text:
Biometric-security lock-screen?
Is there a way to apply a biometric lock (as in, a look screen) to an Android device? e.g. the unlocker has to pass a fingerprint / retina / voice scan. I've read about startup companies and general ideas, but haven't seen any actual product.

Turns out unlock via face recognition will be built-in in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Some phones have hardware built in for such things. For example, my Motorola Atrix has a fingerprint scanner to unlock it, http://www.authentec.com/a/ATRIXFAQs.aspx. Also, like you pointed out, Ice Cream Sandwich is going to have facial recognition for locking/unlocking.

It's possible to develop one, but we don't have pixel-per-pixel touch screens(like the one that the second generation Microsoft Surface uses) on our Android phones, so it will not be accurate, nor even trustable. What may be out on the Market are lock screens that imitate those systems, but they are just for visual effects.
The only example that is valid is the face-recognition, the iris-recognition I don't know, but I think this needs a lot more improved technology. You can check out BioLock To Bring Biometric Security (Iris Scanner, Facial Recognition) To Android for more information.

I'm not sure what do you mean by "pixel-per-pixel" touchscreens... and in any case, I'm guessing (1) fingerprint scan requires the camera - the touchscreen isn't appropriate for that, (2) voice requires the microphone, and (3) retina requires a higher-quality camera than what any phone currently has. Still, I'm asking about any biometric product from a consumer standpoint, I'm less concerned with the specific technique used to achieve it.

Touchscreens like the one that they introduced on the second generation of the Microsoft Surface. More information about it just watch their keynote at CES 2011: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/

I am currently using an app in beta called Zwypelock. This app learns your unique behavior — the way you hold you phone, the pressure you apply to your touch screen, etc. It lets you unlock the phone with just a swipe.
Here is the link
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zighra.zwypelockss&hl=en

Thanks for the pointer, dedutt! Could you also provide a link where to find Zwypelock ([edit]ing it into your question would be best)?


text:
How can I share from my image gallery on Facebook?
Do I have to install the Facebook application on CyanogenMod 7 RC3 to share on Facebook from my image gallery?

Yeah, you need to install the Facebook application, since it adds the option on the drop menu. Then follow this instructions after you installed it correctly:

Tap and hold an image
The screen will change to be possible to select multiple images
Select the images you want to post on Facebook
Hit Share on the bar
Then Facebook

I hoped I didn't have to install the application ... Thank you for great answer and editing my question...

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


text:
How to restore the active applications widget in home screen?
In the home screen of my Galaxy Tab I accidentally deleted the widget which showed me the active applications running in the background. Can anyone tell me how I can restore this?

Sounds to me like you deleted a widget.  Long-press on a home screen, choose Widgets from the popup menu, and see if there's one matching your description.

Try pressing and holding the HOME button (hardware button in the bottom row) - that should pop up a screen listing recently opened apps. I believe the Galaxy Tab's interface has been modified to include a TASK MANAGER button. Is that what you're looking for?

I think you are talking about the program monitor widget: long press anywhere on your home screen, choose Widgets and select the Program Monitor from the list.

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


text:
How to fix "Invalid IMEI " after Factory reset?
The question is simple "How to fix "Invalid IMEI " after Factory reset?"
After factory reset my phone starts showing "Invalid IMEI" on both SIM slots and I can't call or to being called.
The phone is A738 with Android 2.2.1 and CPU chip is Media Tek MTK6516 416MH
Hope that information is enough.
** UPDATE **
This is the phone

What phone?  Much more important than the CPU in my opinion.

The phone is A738 here is the link http://www.chinabuye.com/a738-android-2-2-gps-tv-quad-band-dual-sim-smartphone-416mhz-2g-ram

Have you installed CoPilot on this phone?

Yes, before the reset I have installed CoPilot

I found a good solution:
DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK

Need to root the phone - I use z4root
Install Root.Explorer (in the archive)
Using Root Explorer you must replace (maybe you will need to press "Mount R/W" on top right corner of the program screen) .modem.img  from the archive to this location of the phone /etc/firmware/.modem.img (do not delete the old file !!! replace it!)
Set permissions for the .modem.img file to rw-r--r--
Restart the phone and maybe will be OK, but if it is not go to next step
IMEI information is stored in /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001. Maybe changing of your original IMEI is not good idea because it is against the law but if you don't have copy of that file BEFORE the factory reset you can use temporary IMEI file located in the arhive.

The archive with files needed

the archive link is inactive please provide another. thanks

I re-upload it, must be ok now.

Since the archive was on MegaUpload it's gone now. Does anyone has a copy or can anyone upload it to some other file sharing service ?

comment by Mircea D.: You can also create your own brand new IMEI file if you have the code at the back of your phone, with the IMEI generator. See this guide for more details. // @MirceaD You might wish to place that as an answer, including an excerpt of the linked guide.

I have formated the nvram accidentally with a tool. My IMEI also resets now. To keep my IMEI why do I need to replace the modem.img (4.89MB) and to what to replace? also is that is replaced, why need /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/ files? There I have MP0B_001 120 byte ST6TA001 412 byte ST6TB001 412 byte and not only MP0B_001. My chipset is MT6589T, phone THL: W8S

Install the Mobile MTK Engineering Mode app. This will only work on devices with a Mediatek chipset.

This Application allow you to run Advanced Setup from Engineering Mode Menu of MTK phones, also called SERVICE MODE

Other apps which can show the MTK Engineering Mode Menu will probably work too.
If you can't find or don't know your phone's IMEI, then install the Bb IMEI Generator app to generate one for you. If your phone has dual SIM support, you'll need two IMEIs. Note the generated IMEIs by Bb IMEI Generator.
In the Mobile MTK Engineering Mode app go to > MTK Settings > Connectivity > CDS Information > Radio Information > Phone 1.
At the AT+ line:

Enter AT +EGMR=1,7,"ENTER-IMEI-HERE", then tap on 'Send AT Command'. If you have a dual SIM phone, enter AT +EGMR=1,10,"ENTER-IMEI-HERE" then tap on 'Send AT Command' again. Note: The quotes are included. There should be a space after AT.
You should get a notification that the AT Command(s) were successfully sent. Restart your device. You now shouldn't get the 'Invalid IMEI' notification.

This solution works even without getting notification. Note that copy-paste causes Mobile MTK Engineering Mode crash.

Before proceeding, check your country's law regarding tampering IMEI. It might be illegal. However, the answer is meant to restore the IMEI back to original.
The answer can work on Mediatek devices mt65{89,75,77,92,82}. Simply, its applicable on many Mediatek devices.
In my situation, T1000's answer didn't work for my device Micromax A110q Canvas 2 Plus. I used this  video (backup) on YouTube which first format and then flashes your device.

If you have a an MTK-Phone that has an invalid IMEI after performing a factory reset from nandroid, your NV-RAM is corrupted and you CAN NOT fix this with any of the MANY IMEI repair tools on the web. YOU NEED TO FORMAT YOUR NV-RAM and flash a stock image! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WITH IMEI TOOLS!
After that you can just restore your original NANDROID backup and be on your way again! (Source)

Remember to take a backup of everything you think is important for you.

Method #1
Procedure:

Download a scatter-based ROM (Stock ROM preferred) for your device. Google for such with details like device model name, chipset, etc. You can also look at this collection listed at Androidxda.
Download ADB drivers for your device, install them and verify that your device is getting detected. You can Google for them like Step 1.
Extract files from downloaded ROM and look for Scatter File.
Download latest SP-Flash Tool and follow the usage guide either from the aforementioned video (using old version of the tool) or from here.
Extract this tool, look for Flash_tool.exe and execute it by Right-click -> Run as Administrator.
Once the interface comes up, click Scatter-Loading button and locate the Scatter file there.
If you have custom recovery installed and don't want to replace it, then uncheck it and check the rest of the listed options (partitions). It is better to uncheck the recovery in case, the tool doesn't succeed.
Click the Format option. Under Auto Format Flash check Format whole flash except bootloader and uncheck rest (0:57/1:57). Make sure Validation is checked.
Hit Format/OK and then connect your phone through USB cable into PC, remove and plug the battery but don't turn it on manually. You may have to press Vol. Up or Vol. Down button to let the PC detect your phone.
The tool will format the partitions and will show a green ring as success.
Press the Download button and re-insert the battery again.
A green ring will be shown if its flashed well.
Close the tool, unplug the phone, start and boot into the Android. Check the IMEI now.

(Source YouTube video and Androidxda guide.)

Method #2
It could be possible that you might not be able to see IMEI still, but we've come far away from Invalid IMEI issue. If the issue persist, a different issue with IMEI I assume, then consider the solution on YouTube here (backup). You can also look at this (backup) solution which is published by the same uploader.
This solution requires Maui Meta 3G, Scatter based Stock ROM, CDC Drivers. Google them to download the latest version. You may look the this and this video, or this guide for the procedure. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a synopsis for Maui Meta 3G.
Procedure:

First enable USB Debugging in your phone. To do this go to Settings -> Developer options and enable USB Debugging in it. In case you don’t find developer options in your settings just go to Settings -> About phone. There you can see build number. Tap it 7-8 times and you can get Developer options now.
Now install Maui META 3G tool then open it after installation.
Click Options -> Connect smart phone into META mode.
Then click Reconnect.
Now turn off the device and connect it to pc using USB data cable.
The device will boot up and stay in boot logo (META mode) and won’t go past it (don’t panic it is normal).
As soon as PC detects the mobile it will start searching for drivers.
If it fails to install any driver, mainly CDC driver you have to manually install it (this driver is mandatory and without it Maui tool will not detect your device). Hop down to the next point to know how to install CDC drivers. For Windows 7 and above make sure you have disabled Digital signature Verification.  You can Google out how to disable digital signature verification.
Go to Control panel -> Device manager, locate CDC… (The CDC… option will be displayed until the device is connected in META mode, it will disappear after you disconnect it). Locate CDC in device manger list and right click on it. Now choose update driver software -> Browse my computer driver software -> then browse Android_Gadget_CDC_driver.inf through browse option -> Click next to install driver -> Choose install it anyway -> done.
After successfully installing the drivers  the Maui tool will detect your device.
Close the pop-up info window then choose IMEI download from the drop down menu right below the menu bar of the Maui Tool.
Main app.
After clicking IMEI download it will popup a window like below.
vlcsnap-2014-11-21-00h20m20s28.
Click Change NVRAM database file and load your device stock ROM database file. (This file will be available in your device SP Tool flashable stock ROM. Don’t use any other device database file and use only your device file).
After loading NVRAM database file successfully now enter your IMEI(SIM_1) and hit Download to flash.  Repeat the same process for SIM_2.
Now you have flashed the IMEI successfully on your phone and you can close the tool.
Unplug the device from PC, remove the battery and insert it back again.
Now turn on the device and DONE…!! Now you will have your lost IMEI back permanently.
  [More Info : Here (backup) on YouTube]

(Source)

About SP Flash Tool

Smart Phone Flash Tool (SP Flash Tool) allows you to Flash any Stock Rom or any Custom on the Android Smartphone.

