text:
Is this notification that keeps coming up on my phone a virus?
This notification keeps coming up, and i'm not sure if it's real or a virus, or how to stop it coming up.
It says 'Android system warning! Google has found serious bugs in your Battery Module!Click on [OK] to view details.'

Screenshot (click for larger variant)
Any help appreciated, thanks.
Lauren.

I agree with Erman and kasperd's answers. As an additional resource, it might be a case of cross-site scripting, when an honest website is injected by malicious JavaScript hosted on other site, as seen on the screenshot.

No, it's not a virus. The notification is triggered by advertisements on the webpage.
Just don't click "OK" and ignore it.

Careful. What you see there definitely points to malware. No website scans your "battery module" (whatever that should be) and reports Google has found serious bugs in it. Google doesn't work that way. I'd rather go with TimoS' attempt on locating and eliminating the source. If that doesn't work out, check whether that happens on specific pages only and avoid those (at least for a while, as they might be infected). // Edit: Better make the "don't" bold and italics – I've just seen that after writing my comment :)

@Izzy: the website aren't doing any scanning, they would most likely still show that you have issue in your battery, even when you don't actually have a battery. It's a Trojan, your system is likely not infected (yet), the only way your system would be in danger is if you're stupid enough  to invite the horse in and install whatever "fix" the dialog box claim would've solved a nonexistent problem. Best action is to avoid the site that triggers them.

@Izzy - this definitely is not a virus or malware. Notice that it says "The page at http://---- says" -- this is a traditional window.alert() box, and that is the title that comes with it.

@Lie Ryan + Seiyra + lzzy: You are right. BUT: Cause of it's annoying you should find the application which opens this webpage/runs this js and uninstall/deactivate it. Just 'Click OK and relax' is not an option.

@TimoS: right, but you won't be finding the offending application by going through your installed application list, since it's the browser doing this rather than a native application. The OP has 16 pages open, and some of it probably are one he has been using regularly. The source of the alert is most likely a web page that he'd just recently opened. There's nothing to worry  because the system is not compromised; as long as he can avoid the page that triggers the message, there is nothing to freak out about.

@Lie Ryan: But it might be an app which opens this webpage.

No, it's definitely not a virus (there are none for Android) :) Lie's explanation is showing the most likely culprit (I forgot about window.alert()). So stick to the second half of my last comment (avoiding the site causing this until they've fixed it). You never know what happens when you confirm the request. Maybe they just want to "shock you" – but maybe they want to install some malware in the next step.

What you are seeing looks like a javascript alert.
As long as you don't believe the lies some websites will be feeding you, the only danger a javascript alert introduces is the possibility that a site may keep opening so many javascript alerts, that you won't be able to leave the site before another alert pops up. But a decent browser can stop that for you.
In this particular case I guess it is a case of an advertiser lying to you in order to convince you to buy a product which you don't need.

It seems to be an App which opens that dialog (over a webpage...).
Try to boot into safe mode:
Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.
Hold down 'Reboot'. (On phones which do not have the option to reboot press and hold 'Power off')
Then your phone will reboot into safe mode. That means all your apps are deactivated for this session. IF you won't get any of these weird dialogs there THEN restart your phone (to get all your apps back) and deactivate/uninstall your apps step by step.
You can also try AdAway, which has an inbuilt AdWare Scanner. (https://f-droid.org/repo/org.adaway_51.apk)

I didn't knew adaway has an adware scanner.

Sure it's right in the menu. http://imgur.com/FUQqFeA

I agree with this approach. Though it might be an infected website displaying an "advertisement", the phrasing clearly points to malware – and the look of it to an app displaying a dialog. So follow this first – and if it doesn't work out, check whether the message only appears on specific websites (which might be infected); if so, better avoid them at least for a while.

Screenshot Pro displays these annoying, persistent ads with "smart application management" notifications.   If that's not it then look for other apps that you recently installed or updated in Google Play with WiFi access. Disable notifications on the suspected app to see if it is the source of the ads,  then uninstall it if disabling removes the ads.  I had to disable it as a device administrator to uninstall screenshot pro.

Not a virus, but a simply advertising popup which leads at website to avoid. Block the url from your browser!


text:
How to access the internal ringtone folder on rooted 2.2?
I have a rooted Samsung GT5510 running 2.2.
I have tried in vain, using different file explorers, to locate the built in ringtones (folder).
Can someone please point me to the right path? Is it inside some APK, in which case how do I unzip it to access the internal contents after saving it on my computer?

Look in /system/media/audio/ringtones. The notifications folder one level up contains the notification tones.

source: Stack Exchange

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

sort: votes


text:
How to fix the infamous Nook Color / Nook Tablet charging USB cable for good?
The Barnes&Noble Nook Color / Nook Tablet have a proprietary micro USB charging port which is longer than normal and allows power charging with 2Amps.
The charging/data cable from BN is infamous to break after some time, most probably the cable's primary plastic coating is not very flexible and starts to split at the point where it enters the micro usb connector and leads to a visible secondary shielding. If nothing is done the situation worsens and in the end the internal power cables may short.
I got my used B&N Nook Color with a beginning coating split and cannot get a replacement from B&N because I live outside the US and have no invoice.
Seems like this problem is a common one, there are already discussions about a class action lawsuit.
What can I do besides looking for a replacement?

I did a better fix-- I opened up my Nook and replaced the connector on the PC board with a conventional micro USB connector. I now can use any standard micro USB (even the cheap retractable kind!  Another option if you are not comfortable performing surgery on your Nook is the eForCity Micro USB OTG to USB 2.0 Adapter/dongle available from Best Buy. It will allow you to use a standard full-size USB cable of any length to charge your Nook without worrying about bending and trashing your straight nook charging cable. Linky: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/eforcity-micro-usb-otg-to-usb-2-0-adapter-compatible-with-samsung-galaxy-s3-black-black/1304921534.p?id=mp1304921534&skuId=1304921534

I fixed the cable early before it was too late.
The problem zone is the hard transition from the connector to the cable. Shear force due to moving/bending the cable is very strong there when the cable is inserted into the Nook. This is the place where it starts to break and that needs to be fixed.
I consider this solution permanent as it hasn't broken in 18 months:
Add another coating to this transition to reduce shear force.
Used components:

superglue
2 pieces of heat shrink tube (different diameter)

Before:

Fixed:

Doesn't make sense to use both superglue and heat shrink. Superglue is weakened by heat and flakes off.

Like the other answer, I too re-inforced a NEW cable, as a pre-emptive measure.
I experimented a little with the heat shrink tubing and superglue method, but supergluing the smaller heat shrink tube (which has to be slit in order to put on the cable) is messy, and prone to failure after applying the necessary heat to shrink it tight on the cable.
Better, cheaper, and far easier is to simply use high quality 3/4" BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE to reinforce that (Nook Color/Tablet) end of the cable, in three steps, as follows:

Wrap the tape tightly around the cable itself, on the area closest to the connector, until it is the same diameter as that first (round) stage of the connector. Cut the tape.
Next wrap more tape over that area, close as possible to the larger (square) part of the connector, so that it covers both the previous tape wrap plus the smaller round (flange) part of the connector. Wrap tightly until it is about level or possibly a little higher than the square part of the connector. Cut the tape.
Next wrap more tape around that last wrap of tape plus part of the square connector, say with the edge right at the "n" LED, with about 3 turns maximum. Cut the tape.  All done.

Advantages to this method include NOT subjecting the cable end to heat high enough to shrink the heat tubing (and possibly causing other damage).  Also you don't need any other equipment or materials besides 3/4" electrical tape and scissors.  Wrapping in 3 separate "level" sections keeps the tape from wrinkling, and if wrapped tightly, looks quite neat when done.
RECOMMENDATION: Wrap in the SAME DIRECTION for each of the 3 sections, and cut the tape such that tape sections end on the opposite side of the connector's "n" LED.

I'd like to add a fun alternative: use some Sugru. It's a flexible silicone rubber which can stick to just about anything and is simply moulded by hand. It air cures to a tough durable rubber. This is a UK invention (I'm sure they now have it in the US), so might be an alternative for us over here.
www.sugru.com

I wasn't smart enough to be preemptive, though I had plenty of warning as the intermittent problem became more frequent and finally failed completely (no wiggling the cord would make it work).
So, I opened up the connector on the Nook end (with the "N") and reconnected with solder the two broken leads.  This was tricky since the circuit board there is only about 5/16 inch square!  There are four conductors: red, green, black and white insulation colors in the cord.  Both the black and the white leads were broken off.
After testing and reassembly, I wrapped the area with black, stretchy electricians tape to provide better strain relief at that vulnerable site.

My problem is not in the cable but in the nook. Looking inside the plug port it appeared at first that some of the male pins were bent, then in time just not there. I called the help line and they said it was non repairable. And of course would give me credited on a new nook. Which amounted to more than just going to Amazon and buying one.

all_licenses: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/


text:
My HTC EVO 3D is unresponsive after charging
For about the past month or so, whenever I pull my HTC Evo 3d off the charger (wall primarily, haven't tested against USB yet) the phone is unresponsive for anywhere between 15-60 seconds, and it's getting worse.
If I pull the phone off with the display turned on, it will stay turned on in a frozen state; it does the same if I pull it off with the display off, just frozen with the display turned off. The battery is frequently incredibly warm but not quite hot. The unit is running stock Android (after a couple of updates; 2.3.4 Gingerbread, Sense 3.0).

