Awaaz is a "plugin" for your Android phone that enables it to make direct phone-to-phone calls without using the cellular network if both phones have the application installed and are accessible over WiFi. It effectively makes all phone calls free, even while roaming!
There is no user signup, you never need to give any details, and you never even need to start the application (except for the first time). Awaaz runs in the background and automatically takes over any phone calls that meet its requirements. You just need to install and run it once, and you're done!
Awaaz is completely free.
FEATURES:
Establishes a direct P2P connection between the two phones. Capable of punching a hole through NAT, or being used on the same internal network.
Uses the Opus codec for unmatched voice clarity.
Uses just 8 KB/s of bandwidth (upstream and downstream combined).
Uses a hybrid cryptographic system to exchange a 256-bit AES key using 2048-bit RSA. New public and private keys are generated every single time, thus theoretically making decryption impossible.
Uses GCM (Google Cloud Messaging) for push messages thus eliminating the need to run a service in the background.
Has the ability to use 3G / 4G as well. Please enable the option in the preferences if you want it.
All calls are logged in your regular call history.
HOW TO USE:
Install and run it once. The app will register itself on the server.
There is no Step 2! From here on, when you make an outgoing call the app will automatically check if the other person also has it installed, and if both phones are connected to WiFi. If so, Awaaz will automatically take over the call and you will see a slightly different calling screen. The same is true for incoming calls.
If you have any trouble with an ongoing call, hit the "X" button on the bottom-left to terminate the app and make a regular call.
As of version 3.00, you can see which of your contacts are currently online by running the app.
DOWNLOAD:
Play Store Link
BETA TESTING:
To stay current with the latest & greatest version of Awaaz, please sign up to be a beta tester using the following links -
First, join the Google+ community that has access to the beta
Second, agree to be a tester!
FEEDBACK:
I am highly dependent on feedback from users like you! Please share your opinion here, and if you have any suggestions or complaints just let me know. Also, do mention which phones are at both ends of the conversation, since a lot of issues are handset specific.
KNOWN ISSUES:
Speakerphone is noisy. Echo cancellation is required and pending.
VOTE FOR AWAAZ:
If you enjoy using Awaaz, please consider nominating it for an award using the link below!
Nominate it!
FAQ
1. It's not working! (outgoing or incoming calls are not getting routed over Awaaz)
There are multiple possibilities here. First and foremost, both phones must have the app installed. Second, both phones must be connected to WiFi, or 3G / 4G (if that has been enabled in the preferences). Also, check your phone number as mentioned in point 6 below.
2. I see a message "Callee is not on Awaaz", and then "Bypassing Awaaz".
This means that the person you are calling has Awaaz installed, but is currently not available on WiFi. Hence the app makes a regular outgoing call.
3. Voice is unclear.
Awaaz uses Opus, which is probably one of the best audio codecs currently available. Despite this, some phones may have issues with audio capturing. If this happens with you, please write an email to awaaz-feedback[at]jainanuj.com, and mention what phone is at the other end of the conversation (the one that is sending the unclear audio).
4. There is a persistent echo.
I am currently working on a AEC (acoustic echo canceler). Meanwhile, if you hear an echo it will help if the person at the other end of the conversation reduces the earpiece volume on their phone.
5. More info on the encryption?
Privacy is, and should be sacrosanct. Hence Awaaz deploys some very advanced encryption which should be unbreakable, unless some of the really wild conspiracy theories about the NSA are true! This does not create a very heavy burden on the CPU, but you can switch it off nevertheless if you so wish, either permanently through the app preferences, or through the encryption button while you are in a call. If you're really paranoid about eavesdropping, you should vocally confirm with the person you're speaking with that the app has displayed the same encryption hash on your screens.
It should be mentioned that by using Awaaz you won't be able to hide who you are talking to. Since it establishes a P2P connection, any agency sufficiently motivated can find out where the connection is terminating. Some metadata could also be gathered, like how long a conversation lasts. However, the encryption will ensure that what you said remains secret.
6. How do I change my phone number?
A common problem is that Awaaz picks up a wrong phone number. This can prevent it from working correctly. First, to check if it has the right number, open up the app preferences, scroll down to where it shows your phone number and see if it is correct. The phone number should be your complete number including the country code. For example, if you're in India and your number is 9810012345, then it should say 919810012345.
If the number shown is incorrect, please tap on it and a window will open up from where you can change it.
7. What is your privacy policy?
Since the architecture of Awaaz has been made with privacy in mind, it stores the absolute minimum data required. This basically means your phone number (for receiving calls), phone model (for debugging purposes) and your last IP address (of which no history is maintained). Nothing else is ever stored, including any and all information on calls made. From version 3, Awaaz "synchronizes" your contacts with its server, but this does not mean that your contacts are uploaded - instead, an MD5 hash of telephone numbers is stored. This means that we are unable to see any phone number of yours, but if somebody calls you on Awaaz we can hash their phone number to match to your contacts.
Quite a neat concept except for those us who have unlimited voice plans! Tried the app nevertheless, worked well.
Best of luck!
Very cool idea.
I'd like to see more secure encrypted apps. I'd like to try this out, but I've got to find another person to get the app first.
What is this app?
The calls goes directly through dialler, not even a toast message to indicate. I used the cellular data network. Uses lots of personal permissions
siliconeyes said:
Quite a neat concept except for those us who have unlimited voice plans! Tried the app nevertheless, worked well.
Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.. trying to make the best app I can!
Xieon1 said:
Very cool idea.
