Sunday 11 August 2019
Friday 9 August 2019
Wednesday 23 August 2017
Android Oreo is Google's new mobile OS
We finally have a name for Google's latest mobile operating system: Android Oreo.
Android Oreo, previously codenamed Android O, was announced in March. The software has been in preview for a few months so developers could update their apps.
Android Oreo will first be available on Google devices, including the Pixel and Nexus lines. The launch date has not yet been announced.
The new operating system name continues Google's tradition of naming its Android updates after sweets. Previous names include Nougat, Marshmallow, and Lollipop.
This isn't the first time Google has partnered with a brand. It teamed up with Kit Kat in 2013 to launch a version of the same name.
Google unveiled the name Android Oreo to the public during the total solar eclipse on Monday.
The company also confirmed to CNN Tech that there will be a limited run of Android-themed cookies from Oreo.
The new OS will include updates to what Google (GOOG) calls "vitals," including battery and security improvements. For example, Google Play Protect is an anti-malware feature that alerts you when you have a malicious app on your phone.
App badging is also coming to Android Oreo so you can see pending notifications. The notification panel itself has received a slight redesign. New emoji will also be available with an updated look: It's tiny icons more in line with Apple's.
Meanwhile, you'll be able to watch videos while using other apps on your phone or tablet with its picture-in-picture feature.
There's no official date for when other Android-powered devices will receive the update. According to Google's numbers, most Android devices -- about 85% -- aren't even on Android Nougat, last year's release.
Android is notoriously slow at rolling out device updates because of the number of manufacturers, phone carries and other third-party companies involved in seeing through a new release. But Google said Android Oreo and future versions will get new updates faster.
Apple's latest mobile update -- iOS 11 -- is expected to launch this fall. It will feature peer-to-peer payments, upgrades to Siri, new Live Photo effects and a way to block notifications while driving.
Thursday 20 July 2017
Kotlin on Android. Now official
Today, at the Google I/O keynote, the Android team announced first-class support for Kotlin. We believe this is a great step for Kotlin, and fantastic news for Android developers as well as the rest of our community. We’re thrilled with the opportunities this opens up.
For Android developers, Kotlin support is a chance to use a modern and powerful language, helping solve common headaches such as runtime exceptions and source code verbosity. Kotlin is easy to get started with and can be gradually introduced into existing projects, which means that your existing skills and technology investments are preserved.
Starting now, Android Studio 3.0 ships with Kotlin out of the box, meaning Android developers no longer need to install any extras or worry about compatibility. It also means that moving forward, you can rest assured that both JetBrains and Google will be supporting Android development in Kotlin.
In case you are concerned about other platforms that Kotlin supports (Kotlin/JVM for server and desktop, Kotlin/JS and Kotlin/Native), please be sure that they are as important for us as ever. Our vision here is to make Kotlin a uniform tool for end-to-end development of various applications bridging multiple platforms with the same language. This includes full-stack web applications, Android and iOS clients, embedded/IoT and much more.
Programming languages are just like human ones: the more people speak a language, the better. First-class support on Android will likely bring more users to Kotlin, and we expect the community to grow significantly. This means more libraries and tools developed in/for Kotlin, more experience shared, more Kotlin job offerings, more learning materials published, and so on. We are excited to see the Kotlin ecosystem flourish!
We will be partnering with Google to create a non-profit foundation for Kotlin. Language development will continue to be sponsored by JetBrains, and the Kotlin team (over 40 people and second largest team at the company) will operate as usual. Andrey Breslav remains the Lead Language Designer, and Kotlin will be developed under the same principles as before. We’ll keep our design processes open, because your feedback is critical for us in moving Kotlin in the right direction.
If you’re at Google I/O, make sure you stop by one of the Kotlin talks on the schedule. And of course, don’t forget to register for KotlinConf in San Francisco in November. It will be an amazing event!
A Big Thank You!
When we started the journey with Kotlin over 6 years ago, we aimed at creating a language that would be in line with the same principles that drive our tools – create something that helps developers with the tedious and mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on what’s truly important. And of course make the process as enjoyable and fun as possible.
We want to thank Google and the Android team for their trust in Kotlin, but above all we want to thank you, our community, our users. Without you Kotlin wouldn’t be where it is today. Thank you for accompanying us during this journey and we hope you join us for the exciting road ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve prepared answers to a series of questions that you may have in regard to this announcement. If your question is not covered, please feel free to ask us in the comments. If you are new to Kotlin, make sure you check out the FAQ on the web site where you can learn more about the basics.
Is Kotlin going to become primarily focused on Android?
One of Kotlin’s goals is to be a language that is available on multiple platforms and this will always be the case. We’ll keep supporting and actively developing Kotlin/JVM (server-side, desktop and other types of applications), and Kotlin/JS. We are working on Kotlin/Native for other platforms such as macOS, iOS and IoT/embedded systems.
