Android & iPhone Battery replacement

For Apple there are a couple of choices, send it to Apple (by mail or Brick & Mortar Apple Store location), or DIY [Do It Yourself].

WARNING:  For iPhones & Android phones (the ones that don't have readily swappable battery) replacing battery will generally void your warranty because you have opened up the device's case.

Note if you send it to Apple there is a $6.95 USD shipping fee in addition to the price for battery replacement.

Link for Apple battery replacement http://www.apple.com/batteries/service-and-recycling/.

DIY option, IMHO simplest DIY approach is to use iFixit, https://www.ifixit.com/Guide, in addition to the guides, the iFixit store https://www.ifixit.com/Store offers the parts & tools needed to repair devices.



Though it varies by model battery replacement for the iPhones seem to be a little easier than iPad, and the iPod Touch 5th Gen is one of the most difficult since it requires a "temperature controlled soldering iron".

For Android, AFAIK its generally going to be DIY unless your device is still under warrenty, iFixit also offers Guides for Android & Windows Phone https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Phone.

VOD of Nexus 7 (pretty easy) battery replacement



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Security & Hacking: Apple iOS 8 & Data Extraction

People have been citing a statement on this page http://www.apple.com/privacy/government-information-requests/ as proof that with iOS 8 Apple can't extract data from devices secured with a passcode.

I don't think most people are reading Apple's statement with a critical enough mindset, here is last part of what Apple actually wrote about data extraction:

"So it's not technically feasible for us to respond to government warrants for the extraction of this data from devices in their possession running iOS 8."

The key part is "extraction of this data from devices in their [government] possession running iOS 8." Note my bolded emphasis.

What Apple is really saying, I think, is just like iOS 7 Apple needs devices in their possession to extract data, they can't do it remotely and didn't provide government agencies with the tools to do so either.

Here is a snippet from Apple's page Legal Process Guidelines U.S. Law Enforcement.  Important Note, the original link "https://www.apple.com/legal/more-resources/law-enforcement/" to this information at Apple gets redirected to "https://www.apple.com/privacy/government-information-requests/" now, so if you don't have a copy of original page you will need to find cached version to verify:

 " I. Extracting Data from Passcode Locked iOS Devices

 Upon receipt of a valid search warrant, Apple can extract certain categories of active data from passcode locked iOS devices. Specifically, the user generated active files on an iOS device that are contained in Apple’s native apps and for which the data is not encrypted using the passcode (“user generated active files”), can be extracted and provided to law enforcement on external media. Apple can perform this data extraction process on iOS devices running iOS 4 or more recent versions of iOS. Please note the only categories of user generated active files that can be provided to law enforcement, pursuant to a valid search warrant, are: SMS, photos, videos, contacts, audio recording, and call history. Apple cannot provide: email, calendar entries, or any third-party App data." 

And from the FAQ section of that page:

"Can Apple provide me with the passcode of an iOS device that is currently locked?

No, Apple does not have access to a user’s passcode but may be able to extract some data from a locked device with a valid search warrant as described in the Guidelines."

So what it seems like to me, is that iOS 8 offers at best same protection as earlier versions, Apple can still extract data from from devices in their possession, though they worked hard to write a factually accurate statement that was misleading.

I also haven't noticed any comments about data from the coprocessor that tracks movement and other data on iPhone 5S and newer, even when phone is sleeping.


Additional Links of Interests:

• Apple's 2014 iOS Security Whitepaper http://images.apple.com/privacy/docs/iOS_Security_Guide_Sept_2014.pdf
• Apple iMessage encryption http://cliffsesportcorner.blogspot.com/2013/04/cnet-apples-imessage-encryption-trips.html
• iPhone 5S Good, Bad, & Big Brother http://cliffsesportcorner.blogspot.com/2013/09/nerd-news-iphone-5s-good-bad-big-brother.html

Security & Hacking: DEFCON 20 "Can You Track Me Now?"

DEFCON 20: Can You Track Me Now? Government And Corporate Surveillance Of Mobile Geo-Location Data

This was posted on Youtube November 22, 2012, so was well before Snowden release of information in May of 2013.

Main emphasis of this talk was tracking of cell phones.

But Christopher Soghoian briefly covers, at 31:05, that both Android (Google) & iOS (Apple) device encryption can be defeated by Google & Apple respectively.

This is a service they provide for Law Enforcement & other Government agencies.

Google can force a password reset for Android device, they don't require physical access.

Apple appears to use what Soghoian calls a "Master Skeleton key," they require departments to provide actual device (ie physical access).  They then provide unencrypted data on a CD, while device remains encrypted.

