No argument here. You're preaching to the choir. I think yours is the best superior solution. And people don't realize how much they're being gouged until they found out what you recommend. But it's not marketed all the time and in their face via commercials, so they don't know any better. Because the phone companies want your $100/mo instead of $10.
I was just giving another alternative since I didn't see it at all on this topic. Also, as a side note, it gives the ability to have a modern and up to date smartphone. I didn't look, but usually the prepaid android smartphones are pretty bootleg in comparison to the flagship models.
Since the OP didn't mention specifics, I'm betting that he is a student living in the dorms that wants access to other than port 80. The best advice I learned very quickly and often, is:
Move off campus. Even if it's to apartments that are only a block away.
In this case, the parent poster is right. University access have some pretty draconian BS. Examples:
- One school I lived in wouldn't allow member of the opposite sex in AT ALL unless signed in by another member of the same sex. If I wanted my gf to come in, even at 11 am, I had to find a girl to sign her in. Retarded. And no guests AT ALL, period, after midnight. When you go out at night and then you want to have friends over, forget it.
- Phones. All universities do this. Now it's not a problem anymore because people have cell's, but when I went, cell's were just starting to be commonplace. So you had to pay like 25 cents a call and like 20 per month for the privelege. Unless it was an on-campus call.
- You pay the same amount for a dorm as you do rent, sometimes more, and they kick you out during breaks and over the summer. So you pay more for the privelage of that.
And of course the restricted internet problem like you have. Seriously, move off campus into your own apartment. Student loans still will pay for it--just because you dorm is included in tuition doesn't mean that you get a free ride--you gotta pay either way. I think a lot of new students don't realize that.
Move out, get your own place (using loans for food and rent if need be) and get your own unfettered internet, nicer, superior, and cheaper apartment, the ability to not have a roommate (probably the worst thing ever in college is always ending up with shit roommates), being able to actually use a stove and cook your own food or eat what you want instead of dorm food, etc. It's the hands down best thing you can ever do.
I might add that the one thing a cheap laptop can't do is blu-ray.* But attempting it myself, don't even bother. Get a stand-alone blu ray player. They're only like $80 now. The shitty, bug ridden, pricey, and unsupported after 1 year PC software (they make you buy the new version for updates) required to play blu rays isn't worth it AT ALL. Hell, going the PC blu ray route, OEM's even gouge you for the drive ($150 drive vs 80 stand alone player), then the annual ~$70 player software. Screw em. And depending on the stand-alone player, they all have free updates pretty much forever.
And besides, even though I LOVE blu ray, think it's totally worth it for the quality and amazing 7.1+ audio, the writing is on the wall. Discs are out. Digital is in. So is it worth it to invest in it?
* Maybe it can though. Doesn't SB have special hardware for that?
You're 100% right. I don't know what the hype is all about. These devices suck, are inferior, have shitty updates, and don't support everything you want.
The best, and only solution is what everyone already has: the Laptop.
Quiet, portable, supports EVERYTHING with no restrictions, access to every digital service and store, always gets updates, cheap (within reason--getting a $400-500 laptop can play everything and you'll have it for 7 years so the lifetime cost is neglible). And the set up is so simple. Plug it in to your TV with an HDMI cable. Done.
Let me precede a disclaimer: I will never buy an Apple product. They're always inferior, the company is evil, and it's followers are idiots, frothing at the mouth cult following psychos.
With that out of the way, what about an iPod touch? Get an account at that free SIP service, hook it up to Fring or Acrobits SIP dialer, and use Google Voice to tie it all together and also get free unlimited texting. You get all the conveniences of a smartphone too. And free wi-fi is practically everywhere. You would almost have a totally free mobile phone. Keep around your old, unactivated "dumb phone" to call 911 (if it's been activated on a cell provider before, it can call 911 anywhere without service).
Now keep in mind I think it's crazy to use unsecured public wi-fi, and especially since you'll be transmitting passwords over it. But then u could always get a pre-paid data puck thing from like virgin and only use it when u need it.
Tell me about it. It was a side project for fun for me a while back. I wanted best call quality, cheapest option, most advanced features, and unlimited calling, knowing I would be home most of the time but also needed to at least answer calls while I was out, but nothing serious.
