By Megan Fleet

After the constant buzz around Carrier IQ and its prolific data collecting software... which is purported to be a service that collects information from the customer handsets of certain mobile carriers, the company has finally decided to pipe up amid what is shaping up to be an escalating scandal.  They have released a detailed report regarding its stealth app software in an effort to protect themselves by outlining what they do and why they do it.  Accessories are designed to protect, personalize and enhance your mobile devices.  Discover innovative protective solutions and premium electronic accessories from the industry's most leading brands

According to Carrier IQ, the Android log files that sparked this controversy did contain unencrypted personal information. However, following that admission the company stated that those were cases that should not normally occur. So why did it? Some mobile device handsets come preloaded with Carrier IQ which causes messages to debug from the pre-production manufacturer software. In other words, the transmittance of unencrypted data is the by-product of faulty software – not an intentional action of data stealing and reporting to carriers. For current Android customers, there are apps to seek out the cloaked software. For those prospective customers, who want security against this type of big brother monitoring need to explore the freedom offered by  unlocked cell phones - break free from service provider long term contracts; choose your preferred service providers and negotiate  a service packages that meet your individual lifestyle needs.

As it stands, the company has recognized that there is a flaw in the software that needs to be addressed. At the moment, Carrier IQ is collaborating with mobile device manufacturers and carriers alike to roll out a comprehensive fix that will protect customer and data privacy. End goal is to cease the debugging messages entirely as soon as a smartphone has been activated.  Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  Protect your devices from scratches and blemishes with our stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside our brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

Beyond unencrypted log files, greater cause for concern was the accusation of Carrier IQ recording SMS transactions. They are deflecting blame to one up to another bug in the app that results in recorded messages under vague “unique circumstances.” The circumstances that were mentioned included receipt of an SMS while in the middle of a call or data session. Not quite an uncommon or unique occurrence. Thankfully the SMS messages relayed back to Carrier IQ are encrypted for a higher degree of data privacy.   Enhance your mobility... turn your device into a power tool.  Discover the select accessories such, stylus & pens, batteries, microSD memory cards, chargers, glider gloves and other premium electronic gadgets specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

While an exact timeline hasn’t been announced, there was a promise made that the issue would be handled and fixed quickly.

And, for those most affected, the 19 page report is available to the public in PDF form. Please see previous blog entries for additional details regarding unlocked cell phones and for a partial list of carriers involved.

By Jessica Picktell

Android OS version upgrades have been flitting around the smartphone world and stirring up buzz and speculation about what 2012 is likely to hold for manufacturers, unlocked phones, carrier exclusivity and the like.  Now it is Apple’s turn to spread some good news! Discover  a massive selection of  SD Flash Memory cards.  Extend your mobile device memory to hold a huge inventory of images, songs and documents.

The Cupertino based company has released its second beta for the iOS 5.1 update which will be made available to customers soon. What makes this update special? There will be changes made to Photo Stream that will enable customers to delete individual images.  Discover the best online source for brand name data cables with the advanced design engineered to work with the latest wireless and mobile devices.

As of now, when a picture is taken on an iOS device, the iCloud feature, Photo Stream will automatically sync the picture with each of a consumer’s Apple devices. Beginning with iOS 5.1 these images can be deleted manually from any of those same devices (must be running the iOS 5.1 update) and have the image automatically deleted as well. For those devices not updated to at least version 5.1, manually deletion will still be required. Enhance your mobility... turn your device into a power tool.  Discover select accessories specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich

As an iPhone 4 owner, this writer is seriously impressed with the quality of pictures taken on this phone. It has replaced the need to carry another digital camera around. After losing great photo collections because of failed syncs (or with my luck, any number of strange occurrences), storing pictures in the cloud and on removable storage devices is now a must.  Let trend setting fashionable accessories express your unique style!  Discover an extensive array of award-wining design protective cases and skins deliver modern style, stunning design and smart protection.  Make your mobile devices stand out.  Customize your look - how cool can you be?

Not to be outdone, Apple’s mothership – iTunes, will get a tune up as well with version 10.5.2. This upgrade will reportedly bring “several improvements for iTunes Match […] fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain CDs.” With this particular iTunes update, looking into a an earpiece and headphone upgrade is great timing as well to make the most of quality sound. All good news that should be music to the ears!

