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Turn by turn maps Vs Google

Anyone else absolutely HATE the Google setup? I can simply go to the site and pull up the same directions. If I make a wrong turn however, I am done for. Need to pull over, recalculate where I am etc...
Also it is a major PITA that if I go out of the service area, I am flying blind...
So what have people heard as a time frame for a Garmin/TomTom style setup? I hear people are "working on it" but other than AndNav which isn't real time, nothing is out yet. This is fairly important as I run a DJ company and am always going into the unknown....
Just sitting here debating on picking up an independent GPS or waiting it out (if that meant a few weeks)

I am also in the same boat, but to repeat what others have yelled at me- "if you dont like it, build it yourself" Keep in mind I dont agree, but the fanboys will surely flame posts like this that complain about their precious Android's lack of common sense

I don't mind paying for it... just want it!

gospeed.racer said:
Android's lack of common sense
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It's licensing, not "common sense". Most of the data in Google maps is licensed from companies that have also sold it to companies like TomTom and Garmin. Of course they're not idiots and put the equivalent of a non-competitive clause in the license contract.
AndNav is actually coming along quite nicely. The version on the market is still based on Google maps, so no real-time. AndNav2 is only on his site right now, http://www.andnav.org/. There's a fundraiser going on to launch a US server. So if you're interested in having it, donate and help the cause.

momentarylapseofreason said:
Anyone else absolutely HATE the Google setup? I can simply go to the site and pull up the same directions. If I make a wrong turn however, I am done for. Need to pull over, recalculate where I am etc...
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No one's holding you at gunpoint forcing you to use it. If you don't like it stop using it.

I spent $170 on a Navigon GPS unit so I have turn-by-turn directions but it has almost no POIs in its database. Now, I have the G1 with all the POIs in Google and no turn-by-turn directions and the Navigon with no POIs but with turn-by-turn. It's ridiculous and I'm out what I would have spent in software for the one device I REALLY want to carry with me - my smartphone.
So I have to do all the legwork looking up a POI on my phone, get the directions, set up the GPS, manually punch in the address and then get going to it. I should be able to just buy nav software for the phone that lets me look up contacts/POIs on my phone, click "Navigate To" and have the phone tell me when to turn and what the traffic looks like on the way there.
There is ONE guy who is creating a turn-by-turn nav system for the G1. Go to Andnav.org and check it out. He currently has the V1 program in the market but it uses Google maps and is suffering from the legal setbacks of using that. His V2 program is going to use OpenStreetMap but the street data sucks compared to TeleNav and Navteq.
I gave him a $25 donation and hopefully more people will do so to get the US server up and running.

jashsu said:
No one's holding you at gunpoint forcing you to use it. If you don't like it stop using it.
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Interesting response
How about running in front of a train

I wouldn't mind donating to AndNav. However, he plans on selling the software last I heard. This means donating and then buying the software? Sorry, but seems a little redundant.
The morons saying "build it yourself" should just shut their mouths. I have a job, and it's not in programming. That's why I pay others for that work as others pay me to write music.

momentarylapseofreason said:
Interesting response
How about running in front of a train
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momentarylapseofreason: Doctor, my leg hurts when I do this!
doctor: Then stop doing that.
momentarylapseofreason: Interesting response. How about running in front of a train.

jashsu said:
momentarylapseofreason: Doctor, my leg hurts when I do this!
doctor: Then stop doing that.
momentarylapseofreason: Interesting response. How about running in front of a train.
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Perhaps your mother might give you that response. A doctor would not. If I tell a doctor my knee hurts while walking on it, will he tell me to stop? He will diagnose and treat it. Your argument is horrible.
Not saying that the built in software "hurts" me, rather that I need something better.
So now, go play in another thread that pertains to you.

told ya so
The people on here just cant get it in their head that we BOUGHT the phone (who cares if the software was "free", we still BOUGHT it as a package) and some stuff DONT work. Google is not doing what they can to help, instead they are releasing software like "scoreboard" and updates that are planned seem to consist of multi-language support. NOT stuff that will help us with our problems.
Gotta run and grab my fireproof suit.....

gospeed.racer said:
The people on here just cant get it in their head that we BOUGHT the phone (who cares if the software was "free", we still BOUGHT it as a package) and some stuff DONT work.
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Doesn't work based on what definition? If you say "Maps on Android doesn't work because it doesn't do my taxes" or more realistically "Maps on Android doesn't work because it can't provide realtime directions", what are you basing that judgement on? I feel like this argument is getting rehashed over and over again and it's kind of getting depressing that folks still haven't got it into their heads.
YOU RECEIVED THE PRODUCT THAT WAS ADVERTISED. If the box or any of T-Mo's advertising said "It can do realtime navigation out of the box" then yes you are qualified to say "it doesn't work". If you just assumed that it could do X and Y out of the box or you feel like it should but it doesn't, that doesn't mean the product "doesn't work", it means you should have bought a different product.

