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Tag: Android

  • Google Fined Over Anti-Competitive Abuse of Its Android Dominance

    Google Fined Over Anti-Competitive Abuse of Its Android Dominance

    South Korea has fined Google $177 million over its efforts to prevent handset makers from using forks of the Android operating systems (OS).

    While Android is commonly viewed as a Google product, at its core Android is an open source operating system, called AOSP (Android Open Source Project). Any company or entity is free to take AOSP and use it and customize it for their own purposes, just as Google does. There are a number of Android distributions, such as the excellent CalyxOS, that take AOSP and release it free of Google’s trackers for the more privacy-conscious.

    Unfortunately, despite some AOSP distributions being superior to Google’s version of Android, few if any have been able to get OEM deals to be pre-installed on handsets. Much of this is the result of Google requiring handset manufactures to sign its “anti-fragmentation agreement (AFA).” The AFA prohibits handset makers from shipping phones with an alternative Android distribution installed, or from developing their own.

    According to Yonhap News, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) — South Korea’s antitrust regulator — has fined Google $177 million for its anti-competitive practices in regard to the AFA.

    “We expect the latest measures will help set the stage for competition to revive in the mobile OS and app markets. This is also expected to help the launch of innovative goods and services in smart device markets,” the KFTC said.

    Hopefully, the KFTC’s ruling will help CalyxOS, and others like it, to gain traction within the Android ecosystem.

  • PSA: WhatsApp Dropping Support For Older Android Devices

    PSA: WhatsApp Dropping Support For Older Android Devices

    WhatsApp is preparing to drop support for older versions of Android, impacting users running versions older than 4.1.

    Like most companies, WhatsApp routinely updates their app’s requirements with new versions. An upcoming update will drop support for Android 4.0.4 and older, according to the company’s notes.

    WhatsApp will no longer support Android phones running OS 4.0.4 and older on November 1, 2021. Please switch to a supported device or save your chat history before then.

    Users will need to be running Android 4.1 or later to continue using WhatsApp.

  • No, Android Apps Are Not Coming to the Xbox

    No, Android Apps Are Not Coming to the Xbox

    The Xbox will not be getting Windows 11 Android app support, despite some rumors to the contrary.

    One of the biggest features in Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 11 is support for Android apps. Microsoft had originally planned on including support when Windows 11 shipped, but the company has since indicated Android support will arrive later.

    Rumors started circulating that the Xbox may also get support for Android apps, but Windows Central says Microsoft has confirmed that is not the case, saying the company has “no plans” for the feature.

  • AccuWeather Alerts Coming Exclusively to T-Mobile Customers

    AccuWeather Alerts Coming Exclusively to T-Mobile Customers

    AccuWeather has announced a new severe weather alert notification system exclusively for T-Mobile customers.

    Severe weather is becoming an increasingly dangerous issue for people around the world. More powerful hurricanes, raging wildfires, blistering heat waves, freak blizzards and devastating tornadoes wreak havoc with greater frequency each year.

    AccuWeather is one of the leading weather forecast services, serving more than 1.5 billion people daily. The company is now rolling out a severe weather alert system, AccuWeather Alerts, specifically for T-Mobile customers, following a successful pilot program in three T-Mobile markets.

    T-Mobile customers can receive up-to-the-minute alerts for “Severe Weather Potential,” “Severe Weather Threat” and “Dangerous Weather Imminent!” via their iOS and Android devices.

    “Every year, severe weather claims hundreds of thousands of lives and causes trillions of dollars in damage around the world,” said AccuWeather Founder and CEO Dr. Joel N. Myers. “Our expert meteorologists not only offer the most accurate forecasts, but they understand the importance of communicating the impact of severe weather effectively, so people can take appropriate action. As part of our mission to save lives, help keep families and property safe, AccuWeather Alerts can inform people to make the best weather-impacted decisions.”

    The new alerts are integrated into the AccuWeather app, and will be available in 20 markets prone to severe weather beginning August 31. The markets include Atlanta, Boston, Greenville, SC, Houston, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and many more.

