Develop Bugs

Wtf?

Alright guys not trying to start another "I heard" thread but I read some upsetting news today.....it seems the community is going to begin to dwindle.....maybe not for us specifically but more for some of the newer phone models... I took some interest in the Droid bionic today and so I decided to go look at the thread for it.....under the general topic there was a discussion about Verizon beginning to crack down on root users. This is due mainly to the theft of services (WiFi tether). This crack down will mean Verizon completely locking down the bootloader and making phones unrootable. Theyre even going as far as to back this up with network locks. If your new device isn't verified on there network with an unrooted Rom, they will potentially lock down your service so you can't use your phone for anything essentially. Now as of right now it appears that they are focused mainly on new devices and they aren't so worried with us. I can completely understand why they would want to stop the theft of this service but at the same time this news comes as a bummer. How long will it be until Verizon locks down root altogether? And this isn't even just Verizon but rather a joint venture across multiple carriers. I don't know how to link but go look it up if youre interested guys. It's under Droid bionic general. I don't know how to take this information....but anyways let's get some input rolling here. What do you guys think about this? And better yet anyone think its gonna affect our devices at some point?
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Hey man, I can honestly say that I think this is complete bull! Haha. Why would they take away the boot loader?? Thats aa main trouble shoot tool in its self, and if this does happen. I highly doubt that it would stop root. We would be able to get past it.
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Read the thread....even if they do get around it there will be back ups that will kill service to any rooted device. Idk if this is true but its interesting
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We have wayy too many smart devs to let this happen. I'm not worried

This is a rumor from ONE source. People have been getting all upset over this but until anything actually happens, it's just that. A rumor.
Besides, if Verizon is worried about people tethering for free, it would make more sense to charge for data on a tiered level like they're probably going to start doing anyway.

Wild rumors and speculation based on forum posts, which link back to other forum posts, which link to other forums.... which eventually circle back to one guy who doesn't provide any back-up for his claims.
The original panic started here:
http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...otloaders-rooting-manufacturers-carriers.html
Can we please restore some sanity to the community? Will people please stop panicking based on a bunch of "I heard..." and vague references to unnamed, unconfirmed sources?
Am I saying that this is impossible? No. But as intelligent adults, should we not demand a higher burden of proof than vague references to "multiple channels"? If there really are multiple channels that can confirm this vast conspiracy, why hasn't it broken as a reputable news story anywhere? One dude cracked the case, but no one else can corroborate it or cite anything?
This is claimed to be an effort to crack down on unauthorized tethering. If that is the goal, what seems more likely?
1. The claim that "Multiple carriers were working collaboratively on a program that would be able to identify rooted users and create a database of their meids."
or
2. Phone companies will just start phasing out unlimited data in favor of tiered plans
Given that we're already seeing #2 happen on some carriers, I'll put my money on that.
Of course, people love David and Goliath stories, so I doubt these rumors will ever die, just like the Placebo Throttle Remover will never die.
Yea, maybe all the phone companies have gotten together and are developing super secret methods of tracking us down. And maybe the Reverse Vampires are involved. And the Masons.
The original panic rumor claims that these things are already happening. For example:
"More than one major carrier besides Verizon has implemented this program and that all carriers involved had begun tracking rooted phones. All carriers involved were more than pleased with the accuracy of the program."
Sooooooo..... if it's already happening, there should be some evidence, right?
P.S. - I have heard from multiple sources that XDA is going to start tracking members by injecting code into any attachment that is placed on this forum. I've confirmed it through multiple channels. No, I can't be any more specific than that: I hope you understand. After all, this is top secret information... I can't just go tossing it around. It's a vast conspiracy, but they've managed to keep it completely bottled up.
Don't believe me!?!? Well, just wait until it happens to youuuuuuuu!!!!! (Scary music)

byrong, thank you!

