CNN article on CIQ gets TrevE's name wrong - General Topics

http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/28/technology/carrier_iq/index.htm?hpt=hp_t3
The caption under the video calls him "Travis"
Developer Travis Eckhart's YouTube video exposed Carrier IQ's detailed smartphone data logging capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But later:
The flap began late last month after Android developer Trevor Eckhart released a 17-minute YouTube video indicating that the little-known application was sending everything you do on your phone back to your carrier -- including what websites you visit, what your texts say and what keys you press.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh well, you can't expect news sites to get things right any more.

Related

SkyFire web browser

It is new, still in private beta but it looks too good to be true:
http://www.skyfire.com/
For the first time ever, you can watch any web video, listen to any web music, stay connected on any social network and browse whatever you want. Anything you can browse from your PC, you can now browse from your mobile phone.
We’re talking about full-featured PC versions of your favorite web sites. Skyfire gives you speedy page loads, full audio, video, images, dynamic Flash content, advanced Ajax, Java and more – just like your PC.
If you live in US, you can sign up for the private beta:
http://www.skyfire.com/sign-up
gogol said:
It is new, still in private beta but it looks too good to be true:
http://www.skyfire.com/
For the first time ever, you can watch any web video, listen to any web music, stay connected on any social network and browse whatever you want. Anything you can browse from your PC, you can now browse from your mobile phone.
We’re talking about full-featured PC versions of your favorite web sites. Skyfire gives you speedy page loads, full audio, video, images, dynamic Flash content, advanced Ajax, Java and more – just like your PC.
If you live in US, you can sign up for the private beta:
http://www.skyfire.com/sign-up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds too good to be true? Subscription based when full version or just charged to cell access and unavailable to WiFi??
they say it's free, atleast for the beta on there site...fingers crossed, looks awesome
Daaaamn..... I am living at Finland... any way to get that cab file for testing?
It looks quite nice...
We shall see, once they open the beta.
PeeHoo said:
Daaaamn..... I am living at Finland... any way to get that cab file for testing?
It looks quite nice...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quoted from the website:
Sign Up Today
* If you have a Windows Mobile phone, sign up today and we will notify you when the Skyfire private beta starts.
* If you do not have a Windows Mobile phone or you live outside the United States, please sign up so we can promptly notify you when Skyfire is available for your type of mobile phone.
And if you try to sign up for the non-US notification - you can't as the US mobile number field is mandatory... unless your US mobile number (like mine) happens to be 1111 111 111
Sky
Looks great!! To bad MS didnt come out with it.
unwired4 said:
And if you try to sign up for the non-US notification - you can't as the US mobile number field is mandatory... unless your US mobile number (like mine) happens to be 1111 111 111
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why, Unwired, your number is very similar to mine!!
I have a feeling with them saying 'Mobile Phone' that this is going to be a Java based WAP app but we shall see.
I'll say one thing, if the browser is as slow as their website then its a loser to start with!!
( I just worry about sites promising something to you later that want loads of details, my SPAMer list sense (similar to Spider sense but not as refined) starts to burn...)
It says that the first application is for PocketPC/Smartphone with keyboards. They aslo blatantly show a Kaiser variant on the site (front camera version).
I promptly signed up for the beta, maybe this can be as good as Safari for the iPhone.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted if I get any response.
here it is in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mWUoxiLZFc
looks super. also surprised at how superfast it was then the guy showed he was on a cellphone data connection (evdo). while the demo was going on I was assuming that he was on a fast wifi connection. Def. super duper cool!
Had to be pre-cached pages. But impressive none-the-less.
Yeah, I'm concerned about privacy. I still hear not to bank with Opera Mini, so I can't imagine how one could trust a company they've never heard of. Sounds too iffy. But, for all other browsing needs, this seems like the best match for mobile phones. What if there were a way to make your home PC cache the sites for you, so you would know/trust the origin of the cache?
nice but check this:
From their Privacy Policy:
"Once you have subscribed to and begin to use the Browser, we will collect information about your use of the Browser on your Device (“Browser Usage Information”). Browser Usage Information includes such information as which websites and programs you access or download on your Device, how long you visit such websites and use such programs, your activities (such as products purchased or advertisements viewed) on such websites, which specific areas of a website or webpage you use and for how long, websites you bookmark, search terms you use, referring/exit pages, browser and platform types, the geographic location in which your Device is being used and information you provide on third party websites. All of your Browser Usage Information is stored by Skyfire under an automatically generated, random identification number (“ID Number”) that will not be associated with or linked to your Personal Information. Please be aware, though, that your Browser Usage Information, when viewed in the aggregate, may reveal your identity even if it is not associated with or linked to your Personal Information."
In other words, when you use our browser, we track everything you do, and assign an "anonymous" ID number to that information. And oh, by the way, the "anonymous" ID number may be linked to your identity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do U really want this? Im pissed that sec.cams are on every corner. And after a time when they find out what are U looking for on inet (ie. pda4x, ppcwarez, torrentz....) u have police knocking on Ur doors(or email box full of add. and scam emails). Nice, but not safe.
Not recomended
phsnake said:
nice but check this:
Do U really want this? Im pissed that sec.cams are on every corner. And after a time when they find out what are U looking for on inet (ie. pda4x, ppcwarez, torrentz....) u have police knocking on Ur doors(or email box full of add. and scam emails). Nice, but not safe.
Not recomended
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Told you my SPAMer sense was burning!!! Well spotted....
Totally agreed that we should all be scared. AT&T is also talking about full-time monitoring of all users on their network. Lovely for us Tilt (branded) users. Not only a serious privacy concern, but how slow will the network have to run to allow constant monitoring? I love my country, but I fear my government.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Franklin
While that privacy notice does concern me a bit, I'm not a business user, and I don't make purchases or give any sort of confidential information out via web on my phone.
so just to clairify... the beta has not been realsed yet? even though that video was realeased? and yeah the privacy stuff sucks but i dont do much viewing that i would care if any one saw so ill be ok with it. as long as it dosnt slow the network down to much
GUI seemed nice and snappy on the sprint.
I've signed up.
I used a spare hotmail address that I had knocking about.
My US number is 12345678900 and my name is John Smith, apparently.