Forget it. At least with 3G. I'd be generally curious with a 4G phone on Verizon. But anyway, VoIP only works well with Skype (using the $60/yr call out/in feature), on a computer, using wired ethernet. Really is perfect for VoIP, which is rare--usually all VoIP gets garbled, caller or listener drops audio and goes silently for 30 seconds, or it sounds like you're choppy/underwater. Even voip from the cable company, which supposedly would have better QoS, or vonage, which can configure QoS and ports a multitude of ways, does it *frequently*. And you're right too. Attempted Fring with that service (forget the name) so you have truly free calling. It was total shit. Even Skype, on an iPhone, connected to Wi-Fi 10 feet away, so as to be used like a phone, was crap. Audio sounded super low quality too, like a cell (not so with the pc route)
NOW, I would be generally interested in truly free calling via video chat (Fring, Skype, Facetime). Even though it's higher data demand, the fact that you can SEE the person's mouth move, might add a layer than would eliminate a lot of issues (garbled voice, latency, etc.). Every try it? Would be really interested in what you found. I have a 3GS with no front facing camera so I can't try it out.
Probably the best advice I've ever seen on Slashdot. Mod parent waaay up.
I did this when I most recently got a new phone. I used the 14 day return window, and called the new phone for each carrier multiple times from my current cell. Then drove around the area too. Saw how many times it went through, texts went through. Everyone should do the same.
Found out that the worst offender, AT&T, *in that area*, had the best, even better than Verizon (who everyone supposedly says are the best). But when going into another area where I travel to alot, even though it's a heavily populated area right outside an urban center, T-Mobile was best, even though T-mobile is atrocious in the original location.
Nah, we still need it. Alien(s), Sphere, that movie with Ed Harris in the underwater science enclosure (can't remember the name), etc. All not niche.
But we need it because honestly I can't find much good sci-fi lately. How many times can you watch Aliens, 2001, Star Trek? Honestly, there is more good sci fi in video games now (Dead Space, etc.). I can't find anything good nowadays. Last one I saw was Sunshine and that one with Dennis Quad (can't remember the name). Enough to satisfy my fix, but c'mon, they were pretty terrible. Well sunshine was good until they turned it into Event Horizon but it was tacked out and out of nowhere.
We need it because we need to know what good sci-fi to see. Or even just to find ANY sci-fi! If anyone can name anything good, please prove me wrong.
Trojans are only found on non-reputable 3rd party markets that people voluntarily put on their Android handsets, usually in China. Google, Android, and the official Android market have nothing to do with it. So how would they remove it?
Let me first precede in that I do appreciate your well thought and detailed reply.
Not that I disagree with the UAC model that Android uses per se, but with your final sentence you're equating apps being able to send your UDID to the developer with a virus?
It states right in the article that in addition to the ID, location data is stolen and so is your contact list. You don't call that a trojan/virus/malware? In addition, it was found that 3 apps on the App Store even record ambient room audio without your knowledge (article a month or two back). That is the absolute utmost of vile malware.
Let's ignore the fact that, assuming the comparisons were valid it would be a trojan and not a virus, I'm not sure you can logically make the argument that apps on the iOS app store using one of Apple's own APIs to identify the client handset is equivalent to those apps being classed as viruses and malware.
See above. In addition, Apple's official policy flat out refuses apps to give out location data, contact list's, etc., without permission.
Malware would be an app that harvested data outside of these controls (and I'm not saying they do not exist on iOS - no one is claiming immunity to malware, since that is like saying you're immune to catching a cold, even if you don't go outside and take precautions to avoid sick people), but if Google starts running an ad campaign that "iOS gets viruses" based on this evidence then they would be 100% wrong. If they ran an ad claiming that iOS had malware based on *actual evidence of malware* (and again, note very carefully, I am not saying that iOS has no malware) then they would be on solid ground.
iOS has malware. It's already been proven according to TFA. They wouldn't be lying.
Perhaps you should refresh yourself on the definition of trojans, viruses and malware in general, and also on the way that apps on the iOS app store actually function before you start giving Google marketing advice.
I know the differences. This is truly classified as a trojan. However, the average user doesn't know the difference. They interchange the words. Hence why I wrote "virus/trojan/malware."
I do want to precede with the fact that if you knew me in real life, you would know that I am the antithesis of needing "to go out more, and meet people that are not geeks." Myself, my friends, and people around me all have very full lives in very successful non-computer and non-geek related careers. Computers has just been a side hobby of mine for years.
