Galaxy S5 fingerprint scanner hacked in just four days

German security experts successfully hack the Samsung Galaxy S5's fingerprint scanner just four days after release.

Researchers at a German security firm have worked out how to fool the Samsung Galaxy S5's fingerprint scanner and break into the phone, just four days after launch. The hack costs over £150 to pull off and involves some lab equipment to create a mould, but worryingly works on any Galaxy S5 with a visible print on the screen.

The boffins from SRLabs took a camera phone photo of a print found on the Galaxy S5, then created a PCB mould of the print and swiped that down the handset's scanner. The method worked, allowing them access to the phone - and apps such as PayPal which use the scanner for authentication. Eep.

It's this PayPal support that makes the researchers most concerned, with them claiming it gives 'a would-be attacker an even greater incentive to learn the simple skill of fingerprint spoofing'. However, PayPal reckons the scanner is still a secure method of authenticating payment.

'The scan unlocks a secure cryptographic key that serves as a password replacement for the phone,' PayPal said in a statement. 'We can simply deactivate the key from a lost or stolen device, and you can create a new one.'

PayPal also pointed out how transactions are covered by its buyer protection policy, so hopefully any victims of fingerprint fraud would get their cash back.

Apple's iPhone 5s fingerprint scanner was similarly hacked in just 48 hours, at an even lower cost.

Google finally merges SMS and chat conversations in Hangouts

Hangouts will finally merge text and Hangouts conversations this week.

This week, users of Google's Hangouts messaging app for Android will be able to seamlessly shift between Hangouts and SMS when sending a given message. Users will be able to control this with the flip of a switch, and they will be able to merge or unmerge conversations.

Google says that “different message types will be easy to tell apart in the conversation.” However, received messages will look the same, apart from a small “via SMS” label placed below under texted replies. Sent messages, meanwhile, are a bit more obvious by being highlighted in green when you’re sending regular Hangouts messages and white when you send them as SMS messages.

The contact list will also be simplified into just two categories. These categories are ‘Hangout With’ and ‘Phone Contacts’. Google has also made access to your conversations much easier by adding a home screen widget.

These new features will arrive this week along with the release of the latest version of Hangouts. Download it for free from the Play Store now.

http://recombu.com/mobile/news/google-finally-merges-sms-and-chat-in-hangouts_M20332.html

HTC One (M8) vs Apple iPhone 5s: Which is better?

Which is better, the Apple iPhone 5s or the brand new HTC One M8? We compare these two premium handsets, both flagship smartphones, to see which boasts the most value.

Get your outraged comments at the ready chaps, because today we’re pitting the shiny new HTC One M8against Apple’s flagship phone, the iPhone 5s. It’s Android vs iOS in a grudge match from hell, with the very best of both worlds entering the ring…

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Design

Neither HTC nor Apple took many risks with their new flagship phones when it came to look and feel. The HTC One M8’s design is very close to the original HTC One M7, except that metal plate now stretches right around the handset - and the freshly-brushed aluminum surface is absolutely gorgeous. A definite step up, even if the tweaks are purely aesthetic.

Meanwhile, the Apple iPhone 5s sports an almost identical body to the iPhone 5, retaining that ‘stretched’ look and the half-shiny, half-matt rear end. Some tech junkies might be getting iPhone fatigue by now, with most iterations rocking a very similar frame, but there’s no denying it’s still a very good looking phone.

In terms of pure desirability, HTC is our personal pick of the pair. Of course, there’s more to life than good looks, and you’ll also want to consider size. The HTC One M8 is bigger than the iPhone in every dimension, with its 5-inch screen dwarfing Apple’s 4-incher. Surprisingly, the One M8 is even a little chunkier - that sleek, curved finish is rather deceptive - so if you want a compact phone to slip inside your favourite figure-hugging jeans, the iPhone 5s is your best bet.