byrong said:
Wild rumors and speculation based on forum posts, which link back to other forum posts, which link to other forums.... which eventually circle back to one guy who doesn't provide any back-up for his claims.
The original panic started here:
http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...otloaders-rooting-manufacturers-carriers.html
Can we please restore some sanity to the community? Will people please stop panicking based on a bunch of "I heard..." and vague references to unnamed, unconfirmed sources?
Am I saying that this is impossible? No. But as intelligent adults, should we not demand a higher burden of proof than vague references to "multiple channels"? If there really are multiple channels that can confirm this vast conspiracy, why hasn't it broken as a reputable news story anywhere? One dude cracked the case, but no one else can corroborate it or cite anything?
This is claimed to be an effort to crack down on unauthorized tethering. If that is the goal, what seems more likely?
1. The claim that "Multiple carriers were working collaboratively on a program that would be able to identify rooted users and create a database of their meids."
or
2. Phone companies will just start phasing out unlimited data in favor of tiered plans
Given that we're already seeing #2 happen on some carriers, I'll put my money on that.
Of course, people love David and Goliath stories, so I doubt these rumors will ever die, just like the Placebo Throttle Remover will never die.
Yea, maybe all the phone companies have gotten together and are developing super secret methods of tracking us down. And maybe the Reverse Vampires are involved. And the Masons.
The original panic rumor claims that these things are already happening. For example:
"More than one major carrier besides Verizon has implemented this program and that all carriers involved had begun tracking rooted phones. All carriers involved were more than pleased with the accuracy of the program."
Sooooooo..... if it's already happening, there should be some evidence, right?
P.S. - I have heard from multiple sources that XDA is going to start tracking members by injecting code into any attachment that is placed on this forum. I've confirmed it through multiple channels. No, I can't be any more specific than that: I hope you understand. After all, this is top secret information... I can't just go tossing it around. It's a vast conspiracy, but they've managed to keep it completely bottled up.
Don't believe me!?!? Well, just wait until it happens to youuuuuuuu!!!!! (Scary music)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn dude.....just trying to put some discussion into this topic. Ouch. I understand and preface this with not trying to start another I heard thread.....I wasn't trying to instill panic in anyone. No need to write up an essay and a half of flame. Simply giving some discussion topic.
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elixir911911 said:
Damn dude.....just trying to put some discussion into this topic. Ouch. I understand and preface this with not trying to start another I heard thread.....I wasn't trying to instill panic in anyone. No need to write up an essay and a half of flame. Simply giving some discussion topic.
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Click to collapse
I believe a thread about this was discussed a few weeks ago and closed. I dont believe it will happen snyways
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donnyp1 said:
I believe a thread about this was discussed a few weeks ago and closed. I dont believe it will happen snyways
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Click to collapse
I don't necesarilly believe it will happen but is it plausible? yes....You can't deny that major carriers and development teams have more knowledge, experience, and capability then ANY developer on xda. Look at the past. Apple actually brought out a lawsuit trying to keep people from jailbreaking devices. So while we may all sit around and laugh at the idea and while it is just a bunch of hear say at this point, it is definitely plausible. And i do agree that it may just be easier to do tiered data plans, but then that kind of screws over verizon's customers who actually pay for tether. So you can kind of understand why they wouldn't want to continue to move on that route. Both options are viable and neither of them appears to be any sort of threat right now. As stated above, right now it's just a bunch of threads linking back to other threads linking back to other threads. And I don't know how much there is to believe about it but none the less it definitely could happen.... But hopefully nothing will happen....I mean come on manufacturers hardly keep their devices up to date...2.3 has already been dropped on how many devices and we're still waiting for it. People are on to sense 3.0 and we still have 1.0 on our stock rom. If they decide to kill the independent dev community then they better start dropping crazy updates with extremely customizable roms. It just seems like too much work that would ultimately end in manufacturers and providers losing money. Sooo ya. probs not gonna happen

If people didnt abuse tether, it wouldnt be an issue. So much free wifi, i cant think of last time i tethered. I also actually pay for internet at hone, yet i know several who tether for home internet.
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Verizon would be foolish to do this. People are attracted to their service due to the freedom of android...

elixir911911 said:
Damn dude.....just trying to put some discussion into this topic. Ouch. I understand and preface this with not trying to start another I heard thread.....I wasn't trying to instill panic in anyone. No need to write up an essay and a half of flame. Simply giving some discussion topic.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a flame, it's just the truth... There really is not a whole lot to be concerned about. It's out of our control so whatever happens happens, we'll have to deal with it when it shows up, IF it shows up. But why be so concerned about it?
Having said that, as far as rooting goes, they SHOULD embrace developers and allow us to use our roms and stuff legally... but I think that there is stuff set in writing and signatures that are still in effect for the time being. I see them never allowing us to root, but compromising by letting us set our own defaults and not having to use their proprietary carrier BS eventually. Whatever we make our phones into (right now) creates a market, and where there's a market there's money. We'll either have the perfect phone or the option to make the perfect phone, just like we can buy the perfect PC or make the perfect PC. Well, at least as far as software goes.
I personally believe we'll ultimately get what we want to the point where rooting is useless as far as ordinary everyday users go. But right now we don't know what this whole smartphone craze is or what its gonna be when it finally plateaus, and neither do the manufacturers & carriers so they can't exactly crack whips on our backs for doing all of this yet.
Besides, the hackers that make these roms make the phones better. They turn us into brand and carrier loyalists. The Optimus, Galaxy S, Xperia, HTC & Droids all have followings for different reasons, and the developers are the most rabid and loyal of them all. They might not NEED us, but we're still pretty freaking important.

elixir911911 said:
Alright guys not trying to start another "I heard" thread but I read some upsetting news today.....it seems the community is going to begin to dwindle.....maybe not for us specifically but more for some of the newer phone models... I took some interest in the Droid bionic today and so I decided to go look at the thread for it.....under the general topic there was a discussion about Verizon beginning to crack down on root users. This is due mainly to the theft of services (WiFi tether). This crack down will mean Verizon completely locking down the bootloader and making phones unrootable. Theyre even going as far as to back this up with network locks. If your new device isn't verified on there network with an unrooted Rom, they will potentially lock down your service so you can't use your phone for anything essentially. Now as of right now it appears that they are focused mainly on new devices and they aren't so worried with us. I can completely understand why they would want to stop the theft of this service but at the same time this news comes as a bummer. How long will it be until Verizon locks down root altogether? And this isn't even just Verizon but rather a joint venture across multiple carriers. I don't know how to link but go look it up if youre interested guys. It's under Droid bionic general. I don't know how to take this information....but anyways let's get some input rolling here. What do you guys think about this? And better yet anyone think its gonna affect our devices at some point?
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Okay I'm going to be as nice as I can about this. It's not true. We've had so many threads about this the threads are starting to scare people. Please stop. I don't mean to be rude to you. There is not on piece of solid evidence and I've talked to soooo many people it's not even funny. Don't buy it.

