It may be old new for some(couple of months) but most will still find it very interesting
how Google collects(steals..) your data from your device. Some Dev's have already added some attention to this on there rom's.(not all)
But then again, most inflictions come from apps you install and the privileges they come with.
It's all a bigger picture. 1 app, one question. 20 apps, 20 questions.
For instance; the facebook app uses an great deal of privileges you probably are not aware of and don't want to give for what you use it for. facebook may be respectable, but that depends on your point of view.
Additionally, most of your are probably not technically inclined, have no or little experience with android and are not aware what can be done by indexing your kind. In that case, just take it into consideration.
So, read it and weep <here>
Please, if you have something interesting to add concerning privacy on custom rom's, share it here.
If you don't care about your or anyone else's privacy or the fact you may be manipulated in the long run, then please don't rant or insult. Conspiracies do exist!
We just need an clean rom.
ps;
Motorola owned now by Lenovo, so stuff may change.
And everybody wants to work for Google, don't they?
This is not a rant, just an observation.
I's amazing how aggressively Google is going about not letting users have the options they need to protect there privacy.
If you are an first time user(like all those now in India), then they force you to upload all your contacts and information to there servers. No option to opt-out what so ever.
Try to set up your google account, and it immediately starts sending all info to there servers. No opt-out.
Just try to just sync your mail automatically, wont work in KK. Is all data or nothing.
Copy your contact to your own SIM, they won't let you. What's that all about.
Well, that's why the moto g, which obviously is an very good devices, is so 'cheap'. They steal private data and make you think you made the choice. Most didn't make the choice, some think it doesn't matter others 'have nothing to hide'. All just don't see it.
You probably just bought an new phone, hardware with android(Which still is considered opensource.) on.
That's an honest action.
In reality they made it so difficult not to use there services, that there really isn't any other option for most users. And surely not now they changed and closed the system even more with the KK lure on budget devices.
Most new user need to be made aware of privacy. Most notably younger people. By the time they find out about it, there life is already splattered all over the net. Don't use it, they say. Wel try to keep an user away from facebook for a month.
That is the reality these company's play with. And no, it doesn't have to be this way. We just need to fix the apps to add more privacy options.
It's not evolution. It's derailment, just an other road.
ebsbow said:
This is not a rant, just an observation.
I's amazing how aggressively Google is going about not letting users have the options they need to protect there privacy.
If you are an first time user(like all those now in India), then they force you to upload all your contacts and information to there servers. No option to opt-out what so ever.
Try to set up your google account, and it immediately starts sending all info to there servers. No opt-out.
Just try to just sync your mail automatically, wont work in KK. Is all data or nothing.
Copy your contact to your own SIM, they won't let you. What's that all about.
Well, that's why the moto g, which obviously is an very good devices, is so 'cheap'. They steal private data and make you think you made the choice. Most didn't make the choice, some think it doesn't matter others 'have nothing to hide'. All just don't see it.
You probably just bought an new phone, hardware with android(Which still is considered opensource.) on.
That's an honest action.
In reality they made it so difficult not to use there services, that there really isn't any other option for most users. And surely not now they changed and closed the system even more with the KK lure on budget devices.
Most new user need to be made aware of privacy. Most notably younger people. By the time they find out about it, there life is already splattered all over the net. Don't use it, they say. Wel try to keep an user away from facebook for a month.
That is the reality these company's play with. And no, it doesn't have to be this way. We just need to fix the apps to add more privacy options.
It's not evolution. It's derailment, just an other road.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I could just sync emails with out contacts.. I never used a sim card before 2013 so I had no contacts on it. You can use the device without Google services just unchecked allow unknown sources download different appstores... Get apks from other places. And I am 100% sure your data isn't stolen.. We just choose to ignore the TOS and move on because who has time to read when there is facebooking to do? I bought the moto g over a lumina 521 because I am indoctrinated in Google's bubble. Now that screen is busted think I am going to go to a blackberry or windows phone or iPhone anything else? Nope going to buy a moto x unlock the boot loader, add a custom recovery and root that bad lad and life moves on..if security becomes a real issue I will be sure to complied android from source and strip out the Google stuff..but I am not worried about it.
Sent from Sauwny the TL
Could you elaborate on the 2013 sim line, buddy?
Durteedee said:
... I never used a sim card before 2013 so I had no contacts on it. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was on CDMA networks before they moved our network to gsm so I never used sim cards so mine never had contacts on it ..ever
Sent from Sauwny the TL
ebsbow said:
Well, that's why the moto g, which obviously is an very good devices, is so 'cheap'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EVERY android phone that's bundled with Google apps does this, not just the moto g. Even the expensive galaxy s 5 and the htc one.
Nobody is forcing you to sign into your Google account or even make one. You can even install cyanogemod without these tracking apps and alternative app stores like f-droid.
I'd argue that android is actually one of the best mobile OS for privacy, simply because it is open source and you can choose what you want to install. Try doing that on a windows phone or iPhone. Both those operating systems are closed source and could be doing much worse than you claim the moto g is.
You also claim google gives you no option to choose what to upload to their servers, you're wrong about that too. You can actually choose what to sync to your google account. Just go to settings->google. Don't want your contacts synced? No problem, just uncheck it.
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Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk
Maybe you don't understand the psychology about this tactic. But that's ok.