Note: I've provided backup for every YouTube video if the original cannot be reached somehow.
Method 1 is tested by me. Method 2 is tested from the video only. Procedure for Method #2 is mentioned for the purpose of quoting and answering.


text:
What is the fastest way to turn the phone into silent mode?
The title kinda tells it all. Sometimes I need to turn silent for a meeting and the procedure is like:

Unlock the phone
Click on Menu
Go to Settings
Click on Sound
Enable Silent mode

Apart from (1), which can't be shortened (can it?), I want to minimize the remaining 4 clicks.
EDIT: I have a Nexus S, but I'm more interested in things that are not specific to models. Also, please feel free to add model-specific answers, as other people may find it useful.

What phone? On my Nexus One, I can just hit my volume-down button (without unlocking) one click down past vibrate.

@Uninspired I tried to leave that open so answers can be generic.

Personally, I think that the easiest way (apart from sliding right to left, but that's not available on all phones) to put the phone into silent mode is to hold down the power button for a short period of time, then select Silent mode.

It CAN be shortened!
You can silence your phone straight from the lockscreen by sliding from right to left.
See this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTQ-c7QJdYQ#at=4m

+1 This is great! I'm going to accept @Linus's answer because I have a locking pattern so can't use this. Nice to know, though :)

Doesn't work with HTC sense :-(

Holding the Volume-Down button on most Android devices from the home screen will drop to silent mode.

You can also a widget on your home screen to toggle between silent / vibrate / normal modes.
Too many to list. Most popular ones work well.

I use Widgetsoid

There is an android app named as Profilo which provides a lot of features to silent your phone quickly. This app has four features location based, voice based, time based and a shake functionality. The quickest way is that shake your mobile once and it will be silent. Shaking again will unmute it. You can schedule your phone as well. You can save a location. At that location your cell phone automatically will be on silent mode. Here is the link.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apptrekkers.profilo

See How to not be a spammer


text:
Separate ringtone for calls from numbers not in the contact list?
Good old Siemens phones had a feature that allowed you to set a single ringtone for all calls coming from your contacts, and a single ringtone for all calls coming from numbers not in your contact list. Can it be done with stock Android 2.2, a manufacturer-specific distribution, or with an app?

There MUST be an easy way to do this in a newer Android .... right?

Amongst the many features it lists, WhoIsIt claims to have support for separate ringtone and vibrate pattern for Unknown Callers.
See if that helps.

Well, it almost works: for the first second or two the default ringtone is played before WhoIsIt switches to the correct one. Thanks!

If you are already using Tasker you can make your phone check for the availability of the incoming call number in contact list. If not available, it can be made to play a special ring tone.
This is explained here. The content of the same is reproduced here as well:

Different Ringtone for Unknown Callers: I missed my old Windows phone
  feature where I had a special ringtone for anyone NOT in my contact
  list, so I recreated it. Unfortunately my Galaxy S2 seems to have a
  lot of quirks about the way it handles the ring of incoming calls, so
  this pair of profiles is more complex than they otherwise would have
  to be. Also, on my phone I actually hear both my default ringtone and
  the "unknown caller" ringtone simultaneously (despite setting the
  ringer volume to 0 in the Task, it keeps ringing loudly).
Anyway, to use this you will have to modify the "Unknown ringtone"
  task so that the "file" in the second action points to a valid file on
  your phone (mine points to an mp3 of cicada).
The "unknown caller start" profile specifies that when an incoming
  call is not in your contact list, to start playing a special ringtone
  audio file, and to stop playing it (by calling the "unknown ringtone
  stop" task) after you ignore or pick up the call. Since on my phone
  the sound kept playing if I picked up (it successfully stopped playing
  if I ignored the call) I added a second profile "unknown caller stop"
  which actually stops the ringtone playing when you're in a call (after
  you pick up).
You could easily modify it to play a special ringtone under different
  circumstances by altering the context of the "unknown caller start"
  profile. Currently it has caller equal to "!C:ANY" (not equal to any
  contact), but you could use a pattern like "077*/Geoff*" to activate
  this profile if either the caller's number starts with 077 or is a
  contact whose names starts with Geoff.

While not quite what the OP asked, a good defense to the current deluge of telemarketing calls is to set your phone to only ring for telephone numbers in your contacts. For those who don't want to do this across the board, you may also customize when this setting is applied.
Android 5.0 (Lollipop) allows you to set this in Interruptions. Tap the 'Call/messages from' link and you can restrict this to just the people in your contacts list. (Settings => Sound & Notification => Interruptions => Call/messages from => Contacts only)

There is a new app that lets you assign a ringtone for private numbers, block them and more -
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blondy.privatone

authors: عبد العزيز أول

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


text:
Can't find a contact's phone number?
If I tap on the dialer on a DroidX and start tapping in someone's number then when enough (usually 3) digits have by tapped in the person's name and number appear about the entry box and I can tap on them to dial.
However, if I go into Contacts and search for that same person by name they are not listed in my contacts.
I'm trying to work out what the disconnect between these "contact" lists are and how to keep them insync.
(I'm logged in with my gmail/google account and have a contact list on gmail which syncs with the phone.)

Perhaps you have two different types - Google Contacts & Phone Contacts. Some phones have that "feature". Also, try pressing the search button (in your homescreen) and entering the details - see if the contact shows up there.

Tried search on homescreen and from almost everywhere else but no luck. It does appear that I have two different lists and as you say it looks like a Google Contacts list and Phone Contacts. I can see these friends on the Phone Contacts list but if I hit the search button on this list it takes me to the search for All Contacts and doesn't find them there. The only way I can get to them is to scroll there on the Phone Contacts.

My phone (a Nexus S) doesn't search as I enter digits -- that sounds like a nice feature.  But I sure am glad I don't have the "two separate sets of contacts" feature :)

Can it be that you have unchecked certain contacts to be displayed ?
Go to contacts, press menu, more , display options and verify that you really display the names you want from the options on that screen.

When I go to menu, more, there are 4 options: 1. Manage account, 2. Settings, 3. Share name cards, 4. Import/Export. There's no "display options."

@Guy: More is just an extension to the menu itself - everything that doesn't fit on the main menu, goes to more. On my phone there are lots of options, but f.i. the Import/Export is in the main menu, not the more. Are you sure you don't have display options in the main menu ?

Go to Contacts > Menu > Display Options, click on your Google account and make sure the box for "All Other Contacts" is checked.

When I looked at my contacts online, most were part of a group called "My Contacts". These people could be searched in the contacts app and in the phone dialer.
There was another group called "Other Contacts". These were only searchable in the phone dialer. I found a "fix". First, I moved these over to the "My Contacts" group on the web, synced my phone, but it didn't fix it. So I tried to find where the setting was to display these people in the contacts app. For me (running a custom rom similar to stock on an HTC Sensation), there was a drop down list at the top of the app that said "Phonebook". When I saw the accounts in there, my Gmail account said it had all 2047 contacts. But what I didn't realize was: there was a sub-menu. All categories in the sub-menu had checkmarks except the one called "(Ungrouped contacts)". When I put a check mark on that group, all the functionality was restored, and the missing contacts and searchability was back in the contacts app.

I have just solved the same problem. Under my 'People' app there is a dropdown in the top left called 'Phonebook'. I selected this and had a number of lists that were displaying contacts. When I selected my Google account I noticed a number of check boxes and one of them was clear. I checked this box and can now find all people that I used to have to find via their phone number.

it would be great if you could include Screenshots :)


text:
How to change the default saved user and password for sites in browser?
A friend borrowed my phone and logged in to a website with it (and logged out). However, after that, his account became my browser's default account for that site. Every time I try to log in to the website, the user and password fields become automatically filled with his user and password. This is very annoying because I have to delete these and type my user id and password repeatedly. Is there any way to change/clear the default id and password?
The browser is Galaxy S stock browser, and the OS version is 2.2.
[edit] Another question: Why did his account become the default? I mean, I logged in repeatedly before and after his logging in, but his one-time login gets picked as the default,

Could it be a ‘Remember me’ feature of the web site that is causing the username to be remembered, rather than the remember credentials feature of the stock browser? Which web site is it that causes the issue and does it have a ‘Remember me’ feature? If so then the solution is to use it to remember ‘you’ instead of remember ‘him’.

No, there is no remember me feature in the website. And it's not that the website remembers him. Usually it remembers me and I am logged in, but when I have to fill the user and password fields, the browser fills it with his user/password instead of mine.

Lie Ryan’s answer is probably the ultimate solution but it might be worth trying the less severe clear options first. That is, try the browser clear options in the following order: history, cache, all cookie data, form data and finally passwords. One of those lesser options might just resolve the issue, without having to lose all of your saved passwords.

