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Verizon customer database hacked; 300,000 entries leaked online

Verizon customer database hacked; 300,000 entries leaked online

Verizon
Update 2: Verizon has responded, and they disagree with many key points in the story here. Following is their full response:
The ZDNet story is inaccurate. This incident was reported to the authorities when we first learned of it months ago and an investigation was launched. Many of the details surrounding this incident are incorrect and exaggerated. No Verizon systems were breached, no root access was gained, and this incident impacted a fraction of the number of individuals being reported.
We take any and all attempts to violate consumer and customer privacy and security very seriously, so we notified individuals who could potentially have been impacted and took immediate steps to safeguard their information and privacy. Verizon has also notified law enforcement of this recent report as a follow-up to the original case.
This sounds pretty positive, and kudos to Verizon for reaching out on the Saturday before Christmas. The original text still follows for reference.
Update: ZD Net has updated their original story, and it appears that the records are for FIOS customers and not wireless customers. We'll leave this in place so that the FIOS customers among you have a heads up
According to ZDNet, a hacker has gained access to over 3 million records from a Verizon Wireless customer database. The information includes names, addresses, serial numbers, and passwords. The hacker gained access to the server on July 12, and claims to have contacted Verizon, but since the have reportedly ignored his report, he has pasted 300,000 of the records online. Supposedly these database is broken up into regions, and the leaked region is in and around Pennsylvania. The records are stored in plain text, and the hacker "might leak the rest later".
If you're a Verizon customer, now would be a good time to change your account password. We're not going to go into the details or link to the pastebin of account data. We hate delivering this sort of news, but we know you need to be informed. We hope Verizon is quick to address the issue, and look forward to hearing their side of things.
Source: ZD Net

Via: Verizon customer database hacked; 300,000 entries leaked online

Android and augmented reality make this model TARDIS bigger on the inside


Chances are, you know a Doctor Who fan.Greg Kumparak, formerly of Tech Crunchis also a (pretty big) Doctor Who fan, and decided to get a little crafty and build his own TARDIS. As explained in the video above, a TARDIS is a vehicle to drive you through space and time, that just happens to look like a 1960s era British police call box. Greg's looks pretty authentic after a nice paint job.
But here's the thing about a TARDIS. They are bigger on the inside. While that is easy enough to accomplish with the magic of television, it took a different kind of magic to make it happen in the real world. That's where Android comes in. Using augmented reality, Greg can open the TARDIS door and point his Nexus camera at a freaky black and white pattern. Thanks to the Qualcomm augmented reality framework, Greg built an app to interpretthat pattern, and display the interior of his TARDISas it should be on his screen. Very cool.
This just might be the best use of augmented reality ever. Be sure to watch the video, and hit the source link to read a little about how it was constructed.
Source: GK's blog

Via: Android and augmented reality make this model TARDIS bigger on the inside

Light Flow updated to support 62 more apps, multiple calendars

Light Flow updated to support 62 more apps, multiple calendars

LED Notification



Light Flow, a popular app to control notification LED's and sounds, has added support for a whole host of new apps today. In total, 62 new apps can now have their notification sound, vibration and LED flashing controlled including some notable apps like Falcon Pro. The app now also supports Ice Cream Sandwich users with multiple calendars, as well as the ability to swipe away calendar notifications to clear the LED flashing. As is usually the case, several different bugs have been squashed in this update -- from black screen and color issues on the Nexus 4 to translations for Turkish and Arabic.
You can get a list of all 62 apps added, as well as the complete list of all apps supported, at the source link below. If you haven't given Light Flow a look, it's well worth your $2.49 to buy it. There's also a free version with limited app support if you just want to give it a test drive.
More: Light Flow Changelog

Via: Light Flow updated to support 62 more apps, multiple calendars

Amazon streaming video app now available for LG Google TV sets

Amazon streaming video app now available for LG Google TV sets

Amazon Prime



The Amazon Instant Video app is now available for another Google TV device, as it's now in Google Play if you're using an LG Google TV set. Users can download the app and install right from their TV, and enjoy full HD content from Amazon.
Previously, to access Amazon's streaming video service you had to use the built in Chrome browser, which was less than an ideal experience. The release of the App for the LG sets means better searching and better frame rates that using the browser. You can download the app at the link above.
Still no signs of an Amazon VoD app for Android tablets yet, and that's a bit puzzling. Maybe they want to hold it back as an exclusive for the Kindle line, or they have concerns over Android openness, much like we saw from Netflix last year.
Source: +Google TV

Via: Amazon streaming video app now available for LG Google TV sets

Google adds localized graphics support to the Play Store

Google adds localized graphics support to the Play Store

Play Store


Google has released today on its Android Developers blog information about localizing graphics for Play Store listings. It's no secret that Google Play is quickly expanding its reach to many new countries. Part of making the expansion to new markets successful is targeting promotional materials to specific countries. Along with offering localized translations of apps and descriptions, developers can now use different graphics and promotional materials depending on the country the user is accessing the Play Store from as well. Developers could now, for example, offer a different splash page for a country or region's holiday during a certain period, or offer language-specific graphics in each region which the app supports the language.
Google notes in its blog post that a full 2/3 of app revenue in Google Play now comes from outside of the United States, making it clear to developers that this is something important to pay attention to.
Source: Android Developers Blog

Via: Google adds localized graphics support to the Play Store

Google launches their own Santa Tracker complete with Android application

Google launches their own Santa Tracker complete with Android application

Android Central



NORAD might have deserted Google Maps this year in favour of Microsoft to power their Santa Tracker, but Google has gone ahead and come out with their own apps anyway. Santa Tracker is available to download now for both Android devices and for Google Chrome. Perfect for the kids -- and the big kids.
Naturally, at the moment the apps don't do a lot. All we see is a countdown screen as to when Santa will be taking off. The app should start working from 02:00 PST on Christmas Eve, as jolly old St Nick begins his global journey. When the app does kick into gear, we'll be treated to all kinds of Santa based information such as the number of presents delivered, his route plan, and when he'll depart in your part of the world. All this is displayed using Google Maps.
And, if that's not enough, through the power of Google Voice, you can go and request a personal call from the big guy himself. That does seem limited to North America though -- but then, if Santa's using Google Voice, North America is all he can call.
More: Google Santa Tracker, Google Chrome Extension

Via: Google launches their own Santa Tracker complete with Android application

Reminder: Cast Your Votes in the 2012 Android Central Community Awards!

Reminder: Cast Your Votes in the 2012 Android Central Community Awards!

Android Central


Quick reminder for everyone today, in case you missed the forums announcement opening up the 2012 Android Central Community Awards for voting!
We're running the awards right now through December 21st at noon EST. If you're a regular in our forums, you'll want to head over there right now and cast your votes.
There are 8 categories to submit your input on. All you need to do is enter the username of the member you think is most deserving, and tell us a little story on WHY the person should win. If you don't have a submission for a question, no worries, you can just skip that question. Easy stuff folks.
Take a minute and cast your votes!
Full details here...

Via: Reminder: Cast Your Votes in the 2012 Android Central Community Awards!