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Good News for Developers, Bad News for Pirates!!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/new-licensing-service-replacing-existing-copy-protection-metho/
Looks like pretty soon the days of people copy and pasting apk's all over the place are coming to an end.
I hope this doesn't make theming harder.. We'll see.
From reading that article,
Seems like airplane mode or a firewall would crush all the hopes and dreams of google and app devs.
It seems that every time we open an app it needs to verify that it's been paid for by contacting a "licensing" server and retrieving a response.
I feel like that could slow down launch times, and being unable to use an app when offline would be like UBISOFT hell all over again.
I really hope google puts a lot of thought into this..

I wonder if this if already being done? Every time I try to play that golf game on my EVO on an airplane while the radios are off I get a FC when it starts. As soon as I an on the ground and turn the radios on the game works fine.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

what if you are in an area with no signal or on a plane or something? you cant open any apps???

This is already in place in a number of apps, one is IP Cam Viewer.
I paid the money for it. I transferred all my files to my wife's Evo 4G, and thought "hell I'll see if it works..." Well it didn't. When I try to open the app, it tells me that I have to purchase it from the marketplace.
I'm all for buying apps when they're good, and I understand single user licensing. Guess I was just hoping I wouldn't have to spend double the money for all the apps I use.

simplyphp said:
This is already in place in a number of apps, one is IP Cam Viewer.
I paid the money for it. I transferred all my files to my wife's Evo 4G, and thought "hell I'll see if it works..." Well it didn't. When I try to open the app, it tells me that I have to purchase it from the marketplace.
I'm all for buying apps when they're good, and I understand single user licensing. Guess I was just hoping I wouldn't have to spend double the money for all the apps I use.
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I've heard of couples sharing the same email as apps get replicated on the two phone

I can confirm that they don't get replicated..
I have two evo's right now under the same email and they're definitely not replicating crap.

cahiatt said:
I wonder if this if already being done? Every time I try to play that golf game on my EVO on an airplane while the radios are off I get a FC when it starts. As soon as I an on the ground and turn the radios on the game works fine.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Now that's a problem I understand about paying for apps but not working when I'm in a place with no signal. I see a law suit brewing up. I paid for the app I should be able to use the app whenever I want to. Class action law suit coming real soon.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Crap....
"A limitation of copy protection is that applications using it can be installed only on compatible devices that provide a secure internal storage environment. For example, a copy-protected application cannot be downloaded from Market to a device that provides root access"
...Seriously???
EDIT - the above quote was misrepresented in the place I copied from...research shows it to be misleading. the actual bit of Google's text is posted over on page to of this thread. disregard my indignation in this post...

This is discouraging, because a lot of people like to try the full before they buy it expecting more than what full has to offer, only to be disappointed later.

willwgp said:
This is discouraging, because a lot of people like to try the full before they buy it expecting more than what full has to offer, only to be disappointed later.
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You do get a 24 hour refund option when you buy from the market so I'm not worried about trying before you buy. I do worry about not being able to play something when I'm in the bathroom at work because I don't get a signal there.

well how many ppl do actually piracy apps??? oh my bad forgot that this is Android, for a second i though it was apple!!

Just to clarify a couple of things:
There are 2 ways to use the Licensing - one is Strict - you CAN NOT USE THE APP WITHOUT ACCESS TO MARKETPLACE. Personally, screw that.
Option 2, however, is a non-strict policy. Server managed, where the license is 'cached' to storage. You also can programmatically set how long your app can be used without any license check.
That'd be the way i go

josue85 said:
You do get a 24 hour refund option when you buy from the market so I'm not worried about trying before you buy. I do worry about not being able to play something when I'm in the bathroom at work because I don't get a signal there.
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That'll be up to the developer. I like this approach, as I'd be happy to do say... a 5-7 day turn around on the license check. After 7 days with no data signal, seriously, where the hell are you? LOL
Besides, if you've used a paid app for 7 days, and by that time can't decide if you need it or not - wow.
And of course, as soon as you got signal again, the license check would go through and you can use the app again, no problem.
I'm sure there will be UbiSoft and EA style implementations though - way too damn draconian for my tastes. I don't care to know every single second that someone's using my app. I would just like to know that they haven't 'copied that floppy' as it were LOL
I have no doubts this will be defeated in time, though. All it would really take is mimicking the server license response, which can be extracted from the locally cached license of an actual paid product.
People that pirate software are going to do it, regardless. Don't make the honest people pay the price of draconian DRM.
The best approach I can make as a developer, is give my customers the features they want, in a stable, good performing package, and discourage 'casual' piracy. Beyond that, it's out of the developer's control, and honestly, any more than that usually just pisses off the customer and annoys the pirates for about a day and a half.

