A Hacker proved that he could activate the camera of a MacBook without warning the user

Once again the Apple MacBook is the source of a privacy problem. A man named Jared Abrahams managed to hack the MacBook camera of a classmate without her being aware. The hacker was able to take naked pictures that he subsequently sent to her. The victim quickly realized that she had been photographed without her knowledge for a considerable time.
To do so, Abrahams has managed to disable the green LED that illuminates normally when the camera is activated. So she couldn't know when it is active. It is normally impossible to take such an action, except for the hacker who has found a solution.  

The FBI found on his computer a special software that can remotely control the camera and the green LED. This practice is indeed already used by the FBI and other similar agencies to spy on some suspicious users. This manipulation is of course not available to everyone.
The vulnerability has been explained by two students from Johns Hopkins University in the United States . According to them, it is necessary to change the OS X kernel to successfully disable the LED of the camera. In fact, the vulnerability is not present on the Mac available since 2008. Nevertheless, it is quite possible that a similar method exists on the latest models to date.
 
Source: The Washington Post

Meet Siri

When the CNN reporter Jessica Ravitz was interviewing the voice actress Susan Bennett about voice-over work, she realized that the voice she was hearing over the phone was very familiar.

While Apple is being very secretive about it and still won't confirm it, Bennett revealed her self as Siri, the mysterious voice of the iPhone.

Source: CNN

Spying on a computer keystrokes with an iPhone

Researches have shown that sensors found in our smartphones can sometimes be misused: as an example some researchers used the built-in iPhone 4 accelerometer to build an app that capture keystrokes.
  

The idea is simple: a smartphone is placed next to the keyboard and the accelerometer is capable of recording the vibrations each time you hit a key.  The app is then able to determine the position of each button according to the vibration.  

The program is not really able to detect every keystroke, it simply divides the keyboard into several areas: the accelerometer can actually detect roughly if the pressed key is on the top left, top right, bottom left or bottom right of the keyboard. Next, an analysis is performed in overlapping areas with a dictionary to try to reconstruct words.

When the keyboard type is known (QWERTY, AZERTY, etc..) and the language used is identified, the recognition rate of the text is quite high, with a success rate between 70 and 80% . Obviously there are some problems with recognition, especially when a one letter word is used, but the results are interesting.
 

The type of the used smartphone has also an influence: an iPhone 3GS, which uses a conventional accelerometer is unusable, while an iPhone 4 which couples the accelerometer to a gyroscope is effective. Overall, any modern smartphone used in an environment free from excessive vibration should succeed to do the same work.

Although this might sound innovative and fun, but the goals of the study were to show that the monitoring method are not always obvious to detect, and to raise awareness about using technology in a responsible and ethical way, while appreciating and embracing your privacy and respecting the others'.

Does IOS7 make your Iphone waterproof?

iOS7, available since September 18, does not make your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch waterproof. This is the kind message that Apple is making us broadcast to a handful of users.  

Many believed a false advertising that made the rounds on the Internet recently. It showed "Update to iOS 7 and become waterproof." Obviously, this story is not true. It has not prevented some users from falling into the trap so far. They tested their iPhone to dive into the water and there was the drama.
 
The ad below has quickly made ​​the rounds on social networks. It comes straight from 4Chan.
 

 
It is true that the advertising is rather well done. All evidence suggest that Apple is behind it, I think that their intention was to test how well their marketing strategy since 2001 is going and I think it is safe to say that they succeeded to prove how gullible and stupid their users are! (I personally don't mind a chat with an Apple sheep...)

Do not believe everything you read. Ask yourself the simplest question before you start conducting experiences: How a simple software update can render a device resistant to water?

Meanwhile, several users have reported their anger on Twitter
"Anyone who said that iOS7 was waterproof, fuck you!"
"Now my phone has water damage."

Source: iphoneaddict

The Apple handkerchief 1.0

Apple hit hard by announcing its integrated within the iPhone 5S fingerprint reader. We know for sure that third-party developers can not use this technology, but what wasn't announced is the Apple handkerchief you get whenever you buy a 5S: a very useful accessory in the company of this smartphone!


      

The future iPhone 5S owners, shall, to unlock their phone, put their finger on the home button. However if you have sweaty fingers Touch ID may not recognize you. In this case, you can say goodbye to the ability to unlock your mobile. A shame isn't it?

