link this Profile to a Task called `Bluetooth On` that turns bluetooth on using the `Net > Bluetooth > Set: On` Action.
5. Create a Task called `Conditional Bluetooth Off` with the following Actions:
1. Task > Wait > 10 seconds
2. Task > If > `%PACTIVE` doesn't match `*,stateInCall,*|*,stateInContacts,*`
3. Net > Bluetooth > Set: Off
4. Task > End If
6. Long press on the `Bluetooth Needed` Profile then choose `Properties`. Uncheck `Restore Settings`.
7. Quick press the `Bluetooth Needed` Profile till the `Bluetooth On` Task appears below it, in the right column. Long press `Bluetooth On` and choose `Add Exit Task`, then choose `Conditional Bluetooth Off`.
`Conditional Bluetooth Off` will wait 10 seconds before double checking that neither `stateInCall` nor `stateInContacts` are true, at which point it will turn bluetooth off. Otherwise, it leaves bluetooth on and when both `stateInCall` and `stateInContacts` exit later, it will do its 10 second wait and check again.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_6: just posting my solution to this problem if anybody ever comes here:
create a profile for each condition in the or statement
on enter %Reasons += 1
on exit %Reasons -=1
create a profile with condition %Reasons>0 and the required enter and exit tasks
cheers!
Upvotes: 3 |
2011/03/12 | 1,476 | 5,915 | <issue_start>username_0: What is the difference between odexed and deodexed [ROMs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Read-only_memory)? Which is the standard (stock) ROMs that ship use?<issue_comment>username_1: A `.dex` file is basically a compiled bytecode version of an app that has been built for the Dalvik VM which Android's apps run on. I believe it is short for Dalvik Executable, but I'm not sure if I'm remembering that correctly.
An `.odex` file is an Optimized `.dex` file (hence the 'o'), meaning that it has basically been pre-compiled for a specific platform. The advantage to this is that startup time is much faster since the VM doesn't have to perform any optimizing at startup/runtime. The disadvantages are 1) That it takes up some extra space and 2) An odexed app won't run properly if it's put onto another device, and it must have the associated `.odex` file to run at all.
ROMs are typically released in deodexed form because they can be themed and modified fairly easily, whereas theming/modifying an odexed ROM is basically impossible (at best things would crash like crazy). Some people also choose to release their ROMs in odexed versions for people who would prefer the performance gains.
Most of the stock ROMs I've seen are odexed, I assume because the carriers/manufacturers want the performance boost. They also don't have any kind of official theming methods, so they probably don't care if you can't change the colors of your status icons or your system text or whatnot. Plus they have the advantage of knowing what device they want their system to run on, so they can pre-compile the `.odex` files very easily, I imagine. As an added bonus, it makes it difficult to pull `.apk` files off of the device and share them with people.
**Edit:** Since I just realized that I was not very explicit about the difference here - an "odexed" ROM is one where the apps have been precompiled, and thus contain associated `.odex` files which are external to the `.apk` files. A "deodexed" ROM is one where data that would be optimized in the `.odex` files has been more or less merged back into the `.apk` files (meaning it is not optimized but basically platform agnostic), thus the `.apk` files are self-contained and there are no `.odex` files. This is usually just done with a deodexing utility, such as [smali/baksmali](http://code.google.com/p/smali/wiki/DeodexInstructions).
Upvotes: 6 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: A .dex (dalvik executable) file is basically similar to Windows' .exe files (except in Dalvik VM's language, instead of compiled code). Basically, .odex (optimized dalvik executable) and deodex (de-optimized dalvik executable) relates to how resource files are handled in the applications. The .odex is a .dex file that have been optimized by the dexopt program: <http://www.netmite.com/android/mydroid/dalvik/docs/dexopt.html>
Advantage
* odex is faster
* it makes themeing easier
Disadvantage
* deodex is slower on first startup
* the .odex files makes theming harder
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: I personally wanted to know the answer to this a little while ago. Here is what I came up with:
**Odexed and Deodexed**
A standard ROM is supposed to be odexed for release which provides smoother and faster loading of apps into memory. Each .apk has a corresponding .odex. When the application is used by either the system or the user, the .odex is used to start loading the app. A ROM that is deodexed has only the .apk file. When the application is called into memory from only pulling the data from it’s .apk, this takes longer due to not being optimized for easier retrieval from the system.
Common questions that I get asked way too often are:
1. Why do custom ROM’s deodexed?
2. Should I use a odexed or a deodexed ROM?
To answer these questions it comes down to one word, themability. If you talk to anyone that themes ROM’s they will tell you that it’s extremely easier to theme a deodexed ROM. Since we started using deodexed ROM’s, themers could now create themes to apply to a ROM rather than the tedious option to theme the ROM itself (release a custom ROM for a theme). If you use a odexed ROM and try to apply themes, it will not work or only theme some visual aspects, which will give you a terrible user interface to experience.
**Deodex Cons**
I bet you are now wondering why… why is there even an option to download a custom ROM that is odexed? The answer to that is speed. Remember how I said that odexed files are optimized for easier retrieval? Simply put… it’s optimized (like indexing a data table) so the system can open the .apk faster.
**Deodex and zipalign**
Everyone wanted the best of both worlds so quickly after the deodexed trend started to peak, these savvy ROM developers came up with a solution to zipalign at boot. This optimizes each .apk on every reboot which then allows the system to access applications more efficiently and most importantly, faster. Of course, the disadvantage is slightly slower boot times.
**Summary**
If you have a choice to download the custom ROM odexed or deodexed, I would just go with the deodex ROM. You never know when you would want to try out a theme or do some modifications yourself and it’s nice to have easy options rather than flashing a whole new ROM. With newer devices you may not even see a noticeable difference to zipalign on boot. If your device is pretty slow and outdated, well then I would suggest to think about this a little harder. I would bet some of you would prefer to get a nice minimal optimized (odexed) ROM for better performance and speed over customizing the user interface.
If you're new the subject you can find some common terms located on my original write-up here: <http://codeversed.com/deodexed-vs-odexed-rom>
Otherwise, the above shows you everything you need to know. If I missed anything, please let me know :)
Upvotes: 3 |
2011/03/12 | 774 | 2,786 | <issue_start>username_0: I want to run a screen saver when my phone is in sleep mode. Currently, if my phone says idle for a bit it fades to a black screen. Instead I want to display some images as screen saver. Is this possible?<issue_comment>username_1: >
> I want to run a screen saver when phone is in sleep mode.
>
>
>
When the phone is in sleep mode, the screen is off.
>
> When we stay idle some time a black screen comes.
>
>
>
This is built into Android.
>
> At that time I want to display some images as screen saver.
>
>
>
I repeat, when the phone is in sleep mode, the screen is off.
>
> Is this possible?
>
>
>
You cannot have the screen on and the device in sleep mode.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: Look at your battery usage charts and you'll probably find that your display uses more of your battery than all other types of consumption by your phone combined.
Is this just for aesthetic purposes? I think this would get annoying pretty fast unless you only keep your phone tethered, in which case, get a desktop :)
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: A Screen Saver is meant to prevent image burn in on your monitors for when you leave the screen on for too long. Since Android phones automatically turn screens off after a certain (set) duration of non-use, then there is no need for a screen saver. (Tangent: there really isn't a need for screen saver on desktop monitors either, it's better power conservation wise to just let them automatically turn off after X period of time of non-use.)
But here is where Live Wallpapers come in play. They give you something like a Screen Saver (oh! pretty animations/graphics!), but they are only in use when you are staring at your phone's home screen. They still consume more battery than a static wallpaper, but some people prefer their phone to "look cool" than to save power. :)
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: ICS (Android 4.0) includes the capability for "Screen Candy" that is special screens or animations that only present themselves when the phone is idle and plugged in or docked. By default, this is a hidden (disabled in most stock roms, I'd wager) feature called "Android Dreams" but enabled in most custom roms (such as AOKP or Codename Android).
<http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/11/30/another-ics-easter-egg-weird-star-wars-like-light-speed-launcher-found-hidden-in-the-depths-of-ice-cream-sandwich/>
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_5: Refer to username_4, "Screen Candy" is now officially named as "**Daydream**".
When Daydream is on, your tablet displays photos, colors, and more while it is charging or docked.
[Set up Daydream] : <http://support.google.com/nexus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2818748>
Caution: Only for Android **4.2** and higher.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/13 | 389 | 1,636 | <issue_start>username_0: I have the Apache web server running on my PC. I want to view pages on this server from my Android device which is connected to my PC via [Connectify](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectify).
I believe this is possible because there's an Android app I'm using called Unified Remote and with this program I can manage the computer remotely. So this proves data communication between the PC and the Android device via Connectify is working.
This app connects to the PC using the IP address `192.168.2.1`. When I try the same IP address from the Android browser, it gets stuck at loading for a really long time with no response.
How do I fix this problem?
By the way, I'm using Android 2.2 (it's [CyanogenMod](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyanogenMod) 6, but I believe the browser is stuck).
I stopped Apache and installed another webserver called Abyss Web Server and now it works. So the problem IS Apache-specific. Which settings of Apache can prevent my Android device working over this network?<issue_comment>username_1: I think this could be a problem with your Apache configuration. Maybe the server isn't listening on the correct address? Check that the server is set to listen to all relevant IPs or all of them with a wildcard if necessary.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: Best thing to do would be to check your Apache logs and see if you are indeed getting a HTTP request from your phone. If you seeing entries as requests from the phone then it could be an issue with the Apache setup. If you aren't getting any log entries then most likely the issue is from the device's side.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/13 | 339 | 1,432 | <issue_start>username_0: I have lots of emails coming in all day. For this reason, my notification sounds level is low. But I need to be alarmed when I have a new SMS. Currently I don't always notice new SMS messages because they, too, have low volume level.
How would it be possible to have a different volume level for new email notification and new SMS notification?<issue_comment>username_1: One simple method would be to use a custom ringtone for SMS where the audio itself is louder. You coould use a loud audio clip or edit one to be louder.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: [SMS Popup](https://market.android.com/details?id=net.everythingandroid.smspopup) lets you set custom notification sounds, volumes, vibrates, LED flash and icon for popups, separately from the system notification settings.
Well worth installing, it's the first app I put on my phones, and the first I recommend to others, really fixes a hole in the Android notifications.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: All of the more popular SMS replacement apps on Android - Handcent SMS, ChompSMS and GoSMS offer the ability to have custom ringtones. They also have customizable vibration patterns and you can also use custom notification icon colours and tones for a particular contact's SMS.
To adjust volume, however, @Matthew's suggestion of different volume levels on ringtones is the easiest way to handle things.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/14 | 874 | 2,986 | <issue_start>username_0: Is there a way to use adb directly via bluetooth instead of always via usb?
