Remote smartphone diagnostics: the new Carrier IQ or helpful support tool?

Image
The importance of privacy has been dwindling for quite some time, and smartphones have become one of the biggest culprits. Allegations against Carrier IQ, location-based tracking, the recent concerns about Path snatching up iOS address book information -- all of these are just a few examples of mobile carriers and other wireless companies taking our personal data, selling it to the highest bidder (or using it for their own purposes) and not bothering to let us know or give us a choice. The last few aspects of our life that we choose not to share on Facebook seem to get out into the ether, whether we like it or not. And here's the scarier part: there may be companies grabbing information off of our phones right now without us knowing about it.

Too much of a doomsday scenario? Perhaps, but it's important to drive home the point that it has become so outrageous over the past year that we can't help but become nervous anytime we download an app or type in a password. Is our phone secure? How can we really be sure? Can we really trust (insert carrier or manufacturer name here)? This week, the very same situation is resurfacing as Verizon and HTC have made significant moves to install remote diagnostic tools on select devices. It's all done in the name of customer support, but how can we tell this isn't just another sneaky way of snagging our personal deets and selling them to a third party without telling us? We wanted to find out, and here's what we've learned so far.

Continue reading Remote smartphone diagnostics: the new Carrier IQ or helpful support tool?

Remote smartphone diagnostics: the new Carrier IQ or helpful support tool? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/remote-smartphone-diagnostics/

SALESFORCE COM STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS DIRECTV GROUP INFORMATICA AMERICA MOVIL ROCKWELL AUTOMATION YAHOO

Harry Potter eBooks finally arrive, compatible with Google Play

Android Central

How is it the old saying goes -- the best things come to those who wait? The wait for the Harry Potter eBook series to go on sale has certainly been long. Originally we were expecting them back in October. But, for whatever reason that date slipped, and slipped, and now finally today is the day. The eBook store over on the Pottermore site has finally gone live, for Muggles across the world to get their electronic fix. 

As previously reported, the books are available to read in your Google Play Books application, right on your Android device. In fact, you can also purchase and read them in your Kindle application, right on your Android device. The only drawback remains, that you can only actually purchase anything from the Pottermore website. So how do you retrieve your fix of Hogwarts from there? Stick around, we've got you covered. 

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/FKMy_d49lug/story01.htm

INTEL QUANTA COMPUTER ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL SALESFORCE COM STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS DIRECTV GROUP INFORMATICA

Samsung Epic 4G receives an update to fix force-close issues

 

The Samsung Epic 4G is no stranger to updates, in fact it just received an update at the end of January, and now it's back with yet another one. This update looks like a small one on paper, but it definitely will be warmly welcomed by everyone. Unfortunately it appears as though the last update caused some issues with force closing when receiving a phone call, which can be quite an annoyance. They have fixed the issue along with enhancing the Sprint Connections Optimizer, so hopefully the signal should be a bit better now.  If you haven't already received the notification for the update be sure to hop into your settings and check manually.

You know the drill, let us know how the update goes for you, and any changes you may see besides those listed in the forums!

Source: Sprint

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/XrZhAy-mO8Y/story01.htm

STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS DIRECTV GROUP INFORMATICA AMERICA MOVIL ROCKWELL AUTOMATION YAHOO SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS

JetBlue Flight Forced to Land After Deranged Captain Screamed 'There's a Bomb On Board!' (Updating) [Video]

JetBlue Flight 191 had to make an emergency landing today in Amarillo, Texas. The flight was en route to Las Vegas from New York's JFK when a man—allegedly the flight's captain—got out of the restroom "foaming at the mouth" and screaming. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/CcVydYcqEaU/jetblue-flight-forced-to-land-after-deranged-captain-screamed-theres-a-bomb-on-board

MICROSEMI UNISYS TAKETWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE SYKES ENTERPRISES INORATED IOMEGA LAM RESEARCH MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS

BlueStacks App Player hits beta, supports ARM-written Android apps on x86-based Windows (video)

Image
We've been eagerly anticipating the full-on release of BlueStacks' App Player, so imagine our excitement, now that the software has officially made the leap from its brief alpha stage to "beta-1" status. If you'll recall, the App Player can virtually run over 450k Android apps on Windows XP, Vista and 7, all without developers needing to tweak their respective coding. Notably, this latest build has a host of updates including LayerCake, allowing x86-based machines run apps written for ARM -- and with hardware graphics acceleration, no less. Other notable goodies from the beta build include official localization in 10 countries, mock accelerometer support (arrow keys), an updated UI and Direct AppStore Access. If the mere thought of running Android Angry Birds on Windows has your interests piqued, you'll find further details about BlueStacks in the full press release and video overview past the break.

