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NFL and Google partner up to bring VR series to Daydream View and YouTube

Alexandra Arici
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VR has yet to penetrate mainstream awareness, but major companies like Google strongly believe in its potential. Earlier this week the search giant announced its Daydream View VR accessory will start shipping out to customers November 10. But so far, not a lot of content has been released for the headset. But fear not, NFL has just announced something exciting for Daydream View users.

Starting this month, NFL will offer a 9-part series filmed in 360-degree VR to YouTube, but the content will be making its way to Google’s Daydream headset too later this year. Google hopes that football will give people a taste of VR and leave them craving more.

google-daydream-vr The first episode of the new NFL series will air on November 24 just in time for Thanksgiving Day. The series will be produced by NFL’s film studio in collaboration with Google Jump, the search giant’s impressive 360-degree video capture 16 camera rig.

The series explores life in and around NFL, so viewers will be allowed to peek inside the lives of players, coaches, executive, cheerleaders and fans themselves.

The partnership between NFL and Google is an exclusive one, so it means you won’t be able to watch the series if you’re using one of the competition’s headsets like the Oculus Rift. Which is certainly an advantage for Google and its Daydream View.

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The series is NFL’s first serious attempt to produce VR, although the company did experiment with it last year around the time of the Super Bowl.

Apart from the NFL series, Daydream View users will also have the option of tapping into other apps including Hulu VR, Tiny Tee Gold, Gunjack 2, YouTube VR or Wall Street Journal VR.

Google’s first VR headset is available at the Google Play Store, Verizon and Best Buy if you want to place a pre-order. Shipments will begin as soon as next week.

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier goes up for pre-order at AT&T on November 4

Alexandra Arici
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0

Earlier this week, we told you that Samsung’s new Gear S3 smartwatch popped up at Best Buy marked as “Coming Soon”. This can only mean one thing – the wearable in both its Classic and Frontier variants will soon be available for purchase from the online retailer. But while we wait on that, AT&T just announced it has just opened pre-orders for the smartwatch today.

If you like the Classic version you will have to wait until BestBuy makes it available, because AT&T only offers the Frontier model. The carrier doesn’t mention when it will start shipping out the wearable, but we have to assume it will coincide with Samsung’s release on November 18.

The device is said to be bundled with NumberSync technology which will allow the sending/receiving of texts and calls via a smartphone connected on the carrier’s network. The wearable will also offer support controls for DirectTV and Digital Life.

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Customers who are looking to buy the Gear S3 off AT&T have two options available for them. They can opt to pay $49.99 while jumping onboard a 2 year agreement when purchasing a Samsung Galaxy smartphone on AT&T Next or AT&T Next Every Year or they can choose the AT&T Installment Plan and pay $17.50/month for the next 20 months.

The watch comes with a 1.3-inch round AMOLED display with 360 x 360 pixel resolution. The Gear S3 boasts a rotating bezel which helps with app navigation and sending messages.

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Samsung has nestled a dual-core 1GHz chipset under the hood of the device combined with 768MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage for music and video.

We should also note the battery inside has been beefed up to 380 mAh, compared to the predecessor, so it should last you longer. The wearable comes with Samsung’s homegrown Tizen OS onboard not Android Wear.

If you’re thinking of getting this beautiful wearable, maybe you want to consider some of these interesting analog watch faces to go with it.

VirCities: Complicated, but fun if you’re willing to put in the time (review)

AndroidGuys
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Mobile games have always been my antidote to boredom for as long as I can remember. I remember sitting in math class, playing Phoenix on my TI-83 calculator. Let’s be real, what teacher is going to punish you for “using” your calculator in math class? This was the perfect cover and the real reason why I didn’t learn anything in algebra.

Let me introduce you to VirCities, an economic and political simulator for mobile platforms. It is a complex game that gives you the freedom to make all the decisions you would make as a citizen in a fictional society.

Overview

This is one of the most complex mobile games I have ever played. VirCities is a virtual world run completely by the citizens. The first thing you’ll do is to choose what city you want to be a citizen in. The cities have different languages so it is imperative to choose English, if you only know how to speak English. There is always the option of changing cities later but it will cost you.

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There are limited things that you can do when you first start the game. The main focus in the earlier stages of the game will be to level up your character and make money. This will be primarily done through finding a job. The options are fisherman, scientist, builder, farmer, worker, cook, miner, and lumberjack. I chose scientist, which is fitting because that is the profession I chose in real life.