I don't think it's possible to clear only a single saved password in the stock Browser, but you can do Menu > More > Settings > Clear passwords to clear all saved password.


text:
Does Gingerbread use extra battery power to make calls when the phone has poor signal?
Since I got this phone (Galaxy S, originally on Eclair, then Froyo) and switched network provider, I've had major problems with the signal at home, and call quality as a result.
Following the upgrade to Gingerbread, it seems to be behaving differently. I notice that I can have no bars of signal but then on attempting to make a call and connecting it shoots up to 3/4.
Checking the battery usage graph afterwards shows that voice calls (around 5 minutes worth) used 32% of the total battery usage, with display at 34% when it's usually at a much higher percentage.
Is this a feature of Gingerbread? And if that is the case, is there a way to turn it off? Sure, it's useful as it makes for clearer calls when the network is being a PITA, but it's also masking the problem the network is suffering from and as such may prevent me from being able to get out of the contract under the Ts & Cs of their provision of services. (I'd quite like to get out of my contract, so I could get a Galaxy S 2, with its extra power...)
The other side of it, is although it helps with calls, it doesn't help with receiving of text messages, so I'd really rather the network's flaws were fully exposed so I could switch to a provider with whom I could actually use my phone properly.

I would assume this is due to the cell radio firmware, not Android.  But I'm not sure.  In many cases you can flash older Modem firmware using Odin or Clockworkmod, so you could test and see if the Froyo firmware affects this under Gingerbread.  There should be a thread in the Galaxy S forum on XDA with the modems, I'll update this if I remember to look for it later.

Yes, your Gingerbread phone does this, and no, it's not a feature of Gingerbread. This isn't an Android-specific behaviour at all: it's part of the GSM protocol itself, so all phones do it.
When the cell tower transmits, it says the transmit strength in the signal. The phone then works out how much attentuation there is (i.e. how much weaker the received signal is). The more attentuation, the louder the phone has to transmit to reach the cell tower. This works well regardless of whether the attenuation is caused by objects/buildings between the transmitter and the phone, or just because of distance.
If it didn't do this, it would either have to transmit at full power all the time (which would be very bad for phone battery life), or it would get disconnected owing to the slightest bit of attenuation, even though it has enough power to reach the cell tower. Both of those would be much worse.
Because the details of how strong the transmission should be are specified by the GSM protocol, it's very unlikely that using a different official radio firmware (aka modem firmware) would make a difference. Even if you hacked the radio firmware yourself to disable this behaviour, you wouldn't be using a GSM phone any more, so any "if there's no signal at your house" provision of your contract wouldn't apply.


text:
How can I use Google Play without storing any Google account information on my phone?
I am using HTC Wildfire handset, but I think following question applies to all Android-based handsets.
My Google Account has been added under
Settings
-> Accounts & Sync
--> Google (under Manage Accounts)

When I click on "Google", I get following options
Sync Contacts
Sync GMail
Sync Calendar

In Accounts & Sync option, I have turned off (unchecked following options)
Background Data
Auto sync

NOTE: I have turned off Background Data, and Auto Sync before adding my Google Account.
I want to get apps and games from Market, but I don't want to sync any of my Google Account data with my phone i.e., there should not be any traces of my Google Account in my phone.
How can I do it?

An old question, but it may nevertheless still be helpful to link to mine. I'm taking the approach of using Google for the market (very handy) whilst rooting+firewalling to prevent my data going to the cloud. I've not done it yet, but will update that Q if I do.

Beyond what you've already done, you can't.  The Market requires you to have your Google Account added to your phone, and this naturally stores data such as your email address even if you don't sync email.

oh :(

A good way to bypass most privacy concerns you may have would be to create a second Google account, putting as little information into it as possible, and using that for your phone.

@I-M-JM: or you can bypass Android Market altogether for your software needs; there are quite a few alternative Markets that are not linked with Google's Android Market at all.

I second Matthew, make a second "throwaway" gmail account.  But you'll lose most of the perks of Android (syncing email, calendar, etc.)


text:
Is there any userspace NFS client for stock android kernel(Galaxy Tab)?
I have tried kernel-mode things but it is not going to work.
Actually i've reached my limit for seeing errors in one day:
mount: unknown filesystem type 'nfs'
mount.nfs: No such device
and many more bared in bash/browser history :)
I'm kind of scared from recompiling kernel.(I'm having daily problems with virtual-box, don't want to mess up with my Tab)
sorry for writing such a ** question.
specs:galaxy tab*2-Asia/Europe ROMs-using debian command line-Stock OS
request:add NFS/NAS  tags.(I can't)

What mount command are you using?

@Matthew Read :mount -o nolock 10.1.1.232:/media/P1/Media/movie /mnt/sdcard/Movie/ExternalHD

actually a lot of variations, but i think this one is the one that should work.

this seems like a legit question with almost 1k views. not v-c

I dabbled with an Android port of libnfs, but eventually got stuck. Maybe someone else will have more luck, or maybe I'll revisit the project sometime. A native Android port of libnfs seems like the best way to go as long as NFS isn't built into stock kernels.

You will NEED fuse for that.Won't work.+1 for caring to answer after years.

:) thanks. But actually libnfs doesn't need FUSE. It's just a C library that implements the NFS protocol. Check out some of the examples: https://github.com/sahlberg/libnfs/blob/master/examples/nfsclient-sync.c

So it cannot be mounted but its cool enough to be accepted.

You need the kernel module to add support for NFS and/or CIFS. The "no such device" is a message you will get when the kernel module for the file system type does not exist.
One way to check if the module is loaded is to do a lsmod | grep nfs. if it doesn't return any matches, then you do not have an nfs module loaded.
There are kernel modules out there for the Tab, as I have had reports that my app (Mount Manager, License) works with this device, with the correct kernel module.
You will need to manually load the modules before you will be able to mount (Mount Manager takes care of this too)


text:
OneNote Options
So I have these OneNote notebooks up on office.live.com. From there I sync a few laptops and, when on a PC without OneNote installed, I can work directly with my notebooks in a browser.
I'd LOVE to be able to work with my notebooks from my Android browser or in some other fashion.
I'm aware of MobilNoter. As near as I can tell, it doesn't leverage the live.com storage that I'm already syncing to. If that's true then it isn't the answer I'm after.
Anyone else using OneNote with or on Android? If so, how?
(Please don't suggest I switch to Evernote. It is nice, but it ain't OneNote!)

Microsoft OneNote now has an official app for Android. You can edit and sync up to 500 notes.

Mobilenoter SE will sync with Skydrive (office.live.com) but is currently read only.  For a couple of weeks in early April, Firefox on Android worked on Office.live.com directly, but M$ changed something and now you can not edit your OneNote files online in any Android browser I have tried (and I have tried almost all of them).
Very frustrating.
Alan

I've followed this issue, and I'm quite sure Mobilnoter is the best that can be done until MS comes out with an Android version of OneNote. Unlike a Mac version, that move seems inevitable, since many Windows users are on Android.

I'd like to be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that mobilenoter doesn't use the office.live.com site for syncing (like I do for all my PCs).


text:
Dial-by-name in Froyo?
I recently installed 2.2.2 (official update from my provider) on my Virgin Mobile Samsung Intercept. Among other changes, this ROM uses the stock UI instead of the Touch Wiz interface from Samsung. One thing I'm having a hard time putting up with is the lack of a call-by-name feature. In 2.1, I used to be able to call "Bob" by dialing 26 (B O) and then selecting Bob from the list. Is there a way to make 2.2 do this? If it was a Touch Wiz thing, is there an app I can install to bring this functionality back?
Thanks!

You can use an alternate Dialing app like Dialer One or GoContacts. What you're looking for is a T9 dialer.

I guess that's the way I'm going to have to go. Thanks for the suggestion.


text:
What is meant by the Nexus S being a "developer Phone"?
I have heard lots of times that the Nexus S is a "developer phone". What exactly does it mean?

It primarily means that the boot loader is unlocked so it is much easier to upload ROM's for testing. Additionally the default installation will be the original AOSP version of the code and include root access to the phone's software.
It does not mean that the hardware is a "test" model. It's a fully developed phone. What it doesn't have is more important than what it does have. What it doesn't have is the additional locks and proprietary junk that a carrier modified phone normally has.

Thanks for clarification, that is what i thought,but how do i know if i have root access to phones software. i tried changing few files in system and it does not allow me to do so... Sorry i am new to Android. trying to learn stuff.

You probably didn't remount the file system in rw mode, or were running at a user shell instead of the root shell using su.

I am getting a permission denied error while trying to remount the file system. Also I am not able to gain SU access gives me the same error of permission denied, any suggestions?

It does mean that you'll have a stock AOSP android on it, and you will not have to do any tricks to get root access on your phone.

Does that mean, the phone is already rooted legally?

Yes, that's what i meant. You'll have full root access on any developer phone, like the android developer phone 1 and the nexus series.


text:
How to open downloaded Kindle files in Android?
I have downloaded the Kindle app from Google Play Store and installed it.
I have some Kindle files downloaded from the internet. How can I open them using my Kindle app?

If you have the Kindle app installed, just open it and it should show a selection of the books you've purchased from the Kindle store.
Books that haven't been downloaded to your device yet are available via the "Archived Items" menu option that pops up when you press your device's Menu, you should be able to select and download any books there.
If you've downloaded Kindle compatible books from elsewhere on the internet, then if you move them into the "Kindle" folder on your SD card, they should appear in the listing of books when you open the Kindle app.
You have two options to do this:

Plugging your phone into a PC and mounting the SD card as an external drive,
Using one of the many Android file manager apps that are available from Google Play Store.

NOTE: To find the Kindle folder, you first need to go into Kindle Settings and enable Data Storage Access for personal documents. Until you do, you won't have a Kindle folder on your device.

What if I've DL'd the book directly to my phone? I don't have an SD card directory that I can find.

I created a books folder at the top level of my Internal Storage, and then enabled Data Storage Access (thanks @NightOwl888!), and then my .mobi file appeared in the library. Thanks!!

The easiest way to do this is to email the file to your Kindle email address.
When you setup your Kindle, Amazon assigns your Kindle account an email, [something]@free.kindle.com. Attach it to an email and send it there. Done.

You know, in a typical monopolistic move, Amazon is constantly deprecating it's own formats and products, and they announced very soon that they're not going to accept anymore their own mobi and azw formats.

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


text:
Android for Nokia Nokia 5230

Possible Duplicate:
Can I install Android on my non-Android device?

Is it possible to Port Android to Nokia 5230?
I would love to run Android OS on my Nokia.

See also http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/2889/is-it-possible-to-get-android-on-a-nokia-e65 for another question on porting Android to an older Symbian-based phone.

