A bit of history - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi everyone.
I posted this originally in the NOOK forum, and got some great help there, but was directed here to ask a more general question.
Ii'm going to ask people to cast their minds wayyyyyy back to Eclair.
This is opy/paste from the NOOK forum.
"Does anyone know of any Android 2.1 apps that will allow me to display messages on the NOOK, sent from my PC over WIFI?
I'm wanting to make a "magic book" that allows me to send clues to customers in an escape room, so I'll need to be able to disable any inputs on the NOOK end, and just have it as a text display that I can change remotely. Anyone have any ideas for apps to do those things?"
Somebody pointed me to an app that disables the IR sensors, effectively disabling the touch screen, so that bit is covered. I can design a cover too prevent access to the hardware buttons, so it's just an app that will allow me to send text to the blank screen via WiFi.
Obviously I'm a total noob, and have no idea where to begin looking. Can anyone help?

Related

NORDICTRACK ELITE 9500 PRO Treadmill w/ 10" Android Tablet

I recently purchased a Nordic Track 9500 Elite Pro. This bad boy has a 10" android tablet built in. They really don't want you messing with the android part much, but I am sure there are plenty of other users out there like me that want to do more!
This is my first post so I am unable to show the pictures via the link. Hopefully you can copy and past the text to view the images. I will try to repost on my website so it all flows.
I don't see where a post like this would go, I am not sure if at some point it would gain it's own device forum... That would be exciting. So for now I will post here. I will also post my initial findings for others in the community that may want to purchase this treadmill and can't find any information regarding the built in Android Tablet with WiFi.
This image shows the version information. From what I can tell it looks like they purchase an APAD from someone and then stick it inside of their device. They also must have wrote some special drivers and software to interface with the equipment and hardware. I was very happy to see a mainstream current android OS.
Android OS 2.2
hungrykzoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMAG0027.jpg
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Here are the pre-installed apps. Pretty basic. (note: I was able to find an APK and install Last.FM that wasn't included) Also a major bummer to see was that there wasn't a market application.
hungrykzoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMAG0026.jpg
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This is the typical workout screen you see.
hungrykzoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMAG0024.jpg
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I also noticed that the device doesn't have very much memory. This could be due to the built in applications taking up so much space. It only had about 57MB of internal memory free, but it had a built in 2GB SD Card. I have not gotten to the point where I have needed to take it apart yet to see if there is a replaceable SD card. I may wait another 5 years for my warranty to end to do that.
I have tried to install some apps but have not had very much luck. The only app that was I was able to install was the Last.FM.
I tried the follow apps, and they didn't install:
1. Market
2. Angry Birds
3. Pandora
Other disappointments:
1. Designed to not be in the Android Interface. They have an application that runs, and makes it tricky to get to the android desktop. It takes about 3 clicks to get from the main workout screen back to the Android Desktop.
2. The screen is not capacitive, it is resistive. I don't know how much more I need to say about that.
3. Only 3 buttons. Back, Menu, Home. Home takes you to their software not the android home screen. Long press on home does nothing.
4. When i go to the desktop the Time is all over the place. I have tried changing settings in every spot possible but something is telling it what time to think it is, occasionally it is correct... Just don't get it.
Even with the disappointments this thing is sweet. I wish i could install more apps, stream videos from a PC over the WiFi connection and stream music from a PC over the WiFi connection. Maybe with the help of the community we will figure some of these items out... Or I will be the only one who has this that knows about this website!
ntsteele,
How is your experience up to now with your 9500? I am looking at getting the c1250, which is the same as the 9500, but with a smaller motor and no decilne. Is the 10" screen worth it? The rep at Nordictrack told me the only differcence between the 7" screen is the web browser, the google maps display, and some basic apps. But overall the workout system is the same as the 7' display of the 1750 commercial and that you can view the google maps by logging in on ifit.com. Thanks for the info and screen shots.
iFit Android App
Have you or has anyone else been able to pull the apk files off of the NordicTrack Elite 9500 Treadmill. I would be interested to see if it works on any adroid phone to view the menu system.
