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I am starting this thread in the hope we can discuss the Google Plus service. There are some other threads out there, but are slammed full of invite requests, and no discussion is actually occurring, so please, no invite requests of any kind.
I personally love this service so far, I think it will be a [email protected] killer in very short order. I especially like the way Circles is set up.
Since it's a closed beta atm, there's no one that I know personally with an account. This means all the great things I used Facespace for I can't play around with yet. I guess I can set up my profile and keep looking around for the next three weeks.
People that got accounts are already getting bored of it because their friends can't join. It's like being the only person with a cell phone - who are you going to call? You log in and click around for ten minutes, then you log back out. No point in posting anything - nobody can see it. Nothing to read, yet, either.
If Google doesn't open it up soon, it's going to die like Wave did. The early adopters will use it for a few days and move back to Facebook where their friends are. People will gradually get invited in, only to find the ghost town left after the early adopters abandoned it. Time will pass and people will forget that they were waiting to be invited.
This Google-coined idea of the "invite-only" service worked for gmail because you didn't need a community to use email - you could still message hotmail and msn email users. It doesn't work for anything that requires community (like social networking definitely does).
Se7enLC said:
People that got accounts are already getting bored of it because their friends can't join. It's like being the only person with a cell phone - who are you going to call? You log in and click around for ten minutes, then you log back out. No point in posting anything - nobody can see it. Nothing to read, yet, either.
If Google doesn't open it up soon, it's going to die like Wave did. The early adopters will use it for a few days and move back to Facebook where their friends are. People will gradually get invited in, only to find the ghost town left after the early adopters abandoned it. Time will pass and people will forget that they were waiting to be invited.
This Google-coined idea of the "invite-only" service worked for gmail because you didn't need a community to use email - you could still message hotmail and msn email users. It doesn't work for anything that requires community (like social networking definitely does).
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+1 Couldn't agree more. If Google don't get a move on this will die faster than than a Sinclair C5
I like Google+ ... I like the concept of Friend circle .. It has good potential
It's a beta, not open to public. It is this way, for testing purposes, and for bug reporting. It has numerous bugs, and basically, annoying things that it does.
I'm sure when it's polished, it'll be released to the masses. I'm pretty sure those with it are thankful for having a new toy to play with, even if it is limited.
With the above said;
It's fantastic in concept. The ability to have group chats, group voice/video with chosen circles, etc, is a Facebook killer.
A bunch of my friends and I are on g+, and it's all we've been toying around with. Hangout and Huddle are probably the best features.
Since not many people use the service, we've been treating g+ like twitter where we follow complete strangers with interesting posts just to occupy the stream..
Se7enLC said:
People that got accounts are already getting bored of it because their friends can't join. It's like being the only person with a cell phone - who are you going to call? You log in and click around for ten minutes, then you log back out. No point in posting anything - nobody can see it. Nothing to read, yet, either.
If Google doesn't open it up soon, it's going to die like Wave did. The early adopters will use it for a few days and move back to Facebook where their friends are. People will gradually get invited in, only to find the ghost town left after the early adopters abandoned it. Time will pass and people will forget that they were waiting to be invited.
This Google-coined idea of the "invite-only" service worked for gmail because you didn't need a community to use email - you could still message hotmail and msn email users. It doesn't work for anything that requires community (like social networking definitely does).
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Click to collapse
+2. I've been in for about a week but can't get anyone else in. so I set up my profile. play around with it but without guides or others to interact with I'm already beyond bored with it.
Also since I don't have any friends on it, I disabled the account sync feature in the system setting but whenever I come back in an hour or so, it auto enabled itself? SOB! I deleted the app.
I really want to use group chat on here, but my friends aren't on this service...I hope it grows.
romedundun said:
Since not many people use the service, we've been treating g+ like twitter where we follow complete strangers with interesting posts just to occupy the stream..
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how do I even find other peoples posts? The only thing I can find it my failed invite attempts on my stream.
Youll see others ppls posts that are directed to the circle they have you in. If you see nothing, you either have no friends, or they have not shared anything with you.
For instance, I have many circles (groups of ppl), when I post an article/status, I can choose which group(s) to post it to, or indeed, post it publicly. A certain person can be a member of multiple groups, as well.
Perhaps take a look at "sparks" for people/sites to follow.
As said prior though, this IS a closed beta. It has not been released at this stage as a replacement for your favourite social sites. If indeed youve been lucky enough to get an invite, then treat it for what it is. A testbed.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
So far I am liking g+. I think it has a lot of potential, but like others have said it wont show its full capabilities until everyone can join at will. I don't even want to try adding any non-techie friends because I'm worried that the crappy invite system would annoy them and scare them off. The circles are an awesome idea, but my favorite part so far is the ability to have it upload my pics and videos automatically from my phone. Not only does it make it extremely easy to post them anytime you want, it also works like a cloud service to back them up and you can access them from your computer too.
