Samsung denies collecting Galaxy smartphone user data in S. Korea

Samsung is the latest tech firm to be embroiled with accusations of data mismanagement in South Korea, after the manufacturer denied accusations that it is collecting user data on three of its smartphones, according to news agency Yonhap.
The company responded to research findings from the Graduate School of Information Security at Korea University which suggested that the Galaxy S, the Galaxy S2 and the Galaxy Note devices were all pre-loaded with data-collecting software.
According to the study, which looked only at devices in Korea, the software can collect and store information relating to each phone’s owner, such as contact numbers and location information. However a statement from Samsung denies the existence of the alleged software and any collection of data on its phones:

Samsung never collected or used private information of smartphone users. All applications provided by Samsung have no ability to collect private data.

The allegations come just one week after Apple and others faced widespread criticism over the inclusion of data collection software, Carrier IQ, in its mobile operating system. Smartphone giants Apple, HTC, Samsung and Motorola and US operators Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T were named in a class action lawsuit filed in Delaware Federal Court.
Carrier IQ launched a campaign to clear its name over complaints, stating that it acted on behalf of the carriers to monitor conditions when calls were dropped, and when SMS messages failed, so that engineers could assess what may have caused them to happen.
Also in Korea, last week, search engines Google and Daum were cleared of allegations of illegally collecting smartphone owners’ location data, bringing to an end a long-running investigation. However, Google is still being investigated over claims that it bans all Korean phone makers from including third-party search applications under its marketing contract.

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HTC: We haven’t been served in Carrier IQ class action lawsuit – yet

Taiwanese smartphone vendor HTC has yet to be served with a class action lawsuit over accusations that it included Carrier IQ analytical software on its handsets, the company has clarified in a recent media announcement.
However, the company fully expects to receive notification of the legal action, noting that it will enter “thorough negotiations with outside counsels when the official document from the Court is received”:

With respect to the class action lawsuits in relation to the Carrier IQ software application filed in the U.S. against HTC Corporation and HTC America Inc., a subsidiary of HTC Corporation, reported by the press on December 4th, HTC hereby clarifies that HTC has not been served in any of the cases officially. Regarding any substantive issue, HTC will enter into thorough discussions with outside counsels when the official document from the Court is received.

Last week, smartphone giants Apple, HTC, Samsung and Motorola and U.S operators Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T were named in a class action lawsuit which was filed in Delaware Federal Court. The suit also named the company that makes the offending diagnostic software, Carrier IQ.
The suit claims that the use of the Carrier IQ software on mobile phones consists of a “breach of the digital privacy rights of 150 million cell phone users” and that the phone makers and carriers violated the Federal Wiretap Act, the Stored Electronic Communications Act and the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
Carrier IQ launched a campaign to clear its name over complaints it was unlawfully tracking and storing information logged on mobile handsets. Despite reports to the contrary, Carrier IQ says that it acted on behalf of the carriers (and in some cases vendors) to monitor conditions when calls were dropped and when SMS messages failed so that engineers could assess what may have caused them to happen.
Users have been up in arms that instances of Carrier IQ’s software on handsets are not disclosed, something that has been noted in the class action lawsuit. The suit says that the carriers and manufacturers were caught “ wilfully violating customers’ privacy rights” by “secretly tracking personal and sensitive information of the cell phone users without the consent or knowledge of the users.”
Following discovery of Carrier IQ on various handset models, developers began releasing tools for Android devices in order to detect whether the software was present. However, tools that remove Carrier IQ code are currently in development.

Related articles

• Carrier IQ, Samsung and HTC Get Hit With Class Action Lawsuit That Could Cost Millions (goandroid.co.in)
• Motorola, Samsung, HTC leaving some Android handsets open to permissions-based attacks (tech-gadget.co.in)

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AT&T Has Original Motorola Lapdock for Atrix on Sale at $50

Though most agreed that Motorola’s Webtop technology was one of the cooler things to emerge out of last year’s CES, the high price of accessories such as a Lapdock priced close to $500 kept many consumers from buying in. With an expanded lineup of Webtop-enabled phones and a new Lapdock range and adapted pricing on the way from Motorola, the original has seen a steep discount to a reasonable $50 when purchased through AT&T. That is a price more in line with what everyone had expected when the Lapdock concept was first announced. The site lists only the Atrix as compatible with the older model, though it might be worth further investigation to see if the device will also work with other handsets such as the Photon 4G on Sprint.
[AT&T via AndroidForums]

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HTC update for Flyer tablet gets Honeycomb for Christmas

If you own an HTC Flyer tablet there is some good news coming out of France today. Apparently, the French are getting the update for the smartphone starting today. The new update brings the Flyer up to Android 3.2 Honeycomb. Flyer owners have been waiting for this update.

The update brings the software to 3.55.405.1. The update itself is 210MB and is coming OTA. Since the update is larger, do yourself a favor and grab it when available using WiFi. Apparently, this version of the update is for the 32GB version with WiFi and 3G connectivity.
There is no word on version of the update for other tablet models like the 16GB WiFi only version. If you are able to get the update in countries outside of France let us know. Also, let us know if they have the update for the WiFi version of the tablet.
[via HTC-Hub]

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Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Sleeve spied on video

We have spent our share of hands on time with the Transformer Prime and really like the tablet. I am sure we aren’t the only ones looking forward to the tablet hitting the market. A video has surfaced on Facebook that shows off a new accessory for the Transformer Prime that is really interesting. The accessory is the Transformer Prime Sleeve.

