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pyroscott

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Posts posted by pyroscott

    Congress starts bill requiring "Carrier IQ" like monitoring to be disclosed up front to the customer

    in General Topics

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 31 January 2012

     

    Most of us know all about "Carrier IQ" the software that started a public outcry that caused carriers like Sprint to not only stop collecting data with it, but also ask its manufacturers to issue updates to remove the software completely. Whatever we thought of it, I'm sure most of us are glad that it is vanishing. Congress has drafted a bill that will prevent anything like this from sneaking up on us again.

     

    Here's what the bill would require:

    • Monitoring software must be disclosed when a person buys a mobile phone, and also after the sale if any party decides to install monitoring software after the fact.
    • App makers that include monitoring software must also disclose it.
    • All disclosures must say whether the monitoring software has been installed, and detail the type of information collected, where it's going, and how it will be used.
    • Consumers must give their consent before monitoring or data transfer takes place.
    • Those who receive data must be able to secure it.
    • Data sharing agreements have to be filed with the FTC and FCC.

     

    This bill has a long road to pass before it becomes law, but it's good to see that our elected officials are taking action to protect our privacy.

     

    Minnesota Senator told the Verge "the default for collecting any kind of personal data should be opt-in consent," and that "we have a fundamental right to know what information is being collected about us and who it is shared with."

     

    For more on this click here

    Do you support your custom ROM developer?

    in OS'es/ROM's & Themes

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 27 January 2012

     

    I was buying an app on the Android market, and it got me thinking about the custom ROM developers. They go to great lengths to basically “re-invent the wheel” for us to cut out some of the “bloatware” and have a more customizable and better suited operating system than factory stock for our android phones. I know that we appreciate the work they do, and if you look on XDA or other developer sites, there are pages upon pages of people thanking the developer. I want to know how many people donate to the cause. I don’t give that much, but I figure if I can pay $4 for a new keyboard or $2 just to remove the ads from a free game, I can throw some cash the way of the developer of the most crucial program my phone is running, the operating system. Currently I am running Calkulin’s E4GT 2.8.1. I love the ROM and although I have tried out some other ROMS, I decided that Calk’s was the ticket for me. After I decided I liked that ROM best, I sent a donation to the developer. You might call it a “thanks for the hard work, go get a buzz at the bar on me” donation. I know these developers don’t expect to get rich off of their efforts, and they mostly do the work voluntarily, and many of them are just making a ROM for their own benefit, but they put it out there for others who don’t have the programming knowledge to do it themselves. I had some friends help me build my garage, and even though I have helped them with their own home projects, I bought them each a case of beer and cooked up some NY Strips as a “thank you” gesture. I think that instead of acting like these developers owe us something (see all the people whining that ICS is not in a ROM for their device yet on XDA), we should show them that we appreciate their work. If the manufacturers haven’t worked out all the kinks for an ICS release on the devices they built, how can we expect some developer who works on their ROM in their spare time to have it figured out? Just my thoughts, what about you?

    RIM asking for Android apps for BB Playbook OS 2.0

    in OS'es/ROM's & Themes

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 1 February 2012

     

    Even though RIM has tried to slam Android every chance they can get, they have developed an app that will run Android apps on the BB Playbook. They have asked the developers of Android apps to slightly modify their apps and submit them for use for the Blackberry Playbook OS 2.0 and the upcoming Blackberry 10 devices.

     

    They could just make it easier on themselves and make a Blackberry launcher overlay to Android 4.0

     

    According to the Blackberry developer blog

    To help with the process of submitting your application for approval and entry into BlackBerry App World, we strongly recommend the following:

    • Before submitting your Android application to BlackBerry App World, please make sure to remove all mention of the word “Android” from your application. Both in the application description and the application itself.
    • Please remove all links to Android Market from within your application.
    • When submitting your Android application to BlackBerry App World, please make sure to select a minimum BlackBerry PlayBook OS of 2.0.
    • Please make sure your application is signed. For more information on code signing, please view the code signing documentation on the BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps webpage (linked here).