jashsu said:
Doesn't work based on what definition? If you say "Maps on Android doesn't work because it doesn't do my taxes" or more realistically "Maps on Android doesn't work because it can't provide realtime directions", what are you basing that judgement on? I feel like this argument is getting rehashed over and over again and it's kind of getting depressing that folks still haven't got it into their heads.
YOU RECEIVED THE PRODUCT THAT WAS ADVERTISED. If the box or any of T-Mo's advertising said "It can do realtime navigation out of the box" then yes you are qualified to say "it doesn't work". If you just assumed that it could do X and Y out of the box or you feel like it should but it doesn't, that doesn't mean the product "doesn't work", it means you should have bought a different product.
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My Trans Am wasn't a 9 second car out of the box.... I don't care if Pontiac came out with the parts or someone else. It's been built by me and others to do so over time.
All I am saying it that I bought the Trans Am and the G1 knowing what they have. Now I just want to buy upgrades.
Now why do you insist on being the kettle and complaining about complaints moron? You offer NOTHING to this thread.

momentarylapseofreason said:
Now I just want to buy upgrades.
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"I just want to buy upgrades" would be "Hey does anyone have any word on a realtime turn-by-turn navigation app?" not "Anyone else absolutely HATE the Google setup? [...] Also it is a major PITA that if I go out of the service area, I am flying blind..."
You offer NOTHING to this thread.
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Kinda like how this thread offers nothing to the forum? Read your original post. I'll summarize it if you are too lazy: "Waaah Maps doesn't do exactly what I want it to do. I heard people are already hard at work to create a solution but I don't care. Waaah! P.S. I know I should probably delete this post and buy a Garmin but I think i'll post it instead." {paraphrased}

Post Locked Per Request!

We the Government do hearby seize your market, well we want to.....

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2382500,00.asp
for those of you on TapATalk
This looks like some well-meaning, do-gooder idea, but I can assure you that it's the camel sticking its head in a tent. I'm referring to the breaking news about how four U.S. Senators (who apparently have nothing better to do) want to control what apps you can or cannot buy. They began their effort by nearly demanding that Apple eliminate any iPhone apps that help consumers find police checkpoints, so they can avoid them.
The rationale behind removing these apps is the Senators say the only reason people would want to avoid a police checkpoint is because they're drunk. Thus, they've rationalized that the apps are a hazard to the public.
The four U.S. Senators, all Democrats, are Charles Schumer of New York, Harry Reid of Nevada, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Tom Udall of New Mexico, and they should be voted out of office as soon as possible. What's wrong with the voters?
In a widely quoted joint letter to Apple's iPhone VP, Scott Forstall, the Senators wrote:
We write today with grave concern regarding the ease with which downloadable applications for the iPhone, iPad, and other Apple products allow customers to identify where local police officers have set up DUI checkpoints. With more than 10,000 Americans dying in drunk-driving crashes every year, providing access to iPhone and iPad applications that alert users to DUI checkpoints is harmful to public safety.
If this is actually about public safety, then why don't the Senators also advocate removing all the apps that show the numerous speed traps around the country? After all, speeders are a danger too, no? In fact, speeding is the leading cause of death not drunk driving.
By the way, sober people like to avoid police checkpoints, too, if you haven't noticed. Who the heck wants to go through a police checkpoint to be grilled like a criminal for doing nothing more than driving down the street?
This whole thing is an attempt to regulate apps. Already we've seen the FCC poke its nose into regulating the Internet by getting involved in net neutrality issues. As this column is being written, meetings are taking place all over Washington to find ways to regulate the distribution and use of the Internet. Watch CSPAN sometime and you can see the guys ready to set up shop to do this.
This will eventually mean licensing. In the early 1900s, when the radio hobby was blossoming, you didn't need a license to broadcast anything. We thought free access was going to change the world. Then the government jumped in because things were supposedly getting too chaotic. The hobbyists were shoved into a few specific bands and the pros (commercial companies) were required to have a license. Soon the hobbyists (ham operators) were required to have a license too.
And where is all the real action in the radio spectrum? The unlicensed bands. Now, another Legislator, Peter King wants to ban the ham radio folks—the only people who manage to communicate during real emergencies—from operating. Again there is a bogus rationale. In this case, it's because of the idea that Muslim hams can plan terrorist attacks. This is our government at work.
The nerve of these four Senators to pressure a private company like Apple to sell or not sell something is incredible to me. This crap is just going to get worse as long as guys like this remain in office.
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**** THAT!!!!!!!! (sorry mods)

