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Cracked! Google Wallet PIN Raises Big Security Concerns for Mobile Payments

Mellisa Tolentino — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:35:27 +0000

More people are now enjoying the freedom of shopping without having to bring cash or credit cards because they use their NFC-enabled smartphone, like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus S 4G on Sprint. To finalize a transaction, a shopper just taps her NFC-smartphone on a PayPass reader and they’re done.

Some people may think that this method is secure, since your credit card cannot be duplicated and no one else but you handles your device, even when you are paying. But a security firm disproves this sense of false security.

Zvelo Senior Engineer Joshua Rubin pointed out that the problem with Google Wallet on the NFC-enabled Samsung Galaxy Nexus is that the PIN is stored on the mobile device, not on the NFC chip. NFC chips offer more security compared to your mobile device, so having your PIN stored on your mobile device is crucial.

“Knowing that the PIN can only be a 4-digit numeric value, it dawned on us that a brute-force attack would only require calculating, at most, 10,000 SHA256 hashes,” Rubin wrote in a blog post. SHA refers to Secure Hash Algorithm, which is one of a number of cryptographic hash functions. “This is trivial even on a platform as limited as a smartphone.”

They developed an app that could easily crack your Google Wallet PIN, so if you lose your phone and you’re using Google Wallet, they could use your account to purchase anything they want, then you are left with a tidal wave of bills that you have no idea how you’re gonna pay.

Google hasn’t responded as to what they plan about the security flaw, but Rubin stated that those who have rooted NFC-phones are vulnerable to such an attack. But just to be safe, activate the lock code of your device so no one can use it without your permission, and don’t lose your phone!

Rising mobile payment security issues

This type of security flaw isn’t something new. If you can still remember, VeriFone humiliated Square because the card readers they so gladly give their customers were found to be able to be used for skimming or stealing track data on the card’s magnetic strip. This is worse than having access to a person’s Google Wallet PIN, because the track data can be used to mass duplicate the credit card and create enormous problems for the card owner.

Speaking of VeriFone, they recently launched PayWare Mobile Enterprise for Tablets, “a software solution that, in conjunction with a dongle, enables an iPad 2 to accept NFC payments, sign customers up for loyalty products, and check prices.” Merchants can access anything across all their devices via the Verifone HQ management software.

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In the same vein:

Chrome For Android Draws Early Privacy Concerns

Mellisa Tolentino — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:33:18 +0000

According to data released by web analytics company StatCounter, in the past 12 months mobile access to the internet rose to 8.5%. StatCounter’s data also reflects that in North America, the top mobile browser was Android at 37%, followed by Safari on the iPhone at 34%, plus 10% for Safari on the iPod Touch, while the Blackberry browser shrank to about 7.5%, and Nokia at only 2%.

And Google wants to maintain that lead. Google’s Chrome browser has been catching up to Mozilla’s Firefox on PCs and they want to translate that success in the mobile realm; thus the launch of Chrome for Android.

Chrome for Android Beta is now available for download in the Android Market for free, but it’s only for devices running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, because of the browser’s dependency on hardware acceleration, which earlier versions of Android don’t support. Google states that they focused on creating a seamless, personalized experience that users can enjoy anywhere, even on different devices.

Fast and Simple Mobile Browsing

With Chrome for Android, users can search, navigate and browse with Chrome, fast. Search and navigation can be done in the omnibox, making things as simple as possible. Justt like Chrome on the desktop, there are tabs, Link Preview, and for the pervs, the incognito mode is also available. ;)

Personalized Experience

Signing in to Chrome for Android opens up a different browsing experience as it becomes personal. By signing in, you can:

View open tabs: Access the tabs you left open on your computer (also signed into Chrome)—picking up exactly where you left off.
Get smarter suggestions: If you visit a site often on your computer, you’ll also get an autocomplete suggestion for it on your mobile device, so you can spend less time typing.
Sync bookmarks: Conveniently access your favorite sites no matter where you are or which device you’re using.

Watch IntoMobile’s video of the Chrome for Android Beta demo below.

Though Chrome for Android was just released yesterday, critics are already gnawing on it. Some users are happy with the auto-fill feature because it makes things easier, while some are concerned it can be a security risk. Most are delighted with the sync feature, as it also syncs open tabs, but some are concerned with privacy. And of course, they look for things that aren’t there, like the bookmarks, Flash support and support for plug-ins. Some people are just insatiable.

