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Google Assistant's Ambient Mode turns Android devices into smart displays
Google wants to put your device to work even when it's charging or resting on a living room table or kitchen counter. Today at IFA, the company announced Ambient Mode for Google Assistant. The new feature will turn the latest Android devices into smart displays.
Google cracks down on apps with shady lock screen ads
Following years of complaints by users, Google is cracking down on Android apps that show shady ads on your lock screen, according to a new developer policy spotted by Android Police. That includes very popular ones like ES File Explorer, which has over 100 million downloads to date. They often force annoying, obtrusive and even spyware ads to pop up for games, iffy anti-virus tools and other dreck.
Google's Pixel phones get lift-to-wake and double-tap features
Google's well-reviewed Pixel and Pixel XL are the Android phones to have right now, but they're still missing some much-liked features from the Nexus 6P and 5X. Namely, the models lack the "Moves" that let you double-tap or merely lift the phone to wake it up. However, some Canadians are reporting that those functions are available in the latest OTA update, so folks in other regions should see them soon, too.
Apple fixes lock screen issue in latest iOS 9 update
Remember that iOS 9 security issue that allows someone to bypass the iPhone lock screen using Siri and access your contacts and photos? And how some folks thought that it wasn't real? Well, Apple sure did, as the latest iOS 9.0.2 update includes a fix for the problem. Apple said that because of the security hole, "a person with physical access to an iOS device may be able to access photos and contacts from the lock screen." It addressed the issue by "restricting options on a locked device," meaning users will no longer be able to exploit Siri to access those areas.
Android security flaw lets attackers in using a large password
There have been plenty of security holes involving mobile device lock screens, but a recently discovered Android flaw may give you more reasons than usual to be cautious. The technique bypasses the lock screen on most versions of Android Lollipop by crashing it with any large-enough password -- all you need to do is work with that text while the camera app is open, and then enter it into the password prompt. When the attack works, you have as much access as the hardware's rightful owner.
Microsoft's putting Bing on your Android lock screen
Wish your Android device's lock screen was a bit more scenic? Microsoft's Garage team has you covered with Picturesque, then. It pulls the daily image from Bing's homepage and throws it to your phone in addition to adding a box for Redmond's search engine of the same name, as spotted by AndroidCentral. Not a fan of the photo of the day? You can shake it off for one from the past six days. Notifications for missed calls and messages are here too like with Garage's previous effort, Next Lock Screen, but there are a few functional differentiators. For instance, with Picturesque you can read full news articles without unlocking your device, and Indian users get a few regional bits like Muhurat measurement. It's worth noting that you're trading music player controls and a few other things, though. Sound like something that'd be up your alley, regardless? Well, it's available on Google Play right now -- you know what to do.
Microsoft's Android lock screen now shows your music and online chats
Microsoft's intelligent take on an Android front end, Next Lock Screen, just got much more useful if you're a music maven or love to chat online. An updated version not only brings music controls to the lock screen (as you'll sometimes see elsewhere), but surfaces your Hangouts, Line and Skype messages -- you'll know at a glance whether or not that friend got back to you. The new software shows MMS chats, too. While it may still feel a bit odd to use an Android interface add-on from the folks in Redmond, the revamp is big enough that you'll want to give it a shot if your phone's existing lock layout just isn't cutting it.
Microsoft's smart Android lock screen now shows the weather
Microsoft's experimental Garage team has been busy -- hot on the heels of a Torque update, it's releasing a big upgrade to Next Lock Screen. The refreshed Android front end now shows the weather, so you won't be caught off-guard by rain on the way to a lunch meeting. Personalization is also more important here; you can use your home screen wallpaper as a backdrop if you like, and hide the status bar if you find it unsightly. This won't necessarily have you ditching your usual Android lock screen (especially not if you're a fan of Lollipop's notifications), but it's worth a try if you like quick access to apps and info.
Microsoft Android Wear app lets you search Bing by twisting your wrist
Slightly irked that you have to say "OK Google" whenever you want to use voice search on your Android Wear smartwatch? Microsoft, of all companies, is coming to your rescue. The developer is leading a trio of experimental Android releases with Torque, an app that lets you start a Bing search just by twisting your wrist; you only have to speak when you're asking your question. You'll get optimized output for certain kinds of search results, including maps, stocks and weather.
