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I haven't read many posts that actually describe how people use their GTabs. I have the impression that most people are using them for entertainment. I need to use mine for business purposes, mostly because all of my colleagues are using iPads but I couldn't bring myself to join Appleland. I'm still wondering if I made the right decision.
Anyway, what I did to make this work for my day to day needs is the following:
1. Installed Clockwork Mod to reset the partition as people in this forum have written.
2. Flashed NVFlash which removed Clockwork Mod and put me back into stock mode. I assume (but don't know for sure) that it preserved the partition sizes.
3. I added the Stock Enhancement mod listed elsewhere in the forum.
4. I added the Market Fix which is listed here elsewhere too.
5. I added Documents to Go which costs a few bucks but seems to be the best product for creating, editing and viewing Microsoft documents, PowerPoints, etc. I also use this on my DroidX.
6. I added Touchdown by NitroDesk which costs a few bucks too but is what I'm using on my DroidX to keep my mail synced with my office Exchange server.
7. I added the Kindle application because I think it's the best for tablet, plus I use it on my DroidX too and it allows multiple devices to be configured to a single account, letting me share my books with myself on these 2 devices.
8. I put my DroidX in Hotspot mode when I need a wireless connection and none is available or what's available costs too much. The GTab connects to it without a hitch so it's almost like having built-in 3G.
9. I have a Freedom Universal Bluetooth keyboard that I got for my DroidX which also works fine with the GTab. To be redundant, I also have a silicone USB keyboard which works fine with both devices too.
10. I have the dock so I can situate the tablet more conveniently but I have to say I don't use it much as it doesn't have a charging capability and the leather case I got from iTSteve (www.electroniccrap.com) puts it in a similar position and looks professional.
This seems like a lot of changes when I list them but they really were pretty easy to put in place and they allow me to do everything others do with their iPads.
I have concluded that nobody will ever catch up with the iPad in terms of users as they had more than a full year headstart on all competitors and grossed something like $20 billion in sales. But my GTab can do all of the things the iPad can do and more and more quickly. People complain about the GTab's screen but it's been like anything else I have in that I just position it so I can use it properly and I'm all set. It doesn't seem to be a detriment.
If there are other business users reading the forum who have figured out other ways they can use their GTab as laptop and iPad replacement, I'd be happy to read their postings here.
There are several threads including mine that talk at length about using our gTabs in a professional setting in this forum. I have a monster Dell Covet laptop with maxed out specs that I use at the office. Trouble is the fact the laptop and power adapter weigh in at around 30 pounds and taking it on business trips was wearing me out. So I started to leave my laptop logged in at the office and access it remotely from my gTab using LogMeIn Ignition when on business trips. So far this has worked great for me.
One thing I forgot to add was that the company issued me an iPad and the only time I use it is when my wife and I take the kids out with us to eat. It has Netflix which our gTab does not (without paying for PlayOn) and my little boys LOVE Shaun the Sheep.
I have a very similar setup.... Almost exactly the same as the first post. I also use logmein. The only thing I don't see posted is that I use sticky notes.... A LOT.... To remind myself what I promised to my clients once I get back to my office.
I love the fact that I have mobile hotspot in my pocket and with an m1 case from electronic crap.com, my gtab looks like I'm carrying a nice leather journal. My clients are always a little surprised when I open it up and flip it on to take notes....
Best 360 bucks I've spent in quite a few years.
Nokia as a wireless hotspot
Citrix for RAS into client work sites
Notion Ink Quick Office and Mail'd (and keyboard) - thanks to Gojimi
+1 for similar setup. Except I use noteverything. It lets me type, sketch a note or make a voice note all from a clean looking 4X1 widget.
Also, if you haven't tried it, find the galaxy tab mail client apk in a thread in apps and themes. It's the best email client I have ever used because it is totally centered around juggling multiple email accounts.
I deal with a lot of PDF documents and am using adobe from the market to view them. It is the best app I have found for working with large files. It is just lacking the ability to make drawn notes on the PDF such as circling, highlighting, blackking out. If I could do my revision remarks and editing from my gtab... damn I really would not need to use my work computer again, no seriously, ever
Sent from my Chromatic Magic using XDA Premium App
What are the options for connecting to exchange? I don't think the galaxy or Adam apps support it. How does touchdowns tablet interface work?
Sent from my UPC300-2.2 using Tapatalk
MSU_Sparty said:
I haven't read many posts that actually describe how people use their GTabs. I have the impression that most people are using them for entertainment. I need to use mine for business purposes, mostly because all of my colleagues are using iPads but I couldn't bring myself to join Appleland. I'm still wondering if I made the right decision.
Anyway, what I did to make this work for my day to day needs is the following:
1. Installed Clockwork Mod to reset the partition as people in this forum have written.
2. Flashed NVFlash which removed Clockwork Mod and put me back into stock mode. I assume (but don't know for sure) that it preserved the partition sizes.
3. I added the Stock Enhancement mod listed elsewhere in the forum.
4. I added the Market Fix which is listed here elsewhere too.
5. I added Documents to Go which costs a few bucks but seems to be the best product for creating, editing and viewing Microsoft documents, PowerPoints, etc. I also use this on my DroidX.
6. I added Touchdown by NitroDesk which costs a few bucks too but is what I'm using on my DroidX to keep my mail synced with my office Exchange server.
7. I added the Kindle application because I think it's the best for tablet, plus I use it on my DroidX too and it allows multiple devices to be configured to a single account, letting me share my books with myself on these 2 devices.
8. I put my DroidX in Hotspot mode when I need a wireless connection and none is available or what's available costs too much. The GTab connects to it without a hitch so it's almost like having built-in 3G.
9. I have a Freedom Universal Bluetooth keyboard that I got for my DroidX which also works fine with the GTab. To be redundant, I also have a silicone USB keyboard which works fine with both devices too.
10. I have the dock so I can situate the tablet more conveniently but I have to say I don't use it much as it doesn't have a charging capability and the leather case I got from iTSteve (www.electroniccrap.com) puts it in a similar position and looks professional.
