Database Info

[New App] AirDroid Lets Your Desktop Control Your Android Phone Over WiFi

For those who spend a lot of time looking at a computer, and can't be bothered to look at their phone very often, Sand Studio has introduced AirDroid, an app that allows users to control their Android Phone from a computer via WiFi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WfNnQxpw7Uw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfXRhSIm-m0
The great thing about AirDroid is that it works - it's easy to start up, and functions flawlessly (in my experience). The interface is also very polished - mimicking a desktop launcher complete with moveable icons, a task bar, and controls that allow you to do just about anything.
One of the most impressive features is the ability to access SMS messages, manage them, and send messages right from a web browser. Users can also manage contacts, uninstall/backup apps (AirDroid will download your apps as apk files), browse files, access the Android Market, and manage music and ringtones, in addition to the ability to look at phone information from CPU status to battery level and beyond.
Best of all, AirDroid is completely free from the Android Market. With all the powerful features it offers, this app is certainly worth checking out.
ITS FREE
DOWNLOAD
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid&feature=search_result

the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please

mehdi.moha said:
the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
befarmain
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AURZDHQ2

wish i could send and recieve whatsapp messages from it...
edit: just installed the app..sometimes the app makes the phone go crazy!! i have to logout fro the browser or turn off wifi for the phone to become normal.

This is without a doubt 'the best' app for controlling your phone from your browser. I've installed and played with many and this one tops the lot in my opinion.
It's clean, easy to use, great interface (both on the phone and PC).
Side note: This thread would probably be much better off in General Android Apps and Themes forum - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=530. The app isn't specific an LG Optimus.
---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 PM ----------
mehdi.moha said:
the market is blocked my country
can someone put mirror please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's also available on the official website: http://www.airdroid.com/apk/airdroid_1127.apk

saw this in a google search, was just about to post in the GNote forum....
Anyone else used this? Am very tempted, but concerned of legitimacy of app (never heard of devs and truly paranoid about security )
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

SpyderTracks said:
Anyone else used this? Am very tempted, but concerned of legitimacy of app (never heard of devs and truly paranoid about security )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little hesitant to try out apps like this as well but they have nothing but good feedback on the market and a good following on both Facebook and Google+, as well as having their own website, so I was happy to give it ago.

@smackdownn Yeah I am with you on the whatsapp, this app is brilliant.
@Nucleotide & SpyderTracks Seriously? Whats the issue with privacy? Scared these devs are going to email or sms your gf while you are out? Either that or learn to hide your porn somewhere that is not your phone. I have said this before on so many occasions, when you were using a nokia/winmo/other NON android phone, they sneakily NEVER asked for permissions, but you installed apps that could pretty much do anything on your phone anyway
This app is by far the best solution I have tried in this regard, it just works and damn well too

@Cornelha
Lol.... I get what you're saying, but I think it's a little naive... the information we hold on smartphones these days compared to "our old nokias" means security is vital. After years of dodgy torrents, malware and hacked accounts, I've learnt to take it a bit more seriously, albeit probably to the extreme
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

This app is fantastic. We were the first to review it:
http://www.androidstatic.com/must-have-air-droid-lets-you-control-your-phone-from-your-browser

SpyderTracks said:
Lol.... I get what you're saying, but I think it's a little naive... the information we hold on smartphones these days compared to "our old nokias" means security is vital. After years of dodgy torrents, malware and hacked accounts, I've learnt to take it a bit more seriously, albeit probably to the extreme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I don't have anything I would call "sensitive data" on my phone but I do have a lot of contact information such as names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and other information which although not really sensitive, I still don't want other people to have - especially if I don't know about it. Not only that but apps can track your location, the buttons you press on your phone, numbers dialed, text messages sent, websites you visited, and the list goes on.
With that in mind I take caution when installing any app. I check for things like the amount of reviews on the market, the quality of the reviews (good vs. bad), does the developer have a website, a Facebook page with a good following, and so on.

one of the best app i ever know
good job mate

slow files transfers but great app !

have been using it for about 2 days and I have to say it is great...downloading files takes a very long to though
-love the SMS from desktop feature and comes very handy for different ROM users when putting files on devices

Love this app
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA

i love this app!!!! i wish it would have a feature like an android simulator as well so we can open certain apps like whatsapp via mac/pc...