MyLock creates attractive lock screens for your iOS device
There are many apps that let you create a custom lock screen, and occasionally I like to see what's new in the category. One notable app is MyLock (free with an-app purchases). It provides photos and graphics for your use, or you can use anything on your camera roll. There are also themes, which are overlays that can further customize your image. There are a variety of texts styles, and most are quite stylish. The themes and images are regularly updated. The app is a bit quirky. To save my image to the camera roll I have to shake the phone, which seems rather pointless. There are irritating, animated ads, some of which take over the whole screen. That's simply a no-no in my book. Apps are welcome to have ads, but they needn't be intrusive or obnoxious. Still, the app can create really interesting lock screens, so I have put up with some of its more bizarre 'features'. The graphics are generally of good visual taste, not the junk that often passes for design. The in-app purchase option is simply unnecessary. There are plenty of nice options built-in, plus your own endless supply of personal photos. Other similar apps that are worth a look are LockScreen Buddy (free with in-app purchases), and Wallpapers for iOS7. MyLock requires iOS 7 or later. It's not a universal app, so it's best for the iPhone and iPod touch.
Daily App: Lockscreen Wallpaper Designer for iOS
Lockscreen Wallpaper Designer (currently on sale for US$0.99) is a clever little app that lets you make an attractive lock screen for your iOS device that keeps the date and time legible. To use the app, grant it access to your photo library. Choose an image, and select a rounded, square or star shaped window. You can zoom, shrink or reposition the photo as you like. Finally, save it and then find the result in your camera roll. Save it as wallpaper and you're good to go. There's complex here. The app does its job and produces a nice result. It's just a simple solution to make your lock screen more readable and attractive. You can manually accomplish the same thing with many photo editors, but this is quick and easy. Lockscreen Wallppaer Designer is a universal app that requires iOS 7 or later. It is optimized for the iPhone 5.
Cover's context-aware Android lock screen launches on Google Play (video)
Context-sensitive interfaces like Aviate and Google Now are on the rise in the Android world, and Cover is taking advantage of that spotlight by releasing its dynamic lock screen on Google Play as a public beta. The updated front end works much as it did in the invitation-only test, automatically changing app shortcuts and settings as you move from place to place. It's also easy to peek into apps or switch between them. Most of the improvements lie below the surface, Cover says -- the new version maintains an app's exact state while peeking, improves KitKat compatibility, includes tutorials and offers more customization. Whether or not you're a Cover veteran, you're now just a click or two away from trying the updated software for yourself.
Apple addresses lockscreen bypass bug with iOS 7.0.2 rollout
Apple confirmed and assured everyone that it was working on a fix to the iOS 7 lockscreen bypass bug last week that let sneaky individuals mess with users' email and social network accounts. And now, exactly seven days later, said update is hitting handsets in the form of iOS 7.0.2. Directly to the point, the update is said to "fi[x] bugs that could allow someone to bypass the lock screen passcode." And hey, there's also a Greek keyboard option for passcodes thrown into the update for good measure.
iOS 7 bug lets you call any number from a locked homescreen (video)
You can expect three things every time a new iOS version comes along: fresh aesthetics, features and, by the looks of it, ways to bypass a locked screen. In iOS 7's case, this is the second security flaw unearthed since it's launched: An iPhone user named Karam Daoud recently discovered that you can dial any number on the Emergency call page from a locked homescreen. If you press the green phone button repeatedly after keying in a number, the screen turns black with an Apple logo, and the call goes through. We've tested it out on different devices, and while it doesn't work all the time, the point is that it sometimes does. There's no apparent way to disable Emergency calls, but Apple reportedly told Daoud it'll issue a patch later. We've reached out to Cupertino for a statement, and we'll inform you once we hear back. Meanwhile, if you've been hearing about another supposed iOS 7 exploit that allows Siri to make calls, send text messages and post to social networks from a locked screen, don't worry too much. It's not actually a bug -- just go to Settings > General > Passcode Lock > Allow access when locked, then switch Siri off. After you do that, no mischievous sibling should be able to post embarrassing status updates on your Facebook account. That is, unless you do it yourself after a night of drunken revelry.
