Nearly 10 million Android devices have Potentially Harmful Apps says Annual Android security report

According to the latest Android annual security report, more than 735 million devices from over 200 manufacturers have received platform security updates in 2016. The annual Android security report looks at data on Potentially Harmful Apps (PHAs) across Android devices. It also explains how the OS checks apps for unsafe behaviour and provide statistics on the state of software updates for Android devices.

If you are an Android user, you would know that Google releases monthly Android security updates and has been doing so for devices running Android 4.4.4 and up.

While half of devices at the end of 2016 did not receive a platform security update last year, the security team is working to update and streamline the program so that it is easier for manufacturers to push security updates.

The team also revealed that Android’s ‘Verify Apps’ feature conducted 750 million daily checks last year which is a significant update from 450 million the year before. The report also mentioned that the percentage of devices with PHAs went up in 2016 however the overall number was still low.

About 0.71 percent of all Android devices had PHAs installed at the end of 2016, which was 0.5 percent in the beginning of 2015. This means that out of the total 1.4 billion Android users nearly 10 million devices have potentially harmful applications installed.

Publish date: March 23, 2017 1:37 pm| Modified date: March 23, 2017 7:32 pm

Many Android 7.1 Nougat features, including Google Assistant, are exclusive to the Pixel

By Rob Thubron on October 6, 2016, 8:30 AM



Google finally unveiled its long-rumored Pixel smartphones earlier this week. They will be the first to launch with Android 7.1 Nougat, but many of the Pixels’ best features, such as the new Google Assistant, won’t appear on other Android devices, including Google’s own Nexus series, when the OS arrives.

An Android 7.1 Nougat changelog leaked to Android Police shows which new features will appear in the upcoming operating system, as well as those that are Pixel-only. Google confirmed that the information is accurate is to TechCrunch.

The absence of the AI-powered helper will come as disappointment to those who expected to see the Siri/Cortana/Alexa rival on every handset receiving Android 7.1 Nougat. Google Assistant is essentially a more advanced version of Google Now, able to engage in two-way conversations with users, perform complex tasks, and learn and recall personal information from previous conversations for context.

Other Pixel exclusives include the free, unlimited photo and video (in their original quality) cloud backup service; the smart storage feature, which automatically removes old, backed up images/videos when the storage is full; and the Pixel Camera and Launcher apps. 24-hour phone/chat support and screen-share functionality will also be limited to the Pixel phones.

There are some interesting new features coming to all devices that receive Android 7.1, though. There’s the Night Light blue filter, which changes the color temperature of a display at night. A Daydream VR mode is also on its way, along with support for sliding down on the fingerprint sensor to open the notification bar.

Google did say that its Assistant would eventually be arriving on other Android devices, just don’t expect it soon. Ultimately, the company will likely replace Google Now with its more advanced version of the assistant.

"Our goal is to make the Google Assistant widely available to users, and we’ll continue to launch new surfaces over the course of the next year," a Google spokesperson told TechCrunch.

The developer preview of Android 7.1 arrives later this month. Google hasn’t said when it will come to phones other than the Pixel.

Moto Z and Moto G4 series to get Android 7.0 Nougat in Q4

28 Sep 2016 , 11:37

Google’s new Android 7.0 Nougat update has started rolling out to the Nexus as well as some Android One smartphones. Even LG announced that its new smartphone, the V20, will come with the new update out of the box. The next smartphone(s) in line that might get the new update will be coming from Lenovo, err Moto.

According to Droid Life, a Lenovo spokesperson has given a tip that the Nougat update will start rolling for the Moto Z range as well as the Moto G4 series in the fourth quarter of this year. So basically the Moto Z, Moto Z Force, Moto Z Play, Moto G4, Moto G4 Plus and hopefully the Moto G4 Play.

There is no info around other Moto products however Lenovo has said that “upgrades are about getting it right and making sure the phone performance remains the best it can be and that the company will be sharing upgrade plans for other products and more specific timing later.”

Assumingly the Moto X range and the Moto G 3rd-gen will get the new update by early next year. And knowing Motorola, it shouldn’t on time in bringing the new update to its products as it has been one of the only few brands that rolls out updates on time.

How to Add Enhanced Emergency Info in Android Nougat

Older versions of Android have allowed you to add bits of info, such as emergency contacts or “if found” numbers, to the lock screen. In Android Nougat, you’re able to add all sorts of new information for a potential rescuer to use.

To start adding this information, head to Settings > Users and tap Emergency Information. The system warns you that this information is stored on your device only, and anyone with physical access to your phone can view it without knowing your passcode. Thus, you should be careful with what you add here if others might use your phone often.

Once in the menu, you’re able to add your name, address, blood type, allergies, and more. This information could prove critical to a first responder helping you, perhaps if you become unconscious from lack of medication.

On the next tab over, you can add emergency contacts. This is a great way to ensure that no matter if your phone is locked or not, someone is able to get out to a person you trust. This can also help anhonest person return a lost phone.How to Return a Lost Phone in Four Easy Steps How to Return a Lost Phone in Four Easy StepsEvery year, millions drop their mobile into the unknown. In the US, about 50% of lost devices are returned to their owners. The rest get resold or reused – while thievery may seem eco-friendly and...READ MORE

How much info you want to add here is up to you, but remember that it could help a paramedic save you someday. Looking to add even more emergency features to your pocket? Check out the reasons you might want to get an emergency burner phone.