Database Users

[Q] Android / Glacier Noob Questions

So, I've been a long time WinMo user and I just switched to Android (the Glacier) Great phone. A lot is foreign to me, though.
I'm a software developer and a Linux user so I'm pretty comfortable finding my way around the Android dev tools and the terminal (although I found it odd that the phone comes with neither a file manager nor a terminal)
Anyhow, I have a few questions:
-I've seen a lot of threads declaring how awesome Android's process management is and how it's bad to kill processes manually. I don't understand this. I've been playing with my phone non-stop for the past few days and on a number of occasions, have met with slow performance and even not-enough-memory prompts. This is usually after installing a dozen (or dozens) of apps back to back and playing with them all. So long as you are aware of the ramifications of killing a particular process, what's wrong with doing so?
-I've rooted my phone. If I ever get an OTA update, would it be a good idea to unroot prior to applying the update?
-When I select "Allow automatic updating" in the Market for my purchased apps, how exactly does that work? Are updates looked for my Android? Are they looked for when the Market is launched? Are those individual apps first loaded and then look for updates?
-I imported my contacts from WinMo Outlook into Google via ActiveSync in order to get them on my phone. Consequently, I have GTalk contacts and stuff on my phone that I don't want. If I delete them from Contacts, will they be deleted from my Google account? That is to say, if I delete [email protected] from my Contacts, will he suddenly disappear from my IM client?
Thanks for your help! I appreciate it!

LOL you see like you I been also using *nix for ages far as I can count 10+ years and I am Unix Admin. When I got MT4G as it was my first AOSP device I was like yourself shocked it didn't have file manager, basic console, or anything.
It seem that if you wanted to do anything it was required you waste your life installing some backward software though Market that claimed it to be freeware but IRL is actually adware. Also if you want anything done it is required you have root lol and if you do want root you void warranty its like whole catch 22 statement to me. So here I am doing what I do best and owned AOSP along with google market.
UPDATE:
So here ill actually answer some of your questions as I didn't want to due to it being very long but hey it might help you out.
1) Far as the process goes as you know in *nix world we have saying "unused memory is wasted memory" same apply as mostly its cached and does not treat it same as in WM. When you "exit" task if you call it exit that is in first place its put on dormant status so if resource is required then its reallocated. This is why you don't exit them forcefully as data may not be synced and saved. In this case my best advice for you is disable service from booting up in first place and also auto close it if it restarts.
2) Don't worry about OTA as you will more likely get update via dev of XDA long before you officially get it though carrier. You have S off so don't worry about it as its no factor.
3) It is tracked via google account and though your carrier I think, I don't know as I didn't ever officially buy single package however I did cURL 8.1gb of paid app archive of market before getting banned. From what I know once app is installed if you have auto update the current version is checked though market to see if any new version is available. Now when you buy app its under your acc so you can use it in diff device or install it many time as you want even if its updated.
4) I can't say about GTalk as I never used but far as AutoSync goes mostly your TMo data and email is synced though Google accounts like gmail.

I see. I can see how task management is rather pointless then, heh. I wonder where my "out of memory" issue came from. Leaky app, perhaps.

Is there a way to rename applications in the "All Programs" list?

