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Root your BlackBerry Playbook? Now you can with Dingleberry

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 04:13 PM PST

DingleBerry

Dingleberry, the exploit package that roots the BlackBerry PlayBook (and has one of the coolest names ever) has gone public, and everyone who bought a PlayBook can now root the QNX operating system on the device.  Huge props to the fellows who figured out the exploit, especially because rooting QNX builds isn't a well documented or popular subject.  You gentlemen have a standing offer of an ice cold beer or six anytime I have chance to meet up with you.

But exactly what this means for PlayBook owners remains to be seen.  Much of the "Joy of Root" we see on Android devices is because the OS source code is open, allowing people to modify it to their heart's content.  BlackBerry isn't like that.  RIM keeps a tight reign on everything -- well, most everything -- for financial and (misguided) security reasons.  We've seen the PlayBook run Hulu because it was rooted, and the developers are pretty sure that they can get Netflix running. so that's good news.  Also the ability to load the Android Market again and bypass the re-compiled Android app limits that RIM has imposed will make more than a few happy.  Last, but not least, there's the possibility that root access will open a path to running other operating systems on the device -- like CyanogenMod 9.

The real drawback is that RIM has more control over their OS than Google does.  They will patch this exploit at the kernel level, then force users to update to the patched version in order to use App World and or Desktop Manager.  Another root method may never be found.  We're keeping a close eye on this, and since I don't give a hoot about App World or Desktop Manager, I never have to update.  Next step is to get the Android subsystem rooted, which may open more possibilities.  We'll let you know how this, as well as any prospects to have Android running on the great (and recently cheap) hardware RIM is offering.  Keep an eye on CrackBerry for the news about how this affects the BlackBerry OS side of things.

Source: Dingleberry; via CrackBerry

Verizon's Galaxy Nexus training materials

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 03:13 PM PST

Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Want to see Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Nexus training materials that are going out to indirect retailers? Sure thing. Gotcha covered. None of this contains and offical release date or official pricing, but it's a fun look at what employees are seeing. Much, much more after the break.

Thanks, anon!
More: Galaxy Nexus Forums

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Favorite Apps, Feeling the heat [From the Forums]

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 03:00 PM PST

Android Central

And we're off to the races with another week. This week, many are hoping to see the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon but time will tell. Of course, you'll have to stay tuned to the Android Central blogs and forums but for now -- take a stroll through the forums and start up some discussions.

If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.

T-Mobile, Sprint, in internal documents, open up about their Carrier IQ use

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 02:43 PM PST

Logos

In a pair of unreleased memos seen in the usual spy-shot fashion, Sprint and T-Mobile both have, at least internally, discussed the Carrier IQ saga with their employees. 

The memos discuss the use of Carrier IQ as you'd expect -- as a metrics tool for improving network and device service, and both reiterate that Carrier IQ isn't being used to spy on text messages, phone calls and the like, backing up responses that Carrier IQ recently gave The Verge in an interview.

To wit:

T-Mobile: "T-Mobile does not use the tool to obtain the content of text, email or voice messages, or the specific destinations of customers' Internet activity. It is not used for marketing purposes. T-Mobile uses the Carrier IQ diagnostic tool to gather device data for effective troubleshooting and to increse the overall device and network performance for our customers.

Sprint: "Sprint uses the Carrier IQ data to only understand device performance on our network so we can identify when issues are occuring. ... Even with Carrier IQ, Sprint does not and cannot look at or record contents of messages, photos, videos, etc., nor do we sell or provide a direct feed of Carrier IQ data to anyone outside Sprint.

T-Mobile also details which of its current phones have Carrier IQ installed. You'll want to read the entire memos, which you can find at the source links below. 

Source: TMoNews, SprintFeed; More: The Verge

Tripit now available for the Kindle Fire

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 01:49 PM PST

 

Tripit on Kindle Fire

Tripit is one of the must have apps for frequent travelers. In fact, we recommended it in our Holiday Gift Guide: What to get the Frequent Traveler post. Great news for Kindle Fire owners as the travel app has now made it onto Amazon's Appstore for Android and is specifically designed for Amazon's tablet. (And the ad-free version is free today.)

If you're not familiar with TripIt, it is a free application that manages all of your travel needs. It makes a nice itinerary out of your trip so that you have it available only one-click away, offers sharing services so that you can let your loved ones know where and when you'll be travelling and much more. 

