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I'm looking for a basic but functional email app for pop and gmail. The only requirement is really support for pop accounts and gmail. Live account support would be a plus but not required. Also it needs to clean up after itself. Like when I delete an email instead of leaving it in the trash I want it to empty them. Don't want it to ever delete emails from server unless I specify it in settings.
OK. I just named a bunch of requirement. LOL
By the way, free or really cheap also. Whatever the default email app in Task 14 Fat is haa all my wanted options except for emptying the trash when I exit it or even if I could just press one button to empty all trash it would be great.
TIA
Sent from my GT-P7510 using one finger.
I've yet to find an email app on tablet that I would like. I use inomail on my samsung galaxy s2 phone but it doesn't work as well on tablet. I've tried k9, maildroid, moxier mail, kaitlen mail, enhanced mail, stock email and touchwiz. I want something similar to email app on my iPad but haven't found anything so far. All the email clients I've used works but I didn't like the ui.
Benzoman said:
I'm looking for a basic but functional email app for pop and gmail. The only requirement is really support for pop accounts and gmail. Live account support would be a plus but not required. Also it needs to clean up after itself. Like when I delete an email instead of leaving it in the trash I want it to empty them. Don't want it to ever delete emails from server unless I specify it in settings.
OK. I just named a bunch of requirement. LOL
By the way, free or really cheap also. Whatever the default email app in Task 14 Fat is haa all my wanted options except for emptying the trash when I exit it or even if I could just press one button to empty all trash it would be great.
TIA
Sent from my GT-P7510 using one finger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I suggest an alternative that makes the gmail app better, and makes email much easier to work with?
Instead of having the app aggregate your different email addresses, have gmail do it. I have 7 addresses (work, school, personal, spam, other work, old, and really old). Gmail checks the pop addresses every 10 minutes or so, the others just forward. Then I set a filter for each (to:[email protected]) to tag it. Make the tags different colors. When you load up the gmail app, you'll see the tags (so you can immediately see which email address it's coming from). Advantages: 1) never mess with more than one email address no matter what computer/phone/tablet you use; 2) shared address book; 3) security; 4) ease of use; 5) awesomeness.
You know what? I've thought about it for a while now, so I'll make a how-to post about it. I'll link when I finish.
A how to would be sweet. I also use too many email addresses so this sounds like a wonderful idea. I've just been figuring out too too many thing lately to really want to hop about this without complete reference in one place. Thanks mate for the idea even if you dinner get around to the how to.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using one stinky finger.
Does anyone know where the E-Mail account settings files are kept? A replacement phone is scheduled to hit me on Wednesday, and if I can help it, I would prefer not to setup my myriad of e-mail accounts all over again. It sure would be nice if I could just copy them to my computer and copy them back to the replacement phone.
TIA
I solved that problem by forwarding all my email accounts through gmail.
I prefer to have separate accounts, as discussed in posts #11 and #13 of the thread below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27810568#post27810568
xv-6800 said:
I prefer to have separate accounts, as discussed in posts #11 and #13 of the thread below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27810568#post27810568
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So in other words, you can't simply use gmail because its too much hassle to remember to select the correct account to reply from?
I believe most settings info is stored like this:
/data/data/nameofapplication/
What do you mean? The way I have it set up ENABLES me to select the proper account to reply from. Google does not offer this capability.
Regarding the path:
I have a .data folder on the root. Inside that is a nested mail folder which contains nothing but another empty nested folder entitled attachthumb.
Do I need a special app to see what I need to see?
xv-6800 said:
What do you mean? The way I have it set up ENABLES me to select the proper account to reply from. Google does not offer this capability.
Regarding the path:
I have a .data folder on the root. Inside that is a nested mail folder which contains nothing but another empty nested folder entitled attachthumb.
Do I need a special app to see what I need to see?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know what you're talking about because i'm using the stock Android AOSP version of the gmail app and I have 5 accounts set up on it and can select which one to reply from. It automatically selects the correct account if I simply hit "reply" from an email, however I can force it to reply from any other of my accounts too. Not all gmail accounts either. I can send mail from my cox.net account directly from the gmail app on my phone.