However, if the phone was restarted, or it hasn't been unlocked for 48 hours (sweaty fingers? ...), an option with a password you pre-registered will be displayed for you to avoid the hassle of "brick in your pocket."

Microsoft agitates the world of smartphones

Since the announcement of the "cooperation" between Microsoft and Nokia at Mobile World Congress 2011 , observers have been waiting for what looked very much like an inevitable logical sequence, with this recurring question: When will Microsoft buy the once was Finnish giant ?  
As I was struggling to sleep -it was 5 am here-, I checked twitter to find out that #Microsoft is trending. We finally got an answer:  Microsoft announced the acquisition of Nokia for $ 7.2 billion. The news were received by surprise and mockery.


In an email sent yesterday evening to employees of the firm, Steve Ballmer , CEO leaving Microsoft , announced the acquisition of Nokia 's Devices & Services business , a deal that includes smartphones and mobile division development and design teams , manufacturing units in the world, and operational teams: marketing and support. In total 32,000 Nokia employees will pass directly under Microsoft's banner.
 
Ballmer said that the transaction is " a big step for the future and is in line with the changes announced on July 11". Lumia and Asha in one basket Besides the Nokia Lumia range smartphones composed exclusively of the Windows Phone operating system from Microsoft, this purchase also covers "basic" Asha phones , which will enable Microsoft to expand its hold on mobile telephony.
A major challenge to the two companies , which have failed to negotiate in good time and in the best of their place in the great upheaval of telephony and mobile internet , especially on the smartphone market , monopolized by Apple , Samsung and Google's Android OS , which in turn has also offered another manufacturer , Motorola .  

So, what remains to Nokia? 

Three activities " software, network and services":  Their mapping service, the network infrastructure NSN and Advanced Technologies, and business license and development .  
For Microsoft , it's not big surprise. Their goal was clear, to regain the special privileges they granted Nokia to adapt Windows phone and then to end Nokia. So it is safe to say that the next phone after the latest Lumia ( to be released on the 2nd of October) will be signed Microsoft.

Apple developer's site under attack

Following an attack on developer.apple.com, certain personal information of developers were stolen.

Just back online, the Apple website dedicated to developers, was inaccessible since last Thursday. The Cupertino branch confirms that it was not an extended maintenance, but the result of an attack.

"Last Thursday, an intruder tried to access the personal information stored on our dedicated website for Apple developers. Sensitive personal information was encrypted and could not be found, however, the possibility that they had access to names, email or mailing addresses developers address is not spread, "said the message on the Apple website before restarting.

A possibility confirmed by Ibrahim Balic, a security researcher who says that the site 9to5Mac have had access to names, Apple IDs and email addresses of nearly 100,000 developers. He proves his claims via a YouTube video.

 

To prevent a new vulnerability is exploited in the future, Apple decided to overhaul its system and its infrastructure, updating its servers software and fully rebuild its database.

Yelp allows you to avoid hipsters in your city

Do you find the sight of a hipster in her/his tight slims "fun"? Tired of seeing them everywhere you go? Yelp will help you avoid using a heat map!
 

First, let us return to what Yelp is. It is a service of research and popular opinion in the United States who bought Qype last year for 50 million dollars.

Today a new feature appeared taking the form of a world  heat map that reveals hot spots with the most popular terms used on Yelp in a selected city (including the term "hipster ", obviously). We can therefore find out where the largest concentration of bar or otherwise avoid tourist areas and hipsters.

More android apps

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) will be available on Android and iOS

Yesterday, at a conference held in Orlnado, BlackBerry has announced that its instant messaging, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), would arrive soon on the Android and iOS smartphones.

Until now reserved for BlackBerry, BBM was one of the main strengths of the brand. It allowed to communicate between BlackBerry devices, receive acknowledgments and reading, sharing media files, start discussions or spend several videos. As complete as it is, the system has gradually been overtaken by other companies offering the same kind of service as iMessage on iPhone and most importantly, other services compatible with multiple operating systems like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
 

From the Blackberry conference on Tuesday 15/05/2013 in Orlando

To revive its messaging service, the Canadian company has decided to make BBM available on Android to version 4.0 and higer and iOS to version 6 and higher. 
   
