# Question
Title: What is the average maximum file size (by default) for incoming email on the Android?
I am trying to send an email marketing campaign and my email file size is 32K (HTML markup only).

When I open it in the native email client on my Android device (Sprint HTC running Gingerbread 2.3.5) it gets truncated with a message that says "Download Remaining 12K". The button is way below the fold so it's easily missed and 1/2 of my email doesn't even show up in the reader.

I found a setting in my (POP) email account under:

```
menu → more → settings → Send & Receive → Mail size limit

```

But the default was set to 25K. That seems EXTREMELY low. I assume this is to keep the total downloads to a minimum since most people don't clean out their inboxes very often.

However, is this the new standard? That emails need to be kept at a minimum of 25K? I am wondering how many other devices running the Android OS are configured this way by default and if I should re-think all of my email marketing campaigns moving forward.

I checked my Kindle Fire and I don't see an option to change the incoming file size and my email does not get truncated on that device.

**I am hoping to learn:**

1. Is this an Android version specific? (ie Gingerbread)
2. Is this a configuration one makes when setting up a device with the Android OS regardless of the version? Meaning every device is different?
3. How many devices are set with a max file size this low, what's the standard setting out of the box?

# Answer
> Is this an Android version specific? (ie Gingerbread)

No, this has nothing to do with the Android version, I have several close to me and none have such option. It's probably a carrier-specific setting on the stock app.

bahamat answer easily justifies the reason as to why carriers would prefer such low limitations and how this benefits users.

> Is this a configuration one makes when setting up a device with the Android OS regardless of the version? Meaning every device is different?

It may vary depending on the device and carrier, but what usual happens with settings like this is that they are silently applied, but as you've found out, the user can update the value to a more desired one.

> How many devices are set with a max file size this low, what's the standard setting out of the box?

There's no standard about the size for an email that goes this low. What actually exists is a general conception regarding the emails maximum size that accounts for the sum of the message's body and the encoded attachment.

Since a message will often pass through several mail transfer agents to reach the recipient, and since most of them have to cache messages for a certain period of time, this brings storage issues that need to be addressed. Since the early days, 10Mb was considered to be more than acceptable for an email.

You can read all about this at Wikipedia.
> 2 votes

# Answer
This is done to conserve battery life. Downloaded data means active radios, which means electricity drawn, which means battery drained.

Your one email, might be fine. But people often get hundreds of messages per day. If every message I got were that size and my phone downloaded the full content of each one the battery would be dead very quickly.

If it's an email that is important that I *need* to read it's probably going to be only a few lines. Messages that are large are usually things I don't need while I'm at the grocery store or interrupting me while I get a haircut. It can wait until I get back to my desk.

Conversely, without a reasonably small limit you could DoS someone by sending them several large messages, forcing their phone to download all of that data. You can both chew up their data limit *and* drain their battery.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: email
---


title: How do I access .img files with yaffs2?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I access .img files with yaffs2?
I've tried mounting them in Ubuntu, no luck, `mount` does not recognize the yaffs2 file system. I've tried `yaffs2utils` and `./unyaffs2` but it doesn't actually unpack the img files, I've posted an issue about this on the Google Code page here.

The img files were created by CWM Recovery as a backup, and I'm trying to dig into the file system to find old contacts, and if I could just get the .db files I think I got it from there (I'll just run `sqlite3` and peek into the db and print the contacts on paper or something).

Any help appreciated!

# Answer
To unpack a YAFFS2 image, you can use the free `unyaffs` tool, which is available as pre-build ELF-binary (for Linux) from this page at code.google.com. This page also contains hints on how to obtain the source code, so you could build the binary yourself e.g. with gcc (`gcc -o unyaffs unyaffs.c`).

I use this tool myself, it works fine on Ubuntu 8.04 32bit as well as Ubuntu 12.04 64bit (with the `ia32-libs` package installed).

Place the binary e.g. in `/usr/local/bin` (which is in your `$PATH`), so you can access it from everywhere. Put the image file you want to extract in an empty directory (`unyaffs` always seems to extract files directly into the folder the image file is in), and then call `unyaffs` with the image file name as only parameter, e.g. `unyaffs data.img`. After that, you will find the contents of that file system/image unpacked, and can investigate them -- e.g.

* SMS/MMS in `data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db`
* Multimedia Metadata in `data/com.android.providers.media/databases/*.db`
* Calendar data in `data/com.android.providers.calendar/databases/calendar.db`

As I just investigated a MotoBlur image, contacts in my case have been stored to `data/com.motorola.blur.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db` -- they are probably in a different location in your case (a guess: `data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/*.db`).

The `sqlite3` command works on them, naturally. If you prefer a graphical frontend, I can recommend you the `sqliteman` package (comes with a binary of the same name, which accepts the database file as parameter).
> 7 votes

# Answer
You can install Titanium Backup and buy the Pro key.

It allows to extract app backups from saved CWM nandroid backups.

Usage: Launch Titanium Backup, Menu \> More \> "Extract from nandroid backup"
> 2 votes

# Answer
What ROM was it in the backup?

If the filesystem was ext4 you could mount the img to loopback like this:

This is on Linux btw,

```
sudo mount -o loop,ro,noexec,noload system.img ~/mountedImageDir

```

Then go into that directory *~/mountedImageDir* and you should be able to see the directory structure in there :)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: backup, adb, linux, clockworkmod-recovery
---


# Question
Title: How do I stream internal audio from Windows 7 to Android for free?
The audio jack is busted so I want to stream the internal sound to my Android phone and use my headset on that phone instead. No, not just music files. I mean the whole internal sound coming from the laptop. That includes error sounds, clicking sounds (if any) the recycle bin being emptied, etc. Isn't there anything other than Airfoil that can do this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
SoundWire Free appears to do this...but the free version has limitations:

> The free version of the application identifies itself by voice every 30 minutes and displays ads. The full version can handle up to 10 connections at the same time, and has no ads or voice identification. Please consider purchasing the full version of SoundWire if you'd like to support the developer.

Edit to add: That page has SpeakerShare in the "others viewed" links, which appears to be an open source app to do the same thing. The lone comment mentions it's delayed (likely due to buffering/network latency), but things like videos can be worked around (VLC offers an audio synchronization option, for example).

---
Tags: audio, streaming
---


title: Find my Android from an App

text:
# Question
Title: Find my Android from an App
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> An app to locate my Android device around the house?

I'm looking for a "find my phone" app that can be activated from another app instead of a webpage.

The scenario is simple, my wife misplaces her android phone frequently. I'd like to be able to quickly launch an app from my android phone or tablet and activate a find me siren on her device. So far all of the apps I've found require you to long into a bloated webpage first.

Edit: It should work in reverse too, so I can find my tablet (which does not have a phone number of course) from her phone.

# Answer
> 1 votes
"Find My Phone Siren" does what I was looking for (app to app siren). It also uses google to sign in so you don't need yet another account. Only drawback is that it costs $1.97.

# Answer
> 5 votes
If that's your scenario ... just call her on her android phone? Maybe she can put you a siren as your personal ringtone.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Phoning Pigeon

You don't need to install it, but she does. Set your phone number to be one of the activating phone numbers. When you call her phone two consecutive times it takes the phone out of silent mode, making it then easy to call it a third time so it can be found.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Prey is another possibility. It goes beyond the world of Android, even.

You can use the Prey app on your device to monitor your other devices. Technically, though, this will fail one of your criteria as it really just launches the Prey website. (It's not, however, "bloated".)

---
Tags: lost-phone
---


# Question
Title: Non default browser for specific web page
I have bought my 8 year old a Nexus 7 (lucky boy!). As some of you may know Flash is not available for Jelly Bean so I had to do a bit of a hack using Dolphin browser so he can go to certain Flash powered websites (moshimonsters.com). I want the default browser to still be Chrome so I can use Funamo Parental Control to monitor his web use. Is it possible to create a shortcut/widget/bookmark to the site in question but specifying Dolphin as the browser?

Thanks in advance.

# Answer
It is doable, but you cannot do this without 3rd party application, because by default shortcuts or bookmarks (as available in the system features) do not hold such information. I am not able to name any app that would do this, as I never personally needed this, but I am certain they do exist as it is not technically complicated, as most likely you are not the only one with such needs. All it needs to be done is to create a shortcut, which would launch this 3rd party app being a "proxy" and said app would then call explicitly specified application handing your URL to it.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I am not sure about a shortcut but a simple widget should be good enough for your needs. While I have not tried this myself here is how I would start:

1. Write a simple widget to put on the home screen. Be prepared to send in a new intent as soon as the widget is started up
2. Open the Dolphin browser while having your device connected to ADB. Notice the intent that is being sent by the ActivityManager when starting the browser.
3. In your app create a new Intent() and fill it up with the specific component/class name of Dolphin browser and pass in the URL of the site you want to open as data. I think the tricky part will be detecting the exact class and component name used by Dolphin browser. The rest of it should be straight forward (I think).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: dolphin-browser
---


# Question
Title: How can I save a file rather than open it?
I want to change a URL somehow so that it prompts my HTC Sensation to save the file rather than open it.

Is this possible?

# Answer
I take it that you want to download some media (e.g. .mp3, .wav, .jpg) from a link, which for certain sites will try to open via browser.

Try long-pressing on the link for the menu, then select 'Save Link'. It will then save the content to `/sdcard/download` as Bryan Denny♦ commented.
> 1 votes

# Answer
It needs to do both usually. Your \[default\] browser will download a file to the `/sdcard/download/` folder (as Brian Denny pointed out) and then open it from there. It can open it directly from the browser, but it will also be stored on your device.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: browser, downloading
---


# Question
Title: Can I change the hardware button mapping with CM9 (Samsung Galaxy S2)?
I have a GS II and recently flashed to CM9 - I wanted to know if there's any way to map the hardware buttons back to the TouchWiz shortcuts - specifically the long press menu button = search (I really used that and seriously miss it).

On that note - I also wanted to know if there are any TouchWiz ports of only the shortcuts (right swipe call / left swipe message etc.) for CM9 or any other slim/clean ICS ROM.