--
Thanks for the adb wireless solutions below, but I am looking for something that works well on hotel or public wifi. Bluetooth short-range might be the only way to go about it.<issue_comment>username_1: Personally, I use [ADBWireless](https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=siir.es.adbWireless) with my G1 on CM5 because I had problems with the USB driver working correctly between my computer and my G1. However, I had problems with this app in CM4 (to test against Android 1.6) on my G1.
Note, however, that it connect to the device via ADB via wifi, not Bluetooth.
You'll pull up a command line on your computer and type `adb connect xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:5555` (x's being your ip address of the phone over wifi). You'll have to run this in the platform-tools directory of your Android SDK, or you need to add your Android SDK platform-tools directory to your global PATH variable so you can run adb from anywhere.
Your phone will show up as its `ip_address:port_number` in the list of devices to push your application to, just as if it was plugged in directly via usb.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: I'm using Easy Remote and it works well on Android 2.3.7. You can find downloads and information [on its website](http://www.bartwell.ru/soft/android/easyremoteadb).
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: **Non-Rooted Solution:**
* Enable USB-debugging in the developer setting and connect your phone to your computer via USB.
* Run the adb command, `adb tcpip 5555` (Make sure port 5555 is not blocked by any firewall programs)
* [To get your Wi-Fi IP address assigned to your device](https://android.stackexchange.com/a/2988/27149),
`adb shell` and then `netcfg` and run the adb command `adb connect` .
For example, `adb connect 192.168.1.133`
* Now you can disconnect the usb cable and run `adb shell`, `adb install`, or `adb push` commands via your Wi-Fi.
* Inorder to switch back to USB mode and disable the Wireless mode, run the following adb command.
`adb usb`
* You can also simply reboot your phone to switch back to the USB mode.
**Rooted Solution:**
* Install [WiFi ADB](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ttxapps.wifiadb) and run adb commands wirelessly if your phone is rooted.
* This app requires Developer tools enabled and no need to use USB cable if you are rooted.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: **2020 Update: Android 11 enabled built in Wireless Debugging.**
Here's the [official announcement](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2020/04/android-11-developer-preview-3.html) on the feature, and here's a handy guide on how to [connect ADB without cables, without root](https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/set-up-wireless-debugging-android-11-send-adb-commands-without-usb-cable-0302898/).
[](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6bBGm.png)
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/14 | 1,072 | 4,270 | <issue_start>username_0: I seen a lot of apps in the market that give superuser functionality to applications. However there is a pre-requisite of rooting your phone. I am curious how a rooted phone has those permissions already?
I've downloaded the source code and have managed to locate the su.c file that might invoke an application to change. But im still not sure. Can anyone give an insight on this?
Which actual files delegate permissions? Are all system apps given root permissions at startup?<issue_comment>username_1: A developer has to call *su* within the application. once it calls that, and the user has granted permission to use *su*, then they run commands in the shell that has root permissions.
In a way, system apps have "special" permissions but not root like an app would get by calling *su*. They have the permissions that android grants system applications.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Once upon a time, there is a *walled city* with a large, **closed gate** bound by magical lock that can only be opened with a magical sword. According to the cityfolk's traditions, anyone who brings the magic sword and unlocked the magical gate is destined to be the lord of the city.
One day, a young hero comes to the city, bringing with him the magical sword he took from the *root* of the Yggdrasil tree. He tapped the sword lightly on the door, and immediately the magical gate unlocked itself and peered open. The cityfolks cheered, and as per their tradition, they anointed the young hero as the city's lord.
As a city lord, there are many tasks he had to do, one of which is to ensure the security of his people, especially **now that the gate is open** and bandits and thieves may attempt to enter the city and rob the cityfolks' of their belongings.
To ensure the peaceful days of the cityfolks, the wise lord hired a trusted SU manager to guard the gate; dutifully, the SU manager enters the city, and **he closed the gate behind him**, and he put a lock that only he can open, then he creates a big door knob for strangers to knock the gate, a small hole on the door where he can peek outside and look at the strangers, then **asks the city's lord** whether or not to allow strangers in.
In eternity, the wise lord ruled the city for a long time and the cityfolks lives happily ever after.
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_3: >
> Which actual files delegate
> permissions?
>
>
>
There is typically a "superuser" application that is included in rooting processes. This application is the gatekeeper/controller of which applications get root access. Any time an application asks for root access, this application will pop up and ask you to either approve or deny the request.
>
> Are all system apps given
> root permissions at startup?
>
>
>
As far as I know, everything must go through the "superuser" app.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_4: I've been hunting for an answer for this myself, and information has been really elusive. But between other answers and questions here, and reading the Superuser blog, I think I've been able to piece together how it works.
In a standard \*Nix system, `su` checks if the user is authorized to become root (on some systems, everyone is; on others, they have to be a member of group `wheel` or something), prompts for the root password, and then grants root access.
On a rooted Android, what seems to be happening is that Superuser comes with a custom version of `su` that figures out what app invoked it, then checks the Superuser access database for whether or not that app is permitted to become root. If it is, then it makes the jump to root. If not, it spawns the authorization UI.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_5: Unix based system have a special permission type called `setuid` which allows a file to be run by a non root user as if he is the root user.
In our particular case, `su` has the `setuid` permission and so it is being run as the `root` user.
Once invoked the `su` binary checks (with the SuperUser app) to see if it should grant the request for `root` to the requesting app, if the request is approved then it opens a shell as `root`, (which `su` can do since it itself runs as `root` because of the `setuid` permission that it has).
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/14 | 1,105 | 4,149 | <issue_start>username_0: I now have a *Samsung Galaxy S* Android phone running Froyo 2.2.1 and an *Archos 101* Android tablet - also running Froyo.
**Both are 'connected' to the same home network via wifi.**
Is there a method by which I can **copy files directly between the two devices** using Wifi?
Bluetooth is also an option, but since I want to copy a lot of thumbnail images, I think this is too slow.
---
**UPDATE**
*The solution I choose:*
I managed to copy files using the **ftp** protocal , using **swiFTP** as ftp server on my Archos table, and using **Ghost Commander** on my Samsung phone.
If you want to try something similar: you might look at my comments to the accepted answer on my other question: **[question about a 550 error I received during my initial ftp testing](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/7193/what-does-the-message-550-invalid-name-or-chroot-violation-mean/7195#7195)** in order to see what I had to do to make it running.<issue_comment>username_1: I would suggest using [DropBox](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dropbox.android&feature=search_result). The interface let's you upload or download files on an Android device. Additionally you can manage the files from any computer with DropBox installed on it. I've been a big fan of using DropBox on my Droid 1 :)
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: How about good old FTP?
There are a lot of ftp clients (some filemanagers support it, too) and also some server apps (e.g. SwiFTP).
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: There seems to be multiple options available. With a relevant internet search there is an application called **[Bump](http://bu.mp/)** which shares files by simply bumping both devices together. I'm not sure if it does it over wifi if available or only does it over 3G.
There is another option where you can set up an ftp server on the device using an application called **SwiFTP** which is not being maintained anymore but the last update was June 2010. You can install this on one device and use ES File Explorer on the other device to compress and upload the file it using the FTP option.
A third option would be use **[Hoccer](http://hoccer.com/)** which probably uses their service as dropbox does, though I can't be 100% sure.
I'd personally recommend the ftp solution since that seems the most straight forward and you get to ensure that you have a direct connection.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_4: [WiFi Direct](http://www.wi-fi.org/Wi-Fi_Direct.php) is supposed to allow device to device communication. It is a new standard that should be showing up on wifi device soon (not sure when manufacturers will be supporting this). Here is a [list](http://www.wi-fi.org/search_products.php?search=1&advanced=1&lang=en&filter_company_id=&filter_category_id=&filter_subcategory=&filter_cid=&date_from=&date_to=&selected_certifications%5B%5D=50&x=62&y=10) of devices that have been certified, not all phones. My guess is that when an app is released that takes advantage of this, there will be news on [Engadget](http://engadget.com) or some other place.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_5: Brilliant app this - [Sharable](http://www.sharable.in "Sharable"). All others require internet and data costs - including Bump. Also there is no way you could transfer huge files (full length videos or high quality clips) via other apps. Cross Platform support is amazing. Android, ioS, Mac and PC all supported. Pretty fast as well.
Upvotes: -1 <issue_comment>username_6: **ES file explorer.** This app lets you send any size file over bluetooth, wifi(hotspot or local wifi) etc. Very easy to use, just connect both to same wifi hotspot, select the files to send
(OTHER PERSON(s) MUST HAVE ES FILE EXPLORER OPEN)
and press send, or share (the device share menu) and then select via LAN with the ES icon.
You can send file to multiple people at once
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_7: In 2021 you can do this from Google's "Files" app directly. It has simple "send" and "receive" buttons and sets up peer-to-peer WiFi temporarily and securely with zero configuration hassle.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/14 | 359 | 1,361 | <issue_start>username_0: I downloaded a [drawing app](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.drawfree&feature=search_result) for my Xoom and it saves the pictures to the local device (called "SD Card" even though it is internal space).
How do I delete those files? I can find them to attach to email, but they don't appear in my list of "downloads".
Do I need to get another app? Is there nothing that comes with the Xoom that lets me manage those files?<issue_comment>username_1: You'll need a file manager, and just browse to the same path that you do when you attach to email.
If the Xoom doesn't have a file manager, I recommend [Root Explorer](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.speedsoftware.rootexplorer). If you don't have root you can try another, like [Astro File Manager](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.metago.astro&feature=search_result).
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Matthew recommended some good apps (+1) and I wanted to also recommend [ES File Explorer](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&feature=search_result). If any of the ones already mentioned don't work here is a [search of the file explorer apps](https://market.android.com/search?q=file+explorer&c=apps) in the Android Market. Once you find one you can install it straight from the market page.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/12 | 492 | 1,866 | <issue_start>username_0: I am a disabled guy in a wheelchair with an HTC EVO shift. I need help answering my phone without using my hands. My Motorola phones always had auto answering options but I need that for this super duper fancy expensive phone I just received. There must be more people out there that need the same thing!<issue_comment>username_1: This phone runs an operating system called Android, and many features can be added by using external applications.
There´s one app calld AutoAnswer, that is very complete and free.
Here is the info about it:
<http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-everysoft-autoanswer-ApiA.aspx>
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: I thought this was totally possible but for the life of me can't find anything that says it is. I was sure I had seen that option somewhere but going through the settings on my EVO 4G (similar to the Shift) I can't find anything that says auto answer. Same thing when I searching around online.
**So it appears that there is no built-in way to set Auto-Answer**
*However*, there are a few apps in the market which claim to provide this functionality (this is by no means all of them, just three from the first page of results):
* [AutoAnswer](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.everysoft.autoanswer)
* [NACM](https://market.android.com/details?id=pl.apps4android.nacm&feature=search_result)
* [Advanced Telephone](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lab1945.advphone&feature=search_result)
If you don't want to go the app route I also found these [Blue Ant Bluethooth Headsets](http://www.myblueant.com/products/headsets/v1/index.php) which supposedly allow you to answer the call by actually saying the word "answer". This may be a better option than to always answering a call instead you can tell the headset when to answer or not.