    Where would Nextel be today if they didn't merge with Sprint?

    in Network, Network Vision/LTE Deployment

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 28 January 2012

     

    @legion125 The phones were expensive too. I remember looking at the hybrid phones and they were more expensive than phones with more features that were strictly Sprint phones. As you said, if they had invested in the marketing of a line of phones that removed the barrier between Sprint and Nextel, they could have had a winner. They needed affordable handsets or at least handsets that were among the most advanced. I would have had no problem paying for a hybrid phone, but when I get less features than a cheaper phone and the only gain is PTT which you end up paying a higher monthly bill for, sorry PTT...

    Where would Nextel be today if they didn't merge with Sprint?

    in Network, Network Vision/LTE Deployment

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 28 January 2012

     

    I didn't realize that they ever had PTT Blackberrys for Nextel. I thought that since Motorola owned everything about iDEN, the only handsets offered were made by Motorola. At the company I worked for, all the higher-ups had a Nextel for PTT and a Blackberry running on AT&T, I believe. If there would have been an iDEN Blackberry with 3G for e-mail, it would have been a huge cost savings. Almost makes me wonder why Sprint never pushed their dual network devices like the ic902. Is CDMA superior to iDEN? I guess I don't understand why they wouldn't have transitioned into using iDEN for voice and PTT on the 800 mhz spectrum from Nextel and data and backup voice on the 1900 mhz spectrum.

    Where would Nextel be today if they didn't merge with Sprint?

    in Network, Network Vision/LTE Deployment

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 27 January 2012

     

    I haven't had a Nextel phone in years, but I remember the internet being about as advanced as my very first Sprint phone 6 years earlier and having virtually no features besides the PTT. Does anyone think they would have added some sort of 3G data to keep up with the rest of the carriers or have Android PTT phones? Or would they have let their iDEN network and phone lineup rot as sprint has done?

    LTE Devices Pushed Back

    in Misc.

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 6 December 2011

     

    According to a

    CNET Article Sprint's LTE devices won't be released until late 2012 (3rd and 4th Quarter). It also stated that "(Sprint CFO) Euteneuer, speaking at a UBS investor conference that was Webcast, announced that the company put into operation its first multi-mode radio, which is able to run 4G LTE and 3G CDMA, signaling progress in its network upgrade."

    Sprint is putting themselves in a precarious situation with customers watching LTE networks lit up in their cities with other carriers and carriers selling devices that are as "future ready" as you can get right now. It's a little far off to start hyping anything but I would have to think they would start thinking about hyping the EVO's successor, LTE features or something cutting edge or high end customers might start jumping ship. It would be funny to see Sprint left with a bunch of iPhone users and SERO plans... I'm sure they have something up their sleeve.

    Anyone have any inclination why the device launch was pushed back? VoLTE? Sprint wanting the HTC LTEvo to be first to launch? LTE network delays and Sprint wanting the network to be active before launching phones to use it? Combination of all of them?

    Maybe just Hesse writing checks his behind can't cash again...

    HTC Evo 3D, to root or not to root...

    in HTC

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 1 December 2011

     

    Well, I guess all I can think of that I need is camera, 3D and GPS. When I rooted my HTC Zero my GPS would overheat and shut off the phone in a matter of minutes. I thought the phone had gone bad, but when I removed root and returned it to stock and tested the GPS, it worked perfect. I just don't want something like that to happen with this phone because it's plenty fast without a custom rom.

    HTC Evo 3D, to root or not to root...

    in HTC

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 1 December 2011

     

    OK, so I finally decided that I can give up my company e-mail on my phone using "Good Mobile Messaging" which

    stops working when the device is rooted. I will root the phone as long as there is a good mod that retains all the functionality of the stock rom. Anyone with an Evo 3D that can give me some advice? What rom and root method did you use?

