Htc / android spyware? - HTC EVO 3D

OK, I have a question about spyware. Without trying to sound too much like a conspiracy nut or anything. We hear so much about Facebook owning all your personal information you put on their servers, same with Google, Hotmail keeping all your emails, etc. Now hearing Windows 8 will store all your info in the "Clouds" or something.
My question is, is there software buried in Android or HTC phones that is a threat to your privacy?
I would think kernel developers or rom developers know more about the codes buried deep within our phones. I mean the whole Android system is google, right?
I came across this article today about the Iphone:
http://appadvice.com/appnn/2008/09/iphone-screenshot-exploit-exposed
on the surface it seems disturbing. however, it may just be this guy Zdziarski trying to sell his new book, using scare tactics.
sent from my Commodore 64

There used to be Carrier Iq on it, but that was removed after it came to light. I haven't heard about anything else, but I trust the devs to remove it.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

Related

[Q] [POLL] Biggest Threat to Android

Just curious what you feel... multiple answers are allowed.
I put them in no particular order.
I'm going to hold off on giving my opinion, just to not curb anything... but I really appreciate the feedback. Likely will use the data to write an article. Thanks!
Good feedback may be quoted, unless objected
Didn't I see an article on here about a malware creating app that's on the market? With opensource, you will have a lot of people trying to attack peoples phones and with everyone thinking a phone isn't a computer and can't be attacked, everyone still downloads things without reading permissions and other important info regarding the app... I vote for malware being the biggest threat!
No zombie apocalypse?
Zombies... Can't believe I neglected that, ha.
Malware is definitely 1st long-term as Android grows, but the use and abuse of the flawed patent system is fairly troublesome. I feel like I should patent the process by which one files suit for patent infringement...
Have you tried using the Forms feature in GoogleDocs? I have been using it with great success for polls like this a small non-profit I am president of. It dumps the results into a spreadsheet automatically for you for more in-depth analysis...
That is a great idea. I've only used Google Docs a handful of times, the most prominent when I was getting people into G+ with the backdoor... every time I leave away impressed. I need to look into that more, thanks man.
Apple Patents and Fragmentation would be the #1 problem in my eyes.
Apple has been trying to take down Samsung products, if you guys know... Samsung sells most of the Android phones. Apple is targeting ONLY Samsung right now and that's because Samsung has the best sales in Android. If Apple is able to take Samsung down - they've basically won the fight. I think it was yesterday I saw on Engadget a article that said that Samsung Galaxy Tabs were not allowed to be sold in Germany (http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/german-apple-suit-ruling-blocks-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-sale-in/)
#2 Fragmentation
Apple is taking Android from the outside.
Fragmentation is eating Android from the inside out. There are simply TOO many Android phones out there and that's not exactly the main problem. The main problem is updates- Some phones are STILL on 2.1 and developers from that phones have said multiple times that their phone is ready for 2.2/2.3 because they've ported it through leaks and whatnot.
The new agreement that google made with the "other companies" may slowly remove fragmentation - 18 months (?) and the phone must have atleast 2 updates (i think) That, I think is a good time to drop the phone, I mean seriously, There's like 10 new Android phones out every week....
Apple is a poor loser in this game. Your mad bc samsung simply makes a better product? Pffff. Go get on ur mac and hit up ur starbucks. Save some trees too.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Oracle and apple are both hostile players so they are a threat....... the second os the threat of fragmentation ............. this will be an issue if they do not resolve NOW !!!
Biggest threat is apple with all that suing cuz they can't compete an fragmentation will not be a problem once ics comes out if they keep promises an should run great on old devices since Linux is famous for running on old devices
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App

Securing Android (User-level Permissions)

