[Q] What "Find My Phone" Do You Use? - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I consider the "find my phone" software a necessary must on any mobile device. The ability to locate, ping, and wipe your Mobile is an extraordinary advantage in the digital age. I've used it once to find an errant iPhone 3GS and again on WP7 with a Samsung Focus.
What do you use on your Nexus S? Have you had an unfortunate circumstance that allowed you to field test? How did it perform?

i use seekdroid its good from my test but ive never had to use it for real. only thing its missing is remote photo taking

Lookout and Plan B(last resort)

tomqman said:
i use seekdroid its good from my test but ive never had to use it for real. only thing its missing is remote photo taking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incredible. I didn't even think they had remote photo operation. I'll assume that, if installed, the functionality allows for remote photo sending and viewing, in realtime at your location?
What a boon. To have your GPS coordinates and pictures of the physical location...

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_find_a_lost_or_stolen_android_phone_for_free.php
Nice article on the topic. Anyone else?

bmstrong said:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_find_a_lost_or_stolen_android_phone_for_free.php
Nice article on the topic. Anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats what i mentioned in my post
Lookout or Plan B.. Plan B is made by the creators of Lookout

bmstrong said:
Incredible. I didn't even think they had remote photo operation. I'll assume that, if installed, the functionality allows for remote photo sending and viewing, in realtime at your location?
What a boon. To have your GPS coordinates and pictures of the physical location...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to be able to do it on my iPhone. Its the only thing that I think seekdroid needs , put you can wipe the phone, sd card, lock, locate, message the person

Anyone else?

Related

What is the best Locater App?

I'm looking for a locater app, low footprint, no frills like virus scanning or backup, just a locater app.
Ideas?
try glympse - it works perfectly for me.
google it; as a newcomer in here, i'm not allowed to post links
brisser said:
try glympse - it works perfectly for me.
google it; as a newcomer in here, i'm not allowed to post links
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't seem like a lost phone app, more like something to track you for your friends. More looking for something to find your phone when you lose it. Thanks for the idea though
Mobile Defense...
https://www.mobiledefense.com/
AWESOME application.
AND, if you phone is rooted, and you install as a system application (how to here) then it will automatically enable GPS if for some reason it was turned off.
I prefer it very much over wave secure, simply for the ability to turn GPS on remotely, and the map updating is MUCH quicker than wave secure.
I use "Where's my droid?" which is a 'passive' tracker I suppose
By sending a text message to your lost phone it will either ring very loud or return its gps coordinates in a new message which you can plot in gmaps or whatever..
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App

[Q] What is the best phone tracker/recovery app?

