loosy|goosy|ness - Blog - mobile http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/ ]..lost & found in translation between bits & bytes..[ en-us Christian Maier Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:14:35 GMT newtelligence dasBlog 2.0.7226.0 agentcoyote@googlemail.com agentcoyote@googlemail.com http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=c43583aa-50fe-47c6-b11f-e2c84ef7f70a http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/pingback.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,c43583aa-50fe-47c6-b11f-e2c84ef7f70a.aspx Christian

At the DEFCON hacking conference, which ended yesterday, IT security researchers Nicholas Percoco and Christian Papathanasiou demonstrated what they claim is the first rootkit for Android. Their aim was to show how slight the obstacles to the development of a such a rootkit are and how powerful the result can be. Android is Linux-based and desktop Linux rootkits are nothing out of the ordinary. The demo rootkit, dubbed "Mindtrick", is a Loadable Kernel Module (LKM) and can conceal itself from other processes. The demo was included in a DVD given to DEFCON delegates.

The rootkit can gain access to Android devices, either through using unpatched vulnerabilities, or by pretending to be a legitimate app. Two other researchers recently showed that it's possible to spread infected apps to thousands of devices. Once installed, the rootkit is activated by calling the infected mobile from a specific number. It then establishes a connection to the attacker's computer, which allows the phone to be controlled remotely. As the researchers demonstrated in their talk, this gives the attacker access to the Android phone's SQLite database, allowing them to view, for example, a victim's texts or contacts.

It's also possible to remotely read the device's current GPS coordinates and to make outgoing calls without this being shown on the display. Criminals could make use of the latter by running up costs for expensive sex lines which they in turn operate. According to the researchers, current anti-virus software for Android does not (yet) detect the rootkit.

It is not clear whether Google would be able to disarm such a module using its remote delete function – the deletion process applies to the application level, not the kernel level. According to Percoco, the easiest way to protect against infection via a Loadable Kernel Module would be for smartphone makers to only allow modules digitally signed by the maker. The HTC device used for the demonstration clearly doesn't have this kind of check.

See also:

Source: http://www.h-online.com

Android rootkit demonstrated http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,c43583aa-50fe-47c6-b11f-e2c84ef7f70a.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/2010/08/03/AndroidRootkitDemonstrated.aspx Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:14:35 GMT <p> At the <a href="http://www.defcon.org/">DEFCON</a> hacking conference, which <a href="http://www.defcon.org/html/defcon-18/dc-18-index.html">ended yesterday</a>, IT security researchers <a href="http://www.defcon.org/html/defcon-18/dc-18-speakers.html#Percoco1">Nicholas Percoco and Christian Papathanasiou</a> demonstrated what they claim is the first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit">rootkit</a> for Android. Their aim was to show how slight the obstacles to the development of a such a rootkit are and how powerful the result can be. Android is Linux-based and desktop Linux rootkits are nothing out of the ordinary. The demo rootkit, dubbed &quot;Mindtrick&quot;, is a Loadable Kernel Module (LKM) and can conceal itself from other processes. The demo was included in a DVD given to DEFCON delegates. </p> <p> The rootkit can gain access to Android devices, either through using unpatched vulnerabilities, or by pretending to be a legitimate app. Two other researchers recently <a href="http://www.h-online.com/news/item/Researchers-show-infecting-smartphones-with-malware-is-relatively-easy-950091.html">showed</a> that it's possible to spread infected apps to thousands of devices. Once installed, the rootkit is activated by calling the infected mobile from a specific number. It then establishes a connection to the attacker's computer, which allows the phone to be controlled remotely. As the researchers demonstrated in their talk, this gives the attacker access to the Android phone's SQLite database, allowing them to view, for example, a victim's texts or contacts. </p> <p> It's also possible to remotely read the device's current GPS coordinates and to make outgoing calls without this being shown on the display. Criminals could make use of the latter by running up costs for expensive sex lines which they in turn operate. According to the researchers, current anti-virus software for Android does not (yet) detect the rootkit. </p> <p> It is not clear whether Google would be able to disarm such a module using its remote delete function – the deletion process applies to the application level, not the kernel level. According to Percoco, the easiest way to protect against infection via a Loadable Kernel Module would be for smartphone makers to only allow modules digitally signed by the maker. The HTC device used for the demonstration clearly doesn't have this kind of check. </p> <p> <em>See also:</em> </p> <ul> <li> <a href="http://www.h-online.com/news/item/Google-uses-remote-delete-to-remove-Android-apps-from-smartphones-Update-1029188.html">Google uses remote delete to remove Android apps from smartphones</a> </li> </ul> <p> <strong>Source: <a title="http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Android-rootkit-demonstrated-1049183.html" href="http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Android-rootkit-demonstrated-1049183.html">http://www.h-online.com</a></strong> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/aggbug.ashx?id=c43583aa-50fe-47c6-b11f-e2c84ef7f70a" /> Android EN mobile security tech http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=892a677c-e369-42a8-83fc-6e86b3027add http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/pingback.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,892a677c-e369-42a8-83fc-6e86b3027add.aspx Christian

Network World - LAS VEGAS -- Once thought to be unhackable, the Android phone is anything but, according to researchers presenting at Black Hat 2010.

FBI details worst social networking cyber crime problemsNot only has malicious software cloaked in a wallpaper application stolen personal information from infected phones and sent it to a Web site in China, but researchers from Lookout Mobile Security have found a way to take the phones over completely - including top-of-the-line models hawked by major wireless carriers.

In one presentation, Lookout's CEO John Herring said the Jackeey Wallpaper app, which has been downloaded millions of times, can gather passwords, browser history, the subscriber ID and SIM card numbers and text messages.