This seems like a lot of changes when I list them but they really were pretty easy to put in place and they allow me to do everything others do with their iPads.
I have concluded that nobody will ever catch up with the iPad in terms of users as they had more than a full year headstart on all competitors and grossed something like $20 billion in sales. But my GTab can do all of the things the iPad can do and more and more quickly. People complain about the GTab's screen but it's been like anything else I have in that I just position it so I can use it properly and I'm all set. It doesn't seem to be a detriment.
If there are other business users reading the forum who have figured out other ways they can use their GTab as laptop and iPad replacement, I'd be happy to read their postings here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was using mine as a business tool before I loaded firmware 5.0 aka brickware on to it. Now I have a flashlight that throws me the bird when I turn it on.
Avoid 5.0 brickware, I fell for the Viewsonic firmware line thinking it was a mere UI enhancement, driver and other hardware component tweak instead beta crapware. I've been computing along time and never had a piece of firmware brick a device.
Hopefully when the store I bought it from gets it back they aren't able to unbrick it. My c-panel info was in it for easy access along with other proprietary info. G Tab had turned out to be quite a good business tool. Notice I used pass tense. It's done because of firmware lol 5.0.
It is not fair you blame 5.0. No one forces you to update to this ROM, and there are a lot of warnings in the first post of the thread.
I understand you are frustrated but Devs are doing a great job and at the end allowing us to have a Gtab usefull for business
BR
First of all it said "firmware" not rom. I do know the difference and it said exactly "viewsonic firmware update." Before I touched it I read the entire post. I wasn't looking to change my rom, however, firmware is something different. It usually enhances the use-ability of the product. This is not my first rodeo.
Not frustrated--pissed. Let me know when you are beta testing on me. Don't wrap it in another blanket and expect me to feel cozy. Some of the post do say "experimental or bleeding edge." Everyone gets that.
Now I have to take the brick back to the store I got it from and get another. I was smart enough to get their extended warranty plan.
ecejdt said:
It is not fair you blame 5.0. No one forces you to update to this ROM, and there are a lot of warnings in the first post of the thread.
I understand you are frustrated but Devs are doing a great job and at the end allowing us to have a Gtab usefull for business
BR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI not mad at the devs, I walked right into that door. On my new one I won't be. Whatever is on there is what I will be using. This was a learning experience. I emailed them about being a little clearer on what they are offering up. Some people here may not be able to eat the cost or go get another one under warranty.
I'm pissed because I had it nicely tweaked as a business tool. This was the last thing I would have expected as a result of a firmware update. Knowing it was a ROM I would have optioned out.
I am using VEGAn 5.1.1 and it has the android exchange sync built in unlike the stock rom. I was using Docs to go but switched to Quick office due to the dropbox access and Docs to go does not use my headers in my bid forms correctly and Quick office does. I use Synctoy to sync my docs to Dropbox so I can get them on my Evo or my Gtab.
opnsrcaddict said:
What are the options for connecting to exchange? I don't think the galaxy or Adam apps support it. How does touchdowns tablet interface work?
Sent from my UPC300-2.2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TouchDown offers either automatic push or manually initiated synchronization between your device (GTab, Phone, etc.) and the Exchange server. It uses whatever connection you have--WiFi or 3G or other. Obviously on the GTab, it's WiFi.
You have all of the typical options available to treat what happens on your GTab as independent from the desktop, superior, subordinate or totally synced. There are tons of options for notifications and display settings too.
There are 2 specific reasons I got Touchdown. It supports pinch and spread to change the size of email text and you can mark appointments as private. Neither of those options exist on the standard mail client--which I think is a pretty stupid omission. Whether it's really worth spending money on, I don't know but it's worked for me.
If you visit the Nitrodesk web site, you can read more details about the product. They let you try it out for 30 days for free with all functions turned on. After that, you have to delete or purchase the unlock key.
Good luck.
edirector said:
FYI not mad at the devs, I walked right into that door. On my new one I won't be. Whatever is on there is what I will be using. This was a learning experience. I emailed them about being a little clearer on what they are offering up. Some people here may not be able to eat the cost or go get another one under warranty.
I'm pissed because I had it nicely tweaked as a business tool. This was the last thing I would have expected as a result of a firmware update. Knowing it was a ROM I would have optioned out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aren't you the same guy who basically threatened this website for being 'Rude'. that you would post about your experience here on your 'High traffic website' and complain to viewsonic??
Quite frankly, you should learn to take a little more time and *READ*. You should *START* with the title of the thread ... you know... where is says '[STICKY][ROM]...'
/Rant
Then you can move on to the fact that this is an enthusiasts and development site. Not VS customer service. nor is it the official repository for any VS software. if you can't be bothered to read all of the instructions and warnings of toying with these devices, then don't blame anyone but yourself.
I would venture to say that nearly everyone on this board had bricked or screwed up their device in one way or another. We did so knowing of the possibilities, and in nearly all cases, we read up enough on the process to fix it.
/Rant
Wow... talk about a thread hijacking.
Now back to the OP's post. I could link up my corporate Exchange account with the default mail client in VEGAn b5.1.1 but in the end I decided not to on the gTab as this allows the corporate admins to access your gTab remotely "for security purposes". I did set the corp Exchange account on my Droid X though. And even though the company issued me an iPhone 4 (along with the seldom used iPad) I can't deal with that small screen on the iPhone after I've been using my Droid X with it's much bigger screen.
As for Steve at electroniccrap.com, he has been a great source of gTab accessories and I plan on buying one of the new "clip" style folio cases when they arrive. Even though it's white it seems like a really elegant case on par with cases for iPads.
edirector said:
FYI not mad at the devs, I walked right into that door. On my new one I won't be. Whatever is on there is what I will be using. This was a learning experience. I emailed them about being a little clearer on what they are offering up. Some people here may not be able to eat the cost or go get another one under warranty.
I'm pissed because I had it nicely tweaked as a business tool. This was the last thing I would have expected as a result of a firmware update. Knowing it was a ROM I would have optioned out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to hijack further, but by "them" he meant me. So I will respond here, since I hadn't seen this thread until just now.
