TextMessages
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Senators urge FCC to preserve neutrality protections for text messages
A group of Democratic senators led by Ed Markey of Massachusetts is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to keep text messages classified as a telecommunications service. Doing so would extend net neutrality protections to the messages, rather than give carriers the ability to block them based on content. The FCC will vote December 12th on a declaratory ruling that would classify SMS and MMS messages as information services.
ICYMI: Augment yourself with video glasses and exosuits
Today on In Case You Missed It: Between Snap Inc.'s more-buzz-than-Google-Glass sunglasses and exoskeleton suits for the workplace, we are officially future-living. Spectacles cost $130 and are dispensing in randomly placed vending machines. Meanwhile, SuitX, a robotics company from California, created three exosuit options designed to help physical laborers do their jobs and stay injury-free. Stanford researchers have a system that uses chemicals rather than electrons to send text messages, and Texas A&M's gymnastics team created an amazing mannequin challenge that must be seen to be believed. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Blu smartphones secretly harvested texts and contacts
Blu Products, the leading seller of unlocked smartphones in the US, has revealed a serious security problem with a bunch of its products. It says a third-party app called "Wireless Update" has been "collecting unauthorized personal data in the form of text messages, call logs and contacts from customers" on some devices. While the app has been "self-updated" and is no longer siphoning data, Blu advises users to check their phones and call customer service if an older version of the app is still installed.
Pebble brings text replies to iOS users on Verizon
Back in November, Pebble unveiled a Text Reply feature for iOS, finally letting iPhone users respond to incoming text messages on their Pebble smartwatch with a voice note or a canned text response (Custom messages were enabled in February). Unfortunately, the feature was only available for those on AT&T. Now, however, iPhone users on Verizon can enjoy the same benefit as well, thanks to a new Version 3.11 update. The Text Reply feature is available for all Pebble watches, though voice reply is restricted to just the Time models.
Google Voice can now receive MMS from almost 100 North American carriers
If you use Google Voice for your text messages, you're well adjusted to its biggest flaw: the service just doesn't play nice with most carriers' MMS settings. Today, that's changing -- Google says that the service now supports MMS from nearly 100 carriers in North America, including AT&T, Bell Canada, Rogers, Telus and more (but not Verizon). Unfortunately, Mountain View wasn't able to provide us with a full list of supported providers, but it's definitely a step in the right direction. Now if only we could get the ability to send MMS messages, too.
Google Hangouts merges conversations and texts messages from the same sender
Since Google tacked on SMS messages to its Hangouts app, it has been tweaking the experience to keep convos on the up and up, and this week it's making a major change. In version 2.1 of the software, text messages and Hangout conversations from the same contact are neatly merged into a single thread, allowing you to send notes via either method. In order to keep track of things, the two sources are color-coded, and you can separate them any time you'd like. There's also a split in the contacts list for quick searching: folks you chat with on Hangouts and phone contacts that you keep to SMS. For easy access, there's a new home screen widget and improved quality for video calls. If your Android device hasn't alerted you to the update yet, head over to that second source link to snatch it up.
Google Glass now displays your iPhone's text messages
On the heels of last week's KitKat update, Google Glass nabbed up two more notable improvements today. First, iOS users can now have their text messages displayed on Glass, after a quick toggle of the Bluetooth settings. Here's the catch: "due to some limitations with iOS," you wont be able to reply to those messages directly from the headset. There's also a new Calendar Glassware that situates an agenda to the left of the home screen. Tapping a card in that timeline will allow you edit title, time, location and even RSVP. If you'd rather just skip those festivities altogether, you can delete events or hide them from view. Both of the new features are said to be rolling out to early adopters "in the next few days," so keep your eyes peeled.
