I love Android. I love the Community.
Since my G1 days I have slowly evolved from total noob, to someone who helps answer questions daily on XDA, writing instructional guides, and now testing the waters in app development and theming. The reason I have progressed is the kindness of the community. Every themer/developer I have ever contacted has been so incredibly gracious with their time and sharing their talent. I truly respect these people – and you should too.
I say this so bluntly only because it’s that passion that fuels the article.
There are also many bad elements to the Android Community. The most notable in my opinion are the 3rd party paid app sites AND sites like www.akaskriller.com. I want to focus on the latter, but feel the need to point out those 3rd party app sites give you “free” paid apps, but they also give you App Permissions not requested by the original app – they are malicious.
Please do not be a self-inflicted victim over $0.99. You are on this site, you are smarter than that.
Back to my real intent here. For those not familiar, akaskriller is a site that has a nice front – and that is what it is, a front. They appear to be very genuine and caring, they act like they are helping developers, and they act like they want to help the Android noob.
Nothing could be further from the truth. They want money – money for others work.
Sites that offer others work (ROMs & Themes) behind a $5 donate wall (yes, you pay to get access) are wrong people. Not just wrong for those new to Android – those who genuinely need help and do not know better. But more importantly, it is wrong for the developers who work so hard to improve our phones, at no cost to us.
I am no expert on Apache/Licensing but I would have to assume paying/donating $5 for free software is wrong on a larger scale than I know how to address.
Those familiar with the Samsung Vibrant may recall a movement I suggested. It was called “#NeverAgain Samsung.” I proposed a social media blitz where we told Samsung on Twitter, blogs, Facebook and YouTube that we would not continue to buy their products if they would treat the Android Community the way they did – withholding updates and source.
Shortly after the movement started (and it grew FAST), I received calls from Samsung and they were following me on twitter. Froyo and source was given to us via Kies/their site. Perhaps due to our combined community efforts.
I am suggesting we have another outcry – an outcry that our community will not tolerate this. Let the community know this is wrong. I will not be formal and say “do this,” but do something.
Tweet about it, post on Facebook… heck, just tell a developer you appreciate them.
Since mentioning the idea of one developer has told me when he requested his ROM be removed from the site, he was told that they would simply change the build.prop so it was a “new ROM.” Taking away the work this developer did and making it their own.
This is wrong. Do something.
You can find me on Twitter @CallipH. If you are noob and you want help, ask me and I will tell you if I can help, for free.
Submitted By: Callip
![[Video] Samsung “el Plato Supreme” teaser featuring Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd](http://androidspin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Samsung-TheNextBigThing-150x150.png)
![[Review] Wireless Game Controller by Gamestop](http://androidspin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/883386b1-150x150.jpg)
I’m not familiar with the site you call out here, but I appreciate your standing up for devs and the Android community.
OK, just looked at that site. It’s a pretty terrible site, generally. They’re preying on innocent/ignorant Android users who should just be visiting XDA or one of the other awesome, legitimate communities.
THIS GUY needs to be shut down!! facebook about him tweet about him!!! plz act on this if u love ur developers!!
With FOSS, you can still charge… that’s how Red Hat makes money for instance. Red Hat is charging for a service and support. With that in mind, I don’t see a problem providing a service. I have a significant problem if they are changing someone else’s work and passing it off as their own without abiding by the licenses. I haven’t paid to get past the front door, so perhaps http://www.akaskriller.com is doing something underhanded in other paid-for areas of their site. Callip, can you list some more specific examples or let the developer you mentioned, demonstrate what has been re-purposed?
I don’t mind advocating for the right causes, but I’d like to know specifics before I jump to conclusions.
Wait! Are they charging for Roms too! If so that needs to b stopped!
Apologies, work PC blocked me from posting. Yes. There are many activities that are wrong… I strongly encourage reading the XDA thread here for more information/specifics… but, paid apps were there, others work posted as his own, no credit given, not letting developers know he took their work, you can’t access the files without paying (so its like you are paying for the files), etc. It’s a big mess.
