Leander Kahney's Blog, page 1470

December 1, 2011

Keylogging Spyware Carrier IQ Also Comes Installed On Many iPhones! Here's How To Turn It Off

The Carrier IQ scandal has broken everywhere since we first reported it yesterday morning. The invasive rootkit is installed on over 140 million phones the world over, and logs everything you do with your device, from the numbers you dial to the smutty pictures you send to your girlfriend.

Yesterday, we reported the story as one proving Steve Jobs right about how Android tracks everything you do, but a day later, things seem a lot less black and white. Carrier IQ's software comes pre-installed on other devices besides Android, like BlackBerries and Nokias, and as even the name of the software suggests, seems to be something installed by carriers. And, as it turns out, some iPhones. Luckily, disabling it is the easiest thing in the world, and it logs none of your personal information, unlike the software's more nefarious Android counterpart.

Developer and hacker chpwn explains how Carrier IQ works:

Carrier IQ, the now infamous "rootkit" or "keylogger", is not just for Android, Symbian,BlackBerry, and even webOS. In fact, up through and including iOS 5, Apple has included a copy of Carrier IQ on the iPhone. However, it does appears to be disabled along with diagnostics enabled on iOS 5; older versions may send back information in more cases. Because of that, if you want to disable Carrier IQ on your iOS 5 device, turning off "Diagnostics and Usage" in Settings appears to be enough.

In other words, all you need to do is install iOS 5 and turn off "Diagnostics and Usage" and Carrier IQ is nuked. Even if you don't, though, it's far less dangerous on iOS:

Importantly, it does not appear the daemon has any access or communication with the UI layer, where text entry is done. I am reasonably sure it has no access to typed text, web history, passwords, browsing history, or text messages, and as such is not sending any of this data remotely.

So it seems on iOS, at least, Carrier IQ is fulfilling its function of allowing carriers and Apple to diagnose problems with a handset. It stores only a limited amount of information, none of it personal, and can easily be opted out on. On Android devices, however, it logs everything, may or may not be sending your personal data to external servers and is impossible to shut off. So while Carrier IQ may not be unique to Android, the nefarious aspects of the software certainly seem to be,

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Published on December 01, 2011 06:52

November 30, 2011

Develop Apps For Mobile And Desktop Platforms With LiveCode 5 [Review]

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There are many other development tools available besides the free copy of Xcode that comes with every Mac. LiveCode 5 (starts at $99; $49 for upgrades), a development tool running on Mac OS X and other operating systems, from RunRev gets it inspiration from the programming language HyperTalk. It is designed with an intuitive user interface to make application development easier using a language that uses an understandable English-like syntax. You can use it to create your own iOS apps.

Just like Hybercard you start out with a blank deck of cards setup in a stack. You add a plethora of interface design elements to each one using a selection of available elements such as: buttons, check boxes, fields for entering text, images, static text fields, etc. You do this my dragging and dropping the elements wherever you want them on one of your cards. This allows for simple WYSIWYG layout and design implementation.

The Good:

LiveCode 5 is a quick and powerful package for app design. It will allow you to develop apps with a lot of support for the features offered by iOS. The list of items it supports is rather extensive, but if I had to name a few I would mention support for scrolling, graphics, the accelerometer and motion detection, multi-touch gestures, media playback and much more.

The design elements, applied to the cards, are tied together and thus forming an app using the English-like language that I mentioned earlier. That language is not unlike most scripting languages that associate the scripts with the design elements. You do all your development and testing in real-time, which allegedly means you'll do less debugging. I don't know about that, but once you are done with the coding and design you are one click away from testing your app in the iPhone Simulator that ships with Xcode.

It is quick, fast and easy once you get the hang of it. You'll find yourself spending less time working, because of the language used along with the LiveCode 5 IDE and the design elements means less time spent coding and debugging. If you tried to create the same project in Xcode, writing in Objective-C, you might spend a lot more time trying to work out all the kinks. RunRev likes to think that the real-time aspect of development with LiveCode 5 versus other tools will make you a happy developer.

The latest version LiveCode 5 offers a lot of new enhancements and support for iOS 5 development. Some of these enhancements are:

New high-performance graphics engine; supports hardware-accelerated graphics. Additional elements for game design. Faster app performance that is 10x faster than earlier versions of LiveCode 5. Support for in-app purchases for optimal revenue capabilities for developers. Free animation engine (for a limited time regularly priced at $79 extra). Support for OpenGL, animated sprites, textures and scrolling backgrounds, collision detection, support for vector graphics, drop shadows, transition effects and multi-channel audio and video.

The apps you create with LiveCode 5 can be deployed to desktop Operating Systems like Mac, Windows and Linux and mobile Operating Systems like Android and iOS. It even supports certain server and web-based apps.

The Bad:

LiveCode 5 is a development tool created by a third-party and it could lag a bit behind in the features it can support on iOS. Unlike Xcode, Apple's official iOS development tool, which will always be able to support the latest and greatest features of iOS as it is updated. However, so far RunRev is managing to keep up with Apple's releases of iOS.

