Looks like
more than HTC's description was erroneous yesterday afternoon -- we've just confirmed that the HTC Sync desktop client for the AT&T Aria allows users to install third-party apps on non-rooted devices,
just as promised. We ran some quick tests, and while it doesn't actually enable anything on the handset end, it most certainly does allow those of you with Windows PCs (or VMware) to sideload APKs like
Swype over USB with a simple drag-and-drop maneuver. Given how quickly the company sought to correct our original post on the subject, we'd expect HTC will be issuing a rather different version of the software soon, so hit up that source link, pound in your serial number, grab the EXE, and get while the getting's good.
[Thanks, Dylan]
Myriam "tnkgrl" Joire contributed to this report.
posted July 11th 2010 12:48PM
How is this any different than me installing an APK I got via BitTorrent by putting it on the SD card and then using the file manager app to install it? Does the Aria not allow this due to ATT restrictions? Does Sprint simply not care?
@aluminumpork
yes to all of the above
What at&t needs to do is to have customers sign a disclaimer if they choose to install sideloaded apps, so that way they're not responsible for what happens.
That way everyone's happy.
@GodFlow There is a disclaimer that pops up when you check the box to "Install from Unknown Sources". AT&T just didn't care...
How is it doing an adb push without root access? That, I would love to know
@HighestRanked2
Awww. You're cute little claim of not trolling Android articles is busted, HighestRanked. That's a little aside, btw.
It CAN be rooted. Of course, rooting takes on a whole different meaning with Android. For iOS, it means gaining some functionality that Apple has said no to with an iron fist. For Android, it's being able to install a completely custom kernal that has special battery/performance optimizations, and gives access to some more specialized hardware functions (CPU, GPU, overclocking, etc.)
Tl: dr: Because we can. We don't HAVE to. But we can.
@Mike10010100 Apple doesn't have an Iron fist. It has an Aluminium Fist.
@HighestRanked2 Isnt Android "open"? Why does AT&T block side loading apps
@HighestRanked2 That is a good question honestly if it is open, I dont know why they won't allow it to be fully open. My guess is the carriers fault, as google allows root on the nexus one. But I dont know if it comes rooted stock.
@Hydra It doesn't use ADB push, it uses the ADB install command which is how the Market and other Android phones that allow sideloading do it, it's a shell command that also copies the app file onto the phone.
In my opinion I think HTC corrected engadget because they didn't want at&t to see how they allowed sideloading behind at&ts back. It's just a theory though.
this could be a great idea. i dont know if it'll be great for getting notification for street parking. but if garage parking in cities could tell parkers if their lot is open and the cost or any special discounts, then this would be a defiant plus.
I wish HTC Sync was available for Mac. I use a Third Party program now to have iTunes playlists, photo albums, etc sync to my Eris, but it feels somewhat botched.
How is this news?
Step 1: Download the Android SDK
Step 2: Connect phone via USB
Step 3: adb install any_apk_you_want.apk
And it works on any OS, not just Window$. It doesn't require rooting, and it's totally legit.
So, oh boy... HTC Sync (a HORRIBLE program) gets to screw with my apps now. I'll stick to sideloading the old-fashioned way.
@plasticlobster You are correct.
But AT&T has disabled the check box to "allow unknown sources". So granted you can copy the apk's to the sd, you cant install them without that box being checked.
Anyone with a non rooted Aria confirm this?
@slipdisc adb install installs the app. No questions asked. It works. No root required, nothing. You just can't sideload the app FROM THE PHONE (e.g. downloading an apk through the browser)
adb push only puts the apk on the phone. adb install is completely different.
adb install is not blocked. They couldn't do that or else nobody would be able to use the phone for development.
@slipdisc Requires USB debugging to be enabled in your settings menu (forgot to mention that).
@plasticlobster Using a "$" for "M$," "Micro$oft," and "Window$" is soooo last decade. Can we PLEEEEEASE stop acting like a bunch of 5 year olds and drop it?
@aschettler Being a forum troll is SOOOO 2008. How about posting something meaningful instead of determining that I'm acting like a 5-year-old for inserting a dollar sign into my post.
Downvoted.
YES !!!
