Mobile Tech Today

Is Waze Worth a Billion Dollar Bidding War?

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:47:26 -0500

There's a bidding war going on over a crowd-sourced map application provider. Or so the rumor mill says. Credible sources are pointing to a competition between Google and Facebook for Waze.

Businessweek is driving part of the clamor with its headline, "Google Said to Consider Buying Waze Presaging Bidding War." Three Businessweek reporters teamed on the story, which suggests the company could fetch more than $1 billion.

A bit about Waze: It's a fast-growing community-based traffic and navigation app. Drivers use it to share real-time traffic and road info with the goal of saving gas, money and time during daily commutes.

Keeping It Away from Apple

Greg Sterling, principal analyst at Sterling Market Intelligence, told us Waze would become an asset to any of the major mapping competitors.

"Ironically, Google probably needs it least of all the would-be acquirers," Sterling said. "However, it's probably thinking of bidding to keep Waze away from Facebook or Apple."

Apple needs mapping technology and has been the subject of rumors over mapping technology acquisitions. Apple took heat for a less-than-Apple-like experience with its initial Maps product and even saw some executive shakeup when then-iOS chief Scott Forstall reportedly refused to sign an official apology letter to customers for the poor navigation and quality.

What About Waze?

Waze could not immediately be reached for comment, nor could Google or Facebook. But Waze is making waves on its own. The company earlier this week won a 2013 Webby Award for Best Connected Product.

Here's how it works: After typing in a destination address, users just drive with the app open on their phone to passively contribute traffic and other road data, but they can also take a more active role by sharing road reports on accidents, police traps, or any other hazards along the way, helping to give other users in the area a...

Red Bend's TRUE Honored for BYOD Security

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:47:08 -0500

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Red Bend Software, the market leader in Mobile Software Management (MSM) with more than 1.75 billion Red Bend-Enabled(TM) devices, today announced that its TRUE(TM) Solution for BYOD captured first place in CTIA's eighth annual Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Awards competition, in the Enterprise Solution -- Security, Fraud & Privacy category.

The CTIA E-Tech Awards honor the industry's most innovative new wireless products and services in mobile apps, consumer electronics, enterprise and vertical markets and networks. Winners were announced Wednesday at CTIA 2013(TM) at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

TRUE is Red Bend's solution for mobile device manufacturers, service providers and enterprises to create and manage dual-persona smartphones and tablets that are "TRUsted by the Enterprise" for employee use. TRUE turns a single mobile device into two virtual phones running on the same hardware, using a Type-1 mobile hypervisor that creates the strongest separation possible today between personal and corporate data and applications. Because each operating system is completely isolated from the other, TRUE keeps an employee's personal life private and work life secure. Red Bend and Samsung are currently partnering to offer enterprise trials of a dual-persona version of the Samsung Galaxy S III for use in BYOD programs.

"We are honored that Red Bend's TRUE Solution for BYOD has been recognized by industry experts as a leading enterprise mobility solution," said Yoram Salinger, CEO, Red Bend Software. "TRUE is at the forefront of delivering a solution that excites consumers and satisfies IT. Employees get a great user experience for their personal and professional lives, while CIOs get a secure solution that integrates with corporate applications and preserves employee privacy. Leveraging our experience in managing billions of mobile devices, Red Bend took a totally different approach with TRUE, building a BYOD solution that delivers an excellent dual-persona...

Speed Tests Show AT&T 4G LTE Is Blazing Fast

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:52:50 -0500

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2013 -- The AT&T 4G LTE network has been ranked fastest for a second consecutive year by PCWorld/TechHive. The tests in 20 U.S. markets including Washington, DC show AT&T wireless customers are benefiting from blazing-fast wireless Internet speeds.

The 2013 PCWorld/TechHive speed tests showed AT&T led all carriers tested in Washington, DC with an average upload speed of 6.32 mbps and an average download speed of 12.52 mbps.

AT&T also outpaced the competition last year in PCWorld/TechHive's 2012 wireless Internet speed tests, having delivered faster download speeds than any other national carrier in 13 cities tested. Speed is the name of the game for mobile Internet service, as customers are taking advantage of smartphones and apps to help manage their busy lives. In this year's PCWorld/TechHive report, AT&T led the speed tests with an average download speed of 13.15 mbps and an average upload speed of 6.45 mbps in the 20 U.S. markets tested.