Sent from my GSB Eris
The group chat seems to have a lot of potential.. I been wanting something like bbm but nothing was really all that known to other ppl. Hangout looks good too. I cant wait.. Google needs to hurry up and release this.
Sent from my demonSPEED! Glacier using XDA App
check out socialstatistics.com if you wanna follow people..
This is still a beta test so its a little slow, once Google feels that most of the kinks are hammered out they will make it public.
That's when the flood will open.
I think Google will start packaging G+ as a stock Google-app that will be on all newer android devices. since there are a reported 500,000 android activations daily which means that's 15 million new people in a month. Compared to facebooks 750 million current users its not much, but at that 500k rate could dominate facebook in 4 years.
I have this feeling that G+ may be ready to go public in August
Engadget Article
It turns out that Google will boot all non public profiles after July 31
Facebook just announced group chat, and video chat. http://on.fb.me/pKBugz
Competition is indeed a good thing. No matter who wins the battle of supremacy, we'll all come out winners
Edit: This is a pretty decent review of Google+;
http://bit.ly/qfNrcX
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
I have been using G+ for only 3 days. I think the circle setup is very nice, and the huddle service is a huge jump from facebook. However, I do think that we have to wait until there is a huge increase in the number of user of google+ to see how it compares with facebook. I have only 20 people in my circles. My friends are all reluctant to move over.
I have a feeling that this might become a part of stock android ui as it integrates into your contacts pretty deeply...
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
Anyone having issues with notifications when Google+ unloads itself from the memory? Notifications won't pop up until you open Google+ again. Not an issue with regular notifications since I get an email notification on those. But with Huddle, it kind of defeats the purpose.
Hi. I can not figure any way how can I edit the email messages that are being forwarded or replied to? I mean the original message that is being forwarded or replied to.
I am rather new with WP7 and use it for work. I frequently forward sensitive material to others, where some part of the message is not for everyone.
It is probably the biggest complaint I have over WP7
adminlt said:
Hi. I can not figure any way how can I edit the email messages that are being forwarded or replied to? I mean the original message that is being forwarded or replied to.
I am rather new with WP7 and use it for work. I frequently forward sensitive material to others, where some part of the message is not for everyone.
It is probably the biggest complaint I have over WP7
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Not possible. I don't know what about Mango, but now - not.
Just tried in mango beta 2 and didn't seem like I could delete anything. Tried reply and forward.
adminlt said:
It is probably the biggest complaint I have over WP7
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I have other complaints that are bigger, but I agree that I miss this simple feature a lot. Many times I'd like to quote certain parts of an email in a reply to comment on them, which is pretty much impossible right now.
Then again, if you look at the way many modern email clients for the desktop work, they all but the original message at the bottom and make you reply on top by default. So maybe this is the "modern" way to do it and I'm just too old to get it ...
Andy.WP7 said:
I have other complaints that are bigger, but I agree that I miss this simple feature a lot. Many times I'd like to quote certain parts of an email in a reply to comment on them, which is pretty much impossible right now.
Then again, if you look at the way many modern email clients for the desktop work, they all but the original message at the bottom and make you reply on top by default. So maybe this is the "modern" way to do it and I'm just too old to get it ...
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Certainly not Outlook, you can easily edit quoted message...
doministry said:
Certainly not Outlook, you can easily edit quoted message...
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Of course you can - not only in Outlook but in pretty much all of them. The default though is that the original message is at the botton, underneath some "header" information from the original mail and the reply is at the top.
Since WP7 is positioned as business oriented, inability to edit forwarded e-mails is major bummer.
Major mistake on Microsoft side, as this will alienate many in the business community.
Even BB, which sucked in most aspects, did allow this.
WP7 was never positioned as business oriented. Where did you get this misleading information? Microsoft has always stated that consumer market was their primary focus. They're even pushing Blackberries to enterprises in lieue of WP7 so that they could put Bing on Blackberry smartphones...
A Windows phone syncs very well with SharePoint, while the syncing capabilitis with live.com are rather limited, so no matter what MS official stance on business vs. consumer may be, this is an area where they clearly have done a better job for business users than for consumers.
In any case, an email client that allows you to properly forward and reply to emails (allowing you to delete/change the original mail) is a requirement for business users as well as consumers.
They missed so many email 'default' features, it's become laughable.
hotmail email flagging
quote/edit part of emails
select all / easier select big parts
bulk actions (mark all as read)
bigger polling intervals (6-12 hours)
and yes, nothing in Mango and probably for at least one year more. I was so happy when wp7 was announced...
I would like to see if they bring something new in Email and Office part regarding functinality. I definitely saw threaded messaging in the email coming.
This is a real question and a serious problem.
In my law firm they are using WP7 devices and several lawyers are complaining that they cannot edit the forwarded emails.
This is absolutely weird. Such limitation is not acceptable
WP7 is definitely not a serious OS, and definitely not made for business purposes. It is just a toy.
arturobandini said:
This is a real question and a serious problem.
In my law firm they are using WP7 devices and several lawyers are complaining that they cannot edit the forwarded emails.