Oh yea Muslims will plan terrorist attacks inside the country via open unencrypted radio waves...imagine their callsignes lol...
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Nicgraner said:
Oh yea Muslims will plan terrorist attacks inside the country via open unencrypted radio waves...imagine their callsignes lol...
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"This is big slushi calling little slushi everything is ready at the 7/11 over"

Thas SOMe POOP!!
Look there is and never will be a way to control digital media whether its APi's ir APK. they should take some lessons from the Music and Movie industries.... . so yeah know they think that an open source like android. will be kept in Cheked? what ever..... just saying that if its digital it will never be tamed!!!

thedude1313 said:
Look there is and never will be a way to control digital media whether its APi's ir APK. they should take some lessons from the Music and Movie industries.... . so yeah know they think that an open source like android. will be kept in Cheked? what ever..... just saying that if its digital it will never be tamed!!!
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What they are getting at is they want to regulate the type of applications that are made available via public access application markets. They are not wanting to watch what is made available via, forums or what not, just what is on the market. It's a stupid idea to me. Developer sends app to google, FCC/DOJ clears the app it goes lives. This could easily be controlled. But you are 100% correct if someone makes an app, we'll say this DUI checkpoint app, and post it via any forum their is no way of one person, or group of being able to control it. Esp if lets say 2 dozen people store the .apk somewhere on a hard drive.

You people are forgetting these are the same morons who can't even operate computers much less babbling about mobile platform. These idiots always try some BS as they never understand it they will never be able to control jack all I hear from them is talking but they are saying nothing honestly. Now talking about DOJ/FCC watch AT&T own them as all know the Gov works for THE DeathStar so the at&Tmobile merge will go without hitch.

xHKMx said:
You people are forgetting these are the same morons who can't even operate computers much less babbling about mobile platform. These idiots always try some BS as they never understand it they will never be able to control jack all I hear from them is talking but they are saying nothing honestly. Now talking about DOJ/FCC watch AT&T own them as all know the Gov works for THE DeathStar so the at&Tmobile merge will go without hitch.
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I was thinking that but wasn't going to say it. I didn't want to pull sides. But i do agree. 99% of everything they touch ends up FUBARd.

neidlinger said:
I was thinking that but wasn't going to say it. I didn't want to pull sides. But i do agree. 99% of everything they touch ends up FUBARd.
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Ya thats cheap publicity stunt as they trying to show brain washed Americans they are actually doing something. Its all total BS when we should be worried about real issues in USA but we have to deal with these type of BS. I still don't see why we can't just hang them for high treason and get it over with. I know I am harsh but we need this type actions to get rid of these degenerates. It don't matter who we put in office they all part of the same good ol party of BS politicians.

This is why freedom no longer exists in the USA! You can't even leave the country of your own will! Gun control is a prime example. My ssn doesn't do squat for me because some killer is in the florida state penitentiary that has the same name as me! They make me wait for a fire arm. Yet my fingerprints and ssn are suppose to help eliminate that issue. The laws are for control not protection! Why would any sane individual hold the head of a dead man up to get his picture taken with them? These are the new soldiers that are being bread. The kind of trash that will do what the government tells them to do. Not what they should no is wrong. Look at law enforcement. My wife use to be in it. Now she is disgraced that it has gotten as bad as it has. Look at education. Kids are being dumbed up instead of taught. The less knowledge, money, skill, and power you have, the more obedient you will be! Just remember George Washington! He knew what to do and when to do it.
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xHKMx Dude......Sir that was well said!!! well said.........

[Q] The iphone is really tracking location?

So incase you haven't heard:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-apple-tracking-20110421,0,4880695.story
Like, wtf. This really rather freaks me out.
A. I have an iPhone 3gs (jailbroken)
B. What if my Xoom is doing the same thing?
Are there ways to make sure this is definately not going on for the more average consumer like me? I wouldn't know where to look in os files for this. I could find the os files, but I don't really go snooping in them because I don't know what I'm doing.
But I think all this is bull**** with Apple, and last month with samsung computers. I'm pissed.

What does this have to do with the Xoom?

