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So there are a number of Android-based tablets on the horizon. These are presumably envisioned as intermediate devices to fill a niche between the smartphone and laptop, similar to the iPad. I'm not starting a thread to debate whether this niche exists, or the design of any specific device, but rather on how well Android and its apps can adapt to being used across multiple devices by the same user.
For me, when I try to envision a tablet in my life, I find it difficult to think of things that it could do but my phone (a Nexus One) can't. I think the point is a tablet doesn't really do new things, but it does them slightly better because of a larger screen. The thing is, I will likely want to switch back and forth between my phone and tablet depending on my real-world context, and I will generally want the state of those applications to stay in sync.
Take reading an ebook, for example. I will still want to read on my phone sometimes, when I just have a minute to spare and don't have the tablet with me, but when I sit down to a more lengthy reading session, I want the tablet to remember where I am in the book. This should be automatic. Similarly, any games I play should have my progress saved, and my bookmarks/history/etc should be synced too. The simple fact is, the additional value of a tablet seems so small, that if I have to put up another non-synced device in my life, it won't even be worth bothering. I'll just keep using the smaller screen of my phone.
Now, of course there are already things that DO sync. Email, calendar, contacts, etc. But those are distinct things with custom implementations specific to that type of data. Certainly every app developer could add a web service that syncs their app data, but why make everyone do that individually. Does anyone know of any plans to create a generalized Android app sync solution? (let me know if there's something out there and I missed it) This seems like something google would want to build at the OS level, but I haven't heard of anything like it.
Thoughts?
I just came across this post after running up against this problem in the real world. Just received my Notion Ink Adam and quickly started looking for a solution to sync things like my eBook placement and game save-state between my Nexus One and the tablet. Titanium Media Sync looked promising but as the product description indicates, it is only capable of one-way synchronization. This means you would have to manually run the sync task each time you started using one device or the other. Perhaps something that could be achieved with tasker and some scripting, but that's more management overhead than anyone would want.
I wish I was better at software development cause this is not a solution that could be tackled with the app inventor.
This is going to be a big shakeup for awhile... SugarSync, Dropbox, Bump, Hoccer, Titanium, Listables/BlueMuze (my apps), Amazon cloud sync, Google Books -- there are 100 solutions coming from different directions and for different puposes.
Then there will be video (which is even more insanely competitive) as everyone trys various DRM, cloud hosting and streaming. Then you have the carriers sitting in the middle putting data caps on stuff wondering if they can get a slice of the pie. Roku, SlingBox, Tivo, Boxee, TimeWarner, Viacom, NBC-Comcast, Verizion, Cablevision, ATT, Apple, --- SO MANY companies in this market.
This is partly why I created my apps, so that people could send data without the cloud sync ideology/methodology forced on them. But that's sort of tangential to the conversation, and specific for types of media as you said above.
Anyways, I think the competition will be good mostly. But we'll have to be careful to reward those who dont try to restrict usage arbitrarily. And be sure to punish those that stand in the way.
Also with regards to programming sync oneself, beware that it's one of those things that's deceptively simple sounding until you try and work out the actual code/details of how to do it.
We need this now more than ever!
Any new products out there that can help me synch my Captivate with my Color Nook?
Seraph321 said:
I find it difficult to think of things that it could do but my phone (a Nexus One) can't. Thoughts?
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I can't agree with you more. I came to the same conclusion when I was looking at tablets.
However there are certain things I don't use right now because my battery temp will exceed 103°F when I'm using them (music apps, navigation, etc.) Phone is overclocked to 844 MHz so that obviously plays into the battery life, but if I had a tablet I could use those apps on the tablet to conserve my phone battery; currently my phone battery won't last more than a day :^(
There's also the possibility that because tablets would be more powerful than my MyTouch 3G Slide that I could scale back my phone CPU and use certain things on the tablet.
I'm holding off on tablets right now, I want to see where they go with the capabilities first before I jump on board.
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
You said "I'm holding off on tablets right now". If you want to get your feet wet on the cheap, pick up a Color Nook of Craigslist. I've bought 2 now for $170 each.
At that price, who cares where the tablet market goes. When something comes along you like better, buy it, and give the Color Nook to someone as a gift.
I'm pretty confident the community will make a tablet more than worth owning. Even without the source code the xoom has been pretty handy. But from the first day of ownership I was wondering why it wasn't built in to have the phone and tab sync up. Even something more basic like chrome to phone for the phone to tab would be nice.
