Why in the world are overseas hackers building their own ad networks? To trick mobile developers into embedding the networks’ code in their apps, so the hackers can distribute their malware alongside legitimate mobile ads, senior security analyst Wade Williamson tells Bloomberg. “That could make mobile muggings even more difficult to escape,” Bloomberg writes. 

Sales of smartphone surpassed feature phone sales for the first time in the second quarter of the year, according to Gartner. More accessible than iPhone, “Android has been strangling the life out of dumb phones for years, but it looks like the market tipping point is being reached,” TechCrunch reports. Worldwide, smartphones sales rose 46.5% year-over-year, Gartner reports. 

Over the past three years, Google has paid out about $2 million to security researchers for filing more than 2,000 so-called “security bug reports.” The deep-pocketed search giant is ready to spend much more to keep its services running smoothly. “Bugs previously rewarded at the $1,000 level will now be considered for reward at up to $5,000, meaning an up-to five times increase in some cases,” The Next Web reports. 

So much for Microsoft blasting Google for using Gmail users' information to target ads. “Now, Microsoft is touting how Windows 8.1 uses your search terms to deliver targeted ads, even when you're doing searches on local drives,” Computerworld writes. “Fortunately, you can turn this functionality off without much trouble. What you can't do in the preview … is pick a different search engine.” 

Facebook is snatching up speech-recognition software developer Mobile Technologies for an undisclosed sum. “The Pittsburgh-based company will help Facebook improve products as voice technology becomes an increasingly important way for people to navigate the Web,” Bloomberg reports, citing comments from Facebook product-management Tom Stocky. 

Over the past six months, Google Play has seen its revenue grow by 67%, according to new estimates from app store analytics firm Distimo. According to TechCrunch, the popularity of Google’s Android app marketplace in Japan and South Korea is largely responsible for the growth. Apple’s App Store experienced a 15% jump in revenue over the same period. 

Founded in 2005, MyFitnessPal is finally taking its first round of funding. Kleiner Perkins, along with Accel Partners, are throwing in $18 million for the popular weight-loss app. “It boasts more than 40 million registered users, and shows no sign of slowing down,” VentureBeat writes of the MyFitnessPal. “It says it has been adding more than 1.5 million new users per month this year.” 

NBC News has acquired Stringwire, a startup that develops real-time mobile video sharing software. “Chief NBC News digital content officer Vivian Schiller believes [real-time mobile video is] going to be the next generation of news coverage,” The Verge reports. "Wherever you see a swarm of eyewitnesses on Twitter, that’s the sweet spot for Stringwire," she said. 

Does a Facebook “like” really matter that much to other people? Very much so, The New York Times reports, citing new research in the journal Science. “But surprisingly, an unfair negative reaction will not spur others to dislike the article,” NYT notes. “Instead, a thumbs-down view will soon be counteracted by thumbs up from other readers.” 

BlackBerry is officially exploring “strategic alternatives,” including a possible sale, the struggling phone maker announced on Monday. “In effect, the company is basically saying, ‘We tried [to go it alone], and that didn’t work so now we’re calling it,’” TechCrunch writes. Over the past 6 months, BlackBerry’s share price has fallen by nearly 38%.