iPhone 5 Launch Props Up Apple's Share of Smartphone Market as Samsung Keeps Rolling

[michaeljohn]

I have to agree with most of the other posts. Apple makes a really good looking product but iOS is dated. It has looked the same since day one and is just dated!

Agreed. It really is the only OS, mobile or otherwise I can think of that has remained looking exactly the same for 5 straight, major updates while just throwing the customer a bone every year by adding a few things. Quite boring.

I would also agree Samsung makes the best phones these days. Someone earlier said they "saturate" the market. Thats not quite true. What they do is give consumers a CHOICE, something Apple can take notes on. Not everyone wants the same size phone with the same hardware and the same look. Samsung has remained consistent with their flagship Galaxy line though and given its remarkable success, they are doing something right.

 

[wedouglas]

Malware in Google Play infects users.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4815020...-android-game-apps-sneak-malware-google-play/

Over half of Android devices are vulnerable due to known vulnerabilities

https://blog.duosecurity.com/2012/0...ay-over-50-of-android-devices-are-vulnerable/

37% of Android malware utilize a known but unpatched privilege escalation exploit due to devices not being fully patched. This allows more malicious malware, such as banking malware and premium rate malware.

http://www.csc.ncsu.edu/faculty/jiang/pubs/OAKLAND12.pdf

I was given an HTC Hero for free due to the owner switching to an iPhone due to malware.

Even a factory reset didn't resolve the issue because the malware was installed on the SD card which wasn't wiped during the reset. It wasn't until I also wiped the SD card after being given the device that the malware issue disappeared.

This malware was ad related so the user didn't incur any financial lose but it was annoying enough for the user to switch to iOS.

I'm not saying this about you, but in general, software is only as secure as the idiot who is using it.

From the article:
Every gamer knows that "Grand Theft Auto" is made by Rockstar Games, and that "Super Mario Bros." is made by Nintendo, yet neither company was involved in creating these two fake apps. (Nintendo has NO apps in either Google Play or the iTunes App Store.)

 

[munkery]

I'm not saying this about you, but in general, software is only as secure as the idiot who is using it.

From the article:
Every gamer knows that "Grand Theft Auto" is made by Rockstar Games, and that "Super Mario Bros." is made by Nintendo, yet neither company was involved in creating these two fake apps. (Nintendo has NO apps in either Google Play or the iTunes App Store.)

Here is a better example of malware in Google Play found on Oct 17, 2012.

http://blog.trustgo.com/fakelookout/

The malware is disguised as a security app called Lookout. Beyond infecting the Android device, it tries to infect your computer when the Android device is connect to the computer.

Android malware seems to be effective. Here is an article from the beginning of the year about various malware in Google Play that together may have infected up to 5 million users.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti..._malware_op_may_have_infected_5_million_users

 

[Lambros]

^ Kids like you are simply irritating. I never said that my S3 was running "Jellybean".
I said "The Android Operating System is clumsy... even WITH Jellybean."

How would I know? Well I was comparing my 3rd gen iPad with my friends Nexus 7. We both purchased tablets at the same time and were attempting to convince one another that each other had the superior tablet.

Jellybean IS a step up from ICS but it's still not as great of an overall experience as iOS. It just isn't.

Yeah they finally figured out how to create a smoother experience but the menu layout is still clumsy and difficult to navigate. (As compared to iOS.)

I wish I could speak a little more freely on here as I could convey my feelings about both devices better but if you like your S3 better... knock your socks off. I would agree that it's a better deal than having an iPhone 4... at least right now... but it's not a better deal than having an iPhone 5.

Have at it Frenchfry.

PS - My boy sold his Nexus to our mutual friend and bought a 3rd gen iPad after I let him borrow it for one night.

I'll tell you what, take a look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uW-E496FXg

It's a great video, where Steve showed off the first iPhone. Now tell me what "innovation" Apple introduced in iOS6, which according to you is the best thing out. Sure, we have received the app store (since iOS1), etc, etc...

But as of the new iOS, there really isn't anything that fantastic (and don't tell me about the maps app).

At the end of the day, there are just some features which need reworking on the iPhone. It is a 6 year-old operating system, and still runs on the same base software, which is great. But there are no distinct changes.

I guess I'm just an Apple fan who is very disappointed with the direction of their iPhone lineup. I will be getting the new iMac, and I type this from my MBP (late 2010 model), so I am by no means an Apple hater. But all in all, I hoped for (but didn't expect) a little more from my old-time favourite company on NASDAQ.

Also, thank you for teaching me your insightful ways...you have taught myself, a "child" so much.

 

[samcraig]

Here is a better example of malware in Google Play found on Oct 17, 2012.

http://blog.trustgo.com/fakelookout/

The malware is disguised as a security app called Lookout. Beyond infecting the Android device, it tries to infect your computer when the Android device is connect to the computer.

