Hasta La Gadget!

Recently there have been a lot of rumors circulating that Verizon is looking to sell its unwanted A-block spectrum to T-Mobile U.S., the fourth largest mobile carrier in the country. The Big Red has already said that it is open to spectrum swapping, and according to a new report by Bloomberg, that’s what’s likely to happen. It is reported that the deal might be announced as early as next week as the final details are in the process of being hammered out. As a result, T-Mobile will get its hand on frequencies that cover almost 150 million people in the country. Verizon will get cash and spectrum in markets where it needs the most.

BTIG analyst Walt Piecyk believes that Verizon is probably going to want $3 billion for the spectrum, which is acquired back in 2008 through a government auction for $2.6 billion. Such a deal would require approval from the FCC, and once the deal goes through, T-Mobile will get access to low-band frequencies that its network is currently missing. As a result of the swap, Verizon will be able to use T-Mobile’s AWS airwaves to improve its service in congested markets like New York. Spokespersons for both carriers have declined to comment on this particular report, so we’ll have to wait until next week to find out if both Verizon and T-Mobile have reached an agreement.

Verizon T-Mobile Spectrum Deal Reportedly Being Finalized original content from Ubergizmo.

Earlier this year in July it was discovered that Android 4.3 had a hidden feature called App Ops. Through the feature users could tap in to permissions granted to apps that run on the device, something which they can’t do by default. While many users would argue about giving users the ability to control individual app permissions, Google is yet to officially launch such a feature. In its recent Android update, version 4.4.2 KitKat which was released shortly after Android 4.4.1 graced devices, Google has now removed the App Ops feature.

Google says that App Ops is an “experimental” feature that wasn’t meant to be public, the company claims that it could break app functionality, which is why users must not be given access to it. Google hasn’t said if it has any plans in the future of launching this feature, so it wouldn’t be right to assume that somewhere along the line App Ops could come back. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is of the view that Google should re-enable the feature, and that it should add a switch to restrain apps from collecting identifying information such as IMEI, user account information and phone number, it should better integrate App Ops in Android and that it should allow users to disable network access on a per app basis.

Google Removes Hidden Feature In Android Through Version 4.4.2 Update original content from Ubergizmo.

Google rolled out the Android 4.4.2 update recently shortly after it had rolled out Android 4.4.1 for Nexus devices. Updates such as these are first rolled out for Nexus devices before they gradually make their way to devices manufactured by other OEMs. The benefit of owning a Google Play Edition device is that you’re much higher up the list, meaning that updates are rolled out for these variants soon after the Nexus devices have received their fix. The first two GPE smartphones released earlier this year, the Galaxy S4 and HTC One, have both received the latest release of KitKat, Android 4.4.2.

These incremental updates don’t bring any major features, however they do fix various bugs, including device specific bugs. Furthermore, a SMS related security exploit that was discovered recently has also been patched in Android 4.4.2. The updates have started rolling out over-the-air for both Google Play Edition smartphones, alternatively, users can download the firmware files from Google and flash their devices manually. Just recently a couple of new GPE devices were released, including the first ever GPE LG G Pad 8.3 tablet and a similar edition of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Both of these devices, the smartphone and the tablet, come with Android 4.4 KitKat preinstalled.

Galaxy S4 And HTC One Google Play Edition Receive Android 4.4.2 Update original content from Ubergizmo.

The NSA is definitely not in the good books of many people, even to the point where tech companies have already begun to sound the bell that calls for reforms in the organization itself. I am quite sure that even more people would be upset to read about what the NSA is capable of doing when it comes to our cellphone conversations. Apparently, their phone surveillance efforts do more than just focus on metadata instead of associated calls, but they are also able to eavesdrop on what is being shared by two people without those holding the conversation knowing any better. Yes sir, your complains about that aunt or uncle you absolutely cannot stand, can be gossip fodder for the NSA. Don’t you think that this is way too creepy?

The Washington Post received documents leaked by Edward Snowden which confirms that the NSA has the ability to decode GSM-based cellphone calls, without having to have the encryption keys in the first place. The NSA, in its defense, claims that this is a necessary move, considering how either side of the law rely on encryption in order to secure sensitive information. In the future, however, the NSA might not have such an easy ride in eavesdropping on conversations as and when they like, especially when the likes of AT&T and T-Mobile Germany among other carriers around the world are taking the step to introduce more secure encryption methods for their GSM service, not to mention with 3G calls already being a whole lot more secure. It is not foolproof, but at least it makes them sweat more to know what we’re talking about eventually.

NSA Could Decode Private Cellphone Conversations original content from Ubergizmo.

Has the traveling and adventure bug bitten you yet this holiday season? If you have answered in the affirmative, then you might also want to make sure that you do not get lost – not to mention the rest of the folks who are depending on your leadership as much as your sense of direction. Fret not, you might be unable to fold a map to save your life, which is why Google Maps Navigation comes in handy. Google Maps Navigation has now made its way in another 25 more countries, where majority of these new additions lie in the continent of Africa, and would include Libya, Somalia and Tunisia.

As for the remaining coverage area that has also received the benefit of Google Maps Navigation, they would include Guadeloupe and Haiti from the Caribbean, with those who have a soft spot for Europe giving Andorra, Croatia and Serbia a go. Other rather more remote places than normal would include Bhutan and Vanuatu, and those are not excluded from the (soon to be) all-knowing Google Maps Navigation. Just bear in mind that if you want to get Google Maps Navigation (Beta) for Android up and running, you would need at least Android 1.5 and Google Maps for Android version 3.2 and higher.

Google Maps Navigation (Beta) For Android Arrives At Another 25 Countries original content from Ubergizmo.