Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
https://www.google.com/dashboard/
Yeah it creeps me out sometimes as well. Especially when it asks you if you want to keep tracking the traffic to a place that you continually go to as it learns your schedule throughout the week. If you look at your Dashboard under the Location History Dashboard, Latitude even tracks all of your the places you've been that's traceable on Google Maps and gives you a break down of the hours at home, work, spending time out, etc.:
https://www.google.com/dashboard/
https://www.google.com/dashboard/
i know it looks scary but in all honesty, who cares

what are google employees gonna start creeping on you??
If they get hacked, i doubt any of us would be a person of interest or maybe there are

but i'm sure google keeps a tight leash on it anyways.
takin care of Business in
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 30,994
Likes: 4,733
From: Kansas City, MO
^^^ its not about someone trying to hack you or google employees creeping up on you....
its all about google taking over the world and the amount of personal information available online
its all about google taking over the world and the amount of personal information available online
IMO it doesn't bother me. People post up all kinds of crazy personal info on the internet and Facebook thats open to anyone. I don't mind that Google can track my stuff, I let them and can turn it off at any time.
^ I'm kind of in agreement.
If you have nothing to hide, it doesn't really matter where you've been. Of course, if you're getting "boom boom" on the side, then by all means, disable all location services and don't date a tech savvy girl (or guy).
If you have nothing to hide, it doesn't really matter where you've been. Of course, if you're getting "boom boom" on the side, then by all means, disable all location services and don't date a tech savvy girl (or guy).
I'm sure Google's not the only one tracking you...If you have any cell phone and are using the internet, you're being tracked every moment. At least Google is upfront about it and if you choose to, you can wipe all of your info/history from the dashboard if you like. Oh also, the Location history is an opt-in option in your Maps app under the Settings --> Locations.
ZedoMax has pretty good tutorials as well with pictures step by step and videos below:
http://galaxys3root.com/galaxy-s3-ro...oofnoob-proof/
^Noobproof with all the files in one site. Lol.
AFTER you get root, I suggest you backup your IMEI folder to somewhere safe (external SD Card or computer) under "efs" before you start flashing custom ROMs using any file explorer like Root Explorer or ES Explorer.
I'm not sure what phone you have but take a look at xdadevelopers.com and find your phone forum. Most phones have a super easy one click root/custom recovery. Install the drivers on your computer, turn on debugging on the phone, plug it in, press a button on the computer and that's it.
now you've open the world to many possibilities!
on xda go find your phone and look up many ROMs.
You can also download apps from the playstore that requires root.
A fun one to play around with is wifi killer (think thats the name)
you can boot people off of the wifi your connected to
on xda go find your phone and look up many ROMs.
You can also download apps from the playstore that requires root.
A fun one to play around with is wifi killer (think thats the name)
you can boot people off of the wifi your connected to
See its not that hard right? Especially with Samsung phones and ODIN. ODIN and Heimdall will be your friend for Samsung devices as it will allow you to restore/flash stock ROMS, custom recoveries, kernels, modems, etc. You lose Download Mode for ODIN or Heimdall in a Samsung phone and you're screwed.
Not sure where the IMEI is located on the S3s but if you have an "efs" or "factory" folder, back it up immediately. You will not see this in Windows. You will have to use a File Explorer from the Play Store such as Root Explorer (my favorite) or ES File Explorer. Both will ask for Root access of course. Once you've managed to back your IMEI in a safe place, you can go crazy with your phone. Like speedemon90 said, make a nandroid backup in CWM Recovery. This will save your butt a lot when you have trouble.
Also, get TitaniumBackup and make a Backup of all your apps/data:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...dW1CYWNrdXAiXQ..
^If you buy the license, it'll be a lot faster than the free version. It'll help you restore all your apps/data settings every time you change ROMs.
Cyanogenmod is usually a good starting base custom ROM for beginners since its the most stable with the least amount of work to learn. You will lose all TouchWiz functions doing this since its based on Vanilla Android but it will be running the latest code being uploaded by Google. If you want to try a modified TouchWiz ROM, there are a bunch on XDA that you can choose from.
http://get.cm/?device=d2att (You will need to flash GApps as well without rebooting: 7/26 GApps)
More ROMs to choose from:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1633
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1689
You flash these through CWM Recovery. Again, use YouTube to learn how to do this.
Once you've settled on a ROM, then play with kernels. They can improve the performance of your phone significantly and even your battery life.
If you ever need to go back to stock (Use ODIN or Heimdall):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1737848
You may also need Triangle Away to reset the flash counter which Samsung started implementing to their recent phones to know who's been playing with their phones:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...bmdsZWF3YXkiXQ..
Not sure where the IMEI is located on the S3s but if you have an "efs" or "factory" folder, back it up immediately. You will not see this in Windows. You will have to use a File Explorer from the Play Store such as Root Explorer (my favorite) or ES File Explorer. Both will ask for Root access of course. Once you've managed to back your IMEI in a safe place, you can go crazy with your phone. Like speedemon90 said, make a nandroid backup in CWM Recovery. This will save your butt a lot when you have trouble.
Also, get TitaniumBackup and make a Backup of all your apps/data:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...dW1CYWNrdXAiXQ..
^If you buy the license, it'll be a lot faster than the free version. It'll help you restore all your apps/data settings every time you change ROMs.
Cyanogenmod is usually a good starting base custom ROM for beginners since its the most stable with the least amount of work to learn. You will lose all TouchWiz functions doing this since its based on Vanilla Android but it will be running the latest code being uploaded by Google. If you want to try a modified TouchWiz ROM, there are a bunch on XDA that you can choose from.
http://get.cm/?device=d2att (You will need to flash GApps as well without rebooting: 7/26 GApps)
More ROMs to choose from:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1633
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1689
You flash these through CWM Recovery. Again, use YouTube to learn how to do this.
Once you've settled on a ROM, then play with kernels. They can improve the performance of your phone significantly and even your battery life.
If you ever need to go back to stock (Use ODIN or Heimdall):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1737848
You may also need Triangle Away to reset the flash counter which Samsung started implementing to their recent phones to know who's been playing with their phones:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...bmdsZWF3YXkiXQ..
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; Sep 25, 2012 at 12:13 AM.
so i just updated my ROM, and now everything got small. I dunno if the developer intended for it to be like this or what. But my icons/fonts are much smaller. Widgets too. Its as if the screen resolution got higher, but everything got smaller with it.
ro.sf.lcd_density
I believe for the Nexus S it should be 240.
Using slim bean, just saw on xda the developer puts 182dpi stock, i put it back to 240 under developer options and everything is good now.
edit: 240 seems to big now i may try a ltl less haha
edit: 240 seems to big now i may try a ltl less haha
You have to watch out when it comes to the DPI because certain apps will only show depending on your DPI. So if you use a non-Google DPI, you might see some apps not showing up in the Play Store. I read it somewhere in one of the Paranoid Android threads. I'll link it if I come across it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1580827
The guy hardcoded the DPI into a modified Play Store app so you can change the DPI to whatever you want and the Play Store will think you're using one of the Google DPIs.
^Oh you can install an adblocker if you like:
AdAway (My new favorite):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...Zy5hZGF3YXkiXQ..
Adfree:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ZC5hZGZyZWUiXQ..
Just pick either one. Maybe I should make a list of apps that use Root that I use. It'll block ads in apps and websites. Some apps don't like this but AdAway allows you to revert to the stock host file temporarily to bypass this.
AdAway (My new favorite):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...Zy5hZGF3YXkiXQ..
Adfree:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ZC5hZGZyZWUiXQ..
Just pick either one. Maybe I should make a list of apps that use Root that I use. It'll block ads in apps and websites. Some apps don't like this but AdAway allows you to revert to the stock host file temporarily to bypass this.
Apps that require Root that I use (Click on the Titles)
AdAway
Blocks ads all over the phone. You can create your blacklist, whitelist, redirect to a server of your own and serve your own ads if like, etc. Very flexible.
adbWireless
Some custom ROMs have this built in now. Allows you to connect to your phone using ADB. Some times I don't feel like looking for my USB Cable and I just run this app to install, pull, push, files onto my phone. Need Android SDK installed on your computer.
Cerberus
Antitheft app that allows you to turn on the GPS, Wifi, remotely and so much more (has to be installed in the /system/app/ folder which requires root). It also works without root but it doesn't do certain functions like above. Also if you install it in the /system/app/ folder, it will survive a factory reset/wipe if someone tries to steal your phone and doesn't know any better. Its well worth the price and you can track the phone using their website or another device. I use the hidden version (Cerberus disguised) found on their site: https://www.cerberusapp.com/download.php You can flash it using CWM Recovery if you like. So most people won't even know its installed until its probably too late.
DataSync
Allows you to sync up your apps/data/settings within your Android Devices. Its kinda like TitaniumBackup but its app/data specific instead of device specific. I use this to sync up my game data between my Nexus and Nexus 7.
GMD GestureControl
Allows you to create custom gestures to do certain actions on your phone. Like pinching with four fingers to go home, three finger swipe down to go back, tapping twice with four fingers to alt-tab. Every gesture is customizable. It works great when driving but importantly it works great on bigger screens. I use this a lot on my Nexus 7 especially when I hide the status/notification bar.
LightFlow
If your phone has a Notification Light, you can customize the colors and assign it to which notification. Samsung phones use full RGB notification LEDs so you can change it to whatever you want. HTC phones and some others use a tri-color LED. The app is a little buggy but when it works, it works great.
Root Explorer
File manager that allows you to mess around with your system files. The UI is not the greatest but functionality wise it gets the job done and is what most everyone uses because its pretty flexible. You can also use this to delete certain bloatware that the carriers put in the phone which you can usually find in the /system/app/ folder.
SD Maid Manager
Cleans up the leftover temp files that some apps leave behind from an unclean uninstall. Haven't used it as much in Jelly Bean since its improved in that aspect it seems but I used it a lot in Gingerbread and ICS.
Titanium Backup - Still my most favorite app. The UI is clunky but once you learn how to use it (Click on the checkmark top right) this will be your best friend when it comes to changing ROMs and devices. You can create backups of your apps/data/sms, upload them to a cloud service, delete bloatware, freeze apps, create a schedule that automates all of this for you.
Blocks ads all over the phone. You can create your blacklist, whitelist, redirect to a server of your own and serve your own ads if like, etc. Very flexible.
adbWireless
Some custom ROMs have this built in now. Allows you to connect to your phone using ADB. Some times I don't feel like looking for my USB Cable and I just run this app to install, pull, push, files onto my phone. Need Android SDK installed on your computer.
Cerberus
Antitheft app that allows you to turn on the GPS, Wifi, remotely and so much more (has to be installed in the /system/app/ folder which requires root). It also works without root but it doesn't do certain functions like above. Also if you install it in the /system/app/ folder, it will survive a factory reset/wipe if someone tries to steal your phone and doesn't know any better. Its well worth the price and you can track the phone using their website or another device. I use the hidden version (Cerberus disguised) found on their site: https://www.cerberusapp.com/download.php You can flash it using CWM Recovery if you like. So most people won't even know its installed until its probably too late.
DataSync
Allows you to sync up your apps/data/settings within your Android Devices. Its kinda like TitaniumBackup but its app/data specific instead of device specific. I use this to sync up my game data between my Nexus and Nexus 7.
GMD GestureControl
Allows you to create custom gestures to do certain actions on your phone. Like pinching with four fingers to go home, three finger swipe down to go back, tapping twice with four fingers to alt-tab. Every gesture is customizable. It works great when driving but importantly it works great on bigger screens. I use this a lot on my Nexus 7 especially when I hide the status/notification bar.
LightFlow
If your phone has a Notification Light, you can customize the colors and assign it to which notification. Samsung phones use full RGB notification LEDs so you can change it to whatever you want. HTC phones and some others use a tri-color LED. The app is a little buggy but when it works, it works great.
Root Explorer
File manager that allows you to mess around with your system files. The UI is not the greatest but functionality wise it gets the job done and is what most everyone uses because its pretty flexible. You can also use this to delete certain bloatware that the carriers put in the phone which you can usually find in the /system/app/ folder.
SD Maid Manager
Cleans up the leftover temp files that some apps leave behind from an unclean uninstall. Haven't used it as much in Jelly Bean since its improved in that aspect it seems but I used it a lot in Gingerbread and ICS.
Titanium Backup - Still my most favorite app. The UI is clunky but once you learn how to use it (Click on the checkmark top right) this will be your best friend when it comes to changing ROMs and devices. You can create backups of your apps/data/sms, upload them to a cloud service, delete bloatware, freeze apps, create a schedule that automates all of this for you.
Here's another list by XDA:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1633386
Some root apps I use once in a while but the list I provided above are the main ones I can't live without. In ICS and below, there was an app that bypassed AT&T's restriction for using GTalk in 3G:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...GtlbmFibGVyIl0.
It may or may not work depending on your device. There is a manual way of doing it as well which what I currently do and requires your phone to have SQLite installed:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...TNmb3Jyb290Il0.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...16&postcount=5
Oh I forgot to add Terminal:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...cm9pZHRlcm0iXQ..
Most custom ROMs have this included but it allows you to run ADB/Linux commands on the phone so you don't need to connect it to a computer. Works great with root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1633386
Some root apps I use once in a while but the list I provided above are the main ones I can't live without. In ICS and below, there was an app that bypassed AT&T's restriction for using GTalk in 3G:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...GtlbmFibGVyIl0.
It may or may not work depending on your device. There is a manual way of doing it as well which what I currently do and requires your phone to have SQLite installed:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...TNmb3Jyb290Il0.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...16&postcount=5
Oh I forgot to add Terminal:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...cm9pZHRlcm0iXQ..
Most custom ROMs have this included but it allows you to run ADB/Linux commands on the phone so you don't need to connect it to a computer. Works great with root.
Yeah it works great especially when I'm driving. I use a bunch of custom gestures such as a 3 Pinch back gesture, 4 Pinch Home gesture and 4 Pinch expand Google Voice Search. It can also get rid of the notification bar and software buttons to get full access to the whole 720p screen on both my Nexus and Nexus 7. Its an awesome app. It'll even allow you to open apps with a gesture which I use to dim my screen with four fingers down from the top border using Screen Filter.
Unfortunately he hasn't. I guess he forgot about it or maybe someone told him to keep it hush for a little while. Once he tweets something I'm sure the blogs will pick it up or I'll post it here. But you can follow him on Twitter as well:
https://twitter.com/black_man_x
https://twitter.com/black_man_x
So my ROM has a tweaked version of CM10's messenger. It has the quick reply/call function when a text message pops up in the notification bar. But there's no pop up that comes and interrupts what youre doing. You have to click quick reply and that pop up messenger thing comes. Nice tweak, I like it
So my ROM has a tweaked version of CM10's messenger. It has the quick reply/call function when a text message pops up in the notification bar. But there's no pop up that comes and interrupts what youre doing. You have to click quick reply and that pop up messenger thing comes. Nice tweak, I like it 

http://cm10log.appspot.com/
I'm waiting for the inverted G-Apps to catch up with the SMS features.
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/29460-inv...ay-store-3817/
SuperDownload
Has anyone used this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1667025
From what I'm understanding its similar to Connectify's Dispatch:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...nternet-faster
It'll combine all of the available bandwidth you have to download stuff so LTE+WiFi, or 3G+WiFi, etc. Might be useful for people who have unlimited data and looking to download things faster.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1667025
WARNING: Some features require a rooted device.
DESCRIPTION:
Download web files much faster by using wifi and mobile data at the same time!
Share or open a link from any program, like the web browser, and download it at speeds up to two times faster than usual.
This is the only tool that can download using wifi and mobile data connection simultaneously!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Using both networks together requires root access.
- Since this program uses mobile data connection, by using it you may incur in additional charges from your network operator.
- To unleash its full potential, this program needs good (and balanced) wifi and mobile reception/bandwidth.
- Using both connections is not supported on all devices / rom combinations.
- Some web servers may provide insufficient functionalities on the requested files.
- The Lite version has a filesize limit of 50 megabytes.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR XDA DEVELOPERS:
This program is free for xda users if downloaded from this thread, but is a paid application on play store. If you want to support the development, buy it from the market and get automatic updates.
USAGE:
Just click on a link or open a remote file: if the file type is recognised by Super Download, it will start getting it.
If this method doesn't work, try click-and-hold on the link, select "share with" and choose Super Download.
Finally, you can copy and paste a url in the "add url" dialog.
PLANNED FEATURES:
- Multiple files together
- Other ways of speeding up downloads
DESCRIPTION:
Download web files much faster by using wifi and mobile data at the same time!
Share or open a link from any program, like the web browser, and download it at speeds up to two times faster than usual.
This is the only tool that can download using wifi and mobile data connection simultaneously!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Using both networks together requires root access.
- Since this program uses mobile data connection, by using it you may incur in additional charges from your network operator.
- To unleash its full potential, this program needs good (and balanced) wifi and mobile reception/bandwidth.
- Using both connections is not supported on all devices / rom combinations.
- Some web servers may provide insufficient functionalities on the requested files.
- The Lite version has a filesize limit of 50 megabytes.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR XDA DEVELOPERS:
This program is free for xda users if downloaded from this thread, but is a paid application on play store. If you want to support the development, buy it from the market and get automatic updates.
USAGE:
Just click on a link or open a remote file: if the file type is recognised by Super Download, it will start getting it.
If this method doesn't work, try click-and-hold on the link, select "share with" and choose Super Download.
Finally, you can copy and paste a url in the "add url" dialog.
PLANNED FEATURES:
- Multiple files together
- Other ways of speeding up downloads
From what I'm understanding its similar to Connectify's Dispatch:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...nternet-faster
It'll combine all of the available bandwidth you have to download stuff so LTE+WiFi, or 3G+WiFi, etc. Might be useful for people who have unlimited data and looking to download things faster.