I think my post is VERY clear. I do use firmware and ROM interchangeably, that's true. Firmware is probably the better name, but the bottom line here is that this is not an official Viewsonic update, it's a altered firmware where you are taking the risk and there is no guarantees that something might not go terribly wrong. I state this clearly in my TNT Lite post, so in all honesty I don't know what else you would have liked me to do other than just pull TNT Lite completely.
I'm sorry to hear that your device is bricked and you cannot get it fixed. But if you've been reading the posts from the last several days I've probably spent more time on supporting TNT Lite than supporting my day job. So when I hear comments that I'm not making my TNT Lite post clear enough, I just have to scratch my head. There are a lot of very smart users on the board and they have been able to help ME out when my own knowledge is lacking, such as with Windows 7 nvflash instructions. My first post is long, but it's long for a reason and when I wrote "If you have any doubts, please consider holding off instead of just throwing caution to the wind" and "Use At Your Own Risk", I don't know how much clearer you want it than that.
It seems like your beef is that calling this a ROM makes this more risky than calling it firmware, in your eyes. I couldn't disagree more. If we want to nitpick on wording, firmware usually resides in a ROM and altering it is ALWAYS a risk (even from a supported vendor). They usually make you agree to that nice big EULA before you proceed, for example. ROM is more hardware based but I've used it interchangeably given how it's worded here in XDA. TNT Lite really doesn't replace the ROM, it is a firmware change - bootloader, kernel, system etc. But again, that doesn't mean it's not risky.
I'm a sysadmin - I update firmware all the time on servers. Don't tell me it's not risky because HP would disagree with you - they have redundant firmware built into their servers because sometimes things go wrong. If you don't want to take on any risk, please do not use my alternate firmware when you get that GTAB replacement - you might want to just stick with stock.
roebeet said:
Not to hijack further, but by "them" he meant me. So I will respond here, since I hadn't seen this thread until just now.
I think my post is VERY clear. I do use firmware and ROM interchangeably, that's true. Firmware is probably the better name, but the bottom line here is that this is not an official Viewsonic update, it's a altered firmware where you are taking the risk and there is no guarantees that something might not go terribly wrong. I state this clearly in my TNT Lite post, so in all honesty I don't know what else you would have liked me to do other than just pull TNT Lite completely.
I'm sorry to hear that your device is bricked and you cannot get it fixed. But if you've been reading the posts from the last several days I've probably spent more time on supporting TNT Lite than supporting my day job. So when I hear comments that I'm not making my TNT Lite post clear enough, I just have to scratch my head. There are a lot of very smart users on the board and they have been able to help ME out when my own knowledge is lacking, such as with Windows 7 nvflash instructions. My first post is long, but it's long for a reason and when I wrote "If you have any doubts, please consider holding off instead of just throwing caution to the wind" and "Use At Your Own Risk", I don't know how much clearer you want it than that.
It seems like your beef is that calling this a ROM makes this more risky than calling it firmware, in your eyes. I couldn't disagree more. If we want to nitpick on wording, firmware usually resides in a ROM and altering it is ALWAYS a risk (even from a supported vendor). They usually make you agree to that nice big EULA before you proceed, for example. ROM is more hardware based but I've used it interchangeably given how it's worded here in XDA. TNT Lite really doesn't replace the ROM, it is a firmware change - bootloader, kernel, system etc. But again, that doesn't mean it's not risky.
I'm a sysadmin - I update firmware all the time on servers. Don't tell me it's not risky because HP would disagree with you - they have redundant firmware built into their servers because sometimes things go wrong. If you don't want to take on any risk, please do not use my alternate firmware when you get that GTAB replacement - you might want to just stick with stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently you did not read my post. Had no issue with you the developers, just the clarity of the post. I was on here one day when an official Viewsonic post was posted here. It stated such. Only found out about this site from their support site. Don't have an android phone but a smart phone and I belong to that community forum. However, I sourced it out, there is no manufacturer link nor a manufacturer posting comments to that forum.
In addition, they were giving out tips and tweaks, jail breaks and everything else but I bought my phone jailbroken. That being said, thanks on the clarity of what you do. Most of the time it is clear cut in the heading. I didn't have a custom rom because I didn't want one but there were still some other good reading and tips. By the way, nice forum. My cell forum takes a slightly different approach. Everything is seriously laid out in no uncertain terms. The best clear cut approach I have ever seen for a forum.
The problem if there was one, is with VS giving this link. I've read a few posts were the ambiguity was apparent. We are being lead to believe there is some interconnectivity. Despite the fact they are driving up your site traffic they should be paying you at least a stipend for all your work in progressing their product. You spend more time "babysitting and coddling" their customers then they do. I agree there is always some risk with change of any kind. I was thinking drivers and use-ability change not ROM. Thanks for your post.
edirector said:
Apparently you did not read my post. Had no issue with you the developers, just the clarity of the post. I was on here one day when an official Viewsonic post was posted here. It stated such. Only found out about this site from their support site. Don't have an android phone but a smart phone and I belong to that community forum. However, I sourced it out, there is no manufacturer link nor a manufacturer posting comments to that forum.
In addition, they were giving out tips and tweaks, jail breaks and everything else but I bought my phone jailbroken. That being said, thanks on the clarity of what you do. Most of the time it is clear cut in the heading. I didn't have a custom rom because I didn't want one but there were still some other good reading and tips. By the way, nice forum. My cell forum takes a slightly different approach. Everything is seriously laid out in no uncertain terms. The best clear cut approach I have ever seen for a forum.
The problem if there was one, is with VS giving this link. I've read a few posts were the ambiguity was apparent. We are being lead to believe there is some interconnectivity. Despite the fact they are driving up your site traffic they should be paying you at least a stipend for all your work in progressing their product. You spend more time "babysitting and coddling" their customers then they do. I agree there is always some risk with change of any kind. I was thinking drivers and use-ability change not ROM. Thanks for your post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, in the space of a few posts, you managed to go after a developer on this site, the content of his posts and the site itself.
