Qualcomm has said more phone manufacturers plan to roll out satellite connectivity, much like Apple’s latest iPhone.
The iPhone 14 included a first for Apple’s phone: the ability to send an emergency SOS via satellite. According to PCMag, Qualcomm has revealed that Honor, Motorola, Nothing, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi plan to use the company’s tech to bring similar features to their own phones.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite relies on Iridium, a leading satellite communications provider. The company also claims its chips will enable emergency SOS support worldwide, as opposed to the iPhone 14, which only offers the ability in the US, Canada, and parts of Europe.
Apple has once gain overtaken Samsung for the title of the world’s top smartphone maker, based on Q4 2021 shipments.
Apple and Samsung go back and forth for the top spot, with each benefiting from release cycles, major upgrades, and a plethora of other factors. According to research firm Canalys, Apple took the top spot in Q4 2021, with 22% of worldwide shipments. Samsung came in second with 20%, while Xiaomi rounded out the top three with 12%.
“Apple is back at the top of the smartphone market after three quarters, driven by a stellar performance from the iPhone 13,” said Canalys Analyst Sanyam Chaurasia. “Apple saw unprecedented iPhone performance in Mainland China, with aggressive pricing for its flagship devices keeping the value proposition strong. Apple’s supply chain is starting to recover, but it was still forced to cut production in Q4 amid shortages of key components and could not make enough iPhones to meet demand. In prioritized markets, it maintained adequate delivery times, but in some markets its customers had to wait to get their hands on the latest iPhones.”
One of Apple’s greatest strengths has always been its supply chain, giving the company the ability to weather disruptions better than its competitors. That was certainly true in Q4, with supply chain issues hitting smaller companies much harder.
“Supply chain disruption affected low-end vendors the most,” said Canalys VP Mobility Nicole Peng. “Component manufacturers are eking out additional production, but it will take years for major foundries to significantly increase chip capacity. Smartphone brands are already innovating to make the most of their circumstances, tweaking device specs in response to available materials, approaching emerging chipmakers to secure new sources for ICs, focusing product lines on the best-selling models and staggering new product releases. These practices lend an advantage to larger brands, and they are set to stay for the short term, as bottlenecks will not ease until the second half of 2022.”
A new study is showing just how much Android snoops on its users, transmitting large quantities of data to third-parties and Google.
In the age-old iOS vs Android debate, the common argument against Android is the perceived lack of privacy. A team of researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Trinity College Dublin attempted to get to the bottom of the situation, and their findings were disturbing, to say the least.
The researchers looked phones made by Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi and Realme. They also looked at two forks of the Android OS, LineageOS and /e/OS. At its heart, Android is an open source OS where anyone is free to modify it for their own uses, just as Google does. LineageOS and /e/OS are two such forks that place an emphasis on privacy by “de-Googling” the OS.
The researchers found that, with one exception, all flavors of Android transmitted substantial data to Google. Even worse, they also transmitted data to third-party companies, including Facebook.
We find that, with the notable exception of e/OS, even when minimally configured and the handset is idle these vendor-customized Android variants transmit substantial amounts of information to the OS developer and also to third-parties (Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Facebook etc) that have pre-installed system apps. While occasional communication with OS servers is to be expected, the observed data transmission goes well beyond this and raises a number of privacy concerns.
Here’s a detailed list of the information being sent:
Table of Android Data Sharing – Credit University of Edinburgh & Trinity College Dublin
The researchers also expressed concern about the possibility of companies being able to cross-link data in an effort to build a more comprehensive profile of the user.
We find that typically multiple parties collect data from a handset. For example, on a Samsung handset Samsung, Google and Microsoft/LinkedIn all collect data. That raises the question of whether the data collected separately by these parties can be linked together (and of course combined with data from other sources). While we are not in a position to know whether such linking actually takes place, by inspection of the identifiers jointly collected by the parties we can see whether the potential exists for data linking.
Potential for Android Data Cross-Linking – Credit University of Edinburgh & Trinity College Dublin
Overall, the researchers said the current situation raises serious concerns about the privacy Android offers — or doesn’t.
