Owners of mobile phones are being asked to test the security of their network to see if enough is being done to stop eavesdropping.

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(Source BBC Technology)

Details of more than 100 million Facebook users have been harvested and published on the net by a security researcher.

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(Source BBC Technology)

The majority of people using broadband are not getting the speed they are paying for, research by the regulator Ofcom suggests.

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(Source BBC Technology)

Futuristic computers that learn to see and listen could result from research into the ways nerve cells communicate.

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(Source BBC Technology)

Android stays paranoid

The BBC Trust has waved through a Beeb news app for Apple’s iPhone and iPad, just a few months after the Corporation’s governing body mulled whether development of the software could be justified.…

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(Source The Register)

BBC Trust rules that corporation’s smartphone apps do not need to pass full public value test, despite rivals’ concerns

The BBC Trust has given given the all-clear to the launch of the BBC’s iPhone apps despite commercial rivals’ concerns about their market impact.

Smartphone applications for BBC News, BBC Sport and the iPlayer did not require further scrutiny through a public value test, it said.

The trust’s review included research into the apps market by a media consultancy firm, Mediatique.

BBC trustee Diane Coyle, who led the review, said: “The apps market is rapidly taking off as more people choose to get their news, sport and other online content while they’re on the move.

“The trust has a duty to represent the interests of licence fee payers, who will increasingly expect to access BBC content in this way, but also to listen to concerns raised by industry.

“In this case we have concluded that while the apps market is developing quickly and we will monitor the launch of BBC apps, a PVT is not required.”

The Trust said a public value test was not required because the iPhone apps did not involve the creation of new content.

But it said the impact of the BBC services on the apps market should be monitored and would be reviewed six months after launch.

“In circumstances where the BBC’s apps have an unanticipated impact on the market it will remain open to the Trust to call the proposals back in for further consideration or to consider any fair trading complaints on appeal.”

The apps were in line with previous BBC activity, which already offered a range of basic web apps for mobile devices, it said, adding: “The proposals are also in line with current market trends including the growing penetration of smart phones and mobile internet usage.”

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(Source The Guardian)

A flaw in software widely used to power online discussion sites could allow hackers to harvest personal data, the BBC learns.

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(Source BBC Technology)

A Japanese electronics firm shows off a vibration-harvesting generator that could replace batteries.

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(Source BBC Technology)

US defence firm Raytheon unveils a solid state, anti-aircraft laser system at the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire.

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(Source BBC Technology)

Apple will offer a free case to every owner of its iPhone 4, following complaints of reception problems.

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(Source BBC Technology)

It’s crunch day for Apple and iPhone 4 – what can we expect? Stay with us for coverage throughout the day

11.45am: BBC News: users are reporting new issues with 3GS devices.

As the iOS 4.0.1 update has fixed the methods of displaying signal strength in some iPhone 4 devices, it appears that a past update is causing older models to drop calls mysteriously:

“At the same time some owners of the iPhone 3GS are reporting that an earlier update to the handset’s operating system made their phone far more likely to drop calls. The dropped calls occur when the phone suddenly reboots during a conversation”.

The report doesn’t make clear which software update caused this problem or whether it affects 3G or 4 devices. Plugging one hole as another appears? Have you updated? Let us know below…

11.30am: The clamour for a bigger software update/’iDuct’ tape/anything just cranked up a notch: US Democratic senator Charles E. Schumer has written an open letter to Apple chief Steve Jobs, saying:

“I write to express concern regarding the reception problem with the Apple iPhone 4. While I commend Apple’s innovative approach to mobile technology and appreciate its service to millions of iPhone users nationwide, I believe it is incumbent upon Apple to address this flaw in a transparent manner.

“[...] The solutions offered to date by Apple for dealing with the so-called ‘death grip’ malfunction—such as holding the device differently, or buying a cover for it—seem to be insufficient. These proposed solutions would unfairly place the burden on consumers for resolving a problem they were not aware of when they purchased their phones.

“I also encourage Apple to keep its promise to provide free software updates so that bars displayed accurately reflect signal strength; I further urge Apple to issue a written explanation of the formula it uses to calculate bar strength, so that consumers can once again trust the product that they have invested in.”

