The truth about your "cell phone" - HTC EVO 3D

First... let's start with a a few definitions.
com·put·er - n.
1. An electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program.
2. Also called processor. an electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations.
3. A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.
tel·e·phone - n.
1. An instrument that converts voice and other sound signals into a form that can be transmitted to remote locations and that receives and reconverts waves into sound signals.
SO... I was browsing around XDA, and I couldn't help but notice all of talk we have accumulated over this whole HBoot 1.5 deal, not have the NAND unlocked, crummy source code releases from phone companies, sprint and many other phone companies monitoring every little thing we do, people's contracts being terminated for "accessing torents".... a whole laundry list of problems people are having with various aspects of owning their "phone" and not having freedom to truly do whatever they want with it.
I started pondering the idea that cell phones, tablets, the whole scene, are slowly starting to replace the use of a personal lap top or desk top. Many people, such as myself, use their "phone" as a very handy mobile business tool - much like you would a computer - checking/sending emails, downloading music, managing bank accounts, keeping up with the latest news on facebook, recording/sharing/editing high quality media, playing games, programming and testing software, composing and looking at word, excel, powerpoint, adobe... just to name a few... documents. Oh, and making phone calls.
Back to the "thought" that came to mind as I was contemplating this, it occurred to me that my phone, is becoming much less of a phone to me, and more like a computer, and just like my computer it is something I have paid and continually pay good money for...
My question, then, is would the free world (society) ever tolerate the limitations, and obnoxious "control" over their personal computers that we are all rolling over on our backs and accepting from phone companies? Could this idea that phones are becoming, and ARE, more a computer than a phone in the year 2012 and furthermore at what point will we stop accepting this type of tyranny from the dealers of these devices? Could this not be comparative to best buy selling you a laptop, then the cable company telling you exactly what you are and aren't allowed to do with said laptop, simply because they are providing you the PAID FOR service of their internet? Where and when are we going to draw the line with this type of double standard and make a valiant effort to bring this to the attention of people who are walking in blindness, with their little computers in their pockets, with their big phone company telling them exactly what they can and cannot do with their phone? If I want to buy a lap top, then turn around and rebuild it to my liking, knowing the warranty may be void if something goes wrong, and maybe over something as simple as not liking the color of the menu screen, do I not have that ability? Likewise, if I pay hundreds of dollars for a portable computer, which fits conveniently in my pocket, and I decide I want to tear apart the software simply to rebuild it or improve on things that do not fit to my needs EXACTLY, am I not allowed to do this simply because I am paying for internet and radio reception and the company selling me such service says "no, that is not allowed" because they say so? If this type of control or dictatorship was ever forced upon our personal computers, there would be riots on the doorsteps of the people selling us the computers and internet service. Why then do we tolerate this bull**** with something cell phone companies call a "phone" but something we all know is just as useful, and extremely more convenient than, a lap top.
Why is there no freedom to do whatever we please with our pocket sized computers? Why do cell carriers tell us what we can and cannot do with the devices they sell us, then make us pay for continually? The average person will spend approximately $1,800 dollars on "cell phone" services over the course of a contract. By the time that contract is up, their hardware is outdated, and needs replacing to keep up with the software and hardware advancement in the mobile electronic world. Does that wreak of computer or phone to you? My parents have had the same house phone in their living room for the past 10 years, and it does exactly what it was always designed to do, and does not need "upgrading". Why are "cell phones" being called cell phones by Sprint, Verizon, T Mobile, and many other companies that sell these devices by the millions when they are hardly phones at all? If my laptop has an application on it, which it does - skype, that is designed to simply make a phone call every now and then among the hundred of other things I use it for, does that mean I should call my lap top a cell phone? Simply because I can talk to cell phones from it? Or is it a computer, because it's primary function is to compute data that I store on it, and read that data back to me in millions of different ways and interact with me based on what data I decide to access/store in it? "Cell phones" are not cell phones, and why are we allowing people to tell us otherwise, simply so they can dictate to us what we do with them? I think it is time we start bringing this to people's attention. I think it is time to start raising this question to "cell phone" companies and manufacturers of these expensive devices, then turn around and tell us what we can and cannot do with our "cell phone." I say we start giving a big fat middle finger to this injustice and go on the offense here about this huge issue. I don't want your spyware bull **** on my computer, I don't want to be told what websites I am allowed to visit/not visit, I don't want you locking me out of my computer's OS, I don't want you collecting random statistical data about what apps I use, I don't want you invading my privacy. I just want to buy my damn computer, pay for your radio service like I do with my laptop and comcast, and not have any other relationship with you other than a monthly payment. I am one of those who enjoys freedom. And if I want to pick apart the software that you pre-loaded into my device, for learning experience, for ****s and giggles, for the pure sake of not being bored, give me the freedom to do it ENTIRELY... Not in some half ass way.
Our "phones" are not phones. Make this known the next time a "phone" company calls you with their ridiculous "rate your experience at our store" phone calls. In fact, request that they do call. Write a letter. Hell, copy and paste this entire rant and email it to [email protected]... whatever the hell you do, stop letting people walk all over you by feeding you lies about what that device in your hand truly is, which you are reading this post from.
Be vocal, and be defiant with this major invasion of privacy and freedom. It will turn heads and cause people to question the powers that be. Does ANYBODY have a right to tell me what I do with MY computer? Hell no they don't.

+1
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App

You sir, a a born philosopher.

Nicely said.
Evo 3D taking it to Redline!

TL,DR..................................

Agreed in full.
PS. The first one to flame should get banned from XDA! and their phone removed by the FBI...
lol

Meh, its still just a phone, the "phone" has just evolved. All technology has a 2 year cycle. And as long as you have to go through a carrier, they will be able to tell you what you can and cannot do.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk

Cool Story Bro. Now seriously, you may have a point there athough if this did happen we would probably end up laying full price for our phones. Where do you ever see a desktop with 250 instant savings if you setup Verizon home and phone service in your area. It's an iffy situation. Once we call these "phones" computers they will end up being treated as such. I can't imagine how much the cost of an app would go up just because my phone is no longer considered a mobile platform.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk

The phone is simply no longer a phone. With the recent software that allows us to run x86 OS's in your hand with nothing more than a disk image and a text edit, the term "PC in your hand" is indeed a reality. As this wonderful visionary has so stated in so many words, where does the line that separates computer and phone begin and end. And the simple answer is, it doesn't begin or end because it doesn't exist.
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eXplicit815 said:
TL,DR..................................
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sameasdislololol

ha, if you think you aren't paying full price for your phone through the back door (your monthly bill) you are fooling yourself. they compensate themselves greatly with that little rebate you "save"
my point is simply that our "phones" are not phones anymore. they are computers. i have a phone, at my house, and it makes phone calls. what it doesn't do is keep me logged into skype, facebook, twitter, my email accounts, my netflix account, my pandora account, my bank account, or record pictures, videos, then allow me to do much of that stuff at the same time and in a timely manner.... much like my lap top does.
i was on a little bit of a stick it to the man kick last night i'll admit...lol... but really ask yourselves, "is he right here?" i think so. it would not be a stretch at all to say our personal mobile computers are being monopolized and freedoms are being infringed upon simply because we have been told to call these mobile computers "phones"...
have they evolved from what they were? certainly. i remember when my cell phone was simply a cell phone. the reality is that i use my phone for things i used to use my computer for.... as somebody said before, that line between phone and computer has been quickly fading and is nearly gone, so why treat our phones any different than we would a computer? and why shouldn't we expect nothing less than complete and utter personal privacy for these devices? and just as you buy a desktop or lap top and have entire administrative control over it, why is this not being allowed on these ones that are hand held? it is a sick double standard that is there to simply control what you do with the device. the fact is, people would be in an uproar if companies such as dell, or gateway, or apple, or comcast, etc treated you and your desk top the way you are being treated with your "cell phone"

Dude, you're absolutely right! If anyone disagrees, its because they have been brain washed for so long they don't know any better. Come to think of it, I hardly use my "phone" to make phone calls. The sad reality, though, is that I don't see change any time soon. We have given the carriers too much power and, just like government, they never give that power back.

But I mean, this if what the man is good at, like for real. They sell us on an idea, put the product in our hand, say "do anything you can imagine with it" and out in the fine print "but only do what we allow you to imagine, nothing more!" For example, just because it plugs in, in a sense anyway. I have a NextBook Premium 7 tablet. I have also started developing roms. The problem my partners and I ran into was the limitation of space on the thing (210 mb after root, 160 mb before root), after converting the file system from the manufacturer version to a version that the typical phone runs (ext3) and editing the parameters, the thing has a gigabyte of free space. To plug this into the topic at hand, what the electronic market does by limiting the possibilities of what our devices can do is keep money in their pockets, because they (for example) release a 3vo with a 1 gHz processor, the release a sensation with a 1.2 GHz, putting emphasis on the ".2" for $100 more. Then come back and sound the release of a quad core 1.5 GHz phone, again putting emphasis on the ".5" and are going to throw ANOTHER $100 on to of the sensations price tag after rebate. When in fact, the 3vo can be over clocked to 1.5 and be stable, the sensation can hit that 1.8 with its eyes closed, and I'm quite sure a quad core can push 2.0 GHz plus on a bad day. The average consumer doesn't know this though, and the average consumer happens to be pretty much 95% of society with an Android phone smartphone, and unfortunately the consumer market plays on this lack of knowledge.
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eXplicit815 said:
TL,DR..................................
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Ditto
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EricSS619 said:
Ditto
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This should at the very least concern some of you. The way the technological world is headed, lap top and desk top computers could very well be obsolete in a few years. Entirely obsolete. Your “phone” will do all of the things your computer does, and dell will be in the “phone” business, not the PC business. Who is going to be in control of your “phone service”….??
Sprint, Verizon, T mobile, etc… turning a blind eye to this unfolding before our very eyes is ignorant and foolish. They will have us all by the testicles.

so my car is also a computer? Its got multiple CPU's, a place to watch dvds, and a 7" monitor with android OS on it. I drive a computer! sweet!

bloodrain954 said:
so my car is also a computer? Its got multiple CPU's, a place to watch dvds, and a 7" monitor with android OS on it. I drive a computer! sweet!
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well you are obviously out of your element here.
what is the MAIN function of your car? to drive. technically your brain is a computer. don't be a moron.
a hand held camera for example, has a speaker phone on it for recording sound with the video? correct? does it also have an image processor? yes it does. do we call it a voice recorder? no. we call it a camera.
my whole point is that our "phones" are far more similar to our "computers" and labelling them "phones" and treating them as such, by controlling them and monopolizing them and dictating what we are not allowed to do with them, is none of anybody's ****ing business but ours - much like what you do with your computer is nobody's business but yours. if i download torrents on my lap top, does dell and comcast walk in and remove the service i am paying for? no, they don't, because it is unlawful and not their element. furthermore, phone companies do not treat these devices with the respect they deserve, hence all the security flaws we uncover in the dev community. this needs to change.

cobraboy85 said:
This should at the very least concern some of you. The way the technological world is headed, lap top and desk top computers could very well be obsolete in a few years. Entirely obsolete. Your “phone” will do all of the things your computer does, and dell will be in the “phone” business, not the PC business. Who is going to be in control of your “phone service”….??
Sprint, Verizon, T mobile, etc… turning a blind eye to this unfolding before our very eyes is ignorant and foolish. They will have us all by the testicles.
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The phone "will" do nothing, cause it already does.! And though I agree that the ideal "desktop or laptop" will fade, the touchscreen PC will shine through eventually just as the phone did, I doubt regular computers will fade away at anytime in the near future.
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1. The code for phones is written on supercomputers, so you'll likely not see the complete dismantling of them in general. Maybe a huge drop off of personal (at home) computers/laptops, but not full scale pc absence.
2. Its the desire of the users to have the latest and greatest things to play with that feeds cell phone companies and allows them to control the experience.
3. The only true way to revolt against the companies, is don't buy the latest and greatest, or don't buy at all. We're only subject to our own temptations. You have to eliminate your dependence on your smartphone, and retract back to "the old way" (only make phone calls, write letters, etc). Its because you (general you) have allowed yourself to be reliant on your phone for so many aspects of your life that phone companies (manufacturers and cell service providers alike) have you by the balls.

ognimnella said:
The phone "will" do nothing, cause it already does.! And though I agree that the ideal "desktop or laptop" will fade, the touchscreen PC will shine through eventually just as the phone did, I doubt regular computers will fade away at anytime in the near future.
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why would you want a touch screen PC when tablets and ipads and phones are already there? and what makes you think the technology will stay restricted to a display screen? virtual displays are already in the works and these will be implemented as soon as they can be. your "phone" could very likely one day fulfill every aspect of entertainment and communication that your standard home computer does. how do you not see this trend already taking a sharp rise over the last two years compared to the last 4 or 5? sprint and other carrier's line up of devices has taken a major overhaul over merely the last 5 years, and you think that trend is suddenly going to come to a screeching halt and dual core, 1 gig RAM, and 4 inch displays will be the standard for the next century or even 5 years? you are mistaken.
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Related