  • Windows 11 Will Ship on October 5 Without Android Support

    Windows 11 Will Ship on October 5 Without Android Support

    Windows 11 will not ship with one of its biggest feature, as Android support is being delayed “over the coming months.”

    Microsoft made headlines when it announced that Windows 11 would support Android apps, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for Windows users. Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 will be available on October 5, but users will have to wait a while longer to run their favorite Android apps.

    Windows 11 comes with a new Microsoft Store rebuilt with an all-new design making it easier to search and discover your favorite apps, games, shows, and movies in one trusted location. We look forward to continuing our journey to bring Android apps to Windows 11 and the Microsoft Store through our collaboration with Amazon and Intel; this will start with a preview for Windows Insiders over the coming months.

    The move is sure to be a disappointment, but at least Microsoft is taking time to make sure it works properly.

  • Google Bringing Location-Specific Reviews to Play Store

    Google Bringing Location-Specific Reviews to Play Store

    Google is preparing a major upgrade to the Play Store, adding localized reviews to help individuals make more informed decisions about apps.

    Most people rely on ratings when deciding which to app to install versus which one to skip. Unfortunately, given the international reach of many applications, non-localized ratings can cause problems for developers and users alike. The same is true of reviews that don’t differentiate based on device type.

    “Ratings help people decide which apps to download and they are taken into consideration for featuring and placement on Play Store,” reads the company’s Android Developers Blog. “But because the app experience can vary depending on the user’s region and device type, aggregate ratings don’t always tell the whole story. That’s why, starting in November 2021, we’re going to change the ratings that individual users see based on where they’re registered, and later in the year what device they’re using.”

    The announcement is good news for Android users, and should help users and developers alike.

  • Google Assistant Driving Mode Now Replacing Android Auto

    Google Assistant Driving Mode Now Replacing Android Auto

    Google is killing Android Auto, replacing it with its Google Assistant Driving Mode.

    According to XDA, Users on Pixel phones running Android 12 have started receiving a message that Android Auto is no longer available on their devices.

    Android Auto is now only available for car screens. On your phone, try Google Assistant driving mode instead.

    Android Auto on phones was never meant to be a long-term solution, and only served as a stopgap measure until Google could finish rolling out Google Assistant Driving Mode. 

    Google confirmed to 9to5Google that the warning is not Android-version-specific, but is part of a larger plan to end support for the app on phones.

    Google Assistant driving mode is our next evolution of the mobile driving experience. For the people who use Android Auto in supported vehicles, that experience isn’t going away. For those who use the on phone experience (Android Auto mobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time.

  • Android 2.3.7 and Older Versions in the Cold

    Android 2.3.7 and Older Versions in the Cold

    Google is cutting off Android 2.3.7 and older from logging in, leaving the aging versions of the mobile OS in the cold.

    Android is currently on the 11th major version, with versions 2.3 released over a decade ago. Nonetheless, some users are still running the ancient version of the OS.

    Google is warning that it will soon block Android 2.3.7 and older from logging into Google services, effective September 27.

    As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our users safe, Google will no longer allow sign-in on Android devices that run Android 2.3.7 or lower starting September 27, 2021. If you sign into your device after September 27, you may get username or password errors when you try to use Google products and services like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps. 

    If your device has the ability to update to a newer Android version (3.0+), we advise you to do so in order to maintain access to Google apps and services on that device.

    While no on likes being left behind, Google has certainly supported the older OS far more than what would be considered a reasonable amount of time.

  • Android Authority: Nearly 50% of Users Turn Off 5G

    Android Authority: Nearly 50% of Users Turn Off 5G

    5G may be the next major evolution of wireless technology, but roughly half of users are still turning it off.

    Android Authority is a popular website dedicated to the Android platform. The site posed a poll to its readers, asking them if they turned off 5G on their phones. The results were surprising.