# Answer
With ButtonRemapper you can remap certain keys, but long press is currently not supported. It might be implemented in the future though, I suggest you follow the topic: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=850464
> 2 votes

# Answer
The keymap file for Cyanogen is in `/system/usr/keylayout/qwerty.kl`.

All you have to do is find a way to change this file (never forget backup). Of course that requires your device to be rooted, you could easily do that using Root Explorer. Android loads keymap configurations on boot, so any changes while the system is running need a restart.

I'm not sure how long press is mapped on this file, My search function does work long pressing the menu. I checked it out, and found these two lines:

```
key 127 SEARCH WAKE_DROPPED
key 217 SEARCH WAKE_DROPPED

```

Check out if these lines matches yours in your file, and if not, change it to a similar way.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-s-2, samsung-touchwiz
---


# Question
Title: How to take Motorola Photon 4g out of the grave?
Recently I ordered Motorola 4g from US.... It was with stock Sprint Sunfire OS.

```
OS       : Sunfire-2.3.5
Baseband : 4.5.1A (I am not sure about this whether its baseband or revision)
Build    : 1_SUN-254_4

```

**NOW ITS DEAD.... running in RSD Mode**

So what I did, I was trying to install custom rom on that. Steps I had taken

1. Rooted phone via installing SuperUser and various rooting methods like ClickOnce, Photon -Torpedo but no one seems successful , while executing I got errors everytime. But after day or two I came to know about that my phone is rooted. As I was getting SuperUser popups on root operations. Then I installed CWM and tried to install the ROM from there but everytime I got stucked at Yellow Triangular icon (recovery mode).
2. Repeated step on rooting process and unlocking the bootloader by applying pudding.rar and fastboot commands and every time i got the error and Starting RSD Screens, but anyhow my phone recovers itself to its original boot state afetr pulling out battery and manually restrating.
3. Finally one day I use some other Recovery Tool , i am unable to recall the name. It installed and rebooted successfully in the recovery mode. I then wipe the dalvik cache, wipe factory reset and then tried to installl the custom rom that MIUI 2.68 i think . I was happy to see some designer screens on my phone and then it said rom installed successfully.
4. I then reboot my phone and found it in the Failed To Start2 , Starting RSD mode

I tried various way to restore...

1. Installing pudding.rar using RSD lite but everytime I got sec\_exception : sec\_exception : b655, eddc,eb
2. I then tried reinstalling SBF : 1FF-sunfire-user-2.3.4-4.5.1A-1\_SUN-198\_7-CM-release-keys-signed-Sprint-US.sbf and sunfire-2.3.5-4.5.1A-1\_SUN-254\_4 but while enumerating phone I got error sec\_exception febe 4e 4e

I have also tried nopudding4u.sbf but the same result.

Please,, help me and my phone out .. as its going to be more than a week... i feel handicaaped...

Please guide me through the step by step , which file and when and please do provide the links of the files to download.

```
**Update OTA with 2.3.5 before murdering.....**

```

# Answer
> 0 votes
I got it back. For answer check the XDA Forum with same question.. ANybody in same condition .. please visit the link..

---
Tags: rom-flashing, unbricking, motorola-photon
---


# Question
Title: What happens to the battery during bootloader/recovery?
I want to know what happens to the battery (does it charge/discharge/stay constant?) when the device is in bootloader or recovery mode. In both of these modes, a USB may or may not be connected.

If the battery does charge, could that possibly be a feature that could be a result of the installed recovery/bootloader, or could the charging feature be hardware dependant?

# Answer
Charging control is done via hardware to prevent ruining the battery in case of software errors. That is why (most?) devices charge even when powered off. The status display that is then shown is just a "minimal OS" that queries the current status from the battery charger hardware.
> 9 votes

---
Tags: battery, charging, recovery-mode, bootloader
---


# Question
Title: Problems rooting Samsung Galaxy S: SuperOneClick stops responding at step 7
I am having an awful time trying to update my new Galaxy S to ICS. I found a well rated ROM .zip on code.google.com but first I need to root the phone so I can unlock the bootloader. I have been googling all week and read lots of posts saying SuperOneClick is the way to go, but it keeps freezing. It gets to step 7 and stops. There are many threads out there where people say they have the same problem as me, but there is no answer to these posts, or the response is 'well it worked for me', which isn't much help. I also thought of giving Odin a go, but I do not believe my ROM is compatable (doesn't have PDA, CSC etc. elements to select). There must be something I'm missing or the tutorials I've read have left out. Or something else stopping SuperOneClick from finishing it's task.

I get no error messages during the rooting process. SuperOneClick just plain stops responding.

# Answer
As recomended by CE4 above, I just followed the steps laid out in this tutorial.

Samsung Galaxy S: Full Update Guide

You can download the ROM from get.cm here (original Samsung Galaxy S variant) or here (Samsung Galaxy S (B) variant), note these are only for i9000 (not i9001 or i9003).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, rooting
---


# Question
Title: After removing old system app and installing the new version, it forces close
I'm using a custom ROM of CyanogenMod 7 (Android 2.3.5) on ZTE Racer. The ROM came with some default system apps like Gmail, Google Translate, Youtube and Adobe Reader. The old version of these apps are kept in internal storage even if you update them, so to save space I uninstalled the updates and them removed them using Root Manager.

The problem is that when I installed the updated versions from Market, they force close during opening (I found out later that Google Translate force close only when trying to translate something).

I had backed up everything before uninstall, and I noticed that if I install the backed up version manually and then update it through Google Play, they work fine. Checking the storage space left, I can say that the old versions were this way deleted, so I suppose the result should be the same.

Since I did not notice that Google Translate wasn't working, I deleted the backed up apk file, so I can't put it to work again.

My question is: anyone knows why does this happen? And if so, how could I make the updated version of Google Translate to work now that I do not have the old default apk anymore?

**Edit:** I tried installed again to trace the exact error message and it is now working, though I have done anything explicitly.

# Answer
I cannot say for all apps you listed -- but for some, the following applies:

Some system apps (as e.g. the market/playstore app) have to be present in `/system` in order to work. For the Playstore app, the reason is: The permission to install other "packages" is only granted if one of the following two conditions is met:

* it is signed with the same certificate as the system (ROM) itself -- which does NOT apply in your case, due to the custom ROM used
* it is installed as "system app" (i.e. below `/system`) -- which did no longer apply in your case, since you uninstalled the app from there

Expecting the pre-conditions given, developers might have forgotten to include a check and implement appropriate exception handling -- which then may lead to the described force-close.

Similar constellations *might* apply to other apps/packages as well -- though I'm not sure what should make the Google Translate app so special (maybe it has some special hooks I missed).

You could try to find out by following Roxan's advice, to integrate the app as "system app" again using e.g. *Titanium backup*, and see if it still force-closes.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Instead of doing this manually, use Titanium Backup Pro.

It allows you to integrate updates to ROM for all system apps.

So after installing this, long press your desired app and choose the option integrate update.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, cyanogenmod, internal-storage
---


# Question
Title: Android running tweetdeck notifications when not running
I downloaded Tweetdeck for my new Galaxy S 3 and when it is not running in the task list or in the `app manager | running apps` it still notifies me of new tweets. How can I see this task running and how to disable it? I don't see it in services or in the Tweetdeck options to disable background services.

# Answer
> 3 votes
In Tweetdeck, each column has separate notification and update settings. Tap the menu key, then Column Settings. Switch notify off, and set your desired update interval, or move the slider all the way to the right to select "Manual".

---
Tags: notifications, twitter, tweetdeck
---


# Question
Title: How can you stop your phone from saving contacts to your sim?
I Have a T-Mobile Sidekick 4G. It runs on Gingerbread. I just got my phone and when I first tried to enter a contact I accidentally pressed "Save to Sim" and "Remember This Choice". I really want to save contacts to my phone but it won't let me. How do I un-do this? This is really annoying!

# Answer
> 6 votes
Open Contacts then press the menu button go to More\>Settings in that the first option is where you want to save your contacts .

---
Tags: contacts, sim-card, t-mobile-sidekick-4g
---


# Question
Title: What is the most effective way to disable ads in an Android app?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Is it possible to block ads in Android applications?

I've read ways but they don't block/disable ads.

# Answer
Free applications usually come with ads, since they are used by the developer to monetize its work:

> Advertising is one of the means to monetize (make money with) mobile applications.

# Two methods to disable ads:

1. Unrooted device:

Buy the donate version

It's getting common among developers to have two versions of their application, one free filled with ads, and one "donate" version where you pay a extra-small-amount and get rid of the ads while helping the developer.

Additionally, there are other forms of donate to help the developer and get rid of the ads, since they vary alot, best is to read the application summary.
2. Rooted phones:

There are several applications available from Google Play Store with the sole purpose of blocking ads from the device and applications.

Essentially, they nullifying requests to known host names in the system hosts file.

AdFree Android by BigTinCan.com is amazing for this end.

Personally I don't like the idea of blocking ads since we are essentially preventing developers from earning their day-to-day bread.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You must be rooted for this. If you are rooted, use either of ways:

* Point ad servers to localhost using Host file manually. Sniffing ad servers & adding them to Host file is tedious task.
* Use Ad Blocker apps. There are many Ad Blocker apps available in Play Store viz. AdFree Android, AdAway etc. Its easiest, fastest and most effective way.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: ads
---


# Question
Title: How can I check if installed apps are latest versions?
I used to have an app on my Desire HD that I *think* was called Something Dog. When launched, it would list all the installed apps and whether they were the latest versions.

My Desire HD crashed a while ago, and all my data was lost. I've since bought a One X and I'd like to have this app again.

Does anyone know what it's called?

# Answer
The "dog" you are talking about is aTrackdog. :)

It queries your installed apps and compares them to the latest known versions.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: How to toggle wi-fi, gps etc quickly in HTC Sense?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Can anyone recognize this app (toggles WiFi, GPS, Sync, BT, etc.) in the notification bar?

I am used to from cyanogen mod to be able to toggle on/off wi-fi, gps, data, plane mode etc Also I was able to configure what is going to be available to toggle.

