Into coding ? Here’s a Tool for Reengineering Android apk Files
Those of you that browse the XDA-developers forum have for sure heard of Brut.All. First time I heard of him was when he modified the Google Maps application so that Navigation was also possible outside of the United States.
I guess modifying apps like that brought him the idea of writing a tool that was able to do this.
Development on this tool seem to have really started in the beginning of March, that’s when it first appeared on XDA-developers forum and he also created a project on Google Code.
What is it exactly ?
It is a tool for reengineering 3rd party, closed, binary Android apps. Currently it can decode nearly all resources and could help with some repetitive tasks. In addition, I have some idea, how to greatly improve developing and debugging smali code.
What is it NOT ?
It is NOT intended for piracy and other non-legal uses. It could be used for localizing, adding some features or support for custom platforms and other GOOD purposes. Just try to be fair with authors of app, that you use and probably like.
Features:
- helping with some repetitive tasks
- decoding resources to nearly original form
- updating resources IDs contained in app code after resources repackaging
Brut.all also made some videos to show you how to use the tool:
If you want to know more, just go to the links above. Another FYI, the tool currently only works under Linux, a port to MS Windows is being worked on.
Also a good place to read about Brut.all’s plans for the future is his DreamsAboutTheFuture Wiki page.
One last thing, if you like his work, buy him a droidburger! 