Android malware seems to be effective. Here is an article from the beginning of the year about various malware in Google Play that together may have infected up to 5 million users.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti..._malware_op_may_have_infected_5_million_users

Yes. And I believe there have been several articles that point to Google working on a malware scanner for the Play store.

And quite bluntly - regardless of computer, phone, etc - you probably run a higher risk of compromising your data due to user error, not locking your computer/phone; getting hacked, etc - then most malware does (which I admit is still annoying).

I would also say that regardless of platform - a lot of devices (computers, phones, etc) get compromised due to the user (who yes - is innocent) downloading sketchy apps, going to sketchy sites, opening up attachments from people they don't know and/or files that are usually obviously crap.

That doesn't take the blame off the people who are supposed to keep systems free and clear. But since I've owned my first computers (TRS 80 and Atari 800) I've had MAYBE one virus vs the several times over the years I've gotten notifications of various corporations having their data compromised resulting in fraudulent charges, change in account/CC #s, etc.

As a "civilian" - I'm more concerned with how other people treat my data then I am my own device. At least to date.

 

[Bezetos]

I'm pretty sure its actually a Dropbox software issue since you could get it to work with a different app. Dropbox wants everyone to sign up for dropbox, so emailing a link "encourages" the recipient to join Dropbox so they can access the file.

No. You're wrong.

iOS simply does not allow 3rd party apps to create attachments.

It's not a Dropbox software issue lol.

OTOH Android is the most persistent malware.

What are you talking about?

What you were probably trying to say is that Android has more malware than iOS. That is true but only because people are able to download apps from all different sources, not only the Play Store (where all the apps are checked). So it's only your fault if you get malware.

 

[munkery]

Yes. And I believe there have been several articles that point to Google working on a malware scanner for the Play store...

The reality is that most users don't care enough about computer security to have this variable under their control.

The approach taken by Apple with the App Store shows this to be true. This variable isn't put on the users in iOS and the by-product is that iOS is free from malware.

Also, banking malware and premium rate text malware requires privilege escalation to install. Known vulnerabilities are used to achieve privilege escalation because most Android devices are not fully patched.

Using privilege escalation, an app can declare restricted permissions when installed because it gains the needed permission via exploitation. This makes it hard for users to vet apps based on verifying the app permissions.

So, Android puts security in the hands of users but users can't effectively vet apps themselves because most devices are not fully patched, which allows apps to gain privileges via known vulnerabilities.

No. You're wrong.

iOS simply does not allow 3rd party apps to create attachments.

It's not a Dropbox software issue lol.

Docstogo can create email attachments and it is a 3rd party app.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

What do you NEED from a phone that the iPhone does not do. I express the "need" part of your comment.

I mean, if you're going with "need", you should be buying a old Nokia candybar style phone as it's got a better battery life, more durable, and makes calls and texts just as well.

 

[zbarvian]

At the end of the day, nobody makes a phone like Apple. It's super thin, super light, very powerful, with a beautiful screen, great camera, and the best ecosystem available. It's got mass appeal.

 

[samcraig]

Free of malware? Ok.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/07/first-ios-malware-found/

And if you're jailbroken, you leave yourself open as well.

I'm not going to argue whether iOS is safer than Android. That point is obvious. But that makes malware on iOS even that much more dangerous. Because people don't ever expect iOS to had malware. In fact - Apple promoted the fact (in a funky way) that OS couldn't get viruses and up until recently changed their phrasing to be more accurate.

The reality is that most users don't care enough about computer security to have this variable under their control.

The approach taken by Apple with the App Store shows this to be true. This variable isn't put on the users in iOS and the by-product is that iOS is free from malware.

Also, banking malware and premium rate text malware requires privilege escalation to install. Known vulnerabilities are used to achieve privilege escalation because most Android devices are not fully patched.

Using privilege escalation, an app can declare restricted permissions when installed because it gains the needed permission via exploitation. This makes it hard for users to vet apps based on verifying the app permissions.

So, Android puts security in the hands of users but users can't effectively vet apps themselves because most devices are not fully patched, which allows apps to gain privileges via known vulnerabilities.



Docstogo can create email attachments and it is a 3rd party app.

 

[jvmxtra]

No wonder samsung is keep rolling. This is why people are completely wrong when they say what apple is doing is infallible.

There are HUGE markets for different phone size . Apple is missing huge potential and now they are scrambling back to get 7.9 inch tablet to game; The game they invented.

And they missed it. When they were gonna take a hit w/ 4 inch increase, they might as well increased to other size as well(so that Dev can adjust all at once). We might not see another drastic size change for several years. This is a disaster. Company who doesn't understand market trend.

