I cant even imagine the magnitude of the shitstorm the media would be creating if this whole Carrier IQ thing had been installed on Apple phones.

But since it's only on Androids and BlackBerries, nobody seems to care. Weird.

11/30/2011 7:17:42 PM

apparently you care and it's been posted repeatedly on numerous sites.

11/30/2011 8:30:46 PM

Actually, since I have a phone that isn't affected, I don't care. Cool how that works, huh?

11/30/2011 9:09:31 PM

Yours just tracks your location at all times, no biggie

Also as far as I'm aware it's an HTC, RIM, and Nokia issue. Not an Android issue.

[Edited on November 30, 2011 at 9:16 PM. Reason : ]

11/30/2011 9:15:55 PM

Quote :

"Yours just tracks your location at all times, no biggie"

This is what I'm talking about. Misinformation by the media seems to be most prevalent when it's against Apple. You haven't informed yourself of the true situation and thus have no idea what you're talking about. But I've come to expect that.

11/30/2011 9:20:06 PM

Isn't that old news though? I'm pretty sure I read on xda and/or twitter that someone had found odd shit in HTCs software and CM7 took measures to block it AOSP roms weren't affected?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1247108

yeah a couple months ago.

[Edited on November 30, 2011 at 10:20 PM. Reason : ]

11/30/2011 10:12:08 PM

Quote :

"Actually, since I have a phone that isn't affected, I don't care. Cool how that works, huh? "

You cared enough to post and bitch about it.

11/30/2011 10:28:55 PM

You're really not good at comprehending the words that you read are you?

A) I'm not bitching.

B) I was simply commenting on the fact that, had this happened to Apple, the media would be scrambling to turn this into a scandal of epic proportions. Relatively speaking, "Locationgate" was a MUCH smaller issue in so many ways, yet was reported on the 6:00 news of every local channel in America.

11/30/2011 10:58:07 PM

Every news story, positive or negative, about Apple is a bigger story because Apple has so many more zombies devoted users than HTC or Nokia.

11/30/2011 11:12:30 PM

Yeah, I get why it's a bigger story. I just don't see why they tend to exaggerate, lie and spread so much needless FUD.

I mean, the general idea around every story reporting on Locationgate was "OMG Apple can track you using your iPhone" and that wasn't even close to the truth.

Either way, One of the people I follow on twitter just said he found a copy of the CIQ software in the latest version of iOS, although it looks like you have to opt into the data collection. It will be interesting to see how this affects news coverage of the situation.

11/30/2011 11:17:03 PM

http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/30/2601875/carrier-iq-references-discovered-apple-ios-iphone

[Edited on November 30, 2011 at 11:57 PM. Reason : .]

11/30/2011 11:57:00 PM

my parents are getting my sister a smartphone (VZW) for christmas... if it were me, I'd do the Razr or the Prime if it is in time (still Dec 8?).

However, I'm a male, with larger hands, and am tech-inclined. I'm sure my sister would appreciate aesthetics & form factor, much more than the meaningful specs. That being said, still stick with the the best, or does anyone recommend another option? She's mentioned she likes iPhones and Droids; I'm partial to Droids.... and I am my family's tech support, so whatever she gets, I'll have to be able to fix/setup shit locally and remotely (phone support). I'm familiar with Android & Moto devices, so that's where I like to stay, unless there are overwhelming reasons to change.

oh and what happened to built-in FM radios? I love the one on my DX, but the new motos don't have one

oh and a major issue I have with android is that it won't keep the browser running in the background. for example, I stream local (raleigh) stations via broswer when I'm on trips... but if I bring up another app, sending the browser to the background it will eventually cut the feed. fucking annoying.

[Edited on December 1, 2011 at 8:44 AM. Reason : .]