What could be causing this? To me it sounds like some kind of power regulation problem, perhaps from it switching from AC to battery power.
How can I diagnose what is going on that is causing the overheat (is overheating a regularly reported defect of the Evo 3D)?
I am becoming more worried about long-term damage not only from the freezing, but from just charging my phone. So, most importantly, what steps should I take to fix it?

I have minimized the impact of this problem by disabling the [Stay Awake] setting (Settings | Applications | Development).
This setting had been enabled and once I had turned it back off the screen display became responsive sooner after unplugging. Apparently this setting on the HTC-Evo 3D is problematic.

If there are any workarounds for this setting being problematic I would be happy to hear it as my phone frequently remains plugged in while I work, and I regularly use it.


text:
Does CWM backup everything? Or just the actual system?
I have just created a backup using CWM. A 3.2G backup of a clean factory reset. Mental.
I am wondering that once I have installed all the apps, and make a new backup....that backup will contain EVERYTHING? Apps, photos, music...and so on?

I've just added the nandroid tag to your question – as that's what you're asking about. Please see its tag-wiki for more details – including the answer to your question :)

A backup created via recovery is a nandroid backup.
Yes, the nandroid backup created by any recovery (CWM, TWRP) will be exact replica of the phone state when the backup was taken- that means it'll have all the files/ data that you have on the phone.
Here is a good article about nandroid backups

Basically correct. Should be worth pointing out Nandroid creates complete disk images – so it basically "mirrors" all (relevant) partitions. It's not a file-based (logical) backup, but a "disk-based" one. So naturally, everything on the "disks" is backed up – not only the files, but also where exactly they were stored (not just in terms of directory-structure, but rawly, even which "sectors" they were occupying).

authors: Сергей Сидоренко


text:
Picture Gallery Slow & Won't Refresh on HTC G2 w Android 2.3 Gingerbread
I'm having a problem with Picture Gallery not refreshing and loading too slowly on Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread (HTC G2). After I take a picture and then go to add it on foursquare or facebook from picture gallery, the last couple pictures taken aren't there.  Sometimes the last 20 pictures taken aren't there or an entire directory of pictures isn't showing up. A lot of times it takes a long time to load the picture thumbnails and directories.
Is there a way to refresh or fix the Picture Gallery or is there a better 3rd party picture gallery that you can recommend?
Should I reformat or replace my micro SD card to make it work faster?
Thanks in advance! :)

Sounds like the contents of your SD Card have not been scanned since taking the photos.  Try the SDrescan app from Market.  This should help in such situations.
Alternatively, you can manually un-mount the SD Card (via Menu -> Settings -> Storage -> Unmount SD Card) and re-mount it again.  This should trigger the media scanner to refresh the card's contents.

Thanks for your reply! How do I make sure my SD Card isn't starting to go?

Use Quickpic. Its much better than the stock android gallery app both in Gingerbread and ICS

Thanks for your reply! I downloaded the Fish Bowl Photo Gallery but its got an annoying nag screen that stays on there for 2-3 seconds on each load so I'll try QuickPic  :)

I get the same issue with my G2, so I doubt this is a bad SD card.
Another way to force a rescan is to delete the thumbnail folder. I'll use an app like Astro, and navigate to /mnt/sdcard/DCIM. Delete the .thumbnails folder there and the next time you open the Picture Gallery, it will regenerate the thumbnails, including the missing pictures. That said, I think I'll give SDrescan a try next time this happens to me.


text:
Using sponge to act as a stylus pen for Android phone and tablet?
I am amazed that one can create a DIY stylus pen for Android phones and tablets using the sponge as shown in this video.
Is it true or it is simply just a fake video?

Any material that will conduct the electricity stored in the body to the screen will work.

You need material like conductive foam

It is true. But not all touch screen phones work well with this.
The capacitive touch screens that we find in most android phones these days work by detecting electrical disturbances from our body. The 'sponge' used in these DIYs are electrically conducting foam and they transfer the charge of our body through it, thus registering touches.
On the other hand, these sponge tipped styluses obviously won't work well with resistive touch screens unless you apply some amount of pressure.

ANY conductive material will work! A battery in your fingers; a piece of tissue, wet at the tip; AND an alcohol prep pad! just to name a few...

all_licenses: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


text:
My busybox gets corrupted?
Recently I just downgraded my busybox to 1.18.2 version using the jRummy's BusyBox Installer. I was previously having busybox preinstalled by CM7.2 custom ROM.
Then I immediately tried to install the latest, 1.19.4 version using the same app..
It could have shown some error message, but I wasn't sure. Maybe the download didn't proceed fully. But now onwards, I am getting "No root" message when I try to launch the BusyBox Installer. I tried everything, forgetting the app from SuperUser (by chainsfire) app and reauthorizing root for it, clearing data, rebooting the phone etc.
Apps like link2sd also cannot get "root" privileges all of a sudden!!
Strange thing is, z4root app detects my phone as already rooted. And when I try to click "re-root", the process goes on and on and nothing happens.
Why has this happened? Is this because JRummy's busybox overwrites the CM7.2 build one? Should I never try updating busybox when I'm on CM7.2?  or is it because I have to specify correct path? /system/xbin in that busybox installer?
Now all I need is to make busybox and more importantly, get my root back to work properly hopefully without having to reinstall my ROM. Any ideas?
Huawei IDEOS u8150 running Cyanogenmod 7.2-RC1
Update : I tried rooting/unrooting etc using SuperOneClick v 2.3.3.0. It doesn't work either. Here's its log (apparently there are lots of "illegal instruction" errors where it shouldn't be):-
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
export PS1=""

# export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.release > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=31336

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

2.3.7

END:31336export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.manufacturer > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=93231

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

Huawei

END:93231export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.model > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=48975

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

U8150

END:48975export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.incremental > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=38960

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

eng.aorth.20120306.105455

END:38960export PS1=""

ls -l /system/xbin/su > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        ls -l /system/xbin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=96369

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     ls -l /system/xbin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:96369export PS1=""

ls -l /system/bin/su > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        ls -l /system/bin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=35669

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     ls -l /system/bin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:35669export PS1=""

chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=40902

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:40902export PS1=""

/data/local/tmp/busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=40829

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

/data/local/tmp/busybox: permission denied

END:40829export PS1=""

busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=31488

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:31488export PS1=""

rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=65795

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:65795export PS1=""

rm /data/local/tmp/sh > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        rm /data/local/tmp/sh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=78056

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     rm /data/local/tmp/sh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:78056export PS1=""

chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=86427

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:86427export PS1=""

cd /data/local/tmp/ > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=46214

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

END:46214export PS1=""

export TEMPRANDOM=23335;export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;./zergRush

./zergRush: permission denied

END:23335export PS1=""

* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
export PS1=""

# export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.release > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=81716

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

2.3.7

END:81716export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.manufacturer > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=13472

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

Huawei

END:13472export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.model > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=98688

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

U8150

END:98688export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.incremental > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=22140

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

eng.aorth.20120306.105455

END:22140export PS1=""

chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=82615

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:82615export PS1=""

/data/local/tmp/busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=43597

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

/data/local/tmp/busybox: permission denied

END:43597export PS1=""

busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=15262

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:15262export PS1=""

ls -l /system/xbin/su > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        ls -l /system/xbin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=64824

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     ls -l /system/xbin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:64824export PS1=""

ls -l /system/bin/su > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        ls -l /system/bin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=74020

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     ls -l /system/bin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:74020export PS1=""

rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=74614

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:74614export PS1=""

rm /data/local/tmp/sh > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        rm /data/local/tmp/sh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=16835

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     rm /data/local/tmp/sh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:16835export PS1=""

chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=27596

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:27596export PS1=""

cd /data/local/tmp/ > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=49127

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

END:49127export PS1=""

export TEMPRANDOM=29618;export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;./zergRush

./zergRush: permission denied

END:29618export PS1=""

* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
export PS1=""

# export PS1=""

chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=12726

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:12726export PS1=""

/data/local/tmp/busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=54207

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

/data/local/tmp/busybox: permission denied

END:54207export PS1=""

busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=21168

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:21168export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.manufacturer > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=95174

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

Huawei

END:95174export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.model > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=36720

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

U8150

END:36720export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.incremental > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=21915

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

eng.aorth.20120306.105455

END:21915export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.release > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=37315

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

2.3.7

END:37315export PS1=""

rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=54134

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:54134export PS1=""

rm /data/local/tmp/sh > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        rm /data/local/tmp/sh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=90391

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     rm /data/local/tmp/sh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:90391export PS1=""

chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=35822

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:35822export PS1=""

cd /data/local/tmp/ > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=58244

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

END:58244export PS1=""

export TEMPRANDOM=61534;export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;./zergRush

