Database Users

Stop killing android carriers

Cnet just put up a review of the Motorola Atrix, one of the most anticipated smart-phones. AT&T has blocked the ability to download 3rd party apps . "You can't install third-party apps" and goes on to say "No change of heart on third-party applications, as that feature is disabled on the Atrix."
Google's(andy rubin) response is to say let me market decide. I truly agree with this statement but when the carriers are in power (two year contracts) it doesn't let the market work. General consumers dont know know the difference between android phones. Consumer assume since they are getting an android phone, all android phones are the same. This blocking of 3rd party apps creates a bad user experience and users will blame android and not the carriers.
( http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/motorola-atrix-4g-at/4505-6452_7-34468396.html?tag=rvwBody )

Moved to Atrix General

babluc said:
when the carriers are in power (two year contracts) it doesn't let the market work.
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ITA.
Looking on the slighter brighter side, CNET also said this (emphasis added):
Of course, you've also got your obligatory AT&T services--AT&T Navigator, AT&T FamilyMap, and AT&T U-Verse Live TV--on there, but for once, you can actually uninstall any of these apps if you wish.
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It's not enough, but it's a start.

Side loading apps is such a trivial issue on any device, including devices on AT&T. Root not even required. So for the tiny percentage that want to do this (like rooters) the option is there.

No Third party software? No "FREE" bootloader? No reasonable laptop dock price? It really destroyed the purpose of open-sourced software.....I guess AT&T kills the fun of having an Android phone.....I went from "must have one" to "might have one"...sigh.....

My last 3 phones were not purchased from AT&T because of similar issues. AT&T modifies the phone to disable installation of anything not coming from their store.
I've been considering switching to a different provider because I find it very expensive to buy unlocked phones just to get them in their enabled state. I know I would lose the flexibility of using the phone around the world, but I don't travel that much.
Is Verizon doing this same thing on their phones? If not I may consider switching to them. How about Sprint?

sp_1st_timer said:
My last 3 phones were not purchased from AT&T because of similar issues. AT&T modifies the phone to disable installation of anything not coming from their store.
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AT&T restricts third-party apps, which means you can download only from the Android Market - which is not AT&T's store, btw.
Is Verizon doing this same thing on their phones? If not I may consider switching to them. How about Sprint?
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As far as I know, AT&T is the only one of the 4 major carriers that blocks 3rd-party apps. As previously mentioned, getting around that restriction is extremely simple and does not require rooting the phone. The Sideload Wonder Machine, for one, is very easy to use.

has no one in here heard of the side-load wondermachine come on seriously when theres a will theres a way thats my way around att crap O rama

shadowscreation said:
has no one in here heard of the side-load wondermachine come on seriously when theres a will theres a way thats my way around att crap O rama
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The point is we shouldn't have to find ways around it, and buying these devices only says that it's OK to at&t.

eallan said:
The point is we shouldn't have to find ways around it, and buying these devices only says that it's OK to at&t.
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i know what your saying.but considering this is one of atts top o the line phones minus the bs tethering plan for laptop dock(totally ruined that for me by the way). im just hoping that the bootloader isnt crapped up im gonna wait a little bit on buying this till i know theres a way to custom rom the crap out of this phone so ya thats what im waiting on before i decide i want this phone or not if not owell there will be better ones later on this year im sure so guess we will see how this all works out
note to everyone i like grammatical errors and run-on sentences thats what makes life fun

babluc said:
AT&T has blocked the ability to download 3rd party apps
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Relax... thats what xda is for.

peachpuff said:
Relax... thats what xda is for.
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No kidding. Do you really need to get your panties in a wad about sideloading? That's like complaining that it doesn't come rooted from the factory.

peachpuff said:
Relax... thats what xda is for.
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Yes i get that but im talking about common users. Common users will not use XDA or root there phone. Im also not talking just about just this phone. When carriers do stuff like this, it effects how people view android and its ease of use.

babluc said:
Yes i get that but im talking about common users. Common users will not use XDA or root there phone. Im also not talking just about just this phone. When carriers do stuff like this, it effects how people view android and its ease of use.
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Common users aren't going to be side loading to begin with. If its not in the market they aren't going to care. If they care they can google it and find XDA or the plethora of other sites that detail the simple few step process.
i agree it shouldn't be an issue, it is and its an easy fix so I don't worry about it. Efuse is a bigger issue to development that this. If it does have efuse I won't buy it out of principal and I'll get an inspire.

