Google has issued a fix to the G1 handset, to stop it executing commands just because they appear in an entered text message - preventing punters from rebooting the handset just by typing the word “reboot”.

The bug can hardly be called a security problem, given it requires access to the handset, but the fact that until the fix was issued today any G1 user typing a text message containing the word “reboot” would see their phone resetting is truly stunning, and it reflects badly on the quality control and testing of the Android platform.

hey can u take
a look at my
new draft? i’ll send
[09:48:24 PM]
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so weird, i didnt
hit the button but
it sent that txt
when i just typed
send
[09:49:08 PM]
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ok did it again.
neway, can u give
the draft a look?
formatting
maybe f’d up bc
i had to reboot
[09:50:47 PM]
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so i guess the
phone goes crazy
when i type either
send
[09:53:31 PM]
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or the r word.
dood. this phone
was sposed to
be the best model
but this is a total
turn off
[09:55:01 PM]
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what kind of
stupid ass bug
is this? i swear
my head is
about to explode
[09:57:28 PM]
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Tags: technology, reboot, geek frustration, inadvertent easter eggs, google phone, google