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Android Oreo (Go edition) now official (Source: The Keyword)

Android Oreo Go now official, targets low-end devices

Next to Android 8.1 Oreo, Google intros the Go edition, which is a variant of its mobile operating system that comes with a lighter set of Google apps and has been optimized to work on devices with 512 MB to 1 GB of memory.

Codrut Nistor, 05 Dec 2017 23:25

Nokia 3 to make jump to Oreo

The Nokia 3 had issues getting the update to Android 7.1.2 Nougat due to its MediaTek heritage. HMD CPO Juho Sarvikas, however, has confirmed that the entry-level device will make the jump directly to Android Oreo, assuaging the f...

Ricci Rox, 05 Dec 2017 22:55

Xiaomi Mi A1 set to begin beta testing for Oreo update

The Xiaomi Mi A1 was launched under the Android One program, which makes steady software updates a certainty. The device was slated to receive its Oreo update in December and there's a slim chance that deadline may actually be met...

Ricci Rox, 05 Dec 2017 22:44

Image: BLU Twitter (highlighting added by news editor)

BLU releases software fix for bricked Life One X2 phones, but it may not work for everyone

BLU has released a fix for the phone-bricking OTA update they issued last week. While many users are reporting success, some customers will be left out to dry. Affected users are understandably upset at the latest misstep by BLU.

Sam Medley, 05 Dec 2017 17:03

Get World in Conflict and Assassin's Creed: Black Flag for free this month

Ubisoft is offering the acclaimed RTS World in Conflict now through December 11th. They will then release Assassin's Creed: Black Flag for free from December 12 through the 18th.

Sam Medley, 05 Dec 2017 06:48

Target Wallet mobile payment system in action (Source: TechCrunch)

Target launches a new mobile payment system

The Target app has just received Wallet, a mobile payment system that only supports the Target REDcard for now, but it will soon gain the ability to add and pay with Target GiftCards as well.

Codrut Nistor, 05 Dec 2017 01:45

Facebook Messenger Kids app for iOS (Source: Facebook)

Facebook Messenger Kids rolls out in the US

The new Facebook Messenger Kids opens up the social network to children aged under 13. This app allows parents to download the app on their child's device, create a profile, and then approve the contacts they are allowed to intera...

Codrut Nistor, 04 Dec 2017 18:50

Samsung Secure Wi-Fi VPN service (Source: SamMobile)

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 gets a VPN service with the latest update

Apparently as a response to the recently discovered (and patched) KRACK exploit, Samsung added a VPN service to the Galaxy Note 8. Known as "Secure Wi-Fi," this service encrypts all outgoing traffic to provide safe browsing while ...

Codrut Nistor, 04 Dec 2017 17:07

Apple Pay Cash now available thanks to iOS 11.2

iOS 11.2 comes with faster wireless charging and Apple Pay Cash

Apple has just released iOS 11.2 with support for faster wireless charging, video camera stabilization, Apple Pay Cash, as well as a fix for the autocorrect bug that has been recently discovered.

Codrut Nistor, 04 Dec 2017 14:05

Oreo for the Moto Z2 Force coming in a bit

The Moto Z2 Force is set to get its first taste of Oreo in the coming weeks, with the company sending out a teaser to users of the device a few days ago.

Ricci Rox, 04 Dec 2017 10:39

New cryptomining exploit continues to use your resources even after the browser window is closed

Malwarebytes has identified the use of pop-under windows which contain a cryptomining script to bypass adblockers and continue to run even after the user has closed the visible browser windows.

Craig Ward, 02 Dec 2017 23:55

LG V30 Oreo update to have Treble, unlocked version now available

The Oreo beta update for the LG V30 that was sent out a few days ago was confirmed to not have Treble implemented. A customer rep, however, has claimed otherwise, which may mean that future builds get Treble support.

Ricci Rox, 02 Dec 2017 11:02

Essential Phone Android flagship gets new software update on its way to Oreo

Essential Phone gets portrait mode and reduced compression

While the users of Andy Rubin's flagship can take the Android Oreo beta update for a spin, the Essential Phone gets a minor update that introduces the long-awaited portrait mode and multiple image quality improvements.