Hope this helps
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/15 | 1,551 | 6,162 | <issue_start>username_0: I need to paste text into the Android emulator for testing. I'm running Android 1.6 on the emulator on Mac OS 10.6. Any idea if this is possible?<issue_comment>username_1: Not sure if it is possible as I do not work with or use an Android emulator. What you can do however is place the text you want to copy in a text file and push it to the emulator. Once there, open it and copy the contents that way.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: If you're testing on >= 2.2 emulator, then you should be able to use chrometophone or foxtophone to send text into the clipboard.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: What a pain, I know... same thing on Windows, Linux, etc. too I think...
My solution... (after a little bit of preliminary set up, but after that it's very fast to use every time after that for the most part) - Really wish I didn't have to do all this setup in the first place and "it just worked" like the iPhone/iPad iOS simulator does with this kind of stuff, but (grumble, grumble...)
I run the free version of the Abyss web server (starts up in about 1 second on a fast computer) on my Mac. I'm usually running it anyway as a test server and if it's not running, like I said its starts up in about a split second and it has extremely low overhead on CPU, memory, etc. - It's also nice that you can see that it's running in your Dock so you notice to shut it off when you don't need it.
BTW, I you can also do this with the built-in Apache web server (sudo apachectl start, etc.), MAMP, etc. but I don't do that with this for a variety of my own reasons.
Anyway, within the Abyss server (inside the root htdocs directory) I keep a basic html file called "clip.html" with the proper head tags, etc. so it can display via web browsers.
I then keep the "clip.html" file open in a text editor like BBEdit and paste whatever text I want to transfer to the AVD into the "clip.html" file's body area.
I can then pull up the "clip.html" file on the AVD through my local IP address (because currently the AVD doesn't work with the "localhost" address... sigh). For example while my iOS Simulator iPhone is perfectly happy with `localhost:8000/htdocs/clip.html` , for Android's AVD's I have to instead quickly check to see which local DHCP IP address my computer is assigned to by my router and use that instead (CowTip: find it with Terminal: `ipconfig getifaddr en1`). If you move around a lot with a laptop and it changes a lot, it might be good to use a different method with an external web server with a domain name and user/pass or use some other advanced techniques I won't get into here)
Anyway, aside from all that stuff, for example, this works where I'm located right now with my Abyss web server up and running:
`192.168.0.69:8000/htdocs/clip.html`
I then type that URL into the Android AVD's browser URL window, go to it and save it as a bookmark for future use. As you probably already know, you'll need to config the AVD so it works with your keyboard to type it in.
From now on (as long as my internal IP address doesn't change with my location), I just click on that bookmark and there's all the text that I've pasted into the body of the "clip.html" file. If the text changes, I refresh the AVD's browser and there it is. I can of course select it and copy the text within the AVD at this point. It even works with really old Android platforms as well (if they can access an URL with the browser, it'll work!).
CowTiP: If I'm testing websites or various local URLs with the AVD's browser, etc. I can of course also add html links into the "clip.html" file that I can simply click on within the AVD's browser and go to their locations. (Not as cool, easy and quick as simply dragging an URL's favicon from your Safari browser to the iOS simulator's iPhone, etc. but that's the beauty of using Apple's stuff, isn't it?)
CowTip #2: Be sure and make the text size in the "clip.html" file large for mobile. Just do that in the CSS style in the head code of the "clip.html" file.
CowTip #3: If you change locations, be sure and update your IP address in the URL and AVM's bookmark.
I have some other proprietary methods that automate many steps above with custom scripts I wrote, but I have to charge for my time to customize it for some else's setup, sorry. But, even without the scripts, everything above works great overall.
Hopefully, some day Android will make their emulator as good as Apple makes the iOS simulator in this regard. There's other ways to do this, but I like this way the best because of its compatibility with older Android Platforms and the ability to click links, etc.
Disclaimer: I'm not responsible if you don't know how to protect your server from getting hacked, etc. with proper configuration/firewall/etc. and if your computer explodes, etc.
Regards,
Cowicide
P.S. If someone knows a better way, please share!
P.S.S. I should note you can also do this with Google Drive and set up a document, but then you're sharing your data with a third party and if they get hacked (so does your data). And there's chrometophone, but then again, you're sharing the data in the cloud with a third party with that as well. If you work with sensitive data such as classified government/corporate stuff, etc. you should use my method since all the data stays on your machine. I work with sensitive data, so I can't use those easier methods except at times when I'm working on things that aren't involving sensitive data.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: If you are connected to the internet and regularly need to paste text into emulator, then one nice way would be to create a Dropbox account. Link it to a dropbox folder on your Mac. Install dropbox on your emulator and link it to your account.
Thereafter, make any text you want, put it in a text file and paste it into your dropbox folder on your Mac. Then all devices linked to your dropbox account get synced automatically. Open dropbox on your emulator and retrieve the text file.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: Or you can just email the text to yourself in gmail or something and pick it up from there.
Upvotes: -1 |
2011/03/15 | 430 | 1,726 | <issue_start>username_0: When I receive calls and alarms go off, the phone vibrates.
However it won't vibrate for any notifications.
Changing the vibrate setting from vibrate always or vibrate only when in silent mode has no
effect.
Does anyone know what can cause this and how to fix it?
Is there a separate hidden setting for notification vibrations?
For what it is worth I'm running a HTC Magic with a custom 2.3-Gingerbread ROM installed.
This definitely used to work. Not sure what I did to break it though.
---
Update: I've got it working again by playing with the settings.
Under Settings->Sound settings->Volume 'Use incoming call volume for notifications' was ticked.
When I un-ticked this setting the notification vibration began to work again. This seems really strange to me and if anyone could help me understand what is going on it would be much appreciated.
---
Update 2: Installed an app called [AudioManager](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smartandroidapps.audiowidget&feature=search_result). It has separate vibrate checkboxes for alerts and ringer. Using this helped too. Not 100% but it seems to indicate separate settings that are not exposed through the regular settings interface.<issue_comment>username_1: You can have app-specific notification settings. Have you gone into the settings of the offending apps to see whether they're set to vibrate on notifications?
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: Install an app called [AudioManager](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.smartandroidapps.audiowidget&feature=search_result). It has separate vibrate checkboxes for alerts and ringer. Setting the checkbox for alerts fixed the issue for me.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/15 | 1,781 | 6,703 | <issue_start>username_0: [As has been well documented](http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/08/02/wheres-the-gps-fix-for-the-samsung-vibrant-and-captivate/), the Galaxy S phones have terrible GPS functionality. It works for a minority, but it is slow/inaccurate for some and for others it just doesn't work at all. How can I fix this?<issue_comment>username_1: Four ways: Upgrading the software, fixing the hardware, resetting the GPS settings/data, and using "fake" GPS.
Upgrading the Software
======================
Samsung definitely released some bad GPS firmware, which does not help things. Fortunately, good code is included in all of the recent 2.2 updates. If you can, upgrade your software to 2.2. It has many advantages besides just the GPS!
You can also try flashing 2.3 GPS code (see [this XDA thread](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=974702)). Apparently it's the best yet, and should work with any ROM.
Summary: Gingerbread great, Froyo good, Eclair bad.
Note: A minority of users have *worse* GPS performance after upgrading to Froyo. If you have the very latest Froyo update and this is true for you, I believe you can fix it by continuing with the other steps below (or the 2.3 GPS code above). You probably have bad GPS data and settings left over from Eclair, or perhaps it's just that your phone has been "cold started" and the GPS needs to collect some information about the nearby satellites first.
Fixing the Hardware
===================
This might void your warranty, though if done properly it should be undetectable.
A major problem for many users is, yes, a hardware problem -- but not a GPS chip issue as some have claimed. I was reluctant to accept this myself, but after trying everything else I finally resorted to this fix, and it worked! The hardware has apparently been fixed in newer device versions, so if you bought your phone after October 2010 I recommend trying the other steps before doing this. But the good news is that it's easy to do. [There's a detailed guide on XDA](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878970); here is the quick version:
* Take off the back cover; remove the battery, SIM, and SD card.
* Remove the 7 small screws in the back of the device, and carefully pry off the backing plastic.
* You'll see 4 gold-ish contacts sticking out, approximately at each corner of the device. You'll notice that the backing plastic has 4 flat contacts on it, which are supposed to touch the ones on the device. (See the guide for details).
* Slightly bend the contacts on the device upwards (a millimeter or so should be good, don't overdo it) so that they will contact the backing plate, like they were intended to. You might want to insert something like a small folded piece of paper under the contact, so that it doesn't bend back down.
* Put everything back together, and continue with the next section.
Fixing the Hardware (2nd option)
================================
This really voids your warranty, but seems like the best possible technical fix so far.
>
> Problem is caused by bad gnd conductivity between mainboard and antenna. It is conduced by conductivity rubber. This kind of rubber was used for old nokia 8210 for connect display to mainboard. It was the mayor fault for nokia 8210.
>
>
>
There are 2 different methods which both require soldering skill but are said to significantly improve the GPS signal. Read more, see photos and a step by step guide on [XDA](http://www.xda-developers.com/android/hardware-gps-fix-for-the-galaxy-s-i9000-and-i9001/).
Reset the GPS Data and Settings
===============================
* Start up the phone, shut off GPS, and install **[GPSRestore](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sec.samsung.GpsRestore)** ([alternate non-Market link](http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ETQGDEPZ)) and **[Captivate SGS Tools](https://market.android.com/details?id=captivate.sgs.tools)** (don't worry, for our purposes it works for all SGS models).
* Open the SGS Tools and, from the **Secret Codes** menu, go into **GPS-Test and settings (LBSTestMode)**.
* Hit **Delete GPS Data**.
* Run GPSRestore. I suggest running it with GPS off first, letting step 2 fail, then going outside, turning GPS on and running it again. It may take 5+ minutes while your phone searches for satellites and figures out where it is. This "cold start" should prep your phone with good data, and future locks should be much quicker.
* Once the test is done, you should be good to go!
I recommend only trying the following if your GPS is still slow or doesn't work after trying everything else; in most situations the default server is fine.
* Go into **SUPL/CP Settings** (in LBSTestMode as above) and change **Server** to **supl.google.com** (port 7276).
* Install **[GPSTest](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest)**, go outside, turn on your GPS, and open the app. Wait for a lock; again, this might take some time.
Using "Fake" GPS
================
Even the best GPS doesn't lock on instantly. You can use "assisted GPS", or aGPS, to help get a rough fix quickly while you wait for the more accurate GPS to get a lock; this only works when you have internet access, since it uses your IP address to locate you. Go into your device's GPS settings (`Settings -> Location and security`) and make sure **Use wireless networks** and **Use sensor aiding** are both checked. **Use GPS satellites** should, of course, be checked also.
Note: This might make things worse in situations where the phone relies on the inaccurate aGPS more than the "real" GPS. Experiment with and without it.