I am new to Android. Just got my Vibrant. I want to protect this phone so that in case it is lost or stolen I can recover it. Could you tell me what are some of the best apps for this?
Here is a list of names I know about for now:
Where's My Droid - This is currently installed, but required me to send a text to my phone to activate the GPS and even then it won't keep the GPS active long enough to get a precise location. Furthermore, it can alert the would be robber.
Glympse - well, this is not for stolen phones
Wavesecure - couldn't find any good threads on this. Seems to have an annual subscription fee of $19. I don't want that. Just want a standalone tracker.
Remote security - Not clear that this is a good app.
TheftAlarm - Again, developed in foreign language and I don't know how good it is
MobileDefense - Maybe this is the best app, but it is still in beta and no more users are accepted. I already filled out a request.
Find My Android - Was suggested in this thread, but it doesn't seem to be different from Where's My Droid, except the notification when SIM is replaced.
Lookout Mobile Security - Doesn't seem bad, but it doesn't lock your phone remotely. Can easily uninstall the program. I also found out that I better use a different email address than the one my phone gets otherwise the phone gets an email with "location" of the phone when you look it up online. This is better than Where's My Droid since you can do it more discreetly online, without sending texts (but have to make sure the email you use is not managed by the phone).
Am I missing something? I really want to protect this phone and it is frustrating that among so many apps, we seem to be missing good anti-theft solutions. Preferably I want something that can lock the phone remotely and allow me to do things without interruptions from the thief or at least discreetly. What would you recommend?
Also, I have a rooted (stock) Vibrant.
Thanks.
Where's My Droid isn't exactly very subtle about sending out replies, the author basically said there's nothing he can do.
Most of the other options include AntiVirus and other nonsense, and are expensive or questionable.
Tasker can automatically upload GPS, respond to an email or SMS to do so.. If you send it the right command it could take pictures periodically, make an outgoing call, whatever... It's extremely flexible in what it can do.
khaytsus said:
Where's My Droid isn't exactly very subtle about sending out replies, the author basically said there's nothing he can do.
Most of the other options include AntiVirus and other nonsense, and are expensive or questionable.
Tasker can automatically upload GPS, respond to an email or SMS to do so.. If you send it the right command it could take pictures periodically, make an outgoing call, whatever... It's extremely flexible in what it can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW! Ok, but the question is - 1.can it lock the phone remotely? 2.What happens if the thief uninstalls Tracker or changes the SIM (can you password protect it)? Finally, 3.can it take picture AND email them remotely? Otherwise, I don't see much use to this feature if the phone is gone.
Lookout seems rather good, but I have not tested it personally. I'd add a link, but I'm a new user. Should be easy to find with a Google/Market search, though.
Well that (un installing tasker)may be the case with any tech anti theft, if the thief is smart and careful they will wipe/reset/format whatever they took, rendering a soft lo jack useless
I would just get tasker and lookup findmyandroid on lifehacker, its the best current option
Captiv
Yeah, I found out about LookOut on Android forums. I have installed it. It doesn't allow you to lock the phone remotely and can easily be uninstalled.
As for Find My Android, I don't see how is it different from Where's My Droid., maybe except the part where you're notified if the SIM card is replaced.
I updated the original post.
Find my android isn't the name of the app, its what the lifehacker post is tagged as (#findmyandroid)
The program is tasker, and its more customizable and it can turn on gps
Captiv
Sure, Lookout can be uninstalled, as can any other app. But really, you should have some sort of password on your device. With pattern unlock, there's really no reason not to do so.
According to one of the devs on their forums, remote locking as well as "other features" will be coming to Lookout "very soon".
https://lookout.zendesk.com/entries/24881-remote-lock
In the meanwhile, I use WaveSecure for locking my phone and Lookout for tracking, as its mechanism seems much better.
If you want to prevent Lookout from being uninstalled, just move the apk to /system/app (assuming your phone is rooted).
I have had Wave Secure since the Beta (it is free to beta testers) and love it. I can understand not wanting to pay, but it really is a great app. They have a zip file that you can flash in recovery if you are rooted. That will prevent the app from being erased if the phone is factory reset. I have also been using an app lately called "Tasker". It can track your phone, although I have not used it for this. Here is a link to the Wiki.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/locatephone
GPS Tracker by Instamapper is the one I use most. With a text message, it will return its location via Google maps. It will continually do so for as long as you have it set up for. Every 10 Seconds, Every 2 minutes, Every half hour, etc. I used it to track my stolen phone with the laptop in the car. This app saved me from buying a new phone.
stickerbob said:
I have had Wave Secure since the Beta (it is free to beta testers) and love it. I can understand not wanting to pay, but it really is a great app. They have a zip file that you can flash in recovery if you are rooted. That will prevent the app from being erased if the phone is factory reset. I have also been using an app lately called "Tasker". It can track your phone, although I have not used it for this. Here is a link to the Wiki.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/locatephone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Glad I got it while it was still a beta!

[Q] Any simple/no-frills gps tracker which sends data to own website?

