Blackberry Messenger BBM" Published By Developer RIM Has 100k+ Installs But Is As Fake As It Gets

This morning we were alerted to a possible Blackberry Messenger sighting in the Play Store, butupon closer inspection, it was immediately obvious that this app is beyond fake. The problem is it already has 100,000+ installs, it's been sitting in the Play Store since Friday, and Google hasn't done anything to remove the listing yet.

Update 6/23/13 4:25pm PT: The fake app has been taken down.

Distractions

I can see three big problems that are currently distracting unsuspecting users and making them ignore any other possible warning signs:

1. The developer's name is RIM, which looks pretty damn official. There's a good number of users who probably haven't even heard the news of RIM getting renamed to Blackberry in January, so the thought of something as official-looking as RIM being fake doesn't even cross their minds.
2. Once one opens the app, they're presented with a screen that says it's coming June 27th. "Oh, all we have to do is wait for it to spring to life in a few days," say innocent users everywhere who then go and rate it 5 stars. Why? Because logic, that's why. "And it hasn't done anything bad, might as well cheer for it while we wait."
3. The 100k+ install base inspires confidence: "If so many people have already installed BBM, and Google hasn't removed it, the app must be real."

  

Warning signs

Now for all the warning signs that so many users ignored:

1. The company name is Blackberry, not RIM. Seeing RIM 5 months after it was renamed should have raised a red flag.
2. Multiple 1-star reviews calling out the app's legitimacy have been upvoted and floated to the top. Only to be ignored by many. Granted these reviews possibly weren't there yet when the majority of installs occurred.
3. The app asks you to wait for 4 days. What official app would launch and then display a screen like that and do nothing else?
4. The program's package name, also known as pname, is uber suspicious: com.ura.uraap. The official BBM app will more than likely be something like bbm.blackberry and not some randomura.
5. Blackberry said June 27th wasn't even an accurate launch date.
6. There are only two screenshots, which is the minimum the Play Store allows, and the second is the same as the first. There's no way any self-respecting company would have let something like this happen.
7. And finally - the StartApp screen that masks itself as the BBM License Agreement. This is why you read before you hit Accept, folks. StartApp is the annoying advertising network that adds icons to your homescreen, bookmarks to your browser, and changes the browser's homepage to whatever it wants:

You know what to do.

Thanks to Sergio Ramos for the original tip.

Samsung Takes A Page Out Of The Zune Playbook, Adds Brown/Black Color Option For The Galaxy Note 8.0

Brown doesn't get enough credit as a hard-working member of the color spectrum. Despite representing such wonderful stuff as chocolate, wood grain, and varying degrees of melanin pigmentation, it's somehow thought of as boring. Brown keeps its head down and does its job all day long, while that swanky overachiever White and do-nothing Black get the top spots on modern gadgets. Brown's one time to shine was the Zune, and even then it was destined to fail, by virtue of not being an iPod. Apple never even thought of making one in Brown, those jerks.

 

Samsung is here to give Brown another shot at rich, chromatic glory. After offering the Galaxy Note8.0 exclusively in white since its inception, a glorious Brown version of the WiFi tablet showed up in the online store listings for Best Buy, B&H, and BuyDig. Well, it's sort of brown - the front façade and button look like black in the product photos, so presumably the back cover is the same shade of dark Brown as the bottom half of the S-pen stylus. (Best buy lists it as "Brown/Black," while B&H calls it Black & Brown.) Brown just can't get a tablet all to itself, can it? I guess that brown GSIIIdidn't do so hot all on its won.

The tablet has the same $400 retail price as its pearly white brother ($397.99 at BuyDig), and the $25 Google Play credit for registering the Galaxy Note 8.0 with Samsung is still in place. If you don't mind robbing Brown of its chance to shine, you might want to wait to purchase the Note 8.0 - it seems to be a popular device for sales and combos.

Source: Galaxy Note 8.0 at Best Buy, BuyDig, B&H Photo

TWRP Manager App Released In Public Alpha For Team Win Recovery Project Users

The Team Win Recovery Project (stylized "TWRP") is an alternative recovery software for various Android phones and tablets. TWRP tends to focus on newer, more interesting features, as opposed to the more established ClockworkMod recovery. A few TWRP fans have created a support app for users of the custom recovery and posted Alpha information to the XDA Developers forum, allowing users to install new ROMs, backup, restore, and wipe their device from within Android. In layman's terms: it's ROM Manager for TWRP.

  

TWRP Manager comes from XDA members JMZ and DeesTroy (current maintainer of the TWRP). The app requires root access, Android 2.3 or later, and (naturally) some version of the TWRP custom recovery installed. Right now most of the basic functions of the recovery itself can be performed in the app, including advanced wipes and backups. The interface follows TWRP itself, which means a few odd quirks - some actions are engaged via a sliding button not unlike a basic lockscreen. Planned additions include better tablet support and Dropbox syncing.

