Android vs iOS, Security Tips and Mobile Culture

Android versus iOS banter

• Ads mocking Apple. OnePlus welcomed the iPhone 6 Plus to the “Plus” family with a free 64GB phone and 550 invites. The 16GB OnePlus One cost $299 outright against $299 on contract for the iPhone 6 Plus, and the 64GB model $349 against $399. Asus joked that six ZenFones cost the same as one Apple phone. Samsung’s Note 4 ad revived the old iPhone 5 “Thumb” commercial, which said a screen should match a person’s reach.
• The UK apology. After losing its appeal, Apple was ordered to post an apology on its site. The apology included extra statements attacking Samsung and noting its US loss. The judge, Robin Jacob, called it a plain breach of the order and rejected a 14 day extension. Apple had 48 hours to post a correction in no less than 11-point font, linked from the homepage.
• Woz. In an interview, Steve Wozniak said the success rate of Siri was lower than Android’s voice search, for example when calling a restaurant from the car, and that Android was ahead on navigation. The iPhone remained the primary phone because of its beauty, with a wish that it did what Android does.
• Videos. A well-liked video series from a tech enthusiast explained why Android offers a better experience than iOS. It was nearing a million views.
• Carrier store comments. Reported lines included that Android is less secure because a 14 year old can write apps, and that the Galaxy S3 could not be supported after the Apple lawsuit. The moral: do not believe everything you hear in a store. Bell also listed five reasons to buy the iPhone 5: LTE, a larger screen, WiFi, HD voice and being beautiful.
• Reporter mix-up. A news report on people queuing for the iPhone 5 claimed it had a laser keyboard and holographic display.

Security and scams

Malware and fake stores

Most malware is installed by the user without knowing it. A warning, based on Lookout Mobile Security, showed a fake Android Market page with a browser URL bar visible. The real Market never installs apps through the browser. Also:

• Do not install anything you cannot identify.
• Under Settings, Applications, untick Unknown sources so only Market apps install.
• GGTracker was a US-targeted malware that could sign you up for paid SMS services and raise your phone bill.
• Antivirus apps such as Lookout and AVG exist, but common sense and fewer background apps work well.

Text message scam

A text using the iPhone 5 as bait reached Canadians, claiming Apple wanted 1,000 testers. People who tapped the link had their phones freeze. Delete it and do not pass it on. Apple does not recruit testers by text. The Government of Canada’s new anti-spam law was expected to help.

Tips and oddities

• View a desktop site. Type about:debug in the browser, press Menu, More, Settings, scroll to UAString and pick Android, Desktop or iPhone. It worked on a Nexus One on 2.2, but it resets and must be repeated. The author used it to reach a live video stream that sent Android users to an iPhone-only mobile page, with Flash 10.1 installed.
• Android on everything. The Pandaboard prototype board got an Ice Cream Sandwich ROM, Cotton Candy was a USB device that turned a TV into an Android machine, and Honeycomb ran on an eeePC netbook.
• Stair Dismount. The game by Secret Exit has you push a dummy with a chosen photo for a face down stairs. It added levels, dummies and snapshots, a leaderboard and an Android character, and is free with optional paid add-ons.
• A pickpocket in China used chopsticks to lift an iPhone from a cyclist’s pocket, then surrendered to police after photos surfaced, and the phone was returned.