So, I live in Mexico. There is a company called Movistar (Telefonica in EU) and I have one of their pre-paid plans (I use a Nexus 5).
The pre-paid plan is the equivalent of $15 US dollars every 30 days. You just go to any convenience store or a big retail store and you pay at the register.
Well, my pre-paid plan offers me:
500 minutes to any company, USA and Canada numbers included.
100 SMS to any any company.
Unlimited minutes and SMS to any other Movistar phone.
Unlimited access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Gmail.
250MB of data.
And for some strange reason, I can stream Spotify too, unlimited, even if I use the 250MB.
Well, after I use the 250MB (in like a day), everytime I want to access, for example, a website, I get redirected to a Movistar page that says that I consumed the 250MB. OK, that's fine. Perfectly normal.
Obviously I can still use Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Gmail, both apps and website versions.
But, most of the Google services still work. Keep, Drive, Docs, Maps, most of the syncing too (no YouTube).
But I also have HotSpot Shield installed ($25 US dollars per year) and if I'm connected to the VPN, I get absolutely unlimited Internet.
How? Why does that happens? I'm not complaining, I'm just curious.
Sounds like they're analysing the packet headers looking for a user agent string of the browser
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Either they analyze the packets as said above, or they lock your data down via IP, which is unlikely since it would need to be static.
TheLastSidekick said:
Either they analyze the packets as said above, or they lock your data down via IP, which is unlikely since it would need to be static.
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Click to collapse
I'm thinking its the former. Some UK carriers use this method to detect tethering. You could tether an iPad but then browser would bring up a carrier page stating that tethering couldn't be used but fat client apps that don't use user agents (Facebook etc) worked fine. It kind of makes sense given the symptoms, although its a strange beat to do it in this instance.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
rootSU said:
I'm thinking its the former. Some UK carriers use this method to detect tethering. You could tether an iPad but then browser would bring up a carrier page stating that tethering couldn't be used but fat client apps that don't use user agents (Facebook etc) worked fine. It kind of makes sense given the symptoms, although its a strange beat to do it in this instance.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Haha either scenario would be strange.
Thank you guys for your responses.
So, why do I unlock unlimited data when I activate HotSpot Shield VPN? For example, the other day I did a test and I downloaded over 10GB of data (using a torrent client). And it's all prepaid. No hidden fees and stuff.
Also... something weird happens when I finish my 250MB.
The signal/data icon becomes orange instead of white and I don't get Facebook notifications anymore (I still get WhatsApp, Gmail and other notifications, but not Facebook).
And let's say that during the day I received 50 messages from Facebook.,, as soon as I connect to a WiFi or if I activate the VPN, I get the 50 notifications of the messages all at once.
FernandoRocker said:
Thank you guys for your responses.
So, why do I unlock unlimited data when I activate HotSpot Shield VPN? For example, the other day I did a test and I downloaded over 10GB of data (using a torrent client). And it's all prepaid. No hidden fees and stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To elaborate on my scenario. A browser has a user agent string. For example, this may say you ate using Firefox on a desktop computer. Some mobile carriers have a database of all "desktop" user agents and if this is what they detect through packet analysis, will block it. They will also do the same for things that say safari tablet. ...or maybe even they detect you have nexus 5 and only allow that user agent string.
So flipping that in reverse, maybe your carrier only looks for android mobile, or whatever your user agent string is. Check here using a browser...
http://www.whatsmyuseragent.com/
For chrome I get:
Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4.4; Build/KTU84Q) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/37.0.2062.71 Safari/537.36
Yet for dolphin in desktop mode I get:
Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_3; en-us) AppleWebKit/537.16 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0 Safari/537.16
See in the last how it doesn't say android? This user agent string is used by *most* sites to detect you're mobile and therefore give you mobile websites instead. Changing bathe string can give you desktop mode instead. That's what dolphins "desktop" mode does. Note, some sites use a new method I don't understand yet.
Browsers always have a user agent, whether you're osx, iOS, linux , windows, android etc. Most non_browser apps do not have one. That's why torrent clients, Facebook, Tapatalk maybe can work on tether and not browsers. If you receive back message only in a browser yet other apps work, it stands to reason that this is how it could be done. You can test it. Install dolphin and set to desktop mode. Still get the message?
