blog.mx17.net

Android tip: Launch app through adb shell

2012-01-16T16:20:00.000+01:00

I'm using CyanogenMod 7.

First of all you have to know the Intent and Activity.
The best way to find them I found is to use logcat.
Open a shell

adb shell

Start logcat filtering the needed rows:

logcat | grep 'Starting:'

Start the app you want to launch later in the standard way (use your phone launcher icon).
Take a look to the lines which come from logcat (i.e. launching Shazam):

I/ActivityManager( 205): Starting: Intent { act=android.intent.action.MAIN cat=[android.intent.category.LAUNCHER] flg=0x10000000 pkg=com.shazam.encore.android cmp=com.shazam.encore.android/com.shazam.android.Splash bnds=[365,244][475,362] } from pid 305
I/ActivityManager( 205): Starting: Intent { act=android.intent.action.VIEW flg=0x4000000 cmp=com.shazam.encore.android/com.shazam.android.Home (has extras) } from pid 8096

Pay attention to the highlighted row.

Now start the app via am:

localhost / # am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.shazam.encore.android/com.shazam.android.Splash

Look at your phone.

Now you can combine all in one single command:

adb shell 'am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.shazam.encore.android/com.shazam.android.Splash'

Done.

HowTo: use Link2sd with Cyanogenmod 7.1.0

2011-11-22T00:30:00.001+01:00

Maybe it's my fault, but I can't use Link2sd with latest CyanogenMod (7.1.0).

The guide I wrote for 7.0.3 is still available and solves the problem.

Am I wrong? I'm on a Nexus One, share with me your experience.

HowTo: install ClockworkMod Recovery on Xperia X10 Mini Pro using GNU/Linux

2011-11-10T23:13:00.000+01:00

Prerequisites
I can show you my situation, I can't confirm that my guide is usable in different cases:

sim unlocked, stock Xperia X10 Mini Pro device rooted (I used my guide)
firmware 2.1.1.A.0.6
baseband M76XX-TSNCJOLYM-53404015
a pc with Ubuntu 11.10 64bit
fully functional adb (find more info here)

Disclaimer you must agree before you proceed
Please double check the requirements I wrote before you proceed and remember that:

I am not responsible if you brick / ruin your phone in any way;
some computer skills are required;
do a full backup of your data NOW, it's not programmed, but you may loose them

Software requirements
CWMInstaller-Linux-v4.zip: download from here or from my mirror.

Do some backup before changing things
On your pc:

adb shell

on the device

# su
# mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mtdblock0 /system
# cat /system/bin/chargemon > /system/bin/chargemon.original-backup

It's time to get the job done
The package is done to allow anyone to easily install the whole thing, but I wasn't able to use the script.
You can see what I did to manually achieve the result.

On your pc

$ unzip CWMInstaller-Linux-v4.zip
$ cd CWMInstaller-Linux/
$ adb push files/ /data/local/tmp

On the phone

$ su
# mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mtdblock0 /system
# cat /data/local/tmp/recovery.tar > /system/bin/recovery.tar
# cat /data/local/tmp/busybox > /system/bin/busybox
# cat /data/local/tmp/chargemon > /system/bin/chargemon
# chmod 755 /system/bin/recovery.tar
# chmod 755 /system/bin/chargemon
# chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox
# rm /data/local/tmp/chargemon /data/local/tmp/busybox /data/local/tmp/recovery.tar

Done!

# reboot

Test it making a real backup
When booting your phone and when the "Sony Ericsson" letters appear (not the logo), press and release continuously the "back" button.
Once you are in the CW recovery, use the volume keys to navigate upwards / downwards, the "home" or "camera" button to select, the "back" button to go back.

Go to "backup and restore", "backup" and wait at least 3 minutes (on an empty device).

Conclusions
Now you are ready to install some new ROMs on your device.

References

HowTo: root your Alcatel OT-990

2011-10-25T13:00:00.000+02:00

Alcatel OT-990

It has been reported here on xda forum that the guide I wrote for the Xperia X10 Mini Pro seems to apply also to the Alcatel OT-990 phone.

Here's another confirmation.

Automate Listen subscriptions update with Tasker

2011-09-14T20:15:00.001+02:00

I use Listen by Google to listen to my podcasts.
I'm a commuter and I find really frustrating to find new episodes ready to download while I'm already in my car.

To solve this issue I configured Tasker to start Listen on 6:00 in the morning.
This seems to force Listen to update the rss subscriptions.
Listen takes care of the download step.