My point however, is that it isn't necessary to be a security expert. All the work has been done for us and we've been told about what to do and what not to do involving security. For goodness sake, everything that is necessary for the average user to know can and has been fit onto one simple newspaper article a myriad of times over the years. It's not hard, difficult to remember, or complex. The whole problem is attributable to people's refusal to learn or laziness. In this case, people refuse or are too lazy and choose to use a gatekeeper (Apple), but as this article shows, it's a placebo. It's nothing but smoke and mirrrors or security theater.
Like in everything else in life, there are consequences. Identity theft, bank accounts cleared out, etc. Why should I have empathy for a person who can't follow three simple rules? You don't see anyone bitching when we have to learn the rules of the road for driving do we? If anything, practicing proper security is an orders of a magnitude EASIER.
I'd still like the option to ask. Even better, make it so you can fine-tune which permissions you give at any time you like, allowing or disallowing when you feel. Give us the option.
And I feel differently than you do. If users don't want to be responsible, screw them. People have had years to follow the advice of proper security. The first rule is so simple and easy to follow and applies here: "dont blindly click!" If they don't want to learn, it's not my problem. And if they don't want to take the effort with a device (smartphone) that carries all of their most personal, private, and financial data, they're idiots. You don't see people objecting to taking a drivers test before driving a car. Smart phone theft is even more dangerous because unlike cars, no one usually is ever prosecuted, or even theft detected, and it's all done so easily from the comfort of the hacker's home. And yet you bank account will be drained or identity stolen which will result in months to years of painful recovery.
Take the extra second of effort or face the consequences. It ain't my problem. If you don't want to, you're screwed, not me. I think people forget that.
Every time I see an article with this, I laugh. Why? Because it's trojans found in 3rd part markets. NOT the official Android Market. It's hilarious because it's click spam. The title always includes malware without the 3rd party tag. You click on the article, then it's some BS market for devices in China.
I blame the media for half of it, and FUD spreaders like you for the other half.
"B-b-but but Apple stuff doesn't get viruses/malware/trojans!"
Make no mistake, this is what trojans are and what they do. I wonder how many of those take more than just the unique ID (see path silently stealing customer address books). There was an article a while mentioning the amount.
I'm surprised the "carefully curated" meme gets passed along here at slashdot with so many people who should know better. And I love to see those knocking Android saying it has malware. Ever notice that those articles mention malware on a 3rd party market and NOT the official android market? In this case, with android mentioning permissions, it actually makes android MORE secure than the App Store.
I hope Google pre-emptively starts making ads that the App Store gets viruses before Apple starts another iOS doesn't get viruses meme.
I for one am a big advocate for higher resolutions. Though shame it will go to waste on games. My 8800 GTS 512 can't even handle that resolution. An iPad definitely won't. It will upscale, and that will look like crap, just like the consoles do it now on a 1080p TV. And that looks like crap too.
Shame that this resolution for games will go to waste for at least another few years.
Explain to me why this is something to envy? Why is this good?
We should always advocate to others to learn more about anything and everything. Especially since in this day and age our lives depend on it. I'm sure you know at least one person who has had his or her identity stolen (months to years of work to recover) or bank account drained because they thought it was ok to click on the "punch the monkey ad" or log in to face book on a public computer.
Make no mistake, by promoting and advocating ignorance, these people could have their lives ruined. It's not just from being an idiot for walking through a bad neighborhood wearing diamonds or fancy jewelry anymore.
No true multi-tasking that causes certain features to crap out when switching to another app, severe recent battery issues, terrible antenna issues, the list goes on.
They DO choose Apple because of 1 or more combination of:
1) They think it will make them look cool. 2) They want to show that they have money by purchasing an overprice luxury item 3) Fooled by Apple's marketing claims 4) Like shiny things
The metamods rated your post interesting. It really was though. Enjoyed it. But one thing in particular is wonderful but at the same time terrible all in one:
I had a Toshiba Thrive a while back. I've delivered a thorough critique on tablets in general before, but suffice it to say, for anything more than watching a simple movie or reading an e-book, they're terrible. Attempt to actually do anything or use it more than this, it just isn't comfortable, flexible, or featureful enough.
However:
Games. This is it for the consoles. After watching Dead Space and an MMO and Rainbow Six on iOS/Android, the writing is on the wall. I was amazed at playing this on a phone. Granted, a console offers a stable config for developers, a platform for better sales, etc. But when featureful games keep on being released, after a while one will ask themself why bother buying another unit. And it's kind of amazing to have quick aiming in FPS's after being so hampered by a controller (Call of Duty on consoles versus Modern Combat on iOS/Android).