Google ousting Facebook from Android

So in its latest release of 2.3.3 Google ousted the Facebook contact sync from stock Android. Personally, I believe that was a horrible idea on Google's part. Part of the reason I stay with the stock mytouch rom is because of the Facebook integration it comes with. I also was hoping Google would have actually stepped up the integration among social websites. I don't think anybody can argue that the majority of the population spends a lot of time on those web sites and with companies such as Apple and HTC stepping up their intergeneration, I believe this makes Google fall behind all over some pride issue?
Please let me know all of your thoughts on this issue?
Social Media = Empty Minds
Facebook is lame.
Mind numbing drivel for the brains full of mush masses.
useless useless//
mark manning said:
So in its latest release of 2.3.3 Google ousted the Facebook contact sync from stock Android. Personally, I believe that was a horrible idea on Google's part. Part of the reason I stay with the stock mytouch rom is because of the Facebook integration it comes with. I also was hoping Google would have actually stepped up the integration among social websites. I don't think anybody can argue that the majority of the population spends a lot of time on those web sites and with companies such as Apple and HTC stepping up their intergeneration, I believe this makes Google fall behind all over some pride issue?
Please let me know all of your thoughts on this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google removing the bloatware from the Stock Android has nothing to do with integration nor disintegration.
What does the included app do that another Market app can't? Keep the crap out of the ROM and in the Market.
oh so you read engadget than, kudos for bringing this important information to our attention....anyways facebooks a bunch of freaking hypocrites they want to have access to everything else, but let no one have access to their api's.....*****es
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
cal3thousand said:
Google removing the bloatware from the Stock Android has nothing to do with integration nor disintegration.
What does the included app do that another Market app can't? Keep the crap out of the ROM and in the Market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know not of what your talking about, Google specifically took away all Facebook contact syncing ability in 2.3.3!!! I believe thats disintegration. Please know the facts before you post.
This happens whether its in the market app or comes preloaded on the phone, its an attempted dis to facebook at the cost of people who enjoy the syncing abilities
mark manning said:
You know not of what your talking about, Google specifically took away all Facebook contact syncing ability in 2.3.3!!! I believe thats disintegration. Please know the facts before you post.
This happens whether its in the market app or comes preloaded on the phone, its an attempted dis to facebook at the cost of people who enjoy the syncing abilities
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do know the facts. Google is not ousting anybody, they are requiring Facebook to follow Android rules like everyone else.
You will still be able to access your precious little FB contacts from the app... again.. like I said... what did it do that an app cannot?
Simply put, all this does is require FB to actually use the provided APIs like everyone else. So now, your FB contacts will actually be on the phone instead of 'in the cloud'.
Quote from GOOGLE:"...Like all developers on Android, Facebook is free to use the Android contacts API to truly integrate contacts on the device, which would allow users to have more control over their data."
More reading here:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Andr...tact-Sync-in-Facebook-on-Nexus-S-185773.shtml
Another question for you, who the hell is Google "falling behind"?
Sweet, maybe they will replace it with XDA instead...much more useful...
I don't think Facebook will follow this rule, at least until Android gets a bit more popular. Remember back in 2009, when we didn't have a offical facebook app? Facebook itself even that they weren't planning on making one, but then we seen all the leaked screenshots and widgets off course. They will, just give it sometime. The mobile site and the touch site of facebook sucks as well, so I'm really hoping they stepup the game.
going_home said:
Facebook is lame.
Mind numbing drivel for the brains full of mush masses.
useless useless//
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you call for me?
going_home said:
Facebook is lame.
Mind numbing drivel for the brains full of mush masses.
useless useless//
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.9 quadrillion
xdviper said:
I don't think Facebook will follow this rule, at least until Android gets a bit more popular. Remember back in 2009, when we didn't have a offical facebook app? Facebook itself even that they weren't planning on making one, but then we seen all the leaked screenshots and widgets off course. They will, just give it sometime. The mobile site and the touch site of facebook sucks as well, so I'm really hoping they stepup the game.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can i ask why Facebook is so important to you?
To anyone?
I say this because when Justin "beaver" got his hair cut he lost some 80,000 follower from Twitter and Facebook.
OVER A FLIPPING HAIR CUT HE LOST FOLLOWER
(Now do not get me wrong i do not like the little sh!t as it stands but that is a different story)
So what kind of image is Facebook and Twitter promoting? self indulgence into believing you or i are actually important in this world. Twitter is the number one "screaming in silence site" in the known planet. No care what you have to say. Know why i say that? pick 10 people out of your group of friend that you follow and follow you. @Mention them with nothing but the word "duck". Then on person 11 @mention them with the word "goose". Everyone that sees their @ mention will reply with something related to "WTF". Meaning all they are read is stuff directed to them.
People claim that "Facebook makes it easy for people to find me". Wait a tick if you look on Google News at any given point in time there are articles related to Privacy and how to protect it on the web.
Well i'll end with this
IF you are a US Citizen, born in the USA. IF you have your Hometown and your Birthday (month/day/year) listed on facebook. There is a 13+% percent that a random computer that does nothing but search facebook for B/days and hometown will guess your social security number.
