More malware in the Android Market: Google removes 26 deleterious app doppelgangers

Ideally, we’d do our smartphone software shopping free from the specter of malicious apps masquerading as useful ones. This past weekend, however, 26 apps in the Android Market were discovered to be packing pernicious code called Droid Dream Light. Apparently, the dastardly devs who made the malware took existing apps and modified them to send details (including IMEI and IMSI info) about the infected handset to a remote server upon receiving a call. The code can also download and cue new package installations, but it needs user approval to do so. Google promptly pulled the offending apps, but their appearance serves as another reminder to be careful when downloading software on your smartphone — prudence demands minding your app permissions, lest your little green bot start stealing your personal info.

More malware in the Android Market: Google removes 26 deleterious app doppelgangers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Inquirer  |  sourceThe Lookout Blog  | Email this | Comments

Zinio comes to Android tablets, gives you 24 magazine issues for free


The iPad has yet to transform the publishing world as many expected it would, but some healthy competition from Android tablets should help to keep that process in motion. Zinio‘s reader app is now available on select Android 2.2, 2.3, and all 3.0 tablets, bringing Esquire, National Geographic, and 20,000 other magazine titles to the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and a half dozen other devices. And, to kick off the launch, Zinio is picking up the tab on the most recent issues of 24 top magazines, as long as you download by June 15. Digital subscriptions are still often more expensive than their print counterparts, but at least Android tablet owners will have a safer place to hide their issues of Playboy.

Continue reading Zinio comes to Android tablets, gives you 24 magazine issues for free

Zinio comes to Android tablets, gives you 24 magazine issues for free originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 22:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SlingPlayer for Google TV teased on video, beta program opens up soon

We got a hint of Sling’s desire to let users catch their video streams directly on TV without a box during CES 2010, and now there’s video of the company showing off its SlingPlayer for Connected Devices app on Google TV. We caught a a preview at CES earlier this year, but interested Slingbox owners (SOLO and PRO-HD boxes only, just like the mobile apps) can sign up for the upcoming beta at the link below. We’re wondering if this app could be based on Flash, which could allow for easy porting to other embedded TV platforms with Adobe Flash & Air support like Samsung’s Smart Hub. Also not lost in the moment is the ability for the Google TV to show some potential, since it desperately needs for the list of things it actually can do well to garner more attention than the list of things it’s blocked from doing.

SlingPlayer for Google TV teased on video, beta program opens up soon originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 18:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSlingPlayer for Google TV beta, YouTube  | Email this | Comments

Apple brings iWork to iPhone and iPod touch

It’s been available on the iPad since that device launched, and now Apple has finally brought its iWork suite of productivity apps to the iPhone and iPod touch. That, of course, includes Keynote, Pages and Numbers, which are all now universal apps that run the same $9.99 apiece as their iPad-only predecessors — current users can simply upgrade for free, thankfully. Head on past the break for the complete press release.

Continue reading Apple brings iWork to iPhone and iPod touch

Apple brings iWork to iPhone and iPod touch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 12:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceKeynote, Pages, Numbers  | Email this | Comments

Bronze makes your music collection sound downright lazy

No matter how large your record collection is, there’ll always be days when you’re sick and tired of everything you own. There are some pretty easy fixes to this, of course — streaming music services, internet radio, and even the old fashioned terrestrial variety, but none attack the problem quite as directly as Bronze. The app was co-created by Golden Silvers’ front man, Gwilym Gold, in part as a clever way to promote his new track, “Flesh Freeze,” a hushed, Robert Wyatt-esque number, which just so happens to be the only song that it’s compatible with at present. Bronze combats musical stagnation by altering the music itself, assuring that no two listens of a song are ever quite the same, running an algorithm that jumbles the sequence and presence of elements including the instruments and vocals. The changes are generally fairly subtle from play to play, taking a few listens to really pick up on what’s unfolding. At present, it’s available as a download for the Mac, with Windows and mobile versions to follow. It’s free for now, but that, like the song, should change soon enough.

Bronze makes your music collection sound downright lazy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 04:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Wired  |  sourceGwilym Gold  | Email this | Comments

Android Market’s most popular emulators disappear without a trace (update)

If you’re an Android gamer, chances are you’ve heard of Nesoid, Snesoid, Gensoid, N64oid, Ataroid, Gearoid and Gameboid: they’re all video game console emulators developed by yongzh, and many ranked among the most popular paid apps on the Android Market. This week, they’ve got something else in common, too — they’ve all been abruptly removed. Following a complaint from Sega, two emulators were nixed late last month, but we’re hearing that Google has since revoked yongzh’s developer privileges, just like PSX4Droid comrade-in-arms ZodTTD. We’re currently reaching out to both yongzh and Google for comment, and hope to hear back soon, but it’s looking like a bleak week for the emulation community.

