Trying Windows Phone OS on your phone .... free !

Topic : Try Windows Phone OS on your Android or IPHONE phones

Here is a interesting way to see how Windows Phone OS 7.5 looks like in your phone .. using your browser !
No need to install any software, your browser will open the site and the page consisting of the Windows Phone GUI will show as if you are using a Windows Phone !


In short, just go to "http://m.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/demo/index.html" and see the magic , as long as your browser support HTML5. Take note that the demo site is designed for touchscreen phones.

See link below for more details :

Video: Windows Phone on iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy SII. Try Windows Phone on your browser!

Gartner's Q3 2011 smartphone figures : Android first, Symbian second !

Topic : Gartner report for smartphones , Q3 2011

The below link shows the Gartner report for smartphones, dated Q3 2011.

In summary , based on the Gartner report below, Android & Symbian leads the pack, eventhough Apple Iphone IOS been pushing to go up the ladder.

Gartner report for smartphones , Q3 2011

Gartner report for Mobile Data protection , September 2011

Topic : Gartner report for Mobile Data protection , September 2011

The below link shows the Gartner report for Mobile Data protection , dated September 2011.

In summary , based on the Gartner report below, McAfee & Sophos leads the pack in terms EPP (endpoint protection platform) & MDP (mobile data protection) , and cosolidation of EPP & MDP into one single package.

Gartner report for Mobile Data protection , September 2011

Samsung GT-S5830 update to Android Gingerbread version 2.3

I have read in Android Advices website last month (http://androidadvices.com/) , about an Android Gingerbread update from Samsung for it's Galaxy GT-S5830 phone. The phone was shipped with option upgradable to the latest Android Gingerbread OS v2.3 . I was eagerly waiting for the update as I observed that the current Android Froyo OS v2.2 has the following weakness. I was hoping Gingerbread will fix all this. :

a. Sometimes lagging in GUI response.
b. Seems to consume battery power a lot, especially when WIFI is switched on.
c. Sometimes screens goes blank and become unresponsive, and this forces me to do a soft or hard reboot. This usually happens when there is several third-party apps running at the same time.
d. Messaging (SMS) is becomes slow when there is a lot of SMS conversation threads, and sending SMS takes about 10 seconds sometimes. Also , there is a few seconds delay , when you press the home button on your phone to go to home screen from the Messaging (SMS) screen.
e. Taking screenshots by pressing the home + power button together , ONLY works on the home screen & does not work on other screen views.


I checked for any updates yesterday night (6/Oct/2011) using the Samsung Kies software. Ah at last ! The update is here. Without wasting time I proceeded with the update.

Model : Samsung GT-S5830

BEFORE UPDATE
Android version : 2.2.1
Kernel version : 2.6.32.9-perf
Build number : FROYO.DXKC1

AFTER UPDATE
Android version : 2.3.4
Kernel version : 2.6.35.7-perf-CL562111
Build number : GINGERBREAD.DXKPD

Note : The above OS info can be seen in "Settings" -> "About Phone" menu

Ah yes. My phone is now running Android Gingerbread !
I noticed the following improvements on my phone after the update:

a. Phone GUI is smoother , faster transition from menu to menu, or to home screen.
b. Messaging (SMS) is now fast, sending SMS is now fast.
c. So far the phone screen does not go blank and become unresponsive.Need to monitor on this.
d. I can now take screenshots on ANY screen view by pressing the home + power button together.
e. Battery power consumption has slight improvement (lasts longer), but still drains when using WIFI extensively switched on.
f. The screen fonts is now more pleasant & rounded. I am not sure what is the font type.

Check out below for the related links and the update screenshots using Samsung Kies :



STEP 1


STEP 2


STEP 3


STEP 4


STEP 5


STEP 6


STEP 7


STEP 8

Great & free Android apps.....

Here are links to some wonderful great Android apps details, for users of Android (newbies too!):

CIO.com Blogs : 8 Essential Android Security Apps
http://www.cio.com/article/675084/8_Essential_Android_Security_Apps

CIO.com Blogs : 15 Best Google Android Apps for Newbies -- All Free
http://www.cio.com/article/669913/15_Best_Google_Android_Apps_for_Newbies_All_Free_

Android Security : Best practices summary (rev 3)

This is the third revision of my summary of best practice for increasing security for your Android phone.
I would recommend this to all Android users.

a) Switch off WIFI when not in use. This is to reduce chances of attack , and saves your battery consumption.
Believe me it saves battery power a LOT.
My Samsung Galaxy Ace would last only 1 day when used heavily with WIFI internet access, but it lasts 2 days when the WIFI Internet access is not much used and is switched off when not being used.


b) Switch off Bluetooth when not in use. This is to reduce chances of attack via anonymous Bluetooth connections from other phones. Users will suddenly be prompted that someone you don't know , wants to connect to you via Bluetooth, once allowed it infects your phone with virus/malware. I had a lot of this attack on my Nokia phone.


c) Install only authorised & signed apps from Android Market. This can be done by unticking "Unknown Sources" option in the Settings -> Applications settings menu. It makes sure you are downloading only signed apps from the Android Marketplace ONLY, and blocks other third-party marketplace sources.


