yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] Rafi_:
Testing

I tested both the SherlockGreen and the DrWatson. Both are working as expected after adjusting the Samaritan phone numbers and creating the directory structure for sound and image files.

Just one slight issue I noticed and it might be on my end. When I received back the SMS location it would only populate the using network and not the GPS. I am not sure if the "get location" set to any will only use what is on? Since the GPS was previously off. Or if simply because since I was indoors at work, but I never noticed the GPS icon enable or turn on, do you think a specific GPS get fixed location should be added prior to sending SMS for a more accurate location? Then turn off GPS of course to save battery.

Also on the DrWatson tasker I was confused on how to set up an additional profile as suggested. I found the option to hide notification bar for event task but I didn't know what I supposed to chose for first event. Then I started questioning if it even mattered so it could tie into the DrWatson initial trigger event. I was hoping you could make a generic one that we could change per your ideas.
[Android Apps and Games] Rafi_:
images

I almost forgot here is the background image I used for my G2. It is 800x480 pixels. I used a black image with white fonts. My logic is that the screen would consume less power using mostly black as compared to a white background that produces much more luminescence and thus more power. I have no evidence to support my logic so dont flame telling me it has no impact it was just a theory.

Also I have included the photoshop file which has separate layers for the lettering. I have placed the 3 lines of contact information so they are still clearly readable if the lock/pattern screen appears. (at least on my phone) I am not sure if this size/placement/resolution/unlock screen pattern varies on different devices or ROMs.

View attachment SG-ContactWallpaper.zip
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
It won't be appearing in .apk form, just 'profiles' for Tasker. I imagine it would be very complex to make into a separate application...?

Thanks for testing and feedback. I'm working on your suggestions - I hope to solve soon!

Thanks for testing and feedback. Your suggestions would make sense as an alternative, but this really should work as it is... Is 'Use GPS satellites' ticked under settings/location & security? That may be causing the problem - also, you may not get a fix inside, although the icon should have appeared regardless...

I'll take a look at the 'hide notification bar' option - thanks for pointing it out. As far as triggering events goes, don't worry too much about creating a full profile before sharing. Just export the task and zip it up. It's straight forward to 'test' inside the task to work out what it would do whenever it was triggered, by whatever. We can then merge it into Sherlock/DrWatson, or others can build on it!

Your contribution is appreciated and your theory is absolutely correct with certain screen types - I can't remember which ones though! Black makes sense to me... I'll test them out tomorrow :)

Hope we'll get some feedback and your thanks meter will increase accordingly!
[Android Apps and Games] leftAlone:
Amoled and SuperAmoled screens. :D They don't emit any light for black pixels so that's what saves battery life. AFAIK, this isn't applicable to the majority of displays (LCD) but I still prefer black. Minimalist look FTW! :D

I've just started to set up the profiles and I'll provide some feedback. I have some ideas of my own also for SherlockAmber; I'll try to set up some profiles and contribute to this thread. :D
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Thanks for the info, I knew I'd read something somewhere!

+1 :)

Great stuff, glad to have your on-board!
[Android Apps and Games] tageeboy:
On the thought path of:

32) Disable USB/recovery/fastboot (unlikely) - Anyone know if these can be disabled by deleting certain system files?

This could be done on rooted phones I think unless I am mistaken.

I had another thought I wanted to throw in the brain storming session. Would it not be possible to use a combo of Tasker, our profiles, CWM, and some custom CWM scripts / partition layouts to not only brick the phone and remove all data. We could also set a trigger that would reboot at 2 am or something when the theif is sleeping and auto install a custom ROM (would have to be unique to the phone hardware obviously) that could be set up to auto send any new SIM info, record phone calls and send to an email address, Take random photos/video and mail to an email address, or copy all data in and out of the phone and send via email? By putting the custom ROM on the phone you could really throw a wrench in the crooks plans. Not sure if this is a good idea or just a crazy though but I wanted to put the Clock Work Mod scripting out there to expand our thinking.

