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Oonagh Reidy

‘F*** You Apple’: Did Anonymous Hack 12 M iPhones?

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Hackers AntiSec claims to have nicked the details of 12 million Apple users
The cheeky hackers, an offshoot from notorious group Anonymous, leaked 1 million Unique Device Identifiers yesterday, which is attached to personal details like names, phone numbers and addresses, that it claims belong to Apple iPhone and iPad users.

AntiSec claims to have lifted more than 12 million Apple UDI’s in all.

But it looks definitely like Anonymous have it in for the Cupertino giant as they just tweeted: “Apple to their user base: ‘Yeah, fuck you. Again.’ “

The data was said to have been lifted from a Dell laptop belonging to an FBI cybersecurity agent via a Java vulnerability.


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The FBI however, are denying AnitSec’s claims, saying it is “aware of published reports alleging that an FBI laptop was compromised and private data regarding Apple UDIDs was exposed.

“At this time there is no evidence indicating that an FBI laptop was compromised or that the FBI either sought or obtained this data.”

However, AntiSec predicted the US security agency would deny the hack, saying:

“Seems quite clear nobody pays attention if you just come and say ‘Hey, FBI is using your device details and info and who the fuck knows what the hell are they experimenting with that,’ well sorry, but nobody will care.

“FBI will, as usual, deny or ignore this uncomfortable thingie and everybody will forget the whole thing at amazing speed.”

However, Sophos Lab security guru Graham Cluley reckons the hackers are looking to humiliate the FBI the best way they know how:

“My suspicion is that the hackers were more interested in embarrassing the FBI’s team than endangering innocent users.”

 

Of course, questions may be raised as to why the FBI agent had access to millions of Apple user details.

But it appears its not just FBI and Apple AntiSec are looking to humiliate:

Cluley in his blog post notes a reference to the GOP’s presidential candidate  Mitt Romney at the end of the hackers announcement in German:

“Romney aber, sag’s ihm, er kann mich im Arsche lecken!”

This translates to “Romney, however, tell him he can kiss the asses!”

Its Live! Optus 4G Hits Sydney, Perth

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Telco no. 2 unleashes 4G network to Sydney, Perth and Newcastle – a week after rival Telstra expands its coverage.


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And it announced Samsung S III 4G to top it off.

The telco who says it has the fastest 4G service in OZ using next-gen FDD-LTE technology, said today’s launch (10 months after Telstra sent its 4G live) heralds a “a new era of competition in Australian telecommunications.”

Optus claims the 4G network delivers downloads of up to 47 megabits per second.

In Sydney, Optus’ 4G service will stretch from Bondi to Dee Why in the North, Perth’s 4G will cover the Airport to City Beach and Innaloo, while Newcastle’s service will also cover Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie.

But worry not Victorians, 4G services will go live in Melbourne from 15th September.

The announcement comes after rival Telstra announced its 4G expansion to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, covering two-thirds of the population just last week.

The telco also said Samsung’s 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED Galaxy S III 4G will be available for pre order from today – (and delivered by Sept 20) but the handset will also be available from Telstra, as announced this morning. 


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Optus’ Samsung S III comes in $30, $35, $50, $60 or $80 plans (for consumer and business) with handset repayments starting at $21. 

The $60 plan (+$7 repayment) includes $1.5GB data and $650 calls, while the handset is free on the $80 plan (2GB data and $850 of calls).

Users also get unlimited access to Facebook, Twitter LinkedIn, MySpace, eBay and Foursquare, unlimited standard national SMS and unlimited Optus to Optus mobile calls, on the upper tier plans.

For wireless users, Optus’ 4G USB dongle or portable Wi-Fi modem, are also available from today.

Optus has also been busy enhancing its 3G performance across the country.

Today’s launch to three locations marks the beginning of Optus’ national 4G network rollout, said Kevin Russell, CEO Optus Consumer, with other cities to follow in the months ahead.

“Whether that’s downloading multiple songs at the same time, or uploading videos and photos to social media – customers will love the experience and speed that Optus 4G has to offer.”

“With a great line up of 4G devices now on offer, Australians now have a choice in competitive 4G products and services,” Mr Russell said.

Is your area covered by Optus 4G?