Skype for all Android

http://phandroid.com/2010/10/05/skype-for-android-now-available-worldwide/
Edit
that's right, is doesn't work on the Vibrant.
guess what it does not work on vibrant 2.1
amorek13 said:
guess what it does not work on vibrant 2.1
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It appears that it doesn't work on any galaxy s phone..
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
It's a POS app
no Video calling
no group calling
They waited this long to release this Garbage?
Fring was doing an excellent job, until Skype shut them down.
UGH SKYPE is a POS company
Galaxy S owners get the shaft ... yet again! Maybe we should just recognize the fact that AT&T/iPhone 4 is the best game in town and quit trying to play catch up.
There is a GPS fix that allows it to work excellent. Get over it.
dcchristopher said:
Well, at least we all now know a little more about the two of you. I don't blame you entirely for your disgraceful behavior. Surely your upbringing had a lot to do with it.
I don't see how what I said was inflammatory but perhaps it was misperceived. Allow me to explain: I paid $500 for this device. I honestly don't even need the phone aspect of it. I just need it to access the internet (email, web, etc), then as a media player, and then occasionally as a GPS device. The calling capabilities are literally icing on the cake. Let's just skip the whole GPS part since that needs no introduction. It simply doesn't work (unless you consider your location jumping around every 10 seconds "working" ... yeah, what fun it is to be hearing erroneous directions from your GPS device). T-mobile's voice and data services have been quite paltry in my experience. Calls drop quite often and that's something many Tmo subscribers complain about, especially near downtown and on a NexusOne. Moreover, data takes FOREVER to connect. I could be getting 4mbps/2mbps one second, then 750k/300k the next, then incessant data connection attempts with no data being transmitted ... until I reboot my phone. WTF??? A month ago I was driving from Dallas to San Antonio and got nothing but Edge the whole way down ... all along an interstate highway (albeit one of the worst I've ever seen) ... the phone was even occasionally switching to "G" and it took me forever to remember what that stood for ... GPRS!!! I haven't seen that since the 90s.
If you guys think it is acceptable to get ripped off like that, for hardware and services, by all means continue condoning and promoting Tmo and Sammy's failures and inaction by rewarding them for all that. These phones went on sale 7/15, around the same time Tmo announced their HSPA+ network. Three months later, you expect at least "an" action. No credits, no buy-backs, no remedies ... only failed promises. If you bought a car that couldn't perform as advertised and spec'd, I'm sure you would act differently.
But ... judging from your comments above, you guys are entirely worthy of your fate.
Best,
DCC
P.S. I dislike Apple fanboys just as much as the next guy but at some point we all need to man up to the facts ... the iPhone has the best user experience ... and Windows Phone 7 offers the best development experience (trust me, I have written/am writing apps for all three). The only thing positive about Android in my opinion is the tight integration of all the Google apps and services ... which oddly are not favored by many Android fans on this site ... in addition, they are increasingly being integrated in the other platforms as well (albeit not fast enough). Again, why Android? If it's because you want to be this decade's equivalent of the 90s' Linux geek who spends all day customizing the OS and the environment instead of actually using it and putting to good use, then have fun! Don't feel bad ... most people do not learn from history's lessons either!
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Believe me I hear you, but you make your case weak. Individual experience differs from Joe to Jane.
The biggest advantage of Android over the other's is the hardware support for every major mobile manufacturer.
And Windows Mobile 7? We will see how the numbers look by the Xmas.
Yes, I am a linux geek, but I didn't purchase my phone because I am one.
As for the OP, Skype went downhill once they went to bed with the big red.
So why do you have a tmo vibrant? Why not get an i*hone? There are pros and cons to any device and any carrier...
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lqaddict said:
Believe me I hear you, but you make your case weak. Individual experience differs from Joe to Jane.
The biggest advantage of Android over the other's is the hardware support for every major mobile manufacturer.
And Windows Mobile 7? We will see how the numbers look by the Xmas.
Yes, I am a linux geek, but I didn't purchase my phone because I am one.
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I really wanted Android to succeed but it hasn't and I'm not necessarily blaming Android itself. I just don't see how I can choose it when the hardware and carrier are dropping the ball. All three (OS, hardware, carrier) are part and parcel. "Hardware support" is not enough when the hardware itself is not cutting it. First the Hero had build quality and connectivity issues, now the Vibrant has an elusive Froyo build and major GPS issues (in response to a previous post, I have yet to see a truly working "fix" and I have installed most if not all of them ... whoever claims it's now perfectly working is smoking something he/she should share with the rest of us).
Thank you for keeping an open mind and I do agree with you that individual experiences will vary but let's agree that this forum is proof that there are major unaddressed problems with this phone.
junkdruggler said:
So why do you have a tmo vibrant? Why not get an i*hone? There are pros and cons to any device and any carrier...
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Thank you for applying intelligence and not resorting to childish name-calling ... simply put, I left AT&T after a decade of being their customer because my non-iPhone superphones (usually purchased from abroad but compatible with US 3G) were being intentionally disregarded by their network in favor of the iPhone devices out there ... $110 a month for a discriminating data service is not acceptable. iPhones are also a little "too user-friendly" for me. I preferred a more open platform. At this point though, I will settle for a device that "just works". That is what every iPhone user will tell you out there ... the s*** just works. A phone is something that should enable you to do things with it, whether it's productivity, app development, multimedia, services, etc. A phone is not a perpetual hack factory, at least not as a primary device. If people want a side project to play with, great. What I have seen on this forum though is that most people need a phone that works for them, not the other way around.
I am waiting for the first generation WP7 phones to roll out and see what drama will ensue, if any. As you very astutely stated, "there are pros and cons to any device and any carrier". I really enjoy the WP7 mobile app development environment and so long as the phones are not involved in yet another fiasco, I will most likely get one. If not, the iPhone it is.
I'm not trolling and I do not mean to offend hard-core Linux super-users/developers but this business of shoddy phones, shoddy service and endless "hacking" is not right when we're all paying 50-100 a month for service and 200-500 for devices. I am surprised that people are not up in arms about it. There really needs to be a class-action lawsuit over this. I know, a handful of lawyers will just make a shipload of money. Still, companies cannot get away with this sort of negligence. This isn't the first time and it sure as heck won't be the last.
Vote with your dollars and best luck to you,
DCC
If browse over the iphone forums you will see the plethora of posts complaining about this and that on the iphone too.
There is no magic cookie cater for anything, you will always find something to be not up to your standards.
What confuses me the most is people complaining about the features that are not being the prime in the market cliché they are shopping - for instance, neither Android nor iOS are good examples of the enterprise use, but people still insist that my phone does not integrate well with my corporate Exchange environment the way I *want* hence the product sucks.
Everything has its pluses and minuses, it's up to an individual to weigh in the pros and cons to make a conscious buying decision.
lqaddict said:
If browse over the iphone forums you will see the plethora of posts complaining about this and that on the iphone too.
There is no magic cookie cater for anything, you will always find something to be not up to your standards.
What confuses me the most is people complaining about the features that are not being the prime in the market cliché they are shopping - for instance, neither Android nor iOS are good examples of the enterprise use, but people still insist that my phone does not integrate well with my corporate Exchange environment the way I *want* hence the product sucks.
Everything has its pluses and minuses, it's up to an individual to weigh in the pros and cons to make a conscious buying decision.
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Click to collapse
I really want to say "I hear ya" but here's the deal ...
a) I glanced over the iPhone fora and I am not seeing anything glaring ... mostly basic user ignorance (configuration / customization issues)
b) all the iPhone users I have asked what their biggest complaint is about their phone give me the same "huh?" look ... their phone just works
c) all the major issues with iPhone 4 were addressed with some sort of fix or another, even if all it took was a rubber band ... I have friends who exchanged their phone well after the 30 days because of the proximity sensor issue (just as an example) ... clearly, Apple took ownership of resolving the deal-breaking issues
When I walked into a T-mobile store after the first 30 days and said "I will not put up with this GPS BS" they kindly restated their return policy, gave me Samsung's support number and sent me on my not-so-merry way. When I contacted Samsung, I was told to simply wait for the update as there was no fix for it so a replacement wouldn't accomplish anything. The customer service rep literally laughed when I mentioned a return of the product for refund.
You're absolutely right ... there will always be issues but this isn't a matter of preference or individual taste ... these companies are failing to deliver what they promised and what we have paid for and rightfully deserve. I am in no way saying that the iPhone is perfect; I'm sure I would have something to complain about from time to time ... but when I borrow friends' phones to "play" with, the iPhone is fast and responsive and hasn't failed me once. Load SpeedTest side-by-side. The "Begin Test" button lights up literally instantly. I know the Galaxy S phones have the same hardware. Why is it they can't be as responsive?