By Aldo Panessidi

Technology is such an integral part of our daily lives that it is often easy to be unaware of what is silently going on and lurking in the background of our computers – especially what have now become pocket-computers - smartphones. The intent behind writing malware code has significantly shifted from the early days of this intrusive and highly damaging virus creation. Where it once was mischievous, attention-grabbing and reeked of personal ego and glorification, we are now in an era where viruses are stealthy coded to gather information which is then sold for profit. The 21^st century has seen an exponential growth in malware to fuel a multi-billion dollar black market industry that is more profitable than illegal gambling and pornography combined.   In fact many wireless carriers are tracking user's behavior and personal SMS through a  spyware product developed by a company called Carrier IQ.  Protect your privacy from carriers with unlocked cell phones... which are carrier agnostic and allow you freedom from being 'locked in' a long term service contract.

Antivirus / software security companies are in a constant cat and mouse game with malicious code writers and crime rings to protect the assets and information of consumers. PC users and companies alike recognize the need for security software on endpoints.  Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  The latest innovative protection solutions allow you to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes with stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside our brand name protection cases and skin accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

What many consumers and companies are in denial about is the fact that smartphones are another endpoint open to infection and infiltration (and let’s be honest, righteous Mac / Apple users epitomize the attitude of this mindset). Alas, greed knows no boundaries, even if you have a sleek and lovely device in a cool case. To the chagrin of both iOS and Android users, botnets and rootkits that steal data don’t necessarily slow smartphones down which makes them silent and hard to detect, allowing malware to exploit consumer information for a profit.  Enhance your mobility... turn your device into a power tool.  Discover select premium memory and electronic accessories specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

So, as the Carrier IQ scandal has brought widespread attention about carrier-sourced spyware, the ever growing targeted threat to Android users has walked off of center stage. According to Lookout Mobile Security, more than $1 million was pilfered from Android smartphones in 2011 and the amount of malware written for this OS dramatically jumped from 1% to 4% this year. The security firm highlights the practice of “mobile pickpocketing” which is malicious code written to steal money by exploiting carrier billing features. Consumers do have the option of unlocked devices and allow themselves the ability to shop around for carriers that address these security gaps.  Get powered up for work, life and play easily and conveniently with their collection of desktop chargers, wall chargers and car chargers.   Get all the power and energy you need for the mobile lifestyle.

The data was collected from 15 million handsets globally and from over one million apps in efforts to compile a 2012 Mobile Threat Predictions report. All signs point to continued increases in lost money, infected machines, and collected data in 2012.  Discover  the widest online selection of Bluetooth Headsets and BlueTooth Car Kits.  Latest technology from top brand manufacturers.  Hands free functionality is designed for the interactive 'on the go' lifestyle  and allows safe driving

Following these findings, the co-founder and CTO of Lookout Mobile Security stated, “2011 was a watershed year in terms of the types threats we saw emerging […] “Threats had greater sophistication and were deployed using more innovative and efficient distribution methods. In 2012, we expect to see the mobile malware business turn profitable. What took 15 years on the PC platform has only taken the mobile ecosystem two years.”

So – consumers beware, be educated, be on guard. Be empowered.

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By Aldo Panessidi

Carrier IQ is getting beat up. Amid the flurry and speculation around the use of its stealth-ware on handsets for certain carriers, the company now has to contend with a federal investigation. This is prompted by the software’s ability (and use of that ability) to track a number of activities conducted on smartphones including SMS and browsing without the users’ knowledge. And then sends that information to the carrier to use it as they see fit. Alas, it doesn’t take a legal eagle to note the potential for serious privacy law infringements.   Unlocked cell phones provide an excellent way to protect yourself against carrier tracking your personal SMS and mobile usage.

In the wake of this bombshell, The Washington Post reports that Carrier IQ execs met with officials from the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) and also with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) on Tuesday. The article also included this response from the Carrier IQ representative, Mira Woods, “We are complying with all investigations at this time as we have nothing to hide […] we have been completely transparent through this process.”  Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  Discover the latest in innovative protection solutions...   stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases allow you to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside our brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

Questions regarding these practices and technology first arose this September which Carrier IQ was able to quell. Unfortunately for the software company, a security researcher by the name of Trevor Eckhart recently thrust the company back into the spotlight and now into the arms of the FTC and FCC. While Carrier IQ insists that its software is actually innocuous and “collects enough information to understand the customer experience with devices on our network and how to devise solutions to use and connection problems,” Eckhart was able to prove that the company actually collected and shared data that could include personal data, location information, and key strokes. What better advertisement for unlocked smartphones is there?  Discover the widest online selection of Bluetooth Headsets and BlueTooth Car Kits.  Latest technology from top brand manufacturers.  Hands free functionality is designed for the interactive 'on the go' lifestyle  and allows safe driving.