Now in HTC Sense version 4.0 that runs on Android 4.0.3 I cannot find anything like that.

Do I have to install (and probably pay) for a widget or I missed this a must feature in the Sense?

Could you recommend a widget that would allow me to do so?

# Answer
> 4 votes
There are a lot of toggle switches available. Some even come pre-installed -- just check it out:

1. go to your homescreen
2. long-press on an empty space
3. select to add a widget
4. scroll through the list of available widgets
5. select the one you want to use

Usually, there are a lot of separate widgets to toggle *either* Wifi, GPS, ... -- but also a "power-widget" (or "energy-widget") should be available, which is a combination of several widgets.

If you are still not satisfied with what you find there, the playstore is full of alternatives:

* Elixir 2 with its Elixir 2 - Widgets being the most famous and high-rated, and can even be integrated into the notification area
* Power Toggles being another alternative -- also can be integrated with the notification area

Just to give you two examples -- as said, the playstore has many more. Below you find a screenshot from *Elixir* and *Power Toggles*, to give you an idea of what they can do.

---
Tags: settings, htc-sense, notification-bar
---


title: Rooting Stock Firmware - GSII with NFC

text:
# Question
Title: Rooting Stock Firmware - GSII with NFC
I have a Galaxy S2 with NFC (GT-I9100P) and I wish to have root access to properly administrate my phone.

I've been looking at various forum posts on different sites and I've just been getting more and more confused as to what I need to do.

From what I understand, I need to flash an unsecure kernel to the phone (with ODIN) to get root access, then I can flash the stock firmware back onto the phone and retain root access. Is this correct?

Further information: My baseband version is `I9100PBVLP7`

kernel version: `3.0.15-I9100PBVLPA-CL364024dpi@DELL169 #3`

and my operator is Orange UK.

I've managed to obtain the firmware version that is on my phone already through sammobile.com, I just have no idea what I need to do next.

**Reward** If anyone can help me to get root access on my stock firmware I will give them as much bounty as I can when the question is eligible for it.

# Answer
If all you need is root access, try flashing the Siyah kernel via ODIN. Ensure you get the S2 version, as the dev has one for the S3 as well. Also, you will need the TAR version as you will flash it via ODIN (at least for the first time). Later instances, you can get the ZIP format and flash it via CWM (ClockworkMod recovery, which is built into the kernel). Apart from features like more processor steps, you can also overclock/underclock, adjust various parameters and have features like Backlight Notifications.

Since you will flash this kernel, you DO NOT need to flash the firmware. You can keep the stock firmware and your data intact. This kernel automatically installs root access so your primary requirement is also fulfilled.

As with all operations, ensure you have an off-site backup of all your data.

As an aside, once you install the kernel, get the ExTweaks app from the market which is designed especially for this kernel and offers a GUI/frontend to access many under-the-hood features.

Assuming you have all the drivers installed, here's how you go about it:

1. Download the TAR file of the Siyah kernel. Note that the latest series is for ICS, in case you're running Gingerbread, search for and download the appropriate older version of the kernel.
2. Start ODIN and connect your phone via the USB cable AFTER you enter DOWNLOAD MODE (Press Vol down + HOME + POWER button simultaneously for a few seconds after completely shutting down phone. At the warning screen hit Vol UP to confirm entry to download mode).
3. Once connected, you should see a COM port number with a yellow background.
4. In the ODIN program, press the PDA button and point to the TAR file.
5. make sure ONLY Auto-reboot is ticked and then click START.

If all goes well, you should see a green box with PASS! shown after which your phone will boot up. It may take a minute or two, so don't panic.

Refer to the FAQ and the respective threads on XDA-Forums for more info.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: rooting, samsung-galaxy-s-2, stock-android, odin
---


# Question
Title: Android tethering via bluetooth keeps disconnecting
I'm currently using a Google Nexus tablet tethered via Bluetooth to a Samsung S3 for internet.

Two things are annoying me.

First, if I take the phone away from the tablet (go out for lunch), the tablet disconnects and has to be manually reconnected. Is there a way to have that happen automatically?

Second, Bluetooth tethering, i.e. the internet sharing part needs to be switched on each time the bluetooth is switched on (or perhaps just after power cycling) on the S3. Is there no way to have that default to on?

Thanks

# Answer
> 5 votes
I'm doing the exact same thing, except with my Captivate, and I ran into the same problems. To solve them, I use three apps across the two devices. On my N7, I use Tasker to detect when I lose wifi connection and use Bluetooth Auto Connect as a Tasker plugin to automatically connect to my phone. On my phone, I use Bluetooth Auto Tethering, which automatically turns on Bluetooth tethering when you start your phone.

As a bonus here is a link to my Tasker profile/tasks which does all this stuff. I think you can just import it into your Tasker.

---
Tags: connection-issues, bluetooth-tethering
---


title: Motorola Defy in a reboot loop

text:
# Question
Title: Motorola Defy in a reboot loop
I bought a new Motorola Defy today. The phone switches on then asks to be connected to a Google account, I try to type in my login details and it reboots.

The battery shows 100% but when in switch off it moves from 0-20 and then stays at 60%.

And the phone doesn't work when not connected to a charger. Is it a battery issue?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Since it's a day, return it back and get another one is the best solution, AFAIK.

**Update**

It's a battery issue and AFAIK, nobody in this forum is going to put fixes on battery issues. And if I were in your shoes, then I would definitely return that phone and bring back a new one from the seller.

---
Tags: battery, reboot, motorola-defy
---


# Question
Title: "Failed to detect compatible download-mode device" on Mac Lion with Samsung Galaxy S2
Hi I'm using the cyanmodgen wiki to install it. but I'm stuck on the first step.

Whenever i do `sudo heimdall flash --kernel zImage`
I get :

```
Initialising connection...
Detecting device...
Failed to detect compatible download-mode device.

```

The device is booted in download mode, and everything else is exatly like the wiki except that my s2 is still on android 2.3 and not ICS.

Thank you for any help or hint.

# Answer
> 6 votes
I had the same problem. Looking at the source of heimdal revealed that this message is send when no USB device is attached.

And this was in fact the case. `lsusb` showed that the kernel is not aware of any USB device related to the Galaxy S:

```
flo@flo-pc ~/data/cm9-sgs $ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 046d:0990 Logitech, Inc. QuickCam Pro 9000
Bus 003 Device 069: ID 1a40:0101 TERMINUS TECHNOLOGY INC. USB-2.0 4-Port HUB
Bus 006 Device 002: ID 046a:0023 Cherry GmbH CyMotion Master Linux Keyboard
Bus 007 Device 002: ID 058f:6254 Alcor Micro Corp. USB Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 007 Device 005: ID 0a12:0001 Cambridge Silicon Radio, Ltd Bluetooth Dongle (HCI mode)
Bus 007 Device 004: ID 046d:c521 Logitech, Inc. Cordless Mouse Receiver

```

After I used a different USB cable and a different USB port, my Galaxy S appeared on `lsusb` while it's in download mode:

```
flo@flo-pc ~/data/cm9-sgs $ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 016: ID 04e8:6601 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Mobile Phone
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 046d:0990 Logitech, Inc. QuickCam Pro 9000
....

```

And heimdall was able to flash a new kernel!

So I have two suggestions:

* try another USB cable, I suspect the original Samsung USB cable to be of low quality
* try another USB port, ideally without a USB hub between the devices

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-s-2, clockworkmod-recovery, heimdall
---


# Question
Title: Will Dropbox delete files from my online storage?
Will Dropbox delete a file from my cloud storage after I upload it?

So if I upload a photo with the Dropbox app, then delete it from the phone, will it remain in my Dropbox storage?

# Answer
> 17 votes
If you delete a file from your mobile device, the file remains on your Online storage.

To have the file permanently deleted, you need to delete it from your online Dropbox account, accessing it via their website.

I've just run this exercise *(to prove the theory)*:

1. Take photos;
2. Sync Dropbox;
3. Delete photos from my device;
4. Access laptop;
5. Photos were downloaded;
6. Access Dropbox website and login to your personal account;
7. Delete photos;
8. Photos were automatically removed from Laptop and a notification was presented asking if I wanted to undo the operation.

# Answer
> 11 votes
Dropbox doesn't work the same way on Android as it does on dektop platforms: **It does not monitor a directory for changes.** In fact, you only can download selected files, which will be saved on a cache directory on your Android device. The Dropbox app would not instantly notice if you delete the file. Only if you try do retrieve the file again from the cloud, the Dropbox app would search for the file in the local cache directroy first. If it isn't here, it will just download the file again.

But you can delete a file from the cloud storage by selecting the delete option in the Dropbox app. Same thing goes for upload: You have to select a file in order to upload it into the cloud.

# Answer
> 1 votes
As said before, Dropbox for Android works differently than the desktop program. It's just an interface to access your online account, with some special features like caching. For example, you can "favorite" a file for offline access and edit some files directly from the app. But if you want an app that works exactly like the desktop program, you can try Dropsync.

---
Tags: dropbox
---


# Question
Title: Phone stuck on Google logo after trying to install Jelly Bean
I have a Galaxy Nexus with Android 4.0.1

I tried to install Jelly Bean, and followed all instructions I found on a website (forgot which one). I installed cwh and twh first. Then I installed Jelly Bean. After the installation I rebooted my phone and it got stuck on a cross with the four colors for more than one hour. So I tried to remove all of this (Jelly Bean, twh). But now it's stuck on Google logo.

I tried everything. I don't know what to do to make my phone work. I flashed it but it's not working.

Can you help me? (A stressed student who cannot pay for the repairs)

Thank you , I really need an answer

By the way, I have a mac.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I had the same issue long ago with my G1. I forgot to wipe Dalvik cache. It's an option in the recovery menu, you should do that.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I had same experience once where I was stuck at a boot loop after flashing a nightly release of a custom ROM. I tried flashing several other ROM but to no avail.

The reason it happened on my Galaxy Nexus was because I had the option **Automatic Restore** enabled. You can find this option at *Settings -\> Backup & Reset -\> Automatic Restore*.