As I previously mentioned, I was with AT&T (or one of the companies it acquired or merged with) for over a decade until the Hero came out and I switched to Sprint. Then I went to T-mobile for the Vibrant. I will just make my rounds until I find something that works. My problem is that I get way too overexcited about the technology and jump ship before it has had a chance to prove itself. Right now the iPhone 4 has proved itself fairly well. As I said though, as a mobile apps developer, I really want WP7 to work out so I will _try_ to wait and see. The development experience is "magnifique!"
Best,
DCC
It's really disheartening to see android sinking like this because if googles ignorant attitude. I agree with you, if google woukd be a bit more proactive like Apple or Microsoft (now that they revamped) and set a standard for the OS requirement, quality control. We can all breath better. I have a bad feeling that once wm7 hit, Android will be the new WM6.5, a cheap buggy and unorganized akternative for manuftre and carriers.
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PaiPiePia said:
It's really disheartening to see android sinking like this because if googles ignorant attitude. I agree with you, if google woukd be a bit more proactive like Apple or Microsoft (now that they revamped) and set a standard for the OS requirement, quality control. We can all breath better. I have a bad feeling that once wm7 hit, Android will be the new WM6.5, a cheap buggy and unorganized akternative for manuftre and carriers.
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Thank you for chiming in. Hopefully Android will survive, even if only because competition is a good thing. I think most of the issues faced today (so-called fragmentation, etc) will be resolved in the re-architecture being introduced in Android 3.0. I'm more concerned about the carriers and hardware manufacturers closing up shop after a phone has been released and only looking forward to the next model. What good is it if Android survives and succeeds if I am the one left holding the dud? "Oh, just pay another two to five hundred dollars." The worst part is that the user/owner community turns a blind eye to the egregious failures in the name of fandom. That is NOT the way to organize and effect change.
dcchristopher said:
I really want to say "I hear ya" but here's the deal ...
a) I glanced over the iPhone fora and I am not seeing anything glaring ... mostly basic user ignorance (configuration / customization issues)
b) all the iPhone users I have asked what their biggest complaint is about their phone give me the same "huh?" look ... their phone just works
c) all the major issues with iPhone 4 were addressed with some sort of fix or another, even if all it took was a rubber band ... I have friends who exchanged their phone well after the 30 days because of the proximity sensor issue (just as an example) ... clearly, Apple took ownership of resolving the deal-breaking issues
When I walked into a T-mobile store after the first 30 days and said "I will not put up with this GPS BS" they kindly restated their return policy, gave me Samsung's support number and sent me on my not-so-merry way. When I contacted Samsung, I was told to simply wait for the update as there was no fix for it so a replacement wouldn't accomplish anything. The customer service rep literally laughed when I mentioned a return of the product for refund.
You're absolutely right ... there will always be issues but this isn't a matter of preference or individual taste ... these companies are failing to deliver what they promised and what we have paid for and rightfully deserve. I am in no way saying that the iPhone is perfect; I'm sure I would have something to complain about from time to time ... but when I borrow friends' phones to "play" with, the iPhone is fast and responsive and hasn't failed me once. Load SpeedTest side-by-side. The "Begin Test" button lights up literally instantly. I know the Galaxy S phones have the same hardware. Why is it they can't be as responsive?
As I previously mentioned, I was with AT&T (or one of the companies it acquired or merged with) for over a decade until the Hero came out and I switched to Sprint. Then I went to T-mobile for the Vibrant. I will just make my rounds until I find something that works. My problem is that I get way too overexcited about the technology and jump ship before it has had a chance to prove itself. Right now the iPhone 4 has proved itself fairly well. As I said though, as a mobile apps developer, I really want WP7 to work out so I will _try_ to wait and see. The development experience is "magnifique!"
Best,
DCC
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I guess I went to the apple forums before the proximity sensor issues were resolved, and it was Vibrant GPS Redux over there.
I am glad that Apple took care of the problem after a few updates to their iOS, but as with the GPS issues on our phones the proximity sensor should've been caught during the QA, I am not gonna say anything about Antennagate.
Hopefully GPS will be patched for good on the Vibrant too, and no I do not need the proof that it is addressed with the latest update - faster locks does not mean accuracy.
scrizz said:
Fring was doing an excellent job, until Skype shut them down.
UGH SKYPE is a POS company
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Its those bloody Iphone Users that were clogging up the servers using Fring that caused fring to gett banned from skype
cdill3000 said:
Its those bloody Iphone Users that were clogging up the servers using Fring that caused fring to gett banned from skype
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Don't let Skype off the hook though ... I used to be a big fan of theirs but they've been very slow with delivering platform-specific clients and they seem to be playing favorites and such. Closing the door on fring, a very, very open solution out there, was a deplorable thing to do.
It doesn't matter folks ... when Google comes out with their VOIP service, and you KNOW they will (Gizmo5 acquisition, etc), all these other (dis-)services will be obliterated. I predict Google will establish its own data-only cell carrier (cause data is all you need anyway) ... hopefully within the next 2-3 years.
I know this thread kinda derailed off topic, but imma put my two cents in.
I do kinda agree with DCC, at my workplace pretty much everyone has some sort of smart phone. When the subject of phones comes up, I am the first one to bang my chest and yell ANDROID~!
But the sad truth is, iphone users like the iphone because IT DOES WHAT THEY NEED IT TO DO. they really dont care about all the stuff we have come to love about android.
So they are happy and content, while we are up till the wee hrs of the morning trying to make our phones have a milli-second faster lol.
And to me its not really trying to make our phones better than the iphone, its me just making my phone better than it was.
I am disappointed in samsung about the lag issue and the gps issue.
I dont complain about it though, cause we are all here at this website to make our phones better than it is from stock. and I am 100 percent sure , once its said and done, this phone will more than satisfy me.
As far as I've read, Fring violated Skype's API and when they were challenged Fring, instead of changing their code, resolved to drop Skype support altogether. It's basically Fring's fault for not playing according to the rules. Fring issued a statement saying that Skype blocked them. It's an unlikely story since Skype has a fairly open API and would be leaving itself open to lawsuit if they did so.
blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/fring.html
Where are you guys reading or hearing these things from?
cashless said:
As far as I've read, Fring violated Skype's API and when they were challenged Fring, instead of changing their code, resolved to drop Skype support altogether. It's basically Fring's fault for not playing according to the rules. Fring issued a statement saying that Skype blocked them. It's an unlikely story since Skype has a fairly open API and would be leaving itself open to lawsuit if they did so.
blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/fring.html
Where are you guys reading or hearing these things from?
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Click to collapse
Umm, definitely NOT from either side's highly partial blog, that's for sure ... which, by the way, you are misquoting. Fring did not drop Skype support all together. They temporarily disabled video calls because Skype and the carriers were *****ing about it (due to the excessive load on their networks). Then they were suddenly blocked from routing connections through Skype. This is an obvious behind-closed-doors ganging up of Skype+carrier(s) against Fring who stands alone and is one of the most open companies out there.
I get it, no one here really knows what happened when and why but ... Skype is no victim. On the other hand, the Objectivist in me says Skype should have every right to deny Fring (or any individual, company or group in the world) access to their systems. I just wish they would come out and say it instead of being all sly about it.
dcchristopher said:
Umm, definitely NOT from either side's highly partial blog, that's for sure ... which, by the way, you are misquoting. Fring did not drop Skype support all together. They temporarily disabled video calls because Skype and the carriers were *****ing about it (due to the excessive load on their networks). Then they were suddenly blocked from routing connections through Skype. This is an obvious behind-closed-doors ganging up of Skype+carrier(s) against Fring who stands alone and is one of the most open companies out there.
I get it, no one here really knows what happened when and why but ... Skype is no victim. On the other hand, the Objectivist in me says Skype should have every right to deny Fring (or any individual, company or group in the world) access to their systems. I just wish they would come out and say it instead of being all sly about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Saying that a company violated API publicly when they didn't is libel.
Just answer the question, your smugness, where did you get your info (especially seeing as you're stating that it's an obvious behind-closed-doors ganging up of Skype+carrier(s) against Fring. I guess you're one of these people behind these closed doors?
Lemme get your "jump to conclusions" board for you.

