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'.

Personalized ads might be coming to Gmail Android

Recently updated, the Gmail application for Android carries signs of the imminent arrival of advertising.

The Android Police website, analyzed the last updated Gmail for Android 4.6. The site was not disappointed, since among the novelties of this version, they came back with clues about the arrival of advertising on the app.

A new library named "ads" - has appeared. In it, a series of XML files evoking multiple ad formats, but also a command that refers to the page of the user's preferences, suggesting that the custom settings (used for targeting) could be part of .
 

Even thought Google has already started sending Sponsored mails via Gmail, the service does not appear, for the moment, to include advertising. This situation could change in the future, at least for the Android application, if the company decided to integrate the elements cited above in its APK.

Stay tuned!

YouTube offline: Vevo is categorically opposed

Last week, we learned, not without joy, that the YouTube application for Android mobile devices will soon allow watching videos offline. Once the video is loaded on your device, you'll be able to watch it as much as you want in a period of 48 hours.A new feature that can be useful when you are in a bad coverage area, when you carefully monitor your 3G consumption or simply if you intend to listen repeatedly to the same song over and over again.

Vevo: A party pooper!

  

Unfortunately , apart from our expectation about the eventual integration of offline mode on YouTube, Vevo sees this novelty as evil.

"We’re not going to allow viewing of our music videos or other programming in offline mode"
 
The ultimate promotion tool on the net of giants like Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, Vevo account, aren't counting on  losing a dime generated by advertising, nor will consider the risk that they might be overshadowed by Youtube's own application. A choice that is anything but a wise on their part and should further encourage piracy.After all who want to wait four minutes loading whenever he wants play a song when you can just download it illegally to be available on the SD card as soon as you want? It is clear that only way to attract music consumers in making it accessible . But obviously, Vevo couldn't care less.

However, Vevo's decision should not compromise the integration of offline mode in the YouTube application, expected in November .

What's really going on between Google and Nestlé?

After the quite unexpected announcement Google made about the name of the next version of Android, some additional explanations were published today to clarify that this agreement was non monetary .
  
  

For every major new version of Android, Google gives a new name corresponding to a dessert. And for each new version, the first letter is incremented in an alphabetical order. Thus, with the letter K we were expecting Key Lime Pie, but finally Android 4.4 KitKat has been announced to take us by surprise.

Obviously, many questions have been raised about this partnership with the Swiss food giant. Many tech writer started to talk about a financial settlement that has been reached between the two firms. But this is not the case.

Thanks to a publication of the BBC, we learn that this marketing operation began in a telephone meeting between the Android sales manager and Nestlé's advertising consulting agency. Then all that was finalized at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, last February. More importantly, no money has been raised, only an exchange of visibility between the two giants has been concluded.

Shortly, you now should expect to find Android shaped chocolate bars since Nestlé plans to distribute more than fifty million of these treats, stamped Android. And maybe we'll get then the chance to win one the latest Nexus, or gifts from Play Store.

And finally to learn more about this, visit http://kitkat.com, which is, I might say the most perfectly designed website I've seen so far. It is just AWESOME!

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.

For the first time in 5 years, Yahoo is #1

For the first time in five years, Yahoo passes Google in web traffic in the United States. The Mountain View giant lost its number one spot in July. A surprising result, but is Yahoo able to sustain its position?
  

The figures from ComScore for July confirms it, Yahoo sites surpassed Google sites by 4 338 900 visits (196 564 000 to 192 225 100  visits for Google).  
To realize better what just happened, you must know that Google has been holding the number one spot since April 2008, while Yahoo always oscillated between the second and third place.
 
In the rest of the chart, we find Microsoft Sites in third with 179 595 visits and Facebook in fourth with 266.142 million visits. Note that these figures refer only to the United States. This is a real "tour de force" to Yahoo and its president, Marissa Mayer, who herself worked at Google in the past.  

The figures do not rely solely on search engines, but on all the sites operated by these companies. This includes for example the online messaging and blogs. ( Note that Google recently bought Tumblr from Yahoo, and is currently ranking 38th with 38 367 000 visits)

While this is great news for Yahoo, and whether it is able to hold its position or not, we cannot but wonder if Google professing the lack of privacy their users have to deal with and Microsoft's infamous campaign against them (Scroogled) - Keeping in mind,  Microsoft services mediocrity and lack of security - played a role in boosting the number of visits for the already popular site (Yahoo) in the US.  