[Q] NST General Questions

Hello fellow Nookers,
I've been lurking around here for the past couple of years, only to join about 8mo ago. I find the amount of knowledge and willingness to help at XDA fascinating. There are clearly A LOT of intelligent people here that could probably solve many of the worlds problems, if collectively asked. So, a big virtual thumbs up to all of you.
Well, enough of the mushy stuff. I'm here for a reason right? I have quite a few general questions regarding things such as... a rooted nook, Google Play, .apk files, transferring .apk files, searchmarket, etc.. Rather than start separate threads, or jump on many existing threads, I figured it might be easier to list them in one thread.
So, here we go.
Above all other questions below, here is what I am ultimately after...
I am looking to download .apk game files from Google Play so that I can transfer/install them on my Kindle Fire HD. So why not root the KF? I have read posts that rooting a KF using Amazon Prime will render Prime useless. I need my Prime for watching movies/shows. The games I want from GP are not available on the less-than-stellar Amazon App Store. I value my KF device more than my outdated NST, which is why I have no issues rooting the NST.
Now for the questions...
(1) I've followed the [Root] NookManager post here at XDA ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2040351 ) and successfully rooted my NST running 1.2.1. Per the post, there were quite a few steps not mentioned according to this nook devs page ( http://nookdevs.com/Nook_Simple_Touch/Rooting ). [Q] Are the below areas from nook devs not necessary when following the [Root] NookManager post?
After you have burned the uSD card
#3
At the Android Welcome Screen skip "Sign In"
Enable Location Services when given the option.
Connect to Wifi and launch Youtube from ADW App Drawer.
Click the Menu button (On top at the right, next to the time.).
Select "My Channel" and Login using your Gmail Account (ensure the [email protected] format to link)
Exit Youtube and Launch Gmail.
Sync your Gmail Account and Exit. (If it fails to sync that is fine - it will do so later on if you give it a few minutes)
Open up Market and Accept Terms and Service.​
(2) Before rooting, I changed the email address on B&N associated with the NST. The email with B&N matches the email I use for GP. However, the email on the NST, in account settings, is the previous email address. [Q] Is this an issue?
(3) When accessing GP on NST via the Browser App in ReLaunch, there are many games I cannot download. I get the message "This app is incompatible with your device". I've read a few posts online (outside of XDA) showing ways to spoof an older Android device to a current Android device. But, as with most things, it came with warnings and only working for devices running firmware higher than 1.2.1. [Q] Assuming this would trick GP into thinking I have a newer Android, is there a known way to accomplish spoofing a 1.2.1 device?
(4) Something worth pointing out... when accessing GP, and navigating to Settings/My Devices, "phone" is listed. However, when I go to Settings/Android Device Manager on GP, it states No Active Device Listed. [Q] Should there be a device in the Android Device Manager? If so, how to accomplish this?
(5) As it has been widely reported, the search feature on GP doesn't work when on the NST. For the record, I have noticed while in Settings, the search feature does in fact work. So, it has been suggested to use SearchMarket (which I have installed). However, this app seams to have its limitations. When I search for a game on SM, that I know is on GP, SM is not finding it. Also, the Market App within ReLaunch cannot find the game either. [Q] Is SM searching Market, and is Market different than GP?
(6) These next questions relate to downloading, rather than installing, apk files to the NST. Since my goal is to obtain apps from GP, that are not available via AAS, so I can install them on the KF, [Q] how can I have them sent to the mSD Card? [Q] Aside from using download/torrent sites to obtain .apk files, are there any "legal", safer, ways other than GP?
Well, I think that about covers it. I may regret saying this, but all of this came about because of one game... Blackout: Bring The Color Back. I am soooo hooked on that game. I first played it at Dave & Busters, and was hooked within minutes. I think I sat there playing it for a good 45 minutes. Then I found it on Apple's App Store. Now, I need it on the KF. If I could download this one game from GP, I would be ecstatic. LOL... can't believe I admitted that.
Thanks in advance.

Too detailed? I can dumb it down, if you think it'll help.