My fix was to execute the following command:

```
fastboot -w

```

This command erased the userdata and cache and I managed to boot my device successfully.

In case you don't know what fastboot is, it's a tool that's available from Android SDK.

Before proceeding with fastboot I suggest you to try flashing some other ROMs.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-nexus, unbricking
---


# Question
Title: How can I see a list of my unrated apps?
It's important to me to provide feedback on the apps I use.
However, I don't remember which apps I already rated, and I find myself checking my apps one by one to find the ones I haven't rated yet.

Is there a way to see a list of my unrated apps?

I have a Galaxy S2 with ICS, but I think this question is relevant to all Android devices.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You cannot currently get that list.

You may want to temporarily:

* Disable **Auto-update Apps** in the Google Play **Settings** menu on your device.
* Enable the **Notifications** checkbox.
* Choose when to update each app manually, once you see an update notification. Your existing review, or lack of review, is evident right there 1 inch down the app page if you are in in portrait mode.
* Two weeks later, you'll have reviewed those developers who are updating super-regularly. Keep this up for as long as you can stand to, and all of the developers who aren't dormant are reviewed. Then switch your settings back.

Each manual update will occupy about 30 seconds per app of your time, or less. And it's not perfect. There will be apps who never update before you decide to re-enable **Auto-update Apps**.

I stay in perpetual Manual update mode and I've never failed to give feedback on any app I've installed.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Create a list in your office/organizer of all your apps, then, as you rate your apps go back to that list and mark them as rated. I know it's not automatically calculated for you thus not super convenient but hey, it has to be better than searching one by one. :-)

---
Tags: google-play-store, app-ratings
---


# Question
Title: Loss of Image quality when set as lock screen or home screen wallpaper
This is my original wallpaper:

After setting it as Lock Screen wallpaper, its quality got reduced and this is how it looks:

Even when set as homescreen, the image quality is reduced.

How to improve the quality of the lock screen/home screen wallpaper?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I have found the solution. The original image size was huge (about 2600 pixels wide). So I used Photoshop and transformed this image to 960 x 480. Now the image looks the same way when set as lock screen or home screen wallpaper like below:

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, lock-screens, wallpaper
---


# Question
Title: How to display several RTSP streams at once?
I want to be able to show several RTSP live streams simultaneously. Like, the phone screen divided in, say, 4 parts and in each part a separate stream from a separate IP camera displayed.

How can I do that?

# Answer
Hm, 4 parts from different cameras -- looks like IP Cam Viewer is capable of that:

Not that hard to find: Just entered "ipcam" in the search box at the playstore site, and clicked on the first result. You might want to try the others, maybe you find something even better suited for your requirements. Or use this one to better restrict it (ipcam + rtsp).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: video, rtsp
---


# Question
Title: Changing vibrate length of default email app on galaxy s2
I have connected the mail app from the galaxy s2 to my email (exchange). The notification (which I have set to vibrate) is just a very short vibrate. It seems very likely that I will often miss this notification (unlike the gmail app for example which vibrates for a much longer time). Is it normal for the vibration of the default mail app to be very short? And if so, is there a way to change that?

# Answer
> 1 votes
There are two methods you can use to adjust the vibration duration:

# System Configuration

1. Tap your device "home" button;
2. Tap your device "menu" button;
3. Tap "Settings";
4. Tap "Sound";
5. Use "Vibration Intensity" to adjust the duration.

This may not be available for all devices/Android versions

# Custom Application

There are a few applications available from Google Play Store that you can use to adjust vibration timers.

Vibration Notifier by j4velin allows you to set a vibrate interval and additionally alows you to specify the duration of each vibration:

> Let your device vibrate every X min. when you missed a call / received an eMail

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, email, vibration
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to run a Firmware Over The Air update server?
Is it possible to run a Firmware Over The Air update server?

and is it possible to configure stock devices to point at it?

# Answer
> 3 votes
There is no need to run your own OTA Server. You can use the infrastructure from https://www.otaupdatecenter.pro

---
Tags: device-firmware, ota-update
---


# Question
Title: Find lost acer android tablet without a tracker installed
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How can I find a lost phone or help people return it?
> My phone was just stolen an hour or so ago. Are there any options for tracking?

How do you find your lost Acer Android Tablet a500 Iconia Tab without a tracker installed?

# Answer
If you have a Google Account configured at your tablet try Plan B. You can install it throug Google Play store.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: acer-iconia-a500
---


# Question
Title: How to assign my home button function to a custom launcher?
I installed Apex Launcher on my S3. It takes some configuring before it is useful, so I didn't assign it to the default action of my home key. I then did accidently set the default action to use the standard launcher.

I can't find any way to now set the Apex shell/launcher/what ever it is to be the default when you press home.

Any ideas how to change my home button function?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can also run Apex Launcher from the app drawer of your default "stock" launcher. Navigate to Apex settings \> ADVANCED \> SET DEFAULT LAUNCHER which will do the same thing - clear the default action and display the popup menu allowing you to choose from the launcher apps currently installed on your device.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Go to Settings \> Apps \> Click on the "All" tab then find your current launcher (the one that is default now) in the list. In the App Info page you should have the option to "clear defaults". Click this and the next time you hit the home button you will have the option to select a different launcher.

---
Tags: apex-launcher-pro
---


# Question
Title: How can I get Android 4.0.4 on my XPERIA Neo V?
I asked some questions about rooting before but I didn't realize it all was supposed to be done on an MT11a with **Android 4.0.4**. I have **2.3.4**, so I just rolled everything back. Where and how can I install this version? I am seeing videos (YouTube, for example) where people have this OS installed in this very same device.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You might want to visit the Update page for Neo V for closer information on how to update. It not only tells you what has changed, but also provides you with the required downloads.

The link is to the UK version. I could not find any link for Argentina, and the Brazil page does not even list the Neo V. So you might want to check around for yourself -- at least that's somewhere to start with.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich
---


# Question
Title: Importing contacts from SIM card results in only mobile numbers, and no home numbers
I needed to reboot my phone, (Galaxy Ace, Android2.3), but wanted to save all my contacts. So I did the following:

* export contacts to SIM card
* reboot phone
* import contacts from SIM card

The problem is that only one phone number for each contact came back in when I imported. (When you enter contacts in Android, the default 'first' number is a mobile, and the second number is labelled 'home'. Ever wonder why the phone displays "call mobile" even when the number is a landline? This is why.) Anyway, as I was saying, only the mobile or first phone number for each contact has been brought back in. Any suggestions? I have checked all the display options available.

# Answer
> 5 votes
Contacts on SIM-Card are very limited -- so they e.g. can only store one phone number. Your phones / Google contacts, however, use a much enriched format, where you can store additional information like multiple phone numbers and even pictures.

Naturally, both formats are not 100 compatible. When exporting your contacts to SIM, information must be cut down to fit that format. That was when you lost your additional information. So no way to get that back -- it was gone the moment you overwrote your data doing that import.

The only chance left is using "forensics methods" -- in the hope the "deleted" data has not yet fully been overwritten. However, that would require root access to the device: You need to locate the contacts database (it's most likely named `contact2.db`, and will probably be located below `/data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/` -- the location might be different with some devices (e.g. Motorola uses a different provider for this). You could copy the databases from this directory to your PC, and investigate deleted entries with a HEX editor -- but that's no easy job for someone not used to it...

I know it's too late now for that -- but it might help you next time: To backup/restore your contacts, the contacts app offers an export to VCard format (`.vcf`) which it of course also can read back. This way all information is kept.

---
Tags: contacts, screen, import
---


# Question
Title: Tethering using bluetooth via Galaxy Nexus to Galaxy Tab 7(P1000) tablet
Here is the point there is a secured WiFi connection - which password I don't know - but there is an device - Galaxy Nexus smartphone which is already connected to that WiFi and my Galaxy Tab tablet. There is any change to set GN as Bluetooth modem, to tether WiFi connection, for Galaxy Tab?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Android 4.0+ officially supports bluetooth tethering in both directions (and allows bridging to whatever the internet connection is (wifi/usb/3G)).

You need:

* 1x device as tether host running Android 4.0+ that has wifi/3g/usb internet
* 1x client device running Android 4.0+
* both devices are bluetooth paired
* enabled 'bluetooth tethering' setting on the host device:
settings =\> wireless & networks: more =\> tethering & portable hotspot =\> bluetooth tethering

You then can connect to the tethering profile:
settings =\> bluetooth =\> paired devices/GN =\> profiles/Internet Access

The GNexus fulfills all of that, however your P1000 cannot officially upgraded to Android 4.0 though, so you're out of luck or you have to install an aftermarket firmware (e.g. CyanogenMod9, which is based on Android 4.0.4)

---
Tags: bluetooth, samsung-galaxy-nexus, samsung-galaxy-tab, tethering
---


# Question
Title: Can't access tethered server from Android browser. (Time out  or "URL blocked")
## **Synopsis:** Trying to access local web development server connected by WiFi to Android tether. Everything seems to be connected and operating correctly, but phone's web browser times out when accessing local server.

**Context:** I've got an Android device running android-wifi-tether. It works as advertised. I connect to it from my Ubuntu 12.04 laptop running Apache 2.2.22. The laptop is manually configured to IP 192.168.2.100 in the hosts file. It can ping itself and access it's own web server through that address.

The WiFi tether hotspot gives the laptop the same 192.168.2.100 address(Laptop was configured to match the hotspot address as a troubleshooting step, and could be wrong.) Using ping I can ping the laptop from the phone using the 192.168.2.100 address. Using portscan the phone shows port 80 open on the 192.168.2.100 address.

So, everything looks like it's in place, but any attempt to browse to `http://192.168.2.100` fails after a few moments with a 504(Gateway time out)

Any help would certainly be help.

**Update:** I've install SSH and migrated to Nginx on the server. Portscan now shows ports 22 and 80 open. Using ConnectBot I can login and get my own shell on the server machine by IP address. This should indicate that the network is functioning properly.