Mobile Browsing Gains Traction

As for other mobile browser news, Dolphin Browser recently added Evernote, the suite of software and services designed for notetaking and archiving, and Skitch, the Evernote-owned screenshot editing and sharing utility, to their offerings.

And Opera Mobile was recently updated to address compatibility issues for ICS and Honeycomb devices but new features are expected to arrive when the Opera 12 is released which can happen anytime soon.

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In the same vein:

Nokia to Layoff 4,000 Workers, Apple Sued for iPad Trademark

Mellisa Tolentino — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:15:28 +0000

Nokia, the Finnish-mobile manufacturer, will be laying off approximately 4,000 workers from three factories as they move manufacturing to Asia.

The factories in Komarom, Hungary, Reynosa, Mexico, and Salo, Finland, have a total of 8,900 employees and Nokia wants to cut it in half as they move manufacturing to Asia. Nokia wants to concentrate on Asia to regain competitive market value.

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop wants Windows Phone-based devices to be quickly reproduced and introduced to new markets, as they wean from their Symbian-based phones. Elop also wants to pick up the pace at which new models are launched.

And according to a Nokia spokewoman, the employees who will not be terminated will work on “smartphone product customization,” which could include tailoring the software of smaller batches of phones for specific operators.

“With the planned changes, our factories at Komarom, Reynosa and Salo will continue to play an important role serving our smartphone customers. They give us a unique ability to both provide customization and be more responsive to customer needs,” said Niklas Savander, Nokia executive vice president, Markets.

Google’s Plan For MoMo Patent-licensing, Chrome for Android

According to unnamed sources, Google is going to send a letter to standards organizations such as the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, a nonprofit recognized by the European Union, to assure them that their acquisition of Motorola Mobility will not affect licensing patents of the said company.

“Having the blessing of wireless standards committees could help Google’s position,” Maulin Shah, managing director of patent research firm Envision IP Inc. in New York said in an interview. “The regulators might see that as a sign that this is not going to lead to a monopoly position.”

The European Commission is still scrutinizing the Google-MoMo deal, with concerns that it will violate the fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms, or FRAND.

“Since we announced our agreement to acquire Motorola Mobility last August, we’ve heard questions about whether Motorola Mobility’s standard-essential patents will continue to be licensed on FRAND terms once we’ve closed this transaction,” Niki Fenwick, a spokeswoman for Google said. “The answer is simple: They will.”

Google’s been steadily updating its software offerings for its mobile devices while waiting for the MoMo acquisition to go through. Yesterday they released the Chrome for Android, which is seen as a move to accelerate browser update since Chrome for desktop rolls out faster and more stable.

“Right now, our focus is on making Chrome for Android Beta available to Android 4.0 phone/tablet users to gather initial feedback…. [But] our long-term plan is for Chrome to become the standard browser on Android 4.0 and above,” said a Google spokeswoman in an email to ComputerWorld.

Chrome for Android is available only for devices with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Apple Sued By Chinese Company Over “iPad”

The Chinese company Proview Technology (Shenzhen), a subsidiary of Proview International in Hong Kong, is suing Apple for $38 million, and demands an apology for the illegal use of the iPad trademark.

Apple bought the iPad trademark from Proview Electronics (Taiwan) for $55,000 in 2006 by way of a front company called IP Application Development. But the Taiwanese company claims that the deal did not include the rights to the trademark in China.

Proview sued Apple, seeking a total of 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in damages, but Apple countersued, claiming that they are the rightful owner of the trademark. A Chinese court sided with Proview, so Apple appealed the case. Proview is said to be ready to slap Apple with a $38 million legal fine, but Apple has managed to delay the hearing.

Aside from that, Proview Shenzhen’s lawyer Xie Xianghui claims an apology from Apple is more important for them.

“We ask the court to stop selling and marketing for Apple’s iPad in China. We also demand an apology,” Xie said.

