July 9th Update:
Sorry for the long delay everybody, I’ve just wrapped up moving and managed to get settled in a little bit. I’ll be able to pick up the pace over the next week. In the meantime, I’ve got a quick proof of concept project and that hint towards the mini project.
Let’s start with a quick review of the tablet itself. When you first pick it up, it’s wonderfully light and the rear has a great grippy-ness to it. The display looks fantastic and the system feels smooth & responsive. The second thing everyone will want to do (or at least I did) was test the waterproofing. Filled up the kitchen sink and ‘accidentally’ put the tablet in while my roommates were around. Several seconds of panic [on their part] later and the tablet works just fine. On the software side, the Sony apps look nice and cover basic functions like gallery and music. There’s a nice level of polish to the visuals. The remote and mini-apps work nicely, as I came to expect with my other Sony tablet. Every person I’ve shown it to has been quite impressed and intrigued by it. My Apple-loving friends no longer have any arguments about their iPad’s superiority (despite my older tablets being more powerful than their iCounterparts), this tablet has the design and build quality to stop them in their tracks.
As for Sony’s Smarttags, there’s not a lot to say about them other than that they’re aesthetically pleasing, relatively unobtrusive, and work well as an NFC tag. The software on the tablet does a great job of allowing one to customize actions to work with the tags.
As for the hint, I’m going to start with two of them, as I didn’t add one last week. This project originally began as part of this prescient home and then I decided I could adapt part of it to be more fun than practical.
1. A great place to set down one’s drink.
2. Tabletop gaming.
What I’m calling the proof of concept project was put together while moving. It starts with a secret… I’m a bathroom reader. Okay, so maybe that’s not a huge secret (books and magazines strewn around the bathroom is a bit of a giveaway), but it’s not exactly a polite conversation topic. It was conceived while describing the project to a friend who pointed out that he doesn’t cook, but there was an alternate use he found noteworthy (i.e. reading the royal reports on the porcelain throne). Henceforth this will just be described as the book preparation device (or BPD to save some typing). The materials needed are superglue, a sharp knife (preferably something like an Exacto), an NFC tag, and a magazine that you don’t want to read anymore. Use the superglue to laminate a block of pages together, either the whole magazine or just a section large enough to house the NFC tag. The one I did was about a 3 inch square through the whole magazine, excluding the cover. This also left the edges loose, providing a more authentic magazine look, rather than a big mess of superglue. Once this is set and dried, outline the NFC tag on the block for the pattern to cut. Cut and remove layers until you’ve made a cavity large enough for the tag to fit. Snugness is a personal preference, I left mine so that the tag was removable, but a tight fit and some glue could make this more permanent. Sony’s native Smarttag software works well for this application. Just customize the options so that the tag (blue in this case) triggers the tablet to open Play Books. A nice feature of Sony’s application is that there are ‘end’ actions, so a second contact with the tag causes a second set of actions to occur. I set this option to return to the home screen and read the time aloud (so that I know how late I am to wherever I’m headed). Once this is set up, leave the magazine near your reading chair. Place the tablet on the BPD as you sit down and presto! Your book is opened, as if by magic. When you’re done reading, set the tablet down again, stand, stretch, and poof! Your tablet has closed the book, told you how long you were lost in it, and is ready to travel to the next project.
I’ll add some pictures and a video here before too long. Maybe even a witty/catchy acronym to rename the project.
====Old/Original Posts Below===
Welcome to my secret underground lair... I mean thread detailing my entry into the Tablet Z competition. This first post will likely be a bit brief, but will hopefully clarify the concept of this project. This project will likely be a bit different than some of the software-focused entries, as the entire system hinges upon a series of physical constructs. As such, I'm going to attempt to detail every step, with hopes that some of you may find this interesting enough to try for yourself. I'd love to hear what everyone has to say and will try to respond to as many questions/input as I can.
Concept:
To utilize NFC and other features of the Tablet Z in order to produce a system which causes the tablet to perform actions in a semi-predictive matter.
Methodology:
I intend to modify items to produce convenient and unobtrusive ways of integrating NFC tags. This will provide the infrastructure for the system. On the device, software will be used to carry out instructions specific to the tag and other variables.