Ok...had to read the SDK paperwork as I really wanted to know this...my previous post was incorrect and here is the update...
From Google:
Android Market Licensing is a flexible, secure mechanism for controlling access to your applications. It effectively replaces the copy-protection mechanism offered on Android Market and gives you wider distribution potential for your applications.
A limitation of the legacy copy-protection mechanism on Android Market is that applications using it can be installed only on compatible devices that provide a secure internal storage environment. For example, an application using the copy-protection mechanism cannot be downloaded from Market to a device that provides root access, and the application cannot be installed to a device's SD card.
With Android Market licensing, you can move to a license-based model in which access is not bound to the characteristics of the host device, but to your publisher account on Android Market and the licensing policy that you define. Your application can be installed and controlled on any compatible device on any storage, including SD card.
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Also...there are options for the Devs to allow for apps to be used a chosen number of times before they need to check in for licenses. Strict has to check in every time....other option allows dev to choose based on times used or time since last check in.
SO...all in all I am much less worried about this now.

topdnbass said:
I can confirm that they don't get replicated..
I have two evo's right now under the same email and they're definitely not replicating crap.
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With licensing the dev can choose whether an app can be accessed from different phones. It is an option...
(greeked...multiple times)

Question: Does that mean we won't be able to open, modify, and resign apks? Like...to change the appearance (make a widget clear, etc).

More like bad news for paying consumers. That's who always pays for everything. Those of us who actually buy the products.
I plan on speaking with my wallet. I wont buy any app that requires I have an internet connection.

A limitation of the legacy copy-protection mechanism on Android Market is that applications using it can be installed only on compatible devices that provide a secure internal storage environment. For example, an application using the copy-protection mechanism cannot be downloaded from Market to a device that provides root access, and the application cannot be installed to a device's SD card.
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Wait so according to google us rooted folk couldn't download copy-protected apps before now?
Urrr, i think im missing something

This is actually a nice implementation for both the software developer and the user. Most will implement this where it only has to check-in every week or two. So the odds of getting caught in a spot where there is no connection is low.
At the end of the day, it is a pretty straightforward way to handle copy protection that really shouldn't inconvenience anyone.
Also it will bring more developers to the platform if they know they don't have to worry as much about piracy.

Piracy will still run rampant. People will find ways to circumvent this, that's just how it is. At least it will curb some piracy since copying and pasting an apk file wasn't much of a deterrent.

Cannot use Maps from appointment to get directions

I was running an HD2 with android and when you touched the target sign next to the location of and appointment it would fire up Maps and give directions.
When I try this on my Sensation it fires up what seems to be Route 66 but if I ask it to give me directions it want me to pay for and Application WTF.
I have tried to go into the settings and remove this application as the default so that I can assign Maps but the application does not appear in the list??
I'm angry about this, is it something Vodafone have put into the ROM?

just tested on my tmous version & i get an option to use TeleNav or Google. Find out what program yours defaults to & go to Settings>Applications>Manage & find the app & clear defaults

I have tried this.
It is trying to perform a transaction with Route 66 but that application is not even listed as being installed on the device I'll keep searching for an alternative app it could be.

I have been digging and it seems the application it is opening is "Locations", when I try to manage the app it says there are no defaults set against this app so why is it using this app and not giving me an option to use maps or internet?

very odd. try resetting defaults for anything that looks like it has the option? only other thing I would suggest is a hard reset

I'm going to avoid a hard reset dont fancy spending an age getting it just how I want it again ..

HTC used to fire up Google maps. It now fires up Locations which, as you may have noticed, is HTC's "preferred" maps app. A hard reset won't change anything.
Dave

I take it I need to wait for an unlocked boot loader then before this can be "fixed"

I contacted HTC you basically said "tough" and if I want to use maps I have to fire up Maps myself and then input the address. Feels like a step backwards and is genuinely making me consider alternatives come upgrade time as I don't like the direction this is going in of swapping free material for pay material.
IF I could root the device this could be sorted and I do wonder if this is one of the reasons why they have locked the bootloader.