Aridon said:
Common users aren't going to be side loading to begin with. If its not in the market they aren't going to care. If they care they can google it and find XDA or the plethora of other sites that detail the simple few step process.
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Agreed. Anyone who wants to sideload can figure it out. Its probably the easiest hack you could possibly do on your Android phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I know I found out about the side-load wonder machine long before I found XDA. But it just wasn't enough for my Captivate lol. Always wanted more.

DumIam said:
I know I found out about the side-load wonder machine long before I found XDA. But it just wasn't enough for my Captivate lol. Always wanted more.
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And the Cappy always needs more! Here's to hoping the Atrix doesn't.
At least in the performance realm, it doesn't seem too need much help from hacks. Although I'm looking forward to seeing what can be accomplished...

This phone is a powerful machine to begin with. I will be happy once I can root just to delete any bloatware that I can't delete out the box. Sideloading will be nice too..
I just don't like the Motorola interface, launcher pro will be my first install..
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

I have decided pass on the Atrix due to pricing tech concerns. I am looking forward to the samsung i9100.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Sideloading Enabled on the Infuse on AT&T

Sounds like the Samsung Infuse is going to have sideloading enabled right from the factory. Looks like AT&T is finally going to give up a little of it's firm grasp on it's customers choices for downloading apps. I sure hope this travels to the Atrix so that we don't have to enable it manually (just a hassle some times that shouldn't have to be done).

It does seem to be that way! Hopefully AT&T sticks with it!

Some sources for the skeptical like me:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/0...oading-apps-has-att-finally-changed-its-ways/
http://www.androidcentral.com/att-re-enables-sideloading-infuse-4g
Looks like they have indeed done the impossible.

It would make sense to push this thru to the Atrix on the next update, right? It's just another hassle that only AT&T customers have to deal with and I'm glad AT&T is finally getting on board

OH NO!!! You mean AT&T wont be able to tell me what i can and cant install on my phone. I don't think i can handle that much responsibility.

how to sideload apps should be the least of your concern if you are on this forum already

lsxrx7 said:
how to sideload apps should be the least of your concern if you are on this forum already
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Not true. This is good news. Moto really said they might unlock the bootloader depending on carriers. If ATT is allowing sideloading then they also may allow Moto to bring the lockable/unlockable bootloader from the Xoom to our platform.

KD8DNS said:
OH NO!!! You mean AT&T wont be able to tell me what i can and cant install on my phone. I don't think i can handle that much responsibility.
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Go get an iPhone then and let both Apple AND AT&T give it to you!
Sent from WinBorg 4G using XDA Premium App

This is really great news. Unless it was done by mistake...
You know everything I have read about people updating to 1.83 says they have not had to re-enable side loading. I sbf'ed mine and the side loading was still there. Are we sure the 1.83 update Atrix software blocks it still?

Just tried on my wife's non-rooted Atrix and sideloading is not available.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App

JohnnyDanger said:
Just tried on my wife's non-rooted Atrix and sideloading is not available.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
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Of course not. AT&T would have to push a firmware update to enable it. Just because the Infuse has it out of the box, doesn't mean we'll see it on the Atrix anytime soon (if ever).

greyhulk said:
Of course not. AT&T would have to push a firmware update to enable it. Just because the Infuse has it out of the box, doesn't mean we'll see it on the Atrix anytime soon (if ever).
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Well, just to add some more info to my OP, here is another great article confirming that we will be getting the ability to sideload apps.
http://www.bgr.com/2011/05/06/att-v...+TheBoyGeniusReport+(BGR+|+Boy+Genius+Report)
"Second, and perhaps more interestingly, Bradley stated that AT&T will remove its third-party app store restrictions — allowing users to download applications hosted outside of the official Google Market."
This is great news. I just hope it comes sooner than later for the people that need it to really get the most out of these phones. (and those daily free Amazon Store apps)

my atrix in 1.83 update is sideloading enable without root or hack

rockero_turvo said:
my atrix in 1.83 update is sideloading enable without root or hack
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Then you must have previously had root or sideloading ability on it. That is the only way it has been allowed thus far. If you or someone else previously enabled it, it will stay enabled (most of the time) through any updates.

