Develop Bugs

[Q] Can anyone recommend a GPS tracker for Android?

Looking for a GPS tracker to track one of the kids haha. I know it is a little unethical but I got over that.
It would be cool to be able to track her on my phone, but I could do with a web interface need be (these things access the internet as well, right?)
It would probably need to lock or hide itself in the app drawer (I rather have it hidden.) She would probably throw a fit otherwise. I don't mind paying for the right app.

Don't lie. You're trying to sneak it onto your woman's phone. LOL. I'm interested in this too.

lillee3377 said:
Don't lie. You're trying to sneak it onto your woman's phone. LOL. I'm interested in this too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could just try a bunch, but that seems like a lot of work

Doesn't sprint already have GPS tracking for anyone on their family plan?

MrDSL said:
Doesn't sprint already have GPS tracking for anyone on their family plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. It's their Family Locator service. $5 a month.
https://sfl.sprintpcs.com/finder-sprint-family/welcome.htm

I think any app that acts as a constant "tracker" will kill the battery in no time.
A few options come to mind; Lookout Mobile Security (extremely accurate the few times i've tested it) or Google Latitude - less accurate but can be configured using wifi+gps....

MrDSL said:
Doesn't sprint already have GPS tracking for anyone on their family plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
_MetalHead_ said:
Yup. It's their Family Locator service. $5 a month.
https://sfl.sprintpcs.com/finder-sprint-family/welcome.htm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah....I just hate to pay extra when there are all these awesome apps that are potentially free.
I think I have found what I am looking for though.
Family GPS Tracker
Simple interface, not really a tracker but will be fine for what I need to use it for. Best of all you can change the update frequency so the app isn't phoning home constantly and destroying the battery.
Now I just need to find a way to hide the app haha.

jaypeezee said:
I think any app that acts as a constant "tracker" will kill the battery in no time.
A few options come to mind; Lookout Mobile Security (extremely accurate the few times i've tested it) or Google Latitude - less accurate but can be configured using wifi+gps....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, tracker might be a bit of an overstatement. I don't really need tracking more so just location updating every now and then.

lookout mobile was free but i guess they have a premiuim version. 29.99 for a year. it has GPS tracking but it has to be used by logging on to their website to track, like family locator. i luckily have been using it since windows mobile days so i get the premiuim features for free

The best one I think is mobile defense and it hides itself the only thing is it sends a text when it connects so to get around that you'll need handcent sms and just blacklist the number it texts from that's how I track my girl lmao
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

i use google latitude, its very good and its free. it even shows a picture of where the phone's @ with the address.

djcro said:
i use google latitude, its very good and its free. it even shows a picture of where the phone's @ with the address.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
latitude would be a good option if the person never opened it, lol. as soon as they do, they could turn it off, hide themselves, or just set it to a hard location ("i'm going to jessica's, dad", set's latitude for jessica's house, then is over to brad's tra la la la la)
if she had a custom ROM on her phone, you could make launcher pro the default home, then hide latitude from the app drawer. unless she's savvy, she wouldn't think about it. latitude should update.
of course, if you're going to go that way, you could use any one of several things and just hide them from the app drawer.

Safety
I would like to suggest this kind of innovative idea with regards to android phone application, in which you are able to monitor your love ones wherever they go. In addition you can use this app for your safety and protection of your family and it is the only application that has a direct access to the emergency response center. For more information please try to check their website: safekidzone.com or SafeTREC.com

Ninja Tracker
michaelvibe said:
Looking for a GPS tracker to track one of the kids haha. I know it is a little unethical but I got over that.
It would be cool to be able to track her on my phone, but I could do with a web interface need be (these things access the internet as well, right?)
It would probably need to lock or hide itself in the app drawer (I rather have it hidden.) She would probably throw a fit otherwise. I don't mind paying for the right app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend the Ninja Tracker - when my son passed his driving test I was always worrying about him so we now have one of these in his car (he knows it is there) and I often use it to check he has arrived safely at his destination etc... Also popped one in my daughters bag when we went to a music festival last year - just for peace of mind really - meant that she could have more freedom to wander off with her friends but at such a packed venue we could find her easily by logging into our interface via my iphone. Fab bit of kit at a reasonable price - company I bought it from was called Ninja Tracking Systems I think... Google them.

http://wheresmydroid.com/
I use this. It also allows me to erase the contents should the enemy get my phone.