Anyways, you need a root file explorer. You will go to the "/data/data/" directory, then look for a directory containing the name of your email app (like /data/data/com.google.android.gm/ for gmail, etc)
That directory contains the settings and data from that app. Copy it, place on your new device in the same folder after installing the app on the new device.
a.mcdear said:
Don't know what you're talking about because i'm using the stock Android AOSP version of the gmail app and I have 5 accounts set up on it and can select which one to reply from. It automatically selects the correct account if I simply hit "reply" from an email, however I can force it to reply from any other of my accounts too. Not all gmail accounts either. I can send mail from my cox.net account directly from the gmail app on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there may be a misunderstanding here. My phone has 2 apps. One is entitled Mail, the other entitled GMail. The GMail app only allows for GMail accounts. I am using the other Mail app. KZOODROID said he was forwarding his other accounts to a GMail account, which does NOT allow what you and I are doing with the Mail app. Not even logging into GMail via a web browser allows you to do this, because on the web replies still go with GMail text saying "Sent of behalf of..."
FWIW, the Mail app on the phone does NOT select the correct account if you are using your GMail account to POP another account, or you have other accounts set to forward to your GMail account, and those messages are pushed via GMail. In both those instances, when you hit Reply, the reply will be sent via your GMail address. You MUST select the desired account you want to reply from (provided you have it setup in the Mail app), if you want the reply to be seen as being sent from the same address that it was originally sent to.
Now, if you truly are pulling mail from your other non-GMail accounts (or the messages are being pushed from those mail accounts' servers), then yes, when you hit Reply on any of those messages, it's just like hitting reply on a regular mail client on a desktop computer, and the replies take on reply information from the respective mail accounts.
Anyways, you need a root file explorer. You will go to the "/data/data/" directory, then look for a directory containing the name of your email app (like /data/data/com.google.android.gm/ for gmail, etc)
That directory contains the settings and data from that app. Copy it, place on your new device in the same folder after installing the app on the new device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured as much. Does the root file explorer get installed on a PC, or is it an app you download to the phone, and then use on the phone to copy such values to an SD card?
Any suggestions on which root file explorer?
In the gmail app, hit menu then compose, at the top of the new email is a pull down menu with your @gmail.com account listed first and a down arrow. If you open this menu all your email accounts linked to gmail are listed with the option to send as for any account. I believe you can only add the accounts to gmail from a PC, at least that is how I set it up under the settings button, check mail from other accounts, send mail as, import mail and contacts, its all there. This way you never have to worry about adding multiple accounts again or copy files, its always there from now on.
Root Explorer is an app in the market, cost a buck I think, well worth it. ES File Explorer does the same thing and can connect wirelessly to other devices and is free. I use both.
Edit: calling it forwarding was probably the wrong term to use as you are granting gmail permission to check for email on the other accounts and if it finds new emails it grabs them and pushes them to your phone. You can then repond to them either using the account they came from or with your gmail account as I described above.
kzoodroid said:
In the gmail app, hit menu then compose, at the top of the new email is a pull down menu with your @gmail.com account listed first and a down arrow. If you open this menu all your email accounts linked to gmail are listed with the option to send as for any account. I believe you can only add the accounts to gmail from a PC, at least that is how I set it up under the settings button, check mail from other accounts, send mail as, import mail and contacts, its all there. This way you never have to worry about adding multiple accounts again or copy files, its always there from now on.
Root Explorer is an app in the market, cost a buck I think, well worth it. ES File Explorer does the same thing and can connect wirelessly to other devices and is free. I use both.
Edit: calling it forwarding was probably the wrong term to use as you are granting gmail permission to check for email on the other accounts and if it finds new emails it grabs them and pushes them to your phone. You can then repond to them either using the account they came from or with your gmail account as I described above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, what you're describing must be set up on the PC. And, when you send an e-mail you can select which account you want it to SAY it's being sent from. But, the header on the message will still show your GMail account.
When you grant permission to have GMail check your others accounts, you're telling GMail to "POP" or pull the mail from the other account. Problem is that GMail again puts its "spit" on the message, instead of maintaining the original message header. That becomes a problem for me, and likely others in business, in that because of this, when you reply using the GMail convention of selecting a particular address, the recipient sees plain as day that the message was sent "on behalf of" whatever email address you chose to send from. Not very professional.
But, when you have multiple accounts setup in the AOSP Mail app on the phone, when you choose a different address to reply from, the app actually sends the message from that e-mail account, so the recipient sees only the info from that account, which is the way it should be.
Don't get me wrong, GMail is great for personal use, but when it comes to professional environments, you don't want people you're doing business with to see some generic e-mail address, you want them to see something coming from the company's domain. For example, would rather do business with someone with an e-mail address like [email protected], or [email protected]?
