Xiamoi addresses privacy concerns, makes cloud service opt-in

Budget mobile phone Xiaomi has been getting flack for privacy issues for the past two days after several news reports have said that the devices have been sending out user details to their remote servers. The Chinese mobile Internet company has come out with a statement and an immediate solution to address the concerns of their smartphone users.

Xiaomi users don’t just get a smartphone, but also a free cloud messaging service as part of its MIUI operating system. As soon as a device is turned on, the service is automatically turned on so that the users can already get free SMS service by using the SIM and device identifiers, like phone number, IMSI and IMEI. While Xiaomi denies that the user information and phonebook details are sent to their servers, they have decided to make MIUI cloud messaging an opt-in service. They said that their “top priority” is to ensure that user data is protected and so it has been decided to not automatically activate the service.

To test whether allegations regarding this privacy violation are true, F-Secure decided to do a test on a “fresh out of the box” Xiaomi RedMi 1S. They did not set up an account or allow the cloud service to be activated. After inserting a SIM card, connecting to WIFi, turning on the GPS connection, they added one contact into the device’s phonebook. They also sent out an SMS and MMS and then made one phone call. When they checked the start-up, information from the phone, including the telco name, IMEI, owner’s phone number and the contact and SMS were sent to the server api.account.xiaomi.com. They did the same process after logging in to MiCloud, and sure enough, the IMEI and phone number were also forwarded, as well as the IMSI details.

The system update to Xiaomi devices is expected to come out on August 10 to implement the changes to the cloud messaging system. The service can still be enabled manually if the users choose to use the free messaging service. Let’s see if the privacy issue will be addressed with the update, as it is a major cause of concern for Xiaomi users, who have been growing in number this past few months.

SOURCE: Hugo Barra, F-Secure

Story Timeline

• CM 11 comes to OPPO Find 7a, OnePlus One, Xiaomi Mi-2


• Xiaomi Mi 4 takes on the market with steel


• Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G adds LTE, keeps the same price tag

New leaked photo shows Samsung Galaxy Alpha full specs

As the anticipation continues to build for the official release of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha, expected to be announced by August 13, we’re getting a clearer picture of what to expect from the rumoured high-end smartphone (well, if the leaks are to be trusted, that is). New images have appeared on a Brazilian website showing what is supposedly the official marketing material for the Alpha, and it looks like previous leaks got it right.

The 4.7-inch smartphone is rumored to be Samsung’s answer to the soon-to-be released iPhone 6, so we should expect higher specs and higher price as well. The picture confirms that it will indeed have a 1280x720 resolution and will run on the octa-core Exynos processor. It also shows that it has 2GB RAM and a very nice 32GB of internal memory. However, with an option to expand this with a microSD slot. There is also a possibility of a 64GB Galaxy Alpha, so that should be enough for the storage hungry crowd.

The picture also indicates that for connectivity, the Alpha has 4G LTE, USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 4.0 and as for the battery, it will be an 1860 mAh one. In terms of the all-important smartphone feature for picture addicts, it has a 12 megapixel rear camera and for your selfie and video chat needs, a 2.1MP one in front. The Alpha also has a fingerprint monitor to make it easier for unlocking and a heart-rate monitor for those who need to watch their ticker.

It’s still not confirmed whether the Alpha will also come up with a bigger version (sources say it might be a 6.7”) as the iPhone 6 is rumoured to have two versions, a 4.7” and a 5.5”. Previous leaks have shown two colors so far, black and white, with a metallic or aluminium body. We’re just a few days away from the reveal, so let’s see if Samsung still has the power to surprise and delight its consumers.

SOURCE: Tecmundo

VIA: SamMobile

Story Timeline

• More Samsung Galaxy Alpha photos, 6.7-inch model tipped


• Samsung Galaxy Alpha product page accidentally tells all


• New photos, UAProf of Samsung Galaxy Alpha leaked


• Samsung Galaxy Alpha shows up at FCC, launch imminent

Create a Shopping List by Speaking to Your WP8 Device with Speech Shopper

Grocery shopping isn’t the most riveting activity one can think of. You grab your list of things you need to purchase, drive to the nearest supermarket, and buy your groceries. Perhaps you have your shopping list on your phone, written in a simple notepad app, or maybe you prefer a certain app because of its features and functions. If you’re an owner of a Windows Phone 8 device and are looking for shopping list app, you may want to check out Speech Shopper.

