Can anyone advise on a good product and installation method that would protect me system wide using both android apps/chrome apps? For example, if I installed a vpn product through the play store, would it only provide security only in that "sandboxed" android app environment? Or installed to chrome OS, could it provide better security for the whole ecosystem?
I'm using an asus chromebook flip, on stable regular build (54). Thanks
So, I Also have a flip, and I've noticed that when using a VPN like Tor It will only cover android apps, so I'd use Tor and Firefox together to have a VPN'd web browser.
VPN's from Android Only cover android apps,
VPNS from Chrome only cover Chrome.
i was thinking about this myself, since i have a VPN client as a chrome extension. I will enable it and install an android app to test and see if the VPN is working for both
I have to use PIA VPN app for Chrome, and install PIA for Android in Android from the Play store. One does not 'cover' the other. Equally, the Afwall app will only affect Android apps installed.
I use TunnelBear. The Chrome extension only affects Chrome tabs. The Android app seems to affect all apps, including Chrome. I tested by checking my IP address in Chrome and in an Android browser.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Hi..
im so curious about this, what is the difference between:
1. AOSP Webview and Google Webview?
2. What are the advantages of them?
3. Which one is better (or suggest) to using in custom roms nougat?
i noticed, mostly all custom roms preinstalled with AOSP webview (as you can see it in dev. options on "webview implementation".) but once we donloaded google/android system webview in playstore it automatically replaced the AOSP webview with Google one. and theres no option to switch or choose between them.
4. does the Dev's or AOSP webview will always be updated?
(since google webview always does within playstore)
If anyone have ideas about them, a bit of explanations which one should i pick on custom rom, i would be much appreciated, and im sure people would like to know also, thanks a lot!
It honestly depends on the developers to update the WebView implementation themselves. The difference comes in that ROMs ship Chromiums implementation instead of Chromes meaning that we lack the proprietary stuff shipped in Google's standard WebView. You will also notice that Chrome can provide WebView features too. Often Canary is the best route to take on this as it provides the latest implementation of WebView, and in my experience, has been more than stable (WebView at least, the browser isn't excactly a joy)
I've found Google Webview to be more stable than some ROM's builds of AOSP Webview. If you notice apps using that little web browser within apps crashing more often than normal switch it.
I prefer the Android Web Viewer because its less invasive. MHO They may crash more because of google play's aggressiveness as an intrusive APP
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Why are there so few apps available for Wear OS in Play Store?
In the origins of Wear OS, when it was still called Android Wear, between 2014 and 2017, hundreds of apps created for these watches were published in the Play Store, during that time and shortly after it was already evident that there was not much interest in the market for these watches, this was also coupled with the abandonment by Google of Wear OS that has maintained this little attention until almost the launch of Galaxy Watch 4, last year. After the app boom in the first 3 years, and due to this scenario, many app developers stopped publishing new apps and/or updating the ones that were already published.In addition, Google for some time is doing a purge of apps in the Play Store that they consider "bad" and that violate points in Google's policy (which is updated quite frequently), such as apps that ask for permissions that are not really necessary for the operation of the app, for example the call log or the location in the background. They are also removing apps that are obsolete because they have not been updated to an Android API level of the last 2 years, i.e. as of today all apps that point at most to Android 11 or lower will be hidden in Play Store searches. As new Android/Wear OS versions are released, the 2-year window will advance accordingly. They will actually only be hidden for new users of the app, as if you have ever installed it, you will still see it in the Play Store and can continue to use it. However, if you have never used the app that Google considers outdated, it will not appear in the Play Store when you search for it.I often read developers complaining about how hard it is for them to get Google to authorize the publication of their apps in the Play Store, and Google has started to impose a heavy hand in order to have apps with higher quality and safer for the user. Google is requiring developers to limit the use of permissions to those necessary to provide the features of their application. In addition, they have to explain in the app's "Data Security" section how sensitive user data is handled. Last year, they rejected or removed tens of thousands of apps on Android (many of them for Wear OS) that did not comply with Google's policies related to privacy and user data.All these causes cause that currently the number of apps available for Wear OS is very low, there are far fewer apps than in the first year of life of Wear OS, in fact, from November 1, 2022, there will be much less, as Google will make another purge against obsolete apps. Either for security reasons or for abandonment of the app developer that leaves them outdated.I don't know how many apps for Wear OS are currently in the Play Store, probably excluding Watch faces there will be less than 300 apps. Google publishes from time to time the number of apps hosted in the Play Store, but in a global way (it includes apps for Wear OS along with Android) so I think it is not possible to know with certain accuracy. Does anyone know how many there are currently for Wear OS?