Microsoft wins US import ban on motorola android devices

The U.S. International Trade Commission today ordered an import ban on Motorola Mobility Android products, agreeing with Microsoft that the devices infringe a Microsoft patent on 'generating meeting requests' from a mobile device. The import ban stems from a December ruling that the Motorola Atrix, Droid, and Xoom (among 18 total devices) infringed the patent, which Microsoft says is related to Exchange ActiveSync technology.
Today, the ITC said in a 'final determination of violation' (PDF) that 'the appropriate form of relief in this investigation is a limited exclusion order prohibiting the unlicensed entry for consumption of mobile devices, associated software and components thereof covered by ... United States Patent No. 6,370,566 and that are manufactured abroad by or on behalf of, or imported by or on behalf of, Motorola.' Motorola (which is being acquired by Google) was the last major Android device maker not to pay off Microsoft in a patent licensing deal. Microsoft has already responded to the decision, saying it hopes Motorola will now reconsider."
Ha
Sent from my Photon 4G via Tapatalk 2
Roflmao. It's too bad Microsoft doesn't have a patent on locked bootloaders. :-D
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2 under CM9.
They'll pay.
Or, hey, how about this? Since this is a corporate thing that somebody like me will never use, why not only put it on a few business-class phones, and push the cost onto the consumer? Or, take it out of the phone, and sell it as an app? That way, those who want it can pay Motorola for the software and Microsoft for being a patent troll.
Also interesting to note that Microsoft now, as well as Apple, has sent a message to Android users that they are unable to openly compete (since they aren't giving away the software, they can't sell the same hardware as cheaply). That tells me that WP7 (as well as iOS) isn't a sustainable platform as long as Android is around. And I wouldn't bet against Google. I'd think it less wise to bet against Apple and Microsoft, but Google's got them in a panic.
bitbang3r said:
Roflmao. It's too bad Microsoft doesn't have a patent on locked bootloaders. :-D
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2 under CM9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the laugh haha.
Sent from my MB855 using XDA
Kind of reminds me of the days when RedHat 5.1 was makin it big. At that time MS had like 93% of the OS market. I think they tried something similar against Linux. I remember by the time it was all over with Linux had like 6 or 7% of the OS market.
Some said 7%, what l's the big deal? Think about it. All those millions of PC's that were lost to Linux. It's about money and control and Gates was losing some. Same thing with Android phones. I think the "infringement" on activesync is bull. It's just another attempt by a greedy company not wanting to loose money.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
Seem Apple and Microsoft have team up to try and crush Android
Sent from my MB855 using XDA
for what it is worth, googles purchase of Motorola was approved by chineese regulators with the requirement that Android stay open for at least 5yrs. That was the last remaining hurdle for purchase.
Hopefully google will improve motorola as well as the photon.
FernBch said:
It's about money and control and Gates was losing some. Same
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Click to collapse
Well, can you tell me someone that has spent more money for the society than Gates (Roughly half of his fortune is in his foundation) and is still quite modest and down-to-earth?
(Just sayin that it's not fair to bash Gates)
Anyway, I hate those legal battles, too. I'd say stop crying and start developing innovative stuff to be competitive!!
Technology can't advance if ****ty companies like MS and Appple continue to claim every little thingy as theirs.
Android on the other hand continues to grow in popularity, because of its openness.
And it's getting better every day because users&devs can improve every aspect of it.
If you have iOS though, you're left at the mercy of apple. Nothing you can do 'bout that
I'd choose open source over proprietary bs any time
Dear Microsoft,
Please make Motorola release official kernel sources, drivers and other BS stuff.
And not to forget make them unlock the bootloders.
Getting things sorted out for couple of million $$$ isn't going to be a fair deal.
Make them pay for their evil work
Your's truly
Proud WinUbuntu User
iONEx said:
Technology can't advance if ****ty companies like MS and Appple continue to claim every little thingy as theirs.
Android on the other hand continues to grow in popularity, because of its openness.
And it's getting better every day because users&devs can improve every aspect of it.
If you have iOS though, you're left at the mercy of apple. Nothing you can do 'bout that
I'd choose open source over proprietary bs any time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because Android is of course completely open source and there is nothing proprietary about it, right?
Newsflash, buddy. Android as XDA knows it is not Android as the rest of the world knows it. As much as you'd love to think the world of smartphones revolves around XDA and it's open to everyone and it's amazing and beautiful and so simple, people who root and reflash are the minority and always will be. Android is not growing because of it's openness. It's growing because it doesn't cost anything and anyone can slap it on a ridiculously crappy phone and call it a "smartphone" and sell it on a high margin.
Please don't be fooled for one second into thinking that the use of Android outside of high-end devices is anything more than businesses trying to efficiently make money.
This is exactly the sort of arrogance from Android users that piss me off and sometimes make me a shamed to be a fan of Android. Microsoft and Google aren't doing anything less than what Google would do, but I have no doubt you people would all bow down to Google if Google attacked Microsoft or Apple, because of course that's ok.
You can sit there for ages smack-talking Apple and Microsoft as much as you want, but the truth is simple; as awesome as Android is, it's full of patent-infringing stuff, and will continue to be for a long time. The only reason it doesn't bother you is because you're all Android fans.
Microsoft had every right to do what they did, for the longest time they were perfectly content with just taking license fees on every Android device made. Was it a bit slimy for them to do it recently instead of much earlier? Obviously, but then again, Google pushed out an operating system without full understanding what they were creating.
I'm thankful for Android, but Android is not god. Google is not perfect. They infringed and they got burned for it. This is what happens in the business world. The way IP works does not change just because you are a fan of the "victim" company.
I came into this thread hoping for mature conversation about what happened, but it seems everyone has decided they're industry experts and that Android's quality as an operating system has anything to do with its status as patent-infringing or not.
Sad.
I agree with you, except one thing.
There are many nonsense patents, all these companies got patented for some reason, I do not understand.
Maybe one day, you won't be able to plant some kind of a flower, because it's growing too fast and someone has patent, that this kind of flower cannot grow faster, because he has patent, that only his way is the right way and you will pay for it, that you know it.
Just a symbolic example. ;-)
peetr_ said:
I agree with you, except one thing.
There are many nonsense patents, all these companies got patented for some reason, I do not understand.
Maybe one day, you won't be able to plant some kind of a flower, because it's growing too fast and someone has patent, that this kind of flower cannot grow faster, because he has patent, that only his way is the right way and you will pay for it, that you know it.
Just a symbolic example. ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Monsanto?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Lol...
No.

