[Soumaila Somtore]

oh Man that's personally scaring me. My wife is taking a Job with the State Department and we submitted the form 86 back in 2014 for security clearance.

Security:
US hacking: Military and intelligence data 'accessed' - BBC News

Not fun.

[randall2580]

oh Man that's personally scaring me. My wife is taking a Job with the State Department and we submitted the form 86 back in 2014 for security clearance.

The interesting part is they had no idea this was going on. They received a presentation from another vendor trying to get security business for the US Govt and during the presentation found out it was happening...

[bbjdog]

Reading material!

Kaspersky says Iran talks spyware masqueraded under Foxconn name (Thomson Reuters)

By Eric Auchard and Joseph Menn

FRANKFURT/SAN FRANCISCO, June 15 (Reuters) - Further research into the sophisticated computer virus used to hack into hotels where the Iran nuclear talks took place has found it took advantage of digital credentials stolen from the world's top contract electronics maker Foxconn.

Russian security company Kaspersky Lab said on Monday that researchers learned the Duqu 2.0 virus had redirected computer traffic by using a legitimate digital certificate from Taiwan's Hon Hai, also known as Foxconn.

Foxconn customers have included many of the world's biggest electronic makers, including Apple, Blackberry, Google, Huawei and Microsoft.

Kaspersky revealed its initial findings in a report last week in which it said it found the virus in conferencing equipment at three European hotels used in talks involving Iran and six world powers, among other targets.

Digital certificates are the credentials which identify legitimate computers on a network. They act as the basis of e-commerce and other largely automated transactions on the Web.

In recent years, cyberspies have begun to exploit stolen certificates to trick machines into thinking malicious software comes from legitimate computers, an escalation posing a grave threat to business done over the Internet, security experts say.

TARGETED ATTACKS

The "P5+1" group of six world powers have been negotiating with Iran on curbs to its disputed nuclear programme - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

The on-again, off-again series of talks to reach a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran have been held in Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Munich and Vienna since last year.

Both Moscow-based Kaspersky and U.S. security company Symantec Corp said the virus shared some programming with previously discovered espionage software called Duqu, which security experts believe to have been developed by Israelis.

Israel, which has strongly opposed the powers' diplomatic opening to its arch-enemy Iran, denied any connection with the virus. In February, the United States accused Israel of using selective leaks from the talks to distort the U.S. position.

The West suspects Iran wants to develop a nuclear weapons capability from its enrichment of uranium. Iran says it wants nuclear energy only for electricity and medical isotopes.

Symantec and Kaspersky analysts have said there was overlap between Duqu and Stuxnet, a U.S.-Israeli project that sabotaged Iran's nuclear programme in 2009-10 by destroying a thousand or more centrifuges that were enriching uranium.

The Stuxnet virus took advantage of stolen digital certificates from two other major Taiwanese companies, JMicron Technology Corp and Realtek Semiconductor Corp , Kaspersky said in a report it published in 2010.

"Duqu attackers are the only ones who have access to these certificates, which strengthens the theory they hacked the hardware manufacturers in order to get these certificates," Kaspersky said in a summary of its report on Monday.

Kaspersky said it had notified Foxconn of the stolen credentials. Foxconn was not immediately available to comment on steps it has taken to secure its systems.

Last week, Kaspersky said Duqu 2.0 had evolved from the earlier Duqu, which had been deployed against unidentified targets for years before it was discovered in 2011.

It said Duqu 2.0 used three previously unknown flaws in Microsoft Corp software to infect machines, for which the software giant subsequently released patches to fix. The attack left almost no traces. (Reporting by Eric Auchard in Frankfurt and Joseph Menn in San Francisco; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

[zyben]

Push into cars by Apple, Google pumps up prospects for QNX

As the world�s largest car companies begin to install complex entertainment software in new vehicles, QNX Software Systems is bracing for big things.

The wholly owned division of BlackBerry Ltd. is already a driving force in a majority of automobiles produced globally. The Kanata firm�s software runs everything from routine diagnostics and blind-spot detection systems to in-car entertainment networks.

