**SMART PHONES - UPDATES & MALWARE**

[CharleyO]

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Glad to see you posting again, SafeSurf!


Mobile app startups are failing like it’s 1999

Stop the madness!
 The long cycle times for developing mobile apps have led to startup failures that look more like 1999 – it’s like we’ve forgotten all the agile and rapid iteration stuff that we learned over the last 10 years. Stop the madness!

Today, seed stage startups can now get funded, release 1 or 2 versions of their app spread over 9 months, and then fail without making a peep. We learned the benefits of how to iterate fast on the web, and we can do better on mobile too.

Read much more at :
http://andrewchen.co/2012/08/15/mobile-app-startups-are-failing-like-its-1999/


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[CharleyO]

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Half of Americans now have smartphones

For the first time ever more Americans own smartphones than regular phones or feature phones, a new report says.

The report, put out by Chetan Sharma Consulting, shows smartphone penetration has crossed the 50% mark for the first time in the U.S.

And the trend is not exclusive to the United State's top four carriers. As GigaOM points out, regional operators and other small carriers are also "tapping into the trove of cheaper smartphones in the market."

Read more at :
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-americans-smartphones-20120814,0,6077673.story


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[CharleyO]

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Top 5 Deadliest Mobile Malware Threats Of 2012

Security pros discuss the most prolific and complex mobile malware threats to appear so far in 2012

While the amount of malicious software focused on the growing number of mobile devices on the market remains a drop in the bucket next to the amount targeting PCs, attackers are steadily turning the devices in consumers' pockets into targets.

 So far this year, several pieces of malware have popped onto the radar and underscored the growing sophistication of cybercriminals targeting mobile devices. After fielding feedback from security pros, here in no particular order is Dark Reading's list of the five most dangerous, sophisticated, and prolific pieces of mobile malware that have appeared thus far in 2012.

Read more at :
http://www.darkreading.com/mobile-security/167901113/security/news/240006056/top-5-deadliest-mobile-malware-threats-of-2012.html


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[CharleyO]

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Nokia, Samsung, Sony, Others, Form In-Location Alliance

Nokia and 21 other companies have formed a new alliance meant to help improve the performance of location-based services on mobile devices when indoors. The alliance, called In-Location, will focus on improving indoor location accuracy, reducing power consumption of location services, as well as making location services easier to use on mobile devices. The group will primarily look to using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 to help improve indoor location services ......

Read more at :
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=11012


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[CharleyO]

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The TIME Mobility Poll

To better understand attitudes about mass mobility, TIME, in cooperation with Qualcomm, surveyed 4,700 people online and 300 by phone in eight countries, from June 29 to July 28. Here are some of the findings.

See & Read more at :
http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2122187,00.html

If the graphs appear fuzzy, mouse over them.


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[CharleyO]

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Apple Fine Without Jobs?

Apple pulled an ad campaign that never should have seen the light of day in the first place, yet it barely made headlines.

Credit gigaom ( http://gigaom.com/apple/apple-deletes-genius-ad-campaign-from-its-website-and-youtube-channel/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=gigaom ) as one of the few outlets to report the news: Apple not only pulled its horrific Genius Bar-focused advertising run from television, the company removed it from its Web site and YouTube channel. Many had criticized the ads for showing customers in an unflattering light.

Before you trash me, consider something gigaom mentioned in the above-linked article. gigaom writer Erica Ogg wondered if Ken Segall’s ( http://kensegall.com/2012/08/steve-jobs-research-common-sense/ ) critical blog post had something to do with Apple’s latest retreat.

Read more at :
http://www.forbes.com/sites/thestreet/2012/08/24/apple-fine-without-jobs-think-different/

Also be sure to read the above included links.


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[CharleyO]

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iPhone Security Unbreakable? Security Gurus Disagree

Is iOS security unbreakable, thanks to Apple's mix of strong encryption for all data stored on such devices, combined with hardware-controlled PIN entry requirements that make brute-force attacks difficult?   ......

Another weak link in the overall iPhone information security model--and not necessarily something Apple could rectify--includes any digital ecosystem attacks that might yield the same data that's stored on an iPhone. Notably, in the "epic hack" of technology journalist Mat Honan that occurred earlier this month, an attacker managed to access Honan's iCloud account after social-engineering--tricking--Amazon.com customer service. In such a scenario, an attacker could easily restore what was stored on the iPhone--especially if the phone was saving unencrypted backups to iCloud, and then read the data. Likewise, accessing an iCloud account would also reveal much of the information that was stored on the user's device.   ......

In other words, iOS may offer extremely good mobile device security. But don't bet on it being uncrackable. Also don't discount techniques that a dedicated attacker might use to see the data that's stored on the device, albeit without cracking the device itself.

Read more at :
http://www.informationweek.com/smb/security/iphone-security-unbreakable-security-gur/240006009


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[CharleyO]

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BlackBerry users targeted with malware-serving email campaign

Security researchers from Websense, have intercepted a currently spamvertised malicious campaign, attempting to trick BlackBerry users into downloading and executing the malicious .zip archive.

