Kaspersky Labs has discovered an Android malware that camouflages as an app on Google Play to clean out memory for Android devices, but actually contaminates the device and is to Windows PCs when an infected smartphone is connected to it. It also enables the microphone of the device to record voice then encrypts and transfers it to the source attacker. It is reported by the Kaspersky as one of the most malicious malwares on an app with an extensive set of features like exchanging messages, deleting messages and enabling Wi-Fi as well, TNW reports.

The app, when used on an Android device, would look like functioning normally as per its features described. However, it would actually infect the SD card by downloading three files – autorun.inf, folder.ico, and svchosts.exe on to it. These can then let the attacker gather information about the device or open arbitrary links in a browser or upload content from the SD card, as well as upload contacts or photos from the device.

The sychosts.exe reaches the Windows PC when the Android device is connected to it through the USB port. This does not seem to cause direct harm to the files on the PC, but makes the microphone record the user’s voice, encrypts the recordings and passes it to the attacker. Moreover, transferring autorun.inf and a PE file from smartphones to PCs running old and outdated versions of Windows are more vulnerable to attacks by this malware.

As far as apps for the iPad go, Microsoft Office is perhaps the most illusive one. This has been the one killer app every business professional has aspired for. Today, The Daily has posted an exclusive story on Microsoft Office for the iPad, with an image punctuating the story. While we have no way of confirming the report, it sure looks legitimate as the image suggests an ‘Metro’ style splash screen for the iPad highlighting Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and also a Bing search bar in the bottom.

The Daily reports that the app is weeks away from submission to Apple’s app store, but if this is true one has to think what this means for Windows 8 on ARM and its Office integration.Previously Microsoft had shown-off Office 15, for Windows 8, which took cues from Metro style apps, though it was an desktop app, so it remains to be seen what kind of an Office suite will be released for iOS.

Another tid-bit from the story reveals that an Android variant of the app is not in the works. On the whole all will be revealed in the next few weeks if the report turns out to be true.

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Some new photos of Sony Ericsson’s Windows Phone prototype have surfaced, which was last seen at the CES, reported by us earlier. The new photos confirm a slide-out QWERTY keypad as speculated earlier. The last Windows Phone device Sony Ericsson had launched was the Xperia X1 in 2008, post which the vendor had sworn off the platform and focused exclusively on Android. We are not sure at the moment whether this one is an old prototype or Sony is actually planning to use Windows phone as its alternative OS. The strategy of shifting to alternative platforms is sort of trending among the handset vendors. Recently, we heard that Samsung might also be preparing to use the product of the Bada and the Tizen as its secondary OS with Android being the primary one. It would be interesting to see Sony promoting Xbox titles in place of its own PlayStation branding if it makes use of Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS.

Image Courtesy: NokiaWP.net

Acer is hosting a press conference later in the day today, where it is expected to launch its first ultrabook, the Aspire S3. The 13.3mm thin ultrabook reminds us of the MacBook Air and features a 13.3-inch 1366 x 768 pixel display and comes in Intel i3, i5 and i7 configurations. Acer promises 1.5 second instant-on from sleep and 2.5 second instant connect to Wi-Fi. Much on the lines of the MacBook Air, the Aspire S3 can remain in deep sleep for 50 days on a single charge. However, unlike the MacBook Air, the Aspire S3 has all the ports placed at the rear, which includes two USB ports, an HDMI port and a card reader. It does not have an Ethernet port. We will be at the event to bring more details as they come our way. Stay tuned.

It was only a matter of time before we heard from Microsoft on Google’s acquisition of Motorola but we never expected it to be a bunch of lies. Microsoft has apparently emailed the same statement to American press attributed to its president of Windows Phone platform, Andy Lees.

Investing in a broad and truly open mobile ecosystem is important for the industry and consumers alike, and Windows Phone is now the only platform that does so with equal opportunity for all partners.

Now this statement had been true had Microsoft not tied-up with Nokia and agree to pay it billions of dollars to choose Windows Phone over Android. In the bargain, Nokia got many concessions which includes having its own branded app store, the use of its maps on Windows Phone rather than Bing Maps, and if Nokia execs are to be believed, the ability to tweak with the Metro UI on Windows Phone. And Microsoft will pay Nokia to do all this. Does Microsoft offer a similar deal to HTC, Samsung, LG or any of its other vendor partners? At the moment, no. So how does Lees claim that Windows Phone is now the only platform with equal opportunities for all partners?

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This post originally appeared on BGR.com

Microsoft doesn’t have plans to release its upcoming tablet-friendly Windows 8 operating system until some time next year, but that doesn’t mean Windows fans have to wait for an optimized tablet experience. Windows tablet fan Justin Campana found a series of apps and tweaks that can be combined with a few custom scripts to make the Windows 7 touch experience much more appealing. On his blog, Campana lays out a great guide that gives users all the tools they need to transform their contrived Windows 7 slates into gorgeous touch-optimized tablets. He uses a variety of software such as ObjectDock, Fences and Rainmeter along with a bunch of tweaks to make Windows 7 look like it was born for tablets. Best of all, Campana happily shares his methods with the world. Hit the break for a video of ASUS’ 12-inch Eee Slate EP121 Windows 7 tablet with touch optimizations applied, and follow the read link for a simple guide that will show you how to perform the mods yourself.