 

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· Sydney: Optus 4G coverage stretches from Bondi in the East to Newington in the West and from La Perouse in the South to Dee Why in the North.

· Perth: Optus 4G coverage stretches from Perth Airport in the East to City Beach in the West and from Como in the South to Innaloo in the North.

· Newcastle: Optus 4G coverage is available across Newcastle, as well as in Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie areas.

· Melbourne: From September 15th 2012 Optus 4G coverage in Melbourne will stretch from Blackburn in the East to St Albans in the West and from Brighton in the South to Fawkner in the North.

Optus is bringing four of the fastest people in the world to Australia to showcase the great things you can do faster with 4G. Optus ‘Fast Four’ hold long standing Guinness World Record titles for being the fastest in rapping, texting, talking and reading.

Pre order at www.optus.com.au/4gsamsung.

E-Tailing: ‘Supernovas’, Secrets (And Why Amazon ISN’T The Bees Knees)

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Aussie retailers shouldn’t necessarily jump on the same e-tailing bandwagon as US counterparts , an Online Retailer conference in Sydney was told yesterday.


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So says respected Forester ecommerce analyst. Sucharita Mulpuru, who gave some valuable insights into the US market and F-Commerce, showrooming and why the darlings of the Internet aren’t always right, yesterday.

The analyst cited some of the top errors US retailers have made – including ‘jumping on the Amazon bandwagon”, over embracing apps, blaming excess taxes and ‘showrooming’ for your woes (hmm, sounds familiar) .

(And if anyone is unfamiliar with the showrooming term, it’s where consumers check out goods in a brick and mortar retail store, then buy it online to find a lower price).

These latter woes in particular rings strongly here in Oz as we recall the furore Gerry Harvey and his High Street colleagues caused when they demand the government drop the GST tax threshold to under $1000 for online goods purchased from international sites.

The US is always flagged a few years ahead of us Aussies in the online retailing space, but the Yanks may not be so avant-garde after all, says Mulpuru.

But they must be doing something right as online retail has increased share by 6% in the US. 

Australia still lags behind with some of the major brands like Harvey Norman only conceding to the platform of late and still doubt its potential.

So stop whinging, as these aforementioned woes have been thrashed out by US retailers long before. (Its worth noting Harvey and Co have been quiet since the backlash erupted among consumers fed up with paying far too much for consumer items anyway).

Also another vital error – “believing the supernovas are best to crack the local market”. So who are the supernovas?

Apple, Google, Amazon Facebook – the Internet giants that dominate the scene whether we like it or not.

While these stalwarts are “great repositories of information” and major drivers of traffic these obvious ecommerce platforms aren’t all they’re hyped up to be, says Mulpuru.

The quick rundown of the 4 internet commerce supernovas is this:

Google: accounts for half of all global visitors but “lacks strategic direction, Facebook’s M-commerce and ‘F-Commerce’ “failed to fly” and social commerce is “negligible” as it drives only 1% of sales, research shows.

Amazon “a force that belies its size” and “Amazon are akin to the new Wal-Mart” – even though it is smaller in size, says the Forrester analyst.

And the establishment of a Sydney based Amazon warehouse may be a “double-edged sword” as the e-tail kingpin often starts selling goods itself if its sees an online ‘partner’ making big sales on product lines as it did with PC accessories.

 

Amazon positions itself as a “partner” but ends up being a “competitor.”

Apple also has an annoying habit of being slow to respond to problems in its eco system and their terms can also often be a pain and everything on the app store is on their terms, which can be risky if you’re depending on just one mobile app to drive online traffic.

“Apple is not so much a gift from God but rather is The Godfather” says Forrester’s ecomm guru.

On the issues of apps, they’re not always as useful as they seem, even though 55% of online retailers in Australia are now selling via mobile-accessible sites, it was revealed yesterday.

But the Starbucks app, for instance, accounts for just 5% of its total transactions so its hardly the golden path to a successful mobile strategy.

The ecomm guru also gave some general tips to Aussie retailers:

– Have a holistic marketplace strategy:

Don’t just partner with one (i.e Amazon) – a lot of retailers are now starting to hook up with several marketplaces. Some retailers like Asos have even launched their very own marketplace, in order to avoid paying commission to Amazon and abiding by stringent rules, in the case of Apple apps rules.