Developed by XDA Recognized Developer sensboston, Speech Shopper is shopping list app with one main feature that makes it stand out from the rest of the market: speech input. Having to simply dictate what foodstuffs and other groceries are needed as they come to your mind is perhaps much easier and more convenient than having to type them out when shuffling through your fridge and cupboards, although text input is still an option. Additionally, Speech Shopper’s user interface is both logical navigation and easy on the eye with its simple and clean look. Due to limitations of Microsoft’s speech, however, some words and names may not be recognized, so you may have to type in some of the more ‘creative’ product names.

If you’ve been looking out for a capable app to serve as your shopping assistant on your WP8 device, definitely give Speech Shopper a go. Head your way over to the Speech Shopper application thread for more information.

The post Create a Shopping List by Speaking to Your WP8 Device with Speech Shopper appeared first on xda-developers.

Our Favorite Android, iOS, and Windows Phone Apps of the Week

It's the lazy days of summer, and that means lots of time fooling around with your phone. Give it something new with these, the best new apps this week.

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Now Your Lost Android Device Can Phone Home

Google added a sneaky little update to Android Device Manager this week: A new lock screen button implores whoever found your phone to call a number that you specify. Now just hope that they're not calling to ask for ransom.

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LG officially launches L60 entry level smartphone in Russia

The smartphone wars are getting to be such that no one manufacturer is able to control one market segment without any competition. We need not reiterate this fact in the entry level to mid-tier segments of the market, where the competition is fierce. With that, LG looks to bag some part of the segment by putting out the LG L60 smartphone, a Kitkat phone for this segment.

The naming convention on the phone – LG L60-X145 – seems to convey that there will be other iterations and variations to this model. But as such this first one, announced officially on LG’s Russian website, comes with a 1.3 GHz dual-core processor and 512MB of RAM, just enough to push pixels to a 4.3-inch 800x400 display and run Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box.

Other features include 4GB internal storage, expandable via microSD to 32GB, a 5MP rear shooter with LED flash and a VGA front-facing camera, dual SIM capability, and 3G HSPA+ connectivity. LG is surely not trying to impress many with these meager specs, but training its marketing on a specific market segment that would be happy with such specs on a Kitkat phone.

The LG L60 will come initially in white and black models, although that may change when the other variations of this model are launched. There is no information yet as to the pricing and release date of this specific model, but it should be available in the European market soon.

VIA: Fone Arena

Story Timeline

• ZTE Blade Q Mini enters the UK entry-level lineup


• LG G3 A: a smaller LG G3 but a better G3 Beat


• LG G3 Stylus likely a qHD 5.7-inch smartphone

Nuts! is a cute new endless ‘climbing’ game

If you’re looking for your next cute attack, check out this cool new game from Limbic, traditional purveyors of awesomely crafted games like Zombie Gunship and Tower Madness. This new game is an endless runner – or should we say, “endless tree climber” – called “Nuts!” which we think will be a sure hit with you and your family.

The search for the next great minute waster is always upon us, and after our tiff with the Timberman, Nuts! is a welcome cute addition to our game list. Users will control the speed and turns of a cute little squirrel called Jake. The speedy rodent can be controlled with smooth tilt controls, as users guide Jake up an infinitely tall tree.

As with games like this, you collect coins and power-ups along the way, making sure your lovable little character doesn’t run smack into a branch – three thwacks in the face and your cute critter has to restart his climb again in a new game. With power-ups and three tries, Nuts! can seem more forgiving than other endless games, but that is not to say that the speed of the game won’t challenge you.

This is, again, a very nicely-engineered and designed game that you can just pick up and play action without any hassle, and the cute 3D graphics make the game very easy on the eyes. The graphics in the game are well chosen, as they are adorable. The controls are fast and responsive. And the bonus? No annoying soundtrack song! Yey! Pick up the game for free at the source link.

SOURCE: Google Play Store

Story Timeline

• Timberman is here to frustrate you, waste your time


• Flappy Bird is back with more obstacles, multiplayer fun


• John Woo’s first mobile game Bloodstroke now available