I'd like to see more secure encrypted apps. I'd like to try this out, but I've got to find another person to get the app first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xieon, chicken and egg situation! Try the app and see if you like it. Personally, I have it installed on my wife's phone as we often end up calling each other even when we're both home (it's kinda large)
tariq2kn said:
What is this app?
The calls goes directly through dialler, not even a toast message to indicate. I used the cellular data network. Uses lots of personal permissions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is that either the person you are calling does not have the app installed, or is not connected to WiFi.
Thanks for the feedback though. I'll put in small toasts to show what's happening as soon as you dial a number.
this is cool...ill try it out!!
abhirulz94 said:
this is cool...ill try it out!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Abhi. Will look forward to your feedback!
Any possibility to make it compatible to gingerbread?
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk 2
Have you maintained a voip/gateway for p2p call?
The app sys u can make calls using 3G/4G networks..so the same can be done using 2G data plans as well??
Sent from my GT-I9001 using Tapatalk
I think it's provides good security for calls
what information are you taking from the device?
ammujee said:
Any possibility to make it compatible to gingerbread?
Sent from my Dell Streak using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry ammujee, the app uses a few ICS APIs, and thus cannot be run on gingerbread. Also, chances are that if your device runs gingerbread then it probably doesn't have enough CPU power to run this app.
tariq2kn said:
Have you maintained a voip/gateway for p2p call?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, there is no traditional gateway. It uses a completely custom protocol, and an intermediate server to set up the call.
bleed blue said:
The app sys u can make calls using 3G/4G networks..so the same can be done using 2G data plans as well??
Sent from my GT-I9001 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically, yes. It uses very little bandwidth, so under ideal conditions you could run it over an EDGE network, for example. However, this is not something I would recommend. You will probably experience call drops, and / or bad voice quality.
Seems nice! Will try it out!
looks good, try it ASAP.
munchy_cool said:
what information are you taking from the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely bare minimum. Most apps of this nature will upload your entire contact list, but Awaaz does not. The only information that ever gets sent is your phone number (that would be an obvious requirement), and the phone number that you're calling. If you have any other specific concern, just ask!
Related
______OVERVI3W_____
Now you see all calls, bookmarks, internet history, text messages and contacts through your web browser. Track down and Lock down your phone remotely and many many other features. Geo-fencing capabilities now added!
PLEASE, IF YOU LIKE THIS SOFTWARE THEN RATE IT OR ADD COMMENTS TO THE ANDROID MARKET. IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE
** MAKE SURE YOU REBOOT AFTER INSTALL **
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD V1.50 DIRECTLY FROM HERE:
http://goo.gl/prtJf
PLEASE UNINSTALL THE OLDER VERSIONS BEFORE INSTALLING NEWER VERSIONS
If posting back any issues, please include your phone model, android version, phone carrier and ROM (if not stock)
****** CHANGE LOG ********
___________________________
V1.50- November 20th, 2012
* The issues with the block lists have been fixed up. You can add a block for any number 4 digits or greater and it will be found if the transmission ends with those four digits. Example: if your block is 4567 then the phone number 555-123-4567 would be found. so would 34567,234567,123457,...,5551234567
* The GPS module has been rewritten and is MUCH more efficient and accurate at the same time.
* Geo-fencing has been added so now you can define regions on a map and set rules to alert you as to if the phone entered or left those regions during stated days and times.
Keep in mind that this feature is still beta. Try to give extra ~30 feet extra room just to be sure you don't get false positives. This will do a check on every GPS check-in time to see if you have entered or left defined areas. So accuracy is only going to be as accurate as check-in time periods. In general I recommend people don't ever alter the default 15 minutes however.
* The "discreet communications" option didn't make it into this release because of time constraints, but will be available in the next release. Time-estimates will be posted when available.
___________________________
OLDER REVISIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW ONES...
<< Reserved for future use >>
Preety powerful stuff man, count me in.
Sounds like a great app. Can't wait to see beta working and out.
jzero88 said:
Preety powerful stuff man, count me in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wonderful, just send an email request to the address on post 1
The first batch should be going out later tonight
Windows Mobile tester, subscribed. Email sent.
This sounds like a GREAT application!
I have a question though... Does your app NEED to have GPS enabled to track down your phone? If it does, what happens if you don't have GPS enabled? Is there a way to enable GPS remotely through the web interface?
Also, does it track the content of the sms messages? Or only the phone number?
Thanks in advance! I'm loving the features on your app already but just wish for a few questions to be answered
The app does not require GPS to be enabled. If no GPS is found, it will triangulate from cell towers. This method is not as accurate however.
I currently do not have a remote "enable gps" command, but I will look into that. It does sound like a great feature to add.
Email sent. Looking forward to a reply.
If people haven't received there downloads yet, check your spam folder.
I've been sending them out via BCC, that way everyone is not getting everyone else's email addresses.
The subject line will be "OVERVI3W - ALPHA TESTING"
chetstriker said:
The app does not require GPS to be enabled. If no GPS is found, it will triangulate from cell towers. This method is not as accurate however.
I currently do not have a remote "enable gps" command, but I will look into that. It does sound like a great feature to add.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks chetstriker! This is the one thing that I feel that the other (2) apps I've tried have been missing. I won't name the apps since this is your thread and all but if you DO find a way to enable gps remotely, I think that you'd be ahead of your competition. Best of luck with your app
On the Atrix it force closes when selecting the enable button after entering my password, i tried several times.
On the Captivate (no sim) I was able to enable admin. I then went to the unfairwair website and "locate" showed the phones exact location. I also tried the "turn on ringer" and was given the responce "false" twice.