**And that's it!** I hope this guide works for you and you enjoy your newly functional GPS.
Upvotes: 6 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: There is a simple guide of the hardware fix on [xda-developers](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1043034), which doesn't require you to remove any screws. It worked surprisingly well on my Galaxy S.
**The trick is to increase the pressure of the GPS antenna connector by placing a small stripe of tape above the connector. The guide on XDA has some nice pictures and instructions, definitely worth reading.**
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: I have several bluetooth-GPS adapters that I use with all of my devices when I need a superb signal because a specialiced receiver is almost always superior to a smartphone's internal GPS (due to integration constraints).
See a more generic question/answer here: [What can I do when my GPS doesn't work (or if my tablet doesn't have GPS)?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/25539/what-can-i-do-when-my-gps-doesnt-work-or-if-my-tablet-doesnt-have-gps)
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/15 | 1,113 | 4,413 | <issue_start>username_0: After trying for a long while to figure it out, I still cannot convince my Android browser to save the file from a web link. If the link is a picture, holding over it and pressing "Save As" saves the picture, not the file it links to. My Android device has no multitouch (is this required to tell to browser to download?), and simply clicking on a download link takes me nowhere. Can anyone help me?<issue_comment>username_1: Personally I usually just click the link of the file and it downloads.
As for the image: try long pressing but instead of choosing "Save As" look for "Copy link URL" or "Open in New Window" or something similar to those two menu options. "Copy link URL" should copy the URL of the file to your clipboard, then you can paste that link in the address bar and hit "Go" and it *should* download your file. "Open in New Window" should essentially do the same thing (i'm just trying to give you as many options as I can to try). If you click on the link it may not *take* you anywhere but to a blank page while the file downloads.
So to check your download list:
You may have already tried this but to see if the file was downloaded you can open your browser, open the menu, then select "More", you should see "Downloads". This is where your downloaded files list is.
Another way you could check is to look in the "downloads" folder on your sdcard (/sdcard/downloads/) using [ES File Explorer](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop&feature=search_result) or [some other file explorer](https://market.android.com/search?q=file+explorer&c=apps).
If this is not a solution let me know and give an example of what you are trying to accomplish and I'll try to figure it out.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: Nowadays the built-in Android browser has been replaced by Chrome, which does this perfectly well. You can long-press and save virtually any image or link, and even videos from a number of sites that couldn't be easily done on the desktop.
Answer below for older devices:
The Android browser by default can only download files that the Android system "recognizes" (i.e., there has to be a program registered to handle that file type). It's a stupid restriction in my opinion, but you can install [Download Crutch](http://android-apk.org/apk/org.ouroborus.android.downloadcrutchlite/2008-01-31/teddey/download+crutch+lite/) to overcome this limitation (it registers itself for every filetype).
If you're referring to images that link to something else and you want to save the something else, long-press on the image and choose "Save Link As" or similar.
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_3: What Android OS version are you running? And what kind of file does the image link to?
On 2.3.4 the browser offers me "Save link" and "Save image" as two options when I click on an image that is a link (e.g. on the image link to the Main Page at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_browser>)
But in earlier versions of Android it was different. E.g. in 1.5, I just see "Save image" and "View image", so there is no direct way in the default browser to save the web page which the image links to.
As Matthew notes, the file type can also matter. On my 2.3.4 phone it asked me if I wanted to save a file for which there was no handler. E.g. for an xml file it said *"The content is not supported on the phone. No application can be found to open this file. Do you still want to download it?"*
For earlier phones and some kinds of files you may need to install an app which can handle the file. "Download Crutch" is no longer in the market, but there seem to be others that would be suitable.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: I've struggled with this same issue, though in my case I wanted to save a Text file (.txt) that I had open in the Chrome browser on Android 4.4.x (Kit Kat). After reading this and other questions posted I realised that neither Chrome, the Google applications, nor the standard Android tools would allow me to simply save a Text file from a URL.
To save a Text file from a URL to the file storage on my Android device I used the File Explorer application [ES File Explorer](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop). Within ES File Explorer there's a *Download Manager* that allows you to download any file from a given URL to the file storage on your device.
Upvotes: 3 |
2011/03/15 | 532 | 2,047 | <issue_start>username_0: I have new android tablet (Archos 7) and lot of video files are not playable. The program ends with message "The video file cannot be played". The file type is avi, which is normally playble (I played many other videos). The videos which are not playble in tablet, are playble on my laptop (with Ubuntu). Is it possible to make the videos playble on tablet?
E.g. to convert them with ffmpeg to another form which will be playble, or is there some repair mechanism in Android?
I tried another player Act 1 Video Player, but that didn't help.
thank you for help<issue_comment>username_1: There are a number of factors that determine if a video will play on Android:
1. It has to be the correct codec - [See this list](http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/media-formats.html)
2. It has to either be small enough to download entirely before playing or be encoded in a form that allows streaming.
Chances are the problem you are seeing is that the codec the videos are encoded in isn't supported, so yes, re-encoding with `ffmpeg` or `mencoder` or something similar into one of the supported video codecs may well work.
To enable streaming, if you first encode it as an MP4 file then pass it through something like [MP4Box](http://eitwebguru.com/how-to-install-mp4box-on-linux-server/) it will tag it for streaming so yuo can play longer video clips on Android.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: You can find a video player that uses ffmpeg itself to play on Android. Examples were given in answers to this question: [State of VLC for Android / Media Player that plays AVI files](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/6896/state-of-vlc-for-android-media-player-that-plays-avi-files)
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: I just saw [this article](http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-mobile-video-players-android-phone/) today and thought it would be helpful here. It lists 8 of the best video players for Android according to MakeUseOf.com. username_2's answer is also a good one.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/15 | 663 | 2,776 | <issue_start>username_0: I have a MyTouch 3G Slide w/ Android 2.2 and am having issues with the text messaging freezing up all the time and running incredibly slow. If I try to delete all the texts, the messaging application will continue to show the circular thinking pattern for over an hour and never delete all the texts. I ended up having to delete 3 texts at a time and waiting 5 minutes each time.... It's really frustrating... I have tried handcent sms and have the same issues with it
1) Is there a fix for slow/freezing text messaging other than factory reset?
2) Is there an app that deletes text messages over 2 weeks old?
3) Is there a better text messaging app than the onboard android messaging application for android 2.1 with better reliability, ease of use, and speed?<issue_comment>username_1: [Handcent SMS](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.handcent.nextsms) is the most oft-recommended SMS replacement app on this site, so it's probably good to try. If you have no issues with it, then I would assume it's just a buggy SMS app that you have and not a deeper problem.
If you don't mind losing **all** your messages you could try going to `Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications`, finding the SMS app ("Messaging" or similar), and clearing the data for it. There may also be something like "Messaging Storage" that you need to clear.
I don't know of any app that will improve performance of the existing app, and replacing a messaging app can be tricky. I'd recommend a custom ROM that has had some of these bugs worked out. [This XDA topic](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=924793) has a good overview of ROMs for your device.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I know this is late, but I have the same kind of phone, and came across the same problem. Honestly, if you have that many messages and still want to delete them, the best way to do so is to set the screen fade out to never, plug it into the charger, and delete the messages while you're sleeping. By the time you wake up the loading circle will be gone, along with all the messages you deleted. Hope this helps!
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Late reply, but I just experienced the same thing and used a different approach to fix this problem which may work for others. I'm not sure what caused this issue--never really looked at my Texting settings before. But below is what worked for me when restarting, and deleting data did nothing for me.
I went to Running Applications, found the Texting application (mine was Multi-touch keyboard), selected it, went to settings, changed the input method to "Swype", then closed out. This stopped the keyboard from locking whenever I went to input txt into any application.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/15 | 273 | 971 | <issue_start>username_0: When I run the command
```
adb push file.txt /flash/Data
```
it writes this error message
```
failed to copy 'file.txt' to '/flash/Data': Read-only file system
```
I tried to solve it according to this page
<http://android-tricks.blogspot.com/2009/01/mount-filesystem-read-write.html> but with no success.
Could you navigate me and solve the problem? thank you<issue_comment>username_1: You normally have to be [rooted](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/1184/how-do-i-root-my-phone) to change how the filesystem is mounted.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: You have to have root access to mount the drive as that article is describing (calling su == becoming root).
What are you trying to accomplish? Can you push the file to the sdcard instead (if your device has one)?
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: You can attempt writing to `/data/local/tmp/` as it is writable even by normal users.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/15 | 1,043 | 4,000 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm trying to open my **picasa folders** in the android **gallery**. When I press the Picasa button, I get this message:
>
> your google account is not linked to Picasa Web Albums. Please add another Google account
>
>
>
I found [this link from xda](http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=873307).
It starts with "can't find the app", and "can't sync" (problems I don't have) but then someone starts about the "not linked" problems. The tips I found where about removing accounts (for youtube, for htc sense, etc), but that didn't help.
I found a link to
[Why can't I Sync Picasa Web Albums?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/4015/sync-picasa-web-albums-option-not-there) , but this is not the same question. The sync option is in the accounts menu, but I can't seem to get picasa in the gallery.
I can upload (via gallery -> share) to picasa. I can also make new directories etc. I just can't see my picasa in the gallery
specs:
* HTC Desire Z
* "standard" htc software: android 2.2.1 with HTC sense (1.82.405.1)
* HTC hub has "sync" enabled
* my Google account has the picasa-sync enabled
Does anyone have a clue about how to fix this?<issue_comment>username_1: This is a bit of a stab in the dark from stuff I've read, but here goes...
I believe that the uploading is done through the generic Android/Google/Picasa features but HTC have their own gallery app that relies on an additional plugin to display Picasa Web Albums.
Go to the HTC Hub app, settings -> sync and make sure you have the sync option checked for HTC Hub. If you don't have the latest version of the Picasa plugin then you should get a notification to download it, which might fix your issue.
If you do already have the latest plugin then double check under the Accounts settings that your Google account is set to sync with Picasa and that there isn't an additional sync option somewhere for the plugin itself.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_2: Ok, not a real final answer, but this is what happened. I had another problem with the gallery, described here: [Not all images showing up in gallery](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/7088/not-all-images-showing-up-in-gallery)
In following all the advice there I have
* Removed data from "gallery" application in menu->settings->applications
* Removed the .thumbnails directory from /DCIM
* Removed data from gallery app again.
* Shut down the phone and removed the battery.
I don't know if that fixed the showing-up problem, but now all of a sudden I can actually see my picasa folders..
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: I had the same problem after having updated my incredible S to Gingerbread.
I do not know if it was some kind of luck, but the following fixed the problem:
* uninstall the picasa plugin (go to HTC Hub/plugins)
* parameters/applications/manage/Gallery -> force the gallery application to stop.
* Go back to HTC Hub/plugins and install again the Picasa plugin.
* parameters/accounts and sync/ your google account/ enable the picasa update, and update now.
* wait until the end of the update, then go back to the gallery, the picasa plugin should now have linked your picasa account with your google account!