"With consumer demand for wireless data continuing to grow rapidly, it's more important than ever that U.S. wireless carriers not only keep pace with demand, but deliver network speeds fast enough to enable new mobile web experiences," said Jason Snell, Editorial Director, PCWorld/TechHive.

AT&T launched 4G LTE** in Washington, DC in October 2011, and it plans to expand its 4G LTE network to cover 300 million people nationwide by year-end 2014. Even as 4G LTE expands, customers can get 4G speeds outside of 4G LTE areas with our 4G HSPA+ technology.

The AT&T 4G LTE network has also been recognized for speed and performance by other third-party testing firms. AT&T 4G LTE is available in 228 markets and covers more than 200 million people. Improving the wireless network continues to be a priority for AT&T.

"Our customers are doing more with their smartphones," said Kris Rinne, AT&T senior vice...

YooSecurity Fights FBI MoneyPak Virus

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:58:23 -0500

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 24, 2013 -- YooSecurity, a security brand of YooCare, a company that provides its customers with round-the-clock computer services, is now offering a new service that is 99 percent effective at removing the FBI MoneyPak virus scam. Founded in June, 2012, the FBI MoneyPak virus is still wreaking havoc on many computers. Over the past year, the virus has morphed into new variants, which give computer users a fake message that their system has been blocked and they must pay a fine-usually around $300 or so-to get their computer working again.

YooSecurity has been following this troubling FBI MoneyPak virus closely and is now able to remove both the original form and its variants in the vast majority of cases. This comes as great news to the many people who have been affected by this virus. Even though many computer users realize the request for money is a scam, it can be extremely stressful for them to be advised that they will be in trouble with the law if they do not hand over the money to get their PCs up and running again.

Another virus that YooSecurity can help remove from computers is called the International Cyber Security Protection Alliance virus. Like the FBI MoneyPak, this virus gives computer users a message that they have done some sort of illegal activity, and that they will have to pay a fine to unlock their computers.

Anybody whose computer has been affected by a malicious virus is welcome to contact the friendly and efficient staff at YooSecurity at any time; the knowledgeable team of employees is able to identify and eliminate a wide variety of computer viruses, including the Oyodomo.com redirect virus, Snap.do redirect virus, Win 7 Security Cleaner Pro virus, Internet Security 2013 virus, Delta Search virus, and the...

Poor BYOD Practices Endanger SMB Data

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:03:36 -0500

ABINGDON, England, May 24, 2013 -- The IT department may have a clear vision of data kept within a business' four walls, however new research from Kaspersky Lab shows 60 percent of SMBs have only a basic understanding of what company data is stored on employees' own mobile devices. A recent study by TNS Infratest for Kaspersky Lab found that, despite the overwhelming BYOD trend in business, only 35 per cent of IT managers admitted to having strict enough rules and policies in place to provide an accurate overview of company information contained on personal devices.

As more employees use their own devices for business purposes, a lack of knowledge on the security implications of BYOD is presenting serious risks to SMBs. With 525,000 mobile phones reported stolen in 2011/2012 as part of the Crime Survey for England and Wales[1], businesses can face company data falling into the wrong hands if not effectively managed. Should the worse happen, in the absence of a clear overview of what company data was on the lost or stolen device, it becomes difficult for IT managers to manage the potential repercussions.

"You only need to look at the statistics showing the number of devices lost or stolen each year to see why it is so important for SMBs to have an accurate overview of what company information employees have on personal devices," says David Emm , senior security researcher, Kaspersky Lab. "Only when clear BYOD rules are in place, can adequate steps be taken to build a robust security solution should a device be lost or stolen. To best protect data a policy should include file encryption, blocking access to the corporate network and, in the best case, wiping all data on the device."

Encryption of data on devices is one of the most effective measures,...