This is absolutely weird. Such limitation is not acceptable
WP7 is definitely not a serious OS, and definitely not made for business purposes. It is just a toy.
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Click to collapse
yep, and that's similar to ios a few years ago. But that was 2007. In fact, it seems Microsoft thinks the market is still in 2007 state for some stuff.
Anyway, the supposed statement that wp7 is 'not for business' is just a PR statement. They mean 'wp7 is not a complete os, yet, so it's not ready for business'.
arturobandini said:
This is a real question and a serious problem.
In my law firm they are using WP7 devices and several lawyers are complaining that they cannot edit the forwarded emails.
This is absolutely weird. Such limitation is not acceptable
WP7 is definitely not a serious OS, and definitely not made for business purposes. It is just a toy.
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Click to collapse
Well maybe they think of kids and Facebook **** more than anything else?
I really wanted to get this answer: why this OS, with so many great ideas has so many idiotic limitations. It's beyond me. But I was called a "hater" instead
Editing forwarded/replied email is a very important functionality. And even if native app doesn't allow it, we could have some 3rd party solutions but they are not supported in any way. In my case there were also other email issues: embedded pictures not displaying, sometimes attachements not appearing after download process.
Interesting to know if these things will change in Mango or MS doesn't really care about it. That's the question: does MS care?
doministry said:
Well maybe they think of kids and Facebook **** more than anything else?
I really wanted to get this answer: why this OS, with so many great ideas has so many idiotic limitations. It's beyond me. But I was called a "hater" instead
Editing forwarded/replied email is a very important functionality. And even if native app doesn't allow it, we could have some 3rd party solutions but they are not supported in any way. In my case there were also other email issues: embedded pictures not displaying, sometimes attachements not appearing after download process.
Interesting to know if these things will change in Mango or MS doesn't really care about it. That's the question: does MS care?
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Click to collapse
I have the certainity they don't. They have taken all the bad sides of apple without the efficency, the vision and the appeal
tl;dr I'm new, I'm not a very knowledgeable developer, I have an idea that I want your opinion about.
Heyo Peoples,
I'm new and I like to think a lot about cool new stuff with mobile devices (web, software, hardware, etc). I've been thinking a lot recently about how people like to use mobile devices, and how we might use them in the near future--thinking past what's being done now, and into what comes next.
I've been wondering for a while why there isn't an existing piece of functionality on mobile devices that allows a user complete control of the device and every piece of information on it. Imagine a GUI except instead of graphics, it's like interacting with a person. (aside: first person to say Siri should be shunned like an Amish girl who went to a movie theater).
Is it outrageous to say that you should be able to pick up your phone and have it find anything, from anytime in the past that you have done with or on it? I know that would take mountains of data, but is it silly? In it's most basic form, this would just be a search feature. In it's most eloquent form it could be an operating system. Imagine being able to ask your phone what you did last Wednesday, or maybe where you were. What if it could recall emails or documents based on date, time, location where you were when you wrote it, keyword, or contact, based on verbal interaction? What if it tracked data usage by application, or allowed you to measure and optimize system performance with a verbal command (ex. "Shut down all apps except for Google Maps" or "How much data am I using per minute").
Is it too early to start wishing for an interface like that computer on Paycheck (horrible movie with Ben Afleck) or Cortana in Halo? Is this type of interface impractical or implausible?
If you were to make something like this, would it have to be a new operating system built from the ground up, or could you develop an app to do this, or could you hack Android to do it? I welcome all of your feedback.
Lots of questions, and I have very few answers.
Jujubes said:
tl;dr I'm new, I'm not a very knowledgeable developer, I have an idea that I want your opinion about.
Heyo Peoples,
I'm new and I like to think a lot about cool new stuff with mobile devices (web, software, hardware, etc). I've been thinking a lot recently about how people like to use mobile devices, and how we might use them in the near future--thinking past what's being done now, and into what comes next.
I've been wondering for a while why there isn't an existing piece of functionality on mobile devices that allows a user complete control of the device and every piece of information on it. Imagine a GUI except instead of graphics, it's like interacting with a person. (aside: first person to say Siri should be shunned like an Amish girl who went to a movie theater).
Is it outrageous to say that you should be able to pick up your phone and have it find anything, from anytime in the past that you have done with or on it? I know that would take mountains of data, but is it silly? In it's most basic form, this would just be a search feature. In it's most eloquent form it could be an operating system. Imagine being able to ask your phone what you did last Wednesday, or maybe where you were. What if it could recall emails or documents based on date, time, location where you were when you wrote it, keyword, or contact, based on verbal interaction? What if it tracked data usage by application, or allowed you to measure and optimize system performance with a verbal command (ex. "Shut down all apps except for Google Maps" or "How much data am I using per minute").
Is it too early to start wishing for an interface like that computer on Paycheck (horrible movie with Ben Afleck) or Cortana in Halo? Is this type of interface impractical or implausible?
