Beware! Fake Chinese Android smartphones come preloaded with malware

The Android platform is no stranger to malware, in fact in the first three months of this year over four lakh malwares were detected on Google’s operating system. The battle with malwares though has taken a new twist, with German publication Heise claiming (via PhoneArena) that certain Chinese smartphone makers are shipping smartphones with built-in malware.

A smartphone called Star N9500, which looks deceptively like Samsung’s Galaxy S4, is being shipped with a dangerous malware called Uupay.D bundled. The Trojan essentially collects the user’s personal information and sometimes also turns on the phone’s mic to listen to conversations taking place near the smartphone. It can also send SMS to premium services without the user’s knowledge.

The Star N9500 is available at an affordable $217 (Rs 13,000 approximately) in China, which has extended its reach. Surprisingly, the company has acknowledged the presence of the Trojan in the phone. But it claims that the malware is a part of the firmware, which makes it really difficult to remove.

Source: BGR

Android For Windows PCs Is A Dream That Just Won't Die

When it launched on Kickstarter last week, Console OS was little more than an idea: an unusual and largely unofficial approach to dual-booting Android on a Windows laptop or tablet. Today, the project looks well on its way to becoming real, with nearly 2,500 paid-up backers already onboard.

I first wrote about Console OS as soon as the crowdfunding page went live. Despite a fair amount of skepticism, which I’ll get to in a moment, I found the concept appealing. I depend on Windows 8 for certain things (like writing this article), but my mobile existence is pretty much entrenched in the world of Android, and it’d be nice if that world was just a 10-second reboot away. Equally, I’m drawn to the idea of running multiple windowed Android apps side-by-side at high speed on the larger screen of an Intel INTC -0.07%-powered PC, and that’s something else Console OS promises to facilitate.

Clearly, these are things a lot of people want. Whenever I’ve covered hybrid mobile / desktop software ideas before, from the likes of Ubuntu, the response has been huge — just like it has been with Console OS. I can only attribute this to a widespread feeling that Microsoft MSFT -0.07% has been too slow in perfecting Windows for a mobile setting, while Google GOOGL +1.89% has so far failed to make Android compelling on larger and more powerful types of computer (energies it directs to Chrome OS instead).

On the other hand, speaking of Ubuntu, that was a partly crowdfunded project that failed to get off the ground. A salutory reminder that all of this has been tried before, by companies with more clout. So, briefly, it’s worth addressing the whole notion of dual-OS devices, and why none of them have yet succeeded.

The latter question is easier to answer: Commercial interests have likely played a major role in preventing Android and Windows from coming together on a single device. Intel promoted the idea back at CES, at the same time as ASUS announced a dual-OS hybrid PC, but then — before customers actually had a chance to express any interest — Microsoft reportedly came along and crushed it. Quite sensibly, perhaps, it couldn’t see any commercial benefit in allowing Android to invade its user base from the inside out.

As things stand, the few other Android-for-Windows tools on the market are held back by the fact that they (mostly) target developers rather than mainstream consumers; they’re tricky to run and they tend to emulate or virtualize Android instead of running it natively, which makes it hard to run games or other intensive tasks at full speed. Console OS aims to fix all these issues, with or without Microsoft’s blessing, and with just a little bit help from Intel (which has given the startup access to essential hardware drivers.)

The more fundamental “why?” is a much trickier question to answer. Why do people think it’s possible to improve upon two finely-tuned operating systems, each of which has consumed millions of dollars and years of development time, simply by supporting a $50,000 Kickstarter project? And aren’t solid, mainstream interfaces all about unity of purpose and unity of design, rather forcing things to work together in ways that were never intended?

These are doubts that Console OS must try to dispel when it’s ready for market in December of this year. I’ve put them directly to Chris Price, who heads up the project, and he offered me a long-term vision as a counterpoint, effectively saying that Google has already done all the hard work for him:

“We absolutely believe that Console OS can scale Android up to be a primary OS in the PC marketplace… With Android’s popularity, scaling the platform up to handle productivity systems like the PC is really the next step for Android. That’s what Console OS is all about.”