WiredPirate said:
On the Atrix it force closes when selecting the enable button after entering my password, i tried several times.
On the Captivate (no sim) I was able to enable admin. I then went to the unfairwair website and "locate" showed the phones exact location. I also tried the "turn on ringer" and was given the responce "false" twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback, I'll have to take a deeper look at what could cause the Attrix to FC. For the Captivate however, It's normal to see "False" on the transaction tab. All commands have a completed status of False until the command has actually launched on the phone. This could take up to 5 minutes.
You would also have to refresh the web page to see the change of status.
<< important note >>>
The "goodies" tab (the one with all the controls.) runs great on all browsers EXCEPT IE7+
typically if you press commands such as "Lock Phone", "Send Message", "Wipe Phone", etc. they should pop-up commands to ask you for more information or confirmation. Internet Explorer version 7+ has javascript alert command and others disabled by default (unlike every other browser.)
You'll have to use any other browser to use these commands, until I re-write that part.
Just sent an email, looking forward to trying out your application!
poor minds
If you think you want to know..you don't. This can only ruin your lives.
vorcigernix said:
If you think you want to know..you don't. This can only ruin your lives.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this referring to?
Anyway, I've been testing for 3 straight hours and no bugs found so far. Just reporting in.
Mail sent.
Good job mate!
I've put off getting a smartphone as long as possible, but did enough research that I think the Triumph on Virgin's $35 plan with Google voice is a smart way to go. I still have some questions about this new OS, programs, and environment, and really like the smart people on this forum, and hope you won't mind a few questions.
-What’s the best VOIP app for working with Google Voice? I've come across GrooVe IP, but would like reassurance whether it's the best option. I'd like to make calls over wifi, but I'd also like to know whether Virgin Mobile's 3g coverage is fast enough for voip (generally...). I wouldn't want to do this routinely as I'd be afraid they'd throttle me. But I would like someone who knows to share their opinion.
-How do I find out my wifi signal strength? 3G strength? GPS strength? Or even just where I can learn what the icons on the top bar stand for, and what their range is? There must be a good app for this, and I'd love a recommendation.
-If I wanted the option, how (specifically) would I switch from making a voip/data plan outgoing call to the regular phone cell plan? Would Android be smart enough to do this automatically without a wifi signal? Or would I need to change a setting in Google Voice? Any thoughts most appreciated.
-How do I find what apps are running (in background?)? Percentage of system resources, and how to kill them? I’m guessing there are apps for that. Does Android kill a process when you return to home screen? What are some of the general rules?
-I have a mac. I’m guessing most of the programs that let you manage files, root the phone, install Cyanogen mods, etc, are PC based. I found Android File Transfer, but am not clear on it's limits. Are there better options? What will the AFT program be good for? [Emulating PC’s is a pain I would rather avoid, but I have been thinking of running virtual box to donate some processing time to the Large Hadron Collider, so I might be able to run some of these PC programs]. Any advice most welcome.
-Any skins or options to turn the google apps into light text on dark background? (I'm aware of and have used the option in Gmail). I hate black text on white background. I'm kooky that way.
This Android phone is good looking, the plan costs much less than a thousand a year (which I refuse to pay), and I LOVE the Google voice options to turn your text and calls into computer files which you can archive as you wish. The Google voice activation / text / search is far superior to iAnything, voip/wifi is the balls, and I think a lot people who've been holding off from getting a smartphone will jump on this combo, and this thread may help them. Many thanks...
dcnblues said:
-How do I find out my wifi signal strength? 3G strength? GPS strength? Or even just where I can learn what the icons on the top bar stand for, and what their range is? There must be a good app for this, and I'd love a recommendation.
-How do I find what apps are running (in background?)? Percentage of system resources, and how to kill them? I’m guessing there are apps for that. Does Android kill a process when you return to home screen? What are some of the general rules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With respect to these questions, I'm not an expert, but I'll provide a list of programs I use.
For WiFi signal strength, I'd recommend Wifi Analyzer from the Market. For 3G strength, I'd recommend Cellumap. For GPS Strength, GPS Status + Toolbox or GPS Test.
The manual for the phone can be found on either the VMUSA or Motorola web site. It will explain some of the icons. Although when using the phone, I often see stuff not explained in the manual.
For examining the phone's processes, I recommend SystemPanel from the Market (paid for version has history), and/or Android Status.
There are people that tell you NOT to kill anything on the Android OS manually. I use 1Tap Cleaner and Advanced Task Killer from the market if I see the phone behaving a bit sluggish. Android OS loads stuff in memory readying it for future use. How it does so (intelligently) I don't know. I see stuff being partially loaded I never use. I have never had a problem using either program.
YMMV
GrooveIP works great over 3g...I dunno how much we will be able to use it once they start capping data..bastards
dcnblues said:
-What’s the best VOIP app for working with Google Voice? I've come across GrooVe IP, but would like reassurance whether it's the best option. I'd like to make calls over wifi, but I'd also like to know whether Virgin Mobile's 3g coverage is fast enough for voip (generally...). I wouldn't want to do this routinely as I'd be afraid they'd throttle me. But I would like someone who knows to share their opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GrooVe IP is actually the only thing i've bothered to use because it worked well enough, I havn't put it to test over 3g... In the future, you can root the phone and update it to sprint PRL (Their towers instead of VMU) - People have reported up to like 6-900kbps doing this... I would suggest to not factor this last suggestion in yet as you won't be extremely comfortable with your first smart phone being messed with (But a possibility nonetheless)
dcnblues said:
-How do I find out my wifi signal strength? 3G strength? GPS strength? Or even just where I can learn what the icons on the top bar stand for, and what their range is? There must be a good app for this, and I'd love a recommendation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i will back the suggestion of wifi analyzer, it will map out locations of wifi/cellular tower, it gave me beef on another phone that ran @ 600mhz but this one is 1000mhz.
