Sony Tablet S de-Googled

[pwndecaf]

As of Feb. 8/9 of 2017, it looks to me like my Tablet S, which came with 4.0.3 is no longer able to run Google apps. The tablet is still fine for other things, but the Chrome browser is on version 42 and can't be updated. Kinda sucks that one day it works, and the next it doesn't. It is still a fine tablet but much less useful to me without the Google apps. Some can still run in the browser, but it certainly is not as handy.

 

[m4q]

Hi,
I have the same issue. A couple of days ago (I think on 10.02.2017), all Google apps lost connection to 'mothership' on my STS . I've tried all potential fixes out there (clearing data, cache, uninstalling updates, re-installing updates, uninstalling Google Services, modifying hosts file, disabling two-step authentication etc.) - nothing works. I've made also a factory reset and up until the moment I download Google Services app, the connection is there. However, all new versions of Gapps require Google Services in order to run. So it's either running a couple years old versions or not having Gapps at all.
Is this some kind of intentional action on Google side? Or maybe some bug in Google Services app? I doubt many people here still use STS, but maybe there's hope that someone finds a solution to this issue?

 

[pwndecaf]

Hi,
I have the same issue. A couple of days ago (I think on 10.02.2017), all Google apps lost connection to 'mothership' on my STS . I've tried all potential fixes out there (clearing data, cache, uninstalling updates, re-installing updates, uninstalling Google Services, modifying hosts file, disabling two-step authentication etc.) - nothing works. I've made also a factory reset and up until the moment I download Google Services app, the connection is there. However, all new versions of Gapps require Google Services in order to run. So it's either running a couple years old versions or not having Gapps at all.
Is this some kind of intentional action on Google side? Or maybe some bug in Google Services app? I doubt many people here still use STS, but maybe there's hope that someone finds a solution to this issue?

Thanks for the reply. My belief is the Chrome browser cannot be updated on the version of Android it is running. That would mean to me that any other device running 4.0.3 is running Chrome 42, also, and nothing can be done. Sure would like to be wrong. I have plenty of options (toys), but I hate losing normal functions on an otherwise functional machine. It is 5 years old.

 

[m4q]

Thanks for starting this thread in the first place. Without it, I would still be wondering am I the only one with this issue .
I don't think it's connected solely to Chrome browser. From my point of view, it has something to do with google services. I've tried to revert to some older version (via APK mirror, but with no success). What's worse, now I can't even get into google play store (for a while I could, despite Gapps being down). Not sure what to do at this point. I've used my STS mostly for YT or some movie during travel. I guess I'm left with just the latter . Anyway, if it's not just a bug, then it's a really unfair move from google.

 

[pwndecaf]

Thanks for starting this thread in the first place. Without it, I would still be wondering am I the only one with this issue .
I don't think it's connected solely to Chrome browser. From my point of view, it has something to do with google services. I've tried to revert to some older version (via APK mirror, but with no success). What's worse, now I can't even get into google play store (for a while I could, despite Gapps being down). Not sure what to do at this point. I've used my STS mostly for YT or some movie during travel. I guess I'm left with just the latter . Anyway, if it's not just a bug, then it's a really unfair move from google.

I would bet I am correct, but...see which version of Android and the browser you are running and compare to what I reported. I was told the browser was no longer updateable with 4.0.3. The fact that it happened just as Google was announcing its new products is what led me to this conclusion.

You can still watch YouTube through the browser on your STS. I had mine on my bedstand with the dock so that I could watch in bed via Google Cast. Cast will not work because of this issue, even in the browser, because it is a newer app. So, I replaced it with my Nexus 7 2012, which also has a dock. Works fine, as would a phone or tablet.

These are my conclusions - if you find otherwise, please report back! :good:

 

[m4q]

Of course, I'm not 100% sure, but since I'm not using Chrome browser and still have this issue - wouldn't that indicate that it isn't a browser-related one? Plus, once you do a factory reset and not install Google Play Services, the connection to Google servers is being established. It's being lost after Google Play Services installation. That's what suggest to me that these services are indeed the culprit. In the end it doesn't really matter as whatever the culprit is, it doesn't look like we can solve this on our own .

 

[pwndecaf]

Of course, I'm not 100% sure, but since I'm not using Chrome browser and still have this issue - wouldn't that indicate that it isn't a browser-related one? Plus, once you do a factory reset and not install Google Play Services, the connection to Google servers is being established. It's being lost after Google Play Services installation. That's what suggest to me that these services are indeed the culprit. In the end it doesn't really matter as whatever the culprit is, it doesn't look like we can solve this on our own .

