It’s official: Android N is Android Nougat

Tech giant Google announced on Friday that Android N, the company’s latest version of Android, will now go by the name “Android Nougat.” Nougat, a chewy dessert bar made of roasted nuts, fruits and honey, is on Android’s list of “luscious” dessert names for their operating systems.

Introducing #AndroidNougat. Thank you, world, for all your sweet name ideas! #AndroidNReveal pic.twitter.com/7lIfDBwyBE

— Android (@Android) June 30, 2016

That moment when… #AndroidNougat #AndroidNReveal pic.twitter.com/dzWYeiW0gk

— Android (@Android) June 30, 2016

We asked for your help to #NameAndroidN. Say hello to #AndroidNougat & watch the unveiling. #AndroidNReveal https://t.co/xVtEiy44FF

— Android (@Android) June 30, 2016

Last month, Google announced that the next version of Android would be named after a winning suggestion from the public. A few weeks ago, social media users speculated that Android N would be named Nutella due to “hidden clues” found in Senior Vice President for Android at Google Hiroshi Lockheimer’s tweets.

Android ‘Nutella’? Google exec’s tweet may have bared name

Drawing from previous reports from tech sites, the tech giant has already released 14 Android versions since 2008, with almost all of the versions’ names patterned after a dessert or sweets in alphabetical order, from Cupcake to Kitkat to Marshmallow, which was released last year.

source: technology.inquirer.net

New Android bug discovered that can brick your phone

It's not a good week for owners of mobile devices running Google's Android operating system: a newly-discovered bug that could render your phone dead and unusable.

Security vendor Trend Micro said the vulnerability, when exploited, threatens to render the phone silent and its screen lifeless.

"This vulnerability is present from Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) up to the current version, Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop). Combined, these versions account for more than half of Android devices in use today," mobile threat response engineer Wish Wu said in a blog post.

Worse, Wu said the Android engineering team has yet to issue a patch even if it had been informed as early as May.

According to Wu, Trend Micro reported the vulnerability to Google May 15, and Google acknowledged the report as a "low priority vulnerability" on May 20.

Earlier this week, Motherboard quoted security researcher Joshua Drake as saying a texting bug may leave Android users prone to attacks from hackers.

Drake said the bug is found in an Android media playback engine called Stagefright.

"This vulnerability can be triggered while you sleep... Before you wake up, the attacker will remove any signs of the device being compromised and you will continue your day as usual—with a trojaned phone," Drake said.

Both bugs are related in that they are based on the way Android handles media files.

Trend Micro said the more recent bug can be exploited via a specially crafted MKV media file.

MKV files

Trend Micro said the newly discovered vulnerability can be exploited either via a malicious app installed on the device, or through a specially-crafted web site.

It said the malicious app The first technique can cause long-term effects to the device: an app with an embedded MKV file that registers itself to auto-start whenever the device boots would case the OS to crash every time it is turned on.

Nonresponsive device

Trend Micro said the bug, once exploited, can cause the device "to become totally silent and non-responsive."

"No ring tone, text tone, or notification sounds can be heard. The user will have have no idea of an incoming call/message, and cannot even accept a call. Neither party will hear each other.
The UI may become very slow to respond, or completely non-responsive. If the phone is locked, it cannot be unlocked," it said.

It also said this exploit could pave the way for ransomware.

"Further research into Android – especially the mediaserver service – may find other vulnerabilities that could have more serious consequences to users, including remote code execution," Wu said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Android Lollipop coming to Samsung phones in January, leaked email suggests

 

Lollipop, the latest version of Google's Android mobile operating system, may be coming to Samsung devices as early as January 2015, if a supposed leaked email is accurate.

 

Google enthusiast site 9to5google.com cited a post on Reddit by a user claiming to be an employee of Samsung.

 

"I am employed by Samsung, and today they sent out an email to all stores in preparation for the new quarter and the new year. In that email, they said that we need to start preparing our devices for the Lollipop update, and gave instructions on how to prepare," the employee said in the Reddit post.

While the Reddit user said there was no date in the email, he/she said Samsung's S5 may be the first target for launch, followed by the Note 4 and Edge.

