Related
Before the flaming, I have read and searched many threads before posting.
Reading over the manual:
1. Can you select / Install google maps instead of bing maps like on HD2?
2. If not on Bing maps, does your location auto move as you move, similar to GPS?
3. Never used Zune, does it allow you to sync contacts? not important just interesting to know.
4. For those who have synced to google calendar, is it smooth and fully function? or have you noticed issues?
5. Reading about SRS, many say you have to install an app, according to manual, its in the HTC hub section already installed? which one do we use?
6. Not sure where but I read that future updates will be done auto and not force your phone to be reset to factory default like we currently do with HD2, can this be confirmed? any one know ?
I hate doing updates on HD2, having to re-sync and recreate email accounts and settings, if they do updates without having to reset to factory, such as the new Droid OS does, would be a very easy way to function.
Thank you in advance.
rysky007 said:
Before the flaming, I have read and searched many threads before posting.
Reading over the manual:
1. Can you select / Install google maps instead of bing maps like on HD2?
2. If not on Bing maps, does your location auto move as you move, similar to GPS?
3. Never used Zune, does it allow you to sync contacts? not important just interesting to know.
4. For those who have synced to google calendar, is it smooth and fully function? or have you noticed issues?
5. Reading about SRS, many say you have to install an app, according to manual, its in the HTC hub section already installed? which one do we use?
6. Not sure where but I read that future updates will be done auto and not force your phone to be reset to factory default like we currently do with HD2, can this be confirmed? any one know ?
I hate doing updates on HD2, having to re-sync and recreate email accounts and settings, if they do updates without having to reset to factory, such as the new Droid OS does, would be a very easy way to function.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Currently, only Bing maps is available on the phone, as all primary mapping services also only use Bing (so far). I have yet to come across any apps that use Google Maps, yet.
2. If an application uses the GPS regardless of whether it is using Bing, or Google, or neither, it works the same way where it tracks your location... hence the point of GPS.
3. Zune is for syncing media only at this point. It does not sync your Outlook/Windows/desktop contacts, and currently there is no 'official' way of doing this. Windows Phone 7 relies heavily on the cloud and Exchange server services (Windows Live, Gmail, etc.)
4. Using Google Calendar on the phone is rather simple and straightforward, aside from the limitation that Windows Phone 7 can only currently see your primary calendar only.
5. The SRS and Dolby sound enhancements are HTC-device specific only. You would download the application from the HTC Hub on the Marketplace, which you can only see if you are browsing the Marketplace on an HTC device.
6. Updates are pushed by Microsoft, and not necessarily the carrier (but certainly possible). You are correct that they work more as patches to the system rather than requiring full system re-installs.
I should add that, having been through the hard-reset process recently, getting the phone back to how I had it was fairly straight forward, although there were a couple of time-consuming things:
- set up APN (not needed if you're using an operator-locked phone with the operator's SIM)
- set up WiFi
- Enter Windows Live login details
- Enter Gmail login details
- Enter Facebook details
- Link Gmail contacts with Facebook ones -- most are done for you, but I had about 15 I had to manually link out of 250 contacts.
- Redownload apps. Apparently if you get the apps via Zune Desktop, this happens for you when you resync, but if you've bought/downloaded them via Marketplace, you have to manually redownload.
The bold steps were the time consuming ones. I also lost all saved games, which is frustrating.
Guys thank you for the great and fast responses.
Still a bit confused on the SRS, so is it an app that comes with the phone already? or one we need to get from Market Place?
Also forgot one main question I wanted to ask...
Does WP7 have or need Task Killer?
I know on Droid u have to dl the app,
WM6 came with it
Wm7? dont see any were in manual, do I assume that this new OS actually shuts things down when u close them like it should?
Thanks.
WP7 puts apps to sleep effectively - I can't remember the term they use off hand, but when you navigate away, if the app doesn't ask you if you want to exit, then it will save the state - dehydrated I think is the term! - so it's no longer running in the background. Then when you go back to it, it's rehydrated.