I'm rooted and I have wireless tether. However, there are apps in the market (Easy Tether and PDANet, for example) that do the same thing as wireless tether, but use a USB cable and work on unrooted phones, so the argument that VZW is cracking down on rooted users due to wireless tether isn't valid. I use WT every now and then if I need to connect my laptop for work reasons when I am at a customers location. If VZW feels the need to lock my phone, well, it IS their network and they have that right. I rooted my phone to get rid of the software that was bogging my phone down.
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ucluglee said:
I'm rooted and I have wireless tether. However, there are apps in the market (Easy Tether and PDANet, for example) that do the same thing as wireless tether, but use a USB cable and work on unrooted phones, so the argument that VZW is cracking down on rooted users due to wireless tether isn't valid. I use WT every now and then if I need to connect my laptop for work reasons when I am at a customers location. If VZW feels the need to lock my phone, well, it IS their network and they have that right. I rooted my phone to get rid of the software that was bogging my phone down.
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Click to collapse
+1 true
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[Question] What Is and Is Not Warez?

A thread was recently opened where a dropbox apk was pulled from a new phone and made available to android users on other phones, in this particular case, the SGS2. The apk allowed a user to have 48 GB of extra space on the Dropbox service. The thread was subsequently closed due to the apk being labeled as warez. A few arguments were made that because the apk in that form was not available in the Play Store it was therefore warez. That seems wrong to me. Many apks are made available by hackers and devs that are from other phones and are not available on the Google Play Store.
On Dropbox you are only able to get 2GB of storage for free if you sign up for the service. This apk got around that limitation and gave a free level user much more. I understand, I think, why some consider this warez but how is it fundamentally different from other apks that are snatched from phones and made available to people who chose not to purchase the phone the apk was developed to sell? All exclusive apps in a new phone are a form of business investment. If someone takes an awesome camera app that cannot be otherwise obtained unless one buys the new phone, then how is porting that apk to say a legacy phone where now a user can access that investment for no money?
Are there licensing issues at play here that make a ported camera apk or other similar type apk ethical to port? I find this to be an interesting ethical and perhaps technical issue. I'd like to learn more about the underpinning thought process for declaring some things warez while other software is just another ported apk.
If you know how this works, please chime in. I'm very interested. Maybe others are as well. Thanks in advance for anything you can offer.

Yea that was my trend they got shut down. Guess I will keep my secrets to my self from now on! Don't want to piss anyone off or get banned from xda! Everyone is so scared of Warez and being labeled as a pirate! Only going to get worse as time goes by!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 12:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 AM ----------
Might want to remove all the Adobe flash apk trends floating around since they are not being supported by Jelly Bean devices or Roms. According to Adobe. That can also be called Warez right? Or I'm I wrong?
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darkside79 said:
Yea that was my trend they got shut down. Guess I will keep my secrets to my self from now on! Don't want to piss anyone off or get banned from xda! Everyone is so scared of Warez and being labeled as a pirate! Only going to get worse as time goes by!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 12:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 AM ----------
Might want to remove all the Adobe flash apk trends floating around since they are not being supported by Jelly Bean devices or Roms. According to Adobe. That can also be called Warez right? Or I'm I wrong?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Wrong. Pirated apps are modified applications that are different than their original intent. This could be an application that was compiled to be free, to "steal" media, to expand on services such as this drop box "hack".
There are plenty of android websites that are devoted to promoting this type of content. Even though the FBI shut down 3 this week, there are hundreds more.
With that said, I have a few apps in my library that I probably shouldn't. Shhhh.......
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I think they should use the imei numbers instead of the build numbers.
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I'm a Pirate by trade! So lock me up and throw away the key! 3 get shut down and 100s more just pop up. They will never be able to stop it! It's just the start!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

i like the part where the guy who reported it, kept on crying this is warez, this is warez! like what this OP was saying. If you're using any of the ROMs that uses the s3 launcher... WAREZ~!
like dude just report it if you don't like it and move on.

darkside79 said:
I'm a Pirate by trade! So lock me up and throw away the key! 3 get shut down and 100s more just pop up. They will never be able to stop it! It's just the start!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In America they are trying to pass laws which allow the government full control of the internet.. it's honestly scary.
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elesbb said:
In America they are trying to pass laws which allow the government full control of the internet.. it's honestly scary.
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Click to collapse
Yea just another way the feds/government are trying to control us! So.much for land of the free! Nothing is free here. What a joke! Lol
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Good question. I wondered the same thing.
There is a thread on a modified version of skype that actually gives audible ring tones, among other things that skype developers neglected. It's quite ingenious work.
Is it warez too??
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Everyone at some point or another has used warez. I do however agree the Dropbox .apk wasn't warez but however was an exploit. I myself used it because morally I see nothing wrong with it and I thank the guy. I support Drop box and have been using it for as long as I can remember. When people steal from developers like Applanet did before it got closed down, well that's just unacceptable.
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Did not realize there was such shakey ground when figuring out what warez is. Quite simple it has always been any modified app(usually paid) that has been made to use without purchase of a license. Lets be honest warez have been around for ever and ever and a day. Some of the people that cry about stuff really need to go sit down somewhere.
Its ok to cry about eg. dropbox but then use a rom with the wifi hack in it? Download mp3's with a special app or use one of the many other questionable apk's according to his/her definition of warez.
Definition for warez:
Web definitions:
Warez refers primarily to copyrighted works distributed without fees or royalties, and may be traded, in general violation of copyright...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warez