 

"After that, they are expecting the Note 3 and S4 to be the next wave, and then after that attention will turn to tablets," he/she said.

 

For its part, 9to5Google said Lollipop is already going over-the-air to Samsung devices in Spain and Poland.

 

 

 

"It’s only a matter of time before Android 5.0 finally rolls out to your Galaxy handset, and being patient is probably best (though there are leaked builds available if that’s your thing)," it said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

 

source: gmanetwork.com

 

From film to smartphones: Kodak-branded phones, tablets coming in 2015

Kodak, a household name in photography, is coming out with its own range of smartphones and tablets with - you guessed it - image management tools.

The iconic imaging brand announced a partnership with Bullitt Group to build Android-based mobile devices that may debut in 2015.

"Kodak is one of the world's most recognizable brands. It is trusted by consumers as a marque of quality and innovation. We've taken that heritage and used it to inspire a range of beautifully designed devices that will let users take great pictures and edit, share, store and print them in an instant," Oliver Schulte, CEO of Bullitt Mobile, said in a news release (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kodak-and-bullitt-group-partner-for-new-range-of-mobile-devices-debuts-at-ces-286533301.html).

A separate article on tech site The Verge noted UK-based Bullitt builds rugged smartphones for construction firm Caterpillar (http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/26/7450621/kodak-bullitt-smartphone-ces-2015).

The first Kodak-branded handset is to be launched at the Consumer Electronics Show 2015. Other devices planned for 2015 include a 4G phone, a tablet and a connected camera.

According to the news release, the upcoming Kodak-branded Android devices will target users seeking a high-end but relatively simple experience.

The devices are to be preloaded with image capture, management and sharing features, as well as advanced remote management software to let "family members and friends to provide help and support if needed."

"By giving customers easy access to printing and sharing services while still offering the latest Android OS and features found on high-end smartphones, we will appeal to a large audience of users who value ease of use and stylish design as highly as they value functionality," Schulte said.

For her part, Eileen Murphy, Kodak's vice president for brand licensing, said they are "impressed with Bullitt Group's commitment to delivering a portfolio of products that embrace the quality and innovation that our brand is known for around the world."

Licensing

The Verge said Kodak had licensed its brand and underwent restructuring to escape bankruptcy last September.

It had spun off or shut down its consumer divisions and is focused on commercial printing.

"Kodak can get people interested with its name alone, but it'll have to contribute more than just branding to actually win customers' respect," it said.  — Reuters

Google holds 'auditions' for Android L

With the release of the next version of its Android mobile operating system due soon, Google teased the name of the upcoming new Android version.

The YouTube video hinted at lemon meringue pie, lava cake, lady finger, and lemon drop.

"There can only be one L. Coming soon," it said.

Until then, version 5.0 of Android will still be temporarily known simply as "Android L."

 


Google has been known for naming major versions of Android after desserts - and with an alphabetical twist. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Google ramps up Android security, now scans all apps

Google is ramping up security for users of devices running its Android operating system, by now scanning all apps on the device instead of just those installed via third-party app stores.

In a blog post, Android security engineer Rich Cannings likened the move – which fortifies Android's "Verify apps" service layer – to fortifying a home's security system.

"(W)e’re rolling out a new enhancement which will now continually check devices to make sure that all apps are behaving in a safe manner, even after installation," Cannings said.

He noted the "Verify apps" features already protects people when they are installing apps outside of Google Play at the time of installation.

Cannings said that in 2013, "Verify apps" had been used more than four billion times to check apps at the time of install.

With the new enhancement, that protection will now go even further, using Android’s powerful app scanning system developed by the Android security and Safe Browsing teams.

But Cannings also noted people will not likely see the warning or any other indication that the added layer of protection is there.

He said that in 2013, fewer than 0.18 percent of installs occurred after someone received a warning that the app was potentially harmful.

"Even though the risk is miniscule, we’re committed to making sure that the best available security protections are available to all Android users. This includes service-based protections such as Verify apps, as well as security features within the platform itself," he added.

A separate report on Mashable noted the "Verify Apps" setting is found under the security settings menu on most versions of Android, and is enabled by default on smartphones and tablets.  — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com