Britpart Lynx Evo Diagnostics App?

Nguruve said:

In the U.S.A., the Lynx Evo is sold by Atlantic British as the "iLand." Same product, different logo.

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I've got 2 friends in the states who have the iLand app for their Disco 2 and RR L322 and they aren't too impressed by it either.
The software has been plagued with errors and Atlantic British fail to give solutions. That's bad customer service for costly product.

dean68uk said:

I had the same message last night. I uninstalled the app for now.

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I sent the following email to Britpart today, having spend a thoroughly unproductive twenty minutes waiting to get a reply on their help line.

Letter_to_Britpart said:

Lynx Evo malware alert?

Dear Sir or Madam,

Yesterday I received an alert from Google Play regarding the application on my phone that allows me to use the Lynx Evo that I bought from your company. This warning says:

"Lynx Evo
This app tries to use your device to commit advertising fraud"

Given that this application is core to operating the Lynx Evo, I would appreciate clarifications on this extremely disturbing warning.

1. Is this warning real, or a false positive?
2. If real, have you any plans to rectify the problem, and if so, what lead time are you projecting?
3. If real, and you are not able to fix this attack, where does this leave me as an owner of this device? Are you planning a buy-back to affected owners, for example?

I would appreciate a speedy reply.

Sincerely,

Roger Stenning

(cc Landy Zone Forums)

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It's received an auto-reply, noting my email as "Ticket #920".

I'll update this if and when I receive a reply.

Wow, that was fast. OK; I have a reply from Britpart on this. It's not what I was hoping for, but it's a start; I'll update as and when I know more:

Britpart-reply said:

Dear Roger,

You have a new comment on your ticket # 920 - Lynx Evo malware alert?.

New reply:

Hi Roger,
As of this morning, we are aware of this warning and our belief is that there is now some additional app monitoring by the Play Store. The warning has been triggered by one of the Android app settings, the warning is not triggered on iOS devices only Android devices. We have asked the software supplier to investigate this immediately and to provide a timescale for releasing a new version of the application that has the settings corrected as per the updated monitoring by the Play Store.

You can reply to this email to add your response.

Kind regards,

Lynx EVO Support

Sincerely,

Lynx Evo Product Support

[ref#:d927bfcc-6dc7-4441:ref]

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I have replied as follows:

reply_to_britpart said:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Thank you for your very speedy reply to my email.

I'd appreciate being kept informed as to developments in this matter; the diagnostic tool is not inexpensive, and I'd obviously not wish to have to replace it without cause.

Yours sincerely,

Roger Stenning

(cc LandyZone forums)

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I'll update this as it develops (or not).

Update: Got this from Britpart earlier:

Britpart-customer-service said:

Just to give you an update, Google are investigating the issue and have given us a 2 day timing on the investigation.

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More when I get it.

If you don't already know, everyone needs to download the application "Auto Diag" this supports the Lynx Evo app where as the old LynxEvoDaig doesn't appear to work anymore.
I think Britpart need to up there game with communication as it's a bit of a **** show.

Gloskris said:

If you don't already know, everyone needs to download the application "Auto Diag" this supports the Lynx Evo app where as the old LynxEvoDaig doesn't appear to work anymore.
I think Britpart need to up there game with communication as it's a bit of a **** show.

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There's no guarantee that this won't be using malware either. Let's wait on Google getting back to Britpart before we jump ship; this is, I suspect, the best way to avoid being hit by more malware.

Right. I've sent emails to Britpart asking for progress reports, but haven't had any further answers, despite these repeated requests.

I have therefore, and regrettably, come to the conclusion that they can't fix this problem, and don't want to talk about it any more. Not very good customer service at all, that.

I have therefore deleted their app from my phone, and am left with an expensive paperweight. I am decidely dischuffed with these people as a result.

Anyone able to recommend a better supported and effective diagnostic for a D2td5?

RogerStenning said:

Anyone able to recommend a better supported and effective diagnostic for a D2td5?

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Two words... Nanocom Evolution.
People complain about it being costly but it pays itself off after a couple of uses when it troubleshoots/corrects malfunctions. It saves time and money.

JUKE179r said:

Two words... Nanocom Evolution.
People complain about it being costly but it pays itself off after a couple of uses when it troubleshoots/corrects malfunctions. It saves time and money.

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Hmm. Having looked over the blurb on their website, I have a question about the Nanocom Evolution. My computers here do not use the Windoze operating system. I'm exclusively a Linux nut. Can the unlock codes be activated using a Linux machine, do you know?

All the activation stuff is done via their website, or on the actual device itself so it doesn't matter what OS you're running.

Shimsteriom said:

All the activation stuff is done via their website, or on the actual device itself so it doesn't matter what OS you're running.

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Cool, thanks

RogerStenning said:

Right. I've sent emails to Britpart asking for progress reports, but haven't had any further answers, despite these repeated requests.