At the moment, the Manager app is being released in a public alpha only to members of the project's Google+ community. Once you've joined the community, you'll have access to the Play Store app, so long as you use the same Google ID.

Source: XDA Developers via Pocketables.com

XPrivacy Gives You Massive Control Over What Your Installed Apps Are Allowed To Do

Have you ever refused to install an app because it wants too many permissions? Yeah, a lot of people have, and we don't blame them. A little too much trust can lead to stolen information, mysterious charges on your cellular bill, or worse. Thanks to developer M66B, we've got a simple way to lock down potentially misbehaving software. His new mod, XPrivacy, can block several types of activities and queries, despite the permissions granted at installation. This is a lot like theupcoming Incognito Mode in CyanogenMod, but it can be used with almost any rooted ROM, including those from OEMs.

XPrivacy requires a fairly simple manual process to install, and you'll need a rooted device running Android 4.1 or above (sorry, MIUI is incompatible). The app also relies on the Xposed framework, a platform similar to the recently released Cydia Substrate, which makes it possible to deeply modify how software runs on Android.

The interface is really simple to use, but you will probably stumble a bit at first because some common conventions are ignored. Tapping almost anywhere on a row toggles the restriction for only the current category/permission. You will have to specifically tap on the app icon to configure all of its specific permissions. At least there are some helpful indicators for apps with Internet access (globe), the given Permission (green checkmark), and if APIs have been used (warning triangle) for that category since XPrivacy had been installed. Keep in mind, denying access to certain features may cause some apps to be unstable or hang completely. In my experience, most apps worked as expected, but a few froze or became unusable.

Here is a current list of restrictions that can be imposed:

• Accounts (Google, Facebook, etc.)
• Browser (bookmarks / history)
• Calendar
• Calling (phone, SMS, MMS)
• Contacts
• Identification (device)
• Internet
• Location (fine/coarse)
• Media (audio, photo, video)
• Messages (SMS, MMS)
• Network (addresses)
• Phone (ID, numbers, calls)
• External storage (SD card)
• Shell (commands, superuser)
• System (installed apps)
• View (browser)

It's important to remember, XPrivacy is not a substitute for common sense, so readers are advised to remain cautious with potentially malicious software. All the same, this is a great tool for trying out some apps without exposing things like your contact list and browser history to prying eyes. It can also be helpful for reining in particularly data-hungry apps by shutting down their Internet access.

Again, the software is free to install, but there is an unlock key on the Play Store that allows users to import and export configurations across devices. Please remember to make backups and read all instructions carefully. Happy modding!

Source: XPrivacy thread & Github Repository

Thanks, Joseph John!

Lyrics Provider TuneWiki Shutting Down On June 28th After More Than 10 Million Google Play Downloads

If you're one of those people who likes to know the full lyrics for every song in your library, prepare for a shock. The TuneWiki service will be shutting down on Friday, June 28th, after nearly five years of dutiful service providing scrolling lyrics for pretty much every song under the sun. The shutdown was announced on TuneWiki's website, with no concrete reason given, aside from members of the company moving on to "new journeys."

TuneWiki has come a long way from its early days, when we pioneered the inclusion of scrolling lyrics with music playback. Over time we blossomed into a vibrant social music service that has been enjoyed by millions of music lovers. We saw countless examples of passionate and inspiring personal expression using lyrics and music as the foundation. We are excited by the many friendships built within our community that I believe will last for years, if not a lifetime. This is what we set out to build and we are very proud of what we created. Unfortunately, everything comes to an end sooner or later and now is the time for those of us who have worked so hard for so long to move on to other journeys.

@LarryG, CEO

The TuneWiki lyric app has been downloaded more than 10 million times on Android alone, to say nothing of its somewhat controversial inclusion in carrier-specific Android builds for subsidized phones. As of version 4.6.2 of the local music app, it's added full album art, an Instagram-style photo/lyric combination function, and various social options. The TuneWiki publisher has also created an ad-free pro version of the app, a lockscreen add-on, and various editions for partnered Motorola phones. The shutdown announcement did not say if the apps will disappear from the Play Store on the 28th, but without access to the service's database, the lyric function will almost certainly cease to work.

  

TuneWiki gave no explicit reason for the shutdown, but it's a good bet that the company was having trouble monetizing its service. Streaming music providers like Pandora have since added lyrics to their apps, and the $3 TuneWiki Pro Android app has been downloaded fewer than 10,000 times. In honor of TuneWiki and its users, I'll leave you with the following video - hopefully you probably won't have to look up the lyrics.