I've also install the Dolphin browser on the phone to help verify that it's not an issue with the browser. Still I am curious if the browser is actually looking for the address first within the hotspot's IP space, or if it's looking to the internet, where that address will always time out.

I am very new to the Android scene. I would really appreciate some feedback as to how to get my phone browsing a tethered server. The workflow I'm looking for makes connection to a local server critical.

Thanks again.

**Solution** As I assumed, due to HTTP Proxy settings the web request was bypassing local addresses. I found that if I changed the tether network to 10.\* IP range my provider responded with "access to this url has been blocked." That made it evident that something was blocking some requests, and more than likely also leaving the others to die out in the unroutable nether-net. Used HTTP Proxy Settings to clear out HTTP Proxy address.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Problem may be caused by HTTP Proxy server. Proxies help to manage web traffic on the providers end, but can and probably will disrupt access to local addresses. Proxy options may be available in your network settings, but on many phones these options are hidden. An app such as HTTP Proxy Settings will give access to the hidden settings. Simply clear out the hostname and port for un-proxied access. Make sure to write down original values so changes can be undone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You need to set android-wifi-tether to give out IP addresses in a different subnet than the other networks your laptop connects to (e.g. home, work). You can do this within its Settings.

You also need to set up your web server to listen on the given address. Based on your description you are most likely using nginx; in that case add `listen 192.168.2.100:80;` to the appropriate `server` block.

---
Tags: wi-fi, tethering, wifi-hotspot, web-server
---


title: Wi-Fi doesn't stay connected

text:
# Question
Title: Wi-Fi doesn't stay connected
I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace running Android 2.3.6. The problem is that when I'm in the middle of internet browsing, I completely lose my Wi-Fi signal. I've tried a factory reset which didn't help, I've tried different Wi-Fi hotspots, but that didn't help either. I know it's not the connection thats the problem, as the same Wi-Fi connections work perfectly on my laptop. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Here is the solution that worked perfectly with me: the problem lies in the DHCP settings of the ADSL router.

Follow these steps:

> Login to your router and go to DHCP settings (for belkin its 192.168.2.1) and find the item called lease time. The default values of the lease time is usually Forever, which produces a bug in Android. All you have to do is to change the value of the Leasing time from forever to any other long value (depends on the routers options). Here I changed the value from forever to 2 weeks -- and since then I didn't have a single WIFI disconnect.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Gingerbread has certain power saving options. Make sure that the Wi-Fi settings aren't set in such a way that make the Wi-Fi sleep if it's inactive. (The menu varies from phone to phone. So can't be specific)

---
Tags: wi-fi, samsung-galaxy-ace
---


# Question
Title: Hack ICS browser to restore "menu button exposes URL field"
I just got a Galaxy S3, and I'm finally being forced to confront an aspect of ICS that I've hated from the moment it showed up on my Xoom: the fact that pressing the 'menu' button no longer drops down the URL field, and instead you're forced to scroll all the way back up to the top and pull it down to get at it.

Is there any known way to re-enable the original behavior (press the menu button at any time, see the "url" field drop down in editable form regardless of whether or not the page was scrolled all the way up to the top)?

Yes, I know about the "Labs" shortcut of swiping from the side. I find it extremely awkward and frustrating to use. Like many things in ICS, it uses gestures that lag in their initial visual presentation, then exhibit hair-trigger sensitivity for their selection and confirmation behavior. Half the time, I'll begin the swipe to bring it out, then give up 150ms later when it doesn't appear (only to have it show up after I've already let go), and about 25% of the time, my thumb ends up triggering the wrong target after bringing it out.

Update: pressing and holding the 'menu' button semi-works, but not quite. Sometimes, it makes the URL bar visible and selects the URL, but fails to bring up the actual soft input area (Graffiti). Sometimes, it makes the URL bar appear, makes the soft input area appear, then hides the URL bar the moment I let go of the menu button. For the moment, the problem is somewhat moot... I installed Chrome, and quit using the stock browser altogether due to the remote-wipe vulnerability (in the semi-naive hope that Chrome's alleged non-permission to make phone calls might prevent it from triggering).

# Answer
> 2 votes
You don't need to scroll all the way to the top to see the URL field in the standard browser.

At any point in the page just pull the screen down very slightly and it pulls the URL bar at the top down with it, it should then stay visible for about 2 seconds unless you tap in the bar. This is also the easiest way to access any other tabs that you've got open.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, browser, menu, url
---


# Question
Title: Changing the voice used on Nexus 7 for Google Now search
I have recently bought a Nexus 7 from the Google Play UK store and it seems to be configured as a US tablet in that the voice on the Google Now search is an american woman, whereas on my Nexus S when I search the voice that responds is a man's which I prefer for this purpose, mainly due to the accent the woman has. Is it possible to change the voice that the tablet responds with? I'd prefer solutions that didn't require rooting.

I've already tried changing the language to English (UK).

# Answer
There's a separate section to choose the text-to-speech output speaker:

Goto settings and choose the UK voice:
Setting =\> Language & input =\> Text-to-speech output =\> Google Text-to-speech =\> Language

You can install german, spanish, french, italian voice data additionaly to the preinstalled english US/UK voices.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: samsung-nexus-s, 4.1-jelly-bean, nexus-7, search, text-to-speech
---


# Question
Title: Asus Transformer Slider frequently freezes
I am a not-so-proud owner of an Asus Slider tablet, the one with the slide-out keyboard. I find that whenever I shake the device, open the keyboard, or otherwise move the tablet, it freezes up.

I sent it into ASUS for support, but they said they did not find anything wrong with the tablet. I also tried leaving the tablet out to see if it would unfreeze, but it did not. Please help?

# Answer
I solved these problems upgrading it. Go to Setup -\> Tablet information -\> Firmware update.

Using Android 4.0.3 i have no more reboots, nor freezes.

Manual downloads and instructions are available on the Asus site here.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You could install a 3rd party aftermarket firmware like AOKP or CyanogenMod (originally intended for the TF101 model).

From what I read, one can use ROM images for the almost identical TF101 model (and maybe also flash a SL101 compatibility package on top of it that changes only some minor things (more keyboard models, sound settings, etc.). Even Asus' official update zip for the TF101 is fully compatible with the SL101.

Source: XDA
> 0 votes

---
Tags: asus-eee-pad-transformer, system-freeze
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy Nexus bluetooth keyboard connectbot
I have recently bought a Samsung Galaxy Nexus on which I use ConnectBot to connect to servers over ssh.

I have also bought a Apple bluetooth keyboard that I am currently using with the phone - and everything seems to be working properly.

However I encounter some problems when it comes to some of the 'special' keys on the keyboard like Tab and Esc. Esc seems to be mapped to the 'back' key in Android. And Tab just doesn't seem to do what I want.

It's especially a problem when I'm editing files in vim and I try to exit insert mode... Then I am actually telling android to leave ConnectBot...

Any help is very much appreciated!

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you're willing to use an onscreen keyboard, I've had a lot of luck with the Hacker's Keyboard. It has the layout of a computer keyboard, including Esc, Tab, Alt, Ctrl, and various other keys which are usually missing from mobile keyboards.

---
Tags: bluetooth
---


# Question
Title: How to change the frequency of Google Play update checks?
Every day I get a notification on my Inc2 that there are app updates available in the market. Is there a way to change the frequency of these update checks? I see no reason to be prompted to update my apps on a daily basis and this is a little annoying. I would like to be able to only have it check for updates weekly.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can turn off automatic update checking by pressing menu and than settings in the play store. You can then manually go to my apps to update them. This will not greatly increase the work you have to do, because even if there is a notification once a week it would still require you to confirm the updates. There is no option however to change the frequency of the automatic updates.

# Answer
> 2 votes
If you go into Settings and check "Auto-update apps" it will download and install the updates without prompting you. If you're worried about data usage, also check "Update over Wi-FI only". I've had my phone set this way for a while now, as I too got tired of constantly having updates to accept.

As Dylan Yaga pointed out, if an apps update changes its permissions, you will still be prompted to update it manually, although this doesn't occur very often.

---
Tags: google-play-store, 2.3-gingerbread, updates
---


# Question
Title: Where can I confirm that my HTC One XL is evita model?
I want to double check that my HTC One XL is evita model.

I am almost sure I saw it in a menu somewhere but I cannot find it anymore.

Could somebody guide me where I can find such info?

# Answer
> 4 votes
According to the Wikipedia article, all the HTC One XL devices fall under the Evita model. Evita is just the code name for the device. Just about every device is initially manufactured with a "codename". This is more just like an internal name for the device. This could be because they have not decided on a "public brand" for the device yet, or just because they want to call it something else internally.

Sometimes the codename resides in the model name in the Settings -\> About Phone. But if you have `adb` access to your device, you can do something like:

```
> adb shell
$ getprop

```

this will dump out all the properties that are configured during the boot process. one of them, probably something like `ro.product.device` will contain the value `evita`.

# Answer
> 2 votes
# Codename: Evita

AFAIK, the HTC One XL has the codename of Evita, and no other was attributed to this model.

The XL was introduced into the market just like the HTC One X, but with a significant improvement in communications:

> HTC One XL(TE) 4G Network (**LTE** 1800 / 2600)

PC World Australia article: HTC One XL review: HTC's One X gets the superfast 4G treatment. Is the extra speed worth it?

# Phone Information

1. About the Phone:

To check you device's information, you can go to "Settings" and select "About Phone":

If the codename is presented, you should find it on the information provided there.
2. Accessing the configuration file:

You can use a file manager and navigate to `/system/` and open the `build.prop` file, that contains all the details about your system.

Locate the lines that start by `ro.product` to know your device's model; brand; codename; CPU and manufacturer (among others).

---

# References:

---
Tags: settings, htc-one-xl
---


# Question
Title: How can I record high quality audio with my HTC Desire?
I would like to record interviews, edit them on a computer and include them in a podcast. There is a 'voice recorder app' built in, but the sound quality is awful, much worse than a dictaphone.

It also records in .amr format, but I want a lossless format (either, flac or wav).
I would also like to record up to an hour, which should be possible as the SD Card is nearly 4GB.

