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I am coming from Blackberry and therefore have high standards for email clients. After trying every workaround that I could find from forums, I sent an email to Samsung with my recommendations for future software updates. I am not surprised by the response. On a side note, I fixed the GAL issue by installing "Swift Contacts" from the market but in my opinion all of these features should be out of the box functionality in a modern smartphone especially if iOS has it. I am running Touchdown in parallel right now to see if it is worth the $20 but this phone should do these things stock. Am I crazy for having these expectations?
Subject: Email Client
I have had my Captivate for 3.5 weeks. While I love it for many reasons, and besides my major gripe with the GPS performance, I continue to struggle with the email functionality as a past Blackberry user. The stock email client lacks many basic features that Blackberry and iPhone have. Is there any plan to fix the following basic Smartphone/Activesync functionality in an upcoming software update?
- GAL support (global address list)
- Cut/Copy/Paste
- Move email between folders
- Meeting request Accept/Tentative/Decline w/ or w/o message
- Syncronized draft folder w/ exchange
- Create calendar appt. and choose'show time as' free/busy/tentative/out of office.
If there is a way to do any of these thing now, I would appreciate the instructions. Otherwise will these be addressed in future software releases? I am debating switching back to Blackberry really want to make this phone work for me!
Samsung Response:
Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, we are unable to speculate when/if a software revision with this feature might be available due to the fact that this might lead to inaccurate information and confusion.
Please feel free to check back with us periodically for updates. We hope that you will allow us another opportunity to serve you.
Should you desire additional assistance resolving this, we invite you to call Samsung Customer Support by phone at our toll free number 1-888-987-4357 between the hours 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Central Standard Time.
Sincerely,
Samsung Technical Support
- Meeting request Accept/Tentative/Decline w/ or w/o message
- Syncronized draft folder w/ exchange
- Create calendar appt. and choose'show time as' free/busy/tentative/out of office.
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Click to collapse
I'm sure there's an app out there for this stuff, but android is not a business oriented client and as such these are not things "normal" users would need.
I use the gmail app that came on the phone and it has cut copy and paste.
you'll have to define GAL, again the gmail client has access to all your gmail contacts, which is everyone I know since you can easily sync all your contacts with gmail (even phone numbers)
again, a gmail user, but gmail doesn't really have folders it has labels, which is more or less the same from the users point of view, and this can be done, moving labels...
apps are your friend, search appbrain for the things you need, ex: http://www.appbrain.com/search?q=exchange
hope some of that helps
I'm sure there's an app out there for this stuff, but android is not a business oriented client and as such these are not things "normal" users would need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback but I do not accept that Android is not business oriented and only for "normal" users. Many companies that are not on AT&T and therefore can't get an iPhone are allowing android phones form Verizon and others. iPhone can do all of these things and many other Android phones have much more client email functionality. For some reason this Samsung version is hobbled. If Android is going to succeed and eventually dominate in the market any new phone platform must have basic business functionality that is expected with any Exchange implementation using Activesync. If an app like Touchdown can do these things then the stock client should be able to. For Android to win it must work for both business and "normal" consumers.
Also, how do you have cut and paste in gmail? Are you rooted? I do't have it and have read many threads complaining about the lack of this feature.
A couple corrections:
1. cut/paste is there and pretty easy to use - if using the samsung keyboard, tap and hold the 123 key. Viola, you get a directional pad with cut/paste functions, that works very well.
2. GAL is available when composing an email. instead of typing a name, hit the search button near the name box; this will search the server - downside; you only get email address, not phone numbers
3. you missed my biggest annoyance: not being able to dial a phone number in a calendar invite/meeting - phone numbers and urls are not recognized as links. You have to "edit" then copy paste.
These are not android deficiencies, they are Samsung's. Other android phones do not have these problems. So hopefully a 2.1 update, or 2.2 will fix all this. If not we should have some Vanilla (Plain Android) Roms to use in the near future.
orb_526 said:
Thanks for your feedback but I do not accept that Android is not business oriented and only for "normal" users. Many companies that are not on AT&T and therefore can't get an iPhone are allowing android phones form Verizon and others. iPhone can do all of these things and many other Android phones have much more client email functionality. For some reason this Samsung version is hobbled. If Android is going to succeed and eventually dominate in the market any new phone platform must have basic business functionality that is expected with any Exchange implementation using Activesync. If an app like Touchdown can do these things then the stock client should be able to. For Android to win it must work for both business and "normal" consumers.
Also, how do you have cut and paste in gmail? Are you rooted? I do't have it and have read many threads complaining about the lack of this feature.