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It will cost you energy to work and you will be rewarded with money and experience. You can increase your skill set by working more, which will increase your salary. Your salary is also dictated by the economy. For example, during a war, the highest paying jobs will be in the weapons factories.

Another way to make money is to fight off criminals in your city. This part of the game brought back nostalgic memories of playing Mafia Wars six years ago. The mechanics are very similar in that you spend energy to fight and will win or lose based on the strength of your character. You can work out in a stadium to increase attributes or equip your character with weapons.

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As you progress throughout the game, there are a variety of activities you can participate in. This is where the complexity of the game comes in. You can open businesses, fight neighboring cities, join political parties, and open a newspaper. Trading centers are available to trade goods to other players to make a profit.

There are in-app purchases that range from $0.99 to $99.99. These in-app purchases are only to buy vGold which is a special currency in the game. There are special options such as moving to a new city that only cost vGold.

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Impressions

The developers designed this game for the hardcore players who want to be able to control every facet of the game. The concept of the game is very interesting. I like that the players control every decision in the game, including how the city is run. However, my biggest criticism is that they made this game too complicated to even begin playing. Usually a game will have a tutorial or introduction phase. The developers decided to opt out of a tutorial because they wanted to keep a minimal text interface. I spent a majority of time in the beginning of the game, clicking aimlessly trying to figure out what I was supposed to do.

The developers decided instead to write a guide, which is actually quite helpful. This leads to my second issue with the game. I chose the English mode because I only know how to speak English. However, many parts of the game are in different languages. The chat room and news section of the game have many posts that are in Russian. There were various sections in the guide which were in different languages or just had a blank page.

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Despite all the issues, I had a pretty fun time playing this game once I got familiar with it. This is a game that I would not get bored very quickly because there are an abundance of things to do. The high replay value of this game makes it worthwhile to play. The game needs to be refined to make it easier for new users to play. It took me an hour of reading the guide and researching what to do to figure out how to play the game. The majority of players are not willing to spend that amount of time and will uninstall due to frustration.   

Conclusion

Mobile games will continue to be very popular because it is such a good way to kill time. VirCities is an economic and political simulator for mobile platforms. The game lets you control a citizen who can make all the decisions you make in real life. You can choose a job, open a business, or write for the newspaper.

If you need to relieve some pent-up rage, you can go fight off street criminals and make your city safer. This game has the potential to be a great game, but the developers need to fix the language issues and introduce a tutorial to benefit the new player. This game is perfect for users who are tired of endless runners, or games that offer no real gameplay options.

Motorola teams up with Indiegogo to develop Moto Mods

Andrew Orr
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Motorola has smartphones like the Moto Z Play that relies on a modification system called Moto Mods. With Mods you can enhance one or more aspects of your phone, like the speakers or camera. Now Motorola is teaming up with Indiegogo.

Right now, Motorola has four Mods to sell. The company created a Moto Mods Development Kit (MDK) to enable developers everywhere to build their own Mods. But Motorola isn’t done yet. By partnering with Indiegogo, developers will be able to raise money to help fund their Mod development.

Starting November 3 and through January 31, 2017, you can enter the Moto Mods Developer contest. Share your best idea for a Mod for a chance to win an MDK and a Moto Z. The prize is a trip to Chicago to meet with the Moto Mods executive development team, where they can help you bring your Mod idea to life.

Moto Z Force Droid Moto Mods

Hackathon

Motorola will also host a number of Moto Mods hackathons around the United States. These give developers a chance to get input from others for their ideas. People who create Moto Mods during a hackathon can still participate in the Indiegogo campaign. The first hackathon will be in New York in December, while the second hackathon is in San Francisco in January. Visit ModTheFuture for more details, and to register.

Lenovo Capital has even set aside $1 million for particularly impressive Moto Mods. If your Mod is selected, the Moto Mods team will invite you to pitch to Lenovo Capital for investment funding.

Submit your idea here to get started.

MyCharge offering 40% off HUB series in November

AndroidGuys
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Are you in the market for a new power bank for your smartphone or portable gear? You’re in luck as myCharge, a brand we’re really fond of, is offering up a deep discount on some of its products.

Running through the month of November is a deal that sees all of its HUB series of devices being discounted to the tune of 40% off.

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In looking at the HUB series of chargers we find there are no less than four models to choose from. Depending on what you plan to charge and how often there’s something for your needs. Moreover, they span a wide price range so you can find a model in your budget.

What makes the HUB series so appealing? Plenty!

