I'm trying to figure out to what extent some (conspiracy?) stories about the possibilities of government surveillance via cell phones are true. With more modern phones, it's conceivable that capabilities would be increased (built-in GPS could provide more precise tracking, for example).
So I'm asking the PDA phone techies:
What's the truth about the remote activation of a cell phone's microphone and transmission of whatever it pickes up, even when the phone is off? (roving bugs). Do any (PDA) phones come with that capability?
What's the truth about position tracking (other than cell tower tracking, which is unavoidable)
Thank you.
This /. article is scary. It basically says that handsets and the GSM protocol are designed to allow for remote microphone activation and live transmission.
Any hacked ROMs without this "feature"?
Not sure about WM....
But I do know that there is a program for some Symbian phones that can intercept text messages, voice calls and messages, to a different hand set without the other person being aware. As for remote activation on a WM handset I don't believe that this is possible YET? But I could be wrong?
Related
Hi,
As VoIP is a major requirement for me, I am currently stuck to Nokia E-series Smartphones, as they are the only ones with an embedded VoIP functionality that works beautifully (both earpiece and speakerphone), and that can keep connected to a WiFi router for two days (to receive VoIP calls) without getting discharged. And besides the embedded VoIP, there is the possibility of Fring, which connects to SIP, Skype, Google Talk and MSN, and works normally through the earpiece (besides also being able to automatically connect to WiFi when available, and switch to 3G when not, all automatically).
As of now, I have not found ANY Windows Mobile device which is capable of doing any of this. Fring is also available on Windows Mobile, but it only transmits sound through the speakerphone, which makes it pointless. And let's not even talk about using WiFi, as I have yet to see a WM device which can keep it on for more than 2-3 hours without making the battery flat (and I am not even rediscussing the ridiculous inability of WM devices to automatically connect to WiFi as needed, and fall back to 3G, etc., something that Nokia devices do since many years).
Out of all these obvious inabilities of WM devices, the most annoying one for me is the speakerphone one, meaning the fact that all VoIP applications on these devices are only able to send sound through the speakerphone.
So, does anyone know a WM6 Qwerty device (Smartphone or PocketPC) that does transmit sound through the earpiece when used with VoIP (say using Fring or Skype)?
Thanks.
HTC
HTC no!
Is very bad option for VoIP calls. No work good.
With AGEphone Mobile 2.5 Speakerphone Edition you can turn any Windows Mobile device into a capable VoIP-phone. It supports the internal speaker on a row of HTC-devices and support for more is planned!
Using the VoIP drivers available HERE theres alot of HTC devices which can use SIP based VoIP, skype should also work fine however you have to use thier software.
Hi...
I am into bush walking and had an idea -
They have standalone devices to contact the emergancy services via GPS(called EPIRB's or PLB's) - my phone has all the required hardware right?
Has anyone developed a program (WM6.1) to turn a Mobile phone into an EPIRB???
If so please send me the link.
Thing is, the phone doesn't have a powerful transmitter, or even a transmitter that can use the emergency frequencies.
So you have half the hardware, ie a GPS reciever.
I, for one, think that easily and cheaply (under $300) available PBL would be a very bad idea. Too many morons would use because they are hungry, or just to see how it works, etc. and that would defy usefullness of the very important devices.
Otherwise, phones cannot be used as PBL due to lack of transmitter hardware.Good (for reasons I stated first). When I (G_d forbid) use my beacon I don't want USCG dude think "Oh, another one of those "testers"" and not act on it because he is buzy picking his nose or something.
I read over at cnet today a feature on FROYO.
"Froyo highlights
Of the significant changes in Froyo, the new Bluetooth an app-saving capabilities stand out. Drivers using any version of the operating system prior to Android 2.2 are unable to initiate phone calls through their Bluetooth headsets, a vast inconvenience for those who strive to go hands-free. In our tests, pairing and voice dialing were on point."
I have my phone hooked up to my Nissan Altima and when i press call on my steering wheeling, My captivate makes the call just like every other phone i've had. Same thing with my other car, the Benz's B67875878 BT module.
Why are they saying this about 2.1 when it's not true?
I have 2 different blue tooth headsets ( a blueant, and a plantronics ) and neither of them allow for voice dialing.
ahhh. that answers it. It's voice dialing. that's what they meant.
The article said "initiate phone calls through their Bluetooth headsets". That's what was confusing me. I guess most cars i've had, use an internal voice command that stores a digital number with a voice. So when i tell my car, "CALL HOME", it only is transmitting the number, not the voice data.
