Android

Google’s next Android P update is said to embrace iPhone X style notch design

There is no denying that even the top smartphone manufacturers try to copy or clone some of the best smartphone features of its competitors and implement it in their devices so that they can attract more consumers and expand their market.

Apparently, Google is looking to enhance the design of its upcoming operating system, which is also expected to be a complete overhaul of its software, in a bid to attract more iOS users and make them switch to Android, reports Bloomberg citing sources close to Google.

Android P (internally referred as Pistachio Ice Cream), which is expected to be Google’s next major Android update, will be seen “mimicking” Apple’s new “notch” at the top of iPhone X that is assumed to be implemented in Google’s “new generation” of Android smartphones. By embracing the iPhone X style notch design, Google is looking to make its presence felt in the flagship and premium segment.

“While Android dominates the middle and low-end of the global smartphone market, Apple controls much of the high-end with users who spend more on apps and other services. Embracing the notch may help change that. The design will mean more new Android phones with cutouts at the top of their screens to fit cameras and other sensors. That will likely support new features, helping Android device makers keep up with similar Apple technology.

“What’s unlikely to change much is Android’s nagging problem: Most of the billion-plus Android devices globally run outdated versions of the operating system, exposing security holes and holding back Google’s newest mobile innovations.

“Alphabet Inc.’s Google controls the Android software, while other companies manufacture the devices. These partners can also tweak the software to their specific needs, so not all Android phones will have notches. Indeed, when the iPhone X came out in November, Samsung Electronics Co., the largest Android phone maker, mocked the feature in a commercial.

“Still, building notch capabilities into Android suggests Google expects the iPhone X look to catch on more broadly,” Bloomberg reported.

Android P is expected to integrate more tightly with Google’s Assistant, improve smartphone’s battery life and support new designs, like multiple screens and foldable displays. It will also allow third-party app developers to integrate the AI in their apps for a complete smooth function. Google is also thinking of adding the assistant into the search bar on the Android home screen, but “neither of these changes are finalized for introduction this year.”

Also, we had recently reported that Google’s Android P is expected to feature an inbuilt voice recorder with a call recording tone that will be played every fifteen seconds to warn the other person in the conversation that a recording is in progress. The sound will be added to the outgoing audio stream so that the party on the other side can hear it.

With Google expected to announce its next version of Android operating system, Android P, at the Google I/O Conference to be held later this year, we can expect more rumors and speculations coming our way until the official announcement is made.

Source: Bloomberg

Google looking to come up with web version for Android Messages

Although Google has its own standalone messaging apps, such as Allo, Hangouts, Voice, and Android Messages, it is still lagging behind its competitors such as Apple’s iMessage, Facebook’s Messenger and WhatsApp. Hence, Google is looking to enhance its default SMS application ‘Android Messages’ on its Nexus and Pixel devices by bringing some major changes.

In a recent update to Android Messages app, a hidden code was found within the app that indicates Google is preparing to release a web-based service of the app, which will allow users to send texts, photos/videos and share files or locations, reports Android Police.

Another upgrade that appears to be in the works is messaging over Wi-Fi and viewing the messaging status (typing, delivered, read, etc.). There are also clues of Google setting up payments sharing feature in the app via Google Pay.

Currently, the project is codenamed “Ditto”, but the launch title is expected to be “Messages for Web” when it is officially rolled out.

“There’s a new version of Android Messages rolling out for the phones. So far, we haven’t seen any significant changes to the UI, but huge things are happening under the surface,” reports Android Police.

Similar in functionality to WhatsApp Web, this feature may require users to scan a QR code to link their smartphones and PCs, after which it would allow them to send text. The feature appears to be partially implemented in the latest Android Messages 2.9 APK, but one cannot send an actual text yet. It might support for browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Internet Explorer.

“Users will be guided to visit a website on the computer they want to pair with the phone, then simply scan a QR code. They will be able to send and receive messages in the web interface and it will link with the device to do the actual SMS/MMS/RCS communication through their network carrier,” the report added.

Google has yet to make any official announcements regarding implementation of these new features in a future version of Android Messages.