@deedeedee Really? I got my Aria for $29. It can be found for free online if you don't mind waiting for it to ship. Could have sworn the iPhone 4 was $200.
@deedeedee That's nice. Now kindly STFU, your comments have nothing to do with this article.
My HTC Sync software doesnt look like that =( and just downloaded yesterday.... lol
AT&T needs to get off their A$$ and fix their network issues if they want to take Android seriously. 2 MB/Sec speeds for iPhones and Androids? 4G/LTE needs to get moving on in all the metro regions already so we can get our money worth.
@JosephZ 2 Megabytes per second? That's AMAZING! I don't think that's a network issue. That's a user issue because 2 MB/Sec equals 16 Mbps (Megabits per second), approximately what I get on my cable modem. Those are LTE speeds. The network is 7.2 Mbps which equals 900 Kilobytes per sec. All corrections aside, I have had no issues with AT&T... but, then again, I don't have a JeebusPhone or an Android phone. It worked fine back when I had my AT&T 8525, my Nokia phone, my V557 and V225s, and it works fine now with my V9x. 10+ years and no problems. I think the problem is that YOU'RE HOLDING IT WRONG! :P jk
@JosephZ I do agree, though, that AT&T needs to get off their asses and deploy LTE already. I mean, seriously? They've been making hybrid GSM/HSPA+/LTE base station equipment for a while now and it's worked for TeliaSonera so far, so why not kick it into high gear and install those in your new towers rather than continuing to install the outdated HSPA gear? Time/Money saved + Efficiency = Happy Customers + Happy AT&T.
Sorry... /end_rant
This will be awesome for all of those Aria power users.
Am I the only one whose phone won't connect to HTC Sync? Anybody got any ideas?
How long 'til AT&T makes HTC plug this "security hole"?
They *have to* keep the "adb install" command open and non-root because otherwise installing apps from the market is impossible. That makes it pretty impossible to stop sideloading.
Looks like a nice phone! Will it come to the Netherlands / Europe?
@WouterSchreurs not sure , but ROBBEN is quite a player.
@sudipa24
best comment yet
I bet AT&T had them nix the feature. I also bet AT&T is deliberately crippling/hobbling its Android offerings at the behest of Apple.
That said, I think AppBrain's remote FastInstall feature obviates this anyway, at least for Android Market apps.
@LANjackal i sincerely doubt att would cripple one phone to sell another. the iphone sells just fine without help. if anything - they would cripple the phone to maintain more control of the device for their own business/network/control advantage.
@LANjackal i sincerely doubt att would cripple one phone to sell more of another. the iphone sells just fine on its own without any help. if anything, they would cripple it for business/network/control advantages.
well this is cool. hopefully this will help the att android fans smile a bit. phone looks pretty cool. how does it stack up against the samsung galaxy s class?
@system22 You're forgetting how big of a cash cow the iPhone is for AT&T. If Apple threatened to produce a CDMA iPhone for Verizon unless AT&T "ensured" the iPhone's supremacy among its offerings, do you really think AT&T would refuse and risk customer flight from its unreliable network?
@LANjackal thats a good point. i think if anything tho apple has a bigger interest in expanding beyond att regardless. att is most likely holding apple back and i can't help but feel the exclusivity will die sooner than we think. many people don't want the iphone because of the att network or don't want to switch their current carrier etc. if it were available on other networks like verizon etc, apple would have multiple carriers to push even higher numbers than on just att alone and have less people complaining about att's strained network - which ultimately would allow people to view their own product more favorably. this would cause att to feature say a more robust selection of android phones etc that would compete more evenly in the android market which i think is going to be their only hope when if/when the iphone does broaden its carrier range - which would be in att's best interest. just my opinion - i don't really know enough about this stuff in real life tho.
@system22 "att is most likely holding apple back"
- Probably by paying them. It's not as if AT&T has anything else special to offer over VZW
Your pro-choice arguments work in a perfect world, and I agree with them in principle. But I think the reality is that AT&T is trying to buy into the Apple's boutique model by being THE iPhone carrier, period. They *have* to be paying some serious money to Apple to maintain the status quo.
Cheers!
@LANjackal fair enough :)
Needless to say, I'm confused now. Lol. What are AT&T and HTC doing? Do either of them even know?