 

[munkery]

Free of malware? Ok.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/07/first-ios-malware-found/

And if you're jailbroken, you leave yourself open as well.

I'm not going to argue whether iOS is safer than Android. That point is obvious. But that makes malware on iOS even that much more dangerous. Because people don't ever expect iOS to had malware. In fact - Apple promoted the fact (in a funky way) that OS couldn't get viruses and up until recently changed their phrasing to be more accurate.

One app that abuses official APIs to collect contacts to send spam to promote the app really isn't malware.

23 of the top 500 apps on Google Play pretty much do the same thing.

http://www.androidauthority.com/malware-up-580-percent-126373/

Here is the kicker, Google isn't going to remove those apps from the repository unlike Apple removing that adware from the App Store.

How come those types of apps are called malware for iOS but only treated as FUD for Android?

Maybe it's because Android users have to deal with real threats such as banking malware and premium rate text malware that actually cause financial loss to users.

 

[samcraig]

What this conversation has to do with the main topic is beyond me except that these threads always come down to iOS v Android. Apple is doing great. So in Samsung. Why the need to bash or praise one over the other is just silly.

That being said - I have read articles about Android malware. I honestly don't think I've ever read about anyone who was actually affected (IE monetary loss). I am sure there are stories out there. I just personally, and honestly, have never heard/read of one.

One app that abuses official APIs to collect contacts to send spam to promote the app really isn't malware.

23 of the top 500 apps on Google Play pretty much do the same thing.

http://www.androidauthority.com/malware-up-580-percent-126373/

Here is the kicker, Google isn't going to remove those apps from the repository unlike Apple removing that adware from the App Store.

How come those types of apps are called malware for iOS but only treated as FUD for Android?

Maybe it's because Android users have to deal with real threats such as banking malware and premium rate text malware that actually cause financial loss to users.

 

[xofruitcake]

And they missed it. When they were gonna take a hit w/ 4 inch increase, they might as well increased to other size as well(so that Dev can adjust all at once). We might not see another drastic size change for several years. This is a disaster. Company who doesn't understand market trend.

The flip side of offering a lot of different display size is the inconsistent presentation of apps. If you were an Android app developers, you have to figure out all the different display size and resolution. You programmer will spend all their time in upgrading you apps to support the latest device display size and resolution instead of spending their time in improving their apps. Some of the change will be mighty easy but it take time to write the code and test them. All these are expensive to app developers and does not improve the app experience on the older device.

I think you are the one that don't understand how apps are developed and hence does not understand why Apple make the choice they do.

 

[alexN350z]

Agreed. It really is the only OS, mobile or otherwise I can think of that has remained looking exactly the same for 5 straight, major updates while just throwing the customer a bone every year by adding a few things. Quite boring.

I would also agree Samsung makes the best phones these days. Someone earlier said they "saturate" the market. Thats not quite true. What they do is give consumers a CHOICE, something Apple can take notes on. Not everyone wants the same size phone with the same hardware and the same look. Samsung has remained consistent with their flagship Galaxy line though and given its remarkable success, they are doing something right.

The reason it remained the same for 5 years is because Apple claimed it is already perfect, they don't want to change, not because they can't.

 

[Lark.Landon]

I'm on Macrumors for the Mac news not iOS. I don't care about anything Apple does that's not related to OS X

Oh, then you probably shouldn't have posted here.

----------

No wonder samsung is keep rolling. This is why people are completely wrong when they say what apple is doing is infallible.

There are HUGE markets for different phone size . Apple is missing huge potential and now they are scrambling back to get 7.9 inch tablet to game; The game they invented.

And they missed it. When they were gonna take a hit w/ 4 inch increase, they might as well increased to other size as well(so that Dev can adjust all at once). We might not see another drastic size change for several years. This is a disaster. Company who doesn't understand market trend.

When you grow your company to be the size of Apple, that's when you can start critiquing. Until then, shhhhh. Or Apple will be forced to take a giant samsung on you.

 

[samcraig]

Oh, then you probably shouldn't have posted here.

----------



When you grow your company to be the size of Apple, that's when you can start critiquing. Until then, shhhhh. Or Apple will be forced to take a giant samsung on you.

Is this why you don't critique Apple? Ever? Or do you. Because it's possible your advice is hypocritical. Maybe. Right?

P.S. You lose a lot of credibility and interest in reading your posts when you resort to childish behavior like you just did with "take a giant samsung"... How old are you exactly?

 

[kdarling]

Maybe it's because Android users have to deal with real threats such as banking malware and premium rate text malware that actually cause financial loss to users.

Banking malware? You mean that fake bank token app that some people downloaded in Spain?

