Tag Archive for IOS (Apple)

| June 5, 2012
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Tablet Info

Windows 8 Tablets in November

Steve Ballmer with Windows 8 tablet`Expect the first wave of Windows 8 tablets to land in retail stores in November, according to CNET. A secret source deep within Intel (INTC) says the Intel-based Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 8 tablets will use Intel’s upcoming Clover Trail Atom chip. DailyWirless says that Clover Trail is Intel’s first dual-core Atom design based on its 32-nanometer process technology.

The author says the tablets will fall into two basic sizes: pure 10-inch tablets and hybrid 11-inch designs with physical keyboards. Windows 8, like Windows 7 before it, will be powered by chips from Intel and AMD (AMD) and will be able to run older, so-called “legacy” applications.

A separate release from Microsoft, Windows RT, will land on devices powered by ARM (ARMH) chip suppliers NVidia (NVDA), Qualcomm (QCOM), and Texas Instruments (TXN). RT will not run older Windows applications.

Chinese Tablet PCs Peel Away at Apple

Tablets in ChinaApple Inc may find it harder to keep market share in China because homegrown tablet PC brands will win over more customers says a report on China Daily.com. Sun Peilin with Analysys International, told China Daily, Apple’s (AAPL) market share will shrink to about 70 percent, “Chinese tablet PC makers are trying to form a stronger echelon behind Apple by taking over the market share that belonged to small copycat manufacturers.”

Apple’s iPad and iPad 2 took 78.3 percent of the market share in China in Q1 2012, distantly followed by Samsung’s (005930) 5.1% and ErenEben’s 4.5% according to the article. AI’s data indicates tablet PC sales in China are expected to break 4.5 million units. Companies including Lenovo (LNVGY), Acer (ACEIY) and home appliance giant Haier Group, are releasing their own tablet PCs.

Sun from Analysys states in the blog the biggest obstacle Chinese brands face is how to come up with a different marketing angle against Apple, to avoid head-on competition with the iPad. “There are two separate markets for tablets: You can either go entertainment or business. The iPad is a big competitor in terms of entertainment, so Chinese companies should be different from iPad,” Sun suggested. Some Chinese companies have already differentiated their tablets. Beijing ErenEben Information Technology Co, a business tablet PC maker, won a government contract to provide tablets to the police department in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

According to Fang Liyong, COO of ErenEben, the company sold nearly 150,000 units of its first two generations of products in 2010, making it the biggest homegrown tablet PC brand by sales volume. “We are now selling nearly 30,000 units every month in 2011,” he said.

With a touchscreen developed by Japanese graphics-tablets maker Wacom Co Ltd, the ErenEben tablets were designed to offer an experience similar to writing on real paper. The COO boosts, “ErenEben has great growth potential, because China’s tablet market is so big, and Apple cannot take it all.”

iPad Suit

iPad suitMohan’s Custom Tailors of New York is taking the boring and basic out of the word “suit” by designing a new and improved version for the modern man. According to their website, as men are dressing up and going out to dinner dates, museum galleries, and lounges in fine style, Mohan’s is creating contemporary and handsome designs to fit their needs. Mohan’s has introduced the fashion of the future with their new tech offerings, including pockets for your Research In Motion (RIMM) Blackberry, Apple (AAPL) iPod, iScribe, Bluetooth and more. Most recently, they have revealed the first ever iPad pocket in menswear, creating a fashion rush for “techies” around the world.

iPad Bacon Case for iPad 3

Bacon iPad caseAt Antje Schmitt’s storefront at Etsy, the famous handcrafted Bacon Case for the Apple (AAPL) iPad 3 is now available. The Bacon Case is also available for older iPads, MacBooks, Netbooks, and Notebooks.

ZD.net: “The undisputed king of the weird category however, is the iPad bacon case ($59, pictured), which I’m ordering immediately.”

Gizmodo: “It’s $59, but who cares? Bacon iPad cases are what money was invented for, people. Well, that, and both actual bacon and actual iPads.”

Gearfuse: “Bacon and Apple products go together like peas and carrots. Or lamb and tuna fish. They’re both the perfect byproducts of their respective categories. Pimp your iPad with pork with the custom-made Bacon iPad case. It might not be actual bacon, but it’s realistic design is enough to make you wish you had a side of eggs to go with your balanced breakfast of pork and tablet.”