  • Hyper-Charge™ charges smartphones – including the new iPhone 6 Plus – up to 30% faster than the Apple-supplied charger.
  • Rapid Recharge™ Technology recharges myCharge power banks up to four times faster than competitor’s chargers.
  • Power stay™ Technology retains up to 60% of a full charge for up to one year.
  • Parallel Charging Technology simultaneously charges a mobile device and the
    charger at the same time, minimizing total charge time.
  • Safe Cell™ Technology delivers 12 layers of battery and device protection against over-charge, under-charge, over-current, over-temperature and short circuit.
  • Max Power transfer moves power from the powerbank at the fastest speeds possible to the device being charged.
  • SmartSense™ Technology ensures device compatibility eliminating those annoying “not compatible” messages as seen from many chargers in the market.

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We’ve used a number of myCharge products over the years, including those in the HUB series. We’re consistently impressed with the capacities and value for the money. The HUB models come with integrated cables for both Android and iOS users; the charging dock is a nice touch that makes for easy charging.

How to Save

To get your 40% discount you will want to apply the promo code TRAVEL upon checking out.

Check out these 10 awesome cases and screen protectors for the Google Pixel and Pixel XL

Matt Adams
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The Google Pixel and Pixel XL are here! If you preordered from Google or walked into a Verizon store, you probably have your phone already! If you’re planning on picking up one of the new phones, you’ll need to keep it protected. With the higher price this year, it’s even more important that you make sure your phone stays undamaged. We’ve taken a look for accessories and found some compelling options. Here they are!

Spigen Rugged Armor

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Spigen is one of, if not the, most popular name in phone protection right now due to its high-quality cases that provide excellent protection and great aesthetics. The Rugged Armor protects your phone while not adding much of any bulk to the phone. It’s the case I use most often on my Pixel XL.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon | Spigen
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon | Spigen

OtterBox Commuter Series

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If Spigen isn’t the biggest name in phone accessories, OtterBox probably is. OtterBox is legendary for its (almost) indestructible cases. If you’re serious about making your phone last for as long as possible and you don’t care about adding some extra bulk, this is the case for you.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon |  OtterBox
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon | OtterBox

RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper

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If you’re looking for some protection that adds a little less bulk than an Otterbox, the RhinoShield bumper might be for you. The bumper sticks to the sides of the device so it won’t cover up that beautiful glass window on the back, but still provides awesome protection from falls. The CrashGuard is rated for drops of up to 11-feet! That’s crazy!

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon | RhinoShield
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon | RhinoShield

Incipio Carnaby

incipio-carnaby

The Incipio Carnaby is something a little different. It’ll protect your phone just as well as any other case, but it looks really cool too. The cotton finish atop of the hard plastic case will be sure to turn some heads and start some conversations.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon | Incipio
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon | Incipio

Caseology Parallax Series

caseology-paralax

The Caseology Parralx cases are some of the coolest you’ll find out there. The geometrical design gives a really awesome effect when you look at the back of the device. The bumper is designed to be smooth to the touch, but also add grip to make sure the phone stays securely in your hand when you’re using it and the oversized cutouts means you should never have an issue with the flash rebounding into the camera lens, connecting a cable or scanning your fingerprint.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon

Pleson Tou

pleson-tou

The Pleson Tou is a ultra-thin, clear case that is perfect for those of us who don’t want to cover up the awesome industrial design of the Pixel. The dot pattern that Pleson employs is designed to keep fingerprints away while adding more grip to the case. There are also oversized cut-outs for all of the volume rocker, power button, USB type-C port, camera, and fingerprint reader.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon

Cimo Matte Protective Case

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This case from Cimo is another in the slim and lightweight archtype. The case hugs the Pixel without adding much bulk or weight and provides some nice fall and scratch resistance while looking pretty good, too. Not only does the case look good, but it also provides some extra grip and comes in six colors.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon | Cimo
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon | Cimo

RhinoShield Impact Protection

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The RhinoShield Impact Protection screen protector is one of the most impressive cell phone accessories I’ve ever seen. There are tests done where you can literally hit the screen with a hammer and nothing happens. Check out Unbox Therapy’s video to see how just how crazy this thing is. Then go buy one.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon | RhinoShield
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon | RhinoShield

Skinomi TechSkin

skinomi

Skinomi is one of the first search results you’re likely to see when you search for screen protectors due to its long and distinguished record of producing quality products. The TechSkin screen protector uses a wet application method to make sure that the screen protector has a perfect fit with no bubbles underneath or edges fraying. If you’re not married to using tempered glass, Skinomi’s TechSkin is about as good as it gets for plastic screen protectors.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon

Yootech Tempered Glass Screen Protector

yootech-screen-protector

If you are married to a tempered glass screen protector, you may want to check out Yootech’s. The screen protector has 99% clarity and will protector your screen from scratches and falls. I wish I had one on my Nexus 6P when I dropped my keyboard on it… Ouch. Buy a screen protector before disaster strikes, folks.

