iPhone's TouchID fingerprint reader hacked by German group in just days

Hackers get touchy.

With the weekend only just winding up across the globe, the iPhone 5S with Apple's new Touch ID fingerprint reader has been available for only a couple of days since its release last Friday.

Which is apparently all the time that was needed for German group Chaos Computer Club (CCC) to hack the new iPhone's fingerprint reader.

"A fingerprint of the phone user, photographed from a glass surface, was enough to create a fake finger that could unlock an iPhone 5s secured with Touch ID," the group wrote in a blog post on September 21 at 10pm.

The post then suggests that the hack, discovered by CCC member Starbug, can be done using household materials.

The method

Described in just a paragraph on CCC's blog, the first step is photographing the enrolled users fingerprint in 2,400 dpi resolution.

The image then needs to inverted and laser printed on to a transparent sheet in 1,200 dpi resolution and thick toner setting. This is apparently where the difficult part ends.

Latex milk or white wood-glue can be used to create a mould by spreading it onto the transparent sheet and letting it dry. Then you breathe on the mould for moisture and place it on the sensor to unlock the phone.

Here's a video of the latex in action:

Fingerprint caution

Although you'll still need to have a good quality photo of the fingerprint first to be able to use CCC's method, there are those that argue that while passcodes can be kept secret or changed, fingerprints are public and cannot be changed.

"We hope that this finally puts to rest the illusions people have about fingerprint biometrics," said CCC spokesperson Frank Rieger.

"It is plain stupid to use something that you can´t change and that you leave everywhere every day as a security token," he added.

Of course, the counter argument is that passcodes can be hacked as well or someone can simply look over your shoulder, and Apple has spoken about Touch ID security concerns, saying it has everything under control.

Also, a Control Centre bug was revealed last week on the newly released iOS 7, which could leave open the iPhone 5S despite the fingerprint scanner, though Apple is working on a fix.

• Here's our review of the iPhone 5S, including what we think of the Touch ID.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-s-touchid-fingerprint-reader-hacked-by-german-group-in-just-days-1183053

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BlackBerry’s co-founder rumored to consider a bid for the company

In lieu of the disastrous preliminary fiscal Q2 2014 results, a word got out about a surprising new potential option for the future of BlackBerry. According to The Wall Street Journal, Mike Lazaridis, the co-founder and former co-CEO of the struggling Canadian manufacturer is considering a bid to save his former company and take it private.

It is already a known fact that BlackBerry is looking for a buyer. Reportedly, Mr. Lazaridis has separately approached the private equity giants Blackstone Group and Carlyle Group about potentially making an offer for the company. However, talks on the subject have been preliminary, so nothing is certain.

A co-founder of BlackBerry in 1985, Mike Lazaridis is one of the company’s largest individual shareholders. His significant stake in the company will certainly matter in the bidding process.

Of course, it must also be noted that Mike Lazaridis, in a tandem with Jim Balsillie ran BlackBerry during the period when the company’s business took a bad turn. Mr. Lazaridis is viewed by many as a key factor for the current state of BlackBerry. Him and Jim Balsillie were replaced by the company’s current chief, Thorsten Heins in January 2012.

Source 1 (registration required) | Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberrys_cofounder_rumored_to_consider_a_bid_for_the_company-news-6839.php

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Leaked Android 4.4 KitKat screenshots make the rounds

Alleged screenshots from Android 4.4 KitKat have emerged, potentially giving us a glimpse of some of the UI changes which the new OS has in store. The screen captures reveal redesigned phone dialer and messaging app.

The screenshots reveal UI changes (click to enlarge)

The phone dialer sports a light color scheme which is a notable departure from its current look. The messaging app on the other hand, has seen its controls get moved to the top right corner in comparison to the bottom setup we’ve grown accustomed to.

Furthermore, the screenshots reveal lighter color icons in the status bar. The latter’s color scheme also appears to be changing depending on the one of the app in use.

Android 4.4 KitKat is widely expected to be released in the second half of October, alongside a Nexus 5 smartphone. A revamped Nexus 10 is also more than likely to break cover with the new Android version.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/leaked_android_44_kitkat_screenshots_make_the_rounds-news-6838.php

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BlackBerry founder and ex-CEO lining up bid to save the company?

Lazaridis reportedly wants back in at BlackBerry

Mike Lazaridis, the BlackBerry co-founder and former chief executive, is reportedly seeking to take control of the rapidly disintegrating mobile company.

Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie stepped down as co-CEOs in the May 2012 after overseeing the firm's dramatic fall from grace as iOS and Android moved to dominate the mobile market.

Now, according to a report in the New York Times this weekend, Lazaridis who still owns 5.7 per cent of the company, has approached private equity firms about a possible buyout.

According to people 'familiar with the matter' the former boss has approached the Blackstone Group and the Carlyle Group over a potential takeover.

Comeback kid?

BlackBerry has been officially up for sale for the last month, with the company admitting it is actively encouraging offers.

Just this Friday the company was plunged further into crisis when it announced it would be retreating from the consumer market and shedding 4,500 jobs.

Could the man who, some would say, perhaps fell asleep at the wheel during the most crucial period in BlackBerry's history, really be the person to save it?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blackberry-founder-and-ex-ceo-lining-up-bid-to-save-the-company--1182972

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BlackBerry pauses BBM for iOS and Android roll out following leak

BBM For All... just not yet

BlackBerry has been forced to halt its global roll out of BBM for Android and iOS, after an unofficial version of the Android app was posted online this weekend.

As the Waterloo-based company began rolling out in various territories around the world, an build of the Android app was posted online, prompting a rush among former BlackBerry loyalists to obtain the app.

The unofficial version of the app was downloaded 1.1 million times in just 8 hours, but caused the company issues it spent most of Saturday attempting to resolve.

As a result, the iOS rollout, which began in New Zealand yesterday, has been paused. The official Android release is still MIA, while the unofficial version has been disabled.

Expectations

In a post on the official Inside BlackBerry blog, Luke Reimer wrote: "Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already – more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app – is incredible. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day."

"Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it's ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability."

The unfortunate situation is a blow for BlackBerry, whose long-awaited roll-out of BBM to other platforms was set to be a rare sunny moment for the ailing company.

On Friday the company posted grim financials, announced it was moving away from the consumer market and cutting 4,500 jobs - around 40 per cent of its total workforce. The end seems nigh.

• The 10 moments that defined the rise and fall of BlackBerry.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/blackberry-pauses-bbm-for-ios-and-android-roll-out-following-leak-1182953

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