android

Google moves to make Android apps more private

Its so-called Privacy Sandbox project aims to curb the amount of user data that advertisers can gather.

Rival Apple now forces app developers to ask permission from users before tracking them.

The news will be a blow to firms like Meta, which rely on putting their code on apps to track consumer behaviour.

Meta said this month that Apple's changes would cost it $10bn (£7.3bn) this year. Google's Android operating system is used by about 85% of smartphone owners worldwide.

     

New Ransomware encrypts your Android and changes the PIN lock

Security researchers from Slovakia-based security software maker ESET have discovered a new Android ransomware that not just encrypts users’ data, but also locks them out of their devices by changing lock screen PIN.

 

On top of that:

DoubleLocker is the first-ever ransomware to misuse Android accessibility—a feature that provides users alternative ways to interact with their smartphone devices, and mainly misused by Android banking Trojans to steal banking credentials.

For the first time ever, Apple’s iOS “Failure Rate” is higher than Android’s

This sudden rise in the failure rates has made iOS–which is generally considered more stable and more secure than Android–more unstable than Google’s OS.

The study suggests that during the first quarter of 2016, iOS devices witnessed 25 percent failure rates. During the next quarter, this percentage rose to 58 percent. Over the Q1 and Q2, Android operating system witnessed failure rates of 44% and 35%, respectively.

Internet traffic hijacking linux flaw affects 80% of Android devices

 This flaw allows hackers to terminate connections, spy on unencrypted traffic or inject malware into the parties' communications.

Even the latest Android Nougat Preview is considered to be vulnerable.

The security flaw was first appeared in the implementation of the TCP protocol in all Linux systems deployed since 2012 (version 3.6 and above of the Linux OS kernel) and the Linux Foundation has already patched the Linux kernel on July 11, 2016.

Android will alert you when a new device logs-in your Google account

Google has already been offering email notification for newly added devices, but since people usually ignore emails, the tech giant will now send a push notification to your device screen, giving you a chance to change your password immediately before an intruder gets in.

lthough it's a little change, the company believes people pay four times more attention on push notifications on their devices compared to email notification.
 

Canyon's Smart Bike Computer puts Android Wear on your handlebars

Bike manufacturer Canyon has teamed up with Sony to find a solution -- and the fruits of their labor is the Smart Bike Computer. It runs on Android Wear, so the 1.6-inch touchscreen can display a bunch of popular cycling apps including Strava and Google Maps. The small, waterproof unit slides directly into the stem, ensuring the sleek stylings of your ride aren't ruined, and can connect to your phone over Bluetooth.

Best new apps for iOS, Android and Windows

1. My BT

Available on: iOS, Android

Price: Free

Publisher: BT

If BT happens to supply your broadband, mobile or TV services, we can't think of a good reason not to download the operator's latest app.

My BT for iOS and Android lets users manage their account from their mobile device, checking recent bills, reviewing the services they are signed up for, and more.

It comes in really handy when your WiFi is on the blink, since it allows users to reboot their router remotely and book an engineer in-app if that doesn't solve the problem.