......?
Sent from a Limited Edition phone from a Premium app..

ggareis said:
What does this have to do with the Xoom?
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He asked if his xoom is doing the same thing.
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I would put money on it that the all Android devices keep track of location, Google lives off statistics, no way tehy don't know everything about everything you do with the thing.
I did some reading into this and the bit I don't get is that cell location isnt very accurate, so did the guy who "visualised" his data there just keep GPS on _all-the-time_? That's a colossal waste of battery.

I saw this article on many a site last night - and one of them I am sure said that 'android devices haven't found any similar file storing location' or words to that affect.
(think they mentioned WinPho too)
while google do live off stats - do they care that much? they already have a map of where activations happened - they did a map of the North US activations awhile back?

Lothaen said:
I saw this article on many a site last night - and one of them I am sure said that 'android devices haven't found any similar file storing location' or words to that affect.
(think they mentioned WinPho too)
while google do live off stats - do they care that much? they already have a map of where activations happened - they did a map of the North US activations awhile back?
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I wouldn't doubt it, I just bet they do it and store the information at their end rather than on the phone. What with all the wifi hotspot privacy problems that have been going on with them and eerything else. I'd expect nothing less from them really.

just more careful then
it doesnt bother me that much (at the moment) as I'm pretty sure my network will also keep track of me anyway
unless google/o2 are going to find my house and rob it while i am out - that doesn't bother me - it's only if someone else found a way to see live my location and then did the above that i'd start being more concerned... or is there something else I should worry about?

alias_neo said:
I would put money on it that the all Android devices keep track of location, Google lives off statistics, no way they don't know everything about everything you do with the thing.
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Quote of the day, bang on the money.

ggareis said:
What does this have to do with the Xoom?
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Oh, hey, sorry, listen.... I hadnt realized the Xoom police were out. Sorry this wasnt completely understandable for you.
I mean, I can see how some people think that if Google is logging our locations, it might not be a big deal. But this is all just a glimpse at whats coming. I mean I have no idea what that is. But a future where the biggest corporations are tracking people that use there products does not seem like a future I want to be apart of.
Apple gets their customers out of addiction, "the iphone is tracking me? who cares, its pretty." Like there is no logical reason I can think of to have that tracking software built into the nitty gritty of ios, and it being there is just a big slap to the consumers. We already have to worry about apps st but now the os?
Its not like I go or do anything suspicious that I should be worried. It's just that I spent damn near 900 dollars on this device, I don't want it to ****ing track me. Also, I'm sure that would use some sort of data to transfer the data, and with everyones love for only having tiered data plans for tablets, I am paying for them to do this.
Even if it is kilobytes, and I'm only paying a hay penny, thats one hey penny to much for my liking. Us as consumers get the **** end of every stick. They sell us items, bootlock them, track us, apps steal and sell our data, sue us if we post something they don't like (the ps3 guy), just an all around **** you.
I was reading this article the other day on how they're a step closer to building quantum computers. Now what happens when they have computers that can take all the data from every device, and compile it into useful information that will be more personal than your facebook?
They could potentially have what we posted on fb, next to a location we were at, along with the song we were hearing at the time. And in the iphones case, a picture takin from facetime to go right along with it, and for all I know, the xoom is taking pictures of me right now considering its on its stand and im sitting right in front of it typing.
I guess there would be no way for me to tell, since I'm pretty much just an end user, but I hope someone investigates this for us. Because if it turns out the Xoom does anything of the sort I will be getting rid of it. As I have already decided to do with my iphone. It's not about what theyre doing with it. Its about why they decided to do it in the first place, and the fact that they're all data whores.