I can suggest Fameelee - Family Locator. It's a free app avaiable on Google Play and recently launched on Appstore. It allows to track realtime location of the family members as well as to check location history for the past 30 days. Within premium version you may track sms and call logs of the loved ones. It works in background so mostly end user you going to track will even didn't notice it. Hope features of this app will meet your needs

I'd like to recommend you Fameelee app, it's a free app that was recenly founded by myself on Google Play Market. Allows to track real time location of the family members, friends or whoever you wish
You can also check gps location histor for the last 30 days, get gps notification once your app member reach some specific places (you can match it on the map) and a lot of other useful features.

[Q] Can you send photos with Android Beam?

I have managed to send web pages etc easily enough but when I have a photo on the screen from the gallery and place the phones together I get the connection sound and the vibration but no function to beam the file?
Do I have to use a separate app? would have thought the gallery would have this option built in?

dave83uk said:
I have managed to send web pages etc easily enough but when I have a photo on the screen from the gallery and place the phones together I get the connection sound and the vibration but no function to beam the file?
Do I have to use a separate app? would have thought the gallery would have this option built in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this function doesn't work, that would indeed seem very strange. Surely picture sharing in this way would be one of the highest case use scenarios?

dave83uk said:
I have managed to send web pages etc easily enough but when I have a photo on the screen from the gallery and place the phones together I get the connection sound and the vibration but no function to beam the file?
Do I have to use a separate app? would have thought the gallery would have this option built in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get exactly the same

oscillik said:
If this function doesn't work, that would indeed seem very strange. Surely picture sharing in this way would be one of the highest case use scenarios?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's my thoughts too. I would certainly share pictures more often than web pages?!

winwiz said:
I get exactly the same
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Click to collapse
Good to see it's not just me - or rather not good as this indicates the feature is lacking?!

dave83uk said:
Good to see it's not just me - or rather not good as this indicates the feature is lacking?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looks like it!
I was able to NFC an app I had my cousin didn't, and it went to the correct market place location.
But the photos didn't work! Dissapointing

I thought that for things like URLs, which would apply to websites and applications (since an application can be linked via it's market URI) that just using the NFC tag capability would suffice.
But for something like sharing pictures, I would've thought that using Android Beam would be almost like a quick and easy Bluetooth pairing...using NFC to handle the pairing and authentication, and then handing off the actual file transfer to Bluetooth.
Hopefully Android Beam will be improved upon, because sharing pictures was the immediate function I thought of when I saw the tech being demoed.

winwiz said:
looks like it!
I was able to NFC an app I had my cousin didn't, and it went to the correct market place location.
But the photos didn't work! Dissapointing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I can think of is limitation in file size. Sending a web link, a YouTube link or a Market link would be very minimal amount of data to transfer. Even sending a contact, as I have seen done, would be minimal.
I suppose to send a Picture you would have to hold the phones together for quite a while, seen as they have to be practically touching back to back, could be awkward.
Although I don't know data transfer speeds of NFC

oscillik said:
I thought that for things like URLs, which would apply to websites and applications (since an application can be linked via it's market URI) that just using the NFC tag capability would suffice.
But for something like sharing pictures, I would've thought that using Android Beam would be almost like a quick and easy Bluetooth pairing...using NFC to handle the pairing and authentication, and then handing off the actual file transfer to Bluetooth.
Hopefully Android Beam will be improved upon, because sharing pictures was the immediate function I thought of when I saw the tech being demoed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well fingers crossed to see it in future updates.

Android Beam works via NFC. The maximum data transfer rate of NFC is only 424 kbit/s, that's to slow to quickly "beam" a picture.
A 1 MB picture would take about 30+ sec to transfer (with more realistic transfer rates). A 30 sec "Beam" might not be what they intended, when they brought the "touch to share" Beam feature.

dave83uk said:
The only thing I can think of is limitation in file size. Sending a web link, a YouTube link or a Market link would be very minimal amount of data to transfer. Even sending a contact, as I have seen done, would be minimal.
I suppose to send a Picture you would have to hold the phones together for quite a while, seen as they have to be practically touching back to back, could be awkward.
Although I don't know data transfer speeds of NFC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I don't think Android beam can send anywhere near enough data to transfer a photo.
The most likely scenario would be as oscillik suggested - an easy NFC based bluetooth pairing followed by the transfer taking place over BT.