It might be possible.  But you (I mean the royal "you", as in "a community of competent and dedicated developers") would need to write Android-specific drivers for every piece of hardware in that phone: CPU, RAM, screen, 2G/3G radios, flash storage controller(s), WLAN, bluetooth, etc.
Also, seeing how this particular handset's specs are very dated, even compared to the very first Android phone HTC Dream, a.k.a. T-Mobile G1 (434MHz ARM11 CPU Vs. 528MHz ARM6, 128MB RAM Vs. 192MB, 70MB internal memory Vs. 256MB) it might not be able to run any "modern" android version.  Android 1.5, a.k.a. "Cupcake" might run on it (assuming it can fit into the measly ROM,) but it would most likely be very slow and unstable.  You are probably better off sticking with SymbianOS 9 on your Nokia 5230 until you can upgrade to an official Android handset.


text:
Sending text from Android to PC
I'm looking for the inverse of this.
I want to quickly transfer a piece of text from android to my computer. One way to do is chat with myself using gtalk or fb. But I'm looking for some better way preferably without using Internet and using wifi only. It would be nice if I have a "People nearby app" that can talk with empathy client.

"Without using Internet and using wifi" doesn't make sense to me.  Can you clarify?

@Matthew I think he means over wifi (or bluetooth?) only

Yes, by means of wifi or bluetooth only.

@Matthew Read: Strange as it may seem in this age of "cloud", it is quite possible to have a local IP network without any Internet access. For example, if your ISP has a service outage, this is unlikely to affect communication between devices on your home (internal) network - e.g. your media center, the gaming console, the desktop computer and the droid will still "see" each other. (See my answer for an example of a LAN app)

@Piskvor Yeah, I know. I was hoping for clarification on the situation, since he doesn't specify he wants it only to work when the devices are on the same network.

There's an app called Remote Web Desktop by SmartDog Studio. It enables access to your phone through your desktop's browser, over the local network (i.e. no connection to the Internet is necessary (I use it with both phone and desktop on the same WiFi AP); phone acts as HTTP(S) server on non-standard port (configurable)).
The simplest method is "shared clipboard": select the text on your phone, copy to clipboard, and it's immediately accessible from the desktop computer.
The app has a free (ad-supported) and paid (~$4 USD) version; the free version allows connection over HTTP, paid also offers HTTPS.

Full disclosure: I'm a (happy) user of this app, no other connection.

Catch synchronizes notes from various sources (PC or phone) automatically.  Unfortunately it requires an internet connection, but that can be via wifi and not the phone's data plan.  So, while not ideal, I think it's better than sending yourself FB chat messages.

If your PC and phone both support blue tooth you should be able to tether the two together.
Alternatively you should be able to use a USB chord to attach your phone as a USB device and drag and drop from your phone's data to your PC; I can do this with my HTC EVO 4G.

How does this answer the question?  Bluetooth tethering in and of itself doesn't provide a way to quickly transfer text, and creating text files and moving them via USB seems like a really clunky method.

I agree with Maththew...

Yes, I don't want to transfer text files. I just want to transfer clipboard contents - a phone number or sms or bookmark or a memo etc.,

You can use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.watchbird.scaan
This works perfectly fine for sharing text or link between your android and computer browser.
More info at http://www.scaan.in/
Note: I am the developer of this app. It is new to Play Store, but you can trust that this app is a final product, that has undergone thorough testing

Note that our policy on promotion requires disclosure in every single post where affiliated product is mentioned. Furthermore, don't just mention the links. Explain how to use the app to achieve the objective in question.


text:
Is there a WhosHere-style (location-based) social networking chat app for Android?
I like the WhosHere app for Apple iPhone iOS. Is there a similar social networking/chat app that uses location / gps to find people to chat or network with for Android?
Here's some more info on the application: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whoshere/id284973016

Here's what I could find so far:

FlirtMaps, the first geo-aware mobile dating apps to find dates!
You are either very smart or very lucky! You’ve just found FlirtMaps, the first geo-aware mobile dating app that lets you find your next date right in the neighborhood... or around the world!
Skout for flirting, dating, friendship and love! Chat and browse photos for FREE! Use SKOUT to flirt, play, party, find a date or new friends. At SKOUT we take your safety and privacy very seriously. No one can figure out your exact whereabouts.
I'm Here Plus allows you to use SMS text messaging to check the status and GPS location of any person on your contact list, as long as they have "Im Here Plus" installed as well. You may also choose to send others your current location via SMS, whether with just your GPS address or with an edited personalized location.
If you root your android phone and enable wifi tethering, you could use your ipod touch tethered through the droid and still use whosHere

I haven't tested any of these out. If you can comment with which of these you prefer, that would be great! thanks!

SayHi seems to replicate WhosHere. The plus side of it is that it has a map function so you're able to see how many users are currently online. The downside of the app is that it uses your exact GPS location which might not go down with some users (ie. using the app at home/office).
Also, there are point rewards that you get for completing your profile and using the app frequently. You can use these points to contacting users that have a hot status or use to send gifts - you have the option to buy points but if you use it enough then put that credit card away :)


text:
Can the Dolphin browser be configured so that the toolbar doesnt scroll along with web pages?
Can the Dolphin browser be configured so that the toolbar doesnt scroll along with web pages?
As you scroll down a web page the browser toolbar scrolls off the screen. Is there a means of fixing its position?

I guess the reason why you don't want the toolbar to scroll with the webpage is because you don't want to scroll up when you want to type a new address. I don't use Dolphin so I can't tell by first-hand experience, but according to this, you can double tap anywhere on the page to show the toolbar so you don't need to scroll up to type addresses.

your guess is correct - PC browser implementations function this way because it's more intuitive.  Toolbars and content are two separate things; the movement of the page shouldn't impact the toolbar.  If this happened in a word processor it would be a usability nightmare.  Double-tapping on the page doesn't show it toolbar; it adjusts the text to switch between the initial zoom level and a zoom level which fits the screen with word wrapping.

@Matt: true, but in a 3.7" screen, having a large address bar obscuring the already scarce screen space is an even worse usability nightmare (people spend more time reading a page than typing on the address bar); usability design is a series of tradeoffs, that's why some people live by a certain browser while others just can't stand it. btw, have you tried the other alternatives mentioned on the page I linked? Otherwise, use the stock browser or Opera Mini/Mobile; I know personally that the standard browser and Opera brings up the address bar when you press Menu button.

Use the hard menu key on your device to get the tool bar back.

you mean the capacitive touch menu button?  There's no option to get the toolbar back from there.


text:
Can Opera Mini or Mobile be configured to set the page title as the subject when sharing as email?
Can Opera Mini or Mobile be configured to set the page title as the subject when sharing as email?

Short answer - no. There are advanced options accessible by typing the URL opera:advanced , but most of those deal with the rendering engine.


text:
HTTP Connection refused while connecting to a server
I am using my Android device to talk to my WAMP server .
I am sending bits viahttp connection to a script on /www/ directory.
But in logcat, I am getting the following error :
~error in http connection org.apache.http.conn.HttpHostConnectException :Connection to xx.xx.xx.xx:8080  was refused ! ~

xx.xx.xx.xx is my IP address !
Help needed asap .
Thanks

What does your Apache log say about the connection attempt? What about the Windows Event logs? Can any other devices/web browsers "talk" to it?

Please check the following:

You can access to your server and port with your browser
Your emulator has 3G or WiFi enabled
Your emulator's browser can access to the server and port

I am using a real Droid and it is connected to the Internet ! please !

Can you access to the server and port in your Droid's browser? It could be your carrier's policy.

when people see 1 answer, they don't view the question !! Little do they realize that the answer was irrelevant to the question asked: One of the limitations of this site !

For heaven's sake ! There's no carrier policy ! and yes everything is perfect from the hardware point of view.. please refrain from answering please ! your answers are irrelevant .

I need to have the context in order to help you. Clearly the minutes I would have used in finding a solution to your problem, would have been more than those you use in testing and answering. If you're unable to realize this then I hope someone else can help. Good luck.

@Heather: The error message seems straightforward, and probably means exactly what it says: the server is refusing the connection.  I think this is one of those times where you're going to have to do some troubleshooting and figure out what the problem is.  I would eliminate the obvious things first.

Hi, I have been having this problem for the past 4 days.. I wanna know what configurations I need to change on my wamp . thanks

I know that the error message is clear ! what is wrong with everyone today ! Robert, please re read your answer and tell me how it is supposed to help me !

@Heather: None of us know what the problem is.  Tell you what, I will clean up some of these comments and migrate your question to the Android site; maybe someone there has some specialized knowledge we don't.

Either your server is refusing connection or one of the routers between your phone and the server (e.g. your carrier's router) is refusing connection.
Try connecting to the server from another device (preferrably from a Wifi connection), if your connection is refused from that other device as well, then it is almost definitely a server configuration issue and this question should be asked on SuperUser or ServerFault.
Your question is way too vague to be answerable, you will need to answer these questions (hint: you can edit your question, then put a comment to notify your answerers):

There is no such thing as a device "talking" to another device. What do you mean by "talking" to the server? Is your server serving static HTML pages, CGI scripts, or is it some kind of media streaming server?
Is the IP address the server's local IP address (e.g. looks like 127.0.0.xxx or 192.168.xxx.xxx, or is it the server's public IP address?
Can you access this server from other devices? What have you tried?
How are you connecting to the serve from the Android? Is it over Wifi or over 3G?


text:
Can I Bluetooth tether my Acer Iconia A500?
Anyone have an Acer A500 (just got mine today) and have luck with bluetooth network tethering.
I've got an OG Droid, so WiFi is not a possibility at the moment.
Tried the directions here: http://www.droid-life.com/2011/03/01/how-to-bluetooth-tether-to-motorola-xoom-using-original-droid/
but had no luck.  I realize that those are for the XOOM, but I was hoping it would be the same since they both run stock honeycomb.  I got as far as pairing the devices, but when I click on the droid device on the A500 it shows nothing under profiles, where it should show Tethering.
would really like to be able to tether with this until I get a new phone

Whilst the phone I used is an iPhone, the instructions on the link you provided were similar to the steps I followed and am now able to surf off the back of my iPhone's data-contract.  Have you checked tether is enabled on the phone?

yeah, I turned BT tethering on in android-wifi-tether (which does do BT as well)

The user guide for A500 says bluetooth only supports mikeless head phones.  I'm, miffed too.

