Google Wallet Warns Users Of Rooted Phones

Faced with reports and evidence that some pretty nasty vulnerabilities have plagued the Google Wallet experience, Google naturally set out to make things right. While they work to implement a more proper fix for some of these things, Google will opt to simply warn rooted users that they are not supported. Despite this fact, everything works just as it always has on Google Wallet. As the most serious vulnerabilities only affect root users it’s natural for Google to allow those knowledgeable enough to have rooted devices to continue on. We would prefer it if they got a move on getting those proper fixes in place, though, so we’re not totally satisfied yet. Continue to use it at your own risk.

Rooted Android phones remain vulnerable to a security loophole regarding Google Wallet already fixed on standard-issued phones. Google is making sure that users are aware of this, and has included a warning when using Google Wallet that the rooted decice is not compatible.

Instead of fixing the bug, Google has decided to explain why Google Wallet should not be used on rooted phones. Tapping the warning message leads to Google’s explanation. It’s quite understandable why Google opted to issue a warning instead of fixing it for rooted phones, after all, placing custom firmware on your device is on an “install at your own risk” basis.

How Google Wallet Works:

Google may launch Android controlled home entertainment system

This one actually could be far bigger news than it first would seem. The news has come out that Google may be looking to launch an Android controlled home entertainment system later this year. The interesting part of it is that the hardware is said to be Google branded. As yet, Google has never released branded hardware without a partner, like the HTC Nexus One, Samsung Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus, and Motorola XOOM.

The report by the Wall Street Journal says that Google is planning to design and market the home entertainment system, and there is no mention of any hardware partners. The idea behind the entertainment system is similar to the Android@Home project that Google showed off at last year's Google I/O. The home entertainment system has been developed by the Android team, and will run a variant of the mobile OS software. It will allow users to stream music from any device over a wireless network.

It is highly likely that such a system would see pretty tight integration with Google Music, Android and Google TV (which is itself a variant of Android). The real question is whether or not Google is really planning to build the hardware itself. Even the acquisition of Motorola Mobility wouldn't really help with this as the company has no history of building audio equipment bigger than headphones.

Google To Roll Out Home Entertainment System:

Google’s Android Bouncer To Boost Security On Android Market

Google has announced a new feature for its Android Market which is designed to boost security and cut down on malware, the new feature is called Android Bouncer. According to Google, Android Bouncer will automatically scan the Android Market for malicious software on new applications, when a new application is uploaded to the Android Market, Google will run the app on their cloud infrastructure and check it for malware.

Today we’re revealing a service we’ve developed, codenamed Bouncer, which provides automated scanning of Android Market for potentially malicious software without disrupting the user experience of Android Market or requiring developers to go through an application approval process. As well as scanning individual applications, Google will also be checking developer accounts, so if someone is found of uploading an application with malware then Google will stop that developer from releasing new applications.

Google’s Android Market Hits 11 Billion Downloads

Google has releases its fourth quarter earnings results for 2011, and along with the release comes some new on Google’s Android OS, most notable is that Google’s Android Market has now reached a massive 11 billion downloads. The 11 billion downloads covers everything available from the Android Market, which includes applications, music, games and movies, and they also confirmed that there are now more than 250 million Android devices out there.

Google also confirmed what we heard back in December, the company is activating a total of 700,000 Android smartphones and tablets every day. The 700,000 activations per day means that if Google continues at this rate they will activate over 255 million Android devices in 2012, and that there would be more than 500 million Android devices activated by the end of 2012. These are pretty impressive figures, and Android seems to be growing at a huge pace, it will be interesting to see the actual figures by the end of 2012.

Google Android Market Improvements:

Google calls all visionaries with panorama mode

The newest installment of Google's advertising campaign for the Galaxy Nexus (and really Ice Cream Sandwich) is showing off the best new feature in the camera app: panorama mode. The newest ad follows in the footsteps of the original "Calling all..." ad, as well as "Calling all social MCs", and "Calling all pretty faces" and "Calling all bohemians".

The new ad is "Calling all visionaries", which shows off the panorama mode from the Ice Cream Sandwich camera app. We'd say that this is the best new feature of the Android camera app, because the face morphing is nothing but a gimmick, and while instant pictures are cool, they don't always work that well and can actually lead to more shaky pictures. Still, it's a solid commercial.

Can we call it a commercial? We've never seen any of these ads on TV, so it may have to be classified as an Internet video ad rather than a commercial.

Google Puts Nexus S Android Ice Cream Sandwich Update On Hold

Just four short days after the Nexus S began getting an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a post from a Google employee on the company's official Mobile Help Forum mentions that the update has been halted in some areas. In response to users reporting that nothing happens on their Nexus S after getting notified of the OTA and trying to install it, Google's Paul Wilcox has said that the issue is probably the result of the update being paused in that area. Wilcox adds that the pause is meant to help Google monitor feedback on the update and that users running into the aforementioned problem will receive another notification once the update goes live again in that region. The full statement:

"If you received an update notification a little while ago but the update isn't currently available for your phone, this is likely the result of Google pausing the update in your area while we monitor feedback. The Android 4.0 update is continuing to roll out around the world so your phone will receive another update notification when it's available again in your region."

