Thief steals smartphone, uploads pics of himself on victim’s Facebook

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Internet,

Another example of a thief not understanding technology. A man was arrested for allegedly stealing a fifteen-year-old girl's smartphone at knife point, and then inadvertently uploaded a picture of himself on the victim's Facebook account. According to the girl's police report, she was playing with her younger brother at the playground when two men approached and stole her smartphone. As always, practice "out of sight of out mind" and know your surroundings, as small mobile electronics are high on thieves hit list.

Read More | WCVB

Apple releases iOS 6.0.1 bug fix and optimization update

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

Apple has just released iOS 6.0.1, a maintenance update for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. The update adds a plethora of fixes and software optimizations, fixing things like that nasty Microsoft Exchange meeting cancellation bug. So now those employees with BYOD policies under IT rule can get a green light to update. This comes just in time for the new iPad mini and fourth generation iPad, both of which launch tomorrow. As always, do a backup before updating. Here is a list of changes that iOS 6.0.1 brings:

Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 6.0.1 bug fix and optimization update

Google Nexus 4 from LG available on November 13th for $199.99

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds,

This is the Nexus 4 by Google manufactured by LG. The latest and greatest creation from the folks in Mountain View. The stand out aspect is the new wireless charging capabilities. Surprisingly, this smartphone doesn't offer LTE connectivity, and that's a huge letdown in our opinion. However, the device comes with HSPA+ for those overseas travelers. It also comes with the latest version of Jelly Bean, Android 4.2; untainted by carriers or OEM bloatware and skins which, for some, is the reason why they would opt for this pure experience. The 16GB Nexus 4 will be available for $199.99 on T-Mobile with a two year agreement. If you prefer an unlocked model, those start at $299 for the 8GB or 16GB for $349, available only in the Google Play Store. All device versions will go live for purchase on November 13th.

Click to continue reading Google Nexus 4 from LG available on November 13th for $199.99

Read More | Google Play Store

Microsoft announces Windows Phone 8 SDK now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Software,

Throughout all the hoopla of the past week with the launch of Windows 8, Surface, and Windows Phone 8, developers have been left wondering how they'd go about coding up their apps for Microsoft's new smartphone platform. Well, at this morning's Build 2012 conference (see our live Build 2012 keynote coverage,) that question was answered with the announcement that the Windows Phone 8 SDK is now available. Hit the source link below to grab it. We're getting a look at it right now, and it's impressive. You can easily share code between phone, tablet, and PC, making multi-platform apps with relative ease.

Read More | Windows Phone 8 SDK

Kid’s Corner brings guest account sandbox to Windows Phone 8

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Software,

Parents--how many times have you handed your smartphone to your little one, only to find apps moved around, deleted emails, and text message gobbledygook sent to your boss? Windows Phone 8 is set to eliminate these fears with the introduction of Kid's Corner. From the lock screen, rather than swiping up, you swipe to the right to enter the Kid's Corner interface. This area only allows guest users to access the specific apps, games, music, and videos on your phone that you allow. Quite honestly, we are left scratching our heads wondering why something this smart has yet to appear on iOS or Android.

Windows Phone 8 users will get 1 year of commercial-free Pandora One

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Music,

Microsoft is touting a bunch of the new apps that will be coming to Windows Phone 8, and one it's really excited about is Pandora. You're in for a little bit of a wait for the app, as it won't appear for Windows Phone 8 users until early 2013, but when it does, it will offer ad-free listening for the first year. That's basically free 12-month subscription to Pandora One from Microsoft for users of its new smartphones. Pretty nice.

Windows Phone 8 lock screen customizable with Live Apps

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Software,

Microsoft is introducing a new lock screen on Windows Phone 8 that can be customized thanks to the Live App infrastructure. What does this mean for you? Well, your lock screen just became a lot more useful, as you can have it display things like recent photos, sports scores, Facebook updates from close friends, and more. Not the most groundbreaking feature in the world, but it's another way that Windows Phone 8 allows you to customize your phone in a personal way, bringing real-time updates to the first screen you see when your turn on your phone.

Video: Thief Swiping a Commuter’s Smartphone

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Videos,

Theft of smartphones are on the rise, especially iPhones, and this latest crime was all caught on video. The YouTube video catches a dude eyeing a woman's smartphone. Then, as the train makes its stop, the thief waits a few seconds and, just as the train is about to leave, takes off with the victim's mobile device, leaving her high and dry as the train door rapidly closes. Even before the video went viral, the Hungary police identified the 28 year old thief and was arrested at his girlfriends apartment; and get this, it's not his first time. As a public reminder, we at Gear Live want to remind our readers to be hyper-aware of their surroundings. Shake up travel habits and practice the "out of sight, out of mind" method. Keep those expensive gadgets hidden. Oh, and those white cabled Apple headphones are a dead giveaway.

Click to continue reading Video: Thief Swiping a Commuter’s Smartphone

Google Android Event Canceled due to Hurricane Sandy

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Google,

Google's big Android event that was set for this Monday, October 29th, has been canceled due to Hurricane Sandy after a state of emergency was declared by Governor Andre Cuomo. The Android focused event was to be held in New York's waterfront district, and Google says it will be rescheduled for a later time:

"We are canceling our Monday morning event in New York due to Hurricane Sandy. We will let you know our plans as soon as we know more."

Hopefully the event happens sooner rather than later for all of you who are looking forward to the new Nexus 4 smartphones and Key Lime Pie software sweetness. Brace yourselves as the "FrankenStorm" is about to hammer the East Coast.

Read More | The Verge

Jailbreaking your iPad and unlocking your iPhone ruled illegal by Library of Congress

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Software,

Somber news for the jailbreaking and unlocking community. Per rule of the Library of Congress, it will be illegal to unlock any smartphone (including iPhone) or jailbreak any tablet (including iPad) purchased after January 1, 2013. The only exception is jailbreaking or rooting a smartphone, which is covered by the DMCA for the next three years. 

B. Wireless telephone handsets – software interoperability

Computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to execute lawfully obtained software applications, where circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling interoperability of such applications with computer programs on the telephone handset.

C. Wireless telephone handsets – interoperability with alternative networks
Computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable a wireless telephone handset originally acquired from the operator of a wireless telecommunications network or retailer no later than ninety days after the effective date of this exemption to connect to a different wireless telecommunications network, if the operator of the wireless communications network to which the handset is locked has failed to unlock it within a reasonable period of time following a request by the owner of the wireless telephone handset, and when circumvention is initiated by the owner, an individual consumer, who is also the owner of the copy of the computer program in such wireless telephone handset, solely in order to connect to a different wireless telecommunications network, and such access to the network is authorized by the operator of the network.

This exemption is a modification of the proponents’ proposal. It permits the circumvention of computer programs on mobile phones to enable such mobile phones to connect to alternative networks (often referred to as “unlocking”), but with limited applicability. In order to align the exemption to current market realities, it applies only to mobile phones acquired prior to the effective date of the exemption or within 90 days thereafter.  - US Library of Congress. 

Read More | Library of Congress