To put my sciencey talk into a more tangible example, take for instance the kitchen. What function would be handy for a tablet to perform by itself? The most obvious answer to me, is for it to open up a recipe. In order to accomplish this, I intend to create a stand with an integrated NFC tag, which would trigger the tablet to open a recipe app. Depending on the software side (which I plan on mostly using existing apps, as I'm not much of a coder), I would ideally have the system cross reference a menu that's been planned out (i.e. that you had planned for meatloaf on Monday night, the tablet would open directly to a meatloaf recipe). As a starting point, it will likely open to a random recipe. For anyone following along at home, the action should be easily modified on the software side. Perhaps some people prefer to catch up with HBO or listen to some Sinatra while cooking. The idea is in the same vein as the whole home-of-the-future concept.
This concept will be extrapolated to several rooms.Other planned functionality would be to automatically turn on the TV in the living room, play music in the den, set alarms in the bedroom, and perhaps a few other tricks along the way.
Before I wrap this post up, I'd like to say thanks to XDA and Sony for holding this competition and giving me the opportunity to create this project. I'd also like to say thanks to everyone who takes the time to follow the projects in this contest and hope that everyone has a bit of fun.
PS- This first week is going to be slow (I'm moving at the end of the month), but I'll try to post a hint towards the mini-project within this one. I'm attempting to keep it as a bit of a surprise.
Kitchen
Reserving some space.
Living Room
More space.
Bedroom
Spaced out.
Other/Etc
In space, no one can hear you wait between posts...
Seems interesting
Wish you good luck for the competition
While I am waiting for my Pioneer to arrive, one thing occurred to me. What happens to notifications from other apps? For instance, SmartThings notifies me if I left my garage door open after I leave the house; will those simply be silenced if my phone is connected to Android Auto beforehand?
Solutions Etcetera said:
While I am waiting for my Pioneer to arrive, one thing occurred to me. What happens to notifications from other apps? For instance, SmartThings notifies me if I left my garage door open after I leave the house; will those simply be silenced if my phone is connected to Android Auto beforehand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. I don't think it silences them, but it doesn't show them on the head unit. You could have ST send you an SMS instead (and that would show up.)
I suspect (hope) that google will eventually allow other app notifications to pop up on the head unit's screen - even if you can't interact with them (other than to just clear them.)
Thanks. It kinda sucks that AA cripples your notifications. I don't need to interact with them, but not getting them at all seems overkill.
I share your hope that they revisit some of their decisions.
Solutions Etcetera said:
Thanks. It kinda sucks that AA cripples your notifications. I don't need to interact with them, but not getting them at all seems overkill.
I share your hope that they revisit some of their decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt Google will backtrack on these decisions.
There is a new AA API for Audio and a new AA API for notifications.
Apps must implement these for Google to allow them to work with AA. Furthermore, the apps must be submitted to Google for approval to try and ensure they are not driver distracting.
These are very intentional business decisions Google has made.
Google does NOT want to be sued for driver distraction, nor get bad press from cases where people try and blame AA ("The tree jumped out in front of me") and does NOT want regulators banning Android Auto.
Furthermore, this reduces the competition Google faces from other audio and messaging apps. Only "select" apps will be allowed.
mikereidis said:
I doubt Google will backtrack on these decisions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly, but Google's nature is to throw it against the wall and see what sticks.
If even non-interactive aspects of your device are crippled, folks may feel the need to disconnect while driving (which defeats the whole point of it).
Or, avoid the platform entirely. I know that after seeing a demo of AA I thought "my Moto X does all of this and more, without having to look at or touch it".
I'm betting that this will evolve in the same way as other projects.
Doesn't the two "application types" of "audio" and "notifications" seem horribly limiting? I mean, I can envision a lot of cool ideas that dont fall into those categories but would still be ok on the road.
For example - if you can "proxy" access to the phone's Bluetooth connection - you could write a "dashboard extension" that uses a Bluetooth OBD II connector which is able to display a good deal of extra information on your Android Auto screen.
Anyone else feeling limited?
Google is working on other app types; The code shows a few presumably experimental.
Audio & notifications is just the start.
But Google is trying to be rigorous about ensuring no distraction, and that's part of why things are moving slowly. Google has never pre-approved apps before.
Yeah... so far the only documented APIs are for audio playback and messaging. There is another group to come, and that is vehicle info. Unfortunately the example apps I have seen are things like roadside assistance, service intervals, and the like.
I am hoping for more... something akin to Torque-like displays, but there is no info just what the new APIs are capable of. The existing ones seem to be pretty opaque.