I wonder if they might actually need device to decrypt data with way devices since iPhone 4S & iPad 2 have been designed (they have hardware based encryption).

Entire video is worth watching, though it is rather long, they joke about having 3 different audience during the course of the talk.
 

iOS 7.1 released

I've already updated my 5th Gen iPod Touch, no problems so far, do like Bold Text setting working in more (most?) places now.

Haven't played with it enough to say more yet.

Additional information in links below.

Links:

• Apple  http://www.apple.com/ios/ios7-update/
• Macworld  http://www.macworld.com/article/2105988/ios-7-1-adds-carplay-interface-tweaks-accessibility-enhancements.html
• Cnet  http://reviews.cnet.com/apple-ios-7/
• Ars  http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/03/ios-7-1-released-improves-iphone-5s-stability-iphone-4-speed-and-more/

Apple releases Security patch for OS X vulnerability

Apple released security patch for OS X few hours ago

Link to Apple statement about patch http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6150

My understanding is the big problem, that was shared with iOS [see iOS 7.0.6 SSL/TLS problem for more on iOS issue ] only affected Mavericks, though I could certainly be in error on that, and this patch fixes more than that single issue.

Links to media comments about patch:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26335701
• http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/02/apple-releases-os-x-10-9-2-patches-ssl-flaw-and-adds-facetime-audio-support/
• http://www.zdnet.com/apple-releases-os-x-10-9-2-update-patches-severe-ssl-bug-7000026765/

Security & Hacking: iOS 7.0.6 SSL/TLS problem

If you or friend/family member has iOS device, they need to update ASAP if they haven't already to iOS 7.0.6

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6147 "Description: Secure Transport failed to validate the authenticity of the connection. This issue was addressed by restoring missing validation steps."

Addition (technical) information:

• https://www.imperialviolet.org/
• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7281378
• http://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/1ykt3t/ssltls_authenticity_checks_broken_in_apple_ios/

More (general audience) information:

• http://www.zdnet.com/major-apple-security-flaw-patch-issued-users-open-to-mitm-attacks-7000026624/
• http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/02/21/apple_patches_ios_ssl_vulnerability/

Nerd News: Anandtech Live Stream

Link:  http://www.anandtech.com/show/7487/the-anandtech-mobile-show-live-tonight-at-7pm-et


Will be on Anandtech Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/blogs/anandtech, after live stream, and Andand said will be on Audio Podcast later

List of Topics to be covered:

The iPad Air
Investigations into Apple's A7 and Cyclone CPU Architecture
ASUS Transformer Book T100 & Retail Bay Trail
A Discussion of 64-bit in Mobile
The Haswell MacBook Pros
HTC's One Max
Brian's Initial Thoughts on Google's Nexus 5

Nerd News: Anandtechs's "They're (Almost) All Dirty: The State of Cheating in Android Benchmarks"

Really great article at Anandtech http://www.anandtech.com/show/7384/state-of-cheating-in-android-benchmarks about the "cheating" going on in Android benchmarks.

Covers the details of this mess, and as Anand has said repeatedly this has happened before, he has seen it before.

But the key aspect, IMVHO, was not directly stated in the article, though it is in the comments by Geekfool & Anand's response source:

geekfool - Wednesday, October 02, 2013 - link

It seems like these cheats are an admission that that frequency scale-up under load happens too slowly, and that users will never get the speed they paid for because the battery / thermal dissipation can't support it. I would like a follow up that checks if the governor differences are noticeable to users as lag, dropped frames, etc.
The article touched on this slightly when mentioning the difference between the Nexus 4 and its LG branded equivalent. It seems especially likely to be noticeable with the A7 / A15 split on the Exynos

Anand Lal Shimpi - Wednesday, October 02, 2013 - link

Bingo! I had a whole section about the embarrassment that is software DVFS before culling it to keep the whole thing manageable.

I think that comment and response covers the meat of the issue, also explains why iOS with lower spec hardware tends to equal or exceed performance of stock skinned Android devices with twice the cores. 

For more on this issue comparing Moto X (dual core Android) to Samsung S4 (Quad Core Android) see http://www.anandtech.com/show/7235/moto-x-review/7

Anand & Brian cover this article and more in podcast that just came out few minutes before I started writing this blog post.

