Google to fix phone bug that misdirects text messages

A small number of phones using Google's Android system have been affected.

Google says it will fix a mobile phone bug that mistakenly sends text messages to the wrong people.

The glitch, which has hit a small portion of the company's Android mobile phones, first emerged last year.

Those affected say some of their texts have ended up in the hands of random recipients.

After investigating the issue, Google said it had "developed a fix" and would be rolling it out soon.

It is nearly a year since the problem was first reported, although the number of incidents appeared to increase last summer.

Initial examinations confused the problem with another, similar bug - but the company admitted yesterday that some users have seen their messages delivered to the incorrect recipient.

"It took us some time to reproduce this issue, as it appears that it's only occurring very rarely," said Nik Kralevich, an engineer on the Android security team.

"Even so, we've now managed to both reproduce it and develop a fix that we will deploy."

It is not clear, however, when users will actually receive the fix - or how it would happen.

Some mobile bugs require a complete software update - which would require plugging affected handsets into a computer - while others can be fixed remotely.

Potentially embarrassing

Although the company was keen to stress that only a tiny fraction of users have reported problems, some users say it has proven embarrassing and potentially costly.

"Today I sent a text asking about a contract from a potential employer - and it went to my current boss," wrote one user on Google's bug forum.

"If this hurts my career, I will be looking into legal action."

Tracking down the bug has become increasingly important for Google since Android - its system to power smartphones - has grown massively in popularity over the past year.

It has rocketed from having a share of just 3% of the worldwide smart phone market in 2009 to more than 25% today.

Most users affected suggested it is an inconvenient, rather than crippling, problem - but those who have experienced the glitch say that it has been troubling.

"I don't know where the SMS messages are going," Christina Bunce, a university programme leader from Falmouth, told the BBC.

"But I can see they have been sent and never arrived."

Google's Nexus One Photos

"GooglePhone", the Nexus One has been officially unveiled by Google (in chagrin with HTC) at its much talked about Android Press Event earlier today.It is the first time Google has designed and sold its own consumer hardware device.The phone, termed by Google as a "superphone".

The unlocked Nexus One would set you back by a cool USD 529, (Rs.25,000) which seems to be a good price for the phone of this calibre. That by the way sure does not look like the price at which the Nexus One will arrive officially in India! That said, the current iteration of the phone does NOT support the 3G bands that will be operational in India (hopefully, this year). However, Google has confirmed that more localized versions of the Nexus One is on the anvil -- so we have that bit covered.
For now, we leave you with a few snapshots and tid bits about the device.







Photo Gallery

Forex

$200 Freescale Nudges Smartbook

Even as the rumors continue to fly about a tablet computer forthcoming from Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), Freescale Semiconductor on Monday unveiled its own reference design for a smartbook that will be priced at less than US$200.

The device uses Freescale’s very own SoC (system-on-chip) – the i.MX515. This little chip contains enough power to browse the web and watch flash videos. There can be up to 64GB of internal flash memory storage, 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS functionality, optional 3G broadband and a three-megapixel camera. For those who feel like using a real keyboard to type emails out, Freescale has you covered – apparently there’s some sorta keyboard accessory that you slide the tablet onto. Take a look:

The first public trial, or beta, version of Windows 7 has been released.

January 8, 2009 - The first public trial, or beta, version of Windows 7 has been released. Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer used his keynote speech at CES to announce that software developers would get at the trial version on 7 January.

Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer used his keynote speech at CES to announce that software developers would get at the trial version on 7 January.

On 9 January members of the public will get the chance to download the successor to Windows for themselves.

Mr Ballmer said Windows 7 would be the pivot of a broader Microsoft push to improve the way its separate software and service families work together.

On 9 January members of the public will get the chance to download the successor to Windows for themselves.

Mr Ballmer said Windows 7 would be the pivot of a broader Microsoft push to improve the way its separate software and service families work together.

In delivering the opening keynote, Mr Ballmer has taken over from Bill Gates - who in 2008 bowed out of day-to-day involvement with the company he founded.

In a nod to the chilly economic climate, Mr Ballmer said: "We face some really big challenges. We are all feeling it and its impact will likely be with us for some time."

But, he said, the global economic slowdown would not hobble the pace of technological change.

"I believe our digital lives will only continue to get richer," said Mr Ballmer. "There's no turning back from the connected world."

The newest version of the Windows operating system would, he said, be the "linchpin" of an effort to make it easier for customers to do more with the different Microsoft gadgets and services they use.