Zimperium launches an app to tell us whether we are vulnerable to "Stagefright"

As you know, around 95% of Android devices are vulnerable to new malware. The vulnerability is called "Stagefright" because through it a hacker can get full control of your device. For this they need only send a video by MMS through Hangouts, and it is not even necessary that we open it. If you have enabled the option "Auto retrieve MMS" in the application, you'll be infected.

Zimperium was the company responsible for discovering this security flaw, and has been quick to send Google everything necessary to solve the problem as soon as possible, in addition to getting down to work with other companies so that they can launch updates on the shortest possible time. However, for now, only Google Nexus 5  and Google Nexus 6 may say they are completely safe. To other devices we have to continue waiting for the update to the patch, and it seems that the Samsung Galaxy S6 are as follows.

In this video, we demonstrate how easy it is to gain control of an Android device exploiting this vulnerability:

Once installed, you only have to press the yellow button that says "Begin analysis", and within seconds the results will come. Since 95% of Android is likely to be infected, it's natural to give us results in our Android as vulnerable, but be careful, because this does not necessarily mean that is affected. Only that, it is vulnerable.

The truth is that it is unclear how useful the application is, so maybe a simple question via advertising. That is, it is an application to find out what we already know. Once we have the results, we displayed a message with a contact link to Zimperium. Anyway, at least it seems that Google and other companies are ready to solve the problem. The best we can do while we wait for the patch, is taking steps to protect against vulnerability.

Google Play | Stagefright Detector App (Free)

Zimperium launches an app to tell us whether we are vulnerable to "Stagefright"

OK Google already allows us to send text messages through third-party applications

Gradually Google Now is becoming a more and more complete personal assistant, and does what it needsas Cortana of Windows is getting closer.

One of the advantages of having a smartphone with Android operating system is to have all the benefits of a brand like Google. One of its flagship services is Google Now, a powerful wizard that makes our lives easier remembering important dates or recommending activities according to our tastes.

One of its main features is to use voice commands by OK Google. Thanks to this, we can open applications, ask for time or send text messages or e-mails to the person we want. Now, Google takes another step forward, allowing us to send text messages to our contacts through third party applications like WhatsApp or Viber Telegram.

Before we could only do this with an electronic mail or SMS, and for this we can ask to OK Google to send text message to [insert contact name here]. Now, if we say 'OK Google' we can send to our contact a message via WhatsApp, for example. Quite useful, especially if our hands are busy driving for example.

The good thing is that we can perform this action from other devices than your smartphone, eg a smartwatch with  Android Wear. The trouble is that as always, is available only in English for now, although Google says they are working to make it available as soon as possible in all other languages.

OK Google already allows us to send text messages through third-party applications

Almost 100% of Android users at risk by new malware

The security expert Joshua Drake of Zimperium, has been commissioned to find the vulnerability and provide more information about Stagefright, and information certainly is not encouraging. Since version Android  2.2 Froyo to the most recent, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, it is susceptible to succumbing to hacker attack, or what is the same, 95% of Android terminals currently active.

Apparently the security flaw is in the Stagefright library, which can make way for a third party to control 100% of the terminal after it has been infected with malicious software via a video. That is, any communication application that allows sending multimedia files, such as messaging, would be a gateway to the hacker.

However, the biggest problem is in Google Hangouts, which we've heard not many other important security issue recognized by Google itself does. If the currently selected as default SMS application, we need only get the video to infect. Nor is it necessary to open the message, or play the video, or do anything. Our device can be in the hands of another person without our knowledge, and can occur even before we hear the sound of the arrival of the message.

Google has already admitted the problem, curiously there since last April, but has been now that has come to light. The solution would be updated with a security patch, remember all those , 95% terminals in danger, thing that the Mountain View company has already started working, and indeed has already contacted the manufacturers to be at work to combat this problem.

But it would be very naive to believe that all these terminals could receive some kind of renovation, especially the oldest. Drake himself has said that only 20% of current active smartphones may receive the "cure", a figure that hopefully could increase as much as 50%. This depends nothing less than the manufacturers, and the desire to have these to protect users.

