Develop Bugs

Missing Apps in Market

Anyone else had problems with missing apps in the Market with the Desire?
Specifically:
http://www.google.co.uk/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=72687bc93eba9a1b&hl=en
Good example seems to be the National Rail app, but I'm finding plenty of others too...some I've paid for :-(
Daern

Yes, I have. JuiceDefender is missing for me, however I got it from andappstore.com. No sign of that National Rail one there though.

And the BlueAnt Q1 app is not available....

I think everybody has problems finding all the programs. Try to search for Raging Thunder 2 for example. You will properbly only find the lite version and not the full version. I bought the full version with my Milestone, but now it cannot be found anymore.
Every Android phone has a 'fingerprint' in the build.prop file. This fingerprint has to be approved by google. Somehow google has not yet approved the fingerprint of the Desire, so protected apps cannot be fount yet.....
I have no clue why this takes so long.
Maybe someone from google is here and reads this and can explain to us why it's taking so long for the fingerprint to be approved?

Interesting. According to the similar thread about the Legend, however, it seems that HTC are pushing out an update to fix this...
Perhaps it's the fingerprint from the Hero

I've read about this issue which was recently explained by a developer of XDA (nprussell).
Apparently everyone is in the same boat so to speak. He states that many "protected" apps are missing from the market. There are generally two reasons why apps will be missing from the market:
When a new ROM or handset is released, the manufacturer (i.e. HTC), sends the build to Google for verification, which includes a 'Fingerprint' (a unique line of text which governs its market access) in one of the build files. Generally, it states the name of the phone and Android version in the fingerprint. With Root & System write access, this fingerprint can be changed, but although it's been claimed that the Desire has recently been Rooted, we still don't have confirmation from any developer of it being able to gain System write access.
Only until Google approve the build, then fingerprint will be added to their allowed database to view these protected apps on the market.
The other cause for apps missing from the market in builds is because of permissions of certain apps. For example, the barcode scanner app requires permissions to use the camera/auto focus. They are NOT protected apps. If the XML permission files are missing from system/etc/permissions, then Google Market will simply block these apps from showing.
HTC need to chase Google up on this and Google need to activate the Fingerprint.

Excellent info, thanks for that. So it's chasing HTC to get them to chase Google for an update.
I think I'll just go back to stopping the tide from coming in...much better chance of success, I reckon

Is there no where we can download the apk (for free apps of course) and just transfer it to the phone and install it ourselves?

strange think is I could find some apps. I found and installed Barcode Scanner no prob..
???

s4vva said:
Is there no where we can download the apk (for free apps of course) and just transfer it to the phone and install it ourselves?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just google which ever apk you want (for free apps obviously) and install it to your phone, with the sync software that was on your original memory card.
i emailed HTC today to find out what they and google are doing to sort this out. if everyone emails them they might eventually chase google...

Mastoid said:
I've read about this issue which was recently explained by a developer of XDA (nprussell).
Apparently everyone is in the same boat so to speak. He states that many "protected" apps are missing from the market. There are generally two reasons why apps will be missing from the market:
When a new ROM or handset is released, the manufacturer (i.e. HTC), sends the build to Google for verification, which includes a 'Fingerprint' (a unique line of text which governs its market access) in one of the build files. Generally, it states the name of the phone and Android version in the fingerprint. With Root & System write access, this fingerprint can be changed, but although it's been claimed that the Desire has recently been Rooted, we still don't have confirmation from any developer of it being able to gain System write access.
Only until Google approve the build, then fingerprint will be added to their allowed database to view these protected apps on the market.
The other cause for apps missing from the market in builds is because of permissions of certain apps. For example, the barcode scanner app requires permissions to use the camera/auto focus. They are NOT protected apps. If the XML permission files are missing from system/etc/permissions, then Google Market will simply block these apps from showing.
HTC need to chase Google up on this and Google need to activate the Fingerprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to confirm this explanation, I actually emailed HTC support asking about the missing apps and this was pretty much exactly what they told me. They are waiting for Google to approve the ROM for copy protected apps, and apparently it takes about a week... so hopefully we can expect full access some time next week. Fingers crossed!