Now Apple is actively pushing its CarPlay entertainment software, which allows iPhone and other Apple devices to easily connect to an automobile. Google is fighting back with Android Auto, tailored to devices that use Google�s Android operating system. But both of those will run on top of QNX�s software.

�It�s awesome,� said Andrew Poliak, director of global business development at QNX. �People want to build a connected experience in a low-end car. This is not a competitive situation with Android Auto and CarPlay. They�ve driven huge opportunities for us to engage in.�

Think of the new auto-targeted software offerings as applications. Those applications still need an operating system such as QNX�s specialized auto software to function.

Until recently, software and entertainment console features have been an afterthought to many car shoppers. However, a new generation of buyers who have grown up with phones in their pockets and expect to be constantly connected to the Internet is quickly driving up demand for connectivity in vehicles.

But bridging the capabilities of a person�s smartphone with the car itself has been an issue. That�s why Apple and Google are moving to release their own in-car software to allow the content, apps and even the cellular connection of a person�s phone to be shared with everyone in the vehicle.

Meantime, even budget autos are starting to include what were previously only high-end features such as blind-spot detection, parking assist abilities and networked centre consoles with LCD screens, all with the help of QNX software.

�The low-end car suddenly has a need for an operating system,� said Poliak.

Manufacturers are lining up to introduce the new offerings. General Motors Co. has reportedly agreed to install CarPlay or Android Auto on more than half of all of its 2016 models. Hyundai has committed to installing Android Auto. Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co. have announced support for the new software.

The news could prove a boon to the once-potent Canadian technology company BlackBerry. The smartphone and communications company bought QNX in 2010 for $200 million. The division now accounts for between three and five per cent of BlackBerry�s annual revenues, according to some estimates.


Making the news even brighter for QNX is that many new cars use multiple computers in networks to handle tasks ranging from monitoring fuel economy and tire pressure to self-parking. Each of those computers is capable of running QNX software, meaning there might be multiple copies of the company�s software running on a new vehicle.

�From a trends perspective if you look at it over time, I would say there was between 20 million and 30 million vehicles that shipped last year that would be a target for an advanced operating system like QNX,� said Poliak. �We�ve not only seen an explosion in growth from entry-level vehicles � the amount of electronic components running our operating system in an individual car has been exponentially growing. So, we�re now used in instrument clusters, telematics (such as GPS systems) and entertainment systems.�

According to Egil Juliussen, director of research and principal analyst at IHS Automotive Technology in Minnesota, competitors to QNX are emerging, mostly from open source software vendors. However, with more than 50 per cent of the market already locked up, it will be a serious uphill battle for the upstarts trying to compete with the Ottawa software maker, said Juliussen. That�s especially true as companies like Apple and Google are showing little interest in developing their own full-blown automotive operating systems.

QNX has been developing software for the automobile industry for 33 years. The company, which employs around 400 in Ottawa, has had decades to build up the relationships with automotive parts suppliers who are ultimately responsible for installing its products.

A study from the GSM Association of mobile operators states that the market for connected cars, or smart cars running numerous operating systems, will be worth $56 billion by 2018 as more manufacturers ramp up production of lower-end vehicles with high-end features. In 2012 the market was worth around $18 billion.

Estimates suggest that as many as 400 million connected cars will be on the road by 2020, up from 82 million last year.

Push into cars by Apple, Google pumps up prospects for QNX | Ottawa Citizen

[Corbu]

FWIW:
http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderd...raymond-james/
BlackBerry: ‘EZ Pass’ Conversions Uncertain, Says Raymond James

By Tiernan Ray

Raymond James analyst Steven Li today reiterates a Market Perform rating on shares of BlackBerry (BBRY), and an $11 price target, in advance of the company’s fiscal Q1 earnings call, a week from tomorrow, June 23rd, before the market opens.

Li cuts his revenue forecast for the quarter ended last month to $668 million from a prior $709 million, while maintaining an EPS estimate for a net loss of 6 cents per share. That compares to consensus for $702 million and a 3-cent loss.

