Develop Bugs

Seeking a file vault app like truecrypt

Hi, has anyone come across a 'vault' type app?
I am after a container type app that is password protected to keep files in - i am not after a database for passwords type app - on the pc i use truecrypt. I know how to hide files from media in android, but want a more secure solution as hiding files leaves them open to any file manager/explorer.
Suggestions?

+1 to this thread.
Truecrypt is a great program.
Maybe some file compression apps have an encrypt feature, hmm...

you can try "APG":
OpenPGP for Android. It's open source.
* encrypt/sign/decrypt emails/files
http://www.appbrain.com/app/org.thialfihar.android.apg

Stiegi said:
you can try "APG":
OpenPGP for Android. It's open source.
* encrypt/sign/decrypt emails/files
http://www.appbrain.com/app/org.thialfihar.android.apg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is only for files as such. But do not want the pain of loading and unloading file by file. The way how truecrypt encrypts the whole SD card would be awesome.

No news yet? TruCrypt port would be really handy, or even the OTFE.
I wonder how its not available yet?
These types of applications diffrentiate the Real smart phones, from the wanna-be (iPhone)

At least a combination of Tasker and File Magic comes close to your needs. Read more about it here.
I stopped using it due to its hardware hunger. Maybe quadcores or hardware/os integration will solve these problems in the future.
But give it a try.

[XAP + Source] Advanced Explorer [Version 1.4]

Hello XDA Community,
@DEVELOPERS: I need some developers with other devices to make things (at least parts of advanced explorer) work on other devices (i have a htd hd7). !Programming & Testing!
Please PM me
To bring all together what xda achieved for WP7, i wrote a helper app for the following tasks,
- File management
- Registry management
- Copy files from desktop to phone
- Copy files from phone to desktop
- Set max unsigned apps
- Provision any given XML
If you post in this thread how any of those features could be implemented on other devices, i will maybe implement them. You can always send me a modified version and i will maybe update this post with the new version!
Usage/(Release-)Notes on the website!
If you encounter any errors, or wanna give some feedback => just leave a post here or use the idea page or write me an email (go to contact on the homepage)!
I included the source code, so that anybody can modify it at will but do not use anything here for commercial purposes (contact me first).
Homepage for this project:
http://sites.google.com/site/yaafdevelopers/projects/advanced-explorer-for-wp7
You can give feedback / bugreports:
http://advancedexplorerwp7.codeplex.com/
(Go to Discussion or Issue Tracker)
You will find the latest version and the Release-Notes there. I will continue to watch this thread!
Because some people asked how to support/donate me:
I appreciate every donation! Thank you!
reddragon

He that is great stff... i am glad you added the source i was thinking about how this could work having had a little peek at the code in the samples that Ms provided.
wings over a thanks too

Question...If you send a file, where does the device dump it into the computer? I was getting an error sending the file to my computer at first, but then I configured correctly and it sends fine, but I don't know where it is...
Edit: Nevermind, I got it. Upload/Download Root folders. Good work on this app man. Pretty nifty. Uploaded a .doc from my laptop to the phone, copy/pasted it into My Docs and it appeared and opened on MS Office Word perfectly.

nice ! but ...
Nice app !
But can't send from \windows directory ?..

Re: can't send from \windows
Hey,
like i said in my first post i brought together what was achieved...
Im using the HTC app COM dll files for file system access. Actually you can send files from \windows but not all. (in usage or no access)...
If somebody knows a better way, or something for other devices => just implement and send it, or post here!
The problem: Now it works on my device, so I can do what i wanted to do (coping .pdf and other stuff on the wp7) I have not the time to search & wait for other devices.
I tried to code it very generic and emulated the System.IO namespace, so everybody can add his results or replace it with better results.
Just contact me and I will check the code and update the first post.
reddragon93

eternalemb said:
Question...If you send a file, where does the device dump it into the computer? I was getting an error sending the file to my computer at first, but then I configured correctly and it sends fine, but I don't know where it is...
Edit: Nevermind, I got it. Upload/Download Root folders. Good work on this app man. Pretty nifty. Uploaded a .doc from my laptop to the phone, copy/pasted it into My Docs and it appeared and opened on MS Office Word perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually you can double tab any file and it should open from any folder.
To get PDF working I copy the file to the PDF reader (most likely the app will crash if Adobe reader is not installed), but you will not see anything as PDF reader just pops up with the file
Just like always contact me if there are file types missing!

