Monday, October 30, 2017

Some Android apps found mining cryptocurrencies via code injection

It seems like every week we're writing a new story about Android malware. A new report from Trend Micro suggests several apps on Google Play have been using native code injection to load dynamic JavaScript script in order to mine cryptocurrency. Two apps in particular were discovered using this method which can increase the wear and tear on your device, reduce battery life,  and it can lead to a significant decrease in performance for your device.

Trend Micro detected the malicious code being used in two apps, both of which have over 50,000 downloads on the Google Play Store. One is a rosary app, while the other is designed to help you find discounts from various sites.

Both apps work the same way by loading a JavaScript library from Coinhive and begin mining using the attacker's Coinhive site key. Trend Micro was able to analyze some of the samples of code to determine that these malicious apps are generating a profit for their users. In one example, the attacker made over $170 USD over an unknown period.

Trend Micro has alerted Google to the offending apps and they've since been removed from the Google Play Store, but this is just more evidence that you shouldn't install some of the shadier apps without knowing fully what they do.



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Moto X4 is now available starting at $329

In September, details surrounding the phone's US release — which included an Android One release on Project Fi — were made known and after making its debut at IFA 2017, the Moto X4 is now officially available to purchase from Motorola, Amazon, and Project Fi. The Motorola version is priced at $400, while the Prime-exclusive model gives you $70-off the total asking price in exchange for lock screen ads.

The Moto X4 rounds out Motorola's mid-range offerings by offering an interesting blend of affordable and premium, combining the two into a well-spec'd, water resistant Android phone. If you're curious about the rest of the hardware, here's a quick spec list:

Moto X4 Specs

  • 5.2-inch FHD Display
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 SoC
  • 3GB/4GB RAM
  • 32GB/64GB Storage
  • 16MP Front Camera
  • 8MP/12MP Dual Rear Cameras
  • 3,000mAh Battery
  • IP68 Water Resistance

Like most of Motorola's unlocked offerings, the Moto X4 is compatible with all networks here in the US, allowing you to use the phone on your carrier of choice. T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint — they're all game. If receiving the occasional deal/ad on your lock screen doesn't sound like a huge issue, you can also save a pretty penny by going the version powered by Amazon Alexa. Can't beat that deal with a stick. Buy link provided below.

Buy on Amazon


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Grab an Amazon Echo Dot for only $40 bucks for today only [DEAL]

If you're on the fence about the future of virtual assistants, Amazon has made the choice a bit easier by discounting the Echo Dot by $10 bucks so you can snag one for only $40. This probably isn't the best deal we'll see on Echo Dot devices with Black Friday so close, but it's pretty tempting to nab one to try it out next to Google Home.

If you've already got Amazon Echo integrated into your home, you can snag a few of these on the cheap to integrate the rest of your house. Alexa is much more robust than Google Home currently, despite Google recently releasing the Google Home Mini that serves as a direct competitor to the Amazon Echo Dot.

Get Amazon Echo Dot Deal


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Pick up the ZTE Axon M from AT&T’s website starting November 1

ZTE showcased its take on a foldable smartphone earlier this month, but the device won't go on sale until November 1st and then only on AT&T's online store. If you want to swing by your local AT&T store and play with one, you'll have to wait until November 17 to get your hands on the new foldable device.

You can purchase the device outright for $725, or get it through AT&T Next with 30 monthly payments of $24.17. That puts the foldable ZTE Axon M into the same competition category with the Galaxy S8, LG V30, and the LG G6 which is a hard sell when those flagship phones feature the same (or better) specs.

If a phone featuring two screens is a definite novelty that you have to have though, you don't have to wait long to get the device. Here's a quick spec reminder in case you missed the ZTE Axon M reveal and coverage we did a few weeks back. Don't miss our 7 things to love or hate about the ZTE Axon M.

ZTE Axon M Specs

  • 5.2-inch 1080p display x2
  • Snapdragon 821 processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 20MP camera (acts as front and rear facing)
  • 3,180mAh battery
  • Headphone jack
  • 12.1mm thick, 230g

Launching with last year's Snapdragon 821 setup is the thing that hurt the LG G6 this year and it's sure to hurt the Axon M among those who prefer fresh specs on their devices. What do you think? Would you be interested in this if the price were lower?



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Carl Pei teases OnePlus 5T’s Portrait Mode with a flawless camera sample

Earlier today @evleaks tweeted out a high-res render of the upcoming OnePlus 5T. It was only the top half of the device, but it partly confirms the existence of a larger — read: longer — 18:9 display inside the same footprint. Is a new display enough to warrant the T moniker? Well, OnePlus founder Carl Pei has been teasing another big upgrade

On this Twitter profile, Pei posted a photo of a young woman with the caption "What phone is he taking that photo with?…" It's obvious that the OnePlus 5T is being teased, showing off a pretty damn impressive Portrait Mode photo on the phone. It's not that the original 5's Portrait Mode was lacking, but the photo definitely looks as if OnePlus has been able to refine the feature which creates a shallow depth of field using software tricks.

