Google is keeping Samsung and Apple on their toes with the release of the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. These phones are strikingly similar, but they are being produced by two different companies. Even though Google masterminded these phones, HTC is manufacturing the Pixel 2 while LG produces the 2 XL. This caused some critics to raise their eyebrows, but Google swears that these are more than tweaks on existing phones. After seeing the specs, it’s obvious that Google has once again outdone themselves.
Aside from their manufacturers, the Pixel 2 and 2 XL have a lot in common. The only thing that sets them apart is the screen size, battery and hardware design. Both sport the cutting edge cameras, processors and dual speakers. They are both being released on October 19th and can be upgraded to 128GB of storage for $100 extra.
Priced at $649 for the 64GB Pixel 2 and $849 for the 2 XL, these are far from budget phones. Instead of relying on flashy designs, Google chose to win over fans with improved cameras and AI features. By sticking to tradition, these releases provide amenities that were overlooked by Samsung and Apple. There’s no arguing that they are quality releases, even though they don’t look like it at first glance. To separate fact from the hype, we tried out these phones for a day. What we discovered was shocking, so prepare to explore the features of these groundbreaking phones!
What the Pixel 2 & 2 XL Have to Offer
These phone’s aren’t the sexiest, but they hold their weight.
When you first pick up these phones, they don’t automatically win you over. There’s no edge to edge display, even though their OLED screens have been improved. The 2 XL has been upgraded to a 6-inch screen, which is considerably larger than last year’s 5.5-inch screen. Even though the 2 XL got a makeover, the Pixel 2 looks eerily similar to last year’s model. It sports a 5-inch screen with large bezels, and both designs sport aluminum frames that look like plastic. This material choice makes the phone easier to grip, but it won’t impress anyone at the bar.
Even though these designs are somewhat homely, Google managed to jazz them up. The Pixel 2 is available in black, white and blue, while the 2 XL comes in black and white. These colors are far from wild, but they sport a few fun variations. The white version has a black shade on the back and a neon power button. It isn’t much, but it’s still a fun deviance from the norm.
A few design tweaks make sure these phones stand out.
The specs are pretty standard, but Google had a different game plan for winning over customers. Both models have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 12 megapixel rear cameras, 8-megapixel selfie cameras and 4GB of RAM. While these specs aren’t wild, the tweaks to the cameras are. There’s a dual pixel sensor on the back, which means every pixel is made up of two smaller ones. This paves the way for faster auto-focus, and it also creates an epic portrait mode that blurs background items.
Even though these phones allegedly pack the best cameras on the market, there’s plenty more surprises. The Pixel cameras feature augmented reality stickers from Stranger Things, and Star Wars stickers are in the making. These are the first phones to feature Google Lens, which pulls up information on items the camera is pointing at. They also sport Active Edge, which allows users to pull up Google Assistant or silence phone calls by squeezing. The phones also boast always-on display that listens for music. Upon detection, it will automatically show what you are listening to on the screen.
At the end of the day, Google managed to create two remarkably dependable smartphones. Their cameras and special features are on the next level, but users will have to support a semi-boring design. It’s an interesting trade-off, but the Pixel 2 is still a tempting release. Google may not dethrone Apple or Samsung this year, but they have proven that they’re viable competition.
Foxtel Now is mobile app where you can watch new TV shows, complete seasons and live sport from Australia. It is all about entertainment with Foxtell where you can stream 11,00 hours of shows and movies on demand as well as Live TV. You can watch these streaming videos on your mobile or tablet, PC or Mac computers, Chromecast, Telstra TV, on Playstation4 and other devices. With 80 live Foxtel channels from your Foxtel subscription your choice of sports, new movies, new shows and complete seasons from Australia and around the world on your device this app.
Foxtel Now includes live TV, so you’ll be able to watch each episode as it airs live at 11am (AEST) on Mondays, and stream it on demand shortly after.
Features of this app include
- Stream in HD via Chromecast
- Stream on demand and live TV
- Kids section
- Continue watching
- Trending (what’s popular)
- Suggested (based on what you watch)
- Pause and rewind up to 30 minutes
Devices compatible to this app are iPad2 or above, iPhone 4 and above with iOS 8 and above. For Androids all mobiles and tablets are compatible with Jelly bean 4.1 and above. The Foxtel app has been tested on a range of devices from leading manufacturers including Samsung, Sony, Acer, HTC, Motorola and LG. Foxtel app is optimised for Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
If you’re not sure which version of the Android operating system (OS) you have:
- Open the Settings menu (usually represented with a cog symbol) on your device.
- Select ‘About device’
- You’ll see the version number listed under the Android version header
How to get started
First download the Foxtel Now free app on your smartphone from apps store be it Google or iOS according to your device.
You’ll need to be a Foxtel customer and have a Foxtel My Account number Foxtel ID. The Foxtel app is only available to Foxtel customers and excludes Foxtel Now subscribers.
