Database Develop

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Hi guys,
I was just wondering if anyone out there has already thought of this or if this is even possible.
First off, I have no clue where to send suggestions to google, and I doubt they respond anyway so the best hope for this would be a community effort.
The Situation: (no Jersey shore jokes please) Well we're all annoyed by the rampant abuse of the Market by certain companies releasing and updating their pointless fact based apps, and that makes the whole "Just in" option useless.
We only have "Top Paid" and "Top Free".
Basically, the Android Market experience is pretty bad in terms of searching for apps though categorisation.
Proposed Solution:
What the Android Market needs is the following.
1. A Sort by Rating, Alphabetically, Date Released, Developer option (probably more but that's all I can think of now).
2. More sub-categories within the main ones. E.G Multimedia->Video Player/Music Player
What do you guys think? Is it plausible?

There have been countless discussions on this on here, other forums, news groups, Google official groups and everywhere else for that matter and in all honestly pretty pointless to talk about since Google appears to be in on hurry at all to resolve this issue.
(nothing against you, just stating facts).

you can post suggestions to android here:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/list

Try appbrain.com they do a good job filtering the nuisance apps from the just in apps.

Things I don't like so far

In order from most annoying:
Cannot whitelist k9 mail (and other things) from power saving (this is a deal breaker, I'm taking it back)
Long press to select text instead of double click (vanilla android allows both) (almost a deal breaker)
Media volume cannot be increased without acknowledging warning when BT connected
Can’t disable bixby button without samsung account
No root (needed to run webserver on 80 and change iptables)
Fingerprint sensor hard to find, hard to touch (compared to nexus 6p)
Default phone app sucks and can’t be changed
-Notifications for blocked numbers calling
-Hard to block numbers
-Hard to add recent calls to contacts (uses wrong account or something)
Volume buttons hard to find, on wrong side of phone
Samsung sms app is ugly and horrible (replaceable)
Samsung calendar app does not allow multiple default reminders (replaceable)
Lock screen time is on multiple lines with no way to change it

Thats nice. Enjoy.

swooperstar said:
bleh bleh bleh
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Click to collapse
Where is the question? Wrong forum, maybe you should tell someone who cares?

Um, what phone is this, half the things you complain about can be done by the note 8, so must be another phone. Maybe he got the wrong forum...
Sent from my Galaxy Note8 using XDA Labs

Incorrect, but whatever. Pixel2 XL coming next week to replace this samsuck. This site used to be more help less fanboy.

...more help less fan boy
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Click to collapse
Not about fanboys, you didn't ask for any help, just listed complaints. No one cares about personal complaints.

lol once again the user is the problem not the device... you can do all of those things either with an app from the play store or with root. maybe stick to something more simple? try iOS.
Not sure how moving to another Android device will help you. :laugh:

Being that the OP has a total of 9, count them 9 posts and is a junior member, I'm guessing he's referring to the old days on the site when we were more help and less fanbois

Mr.Ash.Man said:
lol once again the user is the problem not the device... you can do all of those things either with an app from the play store or with root. maybe stick to something more simple? try iOS.
Not sure how moving to another Android device will help you. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He is already using IOS!
Ryland

Now we know from authoritative source that volume button is on the wrong side all those years, imagine that.

There are ways to adjust pretty much all of these points. Some are android specific - assume you are new to Android??
Did you even review the phone/play with it before spending on something you have chosen to dislike? To be fair you've come to a forum where 99.9999% of people are note enthusiasts so you will be whacked with a great big stick with a post like this :silly:

Ok how do you whitelist from power saving in a way that actually works? The settings interface for that is much different than stock android and doesn't actually let stuff run all the time like it does on my 6p. k9 always says syncing disabled (and works fine on 6p with stock nougat or oreo).
How do you get double-tap to select a word in text? Works by default in stock android.
After asking twice before to confirm increase volume while BT connected, it didn't ask this last time I increased it. I guess it is magically ok now.
How do you disable bixby button without creating a samsung account? There is an app that used to work using accessibility but no longer works in latest update.
How do you get root? The rooting page itself says "2.Enable OEM Unlock from developer option (Currently no workaround for those who doesn't have this option)" and I don't have this option.
How do you change the phone app? I tried downloading and installing one from apkmirror and got an error when installing.
How do you prevent notifications when blocked callers call?
How do you get normal time on the lock screen? Not the always on screen.