Amazon is selling a lot of Kindle Fires, so it makes sense that popular developers will want to ensure that their apps are available for it so they can reach the widest audience. 

If you have a Kindle Fire and are interested in TripIt, follow this link to the Amazon Appstore for Android. We've got the full press release after the break. 

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More research shows exactly what Carrier IQ can, and cannot do

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 12:42 PM PST

CIQ

Android hacker and professional security consultant Dan Rosenberg (you may know him as djrbliss from the Internets) has completed his own study on Carrier IQ, and found some interesting results.  All those reports about logging keystrokes and spying on SMS messages look to have been blamed on the wrong party, as his research shows that Carrier IQ as written can only capture the data that the carrier sends to it (known as metrics), and even then still has to consult a profile (think of it as a settings page for any app) that a carrier has had CIQ write specifically for their installation.  In his own words:

Dear Internet,

CarrierIQ does a lot of bad things. It's a potential risk to user privacy, and users should be given the ability to opt out of it.

But people need to recognize that there's a big difference between recording events like keystrokes and HTTPS URLs to a debugging buffer (which is pretty bad by itself), and actually collecting, storing, and transmitting this data to carriers (which doesn't happen).  After reverse engineering CarrierIQ myself, I have seen no evidence that they are collecting anything more than what they've publicly claimed: anonymized metrics data.  There's a big difference between "look, it does something when I press a key" and "it's sending all my keystrokes to the carrier!".  Based on what I've seen, there is no code in CarrierIQ that actually records keystrokes for data collection purposes.  Of course, the fact that there are hooks in these events suggests that future versions may abuse this type of functionality, and CIQ should be held accountable and be under close scrutiny so that this type of privacy invasion does not occur.  But all the recent noise on this is mostly unfounded.

There are plenty of reasons to be upset about CIQ, but please don't jump to conclusions based on incomplete evidence.

Regards,
Dan Rosenberg

So what about all the stuff we see on Trevor Eckhart's video of the EVO in action?  It's obviously there, so what's up with all that?  We're not security researchers, professional or otherwise, but we are nerds who read about exploits and security every day.  The best we can figure is that HTC has exposed those events to the log while sending it as anonymous metric data to the Carrier IQ app.  There's still no evidence, and never was, that any of that data is sent anywhere. 

The biggest thing to take away from this news is that while Carrier IQ is scary, and many of us consider them evil, they only provide a service to collect data that carriers and OEM's make available.  This needs to be made more transparent, because it's never going to go away -- if you don't like it don't use our network, nobody is holding a gun to your head is likely the carriers stance on the subject, and in a way they are right.  Our choice in the matter is to not spend our money with them, and heaven knows I understand how unpopular that idea is firsthand.  But things are looking more and more like the carriers and manufacturers need to share a good bit of the blame here, and this whole mess is over an easy way to collect data they already have been collecting. 

When we get finished here, we can start looking at how the companies who rushed forward shouting "We don't use Carrier IQ on our phones" are collecting the same data with something other than Carrier IQ, so we can be sure that changes are made across the board versus crucifying a small company in Silicon Valley.

Source: Vulnfactory; Pastebin

Gravity Guy allows you to break the laws of physics, have fun while doing so

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 11:53 AM PST

Gravity Guy

There are a lot of games out there that start life "online" that eventually make their way to mobile platforms due to their popularity. One of those games is Gravity Guy from the folks at Miniclip, where you get run around defying all the laws physics and gravity while being chased by Gravity Troops in a fast paced side scroller that I find similar to the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog.

With multiplayer mode for up to four players built-in and two play modes to choose from, if side scrolling action is your thing then Gravity Guy is worth a look. The graphics are pretty awesome and Miniclip was mindful enough ensure gameplay lag was minimal, keeping the fast gameplay on level it should be. 

If you're looking to see some more of Gravity Guy before you download, jump on past the break where we have screenshots for you, as well as the download link should you decide to give it a go. Gravity Guy is offered in both a free ad-supported version as well as a paid version.

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Original Lapdock for the Motorola Atrix now available from AT&T for only $50 [update -- it's back to $100]

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 11:33 AM PST

Android Central

Back when the Motorola Atrix was released, the $399 Lapdock accessory was also introduced to make use of the webtop features the Atrix brought along with it. But it came in at $399 and while it eventually came down from there, many folks simply weren't interested in it.