She also cited new formats emerging like ‘Fancy ‘that lets retailers sell products that are similar to ones a consumer is already browsing online.

– Optimise for mobile web.

Its easy to say but hard, if not impossible, to do and mobile shopping may not live up to the hype.

 Android is the “winning platform but it is fragmented” she warns. And there are also other OS to optimise, like Apple iOS, Windows, BlackBerry and so on which can be a major nuisance – not to mention a massive cost and time drain.

Instead of dealing with Apple some like shoe retailer Steve Madden retailer decided to optimise their own site for various OS.

“Optimising for all the different OS is starting to become unsustainable …and retailers are starting to realise this fast,” she warns.

– Be a fast follower rather than a beta partner. Don’t just be the first to market for the sake of it.

Mulpuru cites a case study in the US between two retailers – one who spent $5m on and another who spent very little.

But guess what?

Practically the same level of mobile traffic on mobile m-comm sites – just 1.5%

“So is the best mobile strategy just to not have one at all?” she asked the retail audience.

– Innovate and reinvent your consumer shopping experience:

There is still a lot of “hanging fruit” like email and payments which retailers have still not got sorted despite the advent of ecommerce as a major force – many are not even PayPal members, which is pretty basic stuff.

The key to online is also solving the “last mile problem” where a consumer buys the products but delivery is an issue.

Wal-Mart allows free pick up instore and in FedEx offices for those customers who live further away, which is cited as a good strategy by the analyst as it can help with that “last mile” dliemma.

 

(Most of us can probably recall abandoning a shopping cart as the delivery price was too high or too much trouble).

Targeted email campaigns to consumers are still “strong” despite the advent of other forms of messaging like instant messaging and Facebook, with many now received via mobile; it is important to optimise for that platform.

And “forget the sales tax arguments..change the store” and add new categories, says Mulpuru, citing Warby Parker in the US who has stores within stores and acquisitions and partnership with others is vital to increase footfall.

The analyst cites Walmart who acquired Aussie start up Grabble, which provides retailer with a point of sales app for purchases.

iTunes OZ Hacked?

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Fraudsters are on the loose and hacking Aussie iTunes accounts.


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Aussie iTunes users have had their accounts hacked by unauthorised users.

Thats according to Victoria’s consumer watchdog who said its become “aware” of concerns about Apple iTunes and App Store account security after consumer complaints about unauthorised purchases made via credit card.

No word yet if this is confined to Victoria only.

Many App Store customers have one ID account and password – usually linked to a credit or debit card account.

But online hacker forums are now selling iTunes account info for as little as $33 – with forums saying fraudsters can net  thousands in account credit, warned Consumer Affairs Victoria.

That is if consumers don’t stop them in their tracks (literally).

According to the consumer body, Apple said it is working to enhance the security of its online store, following complaints and has advised customers whose payment information had been stolen to change their passwords and contact their financial institutions.

Update: However, an Apple Australia spokesperson told SmartHouse it is unaware of the iTunes issue and has had no contact with the Vic office and is “unsure” of where they got this information from.

The consumer body did not give a direct reply to questions from SmartHouse but it seems they got their info from a New York Times article on similar iTunes fraud in the US.

However, Victoria’s consumer body has warned users to change their password regularly, use ones at least eight characters long (a combination of letters, symbols and numbers).

Apps with a long track record of user reviews are a safer bet, it said in a statement.

Consumers who access counterfeit or ‘cloned’ apps for sale in the App Store risk compromising their systems to “predatory software.” Counterfeit apps look like real apps but don’t have the same kind of security as those developed by established programmers.

 

These ‘cloned’ apps can expose personal data to malware or predatory, virus-like software which can be used to steal personal information.

This isn’t the first website hacking of late. LinkedIn, eHarmony and Twitter have all suffered data breaches of late, with passwords stolen.

“Consumer Affairs Victoria reminds consumers to always remain vigilant in the online environment and provides advice when concerns are raised in the public domain about potential consumer detriment,” it told SmartHouse today.

Kodak + Officeworks “Exclusive” Pic Deal

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Kodak and Officeworks have hooked up for “exclusive” pic deal.


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Retailer Officeworks has penned an exclusive agreement with Kodak for in-store photo Services.