In a separate presentation, researchers said top-of-the-line Android phones used by Sprint and Verizon can be taken over completely by attacking known flaws in the Linux operating system that underpins Android, researchers reported at Black Hat 2010. "It gives you root control, and you can do anything you want to do" with the phone, says Anthony Lineberry, a researcher for Lookout Mobile Security.

The company says Android's reputation for security may be exaggerated. "It survived the recent pwn2own slay fest unscathed, but this does not mean it is safe by any means," the company said in describing Lineberry's talk.

The best way to distribute malware that could exploit the flaw - known as CVE-2009 1185 - is via Android applications that customers might acquire free or buy from the Android Market. Installing the booby-trapped application would give root control of the device, Lineberry says. "Root is kind of God mode in the context of Linux. Once you have that, you have pretty much any system privilege."

CVE-2009 1185 has been known for more than a year and can be patched, but so far the carriers have not issued patches, Lineberry says. The root-control exploit has been successfully carried out in Lookout labs on EVO 4G (Sprint), Droid X (Verizon), and Droid Incredible (Verizon) as well as older models G1 and Hero, he says.

But root control is unnecessary in order to carry out the type of attack executed by Jackeey Wallpaper, according to another Lookout researcher, Tim Wyatt. Applications require permissions in order to access features of the phone, and these permissions can be exploited. So, for instance, an application that tells the customer the nearest Chinese restaurant would need access to the phones GPS capabilities.

When selling applications, developers must list all the permissions the application requires to work, and the customer must sign off on allowing those permissions. An application that sorts SMS messages but requires Internet access may seem suspicious, and customers might bail out of buying the application.

But some permissions sound innocuous, Wyatt says. Customers might not know what the permission "Import Android log" means, but approve an application that requires it because the name of the permission doesn't sound threatening. But the logs can reveal browsing histories, passwords, phone numbers and a wealth of other data, he says.

Malicious applications with Internet permissions can be crafted to send the data in the background or display innocuous Web sites to mask where the data is being sent, Wyatt says.

The best course for users is to beware the applications they buy and if they are suspicious, not to download the apps, Lineberry says.

Lookout has carried out a study it calls the App Genome project that examined Android and iPhone applications for what permissions they have and what malicious activity they might carry out with the set of permissions they have. An application might use the permissions legitimately, but in the hands of a hacker could cause mischief, the company says.

Part of the permission system in Android allows applications to tap each other's resources, so an application without permission to access the Internet might have access to an application that does and so use the Internet anyway, the researchers say.

Source: www.computerworld.com

'Unhackable' Android can be hacked, Black Hat researchers say http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,892a677c-e369-42a8-83fc-6e86b3027add.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/2010/07/29/UnhackableAndroidCanBeHackedBlackHatResearchersSay.aspx Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:39:48 GMT <p> Network World - LAS VEGAS -- Once thought to be <a href="http://www.productiveorganizer.com/android-productivity/android-phones-with-encrypted-bootloaderunhackable/">unhackable</a>, the <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2010/072610-gearhead.html">Android</a> phone is anything but, according to researchers presenting at Black Hat 2010. </p> <p> <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/64266 ">FBI details worst social networking cyber crime problems</a>Not only has malicious software cloaked in a <a href=" http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/072610-android-market-pros-and-cons.html?hpg1=bn">wallpaper application</a> stolen personal information from <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/070610-smartphone-essentials.html?fsrc=netflash-rss">infected phones</a> and sent it to a Web site in China, but researchers from Lookout Mobile Security have found a way to take the phones over completely - including top-of-the-line models hawked by major wireless carriers. </p> <p> In one presentation, Lookout's CEO John Herring said the <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/072210-55-of-google-android-smartphones.html?source=NWWNLE_nlt_google_2010-07-28">Jackeey Wallpaper app</a>, which has been downloaded millions of times, can gather passwords, <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/topic/211/Browsers">browser</a> history, the subscriber ID and SIM card numbers and text messages. </p> <p> In a separate presentation, researchers said top-of-the-line <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/slideshows/2010/072610-apple-android.html?hpg1=bn">Android</a> phones used by Sprint and Verizon can be taken over completely by attacking known flaws in the <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/topic/122/Linux+and+Unix">Linux</a> operating system that underpins <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9178688/Android_news_reviews_more">Android</a>, researchers reported at Black Hat 2010. &quot;It gives you root control, and you can do anything you want to do&quot; with the phone, says Anthony Lineberry, a researcher for Lookout Mobile Security. </p> <p> The company says Android's reputation for security may be exaggerated. &quot;It survived the recent pwn2own slay fest unscathed, but this does not mean it is safe by any means,&quot; the company said in describing Lineberry's talk. </p> <p> The best way to distribute malware that could exploit the flaw - known as CVE-2009 1185 - is via <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/072210-55-of-google-android-smartphones.html?source=NWWNLE_nlt_google_2010-07-28 ">Android</a> applications that customers might acquire free or buy from the <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/072610-android-market-pros-and-cons.html?hpg1=bn">Android Market</a>. Installing the booby-trapped application would give root control of the device, Lineberry says. &quot;Root is kind of God mode in the context of Linux. Once you have that, you have pretty much any system privilege.&quot; </p> <p> CVE-2009 1185 has been known for more than a year and can be patched, but so far the carriers have not issued patches, Lineberry says. The root-control exploit has been successfully carried out in Lookout labs on EVO 4G (Sprint), Droid X (Verizon), and Droid Incredible (Verizon) as well as older models G1 and Hero, he says. </p> <p> But root control is unnecessary in order to carry out the type of attack executed by Jackeey Wallpaper, according to another Lookout researcher, Tim Wyatt. Applications require permissions in order to access features of the phone, and these permissions can be exploited. So, for instance, an application that tells the customer the nearest Chinese restaurant would need access to the phones GPS capabilities. </p> <p> When selling applications, developers must list all the permissions the application requires to work, and the customer must sign off on allowing those permissions. An application that sorts SMS messages but requires Internet access may seem suspicious, and customers might bail out of buying the application. </p> <p> But some permissions sound innocuous, Wyatt says. Customers might not know what the permission &quot;Import Android log&quot; means, but approve an application that requires it because the name of the permission doesn't sound threatening. But the logs can reveal browsing histories, passwords, phone numbers and a wealth of other data, he says. </p> <p> Malicious applications with Internet permissions can be crafted to send the data in the background or display innocuous Web sites to mask where the data is being sent, Wyatt says. </p> <p> The best course for users is to beware the applications they buy and if they are suspicious, not to download the apps, Lineberry says. </p> <p> Lookout has carried out a study it calls the App Genome project that examined Android and <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9108338/Continuing_coverage_Apple_s_iPhone">iPhone</a> applications for what permissions they have and what malicious activity they might carry out with the set of permissions they have. An application might use the permissions legitimately, but in the hands of a hacker could cause mischief, the company says. </p> <p> Part of the permission system in Android allows applications to tap each other's resources, so an application without permission to access the Internet might have access to an application that does and so use the Internet anyway, the researchers say. </p> <p> Source: <a title="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9179863/_Unhackable_Android_can_be_hacked_Black_Hat_researchers_say?taxonomyId=15" href="http://www.computerworld.com">www.computerworld.com</a> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/aggbug.ashx?id=892a677c-e369-42a8-83fc-6e86b3027add" /> EN mobile security tech http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=12afef42-6f89-48d7-b4eb-17aafa9c3065 http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/pingback.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,12afef42-6f89-48d7-b4eb-17aafa9c3065.aspx Christian

