apps

Facebook may begin snooping on smartphone users in order to target them with more relevant advertisements. The strategy could prove a huge money-maker, but may be a step too far for some of the social network's users. The massive social network ... currently makes most of its revenue from advertising. However, it has struggled to cash in when people visit the site using a smartphone. In recent financial filings, Facebook admitted this could become a serious handicap as more and more people choose to access the social media site from their phones instead of their computers. Facebook had already ... (view more)

Research in Motion (RIM), best known for its BlackBerry smartphone, has recently released a highly-anticipated software update for its struggling PlayBook tablet computer. The updates help to resolve interactive features of the device. The PlayBook ... was first launched in April, 2011, in an attempt to siphon off sales from the iPad. Unfortunately, it sold just 500,000 units in its first quarter of availability, only 250,000 units in the next quarter, and a disappointing 150,000 units in its third quarter. (Source: thestar.com ) Email Issues, Lack of Apps Kept Down PlayBook Sales Several factors ... (view more)

Security software company Symantec has sent out a warning about what it believes to be the largest-ever malware campaign launched against Android smartphone owners. Called "Android.Counterclank," the malware was discovered hidden within 13 different ... apps (smartphone applications) released by three different publishers. Of the enticing titles, "Sexy Girls Puzzle" and "Counter Strike Ground Force" were among the most prolific in duping from one to five million people into downloading the infected software through Google's legitimate app marketplace. (Source: computerworld. ... (view more)

Windows 8 is said to include a new 'app store', where users can browse and install software for their PCs and mobile devices through Microsoft. The news is welcomed by many, as the apps will be under strict regulations. Microsoft, however, will ... retain the ability to delete or remove software programs ("apps") that it deems necessary. The ability to remotely delete software on whim, critics say, gives too much power to Microsoft. Microsoft Offers "Try Before You Buy" Software developers using Microsoft's new app store will be able to offer trial copies of their software ... (view more)

Usually the term 'malware' is synonymous with PC infections that result in frustratingly sluggish computer performance. But now, the same term may be associated with mobile devices just as much as PCs, as the number of mobile malware infections ... skyrocket. According to a new report from Juniper Networks, the number of Google Android applications laced with malware has jumped a staggering 472 per cent since July, 2011. Android users now face a constantly growing wave of threats that isn't likely to abate any time soon. (Source: tomsguide.com ) "Tens of Thousands" of Malcious Apps ... (view more)

A new Trojan virus affecting Android smartphones reportedly records and stores personal conversations. It's a step up from previous Trojans of this variety, which to this point have only recorded text-based information. The smartphone virus' ... existence was recently discovered by researchers at CA Technologies, who report that the Trojan is significantly more threatening than previous malicious software of this kind affecting mobile devices. In the past, Trojans like this were able to note how long a call lasted, who was involved in a conversation, and was able to record text messages. (Source ... (view more)

According to one industry analyst, digital purchases from Apple's App Store should increase 61 per cent this year. It's also expected that the average iOS device owner will purchase and download 83 apps in 2011. The predictions come to us from Piper ... Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, who provided them in a letter to investors earlier this week. (Source: time.com ) "We believe this trend points to the increasing importance of an app store with a broad selection of tested apps to drive device sales," Munster noted. "Smartphone users are showing an increasing appetite to use apps to add features to ... (view more)

In an effort to capitalize on the rising popularity of smartphone apps, Microsoft is now allowing their employees to moonlight as self-directed entrepreneurs to help improve the image of the company in the mobile market. To make smartphones that ... house their Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system more marketable in an industry dominated by iPhone and Android-based devices , Microsoft is planning to offer their prospective customers more apps than any other smartphone on the market. App Rules Relaxed in Light of Development While an admirable endeavor, putting the plan into practice still ... (view more)

A recent Wall Street Journal report has revealed that some popular mobile apps have been sending personal data of their users to third parties without consent. A whopping 56 applications using the Apple iPhone and Google Android systems were found ... guilty of such practices. In a recent statement, Alex Deane, director of Big Brother Watch, was outraged with such activity. Founded in 2009, Big Brother Watch is a British-based group dedicated to combating intrusions of privacy and protecting civil liberties. Personal Info Breach "Alarming News" "This is alarming news. Most users of ... (view more)

Facebook has confirmed that user details have been revealed to advertisers inappropriately. Unlike many previous privacy disputes on the site, this appears to be a genuine error. The issue involves applications, the add-on games and tools that run ... on the site but are controlled by third-party companies. The most popular examples include games such as FarmVille and Mafia Wars. Generally, when users install such an application, they grant specific permissions for the app's creators to access their accounts in some fashion; for example to automatically post on the user's page when they achieve a ... (view more)