Hi,
Does anyone know if there's any GPS Tracking software which can send httppost data (or other form of data transfer) to a custom website?
I want it to send the regular gps data, such as Date/Time, Longitude, Latitude, Height, Speed and Heading (or whatever is available).
I can write my own web software in php/mysql - but I haven't got a clue about how to write my own android app.
I don't want any fancy maps displayed, I just want the software to acquire gps fix, and send it at user set intervals (example every 1 minute) to my own custom web application.
I had previously been using software on my old Nokia 5800 which sent it to a 3rd party server and I could import the data via xml (see here: http://madstu.net/tracker/ ) but I haven't found any such solutions for Android yet.
Any help would be appreciated
Stu.
You could probably do this very simply with one service and an activity to set the interval and some status. You should look at some android tutorials and you can probably do it in less than an hour.
thanks, yes this is what I've been learning. I created a hello world app by following a tutorial, but I'm afraid that might just be my limit!
Sent from my Defy using Tapatalk
You can use Run.gps for your job.
You can customize it to send data to custom server. In section 6.2.1 in the manual explains how you do it.
Regards
Thanks, I've been trying this since this morning and it seems to work on and off, I will continue to trial it though until I find something better/simpler
Never heard of run.gps, but I do this exact thing in Tasker. I am a long time user of TrackMe, a Windows Mobile tracking client, however I didn't really use the client that much but I've made extensive use out of the web server that went along with it. Data goes into it from several possible sources, and I have several things that extra data out of it (Google Earth to visualize, even geotagging photographs, etc).
I have a long outstanding "offline mode" that's missing from its functionality, ie: you don't want to upload, or it fails to upload so it stores the data for later and uploads it when it can. I really want to put this in some day, but it's semi-complicated and honestly editing complex tasks on my phone is tedious Otherwise it's fully functional and for me works great. Let me know if you're interested.
Yes I'd be very interested in this, please.
Like you said, the "offline mode" would be awesome too, I'd previously used Viewranger on my old Nokia 5800 which had this offline option and worked well.
Cheers
MadStu said:
Yes I'd be very interested in this, please.
Like you said, the "offline mode" would be awesome too, I'd previously used Viewranger on my old Nokia 5800 which had this offline option and worked well.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using the TrackMe web server? Otherwise, what I have won't be of all that much use.
khaytsus said:
Are you using the TrackMe web server? Otherwise, what I have won't be of all that much use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, But I have my own server. How is the data sent? I can customise my web software to receive whichever variables are sent.
MadStu said:
No, But I have my own server. How is the data sent? I can customise my web software to receive whichever variables are sent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fairly straightforward, API calls.. Not really documented anywhere I'm aware of, but here's an example.. But it could be easier to adapt the Tasker profile rather than your softwae?
/trackme/requests.php?a=upload&u=user&p=password&lat=dd.ddddddd&long=dd.ddddddd&do=2011-02-06%2009:10:00&tn=Tripname_Date&sp=0.0&alt=279.0&ang=0&db=8&comments=Optional%20Comments&bs=98
So while it's not difficult, I'd say if you already have a POST/GET type API there, it's probably easier to adapt the Tasker profiles. If you're still interested, I'll export and sanitize and put 'em here.
Yeah I could just edit to match mine. I'm very interested in your sanitized profile(s) though. I've been playing with it and can't get it to work.
Thanks
After some more playing I've done it
Thanks for letting me know about this. Works well and I've got to start automatically when I open up the awesome MM Tracker app