Just thinking out loud mostly.
My favorite tab sync mod,
Grab Google voice and grooveIP and have texts and voice calls come to the tab at the same time as the phone.
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Great topic! As a developer and Droid X owner, I've been debating about getting a tablet, but my tablet would be an iPad so I can cross-platform develop.
Still, a very valid issue as to iPhone/iPad or Droid/Xoom synching. Haven't given it much thought, but the OP brings up some valid points.
If you have an e-book, grocery list manager and any other number of apps, *physical* synching would be a PITA in my opinion. I think some cloud-based solution like DropBox would be the best solution.
How this gets implemented is surely open to debate.
I haven't tried it yet but there's an app on the market called SyncIt Beta:
https://market.android.com/details?id=jug6ernaut.net.syncit
It's supposed to be able to sync your app data across multiple devices.
^ Shift Faced
I am sorry for bringing back a dead thread, however this is still something i am in looking for. I have a nexus S and a toshiba thrive tablet. As opposed to cloud based or something along those apps, i think an even easier solutions would be a device direct streaming type service so to speak. Have the devices communicate directly with each other over wifi or bluetooth. I mean to be perfectly honest, if i use it on the road, my phone is with me anyway so bluetooth is perfectly acceptable. and when i am at home, both are connected to wifi even if they aren't close enough for bluetooth. That would remedy the need of a cloud based service, and the issue of data privacy. As long as the data gets synced locally to the device, i should be able to break the sync and still continue to operate, then when the 2 devices are reconnected to each other they can just update the changes. I am not a developer, so i apologize if these requests seem monumental. However i was going to make the change to webOS because it natively had support for these features, which were immensely helpful. Until webOS sort of fell off the grid obviously (even though it was never really on it to begin with)
Try "Tablet Talk" the paid app is really worth it, it allows users to communicate from tablet to phones.
It's well worth the money
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Old thread. New Idea.
I came across this thread while searching for a solution to my problem. Thought it appropriate to post here.
Does anyone know of any virtual assistant apps or anything of that sort that will sync with other versions of the app on other devices?
For example, I have two android devices. I want to be able to talk to one and set a reminder at the house, and have the reminder come to a different device i have on me elsewhere.
So far the only way I can come up with to do this is to set a reminder through Google Calendar but was wondering if there was any other less clunky alternatives.
So I have a note ii and a precedent. Here is a list of things id like to do
Sync my note ii audio a2dp out to play ober the precedent
Sync alert and alarm awnsers n dismissals across devices as well as read emails
Power off device remotley [power on?]
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Questions should be posted in Q&A forums, not Development forums.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/announcement.php?a=81
See rule #15
Thread moved.
I'm curious how many actually use an antivirus on there phone and if so which and why I've used lookout and anti-virus free but I'm looking for a battery efficient app that actually does its job properly all the time thanks for any input
My opinion, they're generally worthless, battery killing, problem causing programs.
The only good thing about lookout is the lost phone feature, which can be done with far better apps that are designed just for that.
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juhde said:
My opinion, they're generally worthless, battery killing, problem causing programs.
The only good thing about lookout is the lost phone feature, which can be done with far better apps that are designed just for that.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA Premium App
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Just dont download sketchy stuff
slowz3r said:
Just dont download sketchy stuff
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Seriously. No anti virus will protect you from everything. And I think it is worthless for phones at this time.
Awesome info and since getting the dx2 I haven't had one or felt the need on my fassy I tried others and never felt like it was doing me any good so I was curious I don't feel the need for one other then outside/3rd party apps is there a safe way to work threw those type of apps thanks
The best thing you can do for security is make sure you don't have any networks stored as netgear or linksys because if it finds that network in a public place it will connect to it and someone can packet sniff your passwords
If you are going to connect to a wireless network in an airport, always ask someone what network is the airports, people can set up laptops or cell phones for the purpose of tricking people to connect to them so they can packet sniff you
http://www.blog.jbi.in/security/firesheep-a-packet-sniffer-that-creates-security-nightmare/
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I used lookout which actually checks each apk to make sure that the should aren't known culprits.