The saga of Adobe and Apple or, more precisely, Flash app development for the iPhone, is drawing to its inevitable conclusion.

It all started with Apple’s change to its iPhone Developer Program License Agreement – the notorious article 3.3.1 – which banned the use of the Flash-to-iPhone converter. In the simplest of terms, the article makes it meaningless for developers to create Flash apps that target the iPhone because Apple can ban them at any time.

Now Mike Chambers, the principal product manager for developer relations for the Flash platform at Adobe, has put a full stop to the story from Adobe’s side. In a lengthy blog post, he calls for developers of Flash apps for smartphones to focus on Android and stop developing apps for the iPhone. He also announces Adobe’s intention to stop working on the Flash-to-iPhone converter.

“We will still be shipping the ability to target the iPhone and iPad in Flash CS5. However, we are not currently planning any additional investments in that feature,” Mike says. In the post, he also criticizes Apple’s treatment of developers. “If you want to develop for the iPhone you have to be prepared for Apple to reject or restrict your development at anytime, and for seemingly any reason,” he says.

So, that’s it for Flash apps on the iPhone. Apple may have won this round, but the wall around its garden just got a little bit taller.

[via mashable.com]

Adobe Gives Up on iPhone App Development After CS5 http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,12afef42-6f89-48d7-b4eb-17aafa9c3065.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/2010/04/26/AdobeGivesUpOnIPhoneAppDevelopmentAfterCS5.aspx Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:38:51 GMT <p> The saga of Adobe and Apple or, more precisely, Flash app development for the iPhone, is drawing to its inevitable conclusion. </p> <p> It all started with <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/04/08/apple-adobe-flash-compiler/">Apple’s change</a> to its iPhone Developer Program License Agreement – the notorious article 3.3.1 – which banned the use of the Flash-to-iPhone converter. In the simplest of terms, the article makes it meaningless for developers to create Flash apps that target the iPhone because Apple can ban them at any time. </p> <p> Now Mike Chambers, the principal product manager for developer relations for the Flash platform at Adobe, has put a <a href="http://www.mikechambers.com/blog/2010/04/20/on-adobe-flash-cs5-and-iphone-applications/">full stop</a> to the story from Adobe’s side. In a lengthy blog post, he calls for developers of Flash apps for smartphones to focus on Android and stop developing apps for the iPhone. He also announces Adobe’s intention to stop working on the Flash-to-iPhone converter. </p> <p> “We will still be shipping the ability to target the iPhone and iPad in Flash CS5. However, we are not currently planning any additional investments in that feature,” Mike says. In the post, he also criticizes Apple’s treatment of developers. “If you want to develop for the iPhone you have to be prepared for Apple to reject or restrict your development at anytime, and for seemingly any reason,” he says. </p> <p> So, that’s it for Flash apps on the iPhone. Apple may have won this round, but the wall around its garden just got a little bit taller. </p> <p> [via <a title="http://mashable.com/2010/04/21/adobe-gives-up-flash-iphone/" href="http://mashable.com">mashable.com</a>] </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/aggbug.ashx?id=12afef42-6f89-48d7-b4eb-17aafa9c3065" /> Apple EN mobile http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=5762a728-4192-4beb-b3b6-15e6bcedd843 http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/pingback.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,5762a728-4192-4beb-b3b6-15e6bcedd843.aspx Christian

Zune HD is the latest player in the Zune device family, available in 16GB and 32GB capacities and is the first touch screen Zune with HD functionality and powerful technology to give consumers a different way to experience music and video on-the-go.