“It’s possible that the guesses made here are totally and completely wrong. Even when predictions are correct, there is always a chance that plans could change or may be canceled entirely,” Android Police notes. “Much like rumors, nothing is certain until it’s officially announced and released.”

Therefore, until we officially hear from Google, it is better to take these rumors with a pinch of salt.

Android P: The next version of Android to offer call recording support

While call recording functionality has existed within Android over the years, Google often places restrictions on developers’ access. To use the call recording functionality on Android, one needs to install a third party application, as the system itself does not allow call recordings directly.

However, the latest commits which are available in AOSP (Android Open Source Project) site since February 2 indicate that this could change with Android P (or Android 9.0), the next iteration of Android’s operating system.

Apparently, some codes refer to the existence of “call recording tone”, which means Google is likely to integrate call recording capabilities. The codes reveal the support of a 1400Hz frequency tone that will be played every fifteen seconds to warn the other person in the conversation that a recording is in progress. The note indicates that the sound will be added to the outgoing audio stream so that the party on the other side can hear it.

“The tone itself is said to be of the 1,400Hz variety, meaning people of all ages should be able to hear it without any issues, with one of the commits referring to it revealing that it’s meant to be played every 15 seconds while the conversation is being recorded, presumably as to remind the person who didn’t initiate the recording that it’s still participating in one,” the report says.

In this way, the recording function will “meet regulatory compliance requirements,” cites commits note. However, each country may set different rules for privacy protection. As a result, the commits have implemented a feature that will allow the carriers to decide whether or not they want the call recording and the sound to be heard every 15 seconds.

“Adding carrier configuration option to specify whether the carrier requires the incall recording tone be played,” reads the information available on one of the commits.

Currently, it is unclear whether Google will new provide APIs (application programming interface) that will allow developers to integrate the call recording functionality into their apps. However, the built-in Android P feature is likely to work with recording apps after getting the required permissions, as noted in the commits.

Google will be announcing its next version of Android operating system, Android P, at the Google I/O Conference to be held later this year.

Skygofree Android Spyware Can Steal Almost Everything In Your Mobile

Security researchers at Kaspersky Lab have identified a new sophisticated espionage software for Android, which can gain complete control of users’ phones and steal information.

The software dubbed as ‘Skygofree’ is “one of the most powerful spyware tools” ever seen for Android that “display capabilities more reminiscent of Hollywood spy movies,” says Kaspersky.

This Android software can trace user’s location, record audio conversations, intercept SMS, calendar entries, monitor popular apps such as Facebook Messenger, Skype, Viber, and WhatsApp, and even read WhatsApp messages through Accessibility Services. It can also connect a device to a Wi-Fi network controlled by hackers, even when the user has disabled Wi-Fi connections or take photos every time the user unlocks his device. The software can also operate in standby mode.

“In practice, this means that attackers can start listening in on victims when, say, they enter the office or visit the CEO’s home,” said Kaspersky Lab. “This lets the victim’s traffic be collected and analysed.”

Although the spyware was identified by Kaspersky’s researchers at the end of 2017, but its existence dates back to 2014. Apparently, Skygofree has already infected several Italian Android users and the software has evolved considerably during the three year period.

“The malware is distributed through fake mobile operator websites, where Skygofree is disguised as an update to improve mobile Internet speed. If a user swallows the bait and downloads the Trojan, it displays a notification that setup is supposedly in progress, conceals itself from the user, and requests further instructions from the command server. Depending on the response, it can download a variety of payloads — the attackers have solutions for almost every occasion,” says Kaspersky.

In order to safeguard against the software, Kaspersky firstly recommends users to install apps only from official online stores (such as Play Store, App Store) and disable installation of apps from third-party sources. Secondly, pay attention to misspelled app names, small numbers of downloads, or dubious requests for permissions. Lastly, install a reliable security solution that will protect your device from most suspicious websites, dangerous links, and malicious apps and files.

Source: Kaspersky

Android smartphones have been sending location data to Google, even if you opted out

Android smartphone users beware, as Google is secretly gathering your location data even when you have actively disable location services on the device, reveals an investigation conducted by Quartz.

Apparently, Android smartphones since the beginning of 2017 have been collecting addresses of nearby cellular towers even when location services are turned off and sending this data back to Google when the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network or has a cellular data enabled.