Hope this will work for you too!
username_3.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: Go online and download the .apk for Gallery for 2.1 and install. Make sure you have nonmarket apps checked (under `Settings -> Applications -> Development`). After install go back and sync all Google accounts. You will have two galleries but the new one will be able to sync with picasa. Open it and you should see all your picasa stuff. It worked for me with HTC Wildfire.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: The HTC Hub suggestion put me in the right direction. I enabled the plugin when I was not using Picasa Web. Since Google+ I do, but the plugin said my google account was not linked to picasa web. Uninstalling and reinstalling did the trick.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/16 | 781 | 3,337 | <issue_start>username_0: I'm using an LGP500 Android Phone (Android 2.2). In the default SMS application, when I select a discussion, I see the previous SMS (both sent and received), and there's a text area at the bottom of the screen to write a new message.
For most of my contacts, this behavior is working correctly, but for a few of them (which I use quite often), the text area is not shown. Those contact have a mobile phone number, and I can send SMS using the long way (create a new sms, search the contact ...).
Does anybody have an idea of the cause or the solution ?
**Edit** I tried a few things to fix this : clearing the data, deleting any previous sms history, changing the phone number from the local (06xxxxxxxx) to international (+336xxxxxxxx) format (french phone numbers), changing the mobile phone number as default phone for the contact, in vain.<issue_comment>username_1: I don't know why this is happening but you may be able to fix it by clearing the data from your messaging app. From the home screen you go to `settings > Applications > Manage Applications` then choose the Messaging app (or whatever your sms app is called). If the option to clear the cache is there try that first but most likely you'll have to choose to "Clear Data". I believe this will delete all the messages you have saved so keep this in mind.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: My experience with this has been with non-mobile type numbers. If you happen to have multiple numbers for a contact, and for some reason it happens to select the `Home` or `Work` number rather than the `Mobile`, it will disallow you to send text messages to these numbers. Have you checked to make sure the number you're sending it to is classified as mobile?
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: It may because the Messaging app "Only Mobile Numbers" setting enabled, try to disable it.
On Messaging App:
```
Menu > Settings > Extra Settings > Only Mobile Numbers
```
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: Are you absolutely sure you are using the stock messaging app of android 2.2? (maybe you could be using a modified version by your manufacturer which may be buggy). Anyways try the following (which is for froyo's default messaging app)
* Go to Text Message Settings > "Manage SIM card messages" (check if any messages are there and try to move it back from it).
* Go to your conversation, Long press the "menu options" softkey on your android to get the keyboards and start typing to see if the field pops back.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: This is a problem i face with few contacts on my P500 too! Try merging contacts with their FB account or twitter account or just create a Buffer account and join them. It works after that. Not a great solution but been working that way now!
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_6: Perhaps some contact information got corrupted. Try re-syncing the contacts on the phone.
`Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications -> All`, scroll down to "Contacts" app and tap on it, select "Clear data". Do the same for the "Contacts Storage" app. This should clear all contacts data. Now go to `Menu -> Settings -> Accounts & sync`, go into every account you have and toggle the "Sync Contacts" option off and back on. This should force an immediate re-sync.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/16 | 590 | 2,532 | <issue_start>username_0: Are old donkeys not allowed to eat carrots?!<issue_comment>username_1: I don't know why this is happening but you may be able to fix it by clearing the data from your messaging app. From the home screen you go to `settings > Applications > Manage Applications` then choose the Messaging app (or whatever your sms app is called). If the option to clear the cache is there try that first but most likely you'll have to choose to "Clear Data". I believe this will delete all the messages you have saved so keep this in mind.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: My experience with this has been with non-mobile type numbers. If you happen to have multiple numbers for a contact, and for some reason it happens to select the `Home` or `Work` number rather than the `Mobile`, it will disallow you to send text messages to these numbers. Have you checked to make sure the number you're sending it to is classified as mobile?
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_3: It may because the Messaging app "Only Mobile Numbers" setting enabled, try to disable it.
On Messaging App:
```
Menu > Settings > Extra Settings > Only Mobile Numbers
```
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: Are you absolutely sure you are using the stock messaging app of android 2.2? (maybe you could be using a modified version by your manufacturer which may be buggy). Anyways try the following (which is for froyo's default messaging app)
* Go to Text Message Settings > "Manage SIM card messages" (check if any messages are there and try to move it back from it).
* Go to your conversation, Long press the "menu options" softkey on your android to get the keyboards and start typing to see if the field pops back.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: This is a problem i face with few contacts on my P500 too! Try merging contacts with their FB account or twitter account or just create a Buffer account and join them. It works after that. Not a great solution but been working that way now!
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_6: Perhaps some contact information got corrupted. Try re-syncing the contacts on the phone.
`Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications -> All`, scroll down to "Contacts" app and tap on it, select "Clear data". Do the same for the "Contacts Storage" app. This should clear all contacts data. Now go to `Menu -> Settings -> Accounts & sync`, go into every account you have and toggle the "Sync Contacts" option off and back on. This should force an immediate re-sync.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/16 | 545 | 2,197 | <issue_start>username_0: I'd like to be able to stream video to my android phone (Samsung Galaxy S rooted 2.2) from a PC running Windows XP (I'm at work!).
There's no wireless network here, VLC and similar marketplace apps seem to only offer this service over wifi/3G; can I over USB?<issue_comment>username_1: I think the answer here is "in all practicability, no."
One hypothetical alternative would be USB host support, and to mount an external hard drive or thumb drive onto your phone. This would mean doing something like this, [How To Mount External Hard Drive to Your XOOM.](http://www.xoomforums.com/forum/motorola-xoom-hacking-guides/5299-how-mount-external-hard-drive.html) This seems impractical and potentially dangerous (who knows if that OTG cable might cause a short). The SGS may not even recognize the cable, or the drive, and the apk may not work with your phone.
That's the best answer I have on actually connecting via usb to a storage location.
Actual streaming from a PC via the USB port, though? Even if there were a way, it'd probably require extensive work on both the phone and the computer. Wouldn't a better (and way easier) solution be to buy a wireless USB adapter and set it to ad-hoc mode and SSID non-broadcast? Just a thought.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: You could turn on "USB Tethering", then run some media server like VLC carefully configured with RTSP streaming on your local server. Then open up the stock browser on android, type in your local ip (prefixed with rtsp:// protocol instead of http) of the pc followed by the port number as set in VLC or equivalent. The Android media player should launch if all is set and should start to play the video.
The local ip must be the ip of the PC running VLC or equivalent media server. You'll need to find it through right clicking the active LAN connection (of usb tether) > status > "IP address : "..
Do disable firewalls or add exclusions appropriately for this to work, also, set the VLC with proper video transcoding format that your android can play.
Warning: you might want to disable data pack when enabling the usb tether to avoid incurring unwanted costs.
Upvotes: 3 |
2011/03/16 | 1,117 | 4,263 | <issue_start>username_0: If I have shared a folder on my computer that has all my music in it, is it possible, when connected to the same Wifi network with my phone (Nexus One, Gingerbread), to play this music on my phone?
In case I need to use an application that mounts the shared folder on my phone, it would be extra awesome if it would mount automatically when connecting to that network.<issue_comment>username_1: You can use [Winamp](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nullsoft.winamp&feature=search_result) to sync your music wirelessly between your phone and that share. You can find [a guide on how to do it here](http://androidforums.com/android-media/79959-how-flawlessly-sync-your-music-your-android-winamp-56k-warning.html).
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: One option would be something like the [VLC](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.videolan.vlc) app. You actually don't even need the music to be on a shared drive for that one to work, you just need VLC installed on the PC and a wifi LAN to share (or 3G and some network security know-how).
There are also some third-party apps that are designed specifically for the streaming aspect of VLC, without the local playback features, such as [VLC Streamer](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hobbyistsoftware.android.vlcrstreamer_free).
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: ES File Explorer will let you play media files...but I think you have to pick them one at a time to play them...not sure if you can play a list of songs....
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: A [Squeezebox](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squeezebox_Server) server ([download](http://www.mysqueezebox.com/download)) running on the Pc will allow any device on the network to connect to the [MP3 stream it broadcasts](http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/Remote_streaming). You can add songs to the playlist via the web interface from the PC or your phone's browser, or install one of the Android Squeezebox controller apps like [Squeeze Commander](https://market.android.com/details?id=de.cedata.android.squeezecommander).
See also this previous question [Client-Server Android audio remote](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/4853/client-server-android-audio-remote)
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_5: Linux has an file system wrapper thingy called `cifs` that allows it to mount an SMB share (Windows shared folder) transparently as a standard folder to the file system.
Looks like there's an android app for creating and managing cifs mounts - [CifsManager](https://market.android.com/details?id=ws.plattner.cifsmanager). Using it, I assume you could make your Android device see all the files in the shares just like they would be on your memory card. The app does list "playing music" as an example use case in it's description, so I expect it could be used for this purpose.
I haven't looked at how it works yet, but intend to now that you made me interested in the use case. :) I'll edit the answer when I've had time to test this.
Note that the app **requires root**. Also, don't know if it can automatically reconnect the shares when they become available. And I'm not sure if it messes up the Android music player or file management system or whatever if the mounted files it was accessing suddenly become disconnected (I would expect that Android can handle it, though).
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_6: [Subsonic](http://www.subsonic.org) is also a great way to share music with you Android device over WiFi or even the Internet. There is also an [Subsonic Android App.](https://market.android.com/details?id=net.sourceforge.subsonic.androidapp)
Or you could use [Google Music](http://music.google.com), which is currently US only.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_7: You may try the preview version of 'Soumi Music Player' at the following link for playing MP3 files from your network shared folder.
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/Soumi-music-player-preview>
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_8: Hey man you could try [Samba Network Music Player](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threecats.sambaplayer&hl=en) - it was specifically designed for this purpose. Still in development but it works.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/16 | 326 | 1,323 | <issue_start>username_0: I have two devices:
1. iPhone with sim card, including data option
2. Galaxy tab without sim card
As the iPhone always has an internet connection, I want to use it for the Galaxy Tab as well. Of course I could just swap the sim card, but I'm looking for a more elegant solution.
Beginning with IOS 4.3, the IPhone also has an option to create a personal hotspot to allow other devices to use its internet connection.
Unfortunately, this only seems to work over Bluetooth or USB.
As USB is out of question, it looks like Bluetooth is my only hope. Therefore my question:
Is there any way to convince my Galaxy Tab to use a Bluetooth as "Internet connection" ? If not, is there any other way to achieve what I'm trying to do here?<issue_comment>username_1: MyWi for iphone will do it but may need to install wpa\_supplicant.adhocfix on galaxy to accept adhoc network. I did this on my nook color and it works really well.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: You dont need to connect via BT. You can do it via wifi. Turn on tethering on the iPhone. Go to wifi settings and ensure the iPhone is not connected to a wifi device. Then go to your tab and open wifi connection settings. Do a wifi search and it'll find the iPhone. Connect the tab wifi to the hotspot which is the iPhone.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/16 | 529 | 2,365 | <issue_start>username_0: I have the standard Weather calendar added to Google Calendar, and I can see the weather for today on goocal in my desktop browser just fine.
