An Idea for anti-theft software - Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Themes and Apps

I was playing around with W.I.M.P. (Where is my phone) yesterday and I noticed an area that I think would make this program, or any other for that matter much more powerful.
Theory behind WIMP is that it sends back a text with GPS co-ordinates to another phone, not so great if theres 3 pubs within very close proximity, like in town. Soooo. my next thought was what if the phone was used at a camera post-being stolen.
I imagine the way this would work is that a photo would be taken from the thefts perpective using the standard back camera. However another additional photo is taken from the front camera with GPS data packaged into the JPG properties ala GPS Photo.
You'd get a shot of said thief, some decor in the background which Im sure would help work out where they are, you'd also have evidence of the theft and who took the phone, with time and date stamps, which when tallied against a police report would prove the photo was taken after the fact.
Im surprised this feature isnt available anywhere yet, or perhaps im talking tosh, or even that my google skills are lacking.
Anyhoo what do you funky brothers think?

I think that is a great idea now all we need is somone smart enuff to make make this porgram work like that lol

I think you would get a lot of pics of peoples pockets. Then you would know what pants they have on.

RussianTechno101 said:
I think that is a great idea now all we need is somone smart enuff to make make this porgram work like that lol
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If you were able to find someone smart enough to make the front camera work on your Tilt....then writing the software should be cake.

Laptop recovery.
They have this type of software on Apple lappies.
Have a look at the engadget link
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/11/stolen-laptop-recovered-with-back-to-my-mac/

That would be a neat feature but you would also probably get a bunch of bad images (tables, pockets, hands).
Valtamr said:
If you were able to find someone smart enough to make the front camera work on your Tilt....then writing the software should be cake.
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If you noticed the first poster is from London so he probably has a Tytn II with the front camera...

fone_fanatic said:
That would be a neat feature but you would also probably get a bunch of bad images (tables, pockets, hands).
If you noticed the first poster is from London so he probably has a Tytn II with the front camera...
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Yes, and if you noticed the person I actually quoted has "Using: AT&T Tilt" in his/her signature.

Is that even possible?
Wow! Now that would really be something. I would definitely be installing such an app on my next device especially in face of my Kaiser being stolen 2 weeks ago.
I think the problem with picuters of people's pockets and pub tables could be easily solved by setting the application to transmit only the pictures actually taken by the person in possesion of the phone after the theft. This way you could make sure the pictures sent, were taken when the person in question was holding the phone in front of them actaully trying to take a picture of sth.
This creates other problems of course like: what if the thief never uses the camera? But I think all mobile phone users try the camera out (no matter how poor it could be) at least once. So receiving a good quality picture would only be a matter of time.