Li thinks both the Passport handheld and the Classic are not yet seeing “traction,” with BlackBerry perhaps selling 1.4 million devices, but that layoffs are helping profit:

Passport remains a niche product and even a full quarter of contribution from both Passport and Classic may not have seen significant traction in a competitive market. On the other hand, recently announced layoffs in the hardware segment should keep the segment GM positive.

Li’s main focus, however, is a lack of visibility for the conversion of customers from the prior “EZ Pass” licensing program of the company’s “BES” management software, and BlackBerry’s newer “value-added services“:

Visibility on EZ Pass conversions and VAS (value-added services) to get to that software target remains low as few metrics have been provided and given what we thought was a slow software re-start last quarter [...] For 1Q, we are forecasting Software revenues of $100 mln (+49% q/q, +$33 mln q/q) with contributions from EZ Pass users converting to BES12 [...] Pipeline is building but conversion has been slow.

BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY) FY16 Revenue Forecast Downgraded At Raymond James

By: MARTIN BLANC
Published: Jun 15, 2015 at 4:20 pm EST

In a sell-side research report, Raymond James has reiterated a Market Perform (MP) rating on BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) stock. This is based on themanagement’s $600 million software target for fiscal year 2016 (FY16) to help offset the ongoing decline in the company’s service access fee (SAF) revenue. However, there are many challenges to achieve the software target, as there is low optimism on EZ Pass conversions and value-added services.

It should be noted that EZ Pass is customers’ ticket to deploy the BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 (and its upgrade BES 12) at no cost, when they upgrade from BES 5 and from mobile device management (MDM) vendors.

The firm has revised BlackBerry’s first quarter of fiscal 2016 (1QFY16) revenue forecast from $709 million to $668 million, while the EPS has remained at $0.06. This is below the Street’s consensus of $704 million.

The research report has estimated that the company shipped 1.4 million mobile units during 1QFY16, a 13% year-over-year (YoY) decrease. The low forecast is based on the premise that BlackBerry Passport remains a niche product. The research also estimates that the recent layoffs in the hardware segment will keep the segment gross margin positive.

The firm forecasts $100 million in software revenue, which would translate into a $33 million (or a 49% increase QoQ if realized, with contributions from EZ Pass users who convert to BlackBerry Enterprise Service 12 (BES12). The company announced that 2,200 customers will pay for BES12, with the management stating that $13 million of revenues/bookings last quarter were influenced by EZ Pass. The company has predicted a high EZ Pass conversion for the quarter.

BlackBerry’s value-added services are attractive, but the conversion rate and customer traction are slow. Services that may lead to high traction include “WorkLife,” which relates to the oneSIM, two number program, and BBM meetings feature, which is currently in the trial stage. The research report estimates that increasing traction form these services could significantly expand the average revenue per users (ARPU), and help offset the decline in SAF revenues.

SAFrevenues

The report forecasts 1QFY16 SAF revenue to be $265 million, which reflects a 14% QoQ decline, and a 49% YoY fall. SAF revenue forecast for FY16 is $860 million. Thus, the company shows little promise on the SAF revenue front.

The research states that BlackBerry has $3.3 billion in cash, with a $1.7 billion debt. The company’s management expects positive FCF during every quarter of FY16. Recently, the company also announced a buyback program of 12 million shares (2.6% of floating shares).

Rating and Price Target

Raymond James has reiterated a Market Perform rating on BlackBerry stock, and $11 TP.

[Corbu]

5 Ways to Cut Costs While Improving Supercharging Mobile Collaboration | Inside BlackBerry for Business Blog

[bungaboy]

OT: Canada's competition watchdog seeks details from wireless carriers in Apple probe

Canada's competition watchdog seeks details from wireless carriers in Apple probe

CHRISTINE DOBBY and JEFF GRAY
The Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Jun. 15, 2015 3:09PM EDT
Last updated Monday, Jun. 15, 2015 4:58PM EDT

The federal competition watchdog is turning to Canada’s wireless carriers in a bid to gather more information as part of its continuing investigation into Apple Inc.

The Competition Bureau has filed applications with the Federal Court of Canada seeking information from eight Canadian wireless carriers related to how they set the prices of smartphones and service contracts as well as the number of devices the companies must purchase from Apple.