For the VPN question, I'll keep it simple. Whenever you communicate over a network, you are transmitting packets of data. This data has information attached, such as then user agent string. These packets are seem by the network you are travelling through. If you load Google, in simple terms, you send a packet asking to load Google, to Google. Google responds with a packet that will be the web page. The network sees this because it routes the traffic.
With a VPN (virtually private network) you are creating a tunnel between your end point device (n5 in this case) and a server. This tunnel, burrows through your network to then server. Then tunnel is impenetrable. The network cannot see then packets. They're encrypted. It cannot see any user agent string or anything else. It doesnt need to either as your network does not route the traffic inside the tunnel. When you VPN tons server then load Google, the server uses its internet connection to load the page. The server sends a packet to google using its network. You are connected into the same network as the server so your carrier sees nothing.
To try and clarify my VPN rambling... Imagine a laptop for a company you work. You plug a network cable in on site and you connect to their network. You can see intranet and network drives. Pull out cable, gone. Go home, still gone. VPN is a way of creating back network connection into work as if you were on site. With a cable. It creates a secure, encrypted connection between you and your company.
I hope this helps.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Wow. Thanks for the detailed response!
Very interesting. Thank you!
FernandoRocker said:
Wow. Thanks for the detailed response!
Very interesting. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unproven theory in your case
Sorry about all the typos above. I can't remember having typed that much on my n5 keyboard ever before.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
rootSU said:
Unproven theory in your case
Sorry about all the typos above. I can't remember having typed that much on my n5 keyboard ever before.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Do you have a theory for this?
Something weird happens when I finish my regular 250MB.
The signal/data icon becomes orange instead of white and I don't get Facebook notifications anymore (I think I don't get WhatsApp and Gmail notifications too, but I can't remember).
And let's say that during the day I received 50 messages from Facebook during work... as soon as I connect to my WiFi at home or if I activate the VPN, I get the 50 notifications of the messages all at once.
Orange just means no connection to Google servers. Some apps that are not browsers are detectable in a similar way to user agent string. It all fits in with the theory. You'll have to test it yourself.
Facebook, who can theorise anything with that?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Related
Just got my TC tonight and I cant put it down. I LOVE this device. Ive never had a WM phone before but have played with them without any desire to own one. Well I really like how much can be optimized and configured, and thats not even considering all the tweaks found here.
Anyway, my current issue is that I cant get my yahoo email to work. Now, it could be that Im coming from a Blackberry Curve so my phone package is the blackberry BIS. Would this inhibit me getting my email? If so, do I have to call up ATT tomorrow and get set up on the smartphone program instead?
The POP/IMAP email access requires a normal dataplan... After that the device can configure itself for the mail access (after you enter you email adrdess in the new account creation). But if you want better useability, and more security than you should configure it manually whith IMAP access... if Yahoo! supports it...
gnick666 said:
The POP/IMAP email access requires a normal dataplan... After that the device can configure itself for the mail access (after you enter you email adrdess in the new account creation). But if you want better useability, and more security than you should configure it manually whith IMAP access... if Yahoo! supports it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so I dont have to get a paid yahoo account just for it to work right?
Dunno.. I'm using gmail
Never used Yahoo in my life...
gnick666 said:
Dunno.. I'm using gmail
Never used Yahoo in my life...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, Im over it. Device is for sale.
HyperM3 said:
No worries, Im over it. Device is for sale.
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Click to collapse
Giving up at the first difficulty?
gnick666 said:
Giving up at the first difficulty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like my BB Curve better. I guess I have way too many things against me as a Mac user also. Its a neat phone but not what I really want.
yahoo/gmail issues
I am having a weird problem. When connected over wifi, yahoo and google connect and download mail like you'd expect.
When connected to 3G or Gprs network google and yahoo fail to connect. The phone tries to make another connection, like it does not know there is already a data connection.
I know my data connection is good at 3G, because I surf the web all day...
Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks.
Figured it out...