For me personally the GPS tracking is a savor since I have a 13 year old son and this allows me to track him at will without him knowing the GPS has even been turned on. I would LOVE to be able to turn the video camera on at will and have it stream or even send me the video capture. I would like to be able to activate the speaker phone and have the phone dial home so I could "ear hustle" and hear what he is discussing but I have not seen how yet. As a work around I went ahead and set up a few triggers that watch his text and email for key words (profanity or other words that a 13 year old needs not use) so the phone copies the conversation text and mails to me with a time stamp and location. I also set up another profile so that I can send him a 3 letter secret key that activates his sound recorder and saves 10 minutes of conversation to a MP3 file and then sends to my email. I am considering setting up a filter that catches any of these key words and activates the sound recorder for 10 mintues so that if he is talking smack with his friends next to him while texting smack I can get an idea of what is going on.

Ya I know, I am a super spy parent and have violated my son's civil liberties.... Well, like I told his mother, until he moves out and supports himself he has no civil liberties or privacy in my home :) Now if I can get the video working like this life will be grand. Thank god we did not have this sort of technology when I was a kid. Man life would have sucked.

Thanks to the poster and responders on this thread, looking forward to learning more about this wonderful app.
[Android Apps and Games] tageeboy:
Wanted to share another feature that may help other users here. There are various boot screen changer utilities for free here at XDA. I have a HD2 so I only know the tools for HD2s. Sorry. Anyway. I had put several unique boot images on my phone for kicks but then it dawned on me to use the first 5 seconds of the boot screen to display a note that includes my contact info and the offer of a reward if found. Hopefully if someone finds the phone and turns it on or reboots it they will see the message. The desktop background could also be changed via a sms memo to match the photo. I have attached my screen with the info fuzzed out so you can see what I am trying to explain. Let me know if you are interested and need any help. Woudl be glad to help.
[Android Apps and Games] leftAlone:
Probably can be done using scripts together with the Locale Execute Plug-in. Although it could be quite dangerous resulting to bricked phones. The files and/or file locations might also change depending on the ROM used. But still +1 to this. I've been actually been thinking off how to disable xRecovery boot since that has a format/wipe option.

Installing a custom ROM is probably overkill. :D Tasker can be set up afaik to do all these without having to install a custom ROM. And besides, this isn't full proof. What if the thief decides to swap out the SD card, then none of this would work.

Hmm if you didn't want to have it done to you... just saying :p

+1. If a good samaritan found your phone, the easier it would be for him/her to return your phone. Probably something for SherlockAmber. What do you think?

If you're phone is stolen, then giving him additional info about yourself probably isn't a good idea. Just some thoughts.
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
As leftAlone said below, we should be able to do enough system changes using just Locale, but it's knowing which ones to change... and I don't.. Not having access to recovery so the device couldn't be wiped, only boot up, would be great, as long as when it was returned we could undo the changes...

Not really my place to say of course and it's good you want to keep him out of trouble, but don't forget to let him live a little!! The teenage years are the best... :eek:

Thanks for this - It's on the list of things to do to find out which system files we need to replace to do this via Locale. Any volunteers?! Maybe a dev of one of the utilities would be kind enough to tell us?

It would be good in certain circumstances, but it's hard to know which...

Thanks for all of the recent input, I'm thinking of putting up a things to do list on the front page so people know how they can get involved...?
[Android Apps and Games] leftAlone:
+1. It would be easier to know where help is needed the most. (e.g. testing, design, new ideas).
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Things to do list!

Below are a list of discussed ideas, some may be unachievable, some may be very easy. If you'd like to work on one, post and let me know which, then I can put your name beside it so others can contact you if they want to help or get involved too.

Discover if it’s possible to disable custom recovery/bootloader by changing system files. Holding back and volume up etc on boot would therefore perform no function. This would prevent a custom image being flashed and every boot attempt would head straight into Android, where we’ll be waiting!