./zergRush: permission denied

END:61534export PS1=""

* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
export PS1=""

# export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.manufacturer > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=32756

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

Huawei

END:32756export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.model > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=45540

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

U8150

END:45540export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.incremental > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=53091

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

eng.aorth.20120306.105455

END:53091export PS1=""

chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/sqlite3 > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/sqlite3 >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=38213

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/sqlite3 >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:38213export PS1=""

chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=66171

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:66171export PS1=""

/data/local/tmp/busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=57497

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

/data/local/tmp/busybox: permission denied

END:57497export PS1=""

busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=13769

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:13769export PS1=""

# export PS1=""

/data/local/tmp/sqlite3 /data/local/tmp/busybox: permission denied "update secure set value = 1 where name = 'install_non_market_apps';" > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=60939

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

/data/local/tmp/sqlite3: permission denied

END:60939* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
export PS1=""

# export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.release > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=14443

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

2.3.7

END:14443export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.manufacturer > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=20422

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

Huawei

END:20422export PS1=""

getprop ro.product.model > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=70730

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

U8150

END:70730export PS1=""

getprop ro.build.version.incremental > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=78056

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

eng.aorth.20120306.105455

END:78056export PS1=""

ls -l /system/xbin/su > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        ls -l /system/xbin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=37836

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     ls -l /system/xbin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:37836export PS1=""

ls -l /system/bin/su > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        ls -l /system/bin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=86202

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     ls -l /system/bin/su >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:86202export PS1=""

chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=53011

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:53011export PS1=""

/data/local/tmp/busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=68114

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

/data/local/tmp/busybox: permission denied

END:68114export PS1=""

busybox whoami > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=82093

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     busybox whoami >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:82093export PS1=""

rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=45163

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     rm /data/local/tmp/boomsh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:45163export PS1=""

rm /data/local/tmp/sh > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        rm /data/local/tmp/sh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=26553

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

[1]   Illegal instruction     rm /data/local/tmp/sh >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

END:26553export PS1=""

chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

[1] + Stopped (signal)        chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=62881

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

END:62881export PS1=""

[1]   Illegal instruction     chmod 700 /data/local/tmp/zergRush >/data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

cd /data/local/tmp/ > /data/local/tmp/output 2>&1

export TEMPRANDOM=37090

export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;cat /data/local/tmp/output

END:37090export PS1=""

export TEMPRANDOM=66693;export PS1=END:$TEMPRANDOM;./zergRush

./zergRush: permission denied

END:66693export PS1=""

@RichardBorcsik I was trying out the SuperCharger V6 Script from the XDA and this tutorial said 1.18.3 or newer busybox would cause trouble.. hence I downgraded from my 1.19.x CM7 build. No, I don't spend much time in shell. :)


text:
How to launch app when phone is connected to a specific Qi wireless charger?
I have a Qi charger in my car and I wanted that my phone launched the dash cam app when the phone starts charging on this base.
Is there any API to detect the ID of the Qi charger? Besides the API, is there any way to generate an event when the phone starts charging?

Let us continue this discussion in chat.

Type of Charging is determined by :

Charging Signature - see  here
The D+ and D- pins of the cable that negotiate the charging voltage and current with the device, in tune with the charging circuitry in the charger (see Overview of USB Charging for more
So a Qi charger would be recognised by the internal circuitry in the device and voltage / current negotiated with the battery charger circuit , depending on the charge level of battery

I am not aware if the API provides information regarding the make or brand or ID of charging, to use that to trigger any action. If available , that would be so very convenient for OEM's to tie users to their own chargers as a sales strategy :). I have also not come across any evidence in the charging algorithms published by charging IC manufacturers. This is not a  definite conclusion though

Coming to your requirement,  automation is the preferred option. Many apps are available. I prefer using MacroDroid , since it is free (upto 5 macros) and easy to learn. To understand how MacroDroid works and required settings,  my answer here

Your macro would look like this

Macro : Dashcam (name of macro )

Trigger: Power connected / removed → Power connected
Action: Launch application → Select from drop down your dashcam app
Constraints:  WiFi State → WiFi not connected to network ( assumption here is that when you are in your car you are not connected to any WiFI network.  When you are connected to any network say at work or home, and charging this macro will not run, meaning your dashcam will not be launched)
Alternative constraint suggested by OP, an excellent one ( thanks ) is
Bluetooth State: → Device connected

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


text:
Keep GPS on when screen is locked
Is there a way to prevent GPS from sleeping when I lock the phone even though the Google Maps app is running?

I just got back from a two week family roadtrip, and we used the Android maps and GPS nearly every day.
The simplest solution I found was to use Google Navigation. It kept the GPS active, even if I put the app in the background, powered off the screen, or locked the screen.

I haven't noticed any issues with the Google Navigation app going to sleep either when using it.

The only way I know how to do this is through Tasker. You can use a Tasker profile to set the GPS to stay on when the screen turns off. You can also use a profile to keep GPS running while the app is open. The only draw back is the price tag (I'm pretty sure it's $5.95 on the market), but you will use this app for more than just keeping GPS on, I can promise you that.
If you do end up going this route and need help setting up the profile, let me know.

I would like help with this! It would be worth the cost of Tasker.


text:
Why does SIM toolkit not work with most custom ROMs?
Most custom ROMs have problems with Stk.apk (the SIM toolkit part of Android) not functioning properly. The question is not the missing application (running Oxygen, I have the app but it is not working), but something systematic (dependency on RIL?).
I'd like to know why so, and what can be made about it?

I would have tagged the post with "stk" if I could...

I would name the new tag (if I could) "sim-toolkit" - this one is used at Stackoverflow. BTW: On my Desire (InsertCoin CM7/STOCK 1.1.2) STK seems to work.

After reading up on this, it seems that Android itself has extremely limited support for this, so it's a case of kicking Google into supporting this

Well, the SIM toolkit is initialized in 2 modes, dedicated mode and raw mode. SIM toolkit also depends on the modem you are using. If the modem does not support the dedicated mode, you won't be able to see the SIM toolkit in your UI as it sends raw data to the upper layer (URCs) in raw mode.

In short: because the custom ROM hasn't bothered to implement the necessary part of the operating system.


text:
Cannot install unsigned APK file on my phone
I developed an app in Eclipse, and emailed to me the .apk file. It correctly downloads to my phone, then I go in Downloads and tap it. I choose "Install" and I'm getting App not installed message.
What's the problem?
I have a Nexus 4 phone, and "Unknown sources" option is selected. I can successfully install the app through Eclipse. The .apk file was exported in Eclipse from Android tools -> Export unsigned application package.

The apk file is also generated in the bin folder of the project after running the app at least once.
I've copied the apk file from the bin folder and installed it successfully on three different phones without any problem both copying directly on phone memory or sending it via email.

Android does not allow installing unsigned applications.
You will need to sign you APK (with a debug or release key). Don't use Android tools->Export unsigned application package, but rather the regular command to export an Android APK.
The different options available to sign you app are well described here:
http://developer.android.com/tools/publishing/app-signing.html

Do you already have the application installed on your phone (installed via Eclipse)? If so I expect the exported apk is signed with a different key to the version already on your phone. Android will not allow you to 'update' an app if the signing key is different.
Un-install the app and try installing the apk again. If it still fails it may be that the exported app is corrupt in some way.

Yes, I already have the app installed. However, the exported app was unsigned. I tried to uninstall it, and install it again from .apk. It doesn't work. I've tried to install it also on a Galaxy S3 phone of a friend and I've got the same message. How can it be corrupted if I exported it using Eclipse, and launched from Eclipse it works? However I exported it again to be sure and doesn't work...:(

@blackwolf There are no unsigned apps in Android. If you haven't signed the app with a release key, it's signed with a "debug key", specific to the machine it was built on.

@DanHulme I think you are wrong. Android tools->Export unsigned application package does exactly what it says: create an unsigned APK. This is the reason it cannot be installed on a device: it's not even signed with the debug key.

@Sebastien I see what you're getting at. Yes, that seems the most likely explanation.


text:
Can I root my Samsung J7?
I need to know if I can root my Samsung J7 Verizon variant.
The android version is 7.0.

I don't know how, but for many Samsung devices, CF-Auto-Root will work. It worked for mine.

A link and detailed instructions would be welcome here per site standards. Here's the download for the particular model SM-J727V with build number NRD90M.J727VVRU1AQF3.


text:
Installing downloaded apks from external site
I have just downloaded APK files of a software from a website to my laptop. My question is if I install this on my phone, will it be installed in the phone memory or in the SD card memory?
I couldn't find any related question, so asking here.

It very much depends on the app you want to install, and what the developer of that app decided to be the preferred install location. See: App Install Location on developer.android.com:

Beginning with API Level 8, you can allow your application to be installed on the external storage (for example, the device's SD card). This is an optional feature you can declare for your application with the android:installLocation manifest attribute.
[...]
If you declare "preferExternal", you request that your application be installed on the external storage, but the system does not guarantee that your application will be installed on the external storage. If the external storage is full, the system will install it on the internal storage. The user can also move your application between the two locations.
If you declare "auto", you indicate that your application may be installed on the external storage, but you don't have a preference of install location. The system will decide where to install your application based on several factors. The user can also move your application between the two locations.