And as a side note, as much as I refuse to ever purchase another Apple product (for a myriad of reasons they're an awful and evil company), the Android situation for games (not the rest--app fragmentation is only a problem games--nothing else) is terrible. iOS gives a stable environment for developers and its app store forces devs to release the full version for download. Gameloft won't let you run it's games on half of android devices, or won't carry them in store, and makes one download them directly thus negating any benefits of the Android Market (auto updates, re-downloading games, etc.). Do they even provide updates? It's a mess.
Though I am curious with the higher res screen how games will perform. Hell my 8800 GTS 512, while old, can't even handle games at that resolution. Though kudos for pushing the resolution forward. Two things are the biggest factors in how good a games graphics are--the texture detail and a higher resolution.
Please keep in mind that the purchase of Motorola by Google was simply a defensive measure against MS and Apple. MS was shaking down its partners and Apple is doing what they're doing now, only they began with HTC.
An apologist or misguided, I don't know which one you are. No, Apple has a history of *litigation.* NOT being a patent troll who flat-out is attempting to block out an entire industry. And on top of that, why are you defending this anyway? You think this is ok?
Witness the countless times Apple has ruined other businesses via litigation, especially small businesses only attempting to make a living off its ecosystem and making a contribution, from the earliest days. Via litigation.
And patent enforcers goal is to extract fees or a cut of the revenue. Again, even the slimiest of the slimy, SCO, wasn't even attempting what Apple wants. They simply wanted a piece of the pie. Not to throw all the pies on the ground in a temper tantrum, stomp on it, rub it in your face, and then offer their own strudel instead.
They won't. They know while Google may take it, MS will bury them into the ground in court. MS would probably at the end of the day prevent them from ever selling the iPhone at all. There goes 2/3 of Apple's future revenues.
Though maybe MS or other vendors should. Apple attempt is going to threaten the very core of the mobile future and make no mistake will prevent you from getting a Google or MS or any other smartphone. They're taking away competition and choice.
Yup. Now all the fanboys see Apple for what they are.
I just laugh at all the comments over the years. Every time Apple applies and gets a new patent, every Apple lover replies with "b-but but but they'll never use them! And they're probably doing it to protect themselves!" or some other lame excuse.
Well now the answer is clear. And they're worse than even SCO or Microsoft. At least they just wanted a cut of the money. Not Apple. They want to hinder one of the most useful and important things that benefit people today.
Though what is interesting is, *for Apple to do this*, must mean that they are scared. Very scared. Can't compete with inferior tech, so let's litigate. They wouldn't do this if they were confident that its product really is superior, and really is "magical."
Oh boy. Typical Apple fanboi response. If Apple doesn't have it, it's a feature. I bet you I would see you defending Apple when it didn't have copy and paste too, right?
Too bad. You can't spin it. Not having true multi-tasking is pathetic and it's definitely a missing feature. Pre-emptive multi-tasking was in UNIX, NT, and then 95 over 17 years ago. It was invented for a reason. And they had a whole lot less RAM than smartphones do today.
When you can't switch to another program when downloading a file with dropbox, that's pathetic. Sure, the Apple official apps like safari or mail have it, but everyone else doesn't. You don't leave the job of handling multi-tasking to an App author. As this article shows, they can't even handle a stupid App that simply displays news without crashing.
Battery life on android devices may not be great, but now with the advent of the iPhone 4S and iOS 5, they suck too (nevermind the fact that Apple still doesn't even know why, which is pathetic considering they only have ONE phone to support and they make it themselves). So they're on par, battery-wise. But yet Android has full pre-emptive multi-tasking.
It's pathetic. And don't spin it otherwise, because you're just wrong.
Best advice, comment, and solution on this entire topic. Don't know why you posted as AC. Mod parent up.
However if Kingdom of Amalur paves the way, we wouldn't even be able to do that. Honestly though, best solution is to stop caring about Ubi's games. Now is the best time in history for gaming. I have a library of games that will take me 20 years to finish. I don't waste 1 second on a game in my library I start playing if it's bad. Besides, Ubi has no good games left, so it won't kill us. AC and Splinter Cell. And at the rate it makes SC (2 in almost 10 years), missing out on just 1 in the next generation won't kill us. Shame though because their subsidiary or sister company (?) Gameloft has been doing some good work on mobile games.
