Google shares some tips to keep your Android smartphone safe and private

Your Android smartphone/tablet is your very own personal haven of everything ranging from memories to sensitive data. In fact it's a small part of your own self. Well, if it's so private, it's also important that you keep it that way.

We have compiled here some really cool tips and tricks coming straight from Google's global Android team giving you step by step instructions on how to keep your android device safe.

---Make sure Android Device Manager is on: The Android Device Manager comes into play when your device is stolen or misplaced. Remember to have Android Device Manager set up on your device. Make sure to sign in with your Google Account and turn on "Remotely locate this device" and "Allow remote lock and erase." Should your phone land in the wrong hands, you can always relocate it, and remotely lock and erase all the data that lies therein.

---Set a Screen Lock: Set up a screen lock with a PIN, password, or pattern to ensure your phone cannot be accessed by anyone but yourself. You can do this by going to Settings > Security > Screen lock.
In case you have Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher running on your phone, you can also choose to have your device automatically unlock when you have it with you using the Smart Lock for Android feature.

---Adding your contact info to your lock screens: You can put your contact information (like an email address or phone number) on the lock screen so you can get a missing device back if someone finds it and wants to contact you. You can do this by going to Settings > Security > Owner info.

---Encrypt your phone: Encrypting your phone helps keep your data safe if you lose your device. For devices running Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) or higher, you can encrypt the data on your device in Settings > Security > Encrypt phone.

---Download apps from trusted sources:

Before you install an app from an unknown source, first consider:
1. Is the app from a trusted source? What made you sure it's from a trusted brand?
2. Does it offer a service that could include hidden fees?
3. Is it asking for sensitive information or device permissions you wouldn't give to a stranger?

If you're unsure about any of these questions, we recommend that you don't install the app. If you do install the app, we recommend disabling Unknown Sources again after you're done.

---Beware of ads you click: Beware of anything that claims that your phone is infected or asks for your password or personal information. Remember, you could accidentally download unwanted or potentially harmful applications or give someone you don't trust access to your account this way.

---Back up your data:  This is the extreme case scenario. Backups make it easier to recover your information and apps if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Read More

Android M: 10 features that Google wants in your next phone

                                  Google's next version of its mobile operating system -- Android M -- is finally official. The developer preview is already out and the final version is expected to hit the phones later this year. So what are the top features this Android M is going to bring to your smartphones? Google says that there are hundreds of new features. We tell you the 10 that we feel matter the most.


Doze

This is the feature that is going to improve the battery life of phones running Android M in a big big way. One of the reasons why battery life in Android phones is not so great is because apps use hardware even when they are in the background or the phone is in standby mode. With the Doze feature in Android M, Google would put the apps in sleep mode when the phone is not being used. For example when you are sleeping, the browser in your phone will also go into the sleep mode and won't consume hardware resources. This, according to Google, improves the standby battery life by 2 to 3 times.

For Doze feature, Google will use the sensors that are already there in the phones. It will be able to measure if the phone has been kept idle or a user is using it and depending on the situation would force apps to either stay awake or doze off.


Permissions

This is a feature aimed at improving security in the Android. For now when a user installs an app, it shows a list of permissions it needs. On most occasions a user just says yes to it and that is it. But with the Android M when you install an app it won't ask for any permission. Instead, it will ask for permission when you run the app and when the app requires access to certain hardware component, such as GPS or camera. Once approved, the app will have access to that hardware component. But you will still have the option of going into settings and revoke that particular permission. This is similar to how permissions are managed in the iOS though in the case with Android you can expect more flexibility and finer control.


App links

In Android communication between apps has always been great. This is the reason why you can share almost everything from any app using any other different app. But with the Android M, Google is making the feature even better. When apps use the backend features provided in the Android M, users will be able to open links directly into apps. For example, you come across a tweet that has a Facebook link. Currently, when you open this link you will get option to open it in browser or Facebook app. But with Android M, the link will be directly opened in the Facebook app.


Chrome inside apps

This is also a part of Google's bid to improve content sharing between apps. Nowadays, many apps use in-app browser to display links. But with Android, if these apps want, they will be able to incorporate Chrome engine within the app. This means, when a user clicks on a web link, it will open in a tab that has all the feature and functionality of Chrome browser.


