Database Users

The android market is going to HELL

Hi guys,
Have you noticed a huge increase in spam apps in the market lately? Apps from developers like Michael Quach, Virtualtechs or Simpaddico, which literally count in the hundreds even though they really are the same app: a list of facts or quotes, with next / back buttons.
Apparently they also batch upload new versions of their apps regularly, just to get them to the top again. I'm getting sick of missing actual, useful apps because every time I check the market I only see these apps. Isn't there something we users can do to get rid of market spammers?

Proabably
There should be a "REPORT" button, right now its not a whole bunch of chronic spammer devies, they can get rid of them right away. BUNCH OF them are just scammers tryin' to make a quick buck.
frandavid100 said:
Hi guys,
Have you noticed a huge increase in spam apps in the market lately? Apps from developers like Michael Quach, Virtualtechs or Simpaddico, which literally count in the hundreds even though they really are the same app: a list of facts or quotes, with next / back buttons.
Apparently they also batch upload new versions of their apps regularly, just to get them to the top again. I'm getting sick of missing actual, useful apps because every time I check the market I only see these apps. Isn't there something we users can do to get rid of market spammers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

ehBrY said:
There should be a "REPORT" button, right now its not a whole bunch of chronic spammer devies, they can get rid of them right away. BUNCH OF them are just scammers tryin' to make a quick buck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, taken independently those apps are not reportable. There is nothing wrong with a facts app, but there is with a developer releasing 100 of them. Yet I cannot report the developer, I can only report the app.

the biggest problem for me is the lack of search options in the market - unbelievable that google could leave it like that - there seems to be no intelligent search, no search by category or dev etc etc etc

Sorting options
czm said:
the biggest problem for me is the lack of search options in the market - unbelievable that google could leave it like that - there seems to be no intelligent search, no search by category or dev etc etc etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is DEFINATELY missing sorting options like sort by rating!

Spam their email like they do our market

There does need to be some method whereby Google get notified if one developer uploads more than, say, 5 apps or they upload several at the same time and then someone at google has to physically examine them before they go up. That way these spam apps would be identifed as such and not turn up there.
I guess ultimately this is the price we pay for having an unrestricted market. At the moment it is still worth it to get the kinds of app that Apple would never allow but I think SOME control is needed.

This is where Apple's "managed" Store has it's benefits.

I would love to see a market proxy for rooted phones, allowing various developers and app categories to be removed from view. Regex pattern matching ...
I don't know if it's possible, but it would rock.

JTHM said:
This is where Apple's "managed" Store has it's benefits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After using the Nexus one for a month, there are many aspect of iphone i think is superior to Android in general. There are some flaws on the iphone, but when compared to the N1 (or any android phone), it feel so much more polished.

joshyth1012 said:
After using the Nexus one for a month, there are many aspect of iphone i think is superior to Android in general. There are some flaws on the iphone, but when compared to the N1 (or any android phone), it feel so much more polished.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and that's "polish" comes at the cost of locking you away with everything u should have access for in the first place

Actually, I think these scammers/spammers/out-for-the-money people are NOT the problem...And in fact, they're actually a show of proof of just how open-ended the Android Market is.
The problem is that Google (The Internet Search Superpower) has crappy searching/filtering for their Android Market.
Ironic.

Could you guys please contribute to this petition?
http://www.google.com/support/forum...87&hl=en&fid=0514f909d7c71c8700047ff77f3d84e4
Let's see if we can at least get an answer.

Namuna said:
Actually, I think these scammers/spammers/out-for-the-money people are NOT the problem...And in fact, they're actually a show of proof of just how open-ended the Android Market is.
The problem is that Google (The Internet Search Superpower) has crappy searching/filtering for their Android Market.
Ironic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
qft. all they need to do is add filters like ratings, downloads, etc. Then these apps wouldn't be a problem.

sctx said:
qft. all they need to do is add filters like ratings, downloads, etc. Then these apps wouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. The 'legit' devs should be pushing for this as well as it would make it easier for end users to find and buy quality product.

