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Forgive me if this is in the wrong place.
As stated in the title, I'm willing to offer a $50 bounty to anyone who can create this app for me, the perfect thief catcher app. Here's how it works:
The app runs in the background constantly (possibly as a service to avoid task killers), so it must be as minimal as possible. Upon receipt of a specifically worded text message, the app will trigger the GPS and wait 5-10 minutes for full lock. After this time has passed, the app will text the GPS coordinates to a preconfigured email address and then disable the GPS.
Optional function: Activate the front facing cam (silently and invisibly if possible), take a picture, and attach to said text message to be sent to preconfigured email address.
The main focus of this app is to accurately capture the location of the device while being light on battery, so that optimal capture can take place in the event the device is stolen.
If something like this already exists, please let me know so that I can donate to that developer.
Specifics: I have an Evo with CM7, if it matters in coding the app at all.
Lookout has lost phone features similar to what you are asking for. I have Lookout on my phone, uses almost no battery.
They also have an app called Plan B that you can install after the phone is lost to get a GPS location on it.
Both are free.
I don't expect the bounty, but feel free to buy me a sandwich for helping.
Lookout causes too many problems from what I've seen. I'll check out the Plan B app.
Bounty is still up.
I'm not the "fastest" coder in the world, but I would hazard a guess of minimum 20 hours for development, testing, etc.
Great app idea but I'm not writing code for $2.50 an hour ...just sayn'
And Android OS prevents someone from NOT being able to stop a Service.
Try apps "Where's My Droid" or GPS Tracker. Both have remote activation capabilities.
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http://ron-droid.blogspot.com
rigman said:
Try apps "Where's My Droid" or GPS Tracker. Both have remote activation capabilities.
________________________________
http://ron-droid.blogspot.com
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Did you read the entire OP? I realize WMD has a few of the features that I listed, but I want ALL of the features working like I stated.
I'm no coder, but I could quite easily make a Tasker profile to do this.
Sunsparc said:
Did you read the entire OP? I realize WMD has a few of the features that I listed, but I want ALL of the features working like I stated.
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Yes I read the entire op and wasn't very impressed. Texting coordinates wouldn't be very reliable way to catch someone. There's a very good chance the person could be driving at the moment you send your activation text.
Same for turning on the camera. Highly unlikely they'd have the camera pointed at their face or anything recognizable. Or even if they did, probably couldn't make out much without the flash.
Just my opinion. But I'd much rather have an app that gave me continuous GPS coordinates as does the apps I suggested.
________________________________
http://ron-droid.blogspot.com
Look up Prey. it runs as a background service and has a lot of cool stuff. Google it, they have a whole web interface and everything, you can use the same service on your laptop under the same account. I think it would suit your needs.
Sent from my MIUI SCH-i500
The best lost/stolen app imo is Theft Aware. From the app's website:
Theft Aware runs (and this is worldwide UNIQUE) completely invisible in the background. That's right! Theft Aware is COMPLETELY INVISIBLE. You'll be able to remotely control your phone by SMS at any time. Theft Aware will reply to your commands by SMS as well. The sent or received SMS leave no trace on the mobile phone, no signal will alert the thief - who will feel safe!
Sure, as soon as the thief changes the SIM card of the phone, the phone number of it will change. NO PROBLEM. Theft Aware will detect the change and will inform your buddy automatically about the new phone number by SMS.
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Click to collapse
Best thing to do with lost or stolen phone?
-Call provider and they'll kill the phone.
-Buy new phone
Edit: Mainly a reply to an edited out part of a post but still applicable so I'll leave what I wrote
At 9.99 EUR, Theft Aware is far from free but I understand your point. It's good to watch for security and privacy issues. I would only caution that one could easily miss out on good/helpful apps if generalizations are made based on one bad app(le) or the possibility of one. But really this is what Android is all about...individual choice. To each their own.
I've been using Prey for a while now and I'm very happy with it.
All the current apps are dependent on your sim card remaining in the phone so you can text it. So in the reality of your phone being stole they will be useless.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
nutsnut said:
All the current apps are dependent on your sim card remaining in the phone so you can text it. So in the reality of your phone being stole they will be useless.
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Since you must not have read my first post...
If a thief changes the SIM card, Theft Aware will proactively send you the location and the new phone number of the thief to predefined friends of yours. Once you got the new number, you will again be able to locate your phone at any time.
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So even if the SIM card is changed, the app will inform you the phone number associated with that new card by messaging both of the numbers you assigned when you set it up. Once you have that, you can message commands invisibly to that new number to control Theft Aware as well as now knowing the thief's phone number to hand over to police, your carrier, or to figure out the owner of that number on your own.
nutsnut said:
All the current apps are dependent on your sim card remaining in the phone so you can text it. So in the reality of your phone being stole they will be useless.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
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I think you mean if you have a gsm phone.. i have a CDMA, so I really don't need to worry about it. However, if i ever stole someones phone, the first thing I would do is take out the battery and let it sit on the shelf for a month or two until the previous owner has given up. And trust me, you will if it happens to you. It happened to me.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA Premium App
Theft Aware
Theft Aware isn't sim card depending. If the sim gets changed a sms is sent to up to two notification numbers you define on installing theft aware.
it meets all requirements you specify (except that the location is sent via sms not email).
but that will soon be available via a webinterface where you can control your device.