"Different applications should be available this summer on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. We'll begin with messaging and groups, and later we will bring voice, screen sharing and other services" - Thorsten Heins, CEO of BlackBerry.
 

Making the service available to many other platforms might sound like a good idea but it also presents some disadvantages. First, you might agree with me that this move is a bit late, after Whatsapp and Facebook messenger dominated the market and it would be hard for someone to choose the BBM service over any of those mentioned, and secondly, according to a poll on the Blackberry blog :What Do You Do on Your BlackBerry Smartphone? 30% of 8000 voters chose the instant messaging service and 20% went for social networking, and as well know some people buy Blackberry just to profit of it's famous BBM.
So we cannot but wonder: is making the BBM service available on other platforms going to give Blackberry users the push to finally quit using Blackberry devices and switch to Samsung, HTC or Apple?

Make every screen 3D-compatible with a simple plastic film

A team of researchers from Temasek Polytechnic and the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) has developed a new screen filter. It's not only a protector, but this filter allows you to view in 3D format without recourse to the famous glasses.

This plastic filter has been called revolutionary. Install it, simply to see with the naked eye 3D content on the screen of a phone. In fact, this screen protector is designed from the nanoimprint technology specially developed for this purpose. Boasting a thickness of less than 0.1 mm, this innovative accessory enables viewing in landscape and portrait mode. Meanwhile, the team is developing applications for iOS and Androidfor users to read 3D content. Even 2D images can be converted into 3D with a compatible application. Game developers will also have their share with the software development kit that transforms games into 3D.
 

5 privacy issues you probably didn't know about

1. Apple's IPhone is secretly tracking your movements and storing your data, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Learn more..
2. Facebook's app automatically tries to activate your GPS whenever it is launched. There's no setting or option to disable this.
3. Gmail reads your email. Google never said that it  reads our mail, however, it publicly acknowledges that it "processes personal information" via cookies and on its servers, so it can provide "our products and services to users," as well as to keep its service running well. Learn more..
4. Facebook Home: Facebook latest "innovation", is trying to be the gateway to your virtual world. It's a layer between the OS and the apps, it is the gateway to any data exchange. Which means, that Facebook will possess every bit of data passing through. The problem is that Facebook is going to use all this data not to improve our lives but to target better marketing and advertising messages at us.
5. Over than 24% of online time is spent on social networks. And a major social network site, according to Neilsen, will experience one major breach, which will expose a terrific amount of personal data.

Two more iPhones signed by Steve Jobs

Fans of Steve Jobs can start saving for the next iPhone. Apple still has in its cardboard two devices with the signature of the brand founder. A new one learns from the lips of the liaison between Apple and  the U.S. authorities within a an investigation by a San Francisco attorney, George Gascon in an attempt to limit smartphones theft.

 
During his testimony, he explained that the next two generations of iPhone will still have the signature of Steve Jobs. Information which, if it was not confirmed by a prosecutor, sound like the ultimate sign to the market's attention and fans to extend the aura of the founder.

Still, the Californian brand has to look after its products to take them out of the current batch, in which innovation is not really an engagement. Six years after the launch of the first iPhone, the market could use a new revolution.

HTC One Crash Test

Once a smartphone is released, there is always someone on the internet testing its resistance using a drop test or stress test. Torture Day for HTC One has come and the executor is Android Authority.

This drop test is violent, trying to simulate real life situations to check the strength of the HTC phone. It is compared to the iPhone 5 in the drop test, simply because both products have an aluminum unibodies. 
Three tests are performed, a fall in from the pocket lever, another from shoulder height and finally,  head height. Three falls that could actually happen in life everyday.

At first glance, the HTC One fared better than its competitor, which is more likely to fall on the screen. But HTC One would suffer the same damage if it falls on its face. Both products are of equiv-fragile according to Android Authority.

Samsung confirms the connected watch project

Samsung has stopped the suspense, confirming that they are indeed trying to develop a connected watch.

Young Hee Lee, the executive vice president of Samsung's mobile business division, has enjoyed a recent interview given in Seoul to confirm that his company was working on a connected watch:
"We've been preparing the watch for a while now. We're working really hard to be ready. We develop products for the future, and this watch is undeniably part."


Without providing anymore details, the latest rumors speak of a Galaxy connected watch, whose code name is Altius.