If you were to make something like this, would it have to be a new operating system built from the ground up, or could you develop an app to do this, or could you hack Android to do it? I welcome all of your feedback.
Lots of questions, and I have very few answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is probably not as far off as it seems. The developers of "Utter" have come along way in the right direction. You should maybe approach them with your ideas. Not all of them of course . Save some for yourself.
One problem I see is semantics. "Shut down all apps except for Google Maps" sounds good - but do you really mean ALL apps ? The line that would be walked is one where the developer must train the program to not necessarily do what they ask, but do what they WANT. It gets trickier when you realise that some people who aren't your average users might want to test things and shut down an app (in this case) that an average user would never want shut, where they might mess up their phone beyond their ability to repair if they did.
I think speech is a great tool to interact, though I'm not going to be a person to use it. I don't think speech will ever become a default unless there are other technological advances that change how we interact with the world. It's annoying enough to hear someone gabbing loudly to another human on the phone, do we really want people gabbing AT their phones as a default interface ? I think privacy is a driving factor that will keep sound from being a major interface - perhaps it could work for in home applications, but out in public people may not want to announce to the world who they are calling, what they are looking for, or what site they're logging on to, et cetera. Until there's technology to make voice and sound less "public", I don't see this being the future of phones - it's more of a nice thing to have as an "extra" for when a person is comfortable using it.
But, hey, maybe we'll get used to wearing Google Glass and talking to ourselves all the time - or we'll get in-ear buds or implants where we can choose to hear the outside world or not. Just exploring the possibilities here.
I do think it's a big "outrageous" to have infinite backup. Just take a look at how much data companies like Amazon and Facebook acquire on a per-day basis. Think about how much data you use on a daily basis. I don't have the money or desire to be buying new HDDs every other week. Maybe in the future there will be a technological revolution that allows for mass amounts of data to be stored in even smaller spaces. But current technology in that regard is still very expensive and persnickety - read about high capacity SD cards and how fragile they can be and about data needing to be "refreshed" or they can become corrupt. There are lots of issues that make backing up everything you do impracticable.
And, again - privacy concerns. Do I really want my computer to know what I did last Wednesday and who I was with ? What if someone stole my computer or phone and had access to that information ? If we had the technology to do that, who's to say that current encryption would be "enough" - or that someone wouldn't go ahead and try to hack it anyway if they felt finding out basically everything about you was worth brute-forcing your phone or whatever they'd do in the future ? And have no password or a crappy one - even easier for them to know EVERYTHING about you, now.
Highly visual and talk-activated computers are absolutely great for games, movies, and TV. Why ? They function as narrative devices. They allow the actor to say or explain things they otherwise wouldn't have said out loud for personal, practical, or security reasons. They can become characters in their own right. People like those big screen computer displays where the characters are poking things all over and up and down - it looks cool. But not so cool is having your arms get tired from reaching up and around all the time. Not so cool is having to tell the computer out loud what kind of special images you want to search for when you have house-mates living in the next room over.
Just some thoughts. If you have other or counter ideas, go right on ahead.
Hello guys, this is a small article cum question thread. After reading please give me your views.
When we buy a phone and we start with our gmail id.
They forcefully sync all data, even the gallery (picasa).
I mean why is Google entering in our life so much..
They have every single detail. Contact , location, whereabouts, preferences, taste, when we get up/ sleep...
Every single data is with Google.
Now Google glass... Its too much interference...
I feel like being spy by a person name Google. Prove me wrong, I will be glad.
Before Android, I had Nokia phone. I never felt being spy every time.
I have spend lots of money on my Android phone but im feeling insecured every moment.
Why Google force all to sync the data/ why Google wants to enter in everyon's life?
Are we purchasing Android phones for being monitored 24x7?
Let me know your views too..
Thank you.
Disclaimer:
I am not an apple fan. I have shared experience and beyond this I don't have intension to degrade the goodwill of gaint Google.
Supporting links for this thread
http://m.firstpost.com/tech/how-to-stop-googlefbspyingyou-220138.html?page=1
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=imbkac40t38&desktop_uri=/watch?v=imbkac40t38
Endless....
We've all heard about the "big brother". Before the TV reality shows there was only books and stories about it, there were wars for power and world dominance. May be my words are too strong, but think about it - there are strong arguments in DBZo07's post, don't you think?
Google may be one of the reasons for the next World War. I am sure that there will be one - all of the major civilizations before us have disappeared for various reasons, most of them connected with war and the will of dominance. We will wipe ourselfs too or will become "human androids".
I think that we should think about what will be the next kind of terrorism? I doubt it will be for petrol, gold, money... it will be about information, communication, privacy - and Google are getting even more and more into our life, as DBZo07 have observed. It was only 8 years ago when for most of us smartphones were a joke and look now - hybrids, phonepads, padphones, tablets, docking stations, virtual HDD's (cloud storage)... Now can you leave without Viber, skype, facebook, gmail? No, you can't and if you could you will be searching for better replacements.
