Protect your Android device against theft, viruses with McAfee Mobile Security (Appolicious)

Smartphones aren't cheap. That's why it makes good sense to want to protect your investment.

McAfee Mobile Security is a service that protects your phone from viruses, backs up your data (contacts, photos, videos, call history, etc.) and even allows you to locate your phone on a map in case it's lost or stolen.

After a seven-day free trial, if you decide this is something you need in your life, you can buy a one-year subscription through the app's website: www.McAfeeMobileSecurity.com for $29.99.

You've probably got a pile of paid monthly services stacking up (Netflix, Hulu, The New York Times digital subscription, Pandora, etc.), which might make it difficult to justify spending even more cash. I look at McAfee Mobile Security, though, the same way I look at my AAA auto insurance. You might not think about it or use it very often, but when you need it, you're really glad you have it.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can see where you phone is on a map. You can access your phone's data at any time through the app's website. The app also tracks when a new SIM card has been inserted into your device, and tracks your phone's call log. If you're still not able to get your phone back, you're able to wipe all of your phone's data — to prevent friends and family from being harassed, or embarrassing text messages and photos from being shared with strangers.

Like I mentioned earlier, the app also does a bit of preventive maintenance to make sure you don't pick up any viruses or lose any valuable information. McAfee has its own color-coding system, which is designed to alert you to potential viruses, browser exploits or other malicious websites. This way, you know which sites to avoid.

I have used McAfee on my own computer for years, so I was already a bit familiar with how this program works. Even so, the average user won't have any issues figuring this out. You mostly just follow the step-by-step directions through setup. Even better, this app works so you can set it and forget it. It takes care of the hard parts all by itself.

Download the free Appolicious Android app

Protect your Android device against theft, viruses with McAfee Mobile Security (Appolicious)

Smartphones aren't cheap. That's why it makes good sense to want to protect your investment.

McAfee Mobile Security is a service that protects your phone from viruses, backs up your data (contacts, photos, videos, call history, etc.) and even allows you to locate your phone on a map in case it's lost or stolen.

After a seven-day free trial, if you decide this is something you need in your life, you can buy a one-year subscription through the app's website: www.McAfeeMobileSecurity.com for $29.99.

You've probably got a pile of paid monthly services stacking up (Netflix, Hulu, The New York Times digital subscription, Pandora, etc.), which might make it difficult to justify spending even more cash. I look at McAfee Mobile Security, though, the same way I look at my AAA auto insurance. You might not think about it or use it very often, but when you need it, you're really glad you have it.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can see where you phone is on a map. You can access your phone's data at any time through the app's website. The app also tracks when a new SIM card has been inserted into your device, and tracks your phone's call log. If you're still not able to get your phone back, you're able to wipe all of your phone's data — to prevent friends and family from being harassed, or embarrassing text messages and photos from being shared with strangers.

Like I mentioned earlier, the app also does a bit of preventive maintenance to make sure you don't pick up any viruses or lose any valuable information. McAfee has its own color-coding system, which is designed to alert you to potential viruses, browser exploits or other malicious websites. This way, you know which sites to avoid.

I have used McAfee on my own computer for years, so I was already a bit familiar with how this program works. Even so, the average user won't have any issues figuring this out. You mostly just follow the step-by-step directions through setup. Even better, this app works so you can set it and forget it. It takes care of the hard parts all by itself.

Download the free Appolicious Android app

Judge rejects Apple bid for injunction against Amazon (Reuters)

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – A U.S. judge denied Apple Inc's attempt to quickly stop online retailer Amazon.com Inc from using the "App Store" name, according to a court document.

Apple, the maker of best-selling iPhones and iPad tablets, filed a trademark lawsuit saying that Amazon has improperly used Apple's App Store name to solicit software developers throughout the United States.

Apple also asked a federal judge in Oakland, Calif. for a preliminary injunction to stop Amazon from using the name, which Apple says is trademark protected. However, Amazon argued that the term is generic and therefore not protectable.

U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton did not agree that the term is purely generic, according to an order released on Wednesday. However Apple has not established "a likelihood of confusion" with Amazon's services to get an injunction, Hamilton wrote.

On Wednesday Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet referred to the company's prior statements, which said Apple asked Amazon not to copy the App Store name because it will "confuse and mislead customers."

An Amazon representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

In an earlier ruling on Wednesday, Hamilton set a trial date for October 2012.

The case in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California is Apple Inc v. Amazon.com Inc, 11-1327.

(Reporting by Dan Levine; editing by Carol Bishopric)