Related
On my Palm Pre it was possible to enable network-based or network-assisted location without using Google services and without agreeing to let Google collect information about you and your device in the background. On the Shift, this doesn't appear to be the case: apparently, you can have pure GPS satellite location only *or* you can enable network assistance, but to do the latter you have to use Google's services and agree to Google's terms.
So I was wondering whether this is something that developers of custom ROMS and mods are able to do anything about. Would it be possible to tinker with the framework, or whatever part of the firmware controls such things, to allow for more finely-grained control over location services for the end user? Ideally, you would be able to choose:
1) GPS satellites only
2) GPS/aGPS (assisted location or rough triangulation)
3) The above, plus Google's network/Wi-Fi based location services (and agree to whatever terms Google requires for the use of same)
Interestingly, the Galaxy Tab already seems to have the sort of control that I'm talking about.
If I'm misunderstanding something about the way our EVO Shift devices handle location services, please let me know...e.g., could it be the case that selecting only "use GPS satellites" already enables aGPS? If so, you couldn't prove it by me. None of my applications, including Google Maps, seem to be able to use rough network location when I have only "GPS satellites" enabled, although the device itself clearly knows what tower it's registered with at any given time.
Anyway, I just thought I would bring this up to see whether there is any developer interest in tweaking this stuff, and also whether there are other users who are also interested.
BTW, I am aware that this is a "Google phone." No need to point it out. I just want to be able to use the same kind of network-assisted location services that I was able to use on my other, non-Google phones on Sprint.
AnalogXDA said:
On my Palm Pre it was possible to enable network-based or network-assisted location without using Google services and without agreeing to let Google collect information about you and your device in the background. On the Shift, this doesn't appear to be the case: apparently, you can have pure GPS satellite location only *or* you can enable network assistance, but to do the latter you have to use Google's services and agree to Google's terms.
So I was wondering whether this is something that developers of custom ROMS and mods are able to do anything about. Would it be possible to tinker with the framework, or whatever part of the firmware controls such things, to allow for more finely-grained control over location services for the end user? Ideally, you would be able to choose:
1) GPS satellites only
2) GPS/aGPS (assisted location or rough triangulation)
3) The above, plus Google's network/Wi-Fi based location services (and agree to whatever terms Google requires for the use of same)
Interestingly, the Galaxy Tab already seems to have the sort of control that I'm talking about.
If I'm misunderstanding something about the way our EVO Shift devices handle location services, please let me know...e.g., could it be the case that selecting only "use GPS satellites" already enables aGPS? If so, you couldn't prove it by me. None of my applications, including Google Maps, seem to be able to use rough network location when I have only "GPS satellites" enabled, although the device itself clearly knows what tower it's registered with at any given time.
Anyway, I just thought I would bring this up to see whether there is any developer interest in tweaking this stuff, and also whether there are other users who are also interested.
BTW, I am aware that this is a "Google phone." No need to point it out. I just want to be able to use the same kind of network-assisted location services that I was able to use on my other, non-Google phones on Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not much of a help, most likely.
All i know gps wise is theres a couple of ## codes for the dialer in Sense roms. I think one is ##gpsresetx#
There are gps apps too, which GREATLY help lock and accuracy. Check the market.
Hope somebody knows more than me
Sent from my HTC Speedy (Gonzalez)
Well, although I started the topic in the hopes of starting discussion about how to use network location without being locked down by Google...now that you mention it, it would also be cool if Speedy ROM developers could find a way to fix the cycle of "acquire fix, lose fix, acquire fix, lose fix" that is all too common with these devices...
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
I was looking through the settings on my phone and noticed in the Location & Security settings, there is a setting called Manage Trusted Certificates. When I tap on it, a huge list of them comes up that I've never heard of like AC Raiz Certicamara S.A, America Online Root Certification Authority 1 and 2, Autoridad de Certificacion Firmaprofesional CIF A6263..., Baltimore Cybertrust Root, etc, etc, etc. Does anyone know wtf this is?! Are these supposed to be on my phone?! I did a factory wipe before installing Gingerbread, so this has to be either app installed, or part of Gingerbread...
I also found several new neat features. You can encrypt personal data on the phone and/or files on the SD card, you can set device administrators now, and it lets you turn on and off location services for Google, GPS, and Verizon..
I'd assume (always dangerous ) that these are just like the root certs installed in Windows.