With regards to the specific dropbox.apk, it is stealing since that space on dropbox was not allocated to users of older phone models. I wouldn't call it "warez" as such, but it was allowing people to have access to space that they did not pay for or that the manufacturer of their phone did not pay for through their deal with dropbox. Dropbox allows people to have a certain amount of space for free. People using this apk were taking more than they were allowed to access. That is wrong and XDA should not allow it.
The difference between that apk and other apks being ported over is that this apk was not designed to run as a self contained application like a game or something, but as a link to off-device storage. These are very different situations so not really analogous. An inexact but somewhat better analogy would be a paid application for a specific device that someone else ports to another device but they are charging for it and not giving money or credit to the original developer. This is not right and would also not be allowed on XDA.
Also, Dropbox DID reclaim that space. I know a number of people in the Sensation forum were sent notices and lost that extra space and the stuff on it.
_atlien_ said:
A thread was recently opened where a dropbox apk was pulled from a new phone and made available to android users on other phones, in this particular case, the SGS2. The apk allowed a user to have 48 GB of extra space on the Dropbox service. The thread was subsequently closed due to the apk being labeled as warez. A few arguments were made that because the apk in that form was not available in the Play Store it was therefore warez. That seems wrong to me. Many apks are made available by hackers and devs that are from other phones and are not available on the Google Play Store.
On Dropbox you are only able to get 2GB of storage for free if you sign up for the service. This apk got around that limitation and gave a free level user much more. I understand, I think, why some consider this warez but how is it fundamentally different from other apks that are snatched from phones and made available to people who chose not to purchase the phone the apk was developed to sell? All exclusive apps in a new phone are a form of business investment. If someone takes an awesome camera app that cannot be otherwise obtained unless one buys the new phone, then how is porting that apk to say a legacy phone where now a user can access that investment for no money?
Are there licensing issues at play here that make a ported camera apk or other similar type apk ethical to port? I find this to be an interesting ethical and perhaps technical issue. I'd like to learn more about the underpinning thought process for declaring some things warez while other software is just another ported apk.
If you know how this works, please chime in. I'm very interested. Maybe others are as well. Thanks in advance for anything you can offer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

mf2112 said:
With regards to the specific dropbox.apk, it is stealing since that space on dropbox was not allocated to users of older phone models. I wouldn't call it "warez" as such, but it was allowing people to have access to space that they did not pay for or that the manufacturer of their phone did not pay for through their deal with dropbox. Dropbox allows people to have a certain amount of space for free. People using this apk were taking more than they were allowed to access. That is wrong and XDA should not allow it.
The difference between that apk and other apks being ported over is that this apk was not designed to run as a self contained application like a game or something, but as a link to off-device storage. These are very different situations so not really analogous. An inexact but somewhat better analogy would be a paid application for a specific device that someone else ports to another device but they are charging for it and not giving money or credit to the original developer. This is not right and would also not be allowed on XDA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If we extend your argument to a ROM, which is a collection of Apps and system,
if someone ports the sgs3 launcher to sgs2, is that warez?
If someone ports the HTC sense to sgs, is that warez?
Should the whole mod community be shut down?
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tsuda said:
If we extend your argument to a ROM, which is a collection of Apps and system,
if someone ports the sgs3 launcher to sgs2, is that warez?
If someone ports the HTC sense to sgs, is that warez?
Should the whole mod community be shut down?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung and HTC might say yes to those questions. I don't know myself, this is a gray area and the XDA team seems to take the general approach that if a reasonable person could think it is warez, then it is removed to avoid potential liability issues for the site as a whole.
For the launcher and sense specifically, I am not positive but I believe that the source code has been released and is available to all to download and compile, putting them on a completely different level than compiled apks which have been modified.

We have had this talk many times. The deal is that the devices OEM has paid said service for the ability to offer it on the phone. If it is used on any other phone that it was not paid to be on is what makes makes it warez. Like swype. It is allowed to be in a rom if the device came with it preinstalled but if it wasn't then it is considered warez. If a company asks us to pull it then we will.
As for the launchers. If Sense was ever fully ported to a non HTC device be sure that HTC would issue a C&D order that we would follow and then pull all links for it.
Sent from the Bat Cave