Source: Phonandroid

Microsoft shows you how you're getting scroogled

The Competition is fierce between Google and Microsoft. The latter recently accused his rival of disguising advertisements in emails and sending them directly to the user's inbox. A technique that Microsoft has named Gspam.

Following an update of Gmail users now have a "Promotions" tab to separate the commercial emails from the rest of the electronic correspondence. The idea might seem a bit silly to you, but Microsoft accuses Google of scanning mails from its users, analyzing keywords and then sending advertising messages among the "Promotions".

Microsoft styling this technique "Gspam" and invites users to no longer be "scroogled". Indeed, the role of a mailbox is to filter spam and not to drag some more or less discreetly.

Of course, I can invite you all to leave Gmail and end my post, but it would be pointless and ridiculous since I have no better viable alternative ( Unless you are willing to try self-hosting and take full responsibility for your own security). 

However, the only advice I can give you is not to use OUTLOOK, because how could you trust the firm who released windows 8, willingly handed the NSA Skype data, and are shamelessly advertising the Xbox one (a spy in your home).

Read more about Scroogled

A security vulnerability affecting 99% of Android devices

The security problem affecting 99% of Android devices has been fixed by Google. And now it's up to manufacturers to deploy the update.

Last week, the security editor Bluebox revealed a security flaw affecting 99% of Android devices and indeed relevant terminals in circulation for four years, since the 1.6 version of Android, or about 900 million devices. This flaw allows a malicious user to modify the installation file an application without changing the signature and insert malware.

"The company has not seen any evidence to support use of the fault on Google Play or other app stores through (their) security scanning tools."  
According to Google's communications manager Gina Scigliano.

Anyway Google confirmed that hey have corrected this vulnerability and sent the patch to its partners.On Samsung, for example, it would already be deployed. Other OEMs task provide a quick update, including the oldest terminals.

Source: ZDnet

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

Google PageRank updates schedule for 2013

 Google’s PageRank (named after Larry Page), or the heart of their software as Google describes it, is a system of counting link votes and determining which pages are most important based on them. These scores are then used along with many other things to determine if a page will rank well in a search.



The PageRank updates scheduled for this year:

• 1st Update: January 28 to February 6
• 2nd Update: June 27 to July 7
• 3rd Update: September 29 to 4 October
• 4th Update: 24 December to 29 December
  

However, Google also relies on other strategies such as Google Panda (released in February 2011) which is a change that aims to lower the rank of "low-quality sites" or "thin sites", and return higher-quality sites near the top of the search results. CNET reported a surge in the rankings of news websites and social networking sites, and a drop in rankings for sites containing large amounts of advertising.

Test the Google Glasses.... on your phone!

You want to try saying "Ok Glass" and see what happens? It is possible thanks to DEV and Xenologer that developed some applications for it!

For this you just need to download the following applications:

     Home: http://zhuowei.github.io/Xenologer/glasshome-modded.apk
     Camera: http://zhuowei.github.io/Xenologer/glasscamera-modded.apk
     Maps: http://zhuowei.github.io/Xenologer/glassmaps-modded.apk
     Hangouts (only works with Android 4.2 devices) http://zhuowei.github.io/Xenologer/glasshangouts-modded.apk

The Home Glass works as a alternative launcher.

Even though, it is limited (just the camera and navigation), the application responds very well to the voice and we cannot but wonder why there are not more applications to trigger the device by voice ... Because it seems to works very well.

Google, Facebook and Twitter violate Kim Dotcom's patent

Kim DotCom announced that Twitter, Facebook, Google and other sites violate one of its patents by using a two-stage identification system. The announcement comes just days after Twitter has implemented this system on its website.

Recently, it had become possible to add another level of security to your Twitter account. In addition to the traditional couple( username / password), the site can use the mobile phone of the user, by sending an SMS to confirm that he is the right person. If this system is new on Twitter, other sites such as Google and Facebook, are already adopting it  for some time. But the inventor, Kim Dotcom, says that the two-stage identification is subject to a patent owned it since 1997.

He has published a link to the patent in question, registered under his name, which describes the use of a "transaction authorization number" that must transmit the user to another device from which it tries to connect. Therefor the patent seems to belong to him, and it is hard to ignore the irony with Kim DotCom being considered a hacker and an enemy of the United States while the people behind Twitter, Google and Facebook are considered the Superheros of this century.

