Android phones, apps and tablets

And when it comes time for me to upgrade, it's probably a Moto X.

I always root for the security toolset I use, and the Sony Xperia Z3 (and Z3 Compact) both use a DRM partition to offer the software that drives the hardware... that is, if you unlock the bootloader the DRM partition loses the keys that open it, and you lose the partition, which wipes out all noise reduction algos for the camera and various other things. So unlocking the phone loses you a load of the advertised capabilities (how good the camera is, etc).

The unlocked and rooted Moto X will therefore trump the Z3 as nothing degrades by it being unlocked. Plus it will get the Android L updates.

I'm in the same boat. Missus has my old Galaxy Nexus and it's so fucking slow when I use it. She could get my N5 but then what? There's nothing out there. If there was a faster Blackphone I'd consider that just for shits and giggles but I dunno, I'd prefer a new Nexus so long as they didn't go bigger.

Heh, we'll be both on the Moto X (v2) then. It's about the best out there.

(Unless the Nexus 6 proves to be much better without fattening up too much.)

What security toolset, out of interest?

What security toolset, out of interest?

• AdAway - Control of hosts file to block all adverts and intrusive tracking.
  
• XPrivacy - Per-app control of permissions (access to contacts, accounts, internet, etc).
  
  

Basically none of the apps I use talk to stuff I don't want them to, and none of them make requests to anything that tracks me or shows me adverts.

Even something like the Guardian app... no adverts, no cookie store, no app metrics being fed back, no access to accounts, no access to contacts.

Anyone used Towelroot to root their N5? Never rooted a phone due to only having Macs in the house, seems next to impossible on OSX...

Cheers for that. I already use adaway... Does xprivacy go deeper than the privacyguard feature built into cyanogenmod?

I rooted my nexus 7 with towelroot a while back, seem to recall it was nice and straightforward.

Cool, will give it a go... Thanks!

Yeah... XPrivacy goes totally nuts on the permissions, and feeds the apps with fake data so that you can disable stuff without it actually breaking stuff.

Z3 compact google play edition. That would be sweet.

Cheers, I'll take a look at it. I've found I can block access to contacts location and so forth with privacyguard, can't think of any apps that have broken when I've denied permissions.

You guys are forgetting that any phone made by Motorola always suffers from terrible build quality and a desire to die within the first 18 months of use.

I don't have a specific reason for it but every Motorola phone I have used has become unusable withing 18 months whether for hardware or software reasons. Even the Motorola Droid which I was very fond of because of the keyboard became a boat anchor.

I have the Sony Xperia Z at the moment and the bloatware is annoying, especially when they invent new versions of it and force you to either download it or forever have an alert at the top of the screen. But to be honest, I can live with it, and for now, Sony has my loyalty.

Try putting it in rice. My Iphone totally died after a dunk in a pint of water.
Took it to the phon shop they said it was kaput.
Put it in rice for a week.
It magically came back to life!

I recall Sony trying to rootkit my Windows PC. I'm still wary.

But I'd probably buy the Z3 (or Compact) if I could just root it and take full control whilst still having all the features (decent camera, etc).

I've got the original moto x and am very pleased with it.
2 cents..

I have a S5, Ive never rooted android devices before (when I had the s3) is it worth the work? Possible to reset the phone to its normal condition if anything?

similiar to that of jb iphones

If you don't know of a reason why you should do it then don't bother.

JB I phones seem way further offpiste than rooted Androids.

in that case Ill leave it i do nothing special on it anyways, I just liked the sound of the xprivacy app. rather than have the frigging binoculars on watch, tell them to fetch elsewhere

That was easy!

I've installed Adaway and XPrivacy too... All good so far...

Yeah... XPrivacy goes totally nuts on the permissions, and feeds the apps with fake data so that you can disable stuff without it actually breaking stuff.

Sort-of srs question - do you trust XPrivacy?

Its on Gihub, have a look at the code yourself if you like!

Ah okay - I assumed it was probably okay, but hadn't looked into it

What is the hosts file that you normally suggest please. The default hosts files on AdAway still seem to let quite a bit through.

I've used PrivacyGuard and AppOps (depending on ROM) to block permissions and most apps seem pretty robust and still work even with various things denied. May have a look at Xprivacy at some point.