Galaxy80 said:
I also found several new neat features. You can encrypt personal data on the phone and/or files on the SD card, you can set device administrators now, and it lets you turn on and off location services for Google, GPS, and Verizon..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of these are new features. You could do all of this in Froyo as well. At least I could... And yes, I'm pretty sure it's just like the root certs from Windows.
I've installed google play services ( sideload without root based on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-3SWSD232U ).
And Fake Location 3.27 apk (com.fakegps.mock), tried a few others that failed to install but this one installed and seems to work.
You will need to use the ADB shell to enable mock locations as well. I also installed a rotation app to force landscape on apps that seem to think its portrait.
I have my location set by ZIP code in FireOS settings however it seems that all apps don't use it.
Installed (sideloaded) all of these to get this working (I'm not certain if GP services are needed for fake location to work or not, but I think they are):
Google Account Manager_4.0.3-239410.apk
Google Play Store_4.6.17.apk
Google Play services_4.4.52 (1174655-036).apk
Google Services Framework 4.0.4-338691.apk
com.google.android.gms-8.1.14_(2244331-030)-8114030-minAPI9.apk
com.estrongs.android.pop-v4.0.2.8-242-Android-2.2.apk (ES File Explorer)
RotateScreenOrientation.apk - Free for XDA people
Fake gps - fake location_3.27.com.apk
Watch TNT_3.1.20151105.com.apk - Wanted to be able to Watch TNT on FireTV Stick (requires Cable sub) - doesn't work perfectly, can't "full screen" so there is a red banner at the top of the screen. have to use a mouse too
Enable Mock Locations (since they don't show in the settings app in Fire OS):
Code:
[email protected]:/ $ settings get secure mock_location
0
[email protected]:/ $ settings put secure mock_location 1
[email protected]:/ $ settings get secure mock_location
1
Then I opened Fake Location and set my location (accurately, as it placed me in the middle of the ocean) and started the fake location then switched apps over to Watch TNT and now I am able to stream Live TV.
Does anyone have a full list of settings that we can change via the shell access?
Edit:
Also working
Watch ABC Family (better than TNT works too)
Watch ABC - Live TV not available in my area though (but it was for ABC Family??)
I will admit that none of these are HD quality streams, 480p at best after it has buffered a bit.
Thanks for posting this tip. Followed these steps to get WatchTNT to load live streams using the latest version of Fake Location. Full-screen works on a FireTV2 -- but I can't seem to get rid of the red banner on the top of the screen. Tried disabling screen locker, but no change.
Have you come across any work-arounds? I'll try my luck on a few other app forums to see if others have had any success.
the fact that the red banner is there is why i say it doesn't work in full screen, it may take up 95% of the screen but that banner is an issue.
Not sure what can be done about it either.
horrorschow1986 said:
Use TorGuard! Works Perfect for me!
Yes it costs something but there is a Spezial offer 29,90$ /year! I'm on aftv 1. gen without Root!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why we would need a VPN service. FireOS 5 doesn't appear to be able to report any location data to the non Amazon apps. That's the whole point of us faking location in this instance. Our IPs are already USA based so that eliminates 95% of the need for the VPN when someone is trying to fake a location.
Old thread i know , but has anyone got fake location working with the latest fireos?
moontan33 said:
Old thread i know , but has anyone got fake location working with the latest fireos?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too would love an answer to that question. I've done all the installations of APK's that are called for, and everything seems poised to work, but [email protected]:/ $ settings get secure mock_location returns a no such file or directory error.
pryingeyes said:
I too would love an answer to that question. I've done all the installations of APK's that are called for, and everything seems poised to work, but [email protected]:/ $ settings get secure mock_location returns a no such file or directory error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to use such apps you would need to be rooted as the app needs to be in system/priv-app for most GPS faking to work
You could use a vpn if it's just an ip based location check
TheFixItMan said:
If you want to use such apps you would need to be rooted as the app needs to be in system/priv-app for most GPS faking to work
You could use a vpn if it's just an ip based location check
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that doesn't solve it. My IP address, if that was all that was required, is just fine for the purpose and would not need to be revised through a vpn. I'm trying to get my local stations via the DirecTV tablet app. It requires a GPS reading that simply shows you're somewhere in your service area, and specifically prompts you to turn on GPS locations in settings.. The Firestick doesn't provide one, but in the past people have had success by installing the various Google apps and an Android settings app, allowing mock, and then using apps like fake GPS to create a GPS reading and satisfy DirecTV that they really are sitting in their own living rooms. Fake GPS would be the simple answer except that when you open it, it prompts you to go into settings and allow mock. But because that's under Android developer options (not firestick developer options), it can't be accessed. There's no way to repeatedly click on About Phone in the newly-installed settings app to open up D.O., as you normally would on an actual phone.