Using LiveCode 5 means that you also have to learn another programming language, which may not be as profitable for you as it would be to learn how to programming in Objective-C. Objective-C is based on the C programming language which is popular on multiple platforms. If you fashion yourself a future software developer you might see scores of ads for Objective-C or C developers, but you are not likely to find the same number of ads, if any, for LiveCode 5 developers.

Verdict:

LiveCode 5 is worth a look if you are new to development, interested in deploying your apps to multiple platforms and if you want to find something that might be easier to code with than Xcode and Objective-C. Although Xcode and Objective-C are more mainstream you can only develop software for Mac OS X and iOS. LiveCode 5 gives you more platform deployment options and you can try it for free along with a free course in mobile app development that starts December 6th. Give it a try you've got nothing to loose, but your time. Time that might turn you into the next big game or app developer.

Rating: ★★★★☆

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Published on November 30, 2011 20:00

D'you Think Steve Imagined a Completely Wire-Free World For His iPad? LaunchPort Just Made It a Reality

Cables are so last month. Just a few weeks ago, iOS 5 cut the sync umbilical cord, and gave us AirPlay, which liberated the iPad from cables when streaming video or music — and today Dana Innovations new LaunchPort freed the iPad completely.

The LaunchPort isn't the first device to juice up an iDevice through inductive charging — but it is the first to combine a set of magnetic stands with enough power to juice up an iPad using inductive tech.

But boy does freedom come with a price. The system consists of three magnetically attaching pieces, all sold separately: the PowerShuttle back that snaps onto the iPad; a BaseStation tabletop stand; and the WallStation wall mount. The PowerShuttle is $149 while the two docks are $199 apiece.

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Published on November 30, 2011 19:53

HP CEO Admits Defeat, Says Apple Will Be Number One PC Maker In 2012

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HP CEO Meg Whitman recently said that Apple is poised to be the dominant PC maker in 2012. In an interview with French publication Le Figaro, Whitman admitted that Apple will likely take the lead in the market next year.

Whitman says that HP "will try to be champion again in 2013," and it seems clear that the company's new CEO is painfully aware of the mess that HP has found itself in during recent months.

Le Fiagaro asked Whitman about the Canalys firm's recent forecast that Apple will be the number one PC provider in 2012. The report included Macs and iPads as personal computers, which many took issue with when the forecast was originally published.

Whitman's response to Le Fiagaro (parsed from Google Translate):

"Yes. It's possible if you integrate the tablets. Apple is doing a great job. We need to improve our game and our products to take over the leadership position. Apple could go past HP in 2012. We will try to be champion again in 2013.. It will take time for the products that I have influence on to make it to the market."

While HP is clearly still the leader in terms of desktop PC sales, Apple's iPad is proving to be a formidable force to be reckoned with. To put it plainly: the iPad is cannibalizing PC sales.

The fate of HP's webOS is in limbo, and the company has even had a hard time deciding if it actually wants to make desktop computers anymore. HP is in a state of disruption right now, and Whitman is trying to figure out how to clean up the rubble and move forward. The tablet market is where HP needs to concentrate its efforts next if it is to have any hope of surviving.

When asked if tablets are comparable to PCs, Whitman responded with the following:

"Not at this time. Internet tablets are mainly used to consume media and e-mails. If you want to use productivity software such as Microsoft, you can not do so. Our studies show that this is an additional purchase that does not encroach on the PC market. This is an important area on which we want to go."

HP is apparently committed to Windows 8 for its future tablets, so we all know how that will pan out.

Can we finally include the iPad in the PC market share debate?

(via Bloomberg)

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Published on November 30, 2011 18:20

Apple Offers Disney's Where's My Water For Free On The App Store Facebook Page

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Apple is giving away free apps from the App Store on Facebook. As it has done in the past, fans can visit Apple's App Store Facebook page and receive a free promo code for an iOS app.

This time around, fans can get codes for Where's My Water, a game by Disney that typically sells for $0.99. If you've liked the App Store Facebook page, you can redeem a code for this game today.

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Swampy the Alligator lives under the city and yearns for a more human-like existence. He is especially fond of cleanliness. Cranky and the other gators do not take kindly to Swampy's eccentricities and have conspired to sabotage Swampy's water supply. Help Swampy by guiding water to his shower to fill up his tub!

Where's My Water? is a challenging physics-based puzzler complete with Retina display graphics, Multi-Touch controls, and a sensational soundtrack. To be successful, you need to be clever and keep an eye out for algae, toxic ooze, triggers, and traps.

Where's My Water is a universal app for the iPhone and iPad. Apple previously gave away a game called Jetpack Joyride on Facebook.

(via iDownloadBlog)

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Published on November 30, 2011 16:40

Apple On Track To Launch 4G-Equipped iPad And iPhone Next Year [Rumor]

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In the latest report regarding Apple's future adoption of LTE/4G for its mobile devices, Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo is allegedly set to release a 4G-equipped iPad in the summer of 2012. An LTE-equppied iPhone is then set to premiere in the fall of next year.

