Recently a barrage of highly confidential documents were leaked online which revealed that the NSA has backdoors that it can implement in products from a number of major technology companies, including but not limited to Samsung, Cisco and Juniper Networks. Then word broke about a backdoor called DROPOUTJEEP which apparently lets the NSA tap into an iPhone. In a statement provided to AllThingsD, Cupertino says that it has ”never worked with the NSA to create a backdoor in any of our products, including iPhone.” The company also claims that it has been unaware of this NSA program that is supposedly targeting its smartphone, one of the most popular mobile devices on this planet.
For those who don’t know what DROPOUTJEEP does, its basically a software which when installed on an iPhone provides signal intelligence. This would enable the agency to retrieve files or even push files to the iPhone, extract text messages, emails, contact lists, find out the iPhone’s location and even turn on the camera and microphone. This isn’t the first time that Apple has been named in leaked NSA documents, the company was also named in the PRISM documents leaked by Edward Snowden. Apple reiterates its commitment to “defend our customers from security attacks, regardless of who’s behind them.”
Apple has denied collaborating with the NSA to add a snooping backdoor to the iPhone, insisting that despite allegations that the DROPOUTJEEP program could access large swathes of iPhone content … Continue reading
After much negotiation and speculation, Apple and China Mobile have finally struck up a deal in which Apple’s iPhones would be officially offered on the carrier’s network. The deal with China Mobile would basically give Apple access to about 750 million subscribers and while Apple might not be able to get everyone to hop aboard the iPhone bandwagon, it has been estimated that Apple might be able to sell an additional 12 million iPhone units come 2014 and according to the latest reports, Apple is well on its way as China Mobile has managed to secure 100,000 iPhone pr-orders in a matter of 2 days. Granted this is a slightly smaller figure compared to China’s other carriers, such as China Unicom and China Telecom that have netted 120,000 and 150,000 pre-orders back in September, but we suppose given that the other two carriers have had a head start, perhaps the demand could be slightly less.
In any case these are just some early numbers and perhaps in the long run China Mobile might overtake the competition. Either way with China Mobile being one of the largest carriers in the world, the fact that Apple has managed to sign on nearly all of the major carriers in China is no small feat and will definitely help to boost iPhone sales in 2014. Will the next-gen iPhone see even more spectacular sales come 2014? We can only imagine that it will, but in the meantime it looks like Apple’s expansion into Asia is going ahead as planned and appears to be doing quite well to top things off.
The NSA developed in 2008 a software program for iPhones that can selectively and stealthily deliver data from iPhones to the NSA. The program is called DROPOUTJEEP. News of the … Continue reading
This article was written on September 30, 2009 by CyberNet.
It’s not often that I write about iPhone apps, but there are a few reasons why I want to point out SimplyTweet [iTunes links: free or paid]. First, I have to say that it hasn’t gotten nearly the amount of recognition that it deserves. It has one of the largest set of features out of any of the Twitter clients on the iPhone. If you decide to spring for the $4.99 version you’ll even get push notifications for mentions or direct messages, which is surprisingly something very few Twitter apps offer at this point.
The thing that originally drew me to SimplyTweet was one particular feature that I had been longing for. I wanted a way to load all of the unread tweets regardless of how many that was. Yes, I realize that the Twitter API has a restriction on how many requests can be made each hour, but if I want to max out those requests then, well, do it. And SimplyTweet does. It won’t load just 100 or 200 tweets, it will load as many tweets as it needs to in order to get back to the point where I left off. So when I go for 8-10 hours without loading the app it will grab all 400-500 tweets that I have yet to read. This is, of course, optional.
The main reason, however, that I wanted to cover the app is because of the developer himself. I’ve interacted with a lot of application developers for desktop apps, iPhone apps, and websites. I do my best to give useful feedback, and often reach out to my friends to get their feedback as well. I’ve also been involved in a good number of Beta programs for iPhone apps including the one for SimplyTweet. What makes this developer stand out is that he promptly responds to feedback. I’ve made several recommendations and requests, and the developer has acknowledged all of them… regardless of whether it was over his Twitter account or through email. His responses, however, weren’t just the common “that’s a great idea and we’ll look into adding it.” I’m pretty sure all of the things I’ve asked for have been implemented at this point, and, heck, some of the things I asked for were things that were already in the app but I just didn’t realize it.