Anyway, the XT1033 I got doesn't offer an check boxes in the account section. XT1033 is the Asia version.
Those check boxes are, normally, standard available on Android. Also in KK, as is the possibility
to edit and store contacts to sim. Which is also not available on the moto g. Instead, they go strait to the
google servers if you make an account, which you need for the play store.
Yes, you can install and custom rom. If you have the knowhow or want to learn. But chances are you will
configure your phone right out of the box first. And you may forget that custom rom's void warranty.
Which is off course a good thing for the manufacturer. So, most don't do it, or don't want it.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1033 met Tapatalk
ebsbow said:
Maybe you don't understand the psychology about this tactic. But that's ok.
Anyway, the XT1033 I got doesn't offer an check boxes in the account section. XT1033 is the Asia version.
Those check boxes are, normally, standard available on Android. Also in KK, as is the possibility
to edit and store contacts to sim. Which is also not available on the moto g. Instead, they go strait to the
google servers if you make an account, which you need for the play store.
Yes, you can install and custom rom. If you have the knowhow or want to learn. But chances are you will
configure your phone right out of the box first. And you may forget that custom rom's void warranty.
Which is off course a good thing for the manufacturer. So, most don't do it, or don't want it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure the check boxes aren't there? You have to touch your email after you go to Google account, so its actually settings->google>your email address.
Why does editing and storing contacts on the sim even matter? The year is 2014, you have a smartphone. You don't need a sim card to store contacts. you can store them on your phones storage without syncing them to Google servers. But if you insist on using the sim card, there are 3rd party apps you can download just for that purpose. That's the beauty of android.
Honestly it sounds to me like you're just uninformed from reading one old article.
Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk
Current state
Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1033 met Tapatalk
Btw; been using android from the beginning and also use other phones and devices.
so yeah, they need to be on 'my' sim card.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1033 met Tapatalk
It's just NSA bull**** that's on every mobile phone in the US. Nothing new here.
Sent from my XT1028 using xda app-developers app
It takes some work to maintain privacy online these days, be it on Android or anywhere else. Caring about that and not knowing, for example, how to install a custom Android ROM, simply doesn't go together. However, there's differences in what data is collected and how it's used. I don't mind giving data to Google because, well, it's a trade-off. I like their services.
Still, not offering to opt-out of it is simple bullying and a -1 for Google in this case.
This is the reason I am looking forward to install Cyanogenmod!
Im asian, using the XT1033 n the tick box is here to choose what u want to share..
Removing the motorola Blur service with some apk manager does the job for me, no trace to be found on my device. This doesn't mean that Google doesn't send some data anyways btw!
No moto blur service on mine, but lot's of other stuff is poking around. All pieces of the puzzel, I guess.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn XT1033 met Tapatalk
For those who don't know, the MAC address/number is hard-coded in the hardware of your phone.
There is no legitimate reason why this number should change after an software update has been applied.
Can anyone confirm that using this(or other) rom has not changed the MAC on his/her phone?
Other fine addition to data stealing.
Look for the folder: .faceRectImg (yes, hidden folder)
edit: some may say you or anyone made these with an contact manager. I can tell you
without any doubt that is not the case. These are made with face recognition software from
pictures on your drive or from other locations. You may or may not have this folder, but at
one point you will have.
Please don't whine about the nsa doing there work. Android phone are global, and there are other laws and habits in other country's. And no body really likes an spy.(except may be 007..)
Related
are you confortable with that?
When 21 rogue apps started siphoning off identifying information from Android phones and installing security holes, Google yanked the lot from Android Market, and called the authorities to boot. But what of the 50,000 copies already downloaded by unwitting users? That's what Google's dealing with this week, by utilizing Android's remote kill switch to delete them over the air.
But that's not all, because this time the company isn't just removing offending packages, but also installing new code. The "Android Market Security Tool March 2011" will be remotely added to affected handsets to undo the exploit and keep it from sending your data out, as well as make you wonder just how much remote control Google has over our phones. Yes, we welcome our new Search Engine overlords and all that, so long as they've got our best interests at heart, but there's a certain irony in Google removing a backdoor exploit by using a backdoor exploit of its own -- even one that (in this case) will email you to report what it's done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source:
http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/03/update-on-android-market-security.html
http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/06/google-flips-android-kill-switch-destroys-a-batch-of-malicious/
Im sure if you were on the receiving end with a malware infested phone you'd be thanking google for remotely fixing your phone, i guess only when they start abusing that power will people get annoyed and demand change.
I guess that the end justifies the means in this case...
Yeh I'm fine with that. I doubt Google will abuse this feature- look at the negative backlash that Amazon had for remotely deleting from customers Kindles.
msolus said:
Yeh I'm fine with that. I doubt Google will abuse this feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not quite sure about that!, but well i'm probably too much old school, maybe a bit paranoid or conservative =).
The "For your own good", never sound well to my hears, anyway don't be surprise if Microsoft start doing that, one day, on your personal desktop/laptop.
Starting slow by removing trojan apps and one day, choosing what you have to use or not without your consentment?...not really GNU/GPL.
Google already know, who you are, which face you have (ty the front camera ^^), who are your friend, where you live, who you call, your habits etc... a way to much in one hand.
"Don't be Evil" they said (i'm still laughing on that)
I don't see anything wrong with this, and I think if Google ever decides to use this function for 'evil' it will get so much bad rep, that it's just not worth it.
