Plus what Windows Phone needs to do, the saturation problem for carriers, Apple v Samsung (in Korea), and more
A burst of 8 links for you to chew over, as picked by the Technology team
*Botnet enlists Firefox users to hack websites >> Krebs on Security*
Brian Krebs:
An unusual botnet that has ensnared more than 12,500 systems disguises itself as a legitimate add-on for Mozilla Firefox and forces infected PCs to scour Web sites for security vulnerabilities, an investigation by KrebsOnSecurity has discovered.
The botnet, dubbed "Advanced Power" by its operators, appears to have been quietly working since at least May 2013. It's not clear yet how the initial infection is being spread, but the malware enslaves PCs in a botnet that conducts SQL injection attacks on virtually any Web sites visited by the victim.
Not so much "enlists" as "press-gangs".
--------------------
*Apple releases OS X 10.9.1 with Mail fixes, more >> TUAW*
Apple has released OS X 10.9.1. The update is the first major update for OS X 10.9 Mavericks since it shipped in October. It includes a number of fixes for mail issues in Mavericks, including improved support for Gmail in OS X's Mail app, Smart Mailbox improvements, a improvements to group contacts in Mail.
So, basically, it's fixed Mail. Probably safe to download it now.
--------------------
*Nokia abandons Peter Skillman led Android adaptation plans, refocuses on wearables, smart glasses for 2015 >> Unwired View*
According to CTech sources, the decision to shelve work on Android devices was made without direct Microsoft intervention. Android development was done under the Nokia CTO office, which stays with Nokia and is not part of Microsoft deal. So those Normandy phones will not be moving to Redmond anytime soon.
However, in my opinion, now that Nokia shareholders overwhelmingly approved the sale of Nokia mobile division to Microsoft, as did most of world's regulatory agencies – the decision to abandon the project is the logical outcome. According to the terms of the contract, Nokia is not allowed to sell phones, smartphones or tablets under its name for the next 2 years. They could theoretically create a mobile Android device under a new brand, but given the level of competition in the market, competency, manufacturing, logistical and distribution base that is transferring to Microsoft, it makes little sense.
In the words of the dinosaur in Toy Story 2, "Oh well, we tried."
--------------------
*Where I Save Windows Phone >> Tech.pinions*
Brian S Hall:
I have spent the past 4 years using iPhones as my go-to device. I have spent the past several weeks using the Lumia 1520 almost exclusively. In nearly every case, I've found an app equivalent for Windows Phone to match my iPhone. Unfortunately, nearly everyone is awful. Limited functionality, poor to no integration with web services (or iPhone apps), bad design. Indeed, the vast majority of apps in the Windows Phone store appear to me as little more than high school projects. End this anti-user behavior. Ensure that any app offered from your store is absolutely awesome and in no way a pale, brittle facsimile of what's long been available for iOS and Android. Reject far more apps than you accept.
Fifty thousand great apps is better than 150,000 awful ones.
I also recommend you pledge every single of the many billions of dollars you receive from Android patent scofflaws to fund app projects with the very best app development houses. Bonus: offer huge cash windfalls for successful tie-ins with your very best mobile offerings (Skydrive, Bing, Office, Skype).
It's good advice - especially what he then suggests about advertising.
--------------------
*Subsidization and Saturation | stratēchery by Ben Thompson*
Ben Thompson:
Broadly speaking, there are three ways to grow: increase prices, lower costs, or gain new customers. The iPhone was such a coup for AT&T because it accomplished two of those: the Average Price Per Unit (ARPU) of an iPhone user was significantly higher than a feature phone user (increased prices), and AT&T stole Apple-loyal customers from the other carriers, particularly Verizon (gain new customers). Over time, more smartphones came into the market, and the iPhone spread to other carriers, but all those smartphones had the same higher ARPU. AT&T and all the other carriers could achieve earnings growth simply by selling feature phone customers smartphones and the associated higher monthly fees that accompanied them.
That gravy train is nearly over though, and once it becomes more difficult to raise prices (because there are no more feature phone customers to upgrade to smartphones), the remaining option for growth is gaining new users. And, given the fact that nearly everyone in America will soon have a smartphone, that means stealing customers from other carriers.
But how do you do that?
--------------------
*Court says Apple did not violate Samsung patents >> ABC News*
A Seoul court denied Samsung's claim that Apple violated three of its patent related to short message services.