When you put all of the things it really seems too much. What if someone uses the information we share virtually each day? What if someone wants more than just money to share or store our information or to communicate with each other? Now they want our money, but tomorrow?
May be someone will want more from us tomorrow... may be we will start to sync our dreams for more efficient sleep time.
Or probably my arguments are nonsense and no one will let these thing happen. I hope so and I believe so - you should believe too
Yes it is bad, but just do like everybody disliking this state, deactivate all you can that allow google to "follow" you.
At the end, androïd is not linux, androïd is "google is watching you OS", so make all you can to hide yourself.
Maybe one day, we'll have a "pure" linux system for smartphones.
@mutha88 : that's what , we are forced to believe Google like God. Turning off auto sync may ease our mind. But still who knows about which data is being snatched with our data plan on all times in the very owned OS of Google. I still can appreciate Microsoft Windows, which is carring on from years after years still there is sense of personal private life being secured.
No doubt Google is an award winning innovative company but why getting personal to the extent of choking privacy.
On other hand, consumers are least concern about privacy now a days. Very trusted Microsoft is trying hard to penetrate phones and data stealer Google is having large pie of market share. It is we who made Google survive and in return we have loss of privacy.
@BombinBasta : yeah, but for development of any OS needs finance. Linux is free open source, hardly people donate. And Microsoft has enough money to carry on their development. Apple already charges too high for thier devices. Whereas Google... makes money from phones, market, various products and who knows what they make from every details of their users.
Seriously, as i heard from childgood that evil ends when they cross thier limits... will there be end of Google anyways!!! I wonder.
May be I'm wrong but their are no proper justifications from Google for interference.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
u cant be free of data collection by google...
even if u never sync ur data and use internet on ur android(even if it a vanila AOSP android ) there is code in that to give the data to google.
in todays age of information technology....information/data is everything...WHO HOLDS THE DATA...HOLDS THE POWER TO RULE THE WORLD...
DBZo07 said:
@mutha88 : that's what , we are forced to believe Google like God. Turning off auto sync may ease our mind. But still who knows about which data is being snatched with our data plan on all times in the very owned OS of Google. I still can appreciate Microsoft Windows, which is carring on from years after years still there is sense of personal private life being secured.
No doubt Google is an award winning innovative company but why getting personal to the extent of choking privacy.
On other hand, consumers are least concern about privacy now a days. Very trusted Microsoft is trying hard to penetrate phones and data stealer Google is having large pie of market share. It is we who made Google survive and in return we have loss of privacy.
@BombinBasta : yeah, but for development of any OS needs finance. Linux is free open source, hardly people donate. And Microsoft has enough money to carry on their development. Apple already charges too high for thier devices. Whereas Google... makes money from phones, market, various products and who knows what they make from every details of their users.
Seriously, as i heard from childgood that evil ends when they cross thier limits... will there be end of Google anyways!!! I wonder.
May be I'm wrong but their are no proper justifications from Google for interference.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
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You act like Microsoft doesnt do the same thing. When ever you use any of their programs it is the same. Privacy is a moot point if you use the internet for anything. You would be amazed how many times your personal info is used. Use a Shopping card to get discounts? Tracked. Use a CC for anything? Tracked. Buy anything on line? Tracked. Use any social networks? Yup tracked again.
It is not just Google. If you trust MS so much then why not get a WP?
k2wl said:
u cant be free of data collection by google...
even if u never sync ur data and use internet on ur android(even if it a vanila AOSP android ) there is code in that to give the data to google.
in todays age of information technology....information/data is everything...WHO HOLDS THE DATA...HOLDS THE POWER TO RULE THE WORLD...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This information again shocking.. will there be a respect for privacy is a big question..
Is there any way that code being blocked ...
zelendel said:
You act like Microsoft doesnt do the same thing. When ever you use any of their programs it is the same. Privacy is a moot point if you use the internet for anything. You would be amazed how many times your personal info is used. Use a Shopping card to get discounts? Tracked. Use a CC for anything? Tracked. Buy anything on line? Tracked. Use any social networks? Yup tracked again.
It is not just Google. If you trust MS so much then why not get a WP?
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My bad.. Microsoft still a good sided. I'm not promoting Microsoft but everybody have used Windows and this hunger for data wasn't found, maybe Microsoft is too smart to do silently but there is a chance that it may or may not be true. Google openly does all stealing I mean who is going to held them!! We the users are just watching being used all time.
When I took Android , i wasn't aware of Google's hunger for information..
In the end, everyone is happy without Google's justifications...
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
I would like to point out that you are under no compulsion to connect an android phone to a Google account. You only need to connect your account if you want to avail of their services such as Play Store, syncing contacts, etc. If you can do without them, then by all means you can disconnect your Google account.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
sidthegreatest said:
I would like to point out that you are under no compulsion to connect an android phone to a Google account. You only need to connect your account if you want to avail of their services such as Play Store, syncing contacts, etc. If you can do without them, then by all means you can disconnect your Google account.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
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I completely agree...
