Just got meself a Nexus 7... But!

[crazzyyfool]

I fear now that I'm gonna have to return it because of one major design flaw. That is, the use of the EXT filesystem.

When I try and copy a selection of folders full of photos to the Nexus 7 whether via USB MTP or Wireless, every single file has had it's timestamp changed to the exact time/date the copy operation occurred. This for me, is a complete nightmare.

I have loads of folders with photos that I need to keep in chronological order, if the timestamp is changed (without actually modification of the files) I am unable to sort them date descending (so the newest files appear first).

I have even tried copying a test selection to my Dropbox and using FolderSync to sync the photos back down to the device - however, this doesn't work either. As soon as the files are on the device the filesystem modifies the timestamp. :(

I could of course just leave the photos in the Cloud and view them that way, which I don't mind but I have yet to find a photo gallery app that is able to view photos via Dropbox and provide slideshow capability without downloading them to the device.

Everything works just fine on my SGSII (running ICS 4.0.4) when copying data as all timestamps are retained. I believe this to be down the use of the FAT32 filesystem as opposed to EXT and the fact that USB Mass Storage works and not crappy USB MTP as used on the Nexus 7.

If anyone has a successful workaround to retain timestamps of files I would appreciate it. I can't believe its so difficult to copy a few photos to the device.

I don't want to send it back as I love the Nexus 7 and Android in general but I think I'm gonna have to if I can't get it to work the way it should.

:(

[Ryoken]

Try copying a mkv files to the device.. it crashes Windows Explorer lol

[wwphil]

Ok, but that is not because of the filesystem, it is because of the USB MTP thing.... I believe it is because it is not a simple "copy" where the OS moves files from A to B... it's an app that grabs data and then tells android, create "that" file and put "this" in it, thus resulting in a new file with the "now" timestamp.

zipping your files, and copying the zip over, then extracting it with an app in the nexus7's memory could work. Or running a ftp server on the phone and transferring them that way.... You get the picture... one of these methods should work.

Or you could also ask the devs at cyanogen and they might be able to modify the behavior, or include an option for that.

The last thing I thought is, the metadata of you pictures is untouched... why not find a way to sort using that data ? That would be the actual "right" way to do what you do.

[FiB3R]

You could manage you files better I suppose? I manually date my folders, e.g. 25-12-2000 - Xmas Party. The file names take care of themselves.

What gets changed, creation date or modification date?

[GatorV]

Try MIUI FileExplorer, it has a FTP Server and you can push your photos that way.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

try copying the pictures over using Airdroid it's a good tool for working with your android over wifi

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

Could you not use an ftp client on the tablet and use Filezilla FTP Server on your PC?

[crazzyyfool]

None of the options mentioned work. I've tried using an FTP server on my NX7 then copying the files over via an FTP client wirelessly. Like I said, as soon as the files get saved to the NX7 the filesystem modifies the timestamp - nothing to do with USB MTP as this is over wireless. I've also tried via OS X and Windows, all results in the same problem.

[Guest]

Surely there are apps with exif support?

[crazzyyfool]

Yes, I believe that are but not all of my photos have EXIF data (long story). The point is, the timestamp of the files are being altered without the files themselves being opened and re-saved. The files should have the same timestamps on the NX7 as they do on my computer, but they don't. Copying files shouldn't alter the timestamp.

[c.grz]

I'm guessing it's only showing the modified date which are updated when you copy the file. Just need a way to show/sort by creation date. Is that possible in Android?

[wwphil]

I've been testing on my NX7 and I think something bigger than we think changed cause I was betting that mounting the CIFS share directly in android and doing a copy would yield the desired result.. but even that doesn't work. It actually crashed my NX7. I am thinking this is more jelly bean related... Will test on my phone later. There's only so much android development my company is willing to pay ;-)

I think that you might want to look into a new way of sorting your pics, the behavior we are getting, even if we don't like it, is the right one.

I would begin looking into apps/scripts that could copy your "modify date" from the filesystem to EXIF, as mentionnedby Mark, on your computer, fixing the issue once and for all for the future and all your devices.

[crazzyyfool]

That's all to much hassle just to view some photos correctly. Everything works perfectly on my SGSII. I even updated that to an early JB ROM just to check and the timestamps stay intact.

Guess I'll be buying that 7-inch iPad instead next month.

[wwphil]

Well, if you're willing to go that route and are convinced that it's a filesystem issue. Root your Nexus, and reformat your internal storage to fat32... problem solved

As for going the ipad way, are you sure it won't do the same ? ( I really don't like Apple in anyway, never played with their devices so I actually don't know )

You really should find a new way to sort your stuff, because I can bet you another device someday will do the same behavior and you will revisit this again. Why not do the jump and be done with it ?

Exif is the proper way

[Ryoken]

Dates should be in filenames for easy sorting.. relying on a time modified stamp is just asking for trouble..

