diff --git a/CHANGES.md b/CHANGES.md
index d69f1ceef..102b3e2f3 100644
--- a/CHANGES.md
+++ b/CHANGES.md
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Changes
 
+##### cordova-sqlite-legacy-core 1.0.6
+
+###### cordova-sqlite-legacy-express-core 1.0.4
+
+- Cleaned up workaround solution to BUG 666: close db before opening (ignore close error)
+- android.database end transaction if active before closing (needed for new BUG 666 workaround solution to pass selfTest in case of builtin android.database implementation)
+
 ##### cordova-sqlite-legacy-core 1.0.5
 
 ###### cordova-sqlite-legacy-express-core 1.0.3
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 685e37ff9..833625575 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -106,17 +106,24 @@ Use the `location` or `iosDatabaseLocation` option in `sqlitePlugin.openDatabase
   - NONCOMPLIANT error code (-1) and INCONSISTENT error message (missing actual error info) in error callbacks ref: [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#539](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/539)
   - Not possible to read BLOB column values
   - Windows platform version uses `UTF-16le` internal database encoding while the other platform versions use `UTF-8` internal encoding. (`UTF-8` internal encoding is preferred ref: [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#652](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/652))
+- The macOS platform version ("osx" platform) is not tested in a release build and should be considered pre-alpha.
 - Android versions supported: 2.3.3 - 7.1.1 (API level 10 - 25), depending on Cordova version ref: <https://cordova.apache.org/docs/en/latest/guide/platforms/android/>
 - iOS versions supported: 8.x / 9.x / 10.x / 11.x
 - FTS3, FTS4, and R-Tree are fully tested and supported for all target platforms in this version branch.
-- In case of memory issues please use smaller transactions or use the version at [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) (GPL or commercial license terms).
+- Default `PRAGMA journal_mode` setting (*tested*):
+  - Android (builtin android.database implementation _as selected using the `androidDatabaseImplementation` option in `window.sqlitePlugin.openDatabase`_): `persist`
+  - otherwise: `delete`
+- AUTO-VACUUM is not enabled by default. If no form of `VACUUM` or `PRAGMA auto_vacuum` is used then sqlite will automatically reuse deleted data space for new data but the database file will never shrink. For reference: <http://www.sqlite.org/pragma.html#pragma_auto_vacuum> and [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#646](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/646)
+- In case of memory issues please use smaller transactions or use the plugin version at [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) (GPL or commercial license terms).
 