I have been using Lazy Droid but after using this for couple of days, I have uninstalled Lazy Droid. Nice app. thanks

I love AirDroid!!! It helps me to transfer photos and files from my phone to my PC wirelessly. I don't need to carry my cable anywhere with me. It's a great app. Nice job!

what do you have to install on the PC? if you want to link a PC to smartphone, for example

FASAR said:
what do you have to install on the PC? if you want to link a PC to smartphone, for example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to install on the PC. You just need to open the browser and visit web.airdroid.com to log in. Then you can manage you phone on the web. Easy, right?

Using it at School, Want to Have Some Privacy

So my school just recently said we can use tablets and laptops in class and around the school. They are willing to allow us to connect to the school's WiFi, but we have to give the dean the MAC address for our device.
I'd like to be able to keep some privacy, even though they say we have to waive our right to privacy if we decide to use electronics. I guess I'm looking for a few apps that can help me achieve this. Maybe a browser with an incognito feature like Chrome, or something that can cover what I'm doing online.
I also wanna know if there would be any way for me to access thinks like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google Music, etc. through their respective app if the website is blocked.
If push comes to shove, I guess I could just tether with my GNex, but that would require an extended battery, which I would like to not have to buy.

Have you tried using the incognito tab option on the stock honeycomb browser?

Unless you are using some sort of vpn connection or encryption you have no privacy. I'd suggest remoting into your home desktop using splashtop or teamviewer and doing all your browsing on your desktop if you are worried about privacy that much.
They can see everything you do since it's a shared connection and they have access to the gateway and internet logs.

They are probably running a transparent proxy with logging (I would be if I were the sysadmin), so the incognito tab won't help.

But
Konfuddle said:
Have you tried using the incognito tab option on the stock honeycomb browser?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not do anything with the connection. It just dont cache anything in your browser. So that noone borrowing your computer can see that you have been watching porn.
But to OP: Get a vpn connection. Only way to get privacy on a wifi system.

SwiftLegend said:
So my school just recently said we can use tablets and laptops in class and around the school. They are willing to allow us to connect to the school's WiFi, but we have to give the dean the MAC address for our device.
I'd like to be able to keep some privacy, even though they say we have to waive our right to privacy if we decide to use electronics. I guess I'm looking for a few apps that can help me achieve this. Maybe a browser with an incognito feature like Chrome, or something that can cover what I'm doing online.
I also wanna know if there would be any way for me to access thinks like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google Music, etc. through their respective app if the website is blocked.
If push comes to shove, I guess I could just tether with my GNex, but that would require an extended battery, which I would like to not have to buy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whoa whoa whoa man... "incognito" has nothing to do with what you transmit online. it only prevents them from seeing what you have already done if they took your device
what you need is a secure VPN like goldenfrog.com, or use a secure proxy server. anything that puts a layer of encryption between you and the server will block out any man in the middle
noobs these days... incognito has NOTHIGN TO DO WITH WHAT YOU TRANSMIT DAMMIT
if you want, use opera and turn on the "turbo" feature. that will create a link to the opera servers and deliver compressed content. meanwhile, it will make it impossible for the school to decrypt anything it intercepts.

chatch15117 said:
if you want, use opera and turn on the "turbo" feature. that will create a link to the opera servers and deliver compressed content. meanwhile, it will make it impossible for the school to decrypt anything it intercepts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, opera turbo is a plaintext connection so still can be viewed, the only option is https for everything or vpn/ssh tunnels