The “multi-year” agreement means Officeworks Photo Centre will be using Kodak imaging gear in all 137 stores.

Kodak’s kiosks will now be creating Photo Books, Personal Greeting Cards, canvas prints and other picture services.

Officeworks will be installing Kodak’s Adaptive Picture Exchange (APEX) dry lab equipment and technology into its labs.

This comes as Fuji announced a similar deal with Harvey Norman in over 100 stores in March to use its digital signage services.

Troubled camera maker Kodak has recently added several Kiosk software enhancements and Offceworks are hoping to drive “substantial sales growth via new product offerings and better service in the Photo category,” says Mark Ward, Managing Director, Officeworks.

“There is continued customer demand for our solutions and continued opportunity for consistent growth and increased profit in this category.”

Kodak and Officeworks have been partnering on photo services since 2005.

 

“Kodak has helped Officeworks build its photo retailing category to where it is today with consistently strong growth as well as innovative solutions for customers,” the imaging company said in a statement.

Officeworks was the first Australian retailer to offer a dry lab print solution in all of its store. 

HTC Mighty Ruby: 4.3Inch HD, Powerful Dual-Core, 8MP Camera?

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Ruby, Ruby due on the fall, are you the most powerful HTC of them all?


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Image: HTC Sensation, released here last month.

If the specs leaked on US media yesterday are true, then it is. 

HTC 4.3″ qHD Ruby touchscreen apparently sports 1.5GHz dual-core processor, (960_540) res display, front (2MP) and rear (8MP) cameras, dedicated camera and video button, 1GB of RAM and Bluetooth 3.0, according to Digital Trends. 

And Ruby will also be 4G compatible, the next gen broadband technology which Telstra look set to unleash to businesses here in September. 

The mighty Ruby is tipped for launch on US carrier T-Mobile later this year, with suggested October 26 release and may coincide with its Samsung Galaxy S II release, while the folks over at Android Central are tipping the device could be called HTC Amaze (makes sense, keeping it line with emotive names of its other smartphones like ‘Desire’ and ‘Sensation‘)

If true, then the Ruby/Amaze will indeed be more powerful than Samsung Galaxy S II, which is due for release in US very soon in any case and could well steal some of its thunder stateside. 

However, considering how slow HTC seem to be in bringing its phones cache Down Under, it could be well into next year before the Ruby lands, if at all. 

Last week, SmartHouse reported on another super phone rumoured to be on the way.


Its ON: Telstra “Treble Play” Foxtel + IPTV+ Internet

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The bundles are here. Yes folks Telstra have pressed the ‘on’ button on Internet, IPTV and phone bundles, commonplace in the UK.

Tipped for some time, Telstra finally launch “entertainer bundles” with 11 Foxtel channels (on T-Box), BigPond  broadband, unlimited calls on home phone.

And there also a bundle if you want wireless broadband (500MB), but you can add more Internet data packs.

11 Foxtel channels shown on Telstra’s T-Box include SkyNews, FOX8, Cartoon Network, Discovery but you also get all the free to air channels like Seven and Nine, and bundlers can rent 6000+ BigPond Movies and TV shows via Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), as Telstra go hard on pushing Foxtel content, which it owns 50% of.

The home phone comes with discounted international call rates on all plans and family calls benefit for regular numbers dialled.

Just last week, the blue telco revealed it would be screening its own sports show called the Clubhouse via IPTV.

Telstra Entertainer Bundle customers can also add Foxtel Sports and Movies and Premium Drama package for the latest TV series “Express from the US” including cult series Game of Thrones.

Priced for the bundles kick off at $115 per month for 2 year contract, which comes with 100GB data, phone and TV channels, the $135 pack comes with a 200GB data and 500MB mobile broadband, and the top end pack costs $155 with a massive 500GB Internet allowance.

But it will cost more if can add on extras like the data packs, more TV channels.

You can buy Telstra’s T-Hub 2 smart home phone that looks like a tablet for a reduced price.

There’s an essential packages at $80 where you can bundle and the phone but no T Box.

“Our customers have flocked to our great value bundles, and told us entertainment and mobility were the features they most wanted to see added. These take centre stage in our new offerings,” said Telstra Director Broadband Bundles and Devices John Chambers .

