Researchers at a German university recently confirmed a serious vulnerability within the Android OS, that was initially exposed by Dan Wallach. When connected to an open Wi-Fi network, other users can impersonate your device to Google Calendar and Google Contacts. And they found that the problem is theoretically feasible within all Google applications.

But Google has already announced a solution: “Today we’re starting to roll out a fix which addresses a potential security flaw that could, under certain circumstances, allow a third party access to data available in calendar and contacts…This fix requires no action from users and will roll out globally over the next few days.”
Android Honeycomb and Gingerbread both already include solutions to the vulnerability, but the majority of Android devices (99.7%) are still running the older builds.

While Apple and their devotees would surely love to blow this out of proportion, we have to keep in mind that open Wi-Fi has always been a security risk. If you ask any IT professional, they’ll tell you to stick with secured networks whenever possible. But that’s not the point. Between LocationGate and the recent PSN scandal, consumers are feeling particularly sensitive about their privacy.

source: Wall Street Journal

Although it’s not the first time we’re seeing dummy units of the upcoming Motorola DROID X2, this time however, we’re finding out from one of our tipsters that the successor is missing one noticeable item – there is no longer a physical shutter key.

Previously, we’ve managed to come across mostly frontal and back images of the handset, but now that we’re getting a closer look at all angles, you can instantly spot the new smooth area on the bottom right corner of the handset. Granted that it might not be something detrimental, but the lack of a physical camera button means that you’ll be tapping around aimlessly on the device when trying to take a self-shot with the rear camera.

Keeping its design nearly identical to its predecessor, it’s hard to fathom why the shutter key is omitted with the Motorola DROID X2.

Thanks Mike!

When you’re talking about anything related to the always-flamboyant Lady Gaga, you surely know that it’s going something to be over the top as usual, and rightfully so, Best Buy is offering a special promotion in conjunction with the launch of her upcoming CD.

Whether you’re a fan or not, customers who happen to purchase any postpaid mobile phone from the big box retailer between May 22 and 28 will be given free copies of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” CD. Furthermore, they’re selling the Samsung Epic 4G, HTC Inspire 4G, and Samsung Fascinate for the super impressive price of free with a contract – plus, those purchasing any of those devices will get a digital version of the album as well. Still, you can’t help deny the impressive pricing that Best Buy will be offering for the trio during this special promotion.

Not only will you be able to take joy in your new smartphone, but you’ll even have the prestigious opportunity of checking out the eclectic ballads that Lady Gaga is known to embody.

source: Best Buy

Apple iPhone users have been engrossed by the checking depositing feature that’s available to them with the PayPal app – thus saving them time, and more importantly, the hassle of waiting on line to deposit their checks.

However, the feature might come off to be something foreign to Android users since this nifty and useful feature is not present with PayPal’s app for Android. Thankfully though, their fortunes are about to change because it’s being reported that the feature is finally coming around with the latest version of the PayPal app for Android. Meaning, users of the app will have the pleasure of being able to use their handset’s camera to take snapshots of their checks, which is then deposited to their account.

Score one of Android users all around, even more now than ever since it’ll only simplify the lives of some people out there by reducing the amount of time they’ll need to take out of their day to deposit checks.

via MobileCrunch

Thanks to Samsung, amateur and professional Android developers have a new virtual playground where they can share ideas and polish their programming skills. The company has just launched its very own developer-oriented forum, and judging by the tools that it offers, it can be of help to novice and hardcore programmers alike.

The forum features a ton of helpful information, yet naturally, it relates exclusively to Samsung’s Android devices. Nevertheless, developers who do not mind creating software by using Samsung’s Android smartphones and tablets as a canvas will be pleased to find detailed product hardware specifications, both basic and advanced code examples, coding tutorials, software development kits, and even device emulators. There is even a way of uploading your app and getting it tested on a real Samsung device under the company’s supervision!

So, if you are into software development or you want to get involved but don’t know where to start, check Samsung’s forum out. Who knows, maybe you can become the next Bill Gates.

source: Samsung via Android Central

Back at the Google I/O event, we were treated to an announcement of the updated Android 3.1 Honeycomb tablet platform and the improvements that it brings along the way. Fortunately, Google promised that the update will be delivered in a timely manner, and sure enough, it didn’t take too long for the new software version to start rolling out. Many Motorola XOOM owners are already enjoying using it on their tablets, and the list of Honeycomb-powered devices that will see an update to Android 3.1 is steadily growing.

Next in line for an update to Android 3.1 Honeycomb seem to be the Asus Eee Pad Transformer and the Acer ICONIA TAB A500. Both Asus and Acer have already confirmed that their 10.1-inch tablets are going to receive the update over the air at some point during the first weeks of June. It is also said that the T-Mobile G-Slate should be getting Honeycomb’s latest version as well, but an official time frame is yet to be announced by the carrier.