So no task killer.
rob_p said:
WP7 puts apps to sleep effectively - I can't remember the term they use off hand, but when you navigate away, if the app doesn't ask you if you want to exit, then it will save the state - dehydrated I think is the term! - so it's no longer running in the background. Then when you go back to it, it's rehydrated.
So no task killer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not bad, glad to see them follow nokias foot steps on this one.
I hated having task killer but then again its nice to see what is running in back round and bring up a app or process via that as well.
double edge sword i guess
rysky007 said:
Guys thank you for the great and fast responses.
Still a bit confused on the SRS, so is it an app that comes with the phone already? or one we need to get from Market Place?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app does not come with the phone. The phones do come with HTC Hub though, and through that application, you can view all the other HTC apps, including the Sound Enhancer one, and download it through there. It is also available through the Marketplace (HTC Hub just basically links you to the Marketplace for its downloads).
Have you been sucked in by Amazon's free app of the day promotion, downloaded an app, played with it for a couple hours and then decided to uninstall it?
Have you noticed how that uninstalled app will forever appear under My Apps in the App Store?
I wanted Amazon to stop passively reminding me about my fleeting affair with a past free app every time I go to their app store to try out the next free app of the day. The app store doesn't offer any way of removing the uninstalled and I like my lists to be cleaned up.
The solution I found is not perfect, but it works for me. I tried a variety of ways and this is the only thing I could find that avoided having the uninstalled apps re-appear after the app store syncs itself with my account. It requires root, Root Explorer and SQLite Editor. There are probably other ways to do this, but this worked for me.
In Root Explorer, go to the data/data/com.amazon.venezia/databases folder and open the file called "locker". With SQLite Editor installed, Root Explorer will automatically open the file with write permissions. There will be a list of 8 tables:
Applications - this is the table you want to edit
Blacklist - seems to be a table containing apps that are removed from Amazon
BlacklistCursor - somehow related to Blacklist
ContentTokens - the tokens for the apps you've downloaded. Syncs with your Amazon account every time you open the App Store. Deleting records here does nothing, as far as I could tell.
Downloads - lists any downloaded but not yet installed apps. When you download an app from the Amazon App Store, it downloads to a folder on your SD Card located at sdcard/Android/data/com.amazon.venezia/cache. Amazon names the apk oddly. Deleting records here does nothing, as far as I could tell.
Wishlist - I assume this syncs with your Amazon wishlist for apps. I don't use it, so I don't know for sure.
android_metadata - One record that identifies the locale as en_US.
sqlite_sequence - identifies the next sequence number that can be used (right? I'm not that familiar with it)
Select Applications
The first field is the ASIN identifier that Amazon uses. You can search Amazon for this and find the app that way, just in case you wanted to know.
Now, it would be great if deleting the record you don't want worked, but Amazon will just resync and add the record again. Boo.
The more interesting fields are off to the right, so scroll down that way.
Right after the SoldBy field are true/false flags. I'm listing them here, because I'm not entirely sure what they all do and maybe someone can fill in the blanks. If you edit most of these fields, Amazon will just reset them when it syncs, too. We want IsHiddenFromActionableItems.
IsPurchased - 1 if purchased
IsNew - 1 if there is a new version (to download or already downloaded but not installed, it seems)
IsUpdateAvailable - 1 if there is an update available (installed, with update available)
IsFlagged - not sure
IsNewNotified - 1 if notified of the new version.
IsUpdateAvailableNotified - 1 if notified of an update available. Interestingly, for the apps I uninstall the IsNew flag is true and IsUpdateAvailable is false, but the IsNewNotified is false and IsUpdateAvailableNotified is true. Seems backwards.
IsFlaggedNotified - notified of flagging?
IsHiddenFromActionableItems - this is the one you want.
IsDownloaded - 1 if downloaded and the file is still in its download location.
