Related
Have they made an official stament about not letting people install apps from the sd card? Are they so cynical to claim that they're doing this for our benefit and preventing apps from damaging our phones?
They did in their FAQ section of thier site.
Sent via psychic transmittion.
that is so you don't install a tethering app...Ma Bell needs her extra $20 a month.
It's ATT, they are the biggest bunch of fail for a variety of reasons, so removing side loading apps goes along with that.
It is like their disapproval of flashing and rooting. But you can kind of see their point, there does seem to be a over abundance of complete morons in the world. Just look how many people brick their brand new phones every week by diving into unlocking and flashing custom roms without studying or reading or understanding at all.
These people then all blame AT$T and try to get new phones under warranty. Believe me, I hate AT$T more than anyone they are down there at the bottom of the food chain with lawyers and insurance companies, but I can kind of see their point. Besides,isn't it more of a google thing than an AT$T thing ?
That's not even getting into the illegal sharing of pay for apps.
denco7 said:
It is like their disapproval of flashing and rooting. But you can kind of see their point, there does seem to be a over abundance of complete morons in the world. Just look how many people brick their brand new phones every week by diving into unlocking and flashing custom roms without studying or reading or understanding at all.
These people then all blame AT$T and try to get new phones under warranty. Believe me, I hate AT$T more than anyone they are down there at the bottom of the food chain with lawyers and insurance companies, but I can kind of see their point. Besides,isn't it more of a google thing than an AT$T thing ?
That's not even getting into the illegal sharing of pay for apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a google thing? at&t is the only company that blocks sideloading apps , locked bootloaders is another thing
Their official position on this is that they want to preserve the integrity of the user experience. In other words, they don't want to deal with customers having problems from apps that are not approved for the Market.
Do I buy this line? I think there is a slight validity to the claim, but it is ridiculous. What non techie user is going to do that anyway? Maybe 1% of customers?
It is most likely that they want you to use their premium apps from their filtered version of the Market. Google is also to blame here, they should not allow carriers to customize the available apps in the Market to begin with.
naplesbill said:
Google is also to blame here, they should not allow carriers to customize the available apps in the Market to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+ 1000 Google should do something about it, android should open for users not carriers and theirs stupid bloatware and restrictions
Unfortunately " open source" means open to everyone to use and modify, including AT$T. It is up to the consumer to make the choice on who is doing it right.
And AT$T isn't the only one that blocks " non market " apps for " security reasons, "
Well, it is some thing that can be solved.... I know people say you shouldn't have to root your phone to get the most out if it, and I some what agree. But every problem that has been stated with the Inspire, and with AT&T can be solved. Custom ROMS, rooting, the side load wonder machine. Just do your home work and every thing will work.
If the recent set of malware riddled packages isn't enough reason to think AT&T may be right about this then maybe the fact that for at least the majority of basic users it really doesn't matter to them one way or the other. As long as they can get Angry Birds or some other game on their phone and can read their emails and play on the web they don't care. For those who really want more, they know how to get there.
And just because you and I may not call AT&T if we install a virus doesn't mean the 90% of the rest of the users wouldn't and blame AT&T for letting their phone get infected. AT&T has to decide which side of the problem they want to fall, and taking the safe route and saying only approved market applications allowed makes a lot of sense.
I find that this sort of lock down sort of floats back and forth between AT&T and Verizon. For a while Verizon only allowed Verizon packages on feature phones. You couldn't even do certain bluetooth things that were built into the phone because Verizon had locked them down. Now Verizon seems much more open but AT&T is putting restrictions.
AT&T is my third cell phone company and has been the best overall I have been with. Sure they have their moments and issues but at least my phone works at my house and on all the streets around my house unlike Verizon.
And yes I have rooted my phone because I wanted to install non-market applications. By the way I hear AT&T is planning to lighten the burden here at some point in some way. Not sure how but they are telling corporations that have their own Android applications that they plan to have some means to allow this in 2011. I can only hope it isn't just a certification of in house markets but we shall see.
This is VERY important information, please read all of it.
LOL I can see I made a mistake by posting this. There's just a bunch of arguing going on and most of you have seemed to disprove s lot of this. I was just relaying the information, maybe I'm too gullible to be here Either way, the information is relevant, but not confirmed by me or anyone, really besides P3droid. I see no reason why he would claim to have this information but just be making stuff up, but who knows. *shrug*
I'm assuming that most of you have seen it by now, but either way, I just felt there was a need to try to get the word out to everyone who might use a custom ROM. Some very disturbing information was brought to light recently by a respected member of the Verizon Droid and Droid X hacking community, known as P3droid. He is a member of Team Black Hat, similar to any development team here. He has made a lot of very important connections as a developer, some within the respective carriers. The information I'm going to share with you mostly pertains to Verizon, but P3droid *specifically* mentions that the implementation is cross-carrier.