While I like the Pioneer head unit, AA is kind of a wait and see process. It actually requires more interaction for calls and texts than my Moto X. And you will miss all your notifications outside of phone calls, Google Now, and texts. I had one from SmartThings that notified me if I left my garage door open. I had to rewrite that app to use texts instead.
Oddly enough, some Tasker stuff comes through. I have a text to speech task tied to a charging profile, and it still announces the charging status when connected.
Solutions Etcetera said:
There is another group to come, and that is vehicle info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google wants to mine this data. Auto OEMs are tending to hold back.
Auto OEMs want to make money on the new technology, and not become "dumb pipes/terminals" for Google and Apple, and while the OEMs take all the risks of distracted driving lawsuits as Google and Apple are trying to do.
I was reading about the google duplex and I wanted to try it out on my Note9. Is that possible yet or do we have to wait for an update later on?
Olti93 said:
I was reading about the google duplex and I wanted to try it out on my Note9. Is that possible yet or do we have to wait for an update later on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"What can you do with Google Duplex?
At the moment, the only thing that Pixel phones owners can do with Duplex is to make a reservation at a restaurant. In the future, the AI-based voice service could do a lot more, such as make reservations for your doctor’s appointment or set up a time and day to get your hair cut."
https://www.androidauthority.com/what-is-google-duplex-869476/
so not sure what the goal of this app is appart from invading even more your privacy than google assistant by stepping in and communicating on your behalf but i guess this is the future now.
what is not clear to me is that the basis of this app should have been cover by default with Google assistant. why does an other app need to be created to do an assistant's job is beyond me. i believe it may be caused by legal ramifications.
by splitting the whole virtual assistant app in different external apps , google might be trying to evade legal stuff that if it were all included i to 1 app, it would be considered illegal. again i don't pretend i know how all of this works but it seems weird that the google assistant needs an assistant.
bober10113 said:
"What can you do with Google Duplex?
At the moment, the only thing that Pixel phones owners can do with Duplex is to make a reservation at a restaurant. In the future, the AI-based voice service could do a lot more, such as make reservations for your doctor’s appointment or set up a time and day to get your hair cut."
https://www.androidauthority.com/what-is-google-duplex-869476/
so not sure what the goal of this app is appart from invading even more your privacy than google assistant by stepping in and communicating on your behalf but i guess this is the future now.
what is not clear to me is that the basis of this app should have been cover by default with Google assistant. why does an other app need to be created to do an assistant's job is beyond me. i believe it may be caused by legal ramifications.
by splitting the whole virtual assistant app in different external apps , google might be trying to evade legal stuff that if it were all included i to 1 app, it would be considered illegal. again i don't pretend i know how all of this works but it seems weird that the google assistant needs an assistant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what you mean by that. I was just looking at the list of the states and where I live I am no where near them LOL.
Anyway, the creation of the Duplex is slowly moving towards Machine Learning and Robotics where in the far future you would have robots instead of the Speakers at home (Alexa, Google Home Etc) where you would just need to talk to them and they can get things done for you.
Somewhat helpful but scary at the same time. A heartless robot replacing you or doing the tasks that you need to do. :cyclops:
Olti93 said:
...A heartless robot replacing you or doing the tasks that you need to do. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd want one of those for work so i can stay at home...lol
To start: I've been highly anticipating this phone. I've had two Google Pixel 3 XLs that my SO and I have been using since release day. Probably one of the best overall phones I've owned, first phone to make it past the two year mark before attempting replacement. I've had cell phones since 1996 mind you (I was in high school at the time and lucky enough to have a job in web development / system administration and I was on-call for the company I was employed by, but I digress). Anyway...
I've worked in enterprise security (consultant, FTE and on the vendor side) for the bulk of my professional career post-college. I've been, generally, OK with both Android and IOS over the years - give or take different areas of concern/complaint. I own a number of iPads and iPhones currently, but my daily driver is the P3XL.
I didn't realize Samsung was as bad as they currently are for hidden apps and outlandish permissions in their own ecosystem of software.