Looking for a geocaching app

Because simply put, the $11 geocaching app is kinda crap. I'd like to have an overlay on the stock 'maps' app that'll show me the nearby ones, so I can do more than one at a time. Kind of a pain in the arse to do it their way.
www(DOT)geocaching(DOT)com/map/default(DOT)aspx?lat=47.12304&lng=-122.3156
They have a google map available, even. They're not opposed to google integration, they're just a little bastardly about everything.
Help?
c:geo is the answer, it's in the market.
NerfJihad said:
Because simply put, the $11 geocaching app is kinda crap. I'd like to have an overlay on the stock 'maps' app that'll show me the nearby ones, so I can do more than one at a time. Kind of a pain in the arse to do it their way.
www(DOT)geocaching(DOT)com/map/default(DOT)aspx?lat=47.12304&lng=-122.3156
They have a google map available, even. They're not opposed to google integration, they're just a little bastardly about everything.
Help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
c:geo has some uses, but IMO it's too slow to load data (online or GPX) and its main usefulness is if you're caching in an area which you don't already have a Pocket Query for, or for a brand new just published cache you don't have a PQ for.. So for those times I keep it on hand.
My actual caching program is GeOrg. It's $6 but it's well worth it. It's fast as lightning loading GPX, it doesn't slow down when you have 500 or even 1500 entries in a database, you can have many databases to separate out data, and it has great tools built into it, great Maps integration to navigate inside the client, compass is great, and it also has great integration with Google Maps to navigate using the old school 2d overview or using Google Navigator.
FYI for my usage, I tend to make a database per PQ because then I know which to load based on where I am and there's less to scroll through, but you could as easily load all of your PQs into the same DB. I went somewhere over a weekend and loaded up 2300 caches in one DB and there was no noticeable slowdown.
AND... If you load your PQs into bcaching, there is a connector there which you can use to access, so if you really want online on the fly without having GPX on the device you can do it that way OR if you can compile yourself, he provides a completely ready to compile project for a connector directly to geocaching.org to load data directly from their databases, but he won't provide it in binary/apk form to comply with their rules. Either way is still faster than c:geo
And you can of course log or create field notes in the app. There are also some useful solvers built in, you can create waypoints, do offsets (waypoint projection), store databases in internal storage or on SD card, etc.. He also has plans to support Bluetooth GPS directly in his app in the future, but I've found Bluetooth GPS Provider works great for that for increased accuracy and sensitivity vs the internal GPS in my Nexus One.
BTW, I use Tasker to get PQ's onto my phone, but you could do it any number of ways. You could save them from email or whatever works best for you. I've had a system for about 5 years where all of my PQ's arrive at my server and are digested and placed into one central zip file so I download that one file for my "local area" and that's what I typically import when I update the database when going out caching, and I have a larger zip file which contains all the other PQ's that I update when I go to one of those locations. GeOrg can update directly from the zip, or you can point it right at a gpx.
If you're at all serious about Geocaching, GeOrg is the way to go.
If you don't have a premium membership I'd also suggest to use "c:geo" - its free and not that slow as it sounds in khaytsus' post and it provides all the important features, but more userfriendly (my opinion) than "geOrg".
I use it mostly for paperless caching even with parallel use of my Oregon device for exact navigation. But i don't have a pm and the original gc-app is crap (just my opinion, too).
c:geo has an builtin compass as well and uses the google maps client/navigator for map and navigation. It can store caches including notes and waypoints offline, can calculate waypoints ("waypoint projection") and log founds online.
The most awesome feature is the "livemap": it shows the immediate environs around your position with all known caches - with their types and if they're deactivated or not. This map follows your movements, which is interesting for caching tours by car or bike...
The author of the app is providing fixes very fast, sometimes maybe too often, but everytime when it's necessary.