I don't need the bounty either - try theft aware and buy a license. thats enough compensation as my company sells theft aware
Check out "watch droid"......
Every beginning thief knows that if you steal a smartphone you get out the body the battery and SIM card as first thing. Second thing is looking for hard reset instructions.
It should be something deeper than OS level.
Khisha said:
Every beginning thief knows that if you steal a smartphone you get out the body the battery and SIM card as first thing. Second thing is looking for hard reset instructions.
It should be something deeper than OS level.
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It's been said a couple times that Theft Aware can detect a SIM card change and inform you of the new number so you can continue to control it through text messages. It will also survive a factory reset if you have rooted your phone and installed it appropriately. It won't survive a full data wipe like you would do when flashing a new ROM through recovery, but nothing can...that's the point of a full wipe. If you are waiting for or expecting something to come out that will persist through a full wipe, then you will never be satisfied.
I need a little help, I need a program that could block the number that called me. LG E900 Optimus 7
If you want a call blocker, your only choice is to switch OS. Due to current restrictions/limitations in WP7 it is not possible to block a call or number neither manually nor automatically.. :/
"Microsoft's world" is full of friends and you prompted to share everything with them...Why would you want to block someone? (sarcasm about Microsoft's narrow view of the future...they only see internet and friends. Everything must be done on the "cloud" and share it with someone...)
Samsung got program for blocking phone numbers.
Just hope someone will find way to install it on LG phones.
What is this program and where to be found
Well, I don't know much about blocking, but you could just assign is an empty ring tone.... I will still pop up, but at least it won't ring anymore.
endy_mk said:
What is this program and where to be found
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Application named Call Blocking, and can be found in Samsung part of Marketplace.
I tried installing, didn't work.
ceu160193 said:
Application named Call Blocking, and can be found in Samsung part of Marketplace.
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It possible only works for samsung, but it means that call blocking IS possible on this platform, doesn't it? If yes, perhaps apps will be out sometime.
So I'm new into the whole smartphone business.
One thing I've noticed is that you need to get lots of apps if you want any kind of good functionality of your mobile. I mean, I can't even record sound without an app, or record a phone conversation (even tho my 8 year old flip phone that that functionality innate)
In the Apps - All, there is even a innate app called "Sound Recorder" yet you cannot use it, and you have to download an app to record sound.
Anyway, now it comes to my concern. Almost all apps require some pretty ridiculous permissions such as:
read phone status, test access to protected storage or modify or delete contents of USB storage. And I'm talking about apps such as a game let's say.
I downloaded an app that shuts off music (I like to fall asleep to music) called Music Timer. It's permission is to "dirrectly call phone numbers"! Really? make phone calls? It even has approximate location.
Is it just something I must live with, sell every and any information I put on my phone to use most of the apps out there?
I even setup a corporate email (my school). Their app requires to: erase data, set password rules, etc. Erase data? ugh.
Maybe I'm missing something, since I'm all new to this smartphone business and never dealt with it.
Messerschmitt262 said:
So I'm new into the whole smartphone business.
One thing I've noticed is that you need to get lots of apps if you want any kind of good functionality of your mobile. I mean, I can't even record sound without an app, or record a phone conversation (even tho my 8 year old flip phone that that functionality innate)
In the Apps - All, there is even a innate app called "Sound Recorder" yet you cannot use it, and you have to download an app to record sound.
Anyway, now it comes to my concern. Almost all apps require some pretty ridiculous permissions such as:
read phone status, test access to protected storage or modify or delete contents of USB storage. And I'm talking about apps such as a game let's say.
I downloaded an app that shuts off music (I like to fall asleep to music) called Music Timer. It's permission is to "dirrectly call phone numbers"! Really? make phone calls? It even has approximate location.
Is it just something I must live with, sell every and any information I put on my phone to use most of the apps out there?
I even setup a corporate email (my school). Their app requires to: erase data, set password rules, etc. Erase data? ugh.
Maybe I'm missing something, since I'm all new to this smartphone business and never dealt with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) its a nexus device so its bloat free. Not everyone wants to record things so why force it onto everyone ? If you need said function you have the choice of adding said function
2) the sound recorder apk is used when you want to record an audio to an MMS.
3) not all apps require absurd permissions though I would agree that many do go to far in asking for permissions, BUT you always have the choice of not installing them.