People like you amaze me and are indicative of the problems with society today. How about taking some responsibility for your own actions. You chose to do something. Too bad it didn't work out, but you have no one but yourself to blame.
To blame Roebeet is absurd. Frankly, to blame anyone but yourself is incredible. I have been on this site for quite a while through at least three phones. I have always known that flashing could brick my device. To say you didn't understand the consequences means you are either fooling yourself or you are plain stupid.
ptgptg said:
So, in the space of a few posts, you managed to go after a developer on this site, the content of his posts and the site itself.
People like you amaze me and are indicative of the problems with society today. How about taking some responsibility for your own actions. You chose to do something. Too bad it didn't work out, but you have no one but yourself to blame.
To blame Roebeet is absurd. Frankly, to blame anyone but yourself is incredible. I have been on this site for quite a while through at least three phones. I have always known that flashing could brick my device. To say you didn't understand the consequences means you are either fooling yourself or you are plain stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is what I post to Robeet your business? Stay in your lane. Stay in your lane. Read the other posts. Let's not be disingenuous here. We get that with "bleeding edge and experimental" being clearly outlined.
What part of Viewsonic didn't you get? Why even link from their site to this one? What happened to their own legitimate after purchase product support site?
You have a self esteem problem, it is evidenced by your posts. And, what does the manufacturer providing adequate after purchase support have to do with you? How is this site always the victim? Must be guilt you are adding into your responses. Get a grip.
What I am reading is product owners trying to better their products and find solutions.
MSU_Sparty said:
TouchDown offers either automatic push or manually initiated synchronization between your device (GTab, Phone, etc.) and the Exchange server. It uses whatever connection you have--WiFi or 3G or other. Obviously on the GTab, it's WiFi.
You have all of the typical options available to treat what happens on your GTab as independent from the desktop, superior, subordinate or totally synced. There are tons of options for notifications and display settings too.
There are 2 specific reasons I got Touchdown. It supports pinch and spread to change the size of email text and you can mark appointments as private. Neither of those options exist on the standard mail client--which I think is a pretty stupid omission. Whether it's really worth spending money on, I don't know but it's worked for me.
If you visit the Nitrodesk web site, you can read more details about the product. They let you try it out for 30 days for free with all functions turned on. After that, you have to delete or purchase the unlock key.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you get the beta, I don't think stable works with gtab
Sent from my GTablet-TnT-Lite using Tapatalk
Using any tablet for business is funny stuff.. Quit dragging ass and get back into the office.. for remote administration stuff.. my G2 kicks the **** out of the gtab.. because it has a keyboard.... which can be mapped correctly (unlike using a windows based usb kb on a gtab).
If you are going to use your phone for payments - which NFC payments is soon coming to UK in the next year and I'm sure other countries will follow - will you use other ROMs than what's on your phone when you bought it?
I prefer a beeter rom than nfc payments , for me phone is not a credit card
Nope, but I don't like the idea of using a phone to make payments anyway.
No
I wouldn't use the phone as a payment method, to me its just asking for trouble. Even if you were to use a stock ROM there's always a chance of people gaining aces through apps.
as i understand, payments will be limited to 10GBP at a time, so that may translate to $10 etc. Useful for travel cards too.
And no, I don't think apps would be able to get access at all - though, it's always up to you as the user to check the permissions the app asks for.
Of course apps will be able to access it. It's software (The NFC), and software is very dynamic. Any sort of software can be changed (via other software, which we classify as malware) to be unsafe.
Kailkti said:
Of course apps will be able to access it. It's software (The NFC), and software is very dynamic. Any sort of software can be changed (via other software, which we classify as malware) to be unsafe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, actually, the NFC is hardware
And as the SIM Card is set to be used in the payment process, I'd imagine control would be tied down.
i dont like the idea of phones making payments either, more reason to worry and track unauthorized spending.
It seems I didn't really bring my point across clearly. Of course you know that hardware without software is junk right? What operates the hardware is the software, of course you know also. So what I'm saying is, any app, which is software, and may be malware, can affect the software managing the NFC. So in any case, it's not safe since android is so open. iOS/WP7 puts the NFC in a more ideal context.
Of course apps will be able to access it
Kailkti said:
It seems I didn't really bring my point across clearly. Of course you know that hardware without software is junk right? What operates the hardware is the software, of course you know also. So what I'm saying is, any app, which is software, and may be malware, can affect the software managing the NFC. So in any case, it's not safe since android is so open. iOS/WP7 puts the NFC in a more ideal context.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As to that last part... thats the old debate of security by obscurity there. I'm willing to bet its not so clear cut and I'd lean more towards an open platform myself.
At any rate, I'm uncomfortable about using my phone as a payment method as well but to humor the thread I'd say...depends on the rom. I'd use a custom rom as long as the community vouches for it.
Using Nefarious Fiat Currency worries me. I don't Think that I am going to opt-in to that service until I have too. Cash is King
Meh, it's a good concept although it doesn't take me longer than 4 seconds to get a credit card out to pay for whatever I'm buying; just because I have my phone in the opposite pocket doesn't give me a reason to use that.
I'm still going to have to carry a wallet around with me, the phone isn't really cutting anything down in terms of what I have to carry around with me.
On top of that, there's a higher chance of my phone being lost or stolen because i take that out of my pocket, put it down, and it could slip out of my pocket depending on what pants I'm wearing.
I don't think I'll ever use NFC. That is, until I can embed my driver's licence in my phone (which is the main reason why I carry a wallet).
I didn't even bother setting up a google account or the majority of Gapps (other than maps) so you already know how I feel about this subject.
naomispoon said:
I wouldn't use the phone as a payment method, to me its just asking for trouble. Even if you were to use a stock ROM there's always a chance of people gaining aces through apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you think about SQUARE credit card mag stripe reader accessory -- and their new payment network. From twitter founder Jack Dorsey, he intends it to be the next payment network.
i would never consider making payments with my phone, unless theres a slot somewhere where i can punch in my card number ... on the long run, to impose that as a reason for not alowing custom roms would be unreasonable, as its not really necesary to use THE PHONE to DIRECTLY buy stuff with it. after that,imo, iOS stands for one thing, wp7 for another, and android for nothing similar to them, or much more ( innovation wise ) than the other 2 os's.