Meaning it doesn't support headsets with mics, or it doesn't support ANY other bluetooth operations?

Have an A500, droid1, and here is how I got WiFi tether to work.
Root the phone, root the a500. Install RootExplorer for the a500 and http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/ for the phone.
Replace the WPA supplicant file as per these instructions: http://www.xoomforums.com/forum/motorola-xoom-hacking-guides/4016-how-enable-ad-hoc-wi-fi-connection.html (I know it's for the xoom, but I have it running on my a500 and it works fine).
Turn on the wifi (not the bluetooth) tether on the phone, and you should see it available on the a500 (given you replaced the supplicant, as above).
I know it's not Bluetooth, but the stack doesn't expose ad-hoc bluetooth networking as of this release. This was you can get SOMETHING going. Enjoy!
J3

Try the PDAnet Tablet app, it's in beta but might work with the Acer A500.

This app is outdated (only for Android 3.x Honeycomb)


text:
How can I hide irrelevant contacts in Go Contacts?
When I was using stock contacts and sync with Google, I could put relevant contacts in My Contacts group which is the only group synced by Google. I have installed GO Contacts and it now displays all groups except My Contacts.
What I want to do is to group irrelevant contacts somehow and hide them from my phone contacts or ignore them in sync. Please note that I do not want to mess with My Contacts group in case I decided to go back to stock Contacts.

Not sure if this will answer your question, but there is a Settings (button) called "Contacts Account" which lets you show or hide the following contacts:
- Phone
- Google
- SIM
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Show contacts with phone numbers only

I want to show all these and but I want to only sync selected groups from the ones I defined in Google Contacts.

Where's the problem? Items from "Phone" and "SIM" will never be synced -- so you could place all your "ignore-me" items there. Provided you can change them accordingly...


text:
Install default Android 2.2 / 2.3 on Optimus One
I have this LG Optimus One P500h and I was thinking about formatting and installing the default/original Android 2.2 (2.3 would be great) since LG modified the homescreen, keyboard and other stuffs.
Is this possible? Is this safe? Is this insane?
Thanks for your help

There's a "beta" version of CyanogenMod 7 for the Optimus One over at the XDA forums which you could try out. There also appear to be a couple of builds that are derived from CM but mix in different tweaks and patches to the kernel and whatnot (one such build here, also Gingerbread).
CyanogenMod - if you're not already familiar with it - is essentially a vanilla Android experience but with some nice additional settings and improvements. They build from the Android source code and then add some patches of their own. I think one of the few plainly noticeable differences is that they use ADW Launcher as a home app instead of the stock Gingerbread one, but I think the GB launcher is floating around on the Market somewhere. ADW is nice anyway, though.


text:
Multiple USB Storage Devices on Honeycomb
I just got an Acer A500 tablet, which has a full size USB port and supports FAT32 USB storage devices.  What I would like to do though, is hook up a hub and connect multiple, so use the tablet as a way to copy photos from an SD card reader to an external USB hard drive for backup during a trip.
I poked around and found that when I have two devices plugged in you can actually see the device entries listed under /dev/usb although only one of them (usually whatever was plugged in first) will actually show up under /mnt/usb_storage (apparently the default).
Anyone know of a way to get it to make both usable?
I'm guess I'll have to root it so I can run the mount command? (Unfortunately, no one has figured that out yet that I know of.)

I think that tablet has now been rooted (see xda-developers) so you should be able to issue mount command manually, or write an apk that does so.

Do you want an answer to the general question, or to your specific setup?  For example, the Asus transformer has multiple USB host ports so the use of the hub is not needed there.

I know on the Galaxy that the USB did not have enough power to power USB ext. HDD. Have you tried a powered USB HUB?

The critical failure seems to be the use of a USB hub.  On my transformer I can mount two different thumb drives and an SD card at the same time.

The left port us USBDrive2, even when only one thumb drive is plugged in.  So it appears to me that it is a honeycomb thing mapping each port to a specific directory, ignoring the possiblity of USB hubs.  Unfortunately I no longer have a USB hub to test this theory on since my wife has watched one too many hoarders shows.
The A500 only has one USB host, but it also has a MicroSD reader in additon.  So an alternative solution you may want to consider is using a micro SD card in your camera in a SD adapter and then popping that into the A500.  A microSD card is quite a bit cheaper than a Transformer + dock.


text:
How to change default PDF viewer on Nook Color?

I just upgraded my Nook Color to the
new 1.2 version that supports apps.
I purchased the ezPDF Reader app
which supports bookmarks and other
advanced features for PDFs which the
default Nook Color PDF viewer does
not support.

Is there a way to make the ezPDF Reader the default PDF Viewer?
(Currently when I click on a PDF the default viewer still opens)
To Clarify:
Currently I have to open the ezPDF Reader first and then open a PDF from within the app. If I simply click on a PDF on a book shelf or on the home screen then the default PDF viewer opens the PDF. I don't see any area in settings like on a regular Android phone to modify installed apps or app settings.

I didn't know the Nook ran Android.

Yes it does. The latest version is on Android OS 2.2/Froyo.

@KevinM Yep, I flashed CM7 on my a while back

The latest update of the Nook Color software  Version 1.4.1 allows you to change the default PDF reader. After the upgrade open a PDF and then a pop up box will appear allowing you to choose which application you want as the default PDF reader.

Find the app that took over the PDF intent in Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications -> All, and then tap on Clear defaults button.  Next time you click on a PDF file, it should prompt you which app to use.  Check the Use by default for this action box, and tap on ezPDF Reader.
Alternatively, you can try uninstalling and re-installing the ezPDF Reader app.  It should re-register its own intent for handling PDFs, and prompt you for an app next time you try to view one.

This works on a Nook Color which is not rooted?

@KenB: it's a fairly standard way to clear defaults on Android phones, unless Nook was modified so this won't work for no reason this should work.

Yes, Nook Color is a custom / modified version of the Android OS. I don't believe you can access the application settings (as was described above) like you would on a standard Android device. Has anyone tried this on a Nook Color with the version 1.2 update?

I'm running CM7 on my NC, so I had no idea they disabled application management tools in stock firmware.  What about uninstalling/re-installing your PDF reader app? That should register its intent and allow you to select it as the default.

Nope, that doesn't seem to work. I still have to open the ezPDF Reader first and then open a PDF from within the app. If I simply click on a PDF on a book shelf or on the home screen then the default PDF viewer opens the PDF. I don't see any area in settings like on a regular Android phone to modify installed apps or app settings.

The above suggested changes using the setting menu do not have a way of working. Will not work even in Nook Color 1.3.
Any other ideas?

There is an app for that !! Try Default App Manager on the Android Market which can take care of both clearing and setting defaults for various categories like pictures, audio, video, pdf etc. Really makes life very easy.


text:
Is there a "Linux friendly" handset manufacturer for Android phones?
My current situation is this: I use Mac OS X at home and Ubuntu Linux at work. My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S. Whenever I want to update my firmware the intended way (i.e. using Kies, I am aware of Odin), I have to boot into an old Windows XP installation that I have lying around.
I was wondering if there is a handset manufacturer that embraces Linux. The Samsung phone seems to be just the wrongest choice I could have made with the windows-centric Kies software.
Edit: I should probably point out, that I live in Germany and I want to use a prepaid phone service without contract. Also, I am looking for a great "out-of-the-box" experience without too much hackery (i.e. without voiding the warranty).
Edit2: I was hoping to learn about brands which support Linux (like NVidia does with their proprietary drivers) or maybe learn about tools and techniques:

Heimdall is a nice tool, but I don't feel that it has Samsungs approval, and I feel that using it might void the warranty.
Over-The-Air Updates is something, that seems to be useful, but it won't work for me, as I don't have a contract with a cell phone provider. (Edit 3: This line is just non-sense, I receive OTA updates over wi-fi.)

Therefore I am still looking for some enlightenment about which direction I should go with my next phone.
Edit 3: After my recent purchase of the Samsung Galaxy S3 (I know... fool me once...), I would like to reopen the issue. My setup (except for the phone) is still the same (Mac OS X at home and Ubuntu Linux at home and at work).
In order to access the file system I either connect to an Ubuntu machine via USB. This is not ideal, because the drive size of the external sd card is not reported correctly, which makes me a little less confident in this solution.
On the Mac, I can only get iPhoto recognize the device in PTP mode. Android file transfer does not recognize the device after the latest OTA firmware update.
As an alternative to the USB connection, I found DigiSSHD as a workaround to transfer files wirelessly.
After spending hours of looking for a better solution and adjusting my workflow to workarounds, I would like to ask again: Is there a there a handset manufacturer that embraces Linux and provides native tools to interact with the device?
I don't mind if the tool is proprietary or free as long as it works.

If it's any consolatino, Samsung seem to be moving towards OTA updates. The last 2.2.1 update to my Galaxy S added a "Software Update" option under Settings -> About Phone, and they've just recently pushed Froyo out to US Samsung Fascinates OTA. Your next Kies update could be the last.

If you don't want to be tied to Windows-based Kies, Simply don't pick Samsung phones. Almost every other Android manufacturer's phones can be upgraded Over The Air without the need of an attached computer; for some reason Samsung's can't or won't do it.
Android was designed so it does not need to be attached to a computer as much as possible; Android was designed to sync data (address book, etc), installs software (market, etc), and do system updates over the air. Some manufacturer/carriers do not yet embrace this unfortunately, and is forcing your phone to be attached to a computer.

Thanks for pointing out the Over The Air updates. I was not aware of those. But won't that make me dependent on the carrier? I use a prepaid service (without contract) in Germany, I don't think that they will push updates to my phone.

Indeed, without a contract you may be locked out of official updates. Your option may be to root the phone and put on a custom ROM.

With an unbranded phone, I seem to get the updates directly from Samsung.

I don't know of a Kies alternative, but there is Heimdall, an Open Source, Cross Platform, Odin alternative.