Podcast:  http://www.anandtech.com/show/7393/the-anandtech-podcast-episode-26

Security & Hacking: "Chaos Computer Club breaks Apple TouchID"

URL for Youtube above is http://youtu.be/HM8b8d8kSNQ

Link to the Chaos Computer Club's article (in English) about the hack is http://www.ccc.de/en/updates/2013/ccc-breaks-apple-touchid

Their article links to earlier one about making fake fingerprints http://dasalte.ccc.de/biometrie/fingerabdruck_kopieren?language=en

I would like to see more detail about how many failed attempts they had, because it is supposed to require passcode after 5 failed attempts, phone restart, or 48 hours without unlocking.

Passcode is also required to setup/enable or edit fingerprint reader.

For more on Apple's Touch ID see:

• iPhone 5s: About Touch ID security http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5949
• Anandtech's iPhone 5s review (scroll down for Touch ID section) http://www.anandtech.com/show/7335/the-iphone-5s-review/8
• Wikipedia entry Appl's Touch ID http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_ID

Nerd News: iPhone 5S Good, Bad, & Big Brother

Full details at Ars live blog of Apple's event http://live.arstechnica.com/apple-september-10-event/

Apple has updated their website as well, details about iPhone 5S at http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2013/09/10Apple-Announces-iPhone-5s-The-Most-Forward-Thinking-Smartphone-in-the-World.html and front splash page comparing all the iPhones http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/

I like the fingerprint reader, I just hope it is executed securely!

Apple says fingerprint data stays on device, never leaves it.

They have added a chip that tracks all motion of the phone even when asleep though, "Every iPhone 5s includes the new M7 motion coprocessor that gathers data from the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass..." source

"The M7 motion coprocessor continuously measures your motion data, even when the device is asleep, and saves battery life for pedometer or other fitness apps that use the accelerometer all day."  source

Though Apple says that is for fitness apps & such, it makes me think of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inertial_navigation_system.

Which would let them map your house, office, and everywhere else you hang out, if the sensors were accurate enough, and I bet that data does go to Apple's servers.

I know Google and Apple have both been working on mapping inside of buildings already.

See http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/77635.html for more on that.

Hardware Hacking: GTX 570 eGPU on a 2013 11" Macbook Air

From Larry Gadea https://twitter.com/lg/status/362750011655733248

Approx $250 in hardware (not counting Graphics card) instructions at http://forum.techinferno.com/diy-e-gpu-projects/4271-2013-11-macbook-air-win7-sonnet-echo-expresscard-pe4l-internal-lcd-%24250.html#post59391

I really like this idea, been waiting for Thunderbolt to provide external graphics card solution, makes a lot of sense to me, specially if you can fit external hardware in a convenient to transport case.

For those still in school, it might be hard to see the point, but if you have to travel for work, or fit a LAN party in around work schedule, being able to plug external GPU into a laptop or x86 Tablet (something like a Surface Pro/Razer Edge Pro) could make a significant difference to your gaming time.

It certainly isn't for everyone though.

Problems & Solutions for Apple ID 2 Step Verification (2 Factor Authentication)

Though I blogged about this when it first came out, http://cliffsesportcorner.blogspot.com/2013/03/apple-adds-2-step-verification-2-factor.html

I learned a couple of important tidbits today about it: 1) Verification does not follow when phone is replaced, 2) You need to type recovery key, not cut and paste it.

Thanks to Jeff Kibuule for tweeting about these issues https://twitter.com/jeffkibuule/status/333765576226914305

That is where I learned about these problems.

I agree with Jeff that Apple Store employees need to be aware of this issue when they suggest swapping phones for customers.

I hope this saves people from some headaches!

Also really suggest people that use this two step verification have more than one Trusted Device, and more than one hard copy of the Recovery Key securely stored, because even if you are trying to recover lost password, you will still need a minimum of two of the 3 following: 

• Apple ID password
• Trusted Device [ SMS capable phone OR iOS device with Find My iPhone enabled]
• Recovery Key [14 digit Recovery Key Apple provides, they say print and keep in a safe place]

Reference Links:

• Apple ID: Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5570
• Apple ID: Can't sign in with two-step verification:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5577
• [Trusted Devices] Apple ID: About SMS and two-step verification:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5593
• Turning off two-step verification for your Apple ID:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5631
• Jeff Kibuule's Tweet about these issues https://twitter.com/jeffkibuule/status/333765576226914305

CNET "Apple's iMessage encryption trips up feds' surveillance"

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57577887-38/apples-imessage-encryption-trips-up-feds-surveillance/

They cite a blog post from last August by Matthew Green http://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2012/08/dear-apple-please-set-imessage-free.html

I follow Green's blog and can recommend it to anyone that is seriously interested in cryptography and/or data privacy.