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No argument here. You're preaching to the choir. I think yours is the best superior solution. And people don't realize how much they're being gouged until they found out what you recommend. But it's not marketed all the time and in their face via commercials, so they don't know any better. Because the phone companies want your $100/mo instead of $10.
I was just giving another alternative since I didn't see it at all on this topic. Also, as a side note, it gives the ability to have a modern and up to date smartphone. I didn't look, but usually the prepaid android smartphones are pretty bootleg in comparison to the flagship models.
Since the OP didn't mention specifics, I'm betting that he is a student living in the dorms that wants access to other than port 80. The best advice I learned very quickly and often, is:
Move off campus. Even if it's to apartments that are only a block away.
In this case, the parent poster is right. University access have some pretty draconian BS. Examples:
- One school I lived in wouldn't allow member of the opposite sex in AT ALL unless signed in by another member of the same sex. If I wanted my gf to come in, even at 11 am, I had to find a girl to sign her in. Retarded. And no guests AT ALL, period, after midnight. When you go out at night and then you want to have friends over, forget it.
- Phones. All universities do this. Now it's not a problem anymore because people have cell's, but when I went, cell's were just starting to be commonplace. So you had to pay like 25 cents a call and like 20 per month for the privelege. Unless it was an on-campus call.
- You pay the same amount for a dorm as you do rent, sometimes more, and they kick you out during breaks and over the summer. So you pay more for the privelage of that.
And of course the restricted internet problem like you have. Seriously, move off campus into your own apartment. Student loans still will pay for it--just because you dorm is included in tuition doesn't mean that you get a free ride--you gotta pay either way. I think a lot of new students don't realize that.
Move out, get your own place (using loans for food and rent if need be) and get your own unfettered internet, nicer, superior, and cheaper apartment, the ability to not have a roommate (probably the worst thing ever in college is always ending up with shit roommates), being able to actually use a stove and cook your own food or eat what you want instead of dorm food, etc. It's the hands down best thing you can ever do.
I might add that the one thing a cheap laptop can't do is blu-ray.* But attempting it myself, don't even bother. Get a stand-alone blu ray player. They're only like $80 now. The shitty, bug ridden, pricey, and unsupported after 1 year PC software (they make you buy the new version for updates) required to play blu rays isn't worth it AT ALL. Hell, going the PC blu ray route, OEM's even gouge you for the drive ($150 drive vs 80 stand alone player), then the annual ~$70 player software. Screw em. And depending on the stand-alone player, they all have free updates pretty much forever.
And besides, even though I LOVE blu ray, think it's totally worth it for the quality and amazing 7.1+ audio, the writing is on the wall. Discs are out. Digital is in. So is it worth it to invest in it?
* Maybe it can though. Doesn't SB have special hardware for that?
You're 100% right. I don't know what the hype is all about. These devices suck, are inferior, have shitty updates, and don't support everything you want.
The best, and only solution is what everyone already has: the Laptop.
Quiet, portable, supports EVERYTHING with no restrictions, access to every digital service and store, always gets updates, cheap (within reason--getting a $400-500 laptop can play everything and you'll have it for 7 years so the lifetime cost is neglible). And the set up is so simple. Plug it in to your TV with an HDMI cable. Done.
Let me precede a disclaimer: I will never buy an Apple product. They're always inferior, the company is evil, and it's followers are idiots, frothing at the mouth cult following psychos.
With that out of the way, what about an iPod touch? Get an account at that free SIP service, hook it up to Fring or Acrobits SIP dialer, and use Google Voice to tie it all together and also get free unlimited texting. You get all the conveniences of a smartphone too. And free wi-fi is practically everywhere. You would almost have a totally free mobile phone. Keep around your old, unactivated "dumb phone" to call 911 (if it's been activated on a cell provider before, it can call 911 anywhere without service).
Now keep in mind I think it's crazy to use unsecured public wi-fi, and especially since you'll be transmitting passwords over it. But then u could always get a pre-paid data puck thing from like virgin and only use it when u need it.
Tell me about it. It was a side project for fun for me a while back. I wanted best call quality, cheapest option, most advanced features, and unlimited calling, knowing I would be home most of the time but also needed to at least answer calls while I was out, but nothing serious.