This is the exact reason why my Nexus One sat in its box for a week after receiving it. This is my first Android phone and coming from an Apple OS and a regulated app platform since the 2g was introduced, the marketplace had a very bad first impression with me. My N1 was bone stock and I experienced force closes on stock apps..I felt as if I was beta testing a device that was released too early. It was packed and ready to ship back. Then I decided to take another look and while 95% of the marketplace apps are pure garbage, IMO, the phone itself has its advantages which is why I choose the N1 as choice device as opposed to my 3gs in which I basically use as an ipod "with benefits."
Final thought. If the android market app regulation doesnt improve, it will fall..and it will fall hard.

ehBrY said:
It is DEFINATELY missing sorting options like sort by rating!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 def would like to see this

This is a problem, and I do think Google should priorities this A.S.A.P. As this will discourage most Iphone to Android users. I don't even look in the new tab any more.

its not like google knows a thing or two about how searching should be done....

Do what I do...only download apps you know about. Get recommendations from sites like this one.

Market Issues 2.3.1 - Get your act together Google!

Well first, the new Market isn't on our Nexus S yet (officially), that's fine, it's just a UI update pretty much.
Now more seriously and more annoying, Google pushed out 2.3.1, that's great! BUT:
Whether you're rooted or not, there are missing apps on the Market because of 2.3.1
Some of the apps I use that I can no longer download from the Market are:
aFile, Fandango Movies, NYTimes for Android, PayPal, FiOS Mobile Remote
These are big apps, no reason they shouldn't be available.
I guess the issue is Google needs to input/enter/update their Market to "support" the new build of 2.3.1. ARE YOU F'ING SERIOUS? You just pushed the damn thing and don't remember to update your Market with the new build??
GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER GOOGLE! This is frustrating!
EDIT: ALL Copy Protected Apps do NOT show up in the Market on Android 2.3.1
Please go here and STAR the issue: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=13514
EDIT: 1/5/2011-IT'S FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1 i can confirm this

nxt said:
Well first, the new Market isn't on our Nexus S yet (officially), that's fine, it's just a UI update pretty much.
Now more seriously and more annoying, Google pushed out 2.3.1, that's great! BUT:
Whether you're rooted or not, there are missing apps on the Market because of 2.3.1
Some of the apps I use that I can no longer download from the Market are:
aFile, Fandango Movies, NYTimes for Android, PayPal, FiOS Mobile Remote
These are big apps, no reason they shouldn't be available.
I guess the issue is Google needs to input/enter/update their Market to "support" the new build of 2.3.1. ARE YOU F'ING SERIOUS? You just pushed the damn thing and don't remember to update your Market with the new build??
GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER GOOGLE! This is frustrating!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried editing your build.prop file to change the version fingerprint? I know this has been used in the past to restore "missing" apps to the market.

CALM DOWN
relax there, hot shot. you bought a pure android phone, early. You realize what that means is there will be glitches, patches, and rebuilds along the way. its happened before. the nexus one started off crappy with great potential and look at it now..its still top dog. so please be a professional with your purchase and know how to be a geek about it.

unremarked said:
Have you tried editing your build.prop file to change the version fingerprint? I know this has been used in the past to restore "missing" apps to the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the point is it shouldnt need to be done that way

dudeimgeorge said:
relax there, hot shot. you bought a pure android phone, early. You realize what that means is there will be glitches, patches, and rebuilds along the way. its happened before. the nexus one started off crappy with great potential and look at it now..its still top dog. so please be a professional with your purchase and know how to be a geek about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL I know, I've had a Nexus One. But still, really, this is a really stupid "mistake" by them, how can you overlook something like this? Shouldn't they have some sort of checklist they need to do before pushing an update to hundreds/thousands of phones?

slowz3r said:
I think the point is it shouldnt need to be done that way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I agree. Just trying to be helpful while we wait for Google to fix it lol. I've had to download the specific APKs and install them via AndExplorer for my missing apps.

dudeimgeorge said:
relax there, hot shot. you bought a pure android phone, early. You realize what that means is there will be glitches, patches, and rebuilds along the way. its happened before. the nexus one started off crappy with great potential and look at it now..its still top dog. so please be a professional with your purchase and know how to be a geek about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I disagree with your assessment in terms of the Market.
It's ridiculous that Google's flagship device with it's flagship version of the OS, sold to the masses through a big-box store like Best Buy should have something as basic as the build number not being recognized and excluding you from apps that should be available to you.
Such a small thing to take care of on their server end, yet overlooked. Just another one of those little things that a certain other mobile OS operator doesn't overlook that makes the rabid fanbois of it froth at the mouth and pant how much better their OS is.

