Mobile content creators who bought the developer version of the G1 to test out applications won't have access to all the apps in the Android Market, as Google has cut off access to paid apps.
The Android Dev Phone 1 is very similar to the T-Mobile G1, but it has a different design, and it's SIM-unlocked and hardware-unlocked. The $400 smartphone is aimed at developers who want an easy way to test applications on a physical device without having to sign up for a wireless service contract.
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I have a Developer phone (Free from Google as holiday bonus) and using the JF build I can see some Paid Apps. I can't see them all though....its kind of weird
Not only is the story inaccurate (its PROTECTED apps) it's been posted many times already.
The other threads have been talking about root phones, the article clearly states dev phones, not rooted. It also states paid apps (all of which are protected).
There are also protected free apps so pricing isn't the issue. All dev phones have root which is the main reason why adp's are blocked to begin with.
This has been discussed many times. Here is how it works:
1. Not all paid apps are protected. ADP firmware can only see NON-protected paid apps. This is because 'copy protection' is simply a folder that a normal user does not have permissions to enter. Thus, since all ADP1.1 phones have root, they can easily enter and copy the apps to simcard. Basically, they screwed that up pretty well, and really did not think it through all too well.
2. ADP users do not yet have an official ADP1.1 firmware update anyways, so they can not see paid apps anyways on the current image (old market)
3. Google is not blocking rooted phones (as rooted RC33 users can see all apps), they are only blocking the ADP1.1 users (IE ADP1.1 Holiday, which was meant as an update for internal google employees with the phone, not devs).
So there it is, not hard AT all. It does suck though, and if you really think about it, google is basically calling all of its employees thieves
I do think that this is probably the reason why there is no 'official' ADP1.1 dev phone images yet, even with the 1.1 SDK out. Google basically noted that their 'copy protection' is BS, and trying to fix that before the ADP1.1 official images are released, thus allowing devs access to all paid apps.
I'm rooted on RC33 and can't see all the apps :/
Hi everyone
Yesterday rooted my phone using the one click root program on Mac.
Rooting and later on installing Titanium Backup and ROM manager went smoothly. Made backups as well.
However this morning I noticed something peculiar.
Clicking my phone from standby, I saw the browser opened with a site I don't know and not visited before and a pop up if I want to continu with loading the digital/SSL certificate. In the afternoon for a second time again, but this time a known site.
Checked google if such a malware exist on Android. And whether it is possible to set a root password in android. But both questions were not answered positively yet.
Have any one of you seen such a behaviour before?
did you install any illegal software in the phone?
as in those full copies of software not from Android Market?
not that I am aware of.
Most of them were from Android Market.
it is very suspicious that issue popped up after rooting.
I removed all apps that got default root access.
Will report again if issue reappears.
most people visiting this forum have their SGS rooted, and i've not read about this sort of weird issues until now.
myself included.
it'll be good to find out what is causing you to have those random pop ups of websites.
did you install VNC server or something similar by any chance?
That Security warning seems to be Browser bugs.. It pop up on my Nexus one after official Android 2-1 update1 and Android 2.2(Froyo ) update.(OTA).
=> All update are done with files from Google server direct.
Likewise the same happened after updating Galaxy S with the new FW..
Along the way, during update, the digital signature get messed..??
I use an OLD version of Maps. It's simple, I'm used to it, so I stick with it.
Recently the Maps app started updating itself without prompt, without me going to the Market and selecting it. It updates despite the fact I have "don't auto update" set for all my apps on the Market app. I disconnected it from the Market in Titanium Backup but that only lasts for a short time as you probably all know. I found a setting in TB where some items were set for auto update and I turned ALL of them off (including Maps). Then today I found it had updated itself back to the current version again.
I've tried everything I know of. I have currently frozen the Market app to see if that will prevent an update. But you know what? I'm sick of this, and I'm trying out Nokia's Here Maps.
Just for update purposes, freezing the Play Market app did not stop a self-update of Maps.
I then googled again, and found a mention of stopping changes to another app by editing the properties of the APK to "read only". I have gone in with Root Explorer and turned off Write Access for the google maps apk. That was one day ago, so I will see how that works. It's apparent that the update must be through the Maps app itself if not some push update from Google.