Howdy, folks.
I'm in a position where I might need to deploy a couple dozen or more Android handsets to field sales reps with specific software preinstalled.
My problem is how to secure either the individual applications in question such as my POS and payment gateway software which have confidential business information such as account numbers, passwords, item, pricing, description, or other data from being changed.
Is there an Android app that would enable me to prevent users from viewing or manipulating various programs or config files or from installing unauthorized applications from the Android Market or sideloads? Or, perhaps there's an app that just locks down the entire phone, disabling any installation, deletion or manipulation of applications?
I think y'all know what I need. Let me know if I'm not clear.
Thanks in advance!
Wow. I'm surprised nobody has a solution for this. So there's nobody out there supporting Android in a corporate environment that has to protect custom apps or keep certain data or settings from prying eyes?
Really, really? Nobody out there has had to lock down Android phones for corporate deployment?
The best bet would be to talk to the provider/manufacturer directly. Our handheld mobil devices (intermec) were purpose built and more restricted than most.
Hard to find answers for locking down your phones here, as most people are probably here to get around manufacturers restrictions.
Sent from my ADR6300 using xda premium
baboonsRus said:
The best bet would be to talk to the provider/manufacturer directly. Our handheld mobil devices (intermec) were purpose built and more restricted than most.
Hard to find answers for locking down your phones here, as most people are probably here to get around manufacturers restrictions.
Sent from my ADR6300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't the sort of project that a manufacturer would be interested in, or I could afford to work on with them. It'd be only a couple dozen or so handsets, which is not volume enough for any OEM to bother with.
As to where I'm asking, ****... I figured this'd be the BEST place, 'cause y'all know how to get around everything so any recommendations would be pretty airtight.
I know theres pleanty of apps that will allow you to lock certain apps so they cant be opened unless you enter a password. I dont think this is does all of what youre asking but i think its the best thing youll find.
Locking down acess to certain settings within your POS app would have to be something that is an included feature of the app. Im pretty sure a third party app woulldnt be able to do it.
BillTheCat said:
This isn't the sort of project that a manufacturer would be interested in, or I could afford to work on with them. It'd be only a couple dozen or so handsets, which is not volume enough for any OEM to bother with.
As to where I'm asking, ****... I figured this'd be the BEST place, 'cause y'all know how to get around everything so any recommendations would be pretty airtight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just trying to help out. Next poster is right though, pos software should have its own security built in.
Sent from my ADR6300 using xda premium
I'm no dev, but maybe root, uninstall vending apk(market), install app locker, unroot, and maybe go with at&t...their phone won't allow installing non market apps(I think). A dev might even be able to make a rom that will restrict usb to charge only...that seems like a good start.
Sent from my ADR6300 using xda premium
Lots off "App Protectors" in the Market

[Q] imessage-like app for android?

I did do some research but all imessage topics I found were really old.
So I have a couple of questions. Since my phone died last week, I had to resort back to my iphone 4 (I went from iphone to LGOG). So I was wondering if there an app that will allow me to text an iphone/osx user such as imessage does where they can receive on both devices and then respond to either one. Preferably, it would be my end doing all the work (android) and they (iphone/mac) don't have to do anything, but if there is a little work involved that would be okay. They aren't very technical so don't want to confuse them with complex instructions, just magic. I never realized people actually text through their computer, but since I went back to the iphone I've gotten a lot more responses because people are too lazy to go grab their phone if they leave it across the room.
Also, is there an app that will allow group chats on android, again without needing anyone else to install anything. Whenever I receive a group text on my android it would be separate conversations to each person so i would have to respond individually to each person whereas with the iphone it's just one message and sent to everyone and it's all streamlined very nicely.