I played with this today at Google IO. The rep said that the integrated tablet was rev 1 and that they wanted to eventually let users connect their own devices.
what do you need to press to get to the android home screen?
Where I work at there is a Proform Trailrunner 4.0 treadmill that has 10" Android tablet screen. From what I have been told nordic track and proform are made by the same manufacture or something. It was returned because of a broken display unit. Of course I wasn't going to let them throw the old one away so they let me keep it. I trashed the main display and now I have the 10" tablet but cannot power it because the treadmill doesn't operate without a magnetic key. How could I power this thing and see if it works?
I got the new incline trainer x9i which has the 10 inch android interface. I am interested to get in and try installing apps as you have but I am unable to even get to the android home screen. The only time I see it is when I turn the machine on and it is booting up, the screen comes up for a few seconds to where I can hit on the applications button and see what is on it. But within a second after I see the apps it automatically gets routed into the machine exercise interface and I have not figured how to get back to the android home screen from there. How did you do it? It would sure be nice to install a different browser. I hate the fact that I cannot create my own shortcuts. Anyway, love the machine.
How to get to the Android Home Screen
Any luck finding out how to get to the Android Home Screen? I am wanting to do that also. I was able to get to it one time accidentally, but haven't figure out how to stop the machine interface from loading since.
Home Screen
Ok, same question. I just got a C2150 which is a similar model to the 9500. Slightly smaller motor and belt, but same basic thing with the 10" tablet. I believe it's capacitive now, but still not great as far as that goes.
I too have hit the setup icon when it's booting and it goes to the Android setup screen for a second and then continues to boot into the Nordictrack IFit proprietary stuff.
So I can't believe the posts with the images and no explanation of how you got there? Please share with the rest of us.
Also, my console has a USB connector at the top of the thing. Any idea what if anything that'll let me do?
Thanks!
Anyone figure this out? Seems a shame to have a 10' screen and not be able to install apps on it. There must be some button combination that the Icon service team would use to stop the auto load of the iFit interface.
Internal Pictures
I took the tablet apart to see what information can be gathered. Apparently, HANNSTAR (TAIWAN) manufactures the board (HANNSTAR J MV-7); which uses a Samsung ARM8 CPU(5PV210AH-A0 1044); has 512MB; and a 4GB SANDISK FLASH (SDIN2C2-4G).
I haven't been able to find sufficient info to track a compatible ROM, yet I can't imagine for the life of me that HANNSTAR would design this just for Nordic. I am posting some pics hoping that someone might be able to id the hardware, which in turn might help point to a more fruitful search for a workable ROM.
Try to upload pics but not sure if it worked. It's late, and I can't figure out how to do it smoothly yet.
I'm gonna do another bump. I have a similar treadmill (or maybe the exact same one, I lost the the manual with product name). It is of the X9i series and when I saw it in the store, I had to go for it. I was a bit irritated to see that you are locked to the iFit application and you cannot return to the launcher. I need a male to male USB cable to see if I can get a bit of ADB on it.
From the (crappy) performance of it, I can tell it has about 512 MB RAM, a dated CPU clocked at around 600-800MHz, the screen looks like a crappy TFT display at 1280x700. Lastly, this thing runs Froyo. Mine features a full USB port and an Audio in port. Not much to screw around with. Downloads are disabled in the browser, and the Menu key does nothing.
I think something can be done though. The application that controls the treadmill can't crash as it is, and if it ever does FC, the motor shouldn't stop. NordicTrack doesn't have a recovery image up for some reason (thanks, NordicTrack -_-) so that's even less to work with.
Nevertheless, something can be done. It's not really a fun thing for an Android enthusiast to pick up an Android device with such dated hardware (the tredmill itself, as just tredmill is amazing).. Plus, it was $2,100 at Sears.
---------- Post added at 08:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 PM ----------
here is a video of the Treadmill and the board;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKyf6MHIefk
USB and Audio in is on the right side of the console.
I've had my Nordictrack 9500 Pro for about a year now. Still working well for the most part (I do have messed up deck tension adjuster that I need to call support about).
Would love to be able to unlock the Android device to at least install Netflix, Pandora, etc.
I have had one over the air firmware upgrade that went pretty smoothly. Was hoping more updates would come from Nordictrack, but it has been a long time since that one.
Has anyone else noticed that the Speed Calibration utility under the iFit controls says that it isn't enabled yet? Maybe there's hope for future updates.