 <!-- END Status -->
 
 ## Announcements
 
+- Nice overview of this and other alternatives for storing local data at: <https://www.sitepoint.com/storing-local-data-in-a-cordova-app/>
+- New alternative solution for small data storage: [TheCocoaProject/ cordova-plugin-nativestorage](https://github.com/TheCocoaProject/cordova-plugin-nativestorage) - simpler "native storage of variables" for Android/iOS/Windows
 - Resolved Java 6/7/8 concurrent map compatibility issue reported in [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#726](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/726), THANKS to pointer by [@NeoLSN (Jason Yang/楊朝傑)](https://github.com/NeoLSN) in [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#727](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/727).
-- New workaround solution to [BUG 666 (litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#666)](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/666) (possible transaction issue after window.location change with possible data loss): attempt to close database before opening (ignore close error)
+- Updated workaround solution to [BUG 666 (litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#666)](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/666) (possible transaction issue after window.location change with possible data loss): close database if already open before opening again
 - Windows 10 (UWP) build with /SAFESEH flag on Win32 (x86) target to specify "Image has Safe Exception Handlers" as described in <https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/build/reference/safeseh-image-has-safe-exception-handlers>
 - Fixed iOS/macOS platform version to use [PSPDFThreadSafeMutableDictionary.m](https://gist.github.com/steipete/5928916) to avoid threading issue ref: [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#716](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/716)
 - [brodybits / cordova-sqlite-test-app](https://github.com/brodybits/cordova-sqlite-test-app) project is a CC0 (public domain) starting point (NOTE that this plugin must be added) and may also be used to reproduce issues with this plugin.
@@ -125,7 +132,7 @@ Use the `location` or `iosDatabaseLocation` option in `sqlitePlugin.openDatabase
 - [brodybits / sql-promise-helper](https://github.com/brodybits/sql-promise-helper) provides a Promise-based API wrapper.
 - [nolanlawson / pouchdb-adapter-cordova-sqlite](https://github.com/nolanlawson/pouchdb-adapter-cordova-sqlite) supports this plugin along with other implementations such as [nolanlawson / sqlite-plugin-2](https://github.com/nolanlawson/sqlite-plugin-2) and [Microsoft / cordova-plugin-websql](https://github.com/Microsoft/cordova-plugin-websql).
 - macOS ("osx" platform) is now supported
-- New [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) version with Android JSON and SQL statement handling implemented in C, as well as support for PhoneGap Build, Intel XDK, etc. (GPL or commercial license terms). Handles large SQL batches in less than half the time as this version. Also supports arbitrary database location on Android.
+- New [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) plugin version with Android JSON and SQL statement handling implemented in C, as well as support for PhoneGap Build, Intel XDK, etc. (GPL or commercial license terms). Handles large SQL batches in less than half the time as this plugin version. Also supports arbitrary database location on Android.
 - Published [brodybits / Cordova-quick-start-checklist](https://github.com/brodybits/Cordova-quick-start-checklist) and [brodybits / Avoiding-some-Cordova-pitfalls](https://github.com/brodybits/Avoiding-some-Cordova-pitfalls).
 - Windows 8.1/Windows Phone 8.1/Windows 10 version is available **here** (with dependency on `v140` build toolset included by Visual Studio 2015) as well as in [litehelpers / cordova-sqlite-ext](https://github.com/litehelpers/cordova-sqlite-ext) (with pre-populated database support) and [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-legacy](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-legacy) (with WP8 support). UNTESTED and UNSUPPORTED WORKAROUND for Visual Studio 2017 is described at: <https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/48806/cant-find-v140-in-visual-studio-2017.html>)
 - Android platform version currently uses the lightweight [Android-sqlite-connector](https://github.com/liteglue/Android-sqlite-connector) by default configuration (may be changed as described below).
@@ -143,9 +150,9 @@ Use the `location` or `iosDatabaseLocation` option in `sqlitePlugin.openDatabase
 - Failure-safe nested transactions with batch processing optimizations (according to HTML5/[Web SQL API](http://www.w3.org/TR/webdatabase/))
 - Transaction API (based on HTML5/[Web SQL API](http://www.w3.org/TR/webdatabase/)) is designed for maximum flexiblibility, does not allow any transactions to be left hanging open.
 - As described in [this posting](http://brodyspark.blogspot.com/2012/12/cordovaphonegap-sqlite-plugins-offer.html):
-  - Keeps sqlite database in known, platform specific user data location on all platforms (Android/iOS/macOS/Windows), which can be reconfigured on iOS/macOS. Whether or not the database on the iOS platform is synchronized to iCloud depends on the selected database location.
+  - Keeps sqlite database in known, platform specific user data location on all supported platforms (Android/iOS/macOS/Windows), which can be reconfigured on iOS/macOS. Whether or not the database on the iOS platform is synchronized to iCloud depends on the selected database location.
   - No arbitrary size limit. SQLite limits described at: <http://www.sqlite.org/limits.html>
-- Also validated for multi-page applications with window location changes by selfTest function.
+- Also validated for multi-page applications by internal test selfTest function.
 - This project is self-contained though with sqlite3 dependencies auto-fetched by npm. There are no dependencies on other plugins such as cordova-plugin-file.
 - Windows platform version uses a customized version of the performant [doo / SQLite3-WinRT](https://github.com/doo/SQLite3-WinRT) C++ component.
 - [SQLCipher](https://www.zetetic.net/sqlcipher/) support for Android/iOS/macOS/Windows is available in: [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlcipher-adapter](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlcipher-adapter)
@@ -199,7 +206,6 @@ As "strongly recommended" by [Web SQL Database API 8.5 SQL injection](https://ww
 