How does this impact Kotlin’s release cycles?
Kotlin will continue to have its own independent release cycle from that of Android or Android Studio. The projects remain completely independent. Obviously there will be close collaboration between the product teams to make sure that Kotlin is always working correctly in Android Studio.
Who’s going to work on the Android Studio plugin?
JetBrains will continue to work on the Android Studio plugin, collaborating closely with the Android Studio team.
Will this affect the support for IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse or Netbeans?
No. Kotlin continues to be a language that targets multiple platforms and support for other IDE’s will continue to be provided as before. Obviously emphasis will be placed on IntelliJ IDEA with hopefully community contributions on the other ones.
Will this affect support for macOS or iOS?
No. We still have plans to support both of these systems with Kotlin/Native and nothing has changed in this regard.
Is JetBrains going to be acquired by Google?
No. JetBrains has no plans of being acquired by any company. JetBrains is and continues to be an independent tool vendor catering to developers regardless of their platform or language of choice.
Tuesday 24 January 2017
3 TIPS FOR SECURING YOUR ANDROID DEVICE
Recently, we asked you, our valued readers, to tell us which topics you would like to see on AndroidPIT in the future. The results showed that about 90% of you were interested in learning more about security and privacy. With that in mind, here are three things you can do today to make your Android device more secure.
1. Encrypting your device
Encryption is a process which encodes your private data on a device, so that it can't be read by anyone unauthorized. Once you encrypt your Android smartphone, any new data becomes encrypted automatically. Decrypting takes place automatically for you as well.
Android has two methods for encrypting your device:
Full disk encryption on Android (5.0 and up)
According to Google, "full-disk encryption uses a single key—protected with the user’s device password—to protect the whole of a device’s userdata partition. Upon boot, the user must provide their credentials before any part of the disk is accessible." This is secure, but when you reboot your phone, your data isn't accessible until your credentials are entered. Which means, things like alarm notifications and phone calls can't take place.
File-based encryption on Android (7.0 and up)
For those who have Nougat already, Android's file-based encryption "allows different files to be encrypted with different keys that can be unlocked independently." With the Direct Boot function, devices can "boot straight to the lock screen, thus enabling quick access to important device features like accessibility services and alarms."
2. Secure messaging on Android
The Secure Messaging Scorecard by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is a great resource for evaluating all the complex ways a messaging service can be secured or unsecured. There are a lot of factors to take into account, and if you're not a security expert, you may not have considered something like whether or not your messages were encrypted during transit. Nevertheless, these details are still very important.
Their scorecard evaluates messengers based on the following criteria:
- Encrypted in transit?
- Encrypted so the provider can’t read it?
- Can you verify contacts’ identities?
- Are past comms secure if your keys are stolen?
- Is the code open to independent review?
- Is security design properly documented?
- Has there been any recent code audit?
With these factors in mind, there are many apps which meet all the criteria on the scorecard. Since security and usability are often at odds with each other, some apps which meet these criteria aren't the most user-friendly or widely adopted.
For both security and usability, I recommend the average person to try Signal for secure communications. It's user-friendly and popular among the security-conscious crowd.
3. Enable Two-factor Authentication on everything
Two-factor authentication, also called two-step verification, requires two authentication methods, like passwords, PIN numbers, fingerprints or physical access to your cell phone. This method of securing your accounts works on many services, and you may already have used it with your online banking platform. 2FA, as it is sometimes known, even works with various social media platforms to prevent other people from hijacking your online identity. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn all have the feature. Major payment platforms like PayPal and cloud storage services like Dropbox also usually support 2FA. And, very importantly, you should enable it on your Google Account as well.
What other security topics are you interested in? Have you tried any of the above methods before?
Sunday 4 December 2016
'Over 1 million Google accounts breached by Android malware Gooligan'
A new variant of an Android malware called "Gooligan" is believed to have breached the security of over one million Google accounts.
According to security firm Check Point Software Technologies, the malware roots Android devices and steals email addresses and authentication tokens stored on them.
This can give attackers access to users' sensitive data from Gmail, Google Photos, Google Docs, Google Play, Google Drive, and G Suite, it said.
"This theft of over a million Google account details is very alarming and represents the next stage of cyber- attacks. We are seeing a shift in the strategy of hackers, who are now targeting mobile devices in order to obtain the sensitive information that is stored on them," Check Point's head of mobile products Michael Shaulov said.
No immediate comment could be received from Google on the matter.
Check Point's report said the malware campaign infects 13,000 devices each day and that Gooligan targets devices on Android 4 (Jelly Bean, KitKat) and 5 (Lollipop), which represent nearly 74 per cent of Android devices in use today.
About 40 per cent of these devices are located in Asia and about 12 per cent are in Europe.
After attackers gain control over the device, they generate revenue by fraudulently installing apps from Google Play and rating them on behalf of the victim, the report said.