123-45-6789
is an area code that you were born in
Is a code for the hospital and state you were born in
is nothing more that a sequential number
So yes it is possible. Yes Facebook is for the mindless minions, Yes i respected my privacy enough to get rid of it.
neidlinger said:
Well i'll end with this
IF you are a US Citizen, born in the USA. IF you have your Hometown and your Birthday (month/day/year) listed on facebook. There is a 13+% percent that a random computer that does nothing but search facebook for B/days and hometown will guess your social security number.
123-45-6789
is an area code that you were born in
Is a code for the hospital and state you were born in
is nothing more that a sequential number
So yes it is possible. Yes Facebook is for the mindless minions, Yes i respected my privacy enough to get rid of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL!
That's hilarious, total BS information. I can go on and on as to why that is false but anyone with a SSN knows that's incorrect.
I find it highly amusing that anyone would bash FB and then allow Google to access their personal data.
Google is the biggest abuser of private information on the planet. Case closed.
If you don't like FB, don't use it, but just because some of us do enjoy it, does not make us ANY of the things you want to label us as.
have fun with your tin foil hat and denial of who the real privacy violator is.
mark manning said:
So in its latest release of 2.3.3 Google ousted the Facebook contact sync from stock Android. Personally, I believe that was a horrible idea on Google's part. Part of the reason I stay with the stock mytouch rom is because of the Facebook integration it comes with. I also was hoping Google would have actually stepped up the integration among social websites. I don't think anybody can argue that the majority of the population spends a lot of time on those web sites and with companies such as Apple and HTC stepping up their intergeneration, I believe this makes Google fall behind all over some pride issue?
Please let me know all of your thoughts on this issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I believe this is a control issue. FB is a big boy in the control of private information, information Google wants to get it's grubby hands on.
Whatever the end result, the motive is definitely not to benefit our privacy. Guaranteed.
$pitacular1 said:
Agreed. I believe this is a control issue. FB is a big boy in the control of private information, information Google wants to get it's grubby hands on.
Whatever the end result, the motive is definitely not to benefit our privacy. Guaranteed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True... but you should only put information that you want shared with the world on the internet. Personally, I believe privacy concerns should come down to personal responsibility.
Interesting thread. Personally I love the contact sync feature and would be thoroughly annoyed if it disappeared. I believe it will come back eventually.
So can someone clarify the issue to make sure we all understand correctly? Facebook only allows contacts to be displayed from the cloud but not synced down to the phone where they can be edited and then synced back? Is that the big issue? What API is Facebook currently using and what API is Google trying to force them to use that's resulting in this feature disappearing?
I like having contact information of facebook friends (phone numbers and emails) automatically show up on my phone. Very convenient. The pictures are nice and status updates are cool too.
Agree on privacy. If it bothers you, check your settings or delete your facebook. BFD.
Oh, and lol @ tin foil hat.
$pitacular1 said:
LOL!
That's hilarious, total BS information. I can go on and on as to why that is false but anyone with a SSN knows that's incorrect.
I find it highly amusing that anyone would bash FB and then allow Google to access their personal data.
Google is the biggest abuser of private information on the planet. Case closed.
If you don't like FB, don't use it, but just because some of us do enjoy it, does not make us ANY of the things you want to label us as.
have fun with your tin foil hat and denial of who the real privacy violator is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read this
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1909133,00.html
Cyanogen Powered; Android designed
Ill pass on tinfoil hat.
(Hah. Sorry to previous poster. Didn't see you already used that term).
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Who cares what data Google or Facebook has? If they abuse the privilege of having so much personal data, how do you think they would go about doing it and why? I absolutely don't care that they know exactly how much granny-porn I look at. I don't have anything they want...and neither does anyone in this thread. NEXT.
Sent from my HTC Glacier
neidlinger said:
Read this
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1909133,00.html
Cyanogen Powered; Android designed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nowhere does it state the identification pattern as you described it.
Mine and my wife's, daughters, brother's, sisters and fathers SSN all have the 3 first digits different and we were all born in the same State, same county. Also, my brother and sister were born in the same hospital and their 4th and 5th digits are completely different.
Also, you failed to note that they thieves would require VOTER REGISTRATION info to piece it together with a highly refined ALGORITHM that I'm sure isn't just floating around out there for the average identity thief.
Dude, seriously, even the article is stating this could be done IN THEORY.
This is from the same article you are citing:
Mark Lassiter, a spokesman for the Social Security Administration, dismissed as a "dramatic exaggeration" the suggestion that a successful prediction code has been developed. In a statement, Lassiter urged the public not to be alarmed by the report, stressing that there is "no foolproof method for predicting a person's Social Security number."
Like I said, tin foil hat, LOL, total BS
have a nice day
And to address the topic of the thread more directly,
I will be EXTREMELY pissed if this is an unresolved issue.
I use FB as my main contact list, and it's completely idiotic of Google to try and pull rank on this issue to force FB into doing what it wants.
If this can't be resolved, don't be surprised if you see a FB phone in the future... they are an empire capable of doing what they deem necessary.

