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Android - page 14

Apple Watch goes from strength to strength, while Samsung falls

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apple-watch-goes-from-strength-to-strength-while-samsung-falls-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201503Apple-Watch-options-jpg
Apple Watch continues to grow, while Samsung drops off the top five list.
Photo: Apple
Apple Watch continues to grow, while Samsung drops off the top five list. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch continues to grow, while Samsung drops off the top five list. Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch continues to go from strength to strength, while Samsung’s own wearable devices are eclipsed by new arrivals, according to new figures released by International Data Corporation (IDC).

Samsung will finally pay Apple the patent infringement damages it owes

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Apple will finally get its hands on Samsung's sweet, sweet cash.
Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple will finally get its hands on this sweet, sweet cash. Photo: Cult of Mac
Apple will finally get its hands on this sweet, sweet cash. Photo: Cult of Mac

Following quite literally years of appeals and retrials, Samsung is finally paying Apple the $548,176,477 it owes for infringing on patents owned by the Cupertino company.

Four months before the fifth anniversary of the original complaint, Apple will receive the money from Samsung by December 14 — with Apple and Samsung filing a joint case management statement with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, stating that Samsung, “has made arrangements to complete payment to Apple.”

Google’s new app transforms phones into VR cameras

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Google Cardboard Camera simulation
Like this, but you’re wearing a big thing on your face.

Google has unleashed a free app that will let anyone with an Android phone take panoramic videos and record sound. Later, you’ll be able to use your virtual-reality headset of choice to relive those moments in 3-D.

The app is called Cardboard Camera, after Google’s own build-it-yourself VR goggles, and it’s available now in the Google Play app store.

Android users defect to iPhone 6s at unprecedented rate

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Android users seems to love the new iPhone 6s.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Apple’s iPhone family becomes even more successful every year, and the latest models aren’t just a hit with faithful fans. According to new research, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are attracting Android switchers at an unprecedented rate.

Google breaks promise to not collect student data

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Google breaks its privacy promise. Photo: Google
Google breaks its privacy promise. Photo: Google

Google has been accused of breaking its student privacy pledge by collecting data and browsing habits from Chromebooks used in schools and Google Apps for Education.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has called upon the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Google’s conduct, and to prevent it from using the data it has collected so far.

OnePlus launches a new case for … iPhone?!

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The OnePlus iPhone case boasts a grippy finish.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

OnePlus is today launching a new smartphone case with its signature Sandstone finish — but it isn’t compatible with any of the company’s own devices. Instead, it’s made for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s, and we love it!

Check out our hands-on gallery below.

Instagram update lets you seamlessly manage multiple accounts

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Instagram now supports more than one account. Photo: Instragram
Instagram now supports more than one account. Photo: Instragram

Instagram is bringing a great new update to Android and iOS that allows users to seamlessly manage multiple accounts. The change means you’ll finally be able to access your personal and professional feeds — and the one dedicated to your cat — without having to log out and back in.

Google unleashes wonderfully nerdy Star Wars Easter egg

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This is certainly the Easter egg you're looking for.
Photo: David J. Rodger
Photo: David J. Roger
Photo: David J. Roger

As a company staffed by some bona fide geeks (and, hey, we’re not complaining!) Google is undoubtedly excited about the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

And what better way to show it than with possibly my favorite Easter egg in Google history? If you haven’t heard about it yet, read on to discover more.

If you care about special needs kids, choose Android Pay over Apple Pay on Black Friday

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tappaygive-blog

While Apple Pay has become a near ubiquitous payment option at stores across America, Android Pay is having a harder time getting off the ground. But here’s a reason to feel good about using Google’s service over Apple’s: until the end of the year, Google will donate money to special needs students across America every time you use Android Pay.

74.1% of all Android users are vulnerable to government surveillance

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This probably won't save you from the Feds. Photo: The Next Web
This probably won’t save you from the Feds. Photo: The Next Web

Apple has taken a huge stand with the U.S. government, claiming they won’t – and can’t – remotely unlock encrypted devices running iOS 8 or higher. That’s the vast majority of devices.