How do you know they see all those things? Android is open source, and I doubt the Android-versions that is sent to the OEM's has these spy-code inside. Don't think they would agree with that, because of potential lawsuits and problems, e.g. EU-related problems.
I don't mind at all.. They have the power on Chrome too, and they never abuse it. I trust Google, I just woudn't trust Apple.
OP, Google already have your gmail, contacts, coordinates, search history, credit card number, and God only knows what else. This tiny little thingie won't change anything. However, they'd better remotely install Gingerbread on my phone, lol.
Unrealwolf said:
OP, Google already have your gmail, contacts, coordinates, search history, credit card number, and God only knows what else. This tiny little thingie won't change anything. However, they'd better remotely install Gingerbread on my phone, lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid by what i see here (but i don't blame anyone), everyone agree...well, maybe a different generation or perhaps my job force me to be more sensitive to that kind of things...who now
Unrealwolf, most of my data are fake: google account, no contact, neither sync, and no way i'll give my credit card number/real name or more.
But hey let's see how it'll go (the result in a couple of years will not be a surprise for me)
Microsoft did install a 'Malicious Software Removel Tool'. And have updates that are installed silently (but that happens very rarely).
And through the normal update process they can install everything they want.
personal info already leak out to everywhere since you born, do you have a mobile, in a school, bank account, visa,diving license, etc... just live with it.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Is it really the first time that Google installed things remotely? At least they updated apps without interaction on my mobile. And these updates can contain any code they want. So who saves you from Trojans that come inside, say, Maps? Also, some devs showed that apps can install other apps without the user even notices that (I think there was a malicious angry birds app)
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I am thankfull as they state only being sent to infected phones as we have few android phones and only my one got message so yes im glad there doing this
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
retskrad said:
How do you know they see all those things? Android is open source, and I doubt the Android-versions that is sent to the OEM's has these spy-code inside. Don't think they would agree with that, because of potential lawsuits and problems, e.g. EU-related problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well going by the trouble that Google got with street view in the EU, im not sure they'd like to risk more fines
ttf said:
are you confortable with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i love the idea
that will keep our phones clean, and warez free
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Would be better to fix the bugs, though...
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Not too comfortable with this because if google can do it even a hacker can do it.
Also I noticed that after I did a search for CMS in google, the next day I got email from a CMS vendor, so think about it, very weird to the say the least. This has happened many times.
Sent from my GT-I9000
And Elvis is still alive...
Google has already an app with root and net access on the phone: the Market (or the services behind). Otherwise they could not install or uninstall anything on the phone. And yes, market is able to install without notifying the user. But if they're doing this well and encrypt the communication, no hacker should be able to use this feature to break into your phone.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
C-o-M said:
And Elvis is still alive...
Google has already an app with root and net access on the phone: the Market (or the services behind). Otherwise they could not install or uninstall anything on the phone. And yes, market is able to install without notifying the user. But if they're doing this well and encrypt the communication, no hacker should be able to use this feature to break into your phone.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My grandma said: never say never
Well it's not really about hacker problem, it's more about a non gouvernmental entity with that much power...but well some can live with it, i just can't.
Dear Google,
Congratulations ! JB is better then ICS... but:
There are some things that you must know about us Android users, I believe that even after all those years you still do not Know what we android users want. what any user wants...
don't get me wrong android is getting better with every version release but we ask for more then better.
I'm writing it here so you will know what we expect from android. don't try to Understand why we want that and not the other... it will save you a lot of time ... don't be too creative about these things, just do it so it will work . do it the way we want it - that's It.
these small (and easy to make) changes that you didn't add to android yet are preventing android from being the best OS in the eyes of the non-Android users.
1. We want to control (out of the box) at: WIFI,Mobile-Data,GPS,Blutooth,Screen Brightness,Sync,Rotation - from the "Notification Bar" - it is easy to do and any android user wants this on his device . so just do it !
Not adding this causes us to use custom roms sometimes even just for this one change (above). not that this is a bad thing, but this small "mod" that some known developers add, is a must for us.
2. We want to have "Call support" with someone actually answers and talks to us...and better to put it in the Dialer
3. We wanna have a chat and email support with response under 24 hours. some users/developers needs you - so be there - always.
4. Know your market already ! we love android. we buy android . stop running out of your new products all the time. prepare ahead. you can do it Google !
5. You made such a progress with the keyboard. what about a gesture to Change between langs ? it is so easy and it should work out of the box.
6. listen to us, let the users and developers talk to you . ask us questions and let us tell you how we think android should be, and most important :
Answer us. when we Chat,Email Call, Comment we want someone on the other side listening to us and then answers us.
You need our feedback and we need yours.
Right now, Android is a great OS there is no argue about that.
But if you will listen to the android community and provide us the tools we want then:
Android will be the best OS and there will be no argument about that
Just do it . really, just do it
http://www.google.com/nexus/#/
And you think that Google is going to read this?
Verstuurd van mijn Nexus S met Tapatalk
teuntje3 said:
And you think that Google is going to read this?
Verstuurd van mijn Nexus S met Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No i don't
You can try writing it for google, let me know what they said in 25 years from now.