swooperstar said:
Ok how do you whitelist from power saving in a way that actually works? The settings interface for that is much different than stock android and doesn't actually let stuff run all the time like it does on my 6p. k9 always says syncing disabled (and works fine on 6p with stock nougat or oreo).
How do you get double-tap to select a word in text? Works by default in stock android.
After asking twice before to confirm increase volume while BT connected, it didn't ask this last time I increased it. I guess it is magically ok now.
How do you disable bixby button without creating a samsung account? There is an app that used to work using accessibility but no longer works in latest update.
How do you get root? The rooting page itself says "2.Enable OEM Unlock from developer option (Currently no workaround for those who doesn't have this option)" and I don't have this option.
How do you change the phone app? I tried downloading and installing one from apkmirror and got an error when installing.
How do you prevent notifications when blocked callers call?
How do you get normal time on the lock screen? Not the always on screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A respectful suggestion if I may.
Your first post was..... confrontational? Not the way to have your teething problems answered or supported.
Many of us, in all forum's, experience teething problems. I suggest you ask questions preferably one at a time so a peer can offer you some advice.
I have yet to ask for help here and not receive it. You will find there are some amazingly smart guys and gals here who will help IF you ask a palatable question. I am afraid what you have done is cause bad feeling and that's not the way to get help with your problems. Just food for thought. :good:
Ryland

I agree with the fingerprint sensor placement, for me being left handed, I have ot align it perfectly for it to work. Luckily the iris scanner is fast.
One issue I am coming across is my phone would random reboot and some settings would be changed to stock. For example, the font size would be change to default instead of everything tiny. My quick shortcuts layouts are stock and I have to re-login into some apps.
It happened about 3 times since i got the phone the first week of September. Hopefully I'm not alone. Sucks if I am though...lol

There is no help for those issues. That is why there is no response, and why the phone is going back. I am surprised anyone can stand the samsung interface and that is why it might sound confrontational. The apps that samsung replaces default apps with are really awful.

swooperstar said:
There is no help for those issues. That is why there is no response, and why the phone is going back. I am surprised anyone can stand the samsung interface and that is why it might sound confrontational. The apps that samsung replaces default apps with are really awful.
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Click to collapse
The only issue or possibly even an advantage is Samsung is edging it's own ecosystem in more and more. , basically it encourages one to buy another Sammy device and stay on board with them.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

UberPishy said:
Where is the question? Wrong forum, maybe you should tell someone who cares?
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Click to collapse
I care. Thanks to the original poster for critical analysis.
Anybody can fan-boy and circlejerk, that takes no skill.
It takes skill to spot issues and courage to speak out on them.
Every phones has its issues, these do not make Note 8 useless, but buyers can more easily decide if it is for them, when they know its particular failings.

vasra said:
I care. Thanks to the original poster for critical analysis.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So which of the OP's claims do you really care about, because most are false, many are non issues for the majority and a few are valid. But the point remains that they were posted in the wrong forum.

vasra said:
I care. Thanks to the original poster for critical analysis.
Anybody can fan-boy and circlejerk, that takes no skill.
It takes skill to spot issues and courage to speak out on them.
Every phones has its issues, these do not make Note 8 useless, but buyers can more easily decide if it is for them, when they know its particular failings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a critical assessment...it's a misleading one.

A few observations.
The volume button on the left side is the more ergonomic position and also makes it less likely you will drop the phone while changing volume making it an objectively better placement. The fingerprint scanner? Yeah, it's poor ergonomics at best and your complaint there is well justified.
Root is something you knew going in you wouldn't have, if it mattered you should have bought something else. I do agree in general that the trend toward taking root access from us is one I hate. That's why I bought an international version and rooted it.
The Samsung calendar app is less well featured than the stock app but it uses no resources when not used and you can always use the google app or one of the several better than stock google calendar apps on the play store. You don't get to complain about not having an app you can put on you phone in seconds which isn't even close to the best app of its kind anyways. I BTW didn't use the stock app on my 6P, didn't meet my needs.Samsung's stock SMS app is awful, IMO someone should be fired there because it falls below even a minimum level of functionality. But then while Googles does manage to get to at least a minimally functional feature set it isn't much better and both are a long way from what can be had in seconds for free that work better than either on the market. You don't get to complain about this one either though, the stock google app is a few clicks away and a few seconds will give that stock google experience if that is your preference.
Same number of clicks with Samsung to add a recent callers to contacts. Hard to do so is dismissed.
Hard to copy because you have to long press instead of double tap? Seriously? lol That's a fairly lame complaint without even taking into consideration the S-pen which opens up a whole world of options that you don't have on the 6P, one of which is using the S-Pen in the first place.
I like the default dialer and it has features which Google's does not. Regardless it can be changed as well as which dialer is the default, where did you get the idea you couldn't change dialers?
I don't have the media volume warning with my phone unless I'm on headphones, not sure why you do?
The Bixby button can be disabled, it can be disabled without signing into Samsung. Just an FYI, it can also be slaved to another function. All without root.
You can white list any app from power saver, just takes a few clicks, assuming of course you know which clicks. You have in an oblique way a real gripe here, Samsung's menus are getting better but they are still too bloated. The search menu function is your friend in pursing hard to find settings.
Who uses lock screens in this day an age? You've get bio-metrics and AOD, leaving the lock screen as an artifact of what was once the best we could do but isn't anymore. Think of it this way, I'm a pathetic old man and I've been able to understand that lockscreens are now just an extra step. Your complaint in this regard reminds me of my friends who cant handle new tech and are still trying to hang on to their flip phone.
At this point you probably think I'm busting your balls a little bit and you're right. On the other hand your complaints are largely groundless. The only real objective gripe you have is the fingerprint sensor location. Your assessment of the volume button location is subjective, not objective, and objectively is incorrect. Your complaints about the stock apps can be applied to google apps in the same way and most of which I changed on my 6P just as I have here. The impression I get is that the main problem you have is you need to learn how to shop better. There is no reason to buy a phone that does not have root if you know you want root. There is no reason to buy a phone well known for it's rather overbearing GUI and menu bloat if you know you are going to hate it. Why do that to yourself?