While Google confirmed the practice to Quartz, the search giant said it would end the practice by the end of November and Android smartphones will no longer send cell-tower location data to Google, reports Quartz.

The data was being collected as a part of the Firebase Cloud Messaging, which the app developers and Google use to send notification messages or data messages to the consumers or their own apps, Google told Quartz. The sad part is that this cannot be disabled and it doesn’t depend on what apps you have installed even if your smartphone has gone through a factory reset or the SIM card has been removed.

“In January of this year, we began looking into using Cell ID codes as an additional signal to further improve the speed and performance of message delivery,” a Google spokesperson told Quartz about the location-sharing practice. “However, we never incorporated Cell ID into our network sync system, so that data was immediately discarded, and we updated it to no longer request Cell ID.”

It is still unclear how cell-tower addresses that helps in identifying a specific cell tower, could have been used to improve message delivery. The findings breach a “reasonable consumer expectation of privacy,” reports Quartz.

With no way to opt out, Google collecting this type of data seems extremely disturbing for Android users and a concern from security point of view. However, if an Android device were to be stolen, it could end up compromising the cell tower data. Although Google says the cell tower data is encrypted, it doesn’t mean it can’t be compromised by a hacker. The only way to stop it would be possible only when Google make changes to Android.

Google releases Android Studio 3.0, Android 8.1 Developer Preview

Google had announced Android Studio 3.0 at the company’s I/O 2017 developer conference in May this year for its IDE (integrated development environment) for mobile. Keeping on its words, Google released the latest version of Android Studio 3.0 yesterday, which is now available for download. Alongside, Android Studio 3.0, the search giant also launched a developer preview of Android 8.1 (Oreo).

The highlight of Android Studio 3.0 is that it will support the new programming language, Kotlin, which is bundled inside the IDE.

“This release of Android Studio is packed with many new updates, but there are three major feature areas you do not want to miss, including: a new suite of app profiling tools to quickly diagnose performance issues, support for the Kotlin programming language, and a new set of tools and wizards to accelerate your development on the latest Android Oreo APIs,” said Android product manager, Jamal Eason. Besides these, there is also improved support for Java 8 language features and Android Things, which is the OS for IoT devices.

The new version of Android Studio 3.0 allows the developers to automatically convert their code to Kotlin and get started with an app in the new language. Coders can use Kotlin by creating a new file (File > New > Kotlin File/Class), or via a built-in conversion tool (accessed via menu: Code > Convert Java File to Kotlin File), or with the new option to create a Kotlin-enabled project in the New Project Wizard, which just requires ticking an “Include Kotlin support” checkbox.

Other than Kotlin, Android Studio 3.0 also includes features such as creating Instant Apps, improving the development experience, new tools for creating adaptive icons, better managing fonts, writing for Android Things, the build process, testing and debugging, and more. You can check out the entire list of new features in Android Studio 3.0 here.

When Android logo Appeared Peeing On Apple In Satellite View

Some of the top public toilets around the world include Centennial Park Amenities in Australia, Tokinokura Lavatories Shimodate in Japan, Trail Restroom in Texas, Retractable Urinals: URILIFT in London & Amsterdam, Transparent Toilet in Switzerland and Kawakawa public toilets in New Zealand among others. However, Android prefers to pee over Apple. Yes, you read it right.

Back in 2015, the Android logo appeared peeing on Apple in satellite view. Some pranksters have tried pranks via Google Map Maker and have drawn a green area or park on Google Maps in the shape of the Android logo as if it is peeing on the Apple logo.

The geographical coordinates of these logos lied in Pakistan. This prank could have been done by an anonymous prank star or by Google itself as a stunt to hit the headlines. However, Google had to apologize to its users and had to pull down the Map Maker tool. This suspension was a temporary measure to control the issue and fix the loopholes in the tool which allowed misuse of the application by pranksters’.

Are you looking for iPhone X’s Animojis on your android phone?

Animojis on the iPhone X is one of the latest & most popular application. Would you like to have this cool app on your Android phone too? Well, there is nothing to worry about, as there is an app for Android which supports Animojis; and it’s absolutely free.