IsInstalled - 1 if downloaded and installed.
Full step by step:
***You need root***
1. In Root Explorer, go to the data/data/com.amazon.venezia/databases folder and open the file called "locker".
2. Select Applications
3. Highlight the record you want to edit by tapping it
4. Long press on the value in IsHiddenFromActionableItems.
5. Select Edit Field
6. Change the value from 0 to 1 (or the opposite if you want it back in the list)
7. Click Save
8. Repeat 4 - 7 for any other records you want.
9. Hit back to return to the table list and back again to go back to the folder.
That's it. When you run the Amazon App Store again, the apps you've changed the IsHiddenFromActionableItems value to 1 for will no longer appear under New (and presumably Update Available). Unfortunately, the apps will still show up under the All menu, unless you filter by Installed apps only.
Sorry for the long post, but I thought maybe someone else with more background than me would be able to figure out some other workaround.
I'm not responsible if this somehow screws up your phone.
THANK YOU.
God I thought I'd be waiting forever for them to come up with a better way to manage your purchased apps.
I'd be willing to bet that we'll see a better way to manage apps in future releases of their app store, but I'm not willing to wait for that.
You. are a god! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I was so happy when I saw this post. I tried the recommended resolution. However, when I hit the refresh button in the Amazon App Store, the "hidden" application came back.
Any ideas? I would love to have a solution.
Thanks,
Evan
Two new ideas that may help with this issue:
1) If you are *totally sure* you never want to see the app again..
Just delete the app.
Amazon's official instructions are a ways down this page:
Amazon Appstore for Android says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)
Amazon Appstore for Android customers can now permanently delete apps from their account. To use this feature, visit the Your Apps and Devices (http://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/your-account/myapps) section of the Amazon Appstore for Android and click "Actions."
To learn more about this feature, visit:
Appstore for Android FAQs - http://www.amazon.com/appstore/faq
Appstore for Android "Manage Apps" overview - http://www.amazon.com/help/managingapps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note this is a somewhat drastic step - if you change your mind you will have to pay for the app all over again. Works great for free apps of course.
2) Amazon may have given us a way to run off *all* notifications with the latest Amazon App Store apk. See http://www.goodandevo.net/2012/03/turn-off-amazon-appstore-notifications-on-your-htc-evo.html
Does anyone know if there is a similar process that can now be used? It seems like the recent update to the appstore app broke this method.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
I've been searching for an RSS reader that allows to read the feeds offline, but I wasn't able to find anything.
There is no problem installing GrazeRSS and FeedMe, however I get errors when trying to log in with them.
FeedMe supports Feedly only and it shows the Moved temporarily link and then nothing (other apps using Feedly do the same).
GrazeRSS supports Feedly, The Old Reader and Newsblur. Can't log into any of them.
JustReader supports BuzQuz and Feedly. Can't log into Feedly.
GrazeRSS is an open source app, so can be potentially modified to work on Nook Simple Touch.
Luckily gReader works on the NST and allows to share articles to Pocket and Readability. Didn't manage to share via EvenClip since I can't install onto NST.
problems with gReader on NST
After testing gReader for a day I'm not so happy about it. The major problem is a lack of e-Ink theme. You may support this request at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/g_reader/wcn6jLFQaY0
Another problem for me is with scrolling. When I scroll down in many cases it scrolls up. Tried to push harder and it helps sometimes, but still far away from usable.
And I can't find a way for NoRefresh to work with gReader. When I activate NoRefresh via the 3 downward taps, it seems that gReader thinks this is a gesture for it, so NoRefresh is not turned on.
I would also like to find a reader app that works with feedly on the NST. I would probably use my Nook to read my feeds more than actual books if I could get something working.
The best use for nook apart from reading is filtered news. I have installed a version of News and Weather which opens the links in my default browser (Opera Classic (Mobile)) and have setup my custom news keyword filters as on my other android devices.