The first problem I noticed was that Facebook is installed by default. Red flag. I uninstalled and immediately went to look through the system apps to validate there were no other Facebook components lying around. And there are. There are three Facebook components you cannot uninstall but can only disable: Facebook App Installer, Facebook App Manager and Facebook Services. If you're keeping your Galaxy S21 and don't use Facebook I'd recommend disabling them and validating background data is disabled as they may be reenabled on system updates (I'm not sure if that's true or not). The reality is they very well could be and you wouldn't know it - given the circumstances I'd err on the side of trust - but definitely verify.
The second problem I ran into was Microsoft OneDrive. Again, not able to uninstall it - you can disable it. Obviously these apps are all part of the system image and is the reason you can't actually remove them. FFS.
The third, and final nail, is Bixby Voice. This app cannot be uninstalled, cannot be disabled and all permissions are immutable (meaning they cannot be changed). I understand Samsung is, and has been, trying to force Bixby on it's users for years. I thought Samsung had moved on and relinquished control. I was, unfortunately, wrong. Final nail in the coffin for me.
So... Does Google do this on Pixel devices? Sure, to an extent with Google components. Does Apple do this on IOS? Yes. The difference is that the Google apps on a Pixel device aren't harboring controls that can't be overridden. I can turn off permissions on the "Google" app, say - the microphone permission, even though it may break functionality. I can live with that. But I'm not OK with giving control up to something like Bixby Voice that has, literally, every permission 24/7.
I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the complacency involved with being OK with this and that's the rationale for returning the device. So, Samsung, if you're reading this (who am I kidding, you're not) - what an amazing phone with regard to the hardware. Truly top notch, truly polished and pushes all of the right buttons. You didn't lose a customer because the phone wasn't designed well. You lost a customer because it's clear that on top of the $1200+ phone you have the audacity to treat your customers as if they don't care - that they're not concerned with privacy in the least, and you clearly don't want them to be given what you've delivered. The reality is Google isn't a bastion of hope in that department either. Nor is Apple. But the Pixel line and IOS devices give end users a level of control if they're willing to give up features or functionality. I'd be fine with Bixby being on the phone if I could disable it and know that it's not able to phone home. But that's not possible sans drastic measures. Measures that would lock me out of functionality I do use.
So Samsung. No, you don't get my money and a complacent response to your privacy ignorant stance. I won't waste my time with the Samsung brand moving forward. I hope others voice their concern and skip Samsung until these things are handled correctly. I know I'm a minority at this point in time, but the tides are slowly changing.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/l6hn2y/returning_the_galaxy_s21_ultra/
jesus christ you waited 3 months to repost this wall of text from reddit?
just return the phone and go away, no one cares
I'm in agreement with your view regarding Samsung's dedicated apps, particularly when they dont require permissions however you may be able to scrub the device with the process outlined here.
How to Remove Samsung Bloatware without Root
Samsung phones and Galaxy Tabs come with lots of preinstalled apps many of which are useless to the end-user. Such apps are called bloatware and because they are installed as system apps, the uninstall option for them remains unavailable. Below is a big list of Samsung bloatware that is safe to...
r1.community.samsung.com
These days with top shelf devices costing over $1,000 USD it pays to spend some time at a retailer to get a better understanding of whatever device you're considering, particularly if you're jumping to a brand you haven't used in the recent past.
LavenderBirch said:
To start: I've been highly anticipating this phone. I've had two Google Pixel 3 XLs that my SO and I have been using since release day. Probably one of the best overall phones I've owned, first phone to make it past the two year mark before attempting replacement. I've had cell phones since 1996 mind you (I was in high school at the time and lucky enough to have a job in web development / system administration and I was on-call for the company I was employed by, but I digress). Anyway...
I've worked in enterprise security (consultant, FTE and on the vendor side) for the bulk of my professional career post-college. I've been, generally, OK with both Android and IOS over the years - give or take different areas of concern/complaint. I own a number of iPads and iPhones currently, but my daily driver is the P3XL.
I didn't realize Samsung was as bad as they currently are for hidden apps and outlandish permissions in their own ecosystem of software.
The first problem I noticed was that Facebook is installed by default. Red flag. I uninstalled and immediately went to look through the system apps to validate there were no other Facebook components lying around. And there are. There are three Facebook components you cannot uninstall but can only disable: Facebook App Installer, Facebook App Manager and Facebook Services. If you're keeping your Galaxy S21 and don't use Facebook I'd recommend disabling them and validating background data is disabled as they may be reenabled on system updates (I'm not sure if that's true or not). The reality is they very well could be and you wouldn't know it - given the circumstances I'd err on the side of trust - but definitely verify.