My understanding of what's up:
The carriers have been working on an application that runs behind the scenes. The idea behind it is to track what happens on the phone and report back. It can detect unauthorized tethering, root, and custom ROMs. It works by periodically scanning your system partition for modifications, checking to see if your phone's MEID refuses OTA updates, and other unknown methods.
Can't we just remove it?
Sure, but your phone will be flagged by AT&T because the application isn't reporting back. They literally take your phone off of the network and force you to pay the ETF (early termination fee). [brought in to question by the people here, sounds implausible]
What can we do?
Stop tethering for now, I would officially consider it unsafe if you don't want to pay the ETF (maybe) or possibly have your phone flagged by AT&T.
If you want to be on the safe side, revert stock. However, as stated later, this will be very difficult to implement on a GSM network. As of right now, we should be OK, but as I said, better safe than sorry.
If any of your friends have unmodified Captivates, preferably with 2.2 (reverting stock doesn't count), get me a system dump, so I can see if the application in question is there. Directions: Make sure you have the android SDK installed on your computer, you can find it at developer.android.com. Once you have it set up and working, type (for Mac and Linux)
Code:
$ mkdir -p ~/Desktop/app
$ adb pull /system/app ~/Desktop/app
and for Windows,
Code:
cd Desktop
mkdir app
adb pull /system/app "C:\Documents and Settings\[yourusername]\Desktop\app"
Just remember, the Android root community is much bigger than we think. We have some real power. We just need to pull ourselves together and exert it.
What this means for us:
No more root
No more tethering
No more warranty-AT&T will flag your device as bad
Possibly no more connectivity
No more... anything
It is unknown which phones currently have the application preloaded, however it is known that several phones on Verizon have it installed.
Kaik541, a trusted acquaintance of mine pointed out that this would be difficult, if not impossible to implement on a GSM network. It is a very valid point, however I still think that the best plan of action is to proceed with caution.
A quick dialog between P3droid and me:
Have you heard anything about AT&T and unauthorized tethering?
Nothing too specific, just general chatter.
Looks like it's time to stop tethering either way. I'll let all the AT&T guys know, if they don't already
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And finally, hit up the source link for more infos.
http://androidheadlines.com/2011/04/will-rooting-your-android-phone-come-to-an-end.html
and
http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...otloaders-rooting-manufacturers-carriers.html
For up to date info, follow P3droid on twitter: http://twitter.com/P3droid and me (but mostly P3droid) http://twitter.com/ytt3r.
Reserved as a natural reflex
There were similar stories like this when iOS 3 or 4 was getting ready to come out. Turned out to be a hoax but it did throw up some red flags for me.
Someone needs to take a fine-toothed comb to the user agreements because I really doubt they can legally checkup on your device when they want to, especially without mentioning this software has been added to the device.
I highly doubt this is a hoax. We seriously need to cover ourselves. This is scary stuff.
Glorious Canada!
But in all seriousness, I believe that this can be dealt with. As for tethering, they have every right to kick you off the network if you aren't paying for a tethering plan (yes, tethering plans are a complete money grab, but you are still violating the TOS). For the OTA, we could spoof it, answering the call, downloading the update, then deleting it and reporting updated with out ever updating.
TheEscapist said:
Glorious Canada!
But in all seriousness, I believe that this can be dealt with. As for tethering, they have every right to kick you off the network if you aren't paying for a tethering plan (yes, tethering plans are a complete money grab, but you are still violating the TOS). For the OTA, we could spoof it, answering the call, downloading the update, then deleting it and reporting updated with out ever updating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Luckily our Rogers Captivates don't do OTA updates! Not yet, anyways.
And Fully agree on the tethering.
We have some very talented people in this community. I, personally, don't know anything about android development. But I do have enough knowledge about development to know that anything can be reversed, tricked, or even stopped. We have the skills, man-power, and will. We'll be okay in the long-run.
I'm not worried.
We need to comb over the TOS and see if they can legally do this.
How would they hide this program?
they can't. I don't think its implemented yet on any gsm phones, but we know for a fact that the leaked gingerbread for droid x has it.
designfears said:
There were similar stories like this when iOS 3 or 4 was getting ready to come out. Turned out to be a hoax but it did throw up some red flags for me.
Someone needs to take a fine-toothed comb to the user agreements because I really doubt they can legally checkup on your device when they want to, especially without mentioning this software has been added to the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Canada they have to inform you of changes, from that point you have 30 days to cancel your contract without any penalty, as it is a change of agreement. Not sure if this relates to you US guys and girls,
Also, if they do this, what is to stop you from buying a pay as you go sim card, and using it on your smart phones. The pay as you go plans here in canada have the same options as a contract plan......
So this almost makes no sense....
What a better way to lose a bunch of customers. Doesn't make sense to me either.
You'd think they realize that communities like XDA make having phones like this worthwhile.
Quickest way to kill off the Android platform would be to limit us to the crap roms the carriers put out. I never even thought of an iPhone until I heard this!
I fail to see how they could legally do this. Not to mention forcing an etf will result in people switching networks. No one would put up with that and stay with them.