The only other thing I want to see this app include is the ability to cache tweets. That way if I open SimplyTweet to load up my tweets, close the app, and reopen it all of the tweets will still be there without having to fetch them again. There are a few apps that do this, but SimplyTweet loads them fast enough that it doesn’t bother me too much. It would still be nice to have though.
I’ve bought other iPhone apps like BirdFeed, Twittelator, and Tweetie. Most of them have their own niceties, but SimplyTweet takes the cake. Robert Scoble also seems to agree.
In a move rather similar to Nike’s efforts with their own wearable sports tracker and app, Fitbit has updated their app to give basic fitness data without the Fitbit band … Continue reading
Back in 2007, Apple unveiled a product that transformed the global smartphone market. It was the first iPhone, announced by the late Steve Jobs himself, which went on to perform marvellously in the global market. Subsequent iPhones built on the success of the first-generation smartphone. That device was iconic, to say that least. Recently a purported pre-production prototype of the first generation iPhone was listed on eBay by a seller based in Australia. The unit ended up being sold for $1,500.
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has today taken up the battle cry of numerous legislators before her, calling for wireless carriers to enable new anti-theft technology on handsets.
According to the Senator, one-third of robberies involve cell phone theft, resulting in an estimated $30 billion in lost or stolen phones.
That said, Klobuchar has written a letter to the heads of the major wireless carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular.
In the letter, she requests an explanation as to why “the most advanced security features” haven’t been provided to consumers.
This comes on the heels of Apple’s iOS 7 launch, which included an Activation Lock feature inside Find My iPhone. This essentially worked as a kill switch, requiring the owners passcode to reactive an account, wipe the device, turn off Find My iPhone, or sign out of iCloud.
The NYT reported last month that Samsung was trying to bring a similar technology to handsets but that it was rejected by carriers.
After all, the carriers make a pretty penny from insurance policies protecting against lost or stolen phones, which has become a huge issue in major cities. Cops have even lovingly given iPhone theft a name: Apple picking.
Here’s the full text of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s letter:
Dear Messrs. McAdam, Stephenson, Hesse, Legere, and Meyers:
I am writing to express my concern regarding the increase in crimes involving the theft of mobile devices across the country. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, I understand that consumers are utilizing more mobile technology and this is spurring growth in our economy. Unfortunately, more and more consumers are also at risk of being targeted by criminals looking to steal cell phones and other devices for illegal resale. I appreciate the work the industry has done in creating a database to keep stolen phones from being reactivated, but more action is needed.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, almost one-in-three robberies involve phone theft and the cost to consumers of lost or stolen phones is more than $30 billion each year. I’ve heard from local law enforcement officials about the continued call for the wireless industry to engage with them further and to adopt “kill switch” technologies on devices. Additionally, state Attorneys General have suggested that wireless carriers have not taken adequate steps to fight cell phone theft.
As Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, I expect wireless carriers to compete against one another to ensure consumers are offered the most advanced security features and offerings. Your five companies are the nation’s leading wireless carriers, collectively serving more than 90 percent of the nation’s wireless subscribers. With that market share comes an obligation to do all you can to utilize technologies available to protect consumers.
While I understand your companies are continuing to work with law enforcement on the stolen cell phone database, it is clear that consumers want and deserve a comprehensive strategy to prevent mobile device thefts. That is why I respectfully request that each of your companies provides my Judiciary Subcommittee detailed information on the following issues by January 9, 2014:
· Information explaining whether you have had offers by handset manufacturers to install “kill switch” technology, and, if so, why your company has or has not adopted such technology.
· Information about whether you have considered including this solution on handsets made by manufacturers now competing with Apple’s activation lock technology that operates as a “kill switch” on iPhones. If not, please describe your reasoning behind the decision made by your company.
· How your company will include such technology options at no cost to consumers in the future and how your phone security offerings differ from your competitors.
Identifying ways to curb mobile device theft is a top priority of mine and I will continue to advocate for the American wireless consumer. I also believe additional action to protect wireless consumers is necessary and that’s why I am asking you for this information. The status quo is not acceptable.
Every year, we’re hit by yet another wave of new gadgets. Some of them are good, a lot of them are bad, but a very select few manage to be important. Here are the gadgets that had the biggest impact on the technological landscape in 2013.
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