Spies. Spies everywhere.
http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/2842t0/german_secur…
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/chinese-smartphone-spyware,news-…
http://www.nairaland.com/1782827/beware-some-cheap-china-and…
You guys probably saw this coming already, but here's the report:
SNIP:
A Chinese Android smartphone on sale on Amazon, eBay and other online stores has been found to contain a virus that pretends to be the Google Play Store but steals user data.
The Star N9500, which closely resembles Samsung’s Galaxy S4 smartphone in appearance, is manufactured in China but sold online through resellers based in Belfast and Hong Kong.
The Trojan, known as “Uupay.D”, disguised as the Google Play Store, comes pre-installed on the Android smartphone and cannot be removed by the user, according to German security company G Data, which analysed one of the smartphones purchased directly from the factory in China.
END SNIPPET
Well, not so surprising is it? If it isn't the America NSA, it's the Chinese smartphone industry that's spying on you.
Anyone considering on purchasing a cheapie phone would be well advised to learn on how to root their devices and install a custom ROM.
More newsworthy stuff:
Amazon released their first phone, the Kindle Fire
Towelroot is a quick way to root most KitKat devices
Samsung releases a new homescreen replacement called Terrain (Beta- USA only)
Garmin releases a new GPS app that only costs a buck. Currently in beta
Personalise your CM phone with Cyanogen Theme Showcase
Exposted module brings back better permissions information on the Play store (Exposed Framwork needed)
DayDream widgets lets you put any widget on your Android Daydream.
Youtube to have selectable playback resolutions in the future.
Reddit Offline is truly offline, lets you read Reddit Offline. Did I mention it works offline? Free, no ads ever.
Android 5 is coming!
I remember articles going back more than year, I think, suggesting Chinese-made smartphones as an obvious potential vehicle for pre-installed spy/malware. Had crossed my mind even before reading those, so yep, I think alot of us saw it coming.
The confirmed reality is always (a bit!) worse.
I've read the rumours about the new Amazon phone. It'll be interesting to see how good (or completely naff) the 3D 'effect' thing is.