The second problem I ran into was Microsoft OneDrive. Again, not able to uninstall it - you can disable it. Obviously these apps are all part of the system image and is the reason you can't actually remove them. FFS.
The third, and final nail, is Bixby Voice. This app cannot be uninstalled, cannot be disabled and all permissions are immutable (meaning they cannot be changed). I understand Samsung is, and has been, trying to force Bixby on it's users for years. I thought Samsung had moved on and relinquished control. I was, unfortunately, wrong. Final nail in the coffin for me.
So... Does Google do this on Pixel devices? Sure, to an extent with Google components. Does Apple do this on IOS? Yes. The difference is that the Google apps on a Pixel device aren't harboring controls that can't be overridden. I can turn off permissions on the "Google" app, say - the microphone permission, even though it may break functionality. I can live with that. But I'm not OK with giving control up to something like Bixby Voice that has, literally, every permission 24/7.
I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the complacency involved with being OK with this and that's the rationale for returning the device. So, Samsung, if you're reading this (who am I kidding, you're not) - what an amazing phone with regard to the hardware. Truly top notch, truly polished and pushes all of the right buttons. You didn't lose a customer because the phone wasn't designed well. You lost a customer because it's clear that on top of the $1200+ phone you have the audacity to treat your customers as if they don't care - that they're not concerned with privacy in the least, and you clearly don't want them to be given what you've delivered. The reality is Google isn't a bastion of hope in that department either. Nor is Apple. But the Pixel line and IOS devices give end users a level of control if they're willing to give up features or functionality. I'd be fine with Bixby being on the phone if I could disable it and know that it's not able to phone home. But that's not possible sans drastic measures. Measures that would lock me out of functionality I do use.
So Samsung. No, you don't get my money and a complacent response to your privacy ignorant stance. I won't waste my time with the Samsung brand moving forward. I hope others voice their concern and skip Samsung until these things are handled correctly. I know I'm a minority at this point in time, but the tides are slowly changing.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/l6hn2y
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So.... return pickup still not arrived in 3 months?
Or you're just baiting us into defending Samsung and start a pointless debate here?
It's been 3 months since that post man... Either you've returned it and are now happy with the other gazillion devices you say you have, or you are just trundling along with the S21U just looking to vent your frustration... or maybe, you got yourself a OnePlus 9 Pro and are now missing the S21U. I dunno - but whatever it is, please for the love of God, tell us what you want us to do about it?
Why on Earth did you go through the hassle of creating a new thread here on XDA just to Copy-Paste a 3 month old rant from Reddit?
This isn't a request for help, nor is this development related - it sounds more like an open letter to Samsung. What will this acheive?
Anyway, hope this allowed you to vent some frustration and find some peace. May you find happiness with whatever new device you eventually buy.
LavenderBirch said:
To start: I've been highly anticipating this phone. I've had two Google Pixel 3 XLs that my SO and I have been using since release day. Probably one of the best overall phones I've owned, first phone to make it past the two year mark before attempting replacement. I've had cell phones since 1996 mind you (I was in high school at the time and lucky enough to have a job in web development / system administration and I was on-call for the company I was employed by, but I digress). Anyway...
I've worked in enterprise security (consultant, FTE and on the vendor side) for the bulk of my professional career post-college. I've been, generally, OK with both Android and IOS over the years - give or take different areas of concern/complaint. I own a number of iPads and iPhones currently, but my daily driver is the P3XL.
I didn't realize Samsung was as bad as they currently are for hidden apps and outlandish permissions in their own ecosystem of software.
The first problem I noticed was that Facebook is installed by default. Red flag. I uninstalled and immediately went to look through the system apps to validate there were no other Facebook components lying around. And there are. There are three Facebook components you cannot uninstall but can only disable: Facebook App Installer, Facebook App Manager and Facebook Services. If you're keeping your Galaxy S21 and don't use Facebook I'd recommend disabling them and validating background data is disabled as they may be reenabled on system updates (I'm not sure if that's true or not). The reality is they very well could be and you wouldn't know it - given the circumstances I'd err on the side of trust - but definitely verify.
The second problem I ran into was Microsoft OneDrive. Again, not able to uninstall it - you can disable it. Obviously these apps are all part of the system image and is the reason you can't actually remove them. FFS.
