What about Google Now? - Themer General Discussion

The absence of intuitive integration of Google Now makes this app a hard sell.
Now is a prescient and useful service, and there is not really a natural way to swipe to it -- leaving those of us who use Now, feeling like a major phone feature has been removed. I have found that attaching invocation to a gesture can help, but I still can't tell whether now notifications will be triggered properly when the Now Launcher isn't running. Can anyone confirm this?

fullgamut said:
The absence of intuitive integration of Google Now makes this app a hard sell.
Now is a prescient and useful service, and there is not really a natural way to swipe to it -- leaving those of us who use Now, feeling like a major phone feature has been removed. I have found that attaching invocation to a gesture can help, but I still can't tell whether now notifications will be triggered properly when the Now Launcher isn't running. Can anyone confirm this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Unfortunately we'll never be able to include any Google Now features, as they are owned by Google. You can always add a page on the left and insert a large Google Now widget, as this can serve almost the same service.

Related

[Q] [Request] Better Google voice App

I tried searching but no app for Android. (other than the one by google)
I think the google voice app by google inc is good. But i just wish it had a character count. It messes up the texts when you go over 160 and it sends it as multiple and they dont even arrive in the right order to the destination.
Also i wish it wouldn't hang every once in a while when i press send. It's like its trying to send but it just hangs there. wish they could fix that. A timer there would be nice. I have to stop it by using task manager.
And be able to use have themes.
If there is an app that could replace the current that would be cool. If anyone knows of one that works just post me a link. I tried searching but no success..
If there is a mod for the current google app that adds these features that would be awesome. OR if there is a good API to access the google voice. Or a project that is currently being worked on. That would be cool too.
I have been looking for one for a while too, I tired pairing it with text plus and textfree but recent changes have lead to no avail. I guess we can't complain to much for what we are getting but oon the hand textplus is an amazingly beautiful app and I just want that level of design and features from Google, I don't feel it's unfair to look for Google to pick up their game. If any one knows of anything please post, I feel like a lot of people would appreciate it.
AFAIK Google does not have any API's for Voice, which is why you can't find anyone aside from Google with an app. One thing a lot of people don't realized is that just because Google made Android open source, doesn't mean they have to make all the apps for it open source also.
Is there anywhere we can go to request the release of an API or at least a redesign of the app?

[Request][Q]:Tasklist/Schedule App/Widget;Toast Notifications;Synchs iGoogle Gadget?

I hope the title makes sense? I currently use the task list use LorSoft
Edit: So sick of this 8 post limit cannot post outside URLs business - is there exceptions for longtime lurkers
And it is great and it handles things well for the moment, but there are some things missing that I feel need addressing. Like for one the pull down notifications are just not up to scratch for a productivity tool. Meaning they are too easily forgotten about or cleared in amoungst the jargon of other notifications. I need toast and a persistent toast notification that won't clear unless say I check completed or something like that? The icons in this app, sorry to the developer are dismal, outdated and sorry but they are just plain crapola. Theres no capacity to change the theming of this app or icons for that matter. I was going to pull it appart and re-engineer it for those reasons alone just for my own satisfaction (not to re-distribute or "steel" the developers work)…but then I realised there are other features I would like to incorporate into the design/functionality that surpass what this app is.
What I would really like is a way of bringing this info "synch" to iCalendar (To-Do isn't really a "meetings" schedule or check in check out "availability" type app though?) or a tasklist XML within Gmail for users; enabling users to bring that information in as a feed for an iGoogle Gadget and if possible (even though it is retired now) bring a Gadget into Google Desktop.
I dare say my productivity would be improved with these functions. So far the LorSoft Tasklist App Widget is THE most used application onmy Android phone.
If anyone can recommend alternatives to what I am using that will fill the gaps (on the Android side of things at least) and/or the other side of things iCalendar/Gmail side of things and I can try and figure out how to feed the info into the other tools/gadgets for desktop iGoogle later.
Watching the Ice Cream Sandwich live presentation today was great seeing the calendar and its Gmail integration and sharing capability but it doesn't fullfill the task list or "TO-DO" type function that I need. Its great for visualisation…..but as you can possible sense by now opening the app or seeing what I need to do is the major issue LOL. I need toast…like IN YOUR FACE!
Any developers wana jump on board and brain storm with me on this feel free. I think uptake would be ginormous after seeing comments from Gadget requesters on Google already
I think I may have solved my own issue whilst trying to help someone else out?
Will see how it goes?
Jarmezrocks said:
I was looking at something similar for productivity....but notes is another thing.
Whiteboard? Or Extensive notes pro. I can't post links yet
I have a thread requesting for a app widget that is a to-do list that exports or synchs to Google/Gmail or iCalendar
EDIT: I think the latest version has the exact functionality that both you and I want?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] How can I tell which things are running?/How to know if an app is trustworthy?