If this is true, I wonder how hard it would be to hack the app and just have it send back false information.
cappysw10 said:
You'd think they realize that communities like XDA make having phones like this worthwhile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it would be things like side-loading apps or free tethering that they're primarily concerned about.
I wonder if the penalty will only go against giys who get subsidized phones. I buy my phones out right so for that to happen would be off putting.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App
seems very questionable from a legal standpoint. not sure how they can have anything hidden from a user that buys the phone from them, without actually disclosing that it's on there... without a massive lawsuit anyways.
wonder what google thinks of this?
They can't force a ETF that would be illegal if your not violating your contract i.e. tethering.
I have never tethered at all and would gladly cancel my att contract with paying the etf if this happened. IF ATT wont let me use my phone as I want as long as I am not stealing service I will take my service to a carrier that will END OF STORY.
Does this mean the Communities are a lot larger than we think? I originally thought that we were a small marketplace, and didn't have a major impact on things.
So if the Carriers and manufacturers are investing this kind of time, money and effort into stopping the modifications, We must be causing havoc.......
Still doesn't make sense............
Lucke said:
seems very questionable from a legal standpoint. not sure how they can have anything hidden from a user that buys the phone from them, without actually disclosing that it's on there... without a massive lawsuit anyways.
wonder what google thinks of this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the linked threads.......They say Google is helping them.
http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/06/6419016-google-tightens-reins-on-android-
It looks like Google is thinking of locking down also. It would protect us from Carrier modding woes, but what's gonna start happening when they decide not to release source codes....
There are still some countries that do not have paid apps available for them and google is not pushing this.For example; i am living Turkey and i had spent more than 150$ on apps for my ipod touch in months but now i have bought a galaxy s 2 and i don't have google paid apps available to buy. I have posted on android market boards, also contacted phone manufacturers and carriers about this but all of them point their fingers at google. So since google is not willing to listen willing buyers i think it is time for developpers to talk with google and tell them you want more customer base and countries like Turkey where there is a huge potential (75 million population with huge proliretaion of and android devices through carriers) are great for this puposes.
As a customer i have to tell you that i am sick of google making me have to be pirating paid apps and downloading untrusted apk's from torrent sites, if you take this cause seriously i am sure in long term you will be profiting from this.
espio123 said:
As a customer i have to tell you that i am sick of google making me have to be pirating paid apps and downloading untrusted apk's from torrent sites, if you take this cause seriously i am sure in long term you will be profiting from this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of resorting to piracy, download a perfectly legal and legit Market unlocker app (such as this) so you can view and buy paid apps.
You know what I am sick and tired of?
People using anything other than their cheapness as an excuse for pirating.
Google knows damn well that they are losing money due to restricted countries but there are tons of legal issues to be sorted out.
In the meantime, you be a dear and stop ripping them and your favorite developers off.
espio123 said:
As a customer i have to tell you that i am sick of google making me have to be pirating paid apps and downloading untrusted apk's from torrent sites, if you take this cause seriously i am sure in long term you will be profiting from this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's terrible and annoying.
I think we should protest their horrible music widget! Rank Music 1 star until we get a decent widget!
If i was after piracy i wouldn't be posting this on here and i didn't mind paying my hard earned $'s on ios and i am willing to do the same here but if nobody does anything about this i will be leaving android and looking for new platform.
Also i have looked up solutions to unlock market but they require rooting and i am not going to jeopordize my warranty on a thousand dollar phone.
I did ask my carrier to make rooting legal so that i could have full experience but unsurprisingly they don't give a crap.
Google obviously isn't giving a crap about this issue, carriers are not giving a crap, manufacturars are also not giving any crap about it.
Developpers are the ones that are being screwed over this. So obviously if they take this serious in long term it will be better for them.
I just need to vent. I'm a fairly active developer for the android platform. I've created a number of kernel patches and applications that I have released at no charge to the community for about 10 or so devices.
All this I do in my "spare time", which I have very little of because I am a full time professional student who takes on 32 credit hour semesters.
Recently, since my 1994 geo prizm is literally falling apart and I was hoping to scrounge together a little bit of money to get a new car so I don't end up stranded on my way to class, I decided to release a paid application. Fastcharge / Force AC toggle which allows you to toggle on and off the force AC feature. A feature which I have personally implemented and released source patches for on a number of devices.
Not only in every thread where I released the patch on a device did I write up how to toggle the feature through the command line, but I also stated that I also implemented a toggle into my completely free application that you can also download from the market, IncrediControl.
In good faith and knowing how annoying licensing is, I elected to not include licensing in my application. This is a huge regret.
Within a couple days of releasing the application to the market I googled it to see if anyone was talking about it. One of the first links was to a piracy site where a user was requesting the widget, to which another user obliged and posted the apk to a filesharing site. Doing something I never though I would have to do, I filed a DMCA takedown request, which was answered quickly and the app was taken down. Monitoring the thread, every single time a link gets taken down, another user requests the app and the original user reuploads it, most recently to 11 different sites.
