location

Control location access by system services on iOS 5

Locationgate was a good wake-up call for consumers who weren't aware that smartphones were accessing their locations for various reasons. Apple rolled out an OS update that took care of the location cache the iPhone was storing, and assured users that it was never accessing users' locations; the location was being stored only to improve the user experience.

Whether you believe that or not, Apple has stepped up its effort to help ease consumer fear concerning location information. In iOS 5, users can now decide whether or not to allow system service access to their location.

To access the … Read more

Trippy video tracks 'iPhone fireflies'

Watch the HD video below and you'll see a beautiful visualization of how 880 iPhone users moved around Europe in April.

The video, produced by European Web site CrowdFlow, shows iPhone positions as points of light on a map of Europe. CrowdFlow got the data by convincing volunteers to upload iPhone logs, which periodically show iPhone locations. CrowdFlow's points of light fade and spread out the longer it's been since an iPhone's position was recorded at a particular spot.

The project takes advantage of an iPhone feature that collects the location of nearby Wi-Fi and cell networks. This feature caused a stir when it came to light in April that iPhone users were being tracked without their knowledge.

CrowdFlow is combining data from iPhone logs to create an open database of Wi-Fi and cell networks. The goal is to make it easier to visualize how these networks are distributed. This video showing iPhone locations flickering like fireflies is one result. … Read more

Apple pays $945 to settle iPhone tracking suit in Korea

Apple has paid up for inadvertently tracking a user's location in an iOS-based device.

The company was ordered by a South Korean District Court judge in June to pay 1 million won ($945) for tracking a man's location, according to court documents obtained by CNET. According to those documents, the man, an Apple iPhone user, filed his lawsuit against Apple on April 26, alleging that the company violated his privacy. Apple's Korea unit paid the sum on June 27.

Reuters was first to report on the story.

The kerfuffle over iOS tracking started in April when researchers discovered that Apple's mobile devices were tracking user movements. That location information included latitude, longitude, and time stamps. What's more, the researchers said that the information was "unencrypted and unprotected, and it's on any machine you've synched with your iOS device."

Related stories: • Geotracking controversy homes in on iPhone (roundup) • Apple: We'll fix iPhone tracking 'bug' • How police have obtained iPhone, iPad tracking logs

After that story broke, U.S. lawmakers called on Apple to answer questions they had about the location tracking.… Read more

Geotracking controversy homes in on iPhone (roundup)

Apple has come under fire following a researcher's report that iOS version 4 software for the iPad and iPhone stores users' location data.

Apple pays $945 to settle iPhone tracking suit in Korea Apple's South Korea unit pays up following the revelation that the company's iOS-based devices were inadvertently tracking user locations. (Posted in The Digital Home by Don Reisinger) July 14, 2011 6:39 AM PDT

Senators press Apple, Google on location privacy Apple and Google return to Capitol Hill to defend themselves against accusations from politicians who say companies aren't doing enough to protect their customers' location privacy. • DOJ wants wireless providers to store user info (Posted in Privacy Inc. by Declan McCullagh) May 19, 2011 11:26 AM PDT

Apple responds to Rep. Markey on location Apple has responded to a letter from U.S. Congressman Edward Markey about what it does with location data from iOS devices. While much of it is a rehash of the Q&A, Apple says there's an unnamed third-party that's getting some of the data. (Posted in Apple Talk by Josh Lowensohn) May 10, 2011 10:12 AM PDT

Congressman wants FTC probe of iPhone tracking Apple's explanation for location tracking, and promise of a fix, doesn't satisfy Rep. Jay Inslee, who still wants a Federal Trade Commission investigation, CNET has learned. (Posted in Privacy Inc. by Declan McCullagh) April 28, 2011 4:00 AM PDT

Apple: We'll fix iPhone tracking 'bug' The iPhone maker breaks its silence and says an iOS update coming soon will address a location-tracking furor involving a "crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower database." • Jobs, Apple execs discuss iPhones and location (Q&A) • The white iPhone arrives tomorrow--finally! (Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon) April 27, 2011 6:24 AM PDT

… Read more

How to check in to multiple location services with one click

Locator services like Foursquare are fun and more addictive than they seem at first glance, even though checking in repeatedly can be a pain. Often, users resist new services because the notion of doubling or tripling the number of check-ins makes us want to just stay home--but Checkin King makes life easier for Android-using location loggers. Here's how to get started: 

Install and run the Checkin King app, then read and accept the license agreement. (The developers have a short batch of questions for you, but you can skip ahead if you like.) Select the services you … Read more

Google curbs Web map exposing phone locations

Google has taken steps to limit the disclosure of the locations of millions of iPhones, laptops, and other devices with Wi-Fi connections after a CNET article drew attention to privacy concerns.

The move by Google comes after the Mountain View, Calif.-based company was criticized for the way it made a database assembled by Android phones and Street View cars available to the public, even though it could link a geographical location with a unique hardware address of a Wi-Fi enabled device. The change means that Google now appears to be moving closer to the approach adopted by Apple and … Read more

Foursquare, AmEx team up for deals

Foursquare users with American Express accounts can now receive discounts due to a partnership between the two companies.

Following a small test conducted in March, Foursquare is unveiling a program across the country that lets people get money back on their AmEx cards when checking in at stores and paying for promoted deals with their cards.

To tap into the deals, people must first sync up their AmEx cards with their Foursquare accounts at a designated Web page. They can then check in at participating merchants to unlock deals and load them directly to their credit cards. After paying for … Read more

Nokia passes Symbian torch to Accenture

Nokia has finalized an agreement that will see the handset maker outsource Symbian development to global consulting company Accenture.

The deal between the companies was first announced in April, as a follow-on to Nokia's revelation in February that it would focus its efforts on Microsoft's Windows Phone platform. Accenture will handle Symbian software development and support for Nokia through 2016.

As part of the arrangement, Nokia is transferring approximately 2,800 employees in the U.S., Finland, the U.K., and other countries to the outsourcing firm when the deal closes in October.

Meanwhile, Accenture will also be … Read more

New Windows 8 build reveals virtual keyboard, SMS

The latest build for Windows 8, known as Build 7989, has leaked onto the Web, reportedly revealing a batch of potential new features.

Windows has long offered a virtual keyboard. But with Windows 8 destined for tablets and other mobile devices, Microsoft has reportedly revamped the keyboard with a new look and feel. Unlike the current keyboard, which requires mouse clicks to operate, the new keyboard will offer touch friendly buttons along with a split keyboard option, according to WinRumors, which has posted a video demo of the new virtual keyboard.

The Win 8 keyboard will reportedly provide built-in support … Read more