Other Mobile News

When Hewlett-Packard’s TouchPad went on a fire-sale, some tablets shipped were allegedly running on the Android platform and not webOS. The people from HP were dumbfounded as to how that happened, and the incident created quite a frenzy because companies shipping Android devices are required to make the kernel open source. Since HP didn’t officially release the tablets running Android, it was not required to make the kernel of its internal build open-source. But, since HP is such a good sport, they now offer the internal Android build to the open-source movement.

Ahead of the upcoming Mobile World Congress, LG is teasing consumers with the ad for the LG Optimus Vu, a smartphone believed to measure at 5 inches, having a 4:3 aspect ratio display, 1.5GHz Qualcomm WPQ8060 dual-core paired with 1GB of RAM, 8-megapixel main camera, front-facing camera, 8GB of ROM space and NFC-capable.

GreenSimian, the brainchild of two Seattle veterans from Microsoft and Texas Instruments, will be launching SolMate, a smartphone power casing packing solar electricity, inductive charging, battery storage and energy management software that ups the ante on smartphone battery life, by Spring 2012.

“SolMate is not another iPhone casing. It’s a seductive combination of software, microelectronics and power-generating semi-conductors that take mobile power to a new level,” said Jamie Wojcik, GreenSimian CTO and co-founder.

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In the same vein:

Google Working on Real Goggles, Other Mysterious Gadgets

Kristina Farrah — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:40:14 +0000

Seems like the search giant has found a new hobby in developing devices. There appears to be two of them: the first one a so-called HUD Google Goggles, and the other an unnamed device.

HUD Google Goggles function similarly to that of the Terminator’s vision, which scans things within its visual periphery. The prototype looks like Oakley Thumps with a small front-facing camera that’s likely only a few megapixels, and a flash perhaps to help it take better pictures even if it’s dark. It will be highly utilized in developing augmented reality apps.

The model is only for one eye and not transparent. It doesn’t have dual 3D configurations either, as opposed to what previous rumors suggested. A head tilt to scroll and click serves as a navigation system, and will also support voice input and output. The CPU/RAM/storage hardware almost equals that of a second generation Android smartphone.

But the product is still far from complete. It’s a must-see how Google’s going to release it, and whether or not the public will find it to their liking. The device is reportedly being developed in secret, with only a few developers having access to the real thing. The company may consider a pilot program outside Google, like it did with Chromebooks.

Google’s new entertainment device

Meanwhile, Google is also reportedly working on an unnamed entertainment device that accesses WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled devices. They are currently testing in employees’ homes. In their FCC paperwork, Google is asking permission from FCC to test it in 4 US cities, launching 252 devices.

“Users will connect their device to home WiFi networks and use Bluetooth to connect to other home electronics equipment.”

No further word from Google, so we can only speculate as to what it is exactly, and how it works. It may have something to do with the company’s Android@Home tech which launched last year, or even the Google Goggles mentioned above.

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In the same vein:

Mobile Malware Hosted on German Server Shows Diversity of Fraud

Kit Dotson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:08:56 +0000

The ecology of mobile malware is beginning to take root and grow into a real wilderness as malicious software authors continue to penetrate the market. Fortunately, we have numerous vendors working to protect people’s phones. Recently, many antivirus and mobile security vendors discovered an interesting mix of malware being hosted on an undisclosed server in Germany. TrendLabs Malware Blog surveyed the malware discovered to look at what the authors were using against Internet mobile users.

We found a total of 1,351 websites hosted on the said server and categorize the sites into five segments based on the type of guise they use for the distributed malware:

Android Market apps

Opera Mini/ Phone Optimizer apps

Pornographic apps (sites were unavailable during time of checking)

App storage sites

Others (sites that were inaccessible during time of checking)

As for the unavailable sites, it seems that the attacker is still setting them up, or has permanently taken them down. The domains listed under App storage sites, which hosts Apps featured in the other domains, are inaccessible. However, the hosted Apps were still up thus making them available for download through the Android Market App and the Opera Mini/Photo Optimizer App sites.

The malware hosts revealed a surprising tactic of directing efforts in a shotgun approach towards multiple platforms. While Android has been seeing a giant increase in being targeted by viruses and malware, iOS and Symbian have also found themselves dead in the sights of malicious software.