If I didn't explain anything well enough just let me know and i'll try to better explain. Also I will be rooting and unlocking my phone, and I'm good for paid or free ways of getting things done.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
blamster said:
I did do some research but all imessage topics I found were really old.
So I have a couple of questions. Since my phone died last week, I had to resort back to my iphone 4 (I went from iphone to LGOG). So I was wondering if there an app that will allow me to text an iphone/osx user such as imessage does where they can receive on both devices and then respond to either one. Preferably, it would be my end doing all the work (android) and they (iphone/mac) don't have to do anything, but if there is a little work involved that would be okay. They aren't very technical so don't want to confuse them with complex instructions, just magic. I never realized people actually text through their computer, but since I went back to the iphone I've gotten a lot more responses because people are too lazy to go grab their phone if they leave it across the room.
Also, is there an app that will allow group chats on android, again without needing anyone else to install anything. Whenever I receive a group text on my android it would be separate conversations to each person so i would have to respond individually to each person whereas with the iphone it's just one message and sent to everyone and it's all streamlined very nicely.
If I didn't explain anything well enough just let me know and i'll try to better explain. Also I will be rooting and unlocking my phone, and I'm good for paid or free ways of getting things done.
Thanks in advance for all your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude! You gotta understand the competition between iOS and android? How could android have such An app? I wish they do too but they don't. You can try other cool apps like viber,whatapp etc
Sent from my Infinity using xda premium
If I remember right, I think Handcent has an experimental group message feature. Could be long past the experimental phase, could have been a different app. As for texting to a Mac, I can't think of anything
Abdl said:
Dude! You gotta understand the competition between iOS and android? How could android have such An app? I wish they do too but they don't. You can try other cool apps like viber,whatapp etc
Sent from my Infinity using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know there is competition.But I don't like being tied to iOS as much as I don't like being tied to android or some other OS. I am a believer in that all the OSes should just work together somehow (perhaps with some fairy dust?) and just be amazing like that. I get that won't ever happen, but sadly I have 0 coding abilities. I was really hoping someone would have figured out a way to defeat the imessage authentications or whatever is stopping android from joining in the fun.
MrZim4 said:
If I remember right, I think Handcent has an experimental group message feature. Could be long past the experimental phase, could have been a different app. As for texting to a Mac, I can't think of anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks, I'll have to look into handcent. I'm surprised it wasn't a native feature. Is it that uncommon to want a group chat to be it's own thread? And yea...I figured texting to a mac would be a long shot, but thinking about it, I figure something like skype or googlechat would work so might just have to go that route.
Yeah I'm sure any IM client would work just fine for what you need, I didn't even think about that one.
blamster said:
I know there is competition.But I don't like being tied to iOS as much as I don't like being tied to android or some other OS. I am a believer in that all the OSes should just work together somehow (perhaps with some fairy dust?) and just be amazing like that. I get that won't ever happen, but sadly I have 0 coding abilities. I was really hoping someone would have figured out a way to defeat the imessage authentications or whatever is stopping android from joining in the fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you think if android should develop something like that,The hating Apple might end up sueing it? I think they will,Android knows it boundries that's why,and I think its still fun with android even without any app like that.
Sent from my Infinity using xda premium
I use Facebook messenger and Skype to reach people on either computers or phones. Don't have much use for a group messaging feature, so I don't know what's out there on that front.