Is there a solution for this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Rehearsalassistant

Is what I ended up using. It's ok for now.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can use the TapeMachine Recorder (it's a paid app), it can record in high quality audio format. Here's the link to market

# Answer
> 0 votes
Also tape-a-talk works well and has a free version.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Dictadroid full or lite is also a good choice, here's the advertisment text from Google's play store:

> Dictadroid turns your Android phone into a professional, high-quality dictation machine and voice recorder. Use it to record voice dictations, notes, meetings, music, or any other audio and share it via email, MMS, Box, or Dropbox.
> Dictadroid is very simple to use and has many unique features, including:
> \- Pause/Resume while recording or playing
> \- Insert/Overwrite recording modes
> \- Record/Play in the background or while screen is off
> \- Save audio files in WAV format
> \- Share via email, MMS, Box, and Dropbox
> \- Bulk delete/share operations
> \- Assign new or existing photo to a recording
> \- Use in any orientation (Portrait/Landscape)
> \- Sort recordings by date or title

---
Tags: htc-desire, audio
---


title: USB charging in host mode

text:
# Question
Title: USB charging in host mode
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Using an OTG cable while charging

Recent versions of Android allow USB to operate in host mode. But is it possible for them to be powered/charged via that same USB port while operating in host mode?

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is only one USB port for USB OTG (which not supports USB hubs if I remember well) **AND** charging the phone. So you will have to make a choice. To my mind this is the main problem with USB charging. Phones are used to having a unique port and you have to choose what you want to do with this only port.

---
Tags: charging, usb-host-mode, usb-peripherals
---


# Question
Title: Why does it take so long for a program like Mapdroid to use the GPS to track you on a map
I was in London last week (*which is outside my country, so I did not use roaming to connect to the internet to be able to use the maps application from Google*). In stead , I used **Mapdroid** to find my way around the center there.

Mapdroid, for those who don't know this program, lets you download maps and than use them without data connection. The only thing you need to do is turn on the GPS.

This works great apart for the fact that **it can take between 5 and 10 minutes for the program to mark you location**. If it does, it can track you fine , and it keeps tracking you on the map.

But I am just wondering **why it takes so long before Mapdroid knows where you are**.

Is it a hardware thing (I have a Samsung Galaxy S phone running Froyo).

# Answer
This shows the difference between AGPS and GPS. AGPS (Assisted GPS) uses a small amount of mobile data to establish a rough location fix (about 1km-100m accuracy) based on the cell towers near you. This gives a faster initial location fix than just GPS. Since you had roaming disabled, AGPS wasn't available and getting a location fix on just GPS can take a while, especially on some firmware versions of the Galaxy S.
> 11 votes

# Answer
I've actually been writing an application that uses GPS, so I can shed some light on this. onik is correct about the AGPS vs GPS. Additionally, though, GPS can be affected by a number of factors which can reduce accuracy or the ability to receive a signal at all:

> GPS accuracy is affected by a number of factors, including satellite positions, noise in the radio signal, atmospheric conditions, and natural barriers to the signal. Noise can create an error between 1 to 10 meters and results from static or interference from something near the receiver or something on the same frequency. Objects such a mountains or buildings between the satellite and the receiver can also produce error, sometimes up to 30 meters. The most accurate determination of position occurs when the satellite and receiver have a clear view of each other and no other objects interfere.

As well with AGPS is DGPS (Differential GPS). (But I do not believe phones have this, only AGPS).

> Like the AGPS, the DGPS uses a fixed GPS location (such as a cell tower) to send information to the GPS receiver. DGPS, however, looks at both the satellite and the fixed location adjusts for any difference between the two, and then sends that information to the receiver. DGPS is particularly helpful when atmospheric conditions interfere with reception.

Source/more information.

In short, make sure you are outside and have a clear view of the sky. The initial lock will sometimes take quite a bit of time, but subsequent locks shouldn't be nearly as bad.
> 9 votes

# Answer
Galaxy S has a notoriously bad GPS. I Changed from S to now S3, and there is a HUGE difference. The S3 is extremely fast to get a GPS lock, and incomparably more precise. So don't expect wonders from a Galaxy S.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: gps, gps-tracking, maps, offline-map
---


# Question
Title: How can I change the behavior of the volume buttons vs. the orientation of the screen
On the Acer Iconia A200, when you change the orientation of the screen, the function of the volume rocker flips. In landscape mode, with the volume rocker on the right side and at the top, you find that 'down' on the rocker turns down the volume.

Now, flip the device 90 degrees left to a portait orientation, with the volume rocker on the top left. Now the same press that was 'down' before is 'right' and it turns the volume UP.

In other words, the action of the volume rocker is sensitive to the orientation of the device.

I haven't found any way to control this yet in the settings - is there any way to change this behavior? I'll eventually get used to it, but for the moment it's driving me batty.

Added: After seeing Zuul's answer talking about the gpio\_keys.kl file, AND getting a bluetooth keyboard, I did some experimenting. When using a bluetooth keyboard, the bluetooth vol up/down buttons are independent of tablet orientation. So either some bit of software checks where the key is coming from and remaps or not as appropriate, OR the swap is happening at some lower layer (i.e. before it becomes a key code).

# Answer
# How things currently work

The Android OS uses a file to map the volume buttons in order to know what to do when they get pressed:

**The file:**

```
/system/usr/keylayout/gpio-keys.kl

```

**Contains two lines for the volume buttons:**

```
key 115 VOLUME_UP WAKE_DROPPED
key 114 VOLUME_DOWN WAKE_DROPPED

```

They aren't "orientation sensitive", just like their physical position on the device.

The issue you're facing, many other tablet owners face, that has to do with the logical position on the action. If we press the down part of the button, the volume should go down, but depending on the orientation, the down part actually raises the volume.

I do believe that the device rotation should account for factors such as this, as to prevent users from having to "create" weird habits for a simple "lower the volume" action. But on the other hand, that's why the volume buttons on your tablet are punctuated by three raised dots for easy tactile recognition.

# Possible solution for rooted devices

Since this buttons in order to be changed need to be altered at a "system level", the action must be performed with root privileges on the device.

While the following two solutions cannot deal with orientation-specific scenarios, they are useful to remap the buttons as to have them adjusted to the tablet orientation in which we get most confused about:

1. Application: ButtonRemapper - Beta v0.2.4

> Tool to remap the hardware buttons. Or better: a generic tool to edit the key layout map file Android uses to map the keys.

XDA Developers forum thread with extensive details by the author
2. Manual Edit of the file: `gpio-keys.kl`:

1. With a root File Manager, travel to `/system/usr/keylayout` and long touch the file `gpio-keys.kl`;
    2. From the pop up menu, select "Properties";
    3. Change the file permissions to `rw-rw-rw-` in order to be able to alter its contents;
    4. After having the new permissions, open the file with a text editor;
    5. Search within the file for the following two lines:

    ```
    key 115 VOLUME_UP WAKE_DROPPED
    key 114 VOLUME_DOWN WAKE_DROPPED

    ```
    6. Update the lines by swapping the key numbers so it becomes:

    ```
    key 114 VOLUME_UP WAKE_DROPPED
    key 115 VOLUME_DOWN WAKE_DROPPED

    ```
    7. Save the changes and reboot your tablet.

You should now have the actions of the volume up/down buttons toggled as they best fit your portrait orientation.

To undo it, just reverse these directions.

Credits for the file edit solution are attributed to user jbeige from thriveforums.org.

---

After reading your device manual, other tablet manuals and the specifications from the Android OS, this are the best solutions I was able find to work around your issue.
> 2 votes

# Answer
This feature is cooked into the ROM, itself, so it will be entirely dependent on what the chef cooked into the ROM.

You can find ROMs such as CM9 and AOKP that have various options for the volume rocker--- but forcing the rockers to stay static on devices like this where it changes is not one I've ever seen.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Button Savior is an application which will provide you on screen soft keys for all your device's hard keys. Though it requires rooted device, some features are claimed to be working with non-rooted devices. The paid version will allow you to customize the soft keys including its position. Please give a try.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, volume-control, orientation
---


# Question
Title: Do Android Default apps (phone, browser,...) support NFC?
Is there any default support on Android basic apps (phone, browser, contacts...) for NFC?

Because if I want to develop for NFC, the user will need to install my NFC app. But for simple tasks that use default apps like phone, is there any default support? For example if I want to make a NFC tag to call my phone number. Or would I need to create an app even for this?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Essentially the individual apps don't need to have any understanding of NFC at all, they just respond to one of their standard intents that's been pushed to them by Android's central NFC Service. By default, that NFC Service handles reading the NFC tag and triggering the relevant intent to pass info on to another app on the device, like the Dialler.

One very easy way to play around with triggering actions by NFC is using Microsoft's ON{X} app (yes, bizarrely this is a Microsoft app that's only available on Android). As long as you've already got the hardware support, this lets you trigger a whole lot of actions with an NFC tag, with an absolutely minimal amount of simple scripting. See their recent blog entry on NFC for some of what you can do.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Since the introduction of NFC in Android 2.3 Gingerbread there has been some basic support for NFC included, such as opening the browser when scanning an NFC tag with an http:// URL, opening the phone app with an tel: URI, messaging with an SMS: URI, email with an mailto: URI, adding a contact with a vCard tag, etc.

Since Android 4.0 ICS, some standard apps and many Google apps have been extended with the function to share data via Android Beam, too. E.g. the current browser URL, a displayed contact, the clip URL in the Youtube app, displayed location in Maps, etc. By default also non-NFC apps share their Play Store URL via Android Beam.

---
Tags: applications, nfc
---


title: Preventing Application Startup

text:
# Question
Title: Preventing Application Startup
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How can I stop applications and services from running?

I have an LG-P690b and I've rooted the phone and un-installed several applications that I really didn't want. All is well, however, there is one application that I haven't removed because it seems to be started up by the system during boot.

In fact, it always shows that it's re-starting. Ideally, I'd like to remove this app but my fear is that if I do that it will bork the phone because it's been told to startup from somewhere else in the O/S.

