I'm Tired of Defending Android I Want To be a Apple Fan Boy!

[Rodimus Prime]

Rodimus Prime,

I only use the official market place. I pirated exactly zero application.

Re my points on customizing on media playing, I now officially challenge you to perform that customization on your Android phone - any Android phone.

The language issue is on stock rom, not custom ROM. I visited a Telco shop and examined the SGS 2 a while ago and wanted to turn on Chinese UI. This isn't supported.

I am assuming you are talking about the double tap the home button to bring up the controls?

On lock screen there are apps that allow it and on home screen you have widgets that you can get to as quickly as the double tap home.

Also as I pointed out before on Stoke roms Asian languages are normally dropped for space. I know in Windows XP they were not even on the standard install of the OS. It was optional to add them and that is because they take up a fair amount of space and add to a lot of bloat. I could easily see what it is dropped from a phone when you do not have space to burn like you do on a computer. It is a fair amount of extra crap to add for something rarely used.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.3.3; en-gb; GT-I9100 Build/GINGERBREAD) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

Which applications were they that stole your data?

I'd like to avoid them if possible, especially if they are on Android Market.

I am guessing he is lieing about that. The ones that did Google use there nuke lure option and removed them remotely.
I smell someone who is full of it. I know side loaded apps have those issues he talked about but come on that is installing stuff from unapproved locations.

 

[eaglesteve]

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Which applications were they that stole your data?

I'd like to avoid them if possible, especially if they are on Android Market.

I don't think it is possible to avoid them because Google does not vet any applications before they get into the official market place. Every now and then Google would purge some of these malwared applications but by them damage has already been done to people who installed before the purging took place.

My unfortunate incidence happened one and a half years ago. I don't remember the name of the application off hand, and would need to comb thought the XDA-developers.com thread where I expressed my outrage over the incident to tell you it's name. None of what I say here is new. If you have been keeping up with tech news, you would have read about the increasing problems of malware and security threats on the Android platform.

@Rodimus Prime,

You are assuming many things incorrectly because you're unwilling to know the facts.

If you have not come across such reports before, why not just google "malware on Android" and start informing yourself rather than calling this a lie?

As I had explained, the customization that I said could only be achieved on iOS and not Android allows you to do the following:
-It would let you skip the current song/video, go to the previous one, pause or play by pressing hardware buttons. Users configure which hardware button they prefer to use. In my case, I long press the volume bottom to skip and repeat song, and long press the home button to pause and resume play.
- the above could be done when you're using any application, like while you're in the middle of browsing the net, without exiting that application.
- using exactly the same actions on home screen.
- using exactly the same actions on lock screen.
- using exactly the same actions without switching on the screen, I.e., while the phone is asleep. Yes, even resume/pause the playing of music videos, radios, or whatever you last played.

 

[ap3604]

Don't need to be a fan boy, just a fan. Life is too short to fight holy wars over phones. Just use what you like and get on with life.

Agreed

 

[ChazUK]

I don't think it is possible to avoid them because Google does not vet any applications before they get into the official market place. Every now and then Google would purge some of these malwared applications but by them damage has already been done to people who installed before the purging took place.

Google have removed Malware infected apps but your case seems different.

My unfortunate incidence happened one and a half years ago. I don't remember the name of the application off hand, and would need to comb thought the XDA-developers.com thread where I expressed my outrage over the incident to tell you it's name. None of what I say here is new. If you have been keeping up with tech news, you would have read about the increasing problems of malware and security threats on the Android platform.

I found the thread.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=735018

It seems your contact info was not sent to Google without your permission judgung by this:

I just checked. I don't see any entry under contact when I signed in. Whew!

But please explain to me why all my contacts now are displayed under the google heading? (You know the display option in contact lets us select contact on the SIM, Phone, or Google?), now all my entries are under google. Yet, I don't see any thing there (yet?)

This was shortly followed up by this explanation:

It's BackupPro when it restores the contacts it assigns them as Google. I made the mistake of backing-up and restoring contacts with this and spent the next hour wondering how I've got contacts with 3 Google entries when I was expecting only two.

It seems the application you are referring to as malware is MyBackup. If it is suspicious or not I have no idea. Was any of your information ever synced to Google's servers without your permission?