The iPhone 5s also boasts an awesome feature that’s missing on the HTC One - the fingerprint scanner, which is cunningly built into the home button. The scanner works surprisingly well, accurately reading your print almost 100% of the time, so it’s a quick and cool alternative to entering a PIN code every time. Best of all, you can register a few different prints (up to five in all), so you can enroll a number of users on a single phone.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Screen and media

Providing you don’t mind your mobile being a bit of a handful, the HTC One M8’s spacious display is a better way to take in a movie on the go, especially given the Full HD 1080p resolution. The iPhone 5s’ Retina screen is still crisp and colourful, and produces brighter images than the One, but that extra space really does make the viewing experience more comfortable.

 

While the One M8 comes in 16GB and 32GB flavours, it also boasts a memory card slot for expanding and carrying around all of your music, movies and more. The iPhone goes all the way up to a very tasty 64GB, but it doesn't boast expandable memory - so you're stuck with what you opt for. And that 64GB model ain't cheap...

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Performance and apps

Performance-wise, the HTC One and the iPhone 5s will happily run everything you throw at them, and there’s no danger of either of them being out of date in the near future. The iPhone 5s has the honour of being the first handset to boast a 64-bit processor, compared with the One M8’s 32-bit chip, but that doesn’t really make a difference right now - that’ll become more important when phones pack more memory, and we start to see 64-bit apps emerging en masse.

Speaking of apps, Apple is still the king. The Google Play store is an excellent and well-stocked effort, but the App Store edges it out with a fuller range of creativity software and some brilliant exclusive games. So, this round to Apple.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Battery life

As for battery life, the iPhone 5s is a jump up from previous models, comfortably lasting over a day even with constant hammering. However, the HTC One M8 comfortably wins this round with a solid two days of life per charge. All-round a sterling effort, with only LG’s G2 handset coming close.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Cameras

On to cameras, and the iPhone 5s beats the HTC One in terms of pure specs, with an 8-megapixel snapper versus the HTC’s measly 4-megapixel effort. In close-up shots, both cameras perform fantastically well, capturing rich colours and minutiae detail, but wider scenes look sharper with the iPhone’s camera.

 

HTC One M8 (left) vs Apple iPhone 5s (right)

However, the HTC One’s camera has the benefit of larger sensors which suck up more light, meaning photos in dingy locations like pubs are brighter and more attractive.

 

HTC One M8 (left) vs Apple iPhone 5s (right)

Both phones pack in a couple of cool individual camera features - for instance, the HTC One M8’s dual lenses mean you can change a photo’s focus after you’ve shot it, while the iPhone boasts a retroactive slow-motion mode for video.

Overall, both cameras are great for everyday shots, but the HTC One’s low-light performance makes it our personal pick.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Experience

Of course, what it all comes down to is that age-old battle, Android versus iOS. Both operating systems have their pros and cons, with iOS rocking a clean, simple interface, and Android boasting greater customisation and personalisation with the likes of desktop widgets. Of course, HTC has buried Android under its Sixth Sense interface, giving it a very distinctive look, while adding even more features like the BlinkFeed news streamer.

Here at Recombu Towers we’re big fans of HTC’s dense look and feel, but if you prefer a simple, no-fuss experience, or are new to smartphones, you’ll probably get on better with the iPhone 5s.

HTC One M8 vs Apple iPhone 5s: Verdict

The HTC One M8 and the Apple iPhone 5s are two of the best flagship mobiles you can buy right now, but which one should you splash your cash on? Well, we personally think the HTC One M8 provides better value, with its glorious 1080p screen, snazzy camera features and gorgeous design, but the iPhone 5s is still the better option for smartphone newbies and anyone who wants a streamlined experience in a more compact form.

Think we’re talking guff? Be sure to leave a comment below, explaining which smartphone you think is the real king. Check out our full HTC One M8 and Apple iPhone 5s reviews for more info, and don't miss our HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5 feature.

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HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: Which is better?

Two of the biggest smartphones of 2014, the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8, have already launched - but which is better value for money? We compare both mobiles in our full versus review…

Ali vs Frazier. Bugs vs Elmer. Ovaltine vs Nesquik. Some of history’s greatest all-time clashes, and now you can add the HTC One M8 vs Samsung’s Galaxy S5 to that list. These two smartphone heavyweights are early contenders for the 2014 Phone of the Year, boasting incredible unique features and premium specs.