 - This plugin will NOT work on `cordova-android@7` due to issue with JAR and NDK library files as discussed in [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#729](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/729).
 - The iOS/macOS platform versions do not support certain rapidly repeated open-and-close or open-and-delete test scenarios due to how the implementation handles background processing
-- As described below, auto-vacuum is NOT enabled by default.
 - The Android platform version does not always handle four-byte UTF-8 characters emoji characters such as `\u1F603` (SMILING FACE, MOUTH OPEN) correctly ref: [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#564](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/564). It is sometimes possible to store and retrieve such characters but certain operations such as hex conversions do not work properly when using the default [Android-sqlite-connector](https://github.com/liteglue/Android-sqlite-connector) database implementation. It is suspected that such characters would be stored incorrectly by the default Android platform version. Note that this is not an issue in case the built-in Android database is used (using the `androidDatabaseImplementation: 2` setting in `window.sqlitePlugin.openDatabase`)
 - It is possible to request a SQL statement list such as "SELECT 1; SELECT 2" within a single SQL statement string, however the plugin will only execute the first statement and silently ignore the others ref: [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#551](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/551)
 - Execution of INSERT statement that affects multiple rows (due to SELECT cause or using TRIGGER(s), for example) reports incorrect rowsAffected on Android in case the built-in Android database used (using the `androidDatabaseImplementation` option in `window.sqlitePlugin.openDatabase`)
@@ -217,7 +223,7 @@ As "strongly recommended" by [Web SQL Database API 8.5 SQL injection](https://ww
 - Incorrect or missing insertId/rowsAffected in results for INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE SQL statements with extra semicolon(s) in the beginning for Android platform version in case the `androidDatabaseImplementation: 2` (built-in android.database implementation) option is used.
 - In case of an error, the error `code` member is bogus on Android
 - Windows platform version reports NONCOMPLIANT error code (-1) in case of an error
-- iOS platform version generates extra logging in release version
+- iOS platform version generates extra logging in release build
 - iOS platform version may crash if deleteDatabase is called with an object in place of the database name
 - readTransaction does not reject ALTER, REINDEX, and REPLACE operations
 - readTransaction does *not* reject modification statements with extra semicolon(s) in the beginning
@@ -233,7 +239,7 @@ Some additional issues are tracked in [open Cordova-sqlite-storage bug-general i
 - ~~The db version, display name, and size parameter values are not supported and will be ignored.~~ (No longer supported by the API)
 - Absolute and relative subdirectory path(s) are not tested or supported.
 - This plugin will not work before the callback for the 'deviceready' event has been fired, as described in **Usage**. (This is consistent with the other Cordova plugins.)
-- Extremely large records are not supported by this plugin. It is recommended to store images and similar binary data in separate files. TBD: specify maximum record. For future consideration: support in a version such as [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) (GPL or commercial license terms).
+- Extremely large records are not supported by this plugin. It is recommended to store images and similar binary data in separate files. TBD: specify maximum record. For future consideration: support in a plugin version such as [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) (GPL or commercial license terms).
 - This plugin version will not work within a web worker (not properly supported by the Cordova framework). Use within a web worker is supported for Android/iOS in [litehelpers / cordova-sqlite-evmax-ext-workers-legacy-build-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/cordova-sqlite-evmax-ext-workers-legacy-build-free) (GPL or premium commercial license terms).
 - In-memory database `db=window.sqlitePlugin.openDatabase({name: ':memory:', ...})` is currently not supported.
 - The Android platform version cannot properly support more than 100 open database files due to the threading model used.
@@ -295,7 +301,7 @@ Additional limitations are tracked in [open Cordova-sqlite-storage doc-todo issu
 - The plugin class name starts with "SQL" in capital letters, but in Javascript the `sqlitePlugin` object name starts with "sql" in small letters.
 - Attempting to open a database before receiving the 'deviceready' event callback.
 - Inserting STRING into ID field
-- Auto-vacuum is NOT enabled by default. It is recommended to periodically VACUUM the database.
+- Auto-vacuum is NOT enabled by default. It is recommended to periodically VACUUM the database. If no form of `VACUUM` or `PRAGMA auto_vacuum` is used then sqlite will automatically reuse deleted data space for new data but the database file will never shrink. For reference: <http://www.sqlite.org/pragma.html#pragma_auto_vacuum> and [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#646](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/646)
 - Transactions on a database are run sequentially. A large transaction could block smaller transactions requested afterwards.
 
 ### Some weird pitfall(s)
@@ -327,8 +333,8 @@ Documented in: [brodybits / Avoiding-some-Cordova-pitfalls](https://github.com/b
 
 ## For future considertion
 
-- Auto-vacuum option
-- Support for extremely large records in a version such as [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) (available with GPL or commercial license options)
+- Explicit auto-vacuum option ref: [litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#646](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage/issues/646)
+- Support for extremely large records in a plugin version such as [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) (available with GPL or commercial license options)
 - Integrate with some other libraries such as Sequelize, Squel.js, WebSqlSync, Persistence.js, Knex, etc.
 