Word has it, the OnePlus 5T might feature slightly updated camera hardware, most notably dual-20MP cameras on the back vs the OnePlus 5's 16MP+20MP setup. It's also worth mentioning that last year's OnePlus 3 > 3T upgrade saw a boost in battery capacity, so it's possible the 5T could squeeze in a few extra mAhs.

Twitter | via DroidHolic



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YouTube TV app finally rolling out to TV set-top boxes

It's hard to believe that YouTube TV, a service for watching TV, hasn't been available on TVs until now. After being available for over 6 months, YouTube TV is finally coming to devices including the Apple TV, Xbox One, Roku, and Android TV. Previously, you had to use Chromecast or AirPlay to watch on your TV.

The new YouTube TV app for TV for start rolling out to set-top boxes in the coming weeks, starting with Google's own Android TV platform. The interface has been reimagined with big screens in mind, but it's still very simple to use. There's a "home page" that will recommend content for you and let you easily pick up with DVR'd content.

The Live tab is where you'll find a more traditional list of what's on right now. Of course, since this is a Google product, earch plays a big role in finding stuff to watch. Be on the lookout for YouTube TV on your TV box of choice.

[via youtube]



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30+ Best Android Apps of the Month [November 2017]

A lot of apps are released in the span of one month. It can be near impossible to keep track of them all. In order to help you find only the best apps that have been released in the last month, we have assembled this list. Below you will find the best apps from the last month. Check it out and see what apps you missed!

New Android Apps

AMC VR

AMC VR is a new virtual reality app from the channel that created The Walking Dead. You can experience scenes in 360 degrees and feel what it's really like to live with walkers. Get in the middle of Hong Kong-style martial arts training with Into the Badlands' Fight Camp and stay tuned for new experiences coming soon.

Be My Eyes

This app allows you to be the eyes for the blind or vision impaired. You can assist the person through a live video connection. All you have to do is explain to the person what they're seeing. Maybe they can't quite make out the expiration date on the milk jug. Be their eyes.

DigiLux

Ever wondered why there are physical buttons for volume but not screen brightness? This app lets you use your fingerprint sensor as dedicated brightness control hardware. Swipe your fingers from left to right to adjust the brightness easily and quickly.

DVD Netflix

Did you know Netflix still rents out DVDs? With this app, you can do it from your phone. DVDs and Blu-ray discs are delivered to you with free shipping. Don't worry about kiosks, due dates, or late fees. Just update your Queue and Netflix does the work.

ElsiePic

ElsiePic is an app for people who are photographers and people who need photographers. You can make money taking photos or find someone to take some photos for you. It's like Uber for photography.

FANDOM

Whether you're someone who's into everything entertainment or someone who wants to keep up with the latest on just The Walking Dead, Destiny 2 or Star Wars, the FANDOM app makes it quick and easy to be in the know.

Icon Pack Mixer

This simple app lets you mix all of your installed icon packs with ease in a few simple steps. Select which icons do you want to have, confirm your selection and voilà! Your new icon pack is ready to use.

Lawnchair Launcher

An open-source project developed by volunteers, Lawnchair has quickly become the de-facto choice for Android enthusiasts everywhere. New features are being added regularly with the promise that Lawnchair will always be free and open-source.

lockIO

The first thing someone does when they steal a phone is power it off. This instantly blocks all of the tracking abilities you might be able to do. lockIO is an app that blocks the ability to turn off your phone, as well as other apps a theif might want to access.

Micasso

Micasso transforms your photos into artworks using the styles of most famous artists: Picasso, van Gogh and more. Using neural networks and artificial intelligence helps you bring the most famous artists to your mobile to repaint your memorable moments.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is Microsoft's new and much-improved browser. Now, it's available on Android. It creates one continuous browsing experience for Windows 10 users across their devices. Content and data sync seamlessly in the background, so users can browse across devices, without skipping a beat.

Movies Anywhere

Seamlessly store the movies you've collected in one place—so you can watch them when and where you want. Movies you buy on any platform will be available in the Movies Anywhere app at no extra charge. Also, your movies will be available across platforms.

Shop It To Me

Shop It To Me is the leading free personal sale shopping assistant for Women's and Men's clothing. Shop It To Me will search hundreds of online stores like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Shopbop, J.Crew, and Anthropologie.

Soundparty

Soundparty is a musical toy anyone can use to easily create songs by assembling and arranging musical building blocks. Absolutely no musical experience is required. What's more, songs are sent and received as small blocks of text (not audio files), so you can easily share the songs you've created.

StreetComplete

This app finds incomplete and extendable data from OpenStreetMaps in your vicinity and displays it on a map as markers. Each of those is solvable by answering a simple question to complete the info on site. You can easily help update maps.

Weekly App Roundups

Best of the Best

The Google Play Store has hundreds of thousands of apps to choose from. This list only scratches the surface. We've published numerous Best Android Apps lists for everything from dating to education. Check out the lists below to explore even more!



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