A company has launched revolutionary software for tracking stolen mobile phones that is impossible to remove from the device - even with a factory reset.

Absolute LoJack allows users to remotely lock their stolen device, locate it, and delete sensitive files to prevent identity theft.

The company’s Investigations and Recovery Services team can track phones using the Computrace system, pictured, and will work with law enforcement agencies globally to get a device back.

BlackBerry is giving up its effort to sell itself to a large investor and will replace CEO Thorsten Heins, the company said on Monday. The company said that rather than bid for the company, Fairfax Financial will lead a group of investors pouring $1 billion into the troubled handset maker with its CEO Prem Watsa, becoming lead director.

Former Sybase CEO John Chen will serve as interim CEO and executive chairman once the investment is completed, which BlackBerry said should be within the next two weeks. The investment will come in the form of a debt sale, BlackBerry said, with Fairfax itself putting $250 million into the company. “Today’s announcement represents a significant vote of confidence in BlackBerry and its future by this group of preeminent, long-term investors,” current BlackBerry chair Barbara Stymiest said in a statement.

“The BlackBerry Board conducted a thorough review of strategic alternatives and pursued the course of action that it concluded is in the best interests of BlackBerry and its constituents, including its shareholders. This financing provides an immediate cash injection on terms favorable to BlackBerry, enhancing our substantial cash position. Some of the most important customers in the world rely on BlackBerry and we are implementing the changes necessary to strengthen the company and ensure we remain a strong and innovative partner for their needs.”

Monday was the deadlinethat the company had set for investor Fairfax Financial to put a formal bid for the company. BlackBerry had announced in September a deal to sell itself to Fairfax for $4.7 billion, however the deal was non-binding and contingent on the investment company lining up capital to finance the bid. BlackBerry had also been seeking other buyers.

The announcement marks the end of the company’s strategic review, BlackBerry said. However, it leaves as uncertain as ever the company’s future as confidence in BlackBerry from investors and customers has been waning despite reassurances from the company that it and its products are here to stay. In addition to ceding the CEO post, Heins will step down from the board of directors, as will director David Kerr. The move was reported earlier Mondayby Canada’s Globe and Mail, citing sources.

A man who found a phone in a lake was amazed to discover it still worked - despite spending a quarter of a year submerged.

Roger Nilsson contacted the Facebook page of Nokia Sweden to tell them about how he found his Lumia 800 - lost three months ago - wedged between two rocks in the lake. Intrigued, he took the phone, which was encrusted with mud, shells and other waste, back to his home and cleaned it up, took it apart and left it to dry on his radiator. When he reassembled it he was stunned to discover it was able to make calls and even the camera still worked.

The battery too had lost none of its potency, lasting two days from a full charge, reports the Times of India. What makes the discovery even more incredible is the phone is not designed to be any more water resistant than any other smartphone on the market.

It is the first device to run the new Android 4.4 KitKat operating system and comes with a 4.95-inch screen, an 8MP camera on the back coupled with a 1.3MP camera on the front.

The 4G-ready handset, made by LG, goes on sale on Google's official Play store from tomorrow and prices start at £299 ($349) for 16GB or £339 ($399) for 32GB.

Carphone Warehouse is additionally offering the handset for £295 SIM free.

'Five years ago we launched the first Android, now the system is healthier than ever and very vibrant,' said Sundar Pichai, Google’s Android boss.

The new handset will be available in black and white, and can be woken up simply by saying ‘OK Google’.

The firm says its new Android software, called KitKat, has been redesigned to allow it to run on far more handsets that previous versions.

British artist Stephen Turner, 58, will live and work inside £40,000 40ft Exmoor Egg for a year

When i first saw this,i was shocked cos i didnt know how the man manages to put these ideas together.
This is wonderful.