Nice list, just gonna add my 2 cents, hope you don't take offense
imneo1 said:
1. We want to control (out of the box) at: WIFI,Mobile-Data,GPS,Blutooth,Screen Brightness,Sync,Rotation - from the "Notification Bar" - it is easy to do and any android user wants this on his device . so just do it !
Not adding this causes us to use custom roms sometimes even just for this one change (above). not that this is a bad thing, but this small "mod" that some known developers add, is a must for us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like this, and it shouldn't be too hard to put in an OTA, especially since the 4.0.4 OTA was only 1 mb or so.
imneo1 said:
2. We want to have "Call support" with someone actually answers and talks to us...and better to put it in the Dialer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't that asking a bit too much for a phone that's almost 2 years old?
imneo1 said:
3. We wanna have a chat and email support with response under 24 hours. some users/developers needs you - so be there - always.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same as above, but I'm not a dev, and this might be really helpful for devs..
imneo1 said:
4. Know your market already ! we love android. we buy android . stop running out of your new products all the time. prepare ahead. you can do it Google !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Err,, yeah!:good:
imneo1 said:
5. You made such a progress with the keyboard. what about a gesture to Change between langs ? it is so easy and it should work out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it's that big of a deal to pull down the notification tray to change the language
imneo1 said:
6. listen to us, let the users and developers talk to you . ask us questions and let us tell you how we think android should be, and most important :
Answer us. when we Chat,Email Call, Comment we want someone on the other side listening to us and then answers us.
You need our feedback and we need yours.
http://www.google.com/nexus/#/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good:
for google, i just want the first point and a full integrated telephone number based message service, like the iPhone.
It could be integrated easily in g+ istant messaging.
Is a T9 dialer really that difficult to implement in a Stock ROM?
Just post this to Android Developers on Google+, they will answer you. You can even video chat with them. It's way better than a phone number, and yes it's official.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2
imneo1, thanks for speaking for ALL Android users.....HOWEVER, you will not satisfy everyone's needs....it's impossible. Personally, I don't find much of a need for any of your list. I like a clean pull down notification bar, so the lack of those controls is good with me and I've never found a need to call/chat/email Google about any of my Android devices. You can't have everything your way...Google sells products to millions of people....not just you. Just enjoy your device and be happy that Android has a thriving development community that can provide you with something closer to what you desire.
i just want the toggles and brightness slider in the notifications, battery percentage, and having the option to use both the slide to unlock and pattern/password/code. three features of custom roms that are really the only reason I need to root this thing.
Delete..........
The first point is totally valid and ridiculous that it's not already implemented.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
If only you knew about the notification toggle app....it works perfect now in jelly bean as notifications can permanently stay at the top which wasnt possible in ICS.
Gambler_3 said:
If only you knew about the notification toggle app....it works perfect now in jelly bean as notifications can permanently stay at the top which wasnt possible in ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can't toggle GPS with these apps.
and this is an app
imneo1 said:
you can't toggle GPS with these apps.
and this is an app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sure can just need root access for one click GPS toggle. And so what if it is an app? It works just like anything else. A smartphone is all about customizing your experience with whatever "apps" you like.
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Gambler_3 said:
You sure can just need root access for one click GPS toggle. And so what if it is an app? It works just like anything else. A smartphone is all about customizing your experience with whatever "apps" you like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what i'm talking about.
if the simple user will have these options available without rooting his device and not after searching and trying many apps ...
it should just be there when you turn on your device.
any device running android.
imneo1 said:
This is what i'm talking about.
if the simple user will have these options available without rooting his device and not after searching and trying many apps ...
it should just be there when you turn on your device.
any device running android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah dude this app does not require root access. If you are not rooted you can have a 2 click GPS toggle all the other toggles remain one click. If you really must have one click GPS without root you can keep the built in toggle on the homescreen. This really isnt as big a deal as you are making it out to be, the "basic" users dont even care about these things!!
The lack of t9 dialor is more frustrating as then you have to basically replace the dialor app to get t9 without custom rom.
Gambler_3 said:
Ah dude this app does not require root access. If you are not rooted you can have a 2 click GPS toggle all the other toggles remain one click. If you really must have one click GPS without root you can keep the built in toggle on the homescreen. This really isnt as big a deal as you are making it out to be, the "basic" users dont even care about these things!!
The lack of t9 dialor is more frustrating as then you have to basically replace the dialor app to get t9 without custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The whole idea of android is simplicity and functionality .
I think pressing one click is better then clicking twice . i hope you think so too...
you care more for the dialer and that is fine. every user has his things, but many other users are searching for custom roms and mods because the Stock version does not contain their most important feature:"Notification Bat widgets" .
controlling the device is great. controlling it easily is even greater. and that's how i think android should be right out of the box.
simplicity is the name of the game.
imneo1 said:
The whole idea of android is simplicity and functionality .
I think pressing one click is better then clicking twice . i hope you think so too...
you care more for the dialer and that is fine. every user has his things, but many other users are searching for custom roms and mods because the Stock version does not contain their most important feature:"Notification Bat widgets" .
controlling the device is great. controlling it easily is even greater. and that's how i think android should be right out of the box.
simplicity is the name of the game.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So people can search for custom roms but cant search for an app that does it?
For anyone who is looking to put custom rom is obviously rooted so the GPS toggle thing is irrelevant. Seriously anyone who really uses a custom rom for power toggles is just stupid period!!