Forget it. At least with 3G. I'd be generally curious with a 4G phone on Verizon. But anyway, VoIP only works well with Skype (using the $60/yr call out/in feature), on a computer, using wired ethernet. Really is perfect for VoIP, which is rare--usually all VoIP gets garbled, caller or listener drops audio and goes silently for 30 seconds, or it sounds like you're choppy/underwater. Even voip from the cable company, which supposedly would have better QoS, or vonage, which can configure QoS and ports a multitude of ways, does it *frequently*. And you're right too. Attempted Fring with that service (forget the name) so you have truly free calling. It was total shit. Even Skype, on an iPhone, connected to Wi-Fi 10 feet away, so as to be used like a phone, was crap. Audio sounded super low quality too, like a cell (not so with the pc route)
NOW, I would be generally interested in truly free calling via video chat (Fring, Skype, Facetime). Even though it's higher data demand, the fact that you can SEE the person's mouth move, might add a layer than would eliminate a lot of issues (garbled voice, latency, etc.). Every try it? Would be really interested in what you found. I have a 3GS with no front facing camera so I can't try it out.
Probably the best advice I've ever seen on Slashdot. Mod parent waaay up.
I did this when I most recently got a new phone. I used the 14 day return window, and called the new phone for each carrier multiple times from my current cell. Then drove around the area too. Saw how many times it went through, texts went through. Everyone should do the same.
Found out that the worst offender, AT&T, *in that area*, had the best, even better than Verizon (who everyone supposedly says are the best). But when going into another area where I travel to alot, even though it's a heavily populated area right outside an urban center, T-Mobile was best, even though T-mobile is atrocious in the original location.
Nah, we still need it. Alien(s), Sphere, that movie with Ed Harris in the underwater science enclosure (can't remember the name), etc. All not niche.
But we need it because honestly I can't find much good sci-fi lately. How many times can you watch Aliens, 2001, Star Trek? Honestly, there is more good sci fi in video games now (Dead Space, etc.). I can't find anything good nowadays. Last one I saw was Sunshine and that one with Dennis Quad (can't remember the name). Enough to satisfy my fix, but c'mon, they were pretty terrible. Well sunshine was good until they turned it into Event Horizon but it was tacked out and out of nowhere.
We need it because we need to know what good sci-fi to see. Or even just to find ANY sci-fi! If anyone can name anything good, please prove me wrong.
Uh, what?
Trojans are only found on non-reputable 3rd party markets that people voluntarily put on their Android handsets, usually in China. Google, Android, and the official Android market have nothing to do with it. So how would they remove it?
All I can say is... what are talking about?
Let me first precede in that I do appreciate your well thought and detailed reply.
Not that I disagree with the UAC model that Android uses per se, but with your final sentence you're equating apps being able to send your UDID to the developer with a virus?
It states right in the article that in addition to the ID, location data is stolen and so is your contact list. You don't call that a trojan/virus/malware? In addition, it was found that 3 apps on the App Store even record ambient room audio without your knowledge (article a month or two back). That is the absolute utmost of vile malware.
Let's ignore the fact that, assuming the comparisons were valid it would be a trojan and not a virus, I'm not sure you can logically make the argument that apps on the iOS app store using one of Apple's own APIs to identify the client handset is equivalent to those apps being classed as viruses and malware.
See above. In addition, Apple's official policy flat out refuses apps to give out location data, contact list's, etc., without permission.
Malware would be an app that harvested data outside of these controls (and I'm not saying they do not exist on iOS - no one is claiming immunity to malware, since that is like saying you're immune to catching a cold, even if you don't go outside and take precautions to avoid sick people), but if Google starts running an ad campaign that "iOS gets viruses" based on this evidence then they would be 100% wrong. If they ran an ad claiming that iOS had malware based on *actual evidence of malware* (and again, note very carefully, I am not saying that iOS has no malware) then they would be on solid ground.
iOS has malware. It's already been proven according to TFA. They wouldn't be lying.
Perhaps you should refresh yourself on the definition of trojans, viruses and malware in general, and also on the way that apps on the iOS app store actually function before you start giving Google marketing advice.
I know the differences. This is truly classified as a trojan. However, the average user doesn't know the difference. They interchange the words. Hence why I wrote "virus/trojan/malware."
I do want to precede with the fact that if you knew me in real life, you would know that I am the antithesis of needing "to go out more, and meet people that are not geeks." Myself, my friends, and people around me all have very full lives in very successful non-computer and non-geek related careers. Computers has just been a side hobby of mine for years.
My point however, is that it isn't necessary to be a security expert. All the work has been done for us and we've been told about what to do and what not to do involving security. For goodness sake, everything that is necessary for the average user to know can and has been fit onto one simple newspaper article a myriad of times over the years. It's not hard, difficult to remember, or complex. The whole problem is attributable to people's refusal to learn or laziness. In this case, people refuse or are too lazy and choose to use a gatekeeper (Apple), but as this article shows, it's a placebo. It's nothing but smoke and mirrrors or security theater.