zelendel said:
We have had this talk many times. The deal is that the devices OEM has paid said service for the ability to offer it on the phone. If it is used on any other phone that it was not paid to be on is what makes makes it warez. Like swype. It is allowed to be in a rom if the device came with it preinstalled but if it wasn't then it is considered warez. If a company asks us to pull it then we will.
As for the launchers. If Sense was ever fully ported to a non HTC device be sure that HTC would issue a C&D order that we would follow and then pull all links for it.
Sent from the Bat Cave
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Click to collapse
The twiz launcher has been ported to non Samsung devices.
Also wouldn't things like the old NFL app that was ported to non Verizon phones be the same situation? Those forums weren't closed the entire season until Verizon fixed it permanently then it didn't matter. Or porting the Sony launcher to a Samsung device, or porting the COD game from the xperia play... these are all examples of the exact same situation as the drop box situation. I don't use drop box that much so it doesn't matter to me, I just don't understand the line between porting for a benefit of developing and warez. Understanding how to get an app to work across different devices is considered developing isn't it? Cyanogen got a C&D letter for developing a version of android to be released on a device that got the exact same version months later. So in theory, isn't every JB port considered to be warez? Every leak? Every ported leak?
Situations like this are what cause a lower likelihood of people contributing back. If someone found an exploit, let the app creators fix the hole. That's the way it was for the NFL app. That was eventually turned into a hack. Then Verizon found a way to block it so only their customers could use it.
Just my $0.02
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989

PulldOvr said:
The twiz launcher has been ported to non Samsung devices.
Also wouldn't things like the old NFL app that was ported to non Verizon phones be the same situation? Those forums weren't closed the entire season until Verizon fixed it permanently then it didn't matter. Or porting the Sony launcher to a Samsung device, or porting the COD game from the xperia play... these are all examples of the exact same situation as the drop box situation. I don't use drop box that much so it doesn't matter to me, I just don't understand the line between porting for a benefit of developing and warez. Understanding how to get an app to work across different devices is considered developing isn't it? Cyanogen got a C&D letter for developing a version of android to be released on a device that got the exact same version months later. So in theory, isn't every JB port considered to be warez? Every leak? Every ported leak?
Situations like this are what cause a lower likelihood of people contributing back. If someone found an exploit, let the app creators fix the hole. That's the way it was for the NFL app. That was eventually turned into a hack. Then Verizon found a way to block it so only their customers could use it.
Just my $0.02
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As for the CM team they got a C&D order to remove the gapps from their rom, which they did and is the reason AOSP roms dont have them included.
No that is not considered Developing. That is just porting. Big diff.
Understand that XDA works in the grey on alot of things, but if we get asked to pull something from the apps developers then we will pull it.

An example of what zelendel said about being asked to remove something, can be found here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1891055&postcount=287
Velcro. What a rip off!

zelendel said:
As for the CM team they got a C&D order to remove the gapps from their rom, which they did and is the reason AOSP roms dont have them included.
No that is not considered Developing. That is just porting. Big diff.
Understand that XDA works in the grey on alot of things, but if we get asked to pull something from the apps developers then we will pull it.
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Click to collapse
As I understood, the C&D was for releasing their newest market without permission. The agreement was made to remove gapps and make a recovery of them available to people who use them. This is also where the development for CM started taking off. This leaves then issue of gapps for all ROMs then. Since they are still ports are to be removed and added using the flash able zip (aosp style)?
I'm not trying to cause a rift. Just trying to help define a line. Does this mean drop box contacted a mod and asked the file to be removed?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989

PulldOvr said:
I'm not trying to cause a rift. Just trying to help define a line. Does this mean drop box contacted a mod and asked the file to be removed?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989
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Click to collapse
The dropbox offer was only good for two years. It's just a marketing promo to get new users hooked and then charge them the normal rate. Maybe they are happy to have more people hooked. Otherwise why wouldn't they block it or reverse it at the server side?
Regarding software intended for a certain phone us considered warez If used on another phone, is there an official statement about this from the phone manufacturers??
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Google pull adblockers from market

It looks like google have removed adblock plus adaway and such from the market, so backup your APK's if you want to carry on using those apps.

We could always ditch google play...
Can't post links, but anyone who wants site or direct download links, please PM me.

It's understandable that they are doing this. After all they give out Android and the sources for FREE. Everyone knows Google earns most if its revenue from adds and it isn't unreasonable to ask users for support in the form of accepting adds in free apps.
If you want to get rid of adds just show some support to devs and get payed versions of apps you use. If you want to support warez even by pm's you can do that elsewhere.

akselic said:
It's understandable that they are doing this. After all they give out Android and the sources for FREE. Everyone knows Google earns most if its revenue from adds and it isn't unreasonable to ask users for support in the form of accepting adds in free apps.
If you want to get rid of adds just show some support to devs and get payed versions of apps you use. If you want to support warez even by pm's you can do that elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you talking about?! :laugh: What warez?!
Those are free apps, just being kicked out from google play, doesn't make them wares.
If you bother, you could find them yourself, just use google.
BTW, I am unable to donate to devs cause of my country's policies, no matter how willing I am. So, use your brain a little before making offensive comments.