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Click to collapse
I am rooted but I doubt that is it, I am running the jh2 update, that may be it, but if I tap and hold,i get the option to cut, copy, and paste. As mentioned above hitting 123 also works, and if you're using swype tap the swype key and swype right, to the "sym" button to get the same thing.
As for the other androids that are more business oriented, they just have different apps, which is why android is awesome, I don't want your features, and you don't want mine, so we just download different apps, and everyone is happy.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
screwyluie said:
I am rooted but I doubt that is it, I am running the jh2 update, that may be it, but if I tap and hold,i get the option to cut, copy, and paste. As mentioned above hitting 123 also works, and if you're using swype tap the swype key and swype right, to the "sym" button to get the same thing.
As for the other androids that are more business oriented, they just have different apps, which is why android is awesome, I don't want your features, and you don't want mine, so we just download different apps, and everyone is happy.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
If you are rooted and on JH2 then I would classify you as a super users. I understand all of your points and this is why Android is so great! But I am also very invested in Android now and want it to be successful in the market for the benefit of all users. A large majority of users are not power users. Buy an iPhone or a Blackberry or even another Android phone and these basic Corporate Exchange features are working out of the box. Most people do not have the skill or patience to try multiple apps until they find one that works. And most people do not want to spend more money to make their phone do the most basic functions. The Captivate is the only Android phone on AT&T that most corporate users would consider. Even if you don't want or need these features, many will, and it is Samsung not Google that messed up. Samsung should provide this high level device with the features to make it competitive out of the box. These basic features would not deter or impact the non-corporate user in any way so why not include them?
Do you have the "Copy Paste It" app installed? I even tried again and I do not have Copy/Paste in Gmail. What I mean is I cannot copy and paste from the quoted text. I can from the text I am adding. I know how to use the keyboard text select features. If I am missing something I would love to be corrected and figure this thing out!
These basic features would not deter or impact the non-corporate user in any way so why not include them?
Do you have the "Copy Paste It" app installed? I even tried again and I do not have Copy/Paste in Gmail. What I mean is I cannot copy and paste from the quoted text. I can from the text I am adding. I know how to use the keyboard text select features. If I am missing something I would love to be corrected and figure this thing out!
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Click to collapse
I would blame att as much as samsung.. perhaps if att had more android phones instead of sticking with the iphone, we would have corporate android.... as it stands I'm just happy we have a high end android at all.
as for copying, no i can not copy from the quoted text, you are correct
alphadog00 said:
A couple corrections:
1. cut/paste is there and pretty easy to use - if using the samsung keyboard, tap and hold the 123 key. Viola, you get a directional pad with cut/paste functions, that works very well.
2. GAL is available when composing an email. instead of typing a name, hit the search button near the name box; this will search the server - downside; you only get email address, not phone numbers
3. you missed my biggest annoyance: not being able to dial a phone number in a calendar invite/meeting - phone numbers and urls are not recognized as links. You have to "edit" then copy paste.
These are not android deficiencies, they are Samsung's. Other android phones do not have these problems. So hopefully a 2.1 update, or 2.2 will fix all this. If not we should have some Vanilla (Plain Android) Roms to use in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. It is not possible to cut/copy/paste from the quoted text. This is the whole point for me. If somebody sends me an email with information, sometimes I want to copy a subset of that information into another email or app. That is not possible with either the stock email client or gmail.
2. For some reason GAL was not working for me out of the box and believe me I tried mutlitple times. I tried installing Swift Contacts and all of the sudden it worked. I can explain it but at least it works. Too bad it does not show the phone number.
3. I had not noticed this before but now that I have, I have another thing to be frustrated about. Thanks
Hopefully Samsung fixes these issues in an upcoming build otherwise I will be rooting for sure.
Taking a speech class and had a chance to write about the Android platform. Figured I'd share here. Enjoy and comment as you will.
I wish to start off by saying welcome to the future. A bold proclamation yes, but with such experiments and ongoing research by numerous scientists today, technological breakthroughs are vast and epic. One of the many platforms so to speak that is having phenomenal breakthroughs is in the mobile systems department. Here lays a couple companies with R&D plans that carter towards certain parties promising slick user interfaces, application channels, and a complete web experience. Couple that with feature rich phones that allow one to text, call, global positioning (GPS), and well, you have a product to sell. Google has done just that. Taking bits and pieces of everything one could ever ask for, and merging it all into its mobile operating system titled Android. Represented by a green round-headed robot figure, Android is passing its two year anniversary, and has surpassed other prominent mobile architectures like Apple’s iPhone software. But what exactly is Android? Why would one desire to chuck away their limited iPhone, or stray away from the Blackberry Enterprise lineup? One word: Open source. Couple that with the experience (the art of customizing your device), and the synchronization aspects of the device for virtually any account you have on the net, and you have a total package.
