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Today in Mobile

Colin Gibbs
Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Privacy concerns have the mobile industry buzzing again today after researchers from a German university discovered that 99 percent of Android phones are vulnerable to attacks that could access sensitive, server-based information such as contacts and calendars. Google is aware of the problem and closed the hole with this month’s release of Android 2.3.4, but the new version is available on just a small fraction of the Android devices currently in the hands of consumers. And because of Android’s well-documented fragmentation problems, it will take months — or longer — for some users to access the more secure OS.

Apple moves toward larger iPhone screens

Cupertino has declined to comment, of course, but this piece from The Wall Street Journal certainly seems to be well-sourced.

Submitted by Colin Gibbs
Samsung loses $10B market value on Apple order report

The report comes from Taiwan's DigiTimes and is (predictably) based on unnamed sources, so its veracity is uncertain. But the 6 percent drop in Samsung shares is very real.

Submitted by Colin Gibbs
Verizon Wireless to push customers off grandfathered unlimited data plans

Verizon will kill those unlimited plans as customers migrate to its LTE network, and will replace them with new shared data plans that will roll out in a few months.

Submitted by Colin Gibbs
HTC One X and Evo 4G LTE indefinitely delayed at U.S. Customs for investigation of Apple patent infringement

This may be the latest example of how screwed up our patent system is, but it's very bad news for the handset manufacturer nonetheless.

Submitted by Colin Gibbs
Google shifts tack on Android

The Wall Street Journal reports on how Google is working with hardware manufacturers to wrest control of its mobile operating system away from carriers. If you're surprised, you haven't been paying attention.

Submitted by Colin Gibbs