[crazzyyfool]

Well, if you're willing to go that route and are convinced that it's a filesystem issue. Root your Nexus, and reformat your internal storage to fat32... problem solved

As for going the ipad way, are you sure it won't do the same ? ( I really don't like Apple in anyway, never played with their devices so I actually don't know )

You really should find a new way to sort your stuff, because I can bet you another device someday will do the same behavior and you will revisit this again. Why not do the jump and be done with it ?

Exif is the proper way

How would I format the storage as FAT32? I've asked the question on XDA and been told it's impossible. My NX7 is already rooted and unlocked.

It's not just photos anyway. It happens to all my music as well.

[Ryoken]

You sort your music by date modified too o_0

Listen, there are programs out there that should be able to edit the filenames of all your stuff to include the date.. and then there it is, for good.

All your waiting for is for some app installed in Windows to go through and change them itself while scanning images or something. It happens. And then you'd be SOL. Put the information that you need into the filename. That's what it's there for, persistent information. You can also update the EXIF data in other programs.

In short, do it right, do it now, and never need to worry about it. Relying on data like modified is begging for trouble, and if it gets changes on your computer, you'd be screwed. Changing the names and you are safe, regardless of what happens down the road.

[crazzyyfool]

No, I don't sort music by date modified, I was just saying. But even if I did why would I want to change all the file names of my music files to include the date? You're all missing the point I'm making. The copied file on the NX7 has had its timestamp changed - without the file having been modified - that's not how it should be.

A file copied from one location to another should have the same timestamp at the destination as it is at the source.

[Anibal P]

No, I don't sort music by date modified, I was just saying. But even if I did why would I want to change all the file names of my music files to include the date? You're all missing the point I'm making. The copied file on the NX7 has had its timestamp changed - without the file having been modified - that's not how it should be.

A file copied from one location to another should have the same timestamp at the destination as it is at the source.

You're not getting it, it's doing the correct thing, if you copy a file the timestamp is supposed to change, you just did an operation on the file, you moved it, that other devices are doing it wrong, and you happen to like the wrong functionality, doesn't change the fact that it's still wrong

[georgevella]

You're not getting it, it's doing the correct thing, if you copy a file the timestamp is supposed to change, you just did an operation on the file, you moved it, that other devices are doing it wrong, and you happen to like the wrong functionality, doesn't change the fact that it's still wrong

No you are getting it wrong. A file move modifies the parent directory and not the file - the file contents remain the same hence the file modified date/time should not change. On the other hand, the directory's modified date/time should be update because, well, you modified the directory's metadata/records/whatever you want to call the data stored in the FS tables.

This behaviour is not correct and changing the way one stores his files because of a bug is not the right way to go.

[Ryoken]

I'm not missing the point..

Just because we want to think of it as an external HDD or something doesn't make it so. It's a different OS, different filesystem, I didn't expect it, but I can't say I'm shocked that it ignores any metadata associated with files moved to it and sets it's own.

What I'm saying it, you shouldn't be relying on any of that data to begin with. That data changes, sometimes with your permission, sometimes because another program decides to go rogue.. It should NEVER be relied on.

I wasn't saying you should rename your music.. you said earlier that you sort your pictures by date. You should rename your pictures. If you plan on sorting by Date, and that is important to you [ as in you would be ****ED if tomorrow you log in and all your images have todays date ] then you should be putting that information into the filename. It's that simple.

I know for a fact that the Nexus 7 and it's filesys are not alone in treating files copied from other filesystem as new files.

I'm trying to point out the fact that the information that you find important, the date modified stamp, is something that should NOT be relied on. Ever. The fact that it's not the same on your Nexus should be little more than a trivial piece of information to you, rather than rendering the device useless.

[Lord Zog]

Are you sure android is looking at the modifed date and NOT the created date? Maybe Jelly Bean looks at the wrong date? Hence why FTP shows the wrong date also on your NX7.. Your GS2 running JB will be using a heavily moddifed CM9 till we get official drivers for your S2, so, it might still read the modified date and not created date.. Just a thought..

[moloko]

I just checked my samsung phone and it keeps the date that is on the same file in windows. Same with my nook. (just looking at different devices).

The others are correct though. You should not be relying on this as a way to view and sort your files. Get an Exif editor and label your files correctly. Yes it is a pain in the ass but will help you in the future. Doing it my Exif or flie name is your way to go. Then there will be no issues with any devices. What you are doing is not best business practices and you need to alter to a better standard. I am not being mean. Just trying to help as others are giving you here.

[Ryoken]

Yep, do it right, once, and never need to worry about it again.

[mikearnill]

I had also recently bought nexus 7 and it is one of the coolest thing I had ever seen. It have damn huge screen, cool user interface and have many other cool features. I love to use it.