dcnblues said:
-If I wanted the option, how (specifically) would I switch from making a voip/data plan outgoing call to the regular phone cell plan? Would Android be smart enough to do this automatically without a wifi signal? Or would I need to change a setting in Google Voice? Any thoughts most appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With grooveip and google voice it will ask you on all outbound calls after you press dial: Would you like to make this call with.... A) non-Google Voice B) Google Voice (same story w/ sending an sms except it will ask when you create the sms because google voice has it's own sms application, keep in mind w/ gvoice you can forward calls to your google chat account (and that's what makes grooveip ring instead of forwarding the call to your cellular number[i think])
dcnblues said:
-How do I find what apps are running (in background?)? Percentage of system resources, and how to kill them? I’m guessing there are apps for that. Does Android kill a process when you return to home screen? What are some of the general rules?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are tons of application managers and task killers, I recommend to ignore all of them.... Someone brought a Samsung Prevail(Boost mobile Galaxy) into work the other day(Radioshack) - Anytime they killed tasks their touchscreen went out till reboot.... Android is supposed to self manage tasks and processes... realistically you just have to make sure not to leave your bluetooth wifi and gps on all the time... Also taking the screen brightness down a fuzz from max will help batt life tremendously... Android will suspend a process and kill an activity when you return to homescreen.... What I mean by that is that if you're in the browser and you hit home then you go back to the browser, you're on the same page still... but likely not to have any of your text still there if you were in an input field.... (This is probably an inaccurate example due to programmers being able to add a save activity state [this is something that when you for example hit back or hold the home button down to switch applications will store your current information, so when you're editing the text field it will save that data, THEN kill the activity/suspend it so that when you return it is still there, but the process is not draining the battery down at the moment.])
One of androids key attributes is the quick application switching via holding down the home button but some applications like pandora will run 'ongoing' so that you can multitask, while others will suspend so that you can save battery.... Kind of as a rule of thumb, unless it is monitoring or actively outputting it will be suspended.... so apps like pandora and wifi tethering continue to function when you switch applications because tehy'er ongoing whereas a note editor application would suspend itself untill it's brought back to focus because how are you going to type without it forefront?
dcnblues said:
-I have a mac. I’m guessing most of the programs that let you manage files, root the phone, install Cyanogen mods, etc, are PC based. I found Android File Transfer, but am not clear on it's limits. Are there better options? What will the AFT program be good for? [Emulating PC’s is a pain I would rather avoid, but I have been thinking of running virtual box to donate some processing time to the Large Hadron Collider, so I might be able to run some of these PC programs].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off nice LHC Mac joke I take it we're running the server edition cause hey, more is never enough.
I honestly can't tell you much from the mac POV other than that it would hopefully work the same as the linux instructions but i kind of expect version/dependency differences... to be fair this triumph is rootable by application ran on the phone (Which you can GMail to yourself and download as attatchment, bluetooth, wifi shared folder, usb mounting, or download directly to the phone..) The custom recovery is installed via drag and drop on USB Removable Disc so it's not nearly as bad as some of the other phones would be,
dcnblues said:
-Any skins or options to turn the google apps into light text on dark background? (I'm aware of and have used the option in Gmail). I hate black text on white background. I'm kooky that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Feel free to, they exist, I would however suggest against them... I walk to work a lot and it's a pain in the ass to read those emails when you have the sun on the screen; granted everything is harder this was damn near impossible... Nonetheless check for the black apps listed in xda/android/themes and apps... I'll link soon. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1206774
dcnblues said:
This Android phone is good looking, the plan costs much less than a thousand a year (which I refuse to pay), and I LOVE the Google voice options to turn your text and calls into computer files which you can archive as you wish. The Google voice activation / text / search is far superior to iAnything, voip/wifi is the balls, and I think a lot people who've been holding off from getting a smartphone will jump on this combo, and this thread may help them. Many thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to point out that with the GVoice extension/app for google chrome
you can continue your SMS conversations that way... I recieved one of the CR48s and this has been AWESOME for me.
As far as voip services, I have found using 3g too slow. That said I do recommend sipdroid. It will setup a pbx account for you using your google voice number. Upon connecting to wifi, sipdroid will start running allowing you to make and receive calls.
Sent from my MOTWX435KT using XDA App
Thanks guys for the very useful help. I'm kind of burned out on all the research, and kind of bummed that this red-hot, billion dollar business seems to be run by such morons. SO many unnecessary complications to offering consumers simple, workable products and services.
This has been a great help.
bigvandal said:
GrooveIP works great over 3g...I dunno how much we will be able to use it once they start capping data..bastards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually kind of grateful to Virgin Mobile for the $35 dollar plan. I can communicate via voice to text, for a fair price, so until I have a real problem, I'm not going to call them bastards. Until I have a problem, of course...
I do hate the BS in advertising 'unlimited' plans, but having them smirking in their headquarters as they say to themselves 'but we didn't say at what rate...'
On the other hand, people downloading movies over cell frequencies aren't exactly providing solutions to the problem either...
rubbachicken said:
GrooVe IP is actually the only thing i've bothered to use because it worked well enough, I havn't put it to test over 3g... In the future, you can root the phone and update it to sprint PRL (Their towers instead of VMU) - People have reported up to like 6-900kbps doing this... I would suggest to not factor this last suggestion in yet as you won't be extremely comfortable with your first smart phone being messed with (But a possibility nonetheless)...Android is supposed to self manage tasks and processes... realistically you just have to make sure not to leave your bluetooth wifi and gps on all the time... Also taking the screen brightness down a fuzz from max will help batt life tremendously... Android will suspend a process and kill an activity when you return to homescreen....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, thanks very much. For this and all the information. Colossally useful.