I don't think NFC can send that much data quickly (to transfer a picture). It's basically designed to transfer small strings of data since the transfer speed is pretty low. Disappointing, yeah, but that's just how it works.
EDIT: Beaten to it. Shouldn't have started typing up a post and left my phone for 10 minutes then come back to submit.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Ah well, looks like I will have to wait for Google Wallet to make an appearance over here (and for retailers to implement it) before I have any real use for NFC in the phone.
Unless one of the Devs finds a way of linking it to Bluetooth
Thanks for the replies.

Have you tried turning on Bluetooth or WiFi Direct to see if it can figure it out that way?

FISKER_Q said:
Have you tried turning on Bluetooth or WiFi Direct to see if it can figure it out that way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tried it with mine and a colleagues Galaxy Nexus with both Bluetooth and WiFi Direct turned on both and both devices sent to visible but still the same result - nothing.
Worth a shot though

1 word. "WiFi File Explorer"

You need to understand what's going on there. Phone only beams the web page's address, and the receiving phone loads the page from scratch. The same goes to youtube videos. Sending a picture is not so easy, because the NFC is not designed for such kind of thing(it is supposed to be using little battery,not being fast). Use bluetooth for sending pictures. Right tool for the right task.

gambiting said:
You need to understand what's going on there. Phone only beams the web page's address, and the receiving phone loads the page from scratch. The same goes to youtube videos. Sending a picture is not so easy, because the NFC is not designed for such kind of thing(it is supposed to be using little battery,not being fast). Use bluetooth for sending pictures. Right tool for the right task.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but there's no reason why Android Beam cannot be used to initiate and simplify the Bluetooth pairing process and act as a rather user friendly 'ad-hoc' way to send pictures.
I really think Google missed a step here...

Out of interest, how would I go about using the Wi-Fi direct feature?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

dave83uk said:
Out of interest, how would I go about using the Wi-Fi direct feature?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same..would like to know

What app is like SmartActions from Razr?

I'm trying to recall the app that lets you control actions on your phone ie locations to turn on wifi, 3g or LTE?
What I would like to accomplish is to automatically turn on Wifi and toggle to 3g when I'm at home and at work. When I'm out and about to turn off wifi and toggle on LTE.
Is that possible? Trying to conserve battery life.
Thanks!

Locale?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Found it, its called Tasker...but I don't believe it can toggle 3g and LTE unless I'm rooted.

I don't think it can toggle 3g/LTE at all..

Have you checked out Llama?
I use it, and it's awesome!

Locale and Tasker are the main ones...
Locale is great, but there is a bug with battery status in ICS (according to Locale devs)...you could still do things based on wifi, but if you want to do things based on battery, you are screwed for now.

Try Smart Phone
https://market.android.com/details?id=at.bartinger.smartphonelite
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Phoneweaver is pretty good as well.

Tasker doesn't play nice with the ICS calendar. I used to use it to autosilent/vibrate my phone when my Calendar entry = busy. I've since disabled it until the code is updated.

AutomateIt
Not sure if this is what you are looking for http://goo.gl/2WBNW
AutomateIt or AutomateIt Pro

Another vote for Llama.

drPheta said:
Tasker doesn't play nice with the ICS calendar. I used to use it to autosilent/vibrate my phone when my Calendar entry = busy. I've since disabled it until the code is updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will be fixed in the next update. You can see the huge change log for the next version on their website:
http://tasker.dinglisch.net/changes/nextversion.html
I wish the next version had an LTE toggle.

My choice is Setting Profiles
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.probeez.profiles
Unlike Tasker or Locale, localization could be done by GSM cells instead of GPS/WiFi (this is very good for battery).

PaulCayard said:
My choice is Setting Profiles
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.probeez.profiles
Unlike Tasker or Locale, localization could be done by GSM cells instead of GPS/WiFi (this is very good for battery).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I use as well. They responded to my emails and updated bug fixes for ICS. Works great now.

cvbcbcmv said:
These apps take up more battery than they save. That's why I bought some NFC tags, that's what I'll use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, Phoneweaver doesn't seem to have any impact at all on the battery, as it relies on system notifications. Also, it doesn't use GPS for locations (unless you want to) and can locate by pinging WiFi every 15 min. Again, this doesn't significally reduce your battery.
Your choice is interesting though. I'm new to NFC. How do you plan to use the tags? You will simply touch them and they will activate different profiles? BTW, leaving NFC on may also have an impact on the battery.