I think most articles are exaggerating the lack of this feature, most cars come equipped with voice tech that is internal to the auto or GPS device.
orateam said:
I think most articles are exaggerating the lack of this feature, most cars come equipped with voice tech that is internal to the auto or GPS device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cars come equipped with Bluetooth systems are still a minority. For most of us that can't afford a luxury car, BT headset is all we can afford. So, yes, BT dialing is an important feature. And I'm glad Android finally get it.
i dunno know about that. The benz is luxury, but my altima sure isn't. And nowadays, every car can get handfrees calling. Every ****ty ford has 'sync' which comes with it. Most newer cars have the bluetooth handsfree, it's the iphone sync to media player they it expensive.
I think I uderstand exactly what they are talking about. I have a Ford Edge with the Sync system. With my windows mobiel phones I was able to download the phonebook from my exchange account into the sync radio. I than could voice dial by saying Dial followed by the contact name.
Since getting the Captivate, my first Android phone, I have lost the ability to do this. When I tell the sync system to download the phonebook it seems to do so. But than I an unable to dial via voice. When I navigate the phonebook from the sync radio It seems all I have are the dumb AT&T information numbers that come with the phone.
I believe this has to do with the way the two differene OS's handle the contact synchronization of exchange accounts. With Windows Mobile it actually downloaded the cantacts from your exchange and synchronized them with your local phonebook. Android seems keep the contacts from the different sources seperate so the Exchange contacts never make it to the "local phonebook" that systems like "Sync" interact with.
This is just a theory as I am not a developer or anything. What bother's me is that my buddy bought a Droid X and is able to use his with "Sync" type systems. I don't knwo if this has something to do with the Blur software or not but it kind of made me think my theory didn't hold any water.
About time! I miss this feature from my blackberry!
For those of you that haven't heard, Siri Eyes Free is Apple's iPhone intergration with select Honda and Chevy cars.
What happens is that the car's interior microphone and the steering wheel voice button both act as a proxy to funnel input to the phone over bluetooth.
Did anyone hack together an Android app to work with iOS's input api? All I really want is to send text messages / initiate calls using google now voice.
I could get an iphone for testing. I have a laptop and a phone with bluetooth, if those can record the raw bluetooth signal
I picked up a car that has Siri Eyes Free (after a firmware update) and have an Android so I'm bumping this .
Nearly a year later I'll bump this as well. Any ideas here? Just moved from an iPhone and lack of voice integration over Bluetooth is a bummer. Thanks.
A
Another bump on this for visbility and hopefully some additional useful information. Long story made short I recently got a new car, a Ford C-Max with MyFord Touch, that has Siri Eyes Free capability (as of v 3.6/3.8). Sadly the car I upgraded from had a cheap <$100 aftermarket radio that happily activated Google Now through the standard BT voice dial button and allowed me full hands free functionality and would like to get that back.
What I have found upon a little digging is Apple has published developer documentation which covers Eyes Free functionality:
https://developer.apple.com/hardwaredrivers/BluetoothDesignGuidelines.pdf
As someone who can somewhat understand and comprehend this information but couldn't code to save his life, it appears to be fairly simplistic and is just a handful of custom BT serial commands, simple back and forth request/acknowledge commands, and an SCO audio link. Most of the user interface setup seems like it may be on the accessory/head unit end rather than the phone.
I would love to take a whack at this but unfortunately would not know where to begin. My first thought is would something like this with the serial BT communication, establishing an audio link, and triggering Google Now, be able to all be done without root?
If anyone begins on this or also wants to have a go at it, I'd definitely be willing to help where I can including testing and debugging.
Is there an app that allows P2P voice communication when the devices are within range of each other? I want to use them as a walkie talkie of sorts for when out on ATV. Would have a blue tooth receiver under helmet, phone in vest pocket. It probably goes without saying, but it wouldn't be over a lan or over cell towers. Strictly between phones using direct wifi connection.
Edit: I was able to find one called 'intercom for android' Hopefully it works well...
akvanden said:
Is there an app that allows P2P voice communication when the devices are within range of each other? I want to use them as a walkie talkie of sorts for when out on ATV. Would have a blue tooth receiver under helmet, phone in vest pocket. It probably goes without saying, but it wouldn't be over a lan or over cell towers. Strictly between phones using direct wifi connection.
Edit: I was able to find one called 'intercom for android' Hopefully it works well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, look at this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1842041