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I'm new to Android so maybe that's a naive question.
I tried to download this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.qpython.qpy&hl=en , which is just a highly rated Python compiler.
Some of the permissions this app wants are kind of bewildering (I'm leaving out the ones that make sense, like file access):
- Camera take pictures and videos
- control flashlight
- read your Web bookmarks and history
- read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
- edit your text messages (SMS or MMS)
- approximate location (network-based)
- precise location (GPS and network-based)
- use microphone
What's going on here?
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United States12226 Posts
On September 12 2017 16:15 PM_ME_NICE_PUPPERS wrote:I'm new to Android so maybe that's a naive question. I tried to download this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.qpython.qpy&hl=en , which is just a highly rated Python compiler. Some of the permissions this app wants are kind of bewildering (I'm leaving out the ones that make sense, like file access): - Camera take pictures and videos - control flashlight - read your Web bookmarks and history - read your text messages (SMS or MMS) - edit your text messages (SMS or MMS) - approximate location (network-based) - precise location (GPS and network-based) - use microphone What's going on here?
I asked a friend of mine who is a coder and he said that the app itself probably doesn't use or need any of that stuff. However, because it's a compiler, that means it has to have the capability to support that stuff in case you write something that needs the microphone or GPS or reading texts or whatever. It sounds scary (and it is), but you would be pretty frustrated if you made a cool script that you couldn't use because you were blocked by your own compiler's lack of permissions.
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On September 12 2017 16:15 PM_ME_NICE_PUPPERS wrote:I'm new to Android so maybe that's a naive question. I tried to download this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.qpython.qpy&hl=en , which is just a highly rated Python compiler. Some of the permissions this app wants are kind of bewildering (I'm leaving out the ones that make sense, like file access): - Camera take pictures and videos - control flashlight - read your Web bookmarks and history - read your text messages (SMS or MMS) - edit your text messages (SMS or MMS) - approximate location (network-based) - precise location (GPS and network-based) - use microphone What's going on here?
Presumably it can execute python scripts that might do all of those things. So it needs permission for all of that. It's also an indication you're running a fairly old version of Android. New versions ask for permissions when they are needed, not when installing.
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Oh alright, I just realised I hadn't upgraded to Android 7 yet.
Another major nuisance has been the lack of a podcast app.
I just wanted to get my weekly Sam Harris fix, not only did I have to download an external app, then I had to create an account, and now I'm getting spammed with ads whilst using the app. WTF, podcasts already advertise.
Do people still root their phones? I can never tell which parts of the interface are Samsung made and which parts are Android, making troubleshooting a pain.
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On September 12 2017 17:34 PM_ME_NICE_PUPPERS wrote:
Oh alright, I just realised I hadn't upgraded to Android 7 yet.
Another major nuisance has been the lack of a podcast app.
I just wanted to get my weekly Sam Harris fix, not only did I have to download an external app, then I had to create an account, and now I'm getting spammed with ads whilst using the app. WTF, podcasts already advertise.
Do people still root their phones? I can never tell which parts of the interface are Samsung made and which parts are Android, making troubleshooting a pain.
Aren't podcasts just mp3s? Pretty sure no external app is needed, although I'm sure there's lots that can make your life easier. Some will be good, useful apps, some will have excessive advertising. The mere fact that podcasts have advertising doesn't mean jack shit to whoever programmed the app you downloaded... that money goes to whoever made the podcast, not whoever made the app: both need to get paid for their work in some way.
People do still root their phones. Touchwiz is pretty shitty. That said, it'll void your warranty, and has a slight chance of bricking your phone. So do it at your own risk.
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I don't mean to say that app developers should do the work for free, I mean to say that Google probably makes a lot of money hosting podcasts, so it'd be in their interest to make a first party app for it like Apple does.
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On September 12 2017 17:34 PM_ME_NICE_PUPPERS wrote:
Oh alright, I just realised I hadn't upgraded to Android 7 yet.
Another major nuisance has been the lack of a podcast app.
I just wanted to get my weekly Sam Harris fix, not only did I have to download an external app, then I had to create an account, and now I'm getting spammed with ads whilst using the app. WTF, podcasts already advertise.
Google Play Music has the Podcast app built-in.
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On September 12 2017 16:15 PM_ME_NICE_PUPPERS wrote:I'm new to Android so maybe that's a naive question. I tried to download this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.qpython.qpy&hl=en , which is just a highly rated Python compiler. Some of the permissions this app wants are kind of bewildering (I'm leaving out the ones that make sense, like file access): - Camera take pictures and videos - control flashlight - read your Web bookmarks and history - read your text messages (SMS or MMS) - edit your text messages (SMS or MMS) - approximate location (network-based) - precise location (GPS and network-based) - use microphone What's going on here?
QPython is a Python compiler. It includes the SL4A library (or one of them), which provides APIs for accessing Android APIs, such as text-to-speech, camera, settings, contacts, etc. In order for those Android APIs to be accessed, the app must declare those permissions in its manifest, otherwise it won't work if you write Python code that calls those APIs.
