Will Note 2 work without camera?

[Nanopit]

Update #2: On further thought, I've decided to not drill a hole in either camera. I'm going to leave the phone in the car and forward calls to my office phone. Thanks for all the help.

Update: Security says I cannot remove the camera and be compliant, I have to leave it in, drill out the lens and fill the lens hole with epoxy. I know this sounds silly, but it's what I have to do to avoid security's wrath. So the question becomes: "Will having a physically damaged camera keep my phone from loading or just error camera-related apps?"

My original question: if I get a Note 2 and successfully remove the cameras (front and back) without damaging anything, will the phone still work/boot? i.e. - Does the phone or Jelly Bean OS version require a camera installed to work? iResQ will remove the cameras from a Galaxy S3 which leads me to think the Note 2 should work as well, but I want to get some feedback on the idea before I drop the money on the phone and void the warranty. I know the Note 2 has a few features that the S3 does note that use the front camera (smart stay and the like) and I'm wondering if disabling those features will satisfy the error gods.

Background: I cannot have a phone with a camera at work; however, I'm extremely dissatisfied with the cameraless BB options and lack of real cameraless smartphone. The wife and I are switching to Verizon and will get new phones in the process. I don't want to get 10-year-old BB Bold technology again, so I'm thinking of getting a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (the phone my wife wants -- for ease of spousal tech support)) and removing the camera myself. I watched some GN2 teardown youtube videos that show how to do it, and I'm feeling gutsy.

Any help (even general Android responses) would be appreciated.

 

[narutoninjakid]

im not really sure might want to ask at xda. Anyway that's some high security job lol. Practically every phone in the last view years has a camera. your job should have a better way to disable cameras or something.

 

[lcneed]

Before you actually go thru with the camera removal, make sure you check your company's policy again. My company does not allow camera phones until a few years back. Time is changing. And now even the company blackberry has camera. They just told you not to use it at work.

I was going thru the same thing years back when iPhone came out. I wanted to switch from BB to iPhone and remove/disable the camera. Then I checked the policy and sure it was changed.

 

[Nanopit]

Thanks for the responses.

@narutoninjakid: Thanks for the tip. What's xda?

@Icneed: Good call (in a bad way). Upon further discussion with security, removing the camera isn't acceptable. I have to leave the camera in, drill out the camera lens, and epoxy the hole. Silly, I know, but it's what I have to comply with. So... I'm thinking my question becomes:

"Will having a physically damaged camera keep my phone from loading or just error camera-related apps?"

 

[NeoGrandizer]

Here's the forum for Verizon's GN2 at XDA.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1884

That's some high security protocol your workplace has. They won't allow any flexibility or even allow you to just cover the lenses? But force you to lobotomize your phone to comply with it. Wow.

I really don't know anything about how Android OS will handle the physical damage. Not good with electronics either. Not sure if something will be shorted in the process as well. This is the first I've heard of this extremity.

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

Update: Security says I cannot remove the camera and be compliant, I have to leave it in, drill out the lens and fill the lens hole with epoxy. I know this sounds silly, but it's what I have to do to avoid security's wrath. So the question becomes: "Will having a physically damaged camera keep my phone from loading or just error camera-related apps?"

My original question: if I get a Note 2 and successfully remove the cameras (front and back) without damaging anything, will the phone still work/boot? i.e. - Does the phone or Jelly Bean OS version require a camera installed to work? iResQ will remove the cameras from a Galaxy S3 which leads me to think the Note 2 should work as well, but I want to get some feedback on the idea before I drop the money on the phone and void the warranty. I know the Note 2 has a few features that the S3 does note that use the front camera (smart stay and the like) and I'm wondering if disabling those features will satisfy the error gods.

Background: I cannot have a phone with a camera at work; however, I'm extremely dissatisfied with the cameraless BB options and lack of real cameraless smartphone. The wife and I are switching to Verizon and will get new phones in the process. I don't want to get 10-year-old BB Bold technology again, so I'm thinking of getting a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (the phone my wife wants -- for ease of spousal tech support)) and removing the camera myself. I watched some GN2 teardown youtube videos that show how to do it, and I'm feeling gutsy.

Any help (even general Android responses) would be appreciated.

WOW! Walmart is getting strict... just kidding. Honestly, I would do without a phone at work, if they require you to have one but have rules like this they should be providing you with one. I can imagine if they are that strict about cameras then they probably aren't too keen on private calls at work either.

