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There was recently some talk on this Forum about Yongzh rereleasing N64oid. I went on the Market 10 minutes ago and was shocked to see that none of his emulators were in the "Top 10 Games" section of the Market. I then did a search for first, his Developer account, and that yielded no results. Then I searched for every emulator that he has released, which still yielded no results. Me thinks there has been foul play... What do you guys think is happening?
Yea, realised this before, im scared.... ive been looking forward to n64oid for ages.... still searching for answers...
This is exactly what happened to ZODTTD, someone should tweet him about it and look for some answers.
yeh i just noticed they were no longer under my purchased app list in the market also... even when n64oid was gone it would show up under my purchased list but say that the emulator couldn't be found... now its absolutely nothing at all... something foul is afoot :/
hmmm i hope i get a chance i never used an emulator on mu droid
I noticed this as well. Does Yongzh post anywhere we can see status updates?
OMG if it is Goole for real who is baning the accouts i start hating the company...
I talked to yongzh about it and this is his respones
From: Yongzh
Google pulled all my emulators, explaining that they violated the distribution terms on the Android Market, but without mentioning the details.
I am considering hosting my apps on SlideME (a 3rd-party app store). I will make them free for download for a limited period of time (eg. a week) to avoid existing customers from having to pay again.
Thanks very much for your understanding and support!
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I Also Talked to google about it and this is what they had to say:
Greetings,
Thanks for your inquiry. It looks like the applications you referred to
are no longer available on Android Market due to violations of our Terms
of Service. You may view those terms here:
http://www.android.com/us/developer-distribution-agreement.html
http://www.android.com/market/terms/developer-content-policy.html
If you'd like additional details, we recommend you contact the developer
directly.
Let me know if I can assist you with anything further.
Regards,
Eric
The Android Market Team
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Click to collapse
Started a support thread here. (WARNING: strong language)
ok yongzh apps are on slideme for free for a little while: http://slideme.org/applications?text=yongzh
engagdget artical: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/29/android-markets-most-popular-emulators-disappear-without-a-trac/
Thank god he lets people dl it for free i bought all his apps and forgot to save them. Good guy always loved his support and customer service. Bought all his apps from the market. stupid google
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
http //www reddit com/r/Android/comments/hmwj7/android_markets_most_popular_emulators_disappear/
http //www snes9x com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=4454
http //www gp32x com/board/index.php?/topic/58889-n64-for-android/
ok another update from zodttd
Hello, ZodTTD here again.
Things have been rough as of late. Please read this one through as it will also shine a little light on why products and updates have not been rolling out. I’ve been extremely busy getting things straight in the “real world”. Though Google’s takedown of my Market and Checkout account couldn’t have come at a worse time. As you may have seen, Yong Zhang (yongzh) of Android emulator fame, was also taken down from Market by Google in the same manner that I was.
First and foremost, our takedowns have nothing to do with any sort of open source licensing violation. Both Yong and I handle developer relations behind the scenes. We give cuts to original authors at times, and I have posted sources to my source repository. Though there is a lot of rhetoric surrounding this, it is not an issue.
Google has no developer relations and support. Instead of Google simply removing the application in question, psx4droid, they did that and followed up a week later suspending my entire Market and Checkout account, with no interaction on my part.
And what happens when you suspend a Market account with a case such as Yong’s with lots of customers? Well you get hellish levels of emails, tweets, etc. that I must respond to most of every day. What’s worse is these customers are pretty stranded by Google. We can’t verify that many customers by hand. There’s no way to honor these previous customers, effectively killing our products. We can’t even issue a refund to users who are furious.
Yong’s emulators built Market up and gave it purpose when there was little to care about on there. Google was well aware of Yong’s top selling apps. Why is Google killing off developers (not even apps but the developer accounts!) that helped them get to where they’re at now? I wonder if they were aware all along. Take high risk apps, make themselves look all nice and open, then once they approach AppStore reach, they pull the developers they used. World may never know.
Right now as it stands, there’s little to no chance of Yong or I getting back on Market without a fight. I appealed and lost with Google in a canned response manner. I can go to 3rd party storefronts, but they have such a small number of users compared to Market, it’s not really an option with the large amount of effort these apps take.
For Cydia fans out there, I apologize for my lack of updates. But with all that has been happening, it made updating so many products nearly impossible. Things have snowballed and I now have so much work to do on Cydia products that it too has become more work than it’s worth.
So I wonder where that leaves me. This has killed my spirits immensely and I think it’s time to change things up.
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source: http://www.zodttd.com/wp/2011/05/it-hit-hard/
First off, I'd like to say hi and I hope all of you are doing well. I come to you in request for some support as well as an offering that some of you should be able to benefit from.
I've been working hard as possible to produce a website for Android tablet users, which is 100% free of charge. No catches, no gimmicks, no nothing. Before anyone flips out thinking I am advertising, consider this: I could have dropped a link and left. But I didn't I'm here, explaining my cause, and letting you know that there is a wonderful resource that you did not know about, and should enjoy!