[Petition] Optimize your App! A List of Developer Petitions

Hello all!
See below for this thread on other forums.
Android Tablet Forum
====================
Click here to subscribe to this thread. I recommend it!
I'm a fellow Nexus 10 owner. I love my device, but I'm a bit tired of facing applications that are low-resolution and unoptimized for the incredible display we have on the Nexus 10. Even tablet-optimized apps are lacking. Aren't you frustrated? Hence, I thought we could do something about it as a community.
Which is the purpose of this thread!
Here's how it will work. This first post will serve as a compilation of all the petitions made to any and all developers to optimize their applications for tablets, and also the Nexus 10's display. Any subsequent posts in this thread shall be for petition requests and discussion, which I will personally put together and post up to the petition site being used for this purpose (Care2 as of this thread's posting). I will then add a direct link to that petition to this thread, sorted by category. Feel free to make any suggestions or to criticize! I will also start us off with a petition I have already created myself: to the developers of the Bloons TD series of games, Ninja Kiwi.
I'll try to keep things simple! Keep on topic, please, and try your best to sign each and every petition. Its the only way we'll be able to actually push developers to optimize their applications for tablets like ours! So, without further ado, let us begin!
Petition List
===GAMES===
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Bloons TD 5 - Optimize Bloons TD 5 for Android Tablets
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===APPS===
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Facebook - Optimize Facebook for Android Tablets
Instagram - Optimize Instagram for Android Tablets
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This is likely Google's job, not ours. In any event, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are three that immediately spring to mind. Not because they are low resolution -- not sure what you mean there -- but because the layouts are so clearly designed for smaller screens. I shouldn't have to opt for Friendcaster, Tabstagram, and Plume.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
JasW said:
This is likely Google's job, not ours. In any event, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are three that immediately spring to mind. Not because they are low resolution -- not sure what you mean there -- but because the layouts are so clearly designed for smaller screens. I shouldn't have to opt for Friendcaster, Tabstagram, and Plume.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's the app devs job. The point of this is to show them that there is a need for this to be done by enough of their user base to merit the work hours it will take them to implement it. What they don't know ends up hurting us. It is actually an excellent idea.
A dedicated Facebook app should be a priority. My mate has an iPad and I found myself looking longingly at the sickness of the dedicated app. Something needs to be done to put a stop to this sick perversion!
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
JasW said:
This is likely Google's job, not ours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would tend to agree with Brees on this one, which you could probably guess. I think Brees put it excellently!
brees75 said:
No, it's the app devs job. The point of this is to show them that there is a need for this to be done by enough of their user base to merit the work hours it will take them to implement it. What they don't know ends up hurting us. It is actually an excellent idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the job of the application developers to get out proper apps. Google has done TONS of work already. Now we need to show these guys that we, the users, actually care about proper tablet applications, and that it is worth the investment.
Thats why I created this thread - if we don't do something about it, no-one will! I'm going to try to get as many signatures as possible, and I'm going to spread this thread across multiple forums if necessary. AndroidTablets.net springs to mind.
Eztiban said:
A dedicated Facebook app should be a priority. My mate has an iPad and I found myself looking longingly at the sickness of the dedicated app. Something needs to be done to put a stop to this sick perversion!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! I'm tired of this sort of thing. This needs to be put to a stop. I'll create the petition.
Like previously said all those social apps need optimization for sure. And the xda app needs optimization. I think there's an HD version but it costs money
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)
brees75 said:
No, it's the app devs job. The point of this is to show them that there is a need for this to be done by enough of their user base to merit the work hours it will take them to implement it. What they don't know ends up hurting us. It is actually an excellent idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWalkop said:
I would tend to agree with Brees on this one, which you could probably guess. I think Brees put it excellently!Its the job of the application developers to get out proper apps. Google has done TONS of work already. Now we need to show these guys that we, the users, actually care about proper tablet applications, and that it is worth the investment.
Thats why I created this thread - if we don't do something about it, no-one will! I'm going to try to get as many signatures as possible, and I'm going to spread this thread across multiple forums if necessary. AndroidTablets.net springs to mind.
Exactly! I'm tired of this sort of thing. This needs to be put to a stop. I'll create the petition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll excuse me if I seem overly cynical about this. I used to be a BlackBerry user. Well over two years ago, some folks on Crackberry launched a campaign to bombard Reid Hastings, the president of Netflix, with email to get Netflix on the BlackBerry platform (the OS 6 devices like the Torch had then fairly recently come out). If you are familiar with Crackberry, you know that they are a rabid, fanatical horde. Nothing happened. Then came the petitions -- change.org and the like. They are still going on more than two years plus later, and despite the fact that BlackBerry now has quite decent phones and a decent OS in BB10, there is still no Netflix on the platform.