Ok thanks for all the replies. I guess the easiest thing would be to tether with my phone. (Hopefully Verizon doesn't freak )
I guess I can try setting up a VPN (no idea how). I think my friend tried to, since he owns a bunch of servers, but the school blocks almost every port.
Could using a vpn connection be considered
using Proxies, Caching Servers or any others means to circumvent restrictions placed on
the school’s IT network and internet access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

DroidSheep anyone hahaha
unless websites like Facebook and such are blocked haha

Is there a way to spoof the MAC?
Scribed in blood using XDA Premium

Dan_Brutal said:
Is there a way to spoof the MAC?
Scribed in blood using XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1385577

Dan_Brutal said:
Is there a way to spoof the MAC?
Scribed in blood using XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but I would bet the reason why they want the MAC address is for WIFI access. You could spoof someone else's MAC but school's aren't known for having hard facts before disciplining students. If they think it is you, you will get in trouble.
I would recommend using TOR if you want to protect your privacy. Download Orbot from the market.
Cheers!
-M
Xda member since 2007

Considering the schools budgets these days, you probably have nothing to fear as far as privacy goes.
Sure they are logging your wifi usage, but no one is monitoring it! All the logging allows them to do, is to look at where you went and when AFTER they have a reason to start looking.
Unless they hired someone specifically to start monitoring students, no one is ever going to look at your logs.
Sure they could put in alerts to let them know when any user goes to site xyz, but odds are they simply have blocked it.
One of the main reasons they are logging things is if say perhaps a teachers online grades were 'hacked', and the IP was traced back to their own servers, they'd have a way to identify which user was using that connection.
Many ISPs already log your internet access as well, but it's at such a low level that no one looks at it (though there are privacy laws to prevent them from looking directly in those cases).
Bottom line.. is if you're not doing anything illegal (torrenting, sending nude pics of yourself, harassing other students via text/email) then you have nothing to worry about, and odds are you won't even be noticed.

DroidGnome said:
Bottom line.. is if you're not doing anything illegal (torrenting, sending nude pics of yourself, harassing other students via text/email) then you have nothing to worry about, and odds are you won't even be noticed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I partially agree. If you use the schools network for normal stuff you shouldn't have anything to hide.
But Co-students are a great security risk. Both willingly and unwillingly. In these days with loads of malware floating around jumping from computer to computer via security flaws in networked devices. Students may also try to hack your device just for fun.
If you have sensitive data you really should encrypt your traffic in one way or another when connected to a network with unmanaged and unknown devices.

DroidGnome said:
Considering the schools budgets these days, you probably have nothing to fear as far as privacy goes.
Sure they are logging your wifi usage, but no one is monitoring it! All the logging allows them to do, is to look at where you went and when AFTER they have a reason to start looking.
Unless they hired someone specifically to start monitoring students, no one is ever going to look at your logs.
Sure they could put in alerts to let them know when any user goes to site xyz, but odds are they simply have blocked it.
One of the main reasons they are logging things is if say perhaps a teachers online grades were 'hacked', and the IP was traced back to their own servers, they'd have a way to identify which user was using that connection.
Many ISPs already log your internet access as well, but it's at such a low level that no one looks at it (though there are privacy laws to prevent them from looking directly in those cases).
Bottom line.. is if you're not doing anything illegal (torrenting, sending nude pics of yourself, harassing other students via text/email) then you have nothing to worry about, and odds are you won't even be noticed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bored teachers/faculty get up to practically anything and snooping on students is apparently a great sport. Everywhere that has a computer lab has someone doing IT and just think about that for a minute...someone doing IT at a high school, the personality of that person. You don't have to be doing anything illegal to get into trouble with your school. A casual google will reveal all the lawsuits students have brought against schools for violating their privacy. Do yourself a favour and use Orbot.
Cheers!
-M
Xda member since 2007

dragon_76 said:
Bored teachers/faculty get up to practically anything and snooping on students is apparently a great sport. Everywhere that has a computer lab has someone doing IT and just think about that for a minute...someone doing IT at a high school, the personality of that person. You don't have to be doing anything illegal to get into trouble with your school. A casual google will reveal all the lawsuits students have brought against schools for violating their privacy. Do yourself a favour and use Orbot.
Cheers!
-M
Xda member since 2007
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is great fun, but also remember that code of conduct that you and your parents sign at the start of the year states that we do have the right to make sure you are using the internet provided by the school for school purposes only

Can't you use 3G connection from your phone instead of the school WiFi?