Plus the likes of adaway stops ads on websites as well which is very useful.
Sent from my HTC ONE X

Drefsab said:
It looks like google have removed adblock plus adaway and such from the market, so backup your APK's if you want to carry on using those apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer is at https://f-droid.org/
Incidentally they so seem to have pulled all 3rd party store apps.
I see no ethical issues with installing an ad blocking app. On my PCs I have gone even further and installed Ghostery which blocks all sort of tracking activities.
We do need to be aware that adware helps devs provide stuff for free, and the good ones give you the option of paying a little to remove the ads.

do you work for Google or something?
since when is blocking ads considered warez?
Is dvr warez for you too? I don't watch ads on TV either.
I have adblock on my pc, oh my what a hacker I am...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Another alternative to the ad blocker apps is to change your hosts file in the system/etc folder..
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

http://db.tt/WI1GQXwJ APK for adaway incase you aren't able to get it.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

akselic said:
It's understandable that they are doing this. After all they give out Android and the sources for FREE. Everyone knows Google earns most if its revenue from adds and it isn't unreasonable to ask users for support in the form of accepting adds in free apps.
If you want to get rid of adds just show some support to devs and get payed versions of apps you use. If you want to support warez even by pm's you can do that elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you have a point.
People work hard, and then they give their work for free, so they give ads, for revenue, and then you find loopholes in that too?
This is just my opinion, don't mean to start an argument.
Sent from my One X running Slim Bean.

theDroidfanatic said:
Actually, you have a point.
People work hard, and then they give their work for free, so they give ads, for revenue, and then you find loopholes in that too?
This is just my opinion, don't mean to start an argument.
Sent from my One X running Slim Bean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
playstation network is free, but I paid for the console, if ps3 made adds all over the screen so you couldn't play or view it, I'm sure that they would lose customers. Google makes enough money from sales of their phones, which have the latest android first, and make alot of money with other things that they produce. There is no need for them to mess up an app that a dev put out there for free bc of greed. just sayin

toolhas4degrees said:
playstation network is free, but I paid for the console, if ps3 made adds all over the screen so you couldn't play or view it, I'm sure that they would lose customers. Google makes enough money from sales of their phones, which have the latest android first, and make alot of money with other things that they produce. There is no need for them to mess up an app that a dev put out there for free bc of greed. just sayin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but this isn't Google we're talking about, it is the Devs.
The Devs add the ads to their apps, for their income, not Google's
Sent from my One X running Slim Bean.

theDroidfanatic said:
Yes, but this isn't Google we're talking about, it is the Devs.
The Devs add the ads to their apps, for their income, not Google's
Sent from my One X running Slim Bean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and if a dev needs income they should make it a paid app / adds are the devils work

toolhas4degrees said:
and if a dev needs income they should make it a paid app / adds are the devils work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, you don't get it do you?
They want to give people, who can't buy apps, access to them.
Anyways, this is their wish, and if you block ads, that is wrong, don't want ads? Don't use their apps, simple as that.
Sent from my One X running Slim Bean.

let's not pretend here this is a thing about legality or not.
it's in my right to block ads if I want to.
it's also a developer's choice to make his app free and ad supported. By blocking ads I'm not doing anything illegal.
Google removing ad blockers is simply a move to increase profit. it's a choice they are entitled to as a business but not something I have to tolerate as an end user, and i don't.
my point is, if you want to make your app ad supported you are just gonna have to accept the fact that some users just don't like ads.
this does limit profits for the developer's I guess but as an end user I'm not doing anything wrong.
I like to support developers, when it's due. Watching ads, wasting bandwidth and battery is not one of the acceptable means though .
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

drivenby said:
let's not pretend here this is a thing about legality or not.
it's in my right to block ads if I want to.
it's also a developer's choice to make his app free and ad supported. By blocking ads I'm not doing anything illegal.
Google removing ad blockers is simply a move to increase profit. it's a choice they are entitled to as a business but not something I have to tolerate as an end user, and i don't.
my point is, if you want to make your app ad supported you are just gonna have to accept the fact that some users just don't like ads.
this does limit profits for the developer's I guess but as an end user I'm not doing anything wrong.
I like to support developers, when it's due. Watching ads, wasting bandwidth and battery is not one of the acceptable means though .
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not true.
You want to support developers? You clearly aren't if you do this, also, they give you the app for FREE, and give ads. Don't like the ads? Either: 1) But the Full version 2) Don't use the app
And I really don't get one thing nowadays, there is something known as ethics? General morals? Right and wrong?
It may not be illegal to block ads, but you're stopping the developers' incomes, those developers who give you their work for free, in exchange for tiny ads. And then you block those ads, that is wrong, my friend.
And waste bandwidth? You can't be serious How much bandwidth can a repetitive ad take? Less than half an MB a day? I'm sure that effects no one, especially if we are able to purchase a One X, and a computer.
Bottom line, Devs do hard work, and its wrong, if not illegal, to block ads.
Take this, for example. In many US states, a bit of Marijuana is legal, right?
But, If your hypothetical son, above the age of 18, smoked Marijuana, would you like it? No. Its not illegal, but its wrong, no? I know smoking pot is nothing near blocking ads, but its just to prove, that if something isn't illegal, it can still be wrong, which, I believe, blocking ads is.
And why do I support this? Because I'm a developer too, if not an app developer, a ROM developer. And its frikkin hard work. Working for hours, sitting on your butt with a laptop on your legs, continuously debugging, trying different things, making it perfect, then releasing it, and If people block ads? For me, it would be like if everyone used my ROM, but no one thanked me, or complimented it.
So, just saying, its wrong
Sent from my One X running Slim Bean.