Heimdall is reverse-engineered, but very stable. It wasn't made with the help of Samsung, it was made in spite of Samsung. If the OP is looking for Linux/FLOSS friendly phones, it's not here.

I don't know about the OP, but I'm certainly in the market for a Linux friendly phone or tablet.

I think that the linux support not only depends on the manufacturer.
In the case of the Palms, PalmOne only released desktop applications for Windows and Mac, but despite of that fact the linux community developed solutions like J-Pilot for example.

OTA updates are a better solution. Not sure why Samsung sticks to some update utility while many other manufacturers use OTA update. HTC does OTA on my Hero and now on my Desire Z also. My Acer beTouch 130e required a utility. Not sure for other brands.

HTC does not release OTA updates for everything - the Desire Gingerbread ROM is an RUU and not ever going to be OTA.


text:
Is there any way to force market to update and install apps one at a time?
I'm having problems with my Samsung galaxy Captivate where whenever I attempt to update all the apps in market, every single app begins downloading and installing all at the same time and the result is always the same, it crashes (20+ simultaneous downloads and installs would definably overrun any system!).
Is there any way to set it such that android is only allowed to download and install a single app at a time? I want to be able to run the batch updates but I want them to be queued up as opposed to all running at once and overwhelming my system.

If you use AppBrain it does downloads sequentially. Unfortunately you'll still need to click "Okay" for each to start the download but it'll save you a few taps.

Well i know you can individually install them on appbrain, but it is far from automated. I'd like the "update all" button, just not the "update all at once" effect.


text:
How can I know the directories used by an application
I've been testing some dictionaries the last few days and right now I've my SDCard with plenty of directories with many MB of data that belongs to those dictionaries.
How can I find out for a particular application (may be other than a dictionary) the list of directories it's using?

I removed the application-space tag and denied your edit to its wiki because all other uses have been for the space available for installing applications, not the space belonging to an application.

@Matthew: ok, I thought its meaning was what I'm asking here. No problem!

You can't, unless the particular app provides a way.  The Android OS doesn't manage or keep track of where apps decide to write on the SD card.

You can always try emailing the developers and asking nicely.


text:
Avoiding "my cheek hung up on you" on an Optimus T?
I upgraded my wife to an LG Optimus T from a G1, and she keeps accidentally hanging up on people with her cheek. She never had this problem with the G1.
I've asked her if she's locking the screen (by hitting the power button once) and she appears to be doing that but for some reason when she's on a call the screen appears to take input.
At first I thought this was a problem with her face (heh), so I had her try it on my Nexus One and she can call, hit the power button to turn the screen off and then talk normally.
Has anyone seen this kind of behavior before, and if it's just an annoyance is there maybe an application that can mitigate this?

I actually thought the Optimus had a proximity sensor. That's not working, I'm guessing?

Try Screebl - it makes use of the internal sensor to determine whether the phone's vertical and turns the screen on/off during a call according to the options specified.

It turns out that by avoiding touching it with her cheek she was turning the phone a bit and moving the proximity/light sensor away from her ear, which turned the screen on and was causing the hangups.
When she presses the speaker firmly against her ear the screen locks like it's supposed to.

There is chance to experience this kind of back light turned of is due to proxy sensor got dusted. Firstly please check the proxy sensor is clean or it is not covered with your dusted phone cover, etc.


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MMS vCard displaying as playable media file
I am having difficulty viewing a vcard received via text message.  My phone recognizes it's an  MMS but views it as a Multimedia file and tries to play it.
My phone is rooted running Cyanogen 7.0.1.2 and I'm using the builtin messaging app
I have taken a screenshot of what I'm experiencing
http://dumpt.com/img/files/hz9oupxkp9g5myy9tu5z.jpg

In my case I got a vcard sent from an iPhone, and it just displays as text (BEGIN: VCARD VERSION:3.0 PRODID:-//Apple Inc./iOS 5.0.1//).  I'm running stock Android 2.3.4 on a MyTouch 4g slide phone.  I see no way to save it.  Silly....

This subsequent question has more information: MMS images showing up as videos - Android - Stack Exchange

One solution is to long-press and save the .vcard to your SD card, then open it in a file manager, like File Expert. If you still cannot read the file after viewing it from one of these channels, then your system can probably not view files in this format and i would try downloading a .vcard viewer, if such a thing exists.

How do you save a text message in a file?  Long press on the message text relates to selected text, and doesn't give a save option - it offers stuff like "copy", "quick lookup", at least on android 2.3.4.  It takes careful work to select the vcard text, and then e.g. paste into an email message, but that doesnt' come across as a vcard.  Short press offers stuff like "forward", but only to another SMS recipient, not to e.g. email

Try using Handcent SMS - it now has support for displaying business card format. If a similar problem occurs, perhaps it'd due to the vcard itself?

I've received more than one that behaves this way.  I just wanted the stock messaging program to work.  Even after clean install it still does the same thing.

The Handcent SMS app says it handles vcards, but for me it just shows an empty message - even worse than the stock messaging program which at least lets me copy/paste the text of the vcard.


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Can I set the default browser differently for different websites?
I have the following browsers on my phone:

stock
Dolphin Mini
Opera Mobile
Firefox

I don't want to set a catch-all default because some pages render better on some browsers than on others.
When I click on a link on a non-browser app (e.g. google search or google reader) it asks me which browser to choose (as expected).  Can I set a default browser for some pages and a different default for others?

There seems to be an app called "Browser Auto Selector" which looks like it will allow you to associate a domain with a browser.
Here is the link to the page on AppBrain for the app, http://www.appbrain.com/app/browser-auto-selector-free/info.usamimi.kfc9.superakiraman.browserchooser_free

authors: Антон Антонов


text:
How can I make the stock browser stop asking which browser I want to use?
I have a number of browsers installed on my phone.  I haven't set any as the default because some pages simply render better on some browsers than on others.
When I use the stock browser, every single time I click a link it asks me what browser I want to use.  I'd like it to get the hint that if I chose the stock browser for this current session, then it should open the links in the stock browser and stop asking me.
Is there any way for me to stop the stock browser from asking me this without making it the default?

This occurs to me only when there are redirects in the webpage and not "every time I click a link"

No. Android works with intents. Opening a link is asking for an intent to open an url. If you have more than 1 browser and you haven't set a default, Android will ask you which one to choose.
I can imagine certain browsers not following this rule of starting an intent and just stay in their own program but that's all as the program decide to handle it.

@GAThrawn: Thanks for correcting the typos. Entering answers on an aPad is not necessarily the easiest thing to do.

This is definitely a design flaw

The default Android behavior has no option for this. Like you mentioned you'll always get the question on each start of a browser intent (that is asking android to open an url in a browser). The only way to stop this is to select one and set it as a default.
On the other hand, once you're in a browser session the programmer of the browser could implement the request of a given url to be handled by itself, rather than starting a new browser intent. That would overcome your issue.
If you then start a browser intent to view a url you'll get the android option to select a browser. And the next urls will just be opened in the same browser. In other words it really depends on the implementation of that browser.


text:
Installing the official Froyo for Nook Color on a rooted device
Last week I installed Honeycomb on my Nook Color, and today I found out that B&N released an official Froyo build for it, which I would like to try. I downloaded the update from here, and put the zip on my MicroSD already installed with ClockworkMod Recovery v3.0.1.0.
I started the Nook, formatted Data, System & Boot (in this order), and tried to install nookcolor_1_2_update.zip from the SD. The installer said "Can't open /sdcard/nookcolor_1_2_update.zip (bad)". I coped the file again to make sure it's not related to the unmount of the SD from my PC, and I also opened the file in WinRAR on my PC to verify that it's valid (it is).
What am I missing? I'm very new to Android and try to learn what I can from the web, so sorry if this is a super-newbie question...

I believe that the official 1.2 update will only install on top of an official firmware (1.0, 1.0.1, 1.1.0,) and only with the stock recovery, not ClockworkMod.
You will need to revert your Nook Color to one of these "stock" firmware versions before trying to upgrade to 1.2.  Alternatively, there are a few Clockwork Recovery-friendly versions of the 1.2 upgrade that will not require going back to stock first.


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samsung market not working on static ip and static proxy wifi
I own a android 2.2 based samsung galaxy tab. When i tried connecting through the proxy server on wifi at my office only the browser is able to connect to internet through static ip address, but rest none of the applications were able to connect to internet and this wifi via static ip and proxy settings.
Can some one help ?

Your router in the office is blocking ports - while accepting port 80 for http requests.
Contact your administrator.
I know , at my office , our admin had to change some settings ( but I don't know what ports were necessary ).


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How can I disable auto-rotate on my phone?
I have a Droid 1 now running CM7.
Previously in CM6, there was an option to prevent the phone from auto-rotating (a rotation lock of sorts).  The only time it would rotate was when I slid out the keyboard.  I can't seem to find the option in CM7 (it might have been removed). Is there any other way to replicate this behavior (or am I blind and missing the feature in CM7)?

When did you flash 7?  I can't get Cyanogen's site to load and ROM Manager keeps timing out on the download!  This waiting thing sucks!

@JonnyP I flashed Monday.  It looks like their website is down

Menu -> Settings -> Display -> Auto-rotate screen - This option should disable screen rotation throughout the system.
Menu -> Settings -> CyanogenMod settings -> Display -> Rotate 180 degrees - This option disables the "upside-down" rotation only.

Thanks, I was looking under CM settings, not the Display settings.

if you need easy access to it then
Menu -> Settings -> CyanogenMod settings -> Display -> Interface -> Notification power widget - > Widget buttons -> Toggle Orientation
will add a widget on the notification menu that lets you enable or disable rotation. just about the only time it seems useful is if you are lying on your side and you want the phone to stay in landscape, but it sure is convenient for that.


text:
What does Android 2.2.1 bring?
Compared to 2.2, what does 2.2.1 bring that's new please?
Thank you.

I'm not aware of an official changelog anywhere, but you can look at the commit log on the git repository here. Anything between the 2.2_r1.3 tag and the 2.2.1_r1 tag was a change added in 2.2.1.
The summary: it's basically just bugfixes, hence why it's a smaller increment (as opposed to 2.2->2.3, for example).
Note: If you're getting a 2.2.1 update from a carrier then they may have added other changes to their own software, so the above applies to the Android OS itself and not any additional components.