Almost 100% of Android users at risk by new malware

YouTube is updated incorporating a video editor

The YouTube app for Android just received an update that gives a pretty remarkable face wash and some performance tweaks and a new very cool feature: a video editor. With this new feature we can add free music library to our personal YouTube videos, and we can also edit their duration and even add a few visual filters.

The changes more notice as a user do not stay there, as the latest YouTube has gotten a redesign of the main application. Now this is separated into three separate tabs: A principal showing suggestions based on user interests, a tab that will keep us abreast of our subscriptions and last tab that will give us access to our own management.

As we read in the official YouTube blog, the last remarkable novelty of this update of YouTube is the ability to watch recorded video full screen vertically. This means you will not need to juggle to enjoy a video of this kind, and when we execute clicking the full-screen option will not be between two black bars. This feature also will be in iOS.

Returning to the subject of the video editor, it is quite surprising as addition. The possibilities to interact more immediately still recording and editing video from anywhere and then upload them to YouTube significantly increases the social skills of this popular video streaming service.

If you have not received the update YouTube still, do not worry, should be there soon or in the coming days. The truth is that with this new feature the chances of winning immediacy YouTube Mobile is, we insist, very interesting and focused on the social video. Perhaps it was not necessary, but it is something that gives a breath of fresh air to YouTube for Android.

YouTube is updated incorporating a video editor

Google+ Photos disappears and make way for the new Google Photos application in August

Indispensable today is the ability to perform backups in the cloud. Therefore, Google has created a great service called Photos to support all your photos and videos for unlimited access from both your phone and other platforms such as the PC via the service website.

Despite all the advantages, one drawback was that it was integrated into the social network Google+ app. Fortunately, last year we confirmed rumors about the separation of Google Photos of the social network, which would result in an application independent and fully renovated.

After the past Google I/O was presented the new application called Photos, now without relying on any other service or application and with the advantage of being updated by Google Play Store.

The Mountain View giant has confirmed through social network Google+ they are abandoning the current service to make way for a new digital phase of renewed and more potential Photos, Google being the only one offering the support of pictures and videos in the cloud.

This will be effective on August 1, in which users who do not yet have the new application can not continue using the service, so they will have access to Google Play and download the new application if they so wish.

Even though it dissapears, your photos will be supported permanently, since servers used for backups are the same, only changing application is made to push it and as we said, to start a new stage.

Google+ Photos disappears and make way for the new Google Photos application in August

Google could be working on an applications streaming service from the cloud

According to a new report by The Information, Google may be working on a streaming service for applications from the cloud. That is, users have access to Android applications and games from anywhere, without having to download and install on your device. Only an Internet connection would be necessary.

This would be a similar service already offered, for example, for NVIDIA, and called NVIDIA Grid, through which users can play games in the cloud, without having to download anything else. According to the source, this move by Google would be closely related to the purchase of Agawi, a company that is dedicated to just streaming services via the web. In addition, it is said that before this acquisition, Agawi have collaborated with NVIDIA in the aforementioned gaming service in the cloud.

Of course, it is clear that the resources to give life to this technology already exist, because through NVIDIA Grid can run intensive-graphics games (many triple A) and HD resolution perfectly, with the only requirement of a connection with 10 Mbps downstream, a router with 5 GHz band, and a good ping. In the case of Google, surely the requirements may be lower, because it makes sense that an Android app does not need more speed than games of that caliber.

A system of streaming applications by Google multiply the options for users, both when using apps like playtime. In addition, a key factor to consider is that any device, regardless of its power and other capabilities, could run all applications and games. In a streaming service in the cloud, the only important thing is the quality of the Internet connection.

Google could be working on an applications streaming service from the cloud

Youtube Newswire, the Google and Storyful video news source

n recent years we are witnessing a number of revolutions and social changes in many countries that are driven by the Internet and especially on social networks. From Cairo to Madrid, there have been demonstrations that sought to change things and whose average used to be called was Twitter, then leaving all these facts in videos that were subsequently posted on YouTube and shared on Facebook.

Internet plays a very important role, and YouTube probably count on one of the best positions today to keep abreast of the news happening around us. At Google knows that and has decided to launch YouTube Newswire today, the new tool with which we can be aware of everything at all times. For its new tool, YouTube has partnered with Storyful, social news agency with which they have collaborated since the Egyptian revolution began in Tahrir Square, around the year 2011.