Clueful Scans Your iOS Apps For Privacy Behavior

PrivacySecurity firm Bitdefender has introduced Clueful, an app that scans your Apple (AAPL) iOS apps lets you see what information other applications installed on your iDevice might have access to. Once downloaded and installed (iTunes), the $3.99 app scans your iPad 3, iPhone 4s or other iOS Apple products to see what’s installed and puts it in a list that can be filtered based on the various kinds of behavior. This includes things like:

  • Apps that can track location
  • Apps that can read the address book
  • Apps that might drain battery
  • Apps that use iPhone’s unique ID
  • Apps that display ads
  • Apps that gather analytics

These behaviors are listed in the results, and explained in each app’s detail page. However, Clueful doesn’t log of how often these behaviors happen. Clueful also notes if your data is encrypted, and if app makers anonymize you as a user, CNET News.Com reported.

Besides scanning what you have downloaded,the article explains that the software is designed to let you research what kinds of information an application wants to use before you buy it from the App Store. However, the author says, ” this appeared to be a work in progress, it is slow, and unable to pick up a handful of big name games and apps.”

Bitdefender maintains all the data behind the privacy analysis, and users can ask to have apps that are not a part of that system analyzed. CNet states that Clueful comes some three months after Apple came after fire for the fourth time over how iOS and apps log and send user information to third parties.

Category: Mobile, Tablet computing | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
| March 10, 2012
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If Elvis had an iPad3

Rock and RollBoingBoing brings us news of the Futulele developed ny music app developer Amidio. Whar is a Futulele? Why it’s a ukulele synthesiser that combines an Apple (AAPL) iPad with an iPhone in a dedicated guitar-shaped case.The iPhone is used for chords and iPad is used for strumming.  The iOS devices are connected to each other via Bluetooth.

Elvis Presley Amidio says it’s still looking fo a hardware partner to build the case, but the app is due out in April. Just in time to be one of the first music apps optimised for the iPad 3.

rb-

I wonder what Elvis would have thought about Can’t Help Falling In Love being played on iOS based jury-rigged Ukulele.

Category: Mobile | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
| February 16, 2012
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Better Mobile Security

Mobile securityMobile device users should be concerned about security. This is especially true if the mobile device is used for work and it is configured with your employer’s email or messaging server. IT staffs can take steps to protect the date on the mobile. Eric Geier, the founder of NoWiresSecurity writes provided CIO Update with 6 tips for better mobile device security.

EncryptionTip No. 1 – Choose a mobile OS that supports encryption and use it: Mr. Greer says make sure the mobile operating system (OS) and device supports hardware-based encryption. The article says Apple’s (AAPL) iOS and Research In Motion’s (RIMM) BlackBerry support encryption for both internal and external storage. Without encryption it’s possible that someone could recover the data on the device even without your lock PIN or password.

Full device encryption is limited and varies on current Android device manufactures. Mr. Greer writes that Motorola Mobility’s (MMI) business-oriented smartphones offers encryption capabilities on Android 2.3. Android 3.x includes an API to help developers offer encryption on tablets. Android 4.x tablets and smartphones should support encryption sometime in 2012. WhisperCore is a third-party encryption solution which is in beta for Nexus S and Nexus One.

PasswordsTip No. 2 – Set a lock pin or password: The article says that enabling a password, whether it’s called a PIN, passcode, or passphrase, is the first line of defense in maintaining privacy and security. It helps prevent others from picking up your phone or device and snooping around if it becomes lost, stolen, or just left unattended. It’s also usually required if encryption is enabled on the device writes the author. A PIN will protect data and privacy from the causal snoopers.

Tip No. 3 – Enable auto-wiping of data: Most mobile OSes support automatic wiping of the device’s data after a certain number of incorrect passwords attempts. Mr. Greer says auto-wiping is natively supported by iOS, Windows Phone 7, and BlackBerry. Android requires a third-party app, such as Autowipe.

It is important to keep all your data regularly backed up so the data can be restored to a new mobile after it is wiped.

Mobile device managementTip No. 4 – Setup remote tracking and management: Before your phone or device gets misplaced or stolen the blog recommends that a remote tracking and management system should be set up. Most let you see the device’s GPS location on a map, send audible alerts to help you find it, and display a visual message to tell others how to return it. They typically also let you remotely lock and/or wipe it before someone else gets their hands on it. According to Mr. Greer:

Wireless Wi-Fi hotspotTip No. 5 – Limit Wi-Fi hotspot usage: When you use public Wi-Fi hotspots that aren’t encrypted, all your Internet traffic is transmitted through the air and can be easily intercepted. The most important sites and services, such as banking websites, usually implement their own (HTTPS/SSL) encryption that protects their individual traffic. But most email providers and many social networking sites don’t; thus eavesdroppers can likely capture their passwords and traffic.

On the other hand most 3G, 4G, and other cellular data connections are usually encrypted by the carriers. Plus eavesdropping on these types of connections isn’t as popular. Therefore, when you’re out and about you should try to use the data connection rather unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots.