Wear OS Apps Repository
The fact is that many apps that were available before are now gone, and as of November 1 much less, so I have created the following repository taking advantage of reliable servers in APKMirror, GitHub (from developer) or on my own server, Mega.The intention is to preserve those apps that are no longer hosted in the Play Store (or never were) and are still functional. This repository contains apps that:
Have been abandoned by their developer, but are still functional, for example, Telegram.
Have been created for Android. Normally, the interface of these apps is not perfectly adapted to the small size of the screen, but they still work, for example, Pulse Music.
They are not hosted on Play Store for different reasons, for example. OruxMaps.
They have not been updated for some time or violate some non-serious point of the policy, and Google has taken the determination to hide them for new users of the app, for example, Button Launcher.
They are not compatible with your watch, but are mostly functional, e.g. Feel The Wear.
Also, if any independent developer has their app outside the Play Store and wants me to post the download link in the repository to write a comment with the name of the app and download link.
Wear OS Apps Repository
How to install this app by sideload?
To send and install the applications on your watch, you can do it in several ways:
If you want to install from the phone, you can use the Wear Installer app, Bugjaeger Mobile ADB or Easy Fire Tools. In this link, extensive information about this and how to install with these tools.
If you want to install from a PC, you must do it through ADB commands. In this link, you can download Wear OS Tools, a tool for Windows that makes it easy to install apps from your PC.
Considerations
In order to install apps via sideload, you must enable "Debugging over Wi-Fi". On the watch, go to Settings > system > About and repeatedly tap "Build number" until you see a message that says 'You are now a developer'. Then go to Settings> Developer options and enable "ADB debugging" and "Debugging over Wi-Fi".
If you are also going to install from the PC, you must download and install ADB tools, such as ADB & Fastboot++.
In APKMirror, to download an app you must choose, in case there are several variants, the variant “armeabi-v7a". For DPI, choose "nodpi" variants.
The fact that an app has been removed from the Play Store, does not imply that it is a dangerous app, there are applications that offer a decent set of features and are totally innocent, but have been abandoned by their developers for whatever reason and Google fulfilling its policy of obsolete apps removed them from the Play Store.
If you have outdated apps installed on your watch (which of course are still useful for you) but unfortunately they are no longer in the Play Store, you can back up the APK files of the apps with WearOS Tools, like this you will not lose them if you reset the watch or change to a new watch. If any app of these characteristics is not in the repository, comment it here to upload it to the repository and preserve it.
New apps added:
Wear Documents
Wear Keyboard
Wear Photos
Wear Orbits
Speed Wear
Great project. How do you achieve Whatsapp functionality, taking calls on watch was only available for me in a few previous betas, now no more. I can send messages using Assistant in combination with Gboard though, via phone. Any other way? Could add this K-9 Mail variant
Lucas0511 said:
Great project. How do you achieve Whatsapp functionality, taking calls on watch was only available for me in a few previous betas, now no more. I can send messages using Assistant in combination with Gboard though, via phone. Any other way? Could add this K-9 Mail variant
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About WhatsApp read this post
Hacks, tricks, news and updates for Wear OS smartwatches (TicWatch, Fossil, Missfit, Skagen, Xiaomi, Oppo, Suunto...)
Hi, I use and enjoy a Ticwatch Pro 3 watch, and before I had a TicWatch Pro 2020. During this time I have been learning tips for this watch, and some others I knew from when I was playing around with smartphones and I have moved them to the Wear...
forum.xda-developers.com
About K-9 Mail, I take it into account, as soon as I can, I will upload a working version.
bernarbernuli said:
About WhatsApp read this post
Hacks, tricks, news and updates for Wear OS smartwatches (TicWatch, Fossil, Missfit, Skagen, Xiaomi, Oppo, Suunto...)
Hi, I use and enjoy a Ticwatch Pro 3 watch, and before I had a TicWatch Pro 2020. During this time I have been learning tips for this watch, and some others I knew from when I was playing around with smartphones and I have moved them to the Wear...
forum.xda-developers.com
About K-9 Mail, I take it into account, as soon as I can, I will upload a working version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for pointing me to a link on your research re Whatsapp on WearOS. I have done much of the same, but with lesser success - subscription apps not an option though. I tried Leonard's WhatsappWebToGo on the GW4 with all permissions possible activated, but the app will not open, just shows a white screen. Do you have it running successfully, the 1.72 latest version? I tried it previously on my tablet successfully, but then saw that Whatsapp is now offering the same for tablets in latest betas.