Codrut Nistor, 02 Dec 2017 02:05

Indian Intelligence Bureau calls out smartphone apps sending data to China

The Indian Intelligence Bureau has directed its border troops to format their smartphones and delete a number of specified apps, citing the reason as a discovered data trail leading from these apps to China.

Ricci Rox, 01 Dec 2017 19:06

Don't expect an exact replica of the PC experience. (Source: Playbattlegrounds)

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is coming to Android

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, popularly referred to as PUBG, may be the hottest thing in the gaming industry right now, with the MMO reaching a Steam record of close to three million peak players.

Ricci Rox, 01 Dec 2017 18:32

Lock screen advertising on Android (Source: Android Police)

Google Play removes most apps with lock screen ads

A few years after removing apps that showed ads as push notifications, Google takes one more step in the right direction and forbids apps that display ads in the device's lock screen from being distributed via Google Play.

Codrut Nistor, 30 Nov 2017 23:59

Oreo rollout begins for unlocked HTC U11 Life

HTC's VP of Product Management, Mo Versi, has confirmed that the U11 Life will receive Android Oreo starting today. Only unlocked versions of the device will receive it now, though, as was the case with the U11.

Ricci Rox, 30 Nov 2017 21:52

LG V30 and V30+ receive Oreo beta

The LG V30 and V30+ were released a few months ago, with both devices running on Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. Users in South Korea, however, have started receiving Oreo beta updates. We expect an international rollout soon.

Ricci Rox, 30 Nov 2017 21:46

Google Datally mobile data-saving app in action (Source: Google)

Google launches Datally mobile data saving app

Since having more than a few GB of free, full-speed mobile data remains a dream for many Android users around the world, Google Datally comes to help them by providing the tools needed to better manage its usage.

Codrut Nistor, 30 Nov 2017 21:05

Microsoft Edge on Android and iOS handsets (Source: Microsoft)

Microsoft Edge now available as a stable release for Android and iOS

Now that the beta period is over, Microsoft Edge is ready for both Android and iOS devices. Its list of changes includes password sync, a dark theme, and the very handy "Continue to PC" feature.

Codrut Nistor, 30 Nov 2017 19:30

Skyforge MMORPG now available on Xbox One (Source: My.com)

Skyforge now available on Xbox One

After five years in development, Skyforge entered the open beta stage in early 2015. This free-to-play MMORPG was released for PlayStation 4 in April, and now the time has finally arrived for the Xbox One console to get it as well...

Codrut Nistor, 30 Nov 2017 11:05

Samsung has acquired AI startup Fluenty

Fluenty has recently become the first South Korean AI startup to join Samsung on their path to a much better Bixby virtual assistant. As usual, the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Codrut Nistor, 30 Nov 2017 02:40

Sony Xperia X Performance Android flagship gets Oreo update

Sony Xperia X Performance gets Android Oreo

Next to the Xperia XZ and XZs, the Sony Xperia X Performance also receives the Android Oreo update this month. The new firmware includes the latest security patch from Google and comes with new features such as autofill, smart te...

Codrut Nistor, 29 Nov 2017 18:10

BLU Products releases phone-bricking OTA update

The latest OTA update for the phones of the popular US-based BLU Products apparently managed to brick a lot of phones and a lot of people are (very) angry about it. Sadly, there is no official solution for this problem that does n...

Codrut Nistor, 29 Nov 2017 12:58

Huawei facial recognition technology preview during the Honor V10 launch event (Source: WinFuture)

Huawei previews Face ID competitor

During the Honor V10 launch event, Huawei also revealed the face recognition technology they are currently developing and a demo of its animated emojis, both (advertised as) better than the Face ID and the Animoji by Apple.

Codrut Nistor, 28 Nov 2017 23:20

Microsoft will remove option to sign in to Skype using Facebook account

The Skype desktop software and web interface will receive the update treatment soon to match the Android, iOS, and UWP applications. When this happens, the legacy feature to sign in using your Skype account will disappear so any a...

