[Sharkey]

My work issued a phone to me when I started this job last year. About three months into my employment, they started an "associate pledge". That comes with an app I accidentally agreed to when I woke up to a horrific noise coming from my phone. What I agreed to states that I will not drive and use my phone at the same time... While I understand the dangers of phone use while driving, my job requires that I drive somewhere around 200 miles a day. So the idea that I won't use it while driving is retarded. I do have a personal phone as well. But when all of my business contacts and info are on the work phone, I find it taking up too much of my time switching everything between the two constantly. The other problem I have is every time I remove the app it notifies my boss, his boss, and our corporate offices, and they chew me out. So my question to some of you more techie guys out there is: is there a way to bypass or delete the app without my phone sending a notification to my superiors?? Also, I'm sure this makes a difference so, the phone is a samsung. I believe it's an older galaxy not 100% sure. Model number is SGH-I547. Thanks in advance!

[kinjutsu]

You can root the phone. There are plenty of ways this can be done.
The operating system probably has root admin access and can see EVERYTHING you do with the work phone, everywhere you go etc.

Your best bet it to speak with the IT department about removing some of the "junk" apps on your phone and claim it slows your productivity down. I can understand your bosses making noise if you remove an app. It's not your phone to play around with. If you do need to drive and be on the phone a blue tooth headset or even a wired handsfree headset will solve that issue. Also depending on where you are driving there might be laws about distracted driving.

Also why this question as your first post?

[The Beast1]

Is this android? Just hold your thumb down on the icon and drag it to the ! in the upper left hand corner of the screen. You can trash it this way.

[Baldwin81]

RE: OP's first post...

Just wanted to point out that I've noticed Sharkey's likes on various posts. It probably caught my eye because he shares a name with the tatted up guy in Thailand whom I would not look to fight.

[Sharkey]

It automatically refreshes the app every week on my phone. So I guess I was more or less looking for a trick of sorts. An example of what this app does: Today, I was in the middle of a giving a presentation and my phone alerts me "your phone is now locked, you must pull over before continued use, remember your personal promise!" There are no zones I drive through that require any kind of hands free or no cell use other than active school zones. Which I wouldn't use in an area like that anyway. The school zone laws are pretty strict, I think I'd be better off with a dwi.

That's a good question, I guess the best answer I have to why I haven't posted yet is I don't keep up with threads all the time, so instead of sounding like an asshole for not knowing someone else said something I'd rather have all the information. And some of these threads are really long. I can say, when I first started reading this blog, I was in the process of shedding the last of my beta-ness. The last year of my life has been me devoting time to self improvement (outside of just game) but also making approaches and working on my game. But I can say this forum has been a kind of inspiration for me to do just that.

[Sharkey]

But I do like the idea of putting forward and hands free device as a counter to having the app.

[Sharkey]

@frenchie I don't think the android part is available? I really can't be sure my personal is an iPhone and I have no real experience with android. But I can tell you phone is ultra basic for phone calls and texts only. I can't use it's GPS or internet capabilities.

[JackDavey]

My galaxy s3 has the option to turn off an app, without actually removing it.

[Sharkey]

I've been uninstalling app everytime. The only other option is 'force stop' is that what you mean?

[Cattle Rustler]

Force stops only stops it for a while.

Your problem cannot be solves as the operating system is reinstalled every week. So no matter what you do, you must do it again every Monday.

I'll play it legit and use the phone within its parameters, if anyone starts bitching about your productivity just tell them it's the phone's parameters

They'll complain and start to see the program is a failure

[Faust]

What does the app do exactly? Did somebody say this and I missed it?

[Sharkey]

Basically the app stop whatever I'm currently doing on it, hangs up phone convo, etc. and gives me a verbal warning I can't use it whenever it goes over a certain mph I think, with a minimum 5 min break... But today it started doing it while the phone was sittin on a table.

The only issue I have with limiting my productivity is work completely off commision. So less productivity = shitty lifestyle.

[Cattle Rustler]

Has anyone else had issues with the app?

Perhaps you can form a group of people who are not happy with it and raise your concerns.

Here's the thing.....IT can see the changes you do to the phone and altering the OS is sure as hell going to piss them off.

[Sharkey]

I do know everyone including my boss hates it. But it's a corporate policy to have it on the phone. We have a meeting in the morning, I'll work on banding a militia against it. The app was mainly designed for people who use company vehicles. They don't give us vehicles in the sales department and I am more than ok with that because you have a camera that records everything you do in it. I prefer having that privacy.. But I do call backs while driving a lot.

[Faust]

"It automatically refreshes the app every week on my phone. So I guess I was more or less looking for a trick of sorts. An example of what this app does: Today, I was in the middle of a giving a presentation and my phone alerts me "your phone is now locked, you must pull over before continued use, remember your personal promise!" "

If it's malfunctioning play up that angle. In most companies IT has no real power of their own. Angry emails to the relevant people about how IT's broken software made you look like an idiot in front of your customers and possibly cost a sale or two will shut that shit down quick.

[Truck'n]

I have a couple of friends that work in the oil industry and they have the exact kind of restriction on their phone also, except, if it is ever determined that they are caught talking on the phone while they are driving, twice, they are automatically terminated. Doesn't matter who they are and how much cheese they pull down a year. After a couple senior engineers with 35 years of experience were let go, everyone sat up and took the restriction seriously.

Anyway, this is one of those new policies of corporate America that everyone will just have to get used to, because it is not going away.

[Vroom]

If your company requires you to drive 200 miles a day, shouldn't they equip you with a vehicle with bluetooth so that you can talk and drive?

[Cattle Rustler]

What kind of shit is this?

Man, putting up with all those restrictions makes working at Walmart something entincing

[Foolsgo1d]

Is this for insurance purposes? Don't think I'd stay in a job for much longer if they decided to implement overseer-style tactics.

I got sick of hands-on managers in retail jobs, let alone some dickhead management layer monitoring my activities from afar.

[Sebastian]

Just get a phone holder, ear piece and do whatever you want.

I was afraid of just looking at txt message real quick in Cali since you can get a ticket.

Once it's placed on a holder, you can do whatever you want.

[DaveR]

Can't you just disable GPS in the phone? If it doesn't know how fast it's going, the app won't do anything.

[The Beast1]

(09-04-2014 06:14 AM)DaveR Wrote:  

Can't you just disable GPS in the phone? If it doesn't know how fast it's going, the app won't do anything.

Also a good solution.

I wish I was near the OP. I'd go all devilish IT on that POS.

[Sharkey]

DaveR
Can't you just disable GPS in the phone? If it doesn't know how fast it's going, the app won't do anything.
———————————————————
Went to do this and found the rabbit hole goes deeper. There is another app called 'air watch' which uninstallable. It measures precise GPS location and monitors all other activity.

Frenchie I'm open to any suggestions. Where you at? Pm me

[Cattle Rustler]

(09-04-2014 06:03 AM)Foolsgo1d Wrote:  

Is this for insurance purposes? Don't think I'd stay in a job for much longer if they decided to implement overseer-style tactics.

I got sick of hands-on managers in retail jobs, let alone some dickhead management layer monitoring my activities from afar.

Seems like it, doing some minor changes to their activities so the company can skimp on a few bucks.

[Avarence]

Going to settings -> location and unchecking all boxes for GPS should do it.
Although, that seems a bit too easy and I wouldn't be surprised if your IT dept. has those locked so they cannot be turned off.