RSS is much better. Best RSS app is gReader+ which does not have ads like greader. Reader+ is the second best reader IMO.
Since google shut down rss synching in July, you have a few options to have your rss feeds stored online for rss readers to setup with. Feedly is best and has its own web(works in opera classic) & app(not installable) reader too but it is too much like a magazine for me. Others are theoldreader (free) & bazqux (30 days free but good for import/export before 30 days). These are good as your rss account synch, their readers are not good for me.
I have tested many rss apps mentioned before in nooktouch threads. None of them are working properly. Only greader from market worked and imported my feeds. Problem is it has ads. I tried numerous apps mentioned here but most are dead, others fail import from feedly or theoldreader.
I tried about 20 versions of greader+. The old ones do not have import from feedly/theoldreader. The new ones fail on import mostly fail after pressing import from feedly/theoldreader, those few greader+ that do not and attempt stop saying untrusted network certificate error.
Very recent versions of greader+ actually do not run on NTS 2.1 android, screen just flashses and aborts. If anyone finds a working rss reader which imports subscriptions from feedly or theoldreader or bazqux, or import from files xml/opml let us know here what app and what version or even upload link or file. If I find a solution I will post.
Also import your subscriptions from feedly into theoldreader and bazqux and then export them (download) as both xml & opml files to backup on your PC, also zip & email to yourself and store in your keepers email folder..
In theoldreader site, in options setup a password and then to import elsewhere from theoldreader your id is the gmail email address and your password is the one you just setup, not your gmail password. Feedly uses gmail id & gmail password.
I actually use feedly for my rss management. Since feedly app does not work on nook I found a substitute. It's called "Feedme" and it works quite cool. Have bright theme so you could say it's somewhat optmised for einks. Only minus is no screen refresh. I just put my nook to sleep and wake it up if i want my screen refreshed.
flammenwurfer said:
I would also like to find a reader app that works with feedly on the NST. I would probably use my Nook to read my feeds more than actual books if I could get something working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you may want to support the following ideas:
Offer Feedly's own login
http://feedly.uservoice.com/forums/192636-suggestions/suggestions/4080705-offer-feedly-s-own-login
(Android client) Support older version of Android
http://feedly.uservoice.com/forums/...droid-client-support-older-version-of-android
Problem logging in on Nook Simple Touch
http://feedly.uservoice.com/forums/...20259-problem-logging-in-on-nook-simple-touch
prosty said:
I actually use feedly for my rss management. Since feedly app does not work on nook I found a substitute. It's called "Feedme" and it works quite cool. Have bright theme so you could say it's somewhat optmised for einks. Only minus is no screen refresh. I just put my nook to sleep and wake it up if i want my screen refreshed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried FeedMe, but didn't manage to log into Feedly. Just get an empty page likewise with any other RSS reader supporting Feedly.
What version do you use?
outlogic said:
I tried FeedMe, but didn't manage to log into Feedly. Just get an empty page likewise with any other RSS reader supporting Feedly.
What version do you use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using v1.3.6, also I didn't have such problem. It worked out of the box.
prosty said:
I'm using v1.3.6, also I didn't have such problem. It worked out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. How did you root your device? Do you use a custom kernel?
Personally I used ZeroChaos + NookManager + NTGAttack + NoRefresh + custom kernel #166 on my NST.
Feedly login used by most to authorize access feeds crashes with android 2.1 on NST. Feedme like many crashes on that for me.
Best way is to register with feedly, first, then via that with theoldreader, bazqux & ino reader And to import the xml & opml format file they generate to download.
greaqder was synched as I said before but it has ads in article list.
I got RssDemon from market to synch last night which is better as layout is similar and also gives dark theme. Better yet the ads appear not in article list but in article. It also opens links in my default browser, opera Classic aka mobile.
Better yet, I downloaded a copy of the paid version RssDemon elite last night with the license file to get rid of the ads.