XDA Link. Thank you all for the encouragement and kind words. I truly love this community!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1083280
Thanks Callip, I’ll look into this myself.
Also, really want to thank AndroidSPIN. Many other popular sites were not willing to inform the public of this issue. I lost a lot of respect for them… and gained a lot for AndroidSPIN!
QUOTE FROM XDA:
Don’t worry, your web host will have a log of all files you had. and incase your wondering so do I, Gameloft, Paypal, AmeriNOC & Google.
Here is that list again.
Code:EscapistGames.Starchartlite
Astro
Screenshots
Set CPU v2.1.3
Root Explorer
Fishnoodle.fire – Living Wallpaper
BlackMarketApp (Updated 4/19/11)
SGS Tools
SamsungGalaxySUnlock.v1.0
Audio Bible
Voltage Control
Launcher Pro
Launcher 7 v1.0.0.85 (WinMO 7 look alike)
—————————————–
advanced task killer pro
yahoo im video add on
WiFi-Calling (For T-mobile only)
WiFi-Calling (Use if above does not work – T-mobile only)
WiFi-Calling (Flash in CWM if above two don’t work)
ApplicationsProvider
au.com.phil
au.com.phil.fuel
Bluetooth
BluetoothOPP
BluetoothServices
BluetoothTestMode
BuddiesNow
.aTrackDog
adobe psmobile
fakecall.free
aka notepad
liquor fun
A smack it
high score
A spank booty
nasa images
police stream
BubbleBurst
ahome betty boop
market
albumartdemo
cameraillusion
antivirus
moviefone
compass
anycut
fast web installer
app brain app market
music downloader lite
music dowanloader pro
quadrant standard
cloudwriter free
brainy pano
mystique chapt. 1
com.bumptech.bumpga
com.bytedroid.lonelycoyote
com.camelgames.shootulite
com.capaci.android.flashlight
com.ccpcreations.android.MarioLiveWallpaprer
com.chen.mobile.music
com.chris.mydays
com.code.i.music
com.cower.ascensionlite
com.crossforward.audiobooks
com.crotalusfreak.tinkclock
com.crotalusfreak.tinkerbell
com.curvefish.batterylife
com.curvefish.widgets.bluetoothonoff
com.curvefish.widgets.gpsonoff
com.curvefish.widgets.wifionoff
com.custom.lwp.cyanogenmodlwp
com.custom.lwp.DKJokerLWP
com.custom.lwp.HALOLWP
com.custom.lwp.LOST
com.dailyhoroscopes.net-1
com.digby.flowers.ufri
com.dooblou.GroovyCamLiveStreamBETA-2
com.dornbachs.zebra
com.dragonplay.liveholdem
com.dreamstep.musicbox
com.droidhen.gluttony
com.droidicon.launcherproicons
com.dseffects.VirtualDog
com.electricpocket.ringo
com.elsdoerfer.android.autostarts
com.epicapplications.PipeDreams.Free
com.epicapplications.PipeDreams.Free-1
com.epzreader.book091301
com.facebook.katana
com.fly.mobile.music
com.funfoneapps.speedboost
com.FVApps.LiveCircles
com.gameloft.android.GAND.GloftAVAR.Avatar
com.getmobiled.backgroundslite
com.ghor.musicjunk
com.glu.android.diner2
com.google.android.apps.listen
com.google.android.apps.maps
com.google.android.apps.maps-2
com.google.android.apps.translate
com.google.android.gm-1
com.google.android.maps.mytracks
com.google.android.stardroid
com.google.earth
com.google.earth-1
com.google.tts
com.google.zxing.client.android
com.greenecomputing.linpack
com.gy.plumber
com.happy.life
com.happydroid.c2s
com.hiyahoo
com.homelinux.hilo.acamera
com.iauns.idemolishedlite
com.ideaworks3d.thesims3
com.idmobile.horoscope
com.ihanghai.android.p.launcher