Cryptographic Login System Makes Passwords Obsolete

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:14:48 -0500

ZIELONA GORA, Poland, May 24, 2013 -- Websites started integrating Rublon, the cryptographic login system that eliminates passwords (www.rublon.com). The free Rublon API has been published with a set of plugins allowing for securing websites easily and rapidly. One university has already started using the service.

We see ever more headlines like: "Passwords can't protect us anymore," "Server security breached," "Identity stolen." Michal Wendrowski , active on the Internet business scene since he was 11 years old, curbed the forays of cyberspace criminals by developing a new safe method for logging in without passwords. It transforms the smartphone into a private "key to the Internet."

Rublon is a new type of digital identity. It falls into the category of systems implementing two-factor authentication without the need for any specialized device like an electronic card or token. A common smartphone with the Rublon application installed may fulfill that role. It allows for logging in without the use of passwords. Rublon is the first of its kind, not to mention free system guaranteeing the highest standards of security. This is the effect of tried and tested cryptography methods (asymmetric 2048-bit RSA keys) as well as the most secure encryption algorithms (AES 256-bit) usually used by military, financial or government institutions.

Rublon API

After more than two years of intensive development, Adips (the company behind the service) has published the Rublon API, making it available to web developers and website owners. They are able to take advantage of ready-made plugins for popular online systems like community platforms (e.g. phpBB, SMF, vBulletin), the WordPress blogging platform and Magento online stores directly from the Rublon Developers Area (https://developers.rublon.com). Apart from making the PHP library available to software developers, direct access to REST API has been provided, thus Rublon may also be serviced by websites based on any...

iCanvass App Now Integrates with CRM

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:31:17 -0500

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 -- iCanvass, the powerful new sales app that champions an easy 'knock, tap, keep track' approach to canvassing, has announced the addition of its first custom feature. Launched earlier this month to critical acclaim, the sales app will now offer an external CRM integration option, allowing any company using any CRM system to integrate their iCanvass data on demand.

Workbench (a CRM launching June 1st) quickly saw the opportunity to integrate and is already giving demos to hundreds of companies. Workbench users can now use iCanvass directly from the Workbench Mobile app and all of their pins are stored automatically. "This now gives sales managers the ability to manage dozens of salesmen and report on them in real time," explained Bryan Bulte. "Before, users had to email their Excel spreadsheets, now they populate automatically. Add the powerful reporting capabilities of Workbench and it became a really good fit."

The integration of the iCanvass app and the firm's existing or preferred CRM system will be programmed by the iCanvass development team on demand. This option allows any business to create its own sales system for noticeably more efficient lead generation and management process.

iCanvass developer Trey Gibson said, "iCanvass is an extremely powerful prospecting tool which can now be leveraged to even greater effect. Our new custom programming option for third party CRM integration is just one of a series of new functions and capabilities that we plan to roll out. Our programming team code the integration manually on demand, making this option suitable for any business serious about getting more from its sales team and keen to use iCanvass to manage their prospecting."

Designed by an experienced team of sales professionals, iCanvass turns any smart phone or hand held tablet into a powerful prospecting tool. For...

Ntractive Releases Elements CRM 2.1 Mobile

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:37:40 -0500

Grand Fork, ND, May 24, 2013 -- Ntractive today released a major update to the Elements CRM App for iPhone and iPad, Elements CRM Mobile 2.1. Elements CRM is a cloud-based Mac Customer Relationship Management (Mac CRM) Solution for Mac business and enterprise. Ntractive is reinventing the CRM Experience for Mac users all over the world with their Elements CRM solution.

Elements CRM Mobile 2.1 comes with some exciting new features available on the iPad app including a new Enterprise Edition which includes opportunity tracking, deals, additional document storage, over 100 analytic maps, charts and gauges and many other new features. The iPhone version now supports the iPhone 5 full 4-inch retina display giving users access to even more information from their mobile CRM.

Along with all the new features of Elements CRM mobile 2.1, Ntractive has also launched their next generation cloud. The new enhanced cloud makes the Elements CRM cloud a perfect solution for businesses who need guaranteed uptime, security, speed, scalability and flexibility. Ntractive pioneered hybrid web apps on the Mac in 2007 and this jump to the next generation Mac CRM cloud is just the next step in the evolution of Elements CRM.