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This post originally appeared on BGR.com

When it comes to Twitter, we’re just as addicted as every other poor soul who got sucked in. We’re constantly connected on our phones and computers, always checking our timelines, and we crouch in a corner and cry every time the fail whale rears its ugly head. As addictive as the service is though, Twitter is often asleep at the wheel when it comes to features. Luckily, that’s where third-party developers come into play and when it comes to Twitter apps, there are now thousands of choices across every platform imaginable. Even once you’ve found your Twitter apps of choice, however, one of the most annoying things about being addicted to Twitter is constantly seeing the same tweets as you move back and forth between your phone, PC tablet and other devices. What’s more, when you make changes to your mobile client — say, adding a new list column — you have to make the same changes all over again in your other clients. But what if there was a better way?

MetroTwit developer Pixel Tucker and Rowi developer Hidden Pineapple on Friday took the wraps off a new project they’re preparing to roll out soon. Dubbed “The Nest,” their new joint endeavor is a cloud-based backend solution that allows their respective apps to sync data across platforms — MetroTwit, of course, being a popular Windows desktop app for Twitter, and Rowi being a terrific Windows Phone app. In its first iteration, The Nest will sync two crucial types of data: column configurations and unread tweet state. Add or delete a column in one app, and the same column will be added or deleted in the other. Read tweets in one app, and you won’t have to bother reading them again in the other. Fantastic.

The Nest functionality will be added to each app in forthcoming updates, and Erik Porter of Hidden Pineapple tells us the new versions of each app should become available in the next few weeks. The team will also be developing The Nest actively, and it looks like the initial implementation is just the start. We tried to get the tight-lipped developers to reveal their future plans for this great tech, but unfortunately they wouldn’t budge. We can dream, however, and we would love to see Hidden Pineapple and Pixel Tucker allow other developers on other platforms make use of The Nest — imagine being able to sync Twitter columns, read status and other data across your Windows Phone, your personal Mac PC, your Windows PC at work and your iPad 2 tablet. Despite the fact that we couldn’t get a confirmation out of The Nest team, we see this scenario as a definite possibility moving forward and we’ll be keeping a close eye on this project. In the meantime, MetroTwit and Rowi users should get ready to see this great new functionality introduced in the coming weeks.

[Via istartedsomething]

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This post originally appeared on BGR.com

In a recent interview with Finnish news outlet YLE, Nokia’s CEO Stephen Elop discussed the company’s strategy for approaching the already crowded tablet market. “There are now over 200 different tablets on the marketplace, only one of them is doing really well,” Elop said. “And, my challenge to the team is I don’t want to be the 201st tablet on the market that you can’t tell from all of the others. We have to take a uniquely Nokia prospective.” Elop added that Nokia could work with Microsoft and take advantage of its software for a Windows-based tablet, but also said that the firm could “do things with some of the other software assets that we have.” Early reports have suggested that Nokia may exclude Microsoft from its tablet plans altogether, and that it may still launch a MeeGo powered device.

[Via Gizmodo]

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This post originally appeared on BGR.com

On Tuesday, Sony took the wraps off of two new Android tablets, the S1 and the S2, but two other devices — the “Freestyle Hybrid PC” and the “Ultimate Mobile PC” — were also teased by Sony execs during its IT Mobile Meeting in Tokyo. Sony’s keeping the specs for both devices close to the vest for now, but the Freestyle Hybrid PC offers a tablet form factor with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard that doubles as a stand. Sony’s Ultimate Mobile PC appears to be a new thin and light laptop with HDMI-out, but its screen size and other specs remain unknown. We wouldn’t be surprised to see both of these devices break cover in time for the back to school season.

[Via Engadget]

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This post originally appeared on BGR.com

Indian consumers who have been learning to bide their time while waiting for high-profile international products to come to country (no, we are not naming any company!) will be delighted to know that gaming computer manufacturer Alienware will at least not make them wait. The company has launched two new gaming notebooks – the M11X and M14X – and both are available for purchase from the India website. While the M14x is a completely new addition to the company’s mobile gaming range and comes with a 14-inch display , the new M11x adds more muscle to the earlier one, which was one of the most acclaimed notebooks of the previous year.Both devices come with improved processors (Intel Second Generation Core processors) and graphics cards (NVIDIA GeForce 500 series). While we have not had a go at them, we must confess that we retain our fondness for the M11x, which with its 11.6 inch display, remains one of the best portable gaming options we have seen this side of the iPad 2. The M14x starts at Rs 82,000, while the M11x will cost you upwards of Rs 64,000 – in best Dell-Alienware tradition, the configurations of both are tweakable. Heck, we are just happy to see them for sale in India already!

Microsoft will hold a Professional Developers Conference (PDC) event from September 13th through September 16th, Steven Sinofsky, Microsoft’s Windows Chief, said Tuesday. According to Business Insider, Microsoft may introduce its latest Windows 8 operating system during the event — an OS that will cater better to touchscreen tablets and lower powered processors. A September introduction could mean that Microsoft is gearing up for a launch sometime next year, a time frame that’s in line with earlier rumors. Microsoft may already be shipping the operating system to some of its OEM partners, and some reports have suggested that the Redmond-based company will show off early tablet designs in June. The report remains a rumor, however, as Microsoft has not gone on the record to say when it will lift the curtain on Windows 8. Read

This post originally appeared on BGR.com