com.infonow.bofa
com.into.stability
com.issuu.android.app
com.jackdoit.lockbot
com.jacklrb.android.animat
com.jamesob.drinkgames
com.janepillars.entertainment.millonsongsdownload-2
com.jarod.livewallpaper.fishpool
com.javaground.danteinferno
com.jaytronix.markermagic
com.jiuzhangtech.rushhour
com.jiuzhangtech.rushhour-1
com.justpictures
com.kfbtech.wallswitch
com.kmagic.solitaire
com.kogash.android.wallpapers.LBDemo
com.koushikdutta.rommanager
com.koushikdutta.rommanager.license
com.kunnskap.android.wallpaper.physx
com.labgency.wallpapers.waves
com.labpixies.flood
com.labpixies.lineup
com.latedroid.seepu
com.latedroid.seepuplusplusp
com.layar
com.levelup.beautifullive
com.lib.winks
com.lon.mobile.musiczilla
com.loncox.multimedia.top100-2
com.longtap.android.timeslider
com.lulu.mobile.ripple.wallpaper
com.lunagames.am_Sheep
com.magic8ball
com.magicwach.rdefense
com.mattwach.trap2
com.mattwach.trap2-1
com.max.PartyDrinkingGames
com.md.search
com.media1908.lightningbug
com.mediafill.solitaire-1
com.mgeek.android.Browser.Theme.browser.Candy.Red
com.mgeek.android.DolphinBrowser.Browser
com.mhuang.overclocking
com.mixzing.basic
com.modaco.visionary-1
com.mp3download.music-1
com.mspot.android.aria
com.mstream.easytether_beta
com.myspace.android
com.Natal.livewallpaper.Bobs.color.entertainment
com.Natal.livewallpaper.Bobs.color.lifestyle
com.Natal.livewallpaper.Bobs.Mini
com.navigadgets.android.mahjongg
com.netmite.andme
com.nextmobileweb.phoneflix
com.nix.game.mahjong
com.noclicklabs.camera
com.ODSLabs.ForeverFall
com.opera.mini.android
com.ownskin.lwp
com.oz.mobile.android.voicemail.application
com.padthaitech.ganjawallpaper
com.pandroid.cschua
com.pandroid.cschua.wallpaperaslfree
com.pharostp.lottopicks
com.photofunia.android
com.polarbit.waveblazerlite
com.popczar.music
com.popularcrowd.propaintcamera
com.powermitedev.kingsforandroid
com.qik.android
com.qiktmobile.android-1
com.qnuou.game.classicsnake
com.qualcomm.qx.neocore
com.quark.mobile.musiczilla
com.quattro.snaplove
com.quietfury.android.livecolors
com.radioactiveyak.earthquake
com.reaxion.android
com.rechild.advancedtaskkiller
com.ringdroid
com.ringtone.Music1-1
com.roundbox.android.tvguide.presentation.activity
com.scoreninja
com.scriptgadget.visisense
com.seb.SLWP
com.sec.samsung.GpsRestore-1
com.sgg.spdemo
com.sgiggle.production-1
com.sgiggle.production-2
com.shazam.android
com.shazam.android-1
com.shinycore.picsayfree
com.simproductions.bachanger
com.simproductions.live.nexusone
com.siriusapplications.quickboot
com.skyfire.browser
com.smurphete.android.esv
com.snctln.game.BreakTheBlocks
com.socialin.android.photo.drawing
com.socialin.android.photo.loveframes
com.socialin.android.puzzle.alice
com.socialnmobile.flashlight
com.softick.android.spiderweb-1
com.sofurry.favorites
com.spartancoders.golyrics
com.sprankles.emotiparty.free
com.spwebgames.froggy
com.stuff.search
com.stylem.wallpapers
com.stylem.wallpapers-1
com.sunlightlabs.android.congress
com.swn.netgallery.horrormovies
com.tapjoy.coloroid
com.teamandroid.jager
com.threebanana.notes
com.tmobile.selfhelp
com.tni.TasKiller
com.trans.music.find
com.trans.music.search
com.trapster.android
com.tunee.tuneemusic