Blackberry's BBM (Blackberry Messenger) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry_Messenger has long been secure as well, though I believe in recent years government pressure has forced some changes in that.

For more on BBM see http://computer.howstuffworks.com/e-mail-messaging/blackberry-messenger.htm

For general info on Blackberry security see http://www.berryreview.com/2010/08/06/faq-what-communication-is-encrypted-on-your-blackberry/

Note there are differences between BES (Enterprise Blackberry) and BIS (Consumer Blackberry), but (AFAIK) in general that doesn't matter for BBM.

According to  http://bgr.com/2013/02/27/blackberry-messenger-security-vulnerability-346634/ it seems that BBM on BIS lacks higher level security options just like email:

"“Although PIN-to-PIN messages are encrypted, they key used is a global cryptographic ‘key’ that is common to every BlackBerry device all over the world,” Public Safety Canada official stated in the memo. “Any BlackBerry device can potentially decrypt all PIN-to-PIN messages sent by any other BlackBerry device.”"

and

"It should be noted that Public Safety Canada has failed to take into account the fact that organizations have the ability to change the encryption key to a unique one, ensuring that only BlackBerry devices using the same BES network can communicate with each other. There are also several ways to encode BBM messages such as S/MIME, which adds another layer of security."

Apple adds 2 Step Verification (2 Factor Authentication) for Apple ID

This is big Security News, Apple has finally followed Google and others in having a Two Step (I think of it as 2 Factor) Security option.

Note, this appears to be true Two Factor, even if you are trying to recover lost password, you will still need a minimum of two of the 3 following: 

• Apple ID password
• Trusted Device [ SMS capable phone OR iOS device with Find My iPhone enabled]
• Recovery Key [14 digit Recovery Key Apple provides, they say print and keep in a safe place]

This has both a Pro, since it will be very hard for someone to Hack if your using strong a password.

As well as a Con, if you forget or lose 2 of those 3 things, you will be locked out of your Apple account forever, and would have to get a new one.

You can have multiple Trusted Devices though, and there is no reason you can't have a couple of hard copies of the Recovery Key in safe deposit box and home or office safe.

And if you use a good Password Keeper, also known as Password Manager, like LastPass https://lastpass.com/ you only need to remember one good password.

Reference Links:

• Apple ID: Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5570
• Apple ID: Can't sign in with two-step verification:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5577
• [Trusted Devices] Apple ID: About SMS and two-step verification:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5593
• Turning off two-step verification for your Apple ID:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5631

Security & Hacking: "Apple says it was attacked by hackers"

Full story at http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/19/4005460/apples-computers-attacked-by-hackers-says-reuters

Same Java exploit used against Facebook is what they are saying.

Nerd News: Apple, Microsoft and Adobe to face Australian parliament about pricing

Source & full story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21406745# snippet:

The firms have previously made written submissions to the committee but have so far declined to appear in person.

They are now scheduled to appear before the committee on 22 March.

The Australian newspaper quoted Ed Husic, a member of parliament, as saying that according to some estimates the price of some of goods in Australia were as much as 60% higher than in the US

Nerd Gear: Anandtech Review Surface Pro

Anandtech's Microsoft Surface Pro Review http://www.anandtech.com/show/6695/microsoft-surface-pro-review

I have been waiting for this, I am really interested in Microsoft's Surface Pro, looking at eventually getting either a Surface Pro or iPad, though I believe the Surface Pro compares more directly with the 11" Macbook Air, see Anandtech's iPad 4 review  and Macbook Air review for comparisons.

If you read the comments of the Surface Pro review, Anand says he will try and run the 11" MBA through their new laptop power tests to give comparable numbers for people to compare Surface Pro directly with 11" MBA for battery life.

But it looks like they are roughly comparable for battery life about 4-5 hours with light use.

The Surface Pro & base model 11" MBA both use the 1.7 GHz i5-3317U CPU and the integrated GPU.

Weight wise, if you count the weight of either keyboard cover option for the Surface Pro, it falls between the 11" & 13" Macbook Airs.

Respective Weights:

• MS Surface Pro 2.0 lbs without cover http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-8-pro/specifications
• Touch Cover MS says less than 0.46 lbs (scroll down to tech specs) http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/accessories/touch-cover
• Type Cover MS says lest than 0.55 lbs (scroll down to tech specs) http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/accessories/type-cover
• Macbook Air 11" at 2.38 lbs or Macbook Air 13" at 2.96 lbs (scroll down to "size & weight") http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html

Total weight of Surface Pro + Touch Cover is ~2.46 lbs, total weight of Surface Pro + Type Cover is ~2.55 lbs, vs Macbook Air 11" at 2.38 lbs or Macbook Air 13" at 2.96 lbs.