And I dont know about HTC but samsung's solution is worse. They just give you 10 toggles and you cant change them so if you need a toggle thats not provided you have to use the toggle app to create 2 tiered toggles. The notification toggle app lets you put anything conceivable in the notifications so unless google gives that sort of do whatever you like thing I rather be without it.
How about a more customizable launcher? The stock launcher is so bare of options it's not even funny. That IS a legitimate problem.
You do realize that Google doesn't do those things in the stock ROM, JUST to keep relevant add on apps and community work going ?
Listen up, Google doesn't put your features. Why? It's not for all android users, some users prefer stock. That is why Google has this thing called 'Android Open Source Project' A clean, no frills, no ui tweaks, no T9 and any thing that referred to CM.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
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}
Ok going to start this thread as today we see are first game available on Google's Play Store (Chaos Rings by Square Enix) become "This game cannot be played on rooted devices"
What does this mean for us Root users, Custom Rom users, Modders, Themer's and so on. Will we ever be able to play new games or run apps on our device's without losing are right to an open product?
Example Questions to start us off =
What is your thought's on this matter?
Are company's right to leave us out to protect there products for piracy?
Will this catch on?
Would you give up Root for a certain app you wanted?
The question is, how long will it takes until we root user find a root using way to use not-for-rooted-phones apps on rooted phones
Sent from my MT27i using xda app-developers app
IE-coRe said:
The question is, how long will it takes until we root user find a root using way to use not-for-rooted-phones apps on rooted phones
Sent from my MT27i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets hope this happens. Not sure if seen away to run Google films/video yet and guess this is the same sort of thing. Love the way that more of the people (like me) that brought this app are rooted (5star rating for people without root =25) and (1star rating for people with root = 33) Ha Ha.
Just temp unroot in SU.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app
MilkyJoePD said:
Just temp unroot in SU.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does not work all the time and we should not have to anyway, having root is not illegal so why should we be judged for having it. Some of us buy their games/apps so we should be able to play them without having to Mod/Fool them.
PS. Already tried this with this app.
Haven't run in to any app that wouldn't work because of my rooted phone yet. But when I eventually do, I will most likely use some bad language, may even hurt my hand banging it to my desk.
Seriously
I just sent this in an email to [email protected]. Feel free to write your own complaint letter, one letter may fall on deaf ears, but maybe if enough of us let Square Enix know how we feel they'll do something about it? (Well, probably not, but it's worth a try.)
To Squeenix:
"Really? I can't believe this.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY $13 to play Chaos Rings, but now you're telling me you don't want my money?
Even though I've rooted my device, I pirate nothing, and am happy to pay developers for their hard work, but not when the developer INTENTIONALLY BLOCKS 20% OF THEIR USER BASE.
Seriously, what is the point of blocking root users? I'm not going to give up root, what I am going to give up is your games, and you'll be missing out on the revenue you could have had. In fact, by excluding android power users, you're forcing more people to pirate your game than ever before, especially once someone figures out how to hack your apk to make it work on root.
Now you look like a-holes, and have a horrible rating on the google play store from all the people who bought your game before you mentioned that it doesn't work on root. Way to go. I miss the good old days when Squaresoft used to be a respectable company that cared about making great games for the people who wanted to play them. Those days are long gone now."
The King of Fighters Android announced the same in its store description but doesn't block to run the game in rooted devices.
Square Enix is free to do it and at least they warning about it before you buy the game, however it's bad news for mobile gaming because denying the freedom to root the phone in the Android plataform is against the users and themselves.
Great fail to lose players/users of the app/game. I'd bet someone will make an patch. It will be same as "unhackable" Kindle Fire.
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app
I bought the game because I wanted to support devs who give us more polished games than the usual freemium games you find all over the play store... Sad they see it that way, while you really don't need root to pirate games if you want to (note that I have root and have numerous games i paid for, and none that I pirated). The workaround for this specific game is so lame I can't understand why they thought it would be a good idea to implement (hint: rename your Superuser apk...). It is quite worrying though, and we have to hope that the backlash SE is getting on this will ensure that other devs won't follow the same route using more drastic measures to detect root (say, if chaos rings deleted the obb file when detecting root, I would have given up much more quickly...)
Also I think the email address from the play store is not monitored (got an automatic email back telling me to check their support site instead). I did receive a response back now asking me if my device was rooted... Will answer now and let them know what I / we think
---------- Post added at 07:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:40 PM ----------
leetxperia said:
Great fail to lose players/users of the app/game. I'd bet someone will make an patch. It will be same as "unhackable" Kindle Fire.
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just do a quick Google search.. The game is already available without a root check on some forum... Oh and probably without a license check too...
Are they within their rights? Of course they are its their bloody game. Does it make good business sense? There is the real dilemma and i suppose only time will tell. IMHO it doesn't take root, or half a brain for that matter, to find alternative app stores with pirated games on it so I can't really see the justification for it. But at the end of the day to root or not is a choice and this should be one of your considerations when you make that choice.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Well here goes... Feel free to copy and paste part of the message if it can help
------
Hi There,
Thanks for the feedback.
My device is indeed rooted, as are the devices from many other customers of Square Enix as is apparent from the numerous negative comments in the play store.