RadDudeTommy said:
Oh, hey, sorry, listen.... I hadnt realized the Xoom police were out. Sorry this wasnt completely understandable for you.
I mean, I can see how some people think that if Google is logging our locations, it might not be a big deal. But this is all just a glimpse at whats coming. I mean I have no idea what that is. But a future where the biggest corporations are tracking people that use there products does not seem like a future I want to be apart of.
Apple gets their customers out of addiction, "the iphone is tracking me? who cares, its pretty." Like there is no logical reason I can think of to have that tracking software built into the nitty gritty of ios, and it being there is just a big slap to the consumers. We already have to worry about apps st but now the os?
Its not like I go or do anything suspicious that I should be worried. It's just that I spent damn near 900 dollars on this device, I don't want it to ****ing track me. Also, I'm sure that would use some sort of data to transfer the data, and with everyones love for only having tiered data plans for tablets, I am paying for them to do this.
Even if it is kilobytes, and I'm only paying a hay penny, thats one hey penny to much for my liking. Us as consumers get the **** end of every stick. They sell us items, bootlock them, track us, apps steal and sell our data, sue us if we post something they don't like (the ps3 guy), just an all around **** you.
I was reading this article the other day on how they're a step closer to building quantum computers. Now what happens when they have computers that can take all the data from every device, and compile it into useful information that will be more personal than your facebook?
They could potentially have what we posted on fb, next to a location we were at, along with the song we were hearing at the time. And in the iphones case, a picture takin from facetime to go right along with it, and for all I know, the xoom is taking pictures of me right now considering its on its stand and im sitting right in front of it typing.
I guess there would be no way for me to tell, since I'm pretty much just an end user, but I hope someone investigates this for us. Because if it turns out the Xoom does anything of the sort I will be getting rid of it. As I have already decided to do with my iphone. It's not about what theyre doing with it. Its about why they decided to do it in the first place, and the fact that they're all data whores.
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we better put on our tin hats!
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I believe this is a valid question. Companies like google, apple, and facebook have a strong interest in tracking what we do, what we buy, etc to make their advertising more effective, which means they can charge more for it. Unfortunatly, I think this boat sailed long ago. Even on a PC they can track your IP address or Mac address. The minute you get on the internet you are sending information about yourself. Its that simple. The issue becomes whether companies are, can or should be storing that data. And why are they storing that data. Again most of it is advertising, but it could be used for other things that might not be so innocent. Even the government would have an interest in companies storing data so they can retrive that infor for criminal prosectutions, etc. Now if you want to prove where you were they can call your cell phone provider and just ask.
I think the shock is that it is happening all the time by even the most admired companies like apple. Short of a major rebellion by consumers or government regulation (like Europe has done) this will continue (see the case against Google for 'accidentally' collecting data from wifi networks while they did their street view stuff).
Sometimes technology can suck.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

For a second I thought I had made the horrible mistake of going into an iphone forum...
Anyway, I think Google is for sure collecting data on all of us! Personally I don't really care if they know where I am unless one day I rob a bank and need to go into hiding.....................

robbiev80 said:
For a second I thought I had made the horrible mistake of going into an iphone forum...
Anyway, I think Google is for sure collecting data on all of us! Personally I don't really care if they know where I am unless one day I rob a bank and need to go into hiding.....................
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In that case, when robbing a bank just leave your xoom and phone at home ?

Carrier IQ tracks Samsung Epics on sprint.

Uhm if u notice the first time u turn on any new android device it has something about sharing ur data with google servers.
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OneStepAhead said:
we better put on our tin hats!
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I understand the joke however I dont think its farfetched.

There is one difference though ...
Honeycomb will eventually be open source as well as many devices such as my Galaxy S now have the source made available. Openess gives you that ...
Apple for all we know logs our bank transactions, send favourable posts to Apple fanboy sites and SMSs our girlfriends on our behalf.
Don't get me wrong, Android devices are just as capable of doing all the wrong things, but an open device gives you a little more comfort.

http://investmentwatchblog.com/i-spy-apple-google-phones-track-users/
it's confirmed, google is doing it too, but in an even more obtrusive way, **** this, i'm selling my Xoom.

RadDudeTommy said:
http://investmentwatchblog.com/i-spy-apple-google-phones-track-users/
it's confirmed, google is doing it too, but in an even more obtrusive way, **** this, i'm selling my Xoom.
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I am selling my Captivate and Xoom and getting a Jitterbug.