 <!-- END For future considertion -->
@@ -337,20 +343,20 @@ Documented in: [brodybits / Avoiding-some-Cordova-pitfalls](https://github.com/b
 
 ### Comparison of sqlite plugin versions
 
-- [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-storage](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage) - core version for Android/iOS/macOS/Windows (permissive license terms)
-- [litehelpers / cordova-sqlite-ext](https://github.com/litehelpers/cordova-sqlite-ext) - version with REGEXP (Android/iOS/macOS), SELECT BLOB in Base64 format (all platforms Android/iOS/macOS/Windows), and pre-populated databases (all platforms Android/iOS/macOS/Windows). Permissive license terms.
-- [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-legacy-build-support](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-legacy-build-support) - maintenance of WP8 version along with Windows 8.1/Windows Phone 8.1 and the other supported platforms Android/iOS/macOS/Windows 10; limited support for PhoneGap CLI/PhoneGap Build/plugman/Intel XDK; limited testing; limited updates. Permissive license terms.
+- [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-storage](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage) - core plugin version for Android/iOS/macOS/Windows (permissive license terms)
+- [litehelpers / cordova-sqlite-ext](https://github.com/litehelpers/cordova-sqlite-ext) - plugin version with REGEXP (Android/iOS/macOS), SELECT BLOB in Base64 format (all platforms Android/iOS/macOS/Windows), and pre-populated databases (all platforms Android/iOS/macOS/Windows). Permissive license terms.
+- [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-legacy-build-support](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-legacy-build-support) - maintenance of WP8 platform version along with Windows 8.1/Windows Phone 8.1 and the other supported platforms Android/iOS/macOS/Windows 10; limited support for PhoneGap CLI/PhoneGap Build/plugman/Intel XDK; limited testing; limited updates. Permissive license terms.
 - [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlcipher-adapter](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlcipher-adapter) - supports [SQLCipher](https://www.zetetic.net/sqlcipher/) for Android/iOS/macOS/Windows
-- [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) - Enhancements for Android: JSON and SQL statement handling implemented in C, supports larger transactions and handles large SQL batches in less than half the time as this version. Supports arbitrary database location on Android. Support for build environments such as PhoneGap Build and Intel XDK. Also includes REGEXP (Android/iOS/macOS) and SELECT BLOB in Base64 format (all platforms Android/iOS/macOS/Windows). GPL or commercial license terms.
+- [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evcore-extbuild-free) - Enhancements for Android: JSON and SQL statement handling implemented in C, supports larger transactions and handles large SQL batches in less than half the time as this plugin version. Supports arbitrary database location on Android. Support for build environments such as PhoneGap Build and Intel XDK. Also includes REGEXP (Android/iOS/macOS) and SELECT BLOB in Base64 format (all platforms Android/iOS/macOS/Windows). GPL or commercial license terms.
 - [litehelpers / cordova-sqlite-evplus-ext-legacy-build-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/cordova-sqlite-evplus-ext-legacy-build-free) - internal memory improvements to support larger transactions (Android/iOS) and fix to support all Unicode characters (iOS). (GPL or special commercial license terms).
-- [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evplus-legacy-attach-detach-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evplus-legacy-attach-detach-free) - version with support for ATTACH, includes internal memory improvements to support larger transactions (Android/iOS) and fix to support all Unicode characters (GPL or special commercial license terms).
-- [litehelpers / cordova-sqlite-evmax-ext-workers-legacy-build-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/cordova-sqlite-evmax-ext-workers-legacy-build-free) - version with support for web workers, includes internal memory improvements to support larger transactions (Android/iOS) and fix to support all Unicode characters (iOS). (GPL or premium commercial license terms).
+- [litehelpers / Cordova-sqlite-evplus-legacy-attach-detach-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-evplus-legacy-attach-detach-free) - plugin version with support for ATTACH, includes internal memory improvements to support larger transactions (Android/iOS) and fix to support all Unicode characters (GPL or special commercial license terms).
+- [litehelpers / cordova-sqlite-evmax-ext-workers-legacy-build-free](https://github.com/litehelpers/cordova-sqlite-evmax-ext-workers-legacy-build-free) - plugin version with support for web workers, includes internal memory improvements to support larger transactions (Android/iOS) and fix to support all Unicode characters (iOS). (GPL or premium commercial license terms).
 - Adaptation for React Native Android and iOS: [andpor / react-native-sqlite-storage](https://github.com/andpor/react-native-sqlite-storage) (permissive license terms)
-- Original version for iOS (with a non-standard, outdated transaction API): [davibe / Phonegap-SQLitePlugin](https://github.com/davibe/Phonegap-SQLitePlugin) (permissive license terms)
+- Original plugin version for iOS (with a non-standard, outdated transaction API): [davibe / Phonegap-SQLitePlugin](https://github.com/davibe/Phonegap-SQLitePlugin) (permissive license terms)
 
