Tag: Android

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Android will no longer have this cybersecurity tool

Google continues to work on optimizing the Android services it offers to users, but sometimes, this work also involves discontinuing services that don’t achieve the expected reach. This has been the case, for example, with Android Protected Confirmation, a two-step verification system that alerts about any imminent transfer.

This service was launched in Android 9 and allowed verifications to prevent unwanted transactions, as well as the theft of banking data or fraud. However, over time, this functionality has been integrated into multiple services, rendering Google’s verification redundant in current technology.

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Goodbye to the double confirmation feature

Android Protected Confirmation had very little use at present, and that is why, as Mishaal Rahman explains, Google plans to remove this security system, which is practically irrelevant. Google had good intentions with this service, but its use did not spread as expected.

The importance of cybersecurity

In this case, this two-step verification was very rarely used, which is why Google will deactivate it. However, in essence, the implementation of two-step verification is one of the biggest advances in security in recent years, as it provides the user with a lifeline that will prevent them from suffering from theft, hacking, and general attacks. For that reason, it is always recommended to activate two-step verification in all accounts and services that you regularly use, especially if you have personal or banking data linked to them.

Security on Android has always been a priority for Google.

It is also crucial to have good cybersecurity habits, as this way, the risks that exist through the network can also be greatly minimized. Nowadays, cybercrimes are becoming more and more frequent, as more and more money is being moved digitally, which attracts those who try to find easy money. However, with simple measures, you can keep your information safe. Just by always keeping the recovery email under control or making backups, your information will always be safe.

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The registration for the first Tokyo Revengers game is now open

Tokyo Revengers is about to receive its first video game, Tokyo Revengers: Last Mission, and we already have its first details along with open pre-registration.

Although Tokyo Revengers no longer has the same pull it had some time ago, it is still a manga and anime beloved and appreciated by a large part of the audience. This work about juvenile delinquents who only want to do the right thing, even if they find themselves on the wrong side of history and a couple of time travels, has captivated with its action and charming characters. Something that has made it the perfect object to become a video game.

In fact, that’s exactly what’s going to happen very soon. Because Tokyo Revengers is going to receive its first video game early next year: Tokyo Revengers: Last Mission. Which promises to put us in the shoes of our favorite delinquents.

Announced last June, Tokyo Revengers: Last Mission will be a 3D action RPG with gacha gameplay elements where we can obtain all the characters from the Tokyo Revengers franchise. To make it even more exciting, the Japanese voice actors from the anime will voice their respective characters, seeking to replicate the experience as closely as possible to the original anime. This, combined with a recreation of the real-world Shibuya as the game map, promises us an elaborate and very interesting game.

Tokyo Revengers: Last Mission will be released in February 2024 for iOS and Android, where it is already possible to pre-register. It will also have a PC version in early the same year. The developer studio, Victor Entertainment, has announced plans to release versions of the game on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, but they have no release date yet.

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Android is considering adding a battery health indicator for your mobile phone

Nowadays, one of the components that deteriorates the most with daily use in a smartphone is the battery. It doesn’t matter how careful you are to prevent the device from falling or getting hit, or using fast charging as little as possible to avoid stressing the battery. The years take their toll and wear and tear is inevitable. That’s why Google is considering adding a battery health indicator for your mobile devices running Android.

This is something that has been available on iPhones for many years, and it gives the user an idea of the percentage of useful battery life that the device has compared to its early days. It’s not a perfect estimation, as batteries fluctuate a lot, but it does help the user get an idea of the battery’s condition.

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Battery Health Indicator for Android

As explained by Android Authority, Android is considering implementing the battery health indicator on mobile devices so that users have more accurate and precise information about the state of their device’s battery starting from Android 14 or Android 15. This would be a very positive change, as currently, Android users have to rely on third-party services to have this indicator.

It would be a quite significant change if you take into account that also, starting from 2027, mobile device batteries must be removable by obligation, since, in many cases, the only deteriorated component is usually the battery itself and, with a replacement of this component, the same mobile phone could continue to perform normally for a longer time. This raises other doubts, such as greater fragmentation of the Operating System with older versions, but it remains the most respectful option for the customer, who will not need to change their mobile phone so easily.

