Motorola sells refurbished Xooms with previous users data

Motorola has quite the situation on their hands after revealing that some refurbished Xoom tablets were resold without completely wiping the previous owners data. 

Motorola Mobility said Friday that approximately 100 refurbished Xooms were sold by Woot.com in late 2011 without clearing all personal information from the devices. The tablets that were resold could still have everything the original inputed into the device including photos, documents, user names, passwords and applications. The company is calling the mistake a "refurbishment process error."

Doing the right thing, customers who returned the tablets to retailers will receive a complimentary two-year membership of Experian ProtectMyID. Experian's services will alert customers if anything goes wrong with their identity but are also advised to change passwords to email and other online accounts. Of course all the blame can't be put on Motorola, most users should have and did perform a factory data reset before returning and therefore are not threatened. 

Those who bought a refurbished Xoom from Woot.com are asked to contact Motorola directly to find out if the tablet they bought was properly resold. Customers can go to motorola.com/xoomreturn or call customer support. Motorola says the affected tablets were bought from October to December 2011.

Apple pulls Mac OS X 10.7.3 “Delta” update following crashing issues

Earlier this week, Apple released the third maintenance update, OS X 10.7.3, for its Mac OS X Lion operating system. The update addresses several bugs that have been plaguing users since the launch of Lion last summer, and also adds support for new languages. The update, however, did not go as smoothly for some users, who have been reporting of "CUI" errors and applications crashing. 

In response to the massive user feedback, Apple has elected to remove the "Delta" updater to OS X 10.7.3 all together, leaving users only with the option of using the combined installer to update. The only difference between the delta and combined installers is that the combined installer includes all maintenance updates to Mac OS X Lion (10.7.1, 10.7.2, and 10.7.3), while the delta one includes only the latest version (10.7.3). In turn, the file size of the combined installer is significantly larger. 

If you're noticing issues with Lion 10.7.3, it's recommended that you try installing the combined update over your current system. This can be downloaded from Apple's Support Website here. 

‘Damn You Auto Correct!’ founder picks top 25 fails

Jillian Madison, founder of the popular "Damn You Auto Correct" blog that features autocorrect fails when text messaging, has posted her all-time top twenty-five (25) autocorrect fails. "I have to say I’ve laughed more running this site and reading all the submissions in the past 16 months than I have in my entire life, " Madison says.

We've included some of our favorites of the twenty-five, and you can see the entire list on DYAC. 

Google Chrome loses market share for the first time in two years

According to data released by analytics firm Net Applications yesterday, Google Chrome lost market share between December 2011 and January 2012 for the first time in nearly two years. This news comes just one month after Google revealed its plans to punish itself amidst a backlinking campaign that backfired against the web giant. While nothing can confirm that this punishment is the reason for the drop in market share, it's certainly something to consider. 

Early last month, Google discovered that it was going against its own terms of service by paying blogs to display links to the Chrome download webpage. This essentially improved where links to download Google Chrome appeared on search results. As a result, the company lowered the PageRank of the Chrome download webpage, which in turn lowers where the link appears on search results. The punishment is set to last for 60 days, meaning that there's still one month of pain to be endured by Google. 

In December 2011, Chrome controlled 19.11% of the total web browser market. In January 2012, this dipped to 18.94%, representing a 0.17% loss. 

Dropbox offering 5 GB of free storage space for testing new photo and video upload feature

Dropbox has announced on its forums that it is offering anyone of its users 5 GB of free extra storage space for their account if they help test the application's upcoming photo and video upload feature. Experimental version 1.3.13 of the Dropbox app is now available for download for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux (links below) and for every 500 MB of photos and videos you upload to the service, 500 MB of storage will be added to your account, up to a total of 5 GB. 

• Windows: http://dl-web.dropbox.com/u/17/Dropbox%201.3.13.exe
• Mac OS X: http://dl-web.dropbox.com/u/17/Dropbox%201.3.13.dmg
• Linux x86_64: http://dl-web.dropbox.com/u/17/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-1.3.13.tar.gz
• Linux x86: http://dl-web.dropbox.com/u/17/dropbox-lnx.x86-1.3.13.tar.gz

Finally, Dropbox is specifically mentioning that, if you'd like to take advantage of this offer, you must directly upload the photos to the service. You cannot drag-and-drop photos that have already been imported onto a computer for the extra storage space. 

iOS developer “reluctantly” admits to building Internet tethering easter egg into “iRandomizer Numbers” app

According to a report from InformationWeek, iOS developer and CEO of Shmoopi, LLC, Nick Kramer, has admitted to including a so-called "easter egg" in his iRandomizer Numbers app, which is currently available on the App Store, that allows users to take advantage of Internet tethering without paying extra through a carrier. 