I have therefore, and regrettably, come to the conclusion that they can't fix this problem, and don't want to talk about it any more. Not very good customer service at all, that.

I have therefore deleted their app from my phone, and am left with an expensive paperweight. I am decidely dischuffed with these people as a result.

Anyone able to recommend a better supported and effective diagnostic for a D2td5?

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It's a shame as I have the original Lynx that all the functionality needed and works well - although only with a windows laptop or netbook. I use linux mint (Rosa) on my desktop and only ever switch to windows 10 for the odd app that doesn't have an alternative on linux. I hate windows. Linux seems so much easier and quicker.

brianconwy said:

It's a shame as I have the original Lynx that all the functionality needed and works well - although only with a windows laptop or netbook. I use linux mint (Rosa) on my desktop and only ever switch to windows 10 for the odd app that doesn't have an alternative on linux. I hate windows. Linux seems so much easier and quicker.

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It's a shame that certain packages won't run under Wine in Linux, even with the latest version, which is a vast improvement, and gives reliable repeatable access to the USB ports. Problem is that certain packages require the use of Visual Basic runtimes, and those still won't run under Wine. Oh well. I can do without. Running Ubuntu 14.04 LTS here, although I'll be upgrading it to the latest (18 dot something) in a couple of weeks, when I'm on leave from work.

Aside from the Nanocom Evolution, are there other diagnostic tools that don't require the use of a computer to either activate, or run (or both)?

Shimsteriom said:

All the activation stuff is done via their website, or on the actual device itself so it doesn't matter what OS you're running.

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True but he will need a Windows computer to update the Nanocom's firmware due to the update file being an .exe extension.
I've got Macs so I have to fire up my old Sony VAIO WinXP computer to update my Nanocom.

JUKE179r said:

True but he will need a Windows computer to update the Nanocom's firmware due to the update file being an .exe extension.
I've got Macs so I have to fire up my old Sony VAIO WinXP computer to update my Nanocom.

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I had a hunch that might be the case. Wonder if that process will run under Wine in Linux? Anyone?

Truthfully I never tried the Nanocom file with Wine.
I've had tried other .exe files in Wine wrapper on my Mac but it's been hit or miss sometimes.

RogerStenning said:

Aside from the Nanocom Evolution, are there other diagnostic tools that don't require the use of a computer to either activate, or run (or both)?

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There is the Hawkeye Total (which I'm sure you still need a Windows PC for updates) and the Foxwell NT520 diagnostic tester. From what I've read on other forums If you have a diesel, the Foxwell is a bit iffy with it's diagnostic capabilities.

I just got an email from their technical support people. Apparently (I've not yet checked this), the Lynx Evo app is again available for download on Google Play. I've asked what was done to return it to downloadable status there, but aas I've only just replied to them, don't really expect an answer just yet, if at all (they likely hold these thing close to their chests).

I'll keep you all posted on any developments.

However, I just checked the permissions it now wants. They're extensive and invasive.


[quote"Google"]This app has access to:
Device & app history

• retrieve running apps
• read sensitive log data

Location

• approximate location (network-based)
• precise location (GPS and network-based)

Phone

• read phone status and identity

Photos/Media/Files

• access USB storage filesystem
• read the contents of your USB storage
• modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

Storage

• read the contents of your USB storage
• modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

Wi-Fi connection information

• view Wi-Fi connections

Device ID & call information

• read phone status and identity

Other

• read Home settings and shortcuts
• view network connections
• pair with Bluetooth devices
• access Bluetooth settings
• change system display settings
• connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
• disable your screen lock
• full network access
• close other apps
• run at startup
• reorder running apps
• draw over other apps
• control vibration
• prevent device from sleeping
• install shortcuts[/quote]

I cannot in all honesty say that I'll be using this device again, given the invasiveness of the permissions demanded. I'm therefore (angrily) looking at replacement diagnostic kit.

Thats one of the reasons I don't use windows or google search. They collect all sorts of information about you. Not only that but windows is slowed down by all this 'updating'. Linux is lean and quick. DuckDuckGo search doesn't lead to you being bombarded with targetted ads. If you look at most Android apps they have permissions that make you wonder why they need them.

If I had to get the Lynx Evo I'd get the older one that has the USB interface and connects to a laptop.
Lynx Evo Manual

I think this posting is going to be the nail in the box. I received this, this morning, from them, in reply to my questions regarding what was done and the permissions required:

Lynx_Evo_Tech_Support said:

I'm sorry, the details of the software developed by our software suppliers is subject to an NDA, I am therefore not at liberty to discuss its contents and / or requirements.

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While I understand the industry practice, this does absolutely nothing to answer the concerns over such invasive permission demands, or assure us that the android package won't be subverted by others for other nefarious or underhanded purposes.

I'm left with an expensive paperweight as a result, and I'm not at all amused.

I cannot, and will not, as a result, recommend this diagnostic tool. It is likely a set of security breaches waiting to happen.