    Out of 1,300+ responses, 50.11% of users don’t turn off 5G. However, a whopping 39.38% of users turn it off and leave it off all the time, while 10.51% of users turn it off when they have a weak 5G signal or low battery.

    5G promises to revolutionize many aspects of modern life and have far-reaching impacts on a wide range of industries. Unfortunately, Android Authority’s poll shows the technology still has a long way to go before it achieves that.

  • Windows 11 Will Ship With Light Mode on by Default, Not Dark Mode

    Windows 11 Will Ship With Light Mode on by Default, Not Dark Mode

    Despite an announcement to the contrary, Windows 11 will ship with the more traditional light mode activated by default.

    At a recent event, a Microsoft employee had announced the company would ship Windows 11 with dark mode on by default. Dark mode is a popular choice across platforms, supported by macOS, Windows, iOS, Android and Linux.

    Users who were excited about such a visibly obvious refresh are in for a disappointment, as Microsoft has backtracked in a statement to BetaNews.

    We are aware that inaccurate information about Windows 11 shipping in dark mode on by default to all commercial SKUs was recently shared and apologize for the confusion. To clarify, Microsoft will ship Windows 11 SKUs in light mode on by default. However, OEMs can choose to ship their devices in dark mode and customers will have the choice to easily customize their experience in Settings to dark mode or light mode. As with all of our products, we will continue listening to customer feedback to ensure Windows 11 meets customers’ needs, wherever they are in their computing journey.

    At least dark mode will still be available on Microsoft 11, but it will require manual activation, unless a specific OEM choose to ship their computers with it on by default.

  • Android Messages Will Be Default Verizon Messaging App Next Year

    Android Messages Will Be Default Verizon Messaging App Next Year

    Verizon has announced it will begin preloading Android messages as the default messaging app on its Android phones starting next year.

    Google has been working to speed up adoption of the RCS messaging standard. Default text messaging on Android is basic SMS, with minimal security and none of the advanced features Apple iMessage users enjoy.

    RCS is Android’s answer, adding group chats, read receipts, file transfers, end-to-end encryption and more. After years of waiting for carriers to adopt the protocol, Google finally started implementing it in Android themselves, and the carriers soon got on board.

    Verizon is now the third major US carrier, behind T-Mobile and AT&T to announce adoption. Beginning next year, all Android phones will come preloaded with the new Android app, Messages by Google.

    “Our customers depend on us to provide a reliable, advanced and simple messaging platform to stay in touch with the people that matter the most in their lives,” said Ronan Dunne, executive vice president and CEO of Verizon Consumer Group. “By working with Google, Verizon will offer our Android users a robust messaging experience that allows them to engage with loved ones, brands and businesses in new and innovative ways.”

    “Verizon and Google have been working together on Android since the early days of smartphones, and we’re excited to be working with Verizon today to bring a modern-messaging experience to our users,” said Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google’s senior vice president of Platforms & Ecosystems.

  • 37 States and D.C. Sue Google for Alleged Play Store Antitrust Issues

    37 States and D.C. Sue Google for Alleged Play Store Antitrust Issues

    A coalition of 37 states, plus the District of Columbia, have sued Google over alleged antitrust violations with its Play Store.

    Google is facing numerous lawsuits and investigations, being accused of abusing its dominant search and advertising position. The company is also being sued by Epic, the creator of Fortnite, over alleged antitrust violations.

    Google’s problems appear to be going from bad to worse, with 36 states and D.C. launching an antitrust lawsuit against the company. Colorado later joined the coalition, bringing the number of states to 37, according to Engadget. The case revolves around Google’s plans charge a 30% commission to all developers that use the Play Store, according to Politico.

    The bipartisan group of attorneys general represent:

    South Dakota, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York, Indiana, Utah, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Idaho, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Montana, Arkansas, Oregon, Vermont, California, Mississippi, Delaware, Missouri, North Dakota, Colorado, Washington, North Carolina, Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Arizona.