YouTube Newswire is a news feed that will be showing the most outstanding videos and containing a higher information content, thus allowing us to keep up with everything that happens in our world and ends up on YouTube. With this service, YouTube hopes to provide journalists with a powerful tool that will allow them to discover all the great news about events happening around the world.

Furthermore, the possibility that Newswire will display a feed with the most important worldwide news, but also the most important regional videos as well can be aware of what goes on around you easily and quickly. No doubt that we have a powerful tool that can be of great help to everyone, both reporters for news as users looking to stay abreast of what is happening in the world.

Youtube Newswire, the Google and Storyful video news source

YouTube Gaming, Google's new weapon to face Twitch

Video games are one of the segments within the fastest growing on the Internet, thanks to which users are coming up to related content either through capture and streaming content. Here Twitch is the master of this kind of services, so there were many that wanted to take part of the platform, but finally was Amazon that managed to close the purchase.

A service of this kind would not be alone for long (that was clear), and after several rumors and speculations Google makes official its video platform designed for content of video games, YouTube Gaming is official and wants to face Twitch by domain users and creating content.

YouTube Gaming will be an independent site based on Google service, because here they will find tools for users to upload and broadcast live all types of content based on video games. A movement more than obvious by Google, as many of their YouTubers have chosen to migrate to Twitch by the ease and scope of the platform.

YouTube Gaming will have mobile applications, user channels, custom links to share items and all will be classified according to the game, starting with a catalog of over 25,000 titles.

The interesting thing here is to know the strategy of Google to attract gamers and leave Twitch, since the goal of this service is to have users viewing content and content to show advertising.

YouTube Gaming will be available in the coming days by the time the United States and the UK, but it is expected later this year to be launched in more countries.

YouTube Gaming, Google's new weapon to face Twitch

Find the perfect Android terminal to you with the new Google tool

For those who have less knowledge about it or if you are new to the Android handset market it may become a problem when picking a new personal smartphone, since the specifications and prices of these vary greatly from one to another. You need to make a right choice because it may present a performance or a manufacturer's experience that does not meet expectations to you, Google has created an online tool that will get us out of doubt.

A highlight of "Find the Android phone for you" title lets us choose between three different categories as take pictures, listen to music, be productive, social media, player, watch videos, keep moving, keep fit, instant messaging, calls, search the web or to express your style. Moreover, in each of these we will make a simple question to determine the degree of interaction of each category, generally low to high.

Having made our three personal choices press in the "Show me phones" button to select our operator (currently US-only), and it will show three different terminals, which can move right to know new ones. Not only that, but it shows the fully detailed technical data sheet of each of these, along with a button to make the purchase at the same moment and to end the search and renewing our Android terminal.

In our case, the search according to certain preferences has resulted in the brand new LG G4, the powerful and durable Motorola Droid Turbo and surprising giant Google Nexus 6 among others. In short, a fantastic tool that is fully directed to residents in American territory, because as we mentioned only shows the current operators of the market, such as T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and the like.

Find the perfect Android terminal to you with the new Google tool

Google invents lenses with iris scanner to identify

Google takes several years devising new models of smart contact lenses that allow us to use augmented reality without glasses, but the new patent extends beyond with lenses with iris scanner.

In the past Google agreed with Novartis to create a patent quite futuristic of camera lenses; instead the patent granted to Google, it goes in another direction, to allow authenticate with your eyes. As you know, fingerprints are not the only method of biometrics, to identify ourselves with our body; iris scanner can be more accurate and safe (although there are other interesting developments using our brain waves that have more potential).

However, authenticated by the iris can become complicated and depends on the quality of the cameras; if you really want to become a popular method you need a way we can use our iris almost without us noticing. This is where this patent comes on contact lenses with light sensors on its surface that capture the light reflected in the iris; the image obtained is compared with the stored on the computer system where we want to authenticate, and if it fits perfectly then we gain access.

The patent has few specifics on how these lenses would work, and that's where the challenge is, because they not only have to get the image of our iris but also transmit wirelessly to the system. One can imagine that this patent has been applied for the safe side for future developments, although as we know not all patents become products.