Many of the apps act to pretend to be normal apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Barcode Scanner, Skype, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, and many others. Antivirus apps designed to protect mobile phones trigger on these malicious pretend apps as ANDROIDOS_FAKENOTIFY.A—a sneaky little Android Trojan that displays translated Russian text and sends messages to premium-rate numbers that costs the owner of the phone a great deal of money.

Mobile security is becoming a big trend (as it has been for the past year) and aside from Trendmicro, Norton Symantec is getting into the game by releasing a new security app. The middle of last year we saw an increase in the use of social engineering and fraudulent malware apps appearing on Android so it’s a good time to brush-up on your own security and know what you can do.

Most mobile security is all about only downloading apps from vendors that you already trust. Sticking to the market on your phone and verifying the source of downloaded apps before installing or authorizing them to use your phone. Also, a mobile security solution could be right for you if your lifestyle or job causes you do download risky apps on a regular basis.

Anyone can fall foul of many of these tricky apps; but fortunately the mobile security ecology is growing alongside the hackers and the Red Queen Race is on.

Much of mobile security is about paying attention and being prepared. This is the same for much of all online security.

Mobile Malware Hosted on German Server Shows Diversity of Fraud is a post from: SiliconANGLE
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In the same vein:

Norton’s Latest Android Security App Launches Amidst Market Breach

Mellisa Tolentino — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:18:46 +0000

During the holidays, the most popular gifts given or received were mobile devices and according to Google’s Andy Rubin, there were 3.7 million Android devices activated between December 24 and 25.

But here’s the troubling fact: more kids and teenagers own mobile devices. According to Nielsen, a typical teenager generates an average of 3,417 messages per month. This means that kids and teens spend most of their time on their mobile devices and this concern parents. Parents always want what’s best for their kids and they would do everything they can, even invade their kids’ privacy, just to keep them safe.

But privacy is important, we all know that, even kids value their privacy. And snooping parents will just result in angry teens. This is exactly what Norton aims to address when they launched their new, free app – Norton Safety Minder for Android, which allows parents to keep track of what their kids are doing on their mobile phones through Norton Online Family.

Parents can now monitor what their kids are up to on their phone as they do for their home PC, but the difference is that the kid knows what you are doing. How, you ask? Simple; when the Norton Safety Minder is running, an app icon will appear on their device. Norton hopes that this would encourage open conversation between parents and their kids about the importance of online safety.

A premier subscription to Norton Online Family allows access to the following Parental Control Features:

Online Activity Reporting: Tracks your kids’ online activities including ALL websites they visit or attempt to visit, their entire search history, whom they text, and what they say.
Web Monitoring & Blocking: Lets you turn Web monitoring on or off and put a parental block on specific sites or types of sites that you feel are inappropriate for your kids.
Text Message Monitoring (with Norton Online Family Premier Only): Shows you whom your kids are texting with and what they say. Lets you choose whom your kids can exchange messages with.
Multi Media Message Monitoring (with Norton Online Family Premier Only): Show parents who their kids are exchanging MMS messages with and when they were exchanged. Parents can also decide who their kids can exchange messages with, by designating whether certain contacts are blocked, monitored or unmonitored.
App Monitoring (with Norton Online Family Premier Only): Gives you the ability to see which apps your kids have installed and uninstalled so you can keep it “kid-friendly.”

It’s not just creepy guys calling or texting kids that parents should be worried about when talking about mobile devices. Aside from predators, kids and even adults, can become victims of malware through careless app downloads.

About a week ago, Symantec and Lookout Mobile Security published their findings regarding the Apperhand SDK found in some Android apps. Symantec stated that it’s malware but Lookout argued that it’s an aggressive adware, which, in the end, Symantec agreed with Lookout. But the point here is, people fall victim because of careless app downloading. It doesn’t follow that because an app is free you download it without thinking twice.

While there was much confusion over the Apperhand SDK, Symantec’s recently uncovered another wave of malicious apps, and these Trojans escape security software detection by mutating. As Android Market dangers continue to rise, more security services push their products to stay in line with increasingly competent malware makers.