The permissions prompt on installation are plenty of warning to me if something is fishy or not. Take MyBackup's permissions:

YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
READ CONTACT DATA
Allows an application to read all of the contact (address) data stored on your device. Malicious applications can use this to send your data to other people.
WRITE CONTACT DATA
Allows an application to modify the contact (address) data stored on your device. Malicious applications can use this to erase or modify your contact data.
READ BROWSER'S HISTORY AND BOOKMARKS
Allows the application to read all the URLs that the Browser has visited, and all of the Browser's bookmarks.
WRITE BROWSER'S HISTORY AND BOOKMARKS
Allows an application to modify the Browser's history or bookmarks stored on your device. Malicious applications can use this to erase or modify your Browser's data.
READ USER DEFINED DICTIONARY
Allows an application to read any private words, names and phrases that the user may have stored in the user dictionary.
READ CALENDAR EVENTS
Allows an application to read all of the calendar events stored on your device. Malicious applications can use this to send your calendar events to other people.
ADD OR MODIFY CALENDAR EVENTS AND SEND EMAIL TO GUESTS
Allows an application to add or change the events on your calendar, which may send email to guests. Malicious applications can use this to erase or modify your calendar events or to send email to guests.
READ SENSITIVE LOG DATA
Allows an application to read from the system's various log files. This allows it to discover general information about what you are doing with the device, potentially including personal or private information.

It's quite clear what that application can and can't access on installation and had a game or live wallpaper required that kind of information, you can bet I will not install it. I'm in total control of what I install and what access I am giving to a third party unlike on iOS where I have no idea what level of access an application has to the information on my handset.

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/07/report-14-percent-iphone-apps-users-contact-information

EDIT: And in case you were worried about what information is synced, that is configurable too.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Google have removed Malware infected apps but your case seems different.



I found the thread.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=735018

It seems your contact info was not sent to Google without your permission judgung by this:


This was shortly followed up by this explanation:


It seems the application you are referring to as malware is MyBackup. If it is suspicious or not I have no idea. Was any of your information ever synced to Google's servers without your permission?

The permissions prompt on installation are plenty of warning to me if something is fishy or not. Take MyBackup's permissions:



It's quite clear what that application can and can't access on installation and had a game or live wallpaper required that kind of information, you can bet I will not install it. I'm in total control of what I install and what access I am giving to a third party unlike on iOS where I have no idea what level of access an application has to the information on my handset.

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/07/report-14-percent-iphone-apps-users-contact-information

EDIT: And in case you were worried about what information is synced, that is configurable too.

Sounds like he just got owned and seems pretty clear is spreading FUD.

I read threw that thread and it seems like he does not really understand how the apps work and it goes back to my point about common sense. To me this type of panicking shows that he really should not of been flashing roms.
The XDA guys ripped him to shreads for the same BS. When the XDA guys are ripping into him it tells me FUD.

 

[eaglesteve]

ChazUK,

I have no idea where the data was restored to. May be its to google's server may be it's the software vendors. That's not as important as the fact that the application clearly stated I had the option to back up only to my device. I chosed that option during backup and thereby not wanting it to go anywhere else. With such option chosen, one would not expect that during restore the data will go to the place that I said I didn't want it to go. See the issue there?

Anyway, if you guys still believe malware is a non-issue why don't you just google it like I suggested and educate yourself before saying this is spreading FUD?

Edit:

Here are some links to help you understand the malware issues:

Android now worst platform for malware
http://www.tgdaily.com/security-features/58062-android-now-worst-platform-for-malware

Mcafee says Android plagued by the most malware
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20095965-94/mcafee-says-android-plagued-by-the-most-malware/

Android malware skyrockets
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/15/android_malware_skyrockets/

Android malware eavesdrops records your conversations
http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/02/android-malware-eavesdrops-records-your-conversations/

Android malware steals bank account details
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/272424,android-malware-steals-bank-account-details.aspx

There are just a very small subsets of such reports, all prepared by experts in security. You can find out more on your own.

Being unaware of the danger does not mean you're not in danger. With this, I leave it for you to decide if the risk is real as I've nothing else I can add to persuade you from changing from your made-up mind.