Hey,
When I turned on my phone the RAM it was taking was 300 MB, after a days use it is now 500MB (even after pressing 'clear RAM' button).
I've entered Settings->apps->running and it shows only two small things (the keyboard and some weather widget) which combined take only 20 MB.
So what is the rest of the memory is beign allocated for?
Thank you.
Does your rom have Usage Manager in the app drawer?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Here is the path to all your applications.
Settings -> Apps --> Swipe left until the menu Running --> On top you see the description "Show cached processes", klick on it --> now you see the rest of the running applications
pc103 said:
Does your rom have Usage Manager in the app drawer?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the closest I have is "Task Manager".
lenovoOwner said:
Here is the path to all your applications.
Settings -> Apps --> Swipe left until the menu Running --> On top you see the description "Show cached processes", klick on it --> now you see the rest of the running applications
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, indeed I see some more RAM guzzlers, but It seems like they make up most of the addition but not all of it ... plus funny thing, when I try to close everything (in 'running' and 'cache) and I reenter- here it is there again...
1) Can I see all of the elements that take up my ram (the system as well)?
2) Can I close them properly?
Thank you very much.
PS. Is there some comfortable way to jump between apps? Like in the Iphone where by pressing the 'Home' button will show you a bar with a row of icons of the currently active processes....
For your PS question, it's a long press on the Home button (below the GS3 screen).
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 10:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 PM ----------
The closest app I'm running to that option is Android Tuner Free. I got it for its storage optimization functions.
The busy interface has a learning curve, but it is a comprehensive & poweful app. I recommend Advanced mode & the One Click home screen.
For what you want, see both the Tasks & Kill All tiles. The first is a Task Mgr., the second is a quick 1 click. The app can teach a lot about what runs & why. It also offers a lot of fine control.
I also use the root app Startup Manager which is self explanatory & efficient.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
pc103 said:
For your PS question, it's a long press on the Home button (below the GS3 screen).
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL {hit myself on the head}, didn't occur me to try...
pc103 said:
---------- Post added at 10:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 PM ----------
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pc103 said:
The closest app I'm running to that option is Android Tuner Free. I got it for its storage optimization functions.
The busy interface has a learning curve, but it is a comprehensive & poweful app. I recommend Advanced mode & the One Click home screen.
For what you want, see both the Tasks & Kill All tiles. The first is a Task Mgr., the second is a quick 1 click. The app can teach a lot about what runs & why. It also offers a lot of fine control.
I also use the root app Startup Manager which is self explanatory & efficient.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping there is a way to avoid using apps...
Ok, I suppose it opens another question which I thought about creating a new thread for, but if the opportunity already arose...
How do you actually know if you can trust an app?
I'm kinda new to android and I'm much more used to the opennes of windows, also I'm pretty paranoid (a cellphone contains information 100 times more sensitive than a PC (At least my PC is like that)). I look at the permissions every app want to have and I'm simply aghast, I know of the logic behind those requests (at least for most of those I've seen) but I have zero transparency over what actions the app takes.
That really stress me a great deal...
oy-ster said:
How do you actually know if you can trust an app?. . . (a cellphone contains information 100 times more sensitive than a PC (At least my PC is like that)). I look at the permissions every app want to have and I'm simply aghast, I know of the logic behind those requests (at least for most of those I've seen) but I have zero transparency over what actions the app takes.
That really stress me a great deal...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Digital Privacy
Well it certainly stresses the last remaining fiber of your privacy. I just watched the latest "60 Minutes Overtime" piece on data brokers framing this as a lifestyle issue. Step back from the small screen & consider that your actions on board the PC have a ripple effect on your smartphone. "NAI Opt out" & "Disconnect software" are useful PC search words.