Anyways, the website is www.androidtabapps.com (and I won't even link it here! unless a mod says I can) and its sole purpose is to become the internet's largest database of applications that are specifically designed to work on Android tablets. This website will benefit each and every one of you who own an Android tablet because you won't have to sort through hundreds of non-tablet-optimized applications to find something good.
My request from any of you (and its ONLY a request), is that if any of you have, or know of, an application that is designed FOR an Android tablet, to please use the submission form located on my site so that I may add it? I am doing all of this work by hand and while I admit that it's painstakingly time consuming, I am enjoying myself while adding the applications because I am finding some really cool stuff so far.
I look forward to seeing some of you on the site. Pay it a visit, let me know what you think so far. Thanks!
Mine, just in case I need it for something in the future.
As a promotional offering for any application developer:
If you are a developer who has created an application that is written to run specifically on Android tablets, or is WELL optimized for Android tablets, please contact me using the form on my site to receive a 7-day free featured advertisement on my site. Mention XDA somewhere, please. The featured advertisement of your application will be found in the big slider at the top of the home page among other pages. This is limited to the first three developers who contact me, so act fast! Android Tablet Apps is already getting good traffic and I'd love to help some of you developers out a bit!
I'm offering free ad placements for 7 days for the next 3 developers to contact me with information regarding their Android tablet app that's on the market!
Thanks, this will be very useful for me!
I'll let you know if I have any Tablet Apps.
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
This is something that just occured to me. Microsoft always comes out with dates for big events and after a few days you also hear Google planning an event on that same day; time and location may vary though. For example; Google released the soo called Motorola Droids the same day Microsoft talked about Windows Phone 8...I think a couple of months ago. Now Microsoft has planned Windows Phone 8 launch on October 29th and as you all know from last week, Google has also planned to release the next Nexus on that same day....Now is this a coincidence or Foul play??
Foul play in a sense to divide the number of techies who will attend these events....as you know these two giant companies don't go along very well (Google being too stingy with Microsoft and even refusing to release offical apps for Windows Phone.....and what pains me a lot is Microsoft always taking care of them by releasing beautiful apps and better servicies to Android)....but this is a different discussion alltogether.
What do you think??
Google hates everything there is to be about ms, cause ms is their prime competitor:
1) Bing -> this search engine is pretty powerful and offers results as good as Google's. A shame it doesn't come in all languages. Google tried several time to discredit bing,
2)Chroome OS-> this is Google's attempt at removing windows from its monopole position over OS. Of course, it failed dramatically.
3) Windows Phone -> Of course Google finds it a threat, a pretty big one. After Samsung lost the battle with apple, Google is kinda scared that their biggest client, Samsung, might go around and make more WP instead. There is also the nostalgic popularity of Nokia, which did come back in play with the Lumia line.
So google does try to minimize the impact of Microsoft over its domains as much as possible. However, from a consumer's point of view, having at least two players that are actually in conflict (Apple vs google does not count, apple does not care about google),is a good thing, so I hope MS will succeed.
These were exactly my thoughts and I think it's clear enough to be known by everyone in the tech industry.
mcosmin222 said:
3) Windows Phone -> Of course Google finds it a threat, a pretty big one. After Samsung lost the battle with apple, Google is kinda scared that their biggest client, Samsung, might go around and make more WP instead. There is also the nostalgic popularity of Nokia, which did come back in play with the Lumia line.
So google does try to minimize the impact of Microsoft over its domains as much as possible. However, from a consumer's point of view, having at least two players that are actually in conflict (Apple vs google does not count, apple does not care about google),is a good thing, so I hope MS will succeed.
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Actually I don't think google finds WP as a threat... Android has a bigger share of the mobile market whereas iOS is slowly losing the pace...all in all while WP is eating on BlackBerry and symbian...
Taurenking said:
Actually I don't think google finds WP as a threat... Android has a bigger share of the mobile market whereas iOS is slowly losing the pace...all in all while WP is eating on BlackBerry and symbian...
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Click to collapse
....yeah and maybe when WP eats BB and Symbian, they'll grow and attack them. I don;t think Google is looking at the race now but in five years time....where most giants are going to fall since they'll have nothing more to offer. Lets just hope all goes well.
This is a fairly standard industry practice and they all do it to each other whenever possible. No point in singling out any one of them.
Moved to Q&A as this is a question thread.
Thank you,
mf2112
XDA Moderator
The bitterness is only set to grow as MS has just named google in its case against Motorola. Google is running out of friends as they leave there oems open to attack and steal tech without the ability to defend there moves. Google is a vile company Android is a great OS its my second love to WP like a second child but Google over all makes companies like Fox, BP, British Gas etc look like saints
mf2112 said:
This is a fairly standard industry practice and they all do it to each other whenever possible. No point in singling out any one of them.
Moved to Q&A as this is a question thread.
Thank you,
mf2112
XDA Moderator
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the correction mf2112.