Like in everything else in life, there are consequences. Identity theft, bank accounts cleared out, etc. Why should I have empathy for a person who can't follow three simple rules? You don't see anyone bitching when we have to learn the rules of the road for driving do we? If anything, practicing proper security is an orders of a magnitude EASIER.
I'd still like the option to ask. Even better, make it so you can fine-tune which permissions you give at any time you like, allowing or disallowing when you feel. Give us the option.
And I feel differently than you do. If users don't want to be responsible, screw them. People have had years to follow the advice of proper security. The first rule is so simple and easy to follow and applies here: "dont blindly click!" If they don't want to learn, it's not my problem. And if they don't want to take the effort with a device (smartphone) that carries all of their most personal, private, and financial data, they're idiots. You don't see people objecting to taking a drivers test before driving a car. Smart phone theft is even more dangerous because unlike cars, no one usually is ever prosecuted, or even theft detected, and it's all done so easily from the comfort of the hacker's home. And yet you bank account will be drained or identity stolen which will result in months to years of painful recovery.
Take the extra second of effort or face the consequences. It ain't my problem. If you don't want to, you're screwed, not me. I think people forget that.
100% wrong and false. Don't spread FUD.
Every time I see an article with this, I laugh. Why? Because it's trojans found in 3rd part markets. NOT the official Android Market. It's hilarious because it's click spam. The title always includes malware without the 3rd party tag. You click on the article, then it's some BS market for devices in China.
I blame the media for half of it, and FUD spreaders like you for the other half.
Exactly.
"B-b-but but Apple stuff doesn't get viruses/malware/trojans!"
Make no mistake, this is what trojans are and what they do. I wonder how many of those take more than just the unique ID (see path silently stealing customer address books). There was an article a while mentioning the amount.
I'm surprised the "carefully curated" meme gets passed along here at slashdot with so many people who should know better. And I love to see those knocking Android saying it has malware. Ever notice that those articles mention malware on a 3rd party market and NOT the official android market? In this case, with android mentioning permissions, it actually makes android MORE secure than the App Store.
I hope Google pre-emptively starts making ads that the App Store gets viruses before Apple starts another iOS doesn't get viruses meme.
Rounded corners.
Tap to call.
So innovative. And certainly didn't exist before Apple invented them!
I for one am a big advocate for higher resolutions. Though shame it will go to waste on games. My 8800 GTS 512 can't even handle that resolution. An iPad definitely won't. It will upscale, and that will look like crap, just like the consoles do it now on a 1080p TV. And that looks like crap too.
Shame that this resolution for games will go to waste for at least another few years.
Explain to me why this is something to envy? Why is this good?
We should always advocate to others to learn more about anything and everything. Especially since in this day and age our lives depend on it. I'm sure you know at least one person who has had his or her identity stolen (months to years of work to recover) or bank account drained because they thought it was ok to click on the "punch the monkey ad" or log in to face book on a public computer.
Make no mistake, by promoting and advocating ignorance, these people could have their lives ruined. It's not just from being an idiot for walking through a bad neighborhood wearing diamonds or fancy jewelry anymore.
Except that they don't.
No true multi-tasking that causes certain features to crap out when switching to another app, severe recent battery issues, terrible antenna issues, the list goes on.
They DO choose Apple because of 1 or more combination of:
1) They think it will make them look cool.
2) They want to show that they have money by purchasing an overprice luxury item
3) Fooled by Apple's marketing claims
4) Like shiny things
The metamods rated your post interesting. It really was though. Enjoyed it. But one thing in particular is wonderful but at the same time terrible all in one:
I had a Toshiba Thrive a while back. I've delivered a thorough critique on tablets in general before, but suffice it to say, for anything more than watching a simple movie or reading an e-book, they're terrible. Attempt to actually do anything or use it more than this, it just isn't comfortable, flexible, or featureful enough.
However:
Games. This is it for the consoles. After watching Dead Space and an MMO and Rainbow Six on iOS/Android, the writing is on the wall. I was amazed at playing this on a phone. Granted, a console offers a stable config for developers, a platform for better sales, etc. But when featureful games keep on being released, after a while one will ask themself why bother buying another unit. And it's kind of amazing to have quick aiming in FPS's after being so hampered by a controller (Call of Duty on consoles versus Modern Combat on iOS/Android).