Tasker Profile export:

Profile: Update Listen (3)
Time: 06:00
Enter: Anon (5)
A1: Load App [ App:Listen Data: Exclude From Recent Apps:On]
A2: Wait [ MS:0 Seconds:0 Minutes:3 Hours:0 Days:0]
A3: Go Home [ Page:0]

After-root Android tip #2: AdFree

2011-09-04T00:56:00.000+02:00

This is part of a series of posts about useful apps to use on a rooted Android device.

AdFree
AdFree removes most ads in the browser and other apps. It does this by nullifying requests to known host names in the system hosts file.

Tested version: 0.7.7

What problem does it solve?
Do you hate advertisement as I do? Get rid of it!
Technically speaking your hosts file will be modified to make apps requests to ad servers go to null pages.

The Good

speed up browsing (less data to load)
save some bandwidth
save you from unwanted flashing banners
prevent accidental touch on ads

The Bad and the Ugly

many free apps programmers live with ads, so make your choice
some apps will recognize the hack and they will refuse to start
you have to start the app to check for updates
you'll find some black area in apps where there would have been ads
sometimes in apps, you'll get spinning gif waiting for banners

After-root Android tip #1: ClockSync

2011-08-31T22:37:00.000+02:00

This is part of a series of posts about useful apps to use on a rooted Android device.

ClockSync
ClockSync synchronizes device system clock with atomic time from Internet via NTP (Network Time Protocol).

Tested version: 1.1.3

What problem does it solve?
My phone tends to loose some seconds a day and this application silently solves the issue.

The Good

it can be configured to update the clock only when using a wifi connection
it can do it silently
it keeps stats
timezone auto detection
rootless mode (not very handy)
it's a typical set and forget app

The Bad and the Ugly
Nothing to tell about it.

After-root Android tip #0

2011-08-26T01:48:00.000+02:00

Hi, if you have root access to your phone, you're probably asking what to do with this power.
I'm going to start a series of posts where I'll write about the apps I use, but only for rooted devices.

If you are an owner of a Xperia X10 Mini Pro and if you need a not-too-simple-but-complete-guite to root your phone you can find it here.

HowTo: install xRecovery in Xperia X10 Mini Pro

2011-08-16T20:40:00.001+02:00

Update: I got ClockworkMod Recovery working on my phone, that's a better choice.

xRecovery is a custom Android recovery system for all variants of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, including Xperia X10 Mini Pro. If you want to take it to the next level by being able to take and restore full backups, flash custom ROMs, manage partitions and wipe not just data but cache and Dalvik cache as well, you have to install it.

It's similar to ClockworkMod Recovery which cannot be installed on SE devices.

Here the steps I used to install xRecovery on a Xperia X10 Mini Pro.

Prerequisites

check your handset details via "Settings" - "About phone"

Your "Baseband version" must be M76XX-TSNCJOLYM-53404015
Your "Build number" must be 2.1.1.A.0.6

check if you have root access (you can use Root check app)
you need Android Terminal Emulator app (install from the Market or apk download here)

If you need to root the phone you can follow my guide.

If you need busybox you can install it with Busybox installer

Software requirements

AIO Automatic Installation Script For 2.1.1.A.0.6 v1.4.rar

Install
Unrar the archive and from your pc type:

$ adb push AAIS/ /sdcard/

Use install.sh via Android Terminal Emulator (root user):

$ su
# cd /sdcard/AAIS
# sh install.sh

Choose 0 or simply push "Return"
At the end (3-10 seconds) phone will reboot.

All done.
A good idea: make a backup
Enter recovery:

power off phone
when booting your phone and when the "Sony Ericsson" letters appear, press and release continuously the "back" button
once you are in the CW recovery, use the volume keys to navigate upwards / downwards, the "home" or "camera" button key to select, the "back" key to go back
choose "Backup and restore" - "Backup"
reboot

References

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1117713

HowTo: use Link2sd with Cyanogenmod 7.0.3

2011-08-11T19:50:00.029+02:00

Here's how I got Link2sd working on Nexus One with Cyanogenmod 7.0.3.