I will never use my phone to pay for something.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
Few days ago I was involved in a conversation where couple of people were sure that the government can tap our phones even when not in conversation but when they are actually in stand by on the table.
I tried to argue that when in stand by, android for example has very minimal processes going on, just enough to keep the time and realize when the power button is pressed or send notification.
The counter-argument was that there might be backdoors in the ROM for example which enables the authorities to get sound from the mic directly without the need of the OS as an interface.
I don't see how this can be done, but you as developers might want to provide some solid, technical arguments which would set the discussion once at for all
I guess if you're really that worried about it, there's always airplane mode.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium
Worried about monitoring using a google/facebook/twitter device?
Pull some foil off your hat, and wrap it around the phone. Problem solved.
Just do what Eric says "Do no Evil" and who cares if the gummint is watching you!
I'm not worried at all as should be obvious if you actually read my post :>
Fking1 said:
I don't see how this can be done, but you as developers might want to provide some solid, technical arguments which would set the discussion once at for all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm no developer but if you are going to lurk deeper on backdoors, you'll soon find out that bigger corporations than Gooogle have implemented backdoors in their systems.
Still, this doesn't tell you how it's done, but proofs that has been done and afaics is no problem to do it again.
If I remember correctly some time ago Indian government tried to force BlackBerry to backdoor their devices for Indian market.
So judge it for yourself, but don't think that this is some Atlantis conspiracy but is actually happening all over the place..
B33zal said:
Well, I'm no developer but if you are going to lurk deeper on backdoors, you'll soon find out that bigger corporations than Gooogle have implemented backdoors in their systems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Care to elaborate?
Also it will be enough if someone says why it's impossible to pull audio from the mic when the phone is on standby
In all actuality if the gumment wanted to monitor you they already are....
Fking1 said:
Care to elaborate?
Also it will be enough if someone says why it's impossible to pull audio from the mic when the phone is on standby
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not impossible. Don't brick your head with such things. And why is that question anyway? Do you affraid that you can get caught?
If you are not doin anything against the law, after a while they would not even listen to you
chaki- said:
It's not impossible. Don't brick your head with such things. And why is that question anyway? Do you affraid that you can get caught?
If you are not doin anything against the law, after a while they would not even listen to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well to be honest, i'm big time criminal in my country, so the answer to that question is critical to me :>
Fking1 said:
I tried to argue that when in stand by, android for example has very minimal processes going on, just enough to keep the time and realize when the power button is pressed or send notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because a listening device is not always on doesn't mean it doesn't exist. A single push notification can activate a hidden app or feature, should a government have installed it.
Indeed, there are "lost phone" apps on the market that let you do similar things (though I'm not sure about listening in per se, more like gps, alarm sound, take photos).
so, it's technically possible?
Fking1 said:
so, it's technically possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible and google patented an ad technique that involved using the microphone to listen for background noises and words to produce better more personalised ad results but haven't implemented it yet.
Also you can remotely activate phone features as well as push data to a phone so yes it could be done but they would need at least an app installed on your phone to do so.
So unless you allow someone to install hidden apps on your phone there's no chance of it.
Dave
( http://www.google.com/producer/editions/CAownKXmAQ/bigfatuniverse )
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk 2
Interesting.
What if the government forces Google, Apple and Rim to leave such backdoors accessible by them?
Android is open source but the kernel is not as far as i know?
Fking1 said:
Interesting.
What if the government forces Google, Apple and Rim to leave such backdoors accessible by them?
Android is open source but the kernel is not as far as i know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
even if thats the case: just flash an own kernel like we all do.
i don't think there's something in android, because it's open source. someone would see that..
and the kernel problem is solved when you flash another one i guess
but those normal ppl out there.. the weird ones who doesn't flash their devices, they are ****ed then. xP
but are the kernels we flash open source? I guess even with custom ROM you use the default google kernel, since if it haven't been open source in the first place, i don't think anyone has written it from scratch.
The more important question is, can something like this be hidden in the kernel, or it needs to run in the OS as normal, but hidden app?
Fking1 said:
Care to elaborate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NSAKEY. I'd post links but I can't.
B33zal said:
NSAKEY. I'd post links but I can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NSAKEY?
post them sripped or PM me
Is it possible? Yes is it likely? No. At least in the US they would need to prove you were a threat to national security to get a judge to sign off on it.
The android kernel is open source completely.
As an example there is a root binary that grants root access without user prompt or notification of any kind. So while it can be done I would not worry about it much.
FEMA chip anyone?
Sent for a corner cell in Arkham
dmhdogpro said:
In all actuality if the gumment wanted to monitor you they already are....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bingo
I do not worry about my Government, if they want me they
will come and get me (and I won't be able to stop them)
It is my fellow citizens whom scare me the most.
B33zal said:
Well, I'm no developer but if you are going to lurk deeper on backdoors, you'll soon find out that bigger corporations than Gooogle have implemented backdoors in their systems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is true and some EULAs even suggest that there is no privacy on the data commited to the systems. Simple software we use daily (specially in the MS Windows world) is gathering info about what data you search, what you download, what kinda documents you type, etc. Even cloud storage services have a EULA that guarantee you no privacy (Box, Dropbox, Google drive, etc)
As for Android, I highly doubt the problem lies in the operating system, since it is open source and anyone can take a look at it.
Now if you want a conspiracy theory, then read on...
Have you guys noticed how many of the browsers in Play Store are from chinese developers? Specially Dolphin, which many of you adore. Who can tell it isn't secretly sending your browsing habits to the Chinese government? How many people have been sniffing traffic to/from Dolphin (using tcpdump, for instance) to make sure it isn't doing other things?
Chrome (and Chromium) is another example: most people simply have to access their google accounts from these browsers. These browsers effectively send private user data to google. The question here is: how is google making use of such data and who is it sharing it with (for a profit or not)???