Having a total package within arm’s reach, and inside your pocket is quite a powerful tool. With Google’s Android platform, there is never a point where you can say No. Any and every idea can and could be coded into the device if you have the means to do so. Open source is the ticket. Asking yourself what this means is actually a very simple question. Open source is the definition of computer code that is freely available to anyone who wishes to find it. Google has opened up the software to all who have a spirit to create and provide applications (Apps) and programs to others. Hackers, coders, and all techy guros have created a plethora of net-libraries ranging from support groups, forums and websites to further help noobies in the process. Sounds like a lot, but in reality, the experience is quite easy going. Competitors like Apple and Blackberry have limited their system to developers by safekeeping some of its computer code. This limits creativity, as it puts restrictions and limitations as to what exactly what one can create. Add to the fact that companies like Apple also screen apps to a much higher caliber, halting smaller apps without much bang in the beginning to be choked to death. It seems as if anything is available for pleasure with Android though. If it doesn’t exist, pop into a forum and jot down a reply on a thread. If that’s not enough, I’m sure you have one friend that has already found solutions in the “Green-Guy”. There is always someone there who has the tools necessary to create it, or rather has already created it in the first place.
From forums and coders who have the know-how and tools to create a mind-blowing experience, the customization factor of Android is truly one of its largest selling points. To be quite honest, each and every android device could be considered a work of art. It’s all in how the user desires it for themselves…how deep the user wants to venture; how deep goes their rabbit? From changing backgrounds and wallpapers, to adding widgets to your home screen, the android spectrum allows one to make the phone their own, morph it into how they see fitting. But how is this different from other products? Surely other phones allow their users to alter what they see on screen. Yet I assert, the android experience is different. Almost, if not every aspect of android is customizable. Icons can be altered, the font can be changed, dates, times, anything can be tweaked. Sites like XDA, AndroidSpin, and AndroidandMe provide great reviews, heads up, and forums to browse through numerous applications, both beta and final. The options are endless, and it’s open in the air to anyone who desires a bit of change. Many new phones come preinstalled with newer software, as you might here Froyo, Éclair or Gingerbread tossed around. These are simply codenames for newer versions of software from Google. If your carrier doesn’t support the newer software, chances are a coder has already made it available for you. Convenience without a price attached!
Free in price is seemingly synonymous with freedom. Freedom to choose. Freedom to enjoy. Freedom to experience. Freedom from a stationary computer. Android is a thriving system that allows you to constantly stay on the up and up. Synchronization appears a mystery as your Facebook, Twitter, email, and numerous other accounts are integrated into the system via apps or at stock. With live widgets that monitor in real time your accounts, any and all social networks, social feeds, and business/personal accounts are updated instantly. No more carrying around a tiring laptop, or waiting to login the networks at any given campus. 3G speeds and now 4G on some carriers are making mobile devices the in crowd, as speeds are comparable to standard net speeds. As many people day are on the up and up, or rather, out and about, a mobile system that constantly allows access to ones desired feeds is grand. Couple that with ability to alter documents on the fly, listen to your favorite music (via Pandora, or from the Phones Internal Memory…think iPod), you have a complete package. It’s not just a Media Device, a Business Device, a Cell Phone, as it truly lives up to the name of Smart Phone.
For me the choice was easy. I thrive off customization, the ability to make my phone a tad different, even faster, or more efficient then what the original company did for me. But as Android ages, everything looks bright and promising. To proclaim dark clouds linger would be insanity. From its initial creation of being open-sourced, to customizing features and its ability to be versatile, Android has shattered the mobile systems realm. As it races to the top, Android allows users to update on the go, with synchronization from virtually every social feed. When people ask me about phones and what should be right for them, there is no question for me. It’s never been a question about what Android can’t do, but what Android does.
<- Laughing Out Loud.
It's full of grammar faux pas, by the way.
Still very well written *only read first paragraph* but I was impressed, not bad Also maybe a bit many commas...
BTW, shouldve been posted in the off topic section
Nice Speech. I Enjoyed reading it.
Sent from Conical. 07
Hello.,
does anybody know if there is a program for the android similar to teh phone creeper for wm6.5
the phone creeper allow easthdropping on phones, phone calls phone locating and so many other features as posted here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=527423
so ......
does this mean, nobody knows or there is no such software?
Im wondering the same thing
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
What does "easthdropping" mean?
