Enhancement proposal - ACRA without internet connection permission

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I really like ACRA but some users are asking why my apps (widgets) need 
internet connection. 

I would like to avoid internet connection requirement if is  really not 
necessary so I would suggest optional sending of error messages by email (just 
by invoking Send Email Intent). 

What is your opinion?

Thanks
Tom

Original issue reported on code.google.com by tom.huba...@gmail.com on 7 Jan 2011 at 8:25

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I think this is a good idea.

I can see a few limitations though :
- would require to use NOTIFICATION mode... maybe TOAST could be acceptable... 
But absolutely not SILENT
- would not allow to use ErrorReporter.handleSilentException().

The report format has to be defined. It could be a simple file attachment of 
the report which is always saved on the filesystem anyway, but it is either an 
XML or plain text Properties format depending on the device android version. 
Creating a CSV file might be a better option for an easier report data handling 
for the developer. The file could be zipped before being attached.

Original comment by kevin.gaudin on 8 Jan 2011 at 12:41

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Original comment by kevin.gaudin on 8 Jan 2011 at 12:41

• Added labels: Type-Enhancement
• Removed labels: Type-Defect

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I assumed very similar limitations (I expected NOTIFICATION mode only), so 
absolutely no problem.

Regarding the format: 

my needs are quite simpler (my apps are not much buggy so I don't expect a lot 
of stacktraces), so only info that is important for me is contact email to the 
reporter, stacktrace and brief identification of the phone (brand + android 
version). Everything else I can ask reporter by email if necessary.

Thanks a lot 
Tom

Original comment by tom.huba...@gmail.com on 8 Jan 2011 at 6:42

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I would also like to see it sent via email to remove internet requirement. my 
app does not need internet yet I have to have it in my permissions.

Original comment by chris.fo...@gmail.com on 12 Jan 2011 at 10:27

[GoogleCodeExporter]

I've started adding this to the next release.

The behaviour will be the following:
- if there is no INTERNET permission granted AND reporting mode is TOAST or 
NOTIFICATION AND an address has been provided in 
@ReportsCrashes(mailTo="some@mailbox.com"), then reports are sent through an 
ACTION_SEND intent.

Actually, now I am wondering if there would be devs who would prefer sending 
reports by email even if their app is granted the INTERNET permission... sounds 
quite awkward to me but... why not?

Original comment by kevin.gaudin on 27 Jan 2011 at 1:14

• Changed state: Started
• Added labels: Milestone-Release3.2.0

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Changed my mind, the only requirement for activating the email sender should be 
the @ReportsCrashes(mailTo="some@mailbox.com") configuration item.

Original comment by kevin.gaudin on 27 Jan 2011 at 1:17

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Sounds great, just what I need - I have a number of users complain that my app 
has "uses internet" permission for no identifiable need.

Original comment by chris.fo...@gmail.com on 9 Feb 2011 at 5:10

[GoogleCodeExporter]

The exact list of fields to be included in the report will be configurable too. 

Original comment by kevin.gaudin on 9 Feb 2011 at 5:30

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Original comment by kevin.gaudin on 4 May 2011 at 11:56

• Added labels: Milestone-Release4.0
• Removed labels: Milestone-Release3.2.0

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Hi Kevin,

has this feature been implemented? I would like to use it in my paid app but 
internet permission will scary off users.

Original comment by Boris...@gmail.com on 8 Oct 2011 at 6:07

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Yes: http://code.google.com/p/acra/wiki/AdvancedUsage#Sending_reports_by_email

Original comment by kevin.gaudin on 8 Oct 2011 at 8:20

• Changed state: Verified