EDIT: Holy! I already have 4 signatures for Facebook on Android Tablets and I haven't even posted it anywhere yet! That shows something.
C'mon guys, I'll post it up in the main thread. Vote for it now!
JasW said:
You'll excuse me if I seem overly cynical about this. I used to be a BlackBerry user. Well over two years ago, some folks on Crackberry launched a campaign to bombard Reid Hastings, the president of Netflix, with email to get Netflix on the BlackBerry platform (the OS 6 devices like the Torch had then fairly recently come out). If you are familiar with Crackberry, you know that they are a rabid, fanatical horde. Nothing happened. Then came the petitions -- change.org and the like. They are still going on more than two years plus later, and despite the fact that BlackBerry now has quite decent phones and a decent OS in BB10, there is still no Netflix on the platform.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your points make sense, but they aren't a valid reason really to cause Netflix to develop for BB10. The marketshare simply isn't there.
With Android, however, the market has shown that it is a valid platform (and I hate to say that as if it was an option - c'mon. ANDROID IS AWESOME! ); it makes sense for them to update, and it only helps us out. We need to show them that we actually CARE. If they understand that, then they will update for us without question. If they have any business sense, that is.
Same with BB10 (which is, quite frankly, a very nice OS - it even has NFC Beaming support between BB and Android devices). If they had the market AND Crackberry screaming like it was/is, they would get a proper app quite quickly.
This deserved a quick update post: the petitions for Facebook and Instagram are now online. Facebook already has a few votes!
I just signed Facebook one.
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)
What's the address part for?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Mannn121 said:
What's the address part for?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that you can be stalked lol. No need to put you real address I made one up and it didn't even check if it was right
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)
Mannn121 said:
What's the address part for?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, what abdel said lol.
Its mostly to confirm that you're a real person with a real place to live, that kinda stuff.
CWalkop said:
EDIT: Holy! I already have 4 signatures for Facebook on Android Tablets and I haven't even posted it anywhere yet! That shows something.
C'mon guys, I'll post it up in the main thread. Vote for it now!
I think your points make sense, but they aren't a valid reason really to cause Netflix to develop for BB10. The marketshare simply isn't there.
With Android, however, the market has shown that it is a valid platform (and I hate to say that as if it was an option - c'mon. ANDROID IS AWESOME! ); it makes sense for them to update, and it only helps us out. We need to show them that we actually CARE. If they understand that, then they will update for us without question. If they have any business sense, that is.
Same with BB10 (which is, quite frankly, a very nice OS - it even has NFC Beaming support between BB and Android devices). If they had the market AND Crackberry screaming like it was/is, they would get a proper app quite quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BB's problem is definitely rooted in market share, something that Android in general obviously has no problem with. But the numbers dwindle considerably when you're talking about Android tablet market share, and then on top of that, you've got to consider how many Android tablet users really care that there are some apps that are just scaled up phone versions. Apple cared enough to do something about it -- remember that was one of the criticisms of the first iPad, i.e., that it seemed just like a oversized iPod. Google has not been responsive on this front (nor on others for that matter).
Anyway, I don't want to discourage anyone, so have at it.
Signed them all and subscribed to thread, will check daily to check for new petitions
JasW said:
BB's problem is definitely rooted in market share, something that Android in general obviously has no problem with. But the numbers dwindle considerably when you're talking about Android tablet market share, and then on top of that, you've got to consider how many Android tablet users really care that there are some apps that are just scaled up phone versions. Apple cared enough to do something about it -- remember that was one of the criticisms of the first iPad, i.e., that it seemed just like a oversized iPod. Google has not been responsive on this front (nor on others for that matter).
Anyway, I don't want to discourage anyone, so have at it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry, you're not discouraging (me, at least).
Android Tablet market share has been steadily on the rise - in fact, it rivals the iPad. According to many statistics, they are slated to pass (if they have not already) Apple devices in tablet market share by the 3rd quarter. I listed 3 (or 4?) links in all of the petitions.
As for Google, they have been doing a great job lately. They added dedicated tablet sections to Google Play, and have been pushing developers to adhere to the guidelines constantly. I say keep up that pressure!
lvnatic said:
Signed them all and subscribed to thread, will check daily to check for new petitions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! We need more people like you here. Keep it up!
As for everyone else, keep an eye out for new petitions; and, most importantly of all:
SIGN THEM!!!!
We have hundreds of views on this thread, yet most people don't seem to want to take 60 seconds and sign the petitions, oddly enough. And this is a Nexus 10 forum. Keep it up, anyway! We CAN do this with enough time.
Signed them all
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
One of these days I plan to actually try to learn some Android development; I'll be sure to make whatever apps I make optimized for the N10 though :good:

[Q] why can't root access be something an OEM or even google allows from the off?

from a end users POV i mean?
why can't i get a new phone, install supersu from the play store, go to dev options or security, and enable root and point to supersu to handle it?
no security holes needed to get root and far less hassle for us end users to get to do what we want with our phones
is it just an attitude thing by google and the OEMs or a more technical thing?
well...what I can see is that the general public don't need or care for these functions. And they are quite good security locks. The ones who don't know what these functions are will not attempt to unlock the bootloader etc etc.
If for example these functions are visible in the settings menu and someone who just got their device scrolling the menus and finds this interesting button.
hmm..It says "root"? Beneath is another button says "unlock bootloader".
WOOW! Lets press the buttons and see what happens!!! :laugh::laugh:
And somehow the user bricked the device because the person didn't have any knowledge of what was going on.
There is probably more to it like warranty questions.
but it wouldn't be visible - like on this phone you had to know where to go to enable dev options so an average user wouldn't see it at all.
plus not all devices have locked bootloaders either. this is my 1st since the HTC desire.
I'll just quote "Kay" from Man In Black;
"A person is smart. People are dumb"
People in general are so soo stupid and they would tap something and three seconds later SystemUI would've been gone. Not likely of course, but you know that guy who's everywhere and manages to do some pretty stupid stuff with everything he touches. With that said, i think every single individual at XDA would love to have a pre-rooted device, or simply have (like you say) a toggle in the developer settings or something, but we all know how stupid people are, so i understand why it's not an option.
I would rather have a simple procedure like the Nexus' have where you have to know what you're about to do, and you can do it. If you do that, you probably know what root means, and you won't try to delete the system folder.
LordManhattan said:
I'll just quote "Kay" from Man In Black;
"A person is smart. People are dumb"
People in general are so soo stupid and they would tap something and three seconds later SystemUI would've been gone. Not likely of course, but you know that guy who's everywhere and manages to do some pretty stupid stuff with everything he touches. With that said, i think every single individual at XDA would love to have a pre-rooted device, or simply have (like you say) a toggle in the developer settings or something, but we all know how stupid people are, so i understand why it's not an option.
I would rather have a simple procedure like the Nexus' have where you have to know what you're about to do, and you can do it. If you do that, you probably know what root means, and you won't try to delete the system folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree with the OP though. Because even Linux itself comes with su. Windows comes with Administrator mode. So it shouldn't be a problem to provide root into the system even though majority of people doesn't know what are they doing. If something goes wrong, just recommend them to flash again (in Windows term, format and fresh install) even then google already provides contact backup so it shouldn't take a long time. Unlocking the bootloader on the other hand..
Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app
Sure, but does your mom or sister use Linux, or even a terminal/CMD? No they do not. Linux is a "niche" OS, and the people that uses it knows what it is and what it does. Geeks. Being a Windows admin is not nearly as dangerous as having root in Android or Linux. You can destroy the whole system by deleting one file. And flashing and formatting is something few people do. There's a reason why I hate it when friends and family start messing around with their devices, because I know that I'll have to either take a look at the damn thing or reformat it next week.
People are morons when it comes to technology. WE are a special group of people that spend A LOT of time with these things, so it's natural that we want it all. Regular people on the other hand want to check Facebook and use Spotify. Throw the whole kitchen sink into the OS and people will get confused and get an iPhone, or simply stop using it for what it is or could be. Remember that we are the minority here. Android is a mainstream OS that is meant for regular people and should be simple to use, but advanced under the hood (so people like us can play with it).
If you take a closer look at KitKat, you'll notice that Google have made some tiny changes, like the arrow on the lock screen that tells you that if you drag the arrow up, you'll open Google Now. Also notice the camera icon on the lock screen. Tap it and it'll move a little - like a hint for people that you can slide it to open the camera. Google understands that people need guidance and not hidden shortcuts and more gestures. We may know about all the features and easter eggs, but that's because we're actively looking for them. People in general are not.
My point is, people don't care. WE, the geeks are the minority and not the main group of people OEM's are thinking about when they make devices. We, the geeks already have devices that are targeted at us and it's called "Nexus".
/rant
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
LordManhattan said:
Sure, but does your mom or sister use Linux, or even a terminal/CMD? No they do not. Linux is a "niche" OS, and the people that uses it knows what it is and what it does. Geeks. Being a Windows admin is not nearly as dangerous as having root in Android or Linux. You can destroy the whole system by deleting one file. And flashing and formatting is something few people do. There's a reason why I hate it when friends and family start messing around with their devices, because I know that I'll have to either take a look at the damn thing or reformat it next week.
People are morons when it comes to technology. WE are a special group of people that spend A LOT of time with these things, so it's natural that we want it all. Regular people on the other hand want to check Facebook and use Spotify. Throw the whole kitchen sink into the OS and people will get confused and get an iPhone, or simply stop using it for what it is or could be. Remember that we are the minority here. Android is a mainstream OS that is meant for regular people and should be simple to use, but advanced under the hood (so people like us can play with it).