fanVrARCHITECT
Greetings,
I have been following this thread as a 9500 owner as well, and looking at what has been posted and see if there is any follow up.
1.) like everyone else what startup combinations may have disabled Nordic Tracks proprietary software.
2.) the usb socket on the top of the console, has anyone had anyluck attempting a usb male to male connection on a laptop? If so what has been tried?
3.) any idea of maybe porting something over via the Ifit updates or account? I noticed the HDvideo inside of the program is pretty descent from what I've seen, and looks like the video plays in the center of main app..just a thought.
I'm looking at getting the male to male usb cable and trying to interface it with the below. .. at least curious if the cable will talk, and most likely this unit is not root so view only but maybe a start if it works.
//www*howtogeek*com/howto/42491/how-to-remote-view-and-control-your-android-phone/
Cheers,
devmo
Did anyone figure out how to get android home screen????
I read somebody was able to email themselves an apk and install it? The tablet enables sideloading? Ding ding ding! I'm going to try sideloading launcherpro or any other replacement launcher to attempt to hijack the home screen
Update: Didn't work on my c2150's tablet. Bastards.... I did however get my c2150's to boot into "safe mode" which I have no idea what that entails. While it was powering on, I held down home and back I believe was the combo.
Update: SUCESS!!! So by booting into "safe" mode, you can hit the preferences launcher while the device is booting to interrupt the ifit loading. From there, go enable unknown sources. Then launch the browser and google "z4 apk" and download it and run it. Did permanent root on mine and it worked.
ENJOY
I forgot. Once you get the device into safe mode, install "smart taskbar" by sideloading. It'll make you able to view a task bar over ifit.
EDIT: Since we don't have a custom recovery, or for that matter even a recovery at all it seems, I've not attempted gapps. Could anyone give a detailed response on how to install this? I assume just unzip it in the root directory? I'm worried about permissions, I always forget what to set there. Also, the device comes pre-bundled with busybox, fyi Another must have for this is adbWireless. I tried editing the init.rc but it seems those changes were for nothing. I'll keep people updated as I discover things etc. I'm by no means a dev, but do know a little.
jsteelm said:
I forgot. Once you get the device into safe mode, install "smart taskbar" by sideloading. It'll make you able to view a task bar over ifit.
EDIT: Since we don't have a custom recovery, or for that matter even a recovery at all it seems, I've not attempted gapps. Could anyone give a detailed response on how to install this? I assume just unzip it in the root directory? I'm worried about permissions, I always forget what to set there. Also, the device comes pre-bundled with busybox, fyi Another must have for this is adbWireless. I tried editing the init.rc but it seems those changes were for nothing. I'll keep people updated as I discover things etc. I'm by no means a dev, but do know a little.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry - can you tell me the exact steps involved here. How do I get to safe mode and then what? I tried Home Back while powering on and it still goes to the ifit screen
You know I'm really not sure what trick it is to make it stay. I had good luck getting it to stay in android rubbing home/back/menu while it booted and as soon as I saw the android home screen, hit the preferences launcher and then grabbed the top menubar and half pulled it down. All I know is that when you get it to stick in android, its always in safe mode which is triggered by some combination of those buttons on boot. Even then it will boot into iFit, but if you go to the settings first, in safe mode, it wont exit that screen.
Nordictrack commercial 2150 Android Safemode
Very simple folks. Turn treadmill on and once you see ANDROID appear in the center of the screen, begin pressing the dashes button that is between the home and back buttons on the console. Not sure if holding down works any better. An "unable to load widget" will be seen in middle of screen once the I-FIT software has stopped and safe mode will appear at the lower left hand corner. You'll then be able to check out the various Android options etc for your tablet. Be careful in editing anything unless you know what you are doing! Wouldn't want to brick your treadmill unnecessarily. It took awhile to find the key to safe mode access, due to limited info out there, but I hope users will continue to make some progress on exploiting this device and maybe we'll be able to use it to our liking. I would like to stream my dish television to the tablet like I do on my i phone or i pad. Being able to install the dish app via google app store is what I'm looking forward to. I want to be able to watch tv on my treadmill while exercising. Please keep this thread going! I'm sure that future software updates may allow for a better user interface. The challenge is certainly in the storage capabilities in the tablet itself and the sd card inside.