In fact, that's the biggest complaint with GMail and Android in the business world. Not enough native business support. And, that's fine for Google because there are more individuals in the world than companies, meaning more unit sales at higher prices. Problem for people like me is that cell carriers have heavily adopted Google's OS, which right now limits how much we can rely on Android phones in the work place. It's sad, because the hardware is technically awesome these days, and the OS itself has a lot going for it, but it's little things like the mail issue that show much of a babe in the woods Android is in the business world, and that makes it not quite ready for business prime time use... yet! It is getting there, though. Whoever wrote the Mail app is obviously an early business adopter who recognized the need, and as more people start to see things like what I've been able to do with it, albeit it's a workaround, I'm sure more business-savy developers will jump on the wagon, and make it easier to do more things conducive to "business" in the future. The ironic thing is that individuals are the ones driving Android because people with real jobs don't have time to dive in and figure out the workarounds that would show them the potential, you know?
I think Microsoft and a lot of the business world has realized that Google has not done enough to demonstrate an keen interest in the business world, and I predict that at the end of the year when Windows Phone comes back, it will likely come back with a vengeance and address all the stuff Android is lacking at the moment. After all, Microsoft ruled the business world for so long, they know what needs to be done. With the economies suffering, they've been smart not to try to bring something to market in an industry hampered by business spending freezes. But, the time is near.
Anyway, thanks for pointing me to the root file explorers. Will I need to root the phone before being able to use them to save those email account settings, or will they work on an unrooted device since I am only copying files? I ask because I don't want to go to the hassle to root and unroot again since I have to send the phone back to VZW when the new one arrives, does that make sense?
You have to be rooted to access the files using a file explorer.
When I send emails through gmail on my phone using the send as function I'm not getting anything like you are talking about in my emails. They show up as being sent from the account I choose not from gmail. However if you right click the email, select properties then open up details you see that it came from the gmail account but its buried in all the lines of code. And how many people actually do this? My clients that I work with don't really care where an email came from just that I answered. If I worked for a larger company like say Verizon than I could see that it matters but then again I'm not having that problem with gmail it works just as described for me.
xv-6800 said:
I think there may be a misunderstanding here. My phone has 2 apps. One is entitled Mail, the other entitled GMail. The GMail app only allows for GMail accounts. I am using the other Mail app. KZOODROID said he was forwarding his other accounts to a GMail account, which does NOT allow what you and I are doing with the Mail app. Not even logging into GMail via a web browser allows you to do this, because on the web replies still go with GMail text saying "Sent of behalf of..."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what I did, but mine no longer say "sent on behalf of..". I believe it was something I configured on the gmail settings from the website, not from the app on the phone, but the settings have carried over.
If I send email from my cox account, it comes to you from [email protected]. If I send you an email from my work address, it similarly comes from [email protected].
I use the stock gmail app for all emails. I've removed all else, exchange, mail, etc. So I know for a fact that gmail will work the way you want it to, its just been so long since I've set it up that I can no longer tell you what I did.
as far as copying your files from one phone to another, you will need to be rooted, and you will need a file explorer. This is something like ESFile Explorer from the play store. Its installed on your phone, not the computer. You shouldn't need a computer for anything, actually, after you're rooted. All of this stuff can be done with simple apps and your sdcard and your phone(s).
Re: a reply e-mail sent from a different address set up on your GMail account:
I've tested this many times over the the years, as well as again last night. Regardless of whether the message is sent from GMail on the web or the GMail app on the phone, the result is the same, GMail ALWAYS inserts that "on behalf [email protected]". That's part of their marketing strategy, and there is no option to remove that. Period.
If you look at a reply sent in this way in a REAL e-mail program, not a mail applet on your phone or a web browser, you see that statement plain as day. For example, below are 2 snippets of what you see when you view such a message received in Outlook. No right-clicking or anything, I just open the message to read it. One was sent from the GMail app on the phone, the other from GMail via a web browser. You cannot help but see this statement, because that's what Google wants people to see to further their market awareness strategy.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
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}
Let's put this particular issue to bed, shall we? I am not criticizing anyone's use of this "feature". I am simply showing the facts of how it works. If the option works for you, fine. I own multiple companies, and personally, I don't want people to whom I send messages see some gimmick like that on any of my e-mails, nor do I want any of employees sending company messages like that either. And, many businesses obviously feel the same way.
Again, I am not here to criticize users of GMail. The "on behalf [email protected]" is undeniably inserted in any reply sent from a different address set up on your GMail account. The only reason I ended up hijacking my own thread is because someone suggested I use my GMail address for everything, and I stated why I preferred not to. A misunderstanding of the option's behavior came up, and I figured I would show how the option REALLY works so that anyone else who happens upon this thread doesn't get misled by Google.
