According to Business Insider, Nokia has stated that their devices do not come loaded with Carrier IQ. From the article:

Nokia says it does not authorize Carrier IQ on its devices. Nokia calls reports of Carrier IQ being found on its phones “inaccurate.” Nokia also says that Carrier IQ doesn’t support Nokia phones, so it’s impossible to be installed later.

RIM has also stated that none of its BlackBerry devices come with Carrier IQ. From the article:

RIM is aware of a recent claim by a security researcher that an application called “CarrierIQ” is installed on mobile devices from multiple vendors without the knowledge or consent of the device users. RIM does not pre-install the CarrierIQ app on BlackBerry smartphones or authorize its carrier partners to install the CarrierIQ app before sales or distribution. RIM also did not develop or commission the development of the CarrierIQ application, and has no involvement in the testing, promotion, or distribution of the app. RIM will continue to investigate reports and speculation related to CarrierIQ.

This contradicts Trevor Eckhart’s original assertion that BlackBerry devices—in addition to Android devices—have Carrier IQ installed.

Whenever I think of the holidays, I cannot help but wax nostalgic about the Lionel train that wrapped around my childhood Christmas tree. While a simple setup, it was enough to give us hours of enjoyment, and encouraged me to start looking for a model train for my family.

My search took an extreme detour when I discovered Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railroad. Located in Hamburg, Germany, the model spans 68,889 sq ft with 39,370 ft of HO scale track, 900 trains with 12,000 wagons, 300,000 lights, 215,000 trees, and 200,000 human figurines. Words cannot due this justice, so I included the official video below:

Now I just need to figure out how I can fit this under the tree.

[Via Gizmodo]

iPhone hacker chpwn has posted an informative look into how Carrier IQ is incorporated into iOS. Unlike the version Trevor Eckhart discovered in his Android devices, Carrier IQ for both iOS versions 3 and 5—version 4 is still unknown—is disabled by default. If the appropriate setting is enabled on iOS 5, the user can disable it with a single setting change.

When enabled, does Carrier IQ on iOS capture the same level of data that was seen in Trevor Eckhart’s Android demo? No, it appears Apple has limited much of what Carrier IQ will monitor. Below are chpwn’s findings:

• CoreTelephony
  • your phone number
  • your carrier
  • your country
  • active phone calls
    • (However, I only saw it noting that a phone call was active, not what number was dialed or it was received from. But, I am not going to claim it doesn’t do that: it’s certainly possible, but didn’t see it.)
• CoreLocation
  • your location (Only, however, if Location Services are enabled.)
  • (Possibly more I haven’t yet found.)

As Carrier IQ claims in their video, communication with the remote server is all done via SSL. Importantly, it does not appear the daemon has any access or communication with the UI layer, where text entry is done. I am reasonably sure it has no access to typed text, web history, passwords, browsing history, or text messages, and as such is not sending any of this data remotely.

1. Launch “Settings”
2. Select “General”
3. Select “About” (first entry)
4. Select “Diagnostics & Usage” (towards bottom)
5. Select “Don’t Send” if not already selected

Android app developer Trevor Eckhart discovered that hidden in his Android phone was tracking software by Carrier IQ, which he feels exhibits the traits of a rootkit. So what does it track? How about key presses, geographic locations, and messages received by its users.

On Monday, Trevor posted the following video to YouTube, exposing what the Carrier IQ software monitored on his stock HTC EVO handset:

Amazingly enough, the users are never informed of this app, nor are they given the ability to toggle whether the monitoring service should run. Instead they are forced to trust Carrier IQ, and Carrier IQ’s customers, for the privacy of any data collected.

Performing damage control, Carrier IQ has posted a Media Alert, clarifying how their software is used by customers. I find the following snippet interesting:

While we look at many aspects of a device’s performance, we are counting and summarizing performance, not recording keystrokes or providing tracking tools. The metrics and tools we derive are not designed to deliver such information, nor do we have any intention of developing such tools.

The video clearly shows the monitoring software is capable of recording keystrokes. What’s more concerning is how the software can see variables passed via an encrypted website as if they were never encrypted.

If you think that avoiding Android powered devices will exempt you from this privacy invasion, think again. In addition to Android, Carrier IQ also has software available and installed on BlackBerry, Apple iOS and Nokia devices.

Update: It has been determined that iOS devices also contain Carrier IQ.

[Via The Register]

What would happen if tablets were counted as PCs? According to Meg Whitman, CEO of the worlds largest PC manufacturer HP, Apple would overtake them in 2012. While responding to questions from French newspaper Le Figaro, Meg Whitman had the following to say about Apple overtaking HP in PC sales:

Yes. I think it’s possible if you integrate tablets. Apple does a great job. We need to improve our game and our products to take over the leadership position. Apple could go past HP in 2012. We will try to become the champion in 2013. It takes time for the products on which I have come to influence the market.

As tablets continue to cannibalize netbook sales, it only makes sense to consider the tablet a PC moving forward. With the uncertainty around the future of HP webOS, I have to wonder what she is hinting at to help HP reclaim the title in 2013.

[Via TechCrunch]