Source: TuneWiki

India bound 2013 Nissan Micra facelift is “Coming Soon”

We have been reporting in detail about the soon-to-be-launched 2013 Nissan Micra facelift and less than a week ago, we posted the first drive impression of the refreshed hatchback. (Click here to go to 2013 Nissan Micra facelift review).

Nissan India has now started publishing the teasers of the new Micra’s launch. The teaser says that the car is “coming soon” and our guess is that the car could be introduced into the ever developing Indian car market around 10^th next month.

As is obvious, the car comes with an updated exterior styling package and the biggest visual change lies in the car’s front fascia, which now sports a revised bumper, a bolder grille and a set of stylish new headlamps. Thanks to the new bumper, the car is now a wee bit longer than the pre-facelift model.

Other visual updates include a set of ‘Signature Nissan’ alloys, revised rear taillamps with LED fixtures and rear bumper.

On the inside, the Micra gets a Piano black theme and new door pads.

Powering the car is the same set of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol variant is powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, petrol engine that has a max power output of 76ps@ 6000rpm and a max torque of 104Nm@4000rpm.

The petrol variant also gets a new CVT gearbox that has been derived from that of Sunny’s CVT box. This gearbox enables the car to deliver a power output of 77p. The CVT variant has a fuel economy of 19.34 kmpl, a little more than manual variant’s 18.44 kmpl. The diesel variants continue to be powered by the Renault sourced 1.5-litre K9K diese engine that has a max power of 64ps@4000 RPM and a peak torque output of 160nm@2000rpm.

The updated Micra certainly manages to do away with the ‘dolly car’ looks and looks more appealing than the existing model. The car also benefits from added features and joins the likes of the Honda Brio by getting an automatic variant.

Nissan is yet to announce the prices of the updated car. However, a competitive price tag, coupled with a fresh styling and new features, should really help Micra with becoming more successful in our country.

via

Snowden says China’s Tsinghua University was routinely hacked by the NSA

Once again more NSA leaks have been revealed by Edward Snowden, and this time he has presented material that purportedly shows that the NSA has directly hacked into China’s Tsinghua University.  This University, which is located in Beijing, is highly regarded as Mainland China’s top tier of higher education, and has been a top priority target for the NSA for a good while.  According to this recent revelation, Tsinghua was last breached back in January of this year.

The alleged hacking occurrences into the University were made to uncover and capture information.  This latest leak shows that as many as 63 computers were hacked along with the servers housed at the University.

Snowden says proof of the NSA hacking  into Tsinghua comes from information he provided showing specific external and internal IP addresses that he claims could only be found by hacking into the system or being physically present.

One reason the NSA may be hacking into the university is because the school houses one of six major backbone networks in China, which is the China Education and Research Network (CERNET).  Much like PRISM and how it harvests data inside the US, CERNET could be effectively mined for data by the NSA on millions of Chinese Internet users.

The NSA headquarters, which resides in Fort Meade, Maryland.

CERNET is owned by the Ministry of Education but it is operated by Tsinghua and other Chinese colleges.  This was China’s first Internet backbone network and is the world’s largest national research hub.

Last week Snowden divulged information on how the NSA was targeting the Chinese University in Hong Kong, which houses the Hong Kong Internet Exchange.  It was also revealed that the NSA was focusing more on what he called “network backbones” in order to obtain the greatest amount of data.

According to an exclusive report from the South China Morning Post, on Sunday June 23rd, The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have set up a new office to tackle what Snowden recently revealed to the world.

The SCMP reads in part,

“The new cyber affairs office is the first of its kind on the mainland with a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman saying that Beijing, long accused of cyber hacking by the United States, has been a ‘a major victim’ of cyber attacks and that it opposed ‘cyber attacks in all forms’.”

Officials with the university didn’t mention the U.S. by name but did say that foreign governments were certainly carrying out the hacks on their networks.  They explained by saying no single individual could gain anything from such a massive amount of data, and only a powerful system with a massive amount of manpower would have the ability to find any particular piece of data.

About Edward Snowden

29-year-old Edward Snowden was a former contract employee through Booz Allen Hamilton who worked as a systems intelligence analyst for the National Security Agency (NSA).  He became a whistle blower after he became disgruntled with the agency’s PRISM program that is harvesting massive amounts of data on private citizens via the Internet.  Disgruntled by what he saw as a crime and violation to the 4th amendment, he began to expose the program by way of the Guardian and The Washington Post on June 6th of this year, and just how much more information he holds and will reveal is a mystery for now.

On Sunday, June 23rd it was reported that Snowden had voluntarily left Hong Kong and was headed to Moscow and then on to his final destination of Iceland or possibly Ecuador.