 <!-- END Comparison of sqlite plugin versions -->
 
-### Other SQLite adapter projects
+### Other SQLite access projects
 
 - [object-layer / AnySQL](https://github.com/object-layer/anysql) - Unified SQL API over multiple database engines
 - [samikrc / CordovaSQLite](https://github.com/samikrc/CordovaSQLite) - Simpler sqlite plugin with a simpler API and browser platform
@@ -364,18 +370,23 @@ Documented in: [brodybits / Avoiding-some-Cordova-pitfalls](https://github.com/b
 - [Thinkwise / cordova-plugin-websql](https://github.com/Thinkwise/cordova-plugin-websql) - fork of [Microsoft / cordova-plugin-websql](https://github.com/Microsoft/cordova-plugin-websql) that supports asynchronous execution
 - [MetaMemoryT / websql-client](https://github.com/MetaMemoryT/websql-client) - provides the same API and connects to [websql-server](https://github.com/MetaMemoryT/websql-server) through WebSockets.
 
-<!-- END Other SQLite adapter projects -->
+<!-- END Other SQLite access projects -->
 
-### Alternative solutions
+### Alternative storage solutions
 
+- <https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/IndexedDB_API> available on newer Android/iOS/Windows versions, please see best practices at <https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/instant-and-offline/web-storage/indexeddb-best-practices>
+- [TheCocoaProject/ cordova-plugin-nativestorage](https://github.com/TheCocoaProject/cordova-plugin-nativestorage) - simpler "native storage of variables" (small data storage) for Android/iOS/macOS/Windows (TBD browser support?)
 - Use [phearme / cordova-ContentProviderPlugin](https://github.com/phearme/cordova-ContentProviderPlugin) to query content providers on Android devices
 - [ABB-Austin / cordova-plugin-indexeddb-async](https://github.com/ABB-Austin/cordova-plugin-indexeddb-async) - Asynchronous IndexedDB plugin for Cordova that uses [axemclion / IndexedDBShim](https://github.com/axemclion/IndexedDBShim) (Browser/iOS/Android/Windows) and [Thinkwise / cordova-plugin-websql](https://github.com/Thinkwise/cordova-plugin-websql) - (Windows)
-- Use [NativeScript](https://www.nativescript.org) with its web view and [NathanaelA / nativescript-sqlite](https://github.com/Natha
-naelA/nativescript-sqlite) (Android and/or iOS)
+- Use [NativeScript](https://www.nativescript.org) with its web view and [NathanaelA / nativescript-sqlite](https://github.com/NathanaelA/nativescript-sqlite) (Android and/or iOS)
 - Standard HTML5 [local storage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_storage#localStorage)
 - [Realm.io](https://realm.io/)
+- Other Cordova storage alternatives described at:
+  - <https://www.sitepoint.com/storing-local-data-in-a-cordova-app/>
+  - <https://www.joshmorony.com/a-summary-of-local-storage-options-for-phonegap-applications/>
+  - <http://cordova.apache.org/docs/en/latest/cordova/storage/storage.html>
 
-<!-- END Alternative solutions -->
+<!-- END Alternative storage solutions -->
 
 # Usage
 
@@ -526,7 +537,7 @@ var db = window.sqlitePlugin.openDatabase({
 
 ## SQL transactions
 
-The following types of SQL transactions are supported by this version:
+The following types of SQL transactions are supported by this plugin version:
 - Single-statement transactions
 - SQL batch transactions
 - Standard asynchronous transactions
@@ -681,7 +692,7 @@ db.readTransaction(function(tx) {
 