Cheers.

 

[SXR]

Welcome back , OP. We won't punish you for seeing the light a bit late.


(JK)

 

[ChazUK]

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ChazUK,

I have no idea where the data was restored to. May be its to google's server may be it's the software vendors. That's not as important as the fact that the application clearly stated I had the option to back up only to my device. I chosed that option during backup and thereby not wanting it to go anywhere else. With such option chosen, one would not expect that during restore the data will go to the place that I said I didn't want it to go. See the issue there?

Anyway, if you guys still believe malware is a non-issue why don't you just google it like I suggested and educate yourself before saying this is spreading FUD?

Edit:

Here are some links to help you understand the malware issues:

Android now worst platform for malware
http://www.tgdaily.com/security-features/58062-android-now-worst-platform-for-malware

Mcafee says Android plagued by the most malware
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20095965-94/mcafee-says-android-plagued-by-the-most-malware/

Android malware skyrockets
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/15/android_malware_skyrockets/

Android malware eavesdrops records your conversations
http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/02/android-malware-eavesdrops-records-your-conversations/

Android malware steals bank account details
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/272424,android-malware-steals-bank-account-details.aspx

There are just a very small subsets of such reports, all prepared by experts in security. You can find out more on your own.

Being unaware of the danger does not mean you're not in danger. With this, I leave it for you to decide if the risk is real as I've nothing else I can add to persuade you from changing from your made-up mind.

Cheers.

Please, please, please don't interpret my posts as saying Malware does not exist on Android. It does, its as simple as that.

Before an application touches my Android handsets it has to meet at least three criteria:

Good professional/user reviews.
Reputable development team.
Correct permissions for the app.


These are three criteria that I am in control of to prevent Malware from getting on my phone.

I believe the issue you had with MyBackup is that it shows them as Google Synced contacts without actually syncing them judging by the explanation on the XDA thread.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

ChazUK,

I have no idea where the data was restored to. May be its to google's server may be it's the software vendors. That's not as important as the fact that the application clearly stated I had the option to back up only to my device. I chosed that option during backup and thereby not wanting it to go anywhere else. With such option chosen, one would not expect that during restore the data will go to the place that I said I didn't want it to go. See the issue there?

Anyway, if you guys still believe malware is a non-issue why don't you just google it like I suggested and educate yourself before saying this is spreading FUD?

Edit:

Here are some links to help you understand the malware issues:

Android now worst platform for malware
http://www.tgdaily.com/security-features/58062-android-now-worst-platform-for-malware

Mcafee says Android plagued by the most malware
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20095965-94/mcafee-says-android-plagued-by-the-most-malware/

Android malware skyrockets
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/15/android_malware_skyrockets/

Android malware eavesdrops records your conversations
http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/02/android-malware-eavesdrops-records-your-conversations/

Android malware steals bank account details
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/272424,android-malware-steals-bank-account-details.aspx

There are just a very small subsets of such reports, all prepared by experts in security. You can find out more on your own.

Being unaware of the danger does not mean you're not in danger.

I suppose you are also the type of person who thinks that Windows is a malware infested OS that requires fifty five security suites for it to turn on without BSoDs.

Read the permissions, don't install it if it can do something you don't want it to, don't sideload untrusted programs and you'll be fine.

Being unwilling to take easy measures to prevent danger on Platform X does not make said platform dangerous.

Also, since you like reports by experts in security, here's one by Symantec.

"Symantec Analysis of Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android Platform Cites Improved Security over PCs, but Major Gaps Remain"

While offering improved security over traditional desktop-based operating systems, both iOS and Android are still vulnerable to many existing categories of attacks.

[Apple's] vetting approach is not foolproof, and almost certainly can be circumvented by a determined attacker

You won't ever be safe from 'danger' if you just go around installing things willy-nilly, Android or not.

 

[eaglesteve]

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Please, please, please don't interpret my posts as saying Malware does not exist on Android. It does, its as simple as that.

Before an application touches my Android handsets it has to meet at least three criteria:

Good professional/user reviews.
Reputable development team.
Correct permissions for the app.


These are three criteria that I am in control of to prevent Malware from getting on my phone.