Google invents lenses with iris scanner to identify

Google Messenger 1.3 adds Quick Reply and a new widget. Download the APK

With so many implementations of Google sometimes we can be confuses between one or another, but for those unfamiliar with it, Messenger is a lighter and even basic Hangouts alternative, which is only aimed SMS, unlike the other that supports video calling, messaging Google+ and of course, if we predefine SMS as well.

For those who have Android Lollipop, in the latest update to version 1.3, Google Messenger adds quick reply, because from the same notification from any screen "Answer" will appear a popup window, where this can draw the desired text opens to send to your contact.

Last but not least interesting, it is the new addition to this, because we have a widget to apply in any main screen of our terminal, which will serve the style of floating window in order to visualize the conversation via SMS to the selected contact also quick to enter the access application, two in one.

If the SMS  are no longer primary messaging method but want to use these new features, we provide the APK safely, once downloaded and installed you will have the version 1.3 of Google Messenger, as usual, for free.

Google Messenger 1.3 adds Quick Reply and a new widget. Download the APK

Nexus 7 2013 is no longer sold in Google Play

As we informed here, Nexus 7 2013, the forgotten tablet of Google, is no longer sold in Google Play. As also Google stopped producing the Nexus 5, one of the most beloved smartphones by Android users, another of the most important along the Nexus range of Google ends. 

The tablet Nexus 7 2013 is a device with a 7 inch screen developed by Google. A compact tablet with which Google entered the market.

If you access the Google Store now you will see that we can not buy a tablet than the new Nexus 9. The Nexus 7, 2013 is no longer for sale through the official store. Meanwhile, if you wanted to get your hands on one of these devices, there are still ways through third parties like Amazon.

Google wants to promote maximum sales of its latest Android devices such as the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9. The Nexus 5 was the first to be removed of the Store and now it's the turn of the last Nexus 7. This year we will see a new arsenal of tablets and smartphones, probably, Google could be renewing their store for the arrival of new models... Maybe.

Nexus 7 2013 is no longer sold in Google Play

Google releases a collection of watch faces: Street Art

Android Wear has been around for a while and finally Google has released the first collection of watch faces. The whole collection is named Street Art, and it brings a great piece of art to your watch.

There are a lot of different paintings included, all of them featuring some piece of street art from Google Art Project. There are some well-known names behind those images, and you can get the whole collection for free from the Play Store.

The artists responsible for the beautiful watch faces are Aitch, Andre Fernandes Trindade, Cheko, DRAW, Drawing Jesus, Erik Otto, Gemeniano Cruz, God Mess, Hugo Lucas, Katch, L Is Not An Artist aka Luísa Cortesão, Mariana Dias Coutinho, Mercedes deBellard, Mercedes deBellard & Cheko, Nark, Nicolae Negura, Paulo Arraiano, Pedro Batista, Phibs, Reach, Samina, Slap, Sublinismo & Cheko, Tamara Alves & José Carvalho, The Empty Belly, Tinta Crua, and Will Barras.

When you install the app, you will have a few customization options. You can choose the style of the hour displayed by choosing among three options: minimal, analog or digital.

The minimal option uses a couple of small circles moving along a circle to show the time, while the analog face is a conventional round watch face. The numbers and hands and displayed over the picture and it's obviously more suited for round devices.  Finally, the digital face shows the time at the bottom, so you can see almost the full painting.

In addition, you can also decide if you want to see the date or not.

And that's all. There isn't any more options. The painting will change every few minutes to the next one, so you can't choose one and keep it on your screen. It's quite a drawback, and probably in some update Google will add some more options.

However, if you like this street art style, it's really worth a try. The paintings are really great to look at, so you can download the app and check if you find some that you really like.

You will find the Street Art app at the Play Store.

Google Drive is updated with improvements in design and new features

Google insists to increasingly improve their Cloud service called Drive, which as we know, the document manager that became a standalone application and again happened to its PDF reader, something most users dislike having many applications where one might be all.