Try the app free for two weeks and after that you need to pay for this streaming app
You need to sign up to the free trial when you register online. If you find Foxtel Now isn’t for you, simply cancel online through My Account before the end of the trial period and your account will be removed.
At the end of your free trial, your billing period will automatically start based on the pack(s) you choose. The charge will be debited to you nominated card monthly depending on the pack(s) you have chosen.
The monthly Foxtel Now service fees will be charged to your nominated card in advance based on the package you select when signing up and it will commence the day after your trial period ends.
The price of one programming pack costs $10 per month or a full month pack. You can pay with yoir mobile by using MasterCard or Visa credit card.
Since 5th June 2017, 13th Street, Binge, Syfy, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, Lifestyle You, Style, World Movies, CNN, Smooth, BBC World News, CNBC, Max, CMC, Eurosport News, Foxtel Arts, MTV Music and MTV Dance became no longer available on Foxtel Now. To see what the packages now look like, go here.
This app is available to Foxtel Residential Cable & Satellite customers with an STU, excluding Optus TV feat Foxtel customers. You must subscribe to a channel (or relevant tier) in your subscription to access content available from that channel. Not all channels/content available on all Foxtel Go devices and the video quality may vary according to 3G/4G and WiFi service.
Games of Throne Season 7 and Foxtel
If you are fan of Game of Thrones and waiting to to find out who dies next in George R.R. Martin’s murder fiesta without resorting to piracy then do so in Foxtel Now as Foxtel’s revamped streaming service – is probably the easiest way to watch Game of Thrones in Australia. The packages including Game of Thrones – Pop or Drama which are billed at $15 per month and there’s no lock in contracts. Since season seven has seven episodes, you’re looking at $30 in subscription fees.
It is however worth noting that Foxtel is only adding the a high definition copy of new episodes to Foxtel Now on the Tuesday after they air. If you’re watching the online simulcast, you’ll get 720p, but if you’re trying to stream on demand before Tuesday, you’ll only have access to a standard definition copy.
Foxtel and Telstra
Telstra have four awesome packages that gives you the widest choice of the world’s best shows, movies and live sport across your TV, tablet and mobile. Also find the flexibility to change your package once a month to suit your needs.
- Entertainment package: Offers over 45 channels including drama, lifestyle, docos, kids, news and more.
- Entertainment and Sports package: This pack also covers over 45 channels including drama, lifestyle, docos, kids, news and more plus coverage of over 40 different sports across 15 sports channels.
- Entertainment, Sports, Drama and Movie package: Find all the inclusions of the Entertainment + Sport Package plus with the latest new shows and greatest boxsets from around the world with 6 dedicated drama channels OR The complete movie experience at your fingertips with 10 dedicated channels.
- Premium HD Package- The premium entertainment experience with all 8 channels packages including HD – over 90 unique channels and over 35 available in HD Free standard installation (normally $100) Foxtel Kids App is a dedicated app for kids on mobiles and tablets (iOS & Android) aged between 2 to 12 years to provide a safer space to watch kids content.
- $ 26 per month for a year with Min cost $489 includes $100 standard installation, $75 iQ2 box and $2 Pre-Paid SIM
- $ 40 per month for a year – after the first 12 months, you will roll over onto a $55/mth month to month subscription- Min cost $657.03 includes $100 standard installation, $75 iQ2 box, $2 Pre-Paid SIM and a 1c per channel per year charge also applies for Chelsea TV, MUTV and LFCTV
- $55 per month for a year- after the first 12 months, you will roll over onto a $75/mth month to month subscription- Min cost $837.03 includes $100 standard installation, $75 iQ2 box, $2 Pre-Paid SIM and a 1c per channel per year charge also applies for Chelsea TV, MUTV and LFCTV.
- $99 per month and after 12 month discount, you will roll over onto a $137/mth month to month subscription. Min cost $101.03 includes standard installation and iQ2 box at no additional cost, $2 Pre-Paid SIM and a 1c per channel per year charge also applies for Chelsea TV, MUTV and LFCTV.
When you travel somewhere outside your nation’s boundaries your mobile starts pushing notifications about roaming and its charges. Making a call from overseas then becomes a costly affair. While travel packs or a local SIM can help you relieve the cash stress that you face on roaming charges. Vodafone offers $5 roaming option that caters to your international needs.
If you’re travelling to a country included in offer, you’ll be charged an extra $5 per day to use your Australian inclusions overseas. This means you can make calls, send texts, and use data like you would when you’re in Australia.
The fee is only charged on days where you use your inclusions: if you’re keeping it on flight mode or making the public Wi-Fi off, you won’t pay a thing. However, you should be aware that any network use be it calls, texts or data will trigger the $5 charge, so if you’ve set your phone to automatically check for new emails or updates on Facebook, this will activate roaming for the day. Receiving a text message will not, but receiving a call will certainly do.
