Two things:
- Is Windows 8 really so bad that Android is a good alternative for a notebook?
- LOL, Chrome OS.
Category: Google
App Brings ‘iMessage Chat’ to Android⇢
An Android app that probably hijacks your messages, routes them through a Mac mini somewhere and spoofs your account to Apple’s iMessage service? Yeah, there are no problems with the Play Store.
Bing Rebrands⇢
What is it with search engines no one uses using logos no one wants?
On Android, the Play Store and Nerd Rage
Yesterday, I wrote this:
The reality is that Android isn’t a hobby anymore. It’s a major player in the mobile space, and Google needs to take security far more seriously than it does.
A good first step would be reviewing apps as they are submitted to the Play Store.
I know Google won’t ever build the sort of system of rules that Apple uses to police its App Store. I’m not suggesting the company should. Google could still allow crazy-ass apps and utilities on the Store.
Google, Build Up This Wall
Lucian Constantin, IDG News Service:
A feature that allows Android users to authenticate themselves on Google websites without having to enter their account password can be abused by rogue apps to give attackers access to Google accounts, a security researcher showed Saturday at the Defcon security conference in Las Vegas.
The feature is called “weblogin” and works by generating a unique token that can be used to directly authenticate users on Google websites using the accounts they have already configured on their devices.
Smart Japanese Bidet Suffers From Shitty Android App⇢
That link goes to The Verge, not The Onion.
On the Moto X⇢
Well, it’s here. This seems like a move in the right direction by Motorola, but according to The Verge, the company doesn’t get any special access to Android, despite being owned by Google itself.
(Sadly, the product page isn’t very well-written.)
On the 2013 Nexus 7
Chromecast + Netflix Deal Already Over⇢
Every nerd I’ve talked to about this product has been excited about the Netflix credit. It feels like a real bait-n-switch to me.
Google Announces Updated Nexus 7⇢
The original Nexus 7 sparked great interest in nerd community. The new one is better in every way. It’s thinner, lighter, faster, has optional LTE and a much better display. The 16GB model is $229, with the 32GB being $40 more. $269. $349 will get you a 32GB model with unlocked LTE that’s compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The Wi-Fi versions ship next week.
Motorola and Verizon Get Exclusive for ‘Droid’ Brand⇢
Roger Cheng:
Verizon Wireless and Motorola are getting exclusive with their relationship.
Starting with the Droid Ultra lineup, Motorola will be the only smartphone manufacturer to build Droid smartphones, Verizon marketing executive Jeff Dietel told CNET on Tuesday.
Sigh.
Droid Does It ... In Twelve Minutes⇢
Today, Verizon held an event in New York City to unveil a “all-new” series of it’s Motorola-built “Droid” phones.
It was eight minutes long.
Starting at 11:54 AM EST, Verizon’s Vice President of Marketing Jeff Dietel and Rick Osterloh Senior Vice President Product Management at Motorola got on stage to talk about three handsets: the Droid Maxx, Droid Ultra and Droid Mini.
The phones are all closely related, with the Maxx sporting 48 hours of battery life, the Ultra being super thin and the Mini having the same specs as the Ultra, but in a thinner, smaller case.