[App] You can now use YouMail with Calll Log Integration

Visual Voicemail interface for the YouMail service. Sign up for free at www.youmail.com, and enjoy the best Visual Voicemail app on the market. This latest update has a bunch of new features, like Call Log Integration and Contact Sync.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bestitguys.BetterYouMailPro&hl=en
Change Log
Features:
- NO ADS
- Manage all messages on your Android device
- Easy interface with great functionality
- Show and play voicemails right in your phone's call log (on Android 4.0 or higher)
- Sync contacts with the YouMail server
- Set custom greetings for individual contacts
- Block unwanted callers from calling your phone or leaving messages
- Full Bluetooth headset support (Mono and Stereo) on Android OS 2.2 and higher
- Unique CALL & DELETE feature
- Swipe messages off the screen to delete them
- Switch between folders & move messages to any folder
- Display contact pictures next to their messages
- Share your voice messsages via email, SMS, or other messaging services
- Select multiple messages to be deleted, moved to other folders, or marked as read or unread
- Includes multiple homescreen widgets to display unheard message count, force a refresh, and get message previews
- Record, upload, and manage greetings
- Get message transcripts (paid service that can be purchased on the YouMail website)
- View Youmail call history (even if the caller didn't leave a message)
- Perform reverse phone number look-ups
- Search messages by name, phone number, or transcript contents
- If you have multiple phone numbers forwarded to the same YouMail inbox, there is an option to color-code each incoming number
IF YOU ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS, OR WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A FEATURE, PLEASE CONTACT US AT [email protected] ! Don't just leave feedback -- there is no way for us to help you if you do that. We're very prompt at responding and fixing problems.
if I wanted to look like I had an iPhone I would've bought an iPhone...
what advantage does this offer over Google voice?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
sageDieu said:
if I wanted to look like I had an iPhone I would've bought an iPhone...
what advantage does this offer over Google voice?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL. As much as I'm an iPhone hater, you have to admit that most Adroid apps aren't even in the same league as far as user friendliness and quality graphics are concerned.
The Google Voice was randomly getting blocked by my carrier (Verizon), and it took half a day to get it resolved. I've also read reports of people on Sprint and AT&T having the same problem, which is why I started using the YouMail service.
Also, the GV app doesn't support Bluetooth, which is completely unbelievable in this day and age. And I like everything streamlined -- the fewer clicks the better. So I hate having to click on a message, only to have it open in a new window, then having to go back to the message list to open another message. And finally, I really wanted to have an option to call back the message sender and have the message get deleted immediately instead of having to re-open the Voicemail app later to delete it. No other apps had these options, and the developers basically said that such an option is useless. So, I made y own app that has all the options that I feel are necessary.
sageDieu said:
if I wanted to look like I had an iPhone I would've bought an iPhone...
what advantage does this offer over Google voice?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not free?
Jfree3000 said:
Its not free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Sorry, it a paid app.
I like the UI, but wish it worked with GoogleVoice....
MacGuy2006 said:
I like the UI, but wish it worked with GoogleVoice....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hoped I could make it work with GV, but they don't have an open API, and I can't hook into it until they do.
btdownloads7 said:
LOL. As much as I'm an iPhone hater, you have to admit that most Adroid apps aren't even in the same league as far as user friendliness and quality graphics are concerned.
The Google Voice was randomly getting blocked by my carrier (Verizon), and it took half a day to get it resolved. I've also read reports of people on Sprint and AT&T having the same problem, which is why I started using the YouMail service.