So back to the original topic of this thread:
Thanks for the info on the file explorers. I think I better just re-enter the email account info again on the new phone. This is a warranty replacement issue, and it's not worth risking something going wrong on the phone being sent back, or Verizon seeing some trace that I modded it. I'm sure they would have no problem blaming me for the original problem with the unit, then sticking me with the cost, which would likely be that so-called phony $600 retail price. :crying:
xv-6800 said:
Re: a reply e-mail sent from a different address set up on your GMail account:
I've tested this many times over the the years, as well as again last night. Regardless of whether the message is sent from GMail on the web or the GMail app on the phone, the result is the same, GMail ALWAYS inserts that "on behalf [email protected]". That's part of their marketing strategy, and there is no option to remove that. Period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a "real email program", both Outlook 2003 and Windows Live Mail and neither of them show "on behalf of gmail". It only shows the send as email account that I choose. Something is either wrong with the way you set up gmail to use send as or the email program you are using is doing it. Its not a conspiracy by Google as you seem to be the only one having this issue.
I wasn't here to start an argument with you. Check the image in my attachment and tell me if you see a "on behalf of" in there cause I can't find it...
LOL I didn't say it was a conspiracy. And, I doubt I am the "only one" that has this problem. ;-)
Google obvious does it for market awareness, which is understandable. As a company, they SHOULD try to brand everything they can, just like companies do.
Anyway, I used to use Outlook 2003, and am now on 2007. I also checked my GMail settings (again). The only options you have in regards to send as are:
When replying to a message:
Reply from the same address the message was sent to
Always reply from default address
And, I have the first one checked.
I don't want to continuer to beat this dead horse, but out of curiosity, in your Outlook can you see the From field in the spearate section above the message itself?
Aha! I just discovered that on January, 2012, Google added a new option that supposedly addresses the aliasing "on behalf of". Of course, it's not where you would think it is. It was added to the spot where you setup the Send As address to begin with. I will check it out.
If you know how to set up a basic mail server, there's also a simple workaround for you:
1) set up an smtp server, perhaps just in a virtual machine on a home computer, and then create the necessary rules on your router so that you can access it from the web.
2) Configure this smtp server to accept all your various email login credentials and send email from all your various addresses.
3) create a line in your /system/etc/hosts file on your phone to redirect smtp.gmail.com to your IP address at home. Do not modify anything for imap.gmail.com.
4) profit?
This should essentially force anything on your phone that tries to send any email from smtp.gmail.com (mainly the gmail app) to reroute to your own smtp server, which is now configured to send emails from any of your addresses.
xv-6800 said:
Aha! I just discovered that on January, 2012, Google added a new option that supposedly addresses the aliasing "on behalf of". Of course, it's not where you would think it is. It was added to the spot where you setup the Send As address to begin with. I will check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I feel like an ass, I used Windows Live Mail on my laptop to test this, sent emails from all my accounts and never saw anything except the send as address and I never saw the "on behalf of gmail". So for giggles I sent a test message to my work account on Outlook on my desktop and there it was plain as day. Now why does Outlook show it but Windows Live Mail doesn't?
I feel like an ass, too, so don't worry.
When I sent that last message, I went in and set the "no alias" thing, then sent a message, and am STILL waiting for that test reply message to arrive. I wonder if it ever will, now that I set it with the new option.
I should clarify that the new "anti-alias" thing also adds other options, like whether or not you want the reply sent via google's servers or through your own. Problem with sending via your own is that Google only offers certain sending ports, which are different than those which my companies use, and Google only allows you to choose from 3 ports. So, that's useless to me. I opted to use the Google servers, but now I'm not sure if that throws yet another kink into things, because I am STILL awaiting the test message arrival. It's been 30 minutes now. So much for using the new feature for time-sensitive communication, never mind of the message is sent at all! ;-)
Hey everyone, how do I sign into Themer? On my Galaxy S4 it gives me the option so sign in with Google or Facebook. I have neither. IF I DID HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO HOWEVER I would get a Google account just for Themer... but I don't know if that is possible. When I select to sign into Themer with Google, it tells me to choose a Google account when there is none on the device. What do? (derp) Thanks in advance.
Abethene said:
Hey everyone, how do I sign into Themer? On my Galaxy S4 it gives me the option so sign in with Google or Facebook. I have neither. IF I DID HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO HOWEVER I would get a Google account just for Themer... but I don't know if that is possible. When I select to sign into Themer with Google, it tells me to choose a Google account when there is none on the device. What do? (derp) Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there, we'd advise creating a simple Google account. We use this feature generally for security purposes as well as to display unread email count notifications (as the general population now use Gmail as their preferred email account).