PaulCayard said:
My choice is Setting Profiles
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.probeez.profiles
Unlike Tasker or Locale, localization could be done by GSM cells instead of GPS/WiFi (this is very good for battery).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tasker can use cell phone towers if you set it up properly. By far, the most versatile. Check out this set up:
http://tasker.wikidot.com/yanawa

WingnutStrikesBack said:
Try Smart Phone
https://market.android.com/details?id=at.bartinger.smartphonelite
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Today comes an update with a beautiful ICS UI

PaulCayard said:
My choice is Setting Profiles
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.probeez.profiles
Unlike Tasker or Locale, localization could be done by GSM cells instead of GPS/WiFi (this is very good for battery).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tasker has GSM only option for location based settings. and works pretty good I must add
---------- Post added at 05:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:01 PM ----------
cvbcbcmv said:
These apps take up more battery than they save. That's why I bought some NFC tags, that's what I'll use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used both Locale and Tasker. I have never seen any big impact on the battery. I don't use them to save battery, but to change settings/toggle stuff according to the place I'm in. [Like work/office]
I recently set it up to send anyone [in my Fav] who calls me when I'm in a movie to cut the call and send them an SMS stating that 'I'm in a movie and will call as soon as I can', for everyone else it goes straight to voicemail.

Big recommendation for Tasker here. It can actually do just about anything you can imagine.
Shameless plug for my Locale/Tasker plugin (Secure Settings) that allows you to do a lot of cool stuff including toggling GPS if you're rooted. It's ICS compatible and also free

PolishPauL11 said:
Tasker can use cell phone towers if you set it up properly. By far, the most versatile. Check out this set up:
http://tasker.wikidot.com/yanawa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
eyan15 said:
Tasker has GSM only option for location based settings. and works pretty good I must add
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm very sorry for my previous erroneous information. When I chose Setting Profiles, Tasker and Locale didn't have this feature. I'm sorry, I didn't check latest versions.
Thanks for the info.
EDIT
if someone is interested in GSM cell tower localization (no GPS, no WiFi):
- setting profiles "Cell Towers ids" feature: http://www.probeez.com/?p=57
- tasker "cell near" feature: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/userguide/en/loctears.html

NFC on our device...

What exactly can we do with NFC on our device. I've tried everything to get google wallet to work and I'm convinced it won't work. So what else can I do with NFC?

jrosetto said:
What exactly can we do with NFC on our device. I've tried everything to get google wallet to work and I'm convinced it won't work. So what else can I do with NFC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I've tried a dozen things to get Google wallet to work. Think a lot of us have lol. But we can share YouTube videos and web addresses and contacts and I'm not sure what else
Sent from my Samsung t989 running embryo 6

The NFC section of xda could help lol. Hell, we could even scan those weird Skylanders figures they have. Basically plastic figures with NFC tags in them
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

Until Isis becomes available for our devices we don't have a "wallet" solution. Also when it does become available you will have to get a special GSM card that has the secure element in it for it to work. To my knowledge it's in a beta test in two cities although it escapes my memory which cities, plus your device cannot be rooted as of right now. Moving on you can kinda sorta automate yer device with NFC tags. For example lets say that you are going out for a drive you can swipe a NFC tag and place you place your phone into drive more with Bluetooth on and the GPS. Or when you go-to bed swipe your phone and have it go into silent mode and dim the brightness of the screen. Out side of that and stuff like that not much for now........
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

Is in beta in salt lake city Utah and I'm thinking Austin TX
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium

NFC has kind of limited usages right now. I'd say the most common are NFC "tags" on stuff like posters that replicate what QR codes are currently used for, and it's also used to bootstrap more complex connections (like WiFi or Bluetooth).
The big "thing" for NFC in phones was Google Wallet, but there was a big hullabaloo and, apparently Google Wallet will not work on SIIs which lack the "Secure Element" part which is where payment info was supposed to be stored. There's the alternative of affixing an NFC tag physically to your phone and using it that way. Don't ask me why Wallet couldn't just be made to work without the extra security. There's a lot of muddled announcements about it, especially with the Wallet vs. ISIS fiasco.

android wear 5.1.1. will get wifi and gestures!

Android 5.1.1. will bring us wifi!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ArtemRussakovskii/posts/V8JQoUPaqsB

Awesome, this will make my ss3 even more useful

Saw this as well today. So pumped and I really hope its true!!
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app

Thank god.

I was wondering how long it would be before that part of the hardware was activated!
Now it needs to be smart enough to only turn on wifi when bluetooth isnt connected....