Also, the GV app doesn't support Bluetooth, which is completely unbelievable in this day and age. And I like everything streamlined -- the fewer clicks the better. So I hate having to click on a message, only to have it open in a new window, then having to go back to the message list to open another message. And finally, I really wanted to have an option to call back the message sender and have the message get deleted immediately instead of having to re-open the Voicemail app later to delete it. No other apps had these options, and the developers basically said that such an option is useless. So, I made y own app that has all the options that I feel are necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well I was mainly joking about how similar the ui is to iPhone. I have never had any problems with GV but I can see why this could be useful for those who do.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
btdownloads7 said:
I hoped I could make it work with GV, but they don't have an open API, and I can't hook into it until they do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd buy it if it worked with GV
I do like the interface much better.
$3.00 seems a little high. I love the idea, but the cost is a little prohibitive.
So no chance of lowering the cost?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
jedwardmiller said:
So no chance of lowering the cost?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, sorry, it'll stay at $2.99
I agree.. 1.99 and I would buy. I will subscribe to this thread if you decide to lower it, however, until then, I will just you youmail's app.
thanks
it REALLY does look like a nice app
but sorry, im not paying $3 for iPhone voicemail
joey3002 said:
I agree.. 1.99 and I would buy. I will subscribe to this thread if you decide to lower it, however, until then, I will just you youmail's app.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, guys, I don't forsee lowering the price in the near future. But if I do, I'll definitely update this thread to let you know.
Senior member made sure he corrected me
but maybe he should look over the XDA rules again, if you forgot top shelf 10 here ya go :
11. Don’t post with the intention of selling something.
•Don’t use XDA to advertise your product or service. Proprietors of for-pay products or services, may use XDA to get feedback, provide beta access, or a free version of their product for XDA users and offer support, but not to post with the intention of selling. This includes promoting sites similar/substantially similar to XDA-Developers.com.
•Do not post press releases, announcements, links to trial software, or commercial services. unless you’re posting an exclusive release for XDA-Developers.com.
•Encouraging members to participate in forum activities on other phone related sites is prohibited.
•Off-site downloads are permitted if the site is non-commercial and does not require registration.
•Off-site downloads from sites requiring registration are NOT encouraged but may be permitted if the following conditions are met:
A) the site belongs to a member of XDA-Developers with at least 1500 posts and 2 years membership who actively maintains XDA-Developers' support thread(s) / posts, related to the download,
B) the site is a relatively small personal website without commercial advertising/links (i.e. not a competitor forum-based site with purposes and aims similar to those of XDA-Developers.com.)
Jclintcox said:
I don't think you are allowed to advertise your paid app on here. XDA sells ads if you want to promote your product
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes he can, xda-regular developers do it all the time, and the rules are the same for everybody
sageDieu said:
if I wanted to look like I had an iPhone I would've bought an iPhone...
what advantage does this offer over Google voice?
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe there is a free version, YouMail Visual Voice Mail
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.loadedbanana.android.youmail&feature=search_result
I've discovered this back when I was rockin a Blackberry Curve, and I still use it to this day.
My favorite feature is that YouMail can be set to greet your caller by name when they reach your voice mail.
"Hello Brittany. Ryan is not available..."
The regular youmail apparently is what most of us are using. This apparently is quite nice in that it does offer some very nice functionality. Only issue is the worth of the functions. Is it worth $3 to be able to listen to the vm on one page and auto delete after calling someone? For some, maybe, for me I keep the thread subscribed and regularly look at it in hopes of a three day sale.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
I do have to give credit though. This apparently does look very nice and there was obviously work put into making it. Good job op! I hope you so very well with this and future apps!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Malicious News Apps?

