Android phones, apps and tablets

I generally use this one: http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/zero/

And the text version is: http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/zero/hosts/

But... once in a while you find that they have been too aggressive and blocked affiliate domains in addition to the intrusive adverts, display ads, cookie trackers, etc.

I personally view these as different things... one set tracks without your permission (block 'em!) and the other tracks as an explicit result of your action.

i.e. if you visit Cycle Surgery from a link on here, I believe they use WebGains as their tracker. And if the host is blocked then it will prevent your navigation to them.

So I manually check for, and comment out (start line with a #) anything that is for affwin, and webgains which are the majority of online cycle shops.

And you can of course ignore this... if you're working from the starting point that I'm biased because those trackers earn Microcosm money. So do ignore this if you want, but just remember when you do find yourself unable to navigate to something... the hosts file is stopping it.

I'ma gonna get me a hudl2 this week. Looks very good for less than £100 (inc vouchers).

Cheers, that's the one I'm thinking of. It's only for my phone which I don't do any online shopping on. I'm aware that it blocks things like sponsored google links but I don't use my phone enough for browsing that I bother changing it.

Entrain is now available for Android!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.umich.entrain

If you don't know what it is, you suck.

No, it's a thing that lets you train your body using light and dark exposure at specific times to adjust to new time zones quicker.

That's awesome, I'm heading to Exeter in a couple of weeks and this will help

Exeter has its own timezone? I'm not sure it will help when you travel back to the 1950s.

The latter half is spot on... it's weird.

I just bought a Moto X for Felicity. It's long overdue, but her phone is failing and I'm still happy with my Nexus 5, so I get to see how she fares with the Moto X before I have to consider my upgrade (whenever I can afford to do that).

She's got the bamboo customised version with a white front, silver trim and 32GB RAM. She should be happy with that... arrives on the 28th October apparently.

Looks like the Unlimited internets on my Orange contract was a 24month £0.00 addon rather than a modifier for my plan, so now that the 24months is up, it's gone, and I have £10 of data fees I wasn't expecting.

Rather shitty, and they've been imposing "fair use" aka 3GB/mo on my "unlimited internets" for about a year.

Looks like I'm probably switching to Three.

Time to crack out the total-cost-of-ownership spreadsheet again.

I'ma gonna get me a hudl2 this week. Looks very good for less than £100 (inc vouchers)

Turned out to be £19.67 after doubled up voucher offer. Bargain.

Stupid open ports on phones... HTC one M7 15 months old and zero problems until yesterday. Phone in pocket, get drenched by rain walking back to office. Now phone not charging, or syncing when connected to a computer.

I've cleaned out the micro usb port (it's like the navel of the phone, full of fluff) and it charged for 10 mins before stopping again. Corrosion? Fooked? Booo.

But Yay! Real reason for new phone and z3 compact (and covered ports) goodness looming.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof-android-smartphone-Dustproof-Shockproof/dp/B00K63LK14%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q%26tag%3Dduc08-21%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00K63LK14

Or.

I keep mine in my bag or a zip-lock when on the bike.

@hippy

That reminds me of the Siemens M65 tough phone I once bought

It was shit.

Didn't someone link this a while back?
http://www.pixavi.com/product/mobile-devices/intrinsically-safe-smartphone/

The zip lock bags are very effective and cheap and you can still use the touchscreen whilst ziplocked.

BUT, so much less fun than a new and slick looking z3 that is also IP65 etc. Yes, buyer...

Has anyone got a Oneplus phone? I've been looking at the new Nexus, but it looks a bit big and someone mentioned this to me.
They look interesting, wondering if anyone had any experience (especially whether it's a ball ache with OS updates and apps running).

Yeah, I've got one and so's @eXtra. It's a good phone, I've not had any issues with it really, but I know some have. It's very cheap for the spec, but have a look online and there's plenty of people who aren't happy with support, some have screen issues and so forth. I've not had to contact support and don't have any issues with OS updates and apps running (not sure what you mean by that actually?).