Backing up your iPhone's text messages
Whether it's for personal or legal reasons, you may want to back up text messages -- both SMS and iMessage. Think about wanting to keep a personal memory of a friend or relative who died suddenly, or the importance of keeping threatening texts from someone, and you'll see why it's important to have a way to do this. Wired's Kif Leswing looked into a few methods for backing up iPhone text messages, and we have a few tips of our own as well. First, Leswing notes that the SQLite database containing all of those messages is stored on your computer. On a Mac it's in Library > Application Support > Mobile Sync > Backup, in the cryptically-named file 3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28.mddata (to view your Library from the Finder, hold down the Option key while clicking the Go menu -- Library will appear between Home and Computer) . On a Windows PC, you'll find that file in C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming. However, you'll need some way of opening the file and parsing the messages hidden within. Leswing suggests Ecamm's PhoneView app (US$29.95) for Mac or CopyTrans (US$19.99) for PC, but if you just want a copy of the file, you know where to find it and can just copy it to an external drive. This, of course, assumes that you are using iTunes and a USB connection to sync and back up your iPhone, which many people do NOT do. If you're using iCloud for iPhone (or iPad or iPod touch) backup, then you're not going to have access to that file. I also found the text message files in another place on my Mac, and they were much more up-to-date since I do a lot of iMessage chatting on that machine. Here, I went to Library > Messages and found a completely up-to-date set of three databases: chat.db, chat.db-shm, and chat.db-wal. Those contain all of the messages -- both SMS and iMessages -- and the same folder also contains an Attachments folder that contains hidden treasures. Inside are all of the images and other attachments that were sent to you in those messages, so your cat GIFs are saved for posterity. Once again, you'll need some way of opening the database files to be able to read the messages, although I did notice that just looking at the chat.db file in TextEdit did make it possible to read all of the messages that were buried in a pile of other meaningless garble. There's one more really easy way for Mac users to back up iMessages. Your Mac should reflect the messages that are sent back and forth from the Messages app on your iOS devices (if not, make sure that you're using the same Apple ID on all devices and the Mac). To create an easy-to-read archive of a string of conversations with your BFF, just launch Messages on your Mac, highlight the person you were texting with, and then bring up File > Print. You'll see both sides of your conversation in the printing thumbnail. Now, click on the PDF button in the lower-left corner of the print dialog (see image below) and save the conversation as a PDF document. You can even add that PDF to iBooks on an OS X Mavericks Mac. (Note that this printout does NOT include delivery times for the messages; that metadata is included in the database files). Do you have any other hints or tips for Messages backups? Let us all know in the comments.
11-year-old wins $20,000 at AT&T hackathon for creating app that discourages texting while driving
AT&T's already working on an app to keep folks from texting while driving, but earlier this month it gave folks at a Los Angeles hackathon the chance to develop their own solution. David Grau, a creative director and designer at an interactive agency, and 11-year-old Victoria Walker were awarded $20,000 by Big Blue to bring their smartphone application to the public. Dubbed Rode Dog, the prize-winning software allows friends and family to organize themselves into "packs" and monitor their text messaging habits. Watchful users can spot when a fellow group member is texting and initiate a barking noise on the offender's phone. Much like squawking seat belt systems, the app is designed to remind drivers of their wrongdoing and doesn't stop the ruckus until they acknowledge it. If you'd rather have a chicken or other animal grab your attention, the duo crafted an in-app shop that offers other wildlife sound sound effects. Rode Dog isn't expected to hit iOS, Android and Windows Phone until its fully polished, but you can sign up to receive word of its launch at the second source link below.
Canada's Competition Bureau sues Bell, Rogers and Telus over alleged misleading advertising
Allegations of misleading advertising practices among Canada's big telecom companies has been a recurring subject for some time, and it's now been brought to the fore once again in the form of a multi-million dollar lawsuit. The country's Competition Bureau announced today that, after a five-month investigation, it has decided to sue all three carriers and the industry group that represents them over ads that promote so-called premium texting services. In addition to demanding that such ads stop, the government agency is seeking full customer refunds for any charges incurred and a $10 million penalty from each carrier, plus an additional $1 million from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association. For its part, the CWTA has unsurprisingly taken issue with the lawsuit, saying in a statement that it reached out to the Bureau last year to discuss the issue, and that its actions today "could disrupt the text message services, such as severe weather alerts, charitable donations, flight status updates or sports scores, on which millions of Canadian consumers depend." You can find that full statement, and the Competition Bureau's announcement of the lawsuit, at the links below.
iPhone reportedly vulnerable to text message spoofing flaw
If you're an iPhone owner, you may want to use good judgment before responding to any out-of-the-blue text messages in the near future. French jailbreak developer and security researcher pod2g finds that every iPhone firmware revision, even iOS 6 beta 4, is susceptible to a flaw that theoretically lets a ne'er-do-well spoof the reply address of outbound SMS messages. As Apple is using the reply-to address of a message's User Data Header to identify the origin rather than the raw source, receiving iPhone owners risk being fooled by a phishing attack (or just a dishonest acquaintance) that poses as a contact or a company. A proof of concept messaging tool is coming to the iPhone soon, but pod2g is pushing for an official solution before the next iOS version is out the door. We've asked Apple for commentary and will get back if there's an update. In the meantime, we wouldn't panic -- if the trickery hasn't been a significant issue since 2007, there isn't likely to be a sudden outbreak today.
Google launches Gmail SMS for text-based email in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya
Smartphones and email-equipped feature phones have proliferated in even the most resource-dry areas of Asia, Europe and North America, but for many subscribers in Africa, SMS is the only option for text-based communication on the go. And, to give residents a more consistent method for reading and responding to email from their mobiles, Google just launched Gmail SMS in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. To sign up, simply head over to the "Phone and SMS" settings page in Gmail, add your mobile number and complete a verification process. Once enrolled, the service will automatically forward all email to devices as text messages. The service could even be useful for those that do have access to Android, iOS or Windows Phone devices -- data outages can cripple smartphones, forcing users to turn to phone calls and SMS to connect with family, friends and colleagues. Geva Rechav, a Google product manager for emerging markets, confirmed in a blog post that Gmail SMS messages will be free to receive, but standard fees will apply for outgoing emails. You'll find full signup details at the source link below.