live aod. oreo annoyances?

If this is in the wrong place I apologize. First which devices run live aods? Im very surprised note 8 doesn't have this functionality. Second general gripes about oreo ota. 1) removed app longpress options such as "app info" etc why? 2)buried easily accessible settings through longpressing quicksettings. 3)not oreo but annoying. No dedicated live wp menu. Please add your gripes itt.

I think there is nothing to "gripe", all the complaints that you are presenting can be easily fixed or implemented by means of some app, if you read carefully this entire section, you can find many useful insights about oreo and its changes, in my case, instead of complaining or whinning, I preffer to look for solutions or fixes, but that is my opinion

winol said:
instead of complaining or whinning, I preffer to look for solutions or fixes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
too bad more people dont feel the same way!:good::good:

<Mod Snip> (profanity) are you talking about not only did oreo remove functionality it literally borked many users phones. Why on earth would you celebrate "finding apps" to work around previous functionalities? <Mod Snip> (Flaming/Rude) Also if you are so keen on fixes than LIST THEM HERE. adress the issues or you're just griping about my gripe. Plus you did not answer the main question. <Mod Snip> (Flaming/Rude)

demize! said:
<Mod Snip> (profanity) are you talking about not only did oreo remove functionality it literally borked many users phones. Why on earth would you celebrate "finding apps" to work around previous functionalities? <Mod Snip> (Flaming/Rude) Also if you are so keen on fixes than LIST THEM HERE. adress the issues or you're just griping about my gripe. Plus you did not answer the main question. <Mod Snip> (Flaming/Rude)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings!
As you can see, I have edited your post a bit. No need to flame other members the way you have here. Post respectfully or ignore. Flaming and implied profanity will get you into trouble so try to avoid doing that in the future.
Thanks!
Weapon X
Senior Moderator

Weapon X said:
Greetings!
As you can see, I have edited your post a bit. No need to flame other members the way you have here. Post respectfully or ignore. Flaming and implied profanity will get you into trouble so try to avoid doing that in the future.
Thanks!
Weapon X
Senior Moderator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough mod. I've been around a while and have never flamed. But I'm really at my wits end. I had a perfectly functioning non rooted device that no longer works properly after 8.0 ota. I have default alert tones, all apps had specific akert tones, ringing with no indication of what they are. Apps will download but not install without a long period of time. Badges are borked. Apps will not open from notification shade. And Ive not found a fix. Ive read even factory reset will not remedy the situation. So if your handset works, great, but it seems like piling on when you get replies like the above. Ive removed Samsung account, removed updates from google apps. Cleared partition cache and nada..

demize! said:
Fair enough mod. I've been around a while and have never flamed. But I'm really at my wits end. I had a perfectly functioning non rooted device that no longer works properly after 8.0 ota. I have default alert tones, all apps had specific akert tones, ringing with no indication of what they are. Apps will download but not install without a long period of time. Badges are borked. Apps will not open from notification shade. And Ive not found a fix. Ive read even factory reset will not remedy the situation. So if your handset works, great, but it seems like piling on when you get replies like the above. Ive removed Samsung account, removed updates from google apps. Cleared partition cache and nada..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand your frustration, trust me. I'm having the same issues coming from the S8+ to the S9+. I also miss some of the features that Oreo seemed to remove. However, please just try not to take that frustration out on other members. If you're not pleased with someone's response, as I said, you can ignore it or if it's really bad, report it and mods will handle it. I hope you find a resolution or you could possibly RMA if needed I suppose.
Good luck!