As far as getting on facebook if it's blocked....
If you type httpS://facebook.com it will usually let you in. They have blocked several websites at my office, but I can still get into them using this trick. Sometimes, you will have to add the "S" after navigating through the websites, but still will let you get in. So, just use your web browser (not the facebook app), and type s. I believe most people don't block secure websites.
SwiftLegend said:
So my school just recently said we can use tablets and laptops in class and around the school. They are willing to allow us to connect to the school's WiFi, but we have to give the dean the MAC address for our device.
I'd like to be able to keep some privacy, even though they say we have to waive our right to privacy if we decide to use electronics. I guess I'm looking for a few apps that can help me achieve this. Maybe a browser with an incognito feature like Chrome, or something that can cover what I'm doing online.
I also wanna know if there would be any way for me to access thinks like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google Music, etc. through their respective app if the website is blocked.
If push comes to shove, I guess I could just tether with my GNex, but that would require an extended battery, which I would like to not have to buy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

lilstevie said:
it is great fun, but also remember that code of conduct that you and your parents sign at the start of the year states that we do have the right to make sure you are using the internet provided by the school for school purposes only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The internet provided to the schools by tax payers and/or tuition you mean. You have a wretched problem that is rampant in American schools: you think you own the school's resources. They are owned by the community.
Cheers!
-M
Xda member since 2007

So the administration announced today the final policy and they won't be allowing WiFi access until next September because they want to expand the network. I'll probably just be tethering for the mean time.
Oh yeah, there's only 2 IT guys in my school (lol). One stays in a glass room in the back of the computer lab, and the other comes to classrooms to install projectors and crap.

Paid TomTom Software, pay once, and install on all?

So I am thinking that instead of updating MapDroyd, NavFreeUS, and Sygic offline maps all the time, I should just buy TomTom for Android or something.
If it is indeed compatible on all devices I wish to use it on, is there an additional fee per device, or registration to activate on each device?
Or does it work just like most stuff in the market, and once I pay, I can install and update all devices that are compatible that have my Android market account on them?
Can someone with some experience with this or other paid offline nav software chime in...

I'm sure that it is linked to your google ID account, so as long as you still use the same account it should be ok. I would confirm it first though

You should ask the TomTom dev about this.
"To err is human, to forgive is divine"
Sent from my SGS II

the86d said:
So I am thinking that instead of updating MapDroyd, NavFreeUS, and Sygic offline maps all the time, I should just buy TomTom for Android or something.
If it is indeed compatible on all devices I wish to use it on, is there an additional fee per device, or registration to activate on each device?
Or does it work just like most stuff in the market, and once I pay, I can install and update all devices that are compatible that have my Android market account on them?
Can someone with some experience with this or other paid offline nav software chime in...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personal opinion, avoid Sygic.
It's counter-intuitive at its very core. Inserting an address is hard, like:
- input city
- input street, and it keeps suggesting you streets that are not from the city you chose
- same idiotic suggestions when you try to choose a place
And then it's not buy and install on all. It's got a key that's not tied to your Google account, you need to contact them to port it from one device to the other.