Let’s be clear, then: The ultimate goal of Console OS is not to allow Android and Windows to co-exist. That’s just the proximate intention, and the immediate selling point for the Kickstarter campaign.

Rather, the ambition is to speed up Android’s conquest of bigger and more powerful computing devices, at the expense of Mac OS, Windows and other closed-source operating systems. Price explicitly says this in a recent editorial, explaining that he was driven to create Console OS out of a desire to escape the walled gardens of Apple AAPL +0.11% and others:

“To beat the walled gardens, you have to have an operating system that people like. Thankfully, Android is the most popular OS in the world today.”

If Console OS fails, it won’t be due to a lack of interest or support. It’ll either be because it sold itself too cheaply on Kickstarter, recruiting thousands of backers at $10 a pop while still failing to meet its $50,000 target. Or it’ll be because it put its long-term philosophy ahead of the straight-forward functionality that it has promised. I have doubts on both fronts, but I sincerely hope to be proved wrong, not least because my own $10 is now in that pot.

Source: Forbes

Microsoft's Android patents will face challenges

 With over 20 patent licensing deals with Android mobile device makers, Microsoft's most profitable mobile operating system is Android. That revenue stream may soon be shrinking.

Now that the Chinese government has revealed the patents within Microsoft's Android patent portfolio, Microsoft may soon be facing challenges from vendors over its Android patent licensing agreements.
microsoft-android

The Android patents alone may bring as much as $2 billion a year to Microsoft's coffers.

As John Ferrell, co-founder of the Silicon Valley law firm Carr & Ferrell, said in an e-mail interview: "It’s not unexpected that a company like Microsoft, that invests so heavily in building and acquiring patents, wouldn’t also aggressively find a way to monetize its huge investment."

Microsoft's licensing fees vary from company to company. While no one has gone on record, the range seems to be from $5 to $16 per Android device. So, for example, Microsoft signed Samsung to an Android patent deal in 2011. Thus, with Samsung's Galaxy S5, which is available at a carrier-subsidized price of $200, Microsoft may be making from $10 to $32 per device sold.

Android smartphone and tablets manufacturers aren't happy about this. I've been speaking to half-a-dozen Android related businesses and these companies are considering a variety of options now that Microsoft's Android patent arsenal [.docx file] has been publicly revealed. As these companies are still weighing what, if any, actions they make take, I am unable to identify them or what specific actions they are currently considering.

Here, however, are the possibilities that are under consideration.

Of the major Android smartphone vendors, only Motorola Mobility, which previously belonged to Google, and is being bought out by Lenovo, has fought Microsoft in court over its demands for Android patent licensing. The other firms, considering the high-cost of patent litigation, have been elected to pay Microsoft off. The average cost of a patent lawsuit in 2008 had already reached $17.8-million per case.

For most companies the smart move has been to swallow their pride, pay the licensing fees, and move on.

Motorola Mobility, however, has shown that Microsoft patent portfolio was weaker than many expected. Of the 17 patents to appear so far before the International Trade Commission, the US District Court of Western District Court of Washington, and the German Federal Patent Court, 16 of the decisions have gone Motorola's way.

The only Microsoft-owned Android patent to be upheld to date has been US Patent No. 6,370,566 for ActiveSync.

As a result of Motorola Mobility's relative success, and the Chinese patent revelations, some firms are re-considering their Microsoft patent licenses. One in-house counsel for a major Asian firm said that after checking the full list and taking out duplicates, they found invalid and expired patents, and standard essential patents covered by fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms (FRAND), Microsoft only has 80 relevant patents. The company also believes that many of these — if someone were to file for a reexamination of them — might be invalidated.

Another firm is considering suing Microsoft over the current terms of its patent license. Still, another corporate attorney suggested that the mere threats of either litigation or seeking to have the patents invalidated might be enough to get Microsoft to reduce the costs of its patent licenses. While it's unlikely that a company would seek to have any of Microsoft's patents invalidated at the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), pro-open source and anti-patent groups may seek to do exactly that.