    HTC Evo 2 not Sprint exclusive?

    in HTC

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 11 January 2012

     

    If only we didn't have to wait 6 months after world release to get the Samsung here like the Galaxy S2. Maybe with the S3, they will give it to us right away since the S2 is such a huge success.

    HTC Evo 2 not Sprint exclusive?

    in HTC

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 11 January 2012

     

    I've seen some rumblings around the net that when HTC releases the Evo 2 or whatever they end up calling it, that it will not be exclusive to Sprint. I'm sure the name will be exclusive and it will be called something else on other carriers. Anyone have any more info? I'm sure HTC will be on board with a LTE Evo since they were first with the Wimax. I was rather surprised that Sprint announced LTE devices and there was nothing from HTC.

     

    There has been no recent rumors about the Evo 2, maybe they are just holding off until Sprint is closer to flipping the LTE switch to finalize the components so it can have eye popping features like the first Evo. I would have to think it will have at least a 10 MP camera, possibly quad core processor, the screen probably wouldn't get much bigger but it would most likely be at least on par with the E4GT on resolution. They almost have to include the signature kickstand... Anyone heard anything or like to speculate?

    • Like 2

    What LTE devices out there would you like to see on Sprint next year?

    in Misc.

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 14 November 2011

     

     

    new-samsung-galaxy-s3.jpg

     

    I would love for the Samsung Galaxy S3 to have LTE and this design. Sprint will surely call it the "Samsung Galaxy SIII Epic 4G Touch LTE Screen" or something like that so they can set the world record for longest name of a cell phone.

     

    I can't wait to find out what kind of wordplay the HTC LTE handset comes up with since Evo is part of LTE. HTC LTEvo or something...

    Oh hai.

    in Welcome

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 22 January 2012

     

    I look forward to hearing your input on some of the advanced issues that come up in the group.

    I'll say it, Wimax was a good decision.

    in WiMax

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 28 January 2012

     

    Good point, Sprint/Clearwire would both be sitting high on the hog if everyone wouldn't have shunned Wimax. Clear could have continued their buildout with Wimax and would have attracted a lot of additional customers. Too bad it didn't work out.

    I'll say it, Wimax was a good decision.

    in WiMax

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 28 January 2012

     

    It seems everyone says that Sprint made a huge blunder by going with Wimax. If they would have flip flopped for another year, they could have just built a LTE network and had happy customers that don't feel alienated with their Wimax phones.

     

    My thoughts are:

    • Sprint only contracted the Wimax network from clearwire instead of making any changes to their network equipment.
    • Sprint got to market the first 4G network.
    • Wimax phones will be obselete anyway by the time clearwire turns off the Wimax network.
    • Sprint's customers will complain about anything. Sprint seems to have some of the most entitled customers. I always see posts like "I've been a Sprint customer for 12 years and they owe me (fill in the blank)" I am not even excluded from this as I have been guilty of expecting preferential treatment for being 10+ years with Sprint. Sprint has propagated this themselves with their premiere program and cancelation of it.

    So let me have it, I may be wrong, but it seems the only misstep by sprint was waiting so long to pull the trigger on network vision, if they would have started when Verizon started with LTE, they would be in a much better position, but nobody knew that Wimax would fall so far. They are doing a good job of being aggressive with NV and might make up some of the time wasted.

    • Like 2

    You've seen your last WiMAx phone

    in WiMax

    Posted

    Migrated from Original Forum. Originally Posted 12 January 2012

     

    I tried to hold out for LTE, but I caved and bought the Epic 4G Touch... I think Sprint would be shooting themselves in the foot releasing any more WiMax phones. They already said they would be phasing WiMax out in 2013, so unless you want your customers screaming for an early upgrade to get an LTE phone when Wimax goes dark, you should at least stop releasing new phones with WiMax.

     

     

    Edit: the WiMax agreement with Clearwire was extended through 2015

    • Like 1
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