About the same time as the Symantec-Lookout debate, McAfee launched the Mobile Security 2.0 for Android, BlackBerry and Symbian devices.
The security suite offers:

Location & SIM Tracking: Locate your mobile device on a map; Remotely lock your mobile device to prevent misuse; Remotely wipe your personal data to protect your privacy; Continue to track your device, even if the SIM is replaced!
24-7 Anti-Virus Protection: Detects and removes viruses and spyware without affecting your device’s performance; Automatically scans all apps, messages,memory card, and more; For Android users: Blocks against risky mobile websites to protect against phishing and scams.
Backup & Restore: Back up your data from your device or remotely on the web; Access your data online from anywhere; Restore your data to a new device.

But keep this in mind: it doesn’t matter how many security app you on your mobile device if you would just keep downloading apps from untrustworthy sources as well as visiting unsecured sites. Be a real “smart”-phone owner.

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In the same vein:

Leaked White Nokia Lumia 900, Instagram on Android?

Mellisa Tolentino — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:29:29 +0000

It seems like Nokia inadvertently posted a photo of a white Lumia 900 on their Facebook page. Though the description on the photo states that it’s the white Lumia 800, Nokia fans were quick to notice that it isn’t.

So what was the giveaway? The front-facing camera. You see, the Lumia 800 doesn’t have the front facing camera, even the white one. But the photo of the white device on their page clearly shows a front facing camera, so yeah, it’s the Lumia 900. And people are already begging Nokia for details: When is it coming out? How much would it cost? Will it be available internationally? Of course, Nokia did not answer their questions. Guess we’ll just have to wait for it to officially hit shelves.

Apkudo’s Device Analytics Software

Apkudo, Inc., the Android innovation start-up company, announced the Apkudo Device Analytics software.

The Apkudo Device Analytics software helps find device and application performance problems before release to help network operators and OEMs launch their Android devices with greater confidence of commercial success.

“Apkudo Device Analytics helps speed handsets and tablets to market, finding usability problems earlier in acceptance testing,” said Josh Matthews, Apkudo, CEO. “Testing with Apkudo Device Analytics helps OEMs and operators meet the fragmentation challenge and position new devices to be competitive in the dynamic mobile marketplace.”

Longer (Battery-life) Is Always Better

OnTrion, manufacturer of superior-quality mobile phone batteries and accessories, announced that they now offer extended batteries for T-Mobile’s HTC EVO 3D model. All of the extended OEM-quality mobile phone batteries OnTrion manufactures have a battery cover and the original mAh (milliamperes) accurately stated on them.

OnTrion is known for their tagline “Engineered to Last Longer,” as well as their extended battery line for all the major smartphone brands. With the addition of the extended batteries for the HTC EVO 3D, it just show how much the company is committed to living up to that mission.

Other Mobile News

Apple’s VP of iPhone and iPod Engineering, David Tupman, left the company. Though this is not something that happened recently, according to 9to5mac he left at the end of 2011, Apple has yet to fill the position but is said to be looking for someone from the inside to replace Tupman.

Apple’s Director of iPod and iPhone Engineering Vic Alessi might be the one to replace Tupman since he worked closely with Tupman on iPhones and iPods. As for Tupman, the reason for his departure was not disclosed, nor his future plans, but a man with his stature will always have a place in Silicon Valley.

Instagram, the photosharing app made for iOS devices, will soon be available for Android devices. The giveaway? A notification that popped up in the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

According to In Flex We Trust’s Tat Wza, “I was just on the 10.1, when this ‘Featured App’ little green guy, and the word Intsagram poked out like….well like Crazy.” But when he checked the Android Market for Instagram, it wasn’t there. So it could be a glitch, or a hacker playing tricks or the may soon be available for Android. Again, all we can do is wait.

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In the same vein:

Rdio Updates for Android 4.0 as Mobile Music Heats Up

Kristina Farrah — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:55:00 +0000

Rdio, the digital music service started by the creators of Skype, has unveiled their redesigned Android app. It’s available for download from the Android Market in US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Australia and New Zealand —or as an update for those already using the service. It requires a Rdio Unlimited subscription to access the full service on mobile devices.

Some features included in the overhauled app are collections, playlists, new releases, top charts, recommendations, and support for Android Ice Cream Sandwich’s new remote control client. Android users can not only have immediate access to Rdio’s list of 12 million songs, but can leverage with its social features and extensive music discovery options as well.