I've noticed sometime last year that local news apps developed by LSN Inc. requires hardware control of the phone camera. I suspect those apps actually snap pictures every time the app is opened.
Can the experts here help me validate this suspicion? Is there a way you can inspect for malicious codes in those apps?
Why suspicious?
sp_1st_timer said:
I've noticed sometime last year that local news apps developed by LSN Inc. requires hardware control of the phone camera. I suspect those apps actually snap pictures every time the app is opened.
Can the experts here help me validate this suspicion? Is there a way you can inspect for malicious codes in those apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Permission to use the camera is explicity requested. It probably supports a feature for the user to send pictures/videos back to the news station.
LSN Mobile has a legitimate looking website, including names of the officers
http://www.lsnmobile.com/about_us/our_team.html
... as well names/numbers/email for key contact personnel and physical address of the business:
http://www.lsnmobile.com/contact_us.html
Can I ask what makes you suspicious about these Apps?
Not sure if I should post a paranoid parrot meme, or a conspiracy keanu meme.
First, I can't find in the apps where a user can actually use the camera feature. And when opening the apps, it gives a completely black screen for several seconds before getting to the main interface. It makes me think it snaps an image during the black screen delay.
Why require permission to access the camera when there is no user accessible feature that requires it?
To GermainZ - I have seen you on the Tasker forum and always considered you a knowledgeable and helpful guy. Give this guy a break - he's just asking a question.
sp_1st_timer said:
First, I can't find in the apps where a user can actually use the camera feature. And when opening the apps, it gives a completely black screen for several seconds before getting to the main interface. It makes me think it snaps an image during the black screen delay.
Why require permission to access the camera when there is no user accessible feature that requires it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The software from LSN gets a clean bill of health from mobilesecurity.com
http://appview.mobilesecurity.com/search?q=LSN
I downloaded the Local TV station LSN program to check it out, and I agree with you there is no accessible feature within the software to use the camera within the program that I looked at. Perhaps a capability for users to send pictures/videos is left over from a previous version or reserved for a future version. Perhaps it is a feature built into the general program that needs to be activated by the specific local TV station. At any rate, given the very wide use of this software by a seemingly-legitimate company, I personally wouldn't have a high level of concern about it. Also,perhaps it will help you to know that it can only take pictures when the program is running, not all the time.
There is a feature in the program where you can contact the developer... you might want to try that out to see if they have an explanation that satisfies you (and post any results back here if you do). There is certainly nothing wrong with a cautious and questioning attitude when it comes to permissions.
These posts make my day.
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using xda app-developers app
Electric Pete,
Thanks for not ridiculing my question. Yes, I presume it could only take pictures when the app is on. The are people who likes reading the news or checking the weather forecast while in the bathroom or as they come out of the bathroom. It's up to your imagination.
I'm not sure they would care to answer my question, because when I pointed this out in my user review of the app, my review is made invisible to the public. I actually waited for several days to see if my review would eventually become visible, but never. My reviews on other apps are visible.
If they are not guilty, they should not suppress my "wrong suspicion".
If the review you mentioned is on Google Play, I don't think the developer has any capability to supress that. Google runs the show there.
I do see your point about privacy. Reading the permissions and questioning the ones that don't make sense is good practice in my opinion.
electricpete1 said:
If the review you mentioned is on Google Play, I don't think the developer has any capability to supress that. Google runs the show there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is interesting. Why would Google suppress my review which can be considered laughable (as indicated by some reactions in this thread).
Anyways, thank you for giving time replying to this thread. If only I got the knowledge to inspect program codes of these apps...
By the way, the local news here where I live switched to different app provider. They listened to my concern.
Bottom line is, you could decompile the apk, edit the manifest and remove the camera permission (you could also check the output; or try a tool that decompiles an apk to java code, which will be much clearer, but it's still in beta if I'm not mistaken).
Monitoring the logcat/using the "ps" shell command might also reveal something useful, but I'm not if taking pics within an app starts a separate camera process ps would show.
Also, the logcat probably won't show anything useful, tho (the same thing applies; and if the app is malicious, it won't output anything malicious-related to the logcat).
Still think it's paranoid, tho. Why not contact the devs?