I noticed that the weather was no longer showing up on my calendar. It was showing the weather for last week - Mon-Tue-Wed, but there was no entries for this week.
So I deleted the weather calendar completely. Verified it was no longer showing up on my Android. Then I added it back again. Now I can (still) see it on my desktop in the browser, but in Android the calendar no longer shows up at all. The Weather calendar is quite definitely selected as "Synce, Visible" in the calendar settings. I also tried another calendar app that uses the Google Calendar database (Business Calendar); again, the Weather calendar is selected to be shown, but it does not show up.
Before you ask why I don't just use the weather widget, to be honest I don't particularly care about the weather, I just like having something on my calendar every day - it makes it more obvious in "Agenda" view that I have nothing going on today
UPDATE: I just tried the "Day of the Year" calendar and that shows up just fine. My speculation is that the weather calendar requires your current location, and that's the source of the problem. I'd rather see the weather, which is at least marginally useful, than the day of the year though.<issue_comment>username_1: Well the answer seems to be to use Weather Underground's iCal subscription. It shows up and it gives you more complete weather info. Only downside- it doesn't automatically pick up your location, it's hardcoded to a specific location.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Having precisely the same issue on HTC username_2 v Virgin load and current updates
Also seems ""google contacts and events" works on neither calendar app or widget. And "google US holidays" works on both (right now?)
Got the answer.
I went to: Home, Menu, Settings, Apps, All Apps, Calendar Storage. Clear Data in Calendar Storage. This should erase the Exchange Calendar from your phone. Weather reappeared.
But there's more. It quit again. Seems to be some conflict between the exchange calendar and the pop calendar. Deleted the.calendar memory and settings again, Disabled the pop calendar, deleted and recreated the exchange calendar. Now its stable.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/17 | 825 | 2,893 | <issue_start>username_0: Background:
I put in a friend's SD Card to format it because it was having problems. Then I put mine back in and I think my phone formatted my SD Card. I had a ton of pictures on there that are now gone! I put the card into the computer and there's only 2mb of cache files on there and none of the original directories.
I already tried the following freeware recovery applications:
1. [Undelete 360](http://www.snapfiles.com/get/undelete360.html)
2. [Recuva](http://www.snapfiles.com/get/recuva.html)
Neither of them were able to retrieve any files.
Undelete took 1minute to scan for files and came up with 0 files.
Recuva took 10 minutes for their "deep scan" which doesn't seem thorough enough at all for this 8GB SD Card. I need something that's a lot more heavy duty.
I don't mind paying for an application to get the data back if necessary...
Questions:
* Which application can I use to recover my deleted picture files from my 8GB HD Micro SD Card?
* Why did Anroid format my SD card?
* How can I tell if it's a phone problem, data problem, or SD Card problem?<issue_comment>username_1: Take a look at [PhotoRec](http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec).
There are also similar question on Super User that may help:
* [Recover data from SD card](https://superuser.com/questions/40058/recover-data-from-sd-card)
* [How do I recover files from an USB flash drive?](https://superuser.com/questions/51984/how-do-i-recover-files-from-an-usb-flash-drive)
Here's the full list of Data Recovery Program links:
* [Easeus Pro](http://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizardpro/download.htm)
* [Data Recovery Tool](http://www.kvisoft.com/data-recovery/) a nice tool but it's not free
* [PhotoRec](http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec) and [TestDisk](http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk) from CGSecurity
* [NTFS Undelete](http://ntfsUndelete.com/) (works also with FAT32 unlike the name suggests)
* [WinHex](http://www.winhex.com/winhex/)
* [Active File Recovery](http://www.file-recovery.net/download.htm)
* [Scalpel](http://www.digitalforensicssolutions.com/Scalpel/)
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Here are a few more to the list:
[Pandora Recovery](http://www.pandorarecovery.com/download/): It is very specifically recovers deleted files on drives formatted with the NTFS file system, not the older FAT or FAT32 file systems.
[Puran File Recovery](http://www.puransoftware.com/File-Recovery-Download.html): It is a free file recovery program. The interface is simple and straightforward, simply select the drive letter or physical drive you want to recover from and start the scanning process.
[Android Data Recovery](http://www.androidphonesoft.com/android-data-recovery.html): This program used to only retrieve deleted files from rooted Android devices and now it adds a new feature for SD card recovery.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/17 | 358 | 1,290 | <issue_start>username_0: As you know Samsung Galaxy S comes with yahoo apps (mail, chat, etc). My First Android Phone was a G1 and I really love the google natives apps like gtalk, search widget, etc.. The problem is that these apps are not in the market and I dont know Where to find them.
I know That I could install another Rom that brings theses apps, but I really like How works my samsung with Eclair. I just need back my google apps.
Some help?<issue_comment>username_1: Have you searched in the market using ["Google" as the publisher](https://market.android.com/developer?pub=Google+Inc.)?
Gmail / Maps / Search are available there.
Also found this link - <http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Internet-Utilities/Instant-Messenger/GTalk-106808.shtml>
Upvotes: 2 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: Installing from Market is preferrable, but you probably can sideload them if you exhausted all other avenues.
Download the apk: <http://forum.samdroid.net/f10/google-updates-3468/>
If you have adb, then you can install the apk using adb install.
If you don't have adb, then save those apks to the SD card and use a file manager (e.g. Astro, Estrongs, etc) to install them.
You need to enable non-Market installation: Settings > Applications > Unknown sources
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/17 | 1,719 | 7,015 | <issue_start>username_0: Are the apps on the [Android Market](https://market.android.com/) checked or audited?
If I search Google for "hardening Android", the best hit I can find is *[Google Android Hardening Checklist](https://wikis.utexas.edu/display/ISO/Google+Android+Hardening+Checklist)*.
What's your opinion regarding this? Is there a way to make Android safer or more secure?<issue_comment>username_1: I do not believe anyone from Google explicitly audits Market apps. They probably run some checks now to look for known malware (edit: yes, see username_7' answer) and that sort of thing, but Android apps do not have an approval process like iOS apps. See <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Market#Application_security>
The best way to keep your device secure is to make sure others never have access to it, and to make sure you only download apps you trust. Android uses a Linux-style kernel and has a tightly sandboxed security model, so as an OS it's very safe in and of itself. You mostly need to protect against user error :)
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: It only takes a one time fee of $25 for a developer to start putting apps on the market. No hoops to jump through. $25 and you can publish as many applications as you want, instantly. No waiting, no queues, no approval process, nada.
However, there have been a few cases of malicious applications. When these problems arise, Google usually pulls them from the Market (and from user's phones). It doesn't happen very often.
Android was designed to to keep yourself protected: all applications have to ask for "permissions" to do certain things: make calls, read contact data, access the internet, etc. **Read the permissions before you install an application.** Make sure you know and understand what it is going to be doing. Does it seem to have a dubious "permission" that it asks for access to? However, at the same time: don't berate the developer because of certain permissions. Some ads ran in apps require at least the internet permission and sometimes some other ones (about the phone state, I believe). Be sure to have a thorough understanding of why a developer would need certain permissions. Most importantly, read what other people are saying about the application in the market. Read some of the comments (although beware that the comments on the Android market are the same level as Youtube in terms of quality) and see what the app's rating is. Have you heard of the app before? Has a blog mentioned or reviewed it?
**Worse case scenario**: if you aren't rooted, then no single application should be able to damage your phone as every application is sandboxed from each other (technically, each developer's set of applications are sandboxed from each other. Apps signed by the same developer key can have access to other apps signed by the same developer). They could potentially steal your data, depending on the amount of permissions the application is given. The rarest scenario I can think of is if an application uses an exploit to enable root access on your phone and then does something malicious (e.g., delete everything).
Upvotes: 4 <issue_comment>username_3: No platform is 100% user-proof, so exercise caution and common sense in the same way as you do on your desktop -- you probably wouldn't install some random program on your computer that you heard about on a website without some prior research, even with an antivirus program/latest updates installed.
Same rules here -- do yourself a favour and find more information about the program you are interested in and its developers. Market comments are usually a good place to start, but perusing other Android-related sites won't hurt either,
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_4: Assuming you're in the US, the new, just launched Amazon Android Appstore does check and audit the apps before they're put up on the store, so should be a safer place to get your apps from.
From their [Developer FAQ](https://developer.amazon.com/help/faq.html):
>
> Our goal is for Amazon Appstore
> customers to have a good experience
> with every app they buy from the
> Appstore. As a result, we will be
> testing the apps you submit prior to
> making them available in our store to
> verify that each app works as outlined
> in your product description, does not
> impair the functionality of the mobile
> device or put customer data at risk
> once installed, and complies with the
> terms of the Distribution Agreement
> and our Content Guidelines.
>
>
>
However, as they've only just launched this week, they don't have any long term record that we can look at to see how effective their screening is, and what they do if an app does slip through their process somehow.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_5: If you are worried about people getting a hold of your device and using it, you can add a passphrase, code, or swipe gesture to keep people out. If you are worried about the data within individual apps once the phone is unlocked, [Protector](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.androidpassword.core) does a nice job of blocking access to a list of apps you specify, enter a PIN to unlock.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_6: There are antivirus products like AVG and Lookout, but I don't think they detect spyware. Google Market itself is really risky, since anyone in your account can remotely add any app, and some security holes [have been found](http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20040246-245.html) and patched. Best thing to do is check an app's permissions when installing, and use antivirus and firewall such as droidwall for privacy.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_7: Google added a new security layer to the Android market in February 2012.
>
> **Adding a new layer to Android security**
>
> Today we’re revealing a service
> we’ve developed, codenamed Bouncer, which provides automated scanning
> of Android Market for potentially malicious software without
> disrupting the user experience of Android Market or requiring
> developers to go through an application approval process.
>
>
>
For further information read here: <http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2012/02/android-and-security.html>
[Android 4.2 has added](http://developer.android.com/about/versions/jelly-bean.html#42-security) extra security with a setting that allows Google's security scanner to (optionally) scan all of your non-Market (ie side-loaded) apps for malware too.
>
> The feature is an extension of the security technology Google
> introduced for the Play Store this past February. While that
> technology worked exclusively on the server side, analyzing apps that
> were uploaded to the Play Store, the new system works with your device
> and scans any apps you install from third-party sources (a process
> known as "sideloading").
>
>
>
*(ComputerWorld: [Inside Android 4.2's powerful new security system](http://blogs.computerworld.com/android/21259/android-42-security))*
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer] |
2011/03/17 | 674 | 2,438 | <issue_start>username_0: Some photos do not show up in the gallery app. I can find those particular shots trough the camera app for some reason, and using a file-browser I can find them too. But they will not show up in the gallery.