I believe the issue you had with MyBackup is that it shows them as Google Synced contacts without actually syncing them judging by the explanation on the XDA thread.

There at least we have some common ground. If you read one of the links, you will see that malware is most serious on the Android platform. What's also important to note from these report was that Malware is not significant on iOS. That difference is one of the major factors pushing me back to iOS.

As for permission, the problems are in two aspects: 1) Many of us do not bother reading the permission carefully enough before installing the application, just like we habitually do not read the user terms and conditions before clicking OK. 2) When I look high and low for a special keyboard, and it carries the warning message that it may transmit what I type, including password and user id back to the vendor, what would you do? Do I refuse to install it, even if this is the only application I can find that deliver the functionalities I need? That's the kind of dilemma I faced. And that's a headache I don't need.

 

[eaglesteve]

I suppose you are also the type of person who thinks that Windows is a malware infested OS that requires fifty five security suites for it to turn on without BSoDs.

You won't ever be safe from 'danger' if you just go around installing things willy-nilly, Android or not.

Malware is indeed a serious problem on Windows. This is one of the reasons I've switched over to Mac.

But there is also a difference between PC and smartphone. I keep a lot more personal and sensitive information on my smartphone than on my PC, so security is much more an issue on my phone than on my PC.

I agree that no platform can be totally free from malware attack. The difference is in the degree. Apple vets its applications before allowing it to be listed, and all developers need real identifies. Hence the higher sense of security.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

Malware is indeed a serious problem on Windows. This is one of the reasons I've switched over to Mac.

How exactly is malware a serious problem? Don't install random applications, don't download anything from shady websites and you won't have any issues whatsoever.
My 3 year old desktop is still running the installation of Windows XP I installed on day 1 without any anti-virus programs at all. Still use it daily, and haven't had any malware problems.
It's not like just going onto a website will automatically install viruses. Malware in Windows is mostly similar to the malware on OS X- you need to trigger it for the computer to be affected. The built in firewall prevents any more worms like Blaster/Sasser nowadays.

 

[r.j.s]

2) When I look high and low for a special keyboard, and it carries the warning message that it may transmit what I type, including password and user id back to the vendor, what would you do? Do I refuse to install it, even if this is the only application I can find that deliver the functionalities I need? That's the kind of dilemma I faced. And that's a headache I don't need.

Ok, keyboards on Android are always going to have that warning, and here is why ...

Keyboards, by their very design, know everything you type. That warning is there to let you know that by installing a keyboard, it is possible the developer designed the keyboard to log everything and send all your keystrokes to a third party. It's possible, but unlikely, unless you go about installing little-known keyboards new to the market from a new developer.

So, since Google does not check all apps before they are posted, they put this warning on ALL keyboards. If you stick to highly-rated, well-known keyboards, then this will never be a problem - but you will still see the warning.

 

[Typswif2fingers]

When Apple.. or any other of these companies which charge so much for products made in China (which is pretty much all of them) start selling stuff without making $70 billion in profits.. Ill become a fan boy.. Until then..

 

[ObsessiveEmile]

So I've been on here in the past defending Google/Android but I just can't defend them anymore. Know matter how much hardware they put in there Android still can get buggy at times. Just recently I had 75% battery life a hour later with no use it was down to 10%. Some app went nuts and drained my battery.

I've had the iphone 3gs in the past and although boring it was stable and very smooth. Also with Android you start getting OCD with the nine million different things you can do with it. I need simplicity I don't need to be looking at my phone every ten minutes to check the battery.

So I guess for me Apple wins and I look forward to any new release in Oct.

Same here! Recently bought a Galaxy S2, powered by frustration when the iPhone 5 wasn't announced at the traditional WWDC. Sold it last week when i heard the five is (hopefully) confirmed. I can honestly say in my opinion, the ios suits my needs best.

 

[boss.king]

Malware was indeed a serious problem on Windows. This is one of the reasons I've switched over to Mac.

But there is also a difference between PC and smartphone. I keep a lot more personal and sensitive information on my smartphone than on my PC, so security is much more an issue on my phone than on my PC.

I agree that no platform can be totally free from malware attack. The difference is in the degree. Apple vets its applications before allowing it to be listed, and all developers need real identifies. Hence the higher sense of security.