  • HD Radio –Zune HD comes with a built-in FM HD Radio receiver enabling users to tune to more free stations with even better clarity and sound quality.
  • HD Video Out – Connect your Zune HD to the optional Zune Premium A/V docking station and watch HD videos, TV shows and movies in your large screen TV in 720p high definition
  • Internet Browser and Wi-Fi - Zune HD includes a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multi-touch and Wi-Fi connectivity

Zune Software

  • QuickPlay – A whole new user interface that offers one-click access to your favorites, and recent activity on both the PC and your Zune HD
  • Smart DJ -  With one click, Zune becomes your personal DJ, creating and serving you an endless playlist based on the genre, style and influences of the song or artist you choose

Zune Services (Zune Marketplace and Zune.net)

  • For the first time, Zune Marketplace is offering full-length movies in HD and SD format for download and rental; download HD TV shows and movies and watch them on your Zune or PC.  Or with the optional A/V docking station, watch them in high definition on your HDTV
  • Zune.net Streaming - With a Zune Pass, stream music directly from Zune.net from any internet-connected computer.  No client software download needed
  • Zune Pass - Access nearly 6 million songs for only $14.99 a month and keep 10 free MP3 downloads each month 
  • Zune Pass + SmartDJ - If you have a Zune Pass you can use SmartDJ to stream an endless playlist from the nearly 6 million song Zune catalog from any internet connected PC via Zune.net, no download required

Expansion into Xbox

  • Later this fall, Microsoft will bring the Zune video service to the nearly 20 million Xbox Live users as Zune becomes the video store for Xbox Live
  • “Buy Once, Play Anywhere” - Consumers will be able to buy a movie once and watch it on multiple devices:  Xbox 360, Zune device and PC

Pricing

Zune HD is available in the retail channel on Sept 15, but for the time being the Zune HD device will remain US only.

Learn more: http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm

Introducing Zune HD &ndash; available Sept. 15 http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,5762a728-4192-4beb-b3b6-15e6bcedd843.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/2009/09/17/IntroducingZuneHDNdashAvailableSept15.aspx Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:33:13 GMT <p align="center"> <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5359551/zune-40-software-out-now"><img title="" alt="" src="http://cache-foo-10.gawkerassets.com/gawker/assets/images/4/2009/09/500x_ZuneHDHero.jpg" width="500" /></a> </p> <p> Zune HD is the latest player in the Zune device family, available in 16GB and 32GB capacities and is the first touch screen Zune with HD functionality and powerful technology to give consumers a different way to experience music and video on-the-go. </p> <ul> <li> HD Radio –Zune HD comes with a built-in FM HD Radio receiver enabling users to tune to more free stations with even better clarity and sound quality. </li> <li> HD Video Out – Connect your Zune HD to the optional Zune Premium A/V docking station and watch HD videos, TV shows and movies in your large screen TV in 720p high definition </li> <li> Internet Browser and Wi-Fi - Zune HD includes a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multi-touch and Wi-Fi connectivity </li> </ul> <p> <u>Zune Software</u> </p> <ul> <li> QuickPlay – A whole new user interface that offers one-click access to your favorites, and recent activity on both the PC and your Zune HD </li> <li> Smart DJ -&#160; With one click, Zune becomes your personal DJ, creating and serving you an endless playlist based on the genre, style and influences of the song or artist you choose </li> </ul> <p> <u>Zune Services (Zune Marketplace and Zune.net)</u> </p> <ul> <li> For the first time, Zune Marketplace is offering full-length movies in HD and SD format for download and rental; download HD TV shows and movies and watch them on your Zune or PC.&#160; Or with the optional A/V docking station, watch them in high definition on your HDTV </li> <li> Zune.net Streaming - With a Zune Pass, stream music directly from Zune.net from any internet-connected computer.&#160; No client software download needed </li> <li> Zune Pass - Access nearly 6 million songs for only $14.99 a month and keep 10 free MP3 downloads each month&#160; </li> <li> Zune Pass + SmartDJ - If you have a Zune Pass you can use SmartDJ to stream an endless playlist from the nearly 6 million song Zune catalog from any internet connected PC via Zune.net, no download required </li> </ul> <p> <u>Expansion into Xbox</u> </p> <ul> <li> Later this fall, Microsoft will bring the Zune video service to the nearly 20 million Xbox Live users as Zune becomes the video store for Xbox Live </li> <li> “Buy Once, Play Anywhere” - Consumers will be able to buy a movie once and watch it on multiple devices:&#160; Xbox 360, Zune device and PC </li> </ul> <p> <u>Pricing</u> </p> <ul> <li> Zune HD 16GB for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JPITXY?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=lgnb2009-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B002JPITXY">$219.99 on Amazon</a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-top-style: none !important; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lgnb2009-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B002JPITXY" width="1" height="1" /> (as of 9/17/09)</li> <li> Zune HD 32GB for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JPITY8?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=lgnb2009-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B002JPITY8">$289.99 on Amazon</a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-top-style: none !important; border-left-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lgnb2009-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B002JPITY8" width="1" height="1" /> (as of 9/17/09)</li> </ul> <p> <b>Zune HD is available in the retail channel on Sept 15, but for the time being the Zune HD device will remain US only.</b> </p> <p> <strong>Learn more:</strong> <a title="http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm" href="http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm">http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm</a> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/aggbug.ashx?id=5762a728-4192-4beb-b3b6-15e6bcedd843" /> EN markets microsoft mobile multimedia xbox live Zune http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=2faa14af-1fb1-4ced-98d7-5c57829679d8 http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/pingback.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,2faa14af-1fb1-4ced-98d7-5c57829679d8.aspx Christian

[QUOTE]
Apple's MobileMe and Google'sGmail online e-mail services suffered hours-long outages Monday, leaving millions of users unable to access their accounts.