Come to think of it, if this a fairly standard industry practice and Company giants all doing whatever (Gorilla warfare) to each other whenever possible, why is Microsoft always kind and releasing apps for them whilst they have never released anything for WP since it came out 2 years ago? Microsoft even planning on releasing Office for Android and iOS in 2013. Is Microsoft afraid? or trying to be a Mother? I understand when it comes to the market size and all about Benjamins, but it should be tit for tat. Microsoft should stop offering them good services if they are not doing same for us.....maybe I'm missing something and you can make me understand.
One will say WP market size is soo tiny that Google refuses to release anything for them...some sort of market demand should be in play...BUT, if you are a big company like Google and really want your services to be popular and widespread (Google+ challenging Facebook), will you think about Market share of a competitor before releasing an app for it? Does Facebook think about market share of a mobile OS before releasing it's app? They just release it no matter what because they want it to be used and popular...more benjamins
Google should just understand that, not all consumers will love their mobile OS but at least one consumer will use at least one of their services. (I for one use Google scholar, Gogle+, Google Drive as a backup to my Skydrive and Google maps A LOT) Why shouldn't I have an app for any of these Google services? Because my beloved WP OS is a competitor with a tiny market share and there's no demand? Why should Google punish me if I'm not using Android OS? and why should they force me to use it? SMH
Kenzibit said:
Thanks for the correction mf2112.
Come to think of it, if this a fairly standard industry practice and Company giants all doing whatever (Gorilla warfare) to each other whenever possible, why is Microsoft always kind and releasing apps for them whilst they have never released anything for WP since it came out 2 years ago? Microsoft even planning on releasing Office for Android and iOS in 2013. Is Microsoft afraid? or trying to be a Mother? I understand when it comes to the market size and all about Benjamins, but it should be tit for tat. Microsoft should stop offering them good services if they are not doing same for us.....maybe I'm missing something and you can make me understand.
One will say WP market size is soo tiny that Google refuses to release anything for them...some sort of market demand should be in play...BUT, if you are a big company like Google and really want your services to be popular and widespread (Google+ challenging Facebook), will you think about Market share of a competitor before releasing an app for it? Does Facebook think about market share of a mobile OS before releasing it's app? They just release it no matter what because they want it to be used and popular...more benjamins
Google should just understand that, not all consumers will love their mobile OS but at least one consumer will use at least one of their services. (I for one use Google scholar, Gogle+, Google Drive as a backup to my Skydrive and Google maps A LOT) Why shouldn't I have an app for any of these Google services? Because my beloved WP OS is a competitor with a tiny market share and there's no demand? Why should Google punish me if I'm not using Android OS? and why should they force me to use it? SMH
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Click to collapse
Well, having worked at Microsoft twice and for Microsoft partner companies previously and currently, I would hesitate at describing Microsoft's business practices as "kind".
It is not that Google doesn't want to offer services to Windows Phone users, it is that they want to do so on their terms. Microsoft would prefer to dictate the terms in such an engagement. Apple dictates the terms for iOS devs and how the apps get distributed in the app store. Oracle tries to control their environment. All companies do this as much as they can, so nothing out of the ordinary there.
Google also has a limited number of developers available to spend on projects and they want those developers to spend their time on the things that are going to be most beneficial (profitable) to Google in the end. All companies have business strategies and different behaviors but in general the profit motive is the driving factor. This is true for Microsoft as well.
Many people use Google's services. It actually is a pretty big thing for many people to at least have them available and by not having them available for WP they can in fact impact the growth of the Windows Phone platform (YouTube being a great example there). So unless Microsoft gains enough Marketshare to make it problematic for Google to leave them out I guess this situation will continue.
Concerning how Microsoft deals with Android and iOS the situation is different. Those two OSes basically own the market. Unless Microsoft wants those users to go with alternative Software they have to have there core applications available there. This means that Bing, SkyDrive, Xbox Live and Office have to be available there. For other Apps they go with the iPhone partly because it was not yet viable to do on the Windows Phone platform (e.g. PhotoSynth) but you will notice that Android is quite often left out or only done quite some time later.
I actually don't see the benefit of hosting those events on days when Microsoft is releasing Windows Phones. The Lumias arguably had more publicity then the lackluster Razr series that left journalists rather disappointed. Also the new Nexus 4 seems to bring little new stuff to the table. If they were to launch a really new version of Android like during I/O or if Apple launched the iPad mini on the same day they actually might hurt Microsoft but with stuff like this they rather risk being second page news themselves.
But we will see what they are bringing to the table this time around.
Kenzibit said:
This is something that just occured to me. Microsoft always comes out with dates for big events and after a few days you also hear Google planning an event on that same day; time and location may vary though. For example; Google released the soo called Motorola Droids the same day Microsoft talked about Windows Phone 8...I think a couple of months ago. Now Microsoft has planned Windows Phone 8 launch on October 29th and as you all know from last week, Google has also planned to release the next Nexus on that same day....Now is this a coincidence or Foul play??