Kramer says that he initially built the feature for his "family and close friends" and didn't think that the extra, unannounced "feature" would leak out to the general public. To use Internet tethering through the app, you have to enter the number "1984" in the minimum field and "31337" in the maximum field. Normally, the app is just a random number generator. 

Kramer goes on to explain that he published the app at a high price tag of $4.99 to discourage normal users from purchasing the app, because of the hidden Internet tethering feature included. 

Including an undocumented or hidden feature in an iOS app is against Apple's current App Store Review Guidelines for developers, which means iRandomizer Numbers is subject to removal by the company. It would join an ever-growing list of apps that attempt to sneak in Internet tethering into the App Store, the last being the app "Handy Light" back in 2010. 

Nick Kramer, CEO of Shmoopi, LLC, acknowledged in an email that his app supports tethering. "Reluctantly, I will admit that my application 'iRandomizer Numbers' does have a hidden tethering feature," he wrote. "I say reluctantly because I didn't plan on the feature being released. I designed the tethering functionality for my family and close friends not thinking it would be disseminated outside that circle."

If you're thinking about picking this app up, now is probably the time to do it.

Apple Genius Bar employee not following procedure resulted in customer receiving errant iMessages

The Loop has posted a statement from an Apple spokesperson regarding the reason of why one Apple customer began receiving iMessages on their iPhone that were meant for the Genius Bar employee that helped the customer diagnose an issue with the device. According to previous reports, the customer had an issue with the iPhone, brought it into an Apple Store for checkup, and shortly after began receiving messages that were intended for the employee that worked on the device. 

The Loop says that the employee followed incorrect and unofficial procedures by using the SIM card from their iPhone in the customer's iPhone, leading to confusion of phone numbers between the smartphones. It was initially believed that this was a bug with iMessage, Apple's iOS-to-iOS messaging service that debuted in iOS 5, but Apple has since stated that this is a "rare situation." 

“This was an extremely rare situation that occurred when a retail employee did not follow the correct service procedure and used their personal SIM to help a customer who did not have a working SIM,” Apple representative Natalie Harrison told The Loop. “This resulted in a temporary situation that has since been resolved by the employee.”

Infinity Award announces Infected public game mode for Modern Warfare 3

Today, Infinity Ward revealed its plans to launch the widely popular "Infected" game mode on Modern Warfare 3 as a community playlist, meaning it can be played outside of private match. The plan is to launch Infected this Sunday, February 5 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. 

When you join a game of INFECTED, 10 seconds after the match begins you will either be chosen as the Infected or placed on the side of the surivors. Each side will be restricted to a specific selection of weapons.

...

The game ends when either all players have been turned into infected or the game timer ends. A Survivor's goal is to stay alive until the game ends, however, if you're turned Infected, your goal is to turn all other survivors into infected by killing them.

You will receive 100 points per kill (whether you're a survivor or infected)

Survivors receive an additional 100 points each time an infected kills another survivor.

The rest of the announcement discusses possible weapon + perk configurations that will appear throughout the lobbies (chosen randomly). 

Anonymous takes down Boston Police Department website

Earlier today, Internet hacker group Anonymous took responsibility for an attack on the Boston Police Department website, which hosts as a public safety blog for people in the local Boston area. The group defaced the website with the message embedded below, but the site has since been redirected to the Boston Police Department's Facebook Page for the time being. 

“Is that it? Hell no, there is plenty more mayhem to deliver for this #F—FBIFriday. Do you remember a few months ago when #antisec attaked the Boston Police and released hundred of passwords in retaliation for the brutality against Occupy Boston? They clearly ignored our warnings, because not only did they raid the camp again and kicked protesters off of public parks, but they also sent undercover TSA agents to assualt and attempt to steal from some organizers. So you get your kicks beating protesters? That’s OK; we get kicks defacing and rm’n your websites – again. BDNNews.com, the “Boston Poice Department Virtual Community” also fell to the swift merciless veangeance of the hive. Do you really want to step to this??”