Premium rate text malware? You mean the ones making the rounds in what was it... Russia?

Not to downplay the chance of getting a virus if you don't use common sense when downloading an app outside of the official markets, either on Android or jailbroken iOS, but those are hardly earth shattering.

Also, most of the information leak "malware" that is making the news these days, is because apps use sites like Facebook to sign you in... and apparently some apps don't secure it enough.

 

[munkery]

Banking malware? You mean that fake bank token app that some people downloaded in Spain?

Premium rate text malware? You mean the ones making the rounds in what was it... Russia?

Not to downplay the chance of getting a virus if you don't use common sense when downloading an app outside of the official markets, either on Android or jailbroken iOS, but those are hardly earth shattering.

Also, most of the information leak "malware" that is making the news these days, is because apps use sites like Facebook to sign you in... and apparently some apps don't secure it enough.

Premium rate text malware survives in Google Play for weeks.

http://www.androidauthority.com/dropdialer-premum-rate-sms-malware-android-100783/

Fake antivirus app linked to Zeus banking malware found in Google Play.

http://www.mytechteam.net/fake-antivirus-android-app-linked-to-zeus-banking-malware/

 

[Lark.Landon]

Is this why you don't critique Apple? Ever? Or do you. Because it's possible your advice is hypocritical. Maybe. Right?

P.S. You lose a lot of credibility and interest in reading your posts when you resort to childish behavior like you just did with "take a giant samsung"... How old are you exactly?

Yes. The fact that I don't own my own multi-billion or even multi-million dollar business is a good reason to not try to give advice to entities or persons that are far more successful than I. It's like you or I trying to give acting advice to Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt. You just sound like a royal delta alpha as they roll their eyes and continue on about their day, better off having not listened to yet another persons opinion on something they have already mastered.

Does age matter? Whether a 12 year old or a 35 year old tells you that your pants are on fire, does it really make a difference?

 

[samcraig]

Yes. The fact that I don't own my own multi-billion or even multi-million dollar business is a good reason to not try to give advice to entities or persons that are far more successful than I. It's like you or I trying to give acting advice to Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt. You just sound like a royal delta alpha as they roll their eyes and continue on about their day, better off having not listened to yet another persons opinion on something they have already mastered.

Does age matter? Whether a 12 year old or a 35 year old tells you that your pants are on fire, does it really make a difference?

The fact that you used both Depp and Pitt in your analogy tells me you're young. Or just a have a very limited idea of what a good actor is

 

[Lark.Landon]

The fact that you used both Depp and Pitt in your analogy tells me you're young. Or just a have a very limited idea of what a good actor is

Oh yeah? So let's go with Robert De Niro. Oh wait, we can't. Not because he's old. But because of how piss poor his acting is now. Or let's try... Sean Connery... oh wait, he hasn't acted in a movie in over a decade. Hmmm... perhaps Al Pacino? His acting has also degraded. John Wayne, one of my favorites... dead. Yes, I chose active and skillful actors. Not out-moded, dead or otherwise forgotten actors who no longer participate in the creation of new films.

I have a limited idea of what a good actor is? So an actor must be over a certain age in order to be a good actor and **my** view is limited?

P.S

 

[reefoid]

The flip side of offering a lot of different display size is the inconsistent presentation of apps. If you were an Android app developers, you have to figure out all the different display size and resolution. You programmer will spend all their time in upgrading you apps to support the latest device display size and resolution instead of spending their time in improving their apps. Some of the change will be mighty easy but it take time to write the code and test them. All these are expensive to app developers and does not improve the app experience on the older device.

I think you are the one that don't understand how apps are developed and hence does not understand why Apple make the choice they do.

Sounds like you are the one that doesn't understand how Android apps are developed actually.

Android devs do not have to figure out how to get their apps working on every single different screen size and resolution. Android apps use fluid layouts that will automatically adapt to different screen sizes. The dev just has to define layouts for a small number of density scenarios - ldpi, mdpi, hdpi and xhdpi. And you don't even have to define layouts for all of them.

 

[samcraig]

Oh yeah? So let's go with Robert De Niro. Oh wait, we can't. Not because he's old. But because of how piss poor his acting is now. Or let's try... Sean Connery... oh wait, he hasn't acted in a movie in over a decade. Hmmm... perhaps Al Pacino? His acting has also degraded. John Wayne, one of my favorites... dead. Yes, I chose active and skillful actors. Not out-moded, dead or otherwise forgotten actors who no longer participate in the creation of new films.

I have a limited idea of what a good actor is? So an actor must be over a certain age in order to be a good actor and **my** view is limited?

P.S

Relax. Maybe you missed the winky face...

 

[PracticalMac]

Early indicators Apple needs to lower price of iPhone.