Removable batteries will return to the European Union from 2027 onwards

The autonomy of current devices

Unfortunately, energy storage technology does not advance at the same pace as, for example, the speed of CPUs, the quality of cameras, or the ability to fit more RAM into increasingly smaller spaces. Therefore, the only option that brands have had is to increase the size of devices so that they can accommodate larger lithium batteries.

In fact, it is a quite remarkable difference in size if you look back. Ten years ago, a 4-inch mobile phone was something standard and it was not seen negatively if it had a 1,500mAh battery, a figure that today can be considered ridiculous. Over the years, phones have grown, standard batteries usually range between 4,500mAh and 5,000mAh, and even more, and screens have gone from more square and small formats to more panoramic front screens than ever and with sizes above 6 inches as something common.

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This mobile brand could succeed where Apple is strongest

It’s unclear how Apple will react to the possibility of a third-party company offering full interaction between Android and iOS phones.

Apple’s proprietary technology has allowed the brand to grow over these years and not worry about rivals. Their watches aren’t compatible with Android, neither is their video call app… and the same goes for their iMessage application.

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Apple’s refusal to make iMessage compatible with non-branded devices has long frustrated Google, Meta, telecom providers, and many users. In the United States, where 83% of young people have an iPhone, iMessage is key to expanding as a brand.

Nothing, a very young brand founded by Carl Pei, the creator of One Plus, claims to have found a solution, making its latest phone the first non-Apple product to send encrypted messages to iPhone users. It doesn’t support all iMessages features yet, but the company is working on it.

Owners of the new Nothing Phone (2) in the US, Canada, UK, and the EU can now test a new service that allows the Android phone to send encrypted messages and other advanced functions to iMessage users on Apple devices.

Nothing seems to have overcome a barrier that Google, Meta, and other companies are trying to fight in court.

How to access iMessage from your Nothing Phone 2

Users from participating regions can access the new service, called Nothing Chat, by signing up for the beta and logging in with an Apple ID.

Messages sent from the app display as blue bubbles on Apple devices and support end-to-end encryption, group chats, indicators to show when someone is typing, high-resolution media sharing, and voice notes, with read receipts and reactions coming soon. Nothing Chat will also be available in other regions.

The web and Android chat company Sunbird provided the backend for the project. Nothing assures users that their partner’s servers never store messages or Apple credentials and that messages are only retrievable on end devices. Additionally, Sunbird accounts are deleted after two weeks of inactivity.

The novelty lies in the fact that text messages from Android phones appear on Apple devices as green bubbles and lack advanced features like encryption, read receipts, group chats, etc. This is because Apple restricts its messaging service, iMessage, to iPhones, iPads, and Macs, while messages from other devices revert to SMS or MMS.

It’s not clear how Apple will react to the possibility of an external company offering full interaction between Android and iOS phones. Nothing’s CEO, Carl Pei, anticipates a response from Apple, but we don’t yet know what it will be.

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The creators of Genshin Impact have opened registrations for the beta testing of their new game

HoYoVerse has opened registration for the second closed beta of its new game, which also has a new trailer showing more of the game

HoYoVerse has been on a winning streak so far. Everything they touch turns into gold, from their huge success with Genshin Impact, and it’s not without reason. Their character design, regular updates, exceptional game mechanics, and relatively fair monetization make their games truly unique. Something no one has managed to imitate so far. That’s why, when there’s a new announcement from HoYoVerse, all we can do is pay attention.

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In this case, HoYoVerse has announced that registrations have opened for the second closed beta of their upcoming game, Zenless Zone Zero. The game will be available for PC, Android, and iOS, although the exact dates for this beta are still unknown.

Accessing this beta will be quite straightforward. You’ll just need to visit the game’s official website and register with a HoYoVerse account. However, if you’re eager to join the beta, there are ways to maximize your chances. It’s possible to increase your chances by completing a series of tasks listed on the website.