 ## Background processing
 
-The threading model depends on which version is used:
+The threading model depends on which platform version is used:
 - For Android, one background thread per db;
 - for iOS/macOS, background processing using a very limited thread pool (only one thread working at a time);
 - for Windows, no background processing.
diff --git a/SQLitePlugin.coffee.md b/SQLitePlugin.coffee.md
index a82e3b7d0..6c2888021 100644
--- a/SQLitePlugin.coffee.md
+++ b/SQLitePlugin.coffee.md
@@ -250,14 +250,16 @@
         # store initial DB state:
         @openDBs[@dbname] = DB_STATE_INIT
 
-        # NEW WORKAROUND SOLUTION to BUG litehelpers/Cordova-sqlite-storage#666:
-        # Request to native implementation to close existing database
-        # connection if it is already open. Wait for success or error
-        # response before opening the database.
-        openStep2 = =>
+        # UPDATED WORKAROUND SOLUTION to cordova-sqlite-storage BUG 666:
+        # Request to native side to close existing database
+        # connection in case it is already open.
+        # Wait for callback before opening the database
+        # (ignore close error).
+        step2 = =>
           cordova.exec opensuccesscb, openerrorcb, "SQLitePlugin", "open", [ @openargs ]
+          return
 
-        cordova.exec openStep2, openStep2, 'SQLitePlugin', 'close', [ { path: @dbname } ]
+        cordova.exec step2, step2, 'SQLitePlugin', 'close', [ { path: @dbname } ]
 
       return
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index c8723c1ac..30bee5be1 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "cordova-sqlite-legacy-core",
-  "version": "1.0.5",
+  "version": "1.0.6",
   "description": "Native interface to SQLite for PhoneGap/Cordova (legacy core version branch)",
   "cordova": {
     "id": "cordova-sqlite-legacy-core",
diff --git a/plugin.xml b/plugin.xml
index f88fb2b90..778b1d9b8 100644
--- a/plugin.xml
+++ b/plugin.xml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 <plugin xmlns="http://www.phonegap.com/ns/plugins/1.0"
     xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
     id="cordova-sqlite-legacy-core"
-    version="1.0.5">
+    version="1.0.6">
 
     <name>Cordova sqlite storage plugin - legacy core version branch</name>
 
diff --git a/spec/www/index.html b/spec/www/index.html
index fa6e981e8..2a1ac74dc 100644
--- a/spec/www/index.html
+++ b/spec/www/index.html
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 
   <!-- other spec file(s): -->
   <script src="spec/self-test.js"></script>
+  <script src="spec/sqlite-version-test.js"></script>
   <script src="spec/db-tx-string-test.js"></script>
   <script src="spec/db-tx-sql-results.js"></script>
   <script src="spec/sql-batch-test.js"></script>
diff --git a/spec/www/spec/db-tx-sql-results.js b/spec/www/spec/db-tx-sql-results.js
index 521f0e138..5f7db2631 100644
--- a/spec/www/spec/db-tx-sql-results.js
+++ b/spec/www/spec/db-tx-sql-results.js
@@ -331,8 +331,8 @@ var mytests = function() {
 