But, if you always wanted one but never didn't want to fork over a lot of cash for it -- AT&T will sell you one now on the cheap. $50 cheap in fact, making that a savings of $350 when all is said and done. Plus, with a few mods here and there -- you can get it to work with other devices.

Update: As pointed out in the comments below, AT&T has changed the online price back to $100.  Still a much better price than the original $399, but double the 50 dollar fire-sale style price it was listed at earlier today.  You certainly have be quick on these type of deals!

Source: ATT; via: Android Central Forums

Verizon pimps 200 million covered by LTE and, oh, a couple of Xyboard tablets

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 10:58 AM PST

Motorola Xoom 2/Xyboard

Verizon this morning in a press release talked up the first anniversary of the launch of its LTE network, pimping that 190 markets and 200 million people will be covered by Dec. 15 (that's covered, and not necessarily subscribed). Pretty impressive when you think about it, especially when you compare it to the other established 4G network. (Cough. Wimax.)

Oh, and expect a couple of Motorola Xyboard tablets this month, Verizon says. That's Verizon's version of the Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition, and we'll likely see LTE on board, of course.

And in case you're wondering, Verizon says the Galaxy Nexus is still coming soon. Of course it is.

Source: Verizon

Galaxy Nexus starting to arrive in Verizon stores

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 10:42 AM PST

Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Just as someone predicted, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus has begun arriving in Verizon stores, which means we're starting to see pictures of it in Verizon stores. And that's cool and all. But unless it comes along with a press release from Verizon telling us exactly when it's going on sale, it's just another tease.

Source: XDA via Galaxy Nexus forums

Gowalla confirms it's been purchased by Facebook, will allow you to export data

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 09:58 AM PST

Gowalla

Check-in favorite Gowalla today confirmed reports that it'd been purchased by Facebook. It'll continue to operate through January, and the service will offer you an option to export your Gowalla data. It also stresses that Facebook is acquiring the service, not the user data Gowalla's collected over the past two years.

Source: Gowalla

HTC: Honeycomb coming 'soon' to the Wifi-only HTC Flyer

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 09:14 AM PST

HTC Flyer

And HTC's made it official: Honeycomb indeed is rolling out to the GSM HTC Flyer in Europe. So what about the rest of us? HTC says the Wifi version of the Flyer will "receive its Honeycomb update soon." Here's the full skinny:

Ready for some ‘sweet’ news? The GSM version of the HTC Flyer tablet, available in Europe, is beginning to receive updates to Honeycomb beginning today! Honeycomb brings a ton of improvements to Android on tablets, including the latest version of HTC Sense for Tablet with enhanced Internet browsing, Mail, Calendar and more all optimized for the 7" screen. Not to be outdone, the WiFi version of the HTC Flyer will receive its Honeycomb update soon, too! Stay tuned for more details.

Source: Facebook

Sphero makes a spooky cameo in FX's American Horror Story

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 08:59 AM PST

Sphero

If you're looking for a unique gift this holiday season for the tech geeks on your list, and our seal of approval wasn't enough to open your wallet, this might do it: Sphero, the robotic ball controlled by your Android device, made a cameo on the silver screen last week, appearing in American Horror Story, my pick for the best show on television right now. Keep in mind that Sphero doesn't always act as ominously as it does in the Harmons' haunted house; rather, it uses your device's bluetooth connection to move as you direct it to, with built-in apps allowing you to play golf, drive, and even take photos remotely. Hit the source link below to check out the clip (if you're not too scared), and if you've got $129 to spend on a remote control ball, preorders are open now, with delivery in time for Christmas.

Source: Sphero

Deal of the Day: iGrip PerfektFit Charging Dock for HTC EVO 3D

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 08:19 AM PST

iGrip PerfektFit Charging Dock for HTC EVO 3DThe ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day returns! And for Dec. 5, we've got the iGrip PerfektFit Charging Dock for the HTC EVO 3D. It's custom designed for the EVO 3D and can be used with or without a case and has pass-through charging (so you can use your current car charger). It's got a dual-support suction mount so it can attach to the windshield or dash, and the swivel arm ensures you get a perfect viewing angle. And, best of all, it's available today only for $24.95 -- that's 38 percent off! Get yours while supplies last.