How to activate $5 roaming
The best way to activate and manage your international roaming settings is through My Vodafone.
You have to be on a plan with $5 Roaming, you can use your plan in over 55 countries for just $5 extra per day. These countries may vary, so you need to check our current countries before you travel.
If your plan isn’t eligible for $5 Roaming or if you’re visiting a country where $5 Roaming isn’t available, you can access Vodafone’s Pay As You Go Roaming rates.
If you’re travelling to New Zealand, you’ll actually be able to roam for free.
There is however a slight catch here as you’re only able to use Vodafone roaming for up to 90 days in any given calendar year. After you’ve used your 90 days, you’ll be billed at pay-as-you-go rates.
Features in $5 roaming
- You get numerous features on $ roaming plan
- Get standard calls and SMS to numbers in the country you are visiting
- Get standard calls and SMS to numbers back in Australia
- The same data allowance you have in your plan in Australia. If you’re on a plan with 5GB of data, you can use 5GB of data while you’re overseas
- The same international call allowance your plan has in Australia
- Access to international 4G networks where available
Also if you’re on a Vodafone postpaid plan – either contract or month-to-month – you can use $5 roaming when overseas. If you signed up to a plan after April 23 2014, it will already be switched on; the only thing left to do is book your holiday.
- If you signed up to an eligible plan before that date, you’ll need to turn it on through Vodafone’s online portal.
- If your plan isn’t eligible – if you’re on prepaid, for example – you’ll need to swap to a new postpaid plan to use $5 Roaming.
- If you haven’t upgraded your phone plan in 12 months or more, there is a good chance you are missing out.
Countries where $5 roaming plan works
At present, there’s over 55 countries covered by Vodafone’s $5 Roaming. These include: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, USA, Vanuatu, and Wales.
If you are on a cruise Vodafone has roaming partnerships with On Waves, Telenor Maritime and Wireless Maritime Services. Check their websites to see if Maritime Roaming is available on your cruise ship.
Mobile data and PXT aren’t available with Maritime Roaming. You can take advantage of on board WiFi where it’s available.
Outside of these countries, you’ll have to pay-as-you-go. Vodafone’s rates are as follows:
- $1 per minute to make or receive calls
- $1 per MB of data used
- 75c per text message
- In most cases, try to avoid using data when paying-as-you-go. You could end up paying $40 or more to just view a single YouTube video.
Also if you go over your data like you are sharing too many photos while overseas and go over your monthly data limit, excess data is billed the same way as in Australia. As soon as you hit your cap, you’re charged $10 and get an extra 1GB to use until the end of your billing month.
When you arrive back in Australia, you’ll automatically access the Vodafone network and will no longer be charged for roaming. You can leave your roaming activated in preparation for your next trip. If you prefer, you can deactivate roaming through My Vodafone.
Pay as you go roaming rates
Pay as you go roaming rates will apply if you’re travelling to a country where $5 Roaming isn’t available. Or if your plan isn’t eligible for $5 Roaming and also if you don’t have $5 Roaming switched on.
The rates for Pay as you go roaming are:
- $1 per 60 seconds to make and receive calls.
- $0.75 per standard TXT message sent, per recipient. No charge to receive TXT.
- $0.75 per PXT message sent, per recipient. No charge to receive PXT.
- $1 per MB data.
Note that if pay as you roaming isn’t included in your plan and will incur extra charges on your bill.
Maritime Roaming Rates
You can make calls and send TXT messages on selected cruise ships at the following rates:
- $5 per 60 seconds to make and receive calls.
- $0.75 per standard TXT message sent, per recipient. No charge to receive TXT.
- Maritime Roaming isn’t included in your plan and will incur extra charges on your bill.
$5 roaming a better option for shorter travel trips
$5 Roaming is a wonderful option for shorter travel trips . An entire week overseas would cost you $35, assuming you’re using your inclusions every day.
You can assume that the longer you’re away from home: a month overseas would bring your roaming bill to as much as $155 on top of your current phone plan. If you need to keep your Australian number, that might be worth it, but buying a local SIM at your destination could end up being the more economic option for extended travel.
If you face any problem with $5 Vodafone roaming when travelling overseas you can still get in touch while you’re away by calling +61 426 320 000. Also the best way to keep track of your usage is through My Vodafone.
Out of all the games found at casinos, pokies receives the most regulation. This is due to the fact that they are the main money makers for any establishment. Revenue generated from pokies machines account for over half of gaming profit. This translates to billions of dollars worldwide, which provides hundreds of millions in tax dollars. In Australia the government literally thrives off this burst of income, since it’s one of their main tax revenues.
Even though the amount of money is staggering, there are downsides to widespread pokies machines. They are the most appealing machines to problem gamblers, since they are the flashiest games in the casinos. Their ease to use and hypnotic themes have made them a favorite for responsible and addicted punters alike. Since there’s no sure way to weed out punters who shouldn’t be playing, measures are made to regulate pokies.