Craig Ward, 28 Nov 2017 02:39

Rugged Acer Chromebook 11 C771 with Intel Skylake

Microsoft Office finally available for all Chromebooks

Without any fanfare, Microsoft finally made Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint available for (apparently) all Chromebooks via the Google Play store. Chrome Unboxed confirmed their availability on the Pixelbook, Samsung Chromeboo...

Codrut Nistor, 27 Nov 2017 17:50

Unlocked HTC U11 Android flagship gets Oreo update

Unlocked HTC U11 receives Android Oreo

According to Mo Versi, HTC's Vice President of Product Management, the unlocked HTC U11 flagship receives the Android 8.0 update starting today. He also revealed that the Sprint variant and the older HTC 10 should get the new firm...

Codrut Nistor, 27 Nov 2017 13:10

OnePlus 5 Android flagship to get the facial recognition feature of the OnePlus 5T

OnePlus 5 to get facial recognition capabilities

A leaked Android Oreo-based firmware build for the OnePlus 5 reveals that this handset might soon get the Face Unlock feature that has been introduced last week with the new OnePlus 5T flagship.

Codrut Nistor, 27 Nov 2017 10:35

Nokia 8 gets Oreo update, 5 and 6 to follow

HMD has sent out a final, stable Oreo update to the Nokia 8, effectively making them the third OEM to do so—impressive no matter how you look at it—with the Nokia 5 and 6 to follow suit in the coming weeks.

Ricci Rox, 25 Nov 2017 19:27

The Xperia XZ and XZs receive Oreo

Sony has sent out Oreo updates to the Xperia XZ and XZs, keeping up its good form of sending updates out on time. We expect the Xperia X phones—X, X Performance, and X Compact to receive their updates in the coming weeks.

Ricci Rox, 25 Nov 2017 19:22

Microsoft Edge - Edit URL for Favorites feature in Windows 10 Insider Build 17046 (Source: Microsoft)

Windows 10 Insider Build 17046 brings more refinements

The latest Windows 10 "Redstone 4" test build is numbered 17046 and comes with a lot of tweaks and fixes, including faster access to advanced UWP app options, improved emoji support, and the ability to fill in and save data to use...

Codrut Nistor, 25 Nov 2017 16:35

Christmas comes early for S6 users. (Source: The Android Soul)

The Samsung Galaxy S6 may just receive Android Oreo

The Samsung Galaxy S6 is way over two years old, so it comes as a pleasant surprise that Samsung service representatives have confirmed that the device will receive Android Oreo in the near future.

Ricci Rox, 24 Nov 2017 08:46

Sanctum 2, free for a limited time on Humble Bundle. (Source: Humble Bundle)

Sanctum 2 is now free if you claim it within the next two days

Humble Bundle inc. is offering up the tower-defense-cum-FPS game, Sanctum 2, for free as long as you claim it within the next 48 hours.

Craig Ward, 24 Nov 2017 01:40

Oreo on the Mate 9 brings good tidings. (Source: CNET)

A generic AOSP ROM booting on the Mate 9 may be the biggest milestone in recent Android history

The Huawei Mate 9 was updated to support Project Treble on its Oreo beta. A user on XDA-Developers has successfully installed and booted a generic version of AOSP Android on the device in what may just be a groundbreaking event in...

Ricci Rox, 23 Nov 2017 22:28

Xiaomi kicks off Oreo beta program for the Mi 6

Xiaomi has kickstarted its closed Oreo beta-testing program, with selection currently ongoing and expected to last for a few weeks. The open beta is expected to begin by January 2018.

Ricci Rox, 22 Nov 2017 23:58

The OnePlus 5 gets nothing too, of course. (CNET)

No Treble for the OnePlus 5T, OnePlus confirms

In an AMA on OnePlus forums yesterday, company staff confirmed that no current OnePlus device—5T inclusive—will be updated to support Google's new Project Treble.

Ricci Rox, 22 Nov 2017 23:47

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a free download on iOS and Android. (Source: Google Play Store)

Nintendo's Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is now live on a smartphone near you

Nintendo sprung a surprise by announcing the availability of popular game, Animal Crossing, on iOS and Android app stores for free. The company aims to capture both console and smartphone gamers with its offerings.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 22 Nov 2017 16:11

A new set of Intel Management Engine vulnerabilities confirmed

Not long after a few security research groups discovered new vulnerabilities in the Intel Management Engine remote administration subsystem, the chipmaker confirmed these issues in a new security advisory that also lists other bug...