Toshiba REGZA AT703 is the world’s first Tegra 4 based tablet to go on sale

the Toshiba REGZA AT703, the world’s first Tegra 4 based smart device (tablet) to go on sale.

Looks like Toshiba beat everyone to the (non-existent) race of releasing a Tegra 4 powered product, a tablet in this case, to the market. The Toshiba REGZA AT703 tablet packs Nvidia’s (failed) Tegra 4 SoC. The four ARM Cortex A15 cores are clocked at 1.8 GHz, a far cry from the 2 GHz+ core clock speeds that Cortex A15 products were initially planned to be (they turned out to be major power hogs). Enough with the rant, Toshiba wasn’t actually the first company to announce a Tegra 4 based product. HP beat competition by announcing a Tegra 4 based tablet from its own stable, but Toshiba managed to put their own product into the market, at least in Japan, before anybody else.

Toshiba REGZA AT703 specifications:

• Nvidia Tegra 4 Chipset
• 1.8 GHz Quad-Core ARM Cortex A15 GPU
• 72-core GeForce GPU
• 2 GB RAM
• 10.1-inch WQXGA (2560 x 1600) Display
• 8 MP Rear, 1.3 MP Front Camera
• 32 GB Internal Storage, Micro SD Card Slot
• Electrostatic Touch Stylus
• Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
• Dimensions: 60.7 x 178.9 x 10.5mm
• Weight: 671 Grams
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
• 
  

Did we mention that the tablet comes with an electrostatic touch stylus? Sweet huh!

While the tablet weight and thickness won’t beat the sexy Sony Xperia Z tablet, this 10.1-inch monster comes with an insane 2560 x 1600 resolution display. Thankfully, the 72-core GeForce GPU should take care of gaming even at this ultra high resolution. We fail to understand why tablets have such a powerful rear camera, a 5 MP front camera would do more good instead.  Oh well, the trend is catching up with Smartphones, so I guess tablets are next. Sadly, there’s no word on the battery rating. Given the power hog that Tegra 4 reportedly is, we sure hope it’s north of 6000 mAh (would explain the 10.5mm thickness).

Tests conclude IE10 blocks 99.6% malware, bests competition scores

Recent tests conducted by NSS labs concluded that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 10 web browser blocks 99.6% of all malware.

In a recent study conducted by the NSS Labs on the malware blocking capability of today’s web browsers, Internet Explorer surprised all by trumping the likes of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox to trump the test by offering a superb 99.6% malware blocking rate, a result that would make Microsoft puff up and walk around with their chin held high.

Microsoft decided to detail some of the barriers used in IE10 that helps stop malware attacks by websites with malicious activity. Internet Explorer 10 uses SmartScreen URL filtering and Application Reputation features as first level protection, XSS Filter for normally trusted sites that may have been infected by malware and an Enhanced Protected Mode as part of its numerous other memory protection measures.

Secunia Vulnerability Review 2013, another reputed third-party security report, also put Microsoft’s browser ahead of competition from Google and Mozilla foundation. Microsoft will release the world’s first public preview version of their upcoming IE11 browser as part of the Windows 8.1 Preview version, scheduled for an unveiling and public release next week at Microsoft’s annual BUILD conference. Mark the date, 26th of June, on your calendars.

Source: Microsoft Blog via Neowin

Facebook takes a stab at news app according to report

Facebook is experimenting with a lot of mobile-centric ideas, aiming to take the social network’s presence beyond just Facebook.  Although it has reportedly been in the works for well over a year, it appears as though Facebook is working on a news aggregating app.

Information, especially rumors and speculations, travel fast, and apps like Flipboard have gained vast followings because it makes the ‘news’ looks prettier.  Purportedly, Facebook is also working on a magazine-like news aggregating app, which will undoubtedly target its gigantic user base.  For the time being, not much is known about the Facebook news app, but if some of Facebook’s recent failings indicate anything… it’s Facebook’s unrelenting pursuit of monetizing on mobile.

Facebook Home, one of the company’s recent projects, failed to attract and retain users as many complained that the Android launcher took too much control of their devices.

Could Facebook’s scramble to come up with something refreshing for its user base be a sign of desperation?  The social networking giant’s IPO was perhaps one of the most hyped in recent memories, and many investors had high expectations for the future of Facebook.  Some suggested that Facebook should put its name into the hardware hat, but Zuckerberg was adamantly against such an idea.  Instead, he publicly stated that the company will focus on its core business, which is advertising.

A news aggregating app is a sound plan, considering Google’s exit as it recently dropped its Reader.  Companies like AOL and Feedly have all picked up where Google left off, and Facebook, too, may do the same.  This time around, we hope that whatever Facebook is developing, it won’t make a app that clutters up people’s phone, and consequently drive away users because the app is more of an annoyance than it is useful.

source: wsj