Qualcomm integrating smartphone kill switch into Snapdragon processors

[XTankSlayerX]

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On the hardware side of things, Qualcomm has announced they are working on a solution for stolen and lost devices called SafeSwitch, which will allow users to remotely lock their devices to secure personal information. Once the device is found, it can then be unlocked and re-activated.

This SafeSwitch technology integrates hardware and software since it’s being designed in tandem with Qualcomm processors. The hardware and software security begins working when the device boots up, so it’s not going to be something that’s easy to circumvent.

Source: http://www.talkandroid.com/232789-qualcomm-integrating-smartphone-kill-switch-into-snapdragon-processors/?utm_source=feedburner-ta&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AndroidNewsGoogleAndroidForums+%28TalkAndroid+-+Android+News%2C+Rumours%2C+and+Updates%29

I remember phones getting these in a software form but it's nice that Qualcomm has started doing this with their hardware

[Sumsar]

[LAwLz]

Bad

I don't want a kill switch on my device. It's just a backdoor that will inevitably be exploited by either some US government agency (hello NSA) or some hacker.

[ERSCreeper]

This is something awesome!

[Sumsar]

Bad

I don't want a kill switch on my device. It's just a backdoor that will inevitably be exploited by either some US government agency (hello NSA) or some hacker.

But what if you for some reason need to kill off you phone? Then it's a handy feature.

[Jasmin]

Cool for personal security. Bad once nsa gets its hands on it, then best korea gets their hands on nsa mass killswitch and shitstorm happens

[qwertywarrior]

yeah ... this wont be abused at all ....

[LAwLz]

But what if you for some reason need to kill off you phone? Then it's a handy feature.

You don't need to do that in proprietary hardware. With Android 5.0 encryption is on by default so this won't add any extra protection for your personal files (they are already safe). As for bricking the device so that thieves can't use it, I am pretty sure there are a dozen services that does that in software (Android already has it built in).

One of the "features" of this is "resist chip replacement" which to me sounds like "if you try to repair your phone, it will stop working". Phone manufacturers would probably like that a lot. Since it also checks for firmware changes it might become harder to root devices.

 

Another bad thing that's included with this is what Qualcomm calls "Snapdragon StudioAccess". It's a special technology for video encryption that movie studios can use. Why is this bad? Because it means movie studios will be able to make videos that only work on Qualcomm devices. If you buy a movie that's "Snapdragon StudioAccess Certified" or whatever it will be called, then it won't work on non-Qualcomm devices.

 

 

I see a ton of drawbacks with this, and no benefits. How about we develop a standard for hardware accelerated encryption for eMMC instead of wasting time and resources on bullshit security that will most likely just end up hurting consumers instead.

[Sumsar]

You don't need to do that in proprietary hardware. With Android 5.0 encryption is on by default so this won't add any extra protection for your personal files (they are already safe). As for bricking the device so that thieves can't use it, I am pretty sure there are a dozen services that does that in software (Android already has it built in).

One of the "features" of this is "resist chip replacement" which to me sounds like "if you try to repair your phone, it will stop working". Phone manufacturers would probably like that a lot. Since it also checks for firmware changes it might become harder to root devices.

 

Another bad thing that's included with this is what Qualcomm calls "Snapdragon StudioAccess". It's a special technology for video encryption that movie studios can use. Why is this bad? Because it means movie studios will be able to make videos that only work on Qualcomm devices. If you buy a movie that's "Snapdragon StudioAccess Certified" or whatever it will be called, then it won't work on non-Qualcomm devices.

 

 

I see a ton of drawbacks with this, and no benefits. How about we develop a standard for hardware accelerated encryption for eMMC instead of wasting time and resources on bullshit security that will most likely just end up hurting consumers instead.

Didn't know that android has encryption :0 (I've only tried ios and Windoes phone). 

 

Anyways, I get it now. 

[ForsakenLive]

I'm fine if it's a hardware kill switch that can't be acceded by some jackass.

[zacRupnow]

Well I'm never getting a device with new Qualcomm parts ever. NSA. Help me Intel Mobile Division your my only hope.

[LukaP]

I'm fine if it's a hardware kill switch that can't be acceded by some jackass.

do you think it wont be even easier to get screwed over with hardware?, you can disable/uninstall software, hardware is there to stay

 

Bad

I don't want a kill switch on my device. It's just a backdoor that will inevitably be exploited by either some US government agency (hello NSA) or some hacker.

 

 

You don't need to do that in proprietary hardware. With Android 5.0 encryption is on by default so this won't add any extra protection for your personal files (they are already safe). As for bricking the device so that thieves can't use it, I am pretty sure there are a dozen services that does that in software (Android already has it built in).

One of the "features" of this is "resist chip replacement" which to me sounds like "if you try to repair your phone, it will stop working". Phone manufacturers would probably like that a lot. Since it also checks for firmware changes it might become harder to root devices.

 

Another bad thing that's included with this is what Qualcomm calls "Snapdragon StudioAccess". It's a special technology for video encryption that movie studios can use. Why is this bad? Because it means movie studios will be able to make videos that only work on Qualcomm devices. If you buy a movie that's "Snapdragon StudioAccess Certified" or whatever it will be called, then it won't work on non-Qualcomm devices.

 

 

I see a ton of drawbacks with this, and no benefits. How about we develop a standard for hardware accelerated encryption for eMMC instead of wasting time and resources on bullshit security that will most likely just end up hurting consumers instead.

[APrettyCoolWalrus]

Well I'm never getting a device with new Qualcomm parts ever. NSA. Help me Intel Mobile Division your my only hope.

ASUS ZenFone 2 here i come!

[Colonel_Gerdauf]

I am a little confused about this. Didn't some of the people here actually advocate for a hardware kill-switch a while back? Even if was only for the sake of opposing the mobile carriers, who were very strongly pushing against it?

[StingBull]

ASUS ZenFone 2 here i come!

 

That phone is awesome nonetheless. And considering how cheap it is, it is moronic to buy anything else this year.

[APrettyCoolWalrus]

That phone is awesome nonetheless. And considering how cheap it is, it is moronic to buy anything else this year.

What's the price?

[Victorious Secret]

That phone is awesome nonetheless. And considering how cheap it is, it is moronic to buy anything else this year.

 

But some people buy phones based on a hell of a lot more than just the price point.

 

Cheap ≠ worth buying. 

[StingBull]

But some people buy phones based on a hell of a lot more than just the price point.

 

Cheap ≠ worth buying. 

 

I have tried Zenfone 5. It's a great phone. Zenfone 2 is that only much better. I cannot think of a single reason to pay 700 dollars for an Android phone when Zenfone exists.

[StingBull]

What's the price?

 

200 dollars. No contract. Just 200.

[LAwLz]

But some people buy phones based on a hell of a lot more than just the price point.

 

Cheap ≠ worth buying. 

5.5" 1920x1080 ISP screen, quad core atom, 2GB of RAM and a decent camera is great for 200 dollars.

For people on a budget this will most likely be the obvious choice.

[StingBull]

5.5" 1920x1080 ISP screen, quad core atom, 2GB of RAM and a decent camera is great for 200 dollars.

For people on a budget this will most likely be the obvious choice.

 

Some markets will get 4 GB of RAM.

[LAwLz]

Some markets will get 4 GB of RAM.

Yeah but I think that model will be more expensive. Hopefully not much though.

[dmegatool]

Really wish they went with front speaking speakers though. But still a great phone for 200$... 

[flibberdipper]

HA NOPE.