diditall4danook said:
(1) I've followed the [Root] NookManager post here at XDA ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2040351 ) and successfully rooted my NST running 1.2.1. Per the post, there were quite a few steps not mentioned according to this nook devs page ( http://nookdevs.com/Nook_Simple_Touch/Rooting ). [Q] Are the below areas from nook devs not necessary when following the [Root] NookManager post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the end of that guide did you follow and install the NTGAppsAttack package ?
If you read that guide it tells you the steps you read on nookdevs are some of the steps to sign in for first time to google.
I used NTGAppsAttack last night just fine. It is a little time sensitive so follow the intructions directly after installing.
Google recognized my NSTG instantly. The youtube trick is basically one of the methods to make google play acknowledge your device.
diditall4danook said:
(2) Before rooting, I changed the email address on B&N associated with the NST. The email with B&N matches the email I use for GP. However, the email on the NST, in account settings, is the previous email address. [Q] Is this an issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe. Try suggested above and if does not work after a day go backup to your backup de-register nook and try again with other email.
diditall4danook said:
(3) When accessing GP on NST via the Browser App in ReLaunch, there are many games I cannot download. I get the message "This app is incompatible with your device". I've read a few posts online (outside of XDA) showing ways to spoof an older Android device to a current Android device. But, as with most things, it came with warnings and only working for devices running firmware higher than 1.2.1. [Q] Assuming this would trick GP into thinking I have a newer Android, is there a known way to accomplish spoofing a 1.2.1 device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NST is a android 2.1 device also known as Eclair.
Its an old version very old. Even those games you can run on the nook with norefresh/fastmode you will still sometime need to get hold of an older version thats supports 2.1.
Try Simon Tatham's Puzzles (the B n W at least)
diditall4danook said:
(4) Something worth pointing out... when accessing GP, and navigating to Settings/My Devices, "phone" is listed. However, when I go to Settings/Android Device Manager on GP, it states No Active Device Listed. [Q] Should there be a device in the Android Device Manager? If so, how to accomplish this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Step one go to "Cog"->"Settings" on google play website. On right hand side click on EDIT on phone line and rename "phone" to be something better like "NST_1". Believe me you will regret not doing so when you have more than one!
Android Device manager requires a very up to date version GAPPS to work.
You want it to location your nook or blank it?
diditall4danook said:
(5) As it has been widely reported, the search feature on GP doesn't work when on the NST. For the record, I have noticed while in Settings, the search feature does in fact work. So, it has been suggested to use SearchMarket (which I have installed). However, this app seams to have its limitations. When I search for a game on SM, that I know is on GP, SM is not finding it. Also, the Market App within ReLaunch cannot find the game either. [Q] Is SM searching Market, and is Market different than GP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your GAPPS updated itself then yes search may work. Searchmarket i expect does have different result ordering or interprets keywords slightly different or simply hides incompatible apps from you. Does it matter? You can use web version and install to device if your desperate.
diditall4danook said:
(6) These next questions relate to downloading, rather than installing, apk files to the NST. Since my goal is to obtain apps from GP, that are not available via AAS, so I can install them on the KF, [Q] how can I have them sent to the mSD Card? [Q] Aside from using download/torrent sites to obtain .apk files, are there any "legal", safer, ways other than GP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea what AAS and KF mean. Personally I use titainium backup or esfile explorer to save my apks. You can get them on your NST using dropbox or over windows shares (samba) using esfileexplorer. If you get hold of version 1.6X of esfileexplorer it has option for white background still (might have brought it back in later versions). One advantage of saving your apks you can keep the version that does what you want not be forced to update to something breaks what you want like esfileexplorer.
Hmm KF = KindleFire?

Tasker

I had high hopes (very high!) that I could get tasker to run on the ouya, unfortunately I have not had any luck as of yet.
Maps was installed, as was a few files that needed to be manually installed in /system, but unfortunately neither seemed to work.
Has anybody had any luck? Please let me know if you did, I had big plans for this little system and tasker was a key piece to it.
Thanks.

Well, apparently I'm batting 1000 tonight on threads.
A reboot allowed instillation of the tasker trial version.
It looks like everything works, or as much as you would expect for the ouya. I did two test tasks. First was just a screen popup, which obviously worked great. The other was a reboot to test root access, and this also worked perfect (say hello to automated weekly reboots!).
Now, to see if autoremote can be made to work, and then on to autovoice or utter! and the inherently difficult prospect that will be.

Snoman002 said:
Well, apparently I'm batting 1000 tonight on threads.
A reboot allowed instillation of the tasker trial version.
It looks like everything works, or as much as you would expect for the ouya. I did two test tasks. First was just a screen popup, which obviously worked great. The other was a reboot to test root access, and this also worked perfect (say hello to automated weekly reboots!).
Now, to see if autoremote can be made to work, and then on to autovoice or utter! and the inherently difficult prospect that will be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please periodically update this thread with your progress? Curious to follow suit, though don't have the time to help in the investigations

A few issues with tasker itself, such as I can't download from Google play, it won't recognize my original order #, i can't find 'my' .apk, basically can't get my purchased version working and am stuck on the 7 day trial version. As for functionality it works great.
Current main task is to start XBMC if Autoremote received a certain message, as well as sending a message when xbmc is open and a different one when it closes.
On my tablet when I fire up the Yatse app, Tasker checks to see if XBMC is running, if not it displays a popup asking if I want to start xbmc. If I say yes it sends a command through autoremote which is what triggers tasker to start xbmc.