The bureau launched a probe in March, 2014, of whether Apple – and its Canadian subsidiary Apple Canada Inc. – imposed contractual obligations on Canadian wireless carriers that led to inflated cellphone service and device prices.

The bureau has alleged in court filings that terms around the sale and marketing of iPhones to customers may discourage carriers from cutting prices or using other enticements to sell handsets that compete with the iPhone. The agreements could also encourage the wireless providers to maintain or increase the price of monthly service related to competing devices, the competition authority has said.

Although the bureau has not made any finding that Apple did engage in anti-competitive conduct, the investigation became public when the competition watchdog went to court in December for an order compelling Apple to turn over records related to the negotiation and enforcement of its agreements with Canadian carriers.

In an affidavit filed with the court this month, bureau officer Shannon Kack said Apple produced about 46,000 records this March in response to the order. But the competition authority is now seeking further information that Apple either did not provide or which would only be in the carriers’ possession.

Ms. Kack stated in her affidavit, which was filed in support of a motion for disclosure from Rogers Communications Inc., that the bureau has filed concurrent applications against the following wireless providers seeking similar orders: BCE Inc.’s Bell Mobility Inc., Telus Corp., Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.’s MTS Inc., SaskTel, Tbaytel, Bragg Communications Inc. (which operates Eastlink Wireless) and Quebecor Inc.’s Vid�otron Ltd. (BCE owns 15 per cent of The Globe and Mail.)

The Federal Court scheduled a three-hour block of time on Monday to hear the bureau’s motion for disclosure orders against the carriers.

“We’re still at the point of gathering information,” Competition Bureau spokeswoman Gabrielle Tass� said Monday, noting that the watchdog has yet to determine whether an enforcement action is warranted or not. “The focus does remain on the alleged anti-competitive clauses that Apple Canada might have had.”

Ms. Tass� added that the bureau conducts its work on a confidential basis: “So there’s not much more to say at this point.”

A spokeswoman for Apple Canada was not immediately available for a comment Monday.

In the initial stages of its investigation last year, the bureau asked a number of wireless carriers for information. But in her affidavit specific to the motion for disclosure from Rogers, Ms. Kack said the bureau did not ask for “quantitative data” at the time.

She said the bureau is now seeking descriptions from Rogers regarding: How it sets retail prices of iPhones; how it establishes its wireless service plans for use with any type of smartphone; and the number of handsets shipped or sold on a monthly basis as well as discounts, promotions or rebates provided to Rogers under its agreements with suppliers other than Apple.

The bureau sent Rogers a letter in May outlining its intention to seek an order from the Federal Court. Ms. Kack said during a subsequent conference call, the company’s in-house legal team said the order requested “was the largest data request that had been made of Rogers and the [bureau] was requesting information about millions of transactions ”

The bureau had similar conversations with other carriers and Ms. Kack said it amended its requested order to narrow the scope in some ways and to extend the time period for the carriers to deliver the information to 75 days from 30 days.

[theRock1975]

I would think a VM is also out of the question - from what we know although google will customize the agreements on a few things - there are a few that seems to unshiftable and not open for debate - one of those seems to be that a device* using GAPPS *must* boot to android, must have the google app suite on the home screen, must have google search as default and , must provide user data to google, (I think but not sure about this one) must have a google search widget on home screen.

I'm not sure that you know what a VM is. Are you thinking of Dual boot? ex. Windows/Linux? That's not it at all.

To me, the Movirtu acquisition, the launch of QNX HyperVisor and 64-bit memory addressing, and the fact that "customers will only need to carry one phone" are all pointing to the same conclusion. That and:

QNX Hypervisor

Guest support

Release 1.0 of the QNX Hypervisor supports the QNX Neutrino� OS 6.6 and 6.5, Linux and Android. OS support will be expanded in future releases.

It's on the QNX website. Hypervisor CAN run an Android VM.

Edit: I'm pretty sure they checked with Google before attempting such a feat.

