Sony Xperia X Compact gets September security update, Xperia C4 gets July’s

Sony has updated its Xperia X Compact and Xperia C4 handsets with Google's recent security patches. The Xperia X Compact now jumps to firmware version 34.1.A.3.22 with September's security patches while the Xperia C4 is upgraded to 27.3.A.0.129 for single SIM and 27.3.B.0.129 B for dual-SIM variants based on July's security update.

Other recently updated Sony handsets include:

• Sony Xperia XA: firmware versions 33.2.A.3.81 and 33.2.B.3.81
• Sony Xperia M4 Aqua: firmware versions 26.3.A.1.33 and 26.3.B.1.33
• Sony Xperia M5: firmware versions 30.2.A.1.21 and 30.2.B.1.21

All of the above firmware is based on July or September's Google security updates – though why Sony is pushing out July updates at the end of October isn't clear. 

We recently reflected on a year of Android Marshmallow updates to see how each carrier performed their rollouts. Find out why Sony was on our 'dishonorable mention' list at the link, and see when it might start deploying the Android Nougat update at our overview page. 

If you're an Xperia X Compact or Xperia C4 owner, look out for update arriving OTA soon.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2eLfOnP
via IFTTT

Apple may still bring iMessage to Android, eventually

There's been long running speculation that Apple may one day bring its iMessage platform to Android, unifying us all under one glorious system full of doodles and animations. Rumored plans for a 2016 debut didn't pan out, but it seems that Apple hasn't completely given up on the idea of cross platform chat just yet.

According to the latest rumor, mockups of iMessage for Android have been circulating around the company, suggesting a range of different potential UI styles. These apparently range from a iOS Messages style to a pure material design look and feel. Of course, that's far from a confirmation that Apple actually has any plans to bring iMessage to Android any time soon, but it seems that the idea is still being mulled over at the company.

Despite the popularity of Google's Docs, Maps, and other services in the Apple community, the company can't crack messaging, even in the Android space. iMessage's unique set of features and prevalence across iOS devices makes it the incontrovertible king of messaging apps in the Apple ecosystem. So much so, that the lack of iMessage is often cited as one of the prime reasons that iPhone customers can't bring themselves to make the switch to Android.

Flirting with the iPhone 7: why I just couldn't do it743

Previously, an unnamed Apple executive has stated that the app remains a direct incentive for users to keep buying the company's products. That's not something that Apple is going to give up without a very good reason. Perhaps competition from Google's new Allo and Duo platforms could nudge Apple into a decision, but that seems rather unlikely given their current lack of popularity compared with other services. Instead, iMessage may appear if and when Apple decides that it needs to bring more consumers into its software ecosystem, which is already expanding onto Android with the introduction of Apple Music and the Beats Pill+ companion app.

For now, Android users will just have to settle for one of the many cross platform messaging apps out there. There's also the option to use PieMessage to make use of some iMessage features on Android devices.

See also: PieMessage brings iMessage functionality to Android, with a catch31

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2f6NaRz
via IFTTT

(Update: yes, you can!) You won’t be able to unlock the Verizon Pixel’s bootloader

Update: October 26: Well that didn't take long. Just three weeks after everyone thought the Verizon Pixel wouldn't have an unlockable bootloader, the developers of Firewater (an Android unlocking tool), along with phone hackers @Jcase and @TheRootNinja have managed to do so anyway. The developers shared evidence of their success on Twitter (see below) and said it was "so easy it's barely fun". Commenters on the tweet have also claimed to have unlocked the Verizon Pixel bootloader already.

Original post, October 5: Google and Verizon are teaming up to bring the new Pixel phones to US customers, and the carrier is sparing us from the irritating carrier logos that you can usually spot plastered over the company's device. However, customers who opt for the Verizon model won't be able to unlock the handsets bootloader, according to prolific leakster Evan Blass and a Google representative at the San Francisco launch event.