In the past, installing everything in the OP and then entering that adb command was the solution, but that command no longer works. Just looking for an alternate.
Did you ever resolve this with the newer fire sticks?
I'm also wondering the same my mock locations say on withing adb however I'm getting nothing out of the firetv
man i dont like that sound of install that google play services.....if you would have asked me few months back because thats how i bricked my first firstick then went on a full on 4 days research marathon AFTER is came back up from a restart loop ON 7th DAY ._.
I installed Google Play and installed several apps. I have however run across 2 that need GPS or location service access. According to the settings -wireless- location based services menu it is enabled for these apps. However, they will not access my location. Any ideas?
Try downloading the main Google App. Some have reported that works. Or try AppOps:
adb shell appops set com.package.name COARSE_LOCATION allow
adb shell appops set com.package.name FINE_LOCATION allow
No idea if the AppOps commands will work, but its a shot in the dark. If you have a firewall active, try disabling it and see if that works.
Bump. I am curious about this as well. Any solid solutions to this problem?
Fire_User91 said:
Bump. I am curious about this as well. Any solid solutions to this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Amazon tablets only support agps. There are a few problems that affect location services. When you install more than one, it is much less accurate and takes longer to work. Unfortunately without root or being on FireOS 5.4.0.0 or lower, there's not too much you can do. I'm in the process of trying to get full agps support but Amazon has made it very difficult because the agps settings are predefined in the framework as Google's agps, but without proper location services installed in system, I'm not sure it has any effect. I've managed to get most of agps working, except I have been unable to get agps to detect any satellites. Likely due in part to too many location services running at once.
Sent from my Moto E4 using XDA Labs
I'd recently installed Google Play onto my Fire HD 10 and noticed my weather apps could no longer access the location services to give me the local weather. It doesn't matter if the apps were downloaded from the Amazon or Play store. The only weather app that still works is the preinstalled one from Amazon. I've checked the Location function is enabled for all the apps within Settings.
Before Google Play installed, the weather apps downloaded from Amazon appstore definitely worked. I'm surprised this issue is not widely known as I've tried a factory reset several times to start again and could reproduce this problem each time.
Please help as this is really annoying as I really want to use the Google Play store.
spikey_w said:
I'd recently installed Google Play onto my Fire HD 10 and noticed my weather apps could no longer access the location services to give me the local weather. It doesn't matter if the apps were downloaded from the Amazon or Play store. The only weather app that still works is the preinstalled one from Amazon. I've checked the Location function is enabled for all the apps within Settings.
Before Google Play installed, the weather apps downloaded from Amazon appstore definitely worked. I'm surprised this issue is not widely known as I've tried a factory reset several times to start again and could reproduce this problem each time.
Please help as this is really annoying as I really want to use the Google Play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We jerry rig these things to the point amazon internals cease to function properly, even without root. Location among them. I guess I can go ahead and write a guide this weekend that could put an end to that. In the framework, there are a few pre defined settings for AGPS. These settings use the Google AGPS system. Amazon only has it half set up. There are no servers set either. I have inserted some default settings I have come across on various devices, to at least get a position lock. Google maps has me off by only a few feet. The issue is, Amazon set it up in the framework for AGPS to work, but never activated it. This also prevents adding a gps.conf file because any additions made to the framework AGPS, override any settings set in the system files. What I will do this weekend is start from a fresh framework-res.apk and settings apk, and set only the AGPS settings. If it works, you unfortunately get no visual effect aside from what your apps provide you.