The Boston Police Department released the following statement via their Facebook Page: 

The Boston Police Department is working diligently to restore the function of BPDNews.com, the department’s public safety blog. It is unfortunate that someone would go to this extent to compromise BPDNews.com, a helpful and informative public safety resource utilized daily by community members seeking up-to-date news and information about important safety matters. Our skillful technical staff is focused on rectifying this issue. Detectives continue their investigation into individuals engaging in this type of disruptive and criminal activity.

This news comes after audio of a conversation between members of the FBI was released. The conversation was regarding taking down several members of the Anonymous group.  

Micron Technology CEO dies in plane crash

Micron Technology, a company specializing in the PC business, announced today that its chairman and CEO, Steve Appleton, has passed away in a small plane crash. Appleton was reportedly flying a small plane when there was some type of issue and the plane suddenly caught fire. The crash occurred in Boise, Idaho and Appleton was the only passenger aboard the aircraft at the time. He was 51 years old. 

The following statements were released by the company:

Our hearts go out to his wife, Dalynn, his children and his family during this tragic time.

Steve's passion and energy left an indelible mark on Micron, the Idaho community and the technology industry at large.

Anonymous reveals FBI phone call about themselves

The busy hacker group Anonymous has recorded and released a private FBI phone call with Metropolitan Police Service investigators about plans to bring down members of the group. 

The Associated Press has received confirmation from the FBI that the call posted on YouTube is real. The call discusses several members of the group Anonymous and plans on when possible arrests could be made. The whole call involved people from Los Angeles, Washington D.C and the United Kingdom. The nearly 17-minute call was interrupted several times with members going into and out of the call.

The hacker group Anonymous has been behind many high profile security breaches around governments and business all over the world recently. In addition to large cases Anonymous has been behind several smaller more local breaches this year. 

The call is embedded below:

RIM offering free PlayBooks to Android developers who submit their apps to App World

Desperate for a more attractive application market Research In Motion is offering Android developers free BlackBerry PlayBooks to those who submit their applications to the BlackBerry App World. 

The promotion was announced by RIM VP of Developer Relations Alec Saunders on Twitter earlier this week. Even with a large incentive like free hardware it is hard to tell if developers will take the time to convert applications for the struggling PlayBook. 

RIM offers developer tools for Android such as the Eclipse plugin for Android to help sign and test apps before distribution. The plugin also works with the BlackBerry PlayBook for running and debugging. 

Research in Motion launches “Be Bold” advertising campaign

Today, Canada-based Research in Motion unveiled the first set of its new "Be Bold" advertising campaign, which focuses on how BlackBerry devices can be used in the public. The new ads feature new actors, but have the same general idea of RIM's previous ad campaigns, which means many aren't very impressed. 

The new ads are below:

Sony reports Q3 2011 financial results

Today, Sony reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2011, which ended on December 31. The company reported an operating loss of $1.2 billion and revenues of $23.4 billion, down 17% year-over-year. Sony announced that its net loss for the holiday quarter totaled $2 billion, which certainly won't help the already-struggling Japan-based company. 

As a result of its poor earnings, Sony has re-adjusted its projections for total loss in 2011 to $2.9 billion, from the original $1.2 billion. Finally, the company revealed that it has re-adjusted projections of sales of the PlayStation 3 from 15 million units to 14 million, and camera sales from 23 million to 21 million units. 

Android “Bouncer” service revealed – scans Android Market for malicious content

Google today announced a new service that it will be rolling out dubbed "Bouncer." Bouncer is a feature that will automatically scan the Android Market for any possible malicious content, without interrupting a user's normal experience on the store. 

The service performs a set of analyses on new applications, applications already in Android Market, and developer accounts. Here’s how it works: once an application is uploaded, the service immediately starts analyzing it for known malware, spyware and trojans. It also looks for behaviors that indicate an application might be misbehaving, and compares it against previously analyzed apps to detect possible red flags. We actually run every application on Google’s cloud infrastructure and simulate how it will run on an Android device to look for hidden, malicious behavior. We also analyze new developer accounts to help prevent malicious and repeat-offending developers from coming back.

The Pirate Bay switches from .org to .se domain to avoid closure

As noted by TorrentFreak, The Pirate Bay, one of the Internet's largest magnet link and .torrent file host, today officially switched from its well know "thepiratebay.org" domain to "thepiratebay.se" in order to avoid a domain seizure from the U.S. government. This move comes just hours after Sweden’s Supreme Court ruled not to grant an appeal process for the website's founders in the long-running case over piracy. 