Fed Up but glad others are in the same boat
I am glad that i came across your posts. I was about to throw the stupid phone out the window. I had to exchange my Nexus S today at Best Buy (still running 2.3). When i came out with my new phone, it prompted me to update to 2.3.1. I did the update and after I was done setting up my phone, I noticed that there are apps THAT I PAID FOR that are missing from the Market.
I am sorry, but whether this is a new phone, developer phone, I paid top dollar and I would expect that something as simple as ensuring that the apps that i PAID for our available seems pretty straightforward.
Until they straighten their stuff out, I am pulling my SIM and going back to MT4G.

Everyone calm down, they will show up in the coming days. The day that the Nexus S came out I couldn't find some apps, like NYT. But it showed up the next day or two.

Not too sure why people are complaining here. You bought a google development phone so you get updates long before other phones get them. Along with that, come issue, bugs, ...time waiting for 'others' to catch up.
By 'others' I mean, the people, companies, ect who release their apps. Surely google doesn't micromanage what apps work for what versions of Android. Or which ones show up on the market depending on your Android build, phone, or cell phone provider. My guess would be that is all in the app developers hands.
Either wait, or go about getting them on your phone another way. After all, you bought a google development phone, a pre-requisite for owning one should be wanting to tinker around with it. As said, you could probably get them to show up if you edit your prop-build. This happens at every new android build release....

confirmed...on 2.3.1 i lose slingplayer, thats a deal breaker for me. back to 2.3 for now

ogdobber said:
confirmed...on 2.3.1 i lose slingplayer, thats a deal breaker for me. back to 2.3 for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't lose it, just get the .apk and install it manually.
Titanium Backup is really handy to have. You'll always have backups to all your apps for occasions like this.

I come here to get info on what's going on in the nexus world and all I find is stupid people *****ing about things they know nothing about.
Just because you paid some money does not mean you can act like a ignorant fool and *****.
Sent from my Nexus S

zeeklancer said:
I come here to get info on what's going on in the nexus world and all I find is stupid people *****ing about things they know nothing about.
Just because you paid some money does not mean you can act like a ignorant fool and *****.
Sent from my Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you sir, need to sit in the corner on time out, just chill, your now the one over reacting

Luxferro said:
You didn't lose it, just get the .apk and install it manually.
Titanium Backup is really handy to have. You'll always have backups to all your apps for occasions like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
won't install manually... i refuse to use titanium (but that would probably work)
zeeklancer said:
I come here to get info on what's going on in the nexus world and all I find is stupid people *****ing about things they know nothing about.
Just because you paid some money does not mean you can act like a ignorant fool and *****.
Sent from my Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this thread is actually worthwhile. I agree that NS forum is flooded with useless questions that are asked over and over...but not here. go post your rant somewhere else

zeeklancer said:
I come here to get info on what's going on in the nexus world and all I find is stupid people *****ing about things they know nothing about.
Just because you paid some money does not mean you can act like a ignorant fool and *****.
Sent from my Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you know what? Go ahead and update to 2.3.1 and you will have issues downloading apps from the Market, that was previously there. That's the point of this thread, and it's a valid one.
Yes you can go ahead and edit your build.prop, revert your rom, etc..etc.. but the FACT of the matter is, 2.3.1 DOES have Market issues.
I do have a right to ***** about this issue, because it's a simple issue for Google to fix and too stupid for them to overlook.
And for the other people saying "you bought a developer phone, you should expect issues and problems".. actually no, I don't expect that. It's sold to the general public through Best Buy at a retail location. I expect it to work properly. If suddenly tomorrow there's a 2.3.1 update and you can't make any phone calls, I can bet you all will be *****ing about it. And this Market issue is exactly the same.