com.tunee.tuneemusic17-1
com.tunee.tuneemusic17-2
com.tunewiki.lyricplayer.android
com.usnaviguide.radar_now
com.ventel.android.radardroid.lite
com.vid.todo.four
com.virtuesoft.wordsearch
com.voxmobili.sync.MobileBackup
com.wallpaper.VRTunnelLite
com.willemstoker.GTalkUpdater
com.x10studio.lovesimwallpaper
com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.im-1
com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.imvideo-1
com.yahoomusic
com.yamabon.android.livelivewallpaper
com.yelp.android
com.yyqidian.musiconlinelite
com.yyqidian.musiconlineliteng
comspeedsoftwarerootexplorerv2
darxkies.NDKGLLiveWallpaper
de.Fr4gg0r.SGSTools
de.kliemax.stonerview
de.softxperience.android.noteeverything
de.stohelit.audiobookplayer
djf.prattlelite
dk.endgame.SuperYatzy
dk.logisoft.airattack
dk.michaeldavid.scratchdown.free
Download
droidheaven.addon.two.keyboard
droidheaven.themepack.addon.hellokitty
droidheaven.themepack.hellokitty.add
eu.gdumoulin.betterandroid.skins.transparent.purpl e
eu.gdumoulin.betterandroid.skins.transparent.red
eu.gdumoulin.betterandroid.skins.transparent.white
fireworks.ndroidz.com
fishnoodle.aquarium
fishnoodle.aquarium_free
fishnoodle.bamboo_free
fishnoodle.silhouette_free
fishnoodle.spacescapewallpaper_free
fishnoodle.storm
fishnoodle.storm_free
fishnoodle.storm-1
fr.telemaque.horoscope-1
hatanah.application
heinrisch.throwa.pandaad
horoscope.horoscopes.tarot.astrology.zodaic
hu.info2k5.msd.CreepyTales
info.androidz.horoscope
info.androidz.horoscope-1
it.medieval.blueftp
ix.com.android.VirtualRecorder
jp.morihirosoft.wallcage
jp.ne.gate.calpad
lv.n3o.swapper2-1
mabilo.wallpapers
mobdecor.MobDecorFantasyWallpapers
mobdecor.MobDecorPhotography
mobdecor.wallpapers
mobi.androidcloud.app.ptt.client
net.flixster.android
net.sunflat.android.actionpotato
net.szym.barnacle_legacy
net.zedge.android
extapp.systempanel.r1
org.drfischer.android.level
org.dyndns.devesh.flashlight
org.freecoder.widgets.overclock-1
org.hermit.netscramble
org.hermit.substrate
org.jtb.utwidget
org.kramer.bubblepaper
org.mhgames.jewels
org.neferty.android.mp3widget
org.urbian.android.games.memorytrainer
org.urbian.android.tools.vintagecam
pkg
RomManager
SamsungApps
sch.jake.RedorBlack
se.illusionlabs.labyrinth.lite
simosoftprojects.matrixlivewallpaper
spy.camera.lite
stericson.busybox
uk.co.neilandtheresa.VignetteDemo
us.sourcio.android.puzzle.simpson
vStudio.Android.GPhoto
ymst.android.fxcamera
YouTube
com.handcent.nextsms-3.1.1
Better Terminal Emulator Pro_3.26 Changelog_ Fix some
terminal emulation bugs,
CacheMate
com.aurorasoftworks.quadrant.ui.advanced.1.1.1
com.fede.launcher__mod
com.pandora.android_Ver_W23
LCD Density Changer_5.1 – Now with a Desktop
Widget
Linpack for Android
MemoryUp Professional_3.5.0
ROM Manager (Premium) v1.0.5
ROM Manager v2.5.0.5
TitaniumBackup-3.5.7.1
com.mappn.ahome.theme.butterfly
com.mappn.ahome.theme.cartoonlifecom.metago.astro
com.noclicklabs.cameracom.ODSLabs.ForeverFall
com.qnuou.game.classicsnake
com.socialin.android.photo.drawing
com.socialin.android.puzzle.alicecom.stylem.wallpa pers
com.threebanana.notesinfo.androidz.horoscope
jp.ne.gate.calpadmobi.bbase.ahome