JustReader also synched from market, similar enough layout to the two above, and typed in liNk (sdcard/feedly.opml) to synch feeds from file. Also a license file I downloaded worked. Exit generates crash log but does not matter as settings are remembered. Backup file generation does not work but with liceNse is ad free.
Best is ad free licensed rssdemon now, install Rssdemon elite old file, do not run, install license apk. then licensed justreader (market apk). Third best is greader from market with ads.
Best would be greader+ but newer ones crash, older ones feedly synch crashes, oldest oNes before July worked with Google rss only which is nowdead
wozhere said:
Third best is greader from market with ads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't seen any ads in free greader. But ZeroChaos filters ads somehow, so may this is the case.
And I don't mind paying for greader+ if the add an e-Ink theme https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/g_reader/wcn6jLFQaY0/V7XtZEutPIgJ and most importantly fix the problem with NoRefresh.
outlogic said:
I haven't seen any ads in free greader. But ZeroChaos filters ads somehow, so may this is the case.
And I don't mind paying for greader+ if the add an e-Ink theme https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/g_reader/wcn6jLFQaY0/V7XtZEutPIgJ and most importantly fix the problem with NoRefresh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zerochaos (i disabled root in config.txt) got stuck in launcher choice popup at start and many apps kept crashing while frozen. Had to restore a nandroid backup from yesterday. There is a clash with latest uimage I have probably.
The difference between greader & plus is the ads. I tried Zerochaos (Zerolab) as wanted adfree & anysoftkeyboard & Zeam (latest ones don't work). Can you upload these (/data/app or maybe in /system/app/)? Or at least tell us what versions they are?
AppBak generates a text file of installed apps/version number:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.moparisthebest.appbak&hl=en
P.S. No response from our friend. NVM. I tried from latest Zeam versions, a few days ago, but they didn't work on NST. Zeam Launcher is a free app, xda thread too, now sadly discontinued in favor of SickSky. I have used it as backup launcher, debugging etc., on my phones for a couple of years as it's so light. Usually use Nova. Versions 3.x don't work on NST. Versions 2.0.x work as do 2.2.x all the way up to 2.8.7 and 2.8.8. Versions 2.9.x and up don't work. Use v2.8.8. Advantage over ADW supplied with Glownooter is the dock can have more icons, I put 10 apps on it.
Also just installed a recent version of adfree, v0.8.66, seems to work.
I've figure out a workaround to the Feedly login issue: You can install the desired app on another android device, sign in to Feedly in the app there, and then back up the data, transfer it to the Nook, and restore it there. This worked for me for both JustReader and FeedMe, and probably works for any other app that runs 2.1. According to Feedly's API, they use OAuth with tokens that expire, but the app can refresh them. So if the app is coded correctly, in theory it should request a new token from Feedly without user input and you shouldn't see an expiration. However, if it does expire or require you to log into Feedly again for whatever reason, you would just need to redo the steps of authenticating on another Android device and then copying the data over.
Hope this helps!
not working
Akkifokkusu said:
I've figured out a workaround to the Feedly login issue: You can install the desired app on another android device, sign in to Feedly in the app there, and then back up the data, transfer it to the Nook, and restore it there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been trying to do this but haven't succeeded yet. I installed FeedMe on my phone, logged in and transferreded both the folder at /mnt/sdcard/com.seazon.feedme/ and the file at /data/davlik-cache/[email protected]@[email protected] to the nook. I CHMODded both to match the native versions on the nook. So far it hasn't brought me success.
Is this the approach you are describing?
wozhere said:
The best use for nook apart from reading is filtered news. I have installed a version of News and Weather which opens the links in my default browser (Opera Classic (Mobile)) and have setup my custom news keyword filters as on my other android devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you share your copy of News &Weather that's compatible with opera mobile?
THANKS!
case-sensitive said:
Can you share your copy of News &Weather that's compatible with opera mobile?
THANKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure.
In settings, custom news topics, add your own keywords of special interest + delete topics not wanted.