Codrut Nistor, 21 Nov 2017 14:10

Intel has completed field testing of its 5G modem. (Source: XDA Developers)

Intel's 5G modem completes end-to-end testing, could make its way into a future iPhone

Intel has announced that its first commercial 5G modem, the XMM 8060, has completed end-to-end field testing, beating rival Qualcomm in the 5G race. It is also being rumored that Apple is in talks with Intel to incorporate Intel's...

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 20 Nov 2017 15:15

Facebook Creator app tools (Source: Facebook)

Facebook Creator app goes live for iOS, coming soon to Android devices

Released a few days ago, Facebook's new set of tools for content creators that comes as the Creator app is only available for iOS users for now. Described as "a one-stop shop for creators of all kinds," it should hit the Android p...

Codrut Nistor, 20 Nov 2017 14:45

OnePlus 3T Android flagship gets Android O

OnePlus 3 and 3T receive Android Oreo

Only a few days before the release of the OnePlus 5T with Nougat onboard, the OnePlus 3 and 3T flagships receive their last major software update. This Android Oreo-based update for them comes as OxygenOS 5.0.

Codrut Nistor, 20 Nov 2017 12:15

Yet another Android exploit. (Source: Pixabay)

New Android security flaw allows screen recording without direct user permission

A security research firm has revealed an Android exploit which allows a rogue application to record all on-screen activity without the user's permission. This has been fixed in Android 8, but users on older versions are still vuln...

Craig Ward, 18 Nov 2017 19:16

The OnePlus 5 is poised to receive the Oreo beta by the end of the month. (Source: Techradar)

The OnePlus 5 and 5T will receive Oreo by the end of the year

OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 5 and 5T will receive Oreo beta updates by the end of the year, with the full, stable update to come in early 2018. The Oreo beta program for the OnePlus 3 and 3T has been opened for months.

Ricci Rox, 17 Nov 2017 18:24

Android Pay in a grocery store (Source: Google - The Keyword)

Android Pay hits Brazil and the Czech Republic

A few weeks after its debut in Ukraine, Google's Android Pay arrives in the Czech Republic and Brazil. This mobile payment service will go live in Slovakia soon as well.

Codrut Nistor, 16 Nov 2017 20:35

Lineage 2: Revolution now available via Google Play and Apple's App Store

Lineage 2: Revolution hits Europe and North America

Lineage 2: Revolution has been available in South Korea, Japan, and China since early 2017, and today it finally hits North America and Europe. The game is available for both iOS and Android.

Codrut Nistor, 15 Nov 2017 21:15

The Essential PH-1. (Source: Digital Trends)

Essential PH-1 now equipped with Treble

A user on Essential's Reddit community has discovered the presence of Google's new Treble API on their PH-1 after updating to the Oreo beta that was released yesterday.

Ricci Rox, 15 Nov 2017 20:51

Android Oreo has new APIs which help remove developers reliance on accessibility permissions. (Source: knd61/Pixabay)

Google's new security policy on accessibility features will limit or remove 'hundreds of good, useful apps'

The next stage of Google's push to improve Android security is putting a spotlight on applications which misuse accessibility features to add functionality that wasn't expressely designed to improve use for people with disabilitie...

Craig Ward, 14 Nov 2017 21:44

HP Care lists the SD835 powered laptop. (Source: HP)

The HP 2US29AV could be one of the first ARM-powered Windows 10 laptops

Details of HP's first ARM-powered Windows 10 laptop could have just leaked, courtesy of HP Care. The site lists availability of Care Pack services for an yet to be announced HP laptop powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 14 Nov 2017 13:25

Essential Phone gets unofficial LineageOS support

Although the Essential Phone's design makes it difficult to build custom ROMs for it, an XDA Developers user has been able to bring LineageOS 14.1 to Andy Rubin's flagship.

Codrut Nistor, 14 Nov 2017 11:20