Running a mobile phone with android without anti-virus protection is asking for trouble. Would you run your home machine without it? Android malware has picked up 300% in the last 4-5 months with rootkits and all sorts of nasty things coming down the pipe. Here is a site with some of the more recent stuff listed for androids: http://community.ca.com/blogs/securityadvisor/default.aspx
I've ran lookout, avg, and kaspersky mobile so far and have had 2 instances where lookout and kaspersky reported issues with software upon installing.
A rundown of what's out there and some reviews of them would be wonderful but I haven't come across a site with it yet. If someone else has please chime in...
On my windows machine i have one, on my linux system i don't,, on my android (linux) phone? Not a chance, make sure your permissions are alright, use your head keep a nandroid backup and you don't have to worry
Oh and on your link there the only "scary" thing said specifically that it was for windows based systems
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PnoT said:
Running a mobile phone with android without anti-virus protection is asking for trouble. Would you run your home machine without it? Android malware has picked up 300% in the last 4-5 months with rootkits and all sorts of nasty things coming down the pipe. Here is a site with some of the more recent stuff listed for androids: http://community.ca.com/blogs/securityadvisor/default.aspx
I've ran lookout, avg, and kaspersky mobile so far and have had 2 instances where lookout and kaspersky reported issues with software upon installing.
A rundown of what's out there and some reviews of them would be wonderful but I haven't come across a site with it yet. If someone else has please chime in...
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If you don't instal shady software, you won't have a problem.
Sent from OH MY GOD IS THAT A SQUIRREL!
juhde said:
If you don't instal shady software, you won't have a problem.
Sent from OH MY GOD IS THAT A SQUIRREL!
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You're seriously naive and have no clue about being security conscious in this day and age.
Google took down a ton of applications from its own appstore because of being infected with malware and then some more later on that contained a rootkit. Did any of those application fit your definition of "shady"?
The world as we know it is not a rosy place to shrug off protecting your investments and hard earned cash. If you chose to be that way then so be it but giving bad advice is not smart.
P.S. I have some swamp land in Florida I'll sell you CHEAP so send me some $$ to my payal account and I can forward you over the details after payment is made.
PnoT said:
You're seriously naive and have no clue about being security conscious in this day and age.
Google took down a ton of applications from its own appstore because of being infected with malware and then some more later on that contained a rootkit. Did any of those application fit your definition of "shady"?
The world as we know it is not a rosy place to shrug off protecting your investments and hard earned cash. If you chose to be that way then so be it but giving bad advice is not smart.
P.S. I have some swamp land in Florida I'll sell you CHEAP so send me some $$ to my payal account and I can forward you over the details after payment is made.
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You're the naive one, I've been running android for nearly 3 years and never had a single problem, because I don't run around installing crap just because it looks cool. You obviously do since your super cool and necessary anti virus apps have found at least 2 problems in your phone.
Sent from OH MY GOD IS THAT A SQUIRREL!
They Couldn't Hurt My Credit Score If They Took My Information, Actually They Might Improve It For Me.
First of all, android is linux base so there are no viruses known to be around. If you want a battery management, then I suggest using Juice Defender Ultimate.
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Furioustylez said:
First of all, android is linux base so there are no viruses known to be around.
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ROFL
Edit : that guys other posts are just as hilarious and uninformed
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I highly recommend LBE Privacy Guard as an extremely useful security tool. It will classify your installed apps in three categories, Untrusted, Trusted, and System. Any app you are unsure of you keep its default Untrusted status, and you can edit it's custom profile to disable any privileges you see fit. Just got a Cartwheel counter app you are unsure of and it requires internet and identity info to install? You simply edit the LBE profile after installing to disable the app's access to internet, etc. Any time an untrusted app tries to use a permission a simple pop-up appears with an allow/disallow. This action can also be set as default for every time the app calls on this function. Very robust, highly recommended, and COMPLETELY FREE.
That said it might not do anything to protect from the more advanced malware that might be out there, but is a great defense for the more simple ones.
Just no. Seriously.
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Furioustylez said:
First of all, android is linux base so there are no viruses known to be around. If you want a battery management, then I suggest using Juice Defender Ultimate.
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA Premium App
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That is wrong. There is malware for android because it has become so popular, and it is designed to be simple but it gives the apps more control.
Honestly, I used to use one but since I read ratings and am stingy about what I install, I figure I am fine.
When they say "malware", its referring to apps that steal your personal info. So like I said there before, no viruses for linux base products.
