Just Installed Leaked Epic 4G Froyo ROM

Just Installed Leaked Epic 4G Froyo ROM

I just installed the recently leaked Android 2.2 (Froyo) ROM on my rooted Samsung Epic 4G phone using ClockworkMod, and after playing with it for a bit, I plan on finally starting development in EliteBomb to get automatic limit removal working on rooted Android 2.2 devices once and for all. I’m really excited to finally be able to start working on fixing this, and I really hope to have a proper fix for EliteBomb and InfiniteSMS (EliteBomb Plus will receive the fix first) out soon, hopefully within a couple of days, at least before Google decides to release Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). 😉 Anyways, I just wanted to let you guys know that I’m actively working on fixing the problem, and I hope to have a fix out soon. Take care. 🙂

UPDATE: The post describing how to manually remove the SMS sending limitations has been updated to fix a permission denied issue. The old instructions are still there, as they worked for a lot of people and only a small few are having problems with permissions being denied.

An Explanation of My Recent "Self Destruct" Application

An Explanation of My Recent “Self Destruct” Application

“Self Destruct” is simply an application I made for fun, as a proof of concept. This application demonstrates a way to create an application that is able to “destroy” itself, preventing it from running until it is uninstalled, and then reinstalled later. I’d like to personally thank HandlerExploit for giving me a hint about how to do this (he mentioned that he found the trick in the provisioning code). HandlerExploit uses a similar technique in his application, “iBrick Proof of Concept”. As soon as the user opens the application, it removes it’s main class from the Dalvik package manager, preventing itself from being able to run again. The only way to run the application again after opening it is to uninstall the application, and reinstall it. This application serves no real purpose other than to demonstrate an interesting trick, and it is not malicious in any way. Please note that after running the application, it’s icon will remain in the launcher, although you won’t be able to open it. Uninstalling the application will remove the icon. I’d release the entire source code for this application, but really, the only part that actually matters is the part that removes the class from Dalvik and prevents the application from running again. Interestingly, this application requires absolutely no permissions, at all in order to do this. In case you are interested in how I did this, here is the source code for the main class in the project:

package com.dylantaylor.selfdestruct;
import android.app.Activity;
import android.content.ComponentName;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import android.os.Bundle;

public class Main extends Activity {
    /** Called when the activity is first created. */
    @Override
    public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.main);
        PackageManager pm = getPackageManager(); ComponentName name = new ComponentName(this, Main.class);
        pm.setComponentEnabledSetting(name, PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, 0);
    }
}

Yes, I realize that this application serves no real purpose, but it’s just something interesting that I made for fun. If you don’t want it, don’t download it. Otherwise, have fun! 🙂

P.S. Do whatever you want with that source code, it’s virtually worthless to me anyways.

Network Listing Coming Soon to FiOS WEP Calculator Lite

Network Listing Coming Soon to FiOS WEP Calculator Lite

In order to give FiOS WEP Calculator Lite users a taste of the Pro version, and boost sales, I decided to allow users to preview the network selection feature, but not actually “select” the network unless it is remembered on the device. What this means is that they will get a listing of remembered and nearby access point listings,  but they will only be able to select and calculate WEP keys for ‘remembered’ access points automatically. They will still be able to view a listing of nearby access points, but they will not be able to select them. Having this feature will still improve the overall experience, while still giving users a reason to purchase FiOS WEP Calculator Pro.

UPDATE: I finished adding the new features to the lite version, and an update is available in the Android market. The new version of FiOS WEP Calculator brings the ability to view nearby and remembered FiOS networks, previously only available to pro users. In order to select nearby networks (not remembered ones) automatically, you need to upgrade to the pro version, but you can now view a list of nearby networks without paying for FiOS WEP Calculator Pro.

Wireless Network Selection Added!

Wireless Network Selection Added!