Related

X1 vs WM phones with accelerometers

Questions for those of you who have or used both...
1) Does the accelerometer add any real usefulness to the WM experience ?
2) Is there much WM software out there that takes real advantage of the accelerometer ?
3) Besides automatic screen rotation, what great smartphone features are made possible by use of an accelerometer ?
I was just wondering whether the accelerometer has graduated from being a novelty/luxury to something that is actually indispensible to a WM smartphone.
had one in my n95, deactivated it!
my mate has a touch HD, hes also not suing it.
to be honest, there is no pratical use for it. u dont need it for anything usefull.
id allways swap a gyro for a compass cause if i hate something, then its navigating with google maps and not seeing in which direction i currently look at.
it ould be usefull in combination with compass for displaying aternate reality.
1 - No.
2 - Yes, but they are useless.
3 - Nothing else and the automatic screen rotation is super annoying. I always keep it off on my N95 or any other device for that matter.
Well, I felt that way when X1 was released, but I figured things would have been improved between then and now
just imagine.. i have many friends that use Nokia with Tilt sensor.. And almost all said that once they disabled their tilt sensor.. their phone hangups are almost nil... from almost everyday..
I'm happy with my X1's magnetic sensor.. it only triggers when i needed it...
I had a fuze and loved having the g-sensor for taking pictures. If you take a picture in portrait it saves it that way when reviewing it.
so I want want the accelerometer for this reason alone.
Stalix said:
I had a fuze and loved having the g-sensor for taking pictures. If you take a picture in portrait it saves it that way when reviewing it.
so I want want the accelerometer for this reason alone.
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this could be solved by software too, to a certain degree ofc.
Ive got a Panasonic lumix and that digicam has the same feature. it either has a gyro or its doing it by software somehow. i guess its a software thingy.
The accelerometer is nice to have for driving apps like measuring G and acceleration etc...
Did not use it in the Diamond, did not miss it in the SEX1, not impressed with it in the Diamond2.
I bought X1 in part because I don't care about accelerometer. I would love to have one in my next phone, but not for any practical purpose, and I frankly am not willing to pay any more money to add it. It's neat, but not necessary or even practical for just about anything.
Had it (iPhone 3GS), didn't miss it (Xperia X1i).
Finicky thing was a PITA.
^ U loved Xperia X1i over iPhone 3GS?????????
i am havin hard time which one to keep.
got both at home currently.
3GS is a strong competitor...and it makes good use of accelerometer
Nocturnal310 said:
^ U loved Xperia X1i over iPhone 3GS?????????
i am havin hard time which one to keep.
got both at home currently.
3GS is a strong competitor...and it makes good use of accelerometer
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Yeah, I find it weird as well.... There's something strange in prefering a vastly superior product to a piece of **** devioce...
orelsi said:
Yeah, I find it weird as well.... There's something strange in prefering a vastly superior product to a piece of **** devioce...
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orelsi. whats u view on the palm pre? i know u dont like the iphone as i also dont think much of it but been looking at the pre (not to replace my x1, but just out of interest). would like a play with one as it seem a nice phone.
Ganondolf said:
orelsi. whats u view on the palm pre? i know u dont like the iphone as i also dont think much of it but been looking at the pre (not to replace my x1, but just out of interest). would like a play with one as it seem a nice phone.
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Same here lol. I am intrigued by it and it is a curious device for sure. Unfortunatelly, I haven't been able to play with it, yet. I definitely want to, though.
There isn't much to say until I get it in my hands. It looks sleek and sexy when it's closed, but I don't like that particular form factor and that type of keyboard. The keyboard seems kinda small as well.
WebOS is something that I REALLY want to try. That card based interface looks very convenient and those cards are LIVE, a feature that had to be implemented in our panels...
Bottom point, I want to try one and it looks like a very good device (not as good as the X1 ) and it has a pretty good dev communiity as well.
Pre's build quality is apparently touch and miss. There was the "rotating" slider incident. (Which is severely WTF?!?!)
However the keyboard looks like it'd cut my thumbs (what's with that sharp looking lip?) and is smallish, too small for my large fingers.

[Q] [REQ] Camera Gunsight

Hey all,
So I've thought of using my android phone as a gunsight on my airsoft g36, and so far, I've gotten away with the standard camera app, and a plastic sheet with a dot in the middle. However, an app that uses the camera and overlays a cross or a dot that is moveable would be nice! Particularly if the camera can be soft-hacked to see IR light more readily. Let's see if anyone cooks something nice.
Regards,
Eliwu26
Sorry to not really answer your question, but you have an airsoft G36 too?? Awesome, man! I have a Classic Army G36E. Really love that thing. Hasn't seen any action in quite some time though... Pretty sad, but I haven't had anyone to play with around here.
But have you tried looking at some of the camera apps on the market? Some might have some random things you could throw on the screen as guides or assists for taking pictures. And with the stock camera you could press the screen to put the focus box at a certain part of the screen. Only problem is that it could fail to focus if you're moving too much... Hmm...
Yeah, too bad it's only an Echo 1 though. But it does have a 6.03 tightbore, a silencer, and a custom doublemag hicap I built. The camera app's square is much too big for aiming. As for nightvision, I tried taking apart the camera, but the darn lens is way too small to take the IR filter off. Maybe someone can soft-hack or cook something for us.
Oh very nice. At least it's still something. I actually got some new mags for mine too. The hicaps they give you are just annoying. Got like a box of 5 170-cap mags that are spring-fed.
As for the camera, it might not be too hard to go into it and just edit the actual pictures for the square in the .apk itself. I might even be able to have a look at it...