@theDroidfanatic
Sooo... I can't pay apps from my country... And I don't want ads on my phone... What should I do, any idea?

there is nothing morally wrong about blocking ads tdf
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

donmarkoni said:
@theDroidfanatic
Sooo... I can't pay apps from my country... And I don't want ads on my phone... What should I do, any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easiest way is to use google to search for ad blockers. That's all...

donmarkoni said:
@theDroidfanatic
Sooo... I can't pay apps from my country... And I don't want ads on my phone... What should I do, any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Live with the ads
We can't always get what we want, and you can use the Amazon AppStore, it's easy to make a US account there, many tutorials on Google, I buy must of my apps from there
drivenby said:
there is nothing morally wrong about blocking ads tdf
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to me, there is, cuz it's their income you're blocking, but everyone's entitled to his own opinion
Sent from my One X running Slim Bean.

Has anyone been able to successfully tether over WiFi?

Has anyone been able to successfully tether over WiFi? without hotspot/tether tmobile subscription page popping up?

marcink99 said:
Has anyone been able to successfully tether over WiFi? without hotspot/tether tmobile subscription page popping up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just right now I got that page from tmobile about the hotspot thing but simply turned on my vpn and it's all good now

whytechapel_x said:
Just right now I got that page from tmobile about the hotspot thing but simply turned on my vpn and it's all good now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you turn vpn on the cell phones (s4?) or the connected device such as tablet or laptop?

marcink99 said:
do you turn vpn on the cell phones (s4?) or the connected device such as tablet or laptop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the computer.

whytechapel_x said:
On the computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm for some reason when I start vpn on my tablet(note8 android os) I still get tmobile subscription page. Woul you have any idea what I could be doing wrong?

marcink99 said:
How as anyone been able to successfully tether over WiFi?without hotspot/tether tmobile subscription page popping up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a plan on T-mobile that allows you to pay for the services you need. You should try that. Pay for the services you require. It is not that difficult. I am not a big fan of screwing current subscribers. Do you pass all your bills to your neighbors?

jcbofkc said:
There is a plan on T-mobile that allows you to pay for the services you need. You should try that. Pay for the services you require. It is not that difficult. I am not a big fan of screwing current subscribers. Do you pass all your bills to your neighbors?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or he can just use a VPN and Tether without charge like everyone else in this forum?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

What vpn works for you? I tried several but was unable to connect ..

It works for me, but only if I use 3G/4G. Doesn't work with LTE for some reason.

I use this app and my own personal VPN and it works just fine. I've used Hotspot Shield VPN too with no problems.

marcink99 said:
Has anyone been able to successfully tether over WiFi? without hotspot/tether tmobile subscription page popping up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lots of people have. They also know how to use Google.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2

jcbofkc said:
There is a plan on T-mobile that allows you to pay for the services you need. You should try that. Pay for the services you require. It is not that difficult. I am not a big fan of screwing current subscribers. Do you pass all your bills to your neighbors?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile has plenty of well compensated attorneys to defend their profits, they certainly don't need you to do it. There's no grand, self-righteous social statement or posturing to be made over the act of tethering with a cell phone. Choose your causes wisely.

and for vpn use hideninja vpn the vpn service in my opinion, find it in the play store!

angelr429 said:
and for vpn use hideninja vpn the vpn service in my opinion, find it in the play store!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does this work with 4f lte? not sure if there is a problem with my tablet (note 8) or cell phone (s4) none of the vpn seemed to work for me when connected to cellphone.

kgbeezr1 said:
T-Mobile has plenty of well compensated attorneys to defend their profits, they certainly don't need you to do it. There's no grand, self-righteous social statement or posturing to be made over the act of tethering with a cell phone. Choose your causes wisely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:laugh: Why? What are you going to do about it? Too many kids believe that if a theft is undetected, in this case bandwidth from paying customers, it is not stealing. They would be wrong.
This is not about defending a carrier, but how to conduct yourself as a man. A man pays for the things he wants. He does not steal it. You have to give the entitlement generation a hand. They will use any justification for their actions while fulfilling their selfish agenda. They are very creative while doing so.
I run Jovy's roms and appreciate his contributions as much as anyone, so this is not a shot at him.
I am surprised XDA allows these hacks based on the rules they claim to enforce.
Rule 6
We do not accept warez nor do we permit any member to request, promote or describe ways in which Warez, cracks, serial codes or other means of avoiding payment, can be obtained.
People avoiding payment to their chosen carrier (the developer of the service) for the services they desire because they are too lazy and greedy to pay for the things they want need to work a little harder, make a little more money, and pay for their "wants" instead of passing the buck to the people that do things the right way.

jcbofkc said:
:laugh: Why? What are you going to do about it? Too many kids believe that if a theft is undetected, in this case bandwidth from paying customers, it is not stealing. They would be wrong.
This is not about defending a carrier, but how to conduct yourself as a man. A man pays for the things he wants. He does not steal it. You have to give the entitlement generation a hand. They will use any justification for their actions while fulfilling their selfish agenda. They are very creative while doing so.
I run Jovy's roms and appreciate his contributions as much as anyone, so this is not a shot at him.
I am surprised XDA allows these hacks based on the rules they claim to enforce.
Rule 6
We do not accept warez nor do we permit any member to request, promote or describe ways in which Warez, cracks, serial codes or other means of avoiding payment, can be obtained.
People avoiding payment to their chosen carrier (the developer of the service) for the services they desire because they are too lazy and greedy to pay for the things they want need to work a little harder, make a little more money, and pay for their "wants" instead of passing the buck to the people that do things the right way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear what you're saying, but I think you would be hard-pressed to empirically show non-native tethering use as a theft that costs you, the purportedly honest consumer, money. In some instances your point does have merit, but someone choosing to watch their Will It Blend videos on a computer, using the same allotment of data they otherwise have provided to them by their carrier, isn't quite a theft from you, which is essentially your point. If T-Mobile feels they're being violated, rest assured they'll put a stop to it post-haste.
Furthermore this topic has been discussed ad nauseum on this forum for as long as I can remember.