It's almost a paradox that in the information age we are more and more willing to have privacy but we have never shared so much of their personal lives with so many as we do now. Take, for instance, Facebook, Google+, Twitter,
I could go on and on... but I gotta some wifi sniffing to do right now and some wardriving later.
I ran into this article today and I wanted to see what the people on XDA think about it. This company is working on a Android phone that it's primary purpose is to protect the users privacy.
Here's the link: http://mobile.theverge.com/2014/1/1...nn-silent-circle-geeksphone-blackphone-launch
Read the article, watch the video and let me know what you think.
Sent from GNote 3 rooted with kingo.
Saw news about this and came here to seek out does any1 have opinions about it.
i wonder, does the safety come from hardware or is it the OS what makes this so safe.. if it is the OS, i hope some1 smart enough makes custom rom for this.
I really don't see how this phone is gonna change anything. Apps and websites have keyloggers, You still need a carrier to get service from and they have control of all your traffic. What about radio frequencies that can be intercepted, IP addresses, GPS chips sending signals to satellites, baseband and firmware are connected thru the cell towers of the carrier. I'm starting to think this phone is a scam.
They said nothing about how they're dealing with all this. They are probably using the whole NSA scandal momentum to fool people into believing they are safe if they buy this phone.
Sent from GNote 3 rooted with kingo.
I saw an article about this venture also. This is a good thing. If he gets press about this phone, maybe other venders will take notice and start building in privacy features as well. :good:
I don't see the need for new hardware here. If they really want to secure something, they could create a mod for Android, that could be installed on a variety of devices for example.
Besides, if they encrypt telephony, messages and stuff, they will need to be decrypted again - but the question is where and how? I bet they won't have any hardware encryption module and even if they do, it will make communication with other phones impossible. Software encryption means other phones will need to install some additional software to communicate with the Blackphone and it might be a bit inconvenient.
orangek3nny said:
I don't see the need for new hardware here. If they really want to secure something, they could create a mod for Android, that could be installed on a variety of devices for example.
Besides, if they encrypt telephony, messages and stuff, they will need to be decrypted again - but the question is where and how? I bet they won't have any hardware encryption module and even if they do, it will make communication with other phones impossible. Software encryption means other phones will need to install some additional software to communicate with the Blackphone and it might be a bit inconvenient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good point. how a non blackphone device is gonna decipher the encryption? how is it going to get the key? How can a non blackphone device even a establish the same "secure" connection?
Sent from GNote 3 rooted with kingo.
Andronote3 said:
That's a good point. how a non blackphone device is gonna decipher the encryption? how is it going to get the key? How can a non blackphone device even a establish the same "secure" connection?
Sent from GNote 3 rooted with kingo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are missing the point. As you or I may not NEED this kind of security, I'm sure you can think of someone who does.
Obviously, there would be two levels of privacy/security... Connections between 2 black phones and everything else. So who utilize a black phone? How about corporations and governments? Law offices, professional sports teams, or doctors and hospitals.
Now, even though I do not NEED this, if it was affordable, I would heavily consider it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
JamieFL said:
I think you are missing the point. As you or I may not NEED this kind of security, I'm sure you can think of someone who does.
Obviously, there would be two levels of privacy/security... Connections between 2 black phones and everything else. So who utilize a black phone? How about corporations and governments? Law offices, professional sports teams, or doctors and hospitals.
Now, even though I do not NEED this, if it was affordable, I would heavily consider it.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what you are saying and I completely agree with you. It looks like a device that corporations and the government would "benefit" more than regular users. Either way, It won't fix 90% of all the problems people face when it comes to staying safe against privacy/security breaches. I truly believe that they are using the whole NSA scandal momentum to make people believe that they are safe/secured if they buy this phone.
P.S: Nice quotes.
I saw this phone.
It isn't an answer to every privacy issue.
What its an answer to is, not having to agree to an android apps permissions to gain access to the app.
These apps don't make their money off the app sales, they make their money sending information to retailers.
Retailers own the world.
The question I still pose is... What's wrong with retailers knowing where you are?
There's nothing you can do about the government. They won't let us make things that are government proof, nor would they (The retailers ) want to.
But, what's wrong with these apps fine tuning my specific desires to my Location?
You can't stop people from stealing your identity. The hacker/firewall paradox is, for every walk you build, they will build a taller ladder.
The only thing really close to full privacy in data sending is, that light source that sends data. It's a light bulb, and the light has data in it, a sensor receives it. It can be held within the walls of a room. But that only effects a closed circuit type system. If that light source is connected to the Internet, then game over.
Why do you think record companies and movie companies keep their computer systems offline and deal in only physical media? A hacker will get into anything I'd you give him the tools and time.
This phone gives a sense of security that is non existant
You've Just Been Tapatold ♧♢dbombROMv3.4♤♡
My Theme ( Taking Requests )
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2658527
SaintCity86 said:
I saw this phone.
It isn't an answer to every privacy issue.
What its an answer to is, not having to agree to an android apps permissions to gain access to the app.
These apps don't make their money off the app sales, they make their money sending information to retailers.
Retailers own the world.
The question I still pose is... What's wrong with retailers knowing where you are?
There's nothing you can do about the government. They won't let us make things that are government proof, nor would they (The retailers ) want to.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2658527
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nailed it
The problem is Android itself. Thanks to Xprivacy, it's a lot easier to control what leaks out of your device. Personally I'd rather see more encryption mechanisms than this. FFOS seems to be on the right path
There Is nothing you can do to stop identity theft.
Nothing.
And there is nothing you can do to do the government from tapping your lines.
You want a safer form of communicating, send Voice recordings over text.
That's an entirety separate warrant, and harder to get. Other than that. It's hopeless
You've Just Been Tapatold ♧♢dbombROMv3.4♤♡
My Theme ( Taking Requests )
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2658527
d1rX said:
FFOS seems to be on the right path
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you mean FOSS[1] = Free and Open Source Software. Anyway, I fully agree, in fact, that is the ONLY way. Closed source encryption programs can't be 100% trusted by definition. There might be security flaws, intentional or not.