cool app, ty
how long did it take?

hi reddragon93, thank you for your work, i've an lg optimus 7, is there an eta for explorer for other device?
i need it!!!
thank you so much!

gianlucarugby said:
hi reddragon93, thank you for your work, i've an lg optimus 7, is there an eta for explorer for other device?
i need it!!!
thank you so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really can understand you because I needed this for myself (that's why I coded it in the first place)
But the answer is NO, because we have to wait until somebody finds a way to get access on other devices and shares the info (i will observe this thread for new infos).
And by the way you should not ask for ETA in developer forum (forum rules), but it's OK for me. Hope you will be the only one after my answer
I answered this question in my first post:
"If you post in this thread how any of those features could be implemented on other devices, i will maybe implement them"
Hope I answered your question.
reddragon

thanks, you were very kind,
apologize me for the ETA, i did not know, i'm just a student not a developer!
good work!

EDIT: I can't figure out how to mark a post as useful yet, so let me just say THANK YOU!!!
Awesome app. However, there are a few things that would be nice in terms of file types:
Any chance of getting support for loading .mobi files (Kindle ebooks)? I'd love to be able to sideload books that aren't in the Amazon store.
Currently, .log files won't open. Copy/renaming them to .txt should work, or a simple text reader/editor could be built-in.
Possible bug: the "Max unsigned apps" field in Settings is showing "Not set - (can't read from registry)" Setting it from within the app seems to work, though (and be remembered).
Feature request: ability to search the registry
Small change request: pressing Back on an Exception could do the same as OK (rather than exiting).
Overally, much thanks for an awesome tool!

Thanks for feedback
GoodDayToDie said:
EDIT: I can't figure out how to mark a post as useful yet, so let me just say THANK YOU!!!
Awesome app. However, there are a few things that would be nice in terms of file types:
Any chance of getting support for loading .mobi files (Kindle ebooks)? I'd love to be able to sideload books that aren't in the Amazon store.
Currently, .log files won't open. Copy/renaming them to .txt should work, or a simple text reader/editor could be built-in.
Possible bug: the "Max unsigned apps" field in Settings is showing "Not set - (can't read from registry)" Setting it from within the app seems to work, though (and be remembered).
Feature request: ability to search the registry
Small change request: pressing Back on an Exception could do the same as OK (rather than exiting).
Overally, much thanks for an awesome tool!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your feedback!
(1) I really needed the app for myself (real pdf support) so... The Thanks Button is only visible with 5+ Posts
(2) i will pm you maybe if i find some spare time. This is most likely pretty simple to implement. Can you edit your (or create a new) post and describe what happens if you double tab a kindle book with the current version?
(3) yeah i saw this before but didn't thought it is important enough to implement. I don't have the time for the own Editor (you have to handle really big files for example) but i can do the renaming thing behind the scenes (remember renaming = copy+delete until a better solution is found).
(4) on first app start i have really no solution in determining how the value is set (no access on this key). So my solution was to set this text ("Not set - (can't read from registry)" until you set a value => then i save this value local to the app, and set it every time the app starts (It gets reset every time i connect the device to the PC anyway)
(5) "search the registry": I thought on this one... But this will not be of much use as we have not really much read access
NOTE: The Problem with the registry is that we have FULL WRITE access trough the provxml method but not very much READ access (HTC COM .dll)
(6) really? I'm satisfied with the current behavior. Without searching I don't know if this is a small change maybe it is, maybe not. At least it looks like one but that doesn't mean anything
reddragon