"Every day Gooligan installs at least 30,000 apps on breached devices, or over 2 million apps since the campaign began," it added.
The infection begins when a user downloads and installs a Gooligan-infected app on a vulnerable Android device, or by clicking on malicious links in phishing attack text messages.
Check Point said it has reached out to the Google security team immediately with information on this campaign.
"We appreciate Check Point's partnership as we've worked together to understand and take action on these issues. As part of our ongoing efforts to protect users from the Ghost Push family of malware, we've taken numerous steps to protect our users and improve the security of the Android ecosystem overall," Google's director of Android security Adrian Ludwig was quoted as saying.
Among other actions, Google has contacted affected users and revoked their tokens, removed apps associated with the Ghost Push family from Google Play, and added new protections to its Verify Apps technology.
Check Point?s Mobile Research Team first encountered Gooligan's code last year and in August this year, the malware reappeared with a new variant and has since infected at least 13,000 devices per day.
Check Point is offering a free online tool that allows users to check if their account has been breached.
"If your account has been breached, a clean installation of an operating system on your mobile device is required. For further assistance, you should contact your phone manufacturer or mobile service provider," Shaulov said.
Thursday 6 October 2016
New Google phone comes with suite of 'smart' technology
At a product launch in San Francisco on Tuesday, the company officially announced the Pixel phone, the Daydream View virtual reality headset, the Chromecast Ultra streaming device and the Google Home smart speaker.
None of these devices are unique to Google, and the tech giant faces stiff competition from established companies like Apple and Sony.
But Google is gambling that the deep well of data it has accumulated about people through its search engine and online software puts it in the best position to leverage emerging technologies for individual consumers.
"Our goal is to build a personal Google for each and every user," CEO Sundar Pichai said. "We want to build a Google for each user."
Pixel phones
The Pixel phone marks the company's most aggressive challenge yet to Apple and Samsung.
Google has released a series of its own phones, dubbed Nexus, since 2010. Those phones had limited distribution and were typically embraced by Google purists. Now, the company is casting aside the Nexus name as it aims to become an even more prominent player in the mobile market.
Described as "the first phone made by Google inside and out," it comes with a voice-activated, built-in personal assistant.
Assistant, Google's answer to Apple's Siri, listens to voice commands and performs tasks, such as playing music or making restaurant reservations. It links directly to a user's Google account so it can access things like email and calendars to provide a personalized experience.
Pixel is available for preorder in Canada for $899 or $1,149 for the larger version.
Google Home
Google is ready to start selling its echo of Amazon's Echo.
Googe Home is an internet-connected speaker that uses Assistant to transform your abode into a smart home.
It will be able to perform many of the same tasks as Echo, including playing music and fielding questions about everything from the weather to what's playing at the local theatre.
But Google is betting that the knowledge that it has gained while running the world's dominant search engine will make the computer-powered assistant in Home smarter than Echo's Alexa, which has been on the market since 2014.
Home will also be able to control lights, appliances and other devices around the house, assuming you've installed "smart" versions of them.
And like most of Google's new hardware, Home will work closely with other Google devices. For example, if you have a Chromecast streaming device, you can use Home to control video on your TV.
Home will cost $129 US ($170 Cdn).
Daydream View
The company also gave us a look at its virtual reality headset Daydream View, which comes with a small remote and slate of exclusive content.
The new wireless motion controller for Daydream can function like a fishing rod, a steering wheel or a pointer to permit more sophisticated VR experiences.
The headset is paired with any Daydream-ready phone. For the time being, that exclusively means Pixel, but Google says more compatible phones will roll out.
Daydream is a challenge to more sophisticated systems from Facebook's Oculus business, HTC and Sony.
Google says 50 partners are bringing apps and games to Daydream, with more on the way. Google services such as photos, YouTube and Street View maps will also come to Daydream.
The Daydream View will hit shelves in November for $79 US ($104 Cdn).
Chromecast Ultra
Google is updating its Chromecast video-streaming device for watching Netflix and other online video on big screens.
The new device, Chromecast Ultra, will support a higher-resolution format called 4K and work in concert with Google Home.
Google is facing competition with low-end devices. Roku just announced a $30 Express model that's about the size of a finger, while Amazon just updated its $40 Fire TV Stick. Both of those devices come with a remote, making them suitable stand-alone gadgets. But neither streams in 4K.
Wi-Fi router
The new Google Wi-Fi system will be modular — just add new components based on how your home and rooms are shaped. Software will help manage the various access points for you as you move around.
It will cost almost $130 ($171 Cdn) for the main device. A three-pack for larger homes will cost about $386 Cdn.
New devices could help Google keep its services front and centre in the battle for consumers' attention, said analyst Julie Ask at Forrester Research.
Unlike a new mobile app or other software, she noted, it can be an expensive gamble to build and ship new hardware products. "But if you're Google, you can't afford to stop placing bets."
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