Anyway. the NSA has backdoors to every operating system[2], so if you're really a target, they get you. Also, there are more than enough security holes in the layers under the operating system[3].
I think what these phones are supposed to do is bring end-to-end encryption for e.g. industry users so they don't get spied on. The NSA and the US government can get their hands on encryption keys for servers like in Lavabits case[4]. But this is the transport encryption. The data is, if not otherwise secured, available in plain text on the servers of providers. This also means, the officials can decrypt ANY data that comes in, not just the one of actual targets.
Now, end-to-end encryption makes sure even the provider can't see your data in plain text because you encrypt and decrypt it on your device. What Blackphone does is, it uses the apps from Silent Circle, a closed source encryption programm for VoIP and messages. Although the owner of that company is the well trusted cryptographer Phil Zimmerman, one can never be sure.
That's a good point. how a non blackphone device is gonna decipher the encryption? how is it going to get the key? How can a non blackphone device even a establish the same "secure" connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can install and use Silent Circle on any(ok, a lot of) phone(s). Just make sure you don't have additional malicious software installed. Any yes, it costs $100/year or so. And you get a subscription for SpiderOak, sort of a Dropbox but they encrypt the data before uploading. Any you get a better overview over what app uses what permissions. A few extra tweaks basically.
Alternative: Android Phone with CyanogenMod/Replica. TextSecure for messages, RedPhone for VoiP and owncloud for files. Way cheaper too, and open source, also made by well respected cryptographers like Moxie Marlinspike[5]
[1] de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free/Libre_Open_Source_Software
[2] zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-08/nsa-has-full-back-door-access-iphone-blackberry-and-android-smartphones-documents-re"]backdoors to every operating system
[3] forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2530044
[4] techdirt.com/articles/20131002/17443624734/lavabit-tried-giving-feds-its-ssl-key-11-pages-4-point-type-feds-complained-that-it-was-illegible.shtml
[5] thoughtcrime.org
if they want to spy on us they can ... that's it...
More info?
Hi all - looking for more info on this phone - just joined XDADev to post this.
Specifically, what brands might this hardware be found under? Know it's a Tinno S8515 but have yet to find out anything about that; seems like Tinno generally makes phones for other companies?
Any help is appreciated!
Best,
-Cx
:cyclops::cyclops::cyclops:
The greatest challenge to securing a phone is not the OS or the apps running on it, it's the baseband. We have known for well over 30+ yeasr how to harden a *nix based system (like AOS), but we haven't even started to question WTF is going on in the closed source 10-100 MB baseband RTOS, which have fulll access to your entire FS and the most important phone operations, like SIM, RF, EMMC etc etc.
Only forcing the corrupt modem OEM's to release the sources of the Baseband firmware could improve the situation. This will never happen, unless there is another baseband Snowden out there somewhere...
We already know that the BP/CP FW is extremely insecure, and relies almost solely on obscurity as their main mechanism of protection. If this was not the case, the iPhone unlock developers would have been fekked long time ago, and the rest of us would sit around with SIM/network locked bricks filling up our bookshelves.
Unfortunately the greatest majority of the millions of XDA members are completely carefree about this issue and are only happy as long as they can "tweak some ROMs". So this will never be the place to find/see any serious baseband reversing, no matter how important it would be from a security standpoint.
So to summarize, your Qualcomm baseband will continue to send your exact GPS coordinates to the network provider at will, without you ever knowing, and without anyone (here) caring. So goes for the FM transmitter that is part of the baseband FW in both Intel and Qualcomm based phones. Do you have control over that? Never.
Only a serious long term spectrum analysis study could reveal whats going on there, where and when you're not (able) to watch.
This phone is the biggest scam lol.
hyshys said:
Saw news about this and came here to seek out does any1 have opinions about it.
i wonder, does the safety come from hardware or is it the OS what makes this so safe.. if it is the OS, i hope some1 smart enough makes custom rom for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering this too. If it is only the rom (just like the $1300 pwnphone). It should be port-able
iliass01 said:
I was wondering this too. If it is only the rom (just like the $1300 pwnphone). It should be port-able
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blackphone. - no hardware security, just software, and most of it is NOT open source. Some here (@SaintCity86 , @repat) has their points, and they are mostly right! If you want some security (and I said some!!!), then get rid of most of your apps (permission check and some common sense), all Google apps (yes, all of them), install a paid (not free) and high quality VPN software, don't use the phone feature (only data sim-prepaid), get an internet phone number (with no personal details), use end to end encrypted apps to make calls and send and receive texts, install Xposed and Xprivacy (or any other variant) and limit even more the apps you have on your phone. Don't use it as your only phone, but as a secure device and share your number and other infos with trusted people! In this case, maybe, you will be able to add some layer of security and actually be able to use it. And most important, don't give your phone in the hands of anyone! It is a bit paranoid, but it's the only way! But, don't be fooled! You can have some security, only if you stay under the radar, and don't gain some attention. If yes, then you have no luck! Personally, I have seen the Blackphone, and tested it for some time, and I am not really convinced it can be trusted.
Good luck!
Andronote3 said:
I really don't see how this phone is gonna change anything. Apps and websites have keyloggers, You still need a carrier to get service from and they have control of all your traffic. What about radio frequencies that can be intercepted, IP addresses, GPS chips sending signals to satellites, baseband and firmware are connected thru the cell towers of the carrier. I'm starting to think this phone is a scam.
They said nothing about how they're dealing with all this. They are probably using the whole NSA scandal momentum to fool people into believing they are safe if they buy this phone.
Sent from GNote 3 rooted with kingo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would just like to correct this common misconception, GPS is one way.
GPS receivers as found in your phones, or navigation systems, receives GPS signals only. Nothing gets sent to satellites in this process, the algorithm is purely one way.