Not everyone wants to participate in social media. I find it disappointing that Themer would require I do so, and is a deal-breaker for me.
Without a google account an android device has only half of its functions. I uderstand google+ but a normal google account?
Gesendet von meinem GT-I9505 mit Tapatalk
Abethene said:
Hey everyone, how do I sign into Themer? On my Galaxy S4 it gives me the option so sign in with Google or Facebook. I have neither. IF I DID HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO HOWEVER I would get a Google account just for Themer... but I don't know if that is possible. When I select to sign into Themer with Google, it tells me to choose a Google account when there is none on the device. What do? (derp) Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just create a easy google acct.
Lurkerdownbelow said:
Not everyone wants to participate in social media. I find it disappointing that Themer would require I do so, and is a deal-breaker for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We understand that it's not for everyone, but it's the best way for us help find new users as well as to keep Themer free. We will soon add options to remove this service.
Lurkerdownbelow said:
Not everyone wants to participate in social media. I find it disappointing that Themer would require I do so, and is a deal-breaker for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't have a Google account you may as well not be using android. "Google account" does not equal "social media". Without a Google account you can't even use the Play Store.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
BakaNeko59 said:
If you don't have a Google account you may as well not be using android. "Google account" does not equal "social media". Without a Google account you can't even use the Play Store.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're correct. I realized that I had been confusing google+ with my normal google account. My bad here. I had assumed that since it was requesting me to sign in with my google account or facebook that it was social media related. I, in fact, do have a google account and can access the play store - which is how downloaded Themer to try in the first place.
I'd now like to know why it needs me to sign in with either account. How does that help Themer find new users and keep it free? I'm not being an ass here, just trying to learn new things.
Lurkerdownbelow said:
You're correct. I realized that I had been confusing google+ with my normal google account. My bad here. I had assumed that since it was requesting me to sign in with my google account or facebook that it was social media related. I, in fact, do have a google account and can access the play store - which is how downloaded Themer to try in the first place.
I'd now like to know why it needs me to sign in with either account. How does that help Themer find new users and keep it free? I'm not being an ass here, just trying to learn new things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest it's mainly for security reasons on our side. If someone breaches our servers, we can link it to a verified account and take action where necessary. In terms of social, when you log in you might have selected the box to receive emails from Themer about new updates and very important events. In this way, people who have uninstalled Themer because of some reason, might find that it now includes something that they've always wanted. Therefore it helps introduce 'new' users and in turn the more users we have the greater chance we have to generate resources (through the sponsored apps in the Smart Categories, which can also be turned off if the user desires).
ThemerSupport said:
To be honest it's mainly for security reasons on our side. If someone breaches our servers, we can link it to a verified account and take action where necessary. In terms of social, when you log in you might have selected the box to receive emails from Themer about new updates and very important events. In this way, people who have uninstalled Themer because of some reason, might find that it now includes something that they've always wanted. Therefore it helps introduce 'new' users and in turn the more users we have the greater chance we have to generate resources (through the sponsored apps in the Smart Categories, which can also be turned off if the user desires).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks so much for taking the time to answer this in more detail! It's much appreciated. I'll give it a thorough try now.
ThemerSupport said:
To be honest it's mainly for security reasons on our side. If someone breaches our servers, we can link it to a verified account and take action where necessary. In terms of social, when you log in you might have selected the box to receive emails from Themer about new updates and very important events. In this way, people who have uninstalled Themer because of some reason, might find that it now includes something that they've always wanted. Therefore it helps introduce 'new' users and in turn the more users we have the greater chance we have to generate resources (through the sponsored apps in the Smart Categories, which can also be turned off if the user desires).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
ThemerSupport said:
Hi there, we'd advise creating a simple Google account. We use this feature generally for security purposes as well as to display unread email count notifications (as the general population now use Gmail as their preferred email account).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for your help. I was also facing the same problem.
Google account is a deal breaker
Hi,
For me this is a deal breaker.
I can follow your reasoning. But how can you give the same app the rights to read (display) all your text-messages, contacts & location together with a personalized login (be it google or facebook).
I know that American mentality is different in this case than German mentality: but I think it is insane to give access to all of these information at once...
I'm not the only paranoid here (if you think I am) but I know a lot of others (Germans) who think the same.
Sorry of I'm too frank: if you want to reach more Germans with your app, then you need to rethink this log-in dialogue.
btw: yes, you can use Android (CyanogenMod) without any kind of account. Works great
Yours, toggle
toggler said:
Hi,
For me this is a deal breaker.
