Sony Xperia Z5 and Moto G 2014 got Updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow by OTA

Sony Xperia Z5 and Moto G 2014 got Updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow by OTA

Saturday, 13 February 2016 / No Comments

The Android 6.0 Marshmallow has rolled out to the Xperia Z5 family, but only in a few countries. Now, Sony is gathering feedback from its Xperia users, before releasing the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update and recently, the company has launched a special program called “Concept for Android”. Sony is moving slower because it’s not one of Google’s OEMs, like Motorola, which already upgraded its Moto X 2015 and Moto G 2015 and now it’s rolling out the latest firmware to its Moto G 2014 in India.

Sony needs to polish the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the Xperia models that have been accepted to receive the official software, but until that will happen, the users will be able to give feedback through the Xperia Beta Program called “Concept for Android.” The Xperia users who are accepted in this beta program will have access to a pre-release beta version of Marshmallow, so if you want to be part of this program, hurry up and enroll. The Xperia Beta Program for Android can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store and it will work on any Xperia device that runs on at least Android 5.0 Lollipop, such as Xperia Z3 (D6603), Xperia Z3 Compact (D5803) and Xperia Z2 (D6503). If you’ll notice any issues while running the program, you can report them directly to the developers, through Sony’s open channel.

The latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow update is currently being pushed out to the second generation Moto G in India, after Motorola has finished the soak testing that started on January 22. Soon, the users from Brazil and other countries will receive this update, which brings many changes and features, such as Doze, app permissions, Google Now on Tap, support for fingerprint scanners etc. Motorola has ditched Moto Assist in favor of Do Not Disturb, a functionality that is available for Android.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow includes also the App Standby feature, which extends the battery life by putting rarely used applications into a reduced activity state. Another big change is related to the extension of the device internal storage, allowing users to install applications on the SD card.

In case you haven’t been notified that the update is available for your device, you can manually install it by going to the apps menu > Settings> About phone, where you will select System updates, then tap on “Yes, I’m in”.

Adobe Flash Player (3135782) Security Update from MS

Adobe Flash Player (3135782) Security Update from MS

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A few days ago, Microsoft has released a Security Update for Adobe Flash Player (3135782), which solved many vulnerabilities of this software that has been installed on devices running on Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows 10 Version 1511. This security update has fixed many vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player and Microsoft has updated the affected Adobe Flash libraries which were contained within the following web browsers: Internet Explorer 10, 11 and Microsoft Edge.

According to Microsoft, a vulnerability which is exploited “could allow code execution without user interaction. These scenarios include self-propagating malware (e.g. network worms), or unavoidable common use scenarios where code execution occurs without warnings or prompts. This could mean browsing to a web page or opening email”. So, according to the Adobe Security Bulletin APSB16-04, here are the vulnerabilities that this security update has addressed:

CVE-2016-0964
CVE-2016-0965
CVE-2016-0966
CVE-2016-0967
CVE-2016-0968
CVE-2016-0969
CVE-2016-0970
CVE-2016-0971
CVE-2016-0972
CVE-2016-0973
CVE-2016-0974
CVE-2016-0975
CVE-2016-0976
CVE-2016-0977
CVE-2016-0978
CVE-2016-0979
CVE-2016-0980
CVE-2016-0981
CVE-2016-0982
CVE-2016-0983
CVE-2016-0984
CVE-2016-0985

Here’s the list of software versions or editions that have been affected. The critical vulnerabilities that could have allowed remote code execution are:

– Windows 8.1for 32-bit Systems, update replaced: 3133431 in SA2755801;
– Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems, update replaced 3133431 in SA2755801;
– Windows RT 8.1, update replaced: 3133431 in SA2755801;
– Windows 10 for 32-bit Systems, update replaced: 3133431 in SA2755801;
– Windows 10 for x64-based Systems, update replaced: 3133431 in SA2755801;
– Windows 10 Version 1511 for 32-bit Systems, update replaced: 3133431 in SA2755801;
– Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems, update replaced: 3133431 in SA2755801.

Two moderate vulnerabilities have been patched as well:

– Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, update replaced: 3133431 in SA2755801;
– Windows Server 2012 R2, update replaced: 3133431 in SA2755801.

The Microsoft Patch Tuesday February 2016 updates can be downloaded and installed using Windows Update. So, the Windows 7 users will click the Start button, then they’ll select All Programs > Windows Update > Check for updates.