This means that the founders' sentences and fines are now final, but the case didn't directly include the actual Pirate Bay website. It was believed back in 2010 that the U.S. government was awaiting a final ruling in this court case before deciding to take The Pirate Bay domain offline and now that the case has concluded, the website's founders were worried that they may have a similar fate as Megaupload.

The people running The Pirate Bay are aware of this risk and quickly redirected the site to a Swedish .se domain, outside the reach of US authorities. A Pirate Bay insider confirmed this morning that this was done “just in case ICE has been waiting for the court case to be over.”

The Pirate Bay posted the following message onto the website:

2012 is the year of the storm.

The Pirate Bay will reach an age of 9 years. Experiencing raids, espionage and death threats, we're still here. We've been through hell and back and it has made us tougher than ever.

...

With this said, we hear news from our old admins that they have received a verdict in Sweden. Our 3 friends and blood brothers have been sentenced to prison. This might sound worse than it is. Since no one of them no longer lives in Sweden, they won't go to jail. They are as free today as they were yesterday.

Any users going to thepiratebay.org will be automatically redirected to the website's new domain. 

Apple denied preliminary ban request on Galaxy Tab 10.1N and Galaxy Nexus in Germany

According to Bloomberg, a German court has denied Apple's request of a preliminary ban on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.N and Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the country. Apple claimed that a patent it controls related to touchscreen technologies in tablets and smartphones is being infringed upon in Samsung's devices, but the Munich Regional Court thought otherwise. 

"Samsung has shown that it is more likely than not that the patent will be revoked because of a technology that was already on the market before the intellectual property had been filed for protection," Presiding Judge Andreas Mueller said when delivering the ruling.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1N is a modified version of the original Galaxy Tab 10.1 designed specifically for sale in Germany. The tablet went on sale late last year and sports a slightly modified bezel design and different speaker location. 

More Facebook IPO details: Mark Zuckerberg spent $700,000 on private plan trips in 2011, salary to drop to $1 in 2013

Following Facebook's initial public offering filing with the SEC earlier today, the media is now getting a chance to read through the entire document the company filed, with all the extra tidbits and information. The IPO has already revealed that Facebook currently has 845 million users and that the company made $3.71 billion in 2011. 

New details from the document reveal that Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg had a salary of $483,333 in 2011, with the addition of a $220,500 bonus and $783,529 of other "compensations." In addition, the 27-year old billionaire apparently spent $700,000 for private plane use "chartered in connection with his comprehensive security program and on which family and friends flew during 2011."

The IPO documents also reveal that Zuckerberg plans to bring down his yearly salary to $1 beginning January 1, 2013 (just as many other CEOs do, namely the late Steve Jobs). Using the valuation Facebook provided in the filing ($29.73 per share), Zuckerberg will have $16 billion worth of Facebook stock when the company begins trading sometime in May of this year. This number, however, may increase if Facebook's valuation increases, which it likely will in the near future. 

Facebook’s IPO documents reveal 845 million users; $3.71 billion generated in 2011

Earlier today, Facebook filed for a $5 billion initial public offering with the SEC and the media is now getting a chance to dig through the fairly large document to find any information the social network has revealed. 

First, Facebook revealed that it now has 845 million users, which means the world's largest social network gained about 95 million users since it last reported the number in June of 2011. In addition, Facebook revealed that its total revenues for 2011 were at $3.71 billion, a majority of which came from advertising throughout the social network. 

Facebook says that its partnership with Zynga, a social network game developer, accounts for about 12% of its total revenue, which is equivalent to about $500 million in 2011. 

Finally, Facebook describes that it also makes revenue from third-party companies paying to make sure that their locations, information, etc. appears before others on the social network. The example Facebook describes in the document filing is with Starbucks - Starbucks has the option to pay Facebook to make sure that their locations appear higher up on the "check-in" list when using Facebook Places. 

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.7.3 software update

Following months of developer testing, Apple today has released the Mac OS X 10.7.3 maintenance software update to customers. The update brings support for new languages and addresses a number of bugs in Apple's OS X Lion operating system. 

Full release notes for the update are below:

The 10.7.3 update is recommended for all OS X Lion users and includes general operating system fixes that improve the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac including fixes that: 

• Add Catalan, Croatian, Greek, Hebrew, Romanian, Slovak, Thai, and Ukrainian language support 
• Address issues when using smart cards to log into OS X 
• Resolve issues authenticating with directory services 
• Address compatibility issues with Windows file sharing

Alongside this release, Apple also released Security Update 2012-001 for OS X Snow Leopard users in order to address security concerns with the older OS.