A judge at Seoul Central District Court said Thursday that two of Samsung patents lacked "progressivity" and can be easily developed by others. He said one patent was not used in the iPad.
Samsung Electronics Co. sued Apple in March 2012 accusing the iPhone maker of illegally using its three patented technologies. It sought compensation and a ban on sales of six iPhone and iPad models, which include models still available in the market, such as the model with Retina display known as the fourth-generation iPad.
Superficially, Samsung's legal strategy resembles Apple's, but the outcome seems to be different.
--------------------
*Mobile Trends Infographic: what SMBs connect >> Intermedia*
Intermedia provides "Office in the cloud" with a secure login system, and it activates smartphones. From January to October it activated nearly a quarter of a million devices; 76% from Apple, 12% from Samsung, 5% Motorola, 2% HTC, 3% "other Android", and 1% Windows Phone. (And 1% BlackBerry.)
There's more too (though be warned - it's an infographic, so might not work well on mobile).
--------------------
*Xiaomi's plan for expansion is to invade the two most saturated smartphone markets in the world >> Quartz*
So how does Xiaomi possibly think that it can gain a foothold in Singapore, Malaysia, and eventually the rest of the world?
First, the company has shown itself to be a deft practitioner of sophisticated marketing. That includes social media "flash sales" and the cultivation of a devoted base of users, who contribute ideas about how to improve Xiaomi's Miui operating system (a modified version of Android).
Second, its phones, which offer high-end specs commonly found in trophy handsets like the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, are significantly cheaper, even without telecom operator subsidies. Since subsidized phones are more common in Singapore and Malaysia, Xiaomi could potentially offer its desirable handsets for free in those countries with the price of a carrier contract.
Even if that's enough to crack the world's toughest smartphone markets, it may not directly lead to profits for Xiaomi. Its profit margin on handsets is tiny, so its business model relies on selling apps, games, and other content to users. That means it will have to develop customized offerings that appeal to customers in each new market.
Could be an effective new business model.
--------------------
You can follow Guardian Technology's linkbucket on Pinboard
To suggest a link, either add it below or tag it with @gdntech on the free Delicious service. Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.
A burst of 8 links for you to chew over, as picked by the Technology team
*Botnet enlists Firefox users to hack websites >> Krebs on Security*
Brian Krebs:
An unusual botnet that has ensnared more than 12,500 systems disguises itself as a legitimate add-on for Mozilla Firefox and forces infected PCs to scour Web sites for security vulnerabilities, an investigation by KrebsOnSecurity has discovered.
The botnet, dubbed "Advanced Power" by its operators, appears to have been quietly working since at least May 2013. It's not clear yet how the initial infection is being spread, but the malware enslaves PCs in a botnet that conducts SQL injection attacks on virtually any Web sites visited by the victim.
Not so much "enlists" as "press-gangs".
--------------------
*Apple releases OS X 10.9.1 with Mail fixes, more >> TUAW*
Apple has released OS X 10.9.1. The update is the first major update for OS X 10.9 Mavericks since it shipped in October. It includes a number of fixes for mail issues in Mavericks, including improved support for Gmail in OS X's Mail app, Smart Mailbox improvements, a improvements to group contacts in Mail.
So, basically, it's fixed Mail. Probably safe to download it now.
--------------------
*Nokia abandons Peter Skillman led Android adaptation plans, refocuses on wearables, smart glasses for 2015 >> Unwired View*
According to CTech sources, the decision to shelve work on Android devices was made without direct Microsoft intervention. Android development was done under the Nokia CTO office, which stays with Nokia and is not part of Microsoft deal. So those Normandy phones will not be moving to Redmond anytime soon.
However, in my opinion, now that Nokia shareholders overwhelmingly approved the sale of Nokia mobile division to Microsoft, as did most of world's regulatory agencies – the decision to abandon the project is the logical outcome. According to the terms of the contract, Nokia is not allowed to sell phones, smartphones or tablets under its name for the next 2 years. They could theoretically create a mobile Android device under a new brand, but given the level of competition in the market, competency, manufacturing, logistical and distribution base that is transferring to Microsoft, it makes little sense.
In the words of the dinosaur in Toy Story 2, "Oh well, we tried."