Lucas0511 said:
Thanks for pointing me to a link on your research re Whatsapp on WearOS. I have done much of the same, but with lesser success - subscription apps not an option though. I tried Leonard's WhatsappWebToGo on the GW4 with all permissions possible activated, but the app will not open, just shows a white screen. Do you have it running successfully, the 1.72 latest version? I tried it previously on my tablet successfully, but then saw that Whatsapp is now offering the same for tablets in latest betas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, the only decent option is WhatsWatch and it's not rocket science either. It's not free, but a one-time fee
- New apps added:
EasyCalculator
Calendar for Wear OS
Wear Calendar
Flopsy Droid
Reader for Android Wear
Smart Wear Speed
Tockle
Wear Aware
K-9 Mail
WearResponses
WearShell
- A new column has been added to indicate which apps need a companion app for the phone.
- Updated the information links for some of the apps.
- New apps added:
Wear Mini Launcher
Swipify Wear Launcher
Smart Wear Status
Any Android app that works well with the watch?
Any app that is no longer in the Play Store?
bernarbernuli said:
Any Android app that works well with the watch?
Any app that is no longer in the Play Store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wristkey.
Spoiler: Most of these Lite apps
YMMV
1. Facebook Lite
2. Messenger Lite
3. Aloha Browser Lite
4. UC Browser Mini
5. Opera Mini
6. Camera360 Lite
7. ap15 Launcher
8. myMail
9. Twitter Lite
10. Total Cleaner Lite
11. Parallel Space Lite
12. LinkedIn Lite
13. Skype Lite
14. Firefox Lite
15. VideoShow Lite
16. Amazon Kindle Lite
17. Spotify Lite
18. Lite Music Player
19. Pinterest Lite
20. Lite For All
21. YouTube Go
22. Google Go
23. Google Maps Go
24. SD Maid
25. CM security Lite
26. Internet Speed Meter Lite
27. Clean master lite
28. 360 Security Lite
29. DU Browser Mini
30. Vigo Lite
31. Ola Lite
32. Hermit lite Browser
33. Via Browser
34. Lite LINE
N.B. Be mindful that native storage remains stuck at 4GB on nearly all Wear OS watches.
rodken said:
Wristkey.
Spoiler: Most of these Lite apps
YMMV
1. Facebook Lite
2. Messenger Lite
3. Aloha Browser Lite
4. UC Browser Mini
5. Opera Mini
6. Camera360 Lite
7. ap15 Launcher
8. myMail
9. Twitter Lite
10. Total Cleaner Lite
11. Parallel Space Lite
12. LinkedIn Lite
13. Skype Lite
14. Firefox Lite
15. VideoShow Lite
16. Amazon Kindle Lite
17. Spotify Lite
18. Lite Music Player
19. Pinterest Lite
20. Lite For All
21. YouTube Go
22. Google Go
23. Google Maps Go
24. SD Maid
25. CM security Lite
26. Internet Speed Meter Lite
27. Clean master lite
28. 360 Security Lite
29. DU Browser Mini
30. Vigo Lite
31. Ola Lite
32. Hermit lite Browser
33. Via Browser
34. Lite LINE
N.B. Be mindful that native storage remains stuck at 4GB on nearly all Wear OS watches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you used any of the lite apps you mention on your watch?
bernarbernuli said:
Have you used any of the lite apps you mention on your watch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and quite surprised when I was able to run SD Maid and NetGuard No Root Firewall.
-- NetGuard requires scaling of the display in order to enable the firewall on the extreme far left corner.
-- Enabling NetGuard does not seem to stick because possibly, Wifi needs to be off on the watch for VPN.
-- Wear OS still needs to be able to communicate with the app on the phone over Bluetooth. Having a VPN might prohibit that.
-- There are some instances where I has to reboot Wear OS before I hit paydirt.
-- I'm certain that I'll attempt to see which app will stick on the Pixel Watch when the time comes.
Please add this application: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.ohari5336.wear.dialer
ohari5336 said:
Please add this application: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.ohari5336.wear.dialer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the nick I guess you are the developer of this app, in the repository only have room for apps that are not in the Play Store or if they are, because their apps are abandoned by the developer (in the case of this app, you updated it and uploaded it last week).
The repository is not oriented to advertise apps. I feel sorry for you. Nevertheless, thanks for developing on Wear OS.
Hello, it's been days since there was any news, this weekend I had time to test and analyze some apps.
Changelog:
- Restructured the columns of the table, and added a new column with more extensive information about the apps.
- New apps added:
App for Android, but functional on Wear OS.