Each country takes a different approach to gambling, but no matter how strict people still find a way to play. This is especially apparent with pokies, since these vibrant machines have stolen the show around the world. They are one of the most popular forms of gambling, so venues scramble to make them available to visitors.
This massive demand forces casinos to create some interesting loopholes. They range from simple to outrageous, depending on the laws of the country. Educating yourself isn’t just advantageous, it can also be entertaining. This is especially true with pokies regulations, since it varies so much from country to country. For this reason, we compiled a list of countries with interesting pokies regulations. Prepare to be entertained, these loopholes show that pokies always find a way!
Pokies Regulations Around the World
The types of casinos vary wildly in America!
Country #1: United States – There are 50 states, and each one takes a different approach to gambling regulation. For the most part, pokies machines are strictly regulated by the government. Out of all the states, Nevada has the most relaxed laws when it comes to gambling. These loose restrictions have paved the way for it to become a gambling mecca.
Even though Nevada has stolen the show, there are plenty of gambling hubs in America. New Jersey has a robust amount of casinos, but gaming machines are only allowed in Atlantic City’s hotel casinos. Mississippi used to require casinos to operate on barges, but this changed after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Faced with massive losses, they legalized land casinos to stimulate tourism. Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, and Indiana only allow pokies machines on riverboats or barges.
Delaware allows pokies on race tracks, while Wisconsin bars and taverns can have up to 5 machines. Native American reservations can have slot machines if they agree to give a portion of the winnings to the state. America is a complicated political terrain, but there’s still plenty of places to play pokies!
Despite Russia’s crackdown, a few casinos managed to survive…
Country #2: Russia – During the beginning of the 21st century, gambling addiction in Russia soared. Over 1.5 million citizens regularly gambled in Moscow, but none of the money was going to the state. This disparity ended up motivating the government to ban gambling in all but four regions of Russia in 2007. Altay, Rostov, Kaliningrad and Primorie took advantage of this monopoly, but slots are still tightly controlled. Machines have to pay out 90% of takings and there are restrictions on the net assets of gambling operators. It’s an interesting trade off, but at least pokies survived!
These machines are a bonanza in Japan!
Country #3: Japan – Even though gambling is criminalized, the Japanese people found a way to gamble. Pachinko machines provide the same thrill as pokies, but they have a more roundabout system. Punters put money into these pinball machines and bet on which hole the ball will fall into. If they pick correctly, the punter is awarded with plastic balls that contain slits of gold. These can be traded for cash at neighboring venues that are normally owned by the original parlor. It’s a complicated system, but the players still get in on the action!
If you are find the most unique feature of Snapchat for 2017 then it is the Snap Map which is a global map showing you stories of people around the world and where your friends currently are. Recently in June 2017 Snapchat made recent updates which make the app feel entirely new where not only you can use at social tool but also now be a part of more meaningful conversation around news and events.
What is Snap Map
Snap Map is thus Snapchat’s latest feature that lets you share your location with your Snapchat friends, and view their location on a map, and update when you open the photo messaging app. The new feature will be available today to all iOS and Android Snapchat users across the globe.
On the Snap Map, you’ll see Bitmoji, which Snapchat now calls Actionmoji, across the map. Actionmoji are friends and family who are sharing their location with you. The Actionmoji might change depending on their location, time of day, and how fast they’re going. Like if your friend is in car you might see an Actionmoji of your friend driving. If you post a snap to the Our Story feature, your snap might be featured on the map for 24 hours.
It is not that your privacy is not maintained as there is an option to turn off this feature called the Ghost mode but you can turn it on and select certain friends to share your location with. Your location also only updates while the app is open. If the app isn’t open for a few hours, your Actionmoji will disappear. But, if you do see a friend’s Actionmoji on the map, you can tap on their icon to start a chat, as well as loop in other friends to begin a group chat.
You’ll also notice areas on the map that appear in red or soft blue. Those are places where people are snapping and submitting to the Our Story feature. It might be a popular tourist destination or something related to breaking news.
How to use Snap Map on Snap Chat
To get started, zoom out of the Snapchat camera to access Snap Map.
You’ll see the above screen the first time you try this and after updating the app. Now select who to share your location with or stay in Ghost Mode.
As said above you can always go back and change location-sharing settings. Add a snap to Our Story and potentially see it on the Snap Map.
On the map, you’ll see popular places that have plenty of snaps submitted by users.
If you see a particular area that’s red or slightly blue, zoom in!
It might be a tourist destination or somewhere that’s getting a lot of submissions via Our Story. Zoom out and see more popular areas. You’ll see popular tourist destinations and locations with snaps. Or zoom out and see what’s happening across the world.