So now, after filing dozens of takedown requests. This user has decided to unzip my apk, change out the artwork, and now is going around releasing it as his own work.
Really, all this to avoid paying $1.50 (only ~$1 of it actually going to me) to an individual whose yearly income is low enough that he doesn't have to file taxes?
This disgusts me.
This is even worse than the 50% "order cancellation rate" that the widget has. I'm not stupid, I know exactly what users are doing, but yet initially I was willing to ignore it. But this has gone too far.
What is even the point of pissing off a developer so much that he is considering saying screw the platform all together? It doesn't even make sense. We, the developers improve your devices, generally at little or no cost, and this is how we're repaid. With ~50% of current users of the application having pirated it. To avoid paying just over $1.
Now before someone even counters with the "my area doesn't support paid applications" argument I've actually gladly GIVEN the widget away to a number of users who casually mentioned in the release threads that they couldn't download it for this reason. Not to mention, everyone knows there are apps that unlock the market in these areas to be able to purchase apps.
How much more generous can a developer be than to provide source code patches for a feature, provide information on how to toggle the feature, provide a COMPLETELY FREE way to toggle the feature, and then charge a measly $1.50 for a secondary, slightly more convenient way to toggle.
Yet he's repaid like this .
Of course, this must suck for a developer like you. Unfortunately, it seems to happen more and more often, and all I can really say is:
I would gladly pay a few bucks for an application like IC or BootManager. That BootManager seemed really interesting, but we can't buy apps from the Play Store without CC (and as a 16-year old, I don't have one). I asked the developer if he accepted Paypal, but he didn't.
Don't get me wrong, and this is not an attack to you personally: developers, if you made something really nice, and people will like it, 70% of the people will gladly pay for it, just make sure you allow them to.
Chaosz-X said:
70% of the people will gladly pay for it, just make sure you allow them to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly thought this was the case. It's really not. The problem is much worse than that. If 70% of users in the root community paid for apps it would be astonishing. Its made pretty clear by the number of users who download the app, back it up and then cancel the order.
If a 16 year old kid had made me that offer, the e-mail reply I sent would have the apk attached.
Well, that is a real flaw of Android: tweakability is really impressing, but these things make it really difficult to earn some money as a developer.
We have been thinking about anti-piracy measures as well, with stuff such as authentication with a server, and locking down the code and verifying integrity of APKs and stuff to make sure it's really hard to mess with the code, but it's just sad that there's a need for these measures..
The trouble is everything has piracy right from movies to game consoles through to mobiles and music.
I mean the iPhones appstore would be a hell of a lot bigger if there was no jailbreaking and installous.
Every platform has been cracked so you'll get it regardless of what you develop for.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA
I think you know you just needed to vent but can I change your picture.
There are some people in this world who just don't buy the idea of an idea as property. That's not compatible with this business model. That's the first problem.
The next problem is that
there's a million and one apps out there and which one are we going to choose? Where does it start, where does it end? We all have our limits. What's yours?
For me, the app has to be something very unique and possible generate me cash. For example something I use every day at work. If it's something that the phone should do anyway I tend to skip it and save the $1 for the next phone that does it out of the box. Your app is a great thing, but there's many utility apps out there. It just doesn't fall into the kind of thing I'd cave my strict budgeting for. There are people here with a 1000 apps installed and you expect them to pay $1000 in this sense.
Another way would be having utility in the cloud and then the app is free. Another one of course, advertising.
The difference with both of these is we don't need to risk a credit card with the market. That's the main reason I personally haven't bought many apps and I'd imagine it's a problem for minors too.
The very community that allowed us to create the app fails to pay for it's products is like life itself.
I'd say make something for the iphone instead because there's more profit there but that would never have been possible, see what I'm saying? That's the 3rd problem.
So you've got 3 problems there all converging into one big push towards piracy. But remember, can your app assure security that the pirated version cannot for example? This is how one has to think.
In short,
you can't do something and hope to make a bit from it on the side. You got to go out from the start and get the money aspect central from the start. I mean, that's business and of course that's exactly what the android community works hard to free us from.
Still, summarising those 3 points for suggestion:
- offer something free things can't (i.e. security, brand etc) For example, I never run pirated stuff for fear of insecurity on my data whereas I'll try out software that way on an old PC
- can always put a service in the cloud aka the javascript trap
- iphone is there if you want...
- needs to "the one app" a certain person would pay for, not something everyone likes
Also just to make that point again, if one does not believe in property then inconveniently there is no moral crime here. I suggest learn to live with this and go with the flow
I hope google sells PlayStore cards (like itunes cards) that allows user to buy apps, music, movies, books without a credit card. I really want to buy some amazing apps but i dont have a credit card so i just use free apps. I think that if u cant buy an app that cant be a reason to piracy or sidedownload that app.
jago25_98 said:
For me, the app has to be something very unique and possible generate me cash. For example something I use every day at work. If it's something that the phone should do anyway I tend to skip it and save the $1 for the next phone that does it out of the box. Your app is a great thing, but there's many utility apps out there. It just doesn't fall into the kind of thing I'd cave my strict budgeting for. There are people here with a 1000 apps installed and you expect them to pay $1000 in this sense.