Groove IP is actually having a problem today due to some change in the Google servers. Hope it's resolved soon as I'd like to get this running.
Quick confirm: Triumph is LCD and not AMOLED, Correct?
I've been using Grooveip, but recently was recommended Spare Phone instead for using google voice over 4G. anyone have experience with both an can compare them? esp for call quality and battery life?
Please post Spare Phone apk.
Like just to test it and compare.
Thank you.
I use GrooVe IP with both my phone and Xoom tablet and a Bluetooth headset extensively for conference calls. I'm trying Spare Phone out right now. Lots of people comment about its better sound quality. To my ear, it's actually a little worse than GrooVe IP.
It is a little prettier, but not a lot. It was easy to set up, but not as easy. GrooVe IP prompts you for which existing Google Account you'd like to use. You have to type in your login and password for Spare Phone.
I might be missing something, but Spare Phone doesn't appear to have redial functionality. In GrooVe IP, you can just tap the green button and it fills in the previously dialed number. Tap it again to dial it.
I was having problems earlier today with GrooVe IP dropping out when the screen on my Galaxy Nexus turned off. I'm not having the same problem with Spare Phone, but I *did* reboot the phone before starting to play with Spare Phone. It had been probably two weeks since the last reboot.
Neither have stats or level displays. (As a nerd, I'd love to see I/O rates and audio input/output levels with interactive adjustments.)
I'm curious how Spare Phone differs from Tablet Voice offered by the same people. Tablet Voice is $4.99 versus $2.99 for Spare Phone (currently).
I'll keep trying it out this week.
young707 said:
Please post Spare Phone apk.
Like just to test it and compare.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asking for the apk of a paid app is considered warez and against the xda TOS
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
truthkillszz said:
Asking for the apk of a paid app is considered warez and against the xda TOS
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as a hardware developer, if I cannot test this paid app to check my tablet, I just skip and move on.
Knowing probably 99.9% these half fast high school kid amateurish home made app just waste of time. In fact, most of these part timer app that saturated the air wave are just so non-professional are some kid's wet dream junks, this app in particular.
Your a hardware developer? If you develop hardware you must have capital which means you can buy the app instead of pirating it. Now you sound like a little kid.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Yesterday, I answered an incoming call to Spare Phone over 3G. It was a little awkward as I think it was ringing in on both Google Chat (Spare Phone) and my actual mobile number. I picked up in Spare Phone and had to do a bit of Bluetooth disconnecting and reconnecting in order for the other end to hear me. In the process of doing so, a multi-second delay was introduced, making communication kind of difficult. I don't believe there was a multi-second RTT on the network, but somehow, during the process of audio source/output switching, a buffer of data built up in the client that wasn't detected and dealt with, thus introducing such a large delay.
I have encountered similar problems with GrooVe IP, but none to quite the same degree.
On today's conference call, I heard choppy audio and was told by the other parties that my audio was very noisy. I don't believe this had anything to do with my network, but it could have. I'll give it another try here later and if it's still occurring, reboot and see if it's gone.
Choppy incoming audio and noisy outgoing audio has not been a problem in more recent builds of GrooVe IP for me on my Galaxy Nexus.
truthkillszz said:
Your a hardware developer? If you develop hardware you must have capital which means you can buy the app instead of pirating it. Now you sound like a little kid.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After buying the app 15 times, we are tired of buying it anymore.
So, we are only using the free app. If we do not have the apk, we just give this up testing these paid app.
So far, we concluded these Android VoIP basically using Google Voice making telephone calls are poor audio quality.
We have yet found any app that make reasonable audio quality that is any better betwen any of these we tested, both paid or free app:
GooVe IP both free and paid, Talkatone, Spare Phone, Pinger, etc.
However, the most expensive Spare Phone app has their own lousy contact list directory, but not editable, and triple the same exact idential names (same names are repeated 3 times).
young707 said:
After buying the app 15 times, we are tired of buying it anymore.
So, we are only using the free app. If we do not have the apk, we just give this up testing these paid app.
So far, we concluded these Android VoIP basically using Google Voice making telephone calls are poor audio quality.
We have yet found any app that make reasonable audio quality that is any better betwen any of these we tested, both paid or free app:
GooVe IP both free and paid, Talkatone, Spare Phone, Pinger, etc.
However, the most expensive Spare Phone app has their own lousy contact list directory, but not editable, and triple the same exact idential names (same names are repeated 3 times).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why would you be buying it multiple times? just buy it once on a testing account and you can just re-download the app for free on any devices attached to that google account. I just find you defense of being a "Hardware Developer" to justify pirating an app to be a load of BS.
I not a Hardware Developer but I play one online.
truthkillszz said:
why would you be buying it multiple times? just buy it once on a testing account and you can just re-download the app for free on any devices attached to that google account. I just find you defense of being a "Hardware Developer" to justify pirating an app to be a load of BS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you completely! I suppose anyone could claim to be a hardware developer.
As for the Spare Phone app - I am using it along with Google Voice and it works just fine!
Sorry for the bump, but maybe someone can help me understand the difference between these apps and the native Google Voice app already in android.