Now that people are starting to question major news corporations, a flood of news apps are being developed. They are rapidly replacing traditional news sources, since they allow users to pick what’s interesting to them. Instead of being reliant on what editors pick, people are increasingly opting to choose their own content. Thanks to the slew of options provided by these new apps, users can tailor make their news feeds. From beauty to world news, there’s a stream available for everyone.
Now that everyone’s smartphone is their closest sidekick, they are revolutionizing the way we see news. Developers are scrambling to come up with new news apps, and this has led to a slew of releases. These allow users to control what they see and save interesting stories for later. It’s a whole new frontier, since people have never had this much control of where their news comes from. They can pick everything up to the news sources, which leaves nothing to chance.
This level of customization is both a good and bad thing. It can insulate people in comfortable bubbles, but it can also alert them to news that would normally be overlooked. For this reason, news apps are a force to be reckoned with. They are the future of how people acquire information, so it’s time to hop onboard this trend. We know there are a shocking number of apps to choose from, so we have compiled the best news apps available. They will open up your world, so don’t hesitate to add them to your arsenal!
News Apps Everyone Should Try
Save your favorite articles for later!
News App #3: Pocket – For those of us who are on the go, this app is a godsend. It allows users to save interesting headlines for later, so nothing gets missed. On top of letting people bookmark news stories, it also has a great recommendation feature. This suggests news articles based on your preferences, so there will be no shortage of new stories to read! While the convenience of this app steals the show, it’s interface is just as appealing. It’s extremely simple without looking tacky, so it gives you the perfect introduction to the news!
Tailor your feed to your needs!
News App #2: News Republic – Out of all the apps available, this platform has one of the best filters. They offer a long list of ways to customize your news feed, which guarantees articles that are interesting to you. They also have a digest feature which breaks down the gist of stories. This allows users to understand the topic without having to dive head first into the article. All things considered, it doesn’t get much better than this app. Download it to get news that’s tailored for you!
This website has been a game changer!
News App #1: Reddit – Out of all the news sources, this one remains the most beloved. It’s been affectionately called the “front page of the internet”, so it only makes sense that it topped our list. For years, Reddit has been one of the most reliable ways to discover news from any imaginable category. From serious to funny issues, there’s no shortage of articles. Dive into the best news app on the planet, there’s no arguing that it’s the most entertaining!
If you are looking for a wide range of smartphones then Android devices are the best which offer many wonderful features and come in different shapes and sizes as well as in all budgets to suit to everyone’s needs. So if you have an Android as well as an iPhone and you wish to transfer your iOS data to Android then here find as how to do it in simple to do steps. You can transfer everything across like your contacts, music, apps and all.
On your iPhone if you already are using Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Maps then it is too quick to transfer the data to Android.
As a first step download Google Drive to your iOS device and sign in with your Google account.
Open Google Drive on your iPhone, click Backup in the menu settings and select “Start Backup”. You can elect to back up select content if you don’t want to port everything across. Note that a full backup may take several hours to complete – so make sure your phone is fully charged and connected to Wi-Fi.
Sign in on your Android device and follow the prompts. Also remember to de-register iMessage. Otherwise, some of your friends’ text messages might not make it to your new phone.
Obviously, you need to use the same Google account on your iPhone and Android device for the migration to work. Unfortunately, the above process won’t transport your message history from iMessage. If you want to keep your old messages for some reason, you will need to employ an additional third-party app. (read below about these apps)
Transferring messages and emails
iMessage doesn’t work on Google’s platform, and there’s no way to export all your message history into a comparable Android app. You’ll need to rely on third-party software and some rather convoluted processes to back it all up. iSMS2droid promises to import messages from an unencrypted backup you made in iTunes on your computer into Android. If you don’t need the backup on your phone, then PhoneView (macOS) and CopyTrans (Windows) are two of many tools that will let you browse your old missives to your heart’s content.
As for emails, Apple’s system supports IMAP, so you can carry on checking your iCloud emails through Gmail on Android if you’re not having a fresh start and giving up your old email address completely. Tap the drop-down arrow on the Gmail app menu, choose Add account, and follow the configuration instructions provided by Apple. It’s the same process if you’re using any other kind of email app on your new Android device, like Outlook from Microsoft. The only requirement is that it supports the popular IMAP protocol.
You have a couple of other options if putting your iCloud account directly into Gmail doesn’t appeal. You can have all your Apple iCloud emails automatically forwarded to your new Gmail address, by going into iCloud Mail on the web and setting up forwarding — you can even delete the originals after they’re passed on. Alternatively, you can export all your old emails using Mail on a Mac just in case you ever need them again, then close down your Apple account.
Now try these steps and use your Android with confidence.
After paving the way for bezel-less smartphones last year, Xiaomi is ready to take on Apple. They are releasing the Mi Mix 2 a day before the next iPhone is unveiled, so the competition is on. To further seal their takeover, Xiaomi is also releasing the Mi A1 for $230. The Chinese phone producer is taking advantage of Apple’s falling sales and lackluster changes to introduce the Mi Mix 2. They are already drawing comparisons to the iPhone 7, and so far everyone is impressed.