I finished adding wireless network selection to the Pro version of FiOS WEP Calculator. This enhancement adds tons of value for those who already purchased FiOS WEP Calculator PRO, and adds an incentive for others to do so. Overall, I’m really excited to announce this new feature, and I look forward to receiving feedback about it. Enjoy! 😉

UPDATE: Version 2.1 fixes a minor annoying bug where the list of networks is reset when the keyboard is opened/closed or the screen is rotated.

UPDATE 2: Version 2.3  fixes a significant bug that resulted in a force close when selecting certain items in the network list.

Network Selection Coming Soon to FiOS WEP Calculator PRO

Network Selection Coming Soon to FiOS WEP Calculator PRO

The most requested feature in FiOS WEP Calculator, network selection, is coming soon to the pro version. With this new feature, you can simply click the “select wireless network” button, then click on any FiOS network that is either remembered on the device, or within range. This will make instantly calculating default Verizon FiOS WEP keys even easier and quicker, and will tremendously improve the user experience. I’m currently working on fixing all of the bugs, but you can expect this to be available on the market very soon.

Sound Added to "Simple Dice"!

Sound Added to “Simple Dice”!

I added sound to “Simple Dice” when you roll the dice. The sound played is a modified, low quality version of Mike Koenig’s “Shake and Roll Dice Sound”. The file takes up less than 10 additional kilobytes, and the sound is only played if the “Media volume” is not muted, to avoid disturbing others.  I also plan on adding the sound to “Dice Betting” when it is released. The sound truly makes the application more realistic feeling and more interesting. Expect to see the changes on GitHub and the Android market shortly!

UPDATE: The sounds are now in the git repository, and the new version is up on the market!

Introducing “Simple Dice”

Introducing “Simple Dice”

This isn’t quite the dice game that I’m currently working on, but I liked the animation I made so much in the other game (“Dice Betting”) that I just had to release an Android application with just the dice images and the animation. Simply tap anywhere on the screen in order to roll the dice. Dice rolls are random. Simple Dice will definitely be released under version 3 of the GNU General Public license, and the source will be available online as soon as I get a chance to upload it. I will update this post with the link to the source code once it’s online. Until then, check it out in the Android market! It’s 100% free! Also, the entire application takes up only a measly 24KB! 😉

UPDATE: The source code is now available on GitHub! Check it out! 🙂

Working on a New Simple Dice Game

Working on a New Simple Dice Game

I’ve been working on creating a basic dice game for Android with animation, rules, betting, and more! The game is currently a work in progress, but I’m really excited to release it! The animation works wonderfully, and the interface, although very unfinished is already starting to look polished, especially in the game’s menus. For now, the game is simply called “Dice Betting”, and yes, I realize how lame and generic that sounds, but I might end up changing the name of the game before it is released. Similar to “Find the Mouse”, I’ll probably end up open sourcing this game (under the GNU General Public License, of course), although it isn’t even remotely close to being released yet. The game will have a built-in statistics tracking system, and the rolling of the dice will be completely animated. Right now, the animation I have done looks really cool, and I’m incredibly anxious to publicly release this. Check back soon! 🙂

Find The Mouse Improvements Complete!

Find The Mouse Improvements Complete!

I finished making the changes to “Find The Mouse”, and the new code is up on github. I’m already in the process of signing and uploading the new version to the Android market. You should be able to download it very soon! The new version automatically advances to the next level after you successfully find the mouse, it keeps track of your winning streak and current score, and the user interface feels much nicer. Enjoy! 🙂

UPDATE: The new version is now up on the market! Check it out!

Pssst… Planned Improvements for "Find The Mouse"

Pssst… Planned Improvements for “Find The Mouse”

I realize that “Find The Mouse” isn’t that much fun yet. I’m working on implementing a feature to keep track of scoring. For each round successfully completed, you will get one point plus one point for every click left. The game will also keep track of how many games were won in a row. Keep in mind that this game was never originally designed to be very fun, it was meant to be an example to teach (very) basic Android programming. These upcoming features are simply the result me giving into peer pressure and trying to make the game more enjoyable. Keep in mind that this is an open source project and anyone is welcome to contribute code if they would like to see it in the game. The feature is done as far as coding, I just have to work on the new layout.