Extremely disappointed with the android community

I just need to vent. I'm a fairly active developer for the android platform. I've created a number of kernel patches and applications that I have released at no charge to the community for about 10 or so devices.
All this I do in my "spare time", which I have very little of because I am a full time professional student who takes on 32 credit hour semesters.
Recently, since my 1994 geo prizm is literally falling apart and I was hoping to scrounge together a little bit of money to get a new car so I don't end up stranded on my way to class, I decided to release a paid application. Fastcharge / Force AC toggle which allows you to toggle on and off the force AC feature. A feature which I have personally implemented and released source patches for on a number of devices.
Not only in every thread where I released the patch on a device did I write up how to toggle the feature through the command line, but I also stated that I also implemented a toggle into my completely free application that you can also download from the market, IncrediControl.
In good faith and knowing how annoying licensing is, I elected to not include licensing in my application. This is a huge regret.
Within a couple days of releasing the application to the market I googled it to see if anyone was talking about it. One of the first links was to a piracy site where a user was requesting the widget, to which another user obliged and posted the apk to a filesharing site. Doing something I never though I would have to do, I filed a DMCA takedown request, which was answered quickly and the app was taken down. Monitoring the thread, every single time a link gets taken down, another user requests the app and the original user reuploads it, most recently to 11 different sites.
So now, after filing dozens of takedown requests. This user has decided to unzip my apk, change out the artwork, and now is going around releasing it as his own work.
Really, all this to avoid paying $1.50 (only ~$1 of it actually going to me) to an individual whose yearly income is low enough that he doesn't have to file taxes?
This disgusts me.
This is even worse than the 50% "order cancellation rate" that the widget has. I'm not stupid, I know exactly what users are doing, but yet initially I was willing to ignore it. But this has gone too far.
What is even the point of pissing off a developer so much that he is considering saying screw the platform all together? It doesn't even make sense. We, the developers improve your devices, generally at little or no cost, and this is how we're repaid. With ~50% of current users of the application having pirated it. To avoid paying just over $1.
Now before someone even counters with the "my area doesn't support paid applications" argument I've actually gladly GIVEN the widget away to a number of users who casually mentioned in the release threads that they couldn't download it for this reason. Not to mention, everyone knows there are apps that unlock the market in these areas to be able to purchase apps.
How much more generous can a developer be than to provide source code patches for a feature, provide information on how to toggle the feature, provide a COMPLETELY FREE way to toggle the feature, and then charge a measly $1.50 for a secondary, slightly more convenient way to toggle.
Yet he's repaid like this .

Of course, this must suck for a developer like you. Unfortunately, it seems to happen more and more often, and all I can really say is:
I would gladly pay a few bucks for an application like IC or BootManager. That BootManager seemed really interesting, but we can't buy apps from the Play Store without CC (and as a 16-year old, I don't have one). I asked the developer if he accepted Paypal, but he didn't.
Don't get me wrong, and this is not an attack to you personally: developers, if you made something really nice, and people will like it, 70% of the people will gladly pay for it, just make sure you allow them to.

Chaosz-X said:
70% of the people will gladly pay for it, just make sure you allow them to.
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I honestly thought this was the case. It's really not. The problem is much worse than that. If 70% of users in the root community paid for apps it would be astonishing. Its made pretty clear by the number of users who download the app, back it up and then cancel the order.
If a 16 year old kid had made me that offer, the e-mail reply I sent would have the apk attached.

Well, that is a real flaw of Android: tweakability is really impressing, but these things make it really difficult to earn some money as a developer.
We have been thinking about anti-piracy measures as well, with stuff such as authentication with a server, and locking down the code and verifying integrity of APKs and stuff to make sure it's really hard to mess with the code, but it's just sad that there's a need for these measures..

The trouble is everything has piracy right from movies to game consoles through to mobiles and music.
I mean the iPhones appstore would be a hell of a lot bigger if there was no jailbreaking and installous.
Every platform has been cracked so you'll get it regardless of what you develop for.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA

I think you know you just needed to vent but can I change your picture.
There are some people in this world who just don't buy the idea of an idea as property. That's not compatible with this business model. That's the first problem.
The next problem is that
there's a million and one apps out there and which one are we going to choose? Where does it start, where does it end? We all have our limits. What's yours?
For me, the app has to be something very unique and possible generate me cash. For example something I use every day at work. If it's something that the phone should do anyway I tend to skip it and save the $1 for the next phone that does it out of the box. Your app is a great thing, but there's many utility apps out there. It just doesn't fall into the kind of thing I'd cave my strict budgeting for. There are people here with a 1000 apps installed and you expect them to pay $1000 in this sense.
Another way would be having utility in the cloud and then the app is free. Another one of course, advertising.
The difference with both of these is we don't need to risk a credit card with the market. That's the main reason I personally haven't bought many apps and I'd imagine it's a problem for minors too.
The very community that allowed us to create the app fails to pay for it's products is like life itself.
I'd say make something for the iphone instead because there's more profit there but that would never have been possible, see what I'm saying? That's the 3rd problem.
So you've got 3 problems there all converging into one big push towards piracy. But remember, can your app assure security that the pirated version cannot for example? This is how one has to think.
In short,
you can't do something and hope to make a bit from it on the side. You got to go out from the start and get the money aspect central from the start. I mean, that's business and of course that's exactly what the android community works hard to free us from.
Still, summarising those 3 points for suggestion:
- offer something free things can't (i.e. security, brand etc) For example, I never run pirated stuff for fear of insecurity on my data whereas I'll try out software that way on an old PC
- can always put a service in the cloud aka the javascript trap
- iphone is there if you want...
- needs to "the one app" a certain person would pay for, not something everyone likes
Also just to make that point again, if one does not believe in property then inconveniently there is no moral crime here. I suggest learn to live with this and go with the flow