I've tried "Columbus" as well, but it didn't fit my needs and i've found it not as clear as c:geo. But it's worth to try it, too...
so... it has a localized map of geocaches in your surrounding area that'll respond to basic 'zoom' commands, so I can just wander around while bored and do some caches?
...Looking at it, yes. Yes it does. God I love you guys.
I don't have a premium account. Would that prevent the awesomeness that it is from working?
I ask because I'm a tool and I bought the $11 geocaching app thinking it'd add a layer on maps...
khaytsus said:
My actual caching program is GeOrg. It's $6 but it's well worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree. GeOrg is the best.
sorry man can't help u
mcfisch said:
If you don't have a premium membership I'd also suggest to use "c:geo" - its free and not that slow as it sounds in khaytsus' post and it provides all the important features, but more userfriendly (my opinion) than "geOrg".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's free, and in this scenario, so is Geocaching.org, since you don't have a premium membership. Way to leach.
mcfisch said:
c:geo has an builtin compass as well and uses the google maps client/navigator for map and navigation. It can store caches including notes and waypoints offline, can calculate waypoints ("waypoint projection") and log founds online.
The most awesome feature is the "livemap": it shows the immediate environs around your position with all known caches - with their types and if they're deactivated or not. This map follows your movements, which is interesting for caching tours by car or bike...
The author of the app is providing fixes very fast, sometimes maybe too often, but everytime when it's necessary.
I've tried "Columbus" as well, but it didn't fit my needs and i've found it not as clear as c:geo. But it's worth to try it, too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All that applies to GeOrg, as I already said But it's much faster. You can not compare the speed at which GeOrg imports GPX vs c:geo importing GPX. Nor can you compare the speed at which GeOrg loads details vs the c:geo load details for nearby caches. Live map functionality is pretty similar, the only difference is that GeOrg doesn't directly provide a feed from geocaching.org since it violates their Terms of Service. They do directly provide a bcaching feed which is pretty much the same. Personally I am a Premium Member so I have GPX and can load up the local caches and go in seconds.
For people who also use GSAK there is a new free app: GDAK on the market.
GeoTag
I noticed that this is an old thread, but for people who are still interested:
I use GeoTag which I took off my SE X10i Mini, a bit of searching will lead you to it.
It looks like google maps with minature versions of your geotagged images overlayed and you can select them to view in gallery
Works good for me but each to thier own!!! )
khaytsus said:
It's free, and in this scenario, so is Geocaching.org, since you don't have a premium membership. Way to leach.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps people want to participate in this hobby without paying a membership. Why should one website have a monopoly on an international hobby?
You don't have to pay!
Just as a note, because it was not mentioned yet...
Did anyone try the combination c:geo and Locus? Perfect for offline caching!!!
Cheers
berkley said:
Just as a note, because it was not mentioned yet...
Did anyone try the combination c:geo and Locus? Perfect for offline caching!!!
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Nothing beats C:GEO. The responsiveness of the dev is amazing. Best app on the market, hands down.
LexusBrian400 said:
Agreed. Nothing beats C:GEO. The responsiveness of the dev is amazing. Best app on the market, hands down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has to be responsive, he's scraping data and Geocaching.com breaks that every time they update...
Shame that loading GPX data into c:geo wasn't more responsive.
I'll stick with GeOrg, it's extremely fast, flexible, has a LOT more tools for hunting and placing caches built into it, and as I've already mentioned can do On The Fly caching just like c:Geo if you really want that.
GeOrg will also use Locus maps.
tdusen said:
GeOrg will also use Locus maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that using precached tiles with the Custom Tiilepack map type? Yeah I forgot to mention that, although I use BackCountry Navigator.. Topo and OSM maps, I can't get the sat tiles to view properly, I suspect because they're 512 pixels rather than 256 but not sure.
I need to pester the GeOrg dev about that.