I can follow your reasoning. But how can you give the same app the rights to read (display) all your text-messages, contacts & location together with a personalized login (be it google or facebook).
I know that American mentality is different in this case than German mentality: but I think it is insane to give access to all of these information at once...
I'm not the only paranoid here (if you think I am) but I know a lot of others (Germans) who think the same.
Sorry of I'm too frank: if you want to reach more Germans with your app, then you need to rethink this log-in dialogue.
btw: yes, you can use Android (CyanogenMod) without any kind of account. Works great
Yours, toggle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Toggler,
We understand your concern, as we are simply a launcher. However, that isn't really the case. As all of our widgets are built in, we require these permissions to allow the user to view his/her unread SMS/Email/Missed Call counts on the homescreen. We don't store any of the information, we simply display it. We've now actually had to remove the Dialer Widget to reduce the number of permissions required, but we still need a few to improve the user's experience. Once Facebook introduces anonymous login, we'll implement that straight away, however right now we need it for security reasons on our end (in then breaching theme servers).
Hope this helps!
- Marco
Hi,
As a lot of Android users, I have contacts stored on my phone.
The risk is that an app access the contact list and retrieve all the contacts email address for example in order to send them email messages.
I know it is important to check apps permission before installing. But the real life is that sometimes you have to install an app, even though it has access to your contact list.
Very often the access your contact list is only used by a small feature of the app that you never use.
So my question, how can I get a kind of protection around my contact list so that I have a pop-up permission requested each time an app is accessing to my contact list?
This way, I am at least able to allow access only when it is necessary.
Regards, Chris
Was going to download and try this app from the Google store but have issues with privacy concerns:
This app has access to these permissions:
Your accounts
read Google service configuration
find accounts on the device
use accounts on the device
Your location
approximate location (network-based)
precise location (GPS and network-based)
Your messages
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
receive text messages (SMS)
access mail information
Network communication
full network access
view network connections
view Wi-Fi connections
Your personal information
read calendar events plus confidential information
Phone calls
directly call phone numbers
read phone status and identity
Storage
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Your applications information
retrieve running apps
Your social information
read your contacts
read call log
System tools
read Home settings and shortcuts
write Home settings and shortcuts
test access to protected storage
Affects battery
control vibration
Status bar
expand/collapse status bar
Wallpaper
set wallpaper
adjust your wallpaper size
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Why does this app need to access so much of my personal information?
Yearoftherat said:
Was going to download and try this app from the Google store but have issues with privacy concerns:
Why does this app need to access so much of my personal information?
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Hi,
As you know, Themer helps increase the user experience by providing valuable information straight onto your homescreen.
This includes:
1. Displaying how many unread emails/SMS/missed calls you have. (Your messages
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
receive text messages (SMS)
access mail information))
2. Displaying your map coordinates on a map image. (Your location
approximate location (network-based)
precise location (GPS and network-based))
3. A built-in dialer app that can display your recent contact as well as allow you to call a number directly from your homescreen. (Phone calls
directly call phone numbers
read phone status and identity) (Your social information
read your contacts
read call log)
4. Display agenda information. (Your personal information
read calendar events plus confidential information)
As you can see, it's all for display purposes. If you look at other widgets on the Play Store that perform the same activities, they will also require these permissions. It just so happens that Themer has all of these features built into one app. Hope this helps clarify the matter.
Thanks for the clarification. Looking forward to trying out the app!
I have the same concerns, beginning with the need to login before using any themes. (The explanation given in the faq seems too lame for me). Looks like a terrific app but possibly not for those who worry about privacy. I'm personally too scared to try it.
One option to explore is using this app with xprivacy installed which allows one to restrict unneeded permissions. Maybe a firewall might help?
Anderson2 said:
I have the same concerns, beginning with the need to login before using any themes. (The explanation given in the faq seems too lame for me). Looks like a terrific app but possibly not for those who worry about privacy. I'm personally too scared to try it.
One option to explore is using this app with xprivacy installed which allows one to restrict unneeded permissions. Maybe a firewall might help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Anderson2,
That FAQ actually sums it up quite well. The login feature creates a security barrier for us, which even though is not the most advanced way of preventing intrusions into our theming servers, it does a good job in finding people who are trying to tamper with our systems. That and of course sending users email updates of new features if they request it.
When exactly do you need login? Just to download themes? After the download can one log out? I don't like the idea that you have access to my emails, texts, and any files your widgets access. That is what concerns me.