Another way would be having utility in the cloud and then the app is free. Another one of course, advertising.
The difference with both of these is we don't need to risk a credit card with the market. That's the main reason I personally haven't bought many apps and I'd imagine it's a problem for minors too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The feature is 100% unique and so is the widget. Not to mention, if you didn't want to pay the $1, I provided a free way to toggle the feature in the utility app. The point is, that there is nothing forcing people to pay for the widget to use the feature. But instead of using the free option provided, they not only pirate the paid app, but edit the artwork and release it for free as their own. It defies logic.
Also, ad based apps don't work with the rooted community. I learned that early on. Myfree utility app is ad supported. With over 40,000 installs you would think it would make even a dollar a day. Nope, makes nearly nothing. That's when I realized that the same niche I was marketing to are the same people who block ads. Even if someone didn't want to block ads, they can't install a single ROM that doesn't include an ad blocking hosts file out of the box.
chad0989 said:
[...] How much more generous can a developer be than to provide source code patches for a feature, provide information on how to toggle the feature, provide a COMPLETELY FREE way to toggle the feature, and then charge a measly $1.50 for a secondary, slightly more convenient way to toggle.
Yet he's repaid like this .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be sure you're looking at all sides. Yes, you're in a losing war with guys intent on pirating your app. You can't stop them, and well, you goofed on the licensing, so someone will no doubt release the clone.
First of all, don't do the Big Media thing and assume that everybody that pirates your app would have paid for it if it hadn't been available. A lot of folks collect, or just try something once. You'll only work yourself into a funk thinking about all that money you "would" have if only they hadn't been able to pirate it. They wouldn't have. At least not all of them.
More importantly, be aware that placing something out there with value does reach folks that otherwise would have no idea of you or your plight. More than once, I've purchased an app that I don't really need, but found clever and cheap enough I can buy it without thinking about the investment. I've spent more on Android software at $1-15 over the last year than I did over the last 25+ at $30-100 a pop. I've only refunded an app once, by accident.
Finally, be up front about your situation. A guy trying to make do does influence my impulse buying. So does his reputation. If you're doing a lot, be sure that's clear on your app page, and let us know clearly you're the guy that also brought us whatever.
I am curious, though: How much did you actually bring in?
Chad- thanks for telling your story, I agree that you have every right to be disappointed. Especially the buying and refunding, that to me send almost worse because you can't stop dedicated pirating, but I would have hoped the rest would have bought the app.
It's easy to forget the human side of development, so thanks for sharing your side.
Jesus christ Chad. This is f$%&*#@ ridiculous. Probably the best and most generous kernel dev I have ever come into contact with, and people are cheating you out of 1.50. Please don't abandon Android. I need kernels when I get my rezound! but in all seriousness, warez needs to stop.
Sent from my ADR6400L
Yep. Sucks. After getting serious about android , which wasn't too far in, joining with a nexus one and seeing all the free HARD work we get, I definitely try buying stuff I use. If I can't pay sometimes I will see if dev does something else I can donate to. Its an issue I've thought about and part of it really boils down to how sorry people are in general. They want free and cheap. $1 is laughable even when it can be easily had for free. You really should market yourself a bit even though you don't want to. And people should really put a complimentary $5 or so budget a month or more and try to support devs. Maybe if you have something he gave free but has an app you won't use for a buck, buy the dollar app and uninstall after the 15 minute period. Or throw him a 5 through PayPal or something. Its simple really. If these devs don't have to resort to ramen and water they keep dev'ing especially for the community supporting him or her. And if they're eating vegetables and have plenty of red bull money it gives them wings. Otoh, the devs that make us pay to reinstall an app after we bought it on another or lost our phone suck. Balls. Won't buys theirs anymore.
teach a man to fish, you feed him for life. teach a man to fastboot, and you create competency. and less threads on xda.
Maybe you should implement a system like some developers do where you download the app for free with a time limited trail, then they would go to another website to pay for the app to unlock it, and the unlock codes would be unique for every user which would minimize piracy.
Sent from my GT-N7000 Samsung Galaxy Note "Go big or go home" using XDA app
rafa6571 said:
I hope google sells PlayStore cards (like itunes cards) that allows user to buy apps, music, movies, books without a credit card. I really want to buy some amazing apps but i dont have a credit card so i just use free apps. I think that if u cant buy an app that cant be a reason to piracy or sidedownload that app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Netherlands we have prepaid Visa card.
Works well.
Maybe you google something similar in your own country.
(3V prepaid Visa cards)
That does suck but if someone wants to pirate an app even licencing doesn't stop them as there is an app that apparently patches licence checks.
It is so easy for even a non root and new user to find cracked apps, I have seen links on here and even on peoples facebook sites, it's got to the point where people can just browse a webpage and click a link to get the cracked version of an app.