Who’s your UK political tip for jumping in? Tom Watson MP? Peter Mandelson?

11.20am: So we had a smart pre-emptive move from Apple late last night with the quiet release of the iOS4.0.1 software upgrade. But did it do the trick for you?

For some, it appears to have solved the fundamental signalling problem:

But for others, the problem remains:

10.48am: It must have been quite the week at Apple’s Cupertino, California base. iPhone 4 woes have continued, the technology company set to explain all at today’s crunch press conference.

The much-maligned device has suffered fundamental problems with its mobile reception – growing uncertainty surrounding a potential recall leading to a dip in Apple’s share price and prompting more speculation over the future of the device.

While experts look for a recall of devices, customers clamour for a simple fix. We expect to see one or the other at today’s impromptu press conference. Seeking to gain the initiative, Apple last night released iOS 4.0.1 – a simple fix we’ve all being waiting for? All this and more remains to be seen.

Stay with us for comprehensive coverage throughout the day ahead of the embattled technology company’s 6pm summit. Got news? Tip us off.

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(Source The Guardian)

The government says there is not enough money for a minimum service speed of 2Mbps broadband to be in place throughout the UK by 2012.

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(Source BBC Technology)

Microsoft has shown off a ‘virtual human’ that reacts to a person’s emotions, voice and movement at the TED conference in Oxford.

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(Source BBC Technology)

The social network unveils a “panic button” application, following protracted negotiations with the government.

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(Source BBC Technology)

World of Warcraft publisher Blizzard backs down on the need for gamers to use their real names on its forums after a wave of criticism.

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(Source BBC Technology)

China renews Google’s licence to operate in China, the internet giant says, ending a long-running stand-off between the two.

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(Source BBC Technology)

BT and TalkTalk seek a judicial review of the Digital Economy Act, saying it was rushed and could curb basic rights.

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(Source BBC Technology)

Plus development of “motoring masterclass” iPhone app costs only slightly less than brand new Audi TT Roadster, and you might be closer to Kevin Spacey online than you think

Enjoy the latest smattering of links, as picked by the Technology team

Dev aims to get Frash running on iPad >> CNET News
Canny developer brings out Frash – an application for jailbroken iPads allowing use of Flash in Safari. We await the tests on battery life etc.


Photo by mikealex on Flickr. Some rights reserved

Government spends thousands on iPhone apps >> BBC News
Freedom of Information request reveals iPhone app development costs ranging from £10,000 to £40,000 – a proposed DVLA “motoring masterclass” app (still in development) costing £40k.

On Twitter, a close-knit network >> New York TimesTell all of your friends: 98% of Twitter users are within six degrees of connection from each other.

Sony drops eBook reader prices – but UK still sky high >> PC Pro
No comment from Sony on why, despite UK price cut, we’re still getting a bum deal compared to our Stateside friends.

Everything you need to know about the fragmented mobile developer ecosystem >> TechCrunchVision Mobile’s extensive Developer Economics research report has some interesting findings, worth bookmarking for later reference. Interesting findings, for example, like app stores having reduced the average time-to-shelf by two thirds, and reduced the average time-to-payment by more than half.

Chrome OS gets ready for gaming >> ReadWriteWeb“Web browsers, like IE, Chrome, Safari and Firefox, haven’t traditionally been able to detect which way is up. That may soon change for Google Chrome”

The unstoppable “tech support” scam >> PC Pro
PC Pro investigate a cold-calling scam reportedly affecting UK PC owners.

Strong sales lift HTC profit 33% >> Wall Street Journal
Second-quarter unaudited net profit for the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer was $268m, up 33% year-on-year.

Facebook, Twitter, web enrich social lives, says Pew >> eWeek
“A survey by Pew and Elon found that 85 percent of 895 “technology stakeholders” and pundits agreed that the Internet has mostly been a positive force in peoples’ social lives.”

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(Source The Guardian)

BBC News learns that Whitehall has spent tens of thousands of pounds developing iPhone applications.

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(Source BBC Technology)

Apple says a significant fault on its new iPhone 4 is causing it to incorrectly display the phone’s signal.

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(Source BBC Technology)