Foul play in a sense to divide the number of techies who will attend these events....as you know these two giant companies don't go along very well (Google being too stingy with Microsoft and even refusing to release offical apps for Windows Phone.....and what pains me a lot is Microsoft always taking care of them by releasing beautiful apps and better servicies to Android)....but this is a different discussion alltogether.
What do you think??
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The Galaxy Nexus was unveiled by Google on October 19, 2011.
So ,I think this year just the same.
mcosmin222 said:
1) Bing -> this search engine is pretty powerful and offers results as good as Google's. A shame it doesn't come in all languages. Google tried several time to discredit bing,
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They've tried to point out before that Bing is ripping off Google search results and they have some very compelling evidence that this is the case:
http://searchengineland.com/google-bing-is-cheating-copying-our-search-results-62914
http://googleblog.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/microsofts-bing-uses-google-search.html
I thought this was pretty much accepted as common knowledge now... unless you have another explanation as to how Bing returned the same results as Google after the Google experiment?
SlCKB0Y said:
They've tried to point out before that Bing is ripping off Google search results and they have some very compelling evidence that this is the case:
http://searchengineland.com/google-bing-is-cheating-copying-our-search-results-62914
http://googleblog.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/microsofts-bing-uses-google-search.html
I thought this was pretty much accepted as common knowledge now... unless you have another explanation as to how Bing returned the same results as Google after the Google experiment?
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Click to collapse
As if google doesn't use all kind of software to see what you are looking for on the web with other search engines.
It is just that they never did something against any other engine because Bing is the only real threat.
I agree
Sent from my HTC HD7 using Board Express
mcosmin222 said:
As if google doesn't use all kind of software to see what you are looking for on the web with other search engines.
It is just that they never did something against any other engine because Bing is the only real threat.
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That's a diffferent tangent from what youj quoted. Using other engines search results is weak. Seeing what other engines come up with is smart.
Since you said bing is a threat, how is that so ?
Aside from that the Bing Bar looks at all Search-Input fields and reports what search parameters made people end up at certain sites. Therefore if you enter "HTC Titan" in the Search-Box of the XDA-Developers Forum Bing will take that one up too and report back which topic of the presented list you then chose (given that if you search for something and then select a certain result it is highly likely that you thought it was relevant in the context of your search).
It is one of many signals Bing relies on in it's rankings. But given that the search term only appeared in the tests of Google's team it was the only hint available for the search. This still is not copying of Google's search results at large.
The search engine discussion is somewhat offtopic here - don't you think?
absorootly!
i guess this is a general subject, but fits in this forum because we're (nexus users) probably more affected than the rest of the android world. In short, i'm not liking Google's thirst for collecting info in order to sell us ads, tailor and filter information that gets to us, or even sell our info to other companies (android police had an article a while back about a company who was doing this). But let's go back in time a bit first...
My first android device was back in 2010, and i've been through a few htc and samsung devices, galaxy nexus, nexus 4 and of course nexus 5. Now, whoever had a galaxy nexus might remember how android was back then, ICS just came out, it was the first version that could actually compete with it's rival OS's, and the official builds on the galaxy nexus were very close to AOSP.
On the nexus 4 we started to see some changes, Chrome replaced AOSP's browser (Browser) even though it was still not ready for that role yet and despite it coming a long way to where it is now, IMO it's still not as good as the stock browser was. Google Play Music also replaced Music as the default music player and so on..
On the nexus 5 Hangouts replaced stock Messaging (in my opinion it also is not ready for that role yet) and last but not least we're witnessing how G+'s Photos is going to replace Gallery (which is simple and fast, works great, and has a mighty lil photo editor).
Let's add to that Photosphere, a feature exclusive to nexus devices, and the Google Experience launcher (exclusive to nexus 5). So we've reached quite a big divergence from AOSP.
Another thing is how Google is forcing it's social network, either through binding playstore/youtube comments with it, photos, G+ sign in, Game hub (Play Games) etc.. Basically, you have to have G+ to be able to do simple stuff.
Also, we all know that one of the reasons they killed microSD support was to get people to use their cloud services, Keep, Drive, GMusic, G+ autobackup photos...
Other than forcing it's services, Google likes to tailor things for us. A simple example is the Youtube app, it's default opening screen is "What to watch" instead of subscriptions.
Also, Google Now is a cool concept, and it can be very helpful, but it kind of adopts the concept of offering you the info (it thinks) you need, according to certain algorithms. And that's the way Google's search engine has been functioning for years. And it's not only a Google thing, everybody does it, facebook, yahoo etc..
If you've read this far, and this subject interests you, watch this TED talk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ofWFx525s
I've been thinking about this subject for a while, and honestly, i have mixed thoughts about it. I use Google's services and i actually like Google as a company -despite the lil rant above- but i try my best to control what info i share with them, and i'm definitely not liking the route Google is taking with android, causing fragmentation even between nexus devices, closing down a lot of open source services and forcing it's own, and tailoring stuff for me. I don't need someone to think or make decisions on behalf of me, i want to be able to decide what i want to see/read/know about/use. I also want android to stay as open sourced and available to everyone as it can be.