DragonFire1024 said:
We jerry rig these things to the point amazon internals cease to function properly, even without root. Location among them. I guess I can go ahead and write a guide this weekend that could put an end to that. In the framework, there are a few pre defined settings for AGPS. These settings use the Google AGPS system. Amazon only has it half set up. There are no servers set either. I have inserted some default settings I have come across on various devices, to at least get a position lock. Google maps has me off by only a few feet. The issue is, Amazon set it up in the framework for AGPS to work, but never activated it. This also prevents adding a gps.conf file because any additions made to the framework AGPS, override any settings set in the system files. What I will do this weekend is start from a fresh framework-res.apk and settings apk, and set only the AGPS settings. If it works, you unfortunately get no visual effect aside from what your apps provide you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I understand, I thought I might have a faulty HD 10 as no one else has mentioned this problem but somehow knew it must be a software issue as before Google Play it worked fine. It will be fantastic if you could fix this. At the moment I have not rooted my HD 10 but if it is necessary then I'm willing to do this to implement the fix. Good luck and thanks.
spikey_w said:
Now I understand, I thought I might have a faulty HD 10 as no one else has mentioned this problem but somehow knew it must be a software issue as before Google Play it worked fine. It will be fantastic if you could fix this. At the moment I have not rooted my HD 10 but if it is necessary then I'm willing to do this to implement the fix. Good luck and thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not even sure the AGPS settings work myself. I'm just speaking based on my experience so far. Very very few providers use the agps settings in the framework because their devices support GPS. The HD 10 supports GPS. Even has a GPS chip. However, the instructions sent to the preloader at boot tell the preloader GPS is unsupported. I can switch the settings in the Project config.mk, but if it doesn't match the values set in the preloader, the preloader overrides the settings in the .mk. it also links to the other loader too so that would also need to be modified. But without an unlocked bootloader, we can't make changes to those imgs without bricking the tablet. I wish we could take the preloader settings from the HD 8 and load them into the HD 10 preloader. All we need to tweak is the cpu specs and it would be good to go. Damn you Amazon.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using XDA Labs
So the HD 10 has a real GPS built-in, that's interesting. I wonder is that why a compass pointer appears momentarily at the top of the screen when the Amazon weather app accesses the location services. Never mind but thanks for your effort to look into this. Yes damn you Amazon indeed.
spikey_w said:
So the HD 10 has a real GPS built-in, that's interesting. I wonder is that why a compass pointer appears momentarily at the top of the screen when the Amazon weather app accesses the location services. Never mind but thanks for your effort to look into this. Yes damn you Amazon indeed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the HD 10, and pretty much all modern Amazon tablets have 'HERE Positioning' which has no activity and can't be launched, but is the driver for Amazon location services. What little I can gather from the company, they specialize in indoor GPS and uses a similar system to agps. I imagine a user interface arises when you are registered to certain Amazon interfaces, but I've never experimented with an Amazon tablet fully registered and used on Amazon software.
Point being, there is a GPS chip. Look in /system/data/misc at ProjectConfig.mk you'll see the device includes a GPS chip from an older chipset, but the following line says GPS-support=no. the only way to fix this is to modify the kernel. If you scroll to the bottom you'll see a few director locations, like the preloader. The preloader is going to default to whatever it's programmed to, but I've never looked at it. You can edit the file to say yes, but if it doesn't match what the preloaders say, they will override the changes to the make file and boot to set defaults.
Can it be changed? Yes. Will it boot? The chances are slim to none. Modifying any of those partitions and recompiling them will brick the device beyond repair. Locked bootloader means signature verification is active. You modify the prelaoder or boot images, the device will soft or permanent brick.
There is one good thing about this kernel make file. With root, you can add any of the MTK values that say yes, to the build prop, if they aren't already there. for example, from the make file we have:
Code:
MTK_SIM_HOT_SWAP = yes
This is included in the build, but is not supported in the build prop, or the framework (we don't have a mobile device). But if the framework we're not predefined and this were a cell phone, you could add the above to the build prop as:
Code:
ro.mtk_sim_hot_swap_support=1
and so on...
I'm hoping Devo mode will change all of this and then some.
I bought Fire HD 10 for using as head unit in my car. Therefore, Navigation is important for me. Initially I rooted device and tried some offline navigation apps like Maps.me and Here we Go. None of them worked and finally I decided to restore Fire OS to 5.6.1.0 hoping for navigation to work with the apps. It didn't work, now I am wondering if mine is bad unit or GPS is expected not to work.
siddharth_bhal said:
I bought Fire HD 10 for using as head unit in my car. Therefore, Navigation is important for me. Initially I rooted device and tried some offline navigation apps like Maps.me and Here we Go. None of them worked and finally I decided to restore Fire OS to 5.6.1.0 hoping for navigation to work with the apps. It didn't work, now I am wondering if mine is bad unit or GPS is expected not to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GPS chip is disabled in the kernel. If you have flash fire set up, try flashing nano gapps. when I am settled from moving, I'll post and updated framework apk that I've been working on that should help with location.