Can we end phone theft please?

As a person who has had two phones stolen I can tell you one thing - there needs to be a password on the use of flashing. First I had a galaxy note, which has Samsung locate. But hardware reset saw to that. Second I had a CSL Spice, knowing about hardware reset, I set about finding an un resettable program. In comes avast (brilliant though it is).
Two criticisms, first is its method of retrieval. Sms. Yes, sms. The thief has thrown your sim card in a bush, but in order to remotely access your phone, avast smses your sim card. Classic. Try it, steal your own phone, or get a mate to, it's so tragic its funny. Go on, back up your apps, take out your sd card, and be your own thief. Second issue, obviously is flashing. Avast hides on the partition, but this is wiped and remade based upon your new OS. Bye bye avast.
So really there are two key solutions: password protection on the flashing access. Set by the user, changeable only by those the user gives it to (engineers/new owners). And the other is set a hardware code like IMEI on accessing not just a phone network, but also Google Play registration, and Samsung /other apps registration. That way the code can be flagged by the owner. Actually thirdly is an email address which appears upon failed flashing password attempts. To remind the thief that he can still take the brick of plastic and metal (and gps) back.
I'd like all new owners to be informed of what to do upon loosing their phone, codes to note down etc. As I feel this is not done enough. I'd love to start a push to get Samsung and other droid phones as well as Google Play to start this and maybe we can finally end phone theft.
Anyone think a petition is possible?
How were your phones stolen? I have never had one of the 40+ phones i or my immediate family have owned (knock on wood here as i probably just jinxed myself) stolen.
In my case it could be just locale, but i have worked in some pretty rough areas with high crime rates so i could just be lucky or plain diligent with what i do with my phone when not in use.
Not being disrespectful here, just seeking enlightenment on what behaviours/actions leads to them being stolen to see how it is different to my experience.
As to your proposal, not a bad idea. One thing i can think of is that like the locked bootloaders that were/are put on some phones, somebody will most likely find an exploit/hack to get around it. They almost always do. Could be talking out my arse on that as i am not knowledgeable with this but they always seem to find a way.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
but this dexpends where you go and therefore stuff as such.....if i were to stay home alot im sure the 40+ phones ive had would hardly get stolen as well. saying this I've had to phones stolen as well and its not fun. i would sign
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
I do like the Imei idea. I've never had a phone stolen. I've worked in gyms, restaraunts, public schools, indoor reffing, etc
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
depends how tech savy the thief is.. if they perform an Odin flash then only thing preventing use of the phone on ATT is IMEI blacklisting. Couple of things come to mind that might help. If they pick up the phone and try to use it as-is without switching SIMS or factory reset Plan-B can help. If either of these is done then only thing that will help would be something such as a preconfigured Plan-B app in the CWM image to "phone home" after SIM change and factory reset.
Security would lay back and laugh at your problem.
Just being aware of your environment and using sensible precautions will go a long way towards preventing theft. Treat your phone like it's worth hundreds of dollars and you should be OK. For example, If you were at a social gathering where there were many people you didn't know would you leave six one hundred dollar bills sitting on a table in a secluded area while you went to the bathroom? Probably not, yet I commonly see people doing just that with their $600 phones at parties or while at the park with friends. They rely on strangers honesty and their friends vigilance to protect their property. The trouble is, cell phones have become so common place the friends would be as likely wonder why someone is picking up their beer as to why they are picking up your phone. Honest folks expect others to be just as honest as they are and why not? They are normal after all and aren't all normal people honest just like them? So, if someone sees another picking up a random ubiquitous phone and putting it to their ear while they walk out the door they will surely not think twice about it. The phone is obviously that person's, else why would they pick it up? Thief's who steal in public rely on people not noticing "normal" behavior. Just treat your phone like it's a hundred dollar bill and you should suffer no more losses due to theft, unless you are mugged of course.
Just get Cerberus. Problem solved.
TheMrRoxtar said:
but this dexpends where you go and therefore stuff as such.....if i were to stay home alot im sure the 40+ phones ive had would hardly get stolen as well. saying this I've had to phones stolen as well and its not fun. i would sign
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I wish i could stay at home a lot. Not the case. Do lot of traveling and in a lot of different locales/ environments. Just don't put my property where there is an opportunity for some one else to make it theirs. That is why i asked what the circumstances were behind theirs being stolen. If it was stolen due to lack of diligence on their pArt or were they physically assaulted.
Sorry about your losses and i am sure it is not a pleasant experience. I know i would not be happy.
I personally think the idea is sound.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
jpeg42 said:
Just get Cerberus. Problem solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what he said...
and, be more aware of where your phone is at ALL TIMES...
one time is understandable; two times is carelessness..
I love how western these answers are. Lol, left it in a cafe. My galaxy note was ripped out of my hands my a thief on a motorcycle in Malaysia while I was checking gps map, and my CSL Spice was pushed out of my pocket as I was being dry humped on a moped in Bali. That last one is classed as an accidental loss, which turned into a theft as the lucky buggers driving behind me probably found it. How is besides the point really. "you were stabbed? Oh, we're you in stab proof armour? Carrying a gun? Oh, silly girl!"
Cerberus is bandied around like avast anti theft, if it's flash proof, then I'll bite (as it were), but I'd like to see that claim.
Chiefly what we could do with is a hardware code that content providers request on account activation. Something a phone can't change. It needs a built in theft message/action not one remotely sent. And it needs a flash password.
Actually a readable hardware code would suffice if all content providers signed up.
Who would you speak to to suggest such a thing?
Already in chats with Samsung and Google Play customer services, but they aren't really the development team sadly.
In my city there are at least 4,000 phones for sale on Craigslist daily. Can you imagine how many customer service people at&t would need to manage the IEMI switching? It would be like the frakkin DMV for transfer of ownership. And managing blacklisted IEMI? Fuggetaboutit. I asked one about that idea and their response was "stolen phones are new customers".
the only way to prevent stuff from being stolen, is not to own it in the first place...IMHO
That being said, we all take the risk together when we pull out these fancy devices for the world to see. and lets face it, we all like to flaunt our wares as a status symbol on occasion.
the note is a big fancy eye catcher, and a prime target for crooks to swipe from unsuspecting folks not paying attention. ( sorry about the dry humping moped issue).
And since the odds are, your device will get stolen again, you should change your habits of usage if possible.
I agree that security of the device after theft is difficult, and I would support a petition to enhance the security measures, but I'm not gonna hold my breath on any carrier taking the task on. Like ranger said, a stolen phone is a new customer.....g
It wouldn't require any work, nor switching, just adding a field for IMEI. This is automatic for carriers right, but it needs to be the same for Google play and other app sites.
When a user looses his phone, he logs the IMEI as stolen, and the Google Team put that code on a watch list. Any Form designer could handle that. IMEI or serial number or whatever is hardware based.
Simple idea no?
Thats why I bought this app called gotya.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myboyfriendisageek.gotya
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
NOTE user:
"take a deep breath, make sure to get a good look at it, relax and slowly take it in, the size is overwhelming at first but you will have a happy ending afterwards".
Woman:
:O
Veruvir said:
It wouldn't require any work, nor switching, just adding a field for IMEI. This is automatic for carriers right, but it needs to be the same for Google play and other app sites.
When a user looses his phone, he logs the IMEI as stolen, and the Google Team put that code on a watch list. Any Form designer could handle that. IMEI or serial number or whatever is hardware based.
Simple idea no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And when the vindictive girlfriends and exwifes report out of spite?
rangercaptain said:
And when the vindictive girlfriends and exwifes report out of spite?
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Click to collapse
you'd think they'd just smash it on the floor or drop it in the toilet...
You probably live in a ****ty neighbourhood no offence.
Sent from my SGH-I717M using xda premium
Sarius24 said:
You probably live in a ****ty neighbourhood no offence.
Sent from my SGH-I717M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, there's no criminals in "nice" neighborhoods.
I use Tasker for:
When I switch locations, a front/back pic + GPS, sent to google drive.
When not at a location that has is known, it sends the same info every time the screen comes on.
Tasker locks certain apps in unknown locations, so the main screen stays unlocked. I figure the longer they can play with the phone on the more likely I am to get it back.
Sms of course to trigger by minute pics and GPS.
rangercaptain said:
Yeah, there's no criminals in "nice" neighborhoods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure there is; thats where they go to steal stuff!