By the way the MIUI Phone.apk is able to geo-localize the calls, even if it works in China only (AFAIK)
I'm the developer for the phone creeper and will be launching the android version very soon, however it will be very different. The problem with and hurdle for creating the same functionality on android devices is that (at least that i'm aware) there is no way to completely hide an SMS message from phones. You can instantly read it and delete it as with windows mobile, however there will still be an sms arrived alert in the status bar.
To get around this hurdle i've created a website with a database and webpage front end that will allow for all communications to happen with a combo of SQL and Android Cloud to Device Messaging (C2DM). This will allow for a small footprint quick silent communications. However this also means I need to support a website and database.
This basically adds a large level of complexity and creates various pluses and minuses for everybody. The program will still be free as it has always been, however some of the features and those who want to have viewing and controlling capabilities through the web will be charged a slim fee.
The program will still be completely functional and useful without paying a dime but hopefully enough people will want the extra goodies to pay for the web hosting.
As I said it's mostly complete now and hopefully I'll have a release published here shortly and allow for free web viewing trial also.
chetstriker said:
I'm the developer for the phone creeper and will be launching the android version very soon, however it will be very different. The problem with and hurdle for creating the same functionality on android devices is that (at least that i'm aware) there is no way to completely hide an SMS message from phones. You can instantly read it and delete it as with windows mobile, however there will still be an sms arrived alert in the status bar.
To get around this hurdle i've created a website with a database and webpage front end that will allow for all communications to happen with a combo of SQL and Android Cloud to Device Messaging (C2DM). This will allow for a small footprint quick silent communications. However this also means I need to support a website and database.
This basically adds a large level of complexity and creates various pluses and minuses for everybody. The program will still be free as it has always been, however some of the features and those who want to have viewing and controlling capabilities through the web will be charged a slim fee.
The program will still be completely functional and useful without paying a dime but hopefully enough people will want the extra goodies to pay for the web hosting.
As I said it's mostly complete now and hopefully I'll have a release published here shortly and allow for free web viewing trial also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is great news, let me know if you need testers
also can we have links to the site,
i'm a web designer and php programmer, i can give you feedback if you need
smartechno said:
this is great news, let me know if you need testers
also can we have links to the site,
i'm a web designer and php programmer, i can give you feedback if you need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be wonderful, I usually only create desktop and mobile applications. I don't have that great of an artistic eye and have rarely created any web sites. Currently I'm also using PHP for the website and will probably have to switch from godaddy hosting since they seem VERY slow at hosting any web pages containing scripts.
Maybe you can help me figure out why the logo seems to get cut off in IE6 (looks fine in other browsers.) it appears that displaying the bars are cutting it off since if I disable them it looks fine.
The link is xxxxxx Mod Edit: Link removed.
Whow, talking about privacy and espionage here
In general, Software like this is greatly coded, and requires alot of skill.
But on the other hand, if you use this App to watch / control somebody elses phone, is really awkward... I would be scared to know that a program like this exists and could be activated silently on my phone...
Just my 2 cents, but respect to the one who is able to program such a tool!
how about totalcare?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835603
badai said:
how about totalcare?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=835603
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Click to collapse
totalcare is a nice project, but the main differences are:
OverVi3w can be controlled via a webpage or sms.
Overvi3w has many more features
Overvi3w is actually stealthy, unless something is different about totalcare since last time i'd seen it. The message may be instantly deleted, however when you look at the sms history it would still show that it arrived even if you couldn't open it. although you still could see the command and from who is sent.
Overvi3w allows the phone to be controlled from ANY other phone or from the web console. It still uses a password for protection during sms control and to use the web interface it requires the imei (gsm phones) or meid (cdma phones) for extra security.
Anyway, I should be accepting alpha users later this week.
wow it's already have a name. OverVi3w. can't wait. total care just doesn't work on both my phone (gingerbread and froyo).
your phone creeper really great. works even after flashing new rom.
you misspell register on your website.
badai said:
you misspell register on your website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.. how embarrassing for me.
I've created a new thread on XDA for anyone interested in becoming an Alpha tester.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14113648#post14113648
The predecessor to phone creeper on windows mobile 5 or 6 years ago
Hi you asked foraan phond creeper program for win mobile 3.5 look for phone creeper or espionage suite .cab and if that cant be found look up phone leash for android and if nothing there is appealing look up blooover.cab its a java thing and works well with winmobile and theres newer **** for other platforms.
chetstriker said:
I'm the developer for the phone creeper and will be launching the android version very soon, however it will be very different. The problem with and hurdle for creating the same functionality on android devices is that (at least that i'm aware) there is no way to completely hide an SMS message from phones. You can instantly read it and delete it as with windows mobile, however there will still be an sms arrived alert in the status bar.