If you insist on using Wi-Fi hotspots, use those that offer enterprise encryption and 802.1X authentication, such as from T-Mobile and iBahn. Alternatively, consider using a VPN connection to secure your traffic from local eavesdroppers.

Cellphone virusTip No. 6 – Use an antivirus or security app: Viruses, malware, and hacking on mobile devices is a growing problem. The author recommends installing a security app to help prevent infections and intrusions. Most AV solutions also offer other features, such as remote wiping, backup and locating.

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Category: Mobile, Security | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
| January 17, 2012
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QR Codes Can Put Users at Risk

QR malware-Updated 01-26-12- It was just a matter of time and now the Websense (WBSN) ThreatSeeker Network has started spotting spam messages that lead to URLs that use embedded QR codes. According to a report at Help Net Security this is a clear evolution of traditional spammers towards targeting mobile technology. The spam email messages look like traditional pharmaceutical spam emails and contain a link to the Web site 2tag.nl. Once the 2tag.nl URL from the mail message is loaded in the browser, a QR code is displayed, along with the full URL. When the QR code is read by a QR reader, it automatically loads the spam URL.
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Quick Response codes (QR codes) are a “new” type of barcode that can be used for a variety of purposes tracking, ticketing, labeling of products, etc. They can be put anywhere, in magazines, buses, websites, TV, tickets, and on almost any object which they might want to learn more about.

 Help Net Security writes that when used for legitimate purposes, they make life easier for users. “All you need to ‘visualize such a code is a smartphone with a camera and a QR reader application to scan it – the code can direct you to websites or online videos, send text messages and e-mails, or launch apps,” point out BullGuard’s researchers.

Unfortunately, QR codes can just as easily be used to compromise users’ mobile devices. “Much like URL shortening services can be and are used maliciously because of the fact that they obscure the real target URL, QR codes can also be used for such deception,” Joe Levy, CTO of Solera Networks told DarkReading. “QR codes … provide a direct link to other smart phone capabilities such as email, SMS, and application installation. So potential attack vectors extend beyond obscured URLs and browser exploits very nearly to the full suite of device capabilities.”

Mobile malwareThere are several ways attackers are already using malicious QR codes to perpetrate their scams. A recent attack via QR code “Attaging” took place in Russia and involved a Trojan disguised as a mobile app called Jimm. Once installed, “Jimm” sent a series of expensive text messages ($6 each), racking up unwanted charges.

On Apple (AAPL) iOS devices, hackers are sending users to websites that will jailbreak the device and install more malicious malware. Tomer Teller, security evangelist at Check Point Software Technologies, told DarkReading, “a user scans a barcode and is redirected to an unknown website … the user phone will be jail broken and additional malware could be deployed (such as key loggers and GPS trackers).”

Android malware“On the Google (GOOG) Android  … Criminals are redirecting users to download malicious applications. All a user needs to do is scan a barcode and it will redirect to a website that will download the Android Application” according to the article.

In addition attackers are using QR codes to redirect users to fake websites for phishing. “A QR code will redirect to a fake Bank that will look exactly like your bank. Since most smart phone screens are small, a normal user may not see the difference and will type in his or her (information) and hand it to the attackers,” Teller says. According to Mobile Commerce News some apps, like the NeoReader from Neomedia, that collect personal identifiable information (PII). This information is then sent to third parties who mine the data and possibly resell it.

Mobile paymentsThe trend to mobile QR based payment systems from firms like LevelUp, Kuapay, and Paypal are developing will drive QR code malware forward Mr. Levy says. “As our mobile devices and our wallets continue to converge through such technologies as near field communications (NFC), Bump and QR, malware authors are bound to prefer these very direct paths to the money. After all, these devices and apps are well on the road to becoming our new currency.”

So how do you protect yourself and the data on your mobile?

  • Download an app that scans QR codes and barcodes and shows the URL to which the codes want to take you. “Only use QR code reader software that allows the user to confirm the action to be taken i.e. visit a website link,” Paul Henry, security and forensic analyst at Lumension told DarkReading. “If you do not know and trust the link, cancel the action.
  • Do not scan QR codes from random stickers on walls and similar surfaces. Help Net Security says scammers are counting on people to do that because they can’t curb their curiosity.
  • Consider installing a mobile security app on your device, especially if it runs the Android OS. “Android is an open platform, which means that its source code can be examined by criminals and exploited easily when they find a weakness in, say, the Android browser,” according to the article. “That’s why most malicious apps transmitted via QR codes target the Android-based smartphones.”

rb-

I am not a fan of QR codes they seem to take you to an advertisement. Most of the destinations are fluff at best and dangerous at worst. Now that they have become nearly ubiquitous, they present more risk than necessary. Avoid QR codes.