                   if (isWebSql) {
                     // Web SQL STANDARD:
-                    // 1. this is a native object that is NOT affected by the change (SKIP for Android 5.x/+):
-                    if (!isAndroid || /Android [1-4]/.test(navigator.userAgent))
+                    // 1. this is a native object that is NOT affected by the change (SKIP for Android 5.x/+ and iOS):
+                    if (isAndroid && /Android [1-4]/.test(navigator.userAgent))
                       expect(temp1.data).toBe('test');
                     // 2. object returned by second resultSet.rows.item call not affected:
                     expect(temp2.data).toBe('test');
diff --git a/spec/www/spec/sqlite-version-test.js b/spec/www/spec/sqlite-version-test.js
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d9d1944ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/www/spec/sqlite-version-test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+/* 'use strict'; */
+
+var MYTIMEOUT = 12000;
+
+var DEFAULT_SIZE = 5000000; // max to avoid popup in safari/ios
+
+var isWP8 = /IEMobile/.test(navigator.userAgent); // Matches WP(7/8/8.1)
+var isWindows = /Windows /.test(navigator.userAgent); // Windows (8.1)
+var isAndroid = !isWindows && /Android/.test(navigator.userAgent);
+
+// The following openDatabase settings are used for Plugin-implementation-2
+// on Android:
+// - androidDatabaseImplementation: 2
+// - androidLockWorkaround: 1
+var scenarioList = [
+  isAndroid ? 'Plugin-implementation-default' : 'Plugin',
+  'HTML5',
+  'Plugin-implementation-2'
+];
+
+var scenarioCount = (!!window.hasWebKitBrowser) ? (isAndroid ? 3 : 2) : 1;
+
+var mytests = function() {
+
+  for (var i=0; i<scenarioCount; ++i) {
+
+    describe(scenarioList[i] + ': sqlite version test(s)', function() {
+      var scenarioName = scenarioList[i];
+      var suiteName = scenarioName + ': ';
+      var isWebSql = (i === 1);
+      var isImpl2 = (i === 2);
+
+      // NOTE 1: MUST be defined in proper describe function scope, NOT outer scope.
+      // NOTE 2: Using same database name in this script to avoid creating extra,
+      //         unneeded database files.
+      var openDatabase = function(name_ignored, ignored1, ignored2, ignored3) {
+        var name = 'sqlite-version-test.db';
+        if (isImpl2) {
+          return window.sqlitePlugin.openDatabase({
+            // prevent reuse of database from default db implementation:
+            name: 'i2-'+name,
+            androidDatabaseImplementation: 2,
+            androidLockWorkaround: 1,
+            location: 'default'
+          });
+        }
+        if (isWebSql) {
+          return window.openDatabase(name, "1.0", "Demo", DEFAULT_SIZE);
+        } else {
+          return window.sqlitePlugin.openDatabase({name: name, location: 'default'});
+        }
+      }
+
+      describe(suiteName + 'basic sqlite version test(s)', function() {
+
+        it(suiteName + 'Check sqlite version (check pattern ONLY for WebKit Web SQL & androidDatabaseImplementation: 2)', function(done) {
+          var db = openDatabase("check-sqlite-version.db", "1.0", "Demo", DEFAULT_SIZE);
+
+          expect(db).toBeDefined();
+
+          db.transaction(function(tx) {
+            expect(tx).toBeDefined();
+
+            tx.executeSql('SELECT SQLITE_VERSION() AS myResult', [], function(tx_ignored, rs) {
+              expect(rs).toBeDefined();
+              expect(rs.rows).toBeDefined();
+              expect(rs.rows.length).toBe(1);
+              // Check pattern (both Web SQL & plugin)
+              expect(rs.rows.item(0).myResult).toMatch(/3\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+/);
+              // NOT IN THIS VERSION BRANCH:
+              // Check specific [plugin only]:
+              // ...
+
+              // Close (plugin only) & finish:
+              (isWebSql) ? done() : db.close(done, done);
+            });
+          }, function(error) {
+            // NOT EXPECTED:
+            expect(false).toBe(true);
+            expect(error.message).toBe('--');
+            done();
+          });
+        }, MYTIMEOUT);
+
+      });
+
+      describe(suiteName + 'sqlite encoding test(s)', function() {
+
+        it(suiteName + 'Check internal database encoding: UTF-16le for Windows, UTF-8 for others (plugin ONLY)', function(done) {
+          if (isWebSql) pending('SKIP: NOT SUPPORTED for (WebKit) Web SQL');
+
+          var db = openDatabase("Check-sqlite-PRAGMA-encoding.db", "1.0", "Demo", DEFAULT_SIZE);
+
+          expect(db).toBeDefined();
+
+          db.executeSql('PRAGMA encoding', [], function(rs) {
+            expect(rs).toBeDefined();
+            expect(rs.rows).toBeDefined();
+            expect(rs.rows.length).toBe(1);
+            if (isWindows)
+              expect(rs.rows.item(0).encoding).toBe('UTF-16le');
+            else
+              expect(rs.rows.item(0).encoding).toBe('UTF-8');
+
+            // Close (plugin only) & finish:
+            (isWebSql) ? done() : db.close(done, done);
+          }, function(error) {
+            // NOT EXPECTED:
+            expect(false).toBe(true);
+            expect(error.message).toBe('--');
+            done();
+          });
+        }, MYTIMEOUT);
+
+      });
+
+      describe(suiteName + 'additional sqlite check(s)', function() {
+
+        it(suiteName + 'Check default PRAGMA journal_mode setting (plugin ONLY)', function(done) {
+          if (isWebSql) pending('SKIP: NOT SUPPORTED for (WebKit) Web SQL');
+
+          var db = openDatabase("Check-sqlite-PRAGMA-encoding.db", "1.0", "Demo", DEFAULT_SIZE);
+
+          expect(db).toBeDefined();
+
+          db.executeSql('PRAGMA journal_mode', [], function(rs) {
+            expect(rs).toBeDefined();
+            expect(rs.rows).toBeDefined();
+            expect(rs.rows.length).toBe(1);
+            // TBD different for builtin android.database implementation:
+            if (!isWindows && isAndroid && isImpl2) // TBD ...
+              expect(rs.rows.item(0).journal_mode).toBe('persist');
+            else
+              expect(rs.rows.item(0).journal_mode).toBe('delete');
+
+            // Close (plugin only) & finish:
+            (isWebSql) ? done() : db.close(done, done);
+          }, function(error) {
+            // NOT EXPECTED:
+            expect(false).toBe(true);
+            expect(error.message).toBe('--');
+            done();
+          });
+        }, MYTIMEOUT);
+
+      });
+
+    });
+
+  }
+
+}
+
+if (window.hasBrowser) mytests();
+else exports.defineAutoTests = mytests;
+
+/* vim: set expandtab : */
diff --git a/src/android/io/sqlc/SQLiteAndroidDatabase.java b/src/android/io/sqlc/SQLiteAndroidDatabase.java
index a38704450..a18871841 100644
--- a/src/android/io/sqlc/SQLiteAndroidDatabase.java
+++ b/src/android/io/sqlc/SQLiteAndroidDatabase.java
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ class SQLiteAndroidDatabase
 