I changed the fingerprint in the build.prop to show as it is the older 2.3.
I don't understand why Google is releasing an update before it allows it fully in the Market....
Attached is the build.prop i used.
It is from GRH78 only have the fingerprint of GRH55.
The ONLY line i changed in this build.prop is:
Code:
ro.build.fingerprint=google/soju/crespo:2.3/GRH55/79397:user/release-keys
The GRH78 fingerprint is:
Code:
ro.build.fingerprint=google/soju/crespo:2.3.1/GRH78/85442:user/release-keys
You cash push the attached build.prop into /system (make sure you keep the correct permissions), reboot the device and the market should be fine.
Once Google update the market you can change it back.

Also if you change your build.prop down to 2.3 you'll get notifications on a 2.3.1 firmware update <facepalm>

Just change the fingerprint in your build.prop, download your apps, and change it back. Either that or wait for the app developers to update their apps, there's nothing wrong with the market.

Stop killing android carriers

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

Moved to Atrix General

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remote Wipe Stolen a500

Hey guys and gals,
Tonight my a500 was stolen. I work in sales and use it to look things on the net for customers (like price comparisons, etc) and use it for the website and lots of other business-type things (as well as lots of personal pics etc).
But, unfortunately when my back was turned, someone swiped it...!!!! argh:angry:
I had the newest release of jellybean on it from the forums here on xda, but had no remote wipe app installed (never even crossed my mind to do it). Therefore, I'm wondering if the is any remote wipe abilities in jellybean or if there was an app by chance that i had installed that would have this feature hidden (like onavo or norton utilities... reading now).
If anyone can help that would be amazing! Changed all my passwords, etc. So, I should be fine there. thanks guys
k

kylereid said:
Hey guys and gals,
Tonight my a500 was stolen. I work in sales and use it to look things on the net for customers (like price comparisons, etc) and use it for the website and lots of other business-type things (as well as lots of personal pics etc).
But, unfortunately when my back was turned, someone swiped it...!!!! argh:angry:
I had the newest release of jellybean on it from the forums here on xda, but had no remote wipe app installed (never even crossed my mind to do it). Therefore, I'm wondering if the is any remote wipe abilities in jellybean or if there was an app by chance that i had installed that would have this feature hidden (like onavo or norton utilities... reading now).
If anyone can help that would be amazing! Changed all my passwords, etc. So, I should be fine there. thanks guys
k
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry mate. Not a lot you can do about it at this time.
Just cherish the thought of what's going to happen when he decides jb is too buggy, and tries to install a different rom. :laugh:
I suppose a new user will be posting all kinds of questions here at xda in the near future!
Still sorry to hear it got pinched. I know the feeling.
MD

thanks man. thought i was buggered lol. I left a facebook update that i hope shows up on the notifications in the tablet and make the culprit feel guilty. maybe it'll show up in the morning at work... fingers crossed. made me look at getting a wipe app for the old phone now, went with seekdroid. seems legit. any other suggestions?

kylereid said:
thanks man. thought i was buggered lol. I left a facebook update that i hope shows up on the notifications in the tablet and make the culprit feel guilty. maybe it'll show up in the morning at work... fingers crossed. made me look at getting a wipe app for the old phone now, went with seekdroid. seems legit. any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I don't have a lot of faith in those types of apps. They usually only work if an idiot steals it. Over here, pinching phones and tabs is big business, and usually done by pro's. They're quick to dump the device to another agent, who runs a stock full rom on it, clones the IMEI number from a good device , then dumps it to one of the umpteen million fly by night resellers. They (moscow govt) talked about cracking down on multiple PH number/IMEI combinations, then quickly realized over half the devices in Russia would stop working! Including their own!
Best thing to do, never let it out of your sight. Get a new device, like I did my phone, and the pain goes away.
But then again, maybe your culprit is a true idiot, and will post fotos to your facebook account!!!!!
MD

WAS YOU SIGNED INTO GOOGLE maps? latitude?
if so go to google.maps and click location history u can now see where your a500 is!!!!
good luck and hope you kick his ass:good:
i have "prey" software installed on all my devices for such problem