HTC Sneaks Spying App into Android 2.3.4 Phones

http://hothardware.com/News/HTC-Sneaks-Spying-App-into-Android-234-Phones/
Hooray

note:
flipz also removes the CIQ from his rom (and has for a while)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046622
here is the CIQ www
http://www.carrieriq.com/overview/IQInsightExperienceManager/index.htm

Big brother is always watching. Even if it is a half brother from Taiwan.

CDKJudoka said:
Big brother is always watching. Even if it is a half brother from Taiwan.
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Probably MIUI has the same thing too inlcuded, who knows!

AA27 said:
Probably MIUI has the same thing too inlcuded, who knows!
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It may just be a special app, but I doubt it. I think the MIUI was written for the KIRFers of all the apple knockoffs.

AA27 said:
Probably MIUI has the same thing too inlcuded, who knows!
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I wouldn't doubt if it had some sort of tracker included, but I have enough crap made in China, including most of my phone, so I'm not even trying it.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

The simply thought of spyware and how info is collected is spooky enough to be suspicious of everything.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Another reason to not run Sense.

Carrieriq is asked for by sprint to be included in all Android phones, however, all of its features are turned off, so the only impact it has on you, the user is ~20kb of memory space less.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Probably wrong but the dropbox folder is for users that go to the market on their computers and download apps from there. You can have your phone download an app straight from your comp for those that don't know.
But aren't all there privacy issues understandable??? All the noobs that never mod their phones want a more pleasant experience....well this is what they have to give to get a better user experience...
sent from my synergized, v6 scripted beast.

Time to use a SSL VPN. or openVPN time.

Its easily disabled even if you don't use a ROM that strips it out (like Fresh Evo 4.2).
Here is how. Use titanium backup to freeze the following programs:
"HTC IQAgent 2.3.3"
"IQRD 2.3.3"
Freezing or uninstalling those 2 programs completely disables Carrior IQ. You can verify this yourself by looking at your logcat. You'll see some errors show up saying:
Unable to start service Intent {act=com.htc.android.iqagent.action.ui19 (has extras) }: not found.
This is caused by the system trying to start IQ, but failing. Uninstalling these programs should be ok, but I choose to freeze them just in case there are issues that arise from their removal.

Art2Fly said:
Carrieriq is asked for by sprint to be included in all Android phones, however, all of its features are turned off, so the only impact it has on you, the user is ~20kb of memory space less.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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It has a huge impact on the phone and is one of the main reasons why sense roms are slower than AOSP. There have been more than a few times I've found it using up about 30% of my CPU and causing everything else to run like crap.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App

I laugh at the "excusing" in this thread.
If Apple was doing this people would be flaming them and attack Apple/iphone as a whole.

Funny how that article says it's just now being found when we've known about it for over a year lol

What you guys don't seem to get is that they have been doing this for longer then you think! There are a few apps things running that do this in 2.1.

MultiDev said:
Its easily disabled even if you don't use a ROM that strips it out (like Fresh Evo 4.2).
Here is how. Use titanium backup to freeze the following programs:
"HTC IQAgent 2.3.3"
"IQRD 2.3.3"
Freezing or uninstalling those 2 programs completely disables Carrior IQ. You can verify this yourself by looking at your logcat. You'll see some errors show up saying:
Unable to start service Intent {act=com.htc.android.iqagent.action.ui19 (has extras) }: not found.
This is caused by the system trying to start IQ, but failing. Uninstalling these programs should be ok, but I choose to freeze them just in case there are issues that arise from their removal.
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Thanks for this. I backed it up in case there were problems (which I don't expect) and then uninstalled it. I'll post here if I get any errors.

tnerb123 said:
What you guys don't seem to get is that they have been doing this for longer then you think! There are a few apps things running that do this in 2.1.
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And that makes it okay?

BTW, Is there any easy way to keep the system from trying to start CIQ after having removed it?