Where it Went
I rarely hear from a tech guru or even a lawyer who can decipher a EULA, TOS or Privacy agreement they didn't author themselves; yet online, we are steeped in the cumulative concessions we have accepted from them and the affiliates and partners they enable for.
The Biggest Brother?
Google is a data harvester, not a broker. They are the custodians of much of our imprint online across all platforms. check your settings accordingly; within each Google service / app/ platform you use and adjust them to taste. Know, for example, that persistent login to Gmail will append any collocated G-Search activity to your G profile if Web Data | Web History remains on. I read recently that simply joining Plus has a similar but more comprehensive effect by default, by unifying the G tracking across your entire electronic imprint.
Android Permissions
Yes. The most invasive part of Android is its permissions free for all. They are demands, not requests that each app poses. The logic is sometimes one sided and self serving to the developers at our disadvantage. What can we do?
1. Know something about your developer. XDA membership in an app developer helps define their role in a community. Check their website, reviews, accessibility, postings etc.
2. Consider lower permission alternative apps listed in the play store.
3. For each app you review in the Play Store, (have you checked play store settings yet?) assess its longevity in the marketplace to decide if you are willing to be an early adopter.
4. Resist resorting to apps to broker built-in functions your system already has. Learn your OS.
5. Weigh the logic of each permission demanded, based on risk / reward and your intended uses. Example: On my phone Google search leads the field with 59 permissions. App Permisssions by FSecure is in the low end group with zero. How do I know? App Permissions. What can I do? More on that later.
6. Debloat. I have frozen over 60 apps/services/processes using a combination of tools ranging from built in (no root) Application Management to Startup Manager and the App Quarantine app.
7. Don't be lazy about toggling settings as needed. One stock default has the GPS always enabled which may not be necessary for you.
8. Learn about the types of location services in your OS. Check location settings in affected apps and consider toggling location services as needed. Apps will prompt if the needed service is off when you use them.
9. Review your synch settings. Mine are off on the OS. I use a 3rd party mail app and manually back up contacts using Super Backup when needed.
10. Review background data settings. they are visible in Settings / Data usage, by selecting Mobile Data, and scrolling to the list of apps to tap through each and set Restrict background data if appropriate. It saves battery by reducing tower hunting and focuses you on which apps pose the highest demands.
I promised more. Learn about App Ops if you haven't. I have the luxury of running a 4.3 version that supports it so I can use a client app to filter and toggle various permissions on a per app basis. There are other, and perhaps more thorough approaches to this but I'm staying with this one for now.
pc103 said:
Digital Privacy
Well it certainly stresses the last remaining fiber of your privacy. I just watched the latest "60 Minutes Overtime" piece on data brokers framing this as a lifestyle issue. Step back from the small screen & consider that your actions on board the PC have a ripple effect on your smartphone. "NAI Opt out" & "Disconnect software" are useful PC search words.
Where it Went
I rarely hear from a tech guru or even a lawyer who can decipher a EULA, TOS or Privacy agreement they didn't author themselves; yet online, we are steeped in the cumulative concessions we have accepted from them and the affiliates and partners they enable for.
The Biggest Brother?
Google is a data harvester, not a broker. They are the custodians of much of our imprint online across all platforms. check your settings accordingly; within each Google service / app/ platform you use and adjust them to taste. Know, for example, that persistent login to Gmail will append any collocated G-Search activity to your G profile if Web Data | Web History remains on. I read recently that simply joining Plus has a similar but more comprehensive effect by default, by unifying the G tracking across your entire electronic imprint.
Android Permissions
Yes. The most invasive part of Android is its permissions free for all. They are demands, not requests that each app poses. The logic is sometimes one sided and self serving to the developers at our disadvantage. What can we do?
1. Know something about your developer. XDA membership in an app developer helps define their role in a community. Check their website, reviews, accessibility, postings etc.
2. Consider lower permission alternative apps listed in the play store.
