Archive for September 18th, 2008

Privacy, Phones And Pakistan Police. A Disastrous Combination.

Published by Babar Bhatti on September 18, 2008 under Pakistan, Privacy

“You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it.” Scott McNealy – Former CEO Of SUN.

Perhaps McNealy had Pakistan in mind when he uttered his famous words about the lack of privacy and how to deal with it. Most of us are well aware of the lax privacy situation in Pakistan. Even with the lower expectations, the news of Police getting easy access to personal phone records was still a shock to may. The official announcement has not been made yet and preparations are under way to facilitate this. The core of the problem is lack of transparency, safeguards and trust. If you look at the public reaction, there is wide agreement on a single point: given the track record of police department, this access will be exploited and abused.

For the small percentage of population who understand the meaning of privacy and the implications of blatant intrusion, it is a matter of great concern. Admittedly, privacy is not a high priority item for Pakistan. Once in a while something happens like cell phone customer information at bread shops, a few people complain, perhaps a few bloggers and journalists write about it and that’s it. We even had experts from other countries come over and explain to us about the need for protecting privacy and sensitive information. The government and regulation agencies shrug it off – after all they can point to the law and order situation. Oh well, consider this one more cost of living in the information age.

Google’s Android Phone Could Be Available Next Month In US

Published by Babar Bhatti on September 18, 2008 under Android, BlackBerry, Mobile Applications, Mobile Phones, iPhone

Gadget blogs and Wall Street Journal report that T-Mobile USA plans to begin selling the first smart phone powered by Google’s new mobile software late next month. This means direct competition with Apple Inc.’s iPhone and Research In Motion’s BlackBerry with a device that “blends aspects of both”. Very interesting!

The phone is made by HTC, which is also launching an array of glossy windows mobile based touch phones. Pricing is a secret but rumors abound that it will be $200 with contract and $400 otherwise. Here are a few excerpts from WSJ.

While some wireless companies working with Google’s Android mobile software have hit delays, the T-Mobile phone is coming out on schedule. Backers are optimistic Android-based handsets can take sales from rivals.

The phone’s manufacturer, HTC Corp., forecasts sales that are rosier than analysts’ estimates. HTC says it expects to ship 600,000 to 700,000 units of the smart phone, dubbed the Dream, this year, a person close to the situation said Monday. The target exceeds analysts’ estimates of 300,000 to 500,000.

Anticipation around the phone — the first based on Android — has been mounting for months, and the companies face pressure to impress. The Federal Communications Commission granted authorization for the HTC Dream, which enables T-Mobile to market it, last month.

While the phone is targeted at the same sort of technology-savvy consumers who have been buying iPhones, it has a very different look and feel. It is expected to be heavier than the iPhone, according to people familiar with it, and it is likely to have a large touch screen, a swivel-out full keyboard and a BlackBerry-style trackball to help with navigation.

T-Mobile USA is introducing the high-profile device as it begins to upgrade its network nationwide to support third-generation broadband services. Google hopes that hundreds of phone models will be built around Android, giving the company another way to deliver advertisements and drive revenue.