So what's your take on this subject? do you have any concerns about your privacy and the info you share with Google's servers? and how about the android -or should i say Google- experience on the N5 compared to AOSP or past experiences you had with previous nexus devices, do you see any difference?
Google uses your data to build out great services. They also get a lot of money for advertising, and that's just the way it is. Do you think they should give Maps and Gmail away for free to people without getting something in return? Everyone who buys a Nexus device or uses Google's services understands this. You said in your post that Google forces their services on us, but you aren't being forced to use a Nexus device, or use Maps and Gmail. You made that decision yourself, so I don't understand why you're complaining.
Oh no, Google can't do nothing bad. It's Apple's fault.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I don't really understand what you are getting at. If you don't like all of the Google services then why not install cyanogen mod? The sole purpose of a business is to make money for it shareholders and Google is a business. They provide amazing apps and services for "free". I put free in quotes because you are indirectly paying for it. No one is forcing you to use Google phones or Google services.
Edit* okay I do understand what you are getting at but I don't feel that Google is hiding it from its users. It's no secret that Google sells ads. That is their business. They can become a more successful business if they gather more information about its users. I am aware of what Google does when I use its services and I accept it because I use the services they provide and don't have to pull out my credit card.
It's not that hard to understand; why are we all flaming this dude? He was just asking for everyone's opinions.
I agree with you 100%. Especially as I initially made the switch from CM9 to CM10, I was really wary about Google Now. It seemed like it was collecting waaaayyyyy too much info. The G+ integration in Google Play and Youtube also ticked me off.
However, the more I think about it, Google is still being sensible. Google Now can't be compared to Siri because Siri can't do crap; Siri just takes what you say and searches it up. Google Now can be turned off, and if you don't want it always tracking your location, just turn off location and it'll turn off all the location-based cards.
I'm also intrigued (not concerned) by Google's recent actions, especially with the acquisition of Moto, the release of Moto X and Moto G, and the introduction of so many GPe devices. Perhaps Google feels threatened by Samsung and feels the need to tighten its grip? The Nexus/GPe community used to be solely dominated by Samsung, but now it's seen entrances by HTC, LG, Asus and Sony. It seems to me that everything Google has done in the past few months has been forced by Scamsung and Crapple, and that we shouldn't really feel concerned in any way...yet.
The whole world runs on information and EVERYONE is trying to collect as much as possible. You might as well let it benefit you. Imagine if you had to pay for an email client, gps, countless news subscriptions, data hosting, and on top of that, had to pay for every new software version as it was made available. Even paid services are focused primarily on learning as much about you as possible. At least they are trying to learn what interests you to offer you something you might actually want!
I for one am very sad to see Google's Android deviate so far from pure Android. I am not a fan of the Google Experience launcher and I miss the beautifully simple AOSP experience. Even when I do run stock android, I fill it up with Google services. I think the point here is that you should choose what you want... ESPECIALLY with a Nexus device. The Nexus has become too commercial with the N5.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
I dont want anyone selling my data. I do appreciate that I use many Google services for free so I'm happy for their bots to analyse my data to sell tailored advertising to support these services.
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rootSU said:
I dont want anyone selling my data. I do appreciate that I use many Google services for free so I'm happy for their bots to analyse my data to sell tailored advertising to support these services.
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Click to collapse
Long as i dont get junk in my email or mailing address, besides what do you got to hide huh? unless you're al qaeda right? or some terrorist..
Google doesn't sell your info to other people, and nor does it "read" your inbox or someone is "reading" it, it looks for certain keywords then deliver ads based on that... test it your self on your phone email your self with any subject and just make a random sentence containing the word viagra, you will now receive ads that have to do with "Male enhancement pills".. google does this to provide cheap devices such as the chromecast and nexus line they want you to buy it in return for your interests then deliver ads based on that then google gets paid by the advertiser or the marketing campain, so lets just call this instead of google stalking you or like mining your information like gold think of it as google trying to see what you're interested into and deliver that to you!
oh also inb4 someone says punctuation is your friend
I've always been very bugged about this that's why I try to download privacy apps to control what permissions they are asking for
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Google is just a modern day netzero (from back in the days). The sooner you realize that, the better you'll be able to set your expectations.
That being said everything you find worrisome, you can substitute with a different service. It's not being forced to you.
The reality is, you made a calculation that the benefits outweighs the costs. You just may not be conscious of it.
Lastly, the nexus line is pure Google, it's not pure asop. It's Google flavored android, just as htc one is htc flavored android.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 12:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 AM ----------
nohcho said:
Oh no, Google can't do nothing bad. It's Apple's fault.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Stawman
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
markdapimp said:
Long as i dont get junk in my email or mailing address, besides what do you got to hide huh? unless you're al qaeda right? or some terrorist..