I had been debating getting a iPad 5/6 next spring (Spring 2014) or a Surface Pro to replace my 13" ASUS Laptop running Windows 7.

My laptop is one of the UL30V series, has weak discrete G 210M GPU in it, http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-G-210M.17638.0.html, no where near real gaming laptop.

When I bought it just wanted something that would run SC2 in addition to other less demanding games, which it does fine.  SC2 runs fine at low to medium settings which was all I needed when I bought it.

I have a more powerful machine now, and girlfriend wants to build a gaming rig, so we will eventually have a couple of powerful gaming machines.

But I want something that is easily portable for use away from home, after reading these reviews, think I will wait for a Haswell upgrade to get a Surface Pro.

Or a Haswell Macbook Air with Retina?  But that would probably be twice the cost of a Surface Pro :/

A lot depends on your use case & budget.

Can't say I *need* more than I have right now, my laptop still runs plenty of games from Steam no problem, and I only use it for gaming anymore when I am out of town for more than a day.

Edited to add:  I have been reading a lot of comments from various people on Surface Pro, the most interesting was about a device demoed at CES, that I liked, but totally forgot about.

The Razer Edge! 

Razer's site http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-edge/

Anandtech's comments from CES on it http://www.anandtech.com/show/6649/razer-edge-impressions-and-thoughts

If your looking to get something before Haswell, this probably makes a lot more sense, since it has a GT 640M LE, http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-640M-LE.72199.0.html.

Now I am really confused, I am not a fan of Razer's stuff, IMO they are over priced on many of their products.

Not bad stuff, but your paying for the name vs the performance frequently IMO.  I do have a couple of friends that have one of their keyboards or gaming mouse. I use a Das Silent (Cherry MX Brown) keyboard myself, IMO Cherry or Alps keys are the way to go, see http://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/?page_id=1458#keyswitches for more on keys, but which exact brand/layout (backlit or not, "quiet" or not) is just matter of personal preference.

The Razer Edge does look very slick, both the keyboard & gamepad docks support external battery that about doubles battery capacity.

So for light to moderate usage, using extended battery, you could probably come close to equaling iPad or Nexus.

Though gaming with it will burn the battery quickly.

Nerd Gear: "Sub-Zero Weather: Can Your Smartphone Stand The Cold?"

http://www.pcworld.com/article/249134/sub_zero_weather_can_your_smartphone_stand_the_cold_.html

Came across this interesting article, while doing some research, my gf is planning on biking to work all winter, ordering studded tires for her Bike this week, and she was wondering about taking her work laptop back and forth that way when it is really cold.

Told her condensation would probably be biggest problem most days she felt like biking in the winter vs taking car.

Seems like that is probably the case, as long as you let device warm to room temperature before using.

I know I have used Feature Phones (aka Dumb Phones) in the past when it was very cold, approaching -40 Fahrenheit/Celsius (-40 is same in either system).

The phone was in my coat or pants pocket, always worked when I needed it to, but I was in and out of the car, so not sure how cold the phone really got then.

Was delivering News Papers on weekend one Fall/Winter, mainly rural and one small town, also burned out tranny in my car with that job busting snowdrifts over the hood of my car! 

Nerd News: DC Comics

Source DC Comics' Blog http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2012/11/07/dc-entertainment-digital-comic-books-now-available-on-kindle-store-ibookstore-and

Sounds like everything will now be available via iTunes, Amazon, & Nook (Barns & Noble).

Don't worry if you were getting DC Comics is other ways already:

"In addition to now being available for direct download through the top three e-bookstores, DC Entertainment will continue to deliver periodical comics online at www.readdcentertainment.com, through the DC Comics and Vertigo apps, and all comiXology platforms."

Apple Fusion Drive Problems and Troubleshooting for Mac Mini & iMac

Here is link to Apple's support information for the new Fusion drive http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5446?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Has FAQ & Troubleshooting information.

Based on quick reading, I would say Fusion Drive is probably not a good option for serious video capture, they already address a problem with this, in the support information, and consumers haven't had it for more than a day or so yet!

Quote of section I am referring to:

"I'm using video capture software and it reports frame drops during sustained captures. What could be wrong?
Your project's capture requirements may exceed the sustained capture rate available to your Fusion Drive. Try capturing a smaller segment of the source or reduce its resolution."