So in perusing my apps in the Play Store the other day, I noticed an app called SystemUpdates by chondong. I've never installed this app and there is no option to uninstall it.
It was created and forced into my phone on June 15.
I don't buy for one second that this is a system update app as the phone had the ability to search for and receive OTA updates prior to this being installed. The only description in English says "Update update the internal system of the application" (yes, it says update twice).
This is a Chinese phone and I'm very skeptical of what this app is.
Permissions are intrusive as well; see screenshots.
Any thoughts on this? Reading the feedback on the app, I'm not the only one concerned about this and it appears it doesn't only apply to ZTE, but other Chinese phones as well.
Let's keep this thread alive until someone can answer...
I just noticed the same app on my Axon A1R. One difference though - mine says it is produced by ZZte.
I have no idea when the app was installed (for sure less than 3 weeks ago - I know I went though all my apps because I was having WiFi issues and wanted to make sure it wasn't caused by a random app I'd downloaded). There is no way to uninstall it. I managed to disable it - but that just made the 'System updates' section disappear in the Settings>About Phone menu.
I'm starting to think that installing a mod OS published by some random person might be safer than using the Google approved, ZTE modified and FIDO distributed OS.
TX-Brad said:
So in perusing my apps in the Play Store the other day, I noticed an app called SystemUpdates by chondong. I've never installed this app and there is no option to uninstall it.
It was created and forced into my phone on June 15.
I don't buy for one second that this is a system update app as the phone had the ability to search for and receive OTA updates prior to this being installed. The only description in English says "Update update the internal system of the application" (yes, it says update twice).
This is a Chinese phone and I'm very skeptical of what this app is.
Permissions are intrusive as well; see screenshots.
Any thoughts on this? Reading the feedback on the app, I'm not the only one concerned about this and it appears it doesn't only apply to ZTE, but other Chinese phones as well.
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It looks to me that you need to do a factory reset, and discontinue installing non-play store apps.
If you did indeed get it from the Play Store, then report it to Google, so it won't be there anymore.
But I find it really hard to believe it came from the Play Store, as Google does a lot of testing of new apps.
Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
macallik said:
Sucks right? Mentioned it in a thread I made a few weeks back:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-4s/help/alcatel-phone-t3634870
If possible, uninstalling updates or disabling the app should revert the app to its pre-spam state. If not, disabling the apps and using a less invasive file manager app is an option.
Alternatively a factory reset will return all system apps to their pre-spammy state if I recall correctly. From there, you can just avoid updating that individual app.
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Unfortunately you can't disable the app, even though it appears you can under dev options (tried that, it just updates itself in the background again). Have tried uninstalling (updates) but it updates itself again and the spam reappears. It also places a perma-notification (can't slide off) at the top of the notifications.
BUT: The latest update to File Manager allows you to turn off notifications. Problem solved.
NOTE: You do have to give permissions for storage before you can get into the settings that allow turning off notifications/shortcuts.
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
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Click to collapse
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
yosemite610 said:
Thanks, following these steps I think I got them tamed. Not all the apps show up in Google Play but disabling auto-update in 'Updates' (Alcatel's version) should take care of those...
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Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
Rip ._. I hate this phone so much.
They are pathetic. Updating all apps and adding ads to them.
DeckerSU said:
Several of Alcatel's Apps updates throught Google Play and other via Updates app. For example, sound recorder updates via Google Play. If it's already updated - just remove updates and Google Play app for Sound Recorder and forbid / deny future updates. In 'Updates' need to forbid updates of system apps too. I already done all of this steps for each preinstalled app which tries to update - all fine. There is no any unwanted push notifications.
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Thanks for the tips and detailed info @DeckerSU. I had begun to prepare to unlock, root, and flash a custom ROM due to this adware and push notification nonsense. Up until the recent app updates, I had truly enjoyed the clean, stock android UI experience on my idol3 ... now I can relax again, the aggravation of those push notifications is gone!
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you, I hadn't thought of step 3
I signed in just to thank you
edit: just realized this thread is for idol 4s, but it applied to my idol 3..