I found [this topic about thumbnail problems](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/5471/problem-with-my-thumbnails-in-gallery). I did what the answer suggested, although it was not exactly the same problem. Sadly it didn't help.
Another topic [talks about latency](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/125/gallery-latency). I don't think "use a quicker phone" is a solution (desire-z is quick enough), and we're talking about a different problem: I have pictures from yesterday not shown, but from today are in there, so the scanner has been running.
**Why don't all my photos show in the gallery?**
edit: the images do not seem any different. They are all saved in
```
/mnt/sdcard/DCIM/100MEDIA
```
called
```
IMAG0402 //visible
IMAG0403 //invis
IMAG0404 //invis
IMAG0405 //invis
IMAG0406 //visible
```
(I checked this trough ASTRO browser)<issue_comment>username_1: Try deleting the `/mnt/sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails` folder and rebooting your phone. You may need to clear data for Media Storage and possibly the Gallery app/anything related as well.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I had the same issue. Turns out my `.thumbnails` folder was not inside my `/DCIM` folder. I moved it back inside, restarted the phone and it's been fine since.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: For me, it was enough to just open `/mnt/sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails` folder using [Astro File Manager](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.metago.astro). I scrolled down and up through all files within this folder and I've seen system showing message "Creating thumbnails". Once I returned to Gallery, even without restarting phone, all camera pictures and videos displayed properly.
You could also try opening a few of the photos in the DCIM folder using Astro in order to trigger a refresh.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: [SDrescan](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bero.sdrescan) is small and easy to use.
If you happen to have a custom ROM with dev tools installed, use that:
Launch "Dev Tools" => Media Provider => Scan SDcard
Both ways hide the manual steps from you and you can't delete stuff by mistake this way.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/17 | 654 | 2,522 | <issue_start>username_0: Operating System: Android 2.2
Device: HTC MyTouch 3G Slide
SD Card: Micro SD 8GB Sandisk card that is less than 1 year old
Background:
This feature formatted my working SD Card w/ all my pictures on it after i took it out and put it back into the same phone. I didn't add or delete any data from the device when i took it out... I checked the sd card on the computer and it only had 2mb of cache files on it while before it had 6gb of music and photos. I already tried mounting and unmounting the card. That doesn't help. The phone has recently been factory restored.
Questions:
1) Why is Android / MyTouch3G Slide formatting my sd card?
2) How do I know if it's an sd card problem or a phone problem?
3) How do I get the card to work w/ the pictures and mp3s on there?
I'm thinking maybe I should prepare the card for android somehow- with a sd card formatter
Update: I recovered the files w Easeus Data Recovery, put them back on the card, and it formatted the files again. I'm thinking I should format my card for android 2.2 or mytouch3g so it accepts the pictures or put the card in while the phone is off to prevent this from happening again?<issue_comment>username_1: Try deleting the `/mnt/sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails` folder and rebooting your phone. You may need to clear data for Media Storage and possibly the Gallery app/anything related as well.
Upvotes: 5 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I had the same issue. Turns out my `.thumbnails` folder was not inside my `/DCIM` folder. I moved it back inside, restarted the phone and it's been fine since.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: For me, it was enough to just open `/mnt/sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails` folder using [Astro File Manager](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.metago.astro). I scrolled down and up through all files within this folder and I've seen system showing message "Creating thumbnails". Once I returned to Gallery, even without restarting phone, all camera pictures and videos displayed properly.
You could also try opening a few of the photos in the DCIM folder using Astro in order to trigger a refresh.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: [SDrescan](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bero.sdrescan) is small and easy to use.
If you happen to have a custom ROM with dev tools installed, use that:
Launch "Dev Tools" => Media Provider => Scan SDcard
Both ways hide the manual steps from you and you can't delete stuff by mistake this way.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/17 | 953 | 3,984 | <issue_start>username_0: I have a corporate sync account set up to sync my work calendar, contacts and email. I had some trouble setting it up, but once I got it set up it worked just fine for a couple of months. Then about a week ago it stopped sending emails. I can still receive emails. Also, the internet still works on the phone. Gmail still works. Sending and receiving calls and texts still works. But when I send an email it gets stuck in the outbox.
I have tried removing the corporate sync account and adding it back. I have tried restarting the phone multiple times and doing a manual refresh each time. I have tried various combinations of security settings (Use secure connection and Verify Certificate). Nothing helps.
I can't believe no one has asked this yet! Based on the [forum posts](https://supportforums.motorola.com/thread/34307?start=60&tstart=0) I have read, it seems like a common problem. Is there some solution waiting in the wings?
[Droid 2 w/ Froyo]<issue_comment>username_1: The first thing I'd suspect is that a database used by the Email app is corrupted. To fix this, you need to go to `Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications`, find the Email app, and clear the data for it. (If you see anything like "Email Storage" be sure to clear the data for that as well). Then re-add your account and see if that helps.
If that doesn't work, I recommend asking your company's IT department if they have changed any settings for the Exchange server recently.
Upvotes: 3 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I was seeing the same problem items get stacked in the outbox when you either aren't connected to WIFI or don't have cell coverage. Once you have access to a WIFI network the outbox will not empty out or sync either on its own or by going to settings and accounts and synching all.
All I did was compose a new message and sent it -- and all of the messages in the outbox seem to follow. ;-) Sounds too simple to work, but try it.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_3: Weird, I had this problem, tried to send a message with no signal and when I got signal back, I kept getting "unable to send mail". I moved the messages to another folder and re-sent them and they went. Looks like a bug with the client.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: Probably you are using Exchange 2003, though there are some reports these things happen also with Exchange 2007.
Try to edit the messages stuck in the outbox and remove the check from the checkbox "Include quoted text". It will then send your message.
In the future, when you answer messages, choose the option "respond inline", and then it won't happen.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_5: I went to Settings, Application Management then INBOX - I forced stop the application and rebooted the device. All 23 of the emails in the OUTBOX are now going thru.
(I was not in a position to delete the account as <NAME> suggested as the corporate IT group was not available today and they must be contacted when setting up this application before it will work.)
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_6: I just had this issue and it turned out I was over-quota. I didn't notice at first because I was still able to send email from Thunderbird, but once I logged into OWA it told me I was being prevented from sending due to quota issues.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_7: Just to add on to the answers already mentioned here. From personal experience, I can tell you that it often depends on the file type or size.
I once had a difficulty with a pdf file, which I then had to convert and send as an image.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_8: It's a sync problem and possibly an authentication problem, but those options are no longer available in advanced settings. Seems Microsoft deleted that option in settings.
Gmail works fine, so I've switched to it. All emails are working and setup is fast & easy. It happened on my Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.
Upvotes: -1 |
2011/03/18 | 409 | 1,841 | <issue_start>username_0: I have an LG Optimus U from US Cellular and I use the stock Gmail app. A few days ago, it stopped receiving any new emails. When I click on refresh it doesn't do anything, just fails silently. Also, it shows that my account has 4 new emails but when I list the emails, I don't see any.
Has anyone had this problem, or can anyone recommend a better email app?<issue_comment>username_1: I've had this problem before. Sometimes the "unread" count goes up as well, but the emails never show in the Inbox.
The best thing to do to fix it is to go to `Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications` and clear the data for Gmail and for Gmail Storage, then to try syncing your Gmail account again. If this doesn't work I recommend clearing the data for **all** Google apps -- Gmail, Talk, Voice, Google Framework Services, etc. -- then rebooting and trying to sync your account again.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: My phone showed the same Gmail synching error after failing to install a new, relatively large application. Some applications worked, but others did not. The phone couldn't synch Gmail and also reported a stubborn and mysterious low memory warning that rebooting and clearing application caches multiple times didn't resolve.
I ultimately returned the phone to its normal state by uninstalling the most recent application from its listing in `Settings -> Applications -> Manage Applications`. This uninstall likely removed extra files that were both taking up space and interfering with Gmail. (I assume this is just one problem a failed or crashed install can cause.)
Once the uninstall finished, my phone dropped its low memory warning and started synching properly again. I was then able to reinstall the uninstalled program successfully, without further memory or Gmail problems.
Upvotes: 1 |
2011/03/18 | 642 | 2,631 | <issue_start>username_0: I have an android phone(1) on 2.3.3 and a tablet(2) on preorder that will be on 3. (And a bad gadget habit.)
Can I, when the tablet arrives, uninstall paid apps on the phone and install them on the tablet? It feels like I should be able to since I've paid for a copy of the app linked to that Google account it shouldn't matter which linked device it's on. (Why? Some stuff I've paid for will look better/be more useful on the tablet.)
I've looked online, but most people are asking about moving paid apps from broken phones (ie when they can't uninstall from the first device) or trying to run the same paid app on multiple devices which is piracy/cheap.
(1) nexus one
(2) xoom<issue_comment>username_1: I bought an Anchor tabled last week , and using my Google account, was able to download the application I bought on my Samsung Galaxy S phone, without any problems.
So I think, from my experience, you can download the same software again, as long as it's coupled with the same Google account.
Upvotes: 6 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: After flashing CyanogenMod 6.2.1 to my phone I visited [Play Store](https://play.google.com/store) and logged in and it showed all of my apps still "installed" on my phone before the flash (I didn't use any app backup software). I clicked on each of my apps and clicked the install button and they all came over to my phone properly, including the few paid apps I have.
This leads me to believe that Android doesn't prevent the same apps (including paid apps) from being installed on more than one device so long as they are both associated with the same Google account.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_3: So long as you use the same Google mail account, you will find that on the market place the app will display as purchased. Therefore, allowing a free download of your paid for app.
Upvotes: 1 <issue_comment>username_4: It depends on how you set up your devices and your version of the market.
If both devices are set up using the same gmail address - no problems you have can download anything you have purchased to all devices (as its linked to your account).
Market versions v3 and older allow the use of multiple accounts. i.e. you can set up one account on one device i.e. phone, another gmail account on another device i.e. tablet. As long as you have linked these accounts in your google profile, then you can switch between accounts in the market and download from either account to your device.
(Quick easy way to know if you have this market is its look - its the one that looks like tiles i.e. the WinMobile look).
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/18 | 445 | 1,872 | <issue_start>username_0: I have downloaded and installed an app from Android Market. Now I want to know how to update this apk installed in my device. Is this app updated by Android Market? Will it update automatically or do I need to update it manually?<issue_comment>username_1: Market > My App > (an app) > [check] allow automatic updating
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Android Market APKs are monitored, and you'll be notified when an update is available. There should also be a checkbox on the Market page for each of them allowing you to specify automatic updating; the developer has a case-by-case override for that for when it might lead to loss of data.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Open the Play Store App and select "Update All" to do it manually should you so desire.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: There are 3 ways to update from the app store :
**1. Update Manually**
You can just search your app and if there is an update, there will be an `Update` button to click. It will download your file and install it automatically.
**2. Automatic Update**
This option will update all app that **doesn't** need extra permissions.
To simply turn on automatic update, just tap the three bars on the left of the search box, scroll down and hit the `Setting` button.