To get around this hurdle i've created a website with a database and webpage front end that will allow for all communications to happen with a combo of SQL and Android Cloud to Device Messaging (C2DM). This will allow for a small footprint quick silent communications. However this also means I need to support a website and database.
This basically adds a large level of complexity and creates various pluses and minuses for everybody. The program will still be free as it has always been, however some of the features and those who want to have viewing and controlling capabilities through the web will be charged a slim fee.
The program will still be completely functional and useful without paying a dime but hopefully enough people will want the extra goodies to pay for the web hosting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chetstriker said:
As I said it's mostly complete now and hopefully I'll have a release published here shortly and allow for free web viewing trial also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would be happy to donate and help out where do i go to donate and how long do you think until the program is ready.
where do i go to donate
MOD ACTION:
Thread closed since it violates Rule 16 just like the linked thread in the OP which has also been closed.
@cindyloulou
Do you realise that this is a 12 year old thread with the last post in 2014? And please do not create multiple posts within a short time, instead edit your previous post if you need to add some info.
I'm not a fan of Facebook per se. I don't care for the social media craze that seems to have permiated every facet of technology. When it comes down to it, I see Facebook as an enabler. It allows us insight into the intimate details of people we care about, without actually having to interact with them. It entices us to click "like" instead of personally conveying our appreciation or admiration. To top it off, I'm even less enthralled with Facebook on Android. Update after update that notoriously brings almost no improvement in performance, and many times results in an even worse experience. Not to mention the invasive permissions they keep slipping in with every new feature they implement. So why would I write an article about Facebook Home? Perhaps even more questionable, why in the world would I say they are "Winning"?
For most of us Android geeks/enthusiasts, there's been a quiet war going on behind the front lines of Android for quiet some time. Manufacturers continue to give us devices with their specific flavor of Android such as Samsung's TouchWiz and HTC's Sense, among other variations of Google's "Vanilla" Android experience. Meanwhile Android developers have been working endlessly to bring users more options with modified or custom ROMs such as Cyanogen Mod, AOKP, ParanoidAndroid to name a few. It's about choice - which the manufacturers don't want to give us. They want us to get used to their skins and their custom features, so that it becomes inherently habitual to use them. And we all know how hard it is to break habits.
Regardless of the ROM an Android user chooses, it doesn't end there. Android users are a unique bunch - and most of us want our phones to be unique as well. However, if you have been watching the evolution of the Android user closely (as Facebook undoubtedly has) you might have noticed that despite our yearning to be different, to customize our Android experience to our own taste, there is a sweeping movement taking place within the community: The Android user base has grown so quickly that it is no longer just a haven for the tech-geeks and device tinkerers. There is a large number of users that want to be able to customize their devices without having to learn what rooting is, or how to flash a custom ROM. They have no idea what a bootloader is, or even superuser for that matter. Yet their desire remains the same - to be able to tailor their phone as they see fit. This is where the ROM wars end - and the Launcher wars begin.
When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter if you're running Samsung's TouchWiz or the latest Cyanogen Mod Nightly. You're most likely going to install a custom launcher which will serve as your main user interface. Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher, or perhaps one of the new comers such as Chameleon Launcher or.. yep, you guessed it: Facebook Home.
This is where Facebook's genius begins to show. For the majority of Android users, it's not about what ROM you're running anymore (and for many newer users, it never was). It's the launcher that ultimately defines their device. And when you step back for a second and really dissect what's been going on with Android, it's always been about the launcher. TouchWiz and Sense are just that - launchers. Despite the fact they are deeply integrated with their respective phone's OS version, they're still basically just different user interfaces. Most of what they offer in regard to features can be successfully ported to other phones, other ROMs. The reason for Android user's past frustration with these manufacturer's customizations was their inability to remove them or change them. So where does that leave us today?
Facebook Home is exactly what a vast majority of the Android user base wants. Another option, another way for them to tailor their phone to their own usage habits. And if they don't like it, they can simply change their launcher or uninstall it completely. And let's be honest - there are millions of Android users who are Facebook fanatics. Facebook Home isn't just another app.. it's the new front line of the Android wars. Don't be surprised if you start seeing more of the major social media sites offering their own launcher. After all, it only makes "Sense".
I don't own a smartphone yet, but I'm thinking about getting an Android phone soon. It will be my first smartphone. I’m also new to XDA-Developers. Please help me, as I have questions about Android security and though I’ve posted this message to several other web sites--android.stackexchange.com, Quora.com, and Reddit--no one has answered all of my questions completely and thoroughly. I’ve only gotten short responses that are a few sentences long and only talk about one or two things. I really need more help than that, and I’m hoping that I can get it here!