We present an in-depth analysis of the data sent by the Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Realme, LineageOS and /e/OS variants of Android. We find that, with the notable exception of e/OS, even when minimally configured and the handset is idle these vendor-customized Android variants transmit substantial amounts of information to the OS developer and also to third-parties (Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Facebook etc) that have pre-installed system apps. While occasional communication with OS servers is to be expected, the observed data transmission goes well beyond this and raises a number of privacy concerns.
Google has been working to improve its image as a company that respects its users’ privacy. Creating an OS that serves to vacuum up large quantities of user data — and then sends that data to itself and third-parties companies — falls far short of what the company promises and what users deserve.
Google has announced the release of Android 12 to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), but the anticipated release for Pixel phones didn’t happen.
At its core, Android is an open source operating system, one that anyone can modify and use for their own purposes. There are a number of Android flavors, such as the excellent CalyxOS, that take the AOSP to create a more private, de-Googled version of Android.
More often than not, when Google releases a new version of Android to the AOSP, the company’s Pixel line of phones receive immediate support. As a result, with Android 12 expected October 4, many thought the Pixels would automatically be able to update, just as in times past.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be the case this time around. Android 12 has hit the AOSP, but there isn’t a version yet for the Pixels, according to a Google blog post.
Keep an eye out for Android 12 coming to a device near you starting with Pixel in the next few weeks and Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Vivo, and Xiaomi devices later this year.
Huawei is planning a return to the “smartphone throne” after crippling sanctions had a devastating impact on the company’s business.
Huawei was the company to beat in the smartphone market, eclipsing Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and every other company. Despite its success, Huawei came under scrutiny over its close relationship with the Chinese government. The company was seen as having closer ties than most to the government and intelligence community.
As a result of the concerns, the US government and many of its alliesbanned the company from participating in their 5G networks. The company’s equipment was banned and, in many cases, even removed from existing networks. The US government even took the step of shutting off Huawei’s access to the chips it needs to build its smartphones. The company ended up selling off its Honor brand, and its remaining business saw significant declines.
In spite of its setbacks, Huawei’s chairman says the company will return to the “smartphone throne,” according to Reuters.
“Everyone knows that phone chips need advanced technology in a small size with low power consumption. Huawei can design it, but no one can help us make it: we’re stuck,” said Huawei Chairman Guo Ping.
“Huawei will continue to exist in the field of mobile phones and with continuous advances in chip production, the smartphone throne will eventually return,” he continued.
Xiaomi has become the world’s number two smartphone maker for the first time ever, dropping Apple to third place.
Xiaomi is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, with a strong overseas presence. As the smartphone market rebounded from the pandemic, Xiaomi was well-poised to increase its market share.
According to analysis firm Canalys, Samsung retained the top spot with a 19% share and 15% growth. Apple dropped to third place with a 14% share and 1% growth. Xiaomi, in contrast, had a 17% share but a whopping 83% growth. Oppo and Vivo rounded out the top five.
“Xiaomi is growing its overseas business rapidly,” said Canalys Research Manager Ben Stanton. “For example, its shipments increased more than 300% in Latin America, 150% Africa and 50% in Western Europe. And as it grows, it evolves. It is now transforming its business model from challenger to incumbent, with initiatives such as channel partner consolidation and more careful management of older stock in the open market.”
Much of Xiaomi’s success has been because of its lower price point, coming in significantly cheaper than either Samsung or Apple. Nonetheless, the company is clearly gunning to take the top spot from Samsung.
“It is still largely skewed toward the mass market, however, and compared with Samsung and Apple, its average selling price is around 40% and 75% cheaper respectively,” Stanton continues. “So a major priority for Xiaomi this year is to grow sales of its high-end devices, such as the Mi 11 Ultra. But it will be a tough battle, with Oppo and Vivo sharing the same objective, and both willing to spend big on above-the-line marketing to build their brands in a way that Xiaomi is not. All vendors are fighting hard to secure component supply amid global shortages, but Xiaomi already has its sights set on the next prize: displacing Samsung to become the world’s largest vendor
Alibaba is working to make its Apsara cloud OS compatible with a variety of architectures in an effort to future-proof it.
Alibaba started as an online marketplace, but has grown to be one of the biggest companies in the world. The company is a leader in AI, e-commerce and, increasingly, the cloud market.