Important setting removed with 2.2

I was just informed that Froyo 2.2 has removed an important setting from our phones, the ability to turn off geotagging of pictures taken with the Captivate. Read about the dangers here:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/10/07/gps-on-cell-phone-photos-can-put-you-in-danger/
This basically renders the camera useless for posting pics to social networking sites like facebook without making those pics vulnerable to disclosing personal info. This is unacceptable and Samsung should immediately release an update to fix this. I suggest we contact Samsung and let them know about this potentially dangerous issue and insist they rectify it ASAP. Start by going here:
https://contactus.samsung.com/customer/contactus/formmail/mail/MailQuestionProduct.jsp?SITE_ID=1
Here's the message I sent them, you can copy and paste it.
The recent update of the Captivate to Froyo 2.2 has apparently removed the ability to stop photos taken with the device from being geotagged. This option is important for those of us who upload photos taken with the phone to social networking sites from being vulnerable to giving out personal information. This is a very real danger and Samsung should immediately provide an update that will restore this ability to Captivate users.
Link to modified camera.apk for rooted and custom ROM users:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=949566
In the meantime, how about turning off the GPS as a workaround when about to take a pic
fldude99 said:
In the meantime, how about turning off the GPS as a workaround when about to take a pic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would have to turn off GPS and location services and then remember to turn them both back on, which is a pain. I found a solution for those of us on custom Froyo ROMs here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=949566
I'm going to try it, but this does not help those on unrooted stock Froyo. Samsung needs to fix this.
EDIT: Installed the zip from the above link and it works fine. Still, Samsung should not have removed this feature.
BTW, airplane mode does not, in my experience, disable geotagging for some reason. My only thought is that the phone is storing the last known location. The only thing that stopped the geotag was disabling location services.
I installed the modded camera.apk and it's working great on my rooted stock 2.2.
One thing I've found is that my battery is happier with location services turned off. I'd love to figure out how to use Tasker to turn location services on when I'm in Maps or Navigation or at some regular interval so my weather widget can update.
lactardjosh said:
BTW, airplane mode does not, in my experience, disable geotagging for some reason. My only thought is that the phone is storing the last known location. The only thing that stopped the geotag was disabling location services.
I installed the modded camera.apk and it's working great on my rooted stock 2.2.
One thing I've found is that my battery is happier with location services turned off. I'd love to figure out how to use Tasker to turn location services on when I'm in Maps or Navigation or at some regular interval so my weather widget can update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can u post the camera apk here please.
Found it
now that is some useful info. thank you
Sometimes I like to geotag..however the other day I took a picture and the correct location showed up.....later on when I looked at the picture the geotag info changed.....any ideas why this would happen?
I kill coneys, not phones.
Thanks for the heads up, I never noticed this either... I gotta give this info to a few friends who are still using the official Froyo rom on their Captivates... I hope Samsung pushes out a fix for this ASAP (yea, I'm not holding my breath), it really is a huge privacy concern.
Miami_Son said:
You would have to turn off GPS and location services and then remember to turn them both back on, which is a pain. I found a solution for those of us on custom Froyo ROMs here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=949566
I'm going to try it, but this does not help those on unrooted stock Froyo. Samsung needs to fix this.
EDIT: Installed the zip from the above link and it works fine. Still, Samsung should not have removed this feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe add this link to the OP, too, so it's right there when people start reading the thread?
Facebook in share option is still there in camera app. I dont need that geotagging thing.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Well, ya installed that camera - now we need to remove Flash option
nice catch
BTW, GPS is not the only way the Captivate geolocates the pics. Mine is almost always turned off and all the pics I took lately were indoors; still, they were geotaged. It appears to be using cell towers as the position on the map was a bit off and exactly located where the towers are in my neighborhood.
Yes the only way to turn off geotagging is if all location settings (gps and wireless networks) are turned off. Wonder why this hasn't made news sites like phandroid etc...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I was looking through a few pictures in my gallery, and for a phone with a non-functional GPS system, the geotags are surprisingly accurate. In the gallery there is an option to view each picture on the map, and Google translates the latitude and longitude into street addresses. A picture taken in my office (no possibility of GPS location, and tower location is only accurate to 1700m) shows a tag right in front of my building. A picture taken in my friend's house (a house apparently made of lead, as no one can get cellular service there) has the next door neighbor's address on it.