[Q] Strange Notifications...

So I've been receiving these strange notifications periodically that are "recommending" bizarre applications. The notification looks like a star, and when pressed sends me to an application in the market. I've been on android for quite a while and I have never had this happen before, so I'm wondering if anyone has had similar problems. Or maybe this is some "feature" that I'm not aware of.
I was reading in the Vibrant forums about something that seemed similar, and in that case it was caused by a separate application. I wanted to throw it out to the t-bolt community and see if anyone has experienced this and/or knows what would cause it.
Also, if this is something that has been previously discussed, I give you permission to flame me. My several google searches didn't bring anything up. Thanks in advance.
As a side note, I am knowingly marking this thread as a question while knowing that there are no question marks in the actual post. I think the question is inferred (this could possibly spur some philosophical debates).
It sounds like one of your installed apps is using AirPush to put ads on your notification bar. I'd check the apps you installed or updated recently to see if any of them are known to do this. I believe there are also some apps that can detect which installed programs are using AirPush as well, but I haven't tried any of them personally. If you search for AirPush, you'll see more info about it, as well as learn that it is basically universally reviled by users.
This is definitely AirPush. It sends ads straight to your notifications so as the person above me said, you should check out your recently installed/updated apps to see if any have this enabled. It's a pain in the ass to have that little icon up there all the time.
OP, don't be so quick to be flamed
I don't know where it is or how to get it (I assume the air push website) but apparently you can get a tool, so to speak, from air push that will opt you out of the ads and stop them from pushing notifications to your phone. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful as to where to acquire this, but what I read said that it's provided by air push themselves.
Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt
AirPush opt out
Thanks for the quick replies. I found out that there's an app in the Android Market made by AirPush, Inc. themselves that allows you to opt out. I installed it, and I'll see if it solves the problem.
As far as the flaming goes, I figure some people just need to get it out of their system, so I was giving those people an excuse.
Thanks again for the replies.

[Q] Interfacing with a java application

I'm developing a touch screen based system for controlling electronic music. As part of the development, we'll be building our own touch screen, but that's not going to be ready for some time. In the mean time, I need to start writing the software (which will be done in java), and I'm going to need a touch screen to use for testing.
So, I am NOT trying to write an application for the Galaxy Tab. I am writing a application that runs on the my desktop, and I'd like it to be able to get touch information from the Galaxy, in any way practical. I've looked into using an iPad for this, but it looks to be too much of a pain to be worth it. All I need is a way of my java application receiving the list of co-ordinates of touches from the tab, in real time. I don't need any higher level gesture interpretation (as I'll have to do that on my end for the final system anyway), just all the touch co-ordinates. Does anyone have a suggestion on the best way to go about this? Is there something in existence already to accomplish this easily, or is there any kind of java library I can use to make calls to a connected tab from my application? I've been googling around, but haven't found any particularly useful information on the subject, as the tab is chiefly meant to be a stand-alone item, not a pc peripheral. Any tips on where I might start looking would be a huge help. Thanks!
-cullam
cullambl said:
I'm developing a touch screen based system for controlling electronic music. As part of the development, we'll be building our own touch screen, but that's not going to be ready for some time. In the mean time, I need to start writing the software (which will be done in java), and I'm going to need a touch screen to use for testing.
So, I am NOT trying to write an application for the Galaxy Tab. I am writing a application that runs on the my desktop, and I'd like it to be able to get touch information from the Galaxy, in any way practical. I've looked into using an iPad for this, but it looks to be too much of a pain to be worth it. All I need is a way of my java application receiving the list of co-ordinates of touches from the tab, in real time. I don't need any higher level gesture interpretation (as I'll have to do that on my end for the final system anyway), just all the touch co-ordinates. Does anyone have a suggestion on the best way to go about this? Is there something in existence already to accomplish this easily, or is there any kind of java library I can use to make calls to a connected tab from my application? I've been googling around, but haven't found any particularly useful information on the subject, as the tab is chiefly meant to be a stand-alone item, not a pc peripheral. Any tips on where I might start looking would be a huge help. Thanks!
-cullam
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Click to collapse
Ok, well I'm going to try and be brief and not turn this into an Android programming essay so here goes.
You have a couple of different routes you can take.
1. If you use eclipse for development and you hook up your tablet, you can watch the log and see that it prints useful information constantly, basically debug output that tells you whats going on in the background. If you just want to look at it, you can probably see it there.
2. This would be my choice, but I'm a programmer so I love a new adventure. I would recommend you just write a quick app for your tablet that pumps out the location of a touch whenever you touch the screen. If you are familiar with sockets and such, you can just write a simple server Java app that collects packets of data from your tablet, and just have the tablet send out a multicast packet containing the coordinates you touch every time you touch the screen.
There are probably some other ways, but if you are already going to be doing the bulk of the project in Java, you aren't looking at a difficult learning curve to write a basic little android app.
Thanks! I'll definitely try the eclipse trick. And yeah, writing an app on the tab is probably going to be necessary, but MUCH easier than having to learn a new language, and get an official license to do one on the iPad. The thing I'm really unsure about is the available communication methods for getting data back and forth between them. I was hoping there might be some sort of java api to get calls going through the usb connection. So I'll guess I'll see what the Eclipse hook up shows me.
cullambl said:
Thanks! I'll definitely try the eclipse trick. And yeah, writing an app on the tab is probably going to be necessary, but MUCH easier than having to learn a new language, and get an official license to do one on the iPad. The thing I'm really unsure about is the available communication methods for getting data back and forth between them. I was hoping there might be some sort of java api to get calls going through the usb connection. So I'll guess I'll see what the Eclipse hook up shows me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apple stuff is crap anyways, leave them to their pretentious commercials and closed minded development.
as far as the android sdk, I think it will take you a lot less time to just use network communications. google socket client/server java tutorials and you should be set to go in about 2 hours. I have implemented it, its all straight forward, and imho probably an easier app to write that something that pumps out of the usb port
Awesome, thanks

[Q] How can I prove that my Android Device (SGS2) has been used by someone else?