    Google has responded to the lawsuit, accusing the states of ignoring the choice Android users have to use the Play Store, or download from a rival store.

    We built Android to create more choices in mobile technology. Today, anyone, including our competitors, can customize and build devices with the Android operating system — for free. 

    We also built an app store, Google Play, that helps people download apps on their devices. If you don’t find the app you’re looking for in Google Play, you can choose to download the app from a rival app store or directly from a developer’s website. We don’t impose the same restrictions as other mobile operating systems do.

    So it’s strange that a group of state attorneys general chose to file a lawsuit attacking a system that provides more openness and choice than others. This complaint mimics a similarly meritless lawsuit filed by the large app developer Epic Games, which has benefitted from Android’s openness by distributing its Fortnite app outside of Google Play.

    It does seem strange the states are choosing to sue Google for charging developers for the use of its Play Store when such usage is entirely optional.

  • Antitrust Bill Would Prevent Apple From Preinstalling Its Own Apps

    Antitrust Bill Would Prevent Apple From Preinstalling Its Own Apps

    A bill introduced by the US House would prohibit Apple and Google from preinstalling their own apps, in an effort to reign in Big Tech.

    Regulators are looking with increased scrutiny at Big Tech and trying to introduce measures to curb their power and influence. As part of a group of five bills, one in particular would place strict limits on so-called “first-party” apps — those that come preinstalled on a device or platform.

    If the bill becomes law, companies like Apple would be prohibited from installing their own software on devices, such as the iPhone and iPad, and instead simply make them available for download. This would, in theory, put the company’s apps on the same footing as third-party options.

    “It would be equally easy to download the other five apps as the Apple one so they’re not using their market dominance to favor their own products and services,” said Representative David Cicilline, according to Bloomberg.

    As with most solutions, it’s far from a perfect outcome. For example, this writer specifically uses Apple products and software, as opposed to Google’s, because of the superior privacy and integration Apple’s apps offer. If I wanted to use Google’s apps…I would purchase an Android phone, and I suspect many Android users feel the same way in reverse.

    For users like us, the added step will be an unwelcome inconvenience.

  • Google Rolling Out End-to-End Encryption in Messages

    Google Rolling Out End-to-End Encryption in Messages

    At long last, Google is rolling out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in its Android Messages app.

    Android messaging has lagged behind Apple iMessage for some time. In most ways, Android messaging has been little better than standard text messages. In contrast, Apple iMessage has offered read receipts, group administration, E2EE, sending files and more.

    Google has been working to move Android Messages to the RCS standard, which is far more comparable to iMessage. After waiting for carriers to adopt the updated standard, Google finally took matters into its own hands and started implementing it in Android. RCS was available globally in November 2020, but E2EE wasn’t included initially.

    The company is now rolling out E2EE, although with some caveats. Needless to say, both parties must have RCS enabled in order to benefit. In addition, E2EE only works for one-on-one conversations, not groups messages.

    While still not as comprehensive as iMessage, the improvements in Google’s Messages will be a welcome upgrade for users.

  • Twitter Uses Prompts to Encourage Nicer Tweeting

    Twitter Uses Prompts to Encourage Nicer Tweeting

    Twitter is rolling out a feature that prompts user to be more considerate, with iOS and Android English-speaking accounts first to see it.

    One of the biggest challenges social media grapples with is discouraging bullying, vitriol and hateful content. Since the early days, social media has struggled with the best way to moderate such content, while still encouraging open, free-flowing discussion.

    Twitter believes it has found a solution, using prompts to warn people of potentially harmful content, and give them the opportunity to change it before posting.

    Based on feedback and learnings from those tests, we’ve made improvements to the systems that decide when and how these reminders are sent. Starting today, we’re rolling these improved prompts out across iOS and Android, starting with accounts that have enabled English-language settings.

    Based on an initial test period, Twitter was able to improve their algorithm for accuracy and consistency. The tests ultimately resulted in 34% of people revising their tweets once they were prompted, or deciding not to send the tweet at all. In addition, once prompted, individuals sent 11% fewer offensive replies in the future.