Aerial photography using smartphone?

I have seen this:
http://www.sensefly.com/products/swinglet-cam/
and I want one. Trouble is they are $10k!
Got me thinking, I have a number of old GPS enabled smartphones (WM, but I also have my current Android HTC Desire).
It occurred to me that the smartphone has enough power and intelligence to know where it is, and how far off a pre-programmed track it is, and could communicate it's current location via GSM so you could track it on a laptop.
Does anyone out there think that an interface could be built to allow the smartphone to use the error from track to operate the control surfaces of a model aircraft to bring it back on track and to trigger a camera (not the awful in-built ones) to take a pre determined shot?
I have no idea how to programme such a thing, but would be willing to learn if you folk thought this had legs.
I'm sure you could have a program click some shots when its in a predetermined location... just like apps will turn on and off wifi or anything else depending on location.
Having the phone at the same time know exactly what to do with camera would be a lot more code. You'd really have to do some testing to see what would work up that high but I'm sure it could be done.
Not that it's THAT cheap, but much cheaper at $1500. It is a DIY kit so you'll have to be somewhat tech savvy, but this is just as fun if not more fun. Click the link below the vid to get to their site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyYujjP5J-k
makr8100 said:
Not that it's THAT cheap, but much cheaper at $1500. It is a DIY kit so you'll have to be somewhat tech savvy, but this is just as fun if not more fun. Click the link below the vid to get to their site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyYujjP5J-k
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Click to collapse
Very nice, I think it would be possible to make one of these for a lot less than $1500. The thing is, I've kinda got my head into the pilotless device - something that you can set a course and off it goes, does its thing and then comes back. When you think about it, the opportunities for that sort of device (most of them illegal) would be endless.
Thanks for your input folks.
The link I posted does have GPS, although it doesn't seem to have a GPS triggered camera. The creator uses a video camera, and with a high enough quality video camera you should be able to take still image captures. The downside is you'll be stuck with 1920x1080 resolution, which may not be high quality enough for your purposes. I'm sure it would be possible to rig a camera's button to an electrical relay triggered by the GPS unit signaling the correct coordinates.

[Q] Secret video recorder?