Replica Fake Bootloader/Recovery images that we can use as a splash screen and boot animation, ideally with additional text saying (for example) ‘Please wait, gathering system information, this may take up to 5 minutes’ with flashing dots to make it look like it’s processing. All the time of course, it’s just loading up the OS, where we’ll be waiting! - MEMBER = Rafi_

Gesture based profiles – so Tasker knows if the phone is being moved around. This way we will know if it’s in someone’s possession or hidden/left in a bush.

Stream live images from the video camera (IP cam)

Notify of new number if SIM is changed.

Send voice recording

Dial out and activate loud speaker without dialler or dialling icon appearing.

Disable all launchers on boot, with easy re-enable profile.

Disable SMS preview and icon in the notification bar.

Mute camera sound and take pictures without using the flash.

SL4A script to send information via gmail. See here

Disable all buttons, sounds, vibrates and led to mimic being dead

Change splash screen by overwriting system files (may need to contact a splash screen utility dev for guidance)

Change Bluetooth ID and make permanently (for as long as required) discoverable. Scan for devices. Send ‘alert’ to discovered devices. Screen prompts/sounds disabled.

Request any Tasker variable be sent in an SMS

Let me know what I need to add to this.

I almost can't wait to get my phone stolen! ;)
[Android Apps and Games] Rafi_:
I would happy to help with any images, I just have a few questions as to size/dimensions and for animations is it a .gif , or multiple files in a flip book sequence or actual video file? not sure where to get this answered...if anyone could provide a current example it would be a great baseline to work from.
[Android Apps and Games] ofmb:
maybe its possible to detect sim change via sim contacts readouts?

if it doesnt contain SHERLOCK - start thief tracking
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Thanks Rafi_ I shall update the list!

The splash screen is simply a .bmp file - take a look at this thread, I'm sure they'll be tips in there. Might lead you to a similar thread for your device.

Changing the splash with Tasker is going to be a little more tricky. I've seen it can be done on other devices in the Terminal Emulator, which means Tasker could do it via Locale Execute Plugin.

dd if=/mnt/sdcard/splash.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p19

Don't try the above until you're certain the commands are correct for your device. A typo could cause some problems too!

Boot animations are a little more complex being of 'flip book' type (I think) - this thread is a little old, but I'm sure the principle is still the same. Once it's finished, it's easy to transfer to data/local

I can't see your signature, so don't know what your device is - but different screen sizes need different images (as you probably realise). I'm sure they'll be many kicking around you can examine... I use this one

My first idea would be to have the splash as identical to booting into recovery, then the boot animation the same, but having some scrolling dots, or appearing text that says something like 'gather system information' .... Anything to delay so the OS can actually be booting... just a thought, but go with anything for now!
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Hi ofmb, having a ponder about this, there's an inbuilt variable %PNUM which is the phone number associated with the sim card.

It would actually be quite easy to set up a profile to trigger when %PNUM does not equal 07#######. It would then send a text/email with the new %PNUM and we could give the thief a call! :cool:
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Realised I didn't reply to this.

We would have to make it so all of the files we were going to use Tasker would transfer them/the folder/directory to the internal memory on receipt of a Sherlock Code and make sure they are referenced from there - either dynamically or as standard.

We'll have to see how big the total files are before we'll worry about making some room for them!
[Android Apps and Games] leftAlone:
Better yet, combine this with the call action (with auto dial enabled)! after a trigger SMS. We don't have to waste our money if he has swapped out the sim. :D The thief will probably be sorry he stole our phone. Not only will we be able to track him, he'll lose money in the process! hehehe

^ See above. :)

I'm pretty sure Tasker saves the profiles, actions in the internal memory. :D So we don't have to do any additional stuff for this. But if you're talking about pics, tones, etc. That can be easily done with scripting. :) And my reply was to the custom ROM suggestion. :)

I'm asking the devs in our forum how they do this. I can't promise anything here. The devs are pretty busy trying to crack the bootloader.