Support for fingerprint scanner

Phones like the Galaxy S6 already have fingerprint scanners but with Android M, Google is adding support for this extra feature in the operating system, This means most manufacturers using Android won't have to spend their own resources on developing software for fingerprint scanner. What it means to users? Expect more phones with fingerprint scanner.


Now on tap

Call it creepy or call it useful, Google Now is getting more smarter. Until now it was analysing all your data that was available within Google apps to find a pattern and get you useful information. But in Android M it will also keep an eye what you do inside other apps. So, when  you are playing a song, Google Now will know which song is playing and if you ask it "what is the name of the singer" it will get you the result even though you didn't specify the name of the singer. Similarly, when you are looking at a restaurant in an app and you say "show me the direction to this restaurant" Google Now will know which restaurant you are talking about.


Auto back up for apps

Currently, app developers can enable backup feature in their Android apps. But with the Android M, the back-up feature will be automatic. This means if users decide to enable backup feature, it will be easier for them to restore the data. Though this back-up feature for apps is going to be enabled by default, if app developers want they would be able to turn it off for their specific app.


Support for USB C

This is the same port that Apple has put in its new MacBook. In the Android phone the support for USB C will have four benefits:

-- Reversible plug means you don't have to worry about the orientation of the port. Just take the connector and plug it in.

-- Faster charging.

-- Phone as a charger. This means you will be able to use your phone to charge other phones.

-- Faster data transfer.


Better audio controls

This was already there in the KitKat but was removed in Android Lollipop. This feature is coming back. The silent mode will be again available if you keep the volume down button pressed. Similarly, while changing the audio controls you will get option to change them for media playback, call feature and alarm.


Cut, copy, paste

In Android M, the cut, copy, paste menu will appear as a floating toolbar whenever you long press on text. This is much more easier and intuitive of implementing this feature.

Source : indiatoday

Read More

Android M: Top features, how you will get it, and everything else you need to know

   Last night Google announced Android M. The name will change in the coming months just the way it did for the Android L but the core features and roadmap is going to be what was announced last night. So what is Android M? When will you get it? What will it do to your phone?

Many questions. Don't worry we have all the answers.


What is Android M?

Android M is an update to Android Lollipop. For now it is called M but it is going to be christened something that sounds more sweeter, say for example Marshmallow or Milkcake or Muffin.In terms of version numbering we are sure that the Android M will be dubbed Android 5.2 because it doesn't seem to be a big enough change to warrant Android 6 moniker.


How is it different from Android Lollipop?

In many ways it is not. Android M connection with the Android Lollipop is going to be similar to the relation that Jelly Bean had with Ice Cream Sandwich. This means both Android Lollipop and Android M sport the similar look and feel.

But the changes are under the hood. Google has said that there are hundreds of improvements in Android M. Many of these improvements will make apps better, many will improve overall experience, while a lot many are, we suspect, related to fixing of Android Lollipop bugs.


What are the top features of Android M?

We will take a better look at the top features of Android M but in nutshell (and how Google has explained them so far) here are the top ones:

-- App permissions to improve security

-- App links to improve how apps talk to each other within the OS

-- Battery life improvements

-- Android Pay

-- Support for USB C

-- Support for fingerprint scanner

-- Google Now on Tap


Why should I care about Android M?

When released, it is going to be the latest and greatest Android. It will have the best Android features and we can assume that it will be also be the safest one. This should be the reason enough to look forward to it.


How will I get Android M?

The developer version of Android M is already available. Now now, don't rush to download it. It is only available for Nexus 5, Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 for now. Also it is a developer preview, which means it will have tons of bugs so it is not at all advisable to install it on your phone, even if you know how to flash ROMs and other geeky stuff.

Most consumers will get Android M when it is officially released in the polished version later in the year. Even then we expect people who use latest Nexus devices and the Nexus 5 to get it ahead of everyone else.

If you use a non-Nexus device, you will get the Android M only when your phone manufacturer pushes it out. This means if you use Samsung Galaxy S6, chances are that you will get it by early next year. But if you use Galaxy S4 or similar older devices, you may not get the Android M.


How will Android M change my phone?

It goes without saying that Android M will change your phone for better. Though most of these changes are also going to be subtle. But the one area where Android M will help users a lot is the battery life. With its battery life and new performance features, Android M may give you tremendously better battery life. According to Google, in standby mode a phone running Android M lasts two times longer than a phone running Android Lollipop.

Read More