As this is the kind of scandal that breathes life into 1984-esque conspiracy theories, it is no surprise that Tuesday also brought further allegations were made against the FBI, insinuating that the bureau may also be taking advantage of this technology to silently spy and collect information on smartphone users. The prompt for this accusation was the denial of a Freedom of Information Act request made to the bureau in regards to the Carrier IQ scandal. Consumers would be well advised to research the practices of carriers and manufacturers in this matter and leverage unlocked cell phones to protect privacy and information.

Smartphone manufacturers and carriers alike have also entered the fray to let the public know whether they use Carrier IQ’s software or now. Unfortunately, a public that feels betrayed and spied upon (and is still unaware of exactly what information has been gathered and shared from their smartphone usage) is not at ease or consoled by their statements. No doubt, class action lawsuits will be the next step in this ever unraveling drama.

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By: Aldo Panessidi

Technology companies are increasingly traded, acquired, and merged within industry similar to commodities with enormous sums of money involved.  Since the stakes are high in these transactions - industry rumors of sales, mergers and acquisitions are closely monitored and followed.  It is this high-energy atmosphere that may account for Nokia’s inability to quell rumors swirling about selling its Nokia cell phone line of business to Microsoft.

The Finnish company’s smartphone future was called into the speculation spotlight once again this Wednesday when Danske Bank informed its clients that Nokia will be selling the smartphone division to Microsoft sometime in the first half of 2012. This kind of claim carried serious clout as it came from the largest bank in Denmark. And with any speculation, there is money to be made which undermines some confidence in veracity. After making this announcement, Danske Bank changed the rating of Nokia stock from “Hold” to “Buy” - appropriately, and strangely similar sounding to Microsoft’s bing.com price predictor…).  Empower your ability to enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool.  Discover select accessories, such as, stylus & pens, SD Memory cards, data cables, chargers and batteries all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

This could be a great move for the Scandinavian company as they have seemed to struggle with the transition from feature phones to smartphones. The Symbian OS is nowhere as popular as its Google and Apple counterparts and its most recent smartphone releases are sporting Windows OS. The mobile accessories, consumer driven and end-user intuitive electronic gadgets have been surprisingly lacking as well which has affected the “stickiness” of the smartphones in the global market place. And where is the tablet to accompany and complement these technologies?

In May Nokia vehemently denied the rumors of a sale, but they kept cropping up as reports continued to come in that the two companies were indeed in discussions. The response from Nokia this time? “We put these rumors to rest a long time ago.” Clearly not, Nokia. Clearly not.

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By John Castell

Just in time for holiday parties, Apple unleashed its iPhone 4S on the masses. This optimist’s belief is that Apple was being very considerate in providing hosts and guests alike the perfect party trick: Siri.  It certainly provided an hour of entertainment at my last dinner party... although Siri did not answer any of my questions in a satisfactory manner.   Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  Discover the latest stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases which allow you to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes with our.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside these innovative  protection solution accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

Hopefully, Google’s up and coming counterpart will have a better sense of humor. Rumor has it that the Android solution which would amp up the capabilities of “Voice Actions” on their smartphones and close the competitive gap that Siri created. AndroidandMe recently reported that the project is referred to by the code name “Majel” and could be released as early as the end of this year. As this technology will amp up smartphone usage even more, customers should be sure to use the latest in hands-free device such as Bluetooth headsets or BlueTooth Car Kits when taking advantage of this technology while driving (especially with amped up holiday patrols and tricky weather conditions).

Along the same lines as Siri, Majel is said to use the same method of conversational speech to issue queries in lieu of having to make use of limited compatible commands. The freshman release doesn’t look to allow end-users to control the phone or its installed applications, but that functionality may be in the pipeline for sometime next year. This is great for expanding the scope of hands-free technologies available on the market for both Android and Apple mobile devices.  Discover an extensive selection of the latest lithium technology replacement cell phone and wireless devices batteries.  Ensure your device is powered by brand name batteries for longer operating life.

