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63 games and apps on Google Play served porn ads
If you still haven't made it a habit to inspect Google Play applications before installing them, then maybe this will make you rethink your ways. Security firm Check Point has discovered a new malicious code hiding inside 63 games and apps on Google Play -- a malicious code the company dubbed "AdultSwine" that served porn ads, to be exact. Check Point said the rogue applications were targeted towards kids, but a Google spokesperson told Engadget that they were more for the general audience. Google also clarified that they weren't part of its vetted list under the Designed for Families Program, but it's not that hard to imagine children downloading random games they find on the Play store.
Telegram targeted by fake apps that serve malware and ads
Make sure you check an app's name before you download it: Telegram, for instance, had an evil twin on Google Play named "Teligram." According to Symantec, which discovered its existence, its profile and description on the store mirrored the authentic app's, with the only difference being the slightly altered logo. It was also branded as "New version updated" in an effort to fool users into thinking it's the new version of Telegram. And it probably could've fooled people, too, since it actually works as a messaging platform.
Google Wallet and Android Pay are finally united under one brand
Google's payment strategy has been more than a little confusing. It originally offered tap-to-pay under the Google Wallet badge, but it moved that functionality to Android Pay while turning Google Wallet into a money transfer service. Thankfully, Google knows it's a mess and is cleaning things up. The search giant is uniting all its payment efforts under a singular Google Pay brand. Whether you're tapping your phone at the cashier, buying a gift on the web or paying a friend for last night's pizza, you'll see the same name.
After Math: Merry Christmas, you filthy animals
It's been a wondrous week working up to Christmas Eve and not just for the guys with the Tommy Guns. Alamo Drafthouse announced it is starting a rental store and loaning out rare VHS, Protera is going to wake up tomorrow with an order for 25 of its electric buses under the tree, and Google is practically giving away its digital movie rentals. Numbers, because how else will you know how many gold rings you've got coming?
Google Play sale serves up 99 cent movie and TV show rentals
If you've been putting off renting a film, buying an app, or downloading an ebook, you'll be glad to hear that it's sale time on the Google Play Store (again). That means all movie rentals now cost a buck, and the same goes for three episodes from TV programs, giving you the perfect excuse to watch the stinkers you missed at the cinema (like bonkers sci-fi headrush Valerian), and the shows you've yet to binge. What's more you can dive in to some peak drama with 50 percent off HBO Now for the first three months for new subscribers.
Android apps must have 64-bit support by August 2019
Android has supported 64-bit apps ever since Lollipop arrived in 2015, but they haven't been necessary. Now, however, Google is laying down the law... or rather, it will. As of August 2019, Android apps will have to support 64-bit code. They won't have to ditch 32-bit compatibility, but they can't cling exclusively to the past, either. There will eventually be Android devices that will only support 64-bit code, Google noted, so it's important that developers make the leap.
Android will flag snooping apps that don’t warn users
Google, a company that known to keep uncomfortably close tabs on users, is taking new measures to ensure that other Android apps don't do the same without proper warning. The company's Safe Browsing team has unveiled stricter enforcement of its "unwanted software policy," warning users off apps that collect your personal data without consent. Google's search engine will even scare users away from websites that offer up apps violating its policies.
Google will pay hackers who find flaws in top Android apps
Google is probably hoping to raise the quality of apps in the Play store by launching a new bug bounty program that's completely separate from its existing one. While its old program focuses on finding flaws in its websites and operating systems, this one will pay hackers when they find vulnerabilities in Android's top third-party apps. They have to submit their findings straight to the developers and work with them before they can turn in a report through HackerOne's bounty platform to collect their reward.
Google Play lets you test drive Android apps before installing them
Google's Instant Apps are available in a few places for curious Android users, but they've been conspicuously absent in one place: the Play Store. Wouldn't you want to check out an app before committing to it? You can now. Google is now building Instant Apps into the store through a "Try It Now" button on app pages. Tap it and you can find out if an app is your cup of tea without the usual rigamarole of downloading it first. Only a handful of apps are explicitly labeled as Instant Apps-ready (the New York Times' crossword game is one example), but we'd expect that list to grow before long.
Disney ‘Movies Anywhere’ adds flicks from Fox, Warner, Sony and Universal
Frustrated with the current state of DVD/Blu-ray digital copies and buying movies from online stores like Vudu or iTunes? A new connection between studios and stores may be the best fix we'll get, now that Fox, Sony Pictures, Universal and Warner Bros (but not Paramount and Lionsgate, so far) have linked their libraries to Disney's Movies Anywhere setup. Confirming rumors from earlier this week, the Keychest-powered system that Disney has used for its own movies since 2014 will now unlock movies from all of those studios, covering over 7,300 titles. If you haven't used Movies Anywhere with a Disney, Pixar, Marvel or Lucasfilm flick, it's very similar to the Ultraviolet system the other studios have focused on until now. Once you create an account you can watch movies through its app and website, or through stores that participate with it, which include iTunes, Amazon Video, Vudu and Google Play. Linking the accounts is relatively painless, and for a limited time, viewers can unlock access to five free movies (Big Hero 6, Ghostbusters (2016), Ice Age Jason Bourne (2016), The Lego Movie) by doing so.
