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 Wallet Lands On GSM Galaxy Nexus For AT&T

The Google Wallet application has been available for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4G on Sprint, and now it would appear that the application is also available for the GSM Samsung Galaxy Nexus on AT&T. The guys from Droid Life discovered that the application is now available for the AT&T version of the Galaxy Nexus and have tested the application and it seems to be working on AT&T.

By now, most of you know the story behind Google Wallet and the fact that it has only been officially available to the Nexus S 4G on Sprint, something that irritates the hell out of all new Galaxy Nexus owners. The other 3 major carriers here in the U.S. (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) have their own NFC payment system in the works and would rather you not use a competing service while they finalize everything.

As far as Verizon goes, the LTE Galaxy Nexus is still not showing as supported. I’m in the middle of looking into something that has to do with it and will report back on my findings. For now though, feel free to ask Big Red on Twitter why AT&T has given the thumbs up, yet they still won’t. Wallet was updated for some users yesterday, but it’s almost impossible to tell if the note that reads “Small changes for device compatibility” was a part of it. If it is, then GSM users, jump on it.

Introducing Google Wallet:

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 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+ 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 Release Galaxy Nexus Factory Image, For Easy Stock Restore

Google has this week released a new factory image for Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone running, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The new image now allows anyone to reset and easily restore their locked/bricked Galaxy Nexus smartphone, back to its original stock factory settings.

So if you have been tweaking and developing apps and mods for your Galaxy Nexus smartphone, and pushed it a little far, resulting in a bricked device. There is now an easy way for you to return it to a working smartphone. The new Galaxy Nexus factory image is an easy to flash all-in-one script providing a single easy process, that even new Android users should have no problem using. The script has been developed and released by Google software engineer Jean-Baptiste Queru and can be downloaded here.

More information's:
http://androidcommunity.com/google-releases-factory-image-for-easily-flashing-galaxy-nexus-back-to-stock-20111201/

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.

Worry no more, as Google has once again updated their product pages. Not only has the 32 GB model returned, but there’s no mention of a 16 GB version. Combined with the fact that Verizon field-test units are reported to have 32 GB of internal storage, it looks like a good bet that this will be one of the differentiating features of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus.

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.

What are you most excited about, the extra storage, the bigger battery, or the possible return of the Nexus Prime name? Let us know in the comments below!

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:

Google’s Motorola Takeover Approved By Stockholders

Google’s $12.5 billion takeover has already been approved by the various regulators, and now the stockholders of Motorola have approved the takeover of the company bu Google.

Google has previously set themselves a deadline for the Motorola takeover, for February next year, and it looks like the company is on track to meet the deadline.

Sanjay Jha, chairman and CEO of Motorola Mobility, said, “We are pleased and gratified by the strong support we have received from our stockholders, with more than 99 percent of the voting shares voting in support of the transaction. We look forward to working with Google to realize the significant value this combination will bring to our stockholders and all the new opportunities it will provide our dedicated employees, customers, and partners.”

Google has said previously that Motorola will be run as a completely separate company to Google, and that Motorola won’t get preferential treatment and earlier access to new versions of Google’s Android OS over other manufacturers.

More information's:
http://mediacenter.motorola.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=14575&NewsAreaId=2

Motorola stockholders approve Google buyout

The Motorola Mobility stockholders met today and voted to approve the buyout by Google. Although,the deal isn't free to proceed, because the U.S. Department of Justice is still reviewing the plan.

Motorola Mobility has said that the meeting represented about 74% of total outstanding shares in the company, and that "approximately 99 %" voted in favor of the buyout by Google. That is a pretty overwhelming majority of votes. Still, we'll have to wait and see if the government finds reason why this acquisition shouldn't take place.

More information's:
http://mediacenter.motorola.com/Press-Releases/Motorola-Mobility-Stockholders-Approve-Merger-with-Google-38ef.aspx

Google To Launch Native Gmail iPhone App

Google’s Gmail is already available for the iPhone via a web app, but it looks like Google may have other plans for Gmail on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, a native Gmail app for iOS devices. According to TechCrunch’s MG Siegler the app has already been submitted to Apple for approval and could launch very soon, and the app is expected to bring all the features of Gmail to the iPhone and iOS devices.

One of the functions that is expected to be available in a native Gmail app on the iPhone is push email, plus other features have been included like Google’s priority inbox and one click starring of messages. The app has yet to be confirmed by Google, but if it is waiting for approval from Apple we suspect that we will get an official announcement shortly.

More information's:
http://parislemon.com/post/12181169812/incoming-a-native-gmail-iphone-app-finally