I know that this message is long, but please, if anyone can read through it and then try to answer all of my questions, I would REALLY appreciate it!
Here are my questions.
1. Is Android’s stock browser updated directly by Google, or do updates to it have to go through phone manufacturers (Samsung, HTC, etc)?
2. If I buy a phone that runs a manufacturer-customized version of Android, such as the TouchWiz version of the S4 or the Note II, will keeping Android’s stock web browser--as well as any other browser I choose to use--up to date keep me safe from web-based exploits, even if that phone’s manufacturer is slow to deliver updates? (Edit: I want to add that I'm interested in technical details.) By “updates” I mean updates to everything provided by or customized by the phone’s OEM: the customized version of Android, the manufacturer’s pre-installed apps, etc. (Edit: what I'm asking here is whether the OS needs to be kept up to date to protect against web-based exploits, or is that accomplished solely by keeping the web browser up-to-date, whatever web browser it is).
3. I have read that OEMs are often slow to update their devices, and because of that I have limited myself to only looking at Nexus devices and Google Play Edition devices. But I really need to know if I SHOULD limit myself to Nexus and GPE devices for the sake of web security. (Again, I'm interested in technical details.) I don't want to buy a phone from a manufacturer that takes months to release security updates, leaving me vulnerable to web browser exploits and malware in the interim. But if I am wrong about ANY of this, please tell me so, because I would like to be able to consider devices that run manufacturer-customized versions of Android, such as the Touchwiz version of the S4 or the Note II (or maybe the future Note III).
(Edit: the answer to question #3 would depend on the answer to question #2; if the answer to #2 is ‘no, the underlying OS does not need to be kept up-to-date to protect you from web browser exploits’, then I guess the answer to #3 would be that I can consider buying a device that runs a manufacturer-customized version of Android that won’t receive OS updates as quickly as a Nexus does. If, on the other hand, the answer to #2 is ‘yes, to protect yourself from web browser exploits you need to keep both your browser AND your OS up-to-date’, then I guess for maximum web security I’d need to buy either a Nexus or a Google Play Edition device.)
4. I’ve read that in-app advertising can be a security risk. I’m really hoping that someone here will explain this to me. (Edit: again, I'm interested in the technical details, but keep in mind that I'm new when it comes to smartphones.)
I’d like to add a few comments:
1. I will only get my apps from the official app store--Google Play--or maybe Amazon.com’s Appstore for Android.
2. I'm concerned about web security and in-app advertising.
3. I don't plan on rooting my phone. I'm not saying I won't, I'm just saying that I don't plan on it.
1. Only nexus devices are updated directly by google. Even htc one Google edition will be updated by htc, so as the browser since it's a part of the software.
2. Manufacture updates are slower than Google. Most of the good apps available should receive updates and solve security issues.
3. If you want to disable advertising then use adaway, notice that you will need root.
1. The stock browser I believe does get updated when the OS is updated. I've read about people getting OS updates to find the stock browser is then faultering and assume this then gets updated. The update of the OS is usually done by the device manufacturer unless you are using a custom rom. Whomever creates the rom used on the device, is responsible for the internal updates for it, to whatever level they wish to support it. I have read that google don't mainstream care about the stock browser as they are pushing Chrome for the win and a separate team deals with the stock browser.
2. The world and his hedgehog are not safe from hack exploits. The quality of protection out there in any sense is mirrored by the quality of hacker. If you have a crap security level, any old hacker can exploit it. If you have the worlds most renowned secure, then the best hackers will break in at some stage while the wannabe hackers struggle to threaten their way out of a paper bag. However with some people, they need gold bullion and jail style security while others wonder why they need it. People can recommend you do this or do that, and some recs are excellent while others are not quite but almost hilarious but at the end of the day, if a child can hack into high security places, our devices are not so hard to get into. That said... we can run paranoid while there may be no threat at all. If you are concerned, just be careful of what you do with your device. Myself, I use it for every day communication and have not yet used a credit card on it with no real need to.
3. Even the greatest have not updated their OS. The Motorola Xoom promised one from purchase yet people were moaning long after the stock sold out that it never came. Granted it surely must be true that certain companies are quicker to advocate update releases than others. But the higher paying vs the cheap low end thing isn't something to run with either. I have a very cheap quad core tablet and that has just had a firmware update from last week and as far as I can see, it's an almost brand new device, market wise so it seems the update from them was fluid. Again, that said, the updates seem to be more about the OS running well, with the hardware and app capabilities than security although I dare say there are some inevitable security fixes in there too. My quad tablet was sluggish to some extent and a bit crashy but so far, it is fine after the update although I have only done it a few hours ago... everything me and the kids have tried, has either worked better of been flawless. No sign of lag yet anyway.