Preamble

I tried everything I found on the web (see here for example), but I had no success.
First of all here are the device details I got from "CurveFish DeviceInfo" app:

[System]
Model: Nexus One
Manufacturer: HTC
Device: passion
Product: passion
Brand: google
Bootloader ver.: 0.35.0017
CPI ABI: armeabi-v7a
CPI ABI 2: armeabi
Hardware: mahimahi
Radio: unknown
Kernel Version: 2.6.37.4-cyanogenmod-01332-g7f230e8
shade@toxygene )
#1 PREEMPT Tue Apr 12 12:54:14 EDT 2011
Build Number: GRI40
Release: 2.3.3
SDK: 10

Prerequisites

a PC (mine is powered by Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal)
an usb cable for your mobile
adb configured and running on the PC (find more info here)
a Nexus One set up with Cyanogenmod 7.0.3 ROM
Link2sd app installed from Android Market

The problem

If you try to run Link2sd, you'll receive these outputs:

The exact message is

mount: mounting /dev/block/vold/179:2 on /data/sdext2/ failed: Device or resource busy

Step by step guide

From your pc, connect the phone via adb (I prefer use bash for easy navigation through terminal).
You have to go to the init scripts path and umount /sd-ext/:

$ adb shell
# bash
localhost / # cd /system/etc/init.d
localhost init.d # ls -lAtr
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 925 Aug 1 2008 20userinit
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 272 Aug 1 2008 06mountdl
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 1452 Aug 1 2008 05mountsd
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 201 Aug 1 2008 04modules
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 229 Aug 1 2008 03firstboot
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 27 Aug 1 2008 01sysctl
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 365 Aug 1 2008 00banner
localhost init.d # umount /sd-ext/
localhost init.d #

Now run Link2sd from your phone and repeat the procedure:

Exit app, but don't restart.

It's time to restore /sd-ext/ on the phone (via adb) and check if we have the new init script from the app:

localhost init.d # mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 /sd-ext/
localhost init.d # cd /system/etc/init.d
localhost init.d # ls -lAtr
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 925 Aug 1 2008 20userinit
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 272 Aug 1 2008 06mountdl
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 1452 Aug 1 2008 05mountsd
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 201 Aug 1 2008 04modules
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 229 Aug 1 2008 03firstboot
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 27 Aug 1 2008 01sysctl
-rwxr-x--- 1 root shell 365 Aug 1 2008 00banner
-rwxr-x--- 1 root root 154 Aug 11 16:26 11link2sd
localhost init.d # cat 11link2sd
#!/system/bin/sh
#added by link2sd
sleep 2
mount -t ext2 -o rw /dev/block/vold/179:2 /data/sdext2
mount -t ext2 -o rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 /data/sdext2
localhost init.d #

The script has to be modified as here:

#!/system/bin/sh
#added by link2sd
sleep 2
#mount -t ext2 -o rw /dev/block/vold/179:2 /data/sdext2
#mount -t ext2 -o rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 /data/sdext2
#
mount -t ext2 -o bind /sd-ext/ /data/sdext2/

For this purpose you can use vi:

localhost init.d # mount -o rw,remount /system/
localhost init.d # vi 11link2sd

Verify your work and restore filesystem permissions:

localhost init.d # cat 11link2sd
#!/system/bin/sh
#added by link2sd
sleep 2
#mount -t ext2 -o rw /dev/block/vold/179:2 /data/sdext2
#mount -t ext2 -o rw /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 /data/sdext2
#
mount -t ext2 -o bind /sd-ext/ /data/sdext2/
localhost init.d # mount -o ro,remount /system/
localhost init.d #

Pay attention to the highlighted parts!

Run the script:

localhost init.d # ./11link2sd
localhost init.d #

Verify Link2sd

Choose an application with a widget (in standard Android system, apps with widget cannot be moved to SD).
For this test I used Evernote.
In Link2sd I clicked the "Create link" button.

Try to use the widget:

Everything seems to be ok; that's all.

HowTo: root your Xperia x10 mini pro 2.1.1.A.0.6 - 2.1-update1

2011-08-03T14:50:00.014+02:00

In this post I'm going to show you how I manually achieved root on this device.

Preamble
I tried every possible automated tool I found (z4root, SuperOneClick), but I had no luck.
My setup involves a GNU/Linux box and this may be the cause.
First of all here are the device details I got from "CurveFish DeviceInfo" app:

Model: U20i
Manufacturer: Sony Ericsson
Device: U20i
Product: U20i_1238-0129
Brand: SEMC
CPI ABI: armeabi
Kernel Version: 2.6.29
SEMCUser@SEMCHost )
#1 PREEMPT Fri Dec 17 18:35:45 2010
Build Number: 2.1.1.A.0.6
Release: 2.1-update1
SDK: 7

Full log here Xperia X10 Mini Pro.deviceinfo.txt. You can find CurveFish DeviceInfo here:


Direct download link	Market link

Prerequisites
Here's the required tools:

a PC (mine is powered by Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal)
an usb cable for your mobile
adb configured and running on the PC (find more info here)

Software used:

psneuter
source code here: https://sites.google.com/site/root4android/rooting/psneuter-c
compiled binary can be found inside SuperOneClick
direct download link: psneuter
su
source code here: https://github.com/ChainsDD/su-binary
compiled binary can be found inside SuperOneClick: search for su-v2
direct download link: su-v2
Superuser
source code here: https://github.com/ChainsDD/Superuser
compiled binary can be found in the Android market page
direct download link: Superuser_2.3.6.1.apk

Once you have all the necessary stuff, we can start!

Step by step guide

Start putting device in "debug mode": Settings - Applications - Development - USB debugging

Connect device to pc using usb cable and start adb with

adb shell

You may to choose "Charge phone", so you can access your sdcard.
Check you can write in this specific directory:

$ cd /sqlite_stmt_journals
$ touch testfile
$ ls -l
-rw-rw-rw- shell shell 0 2011-08-02 16:23 testfile
$ rm testfile
$ ls -l
$ exit

If everything went ok, put the needed files in the previous directory; from your pc terminal type:

$ adb push psneuter /sqlite_stmt_journals
3157 KB/s (585731 bytes in 0.181s)
$ adb push su-v2 /sqlite_stmt_journals/su
630 KB/s (26264 bytes in 0.040s)
$ adb push Superuser_2.3.6.1.apk /sqlite_stmt_journals
3533 KB/s (196521 bytes in 0.054s)

Prepare the software on the phone:

$ adb shell
$ cd /sqlite_stmt_journals
$ ls -l
-rw-rw-rw- shell shell 196521 2011-08-03 13:16 Superuser_2.3.6.1.apk
-rw-rw-rw- shell shell 26264 2011-08-03 13:16 su
-rw-rw-rw- shell shell 585731 2011-08-03 13:15 psneuter
$ chmod 755 psneuter

Now you can exec psneuter. You will lose the active shell.

You could see this message or not, that's not a problem:

$ ./psneuter
property service neutered.
killing adbd. (should restart in a second or two)

Your phone will detach and reattach usb connection automatically.

Once more you have to connect to the device with adb shell, but you'll see a different prompt:

$ adb shell
# id
uid=0(root) gid=0(root)

We have a temporary access to root user via adb.

Let's do the trick on the system:

# mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mtdblock0 /system
# mkdir /system/xbin
# chmod 755 /system/xbin
# cat /sqlite_stmt_journals/su > /system/xbin/su
# chmod 6755 /system/xbin/su
# ls -l /system/xbin/su
-rwsr-sr-x root root 26264 2011-08-02 18:19 su
# cat /sqlite_stmt_journals/Superuser_2.3.6.1.apk > /system/app/Superuser_2.3.6.1.apk
# chmod 777 /system/app/Superuser_2.3.6.1.apk

It's time to reboot:

# reboot

That's it.

Verify

One easy way to verify the process is to install "Android Terminal Emulator" from market and type:

$ su
#

if you get the Superuser popup and the right prompt "#" it's all ok.

Another method is to install "RootChecker" from market and verify everything through it.
References

https://sites.google.com/site/root4android/rooting

Further reading
Why don't you install ClockworkMod Recovery now?

iphone-gcc: compilare C/C++ su iPhone

2010-05-05T00:02:00.015+02:00

Finalmente torna a funzionare gcc sul mio iPhone, stavolta con firmware 3.0.
Prerequisiti

connessione internet da iPhone
iPhone jailbroken

Procedura

collegarsi via ssh al telefono
scaricare ed installare fake-libgcc

root # wget http://files.getdropbox.com/u/876743/fake-libgcc_1.0_iphoneos-arm.deb
root # dpkg -i fake-libgcc_1.0_iphoneos-arm.deb
installare com.bigboss.20toolchain e libstdc++

root # aptitude install com.bigboss.20toolchain libstdc++

Esempio: Hello world!
Questa è una verifica del funzionamento:

root # cat main.c
#include "/private/var/include/stdio.h"
int main(int argc, char** argv) {
printf("Hello World!\n");
return 0;
}
root # gcc -Wall -I/private/var/include/ main.c
root # ./a.out
Killed
root # ldid -S a.out
root # ./a.out
Hello World!
root #

Promozione messaggi gratis Vodafone

2009-07-09T23:58:00.001+02:00

Incredibile promozione vodafone, per ora assolutamente non pubblicizzata.
Grazie a questa offerta sms gratis dal nome ‘SMS Time’ ad attivazione gratuita, attivabile chiamando il 42070 e seguendo le istruzioni della voce guidaè possibile inviare sms gratis verso numeri Vodafone tutti i giorni dalle 18 alle 19 fino al 31 ottobre!
Approfittate gente, l’happy hour vodafone è cominciata.