The linked article contains a lot more details, but they are rather targeted at the developer. Above quotes however are the ones referring to your question. For a final answer, there are two choices: a) simply try and see, or b) ask the developer.

Any apk files installed in your device usually stay on its internal memory. The apk configuration defines whether the app should stay on the mobile's internal memory completely, or it may shift a few resource files (images, etc.) to the sd card. The main files (technically: the java class files and layout files) remain on the internal memory of the device.
This may be changed if your device is rooted, and you have partitioned your sd card to allow installations on it (technically: EXT4 extension replacing the FAT32 extension of a part of your sdcard, which won't be accessible to the user from the device as a Mass Storage).
Apps2SD is an app which eases the process of shifting apps capable of transferring resources from apk to sdcard, so as to free up some memory on the internal memory. The app does not help install apks on sd card.
Hope this helps.

It will be installed on your phone memory(internal SD card).
But you can move that app to your External memory card using this application.

Not really. It depends. Especially on Froyo and above, the app is sometimes moved to the sd card

I think he referred phone memory as RAM. Because he tagged RAM in his question.

Wrong tags.. his question however clearly mentions about "phone memory OR sd card memory" and RAM has nothing to do with these.


text:
How to disable virtual keyboard when in landscape mode?
I have a Droid 2 (on Gingerbread); The device has a physical keyboard.
I use virtual keyboard in portrait mode sometimes, but never in landscape mode (since I have physical keyboard.)
Is there a way that would allow me to disable virtual keyboard when in landscape mode, but leave it available for portrait mode?

Doesn't the soft keyboard go away if you open the keyboard tray? It did on my Droid, anyway.

There is a way but not an easy way. You can use keyboards like Null keyboard.

A keyboard that does nothing.
  Yes, really.
  This keyboard is useful if you have an external bluetooth keyboard paired with your phone and you want to stop the on-screen keyboard from popping up all the time.

The problem is every time you change mode you have to change the input method.

You might be able to automatically change the OSK using an automation app. I use Llama(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.kebab.Llama) or you might want to use its more well-known app, Tasker.

Don't touch the screen. Instead, use the tab and the arrow keys on the bluetooth keyboard to navigate. This way, the pop-up keyboard will never come up.
It is a challenge. There are a lot of shortcuts and tricks to learn, but it's more convenient once you get the hang of it. I guess the simplest answer would be to get a bluetooth mouse as well. Use that to select things instead of touching the screen.


text:
Disable list "bounce" effect on Samsung Galaxy Mini
I have a Samsung Galaxy Mini (GT-S5570) with Froyo (Build FROYO.XWKE3 in case this is relevant). When scrolling a list it allows the list to scroll past the end, and then slowly scrolls it back.  This prevents me from using the technique I've used on other Android devices where I flick a list and let it hit the end in order to select an item from the last screen (it takes about a second for the position of items to settle down, which is really annoying, and I'm not accurate enough to select them while they're moving).  Is there any way (short of a custom ROM) of disabling this behaviour?

No - as you've correctly ascertained, a custom ROM is most likely your best bet. Also, the bounce effect is a Samsung "feature" - by default Android uses the glow effect to indicate the end of a list. I'm also unsure if this is a Froyo only feature, because IIRC, one of the UI updates was the glow effect, which Samsung did incorporate into their later ROM releases.


text:
How does Android contact linking work?
I'd like to understand how contact linking in Android works - or to be specific I'd like to understand it pretty deeply, almost from an algorithmic point of view.
What I've observed on my phone is that some contacts were linked automatically, some were not (even though when you go to manual linking screen Android will suggest pretty good matches) and I'm confused about this.
So my specific questions are:

What is the trigger for automatic contact linking? When does it occur?
Say that the answer to 1) is "when new contact is added, either manually or via account sync". So when this new contact is added what will happen? Will Android go through all existing contacts and try to find out if the new contact is just a linked contact?
When will Android recognize the new contact as a linked contact? When names match? Phone numbers? Emails? Some combination of those?

Any insight would help clearing this up for me, thanks.

See the section on Automatic Aggregation of Contact Data in the Using the Contacts API from the technical resources on the official Android Developers site.
As the article explains:

When a raw contact is added or modified, the system looks for matching (overlapping) raw contacts with which to aggregate it.  It may not find any matching raw contacts, in which case it will create an aggregate contact that contains just the original raw contact.  If it finds a single match, it creates a new contact that contains the two raw contacts.  And it may even find multiple similar raw contacts, in which case it chooses the closest match.
Two raw contacts are considered to be a match if at least one of these conditions is met:

They have matching names.
Their names consist of the same words but in different order (for example, "Bob Parr" and "Parr, Bob")
One of them has a common short name for the other (for example, "Bob Parr" and "Robert Parr")
One of them has just a first or last name and it matches the other raw contact. This rule is less reliable, so it only applies if the two raw contacts are also sharing some other data like a phone number, an email address or a nickname (for example, Helen ["elastigirl"] = Helen Parr ["elastigirl"])
At least one of the two raw contacts is missing the name altogether and they are sharing a phone number, an email address or a nickname (for example, Bob Parr [incredible@android.com] = incredible@android.com).

When comparing names, the system ignores upper/lower case differences (Bob=BOB=bob) and diacritical marks (Hélène=Helene). When comparing two phone numbers the system ignores special characters such as "*", "#", "(", ")", and whitespace. Also if the only difference between two numbers is that one has a country code and the other does not, then the system considers those to be a match (except for numbers in the Japan country code)
Automatic aggregation is not permanent; any change of a constituent raw contact may create a new aggregate or break up an existing one.

The article then goes on to explain the various modes that an application can assign to the raw contacts that it creates.  Depending on the mode, the system will either:

Automatically aggregate the contact as similarities are found with other contacts.  Where similarities no longer exist, these aggregations will be removed.
Never aggregate the contact with any other.
Perform no further aggregation on a contact, even if that contact changes such that it would be taken out of an aggregate group.

Aside from this automatic aggregation, applications are also allowed to manually set up aggregate contacts.  In these cases, the algorithm depends on the application.
Finally, you may manually join contacts in the People app by editing one of a pair of contacts, and selecting Join from the overflow menu.


text:
Override WhatsApp contact image with the chosen Contact Image
I dislike how people use full body pictures for their contact images when it's a small image. When I link the accounts in my Android, I chose a picture that looks good and helps me identify them easily. But in WhatsApp, when these people chose their profile picture, they override my selection.
Is there a way to fix this?

Probably related: How to change someone's profile picture in WhatsApp?

For now there isn't, unless an add-ons for WhatsApp will enable this or they built it in themselves. It's comparable to Facebook, user set their own avatar and this can be seen by friends.
This works unlike your contact list in which you control the content and other users have no say in adjusting the content.

There is a way. You can just download Android SDK and do from the console:
adb push /tmp/newimage.jpg /data/data/com.whatsapp/files/Avatars/XXXXXX@s.whatsapp.net.j
where XXXX is the phone number and /tmp/newimage.jpg is the new image you want to replace it with.

You forgot to mention that directories below /data/data are only writable by their resp. owners. So what you recommend would only work if the device were rooted AND the adbd (ADB daemon) on the device running in "insecure mode" (i.e. with full root privileges).

As Useless said The device should be only rooted you can just use root explorer, copy someone else's picture file and rename it to target number, it works great.. directory: "/data/data/com.whatsapp/files/Avatars/"


text:
How to pay for my kids' apps?
I have kids, they have their Android tablets, and I have a credit card. I have created Google accounts for them, each for one tablet. I want to buy apps for them, but I don't want to enter any details of my credit card into their Google accounts, because the theory is that they will be using these accounts in the future to communicate, browse, etc. I don't want them charging my card without my knowledge.
A while ago, when buying something in the Google Play Store, I was able to select between one of the tablet accounts and my own account. I then had to enter the password to my own account and was able to install the given app. Now this seems no longer to be possible.
Is there a way of buying apps for my kids that is safe?

While I already answered giving you an alternative approach, just for curiosity: What Android version are those tablets on? AFAIK you still can chose the account used for "Play shopping", provided it was configured on the device.

There's a much easier way, but it may not be supported in all countries: Buy them each a Google Play Gift Card, and attach it to their accounts. They come in different "sizes", so you can limit the amount they can pay. No identification stuff connected to the cards, and once they're used up there's no more use for them (of course, you can buy the next one).
Another positive aspect: you might decide to let your kids use them themselves. The danger is just as high as the value of the card (though content might pose a risk). So it's like "pocket money" for learning "monetary responsibility" :)

That would be indeed a perfect solution... if there were gift cards for 5 EUR and less (we are talking "70 c fruit ninja" here). And, if I were able to buy them online. But I think this is the way I'll try to go.