For companies however, when all is said and done, patents are all about money.

Rather than spend millions in litigation (which as the Apple vs. Samsung saga has shown has no real-world market effect) if the Android companies can use the Microsoft Android patent revelations to strike a more profitable deal for themselves, they'll be happy to do so.

Source: ZDNet

Samsung Already Has A New Smartwatch Coming, And It May Run Android Wear

Although Samsung released a new smartwatch and fitness band just a few months ago, the company may already be preparing to release some new wearables.

The Korea-based company just filed a handful of documents with the FCC detailing a new smartwatch that's a bit smaller than the Gear 2 —and it could potentially run on Android Wear.

The filing, which was first spotted by Samsung news blog SammyToday, says the new smartwatch will measure 1.45 inches by 1.8 inches, which is slightly smaller than the 1.4 x 2.2-inch Gear 2.

There has been some speculation that this watch could run on Google's new version of Android specifically made for wearables —Android Wear.

The company began filing a trademark for the term Galaxy Wear in Korea last month, leading many to believe that this would be Samsung's Android Wear smartwatch.

However, a newer report from SammyToday notes that Samsung has halted the registration process for this term.

Samsung is an official partner with Google for its Android Wear program, but the company hasn't come forward to announce any plans for a specific device just yet. Both LG and Motorola will be the first electronics manufacturers to launch smartwatches running on Android Wear this summer.

Releasing an Android Wear smartwatch would stray from Samsung's current strategy when it comes to wearables. The Gear 2 runs on a different open source operating system called Tizen, and Samsung is believed to be shaping it into its own self-branded software in an effort to decrease it's reliance on Google. That's just a theory — Samsung hasn't come forward to confirm such a strategy —but the company has shown interest in Tizen for quite some time.

The FCC filing comes after numerous reports have suggested Samsung is preparing to release a couple of new smartwatches. The Korea Herald reported that Samsung will release its Gear 3 watch in the fall alongside its next phablet, presumably the Note 4.

In the meantime, Samsung is expected to release a watch called the Gear Solo that would be capable of making phone calls without being tethered to your phone. This purported Gear Solo will probably be a limited release product that's just meant to "fill the void" between now and Samsung's Gear 3 launch, the Herald reported.

Source: Business Insider

Best smartphones on sale as of June 2014

WE USE it on the train, at work, at home, pretty much everywhere. Our phone has become the most important tool in our lives, so which one is right for you?

If camera is most important — Nokia Lumia 1020

The Lumia 1020’s 41-megapixel camera is in a league of its own. Low-light pictures are excellent, and well lit shots are often as good, if not better than most point-and-shoot cameras. Thanks to the insane amount of pixels, you can zoom in much further than any other mobile without losing quality, a key advantage over its closest competitor, the iPhone 5s.

The Nokia Pro Cam app lets you manually change settings like your exposure and aperture on the go, too. However, Windows Phone may leave you wishing you had something else if you enjoy using lots of apps, and Nokia is due for a replacement model quite soon. But if you must have the best camera phone on the market right now, you can’t do wrong with the Lumia 1020.

The big camera sensor on the back will ease the pain if you forget your DSLR. Source: Supplied

I’m just so sick of seeing that low battery notification — BlackBerry Z30

If all you care about is battery life, then Blackberry’s Z30 is for you. While away at the Formula 1 earlier in the year, this reporter charged the Z30 on Thursday night, then used it to take pictures, make calls, send emails and record interviews and it didn’t need charging until late Sunday. No other phone we have used can do that.

BlackBerry 10 is also an underrated platform, especially if you use your phone as a communication device. There’s a limited amount of apps on the BlackBerry World, but you can also install Android apps which fills in a lot of the gaps.

The BlackBerry Z30 will last for days. And days and days. Source: Supplied

Do you need something pretty? — HTC One (M8)

While the One could also be considered a worthy contender for the outright best phone, its horrible camera lets it down. Being made out of a single piece of aluminium however makes it the best looking phone on the market. While not technically part of the design, the screen is also brilliant and adds to the look and feel of the phone.