“With the Rdio for Android redesign, we were focused on bringing Android users the best mobile music discovery application possible,” said Malthe Sigurdsson, VP of Product, Rdio. “We believe this launch further reinforces our commitment to creating the most visual, social and interactive experience of music across every platform.”

Rdio offers flexible subscription plans for continued access across a growing number of devices. Plan options include:

• Rdio Unlimited, $9.99/month: Unlimited Web and mobile streaming on all available devices, as well as wireless syncing to listen offline
• Rdio Unlimited Family: 2-3 person Rdio Unlimited accounts on one plan for discounted rate (2 for $17.99/month or 3 for $22.99/month)
• Rdio Web, $4.99/month: Unlimited Web streaming and access through Mac/Windows desktop apps

Mobile Music Mayhem

Meanwhile, Spotify’s having it tough these days because of the criticism it’s getting, despite dramatic growth. Three of the biggest albums in 2011 by Adele, Coldplay and Black Key were not available on the service or any of its rivals to avoid cannibalizing iTunes sales. “Spotify competes with download stores,” says Coldplay’s manager, Dave Holmes. Still, props to Spotify for earning the love of Warner Music chair Edgar Bronfman Jr., while he calls Google Music an “oxymoron.”

Rhapsody’s also eager to take over the mobile space, having recently launched a new tablet app to push original editorial content, helping it distinguish its brand from other digital music services. Pandora is also set to benefit from Facebook’s upcoming IPO, along with Zynga and Groupon though users are still complaining of its being pricey despite having 125 million users.

Futhermore, iTunes dealt with a few cloud problems with its song match service a few days ago. Songs that user uploaded to the service was unavailable for streaming or download. Apple also kicked out China’s most popular browser, Qihoo, out of iTunes.

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In the same vein:

Xoom Tablets Sold with User Data on Woot: Privacy Oops!

Mellisa Tolentino — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:38:14 +0000

Privacy alert! Motorola Mobility admitted that some refurbished Motorola Xoom tablets were shipped still containing the previous owners’ data because they failed to wipe the slate clean.

It was reported that in the period of Otober-December 2011, some 6,200 Motorola Xooms were sold at Woot, the online retailer, and out of the total Xooms sold, about 100 of them were sold still having the previous owners’ data.

Motorola is offering a two-year membership to Experian’s ProtectMyID Alert for previous Xoom owners who bought their tablets between March and October 2011 and returned it. The service will hopefully prevent identity theft.

Motorola also wants the incompletely unrefurbished Xooms back. They are calling out to all those who purchased the Xoom tablet from Woot between October to December 2011. If they are in possession of said tablets or think they are or they just want to be sure, Motorola is asking the Xoom owners to contact them either at motorola.com/xoomreturn or call 1-800-734-5870 and select option 1.

“Motorola sincerely regrets and apologizes for any inconvenience this situation has caused the affected customers,” the company said in a statement. “Motorola is committed to rigorous data protection practices in order to protect its customers, and will continue to take the necessary steps to achieve this objective.”

Lesson learned, if you’re unsatisfied with your device or you just want to get a new one, before returning your gadgets make sure you do a fatory reset to wipe the slate clean. If your device has a memory card, erase all content or reformat it to remove saved date. If your device offers encryption, encrypt it just to be sure and change your passwords often to lessen the possibility of having your accounts hacked.

More iPad Users Satisfied

On an interesting note, nothing like this happens with iPad owners as far as we know, and the reason behind this might be because iPad users are happier with their devices, hardly feeling the need to return them.

According to a recent poll by ChangeWave comparing Apple’s iPad and Amazon’s Kindle Fire, 74% of iPad users were satisfied with their device while only 54% of Kindle Fire users were happy with tablet, and only 49% user of other brands were happy with their tablets. In short, other tablets have the higher possibility of getting returned compared to iPads and Kindle Fires.

In dissecting the poll, the reasons why Kindle Fire users aren’t happy with their tablets are: the lack of external volume control as the top peeve at 27%, followed by not having a camera at 21%, short battery life at 15%, lack of 3G/4G capability at 12%, few apps available also at 12%, screen size at 10%, the lack of microphone at 10% and the less-than-strategic location of the power button also at 10%.

iPad 3 Soon?