I agree. I just bought the Sensation SIM free and I SERIOUSLY want rid of Locations.
Having something bait me to pay for it when I've already spent ££££ on an unlocked device is galling!
The sad thing is that even if someone gets S-OFF and root they'll probably have fun trying to recode Sense/People etc - as that's where it's at I think.

urgh - just got a sensation. Didn't know this was going to be an issue.
Oh well, phone will be going back, and I'll get myself a galaxy instead. -.-
Thanks HTC, you've just lost a customer who has been loyal for 8 years.

Best cross country GPS navigation app for my car?

Google Navigation works pretty well, but I'm wondering if there is a better app out there for GPS navigation in the car?
I'll be taking a cross country trip in a few months and want the best app available. Even if I have to pay for it.

I've used Telenav for a long time on several trips across the country. It's been very reliable and accurate for me. You can get the 6.2 version free from a thread int eh Captivate forum. Just follow the steps and you'll have the free basic version. You can opt in for advanced features but I've never had a need. Voice nav is great.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11790542&postcount=1

Uncle Irish said:
I've used Telenav for a long time on several trips across the country. It's been very reliable and accurate for me. You can get the 6.2 version free from a thread int eh Captivate forum. Just follow the steps and you'll have the free basic version. You can opt in for advanced features but I've never had a need. Voice nav is great.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11790542&postcount=1
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This app is incompatible with all of your devices.
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https://market.android.com/details?...sImNvbS50ZWxlbmF2LmFwcC5hbmRyb2lkLnNwcmludCJd

I downloaded the free one you mentioned and its pretty cool so far!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Good deal Glad you're liking it. It's a hungry app, so keep your phone on the charger when using it. Works like a champ tho. Took me from my driveway to a tiny 10' x 15' cabin on the side of a mountain in North Carolina.

It seems to have some cool features. Several that I didn't see in Google Maps but will probably end up using all the time. Like the favorites.
So far I love the fact that I can go into my contacts and press the navigation icon next to a friends address and it automatically pulls up the GPS navigation.
Google maps could do this also, but I could never figure out how to get to the navigation without first clicking this, then that, then this, etc. Google Maps took a lot more clicks to start navigating.

The favs are a bonus I think. You're right about the easy launch. Maps took just too many pokes. It works with voice command also, just select it as default and it'll pop up and start getting a route.

I must be missing something, when I click T-Mobile->Samsung the only thing listed is Roxy & Other...

AWiseMonkey said:
I must be missing something, when I click T-Mobile->Samsung the only thing listed is Roxy & Other...
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Me too. ???

You guys have to read the thread. One of the posts has the file attached.
I used it a couple times yesterday.
1) The map is not as smooth as Google maps (moves studder-step).
2) The "real human voice" that tells you to turn left, right, etc. is interrupted by the PICO generated voice which says the street name. This takes some getting used to.
3) The voice says "make a left turn TO elm street" instead of saying "make a left turn ON elm street". Which is annoying.
4) It talks more than Google maps does. Such as, it says the "recalculating route" thing, which I don't like.
5) When I listen to talk radio and navigate at the same time, it's harder to hear the nav's "human voice" over the radio. The PICO voice was a little higher pitched and easier to pick out over other talking voices on the radio.
But the interface is still better than Google, IMO. And there are a lot more options.
I will continue to use it instead of Google Navigation, but will also keep my eyes open for other GPS navigation apps.

CZ Eddie said:
You guys have to read the thread. One of the posts has the file attached.
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Ok, found it HERE

Family Locator/Tracking

My wife and I would like to be able to track our two teenaged sons whereabouts. I have been playing with several apps. My wife and I and one son has an android phone, while the other son has an iphone. Can someone recommend a good app to do this? I don't mind paying for the app, but don't want a monthly fee. Also, by the time we all download and find out if the app is good, the return time will expire. Any help is appreciated!

PARick said:
My wife and I would like to be able to track our two teenaged sons whereabouts. I have been playing with several apps. My wife and I and one son has an android phone, while the other son has an iphone. Can someone recommend a good app to do this? I don't mind paying for the app, but don't want a monthly fee. Also, by the time we all download and find out if the app is good, the return time will expire. Any help is appreciated!
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What about Google Latitude? Do you want consistent monitoring/logging or just one that does find the phone based on a request?
Lookout (Premium) does a great job locating phones per request.