OK, a few things I have found.
Originally I could not download Tasker through the Play Store as the Ouya showed up as 'incompatible', however after a Play Store crash that removed it from my system, and subsequent reinstall, I can now download it from Google Play. I don't know why this was, but when I first did the play store mod I didn't have busybox installed, I did for the reinstall. I don't need the play version however as I was able to get the 'Trial' version validated, which is good as the direct download has added functionality (that I will never use). To validate the trial version you need to find the 15 digit order number (not the 16 digit Google provides in the email). This is best accomplished by using the 'Contact Crafty Apps' link in the email, and then finding Tasker, the 15 digit order number should then be visible. This only works if you bought Tasker before March 2013 though, otherwise you will need the Play store version (thanks Google :/)
To get Tasker to run you need to be Rooted and move two Google files to the proper location on the Ouya. Tasker will not run without the Google maps framework and oddly enough installing Google maps doesn't install the full framework. You can get these files by flashing the gapps package with CWM, or just install the two files themselves. To get the files unzip the gapps package, I think in the 'framework' folder. You need to move com.Google.android.maps.XML to /system/etc/permissions, and move com.Google.android.maps.jar to /system/framework. This WILL require you to remount /system as writeable. ES File Explorer worked for me (download an old version, 3.0.4 maybe, as the newest Play store version crashes), it was the only free root access file manager to work for me. Remount /system back to the way it was. BTW, I did all of this without adb, it was all done on the system itself with some help from dropbox (unzipped on my nexus, it was easier).
Tasker itself works great and I currently have it sending messages through autoremote to update variables on my other devices, this triggers a popup that asks if I want to start XBMC when I start my XBMC remote app (only if XBMC isn't running). If I select yes then it sends an Autoremote message that triggers a Tasker profile that starts XBMC. I also have Utter! setup to trigger the 'Start XBMC' Auto remote message on my Nexus
My next two tasks will be for an automatic nightly reboot, and a task that sends the Ouya into sleep mode when I start my alarm clock app on my nexus. I'm still trying to think of good ideas to implement. I hope to get a microphone working to use voice commands directly on the Ouya, and my dream is for an IR blaster to work so the Ouya could turn on my TV with voice commands (old TV)

Snoman002 said:
OK, a few things I have found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! I really commend you for your perseverance and willingness to share your experience and findings...people don't realize how much this helps others.

Scenes Working
Hey Snoman002,
I have my Ouya rooted and found a Tasker that can be used to mount and unmount NFS mounts. I have the two google maps files installed and have version 4.2 of Tasker installed. When i try to open the scene or even create a new one Tasker closes and goes back to the Make Menu. Have you seen a similar thing with the version you have been using ?
Thanks
Techhhead33

Techhead33 said:
Hey Snoman002,
I have my Ouya rooted and found a Tasker that can be used to mount and unmount NFS mounts. I have the two google maps files installed and have version 4.2 of Tasker installed. When i try to open the scene or even create a new one Tasker closes and goes back to the Make Menu. Have you seen a similar thing with the version you have been using ?
Thanks
Techhhead33
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, other than getting it running initially I have done nothing more with Tasked on my ouya.
Your trying to make a scene in tasked? Scenes are really only for overlays and custom menus (drastic oversimplification I know). I fail to see the need for the complication of a scene just for mounting and unmounting. Perhaps you could change the tasker task to a simple popup menu (which now that I think about it may be a scene...). Popups worked for me, but that's all I can say about it.
Sorry, I'm not here much anymore as my ouya just runs xbmc now. I will try and check in more often.