Visit Ntractive's website to learn more about Elements CRM Mobile 2.1 and the newly released Enterprise Edition.

Pricing and Availability

Elements CRM Mobile 2.1 is available immediately. The download is free but requires a subscription to Elements CRM and a subscription to Elements CRM Mobile. Small Business pricing starts at $24.95/user/mo, Professional pricing starts at $49.95/user/mo, Enterprise pricing starts at $69.95/user/mo and Elements CRM Mobile add-on pricing starts at $10/user/mo (http://www.ntractive.com/mac-crm/en/pricing/). Some features are available to Professional or Enterprise Users only. Elements CRM Mobile 2.1 is available for download in the iTunes app Store and the Ntractive Website.

About Ntractive

Ntractive is the Mac Customer Relationship Management...

Prosecutor: iPad Theft Defendants Ambushed Victim

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:05:56 -0500

Two men accused of killing a high school freshman who refused to let go of his iPad were like wild animals ambushing a weak victim, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Michael Samual Solid and Jacob "Jake" Dismont stood in shackles before a judge as Chief Deputy Clark County District Attorney Robert Daskas cited convenience store video he said shows Solid and Dismont planning the fatal robbery. Members of the dead teen's family wept softly in the courtroom gallery.

Daskas compared Solid, 21, and Dismont, 18, to "lions on the Serengeti waiting to pounce, to ambush the smallest member of a pack."

Marcos Vicente Arenas, 15, was killed May 16 while trying to hold onto his iPad computer tablet after Dismont grabbed it and jumped into a moving SUV driven by Solid, according to police.

Police Lt. Ray Steiber called the case a fatal example of grab-and-run electronics thefts dubbed "Apple picking."

In some cases, police say, victims are distracted while talking or texting when a thief grabs the device and runs to a waiting vehicle.

According to a police report, security video shows Solid walking past Arenas at the store not far from Bonanza High School and then fueling the white Ford Explorer with no license plate. Dismont gets out of the SUV and follows Arenas as he walks away, according to the police report.

"They had a plan, an orchestrated, preconceived plan to rob this 15-year-old," Daskas told the judge, according to the Las Vegas Sun (http://bit.ly/16ctTTG).

The video has not been made public.

Arenas, who received the iPad for his birthday, was fatally injured when he was dragged beneath the wheels of the vehicle. His funeral was set for Friday.

Solid, who police said has a history of petty crimes, and Dismont, a former high school baseball player, are charged with felony murder, conspiracy and robbery. Each could face...

Paging R2-D2 to the Hospital ICU

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:33:13 -0500

Examining patients, clad in white and sporting a stethoscope, the doctor is in. As always, questions and banter mix. Except this doctor is, well, a robot.

In a suburb outside Sacramento, Mercy San Juan Medical Center is home to a new family of robots. Doctors can make remote visits to patients via PCs or iPads running the robots.

The latest hospital robots, dubbed RP-VITA, come from Roomba vacuum cleaner maker iRobot and InTouch Health. Like R2-D2 in Star Wars, they can roam about on their own, guided by sensors and software that maps locations to avoid collisions. Doctors can also navigate them around ICUs and other facilities.

RP-VITA stands more than 5 feet tall and has what looks like a large tablet computer for a head. Doctors can appear on the screen much like a video chat and use front-facing lenses to zero in on patients.

California hospitals are leading the way at putting them in play in what is shaping up to be a new era of hospital robotics in an increasingly connected digital world.

Doctors and patients are fans of the robots. What's not to like when a specialist can examine and talk with a patient by robot within minutes of arrival at the hospital in an emergency?

Robots are changing the medical industry and hospitals forever, in what many say is a technology overhaul that addresses shortages of staff and improvements in the level of service for patients, especially for hospitals farther from experts.

"This is changing the landscape of medicine and leveling the playing field of treatment" says Alan Shatzel, a neurologist and the medical director at Mercy Telehealth Network.

Swapping Old Tech for New

Doctors tethered to pagers -- yes, they still use them -- for 24-hour on-call shifts can now do that entirely on robots. What this means is that a doctor can...