Qualcomm chip security holes affect most Android phones
If you own vaguely recent Android smartphone, there’s a good chance that at least one of Qualcomm’s many chips powers it… and if so, you might be at risk. Check Point has revealed four vulnerabilities, bundled under the QuadRooter nickname, that take advantage of problems with Qualcomm driver software (for elements such as graphics, memory and routing) to get root-level access and install malware that could hijack your device. All an attacker needs to do is load a seemingly innocuous, permissions-free app to deliver the payload.
Given the sheer ubiquity of Qualcomm in the mobile world, the exploits could affect the majority of Android devices — Check Point estimates 900 million in total, or most of the 1.4 billion active devices in use as of fall 2015. That includes many of the past and present flagship phones from companies you know, such as Google’s Nexus phones, the HTC 10, LG G5 and at least some variants of Samsung’s Galaxy S7. Check Point has gone so far as to release an app that tells you whether or not your hardware is vulnerable.
Thankfully, three of the four issues have been patched, and a fix is coming for the fourth. However, there’s a very real chance that you won’t get a fix. People with newer Nexus devices already have their fix, but it may take a while for vendors like LG and Samsung to test the solution with their heavily customized takes on Android. And while plenty of security vulnerabilities go unfixed on older hardware that no longer gets support, that lack of updates is a particularly sore point with QuadRooter — many of those 900 million devices are far from the cutting edge.
You probably aren’t under imminent threat given that you’d need to install an app. If you stick to Google Play downloads, you’ll likely be safe. With that said, attackers could easily prey on users who either don’t know this or live in countries where unofficial app stores dominate, such as China.
Via: Ars Technica
Source: Check Point, Google Play
‘Pokémon Go’ update warns you not to catch and drive
You probably know that it’s unwise to play Pokémon Go while you’re behind the wheel, but Niantic and The Pokémon Company aren’t taking any chances. They’re trotting out an update to the mobile game (on both Android and iOS) that tells you not to catch creatures while driving. You have to tap an “I’m a passenger” button if you want to keep playing while moving at high speed. The game can’t check to see that you’re being honest, of course, but this will at least serve as a reminder that irresponsible gameplay can have serious consequences.
That’s not the only noteworthy addition. This is the upgrade that restores the battery saver mode on iOS, helping you eke a little more exploration time out of your iPhone. It also fixes a key bug that prevented you from getting experience with good throws, adds graphics for the leaders of the three teams, and will let a handful of users test a new “nearby Pokémon” interface. Even if you’re a cautious player, then, it’s worth grabbing this new version in a timely fashion.
Source: Google Play, App Store, Pokemon Go (Facebook)
Fan-made ‘No Man’s Sky’ app catalogs your interstellar journey
The galaxy-faring sci-fi fest No Man’s Sky isn’t out until next week but one enterprising fan has already made parts of the game perhaps a little less daunting. Reddit user Aleator83’s NMS Ally is a companion app that will, among other things, generate custom names for the planets you visit and creatures you find, and upload your screenshots to share with other users of the app. Polygon notes that it’ll also track where you find resources. It’s live for Android at the moment, and Aleator83 says that the iOS version is pending approval from Apple.
It isn’t the first fan-made app for a sprawlingly huge game, but let’s hope that like Rockstar, the teams at Sony and Hello Games won’t shut this down. If you’re feeling jealous of the people playing the game (and using the app) early, know that their progress isn’t permanent. Ahead of the game’s retail release on Tuesday, Sony and Hello Games have announced No Man’s Sky’s pre-release servers will be wiped on Sunday. That means that everyone will start with a clean slate whether they want to or not.
Servers are being wiped on Sunday pic.twitter.com/JTmzabmU1R
— Harry Denholm (@HarryDenholm) August 5, 2016
Via: Polygon
Source: Google Play, Reddit
BlackBerry releases its Hub+ apps on Android
Even if Kim K ends up ditching BlackBerry, she could still replicate part of the BB experience with an Android phone. The Canadian phonemaker has released its Hub+ suite of applications on Google Play for devices running Android Marshmallow. BB’s Hub shows all your mail and social media notifications in one interface, while the suite as a whole comes with the Calendar app and a password manager. As the company wrote in its announcement post, we once described Hub as the “closest [thing] to [a] universal inbox.” The Hub+ used to be exclusive to BlackBerry 10 and to BB’s Android phone the Priv, but the company’s sluggish sales hinder the software from reaching as many users as possible.
By releasing the suite for all Android Marshmallow devices, it now has more potential users. However, its success depends on how many people deem it worthy of a monthly subscription. It’s only free for the first 30 days, after which you’ll either have to pay 99 cents per month or agree to continue using the suite with ads. The subscription-based version will also give you access to the company’s Contacts, Tasks, Device Search, Notes and Launcher apps. If you want BB’s virtual keyboard, though, you’re out of luck.
Take note that some Marshmallow phones might not be able to run the suite yet. However, the company is adding more and more models to its compatibility list everyday, so you can try again. That is, unless you have a tablet — Hub+ will only work on phones. BlackBerry, by the way, has big plans for the suite and aims to make it available for Android Lollipop and iOS devices in the future.