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Category: Security | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
| December 15, 2011
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Tablet Info

In case there was any doubt that mobile devices are the real deal, here are some stats from Digby. Globally, 80% of consumers have used computers to access the Web within the previous seven days. Sixty percent used their mobile devices to do so. 25% of US mobile web users only access the web from their mobile phones.

Angry Birds know where you live

Angry Birds75% of the public may be giving away their physical location when downloading smartphone applications, according to mobile security vendor AdaptiveMobile. 69% of smartphone users say such privacy breaches are unacceptable, yet Help Net Security reports that 75% fail to read the terms and conditions, which include access to data such as their physical location.

“Consumers are outraged that their data may not be secure but are unwilling to protect themselves,” AdaptiveMobile VP of Handset Security, Ciaran Bradley says in the article. “We are downloading more apps than ever before, but people are unaware that their location and other information can be harvested by applications.”

AdaptiveMobile research has shown that common applications including Angry Birds, Jaws and Paper Toss have access to information including location co-ordinates and owner’s name, which can be shared with up to 17 different external domains including advertisers.

“Consumers and the wider mobile industry need to become savvier about the information which is shared by apps,” Mike Hawkes, Chairman of The Mobile Data Association told Help Net Security. “It is becoming commonplace that personal information is shared with advertisers and developers.”

Mr. Bradley told Help Net Security that iPhone users are the most careless, with 65% completely unaware that free applications may compromise their privacy. Windows Phone users are more responsible, with 29% promising to stop downloading free applications if they had any doubt that their personal information was not safe. Windows Phone users are generally cautious, 95% of them are ‘quite’ or ‘very’ concerned about privacy infringements.

“If we are to slow the rise in cybercrime, consumers need to become more aware of the need for phone security” concluded Mr. Bradley. “Not only will this frustrate hackers and other cyber criminals, but also ensure that consumers can have a safe mobile experience.”

rb-

I wrote about mobile apps stealing PII here and here.

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Cisco’s Tablets Are Doing So Well, They’re Planning At Least Two More Models For Next Year

CiscoThe Cisco Cius tablet for enterprises, sounded like a hard sell when Cisco introduced it. But the company is apparently proving experts wrong, including me (I wrote about the Cius here and here) because Cisco‘s (CSCO) tablets are doing well enough that the company plans to release two new form factors next year, including a 10-inch version according to the BusinessInsider

Product manager Chuck Fontana told the BusinessInsider that 1,000 companies have already bought the tablet, He wouldn’t share device unit sales, but some deployments are in the hundreds, and one company plans to buy 1,500 for its sales force. The tablets are sold as part of a broader communications package, and include Cisco’s teleconferencing and collaboration services.

But underneath they’re straight Google (GOOG) Android tablets, and can run any Android app. To prevent employees from downloading malware-infested or low-quality apps, Cisco has rolled out a custom app store called AppHQ, where every app is vetted.

The BusinessInsider says the Cius is an interesting demonstration of how the relative openness of Android versus iOS is helping it gain traction in surprising places. Cisco didn’t go to quite the lengths that Amazon (AMZN) did with the Kindle Fire, where it basically forked Android and created a custom OS. But Android is open enough that Cisco could build its own app store and ship it with its own apps front and center.

That couldn’t have worked with the iPad, where Apple (AAPL) controls the experience.

So would Cisco consider offering a Windows tablet instead once Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 8 comes out?  “No,” said Fontana, “we’re not looking to do anything from a Windows perspective. Our core approach remains on Android.”

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People Are Losing Interest In The Microsoft Tablet, And It’s Not Even Out Yet

Microsoft Apple‘s (AAPL) iPad has already taken about 11% of the PC market, and by the time Microsoft (MSFT) and its partners get around to releasing a real competitor next year, it may be too late according to a new study from Forrester Research (FORR) in the BusinessInsider.

Near the beginning of 2011 according to the article Forrester surveyed 3,835 consumers who were considering buying a tablet. When asked which operating system they’d like on it, 48% said Windows, well ahead of iOS (16%) and Google’s (GOOG) Android (9%). The second most popular choice was “undecided” with 16%.

In September, Forrester asked the same question of a different group of 2,229 consumers. This time, iOS came in number one with 28% of the vote. Windows had only 25%, and Android was at 18%. A whole 24% were still undecided.

Overall, interest in Windows tablets dropped 21 percentage points in six months.

The BusinessInsider says the study is probably a bit skewed, but says the data shows a real perception shift: consumers are thinking of tablets more like smartphones, and less like PCs. That perception could carry through to the next time they’re thinking of buying a new computing device.

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