I really like the older version of News and Weather that doesn't open an external browser but the scrolling difficulty caused me to abandon it. The BBC news app is marginally better and at least the text is resizable. I just find that the constant switching back and forth between a feed app and the browser in the more "recent" version of News and Weather is painful.
I'm trying NewsHog now and it behaves marginally better for scrolling, offers an optional condensation of the article and then an option to open the full article in an internal browser with the same sort of scrolling issues. SIGH. I wrote to the developers and suggested an option to port scrolling to volume buttons but afterwards realized this was not a good idea because the app comes with a TTS feature (of no use on the Nook ST, of course).
So...is there a way to switch back and forth between the feed app and the browser without closing the browser and then waiting for it to reopen when you select the next item? Seems so clunky--even for a rooted Nook ST
The whole point of this news widget (developer stopped, search xda, another guy copied the app & put ads on it) is setting it up with your personal keyword filters for news topics. If you don't haVe any special iNterest keywords to search for, you might as well use any other general news app.
To list recent apps & switch to: clicking and holding on the home icon in the app: Button Saviour
That's the right arrow on all pages in the pics here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2612340
I use the old pro version 1.5.2 (see list, it's in red) which works on NST, but the free version is in the NST sub-forums here too as part of an OS or something.
+
For:
Listing current & recent (greyed) apps + switching to + killing (long-press):
From homepage of android: TaskSwitcher by shisho (also in list)
Should Be on every anDroid homepage and/or dockbar
I think that I've found the problem with feedly auth, they use a certificate from RapidSSL that isn't included in android 2.1 if we include the certificate from GeoTrust Global CA (RapidSSL is an intermediate CA of GeoTrust) I think that should work
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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....
Click to expand...
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.
hello with the new way of these phones andriod and others plus spyware .im wondering how do i know what apps samsung etc are spying on my phone maybe uploading my numbers and other infor without me knowing any of you guys got any idea whats the best way to stop it. tbh i hate even google assist even turning on by itself even when i diable it
Hello, first of all, please write in easily readable sentences, that way more people are going to help you.
Second, it is important to be and stay suspicious of the software you use, especially with android. But you shouldn't be worried too much as most of the data that is sent from your phone isn't sent with "evil intentions" or anything like that, it is often rather aggressive diagnostics.
Warning! The following paragraphs are filled with very radical means of removing suspected spyware! Almost all of these require root and knowledge in modding your Android! Beware!
As to how you can spot "spyware" or suspected spyware, there isn't one easy way.
First of all, you could use a custom ROM, so that your system is more open source and there isn't any suspected spyware (or any "ware" at all) from Samsung.
To go one step further, you could try to live without Google services:
Use a different search engine, for example DuckDuckGo or any other really
Use Firefox or any non-Chromium browser
Instead of using opengapps to install Google Play Services (when you install a custom ROM) you could use the replacement project "microG" (microg.org).
Get as many apps as you can from Open source app stores (F-Droid)
Don't use the official Play Store unless you really have to - it is a power hungry data collecting app (that can theoretically install any app without asking, just like the Google Play Services or any other /system/priv-app app with proper permissions) - Alternative for installing Play Store apps: Aurora Store
Replace Google Maps with OpenStreetMap (OSMand)
Use a anonymous YouTube client, for example NewPipe
etc.
These are of course only suggestions, I don't recommend doing them all at once, but if you really don't want any unnecessary data sent from your phone, these are the first steps.
For actually seeing which apps send what data you could either analyze the app bytecode with App Warden or look at all detailed permissions with AppOpsX.
Methods to neutralize spyware are rejecting the permission for the app to use internet access or even run in the background, disabling the suspected app or removing it with system app removers.
Be very careful with actually disabling or removing system apps! Many system apps are needed for the system to work and one can easily misjudge an app by its description and diagnostics! Before disabling an app you should research whether anyone else knows anything about the app and only remove it if you are really sure about it. You have been warned.