Google restored service within about two and a half hours, but it took Apple approximately seven hours to restore full access to its online mail service.

Apple users first reported trouble accessing the service's servers from their desktop mail clients around 2 p.m. Eastern, and in the next several hours, posted several hundred messages on the MobileMe support forum about the outage.

A notice on the service's main support page acknowledged the problem. "MobileMe members are intermittently unable to access MobileMe Mail using a desktop e-mail application, iPhone or iPod touch," said Apple. "Access to www.me.com/mail is unaffected. Service will be restored ASAP. We apologize for any inconvenience."

By 9 p.m. Eastern that notice had been replaced with an all-clear indicator.

Google's Gmail, meanwhile, went offline around 5 p.m. Eastern, and greeted users with a message reading in part, "We're sorry, but your Gmail account is currently experiencing errors."

A little over two hours later, Google added a notice to its Gmail help page that attributed the outage to "the contacts system used by Gmail which is preventing Gmail from loading properly. We are starting to roll out a fix now and hope to have the problem resolved as quickly as possible."

Shortly after that, at about 7:30 p.m., Google declared the outage over. "Users who were temporarily affected by the 502 errors should now be able to access their account," read a message posted to the Gmail Help Discussion forum. "Thanks for your patience while we worked to resolve this issue for everyone."

Apple users were especially livid, in part because they, unlike Gmail's users, pay for their service, and also because of the multiple problems they had with MobileMe since its launch a month ago.

"I'm so disgusted with Apple right now I don't even know what to say," said a user identified as "Furi0us.Bee" in a message posted to the longest forum thread on the subject.

"This is crazy," said another user, "mac_wa," on the same thread. "I have had more down time with my mac/me mail than any other service I've had... and I pay for this."

But Owen Schultz had one of the best takes of any user. "Dear MS Outlook," Schultz started, "I am so sorry about our breakup several year ago. I have been thinking about you a lot since then. Will you please consider taking me back? Just one more chance? I'm sorry about all the horrible things I said about you and your operating system. You were the best I ever had! MobileMe and I are finished!"

MobileMe's travails -- ranging from an extended migration from its predecessor, .Mac, to an 11-day mail outage last month -- prompted Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, to issue a memo to company employees last week in which he called the rollout "not up to Apple's standards."

Jobs shook up Apple's management team over the series of snafus, and handed responsibility for the service to Eddy Cue, who heads iTunes.
[/QUOTE]

Source: www.infoworld.com

Apple's MobileMe mail, Google's Gmail go dark http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,2faa14af-1fb1-4ced-98d7-5c57829679d8.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/2008/08/13/ApplesMobileMeMailGooglesGmailGoDark.aspx Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:38:11 GMT <p> [QUOTE]<br> Apple's <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/inform.do?command=search&amp;searchTerms=Apple+MobileMe">MobileMe</a> and <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/inform.do?command=search&amp;searchTerms=Google+Inc.">Google's</a> <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/inform.do?command=search&amp;searchTerms=Google+Gmail">Gmail</a> online e-mail services suffered hours-long outages Monday, leaving millions of users unable to access their accounts. </p> <p> Google restored service within about two and a half hours, but it took Apple approximately seven hours to restore full access to its online mail service. <p> Apple users first reported trouble accessing the service's servers from their desktop mail clients around 2 p.m. Eastern, and in the next several hours, posted several hundred messages on the MobileMe support forum about the outage. <p> A notice on the service's <a href="http://www.apple.com/support/mobileme/">main support page</a> acknowledged the problem. "MobileMe members are intermittently unable to access MobileMe Mail using a desktop e-mail application, iPhone or iPod touch," said Apple. "Access to www.me.com/mail is unaffected. Service will be restored ASAP. We apologize for any inconvenience." <p> By 9 p.m. Eastern that notice had been replaced with an all-clear indicator. <p> Google's Gmail, meanwhile, went offline around 5 p.m. Eastern, and greeted users with a message reading in part, "We're sorry, but your Gmail account is currently experiencing errors." <p> A little over two hours later, Google added a notice to its Gmail help page that attributed the outage to "the contacts system used by Gmail which is preventing Gmail from loading properly. We are starting to roll out a fix now and hope to have the problem resolved as quickly as possible." <p> Shortly after that, at about 7:30 p.m., Google declared the outage over. "Users who were temporarily affected by the 502 errors should now be able to access their account," read a message posted to the <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-Help-Announcements-and-Alerts-en/browse_thread/thread/9a69798cd0db14a5#">Gmail Help Discussion forum</a>. "Thanks for your patience while we worked to resolve this issue for everyone." <p> Apple users were especially livid, in part because they, unlike Gmail's users, pay for their service, and also because of the multiple problems they had with MobileMe since its launch a month ago. <p> "I'm so disgusted with Apple right now I don't even know what to say," said a user identified as "Furi0us.Bee" in a message posted to the <a href="http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1655014&amp;tstart=0">longest forum thread</a> on the subject. <p> "This is crazy," said another user, "mac_wa," on the same thread. "I have had more down time with my mac/me mail than any other service I've had... and I pay for this." <p> But Owen Schultz had one of the best takes of any user. "Dear MS Outlook," Schultz started, "I am so sorry about our breakup several year ago. I have been thinking about you a lot since then. Will you please consider taking me back? Just one more chance? I'm sorry about all the horrible things I said about you and your operating system. You were the best I ever had! MobileMe and I are finished!" <p> MobileMe's travails -- ranging from an <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&amp;articleId=9108998">extended migration</a> from its predecessor, .Mac, to an <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&amp;articleId=9111086">11-day mail outage</a> last month -- prompted Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, to issue a memo to company employees last week in which he called the rollout "not up to Apple's standards." <p> Jobs <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&amp;articleId=9111859">shook up Apple's management team</a> over the series of snafus, and handed responsibility for the service to Eddy Cue, who heads <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/inform.do?command=search&amp;searchTerms=Apple+iTunes">iTunes</a>. <br> [/QUOTE] <p> <strong>Source:</strong> <a title="http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/08/12/Apples_MobileMe_mail_Googles_Gmail_go_dark_1.html?source=NLC-DAILY&amp;cgd=2008-08-12" href="http://www.infoworld.com">www.infoworld.com</a> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/aggbug.ashx?id=2faa14af-1fb1-4ced-98d7-5c57829679d8" /> Apple EN Google internet mobile tech http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=4b23f78a-1ca0-4d52-bc7e-f74b3ccf050e http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/pingback.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,4b23f78a-1ca0-4d52-bc7e-f74b3ccf050e.aspx Christian