Jackos said:
What about Google Latitude? Do you want consistent monitoring/logging or just one that does find the phone based on a request?
Lookout (Premium) does a great job locating phones per request.
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Latitude could work for all of us on Droids, but the iPhone presents a different issue. Boy do I hate iphones!

Cerbrerus or SeekDroid.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Sorry I got no experience with iPhones

d-iivil said:
Cerbrerus or SeekDroid.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
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Thanks! Unfortunately Droid only.

Icloud can locate an iphone via the web
Just enable location services and turn on the icloud account. Then you can log into icloud web site whenever you want and click, find my iphone.
With android, Google doesn't offer that, it's available through multiple 3rd party apps.

tdelet said:
Just enable location services and turn on the icloud account. Then you can log into icloud web site whenever you want and click, find my iphone.
With android, Google doesn't offer that, it's available through multiple 3rd party apps.
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Will try that. Thanks!

Thanks for all the help here. iPhone does have a latitude app. Final question. In lattitude, is there a way to see the complete address of the person you are tracking? I have checked and can't find a way to do that. Thanks again!

Have an idea.. no ofence or so but let your teens be teens and stop tracking them... Oo
What the hell if my dad or mom would tell me they want to track me all the time i would ask them if they Fell on the ground and got hurt or something..

the employer blocked the WIFI from employees (obtaining the ip address issue)
we cant access the WIFI in the hotel at where we work and although there are a password you put at the hotel's WIFI website but they did something lately to all of us and it is when any of the staff open the WIFI on his mobile it just keep showing obtaining IP address and no result so if you guys could help me in this and do i have to get a new phone or to try hiding my IP i tried a lot of apps but no way plz help

i've worked on a project like that for a few weeks... couldn't make it happend as the people in my country don't really rely on technology :/

Recommendation
As I understood you are looking for free cross platform application for both Android an iOS. In this case I'd like to suggest you recently launched Fameelee - Family Locator.
This app is free in case you connect up to 4 family members and It has the following features:
- track real time location of your family members
- check location history of your family members for the last 30 days
- in-app private messaging
- GPS notification (called geofencing) once some your loved ones reach some particular places (you match them by yourself)
- ability to send "alarms" with you current GPS location and video of your surrounding
- track sms and call logs of your family members (premium version)
- get notified once your family member speeding (premium version)
In premium version you can connect up to 10 members.
So hope this app will meet your needs.

New Google Maps w/ offline maps - pretty underwhelming

Unless I am missing something, the offline maps feature kinda sucks. While yes, you have the pure basic map available to you, that's about it. Things that still require a data connection:
1. Getting directions - i.e. directions from 49th and 7th to Madison Square Garden
2. Navigation - i.e. the GPS navigator app ("turn right," "rerouting," etc.)
3. Non-major landmarks - the NYC map looks downright empty, as we only get street names and major landmarks... I was hoping that we could still see names of buildings/restaurants/shops, maybe even the 3D building outlines
I get that option 3 will require a lot more storage, but seems worth it (or at least provide an option to save that down).
But the lack of offline directions/navigation really limits the utility of offline maps, imo. I understand if directions may require access to the Google servers to generate a path - but clearly standalone GPS units can all do this without cell/WiFi signal. Seems like there should be a way to do this.

Complaining about new features... Amazing.
Here's an idea, instead of complaining about not having certain landmarks while offline in new york, turn your cell phone connection on and have those features...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

bloodrain954 said:
Complaining about new features... Amazing.
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I agree with OP. I don't see any major difference with this offline cache against the samething offered previously. So, it is not a new feature to me.
Here's an idea, instead of complaining about not having certain landmarks while offline in new york, turn your cell phone connection on and have those features...
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Here is a clue to you: you landed in a foreign country and you know it will cost you an arm or a leg to turn on the cell phone data connection. Or, in the case of CMDA phones, you may not have connections at all. This is why we need to have offline caching.