But which mobile offers the best value for money? Is it HTC’s beautiful 5-inch handset, with its dual-lens camera, or Samsung’s latest flagship phone with its water-resistant body and fingerprint scanner? It’s fight time...

HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: Design

If you’re all about the looks (you shallow person you), then this comparison is pretty much over before it even began. The Samsung Galaxy S5 feels pretty solid and we appreciate the new strokeably-soft rear, which is a serious improvement over the cheap-o glossy finish of previous models. But it’s still plastic, and the crinkle-cut finish pales in comparison to the HTC One M8’s eyeball-caressing one-piece brushed metal finish.

  

The HTC One M8 is easily the best-looking mobile out there right now. I mean, come on. Look at that. Doesn’t that make you just want to skip down the street, singing ‘Walking on sunshine’ as you toss rose petals over strangers?

Don’t discount the Samsung Galaxy S5 so easily, however, as it stashes a couple of cool tricks up its plastic sleeves. Take the nifty fingerprint scanner, secreted inside the home button (much like the Apple iPhone 5’s). Not only can you keep nasty criminal types out of your phone, you can use the scanner to authorise online payments, great news if you’re a shopping addict who’s constantly forgetting your password.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is also water resistant, unlike the HTC One, which is particularly great news if you enjoy using your phone outside in the UK. You might also enjoy Snapchatting in the shower, or whatever. Don’t worry. We don’t judge here.

HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: Screen and media

Both phones sport similarly-sized screens, with the Samsung Galaxy S5’s 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display only just having the edge over the HTC One M8’s 5-inch LCD-3 panel. With Full HD 1080p resolution, your high-def movies will look gorgeous on either device, and we’d happily while away a tedious long-distance journey by watching films on either phone.

  

However, while the HTC One M8’s screen offers true-to-life colours, the Galaxy S5’s Super AMOLED display goes for all-out uber-vibrancy, with bright colours really popping at your eyeballs. Both work well, and your favourite will come down to personal preference.

HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: Performance and battery life

There’s basically nothing between these phones when it comes to performance, as they both rock a quad-core SnapDragon 801 processor, the latest Qualcomm chip for smartphones. Either mobile can comfortably handle the latest intensive action games, and it’s refreshing that Samsung has sorted out the stuttery issues witnessed in the Galaxy S4 (caused by a feature-heavy TouchWiz interface).

However, the HTC One M8 comes up trumps for battery life, with a solid two days of use per charge, even with pretty regular use. The Galaxy S5 just about managed a day and a half by comparison, although it does have a last-gasp Ultra Power Saving Mode if you’re desperate to wring some extra life. This mode drops a lot of functionality and leaves you with a basic black-and-white interface, so it really is for those truly desperate souls waiting for an important message with just a few percent remaining.

HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: Interface and overall experience

Google Android is buried away beneath custom overlays on both the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8, which dramatically alter their look and feel. We’re personally bigger fans of HTC’s Sense interface, now on its sixth iteration, with its handy Blinkfeed homepage that delivers social media updates and the latest news.

  

However, if you’re one of those jogger types, you’ll love the Galaxy S5’s built-in fitness widgetry goodness. The S Health app keeps track of your motions throughout the day, and you can check up on how active you’ve been using the desktop widget, before engaging uber-smug mode.

Of course, bear in mind that you can download alternative news feed and exercise apps from the Google Play store, usually for free, so these features shouldn’t really influence your final decision.

HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: Cameras

When it comes to cameras, there’s a world of difference between these two phones. The Samsung Galaxy S5 goes for all-out megapixels, with a 16-meg snapper that captures detailed photos and can shoot 4k video. The HTC One M8, on the other hand, uses a streamlined 4-meg ‘Ultrapixel’ camera. The resulting photos are still impressively detailed when viewed back on a TV, but the Samsung Galaxy S5 does capture more detail over a distance.

