Google rolls out January 2018 Android security update for Pixel and Nexus devices

Google has started rolling out new over-the-air (OTA) update for Pixel and Nexus devices and also posted factory images as part of monthly Android Security release. The  update for this month fixes several critical issues in  Media framework, System and Qualcomm closed-source components. New builds for the Pixel and Nexus devices with January 2018 Android Security update: Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (OPM1.171019.014/OPM1.171019.013) Pixel and Pixel XL (OPM1.171019.014/OPM1.171019.012) Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X (OPM3.171019.013) Pixel C (OPM1.171019.015) Check out the complete set of issues that are fixed in the latest update in the Android Security Bulletin here and download full factory images or OTA images for these Pixel and Nexus devices from the Google Developers website, if you don’t have the over-the-air (OTA) update yet.

Flipkart 2018 Mobiles Bonanza Sale: Best deals on Google Pixel 2, Xiaomi Mi A1, iPhones and more

After its Big Shopping Days Sale lat month, Flipkart today started its 3-day 2018 Mobiles Bonanza Sale for the new year. The sale offers great deals on smartphones including Pixel 2, Xiaomi Mi A1, Mi Mix 2, Redmi Note 4, HTC U11 , iPhones and mobile accessories. All these offers are available through the site, mobile site as well as Flipkart app. Best deals on Smartphones on Flipkart Apple iPhone 8 - Rs. 54,999 (Rs. 11121 off on MRP + up to Rs. 18,000 off on exchange) HTC U11 – Rs. 44,999 (Rs. 8,991 off + up to Rs. 18,000 off on exchange) Google Pixel 2 – Rs. 39,999 (Rs. 21,001 off including Rs. 8000 HDFC credit card EMI offer + up to Rs. 18,000 off on exchange) Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 – Rs. 32,999 (Rs. 3000 off + up to Rs. 21,000 off on exchange) Samsung Galaxy S7 – Rs. 26,990 (Rs. 19010 off + up to Rs. 18,000 off on exchange) Honor 8 Pro - Rs. 25,999  (Rs. 4000 off + up to Rs. 18,000 off on exchange) Moto Z2 Play – Rs. 24,999 (Rs. 3,000 off + up to Rs. 18,000 off on exchange) OPPO F3 Plus – Rs. 24,990 (Rs. 6000 off + up to Rs. 23,000 off on exchange) Apple iPhone SE 32GB – Rs. ...

Intel chips affected with Kernel memory leak flaw, fix might incur performance drop: Report

Intel chips from the last ten years said to have been affected with serious Kernel memory leak issue on modern computers including Windows, Linux, and macOS, according to a report from The Register. This needs a fix at the operating system level which might incur performance drop.  While the exact performance drop is being calculated, a rough ballpark figure suggests at a 30% drop in performance depending on the task and the processor model. The bug seems to be allowing normal user programs to see some of the contents of the protected kernel memory making it a fundamental design flaw. The effect of this bug will let the malicious programs read the contents of the kernel memory which includes information like passwords, login keys, and more. Given the rapid changes being made to Windows and Linux operating system, it is safe to assume that the bug status is severe. Programmers at Linux are working on overhauling the open-source kernel's virtual memory system, and Microsoft is expected to publicly introduce the necessary changes to its Windows operating system in an upcoming Patch Tuesday.  The changes to Microsoft windows were rolled out and were in the testing phase through the Windows Insider program in November and December. Similarly, the Apple's 64-bit macOS will also need to ...

Pixel 2 Portrait mode ported to non-Google devices running Android Oreo

Among the many other features the newly launched Pixel 2 series rock, Portrait mode surely caught the attention. The single-camera sensor on the back and front were able to pull off the mode so good that the mode is now being ported to first-gen Pixel phones, Nexus 6P, 5X and we were able to make it work on other devices running Android 8.0 Oreo.  Charles Chow; a well-known name in the Android community for porting features like these to the old phones is the sole creator of this port as well. His previous works include AR Core and AR stickers ports to Nexus 6P and 5X users. He further adds that Google uses Pixel detector data to calculate portrait effect on the Back lens and uses software method on the Front lens. The portrait mode replaces the lens blur mode, and the mode produces two photos; one HDR+ photo with zero shutter lag, and one with the portrait effect applied. The mode simply clicks a standard picture if no human face shows up. The Camera NX V7.3 is based on Google Camera 5.1.016. If you own any of the mentioned device or a phone running on Android 8.0 and above, you can try to get the ...

Apple acquires Canada-based app development startup Buddybuild

Apple has acquired the Canada-based app development service Buddybuild in efforts to make it easier for developers create and iterate their apps for iOS.  Buddybuild is a mobile iteration platform that is focused on integration and debugging tools essentially needed for app development workflow.  Though Apple didn't announce it publicly, the startup has announced the same in a blog post. Other financial details about the deal aren't disclosed by either of the companies. The buddybuild service will remain available to existing customers to build, test, and ship iOS apps to testers, and it said that it would stop accepting new customers. The team will join Apple's Xcode engineering group to develop iOS community further. However, the timeline for the transition isn't revealed. The company has also announced that the existing free starter plans and Android app development will be discontinued on March 1, 2018. Buddybuild was founded in 2015 by former Amazon employees Dennis Pilarinos and Christopher Stott, and in the two years of its existence, the startup has raised around $8.8 million which also includes a $7.6 million Series A led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield back in May of 2016. With Google racing ahead of Apple in app downloads, it's only apparent to assume why Apple is hell-bent on making sure its ...