The news isn't completely surprising though. Carrier specific handsets are often sealed off to prevent software tampering. However, previous Verizon branded Google phones, such as the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 6, both came with officially unlockable bootloaders.

unlocking a verizon HTC, err "Google" Pixel is so easy its barely fun. @therootninja @jcase Maybe we'll release someday. Maybe. http://pic.twitter.com/elnq1kx2HP

— fire water (@firewaterdevs) October 26, 2016

For the uninitiated, a bootloader is the first thing that runs when you boot up your Android device. It's main job is to start up the operating system saved on the phone's internal memory. A bootloader is usually locked by default to prevent software tampering, but some manufacturers offer official unlocking tools for those who want to install custom ROMs and the like.

As such, a locked bootloader is unlikely to affect a large number of consumers that Google is targeting with its new Pixel phones. Especially as security updates and patches should be frequent. However for some, this news unfortunately confirms that Google is happy to sever the ties from its highly developer friendly Nexus branded smartphones with the new Pixel range.

Read on: Here's where you can buy a Google Pixel in the US18

It's not all bad news for Verizon customers looking to pick up a Pixel though. As far as we know, Pixel's purchased from the Google Store will feature unlockable bootloaders and will work just fine with the carrier. It's also quite possible that ingenious coders will come up with an unofficial solution to the problem at some point as well.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2e1MkUz
via IFTTT

Galaxy S8 rumored to feature optical fingerprint recognition

By now you will have heard the rumor that the Galaxy S8 will finally do away with the physical home button. While the obvious question has been "what will happen to the fingerprint scanner?", a possible answer has just cropped up via Weibo: optical fingerprint recognition. While that may sound good, I wouldn't get your hopes up.

See also: Sorry, the Samsung Galaxy S8 will not be launching early24

Sam Mobile reports that the Samsung Galaxy S8 will feature an optical fingerprint scanner housed under the seamless glass of its front display. The site claims that optical recognition is both faster and more accurate than the kind of ultrasonic fingerprint scanning made possible by Qualcomm's Sense ID.

But our own rundown on the different types of fingerprint scanners available explains why optical fingerprint scanners are not so secure (even if they are faster). This is because they rely on a glorified camera that only captures a 2D image. As you likely remember, older fingerprint scanners were notoriously easy to fool – these were optical scanners.

Optical scanners are notoriously easy to fool.

Considering the Galaxy S8 will feature chipsets manufactured by Qualcomm as well as Samsung, we think Sense ID ultrasonic scanning sounds much more likely.

While Samsung may be working on an advanced optical scanner, it would need to be a significant advancement over even the advanced kind of electro-optical scanner that can distinguish between a live finger and an image of a finger. But why Samsung would want to update an old scanning technology rather than adopt a new one is beyond me.

While it would be wise to take any rumor originating from Weibo with a grain of salt, the source of this rumor claims that Samsung is currently experiencing lower than expected yields for the optical scanning components required for the S8. Only time will tell if this rumor pans out to be true, but we'll be keeping a close on eye on it.

Would you prefer optical fingerprint scanning over an iris scanner?

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2dVPx6T
via IFTTT

Xiaomi: It doesn’t make sense to launch the Mi MIX in other markets

Don't shoot the messenger but it looks even less likely that the Xiaomi Mi MIX will be available outside of China. Replying to comments on Reddit, the product manager for MIUI India Jai Mani indicated that a launch in other markets would be problematic.

"It's still a concept so I don't think it really makes sense to launch it in other markets. Also we're still a really small team in India," said Mani, adding, "We have to consider each product very, very carefully given our limited resources."

See also: Xiaomi Mi Note 2's curved screen and great specs will help you forget about the Note 7126

Though Mani was responding to a question regarding availability in India, his concerns with the production could be applied to any market. In a follow-up comment, Mani outlined issues with marketing, sales, certification and "manual and labelling," stating that some countries have pretty specific requirements about the latter.

Though Mani's words aren't exactly a hard confirmation that a wider Mi Mix release won't happen, given the product's 'concept' moniker, and it's existence as a relatively risky Xiaomi release, it would be surprising if it did.