LG spyware new revelations

in light of this new information, if LG is doing this with their TV sets, I can only wonder how far they go with their phones ...making me rethink any LG mobile purchases.
http://arstechnica.com/security/201...extends-to-home-networks-second-blogger-says/
tmzbeme said:
in light of this new information, if LG is doing this with their TV sets, I can only wonder how far they go with their phones ...making me rethink any LG mobile purchases.
http://arstechnica.com/security/201...extends-to-home-networks-second-blogger-says/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, same here. I'm running an AOSP based ROM now, so it's not going to send anything to LG. But I don't want to support a company with ethics like that.
I don't doubt for a second that LG do this on their phones, but I also don't doubt for a second that everyone else do too. These days tracking and spying seems like the norm.
Its not that did it on purpose, its more of a bug. And just becuase its happening to their smart tvs doesnt mean its happing to their phones, 2 different divisions of a company. Its not like the tv and mobile divisions have the same software engineers.
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app
What the Googs knows should worry you more...Think of all the programs they have going.
Keep your files clean in the future...
x714x said:
Its not that did it on purpose, its more of a bug. And just becuase its happening to their smart tvs doesnt mean its happing to their phones, 2 different divisions of a company. Its not like the tv and mobile divisions have the same software engineers.
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice bug. I would love to get away from such bug filled company
Don't matter what we do cause as long as were connected to the net, somebody is watching. U can run, but u can't hide! LOL
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
x714x said:
Its not that did it on purpose, its more of a bug. And just becuase its happening to their smart tvs doesnt mean its happing to their phones, 2 different divisions of a company. Its not like the tv and mobile divisions have the same software engineers.
Sent from my LG-D802 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. I really don't see what the huge problem is. They are basically putting cookies on your TV, but obviously, in this case, the information was being sent to LG's servers to be compiled. Everyone does it, hell XDA shows me ads for something on Amazon I just looked up minutes ago.
I understand, that snooping on your network is a bit much just to reccomend shows and choose advertisements, but it's not like you can't stop it. Simply put your TV on your guest network. Boom. Done. No more access to other devices on your network.
It's not like other manufacturers aren't doing similar. Samsung TVs mine a ton of data. In addition, the models with cameras, can actually watch you. In some instances, it will be used to make sure you don't have more than the allowed amount of people watching an on demand event or streaming rental, but it can also be used to count people in the room, whether they're male or female, and whether or not they are being engaged by what's on the screen be it ads or media. This hasn't stopped them from being the number 1 TV manufacturer.
As for phones, Apple and Samsung have both been caught logging locations and taking pictures of it's users and that hasn't stopped them from being the number 1 and 2 smartphone manufacturers. On top of that, they aren't the only one's digging through your phone for data.
crashN2u said:
In some instances, it will be used to make sure you don't have more than the allowed amount of people watching an on demand event or streaming rental, but it can also be used to count people in the room, whether they're male or female, and whether or not they are being engaged by what's on the screen be it ads or media.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That has not happened till now. Stop talkig out of your @ss.
eggman89 said:
That has not happened till now. Stop talkig out of your @ss.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, no. The ability has existed on the last 2 model runs, it just wasn't implemented, just tested. It was due to studios wanting to make sure that people weren't having a too many people watching at one time. It's a form of copyright protection. You can watch a movie at home with a bunch of friends no problem, but streaming a movie for say your church, is a big no-no. At that point they want you to pay them like a theater would. Using it for advertisements is fairly new and that didn't really ruffle too many feathers until Microsoft's kinect. The new kinect is making waves again because it can even measure your heartbeat. Businesses would love to find out what kind of ads get your heart racing.
It is not a bug. Have you guys read the article? LG even confirms that it did that intentionally to better viewing experiences and enhance advertisement viewing. The 2nd part about it trolling your network and pulling information from everything it finds, and sending it off to LG, was supposed to be from an unfinished feature that was never implemented. Funny how they made sure it grabbed your information and successfully transmitted it back to their servers.
They are going to get in a LOT of trouble for this. I can honestly see them getting heavily sued. Not only were they stealing personal information without consent but also using up your personal bandwidth and invading your private viewing habits.
My dad is one that I'm sure will be severely affected. He is getting older and growing intensely paranoid to do anything. He used to work for HP and now is petrified to go out doors half the time. He disables his WiFi just because he fears someone hacking his network. Unfortunately he just bought a new Smart LG TV like last year. Now he's going to be afraid to watch the damn TV.
Yea you can say, well just turn off the WiFi or unplug the Ethernet... but someone who is paranoid like him doesn't think like that. His response will be, well they'll just code it to automatically turn WiFi on in the middle of the night for 30 minutes or whatever, then turn it back off when its done scouring his files.
It seems trivial to most people but this seriously effects some. The fact that HP SPECIFICALLY coded these things to do these tasks is appalling. This is NOT a bug. When you enable the Privacy Settings, all it does it flag the information as "privacy enabled" yet still sends it.
Very scary stuff. LG stole your information and sold it to the highest bidder. This will and should be a lawsuit. Companies shouldn't be allowed to profit from unwilling customers, especially when they specifically opted out. The fact that it also scans your internal network is also a HUGE compromise, both security and privacy.
Horrible.
If you live in the states I do not understand why complain. Your government has been spying on you guys since day 1 you were born. There is no more privacy anywhere you go in the world now. Unless you live in one of those third world countries, but in that case you would not have smart tv because there would be no wifi and stuff.
The government has a track on everyone. The only way is to stop using phones, computers, tablets, anything that has access to location and internet. Anything that accesses an IP address...no way to hide from them. Like it or not, that's the world we live in.
Sent from my G2
LG is not the government
Uh boys.
This started popping up on my phone. Look at the screenshot icon. Any idea what this icon is on my G2.
It pops up like ever 20 seconds and flashes.
I just noticed it. Anyone else see it? I have to take a screen recording video and snip pics to catch it.
It's the door with the eye thing.
-sent from my LG G2 using XDA Premium 4
Maybe this?
Sent from my G2
player911 said:
Uh boys.
This started popping up on my phone. Look at the screenshot icon. Any idea what this icon is on my G2.
It pops up like ever 20 seconds and flashes.
I just noticed it. Anyone else see it? I have to take a screen recording video and snip pics to catch it.
It's the door with the eye thing.
-sent from my LG G2 using XDA Premium 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a built in spy software!
Seriously though, it's a gesture feature that you selected in settings. It detects your eyes and prevents the screen from turning off just before your screen time out.
Yea that's what it is. On the Verizon model, we have the traditional vertical settings menu and it doesn't have pictures.
I was testing the settings apk from the LG Flex and must've turned it on accidentally.
It was really starting to freak me out. That option doesn't work So well. It still times out.
-sent from my LG G2 using XDA Premium 4
Per phones, have a look at LG MLT. It isn't even new, been years in the making. Almost every manufacturer has this type of software, hell, even carriers in some instances... cough... carrier iq.