[Q] Google Play issues after cloning Nexus 7

Hello,
I currently work for a market research company using Nexus 7 tablets to conduct surveys and questionnaires. We have a DP team which develop the apps for surveys which we put out on Google Play or can add manually. We currently have over 60 Nexus 7 tablets (2012 model) running Android 4.4.2. The current workaround securing the tablet is using Go Launcher, App Lock and WiFi Manager using a restricted account with Encryption on each device. This set up fine... however the two accounts setup is a hassle for the end users who are not technically proficient or use tablets or smartphones on a daily basis, so we need to down it one account. Also secondly, when we have new surveys and push them out, it does download to the main admin account of the tablet, but the hassle of, making it active for the restricted account is what the issue is because giving the end user access the main account defeats the whole purpose of what we are trying to do.
So I have managed to get hold of 2 tablets for testing, unlocked and rooted them both using the handy Nexus Root Toolkit. On one device, I created a main account, with Nova Launcher (instead of go launcher), App Lock and WiFi Manager. I have not put any encryption yet that will come after. I then created a nandroid backup of the tablet in which I restored it to the other device. The restore was perfect and at this point I thought that it's managed what we needed to do. However, on the two devices, we have two separate Google accounts, we have done this to spread out the devices across different accounts due to the amount of tablets we have. Upon pushing out an app to one device from Google Play, it would for some strange reason try to download on the other device and throw up an error message saying "could not download", even though the tablets have two separate google play accounts.
I made another nandroid back up, but this time without any google play/account information stored on the tablet but this to no avail did help. I even tried changing the device ID from Titanium Backup on both devices and still did not work and Google Play seems to think both devices are the same.
So my question is, what do I need to do in order to remove any Google Play info from the devices so google play doesn't recognize them both as the same device.
Everything else works perfectly fine so far and still are testing this out.
Thank you in advance
Irfan

Any one got a solution for this?

Fire HD 8 7th Gen ver. 5.4.0

I'm new to XDAdevelopers, so hello to everyone! I've read the majority of the posts concerning rooting the older Fire HD devices. While I have no expectations that anyone out there will have any new information concerning rooting this generation of Fire HD I'm going to solicit suggestions with respect to rooting the newest model of the Amazon device. I have an Samsung S10 that I use for my primary tablet at the moment, so short of turning this HD in to a "brick" I'm open to experimenting with it.
It's a nice little tablet, but the OS is less then desirable for anyone that does not want the Amazon-centric software. This device was purchased via Amazon's pre-order list and arrived on 7 June. Almost immediately the OS auto updated to the newest version i.e. 5.4.0, which as you might guess is not one that can be rolled back. The sole intention of purchasing this device was to root it eventually so I could go to a full Android OS. Yes, I was aware of the drawbacks of the Amazon OS beforehand and the close integration with their site and product lines.
That being said, I've been able to install Google Play and download some of my more useful apps. Of course any app that is already installed, such as Audible, will not download via Play Store, as one might expect. The purpose of this thread is to open dialog concerning rooting the 7th Generation Fire HD and sundry issues. Any comments and/or suggestions, experiences, etc, will be great appreciated.
Thank you all and it's great to be on board!
L...

Mine arrived this afternoon, and I went straight to instructions for the Playstore, etc. (For background, my Fire 7" works fine using a 3rd party launcher, and a full collection of gApps) I thought that I'd try the Fire 8 7th gen 5.4.0 for the extra memory. I have been pleasantly surprised how useful the 7" is, even without root, etc.
I'm slowly setting up my essentials, passwords, etc. The only very annoying bug that I've come across so far is GMAIL... It downloaded and synced properly, but now just shuts down after a brief second. (I've tried the usual fixes, but it's still not working). I'm curious... Have you managed to get GMAIL to work on yours?

I'm having the same issue with Gmail - hoping to root it in the near future - any advice anyone?

Gmail Alternative
I'm not using Gmail at all. After I installed Play Store I downloaded the same email client that I use on all of my Android devices i.e. K-9 Mail. This app works extremely well and will do what you need with a host of email sources. I have quite a few email accounts for business and personal use, so K-9 allows me to bring them all together in one app, and segregate the individual accounts. I've had this app for years and would recommend it to anyone. You might want to take a look at it and see if it meets your needs.
L...
mba123 said:
I'm having the same issue with Gmail - hoping to root it in the near future - any advice anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

BlackOPSSpook said:
I'm not using Gmail at all. After I installed Play Store I downloaded the same email client that I use on all of my Android devices i.e. K-9 Mail. This app works extremely well and will do what you need with a host of email sources. I have quite a few email accounts for business and personal use, so K-9 allows me to bring them all together in one app, and segregate the individual accounts. I've had this app for years and would recommend it to anyone. You might want to take a look at it and see if it meets your needs.
L...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion... I'll check it out.

I have had same issues with gmail, but i restarted the device, i opened gmail, it crashed within seconds, i left the device idle for 10 minutes and afterwards gmail works fine (i am using 5 gmail accounts without issues). Hope it may help you to sort this issue out.