12/1/2011 8:36:55 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-review/

Looks pretty awesome

12/1/2011 11:32:17 AM

Sum of all the reviews:
http://www.dailytech.com/Transformer+Prime+Reviews+Agree+Prime+is+King+of+Android+Tablets/article23409.htm

Quote :

"To quote gameshow host/journalists Anne Robinson: "You are the weakest link, good-bye." Nobody seems to like the dock that makes the Transformer a small notebook very much. While they say it passes for typing emails and the secondary battery and extra ports are nice, there's various complaints about the keyboard and touchpad. Some of this may be due to legal issues (e.g. ASUSTEK/Google Inc. (GOOG) legally cannot implement pinch-to-zoom or kinetic scrolling on the peripheral or they will get sued by Apple who patented these things years after their invention in university research labs). The really curious thing? It seems like every reviewer found their own unique gripe about the dock. Humorously, some complemented the same feature their peers insulted."

12/1/2011 12:04:29 PM

Looks like I'll be using my existing keyboard if I get one. Darn it had so much potential. Maybe Bestbuy will have one to try out.

12/1/2011 1:24:23 PM

Does it say anywhere if the TF101 dock will work with the Prime?

12/1/2011 1:30:23 PM

It won't

12/1/2011 1:36:15 PM

^
[quote]To make the thing live up to its name you'll need to spring for the $150 signature accessory: the keyboard dock. Let's start by being clear on one thing: this is not the old dock, rebadged to go with this brand new tablet. It, too, has gone on a diet and, thanks to some slimmer dimensions, it won't be compatible with your first-gen Transformer. (Sorry, early adopters.)[/qoute]

The sad thing is, it sounds like the new dock is too light, causing the tablet to be top-heavy and tip over if you're not careful. Bummer.

Can't wait, still hoping it's December 8th and not the 18th.

12/1/2011 2:14:36 PM

^I got my hopes up too much. I'll stick with my existing Blueluetooth keyboard.

12/1/2011 2:17:12 PM

heck yea!

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/12/01/galaxy-nexus-hackers-rejoice-google-has-released-factory-itl41d-images

12/1/2011 4:22:53 PM

more on CIQ, luckily not on Verizon, and possibly limited to HTC/Sprint phones.... so not an Android OS problem but it seems to be more of a carrier problem.

http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/1/2603391/sprint-says-it-uses-carrier-iq-to-help-maintain-our-network

[Edited on December 1, 2011 at 5:35 PM. Reason : ,]

12/1/2011 5:34:03 PM

so question- how are yall getting all these new phones all the time without paying full price?

I don't feel like paying 700 bucks for the galaxy s2, but I'm not eligible for another upgrade for 200 more days...

12/1/2011 8:31:22 PM

I wait, my upgrade was up on 11/03/11 at which point I had hoped the epic Galaxy Nexus Prime 4G Touch FTMFW (did I say epic) smartphone would have been released. But it was not.

So I've been stalking P3Droid and the other 20 android tech blogs scoring over phones I'm not interested in and looking for the latest up-to-date rumor on when the GNex will be released only to be let down time and time again.

And so here I am, patiently waiting for the GNex to drop on December 8th 11th.

12/2/2011 12:04:09 AM

damn, bumped to 11th now?

12/2/2011 12:08:57 AM

fml.

at least at Best Buy, but their weekly ads always start on a Sunday, so there's hope it may yet be the 8th....
http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/verizon-galaxy-nexus-landing-in-best-buy-on-december-11th/

[Edited on December 2, 2011 at 12:19 AM. Reason : .]

12/2/2011 12:19:29 AM

uhh, I was just on the phone with vzw and the rep said they're not expecting the prime until next year...

12/2/2011 9:20:25 AM

lol. Those reps don't know wtf is going on. They're usually the last to find out anyways. I'm probably leaning towards waiting though. My upgrade isn't actually until May so I may just hold out rather than trying to get them to move up the upgrade or open another line.

12/2/2011 9:26:58 AM

how about you, percy- you seem to always have new and cool phones- do you just pony up and pay the ebay prices?

12/2/2011 11:32:26 AM

I usually just steal one of my parent's upgrades. Then I just sell the old one for $200 or so on craigslist.

12/2/2011 11:39:56 AM

haha I wish I had that at my disposal. The guy helping us the other night actually asked us if we had any family members who we could exploit

fuuuu I hate having to wait 2 years- it is absolute crap

12/2/2011 11:47:17 AM

technically it's 20-months if you're on VZW now.