Google doesn't sell your info to other people, and nor does it "read" your inbox or someone is "reading" it, it looks for certain keywords then deliver ads based on that...
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Click to collapse
This is exactly my point. You seem to be arguing my point back to me, which makes no sense. Perhaps you misread my post
Nothing online belongs to you.. there are many ways to stay frosty on android.
Sent from my AOSP on HammerHead using Tapatalk
i guess some people didn't get my point, maybe since English is not my native language.
Anyways, as i mentioned in my previous post i do use Google services, and i'm grateful that most of them are free. But it's getting harder and harder to control your privacy. Look at the new location concept in kitkat, you can't switch location OFF completely from the power widget, you have to take additional steps and go into settings. Furthermore, on previous versions, you could use GPS, let's say for sport tracking apps, but deny location from all Google apps. Now you can't do it anymore, even if you use "device only" Google's apps (and facebook and others) are able to ask for your location.
Same goes to the Photos app, if you log in your G+ account, and choose photos from the slide menu, you'll see all your photos, even if they are still only on your device (autobackup OFF), something like the GMusic concept with on-device/cloud music. Honestly, i don't want my photos on G+, and i have a feeling i'll be forced soon to upload them whether i like it or not, just like the location thing.
Also i want to be able to choose what G services i want to use. AOSP still gives that freedom, but no one can deny that Google progressively is stopping to develop AOSP apps, and it's forcing it's own. I think some around here take stuff that Cyanogenmod or the Paranoid team (and others) do for granted. I think people should be thankful for things like 8Sms , Focal and so on, and recognize the effort put in them, and help (test/report bugs) and donate to those devs to encourage them to polish these apps and make them even better. Honestly, i think we were lucky to get to choose what sms client we want as default, if it was up to Google, we wouldn't have that option available.
And lastly, look at what happened to App Ops, it would've been a nice tool to give back control to the end users, but it was killed in the last update with a statement that it was never meant to go public. If they are afraid some people will misuse it and break app-functionality (then whine about it) , well they could've put it in Developer Options right beside ART and the rest of the stuff that can potentially break things on your device.
So as a conclusion, i do like and use Google services, but i also don't want to be forced to share my private data, i just want to be able to do it in the range that i'm comfortable with, and putting everything on Google's servers does not make me feel comfortable :good:
You're never forced to share your data... You don't even have to use your real name on an account!
Sheesh.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Cirkustanz said:
You're never forced to share your data... You don't even have to use your real name on an account!
Sheesh.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's cool, can I use your name when buying my next phone.... how about my Google store/wallet account, oh yeah and PayPal
makes you wonder why so many laws in the past prohibited such practises... they must of been real stooooopid!! haha
also if it was a bad thing lots of literature would have been written about it, warning us
meangreenie said:
That's cool, can I use your name when buying my next phone.... how about my Google store/wallet account, oh yeah and PayPal
makes you wonder why so many laws in the past prohibited such practises... they must of been real stooooopid!! haha
also if it was a bad thing lots of literature would have been written about it, warning us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't be silly.
You can pay cash for an Android phone. You can even pay cash for a Nexus 5.
You have the option of paying for mobile purchases with your carrier account, and have you never heard of a pre-paid visa card? There are all kinds of ways to get one without providing any personally identifiable information of any kind. The point of google store purchases being an invasion of your personal information is also entirely moot as you can very easily use an Android phone without making a single purchase on the play store.
You don't even have to use wallet, in fact most Android users CANNOT even use wallet to its fullest since they don't have NFC in their phones.
For real now, if you think your personal data is so valuable and sacred, have fun not having a checking account, loan, a real job, or a real place to live.
You don't even have to have google services running on your phone. This is XDA...install a custom rom and just don't load gapps. Or be even more lazy about it and just disable those apps in settings and they don't run.
That's me being silly. See how that works?
Here's my theory on the issue...
The way I see it is that a person has three choices:
1. Go completely off-the-grid, paying (limited) bills in cash, never engaging with the internet, and forgoing many modern technological conveniences.
2. Allow some personal information here and there, trying to maintain control by engaging with services that can be discontinued when they "cross the line".
3. Allowing access to all personal information online, engaging with anything and everything.
The third is simply not an option for me. I have no desire to have for-profit corporations spamming me with offers for crap I don't want and selling my private, personally identifiable information to anyone and everyone.
The first is really not an option, either. I don't want to be completely cut off from friends or have contacting them be excessively difficult. It is convenient to pay my rent, utilities, and other bills online. Frankly, I'm not good enough with any type of work that allows one to go off the grid to make a living.