Who would have thought a piece of technology could look this good? Source: Supplied 

Just tell me the best phone! — Apple iPhone 5s

There simply isn’t another device right now that does everything as well as the iPhone 5s. True to Apple, everything about the 5s just works, and everything it does works well. The camera is best in class (The Lumia 1020 is in a league of its own), the design is gorgeous, it has every app you could hope for and iOS is still the easiest mobile operating system to use. Plus with every update Apple puts out, they add the best bits from Android and Windows Phone. While it may not have the best battery life or screen, they’re not as big deterrents as most other phones have. It does everything well, and that’s why it’s the best.

The jack of all trades, but master of none. Source: Supplied

Who gets runner up? - Sony Xperia Z2

Sony’s Xperia Z2 is our runner up, for much the same reason that the iPhone 5s was our winner. It doesn’t do anything the best, but it does everything well. Decent battery life? Check. Decent camera? Check. Good app selection? Check. Water proof? Check.

It might be a bit big for some people and the edges can be sharp, but if you’re after a phone bigger than Apple’s iPhone with as little compromises as possible, the Z2 should be your choice.

Want a bigger than an iPhone Android device? The Z2 is for you. Source: Supplied

Source: News.Com.Au

Amazon Rumor Roundup: 3-D Smartphone With Gesture Controls?

Amazon is already everywhere from your mailroom to your TV, and now it wants to be in your pocket.

The company is holding a splashy press event on Wednesday in Seattle, and the rumors are so loud that it's all but confirmed Amazon is finally announcing its own smartphone.

Reports had suggested for years that Amazon might be working on a phone -- one of the final frontiers for the company after launching its Fire TV and tablets -- and rumors about what features such a device could include began swirling even more when Amazon announced the June 18 event.

Here's what reputable sources say the Amazon phone could include:

3-D holograms: The Wall Street Journal reported in April that the Amazon phone would feature 3-D images -- with no glasses required. According to the Journal's unnamed sources, the phone will pull off that feat by using eye-tracking technology in four front-facing cameras.

The 3-D rumor appeared to be borne out by a preview video Amazon itself released earlier this month, showing customers trying out the mystery gadget. "It moved with me!" one woman says in the promotional video. Others move their heads around as they look at the gadget, saying, "Whoa!"

They could also track hand gestures that can be used to control the phone, according to an April 22 report from the tech blog BGR (which has a strong track record on leaked Amazon news and published photos of the purported new phone last month).

Gesture controls, like tilt-to-click: Those suspected front-facing cameras might not be only for eye-tracking. 

BGR's anonymous sources said tilting the phone will let users access menus and other features in apps without a single touch. For example, tilting in the messaging app will pull up an option to attach photos, they said.

Snap a photo of words, convert it to text: The other feature mentioned in BGR's April 22 article is "optical character recognition" -- that is, users can snap a photo of a sign or a business card, and the phone will automatically convert the words in the image into text.

Prime Data: Amazon may not be content with merely launching a phone; the company may also wade into providing phone service itself.

A separate April report from BGR claims Amazon will also unveil a wireless data plan called "Prime Data." BGR's sources couldn't suss out details on the service, as Amazon is keeping the program hush-hush. But they speculated Amazon may offer its smartphone customers free access to its Prime-branded digital services like Instant Video.

Exclusive to AT&T: Sorry, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile customers: AT&T will be the exclusive wireless carrier for the Amazon smartphone, the Journal reported Tuesday. As the newspaper noted, AT&T already provides service to Amazon's Kindle tablets and e-readers.

Cheaper version: We don't yet know what Amazon's phone will really turn out to be, or how much it will cost. But if you're already looking for a different version of the yet-to-be-unveiled device, fear not: Rumors say a cheaper version of the phone is in the works

Source: NBC NEWS

Garmin launches Viago, a new navigation experience at an affordable price

Garmin is a household favorite when it comes to turn-by-turn navigation and has enjoyed continued success with its StreetPilot software, which goes for $30 (or more). Since we're in a more advanced world regarding smartphone technology and components, the company has unveiled Viago, a new app for both Android and iPhones that attempts to bridge the price gap between the premium tag and what consumers usually spend on app stores.