Thanks for the response, reddragon. I'm at work right now, so the .mobi thing will have to wait. It's a very common request among WP7 users around here, though.
I've found that selecting the Edit context item will open any file in Word, which is typically sufficient for viewing and even editing purposes! True plain text files open fine regardless of extension, and even binary files will usually have enough ASCII in them to determine useful info. You can also send any file (via email) from Word, if you want to email an attachment rather than just transfer to a PC.
Unfortunately, I've found that XML files just... don't work. Double-clicking them opens IE, which complains that it can't handle that file type. Selecting Edit on them looks like it's opening some Office app, but the app then closes and drops back into Advanced Explorer (no error). This is the currently problematic filetype, as a *lot* of data is stored in XML.
The "Registry Editor" app already provides registry search (and despite the security restrictions on read it *mostly* works) but without system copy-paste it's tricky moving data between apps. I enjoy being able to pan between the FS and registry... hell, I want a Windows (desktop) app that does this, now.
It looks like there's FS search (an option on the command bar, and a text box that appears) but I can't get it to do anything. Pressing Enter has no effect, tapping either Refresh or Search again just reloads the page. Am I using this right? It would be great to be able to either scroll long folders (\Windows) or find a filename behind a bunch of GUIDs.
Some files show as "0 b" size, even though they almost certainly aren't. Is that just because some program has an exclusive lock on them and their size can't be read in that state?
Any chance of the ability to create folders in the GUI (I think I see how to do it with provxml files, but that's not exactly convenient)?
Thanks for the explanations on the registry. I was wondering how you could write to locations that you can't read from... Also, I didn't know the sideload limit resets itself. That's something I'll have to watch out for, as I'm near the nominal sideload limit already. Hmm... maybe I should look into writing an app that lets the phone install a .XAP directly, to minimize the amount of PC connecting that's needed.
Sorry, I know that's a lot of comments and questions. If it helps, I showed this to a couple of other HD7 owners today, and the immediate response of both of them was "I've got to get that!" This is a great app, super-convenient and good for making the occasional Samsung Focus owner jealous ;-D
Actually, I'm a developer myself (mostly C/C++, but I know C#). I'll crack a look at the source when I get a chance (probably this weekend) but would you be interested in a patch if there's something I can improve? One thing I might add is an optional "Did you mean that?" prompt on the Back button, as it's a little too easy to hit and knock you clear out of the app (optional of course, as I understand some people don't have such problems).
Thanks again!

does anyone know the latest ETA on compatibility for samsung devices?

Some Answers
GoodDayToDie said:
Thanks for the response, reddragon. I'm at work right now, so the .mobi thing will have to wait. It's a very common request among WP7 users around here, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said: I will pm you most likely, today or this weekend.
GoodDayToDie said:
I've found that selecting the Edit context item will open any file in Word, which is typically sufficient for viewing and even editing purposes! True plain text files open fine regardless of extension, and even binary files will usually have enough ASCII in them to determine useful info. You can also send any file (via email) from Word, if you want to email an attachment rather than just transfer to a PC.
Unfortunately, I've found that XML files just... don't work. Double-clicking them opens IE, which complains that it can't handle that file type. Selecting Edit on them looks like it's opening some Office app, but the app then closes and drops back into Advanced Explorer (no error). This is the currently problematic filetype, as a *lot* of data is stored in XML.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the best way to handle the edit mode would be an editor inside the app, but that's quite some work i guess... So if somebody is willing to write such a control just contact me!
But the current workaround is quite simple: Upload your file, edit it with the powerful editors you know and send it back to the phone...
In fact what i did was send the complete windows/applications folder and all files that where successfully send can be edited (on the others you have no access anyway).
GoodDayToDie said:
The "Registry Editor" app already provides registry search (and despite the security restrictions on read it *mostly* works) but without system copy-paste it's tricky moving data between apps. I enjoy being able to pan between the FS and registry... hell, I want a Windows (desktop) app that does this, now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I think it's not that difficult to implement a search for registry. It's funny to say that all the time but I thought on this one too and if you look on the source code you will see that i positioned the search/filter text box out of the explorer pivot to use it for registry search or other purposes. If you find it really that useful with the current read restrictions... yeah I should just implement it...
GoodDayToDie said:
It looks like there's FS search (an option on the command bar, and a text box that appears) but I can't get it to do anything. Pressing Enter has no effect, tapping either Refresh or Search again just reloads the page. Am I using this right? It would be great to be able to either scroll long folders (\Windows) or find a filename behind a bunch of GUIDs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact this is a filter function so that large folders can be loaded much faster. Just enter "a*" and make the keyboard disappear (tab anywhere else) and you see only the files/folders starting with "a". I don't know why "enter" on keyboard doesn't do anything, I will look into this. I should update the usage in my first post, thanks.
GoodDayToDie said:
Some files show as "0 b" size, even though they almost certainly aren't. Is that just because some program has an exclusive lock on them and their size can't be read in that state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep.
From the htc COM call i get 0 bytes....
GoodDayToDie said:
Any chance of the ability to create folders in the GUI (I think I see how to do it with provxml files, but that's not exactly convenient)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe, i thought on this one too as it is already implemented (just create a folder in UploadRoot drop a file and start downloading it to the phone => the folder gets created). I will look into this.
Can you (or anybody) provide me with an example on how to rename a folder via provxml. And in Yaaf.WP7.NativeAccess.IO.File i have in the "Move" method some code commentated. Can somebody please un-comment, debug and tell me why the hell this provision-xml is invalid / not working, thanks.
(ProvisionXml is completely new to me as this is my first smartphone)
GoodDayToDie said:
Thanks for the explanations on the registry. I was wondering how you could write to locations that you can't read from... Also, I didn't know the sideload limit resets itself. That's something I'll have to watch out for, as I'm near the nominal sideload limit already. Hmm... maybe I should look into writing an app that lets the phone install a .XAP directly, to minimize the amount of PC connecting that's needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't look into that but i think it is not enough to simply create the guid folder and drop content there... Anyway you can use the "NativeAccess" Projekt to get all the access i used in the Explorer. But you have to create links from your main projekt to the COM-dlls so they get included into the xap file.
GoodDayToDie said:
Sorry, I know that's a lot of comments and questions. If it helps, I showed this to a couple of other HD7 owners today, and the immediate response of both of them was "I've got to get that!" This is a great app, super-convenient and good for making the occasional Samsung Focus owner jealous ;-D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what keeping me up i guess
GoodDayToDie said:
Actually, I'm a developer myself (mostly C/C++, but I know C#). I'll crack a look at the source when I get a chance (probably this weekend) but would you be interested in a patch if there's something I can improve? One thing I might add is an optional "Did you mean that?" prompt on the Back button, as it's a little too easy to hit and knock you clear out of the app (optional of course, as I understand some people don't have such problems).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm always interested in any patch especially support for other devices (I have a htc so I can't debug stuff for other devices :/ )
Yeah there could be an option for that. It's pretty easy to implement so... But i don't have this problem so i didn't realised that one.
GoodDayToDie said:
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your feedback
Muzzy777 said:
does anyone know the latest ETA on compatibility for samsung devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I answered this on the first page of the thread already, thanks.
EDIT: I updated the program and my first post and implemented some of your feature requests
reddragon