I hope google sells PlayStore cards (like itunes cards) that allows user to buy apps, music, movies, books without a credit card. I really want to buy some amazing apps but i dont have a credit card so i just use free apps. I think that if u cant buy an app that cant be a reason to piracy or sidedownload that app.

jago25_98 said:
For me, the app has to be something very unique and possible generate me cash. For example something I use every day at work. If it's something that the phone should do anyway I tend to skip it and save the $1 for the next phone that does it out of the box. Your app is a great thing, but there's many utility apps out there. It just doesn't fall into the kind of thing I'd cave my strict budgeting for. There are people here with a 1000 apps installed and you expect them to pay $1000 in this sense.
Another way would be having utility in the cloud and then the app is free. Another one of course, advertising.
The difference with both of these is we don't need to risk a credit card with the market. That's the main reason I personally haven't bought many apps and I'd imagine it's a problem for minors too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The feature is 100% unique and so is the widget. Not to mention, if you didn't want to pay the $1, I provided a free way to toggle the feature in the utility app. The point is, that there is nothing forcing people to pay for the widget to use the feature. But instead of using the free option provided, they not only pirate the paid app, but edit the artwork and release it for free as their own. It defies logic.
Also, ad based apps don't work with the rooted community. I learned that early on. Myfree utility app is ad supported. With over 40,000 installs you would think it would make even a dollar a day. Nope, makes nearly nothing. That's when I realized that the same niche I was marketing to are the same people who block ads. Even if someone didn't want to block ads, they can't install a single ROM that doesn't include an ad blocking hosts file out of the box.

chad0989 said:
[...] How much more generous can a developer be than to provide source code patches for a feature, provide information on how to toggle the feature, provide a COMPLETELY FREE way to toggle the feature, and then charge a measly $1.50 for a secondary, slightly more convenient way to toggle.
Yet he's repaid like this .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be sure you're looking at all sides. Yes, you're in a losing war with guys intent on pirating your app. You can't stop them, and well, you goofed on the licensing, so someone will no doubt release the clone.
First of all, don't do the Big Media thing and assume that everybody that pirates your app would have paid for it if it hadn't been available. A lot of folks collect, or just try something once. You'll only work yourself into a funk thinking about all that money you "would" have if only they hadn't been able to pirate it. They wouldn't have. At least not all of them.
More importantly, be aware that placing something out there with value does reach folks that otherwise would have no idea of you or your plight. More than once, I've purchased an app that I don't really need, but found clever and cheap enough I can buy it without thinking about the investment. I've spent more on Android software at $1-15 over the last year than I did over the last 25+ at $30-100 a pop. I've only refunded an app once, by accident.
Finally, be up front about your situation. A guy trying to make do does influence my impulse buying. So does his reputation. If you're doing a lot, be sure that's clear on your app page, and let us know clearly you're the guy that also brought us whatever.
I am curious, though: How much did you actually bring in?

Chad- thanks for telling your story, I agree that you have every right to be disappointed. Especially the buying and refunding, that to me send almost worse because you can't stop dedicated pirating, but I would have hoped the rest would have bought the app.
It's easy to forget the human side of development, so thanks for sharing your side.

Jesus christ Chad. This is f$%&*#@ ridiculous. Probably the best and most generous kernel dev I have ever come into contact with, and people are cheating you out of 1.50. Please don't abandon Android. I need kernels when I get my rezound! but in all seriousness, warez needs to stop.
Sent from my ADR6400L

Yep. Sucks. After getting serious about android , which wasn't too far in, joining with a nexus one and seeing all the free HARD work we get, I definitely try buying stuff I use. If I can't pay sometimes I will see if dev does something else I can donate to. Its an issue I've thought about and part of it really boils down to how sorry people are in general. They want free and cheap. $1 is laughable even when it can be easily had for free. You really should market yourself a bit even though you don't want to. And people should really put a complimentary $5 or so budget a month or more and try to support devs. Maybe if you have something he gave free but has an app you won't use for a buck, buy the dollar app and uninstall after the 15 minute period. Or throw him a 5 through PayPal or something. Its simple really. If these devs don't have to resort to ramen and water they keep dev'ing especially for the community supporting him or her. And if they're eating vegetables and have plenty of red bull money it gives them wings. Otoh, the devs that make us pay to reinstall an app after we bought it on another or lost our phone suck. Balls. Won't buys theirs anymore.
teach a man to fish, you feed him for life. teach a man to fastboot, and you create competency. and less threads on xda.