For the moment, Majel is still a rumor, but Google’s actions all seem to have iOS and Apple in its sights to take down as competition, so… it is likely a very credible rumor. In fact, on Tuesday they announced the acquisition of Clever Sense (the developer of “Alfred,” a personal assistant software). We are still vague on whether Alfred (who IS quite similar to Siri) will be integrated into the first Majel launch (we can say with certainty that Alfred will not clean the bat cave or pick up dry cleaning).   Enhance your mobility... turn your device into a power tool.  Discover select memory and electronic accessories specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

For those Android users who have Siri envy that needs to be assuaged now, there are a couple third party assistant apps available in the Android marketplace (easily found by searching “Cluzee” or “Iris”). Otherwise, keep a running list of all your Majel questions for when it is made available in the coming weeks or months!   Break away from long -term service provider contracts... enjoy the freedom of unlocked cell phones.

By Megan Fleet

Have you ever wondered what kind of advances could be made in the world if hackers and malicious code writers put their brains to something not quite so… well, malicious?

Alas, that is a an unlikely scenario considering hackers consider breaking into an OS and accessing it at the root level as something of an art form and a sport. Like IT Tai Chi.  Accessories are designed to protect, personalize and enhance your mobile devices.  Discover innovative protective solutions and premium electronic accessories from the industry's most leading brands

The victim of the most recent OS hack? Microsoft’s Windows Phone. It looks like the attack is carried out through an SMS or a chat message from either Facebook or Windows Live Messenger and is used to disable the phone’s Messaging hub.  Get powered up for work, life and play easily and conveniently with their collection of desktop chargers, wall chargers and car chargers.   Get all the power and energy you need for the mobile lifestyle.

Some affected users will be notified of the infiltration by the Live tile pinned to the homescreen from the contact you received the message from. Then the phone will freeze. These victims have an easier fix – restart the device and remove the tile prior to it completely loading. A hard reset is still required, but allows a quick backup of photos etc. To prevent a possible infection of your Windows OS at the PC level, use of removable memory is a good precaution.  Discover the widest online selection of Bluetooth Headsets and BlueTooth Car Kits.  Latest technology from top brand manufacturers.  Hands free functionality is designed for the interactive 'on the go' lifestyle  and allows safe driving.

Unfortunately, in other cases, post attack, the Messaging hub cannot start and will require a hard reset on the device. As with any device consumers, need to consider removable memory cards as a seriously good idea in the event the handset and OS are compromised.

To rule out device specific flaws, Windows Phone 7.5 (for both build 7720 and 7740) were tested. Those results point to an issue at the OS level and not with the devices.

In all, this malware appears relatively innocuous as it doesn’t appear to compromise the security of the device and Microsoft is already working on a fix.

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Microsoft Windows Phone Giveaway

By Megan Fleet

Free smartphone? Yes, please! A recent tweet posted by a Microsoft employee, Ben Rudolph, stated that any Android phone owner whose phone is infected with malware can get a chance to win a free, new, Windows Phone. Best news is that the lucky recipients of Microsoft’s benevolence will have the extra funds to dress up their new mobile device with top of the line decorative skins and protective cases.

A simple tweet with the unfortunate consumer’s story under the hashtag (#) windowsphone will get the process started. To sweeten the pot, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) recently released smartphones are powerful and a solid bet and for the cost savings, the little extra bits of memory and phone enhancing goodies are a great option too.  Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  Discover the innovative protection solutions which allow you to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes with our stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

So what was the impetus for a Windows Phone promotion? Supposedly it is linked to the recent reported that there are more than 100 applications in the Google Android Market that have been infected with malware. Because of Google’s open source approach to applications, these malware attacks are certain to be more commonplace than in applications designed for iOS. The flip side is that Android users have many more devices, carriers, and plans to choose from with the higher number of unlocked phones available. Security software companies are beginning to treat smartphones as additional computers that also require antivirus protection, so Android customers can proactively seek protection.  Enhance your mobility.... turn your device into a power tool.  Discover select accessories, such as, stylus & pens, SD memory cards, data cables, chargers, batteries and other premium electronic accessories specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

The phone promotion may be a generous offer from the smartphone manufacturer, but there may be ulterior motives. Earlier this week, WinRumor posted a story highlighting a security flaw that would reboot any Windows Phone device via text message. After the reboot, the messaging client on the device is then non-functioning and completely useless.  Let  trend setting fashionable accessories express your unique style!  Our extensive array of award-wining design protective cases and skins deliver modern style, stunning design and smart protection.  Make your mobile devices stand out.  Customize your look - how cool can you be?

There has not been a response from Microsoft yet regarding the WinRumors Monday nor given additional details on how this particular security flaw works. The video below may give you a better idea though.