The archive with MD5: 9a01293b87b058619d55b8d4d12f2a8e is currently detected by 27 out of 42 antivirus scanners as Backdoor.Win32.Androm.gi; Worm:Win32/Gamarue.I.

We're definitely going to see more systematic abuse of well known and trusted brands, in an attempt by the  cybercriminals to socially engineer end and corporate users into interacting with their campaigns.

Read more at :
http://www.zdnet.com/blackberry-users-targeted-with-malware-serving-email-campaign-7000003154/


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[CharleyO]

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Apple Victory To Hurt U.S. Consumers, Smother Fair Competition

Apple's U.S. victory in its global patent war against Samsung will deal a blow to American consumers and stifle fair competition in the mobile market, according to Samsung, which has been ordered to pay Apple (NSDQ:AAPL) $1.05 billion in damages in light of its alleged copying of the iPhone and iPad.

 The South Korean smartphone giant is seeking to overturn Friday's verdict, which was issued after three days of deliberation by a Northern California District Court jury. Samsung has dubbed the verdict an overall loss for U.S. consumers, and one that will trump innovation in the lucrative smartphone and tablet markets.

 "Today's verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer," Samsung said Friday in an official statement. "It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies."

Read more at :
http://www.crn.com/news/mobility/240006301/samsung-apple-victory-to-hurt-u-s-consumers-smother-fair-competition.htm?cid=nl_crn


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[bob3160]

Why Apple’s Win over Samsung Is Ultimately Good News for Consumers
Read more: http://techland.time.com/2012/08/27/why-apples-win-over-samsung-is-ultimately-good-news-for-consumers/#ixzz24s7cTZS7


It all depends on your outlook. The glass is either half empty (Charlie's article) or, it's half full. (My reference)

[CharleyO]

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I somewhat agree with the article in Bob's link above. The problem is that Apple went after the wrong company or, you could say companies, in an effort to punish Google because of it's Android OS. Apple should have been suing Google instead of companies that use the cheaper Android copy. Perhaps Apple is afraid of loosing to the all-powerful Google?

Like Bob said, it's how you see the glass as either half full or half empty.

But, you will see a rise in prices and less choices for consumers. Thank you, Apple, for attacking the wrong company.


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[DavidR]

Personally I think this is the biggest pile of steaming ****.

Who is going to confuse (or think they are buying) an Apple with a Samsung anything when it has all of the branding on it.

Software patents are another thing that is easily tested, but confuse the shape for being an Apple, total tosh. No one sells something based on an image alone. No one is trying to pass off a Samsung as an Apple and that really should be the test, not just it rectangular so it must be an Apple.

[bob3160]

Personally I think this is the biggest pile of steaming ****.

Who is going to confuse (or think they are buying) an Apple with a Samsung anything when it has all of the branding on it.

Software patents are another thing that is easily tested, but confuse the shape for being an Apple, total tosh. No one sells something based on an image alone. No one is trying to pass off a Samsung as an Apple and that really should be the test, not just it rectangular so it must be an Apple.

Totally agree and it's not even white in color......

[CharleyO]

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This is the Samsung ATIV S, the first of many amazing Windows Phone 8 devices coming this year

Today at IFA in Berlin, Samsung lifted the curtain on its first Windows Phone 8 device, the ATIV S. This is just the first in a big lineup of new hardware that’s coming with Windows Phone 8, but it’s a seriously impressive opening salvo. Samsung built the ATIV S with the latest and greatest technology, especially for anyone who want a superphone that’s equal parts powerhouse and head turner.

Inside the crazy-thin 8.7mm brushed aluminum chassis is a huge 4.8” HD Super AMOLED display made from Corning Gorilla Glass 2 (read: tough to break, but still light)and a rundown of killer specs: 1.5Ghz dual-core processor, 1GB of onboard RAM, and an 8MP autofocus rear camera and 1.9MP front-facing camera. You’ll have the choice of two storage capacities – 16GB or 32GB – and both models have a MicroSD slot for expanded storage. Backing all of this up is a massive 2300mAh battery to keep you rocking all day.

See & read more at :
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/windowsphone/archive/2012/08/29/this-is-the-samsung-ativ-s-the-first-of-many-amazing-windows-phone-8-devices-coming-this-year.aspx

At this point, IMO this is what all the companies that use Android OS should start doing ... using Windows 8 OS. Not totally, of course, as there will be those who love (Google) Android too much. I have an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy Nexus) and after more than 6 months, I'm still not very comfortable with using it. For me, the OS is not a very intuitive. But maybe, that's just me.

[CharleyO]

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Apple win unlikely to undo Samsung’s smartphone gains

“This is still not that significant damage as it represents just five percent of the total handset division profits Samsung generated globally since its first Galaxy S launch,” said Neil Shah, senior analyst for the global wireless practice at Strategy Analytics, Newton, MA.

“From Apple’s point of view the damage is already done from Samsung as the Korean vendor has already taken a huge lead in terms of smartphone market share and mindshare which won’t vanish away easily in near-to mid-term,” he said.

Read more at :
http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/legal-privacy/13644.html


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