net.sunflat.android.actionpotatovStudio.Android.GP hoto
au.com.philbiz.mtoy.blockedstone
com.a0soft.gphone.aTrackDogcom.akasoft.wallpaper
com.andegg.smackitcom.andoop.spankbooty
com.android.bettyboopcom.androidillusion.cameraill usion
com.antiviruscom.appdroid.anycutcom.awesomewp
com.betterandroid.icons.blacklight
com.betterandroid.icons.buuf
com.betterandroid.icons.creaturecom.bumptech.bumpg a
com.curvefish.batterylifecom.eoeandroid.eWallpaper s.d3
com.getmobiled.backgroundslite
com.glu.android.diner2democom.lunagames.am_Sheep
AngryBirds_1.3.5
Asphalt.5_v3.1.7
AdvancedTaskManager.v4.1
Android_Music
fishnoodle.stormFull_Screen_Caller_ID_v3.2.2
Gameloft_HD_Games_Samsung_SGHT959_Vibrant_android
Hero_of_Sparta_HD_Samsung_SGHT959_Vibrant_android
Beautiful_Widgets_v3.171
BlackMarketApp
CallBlocker.Pro_v2.6.1
circular_battery_indicator
com.aurorasoftworks.quadrant.ui.advanced-1
com.aws.android.elite
com.rovio.angrybirds_lite
de.Fr4gg0r.SGS.Tools-1
FancyWidget_v1.2.4
fishnoodle.fire-1
ilightr.v1.0.4
Quickoffice_2.0-GEP
roadsms_1.01
setcpu_v2.10
ShazamEncore.Android
SoundHound_v2.2.6a
Swype_1.56
Swype-Pad_v0.35.3959
SystemPanel_1.0.6
TasKillerFull.v2.7.6
SuperCallerId_v1.16
SwiftKey_v0.9.4
TweetDeck-1.0.3
Ultra_Keyboard_5.6.2
Visionaryplus.r14
Mystique – Chapter 1 Foetus (1.0.5)
Mystique – Chapter 2 The Child (1.0.2)
Mystique – Chapter 3 – Obitus (1.0.4)
Oregon Trail (1.1.10)
Quake 3 for Android
Games Pack 0-A
Games Pack B
Games Pack C
Games Pack D
Games Pack E-F
Games Pack G
Games Pack H-I
Games Pack J-L
Games Pack M-O
Games Pack P-R
Games Pack S
Games Pack T
Games Pack U-Z
UNO, thanks for posting that. Thanks to andy over at xda, Gameloft and their legal dept, as well as supercurio and several other developers are now aware of the apps, not just the rom’s and themes.
Sad…
Just to play devil’s advocate, if he uses an offshore host there’s absolutely nothing anyone could do short of what happened to The Pirate Bay raids. Iceland and Switzerland are two countries that come to mind. He even stated he pays $250/mo and offshore hosting can be pricey for just this reason. My hosting company offers this so I know a little about it. If he’s not, then game on
I don’t think he’s that smart
Well, judging off his spelling skillz I’m pretty sure if he developed a ROM he probably couldn’t get past the build.prop due to a typo or “urban” slang. I can see it now:
SKRILD.libpath=/system/lib/libreference-SKRILLA.so
damn, so tempting to not just put “ril” in there.
Never Again has been taken already. Look it up.
[...] CallipH. Callip who’s passion rubbed off on me when I read an article he wrote called Help the Android Community made me want to become involved. So I figured I would get him to come to the show and spread the [...]
[...] CallipH. Callip who’s passion rubbed off on me when I read an article he wrote called Help the Android Community made me want to become involved. So I figured I would get him to come to the show and spread the [...]
[...] CallipH. Callip who’s passion rubbed off on me when I read an article he wrote called Help the Android Community made me want to become involved. So I figured I would get him to come to the show and spread the [...]