Configuration Service Provider Reference for Windows Mobile Devices

Have you used the forum-search? You'll find a post which describes you how to get these books to your phone (it's by me). I can't give you the link because I send this from my HD7.

really great app. Also like the pc<->phone feature
I use it now very often, so I think it needs:
-2 Filebrowser Tabs
-or an option to "bookmark" certain folders

diboze said:
really great app. Also like the pc<->phone feature
I use it now very often, so I think it needs:
-2 Filebrowser Tabs
-or an option to "bookmark" certain folders
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I talked to other people, at first this feature looks awesome, but after some time you would see that you don't use 2 tabs!
The bookmarking thing is a good idea...
Elerador said:
Have you used the forum-search? You'll find a post which describes you how to get these books to your phone (it's by me). I can't give you the link because I send this from my HD7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking into amazon kindle... what i can do for sure is copy the file into the kindle folder and start amazon kindle...
But i forgot how to start a program via app-guid. I remember that i saw an COM.dll which can do that.
__ow said:
Configuration Service Provider Reference for Windows Mobile Devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know that link but i don't see how you can move folders (if it is possible)
reddragon

Love the update! Thanks for cluing me in on the workings of the filter; I wasn't trying wildcards and it therefore looked like it was always empty.
That said, a bug report (reproed on the older version too):
Registry manual mode can crash with a System.ArgumentException "Invalid fullpath".
Start Advanced Explorer
Pan to Registry
Tap "edit manual"
Observe exception
App crashes on hitting OK

DropBox ver 1 API and/or non-MS and not ugly SkyDrive API

First, I'd like to wish happy New Year for everybody!
Second, I have a question to xda's developers: is there a working and non-ugly (without involving WebBrowser window) library for WP7 to access DropBox API version 1 (it's important, new apps can't use ver 0 anymore; all codeplex'es libs are using version 0 and seems like nobody planned to improve their non-working stuff).
I'm also interested in non-ugly (as Microsoft Live SDK) access library to SkyDrive, also without WebBrowser (it's a most stupidest and ugly API I've ever seen!).
If you have your own working code, could you please share with me for my new free app? I don't have much time to write my own implementation, and I hope that someone has already done this job.
Thanks!

