US government-funded phones come with pre-installed malware
Researchers at Malwarebytes have uncovered malware pre-installed on phones offered under the US government-funded Lifeline Assistance program.
Assurance Wireless by Virgin Mobile offers the UMX U686CL phone as their most budget-friendly option at only $35 under the scheme. However, users are getting more than they bargained for. An app called Wireless Update is designed to update the phone's OS but can also install other apps without consent.
Samsung to reveal new devices on February 11 -- Galaxy Fold 2 and Galaxy S11?
Having just announced the Galaxy S10 Lite and Note10 Lite, Samsung is gearing up for another couple of announcements -- possibly the Galaxy S11 and Galaxy Fold 2. There have also been suggestions that one of the announcements could relate to the Galaxy S20.
The company has officially announced that its Galaxy Unpacked event will take place in San Francisco on February 11. Promised are "new, innovative devices that will shape the next decade of mobile experiences".
Samsung announces Galaxy S10 Lite and Note10 Lite
Ahead of CES, Samsung has revealed two new additions to its range of Android smartphones. The Galaxy S10 Lite and Note10 Lite are cutdown, cheaper versions of their expensive flagship stablemates.
But while these are not as feature-packed or powerful as the fully fledged Galaxy S10 and Note10, they are pitched as upper mid-range devices. Samsung is making much of the phones' cameras and display -- hardly surprising when the 6.7-inch handsets both feature 32MP units on the front and a trio of cameras on the rear.
Vivo, OPPO and Xiaomi's Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance makes for easier file-sharing
Three smartphone manufactures came together last summer to create a new Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance with the aim of making it easier to share files between devices. Now it's available on selected handsets and is going global.
The alliance is made up of vivo, OPPO and Xiaomi and it was been created to develop what amounts to an Android version of Apple's AirDrop. File transfers are possible without the need for additional apps, and without the need to use mobile data or an internet connection.
Leaked renders show off the OnePlus 8 Lite
OnePlus is a company that generates a lot of interest because of its low-cost-yet-powerful Android phones. It's also a company that's no stranger to leaks, and now we may have been given our first glimpse at the upcoming OnePlus 8 Lite.
OnePlus is usually a name associated with high-end "flagship killers", and it's not long since we saw the OnePlus 8 Pro leak. But with the latest leak, it seems that the company is re-entering the midrange -- something that will be welcomed by those who fear prices have been creeping too high of late.
Samsung Galaxy S11 details leak: three screen sizes across five models, including a huge 6.9-inch version
Time for more smartphone leaks. This time around it is the turn of Samsung; specifically the Galaxy S11 range of handsets.
Thanks to reliable leakster Evan Blass, we now know that we can expect to see three the phone in three screen sizes: a 6.2 or 6.4-inch model, a 6.7-inch one, and a massive 6.9-inch version. In all, no fewer than five variants are due to go on sale, with mid- to late-February currently pegged as a launch date.
Leak reveals images of upcoming foldable Motorola razr
Trusted leaker Evan Blass has shared images of the yet-to-be-released folding Motorola razr.
It is a few years since the pre-smartphone era Motorola RAZR (note the different capitalization) earned itself iconic status, and now the clamshell is due to make a comeback. The new version of the phone looks remarkably similar to the original, but there's a key difference: this time around it seems that it will feature a folding screen.
Samsung pushes out patch for Galaxy S10 and Note10 fingerprint scanner vulnerability
Following reports that the fingerprint scanners of Galaxy S10 and Note10 handsets can be unlocked with any finger, Samsung is now rolling out a fix.
The security issue was caused by third-party screen protectors interfering with the fingerprint scanners, making it possible for anyone to unlock a phone with an unregistered fingerprint. While the patch is now rolling out, it remains to be seen whether the vulnerability has been addressed fully.
The Pixel 4's 90Hz Smooth Display slows down when screen brightness is lowered
When Google launched the Pixel 4, one of the key features it pointed out was the Smooth Display feature, refreshing the screen at 90Hz. But all is not as it seems.
We already knew that the high refresh rate is not supported by all apps and all scenarios, so Google drops from 90Hz to 60Hz on occasion. But a new condition has been unearthed. It seems that the use of a 90Hz refresh rate is dependent on screen brightness levels... until Google issues a fix, that is.
Download Android 10 for OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T
True to its word, OnePlus has brought Android 10 to its OnePlus 6 and 6T handsets. Coming a matter of weeks after the launch of Android 10, OnePlus has released its own build as a beta.
As well as seeing OxygenOS upgraded to Android 10, there are a number of other OnePlus-specific tweaks and additions including full screen gestures.
Leaked images show off the OnePlus 8 Pro
It is only a matter of days since the OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro launched, and already the leaks for the next versions of the handset are leaking.
We've already seen what the OnePlus 8 will supposedly look like and now a new leak gives us a glimpse at its big sibling: the OnePlus 8 Pro. A series of renders from the reliable @OnLeaks shows that the phone will feature a hole-punch display, no fewer than four cameras, and a 3D ToFsensor.
The second generation of Google Assistant is faster and smarter than ever
Yesterday's Made By Google event was primarily about the launch of the Pixel 4, the Pixelbook Go, and a range of Nest devices -- but there were a few extra bits and pieces to get excited about.
At the New York event, Google spoke about the second generation of Google Assistant, promising greater speed and more functionality than before. There's also a new look to the digital assistant.
Android 10 is making its way to all recent OnePlus handsets -- 5, 5T, 6 and 6T
OnePlus has a great reputation for supporting its handsets for far longer than other manufacturers, delivering not only security updates, but also new versions of Android for two years or more. With Android 10, things are staying the same.
At the UK launch of the OnePlus 7T Pro, the company revealed its plans for rolling out the Android 10-based version of OxygenOS to older handsets. It comes just over a month after Android 10 launched, and anyone with a OnePlus 5, OnePlus 5T, OnePlus 6 or OnePlus 6T will be treated to an update.
Teardown of 'alarmingly fragile' Samsung Galaxy Fold suggests 'screen replacements seem inevitable'
Back in April, teardown site iFixit took an in-depth look at the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Following complaints and intervention from Samsung, however, the teardown was removed from the site.
Now iFixit has taken a look at the redesigned Galaxy Fold and, while it found that things have improved since the first version, there is still cause for concern. As well as pointing out that there are plenty of points of entry for dirt, dust and other debris, iFixit also says: "You wouldn't even have to drop this thing to break it, meaning screen replacements seem inevitable, and that's a scary thought".
OnePlus 8 leaks months ahead of launch
OnePlus fans may still be waiting for their OnePlus 7T to arrive, but a new leak gives us a glimpse further into the future, revealing what the OnePlus 8 (probably) looks like.
A series of renders show off the unreleased handset, showing it to have a curved screen, a hole punch camera on the front, and a triple camera arrangement on the rear.
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