Samsung blocking third party ACCESSORIES.

It would appear that Sammy is taking a turn for the iWorse. or at least playing with the idea.
if this becomes a common practice for Samsung, I will stop purchasing their products. this kind of behavior usually drives away the tech-set (read as: us). who in turn do not encourage others to use the product.I can think of several dozen folk who turn to me for tech advice, as I would hazard is true for many people here. And in turn, those people recommend things to their friends, etc. I won't be able to recommend a product with this stance on third party products.
http://www.sammobile.com/2014/01/22...-working-on-galaxy-note-3-post-kitkat-update/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...t-on-the-note-3-but-there-is-a-root-solution/
discuss?
(this is also being discussed here.)
Eh, doesn't matter to me. But if I were Samsung I probably wouldn't care about other manufacturers taking away from my profits either.
kingdazy said:
It would appear that Sammy is taking a turn for the iWorse. or at least playing with the idea.
if this becomes a common practice for Samsung, I will stop purchasing their products. this kind of behavior usually drives away the tech-set (read as: us). who in turn do not encourage others to use the product.I can think of several dozen folk who turn to me for tech advice, as I would hazard is true for many people here. And in turn, those people recommend things to their friends, etc. I won't be able to recommend a product with this stance on third party products.
http://www.sammobile.com/2014/01/22...-working-on-galaxy-note-3-post-kitkat-update/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...t-on-the-note-3-but-there-is-a-root-solution/
discuss?
(this is also being discussed here.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great read and thread, bro. At the moment this appears to be firmly ensconced in the realm of induction, which I like a lot. You could get excellent dialog or real crazy comments. I'm hoping we get a lot of both.
First, articles like these are fine examples of how some horrible and good ideas get vetted. Marketing folks love it, as it provides a crowdsourced focus group and costs nothing. You simply leak an idea through various channels, deny everything, and enjoy the harvest.
I personally like the idea of mobile accessories having to pass at least a minimal standard in order to get Sammy certified, but I loathe the idea of gimping it if it doesn't attain said standards. That retains the right of the consumer to purchase what he or she wants, and yet also gives (perhaps) some confidence to those wanting the certified accessory. If they go the certified and uncertified both work route, and it gins up sales for Sammy, good for them. There is plenty of precedent (those Intel Inside campaigns pretty much buried any real competition when they ran in the late 90s onward).
But I have to agree that, if this is true (it does have the appearance of plausibility), it royally sucks. Even if one 3rd-party charger or battery gets crippled, I have to say one must care, even if those same 3rd-party items aren't accessories you'd purchase, because there could be accessories in the pipeline that you would buy and also will get borked.
This most definitely is something that deserves watching. But it's still a tad early to be throwing them under the bus.
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I had an E4GT a few years ago, and loved it. When my contract was up I had a tough decision to make, Note 2 or iPhone 5. I went with the iPhone. Reason being, my computers are Mac, and I have an Apple Tv. The integration was flawless, it was so nice to have everything work together the way it should. Look where I am now. No more iPhone. No matter how perfect the symmetry, life is about choices. Take away my options and I will go elsewhere, not just because I like to tinker with things but, because if I am going to spend the money that I earn on a device then it should be up to me and me alone how I use that device. I don't know, maybe I'm still just a rebel at heart but, I don't want to be part of the Stepford clan.
Well at least now that it has come out that it was a bug/mistake, I know that I will sleep a bit better. I would have hated seeing Samsung going the Apple route...
It will only be Samsung and Apple that will run the "show" so they can do what ever they want and we cant do a damn thing about it..

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