Back Story:
My phone was left in my house (shared with other people) yesterday while I was at work. When I got home I was checking missed calls, voicemail etc and I noticed that some text messages were missing. I looked a bit more and it seems that 2 seperate sms message threads had been deleted and a number of contacts had been deleted too. Now, this has happened before to another housemate but we couldn't prove that it had been done. We are pretty sure we know who did it but I need concrete evidence that the phone was accessed.
Phone Specs: Samsung Galaxy S2, rooted, running CM7 latest nightly. I also have Cerebrus installed if that helps.
So my questions are as follows:
1) Is it possible to see what activity was happening on my phone yesterday? I don't have any "logging" software running.
2) Is it possible to retrieve the deleted SMS messages?
I work in IT so am pretty tech savvy, just not in the workings of the Android OS!
All help greatly appreciated.
P.S. I have already been able to restore the contacts that were deleted using the restore functionality in gmail.
The short answer is no. It is, at least in theory, possible to "undelete" stuff, but it isn't usually practical. Even if you did, you wouldn't have "proof" in the legal sense.
That said, I have been involved in a similar situation. Here's the approach we used. It is reasonable to assume that this behavior will continue. Therefore, get some logging software installed. Do NOT talk about it. Do nothing out of the ordinary. Just quietly install some software that will let you see what is going on with your phone. I know there are apps which will email an alert when accessed, snap a pic from the front-facing camera, log SMS to email, remotely lock the phone, etc etc. Based on what you need to accomplish, get these set up and then BE PATIENT. wait a few days (unless you normally leave your phone at home) and leave it again when the person in question might be around.
A pic would be sufficient proof I would think for confronting a roomie. If nothing else log your sms's. I use integrated Google Voice so I'd get an alert on my PC even if I didn't have the phone (very handy, that), but that may not be an option for you.
I also use SeekDroid for remote locking, and I -think- there's a remote camera provision, but it's at a higher paid level than I am subscribed to. At any rate that's my suggestions.
Or, the simple solution: Put a better lock code on your phone.
-JB
A lock code would help prevent the behavior in the future. For catching the vandal red-handed, I believe an app like Gotcha! may do what you need.

[Q] How can I read texts from my Thunderbolt with my laptop(touchscreen broken)?

My Thunderbolt touchscreen abruptly began malfunctioning in that it will not unlock. Outside of the touchscreen, the phone seems to be working. I can see see calls and texts coming in, but cannot unlock to answer or read them. Best Buy and Verizon are both willing to replace the phone free of charge, but neither can tell me of a way to save my texts. At the minimum I would like to read through them one more time as some have information I really want. I have my phone set up to be recognized as a hard drive when I connect it to my laptop through the USB, and this is still working. Is there a way to access the texts? I have posted on other android boards and most recommend apps or back-up services that (if I understand correctly) require installation on the phone, which I don't know how to accomplish with the perpetually locked screen. I had considered rooting the phone, but after educating myself further, I now understand that the SMS data may be lost in the attempt. One respondent recommended this board, telling me that I would need to access the root system files, and he/she thought that there was a good chance of it being do-able inside ADB. They suggested that perhaps some one on here could walk me through it. Incidentally, regarding the touchscreen itself, I tried every fix I could track down: reboot, battery removal, even magnet proximity, and short durations in the fridge to cool it further! Of course, I could have attempted opening it up, but didn't want to void the warranty and/or guarantee that would currently replace my phone for free (I know rooting might have done the same, but might have been a good chance at salvaging the texts). My apologies for length, but wanted to be thorough. Any suggestions are appreciated, thank-you.
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10 days later...but I would run androidscreencast if you can get your device going with USB debugging. Then you can either just look at your texts or then also install SMS Backup & Restore or something like that to dump your texts in an xml to your SD card.
No root is required for androidscreencast, but it is required if you want to use the mouse input for "screen touches" via your PC.

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