The third, and final nail, is Bixby Voice. This app cannot be uninstalled, cannot be disabled and all permissions are immutable (meaning they cannot be changed). I understand Samsung is, and has been, trying to force Bixby on it's users for years. I thought Samsung had moved on and relinquished control. I was, unfortunately, wrong. Final nail in the coffin for me.
So... Does Google do this on Pixel devices? Sure, to an extent with Google components. Does Apple do this on IOS? Yes. The difference is that the Google apps on a Pixel device aren't harboring controls that can't be overridden. I can turn off permissions on the "Google" app, say - the microphone permission, even though it may break functionality. I can live with that. But I'm not OK with giving control up to something like Bixby Voice that has, literally, every permission 24/7.
I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the complacency involved with being OK with this and that's the rationale for returning the device. So, Samsung, if you're reading this (who am I kidding, you're not) - what an amazing phone with regard to the hardware. Truly top notch, truly polished and pushes all of the right buttons. You didn't lose a customer because the phone wasn't designed well. You lost a customer because it's clear that on top of the $1200+ phone you have the audacity to treat your customers as if they don't care - that they're not concerned with privacy in the least, and you clearly don't want them to be given what you've delivered. The reality is Google isn't a bastion of hope in that department either. Nor is Apple. But the Pixel line and IOS devices give end users a level of control if they're willing to give up features or functionality. I'd be fine with Bixby being on the phone if I could disable it and know that it's not able to phone home. But that's not possible sans drastic measures. Measures that would lock me out of functionality I do use.
So Samsung. No, you don't get my money and a complacent response to your privacy ignorant stance. I won't waste my time with the Samsung brand moving forward. I hope others voice their concern and skip Samsung until these things are handled correctly. I know I'm a minority at this point in time, but the tides are slowly changing.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/l6hn2y
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apart from being unable to disable Bixby or revoke permissions from Bixby I dont see what your actual problem is?
Yes, FB and 3x services are installed but as you rightly stated they can all be disabled. Problem solved
Whilst Bixby cannot be disabled, you can pretty much limit where it is in use... e.g. set Google Assistant as default.
I have worked in I.T. for almost 40 years and although not in the field of I.T. security like yourself, I think I know enough about the topic to secure my home devices like phones computers and routers.
Samsung is not perfect but they are a heck of a lot better than most smartphone manufacturers.... 3 years OS upgrades, monthly security patching on the S and Z ranges, etc.
Just my own personal thoughts, don't shoot me for wondering if perhaps you are overly sensitive being an ITSEC professional.
sesnut said:
jesus christ you waited 3 months to repost this wall of text from reddit?
just return the phone and go away, no one cares
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You DO realize the guy is entitled to his opinion and also that you're not in a position to censor his posts.
You disagree with him? Speak up or don't read further.
Muzzling people for having different opinions led to nazism...or communism.
Ipse_Tase said:
You DO realize the guy is entitled to his opinion and also that you're not in a position to censor his posts.
You disagree with him? Speak up or don't read further.
Muzzling people for having different opinions led to nazism...or communism.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sesnut is also entitled to his opinion. Seems like you're also trying to do the muzzling.
Why not just say "led to racism or veganism" if you're just throwing out terms without knowing what they mean. Silencing of personal opinion did not lead to Communism.
Just in.../developing story/: "local woman Jessica Landis told reporters Tuesday that she suddenly realized she was the same age her parents were when they were her age"
Woman Suddenly Realizes She Same Age Parents Were When They Were Her Age
ATLANTA—Noting the event had caused her to rethink the chronology of her entire life, local woman Jessica Landis told reporters Tuesday that she suddenly realized she was the same age her parents were when they were her age. “It’s just crazy, I’m turning 27 next month, which is the same exact...
local.theonion.com
LavenderBirch said:
To start: I've been highly anticipating this phone. I've had two Google Pixel 3 XLs that my SO and I have been using since release day. Probably one of the best overall phones I've owned, first phone to make it past the two year mark before attempting replacement. I've had cell phones since 1996 mind you (I was in high school at the time and lucky enough to have a job in web development / system administration and I was on-call for the company I was employed by, but I digress). Anyway...
I've worked in enterprise security (consultant, FTE and on the vendor side) for the bulk of my professional career post-college. I've been, generally, OK with both Android and IOS over the years - give or take different areas of concern/complaint. I own a number of iPads and iPhones currently, but my daily driver is the P3XL.