Thanks for replying. Maybe that didn't make sense. I've had Nexus phones for the past few years that get given new versions of the OS whenever they're released. I had a vague thought that this timetable might differ somehow with other manufacturers so wondered if that was the case - perhaps that's a stupid thought as it's not running stock android .

I was also wondering that if you deny access to some permission whether an app fails to run.

Ah ok, I see what you mean. As it's not just stock Android, it won't get updates at the same time as the Nexus range. I seem to recall Cyanogen saying they'll have their version of Android L out within 3 months of its release. I imagine that'd be a stock version and nightlies would be earlier.

I've not managed to crash any apps by denying permissions using PrivacyGuard.

Had something strange happen earlier today... Had headphones plugged in to my nexus 5 and was outside, in the rain. Tried to play a tune in both beyondpod and Poweramp and the music stopped a split second after I slected it. Thought it might be a wet screen causing a mis-read of finger presses or my headphones shorting and confusing the jack in to thinking they were being disconnected or something. Now it all seems fine...

gah, just gone to check Cyanogenmod for my Nexus, and realised that I've set stuff up so that it's tricky to do unless I'm switching to a new phone, by putting in the Authenticator App.

Looking at the OnePlus One, I'm really tempted, but will certainly wait for the Nexus X to come out, and then ponder the wisdom of waiting for the OnePlus Two

I have made a punt on my next phone, and it's not a Nexus 6.

I've gone for a Moto X, and in time I will buy a Moto Hint.

The tipping point is the voice control. I have just spent a few days in Paris for a conference, and I did not take a computer or tablet with me, just my Nexus 5. The keyboard is frustrating for processing emails and so I tried the voice keyboard again... and this time it appears to have improved to the point that I was able to use it exclusively for dictating emails, messages and navigation instructions. I also didn't need to see my phone, just having the phone in a chest pocket and hearing the navigation instructions was fine.

Then, whilst at the conference, I saw one person with a Moto X and Moto Hint. Asking him about it, it turns out the epiphany I just experienced with how good voice control has become he has experienced again in how good the right tools can make voice control.

I've banged the drum about how much I want the Star Trek terminal, to tap a brooch and speak a command. This is effectively what the Moto Hint is (but it is in-ear, so things said to you are discreet), and the Moto X has been made with the Moto Hint in mind, voice software to bring the tool to life.

Then... the Moto X has a long battery life, all flagship features you'd expect, it as close to stock Android as can be, it'll receive Android L before almost anyone else (Nexus 6 excepted).

The only weaknesses appear to be:

• The Moto X camera isn't sublime... it's merely adequate (but then, I carry a micro four-thirds DSLR most of the time).
  
• The Moto Hint talk time is only 3 hours (though standby time in tap mode is close to 100 hours)... but it's rare that I use the phone for more than 2 hours per day (and I have this data available to know this).
  
  

Basically: It does everything I want, in style, is stock Android + a few extra apps, isn't going to be ruined by being rooted, and introduces the first major step towards sci-fi level voice control.

Yeah, I'm sold.

Yeah, I'm sold.

Sounds good. Personally I can't stand talking to real people, so the idea of quietly wittering to my phone doesn't fill me with joy, but sounds like technology has improved a lot

Personally I can't stand talking to real people

Actually I've been enjoying that more too.

Part because of the wedding planning, but I've been phoning friends and talking. It's a revelation. Even they are surprised at how good this feels, how it breaks the feeling of isolation... the routing of going home and speaking to no-one else (except your partner) until the next day or just having the TV talk to you.

Surprisingly refreshing to do, and I shall do it more.

To, nexus 6 is effectively a larger moto x.

Yeah, disappointed by the Nexus 6. I'll keep an eye on the Nexus 5 price, but I think that my next phone will be a oneplus one. And certainly the black edition.

As a moto x owner since it first came to blighty can I say, great choice.