Hi, has anyone been able to install and use some of the secret video recorders? Basically what I want to achieve is to press an icon, and start a background recording - with camera preview off, and preferably screen off (or just turn on the black screen). maybe we have some talented developers here that could write such an app specially for our gear? $$ donation guaranteed!
hurdlejade said:
Hi, has anyone been able to install and use some of the secret video recorders? Basically what I want to achieve is to press an icon, and start a background recording - with camera preview off, and preferably screen off (or just turn on the black screen). maybe we have some talented developers here that could write such an app specially for our gear? $$ donation guaranteed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Creep shots eh, bit dodgy dude cant see any other reason for it
Best way to accomplish this is to use your Gear as a webcam and record the stream on your device.
Here is an old thread as a reference: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2540662&highlight=tinycam
But I concur your description on usage is disturbing.
hurdlejade said:
Hi, has anyone been able to install and use some of the secret video recorders? Basically what I want to achieve is to press an icon, and start a background recording - with camera preview off, and preferably screen off (or just turn on the black screen). maybe we have some talented developers here that could write such an app specially for our gear? $$ donation guaranteed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nothing wrong with my question, similar threads exists about voice recording.
i was looking for a way to record longer video clips, as some sort of dash cam when driving a warehouse trucks.
hurdlejade said:
nothing wrong with my question, similar threads exists about voice recording.
i was looking for a way to record longer video clips, as some sort of dash cam when driving a warehouse trucks.
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Well I don't see why you would want secret recording in a truck this post is very very dodgy and should not be encouraged
display is what consume most of the power on our gear. turn it off and you gain extra hours of functionality.
if i want to take creepy shots, there are better devices out there.
Yes it works
I have to pro edition and it works. The thing is you should set the limit to 10 minutes and the resolution is 640x480 and you are good to go even with the screen off
Clearly the people that are in the Galaxy Gear forum don't understand what you can and can't post.
This request is perfectly logical and is indeed in position to be fulfilled.
Secret recorders exist for sale on many websites, secret recorders exist for phones, secret recorders will exist for the Galaxy Gear. Someone will eventually develop an app specifically for the Galaxy Gear.
Secret recorders are not illegal, nor are they discouraged. In fact there are many practical uses for secret recorders, both video and audio.
You might be able to push an existing app to the gear via ADB, but I'm not sure if it will work/work properly.
Please stop filling threads with unhelpful responses.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
thanks for clearing things up rockstar.
i just want to give an update - secret video recorder pro does work on our Gear, incl screen off. framerate seems to be lower than stock though.
Clearing up??
If you didn't called it secret recording, but instead called it something else normal people wouldn't think of you as a person that wanted to go around filming things normal people don't do.
Yes. Call me all fashion, but I don't want people to look at my galaxy gear and think of me as a pervert because someone has been busted using a secret video app on it. Then people start looking at gear as a toy for perverts.
I know spy camera is not used for only kinky stuff, but don't tell me the world needs them.
Do you want people to look at your watch and think bad of you?
If not I think the best way is to not let the media talk about the secret filming.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
Patosbuddy said:
Clearing up??
If you didn't called it secret recording, but instead called it something else normal people wouldn't think of you as a person that wanted to go around filming things normal people don't do.
Yes. Call me all fashion, but I don't want people to look at my galaxy gear and think of me as a pervert because someone has been busted using a secret video app on it. Then people start looking at gear as a toy for perverts.
I know spy camera is not used for only kinky stuff, but don't tell me the world needs them.
Do you want people to look at your watch and think bad of you?
If not I think the best way is to not let the media talk about the secret filming.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
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I agree with you 110% even now I dont use the camera that much as I prefer my phone, for someone to ask for a video recorder where "the screen is off" is really asking for a camera that lets them film people without them knowing, anyone gets busted for doing this then we all get a bad name, I am all for development of our watch but im not into seeing "creepy software" being developed for this.
Camera sound off? yeah a good idea as I dont like drawing attention to my watch, Secret recording? no thanks just too creepy
NZ_Nitro said:
I agree with you 110% even now I dont use the camera that much as I prefer my phone, for someone to ask for a video recorder where "the screen is off" is really asking for a camera that lets them film people without them knowing, anyone gets busted for doing this then we all get a bad name, I am all for development of our watch but im not into seeing "creepy software" being developed for this.
Camera sound off? yeah a good idea as I dont like drawing attention to my watch, Secret recording? no thanks just too creepy
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i'm sure google glass must be the ultimate pervert tool according to that way of thinking
turning off the sound is "as bad" as turning off the screen.
LOL.
Yes. The next ting is a pervert busted filming with secret cam by another with secret cam.
In my country it's not allowed to use "baby cam" filming your own child sleeping.
I guess that will change soon.
For people that have seen the series "person of interest" that may one day be possible .
Where ever you go you are being watched.
I don't even like the "dash cam's" in the cars but that's maybe because of the way I drive. .