The iPad has its smart cover that can turn the iPad 2 on and off when it opens and closes. The new Prime Sleeve for the Asus tablet has an even cooler trick up its sleeve. You can see the sleeve in action on the video below. When the sleeve flap is closed, you can see the lines on the surface where the thing folds.
You can fold it into two shapes with one of the shapes for standing the tablet upright for watching video and such. The other shape props the tablet up at a much lower angle that would be good for typing. It appears that the Sleeve plugs into two of the mount holes for the keyboard add-on. Pricing and availability for the Sleeve is unknown.

[via SlashGear- Thanks dy4me!]

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Dell kills Streak 7 tablet

The Dell Streak line of Android tablets haven’t been hugely popular with most folks choosing offerings from other makers. The sales of the smallest of the Streak offerings the Streak 5 were bad enough that Dell ended the tablet in August. Dell has now ended the larger sibling to the Streak 5, the Streak 7 reports StreakSmart.

We had heard back in September that T-Mobile would not be updating its 4G version of the Streak 7 to Honeycomb. I am sure we weren’t the only ones that thought that move didn’t bode well for the tablet. Dell didn’t issue a press release or any reasoning for ending the Streak 7 tablet’s run. It’s easy to assume that the tablet simply didn’t sell enough to justify making it though.
Dell pulled the listings for the Streak 7 from its website and left a note on the Streak 7 page saying it was no longer available online. That would seemingly hint that you might still be able to get a Streak 7 tablet in T-Mobile locations. The obvious downside to buying one at this point is that you will be stuck with whatever Android version is on the tablet when you get it. Perhaps they will be cheaper though since they are no longer being produced.
[via SlashGear]

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Fingerprint Digital releases 5 mobile apps for kids

 Fingerprint Digital makes a learning and entertainment platform for kids has announced the release of 5 mobile app for kids. The company released the first five apps under the “Fingerprint” brand name and will appeal to kids in the 3-8 year old age group. The mobile apps are being developed to work with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices. Fingerprint Digital has a very impressive team setup from companies like LeapFrog, LucasArts and PlayFirst and they plan to launch the first ever “social learning and play network”.

The “Fingerprint” mobile apps are being launched in connected with the testing of “Mom-Comm” which allows parents to be more engaged with their kids during playing and learning activities. The company has also announced the giveaway of the first $1 million worth of apps they have developed. All the Fingerprint apps include specific sets of features that make it easier for parents to communicate and share with their children. Other features include game play snapshots for parents, recommendation engines for new games available and a rewards system that helps the child stay interested in learning and always wanting to learn more.



The mobile apps cost $2.99 and are available for the giveaway free download at the App Store. Updates and more games will become available for the Mom-Comm network in the next coming months. The five mobile apps developed are listed below.

The Big Kid Life Fire Fighter app is for ages 4-7 and allows kids to use a special backpack to put out “fire monsters” while practicing with numbers, shapes and symbols. The Big Kid Life Vet app is for ages 3-6 and teaches a child about letter, numbers and colors all while they try to find out what is wrong with their pet. The Big Kid Life Fairy Princess app is for ages 4-7 and helps kids develop reading skills as they get through 15 adventures, while creating their own story at the same time. Play Maker is an app for ages 4-8 and helps kids learn math and spelling skills. This app also lets kids create their own “Fingerprint” character. The DoReMi 1-2-3 app is for ages 4-8 and kids are interacting with “moo-sicial” cows, boat rowing pandas and twinkling stars all while learning about musical tones and melodies. This app also helps to increase brain development in kids.

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Galaxy Nexus from Verizon shown off at Samsung Experience store in NYC

This weekend it seems a few lucky New Yorkers were able to enjoy some hands-on time with the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus from Verizon Wireless. The Samsung Experience Store in NYC had four of these LTE powered smartphones running Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich on display for fans and buyers alike to experience first hand.

Reports are coming in from all over regarding this extra special experience. We are calling it special because this device has yet to be announced with an official release date, but seeing it in the open like this you can only wonder. This is most likely a solid confirmation that Verizon is all set and should be announcing this device any day now. The Verizon model was recently updated to Android 4.1 fixing a few bugs and getting ready for prime-time although models on display in NYC had not yet received said update.
With all the leaked videos and update information linked to above, as well as a few pictures showing Verizon’s preloaded apps earlier this week this device is just begging to be released into the wild so everyone can enjoy. It should be coming any time now so hold your horses guys. Apparently models on display in NYC while being branded with Verizon “4G LTE” actually had no SIM cards and the back covers glued down so passerby’s were unable to test 4G LTE speeds or truly experience the phones although WiFi was available. We’ve already seen pictures showing Verizon’s model being slightly thicker and darker but these latest images from the booth in NYC truly show how minor the changes actually are.
Since not everyone is lucky enough to live near NYC to enjoy the photos or device I’ll go ahead and link you to our GSM Galaxy Nexus hands-on in case you’ve missed it. The hands-on video is also below for your viewing pleasure while we all sit back and twiddle our thumbs and wait for Verizon to break their Gnex silence. I have a feeling Monday will be a good day for all who’ve been waiting for the Nexus on Verizon.

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LG Nitro HD 4G LTE goes on sale today at AT&T

The LG Nitro HD joins the white Skyrocket SGS 2 as the second LTE-capable phone that releases today on AT&T. The Nitro HD packs quite the punch with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear HD camera, 4G LTE radios, 20GB of internal storage, 4.5-inch HD 1280 x 720 display and a 1830 mAh battery. If you’re not too impressed with the Samsung Galaxy line, you should definitely consider getting this LG phone. Get ready to shed between $149.99 to $249.99, depending on where you live, with a two year contract.
Let us know if you’re planning to grab a Nitro HD.
via AT&T

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