We've been hearing whispers about a 4G/LTE-flavored iPhone for quite some time, and Macotakara is relaying that Apple has been in talks with carriers about making 4G a reality for its next-generation devices.

Executives from NTT DoCoMo reportedly visited Apple in the U.S. this month and met with CEO Tim Cook. Apparently Apple is looking to release a 4G iPad next year, if this report is to be believed.

A recent report from The Wall Street Journal said that Apple and NTT DoCoMo had been unable to reach an agreement, mainly due to the fact that NTT DoCoMo wanted Apple to let it install its own pre-loaded apps on the iPhone. While Apple will obviously never let such a thing happen, the two seem to have reached some sort of deal that is in the final stages of negotiations.

Carriers are heavily promoting 4G Android devices in advertising campaigns and print marketing. Many analysts believe that Apple must release a 4G iPhone next year to stay relevant. We find that hard to believe, since Apple released a non-4G iPhone this year and it seems to be doing just fine.

(via AppleInsider)

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Published on November 30, 2011 14:09

Trim Your Christmas Tree With These iPhone And iPad Holiday Ornaments

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Because hanging a fragile slate of glass and aluminum from a thin twig of Christmas fir is a road to ruin: these

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Published on November 30, 2011 13:43

Apple TV Will Cost Twice as Much as Comparable TV Sets [Rumor]

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The latest iTV rumor is hitting the web today as Gene Munster told the crowd at IGNITION: Future of Media that the new Apple Television Set has been in the works for sometime now but should be released next year.

Munster is so certain that the new device is coming that he told everyone to wait before buying a new TV because Apple's is going to be awesome.

Unlike the current Apple TV, Munster believes the new device will be a full fledged TV set that has Apple's software integrated into the experience. It was also claimed that the new TV set will come in a number of different sizes. Most Apple products come in only a few different sizes to accommodate the difference between consumers and professionals, so it will be interesting to see how many different sizes Apple produces.

The startling claim made by Gene Munster is that the new TVs will likely be priced twice as much as comparable tv sets. For example, a 40inch TV may currently sell for an average of $700 but a 40inch Apple TV will cost as much as $1400. It's hard to judge whether this claim will hold true, but Apple has a history of being able to charge a premium for their products by providing higher value than competing products by focusing on functionality, design and ease of use. The Apple TV will likely follow this same type of model.

Rather than controlling the television with multiple remotes, the entire experience will be controlled via an iOS app on an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Siri integration is also a strong possibility that many believe will revolutionize the TV experience.

Munster doesn't believe the Apple TV will completely replace the need for a cable subscription and cable box, but with the full integration of apps like Netflix, Crackle, Hulu, and the iTunes video library, we think that Apple's TV will definitely threaten cable's business model.

The Apple TV will be launched in time for the holidays next year if Munster is to be believed.

[Business Insider via 9to5Mac]

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Published on November 30, 2011 12:56

Use One Finger To Quickly Add A Calendar Event [iOS Tips]

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Apple has introduced another way to add events to your calendars in iOS. You can quickly and easily start the process to add an event to any of your iOS calendars with only one finger!

Open up the Calendar app on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. You can add an event to the calendar the old-fashioned and most obvious way by tapping the + symbol, but it is easier to do it with only one finger. Just tap and hold with one finger on the calendar where there isn't an event currently scheduled. The calendar app will oblige you by opening a new event ready for you to enter the details about.

The advantage of using this method over tapping the + symbol is the event will have the date, start and end times entered for you. The default is one hour which you can adjust in the pop-up that appears.

I don't now about you, but I'll be using this tip to enter my calendar events from now on.

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Published on November 30, 2011 12:48

Sonos Update Adds Android Tablet Support, New Features & Sonos Labs Beta

Sonos has issued an update to its Sonos System Software today which adds a number of exciting new features that promise to enhance your Sonos experience. In addition to support for Slacker Radio in the U.S. and Canada, and new Spotify features, the update adds support for Android tablets, and a 'Sonos Labs' beta.

Those who use Sonos Controller on their Android smartphone can now enjoy the application on their Android tablets as well — as long as you're running Android 2.2 or higher. Android users can also enjoy new enhancements such as alarms, music library management, and Twitter support. The latest Sonos Controller app can be downloaded immediately from the Android Market.

In addition to support for Android tablet, those in the U.S. and Canada can enjoy Slacker Radio that allows them to tune into over 150 stations with a library of millions songs. And new Spotify features that provide access to your Spotify inbox, and allow you to play tracks from Spotify's new releases and top tracks categories.

Arguably the most exciting new feature, however, is the introduction of Sonos Labs, a "new Beta environment where customers will be able to test out music services before they're officially launched on Sonos." Rhonda Scott, a Sonos spokeswoman, told Evolver.fm:

"The idea behind Sonos Labs is to give music app and service developers a streamlined process to hook into Sonos."

That suggests we're likely to see Sonos integration in other applications, with the opportunity for third-party developers to build apps that work with our Sonos systems and further enhance our experience.