I didn't realize this is a problem on later phones.. so messed up
Very bad, all those spamming programs on a phone we paid for. They beter come out with a recent
Android update. Its a Shame for the alcatel brand.
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tips! I was starting to think I would have to root the device... Very dissapointing to see this kind of behaviour from Alcatel
Cheers
It may be worse than you think!
It's bad enough for a SYSTEM app to be serving up potentially malicious advertising that could Pwn your device, but it ventures deep into dark waters if that SYSTEM app has the Facebook "Graph" API inside of it that could allow a developer (or in this case your Chinese phone manufacturer) to use your Facebook access token to pillage through your Facebook account and look through your photos, tags, pages visited, URL's, or even create Facebook posts or messages on your behalf!
Sound crazy?
Take a look at the Facebook "Graph" developer site for yourself:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/graph-api/using-graph-api/
And if someone was familiar with some open source tools that could allow them to look inside an Android app:
https://github.com/iBotPeaches/Apktool
https://github.com/pxb1988/dex2jar
https://github.com/sreenivasmula/JDGUI
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
That person might look to see if the app has the Facebook Graph API inside of it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrdcom.filemanager&hl=en
Any one have a custom rom? Like Lineage or CM or AOSP any other one except the crapy stock rom?
Not good enough!
I no longer trust ANYTHING that is installed on my Alcatel device after the recent adware/spyware "upgrades"!
I installed TWRP and the (unofficial) Lineage ROM until I get a different phone all together.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/id...ficial-lineageos-14-1-idol36045x-5-5-t3615700
I will NEVER purchase another Alcatel device as long as I live and I will advise all my friends and family and anyone else that will listen to avoid Alcatel as well.
I also suggest that anyone with a stock Alcatel device not to use any "widgets" that create shortcuts that may use your access tokens for Facebook and/or Twitter until we know what is going on.
The Facebook Graph API on a native app has a greater access level than a web application and the token(s) don't expire for 60 days and can be extended.
I advise people to avoid logging in to apps or websites with their social media and/or Google credentials and to change your passwords and set up 2 factor authentication and remove any apps associated with your social media accounts.
Wtf
yosemite610 said:
Idol 4 6055u hidden update last week and File Manager is now like a 'Clean Master' clone with all the clean-your-phone and boost-your-phone notifications spam. And since there's no way to root it the app is not removable.
Anyone had any luck stabbing this one to death?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel.... Uninstall updates and don't let google play do whatever it wants in your phone!
That update is from google play store! Not from alcatel....
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Click to collapse
The update may have come the Google Play Store but is every bit Alcatel!
The "boost" function comes from TCL (Alcatel) owned Hawk app's "Super Cleaner" and the antivirus function comes from Hawk's Hi Security app that uses McAfee technology.
http://www.ehawk.com/en/
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
DeckerSU said:
This is well-known problem, ads presents in all latest preinstalled Acatel's apps updates: File Manager, Sound Recorder, Weather, Launcher and others. All of them puts notifications with spam-news and in some cases tries to change default homepage of Google Chrome browser. To prevent this need to do the following things:
1. Uninstall all updates of these apps to revert it to stock-state.
2. Deny auto update of these apps in Google Play.
3. Deny auto update of system apps in standart Update application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you help me to unlock a sharp phone?
I have the modem.elf file.
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Any ideas on what I can do now? Or is it time to throw this phone in the trash, and get one from a company that doesn't do this?
critical system update
Following the advice on this thread, I was able to revert to the old versions of these apps back in October, and my phone stayed usable from then until about 2 weeks ago. Suddenly, the "updates" installed themselves (as part of a "critical system update" that I was notified my phone needed, and now, I don't have the option to uninstall the updates (or rather, it uninstalls to another spammy, bloatware version, not to the factory original).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have got to be kidding me!
Now Alcatel and McAfee are tricking users into installing their adware/spyware through the use of fake "critical update" patches?
I think it is high time to do a complete breakdown/inspection of the app and do a full public disclosure.
It isn't surprising that Alcatel would infect a users phone with adware/spyware but for a so-called "security" company like McAfee to be involved is both frightening and disturbing.