Android 3.1 Honeycomb is Google’s tablet-optimized platform and its latest version delivers a list of improvements like support for USB devices, smoother performance, and the ability to stretch and rotate widgets. Besides that, applications that are not in use can now be shut down thanks to the new task manager that has been implemented.

To learn more about Google’s tablet-optimized platform, feel free to read our Honeycomb featured article and our Honeycomb 3.1 hands-on.

source: This is my next… via Pocket-lint

The Motorola DROID X2, a sequel to the 4.3-inch original DROID X, is finally official and coming with a dual-core processor and “double the does.” The DROID X2 release date is set for May 19th online and May 26th in the offline stores.

The two cores hum along at 1GHz, powering the show on a 4.3-inch qHD (540 x 960) display. In addition, you get an 8-megapixel rear camera with continuous auto-focus and HD video capture and an HDMI-out port for viewing your data on an HD TV. All of that is spiced up with a new gallery application supporting tagging posting pictures on Flickr and Facebook. Disappointingly, the DROID X2 will initially ship with Android 2.2 Froyo, only later to be updated to Gingerbread and you’ll have to rely on good ol’ 3G for connectivity.

Verizon claims that the phone “doubles the does” and we can’t wait to check out the carrier’s claims. The Motorola DROID X2 price is set at $199 if tied with a two-year contract on Big Red, while off contract, the cost jumps to the hefty $600.

source: Motorola

Intel remained the only major supporter of MeeGo and despite its virtually non-existant presence in tablets, the chip maker doesn’t seem shattered as it is planning a more aggressive strategy in the mobile department, kickstarted by the unveiling of more than 10 tablets at Computex on May 31st, according to the company’s chief executive Paul Otellini.

The devices are expected with a new family of tablet-optimized Oak Trail chips, in contrast to virtually all current slates running on ARM silicon. Among the tablets, we’ll see some running MeeGo, but Android tablets are also in the works and we expect to see Windows-powered slates by the chip maker.

Intel announced its third big shift in chip development in an attempt to shift focus on power-efficient silicon for the booming smartphone and tablet markets, as well as to rationalize new designs for laptops. Better late then never, but it remains to be seen how will tablet makers react to the move as the slate wars are well past their initial stage. Companies like Apple have already rolled out second-generation of their tablets. Currently, ARM-based chips are being manufactured by companies like NVIDIA (with its Tegra lineup), Qualcomm (Snapdragon), Texas Instruments (OMAP processors) and Samsung (Hummingbird), while Intel Atom is virtually non-present.

At the same time, the company’s Asia Pacific manager Navin Shenoy commented that over 35 tablet models running on Intel-made chips will be launched this year. Shenoy reassured investors that the company’s production line is not affected by the devastating earthquake in Japan.

source: Wall Street Journal via Engadget

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, the dual-core tablet on a diet with a 0.33-inch super slim profile, hit New York-based retailer J&R’s website in its 16GB and 32GB varieties and is now available for pre-order. Just as expected, the 16 gig version will set you back $499, while for the 32GB model the price stands at $599, in line with the pricing of the tablet’s main competitor the iPad 2.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 release date is marked as “coming soon,” but we see no reason to doubt Sammy’s promise to bring the tablet to shelves on June 8th, so the wait should not be long. The Tab 10.1 comes with the latest of TouchWiz skinning on top of Android Honeycomb and powered by a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor along with 1GB of RAM. It is not only the thinnest, but among the lightest in its form factor at just 1.25 pounds of weight. Mere days ago NVIDIA’s CEO outlined the reasons for slow Android tablet sales and hinted that “a new wave of tablets” has already addressed them. Is the Tab 10.1 part of that new wave? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below!

source: J&R via Engadget

Verizon’s unlimited 4G Mobile Hotspot was introduced in a trial version with the HTC ThunderBolt allowing the user to tether up to 8 devices on the carrier’s blazing fast LTE network and the trial was extended through June 16th to cover the Samsung DROID Charge, but come June 16th the trial feature will be disabled through a software update, according to an anonymous tipster.

Currently, Big Red offers a $20 for 2GB of mobile data plan for its 3G smartphones and while our tipster didn’t know about the exact pricing of the 4G Mobile Hotspot, he quoted “a hot news and announcement” page confirming that the cost for 4G phones will not be the same.

Users who wish to continue using the service will receive a message requiring them to contact their system administrator in case they want to continue using the service. We’ve heard rumors about a $29.99 price tag for unlimited use of the feature, considerably cheaper than the MiFi plans running at $50 for 5GB and $80 for 10GB. Could it be true and would you use it at such a price? Feel free to give us your two cents in the comments below.

Thanks, phonearena user!