Various rumors circulated on the web, but nothing indicates whether the watch will run under Android or another OS.

In parallel, Apple continues to talk about the iWatch , its formalization is expected by the end of the year.

What Apple has to say before the launch of Galaxy S4?

Apple has decided to intervene a few hours before the launch of Samsung Galaxy S4 that run Android.

 

Android is honored tonight with the presentation of the Galaxy S4.
But Apple wanted to intervene a few hours before the launch through their Marketing Director, Phil Schiller. He severely tackled the Google OS claiming that it does not offer an experience worthy of the name. He believes that there are too many Android devices and this diversity brings many market share in this OS. The marketing director for Apple affirmed that this strategy is not effective because it creates a real confusion in the marketplace. The company does not see the interest to increase the number of terminals. 
Phil Schiller adds in his interview with BeGeek that a person who wishes to buy a Android device must subscribe to multiple accounts. Thus, the iOS experience is much better, because there is only one phone model, operating system, and one way to manage their Smartphone. So Apple wants to focus on quality and not quantity. The  iOS experience is best.

Now let's put all that crap away and focus on this paragraph, for it summarize what really Apple wanted to say.  

Still quoting Phil Schiller : Apple has absolutely no fear of Galaxy S4, it will continue to work and share innovations keeping the same line of quality.  

Comments of the Director of Apple were not picked up by the major stakeholders. Thus, Google and Samsung would not comment on his remarks. 

Finally, all I have to say that regardless of what Apple stated, The iPhone 5 is going to have a serious competitor in a few hours since the Galaxy S4 is going to be launched via a huge event.

Update: The event will be brought to you live by Samsung Mobile on this link :

The first transparent smartphone!!

While we got sick and tired of rumors about the next iphone or the next galaxy, Polytron Technologies, a Taiwanese company and a world leader in glass technology, revealed the first smartphone to be transparent is developed. The company already announced the possibility of marketing the end of 2013.

Unlike previous attempts, it is not only the screen but almost all of the phone that are transparent: battery, circuit ... Only NanoSim and MicroSD cards and some circuits still apparent but it is a very promising start.

Although it is not yet perfect, the tactile part is very small, limited to only a small area on the face of the smartphone. For the moment there was no release information on the capabilities of the device, which raises many questions. However, the concept will enable real developments in the design of smartphones and tablets. It has great potential that designers will be able to use the devices to imagine the future.

Facebook Poke Vs. Snapchat

Snapchat what the first and only app that let you exchange pictures with caption for a limited time. It was initially released on september 2011.

"The first real-time picture chatting app is now available on Android!
Snapchat is the fastest way to share a moment with friends.
You control how long your friends can view your message -
simply set the timer up to ten seconds and send.
They'll have that long to view your message and then it disappears forever.
We'll let you know if they take a screenshot!"        Snapchat as described on the playstore.



Yesterday, Facebook announced  Facebook poke a very similar app to snapchat. 

“With the Poke app, you can poke or send a message, photo, or video to Facebook friends to share what you’re up to in a lightweight way. You can poke an individual friend or several at once. Each message expires after a specific time you’ve set, either 1, 3, 5 or 10 seconds. When time runs out, the message disappears from the app. “         Facebook announcement


So, to make it easier on you here's a simple comparision between these two apps:

Snapchat	Facebook Poke
Text, Drawing over images, Photos, videos, 10 seconds video limits, screenshot alerts, countdown clock
Sharing time 1-10 seconds	Sharing time : 1,3,5,10 seconds
No location service	Location service
33 caracters/photo caption	120 Message caracter
Photos deleted from servers for ever after the countdown.	Facebook terms of service

I know what you're thinking, Facebook poke is so much better. Well based on this comparison I can't blame you but there is something to be careful about : Facebook terms of service which implies that even that you're Facebook friends won't be able to see your pictures after the countdown, Facebook still keeps these photos in their servers.

Additional remarks: 

• Facebook Poke claims that it deletes the encryption keys two days after they’re read so they’re unreadable. Key backups are destroyed within 90 days, making a poke completely inaccessible but still no practical evidence and the app is still running under Facebook's terms of service.
• After 1 day of its launch, Facebook Poke is the #1 App in the Apple app store, followed by Google maps.