ITy Bytes 22 October: News from OPPO; Nokia; Avast dodgy flashlight apps; Best mobile network

ITY Bytes 22 October

ITy Bytes 22 October – in this edition

  • OPPO charges up VOOC with 65W;
  • Nokia 6.2 release;
  • 4G feature phone – Nokia 220;
  • Tough phone – Nokia 800;
  • Avast finds flashlight apps requesting up to 77 permissions;
  • Telstra mobile network for the best mobile experience – Optus pretty good too

Ity Bytes 22 October is brief, curated news for those who want to know

ITy Bytes 22 October

OPPO charges up VOOC with 65W

OPPO now has the next generation of flash charge technologies – 65W SuperVOOC Fast Charge 2.0 and 30W Wireless VOOC Flash Charge.

SuperVOOC 2.0 can safely fully charge a 4000mAh battery in just 30 minutes. OPPO has placed five safety protection measures throughout the adapter, wire and handset to ensure maximum safety during charging. 

30W Wireless VOOC and on par with wired VOOC 1.0 charging speed. It allows a 4000mAh battery to reach a full charge within 80 minutes. Compatible with the QI standard, it also supports a charging power of 5W or 10W, delivering a charging experience on par with that of wired VOOC Flash Charge. 

Michael Tran, OPPO Australian MD said

Power-draining apps and the emerging 5G network generates new demand for increased battery life and better charging experience. OPPO has continuously upgraded its VOOC charging technologies, allowing users to charge whenever they want with however much time they have in their everyday lives.”

ITy Bytes 22 October OPPO

Nokia 6.2 (Update May 2020 – now with Android 10)

The Nokia 6.2 is the first 6 series smartphone to premiere a triple camera and PureDisplay technology, bringing HDR entertainment and advanced cameras.

Features include:

  • PureDisplay technology powered by a dedicated visual processor that delivers up to one billion shades of colour
  • Combination of AI-features and a powerful triple sensor camera letting users capture detailed images, bokeh portraits and stunning wide-angle shots
  • A dedicated Pixelworks visual processor, upscaling video content to HDR quality in real-time
  • Signature two-day battery life
  •  

Nokia 6.2 is Android 10 ready and will receive guaranteed monthly security updates for three years and OS upgrades for two years

Nokia phones rank #1 globally for software updates and security, a study by Counterpoint has found; more information here

In Ceramic Black and Ice from Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys for $399.

Nokia 220 4G

The classic Nokia feature phone is back, supporting HD voice calls over 4G LTE and allowing users to surf their favourite websites using the web browser, or share updates and content with friends and family with social media. Features include:

  • Stereo radio and games including Snake
  • Durable, inherently coloured polycarbonate shell that features a classic and familiar design from Nokia
  • Allows you to browse the web and stay up to date with friends and family on Facebook
  • Features long-lasting battery life

The Nokia 220 4G comes with a bonus 16GB MicroSD card, in both Black and Blue at Harvey Norman, Big W, The Good Guys and JB Hi-Fi for $79.

Nokia 800

This is the first rugged Nokia phone. Dust and waterproof, the Nokia 800 Tough is designed to withstand drops and extreme temperatures, making it an ideal companion phone for demanding worksites and adventurous travels.

 The device is military-grade MIL-STD-810G compliant, meaning it’s built and tested to meet military standards and to survive conditions as low as -20C or as high as 55C. Key features:

  • 2.4-inch QVGA
  • 2MP camera
  • Qualcomm SD205, 512MB, 4GB/microSD to 32GB, runs KaiOS (not Android)
  • Wi-FI N and BT 4.1
  • 2100mAH battery micro-USB charger
  • Google Assistant, Whatsapp and Facebook and Wi-Fi hotspot providing 4G LTE connection.
  • User can download apps from the growing KaiOS app store.
  • Built to withstand drops onto concrete from 1.8m.
  • Loop to easily attach to a backpack, wrist or lanyard and a bright, dedicated flashlight

The Nokia 800 Tough comes in Black Steel and will be available from Harvey Norman (in-store and online) and JB Hi-Fi (online only) for $189.

Avast finds flashlight apps requesting up to 77 permissions.

 Avast security software has found that Android flashlight applications request an average of 25 permissions. Using apklab.io, Avast’s mobile threat intelligence platform, Avast analysed the permissions requested by 937 flashlight apps that either once made it onto the Google Play Store or are still available on the Store. Out of these, 408 request 10 permissions or less, 267 request between 11 and 49 permissions, and 262 apps request between 50 and 77 permissions.

Avast says that it is inconceivable what a simple flashlight on/off app needs any permissions apart from camera/flash access and you guessed it – these apps were stealing and selling your data or targeting you with advertisements. Many were after the gold in your contacts list.

The top ten worst offenders are

ITy Bytes 22 Ocrober flashlght
No. App Name Permissions Downloads
1 Ultra Color Flashlight 77 100,000
2 Super Bright Flashlight 77 100,000
3 Flashlight Plus 76 1,000,000
4 Brightest LED Flashlight — Multi LED & SOS Mode 76 100,000
5 Fun Flashlight SOS mode & Multi LED 76 100,000
6 Super Flashlight LED & Morse code 74 1,000,000
7 FlashLight – Brightest Flash Light 71 1,000,000
8 Flashlight for Samsung (not a Samsung app) 70 500,000
9 Flashlight – Brightest LED Light & Call Flash 68 1,000,000
10 Free Flashlight – Brightest LED, Call Screen 68 500,000

Avast’s best advice is to go to settings, apps and look at each downloaded app permissions and turn off unnecessary ones.

Telstra mobile network for the best mobile experience – Optus pretty good too

Tutela has released its Australia and New Zealand State of Mobile Networks report. It is an independent crowdsourced data company with a global panel of over 300 million smartphone users. It measures consistent quality and core quality of the network – not the operators or its many MNO’s service or performance.

Its findings reflect Opensignal’s report, which measures speed and coverage although here Optus comes out on top.

Tutela says Telstra led for Consistent Quality and median upload throughput. It drew with Optus for the for both Core Consistent Quality and median download throughput, while Vodafone Australia led for latency (Vodafone is mainly in capital cities).

ITy Bytes 22 October Tutela

ITy Bytes 22 October is a curated look at recent news.

Vendors and Agencies should send releases to news@gadgetguy.com.au