    Twitter says this is just the beginning, with more improvements yet to come.

    We’ll continue to explore how prompts — such as reply prompts and article prompts — and other forms of intervention can encourage healthier conversations on Twitter. Our teams will also collect feedback from people on Twitter who have received reply prompts as we expand this feature to other languages. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to learn and make new improvements to encourage more meaningful conversations on Twitter.

  • Twitter Enables 4K Uploads on iOS and Android

    Twitter Enables 4K Uploads on iOS and Android

    Twitter has enabled 4K picture uploads via iOS and Android, bringing its mobile apps on par with its web app.

    Twitter’s apps were previously limited to 2048 x 2048 pixels, whereas the web app could upload photos with a resolution of 4096 x 4096. The company has now upgraded its mobile app abilities to match the web app.

  • LG Makes “Three Year Pledge” to Provide Smartphone Android Updates

    LG has committed to providing Android updates to its premium smartphones up to three years, despite plans to exit the business.

    LG announced Monday that it would be exiting the smartphone business, following billions in losses over the last five years. Once a major player in the industry, LG has a number of premium Android phones on the market. Many owners were wondering what would happen to their devices once the company shuts its smartphone business down.

    The company has officially committed to supporting its devices and providing Android updates up to three years past the shutdown date.

    All premium LG smartphones currently in use will receive up to three iterations of Android operating system updates from the year of purchase.

    This promise comes on the heels of the announcement earlier this week that LG will be exiting the mobile business by the end of July. The three OS update guarantee applies to LG premium phones released in 2019 and later (G series, V series, VELVET, Wing) while certain 2020 models such as LG Stylo and K series will receive two OS updates.

    The announcement is good news for LG customers, and will give them plenty of time to transition to another brand.

  • Google Using Rust for Low-Level Android Development

    Google is now using Rust for low-level development of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).

    Kotlin and Java are the primary languages used for creating Android applications, but C and C++ are still used for the core of the operating system (OS). Google is hoping to use the advantages Rust provides by allowing its use in the low-level OS.

    Rust is very similar to C and C++, having many of the same keywords and commands. Like C, Rust also has no garbage collection, making it ideal for integration with C code. What Rust does have, however, is memory safety in the form of ownership.

    Rust provides memory safety guarantees by using a combination of compile-time checks to enforce object lifetime/ownership and runtime checks to ensure that memory accesses are valid. This safety is achieved while providing equivalent performance to C and C++.

    These features make Rust an ideal option for use in the underlying OS. Google has no plans to rewrite the entire Android code base, a task that would be prohibitive. Instead, the company plans on using Rust primarily for new code, where the majority of memory bugs exist.

    Analysis of the age of memory safety bugs in Android (measured from when they were first introduced) demonstrates why our memory-safe language efforts are best focused on new development and not on rewriting mature C/C++ code. Most of our memory bugs occur in new or recently modified code, with about 50% being less than a year old.

    Google’s announcement is good news for the Rust programming language, as well as for Android users.

  • US Supreme Court Sides With Google Over Oracle

    US Supreme Court Sides With Google Over Oracle

    The US Supreme Court has handed Google a decisive victory in its decade-long battle with Oracle over the Android operating system (OS).

    Google made the decision early on to make Android compatible with the Java programming language and libraries. The decision was a smart move, since Java is one of the most popular programming languages, and that popularity helped jumpstart Android’s application ecosystem.

    Sun Microsystems, the original owner of Java, was supportive of Google’s decision. That changed, however, once Oracle bought Sun and the rights to Java. Oracle immediately launched legal action against Google, claiming it illegally copied the Java application programming interfaces (API).

    Google responded by claiming (correctly) that programmers use other companies’ APIs all the time to ensure their software is compatible with other software and services. As a result, Google argued that a win for Oracle would have severely damaging repercussions for the entire software development industry.