As for me I don't like Google's spying so I uninstalled all their apps, including network location and Google framework service, and I use alternative apps for gtalk or Google play. And recently I even made a new email at Yahoo's. I know Yahoo spies as well, but since android is Google at least I don't put all my eggs in the same basket.
If like me you are very privacy concerned there are ways to cut the abusive permissions most apps use.
You need to be rooted, and then use apps like appsettings (in conjunction with xposer app), permissions denied, rom toolbox, greenify, privacy blocker, and the best (but unfortunately not available for all roms) : pdroid and its variants like open pdroid and the like.
For example, recently I downloaded the Yahoo app. Before to start using it I put it through privacy blocker and then changed the imei value and other nosy informations with fake values (thank you privacy blocker and respect to xeudoxus its developer). Then I opened appsettings and blocked other unwanted permissions (thank you rovo and tungstwenty, respect). Finally I started to use it, and when I'm done checking my mails I greenify (thank you oasisfeng and respect) the app to avoid background usage.
Of course when one does such things one doesn't get notifications as soon as a new message arrives, but as for me I don't care since I don't need, and don't want, to be connected and hence spied, 24 hours a day.
It's relatively easy to get rid of the spying, but of course you will loose 2-3 features.
It's up to you...
I did the same with my browsers (opera mini and dolphin), privacy blocker+ appsettings+greenify, and with Mozilla I use an add-on called self destructing cookies.
Another thing is that not only Google spies on us, actually everyone does.
Just have a look at the permissions used by your system (default) applications, it's insane moreover that when one blocks those abusive permissions the apps still work. Don't think that it would be any better with a custom room, it's exactly the same story with cyanogen mode or aosp or pa etc.
What I do is that I remove most system apps (keeping like 10 for my tab, and 20 something on my phone, which means that I uninstall over 100 system apps, exactly 160 on my tab's recent jb upgrade) and replace them with third party apps that are easier to control and whose permissions are easier to block. And of course I block everything I can, system and user apps alike.
One of these days when I have time I'll write a more precise guide on these matters...
unclefab said:
I completely agree...
As for me I don't like Google's spying so I uninstalled all their apps, including network location and Google framework service, and I use alternative apps for gtalk or Google play. And recently I even made a new email at Yahoo's. I know Yahoo spies as well, but since android is Google at least I don't put all my eggs in the same basket.
If like me you are very privacy concerned there are ways to cut the abusive permissions most apps use.
...........
One of these days when I have time I'll write a more precise guide on these matters...
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Click to collapse
Sir, this is what I wanted to know. Thank you very much for your valuable time and experience shared here. I know this is serious concern and people like us need a way to be have a sound sleep without virtual spies.
About permissions, Google chrome takes permission to use camera and mic without and command by user.. I mean why Google needs it...again another why...
Your reply was very helpful, thank you...
keep updated me here when you can...
Stay blessed..
DBZo07 said:
Sir, this is what I wanted to know. Thank you very much for your valuable time and experience shared here. I know this is serious concern and people like us need a way to be have a sound sleep without virtual spies.
About permissions, Google chrome takes permission to use camera and mic without and command by user.. I mean why Google needs it...again another why...
Your reply was very helpful, thank you...
keep updated me here when you can...
Stay blessed..
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Click to collapse
My pleasure, I'm happy if I could help you...
Google chrome is one of the worst browser when it comes to privacy. If you want to keep on using it try to block the unwanted permissions like camera and mike with appsettings. The problem is that sometimes apps crash after having their perms blocked, and in this case what I do is just uninstalling and looking for another one that does the same job, fortunately there is no shortage of apps on the web
If you can't manage to tame Google chrome just use Mozilla. It has some abusive perms as well but they can be disabled for sure (I use it). Not with appsettings though but with permissions denied (another privacy app, quite powerful but one has to use it with care).
Just get the apps I recommended in my first post (some are paid but they are well worth the money) and start playing with them, in no time you will regain your privacy.
And uninstall as many system apps as you can...
Good luck!
Oh, I nearly forgot! Read my post in the following link, it tells which apps are safe to remove for the galaxy grand:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39395506
They anonymize all of the usage data as much as possible. If you don't like using Google services but still want to be able to download apps from the Play Store, go into Settings -> Accounts -> your Google account(s) -> uncheck all of the boxes for syncing various services.
Every company collects information on usage in order to better their products and find out how people are using them. They're not reading all of your emails (yes, their computers scan them to show you relevant text ads, but that's all) or coming to your house to film you while you're in the shower. You guys are overreacting. There is not one company who doesn't collect usage data. And if they don't, then they're doing it wrong, because they're developing their products and services blindly. Google is pretty clear about their data collection policies.
unclefab said:
My pleasure, I'm happy if I could help you...