Why Xiaomi Is Apple’s Worst Nightmare
This budget phone packs a punch.
The amount of premium features in the Mi A1 is staggering, especially since it will retail at $230. From Android One software to 12 megapixel dual cameras, the Mi A1 has plenty of tricks up its sleeves. Xiaomi hopes to prove that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a quality smartphone.
By the looks of this release, Apple has some strong competition in China. Plenty of companies are pouncing on the opportunities created by Apple’s dwindling sales in Asia. Out of all of them, none are more capable than Xiaomi to dethrone the world’s biggest tech giant in China. Their sales are on the rise, and they just received a billion-dollar loan to expand their international sales.
This is a bold vision, and the Mi Mix 2 is a crucial part of this plan. To get a better idea of what’s at stake, it’s essential to examine Xiaomi’s new releases. If competitors can provide phones that match the quality of the industry heavyweights, Apple’s monopoly could be coming to an end. They are already in fierce competition with Samsung, so more competition will undoubtedly lead to better smartphones for consumers. Either way the buyer wins, so let’s examine the Mi A1’s features.
The Mi A1 doesn’t just aim to match the iPhone, it wants to outdo it entirely. The 5.5-inch smartphone is stealing the show with its brilliant front design. Both bezels are small enough to let its high-quality screen shine. It runs on Android One, which is supposed to highlight the true capabilities of Google’s software.
This is the first of their phones that doesn’t run on MIUI software, which opens up doors to new options. They want to equip it with Android Oreo by the end of the year. This would give it a top of the line system, which isn’t bad for a budget phone.
Dual cameras used to be a luxury.
On top of having cutting edge software, the other features are equally impressive. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The Mi A1 also supports USB-C and has a fingerprint scanner on its back side. All these features are fueled by a 3080 mAh battery.
Out of all the features, the camera steals the show. It boasts a dual-lens 12-megapixel rear camera that’s currently only found on premium phones such as the Note 8. This new arrangement allows users to utilize a slew of fancy photography options. It’s an impressive feature to have on a phone within this price range.
At the end of the day, Xiaomi did an incredible job with the Mi A1. It offers a slew of premium features at a price that everyone can afford. This phone proves Xiaomi is a force to be reckoned with, but it pales in comparison to the Mi Mix 2. All eyes are going to be on the upcoming release, since it will dictate if Xiaomi can take on Apple.
How to protect your phone from Malware- Find 11 best anti-malware Android apps to secure your mobile
Last year over 318,000 Android users were affected by auto-downloading Malvertising attack. With the increasing insecurity on mobile and apps one needs to think of protecting from such malicious attackers. That brings rise to anti malware apps in the Android and iOS market. If you are serious about your phone data and about your security against such hackers then find here the 11 best anti malware Android apps that will at least provide some shield to you and your mobile. Note that many of these apps are not free and you need to buy them from the Google Play app store.
Also note that before you start thinking about antivirus software, the first line of defence in Android security is a solid VPN. One that users 256-bit encryption, doesn’t keep logs, and offers 24-hour Live Chat support. ExpressVPN for Android can be had at an offering of $8.32 per month but if you are not satisfied you can get your money back within 30 days.
1. 360 Security – Antivirus Boost
360 Security app is a free app to download from app store. This app is available in 35 global languages including English. Some of the features of this app are that it acts as junk file cleaner where it deletes useless Android system files, large files and app caches for an instant speed boost to your Android performance. As a speed booster improves the performance and RAM of your phone, boost your games to make them run smoothly. Also protects you and your phone with anti theft feature where should you lose your beloved phone you can , Erase, Locate, Alarm & Lock and can assist you with retrieving the lost device and protecting personal data. You can trigger remote features via our web interface at http://findphone.360safe.com. Also Instantly snaps a photo of anyone who breaking into your apps and record the date & time in App Lock for check and scans installed apps & local APK files and also monitors each installation process, providing the best payment & shopping security.
2. AndroHelm Mobile Security
This app is free as well as freemium or with app purchase to download from Google Play. AndroHelm’s Mobile Security app also offers lots of secure features like protection from harmful applications, viruses and espionage programs, Scanning upon request and at every installation of the applications, Remote blocking of the device, Remote deletion of the mobile device contents, Task dispatcher and optimization, Privacy: “read” action and display of access rights and actions of the installed applications, Automatic scanning of the applications on signatures and rights, Actual updates of the antivirus bases, Quarantine and creates back up for installed apps.
