SDCard Watcher
Market Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.desaster.sdcardwatcher
Description / Reasoning
Anyone who installs a lot of apps will soon find their SDCard cluttered with strange directories that don't seem to relate to any app you know. You could just remove them all, but how do you know which directories are from apps you are still using, and might contain some important data?
Since the sdcard filesystem lacks ownership info, there's really no easy way of knowing which app to blame. This app is my approach to the problem.
Basically the app lets you monitor any chosen directory for changes, and when a new file or directory is created, it checks which app is currently visible to the user, and saves this information in a database. This way, next time some app leaves an obscure directory rotting on your sdcard, you will know exactly which app to blame.
Why should you care?
Actually, you probably shouldn't. The extra bits of data often don't take any significant space on your memory card. However, it irritates me, and this app gives me a bit more of a sense of control. The XDA forum is probably the best place for me to post this app, since I know there are at least a few other like-minded people here who care about tweaking little things like these
Battery usage
The app's background process uses the kernel's inotify feature to catch changes in the filesystem, and thus uses virtually no processing power, and will not drain your battery.
Reliability
There are essentially two ways for an app to run a background service; as a background service, and as a background service with a notification icon. My app supports both ways, but the default is to run without a notification icon.
I am still unsure if android lets the service run reliably enough without the notification icon, so if you think you're missing file changes, I'd love to hear about it. In any case, the notification icon can be enabled in the settings and should help with the issue (should there be an issue).
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Related
By now, some you have seen reports about the latest bit of under-the-covers eavesdropping, this time by HtcLoggers.apk. In case you haven't, this post on Android Police details the whole thing pretty well.
One thing that really caught my attention was the graphic showing all the different ways various bits of Android snoop on you:
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Those of us not running HTC software don't have to worry about most of these. The one that remains for all of us, at least according to the research so far, is Google Checkin, part of GoogleServicesFramework.apk. You can see in the graphic what kind of information Checkin collects and where it puts it. I've seen /data/system/dropbox before, occasionally I clear it out because it collects a huge number of files. I hadn't really paid much attention to /data/system/usagestats.
Using Root Explorer, I see that the permissions on both these directories is rwx------. As an experiment, to see if I can block whatever Checkin is collecting, I deleted their contents and then removed all permissions on these directories (and rebooted for good measure). I did this about an hour ago. So far, the directories have remained empty.
My G2 (running ILWT CM7 build 216) appears to be functioning normally, including the Market. If anything malfunctions, I'll report here.
Update. More directories to block: /data/anr, /data/tombstones, /data/dontpanic. File to block: /data/system/userbehavior.db (I first used SQLite Editor to empty the file).
Do not attempt this procedure on /data/system/throttle -- this caused my phone to enter a boot loop, which I had to repair by booting into recovery and then reverting my permissions change through ADB.
Quick follow-up... Looks like removing all permissions on the two directories has no effect on the phone's behavior. I've seen no breakage and the directories remain empty. So if you want to thwart some data collection, this looks like a decent approach.
So now that some time has passed, what is veridict? Were there any averse affects on the phone? Does everything still work?
Still seeing no problems. I did the same thing to my Nook Color, and it's also behaving normally.
This is very interesting, I'll try changing the permissions too.
Updated original post: added a few more directories to block based on additional information reported by the Carrier IQ Logging Test App.
I also gave this a try...
And so far so good! Thanks!
FOR ALL ROOTED ROMS
This thread may eventually hold multiple apps related to general tools for the G3. I am happy to take suggestions on future apps that we can all use that we might find interesting. My apps are going to have a simple bare bones layout with no bells or whistles. I can't develop everything in the world but I will give it a try.
TEMPS apk
Temps is simple lightweight app that gives a data readout of all temp sensors within the G3. All data is listed per zone and refreshed every second for an accurate reading. Please don't ask me what each zone designation is. I simply don't know, and its not listed anywhere to my knowledge. The purpose of the app is simply to collect data. Nothing more.
I made it for some testing I was doing and figured maybe somebody else might have a use for it.
[emoji2]
DOWNLOAD
http://d-h.st/0KW
System Sampler application
REQUIREMENTS.
Must be rooted.
Set SeLinux to Permissive.
System Sampler is a tool to allow you to sample data deep in the system. It's great for developers and Android enthusiasts who have an interest what's happening in real time.
FEATURES.
- Adjust sampling time from 1-10 seconds.
- Set file permissions if needed to read data.
- Status bar readout viewable in any screen.
HOW TO USE.
1. Enter the file path in the box located at the top of the screen.
2. Turn on the sampling button.
3. If you are unable to read the file, use the "chmod" button to set file permissions to 777 and try again.
TIPS.
