Free apps sometimes come at a hidden cost, because malicious software can come in seemingly harmless forms, exposing personal data and sending spammy text messages from users’ accounts. An anti-malware service provider studied 10,000 Android apps found that 800 of the programs were spreading personal data around, and 11 were spamming phony text messages. [More]
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Survey: More Than A Third Of College Kids At UAB Use Apps While Driving
By 6.28.11
An apparently unscientific but eye-opening survey found that 35 percent of college students polled at University of Alabama at Birmingham use mobile apps while driving. The sample size was only 93 students, all at UAB, and participants were not selected at random, but the survey was enough to draw the attention of the American Psychological Association, which asked the student who conducted the survey to present her findings at its August convention. [More]
Report Graft Via Smartphone App
By 6.1.11
Bribespot is a new website and Android app that wants to fight corruption by being the Foursquare of bribe reporting. When someone tries to shake you down, you’re supposed to “check in” and report the payola request. Bribespot maps the data and shows where hot zones of graft are popping up. If a place gets enough hits, the people in charge there could have an impetus to take action. It remains to be seen whether the free service gets enough traction to be useful, but it’s a cool idea for how social media and mobile technology can empower regular people to work together to fix government. [More]
Clunky Version Of Hulu Plus Hits Xbox Today
By 4.29.11
Microsoft is releasing its long-in-the-making Hulu Plus app on the Xbox 360 today, providing a subscription video streaming alternative to Netflix. [More]
Amazon's Defense in Apple Lawsuit: Steve Jobs' Own Words
By 4.27.11
Should “apps store” really be “Apps Store®,” a trademarked phrase tied exclusive to Apple and its application store for its devices? Amazon didn’t seem to think so. But when it opened the Amazon Appstore for Android, the online retailer still got slapped with a lawsuit from Apple. [More]
Barnes & Noble Wants Submissions For Nook Apps
By 4.8.11
Barnes & Noble is looking for help in making its Nook e-reader more versatile. The bookseller has opened itself to app submissions, allowing garage code-tinkerers everywhere to dream that their creations will be used by people who own the device. [More]
Federal Grand Jury Investigates App Makers Over Privacy Issues
By 4.5.11
Pandora and other app makers received subpoenas related to a criminal federal investigation in which prosecutors are looking into claims that smartphone apps violate users’ privacy by illegally collecting and transmitting info. [More]
Networks Demand To Be Taken Off Time Warner Cable's iPad Streaming App
By 4.1.11
Some content providers didn’t see it as an honor to be included in Time Warner Cable’s TV-streaming iPad App. In fact, some, such as Fox, saw it as unauthorized use of their content and sent the company cease and desist letters. [More]
Apple Deletes "Gay Cure" App From App Store
By 3.24.11
Apple pulled a homophobic app from the App Store, but only after tens of thousands of people signed a petition asking it to do so. The app in question was meant to “cure” people of homosexuality. A religious group is responsible for the app, which reportedly used biblical teachings to attempt its goal. [More]
Apple Sues Amazon For Using The Phrase "App Store"
By 3.22.11
Earlier this year we wrote about Microsoft’s bid to block Apple from trademarking the phrase “app store,” and now comes news that Apple has filed a lawsuit against Amazon.com for using those words. [More]
Google Deletes Evil Apps
By 3.7.11
After identifying several malicious apps on the Android Market that exploited security on the operating system, Google not only remotely deleted the apps but installed software that undid the damage to affected devices. [More]
Rhapsody Threatens To Pull Service From iDevices Over New App Subscription Model
By 2.17.11
Apple has this great new idea: App developers will pay the company 30 percent of in-app sales, including subscriptions. Also, Apple alone gets to keep the customers’ name and contact info, requiring third parties to ask users to opt in to sharing the info with them. Well, the initiative is great for Apple, but not so much for others who may see a hefty cut in their revenues. [More]
Looking For Free Condoms? There's An App For That
By 2.14.11
Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like free condoms. That must be why the New York City Health Department picked today to unveil its new condom-locator app for iPhones and Android devices. [More]
Google Shopper App Recognizes Products By Their Cover
By 2.7.11
Google has jumped into the shopping app fray with “Google Shopper,” which stands out from the crowd by being able to id products by their cover art. The feature works on book, CD, DVD, and video game covers. You can also search by voice, along with the usual barcode scanning, local pricematching and the ability to save items. If you’re a RedLaser fan, this could be a serious contender to replace it on your home screen. The app is free and available on both Android and iOS. [More]
Track Your Tax Return Status With IRS2Go App
By 1.28.11
The IRS has an official app called “IRS2Go” for iOS and Android that lets you keep track of your tax return’s status after you’ve filed it. [More]
Facebook Shares Phone Numbers, Addresses With Apps
By 1.17.11
Facebook is now letting third-party apps have phone numbers and addresses of users, but only if they opt in to share the info. [More]
Get Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper App For Only $4.99 Through Dec 31
By 12.29.10
(iOS4 only) For a limited time, you can get a one-year subscription to the Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper App for only $4.99, now through December 31. It’s a sweet way to get Consumer Reports ratings and reviews on-the-go—perfect for when you’re trying to figure out what to exchange gifts for when you’re in the store. The price will bump up to $14.99 after Jan 1, so now’s a great time to give it a shot if you’ve been holding out. [More]
Free iPad Apps To Ease Your Travels
By 12.6.10
When you’re on the road in unfamiliar surroundings, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little travel elf at your side to point you in the right direction and help you get the most out of your sojourn? If you’ve got an iPad, you own the next best thing to a travel elf, and it won’t even object when you shove it into your suitcase. [More]