3. Avira Antivirus Security
Avira Antivirus Security is very popular free as well as paid app on app store. Some of its main features include that it shields your devices against spyware and malware, helps you find, track, and recover your lost or stolen phone, protects your personal and private data (photos, chats, emails, etc.) from breaches and theft, shows how each of your apps collects sensitive data, blocks unauthorized access to other apps installed on your device, automatically scans apps and their updates for hidden malware
Avira Antivirus Security prevents ransomware from encrypting your phone and taking your data and apps hostage. Our technology blocks millions of ransomware attempts every month, averting damages. There also many anti theft and recovery tools and identifies the hacked data. It also includes modern features, like a Stagefright Advisor to help you work around that particular vulnerability.
4. Antivirus and Mobile Security by TrustGo
Antivirus and Mobile Security by TrustGo is free app which you can download from Google Play. It features the most powerful virus scan engine, allowing you to quickly find malicious apps carrying viruses or stealing private data on your mobile devices. TrustGo can also fully protect your device from system vulnerabilities and privacy risks. It is also specially designed with extras like Data Backup, to back up your local data in just one second, App Manager, to easily uninstall apps you don’t use often, and Privacy Advisor, to help you fully understand privacy permission usage on your device.
This app boasts a 100% virus sample detection rate, using an engine independently developed based on big data processing. This application is an 8-time champion of the AV-TEST evaluation, having received full marks each time.
5. AVAST Mobile Security
Avast is another popular app you can have for your Android phone. This is a free as well as paid premium app to avail full features.With more than 100 million installs, Mobile Security & Antivirus provides much more than just antivirus. Some of its best features include that it automatically lock your device on SIM change, and secretly capture photos and audio recording of the thief, retain security and privacy of sensitive content by locking any app with a PIN or touch gesture. Protect your most used apps and make sure nobody else can access them. Removes ads and as an Antivirus Engine the Virus and malware scanner automatically scans for infected/dangerous apps and Trojans upon first use. Includes Web & file scanning for complete mobile protection, and also protects against spyware and viruses. Also as a web shield scans and blocks malware-infected links, as well as trojans, adware, and spyware (for privacy and safe Web browsing, e.g. Chrome) and also fixes mistyped URLs.
6. AVG AntiVirus Security
AVG is free as well as paid app for your Android mobile with some great protection features. This app help protect your phone and tablet from harmful viruses, malware, spyware, scamware and text messages and keep your personal data safe with an app lock and picture vault. With over 100,000,000 people already installed AVG’s antivirus mobile security apps it can scan apps, games and files with our dual-engine antivirus and remove malicious content. Also scans websites for harmful threats. If a suspicious URL is detected, you will be redirected to a “Safe Page” (Android’s default browser and Chrome and OS older than 6.0).
7. Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Bitefender is free app to download from Google Play for your Android device. It has exactly two features which is to scan and clean your device and then it offers real-time antivirus protection on top of that. The real-time protection scans apps as they are installed. It also keeps an eye on what apps are doing. The scanning is simple and only takes a few moments to get everything done. Instead of downloading and storing virus signatures directly to Android devices, Antivirus Free uses in-the-cloud services to check online for the latest safeguards to outbreaks. This not only results in super-fast scans, but in close to zero impact on battery life and device performance. Bitdefender Antivirus Free offers you essential antivirus protection against all Android threats. It is ready to go right after installation, acting as an effective guardian against mobile malware. Moreover, the Autopilot automatically scans any new apps you install.
8. CM Security
CM Security is a free app and is a decent app when it comes to antivirus and anti-malware protection as it has been ranked very high on AV-TEST repeatedly for several years now. On top of its antivirus and anti-malware features, CM Security also includes one of the better app locks that not only locks your apps, but takes selfies of people trying to nose around in your business.
In the new upgraded app the security features have been redefined and introduced Intelligent Diagnosis to detect your phone status and advise needed solution, including Antivirus, Junk Clean, and Phone Booster (Battery Saver, and CPU Cooler) and strengthened the protection of privacy by creating a shield for all online activities through SafeConnect VPN.
9. Dr Web Security Space
Dr web is free only for 14 days and then you need to upgrade and buy this app for your Android mobile for at least a year. The features of this app are that it performs express or full file system scans where it Scans files and folders on demand and provides real-time file system scanning. Using the unique Origins Tracing technology detects new, unknown malware. Also protects SD cards from becoming infected with autorun files and Exploit.Cpllnk andmove detected threats to the quarantine as well as restores quarantined files. It also has anti-spam features, an ton of anti-theft features (including remote lock, custom remote messages, and remote wiping), a cloud checker, and even firewall support.