It's much easier to copy and paste the file path using the "getFilePath" application. Get it here..https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.fro9.android.app.getfilepath
POSSIBLE ISSUES.
This is a beta release!
System Sampler was built on Tasker and has only been tested on my LG G3. That being said, their may be issues with different devices with screen resolutions and the status bar readout.
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[DOWNLOAD.
Beta version 1
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23991606952615006
Future
Future2
Future3
Remember App Ops? Back in Jelly Bean 4.3, the feature could be accessed by resourceful users to switch on or off permissions for individual apps. By KitKat 4.4.2, the feature was completely hidden from users. Google's explanation was that App Ops was never meant for public consumption - it was devised for internal debugging only. But users had gotten a taste of granular app permission controls and wanted more.
Permission controls would ostensibly live in two places - first, in the app itself, where users will be asked for permission using a series of dialogs. Whether all these dialogs will have to be dealt with immediately before opening the app or if they'll be spread out over the course of use remains to be seen. Evidently, granular permission control will be on for every app automatically, with developers left to decide what the app should do if it is denied permission. This is a potentially worrisome scenario, since apps will need to be updated to degrade gracefully with less and less permissions, but we'll have to wait and see what happens.
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The second home of permissions controls will be in the device's Settings app. It appears users will have access to a very familiar-looking interface with a list of permissions and toggles to switch on or off permissions as they see fit.
This is for users, this is a good thing, after all, allows users to better control the application's behavior. However, for developers, if you are rejected by the user, you may not get the information you want.
How this will impact developers remains to be seen, but with a dev preview of M expected this year, there will hopefully be enough time for developers to tie up any loose ends before Macadamia Nut Cookie hits a wide release.
Agreed, now just waiting for I/O to conclude and Google to throw the switch on the M "Marshmallow" preview and see how it preforms, I personally haven't had the L bugs many have/had but battery life is still a shame, let's hope doze does the trick.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
The new Google Now stuff has me more excited than anything else... http://techanet.co.uk/google-now-gets-system-wide-integration-and-smart-enhancements/
Hello.
About the “download manager mess up” take a look here (grossness warning!): Can't STOP a built-in manager download in an acceptable way… :-/ (v56, v57-Beta) @ Google forums
Briefing for documenting purposes: built-in download manager intercepts certain download links' files, I guess because of file extension (apk files not captured, for example). However, built-in download manager is deprived from file download cancelling ability. Had to delete all of the application data to stop the mess.
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In essence, a dodgy issue. Not overly critical in most situations, of course, but certainly dodgy. Better do not tap/click on overkill sized files, or you'll regret it.
With regards to the link disambiguation popups, this is something I've wished to get a solution for some time already, to no avail. So let me explain:
There are sites on which no popups are seen. Example: this very forum. You can tap where you want or need without popups. If something's a little cramped, just a little bit of zoom is all you may ever need. I use “force enable zoom” and you should also if not, as you may guess.
There are certain sites, though, where this is stuff gets in the way. Notorious example: eBay desktop mode (I've included the desktop site redirection to make your life easier in case you are using the @#$% mobile user agent).
It is obvious that there's something in these damned sites' coding which forces Chrome to go into “link disambiguation popup” disgusting mode. So, if any of you may know some sort of way to prevent the browser going disgusting mode, God would be grateful. Maybe some sort of mod and/or app? Any feedback/contribution welcome.
Mostly wrote this because I've recently revisited the Firefox browser, and I've been on the verge of switching to it. Too bad Firefox has 0 bookmark management capabilities.
Have a good time fellows.
Cheers
With this utility app, older users will not have a headache because of the small application icons and complicated controls.
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Big Launcher is an application designed to support older people to use smart phones more easily. Big Launcher includes an interface with icons and large text to help older people can see easily. In addition, you can pin contacts and applications to the home screen to make it easier for older people to use quickly, without having to perform many operations. Young children can also use the phone more easily thanks to this simple interface.
The main reason people have trouble with touch screens is that app icons are too small for their hands or eyesight. So, if you can't help your grandparents touch the right app to open, you can install BIG Launcher to make these icons bigger and easier to use by showing only the mechanical options. copy.
Main function
Simple interface with icons and large text suitable for older people to use
Simple installation, with no lock function for editing
Support Weather Widget for your convenience to keep track of current temperature and weather
Support clock widget with big text
Note
Must have Internet used to download weather data
GPS location: used to get the weather at that location
Read contacts: to get contact list attached to the home screen
Read write memory: to save data
isaacdrake00 said:
With this utility app, older users will not have a headache because of the small application icons and complicated controls.
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