NSA Could Decode Private Cellphone Conversations

NSA Could Decode Private Cellphone ConversationsThe 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.

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  • NSA Could Decode Private Cellphone Conversations original content from Ubergizmo.

        



    Moto G USA availability begins today: off-contract and GSM

    It’s time already to see the Moto G hit the market in the USA despite previous suggestion that we’d have to wait until 2014. That is, if you’re all about working with the GSM model of the device rather than the CDMA version, meaning you’ll be working with the likes of AT&T and/or T-Mobile rather […]

    Unlocked and SIM-free iPhone 5s now available on Apple’s site

    You don’t have to hold onto hope for that truly unlocked iPhone 5s any longer — it’s now available to buy on Apple’s site. To be clear, this version of Apple’s Touch ID-imbued flagship comes completely free of any carrier attachment, separating it from the unlocked T-Mobile variant that ships with a Magenta nano-SIM inside. The SIM-free GSM handset, which’ll ship within one to two weeks from order, is available in the standard 16GB/32GB/64GB storage and color configurations, so pricing remains the same at $649/$749/$849, respectively. But you’ll still need to hitch your data ride to AT&T or T-Mobile for that fancy phone to work in the US. So, the strings… they’re still attached. There are just fewer of them now.

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    Via: 9 to 5 Mac

    Source: Apple

    Moto X Developer Edition for AT&T and T-Mobile now available

    Earlier this week, the Verizon version of the Moto X Developer Edition went up for sale, bringing with it a $649.99 price tag and the promise that a GSM version for use on T-Mobile and AT&T would soon follow. Such a handset is now up for sale on Motorola’s website, bearing the same price tag […]

    GSM Moto X dev edition brings unlocked bootloader on AT&T, T-Mobile for $650

    GSM Moto X Developer Edition now available

    A couple of days ago Motorola introduced the Developer Edition of its new Moto X for Verizon and as promised, it’s followed up with one for GSM networks. If you’re into running custom software, this is the one to buy if you want a Moto X on AT&T (it’s also compatible with T-Mobile’s LTE) thanks to its unlocked bootloader. Otherwise it’s the same as the earlier model, with “Developer Edition” branding on the back and 32GB of storage inside. You’ll have to live without Moto Maker customizations, but picking this one out of the sudden rush of Developer Edition models available may be the toughest part.

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    Via: Droid-Life

    Source: Motorola

    Researchers modify GSM cell phones to function as cellular blocking device

    A Technical University of Berlin telecommunications security research group has revealed that it was able to block local cell phones from receiving calls and text messages using a software modification on a GSM phone. As such, this method can be used as a telecommunications hack that prevents a specific network area from properly sending communication […]

    Software Hack Lets Feature Phones Jam Calls, Texts Within 75 Miles

    Software Hack Lets Feature Phones Jam Calls, Texts Within 75 Miles

    There’s something uniquely scary about the idea of your calls being jammed. Good news! It turns out blocking calls and texts to certain phones is pretty easy. Hackers have figured out how to turn a feature phone into a "jammer" with just a few software modifications.

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    GSM Moto X spills with early processor power test [UPDATE]

    This afternoon two rather up-close-and-personal videos have appeared showing the Motorola smartphone Moto X, the following involving a CPU/GPU test which shows a bit about this machine’s innards. What we’re told here by the user leaking the smartphone (once again) is that this smartphone works with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core SoC – but what we’re able to see quite clearly in the tests he runs is that this is merely an upgraded MSM8960 with an Adreno 320 GPU, meaning it’s one step above the Motorola RAZR HD, but still below the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4.

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    This test shows that the combination of CPU and GPU we’ve got brings this device up to an MSM8960T, that being the Snapdragon S4 Pro one step above the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus released in the waves of smartphones shown in 2012. This device’s processor is closest to the LG-made Nexus 4 and Sony Xperia Z, working with just a couple of different bits and pieces:

    • MSM8960T 28nm LP ARMv7 dual-core Krait (up to 1.7GHz) Adreno 320 (WUXGA/1080p) Dual-channel 500MHz memory
    • APQ8064 28nm LP ARMv7 dual-core Krait (up to 1.7GHz) Adreno 320 (QXGA/1080p) Dual-channel 533MHz memory

    The first of these, again, works in the Moto X while the second works in the LG Nexus 4. While this system reader says the machine works with MSM8960dt, MSM8960T should be close enough for what the end-user will be concerned with.

    The results of the test run here on the device – with non-final software, we must assume – shows that the processing power is near that of the Snapdragon 600. This bodes well for the processor’s ability to roll out on the competition even though it’s from a previous generation. It’s also quite possible that this app test is not entirely accurate, of course, and that the processor itself is only tagged MSM8960dt because the library the app works with only has said name available with the CPU/GPU combination.

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    UPDATE: Above you’ll see another result from what we must assume is the same exact model, not just the same phone, from a collection shared by TechKiddy.

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    We shall see! Meanwhile you can get a whole heck of a lot more information on this smartphone by heading back to the aforementioned second leak of a look made by Rogers. There you’ll see the Moto X’s ability to hear your voice when it’s asleep, power your camera on with a flick of your wrist, and work with voice commands galore – with Google Now, of course.

    VIA: Android Community

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    GSM Moto X spills with early processor power test [UPDATE] is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
    © 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

    MetroPCS to start using T-Mobile’s network and GSM handsets June 12th

    MetroPCS to start using T-Mobile's network and GSM handsets June 12th

    And so it begins. With T-Mobile recently closing the deal to acquire MetroPCS, it was only a matter of time before we’d see more commingling. PhoneArena‘s uncovered yesterday that MetroPCS is about start using T-Mobile’s network and GSM handsets. Two phones which are currently available on T-Mobile — the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Exhibit (a Galaxy S III mini clone) and the LG Optimus L9 — are making their way to MetroPCS, complete with GSM / EDGE and AWS-capable UMTS / HSPA+ radios (no LTE). Pricing for these devices is still unknown, but the company’s expected to begin selling plans on T-Mobile’s network as soon a June 12th. In addition, a service called BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) will allow customers to bring their own GSM handsets to MetroPCS (excluding BlackBerry models). It’s unclear if eligible devices have to be unlocked and / or T-Mobile branded but we’ll find out soon enough. So there you have it — the start of a perfect honeymoon.

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    Source: Phone Arena

    ASUS K005 tablet hits the FCC, Snapdragon S4 Pro hints at top-tier performance

    DNP ASUS K005 tablet hits the FCC, Snapdragon S4 Pro

    Although ASUS recently delivered the $150 7-inch MeMo Pad and PadFone Infinity combo device, it’s been a while since a premium Android tablet graced the lineup. A recent FCC filing from the company, however, reveals an unannounced K005 model equipped with the venerable Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) SoC clocked at 1.7GHz. Further details are light, but G4Games notes that it reveals AT&T-compatible GSM, CDMA and LTE connectivity and the model number suggests a 10-inch frame. Check out the FCC filing for yourself below and rest assured that we’ll fill you in when we hear more.

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    Via: G4Games

    Source: FCC