Google chrome is one of the worst browser when it comes to privacy. If you want to keep on using it try to block the unwanted permissions like camera and mike with appsettings. The problem is that sometimes apps crash after having their perms blocked, and in this case what I do is just uninstalling and looking for another one that does the same job, fortunately there is no shortage of apps on the web
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Click to collapse
You do realize that Chrome has the Microphone permission so that it can hear you when you use voice search, among other things, right? Your computer browser can also access your webcam and microphone...
I care about privacy as well, but you guys are wearing tinfoil hats. Google does not care about you. They just want to know how to further develop their products.
Product F(RED) said:
You do realize that Chrome has the Microphone permission so that it can hear you when you use voice search, among other things, right? Your computer browser can also access your webcam and microphone...
I care about privacy as well, but you guys are wearing tinfoil hats. Google does not care about you. They just want to know how to further develop their products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course I know that this perm is for the voice search, an app that I don't use either.
And I know that in 2013 it's not such a big deal if those big companies collect data about us, apart from spamming us with advs.
But I don't know how it will be in 10 our 20 years, and when I see the way our "democracies" go I rather understand now how to make myself invisible, better to prevent than to cure.
Imagine if Hitler had had this technology...
Those days are gone? I don't think so, the Yankees had Bush for eight years, the French had Sarkozy for five years, they were not modern Hitler but they were going in the same direction, cutting rough in the people's freedom.
They didn't go as far as Hitler but who knows what will happen in the next decades. I'm 44 and since the 90 ies I've seen a worrying drift towards less and less freedom, and it won't get any better for sure, it will only get worse.
Anyway, it's not only about this, it's about those apps using my data plan without asking, depleting my phone's battery and slowing my ram. If Google wants infos he has to pay for it, and I have to agree to sell him those infos.
Cuz my phone didn't come for free, I had to pay for it and I don't see why I should use my data plan to help big Google and co...
unclefab said:
Of course I know that this perm is for the voice search, an app that I don't use either.
And I know that in 2013 it's not such a big deal if those big companies collect data about us, apart from spamming us with advs.
But I don't know how it will be in 10 our 20 years, and when I see the way our "democracies" go I rather understand now how to make myself invisible, better to prevent than to cure.
Imagine if Hitler had had this technology...
Those days are gone? I don't think so, the Yankees had Bush for eight years, the French had Sarkozy for five years, they were not modern Hitler but they were going in the same direction, cutting rough in the people's freedom.
They didn't go as far as Hitler but who knows what will happen in the next decades. I'm 44 and since the 90 ies I've seen a worrying drift towards less and less freedom, and it won't get any better for sure, it will only get worse.
Anyway, it's not only about this, it's about those apps using my data plan without asking, depleting my phone's battery and slowing my ram. If Google wants infos he has to pay for it, and I have to agree to sell him those infos.
Cuz my phone didn't come for free, I had to pay for it and I don't see why I should use my data plan to help big Google and co...
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Click to collapse
It's more like, "by using the software on this phone, you agree to Google's data collection policies." Either create your own ROM that doesn't include the code, or don't use the phone. You could go to Apple and use an iPhone, but they do the same thing. Microsoft does the same thing with Windows Phone. Palm did the same with WebOS. Seriously, there's nowhere you can go where anonymous data isn't collected to develop products.
I am glad that there are few more people who take their privacy seriously and knowledgeable enough to know what happening inside phones.
I strongly believe that this topic needs mass exposure. Millions of innocent people don't know what's happening and the risks. Take this topic to social networks and spread. For my part I will post this thread link on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.
I would also wish that some of our great developers would come forward and help in this matter.
Thanks for starting this thread.
I knew people will feel thus topic as paranoid. But that's preference.
No problem, speak against topic or support this topic, you will help other members have clear picture of what I want to say. After all critics have role to play too. So thanks to all.
@unclefab thank you for your comment which helped me get my words meaningful.
@silentvisitor that's what I had planned to get the topic wide exposure. Hope, there will be respect for privacy oneday.
Revolutionary changes are required and that can be just hoped.
The only hope I can see is that when the country itself recognises this as an issue than it can impact on world... more and more country joins the cause the stronger will be the impact.
These are just hopes and how future will play that God knows.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
Product F(RED) said:
It's more like, "by using the software on this phone, you agree to Google's data collection policies." Either create your own ROM that doesn't include the code, or don't use the phone. You could go to Apple and use an iPhone, but they do the same thing. Microsoft does the same thing with Windows Phone. Palm did the same with WebOS. Seriously, there's nowhere you can go where anonymous data isn't collected to develop products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, true, and actually Apple is worse.
What I don't like, beside the fact that they hijack my connection, my battery and my ram (and I mean, not only Google but most apps), is that they create files about us. It's ok as long as we have a democracy but as I previously said I'm not very optimistic about democracy in the future, remember the infamous patriot act in the States...
For example, Google knows that mister uncle fab has a gmail account. It knows as well that uncle fab goes on this and that website and reads this or that page, buys this and that online, has this and that app on his phone, goes here or there (thank you GPS and Google now) and stops here or there, listens to this or that kind of music, watches this or that movie, takes this and that picture and so on.