iOS 7 lock screen vulnerability reported, and here's how to fix it (Updated)
It took less than 24 hours for someone to find a way to break through iOS 7's passcode feature, and wouldn't you know it: the new Control Center is to blame. By going through a rather simple series of swipes and taps, a user can bypass the lock screen on some iOS 7 devices. You start in the Control Center, switch to the Timer, then double-tap the home button which lets you access the multitasking feature, allowing you to browse apps without having to unlock the device. I say "some" because there's a rather simple tweak you can perform that will prevent someone from using this nasty trick on your own iPhone or iPad: Simply go to Settings -> Control Center and toggle the "Access on Lock Screen" option to "off." Ta-da! You're safe! Update: Apple is working on a fix. Update 2: According to multiple reports, accessing the multitasking menu through the Timer glitch only produces blank screenshots, but using the glitch while in the Camera app gets the job done. [via Forbes]
Viber exploit lets attackers bypass Android lock screens, for now (update: fixed)
If you're an Android user who prefers Viber for VoIP and messaging, you may not want to leave your phone unattended in the near future. Bkav Internet Security has discovered an exploit that will bypass the lock screen on Android phones new and old (including the Nexus 4) as long as pop-up notifications are active. While the exact actions vary from phone to phone, all that's really needed is an incoming message or two, a handful of taps and the back button to reach the home screen. App users can disable the pop-ups as a short-term workaround, although they thankfully won't have to do that for long when Viber promises that a patch is on the way. There's only a small chance that a malicious attacker will both get their mitts on your phone and know that you've got Viber installed, but we'd advise against using statistical probability as a security measure. Update: Sure enough, Viber has fixed the exploit in the days since we first posted the story. Chat away!
Apple files patent for app access on lockscreen
Apple has filed a patent for something I would love to see implemented in a future iOS update: Quick access to certain apps directly from the iPhone's lockscreen. Patently Apple says that the patent application outlines a system of rotating the "slide to unlock" slider on iOS' lockscreen upwards, and then providing access to a number of apps directly, without having to unlock the phone and find the apps on the home screen. I could not love this idea more. I think one of iOS' biggest weaknesses is the home screen's lack of actual functionality. Apple has taken half measures by providing direct access to the camera app and a better implementation of the Notification Center, but most of the lockscreen is wasted space. There's almost no way to add information and functionality you want. It's a major loss, especially when you consider how Apple's competitors have handled things. Obviously Apple wants a good-looking way to do it, and I respect that. But this idea definitely seems like it offers some good possibilities. According to Apple's patent, the sliding display would feature a touch-sensitive home button, and the way you'd get access to these apps would be to enter some specific combination of gestures on that button directly. Of course, like all of the patents we see come out of Apple, there's no guarantee that this will ever be implemented in this way. But man, I'd definitely like to see more functionality on my iPhone's lockscreen, however it's put together.
Mobile Miscellany: week of March 25th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week, an unknown T-Mobile handset with Snapdragon 800 internals lit up the benchmarks, Sony was foiled at the lock screen and Rogers made 44 new promises without saying much at all. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of March 25th, 2013.
Samsung's Android phones affected by another lockscreen bypass, fix is in the works
Since lockscreen bypass methods are apparently what's hot in the streets, it's no surprise that yet another one has surfaced, this time targeting Samsung's Android phones. A variant of another, earlier uncovered method, this one does not fully unlock the phone by itself, but does provide access to apps and settings for a brief period. Given that, as demonstrated in the video by Terence Eden, it's possible to use Google Play to download an app to disable the locked screen and fully access the phone. According to Terence, this problem is confirmed on the Galaxy Note II, possibly the Galaxy S III and potentially on other TouchWiz UI Samsung Android phones. Disabling screen animations under developer options should reduce the vulnerability, but doesn't eliminate it without switching to another ROM. He also mentions Samsung is aware of the issue and is working on a fix, but that leaves phones accessible right now. We've certainly seen enough of these recently (Apple's latest version of iOS has also been victimized again in the last day) to know leaving our phones out, locked or unlocked, is foolish. At the same time, if a manufacturer insists on adding customized software to the existing platform, it could at least have the courtesy to do so without causing security leaks -- check after the break for a "bonus" vid sent in by another tipster that shows a way to activate voice commands on a locked Galaxy S II.
iOS 6.1.3 screen lock bypass uncovered (video)
Remember how yesterday's release of iOS 6.1.3 was supposed to fix a security hole that allowed one to bypass the lock screen? Well, turns out Apple's got a bit more work to do. Today, a new lock screen sidestep was revealed by YouTube user VideosdeBarraquito, and this time around, running iOS 6.1.3 won't do you any good. The bypass involves invoking a telephone call by voice command and then ejecting the SIM card at a specific event. After a few steps, access to a users contact list and photo gallery becomes easily accessible. The upside? If you're genuinely concerned about your security, you can plug this hole yourself by disabling the voice dial option from the Password Lock screen within system settings. You can view the complete exploit after the break. As for Apple, looks like it's back to the drawing board.