If you take a closer look at KitKat, you'll notice that Google have made some tiny changes, like the arrow on the lock screen that tells you that if you drag the arrow up, you'll open Google Now. Also notice the camera icon on the lock screen. Tap it and it'll move a little - like a hint for people that you can slide it to open the camera. Google understands that people need guidance and not hidden shortcuts and more gestures. We may know about all the features and easter eggs, but that's because we're actively looking for them. People in general are not.
My point is, people don't care. WE, the geeks are the minority and not the main group of people OEM's are thinking about when they make devices. We, the geeks already have devices that are targeted at us and it's called "Nexus".
/rant
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But if people really don't care, why Microsoft and Linux devs give such Administrator access to their 'Home edition' software? We bought the device and the ROM so why such restriction compared to a casual desktop solution? Following Google's logic to make it easy user friendly as it is, just put it in hidden place like developer option and boom problem solved. No casual user would ever know about tapping the Android build number continuously. Plus with a revised policy for warranty will be nice, for example, it will be void if you ever unlocked the bootloader of the device, because imho, that is the lifeline nowadays to guarantee that your device is still recoverable with some flashing. Casual super user activity shouldn't be closed completely i'd say (i.e Titanium backup anyone?).
Hmmm, someone corrects me if I'm wrong, but isn't rooting on Android or Linux more risky if the user has no idea what they're doing?
Windows allows users to do some stuff but the worst thing you could do is mess it up so bad you have to do a clean install. There might not be a link from changing something in windows to completely screw up BIOS.
Now for rooting on Android, the average Joe hears about it, cool, let's press some buttons. Then some people mentions about kernels and radios, cool, let's flash some. Bam, phone gone. As some other have said, people will never cease to amaze you with their stupidity. So in Google and OEM's mind, it's best to make it as inaccessible as possible to avoid having some dumbass sue them for including something "potentially risky" in their devices.
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Yo_2T said:
Hmmm, someone corrects me if I'm wrong, but isn't rooting on Android or Linux more risky if the user has no idea what they're doing?
Windows allows users to do some stuff but the worst thing you could do is mess it up so bad you have to do a clean install. There might not be a link from changing something in windows to completely screw up BIOS.
Now for rooting on Android, the average Joe hears about it, cool, let's press some buttons. Then some people mentions about kernels and radios, cool, let's flash some. Bam, phone gone. As some other have said, people will never cease to amaze you with their stupidity. So in Google and OEM's mind, it's best to make it as inaccessible as possible to avoid having some dumbass sue them for including something "potentially risky" in their devices.
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Yes it is more risky but as i said in my post, warranty void IF the bootloader (ie the BIOS in desktop terms) is unlocked because even if you mess up the phone, there's always PC Companion fresh install if you still have locked bootloader, just like Windows fresh install, so therefore, Root/Admin priv should not be cut off completely from the system.
LordManhattan said:
Sure, but does your mom or sister use Linux, or even a terminal/CMD? No they do not. Linux is a "niche" OS, and the people that uses it knows what it is and what it does. Geeks. Being a Windows admin is not nearly as dangerous as having root in Android or Linux. You can destroy the whole system by deleting one file. And flashing and formatting is something few people do. There's a reason why I hate it when friends and family start messing around with their devices, because I know that I'll have to either take a look at the damn thing or reformat it next week.
People are morons when it comes to technology. WE are a special group of people that spend A LOT of time with these things, so it's natural that we want it all. Regular people on the other hand want to check Facebook and use Spotify. Throw the whole kitchen sink into the OS and people will get confused and get an iPhone, or simply stop using it for what it is or could be. Remember that we are the minority here. Android is a mainstream OS that is meant for regular people and should be simple to use, but advanced under the hood (so people like us can play with it).
If you take a closer look at KitKat, you'll notice that Google have made some tiny changes, like the arrow on the lock screen that tells you that if you drag the arrow up, you'll open Google Now. Also notice the camera icon on the lock screen. Tap it and it'll move a little - like a hint for people that you can slide it to open the camera. Google understands that people need guidance and not hidden shortcuts and more gestures. We may know about all the features and easter eggs, but that's because we're actively looking for them. People in general are not.
My point is, people don't care. WE, the geeks are the minority and not the main group of people OEM's are thinking about when they make devices. We, the geeks already have devices that are targeted at us and it's called "Nexus".
/rant
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maybe but the nexus is an extremely limited device and not something i'd ever consider without google making major changes.
i don't see how something like this would mess up the average user either. i mean if you have a hidden dev options menu you have to unhide, then you have to download supersu and then enable root in dev options.
if someone does all that then they know what they're getting into and must have read some guide to get there. no different to now really.
I think kit all depends on the people who set the first stone for these mobile operating systems. They obviously didn't think of them in the same sense as computer OS, so they just do things in certain ways. And I think from the way the market has evolved, Google hasn't found a reason to incorporate such features into Android because there's no real demand for it. You know how sometimes it doesn't take companies to do certain things, but they just don't do it. (like the freaking battery percentage on Android).
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