I am not sure whether this is the proper channel to voice my concerns, but I would like to urge SE to reconsider their position on this, as rooting and pirating games are two different activities altogether. Pirate versions of Chaos Rings are actually already available on the net, and these do not require root to run. And while I have always rooted my Android devices, I don't have a single pirated game, that is not the point of rooting.
By excluding rooted users, you are creating a very bad image for your company in the android community (I am sure you will see many articles pop up around the web about this in the coming days), not to mention you are losing customers and money for chaos rings but also many of your future titles.
And that's a shame really, because your titles are in general of much higher quality than many games available on the play store, and there most definitely is a market for them even among rooted users, as was proven recently with the success of final fantasy 3.
I would be thankful if you could forward this message to the relevant recipient, or if you could give me such an address to send it myself.
Thanks,
Ed
It only hurts them. My guess is it is a higher level executive decision or something that the people who made the decision don't even understand what root is. It definitely isn't the same as pirating...not even close.
The game will get hacked regardless which means this only hurts legitimate sales. If people can't buy it the right way they are much more likely to obtain it by other means.
I'd buy the game if i wanted to play it and was allowed but will not have the option now. If i get the itch to play it in the future i will play it regardless of whether square lets me pay them or not.
Wait. So "Not available.." for root users is here because of piracy? Cracked apps can be installed without root huh?
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app
Well, they specifically look for the presence of a superuser package, so really, if it's not a very badly informed decision from some out of touch executive to counteract piracy, I have no idea why they would do that. To me, it sounds like "Hey, did you see Netflix tries to detect rooted device to prevent against piracy? Let's do the same for our app, surely it will prevent our games from being pirated!". That's obviously ridiculous and inefficient, especially seeing the way they implemented it. I mean, we know how to root our device, but don't know to hide our superuser app? Really? The fact that the game just crashes without a hint as to what happened is also frankly crap. At least tell me you won't allow me to play because I'm rooted, and let me know how I can get a refund.
I'm a bit torn now... If nobody buys this thing, then the same execs who made that smart decision will say once again that Android sales were poor because of piracy, and it will be ages before we see another title from them. So yeah, cant' really recommend you to buy (although the game itself seems quite good from my 30 minutes of play time), but if you bought it you've got two options:
- You can request a refund from Google (the support person I talked to at Square Enix specifically told me to do that if my device is rooted)
- Try this thread where we discuss a convenient way to hide/unhide superuser app through a script http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1932078 (you might also be able to use some "temp unroot" app, but the one I tried didn't work on my Note)
leetxperia said:
Wait. So "Not available.." for root users is here because of piracy? Cracked apps can be installed without root huh?
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No question. Its their product and so have every right to apply whatever limitations they want to it. With that said, its the right of the buyer to leave 1 star and refund the payment, should they so wish
Yea they can do whatever they want but if everyone stops buying they're stuff then they'll definitely think twice
Galaxy SIII via XDA premium
I was not going to even buy Chaos Ringss, I'm only sending you this because: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1931778 and I figured I would help them.
So I take it your assuming because we have root it means we're criminals or pirates, I root, but I don't pirate anything, in my opinion all users who know how to root know how to obtain pirated games, I bet there is a cracked Chaos Rings around somewere with root check disabled, etc... Your only encouraging pirating by making rooted users who want this game go else were to get this game.
I don't support pirating, and I do root every device I have, and that isn't because I pirate anything, I root to have more customization options for my Android Device.
Either way you will lose business with this.
Copy and paste if you like.
Yeah of course they have the right. That's what consumerism and free enterprise is all about. But we have the right to read the description and not buy their games, and not buy any of their products because you don't believe in what they're doing. Your wallets will speak louder than anything.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda app-developers app
Well. They wont sell much copies if almost anyone has root.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app
I'm sick of Google. I'm stripping all apps out.
What are the best non Google to replace them with?
I've got rid of Google market for another but should be able to get anything.
Tnx.
Sent by reversed alian technology.
Get an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
dont flash gapps, or just install the ones you want, i always remove google services i dont need.
scream4cheese said:
Get an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
To OP: You own a GOOGLE Nexus 4. What did you expect from it? And good luck getting rid of Google on your phone. Let's see how functional it is with 3rd party apps.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
You're sick of a cohesive integrated service platform that's given to you100 percent free of charge?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
A truely great Google app is the 'play store' app, so you can download replacements for the rest of the Google apps
scream4cheese said:
Get an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And then jailbreak it and get cydia - just to be different
andrew.golby said:
And then jailbreak it and get cydia - just to be different
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Nova Launcher and a widget can offer more than jailbreaking an iPhone.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Go with a windows phone. Best way to get away from Google.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Try amazon app store or just google some alternatives.... LOL
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/android-app-stores/
Weezle
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Try out the F-Droid app store.
It has a respectable collection of FOSS applications which might be something you'd want.
I agree, I'm tired of these company looking at what I'm doing ever second of my life. This will be an issue in the future.....There's a method to their madness....they are integrating everything to trap us and people are just following along like good sheep. Smh
And you people making fun are straight morons if ya can't get what the op is saying. "Buy an iPhone" haha haha so funny as well as soooooo original.
As asinine as it may sound, there are some of us who still value our privacy.
Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using xda app-developers app
3dupunk said:
I agree, I'm tired of these company looking at what I'm doing ever second of my life. This will be an issue in the future.....There's a method to their madness....they are integrating everything to trap us and people are just following along like good sheep. Smh
And you people making fun are straight morons if ya can't get what the op is saying. "Buy an iPhone" haha haha so funny as well as soooooo original.
As asinine as it may sound, there are some of us who still value our privacy.
Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You make a good point here - Google is certainly 'buying' out data and information. They are not in the cell phone making business - rather, they are in the data and analytics business.
Did you think Google was making and selling Nexus devices this cheap just out of the goodness of their own hearts?
A Nexus device is sold at a significant cost reduction that is subsidized by Google for a reason. In today's day and age, if you truly value your privacy, I'd recommend canceling your internet package and surfing the web form your local library. Aside from that, someone is always watching what you're doing - Google or otherwise.
3dupunk said:
I agree, I'm tired of these company looking at what I'm doing ever second of my life. This will be an issue in the future.....There's a method to their madness....they are integrating everything to trap us and people are just following along like good sheep. Smh
And you people making fun are straight morons if ya can't get what the op is saying. "Buy an iPhone" haha haha so funny as well as soooooo original.
As asinine as it may sound, there are some of us who still value our privacy.
Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then Toss all all credit cards, all shopping cards, Cancel the internet and dont make phone calls. All of these things do the same thing google does. IT has been happening for years and will continue to happen as long as we allow it. Removing some google apps may help a little but it is nothing in the long run.
Get a notepad and a pen. Have fun living in 1995.
People, stop being mod edit
You can replace Gmail with just the stock email app. No trouble there.
There are third party market apps. Forgot what the name is, but it's decent as long as you stick to the safe apps (aka not the obviously fake Chinese knockoffs)
For calendar, you can keep the stock calendar app.
For maps, your options are rather limited. Most good maps are paid apps, so you need to get them from Google Play. Not sure how you can fix this without resorting to piracy
Use color note to replace keep.
snapper.fishes said:
People, stop being mod edit
You can replace Gmail with just the stock email app. No trouble there.
There are third party market apps. Forgot what the name is, but it's decent as long as you stick to the safe apps (aka not the obviously fake Chinese knockoffs)
For calendar, you can keep the stock calendar app.
For maps, your options are rather limited. Most good maps are paid apps, so you need to get them from Google Play. Not sure how you can fix this without resorting to piracy
Use color note to replace keep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For appstore, just use Amazon and FDroid.
Actually there are lots of good maps alternative, you just need to spend some money. I use Sygic, it take longer to enter locations and more base on navigation rather than locale discovery, but it's better than Maps when it come to direction, especially outside of USA. CoPilot GPS is also decent.
ColorNotes still use internet, I prefer my offline Memo app from my Samsung Galaxy S, still working on KitKat.
Ichigo said:
I'm so sick of Google watching me as I sleep, or taunting me as I shower.
Leave me alone Google!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Am I the only one that doesn't care if Google or whatever watches me, and tracks me? I mean, there's no harm to it. They know I like Dubstep? So be it!
The good thing is, they use that data to make your user experience a lot better. Like, my youtube home page is full of Dubstep.
I don't have a problem with them knowing everything. I have nothing to hide, and I couldn't care less, as long as they use the info to make my life easier.
gbarayah said:
You make a good point here - Google is certainly 'buying' out data and information. They are not in the cell phone making business - rather, they are in the data and analytics business.
Did you think Google was making and selling Nexus devices this cheap just out of the goodness of their own hearts?
A Nexus device is sold at a significant cost reduction that is subsidized by Google for a reason. In today's day and age, if you truly value your privacy, I'd recommend canceling your internet package and surfing the web form your local library. Aside from that, someone is always watching what you're doing - Google or otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need no schooling on Google and its ways, I've written quite a few papers for school on them so I GET WHAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY DOING and that's what scary IMO. I find that people who suggest cutting everything off are morons (not saying you) because what they are really doing is mocking w/e. I shouldn't have to worry about prying eyes is my point.
Z4nd4r said:
Get a notepad and a pen. Have fun living in 1995.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soooo original, did you come up with that all by your self?
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This is a shortlist of frequently asked questions in this device forum and the answers are often given as a response. It should serve as a starting point for gathering knowledge and finding solutions to many common problems.
Q1: Where do I find Official specs and product info?
Mirrors
Firmware Mirrors:: AFH - Source Forge -
How to Sideload OTA update.zip
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Q2: How do I get my PC to recognize my phone in Fastboot/bootloader Mode ?
Unofficial (Windows) USB Drivers/ADB/Fastboot [Essential PH-1/Mata] by sd_shadowQ3: Does the phone have an unlockable bootloader?
Yes! The bootloader on Essential Phone can be unlocked by following the directions here: https://source.android.com/source/running. To reach fastboot on your Essential Phone press and hold volume down, then press and hold power.Q4: I currently have the grandfathered Verizon Unlimited Data Plan does Hotspot work without Rooting?
Wifi Tethering/ Hotspot works out of the box, no hacking/tricks required..*Forum Rules | New Users Guide | XDA Tour | Report Posts
A special thanks to everyone who contributed to the production of this FAQ
Can anyone verify if Hotspot works on Essential using Verizon Gradfathered UDP?