As far as drilling and epoxy, if you just drill the lens covering and don't drill into the lens itself then epoxy with a non-conductive epoxy it shouldn't cause any errors, it will just appear you have a cover over the lens if you turn the camera on.

 

[soulstlr]

i would just stick some play-doh over it and call it done...

 

[you2]

If you are going to modify the phone I would paint the lens black (though first clear it via security). Also they while they might have forgotten about it they probably want the FRONT camera covered as well as the back. I can understand why 'tape' would be unacceptable (you could remove it while at work) black paint should be acceptable and if it is not then quite frankly I would find a new job (but I'm a lot less tolerant of power plays then most).
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Having said this if it were MY phone i would not take it to work (even if black paint is acceptable). If they require a phone without a working camera they can provide the phone.

(When I worked for a place that require top secret clearance; they were not nearly this strict in the general work area - though they did not allow us to use ssh on the internet - however there were rules about what could be taken into the SCIF and cameras were definitely not allowed).
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From the way this question has played I have a sneaky feeling this is corporate security and not govt security.

 

[breadnatty08]

Can you get a cheap camera-less Blackberry to use as a work phone?
I know this is common in DC with a lot of Gov't jobs restricting the use of phones with cameras. I'd not recommend modding the phone. First, it'll likely void your warranty. Second, you may never be able to reinstall the camera should you want to use it some day.

 

[Nanopit]

Thanks for the all the help guys.

I'm actually leaning towards SamuraiBigEd (thanks for the drilling tips) and you2 with just not taking the phone to work. I thought about the logistics of actually drilling something as small as the front-facing camera, and I'm thinking the torque on the camera from trying to penetrate the lens could easily make the precision drill job into a really messy drill-ate-something-vital job. (I don't have a drill press or any specialized drill equipment apart from a hand drill)

...and you2, good thinking with the paint, but security was clear that the only way they'd accept the phone was with the drill/epoxy solution (no alternatives).

Dreadnatty08, I'm currently using the 2 phone method, but there's a catch to dualing BB & Droid: They use different data protocols for internet, so you need to get 2 separate SIM cards (& numbers/data plans) to get data on both. Sharing a single SIM between BB & Droid will work for phone calls though. Verizon doesn't do SIM cards, so I'm not sure if phone only is even an option there, but I'll ask when I go back to the store (probably this weekend). Either way, I'm trying to move back to 1 phone number (hard for some friends to remember to try both numbers to get ahold of me) and a smaller phone bill if possible.

 

[Nanopit]

Neograndizer (almost missed you there -- sorry!), Thanks for the link to Verizon XDA. I'll check them out.

 

[you2]

Verizon 4g phones use sim; I can change the sim between my note 2 and razr and everything else just magically works. Btw you can pick up an old razr pretty cheap; they have crappy battery life but if you just use it while at work that shouldn't matter too much; used they can be found between $50 and $100.

Thanks for the all the help guys.

I'm actually leaning towards SamuraiBigEd (thanks for the drilling tips) and you2 with just not taking the phone to work. I thought about the logistics of actually drilling something as small as the front-facing camera, and I'm thinking the torque on the camera from trying to penetrate the lens could easily make the precision drill job into a really messy drill-ate-something-vital job. (I don't have a drill press or any specialized drill equipment apart from a hand drill)

...and you2, good thinking with the paint, but security was clear that the only way they'd accept the phone was with the drill/epoxy solution (no alternatives).

Dreadnatty08, I'm currently using the 2 phone method, but there's a catch to dualing BB & Droid: They use different data protocols for internet, so you need to get 2 separate SIM cards (& numbers/data plans) to get data on both. Sharing a single SIM between BB & Droid will work for phone calls though. Verizon doesn't do SIM cards, so I'm not sure if phone only is even an option there, but I'll ask when I go back to the store (probably this weekend). Either way, I'm trying to move back to 1 phone number (hard for some friends to remember to try both numbers to get ahold of me) and a smaller phone bill if possible.

 

[andrewx77]

don't drill a hole into your 700 dollar device, please

 

[Nanopit]

Thanks for the correction, you2. I'll check what my options are and if I can share my GN2 droid SIM with my old 3G BB Bold just to make the phone work as a backup option.

Andrewx77: Those were about my exact thoughts when it came to drilling. I've disassembled laptops to change hardware before, so I'm thinking this wouldn't be too much different, but I've never taken a power drill to one.