Google Go --> Google search engine.
Tone Selector (Ringtone/Alarm) --> Allows you to customize ringtone, alarm sound and notification sound.
ap15 Launcher --> Minimalist launcher.
Facebook Lite --> Facebook.
Facebook Messenger Lite --> Facebook Messenger.
YouTube Go --> Youtube.
Files by Google --> File Manager.
UC Browser Mini --> Web browser.
No watch version available in Play Store
Tip Calculator --> Tip calculator.
Not available in Play Store.
DrawWear - Art on Android Wear --> Draw on the watch screen.
Meter for Android Wear --> Light meter for photography.
Prayer Times For Android Wear --> Islamic help app.
Qibla Quran Prayer: Deenwise --> Islamic help app.
SlamdunQ Cricket --> Cricket ball launching assistant.
Audio Visualizer --> The screen displays rendering and changes dynamically with any ambient sound or music, in real time.
DNDSync --> Synchronize Do Not Disturb (DND) with the phone.
KOKO for Wear --> Changes the timeout time of the default display.
MotoACTV DPI [ROOT] --> Root required in watch. Allows you to change the screen density.
Mural watchface --> Watchface.
Rotary --> Call telephones imitating the old rotary dial telephones.
Apollo Wear Launcher for Watch --> Highly customizable launcher
circlue Launcher --> Other Launcher.
Facebook Messenger (Wear OS) --> Messenger de Facebook para Wear OS.
AFib monitor --> Monitors heart rate and atrial fibrillation.
Agenda Wear --> Synchronizes the events in the phone's address book
Altimeter-Barometer --> Monitors atmospheric pressure and altitude.
Battery Alert --> Alerts you when your watch is running out of battery or when it is fully charged.
BuddhaBoot [ROOT] --> Root required in watch. Allows to reboot in Recovery mode, in addition to normal reboot and shutdown
Reboot Wear [ROOT] --> Root required in watch. It allows rebooting in bootloader and Recovery mode.
Reset Wear Client [ROOT] --> Root required in watch. Pair to new phone without resetting to default values.
Scan My Watch Wearable Code --> Stores scannable barcodes and QR codes in the watch.
Voice Controller for Spotify --> Allows you to use voice commands to control premium version of Spotify.
WearSlides --> Control PowerPoint presentation from the watch.
Wristkey --> Alternative of Google Authenticator offline.
bernarbernuli said:
App for Android, but functional on Wear OS.
Google Go --> Google search engine.
Tone Selector (Ringtone/Alarm) --> Allows you to customize ringtone, alarm sound and notification sound.
ap15 Launcher --> Minimalist launcher.
Facebook Lite --> Facebook.
Facebook Messenger Lite --> Facebook Messenger.
YouTube Go --> Youtube.
Files by Google --> File Manager.
UC Browser Mini --> Web browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hourly Chime for Wear and Home Assistant looks somewhat promising
-- Hourly Chime installs successfully but doesn't load on Wear OS.
-- The watch will vibrate every hour.
rodken said:
Hourly Chime for Wear and Home Assistant looks somewhat promising
-- Hourly Chime installs successfully but doesn't load on Wear OS.
-- The watch will vibrate every hour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the contribution, however, the repository is not oriented to hang active apps in Play Store, only abandoned apps or if they are in Play store, but initially aimed at Android (but work well in Wear OS). It is a thread to preserve those apps that are no longer available.
Maybe we could create another thread to make a table of the apps that are in Play Store more prominent, it is a good way to discover new apps for Wear OS buried among hundreds of thousands for Android in the Play Store. We could make a table similar to the one in this thread.
What do you think of the idea?
bernarbernuli said:
Maybe we could create another thread to make a table of the apps that are in Play Store more prominent, it is a good way to discover new apps for Wear OS buried among hundreds of thousands for Android in the Play Store. We could make a table similar to the one in this thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sticking with the status quo is a more viable solution.
-- No need to chase after the thousands of apps that are already Wear OS compatible.
rodken said:
Sticking with the status quo is a more viable solution.
-- No need to chase after the thousands of apps that are already Wear OS compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I have explained myself wrong, I mean to review outstanding apps among thousands of apps in a table, in the same way that you have recommended those 2 apps because I guess you think they are outstanding among others.
Added Google Keep to repository. As of a few days ago, it is no longer available to Wear OS 2 watches.
Google Maps and Keep support Wear OS 2 again after temporary removal [U]
Google Keep has dropped support for older Wear OS 2 devices. In recent months, Google rolled out a Material You redesign and tile...
9to5google.com