Product Link (Pixel): Amazon
Product Link (Pixel XL): Amazon

Geekbuying offers up two promotions in November to help save on gear

AndroidGuys
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With the holidays fast approaching, it’s that time of year where we start to look for discounts and deals on products for our friends family. And, if we’re being honest, we’re also scoping out promotions for things to buy for ourselves. Surely we’re not going to let a great bargain pass us up without taking advantage of it for own needs!

Given this, we feel compelled to tell you about two opportunities to save some money on cool gear this month. Our friends at Geekbuying are throwing two separate promotions which can help you snag something cool on the cheap. Both are currently underway, however, there’s something different to be had in each one.

Annual “Crazy Sale”

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With limited quantities of products available, you will have to act fast to get your hands on these sales. Already sold out is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 which went for a mere $150. Seriously, how are you going to beat that?

On the horizon (November 5) is a Xiaomi Redmi 3S which will be offered for only $100; there will be only 100 of these units offered. Here’s what you get for the money:

  • 5.0 inch HD IPS OGS capacitive screen, 1280×720 pixels
  • CPU:Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 Octa Core,(4×1.4GHz + 4×1.1GHz) GPU:Adreno 505
  • MIUI 7 based on Android 6.0
  • 2GB LPDDR3 RAM
  • 16GB ROM eMMC5.0, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD
  • Dual SIM dual standby ( 1 Micro SIM and 1 Nano SIM Card or 1 Micro SIM and 1 SD Card.
  • 13MP rear camera with PDAF, LED Flash, f/2.0 aperture, 1080p video recording
  • 5MP front-facing camera, f/2.2 aperture, 1080p video recording
  • 4000mAh battery / 4100mAh (typical),metal body
  • Networking:2G GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz; CDMA 1X: BC0
  • 3G WCDMA: 850/900/1900/2100MHz; CDMA2000: BC0
  • 4G FDD-LTE: 1800/2100/2600MHz, TDD-LTE (B38/B39/B40/B41: 2555-2655MHz)

Also coming in this sale is a Xiaomi Mi Band 2 ($19.99), the Xiaomi Redmi Pro ($169.99), and the original Mi Band 1S for a rock-bottom $9.99. Additionally, there are all sorts of other discounts and savings to be had across the annual sale, all of which are worth checking out. Bookmark the promo page and check back often!

Singles Day

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As if there weren’t already enough products with slashed prices, Geekbuying is making it even more tempting to purchase. Should you place an order between now and November 11 using Paypal, you are automatically enrolled in a sweepstakes. Come November 11, Geekbuying will reward one random customer a grand prize of $1,111; five other customers receive $111.

Take a look through the Singles Day promotional page and you’ll find a whole host of other products on sale. From smartphones and tablets to wearables and other gadgets, there’s something for everyone.

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Coupon Codes

Here are a couple of codes to use at checkout to help save even more!

DB1111 takes off $15 for a purchase of $210 or higher

DB11WS takes off 6% for purchase between $120 and $500

 

Android shipped on nearly 9 out of 10 smartphone sold in Q3

Alexandra Arici
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0

Google has reason to celebrate this week, as a new report coming out of Strategy Analytics reveals the company’s mobile operating system, Android captured a record share of the global smartphone market in Q3.

According to the info, Android shipped onboard of 87.5% of devices purchased in the three months to the end of September. These numbers by be interpreted like this – almost 9 out of 10 handset shipped in Q3 ran Android OS.

Compared to 298 million Android units sold in Q3 2015, this year numbers have risen to 328.6 million, which constitutes a 10.3% increase. This is quite interesting information given that major Android OEMs are loosing money through their mobile divisions.

As for Android’s biggest competitor Apple, the company has seen its share fall from 13.6% in Q3 2015 to 12.1% in Q3 2016 (decreasing with 5.2%).

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Total handset shipments in this time period reached 375.4 million units, up 6% from the 354.2 million units during the same time last year.

It seems like only Android and iOS continue to endure in the highly competitive mobile market. Other operating systems like Windows, BlackBerry or Tizen have all but disappeared making only a collective guest appearance in the Strategy Analytics top as “Others”.