The game, on the other hand, deviates from what HoYoVerse has done so far. As an action RPG, it immerses players in an urban, cyberpunk-themed environment where they must combat enemies. While it may bear some resemblance to Genshin Impact, it incorporates a vibrant color palette reminiscent of games like Devil May Cry, with elements characteristic of hack’n’slash games.

Taking advantage of this new closed beta, HoYoVerse has released a three-minute trailer showcasing some new aspects of the game. Additionally, if you’re interested in this beta, you should note that it will require at least 40GB of free space on PC, 17GB on iOS devices, and 15GB on Android devices. A fairly substantial amount for a beta, but one that fans of MiHoYo’s games are willing to make room for.

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Apple accuses Android of being a “massive tracker”

Once again, the “classic” Apple against Google resurfaces. Now, technology companies have clashed again over a very hot topic: the security of their users.

Once again, the “classic” Apple vs Google rivalry has resurfaced. Now, the tech giants have clashed again on a quite heated topic: the security of their users.

Apple has always championed the flag of privacy, making it their hallmark. The same cannot be said for Google. In the past month of September, Google was taken to court and accused by the US Department of Justice of engaging in monopolistic practices.

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The trial has brought numerous documents to light, including an email written by Eddy Cue on January 10, 2013, addressed to Tim Cook and Phil Schiller. This email contained a presentation where it was categorically stated that Android was “a massive tracking device.”

In this presentation, Apple compared the operation of its services with those of Google and how both companies used user data. Additionally, it also included a statement from Eric Schmidt, who was Google’s CEO in 2010, saying that “Google’s policy is to get right up to the creepy line but not cross it.”

In the slides, Apple described how it maintained differentiated support for iCloud, iTunes Store, and App Store, excluding Siri, Maps, and Apple ID usage from ads. Google, on the other hand, did the opposite: it combined all the data from its services through a single user account.

However, Apple’s opinion of Google did not change the fact that Cupertino received billions of dollars annually in exchange for Google becoming the default search engine in Safari.

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Android will require applications that control generative AI content

Generative AIs are becoming a problem on many levels, and for that reason, Android is tightening its rules to prevent content generated by these bots from causing harm on social media platforms. That’s why the Google division focused on smartphones will require applications to closely monitor these contents and implement control tools.

These tools would act as a link that enables users and networks to provide feedback for reporting harmful content, such as the spread of misinformation generated by AI, the emergence of nude images generated through “deepfakes,” and other potentially dangerous contents.

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Control of content generated by AI

As explained by The Verge, Android is proposing to applications that they design a button within their apps that allows users to report harmful content generated by AI. This enables social media workers to moderate content more swiftly, aiming to keep such harmful contents within social networks for the shortest time possible.

Within the contents created through AI, while initially harmless materials were disseminated, such as the viral photos of Pope Francis wearing a stylish coat at the beginning of 2023, in recent months, cases involving much more negative effects or even criminal activities have multiplied.

Image created by MidJourney

The importance of using AI responsibly

It is essential for users to use this type of systems ethically, but it is also a utopian idea. For this reason, it is crucial for both large companies and institutions to take a step forward in creating a framework where the use of these technologies is within legal and ethical boundaries, with appropriate consequences if these limits are not adhered to.

Artificial Intelligence poses many challenges in various fields, including the job market, where its use is threatening many jobs in skilled sectors. It is important for Artificial Intelligence to progress, but it is equally important to ensure that these advancements benefit society as a whole and not just a few companies.

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The new FIFA does not stop: EA Sports FC announces a spin off and it’s tactical on top of that

EA continues to seek to exploit its new brand, this time with a new spin-off of its oldest franchise called EA Sports FC Tactical, a turn-based game

Having given up on the FIFA brand does not mean that EA has low ambitions for its popular soccer simulator. Quite the contrary. Although it is true that this year’s installment has not been groundbreaking, being perhaps a little too continuist, they have demonstrated with their spending on advertising for it that they seek to continue giving it the same VIP treatment as before. Soccer is not going to leave EA Sports.