By default one still has to input the password before installing paid content from Playstore, so there's an additional layer of "security". Agreed, with the smallest card coming for EUR 15, you could buy an entire fruity ninja army. But your kids grow, and might soon need some useful apps for school ;)

“but it may not be supported in all countries” yeah here is the point where this fails ☹

In Play Store, the user is prompted for the password (unless you disabled it) every time before a purchase can be made.
So what you can do is, make a Google Account JUST for Play Store apps that's logged in across all your and your kids' devices.  Have every device logged in to that account on top of whatever other accounts your kids personally use on the given device.
That way, you can buy whatever apps you want, but they can't, since even though their device is logged in and has access to all the apps you purchased through your Google account, they can not purchase new ones without your password.
They can't see the details of your credit card since Google will prompt for the password every time the user attempts to access Account Information.

You can buy them on https://play.google.com and send them to the device.
Add their devices to your account, and send the apps after purchase.

This doesn't prevent them from using his card to buy apps themselves. If their devices are attached to his account, then they can potentially use his account if they know his password or if he stays logged into Gmail on his desktop, etc.

@dotVezz  only „if they know his password” (unless he had disabled prompting for the password for every purchase)

My kid wants a small amount to spend on in-app purchases, but the gift card is too big an amount.
What I am trying to do as a workaround is: set up a PayPal account and transfer that small amount into it. Then linked my kid's Google account to that PayPal account with the limited amount. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will work.

You get two choices when you accept to buy an app on the device you want to install an app on: pay or send the URL for payment to whoever. So, send the URL to yourself or whoever is going to pay via email which will auto pop up when you select Send URL.
I send it to my Gmail account then click the link on my PC or phone and follow the instructions to pay. Easy.

why is this downvoted?  does it no longer work?

Fast forward to 2024 with the integrated Google payments center, I don't remember having seen a selection to send a URL for payment.


text:
Sending intents using ADB with additional action, data, and extra
How do I convert the following Java code to an ADB command?
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
intent.setData(Uri.parse("com.glass.videoglass://"));
intent.putExtra("startFromWS", true);
startActivity(intent);

The only thing I've seen so far is
adb shell am start -n com.package.name/com.package.name.ActivityName

The Android developer documentation explains how to specify an intent in the argument to the am command.
In your case you want -a to specify the action, -d to specify the data URI, and --ez to specify a Boolean extra. You can find the action name by looking up Intent.ACTION_VIEW in the documentation. Putting all of that together, you get:-
am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d com.glass.videoglass:// --ez startFromWS true

authors: Римма Строева


text:
Disable badges on Samsung Galaxy devices
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 with Android 4.1.2 JellyBean.
When I get notifications in SMS or from Facebook, I see a red notification with number (notification badges) on the application icon on home screen.
Is there a way to stop that? I stopped all notifications from Facebook app but I still get notification badges on home screen.

I have yet to find a way to do this with Touchwiz based ROMs I'm afriad. You could use an alternative launcher, and disable it (it is disabled in Nova Launcher by default). Or if you have root you could look for an Xposed Module, again though I haven't fond any of those either.

I found this article that explains how to disable it on the Galaxy Note i717. I don't have a SG phone but I imagine the solution would be similar for yours.

Go to Settings > Manage Applications > swipe laterally through the top tabs until you reach "All"
Scroll down to locate BadgeProvider and tap on it
Click on the Disable button and confirm that you would like it disabled.

This will disable all badge notifications as there is no per-app setting interface.

Yape. That does it :) Its doesn't remove badegs already there but it does prevent new badges notification to appear. Thanks

This sounds like disabling badges for all apps (incl. e.g. Messaging/SMS). Too bad there is no disabling per app like there is for notifications.

@DanielSparing that was not what the OP requested, so I didn't think to make any special note that it was a global setting. But you're right, it disables all badges.

One additional point that I would like to make is that the users have to scroll right 4 times to reach the "ALL" tab where they can find the "BadgeProvider" service.
At first, it wasn't obvious to me so I thought I didn't have that option. Glad I found it, so happy!!

Unfortunately it seems that this does not work on the Galaxy S6, at least with Marshmallow. The BadgeProvider service cannot be disabled.


text:
Why has my Samsung Galaxy S2 become a data hog?
My father has a Samsung Galaxy S2 with the stock GB and un-rooted. The phone has been working flawlessly, but lately (since about 2-3 days) it began to use a crazy amount of data.
He normally uses about 300 MB per month, but now the phone is using about 20-30 MB per hour during phone standby!.
Also he notices is that the battery is lasting about half of the previous time, which is evident in case of a long running process.
He didn't install/update anything lately and all the settings are set for minimal data use. (Like no Sync..etc). He also has all the known data-hog apps kept disabled.
He has installed an app call “my data manager” and the app says that all the data is being used by OS services but there is no detailed information.
Just for clarification, he doesn’t have too much applications installed. Just: Whatsapp,  Viber, Facebook and Twitter. But as I said before, he has all the auto sync off, and all these apps where installed months ago.
My question is: Is there a program that can help us to find out what is going on? Something like a “on the fly” (real-time) data analysis?
Any other ideas on what could be happening here?
Thanks!
Edgar

It's possible that the phone is trying to download an over-the-air update to recently released Android 4.0 (ICS).  Check in Settings -> About phone -> System updates to see if there's an update available, and download it over Wi-Fi instead.

Thanks! but that's not the case... :(

Maybe it's a forced update due to the recent court order in the case against apple?

Check Facebook, Google + Photos settings to see whether photo upload / sync is enabled. The phone might be trying to get images from Picasa.

Also check Market settings to see if apps are updating themselves automatically.

Sparx, all the syncs are off. I will check about the updating in the market, and thanks for the grammar correction! English is my second language!

After reading the comments, there's not much else to suggest for you to check on your phone.
So, here's two free APPs to help you out:
My Data Manager
Main features:
  • Simple to setup and simple to use.
  • Know what apps are using data with automatic monitoring of your app data usage.
  • Set usage alarms to avoid overage charges and “bill shock”.
  • Track historical app time and app usage using easy to understand visualizations.
  • Ensure you are using your ideal data plan and maximize how you use your data.
  • Save money by using your plans more effectively.

3G Watchdog
Main features:
  • monitors your Mobile Internet (4G/3G/Edge/GPRS) data usage.
  • shows a status icon (green/orange/red) in the notification bar.
  • has a detailed report page.

My Data Manager is a free app. There is an outrageously priced paid version that isn't necessary.

@Zooks64 Tks for the heads-up, I was initially looking at the My Data Manager Update version that in fact one needs to pay.

Thanks for the suggestions! I just realize that in my original post I write My Data Monitor, but I mean my data manager.
I will try 3g watchdog now.

Your father has exactly the same problem as me. It is caused by the email exchange services. I will suggest to download a data monitor app called HiNet (The app is chinese). Using this app I found out that the email exchange service was consuming a lot of data. Now I wonder  why this email exchange service suddenly went 'crazy' (There were no issues for 5 months).

Please don't ask questions in answers. You can always ask a new question.


text:
fsck.auto: No such file or directory
So I'm trying to run fsck on my sdcard's ext4 partition and it doesn't work for some reason.
sh-4.1# fsck /dev/block/vold/179:2
fsck (busybox 1.21.0-Stericson, 2013-01-28 21:49:55 GMT)
fsck: fsck.auto: No such file or directory

Any idea why is says "No such file or directory"?

You shouldn't run fsck on a mounted device anyway: you need to unmount the device first so that fsck is free to make changes to the filesystem.

@DanHulme I unmounted it successfully and tried running fsck, I get the same message.

Have you tried running fsck.ext4 directly? (I'm not certain if it exists in busybox, but it's worth a try)

@onik Nope, the fsck.ext4 applet doesn't exist. I could simply do fsck -t ext4 for the same function (right?), but I get same error as mentioned in this post. I'm guessing this is some issue with the binary bundled with busybox or maybe a permission error?

I have same problem here, but my SDCard has a vfat partition. So, it could not be an issue with Ext4 only. I have busybox 1.22.1-Stericson, 2014-01-25.

I have solved it by keeping this instructions: http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/38745/check-and-fix-sd-card-errors-within-android-itself , except that I have used fsck_msdos. Maybe any other fsck variant would do it for you?

You likely need to include the util-linux-fsck package into your busybox image. The warning is saying that there is a file missing which the util-linux-fsck package provides.


text:
Google Play store crashes and gapps process not working since upgrading to Jelly Bean on Samsung Galaxy S II
My phone is about 9 months old and has not given me any problems before I upgraded to the latest Android version - Jelly Bean 4.1.2. I downloaded an original version (not a cracked version) when I got an upgrade for my phone. However, since then, while I try to launch the Google Apps store, it just crashes and I'm unable to browse the store, forget downloading new apps!
It hangs often now - while typing a message or browsing on the phone, I randomly get the message - Something like, gapps.process is not responding and has stopped.
I reckon, I shall have to format and re-install the Jelly Bean again on my phone. I'm open to suggestions though :D

I do not have Kies pre-installed on my laptop yet. Will it cause an issue? If needed, where do I download it from?
My phone is not rooted - I would not like to root my phone as yet.
Would appreciate only legal methods, as I'm worried about my warranty on my phone.
My phone memory - contacts (extremely important) and apps(if possible) need to be safe.
I would like to keep the data on my data card ( music, videos ) safe.