[QUOTE]
With Microsoft’s announcement today to buy cell phone software maker Danger Inc., the deal may not only strengthen the software giant’s position in consumer mobile phones and strengthen defenses against Google’s Android platform, but also mean a new addition for gamers.

The acquisition will provide more applications to Xbox through existing Danger services, Microsoft said. However, the possibility of a portable Xbox arises from Danger’s wide range of software, which can be made capable of playing some Xbox games, with the company’s gadgets used as the foundation for a portable gaming device capable of making phone calls.

“Microsoft is a global leader with our Windows Mobile software and expanding mobile services,” said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “The addition of Danger serves as a perfect complement to our existing software and services, and also strengthens our dedication to improving mobile experiences centered around individuals and what they like.”

Microsoft intends to combine Danger’s applications, including HTML Web browsing, instant messaging, games, multimedia, social networking, and Web email into Xbox, as well as MSN, Zune, Windows Live, and Windows Mobile.

Danger’s broad software portfolio also provides the opportunity to play lightweight Xbox games in future versions, according to Dan Frommer from Forbes.

“Another plus: Because Danger doesn’t build its own gadgets, Microsoft can pick the manufacturing strategy that makes the most sense,” Frommer said. “For now, it can keep outsourcing devices to partners like Motorola, which also makes Windows Mobile phones. And later, if it wants, Microsoft can merge Danger’s gadgets into its Zune line -- or use it as the basis for a portable Xbox that also makes phone calls.”
[/QUOTE]

Source: gamerush.zoomshare.com

Microsoft takes step towards portable Xbox with Danger purchase http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,4b23f78a-1ca0-4d52-bc7e-f74b3ccf050e.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/2008/02/12/MicrosoftTakesStepTowardsPortableXboxWithDangerPurchase.aspx Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:55:34 GMT <p> [QUOTE]<br> With Microsoft’s announcement today to buy cell phone software maker <a href="http://www.danger.com/" target="_blank">Danger Inc.</a>, the deal may not only strengthen the software giant’s position in consumer mobile phones and strengthen defenses against Google’s Android platform, but also mean a new addition for gamers. </p> <p> The acquisition will provide more applications to Xbox through existing Danger services, Microsoft said. However, the possibility of a portable Xbox arises from Danger’s wide range of software, which can be made capable of playing some Xbox games, with the company’s gadgets used as the foundation for a portable gaming device capable of making phone calls. <p> “Microsoft is a global leader with our Windows Mobile software and expanding mobile services,” said Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “The addition of Danger serves as a perfect complement to our existing software and services, and also strengthens our dedication to improving mobile experiences centered around individuals and what they like.” <p> Microsoft intends to combine Danger’s applications, including HTML Web browsing, instant messaging, games, multimedia, social networking, and Web email into Xbox, as well as MSN, Zune, Windows Live, and Windows Mobile. <p> Danger’s broad software portfolio also provides the opportunity to play lightweight Xbox games in future versions, according to Dan Frommer from Forbes. <p> “Another plus: Because Danger doesn’t build its own gadgets, Microsoft can pick the manufacturing strategy that makes the most sense,” Frommer said. “For now, it can keep outsourcing devices to partners like Motorola, which also makes Windows Mobile phones. And later, if it wants, Microsoft can merge Danger’s gadgets into its Zune line -- or use it as the basis for a portable Xbox that also makes phone calls.”<br> [/QUOTE] <p> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://gamerush.zoomshare.com/files/news/002518_Microsoft_takes_step_towards_portable_Xbox_with_Danger_purchase.htm">gamerush.zoomshare.com</a> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/aggbug.ashx?id=4b23f78a-1ca0-4d52-bc7e-f74b3ccf050e" /> EN markets microsoft mobile xbox http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=728e1f5f-baae-4967-ad9c-c0713b768a62 http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/pingback.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,728e1f5f-baae-4967-ad9c-c0713b768a62.aspx Christian

[QUOTE]
Windows Mobile 6.1 will be unveiled officially in about 2 weeks at Mobile World Congress 2008 (watch our first-hand reports from there!) but already now somebody has managed to play with it!

