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Android Tricorder Killed By CBS

Posted by timothy on from the was-about-to-grab-it-actually dept.

First time accepted submitter josn writes "Today I found out that Moonlight's Tricorder app, which I always install on Android devices, is gone. Google received a DMCA letter from CBS. I think it is a shame that CBS thinks it needs to kill a free and open source project giving a ad-less app. I, for one, sent a message to CBS explaining that this fan-supported app is not bad, but good for them, and asked them to reconsider. I hope, especially for the author, who must have spent a lot of time on this app, that they do."

7 of 247 comments (clear)

  1. Lame! by barlevg · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I love that app. Does anyone know, for those of us who still have it installed, Android App Market doesn't automatically uninstall apps without user permission (like they'll remove books from the Kindle) in cases like this, do they?

    1. Re:Lame! by Artifex · · Score: 5, Informative

      No, but last night I had it installed when I wiped & installed a later ROM. When it got through auto-reinstalling my backed up apps from Market, Tricorder was no longer there :(

      Just goes to show, ya gotta back up your software locally (In this case, the .apks); can't trust a vendor to store it for you.

      --
      Get off my launchpad!
  2. And now by geekoid · · Score: 5, Interesting

    we see the power of the android system.

    I can still load the app from other sources.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  3. Re:"...a add-less app..." Really? by scarboni888 · · Score: 5, Funny

    No it's spelled right - the tricorder app is known for only being able to perform subtraction operations. :)

  4. Re:Another reason not to develop android apps by ColdWetDog · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As if a stupid little app that just looks like a Star Trek tricorder doesn't qualify as "complete shit". Whoever developed that ought to be using their time on more productive pursuits.

    Like what? Posting on Slashdot?

    Just sayin'

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  5. Re:Another reason not to develop android apps by barlevg · · Score: 5, Informative

    The app is surprisingly useful: accelerometer, audio spectrum analyzer, compass to name a few... it does everything you'd expect a "real" tricorder to do, with the only limitations being the phone hardware.

  6. Re:Its the first app I install ... installed by sarysa · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's available on google code still. It's a little bit of a pain to build...I had to combine the HermitAndroid and HermitLibrary src into the Tricorder project, and then delete said libraries. (but I build with CLI, eclipse may end up being easy peasy) svn checkout http://moonblink.googlecode.com/svn/trunk moonblink-read-only As I'm not an anonymous coward, if I distributed the APK, would the DMCA trolls smash my head open?

    --
    Charisma is the measure of someone's ability to lie with a straight face.