From http://tasker.dinglisch.net/userguide/en/help/ah_index.html

Gesture monitoring (I'm guessing this is how this could be done) is always turned off while the screen is off (the device is sleeping). So unless we can find a workaround, I have no idea how to make this happen.
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
We need to find the most expensive premium rate number out there!! :D

I've asked this question over in the Google Group as I'm having issues which seem to suggest that Tasker does read some data from the SD? Doesn't make sense to me though...

Gotcha - Agreed.

Nice one. I'm sure cracking the bootloader it tasking priority! I'll try in my forum if you have no joy.

We'd need to remotely 'wake the device up' for 30 seconds to see if it was moving. This leads us to need a completely black screen, no sounds, no notification bar, with buttons and touch screen disabled, so it's still playing dead....

Touch screen disabled and re-enabled through system changes anyone!?! :eek:
[Android Apps and Games] asicman:
Wow....some hardcore stuff happening in this thread :eek:
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Please feel free to share your ideas and get involved! :cool:
[Android Apps and Games] Haplodroid:
Is there a way to make a dead-man's switch where if the phone reboots, you must do something or else it goes into lock-down mode, and only a received encoded sms will unlock it?
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Sort of... Before the OS boots Tasker can't do anything, so it could only play dead with a black splash screen and boot animation - no sound, disabled screen and buttons, LEDs etc sat waiting for the sms trigger to reverse the changes and reboot...

So yes - sort of!
[Android Apps and Games] Dueling Chainsaws:
I've read through the whole thread just so I don't repeat any suggestions.

These suggestions are for the SherlockRed context

1. Some way to totally corrupt/destroy/wipe the entire internal storage and SD Card

2. Overvolt the CPU by 800% and fry the phone (Overkill I know, but if you positively know it was stolen with zero chance of recovery, it would screw over the thief)

3. check if SIM has been switched. If so send an email or SMS to police with GPS coordinates, SIM info, and short bursts of mic data so they can confirm suspects by voice recognition.
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Thanks for your input Dueling Chainsaws

1) Tasker can certainly encrypt/wipe the SD Card, but I'd never thought about making it unusable. Is there anything that can be done to it that reformatting won't fix?

I'm going to post a thread over in Hacking General asking 'Help me totally Brick My Phone' <-- I'd imagine it will get a few views! If I'm never going to get my phone back, I want it beyond repair to anyone!

2) I've heard that too much overclock will just cause a reboot, but there must be a way to fry it!

You obviously have a destructive nature!

3) Good plan, but would they actually be interested?!
[Android Apps and Games] Dueling Chainsaws:
Eh I've had my phone stolen 2 times. I feel nothing for the thieves other than pure malice and contempt. I want to make sure that those bastards never get a dime from me, either from selling my phone or using the data on it for identity theft.

As for whether or not the police would care, that's debatable. You get enough cars that are broken into just for phones and they take notice.

(I wonder if stealing an expensive smartphone would be considered grand theft?)
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
I feel your anger - and I'm with you...

I'm sure they'd take notice if you told them you knew the location of stolen property... They couldn't really not could they?
[Android Apps and Games] leftAlone:
You'd be surprised how apathetic the police can be (at least here). That's bureaucracy for you. "If you haven't filed this report or done this or that... blah blah blah... we can't do anything for you." :mad:
[Android Apps and Games] Coppo:
How hard would this be to make work. Try to follow if you can as I think this is could help greatly in recovery of your stolen phone.

1:The stock pattern lock screen, every time a wrong password is put in a picture is taken as you know they are already looking at the camera and is sent to you.

2:Than after the five tries they have the forgotten pw screen. Change the wording on that screen to say something like "Enter a valid Google account and Password for verification and you will be sent an unlock code".