Update: We got in touch with yongzh (or Yong Zhang, as he’s known in real life) to discuss the matter, and he confirms that his developer account has been removed and his apps pulled without warning — cutting off his primary source of income and leaving him with an inbox stuffed with worried email from customers. He has, however, already migrated a number of emulators to third-party app store SlideME, where they’ll be free for a while, allowing existing customers to get updates without paying a second time, and likely helping a number of new individuals to mooch off his troubles. He’s not too optimistic about his prospects at SlideME, though.

Android Market’s most popular emulators disappear without a trace (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 May 2011 12:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WatchESPN app upgraded for iPad, still restricted to just a few TV providers

The free WatchESPN app that lets users tune into the family sports channels (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com) has been upgraded to version 1.1 on iOS (also available for Android) and in the process added a new UI designed just for the iPad. It sports a new tablet friendly UI, but the key restriction is still that you need to subscribe to Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks or Verizon FiOS TV to make use of the service. If you don’t have one of those and need a quick hit of sports TV without your TV, there is an account preview option that gives a few hours of viewing, no authentication necessary. You can download it yourself at the iTunes link below or check out the commercial embedded after the break.

Continue reading WatchESPN app upgraded for iPad, still restricted to just a few TV providers

WatchESPN app upgraded for iPad, still restricted to just a few TV providers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Signal Process introduces BreakOut Stereo and Stomp for the most serious of iOS musicians

If your iPad or iPhone is set to play a starring role at your next, sold-out concert, you may want to check out two new, iOS-friendly interfaces from New Signal Process. Pictured above is NSP’s BreakOut Stomp — a die cast aluminum-encased pedal that promises to transmit guitar signals to and from your iDevice, without any unwanted distortions or detection interference. All you have to do is slide the stompbox into your pedal board, hook it up to your iPhone’s headphone jack and fire up your favorite recording or mixing apps. Whereas the stomp was designed with guitarists in mind, the recently unveiled BreakOut Stereo is geared more toward the DJ demographic. The device offers essentially the same iOS-interfacing capabilities of its pedal-based counterpart, serving as a portable conduit between an iPad and an amp or tabletop unit. Boasting two mono output jacks, this little guy can also be used with guitars, mics or mixing boards and is durable enough to survive the rough and tumble of your next world tour. As far as prices go, the BreakOut Stomp is selling for $155, whereas the Stereo will set you back $135. Groove past the break to see an image of the latter, or hit the source link to find out how to order one.

Continue reading New Signal Process introduces BreakOut Stereo and Stomp for the most serious of iOS musicians

New Signal Process introduces BreakOut Stereo and Stomp for the most serious of iOS musicians originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 May 2011 07:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Cool Hunting  |  sourceNew Signal Process  | Email this | Comments

Netflix updates Android app, expands device support

Tired of content providers bossing you around, telling you what you can do with your own phone? Good, because Netflix is sick of telling you kids to keep off its lawn. Following a recent update, the outfit’s Android app now officially supports the LG Revolution, Motorola Droid, Casio G’zOne Commando C771, and any unsupported device that just happens to work on its own. In addition to adding official support for the aforementioned trio (and of course, some minor bug fixes), the stream king removed a device check that previously blocked unsupported handsets from attempting playback. Your mileage may vary, but the folks over at Droid Life are reporting success with both the Droid X and Droid X2, as well as the Xperia Play. That’s no guarantee for you and your unsupported device, but at least you have the freedom to fail. That’s nice, isn’t it?

Netflix updates Android app, expands device support originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 21:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Central  |  sourceAndroid Market  | Email this | Comments

Madfinger announces new Shadowgun game, with Tegra 2 and Kal-El support

Madfinger Games, the Czech Republic-based company behind Samurai II: Vengeance, has just announced Shadowgun — a futuristic, shoot ’em up game for Tegra 2-equipped Android phones and tablets. Available on both the Tegra Zone app and Android Market, Shadowgun promises to bring console-quality graphics and performance to mobile platforms — presumably with the extra geometric detail and high-res textures we’ve seen in other Tegra 2-tailored games. Madfinger is also developing a version for devices powered by NVIDIA’s forthcoming quad-core processor, alluringly known as Project Kal-El. Price and availability have yet to be announced, but you can find more information in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Madfinger announces new Shadowgun game, with Tegra 2 and Kal-El support

Madfinger announces new Shadowgun game, with Tegra 2 and Kal-El support originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 10:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Droid Life, Android Central  |  sourceMadfinger Games  | Email this | Comments