Deviant's Android Stuff
I've liked the Android platform for as long as it's been available. After experimenting with the original G1 Google Phone, I purchased an HTC G2 (a.k.a. "MyTouch 3G") and never looked back. I have owned ruggedized models by Motorola (the Defy series), tablets (mostly from HTC), lots of Samsung devices (I really like the Galaxy series, with the S-III as my primary and backup phones lately), and am the proud owner of a NinjaTel phone from DEFCON 19.
Also... every single Android device I have ever owned was rooted almost as soon as I unboxed it, and it has been my practice to run customized ROM packages (almost always CyanogenMod) on my phones and tablets. I'm a strong proponent of the mantra "if you can't tinker with it, you don't really own it" and of the right to repair/hack/tweak/etc anything that you've purchased. I have zero respect for the DMCA, for locked devices, or for carriers' and manufacturers' delusion that they can dictate in any way how their products get used by the public.
Starting at ShmooCon in 2010 i began conducting small hands-on workshops and lessons to anyone who cared to listen... teaching about how hacking and modding Android devices was quite possible. In 2013 i began developing a full training program with classes for my company, The CORE Group, to offer in the professional market.
This page is a repository of the various talks, tools, and tips that my Android work has involved.
Talks & Videos
Welcome To NinjaTel... Press '2' to Activate Your Phone Now
DerbyCon 2
2012/09/30This was a talk with Roamer and I where we discussed and demonstrated on stage the basics of rooting and modding Android devices, with the example of the Ninja Networks NinjaTel phones from DEFCON 19 used in the live demos.
Android Phones Can Do That?!? Custom Tweaking for Power Security Users
SkyDogCon
2013/10/09Did you know that it is possible to selectively restrict permissions on an app-specific basis? How about the possibility of faking data that gets returned when an app attempts to interact with GPS? Spoofing your IMEI, IMSI, and SIM card data? That's possible, too. This talk is for serious power users with a strong need for well beyond the average level of mobile security. It demonstrated a variety of tools and tweaks, particularly useful if you routinely travel to hostile areas of the world or are subject to device confiscation.
Restoring on a Brand New Device
YouTube
2014/01/30Just how quickly could you be back up and running if you break your mobile device? If you've done proper and regular backups of your device using a custom recovery you can have your whole phone experience back again in less time than it takes to get a pizza delivered. This video essentially shows the whole process from start to finish.
Apps & Tools
Critical Utilities
Data Transfer & Management
Communication
Location & Navigation
General Utility
Productivity
Music & Content
Games
Desert Golfing This is my favorite relaxing, mind-silencing game. NES.emu Play old NES roms. Oh yeah. =) Snes9x EX+ Play old SNES roms. Right on. For this and for the app above, consider getting an iCade 8bitty controller. Shortyz An outstanding free crossword game. Downloads puzzles from many current sources. Sudoku The Genina company makes the best sudoku game, in my view. Contre Jour I can't adequately describe this game. It's utterly georgeous and the music and scenery is more art than videogame. No shooting, no killing, no attacks... just interesting physics and puzzle-solving. A nice change.