Black Berry: Good news for Mac owners, bad news for Middle East users
Research In Motion has unveiled a Mac edition of its BlackBerry desktop management software. But the news has been overshadowed by a privacy row in the United Arab Emirates.
The Mac tool, based on an existing tool for Windows, will be available from September. As well as allowing computer users an easier way of updating their handset’s software and adding and removing applications, it will include integration with iTunes such as easy syncing of playlists. There will also be automatic back-up and encryption features.
The move could help RIM do particularly well among small businesses which use Macs and are currently deterred from equipping staff with BlackBerrys (which would otherwise be a first choice for many corporate users) thanks to the lack of desktop software.
Meanwhile Blackberry users in the United Arab Emirates have discovered a software update sent out by a local carrier is actually spyware. Etislat sent a text messages to customers suggesting they download the update for increased performance.
Suspicion grew when users found the update in fact left their phones with shortened battery life and reception problems, with some handsets stopping working completely. It’s now known that the update included an application produced by Californian firm SS8, which the BBC says specializes in “lawful electronic intercept and surveillance solutions.”
RIM, which did not authorize the update, has confirmed that after “the installed software could then enable unauthorized access to private or confidential information stored on the user’s smartphone.” It recommends users remove the update and has produced an automated tool for doing this at http://na.blackberry.com/eng/ataglance/security/regappremover.jsp
The firm also warned while most users will automatically trust their network provider, any application or update claiming to improve network performance is almost certainly bogus unless it comes from RIM itself. It’s issued guidelines to allow users to exercise greater control over applications installed via an update.
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