 

HTC One M8 (left) versus Samsung Galaxy S5 (right)

However, the HTC One M8 camera’s real strength is low-light shots, which come out brighter and more attractive than the competition. If you’re always pulling out your camera in pubs and clubs, the M8 is a much better bet. We also prefer the M8’s selfie-cam, with its wide angle lens and countdown timer.

 

HTC One M8 (left) versus Samsung Galaxy S5 (right)

The HTC One’s dual-lens rear camera allows for some cool visual trickery, such as the ability to alter a shot’s focus after it’s already been shot. Samsung offers a similar feature, but it’s much slower on the Galaxy S5 and you have to select a special mode first, which is fiddly.

 

In the end, the two cameras offer very different experiences, but we’re personally swayed by the HTC One’s super-fast and adaptable Ultrapixel snapper. Of course, if you’re already on the 4k bandwagon, the Galaxy S5 may suit you better.

HTC One M8 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: Which is better?

All things considered, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a powerful and feature-packed handset that we’d happily use every day. But it’s the HTC One M8’s gorgeous design, Ultrapixel camera and incredible battery life that really deliver the killer blow.

Check out our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S5, and the HTC One M8.

http://bit.ly/1f0A9CD

HTC One (M7) or HTC One (M8): What's the difference and which should I buy?

Last year's five-star HTC One (M7) smartphone just got a sequel, the also-five-star HTC One (M8), but what's the difference between these two versions and is the M8 worth the extra cash? Here's our full comparison review...

2013. HTC stops releasing a new phone every ten seconds, and concentrates on a single gorgeous, feature-packed flagship mobile. Launched in February, the HTC One (M7) was an immediate hit thanks to its sleek metallic design and that Ultrapixel camera, which broke the ‘how many megapixels can I fit into it’ mould. We awarded it five well-deserved stars, and later crowned it the phone of the year.

 

2014. After creating Mini and Max versions of the One, HTC unleashes the much-anticipated sequel, dubbed the HTC One M8. It comes a full year after the original, but what changes have HTC made and is it worth the premium price tag? Or should you save yourself well over £100 and grab the M7 instead?...

Change #1: Sleeker and sexier

The original HTC One M7 is still one of the best-looking smartphones out there, but the brand new One M8 somehow managed to make the beautiful even more beautifuler. HTC did this by extending the metallic body into a single-piece hunk of gorgeousness, with no plastic edging to break up the silver sheen. Add in a sexy new brushed effect and the One M8 is simply stunning.

 

Change #2: Bigger, louder, better

Media fans are serviced wonderfully by both models, but the HTC One M8 is a clear choice for three main reasons. The 4.7-inch screen has expanded to a full five-incher, the BoomSound speakers are now 25% louder (i.e. loud as all hell) and the addition of a memory card slot means you can carry around your entire music and movie collection, wherever you roam.

Change #3: Feel the power

The original HTC One M7 packed a quad-core SnapDragon 600 processor, which still holds up well - it’ll happily cope with the latest Google Play apps and games, and shouldn’t show any true signs of strain for another year or so.

Of course, if you’re a mobile gamer you should save up for the new One M8, which packs the latest SnapDragon 801 processor. It’s blazingly quick, and not just for games - any app launches in a heartbeat and the all-round experience is impressively slick. For instance, snapping photos is now a near-instant process, on par with the iPhone.

Change #4: Featur-ific

Although last year’s HTC One M7 will get a full upgrade to Sense 6 (HTC’s Android overlay, which changes the look and feel of Android’s desktops and adds funky features such as Blinkfeed), there are some new features that you’ll only find on this year’s One M8.

For instance, Motion Launch - which allows you to quickly tap or swipe your way into your phone’s desktops or camera - won’t be seen on the HTC One M7. However, the biggest new feature of the One M8 is the dual-lens camera on the rear. This allows you to alter a photo’s focus after you’ve taken it, a feature found on other flagship phones but implemented to perfection here.