Across all device, but if it is incompatible u cant install on the device. Shouldnt thought cause it is just gps software
Sent from my GT-P6800 using xda app-developers app

The 11th plague said:
Personal opinion, avoid Sygic.
It's counter-intuitive at its very core. Inserting an address is hard, like:
- input city
- input street, and it keeps suggesting you streets that are not from the city you chose
- same idiotic suggestions when you try to choose a place
And then it's not buy and install on all. It's got a key that's not tied to your Google account, you need to contact them to port it from one device to the other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am thinking that I do not want/need the traffic and real time info (special activation through tomtom?), but I want a nav/map system that would work if the grid goes down (cell towers will only stay up so long after that) as I live in an earthquake alley, just to have something if a big one were to hit. Proactive, not reactive...

Why not just use Google maps
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

bbrad said:
Why not just use Google maps
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the event of Zombies, silly. The grid could go down for any number of reasons, and so even cell towers would go down if they are powered by generator that could run out of gas/diesel...
No, I live in earthquake alley, and try to think ahead, as it could take some time to bring grid power back up if there was a large earthquake (thing San-Fran in our recent history). Mainly a backup, just in case, but I will continue to use Google Maps until Zombies... or earthquakes, whichever comes first.
People that had food and water stored water-tight were probably better off during, and after Katrina... I have kids.

the86d said:
I am thinking that I do not want/need the traffic and real time info (special activation through tomtom?), but I want a nav/map system that would work if the grid goes down (cell towers will only stay up so long after that) as I live in an earthquake alley, just to have something if a big one were to hit. Proactive, not reactive...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then find another offline satnav. This one just isn't practical

[Q] How do you browse securely and deter hackers?

I am going to be honest, I have never taken computer security seriously and I feel like it is going to bit me in the bum really soon if I don't change my habits. This all started with a few emails I received about forgetting my password on multiple accounts. The first time, I just assumed someone typed in the wrong account. I received a second one a few days later and it started to make me wonder if someone had my email. Then a few days ago I signed into Paypal only to realize that they locked down my account and refused to open it again until I provide some more information. I thought this was strange because I had been using my PayPal account for a few years now to purchase things on eBay. After I submitted my information, they wanted an explanation as to why someone who lived in Iran tried to access my account. I don't know anyone who lives in Iran and so now I am a little freaked out. I want to know what I can use to prevent hackers from getting access to my accounts.
Is it a good idea to pay for a vpn service for daily online activities?
Should I setup a password keychain for my accounts and use long randomly generated passwords?
Should I switch to Ubuntu? (current running Windows 8)
My computer skills are pretty solid so feel free to suggest things that maybe a more advanced user might do.

It is possible but can be done without paying. Tor is very popular and a really good service but it can only provide anonymity, not security. That for install HTTPS everywhere and customize every service you use to provide SSL.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app

PayPal are pretty smart, your account should be safe, your account was flagged because of an attempt of a login x amount of miles from your usual common log in region, like you said Iran, so of course, PayPal will do whatever they can to protect your account, even if it bugs you.
You can protect yourself by making sure you have virus protection, free or paid, making sure its up to date, and scan once in a while.
I use Windows 7, so I use Microsoft Security Essentials for real time protection, I also use Malwarebytes but disable it for real time protection as more than one real time scanner would cause performance issues for anyone. keeping both up to date and scanning regularly should keep you virus/adware/malware/spyware free.
As a precaucion, I also use adblock plus for firefox to prevent ads, not just because its annoying, but also because ads sometimes are bad for you and you end up with fake antospyware 20xx and so on.
As for passwords, just try your best to make sure your entering them at the actual website you think your on, check the security certificate on the address bar on the left of the url.

Mystery SMS to China?