Read [Ben Rudolph] Read [WinRumors]

By Aldo Panessidi

Imagine your college days where you spent hours vying with Nintendo 64 MarioKart rivalries. Then those hours invested unearthing secret jumps and shortcuts to gain an advantage and leave your competitors in the dust. Technically there were eight contenders. But you and your rival knew it was really just between the two of you.   Let  trend setting fashionable accessories express your unique style!  Our extensive array of award-wining design protective cases and skins deliver modern style, stunning design and smart protection.  Make your mobile devices stand out.  Customize your look - how cool can you be?

In perfect strategy mode, the grand prix allowed for the non-threatening competitors to get some shots in and give you an advantage. Battle mode was just too straightforward and messy.  This is eerily reminiscent of the global competition between Google’s Android OS and Apple’s iOS.  Unlocked cell phones enable you to break free from service provider shackles... choose your preferred service provider and negotiate a service contract that better meets your individual interactive needs.

Those players that helped shape the market initially are rapidly faltering under the momentum of these two dominant players.   2011 saw a clear break from the pact for both Android, which holds a majority 53% of the market, and iOS who continues to grow with 29%. RIM keeps faltering (down to 11% market share).  The previously mighty Microsoft fumbles over its feet with a meek 2% toe hold on the mobile device mountain. How much this has to do with unlocked device availability isn’t noted, but research indicates this is a huge driver in Google Android’s exponential growth.  XMI speakers deliver uncompromised sound quality and a revolutionary design accentuating  today's interactive lifestyle.   Earpieces and headsets combine sophisticated style and precision engineering that deliver brilliant sound for your total listening pleasure

To further explain, Connected Intelligence’s executive director (Ross Rubin) said. “The competitive landscape for smartphones, which has been reshaped by Apple and Google, has ultimately forced every major handset provider through a major transition.”  The same Ross Rubin continued with, “for many of them, 2012 will be a critical year in assessing how effective their responses have been.” Consumer driven devices, accessories, and apps are huge markers for success as smartphones and tablets are increasingly integrated into day to day needs and usage.  Discover the innovative protection solutions which allow you to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes with our stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

For more by-the-numbers analysis, here is NPD’s chart breaking down smartphone share in the U.S. by platform.

Report: Android Apps Make Only 24 Percent As Much As iOS Apps

When the sun never set on the British Empire, prisoners were being shipped to Australia as prison labor. Ship captains were paid by the government to transport these offenders – paid by the number of prisoners on the ship when leaving Great Britain. The result? Overcrowding, malnutrition, and death.

The government needed this free labor to tame the harsh continent, so how did they change the behavior of the ship captains? They changed the incentive. When ship captains were compensated based on the number of prisoners who arrived in Australia alive, conditions improved almost immediately and the labor source was preserved.

Apply this concept to application developers in the 21st century and the continued popularity of iOS with those developers becomes a lot clearer. When reviewing the number of mobile devices activated every day (550,000 Android OS vs. Apple iOS’s 450,000), logical math should lead developers to Google Android for increased consumer traffic, and in turn, revenue. Much to Google chairman Eric Schmidt’s chagrin (although he is in denial), app developers continue to create their applications with iOS in mind. Discover the innovative protection solutions which allow you to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes with our stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases. Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

Why? The money is with Apple devices. And Apple’s device accessories are more uniform and easier to develop for as well. When Flurry Analytics was reviewing analysis between the two platforms, the comparisons were sharp. Samples of in-app purchase data (those apps with more than a million daily active users that are available to both iOS and Android users) showed that the Google Android applications produced a mere 24% of revenue compared to Apple. Enhance your mobility.... turn your device into a power tool. Discover select accessories, such as, stylus & pens, SD memory cards, data cables, chargers, batteries and other premium electronic accessories specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

But before jumping off the Android App Train, keep a few things in mind. Flurry didn’t release the details on what sample size was or other details of the analytical measures. Also, it was only in-app purchases tracked – not paid downloads. So while not conclusive, these numbers to point to potential motivation behind developer projects… And with iOS representing three-quarters of new projects started in the past six months, Google is figuratively still receiving a lot more dead prisoners. If they can change the motivation for developers, Android users will have the best of both worlds: unlocked phones, top of the line apps, and a powerful OS in their smartphone. Let trend setting fashionable accessories express your unique style! Our extensive array of award-wining design protective cases and skins deliver modern style, stunning design and smart protection. Make your mobile devices stand out. Customize your look - how cool can you be?