So, that leaves me with the second option. I monitor changes to privacy and terms of service policies for the services that I use. I try to limit the services that I use. Obviously, I have a bank account and that comes with the need to provide some information to the bank, but also the ability to monitor my money and immediately flag appropriate people if anything suspicious happens. I have a Google account and a Nexus 5, ergo I use Google's services. And here's what's important to me: I can delete my Google account any time I want. With something like Facebook, it was a lot more difficult to do that once I became uncomfortable with my of the changes Facebook was making. Also, with Google, I can opt-out of many of the services that make me uncomfortable, such as targeted advertising or using my +1's as endorsements. If that ever goes away, I will absolutely reconsider my position. I maintain multiple Google accounts, actually, as a means of limiting who can see what information about me. I have a personal account, which has the most information about me and which is as locked down vis-a-vis Google as I can make it, but which allows my friends and family the best means of interacting with me. I have a professional account, which has only information relevant to my work. I have an "partial-incognito" account, which does not have explicitly identifiable information about me. I have a few completely incognito accounts, which I only ever access through very restricted circumstances, like a proxy server, and have absolutely no information that could be tied back to me. Frankly, that's about the best I can do.
I have chosen to make a tradeoff, information for convenience. The line where I am willing / unwilling to make that tradeoff is a massive grey area and I constantly reevaluate it. Sure, it's annoying to have to stay on top of it, but it's a fact of modern life. As long as Google gives me the option to delete my account whenever I want, I give them the benefit of the doubt and continue providing (limited) information about myself in exchange for some extremely useful services (unfortunately, this isn't the same deal I can make with the NSA).
Lokitez said:
Here's my theory on the issue...
The way I see it is that a person has three choices:
1. Go completely off-the-grid, paying (limited) bills in cash, never engaging with the internet, and forgoing many modern technological conveniences.
2. Allow some personal information here and there, trying to maintain control by engaging with services that can be discontinued when they "cross the line".
3. Allowing access to all personal information online, engaging with anything and everything.
The third is simply not an option for me. I have no desire to have for-profit corporations spamming me with offers for crap I don't want and selling my private, personally identifiable information to anyone and everyone.
The first is really not an option, either. I don't want to be completely cut off from friends or have contacting them be excessively difficult. It is convenient to pay my rent, utilities, and other bills online. Frankly, I'm not good enough with any type of work that allows one to go off the grid to make a living.
So, that leaves me with the second option. I monitor changes to privacy and terms of service policies for the services that I use. I try to limit the services that I use. Obviously, I have a bank account and that comes with the need to provide some information to the bank, but also the ability to monitor my money and immediately flag appropriate people if anything suspicious happens. I have a Google account and a Nexus 5, ergo I use Google's services. And here's what's important to me: I can delete my Google account any time I want. With something like Facebook, it was a lot more difficult to do that once I became uncomfortable with my of the changes Facebook was making. Also, with Google, I can opt-out of many of the services that make me uncomfortable, such as targeted advertising or using my +1's as endorsements. If that ever goes away, I will absolutely reconsider my position. I maintain multiple Google accounts, actually, as a means of limiting who can see what information about me. I have a personal account, which has the most information about me and which is as locked down vis-a-vis Google as I can make it, but which allows my friends and family the best means of interacting with me. I have a professional account, which has only information relevant to my work. I have an "partial-incognito" account, which does not have explicitly identifiable information about me. I have a few completely incognito accounts, which I only ever access through very restricted circumstances, like a proxy server, and have absolutely no information that could be tied back to me. Frankly, that's about the best I can do.
I have chosen to make a tradeoff, information for convenience. The line where I am willing / unwilling to make that tradeoff is a massive grey area and I constantly reevaluate it. Sure, it's annoying to have to stay on top of it, but it's a fact of modern life. As long as Google gives me the option to delete my account whenever I want, I give them the benefit of the doubt and continue providing (limited) information about myself in exchange for some extremely useful services (unfortunately, this isn't the same deal I can make with the NSA).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the type of answer i was looking for, thank you for this :good:
i can recognize myself in most of the things you wrote, basically that's how i feel about it too. i hope we won't get to the part where we'll have to "reconsider our position", but all the closing down and limitations are an indication that we're heading that way (i hope i'm wrong).
I started this thread to hear what others think about this subject, and to see if maybe i'm being excessively paranoid
Cirkustanz said:
Don't be silly.
You can pay cash for an Android phone. You can even pay cash for a Nexus 5.
You have the option of paying for mobile purchases with your carrier account, and have you never heard of a pre-paid visa card? There are all kinds of ways to get one without providing any personally identifiable information of any kind. The point of google store purchases being an invasion of your personal information is also entirely moot as you can very easily use an Android phone without making a single purchase on the play store.
You don't even have to use wallet, in fact most Android users CANNOT even use wallet to its fullest since they don't have NFC in their phones.
For real now, if you think your personal data is so valuable and sacred, have fun not having a checking account, loan, a real job, or a real place to live.
You don't even have to have google services running on your phone. This is XDA...install a custom rom and just don't load gapps. Or be even more lazy about it and just disable those apps in settings and they don't run.
That's me being silly. See how that works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well none of that was my point, but don't worry about it. your willing to give my and my children's freedom away.. no argument will ever be good enough for you to stop you doing that.