I didn't realize Samsung was as bad as they currently are for hidden apps and outlandish permissions in their own ecosystem of software.
The first problem I noticed was that Facebook is installed by default. Red flag. I uninstalled and immediately went to look through the system apps to validate there were no other Facebook components lying around. And there are. There are three Facebook components you cannot uninstall but can only disable: Facebook App Installer, Facebook App Manager and Facebook Services. If you're keeping your Galaxy S21 and don't use Facebook I'd recommend disabling them and validating background data is disabled as they may be reenabled on system updates (I'm not sure if that's true or not). The reality is they very well could be and you wouldn't know it - given the circumstances I'd err on the side of trust - but definitely verify.
The second problem I ran into was Microsoft OneDrive. Again, not able to uninstall it - you can disable it. Obviously these apps are all part of the system image and is the reason you can't actually remove them. FFS.
The third, and final nail, is Bixby Voice. This app cannot be uninstalled, cannot be disabled and all permissions are immutable (meaning they cannot be changed). I understand Samsung is, and has been, trying to force Bixby on it's users for years. I thought Samsung had moved on and relinquished control. I was, unfortunately, wrong. Final nail in the coffin for me.
So... Does Google do this on Pixel devices? Sure, to an extent with Google components. Does Apple do this on IOS? Yes. The difference is that the Google apps on a Pixel device aren't harboring controls that can't be overridden. I can turn off permissions on the "Google" app, say - the microphone permission, even though it may break functionality. I can live with that. But I'm not OK with giving control up to something like Bixby Voice that has, literally, every permission 24/7.
I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the complacency involved with being OK with this and that's the rationale for returning the device. So, Samsung, if you're reading this (who am I kidding, you're not) - what an amazing phone with regard to the hardware. Truly top notch, truly polished and pushes all of the right buttons. You didn't lose a customer because the phone wasn't designed well. You lost a customer because it's clear that on top of the $1200+ phone you have the audacity to treat your customers as if they don't care - that they're not concerned with privacy in the least, and you clearly don't want them to be given what you've delivered. The reality is Google isn't a bastion of hope in that department either. Nor is Apple. But the Pixel line and IOS devices give end users a level of control if they're willing to give up features or functionality. I'd be fine with Bixby being on the phone if I could disable it and know that it's not able to phone home. But that's not possible sans drastic measures. Measures that would lock me out of functionality I do use.
So Samsung. No, you don't get my money and a complacent response to your privacy ignorant stance. I won't waste my time with the Samsung brand moving forward. I hope others voice their concern and skip Samsung until these things are handled correctly. I know I'm a minority at this point in time, but the tides are slowly changing.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/l6hn2y
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Wow, is that what you wrote down as your return reason ?
Samsung's Facebook contract is ending soon.
But, I don't care because I always disabled Facebook like you said anyways. I have a thread about it here somewhere.
As far as Bixby is concerned: I disable it as much as possible from within the phone. I see no evidence that it is actually running though. The OS says it isn't using ANY RAM ever. Also, you can just use ADB to disable it.
Go to the Samsung Privacy Center and the Do Not Sell site to maximize your privacy settings if you like.
Kawaisa said:
Sesnut is also entitled to his opinion. Seems like you're also trying to do the muzzling.
Why not just say "led to racism or veganism" if you're just throwing out terms without knowing what they mean. Silencing of personal opinion did not lead to Communism.
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Ummm....selective reading much? Also...history is recorded in books if you can get someone to read them to you.
Wow...some people here lack elementary logic. You know, not everything is about you.
Shockingly, others have the same right to speak and ***** and moan....however you want to call it.
Please send my regards to the local communist cell.
Ipse_Tase said:
Ummm....selective reading much? Also...history is recorded in books if you can get someone to read them to you.
Wow...some people here lack elementary logic. You know, not everything is about you.
Shockingly, others have the same right to speak and ***** and moan....however you want to call it.
Please send my regards to the local communist cell.
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Is it worth mentioning the original topic was phone related and not political or philosphical...
Guys, OP just came here to throw some shade at Samsung, vent some frustration and never came back for a discussion. New member. This is his only post on xda. It was obviously a hit and run stunt.
The guy who started the fire has left and in his place, we're sitting here fighting and bickering about stuff like communism?
I guess it was just bait .Let's stop replying to this thread here. It's pointless now.
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