I do a bit on my S II (I9100G), but I'm no real expert with the phone. Appreciate a tested way..!

You won't need Kies for that (how does that make the phone more stable when installed on the laptop? Are you carrying the laptop around with you, permanently connected? ;) One thing you could try is to factory-reset the device (beware: this will delete all your data and apps, so make a good backup before -- do not solely rely on "Google Cloud Backup", as a) this doesn't include all app data, and b) it's not really reliable). If that doesn't solve the issue, it's time to call the service; it was their update which broke it...

No need for a factory reset, friend.
All you have to do is go to Settings>Application Manager>All>Download Manager>Clear Cache and Clear Data.
Go to Google Play>Clear Cache>Clear Data and then Go to Google Play Services>Clear Cache>ClearData.
REstart the Phone and it will be alright.


text:
Substitute Win7 USB drivers for ADB mode
Under Mac OSX there is no need for a USB driver for ADB mode.  Under windows, apparently, there is.
I'd like to be able to adb shell to my android tablet from my Win7 PC.
This table gives a list of where to get USB drivers for Windows for different OEMs.  My Android Advent Amico tablet's manufacturer isn't listed in the list.  Is there a list of what can substitute for what somewhere?  How, in general, can one determine which one(s) would be best to try?
EDIT:
The tablet came with a utility called 'Advent Transfer Companion' for use in mass storage mode.  I've uploaded and installed that from the tablet, but it appears to be no more than a pretty way to write files to the tablet from PC - i.e. mass storage mode only, and no USB driver installed.

Did your tablet come with any PC software of its own (like for syncing, etc)? Usually that will include a USB driver & should be enough...

This says you should be able to use the "google drivers" after some minor tweaking. If your device came with any software for your PC, it will have the "official" drivers though, and I recommend using them.

You must have Android SDK installed before you can proceed. If
  you don’t have it already, proceed to
  our guide on what is ADB and how to
  install it. Make sure you download the
  Google USB Driver Package as well.
Open the google-usb_driver folder that you will find inside your Android
  SDK folder.
Open the android_winusb.inf file in notepad or any text editor to edit
  it.
Add these lines under [Google.NTx86] or [Google.NTamd64]
  depending on whether you are using 32
  bit or 64 bit Windows. If unsure, it
  is safe to add these under both these
  sections.

;NVIDIA Tegra
    %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0955&PID_7000
    %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0955&PID_7100&MI_01

Don’t edit or replace any other
  text that is already there; just add
  these new lines and save the file.

Open a command prompt window and enter this command:

echo 0x955 >> "%USERPROFILE%.android\adb_usb.ini"

You will also have to enable USB Debugging in Settings -> Applications -> Development.
edit I would try this first:
This site has the "official" drivers for the tablet. You will still have to enable USB debugging, as I mentioned above.

It's an Advent Amico.  Those 'official' drivers are for Advent Vega.  Whether or not that is the issue, they don't install.  Windows says "windows could not find driver software for your device", even though I point it at that (unpacked using 7-zip) folder.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/


text:
What app is this? Looks to be related to Google Navigation?
My wife and I got ourselves a couple of Pixel XL phones last week.
I noticed an icon on her phone that wasn't in mine named 'Driving' and it looks like this. Opening the app takes me straight to Google Navigation - screenshot here.

icon and screenshot (click image for larger variant)
So what app is this? It looks to be a legit Google app but poking around in the Play Store didn't help much.

Its a quick access widget, these were implemented in android 7.1 and a lot of google apps have them. just long press a google app in the Pixel Launcher or Google Now Launcher.

It's a Google Maps widget to go straight into the driving activity. You can see it when adding widgets to the home screen.


text:
What is safe mode?
My USC "Desire" locked up the other day. I have Android 2.2 installed. It just kept rebooting to the splash screen over and over and over again. Being an old Mac user I thought some "key command" might get it to stop.  So I tried holding the HOME key as it booted, brought it to "safe mode". Ane more reboot
and it was running again.
Is there a log I can look at to see what the issue may have been? What else can one do in "safe mode"?

I'm not sure about logging but, safe mode disables many system services during boot. On some systems it can bypass the security pattern or pin. I haven't found any additional features. It seems to be more for reducing features for the sake of diagnostics. Windows has a similar feature.
I've posted a link on starting safe mode on a variety of devices for others to use; however, it probably won't show up until I gain a bit of rep.
Safe mode for Android

Not only system services -- all user apps as well. Think of it like "safe mode" in Firefox temporarily disables all installed addons.

He is already started into safe mode, why do you think telling him how to get where he is is an answer to the question?

Usually, Safe Mode is an interface to solve issues. IDK about I OS, but in "*inux" W10.

Found this in a Sony Xperia manual:

Safe Mode temporarily disables all applications that have been
  installed via the Android Market. Performing this troubleshooting step
  is necessary to determine whether a 3rd party application is the cause
  of an Operating System / Application issue. Safe Mode should always be
  performed prior to a hard (factory) reset.

The safe mode is there to provide repair in case one of the applications causes the phone to behave strangely or misbehave.
The phone has to be rebooted into safe mode, which can be done by pressing the power button and holding one of the keys.
The second key in some phones:
 - volume down/up button
 - menu button
 - home button
 - back button
 - other type of button

When you enter safe mode there is a label "Safe Mode" at the bottom of the screen (left or right corner).
In some phones the debugging menu has more options in safe mode, all related to application management.

You should really get / find the manual for your phone.  It will have specifics to Android 2.2, (lowliest of the lows).  Yes, you are close remembering those old Mac OS 7/8/9 key commands!  The manipulations for the proper menu are similar.  I'll restate, each phone carrier has their own version (in this case 2.2) of OS.  Then there are the hardware specifics again can differ between carriers.  (I'll stop now before a BetaMax/VHS discussion comes out)


text:
Stop Bluetooth Auto Sync Contacts to Pioneer Avic Z140
Am running Cm7.1.  I have about 2,000 contacts. My Nexus One and Pioneer headunit insist on exchanging all 2,000 contacts if my Android Contacts "Display Options" are set to "My Contacts." Problem is that this really makes Voice Recognition unusable (too many contacts to parse).
To get around this, I created a "Car" label in Gmail for the 21 contacts I want. If I change the "Display Options" to just "Car," only the 21 contacts are synced and VR works great. Problem is that when not in the car, I would like "My Contacts" to visible on my phone.
I would like to sync only the "Car" label, or only sync manually. I can't figure out a way to control this.

The filtered contacts list solves this problem, but unfortunately if you are like me you are constantly needing to look at the larger list of contacts and you will not remember to turn the filter back on afterwards. So when you get back into the car, it will start sending the whole list again. I just found a workaround.
There are a ton of alternative contact apps in the marketplace that will sync to your gmail contacts. I installed GO Contacts EX https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jbapps.contactpro&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5qYmFwcHMuY29udGFjdHBybyJd
It appears that the bluetooth address book is only controlled by the stock contacts app, which I've left filtered. I banished the stock app from my home screen/launcher. All good now.


text:
Does FriendCaster have problems with the privacy settings of my friends?
I am fed up with the official Facebook application and want to switch. FriendCaster seems to be one of the very good choices. However I saw in reviews and other websites that FriendCaster will not show everything in the news feed because it might not have access to my friend's information due to privacy settings.
Is this true?
Would I not see everything with FriendCaster which I would have seen in the official Facebook app?

Yes, there is a privacy setting that will prevent FriendCaster from being able to retrieve posts or other info from your friends if they have it enabled. Specifically, according to OneLouder's support site:

[I]t is possible that some of your friends have set their privacy
  settings to block access to their profile, wall, photos and status
  updates from third party apps like FriendCaster.  This setting is
  found in "Account --> Privacy Settings --> Apps and Websites".
In “Info accessible through your friends” you can see checkboxes for
  the items that are available to apps.  As an example, If your friend
  has “My Photos” unchecked here, they won’t appear in FriendCaster.
Unfortunately Facebook has this restriction in place and unless your
  friend allows third party apps we can't get around it at this time. If
  your friends are using that setting, the info will only appear on
  Facebook itself.


text:
Is it possible to determine whether the phone has been rooted or not?
Let's say I buy an "un-rooted" Samsung Galaxy S2 via eBay that's still under warranty:

Is there a way I can tell whether it has been rooted before (with or without rooting it myself)?
Is there a way Samsung can tell me whether it has been rooted before?

Most Samsung Android phones and tablets can be restored back to "stock" firmware via Odin or Heimdal tools. This wipes all traces of rooting or any other kind of system alterations, and in most cases is sufficient for sending the device in for in-warranty servicing to the carrier of manufacturer. However, with the Galaxy S2 series of devices Samsung introduced a hidden "flash counter" which keeps track of how many times such a tool has been used.
A community developer actually found where this information is stored and created an app that allows you to reset the counter.  Unfortunately the app only works on ICS (Android 4.x) right now.  See this thread on XDA-Developers forum for more details.