4. In-app advertising can be dangerous for a few reasons i guess. but the reality again, is I think any file can have dangerous code attached and configured in a way that the OS or security cannot smell it. Of course there is the ability of spam links to scam sites. There is also false flag things that are or maybe are possible too. For example, using x file with y file and requesting a cup of tea from z file can make a security team think your couch is about to disappear and your granny is about land bump on the floor, when indeed an app just wanted to execute a command using an ancient method of pressing Q. This is something I learned in windows based operating systems where using certain dll files with certain other files can trigger an alarm, as innocent as the intentions were. I built a website not so long ago and called some iFrames in that had no < head > or < body > tags. the pages worked perfectly but some chinese company employed to protect a british isp flagged the site as a security risk and blocked any visitors from viewing it. Thankfully, long gone are the days that visiting a website would fry your motherboard.
On your remaining comments.. seems like wise advice as of course there are scammers out there who will give your granny that bumpy ride off the disappearing couch onto the floor or steal your account and all those types of greed based madness which is a shame because it ruins the experience of say if a friend is trying to build an app and they ask you to give it a go, you are somewhat rightfully not willing to play ball.
FYI I have been around computers for a long time but am by no stretch of the imagination an android expert at all. I hope what I have wrote above is helpful and not by any means, wrong. I have not long posed the question about rooting and security as I do not qualify understanding the realm at all. I dare say it is a huge question, to some extent.
Also, security risk aside as no smartphone tablet or computer escapes that realm, Android for me is the best device, then IPhone, then Windows Phones, then Crapberry. I would never purchase the latter three.
Hi codQuore,
Thank you for your responses to my questions. I need to clarify two of my questions in my original post. (I have edited my original post to include these clarifications.) In question #2, I was attempting to ask whether the OS needs to be kept up to date to protect against web-based exploits, or is that accomplished solely by keeping the web browser up-to-date (whatever web browser it is). In question #3 I asked whether I should only look at Nexus and Google Play Edition devices for the sake of web security, and the answer to that would depend on the answer to question #2; if the answer to #2 is ‘no, the underlying OS does not need to be kept up-to-date to protect you from web browser exploits’, then I guess the answer to #3 would be that I can consider buying a device that runs a manufacturer-customized version of Android that won’t receive OS updates as quickly as a Nexus does. If, on the other hand, the answer to #2 is ‘yes, to protect yourself from web browser exploits you need to keep both your browser AND your OS up-to-date’, then I guess for maximum web security I’d need to buy either a Nexus or a Google Play Edition device.
What are your answers to those two questions?
Truth_Seeker1 said:
What are your answers to those two questions?
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At a guess I would say, for browsers that are built in to the OS, there will be two ways this can update, via the OS update and independently. The OS update would be a total OS replacement that is not automated and you would need to use a built in checking feature (if available) or manually check yourself periodically. Browsers that you add yourself will be offered updates from notification unless the ability to auto update is allowed then it should happen seamlessly of course letting you know. Google "android chrome update" to see something along the lines of what the update history shows.
Yes, you would want to update but I would recommend having a read first as on any computer device, an update can be flawed or give more problems than it's worth. Although more often than not, an update should be an improvement on performance and stability and of course for security.
If you are working blind, then do an update and assume security improvements are happening and go for it. If not, then you will know what is happening. I have never gone to the lengths of checking an update list before updating for android, but with pcs I do depending on what is updating, check what the update is worth and how people are getting on with the update. I did beta testing for years (hence the knowledge of flawed updates and reluctance to do the updates) so for me it's one of those do you risk it scenarios.
Sadly as I said above, we are never safe from hacks but with some hindsight and genuine attempt to protect, we are safe from the majority. For me it's 90% "what are you worried about?" and 10% "I don't blame you for being paranoid!"
As for the preference of buying google branded devices, the foundation of an android release is surely never set for these devices "out of the box" so to speak. I would assume that the team who look after these devices have the same process of having to streamline the OS thereafter before they can release it for their device update. This is somewhat proven by people wanting to put a custom rom on their Nexus and such. For some reason, people aren't happy with the normal rom and want or need to replace it. naturally, it is easy to think a nexus device for example, is closer to home and should by rights get updated a bit quicker than my Ampe tablet but in some respects I think this could be a bit of swings and roundabouts, again depending on the company and their apportioned team force to output the update. Yes you should be better off with a more directly linked device, to google but in my opinion, the concern is not a great one. You would be better off thinking about your budget, what you can save and ultimately do with the extra cash alongside the knowledge of which devices and companies actually do spend an effort on looking after them.