Personally, we’d say none of these features are essential enough to warrant an upgrade over the HTC One M7, although the selective focus is very handy when you’re snapping lots of pics on the fly and don’t have time to properly line up a shot.

So which one should I buy?

Gamers and anyone who wants to get stuck into movies and music on the go should definitely upgrade to the HTC One M8, but everyone else will be well served by the original HTC One M7 if money is tight. It’s still a desirable Full HD handset that can handle the latest apps, while the Sense 6 upgrade adds updated BlinkFeed and plenty of other cool tweaks to bring the phone bang up to date.

Check out our full reviews of the HTC One (M7) and HTC One (M8) for more info on each phone.

http://bit.ly/1gOJ5X2

Samsung Gear 2 vs Gear 2 Neo vs Gear Fit: What's the difference?

We compare all three of Samsung's new smartwatches, the Samsung Gear 2, Samsung Gear 2 Neo and Samsung Gear Fit, to decide which is best for you...

Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch hit the UK just a few months ago, but Samsung has already launched three new wrist rockets, revealed at MWC 2014. The ‘Galaxy’ bit has dropped from the name now, giving you the Samsung Gear 2, Samsung Gear 2 Neo and Samsung Gear Fit - but what’s the difference, and which one should you buy, if any?

Bear in mind that these watches only work with Samsung smartphones, so if you don’t own one, they’re a massive waste of cash - check out the Sony Smartwatch or a Pebble device instead.

Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo

Let’s start with the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. These two smartwatches are practically the same except for one key difference - the Gear 2 Neo has no camera built into the strap, to shave some pennies off the price.

The Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are spiritual successors to the original Samsung Galaxy Gear watch, offering a similar design and specs with a few little tweaks and upgrades. Gone are the ugly face plate screws and the sticky-out camera lens, replaced with a smooth finish that looks neat and tidy (and seriously premium).

Specs-wise, the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo sport a slightly faster processor (now a 1GHz dual-core chip). However, both Gear 2 watches rock the same 1.63-inch Super AMOLED screen of the old Galaxy Gear, with a 320 x 320 resolution producing crisp (and tiny) images. The new Gear watches also have a downsized battery (300mAh down from 315mAh) but can still survive for around three days between charges.

The Samsung Gear 2 has a built-in 2-megapixel camera which can shoot 720p video as well as photos. You get a handful of basic features including voice control (yell ‘shoot’ to take a photo, which gets interesting results in public) and location tagging, plus an effective auto focus. The camera is missing from the Samsung Gear 2 Neo, so if you’re keen to take quick-and-dirty snaps without pulling out your phone, the Gear 2 is your best bet.

On the other hand, the Gear 2 Neo is a great option if you’re hooked on owning a Samsung smartwatch but don’t have cash to burn - and would be our personal choice.

The only other difference between these two watches is the design. The Gear 2 Neo is a little lighter than the Gear 2 thanks to that lack of camera tech - it’s just 55g compared to the 68g Gear 2. They’re both IP67 water and dust resistant, but they come in different colours too. They can both be snapped up in Black and Wild Orange (got to admit, it’s pretty wild), but the Gear 2 also has a Gold Brown model while the Gear 2 Neo comes in Mocha Grey.

And then the Samsung Gear Fit...

The Gear Fit is a big departure from the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, with a massively different design and pared-down specs and features. It’s a sleek little beast and more simple to operate, while the compact, light build makes it more suitable for active users.

At just 27g you can barely feel the Gear Fit on your wrist, and while the plastic body is a little chunky, it’s not intrusive. The build quality may not be as premium as the Gear 2’s metallic finish, but we prefer the slender, curved design of the Fit. The customisable clock faces are very cool, and you can quickly and easily change the wrist band, just as you can swap out the Gear 2’s strap.

As with the Gear 2 you get a built-in heart rate monitor, but the Fit doesn’t come with an IR sensor (bang goes your subterfuge TV control), there’s no camera and you can’t answer calls on it. If that’s a big deal, you’ll have to choose a Gear 2 instead.