Did you try that Plan B yet or is that just over advertised junk?
Moscow Desire said:
Well, I don't have a lot of faith in those types of apps. They usually only work if an idiot steals it. Over here, pinching phones and tabs is big business, and usually done by pro's. They're quick to dump the device to another agent, who runs a stock full rom on it, clones the IMEI number from a good device , then dumps it to one of the umpteen million fly by night resellers. They (moscow govt) talked about cracking down on multiple PH number/IMEI combinations, then quickly realized over half the devices in Russia would stop working! Including their own!
Best thing to do, never let it out of your sight. Get a new device, like I did my phone, and the pain goes away.
But then again, maybe your culprit is a true idiot, and will post fotos to your facebook account!!!!!
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last person to steal one of my phones was a true idiot. This happened at my school and good thing I'm done with school. I was in class and had my phone charging and I had it out because I trusted most everyone in the room and would known who would have taken it.
So he asked if it was my phone and about a minute later he leaves the room. I noticed it was gone and others around me saw him take it. (Not obvious at all)
So I had the Vipre Mobile Security beta installed so I immediately logged into the web interface to activate GPS tracking and set off the alarm. Except when I logged in the service hadn't communicated when the app/phone in over a month so it was useless.
Over the period of the next 24 hours he had used the phone to take photos, delete everything on my sdcard, spam my YouTube feed with countless videos, and make voice calls to their own friends and family. So I looked on my carrier's account management and found all these numbers. Between the school staff and police it was possible to track the calls back to his identity. I got my phone back the next day...without the case and screen protector, sucks that they kept that.
So the lesson is make sure you have good, working anti theft solutions with cascading failsafes.
The next app I installed after ditching Vipre was Avast. This was a good solution with some flaws. Avast was one of the first Play Store security apps to utilize root access. Because of root in addition to setting as a device administrator it was also installed as a system service and app. This made it persistent and harder to remove.
The issue with avast was since the app was in /system and not /data it would have to be completely reconfigured after flashing each nightly update. Sometimes I'd forget and then it wouldn't work. It claimed to support the CM backup script except it was designed for CM7 and CM9 uses a different type of backup.
The other issue with avast was there was no web interface. You could only send commands through SMS.
Since I got my Nexus I bought Cerberus anti theft its perfect. It has system app support. Instead of a user setup it apparently registers the device ID or SIM or something and loads the user account from the cloud server. So all I do is add the apk to the CM backup list and it auto configures when installed. I can use SMS control or the website. I can monitor and control pretty much the entire phone and it takes a front camera photo on invalid pass code.
I check weekly to ensure its still running and it hasn't failed once.
As a failsafe I also have the first screen splash modded to my contact info in case of loss. Its encrypted so if anything maybe only a boot loader update could remove it.
chismay said:
WAS YOU SIGNED INTO GOOGLE maps? latitude?
if so go to google.maps and click location history u can now see where your a500 is!!!!
good luck and hope you kick his ass:good:
i have "prey" software installed on all my devices for such problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that only works if you accept all the tracking disclaimers to enable location history and not many people have history turned on.
I guess the lesson is you can't let your guard down for even a second. One time I let a friend sync their iPod touch on my computer since they didn't have a PC and they ended up snatching my classic monochrome iPod. I'm still upset to this day since they didn't take my old iPod touch instead. That just proves the first gen iPod touch is so bad people won't even steal it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

KemikalElite said:
I think that only works if you accept all the tracking disclaimers to enable location history and not many people have history turned on.
I guess the lesson is you can't let your guard down for even a second. One time I let a friend sync their iPod touch on my computer since they didn't have a PC and they ended up snatching my classic monochrome iPod. I'm still upset to this day since they didn't take my old iPod touch instead. That just proves the first gen iPod touch is so bad people won't even steal it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh yea def' just thought for pot-luck ,
it is a pitty when you let someone come into your house as a friendly gesture only to find them stealing from you,... ive had my fair share and also a fair share of miss-understandings thereafter because of a newly aquired paranoia..... but i think its 100% justified.