3. For each app you review in the Play Store, (have you checked play store settings yet?) assess its longevity in the marketplace to decide if you are willing to be an early adopter.
4. Resist resorting to apps to broker built-in functions your system already has. Learn your OS.
5. Weigh the logic of each permission demanded, based on risk / reward and your intended uses. Example: On my phone Google search leads the field with 59 permissions. App Permisssions by FSecure is in the low end group with zero. How do I know? App Permissions. What can I do? More on that later.
6. Debloat. I have frozen over 60 apps/services/processes using a combination of tools ranging from built in (no root) Application Management to Startup Manager and the App Quarantine app.
7. Don't be lazy about toggling settings as needed. One stock default has the GPS always enabled which may not be necessary for you.
8. Learn about the types of location services in your OS. Check location settings in affected apps and consider toggling location services as needed. Apps will prompt if the needed service is off when you use them.
9. Review your synch settings. Mine are off on the OS. I use a 3rd party mail app and manually back up contacts using Super Backup when needed.
10. Review background data settings. they are visible in Settings / Data usage, by selecting Mobile Data, and scrolling to the list of apps to tap through each and set Restrict background data if appropriate. It saves battery by reducing tower hunting and focuses you on which apps pose the highest demands.
I promised more. Learn about App Ops if you haven't. I have the luxury of running a 4.3 version that supports it so I can use a client app to filter and toggle various permissions on a per app basis. There are other, and perhaps more thorough approaches to this but I'm staying with this one for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the comprehensive reply!
Indeed some of the things here are common sense but some were fairly new to me, like the close contact you are suggesting with the developer.
I have to ask though, what reviews are you reffering to? the ones in the app market or the ones on here? Also, from what I have seen in the play market, all of the reviews are about functionality but no one actualy checks the veracity of the code.
Like for instance some song recognition&download software that requires internet access permission (makes sense) and SD card access permission (also makes sense), but besides doing what it does (in a splendid manner, leaving tons of happy customers) it also steals your Whatsapp chat logs (just read an article about that breach 10 mins ago)...
How can people catch on that (otherwise the app will linger for 2 years, giving you the impression you're not an early adopter)?
Hrmph, you have given some very sound advice which I obviously intend to follow through and for that I thank you. However it seems to me like the underlying foundation is still trust in the publisher (not to abuse the permissions you had to enable for functionality sake), and the trust should stem from how well the author presents itself to the community. I suppose it is the nature of the beast, it is just that if I were to sneakily attack someone I would make sure to present myself in th best way possible .
thx.
PS. my version is 4.1 but I'll see what I can do about Appops.
P.P.S I just searched for "Tasks" on google market and all I see is an organizer. Did you mean "Task Killer"?
oy-ster said:
Thank you very much for the comprehensive reply!
Indeed some of the things here are common sense but some were fairly new to me, like the close contact you are suggesting with the developer.
I have to ask though, what reviews are you reffering to? the ones in the app market or the ones on here? Also, from what I have seen in the play market, all of the reviews are about functionality but no one actualy checks the veracity of the code.
Both sources really. There's no hard & fast divide as to what aspect reviewers might respond to at either venue. More often, Play Store reviews have alerted me when my device or my Android version gets poor results from an app. Granted code integrity issues are raised more frequently at XDA.
Like for instance some song recognition&download software that requires internet access permission (makes sense) and SD card access permission (also makes sense), but besides doing what it does (in a splendid manner, leaving tons of happy customers) it also steals your Whatsapp chat logs (just read an article about that breach 10 mins ago)...
How can people catch on that (otherwise the app will linger for 2 years, giving you the impression you're not an early adopter)?
