Smartphone sensors

Technology Review (Cambridge, Mass., May 1) -- According to a team of researchers from the U. of I., the University of South Carolina and Zhejiang University, signals produced by smartphones turn out to be so identifiable that it seems impossible to use them anonymously. “Even if you erase the app in the phone, or even erase and reinstall all software the fingerprint still stays inherent,” said Romit Roy Choudhury, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Illinois who led the team. “That’s a serious threat.” Also: EE Times India (Manila, Philippines, May 2), Deseret News (Salt Lake City, May 4), KTAR-FM (from The Deseret News, Salt Lake City; Phoenix, May 5).