So I get my phone bill, and note that there are 4 sms messages to Chinese phone number 8615012811576 all on one day.
I don't remember intentionally texting a phone number in China, so am wondering if an app would do this for some sort of sign-in or somesuch, a trojan, or what.
Searching the internet tells me nothing about this number so I guess it's not happening to others.
A week before there was an sms to a UK number, but it was easy to learn online that MIUI Cloud account does that when one installs MIUI, which I did then, for a few minutes of trial run.
The Chinese numbers were texted while I used a recent LOS N derivative, so unlikely it was the ROM--I'm more wondering if one of my apps would have done it, and perplexed that the number isn't already spoken of on the web.
Oh..., I remember reading that QuickPic started sending data after they were bought by Cheetah Mobile. I wonder if that has something to do with it. Maybe I uninstalled it/installed Piktures/uninstalled Piktures/reinstalled QuickPic right about then. That would have been because QuickPic can Wifi Direct with itself on other devices, and I don't know any other gallery that will do that, among some other nice features.
So now installed the "Pre" Cheetah version. Dunno if that was the case, but will keep eyes open.

pbergonzi said:
So I get my phone bill, and note that there are 4 sms messages to Chinese phone number 8615012811576 all on one day.
I don't remember intentionally texting a phone number in China, so am wondering if an app would do this for some sort of sign-in or somesuch, a trojan, or what.
Searching the internet tells me nothing about this number so I guess it's not happening to others.
A week before there was an sms to a UK number, but it was easy to learn online that MIUI Cloud account does that when one installs MIUI, which I did then, for a few minutes of trial run.
The Chinese numbers were texted while I used a recent LOS N derivative, so unlikely it was the ROM--I'm more wondering if one of my apps would have done it, and perplexed that the number isn't already spoken of on the web.
Oh..., I remember reading that QuickPic started sending data after they were bought by Cheetah Mobile. I wonder if that has something to do with it. Maybe I uninstalled it/installed Piktures/uninstalled Piktures/reinstalled QuickPic right about then. That would have been because QuickPic can Wifi Direct with itself on other devices, and I don't know any other gallery that will do that, among some other nice features.
So now installed the "Pre" Cheetah version. Dunno if that was the case, but will keep eyes open.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By phone bill you meant Carrier bill,right?

Mr.Ak said:
By phone bill you meant Carrier bill,right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I meant "phone bill." That's what a bill from a carrier is typically called in the states. It's a carry-over from days of yore, when these things were called "phones", and the people that provided the services through the long wires were called "phone companies." It was much like having one's own private telegraph system in one's home, but a telegraph that worked with a voice instead of a manually operated electromagnetic switch.

pbergonzi said:
No, I meant "phone bill." That's what a bill from a carrier is typically called in the states. It's a carry-over from days of yore, when these things were called "phones", and the people that provided the services through the long wires were called "phone companies." It was much like having one's own private telegraph system in one's home, but a telegraph that worked with a voice instead of a manually operated electromagnetic switch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is better to have prepaid than postpaid.

Scan with a reputable anti-malware product (I suggest trend micro premium or Sophos free). Enable Google Play Protect on your phone as well.

iprasad said:
Scan with a reputable anti-malware product (I suggest trend micro premium or Sophos free). Enable Google Play Protect on your phone as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Way to go with those antiviruses. They must be one of the worsts available.
But the idea was right.
I would suggest F-secure or Malwarebytes for Android.

pahapoika91 said:
Way to go with those antiviruses. They must be one of the worsts available.
But the idea was right.
I would suggest F-secure or Malwarebytes for Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just had to laugh at the immaturity and lack of knowledge.
F-Secure had one of the LOWEST scores in the recent android test performed by av-test (one of the leading test institutes).
I recommended trend micro because getting an original premium license is one of the cheapest (in UK atleast) while Sophos is a great choice if one is going for free. Cheetah was tested but had a lower score while Malwarebytes was not tested.
I DONT want to start the "mine is better than yours" type of thread so see for yourself:
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/mobile-devices/

I don't think that on Android any antivirus solutions are necessary. Check your user apps. Which one has the permission to send SMS? A gallery app doesn't need the permission to send SMS to do her job. Most users install apps and don't care about permissions.
Also try to use open source apps (preferable from F-Droid). They are more secure.
The greatest security breach is mostly the user.