According to some reports, the iPad 3 will be launched in March. An LTE version will be released in the US while the 3G version will be launched in other countries. The iPad 3 is said to feature Long-Term Evolution, a quad-core CPU, and a new high-definition screen.

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In the same vein:

Apple Blocks Momo’s Ban Amidst Security Flaws

Mellisa Tolentino — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:40:13 +0000

Though Motorola Mobility moved to enforce the Mannheim Regional Court’s ruling to ban some Apple products from being sold in Germany due to patent infringement, Apple was able to temporarily block Motorola’s efforts.

“All iPad and iPhone models will be back on sale through Apple’s online store in Germany shortly,” Apple said in a statement. “Apple appealed this ruling because Motorola repeatedly refuses to license this patent to Apple on reasonable terms, despite having declared it an industry standard patent seven years ago.”

Motorola argued that Apple refused to negotiate in good faith and will continue to pursue claims against Apple.

Motorola Mobility won a second German patent ruling against Apple over their iCloud service last week. The infringing devices are iPhone 3G, the iPhone 3Gs and the iPhone4 and UMTS-capable iPads but not the iPhone 4S.

Apple Addressed Security Flaws

Aside from addressing legal issues, Apple also addressed the security issues regarding their OS X. Apple announced the fix for Address Book, Apache, ATS, CFNetwork, ColorSync, CoreAudio, CoreMedia, CoreText, CoreUI, curl, Data Security, dovecot, filecmds, ImageIO, Internet Sharing, libinfo, libresolv, libsecurity, OpenGL,PHP, QuickTime, SquirrelMail, Subversion,TimeMachine, Tomcat, WebDAV Sharing, Webmail and X11.

Probably the most important fix Apple addressed is the unpatched version of Apache. The flaw enables hackers to decrypt Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypted Web sessions. These SSL certificates are used by Google, Amazon, eBay and Bank of America to verify their identities to Web browsers. If compromised, hackers could effectively “spoof” legitimate companies’ websites and harvest hoards of personal information from customers who believed they were on a legitimate site.

Some reported that this security update adversely affects the performance of older PowerPC-based applications in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard but Apple already addressed the compatibility issues.

Google’s Bouncer Kicks Malware in the Gonads

Though Google vehemently denies that they are plagued by malware, though never dismissing the fact that there are malware present in the Android Market, they have been using Bouncer, a service that monitors malware in the Android Market.

According to a blog post from Google, Bouncer works like this: “once an application is uploaded, the service immediately starts analyzing it for known malware, spyware and trojans. It also looks for behaviors that indicate an application might be misbehaving, and compares it against previously analyzed apps to detect possible red flags. We actually run every application on Google’s cloud infrastructure and simulate how it will run on an Android device to look for hidden, malicious behavior. We also analyze new developer accounts to help prevent malicious and repeat-offending developers from coming back.”

But aside from using Bouncer, Google armed itself with an artillery of malware-fighting techniques such as Sandboxing, which puts virtual walls between applications and other software on the device so if you accidentally or intentionally downloaded a malicious app, it can’t access data on other parts of your phone and its potential harm is drastically limited; Permission system, which helps you understand the capabilities of the apps you install, and manage your own preferences; and Malware removal, as Android is designed to prevent malware from modifying the platform or hiding from you, so it can be easily removed if your device is affected. The Android Market also has the capability of remotely removing malware from your phone or tablet, if required.

Other Mobile News

The Nokia Lumia 800 went on sale in Ireland last week, exclusively available at Vodafone Ireland. According to reports, it now is officially unavailable for purchase. Though this does not necessarily mean that there is a high demand for the device, it does look good for Nokia’s 2012 Q1.

HTC is set to unveil four new devies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 26th with the HTC Ville leading the pack. The HTC Ville features a 4.3-inch AMOLED display and an 8-megapixel camera and run on the latest version of Android, the Ice Cream Sandwich.

HTC was a big hit in 2010, but a lot has changed, as they dropped to the fifth spot in the smartphone market by shipments. The company has been competing with the Apple iPhone as well as other Android devices, such those from Samsung. HTC is expected to turn things around, but the company is struggling with the fact that their main problem is differentiation from the hoard of Android phones available in the market.

Apple Blocks Momo’s Ban Amidst Security Flaws is a post from: SiliconANGLE
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