If you download the lookout app and install it, if you ever lose your tablet, on the lookout website you can see where it is, (if GPS was enabled when lost) you can also do a remote wipe, and a remote siren, make it put off an alarm remotely.
Its a good app to have just in case, but doesn't help if the app was not installed before being lost or stolen.
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app

lifeofcoding said:
If you download the lookout app and install it, if you ever lose your tablet, on the lookout website you can see where it is, (if GPS was enabled when lost) you can also do a remote wipe, and a remote siren, make it put off an alarm remotely.
Its a good app to have just in case, but doesn't help if the app was not installed before being lost or stolen.
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah sound like the prey app too , i can also send a popup message to the tab screen, be near the location displayed on the map and then activate a "S-SCARING" siren lol
also one good thing is prey uses the location services through wifi as well as gps, tells you the address of the current and last wifi hotspots logged into
so if it says currently "wii hotspot mcdonalds fast food , thief street. lol go to the mcdonalds and set off the alarms,...clearly see your tablet...and a jackass who need a beating. :highfive::highfive::highfive::highfive:

chismay said:
WAS YOU SIGNED INTO GOOGLE maps? latitude?
if so go to google.maps and click location history u can now see where your a500 is!!!!
good luck and hope you kick his ass:good:
i have "prey" software installed on all my devices for such problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey man, great idea! no luck...
and thanks guys for al of the advice! still no luck with the tab i think the worst part of it is was that i was really getting to love it. like the development here, especially with jb!, is fantastic. and i was a kickstarter supporter for chameleon and now seeing the new updates really puts salt on the wound. lol. in the next month i'll need another tablet, so im debating on finding another 2nd hand one for the price of a nexus 7, or just getting the 7. only thing is though, is the size....
thanks again.

I'm assuming you've looked into "Plan B" on the Android market, right? It automatically installs from the market on your tablet, and broadcasts location immediately on install. Not sure how accurate or helpful it is, but if you haven't tried it yet... you probably should.
The other option is to put out some Wanted To Buy ads...

gfinockio said:
I'm assuming you've looked into "Plan B" on the Android market, right? It automatically installs from the market on your tablet, and broadcasts location immediately on install. Not sure how accurate or helpful it is, but if you haven't tried it yet... you probably should.
The other option is to put out some Wanted To Buy ads...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i already changed the passwords, i wasn't aware of Plan B. great idea though! i tried it anyways lol.
and yeah ive been scouring kijiji and craigslist like a fiend

[RPC:S-5:AEC-0]

This post is not really a cry for help. Just throwing this out here. I've been having problems with this error message ([RPC:S-5:AEC-0]) that I'm getting from the playstore for about almost a week now. I first experienced this after I saw quite a few update notifications on my phone. When I tapped on the update button, none of the apps updated and I got this error message instead, So I googled information on how I can fix it and found out the following
1. Clear data and/or cache on the following
- Downloads
- Google Play Store
- Google Service Framework
2. Remove and re-add google account from device
3. Factory reset
None of the methods above worked for me. I even tried accessing my paid apps from my pc by going to https://play.google.com/. Unfortunately, I also got an error message when I clicked on the "My Android Apps" link. Take note that I tried doing all these with different ISPs so issue is definitely not with my internet connection as well.
I've already contacted the google play support group and I was told that this issue has been going on and unresolved since October of 2012. The google techs are stummped and don't have the slightest idea of what's causing the problem. They can't even give me a time frame of when this will be resolved. They asked me to send bug reports from my devices which I did although I know for a fact that this problem is not being caused by any of my devices.
I'm pretty much stuck with a useless smart phone and tablet since I did a factory reset on both and I'm unable to redownload all of my apps including the ones that I have purchased...
I attached a few screenshots from my N7000 and Nexus 7 and my PC as well showing the errors.

This is how google wants to solve my issue... BY RIPPING ME OFF!!!
On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 11:20 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Manolo,
Thank you for contacting Google and keeping us updated on your situation while experiencing the error RPC:S-5:AEC-0. As we discussed over the phone the only option left to do regarding your current account is to wait. [B]however I was informed that you can try by passing this by creating a new account and I apologize for information that I had provided you over the phone as that was incorrect knowledge. This does appear to also be an account base problem. Please keep in mind that paid apps are non transferable.[/B]Here is the link to check out that will be keeping update on the progress of the RPC:S-5:AEC-0 error.
http://support.google.com/googleplay/bin/static.py?&page=known_issues.cs&ki_topic=1319135
If you could let me know if creating a new gmail account works that knowledge will be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you continue to have questions at any time.
Thanks and have a great day,
Devan
The Google Play Team

Have you changed any account settings lately on Google.
Go to play.google.com and login. From top right corner click on my order & settings and check the details.
#Galaxtus - Over and Out

Galaxtus said:
Have you changed any account settings lately on Google.
Go to play.google.com and login. From top right corner click on my order & settings and check the details.
#Galaxtus - Over and Out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't. I just checked. Nothing irregular with the details.