Continue reading BlueStacks App Player hits beta, supports ARM-written Android apps on x86-based Windows (video)

BlueStacks App Player hits beta, supports ARM-written Android apps on x86-based Windows (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceBlueStacks  | Email this | Comments


Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/NWrmCyZ8pe4/

INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY ZIONS BAN SYNOPSYS SILICON LABORATORIES DELL COSMOTE MOBILE TELECOM ELPIDA MEMORY

This Yoda Backpack Is Your A-Jedi-Craves-Not-These-Things Deal of the Day [Dealzmodo]

Although I try to live every day as if I were in a montage, I don't know how long I would've lasted had I crashed on Dagobah. l'm not really Jedi material. I crave adventure and excitement. Plus, I hate it when teachers play tricks on me, which was basically what Yoda did to Luke. Yoda made Luke sleep in the roots of a tree, forced him to do obviously impossible things like lifting an X-wing out of the muck, and worst of all, had Luke carry him around on his back like a mule. It's probably a moot point, because Yoda wouldn't have taken me as a pupil anyway. But back on Earth, with this backpack, I could still haul him around like we were training to take on the Empire. Full disclosure: I owned this backpack for a while in college. Yoda and I had a deal—I would learn all about the ways of the force, and he would smuggle my alcohol to parties. My only complaint is that Yoda is a small guy, and he doesn't carry much stuff. After a while, his strap broke. But that's okay. Yoda's old, and won't be around forever. Neither will this backpack at Amazon right now for $38.

Top Deals

Nook Color 8GB WiFi eReader and Nook Simple Touch (REFURBISHED) for $129 with free shipping (normally $208 {Savings of $79 / 38% off})

More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/GCRogaDzouw/this-yoda-backpack-is-your-a+jedi+craves+not+these+things-deal-of-the-day

MICROS SYSTEMS NINTENDO COMMSCOPE NANYA TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM) VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES IBASIS

Better Camera Bag Padding Eliminates Annoying Velcro [Video]

There are those of us who believe Velcro should only be used in children's footwear. Not in clothing, not in bags, and absolutely definitely certainly not in the padded dividers that protect your camera gear. Sooo annoying. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/m6JZnkQSj5k/better-camera-bag-padding-eliminates-annoying-velcro

FEI COMPANY THQ BHARTI AIRTEL FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL IDT CDW SUN MICROSYSTEMS

Our Favorite Ipad Hard Case

Once a person gets their hands on an iPad, it’s time to shop around for an iPad hard case. This will ensure that the iPad is well protected against all of the external elements. From there, it can be thrown into a backpack, taken through airport security and used anywhere that it is required. Our favorite iPad hard case is the Otterbox Apple iPad Defender. When it comes to protection, this isn’t just any iPad hard case. This has three [...]

Source: http://tabletbuzzblog.com/our-favorite-ipad-hard-case/

STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS DIRECTV GROUP INFORMATICA AMERICA MOVIL ROCKWELL AUTOMATION YAHOO SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS

Runners' Highs Evolved to Make Us Better Hunter Gatherers [Exercise]

You've all been there: tired and exhausted, you drag your ass out for a run, but a few miles in—BOOM—your pain fades and you're suddenly euphoric. You've got a runner's high—and new research reveals that it's an evolutionary trait that fine-tuned us to be the ultimate hunter-gatherers. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/VnY-2t1lPjU/runners-highs-evolved-to-make-us-better-hunter-gatherers

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MOODYS COGNIZANT TECH SOLUTIONS FIRST SOLAR AMPHENOL QUALCOMM FEI COMPANY

RIM's latest patent details automatic volume adjustments based on handset placement

ImageThat moment when you physically hurt your ear by mashing your cellphone up against it in a futile bid to hear the person on the other end. That's the very moment that RIM's gunning to make history with its latest patent, which was filed way back in November of 2007 but just granted today. The BlackBerry-maker's patent describes an adjustable acoustic speaker output "based on an estimated degree of seal of an ear about a speaker port" -- effectively a system where the volume can automatically increase if a handset jostles further from your ear. Not surprisingly, the description details "at least one touch sensor" used for detecting the distance between one's ear and the device, and the connecting method of adjusting the audio depending on what information the sensor picks up. We're guessing folks who walk and talk would be keen on taking advantage, but then again, you could just walk around with a Bluetooth headset on. (Keyword being could, not should.)

RIM's latest patent details automatic volume adjustments based on handset placement originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/rim-patent-adjusting-volume-ear-distance-design/

YAHOO JACK HENRY and ASSOCIATES NOKIA DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES GOOGLE NOVELLUS SYSTEMS SYNNEX