Overall it's not good that in the future we are so controlled that every step we take are being watched by gps and camera.
But I understand it's to late to stop it.
As you know in new cars your face are being filmed while you drive and the car are filming where you drive and how fast.
The cars can be stopped remotely and so on.
In my country they want to use that to monitor people's driving an give them automatically tickets.
The speed wil automatically be limited for not much over the speed limit.
And of course stop the cars that are used in a crime.
From 2014 every little company has to monitor every step the the employee are doing all of the working day so that the government can establish if the workers are not working for black money and not paying tax.
It's starting to get crazy.
We called it big brother and science fiction a few years ago.
But in the end crime will probably be harder to do with out getting stopped before it happens.
But again. In my opinion normal people don't go around filming in secret, I understand people that say you are being filmed anyway by other devices.
Maybe in the future the popular thing is go to a non cam allowed restaurant or beach
Before it was not allowed with cameras in public toilets, but now its ok as long as you have a sign.
I guess I'm to old to like it.
Younger generation are more used to it.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app
Personally I am loving the idea of the secret recorder and it should be called secret recorder. I think it would come in handy when being stopped or questioned by the police. I have heard and read about many situations were officers actually violate the rights of people they have sworn to protect. Another good use would be during a crime. The perpetrator could be recorded without even knowing he is being recorded. This would go a long way to catch a criminal. The possibilities are endless. I don't think that just because someone says they want secret recording we should automatically jump to the conclusion its for perverted reasons.
I use the camera to shoot quick videos I'd otherwise miss of my 2 year old daughter. The problem is she knows what the camera is, so if she sees it on the screen she stops what she's doing and keeps saying 'I want to see it' because she likes watching herself. So I'd love a secret recorder so I could shoot a video of her candidly without her standing there asking to see the video the whole time.
Not everything is for Japanese perverted salarymen, dudes.
fbueller said:
I use the camera to shoot quick videos I'd otherwise miss of my 2 year old daughter. The problem is she knows what the camera is, so if she sees it on the screen she stops what she's doing and keeps saying 'I want to see it' because she likes watching herself. So I'd love a secret recorder so I could shoot a video of her candidly without her standing there asking to see the video the whole time.
Not everything is for Japanese perverted salarymen, dudes.
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watch your back, i'm sure one of the boston saints already called the police and marked you as a possible predator!
in theory, problem is solved. i found the secret video recording app that is working with the gear.
you can get it at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zeronoiseapps.secretvideorecorderpro
when the camera is recording, watch face stays lit - you have to manually switch it off (it continues to record both video and audio).
NZ_Nitro said:
I agree with you 110% even now I dont use the camera that much as I prefer my phone, for someone to ask for a video recorder where "the screen is off" is really asking for a camera that lets them film people without them knowing, anyone gets busted for doing this then we all get a bad name, I am all for development of our watch but im not into seeing "creepy software" being developed for this.
Camera sound off? yeah a good idea as I dont like drawing attention to my watch, Secret recording? no thanks just too creepy
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Click to collapse
Any tool can be used for good and bad. It's much better to risk the bad when you can do so much good with this.
Imagine recording the PIGS in the act of brutalizing innocent people on the streets. Recording a robberies, recording rape, etc.
But since this usage hasn't crossed your mind already, you're clearly one of the sheeps of society ready to turn a blind eye and bow your head to the powerful at every corner.
Loser
klau1 said:
Any tool can be used for good and bad. It's much better to risk the bad when you can do so much good with this.
Imagine recording the PIGS in the act of brutalizing innocent people on the streets. Recording a robberies, recording rape, etc.
But since this usage hasn't crossed your mind already, you're clearly one of the sheeps of society ready to turn a blind eye and bow your head to the powerful at every corner.
Loser
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I take great offense in you calling the police "pigs" looser
NZ_Nitro said:
I take great offense in you calling the police "pigs" looser
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn22toRQ7_U
I have a friend who wants to be a cop. (he only told me because I was his best friend) He's got anger management issues. He told me he enjoys every legal chance he can get to beat on people violently. The team who he works with in the force, also takes the same enjoyment whenever legal. He's let me in on so many stories of him and his team beating on people once it's deemed legal. That's the excuse people like him need to be legally protected while unleashing their personal anger issues.
Eventually because of his anger issues, we stopped associating.
Every type of job attracts certain types of people. Think about it.
klau1 said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn22toRQ7_U
I have a friend who wants to be a cop. (he only told me because I was his best friend) He's got anger management issues. He told me he enjoys every legal chance he can get to beat on people violently. The team who he works with in the force, also takes the same enjoyment whenever legal. He's let me in on so many stories of him and his team beating on people once it's deemed legal. That's the excuse people like him need to be legally protected while unleashing their personal anger issues.
Eventually because of his anger issues, we stopped associating.
Every type of job attracts certain types of people. Think about it.
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I worked with several ex, off duty, and retired cops for about 20 years. There were a few nice guys but the majority fit your description exactly.