foner78 said:
Just to confirm this explanation, I actually emailed HTC support asking about the missing apps and this was pretty much exactly what they told me. They are waiting for Google to approve the ROM for copy protected apps, and apparently it takes about a week... so hopefully we can expect full access some time next week. Fingers crossed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one Bud, thanks for that update

All back for me Now on Vodafone

Yep. One of those apps for me was Google Earth since this is what I was facing so I installed it from the link here too and all works well: http://www.google.co.uk/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=46acda8204439646&hl=en
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

th3 said:
Yep. One of those apps for me was Google Earth since this is what I was facing so I installed it from the link here too and all works well: http://www.google.co.uk/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=46acda8204439646&hl=en
Sent from my HTC Desire using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, that's about all we can do right now to install apps (or use barcode scanner app) which are not available via the Marketplace.
Tip: For anyone who has not done this yet and would like to know, make sure you first install HTC Sync (found pre-installed via your SD card).

adblock plus

anyone using this on the nexus4, i have no clue why my data says it eating like 360MB out of 500MB!:crying:
does it really work in blocking ads?

cobyman7035 said:
anyone using this on the nexus4, i have no clue why my data says it eating like 360MB out of 500MB!:crying:
does it really work in blocking ads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have root? If yes, I would recommend using Adaway. Great app and it works.

kwerdenker said:
Do you have root? If yes, I would recommend using Adaway. Great app and it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1, but I guess the problem of the OP is that he doesn't know what is eating his data plan.
There are a lot of program that shows the data usage per app so you can know what to blame. I personally use avast! Mobile Security cause it counts and store the data used per app and has a built in per app Firewall to cut it.

cobyman7035 said:
anyone using this on the nexus4, i have no clue why my data says it eating like 360MB out of 500MB!:crying:
does it really work in blocking ads?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the FAQ Adblock will appear to use most of your data because the data is passing through it.
It is basically just a HTTP proxy, so it should block web page ads as well as the browser versions.
Adaway uses a different method - it simply blocks the ad server dns entries so they can't be looked up. No data is passing through the adaway app. It also works for SSL which Adblock doesn't.
I don't know which way is best - I use Adaway and am happy with it. Adblock supports the well maintained browser blocklists (and works in a similar way), but requires the proxy run in the background and filter all your traffic.

isangelous said:
According to the FAQ Adblock will appear to use most of your data because the data is passing through it.
It is basically just a HTTP proxy, so it should block web page ads as well as the browser versions.
Adaway uses a different method - it simply blocks the ad server dns entries so they can't be looked up. No data is passing through the adaway app. It also works for SSL which Adblock doesn't.
I don't know which way is best - I use Adaway and am happy with it. Adblock supports the well maintained browser blocklists (and works in a similar way), but requires the proxy run in the background and filter all your traffic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have root, Adaway is the better way to block ads. Since it's doing it at a system level, you don't need anything additional like the proxy running in the background (proxies are a bit of a privacy concern in my opinion, even if it's running locally on your phone). Also you can add any host source you like in Adaway, so it supports most if not any blocklist Adblock supports
The main point abaout Adblock is, that you can use it on non-rooted phones.

kwerdenker said:
If you have root, Adaway is the better way to block ads. Since it's doing it at a system level, you don't need anything additional like the proxy running in the background (proxies are a bit of a privacy concern in my opinion, even if it's running locally on your phone). Also you can add any host source you like in Adaway, so it supports most if not any blocklist Adblock supports
The main point abaout Adblock is, that you can use it on non-rooted phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They use different blocklists - adaway is simply a list of domains but adblock rules are more powerful. They can be a domain or just part of a url, they can apply only to certain websites, they can apply to html tags, etc. I use these features quite a bit on the desktop version.
I think Adaway is a better way of blocking ads in apps and is good enough for browser ad blocking for now. I think Adblock is better for the browser and wish Chrome supported extensions because I do agree with you that running the proxy is not the best way to do this. Once it has proven stable and has a few more features it might be worth it. At the very least you need to be able to limit it to Chrome - I don't want to depend on that background service for all data.
So for now Adaway is the better all-rounder. It is a shame both are system wide so you can't use both where they are better suited.

isangelous said:
They use different blocklists - adaway is simply a list of domains but adblock rules are more powerful. They can be a domain or just part of a url, they can apply only to certain websites, they can apply to html tags, etc. I use these features quite a bit on the desktop version.
I think Adaway is a better way of blocking ads in apps and is good enough for browser ad blocking for now. I think Adblock is better for the browser and wish Chrome supported extensions because I do agree with you that running the proxy is not the best way to do this. Once it has proven stable and has a few more features it might be worth it. At the very least you need to be able to limit it to Chrome - I don't want to depend on that background service for all data.
So for now Adaway is the better all-rounder. It is a shame both are system wide so you can't use both where they are better suited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ok, now I understand what you are getting at and I think our opinions are not that different. What I meant with my original post was "between the two in their current states, adaway is the better solution".
If chrome for android would get an addon system, I would probably install adblock for it too

Sharing Google Drive Access with Apps...

Is there any inherent risks in allowing applications to have access to your Google Drive? It sure is handy for apps to read/write directly to GDrive, but I wonder about the risks.
Any thoughts on this?

billykxda said:
Is there any inherent risks in allowing applications to have access to your Google Drive? It sure is handy for apps to read/write directly to GDrive, but I wonder about the risks.
Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? No opinions??

Id say there is a risk. Which is why you are asked if it is a trusted source. If you are just doing it for a file manager similar things it Might be Better to use a networked share from a PC. Like cifs or sshfs instead of clouds and dropboxes.

Thanks.
The reason I asked was b/c I was using Kingsoft Office (a MS Office-type app) to edit a personal doc I store in Google Drive. Since I needed to get the edits done, I "allowed" access. Then I reconsidered, thinking - who knows who Kingsoft is? Who know what they might do with access to my Google account (whatever level of access that is)?
So I immediately removed access to my Google Drive, changed my Google account password, and put the doc in my Dropbox account - which I never use and is empty except for this one doc. I pointed Kingsoft to Dropbox. So now I have what I want - universal access to a specific doc from a couple of different apps on different platforms.
I think I am OK at this point. I don't ever expect to use my Dropbox for anything besides this one doc, since I use Google doc for everything else that I do.

have you thought if double auth for your gmail account?

BrianDigital said:
have you thought if double auth for your gmail account?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used double-auth for my Google account a few years back, and there was something about it that was a major PIA. Don't recall what that was. But I think a new, very strong password should do the trick.
At least I hope so...

Adaway issues with HTC M8

Hi Guys
I have noticed since upgrading to the latest firmware (4.4.4 build number 3.28.401.7) that adaway is creating issues with other apps. I frequently get error messages stating "unfortunately google service has closed ,,,,"
I could confirm this by disabling adaway then everything is fine
however I prefer to find a solution to this, maybe someone could recommend a better ad blocking app?
many thanks

Unfortunately adaway is the best but there are other that work well if you have xposed framework look for min min guard it works pretty well

spinninbsod said:
Unfortunately adaway is the best but there are other that work well if you have xposed framework look for min min guard it works pretty well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did that and it didn't block ads on the app i was testing

No issues with Adaway and 4.4.4 for me.
Do you have any other issues with Google services? There is an issue with the US carrier AT&T, where Google services will sometimes fail on LTE with Euro based ROMs. It seems to be a problem with the Euro build.prop not playing well with AT&T's network.
Might have nothing to do with your issue, but might be worth trying another ROM at least.

redpoint73 said:
No issues with Adaway and 4.4.4 for me.
Do you have any other issues with Google services? There is an issue with the US carrier AT&T, where Google services will sometimes fail on LTE with Euro based ROMs. It seems to be a problem with the Euro build.prop not playing well with AT&T's network.
Might have nothing to do with your issue, but might be worth trying another ROM at least.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed it only with latest firmware+ROM, so i cannot be sure if it's the new firmware or the new rom
But Adaway is working fine on most apps, except one or two, where the ads are NOT appearing but the app is crashing
I often get the known message "unfortunately google service has closed..." but i also get a similar message stating the name of the app needs to be closed.
Is there a way to allow ads on certain apps through adaway? Maybe i can still use Adway but allow ads to show for apps that are crashing?
thanks

krihoum said:
Is there a way to allow ads on certain apps through adaway? Maybe i can still use Adway but allow ads to show for apps that are crashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might try the Whitelist function in Adaway. Press Menu>Your Lists, and there you will see a tab for whitelists. Never used this myself, just know it exists. But it seems like it might do what you want.

redpoint73 said:
You might try the Whitelist function in Adaway. Press Menu>Your Lists, and there you will see a tab for whitelists. Never used this myself, just know it exists. But it seems like it might do what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i can see it but when i want to add (using the + BUTTON) it asks me for a host name rather than an application name
i am not sure how to do that

krihoum said:
well i can see it but when i want to add (using the + BUTTON) it asks me for a host name rather than an application name
i am not sure how to do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, so the white list is for hosts, not apps.
Go to Menu>Open hosts file. You will need a text editor of some sort installed (I have ES File Explorer installed, and the ES Note Editor opened the file fine - I'm guessing any text editor app will do). You'll find a large list of hosts. Try to find Google on there, and cut and paste the host name to your whitelist.
Again, I've never used the whitelist function before. So I'm just guessing how this works, and that it will help your issue.

redpoint73 said:
Ahh, so the white list is for hosts, not apps.
Go to Menu>Open hosts file. You will need a text editor of some sort installed (I have ES File Explorer installed, and the ES Note Editor opened the file fine - I'm guessing any text editor app will do). You'll find a large list of hosts. Try to find Google on there, and cut and paste the host name to your whitelist.
Again, I've never used the whitelist function before. So I'm just guessing how this works, and that it will help your issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot
it helps me understand how Adaway works but unfortunately nothing with the word GOOGLE in the long list
however i am white listing some french sites which might be the cause of the french app to crash (its an app that lists programme TV)

I used to use AdAway ages ago, but moved onto AdBlock quite a while ago. I don't know if it's intrinsically better than AdBlock, but AdBlock is working fine for me.
AdBlock Plus
It can work without root, but is better with root, which I guess you have.

Adaway simply modifies the local HOSTS file, causing all traffic to ad servers (as defined by the subscription servers) to be redirected to local host. Since there isn't a web server running on the phone by default, the requests just fall on the floor and time out. Some (poorly written) apps get grumbly when they can't contact a web server, so there is an option under preferences for running one on localhost. I'm not clear what it "serves", though.
Personally, unless the app needs network access to function, I find that simply blocking them with iptables (I use Droidwall) is sufficient.

jshamlet said:
Adaway simply modifies the local HOSTS file, causing all traffic to ad servers (as defined by the subscription servers) to be redirected to local host. Since there isn't a web server running on the phone by default, the requests just fall on the floor and time out. Some (poorly written) apps get grumbly when they can't contact a web server, so there is an option under preferences for running one on localhost. I'm not clear what it "serves", though.
Personally, unless the app needs network access to function, I find that simply blocking them with iptables (I use Droidwall) is sufficient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow i have to admit that this did the job and was properly tested! I run the webserver and the application works, i disable it and the application crashes
The only small issue i have now is that the webserver doesn't run automatically even when i select "start at boot" but that is not a huge problem
I guess i can clear my whitelist now, since the webserver is dealing with this
many thanks Again

Privacy in relation to Google

A while ago I came across this thread:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12016011
and I'd like to know whether the Google collecting stuff also applies to a default LineageOS install? Or does it start only after GApps is installed (even the smallest possible one)?