So what's with the hold? We've yet to hear an official word from Google, but sources speaking with The Verge suggest that this pause is normal and is used to ensure that the roll out is going swimmingly. Some users are reportedly experiencing pretty poor battery life on their Nexus S after installing the update, so it's been suggested that that may be something that Google's looking into. We'll be sure to update you when we hear more from the Goog, but until then, you Nexus S folk out there that have already gotten the Ice Cream Sandwich update should mosey on down to the comments section and let us know how things are working.

More information's:
Google Puts Nexus S Android Ice Cream Sandwich Update On Hold

Android Ice Cream Sandwich running on Google Nexus S:

Add Google Search To Your iOS 5 Notification Center

It seems like no matter what happens Google wants to be a part of it. Google has become a part of most people’s lives and let’s face it, most of us can’t do without it. Google search is the most commonly used item on the internet and with smartphones now connecting to the internet Google is always in demand.

Apple does give its users a couple of ways to use Google in its iOS software and on all iOS devices. This is done through the search bar in Mobile Safari and the Spotlight screen just to the left of the home screen. Both of these options work very well and they are easy to use but if you want something more there is always Google’s own iOS app.

If you want something more there is a brand new app called StatusGoogle and this also makes use of the Notification Center. This brand new app can’t be found in the App Store though and it can only be downloaded from Cydia which is the jailbreak app store. That’s right, StatusGoogle is a jailbreak tweak and when you download this it adds a new search bar to the notification center which is iOS 5’s new way of handling all your notifications.

Once you install StatusGoogle all you have to do is type in your search and hit return and you will automatically be in mobile safari with your Google search loading automatically. We do hope that Apple will begin to allow third party app store apps to take advantage of the notification center soon but until then if you want to take advantage of it you need to jailbreak your idevice.

Google, Youtube, Wikipedia iOS 5 Widget 'WeeSearch' | iPhone, iPod Touch - iOS Vlog 577:

Google+ iOS App Gets Updated

Google has updated its iOS app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, and the latest version brings a range of new features to the Google+ application for Apple’s iOS devices.

The new Google+ app lets you upload full resolution photos direct from your iOS device to Google+, and Google has also added in a photo+1 feature and updated the search for the app as well as some bug fixes. You can find out more information about the Google+ app for iOS over at iTunes, and the app is available as a free download.

More information's:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google/id447119634?mt=8

Google+ for iPhone Tour:

Google Launches Androidland Retail Store In Australia

Google has launched its first ever Android themed retail store in Australia, called Androidland, the retail store is a collaboration between Google and Australian mobile carrier Telstra. The Androidland store has been launched on Melbourne, Australia, and the store sells many of the different smartphones and tablets that run Google’s Android OS.

As you can see from the photos Google has set up special displays and gaming kiosks where people can try out various Android devices from the likes of Samsung, HTC and many more.

More information's:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/12/google-android-store-australia/

Androidland - Telstra launches world-first Android store in Melbourne:


Telstra and Google launch "world-first" Android store in Melbourne:

Google updates Verizon Nexus page, 32 GB internal storage is back

For those of you pining away for the latest Nexus phone to arrive on Verizon, it’s been a roller-coaster of rumors the last few days. Perhaps the most disheartening was when Google updated its product pages and eliminated the 32 GB model of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, leaving only a 16 GB version. Much panic ensued on enthusiast sites – many consumers feel that the lack of removable storage isn’t a big deal as long as a generous amount of internal storage is provided. After all, iPhone owners have been making this tradeoff for years. But the specter of only having 16 GB of internal storage had many people questioning whether this would be enough.

Google’s product page also confirms the larger battery size that had been rumored – the LTE-enabled Verizon model will have an 1850mAH battery instead of the 1750mAH version in the GSM model. There may be one more differentiator for the Verizon model: the name. As reported earlier, both Amazon and Best Buy have now been caught referring to the Verizon model as the Nexus Prime. Nothing is official until we hear an announcement, but the Nexus Prime name was quite popular so it's not unthinkable that Verizon would want to use it.

More information's:
http://www.google.com/nexus/#/tech-specs

Samsung Galaxy Nexus hands-on:

Galaxy Nexus users having issues with volume, media goes crazy

Some Samsung Galaxy Nexus users have been reporting a strange bug in the system that causes volume issues with the handset, and of course that has caused impatient media outlets to claim this issue is to blame for the Nexus not seeing its global release yet. We're as impatient as the next when it comes to wanting the Nexus released, but it seems like a bit of a leap to say this issue is causing the delay.

Users have been reporting that there is a strange bug which causes volume to suddenly drop and sometime go to a full mute on the Galaxy Nexus. Additionally, the phone may become unresponsive for a few seconds. So, the full extent of this problem is having your volume drop for about 10-15 seconds, and you may miss a notification (assuming you also have vibration and LED notifications turned off as well.) Users are also reporting that it may be connected to 2G as it tends to occur when on or switching to a 2G network.

More information's:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=22021

Google Nexus S Unboxing:

Google Tests Out Google Voice Search Underwater

Google has been testing out Google Voice Search in Australia, and as well as testing it out in the desert, Google thought it would be a good idea to test it out underwater at the Great Barrier Reef. Google used a special device for communicating underwater, the device is made up with microphone in the divers mask, which was then connected to some other equipment on a boat where the Android device with Google Voice was located, have a look at the video below.

More information's:
http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/10/from-desert-to-sea-google-voice-search.html

Google voice search experiments: underwater: