# Question
Title: Can I disable e-mail notification sounds streamed to a bluetooth hands-free car radio
**Is there a way that one can automatically turn off the email notification when one is connected to a bluetooth-enabled car radio, ie. while driving, and only respond to incoming call notifications?** Once the bluetooth connection is broken, the suppressed e-mail notifications should then be delivered.

Alternatively, if the e-mail notification is sounded, the phone should not maintain a bluetooth streaming mode status to the hands-free kit and the radio should revert to whichever audio/radio mode was previously in use.

The phone is from the Samsung Galaxy range.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You could use an app like Tasker. Next to Location and Time, Tasker can also act on certain system events. I use this e.g. to "switch to night mode" when I place my Droid2 onto its docking station, turning it (amongst others) into "silent" mode. Similarly, you can have it react on "Bluetooth connected", and have all volumes adjusted to your convenience -- e.g. notification volume to 0, but media volume to 6 (for some music). Many more possibilities wait there...

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Tags: email, bluetooth, notifications, bluetooth-hsp
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# Question
Title: Tasker if-else-if hierarchy and default setting, like Locale
I use a Google Talk status plugin (written for Locale) with Tasker, and the one thing I miss from Locale is the **priority order of situations**. That is, if I'm driving, then set status "Driving", else if I'm at work, "At work", else if \[...\] else "Available". (Locale does allow multiple situations to be active, but each type of action (e.g. Google Talk) will only get run once.)

I'm struggling to replicate this in Tasker. The priority setting on a task seems only to affect the order in which multiple tasks are run, whereas I'd like this particular plugin to be run once per situation-change, with only one status (the one with highest priority) even if two situations are active. I also lack a place to put the default "Available" setting (exit tasks aren't really suitable).

**Example: I start driving to work. Status "Driving". I get near the office. Status should still be "Driving" (highest priority). I arrive and disconnect from the car. Status should now be "At work".**

...whereas if I naively put the plugin in each situation and set exit tasks of "Available", I will instead get "At work" when I get near the office, and "Available" when I get out of the car (from the exit task of the Driving situation).

I'm reluctant to go back to Locale because Tasker is more flexible for the other conditions and settings I'm using, and because it has more built-in conditions (e.g. power source mains/USB), meaning fewer Locale condition plugins need to be kept running in memory.

# Answer
> 1 votes
That's something not easy to be simulated by Tasker, but should be possible. The most likely trick is working with variables -- an approach you find described at Google Groups: How To Default Profile? (check the post by Nikita Popov).

That example just defines a single default profile to fall back on if no other profile is active. A more complex example would properly make use of variables like `%PACTIVE` (currently active profile), in the way that a "lower-priority" profile would contain the condition that the higher is not contained in `%PACTIVE` (so it only becomes the active profile if no "higher-priority" profile is currently running).

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Tags: tasker, google-talk, locale
---


# Question
Title: Is possible install Eclipse IDE in Honeycomb?
Since Eclipse IDE can run in Linux and the new Honeycomb has a Linux Kernel, can Eclipse IDE run in Android Honeycomb ?

I know that isn't pretty much comfortable coding in a tablet, but I'd want to use for UML modeling.

# Answer
## No.

As you might know, Eclipse has various problems running in different flavors of Linux (which is why Ubuntu has an official repository version of it, and all that). Android is even worse -- while based on Linux, it's a completely different operating system. A similar question would be, "Is is possible to install a \*nix version of Eclipse in Mac OS?"
> 23 votes

# Answer
To expand a bit on the previous 'No' answers, it's not just the kernel, but the rest of the OS which makes a big difference. Applications developed for linux expect a certain set of libraries (shared bits of code) to exist and do what the application expects. They also sometimes expect a certain filesystem structure and other dependencies.

Not all linux distributions include the same libraries, filesystem layout, or have other differences. That's why you'll often see linux applications distributed as a .tar.gz file with a script to compile it yourself; that makes it a bit more cross-platform.

Some executables, like command-line utilities, can be cross-compiled to work on android because they don't have as many complex requirements as a big complex application like Eclipse. Android's different enough that there aren't (yet) straightforward ways to compile standard linux GUI applications to work on it.
> 11 votes

# Answer
No is the short answer.

The android OS is built on the Linux kernel. There are a lot of differences between the Android OS and the average Linux distro, and some of these differences are critical to installing Eclipse.
> 10 votes

# Answer
Expanding a little bit on Ben Griffths answer and Martin Tapankov's comment, no, you can't run Eclipse on Android because there isn't a Java Runtime Environment to run Eclipse and there isn't a build of the Java Development Kit for Android. Although most Android apps are written in Java, Android doesn't have a JRE; Android uses Dalvik which is a completely different runtime.
> 5 votes

# Answer
Best bet, look into running chrooted linux off of your honeycomb tablet (i know it can be done on the motorola xoom - http://www.offensive-security.com/backtrack/backtrack-5-on-a-motorola-xoom/).

Basically its just an arm build of that linux distro running on your xoom. Once in that environment install whatever traditional linux stuff you want. The arm version of backtrack is on the website, its a info security linux distro so theres lots of tools i use at work. Anyway, happy hunting, i know eclipse can be setup in backtrack so less work for you to go, it might even be in the apt-get repo for it as well.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Easiest way to install eclipse on android is to install a virtual ubuntu on your android device
> 1 votes

# Answer
That is a very interesting question! Since sooner or later we'll be running android on our desktops.

If you want Eclipse run on android, you'll need to compile all its dependencies. Linux kernel is not a problem. And even porting Eclipse's Java codebase to run in Dalvik is not a problem. The problem is eclipse's UI.

Eclipse UI is build with SWT - an amazing toolkit that enables native look of a Java program on many plaforms. To start with, you'll have to port SWT on android. http://www.eclipse.org/forums/index.php/mv/msg/246310/736679/#msg\_736679 AFAIK, there's currently no plans to port SWT on Android.

So, the only easy solution to this is running both linux distro and android at the same time. This can be done with "any linux distro built for arm"+chroot+vnc.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Yes you can. Install a regular linux distro on your Android along side whichever AndroidOS you have and run whatever Linux apps you want:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.dyndns.sven\_ola.debian\_kit
> 0 votes

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Tags: applications, tablet, 3.0-honeycomb
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# Question
Title: How to disable double tap for page-home on Samsung Galaxy S2?
After wondering and getting annoyed by my phone sometimes just jumping to the beginning of a web Page, I finally found out that it's a new Feature of the internet browser. Double tapping on the top of the phone jumps to the top of a web page.

How can i disable this?

I'm using Samsung Galaxy S2 running ICS 4.0.3.

# Answer
Look under `Settings > Motion` for an option to disable double tap feature. I disabled the whole motion category.
> 3 votes

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Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-s-2, browser
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# Question
Title: How can I use my internal storage as extra RAM?
So I asked this question on this site and got this answer. Now that I'm rooted, I'm ready to take this route. I've tried looking for ways but almost all the results that came up were unrelated. So yeah, can anyone give me a lending hand with regards to using my Internal Memory as additional RAM for my phone?

# Answer
> 4 votes
You don't need to use 3rd party things like a swap partition or zRamSwap. 512MB RAM was/is still standard and will be sufficent for almost all scenarios most probably for some time (at least for Android 4.0 and 4.1, see this CyanogenMod forum post).

(You stated in the comments that your Xperia Active has 512MB RAM)

Longer version:
To begin with, "ROM" is basically a false name for the system partition and means read-only-memory (it's most of the time mounted read-only, hence "ROM"), this sits most probably on some kind of NAND flash. RAM (random-access-memory) is 'working' memory that is really fast but volatile in comparison to NAND flash. Both types are needed (fast vs. persistent) and cannot be interchanged. At least not completely (you could add a swap partition on custom roms.)

At first: Don't use the internal memory as swap! Flash storage (NAND) has only about 10.000 write cycles. Better use your sdcard for it. See this guide on XDA for the pro's and con's and howto do it. If you just want to play around and wonder if you could do something useful with the free space on your /data partition: Don't do it. Leave it the way it is.

Here's a basic picture illustrating a regular architecture.

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Tags: internal-storage, ram
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# Question
Title: How do I prevent a system update from occurring?
We have 150 new XOOM Wifi tablets (MZ604) that we are distributing to high school students in 2 weeks. The tablets have stock ICS 4.0.4 on them, unrooted.

The requirement is the tablets run Adobe Flash Player 11 in order to interact with math and science curriculum that coincides with our textbooks. Adobe Flash Player does not work with Jelly Bean, therefore we need to prevent the devices from going past the 4.0.4 update. The students can take the devices off-campus and use them with their home wifi connections, so doing anything to block the devices at the school network is not going to work.

# Answer
There's an app for this. You can use it to install Flash Player on a Jelly Bean device.

You can also try installing Flash Player and *then* upgrading the device to Jelly Bean.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Why not use `adb` shell and look for the process id of that update manager software and uninstall it or even *disable* it?

Do you know the name of the package responsible for the update?

Two ways I can think of

* `pm uninstall com.motorola.xxxxx` ***OR***
* `pm disable com.motorola.xxxxx`

Trouble is, if the student in question is extremely inquisitive and leans towards Android hacking... well, this will be the weakest thing you can do, since the tablet would be outside of your control and all hell breaks loose if some student happened to allow the upgrade to proceed!

Another way that has its advantage/dis-advantage:

**pro**: Reliable!

**con**: temporary root under ICS, un-heard of!

Why not use a temporary rooting procedure (its temporary and will disappear on reboot - z4root is one I know of that will allow it but 100% uncertain if it will work with ICS), the idea is - to obtain root temporarily, and nuke the updater from the `/system/app` directory and cleanly dispose of trailing data and what-nots associated with the updater apk.

Then that should put your mind at ease.

Trouble is, really, you're dealing with such inquisitive minds and they **will** invariably find a way around the lock-downs, unfortunately... :D

It sounds like a lose-lose case here which is outside of your control since those tablets are coming in and going out of school into the student's home that has wifi etc.

One thing though as a recommendation, by-pass whatever powers-that-be that has approved the budget for the tablets and go direct to Motorola and ask them is there a solution and explain the situation to them to see if they can knock up something to prevent it from happening? Surely on their end, they can blacklist certain known serial numbers or something...
> 0 votes

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Tags: updates, motorola-xoom, ota-update
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# Question
Title: Restore Android Samsung Galaxy S Captivate SGH-I896 back to original installation
I have a Android Samsung Galaxy S Captivate SGH-I896 and I have some problems with the sound. My provider sent me a new one and expect the old one back in it's original state.

So I have one that is rooted and unlocked and a clean one.

Can someone help me unroot it knowing I already did a factory reset on it.

I'm trying to root it again (thinking the unroot will work) and I'm trying the same way I did it the first time but it doesn't work.

Is it possible to format the old one with some image made from the new one?

Any suggestions?

# Answer
I'd say use Kies to update your old one (or use Odin/Heimdall to install some firmware from here). Afaik the Galaxy S (Captivate) does not have a custom rom flash counter (that was introduced with the S2 to see if one had installed custom roms before, so you don't have to apply 'Triangle Away' to reset it before sending back your old phone)

You basically have 2 options for your new one:

* Root the standard firmware using CF-Root by Chainfire
* Install an aftermarket firmware like CyanogenMod (ICS already available, JB also)

To install CyanogenMod-9 (an Android-4.0/Ice-Cream-Sandwich based custom rom), here are some infos:
Here's their Wiki FAQ for your phone and here's the full update guide, here are downloads for the Captivate
> 1 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, samsung-captivate
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# Question
Title: Strange/troubling behavior when putting phone in car dock
I have a Galaxy Nexus (rooted, running stock Jellybean). When I place it in the car dock, my screen gets flooded with notifications for "shell granted superuser access," and after a few minutes something attempts to send an email, which I know because it raises the "Select an application to continue" dialog box with choices between Gmail and Email; if I allow it to continue, it simply provides me with a bug reporting email message with no pre-filled recipient, a screen shot of my lock screen, and a 4.7MB(!) textfile.

When I check the superuser log, all of the last 200 events are for "shell," all within a second of each other, which tells me that the actual count of superuser accesses is far higher than that. Consulting the log indicates that the `su` process is being used to run a bunch of different diagnostics (one for `lsof`, one per running process, one per sqlite database, and so on). So this tells me that it's actually the bug reporting process that is causing the "shell granted superuser access" messages to pop up. Also, the `su` instance being used is not the third-party root one but `/system/xbin/su` \- and this process is terminating with exit code 127.

I have never seen this behavior occur anywhere else - it is only when I dock the phone to the car dock when plugged into my car (plugging it into a USB AC adapter doesn't cause this behavior, which is especially strange). I have written a small application that uses UiModeManager to artificially enter car mode, but doing that does not cause the issue to occur; aLogcat doesn't show anything interesting while the issue is actually happening.

I am running Apex Launcher instead of the default, but these notifications occur regardless of what's in the foreground (the first time it happened, Maps was running in navigation mode), and whether I have a Car Home-specific shell installed or not.

# Answer
It's a built-in bug report feature.

http://rootzwiki.com/topic/16019-keeps-asking-me-to-email-bug-report/#entry410481

> This is built into Android. It is a debugging tool that lets you send a bug report. It sends to you because you manually triggered it.
>
> It is very easy to trigger it, even accidentally. If you press both volume buttons and the power button at the same time, it will vibrate once. Then it takes nearly a full minute before the phone vibrates three times and the bug report pops up. It also doesn't seem to keep processing when the phone is asleep, so if you accidentally do it when say checking the time or something, it will not show up until the next time you unlock your phone. It is easy to trigger and I have done it by accident quite a few times when either checking the time or taking a screenshot (it is pretty easy to press both volume keys accidentally when taking a screenshot).
>
> You can disable the bug report function by going to /system/bin/ and deleting or renaming bugreport and bugmailer.sh, but I am not sure if this will affect the ability to send bug reports for other system apps. Then it won't happen anymore. It can also be disabled in the ROM code by the developer.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Have you tried setting superuser to always prompt, then stick the phone into the dock? That's the first thing I'd try, because then Superuser at least should be asking you questions before allowing anything to happen, which should allow you to get a hint as to what's going on.
> 0 votes

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Tags: security, 4.1-jelly-bean, car-dock
---


# Question
Title: Is there an ICS ROM for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 that has camera support?
I'm keen to upgrade my Galaxy Tab 10.1 to Android 4, ICS. My Tab is already rooted and running 3.2.

However, it seems most ICS ROMs, for some reason, don't support the camera, which is a deal breaker.

As time goes on, it seems that ROMs and the places they are available multiply and it gets harder and harder to keep track of what's the latest and where to get it.

So is there an ICS ROM for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with camera support? If not, where should I be paying attention in order to be made aware of it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
A ROM with camera support is now available. I found it on the XDA Developers forum.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I cannot lock down a feature list, and I don't have a tablet to try it on, but I've found that the AOKP ROMs are pretty far along. I think it may have camera support, but you'll have to let me know.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Samsung have started rolling out the official ICS ROM now (at least it was applied to mine recently), I'd be surprised if that doesn't support the camera.

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Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, custom-roms, camera, samsung-galaxy-tab-10
---


# Question
Title: Swap partition not working on Huawei U8160 running CyanogenMod 7.2
I have a Huawei U8160 (also known as : Vodafone 858 Smart) which is running CyanogenMod 7.2 (which was released by MADTeam in 2/7/2012).

After updating to the 2/7/2012 update, I found an option to use swap partition instead of compcache (compressed cache), so I repartitioned my SD card to make a swap partition using mini tool partition wizard which is 100 MB in size and primary (I had an Ext2 partition). But after enabling the swap option the programs where slower, so I checked whether the swap partition was working or not. I used the terminal emulator and typed "free" and the swap partition was all zeros.

So I wanted to know if I should mount it or do something else to make it work?

# Answer
> 2 votes
There are two ways to apply and use swap on your device, using a swap file or using a swap partition. This guide provides instructions for both of them.

# Disable Compcache

First step is to confirm the status or presence of the compressed cache, thus ensuring that it is disabled.

While CyanogenMod does not enable Compcache support on all devices, and by default if available it comes disabled, you can check the status by accessing:

```
    Settings » CyanogenMod settings » Performance settings » Compcache

```

If it doesn't show, your device doesn't support Compcache. If it show, disable it to use swap instead.

# Using swap (file or partition)

Swap can give more available memory than Compcache, but you need at least a class 6 SD card to prevent slow access times. You should also be aware that SD write wear is increased, so, the card will last less than usual would last.

## Using a swap file

This is the easiest way, you can have an app creating and managing the swap file for you:

Here's three recommended apps for this:

## Using a swap partition

You can manually create a swap partition, but for that to happen, you need to backup your SD card contents; format, and partition it.

The swap partition does bring better compatibility, when compared with swap files, but only concerning the connection of your phone as an USB mass storage device.

### SD card partitioning

The method of reference if the use of MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition, compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista & Windows 7.

1. Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard;
2. Remove the SD card from your device, insert into USB SD Card reader.
3. Windows should report a new drive and you should see the drive contents.
4. Delete old partitions on SD card:

**Notes:**

Operations are QUEUED, not instantly applied. So nothing is deleted and changed UNTIL you click "APPLY" and then confirm by clicking "OK".

Confirm that you are selecting and flagging to delete the correct drive. Your SD card should be the smallest one present on your computer.

Select it, with a right mouse click, select "Delete":
5. Create FAT or FAT32 partition:

Right mouse click over the SD card unallocated space, and click "create":

* From "Create As", select: `PRIMARY`
    * From "File System", select:

    + For SD card bellow 2GB: `FAT`
        + For SD card above 2GB: `FAT32`
    * Under "Size and Location", at the right side, mouse left click and hold, then slide to the left to adjust the space for this partition.
6. create ext2 or ext3 or swap partition:

Right mouse click over the SD card unallocated space, and click "create":

* From "Create As", select: `PRIMARY`
    * From "File System", select:
        + For App2SD: `ext2`
        + For swap: `Linux Swap`
7. Apply changes

Now that all has been created, you just need to apply and confirm the changes:

On the top left, there's a button labeled "Apply", press it:

A confirmation popup should be presented, press "Yes":

All done, your SD card can now return to your phone. If your current ROM is capable of using swap, it will detect and use it.

---

# Notes

Please read everything carefully before proceeding. As mentioned by t0mm13b in the comments to your question, this subject as been covered, and the CyanogenMod team informs that this features are disabled by default due to potential issues:

> Swap and Compressed Cache (Compcache) are optional memory management systems. By default, these schemes are disabled due to potential issues with some configurations.

### Credits to:

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Tags: cyanogenmod, external-sd, mount, partitions, swap
---


# Question
Title: Should I run a factory reset on my phone to speed it up?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Factory reset to restore performance? What are the disadvantages?

I have a Motorola Droid 2 Global phone, but it has become somewhat slow. It sometimes takes it a couple seconds to do simple things like calling someone.

Would it speed things up if I did a factory reset on my phone? Is there a simpler way to get everything working quickly?

# Answer
I am assuming you have had your Droid 2 for a while; and have installed a lot of applications on it. I also assume that it is out-of-warranty.

Performing a factory reset will remove all your apps and data - and without apps to run, yes your system will feel faster.

However, as you add more apps over time, it will slow down again. Some apps like to run in the background, silently using up your devices available RAM.

From a quick search, I found that the Droid 2 comes with standard Motorola Bloatware. This software runs (and uses RAM) even if you have never launched it.

Since you are probably out-of-warranty for your device, you can root your it without fear. Software like Titanium Backup can "Freeze" the applications so that they do not run, allowing more RAM for you and your apps.
> 6 votes

# Answer
A factory reset *might* help here. But so does an atomic bomb help killing a mouse. You could also first check a couple of other things, as e.g.

* uninstall apps you no longer use
* Clean the cache of apps, which can free up a lot of precious internal storage (and as a side effect prevent some long scans there)
* check for apps which are running continuously (and even start at boot time), see if this behaviour is really needed. If it's not, see if you can change that in the settings of those apps. If not, either ask the developer for help -- or look out for an alternative/replacement.

Doing a factory reset will help you short-term -- but as soon as all the old stuff has been re-installed, your problems come back. Better to look for a long-term improvement.
> 5 votes

# Answer
Check other ways first, often older phone's get slower because of the number of background services and/or widgets that are running. If this is the case, resetting may improve performance, but only temporarily until you reinstall all those apps or widgets you needed. Remove less important widgets, and avoid apps that uses persistent background services.

Another possible reason is that you have lots of data and one of the various database in the system are accessed in sub optimal way. Updating apps or replacing it with an alternative may improve performance, trimming the amount of data is another possibility.

Another common issue is the home screen apps. Having seven screens is nice, but they also consume more memory and causes performance degradation, because you inevitably put more things into it.
> 2 votes

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Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, factory-reset, optimization
---


# Question
Title: Can USB charging (via mains adapter or from PC/Mac) of Android tablets be the main, primary method of charging? Or are there design issues?
Are there design issues with tablets being charged by USB not seen with Android phones?

I saw this on another forum, what are your thoughts on this with regard to my question? http://forums.androidcentral.com/acer-iconia-a100/112270-charge-via-usb-port.html#post1696260

> An important consideration in the design is the amount of current the usb connectors can handle. I figure the designers find that it is safer to design a separate charging and power connector because as the devices get larger they draw more current to operate and charge the battery. I think that is the reason they do that. Is there no 12 volt adapter for these devices? I don't own one yet, just leaning towards the acer 7 inch tablet.

I would prefer charging via USB (via mains or PC) when considering a tablet so that I don't have to carry around a specific charger.

Many Android phones use their micro USB port for charging - connecting the USB cable to a mains adapter or using the cable to connect to a full size USB port on a computer.

I see that some major brand Android tablet manufacturers (Motorola, Asus) as well as some smaller less know brands either use a separate power input (non micro-USB) or a dock.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Tablets have larger screens, and often more powerful CPUs, than phones, which vastly increases power consumption. In order to provide the battery life expected, tablet batteries have much higher capacity than typical phones, and would charge at an unacceptably slow rate with a 5V, 550ma charge provided by a USB 2.0 computer port (some wall chargers are 850ma or 1-2A). At 550ma and 5V, you are getting 2.75 Watts (Volts x amps), at 2A, you are as high as 10 Watts.

Charging at a higher voltage allows a faster charge while keeping the current down, which minimizes the need for heavier conductors in the cable, etc. The ASUS charger used with the Transfomer series, for example, uses 1.5A at 15V, which provides 22.5 Watts. I believe the iPad charger has similar characteristics. Each of these uses a proprietary connector which provides a signal to the charger that it can safely output the higher voltage, which reduces the risk of damaging other equipment by connecting it to the higher voltage charger. The ASUS will charge, albeit very slowly, from a computer USB port using the proprietary cable; the same may be true of other tablets.

EDIT: An additional factor is the maximum current rating of the pins in the USB connector. This article states that the maximum rated current on pins 1 & 5 of a micro USB connector is 1.8 amps for a total of 9 watts. Currents beyond that amount run the risk of overheating the pins.

# Answer
> 5 votes
The USB spec specifies that the power supplied over USB shall be ~5V DC, which is fine.

A single USB device (e.g. your tablet) may draw up to 500 mA of power in USB 2 and 900 mA of power in USB 3. This is the issue - it's workable but not ideal.

Using a USB cable as a power connector between a tablet and the AC adapter that came with the tablet is a different story - they can do anything they want - but charging from a USB port is governed by the above limitations.

# Answer
> 3 votes
The Google Nexus 7 charges from its Micro-USB port. I'm not sure if it'll charge plugged into a computer USB port, but plugged into the wall, it works great.

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Tags: usb, tablet, charging, usb-connection-mode
---


# Question
Title: Can I install additional languages on Android?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How do I add a new language?

I bought my HTC Sensation abroad, and I can only choose system languages from the Asian region (English for different regions, as well as Chinese and Thai). I'd like to set the system language to Spanish, but it's not on the list.

Is there a way I can install additional languages to the system?

My phone is an HTC Sensation, recently upgraded to Android 4.0.5.

# Answer
Just search on the Google Play store for "custom locale", there are a couple of apps that will allow you to install a LOT of languages.

I tried many times on different devices and Android versions, sometimes some menus or apps do not change the language, but on average it's OK.

**Example applications in Play store:**

But there are many more...
> 4 votes

# Answer
A quick google search revealed what I was expecting. It seems it's not that easy to add a new language to the OS if it's not done by the manufacturer.

So best thing you could hope for is an update by HTC. Manufacturers often install software kids on top of the android shipped out by Google.

If this is not an option installing different keyboard applications and Region Setter might help you for specific application but nevertheless the system screens remain untouched.

For a fully changed system without manufacturers support I think you're not getting around rooting the droid and manually update the system. Sine I've never did it (our boss would freak out xD ) can't assist you here. You could look up if it's easier to apply a might existing language patch or go straight with installing a custom mod.
> 2 votes

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Tags: languages, localization, htc-sensation
---


# Question
Title: How do you test the disk integrity of your Android tablet's file system?
My Lenovo ThinkPad tablet is rather new (only a few months old), but I'm worried that it might be starting to contain some disk errors.

I just got a "Cannot read page from file system trouble ahead" error message from the LectureNotes application and I'm not sure what it means, especially since a Google for the error produced no results.

Anyways, is there a chkdisk, Hard Disk Sentinel, or something for the tablet's SSD drive that I can use?

# Answer
> 14 votes
Tools like `fsck` would only check the file system. However, internal memory uses NAND-Flash, which should handle bad blocks itself with internal "bad block tables".

For file system checks, you would find a corresponding article on XDA: "\[HOW TO\] Check your filesystem (a la 'fsck')". Fortunately, there's also an article on the NAND-Flash level: "Is there a tool for checking the nand memory for bad blocks?".

As this is a very special thing (and most likely not interesting for too many of our readers), I permit myself to not elaborating the details, and just linking the relevant sources ;)

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Tags: disk-drive
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# Question
Title: Do ALL stock Verizon Droid RAZRs have the full Developer Optionc menu on System Settings?
I have it on my Droid RAZR bought at Verizon on the 1st day available: 11/11/2011. It was recently updated over the air to Ice Cream Sandwich. I never rooted or installed custom ROMs. I do have a developer menu ( which caused this problem: On it's own, my Verizon Droid Razr (recently with ICS), went into debug mode. How do I get it out of debug mode?). Do all Verizon droid RAZRs have this menu item?

# Answer
Virtually all Android devices have the Developer options menu. This is stock Android; a carrier or device manufacturer would have to explicitly remove it. If they did, the hue and cry from actual Android developers would be very loud; some might even refuse to develop for such a device, which would have a negative impact on device sales.

In Ice Cream Sandwich, it's grown lots of extra options, as you've noticed.

The developer options are mostly useful to actual developers, though some of them are useful to power users. For instance, "USB Debugging" allows a user to control their Android from their PC with ; that could be anything from an to the device. Privacy fanatics will appreciate "Allow mock locations"; when this option is on they can use simple apps to generate false data. And my personal favorite is "Stay awake" which prevents the phone from sleeping or blanking the display while it's on the charger.

If you're having a problem with these options getting enabled while the device is in your pocket, as in your other question, consider using a screen lock.

In Jelly Bean, developer options must be enabled explicitly and a warning dialog appears if you try to enable developer options. This will help prevent you from enabling them accidentally in your pocket.
> 3 votes

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Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, verizon, motorola-droid-razr
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title: What is an "odex" app?

text:
# Question
Title: What is an "odex" app?
I saw an application (forgot the name) on my cousin's Galaxy Mini while inside Link2SD app. It has the **-Odex-** text beside its name. It was the only application like that on Link2SD. I got curious so I asked him but apparently, he doesn't know either which is why I'm now turning to here, what exactly is an "odex" app?

Based on some googling, I got to the knowledge that it's some kind of broken down "thing" like its in separate pieces. They also talk about "deodexing" but they are always talking about **roms** and not **apps**. So as added question, how do I "deodex" that application? (I'm a bit OCD like that :P)

# Answer
> 7 votes
To sum up the relevant information, let me quote from the Q&A eldarerathis linked above (all credits go to him, as this is from his answer there):

> A `.dex` file is basically a compiled bytecode version of an app that has been built for the Dalvik VM which Android's apps run on. I believe it is short for Dalvik Executable, but I'm not sure if I'm remembering that correctly.
>
> An `.odex` file is an Optimized .dex file (hence the 'o'), meaning that it has basically been pre-compiled for a specific platform. The advantage to this is that startup time is much faster since the VM doesn't have to perform any optimizing at startup/runtime. The disadvantages are 1) That it takes up some extra space and 2) An odexed app won't run properly if it's put onto another device, and it must have the associated .odex file to run at all.

When you install an app, Android will ananyze the `.apk` and setup the device's Dalvik Cache with an optimized version of its code, so the app will start and run faster (after a factory-reset of your device, it does so for **all** pre-installed apps -- and after wiping the Dalvik cache, which is possible from the recovery menu with most CustomROMs, even for all user apps -- which is why the first boot takes so much longer than subsequent boots).

However, when an "odex" is found, it would simply be copied to the Dalvik Cache. As eldarerathis pointed out, the `.odex` was built for specific hardware (reminds me of Assembly) -- so if that "specific hardware" is not the one used by the current device, you will certainly run into trouble.

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Tags: odex
---


# Question
Title: Why does calling my wife's phone go straight to VoiceMail?
When using my Verizon HTC Thunderbolt running CyanogenMod to call my wife's Verizon HTC Incredible, also running CyanogenMod, it always goes straight to Voice Mail. I can call other Verizon phones with no issue and my wife can call me with no issue and my wife can receive calls from other Verizon lines with no issue and she can call me with no issue. Issue is only from my phone to hers. I called Verizon and they said it is not a network issue and suggested an installed application might be causing the issue. They suggested to put both phones into Safe Mode boot. I was able to do this for Incredible, but failed using the directions they provided for the Thunderbolt. They said after boot starts, hold down volume down key for boot process on Thunderbolt.

How can I debug this issue of my phone going straight to Voice Mail? What would cause just my phone to experience this issue? Any advise and suggestions would be appreciated.

# Answer
It could be your number being "blacklisted" on your wife's phone. There are a lot of apps on the playstore offering this feature, and some Android versions can do so on their own (just configure the contact in your contacts list correspondingly).

So here's what you could do:

1. check with your SIM card placed in some other phone (if that option exists; at least here in Europe we can move the SIM card around). Your call should be still blocked/routed to voicemail then, so you know the issue is not with your phone (e.g. dialing some prefix/postfix)
2. check your wife's phone for installed apps like Advanced Call Blocker etc.
3. check your wife's phonebook (errm, or let her check ;) for your record there and see whether it is blacklisted. If unsure, just delete it temporarily, then call her again.
4. At least CyanogenMod lets you manage a separate blacklist. With CM, it is found in the call settings. Check whether your number made it into this place.
5. if the problem still exists, repeat step 1. with your wife's phone (again, if possible)

My guess is either 2., 3., or 4. will reveal the cause.
> 2 votes

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Tags: cyanogenmod, htc-droid-incredible, verizon, htc-thunderbolt, voicemail
---


title: Call waiting beeps

text:
# Question
Title: Call waiting beeps
My phone is the HTC Desire S. I have call waiting enabled. On the original HTC firmware I got bundled with the phone, this meant that when another call was coming through I heard a double-beep twice in the background, and then it stopped. Now that I have installed CyanogenMod 7, I'm getting that double-beep continuing for the entire 20 seconds that the call is waiting, if I don't answer it. How can I restore it so that I just get the double-beep twice and then it stops when a new call is coming through?

# Answer
AFAIK, CM does not (yet) support to configure it. Issue 5268 at the CM tracker addresses this (yours, i take it?) - so anybody else affected is encouraged to "star" it.

Meanwhile, an app named Call Waiting Configurations might provide a work-around (not sure, I didn't test it myself) until the CM team adds the possibility of configuration. Or you could instead activate the checkbox to "vibrate on call waiting":

Additionally, the following apps might be worth checking:
> 1 votes

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Tags: cyanogenmod, calls, htc-desire-s, call-waiting
---


# Question
Title: Scheduled Backup of Files / SMS / Contacts to Email
Currently I am using SMS Backup & Restore to regularly backup my SMS to Gmail daily. It works perfectly.

Now I am looking for a similar software that backs up files (on folders I select from SDcard) as well as my contacts regularly (daily/weekly for example).

Does anyone know apps that can do this? Preferably no root required but if I have to I might as well just root.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If root is an option, the ultimate answer would be Titanium Backup. Scheduled backup of everything, support for Dropbox and more.

As for folders, I'd say FolderSync is certainly worth a try. Support for many cloud services, as well as your own servers via FTP and more.

---
Tags: backup
---


# Question
Title: Root Samsung Epic Galaxy 4G (SPH-D700) on FC09 Gingerbread?
I have been searching for a while and am trying to figure out if I can root the SPH-D700 on the FC09 update. I just cant find any information regarding that.

Id like to Root the phone, either if I have to update or downgrade, and even preferably be able to flash CyanogenMod 9, and update to ICS. I know this is possible on the phone, I just dont know if this FC09 update will prevent this or something.

I am trying to familiarize myself with this phone as its my freind's phone, and I am trying to root it for him, as he is still sitting with stock, and needs root for a few features.

So what do you guys believe would be the best way to go about this? Should I just get a root image of an earlier update to downgrade? and then just do the updates after I am rooted?

I am just not sure where I should start. Been searching this for most of the day, I just cant seem to find a definite answer yet.

Thanks for your time guys, Hope we can work this out.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Just about every Samsung device can be flashed with Odin, regardless of what firmware is installed on it at the time. For specific instructions you can refer to this XDA thread, which explains how to flash a rooted FC09 image:

> 1. put your device into Download Mode
> 2. Connect to your computer and make sure ODIN recognizes your device
> 3. Flash the Clockworkmod.tar.md5. Make sure EVERYTHING is unchecked INCLUDING AUTOREBOOT!!!!
> 4. Once ODIN does its thang, unplug your phone and pull the battery
> 5. Now reboot into CWM Recovery by pressing and holding the power button, camera, and volume down button until the capacitive buttons at the bottom show
> 6. Now locate the ROM.zip. It should be called DeodexedFC09.zip
> 7. Wipe Data/Factory Reset, Wipe Cache Partition, Wipe Dalvik Cache, and if you want Wipe Batt Stats
> 8. Now reboot, and you should be running Stock Rooted FC09!
>
> ODIN: http://www.mediafire.com/?66csfeo1ce95ysw
>
> CWM TAR: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1357655
>
> Stock FC09: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1580931

You should be able to get the Epic into download mode by doing the following:

> You enter download mode by shutting device completely off. Then open the physical keyboard press and hold the 1 key and then press power for a few seconds.

Downgrading, rooting, and then updating seems unnecessarily complicated. The updates probably wouldn't apply on their own once the device was rooted, so you'd need to install them manually anyway. You might as well just install the image you want straight away instead, whether that's a stock one like the above linked image or CyanogenMod.

---
Tags: rooting, samsung-epic-4g
---


# Question
Title: How much does an LCD's backlight drain the battery?
The screen tends to be one of the biggest consumers of electricity. How much of this is for the backlight vs the actual screen, particularly in the case of an LCD?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Not only the screen is a main consumer. Based on the Motorola Droid, I can give you some data to compare:

```
Video recording         1557 mW
UMTS Upload             1410 mW
UMTS Download           1349 mW
EGDE Upload             1179 mW
WLAN Download           1158 mW
Video play (fullscreen) 1135 mW (already minus the display)
UMTS phone call          983 mW
Camera                   934 mW
EGDE Download            853 mW
Bluetooth receive        751 mW
Display (at max)         730 mW
GPS Search               550 mW
GSM phone call           511 mW
Bluetooth send           487 mW
WLAN Upload              479 mW
Display (at min)         310 mW
MP3 play                 160 mW
UMTS Standby              18,3 mW
GSM/EDGE Standby          11,6 mW
WLAN Standby               7,8 mW
Bluetooth Standby          2,8 mW
GPS Standby                0,4 mW

```

As you can see, there are clearly compontents/actions with a much higher energy consumptions -- but the display gives you good potential to reserve some.

Data source is an article at Heise.DE called Energiesparplan (google translate version here).

---
Tags: battery-life, screen, backlight
---


# Question
Title: v6 Supercharger with Multitask Manager and Tag Home Launchers
I would like to make both launchers Hard To Kill.

* Tag Home takes way too long to load from cold start because it has to load ~200 app tags from a database into memory. However, it only occupies 8MB itself. However, it usually dies after a while.
* Multitask Manager is also lightweight, and I need it to switch from app to app. I use this as my 'default' launcher. I open up Tag Home from Multitask Manager.

The problem is, v6 supercharger seems to only recognize Multitask Manager as my Homescreen Launcher. The actual launcher -- Tag Home -- is ignored.

Is there any script/method to make Tag Home 'Hard To Kill' while maintaining Multitask Manager as my default launcher?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The script you mention also offers an option to make additional apps 'bulletproof'.

Since I don't know which version of Supercharger you're running, I can't tell you the correct number of the mentioned option, but it's labeled `BulletProof Apps {Hit or Miss}`.

It scans the current process list and gives you the option to name the app you want to make immune (or rather "resistent") to being killed by the low memory killer. You don't have to be very precise with the naming, any 3 following letters matching your process should suffice. It will then prompt you to acknowledge the choice.

That's it, you're done!

---
Tags: ram, launcher, multitasking
---


# Question
Title: How To Switch To A Higher Storage SDHC Card With Less Hassle And Problems?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How to upgrade / swap SD card without losing data and installed apps?

I am about to switch to SanDisk 16GB SDHC from 8GB storage flash card of same brand, but currently have following problems:

1. **Sometimes Android OS forcecloses and restart fixes problem for a while:**

*This happens again and again by touching back button until switched from application or a home button.*
2. **Android Market v2.3.4 does not update apps:**

*Apps that are set to update automatically are stuck at "Downloading" as progress meter does not move and i have to update manually by cancelling download which negates the point in automatic app update. Gets stuck at download progress bar but progress bar is animated. After cancelling automatic download, i can re-download again manually.*

Should aforementioned problems be taken care of before switching to a higher storage card or after? Additionally how would you go about rectifying aforementioned problems?

I want to upgrade manually to Police Market from my old 2.3.4 but i cannot see .APK file of old market and cannot backup it. Maybe i should just backup old SDHC card with Android Market 2.3.4 and keep this one just in case but copy this one as well to newer SDHC card, update old Market from there to Police Market and in case something goes bad, i have backup of old SDHC card?

# Answer
Multiple questions in one, so let's see how to address them:

1. if those issues you report already happen with the "old" card inserted, they probably won't get worse with the "new" card (if they are card-related at all) -- so I would not connect these two. Though I had that #1 problem with a certain card (but not with another), after a ROM switch (replaced stock by Cyanogen) the problem switched as well (lucky me, now the new and bigger card had no problems anymore) -- so there might be certain compatibility issues, and switching cards *could* even get you rid of that FC problem. But mostly, such FC problems are rather solved by cleaning the cache of affected apps, or (worst case) doing a factory reset. If your device is rooted, wiping the Dalvik Cache (an option available with enhanced Recovery) would be an alternate approach to the factory reset, in case the Dalvik Cache got messed up.
2. the market issue should not be related to your SD card either. Here it may help to clear the market cache (via *apps-\>manage apps*).
3. concerning your `.apk`, the solution could be provided by apps like AppMonster -- which creates a copy of `.apk` files from installed apps to your SD card (the Pro version even does so automatically on each install/update, so you can easily switch back to any previous version of an app when the latest version shows problems).
4. keeping the old card for a while (leaving it untouched) never can hurt, as it provides another backup :)
> 0 votes

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Tags: google-play-store, external-sd, force-close
---


title: What exactly are DRM keys?

text:
# Question
Title: What exactly are DRM keys?
I was thinking of unlocking my ST17i's bootloader but I saw on the Sony Mobile website that unlocking the bootloader will result to the deletion of DRM keys from my phone. What exactly are they? And what will be affected if I lose the said "DRM keys"?

# Answer
> 4 votes
DRM stands for "Digital Rights Management", and mainly is used with sold eBooks/PDFs and the like (and also for sold music files plus maybe even videos). Those keys are to identify your ID as to prove if you have permission to access those documents. If you never bought any of those "crippled" documents, chances are you don't have to bother.

---
Tags: bootloader, drm
---


# Question
Title: What will be faster when moving to sd-ext via A2SD+ Data or Dalvik-cache? (or can I move both with no extra-penalty)
I'm using `A2SD+` on my `HTC Desire` running on `MIUI`.
Currently only the `app` and `app-private` are under `/sd-ext`, but I'm running out of space very quickly :)

Currently my `dalvik-cache` consumes **46.3MB** and the `data` takes **53.7MB** of internal phone memory, so I think `data` will give me more value, but I'm not 100% sure of that either.

I know I can technically move both `data` and `dalvik-cache` to `/sd-ext`, but I understood there could be performance problems, but I need the space. So my question is which will have a lesser effect on performance? Moving the `data` or the `dalvik-cache`?

EDIT: Some tech info (if it helps):
My SD Card - Kingmax, Class 10, 16GB

I tested with SD Tools and got these results: Writing Speed: **8.7 MB/s**
Reading Speed: **18.6 MB/s**

Note that the test was on the FAT32 partition, I don't know if the EXT3 partition I use for the `/sd-ext` will be any faster. The `/sd-ext` partition is **1GB**.

# Answer
> 3 votes
As Matthew already stated, there's no unique answer possible to your question -- all depends on your usage patterns. Generally spoken, I'd say moving app data should be preferred: If you move the Dalvik Cache, it would affect **all** your apps -- while moving the app data only affects apps which store some data (and by "some" I mean "data size exceeds their Dalvik-Cache size"), so a good guess is it affects only a few apps. But this can very well be those apps you are using most, and which heavily access their data -- so it may or may not be the better choice in some cases.

Guess you've got to try. I'd suggest starting with the app data. A class 10 card should provide sufficient speed -- so if the results are acceptable to you, stay with this. Otherwise, go back and try with the Dalvik Cache. If this isn't acceptable either, the only choice left is buying a new device with bigger internal storage...

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Tags: htc-desire, app2sd, miui, dalvik
---


# Question
Title: can't see what I'm writing on a web form
Samsung I9001, android 2.3.6.

If there is a multiline web form, using landscape mode, I'm just seeing the empty part of the web form while I'm using the on screen keyboard.

Any solution?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The obvious:

* try portrait mode
* use a hardware keyboard
* get a device with a bigger screen (ouch -- yeah, I stop this ;)

The not-so-obvious:

* try an alternate keyboard, which consumes less space or offers transparency:

There might be more solutions (and certainly more alternative keyboards) available, so this list is far from being complete...

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Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, browser
---


title: Messaging contacts color change

text:
# Question
Title: Messaging contacts color change
I got my Galaxy S3 about two weeks ago, and have been texting on it normally. Now, for some reason, when I look at my text log some of the names of my contacts are in blue, while some remain in white. It started with a few names becoming blue, and now the majority are. It's a completely random thing, but I'm just wondering why..

# Answer
> 3 votes
I see a discussion in AndroidForums stating that this behavior is a *strange* bug. It seems that few experienced this issue for whom the color changed after receiving an emergency message. They also say that deleting such messages restores the color. If you had received any such emergency message, can you please try to delete it?

Out of curiosity and the attraction of bounty led me to search for this issue else where. I do not have an S3 or know anyone having S3 to confirm this.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It seems to be a bug concerning severe weather alerts. Simply delete the culprit message, then force-stop the messaging app. Everything should go back to normal. You may permanently disable the culprit messages from coming in by going to messaging\>settings\>emergency alerts and uncheck the boxes.

As confirmed on: http://forums.androidcentral.com/sprint-galaxy-s-iii/192562-text-messages-all-changed-blue.html

---
Tags: sms
---


# Question
Title: Why would the screen to a Droid Razr Maxx randomly break?
I read many good reviews about the Droid Razr Maxx which mainly focused on its large 3300 mA battery. All reviews brag about how long the phone lasts before running out of power.

Most reviews on Amazon speak highly of the phone too.

HOWEVER, I came across this blog ***Droid Razr Maxx – Broken Screen***

Surprisingly, a LOT of people are complaining about having cracks in their screens. Some admit that their phone fell to the ground, but many others say the screen cracked without falling.

Does this have to do with the large 3300mA irremovable battery? I mean is this because of the battery heating up and expanding?

Is this a flaw in Motorola's version of Ginger Bread?

Note: AFAIK, the screen is made of Gorilla -unbreakable- glass, so I think most people mean the LCD screen cracked.

**UPDATE**

Here is another link from Verizon's forums about customers suffering from the same problem. Some of them say it wasn't dropped.

# Answer
# Short Answer

There's no such thing as "randomly break", phone owners tend to use or make up terms to disguise their ineffectiveness to explain what happened, or as an excuse to avoid saying "I broke my phone".

Common factors leading to the Glass or the display damage are, but not limited to:

* Manufacturer fault, a damage batch;
* Device falling or getting tossed;
* User sat down with the device in his back pocket.

Keep reading as to better understand the misleading information found on the mentioned forums!

# Clear some ideas

1. Randomly break

There's no such thing like "randomly break", every device that physically breaks has a cause behind.
2. Faulty Software

The software is not responsible for the device physical damage, the software interacts and allows the usage of the hardware. Every software that directly interacts with the hardware has built in fail-safes to prevent abuses. Take the example of a battery charge, when you are charging the system may present you with a message informing that the charge process was interrupted to prevent heat damage to the device.
3. Glass or Display

While users tend to call screen and say "my screen is broken", they should actually be specific enough as to clarify if the glass is broken or the display module is broken. The two are very distinct, carrying different reasons as to why they may have broken.

# Why would a glass or display module break?

## The Glass

The Motorola Droid Razr Maxx comes equipped with a GORILLA® GLASS. Despite the heavy promotion that its indestructible, there's no truth to that. This glass enables your device to resist damage like scrapes, bumps and drops, from the abuses that come with everyday use.

A small drop in the right angle can shred the glass due to the force propagation within the impact point to the remaining of the device:

**e.g.,**

Take a 22 inches fall, is just over 4 times the height of the phone. Comparing this to a Human been, could the average 6' tall person survive a fall of over 24' without breaking in some way?

On the other hand, a battery dilatation due to excessive heat will never cause the glass to break. Way before that, the plastic casing would crack, some components could even melt, and eventually the glass would fell off, lying on the floor shining like a brand new one :)

From the CORNING® GORILLA® GLASS - FAQS:

> **CAN I BREAK GORILLA GLASS?**
>
> If subjected to enough abuse, Gorilla Glass can break. However, Gorilla Glass is better able to survive the real-world events that most commonly cause glass to scratch, chip, or break.

## The display

Schematic of an active matrix OLED display

The Motorola Droid Razr Maxx comes equipped with Motorola's Super AMOLED Advanced. While the glass is designed and used with one specific purpose, the protection of the display from scrapes, bumps and drops, the display can be affected from other directions, not just by its front.

If a phone falls and hits the ground by its corner, the glass has no effect protecting the display. The phone casing may not be sufficient to absorve the impact, and the resulting force from the impact may damage or even crack the display.

*The display is actually more sensitive than the remaining components of a mobile device.*

# Prevent damaging the display or glass

The best way to prevent damage to the device, either by accident or by careless handling during use are:

* Avoid charging the device while exposed to heat or direct sunlight.
* Protect it with an exterior rubber casing, to absorb the impact force generated when it falls.
* If carried closely with hard objects, consider using a device casing, preferably made of leather or any other robust material to prevent damage from bumps.
* Don't carry the phone inside tight jeans or in your back pocket. Your natural movements or if you sit down, may exercise overwhelming force into the device.
> 4 votes

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Tags: motorola-droid-razr
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# Question
Title: How do I change the theme, (iconset) on a Galaxy S3 default launcher?
I bought a Galaxy S3 (Android 4).

I downloaded the user manual, and I can't find a way to change the appearance. I **can** change the wallpaper and the font size, but I **can't** change drawer transition behavior, the general UI theme or the icon set.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Download Apex launcher--

It has full support for themes and transitions, icons, etc-

For Icon packs, "ADW Icons" is a good keyword to use- since Apex will use ADW icons.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You could also go with Go Launcher, amongst many other choices.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, themes, samsung-galaxy-s-3
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy - Import contacts from sbu file
I'd a Samsung Galaxy i551. I've done a backup using Kies and it saved a .sbu file. Now I don't have the phone any more and I'd like to export this information to some useful format or at least to view it with the Kies. But I can't find anyway to open the .sbu file.

How do I open an .sbu file generated by Kies?

Thanks!

# Answer
> 5 votes
Take a look at this thread over at XDA-Developers forum. Someone wrote a Java app to extract the contacts out of the .sbf file into VCard files, which are a lot easier to deal with.

Also, in the same thread people report that with the latest version of Kies you can execute a Restore without having a Samsung phone connected to the PC, and extract the contents.

I personally haven't tried either method, so please let us know if they work for you.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I wrote a program which extracts contacts and Calendar Data.

https://lord-luncher.de/

I am happy about feedback.

# Answer
> 0 votes
in the latest version o Kies you select your device in the tree, then go to tab "back up/restore" and click "restore".

Unfortunately you can't restore just something, you should restore everything...

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Tags: contacts, backup, samsung-kies, restore
---


# Question
Title: Is there any software for Tablets to edit PDF or PS -files?
I am using Samsung galaxy tab 8.9. Assume you read your lecture materials with your tablet. You see a mistake. You would like to fix it. You are using Adobe reader tablet version.

**Is there any software by which you can simply add text on PDF or PS -files?**

# Answer
You could give Qoppa PDF Notes a try:

> The best app for editing, annotating, filling forms, and signing PDF documents.
>
> qPDF Notes is a user-friendly, all-in-one PDF app to view, edit, and markup PDF documents, digitally sign and share them, and fill PDF forms. Saved documents are fully compatible with Adobe Acrobat and the PDF standard, and can be viewed in any capable PDF reader.

The link leads to the demo (which places a watermark on all your edits); a full version is available for about EUR 4.

If you just want to annotate, there are plenty of apps available capable of that.

P.S.: And it sure is "The best app for editing PDF documents" at the moment -- I could find no other, so it's also the only AFAIK :)
> 1 votes

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Tags: pdf
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to use the GMail "Call Phone" functionality on Android without Google Voice?
I'm outside the US so don't have access to Google Voice.

On the GMail web page, if you enable chat, you can see a "Call Phone" option which allows you to call land line phones from the web page.

Is there any way, to make use of this functionality to make outbound calls on Android?

# Answer
It may not be the ultimate approach -- but you probably could use Clipboard Dialer (left picture) to achieve this:

> This little tool enables you to extract all phone numbers from what ever text is in your clipboard. It will present a list of all numbers it finds giving you an easy way to call, SMS or create a new contact.

So as long as the numbers are visible on the screen, you could copy them to the clipboard -- and then let this tool kick in. Or, using the same principle: CopyNDial (picture to the right):

> Dial from everywhere browser, message apps
> 1 votes

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Tags: gmail, calls, google-voice
---


# Question
Title: Why does my screen still turn off while charging?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Where is “Stay Awake” option in Ice Cream Sandwich on the Galaxy S3?

I used to have an HTC Evo Shift. If I plugged it into a power cord, the screen would stay on until I explicitly pushed the power button. Now, I have a Samsung Galaxy S III. The screen turns off after a certain timeout regardless of whether it is plugged in. There is an option to change the timeout, but I would rather not be switching it all the time based on whether I have it plugged in. Is there an option I am missing?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Stock Samsung devices with TouchWiz (Samsung's version of Android) do not have this option to Stay Awake, and it is a good thing they don't. especially when they use the Super AMOLED screens. The image can burn in to the screen very quickly.

---
Tags: charging, samsung-galaxy-s-3, screen
---


title: Personalized Mass Text tool (app)?

text:
# Question
Title: Personalized Mass Text tool (app)?
I want to: Send massive personlized text messages. Example of what I want to do: Send the same template to George & Juan

* `Hey Juan, how are you doing?`
* `Hey George, how are you doing?`

without having to type the same text twice, if not more.

What I have found so far:

Why I need it: When mass messages are personalized, there is a bigger chance of people replying back.

I need you to: Give me other alternatives to these apps... if there are... better ones.

Thank you.

# Answer
> 3 votes
One nice alternative to the ones you already have is Group SMS by Tur Han available from Google Play Store.

It allows you to compose the message and:

* add first and/or last name to the message text;
* select the recipients individually.

Works pretty good, it's a free app (small publicity banner), with no bugs on my end. Shows the progress of each message being sent.

If you go to the PRO version, things just keep getting better and better:

> * create groups of contacts for quick sending (friends, family, work...)
> * History keeping & management
> * enhance search bar
> * select/deselect all your contacts with 1 touch
> * template management
> * history track of all messages with statistics
> * add Free

---
Tags: applications, sms, privacy
---


# Question
Title: Do I have to download the movie again, if I rented it and it expired?
Once a movie I have rented from the AppStore has expired, and I wish to rent it again, do I have to download it again? Or can I just pay the additional charge and keep watching the file that's already on my device?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This probably depends on. If you just "recharge" within your rental window, the file is still on the device, and you probably don't have to download it again. However, once the rental period is expired, the *Google Play Movies & TV* App will delete the file on its next execution (see this thread on the DroidRZR forum), as it has "expired". Without this purge function, you could run out of space whith useless files occupying your disk, so I'd consider this normal behaviour.

This means: Re-rental after the rental window has expired will most likely make a re-download necessary -- while when still within your rental video, the app should simply keep the file (at least theoretically -- not sure whether the expiration date is somehow coded into the file name).

---
Tags: amazon-appstore, amazon-video
---


# Question
Title: Support for Ultra High Speed MicroSD cards
I am going to buy a new MicroSD card for my Motorola Milestone. The phone has Cyanogenmod 7. The upper limit as told by the manufacturer is 32GB, and because they got cheaper now, I'm going to buy the maximum possible. However, there are those new types of cards called “Ultra High Speed” which, I believe, weren't available when the phone came out.

Questions: Will those cards work with my device? Do they need any special support from the OS? Will I benefit from extra speed?

# Answer
> 3 votes
# The new UHS-I card

Your phone comes with a microSDHC form factor, and according to Scandisk, their cards are compatible:

* SanDisk Ultra® microSDXC™ UHS-I card: see specifications tab

> Available capacities: 8GB,16GB, 32GB, 64GB
>
> Performance/speed: Up to 30MB/s read speed; write speed lower
>
> Compatibility: Compatible with all microSDHC \[or microSDXC \]supporting host devices
* SanDisk Extreme Pro® microSDHC™ UHS-I card: see specifications tab

> Available capacities: 8GB,16GB
>
> Performance/speed: Up to 95 MB/s (633X) read speed; write speed up to 90 MB/s (600X)
>
> Compatibility: Compatible with all microSDHC supporting host devices

*Since the form factor remains the same, there's no problem here.*

# Your Device

Your device, while capable of reading, will be unable to take advantages over this new card speeds.

Mainly because this technology is new and the OS simple wasn't prepared for it.

**On a personal note:** Don't spend your money with this card on that specific phone. You'll have no gain from it.

# Answer
> 5 votes
> Will those cards work with my device?

Yes, I believe SDHC UHS-I (Ultra High Speed) cards are backwards compatible and will "work" in an SDHC only device (that the Motorola Milestone appears to be).

> Do they need any special support from the OS?

Yes, in order to operate at the advertised higher speeds. "Use of UHS requires that the host device command the card to drop from 3.3-volt to 1.8-volt operation and select the 4-bit transfer mode." Wikipedia - Secure Digital

> Will I benefit from extra speed?

No, it will work like an ordinary SDHC Class 10 card.

---
Tags: external-sd, motorola-milestone
---


# Question
Title: Changing app drawer wallpaper in Jelly Bean?
I have Galaxy Nexus running Jelly Bean. Is it possible to change the background color or set a wallpaper for the apps drawer? Right now there is just a solid black background color. It's really bleak.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Having the free GO Launcher Ex installed, you can install Go Launcher Jelly Beans Theme, also free, and fully personalize your backgrounds.

> Ultra clean, sharp APP DRAWER with FREE REPLACEABLE backgrounds
>
> * To change App Drawer background:
>
> Press Menu \> Pref \> Visual settings \> Backgrounds \> App Drawer Background \> GO Theme background

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, app-drawer
---


# Question
Title: Web browsers returns blank pages. Apps are fine
My Samsung i9000m running 2.3.3 stock ROM from Virgin Mobile Canada (unlocked) suddenly won't display web pages. This happens on all websites. It sends the request, waits for about 5-10 seconds (at about 1/5 of the progress bar), and returns a blank page (clearing the progress bar). No error is displayed. It behaves as though the operation has completed. It leaves a white screen and no scrolling. (Like an empty HTML page.)

All other apps are fine. e.g. Google Maps downloads all its data AOK. I can even tether wirelessly to my laptop and browsing is fine there, too. So I deduce that the data is getting to the phone.

I installed Dolphin to see if it was specific to the default browser. Dolphin behaves exactly the same way.

I'm also a beginner Android developer. Could this be a failure in WebView? It sounds to me like any data received is ignored.

Short of rewriting the stock ROM is there any way to fix this? Has anyone else seen this behaviour before?

# Answer
> 1 votes
After months being annoyed by this, I rerommed the device and it was ok after that. So I can only suppose that something core had become corrupted.

---
Tags: stock-browser, dolphin-browser
---


# Question
Title: What is the safest way to perform backups of my partitions?
The partitions on my phone are visible on /dev/mts/mtsX, and I'd like to copy the contents of those files onto my sd card for safe keeping. Is it safe to just say:

```
cat /dev/mtd/mtd0 > /sdcard/mtd0

```

Because I'm not so sure if it's safe to use cat on binary files. Maybe there is a port of dd?

# Answer
> 1 votes
`cat` is a very bad idea here. If you really want to make a backup on partition level, rather take a look at dd. What you probably want to do is something like

```
dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd0 of=/sdcard/mtd0.image

```

For more details, you might want to consult the dd Man Page. Remark: I'm not sure whether the `dd` shipped with Android supports the full list of options, so you might have to try out.

---
Tags: backup
---


# Question
Title: Save accepted untrusted certificates on email app (HTC Sensation)
I have a problem with the mail (not gmail) app on my HTC Sensation, that I'm guessing is part of HTC Sense 3. I'm using a server that has an untrusted certificate, and every time I try to refresh my email a dialog requesting the certificate to be accepted pops up. The problem is that when I try to send an email from that account the messages get stuck in the outbox until I manually refresh the mail forcing the certificate to be accepted again.

Is there any way of storing the known/already-accepted certificates for the mail app?

Thanks!

# Answer
I'd suggest switching to an alternative mail app -- K-9 Mail probably is a good choice. I use it for about 2 years now with a mail server having an "untrusted" (self-signed) certificate, and never experienced what you describe -- so this should solve your issue.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: email, certificates, htc-sensation
---


# Question
Title: Why did my battery usage on 3G grow with the Android 2.3 update?
There were different nice features followed by the official update of Xperia X10 to Android 2.3 like the sound stuttering, but the most annoying is the following.

I live in the Netherlands and here it's nice to use 3g a lot to have internet connection whenever you need it. Both on 1.6 and 2.1 I never run into the problems with battery using 3g. Moreover, there were problems rather with WiFi which ate battery a lot.

Unfortunately after I've updated the phone, things have changed. WiFi is working fine now though it seems to me that it's off when the display is off: it establishes connection for about 10 sec each time I turn on display. But when I turn on 3g for the night, on the morning the phone is out of charge.

I don't think it's about apps using 3g, since:

1. if these apps need the internet connection, they will use WiFi as well, but if I leave my phone with WiFi for the whole night, only about 2-5% of the battery are lost for the whole night long.
2. in `settings->applications->battery usage` I can see that `Cell Standby = 35%` while apps in total are about `6%`.

That gives an idea that 3g connection is rather expansive for my battery - but I don't have an idea why did it happen after an update on v. 2.3.

I've never rooted the phone, so all updates were made in the right way. Hope someone can help me.

# Answer
> 2 votes
"cell standby" = "background sync". And if your Wifi turns off on screen off, apps will use 3G instead.

You might want to check your Wifi policy, which is hidden in the "advanced" menu: When in "network & wireless" -\> "wifi", hit the menu button and select "advanced". Here, switch your Wifi policy to "always on" -- so it will stay on when the display is switched off, which means no 3G fallback as long as Wifi is available.

I've read about this issue a couple of times, and many report setting the Wifi standby policy as described above largely improves the situation.

---

**UPDATE:**

I obviously wrote bullshit here. I left the bullshit in (but striked it so you can see where I was wrong). Closer investigation brought me to this: What is *Cell standby* and how can I keep it from eating my battery?.

So basically my reasoning *here* was wrong, but luckily the recommendations still match somehow :)

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, battery-life, sony-ericsson-xperia-x10
---


# Question
Title: Large gaps between home screen icons, can it be reduced?
The icons on the Samsung Galaxy S3 have large gaps between them, enough so that if they were moved closer together you could fit at least one more row and maybe one more column. Is there a way to change this?

**This is what it looks like:**

# Answer
AFAIK there's no built-in method to achieve that personalization.

I would go with Apex Launcher by Android Does available from Google Play Store, to use with Android 4.0+, it's free and among the features you'll find:

> * **Customizable homescreens and grid size**
> * Scrollable dock
> * Infinite & elastic scrolling
> * Customizable app and folder icons
> * Multiple drawer styles
> * Drawer apps sorting
> * Hide apps from the drawer
> * Enjoy homescreen gestures
> * Backup/restore settings and data

**APEX Launcher Homescreen Settings:**

Other features can be found if you go PRO.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: home-screen, samsung-galaxy-s-3
---


# Question
Title: How to reset the device information in Google Play Store?
I was using Samsung Galaxy with android, then I bought the new Motorola DROID RAZR using same SIM card.

when I'm trying to download any app from Google Play Store, it still refers to my previous device. How would I update my device information?

# Answer
You can visit the accounts page in your computer and click on "Settings" tab. Under "My Devices" section you will have all the devices that your account is being tied with.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Common causes that prevent your device from being presented at your devices list are:

* You're using the Google Play website before using the Google Play Store app on your device.
* You're signed in with a different account on play.google.com than you're using on your device.
* Your device isn’t supported. <sup>(DROID RAZR is supported)</sup>

The first one probably solves your issue of registering the device within Google Play Store.

After, you can manage your devices and disable the old one. Access your account, click the "Settings" tab and untick the "Shown in menus" checkbox.

**References:** Google Play Help
> 2 votes

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store
---


title: Droid X attachment download location

text:
# Question
Title: Droid X attachment download location
I'm just trying to figure out where in the phone the attachments get saved after you open them?

I remember opening a PDF attachment from my email using my Droid X. The email was deleted so I'm trying to find the PDF that was downloaded by my phone when I opened the attachment.

I have an MSN account.

Anyone knows the default location in the phone?

Thank you

# Answer
> 1 votes
By default, email attachments and browser downloads are stored at:

```
/sdcard/download

```

Can also be identified by some File Managers as:

```
/HWUserData/download

```

If the device doesn't have a user-replaceable SD card the location should be:

```
/mnt/sdcard/Download

```

Some apps may have their own default location, or save to appropriated locations based on the file extension.

---
Tags: email, motorola-droid-x
---


# Question
Title: How to connect an android device to a VPN?
I have Xperia mini running ICS 4.0.3. I want to connect to a VPN for which I have server address(host) , group name, group passwrod(pre-shared key). but I still couldn't connect to it via my Xperia mini where as the VPN is able to connect in desktop. I have tried in IPsec PSK.

# Answer
If your company is licensed for it, Cisco's AnyConnect ICS+ should work for you. Alternatively, ICS **should** support the correct configuration out of the box, but not all vendors have implemented this properly.

If you can't get it to work correctly using ICS's IPSEC support, you can try VPNC Widget, but it requires root, and if your phone doesn't have the TUN module built-in, it won't work.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: vpn
---


# Question
Title: How do I know if the person I'm chatting to on Google Talk is using Android?
On the Gingerbread version of Google Talk, I can see a gray-ish silhouette of the Android logo on my contact. Now on ICS, I can't see it anymore, thus, prevents me from knowing if a certain person on my contact is on mobile or not. Is there a setting that I'm missing here? How do I know if my contact is on Android or not?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Essentially, you can't. This feature was removed from the 4.0 version of Google Talk, and is discussed somewhat in the Android Police review of the changes from 2.3 to 4.0. There's no setting that will bring back the icons.

However, when you have a chat open with someone (provided that they do not have a custom status message set) it will inform you at the top if they are on a mobile device:

My hunch would be that Google doesn't really want you to care about this when you're on your phone. They want the Google Talk app to be as seamless and integrated as possible, and they want you to use it regardless of what device the other person happens to be connected with at the time.

---
Tags: google-talk
---


# Question
Title: Configuring my office e mail in samsung galaxy 3
Does samsung galaxy 3 have support for microsoft exchange servers . I am trying to configure my office e mail (which uses exchange server) but my phone keeps giving IOException. Any solutions ?

# Answer
I don't know whether Samsung includes an own solution -- but there are several Apps available on the playstore which can work with Exchange:

There are several more apps available -- but these three should get you started (well, I guess you got started meanwhile)...
> 1 votes

---
Tags: email, samsung-galaxy-apollo, exchange
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to log into and root my device without using ADB?
With the Android SDK it is possible to run the "adb shell" command to shell into an Android device plugged in via USB. I would like to know:

1. Is there another way to log into an Android device and gain root access to all its files and folders without having to install the Android SDK, for instance using Putty somehow once the device is connected via Wi-Fi to a router on a common network?
2. On Unix there is a program called "last" allowing you to see the most recent logins and the associated times. Is there a similar utility that can be run on Android once root access is gained that would allow you to view the most recent times when the device was used or unlocked?

# Answer
There are several ways to achieve root access on an Android device -- and they differ a lot, depending on manufacturer, device, Android version, and even Linux kernel version running. Unfortunately, devices don't ship with "root" accounts (as we are used to from our desktops and laptops) -- but there's no common way to "root" them.

Rooting is mostly done via Exploits. Some require ADB installed and an USB-Session established. Others do not require ADB. And again others ship as a single `.apk` to be copied to the device and started there (so-called "one click root"). And again another method might involve a custom recovery being flashed...

So many methods. But to explain them all in detail, this is not the right place -- while your question should be answered already, as it required only a "yes" or "no" :)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rooting
---


# Question
Title: How can I automatically disable the onscreen keyboard when a Bluetooth keyboard is connected?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How do I disable the on screen keyboard? I have a USB keyboard attached

I'm using a 9.7" Bauhn Android tablet from Aldi running Ice CreamSandwich. I have a Kensington universal keyboard (and case) made for 10“ tablets including Android that I use with my tablet. Is there a way to automatically disable the onscreen keyboard when my Bluetooth one is connected?

# Answer
Not automatic (per se), but you can use something like Null Keyboard which is a null input method you can enable when you have your Bluetooth keyboard connected so the soft keyboard quits from popping up.

Also, in my experience, Cyanogenmod9 ICS ROMs prevents the keyboard from appearing when an external one is connected. It might be worth seeing if they have a distribution for your device.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: bluetooth, keyboard
---


# Question
Title: Trigger WiFi hotspot based on known WiFi availability or location
I have a HTC One XL and a Nexus 7. They both know my home WiFi network and a few other networks, and my Nexus knows my HTC's WiFi hotspot as well. When I'm out and about I press my hotspot widget on my HTC to enable the WiFi hotspot, which allows my Nexus to automatically connect and get online.

What I'd like is a way to

* use a known WiFi network if available (to save battery and mobile data), and
* otherwise automatically turns on WiFi hotspot mode
* can be WiFi based or location based

This will allow me to use the Nexus 7 wherever I am, without having to take out my HTC and flick the hotspot switch. At the same time I'd like the Nexus to prioritise other known networks over the hotspot, so that if possible it drops off the hotspot network and uses the known network.

Searching for anything containing 'WiFi hotspot' returns dozens of apps to get around carrier imposed hotspot restriction, so I am not having much success there.

# Answer
You can do all this using Tasker. It may not be free, and the interface may look dated but it does all this and so much more. You'll never go back to anything else once you get things setup the way you want.

This is honestly the best, and most useful app on my personal phone.
> 2 votes

# Answer
While I agree with Matt on the usefulness of Tasker, as to my current knowledge you'd have to configure all your Wifi zones manually here based on their location (e.g. via "Cell Near", which leverages cell tower information and does not use much battery as the current cell is either known to the system, or via network-based or GPS location). If you one day add a new Wifi, you had to manually add it to *Tasker* as well -- if not somebody has found a way to automate this.

So I want to additionally introduce Smart WiFi, which automatically does that part of the job: As soon as you connect to a Wifi, it records the corresponding cell tower IDs. Next time one of them comes in reach, Wifi will be turned on automatically. So you then could use a tool like *Tasker* to kick in on the "Wifi off" condition to enable your Hotspot functionality, and disable this again as soon as *Smart Wifi* enabled Wifi again.

Also agreed with Matt: Once you've got to understand *Tasker*, you will not want to miss it again -- it's such a powerful tool. Concerning its price: There's a 7-day trial available at the Tasker homepage. You can export its configuration, and uninstall and re-install the trial for another 7-day-period (as described by its developer) and import your configuration again, which gives you at least 14 days to get familiar with this app. You certainly won't regret it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, automation
---


title: Forgot my Android Login Pattern

text:
# Question
Title: Forgot my Android Login Pattern
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Recovering from forgotten lock pattern

I am using Samsung Galaxy Y Duos S6102 i forgot my login pattern and there is no reset Option on the screen. Is there any option to unlock it.

# Answer
You should be able to unlock with your Google credentials after a number of failed unlock attempts. At that point, you will be prompted to enter username and password of the "master account" (i.e. the main Google account) this device was registered with. Entered correctly, it will then prompt you to define a new lock pattern.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, lock-screens
---


title: How to partition SD card in HTC One X?

text:
# Question
Title: How to partition SD card in HTC One X?
I was trying to create `ext2`/`ext3`/`ext4` partitions on the SD card. I tried ClockworkMod recovery and it didn't work. Nothing seems to have happened.

I also tried using MiniTool and that also failed. I tried both Disk Utility and GParted in Ubuntu and it still didn't work. For MiniTool, Disk Utility, and GParted, after I finished partitioning the partitions showed up on the computer OK, but when USB's disconnected the One X says that the SD card's corrupted.

Has anybody done this? Or is there some other way to solve this?

Or maybe it's not possible because the SD card is built-in?

Thanks!

---

After some more playing around, it seems that the problem might be something related to a partition table.

When there's no partition table, it works fine, but after I add a partition table it seems that the phone can't recognize the SD card anymore.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I think this post provides some information about it. It also seems to be consistent with what I've tried.

Instead of partitioning the SD card, mounting an `.img` with a `ext4` filesystem is a simple workaround.

---
Tags: external-sd, file-system, htc-one-x, partitions
---


# Question
Title: Does modifying read cache on my SD card also affect the speed of reading my Ext3 partition?
I'm trying to make Link2SD work on my phone so I partitioned my 16gb SD to 4gb for the Ext3 partition and the rest for normal storage.

I'm noticing some slight lag on my usage of the phone and I read on this article that I can in fact, increase the read cache to speed up reading contents on the SD. My question is; does increasing the read cache also affect the speed of reading my Ext3 partition? Or does it only affect the "normal" storage?

# Answer
As with normal disks, this should apply to the disk and not a specific partition. Some file systems offer additional caching, which then would apply to the specific partition -- but disk cache should always apply to the entire disk.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: link2sd, ext3
---


title: Spam alerts in notification bar

text:
# Question
Title: Spam alerts in notification bar
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Is this red star icon malware? How to get rid of it?

I get spam alerts about free ipads and typical junk like that on my notification bar when I start my droid. This also happens when I first connect to WIFI on my home router (secured). I use a DROID X.

# Answer
> 10 votes
Get this Air Push Detector app to find out what is creating those notifications.

Then uninstall the app(s) that are creating them.

# Answer
> 3 votes
The **AirPush Detector App** is way to go (+1 Bryan).
It very nicely also lets you quickly uninstall the offending app.

Just in case people are looking, there is also an Airpush Permanent Opt out from AirPush.com;
they also suggest entering your IMEI at their site...
**I have not done either and suggest you do not do such things too.**
In a way this seems like an anti-answer; I suggest you use Bryan's way over AirPush's one to opt out. Hope the Irony is not wasted.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Agree with the Airpush suggestions. One way to find the offending app is to look at the list of running apps and kill them one by one until the notification disappears. Note, when this happened to me, it was from a First Aid app that I've since uninstalled.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Adding the option that you can manually opt out of airpush notification by going to http://m.airpush.com/optout and click the "manual opt-out" button.

You enter your IMEI (found in the "About Phone" info screen).

# Answer
> 0 votes
This Problem solved in Android 4.1. its about hold on the notification and you will get the application information. you can disable the Application notification.

---
Tags: motorola-droid-x, notification-bar, airpush
---


title: Samsung Galaxy S3 with fastboot

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy S3 with fastboot
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 (international and unlocked). I recently downloaded the kernel source code from Samsung's website and have successfully compiled and now have a zImage file. My problem is what to do with it?

I have seen people saying to use `fastboot boot zImage` to test that the kernel works before more permanently flashing it with `fastboot boot zImage zImage` but fast boot wont recognise my phone. When i type `fastboot devices` i get nothing. `fastboot reboot` (i think that was it) sits there for ever waiting for the device.

I have also tried adb just to prove a point. This sees the device with `adb devices` (while the phone is in normal mode) but still didnt help.

I currently have the Clockwork recovery mod installed. Could this be causing issues? and if so how do i remove it?

Everything i have seen says to boo the device into fast boot mode. Is this Download/Odin mode on the S3?

Thank you

Adrian

EDIT: Forgot to mention i have tried this on Ubuntu 12, OSX 10.8 ans Windows 7 with drivers installed

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have ended up installing mobile Odin and just performing a recovery with the clockwork mod if the kernel kills the phone (which is all i have managed to do so far) Thanks for your help

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, fastboot
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to use Google location service without tracking my positions constantly in background?
I want to use Google location service based on wifi or cell tower data without gathering and sending my (later anonymized) positions to Google in background when I do not explicitly make the requests. When I decline to send my location information for in "settings - location", the location service is disabled.

I suppose this would be possible on a rooted phone only.

# Answer
If your device is rooted, there is a solution available to you:

Location Cache can not only show you what currently is contained in your location cache, it can also delete cached locations, and even "lock" it -- i.e. it kinda "write protects" the location cache, so no new entries can be written into. Effects are multiple:

* no data cached means slower location, as the last position is no longer available
* as uploading your "latest locations" is handled "bulk-wise" from the cache, it also means: no data in cache -- no bulk-upload to Google's servers -- privacy protected.

I just remember: In Android 2.1 and earlier, we were able to activate "network based locations" and still keep our privacy by unchecking the "share with Google" checkbox. If you try this with Android 2.2+, unchecking that second box automatically unchecks "use network-based locations" as well. So it is technically possible (and even was implemented this way) to respect our privacy -- but intentionally disabled. Don't think evil...

Remark: *Location Cache* does no longer work from ICS up, it seems -- according to the description on the playstore :( If I can see any alternative, I will update this answer. Meanwhile, it at least provides help to those with Froyo and Gingerbread... As I read in the description of Android Location Cache Viewer, this might be due to the fact the locations are no longer stored on the device (at least not in the same place; so either the place has changed, or transmission to Google's server takes place immediately -- which would also mean the "last location" would no longer be present locally, which I doubt).

Those of you who cannot stop Google getting those data, but still want to protect their privacy, could make use of location spoofers (e.g. Location Spoofer or CatchMeIfUCan) to at least cause some confusion to potential abusers :)
> 2 votes

---
Tags: privacy, geolocation, location-services
---


# Question
Title: How can I move incoming  messages immediately to the SIM card?
I need to move the incoming messages in my Android phone directly to the sim card. I know I can click the message and move manually to SIM, but I need to do it automatically. I couldnt find that option anywhere in the settings. I am also fine with an app doing this.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I don't think this will ever be supported. Storage space on SIM cards is very limited: The first generation, as far as I remember, could not store much more than 10 SMS, more recent generations might store maybe 100. Still, most people would very likely run out of storage here, and thus block new messages from being received. As it is uncertain how long providers would retry sending an SMS to the device before discarding it, communication would get lost -- surely not a goal of a communication oriented device.

Access to SMS stored on SIMs is only provided for compatibility reasons, I would say -- and I doubt this will change (not for "better support" of SIM for sure -- instead, it might be dropped completely). It's an out-aged technology.

---
Tags: sms, sim-card
---


title: Installing original OS on Samsung s3

text:
# Question
Title: Installing original OS on Samsung s3
Is it possible to install Google's original OS without all the manufacturer-added bloatware that comes with the device?

Is there a chance that I would ruin the phone and/or not be able to get it to work as it used to if I don't like it for some reason?

Are there any important features that I would miss out if I had to do so?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can have some custom ROMs, but if you want just to remove the bloatware, I would just root my device, uninstall those bloatwares and if possible unroot again.

Some rooting methods does permit to unroot and some do not. Even in latter case all that has happened is just you had rooted your device and still have your original ROM.

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, rom-flashing, operating-system
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# Question
Title: Phone stops using 3G when Wifi hotspot nearby
I have a HTC Desire with the latest legit firmware. I have Wifi and 3G enabled, and it's usually fine; at home it connects to my (WPA2 protected) router, and when I go outside it switches to 3G. But sometimes, as I pass other Wifi hotspots it stops using 3G so I lose data. I've disabled the 'tell me about open wifi' option. I'm not sure if these Wifi hotspots are open or encrypted but really I'd like to only use Wifi routers I've entered the details of (such as my own). Is this possible?

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you didn't explicitly configure your device to automatically use "open" and unprotected networks, it will only connect to those you explicitly tell it to -- so you needn't worry about this.

As for your "3g turning off" issue: That's very strange. Something in your device still seems to think that, as soon as some Wifi is near, you're going to use that. Probably you can avoid this by turning Wifi *off*. You needn't do that manually everytime (you might forget, and you might be annoyed when it's not on when you need it) -- but rather let Smart WiFi manage this for you. This app remembers Wifi networks you connected to. When you get disconnected, it will switch Wifi off. As soon as it detects you get close to it (it remembered the cell towers near, so this is it detects the *area* where you've been connected to some Wifi), it switches Wifi back on.

It just could get weird with "mobile Hotspots", if you connect to another Android device's Hotspot functionality in the middle of a desert, it would always turn Wifi on at that place, even if nothing's around. Oh, well: No cell towers close? So this won't happen :)

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Tags: wi-fi, htc-desire, 3g
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# Question
Title: Offline map app capable of using Garmin Custom Maps / KMZ?
Does anyone know of any map apps for off-line use with GPS support that can view Garmin Custom Map kmz files?

The maps I want to use are the NZ Topo Map ones described here: http://nztopomap.tumblr.com/post/15386610778/free-linz-nztopo50-based-garmin-custom-maps

Custom Maps is an app I already regularly use which uses the kmz format itself. Apparently the next release will support these kmz files but each image tile in the kmz will show up as a separate map so you'll have to open and view each tile individually - not ideal.

I know there's some map apps out there that will allow you to consume off-line maps created using MOBAC etc. but ideally I'm after one that doesn't require me to play around with file formats - just consume the kmz files as-is directly.

Cheers, Gavin

# Answer
> 0 votes
You might want to take a look at Locus Maps: It not only can import KMZ files (I guess the ones you mean keep to the Keyhole standard, so they should work). You can even have media (pictures) embedded within, and use them in offline mode. Maps also can be downloaded right from within the app, so you can be prepared for your off-road trip.

It also supports a bunch of different map formats (including vector maps), so I would wonder if you were unable to get your mentioned material loaded with Locus.

Besides: excellent support, active forum, and much more... Definitely worth a look.

And no, I'm *not* the developer placing my ad here :)

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Tags: gps, offline-map
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