The latest in Drive comes now and add the ability to drag and drop files, making it easier to organize documents in different folders, for example. Once perform the action, the application will highlight the item with a blue bubble and non-gray color, with the possibility besides, mark favorites folders or files, share them or delete them more efficiently and easily, always welcome new actions that facilitate the rapid use of the content. Among the above, we also find slight changes in design, making it more comfortable and structured for the user.

As we see, everything is visual and performance improvements, nothing very remarkable even tell if necessary since the eye is quite invaluable and as always, we love to inform all the news.

Google Drive is a file hosting service that was introduced by Google on April 24, 2012. It is the replacement of Google Docs, with a changed URL, among other differencies.

Each user has 15 gigabytes of free space to store their files, expandable through different payment plans. It is accessible via the website from computers and applications available for Android and iOS that let you edit documents and spreadsheets. With the release of Drive, Google unified storage available to a single user so that in these 15 GB are also saved messages email from Gmail and Google+ images that exceed 2048 x 2048 pixels.

Google Drive is updated with improvements in design and new features

Google is working on an Android version for Virtual Reality

After the war that is already coming on the smartwatches market, it seems that another is about to come much more fiercely. It is the market for Virtual Reality. Recently we talked about Lakento MVR, or Oculus Rift, yesterday we told you everything we know about the Samsung Gear VR here, not long ago about CastAR and also developments that Facebook was doing about it.

And it seems that nobody wants to miss the chance to win a market that already existed but had never fully exploited, but rather the opposite. Taking advantage of the technological fever that much of the world society is living, one that joins to the virtual truck of Virtual Reality is Google, which already has a team working on an Android version.

Google has an Android -or try to have- prepared to be virtual part of everything we can imagine. On the way we saw with Android Auto, TV, or Wear, now it's the turn of the Virtual Reality.

Each of these paths has tried to get as much shine as phones, but for now do not enjoy much success in the market, or are too young to determine whether projects will be triumphant. Wall Street Journal is in charge of telling that Google has a team working on a version of Android, specifically to deal with the Virtual Reality.

A relatively small team working at it from the point of view of a platform, with its specific operating system and development tools. We have already seen that the idea of ​​the helmet liked, with devices like Cardboard or View-Master.

It is truth that this year seems to be very active with regard to helmets and technologies related to virtual and augmented reality. HTC lives, or the helmet of Sony, it seems that the proposals are more liking among those who have been able to try them in person.

As we can understand from the leaks, this is a different path than was raised with augmented reality of Google Glass, this is a side project. Possibly end up having a presentation at the next Google I/O 2015.

Google is working on an Android version for Virtual Reality

Sony, Philips and Sharp will launch in spring Google's Android TV

This spring, Sony, TP Vision (Philips) and Sharp will launch their first Android TVs. Finally, we have get to know when is coming to market the first Android TV. Google has confirmed that this spring, Sony, Sharp and TP Vision will launch its first models with Android operating system designed especially for TVs, game consoles and set-top boxes.

So far it seems that Sony, Sharp and Philips seems to be the first manufacturers to integrate this bet on Android TV on the 2015 range of TVs to deliver the best customer experience. Android TV users could enjoy movies, series, videos, music, applications and games with an interface especially designed for TVs.

To be out February, it also will sell the console Razer Forge TV (Android TV) at the price of 99.99 euros as an alternative to Google Nexus Player, allowing us to enjoy this on any TV with Android TV.

In the list of partners that are committed to Android TV we see Huawei also considering launching a compatible device, it is for sure a new media center/console.

Sony Corporation is a Japanese electronics company that, among other things produces mobile phones, cameras, televisions, MP3 players, PlayStation and more. Sony really hit the commercial market with the Walkman in the eighties. 

Philips is a Dutch producer of technological devices such as VHS and Video 2000 machines, CD media and Senseo coffee machine. The company is based in Eindhoven. 

Sharp Corporation is a Japanese multinational corporation that designs and manufactures electronic products. The headquarters are in Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan. The Group had about 55,580 employees worldwide in June 2011 and a turnover of 2.455 billion. yen. The company was founded in September 1912 and was named after the founder's first invention Ever-Sharp mechanical pencil one, invented by Tokuji Hayakawa in 1915. Since then it has developed into one of the world's leading electronics companies. Sharp is the world's fifth largest manufacturer of flat screen televisions.

Source: Android