Fixed that for you. If you don't act like an idiot, you'll be fine. Google something before you download it. Don't open "skrillex.mp3.exe". If malware is a problem for you in this day and age, you're probably better off with a Mac, but don't try imply that it's a crippling issue. This isn't 2001, Windows has changed.

 

[samcraig]

I left and haven't come back ... I have an EVO, but I'm having a SGSII delivered on Friday.

I'd be interested in your take on the SGSII - I'm very tempted. The biggest thing that holds me back is my current investment in the Apple ecosystem. But I know that most apps I use are also on Android. It's a tough decision...

 

[Sir Ruben]

I'd be interested in your take on the SGSII - I'm very tempted. The biggest thing that holds me back is my current investment in the Apple ecosystem. But I know that most apps I use are also on Android. It's a tough decision...

The only thing i would say to that is that most Android apps are not as polished as the iPhone counterparts. They feel more rough around the edges. Aside from the the SGS2 is lovely.

 

[sracer]

So I've been on here in the past defending Google/Android but I just can't defend them anymore.

Why did you feel the need to defend them/it? Do you work for Google?

 

[sulpfiction]

I left and haven't come back ... I have an EVO, but I'm having a SGSII delivered on Friday.

I really don't know how anyone can go from iOS to Android and really think it's better. I understand the the ability to hack, tweak, modify, etc. But as far as a stable, smooth, intuitive OS goes, iOS is much better.

And I'm really not being biased. I am Apple all the way, but I have tried to fall in love (or at least like) my wifes HTC Dinc2 w/ Gingerbread, and I just hate it. There are some cool features (live wallpaper, and other battery hogging things of the like) but I'm just talking overall performance. IMO it's not even close to iOS. Even the touch panel is off. It's over sensitive at times, and then laggy other times. It never seems consistant. It is ok, and you might not even notice if you never used an iPhone. But I've been using an iPhone since 07 and the difference is huge to me. And that carries over to every Andorid phone i've tried. The whole package is just a bit behind Apple in every way IMO.

I guess that's why they make Chocolate Ice Cream.

 

[scott craft]

I used to be an android fanboy. I thought android was great, up until the point where it started acting up. I got my wife an iphone 4 and I was very impressed. I was on my way to being an apple fanboy until I ran into windows phone 7. The iphone is great but my HTC trophy running mango is smoother and faster and has some really neat features. All in all it is a great time to be a smartphone user with the choices we have out there now. Play with them and find what you like. No need to defend any platform. They all have there merits.

 

[Damian.]

Just use what you like. There's no need to defend anything.

 

[Robby S]

Generalization fail ftl.

I think most people don't buy phones based on their needs. If i had a dime for all the people playing with androids and iphones and using them for just calling,texting and facebooking I would be a millionaire by now. You spend $500-800 for something a basic and old phone can handle easily.

Yep, fail alright!

People spend $500-800 on something that does calling, texting and facebooking because not only does it do those things better than a basic old phone, it also does a whole lot more than their basic old phone. Sure, calling, texting and facebooking might make up most of the use, but you really think they never surf the net, or use maps, or download a few apps and games? The fact is, it does what they want, plus a bit more, so they are prepared to spend the cash just because they can.

Very few things in modern society are bought through necessity these days.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

I really don't know how anyone can go from iOS to Android and really think it's better. I understand the the ability to hack, tweak, modify, etc. But as far as a stable, smooth, intuitive OS goes, iOS is much better.

And I'm really not being biased. I am Apple all the way, but I have tried to fall in love (or at least like) my wifes HTC Dinc2 w/ Gingerbread, and I just hate it. There are some cool features (live wallpaper, and other battery hogging things of the like) but I'm just talking overall performance. IMO it's not even close to iOS. Even the touch panel is off. It's over sensitive at times, and then laggy other times. It never seems consistant. It is ok, and you might not even notice if you never used an iPhone. But I've been using an iPhone since 07 and the difference is huge to me. And that carries over to every Andorid phone i've tried. The whole package is just a bit behind Apple in every way IMO.

I guess that's why they make Chocolate Ice Cream.

See bold.

There's your answer. Your experience ≠ other people's experiences, evidently.