Think one thing: Regardless of OS companies want to know your steps by any means necessary. It is a shame that instead of asking people companies have to secretly steal personal information.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Carrier IQ

All right the company Carrier IQ is suddenly popping up in news stories everywhere. I assume I am safe from this garbage if I am using Cyanogenmod but how do I make sure my Wife's shift is clean of this if she's using Stock rooted 2.2? She will not let me change roms or even upgrade her to 2.3 so I would like to know what I need to delete to make sure Carrier IQ is not installed on her Shift or at least not sending any info back to it's mother ship.
If you haven't heard Carrier IQ is installed on millions of phones of different manufacturer's and is supported by many carriers including HTC and Sprint. It collects data and sends it back to Sprint or who knows who. Apparently it can log everything and it ignores any permissions or security you have set up or something like that. It is installed "invisibly" and you do not have the option to opt in or out. I assume Titanium or some other program can see the pieces I would need to delete but I don't know what they are.
Here's where I read about it and it does list an app that may be able to take care of it but I would rather know how to do it manually:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/carrier-iq-what-it-is-what-it-isnt-and-what-you-need-to/#comments
Thanks

Evo_Shift said:
All right the company Carrier IQ is suddenly popping up in news stories everywhere. I assume I am safe from this garbage if I am using Cyanogenmod but how do I make sure my Wife's shift is clean of this if she's using Stock rooted 2.2? She will not let me change roms or even upgrade her to 2.3 so I would like to know what I need to delete to make sure Carrier IQ is not installed on her Shift or at least not sending any info back to it's mother ship.
If you haven't heard Carrier IQ is installed on millions of phones of different manufacturer's and is supported by many carriers including HTC and Sprint. It collects data and sends it back to Sprint or who knows who. Apparently it can log everything and it ignores any permissions or security you have set up or something like that. It is installed "invisibly" and you do not have the option to opt in or out. I assume Titanium or some other program can see the pieces I would need to delete but I don't know what they are.
Here's where I read about it and it does list an app that may be able to take care of it but I would rather know how to do it manually:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/carrier-iq-what-it-is-what-it-isnt-and-what-you-need-to/#comments
Thanks
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Run supreme sense

VICODAN said:
Run supreme sense
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I know! I told my wife it is better...she still says no

You can use Treve's app http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17612559
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.treve.loggingkey

Evo_Shift said:
I know! I told my wife it is better...she still says no
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Show her that video and tell her you want a divorce if she doesn't agree.
lol jk about the divorce part but seriously I just watched that video and im so glad im not on stock sense.

Flash MikShifted G v1.76 or Supreme Sense, then hand her back the phone. If she doesn't like them better than stock there is something wrong

i think people over think things too much about these little threats

+1 OP, I'm in exactly the same boat!
Unfortunately it seems at this point, no way to remove CIQ without root

guyandhisdog said:
+1 OP, I'm in exactly the same boat!
Unfortunately it seems at this point, no way to remove CIQ without root
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I think he already mentioned that yes she does have root on stock if you read the OP. So yes titanium backup should be able to remove it no problem. Use the app carrier IQ detector to find out how much of it needs to be removed.

CIQ is built into the kernel too. He needs to swap kernels as well as remove the apps.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

Ron Overdrive said:
CIQ is built into the kernel too. He needs to swap kernels as well as remove the apps.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
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I looked at the kernel. All there is in the kernel is bug fixes to allow CIQ to run properly. If you remove the system apps there is nothing for the bug fixes in the kernel to use.
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium

has anyone used the advanced version of treve's app on a shift successfully?
or removed the the ciq stuff manually with success? if so is there anything that needs to stay on the device so it doesn't brick.
i'm using a stock rooted rom and kind of want to stick with it.

NFL Mobile + root = no go???

So as some of you may already know, the latest update for the NFL Mobile app (came out this morning I think) has officially killed its functionality with rooted (or "non stock Android") devices. A story on Android Police can be see here.
At any rate, I saw a recent post on a GSIII forum (here)where the user claimed to have a workaround which, among other things, involved renaming the superuser.apk, however if you're using CM nowadays then you'll know there really isn't a separate apk - instead it is now integrated into the rom. That being said, does anyone have any idea similar to this that might work for tricking the app into thinking it isn't running on a rooted unit? I have no clue myself, but seeing as how no one has started a dedicated thread for this in the forum of the current Google flagship phone, I thought I'd get things started.
Thanks in advance people!

