Android system updates might soon be found right in the Play Store

An upcoming modification to the Android operating system could make the system software updates native to the Play Store, according to the site 9to5Google. This would make system updates as easy to manage as those of the applications installed on a smartphone or tablet.

9to5Google discovered that system updates could be made available via this method by digging into the source code of the next version (14.5.52) of the Play Store APK file. The idea is to make things easier for end users, since they are used to going into the Play Store to download new apps and update others, rather than poking around the system setting. Google has not confirmed this information.

The Play Store could also get an interface overhaul, including a more streamlined design and new fonts.

The current method requires users to go into “Settings,” then hit “System” and “System Update” to scan for and download Android’s latest system software updates. CE/NVG

source: technology.inquirer.net

Android Nougat update rolls out to Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

Android Nougat is finally making its way to Samsung smartphones starting with the current flagship Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

The version number G935FXXU1DPLR, which also includes the January security patch, has been spotted in some S7 and S7 Edge devices, reports Tech Radar.

This initial wave of updates is likely to be a limited soak test, enabling devices that get the update later to have a different version number. However, with beta testing having been wrapped up in December, it also stands to reason that most users will be getting the Nougat update soon.


There is currently no specific data on what the features of the upgrade are but going by the beta tests, big changes are to be expected. This includes grouped notifications, being able to change the resolution, and a new interface design, to name a few. Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Android 7.0 Nougat now out via over-the-air updates

Android 7.0 Nougat, the latest iteration for the popular smartphone OS, is finally being rolled out today via over-the-air updates for Nexus phones.

The devices that are expected to get the update first are as follow:

* Nexus 6
* Nexus 5X
* Nexus 6P
* Nexus 9
* Nexus Player
* Pixel C
* General Mobile 4G (Android One)

Earlier, Google announced that the LG V20 would be the first device to launch with Nougat, and it’s rather interesting that the new OS version is not being launched together with a new Nexus device, reports The Next Web.


As with the developer preview, Android Nougat will come with 72 new emojis and new Bluetooth quick setting controls. Apps will also behave differently based on location and be able to run side by side, thanks to the new multi-window support.

Android Nougat will also support Vulkan and Daydream for VR purposes. Do keep in mind that while the OS will be VR-ready, the device that it is installed on may not be.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Google’s Duo app joins crowded field of video calling

SAN FRANCISCO—Knock, knock, Google’s video chatting app has arrived.

The app, dubbed Duo, represents Google’s response to other popular video calling options, including Apple’s FaceTime, Microsoft’s Skype and Facebook’s Messenger app.

Duo isn’t much different from the other video chatting services, except that it gives a glimpse at who is making the call, helping the recipient decide whether to answer. Google calls this feature, “Knock, knock.”

The new app, announced in May, is being released Tuesday as a free service for phones running on Google’s Android operating system as well as Apple’s iPhones.

Like FaceTime for iPhones, Duo only requires a person’s phone number to connect. Many other services require both participants to have account logins to use their video calling options.

Google has been offering video calling through its Hangout feature for several years, but the internet company is now tailoring that service for business meetings.

Duo is being billed as a simpler, more reliable way to see friends and family as you talk to them.

It is the first of two new mobile apps that Google, owned by Alphabet Inc., has planned for this summer. The Mountain View, California, company also is preparing to unveil a new messaging app called Allo featuring a robotic assistant that will suggest automated responses to texts.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Avoid spam calls with new Google Android phone app

Google is out to help its users filter out unwanted phone calls by adding spam-call detection into the phone app for Android.

This spam recognition is one of the major updates that the Android phone app has received since the addition of caller ID for incoming calls from business back in 2013, when Android KitKat was first launched, Tech Crunch reported.

Spam detection is one of the core parts of Truecaller, a European startup that offers a smart caller app, which is popular in India and other emerging markets.

Google states that the new feature will allow users to block and report spam numbers. Some data usage will be required to recognize these unwanted calls. However, for the time being, the said feature will only be available to Nexus and Android One devices.

Over at the Apple camp, a spam call recognition feature will also be included in the upcoming iOS 10 release.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

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

Google shows new Android software to developers

SAN FRANCISCO, United States — Google on Wednesday let developers have an early look at the next version of Android in a move that could get the software into a wider variety of devices.

The US Internet colossus behind the world’s most popular mobile operating system broke from its tradition of releasing new versions of Android at its annual developers conference, which will take place in May this year.

“We’re doing something a little different this year by releasing the preview early really early,” Google vice president of engineering Dave Burke said in a blog post.

“By releasing a ‘work in progress’ build earlier in development, we have more time to incorporate developer feedback.”

The developer preview of the “N release” of Android, versions of which have historically been named after sweet treats, should help Google have it ready for device makers by the middle of the year, according to Burke.

New features touted by Google included the ability for applications to launch split-screen modes on smartphones or tablets.

“In addition, activities can also go into picture-in-picture mode on devices like TVs, and is a great feature for apps that play video,” Burke said.

Android is also continuing to invest in Project Svelte, which aims to reduce the amount of memory space required so it can run on a broader range of devices.

An updated software developers kit allows for testing on Google-branded Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Nexus 9, and Pixel C devices.

“As we get closer to a final product, we’ll be inviting consumers to try it out as well,” Burke said.

Google makes Android software available free to device makers. The latest version known as Android 6.0 Marshmallow began rolling out late last year.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Google enables in-app translations in Android Marshmallow

Starting this week, users running the Android Marshmallow OS will be able to access in-app translations, according to a post on the Android Developers Blog.

To access this function, users need to have the Google Translate app installed. According to the post, apps that use “Android text selection behavior” will have this feature enabled by default.