12/2/2011 11:58:08 AM

so razr or iPhone for my sister?

iPhone is probably more her style, easier for a non-tech person to use, etc.
Razr is a better phone (IMHO) with a better OS coming (IMHO), but I'm not sure if it's dumbed down enough for iPhone-type people

iPhone means 2gb of data @ $30
Razr means 4gb of data @ $30

iPhone means she'll annoy me with "tech support" calls since I don't use/work with iPhones
Razr means I can likely help her with any tech issues

She's not a power user; never has had a smartphone. My main concern is data useage. While she may not use a lot of data now, she could once she's hooked. I consistently use around 2 GB/month, and go over enough to keep me from ever making changes to my plan (I have unlimited data); and I don't consider myself a heavy user. Thus, I lean towards Android to get a 4G VZW device with the double your data special. However, part of me thinks she'll like the form factor, aesthetics, and user-friendliness of the iphone.

12/2/2011 12:15:56 PM

^^I'm still on sprint because I like the unlimited data still... if that changes (or looks like it will by the time I'm looking to upgrade), then I might switch carriers

12/2/2011 12:23:21 PM

^^ what is it about Android that you think is not dumbed down enough for your sister? is she really that dumb, lol?

the OS has come a long way in the last 2 years and ICS is likely to be just as accessible to non-techies as iOS

12/2/2011 1:02:13 PM

Yea, the only complaint about how difficult ICS is to use, is typically from iPhone users who are used to the same old UI that hasn't changed since the 80's, lol. If you're starting from scratch, I don't see why Android isn't just as easy to learn as iOS

12/2/2011 1:15:57 PM

I think it's easy to use and ^ is probably the primary reason for the notion that iOS is more user-friendly. But without being on an iPhone, I can't really compare iOS to GB and to ICS (soon hopefully). Most sources still talk about how iOS is seemless, just works, etc.; much of which I can at least partially agree with. I know that GB and earlier versions of Android were certainly easier for more tech-inclined people, as compared to iOS.

It could be a Catch 22, or I could be overthinking this. I just know if I get her an iPhone, she'll call me for help even though the best I'll be able to do is google. However, if she just doesn't "get" Android, then I may be just as screwed because I'll be telling her how to do everything.

And she isn't dumb... she's just not tech-inclined. Bitch still makes me hook up her TV/DVD player. One of those people that just doesn't care to learn about this type technology.

I still think I'm gonna go for the Razr (Prime isn't out; accessories for it aren't out; and it will probably be tough to get my hands on one before christmas). Partially because I can get her 4 GB/month for $30/month. I just don't see how people stay under 2 GB enough to not need a higher data plan (unless you're a wifi stealing SOB).

\/!

[Edited on December 2, 2011 at 2:18 PM. Reason : -]

12/2/2011 2:14:38 PM

its harder to learn because you can do more with it

12/2/2011 2:15:35 PM

shit, if she doesn't like it she can always sell it and get something else. people still paying good money for newish phones?

12/2/2011 2:28:37 PM

Quote :

"Yea, the only complaint about how difficult ICS is to use, is typically from iPhone users who are used to the same old UI that hasn't changed since the 80's, lol. If you're starting from scratch, I don't see why Android isn't just as easy to learn as iOS"

Actually, its a complaint because Android is several levels of magnitude more complex in their BASIC UI. I have tablets running Gingerbread and Honeycomb.

There are 4 different, basic ways to run apps in Honeycomb.
There are 3 different models for organizing content.
Managing running apps is a completely different model than managing installed apps.
Oh and there are at least 3 different ways to do that.

Oh, and you can install apps that add MORE levels of option/complexity to each of the above. Usually, these apps don't really do more, they just replace the baked in functionality to enable features missing, that are too convoluted, or fractured.

It's not that iOS users are lazy, it's that Android is a trainwreck of an OS GUI.

12/2/2011 2:34:11 PM

^ wasn't ICS made to resolve all of your complaints?