Are you disappointed by Xiaomi's lack of presence in the West? Let us know in the comments.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2dHK4SK
via IFTTT

How much does the Google Pixel cost to make?

The new Google Pixel and Pixel XL certainly don't come cheap, easily costing as much as Apple's iPhone 7 and Samsung's Galaxy S7, and it seems that there's plenty of profit to be made with these high end phones. The production cost of a 32GB Pixel XL is just $285.75, including $7.75 in basic manufacturing costs, according to IHS Markit.

Given that the 32GB Pixel XL is priced at $769, that's a $483.25 net income for Google. Of course, this is not including research and development costs, distribution, or the company's biggest advertising budget to date (you may have seen one of the billboards), so actual profit from the handset will be a bit lower.

"Total BOM costs for the Google Pixel XL are, not surprisingly, in line with those of other competitors, because the supply base and specs are very similar from phone to phone—whether it's an iPhone, a Galaxy-series phone or the Google Pixel XL" –  Andrew Rassweiler, senior director of cost benchmarking services for IHS Markit

When it comes to individual component costs, it's the Samsung-built 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display that costs the most at $58 a pop. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor is the next most expensive component costing $50, followed by $26.50 spent on the RAM and NAND memory package.

Surprisingly, Google's best in class camera package isn't one of the more expensive items. The combined cost of the 8 megapixel front camera and 12 megapixel rear camera is estimated to be around $17.50. This would have cost notable more if the camera included optical image stabilization technology. The company spent more on Gorilla Glass 4 protection and the die-cast aluminum enclosure at a cost of $35, so the new design seems to have been higher up Google's priorities list.

Google has certainly gone after the very high-end market with its new Pixel range, but the Nexus line-up was never a slouch in the hardware department either. Do you think that the new design justifies the higher price tag? Also, if you're interested in the full bill of materials for a modern smartphone, be sure to check out the source link below.

• 
  Google Pixel XL review: firs...
• 
  Google Pixel XL vs Samsung G...
• 
  Google Pixel and Pixel XL Ha...

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2eECfNb
via IFTTT

AT&T is (allegedly) making millions of dollars selling your data to cops

Documents obtained by The Daily Beast suggest that AT&T is making millions of dollars selling user data to law enforcers. In a report published on October 25, The Daily Beast alleges that AT&T created a program for the purpose of marketing and distributing user data on the promise that use of its program wouldn't be disclosed, should an investigation go public.

Project Hemisphere is the name given to AT&T's initiative which, according to The Daily Beast, analyzes "trillions of call records" to determine "where a target is located, with whom [he or she] speaks, and potentially why."

The New York Times claimed that the same project was used in a drugs case in an article from 2013. The Daily Beast says that the documents it recently obtained show Hemispheres uses stretch beyond the war-on-drugs and encompass everything from "investigations of homicide to Medicaid fraud."

See also: Motorola cannot commit to monthly security updates, calls them 'difficult'100

Telecommunication companies are legally obligated to hand over records for police matters when requested. However, it's alleged that AT&T is going to greater lengths to provide support in these matters in the aid of financial gain. "Sheriff and police departments pay from $100,000 to upward of $1 million a year or more for Hemisphere access," wrote The Daily Beast.

AT&T's records are also said to be particularly easy to access, requiring only an "administrative subpoena" rather than a warrant from a judge.

See also: Nest's first outdoor security camera is weatherproof and can see in the dark8

The New York Times says that the "scale and longevity" of AT&T's data trove appears to be "unmatched by other government programs, including the N.S.A.'s gathering of phone call logs under the Patriot Act." Reportedly, AT&T retains cell tower data from as far back as 2008, while competing carriers Verizon and Sprint both retain data for no more than 18 months.

Meanwhile, AT&T recently announced its $85.4 billion acquisition of media giant Time Warner. Both major party presidential campaigns are reported to be concerned about the move.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2feGDU7
via IFTTT