The recent malware attack through Android Market left users disoriented. It all began in the month of February, when some applications such as Bowling Time and Dice Roller were posted on Android Market, and it was later discovered that the apps were actually trojans. Once these apps were installed, they kept a backdoor in the Android smartphones open so they could download more malware from the internet.

There were a total of 58 such apps which had been removed by Google as on March 1. According to estimates, about 260,000 Android phones had already been infected by that time. Google also assured users that the apps accessed only IMEI numbers of phones and other personal information was not compromised.

An underlying problem still remains in phones; only the package of the bug has been removed. The security hole created by malware apps still remains. The fact that these apps were getting root access (meaning they could modify the system files) makes the matter even more complicated.

Another complicated part is the number of customised Android builds available in the market, since each handset manufacturer creates its own version of Android operating system. Despite the release of an updated version of Android, there are still several handsets which run an older version of the OS, and are still vulnerable.

If these phones have to be fixed, the updates first have to come from handset companies, which will be passed on to carriers and then to customers after another round of testing. The updates might end up affecting the network as well, so it’s highly unlikely that they will take a risk with the update.

Despite the diversity, there are some steps users can take irrespective of which Android phone they are using. The first and most obvious action is, users should not download anything outside the Android Market. The apps being downloaded, for example, may ask for access to users’ SMSs and contacts, which may sound very unreasonable if all it talks about is recipes or health advice.

However, there are several Android apps which are open all the time, especially the ones selected as widgets on the home screen. Use the task manager App to find out which of the apps are opening without any rhyme or reason, and remove them.

The users who root (get modify access to the system files) their phones to run some program actually end up removing protection around the phone kernel. Such phones are more susceptible to those malicious apps which ask for root access.

Other small steps users can take to secure their mobile devices include treating their phones more like computers, which they actually are. Avoid visiting unknown places from the mobile phone browser, and unknown links should not be clicked on either.

Fraudulent apps can also be identified by their file images or simply by their names. Last but not least, it is important to install a security software (or antivirus), as users already do on their desktops or laptops.

Once upon a time the pager had a ubiquitous role only to be wiped out by the mobile phones which devoid the former of all its role. In a similar way, when Kindle e-book readers arrived, people speculated the death of the print industry.

Others believed it would actually help the cause of the literature. Then came the tablets, which worked as computers, easier computers actually, and also doubled up as e-book readers. As readers, where do these developments leave us?

The e-books are rising rapidly, or so says Amazon, and this gives rise to concerns by Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison.

“My biggest concern is that the technology will continue to widen the gap,” she told Reuters. “It won’t just be the digital divide but also a reading divide if reading becomes an activity that’s now dependent on technology”.

The concern looks legitimate when the price of a regular book (Rs 300&#151500) is considered, whereas about Rs 10,000 would be needed to buy an e-book reader. But then, we can’t discount the fact that a single Kindle device can hold about 1500 non illustrated books (with reduced search speed).

So who will exactly buy an e-book?

Gadget freaks just need the first sign of technology they hadn’t seen earlier and they are hooked. Then there are hard core readers, who just love the words, in whatever form they come. If they come in the form of e-book readers, where they can store so many more books that what they could access in their libraries, so much the better.

Apart from Kindle, there are other good e-book readers also, such as Nook from ‘Barnes and Noble’. There are also devices from Samsung and Sony. The popular tablets are iPad from Apple, Galaxy from Samsung, Xoom from Motorola.

Apart from the younger readers, even readers over 50 are buying such devices.

People belonging to this group are heavy readers and have been loyal followers of conventional print books. Things became more interesting when Kindle claimed their e-readers had sold more than the Harry Potter books.

With the arrival of video, radio was believed to be killed. The truth is, today both the media coexist side by side, without disturbing each other.

Similarly, e-book and tablet may conveniently agree to live with the other.

Acer today launched its latest Android based smartphone the Acer Liquid Metal.

Based on the Android 2.2 (Froyo) platform, it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon Core Processor enabling the user to enjoy uninterrupted web navigation at a super speed.

The Liquid Metal is equipped with a curved 3.6″ display with a TFT capacitive touch screen.

The Liquid Metal utilises HSDPA for on-the-go Internet access at speeds upto 14.4Mbps as well as WiFi allowing data transfer 10 times faster than previous devices.

The LED signal on the upper part of the telephone notifies the user of missed calls, the need to charge the battery, and new incoming messages clearly.

Acer Liquid Metal’s 1500 mAh battery coupled with intelligent power management means you have up to 8 hours Talk time and 550 hours in standby mode.

Acer Liquid Metal comes with 3 popular keyboard layouts. Clever XT9 predictive text support saves you typing unnecessarily and lets you send messages as fast as your fingers can move.

Other features include pinch to zoom feature, 5-megapixel camera with digital zoom, LED flash, free 8GB Micro SD Card (expandable up to 32GB).

It has four touch sensitive control buttons below the touch screen display that gives the user the access to all basic functions of the phone without having to use the touch screen display.

The 5-megapixel camera offers 720p HD video recording as well as Autofocus and smile recognition and the Dolby surround sound enhance the video-watching experience.

The Acer smartphone has a new Acer interface, Breeze which allows information to be visible even when the screen is locked. Breeze also allows the user’s to customise their home screen and re-arrange their applications according to their specific needs.

Announcing the launch, S Rajendran, chief marketing officer, Acer India, said, “Powered by a new breed of processors, the Android platform and wireless connectivity, Acer Liquid Metal enables fast and efficient web browsing while providing a host of other unique features that makes it an ideal Smartphone. We will be launching more smartphones in the near future to meet with the growing demands of our consumers.”

Acer Liquid Metal is priced at Rs 20,500.