I have a GV number, and I seem to be able to place texts and calls from my cellphone using GV. When I dial a number I get the option to use GV, and GV has an option to route all calls through their service. To me this sounds like VoIP. But is it really just using call forwarding so all calls/texts look like they're coming from my GV number instead of my real number? Is that where apps like Groove and SparePhone come into play? They actually route the calls through GV using the GV web service which really is VoIP, and thus free calls/texts?
RunNgun42 said:
Sorry for the bump, but maybe someone can help me understand the difference between these apps and the native Google Voice app already in android.
I have a GV number, and I seem to be able to place texts and calls from my cellphone using GV. When I dial a number I get the option to use GV, and GV has an option to route all calls through their service. To me this sounds like VoIP. But is it really just using call forwarding so all calls/texts look like they're coming from my GV number instead of my real number? Is that where apps like Groove and SparePhone come into play? They actually route the calls through GV using the GV web service which really is VoIP, and thus free calls/texts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Voice uses cellular phone network to route the call. Hence uses cellular minutes. GrooVe IP and Spare Phone log in to the GV amount using gtalk, which uses cellular Data connection, hence free call minutes.
Nexus IV
Hi,
I've discovered the description of "Signal Private Messenger" app, but I don't know what thinking about it.
Its description seem's to indicate that you can communicate voice and text securely end to end with your smartphone, and that it's open source.
What is really securely ? I don't know and "I want to know"
Thanks in advance for your answers.
Hi, The short answer is Yes. Signal is by Open Whisper Systems & runs on iOS and Android. You can use it as a regular SMS/MMS app; as well as encrypted SMS/MMS/phone calls. To activate the encryption you need to exchange keys with the person you want to message.
Hope this helps!
equi_design said:
Hi, The short answer is Yes. Signal is by Open Whisper Systems & runs on iOS and Android. You can use it as a regular SMS/MMS app; as well as encrypted SMS/MMS/phone calls. To activate the encryption you need to exchange keys with the person you want to message.
Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for your answer.
Your answer is a good summary of the app's features.
But what are you thinking about the word "securely" ?
Is it a dream or a reality ?
The app's editor highlights testimonies from known people who use it. Is it sufficient to trust this app ?
Has someone in this forum examined the code of this app ?
Nothing is completely secure.
In my opinion, & from my use, Signal is more secure than a normal messengering app - but less secure than a talk in real life.
If you are interested in security, please check out this XDA subforum; http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/security
And read up here: www.eff.org
Hm, nice to see a discussion going on. Have just heard Snowden recommend the app so I thought I'd check it out. BUT, there is a but ... I intentionally blocked the app from any internet usage whatsoever with AFWall+ donate. I've set up my AFW to show a toast whenever it blocks an app trying to use the internet so that I know which apps try to use the net in the background without my permission or intention. To my surprise my AFW blocks Signal all the time when I use Signal. And I mean ALL the time. How does this make sense? Why would a privacy app try to connect to the internet constantly? I've not got WiFi calling and I've not even enabled it in Signal's settings. Am I missing something here or is there sth wrong with the app? It's making me feel that it is constantly trying to leak data and that's why it attempts to use the internet. Good thing I have a robust thing on board such as AFWall... best firewall out there.
jonathansmith said:
Hm, nice to see a discussion going on. Have just heard Snowden recommend the app so I thought I'd check it out. BUT, there is a but ... I intentionally blocked the app from any internet usage whatsoever with AFWall+ donate. I've set up my AFW to show a toast whenever it blocks an app trying to use the internet so that I know which apps try to use the net in the background without my permission or intention. To my surprise my AFW blocks Signal all the time when I use Signal. And I mean ALL the time. How does this make sense? Why would a privacy app try to connect to the internet constantly? I've not got WiFi calling and I've not even enabled it in Signal's settings. Am I missing something here or is there sth wrong with the app? It's making me feel that it is constantly trying to leak data and that's why it attempts to use the internet. Good thing I have a robust thing on board such as AFWall... best firewall out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's encrypted, end to end. It's not leaking anything. The code is opensource, you can go and review the code and build it yourself.
If you're blocking it from accessing the internet, then it's going to try again, probably because it can see that there is a network connection live.
@jonathansmith
Thanks for your detailed feedback.
It will be nice if someone in this forum could analyze the code of this open source app.
As for me, I am unfortunately not competent.
Were you able to identify with AFW the site the app was trying to connect ?
dtective said:
It's encrypted, end to end. It's not leaking anything. The code is opensource, you can go and review the code and build it yourself. If you're blocking it from accessing the internet, then it's going to try again, probably because it can see that there is a network connection live.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, that's exactly what I don't get. Why would it attempt to establish a connection. Ofc I'm blocking it. I'm blocking tons of others apps as well, but unlike Signal (and a few other suspicious apps) the other apps do not try to establish a connection.
As I said, when you block an app from accessing the net with AFWall you can tell AFWall to give you a toast showing you when every signle time when AFWall blocks a certain app trying to access the net. So, with 99% of my AFWall-blocked apps I don't get this toast, meaning that those apps don't even attempt to access the net (but better stay safe and have em blocked.) With some tricky apps though, AFwall shows that toast msg indicating that it successfully blocks a certain app from accessing the net. That's what I don't get - why would Signal be set up in a way that it would attempt to access the net. Prolly WiFi calling or sth but I'd rather use it for now only as a default SMS client.
Yes, you are right. Signal can see that there is a network connection live and that's why it constantly tries to connect to it. Just wish Signal would get it once and for all that it is blocked for good and stop trying to access the net.