Interesting example. I will look for the article. I wonder if the app declared that permission in their Play Store disclosure. If not, it challenged Google's policing system. I read somewhere that SELinux in newer ROMs, set to "Enforcing" brokers applicable policies from each host domain and also restricts apps from exceeding their declared permissions. (See also my note on 4.3+ below)
Hrmph, you have given some very sound advice which I obviously intend to follow through and for that I thank you. However it seems to me like the underlying foundation is still trust in the publisher (not to abuse the permissions you had to enable for functionality sake), and the trust should stem from how well the author presents itself to the community. I suppose it is the nature of the beast, it is just that if I were to sneakily attack someone I would make sure to present myself in th best way possible .
You're welcome! Placing that trust is ultimately a leap of faith, so we ask ourselves:
Does my configuration already offer this function at the OS or existing app level?
Can I justify each declared permission here?
Is there a less invasive equivalent to this app?
Have I gone over the settings thoroughly once installed?
What does my installed anti-virus say about this?
Do I need this to auto launch or only on demand?
Is it using excessive data or uptime as I monitor?
Am I getting all the Android security I could be with my current rom image?
You get the picture. Common sense, best practices & due diligence can go a long way toward closing the security gap.
PS. my version is 4.1 but I'll see what I can do about Appops.
Google only exposed it (to client apps like App Ops Starter) in 4.3 & 4.4.0, before & after that I believe an Xposed Framework module is the main alternative.
P.P.S I just searched for "Tasks" on google market and all I see is an organizer. Did you mean "Task Killer"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "Tasks & Kill All tiles" I referred to appear on Android Tuner Free's One Click advanced mode home screen. BTW certain apps on my phone are "frozen" when not in use.
I forgot to mention. 4.3 I'm running is on the 4.1.2 bootloader, completely avoiding lopsided knox security. I hope I didn't appear to recommend the OTA update. That's a personal choice.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
pc103 said:
Quote:
Both sources really. There's no hard & fast divide as to what aspect reviewers might respond to at either venue. More often, Play Store reviews have alerted me when my device or my Android version gets poor results from an app. Granted code integrity issues are raised more frequently at XDA.
Interesting example. I will look for the article. I wonder if the app declared that permission in their Play Store disclosure. If not, it challenged Google's policing system. I read somewhere that SELinux in newer ROMs, set to "Enforcing" brokers applicable policies from each host domain and also restricts apps from exceeding their declared permissions. (See also my note on 4.3+ below)
You're welcome! Placing that trust is ultimately a leap of faith, so we ask ourselves:
Does my configuration already offer this function at the OS or existing app level?
Can I justify each declared permission here?
Is there a less invasive equivalent to this app?
Have I gone over the settings thoroughly once installed?
What does my installed anti-virus say about this?
Do I need this to auto launch or only on demand?
Is it using excessive data or uptime as I monitor?
Am I getting all the Android security I could be with my current rom image?
You get the picture. Common sense, best practices & due diligence can go a long way toward closing the security gap.
Google only exposed it (to client apps like App Ops Starter) in 4.3 & 4.4.0, before & after that I believe an Xposed Framework module is the main alternative.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again!
I just wanted to note that after spending some time here in the forum( http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/ ) looking for some intresting picks, I haven't actually encountered much comments from people that actually went over the code... so I'm a bit bummed out. :silly: :laugh:
pc103 said:
The "Tasks & Kill All tiles" I referred to appear on Android Tuner Free's One Click advanced mode home screen. BTW certain apps on my phone are "frozen" when not in use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh. Got it.
Anyway, Thank you!!!
oy-ster said:
Thanks again!
I just wanted to note that after spending some time here in the forum( http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/ ) looking for some intresting picks, I haven't actually encountered much comments from people that actually went over the code... so I'm a bit bummed out. :silly: :laugh:
...Anyway, Thank you!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. To be fair, most times I've seen postings by people who background checked code it was in rom threads, or over root exploits or security apps. In most other cases due diligence is our best defense.