[digitalsurfboard]

i've been too busy to comment, but i've been thinking about this latest blackberry running android rumour.

i can't see blackberry releasing a phone with android as it's OS. doesn't make sense. they've stated repeatedly that they are focusing on being a software company. the profitability of hardware is questionable. and finally, samsung would itself prefer to not ship it's phones with android. they've poured enough resources into Tizen.

if foxconn (or samsung) makes the phone and google makes the OS. wtf would blackberry be doing? securing it? let's be real, nobody cares about security.

i can see samsung licensing bb10 before blackberry makes a phone and ships it with android. maybe samsung runs a Tizen skin over bb10 for high end phones and native Tizen on cheap phones.

hopefully we get google play services.

and one more thing. i think it's irresponsible of the editor of this site to post a poll about a rumour

" Since then, the rumors and speculation presented in that report have been spun several different ways. The information has been passed around so much now that one would almost be forgiven for mistaking it for fact"

that's what he says in the intro blurb. criticizing the FUD but fanning the flames at the same time.

[spiller]

MS and GS will reiterate their sell/underweight on Friday morning before the open. June monthly options expiry. Two days prior to earnings. It will also be the night after the Greece bankrollers meet to discuss that fiasco. I expect an ugly Friday.....

[kfh227]

i've been too busy to comment, but i've been thinking about this latest blackberry running android rumour.

i can't see blackberry releasing a phone with android as it's OS. doesn't make sense. they've stated repeatedly that they are focusing on being a software company. the profitability of hardware is questionable. and finally, samsung would itself prefer to not ship it's phones with android. they've poured enough resources into Tizen.

if foxconn (or samsung) makes the phone and google makes the OS. wtf would blackberry be doing? securing it? let's be real, nobody cares about security.

i can see samsung licensing bb10 before blackberry makes a phone and ships it with android. maybe samsung runs a Tizen skin over bb10 for high end phones and native Tizen on cheap phones.

hopefully we get google play services.

and one more thing. i think it's irresponsible of the editor of this site to post a poll about a rumour

" Since then, the rumors and speculation presented in that report have been spun several different ways. The information has been passed around so much now that one would almost be forgiven for mistaking it for fact"

that's what he says in the intro blurb. criticizing the FUD but fanning the flames at the same time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synergy

[cgk]

I'm not sure that you know what a VM is. Are you thinking of Dual boot? ex. Windows/Linux? That's not it at all.




It's on the QNX website. Hypervisor CAN run an Android VM.

Edit: I'm pretty sure they checked with Google before attempting such a feat.

No I know what a VM is my post before that covered dual-boots - using a hypervisor to run an Android VM would be technically achievable but not going to happen because of Google's control of GAPPS - it just doesn't fit into the *business* model they have nor the things you have to do to get compliance. Or to think about this another way - what's the point of the VM when the device *has* to boot into android to pass the test.

[Superfly_FR]

“People want to build a connected experience in a low-end car. This is not a competitive situation with Android Auto and CarPlay. They’ve driven huge opportunities for us to engage in.”

And I'm singin' (Told ya she would be ;-))

[georg4BB]

...
if foxconn (or samsung) makes the phone and google makes the OS. wtf would blackberry be doing? securing it? let's be real, nobody cares about security.
..
.

I read this sentece over and over again everywhere and I respectfully disagree. Nobody cares? I would say 5-10 % care, depending on the country where you look. The number could easily double when people are waking up.
I would say, half of people I know care. Most of them are on Android but with bad feelings. They just think, they have no choice anymore and BlackBerry is completely out of their view. A marketing campaign targeting the privacy problem of Android could shift a few percent of Androids marketshare to other platforms. Apple and Microsoft are doing this right now, I recently received an email from Microsoft with exactly this intension.
"Nobody cares about security" is just plain wrong.

[Superfly_FR]

I'm puzzled. Why anyone should consider anything else between BlackBerry and Google than a takeover ?
IF EVER something between those two elephant-mouse players should happen this would be in that direction, sooner than later.
So, JMHO tick it of, Google Services included.

In the Android scope, only two players are in the game right now, namely Amazon and Samsung.
Shall someone build a scenario, those would be the starting point, either with a "end of collaboration" or "enhanced collaboration". Again, we have to sit in a dynamic thinking, looking forward. That's how - I believe - John Chen is acting; bets for the near future.