Growth in the Android ecosystem has been driven by the myriad of new products coming out of Chinese device makers. Companies like Xiaomi, Oppo or ZTE launch affordable Android phones that take advantage of premium specs and looks.

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On top of that Google is always working hard to perfect the Android platform. In a recent story, we told you that a Google security chief recently said that Android can now be considered as safe as iOS.

For the time being, Android’s position as king of the castle seems pretty unshakable. But according to Strategy Analytics, Android still faces a few challenges.

For example, there are just too many Android device manufacturers out there and few of them actually make a profit. Google isn’t helping either with the launch of its new Pixel phones, which are reputable adversaries for products released by other Android OEMs.

But even though these numbers are pretty impressive, it’s important to remember that the holiday season is coming and that’s when a lot of folks are looking to purchase a smartphone for themselves or their loved ones. With shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday we expect the iPhone to be picking up some serious orders.

Huawei Fit is a smartwatch/fitness tracker with a monochrome display

Alexandra Arici
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0

Huawei made its first dive into the world at smartwatches at MWC 2015 with the Huawei Watch and now it’s continuing the legacy. The company just unveiled the fitness-centric Huawei Fit smartwatch with a monochrome display. It looks a lot like the Pebble Time Round.

The Huawei Fit will be already available for purchase online from retailers like BestBuy, Newegg and Amazon for $129.99.

The wearable is pretty affordable, but let’s see what you will be getting for this amount of money. Yes, we know the display isn’t as exciting as the colorful ones, but on the bright side the Huawei Fit will be able to last you for days on end – up to 30 days on standby mode according to Huawei.

The circular tracker features a 1.04-inch round always-on LCD black and white touchscreen with 208 x 208 pixel resolution. The watch’s body is molded from a single aluminum component, so it should feel pretty premium.

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The fitness tracker/smartwatch comes packing precise heart rate sensors that are capable of gathering data all-day long and a multi-axis motion sensor.

When a user is training the watch will display five heart rate zones in real-time. These zones correspond to different types of activities: warm up, fat burning, aerobic endurance, anaerobic endurance and maximum effort. The watch can alert the user via vibration when heart rate is too elevated and a break is needed.

The Huawei Fit can be used to track sleep cycles, steps, distance walked and calories. Additionally, Huawei has embedded a training guidance feature which offers tips when you’re out running or engaged in other types of physical activities.

Planning to buy a smartwatch? Here are things you need to know

The wearable doesn’t have GPS embedded, but pair it with your Android or iOS device via the Wear app and you’ll receive the GPS coordinates on your wrist.

Now for the smartwatch part of the Huawei Fit, the device can also deliver notifications for calls and messages.

The device is sold in silver/grey body options which you can combine with black/orange/blue straps. The Huawei Fit is currently available in the US, but it’s unclear whether the fitness tracker will be made available in other markets too.

Google security chief says the Pixels are as secure as the iPhone

Alexandra Arici
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0

It seems to be common knowledge today that if you want a secure device in your life you should buy an iPhone and not an Android device. But, Google Security Director – Adrian Ludwig has a very different view of things.

In a recent interview with Motherboard during the O’Reilly Security Conference, Mister Ludwig assured mobile users that Android is very safe. What’s more, he went on to say that Google’s latest Pixel phones should be considered as safe as the iPhone. He tells the interviewer:

“For almost all threat models, they are nearly identical in terms of their platform-level capabilities.”

Another reason for that is that Google can update the Pixels directly, pretty much like Apple does with its iPhone. But in the case of OEMs things are bit more complicated.

Ludwig also talked about an Android security product called Safety Net which scans up to 400 million devices per day, while checking 6 billion apps for potential malware threads at the same time. These scans plus a host of other security products, makes sure Android is a very secure platform.

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Is Google getting a bit cocky? A recent report claimed over 400 instances of Dresscode malware were found right in Google’s back garden – the Google Play store.

Anyway, Google isn’t stopping here and Ludwig promises things will get even better in the future. One thing the search giant is focusing on is making improvements in the OEM and carrier software updates department. We know all too well that in certain cases, security patches from Google take too long to arrive on respective devices.

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But if we are to listen to Ludwig the future is bright for Android security. He even sees Android becoming safer than iOS.

“In the long term, the open ecosystem of Android is going to put it in a much better place.”

Ludwig also tackled the topic of misunderstood security issues. Last year the media went crazy over Stagefright, but Ludwig points out that despite the vulnerability’s potential dangers, they have yet to see the exploit happen in real-life.

However, if you’re still worried – know that Android is currently safe enough so that a mass exploitation is very unlikely to happen at this point.

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