Personally i don't care what Google knows about me (i'm not that interesting and i got nothing to hide - heck let the NSA spy on me too. don't care). I love their services and don't see anything wrong with them using my info to make $$. They are providing me with a service that makes my life a lot easier/better. I also really like the consolidation of Google aps and services and the synergy it creates. Google may force you to use one service to access part of another, but they do not force you to use anything you choose not to. If you don't like G+ integration, don't use Google's suite. I'm not trying to flame the OP, but i just don't get the point of this post. If you don't like something the best way is the speak with your wallet. If enough people do that maybe Google will pay attention.
---------- Post added at 12:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 PM ----------
rayiskon said:
That's the type of answer i was looking for, thank you for this :good:
i can recognize myself in most of the things you wrote, basically that's how i feel about it too. i hope we won't get to the part where we'll have to "reconsider our position", but all the closing down and limitations are an indication that we're heading that way (i hope i'm wrong).
I started this thread to hear what others think about this subject, and to see if maybe i'm being excessively paranoid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is why you started the thread? to hear opinions that validate your own? i thought it was to spark discussion?
Hi Guys,
I saw a lot of threads on the forum by which users could publish their apps for free on Play Store. But unfortunately, the members that were doing this are not active since a lot of time.
I am new to Android Development, and developed an Evolve Calculator for Pokemon GO, and wanted to publish it to Google Play Store, but unfortunately I don't have a credit card, and can't buy a Play Store Developer account.
So I wanted to ask, does Google give away free Developer Accounts to students, etc. Or would someone be kind enough to help me in getting a Play Store Account, or share one with me?
I am currently hosting a signed APK of my app on Google Drive, but i am not sure whether I should share it here or not.
Thanks in Advance
haiderali176 said:
Hi Guys,
I saw a lot of threads on the forum by which users could publish their apps for free on Play Store. But unfortunately, the members that were doing this are not active since a lot of time.
I am new to Android Development, and developed an Evolve Calculator for Pokemon GO, and wanted to publish it to Google Play Store, but unfortunately I don't have a credit card, and can't buy a Play Store Developer account.
So I wanted to ask, does Google give away free Developer Accounts to students, etc. Or would someone be kind enough to help me in getting a Play Store Account, or share one with me?
I am currently hosting a signed APK of my app on Google Drive, but i am not sure whether I should share it here or not.
Thanks in Advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't really help you with the publishing (sorry!) but I'll say... don't worry too much about the APK.
The second you put anything on the Play Store, whether free or paid, it becomes available on a couple dozen mirrors and piracy websites. Where are you from? I'm sure there are prepaid credits cards that you can use without a bank account in your country, and getting your own developer account (with the ability to update your apps whenever you want) is REALLY recommended.
Whiskee said:
Can't really help you with the publishing (sorry!) but I'll say... don't worry too much about the APK.
The second you put anything on the Play Store, whether free or paid, it becomes available on a couple dozen mirrors and piracy websites. Where are you from? I'm sure there are prepaid credits cards that you can use without a bank account in your country, and getting your own developer account (with the ability to update your apps whenever you want) is REALLY recommended.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the developer account, and hosted my app. Will make a Post on XDA as well, when I reach 10 posts. As far as pirated copies are concerned, I found none on the internet, I don't know whether thats insulting or what
haiderali176 said:
I bought the developer account, and hosted my app. Will make a Post on XDA as well, when I reach 10 posts. As far as pirated copies are concerned, I found none on the internet, I don't know whether thats insulting or what
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then congratulations on your first published app
They usually start popping out when you emerge in any category, like Top New X or very deep in the Trending rankings. It's all done by bots anyway, rarely the APK ends up on websites that bring some traffic (which can be useful if you integrate ads, and some of them might want to download the "real" updated version).
Whiskee said:
Well then congratulations on your first published app
They usually start popping out when you emerge in any category, like Top New X or very deep in the Trending rankings. It's all done by bots anyway, rarely the APK ends up on websites that bring some traffic (which can be useful if you integrate ads, and some of them might want to download the "real" updated version).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I had high hopes for the app, and hopefully it will do good. As far as Ads are concerned, I will integrate them next year, I am not eligible for AdSense or Merchant Account yet
haiderali176 said:
Well, I had high hopes for the app, and hopefully it will do good. As far as Ads are concerned, I will integrate them next year, I am not eligible for AdSense or Merchant Account yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well considering that your app is about Pokemon Go, your users like games which means that you can integrate pretty much any interstitial ad network and not just AdMob
Whiskee said:
Well considering that your app is about Pokemon Go, your users like games which means that you can integrate pretty much any interstitial ad network and not just AdMob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will see whether I will integrate them or not. Most probably not, I myself don't like ads, and I think others also hate them. As far as making money is concerned, I am not interested that much into it. I just the app to perform well
You could try free stores like: Opera, Amazon, Aptoide.
Just search for mobile marketing forums. There must be people who want!