Had to uncheck the "use proxy" setting on the connection profile under "proxy"
I signed up for the BB Connect package ($45 a month) through AT&T. We have a BES at work, am I correct to assume I will get better email performance with this option compared to the regular data plan ($30 a month). Does BB Connect use its own email application? Besides better performance am I able search through emails easier by using BB Connect?
I have not received my Fuze yet hence a lot of my noobish questions, I just want to make sure I did not pick the wrong data plan and could have saved $15 for the same performance and features.
Gagnon said:
I signed up for the BB Connect package ($45 a month) through AT&T. We have a BES at work, am I correct to assume I will get better email performance with this option compared to the regular data plan ($30 a month). Does BB Connect use its own email application? Besides better performance am I able search through emails easier by using BB Connect?
I have not received my Fuze yet hence a lot of my noobish questions, I just want to make sure I did not pick the wrong data plan and could have saved $15 for the same performance and features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T no longer has the $30.00 Option for Blackberry Connect. It's only the $45.00 option. If you have a blackberry (BB) IMEI you can then get $30.00 plan but you have to tell them that you use the BB only on weekends. But it will work with the $30.00 BB personal. And don't believe them when they say that your internet will work correctly. I currently have this set-up and working even with Active Sync calendar & contacts synchronizing with an exchange server.
But if you have the insurance plan it will show the BB device as the insured phone otherwise you want to stay with the $45.00 BB connect plan.
I have the 45.00 plan and Blackberry Connect through BES...it works great...
You will need to download Blackberry Connect as the link on the phone is dead...you can find it at Sems.org...use the newest one that's the one I am using...
also you will have to provision it through a computer that has Outlook running and Blackberry Desktop for Windows Mobile which you can find on sems as well...as I was not able to provision it over the air...it works fine through the computer...you can find several step by steps over in the TytnII forum...
mumboender said:
I have the 45.00 plan and Blackberry Connect through BES...it works great...
You will need to download Blackberry Connect as the link on the phone is dead...you can find it at Sems.org...use the newest one that's the one I am using...
also you will have to provision it through a computer that has Outlook running and Blackberry Desktop for Windows Mobile which you can find on sems as well...as I was not able to provision it over the air...it works fine through the computer...you can find several step by steps over in the TytnII forum...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to provision OTA on my Fuze using .103 version of the BB Connect software just fine.
Anybody running through BIS? ATT says "they won't be able to support bb connect until early next year".
Gagnon said:
I signed up for the BB Connect package ($45 a month) through AT&T. We have a BES at work, am I correct to assume I will get better email performance with this option compared to the regular data plan ($30 a month). Does BB Connect use its own email application? Besides better performance am I able search through emails easier by using BB Connect?
I have not received my Fuze yet hence a lot of my noobish questions, I just want to make sure I did not pick the wrong data plan and could have saved $15 for the same performance and features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the responses, still looking for specific questions I will list them out again:
Q1) Am I correct to assume I will get better email performance with this option (compared to the regular data plan)?
Q2) Does BB Connect use its own email application? (thoughts/recommendations on it)
Q3) Besides better (push) performance am I able search through emails easier by using BB Connect? (just trying to understand the benefits and why it costs 50% more then the regular data plan)
Gagnon said:
Thanks for the responses, still looking for specific questions I will list them out again:
Q1) Am I correct to assume I will get better email performance with this option (compared to the regular data plan)?
Q2) Does BB Connect use its own email application? (thoughts/recommendations on it)
Q3) Besides better (push) performance am I able search through emails easier by using BB Connect? (just trying to understand the benefits and why it costs 50% more then the regular data plan)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A1) Push is generally better when it comes to email. It only sends out when you have mail to receive. Otherwise you would be constantly connecting to get mail.
A2) No, it uses Mobile Outlook. It's fine if you're used to it.
A3) No search as far as I know, only sorting. You're paying for the encryption and the license to use what BlackBerry provides.
The HBO Go app is available now from the market. While it seems to be supported by our Evo and I am a HBO subscriber through Xfinity (Comcast) I can't log in. I keep getting the message "This network is restricted by Parental Control setting." Anyone else try this app with Xfinity and successfully log in?