I innovated two-factor-authentication (MonKey), connected cars (MegaCar), automated stock trading (Trendax) & cloud storage (Megaupload).
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) May 23, 2013

Google, Facebook, Twitter, Citibank, etc. offer Two-Step-Authentication.Massive IP infringement by U.S. companies. My innovation. My patent
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) May 22, 2013

I never sued them. I believe in sharing knowledge & ideas for the good of society. But I might sue them now cause of what the U.S. did to me
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) May 22, 2013

Google, Facebook, Twitter, I ask you for help. We are all in the same DMCA boat. Use my patent for free. But please help funding my defense.
— Kim Dotcom (@KimDotcom) May 22, 2013

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?

Two quick tips for bloggers!

These two tips are for those of you who use the Blogspot(Blogger) platform.

1. Replace the Blogger sharing widget:
   
   If you are on Blogger you must agree with me, of how ugly and small the sharing widget is, it's almost impossible to see it, for someone who visits the blog for the first time.
   This is what I'm talking about:
   
   Now, I always found the sharing widget provided by po.st very nice and you have a variety of designs you can go with.
   
   To get it you only have to sign up, choose the design you want and get the code.
   
   Now to replace the Blogger's default widget:
   
   • Go to Dashboard > Layout > Edit (Blog posts) > Uncheck the "Show share buttons" box.
   • Go to Template > Edit HTML > Expand Widget Template.
   • Search for and insert the code of the new sharing buttons(copied from po.st) just under it.
   • Save and enjoy it.
     
     
2. Add JS-Kit Rating to Blogger:
   
   Add a rating bar like this to each of your blog posts.
   
   Widget Code:
   
   <div style="float:left; margin-right:3px;"></div> <div class="js-kit-rating" expr:path="data:post.url" expr:permalink="data:post.url" expr:title="data:post.title"></div>
   
   
   • Go to Template> Edit HTML > Expand Widget Template.
   • Copy the code above.
   • Search for <data:post.body/> to insert the widget under the post body.
   • Search for <div class="post-header-line-1"> to insert the widget under the post title.

Before you edit the  HTML make sure to save a backup on your hard disk.

Google gives up on the Xphone!

The Google XPhone is no longer in development at Mountain View, which has abandoned this project forward to Motorola.
  It would be the first smartphone developed since the acquisition of Motorola Mobility. So many rumors have circulated about this mobile that would change the face of the industry. The high-tech enthusiasts were waiting for the powerful new camera _a ceramic design_ that this mobile "had to offer" ... 

Motorola will take care of the development of this new Smartphone while Google would prefer to focus on the 5th generation Nexus model.
Therefore the Google XPhone does not exist anymore, and will appear under the name Motorola XT1058.  
  

Sun Chang Xu, a renowned Chinese analyst gives his version of events. She explains that Google wanted to abandon the project due to lack of technology and innovation. The Mountain View company is no longer interested in the development unlike Motorola, which would take over the design.

And the only way to confirm this news is to wait for the Google I/O, that starts tomorrow to see if the XPhone will be absent.

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.

Twitter has got your back!

Privacy in the digital age means a lot of things to a lot of people. From social networks to government surveillance, people always seem to be concerned.
But let's not kid ourselves. Complaining about privacy has become nothing but a way to express the "geek side" or an additional item to the black geek glasses to complete the "geeky look" . For all the complaining, no one is going to do much about it. Hence the sense of what is private shrinks.

However, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has posted its annual report (Who has your back?) on which Internet vendors do the most to help protect their users' private information.

The most privacy-oriented companies should comply with these policies:

1. Requiring a Warrant for Content
2. Telling Users About Government Data Requests
3. Publishing Transparency Reports
4. Publishing Law Enforcement Guidelines
5. Fighting for Users’ Privacy in Court
6. Fighting for Users’ Privacy in Congress

2013 Results

Although these results might not comply with your expectations, you must keep in mind that the report is about the government access to user's data.

"We’re happy to report that several of the companies included in last year’s report have significantly improved their practices and policies concerning government access to user data"
  
"Readers of this year’s annual privacy and transparency report should be heartened, as we are,by the improvements major online service providers made over the last year."

In the end,  EFF thinks that things are getting better among these vendors that deal with so much user data, and it seems that they're really happy with Twitter's improvement:

"This year two companies received all six possible stars: Sonic.net and Twitter. We are extremely pleased to recognize the outstanding commitment each of these companies has made to public transparency around government access to user data."

and a bit disappointed with Google's latest statement:

"We notify users about legal demands when appropriate, unless prohibited by law or court order."

