Armed gang uses Grindr to target victims for gay-bashing
Dating services are big business these days, and they offer a modern way to meet a life partner. But there's also a dark side. Tinder is perhaps the most well-known dating app, and Grindr is a near identical service aimed at gay and bisexual men.
Police in London are warning that the app -- which is available for iOS and Android -- is being used by an armed gang to set up fake dates with men. With two million people using the app around the world, Grindr offers rich pickings for homophobes to look for victims.
New survey reveals global Android usage trends
Mobile marketing company Celltick has mined its user interaction data to produce an Android Usage Trends report revealing insights on how users around the world use their mobile phones.
Among the key findings are that the vast majority of smartphones in Asia (71 percent) and the Middle East and Africa continue to be configured with English. Facebook might be ubiquitous, however, Facebook Messenger is only popular on low-end phones, amongst higher-end handsets, Skype is the most common application installed.
Most Android devices run an outdated OS version
More than 80 percent of Android devices are running an outdated version of the operating system. Those are the results of an inquiry among users of G DATA security solutions for Android.
G DATA believes the lag in the adoption of new versions lies in the long delays before manufacturers roll out updates to their devices, as well as the fact that some devices simply don’t support the latest version of Android.
The bible is dangerous for you and your phone
For the religiously-inclined the appeal of installing an electronic bible on a phone is (somewhat) understandable. But as well as providing a biblical fix when out and about, apps of a religious bent could also harbor a worrying payload.
The Threat Insight team from Proofpoint looked at thousands of iOS and Android apps, and found that a disturbing percentage of seemingly innocent apps pose a threat to users. Apps were found to include secret tracking components, as well as data-stealing elements and the ability to make unauthorized calls. The figures make for frightening reading.
Google expands Android Pay with more stores and countries
Google launched Android Pay to compete in an increasingly busy market that contains the likes of Apple, Samsung and now Walmart. Android Pay is already accepted at over one million locations, but Google is only just getting started. Anyone with an Android device likely has the app as Google helpfully installed it for you, or at least on some devices such as Nexus.
Now the search giant is looking to expand its footprint, branching out to new locations. First up is Android for in-app purchases. The company is trying to make this easier. Just a couple of taps and you'll be done, no wallet involved.
OnePlus X now available without invite every Tuesday
Believe it or not, if you want to get your hands on a OnePlus smartphone you still need to have an invite ready. The OnePlus 2 "flagship killer" may be readily available to just about anyone willing to shell out between $349 and $399 on it, but its younger sibling, the more affordable OnePlus X which was introduced last month, can only be purchased with an invite.
In other words, it is much easier to buy a flagship-grade smartphone, that costs at least $100 more, than it is to get a mid-ranger. Quite puzzling, isn't it? That said, if you are interested in OnePlus X, and don't have an invite, it is now possible to purchase the device without any of the usual drama on Tuesdays.
Xiaomi announces Redmi Note Prime
Shortly after taking the wraps off Redmi Note 3, Chinese maker Xiaomi has added a new device to its phablet line. Called Redmi Note Prime, it targets consumers on a budget, featuring a price tag of just $127.
So what do you get for the money? Redmi Note Prime has all the right features that shoppers in this segment could ask for: a big screen, quad-core processor, a decent amount of RAM, expandable storage, 4G LTE, dual-SIM support, high-resolution cameras, and a pretty large battery inside.
Dating app Tinder teams up with the NHS to promote organ donation
Tinder has long-concerned itself with affairs of the heart, but through the final couple of weeks of 2015 the dating app is switching its attention to other organs. Teaming up with NHS Blood and Transplant, Tinder is looking to raise awareness of organ donation.
The campaign aims to highlight to 18-35 year olds the importance of organ donation, and the challenging wait for a matching organ. A number of celebrities are getting involved, changing their profile pictures to a 'The Wait' logo. When users swipe right they will be invited to sign up on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Yahoo Mail app adds support for Gmail, Google Apps accounts
If an email app doesn't support multiple providers, chances are lots of potential users will not bother with it. Or they will seek alternative offerings that do. So, unsurprisingly, major players like Microsoft and Google now welcome those who have embraced rival services to Outlook and Gmail, respectively, even though they would much rather prefer they switch to their own products.
Yahoo has followed suit, adding AOL Mail, Hotmail and Outlook.com to the list of email providers supported in its Yahoo Mail app for Android and iOS. But, as you can probably tell, there was one major service missing from the list -- Gmail. Now, there is an update that rectifies this.
Apple loses ground to Android in Europe
Google is succeeding in keeping Apple at bay in Europe. The latest figures from Kantar show that Android is growing in popularity in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain (known collectively as EU5), while iOS growth is slowing.
The data covers smartphone sales in Europe's five largest markets in the three months ending October 2015. Android's popularity had been falling over the previous year, but sales in the last quarter see a return to growth that Google will hope to see continue into 2016 and beyond.
Samsung's TV app Smart View hits beta
Do you have a Smart TV? The devices have become increasingly popular and many on the market today now come with apps built in. Even set-top box maker Roku has launched a service that manufacturers can use.
One of the top makers of big screens is Samsung and it aims to stay near the top of the market with its latest feature that it calls Smart View. Its currently a beta and only available on select TVs, but it works with the app on Android, iOS and Windows PCs.
Walmart introduces its own payment app for Android and iOS
Android Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay -- it seems to be the latest trend in mobile devices. Each wants you to use its service and, in some cases all will work at a particular retailer. But, instead of accepting the existing ones, Walmart has decided to launch its own rival to them.
The giant retail chain is announcing Walmart Pay with the good news being that it isn't launching its own phone that you need to purchase first. It will work with both iOS and Android; Windows Phone users once again get left out. Walmart is the first retailer to launch its own payment service.
Google Drive -- finally -- gets a decent search tool
With Google/Alphabet having search so deeply ingrained in its DNA, it is somewhat surprising that the search capabilities found in Drive have been so limited. Now that changes. The cloud storage service, at long last, has a search tool that's worth using.
As well as rolling out to the web, Google Drive's new search options are also making their way to iOS and Android devices. Apple users in particular have something to look forward to thank to support for 3D Touch and deeplinking.
Microsoft rolls out Cortana to iOS and Android, to take on Siri and Google Now
Cortana is no longer limited to devices running Windows 10. After short period of public beta testing, Microsoft's digital assistant is now rolling out not only to iOS and Android, but also Cyanogen OS devices.
Just as on Windows 10 Mobile handsets, these new releases include many of the features that are found in the desktop version of Cortana. There are, however, some functions that remain exclusive to Windows phones -- you cannot, for example, change system settings in iOS and Android nor, frustratingly, use the hands-free "Hey Cortana" voice command.
Pixel C arrives at Google Store
Today, Google started selling its first homegrown tablet, Pixel C. You can buy one directly from the company—until they sell out! Google typically struggles stocking new devices, like Nexus smartphones and the Chromebook Pixel. On November 30th, I asked: "Where is Pixel C?", which was promised to arrive before the holidays. Now we know.
I hope to have the 10.2-inch tablet in possession within a few days and will subsequently post first-impression and full reviews. If you can't wait for that, and shouldn't, larger tech news sites already have their takes online. Search for the name, and you will find them. Don't wait on me, if you're thinking about one for Christmas!
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