I don't know enough about themer because I'm afraid to use it, but I believe your zooper widget doesn't require login. (Does it?) Can you explain how they differ in the need for protection?
I have to say that I share those concerns. Why do you force users to login with their Google or Facebook accounts? I do not understand why this should be a better securitry barrier than the login data from mycolorscreen.com? I would not even give away my login data to someone I know, so why should I give away this data to someone I do not know at all???
Well said.
+1
shibadoo said:
I have to say that I share those concerns. Why do you force users to login with their Google or Facebook accounts? I do not understand why this should be a better securitry barrier than the login data from mycolorscreen.com? I would not even give away my login data to someone I know, so why should I give away this data to someone I do not know at all???
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Click to collapse
Yet you log in to this forum and use it.
The explanations have been given. It's to ensure you are who you say you are when you access their servers to download the themes.
As for all the other access, Themer provides a lot of different information as explained (you DID read what he posted, correct?) GPS position, weather, etc. All of this is based on location, etc, as well as if you want unread email counts, etc. It's all there in Themer given you everything all rolled into one app, rather than having to download each piece separately. If you don't like it, don't use it. Thousands upon thousands of users are using it without any issues. I definitely like to protect my privacy, but this app is the least of your worries about privacy.
There are many other problems that could result if they didn't want you to verify who you say you are. Do you want someone to hack their servers and then you download a hacked theme that could result in even more privacy issues for you?
In the end, if you don't want to use it, don't. Nobody is forcing you to use it and they have every right to protect their investments as well. There are plenty of other apps out there you can use that can provide the same type of experience. Usually, the themes are not housed in a server so you can download them from elsewhere, but unless you're getting them from Google Play, then who is to say how safe those are? Many 3rd-party app stores are NOT the safest as they do not follow Google's security policy. At least with Themer, it's in the Google Play market and has had to go through Google's scrutiny.
A few weeks ago, the app was erroneously flagged as something that could steal your information. Google came back later and stated it was an error on their part and verified that the app is safe and it will not steal your information.
I've used it for months and nothing bad has happened to me.
There are many other ways for hackers to get your PI and this is the least of your worries.
vulcanvillalta said:
As an American, and therefore afraid of everything, I personally vote to not give out so much information. But on the other hand, IF someone wanted to get all of your information, they could probably do it without your consent. I would probably stay away from it, though. Just to "try" to be safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once Facebook introduces its anonymous login feature, our developers will implement the feature into Themer
iBolski said:
Yet you log in to this forum and use it.
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Click to collapse
Yes, I do use this forum, but of course I do not log in with my Google account. There would be no reason to do so - same goes for Themer. I would have no problem if Themer would ask for my login data from mycolorscreen.
iBolski said:
The explanations have been given. It's to ensure you are who you say you are when you access their servers to download the themes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You think you know who I am because I enter some data that nobody ever controls? I could simply enter some Google account data I created only for Themer. But honestly, this is too much effort for me only the check if I like an app.
iBolski said:
As for all the other access, Themer provides a lot of different information as explained (you DID read what he posted, correct?) GPS position, weather, etc. All of this is based on location, etc, as well as if you want unread email counts, etc. It's all there in Themer given you everything all rolled into one app, rather than having to download each piece separately. If you don't like it, don't use it. Thousands upon thousands of users are using it without any issues. I definitely like to protect my privacy, but this app is the least of your worries about privacy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly has GPS and weather to do with my Google Account data? I do not share GPS data with Google, so I would not with Themer as well. And for a weather forecast I would simply type in 5 numbers - my zip code. This is exactly what I do right now.
iBolski said:
There are many other problems that could result if they didn't want you to verify who you say you are. Do you want someone to hack their servers and then you download a hacked theme that could result in even more privacy issues for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And because the people at Themer have may account data, nobody can hack their servers? So the solution to all hacked servers worldwide is so simple? Just giving them Google account data?
iBolski said:
In the end, if you don't want to use it, don't. Nobody is forcing you to use it and they have every right to protect their investments as well. There are plenty of other apps out there you can use that can provide the same type of experience. Usually, the themes are not housed in a server so you can download them from elsewhere, but unless you're getting them from Google Play, then who is to say how safe those are? Many 3rd-party app stores are NOT the safest as they do not follow Google's security policy. At least with Themer, it's in the Google Play market and has had to go through Google's scrutiny.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I do not use it. This is the consequence.
iBolski said:
There are many other ways for hackers to get your PI and this is the least of your worries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what should be my worries if it is not giving away voluntarily my Google account data to someone I do not know???
