Some especially sneaky spyware, which takes all of a user’s messages and browsing data and quietly ships it to servers in China, was recently discovered on some inexpensive Android devices sold in this country. Two customers who own the offending phones have filed a class action against the company that sold them here in the United States, on behalf of the buyers of at least 120,000 devices. [More]
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New York Times All-Access Digital Subscription Means ‘Except Your Android Smartphone’
By 6.11.12
Mark enjoys the New York Times, and is happy to support their superior acts of journalism in a modern way with a digital subscription. This subscription would allow him all-you-can-read access from computers, tablets, smartphones…you name it. He owns an iPad and an Android phone, and tried to set up Times apps on both devices. The Android version refused to work, even when he reinstalled the app. His emails about the problem were answered but evidently not read. He decided to cancel his subscription…which is when the final insult came about. They offered to extend his subscription for a dollar, but ended up shortening it instead. [More]
With Sidekick G4, T-Mobile Casts Me Into Smartphone Replacement Purgatory
By 4.23.12
Sara really loved her HTC G1 from T-Mobile, and bought the similar-ish Samsung Sidekick 4G as a replacement when its years of loyal service ended. The new phone has not been so loyal. It locks up, won’t respond to the touchscreen, and periodically wipes its memory card for no clear reason. Sure, she could back up the memory card content elsewhere, but the non-operational phone is a real problem. Now she’s on her third replacement. T-Mobile is happy to send her a replacement, but she doesn’t want a fifth phone that will inevitably have the same problems. Sara, welcome to smartphone replacement purgatory! [More]
Our New Favorite Drinking Game: Condom Brand Or Android Device?
By 3.28.12
There once was a time when popular cellphones had names like StarTAC, meant to appeal to early adopters and the tech-savvy. But today’s smartphones are now equal parts communication device and fashion accessory, and the names have gotten sexier to match that change. But have they gotten so sexy you can’t tell whether you’re buying a phone or a condom? [More]