Virgin Mobile USA restores service, apologizes for the inconvenience
A dozen or so hours after the carrier came clean with its most recent outage, Virgin Mobile USA service has been restored. Data, texts and calls should be flowing normally now, and the company has stated that those still experiencing issues should "try removing your battery and restarting your device." Not recommended? "Visiting your nearest T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon or Boost Mobile retailer." Curious, right?
Looking back at a year of Android Malware
Wow, has it really been a year a year since we first witnessed the arrival of SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a? It seems like only yesterday when everyone was first scrambling to describe the text message manipulating bit of Android malware. We've come along way and seen plenty of malicious bits of software since August 2010. Remember the porn-bundled SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.b trojan from October? Or how about the bible-packing Android.Smspacem? Relive all of the handset hijacking memories in the source link below.
Woman publishes book filled with 12 years of her personal texts
The Most Interesting Man in the World's got nothing on Tracey Moberly. She's either incredibly exciting or is acquainted with plenty of people that are, because over the course of twelve years she's collected enough interesting texts to publish a book about them. We can't imagine saving and compiling thousands upon thousands of SMS messages -- let alone weaving them together into intricate stories and life lessons -- but it sounds like she's received more than enough interesting texts to make Text me up! worth a peek. A book about texts may sound boring, but the novel isn't just full of threaded conversations; Tracey's interspersed it with commentary and illustrations of her own, making it a rather unique (and comprehensive) take on the various trials and joys we face in everyday life. Regardless of how successful the book is, it's nigh impossible to read our own incoming messages the same way again. Check out the six-minute video that shows Tracey being interviewed after the break.
Google Voice adds spam filter, lets solicitors get caught in the web
Remember when your legitimate emails were flanked by dozens of grammatically nightmarish blurbs, peddling pills, x-rated services, and Nigerian scams? If you use Gmail, most of that garbage no longer arrives in your inbox, instead making its way to a spam folder, where it's held for a month before ending its journey at the Google graveyard. Now, Mountain View is applying that same concept to your Google Voice calls, flagging unsolicited calls, texts, and voicemails, then booting them to a spam folder. The company's servers use collected data from other users marking similar messages as spam, as well as propriety identification tools, to help ensure that those generic creditor or vacation sweepstakes calls never make it to your phone. And like GMail messages, misdirected calls can be marked as "Not Spam" from within the Spam folder, letting them slip through the fence the next time around. GV users can simply check the box next to "Global Spam filtering" on the Calls tab to activate the feature, or hit up the source link for the full scoop.
Delorme's inReach two-way GPS Communicator receives txts on mountains, teenage hikers rejoice
Until Delorme's inReach two-way GPS Communicator, sending text messages over satellite signals was mostly a one-way affair. This 4.78 by 2.85 by 1.73-inch battery-powered minibeast pairs with either the company's PN-60w or an Android OS device to send and receive 160-character text messages and real-time GPS data to those tracking you. It can also beam an SOS message at timed intervals then receive confirmation that help is on the way when you ultimately realize that being at home with a fast connection is really all the adventure you needed anyway. Delorme tells us that the inReach will be available in October for $250 and monthly plans start at $9.95 with a one-year contract.
Shocker! Instant messaging gains popularity as TXTing declines, BBM to blame
Apparently, those young'uns just love their BBM. According to a report by the research group Mobile Youth, young folk (read: those of you between 15 and 24) are increasingly abandoning SMS in favor of instant messaging apps, with texting expected to drop off 20 percent over the next two years. The main culprit? BlackBerry Messenger, which now boasts over 39 million users, many of them living outside the US. In fact, it's in the UK, Indonesia, South Africa, and Brazil -- all popular markets for BBM -- that Mobile Youth expects texting to dwindle the most. And if BBM is to blame, well, that drop-off could be just the beginning.
Swedes to start text message-based postage system, girl with dragon tattoo reportedly pleased
The Swedish Postal Service has announced that it will soon replace traditional postage stamps with a text message-based system. The system will work pretty simply -- customers will send a text message to a particular number, and a special code will be texted back to them which they can then write on the letter. A spokesperson for Posten AB, the Swedish Postal Service, says the system will work for packages weighing up to two kilograms, and that it will be just as secure as traditional postage. That's all well and good, but how will they adorn their letters with famous Swedish crime writers?
China sent 23 billion text messages during Chinese New Year
23 billion text messages in one week, with 13 billion from the first two days alone. Pretty mind-boggling, isn't it? And this 10 percent growth in the number of gung-hey-fat-choi messages is the work of just 747 million phone users in China -- imagine what would've happened if all 1.3 billion people in the country had a phone during Chinese New Year. Throughout the same period, China also produced 1.33 billion MMS messages -- a staggering 40 percent increase from last year -- while China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom operated 127.6 percent, 19.5 percent and 15.7 percent more voice calls respectively. Looks like someone's bagged themselves some extra red pockets here. Now, any guesses for next year's figures?