I saw already apps, check BoxShot:
Free: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/0be109c4-08be-4ac3-a96b-70ef2b0580e3
Pay: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/1abb6e8c-d1ca-4209-a7b8-c2d657ffc9b4

Budniu said:
I saw already apps, check BoxShot:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... Seems like you didn't understand me, I need Silverlight library, not an app.
BoxShot is using DropNet library, ver 0 of DropBox API only...

Ok, sr. You're right, I don't understand.

How about this: http://sharpbox.codeplex.com/releases/view/74634

singularity0821 said:
How about this: http://sharpbox.codeplex.com/releases/view/74634
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, not working at all (for DropBox) even their demo app Also, they are using synchronous http calls and current code just block whole thread execution.

sensboston said:
Unfortunately, not working at all (for DropBox) even their demo app Also, they are using synchronous http calls and current code just block whole thread execution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure we can figure out how to get it without using the web browser . I'll see what I can figure out if you want.

snickler said:
I'm sure we can figure out how to get it without using the web browser . I'll see what I can figure out if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm 100% sure it's possible I just don't have time to work with the new API (v 1) specs and OAuth. So if you have time and want to implement - it's really will be great! And of course I can help you with testing (using my project).
P.S. BTW, SharpBox designed to use synchronous calls; I don't like this way. IMHO good implementation should be more "WP7-oriented"...

And how about this: http://dkdevelopment.net/what-im-doing/dropnet/

singularity0821 said:
And how about this: http://dkdevelopment.net/what-im-doing/dropnet/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is working but it's "lazy" and kinda ugly solution (author is using WebBrowser window to login to Dropbox account). I completely dislike this way. Same ugly as MS SkyDrive API

sensboston said:
This one is working but it's "lazy" and kinda ugly solution (author is using WebBrowser window to login to Dropbox account). I completely dislike this way. Same ugly as MS SkyDrive API
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't that how most apps that use OAuth work?

PG2G said:
Isn't that how most apps that use OAuth work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, actually, but all Dropbox access libs (API v. 0) are working without showing browser window.
P.S. I've found on the Dropbox devs forum, it's possible (but not a guaranteed) to ask dropbox support team to change your app and secret keys to API version 0.

sensboston said:
I don't know, actually, but all Dropbox access libs (API v. 0) are working without showing browser window.
P.S. I've found on the Dropbox devs forum, it's possible (but not a guaranteed) to ask dropbox support team to change your app and secret keys to API version 0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I'm the developer behind DropNet. Just a bit of background on the change to API v1: Dropbox wanted to support the full oauth spec which actually requires the web login. I know this makes it not as "clean" for the apps but makes it more secure for Dropbox. They have also announced they will be turning off API v0 sometime in the future (Though they have not stated when).
I dont think the authentication is process is too bad, once you get your head around it. Its accepted by users that they will have to login via the website nowadays (Twitter and Facebook do it as well).

d1k_is said:
actually requires the web login
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by that? I don't know term "web login"... If you mean - "I guess it requires a kinda unknown - for me - parameters or headers for HTTP POST/GET request" - I'll agree but it's definitely not a point to display slow loading and ugly web page each time you need an access to your files. Do you know, what is the actual login technique in API 1 (I mean what kind of params , headers, cookies are used, not a "web login" stuff)?

sensboston said:
What do you mean by that? I don't know term "web login"... If you mean - "I guess it requires a kinda unknown - for me - parameters or headers for HTTP POST/GET request" - I'll agree but it's definitely not a point to display slow loading and ugly web page each time you need an access to your files. Do you know, what is the actual login technique in API 1 (I mean what kind of params , headers, cookies are used, not a "web login" stuff)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm, sounds like you have the wrong idea about the authentication.
First of all the authentication is a 3 step process (for the developer), step 1 is to get a request token from the API, step 2 is to browse to the site (using the request token as page parameters) so the user can login, step 3 is authorizing the request token (changing it to an access token).
Once you get an access token you can save that in your app and use it forever (or until the user removes access from your app) this means the user will only have to login the first time they run the app as you will have their access token saved locally which you can use to access the API functions (but the access token only works with the API Keys it was created with).
For more info check out the DropNet documentation for the Authentication process (http://dkdevelopment.net/what-im-doing/dropnet/) Theres also a sample app in the Github project.