My guess is that if the app was not set to start up automatically elsewhere in the O/S I could remove the app. To that end, is my assumption correct and where would the O/S maintain it's list of services to be started so that I could address this app once and for all.

What's the app? It's called GPS Navigator and it seems to be created by Bell. It will not work unless you have a data plan and I tend to use the native Google mapping programs (as they do).

So it's not a necessary application by any means. It's just that the darn thing is set to run as a service and that precludes me from jusr arbitrarily using root explorer to remove it altogether. My specific concern is that if it's set to run as a service, and the program has been removed, then the phone may not start.

How can I remove the auto-startup as a service for this evil app? Thanks in advance!

# Answer
> 1 votes
As eldarerathis commented: Your explicit question is already answered:

However, I see an *implicit* question here as well: As you don't want to use this app at all, you might want to "get rid of it". While starting with ICS (Android 4.0) you can *freeze* (disable and hide) most system apps even without root, on previous versions that is only possible with root. Several apps are available on the playstore to help you with this (just search for bloatware).

The best known and highest recommended in this area is Titanium Backup which, as the name suggests, as a "side-effect" even manages your backups (and does this really good -- I use the Pro version now for about 2 years). With this app, you can even create yourself a shortcut to freeze/defreeze an app (in case of rarely used ones). Then there are also NoBloat and Root Uninstaller, amongst others.

So if you are rooted, and if you really do not need that app, freezing it is the safest way to ensure it doesn't start. I've heard of apps still auto-starting though they were "disabled" by those anti-autostart solutions. If, on the other hand, your device is not rooted -- you can only use the "simple no-root solutions" described "over there".

---
Tags: services
---


title: Wrong length displayed for audio file

text:
# Question
Title: Wrong length displayed for audio file
So I have an audio book in a single `mp3` file that's over 5 hours long. On my computer all players display it's length correctly, however on my phone Smart AudioBook Player and the Play Music app both says that it's only 11 minutes long. Rockbox picks up the length correctly.

What could be the problem and how can I fix it **without using a different app**?

# Answer
Its most likely a VBR mp3. as a DJ we have seen this a lot, The VBR is never detected correctly as the length of the playback is not proportional to the length of the file. With DJ software we have to prescan the files to determine their real length, obviously your application is only expecting FBR files and not VBR. You could put it through something like Audacity on a PC and convert it to Fixed Bit Rate. but that is you only real solution, I think.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: music-player, google-play-music, audiobooks
---


# Question
Title: How to sync Thunderbird calendar on laptop with calendar on Samsung Galaxy S III
I want to sync my Thunderbird Lightning calendar on my office laptop with my Samsung S III calendar. How can I do that?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Have you considered using the Google calendar?

As far as I know you can sync the Samsung S III and the Thunderbird Lightning calendar with the Google calendar.

Samsung SIII: http://www.samsunggalaxys3forum.com/forum/samsung-galaxy-s3-help/1278-samsung-s3-s-calendar-not-syncing-google-calendar.html

Lightning: http://www.vikitech.com/7955/sync-google-yahoo-windows-live-calendars-thunderbirds-lightning

# Answer
> 0 votes
As you don't specify, I assume your office laptop is running Windows. In this case you might want to take a look at the MyPhoneExplorer Client App for your SGS, and its desktop pendant for your laptop. As far as I know (I'm not a Windows user), this should be the best and complete solution -- not only caring for your calendar with Thunderbird and others, but doing a lot more useful things to manage your device.

If you do not care for those extras, you might rather take a look at BirdieSync for Thunderbird (or simply search the playstore for thunderbird).

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


title: Auto-update security

text:
# Question
Title: Auto-update security
I've found this comment: Any reason not to allow automatic updating for an app? \- is that safety feature documented anywhere ? I'm about to turn on automatic updates but I don't feel comfortable doing that without a firm proof that it won't compromise security.

# Answer
It's not documented somewhere. But only updates that don't change the permissions are done automatically. If there is a change, the update will have to be done manually.

But of course there is no gurantee that this will always work this way, because of bugs or design changes. If you are paranoid, turn the feature off. (But then, how could you trust Android that the permissions that are shown to you are enforced?)
> 2 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, application-autoupdate
---


# Question
Title: Enable notification badges on the Galaxy S III
Is there a way to enable notification badges on the Galaxy S III? For example, when I have 5 unread emails, the email app shows a red circle with a 5 in it. Can other apps that I install do this as well?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Yes, other apps can do that, but it is up to the app developer to implement Notifications.

This morning when I grabbed my phone I had two different new email notifications (multiple accounts), a Facebook message notification, an app update notification, a Draw Something nudge from my daughter, and a notification that I had new podcasts downloaded in DoggCatcher.

---
Tags: applications, notifications
---


# Question
Title: How to replace system font of a Galaxy Tab 7.7?
How do I replace the default system font on a Galaxy Tab 7.7, by a `.ttf` font?

# Answer
The app Font Installer will allow you to install a font and set it as the system font. As with anything that modifies a system file, you will need to be rooted to do this.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-tab, fonts
---


# Question
Title: What is involved in upgrading Android to a later version, if the manufacturer no longer supports the device?
I recently acquired an Android-based tablet which is now running a rooted version 2.2; however, the manufacturer no longer supports or sells this particular tablet.

I'm interested in seeing if I can install Android 4.0 onto it by keeping the Linux kernel from 2.2 and just replacing everything else. Despite the GPL, the manufacturer never released any source code for their custom modifications so I can't, for example, compile a new kernel. So my basic plan is to replace the software stack with the stock Android 4.0, copy any custom applications over from 2.2 that came with the device, and see what happens.

Has anyone here tried anything like this before and can advise on any potential pitfalls before I go ahead and inadvertently brick my device? Thanks in advance!

# Answer
You might want to look for a "Custom ROM". For many devices, the community provides custom-built ROMs which bring newer Android versions to their devices -- often even improved over the manufacturers version (better optimized, no bloatware), and even covering newer versions where the manufacturer stopped.

A good source to find out if there are any custom ROMs available for your device and which is TheUnlockr, where everything is nicely grouped by manufacturer and device. Also, it seems to be the most complete source. Alternatively, there also is CommunityRelease (you can filter by device, Android version and developer) plus PDADB (no filters at all: over 800 pages to check, and not restricted to Android devices -- so it will be hard to find things here. Though, it may serve as a kind of "last ressort").

As you report your device to be rooted, the most important pre-condition to install a custom ROM is already met ;)
> 3 votes

# Answer
While there doesn't appear to be much activity on the development front, I have found one nice little enhancement for the PE.

This mod will enable the Google Play Store, as well as the other Google apps.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: updates
---


# Question
Title: Gmail notification sound only for new mail
I am using the Google Gmail app, which I've configured to play a notification sound for new mail.

However, it actually plays the notification sound when there is any change at all to the account while I use it on the computer -- reading messages, deleting messages, etc -- in addition to when new mail actually arrives.

It's driving me crazy! How can I configure this so it only makes a sound when a new message arrives in my inbox?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You haven't specified the Android OS version nor the Gmail app version, but since the settings are pretty much straightforward, I'll leave here an overview covering the basics for all available versions.

# Summary

Three things might be happening:

* You are receiving notifications for each email that arrives;
* You have the "notify once" active and are receiving notifications for the email that arrived, but also for a label you've setup to notify;
* You are receiving notifications from the Gmail app, and from another app where you've also configured the same account.

Below is a summary for the Gmail app settings by version. Try and adjust them to fit your needs.

If you continue to experience the same issue, you're probably facing a bug and the best option is to report it.

---

# Android 4.0.x (Ice cream sandwich)

To change Gmail settings, touch "Menu" \> "Settings" from any Gmail screen.

Under "Account settings", you will find:

* Email notifications:

> When checked, you receive a notification when you have new email.
* Ringtone:

> Available when "Email notifications" is selected.
>
> Touch to change any of three settings: The ringtone and vibrate settings for notifications, and an option to notify only the first time you have new email since you last read your messages, rather than each time a new message arrives.

Official Gmail app support page by Google for this Android version.

# Android 3.0.x (Honeycomb)

To change Gmail settings, touch the Menu button at the top-right of the Application bar and touch Settings.

Under "Account settings", you will find:

* Email notifications

> When checked, you receive a notification when you have new email.
* Notify once

> Check to receive a notification from Gmail only the first time you have new email since you last read your messages, rather than each time a new message arrives.

Official Gmail app support page by Google for this Android version.

# Android 2.3.x (Gingerbread)

To access the Gmail app's Account settings menu:

1. Open Gmail.
2. Press Menu.
3. Select More \> Settings \> Select account

Under "Notification settings", you will find:

* Email notifications

> When checked, you'll receive a notification when you have new email.
* Labels to notify

> Manage your notification preferences by label. You can only manage notification settings by label for labels that are synced.

You can enable notifications for specific labels, each means additional notifications when emails arrive:

> When you enable sync for a particular label, you can also change your notification preferences so that you're notified when you receive new mail for that label.

1. Press Menu and touch More \> Settings. Select the Gmail account whose settings you'd like to modify.
    2. Touch Labels to notify.
    3. Select a labels to change the notification preferences. You can modify the following settings:

    + Email notifications
        + Ringtone
        + Vibrate
        + Notify once

    Only labels that have been set to sync will appear in the notifications menu.

Official Gmail app support page by Google for this Android version.

---
Tags: notifications, gmail
---


title: Problem accessing Internet in 4.0 ICS

text:
# Question
Title: Problem accessing Internet in 4.0 ICS
For some strange reason, my Android 4.0 ICS tablet is no longer able to access the Internet. First, via wifi, it could'n connect to two distinct networks. Then later, I tried to connect it to home router via dhcp. It could not. As for wifi, the tablet gets an IP number.

I don't know how this happened, if it is a `route` problem or a dns problem or other. Tried to install a terminal to check a `route` command, but it is not available (at least to me). So I ask what can I do to solve this issue? Restore original configuration? Other?