The apps themselves cost just $1 (until July 13 when prices will increase to $2) and come with worldwide maps licensing as well as lane assistance, realistic junction views, speed limits, weather and traffic reporting. Should users wish to take advantage of more functionality, the option is there with in-app purchases. Some of the extras are pretty cool – Real Directions provides directions based on landmarks rather than street names and Active Lane Guidance simplifies junction navigation.

Source: Android Central

Cyanogen Theme Showcase launches on Google Play

If you're a Cyanogenmod aficionado and also a fan of getting your theme on, then take note. The new Cyanogen Theme Showcase app has launched on Google Play to help make your customizing even easier. The new app acts as a portal to link CyanogenMod themes on Google Play with the CM's own Theme switcher.

CM Themes can change the entire look and feel of your phone's software. Or, if you can't make your mind up you can just pick and choose from different combinations of wallpapers, icons, boot animations and more from different theme packages. Snazzy.

Theme developers are invited to submit their creations to be featured in the app, so its range of content should increase as time goes by. Icon packs from popular launchers such as Nova, LauncherPro and more are also supported, so get as creative as you want to be. Grab it now from the Play Store link up top.

Source: Android Central

New Amazon smartphone to be an AT&T exclusive

Amazon is going to finally announce their new smartphone tomorrow, but it looks like you you will only be able to buy it on AT&T. I guess this isn’t a shocker since Amazon and AT&T already partner for the Kindle tablets.

In case you have been living under a rock, Amazon is hoping that glasses-free 3D will get consumers excited. I won’t say I am excited, but I am interested to see what Amazon has to offer. Is this going to be something really cheesy, or will it actually be useful? Amazon has worked on this project for a long time, so I would like to think that Amazon will change the game. Either way, you will have only have one carrier choice, and that’s AT&T.

source: WSJ

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Link2Sd Plus 3.4.6 Patch Crack Free Download

Link2SD is an application manager that makes it easy for Android 2.0+ users to move applications to the SD card, to clean all cache files of the apps. It enables you to manage your apps and storage easily.

It also provides native app to SD (app2sd) features on Android 2.2 and higher. It can move any non-protected user apps to SD card (force move), with batch moving capability.
That feature uses Android's standard SD-card installation feature and does not require a second partition.

Cache cleaner function clears all your cache and free up space with a single tap. Also cache cleaner widget displays total cache size and enables "one tap cache cleaning" without opening the app.

Features:

• App manager
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• Move any user apps to SD even though the app does not support moving to SD (a.k.a. "force move", for Android 2.2 and higher)
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• Clear all apps cache at once (1-tap cache cleaner without being root)
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• Clear cache widget (1-tap cache cleaner without being root)
• Notify if total cache size exceeds specified size
• Reboot manager includes power off, normal reboot, quick (hot) reboot, reboot recovery, reboot bootloader / download mode
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Plus features:

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What you need for linking apps:

• root permission.
• a second partition on your SD card.

You should have two partitions on SD card and both should be primary.
The first FAT partition is your standard SD card storage. The second partition is used for application files and can be ext2, ext3, ext4, f2fs or FAT.

You need to use a non-FAT file system (ext2, ext3, ext4 or f2fs) on your second partition in order to link app's private data files. Because the FAT file system (FAT16, FAT32 or exFAT) does not support UNIX file ownership or permissions and will cause a security breakdown of app's private files.

Link2SD Plus can move app's private data files if you have a non-FAT partition

Link2SD does not create the second partition, you need to create it yourself. You can use any partition manager such as Minitool, Paragon, Easeus etc. for this.

When you connect your phone to PC as mass storage, Android unmounts the first FAT partition but the second partition remains mounted. Therefore linked applications are not affected and can be run without problems.

Link2SD is free (ad supported) application.

DISCLAIMER: It is made available for use at your own risk with no warranty of any kind.

 

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