Unfortunately if someone wants to crack it they can. Unless you could implement your own security check somehow, something obfuscated in the code, licencing is the only alternative as it would stop people using backed up cancelled versions at least.
Unfortunately it seems a lot of people just don't want to pay for apps.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
also have to look at both sides. some people just refuse to pay for **** whatever it is, or get it as cheaply as they can. being android apps, the free route is how they're going to go. but the other side, you hsould be grateful for all the people that do pay. they're the ones helping keeping google, open source, android and everything in between chugging along. open source is the future and you can tell every corporation i said that. and thanks for you your work even though i've never used it.
jago25_98 said:
...
Also just to make that point again, if one does not believe in property then inconveniently there is no moral crime here. I suggest learn to live with this and go with the flow
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There is plenty to disagree with in your post as it all seems like an attempt at rationalizing ways to get around the system. This last statement is a ridiculous attempt at summarizing why stealing is OK. Your morals don't define the crime, the law does. Stealing property, physical or intellectual, is not legal and not right regardless of your morals or lack of.
Chad,
I am sorry to hear of your products' abuse. I used your kernels all the time on my Incredible devices and bought IncrediControl to support development. I have purchased many applications just to support development and believe that is the way to get high quality applications.
Piracy is just so damn easy on Android. I know ppl that are doing it who I wouldn't even expect to be doing such a thing. This guy I know love android only because he can get everything free by just googling the apk.
awww thats sad i feel really bad for you!
I've used pre paid visa debit cards to buy apps. You can find them in Any money shop like Cheque cashing places for example. You can even just stick a dicky diver (£5) on them. Perfect for situations like this
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
I don't know if this is general knowledge here, but I figured I'd relate my experience here in case it's informative for others. I've been having a ton of trouble with dropped calls on Verizon at my home. It's always been a marginal signal, but the last couple of months it's been impossible to use my phone at all. So I finally called Verizon and quickly was transferred to Level 2 support. The Level 2 support immediately jumped down my throat about having a rooted phone. When I asked them how they determine that I have a rooted phone the agent proceeded to list every app installed on my phone and explained that some of them only work on rooted phones. He was adamant that the reason for dropped calls was having a rooted phone and refused to provide any support.
It was news to me that our Verizon phones phone home and keep them informed as to what apps are installed on our phones, and that now Verizon is refusing to provide support to people that even have apps that require root privileges.
Depends on the state that you live in. The warranty is to protect against hardware defects and in some states Verizon will have to show that rooting or one of your installed apps is the cause of your issues.
You can always flash back to full stock and see if you still have drops. If so, call them up again...
I *am* full stock. I have literally changed nothing except to root the phone. Everything is pure stock ... even the Verizon apps and recovery are all still there.
GNRDuncan said:
I *am* full stock. I have literally changed nothing except to root the phone. Everything is pure stock ... even the Verizon apps and recovery are all still there.
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It is not uncommon for carriers to refuse to support anything other then fully stock devices. You have to remember that root is a security risk as well and most will not support this.
Thanks. I get that. What surprised me wasn't that they wouldn't support a rooted phone, but that Verizon had a list of apps I'd installed (even apps installed directly by ADB). I wasn't aware that they had spyware on my phone that was monitoring what I do on the phone.
GNRDuncan said:
Thanks. I get that. What surprised me wasn't that they wouldn't support a rooted phone, but that Verizon had a list of apps I'd installed (even apps installed directly by ADB). I wasn't aware that they had spyware on my phone that was monitoring what I do on the phone.
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That is part of the info that is sent to all carriers when they collect info for troubleshooting and stats. Some of that info is they grab a list of apps in the system and data/app partitions.
I wasn't aware they could read anything on my phone without my permission. I wonder what other information they can grab at will without me knowing?
It's legal in the US for providers to look at what their customers are using and installing on their phone?
Bloody hell... Over here a provider isn't even allowed to see which apps use up your data, all they can report is how much you used in total. The very idea that they'd be allowed to look inside your phone is... inconceivable in Europe.
GNRDuncan said:
I wasn't aware they could read anything on my phone without my permission. I wonder what other information they can grab at will without me knowing?
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Thats the thing is you give them permission. No one ever reads it but it is in the TOS. You even agree to it when you first sign in to an android device about it collecting data from your device. As for other info they can get. Pretty much any and every website you go to, and things like that. Your contacts and stuff are pretty safe. If you consider storing them on google safe.
ShadowLea said:
It's legal in the US for providers to look at what their customers are using and installing on their phone?
Bloody hell... Over here a provider isn't even allowed to see which apps use up your data, all they can report is how much you used in total. The very idea that they'd be allowed to look inside your phone is... inconceivable in Europe.
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You might not have noticed but you agree to it on every android device. ITs all part of troubleshooting system issues. Heck Google can even remotely remove apps from your device. Carriers in the US have far more control over the device because you dont tech own the device until you pay off your contract or unless you buy the device at full retail price.
An agreement that says "we may collect data about your phone" is not the same thing as "You give us permission to enter your phone at any time for any reason and collect whatever we want from your phone."