It sound like you have no idea how the browsers works... "Browse", "navigate" - it's good terms for users, not for developers. From a technical point of view, browser makes an HTTP or HTTPS request to the host and receive a response. So, what you (and dropbox dev and marketing team) called "token" is a text/binary data, part of the response.
So, what is preventing you to make a direct call to dropbox web service using WebRequest?
P.S. I definitely don't like the whole idea to use browser cookies (it suppose to be a kind cookie) for authentication: as for dropbox, as for ms skydrive. It's just ugly - period. And about security - I don't think it's a huge improvement.

sensboston said:
It sound like you have no idea how the browsers works... "Browse", "navigate" - it's good terms for users, not for developers. From a technical point of view, browser makes an HTTP or HTTPS request to the host and receive a response. So, what you (and dropbox dev and marketing team) called "token" is a text/binary data, part of the response.
So, what is preventing you to make a direct call to dropbox web service using WebRequest?
P.S. I definitely don't like the whole idea to use browser cookies (it suppose to be a kind cookie) for authentication: as for dropbox, as for ms skydrive. It's just ugly - period. And about security - I don't think it's a huge improvement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I was only trying to help.
The tokens are string values and you use a GET via HTTPS sending them as page parameters.
You dont use browser cookies as the dropbox API keeps track of the token you are authenticating against.

Just tried your WP7 example app from DropNet. Actually it demonstrates a little bit more than nothing Could you make a real example, with folders browsing and file operations, please?
P.S. You should use mobile version of dropbox - it feets WP7 screen much better than regular desktop.

600 MB additional free storage
Hi all
Just found a smart way to increase your Dropbox account with 600 MB:
1 Sign into your existing Dropbox account (or create a new account)
2 Goto https://www.dropbox.com/free
3 Follow instructions ... and voila 600 MB additional free storage

thx for the tip, I now got 3,12 GB

[Q] Basics

I have a Samsung Galaxy SIII and just made my first NFC-steps using some Samsung TecTiles tabs.
After trying a few NFC apps from the Google play, I have a few basic questions.
While basic functions like p.ex. switching Bluetooth are available in all apps, other functions like p.ex. showing a pop-up, text-to-speech or calendar functions are only available in only in one particular app.
Is there a predefined set of nfc-functions for any given android version or the app-author is basically free to program any function he can think of?
I tried to import a tag in one app which i previously have written with another app. This didn't always succeed. I could understand that there is a problem with importing special functions which are unknow to an app, but at least the basic tag and the basic functions should be recognised by all nfc-apps.
As the nfc-apps progress, will we see new functions/possibilities or will it stay about at the present level as the available functions are limited by android?
My device is locked, mainly because it was mandatory by a VPN installation.
Is there a way to unlock it 'automatically' thru NFC? I know this can be a security issue, but it would be so handy just p.ex. to put the phone in the car-holder and it would automatically go to the home screen or the car screen, and also during driving its annoying when the device has a time lock and needs to be unlocked in the middle of an intersection......
What is the power consumption of the nfc-module in the S3?
Thanks for your input.
Rgds