My once favorite takeover candidate (MSFT) is back in the game; not for takeover but due to the new relationship they've set with Samsung and what it'll mean in terms of services (Like maps, weather and so on) and apps (office365 at the very first level).

Remember we're in the enterprise segment and as plausible some comments regarding consumers and Google Play Services wills are, it's not even part of the mix right now and would imply huge shift in technical approach and marketing expenses and -very likely- scare many historical clients.

The more I comment this rumor (errr, I shouldn't as an Elite and stick literally to the official statement) the more I believe there's irrational exaggeration due to the publication rehash cycles; each and everyone trying to expand his view over a vague statement, yet taking Reuter's OP as brick and mortar. It's still a rumor.

Please note I'm not exempt of this default and my personal view may be as well driven by the fact that if ever BlackBerry drops BB10 [exclusively] in favor of Google's Android, as I wrote many times, I'll quit the mothership and anything promoting the brand.
But there's nothing tending me in that direction right now.

[theRock1975]

Or to think about this another way - what's the point of the VM when the device *has* to boot into android to pass the test.

The point of a VM is to load the OS In its entirety. It is the implementation of the Android VM that needs to pass "the test".

Posted via CB10

[cgk]

The point of a VM is to load the OS In its entirety. It is the implementation of the Android VM that needs to pass "the test".

Posted via CB10

You are still thinking about this from a technical point of view:

TLDR version: The tests aren't really technical tests, they are simply the way google bullies partners.Google isn't interested in certifying devices that don't provide data to them on a 24/7 basis.


Longer version: the issue is really this - we know from skyhook and other leaked documents and emails that the point of the tests (like Android Compatibility Test Suite and Android Compatibility Definition) is simply "whatever google wants the tests to say on any given day*" - the outcome is always the same -

* the device only has android on it
* it only boots into android
* it always provides user data to google
* it always has google search
* it always uses google location service
* it always has the google apps on the first screen a user sees
* it always prompts a user to sign directly into google services.

If someone can point me to an outcome where that is not the case or google has allowed an OEM to provide GAPPS in an VM I'd love to see it. One of the real reason it will never happen is because it would give Samsung a wedge to do the same and they just don't want that.


* Google reserve the right to change the tests at any point *even during testing*. Google also can stop you shipping devices.

[notafanofyou]

^^^^^^^Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz^^^^^^^ some people know it all without knowing nothing. To much talk about a rumor which may or may not be true and who's terms are unknown if it is true.

Posted via CB10

[cgk]

Well this is fairly easy - if Google certifies GAPPS to run in a vm or on a dual boot - I will give $100 to the first person to suggest a charity

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

[TimJohnSmith]

So with the forecasted earnings being downgraded by multiple analysts. What are the thoughts of those here?

Tim Smith from my Z10 on Rogers

[theRock1975]

Well this is fairly easy - if Google certifies GAPPS to run in a vm or on a dual boot - I will give $100 to the first person to suggest a charity

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

Excellent!!

Operation Smile.

Posted via CB10

[theRock1975]

[double post]

[Shanerredflag]

So with the forecasted earnings being downgraded by multiple analysts. What are the thoughts of those here?

Tim Smith from my Z10 on Rogers

The three regular characters will dooms day the results, use the blocks of shares they bought to drive the price down, manipulate the retail crowd and bank a ton-o-cash....you know, same as every ER.

Classically Posted.

[Shanerredflag]

Nice read on HTML5, Netfix :
Netflix Comes to BlackBerry 10: https://mobilesyrup.com/2015/06/15/n...endly-website/


http://blog.netflix.com/2015/06/the-...grade.html?m=1

I found these at UTB.
Netflix Comes to BlackBerry 10:
http://utbblogs.com/netflix-comes-to-blackberry-10/


Classically Posted.

[Kris Erickson]

Well this is fairly easy - if Google certifies GAPPS to run in a vm or on a dual boot - I will give $100 to the first person to suggest a charity

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

The Charity of Kris. We're a small company that just seems to try and help one individual