Case similar to eyepatch? (privacy slider for cameras)

I tried searching google, amazon, and this forum. No dice.
Anyone heard of a case for note8 that is both decent and also has some kind of physical slider for the camera?
I've only found one online, and its only for junk iphones lol.
Figured I'd ask. Thanks!
This is more gay than everything else that has ever been gay before for a phone accessory. Just my 2 cents... :laugh:
Sent from my Galaxy Note 8 using XDA Labs
Dejan Sathanas said:
This is more gay than everything else that has ever been gay before for a phone accessory. Just my 2 cents... :laugh:
Sent from my Galaxy Note 8 using XDA Labs
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Click to collapse
Noted.
However, it is more gay having some fat dude spying on yourthrough your selfie cam unknowingly while you are getting dressed/naked.
cricketpaddleinmyhand said:
Noted.
However, it is more gay having some fat dude spying on yourthrough your selfie cam unknowingly while you are getting dressed/naked.
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If someone can see you through the phone's cameras, you have bigger issues then some fat dude seeing your junk.
I can't see any photos on this thread
Dejan Sathanas said:
This is more gay than everything else that has ever been gay before for a phone accessory. Just my 2 cents... [emoji23]
Sent from my Galaxy Note 8 using XDA Labs
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You need to be more in line with your verbiage. Gay is not a politically correct word to use these days. I'm thinking using the word " so hetro", as opposed to so gay. Thoughts?
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
That is actually a good idea. I don't see why case manufacturers don't include this in their case designs as it would add another layer of protection to camera sensor.
cricketpaddleinmyhand said:
Noted.
However, it is more gay having some fat dude spying on yourthrough your selfie cam unknowingly while you are getting dressed/naked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is absolutely no way, and I mean zero, someone could be looking at you through your selfie cam without you knowing.
Firstly, when the screen is off, the device cuts the feed to the camera. You can test this by using any number of apps that allow video calling and video call a friend using all of them and turn the screen off during the call. Your friend should report your video feed either freezing or going away entirely.
Secondly, and this is the most important one, the only way someone would be able to have access to your selfie cam is if you installed an app from some unknown source that grants someone access to use your selfie cam without your knowledge. And even then, you'd have to give the app permission to use the camera, first. Apps can't just start using your camera or your microphone without you knowing about it. They need explicit permission, first.
So, if this is a concern for you, go into all the apps in your app manager and turn off the camera permission for every app, except your camera. Or, hell, turn that off also, if you're scared Samsung is spying on you, like someone else on this forum is.
These devices aren't like Windows. You can't accidentally go onto a website and suddenly someone is using your webcam to look at you. Very nearly anything that happens on your device needs your explicit permission. They can't just take control of sensors or install apps willy-nilly without your knowledge.
Also, something someone said once about people sticking tape over their webcam on their laptops; let's say something like this actually happened. Your device is presumably laying on your desk or in your pocket for most of the day. So, for a good portion of the day, whomever is spying through your selfie cam will be looking at a ceiling or a dark pocket. The couple of times that you are using your device, all they'll be looking at is your face, looking at your screen. They can't see what you're doing or looking at, only your face. Why would someone want to hack your device just to look at your face for 5 minutes, a couple of times a day and look at the ceiling the rest of the day (this is assuming also they can access the camera while the device's screen is off, which they can't. So, essentially they'll be looking at a blank camera feed and staring at their monitor all day for that hopeful chance they'll catch you checking your email for 2 minutes, which won't help them anything, again, as all they'll see is your face and not what you're doing).
TL;DR
No need to be so paranoid about anyone spying on you. Trust me, your life isn't that interesting and the ceiling of your work place isn't either.
Max_Terrible said:
There is absolutely no way, and I mean zero, someone could be looking at you through your selfie cam without you knowing.
Firstly, when the screen is off, the device cuts the feed to the camera. You can test this by using any number of apps that allow video calling and video call a friend using all of them and turn the screen off during the call. Your friend should report your video feed either freezing or going away entirely.
Secondly, and this is the most important one, the only way someone would be able to have access to your selfie cam is if you installed an app from some unknown source that grants someone access to use your selfie cam without your knowledge. And even then, you'd have to give the app permission to use the camera, first. Apps can't just start using your camera or your microphone without you knowing about it. They need explicit permission, first.