Thank you for your polite response. Im wondering if I should start a thread if there is an oreo specific forum? Btw does S9 have the live aods?

demize! said:
Thank you for your polite response. Im wondering if I should start a thread if there is an oreo specific forum? Btw does S9 have the live aods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have the infinity wallpapers, which kinda adds a live effect to the AOD but not really lol. I think your thread here is ok as is, there might be an Oreo related thread in the guides section for Note 8 but TBH I haven't checked. It's a well known fact that Senior Mods are too lazy to read. :silly:

Weapon X said:
It's a well known fact that Senior Mods are too lazy to read. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Judge Joseph Dredd is living proof of that..

demize! said:
<Mod Snip> (profanity) are you talking about not only did oreo remove functionality it literally borked many users phones. Why on earth would you celebrate "finding apps" to work around previous functionalities? <Mod Snip> (Flaming/Rude) Also if you are so keen on fixes than LIST THEM HERE. adress the issues or you're just griping about my gripe. Plus you did not answer the main question. <Mod Snip> (Flaming/Rude)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only stated that is useless to complain or whine
here in XDA, about all the things you do not like about Oreo or for that matter anything related, nobody here has control or solutions for what samsung implements, or takes away, and, for solutions, YOU are the one who must look for them, I never demand anything from others

So in any regard. If you want animated AOD. Heres what you do. Why if you go to Samsung store and try to dl an animated aod it tells you "your phone is not compatible with animated aod's" is beyond me but whatever.
1) go to AOD, under Lock screen settings
2)choose clock style
3)choose style where you previously or now can choose a static pic
4) choose gif will now be an option and about 20 default gifs will be present. Choose one of those or your own
5)profit

http://jbetcom.tumblr.com/archive/filter-by/photo
http://animatedalbums-blog.tumblr.com/archive/filter-by/photo
insane stuff for aod
btw gif aod is available for a while now..nothing new

bober10113 said:
http://jbetcom.tumblr.com/archive/filter-by/photo
http://animatedalbums-blog.tumblr.com/archive/filter-by/photo
insane stuff for aod
btw gif aod is available for a while now..nothing new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That may be true, but as I said if you go to Samsung store and try to dl an animated aod it will at least tell me "device not supported". But I got a few cool ones from giphy.

So Im copying this here in the hopes it may help somebody. At least re. Oreo's random and unceasing notifications.
I may have found the reason. The new power saving "feature" may be the culprit. It seems to sound an alert every time it sleeps an app not whitelisted. Probably one of the stupidest pieces of coding ever. I caught a notification in the bar of like an ekg line when it happened. But get this it immediately disappears. So if you dont catch it you have now idea why you're being alerted. Go in to maintenance and switch all off or whatever you think is appropriate and it should stop. However the random vibration alerts I can't figure out. Ill get them for apps I dont have them set for but sporadically like instagram. And then on next sms which I have it specifically set not to vibrate. Hope this helps.

Question Returning the Galaxy S21 Ultra

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
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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
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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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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[APP][6.0+] Silent Exception

Hey Peeps,
Just published a new app that I've worked on here and there.
It came out of a need. One of my best friends was traveling overseas and she needed someone to call as she wasn't feeling comfortable where she was. The problem was, my phone is always on silent so I missed her calls and messages... oops
That leads me to what Silent Exception does, it's sole purpose is to play a notification/ringtone while your phone is on silent &/or DND. It's obviously not for every notification, just ones that fall into a set criteria using the rules you created.
It only has 3 requirements for it to function:
Phone MUST be on silent/DND, otherwise your normal tones will play... Obviously
There must be a notification for it to function. Some phone apps (*cough*Samsung*cough*) don't do this, try Google's if in doubt
Common sense
If you'd like to give it a crack, download it from the Play Store here
I don't expect everyone to just jump at a paid app, so I've made a 72 hour trial, can grab on the Play Store here
There is also a free forever version, although it is limited as naturally I would prefer you support my efforts it's available here
Since it's dealing with notifications and I care about privacy, it doesn't have internet access. So no Ads, no IAPs no tracking what so ever
Hope you guys enjoy.
Minooch

Just pushed update 1.2.1 to the play store.
Change log is:
Settings page had UI adjustments
Help buttons have been added to add/edit rule pages
Reworked how the app handles playing sounds. Should work better overall
Minooch