--------------------
*Where I Save Windows Phone >> Tech.pinions*
Brian S Hall:
I have spent the past 4 years using iPhones as my go-to device. I have spent the past several weeks using the Lumia 1520 almost exclusively. In nearly every case, I've found an app equivalent for Windows Phone to match my iPhone. Unfortunately, nearly everyone is awful. Limited functionality, poor to no integration with web services (or iPhone apps), bad design. Indeed, the vast majority of apps in the Windows Phone store appear to me as little more than high school projects. End this anti-user behavior. Ensure that any app offered from your store is absolutely awesome and in no way a pale, brittle facsimile of what's long been available for iOS and Android. Reject far more apps than you accept.
Fifty thousand great apps is better than 150,000 awful ones.
I also recommend you pledge every single of the many billions of dollars you receive from Android patent scofflaws to fund app projects with the very best app development houses. Bonus: offer huge cash windfalls for successful tie-ins with your very best mobile offerings (Skydrive, Bing, Office, Skype).
It's good advice - especially what he then suggests about advertising.
--------------------
*Subsidization and Saturation | stratēchery by Ben Thompson*
Ben Thompson:
Broadly speaking, there are three ways to grow: increase prices, lower costs, or gain new customers. The iPhone was such a coup for AT&T because it accomplished two of those: the Average Price Per Unit (ARPU) of an iPhone user was significantly higher than a feature phone user (increased prices), and AT&T stole Apple-loyal customers from the other carriers, particularly Verizon (gain new customers). Over time, more smartphones came into the market, and the iPhone spread to other carriers, but all those smartphones had the same higher ARPU. AT&T and all the other carriers could achieve earnings growth simply by selling feature phone customers smartphones and the associated higher monthly fees that accompanied them.
That gravy train is nearly over though, and once it becomes more difficult to raise prices (because there are no more feature phone customers to upgrade to smartphones), the remaining option for growth is gaining new users. And, given the fact that nearly everyone in America will soon have a smartphone, that means stealing customers from other carriers.
But how do you do that?
--------------------
*Court says Apple did not violate Samsung patents >> ABC News*
A Seoul court denied Samsung's claim that Apple violated three of its patent related to short message services.
A judge at Seoul Central District Court said Thursday that two of Samsung patents lacked "progressivity" and can be easily developed by others. He said one patent was not used in the iPad.
Samsung Electronics Co. sued Apple in March 2012 accusing the iPhone maker of illegally using its three patented technologies. It sought compensation and a ban on sales of six iPhone and iPad models, which include models still available in the market, such as the model with Retina display known as the fourth-generation iPad.
Superficially, Samsung's legal strategy resembles Apple's, but the outcome seems to be different.
--------------------
*Mobile Trends Infographic: what SMBs connect >> Intermedia*
Intermedia provides "Office in the cloud" with a secure login system, and it activates smartphones. From January to October it activated nearly a quarter of a million devices; 76% from Apple, 12% from Samsung, 5% Motorola, 2% HTC, 3% "other Android", and 1% Windows Phone. (And 1% BlackBerry.)
There's more too (though be warned - it's an infographic, so might not work well on mobile).
--------------------
*Xiaomi's plan for expansion is to invade the two most saturated smartphone markets in the world >> Quartz*
So how does Xiaomi possibly think that it can gain a foothold in Singapore, Malaysia, and eventually the rest of the world?
First, the company has shown itself to be a deft practitioner of sophisticated marketing. That includes social media "flash sales" and the cultivation of a devoted base of users, who contribute ideas about how to improve Xiaomi's Miui operating system (a modified version of Android).
Second, its phones, which offer high-end specs commonly found in trophy handsets like the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, are significantly cheaper, even without telecom operator subsidies. Since subsidized phones are more common in Singapore and Malaysia, Xiaomi could potentially offer its desirable handsets for free in those countries with the price of a carrier contract.
Even if that's enough to crack the world's toughest smartphone markets, it may not directly lead to profits for Xiaomi. Its profit margin on handsets is tiny, so its business model relies on selling apps, games, and other content to users. That means it will have to develop customized offerings that appeal to customers in each new market.
Could be an effective new business model.
--------------------
You can follow Guardian Technology's linkbucket on Pinboard
To suggest a link, either add it below or tag it with @gdntech on the free Delicious service. Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.