10. Eset Mobile Security and Antivirus
Eset is free as well as paid app which you can download from Google Play store. It boasted an impressive 100% detection rate in 2015 with frequent updates to the antivirus database to try to maintain that in 2016. After installing, you automatically get to try all PREMIUM features for 30 days – without subscribing. Then you can upgrade to PREMIUM, or continue with basic protection, which is lifetime for FREE. Some of its best feature include on-demand Scan triggered by the user, on-access Scan of downloaded applications and files, Quarantine, Anti-Theft – with Remote Lock, Remote Siren and GPS Localization activated by SMS and Autonomous action when wrong PIN/pattern is entered or unauthorized SIM change is detected
11. Kaspersky Internet Security
Kaspersky is another great mobile app that protects you from malware. It is free as well as paid if you wish to upgrade to grab all the features. This new App Lock feature also protects personal data from prying eyes scans for viruses, malware, spyware and Trojans, automatically blocks viruses & other threats from phones & tablets, lets you add a secret code to access your private messages, photos and keeps your financial information secure while shopping & banking online.
Along with these best anti malware apps you can also try others out there in app store like Nortan, Mcafee, Malwarebytes and few others to keep your mobile safe.
If you remember about the recent Judy malware, which was reportedly found in 41 apps in the Google Play store you obviously then have the question as how mobile apps are attacked by such malwares. The latest malware seems to have made money for its creators by repeatedly auto-clicking on advertisements. Other mechanisms for mobile malware monetisation include covert sending of premium rate SMS messages, financial fraud and credential theft. With millions of apps for your mobile this is a growing problem. Here find below all about such malware and how they enter into your mobile.
What is Malware and what does it do
Malware is a computer program designed to have undesirable or harmful effects. This malicious software attacks your apps be it on popular mobile platforms such as iOS and Android and then creates a security threat to you, your data and businesses. Some perpetrators use it to infect apps and get inside your smartphone because of money. It’s difficult to get a firm idea of the size of the malware problem when it comes to apps.
In a study conducted as part of a project called ANDRUBIS, published in 2014, examined one million Android applications. These were gathered directly from the Google Play app marketplace, as well as from unofficial marketplaces and services offering pirated apps. This study found that 1.6% of apps sampled from Google Play to be malicious in nature at the time, though other studies have shown different ratios. Therefore there is a lack of comprehensive data available concerning malware on the Apple or Google App Store.
How mobile apps are attacked by Malware?
Just like mobile apps are developed so are the Malware apps. That means there are developers or programmers of Malware that intentionally release such apps. Getting into a market place is easy for them as a developer who is willing to produce an application, market it, gain a following and then activate the hostile routines within the application.
Four ways how these Malware apps are inserted into your mobile apps
It is far more common for malware to be inserted into already existing applications. There are a number of different mechanisms through which such crooks achieve this goal:
Application republishing
Apps are automatically downloaded, infected with malware, then republished to app stores, both official and unofficial. Attackers making use of this strategy may publish under the original app name or one that is slightly different. An example of republishing malware was seen recently with the MilkyDoor malware, which allows attackers to bypass firewalls.
Malvertising
Advertisers provide packages of code to allow developers to incorporate ads into their apps. There have been instances in which attackers have managed to purchase advertisements that perform malicious actions through an otherwise benign app. An example of this was the Svpeng malware, which was installed via Google AdSense ads targeting Google Chrome for Android users in Russia. The users did not have to click the ad – simply opening a page and displaying the ad was enough.
Application acquisition
Some developers may wish to sell their apps outright. There is potential for the new owners to release malicious updates that will be automatically installed. While there are no documented cases of this occurring on mobile platforms, developers of browser extensions have spoken out about this issue. In some cases, it is possible to purchase applications with hundreds of thousands of users for a few hundred dollars.
Infected development tools
In one case, it was reported that infected app development tools were being distributed to app authors. A version of XCode, the primary tool used by iOS developers, would insert malicious functionality into applications that it built and prepared for distribution. Apple told Reuters at the time it was working with the developers to ensure “they’re using the proper version of Xcode to rebuild their apps”.
How malware defeats app safeguards
The maintainers of official app marketplaces like Apple and Google have an interest in keeping malware off their platforms.
There are a number of schemes aimed at addressing this: Apple has its app review process, and Google has recently launched its Play Protect feature. Among other programs, these efforts make use of a mix of automated and manual examination of apps in an effort to determine whether they are safe or not.
Malware authors attempt to defeat these processes by concealing the true functionality of their code. There are many ways in which this is accomplished: an attacker may have the application download the hostile portion of the code at a later date after installation, rely on time delays or instruct apps to wait for an external signal before launching their malicious payload.
In fact, similar approaches were reportedly used by Uber developers to show a different version of their app to Apple’s engineers, based on their location.
How you can protect your mobile apps from such malwares?
Though there is no permanent way to protect your mobile or apps from such malware.
But only way is to be a bit cautious. You need to ensure that you only install applications from reputable developers.
The app market places continue to improve detection mechanisms and operating system developers continue to improve security to defeat the malwares but on the other end malware authors keep on improving their strategies and devising new ways to compromise device. Install anti malware software on your phones so that atleast you are at shield to protect yourself from such nuisance.
Find out which malware software is best for you in the next post.
