Google Play Store update adds finer security control for app purchases
Making it smoother for you to buy up all the in-app items you need (or make it harder for your kids to do the same), Google’s latest update to the Play Store is adding a new “Require password” settings option, as well as a more eye-catching in-app purchase reminder when applicable apps are downloaded. These security changes might well be in response to a recently-filed class action lawsuit against Google Play, and the ability for children to really ring up those in-app purchases within a 30-minute window. In the company’s defense, however, the default setting requires users to input their password for every app and in-app item.
Apple recently added an in-app purchase nag warning inside its iOS 7.1 update, noting that once the password has been entered, users won’t have to reenter it for 15 minutes. Google’s store update also adds the ability to batch-install apps (ready for that upgrade), although it’s curiously dropped the batch-uninstall function. The fight against bloatware might take a little longer next time.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Community
ASUS could drop dual-OS devices following pressure from Google and Microsoft
One of the more interesting laptops we saw at this year’s CES was a split-personality hybrid from ASUS — the Transformer Book Duet TD300, shown above. According to the Wall Street Journal, however, plans to launch the device during the first half of this year have been shelved due to resistance from both side of OS camp, i.e., Microsoft and Google. The WSJ report tallies with an earlier rumor from DigiTimes, and it also claims that sales of two of ASUS’s existing dual-OS products, the the P1801 and P1802 all-in-one PCs, are to be suspended due to Microsoft’s “new policy” of not supporting dual-boot systems. On the other hand, none of this really jibes with rumors from the smartphone side of the market, where Microsoft is reportedly willing to try anything in order to boost the popularity of the mobile version of Windows.
Filed under: Laptops, Tablets, Microsoft, ASUS, Google
Source: Wall Street Journal (pay wall)
Chromecast Android app prepped for upcoming international rollout
Google’s Chromecast has been very well received so far — and thanks to the SDK, becoming more useful with better support from music, video and photo apps — but without international availability, it’s tricky to get a hold of if you don’t live in the US. Previous indications pointed to a UK launch this month, and things are lining up to make that happen. First, Google’s Sundar Pichai mentioned the HDMI dongle would come to “many more countries” in coming weeks during his SXSW Interactive appearance. Next, the Chromecast control app on Android received an update making it available in 50 new languages. Android Police dug into the updated file itself, finding references for “TV offers” and possible 5GHz WiFi support. Finally, Liliputing points out a tweet by an employee of UK retailer Curry’s, with a pic claiming to show a stack of Chromecasts that have just arrived, albeit without an exact release date or associated retail info.
Looks like Google Chromecast will be available to buy in UK stores very soon! @androidcentral @kngbn97 @PaulOBrien pic.twitter.com/Hj2Y9r2hwH
– Ray Carmichael (@Rage06) March 13, 2014
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile, Google
Via: Liliputing
Source: Android Police, Google Play
Bing finally supports image matching in search
You know Google’s Search by Image feature? Well, Bing now offers the same functionality — albeit more than two years later. Microsoft’s search engine will now let you search for a particular picture, as Google has been doing since mid-2011. While Google’s Search by Image works by dragging and dropping a photo into the text box, Bing’s version uses an Image Match button to pull up different sizes for a given picture. It’s definitely a useful feature, especially if you need a particular resolution or are looking for a particular source. Better late than never, Microsoft, but you certainly are tardy on this one.
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft, Google
Via: The Next Web
Source: Bing Search Blog
LG Made Google Watch Specs get Some Leak Attention
Leaks and rumors are always a fun way to get conversations rolling. A new leak from infamous leakster, @evleaks, has pump out a bit of information regarding the upcoming and fairly anticipated, Google Watch. We have known for a while that LG would be the manufacturer of the device.
The leaked specs outline a Google (LG) Smartwatch with a 1.65″ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 280 x 280. Internally it houses 512 MB of RAM and 4GB of storage. The processor manufacturer and speed are still to be determined.
More Google (LG) smartwatch specs: 1.65″ IPS LCD @ 280×280, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, processor TBD.
— @evleaks (@evleaks) March 13, 2014
The watch is said to be heavily KitKat and Google Now orientated. I am sure it will be compatible with any android device that is running a minimum of KitKat with the best experience being with a Nexus device.
It sounds like we can expect a square watch display with the 280 x 280 mention. Rumors peg an announcement this month with a release in June at Google I/O. The early announcement would be aimed for excitment, but more so for the release of the SDK. It would give developers a few months lead to create new apps and update current ones to work with the new watch.