Not disagreeing. Just saying that if the browser can't be updated, then apps can't be either, perhaps for the reasons you state. Sorry for the confusion. I think we're looking at the same thing from different perspectives. Either way, I think the STS is de-Googled. It is a shame as I think it has been a really good machine for its specs. Time to repurpose it or just put it away.

 

[m4q]

Sad, but true . STS had its quirks, but it has been with me longer than any other equipment.
I won't hold my breath, but maybe next Google Play Services update or some other update could fix this issue. I'll let you know if I find something.
Cheers.

 

[pwndecaf]

I got out another Android tablet (an Asus 2 in 1) that I was thinking of repurposing and found it had Android 4.0.3 and Google Play Services 10.2.98. There is no access to Google apps except the Play Store and the Chrome browser. I forgot to check which browser number it was but if I had to guess, it is 42. Since I had not been using it, I don't know when this access was taken away, but I'd think it was the same timeframe as the STS.

 

[spicyalan]

There are 2 seperate issues.
- Chrome browser does not update: this is normal (I think since quite some time), as the chrome browser does not support Android 4.0 anymore. Just download another browser.

- Since a short time (days, weeks) there are some issues with the google services. Youtube doesn't start, sync doesn't work. Google Photos cannot login. But the play store does work fine.
This problem occurs on 3 seperate tablets, all with different google logins and configurations. I also tried resetting to factory state on one tablet, with the same results.
This is not because of android 4.0, because I have other devices that are older (even 2.3) that still work fine. There is probably a Google-Service update that does not play nicely with the tablet S (or maybe even other tegra 2 chipsets).

---------- Post added at 08:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 AM ----------

FYI:

It is indeed an incompatability between the latest Google-Services and Tegra2 chip.
All Tegra2 devices seems to be impacted, including the devices that are updateable to a newer version of android.

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/play/uX3Xqk2gi_k;context-place=topicsearchin/play/category$3Aandroid%7Csort:relevance%7Cspell:false

 

[pwndecaf]

There are 2 seperate issues.
- Chrome browser does not update: this is normal (I think since quite some time), as the chrome browser does not support Android 4.0 anymore. Just download another browser.

- Since a short time (days, weeks) there are some issues with the google services. Youtube doesn't start, sync doesn't work. Google Photos cannot login. But the play store does work fine.
This problem occurs on 3 seperate tablets, all with different google logins and configurations. I also tried resetting to factory state on one tablet, with the same results.
This is not because of android 4.0, because I have other devices that are older (even 2.3) that still work fine. There is probably a Google-Service update that does not play nicely with the tablet S (or maybe even other tegra 2 chipsets).

---------- Post added at 08:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 AM ----------

FYI:

It is indeed an incompatability between the latest Google-Services and Tegra2 chip.
All Tegra2 devices seems to be impacted, including the devices that are updateable to a newer version of android.

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/play/uX3Xqk2gi_k;context-place=topicsearchin/play/category$3Aandroid%7Csort:relevance%7Cspell:false

Thanks for the info! I will keep looking at the various sites to see if a fix for the Tegra devices comes out, but I'm not counting on it. Again, everything by Google but the Chrome browser and the Play Store seem to be affected, so the main reason I use Google is gone for two devices. If it isn't a Google app, they do work. YouTube works in the browser, but not Cast, etc. Hulu works.

I have other tablets and phones that have ARM processors, so I don't need to buy anything, but it is disappointing that they screwed up two good Google devices I have, one being in use everyday until it happened. That reminds me, I have a Chromebook with a Tegra chip - I'll have to check on that...updating from 59..0.2924.87 to...56.0.2924.110 - no problems. This is a Samsung XE303C12.

 

[m4q]

Thanks a lot spicyalan for the info about all Tegra2 devices being affected.
I've just installed Google Play Services version 10.5.42 (beta) and it seems to have solved the issue . At least I can use Gmail and YT freely, without crashes or FCs.
Afterwards, I have checked your link (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/play/uX3Xqk2gi_k;context-place=topicsearchin/play/category$3Aandroid%7Csort:relevance%7Cspell:false) and others have confirm this to be a working solution (at least for the time being).
Cheers!:good:

 

[pwndecaf]

Thanks a lot spicyalan for the info about all Tegra2 devices being affected.
I've just installed Google Play Services version 10.5.42 (beta) and it seems to have solved the issue . At least I can use Gmail and YT freely, without crashes or FCs.
Afterwards, I have checked your link (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/play/uX3Xqk2gi_k;context-place=topicsearchin/play/category$3Aandroid%7Csort:relevance%7Cspell:false) and others have confirm this to be a working solution (at least for the time being).
Cheers!:good:

Agreed, the 10.5.42 beta works on my Asus TF101 and my Sony Tablet S, both having Android 4.0.3.

 

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