d) Install mobile antivirus software ( example : Lookout Mobile Security, AVG Mobile Antivirus ). The two examples are good antivirus software for the Android phone which scans apps , content & SMS. A must-have.


e) Implement a screen lock password for your Android phone. Use complex password to make it difficult to guess ( alphanumeric, upper/lower case ). You also use the initials of a sentence you like as a password . Example : I love the way you look tonight , my darling - take the first letters of the sentence as the password --> iltwyltmd

f) Implement a SIM card password for your SIM card

g) Do not root your Android device. If you are rooting your smartphone, you're significantly reducing your device's existing security safeguards.

h) Customize locked home screen with Owner Info. This will enable any good samaritan who have found your lost phone, to contact you. See the article link below on how to do this.


Reference :
CIO.com Blog : Android Security: Six Tips to Protect Your Google Phone

http://www.cio.com/article/675129/Android_Security_Six_Tips_to_Protect_Your_Google_Phone

Note : this post will be updated when required.

Security flaw in Android OS - 6/Oct/2011

I often read articles in CIO.com, and here is an article on 2 recent Android security flaws, very serious ones too. It concentrates on 2 specific flaws :

Security Flaw 1 :
Type : Unauthorised access to user data (emails, SMS data, GPS info, last-visit history, phone logs & phone numbers)
Affected : HTC model smartphones (Android)
Source : HTC tool from recent software update

Security Flaw 2 :
Type : Unauthorised lock/password bypass of smartphone - gain access to all phone data physically
Affected : AT&T's version of the new Samsung Galaxy SII smartphone
Source : Android OS security (specific source unknown)

I really hope Google give some serious attention to Android security in future updates & releases , as this OS has very good potential.

Reference :
CIO.com Blogs : Major Android Security Flaws Spotlight Growing Mobile Threat

http://blogs.cio.com/smartphones/16535/major-android-security-flaws-spotlight-growing-mobile-threat

Android Security : Best practices summary (rev 2)

This is the second revision of my summary of best practice for increasing security for your Android phone.
I would recommend this to all Android users.

a) Switch off WIFI when not in use. This is to reduce chances of attack , and saves your battery consumption.
Believe me it saves battery power a LOT.
My Samsung Galaxy Ace would last only 1 day when used heavily with WIFI internet access, but it lasts 2 days when the WIFI Internet access is not much used and is switched off when not being used.


b) Switch off Bluetooth when not in use. This is to reduce chances of attack via anonymous Bluetooth connections from other phones. Users will suddenly be prompted that someone you don't know , wants to connect to you via Bluetooth, once allowed it infects your phone with virus/malware. I had a lot of this attack on my Nokia phone.


c) Install only authorised & signed apps from Android Market. This can be done by unticking "Unknown Sources" option in the Settings -> Applications settings menu. It makes sure you are downloading only signed apps.


d) Install mobile antivirus software ( example : Lookout Mobile Security, AVG Mobile Antivirus ). The two examples are good antivirus software for the Android phone which scans apps , content & SMS. A must-have.


e) Implement a screen lock password for your Android phone. Use complex password to make it difficult to guess ( alphanumeric, upper/lower case ). You also use the initials of a sentence you like as a password . Example : I love the way you look tonight , my darling - take the first letters of the sentence as the password --> iltwyltmd

f) Implement a SIM card password for your SIM card



Note : this post will be updated when required.

Best Social Media Tools

I found this article to be interesting :

MRSAYS.COM : Best Social Media Monitoring Tools

Android Security : Lookout Mobile Security part 2 ( backup/restore, missing device alert features )

As mentioned in previous blog post , the Lookout Mobile Security has several features only offered in premium version :

Free version
a) Antivirus/malware security.
b) Backup and restore phone data (Contacts only).
c) Missing device alert ( alarm trigger scream on the phone, location pinpoint via login to MyLookout.com ).
d) Privacy Advisor (not available in free version, only in paid premium version)
d) Safe browsing (advises whether the site is OK or contains malware, not available in free version, only in paid premium version).

Premium version
a) Backup and restore phone data (Contacts, Pictures , call logs - up to 1.5GB space limit).
b) Missing device alert ( alarm trigger scream on the phone, location pinpoint via login to MyLookout.com, LOCK phone, WIPE PHONE DATA ).
c) Privacy Advisor
d) Safe browsing (advises whether the site is OK or contains malware, not available in free version, only in paid premium version).

Note : I was only evaluating the free version , so I could not test the premium version features.

Testing on the phone location pinpoint
Based on my testing of the location pinpoint feature using the MyLookout.com site , the location pinpoint works well, but accuracy is more towards 1KM area.
Please refer to the green circle in the screenshot below, that is the accuracy range.
/
Testing on the phone alarm screen trigger feature
Based on my testing, the phone alarm sound was triggered successfully within seconds, and the sound is similar to a US police car siren. The sound generated was almost at max volume. Please refer to the screenshot below, which shows the trigger was activated successfully.

The MyLookout page

The green circle is the phone location possibility , accurate within 1KM