The post also details programming steps that developers can take to add the in-app translation to their apps. — Bea Montenegro/TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Android unveils sweet surprise: Android 6.0 Marshmallow

The ‘M’ in ‘Android M’ apparently stands for ‘marshmallow.’ In a post on the Android Developers Blog, Android revealed the final Developer Preview update for their new operating system and its final software development kit (SDK). They also announced that developers can now also publish their Marshmallow-targeted apps on Google Play.

The final Android 6.0 Marshmallow SDK can be downloaded using the SDK Manager in Android Studio. “With the Android 6.0 SDK you have access to the final Android APIs and the latest build tools so that you can target [application program interface] API 23,” the blog post said.

 According to tech site The Verge, the Android 6.0 Marshmallow is set for release in the latter part of 2015.

“Along with the new platform features like fingerprint support and Doze power saving mode, Android Marshmallow features a new permissions model that streamlines the app install and update process,” the Android blog post said. — Bea Montenegro/TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

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

Facebook tests app with Android’s material UI

Facebook is testing a Material Design feel for its app on devices running Google's Android operating system, an Android enthusiast site reported.

A floating action button heads the list of features for the Material Design theme for the upcoming Facebook app, Android Police reported.

"The material-ish UI (user interface) is probably a server-side change, so there's no APK (Android application package) you can download to enable it immediately. In fact, you might never see it at all. Facebook experiments with a lot of different UIs, so there's no guarantee this will roll out to everyone," the site said.

Also, it said this is "far from a full material overhaul" as it does not have a tinted status bar on Lollipop.

Yet, it said the floating Action button "at least get(s) rid of that new post bar that floats at the bottom of the screen in the current app."

 "Tapping the FAB brings up the post, photo, and check-in options. It's a much better use of space," it said.  — Joel Locsin/LBG, 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

 

Android L to get multitasking capability

Multitasking and recent apps are among the features to get upgrades in Android L, the upcoming next version of Google's operating system for mobile devices.

Enthusiast site Greenbot reported the multitasking menu now sports a 3D-like stacked card setup similar to Chrome for Android.

"(W)hile Android L's new multitasking menu is visually more appealing, it's also smarter," it said.

But it added that while the 3D-like scrolling of Android L's multitasking window looks "nice enough," it's "just eye candy."

"It's not perfect, but given that this is just a preview of Android L we're working with, there's enough time to get some of the kinks worked out," it added.

Also, Greenbot indicated Chrome tabs could appear as multitasking cards, "depending on the context in which they were spawned, further blending the web and native apps."

On the other hand, the new "recent apps" menu works a bit differently from past versions of Android. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

New Trojan targets Android, infects 350K devices

Owners of mobile devices running Google's Android operating system were warned against a new Trojan that launches in the early loading stage and resides in the machine's memory.

Russian anti-virus company Doctor Web said the malignant program is operating on more than 350,000 mobile devices in countries including some in Southeast Asia.

"When the mobile phone is turned on, (a) script loads the code of the Trojan Linux-library imei_chk (Dr.Web Anti-virus detects it as Android.Oldboot.1), which extracts the files libgooglekernel.so (Android.Oldboot.2) and GoogleKernel.apk (Android.Oldboot.1.origin) and places them in /system/lib and /system/app, respectively," the company said in a blog post.

Doctor Web said its statistics show 92 percent of the compromised devices are in China, "which is not surprising, since the Trojan Android.Oldboot is intended for Android-powered devices in China."

It noted part of the Trojan Android.Oldboot is installed as a typical application which functions as a system service and connects to a remote server to await various commands.

"Reflashing a device with modified firmware that contains the routines required for the Trojan’s operation is the most likely way this threat is introduced," it said.

Doctor Web warned this malware is dangerous as even if some elements of Android.Oldboot are removed, the component imei_chk will still reside in the protected memory area and will re-install the malware after a reboot.

To prevent infection, Doctor Web advised users against buying devices "of unknown origin" and using OS images from unreliable sources. — VC, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Beware of Android malware scam promising antivirus

Users of mobile devices running Google's Android were warned over the weekend against a new "malvertising" scam that promises an antivirus but instead subscribes them to premium ringtone and wallpaper services.

Security vendor Bitdefender said a banner delivered by an advertising SDK included in some legitimate apps was deploying a scareware-type attack.

"When users download an app containing the advertising module delivering this scam, an alarmist banner pops-up out of the blue on the handset screen, making users believe their devices are infected with malware and prompts them towards purchasing a useless disinfection tool," Bitdefender's Loredana Botezatu said in a blog post.

However, she said the providers of the advertising module may not be aware their service is delivering a malicious banner, and that it could have been "an invalidated ad that accidentally reached the market."

Botezatu said the scam involves a sudden pop-up message on Android devices, suggesting the device was infected with malware.

It then tells owners to test their devices for possible malware. When tapped, the ad redirects users to a web page that tells them to download a disinfection tool.

The user is told to enter his or her phone number in a form, then press Download, Botezatu said.

"But instead of getting the Android device cleaned up, they get signed up with a premium-rate ringtone and wallpaper service that charges €3.00 per week plus taxes until the user unsubscribes manually," she added.

Botezatu also said the webpage redirects are based on geolocation, "so the premium service partner is chosen from the ones available in the victim’s location."

This means that if a user in Spain installs the app, he will receive messages written Spanish, and if the user is in Germany or Australia, the banners will be in German and English, respectively, she said.

Botezatu advised Android users to unsubscribe immediately by sending a SMS message to the number in the "Terms and Conditions" section of the website.

She also suggested that the user "uninstall immediately the apps you downloaded recently." – KDM, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com