# Answer
ICS has issues on some devices with Wireless-N. My Acer A500 works properly, but my 2 Xperia phones kill my router instantly if I use the N-draft protocol.

So, try deactivating N-draft mode in your Android device or your router, then it sohuld work.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, wi-fi, networking, dhcp, dns
---


# Question
Title: What does the ambient light sensor look like?
Naive question, but when I check the specs of a phone, one website says phone has feature X, the other says it does not have this feature. Here I am interested in the ambient light sensor.

What does it look like, and where it is usually placed?

**For example**, GSM Arena review says the HTC One V has an ambient light sensor: "Above the display is the earpiece alongside some hidden proximity and ambient light sensors." The photo:

For comparison the text says I should see the proximity sensor too. On my Galaxy Ace 2 it looks like 2 mini cameras, it is hard to miss, and on that picture I don't see anything like that. Of course maybe HTC hid that all so well.

Anyway, I would like to know what I am looking for, thus the question -- **What does the ambient light sensor look like?**

# Answer
> 7 votes
It's hard to see it in normal light, you may need to take your phone under a very bright light to be able to see it (e.g bulb light or straight sunlight). It looks like a darker and smaller front face camera.

If GSMarena has said that it has light sensors, then in my experience, its near 100% correct.

BTW, if you can't bring light sensor to work, there is a free software called Lux Auto Brightness which does the job very nice and has many options.

# Answer
> 7 votes
The sensor is like a small dot, usually located on the left of the HTC logo, above your device's screen. Also the location of the proximity sensor is.

FYI: HTC ONE models S, X, V, EVO 4G LTE are very much alike in physical conception.

This is covered at XDA Developers forum thread: Where is the One X's ambient light sensor?

> **By Tiersten:**
>
> Left of the HTC logo above the screen. It is also where the proximity sensor is.
>
> **By jaaystott:**
>
> If you call someone, take a look at the front of your phone. You will see a steady red glow from the top left of your screen, this is where the proximity and ambient light sensor are housed.

---

Additionally, there's this White Paper: Ambient Light Sensor (ALS) Applications in Portable Electronics that shows their physical aspect:

# Answer
> 7 votes
Just so that I can play a little with gimp: Here's the photo with the light sensor marked.

---
Tags: sensors, htc-one-v
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to have Skype for Android automatically answer calls?
I have this working well for the Skype client on Ubuntu Linux, but I don't see any option to do this in the Android client.

I would like to configure the Skype client for Android to automatically answer calls from contacts. Is this possible?

Thanks!

# Answer
> 4 votes
Currently and sadly, there's no such option to allow the action of auto-answer an incoming Skype call.

You can keep an eye out on this threads, maybe in a nearby feature such solution will arrive:

Additionally, 3rd party solutions aren't possible to this end, since Skype uses a proprietary protocol with no available API as explained on this Stackoverflow answer.

---
Tags: skype, auto-answer
---


# Question
Title: How do I root Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V?
I just got for myself this new phone with so many useless bloatware. I just want to root this phone and freeze or uninstall them as they are slowing my device down (even without opening any app, all I have out of my 350mb + RAM is an average of 50mb). Can someone please help me out with a noob step by step guide? Thanks in advance.

SPECS:

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V (MT11i)

Android 2.3.4

Bootloader locked (but can be unlocked)

# Answer
> 5 votes
According to How to install ClockworkMOD Recovery on Sony Xperia Neo V this should be possible using UnlockRoot (download)1, which requires a Windows (XP/VISTA/7) computer. The process is described at How To Root Android Devices Using Unlock Root Tool, basically as follows:

1. You should have a backup of your data (for safety reasons)
2. Your device should be fully charged
3. USB drivers for the device should be installed on PC
4. USB Debugging must be turned on in the device
5. Connect the device to PC using USB cable
6. Run the downloaded tool, and Click on “Unlock Root”, That’s it.

Another guide available is Learn How To Root the Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V – in case you are not satisfied with the described method ;)

Good luck!

---

**1:** The site hosting the tool unfortunately went down. With some luck, one of the results of this Google search has it.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, rooting, sony-xperia-neo-v
---


# Question
Title: How do I migrate from one SD card to another one?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How do I switch my Android device's SD card without causing problems?

I just moved to Android from iOS. My new droid is Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V which came with a 2GB SD card. This card is almost full so I want to get a bigger and faster SD card. I have installed many apps on this SD card so I'm wondering how I can move all the content of the old card to the new one when I finally purchase it. How do I do this?

# Answer
As the solution described by *yrajabi* basically works, it might miss some data -- e.g. if you have moved some apps to SD card using *App2SD*, you might miss them afterwards. So a much safer approach is:

1. shut down your device
2. take out the SDCard
3. put the SDCard into a card reader, and attach this card reader to your PC
4. make sure all files are visible in your "copy GUI" (which ever you use)
5. copy all files and directories, including hidden ones, into an empty folder on your computer
6. safely unmount the card, and replace it by the new one
7. same way, copy all data (including hidden files/directories) to the new card
8. safely unmount that card, and place it back into your device
9. power up the device, you are done

This way you can make sure no files/directories have been hidden from you.
> 3 votes

# Answer
It's very simple, just connect your phone via USB to your PC and copy all folders from your old SD card to a temporary folder on your PC. Then disconnect and eject your old card and insert your new SD card into phone and again connect phone to PC and Copy-Paste all contents back from the temporary folder to your new SD card, and disconnect phone when finished.

P.S: if you refer to potential duplicates below your answer, there is more perfect and better answers!!!
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, external-sd, data-transfer
---


# Question
Title: How do I pass signal strength info from a phone to a tethered tablet?
I regularly tether my Wi-Fi Xoom to a Galaxy Nexus. In the interest of preserving the phone battery I normally leave the screen off, however this can be frustrating when the connection drops since the Xoom reports a full Wi-Fi signal regardless of the 3G connection's strength.

Ideally what I want to do is replace the Wi-Fi signal strength symbol with the mobile's connection strength, however I'm anticipating it would have to be an extra icon in the "system tray" of the tethered device.

I'm now going to speculate about how it would be done *: Wi-Fi explorer reports the Wi-Fi signal of the connected device, presumably by dynamically writing the system data to the HTML file it serves. Something similar, paired to an app that reported the results in the system tray/dock area would do it.

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* I think this is still in scope since it might help with an answer. It isn't a coding question since I'd never be able to build this!

# Answer
> 5 votes
Here's a version I developed that does it exactly like this - be aware there could be bugs in this, it may not work for CDMA/EVO as am in the EU using GSM!

It is a client/server based architecture.

# Install

To install the application, do the following:

* Plug in cable into device
* `adb install WifiTether3G-release.apk`

The gist of the app is this:

# Server

Activate the Wifi Tethering, then:

* Launch this app - WifiTether3G
* Hit menu
* Tap on Settings
* Set the app to either be a client or server.
* If server, put in a name for the server - its a nickname, that can be anything you like. Default is \*WifiTether3G\_AP\*. Likewise, set up the port, to be anything over 1024 and less than 65536 (**Why?** Internet reserves ports from 0-1023!) Default is *1337* ... :)

The above shall be for the server.

# Client

Activate the Wifi to connect to the WiFi Access Point, then:

* Launch this app - WifiTether3G
* Hit menu
* Tap on Settings
* Un-check the box ***Server*** in order to make the application behave as client.

Tap on Start on the main application window, depending on which side is it - if it's server, it will run listening on the specified port.

If the application is running as client, it will connect to the server, and periodically waits for the incoming data and notifies the notification pull-down bar.

The message on the notification bar will be similar to "*ServerNickname*'s 3G Signal is " followed by the following:

* *Crap* \- 1 bar signal
* *Alright* \- 2 bar signal
* *Good* \- 3 bar signal
* *Excellent* \- 4 bar signal

(*Am not sure exactly how it would be for CDMA/EVO*)

This will be followed by the date/time in square brackets for example, \[05/09 19:33:01\]

**Edit:** I am in the process of updating the code, there's a widget in place but needs a bit more spit and polish... stay tuned :)

# Update:

I have updated the application, there's a widget now in place, if running as a client, long press on home screen, pick WifiTether3G which takes up 1x1 space, the graphical image will change based on the signal. Also, for the settings screen, notification can be switched off as you wish. I will be uploading it to Google Play Store as a free app, shortly. (Linky updated) version

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Tags: wifi-tethering
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title: Disable password hiding globally

text:
# Question
Title: Disable password hiding globally
With a touch screen keyboard, having passwords I am entering displayed hidden is more trouble than it's worth to me. Few applications like KeePassDroid allow you to disable this feature. Is there any way to disable this feature globally? Solutions that require root are perfectly fine.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Which version of Android and which phone are we talking about :D ?

On my HTC Desire running Android 4.0.4, in Settings -\> Security -\> Passwords, there is an option saying "Make passwords visible".

I don't use this but it might help you.

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Tags: security, keyboard, user-interface
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# Question
Title: Apps can't see the light sensor but automatic brightness works anyway?
I don't have a toggle for automatic brightness in my phone's settings menu and I cannot install apps like Lux Auto Brightness that depend on the light sensor. I can, however, turn automatic brightness on using Widgetsoid and it works fine. Why do all the apps think I don't have a light sensor and how can I fix this?

Since I have installed Cyanogenmod, I can now install Lux. However it always sees a brightness of -1 Lux.

# Answer
I also had this problem with Lux, always light reported -1, which I don't know it's a problem either from phone, sensor, Android, or Lux itself! BTW, I solved it by using front camera instead of light sensor. here is how:

* go to Lux settings
* click on Sample Collection
* click on Light reading modes
* select Camera instead of Light sensor
* select Front camera (it's obvious that its better than rear camera for this purpose)
* Now, from main screen of settings, click on Modify Linked Samples
* from top, click on Luma (this app uses Lux for sensor readings and Luma for camera readings)
* then you can see app reads ambient light value from camera and displays at top.
* Now the app should do its job, but you may want to check other settings to match your preferences.

good luck
> 2 votes

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Tags: hardware, screen-brightness, backlight, sony-xperia-neo-v
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