You can reset flash counter using USB JIG. See my answer below.

TriangleAway requires root... So after I root I can use TriangleAway to reset the counter to 0. Now I "unroot" the phone by restoring the stock firmware. Now isn't the counter at 1, with no way to reset it to 0 since the phone is unrooted?

Ah, to answer my own question... restoring a stock firmware doesn't trip the counter. Reference: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1820684

@Raman, After running Triangle Away, if you rooted with SuperSU (by chainsfire) you can go in to the settings of SuperSU and "unroot". SuperSU can remove itself and the su binaries that it uses.

There will be an su binary on the device usually in either /system/xbin or maybe in /system/bin. That is the minimum binary needed for root. There may also be an application called SuperUser. This allows applications to request Root Access and gives you the ability to grant or deny the request.
Samsung can check if the device is rooted (not remotely), like if you send it in for warranty repair, but if it has been rooted, it will void your warranty.

Most Samsung Android phones and tablets can be restored back to "stock" firmware via Odin or Heimdal tools.  This wipes all traces of rooting or any other kind of system alterations, and in most cases is sufficient for sending the device in for in-warranty servicing.  However, SGS2 has a flash counter which keeps track of how many times such a tool has been used.  See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494114 for more details.

also if you only "root", you can easily unroot the device usually as well. removing any trace of the root from the device.

As Chahk Galaxy S2 has a flash counter which counts how many times custom ROM has been flashed. You can reset it with USB JIG which works on every version of Android.
USB jig is a usb device which allows you to

Get into download mode
Remove the yellow triangle
Reset Odin counter/Reset custom binary counter

More detailed information can be found at USB Jig FAQ

Can you give us any more details? That's just a link to an ebay for the jig, how do you use the jig, is it different from the "Galaxy S Download Mode" jig?

Id like to add to Chanks answer that it is possible that even if you reset the counter (or it has been reset) using the app, there might be another counter which counts how many times the first one has been reset. It is not clear if this second counter does exist or not. If it does exist, as far as I know, there is no way to reset it.

Do you have a source backing up that claim?

1
2
3
Last one is probably the most important, because it is by a famous dev.

All I can read there is, that such a counter might exist.

I thought it had been proved, but when I looked for, couldn't find any hard sources. So there might not be one. There are still stories about Samsung not taking first-counter-reset devices for repairs. But those are only stories. I do not own SGS2 myself, nor have I sent it to Samsung for repairs...

Don't get me wrong, I think this is interesting and relevant information, but it shouldn't be presented as if that counter has been confirmed to exist. :)

It was my mistake. I had somehow got the idea it did exist... I will edit my answer a little bit :)


text:
What do the "Pogo Pins" on the Galaxy Nexus map to?
I'd like to make my own doc similar to below. The official one for $90 doesn't come with a power adapter so I assume you just plug the USB charger into it. What pins from USB map to the three pins in the photo?

Someone over at AndroidCentral built their own charging dock.  According to the post,

... the pin closest to the bottom of the GN is the 5V and the pin
  closest to the power button in the GND.

It is assumed that the middle pin is for letting the phone know it's connected to the dock and launch the needed activities (enable Bluetooth, launch apps, etc.)

This is an old question, but it's the first Google result for "galaxy nexus dock middle pogo" and I felt it deserved a complete answer for those who might look into it.
I've done a lot of dev work for the Galaxy Nexus, especially with the kernel.
The kernel has code for the pogo pins and is very much in charge of them: https://android.googlesource.com/kernel/omap/+/android-omap-tuna-3.0-jb-mr2/arch/arm/mach-omap2/board-tuna-pogo.c
As others have stated, the 1st pin is GND and the 3rd pin is 5V (1st pin being the one closest to the power button). However, there's more to this than just giving power to the phone: you can actually take power from the phone. This is how docks can function without being plugged in (such as the car dock, which would need some power to run the components responsible for audio output).

The 2nd pin is tricky and confusing to me, but I'll try my best to interpret the kernel's code to explain it; feel free to look at the code yourself as well!
The middle pin does appear to do SPDIF audio output, however it first is used to identify the dock that is attached.

It sends a wakeup pulse of 100ms, and then waits for the dock (or whatever somebody may be trying to build!) to respond (I believe the signalling level is 1.8V, but double check yourself if you're concerned):

The response given determines what is connected. It expects the response to be high --> low --> high --> low.
The length of the first high determines the type of dock: desk (50ms) or car (100ms).
Then the dock (or whatever it may be) goes low, and I think how long that low is determines if the phone can draw power from the dock (50ms) or if it needs to give power to the dock (100ms). If the phone is giving power to the dock, it should be like a USB host: 5V/500mA. If it's taking power from the dock, it'd be like connecting a regular charger to the device, so it could be anywhere between 5V/500mA and 5V/1A.
Then the dock goes high again, and this determines if SPDIF audio should be output through the middle pin (50ms) or if it shouldn't (100ms).
Finally it goes low again and the identification stuff is done. There will be a slight delay before it begins to output audio however.

Google Play Store says the pogo pins are 5V, digital audio and GND.
So I guess the middle pin is the digital audio and that the phone finds out it is connected to the dock because there is a 5V tension between 1st and 3rd pin.

Have you got a link to where in the store it says that?

@GAThrawn - Here, under "tech specs".


text:
How to backup all notes from the stock notes app in Froyo?
Is there an easy way to backup/export notes from the stock notes app in Froyo? Alternatively, I'd like to know where said data gets stored, so I can manually copy them over to my PC.
Edit: I'm pretty sure the app came pre-installed on my device. The name of the app, as it looks from the app drawer is "Note pad."

I’ve always thought that Android doesn’t have a stock notes app. Are you sure it isn’t a notes app from the market? If it is then the answer will depend on which app it is.

It came pre installed. Im 100% sure. My device is a huawei u8150 and are you sure its not included in android? Because it's name is just "Notes" and looks really much like http://developer.android.com/resources/samples/NotePad/index.html

I did some research and found out that this was pre-installed either by Huawei, or my telecom, as it resided in /cust/tata/in/app.
The notepad app is too bad as it doesn't allow anything else other than adding and deleting notes.
I solved my problem by manually opening each and every one of the notes, selecting all of them, tapping "copy" and then going to a file manager to open a text file. I then pasted it there, and saved them one by one.

My notepad (aka com.example.android.notepad), resident of Motorola xt317 (android 2.3), has a sqlite database living in the phone. Download it with
adb pull /data/data/com.example.android.notepad/databases/note_pad.db ./Documents

From https://android.stackexchange.com/a/73052/241313
Convert .ab into .tar:
adb backup -f com.example.android.notepad.2018-11-05.ab -noapk com.example.android.notepad
dd if=com.example.android.notepad.2018-11-05.ab bs=1 skip=24 > data.gzX
printf "\x1f\x8b\x08\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00" | cat - data.gzX | gunzip -c > data.tar

Extract .tar file:
tar xf data.tar

Optionally, create a .tar.gz file:
gzip -c data.tar > com.example.android.notepad.2018-11-05.tar.gz


text:
where is factory data reset option on Android 2.3.5?
Where is the Factory Data Reset option on an HTC ChaCha Android 2.3.5 phone? I haven't been able to find the option anywhere, and it is recommended to free up memory, which is short in this phone.
Could it be that I can't do a "Factory data reset" on this model? I am looking at the Settings -> Privacy menu, and I only get:
Display message text [x]
Back up my settings [x]
Automatic restore [x]

nothing more...

Answering myself, it seems in this phone is under: "SD & phone storage > Factory data reset."

Whilst this doesn't answer the original question, it is useful information to maintain here. For some older phones (including a non-HTC Android 2.3.4 phone) this setting is found at:
Settings -> Privacy -> Factory data reset

Could it be that I can't do a "Factory data reset" on this model? See edit.

This is not the correct location for 2.3.5.  The accepted answer is correct.  Please delete your answer.


text:
Improving Location History Accuracy
I'm looking at creating a desktop application to track a number of vehicles using Google Location History and the Google Maps API.
Looking at the accuracy of the feed during a trip to Liverpool - it seems that while the general journey outline is broadly speaking correct, the finer details of the journey are inaccurate. The position can be anywhere up to half a mile out.
The implication here is that GPS isn't used. From Google Support,

How often Location Reporting updates your location data isn't fixed. Frequency is determined by factors like how much battery life your device has, if you’re moving, or how fast you’re moving. Location Reporting will only use cell ID or Wi-Fi location detection depending on your device."

Is there any way to make the device make use of GPS for this to improve accuracy? Alternatively, are there any more accurate alternatives Google provides?

More accuracy is technically achievable, but at a cost. Keeping GPS turned on and recording positions more often draws power, making the battery run down more quickly. That wouldn't be appropriate for something that always run in the background like Google Location History, but there are other location tracking apps (such as running apps) that let you choose your own trade-off between accuracy and battery life.
You might even be better off making your own Android client, so you have full control, and can set up everything just right for your situation. Since this is a site for end-user questions, not programmers, we can't help you any further with that side of things.