“The inclusion of the Foxtel on T-Box “Get Started? pack along with access to more than 6000 movies and TV episodes to rent through BigPond Movies, places the Telstra Entertainer Bundles ahead of the pack. 

“Packaging premium IPTV content with all the great broadband and home phone benefits traditionally offered by a Telstra bundle provides a ready-made entertainment experience straight out of the box.”

FINALLY! Telstra Seals $11B NBN Deal

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Telstra has finalised agreements with NBN Co and the government regarding the NBN rollout, it announced today.


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The ‘Definitive Agreements’ with the company charged with the National Broadband Network rollout, NBN Co, and the government are expected to provide Telstra approximately $11 billion (post-tax) net present value over the long term, Telstra CEO David Thodey confirmed.

Telstra shareholders approved the proposed split up of the company and NBN deal, which will see it surrender its copper network, infrastructure, pits and ducts, at its AGM last year and some major new investments by the telco is expected following the huge cash windfall.

“The agreements are expected to also contribute to free cashflow generated in the medium term, provide us with greater financial flexibility and a stronger balance sheet, and help to offset the decline in free cashflow expected as customers migrate onto the NBN,” Thodey said.

This confirmation comes as the competition watchdog, ACCC, gave final approval to Telstra’s revised draft of its Structural Separation Undertaking, which outlines the break up of its retail and wholesale divisions during the rollout of NBN, last week.

The break up of Australia’s largest telco is to be completed by July 1 2018.

Mr Thodey confirmed the Structural Separation Undertaking (SSU), had also now come into force.

“Compared with other realistically available options this outcome should deliver a better overall financial outcome, a more stable regulatory environment and greater strategic flexibility, enabling Telstra to maintain a strong focus on our key areas of growth,” Mr Thodey said.

The government will fork out $190 million to Telstra under the Information Campaign and Migration Deed, expected later this year and will be amortised over three years as ‘Other Income’ on its balance sheet as costs are accrued.

The payment is outside Telstra’s guidance for fiscal year 2012.

Telstra will retain ownership of its Hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network and its 50% share in FOXTEL, it also confirmed.

 

This followed three years of complex and prolonged negotiations, with ACCC, Government, NBN Co, while rivals including Optus voiced their concern over Telstra $11 deal with NBN and its proposed break up.

Thodey said he was “pleased” with the positive outcome. 

Last week, Telstra revealed its NBN high speed broadband pricing, which starts at $49 for 50GB and is available in NBN test areas in NSW, QLD, Victoria and Tas and SA.

On Net: TPG Profit Soar 40% As Users Flock To Cheap Broadband

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Net profit soar 40% as customers head to TPG. The ISP on a broadband high after adding almost 100K new users to its ‘on net’ broadband service and posting a 40% jump in profit after tax to $78.2 million.
Group financial results announced yesterday for the year ended 31 July 2011 (“FY11”), painted a bright picture for the small ISP, which offers competitively priced ADSL, ADSL2+ and SHDSL broadband and domain hosting services.

Earnings before tax, depreciation (EBITDA) also increased 37% to $234.0m – above company guidance range of $225m-$230m.

“Strong organic subscriber growth” in consumer broadband led to a net increase of 59,000 subscribers comprising of  77,000 ‘On-Net’ users, offset by a decline in Off-Net customers.

The ‘On-Net’ broadband and home phone bundle which costs $29 was also singled out as a major growth driver, adding a impressive 98,000 subscribers during the year.

And the ASX listed ISP is also looking to the cloud announcing the completed purchase of IntraPower, whose “Trusted Cloud” will allow it offer cloud services to its growing subscriber base.

PIPE Networks, its optic fibre business has also continued to grow “strongly” and contributed $57.2m to the 2011 profit results thanks to “strong revenue growth.”

Its network rollout for the Vodafone Hutchison Australia contract, which will increase PIPE’s domestic fibre footprint by approximately 60%, is “on schedule,” the company said.

Other financial highlights includes:  earnings per share increase of  33% to 10.1c per share, and strong cashflow enabled  bank debt to be slashed by $100m.

 

TPG’s Board of Directors has declared a final FY11 dividend of 2.25 cents per share (fully franked), payable on 22 November bringing total FY11 dividends to 4.5 cents per share.

However, the directors have invited shareholders to reinvest in the company through its “dividend reinvestment plan.”