To read the full EFF annual report: https://www.eff.org/sites/default/files/filenode/who-has-your-back-2013-report.pdf

10 Free Android apps

To keep up with the description of this blog that imply that it covers news, tutorials and "apps", I thought of sharing ten Android applications I use or I have used.

Wheres My Droid. A find-your-phone app, it can make the phone ring so you can find it in the house. Or you can check Google Maps for its exact coordinates.

PhotoWonder. This app lets you edit photos on your mobile device.

Speedtest.net. Test Internet speeds with one easy tap to connect and test.

Flipboard. Create your own personalized news magazine. Select topics you are interested in, and Flipboard displays a beautiful news magazine for your phone or tablet featuring only those topics.

EverNote. Remember anything you need to remember across all devices. Store and organize reminders from all over the web.

Astro File Manager/Browser. This app keeps you connected with all the things you use in the cloud. Features include file management, cloud storage, Android file browser, file and/or app backup, image and text viewers, networking, Bluetooth, SFTP, Zip/ Tar, downloader, thumbnails, search files, application manager, task manager, attachments and more.

SmartActions. This intuitive app learns how you use your phone depending on where you are, and it automatically changes the phone to fit your environment and needs while there.

Poynt. Dinner? Movies? Friends? Shopping? Get Poynt and get there. The tiled dashboard allows you to easily tap what you need so the app can then point you to where you want to be.

Kakao Talk. Make free calls and send free messages, including group calls and group chats

Captain Oil Altough I found their Super Ninjas a bit uncreative, this new Puzzle/Adventure is a major time killer. It challenges the user to find the right angle and speed to shoot his ball and free the trapped Oileys. 


P.S: The fact that the title of this post doesn't include the words "top", "amazing", "best", and "great" doesn't make the apps above any less cooler.

Google to launch premium TV channels on YouTube this week.

Two months ago, I wrote a post about rumors about Google trying to make more money from YouTube, back then, we talked about a premium music service that Google is getting ready to launch this year.

And the we weren't completely wrong, Google is trying to make more money from YouTube but it seems that they are in a bit of a hurry since the premium channels are expected to arrive later this week.

Last week, Eric Schmidt announced that "The television is surpassed" while YouTube exceeded one billion unique users per month.
  

Google to replace TV

 

Many sources (including the Financial Times) agree on the fact that the channels on subscription arrive this week on YouTube. First, they will launch 50 channels, for a subscription fee of $ 1.99 per month.

Google could therefore present a serious competitor to Netflix (which is not available for many users outside the U.S).  
  
Moreover, rumor has it that Google was in discussions with a number of companies such as Warner Music Group with the idea of ​​offering a music subscription service.


 





More Money for Google 


YouTube is already extremely profitable for Google, even though its economic model was only turned around advertising. This new announcement will mean both the arrival of a lot more quality content on the video platform and the arrival of a lot more cash through the subscription model.
 


However, the question is, are you willing to drop a few dollars a month for premium channels on YouTube?

Glass: The Future of Google Gadgets (Infographic)

Guest post by: Gerri L Elder 

No one knows for sure how Google’s latest project, Glass, is going to do in the consumer marketplace. Hardly anyone who isn’t a Google developer has one, as purchases were limited to those initiated into Google’s Explorer program, where a select few were allowed to pay $1,500 for the product so long as they agreed to provide user feedback. Combined with a high price tag, the fact that Glass can’t access the Internet without a supplemental cell phone data plan or Wi-Fi connection is putting off critics.
The device does have its high points, of course. When users wear the brow band, a small screen sits above their right eye, giving them access to handy info like driving directions or flight information and allowing them to take photos or video. Its functions are controlled by voice command, head movement or a tap on the brow.
On the flip side, Glass isn’t the most attractive headgear. One would be hard pressed to find a fashionista strolling down Fifth Avenue in such a strange-looking device. It also creates an opportunity for privacy violations, as those around the wearer may not be aware that they are being videotaped or photographed. Also, anyone who can’t see without corrective eyeglasses won’t be able to use the device.
Even without knowing what the future holds, rival companies are working on their own questionable futuristic devices to compete. Apple has hinted at a mysterious watch rumored to be capable of making phone calls, pulling up maps and offering health tips. Another company is performing tests on LED-based contact lens that would project images in front of the wearer’s eyes. Perhaps most interestingly, Fabrican hopes to release a spray-on fabric that allows users to create clothing from out of nowhere, spraying clothes onto their skin from a spray bottle. The formula dries on the body, creating a thin layer of fabric that can be removed, washed and worn again.

Guest post by: Gerri L Elder
Source: Great Business Schools