Resolved! You must create a Comcast ID (not your primary email address but a separate Comcast ID) by going here and following the prompts.
http://www.mycomcastid.com and follow the prompts to register your Comcast ID. Funny thing is I've used Comcast for years but your log in to Comcast (for bill paying etc.) is NOT a Comcast ID. BTW, the app works pretty good too.
I read somewhere Comcast blocked this stream or something like that.
I dont subscribe to hbo. has anyone seen an option to pay for this mobile service as a stand alone? thank you
Just got this new AT&T Avail (android 2.3), which I'm really happy with but its not on the list of supported devices to use with the AT&T Address book. Which I wouldn't give a damn about, if the Address Book wasn't needed to access AT&T's "My Messages" app.
So what do I need to do here? Change the IMEI? Yes, I read the sticky, and no, I will not need lube because I am in the legal right of way, because my device is on the list of supported devices for the My Messages app.
I'm not sure if I need to convince the app ( https://market.android.com/details?id=com.voxmobili.attaddressbook&hl=en ) that I own a supported phone, or if I need to convince the server side that I own a supported phone. From my search here on XDA, it doesn't look like installing that app is going to be a cakewalk either. Even people who do have supported devices have a hard time re-installing this app.
Google does all that for you in contacts!
Just search the market for a good messaging app.
IMHO.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
rbeavers said:
Google does all that for you in contacts!
Just search the market for a good messaging app.
IMHO.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Acquiring a functional AT&T address book* is a prerequisite to getting AT&T's cloud service (aka My Messages). What it does is when you get a phone call or sms, you will also be alerted to that phone call or sms via desktop and tablet. The only way to do this with Google is to use Google Voice. The problem with that is the phone calls are routed through Google voice servers and there is a noticeable depreciation in quality.
I spent quite a bit of time looking for messaging app that will perform a similar function. After lots of searching I found android-notifier. Which isn't a cloud service but that's not the main problem. The main problem is that even though it has an .apk, that .apk is only used to broadcast to your desktop receiver. There is no .apk to receive notifications on other android devices (ie: my tablet).
*For further clarification, AT&T address book is a cloud based app. It can also be accessed from the desktop browser. Same with My Messages
The model of phone in in the build.prop in the android software and can be changed. Sorry not a Developer.
It looks like AT&T should update their app for all their phones.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
I have an issue with the standard Samsung email app. I am a teacher and use my Note at school. I have it configured to access the school WiFi and it can access the internet (using Chrome) through the proxy server. However, I can't seem to use the email app. One of the features that I really want to use is to be able to email students in real time records of improvements suggested to their work which I am writing and sketching on the Note, but these emails all seem to fail continually in school only to go as soon as I get home. My ICT Technicians have suggested a different email app rather than the stock Samsung one - any ideas on how to do this?
Are you using a school-provided email account? If so, it's hard to say what the problem might be, not knowing what type of mail system they're using. If they're using an MS ActiveSync Email server, the Samsung email app should support it. Here's a quick how-to guide put out by Samsung. http://www.samsung.com/us/support/supportOwnersHowToGuidePopup.do?howto_guide_seq=7046&prd_ia_cd=N0000003&map_seq=48169
You may also want to check out this more general set of instructions on setting up ActiveSync email on Android. http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/smartphones/set-up-an-exchange-account-on-your-android-phone/1581
Hi there - yes it is school provided email using MS Exchange server. Settngs are OK because it woks perfectly from home. I have access to internet, but email app can't see it. My ICT Technician has a Nexus 4 with vanilla email app and this works OK with the proxy server, so I was thinking some incompatibility between Samsung email and exchange. We have come to the conclusion that we need to try another email app to eliminate things. Not sure how to do it, though, as quite a few threads mention rooting tablet and I'm not keen as it is only 10 days old!
Well, when you are at work and can't send an email have the IT staff see if your note is blocked. This can happen when an IOS or Android device sends too many sync requests within a short period of time. The Exchange will block a device when this happens and wll prevent the device from connecting for a period of time. Another suggestion made by Microsoft is set devices to manual update to alleviate the block issue. Good luck.
I'm pretty sure its not blocked, but I will check. Thanks for the suggestion.
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app
It seems to me that it is just the settings of the smtp server. You could try using the smtp from Gmail, so that you can send from both home and school.
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