Smartwatch2 development

I am eager to start developing for the Smartwatch2, although developer.sonymobile.com is useful for obtaining the api's, I was wondering is there are any other keen Smartwatch2 developers who are willing to post guides and tutorials to help the the less experienced developers who want to support the Smartwatch2.
Look forward to hearing from the community.
jon_lee9900 said:
I am eager to start developing for the Smartwatch2, although developer.sonymobile.com is useful for obtaining the api's, I was wondering is there are any other keen Smartwatch2 developers who are willing to post guides and tutorials to help the the less experienced developers who want to support the Smartwatch2.
Look forward to hearing from the community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just bought a sw2 today (my wife has hidden it away for 11 days) and from all accounts some of the apps already available are substandard, in particular one review said that most of the notifications are useless as you can't do anything useful with the phone once you've got the notification.
I'm a n00b dev and only just completed a HelloWorld app on my asylum kitkat N7000, so I'm keen to learn.
I expect I'll be trying to dev some stuff for the SW2 too.
:laugh:
depends on what your definition of 'useful' is
to me my (smart)watch isn't a replacement of my phone, just an extension
if i get a facebook/twitter (from selective people) notification or whatsapp message, i can see in a glance on my watch if they're important and if they need an answer
same goes for phonecalls, a small vibration, a glance at my watch and i can decide to reject it right there (with or without sms auto response), or reach for my phone and answer it
there are over 200 apps now on the play stpre and i must admit most of them are quite useless, i'm not gonna play games, surf the web or draw pictures on my watch, to me that's just silly
regarding replying to messages, don't forget this watch isn't running android, that means you need an app that displays a keyboard on the watch, register keystrokes and process them on your phone, i have no idea if that is even possible...
JarlSX said:
.....to me my (smart)watch isn't a replacement of my phone, just an extension...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has been a useful post. Thank you.
Can you read the facebook post like you can an email or txt that's just come through?
Some of the guys I work with (university undergrads) use facebook as a collaboration tool, so would be useful.
JarlSX said:
depends on what your definition of 'useful' is
to me my (smart)watch isn't a replacement of my phone, just an extension
if i get a facebook/twitter (from selective people) notification or whatsapp message, i can see in a glance on my watch if they're important and if they need an answer
same goes for phonecalls, a small vibration, a glance at my watch and i can decide to reject it right there (with or without sms auto response), or reach for my phone and answer it
there are over 200 apps now on the play stpre and i must admit most of them are quite useless, i'm not gonna play games, surf the web or draw pictures on my watch, to me that's just silly
regarding replying to messages, don't forget this watch isn't running android, that means you need an app that displays a keyboard on the watch, register keystrokes and process them on your phone, i have no idea if that is even possible...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree there are some very useful apps, the email, Gmail and text apps are very useful. I can just see much more potential. For instance a music control app which would work with 3rd party apps such as PlayerPro (my long term preferred music app) or navigation extension.
I was hoping that SW development would be a good way to get started in app development, is it more sense mile to develop for smartwatch given the resources provided by Sony?
There just seems to be a big lack of development chatter on the smartwatch here.

Categories

Resources