Eventually they have a file about uncle fab, and know a lot about his life and his taste.
Suppose now that uncle fab is a commie and someone who disagrees with the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, and that he's a muslim who has traveled to some of the so called axe of evil countries (which I did by the way, that's why I take this example, but fear not for I'm no terrorist )
What would happen? If uncle fab lives in the States he may be in serious trouble and get invited to a nice all included stay in Guantanamo, eventhough he's not a terrorist.
Well that's just an example but seriously, what happens with all those files they gather about people? Not to mention facebook, you know what I mean, their data base is huge and includes pictures.
What will they do with those files in the event of the government turning fascist or half fascist?
I'm not a terrorist but I have some convictions and some ideas that would make me a bad guy for a fascist regime and that would bring me to jail.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a bad guy
But, amongst others, I seriously dislike the State's foreign policy and sincerely think that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are crimes against mankind that should bring their authors (Bush and his friends) in front of the international court. I do think as well that endeavors like wikileaks are very good ones and that their informants shouldn't be trialled.
I do think other things as well, it's my right, but under the Bush administration I would have been called a bad American and if they had caught me I would have won a free stay in Guantanamo.
During the Mac Carthy area I would have been called a commie because of my anti capitalistic ideas and would have been sent to jail.
Etc, etc...
So eventhough I'm not a bad guy I rather stay as invisible as I can, no-one knows what will happen in the future but from my point of view it looks pretty grim to say the last.
Regarding your remark about building my own Rom I agree, it's on my list of to do things.
But let's see first how the Mozilla os goes, and if the devs behind the Linux on android project manage to make it work properly for a daily use.
At the end of the day it's a matter of choice as you said, if someone doesn't like Google one can uninstall its apps.
You know, I spent hours playing with the apps I mentioned in my previous posts and I can say that no app knows my imei or my location, and that the only apps I allowed to connect with the internet are my browsers and the Yahoo app whose abusive perms I blocked.
Of course the browsers know my ip but that's all they know and I don't care about it, and if one day I did then I would use a vpn app or tor/orbot.
So I don't see how anyone could squeeze any data from me...
Oh, I just found this on the forum, give it a read:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/say-sayonara-to-the-play-store-part-1/
If you want privacy, go move to a rainforest in South America or something. Get rid of your phone, computer, internet connection, etc. What you guys are asking for is ridiculous. You want free products handed to you on a silver platter. These companies need something in return. At the very least, they need the information they collect to understand their userbase. I'm a marketing major and computer science minor. Really, I understand that privacy is pivotal to you guys, but you're demanding something pretty ridiculous. This is ANONYMOUS usage data.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2
Product F(RED) said:
If you want privacy, go move to a rainforest in South America or something. Get rid of your phone, computer, internet connection, etc. What you guys are asking for is ridiculous. You want free products handed to you on a silver platter. These companies need something in return. At the very least, they need the information they collect to understand their userbase. I'm a marketing major and computer science minor. Really, I understand that privacy is pivotal to you guys, but you're demanding something pretty ridiculous. This is ANONYMOUS usage data.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2
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Click to collapse
You sound very straight forward. Your comments are brainwashing. You have better way of critical thinking, its appreciable. As a marketing guy you know user have different preferences and taste.
Rarely people are concern about privacy which is not letting this being called as an issue.
Data is used anonymously, is this justified?
Even Facebook says this, than why it has photos and name in their database?
How come Facebook/Google recognize face with exact name if data is anonymous..
Can any of data stealers come forward and give just a short justification and proof about how data is being used?
Sent from my GT-I9082 using Tapatalk HD
As Fred as stated, everything you do is tracked and monitored. This is nothing new really, been going on for years. There is only one way around it. That is to remove yourself from all things as stated above. You would be amazed how many times your personal info changes hands on a daily basis. Even utility companies track your usage. Your cell carrier does the same thing. Now I understand wanting privacy but total privacy is a myth that in this day and age is not an option. Now I dont trust the Gov in any way shape or form, to the point of not buying any device that has the fema chip installed. Which is 99% of the devices in the US.
Good afternoon everyone,
I've been tasked with finding an app for our engineers to use at work to allow them to sign in on site each day. A little background; we're an IT professional services company and at the moment every morning I call each of our internal engineers to find out whether or not they're on site, delayed, etc. Naturally not all of them will be on site every day, and sometimes the start times will be different (7am, 9am, etc). Also, another slight (probably rather major) caveat is that some of the guys use Android, whereas others are in the iPhone crowd, so whatever we settle on would have to be able to accommodate both.
In an ideal world, we would be able to put up a schedule on a friday afternoon for the next week, and each engineer would be able to log the time that they get on site each morning, with comments if they were late, for instance. Also because of the nondisclosure agreements we share with some of our customers, it would definitely have to not be public, or rather have the option of a closed group.
I realise this is a long shot, but is there anything out there that could serve this purpose, or something close that doesn't quite tick all the boxes but that we could live with for the time being?
Thank you in advance for your help!