Well I guess it looks like no one has any ideas...? Oh well, a rare swing-and-a-miss for solutions in the xda community

A quick fix would be to just find the apk for an older version and install that one. That's what I'm currently trying to do, there's no reason for then to block us from using it just because we're rooted.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Kyle C said:
A quick fix would be to just find the apk for an older version and install that one. That's what I'm currently trying to do, there's no reason for then to block us from using it just because we're rooted.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
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Well yeah, I mean I already uninstalled and then restored a backed up version of the app using Titanium Backup. The problem is - and if you've been a user of the NFL apps over the last year or two then you'll know this - that the NFL app is not like most apps where each upgrade just adds some incremental upgrades or changes. With this app the upgrades are typically pushed out right before the start of the key timeframes of the NFL season: usually an update right before preseason; another before the start of the regular season; another at the start of the playoffs; another right before the Super Bowl; and once more right before the draft in April. Each update is specific to that time period of the season and usually contains the critical information/tweaks/additions/UI alterations specific for that segment of the year. Point being, after missing an update or two, the app becomes extremely outdated and eventually useless. And that's why, in the mid-to-long term, just using the older version of the apk unfortunately isn't a useful alternative. Damn you NFL! Now we just have to hope the xda community will come to the rescue as they usually are able to do

joeski27 said:
Well yeah, I mean I already uninstalled and then restored a backed up version of the app using Titanium Backup. The problem is - and if you've been a user of the NFL apps over the last year or two then you'll know this - that the NFL app is not like most apps where each upgrade just adds some incremental upgrades or changes. With this app the upgrades are typically pushed out right before the start of the key timeframes of the NFL season: usually an update right before preseason; another before the start of the regular season; another at the start of the playoffs; another right before the Super Bowl; and once more right before the draft in April. Each update is specific to that time period of the season and usually contains the critical information/tweaks/additions/UI alterations specific for that segment of the year. Point being, after missing an update or two, the app becomes extremely outdated and eventually useless. And that's why, in the mid-to-long term, just using the older version of the apk unfortunately isn't a useful alternative. Damn you NFL! Now we just have to hope the xda community will come to the rescue as they usually are able to do
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Ooooh gotcha. I didn't realize that that's how NFL ran their app. That's really annoying.

i'm not rooted, but that does seem like somebody went off the deep end with this app. rooting a device won't hurt their revenue, in fact, it will probably increase it from allowing ALL Android (and iOS) devices access the app. instead, they're cutting off access to a HUGE chunk of their fans, present and future. in essence, they're biting the hand that feeds them.
i voted the app down in the app store out of principal alone.

I am extremely displeased with this as well and am searching for a solution. Leave it to Verizon to try to control how you use YOUR phone.

hey is this an nfl app for verizon or a market version for all?

playya said:
hey is this an nfl app for verizon or a market version for all?
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From what I gather there are two different versions - the one that comes on Verizon phones, and the one that anyone else can grab from the Play Store. I have the Play Store version (as a TMo customer).

@joeski27
Block removed. Enjoy!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2395333

Its working for me on pa
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Working on 4.3 stock rooted.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

CNexus said:
@joeski27
Block removed. Enjoy!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2395333
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Boss.

CNexus said:
@joeski27
Block removed. Enjoy!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2395333
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Click to collapse
And THAT is why the xda community is PRICELESS! You're my hero, well done and a big tip of the cap to you, CNex! Long live xda, and long live Android!!! And btw I'll do my best to spread the word to the countless other forums on xda for other devices with people trying to find th same solution!

joeski27 said:
And THAT is why the xda community is PRICELESS! You're my hero, well done and a big tip of the cap to you, CNex! Long live xda, and long live Android!!! And btw I'll do my best to spread the word to the countless other forums on xda for other devices with people trying to find th same solution!
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Click to collapse
Awesome, sounds good
Just in posting my thread I got a ton of hits of people freaking out about the new app...lol

FYI, they have fixed the app and it is now working perfectly fine on rooted devices strait from the play store

I might be the only one it's not working for. Wondering if anyone can help.
I cannot get 95% of the buttons to work in the Fantasy section of the app. Not only that, when I said 'to hell with the app' and went to their mobile site (which looks exactly like the app), I got the same thing... 95% of the buttons on the mobile site wouldn't do anything.
Now, on my N7, everything works fine.
Any ideas?
Edit: It was Ad Away. Can't use the app while it's running. Now I'll try to find the hosts file and see if I can edit the NFL entries out of it.