General Question about App Installation

I noticed that since 5.1.1 or (sometime around it's release) when I download an apk or an update from playstore, I am shown a list of service, broadcast receiver, activities, etc. with toggles. I am not sure if this is a result of one of the apps I have installed (like cm security, my android tools, amplify) or if it is just a new policy on google play. Anyone else see this? Is there a guideline as to what if any can be toggled and why I should/ should not mess with it. I've been reluctant to mess with anything up until now b/c I am not sure what this is. Can anyone direct me to a guideline thread or shed some light on it for me? Thanks in advance.
I've included some pictures of what I'm describing from a recent Dolphin upgrade from playstore.
tmord1 said:
I noticed that since 5.1.1 or (sometime around it's release) when I download an apk or an update from playstore, I am shown a list of service, broadcast receiver, activities, etc. with toggles. I am not sure if this is a result of one of the apps I have installed (like cm security, my android tools, amplify) or if it is just a new policy on google play. Anyone else see this? Is there a guideline as to what if any can be toggled and why I should/ should not mess with it. I've been reluctant to mess with anything up until now b/c I am not sure what this is. Can anyone direct me to a guideline thread or shed some light on it for me? Thanks in advance.
I've included some pictures of what I'm describing from a recent Dolphin upgrade from playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
someone can correct me if im wrong, but i believe i read somewhere thats some new features to help make users more aware of the permissions they agree to in more detail.
i dont recall it mentioning as in depth as the receivers, but it may have. for the most part, you really dont want to mess with those, otherwise the app could partially or completely stop working properly.
what you can and cant turn off is really going to be a case by case basis. i have tried doing some of that before, and tbh, its generally not worth the effort it takes to figure it all out. the battery gains are usually minimal to non existent. only thing some what useful is disabling the ad servers.
your really better off not touching any of those, unless you have a rogue issue you are trying to rectify.
tmord1 said:
I noticed that since 5.1.1 or (sometime around it's release) when I download an apk or an update from playstore, I am shown a list of service, broadcast receiver, activities, etc. with toggles. I am not sure if this is a result of one of the apps I have installed (like cm security, my android tools, amplify) or if it is just a new policy on google play. Anyone else see this? Is there a guideline as to what if any can be toggled and why I should/ should not mess with it. I've been reluctant to mess with anything up until now b/c I am not sure what this is. Can anyone direct me to a guideline thread or shed some light on it for me? Thanks in advance.
I've included some pictures of what I'm describing from a recent Dolphin upgrade from playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not sending your screenshots to [email protected] for help? Seeking support from Dolphin is much more time saving.
surviveland said:
Why not sending your screenshots to [email protected] for help? Seeking support from Dolphin is much more time saving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was just an example, it does that for all apps downloaded from Google play. Apparently, it is to disclose permissions required by apps more thoroughly. At the time that it I posted, it was a relatively new feature and I was wondering about it.

How to automate gestures (swiping, tapping) in Android? (UI Automation)

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, mods please move if need be.
I am using a public app on the play store. I would like to perform an operations similar to that one might do when unit testing UI elements.
The app consists of mainly a list view of rectangular cards arranged in a vertical orientation. The app allows me to accept batches (orders) in which I perform deliveries for payment. There are also other users who use this same app so competition is fierce. If I do not accept a lucrative batch as fast as possible, someone else will. Even then its possible due to latency or simply bad luck that I do not get the batch. It is also bad because I tend to stare at my screen a lot while driving
I had an idea. I'm seeking some solution similar to the Robot class in Java, with the exception that the app be able to analyze the contents of the List View (which are View Groups composed of TextViews).
I was able to partially emulate what I want using UIAutomator, but it is a cumbersome solution because it requires ADB to run everytime. Not only that the swiping function on the UIDevice object in UIAutomator does not work on this particular app.
I have heard there are better utilities that can accomplish this. I have root on my phone.
Any advise?

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