Personal info, the minute you enter your google email address.
Sent from my Sprint Note 3 running Lineage 7.1.1 on T-Mobile. using XDA-Developers Legacy app

When you put you email or use some Google app product you agree to share your personal data.
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OK, but that's limited to that app and the permissions you give it - and that goes pretty much for all apps, Google or not. I was thinking more about the system-wide "telemetry".

Neuromancer said:
OK, but that's limited to that app and the permissions you give it - and that goes pretty much for all apps, Google or not. I was thinking more about the system-wide "telemetry".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. Google has tentacles into so many things it's mind boggling.
For example: you may think that you are keeping your location data private by turning off that nice shiny location services toggle right at the top of your screen. But guess what? By default, various Google frameworks are set to override that whenever they feel like it, to ping your location silently anyway.
And even if you have the GPS chip disabled in hardware (or it doesn't exist at all), they will try to triangulate you based on other visible entities like WiFi and Bluetooth signals. (You know those Google Streetmap cars that drive around everywhere taking pictures of everything? They also are collecting a giant database of every single wireless signal they encounter, and linking them to the exact geo coordinates where they were detectable. And they also collect this data from every device running Android. So if your downstairs neighbor has a WiFi access point or bluetooth device in Google's location database, the simple fact your mobile device can see one of those signals means they've now got YOUR location, too.)
Neat, huh?
---------- Post added at 13:25 ---------- Previous post was at 13:21 ----------
Neuromancer said:
A while ago I came across this thread:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12016011
and I'd like to know whether the Google collecting stuff also applies to a default LineageOS install? Or does it start only after GApps is installed (even the smallest possible one)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even the "pico" Gapps - which includes (IIRC) just the Gplay services framework, Gplay app, PIM sync and Google Cloud Messaging components is enough.
On one of my devices I have pico Gapps installed on Lineage 14.1 and, as per usual, it is constantly trying to get my location. (I know this because I have Privacy Manager set to popup an approval prompt for both Gplay and Gplay services.) Another thing that the Google frameworks like to do is send/receive silent SMS messages. Once again, if it were not for the CM/Lineage Privacy Manager prompts, this would all be invisible.

Agree with Exabyter. Google is soo inside the apps and it's services that it's hard to predict if they can get your data or not. The Google Services Apps that give you access to lot of apps features have a lot of phone permission
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So using alternative markets such as F-Droid and Aptoide, and not installing GApps at all, can be a mitigating factor?

Neuromancer said:
So using alternative markets such as F-Droid and Aptoide, and not installing GApps at all, can be a mitigating factor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. And I was thinking along those lines myself for quite a while.
Unfortunately the big problem with those app sources is that they cannot handle paid apps/subscriptions.
F-droid is great if you are an open-source pedant, and as much as I like it (because among other things, generally speaking most of the stuff on there isn't doing sneaky stuff), the selection is very small.
Aptoide has a large percentage of the major apps on Gplay, but many of them are there without the developer's permission. Anyone can create an appstore there and upload any APK they want. (I actually have a private store there I intend to use at some point as a sort of APK repository for my various devices, but in practice I'm not sure how well this will work) And if you get apps from a personal user's store there there's a possibility there's something illegitimate about it. Aptoide checks APK signatures but I like to run a local A/V scanner anyway.
My current thinking is install the smallest possible open-source Gapps (eg pico), and then try to put a leash on what is left.
I'm still trying to work out how to accomplish that. Going to be posting a question in this forum shortly about location spoofing, for example. (In short: a recent AOSP patch may have really set us back here. )