If you are still wondering if the report is too good to be true, in that case, you should note that this app can easily operate on several platforms such as Android or iOS, and this app is not dependent on any hardware or bionic sensor, which is present in iPhone X. There the app runs equally well on both the leading mobile operating systems. Isn’t very cool, when you can enjoy the same features without having an iPhone?

How will you get the iPhone X’s Animojis On your Android phone

Step 1:

Go to Google Play Store on your phone, and search for ‘Animoji for phone X +Live Emoji Face Swap Emoticon’ app.

Step 2:

Start downloading the app & then install it.

Step 3:

Start operating the app, and accept all necessary requests, so that the app can work without any inconvenience.

Step 4:

Now, select your favorite Animojis and hold your phone straight to your face and act as the app asks you to do.

Step 5:

Congratulations! Now you have successfully created an Animoji. If you wish, you can now record the animation with just a click on the record button and then just stored &/or share with your loved ones.

Well, you may find it is not exactly the same app as in iPhone X, however you can enjoy it equally without spending any penny. What’s now, go just enjoy the app and leave your valuable feedback so that the developer can understand your interest and deliver accordingly.

Motorola releases list of phones that will get Android 8.0 Oreo update

All those Motorola smartphone owners who are looking to enjoy new features of the Google’s newly released Android 8.0 Oreo operating system can rejoice now, as Motorola Mobility, a subsidiary of Lenovo, has released a list of the Moto devices that will receive Android 8.0 Oreo update.

“We’re happy to confirm Android 8.0 Oreo will be joining our fleet of Motorola smartphones, starting this fall,” read the company’s blogpost. Motorola also has an online tool that allows its handset owners to select their carrier and phone to find out if/when it will be updated.

The smartphones that are set to be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo are

• Moto Z2 Force
• Moto Z2 Play
• Moto Z Force DROID
• Moto Z
• Moto Z Play
• Moto G5
• Moto G5 Plus
• Moto GS5
• Moto GS5 Plus

The company has also asked its users to stay tuned with Motorola for the status of updates on its customer support page. On the other hand, Motorola’s other three flagships, namely Moto G4 Play, Moto G4, and Moto G4 Plus that are running Android Nougat and are more than over a year old are not included in the list, hinting that these might not get upgraded to Android 8.0 Oreo.

The Android 8.0 Oreo will bring a number of new features and improvements to the Moto Android smartphones. Moto smartphone owners will enjoy “faster speeds, longer battery life, split-screen capabilities, smart text selection, improved notifications, autofill framework for your trickiest of passwords, and of course, the all-new Google Play Protect, helping to ensure none of your apps become compromised,” confirmed the company in their blogpost.

In addition, Android 8.0 Oreo will also include picture-in-picture multitasking, allow users to watch YouTube videos while replying to a text or check their e-mails and much more.

Besides Motorola, several smartphone makers like Samsung, Nokia, Huawei, OnePlus, HTC, LG, Sharp and Sony have also confirmed Android 8.0 Oreo for their devices.

Google testing Android P on Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones

Google, who recently unveiled the official name of Android O (Oreo) and started rolling out Android 8.0 Oreo OTA (over-the-air) updates to devices running the latest Android Nougat beta, has already started thinking about the future. Apparently, the search giant is working on the next build of Android, likely to be known as Android P.

As spotted by XDA Developers website, Google has opened a new tag in the AOSP (Android Open Source project) repository called as ‘master-p’, indicating the arrival of the upcoming version of Android 9.0. The codes indicate that Google has started to test out Android P or Android 9.0 on smartphones like the Google Pixel (sailfish) and Pixel XL (marlin).

The report adds that some of the changes made in the version_defaults.mk file mention PLATFORM_VERSION_CODENAME=P, TARGET_PRODUCT=marlin and TARGET_PLATFORM_VERSION=PPR1. One of the strings in the AOSP codes, which goes by the name, “master is P only, removing old values”, shows that the platform version was updated from 8.0.0 to P. All these changes and upgradation are a clear indication that Google is working on a new platform version.

Whether the Google developer team has developed Android 8.1 to launch for eligible devices or have they planned to release Android 9.0 directly, we will have to wait and watch.