The Windows 8 users will click the Search icon which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the Start screen. They’ll write Windows Update and from the search results, they’ll choose Check for updates.

The Windows 10 users will click on the Start button and in the Windows search bar from the right side they’ll type in Windows Update and click the Check for updates link.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India Launch Confirmed in Twitter.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 India Launch Confirmed in Twitter.

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Xiaomi India has announced India launch of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 via social channels. 

RT the AWESOME news that a new #RedmiNote3 is coming. Be 1 of 100 Redmi Note 3 Explorers! https://t.co/hBzqqsEwRL pic.twitter.com/VV2BZ0opqH

— Mi India (@XiaomiIndia) January 14, 2016

Unfortunately, the Chinese company as of now has not revealed any launch date for the new Redmi Note 3. Additionally, Xiaomi is looking for 100 "explorers" for the Redmi Note 3 in India - users who get to preview the smartphone before it launches. Interested consumers can register at the company's official India website by January 31.

The company explained the 'Redmi Note 3 Explorer Challenge', saying, "Redmi Note 3 Explorers will be given a list of 100 missions to accomplish. Explorers will be ranked based on the number of successful missions and support from other Mi fans. All Explorers are required to return the phone after the challenge." The company also detailed that "Engineers" will be able to "Design extraordinary missions for Redmi Note 3 Explorers to complete. You'll win a Mi Band for every approved mission."

Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Note 3 back in November in China. The smartphone came in two variants: one with 2GB RAM and 16GB inbuilt storage variant which was priced at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,500) and another with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage at CNY 1,099 (approximately Rs. 11,500.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 features a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) Sunlight Display and is touted be a "fully-laminated display". It runs MIUI 7 based on Android OS. The company at the event highlighted that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 features an all-metal industrial design and stressed that it is now the "first Mi phone" to sport a full metal body and fingerprint sensor. The handset also sports a fingerprint sensor at the back which the company touted can unlock the device in just 0.3 seconds. Another notable feature is the 4000mAh battery with fast charging support that can charge up to 50 percent in 1 hour.

While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is powered by a 64-bit octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor (Cortex-A53) in China, the company may not replace the chipset on the Redmi Note 3 for the Indian market. Xiaomi since December 2014 has not been selling phones powered by MediaTek chipsets in India following a patent issue with Ericsson. However, a recent Qualcomm patent agreement may allow it to sell MediaTek-based smartphones in the country.

Google Play Store v6.2 What's New?

Google Play Store v6.2 What's New?

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Recently Google released its Google Play Store 6.2. The update includes one big change a few minor tweaks here and there. The big change will be noticed as soon as you set-up the APK and then head on to Settings. Here, you will observe a tab called “use itineraries from Gmail”. In short, the Play Store will tap into one’s Gmail messages and it will offer your all kinds of nifty app recommendations. This will come in handy for someone who books vehicles or restaurants on a regular basis. If you’re not interested in such recommendations, simply switch them off.

The Minor Tweaks

For those of you who are familiar with “My wishlist”, this has now been changed to just “Wishlist” plus it has changed places with” Redeem’.
“Family Sharing” has also suffered a small adjustment and now you can share your purchased item with a family member. This new update will also include a Family Library Settings screen and you will have the chance to switch it off/on. These might not be major tweaks, but it’s a change.

The fact that the APK is signed by Google makes it secure to be set-up and it means that it was not altered in any way. Google will release the update to your smartphone, however given the fact that it might take a while, go ahead and install it on your own to enjoy the new app recommendations based on your Gmail itinerary.

New Update: Instagram to roll out video view counts

New Update: Instagram to roll out video view counts

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Instagram has announced that it will soon roll out video view counts on its platform. Users of the Facebook owned photo sharing site will start seeing  how many times people have watched a video.

The view counter will appear where the number of likes are normally displayed. Users will still be able to see the number of likes on a video by tapping the view counter. Video counts may not bring much difference to regular users, but it will be important for content creators. The move comes from Instagram with an aim to provide better engagement measurement to content creators on its platform. Instagram further said that view counts on videos is one of the many features that will come to the video section this year. Instagram said that in the past six months, the amount of time people spent watching videos on the service has increased by more than 40 percent.

The video view counts feature had first rolled out to Facebook in 2014.