While what it is really doing is sending you their gmail account and pw giving you access to all their information If they used a real one. If they use a fake one they just made that is still traceable. But they will have to use one that they have access to to receive the unlock email being sent to them.

3: Every time they enter their new email on the phone have a secondary email you set up on your phone, lets call it Mytouchunlock@gmail (to make it seem real when they receive it) actually send them an email stored as a draft or set to forward on your phone that says"To unlock your phone please respond with "unlock" in the subject line. When they reply it will send an email to your Mytouchunlock@gmail which is again traceable to their current location.

You Now have their picture, email account and (PW) that can be traced back to where it was set up. If it was their real account all their information and fake one it doesn't really matter because the response email was traceable.

Although it's a lot of steps it almost seems reasonable because they truly think they are unlocking a phone.

Just a thought I had if it's even do-able.
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
It's a good plan (for those with a front facing camera) and discussed in the Tasker Google group here

I like the idea of the confirmation email - it's easily done again via a python script and the 'variable query' action.

What do you mean by 'traceable to their current location' ?

It's all very do-able, so glad you shared your thoughts. My to-do list is getting massive though! :eek:
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
I guess we'll have to take the law into our own hands then!
[Android Apps and Games] leftAlone:
Say CHEESE!!!

I was browsing the market when I saw this: CME Applock

which gave me this idea... as an alternative of showing a blank screen, how about we show a picture saying something like "This phone uses facial recognition for customization, uninstallation of apps and enable advanced settings such as factory reset. Please be ready to look into the camera after pressing the button." [I'm guessing that wiping the phone is something a thief would want to do.] The picture will then be sent via email or MMS. Instead of relying on the accelerometer to determine that the thief is looking at the phone, we could just trick him into taking a picture of himself. :)

Can this be done?
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
Does that application actually use facial recognition or just pretend to like the finger print app?!

We could hopefully hijack the Action Intent to trigger the request - but surely the thief would think it would fail to recognise him? Perhaps he would give it a shot though!?
[Android Apps and Games] leftAlone:
'

Sorry, my bad. I wasn't clear with my idea. :p

Together with the change sim profile (%PNUM% variable) or with a trigger SMS, at first boot, the thief would see a screen/picture saying something like what the app does. BUT when the thief clicks the button on the screen that we show him, the camera app pops up. He takes a picture of himself then we automatically send that picture to a predetermined number and/or email address. :)

BTW, I haven't used the app. But does seem to use actual facial recognition.
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
I'm with you now on your idea, yes, if the thief thinks it's part of 'fresh setup' then he may well pose for the camera!! I'm going to download the app now and see if it actually works!?
[Android Apps and Games] DraginMagik:
this app does use facial recog

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1177137

The description from the market:

Fast, convenient and cool way to protect your mobile with face recognition.

Protect any application (i.e. SMS, Gallery, E-Mail, Facebook, etc.) on your phone using face recognition. Convenient and cool way to increase safety of your private apps and content.

Visidon AppLock lets you choose the apps to be protected. Your face is a key to open them! Application uses the frontal camera of your mobile and verifies in real-time that the face matches the one allowed to access the private apps.
[Android Apps and Games] Hahutzy:
tagged, interesting idea
[Android Apps and Games] Kristoffer:
Whatever happened to Sherlock Amber and Sherlock Red? :)
[Android Apps and Games] brandall:
After an eager start there wasn't much input from others... Would need a lot of help to complete this properly... So turned to other ideas! :)
[Android Apps and Games] Thordim:
I think this is a good alert tone

Also i have come across a new plugin

xda-developers.com/android/secure-settings-a-tasker-plugin/

very useful for these purposes

So what about putting a factory reset in the recovery menu. Next time there all your info is gone.

A keyboard with no keys or all blank ones.

Can we hide programs so there are no links to touch. Things like root explorer market gmail just disappear from screen

Also good idea to move all those to app-private