So, if this is a concern for you, go into all the apps in your app manager and turn off the camera permission for every app, except your camera. Or, hell, turn that off also, if you're scared Samsung is spying on you, like someone else on this forum is.
These devices aren't like Windows. You can't accidentally go onto a website and suddenly someone is using your webcam to look at you. Very nearly anything that happens on your device needs your explicit permission. They can't just take control of sensors or install apps willy-nilly without your knowledge.
Also, something someone said once about people sticking tape over their webcam on their laptops; let's say something like this actually happened. Your device is presumably laying on your desk or in your pocket for most of the day. So, for a good portion of the day, whomever is spying through your selfie cam will be looking at a ceiling or a dark pocket. The couple of times that you are using your device, all they'll be looking at is your face, looking at your screen. They can't see what you're doing or looking at, only your face. Why would someone want to hack your device just to look at your face for 5 minutes, a couple of times a day and look at the ceiling the rest of the day (this is assuming also they can access the camera while the device's screen is off, which they can't. So, essentially they'll be looking at a blank camera feed and staring at their monitor all day for that hopeful chance they'll catch you checking your email for 2 minutes, which won't help them anything, again, as all they'll see is your face and not what you're doing).
TL;DR
No need to be so paranoid about anyone spying on you. Trust me, your life isn't that interesting and the ceiling of your work place isn't either.
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And yet, my question still stands and I still am looking for a case like this.
Thanks for the reply and information sir.
But the question is why? Lol. If it was a major concern wouldn't you think case manufacturing companies would jump on the chance to make a quick buck off people's paranoia? They would be offering all sorts of microphone blockers, cameras covers, etc..
luisramon17 said:
But the question is why? Lol. If it was a major concern wouldn't you think case manufacturing companies would jump on the chance to make a quick buck off people's paranoia? They would be offering all sorts of microphone blockers, cameras covers, etc..
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Exactly this.
cricketpaddleinmyhand said:
And yet, my question still stands and I still am looking for a case like this.
Thanks for the reply and information sir.
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Just buy any case, cutout a piece of paper, paint it if you would like, stick upper side of the paper to the case and thats it.
Idc if some fat dude is watching me. I always leave my phone upside down and also i dont use dex station so no way of anyone seeing me.
Also go ahead and test it yourself, open a videocall in whatsapp, when you turn the screen of the feed will freeze. If you still dont want to leave it as is, try the method i gave, works everytime. Or simply you can 3d print a case for yourself.
All that noise. If can be done in any way it is being done. You public schooled parrots.
To those of you that state it cannot be done or you have nothing to worry about you are VERY wrong. It happens all the time and doesn't take much to be able to infiltrate someones personal phone and turn on the mic or any of the cameras and apps WITHOUT alerting the end user(Yes that means even if the screen is off). Its a fairly common practice, so much so that those in my line of work that take it seriously buy the Vysk QS1 Quantum Security Case. The Vysk takes it a step further and also encrypts your phone calls. Information security is no joke and is rampant in the corporate espionage world. What the OP is looking for is a basic version of the Vysk that only blocks the cameras I think that is a great move and you should too. If you do not congratulations you been dumbed down and made so docile that you believe the world is all rainbows and fairytales. lol OP if you cannot afford the Vysk do what I used to do and tape the cameras with a small dot of electrical tape. Also to you entrepreneurial types, there is a market for camera blocking phone cases. Get on it!!!!
---------- Post added at 11:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------
Also, OP forgot to mention there is a cheap alternative for the mic as well it's called Mic-Lock. There are also small webcam/phone cam sliders that are sold on Amazon just search webcam cover slider. And as another FYI your phone continues to gather data whether it is off or in airplane mode or not. The gyros and all the sensors are actually dialed up in when the phone is in airplane mode and caches all info recorded. As soon as it connects to a tower the cache is sent over to the servers. This is not science fiction or a conspiracy theory it is fact! Whether you choose to believe it or not. So much so that VIP's in many industries carry around portable dead boxes or what you would call a faraday cage to prevent information from exiting or entering the phone during closed-door meetings. You are right in worrying about your privacy OP as everyone should be....
Juice56 said:
blah blah blah smartphone conspiracy