Only for Samsung Galaxy S ( but nevertheless very, very important ):  speed, speed, speed.
My Galaxy is much, much quicker in handling all things - the lag that was present in previous versions up and including 2.2 is completely gone.
Update: maybe not only for Samsung Galaxy S ( come to think of it ) , but I have only the Samsung Galaxy S at my disposal.

How did you get this update?  Did you get it officially?  I'm just wondering because I have a Galaxy S Captivate that is still on 2.2.

@Chance It came down to i9000 (International) Galaxy S's through Kies back in February/early March (depending on your channel/network). I think just like the initial Froyo, it was released in Europe first.

@Chance: I got it using the regular KIES. One day I ( a few weeks back ), I opened KIES and it reported an update to 2.2.1 to be ready. I upgraded and as they say: never looked back. It really, really, really ..... really does make a big difference. My phone, which I was happy with before, mind you, is not just ideal. I can't compare with other devices, of course, but as it is now, my Samsung Galaxy S phone is a 'hell of a device'. I a living in Belgium, by the way.

yeah, I forgot that people outside the U.S. have been getting updates to their phone.  Thanks.


text:
Google Apps won't flash on HTC Desire (Cyanogenmod)
One of my co-workers has a HTC Desire CDMA phone and is having a problem with flashing CM7 with Google Apps.  It flashes CM7 just fine, and it even says that it installs the Google Apps zip (the GB version) just fine, but in reality, it isn't flashing any of the Google applications. I can try manually flashing the gapps zip file and it will still say it installs successfully, but there are still no Google Apps on the phone.
What else can I try to get Google Apps installed on his phone?

Did you reboot the phone before any of these flashes?

@JonnyP the first flash was via Rom Manager. When I tried to manually flash it, I booted it into recovery and flashed from the gapps zip file on the sdcard

@JonnyP so I guess my question back is: does booting from phone into recovery not count as a reboot? Do I need to turn it completely off and then boot into recovery?

What version of CWM Recovery is the phone running?

In my (admittedly very limited) experience doing a normal reboot and then rebooting into recovery seem to have different effects on the phone.  When I originally flashed CM6.2.1 on my Droid I installed it via ROM Manager and then had similar issues with GApps, so I rebooted the phone, let it come back up naturally, and then re-flashed the GApps and I ended up getting them on successfully that time.  Obviously though with the phones being different and no guarantee that my issue was the same as yours your results may vary.

@eldarerathis Clockworkmod 2.5.0.9 (it says that is the latest version)

@Bryan: The 3.x series is the latest on other devices, did the Desire not get the update?

@eldareathis I'm not sure, I'll have to research. The only other CWM recoveries RomManager would let me flash were 2.5.1.x versions.

@Bryan: I found a thread on the CM forums where people were having the same problem. I also tracked down the 3.0.0.5 (testing?) release of CWM for the Desire. Added an answer below, see if any of that helps.

Some people are reporting success by simply wiping data and cache first, then flashing the ROM, wiping cache again, then flashing the Gapps package. Thread on the CM forums here (from CM 6.1.1, don't know if it's a related or similar problem, though).
The flash might not work on a 2.x release of CWM. You can get 3.0.0.5 here, but I don't know how stable it is right now. The filesystem changed to ext4 in Gingerbread and I know the 2.x releases aren't really supported on other devices. They also changed from one update scripting language to another, which I think is related. It creates generally weird behavior from what I've read...
Edit: Also looks like you can get CWM 3.0.2.8 from the CyanogenMod Forums now.
Some relevant discussion can be found on XDA here (from the Desire HD section).
Edit: Since Bryan noted that this solved it for him in the comments: It's also possible to simply push the apps manually onto the system partition. The safest way is probably to boot into recovery, then just mount /system as rw and adb push the .apk files to /system/app. You probably could do it from a regular boot (not in recovery) but it might cause some weird behavior (and I have not personally tried this).

I'll grab his phone again and try the wipe --> flash CM7 --> wipe cache --> flash Gapps. If that doesn't work I'll see if I can get 3.x recovery on the phone

@eldarerathis Had no luck doing either method. We flashed CWM 3.0.2.8, then wiped data/cache, flashed CM7, wiped cache again, and flashed Gapps.  Still no Google apps showing up

@Bryan: That's truly bizarre...out of curiosity, can you manually mount the /system partition in rw mode from recovery? That's usually the sticking point for this kind of thing, but the issue usually seems to be resolved by going from CWM 2.x -> 3.x. Incidentally, I suppose you could try manually pushing the .apks to /system/app in recovery mode if the mount works.

@eldareathis I can manually mount /system. I've flashed CW 3.x and still no luck.  System/apps/ is not showing the apps after flashing the gapps zip (although it says it was successful).  I think I'll try manually pushing the apks.

adb pushing the contents of the gapps.zip to the system partition worked :)

@Bryan: Well that was a random shot in the dark, but glad it helped!

@eldareathis Yeah, this was very weird. It basically wasn't flashing the gapps.zip although it reported no problems. And fixing permissions in recovery didn't work either. If all else fails, push it yourself :)


text:
Are there any known ways to root the new HTC Wildfire revisions?
After using CyanogenMod on my HTC Desire for some time, i wanted to root and convert the HTC Wildfire i bought for my wife early this year.
Turns out that unrevoked is currently unable to root this particular version of the wildfire ('is your firmware too new'-error).
Are there any Known ways currently available (or available in the foreseeable future) to root said version of the wildfire?

Have you tried z4root ? Permanent root isn't available, however for some HTC devices.

Also are you running Froyo or Eclair?

froyo e.g. most current german vodafone software.

Can somebody tell me whether I'll be able to root if I do a factory reset. The phone came with Eclair. So I assume if I reset, I will be able to root? Anybody know?

a little late for this.
Wildfire is now rootable. I did it on mine a couple of days ago. I have cyanogenmod running.
I followed the instructions in  this site
you basically first use alpharev to unlock the S-off mode and then you install clockwork recovery to backup and then unrevocked to root.


text:
Recovering a Missed Call
I just received a call today, but my phone locked up during the call, and when I went to the missed call list, the number didn't show up.  Is there any way to somehow recover the number that was calling?

Your network provider may provide a "Last Number Redial/Called" or "Call Alert" service.
This is usually a number that you call that will tell you the phone number of the last incoming call to your phone, or can often be implemented as a service that you can turn on and off (again, usually by calling a number or issuing a USSD code) which will inform you in some way (usually by text message) of missed calls.
For example, in the UK, O2 used to have a number, 1471, that you could call to hear an automated voice message telling you the number of the last person that called your phone.  Unfortunately, they have withdrawn that service however, they have replaced it with a free "Call Alert" text message service.
Note that there is no universal mechanism to retrieve the number of the last person that called you, if you no longer have (or never had) that information saved within your phones own call log.
Each of these services is specific to your mobile network provider who may or may not even offer such a thing.  If the last number that called you is truly missing from your phones own call log, you may try to get in contact with your network provider to see if they offer a service as described here.  Also note, though, that even if they do offer such a service, it'll usually only retain the very last number that called, so if someone else calls you in the meantime, the number that you're seeking will probably be lost.


text:
how to identify and change apps which are set as startup items
I am coming from Windows back-ground (never used Linux), and HTC Wildfire is my first Android phone.
I can see that many app like Facebook for HTC Sense, Flickr, Footprints, Friend Stream, Gmail, Peep, Stocks and many more as start-up apps.
How can I find which apps are start-up apps, and how to remove a particular app from starting up at boot (or say soft reset)

Related: Disable autostart on boot.

See also: How can I stop applications and services from running?
First, I strongly caution against messing with this.  If an app is hogging system resources or otherwise being a problem, uninstall it.  Android is designed to manage running services and apps automatically, and manual interference is tricky and can cause various problems.
There are apps that claim to allow you to edit start-up processes (example), but I don't trust them.  Many of them either do nothing or simply force close the app every time it starts.  Many services auto-restart so your phone will never sleep, the services will just be run and closed over and over.  Many of these apps don't require root, so I'd be surprised if they could do anything at all.
With root, you can use an app like Autostarts to manage which apps are triggered by events.  This isn't quite the same as preventing apps from running at startup, but it can help prevent them from restarting after they've been killed.
I recommend Titanium Backup for uninstalling system apps.  Make sure you don't remove actual Android OS apps/services, just third-party apps that have been protected (e.g. bundled software like you'd get on Windows).  Some of these apps are more important than they appear (I hear Motorola phones have a lot of "useless" apps that the system relies on for no good reason), so use the backup feature of Titanium first.  (Note that if you break something badly, you may not be able to get into the phone to restore and fix it!)
Be very careful how you use all of these tools.  If you remove or disable a system process, you can make your phone unusable.

An Android App should have a good reason to start at system boot. To discover the Apps that are able to start at system boot, install Aspotcat and list all apps that are able to receive the "boot completed" intent. If you believe that an App of this list should not start at system boot AND if this App does not provide an option to disable this behavior, uninstall that app.
Also, I would not uninstall any system services/apps. As others said before, Android does a good job in managing the limited resources of a smartphone. Don't take your Windows paradigm along to Android.
BTW, the intent system that enables "start at boot" Apps has nothing to do with the Linux on which android runs.


text:
Strange data plan speed on Nexus S
I have a Nexus S and a GPRS plan activated, from what customer services of my mobile carrier have told me is that GPRS will give you max of 10-15 kB/s download speed.
In my Nexus S if i don't select "Use Only 2G" in "mobile network" setting i get speeds up to 80kB/S and the symbol in the status bar shows 3G symbol. As soon as i select the "Use only 2G Network" my download speed drops to 10 kB/s.
I have used spedtest application to check speed.
I have verified with my Mobile carrier and i do not have any 3G plan activated.
How is this Possible, i don't want to get any kind of shock when i receive my Mobile bill :)
Edit : My mistake, corrected capitalizations.