    Major companies and organizations backed Google in the fight, highlighting the existential threat to the software development community that Oracle’s case posed. If Oracle won, everything from everyday software to the Linux operating system could be under threat.

    After a decade of court battles, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Google, 6-2. In writing or the majority, Justice Stephen G. Breyer noted the following:

    In reviewing that decision, we assume, for argument’s sake, that the material was copyrightable. But we hold that the copying here at issue nonetheless constituted a fair use. Hence, Google’s copying did not violate the copyright law.

    The win is good news for Google, and even better news for the software industry.

  • Android Phones Home 20x More Than iOS

    Android Phones Home 20x More Than iOS

    A computer researcher at Trinity College Dublin has released a report showing Android phones home to Google 20x more than iOS does to Apple.

    Apple and Google have fundamentally different approaches to data. Apple is a hardware and, increasingly, a software and services company. Unlike Google, however, Apple charges for the majority of its products and services. As a result, the company has repeatedly said it has no interest in consumer data, or viewing that data as the product.

    In contrast, Google offers much of its services completely free of charge. To make a profit, the company is primarily a data-driven company, where the customer — and their data — is Google’s primary product.

    Researcher Doug Leith shows how different the two companies’ approach is to how their phones transmit data, mirroring their approach to consumer data, according to Ars Technica.

    Where Android stands out, Leith said, is in the amount of data it collects. At startup, an Android device sends Google about 1MB of data, compared with iOS sending Apple around 42KB. When idle, Android sends roughly 1MB of data to Google every 12 hours, compared with iOS sending Apple about 52KB over the same period. In the US alone, Android collectively gathers about 1.3TB of data every 12 hours. During the same period, iOS collects about 5.8GB.

    Needless to say, Google has disputed the findings, with a spokesperson providing the following statement to Ars:

    We identified flaws in the researcher’s methodology for measuring data volume and disagree with the paper’s claims that an Android device shares 20 times more data than an iPhone. According to our research, these findings are off by an order of magnitude, and we shared our methodology concerns with the researcher before publication.

    This research largely outlines how smartphones work. Modern cars regularly send basic data about vehicle components, their safety status and service schedules to car manufacturers, and mobile phones work in very similar ways. This report details those communications, which help ensure that iOS or Android software is up to date, services are working as intended, and that the phone is secure and running efficiently.

    Despite Google’s protestations, Leith’s research is no surprise to anyone who has followed Google’s data-mining and collection practices.

  • T-Mobile First Carrier to Embrace Messages by Google

    T-Mobile First Carrier to Embrace Messages by Google

    T-Mobile expanded its partnership with Google, becoming the first US carrier to make Messages by Google the default SMS choice on its Android phones.

    Messages by Google is the company’s attempt to grow beyond basic text messaging. Messages implements the RCS protocol, bringing SMS more on par with Apple’s iMessage or Facebook’s WhatsApp. RCS allows for group chats, read receipts, file attachments, encryption and more.

    Unfortunately for Google, the company has had difficulty getting carriers to make the jump to the new protocol. T-Mobile has now become the first carrier to make Messages the default SMS app on Android and Pixel phones the carrier ships.

    “This is a win for Android users and an even greater win for the Android ecosystem,” said Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior Vice President of Platforms and Ecosystems at Google. “T-Mobile and Google have been working together to champion Android since the very beginning with the launch of the T-Mobile G1 in 2008. We’re taking what has already been a long and very successful relationship, and building on it to bring Android customers even more features and services.”

    The news follows T-Mobile’s announcement it would be ending its in-house TVision streaming TV service, in favor of its customers receiving a $10 per month discount on YouTube TV.

    “We’re building on our decade-long relationship with Google to give customers an even better experience with the world’s very best products and services offered by Android, Pixel and YouTube,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “The world’s most popular smartphone platform with Android, a broad range of premium Pixel devices, an upgraded, modern messaging experience on Android and a robust entertainment offering with YouTube TV — it’s the best of Google, combined with the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network on T-Mobile.”