The company is working on its Apsara cloud OS, and is learning from the challenges its fellow Chinese firms have faced. Huawei, ZTE and Xiaomi have all experienced setbacks as a result of sanctions by the US government and its allies. Huawei, in particular, has struggled due to being cut off from the semiconductors it relied on for its products.
Alibaba’s solution is to make sure Apsara can work on a variety of chip architectures, ensuring no geopolitical factors negatively impact the OS or the company’s plans. According to TechCrunch, Alibaba is building support for x86, Arm and RISC-V into Aspara.
The addition of RISC-V is particularly interesting, as it is an open source architecture that anyone is free to use. There are no fees associated with using it, and it is beyond the reach of US sanctions. As a result, RISC-V is growing in popularity among Chinese companies, offering them a measure of security they do not have with other options.
If RISC-V continues to gain widespread use, other companies will likely be forced to support it too.
The Department of Defense (DOD) is removing Chinese firm Xiaomi from a blacklist preventing it from operating in the US.
Xiaomi was one of several Chinese companies banned from doing business in the US over concerns regarding national security. Government and intelligence officials believed it and other companies provided a way for Beijing to spy on governments and organizations around the world.
Xiaomi fought back, suing to get its ban overturned. The suit has paid off, with the DOD agreeing to remove the company from the blacklist, according to The Wall Street Journal.
As the WSJ points out, Xiaomi joins TikTok and WeChat as one of a few companies that have won lawsuits against the US government, preventing blacklisting or forced sales.
The Biden administration has been reviewing Trump-era decisions regarding Chinese firms. It remains to be seen if Xiaomi’s outcome is the beginning of a major shift, or isolated to the firm.
Smartphone maker Xiaomi will begin making electric vehicles (EV), using Great Wall Motor Co Ltd’s factory.
Xiaomi is one of the world’s largest smartphone makers, but is looking to diversify its business. Since it primarily makes Android-powered smartphones, it doesn’t enjoy the same margins as Apple, and depends on volume to remain profitable. The company has also faced challenges as a result of bans by the US, with officials citing the security risk it poses.
According to Reuters, the company is looking to follow a similar path as many believe Apple is following, branching out from a smartphone maker to an EV maker. The company is planning on having Great Wall handle the manufacturing, the first time the latter has offered its manufacturing services to an outside company.
According to Reuters’ sources, Xiaomi plans to sell its EVs to the mass market, mirroring its approach to the smartphone business.
Oracle’s bid to purchase TikTok, in conjunction with Walmart, is on hold indefinitely as a result of the change in administration.
The Trump administration aggressively went after a number of Chinese companies, including Huawei, ZTE, Xiaomi and TikTok, accusing them of being a threat to national security. The administration instituted bans against the first three, and was in the process of banning TikTok unless it could arrange for a US buyer to take over its operations.
Oracle emerged as the winning candidate, along with help from Walmart, but the deal got caught up in red tape and disputesover how much control Oracle would actually have. Ultimately, even TikTok was left wondering about its fate, with a judge effectively granting it a stay of execution in the form a temporary injunction against the ban The judge also questioned whether the administration had the authority to ban the app in the first place.
The Biden administration is currently reviewing the previous administration’s actions regarding various Chinese companies, and that has put the Oracle/TikTok deal in limbo.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Biden administration has asked to a delay an appeal against the injunction while it reviews the situation to see if the Trump administration’s actions were warranted.
Needless to say, TikTok would no doubt prefer to remain independent. As a result, if there is a chance the current administration will abandon efforts to ban the app unless its purchased by a US company, there’s no incentive for talks to continue until the Biden administration reaches a conclusion.
Xiaomi is suing the US Treasury Department and the Department of Defense in an effort to overturn a Trump administration ban.
Xiaomi, along with Huawei and ZTE, were banned by the Trump administration over national security concerns. Xiaomi was accused of having close ties with the People’s Liberation Army.
The company is now challenging the ban, according to Bloomberg, suing the US Treasury and Defense departments.
“Xiaomi faces imminent, severe, and irreparable harm if the Designation remains in place and the restrictions take effect,” the company said in its court filing, naming Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as defendants.
It remains to be seen what action the Biden administration will take against Chinese firms, and whether it will uphold past action. It’s clear, however, that Xiaomi is testing the waters to see if the the change of administration will result in a change of policy.
