Tech Week in Review 8-5-2011

Microsoft and Google Twitter Tiff

Google’s SVP and Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, sick of all the patent pressure against their Android operating system, went in on several of Google’s competitors for attempting to use “bogus patents” to destroy the mobile OS. More specifically, Drummond called out Microsoft for getting in bed with other rivals to hurt Google. Apparently, Microsoft wasn’t going to let Google slide without a response.

“Google says we bought Novell patents to keep them from Google. Really? We asked them to bid jointly with us. They said no,” Brad Smith, Microsoft General Counsel tweeted out in response.

Kind of interesting to see major corporations going in on each other via social media. Even more interesting is that they continue to go back and forth after this initial exchange. Check out these posts on Techmeme and this post on TechCrunch for the entire exchange.

Android Malware at an All Time High

According to a report from Lookout, a company offering security software for a range of mobile devices, mobile malware has increased significantly. Android users are found to be two-and-a-half times as likely to encounter malware today than just six months ago. The same flexibility that allows Android users to install software from alternate app repositories and even directly from developers is the reason Android users are more vulnerable. There has even been one instance where an Android trojan was recording phone calls.

While this news may sound scary to some, it’s really not that serious. Developers have been creating malware and viruses for Windows for ages upon ages. It always boils down to the individual user and how likely they are to click random links and install unknown software. There are a few extremely simple steps you can take to protect yourself:

1. Install Lookout (it’s free), which acts as a backup to your common sense and should protect you in most cases.
2. You know that annoying screen that pops up when you go to Install an app? The one that lists every single permission the app is requesting access to on your device? You should probably actually read it before you hit that OK button.
3. If you have never heard of the app, your friends haven’t heard of it, it doesn’t have many downloads or ratings, and you don’t even recognize who developed it, you probably shouldn’t be installing it.
4. As is always the case with malware or phishing, the power is yours. Stop clicking random links and installing random crap…seriously.

via TechCrunch

iCloud Pricing Released

As iCloud launched for developers this week, us average users got a peak at the pricing for Apple’s upcoming cloud service. iCloud offers 5GB of free storag with the option to upgrade to a maximum of 55GB total storage for $100 per year. $40 per year gets your 25GB of storage and $20 gets you 15GB. iCloud.com storage can be purchased through iOS 5?s settings app. An interesting note is that Photo Stream images do not count against your storage quota, but they only remain in the cloud for 30 days.

via 9to5Mac

@BarackObama Loses 40k Followers

Say it ain’t so, O! But it’s true. President Barack Obama lost about 40k followers this week after trying to inform his followers. Well, it wasn’t him personally, but his people took the time to share the Twitter accounts of GOP lawmakers. This came after Barack himself urged the nation to take action.

President Barack Obama concluded his address to the nation by urging Americans to contact their representatives and urge action on a debt ceiling resolution. “If you want to see a bipartisan compromise — a bill that can pass both houses of Congress and that I can sign — let your members of Congress know,” said the President. “Make a phone call. Send an e-mail. Tweet. Keep the pressure on Washington, and we can get past this.”

Possibly feeling flooding by the @BarackObama account, some 35,000 people unfollowed the President. What does this really teach us? That follower accounts really don’t amount to much when taken alone. In losing over 35,000 followers, the buzz around Barack’s Twitter account skyrocketed and his Klout score jumped a full point. It’s not only about how many are listening, it’s about how many of those listeners are going to take action.

via Mediaite

About the Author
Rahsheen has been a certified geek since before it was the thing to do. He started programming and tinkering in the 4th grade. Now, Rahsheen mostly writes on various sites about technology trends in social media and mobile. . He is also a musician, singer, rapper, writer, and producer. @rahsheen - +Rahsheen Porter - coachrah.com
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