Good news :good:
This article puts SW3 img on it which makes me feel more exciting cannot wait for the next ver
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...re-control-and-easier-access-to-appscontacts/

I'd prefer NFC to be enabled so I can use my watch to scan tags and pay for stuff.

How would WiFi work?
To get data from your smartphone you need to do what? WiFi is usually turned off on the Smartphone.
Do they plan on letting your watch hit WiFi access points, solo (no smartphone)?
If they do I wonder if there will be a keyboard to enter passwords to access secure WiFi? (I do know you can sideload a keyboard)
Also the battery life on this device is the best I seen but it is not great.
Got to effect the battery.

AstroDigital said:
How would WiFi work?
To get data from your smartphone you need to do what? WiFi is usually turned off on the Smartphone.
Do they plan on letting your watch hit WiFi access points, solo (no smartphone)?
If they do I wonder if there will be a keyboard to enter passwords to access secure WiFi? (I do know you can sideload a keyboard)
Also the battery life on this device is the best I seen but it is not great.
Got to effect the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. My original thought would be that it would connect to your home wifi or whatever you want to connect to. Or it could be your phone I guess as well. Either way, wifi offers greater range than bluetooth and I can't wait for this release. Maybe wifi will only turn on when bluetooth disconnects as it thinks you're out of range. But also have a option to have it on all the time. We will see.

WiFi Direct
My assumption is that, since the device supports Bluetooth V3, it will use WiFi direct for faster transfers between phone and watch. With the lack of a keyboard on the device (which I would describe as a lack, actually) nothing else makes sense. And in that case MP3 files or other stuff can be transferred much more quickly. Also, installation of APK´s and such can be done via WiFi direct.
But we will wait and see. According to the article, many more devices actually have a dormant WiFi module, as WiFi is built-in to the SnapDragon 400. The question is whether or not the manufacturer included an appropriate antenna complex in the device.

Maybe it can stay tethered when on the same Wi-Fi as your phone. That would be killer...I don't carry my phone around the house.

brizey said:
Maybe it can stay tethered when on the same Wi-Fi as your phone. That would be killer...I don't carry my phone around the house.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly why I want WiFi. I take my watch off in my house now because it disconnect too often. Give me WiFi an I'll be set.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app

I'm really hoping that it google stalks the xda forums because I'm really hoping that the WiFi function works as follows.
You leave your phone at home. Your watch goes out with you.
It finds a recognised WiFi hotspot outside and it automatically connected to it and to the internet.
It seeks out your phone at home and syncs with it getting all your stuff pushed to you watch. Now that's a true smart watch.

rob_h said:
I'd prefer NFC to be enabled so I can use my watch to scan tags and pay for stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. I will have NFC tags all over the place once this gets activated. Nightstand, the inside of my car door, laptop, desk, girlfriend.
They really should make NFC a priority to beat Apple to it, though, before their watch comes out.

Android 5.1.1. will bring us wifi!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ArtemRussakovskii/posts/V8JQoUPaqsB

greenbat said:
Android 5.1.1. will bring us wifi!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ArtemRussakovskii/posts/V8JQoUPaqsB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really hope its soon! As I'm currently on google chat with support about the terrible bug on our watches.

AstroDigital said:
How would WiFi work?
To get data from your smartphone you need to do what? WiFi is usually turned off on the Smartphone.
Do they plan on letting your watch hit WiFi access points, solo (no smartphone)?
If they do I wonder if there will be a keyboard to enter passwords to access secure WiFi? (I do know you can sideload a keyboard)
Also the battery life on this device is the best I seen but it is not great.
Got to effect the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I would do it is to simply have the saved WiFi networks list from you phone be synced up with the watch via bluetooth. And to save battery, only have the watch look for one of these WiFi networks IF it loses the bluetooth connection with your phone. Not sure if that's how it would work, but that would make sense to me. That way, it's seemless, requires little or no user input, and notifications just work, regardless of whether phone is in range or not.

aaaand here it comes:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...te-with-wifi-support-always-on-apps-and-more/

Hopefully the roll out is pretty quick! Can't wait to have the wifi feature.

They say over the coming weeks.. i wouldn't hold my breath for anything quick...
(Though, i am sure it will be here before the long forgotten replacement bands for the watch... )
EDIT: Two other features not mentioned in the first article: http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...djustable-font-size-and-pop-up-notifications/