Though some of the app permission names are written not as clear so it appears to be overreaching. Let's take a game. It asks to modify and delete USB storage. Normal as when you save a game its needs to be able to write to the phone. The other two you mentioned on not to educated on so I won't comment on yet
4) I looked into the music timer app you mentioned and I do agree that call phone number permission should not be their but again if you don't like it don't install it and try something else
5) your school email I don't see what the deal is? Permission to delete data, what do you think happens when you delete an email? It needs permission to delete it. Password rules is their to enforce your emails/schools password rules when using exchange
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
The email permissions can be due to it being a corporate mail server, so in order to prevent confidential information from being stolen, the admin can do things like remotely wipe the phone or disable the camera.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
So basically if I don't like 1 permission out of several for a specific app, then my only option is to not use the app at all and find an alternative, or if there is no alternative, live without it?
Messerschmitt262 said:
So I'm new into the whole smartphone business.
One thing I've noticed is that you need to get lots of apps if you want any kind of good functionality of your mobile. I mean, I can't even record sound without an app, or record a phone conversation (even tho my 8 year old flip phone that that functionality innate)
In the Apps - All, there is even a innate app called "Sound Recorder" yet you cannot use it, and you have to download an app to record sound.
Anyway, now it comes to my concern. Almost all apps require some pretty ridiculous permissions such as:
read phone status, test access to protected storage or modify or delete contents of USB storage. And I'm talking about apps such as a game let's say.
I downloaded an app that shuts off music (I like to fall asleep to music) called Music Timer. It's permission is to "dirrectly call phone numbers"! Really? make phone calls? It even has approximate location.
Is it just something I must live with, sell every and any information I put on my phone to use most of the apps out there?
I even setup a corporate email (my school). Their app requires to: erase data, set password rules, etc. Erase data? ugh.
Maybe I'm missing something, since I'm all new to this smartphone business and never dealt with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the permissions suck. Luckily the Android ecosystem has developed where there's enough competition that you can usually find what you want from a dev who doesn't want to hijack your phone. There are a lot of small guys out there, but they make some of the best apps. Low on permissions, holo-themed, great support. I usually find good devs on XDA with cool projects and donate as soon as I check out and like there app (GYT is the most recent example).
HOWEVER, if you are on an deodexed ROM (so, not stock), this works great: PDroid. Free, clean, doesn't crash apps (like Permissions Denied).
So this is what i was thinking, making an app (running in the background probably) that would do the following:
- at a specific time of day, my android device would (fakely) receive an sms, with my predefined content, of course
- at a specific time of day, my android device would (fakely) receive a phone call, and when i answer, let's say some song starts playing, like from the other end of the line, not in the out speakers
Can this be done? And how? This should be done without any gsm network, I don't want any fees involved, but getting a notification and all, just like the real deal.
PS: I'm pretty new to android programming, so please be as detailed as possible. Thanks!
Additional Details
To sum it up: you have an app running in the background, at 2PM it "calls" you. as in, you receive a call, but not from a real person, it just looks like it. you answer and a song starts playing in the speaker, instead of an actual person talking.
I'm asking for where to begin, some lines of code that would help and so on, not the whole app
I would say that for the "specific time of day" feature, I would look into the AlarmManager class: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/app/AlarmManager.html
It really depends on how authentic you need to be with your "fake text" and "fake call", but you can easily create a notification that looks like a text using the Notification.Builder class: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/app/Notification.Builder.html. If you need it to pull up a text message like interface after tapping on it, you could either design some xml to look just like the Messaging app or just display a fullscreen screenshot of it.
As for the phone call, I would probably just display a fullscreen screenshot of a phone call if you didn't need interactivity with it. You can have your phone play your ringtone by using the MediaPlayer class: http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/media/mediaplayer.html
so basically they are all workarounds, except for the notification. i want them to look as real as possible.
thanks for the ideas, will look into.
i found this app which does exactly what i need. maybe way too much, as i don't need all those settings. can anyone give any feedback on it, on how it's done?
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.popularapp.fakecall
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atani.bthacker
"Now you can hack any phone manage and view their phone files directly through Blueooth. Yes, you can become a phone hacker!!! Just choose a phone from available Bluetooth devices through this App.
Bluetooth Phone Hacker is a free prank application simulating process of hacking phone devices. Have you ever dreamed about becoming a real hacker? Well, you can keep on dreaming...
The application allows you to break into your victim's phone as easy as you can imagine.
The program is smart enough to be able to do all the job for you.
Just follow the instructions in the application and have fun.
There are two available hacking modes:
- Hear which allows you to receive all the data sent by your victim
- Expand which grants you access to the victim's data disk
Lend your mobile to your friends and see how they react to the attack !
++++KNOWN before DOWNLOAD+++++++++
Bluetooth Phone Hacker is a fake app and it can not hack and enter others phone at all. It is a simulation process and can make all people around you believe! It is used for fun and meet your psychological satisfaction.
Just show others: My phone can hack your phone and use your phone camera and view all files in your phone!
Keep in mind that this application is for educational and fun purposes only. You cannot use it to hack any devices.
The program is meant to be used for pranks and jokes only.
This app uses banner ads and it adds an icon to your home screen. This allows, that this app remains to be available for free.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"