Did you tried to uninstall/install some free app? Can you install new app?
...from SG NOTE N7000 with Tapatalk 2

zviki said:
Did you tried to uninstall/install some free app? Can you install new app?
...from SG NOTE N7000 with Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reread the op
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Perhaps flashing a new firmware might help as this changes the android id?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

kishd said:
Perhaps flashing a new firmware might help as this changes the android id?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. It's a known issue that has blown up over the last few weeks.
This is the most active thread on xda I can locate, up to 10 pages and growing fast.
A thread started on Google Plus today about it as well. Happening across all devices and ROMs to a significant number of users.

hgoldner said:
Nope. It's a known issue that has blown up over the last few weeks.
This is the most active thread on xda I can locate, up to 10 pages and growing fast.
A thread started on Google Plus today about it as well. Happening across all devices and ROMs to a significant number of users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just talked to one of the google techs again today. This is really getting out of hand crazy! They have sent me numerous emails asking me to do the same thing over and over. It's like they don't even check on previous documentation that I have responded to telling them that none of the trouble shooting they told me to do worked. To top it all off, we started discussing about refunds. I was told that thier policy is they can only do the last 6 months. I have so many paid applications that I have accumulated for the last year and a half! A lot of the ones I use the most have been purchased more than 6 months ago, Then she tells me that I'd have to talk to the individual 3rd party developers and ask them for a refund. I mean, why would a developer refund me if it's not even thier fault that this issue is happening. This is all google!

Did you tried it on another android phone with your login id
#Galaxtus - Over and Out

Galaxtus said:
Did you tried it on another android phone with your login id
#Galaxtus - Over and Out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note, S3, Nexus 7 and my desktop PC. I've done it all sir. Nothing else you can say would be any different from the ones that I've already read from all the forums. This is an issue from google's side affecting several accounts.

l0rd_almighty said:
Note, S3, Nexus 7 and my desktop PC. I've done it all sir. Nothing else you can say would be any different from the ones that I've already read from all the forums. This is an issue from google's side affecting several accounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the same boat across multiple devices and very frustrated. Hopefully this is becoming a very widespread issue and will get more attention with Google's higher level techs and developers.

I was having this issue, and all the normal steps didn't help. I called Google, they were no help, other than to say it was a known issue. I tried removing my Google account, and clearing the cache/data for Google Service Framework and Play Store apps - nothing worked
Then I tried clearing the cache/data on Google Play Services, on the off chance that this might be the culprit and after a reboot everything is working great again.
Hope this will help some of the other folks who are struggling with this.
Exact Steps:
1) Open Settings->Apps
2) Select Google Play Store
3) Clear Cache and Force Stop
4) Select Google Framework Services
5) Clear Data and Force Stop
6) Select Google Play Services
7) Clear Data and Force Stop
8) Reboot

Why are you ****ting On Us Google?
On another forum, a poster had this to say about this RPC:S-5:AEC-0 problem:
I don't believe this has anything to do with what is running on the device...whether its 4.2.2 or 4.1.2. It's simply an issue with corruption in the Google Play account on Google's servers. The lack of any fix for this or a workaround is abysmal on Google's part. I have paid apps that will no longer run because Google Play no longer recognizes them as paid apps. I have wasted numerous hours trying to get this resolved with escalated calls to Google support. Basically, anyone who is affected by this account "corruption" issue is currently screwed with no fix in sight. This needs to get major media attention or possible class action status before Google gets serious and fixes this acknowledged issue they've known about for several months now.
​
That is a good summary of the issue.
Google knows all about this.
It's endemic and the worst part about it is that Google is ignoring it.
There has been one simple post by Google -- in March -- saying they were working on the problem, and then a one-line addendum in April to say that they were still working on the problem.
THIS IS NOT ONLY ABSURD, BUT UNACCEPTABLE.
I've tried every effing solution that's been posted -- and none works.
I'm sick to the back teeth about the crap that GOOGLE thinks I can take. I'm just steaming mad.
The sheer inconvenience and time-wasting is mind numbing.
Am I pissed off at Google. You betcha.
Do I scream at Google, What do you think!
How can Google sit back and do nothing about this for months. (And don't point me to the lame suggestions of a work around like: Clear the cache in the Play Store app; clear the data in the Google Services framework; delete and reinstall the offending account .... etc etc etc. I've tried every one and more. Even tried deleting the whole OS and reinstalling,; tried factory reset.
THIS IS CRAP AND GOOGLE KNOWS IT.
Setting up a new gmail account is not practicable as the Google user base has a huge investment in their Play Store account by way of the money they've paid to Google for apps which Google is fraudulently now stopping them from using.
The problem appears to be tied to the link between the kernel and the play store account. If a user starts a whole new account, then there is no problem for that new account. However, for Android's database of users, this is not a practicable solution as that base of users has an investment in their Play Store account -- not the least of which is in the value of the apps that they have paid for to date.
MY QUESTION IS: WHY ARE YOU ****TING ON US - YOUR LOYAL USERS - GOOGLE?
Another question: How do we escalate this into main stream media so that Google has to get off their fat arse and fix the proble? Any ideas would be helpful.