What app allows this one the phone? I will happily remove it.
GNRDuncan said:
An agreement that says "we may collect data about your phone" is not the same thing as "You give us permission to enter your phone at any time for any reason and collect whatever we want from your phone."
What app allows this one the phone? I will happily remove it.
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Thats the thing. It does. Collecting data about the device, pretty much says that you give them the right to collect data about the device. This does include apps installed. IT is not as simple as an app. IT is built into the OS.
zelendel said:
You might not have noticed but you agree to it on every android device. ITs all part of troubleshooting system issues. Heck Google can even remotely remove apps from your device. Carriers in the US have far more control over the device because you dont tech own the device until you pay off your contract or unless you buy the device at full retail price.
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Google is not the same thing as a Telecom provider.
Google makes your OS, a Telco just provides you with access to the network. There's a very large difference.
It's like the Ministry of Infrastructure being able to see your car's logs. The manufacturer can read out the car's system for troubleshooting, as they should, but the government branch that pours asphalt on roads has no business seeing what kind on music I listen to in my car!
Who am I kidding, the US Ministry of Infrastructure probably has recordings from how awful people sing in their cars synced to the exact GPS coordinate for every word.
Maybe I should explain that European devices are not truly Branded? The only branding they have are logos, tunes and a few apps that you can freely remove or add through the online appstores as well.
A lot of users have a SIMonly contract (just a SIM) and buy their devices, without any connection to their provider, in an independent store.
The whole system US providers have with their own privately locked devices that don't even allow eachother's 4G network, that's illegal here.
zelendel said:
Thats the thing. It does. Collecting data about the device, pretty much says that you give them the right to collect data about the device. This does include apps installed. IT is not as simple as an app. IT is built into the OS.
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Your laws are very, very terrifying. No wonder the USA is such a bloody mess....
I thought the spying on citizens for money, corruption and dirty business practises wasn't that bad, but it seems I've had a very naive view of the USA. I'm utterly grateful I never followed my childhood dream of emigrating to the USA. They're one step away from a totalitarian corporate government... I'm starting to see why so many people keep referencing Skynet... The plot in Continuum (the TV show) is far more present-day and far less futuristic, it seems...
Over here "we may collect data about your phone" does not mean "We have the complete legal right to read everything you do, watch, install and write on your phone".
They must specify exactly what data, how they collect it and what they use it for, and any deviation from those specifications results in a hefty fine or even a suspension of business rights.
They're only allowed to look at your phone, not in it. They can't even connect your dialed numbers to your in-phone contacts on the bill. Even in their own app, you have to give explicit permission for that link.
zelendel said:
Thats the thing. It does. Collecting data about the device, pretty much says that you give them the right to collect data about the device. This does include apps installed. IT is not as simple as an app. IT is built into the OS.
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Your interpretation of the term differs radically from my own.
Luckily we have AOSP, so if we know where the code that allows this is located we can remove it. Any ideas where to start looking? I'm new to all of this, but it would be worth getting into it if we really have to waste our time protecting ourselves from the businesses we have to patronize in order to function in a modern society.
ShadowLea said:
Google is not the same thing as a Telecom provider.
Google makes your OS, a Telco just provides you with access to the network. There's a very large difference.
It's like the Ministry of Infrastructure being able to see your car's logs. The manufacturer can read out the car's system for troubleshooting, as they should, but the government branch that pours asphalt on roads has no business seeing what kind on music I listen to in my car!
Who am I kidding, the US Ministry of Infrastructure probably has recordings from how awful people sing in their cars synced to the exact GPS coordinate for every word.
Maybe I should explain that European devices are not truly Branded? The only branding they have are logos, tunes and a few apps that you can freely remove or add through the online appstores as well.
A lot of users have a SIMonly contract (just a SIM) and buy their devices, without any connection to their provider, in an independent store.
The whole system US providers have with their own privately locked devices that don't even allow eachother's 4G network, that's illegal here.
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Oh I know. I generally dont buy US based devices even though I live here. Also our carriers here put their own version of the OS on the device. Loaded down with bloat ware and added code.
GNRDuncan said:
Your interpretation of the term differs radically from my own.
Luckily we have AOSP, so if we know where the code that allows this is located we can remove it. Any ideas where to start looking? I'm new to all of this, but it would be worth getting into it if we really have to waste our time protecting ourselves from the businesses we have to patronize in order to function in a modern society.
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Not that simple. AOSP is alot different then what comes on carrier devices. Carrier roms are closed sourced just like OEM roms like touchwiz, HTC sense and all the others.
Why do you think Verizon goes through such great pains to lock the bootloader. There is no way that I am aware of as they would just get the info from google as they collect the same info.
zelendel said:
Not that simple. AOSP is alot different then what comes on carrier devices. Carrier roms are closed sourced just like OEM roms like touchwiz, HTC sense and all the others.
Why do you think Verizon goes through such great pains to lock the bootloader. There is no way that I am aware of as they would just get the info from google as they collect the same info.