Qualcomm has announced it is bringing 5G to its Snapdragon 4-series line of chips.
While many 5G phones have been announced, the vast majority of them are high-end models, such as the iPhone. As with any new technology, it is easier to roll it out at the top-end of the market first, using the purchases to help offset the cost of the new tech. As the technology matures, however, it inevitably becomes cheaper.
Qualcomm’s latest announcement is a big step in that direction, as it is bringing 5G to its Snapdragon 4-series chips, used primarily in low-cost devices. Motorola, Oppos and Xiaomi have all committed to using the chip in upcoming phones.
“Qualcomm continues to pave the way for 5G commercialization at scale, and the expansion of 5G into our Snapdragon 4-series is expected to address regions that currently have approximately 3.5 billion smartphone users combined,” said Cristiano Amon, president, Qualcomm Incorporated. “The Snapdragon 4-series 5G Mobile Platform is designed to exceed expectations for the mass-market segment by bringing an assortment of predominately high- and mid-tier features to a broader audience. It will deliver on the promise of making 5G accessible to all smartphone users.”
According to XDA Developers, Android’s Google Phone app may be getting call recording in a future update.
The Google Phone app is the default phone dialer on Google’s own line of Pixel smartphones, as well as Android One devices. Other manufacturers sometimes include their own dialer apps with more features than Google’s. Xiaomi is one such company, with their dialer offering built-in call recording. Recently, however, Xiaomi announced that its European smartphones would come with Google Phone instead. As XDA points out, however, the company promised that the feature would be “obtainable” in 2020.
When Android version 43.0.289191107 was released for the Pixel 4, XDA editor-in-chief Mishaal Rahman noticed three developer strings that specifically pertain to call recording, including the status of an in-call button to activate or deactivate recording.
As XDA highlights, call recording was available before Android 9 Pie, and is a feature that has been sorely missed in the Android community. If the developer strings Rahman found indicate Google’s plans, this should be a welcome improvement for many users.
Following reports that Xiaomi cameras integrated with Google’s Nest Hub, showed images and feeds from strangers’ cameras, The Verge is reporting that Xiaomi has identified the problem.
Dio, a user in the Netherlands, first reported the issue when he used his Google Nest Hub to access his Xiaomi camera feed. Instead, he saw a stranger’s kitchen. Repeated attempts showed a random collection of camera feeds, only occasionally displaying his own. In response, Google shut down integration between the two services, until a fix could be found.
In a statement to The Verge, Xiaomi identified the problem as the result of a “cache update” that was rolled out on December 26. The update was supposed to improve streaming quality, but ultimately led to the glitch. Xiaomi said the glitch only occurs in “extremely rare conditions.”
In investigating what led to the issue Dio experienced, Xiaomi told The Verge: “It happened during the integration between Mi Home Security Camera Basic 1080p and the Google Home Hub with a display screen under poor network conditions.”
While Xiaomi says it has fixed the issue, Nest integration will remain suspended until the root cause can be identified and addressed.
While it’s reassuring this appears to be an isolated case, it illustrates the security issues that can occur when multiple devices and services are linked together. The more complex the integration, the greater the risk of security issues creeping in.
CNET is reporting on the latest example of security cameras exposing the very people they’re supposed to protect.
According to the report, Netherlands resident Dio clicked on the Xiaomi camera feed on his Google Nest Hub, expecting to see a blackboard he had the camera pointed at for test purposes. Instead, he saw a stranger’s kitchen. Repeated attempts showed a random collection of other people’s cameras, only occasionally displaying his own.
At this point, no one is aware of the cause of the issues or whether it is on Google or Xiaomi’s end. In the meantime, Google has disabled Xiaomi integration until a fix can be implemented.
“We’re aware of the issue and are in contact with Xiaomi to work on a fix. In the meantime, we’re disabling Xiaomi integrations on our devices,” Google told CNET, although they did say they were not aware of other instances of this happening.
Ring has been under fire recently over a number of hacking incidents, and security camera maker Wyze suffered a high-profile data breach. These incidents continue to demonstrate the need for IoT companies, especially ones in the security market, to place a greater emphasis on security protocols and testing.