12/2/2011 3:06:19 PM

lol. Apple is so full of shit.

http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/2/2596527/apple-samsung-design-patent-iphone-ipad-work-around

Quote :

"On the smartphone side of things, the following is a list of some of the alternative design options Apple felt Samsung should have looked into further: Front surface that isn't black. Overall shape that isn't rectangular, or doesn't have rounded corners. Display screens that aren't centered on the front face and have substantial lateral borders. Non-horizontal speaker slots. Front surfaces with substantial adornment. No front bezel at all. As for tablets, Apple identified a similar list of alternative designs available to Samsung: Overall shape that isn't rectangular, or doesn't have rounded corners. Thick frames rather than a thin rim around the front surface. Front surface that isn't entirely flat. Profiles that aren't thin. Cluttered appearance."

12/2/2011 3:20:01 PM

i was going to get a kindle touch but i realized i could find a kindle fire for $150 on craigslist so went with that instead lawl

[Edited on December 3, 2011 at 5:22 AM. Reason : .]

12/3/2011 5:12:18 AM

Quote :

"It's not that iOS users are lazy, it's that Android is a trainwreck of an OS GUI"

12/3/2011 9:41:43 AM

http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/google/291249-serious-new-android-privacy-leak-demonstrated

Quote :

"Security researchers have discovered a way to bypass an Android smartphone owner's permissions and access private data stored on their smartphone. At worst, a black hat hacker can exploit these vulnerabilities to record phone calls (see proof of concept video below), wipe out your phone, call or text premium rate numbers, and read your private messages and emails, all without your permission, of course. Quick background: Android's security architecture is "permissions" based, meaning an app needs the smartphone owner's explicit permission to access private data, such as contacts and text messages. If you reject an app’s request to access this information, the app won't install. Simple as that. So for a long time, mobile security rule number one was to check what an app was asking permission to access. A wallpaper app needs to know your geolocation? Red light. An Angry Birds lookalike app is requesting your contacts' phone numbers? Avoid! But according to the researchers, certain system configurations added on top of the Android OS by manufacturers, contain a backdoor to this personal information. "These features are standard and make the phone more user-friendly,” said Xuxian Jiang, an assistant professor of computer science at NCSU. “They make the phones more convenient to use, but also more convenient to abuse.” By the way, this differs from Carrier IQ's controversial data collecting firmware, which is embedded at the carrier's request. The researchers developed a diagnostic tool called “Woodpecker” which analyzed pre-loaded software and explored the reach of a dangerous permission from a public, unguarded interface. In other words, Woodpecker checks for capacity leaks, where an app can gain access to a permission without actually requesting it. Jiang and his team tested eight popular Android phones, all of which leaked varying amounts of information, which you can read more about in their white paper (PDF). The worst offenders were the HTC (Evo 4G, Legend, Wildfire S), followed by Motorola (Droid, Droid X), Samsung Epic 4G, and Google’s Nexus One and Nexus S. Since April 2011, the researchers have been sharing their results with Google and handset manufacturers, and received confirmation of the vulnerabilities from Google and Motorola. However the researchers have "experienced major difficulties" in trying to report issues to HTC and Samsung. "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xGwTviVRcrg

12/3/2011 10:13:13 AM

Anyone else running a custom rom?
I just started using your mom and like it so far

12/3/2011 2:58:14 PM

People think Android is hard?

I picked it up for the first time and everything seemed completely natural and intuitive.

Kinda made me want to get a smart phone.

12/4/2011 10:11:57 AM

Some people just have small brains.

http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/3/2608598/galaxy-nexus-verizon-lte-hands-on

12/4/2011 10:26:50 AM

So, it looks like most of the thickness comes in at the tapered end. The fat end didn't look any fatter than previously seen.

I'd imagine the 8th as release date is pretty solid, given that a vzw branded one actually exists.

12/4/2011 12:02:04 PM

it's really intriguing that people think the android UI is complicated. i don't remember a learning curve whatsoever. in fact, i quite vividly recall the learning curves when i played with a macbook pro, an iPad, and an iPhone - the one button thing and the mouse gestures totally confounded me for a bit.

what do you think it is in our brains that separates the two groups?

because it seems people i would consider to be tech savvy still think the android UI is complicated (Noen and smoothcrim are prime examples above). so it isn't really that. It has to be something in the way we think though.

12/4/2011 12:33:57 PM

people willing to tinker with something for 20 seconds vs. people that immediately don't like it if they don't know how to use something right off the bat

12/4/2011 12:37:15 PM