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OK just for clarification, why get a bloody smartphone in the first place........ I mean the only vibe I get from your post is to never get a smartphone, actually even a cell phone might be exposing yourself to unwanted "privacy intrusion", actually scratch that, the internet is a big flaming heap of privacy intrusion...... I hear foil makes for an excellent Faraday cage
SteelPicori said:
OK just for clarification, why get a bloody smartphone in the first place........ I mean the only vibe I get from your post is to never get a smartphone, actually even a cell phone might be exposing yourself to unwanted "privacy intrusion", actually scratch that, the internet is a big flaming heap of privacy intrusion...... I hear foil makes for an excellent Faraday cage
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hahahaha always with the tin foil labels. Jest all you want brother but in my industry and many other information security is no joke. So much so that it has grown to 100 billion dollar A YEAR industry. The numbers and security methods do not lie. If it wasn't an issue I wouldn't have a job right now.
Don't take my word for it, do your own independent research or don't and trust the bought and paid publications of your choice. I cannot post links due to me just joining this forum but if you search "Forbes Information security growth" you will see the industry went from 75B a year in 2015 to 124B in 2019. Click the second search result to read the article. Educate yourself instead of throwing out labels when you know absolutely nothing about the topic.
Juice56 said:
Educate yourself instead of throwing out labels when you know absolutely nothing about the topic.
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Always interesting when this is thrown out, look I do not doubt that infosec is a big thing, not only on a commercial level but on a national level too, I am all too aware of how unguarded our national infrastructure is. There are without doubts individuals and organisations who can easily compromise any given assests in our possession.
It is a game is acceptable risk, that is, I do not believe myself to be a valuable enough target, that they might expose themselves to detection, just for a bunch of compromising media on me, I mitigate some of this risk by following smart internet usage and not leaving anything that maybe valuable on an expose attack surface.
So again I will ask, because you did not answer, why get a smartphone given how large of an attack surface such a device pose, or indeed even use the internet.
Juice56 said:
To those of you that state it cannot be done or you have nothing to worry about you are VERY wrong.
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Me, myself, am not too concerned about this. There is nothing, anyone can learn from hacking my camera or my mic. Firstly, they will notice my phone lays on my desk for a large part of the day and they will be staring at the ceiling, or the inside of my pocket. As far the mic is concerned, they'll only hear the radio station I prefer to listen to and sometimes the podcasts I listen to. As far as conversation, English isn't my native language, so they'll only hear me talking in a foreign language which they most likely won't understand, and even if they do, it will by and large be about my work, which is electrical repairs. I doubt them hearing me promising a client his board will be ready in 2 days, will be all that interesting.
Then of course, there is also the matter if they were happening to stream video or audio data from my device, I would notice very quickly, as my data bundles will run out very fast and I will notice the bandwidth traffic on my device, as I also have network traffic monitoring apps on my device so I can see which apps are the data hogs.
This is one thing conspiracy theorists never consider, is that it's not like in the movies where this information is streamed in real time with no means of noticing it. It would require an internet connection and needs to transfer large amounts of data. People on limited packages will notice their data running out very quickly, or if the person has a slow connection, they certainly won't be able to stream HD footage from a mobile device.
It might be possible to do the things you speak of, but it certainly won't be inconspicuous.
SteelPicori said:
So again I will ask, because you did not answer, why get a smartphone given how large of an attack surface such a device pose, or indeed even use the internet.
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Assumptions.... I personally have a dumb phone but I am required to have a smartphone for work which is always in its vysk case that was included due to my works security measures. They are pricey! So if you are looking to purchase one yourself be prepared to pay to play.
Juice56 said:
Assumptions.... I personally have a dumb phone but I am required to have a smartphone for work which is always in its vysk case that was included due to my works security measures. They are pricey! So if you are looking to purchase one yourself be prepared to pay to play.
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Never made any assumptions, just did not notice your recommendation to the OP to forego his smartphone and get a standard cell phone (which are by no means any less secure given that even modern feature phones also runs on some OS or other that probably can parse java applets). I always thought that infosec would be using phones similar to the blackphone and call it a day.

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