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Not when EA Sports has just announced EA Sports FC Tactical. A game for iOS and Android systems that will appear in early 2024 that, instead of allowing us to play the matches in real time, will offer us a very different experience with a turn-based strategy game.

As EA wanted to emphasize, this is an experience much more based on management and strategy on the field than pure skill at the controls. With simulated matches, actions as typical of soccer as attacking, defending, stealing the ball or shooting at goal become turn-based skills, forcing us to think about the match in each of its stages in a much more strategic way. A change to a more leisurely style of play and more conducive to the game on phones and tablets.

In any case, that doesn’t mean it will be lacking in content. The game will have 5000 real players spread across ten leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie 1. In addition, there will be game modes, including friendly online matches and a ranked mode, for those who want to prove they are the best in the world.

If you’re interested in this particular twist on the EA Sports FC formula, you can pre-register now on both the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. And if you haven’t heard, EA Sports FC 24 was released last September for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch and PC if you want a more classic experience. Even if it’s no longer called FIFA.

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Google Contacts implements a new individual contact widget

For anyone accustomed to using a smartphone, widgets are part of their daily routine: these small home screen applications that accompany users in their constant use have been very useful for many people and have been vital to some extent for the Android operating system. However, widgets were the ugly duckling from the beginning until at some point Google decided to pay them a bit more attention. Around 2021, with Android 12, Material Theme gave way to Material You, and with this change, these small applications gained relevance. Perhaps the most notable one, Google Contacts.

Originally, Google Contacts looked nothing like what is understood today: a selection of three widgets that occupied 1×1 squares and appeared as Contact, Direct Dial, and Direct Message. However, in 2022, a new 3×2 widget called Individual Contact emerged, offering a more dynamic visual experience for users. Thus, Google promised not only functionality for users but also a visually appealing experience. It must be acknowledged that, considering how Android used to be, this promise was quite up-to-date at the time.

A loss of identity in exchange for functionality

The application has continued to change over time, but it seems to have reached the peak of its metamorphosis. Its circular form has now been replaced by a square with rounded edges, which takes on a pill shape when its size is enlarged. For some users, this change might not be comfortable as it loses its iconic shape, but it allows for new functionalities such as modifying the contact displayed in the widget, for example.

These changes are introduced gradually but consistently. Each of these innovations is seamlessly integrated into the application to achieve not only a more coherent visual appearance with the system but also to add new features to the application.

Android 14 Beta 5.2 Update Resolves Pixel Fold’s Glitches and Problems

The issues are inherent in new versions of almost all software, and while Android 14 looks promising, it’s far from perfect (at least for now). However, Google is making a great effort to ensure that bugs and other errors are resolved as soon as possible. In this case, it comes with nine different fixes for Pixel devices.

Errors corrected in many scenarios.

Firstly, issues causing the phone to hang during restart have been resolved, although details are not provided.

Issues that could disrupt connectivity for devices using ENDC (Dual Connectivity – E-UTRAN New Radio) when these devices connected on low-frequency 5G bands have been resolved.

An issue on Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet where the fingerprint biometric sensor stopped responding in certain specific cases has been fixed. Similarly, a problem with incomplete tracking data in the Perfetto app has also been addressed.

A problem affecting calls has been fixed, resolving the flickering that could occur when viewing or tapping on an ongoing call notification.

A problem leading to System UI crashing after using the fingerprint sensor has been resolved.

Flickering experienced by foldable devices when being unfolded has been addressed.

An issue exclusively related to Pixel Tablet has been fixed, where at times a colored bar would appear or start blinking after unlocking. This correction seems to have been quite significant for the user experience.

Also related to Pixel Tablet, a problem causing incorrect sounds to play when connected or disconnected has been fixed. We don’t know what sound played when, but it seems this could have been quite bothersome.

If you also want to participate in the Android Beta, you can do so through almost any Pixel device or the Android Emulator. If you prefer to wait for the stable version, it will be available soon, and it’s likely to be available on several Samsung devices as well.