And as a side note, as much as I refuse to ever purchase another Apple product (for a myriad of reasons they're an awful and evil company), the Android situation for games (not the rest--app fragmentation is only a problem games--nothing else) is terrible. iOS gives a stable environment for developers and its app store forces devs to release the full version for download. Gameloft won't let you run it's games on half of android devices, or won't carry them in store, and makes one download them directly thus negating any benefits of the Android Market (auto updates, re-downloading games, etc.). Do they even provide updates? It's a mess.
Though I am curious with the higher res screen how games will perform. Hell my 8800 GTS 512, while old, can't even handle games at that resolution. Though kudos for pushing the resolution forward. Two things are the biggest factors in how good a games graphics are--the texture detail and a higher resolution.
Please keep in mind that the purchase of Motorola by Google was simply a defensive measure against MS and Apple. MS was shaking down its partners and Apple is doing what they're doing now, only they began with HTC.
An apologist or misguided, I don't know which one you are. No, Apple has a history of *litigation.* NOT being a patent troll who flat-out is attempting to block out an entire industry. And on top of that, why are you defending this anyway? You think this is ok?
Witness the countless times Apple has ruined other businesses via litigation, especially small businesses only attempting to make a living off its ecosystem and making a contribution, from the earliest days. Via litigation.
And patent enforcers goal is to extract fees or a cut of the revenue. Again, even the slimiest of the slimy, SCO, wasn't even attempting what Apple wants. They simply wanted a piece of the pie. Not to throw all the pies on the ground in a temper tantrum, stomp on it, rub it in your face, and then offer their own strudel instead.
They won't. They know while Google may take it, MS will bury them into the ground in court. MS would probably at the end of the day prevent them from ever selling the iPhone at all. There goes 2/3 of Apple's future revenues.
Though maybe MS or other vendors should. Apple attempt is going to threaten the very core of the mobile future and make no mistake will prevent you from getting a Google or MS or any other smartphone. They're taking away competition and choice.
Yup. Now all the fanboys see Apple for what they are.
I just laugh at all the comments over the years. Every time Apple applies and gets a new patent, every Apple lover replies with "b-but but but they'll never use them! And they're probably doing it to protect themselves!" or some other lame excuse.
Well now the answer is clear. And they're worse than even SCO or Microsoft. At least they just wanted a cut of the money. Not Apple. They want to hinder one of the most useful and important things that benefit people today.
Though what is interesting is, *for Apple to do this*, must mean that they are scared. Very scared. Can't compete with inferior tech, so let's litigate. They wouldn't do this if they were confident that its product really is superior, and really is "magical."
Oh boy. Typical Apple fanboi response. If Apple doesn't have it, it's a feature. I bet you I would see you defending Apple when it didn't have copy and paste too, right?
Too bad. You can't spin it. Not having true multi-tasking is pathetic and it's definitely a missing feature. Pre-emptive multi-tasking was in UNIX, NT, and then 95 over 17 years ago. It was invented for a reason. And they had a whole lot less RAM than smartphones do today.
When you can't switch to another program when downloading a file with dropbox, that's pathetic. Sure, the Apple official apps like safari or mail have it, but everyone else doesn't. You don't leave the job of handling multi-tasking to an App author. As this article shows, they can't even handle a stupid App that simply displays news without crashing.
Battery life on android devices may not be great, but now with the advent of the iPhone 4S and iOS 5, they suck too (nevermind the fact that Apple still doesn't even know why, which is pathetic considering they only have ONE phone to support and they make it themselves). So they're on par, battery-wise. But yet Android has full pre-emptive multi-tasking.
It's pathetic. And don't spin it otherwise, because you're just wrong.
Don't spread FUD.
Best advice, comment, and solution on this entire topic. Don't know why you posted as AC. Mod parent up.
However if Kingdom of Amalur paves the way, we wouldn't even be able to do that. Honestly though, best solution is to stop caring about Ubi's games. Now is the best time in history for gaming. I have a library of games that will take me 20 years to finish. I don't waste 1 second on a game in my library I start playing if it's bad. Besides, Ubi has no good games left, so it won't kill us. AC and Splinter Cell. And at the rate it makes SC (2 in almost 10 years), missing out on just 1 in the next generation won't kill us. Shame though because their subsidiary or sister company (?) Gameloft has been doing some good work on mobile games.