French HTC Flyers getting Honeycomb update

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 07:59 AM PST

Galaxy Tab Honeycomb

Looks like the long wait for a Honeycomb update on the HTC Flyer is finally over, with the French version starting to get Android 3.0. Hopefully the rest of the world won't be too far behind. And hopefully this isn't the last update we'll see the Flyer -- which launched with Gingerbread -- receive. We'd love to see Ice Cream Sandwich on this kid.

Source: HTCInside.de (translated)

Start your week with the Greatest Android Podcast in the World!

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 07:38 AM PST

Android Central PodcastWe're in that weird part of the year where we're coming off one holiday and getting ready for a couple more. But there's no rest for the wicket, and this past week on the Greatest Android Podcast in the World, we tackled the ASUS Transformer Prime, caught up with the latest in the CarrierIQ saga, and touched some more on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

The Android Central Podcast is your weekly peek into the world of Android, where we break down the news that really matters, and explain what's just a bunch of hype. Plus, we answer your e-mails and voicemails. You don't want to miss it. Check out the Android Central Podcast.

MIPS Tablet promises 7 inches of Ice Cream Sandwich for $99

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 06:46 AM PST

MIPS Tablet

Cheap Android tablets are nothing new, but Sunyvale, Calif., company MIPS Technologies looks to be one of the first out of the gate with a cheap Ice Cream Sandwich tablet. The first version is launching as a 7-incher -- 8- and 9-inch tablets are on the way. It's running a 1GHz MIPS-Based XBurst CPU with a Vivante GC860 GPU has the usual Wifi, Bluetooth, HDMI and microSD features.

We've generally been less than impressed by most every Android tablet we've seen. You usually do get what you pay for when it comes to this sort of thing. But MIPS' press release also includes a quote from Android's Andy Rubin, who said:

“I’m thrilled to see the entrance of MIPS-Based Android 4.0 tablets into the market. Low cost, high performance tablets are a big win for mobile consumers and a strong illustration of how Android’s openness drives innovation and competition for the benefit of consumers around the world.” 

It's being touted as retailing for less than $100. In fact, it's $99. And we just paid $66 in shipping. We'll just have to see when we get our hands on the MIPS whether it's worth even that much. Full presser's after the break. 

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'Scrubs' to live on as an Android app, hits Market Dec. 14

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 06:16 AM PST

Scrubs

The TV series "Scrubs" was killed off in 2010, but it's apparently being resurrected as an Android game. The usual cast of characters and forced jokes are there, and the developer's describing it thusly:

"Scrubs" is a hidden object game inspired by the TV series of the same name. As a young intern the player appears in the well-known "Sacred Heart" and meets all the familiar characters from this great sitcom. He will be involved in an intricate detective story and have to save the reputation of the hospital. Plenty of mini games will help you feel like a real doctor and operate with the medical tools such as scalpels, syringes etc.

"Scrubs" contains many riddles and puzzles, stylish black humor, dozens of awards and unusual twist for hidden object genre gameplay. At the start of every level a game location is generated, objects change their positions and unique level tasks are created. It means that even when users replay completed levels these locations will be new and unfamiliar. A great way to hugely increase the fun and replayability of the game.

Can't say we're waiting on pins and IV needles for this one. But if you're a "Scrubs" fan, look for it to hit the Market on Dec. 14. 

We've got pics and demo video after the break.

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Monday Brief: December 5, 2011

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 05:28 AM PST

 

Mobile Nations

 

900MHz frequency seen having its way with Galaxy Nexus bootloader

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 05:25 AM PST


Youtube link for mobile viewing

The mystery of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus' 900MHz bug continues. Sort of. We've just been sent this video of the Galaxy Nexus volume buttons being affected by a nearby 900MHz signal while the Galaxy Neuxs is in the bootloader. The Galaxy Nexus in question is said to have had the recent update that fixes the 900MHz wonkiness while Android is running, but you can clearly see the strangeness here in the bootloader.

Those of us in the states will have a hard time reproducing this, of course, since we're not exactly crawling in 900MHz EDGE. (Or in the Galaxy Nexus, for that matter.) And while it's an interesting-looking bug, we're not sure how overly concerned we are about this lingering issue. Maybe it'll be fixed with uploaded bootloader code. But if not, maybe just keep your 900MHz phones a inch away from your Galaxy Nexus.

Thanks, Jeremy! 

More: Galaxy Nexus forums

The Week in Android News

Posted: 04 Dec 2011 06:40 PM PST

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