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Google can't collect the data if the code that collects the data is removed.
GNRDuncan said:
Google can't collect the data if the code that collects the data is removed.
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You could try but buy doing so you would lose all access to Google Apps. There is one project that I know of that is working to remove all Google stuff from Android. CM has the same plan but like I said you would lose all access to Google Apps in doing so. It's all part of just about every OS on the planet.
zelendel said:
Oh I know. I generally dont buy US based devices even though I live here. Also our carriers here put their own version of the OS on the device. Loaded down with bloat ware and added code.
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Wise move!
They do add bloatware here, but all of it is just pre-installed apps that you can add and remove at your leisure. They're all apps that you can find on the Play Store (or Windows Marketplace, or Apple Store) and can install as a customer from another provider as well. The only code they're allowed to add is network optimisations.
They can't alter any of the system functions. Take the TNL firmware (T-Mobile NL), all it has is the My T-Mobile app and the T-Mobile logo+tune at boot. That's the entire branding. It's hardly worth the word 'Branding', all they did was slap a sticker on it and insert a businesscard, so to speak.
And you're free to just flash any other firmware, as flashing, rooting and using CustomROMS can't void the warranty due to the EU laws. Even KNOX 0x1 doesn't matter.
I do Samsung-based tech support for T-Mobile NL (which is why I know what they can and can't do here), and half my day consists of helping users flash the Unbranded firmware over the Branded one, through the official contact channels. Samsung will even do it for you if you take the device to a Service Center. Managed to wipe your IMEI? Take it to a Service Center with proof of purchase and they'll fix it for you in minutes. Sending in a device with a broken screen that has Cyanogenmod on it gets a new screen and returned to the customer under warranty.
The other half of my day is sometimes spend explaining to users why, due to privacy laws, a provider can't block an app or service from using up your data, and can't block malicious sms subscription services.
The EU council is filled with idiots, but they do have their moments. :laugh:
ShadowLea said:
Wise move!
They do add bloatware here, but all of it is just pre-installed apps that you can add and remove at your leisure. They're all apps that you can find on the Play Store (or Windows Marketplace, or Apple Store) and can install as a customer from another provider as well. The only code they're allowed to add is network optimisations.
They can't alter any of the system functions. Take the TNL firmware (T-Mobile NL), all it has is the My T-Mobile app and the T-Mobile logo+tune at boot. That's the entire branding. It's hardly worth the word 'Branding', all they did was slap a sticker on it and insert a businesscard, so to speak.
And you're free to just flash any other firmware, as flashing, rooting and using CustomROMS can't void the warranty due to the EU laws. Even KNOX 0x1 doesn't matter.
I do Samsung-based tech support for T-Mobile NL (which is why I know what they can and can't do here), and half my day consists of helping users flash the Unbranded firmware over the Branded one, through the official contact channels. Samsung will even do it for you if you take the device to a Service Center. Managed to wipe your IMEI? Take it to a Service Center with proof of purchase and they'll fix it for you in minutes. Sending in a device with a broken screen that has Cyanogenmod on it gets a new screen and returned to the customer under warranty.
The other half of my day is sometimes spend explaining to users why, due to privacy laws, a provider can't block an app or service from using up your data, and can't block malicious sms subscription services.
The EU council is filled with idiots, but they do have their moments. :laugh:
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Yeah here that is not even close to being an option, I spent years working for Verizon Tech support. They try to void your warranty anyway possible. That is mostly due to the fact of the subsidized pricing for phones. Here you dont even really own the phone completely for almost 2 years after you get the device.
Service centers here are few and far between. All warranties go through the carrier. Carriers here love blocking apps. But then Like I said they have too much control over the devices.
zelendel said:
Yeah here that is not even close to being an option, I spent years working for Verizon Tech support. They try to void your warranty anyway possible. That is mostly due to the fact of the subsidized pricing for phones. Here you dont even really own the phone completely for almost 2 years after you get the device.
Service centers here are few and far between. All warranties go through the carrier. Carriers here love blocking apps. But then Like I said they have too much control over the devices.
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The law changed here recently, nowadays the phone you buy with a subscription has to be charged separately. You basically buy the phone and split the payments over 2 years. You own it straight away, you can even sell it if you want, but you have to continue paying for it, even if you sell it, until you've paid it off. If you end the contract prematurely, you have to pay the remaining sum of the phone.
Warranty-based repairs here go through the shop you purchased it from. If you bought it directly from the provider, they handle the warranty. If you bought it from an independent shop or online store, (both of which also sell subscriptions with phones for the providers) they send it to Samsung. Even if you buy it with a subscription.
There are 12 Service Centers in the Amsterdam area alone. (They're not Samsung stores, we only have 2 of those (which is probably still quite a lot compared to the US, considering we only have 17 million inhabitants), but they're service points inside another store, often the stores of various providers. You can go there regardless of who you pay each months.)
(Sorry for the walls of text, I find these things very interesting xD)