If anyone knows which Services, Broadcast Receivers, or Activities from Signal should be disabled (using MyAndroidTools for example) please do share which ones they are so I can disable them and thus prevent Signal from constantly trying to establish a connection. The toast msg from AFW does become annoying when it is every second second
---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------
iwanttoknow said:
Were you able to identify with AFW the site the app was trying to connect ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe gotta look into the log of AFW. The toast msg only shows the ip address which Signal ties to connect but AFwall prevents it form doing. But that's not the prob for me. Doesn't matter too much what it tries to access cos I know AFWall is good enough at preventing that. Just want to stop Signal from trying to access whatever it is trying to access! Will let you know if I figure it out!
---------- Post added at 12:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:39 AM ----------
equi_design said:
Nothing is completely secure.
And read up here: www.eff.org
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second that. Nothing is, indeed! And thanks for reminding me about eff ... here's a good one - https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere @iwanttoknow check it out!
And here's a bit of a follow-up. Managed to catch the toast. Not sure if it is always the same ip that AFW blocks, but will try to pay attention. A reverse search reveals that the geo location of the ip is some place in Washington, US.
https://imgur.com/a/5fhIf
As I understood it
(And I could be wrong I left signal years ago when it was text secure)
Signal does NOT use sms to send messages
That functionality of the app was dropped a while back
It uses internet only to transmit encrypted messages
And it uses its own message server to host your messages.
It seems like decent software
I abandoned it because it uses your personal phone number as your identifier..
And it will not work with out a phone number..
Which for me is just crazy as every government in the world and most phone companies are selling /tracking your "meta" data based on your smart phone and it's phone number.
Think of it as any other encrypted internet message system
But it uses your phone number as an identifier...
Everyone gets my pubic email address now for communication.
Cops, government, hospital, work, stores,etc
It's the 21st century. Why use a phone number for anything anymore?
nutpants said:
As I understood it
(And I could be wrong I left signal years ago when it was text secure)
Signal does NOT use sms to send messages
That functionality of the app was dropped a while back
It uses internet only to transmit encrypted messages
And it uses its own message server to host your messages.
It seems like decent software
I abandoned it because it uses your personal phone number as your identifier..
And it will not work with out a phone number..
Which for me is just crazy as every government in the world and most phone companies are selling /tracking your "meta" data based on your smart phone and it's phone number.
Think of it as any other encrypted internet message system
But it uses your phone number as an identifier...
Everyone gets my pubic email address now for communication.
Cops, government, hospital, work, stores,etc
It's the 21st century. Why use a phone number for anything anymore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to go back in time when the app was called Textsecure and it provided end to end encryption for SMS. The app was available on F-Droid until someone discovered that plain text sms were saved unencrypted on device. After that, the dev temporarily closed the source and also demanded that the app be removed from F-Droid, because in his view distribution on F-droid was "insecure." Well, that hole was fixed and the following versions worked pretty well. About the same, time, the dev started to be bothered by TSA every time he travelled by air. Then, within a few subsequent releases, google binaries and internet permission were included. Then, the app started to crash if internet service was restricted. In addition, you could only get the app from Googleplay, which means, you must have Gapps and Google Services Framework, which has total control over the phone and regularly "phones" home (obviously not your home). GSF can get your outgoing text before encryption and incoming text after.. Despite all of the above, one could still compile the app and use it without GSF. Then suddenly, the dev announced that he would no longer support encrypted SMS. About that time, he started receiving literally millions of $ from a US government's backed foundation. In addition, he was offered a lucrative contract to do encryption for What's UP, which later became Facebook. Quite a change after being harassed in airports So, encrypted sms were dropped and the app turned into an internet messenger. You must register with your phone number; your data goes through Google servers and Whisper System's servers. And by the way, neither the Signal servers nor Redphone servers are open source. You can't use the app unless you have Gapps and GSF and if you use the app, you are known to Whisper Systems, Google and all 3-letter agencies...
This is not the first time I am posting on Textsecure/Signal, just do a search on XDA and F-Droid forums and you will find more info with links. I would stay away from anything coming out of Whisper Systems. Use Silence, which is a fork of Textsecure with encrypted SMS. For over-the-internet services, use Conversations.
And by the way, never use an app where everything: encryption, encryption method, registration, servers are in the hands of one entity, which won't allow you to use other servers...
nutpants said:
As I understood it ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be right but for normal unencrypted messages Signal uses simple SMS. Have tried it and without any WiFi or data it simply sends a msg as an SMS. So far so good but u might have a point. I'm yet to test with someone who also has the app installed and see how encrypted msgs are transferred. I'd imagine it NOT to be over the internet, but then again you might have a point? Why? Because as I said I've blocked Signal with AFWall and I get a toast showing that Signal CONSTANTLY tries to connect to the internet when there is currently a live connection to the internet, be it Data or Wifi. So yeah, you might be right, but I need to test it out. In the meantime someone who has already done this would do us a favour by telling us how it works.
Using my personal phone number as identifier does not sound cool indeed. If you are right about this: 'It uses internet only to transmit encrypted messages. And it uses its own message server to host your message' then I guess I'm ok with using the net for transmitting encr. msg since they are encrypted with E2EE. As to where the msgs are hosted. I guess I'm better off having them stored at Signal's server than at Verizon's cos from Verizon they end up DIRECTLY to the government. I guess with nuff persuasion and money though they'd also end up there from Signal. It's the way of the world, isn't it? Also, as I mentioned in my last post, the IP which Signal constantly tries to connect to is in Washington. That's already fishy enough .... very fishy!
optimumpro said:
Use Silence, which is a fork of Textsecure with encrypted SMS. For over-the-internet services, use Conversations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about apps like 'Wire' and 'Wickr - Top Secret Messenger'? Are they any good? Will give Silence and Conversations a try! 10x for bringing them up.
unknown404 said:
How about apps like 'Wire' and 'Wickr - Top Secret Messenger'? Are they any good? Will give Silence and Conversations a try! 10x for bringing them up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wickr is not open source. So, for me it is out of the question. Wire sounds good, although they say they can terminate your account at any time. Also, they say the company is based in Switzerland, but the location for dispute resolution is San Francisco. They also say they can require you to download/upgrade the app, which means that if you want to stay on older version, they won't let you...