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Hate to disagree with you but the proper definition of malware is:
mal·ware/ˈmalˌwe(ə)r/
Noun: Software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems.
Now, there most definetely is malware for android. You just have to be conscientious of what you install.
hey people,
i have been reading as of late that cyber crime has been increasingly growing on smartphones. should i install AV protection on my atrix is the question.
what is your opinion?
No.
As long you don't download warez apps - you are safe.
Something I've been wondering about is video files. I get a lot of video files from questionable places and I'm just wondering if these can ever contain anything malicious. Any thoughts?
I use Lookout, if you ever install third party or non-Market apps I would recommend it, although in 14+mo I have only found one app it flagged as malicious as I was trying to install it.
It's a great question to ask.
All my apps come from the Android Market, but I browse the net a lot.
Most of it is normal websites, but I still wonder if and when it will become "necessary". (then again there's always the emails)
Especially since Android is growing, and not all hackers are friendly...
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Coming from CrackBerry site where everyone touts BB security and thinks there is someone on every street corner just waiting to hack your phone.. I've wondered this as well. However.. I've yet to read of anyone ever having their financials stolen due to cellphone hackery. Of course.. anything's possible.. but I think as long as your smart about WHAT your downloading and from where.. there shouldn't be any issues. Most of the Trojans out there come direct from China and aren't being plagued in our Market.. yet. At least Google's good about yanking apps that are deemed malicious when they do discover them.
^ The only one that really caught my attention was the wallpaper malware incident a while back.
I'm pretty good at trying to figure out why an app needs permissions, but the average user doesn't care which IMO is kinda scary...
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Android security problems are GREEEEEATLY exaggerated. When the media finds one malware app, they start spreading the news all over the internet.
Though, in 99% of cases such app isn't even on the Android market.
Well guess what? Same goes for iPhone - if you jailbreak and install an app outside the iTunes market that contains malware - you get screwed.
So yeah, the only way to get malware is by installing something from an untrustworthy source.
Additionally, you can use an app like Permissions Denied to monitor / retract permissions from untrustworthy apps.... or better yet - just don't install such apps in the first place. There are always alternatives for everything.
HI, You guys (and gals) using any protection for your SGS2. I was reading up and read that these are the two most popular for virus and malware protection. Curious what others are using, if anything.
Thanks
Could you enlighten me as to how would one get a virus on one of these things?
Well, a bit new to Droid..but being that Android OS is open source, does that make it more sussipible to malware/virus. I read an article earlier today that indicated there were a few malware attacks in which users with a bank app on their phone was redirected to a different site. So to answer your question, downloading an APP from outside of Android market could be part of the problem.
But with more sites offering apps, Amazon, getjar... does that open doors for addtional attacks to our phones? And if the answer is yes, has anyone used any protection on their phone?
So SAME thing as any other computer- if you're an idiot, they can get you, else you're pretty safe. Good to know.
If you're rooted, just check your logs in super user.
I use/have used lookout. I haven't ever had an issue but it does feel more like piece of mind though. Also lookout you can connect to your phone via a computer and turn in sound to find it or also turn on GPS to locate it. Again I have only tested that just to see how it works. But better safe than sorry I guess. I don't bank on my phone and have rarely gotten any apps from outside markets. So my feelings is mostly piece of mind but TRY to avoid sites that you find questionable anyways.
Sent From My KICKASS CM7 AT&T SGS2
I actually use AVG to check for viruses. I also have airpush detector in case any app gets installed that includes airpush.
For security, I love cerberus. Not only does it locate you phone, sound alarms, lock and remtoe wipe your device, it also takes pictures and records sound. For example, if you send the message and the thief removes the message, it sends you a picture to your email. Of course, make sure that it gets send a different email than the one configured on your phone or the thief might delete the picture. Cerberus also offers protection against deleting if the phone is rooted. Of course it might not offer protection if it is flash, but you might be able to obtain enough information before it happens.
I use Lookout.
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Hi Guys,
We know they exist, we get warnings in the news and on internet but I never met anyone who had a virus on his/her phone. And I live in China (Shanghai) with 30 Millions people. I'm starting to wonder if it's really important to have an anti-virus app. Of course wisdom tells me it just need one virus to make it worth. But with all the crazy phone people that are here, there must be someone who had a virus at some point. If so, what kind of virus? How many? And do you think an Anti-virus app is really necessary? Are you using one? Are you wearing condoms?(Whoa forget that last one, too many questions.)
