Another Times blog wrote that the US government publicly released a document warning about security issues on Android phones. This includes all HTC and Samsung phones. One of the vulnerabilities included texting, whereby secret charges can be made to a user’s phone bill.
Controlling Brains over the Internet
In case you missed it, a New York Times blog wrote how 2 researchers connected their brains over the Internet. One researcher made the other lift his finger to press the “fire” button in a game. Harvard researchers have connected a human’s brain to a rat’s brain, which allowed the human to move the rat’s tail “just by thinking about it.”
Windows 8, Steve Ballmer
Is it any coincidence that the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer – Bill Gates’ good friend, and the 3rd (at least) of the 3 billionaires I know that the company has produced – is stepping down after a very disappointing release of Windows 8? I have yet to find a single client who likes it or wants it, it’s very confusing for most users on desktop and laptop computers, and it’s hurt Microsoft’s image (as well as profits). Whoever takes the job has a huge job ahead – can Microsoft remain one company?Phone Costs Changing – Going Down?
T-Mobile announced 2 major changes recently. First, if you have a phone compatible with their service, the monthly price for unlimited voice, texts and data is only $70. Or $60 if you use no more than 2.5 gigabyte of data. Second, there are no roaming charges – maximum cost per minute when abroad is 20 cents per minute. It will be very interesting to see how the other major carries respond. (FYI, I pay $109 after taxes monthly for ATT.)
Laptops and Batteries
I have had a rash of problems recently with laptops, all related to batteries. If you use a laptop, make sure it’s plugged into the wall overnight – if it’s not, it may go to sleep, and be impossible to wake up the next morning, or it may discharge completely. If you are thinking about buying 
a laptop, check that the battery is easily removable.
If your laptop does not turn on, try removing the battery, plug it into the wall, and try again. How long will a laptop battery last? 2 years is not atypical. Be aware though – a battery can become non-functional very quickly (I’ve seen one go in as little as 2 days). Batteries Plus on Route 9 is an excellent resource if you need a new one.
Threats on Phones
It’s bad enough that computers can have spyware and viruses. But your phone too is also a 
possibility – and to my thinking, a much more desirable target. Do you have a banking app on your phone? Do you check your stocks or retirement accounts on it?
“A Lookout threat report this year said a tiny but growing portion of its Android user base in the United States – half a percentage point – had unwittingly downloaded mobile Trojans. And 1.6 percent have downloaded adware that pilfers their personal data without their knowledge.” (Click here for the complete article on the NY Times.)With Android in particular being so susceptible, I highly recommend that either you do nothing that could be compromised on it, or have security software on it.