sansibar said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy SIII and just made my first NFC-steps using some Samsung TecTiles tabs.
After trying a few NFC apps from the Google play, I have a few basic questions.
While basic functions like p.ex. switching Bluetooth are available in all apps, other functions like p.ex. showing a pop-up, text-to-speech or calendar functions are only available in only in one particular app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think, I know which app you mean
Is there a predefined set of nfc-functions for any given android version or the app-author is basically free to program any function he can think of?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a set of predefined nfc-functions, (like open a webpage, vcard, open an app..) but this set is very very limited and even the mentioned Bluetooth function is not included .... in fact, bluetooth needs a little hacking, because the official api does not support to turn on bluetooth without asking the user .....so basically a developer can (/ has to!) implement every function he wants, but in reality a lot of functions are blocked on non-rooted devices, because android defined them as security related....
I tried to import a tag in one app which i previously have written with another app. This didn't always succeed. I could understand that there is a problem with importing special functions which are unknow to an app, but at least the basic tag and the basic functions should be recognised by all nfc-apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned the basic set is very limited.... it´s based on the nfc forum specifications and using nfc to control your device, is something these guys never had in mind ....so, sure you could use some standard nfc writer and write a webpage on a tag..... and this should be something every nfc device (not only android, but also blackberry, windows phone etc...) could handle .... but if you want to control your device, you need a more sophisticated app .... and there is no way to import a tag from one app to another ...
As the nfc-apps progress, will we see new functions/possibilities or will it stay about at the present level as the available functions are limited by android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The functions are limited by android .... and my feeling is, that with every android update it get´s more limited! --> on Gingerbread, nfc was enabled while screen was off --> a function they skipped with ICS (ok, again, on a rooted device you could change the NFC.apk, to re-enable it) ... the last JB update declared the airplane modes as a security feature ... so no luck with airplane mode since 4.2 ...only to mention 2 examples ...don´t get me wrong, I don´t think it will stay at the present level, but it´s definitiv not in googles focus yet .... personally, I have a lot of new functions and use cases on my ToDo list, so I would say it´s just the beginning
My device is locked, mainly because it was mandatory by a VPN installation.
Is there a way to unlock it 'automatically' thru NFC? I know this can be a security issue, but it would be so handy just p.ex. to put the phone in the car-holder and it would automatically go to the home screen or the car screen, and also during driving its annoying when the device has a time lock and needs to be unlocked in the middle of an intersection......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, but again some hacking is envolved ... root your phone, change the nfc.apk, etc. ...I think there are several threads regarding this topic available ....
EDIT: Link added: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1853721
What is the power consumption of the nfc-module in the S3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forget it .... it doesn´t make a significant difference, if you have NFC enabled or disabled ....
Thanks for your input.
Rgds
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problem

Write NFC tags that do not require other users to have the app used to write the tag.

I have a done a bit of looking but all I've come up with is mainly 'use trigger' or something like it. But my question is: Is there a way with Trigger to write a tag that anyone can read? Or is there another NFC tag writer app that I should use?
The thing I want to do is make a tag for friends to tap when they call over that will connect them to my wifi network, but if they have to go and download trigger first then no one is going to use my tag.
Sorry if this is a re-posted question, I looked and didn't see it anywhere here and when I put the title in there was no recommended threads that had what I was asking.

I've tried different apps, and it looks like connect to wireless is not one of the default actions that is included in Android. I've only found connect to bluetooth.

Hi, you can use NFC Tools for that.
All records on "write" tab is compatible with other NFC device.

daniel_loft said:
I've tried different apps, and it looks like connect to wireless is not one of the default actions that is included in Android. I've only found connect to bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am new to NFC and I am a little confused about what NFC can do. I have the nfc-tool App and I can read many NFC tags that I have.
But for an Android phone with NFC support, without installing any 3rd party App, what can it do? Is NFC enabled by default? Are there native NFC apps that can trigger action, open URL, etc?
Also, since each NFC tag already has a unique identifier, it seems to me writing data to NFC tag isn't all that useful when only 1 phone is using it. As you could have just programmed the command to the phone. The same applies to multiple phones if you can program the phones through some other means. Am I missing something here?

As I was saying, looks like what you want is only possible in Android L.
Have a nice day!

nookin said:
I am new to NFC and I am a little confused about what NFC can do. I have the nfc-tool App and I can read many NFC tags that I have.
But for an Android phone with NFC support, without installing any 3rd party App, what can it do? Is NFC enabled by default? Are there native NFC apps that can trigger action, open URL, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android has native build-in support for some simple standard NFC activities, like reading a messages/contact, open URL/URI, launch application etc. .For more sophisticated activities you will always need an app to parse the tag content and handle the activities.
Also, since each NFC tag already has a unique identifier, it seems to me writing data to NFC tag isn't all that useful when only 1 phone is using it. As you could have just programmed the command to the phone. The same applies to multiple phones if you can program the phones through some other means. Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, fully agree. Have a look at NFC ReTag

ascsa said:
Android has native build-in support for some simple standard NFC activities, like reading a messages/contact, open URL/URI, launch application etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a newbie here. I have a phone running 4.2.2. How do I make it read an NFC tag and take action without installing additional app? Just tap?

So I finally found an official NFC tag in mall. When I place my phone on it, it asks me to choose between stock Browser and Chrome. I guess if I have already chosen a default, it will just open a webpage. Now I wonder if there are security concerns. What if the URL is malicious? What if it downloaded a lot of data when the user is roaming?
I wonder what other functions an NFC tag can trigger without installing additional Apps? If I buy writable NFC tags, like the Samsung TecTiles, can it be programmed just like the mall NFC tag?