Please help, I am unsure what to do now that I received my Umidigi S2 Pro unlocked phone that I purchased from GearBest and waited a month to receive-- booted it up and ran malwarebytes on it only to learn it has two adware programs built into the system. Norton did not find anything except a KRACK (some sort of Key reboot wifi vulnerability???) risk (not sure if it is on the phone or just an alert for my home wifi?). I thought I was getting a nice smartphone at a good price, but now I am very worried if I can trust such a phone from china-- would it be safe to set up the phone for online banking, for email with my email username and password? Should I just sell the phone on ebay and go back to using my ASUS phone that I bought in the USA where I live? The Umidigi is such a nice looking phone, but if it is a security risk I certainly will not use it, I would then sell it and take the loss and learn the lesson, ugh.
Quicktouch apparently contains the following adware as detected by Malwarebytes: Android/Adware.Xinyinhe.CJ
TouchPal 2017 apparently contains the following adware as detected by Malwarebytes: Android/Adware.Cootek
^^^They are both system apps so they are not so easily removed.
Thoughts, advice?
Midiman55 said:
Please help, I am unsure what to do now that I received my Umidigi S2 Pro unlocked phone that I purchased from GearBest and waited a month to receive-- booted it up and ran malwarebytes on it only to learn it has two adware programs built into the system...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is to post this question within one of the following threads that is specific to your question.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846277
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1620179
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT VIA PM UNLESS ASKED/REQUESTED BY MYSELF.
PLEASE KEEP IT IN THE THREADS WHERE EVERYONE CAN SHARE
I also have a similar issue,
Have checked the threads recommended and they are totally irrelevant to the question asked, so here goes:
I bought a new Umidigi phone from an online store, now turns out it seems to be rooted, should I just throw it away or is there any resoanable explanation to why it is like that. Is there anything I can do to be able to use this phone with safety.
Thanks
Shmool said:
I also have a similar issue,
Have checked the threads recommended and they are totally irrelevant to the question asked, so here goes:
I bought a new Umidigi phone from an online store, now turns out it seems to be rooted, should I just throw it away or is there any resoanable explanation to why it is like that. Is there anything I can do to be able to use this phone with safety.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did a root checking or antivirus app say it's rooted? I knew these phones have adware & questionable issues around personal data, but didn't think they come rooted. Though maybe some third party with access to phone rooted it, was it sealed when you got it? ( Could also have been installed in factory by unauthorised person or at instructions of Chinese government (though probably only if you or your company is a high value target))
Don't waste your money.
I have Umidigi S2 Pro.
It has very low quality.
The touch screen is very hard to use.
Cheap plastic material with very poor build quality.
The battery real capacity is not 5000mah. The battery is not detectable by battery software. Perhaps only 3000mah
The camera is so blurry. You just get fuzzy pictures.
Too many applications crashed instead of 6GB RAM.
The worst thing it come without any guarantee.
It' nothing but wasting my valuable money.
Can you imagine the fallout for a company, trying to compete in the International Marketplace if just ONE of their products was found to be phishing? In fact it would be commercial suicide in their own countries too.
I have a Umidigi A3, bought for a third of the price of my similar spec Samsung, and I also found that certain apps stated the phone was rooted, but root checkers and superuser software all found this not to be the case. I always rooted my early phones to play around under the hood, but lately certain establishment apps would refuse to work stating security issues with root so I haven't rooted my last couple of phones.. I have had no such problems with my A3. My establishment apps check and wave my little A3 through with a smile. False positive? I'd say likely. The cost of the license to use the latest Google Android OS kind of negates the reasoning behind 'the phish' . I believe the tweaks needed to customise the OS to Umidigi products is what causes these false posies.
And the build quality is superb!! For the price I paid, it may be akin to a Mini in the vast world of mobile communications, but it's deck out with the shiny walnut dashboard and plush seats of a Mini Rolls Royce. Time will tell about it's reliability but so far I don't think I'll ever pay hundreds of pounds for a mobile phone again.
My whole take on this Chinese security question is this.
1st, Google is a bigger (biggest) privacy risk. They can access your phone anytime without you knowing (if they wanted to). But yet no one thinks twice about trusting them, plus most people allow them to save all their passwords and info. But yet it's no concern to most.
2nd, A lot of other phone companies have their internal chips produced in China. And if the Chinese really wanted to spy, it's gonna be built into the hardware.(backdoor) Heck the US government was doing this. Everyone forget?
A lot of these proprietary chips even have access to your internet so they can download their proprietary drivers in the background without your knowledge.
There is no true security. The backbone of the internet was built to share information not secure it. Security starts with you. Everytime you choose to have private information at a convenience, you sacrifice security.
And as far as post 1 which I know is a year old, but for anyone that stumbles across this. The adware that was detected was probably all from TouchPal keyboard. That app is so junk, it even installs apps on your phone. It's always preinstalled on provider phones and such.
Google shouldn't allow these apps to be approved and these companies need to be held accountable for allowing these practices.
Good luck and safe browsing!
aaron74 said:
...Security starts with you. Everytime you choose to have private information at a convenience, you sacrifice security.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely concur. Thanks very much for the very true statement. And I think especially that what I partially quoted above can't be stressed enough.
Maybe this falls into the same context?
thanks for your reply
IronRoo said:
Did a root checking or antivirus app say it's rooted? I knew these phones have adware & questionable issues around personal data, but didn't think they come rooted. Though maybe some third party with access to phone rooted it, was it sealed when you got it? ( Could also have been installed in factory by unauthorised person or at instructions of Chinese government)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HHi, thanks for replying. The bitcoin wallet app said it was rooted, so yeah. But there were other strange things, like the draw lines security lock already is set so that I can't change it or use it. I bought it on aliexpress "new". It came it its' package and everything in it only it had been opened. It was stuck at costumes for a while so it seemed as if they opened it and play with it a bit there, but then after I saw the rooted thing everything us looking phisy.
Honesty, regardless, having this device made me understand once and for all where all the money goes to with those top dollar phones and why it is so worth it. Cause yeah, you kind of have everything... But it all sucks. Screen sucks, camera sucks. Multitasking sucks. Battery sucks. Radiation feel sucks, and seems pretty sure security sucks. So yeah, you kind of have efrything, but the low quality is felt. Daily.
Chinese brand phones cannot be trusted. It's best to buy Japanese or American ones, at least they're more secure in terms of malware and Trojans.