The Gear Fit’s specs are also cut down from the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, but that’s down to the different OS (see below) - we found the Gear Fit still ran perfectly well.

Delving into the more geeky details, the Gear Fit runs a different OS to the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. While the Gear 2 watches run Tizen (Samsung’s specially-developed operating system), the Gear Fit runs an entirely different custom OS. The rationale is that the Fit’s OS is more battery-friendly (expect an extra day or so of use), although it’s also more limited than Tizen, hence the missing features.

So which Samsung Gear smartwatch should I buy?

The Gear 2 is the only watch of this trio with a camera, but we honestly still don’t see the point of it - apart from rather dubious illegal practices, of course. And considering the Gear 2 Neo essentially packs all of the other features for a lower cost, we’d recommend the Neo any day.

But then there’s the Gear Fit. This curvy watch loses a lot of key features such as IR support and call answering, but makes up for it with a gorgeous slim-n-light design which we easily prefer over the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. If you’re after a watch purely for the fitness features (pedometer, heart rate monitor etc,) then the Gear Fit would be our choice.

Read: More troubles for ATM users as Microsoft Window 8 deadline expires

Tensions continues to mount over the high level risk exposure of banks in the country following the end of support for the vulnerable Microsoft Windows XP operating system which ended April 8.

With the expiration deadline set by Microsoft for users of Windows XP to migrate to Windows 8 Operating System (OS), there are fears that the automated teller machines (ATMs) of most of the lenders in the country may no longer function as most of them failed to comply with the deadline.

Indications emerged that Nigerian banks and many of the world’s cash machines are stilled to be running Window XP, as it is believed that any institution or business using the 13-year-old software would be at risk of infection and compromise by cyber thieves.

While raising concern over the dangers that await banks and financial institutions in the country, the General Manager Microsoft Nigeria, Kabelo Makwane, in a phone interview stated that non-migration to the Windows 8 can open the banks up for potential security vulnerability and threats.

He disclosed that the company has the capacity to migrate all the banks that are willing and ready for the project. He said Microsoft has over 2,500 partners involved in the migration process, one of which is Zinox Technologies.

Makwane, however, said several banks have identified migration to the new technology as a priority for them and are taking steps to address the challenge.

He said: “We have the capacity to migrate all the banks to the Windows 8. We have no capacity challenge at all and have been advising the banks on the need to migrate to the new technology,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH), Chuks Iku has said that non-compliant ATMs might not be able to carry out improved service delivery.

He noted that Microsoft Nigeria had directed banks to migrate to the improved platform, which would allow for enhanced banking benefits and security.

Iku, who is the Head of E-Business at Skye Bank, said Microsoft remains the owner of the licence and banks are taking steps to ensure co pliance. “CeBIH has engaged Microsoft Nigeria to fashion out means of creating a uniform approach to compliance with the need for migration of ATM operating system from Windows XP to Windows Embedded 8.1 which is the new operating system designed to run on ATMs. This step ensures security of ATM transactions and helps to prevent attacks on ATM terminals,” he said.

The CeBIH boss said the group was also looking at what happens next if the banks fail to comply, including extension of the deadline.

“There is really no cause for alarm, the important thing is that we should do it quickly to ensure that our ATMs are in top performing levels,” he advised.

Also, a certified Microsoft technology associate confirmed that the situation may have been blown out of proportion.

He explained, “True, but do you know that governments of UK, Germany and others have paid Microsoft millions of dollars to keep their systems including ATMs running on XP and receive security updates that excludes them from the vulnerability of the old OS.

No African country has been able to develop its own ATM, so the ones in use at the moment in Africa and developing countries were supplied by UK, Germany and the likes, so they are covered and will remain so until they are upgraded.”

Report showed that some of those existing XP users have struck deals to get security fixes from Microsoft while they complete their migration away from aging code, as UK government signed a 5.5million pounds deal for extended support and Dutch government also signed “multi-million euro” deal to obtain help for the 40, 000 PCs running XP used by the nation’s civil servants.

SUN NEWSPAPER