However, pictures taken at a time when I had the app Bluetooth GPS Provider running show no coordinate information at all, instead displaying "location unavailable" or something to that effect. I use an external GPS receiver with my phone, and Bluetooth GPS Provider feeds the data from the receiver to the Captivate. Apparently, this service prevents the camera from geotagging whatsoever. If anyone is incredibly concerned about geotagging, toggling this app on could be a workaround.
Unfortunately, I can't read the pages linked in the OP right at the moment, and it's possible this question is answered somewhere in one of those articles. But I'm guessing the geotag coordinates are saved in a picture's EXIF information. Does all of that really persist through Facebook's image conversion process? When you upload a file, it's resized, recompressed, and renamed. I'm surprised that the EXIF metadata is saved after all that. I really had no idea!
Perception 10.2 | SpeedMod K13C | I9000ZSJPG
Ikonomi said:
Unfortunately, I can't read the pages linked in the OP right at the moment, and it's possible this question is answered somewhere in one of those articles. But I'm guessing the geotag coordinates are saved in a picture's EXIF information. Does all of that really persist through Facebook's image conversion process? When you upload a file, it's resized, recompressed, and renamed. I'm surprised that the EXIF metadata is saved after all that. I really had no idea!
Perception 10.2 | SpeedMod K13C | I9000ZSJPG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally it does. I use 'picsay pro', and find that the location info is preserved when I change the image size.
The EXIF data is preserved, in most cases, and not just on facebook. It happens with Photobucket, Flickr, Kodak and almost all photo sharing sites. I saw a news report where Adam Savage of the TV show Mythbusters had innocently posted a pic of his vehicle onto a social networking site. Unbeknownst to him it had GPS info in it, which turned out to be right in front of his house where the pic was taken. A fan drew his attention to it and he was astonished to realize that he could have had some deranged stalker show up on his doorstep (ala My Sister Sam actress Rebecca Schaefer) because of an innocent photo he posted on a website. While this is not being reported much in the mainstream news, it is not a secret. The DOD is so concerned that it requires that servicemen on active duty not use these phone features while deployed or while on base due to the risk of giving away confidential information. Check out the pdf file at this website to see how our military is being informed about this.
http://redcloud.korea.army.mil/Web-Security/Downloads
Miami_Son said:
The EXIF data is preserved, in most cases, and not just on facebook.
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This is not true. No facebook photo has metadata in it, it's stripped out in the upload process. I am using firefox right now and I have an add-on called EXIF Viewer, and I have tested this. Same goes for photobucket and Imgur. Most photo upload sites like photobucket and flickr(the feature is optional here) scramble the metadata when they are uploaded. The lady in the story used twitpic, which clearly doesn't erase exif data on upload, but there are some nice little bits of software that do. If you save a photo in photoshop, for example, you have the opportunity to set the metadata setting to 'none'. Then when you save it, it does not contain any of the identifying tags.
The point is to be responsible for your own data and information that you share on the net or in any pseudo-public setting. Ignorance is no excuse.
I have several pictures taken over the last few weeks. I keep GPS off, but locations using WiFi or Wireless Networks on, and all of my pictures show location unknown.
Also, I installed the modified camera.apk from SGSTools, can anyone confirm which version it is?
clemmie said:
This is not true. No facebook photo has metadata in it, it's stripped out in the upload process. I am using firefox right now and I have an add-on called EXIF Viewer, and I have tested this. Same goes for photobucket and Imgur. Most photo upload sites like photobucket and flickr(the feature is optional here) scramble the metadata when they are uploaded. The lady in the story used twitpic, which clearly doesn't erase exif data on upload, but there are some nice little bits of software that do. If you save a photo in photoshop, for example, you have the opportunity to set the metadata setting to 'none'. Then when you save it, it does not contain any of the identifying tags.
The point is to be responsible for your own data and information that you share on the net or in any pseudo-public setting. Ignorance is no excuse.
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+1. Most responsible photo sharing sites strip out the location data. But you are responsible for the content you share. So even if the Captivate no longer supports the option, there are likely other ways to keep your data safe. Also, sounds like an opportunity for someone to make an app that automatically cleanses EXIF data according to your preferences.

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