LG ThinQ OLED and SUPER UHD TVs with Google Assistant to be introduced at CES 2018

LG at the CES 2018 event that is going to kickstart in the coming week will introduce the ThinQ OLED and SUPER UHD TVs with Google Assistant and α (ALPHA) advanced image processor, and perhaps the biggest addition to LG TVs this year will be the support for Google Assistant.  With the AI functionality embedded in the TVs, users can now directly speak into the TV remote control and the LG’s ThinQ TVs are also capable of functioning as smart home hubs with access to other smart home products like the robotic vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, smart lights, smart speakers and other devices that can be connected to TV via Bluetooth or WiFi. The new α (Alpha) 9 image processing processor LG Nano Cell will power the new  OLED SUPER UHD TVs and they also employ Full-Array Local Dimming (FALD) backlighting to provide deeper blacks and enhanced colors, as well as nuanced shadow details for life-like images. The new ThinQ line-up based on LG’s own deep learning technology features Natural Language Processing (NLP) to deliver intelligent voice-activated control and connectivity. It is capable or producing smoother and clearer motion images at 120 frames per second and features 4K Cinema HDR with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and ...

Samsung trademarks ‘DeX Pad’ docking station accessory for Galaxy S9

During the launch of Galaxy S8, Samsung introduced the DeX Station accessory that S8, S8+ connects to monitor to offer desktop-like experience. Again for the S9 launch, Samsung seems to be readying upgraded Dex Station dubbed "DeX Pad" as the company registered the ‘Dex Pad’ trademark at the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office). While the S9 and S9+ might retain the same design and form factor, the DexPad accessory is said to take a different route altogether. The newer version of Dex Station aka 'DeX Pad’ is expected come with a slightly different form factor. Going by the rumors, the new Dex Station doesn’t require users to dock the phone like with the Dex Station, instead users can place it flat on a wireless charging pad. The new form factor and design of the DeX station is said to allow the smartphone screen to be used as a touchpad for the desktop experience. While it would have been interesting to see Samsung going Huawei route by eliminating the need for a separate accessory to connect to desktop and just using a simple USB-C cable. Samsung's approach is aimed at better performance. Nonetheless, we should know more details about the possibilities with the new 'DeX Pad’ as we inch closer to the ...

Micromax said to launch Android Oreo (Go Edition) smartphone this January for Rs. 2000

Android Oreo (Go Edition) is Google's trim down version of Android for low-cost phones with 512MB to 1GB RAM. The company announced the projected back in May and said that it would be available from early 2018. The company is all set to launch the first phone in India in partnership with Micromax later this month, according to a new report. Micromax will be the first vendor of the Android Oreo (Go Edition) and will soon be joined by Lava, Intex, Karbonn, according to the report. The price of the first Go edition smartphone is said to be $31 (Rs. 1970 approx). These smartphones are aimed at those who are on tight budget and those who are planning on shifting from feature phones to Android eco-system. These Go powered phones will have Pure and true Android experience, and with Android Oreo (Go Edition), Google is ensuring that Android runs well on phones with less than 1GB RAM and 8GB of storage. Google's slimmed-down versions of Google’s core apps like Google Go, Google Maps Go, Gmail Go, YouTube Go, Google Assistant Go, Files Go makes this possible. Qualcomm and MediaTek have already announced that they are optimizing their chipset for Android Oreo (Go Edition), so it should be interesting which ...

LG V30 Raspberry Rose color variant announced

LG introduced its flagship V30 smartphone in Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue and Lavender Violet color variants at the IFA last year, today it has introduced new Raspberry Rose color variant of the smartphone that will be showcased at the CES 2018 next week. Regarding the new color variant, LG said: Raspberry Rose, an intense saturated version of red, is a hue quite unlike any previous smartphone color offered by LG or its competitors. Designed for fashion-conscious smartphone users, LG created a unique color that provides outstanding visibility and to makes this V30 an ideal Valentine’s Day gift. Other than the color, all other specifications are same as the original V30 including a  6-inch QHD+ OLED FullVision display, Snapdragon 835, 16-megapixel primary rear camera along with a 13-megapixel secondary camera with 120-degree wide-angle lens,  32-bit Advanced Hi-Fi Quad DAC, metal frame, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front and back, IP68 water and dust resistance, MIL-STD 810G certification and a 3,300mAh battery with fast and wireless charging. The LG V30 Raspberry Rose version will roll out in Korea soon after CES and will gradually be available in key markets in Europe and Asia as well. Source

How to link Aadhaar to your mobile number via OTP

The Government of India has made it mandatory to link your mobile number with Aadhaar card for identification verification and has put a deadline of March 31, 2018 to do so. While the process of verification by visiting the mobile network customer centers can be tiresome, UIDAI has rolled out OTP based verification system using which you … Continue reading "How to link Aadhaar to your mobile number via OTP"