I don't have one for the moment but maybe after reading your comments I'll get one. Will see.
I personally dont use one. Antivirus can (should) detect mallitious apps that might take advantages of user permissions and send sms, call someone or steal personal info without notice. Also almost all antivirus solutions offer anti theft protection (not so useful as it sounds).
My oppinion is that they are not worth the ram ussage if you are not installing free cracked apps from unofficial sources which is the most common place to install malicious app by mistake.
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No. I don't have any anti virus apps too. I feel it is unnecessary.
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Using smartphones for 10 years.
never needed oe used an antivirus program (except one occassion, to briefly see its features)
So any of you know someone who had a virus?
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Had once in symbian Commwarrior.A but never installed virus soft.
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I don't think I need one! I don't do online banking from my phone! Other than that It will slow down the phone unless you are not doing something dodgy.
I put an Anti Virus on my first Android phone as I fell for all of the scare tactic bull**** companies give you to download their products, but no, I don't on my S3 and never have. If you ask me and probably half of the XDA members, most Android "viruses" are non existant, and are mentioned to scare you into buying their products (most have a paid version that will "scan better"). As a matter of fact I've researched it quite a bit and only came across 2 legit Android viruses, both of which are from illegally downloading APK files from a non-google site.
So to answer your question, unless you download apps illegally, you're fine. Only Android security I spent money on is Cerberus Anti-Theft, it's really good should you get your phone stolen. The only downside is that you have to either have Data or WiFi on 24/7 so if it does get stolen you can access it from the control panel, but there is sadly no other way. Just make sure if you do spend your hard earned dollars on it that you get Titanium Backup or another equivalent so if you wipe your phone you don't lose it.
blackyz said:
Had once in symbian Commwarrior.A but never installed virus soft.
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Interesting, symbian is not as popular as Android.
What was the virus doing? I mean was it calling people or sending sms to your contact?
no, other that stealing nothign they could do,
but my visa is prepaid and my birthdate is senstive info.
Oh my... of course I have an antivirus app for my phone. In fact I have 10. My phone needs virus protection inception. If I don't have at least 5 antivirus apps on my phone, I won't feel remotely safe.
I typed this by hand.
Techniques said:
I typed this by hand.
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It's ok I can read by eyes.
I've been using avast for about 3 months now, having picked up anything, all about preference tho if you feel safer with it then just get one
I've never had antivirus, it just uses way to much CPU, RAM and unnecessary storage on your device. My phones never played up or messed up. I think its just a money making scheme tbh. It slows your phone down and is definitely not needed
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no, and i think it' not necessary an antivirus
if you know what you do you don't keep virus .... IMHO
Just be careful which apps you're about to downloa - don't install fart-soundsboards for example.
I use Lookout Mobile Security but mainly for the remote locate feature. It's free for up to two active phones in one account (account is tied to your e-mail).
Never had it report a virus though... don't think it hurts and never noticed it slowing down my phone, not even my previous HTC Desire
Eh, I ran Lookout when I first got an Android phone, but I don't think it ever accomplished everything other than introducing a slight delay after installing an application. I do run the JB-compatible version of LBE (which includes a ton of bloat - including an anti-virus), though, as I do like to block permissions, but I'd switch to PDroid in an instant if it were available for TouchWiz ROMs.
i think AV is useless on the phone.
had avast for sometime (got "scared"), other from a little battery drainage didn't feel slower or anything.
removed it to check battery stats without it and just figured it's useless...
as for anti-theft, you get apps that do just that, so no need for AV for anti-theft security.
Depends how confident you are as a smartphone user. If you check your app permissions (or if it is from a reputable enough dev), you shouldn't have any issues. As has been said above, cracked apps are the most dangerous, so be extra careful with those!
Also faik apps can't run hidden on android... so if you are an advanced user you should be able to check with a task manager what apps run in the background. If it isn't running in the background (and isn't your keyboard), then I doubt it can log your keystrokes etc.
So yeah, I don't use one. If phones get powerful enough such that the performance/battery impact is un-noticable, I'd probably install one (as I do on my PC - nod32), even though android is a more closed environment. If you're a noob who installs tons of cracked apps though (p.s. I'm not saying these attributes are necessarily linked lol), then of coure you should use one.