Report finds that factory reset on Android devices don’t wipe all the data

If you thought factory resetting your smartphone before selling it would wipe all the data on it, then this new report debunks that idea. Security software firm Avast bought 20 different Android phones on eBay and used data-recovery tools on all of them. They were able to uncover 40,000 photos (over 1,500 family photos and around 250 photos of someone’s “manhood”), 250 contacts with names and addresses, loan applications, 750 emails, and even a completed sexual harassment course.

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Apple's iBeacon hardware revealed in FCC application

Apple's iBeacon technology allows for low-powered transmitters to recognize nearby devices and push localized information. This is useful for retailers or business owners wanting to reach out to customers to push sales and product information. Various third party manufacturers have built iBeacon devices but it looks like Apple is stepping in and looking to create their own line of iBeacon optimized hardware. An FCC application revealed Apple might be considering its own iBeacon devices and while there's no indication this will be made available to to the consumer market, some analysts are seeing the potential of using iBeacons for the connected home via Apple's HomeKit which is their framework for controlling and communicating with connected devices. iBeacon has been kept generally under wraps even if the use of these devices is becoming widespread.

Retailers like Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, JCPenney, Old Navy, Sports Authority, Target and others are said to be testing the implementation of iBeacons, which are optimized for iPhones but will also work with other smartphones, albeit in a limited capacity.

Source: Appleinsider

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup 7/6-7/12

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Google adds Canadian French and 12 other languages to Gmail

Encryption bug prevents paid apps from working on Android Wear devices

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Motorola Moto E gets Android 4.4.4 update in Canada

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Google Maps for iOS gets improved search capabilities, shows appointments

Sony announces plans to sell white version of PS4 separately from ‘Destiny’

Cheaper Chromebooks might be on their way

Google helps ease the pain of Brazilians over World Cup loss, filters search trend news

Google said they don’t want to rub salt to the wounds of Brazil after its horrifying loss to Germany in the World Cup semi-finals. Google told NPR that the company’s experimental social newsroom has avoided covering some of the bigger Brazil-related search trends during the match because they were too negative. Producer Sam Clohesy said the decision was made based on pure sympathy and the desire to go viral.