BlackBerry pivots to software with Hub+ Android app https://t.co/Rxv2kZ4WWF (Photo: Google Play) pic.twitter.com/F67gyRXSTV
— USA TODAY Tech (@usatodaytech) August 4, 2016
Source: BlackBerry, Google Play (1), (2)
Android’s social watch face closes down in September
With the looming update to Android Wear 2.0, legacy apps (and devices) are going the way of the buffalo. In this case, it’s the Together watch face that included one-to-one communications like doodles and photos with another person using Google’s wearable platform. Android Police reports that the reason why is that app’s latest update warns that the watch face’s social features are going to be baked into the next version of Android Wear. Y’know, similar to how they have been with Apple Watch. When’s the funeral? Apparently, the end of next month: September 30th.
Source: Android Police
Google wants to standardize Android password managers
Security is more important than ever, but people still don’t love typing passwords into phones. As such, Google is teaming with Dashlane and other password managers on the “Open YOLO” (You Only Login Once) project. The idea is to create an API that lets Android developers access password managers so that you can log into apps automatically with no typing or insecure autofill. Dashlane is spearheading the venture in cooperation with other password managers, though it hasn’t said which are involved.
Details are light on how it works, but we assume you’d log in once to your password manager then get access to all apps that support Open YOLO (gawd that name). Such a system would be more convenient and secure for the average user, as many managers require strong passwords and protect you from reuse attacks. (That’s assuming, of course, that nobody hacks YOLO or the password manager itself.)
Dashlane said that while the project is starting with Android, it could eventually hit other platforms and operating systems. Neither Google nor other password managers like LastPass have chimed in, but we expect we’ll find out more once they do.
Source: Dashlane
Facebook starts testing live photo and video filters
Facebook has launched a new, experimental feature for its mobile apps that adds Snapchat-esque live filters over the videos and photos you take. Before you get too excited, though, you should know two things: first, its “creative effects” filters are very limited, and the ones already out (which include masks and frames) are Olympics-themed. Second, only iOS and Android users in Canada, as well as iOS users in Brazil can access it at the moment.
If you’re in either country, you’ll see a notification asking you to give the creative photos and videos feature access to your camera when you launch the app. Once that’s done, a camera will be placed right on top of your News Feed to make it easy to capture new images.
Facebook says that just like Instagram Stories, the prominent camera placing and live filters are part of its strategy to become a “more video-centric network.” But since this is just the feature’s test run prior to its global rollout, it might look and work differently once it arrives in the US and other parts of world. Most people would expect a much bigger selection of creative effects, at the very least, before they make the switch from their more robust, standalone filter apps.
Source: Facebook
LG unveils the first Android Nougat phone on September 6th
Earlier this month, LG announced its quirky V20 smartphone would be the first to ship with the latest Android 7.0 Nougat operating system, beating the upcoming Nexus refreshes to the nougat-y punch. Now we know the dual-screen, dual-selfie camera successor to the V10 will officially be unveiled in San Francisco on September 6, 2016.
Although LG has yet to share many details about the new phone’s features, we do know it will be once again sporting dual displays: a main 5.7-inch display, plus a second, always-on ribbon display at the top for notifications and quick app access. In practice, Engadget found the V10’s second screen to be one of the best implementations to date, with easy access to audio controls or a quick glance at an email subject line. Other features, like those two front-facing cameras seemed like overkill for anyone who doesn’t need two lens options when shooting a selfie.
As for the rest of the internals, those details will land next month, when we expect the V20 to start retailing around the same $600 price point as its predecessor.
Beloved indie game ‘To the Moon’ heads to iOS, Android in HD
To the Moon is a heartwarming RPG that landed on PC in 2011 and quickly found success, garnering multiple accolades including a nomination at the 2012 Independent Games Festival. In 2017, mobile players will get the chance to play To the Moon in an HD, remastered version coming from Ragnarok Online developer XD Network. The iOS and Android editions feature updated mechanics and a softer overall design: The original game’s sharp pixel edges have been smoothed out in a painting-inspired art style.
To the Moon deals with death through the veil of time travel. It stars two lovable doctors who traverse through an old man’s memories in order to make his dying wish come true, and along the way, they discover a tender tale of love and platypuses.
To the Moon creator Kan Gao expects the HD remaster to be ready for testing in 2016, with a full launch in 2017. Gao is the sole developer behind To the Moon and its sequel, Finding Paradise, which is also set to come out in 2017. Finding Paradise features the doctors from To the Moon as they attempt to alter the memories of a new patient.
Earlier this year, we spoke with Gao about the pressures involved in following up a successful independent project.
“To the Moon’s release certainly changed my life in a lot of ways,” Gao said in January. “It is certainly wonderful to be able to not worry about stability for the time being while making the game, but at the same time — and I really don’t mean to sound ungrateful, as it has really been so fortunate — there is a kind of expectation and pressure that comes with it that almost balances things out in terms of my focus.”
Google app for kids makes it fun to explore the Himalayas
Zooming around part of the Himalayas (and its tallest peak) on Google Street View might already be fun for a lot of people, but you’ll have to amp up the fun factor if you want grab kids’ attention. Google’s solution for that is giving kids (and adults) a way to explore 3D imagery of the mountain range as a very friendly, 500-foot-tall Yeti. The tech titan’s new Android app called Verne: The Himalayas, puts you in control of a Yeti that can climb mountains on foot, fly around in a jetpack, a hang glider or a balloon and even skate across frozen lakes. Verne can also play traditional Himalayan instruments and make friends with yaks.
The Yeti can do all that while a disembodied voice talks in the background to dispense random trivia about the mountain range — the app’s supposed to be fun and educational, after all. Mountain View didn’t say whether this marks the beginning of a series of educational applications for children. But if you need something, anything to distract your kids right this moment, check out the app on Google Play.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Verne: The Himalayas
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