Here are the highlights:

  • Office Mobile now includes also One Note Mobile application - apart from Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile, one new application is available - it can record voice notes and drawings and textual notes
  • Internet Explorer now has function "Zoom Out" what enables page-overview mode and better overall navigation through web pages
  • Windows Mobile 6.1 still is based on Windows CE 5.2 so no upgrade to Windows CE 6.0
  • SMS chat view mode is available so SMS messages can appear in threaded-way - more comfortable to follow SMS conversations
  • instead of "Settings / Memory / Running Programs" now a Task Manager is available with possibility to set settings of executed threads/processes like CPU (indication of dual-core Windows Mobile devices?) and memory
  • new menu item "Managed Programs"
  • the much expected improvements in usage for finger based navigation - are nowhere to be found! (apparently users will need to wait till 2009 for Windows Mobile 7 to get them)

To learn more visit Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional review (in Portuguese but several screenshots are in English and worth seeing).
[/QUOTE]

Source: http://msmobiles.com/

First review of Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional published http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,728e1f5f-baae-4967-ad9c-c0713b768a62.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/2008/02/04/FirstReviewOfWindowsMobile61ProfessionalPublished.aspx Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:35:52 GMT <p> [QUOTE]<br> Windows Mobile 6.1 will be unveiled officially in about 2 weeks at Mobile World Congress 2008 (watch our first-hand reports from there!) but already now somebody has managed to play with it! </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://msmobiles.com/news.php/7065.html"><img height="66" src="http://www.wirelesssoftware.info/images/wirelesssoftware_info/other/windows-mobile-6.1.jpg" width="150" border="0"></a> </p> <p> Here are the highlights: </p> <ul> <li> Office Mobile now includes also One Note Mobile application - apart from Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile, one new application is available - it can record voice notes and drawings and textual notes <li> Internet Explorer now has function "Zoom Out" what enables page-overview mode and better overall navigation through web pages <li> Windows Mobile 6.1 still is based on Windows CE 5.2 so no upgrade to Windows CE 6.0 <li> SMS chat view mode is available so SMS messages can appear in threaded-way - more comfortable to follow SMS conversations <li> instead of "Settings / Memory / Running Programs" now a Task Manager is available with possibility to set settings of executed threads/processes like CPU (indication of dual-core Windows Mobile devices?) and memory <li> new menu item "Managed Programs" <li> the much expected improvements in usage for finger based navigation - are nowhere to be found! (apparently users will need to wait till 2009 for Windows Mobile 7 to get them) </li> </ul> <p> To learn more visit <a href="http://www.pocketpt.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=20433&amp;st=0&amp;p=129005&amp;#entry129005">Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional review</a> (in Portuguese but several screenshots are in English and worth seeing).<br> [/QUOTE] </p> <p> <strong>Source: </strong><a title="http://msmobiles.com/news.php/7065.html" href="http://msmobiles.com/">http://msmobiles.com/</a> </p> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/aggbug.ashx?id=728e1f5f-baae-4967-ad9c-c0713b768a62" /> EN microsoft mobile http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=933f45f0-ae14-4237-aa95-4bd81db3e680 http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/pingback.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,933f45f0-ae14-4237-aa95-4bd81db3e680.aspx Christian

[QUOTE]
Windows Mobile, like Windows itself, has had a checkered history. Early versions were maligned as being feature-poor and difficult to use. However, in a tale familiar to anyone who has followed Microsoft, the company stuck at it, and the portable operating system started to come into its own. The most recent release, Windows Mobile 6.0, added Vista-like themes to go along with a significant upgrade to the OS internals. Having conquered Palm in the dying PDA market, Windows Mobile was now ready to go toe-to-toe with other phone operating systems and platforms such as BlackBerry, Symbian and various Linux derivatives.

All seemed well in Windows Mobile land, but then Apple released the iPhone running a stripped-down version of OS X and a new multitouch user interface. Despite Steve Ballmer's prediction that the phone had "no chance" of gaining significant market share, a recent survey by Net Applications showed the iPhone actually overtaking Windows Mobile in web browsing share: 0.09 percent for the iPhone versus 0.06 percent for all Windows CE and Mobile devices put together. All of a sudden Windows Mobile phones seemed like they were stuck in the past, and minor UI annoyances stuck out like a sore thumb.

Windows Mobile 6.1
Windows Mobile 6.1.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Microsoft is busily preparing both a minor UI refresh (Windows Mobile 6.1) and a major new release of the operating system (Windows Mobile 7.0). A gallery of screen shots from the 6.1 refresh compiled by Boy Genius shows an emphasis on simplification: the screens are more task-oriented and have less clutter than their immediate predecessor. A new and clearer font adorns the UI, and new features such as zooming, copy and paste in Internet Explorer, and auto-configuring ActiveSync for e-mails are sure to be welcome additions to the platform. In addition, Microsoft is making it easier (and more Windows-like) to switch tasks by adding a standardized task manager to the platform.

As far as Windows Mobile 7.0 goes, there are no leaked screen shots as of yet, but big changes are afoot. Microsoft plans to completely redo applications such as Internet Explorer, bringing the mobile browser up to par with Apple's Mobile Safari. The e-mail and SMS applications are also scheduled for complete rewrites. Microsoft plans to make the user interface even more consumer-friendly.