I think his gripes are valid. What is the point of an offline map if you can't navigate or get directions? Typically people download maps offline when they know they are going to be traveling through/in an area without a strong data connection.
I had no idea those features didn't work in offline mode and just because the missing features don't impact you doesn't mean others don't have valid reasons for wanting/needing them.

bloodrain954 said:
Complaining about new features... Amazing.
Here's an idea, instead of complaining about not having certain landmarks while offline in new york, turn your cell phone connection on and have those features...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
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You are right. If it's a new feature, it must be flawless, and I must bow down in reverence. I am oh so sorry to offend you.
The point of this thread is to make others aware, see if they agree, if there are other solutions... you know, form a "discussion."
Thanks foxbat and ComposMentis!

neocryte said:
You are right. If it's a new feature, it must be flawless, and I must bow down in reverence. I am oh so sorry to offend you.
The point of this thread is to make others aware, see if they agree, if there are other solutions... you know, form a "discussion."
Thanks foxbat and ComposMentis!
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Click to collapse
Disagreeing and debating is a form of "discussion". What's the point of talking about anything if everyone agrees with you?

Agree with you, no major changes. Offline navi and directions a must!

Super disappointing. I'm not sure why google falls down so badly sometimes.

Well, when I read the google map change, it simply say that map can be downloaded for offline caching. Nowhere does it says it allow for offline search, direction and such.
Yes, does feature have been long time requested and google announce it was coming soon, but one feature like this, as easy as it might seems, can be very hard to implement on a system that wasn't made for it. Having the map offline (for reel now, not those 10 parts max download) is a step in the right direction. Remember when they decided that the map would "fade out" when you are on a long stretch that doesn't have any new information to sa battery? Lots of people requested it's removal or at least an option to toggle it. The feature was made available in a menu like 10 updates later. It's not 1 dev team that's doing everything from google map, google navigation to google itself, where it is the central of all maps query and database.

Unless you can download much, much larger areas at a time, navigation offline will never work. It has to pick directions based on the entire map and all possible routes. Navigation as it stands, im fairly certain, sends requests to google's servers for them to calculate and give back results. Eventually this may be ported to the OS itself as voice diction is now in JB, but as it stands, it requires an internet connection.

new maps suck! before, you could enable precaching in labs and get up to 10 areas downloaded, but now it only works in USA and UK!
and I live in Narnia again -.-

I am not even able to get a large area 2 hours away about 100 miles, would be nice if you could choose the size it could use., or something like this map will be approximately blah blah mb. Do you agree... And offline directions would be really the only reason to use offline, can't think of much more to use it for. I live in an area that has fauxG (hspa+) but 15 min in all directions I'm stuck to edge for the whole area until greenbay, or lower michigan. So having a large area available offline would be nice. Good idea, but bad implementation.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Seeing as they are slowly upgrading a free service, I think the update is just fine...
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium

Used to be able to cache all over the world. Now it's just N. America and UK I guess. Sucks for me

raikesy said:
Seeing as they are slowly upgrading a free service, I think the update is just fine...
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium
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+1
Google Maps gives us Navigation, Places, Traffic, Transit, etc., all for free and they all work pretty well. I'm sure Google is going to enhance the feature soon enough.
I feel they wanted to shed the "Beta" tag ahead of Apple releasing their mapping application but it was probably still too soon.

Used offline mode in SanFran this last week, has just the info it needs, worked great.

which app would provide these features since google doesn't? Nav has become very important to me recently.

Gave it a test on the way to the cities this weekend... Its functional and doesn't appear to need 2-3gb of data like the TomTom app needs...
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

ThisWasATriumph said:
Unless you can download much, much larger areas at a time, navigation offline will never work. It has to pick directions based on the entire map and all possible routes. Navigation as it stands, im fairly certain, sends requests to google's servers for them to calculate and give back results. Eventually this may be ported to the OS itself as voice diction is now in JB, but as it stands, it requires an internet connection.
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I'm just wondering how Nokia Maps on Windows Phone OS can do true offline turn-by-turn navigation, and Google Maps cannot. Nokia Maps has had this feature for about 2 or 3 years at least.

trace1er said:
I'm just wondering how Nokia Maps on Windows Phone OS can do true offline turn-by-turn navigation, and Google Maps cannot. Nokia Maps has had this feature for about 2 or 3 years at least.
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It all comes up to $$$. Map data is expensive to license. There are only two map data providers in the world: Tele Atlas (now owned by TomTom) and NavTeq (now owned by Nokia). License terms dictate what Google can do and can't do. For example, Microsoft's Bing Maps on WP7 can't even do what Google Nav can do today.
Nokia Maps are only allowed to work on Nokia phones.