Maybe you should implement a system like some developers do where you download the app for free with a time limited trail, then they would go to another website to pay for the app to unlock it, and the unlock codes would be unique for every user which would minimize piracy.
Sent from my GT-N7000 Samsung Galaxy Note "Go big or go home" using XDA app

rafa6571 said:
I hope google sells PlayStore cards (like itunes cards) that allows user to buy apps, music, movies, books without a credit card. I really want to buy some amazing apps but i dont have a credit card so i just use free apps. I think that if u cant buy an app that cant be a reason to piracy or sidedownload that app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Netherlands we have prepaid Visa card.
Works well.
Maybe you google something similar in your own country.
(3V prepaid Visa cards)

That does suck but if someone wants to pirate an app even licencing doesn't stop them as there is an app that apparently patches licence checks.
It is so easy for even a non root and new user to find cracked apps, I have seen links on here and even on peoples facebook sites, it's got to the point where people can just browse a webpage and click a link to get the cracked version of an app.
Unfortunately if someone wants to crack it they can. Unless you could implement your own security check somehow, something obfuscated in the code, licencing is the only alternative as it would stop people using backed up cancelled versions at least.
Unfortunately it seems a lot of people just don't want to pay for apps.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk

also have to look at both sides. some people just refuse to pay for **** whatever it is, or get it as cheaply as they can. being android apps, the free route is how they're going to go. but the other side, you hsould be grateful for all the people that do pay. they're the ones helping keeping google, open source, android and everything in between chugging along. open source is the future and you can tell every corporation i said that. and thanks for you your work even though i've never used it.

jago25_98 said:
...
Also just to make that point again, if one does not believe in property then inconveniently there is no moral crime here. I suggest learn to live with this and go with the flow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is plenty to disagree with in your post as it all seems like an attempt at rationalizing ways to get around the system. This last statement is a ridiculous attempt at summarizing why stealing is OK. Your morals don't define the crime, the law does. Stealing property, physical or intellectual, is not legal and not right regardless of your morals or lack of.
Chad,
I am sorry to hear of your products' abuse. I used your kernels all the time on my Incredible devices and bought IncrediControl to support development. I have purchased many applications just to support development and believe that is the way to get high quality applications.

Piracy is just so damn easy on Android. I know ppl that are doing it who I wouldn't even expect to be doing such a thing. This guy I know love android only because he can get everything free by just googling the apk.

awww thats sad i feel really bad for you!

I've used pre paid visa debit cards to buy apps. You can find them in Any money shop like Cheque cashing places for example. You can even just stick a dicky diver (£5) on them. Perfect for situations like this
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Am I being set up?

People I know in one household all appear to have their phones shut off, I.E. no service at all. I know that one of the other household members who does not like me has a background in hacking. I have a limited background with mobile devices or phone service. One of the household members told me that he can't make or receive calls to or from anyone, but he somehow receives calls from me. Is it possible for her to make it look like I am hacking their phones?

Welcome to XDA.
They were obviously trying to shield themselves from the hackers here... now you've done it.
They knew you come here.
Recommendations:
Don't drink any booze, have a cigarette.
Factory reset your phone and change your Google account password.
Disable wifi.
Explore the option of living alone.
Remember... this is a site filled with hackers and men in black with no sense of humor that we are aware of.

blackhawk said:
Welcome to XDA.
They were obviously trying to shield themselves from the hackers here... now you've done it.
They knew you come here.
Recommendations:
Don't drink any booze, have a cigarette.
Factory reset your phone and change your Google account password.
Disable wifi.
Explore the option of living alone.
Remember... this is a site filled with hackers and men in black with no sense of humor that we are aware of
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This isn't funny. I'm not the one experiencing issues. I'm just trying to understand why these people don't have their phone service anymore, with the exception that at least one of them can still receive calls from me. I think it's a little odd.

squirrelly1 said:
This isn't funny. I'm not the one experiencing issues. I'm just trying to understand why these people don't have their phone service anymore, with the exception that at least one of them can still receive calls from me. I think it's a little odd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer isn't here... it's where you are.
I think they're funning you and you bought it hook, line and sinker.
However I'm just someone on the internet. You need someone you trust with the same blood as you ie family.