Google can add new features to Android Wear through its app store
One of Google's most important decisions for Android was to separate key feature updates from new firmware -- you don't have to suffer through months of delays from your manufacturer and carrier just to get a new messaging app or a vital behind-the-scenes service. And now, that's true for Android Wear as well. Google's Hoi Lam has confirmed that Android Wear 2.0 can receive some updates through the Play Store, rather than waiting for monolithic firmware upgrades. An update this past week is proof positive: 2.0-equipped watches got support for third-party chat apps in contacts and fewer accidental launches for the watch face picker.
Google Play matches Apple’s $20 price for select 4K titles
Two weeks ago, Apple announced that 4K HDR titles would be available in the iTunes store to go along with the 4K Apple TV. Ultra HD movies were priced at just $20, which led Amazon to recently follow suit. And now Google has done the same -- select 4K movies in the Play store are priced at $20.
Google pulls 300 Android apps used for DDoS attacks
If a random storage manager or video player you downloaded recently has disappeared from your Android device, don't worry: it might have been for your own good. Google has removed 300 apps from the Play store, which were apparently merely masquerading as legitimate applications. In truth, they were made to hi-jack your phone so it can be used as part of a botnet's distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. WireX, as the botnet is called, pummeled several content providers and delivery networks with traffic from the devices it hi-jacked on August 17th, though it's been active since around August 2nd. In some cases, it also acted as a ransomware, demanding money from its victim.
Pre-register for 'Monument Valley 2' on Google Play (updated)
The sequel to the mind-bending, gorgeous puzzler Monument Valley has been available for iOS since June; it was announced at Apple's developer conference, WWDC. Now Android users get to experience the MC Escher-inspired mobile game. Well, almost. Monument Valley 2 is available for pre-registration on the Google Play Store.
Vizio TVs add the Google Play video app
Vizio has been adding streaming apps to its smart TVs these past few weeks, including Netflix and Amazon Video. The latest addition to its streaming apps collection? Google Play Movies & TV. The company is making the app available on its high-end VIA+ and D-series Smart TVs, giving you a way to buy or rent titles from the app without having to use a phone or tablet and a Chromecast or Roku.
Bandsintown concert-discovery app amps up the artist interaction
If you're looking to find a music performance in your local area, you might think about using Google or Eventbrite. If you want a dedicated concert-discovery app with an artist-centric big new update, you might want to give Bandsintown a try. Artists who have registered with the service — including Wiz Kalifa, Lorde, and Green Day — can now send updates to their fans through the app.
Google Play discounts TV seasons if you already own episodes
If you own a few episodes of a TV show and would like to purchase an entire season, Google Play just made it a little easier on your wallet. You can now purchase a complete season of a television show at a discounted price if you already own individual episodes.
ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 review: King of the Chromebooks
It's been years in the making, but Chromebooks are escaping "second computer" or "cheap netbook" status. Google thinks these machines can be your main computing device, and they're finally getting better build quality, nicer screens and quality keyboards. But they're also getting higher prices. ASUS' first entry into the premium Chromebook space is the Chromebook Flip C302. This is the second Flip ASUS has made, but it's significantly different from the first, which was a tiny, netbook-sized device with a low-quality touchscreen and weak Rockchip processor. But for only $250, it offered the essential Chrome OS experience in a super-portable package. The new Flip is a different beast entirely, made to compete directly with Samsung's $550 Chromebook Pro. It has a bigger, pixel-dense screen, Intel processor and access to the Google Play Store for Android apps. The Flip's $470 price, significantly higher than the original, reflects these upgrades. But after spending a few weeks with the Flip C302, I've come to think it might be the best Chromebook on the market right now. It's not perfect, but it's enough computer for almost anyone.
Google Play Music tweak adds a sidebar full of shortcuts
As a music streaming service, Google Play Music works well enough but its user interface leaves an awful lot to be desired. Following the mobile app's update that added persistent navigation buttons, as 9to5 Google spotted, Mountain View has added those to the web version as well. The dedicated icons for your music library, recent listening history and home tab reside on the left rail now, and hovering over the ellipses below those reveals top charts, new releases, radio stations and podcasts.
Google's safeguard against rogue Android apps is now available
Google is acting on its promise to further guard your Android phone against rogue apps. The company tells us that it's rolling out its Play Protect home screen to every Android device running Google Mobile Services 11 or newer. If you see it (it's in in the Google section of your settings, under Security), you'll know that your device has scanned apps to make sure they're clean. You probably won't need to look at this page very often, but it's there if you're ever wondering whether a sketchy-sounding Play Store app poses a threat.