I currently have the grandfathered Verizon Unlimited Data Plan and I have to root using the build.prop hack to enable Hotspot on my Pixel XL. I used to have the Nexus 6P and I didn't have to root to get Hotspot and I really would prefer not to root if I don't have to. I need the Hotspot feature and I will not pay for it (don't get me going on this BS by verizon). I was hoping that the essential phone would allow hotspot without rooting. Can anyone confirm for me that Hotspot is working out of the box for Verizon Grandfathered UDP??? I will place my order ASAP if it works. I appreciate any help!
I want to know how is its photo quality in low light condition? Thanks in advance
Sent from my G8142 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Firmware Mirrors
essential-static - Browse Files at SourceForge.net
sourceforge.net
Mangtas_666 said:
I want to know how is its photo quality in low light condition? Thanks in advance
Sent from my G8142 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firmware update that improves the camera quality should be ready when the Phone ships
sd_shadow said:
I'm pretty sure stock android includes the tethering checks that prevent devices on a Verizon Unlimited data plan from activating
wifi tethering/hotspot.
Some kind of work around will be likely required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
Nexus 6P, 5X and most non-Verizon compatible unlocked phone do not do the provision check that is required for Verizon.
I doubt the Essential will have the check.
I'm on Verizon and it doesn't matter anyway, since the legacy unlimited plans are more expensive than the current plans once your contract runs out.
I have four lines and my bill will go up by $80/month.
tech_head said:
Nope.
Nexus 6P, 5X and most non-Verizon compatible unlocked phone do not do the provision check that is required for Verizon.
I doubt the Essential will have the check.
I'm on Verizon and it doesn't matter anyway, since the legacy unlimited plans are more expensive than the current plans once your contract runs out.
I have four lines and my bill will go up by $80/month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had a contract with Verizon in years, still on old unlimited data plan, new plans are throttled after so much data
sd_shadow said:
I haven't had a contract with Verizon in years, still on old unlimited data plan, new plans are throttled after so much data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got under contract so as not to pay the $20/month per line increase for unlimited two years ago.
I'm moving to the (old?) new plan because the $80/month increase on my bill will be painful.
They introduced new plans today that cost more. So I switched to the other plan yesterday.
Anyway pay more, get less. Same old story.
I doubt the build.config on the Essential phone will have the provision line.
The Nexus and non-branded Pixel phones do not and work right out of the box on Verizon for tethering.
The specs mention that the Essential Phone has four microphone noise cancellation, which is fairly unusual (most phones stick with three microphones at most). But I haven't seen this discussed in any reviews.
I'm wondering how good the noise cancellation is during calls. In other words, for your caller on the other end of the line, if your are in a noisy setting with the Essential Phone, how well is background noise cancelled? Are all four microphones even used for this purpose (or only for voice commands and/or video recording)?
In call noise cancellation is something that really hasn't changed or improved since the Nexus One, which was the first phone to use the Audience chip (no one uses it anymore--Qualcomm's inferior noise cancellation built into the chipset has taken over). My Nexus One was so good in noisy setting for calls. I'm still waiting to get a phone that achieves that quality.
fredload said:
I currently have the grandfathered Verizon Unlimited Data Plan and I have to root using the build.prop hack to enable Hotspot on my Pixel XL. I used to have the Nexus 6P and I didn't have to root to get Hotspot and I really would prefer not to root if I don't have to. I need the Hotspot feature and I will not pay for it (don't get me going on this BS by verizon). I was hoping that the essential phone would allow hotspot without rooting. Can anyone confirm for me that Hotspot is working out of the box for Verizon Grandfathered UDP??? I will place my order ASAP if it works. I appreciate any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried it on mine. Seems to work just fine. I'm already at 30+ Gb this month on my plan so I'm not sure if my speeds are cause I'm being throttled or not. But it didn't give me any issues when I turned it on. Though I'd expect that once it goes and gets VZWs officially certified lable that may change.
Just got mine yesterday.
Have to say, a little disappointed in it compared to the S8+ .
Got notice the camera has shipped, main reason I bought it.
Anyway my question is, how can I get more home screens (I dont root phones) ?
This phone seems to only have one screen.
I usually use an extra screen for a calendar widget...
Also, anyone know if using a skin on the back affects the camera attachment ?
Thanks
To get a 2nd home screen, long hold an icon and move it to the right. The 2nd screen is there and will be created.
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk
Any way to replace the normal font (*.ttf) with custom without root (since we don't have it yet)?
Speaker in status bar
I'm coming from an S7 so maybe I missed something but I have no speaker icon in my status bar. Is this normal for pure Android? I really liked being able to hit it and mute the phone quickly.
jburd said:
I'm coming from an S7 so maybe I missed something but I have no speaker icon in my status bar. Is this normal for pure Android? I really liked being able to hit it and mute the phone quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THat's not part of any bare bones Android.
I've had Nexus phones and never seen that.
Has anyone rooted theirs yet?
xMopx said:
Has anyone rooted theirs yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No TWRP or factory images if you mess something up.
You can install Magisk with an unlocked boot loader but no way to go back to stock.
Until images or an OTA is released people will be reluctant to root.
Anyone else, having problems with the Textra app? I'm having problems actually sending a message
Hi. Is there any way to get rid of the gray outline and/or hide the bottom "box" completely and just use a swipe gesture? I've tried Nova launcher and it is still there. Will play around with it some more. TIA