 

[PiscesCloud]

Wouldn't just a dab of black epoxy do just as well ie the type of stuff one can use to repair leaky pipes, patch exhausts etc? Apart from anything else, once it is on you might not even be able to see if it had been drilled as well!


If you do decide it has to be something like drilling you could always just try to impart a heavily frosted surface to the lens cover using these small hand held grinding wheels eg :-

Beesleys Tool Shop UK. Main dealer for Dremel, Proxxon, Trend, Makita, Lamello, Bosch and more. Dremel

 

[tonetwo]

Dreadnatty08, I'm currently using the 2 phone method, but there's a catch to dualing BB & Droid: They use different data protocols for internet, so you need to get 2 separate SIM cards (& numbers/data plans) to get data on both. Sharing a single SIM between BB & Droid will work for phone calls though. Verizon doesn't do SIM cards, so I'm not sure if phone only is even an option there, but I'll ask when I go back to the store (probably this weekend). Either way, I'm trying to move back to 1 phone number (hard for some friends to remember to try both numbers to get ahold of me) and a smaller phone bill if possible.

Have you considered using a Google Voice number (you can port your current number to GV or have them assign you a new one) and have that selectively forward calls during the work day? That doesn't help with the multiple phone bills, but helps with the multiple-numbers problem. Personally I'm wary of Google Voice now that they've pulled the plug on Reader, but it's an option. My heart aches to think of you drilling a hole through the Note 2!

 

[Nanopit]

At this point, I've decided to try getting the GN2, leaving it intact, and storing it in my car during the day (allowed) with call forwarding set up to send calls to my office phone. Thanks for your help, everyone.

PiscesCloud: Alas, security is very literal. If they mean drilling a hole and epoxying, that's all they mean. Other ways to make the camera inoperable are not the same to them (even if they produce the same effect). Good ideas there though. Thanks.

Tonetwo: I haven't looked into Google Voice. I'll probably look into that if forwarding calls to my office phone doesn't work out as planned. Nice backup idea though. Thank you.

Have a good day!

 

[DonB]

Google Voice is a great option as I have been using it for a few years, and voice-mail can be email to you immediately and all voice mail can be customized if you choose to do so to each contact, or you can have a generic message and simply customize some of the message. Below I will post some great GV tips:

Here are some things you can do to get started with Google Voice:

1. Read transcriptions of voicemails. Watch a video

 

[you2]

I've used google voice for a year or so; one thing to be aware is that (at least for me) the transcript will sometimes have a lot of errors so when you read it take it with a bit of grain. Second there is some problem with google voice on the galaxy note 2 - on max volume it is mute and on next to max volume it is not very loud (unless you use iems/headphones); though you can listen to the recording on your computer.
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Google Voice is a great option as I have been using it for a few years, and voice-mail can be email to you immediately and all voice mail can be customized if you choose to do so to each contact, or you can have a generic message and simply customize some of the message. Below I will post some great GV tips:

Here are some things you can do to get started with Google Voice:

1. Read transcriptions of voicemails. Watch a video

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

Don ninja'ed me on this but one feature in particular that would be of interest to you is #2 which allows your Google Voice number to ring multiple phones including land lines.

I've used google voice for a year or so; one thing to be aware is that (at least for me) the transcript will sometimes have a lot of errors so when you read it take it with a bit of grain. Second there is some problem with google voice on the galaxy note 2 - on max volume it is mute and on next to max volume it is not very loud (unless you use iems/headphones); though you can listen to the recording on your computer.
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I can't speak for the Note 2 but I know on all the Evo's, the Hero and the Galaxy S2 it works fine.

 

[DonB]

That is correct, but that goes to say with most transcript apps, so I have that disabled.

I've used google voice for a year or so; one thing to be aware is that (at least for me) the transcript will sometimes have a lot of errors so when you read it take it with a bit of grain.
-

 

[you2]

Yea and it was fine on the razr; not sure if it is a feature of the newer kernel or what but it is annoying

There was some thread on it over at google that made me think that perhaps it was not limted to the note 2 but newer devices.

Don ninja'ed me on this but one feature in particular that would be of interest to you is #2 which allows your Google Voice number to ring multiple phones including land lines.



I can't speak for the Note 2 but I know on all the Evo's, the Hero and the Galaxy S2 it works fine.

 

[teeitup]

I removed the camera from my Note 2. Fairly easy to do and all other functions seem to work as normal. When you try to open the camera app it just says camera not found and closes.