I agree, it is an old debate. It is what it is. My main point is many people believe it is fine to steal if they are not busted. Taking things they have not paid for is stealing. Thank you for your reply.

Safety on XDA

A couple of keyboard mods I've downloaded from XDA have had a stupid amount of unnecessary permissions, they were deleted with haste.
There will be bad people on here, that's life, so who too trust?
Is a 'Recognized Contributor' XDAs seal of approval?
ROM Devs could be putting anything in their work, I can't read code so don't know, but others do, so I tend to stick with devs that openly publish their work (wasn't that the idea) & appear to have the respect of others in the community.
I hope this will keep me safe-ish.
If anyone has any advice about safety on XDA I'd like to hear what you think.
Sent from my Xperia S using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Usually you can trust almost anyone on XDA. Most malicious people will have been banned or had their posts deleted. Any titled member (RCs, RTs, RDs, mods, admins etc.) can certainly be trusted and so can the vast majority of people who share any sort of work on here.
Sent from my Nexus 4

This is what I do to be safe on xda, I look at the OP of the mod/rom/etc's other threads first to see what he/she had done in the past and if all is good, then I use away. If the OP doesn't have any history on here I usually wait a bit for others to give feedback and if all is good, then I use away.

Nigeldg said:
Usually you can trust almost anyone on XDA. Most malicious people will have been banned or had their posts deleted. Any titled member (RCs, RTs, RDs, mods, admins etc.) can certainly be trusted and so can the vast majority of people who share any sort of work on here.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its reassuring to know *Recognized* is a valid stamp of approval.
Ty
'Murica said:
This is what I do to be safe on xda, I look at the OP of the mod/rom/etc's other threads first to see what he/she had done in the past and if all is good, then I use away. If the OP doesn't have any history on here I usually wait a bit for others to give feedback and if all is good, then I use away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice, I've checked duration of membership & number of thx, but never other thread history.
Ty
Sent from my Xperia S using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Memethecat said:
A couple of keyboard mods I've downloaded from XDA have had a stupid amount of unnecessary permissions, they were deleted with haste.
There will be bad people on here, that's life, so who too trust?
Is a 'Recognized Contributor' XDAs seal of approval?
ROM Devs could be putting anything in their work, I can't read code so don't know, but others do, so I tend to stick with devs that openly publish their work (wasn't that the idea) & appear to have the respect of others in the community.
I hope this will keep me safe-ish.
If anyone has any advice about safety on XDA I'd like to hear what you think.
Sent from my Xperia S using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trust is a difficult question - generally, people around here are reasonably honest. For someone to get a Recognised title, they have been around for a while, are helpful, consistent, and post generally good work which meets criteria in terms of how it is posted etc.
There's no guarantees though - someone could have "hacked" a user's account, if they used a poor password, or used that password elsewhere. While you are unlikely to hit difficulties, always be vigilant - just use your nose and steer clear if something doesn't seem right.
For example, user with 3 posts, who registered last week, posting an APK for "their" keyboard that's available on the Play Store for free... That's one to be cautious of - it may well be legitimate, and most likely is, but it just isn't worth the risk when you could get the "proper" version with feedback etc from the store, or this untested, unknown, APK from the website.

pulser_g2 said:
Trust is a difficult question - generally, people around here are reasonably honest. For someone to get a Recognised title, they have been around for a while, are helpful, consistent, and post generally good work which meets criteria in terms of how it is posted etc.
There's no guarantees though - someone could have "hacked" a user's account, if they used a poor password, or used that password elsewhere. While you are unlikely to hit difficulties, always be vigilant - just use your nose and steer clear if something doesn't seem right.
For example, user with 3 posts, who registered last week, posting an APK for "their" keyboard that's available on the Play Store for free... That's one to be cautious of - it may well be legitimate, and most likely is, but it just isn't worth the risk when you could get the "proper" version with feedback etc from the store, or this untested, unknown, APK from the website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Master Signature you got there
You Must Be a Elite Programmer

pulser_g2 said:
Trust is a difficult question - generally, people around here are reasonably honest. For someone to get a Recognised title, they have been around for a while, are helpful, consistent, and post generally good work which meets criteria in terms of how it is posted etc.
There's no guarantees though - someone could have "hacked" a user's account, if they used a poor password, or used that password elsewhere. While you are unlikely to hit difficulties, always be vigilant - just use your nose and steer clear if something doesn't seem right.
For example, user with 3 posts, who registered last week, posting an APK for "their" keyboard that's available on the Play Store for free... That's one to be cautious of - it may well be legitimate, and most likely is, but it just isn't worth the risk when you could get the "proper" version with feedback etc from the store, or this untested, unknown, APK from the website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fair enough, common sense takes gold again )
Sent from my Xperia S using XDA Premium 4 mobile app