Google takes the same sort of stand. Any document running Android 5.0 or higher has full disk encryption enabled by default, and therefore can’t be be remotely unlocked, even when ordered to do so by the federal government.

But Android also has a fragmentation problem, which means that most Android devices aren’t running Android 5.0 or higher. In fact, according to a new filing prepared by Google for the New York District Attorney’s Office, Google can remotely unlock at least 74% of Android devices.

Google shoots first with Star Wars virtual reality series

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Google goes Jar Jar for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Photo: Disney
Google goes Jar Jar for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Photo: Disney

Google has teamed up with Disney and Verizon to develop a new virtual reality series in celebration of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The story ties directly into the new movie, and Google Cardboard owners can enjoy it on December 2 — but there’s more to check out today!

Slowing handset sales triggers Samsung firing spree

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When it comes to profits Apple's definitely on top right now.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC
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Apple’s definitely on top right now. Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr CC

You know the way that Apple’s heroically struggling to build a new “spaceship” HQ capable of housing its army of brilliant worker ants who design the iPhone? Well, Samsung has an easier solution for its phone division: just fire a load of people.

New statistics published courtesy of Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service underline the degree to which Samsung’s smartphone business is struggling — with 5,000 employees booted out of the door over the past year, while 30 percent of execs are expected to follow them in the next month.

iFixIt: This Android phone beats the iPhone when it comes to repairability

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Apple’s computers and devices may be at the top of the review charts, but one way in which they almost never do very well is in iFixit’s repairability ratings. With hard-to-crack cases held together by copious amounts of solder and glue, it’s practically impossible to repair your own iPhone, iPad, or Mac by yourself. Apple routinely gets ranks of 1, 2, or 3 on iFixit’s “Out of 10” repairability scale.

But smartphones don’t need to be unrepairable. iFixIt just gave a smartphone a perfect 10 on its repairability scale. And surprise! It’s an Android device.

Samsung Pay to beat Apple Pay to China next year

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Samsung Pay will expand next year. Photo: Samsung
Samsung Pay will expand next year. Photo: Samsung

Samsung is already fighting Apple Pay head on in the U.S., and now the South Korean company wants to beat it to new markets. A new report claims Samsung Pay will make its way to China, Spain, and the U.K. next year — only one of which is already supported by Apple Pay.

Google Maps takes on Yelp, offers prizes for local map experts

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Might as well earn some points and help people find cool stuff.  Photo: Google
Might as well earn some points and help people find cool stuff. Photo: Google

Google Maps offers a ton of local info when you use the navigation system on your Android or Apple smartphone, including local businesses, eateries, or interesting spots.

The company is expanding its Local Guides program in Google Maps, which will let you share your own discoveries directly to the map, making it more useful for others as well as competing with Yelp, which has a similar service.

But wait, there’s more. With every bit of local expertise you share with Google Maps through the Local Guides program, you’ll get points.

YouTube Music rocks out on Android and iOS

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YouTube Music
YouTube will take on Apple Music (again).
Photo: Google
Yes, Google has another music streaming service. Photo: Google
Yes, Google has another music streaming service. Photo: Google

YouTube Music has arrived on Android and iOS, and it promises to make it easier than ever to discover new music on YouTube. Simply hit play and enjoy an endless journey through the platform’s entire music catalog, or check out YouTube’s recommendations based on your listening habits.

WTF?! Study finds Android is actually safer than iOS

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The Apple brand is the big difference.
The Apple brand is the big difference.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Your iPhone isn't as safe as you think it is. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Your iPhone isn’t as safe as you think it is. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Are iPhones really more secure than Androids? Google’s platform certainly gets more stick thanks to high-profile vulnerabilities like Stagefright, but according to a new study, Android is still safer and more secure than iOS.

Google could build its own iPhone rival

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Can Google do better than this? Photo: Google
Can Google do better than this? Photo: Google

After working with third-party smartphone vendors on the Nexus lineup for years, Google is finally toying with the idea of building its own handset, according to some employees. It’s thought the search giant is keen to have a stab at taking on the iPhone all by itself.