Personally I would prefer a round display, but I know that is trickier and also limits the amount of information that can be displayed on the screen.
What do you guys want to see happen with the Google designed smartwatch? Will it need to hit the sweet spot price tag to be considered, or will you shell out top dollar for it?
Via Evleaks Twitter
img via 9to5Google
Navigate the Colorado River from your sofa with Google Maps Street View
With spring quickly approaching (hopefully) and summer following shortly thereafter, outdoor adventures are just around the corner. In order to get mentally prepped for expedition season, Google Maps now affords users the opportunity to paddle down the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park thanks to Street View, without fear of being swept away by the currents. The added imagery also provides an up-close look at the Grand Canyon itself and popular spots like Deer Creek Falls, North Canyon and the Nankoweap Granaries. By adding the endangered river to Street view, the folks in Mountain View are hoping to raise awareness for the issues that plague the area. This is just the latest in Google’s Map-based tourism exploits that have recently included Monticello, Mount Fuji and even a submarine.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Google Maps
Google Drive’s reduced rates make cloud storage even more affordable
Google Drive has been the cloud repository of choice for many people since it launched back in 2012, and now the company is dropping prices to make it even more attractive. While users will still get 15GB for free, the 100GB package now costs $1.99 a month, down from $4.99. What’s more, the 1TB option has received more than a 50 percent price cut: it now costs $9.99 per month, a big drop from its previous rate of $49.99. Need even more room? 10TB+ plans start at $100 a month. Best of all, if you’re already paying for Drive storage, you’ll automatically be converted to a better plan at no additional cost and the storage still spans Drive, Gmail and Google+ Photos.
All told, compared to Dropbox, at least, Google’s new rates are quite tempting: Dropbox offers just 2GB for free, and charges $10 a month for 100GB. Business plans, meanwhile, start at $15 per user per month. The first two tiers do allow for added space for free based on referrals, one gigabyte at a time.
Filed under: Storage, Internet, Google
Source: Google Drive Blog
Samsung Galaxy security flaw discovered that provides remote access to data
Security has always been an interesting topic on Android and that discussion just got another reason to exist with a development team discovering a security flaw affecting the Samsung Galaxy series that could enable remote access to data on your device.
The development team behind an open-source operating system based on Android called Replicant OS, discovered that this ‘backdoor’ affects not only the version of Android running on Samsung Galaxy devices, but also those custom firmwares based on stock Android images such as Cyanogenmod.
The ‘backdoor’ is said to be caused by “the proprietary software that is in charge of handling the communications with the modem, using the Samsung IPC protocol, implements a class of requests known as RFS commands, that allows the modem to perform remote I/O operations on the phone’s storage.”
What that means is that hackers have the potential to harness this method and remotely access data stored on the device without your consent.
Some of the handsets known to be affected include:
- Galaxy Nexus (I9250)
- Galaxy Nexus S (I902x)
- Galaxy S (I9000)
- Galaxy S II (I9100)
- Galaxy S III (I9300)
- Galaxy Note (N7000)
- Galaxy Note II (N7100)
- Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (P31xx)
- Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (P51xx)
Expect Google and Samsung to fix this very quickly.
The post Samsung Galaxy security flaw discovered that provides remote access to data appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Translate for Android now deciphers handwriting in 13 more languages
If you’re an Android user traveling to the Middle East or southern Asia, you’ll likely want to grab a just-released update to Google Translate. The new app expands on a recent iOS upgrade with handwriting recognition for 13 extra languages that mostly come from the above two regions; you can now write in Arabic and Persian as well as Indian dialects like Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu. You’ll also find support for Bosnian, Cebuano, Hmong, Maltese, Mongolian and Somali. This isn’t the biggest Google Translate refresh that we’ve seen, but it could make all the difference if you’re visiting Dubai or New Delhi.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Play
Threes! addictive number game available on Google Play
The popular addictive number puzzle game Threes! has been released for Android on the Google Play Store. Threes! involves matching numbers in a puzzle which will be sure to test your mathematic skills.
The App has been ported from iOS by Hidden Variable Studios and remains the same price at $1.99. The developers of Three! published the following infographic showing the various statistics of the game that give an interesting insight into the popular puzzle game.
The current high score for Threes! is 808,989 from user chu121su12 so if you think you can beat that, click on the link below and grab your copy of Threes! now.
The post Threes! addictive number game available on Google Play appeared first on AndroidGuys.
AIVAnet 