Fastest For Android Phones: Someone

Monday, March 12, 2012

Someone said 'Android 5.0' and 'Jelly Bean' in the same sentence; Key Lime Pie now rumored to follow

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Jelly Bean

So here's the deal: An ASUS VP dropped the following quote to TechRadar:

"ASUS is very close to Google, so once they have Android 5.0 I think there will be a high possibility that we will be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update."

Dunno if ASUS is any closer to Google than any of the other manufacturers, but it did get one of the first Ice Cream Sandwich updates out the door, so more power to it. But it's entirely possible that this VP also was just repeating what everyone else has been saying anyway -- that the next verison of Android will be Android 5.0, and that it'll be nicknamed "Jelly Bean."

But, wait! Jelly Bean's still not even official, and today The Verge says Key Lime Pie will follow up. No word on when, or -- more important -- what either JB or KLP will actually be.

An official announcement from Google, neither of these is not. But let's go ahead and start guessing what L will be, shall we? Licorice? That's obvious enough, no?

Sources: TechRadar, The Verge; thanks to everyone who sent this in

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

How to Know If Someone Hacks Into Your Android Phone

Android is the mobile platform hackers target the most, the cyber-security company McAfee reported in 2011. Google's smartphone offers hackers great opportunities because Google doesn't vet third-party apps for Android. Hackers can install malware inside an app, so that if you install it on your phone, it can send spam texts, hijack your personal data or siphon money out of your bank account. To protect yourself, only download apps from reputable sources, though even that doesn't guarantee safety. If a Trojan virus does sneak onto your phone, your phone's behavior may tip you off.

Difficulty:Moderate1

Watch what information your new apps request. The eSecurity Planet website reports that in 2011, 28 percent of Android apps wanted your phone's GPS location and 7.5 percent accessed stored contact information. Your apps have to request permission before accessing the data, so if you can't think of a reason a new app needs the information, don't authorize your Android to share.

Check your bill. Some viruses, rather than stealing data, play tricks, such as directing your Android to send masses of texts to expensive premium numbers. If you notice your texting minutes and costs suddenly spike upward for no good reason, that's a warning sign you've been hacked.

Install protective programs to sweep your phone and detect malware. There are several free programs on the market and more on the way, though because your Android has limited storage space, using the programs may slow down your device.

Some hackers have created malware that looks exactly like an Android antivirus program. Only download such security programs from a reliable source.

To protect against hackers, apply basic IT security principles when using your Android. Log off websites when you finish visiting them; be careful about visiting questionable websites or opening suspicious email; and require PINs or passwords to access sensitive data.