You'll see a lot of option that you can enable / disable. To enable the automatic update, select `Auto-update apps` and select what criteria the phone must reach when the update begins.
**3. Update all apps at the same time**
This option will update all the app in one time. This option will ask you about extra permission that your apps need.
To update all, just slide your finger from the very left of the screen to the middle and hit `My apps`. From there, you should see `Update all` button if there is 2 or more update available for download.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/19 | 541 | 2,249 | <issue_start>username_0: The Motorola Atrix looks like a nice phone.
A widely publicized feature is the remote desktop function, which uses Citrix Receiver to connect to a virtualized workstation in the cloud, so that one could potentially plug the phone into any TV and start working.
My question is: how much of this function is unique to the Atrix? It looks like Citrix Receiver can be used on any Android device, indeed it's available for other smartphone platforms as well. Other smartphones have HDMI output, so that is not a differentiating factor.
Could I replicate this function on any Android phone with an HDMI jack?<issue_comment>username_1: Market > My App > (an app) > [check] allow automatic updating
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_2: Android Market APKs are monitored, and you'll be notified when an update is available. There should also be a checkbox on the Market page for each of them allowing you to specify automatic updating; the developer has a case-by-case override for that for when it might lead to loss of data.
Upvotes: 2 <issue_comment>username_3: Open the Play Store App and select "Update All" to do it manually should you so desire.
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_4: There are 3 ways to update from the app store :
**1. Update Manually**
You can just search your app and if there is an update, there will be an `Update` button to click. It will download your file and install it automatically.
**2. Automatic Update**
This option will update all app that **doesn't** need extra permissions.
To simply turn on automatic update, just tap the three bars on the left of the search box, scroll down and hit the `Setting` button.
You'll see a lot of option that you can enable / disable. To enable the automatic update, select `Auto-update apps` and select what criteria the phone must reach when the update begins.
**3. Update all apps at the same time**
This option will update all the app in one time. This option will ask you about extra permission that your apps need.
To update all, just slide your finger from the very left of the screen to the middle and hit `My apps`. From there, you should see `Update all` button if there is 2 or more update available for download.
Upvotes: 0 |
2011/03/19 | 1,144 | 4,012 | <issue_start>username_0: I have an old Motorola Droid that is no longer subscribed on any Verizon service. I still use it for things like web browsing, ebooks, and along with some wireless stereo headphones, music. I've already turned off 3G data usage (EVDO) by [disabling](https://i.stack.imgur.com/XKWE9.png "Motorola Droid EVDO 3G disabled") the `Enable data` option under `Mobile network` settings. However, when I turn off the cell radio (CDMA), [bluetooth is also disabled](https://i.stack.imgur.com/c8fqe.png). I first observed this problem on the stock Android 2.2 firmware. Now my phone is rooted, running on an Android 2.2 based firmware (CyanogenMod 6).
**Why disable the cellular radio?** 
Simply put, I want to turn it off because I don't use it. Moreover, it uses battery life and cpu time (even if relatively small amounts):
I've tried two different methods of disabling the cellular radio, but both ended up doing the same thing:
* Turning on `Airplane mode`, then re-enabling Wi-Fi. This has the expected consequence of also disabling bluetooth.
* Using the [Phone Info](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/1468/do-you-know-other-android-keypad-commands) menu by dialing `*#*#INFO#*#*` (4636) and pressing `Turn off radio`. This actually just turns on `Airplane mode`:
As you can see, even though Wi-Fi does stay on, `Airplane mode` disables bluetooth. The headphones won't sync until I turn off `Airplane mode`, which of course turns the cell radio back on.
In both cases `Airplane mode` is enabled, so bluetooth gets disabled. But now that the device is rooted, I should be able to disable the cellular radio without using `Airplane mode` at all. How can I do that?<issue_comment>username_1: 1. Make sure Airplane mode is off.
2. Hold the power button for a second or two, and click **Data Network Mode** in the menu that pops up (it should say ON, and will turn to OFF).
1. If you don't have this option, uncheck **Packet Data** or **Data enabled** under `Settings -> Wireless and Network -> Mobile network`
3. Turn off WiFi.
4. Turn on Bluetooth.
5. Done!
Upvotes: 0 <issue_comment>username_2: Check out this guy's post on XDA: <http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11370203&postcount=2>
This might be considered a risky solution, but if you aren't using the 3G connection at all and you're careful to simply rename the .apk's he references you might just disable the cell radio without needing to use Airplane Mode.
In case the link doesn't work, he suggests using [Root Explorer](https://market.android.com/details?id=com.speedsoftware.rootexplorer) to rename **phone.apk** to **phone.apk.bak** and **telephony.apk** to **telephony.apk.bak** thus disabling these two packages. **You have to reboot your phone to finalize the changes.** If it doesn't work, you should remove the .bak from each file name and they should be available again.
**At OP's request, a summary of his findings:**
>
> `Phone.apk` is the `Dialer` app, which
> is responsible for the cell radio.
> `PhoneTelephony.apk` turns out to be
> just the `Dialer storage`, which we
> can kill just to save more memory.
> AndroidOS immediately restarts
> `Dialer` when it is closed, so
> renaming it will cause problems. But
> after a battery-yank-reboot,
> everything is ok. It also gets rid of
> the annoying `Activate your phone`
> dialog that comes up on every boot.
> btw, the dialpad still comes up after
> getting rid of `Dialer` :-)
>
>
>
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: Actually, the `*#*#INFO#*#*` (4636) method DOES work. While the control is greyed out under wireless settings, the taskbar icon still shows BT connectivity and I have tested and confirmed that BT is still active on my og Droid.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/19 | 866 | 3,018 | <issue_start>username_0: I was wondering has anyone of you experience the difference among super LCD screen of Nexus S, and Super AMOLED screen of Samsung Galaxy S? Which type of screen is better?<issue_comment>username_1: The US Nexus S has a Super AMOLED, But a lot of manufactures are moving to Super LCD for the screens because of the "Super AMOLED Shortages". Even the Galaxy S 2 is supposed to have a Super LCD.
From an [engadget article](http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/13/spot-the-difference-htc-desires-slcd-versus-amoled/) comparing the two...
>
> there really is no clear winner between SLCD and AMOLED when it comes to picture quality -- the former offers a sharper picture plus a more realistic color reproduction, whereas the latter shows off brighter, more vibrant colors. But as we concluded earlier, AMOLED seems to be slightly ahead of the game with its power efficiency
>
>
>
Now, I am not really sure if there is a big difference between AMOLED and Super AMOLED, but as you can see, visually, there isn't much of a difference between AMOLED and Super LCD. Super AMOLED is going to produce a darker black, as Super AMOLED doesn't transmit any light at all when displaying black, which helps on battery.
Upvotes: 3 <issue_comment>username_2: As Ryan has pointed out there isn't that much of a difference between Super AMOLED and Super LCD screens - chances are you will be hard pressed to see the colour difference unless you have two mobiles side by side (or at least the difference is small enough it shouldn't really be an issue)
From what I've read, where the two differ are:
* **Battery usage** - AMOLED uses less power, thus longer use of the phone on one battery charge.
* **Screen glare (under the sun)** - LCD screens I believe have less glare and are more 'readable' compared to the standard AMOLED. Supposedly the Super AMOLED has improved from the AMOLED and is more readable under the sun too.
edit:
It seems like Super AMOLED has indeed improved compared to AMOLED. According to [engadget](http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/21/super-amoled-vs-amoled-vs-lcd-in-direct-sunlight-fight/), Super AMOLED is now similar to LCD - both are slightly more visible than AMOLED under the sun.
Super AMOLED, AMOLED, LCD (screens left to right)
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_3: The most notable difference seems to be the rendering of black, where the Super AMOLED display rocks the socks off of the Super-LCD.
(Source: Comparison of Nexus-S models [on flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/carnero/5553283107/in/set-72157626209415361))
Otherwise the points seem to be that the SAMOLED takes less power and is a little bit thinner and lighter. The "vivid" colors may actually lead to over-saturation, but it doesn't look like a problem I'd worry about.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/19 | 377 | 1,416 | <issue_start>username_0: I have an unlocked G1 that is freaking out on me in various ways. If I "restore factory settings" am I going to wind up locking it?<issue_comment>username_1: Normally unlocked phones are unlocked for good. I wouldn't expect a factory reset to change it. (See also: [Unlocked Galaxy i7500, Reset Will Remove it?](https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/14169/unlocked-galaxy-i7500-reset-will-remove-it))
It's not 100% certain, though. For example, some Galaxy S users had their phones re-locked when updating from 2.1 to 2.2, which is a somewhat similar process to doing a factory reset.
You could always do a backup through ClockworkMod or something (and back it up to your computer first) in case it does get re-locked, so that you could restore it to the previous unlocked state. That requires root, however. (Root can sometimes be undone by a factory reset, but not if you have a custom ROM that came pre-rooted).
If you have the unlock code from when you originally unlocked it, that code should still work to unlock it again if it gets re-locked.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: I have an HTC Sensation 4G that originally was purchased from T-mobile. I unlocked it using the code provided by T-mobile (free) and used it on AT&T. I just did a factory settings reset as instructed in the user manual and it still works fine and is still unlocked.
Upvotes: 2 |
2011/03/20 | 484 | 2,049 | <issue_start>username_0: I think I'm actually missing something here still. Everything I read suggests I need to boot into recovery mode as a first step, and that I ought to be able to do that by holding down the "home" key while I'm starting up. Instead I get a bang (!) in a triangle icon with a phone next to it.
Have I skipped a step or is there something wrong with my phone? I know there's something wrong with my phone ... that's why I embarked on this project to begin with. But could that be some how preventing me from booting to recovery mode? Or is the problem a skipped step?<issue_comment>username_1: **Edit:** Apparently download and recovery modes are merged for the G1. Just press Alt-L on your physical keyboard while in Download mode, and Recovery will show up.
---
What you're seeing is **Download Mode**. The key combination is usually subtly different. In the case of my phone, it's just a matter of having the phone connected to USB or not. You should try it with and without USB, as well as removing the battery and doing a fresh boot. (You can also remove the battery, plug into USB, and reinsert the battery and try). Also try other keys -- you already know using Back instead gets you to that device info screen.
Upvotes: 4 [selected_answer]<issue_comment>username_2: >
> Everything I read suggests I need to boot into recovery mode as a first step,
>
>
>
If you're using Samsung Spica (and probably most other Samsung phones, not sure about other phones), the general idea of rooting/installing-custom-rom is that the very first time you flash your ROM, you need to do it in **Download Mode**. This first flashing uses the system that Samsung itself uses.
This first flash will usually install ClockworkMod Custom Recovery, which will replace the phone's original Recovery Mode with a much more featureful version. Once you have ClockworkMod's Recovery, then you can install any ROM in the Clockwork's .zip file format; nearly all (or all?) modded Android are distributed as a Clockwork .zip format.
Upvotes: 2 |