Again, I am against models where everything is concentrated in the same hands...
optimumpro said:
Wickr is not open source. So, for me it is out of the question. Wire sounds good, although they say they can terminate your account at any time. Also, they say the company is based in Switzerland, but the location for dispute resolution is San Francisco. They also say they can require you to download/upgrade the app, which means that if you want to stay on older version, they won't let you...
Again, I am against models where everything is concentrated in the same hands...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I'm ok with Wickr's being closed source (but then again what do I know ... the discussion about open vs closed source goes both ways so more opinions are welcome). Just don't get why I made an account there and now trying to log back in I'm told the credential are wrong. Weird!
Hi,
In my first post, I was asking your opinions about "Signal Private Messenger" app.
Thanks all for your answers.
In your answers, I have discovered the names of Silence and Conversations apps.
Which level of confidence for them and why ?
iwanttoknow said:
Hi,
In my first post, I was asking your opinions about "Signal Private Messenger" app.
Thanks all for your answers.
In your answers, I have discovered the names of Silence and Conversations apps.
Which level of confidence for them and why ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be happy to hear more opinions as well but as optimumpro said, Silence really seems solid and offers E2EE, which is what I need. Have tested it with other users and seems good so far. Can't say anything about Conversations cos I've not used it yet. I read good stuff about Wickr as well, but yeah ... closed source deters many.
unknown404 said:
I'll be happy to hear more opinions as well but as optimumpro said, Silence really seems solid and offers E2EE, which is what I need. Have tested it with other users and seems good so far. Can't say anything about Conversations cos I've not used it yet. I read good stuff about Wickr as well, but yeah ... closed source deters many.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both Conversations and Silence are open source, unlike Signal, which contains prebuilt binaries and jar files. Also, neither Conversations nor Silence forces you to register or use their servers, which Signal does.
optimumpro said:
Both Conversations and Silence are open source, unlike Signal, which contains prebuilt binaries and jar files. Also, neither Conversations nor Silence forces you to register or use their servers, which Signal does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I do second and that I do like!
Hi,
After reading some articles, I discovered that it was "easy" to assure End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for our communications. I share my understanding here, knowing that it's well known by experts in the domain. So thank you for being kind to me.
In fact, there is a difficulty for communicating parties who wanted to communicate without anyone spying their voice or written messages. They have to use cryptographic protocols relying on a shared secret. But how to share a secret on unsecure communication channels ?
It's "easy", due to the Diffie-Hellman cryptographic protocol which permits to do that. There are a lot of explanations about it on the Net. But it could be defeated by the man-in-the-middle attack (MITM). To counter this attack, you have "simply" to sign the shared secret with asymetric keys (with your secret key to sign the shared secret, and with your public key permitting to the other part verify it). If you are interested, see more explanations on the Net about asymetric cryptographic protocols.
I sincerely hope that I didn't say too much nonsense.
Silence app is based on Diffie-Hellman protocol, like other apps in the domain.
In summary, after reading your answers to my initial post :
- Silence app permits to exchange SMS/MMS, using E2EE.
- Conversations app is an instant messaging (IM) client for Android, using E2EE.
Signal Private Menssenger is an E2EE IM and voice calling app.
I have noted what has been written about Signal Private Menssenger in this thread, so is there a "less intrusive" E2EE voice calling app, in the same way as Silence ?
Thanks for your participation.
In an unfortunate set of circumstances I must put myself first and betray the trust of a person who I believe might have already done so to me.
I suspect my fiancee of having an affair. I have some partial evidence which might be circumstantial but my gut is telling me to pursuit it and uncover it all.
I know that there are generally apps that are keeping tabs on the phone: it's location, forwarding of facebook messenger, sms texts, call log and gps location, remote camera view snapshots and audio streaming of its surroundings and they operate while being in complete stealth mode.
I ask you if you can recommend such an app or a few so I could choose in order to snoop out what is really going on. :crying:
Please, can you recommend such apps?
Doubledeckler said:
In an unfortunate set of circumstances I must put myself first and betray the trust of a person who I believe might have already done so to me.
I suspect my fiancee of having an affair. I have some partial evidence which might be circumstantial but my gut is telling me to pursuit it and uncover it all.
I know that there are generally apps that are keeping tabs on the phone: it's location, forwarding of facebook messenger, sms texts, call log and gps location, remote camera view snapshots and audio streaming of its surroundings and they operate while being in complete stealth mode.
I ask you if you can recommend such an app or a few so I could choose in order to snoop out what is really going on. :crying:
Please, can you recommend such apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all.Wrong Forum bro.Thr forum rules doesn't allow such Discussion. Secondly don't be so specific while asking stuff.Thirdly it is very much Possible but on old phones like at most android 5.0 due to major changes in Security. Fourthly there is another way but it requires to some extent a higher level of understanding of linux and how an android device handles it's OS.Maybe you can build a backdoor in it.Fifthly the samsung account manager usually handles that.Go look it up.No root no bull**** straight last 15 sms and calls along with location.
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