     SQLiteDatabase mydb;
 
+    boolean isTransactionActive = false;
+
     /**
      * NOTE: Using default constructor, no explicit constructor.
      */
@@ -70,6 +72,10 @@ void open(File dbfile) throws Exception {
      */
     void closeDatabaseNow() {
         if (mydb != null) {
+            if (isTransactionActive) {
+                mydb.endTransaction();
+                isTransactionActive = false;
+            }
             mydb.close();
             mydb = null;
         }
@@ -195,6 +201,7 @@ void executeSqlBatch(String[] queryarr, JSONArray[] jsonparams,
                     needRawQuery = false;
                     try {
                         mydb.beginTransaction();
+                        isTransactionActive = true;
 
                         queryResult = new JSONObject();
                         queryResult.put("rowsAffected", 0);
@@ -210,6 +217,7 @@ void executeSqlBatch(String[] queryarr, JSONArray[] jsonparams,
                     try {
                         mydb.setTransactionSuccessful();
                         mydb.endTransaction();
+                        isTransactionActive = false;
 
                         queryResult = new JSONObject();
                         queryResult.put("rowsAffected", 0);
@@ -224,6 +232,7 @@ void executeSqlBatch(String[] queryarr, JSONArray[] jsonparams,
                     needRawQuery = false;
                     try {
                         mydb.endTransaction();
+                        isTransactionActive = false;
 
                         queryResult = new JSONObject();
                         queryResult.put("rowsAffected", 0);
diff --git a/www/SQLitePlugin.js b/www/SQLitePlugin.js
index f53aa105b..9c2a730f0 100644
--- a/www/SQLitePlugin.js
+++ b/www/SQLitePlugin.js
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@
   };
 
   SQLitePlugin.prototype.open = function(success, error) {
-    var openStep2, openerrorcb, opensuccesscb;
+    var openerrorcb, opensuccesscb, step2;
     if (this.dbname in this.openDBs) {
       console.log('database already open: ' + this.dbname);
       nextTick((function(_this) {
@@ -202,12 +202,12 @@
         };
       })(this);
       this.openDBs[this.dbname] = DB_STATE_INIT;
-      openStep2 = (function(_this) {
+      step2 = (function(_this) {
         return function() {
-          return cordova.exec(opensuccesscb, openerrorcb, "SQLitePlugin", "open", [_this.openargs]);
+          cordova.exec(opensuccesscb, openerrorcb, "SQLitePlugin", "open", [_this.openargs]);
         };
       })(this);
-      cordova.exec(openStep2, openStep2, 'SQLitePlugin', 'close', [
+      cordova.exec(step2, step2, 'SQLitePlugin', 'close', [
         {
           path: this.dbname
         }