BlackBerry is increasing security within its BlackBerry World app store after announcing plans to add badges that show users which apps have passed malware and security testing.
BlackBerry already provides some app vetting, but the badges will verify apps that pass the company’s own Guardian analysis program or Trend Micro’s Mobile App Reputation service. Apps that fail either scan won’t be removed from the store, but the company hopes that validating those which pass will guide users away from apps that pose a threat.
“Given the complex nature and diversity of apps, it is implausible that any mobile vendor will be able to catch 100 percent of all malicious software,” the struggling Canadian company warns. That said, the move is an improvement on leaving the BlackBerry World gate completely open for any kind of app… though developers can still flood BlackBerry World.
LinkedIn today revamped its “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” feature with new visual analytics and actionable insights. The company says its goal is to give users more ways to manage their professional identity and increase their visibility across the social network. The update will begin rolling out to English speaking members around the world today; more languages will follow but LinkedIn wouldn’t say when.
The additional data includes the industry your viewers work in, the keyword searches that led to your profile, how they found you, and new insights including what regions they live in, what profession they are in, and what company they work for. LinkedIn has also added real-time personalized tips (such as completing your profile, sharing industry relevant articles, and professional groups you can join) to help users make themselves more discoverable to other like-minded professionals, potential employers, or business partners.
Following numerous leaks and revelations about the surveillance capabilities of the NSA and other international security organizations, the Blackphone has arrived promising greater protection for your personal data.
The smartphone, announced last month by encrypted communications firm Silent Circle and Spanish smartphone maker Geeksphone, is now available to pre-order for $629.00. The first handsets are expected to ship in April and even then, you certainly won’t find this in a carrier store.
While we haven’t obtained a full run-down of the specs, what’s shown on the Blackphone site looks promising: a quad-core 2 GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of onboard storage and support for LTE networks. It might not be bleeding edge, but the device should be competitive with the current crop of mid-range and high-end Android smartphones.
Although the device runs Google’s mobile OS, Silent Circle has integrated its own suite of apps, software and tweaks for a solution that it’s called ‘PrivatOS’. Some of these, such as Silent Phone, Silent Text and Silent Contacts, are available on other Android and iOS devices, but the following are exclusive to the new handset: Blackphone Security Center, Blackphone Activation Wizard and Blackphone Remote Wipe.
The result? Searching with this security-focused handset will be anonymous, rather than trackable. All bundled apps will be privacy-enabled and Wi-Fi can be disabled automatically until you reach a trusted or specified network. App permissions can be controlled with greater precision and basic functionality including calls, texts and video chats will be private.
While security and its relationship with technology is a widely debated subject at the moment, it remains to be seen whether people are prepared to give up a recognizeable smartphone brand such as Samsung and in favor of a specialized device such as the Blackphone.
Striking a gong when a new deal is closed is a bit of a cliché in the world of sales, but it’s a popular way of boosting motivation and celebrating success. With workforces increasingly distributed, an email to the team isn’t quite the same.
ToutApp, the platform known for its email optimization tools for those who do a lot of sales work, has now added a ‘virtual gong’ that displays fireworks on the screen of everyone in your team when someone closes a deal. It may sound like a silly addition to a serious app, but being able to instantly share the news in a fun way when you’re nowhere near the rest of your team is actually a good idea. Of course, you can still use it if you’re sitting in the same office together – and the guys next door will thank you for not using a real gong.
Striking a gong when a new deal is closed is a bit of a cliché in the world of sales, but it’s a popular way of boosting motivation and celebrating success. With workforces increasingly distributed, an email to the team isn’t quite the same.
ToutApp, the platform known for its email optimization tools for those who do a lot of sales work, has now added a ‘virtual gong’ that displays fireworks on the screen of everyone in your team when someone closes a deal. It may sound like a silly addition to a serious app, but being able to instantly share the news in a fun way when you’re nowhere near the rest of your team is actually a good idea. Of course, you can still use it if you’re sitting in the same office together – and the guys next door will thank you for not using a real gong.