Beyond 7.0, Microsoft is even hinting at a completely redesigned Windows Mobile 8.0, which will again redo the internals of the operating system to keep up with newer and more powerful mobile hardware. Details for this release are scarce, although Microsoft promises features such as being able to go from a person's address in their contact info directly to a map view with directions to where they live. It all sounds like the iPhone really lit a fire under the posteriors of the Windows Mobile team, and that can only be good news for smartphone users.
[/QUOTE]

Source: http://arstechnica.com
Further reading:
  • Gizmodo has an in-depth interview with a couple of members of the Windows Mobile dev team, discussing what they believe is wrong with Windows Mobile 6 and how they plan to fix it
  • Microsoft may have iPhone on the brain as it works on future versions of Windows Mobile, but CEO Steve Ballmer isn't too concerned about Google's Android platform.
  • Windows Mobile 6 was released last February. Reread our impressions of it as you look ahead to Windows Mobile 6.1 and 7.0
Related Stories:
Windows Mobile 6.1 and 7.0 feature big changes to compete with iPhone http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/PermaLink,guid,933f45f0-ae14-4237-aa95-4bd81db3e680.aspx http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/2007/12/18/WindowsMobile61And70FeatureBigChangesToCompeteWithIPhone.aspx Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:33:55 GMT <p> [QUOTE] <br /> Windows Mobile, like Windows itself, has had a checkered history. Early versions were maligned as being feature-poor and difficult to use. However, in a tale familiar to anyone who has followed Microsoft, the company stuck at it, and the portable operating system started to come into its own. The most recent release, <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070208-8802.html">Windows Mobile 6.0</a>, added Vista-like themes to go along with a significant upgrade to the OS internals. Having conquered Palm in the <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070813-pda-sales-drop-by-40-percent-in-a-single-year-vendors-bolt-for-exit.html">dying PDA market</a>, Windows Mobile was now ready to go toe-to-toe with other phone operating systems and platforms such as BlackBerry, Symbian and various Linux derivatives. </p> <h5> <h6> </h6> All seemed well in Windows Mobile land, but then Apple released the iPhone running a stripped-down version of OS X and a new multitouch user interface. Despite Steve Ballmer's prediction that the phone had <a href="http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2007/04/30/ballmer-says-iphone-has-no-chance-to-gain-significant-market-share">&quot;no chance&quot;</a> of gaining significant market share, a recent <a href="http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=10">survey</a> by Net Applications showed the iPhone actually overtaking Windows Mobile in web browsing share: 0.09 percent for the iPhone versus 0.06 percent for all Windows CE and Mobile devices put together. All of a sudden Windows Mobile phones seemed like they were stuck in the past, and minor UI annoyances stuck out like a sore thumb. </h5> <p align="center"> <img alt="Windows Mobile 6.1" src="http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.media/winmobile61.jpg" /> <br /> Windows Mobile 6.1. </p> <p> Never one to back down from a challenge, Microsoft is busily preparing both a minor UI refresh (Windows Mobile 6.1) and a major new release of the operating system (Windows Mobile 7.0). A <a href="http://www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/handsets/windows-mobile-61/">gallery of screen shots</a> from the 6.1 refresh compiled by Boy Genius shows an emphasis on simplification: the screens are more task-oriented and have less clutter than their immediate predecessor. A new and clearer font adorns the UI, and new features such as zooming, copy and paste in Internet Explorer, and auto-configuring ActiveSync for e-mails are sure to be welcome additions to the platform. In addition, Microsoft is making it easier (and more Windows-like) to switch tasks by adding a standardized task manager to the platform. </p> <p> As far as Windows Mobile 7.0 goes, there are no leaked screen shots as of yet, but big changes are afoot. Microsoft plans to completely redo applications such as Internet Explorer, bringing the mobile browser up to par with Apple's Mobile Safari. The e-mail and SMS applications are also scheduled for complete rewrites. Microsoft plans to make the user interface even more consumer-friendly. </p> <p> Beyond 7.0, Microsoft is even hinting at a completely redesigned Windows Mobile 8.0, which will again redo the internals of the operating system to keep up with newer and more powerful mobile hardware. Details for this release are scarce, although Microsoft promises features such as being able to go from a person's address in their contact info directly to a map view with directions to where they live. It all sounds like the iPhone really lit a fire under the posteriors of the Windows Mobile team, and that can only be good news for smartphone users. <br /> [/QUOTE] </p> <h5><strong>Source:</strong> <a title="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071217-windows-mobile-6-1-and-7-0-feature-big-changes-to-compete-with-iphone.html" href="http://arstechnica.com">http://arstechnica.com</a> </h5> <h5><strong>Further reading:</strong> </h5> <ul> <li> Gizmodo has an <a href="http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/what.s-wrong-with-windows-mobile/whats-wrong-with-windows-mobile-and-how-wm7-and-wm8-are-going-to-fix-it-333536.php">in-depth interview</a> with a couple of members of the Windows Mobile dev team, discussing what they believe is wrong with Windows Mobile 6 and how they plan to fix it </li> <li> Microsoft may have iPhone on the brain as it works on future versions of Windows Mobile, but CEO Steve Ballmer <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071109-ballmer-talks-a-big-game-against-google.html">isn't too concerned about Google's Android platform</a>. </li> <li> Windows Mobile 6 was released last February. Reread <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070208-8802.html">our impressions of it</a> as you look ahead to Windows Mobile 6.1 and 7.0 </li> </ul> <h5><strong>Related Stories:</strong> </h5> <ul> <li> <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070904-microsoft-exec-zune-phone-not-unreasonable.html?rel">Microsoft exec: Zune phone &quot;not unreasonable&quot;</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061023-8056.html?rel">Microsoft hopes to double smartphone sales once again</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061121-8268.html?rel">New Windows Mobile &quot;Crossbow&quot; reviews hit the 'Net</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://arstechnica.com/journals/hardware.ars/2007/10/04/find-your-way-with-garmins-mobile-xt-microsd-card-for-smartphones?rel">Find your way with Garmin's Mobile XT microSD card for smartphones</a> </li> </ul> <img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.loosy-goosy-ness.com/aggbug.ashx?id=933f45f0-ae14-4237-aa95-4bd81db3e680" /> EN microsoft mobile tech