And you forgot something: I know at least 5 people that use their Android phones without a Google account, and they also do not use Facebook. Believe it or not: these people do really exist, and they even survive without a Google and a Facebook account.
So for me there is no credible information why the people at themer need my Google account data, and why this should protect them from being hacked. Or why my Google Account data should be safer than my mycolorscreen account data. This is why I will not use themer and would not recommend it to others.
shibadoo said:
Yes, I do use this forum, but of course I do not log in with my Google account. There would be no reason to do so - same goes for Themer. I would have no problem if Themer would ask for my login data from mycolorscreen.
You think you know who I am because I enter some data that nobody ever controls? I could simply enter some Google account data I created only for Themer. But honestly, this is too much effort for me only the check if I like an app.
What exactly has GPS and weather to do with my Google Account data? I do not share GPS data with Google, so I would not with Themer as well. And for a weather forecast I would simply type in 5 numbers - my zip code. This is exactly what I do right now.
And because the people at Themer have may account data, nobody can hack their servers? So the solution to all hacked servers worldwide is so simple? Just giving them Google account data?
Yes, I do not use it. This is the consequence.
So what should be my worries if it is not giving away voluntarily my Google account data to someone I do not know???
And you forgot something: I know at least 5 people that use their Android phones without a Google account, and they also do not use Facebook. Believe it or not: these people do really exist, and they even survive without a Google and a Facebook account.
So for me there is no credible information why the people at themer need my Google account data, and why this should protect them from being hacked. Or why my Google Account data should be safer than my mycolorscreen account data. This is why I will not use themer and would not recommend it to others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You describe me exactly. I don't use my Google account to login anywhere, don't use Facebook, have phone GPS and location turned off, only enter zip code for weather, turn off sync everywhere, use a firewall, xprivacy, etc. - - and Google only thinks it has my info.
Everyone I know who is not a teenager or addicted to Facebook does the same.
vulcanvillalta said:
If you use fake names etc and are vague about your location, no, google doesnt have your name. But what about your IP address. They can tell that your pseudonym is performing functions from the specific location you are in. You might not GIVE them your name or address, but with the IP address linking you to a specific internet connection, they certainly can figure out who you are and where you are, if they want to.
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Click to collapse
Which is why I don't want to help other sites identify me by giving them my Google login. Not everyone has Google capabilities.
The points made in defense of keeping your personal information private (and not using your Google login for Themer) are valid and understood.
However, Themer is not designed for that type of mindset.
Themer is designed for the overall market - the vast majority if you will - not for privacy advocates.
It's simply a tool that allows the general Android user base (the FB'ers, Google +'ers, i.e. Socialites) to easily login to an app designed to make their phones look cool. Most of the functionality of the Themes are far more invasive than your Google login anyway (GPS coordinates, access to text/email notifications, call logs, etc) so I really don't see the point of wildly waving your arms around saying "privacy breach! privacy breach!"
Don't use it. Cool. I'm OK with that. I'm sure they are too. But why complain about it? What is the goal? Surely you cannot think they will redesign the app for you.
So really, you're just posting on XDA to aggravate the devs. I mean, what launcher doesn't have access to all of your info? It's like complaining that a specific model of car has a license plate that can be used to identify you. Guess what? All cars do. Take the bus bro
Anderson2 said:
Which is why I don't want to help other sites identify me by giving them my Google login. Not everyone has Google capabilities.
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Click to collapse
But your phone can still identify you. You are still logged into the internet via your carrier's internet and they can definitely get who you are on the phone.
You might as well just stay off the internet completely then.
And, if you're going to stay off the internet, then why have a smart phone? You're already identified out there through your carrier. If they breach your carrier account, they have all sorts of information right then and there, more so than Google would have. Think about it. Your billing address, etc.
Don't think for a minute that your carrier is completely safe. Even Verizon has had breaches.
vulcanvillalta said:
Like I said above, IF PEOPLE WANT YOUR INFORMATION, THEY CAN GET IT. There are nasty identity thieves out there that can find all of your information SOOOO easily. So easily. So whether or not you use an app or make a phonecall or whatever, you can still be traced and you can still be monitored and your information can still be acquired. I'm not trying to be a downer, but you can either accept that you are at the mercy of whoever wants to stalk you, or you can spend the rest of your life worrying and trying to protect yourself from something you literally have no control of.
IMHO, if you can use the app and it would benefit you, you might as well enjoy it.
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Not sure why you quoted me bro, I'm on the same page you are.
IT need to display some information about your phone