Sent from my Amazon KFSUWI using XDA Labs
So it seems I may have found the issue. When you set up the play store, before installing Google, make sure 'find my device' is NOT set as administrator at least until you get the pop up that asks if you want to use Google's enhanced location services.
Was trying to solve this problem on a tablet I wanted to use as a jukebox in my car. The jukebox app required location services so that only nearby users could add songs.
On a whim I installed Google Maps from the Play Store, pressed the compass/zoom on my location button within Maps, and that prompted me to turn on Google Location Services. This was on a 5th gen Fire 7 downgraded to FireOS 5.4.0. YMMV with other tablets/OS version.
DragonFire1024 said:
So it seems I may have found the issue. When you set up the play store, before installing Google, make sure 'find my device' is NOT set as administrator at least until you get the pop up that asks if you want to use Google's enhanced location services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, DragonFire1024. I'm glad I found this thread. I haven't had my Fire HD 10 but a week yet (so not too far along into all of the installs and whatnot that I want to do--Play Store was the very first thing I did after some basic configuration that unfortunately included the setting you mentioned) and am wondering if it's worth a factory reset to attempt this fix.
robbbmi said:
Thank you, DragonFire1024. I'm glad I found this thread. I haven't had my Fire HD 10 but a week yet (so not too far along into all of the installs and whatnot that I want to do--Play Store was the very first thing I did after some basic configuration that unfortunately included the setting you mentioned) and am wondering if it's worth a factory reset to attempt this fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends how bad you want location services to work. If you aren't too concerned, you can install a GPS spoofer and just use it whenever you need location services. The issue with using one of those, keeping a spoofer running all the time will drain your battery quick.
They say they have the chip for GPS but do they have the antenna?
StoneCoast1 said:
They say they have the chip for GPS but do they have the antenna?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know. All I know is the chip is there, but Amazon had it disabled at build. It's evident in the .mk file in /system/data/misc on the HD 10:
Code:
MTK_GPS_CHIP = MTK_GPS_MT6630
MTK_GPS_SUPPORT = no
Christ, what a bummer. At least I use wx apps where I can input location manually. (Eweather HD, PYKL3 radar)
Rich
dorpmuller said:
Christ, what a bummer. At least I use wx apps where I can input location manually. (Eweather HD, PYKL3 radar)
Rich
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few good GPS emulator apps out there as well.
Could anyone tell me if any fix for this having found? Pleade, should I uninstall Google play and grant access to my location to any one?
Here is what I found on my own, if you enable Scanning Wifi and Scanning Blue Tooth which were disabled by Default the location works in some applications.
throwawayjusttosay said:
Was trying to solve this problem on a tablet I wanted to use as a jukebox in my car. The jukebox app required location services so that only nearby users could add songs.
On a whim I installed Google Maps from the Play Store, pressed the compass/zoom on my location button within Maps, and that prompted me to turn on Google Location Services. This was on a 5th gen Fire 7 downgraded to FireOS 5.4.0. YMMV with other tablets/OS version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked like a charm for my 2019 HD10. Installed Google play & services immediately after unboxing and no weather app would work. I installed Google maps as you suggested and clicked OK at the prompt to turn on location services and presto, all weather apps are now working. Thank you.
Pretty old thread, but hopefully someone will stumble upon this easy fix.
Hello everybody.
I just got the most current Fire HD 10+ (11th Gen, with 4GB) on a Black Friday deal to use mainly as a car Media and Navigation unit, but the GPS Performance is absolutely terrible.
The included Maps app (Nokia's Here) is barebones and can give you instructions but not precise navigation, so I followed a guide to install Google Services/Play Store and Google Maps.
The GPS kinda works, but mostly when I'm stationary. As soon as I move, it loses satellite signal, and it is veeeery sloppy. Sometimes I need to close the app and open again to have some update (you can imagine how trying this can be while driving on a Freeway).
I spent almost 30 minutes doing "the infinity" symbol to improve accuracy, but Google Maps still says the accuracy is very low.
Any advice on what can I do to make this a usable navigation device?
Thank you