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On September 12 2017 18:21 PM_ME_NICE_PUPPERS wrote:
Not where I live.
![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/m6qbXdY.png)
You don't have Google Play services?
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I do, but they don't include Podcasts in my country. My google play music thing looks exactly like your, sans the podcast option.
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Yeah, I just found the article saying it would be rolling out to other countries... last year. Sad.
I use Player FM for Podcasts if it's available in your region.
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I just used a VPN to the US of A and now I'm red-white-and-blueing my way through today's Waking Up podcast.
Podcasts don't disappear even when I turn off the VPN, so that's at least an ad free workaround. One frustration solved, a hundred to go. Thanks guys!
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There has been rumors going around that Google is about to purchase HTC's mobile division. If I were to make a guess, I would say that it is what will be announced
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idk how i feel about the pixel 2 xl with just one camera when the trend is two
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On September 21 2017 01:36 WindWolf wrote:
There has been rumors going around that Google is about to purchase HTC's mobile division. If I were to make a guess, I would say that it is what will be announced
Yep looks like it.
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Samsung’s long-awaited foldable display smartphone, speculated to be called the Galaxy X, has been certified in South Korea. The device’s model number SM-G888N0 has recently appeared in a filing from the Korean National Radio Research Agency (NRRA), according to Let’sGoDigital. While the NRRA lists it as a “radio equipment for global LTE communication, the same device was described as a “smartphone”, when it was earlier spotted at the Wi-Fi Alliance, Forbes reported.
The hype is mounting for Samsung’s first commercial smartphone with a bendable screen. The idea of a foldable smartphone isn’t new to Samsung. The South Korean company showcased a flexible display prototype called Youm in 2013. While the NRRA doesn’t reveal anything significant about the Galaxy X, Samsung’s mobile chief, Koh Dong-jin, recently indicated that a Galaxy Note phone with a bendable screen will be coming in 2018. However, the company has been facing technical challenges with a bendable display. Koh also warned that if the technical challenges couldn’t solve on time, the release date will be pushed back.
The design and features of the Galaxy X is still unknown. Based on concepts and patent designs the Galaxy X is expected to be a foldable phone and tablet hybrid. So yes, the Galaxy X is still a mystery. In fact, there is no word yet on the phone’s official name. Before being internally known as Galaxy X, the company’s bendable display smartphone was code named ‘Project Valley’.
Whenever Samsung plans to release the Galaxy X, the smartphone is expected to be available in limited quantities. Previous reports have claimed that the Galaxy X would be revealed in the third quarter of the year, before the arrival of the Galaxy Note 8.
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In recent months, the Google Maps interface on mobile has seen a number of changes, in particular a new bottom bar for directions and finding interesting places around you. The latest change adds a third FAB to the app’s main screen for switching between map layers.
In the upper-right hand corner, there is a new floating action button for setting map layers underneath the search bar. These controls were previously located in the navigation drawer, but Google has decided to move them to the forefront of the app. This is similar to how Maps on the web has long has a fast shortcut in the corner for switching to satellite view.
To help guide users through the transition, a “Satellite & traffic” shortcut is still available in the navigation drawer. However, it notes that “Layers have moved” with a tap highlighting and temporarily enlarging the new FAB.
Opening the FAB presents two sets of controls. The first is for switching between the default, satellite, or terrain map type. Underneath, map details allow users to overlay transit, traffic, and bicycling information. Unlike how all other UI elements disappear when taking Google Maps full screen, the layers FAB remains on-screen in the corner.
This new FAB is more useful than housing several controls in the navigation drawer and is unobtrusive enough to go unnoticed. It began rolling out over the weekend.
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Multiple sources tell TechCrunch that Google is building a tabletop smart screen for video calling and more that will compete with Amazon’s Echo Show. The device could help Google keep up in the race for the smart home market after Amazon just revealed a slew of new Echos and as Facebook continues to work on its codename “Aloha” video calling screen.
Two sources confirm to TechCrunch that the Google device has been internally codenamed “Manhattan” and will have a similar screen size to the 7-inch Echo Show. One source received info directly from a Google employee. Both sources say the device will offer YouTube, Google Assistant, Google Photos and video calling. It will also act as a smart hub that can control Nest and other smart home devices.
Our sources say that Google previously was working on products with larger screens that would compete with full-sized televisions, but it’s now more focused on the Manhattan device. We’re told that the original target launch date was mid-2018. But due to the Echo Show there’s intense internal pressure to get this launched in 2017, though it may still end up released in 2018. That’s because there are a ton of moving parts to establishing the smart hub partnerships, plus it’s exploring the possibility of service partnerships with Best Buy Geek Squad and Enjoy for home installation.
Our sources say that the device will run a version of Android, making it easier for third-parties to build apps for it. One app the team is particularly interested in seeing run on the device is Netflix, though that’s not confirmed yet.
It’s unclear what the price of the device will be or what exactly it will look like. The image up top is just a TechCrunch-made mock-up based on the Echo Show. Google did not respond to a request for comment before press time, but we’ll update if we hear back. Google does have a hardware event on October 4th, though there’s no indication that we’ll hear more about this device then.
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