Looks like google finally fixed the issue. My apps finally started updating today with no errors.

l0rd_almighty said:
Looks like google finally fixed the issue. My apps finally started updating today with no errors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congrats buddy. Hope finally you found all your answers. Anyways try to backup your apps with TB once updated, just in case

l0rd_almighty said:
Looks like google finally fixed the issue. My apps finally started updating today with no errors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

This is NOT a time to pat Google on the back
Last night, shortly after posting my rant on this forum, I went to the app store to see if I could get some sense out of the bloody thing. Lo and Behold! It was all go!!!!
Now while I like to think -- in my hedonostoc idle moments -- that it was my posting on this forum that did the trick, reality tells me that Google had been working on this for some time and that the fix was in place coincidentally at approximately 10pm NZ time yesterday (12th June 2013).
Why am I being so pedantic about the time.
Simple.
Google, quite clearly, must have been working on this for some time in order for the fix to be put in place at that precise moment. The problem with this conduct though, is that they did NOT at any time inform its constituency that it had even acknowledged that there was this effing problem in the first place. A lot of good people have been mystified, frustrated, angry, confused and suspicious by this smorgasbord of crap that Google has dished up and even felt that they had no option but to eat the **** sandwich presented to them.
SO, if Google thinks that this lowly serf is going to thank them for getting rid of the RPC:S-5:AEC-0 bug, then they need to take their heads out of the arses and smell the real world, 'cos it aint going to happen.
At the very least I would expect Google to make some gesture to its user base to placate them after the harrowing ordeal that their incompetence has put them through.
Enough said.
Unless or until this rears its ugly head again.

martin1952 said:
Last night, shortly after posting my rant on this forum, I went to the app store to see if I could get some sense out of the bloody thing. Lo and Behold! It was all go!!!!
Now while I like to think -- in my hedonostoc idle moments -- that it was my posting on this forum that did the trick, reality tells me that Google had been working on this for some time and that the fix was in place coincidentally at approximately 10pm NZ time yesterday (12th June 2013).
Why am I being so pedantic about the time.
Simple.
Google, quite clearly, must have been working on this for some time in order for the fix to be put in place at that precise moment. The problem with this conduct though, is that they did NOT at any time inform its constituency that it had even acknowledged that there was this effing problem in the first place. A lot of good people have been mystified, frustrated, angry, confused and suspicious by this smorgasbord of crap that Google has dished up and even felt that they had no option but to eat the **** sandwich presented to them.
SO, if Google thinks that this lowly serf is going to thank them for getting rid of the RPC:S-5:AEC-0 bug, then they need to take their heads out of the arses and smell the real world, 'cos it aint going to happen.
At the very least I would expect Google to make some gesture to its user base to placate them after the harrowing ordeal that their incompetence has put them through.
Enough said.
Unless or until this rears its ugly head again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very well said!
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

abhinav quietly brilliant said:
Reread the op
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why? I'm talking about new app not existed one,but I should write install/uninstall(not uninstall/install). It's not important anymore if the others have the same problem...
P.S. ...and it's solved...
...from SG NOTE N7000 with Tapatalk 2