Thanks, trying to avoid the creation of my own application ideally. Specifically wanted to know if you could force location history to make use of GPS so you can then use Google Maps API desktop side which it seems not.


text:
Tinder app won't work without Google Play services
I was trying to use the latest version of Tinder 3.3.1 but each time I get the following message:

Get Google Play services
This app won't work without Google Play services, which are missing from your phone.

Since this is not covered by their FAQ and their support service ignored my inquiry, what is the reason for this happening? Why would Tinder need an active Gmail account on the phone? I'm asking since I use my Android device without a Google account, hence I'm not sure whether to expect Tinder to work correctly or not.
In other words, what Tinder functionality could possibly break?
I also noticed an additional notification from Tinder:

Failed to Enable Push Notifications. Your Google account credentials are invalid.

Could this explain why I am not getting any matches?

Needing Google Play Services installed isn't the same thing as needing a Gmail account, nor even a Google account. Why do you say it is the latter?

Well, I have Google Market pre-installed with the phone. But I never connected it to a Google account. Still, I get the "Google Play services" error message. What would explain this?

What Android version are you on? If you still have Android Market instead of Google Play, it's almost certainly too old to run Tinder.

I'm running 2.3.4 Gingerbread, and Tinder's FAQ advertises Android 2.3+ support.

Disclosure: I don't use Tinder. This answer is based on general knowledge about Play Services.

What is the reason for this happening?

Looks like Google Play services is not installed on the device or updated. To install it, please refer to Install Google Play Services without Google Play Store. To update it, please refer to Google Play Store or download manually (e.g. from APK Mirror)

Why would Tinder need an active Gmail account on the phone?

As mentioned in the comment by Dan Hulme, "Needing Google Play Services installed isn't the same thing as needing a Gmail account, nor even a Google account." which is partially true regarding Google account (read the next section).

In other words, what Tinder functionality could possibly break?

For Tinder-specific functionality, possibly nothing. However, as already stated in the question,

Failed to Enable Push Notifications. Your Google account credentials are invalid.

The Tinder app may not be able to receive any push notifications (through Google Cloud Messaging). If it is not a concern, then this message can be ignored. However, setting up a Google account is needed on Android 2.x. From Google Cloud Messaging documentation,

It uses an existing connection for Google services. For pre-3.0 devices, this requires users to set up their Google account on their mobile devices. A Google account is not a requirement on devices running Android 4.0.4 or higher.

(Emphasized added)

Could this explain why I am not getting any matches?

As explained in OP's self-answer, no, the matchmaking system has nothing to do with Google Play services and Google Cloud Messaging.

Thanks for the explanations. "you won't get any push notification from Tinder (through Google Cloud Messaging). If you don't care about it, then you may just ignore it." What type of notifications would one expect to be sent via GCM? It's not obvious to me that I'm lacking any app functionality...

I still can't really say since I haven't tested Tinder, but basically it's a notification similar to WhatsApp when a new message comes, or when there is a new email from any Email Client app. However, since I read from the FAQ that there is a messaging function, perhaps you won't get any notifications from Tinder when there is a new message. This is more of a speculation than a fact, though.

OK, I see then. Probably on new messages you don't get Android wide notification, but you can still see within Tinder if a new message arrives. So no biggy...

Actually the app seems to work just fine. I am getting matches, can chat with them, so it looks like Tinder's error message is erroneous.
In any case no obvious functionality appears broken.

My device never finished finding people - as if it could not lock a location. Can you confirm you don't have Google Play Services installed?

@Hugo Yes, no configured Google Play. Sometimes the app needs restarting to work properly, or GPS re-enabled...

Actually, I left it open for quite a while longer, and Play Services kept crashing (all I saw was the error "Unfortunately Google Services has crashed"), while Tinder didn't get any data. Using the Amazon Apps version solved the issue for me.


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Boot loop Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 N8013
My tablet is stuck booting. I can't get it into recovery. When I hold Power+VolumeUp it goes into "Custom OS ..." with exclamation sign in yellow triangle. Then I press VolumeUp again to go into ODIN download mode. But when I try to flash CWM recovery (or anything else) it goes into "waiting for debugging mode" or "waiting for adb mode". Windows ODIN shows COMM and allows to flush boot loader, but without any difference. I tried everything, including opening up the unit and disconnecting the battery. I can't even turn it off - the screen turns off but when I press power again - it comes right back to Samsung logo. Please help! Thank you.

I used the n8013 for about 3 years, and I remember coming across a similar issue when I tried installing cm. From the little experience I gained, I'll recommend you try using Heimdall for the whole flashing process if you can instead. Simply relax. When that android with open stomach comes up, does your ADB/Fastboot works? If so, then you're good to go using Heimdall. You can find a ton of how to use Heimdall with Samsung devices online

@Rexford "When that android with open stomach comes up, does your ADB/Fastboot works?" I only see Android in ODIN mode and when I try Fastboot it sows "waiting for ADB mode". I also tried command line and it showed "error".

I do not know the documentation you're following, but since you're looking to flash cyanogenmod, how about you try the official documentation using the holy grail heimdall? https://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Install_CM_for_n8013 NOTE: Be very very sure the USB cable you are using is correct and properly functioning, as you might end up spoiling the device with a faulty cable. Or you might get weird feedbacks/results.

If all else failed
1. Put Stock ROM On SD Card
2. Boot into Download Mode
3. Install starts automatically !
For SD Card Booting ROM Updates,
it requires you to rename the ROM File To a    device specific name Eg. SGH100463.zip.
I can't find any zip files for reference but i found this info on the download mode

Download Mode for Samsung devices allows you to install new OTA Updates by pushing them from your computer directly to your phone using only a data cable.
Also, for your computer to work with the Download Mode you will need to have the ODIN software present.

Cite your source? and include more information on the .zip files?

I can't find any, Googling Download Mode and Odin Shows most relevant info

I placed the below stock ROM zip on external SD card went to ODIN download mode - it stays there and nothing happens as picture above shows. http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/58145/N8013UEUCOI1_N8013XARCOI1_XAR/

Did you open Odin on pc and connect the cable ? .  OR PRESS VOLUME UP

Yes,  I also connected cable and loaded the same ROM zip via ODIN successfully, but after restart the tablet still shows Samsung logo until the batterty is dead (I can't even turn it off).


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How to fix soft bricked Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 after /data reformat
I jot got brand new Galaxy Tab A 10.1 tablet (580 model running Android 6). After using Odin 3.12.1 to install TWRP 3.0.2-0 custom recovery I tried to do a full image backup and it failed with "can't mount /data (Invalid argument). So I Googled around and found the "[SOLVED] Cant mount /data" video https://youtu.be/X7yDPszoQ5s that suggested to change data partition type from ext4 to exFat. After that the tablet does not boot and gives some criptic error about data encryption and dropping devices. Nothing, even factory reset helps. I read that Samsung does some encryption but I am not Android expert. Can someone help?

Tried flashing a factory firmware via Odin?

I tried that already following this http://www.factory-settings.com/firmware-update/stock-rom-samsung-galaxy-tab-a-10-1-sm-t580-2016.html

The solution was to choose "Format data" in TWRP.


text:
How to get stock Android for Gooophone i6?
I bought a knock-off/replica iPhone 6, Goophone i6. It's the original Goophone i6 and it's running on Android 4.2 with an ugly iOS 7 skin over it.
Specs:

i6 Quad Core
MTK6582
1.4GHz
1GB+8GB/16GB/32GB
Android 4.2
GPS, WiFi, 3G
WCDMA
Single Nano-Sim Card
13.0MP Camera Smart Phone

I was wondering if I could delete all of it and just get stock Android?

For some background, also see: Is there an official Android “Google” ROM? / Can I install any ROM for my Android device? / Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?

I found a tutorial blog to flash KitKat 4.4.2 stock firmware for Goophone i6.
I'm not affiliated to the creator of the blog or the blog itself.

Download the latest KitKat 4.4.2 Stock Firmware for Goophone i6 smartphone from here, here or here.

Update file name: Goophone-i6 fw
Archive size: 296 MB
Model: Goophone i6 Smartphone
Config_version: V1.1.2
Platform: Mediatek MT6582
Project: hedy82_wet_v116_jb5

How to install the ROM:

Unpack FlashTools, and open Flash_tool.exe
Select MT6592_Android_scatter.txt from /ROM
Wait for the file to be added into the Flash Tool
Choose Option -> USB Model, click USB Model –> Choose Option -> DA DownLoad All -> Speed -> High Speed, click High Speed
Turn off the phone, then remove the battery.
"Press F9 (hit Download button)" OR "if upgrade ROM Firmware -> Upgrade"
Connect your phone to the computer via USB data cable.
The process will start and a red progress bar will appear after color purple, yellow and green circles display.
Finish!

I cant remove the battery?

Also, my brother bought a note 3 clone, SM-N900 can he get a good rom/stock android on that one?

Really sorry that I can't help regarding battery removal, I only found the article and I don't have the device to test it. As for Note 3 clone, does your brother have the real SM-N900 or the "clone" of it? I checked that SM-N900 is by Samsung, and I think CyanogenMod 11 is good enough, if not the best.