OK, so it's quite obvious that your phone is receiving 3G service (likely EDGE/UMTS), not just the 2G GPRS service.  GPRS is simply not capable of the speeds you're getting.  Since you've called the carrier and had them check, it's their problem.  I would say just go with it and enjoy the free service.  Don't let them charge you for it if they figure it out later, since you did try to make them aware.  If you're worried about it just call again and make the situation really clear.

My mistake corrected capitalizations.


text:
What's maximum of bookmark and history in defaut browser in Android
A few days ago I viewed a site that I now want to go back to. However I can't find it in my history. I can't remember the exact day, hence my question about how long this is kept.

It only limited to your phones internal memory

It happens the same with me. I have to delete latest logs in order to see the older ones. And I'm trying to export/copy my browsing history to chrome which is the best.


text:
How do I check which browser I'm using?
Some context: I'm using Desire, and it bugs me that it adds "http://www." when I type a word into the address bar. I just want to search...
The application I'm using is called "Internet". Is it something tailored to HTC? Is it based on Chromium?

can you give some context?  Do you mean programatically or by looking at it?

@Nathan - sorry, context added.

Go to Settings - Applications - Manage Applications - All - Select the icon you use and this will give you all the information about the program

The default, built-in Android browser doesn't do a lot of advertising of itself at all (as it doesn't really need to). Most 3rd party browsers put their name and/or logo in as many places in the UI and menus as possible. If you can't see any browser names or logos in the interface then you're probably using the default built-in browser.
To see if a specific web browser on your phone is being used as the default for any actions, then go into Settings -> Applications -> Manage Applications -> All, and find it in the list (the built-in browser will be called either "Browser" or "Internet" in the list, depending on your version of Android). When you the browser's icon in that list the Application Info screen should appear, and if that browser is currently set to be the default, then you should see a section labelled "Launch by default" where it will say "You have selected to launch this application by default for some actions". If the browser isn't set as default that section will say "No defaults set".
If you want to change the default browser, just click the Clear defaults button on the one that is currently acting as the default, and next time you click a web link you should get a box pop-up asking you which browser to use, and giving you the option to set that as the default.
It's hard to tell from your question, but it's worded in a way that could also just be asking for more specifics of what the default, built-in browser is, in which case this previous question should help you out: Android browser


text:
How do I change vibrate settings on Android

Possible Duplicate:
Is there a way to customize vibrate patterns?

Hi guys, wonder if any of you can help?
I am trying to find out how to change the default vibrate pattern for incoming calls, SMS etc. I know how to create my own custom vibration and have it vibrate onClick() or in my own notifications but do not know where to override the system wide settings. I thought AudioManager.setVibrateSetting would have been it, but that only allows on, off or silent only.
Is there any system wide setting I can change so that I can use my own vibration pattern?
Thanks.

I hope you can't, because I don't want my phone to ring if I have set it to vibrate or silence.

If it is possible, I promise I will make my app respect profiles!

Perhaps this site might help you: http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/customize-android-phone-vibrate-pattern-for-calls-sms-messages/ It seems to be possible. But I have not tried it...

Whoever upvoted this on StackOverflow needs the ban.

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


text:
How to install a ringtone into internal memory?
I am using a custom ringtone. It is a mp3 which is stored on the external SD card.
When my phone is connected via USB to my computer and the SD card is mounted, my phone uses a default ringtone on incomming calls.
How can I use a custom ringtone without SD card?

If you have root, it is possible, but not really recommended. If you do not have root, then you cannot. The file system is designed to be readonly and you can't add additional files to the system.

The ringtones in the internal memory reside in /system/media/audio/ringtones directory (and this is part of the system partition).
You need to have root privileges and you can move the ringtone(s) into the above said directory in debug mode (adb) and booting into recovery. I have a Galaxy S4 (TMobile-US) also codenamed jfltetmo, with cm11-m9 and twrp recovery.
All you need are:

Your phone rooted.
Custom recovery is preferred (e.g. TWRP, PhilzTouch, etc.)
Data cable
a PC with the drivers installed for the relevant phone.

I followed the steps in this Moving Ringtones To Internal Memory. All credit goes to villo-2 who posted the steps in the link.
However, in the event of that page is deleted or not found in the future, here below are the steps:
Note: Please be informed that the following steps are to be executed at your own risk. On the other hand, the adb commands are executed from the PC.

Put your phone into “Debug Mode” and connect it to the computer via the data cable.
Open the command prompt and change to the directory in which adb is installed and issue this command “adb reboot recovery”. This steps lets you reboot into the recovery. In my case, it is TWRP v2.8.4.0
The phone should reboot in a few seconds and enter recovery mode. Go to “mounts and storage” then mount ‘system’ and ‘sdcard’. In case ClockworkMod recovery, volume keys normally move between options and the Power button selects your choice.
Now the system partition is read only by default so we will have to remount it as read/write. This can be done with this command “adb remount”.
Login to the shell of the device with this command “adb shell”
Then finally the joy….. “cp /sdcard/Music/ringtone.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/.”
Unmount the partitions you mounted in step 3 then use the last option to exit this menu (Go Back). Then reboot the device with the first option on the resulting list.

Hope this helps.

The only way I found for my custom ringtone to work while USB is connected (and to prevent losing my setup if a call or an alarm happens) was a tip from here (vote him up please).
Basically (with some extra info):
1) you need a rooted device (for m-mp5303g the only method that worked was by using cydia impactor # drop SuperSU su to /system/xbin/su and do not upgrade SuperSu after that, and on linux this was also required sudo adb kill-server;sudo adb start-server)
2) I used use X-Plore with root write access option enabled to copy the ringtone .ogg or .mp3 to /system/media/audio/ringtones/
3) find the alphabetically first ringtone, rename it to a .old file, rename your custom ringtone to that ringtone filename. This will help in case some ringtone configuration is lost, that file will be used as default (in m-mp5303g at least). Obs.: make it sure you do not care for that first ringtone music.
Obs.: this seems to work with alarms and notifications too.
PS.: just adding files there did not work here, they all were ignored, even after reboot; only replacing worked.

The easiest way that I have found to do this is,

you must have root access on device as has been stated in previous answers
use Root Browser or some other file manager to change the file to a .ogg file while on the SD card.
Use the file manager (I recommend Root Browser) to move the ringtone to the /system/media/audio/ringtones path on the system partition of your device. Move it there do not copy it. Reboot your phone and things should be okay.

From your computer send the mp3 to a cloud service. Then use ES file explorer. Get it at the google store. Download mp3 from cloud you can use ES to do that for you. Make a new folder ringtones
on your phones sdcard. Use EX to open your mp3 an it gives you an option to set your mp3 as a ringtone in your new folder.  It worked for me. Marty a 73 year young noobe.

This doesn't seem to answer the question since it still relies in the SD card....


text:
Download issues with Android Marketplace: "Download unsuccessful"
Archos 43 Internet Tablet owner here.
I've been happily using the Google Android Marketplace since purchasing this device, but recently, my application downloads and updates are not working.  Either the download attempts to start and nothing happens, or I immediately get a "Download unsuccessful" message.  I'm not sure what changed to make this happen.
Today, I also got a PowerAMP error indicating that they can't verify my PowerAMP license (Cause: Android Market response- ERROR CONTACTING SERVER).
Maybe this is a firmware issue?  Currently using Firmware 2.3.26 (Android 2.2.1).
No issues with AppsLib or Amazon App Store, but some apps are only on the Android Marketplace, and I want to use them!
Any help troubleshooting this is appreciated.

Try going to Settings -> Applications -> Manage Applications -> All and clearing the data for the Market (you may need to Force Close it first), then reboot your phone. This has fixed a similar issue for me before.
I think the PowerAMP issue is unrelated, their server is probably down temporarily.

Already cleared the "Market" data twice.  I was hoping that would fix it, but no dice.

That's unfortunate.  I'm not sure what else to suggest besides a factory reset.  I'm assuming you have lots of space free on your internal storage?

Bummer.  Should I choose "Reset Android" or "Full reinitialization?"  One deletes settings and apps, the other deletes everything.

I would probably go for the full, but who knows.  For some people it solves the issue and for others it doesn't.

Do I lose purchased apps, or can they be re-downloaded?

@Zoot all purchases are tied to your Google account.  You will be able to re-download them without charge

OK.  I chose "reset Android" and loaded the Market again (through ArcTools), and everything seems to be working fine this time around.

I also faced similar problem. The solution is similar but key point is you also have to clear the download manager cache and force stop it.
Here is the guide if you want step by step help:
http://techspalace.blogspot.com/2011/08/solved-download-unsuccessful-on-android.html


text:
Can not edit build.prop
I am trying to edit the lcd density in build.prop in /system but every time after reboot my changes are lost..
I tried to adb pull + edit + adb push in normal and recovery mode..
also i tried fileexpert and super manager but nothing worked.
I heard many people saying about root explorer but its not free.. I want to be sure if my problem will be solved with root explorer then i will buy it..
Please help me out guys..
I am using android 2.3.3 on HTC HD2. My Rom is custom one (HyperDroidGBX-v12)

Answering my own question as found the solution.
We can edit build.prop from mobile. I downloaded ES file explorer which is free. then from optin set "root explorer" and set "mount system as read/write"
Now edit build.prop and save it using ES file explorer's editor then uncheck "root explorer" and "mount system as read/write" for safety..
hope it wil help someone :)

Yes, newer versions of ES File Explorer do not allow write to dangerous directories if "Root Explorer" is not enabled in the left menu. The full path to the "Root Explorer" option is Tap in the top left corner, in the menu icon, the left menu appears, then scroll down to Tools, and finally enable Root Explorer. Now, if device is rooted, ES File Explorer will allow to overwrite system files.

Root Explorer won't solve your problem any more than adb, although it's a great app.
First, I'd try making sure you remount /system as read-only after you push the modified file.  If that doesn't work I would assume your bootloader is checking the file and replacing it when it doesn't match what it should be.  To help you further, I think we need to know what phone you have; please add that to the question.  Your version of Android, name of your ROM if it's custom, etc. will also be useful.

You could also use TWRP
Reboot to recovery (TWRP)
Click Mount
Deselect mount system partition as read-only
Done