I'm in no position to afford these devices and if I were, I would rather throw my money in the bin (or spend it on my loved ones) than give it to the highest bidder.
So in the end, yes updates are 99/100 important and should be done. Be careful of what you browse and do all secure data passing before you go out on the internet highway and risk getting robbed. It is probably safer to "remember my password" to avoid future keysniffers than worry about indepth data mining. Of course, anyone can give you a sniffer but data mining is more clinical, I would say.
Finally, i wouldn't worry about these things too much but as concerned as you are, do some research. But do remember that in one hand, the UK government said "the internet isn't safe so we don't use it" yet on the other, the majority of secure usage is 'watched' by paid professionals for banking and such and is alot safer than you may think aswell as protection for credit card fraud and such.
Thanks again codQuore. I understand your point that there is no such thing as 100% bullet-proof security, but I still need to know whether both the OS and the browser need to be kept up-to-date to protect against web-based exploits, or is that accomplished solely by keeping the web browser up-to-date (whatever web browser it is).
You are most welcome, TS. I would say generally yes, to both, to be on the safe side. I'd like to guarantee the OS update will update the browser if it has been updated in the update and that the browser can be updated on it's own. However, I think I am right in saying you have to check for OS updates yourself and the same for certain apps whilst some apps will auto offer the update. You may be able to force this auto update for all apps, but how this is done per different version of android, escapes me. I do remember seeing the option come up after a factory reset or buying a new device and running the first time setup of playstore and such. There's an option for it somewhere. but I don't think the OS itself offers an auto update, it has to be checked for, in my experience. I have just done my tablet and it required installing some software on my pc from the tablet manufacturer and getting that to update the firmware/os. It was a 525MB download and everything was in chinese lol. I managed it with the help of google translate but it also helped that I had previously done the same thing on a t-mobile vivacity for my daughter after her OS died and got stuck at the rotating t-mobile logo on first boot.
It is essential to update but across the board it's not majorly important to check every minute, so to speak. You'll be fine. For the record though, my quad core tablet cost £70 from singapore and I knew I was taking a bit of a gamble but was protected by returns if all went wrong and get my money back. A similar tablet is something like £120. I plan on doing the same thing for my next phone upgrade too... but I don't have a contract phone running, I am on pay as you go and all I use is internet, no calls. Incidentally, I pay £20 for 6months net from t-mobile and the only limit is 1gb per month on video. when that expires, youtube and such stops working, some video sites carry on and everything else, FB mail, tethering, ftp via pc and stuff, all still works. I have even streamed radio from my android phone, flawlessly.
codQuore said:
I'd like to guarantee the OS update will update the browser if it has been updated in the update and that the browser can be updated on it's own.
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LOL, I had to read that sentence several times in order to process it because you used the word "update" so many times :laugh:
If I remember what you said earlier, I think you said that the stock browser doesn't get updated on its own, but only as part of big OS updates? So it won't receive security patches as vulnerabilities are discovered, and won't be updated until the next version of Android arrives?
If this is true, then I'll use a different browser. But even if I use a different browser, is code from the stock browser used in other things, meaning that it is STILL a security risk if it isn't kept up-to-date?
It also occurred to me that if an OEM is slow to release OS updates for its phones, will it be just as bad at keeping its pre-installed apps up-to-date, and if so, does that pose a security risk.
Haha, looking back I can't believe I wrote that and am wondering if its a valid statement. I'll leave it for someone else to contradict lmao.
The core of the os and apps that run built are updated I guess separately and together. EG, say the browser gets an update to 1.1 the next update of the OS will most likely carry that updated version but if it doesn't it should still offer an update after you hit the playstore setup. naturally, these apps use core parts of the OS and i think some updates for apps will carry their own additional bypass of outdated os core, where applicable. That said, the bypass could be more secure in one sense and less secure in another. I'm guessing this is even possible. One thing I am yet to see, knowing how windows and linux works a little, is android have to update x- because something app wise has been installed that requires it. Alot of software on windows, requires things like framework to be added, linux is or can be the same.
The chances are you will be 99% secure in any event. The core defence for mobile phones is the phone companies themselves as that is in the realms of trillions of dollars at risk. They've been cracked before and they know it, so there is some possible reassurance for the devices, from that angle.