Diggita e adsense

2009-06-24T23:56:00.001+02:00

Per chi gestisce un blog, avere una piccola entrata monetaria mensile derivante dalla pubblicità contestuale (Adsense in primis) può essere una bella soddisfazione.

Un altro possibile canale per sfruttare le potenzialità dei propri articoli o post del blog è dato dal social network Diggita.it e dal suo Adsense Revenue Sharing.
In pratica, Diggita riconosce ai blogger una percentuale del 50% sui guadagni derivanti dalla pubblicazione degli articoli all'interno del loro sito, semplicemente indicando, all'atto della registrazione, il proprio codice identificativo di Adsense.

Inoltre Diggita permette ai post una visibilità maggiore e quindi aumentano le possibilità che il tuo sito acquisisca nuovi visitatori e lettori. Insomma, che cosa aspetti ad iscriverti?

Compiz e Ubuntu 9.04 vs Lenovo 3000 N200 #2

2009-06-21T08:22:00.009+02:00

Compiz oramai non garantisce solo possibilità di avere un desktop 3D visivamente impressionante, ma introduce spesso anche funzionalità in grado di aumentare la produttività di una workstation.
Oggi però non è sempre semplice far funzionare questa applicazione.
Mi sono trovato davanti ad un problema che nella versione 8.10 di Ubuntu (sulla stessa macchina), non mi era mai capitato.
Se vi capita, come è successo a me, che compiz si rifiuti di mettersi in esecuzione, provate il comando da terminale.
Se ancora non funziona e restituisce un messaggio simile a

Checking for Xgl: not present.
xset q doesn't reveal the location of the log file. Using fallback /var/log/Xorg.0.log
Blacklisted PCIID '8086:2a02' found
aborting and using fallback: /usr/bin/metacity

allora vi fornisco una possibile soluzione che con me ha funzionato.
Fatevi una copia di backup del file

/etc/xdg/compiz/compiz-manager

e poi andate a modificarlo in modo tale da avere questa situazione:

# Ubuntu specifc compiz-manager configuration file
# goes into /etc/xdg/compiz/compiz-manager
# works with git://anongit.compiz-fusion.org/fusion/misc/compiz-manager
COMPIZ_BIN_PATH="/usr/bin/"
PLUGIN_PATH="/usr/lib/compiz/"
COMPIZ_NAME="compiz.real"
# ### Fix
SKIP_CHECKS=yes
# ###

Tutto risolto.

Riferimenti

Diggita e adsense revenue sharing

2009-06-19T13:13:00.002+02:00

Sandra Focci Per Vergato

2009-05-15T17:22:00.004+02:00

Online un nuovo sito

L'indirizzo è il seguente www.sandrafoccipervergato.it.
Speriamo che Google lo indicizzi presto.

Rediscover Arduino

2009-01-28T00:17:00.008+01:00

Dopo che il simpatico kuroshjapan si è iscritto ai miei video di youtube, mi sono chiesto perché ho smesso di utilizzare l'Arduino.

Comunque, sono passato ad Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) e le cose sono un po' diverse, quindi installiamo di nuovo il tutto.
Vi risparmio l'inutile output dei vari comandi, che comunque sono nell'ordine questi:

aptitude ininstall sun-java6-jre sun-java6-fonts sun-java6-plugin gcc

aptitude remove brltty

wget http://www.arduino.cc/files/arduino-0012-linux.tgz

update-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun

Windows XP and hidden devices

2009-01-13T13:41:00.008+01:00

Per facilitare la visualizzazione dei devices attualmente non connessi ad un pc con Windows è utile creare un file .bat con queste righe

SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
cd %systemroot%\system32
start compmgmt.msc

Un post esplicativo del problema e della funzionalità indicata è visibile qui.
Dopo aver eseguito il .bat appena creato bisogna comunque attivare la visualizzazione come indicato in figura:

Palle

2008-12-10T17:57:00.006+01:00

Arduino mon amour

2008-02-25T20:50:00.002+01:00